Ep. 86 Breaking Free and Building Bold: Molly Rose Speed on Redefining Success and Living Life on Your Terms
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Molly Rose Speed, a former corporate professional turned entrepreneur who’s made it her mission to help others reclaim their time and design a life they love. As the founder of Virtual Assistant Academy and Virtual Assistant Management, Molly Rose shares how one denied vacation day became the catalyst for building a thriving business and an intentional life of freedom. We talk about the power of starting messy, setting boundaries, embracing fear, and staying connected to your "why." Whether you’re ready to pivot, grow, or simply dream again—this conversation will light a spark in you.Molly Rose Speed is a trailblazer in the online business world who took control of her career by walking away from the corporate grind and building a life on her own terms. As the founder of Virtual Assistant Academy and Virtual Assistant Management, she’s dedicated her work to helping others—especially women—do the same. With a background in finance and a knack for streamlining systems and scaling businesses, Molly Rose teaches entrepreneurs how to reclaim their time, grow sustainably, and create freedom through automation, delegation, and smart strategy. Her mission is simple: create a career around your life, not a life around your career.In this episode you will learn:Website: www.mollyrosespeed@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyrosespeed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyrosespeed/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MollyRoseSpeed Virtual Assistant Academy for those interested is starting Virtual Careers: https://www.mollyrosespeed.com/affiliate_users/sign_up VirtualAssistantManagement.com for those interested in freeing up their time by outsourcing to certified Virtual Assistants.Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoachingFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleadersSpotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprintLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com
Ep. 85 From Brokenness to Brand Alignment: Christene Marie on Radical Responsibility & Rebuilding with Purpose
In this powerful episode, Christene Marie opens up about the unexpected journey that led her from working with youth to founding a digital marketing agency that now helps executives create authentic, empathy-driven brand experiences. Christene shares how deep personal loss, the breakdown of her marriage, and a wake-up call from Rich Dad, Poor Dad became catalysts for not just entrepreneurship but transformation. We unpack her concept of “radical responsibility,” the four wisdom centers we must reconnect with, and how she found clarity in the quiet moments—no phone, no noise, just presence. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered how to turn pain into purpose and business into a calling.Christene Marie guides executives and organizations to position their brands with authenticity to thus establish empathy-driven connections with their ideal audience through her proprietary Knowing Process, generating up to 1400% ROAS.To connect with our guest, click on the links below:Website: www.christenemarie.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christenemarie/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/christenemarie_/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/christene.theknowinggroup Power of Vulnerability: https://www.bennyfisher.com/the-power-of-vulnerability-lessons-in-growth-and-healing Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoachingFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleadersSpotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprintLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com
Ep. 84 From Dot-Com to Doing Her Own Thing: How a Corporate Climb Led to Coaching & Freedom w/ Sarah Gibbons
In this episode, we’re diving into a journey that spans the early days of Amazon, a startup stint at MySpace, a move across the globe, and eventually — the bold leap from corporate comfort to entrepreneurial freedom.My guest shares how her path unfolded from boardrooms to baby blogs, and how she learned to follow her inner compass, even when the next step felt uncertain. Whether you're navigating your own pivot or just starting your business, this story is a reminder that growth happens in the evolution — and freedom is found in alignment.We talk flexibility, fear, motherhood, and why sometimes knowing what you don’t want is the first step to discovering what you truly do.Tune in now for this inspiring conversation — you just might see your own story reflected in hers.Sarah Gibbons is an accomplished executive coach and founder of Sarah Gibbons & Co., a global coaching practice dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock transformational leadership. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with top executives and creatives from leading organizations like Starbucks, the LA Clippers, and TBWA\Chiat\Day.A former tech-industry leader with roles at Amazon, IMDb, and Fox Interactive Media, Sarah transitioned her career after earning a Master’s in Spiritual Psychology. She is the co-author of The Chalk Collective: Drawing the Life You Deserve and host of The Tidal Podcast.Sarah lived in the Pacific Palisades, a community recently ravaged by devastating fires, where she cultivated her passion for fostering connection and resilience. As a mother of three, she is committed to helping others discover compassion, self-acceptance, and purpose in both their personal and professional lives.To connect with our guest, click on the links below:Website: https://sarahgibbons.com/ - Reach out - Sarah is happy to offer one FREE one hour coaching introduction sessions to anyone who reached out from our Be S.H.E. community!Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahgibbonsco LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlyonsgibbons Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahgibbons.co/ Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoachingFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleadersSpotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprintLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com
