Check out resources and events here Christine Kotik, owner of CK ADHD Coaching and Consulting sits down with emotional-intelligence innovator Chelsea Elliott to explore how emotionally healthy, safe spaces can transform families, classrooms, workplaces, and communities.  Chelsea shares the personal journey behind Somocom Lab, why EQ outperforms IQ in the real world, and how belonging through NAWBO Columbus accelerated her impact. Their conversation includes:  Origin story & mission: After a traumatic cross-country move and later diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety, Chelsea turned curiosity about emotions into Somocom Lab, helping people create emotionally safe spaces at home, at school, and at work. ( From kids to adults: Her children’s books and EQ Kids Crew card deck revealed a bigger need, teaching adults to model emotional intelligence so kids’ skills are supported, not dismissed.  Workplace EQ matters: Emotional intelligence must be modeled by leadership, normalize PTO, set/hold boundaries, and acknowledge humanity at work to improve culture and performance.  Community Care Collective: A four-week cohort that builds capacity across organizations with topics like EQ fundamentals, mental health first aid, QPR suicide prevention, financial trauma awareness, and trauma-informed care, aimed at retention and better client experience.  NAWBO Columbus impact: Belonging led to real partnerships including the “Eight Domains of Wellness” workshop co-facilitated with NAWBO member Faith Rivera. delivered with KeyBank programs. She also found a supportive network that encouraged Chelsea to try new things.  Do the thing: Education is valuable, but action beats procrastination, apply, test, learn, iterate.  Vision & grounding: Chelsea’s long-term vision is a world where emotional safety is the norm, and her work is no longer needed. She stays grounded through faith and a strong village.  This conversation shows how emotional intelligence, when modeled by adults and leaders, creates safer, more productive spaces everywhere. Chelsea offers practical pathways to build that culture, from kids’ tools to companywide training, all fueled by community and action. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus  EQ Kids Crew books and games  Connect with Chelsea Somocom Lab  Chelsea Elliott LinkedIn Connect with Christine CK ADHD Coaching and Consulting  Christine Kotik LinkedIn

Check out resources and events here In this inspiring episode of The Business of Belonging, host Dr. Courtney welcomes multi-passionate entrepreneur and community builder Fatima Bouyer, founder of the Bouyer & Associates brands. Together they explore wellness, leadership, aligned purpose, and the power of community for women in business. Fatima shares what drives her, how she built three thriving brands, and why creating safe, empowering spaces for women is her life’s mission. Key Points Fatima’s Entrepreneurial BeginningHer journey began with a desire to create spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to show up fully as themselves. Three Brands, One MissionWhole You Wellness Studio focuses on movement and mindset;Office Badass builds structure, clarity, and confidence for women entrepreneurs;Badass Mobile Bartending creates community and joy through curated beverage experiences. Visibility as ImpactBeing featured in major media outlets allows Fatima to inspire women and girls by showing them what’s possible. NAWBO Columbus & Community SupportNAWBO Columbus opened doors for collaboration, connection, and mentorship—reinforcing that community and shared wins are essential for women in business. Challenges Women Face When ScalingMany struggle with clarity, systems, structure, and delegation. Fatima helps women build foundations that support growth and balance. Wellness + Leadership Fatima believes wellness and leadership go hand-in-hand; women cannot lead effectively when running on empty. What’s AheadShe shares upcoming plans including expanded wellness programs, mentorship series, and new community partnerships. This episode highlights Fatima’s mission to empower women through community, clarity, and wellness-centered leadership. Her story offers actionable insight for entrepreneurs committed to building aligned, sustainable businesses. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus  Connect with Fatima Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

Check out resources and events here In this episode of Business of Belonging, host Ekima Smith, VP of DEIB for NAWBO Columbus, sits down with her longtime friend and powerhouse procurement leader Makeda Matthews, Senior Manager of Supplier Diversity at Delta Air Lines. Together, they unpack what women business owners need to know about procurement, sourcing, supplier diversity, and how to win, and keep corporate contracts. Makeda offers a behind-the-scenes look at how sourcing teams are structured, how decisions are made, and the most effective ways for diverse suppliers to build relationships that lead to opportunity. Key Points Procurement structures vary widely: centralized vs. decentralized teams, category managers, business partners, and supplier diversity all play different roles. Supplier diversity advocates influence the process but are not the final decision-makers, the business writes the check. Engagement matters before and after the RFP, suppliers who stay connected, share ideas, and demonstrate ongoing value rise to the top of the list. Research is essential, read the 10K, listen to earnings calls, understand the company’s priorities, so you can be proactive when talking with the procurement team. Cold outreach must be specific and strategic: include metrics, relevant experience, and show you understand the company’s needs. Supplier professionals are juggling a lot, emails, internal meetings, metrics, conferences, pipeline development, so make sure your communication provide value and is respectful of the supplier’s time.  Choose an industry and specialize, understanding one industry deeply (e.g., transportation) is more effective than trying to target many at once and can give you an advantage when you are up against larger companies.  This conversation demystifies corporate procurement and gives women entrepreneurs the clarity, strategy, and confidence to better navigate supplier diversity, build meaningful relationships, and position themselves for long-term partnership, not just a one-time contract. Connect with Ekima LinkedIn The Five Collective   Connect with Makeda LinkedIn Delta Supplier Diversity Information 

