In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, owner and sole writer of independent publishing house, The English Schoolhouse, about how she built the boutique publishing house. She has penned over fifteen children’s books, connecting with professional fine artists to include the most amazing illustrations in each book. This episode is a must listen as Dr. Pizzoli shares her stories of building her business and owning her own abilities to get shit done and make her dreams a reality! Building a Boutique Publishing House Episode Highlights: “Adversity guards the door to success.” Work doesn’t have to be difficult and cumbersome, sometimes it can be “that simple”. Take your time. Make time for yourself and own pleasures and mischiefs. Do it. Do something about it today. Start today, even something little. Date your ideas. Dr. Tamara Pizzoli Dr. Tamara Pizzoli is the owner and sole writer at her independent publishing house, The English Schoolhouse. In five years she has penned over fifteen children's book titles including the award-winning story The Ghanaian Goldilocks and Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO, which has been optioned to be made into a live action film produced by Gabrielle Union and John Sacchi. Originally from Texas, Pizzoli has resided in Rome, Italy for over a decade where she does everything she deems creative and interesting while raising her four children. You can find Tamara online at: Facebook: Tamara Pizzoli Instagram: @tamarapizzoli    Twitter: @engschoolhouse   Website: theenglishschoolhouse.com If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

Lean the F*ck Out | Fempreneurs | Women Entrepreneurs | Female Business Owners

EP112 - Building a Boutique Publishing House - An Interview with Tamara Pizzoli

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, Gretchen and Tera talk with Tameka Ramsey, founder of T Ramsey & Associates. Tameka is an entrepreneur, consultant, community organizer, problem solver and so much more. Honestly, it’s hard to capture in a brief statement what a bad ass Tameka is! Listen to this episode to get a sense of what she does, why she does it, and how she is truly changing the damn world. Changing the Damn World! Episode Highlights: Tameka started T Ramsey & Associates and modeled it after Olivia Pope & Associates! The consultancy is made up of black women consultants with a wide range of expertise including advocacy, social justice, strategic planning, civic engagement, PR, branding, communications, writing and more. An important aspect of T Ramsey & Associates is that it empowers black women to run their own businesses while having the flexibility to work and raise their families. Black women move the needle when it comes to policies and voting. Community organizing has to start hyper-locally. Organize yourself and your lives first, then once you feel that empowerment you automatically start going bigger and making more movement. You need to feel empowered personally first. Organizations need to see this first. Empower women first, then bring them along to the Capitol. “Calling out rudeness is my favorite past time.” “All community organizers should be social workers.” “Organize in the way of the Black Panther.” Tameka Ramsey Tameka Ramsey is the founder and senior associate at T. Ramsey & Associates, a consulting firm based in Downtown Pontiac, Michigan. Tameka is a sought-after consultant, known for her work with grassroot nonprofits; minority owned microenterprises and small businesses; and, progressive political campaigns. She serves as the co-founder of Pontiac Policy Council, convener for Black Women’s Roundtable Detroit, and is a member of 482Forward and Mothering Justice. Tameka has worked tirelessly to build grassroots organizations in Pontiac and Metro Detroit that are committed to their communities. Tameka earned her associate’s degree in mental health social work from Oakland Community College; her bachelor’s degree in social work from Wayne State University; and her master’s degree in public administration with a dual concentration of local government and nonprofit management from Oakland University. In addition to her formal education, Tameka has more than 12 years’ experience in community organizing, advocacy and leadership development. She has received training from Neighbor Works America, Center for Progressive Leadership, Midwest Academy, the Gamaliel Organization and more. Tameka is married to Michael Brown Ramsey. They have three children, Qua’Veionta (Roshae), Zakiya and Michael Jr and a new grandson Qua Jr You can find Tameka online at: website: tramseyllc.com Facebook: facebook.com/BWRMD If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