Ep. 83 Red Lipstick On: How Joan Burge Pioneered a Movement & Powered Through Adversity
What happens when a high-level executive assistant wakes up one day and realizes she’s meant for more—but has no clue what’s next? Joan Burge didn’t just pivot her career—she pioneered an entire industry. In this episode, Joan shares how she went from supporting CEOs across 12 states to building Office Dynamics International, a powerhouse brand dedicated to elevating administrative professionals worldwide.With grit, grace, and her signature red lipstick, Joan walks us through the early days of launching her business, the unseen sacrifices, and the personal storms she weathered—from caregiving and widowhood to major health battles—all while leading with passion and purpose.This episode is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and what it looks like to build something revolutionary when no blueprint exists. Whether you're navigating career shifts, battling fear, or standing at the edge of something big, Joan's story will meet you there—and inspire you to keep going.💄 Red Lipstick On. Let’s go.Joan Burge is the red-lipstick-wearing “Rock Star” of administrative and executive assistant training, a powerhouse entrepreneur, and a champion for women in the workplace. In 1990, she revolutionized the industry by founding Office Dynamics International, the first company dedicated to providing sophisticated, high-performance training exclusively for administrative professionals. With a fearless vision, Joan carved out a unique niche in corporate education, elevating assistants into strategic business partners.As an accomplished author of eight books, professional speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer, Joan has spent over three decades redefining excellence in administrative training. She is the creator of The Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence™, the World Class Assistant™ Certification, the Star Achievement Series® Certification and Designation, and more than 30 customized workshops, 200+ educational videos, and 1,000+ articles and blog posts designed to inspire administrative professionals to reach new heights.Her company, Office Dynamics International, is a global leader in executive and administrative assistant training, providing the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts that empower assistants to lead with confidence. Corporate leaders, HR professionals, and high-performing executives trust Office Dynamics because “only Joan is Joan.”More than a business leader, Joan is an advocate for women’s empowerment—encouraging women to take ownership of their careers, embrace continuous learning, and elevate their presence in the workplace. She understands the challenges women face in male-dominated industries and uses her voice to inspire boldness, resilience, and strategic thinking.Joan’s influence has reached some of the world’s most respected companies, including Cisco Systems, AT&T, The Boeing Co., Humana Inc., Sunoco, Nokia, Procter & Gamble, Nationwide Insurance, and Chevron. Her relentless commitment to elevating the profession has made her the foremost expert in management support, bridging the gap between executives and assistants to create thriving partnerships that drive organizational success.With passion, expertise, and a no-nonsense approach, Joan Burge continues to redefine what it means to be an administrative professional, proving that assistants aren’t just support staff—they are leaders, strategists, and invaluable assets to any organization.To connect with our guest, click on the links below:Website: OfficeDynamics.com ODI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-dynamics-international/ Joan's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joanburge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officedynamics/ Facebook:
Ep. 82 From Shame to Strategy: Breaking Free from Financial Fear and Building Wealth with Janet Hum
What happens when a self-proclaimed numbers-avoider becomes a CPA and turns her own money struggles into a mission to help others? In this empowering episode, Janet shares her journey from being the family “non-science” outlier to becoming a passionate financial educator for everyday people—especially women and families—who are tired of feeling stuck, ashamed, or overwhelmed by their finances.Join us as we unpack the mindset shifts needed to overcome money fear, why awareness is the first step toward abundance, and how financial checkups should be as common as doctor visits. Whether you’re starting from zero or just want your dollars to work smarter for you, this episode is packed with real talk, encouragement, and practical steps to start building wealth—without guilt or shame.Because money doesn’t have to be scary, and you don’t have to go it alone.Most people focus on how to make more money—but few know how to truly grow and keep it. That’s where she comes in.Janet Hum is a daughter, sister, wife and mom. She is a CPA-turned-financial strategist and she specializes in helping professionals—especially women—take control of their money, overcome fear, and create tax-smart wealth-building strategies that set them up for lasting financial independence.With her background in accounting and entrepreneurship, she has seen firsthand how much of a difference the right financial strategies can make. Her goal is simple: help you grow your wealth in the smartest, most efficient way possible—so you can keep more of what you earn and build the future you deserve.To connect with our guest, click on the links below:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janethum Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janet_hum/ Freebie: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHO8hqHmBg89p1pfMrlY6JLyyM4eiO-N/view?usp=drive_link Connect with me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidischalkcoachingFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/femaleentrepreneursandleadersSpotlight to Scale: https://www.spotlighttoscale.com/blueprintLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/Ready to grow your biz: scalewithheidi.com