Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs

What happens when you try to walk away from the thing you’re best at? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Julie Hankins, a financial strategist who once ran from the numbers—only to realize they were her true path to freedom, impact, and alignment.

We talk about the evolution from traditional accounting to becoming a fractional CFO, how data can unlock smarter decisions, and why understanding your numbers is one of the most empow...

In this solo episode, Lauren Najar takes you behind the scenes of how she curates meaningful, intimate business events and retreats. From selecting a private venue and planning a dinner party with intention to crafting themes that create emotional impact, Lauren shares the real strategy behind hosting in-person events that connect, inspire, and leave your guests feeling seen and supported. Whether you're planning a retreat, wo...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, host Lauren Najar pulls back the curtain on the systems, tools, and routines that help her run multiple businesses while managing motherhood. Joined by guest host Logan Montague, Lauren shares how she uses ClickUp for business and life organization, why HoneyBook is essential for client management, and how outsourcing helped her scale sustainably. They discuss decision fatigue, intuitive ...

In this heartfelt episode, Jessica Garcia-Wood—co-founder of Little Hearts Play Cafe—shares her powerful story of navigating postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety during an unplanned pregnancy while serving in the military. She opens up about the emotional toll, intrusive thoughts, and the disconnect she felt as a new mom, and how support from her care team, family, and community helped her heal. Jessica also reflects on lea...

When Jessica Garcia-Wood moved back to Northwest Indiana after serving as an ER nurse in the Air Force, she didn’t expect motherhood to feel so lonely—even surrounded by family. That quiet ache became the seed for Little Hearts Play Café, a space designed to bring parents and kids together in the earliest, most isolating stages of parenting.

In this heart-forward conversation, Jessica shares how postpartum depression shaped her...

In high-pressure careers—whether you're in healthcare, leadership, or running your own business—boundaries are often mistaken for weakness or a lack of commitment. In this episode, Dr. Santina Wheat breaks down why the opposite is true. You'll learn why excellence requires boundaries, how to recognize leaky boundaries in your day-to-day work, and the key shifts that can help you avoid burnout without sacrificing performan...

Dr. Santina Wheat knew how to show up for everyone—her patients, her learners, her family. But somewhere along the way, she stopped showing up for herself. In this episode, we unpack the quiet descent into burnout, the invisible pressure on high performers to always say yes, and the breaking point that changed everything. From working through a miscarriage to ignoring her own capacity in the name of service, Santina’s story isn’t j...

Think social media is optional? Think again. In this episode, social media strategist Brittany Good joins Business Over Cocktails to bust the most common myths holding small business owners back online. From the power of visual storytelling to why your Instagram is your new storefront, this conversation breaks down what actually drives sales and what doesn’t. You’ll learn how to audit your own profile, create connections through co...

What if one Instagram post could change the course of your life?

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Brittany Good, CEO and founder of Socially Good, to trace the unexpected journey from a personal growth challenge to a thriving social media business. What began as a simple post during a social media challenge evolved into real-life connections, local partnerships, and a brand rooted in community.

Britta...

Think your space is too small to hire a designer? Think again. In this solo episode, Melissa Griffin of Indigo Ink Interiors breaks down why the best time to bring in an interior designer is before you’re knee-deep in renovation—and how small projects often deliver the biggest impact.

She shares what most people misunderstand about hiring a designer, the hidden costs of waiting too long, and how her Design Lab service offers flexibl...

What happens when a future doctor becomes a bold interior designer instead? In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it really looks like to build a creative business that reflects who you are—color, chaos, courage, and all.

Melissa Griffin shares her unexpected journey from medical school aspirations to founding her design studio, Indigo Ink Interiors. We talk about how art, grief, motherhood, and therapy all played a role ...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Payton Moran breaks down the mindset, strategy, and messaging behind successful business pivots. Whether you're shifting your niche, rebranding, or launching a new offer, Payton shares how to move through fear, trust your intuition, and pivot without overthinking. Learn her 6-part messaging framework to clarify your ideal client, articulate your unique value, and create content that ...

What happens when the business you built isn't the one you're meant to grow?

In this heartfelt episode, Lauren sits down with Payton Moran, a creative branding strategist who walked away from her first business just months in—right after maternity leave, in the middle of a pandemic, with zero backup plan. What followed was a raw, unexpected pivot that led to a deeply aligned personal brand, a sought-after podcast, and a so...

In this short but powerful solo episode on this edition of the Business Chaser, Heidi Schmidt breaks down why chasing social media trends, viral moments, or new platforms like TikTok or Substack may be hurting—not helping—your business. Learn how to create an intentional marketing strategy, repurpose content across platforms, and engage your current audience with purpose. If you're feeling overwhelmed by shiny object syndrome ...

When Heidi Schmidt lost her job in 2020, she didn’t just pivot—she rewrote the script. In this episode, Heidi shares how she went from laid-off marketing director to six-figure agency owner and now, a candidate for state delegate. We unpack the realities behind the title “marketing strategist,” the emotional toll of burnout in the social media world, and why so many businesses fail before they even get started. From balancing mothe...

Ever wondered what a real week looks like for a mompreneur running multiple businesses? In this solo Business Chaser episode, Lauren Najar pulls back the curtain on her weekly routine as an entrepreneur, podcast host, and mom. She walks you through her typical Monday–Thursday work structure, why Fridays are reserved for family, and how she balances client calls, content planning, and CEO tasks. Lauren shares her favorite business t...

In this solo episode, Lauren Najar breaks down why traditional objection-handling tactics in sales often miss the mark—especially for coaches, creatives, and service providers. With over a decade of experience in banking and entrepreneurship, she shares how to approach objections with integrity, empathy, and strategy. Learn how to build trust, avoid pushy sales tactics, and create a business where clients feel safe, seen, and ready...

Learn how to master podcast guest pitching using the STAR framework with visibility strategist Kim Roy. Discover how authentic visibility, lead generation strategy, and relationship-based outreach help female entrepreneurs grow their brands. This episode explores pitching podcasts, building authority, and using soulful strategy to attract aligned clients and podcast opportunities.

Episode Highlights:

• What Is the STAR Framewo...

In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Kim Roy, authentic visibility strategist and founder of Pitch With Kim, to explore the soulful side of lead generation. From intuitive business strategy and nervous system regulation to storytelling, grief, and podcast pitching—this episode dives deep into building visibility that’s aligned, sustainable, and rooted in purpose. Learn how to position yourself authentic...