EP111 - Changing the Damn World - An interview with Tameka Ramsey

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, Gretchen and Tera talk with Ary, the Badass Budget Babe and Virtual CFO. Ary tells about her journey toward loving finance and budgeting, and gives tips on her can go from business budgeting to badass business budgeting. This episode is chocked full of tips and tricks you don’t want to miss. Business Budgeting Episode Highlights: Ary helps business owners learn about cash flow, looking at books over time not just at tax times. Cash is your insurance policy as a business owner. Big issues CEOs come with: paying yourself a salary or growing your salary; having enough to run my bills; effectively leveraging credit vs. I can’t afford this without debt; taxes. Shift mindset to “This is what we need.” in your business budget instead of facing what you actually have.  A lot of times, not managing money or avoiding it is a mindset issue, not actually a money or number issue. Mindset and numbers are both important to focus on. Take yourself on a weekly money date for 15-20 minutes a week, every week. What’s the point of having money if it isn’t fun? Sit down with your numbers and look towards your goals. What are my financial goals? What am I working towards? Use that time for visualization and journaling. Ask yourself ‘what do I need to shift this week?” Use that time to make sure you are on the same track with your partners. Set a timer. Stretch your goals and set them regularly. Goals should be a stretch but not bring on disappointment. A good way to manage goal setting is by using markers of 3. If your first goal is to hi $1k this month, maybe $3k is reasonable the next month, etc.  Sometimes it is the timeframe that needs to be adjusted, not the goal. Extensively each quarter: review what happened with your money. Did you hit your goals, why or why not? There are no ‘shoulds’. If you ever feel like you ‘should’ be doing XYZ, then ask yourself who said it and why.  If you want to have a job and run your business, give yourself permission to do that. Do you what you want, lean into it, feel it out, then get the data and do it. Ary Michele Ary is a Virtual CFO who helps 6&7-figure businesses to increase profit margins through better financial management. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with her accounting degree, she worked as a tax and audit accountant for a CPA firm. After realizing the typical accountant life just wasn't for her, she stuck out on her own and figured out how to make accounting work for growing entrepreneurs. She's been fortunate enough to work in many industries, from medical to non-profit, brick and mortar retail to online consulting. This gives her the skills and knows how to grow businesses in both top and bottom line profits. When she's not working with numbers, she enjoys reading, traveling around with her family and doing yoga with her cat.  You can find Ary online at: Facebook:@badassbudgetbabe or @ary.michele Instagram: @badassbudgetbabe Website:badassbudgetbabe.com If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

EP110 - Badass Business Budgeting - An interview with Ary Michele

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, Gretchen and Tera talk with entrepreneur Kathy Terry, co-founder of P. Terry’s Burger Stand and founder of In Lieu. Kathy talks she founded a business built on giving after being inspired by giving her and her husband were able to do through their restaurant business.  A Business Built on Giving Episode Highlights: In Lieu starting as an idea for transforming behavior from gift giving to friends to giving back in a new way. Giving back is fast and easy through the In Lieu app. Use giving to get to know friends/coworkers/clients a bit more. Kathy’s business build on giving started with the user experience and was built backwards to create the working app it is today. Redirecting market from gifting market to the nonprofit market. As a femprenuer use your access. Kathy Terry A fierce female and serial entrepreneur, Kathy Terry has been making waves since starting her first business over 20 years ago. In 2005 she co-founded P. Terry’s Burger Stand with her husband Patrick and quickly established its presence as a socially and health-conscious fast food alternative. With fifteen P. Terry’s locations and counting (and a hot new fast casual Mexican offering called Taco Ranch) there’s no denying that Kathy Terry has helped change the way Austinites do “fast casual.”  Kathy and Patrick have a heart for philanthropy, and giving back has always been a core principle of the Terry’s business model. Through their stewardship, the restaurant chain has donated over $900,000 to date, all benefiting local nonprofits. But Kathy didn’t stop there - in 2018 she launched an all-new mobile app called inLieu: the first social giving app where users can make donations and share a personal message with a friend, anytime, anywhere.  Kathy’s mission to change the way we think about giving is a reflection of a lifetime of charitable giving and service. Her goal is simple–to make it easier for people to make the world a better place.  Kathy and Patrick live in Austin Texas with their two children, Kate and Caroline. You can find Kathy online at: Website: inlieu.com Facebook: facebook.com/giveinlieu Twitter: twitter.com/giveinlieu Instagram: instagram.com/giveinlieu If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

