Fearless Females

Accidental Entrepreneurship with Stefanie Francis: Building What You Couldn't Find

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Stefanie Francis, founder and CEO of Hootology, to uncover the twists and turns of her inspiring career. From her beginnings as a Division I volleyball player to unexpectedly launching her own tech-enabled market research firm, Stefanie shares how embracing uncertainty and following her intuition led her to build the company she had always hoped to work for. Stefanie offers candid reflections on leaving comfort zones, navigating challenges as a woman leader, and her commitment to inner growth through therapy and self-discovery. Whether you're forging your own path or still figuring out the next step, Stefanie Francis's fearless wisdom will spark your curiosity and encourage you to embrace every possibility along your journey. Show Highlights: * Finding success in the present on an evolving career path. [07:22] * A journey to founding the company you couldn't find to work at. [08:15] * What does modernized market research look like? [12:31] * The role of therapy as a transformative personal investment. [15:49] * Why advice isn't absolute and needs your unique filter. [18:12] * Hollow personal branding vs. "warning" signals of authenticity. [21:14] * The value of understanding your own psychology of money. [29:39] * Is fear a necessary part of growth? [33:32] * Exposure to locker room talk as masculine-presenting women. [35:45] * Embracing the inner voice, fear, and quiet as young women. [39:14] Connect with Stefanie Francis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefrancis/]. You can also reach out to Stefanie via email at stephanie@hootology.com [stephanie@hootology.com] . If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Owning Your Value with Lauren Cockerell Kwedar: Starting Before You Feel Ready

In today's conversation, Lori Jones sits down with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, president of Kwedar & Co., who shares her inspiring journey from book-loving child to successful entrepreneur. Listen in as Lauren recounts how being laid off at eight months pregnant became the catalyst for launching her own business—and how embracing lifelong learning and valuing her own worth transformed her professional path. You'll also hear candid advice on negotiating salaries, trusting your intuition, scaling teams with heart, and the importance of taking time to rest and rejuvenate. This episode is packed with real stories, practical lessons, and encouragement for any woman aiming to carve her own fearless trail in the business world. Show Highlights: * Do great PR careers evolve from a childhood love of stories? [08:26] * How being laid off can be an entrepreneurial springboard. [12:13] * The power of coaching to help start and sustain a business. [16:00] * The certification and accelerator that transformed Lauren's path. [17:45] * Are you undercharging without negotiating first offers? [21:44] * Pitfalls of boosting headcount without strategy during rapid growth. [25:58] * The importance of delegating financial administration. [30:44] * Why "hire slow, fire fast" is true—better done with humanity. [35:36] * Fostering rest and adventure beyond work as an employer. [41:38] * AI and entry-level job challenges vs. unlocking unique value. [43:32] Connect with Lauren Kwedar Cockerell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/] or via email at hello@kwedarco.com [hello@kwedarco.com]. You can also find Lauren's work or contact her at https://www.kwedarco.com/ [https://www.kwedarco.com/]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Rewriting the Playbook with Cary Carbonaro: Designing Finance for Women

This week, Lorie Jones welcomes powerhouse financial advisor Cary Carbonaro, whose remarkable path proves success rarely follows a straight line. From her early days in private banking to weathering professional pivots and personal upheaval, Cary stands out as a relentless force finding opportunity through adversity. She opens up about rewriting the rules in a male-dominated industry and why women don't have to fit neatly into any one box—advisor, author, marketer, or speaker. You will find fresh perspectives in her ironclad commitment to self-belief and her strategic take on building a career where confidence is non-negotiable. Don't miss Cary's practical advice for owning your ambition, championing your credentials, and celebrating milestones along the way. This is a conversation designed to energize growth-minded women ready to shape their own legacy. Show Highlights: * A nonlinear journey in finance to a No.4 national ranking. [04:34] * Betting on your talent over job security at a prestigious firm. [08:34] * Why you should get Cary's book Women and Wealth. [10:47] * Is occupying a single career box important to be successful? [12:23] * The high-return investment of earning CFP certification. [13:37] * Risks of unqualified people vetting your separation agreement. [17:36] * The importance of listening to good parental and CFP advice. [21:47] * Explicit and subtle discrimination against women in finance. [27:59] * Two non-negotiables for women entering male-dominated fields. [31:34] * Practical advice for young women who want to become CFPs. [35:26] To contact Cary Carbonaro, visit her website https://carycarbonaro.com/ [https://carycarbonaro.com/] or find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carycarbonarocfp/]. Click the link to get Cary's book Women and Wealth: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Wealth-Playbook-Empower-Clients/dp/1394300271 [https://www.amazon.com/Women-Wealth-Playbook-Empower-Clients/dp/1394300271] If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/]