In this inspiring episode of The Business of Belonging, host Zulene Adams, CEO and co-founder of Z Promotions, sits down with Deonna Barnett, CEO and Director of Consulting at Aventi Enterprises. Deonna shares her entrepreneurial journey from college ventures to leading a successful consulting firm that helps small and micro businesses secure government and corporate contracts. Together, they discuss the importance of strategic planning, embracing technology, and how organizations like NAWBO Columbus empower women business owners to scale with confidence and clarity. Key Points Entrepreneurial Roots: Deonna’s first taste of business came from creating a student-led magazine at The Ohio State University, which ignited her passion for entrepreneurship and problem-solving. Family Influence: Growing up with entrepreneurial parents, she learned early lessons in creativity, independence, and work-life balance. Leadership and NAWBO Impact: Through her roles in NAWBO Columbus, including VP of Programming and Public Policy, Deonna gained valuable leadership experience and forged strong community connections that helped grow Aventi Enterprises. Empowering Microbusinesses: Deonna advocates for microbusinesses to explore government and corporate contracting opportunities, emphasizing that even small teams can win substantial contracts with the right strategy. Strategic Planning Essentials: Deonna explains how helpful it is to conduct market research annually and review strategic plans quarterly to stay aligned with shifting trends, another part of her business strategy and support services.  Success Stories: Aventi’s strategic guidance helped clients secure funding and contracts, including one that evolved from a side hustle into a million-dollar company within five years. Looking Ahead: Aventi is developing a SaaS platform to help clients streamline their contracting processes and is embracing AI and technology as key growth drivers. Deonna’s story is a powerful example of how vision, strategy, and community can turn small beginnings into sustainable success, and how women entrepreneurs can thrive by embracing innovation and connection.

Check out resources and events here In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Dr. Courtney, Vice President of Corporate Partners at NAWBO Columbus and CEO of The Higher Standard Consulting, welcomes Purba Majumder, founder and CEO of Cybervation, Trailblazer Staffing, Bistro UX, and the nonprofit Cool Tech Girls. Together, they explore Purba’s entrepreneurial journey, her passion for innovation, and how she’s empowering women and youth in technology. Key Highlights: Entrepreneurial Evolution: From software development to IT and healthcare staffing, Purba’s pivot-driven approach shows how innovation and diversification sustain long-term growth. Community and NAWBO Impact: Purba credits NAWBO Columbus for helping her transition from corporate to entrepreneurial leadership and for providing authentic peer support. Industry Insights: AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics are shaping tech staffing, while healthcare staffing remains vital amid ongoing shortages. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Start small, stay curious, and focus on solving real problems, not just creating products. Core Values for Success: Resilience, purposeful innovation, continuous learning, and empowering others through mentorship and community impact. Looking Ahead: Cybervation continues expanding its healthcare staffing division, while Cool Tech Girls is growing its STEM programs through partnerships and grants. In Short:Purba Majumder exemplifies innovation with purpose—blending technology, leadership, and community to build businesses that solve real problems and create lasting impact. Connect with Purba Majumder Website LinkedIn  Connect with Dr. Courtney  Website  LinkedIn

Host Shara Hutchinson sits down with Casey Brown, TEDx speaker, pricing expert, and author of Fearless Pricing, to unpack how women business owners can stop undercharging and start commanding prices that match their value. They dig into the mindset shifts behind confident pricing, practical frameworks for communicating value, and when (and how) to say yes to discounts without eroding your brand. Key points Pricing power is yours: Most entrepreneurs overestimate “the market” and underestimate their own ability to set and secure higher prices based on value delivered. From fear to confidence: Move from “pricing not to lose” to pricing to win, anchored in your outcomes and differentiation. Define + Tell = Earn: Clearly define your specific value, then tell it in ways customers feel; price becomes “a bargain” when wrapped in the right context. Value > cost or time: Don’t tether price to hours or inputs. tie it to results, risk removed, speed, and impact. Perfection trap (especially for women): Over-indexing on “it must be perfect” suppresses asks; model confidence to raise the bar for others. Discounts with discipline: If you do pro bono/low-bono, set tight criteria and limits (quantity, audience, purpose) and require some skin in the game” (e.g., a short application). Test your ceiling: Treat the market like a petri dish, raise, observe, iterate. Five straight yeses? Prices may still be low. Your most profitable hour: Steal one hour weekly to review where you’re underpriced and plan a concrete increase and comms. AI as a sales ally: Use AI to role-play tough negotiations, pressure-test objections, and sharpen value messaging. Ripple effect: When women charge what they’re worth, they hire more, pay better, and invest in communities. Real dollars, real impact. This conversation reframes pricing as a confident, value-driven choice—not a reactive guess. Start small if you must, but start now: define your value, tell it boldly, and raise your prices with intention. Connect with Casey  Website LinkedIn  Connect with Shara  Website  LinkedIn