EP109: A Business Built on Giving – An interview with Kathy Terry

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno and Aparna Rae about the organization they founded, Future for Us, and the work they are doing to help companies grow and recruit womxn of color. Through Future for Us, Sage and Arpana are building an intentional community for womxn of color to build careers and life’s they want and support one another throughout the process. Future for Us Episode Highlights: Future for Us is an intentional community for womxn of color that started in Seattle. There is not a womxn of color pipeline problem, companies are missing out on hiring already qualified and ready womxn.  Womxn of color are ready and coming together to support one another and get better jobs. Future for Us’ ambition is for womxn of color to be leading at the highest levels of corporations. Womxn of color need to build community and support among each other to make this happen. Connecting with others like you in a community like this, allows you to learn from those that are similar to you. We are all different and not always cohesive and can teach each other through our own lessons. Companies: It’s not enough to say you want diversity, you have to back it up through evidence within your staff. Womxn looking to len the f*ck out: lead by example. Give others the courage they need to do the same. Leaning the f*ck out is what we owe ourselves so that the next generation can walk lighter.  We have the opportunity and privilege to do the work now, unlike many womxn before us. Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno Sage is recreating seats of power for and by womxn of color so that our workforce reflects what WoC bring to the table: resilience, ROI, and liberation. Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and changemaker. As co-founder of ​Future For Us​, a platform dedicated to advancing of womxn of color through community, culture, and career development, Sage has galvanized a nationwide movement to build a future of work reaching new levels of growth through diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Starting her career in pay equity, she provided 4,000+ women with the tools and resources they need to advocate for themselves at work and, as a result, negotiate $500K in salary increases and secure 150 promotions. Sage is an amplifier, advocating for womxn of color at work in top publications and organizations - from Forbes, NPR and GeekWire to SXSW, the Women’s March, Microsoft, Starbucks, and more.  Sage has gathered a groundswell of support and recognition - a clear signal that our cities, companies, and economy are ready and already fighting for equity at work. Recent accolades include Rising Star Awards from Seattle’s National Organization for Women and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, KUOW Radio’s Boss Tactician Award, University of Washington’s Community Leadership Award, and a nomination for Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019.   Sage is a native Hawaiian who looks at systems, processes, and people with an indigenous lens to leave a better world for generations to come. Her story - your story - our story - continues.  Aparna Rae Aparna is recreating seats of power for and by womxn of color so that our workforce reflects what WoC bring to the table: resilience, ROI, and liberation. Aparna is an educator, innovator, and disruptor working at the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and organizational design. Her decades-long career in workforce development has advanced thousands of individuals in under-resourced communities through culturally relevant resources and leadership.  Beginning her career at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Aparna developed and deployed UBC’s first open journaling system, democratizing research for all, not just the wealthy few with journal access. Aparna has since launched a number of groundbreaking equity initiatives, including​ ​Project Feast​, a platform providing employment pathways for immigrant and refugee women in the food industry, and​ ​Firki​, a highly scalable, nationwide teacher training portal in India.   Today she is co-founder of ​Future For Us​, a platform dedicated to advancing of womxn of color through community, culture, and career development, and ​Moving Beyond​, an impact practice that operationalizes DEI and supports fund managers, wealth advisors, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators creating positive impact for people and the planet.  Aparna believes in the power of story and frequently shines a light on equity at work as a presenter, keynote speaker, and panelist. Her voice and vision has been covered in Seattle Business Magazine, Forbes, Geekwire, The Seattle Times, and more.  Growing up in 5 countries, Aparna witnessed the power of diverse voices early in life. This concept continues to be reinforced personally and professionally: diversity and inclusion is a pathway to success.  You can find Sage and Aparna online at: Linked In: linkedin.com/company/future-for-us Facebook: facebook.com/futureforus.now Instagram: instagram.com/futureforus.now Twitter: twitter.com/futurefor_us If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

EP108: Future for Us – An interview with Sage Ke'alohilani Quiamno and Aparna Rae

