Renee Speaks

Powering Startup Dreams Today with Nate Littlewood | EP 149

In this episode of Renee Speaks, we sit down with Nate Littlewood, founder of Future Ready CFO, who helps purpose‑led founders in the eCommerce and CPG space achieve their business and financial goals by bringing clarity to their numbers.Unlike many CFOs, Nate has “walked the walk”—bootstrapping his own eCommerce business, serving as Lead Mentor for a NYC‑based startup accelerator, and spending nearly a decade on Wall Street before becoming an entrepreneur. Through content, courses, and 1:1 coaching, he is on a mission to make finance education more accessible and to help end finance as the #1 reason startups fail.In Powering Startup Dreams Today, Nate shares how founders can use financial data to make smarter decisions, scale with confidence, and turn their vision into sustainable success.

Funding Futures, Building Impact with Sara Orellana | EP 148

In this episode of Renee Speaks, we sit down with Sara Orellana—founder of 3Raptor Consulting and Sincerely Sara O, with over 18 years of expertise in grant writing and nonprofit consultancy. Sara has secured more than $50 million in funding through her data‑driven, analytical approach, while also advising small businesses through her work with the SBDC and SBA. With advanced degrees in English Literature, Social and Community Services, and Epidemiology, she empowers organizations to build clear, impactful donor relationships using science‑backed methodologies and SMART goals. A leader and mentor, Sara has served as the inaugural chair of the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Coalition and is a Certified Executive Mentor and Wellness Coach. In Funding Futures, Building Impact, she shares how nonprofits and businesses alike can achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Real Estate That Builds Wealth with David Cinelli | EP 147

In this episode of Renee Speaks, we sit down with David Cinelli—one of Canada’s top 1% Realtors®, HGTV co‑host, and trusted advisor with nearly 20 years of experience. David is known for making complex real estate concepts simple and actionable, blending data, expertise, and human connection. From behind‑the‑scenes insights into Toronto’s luxury market to practical strategies for smarter investing, he delivers with clarity, authenticity, and contagious energy. In Real Estate That Builds Wealth, David shares how to navigate the market, invest wisely, and create long‑term value through real estate.

How We Got Here: Founder Stories of Growth with Khalilah Shakir Lyons | EP 146

Renee Speaks welcomes Khalilah Shakir Lyons, founder of Answer the Moment™—a leadership and culture firm helping individuals and organizations align purpose with performance. With a gift for turning complexity into clarity, Khalilah has guided leaders across industries to replace exhaustion with purpose and transform awareness into sustainable action. Recognized as a Mogul Top 100 DEI Leader and 2024 Corporate Woman of Achievement, she brings both credibility and heart to every conversation. In this episode, we uncover her journey, her frameworks like B_List Living™, and the lessons that help leaders grow with confidence, clarity, and humanity.

Hire Smarter, Grow Faster with EA Clarke | EP 145

In this episode of Renee Speaks, we’re joined by EA Clarke, a leader in recruitment strategy and the founder of Pivot + Edge, to talk about how hiring the right people can make or break your growth.With over 30 years of experience and a background in building and scaling startups—including helping raise nearly $14M—EA shares practical insights on how leaders can move beyond hiring from their immediate networks and start attracting the right talent at scale.We dive into what it really takes to build a strong team, how to position your company to stand out to top candidates, and why your company story is one of your most powerful hiring tools.If you’re a founder, executive, or growing team looking to hire smarter and grow faster, this conversation is for you.