The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations

From Corporate Healthcare to Holistic Healing with Krista Guagenti

On this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Rhonda Peterson welcomes Krista Guagenti, founder of Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique, to share the remarkable story behind her business and mission-driven approach to wellness. Krista opens up about the 30-year journey from dreaming about a healing retreat for families impacted by cancer to building one of the few luxury spas in the country with a fully oncology-certified staff. Drawing from her background in healthcare, chemistry, medical device sales, and entrepreneurship, Krista shares the persistence, resilience, and intentional leadership required to turn setbacks into stepping stones. The conversation explores wellness, compassionate leadership, business scalability, and creating a brand rooted in healing and purpose. KEY POINTS * Krista’s dream of creating a wellness retreat for families facing cancer began when she was a teenager and was inspired by deep empathy and compassion for patients and caregivers. * After being denied funding multiple times, Krista strategically built business experience through franchise ownership before launching Panacea. * Panacea’s oncology-certified staff is trained to safely care for guests with cancer diagnoses and other complex health conditions through customized treatments and compassionate service. * Krista emphasized the importance of building strong leadership teams, systems, and operational processes in order to scale a high-touch luxury wellness business. * The conversation also explored Krista’s personal approach to wellness, including sleep, clean living, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, golf, and creating intentional moments of restoration. Krista’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful reminder that vision, persistence, and purpose can coexist in business. Her story demonstrates how meaningful impact often comes from staying committed to a mission long before the world can see the final result. Connect with Krista Website [https://panacealuxuryspa.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristaguagenti/] Connect with Rhonda Website [https://rhondapeterson.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondapetersoncoach/]

From Leadership to Entrepreneurship: Creating Cultures That Flourish EP 20

Check out resources and events here [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/] Bethany George, VP of Roundtables for NAWBO Columbus and founder of The Sales Mystique, sits down with Amy Lahmers, founder and president of Flourishes Consulting, to explore leadership, team alignment, and the realities of building a business. Amy shares her journey from higher education and nonprofit leadership into entrepreneurship, along with the mindset shifts required to grow a people-centered organization. The conversation highlights the importance of aligned teams, the value of community for entrepreneurs, and how intentional leadership practices can create sustainable growth and stronger cultures. Key Points * Careers aren’t linear, they’re journeys shaped by passion, purpose, and evolving opportunities * Starting a business can feel like jumping off a cliff, but leaning into possibility creates growth * Aligned teams are built by getting everyone moving toward shared goals with clarity and trust * HR audits can serve as a powerful tool for understanding and improving people practices * Entrepreneurs often wait too long to bring in support and try to do too much themselves * Strong culture comes from shared wins, recognition, and involving teams in the mission * Community is essential for business owners to avoid isolation and gain mutual support * Leadership growth accelerates when women collaborate and learn from each other This episode reinforces that leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about people, clarity, and connection. When leaders invest in alignment and community, growth becomes a natural outcome rather than a constant struggle. Connect with Bethany Website [https://www.thesalesmystique.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanygeo/] Connect with Amy Website [https://www.flourishesconsulting.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alahmers/]

Know Your Numbers, Know Your Worth: Lessons from Sheila A. Mixon EP 19

Check out resources and events here [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/]  In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Maritza “Shay” Nelson sits down with Sheila A. Mixon, President and CEO of The SASH Effect, to explore her decades-long journey in business development, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Sheila shares how her early experiences shaped her leadership philosophy and why empowering women entrepreneurs remains her life’s work. Together, they discuss the importance of advocacy, financial literacy, and community, along with practical insights on navigating growth, leveraging networks, and adapting to rapid changes like AI. Key Points * Sheila’s journey to launching The SASH Effect was rooted in a lifetime of advocacy and recognizing her impact on others * Early mentorship and advocacy played a critical role in shaping her leadership mindset and career trajectory * Women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges with access to capital and understanding their financial numbers * Being “in the right room” and actively participating in networks like NAWBO is essential for growth and opportunity * Community and collaboration are critical, especially among women business owners who are more likely to support and partner with one another * Many entrepreneurs hold themselves back by overthinking, avoiding asking for help, or trying to do everything alone * Certification programs like WBENC are valuable not just for contracts, but for access to powerful networks and partnerships * Understanding your purpose and aligning it with your business is key to sustainable success * Technology and AI are here to stay, and business owners must stay informed and adaptable * Self-care, delegation, and building the right team are essential to avoid burnout and enable growth This conversation reinforces that success in business is not just about strategy, but about community, self-awareness, and execution. Sheila’s perspective is a powerful reminder that when women entrepreneurs know their value, build strong networks, and take care of themselves, they are positioned to thrive and create lasting impact. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/] Connect with Sheila Website [https://www.thesasheffect.com/]