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Lindsay White about leaving a corporate career to make music full time and how that journey brought her to starting Lady Brain Collective, a supportive and collaborative group of local women pursuing careers in the arts. Lindsay shares tips on making a career as an independent artist, and supplementing with a side hustle when you need to. She talks about her mental health journey and her experience as a caregiver to a partner dealing with mental health issues. Lindsay also discusses grief and loss and the perspective it has given her. Lady Brain Episode Highlights: Watch for your moment to leap. Look for the moment when the universe is tipping the scale. If you lean out you have to be willing to work your ass off. Starting out as an artist, your side hustle is key. Be genuinely kind. You never know what people are going through, be compassionate. Show yourself grace and compassion like you would those you are care taking. Loss gives us all perspective, no one is immortal. As a society we need to talk about trauma, grief and death more, the discussion will make us a more compassionate . Loss is a unifying experience. Always have honest conversations with yourself, about your mortality. What do you want to get out of this life? Lindsay White You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll call your therapist. With influences ranging from Bob Dylan to Ani DiFranco, Lindsay White's songwriting has earned recognition from Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and American Songwriter. Her latest record Lights Out chronicles the experience of losing her estranged mother to brain cancer. The record debuted #2 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts, was named #1 Album of the Year by Global Texan Chronicles, and earned her the 2018 San Diego Music Award for Best Singer-Songwriter. White was recently named one of "15 Lesbian/Bi/Queer Musical Artists You Need to Know" by AfterEllen.com. She has opened for notable acts such as The Lone Bellow, David Crosby, Steve Poltz, Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles), Raining Jane ft. Jason Mraz, and more. White is a queer intersectional feminist, mental health advocate, grief support advocate, and writer. She has led songwriting workshops for Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls San Diego, participated in Pride events throughout the country, and independently published a narrative essay called "Love by the Numbers: What to do (and not to do) when your Bipolar partner thinks she's Jesus." Recently, she organized the Lady Brain Collective, a supportive and collaborative group of local women pursuing careers in the arts. White relies on support from, Lindsay's Corner, an exclusive community of dedicated friends and fans who always make her journey as an independent artist feel like a group effort. You can find Lindsay online at: Website: lindsaywhitemusic.com // ladybrainpresents.com Patreon: patreon.com/lindsaywhitemusic Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaywhitemusic // instagram.com/ladybrainpresents Facebook: facebook.com/lindsaywhitemusic // facebook.com/ladybrainpresents Youtube: youtube.com/lindsayannwhite Twitter: twitter.com/listentolindsay Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/lindsayannwhite Lindsay White Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/4kdJU3sybstAXUhWzZNRT1 Lady Brain Presents Spotify Playlist: open.spotify.com/user/1211221790/playlist/00RpoDN5SJe6qTV7scOqLO?si=ldfdgRhiSny-h7ABwrZ8yg iTunes: music.apple.com/us/album/lindsay-white/1238408015?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Download the FREE Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit If you are thinking about starting a business or side hustle, check out our Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit. The kit gives you tools and inspiration to start thinking like a fempreneur and start designing the life you want! You’ll receive a guided meditation to help you figure out your vision, a budget worksheet to see what you need financially to make a go of it, daily practices including printable worksheets and daily affirmations to help you keep your head up when your confidence is waning. Again, it’s free and it’s available at leanthef-ckout.com/launchkit. Music: Sunshine by The Icicles

EP107: Lady Brain Collective - An interview with Lindsay White

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Robin Schorr about her bold move from an accomplished career as a film producer to pursue her deepest passion -- music. Two years into her second act, Robin has already had her music placed on MTV and Free Form. She is proof that it is never too late to follow your heart! Episode Highlights: A bit about Robin’s second act: Deep down, film was never really her love Music was her biggest love but she had never seen a path to a career in it Her daughter was reading The Alchemist - Robin started reading the book out loud to her daughter. Started questioning what her purpose was and whether her life was a lie Started meditating Decided to learn how to play guitar Had always heard melodies Once she started playing the guitar, an explosion of melodies were in her head Had a lightbulb revelation moment while listening to a country song. Realized she could write songs for country artists. She KNEW deep in her heart and in her bones music was her purpose - even though she had never written a song. In 2017 - went to Nashville and there happened to be a workshop during the time she was going. For the next year, she worked on songs for country artists and focusing on the things she learned at Nashville event. You’re not a songwriter til you’ve written 100 songs Find your best co-writers Come to Nashville as much as you can Get good enough at guitar so you can play out and meet alot of people Started writing for country but began wondering where her place was in country music -- especially since it's so male dominated. Keith Hill Quote: “Trust me, I play great female records and we’ve got some right now; they’re just not the lettuce in our salad,” Hill said. “The lettuce is Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and artists like that. The tomatoes of our salad are the females.” Wrote a pop song in LA as a fluke. Played her song for a film industry colleague and they loved it. Robin spends 2 hours a day reaching out to film connections. Industry outreach. The rest of her time is spent writing music with artists and producers, particularly on music that works for film and TV. Robin has had placements on MTV’s “Teen Mom 2,” Freeform’s “Good Trouble,” and the indie film “Sugar.” Advice for women thinking about leaning out and pursuing their second act: Of course, you have to make sure you’re financially able to live But life is short and particularly while you’re in good health, you have to grab it with every bit of passion and practical hours in the day that you can. Don’t be self deprecating about being female and about your age. Every time you think in this space, instead think about what you love and what you have to say. Carve out the time to do it If you don’t know what it is, read The Alchemist. Robin Schorr Songwriter Robin Schorr was working as a film/tv producer and senior executive in Los Angeles until 2017, when she unexpectedly and totally fell in love with... songwriting! A lifelong passionate music fan, she never dreamed of actually creating music. So as soon as she discovered this deep passion, she has fearlessly pursued songwriting with enormous joy and energy. Robin refuses to believe that it is ever too late to follow your heart, and she is gratefully living by that credo every day. Her first year of writing was spent in Country music because she mistakenly thought that was the only genre of music in which artists didn’t always write their own songs. But when old friends from film heard her music, they started asking her for songs in other genres for their features, trailers, games and series. After a total career pivot, suddenly her old world and new dovetailed in perfect harmony. Now Robin toplines every day with gifted artist/singers and producers to create fully produced tracks in all genres, either based on briefs she has received or on spec, for film, tv, trailers and commercials. Robin’s collaborators are repped by companies from Universal to Lyric House to Resin8. Film highlights: Robin had senior executive jobs for companies including legendary producer Kathy Kennedy of Lucas Film as well as at Disney and Lionsgate Studios, where she worked on films including THE SIXTH SENSE and many more. Schorr was also head of creative production for River Road Entertainment, where they produced Sean Penn's critically acclaimed INTO THE WILD, as well as FOOD INC, the groundbreaking documentary on agribusiness for which Schorr won 2 Emmy Awards. Schorr also worked in music video production with top video/film directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and received her M.F.A. in Production at UCLA film school. She started her career as a disc jockey in the Bay Area. Music highlights: In country, Robin was a finalist in the Nashville Songstar Songwriting Competition 2018, selected by NSAI as “One To Watch” and she attended NSAI Advanced Song Camp. Her co-written song, “Walk Away” recently was chosen for the Taxi Top 10 in Feb 2019. Since her start writing for sync in just the past year, she has had four placements on MTV’s “Teen Mom 2,” as well as Freeform’s “Good Trouble,” and the indie film “Sugar.” She regularly attends the Durango Songwriter Expo for songwriting and Film/TV and attended the magnificent Hawaii Songwriting Festival for the first time in summer 2018. You can find Robin online at: https://soundcloud.com/user-265966734   Download the FREE Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit If you are thinking about starting a business or side hustle, check out our Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit. The kit gives you tools and inspiration to start thinking like a fempreneur and start designing the life you want! You’ll receive a guided meditation to help you figure out your vision, a budget worksheet to see what you need financially to make a go of it, daily practices including printable worksheets and daily affirmations to help you keep your head up when your confidence is waning. Again, it’s free and it’s available at leanthef-ckout.com/launchkit. Music: Sunshine by The Icicles