Designed for More with Sarah Simmons: Finding Strength in Risk and Reinvention

In this inspiring episode, Sara Simmons, founder of Sera Swimwear and a seasoned HR executive, joins Lorie Jones for a candid conversation about blazing your own trail in male-dominated industries. They'll explore the difference between confidence and competence, the power of investing in yourself, and the reality of growing a career—and a business—from the ground up. Sara shares her unconventional journey from childhood fashion dreams to building startups, navigating setbacks, and undertaking unique challenges as a woman leader. Whether you're just getting started or facing your own crossroads, this episode delivers the wisdom, grit, and practical advice you need to take the next fearless step in your career. Get ready to be inspired and empowered on your own path to success! Show Highlights: * Two must-reads for leading organizations with a competitive edge. [03:48] * The opportunity in underserved plus-size apparel with data. [10:58] * The indispensable value of CE and professional certification. [16:06] * How to recognize a stagnant job and cues for a change. [16:37] * Who's in your combined Voltron of key advisors? [19:54] * Why the advice you take must fit your context and realism. [20:33] * The truth about fearlessness and micro steps. [28:52] * Advice to find a 401(k) employer match. [32:24] * Balance vs. work-life integration for multi-hyphenate women. [34:24] * Avoid opportunistic thought leaders as early-career women. [39:47] * Confidence vs. competence in real-life business building. [41:51] Connect with Sara Simmons on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-s-053a1a126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-s-053a1a126/]. Sara can also be reached via email at sara@seraswimwear.com [sara@seraswimwear.com]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].

Relationships and Referrals with Sarah Hubbard: Building a Network That Actually Works

In this episode, Lorie Jones sits down with Sarah Hubbard, author of The Intentional Networker and senior residential mortgage loan officer, to uncover the real stories behind thriving as a woman in a male-dominated field. From Sarah's nonlinear journey from athletic aspirations and physical therapy to succeeding in the world of mortgage lending, to her candid lessons about debt, networking, and staying true to oneself, this conversation is packed with honest insights and a dash of humor. Discover why authenticity is the secret to attracting the right people, the importance of intentional networking, and how trusting your intuition can make all the difference. If you're ready to be inspired by genuine resilience and actionable advice from a woman who carved her own path against the odds, this episode is for you. Tune in and celebrate the magic of showing up exactly as you are. Show Highlights: * Why your networking journey is the path to a thriving career. [08:52] * What's the real "work" in networking that makes it work? [11:13] * Does networking boost sales more than costlier direct mail? [16:25] * Tweaking male-originated playbooks in finance as a woman. [19:43] * Can introverts be powerful networkers? [21:25] * Lessons from legal intake for securing referral partners or contacts. [23:34] * Do you have to spend money you don't have to find business? [26:29] * Who are the best referral partners for mortgage loan officers? [30:09] * Standing out with resonance in diverse speaking spaces. [39:27] * Writing and self-publishing a book despite dyslexia. [47:13] * What young women must establish with intuition for a shining career. [50:23] Learn more about Sarah Hubbard at https://sarah-hubbard.com/#about [https://sarah-hubbard.com/#about]. Follow her on Instagram @sarahannflann [https://www.instagram.com/sarahannflann/]. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hubbard-flannery/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hubbard-flannery/]. If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fearless-females/id1721653714] and leave a review! For more information about Lorie Jones, go to https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females [https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/].