Systems, Strategy, and Scaling: Empowering Women-Owned Businesses with Monica L. Womack EP 18

Check out resources and events here [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/]  On this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Dr. Courtney sits down with Monica L. Womack, MPA, founder and CEO of MLW Solutions LLC. Their conversation explores Monica’s journey from public service to entrepreneurship, her work strengthening systems that support women-owned businesses, and how intentional infrastructure, partnerships, and access to capital help entrepreneurs grow sustainably.  The discussion highlights the importance of community ecosystems, leadership clarity, and building businesses that create long-term economic impact. Key Points * Monica launched MLW Solutions after years of leading initiatives in Ohio’s Minority Business Development Division, where she focused on building systems that expand access to resources, capital, and contracting opportunities for under-resourced entrepreneurs. * Strong infrastructure and systems are essential for sustainable business growth. Monica emphasizes that communities cannot be effectively supported by under-resourced providers and that both human and financial capital must be aligned to create meaningful outcomes. * Women entrepreneurs often feel pressure to do everything themselves. Monica encourages founders to build systems, delegate effectively, and bring others into their vision in order to scale and grow further. * Partnerships and networks such as NAWBO Columbus play a critical role in connecting entrepreneurs to capital, mentorship, and opportunities that accelerate growth. * Looking ahead, Monica sees major opportunities for women entrepreneurs to leverage AI, collaboration, and ecosystem partnerships to expand their businesses and drive broader economic impact. Monica’s journey illustrates how intentional leadership, strong systems, and collaborative ecosystems can unlock opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Her work through MLW Solutions and NAWBO demonstrates the power of building infrastructure that helps businesses move from vision to sustainable growth. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/] Connect with Monica Website [https://mlwsolutionsllc.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-l-womack-mpa/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/monica.l.womack?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=eTHIablJMVGEvNcl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1C8x8FJfDL%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#]

Leading With Purpose: Governance, Growth, and Courage in Community Leadership EP 17

Check out resources and events here [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/]  On this episode of The Business of Belonging, Yasmine Robles welcomes Kerri Mollard, founder and CEO of Mollard Consulting, for a conversation about nonprofit leadership, board governance, and the role women entrepreneurs play in strengthening communities. Drawing from more than two decades of consulting experience, Kerri shares how strong boards, intentional leadership, and aligned service create healthier organizations and more resilient communities. Together, they explore the realities of nonprofit board service, common misconceptions women face when stepping into leadership roles, and how entrepreneurs can choose opportunities that align with both purpose and capacity. The discussion highlights governance as the foundation of sustainable nonprofits and emphasizes courage, clarity, and community engagement as essential leadership traits. * Nonprofit boards succeed when mission clarity and trust between leadership and boards are strong * Women often underestimate the value of their skills and hesitate to pursue board service * Governance challenges frequently sit at the root of fundraising and organizational struggles * Choosing the right board requires alignment across passion, time, resources, skills, and growth goals * Community leadership, including local public service, strengthens both organizations and society * Taking measured risks is essential for leadership growth and personal fulfillment Leadership begins with service and intention. By aligning purpose with action and stepping into opportunities with confidence, women leaders can shape stronger nonprofits, healthier communities, and more meaningful professional journeys. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus [https://nawbocbus.org/events/category/nawbo-columbus-events/]  Connect with Yasmine LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminerobles/] Website [https://myrebelmarketing.com/] Connect with Kerri LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrimollard/] Website [https://mollardconsulting.com/]