EP106: A Bad Ass Second Act – An interview with Robin Schorr

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Mar Yvette, an LA-based lifestyle writer, editor, on-air host and founder of the online platform Homegirl Talk. Mar talks about the platform she built and the importance of creating a space for women of all walks of life to keep it real and share stories, struggles and successes. Homegirl Talk Episode Highlights: On celebrating your own culture. The struggle with internalized racism that often leads to shame, even within one’s own culture. The importance of accepting, embracing and celebrating your culture. For Mar, confidence came with worldly experiences, education, stronger work experiences, etc. What Mar has learned from doing Homegirl Talk We have to be the light and share each other’s stories. Women need a space to keep it real. Our power is finding that we are all more similar than different. It’s been surprising how women have been willing to open up. Mar’s advice to women thinking about leaning out and doing their own thing: Be fearless - just do it Being fearless doesn’t mean without fear, it means moving through the fear! Might be the first step in making your dreams come true Mar Yvette Mar Yvette is an LA-based lifestyle writer, editor and on-air host who has worked with some of the world’s most recognized media companies including E! News, ABC, Citysearch, Huffington Post, Playboy Magazine and Fox News Latino. She is the founder and editor in chief of Homegirl Talk, an online platform to connect and promote women from all walks of life. You can find her on Instagram at @therealmarpop. You can find Mar online at: https://www.homegirltalk.com/ https://www.instagram.com/homegirltalk/ https://www.facebook.com/homegirltalk https://twitter.com/homegirltalk Download the FREE Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit If you are thinking about starting a business or side hustle, check out our Lean the F*ck Out Launch Kit. The kit gives you tools and inspiration to start thinking like a fempreneur and start designing the life you want! You’ll receive a guided meditation to help you figure out your vision, a budget worksheet to see what you need financially to make a go of it, daily practices including printable worksheets and daily affirmations to help you keep your head up when your confidence is waning. Again, it’s free and it’s available at leanthef-ckout.com/launchkit. Music: Sunshine by The Icicles

EP105 - Homegirl Talk - An interview with Mar Yvette

A podcast for fempreneurs / women entrepreneurs / women business owners who are creating their own way of living, working and making cool sh*t happen. Hosted by women entrepreneurs Gretchen DeVault and Tera Wozniak Qualls.

Lean the F*ck Out | Fempreneurs | Women Entrepreneurs | Fema...