Check out resources and events here In this episode of Business of Belonging, host Tiffany Meyer sits down with Sharon DeLay, founder of GoHR, to talk about the evolving role of HR in small businesses and how NAWBO Columbus has shaped her entrepreneurial journey.  Sharon shares how she discovered a gap in HR support for small and micro businesses, why investing in managers is essential, and how flexible and creative benefits can transform recruiting and retention. They discussed:  Sharon’s path from corporate communications to building GoHR, sparked by NABO connections and a need for small business HR support. The importance of developing managers and supervisors instead of relying on HR to manage employees. Why small businesses should build relationships with HR before a crisis—and how GoHR often provides “crisis HR” support. Recruiting challenges in 2025: the need to articulate an employee value proposition and adopt technology to ease workforce gaps. Examples of creative, non-traditional employee benefits that boost retention, like flexible schedules, paid volunteer time, Amazon Prime memberships, and telehealth options. How assessments like DISC can be useful tools for team communication—when applied correctly. Sharon’s long-term involvement with NABO Columbus, where relationships and visibility directly impacted her business growth. Insights on balancing introversion with entrepreneurship and the importance of setting boundaries around networking. Sharon shares how small businesses can thrive by investing in their managers, adopting creative HR practices, and building strong relationships, both inside their teams and through communities like NAWBO Columbus. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus  Connect with Sharon  GoHR  Sharon DeLay LinkedIn Connect with Tiffany Heights Insurance Company  Tiffany Meyer LinkedIn

Check out resources and events here In this episode of The Business of Belonging, host Shay Nelson sits down with Andrea Harless, Senior Director of Government Affairs at G2G Consulting, to talk about the power of advocacy and how policy directly impacts women-owned businesses. Andrea shares her journey into public service, her role in advancing microbusiness legislation, and why women entrepreneurs must get involved in shaping public policy. Here’s what they discussed:  Andrea’s personal story of how her grandfather inspired her passion for politics and advocacy. The role of G2G Consulting in connecting businesses and nonprofits to government resources and opportunities. Recent advocacy wins, including Ohio’s new definition of “microbusiness” (20 or fewer employees). Misconceptions about politics and how bipartisan collaboration often goes unseen. Why women business owners are the “experts in the room” when talking to legislators. Practical ways for entrepreneurs to get engaged in advocacy, from joining associations to sharing personal stories. The importance of persistence, even when the political process feels discouraging. Shay and Andrea highlight how advocacy creates real change for women entrepreneurs and microbusinesses. Andrea encourages business owners to embrace their role as experts, get involved in public policy, and use their voices to influence meaningful progress. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus  Andrea Harless LinkedIn G2G Consulting

Check out resources and events here Bethany George sits down with Betty Collins, CPA and community leader, to discuss the power of leading where you live. Betty shares her journey from joining NAWBO Columbus and the Gahanna Chamber of Commerce to serving as NAWBO president during the challenging 2019–2020 term. Her practical advice on how to choose the right organizations to get involved in, when to step into leadership roles, and when to pass the baton to the next generation is helpful for the new and seasoned business owner.  Key Points Start with alignment: Choose one or two organizations that match your values, goals, and energy, and commit deeply instead of spreading yourself too thin. Leadership mindset: Leadership isn’t always about being the president—it can mean being a strong committee member or behind-the-scenes driver of success. Know when to step down: Recognize signs of burnout, stagnation, or lack of growth, and create space for new leaders to bring fresh energy. Seasons of life: Career and leadership involvement will ebb and flow depending on personal and professional seasons—don’t quit too soon during challenging phases. Community investment: Treat your community like something you own—invest your time, talents, and presence for the greater good. Networking with purpose: Go beyond selling—build authentic relationships, focus on giving, and the opportunities will follow. Women in leadership: More women are needed in politics, on boards, and in professional service leadership roles, bringing essential perspectives to decision-making tables. Betty’s leadership journey is a testament to the long-term impact of showing up, investing in your community, and aligning with organizations that fit your values. Her perspective blends practical networking advice with an inspiring call for more women to step into leadership roles, adapt to life’s seasons, and know when to lead, when to follow, and when to hand over the reins. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus Brady Ware CPA and Advisory Firm Betty Collins LinkedIn The Follow Up Boss  Bethany George LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus In this energizing episode of The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations, host Yasmine Robles welcomes powerhouse speaker, author, and founder of LBB Edutainment, Lachandra "La" Baker, for a dynamic discussion on leadership, culture, and the power of being your own biggest cheerleader. La shares her journey from corporate burnout to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of radical resilience, people-centered business practices, and building authentic relationships. LBB Edutainment Lachandra Baker LinkedIn Your Own Biggest Cheerleader Rebel Marketing Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus In this episode of The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations, host Yasmine Robles sits down with Jennifer Sconyers, founder of Abundance Leadership Consulting, to explore the intersection of leadership, systems change, and the power of values-driven business. Jennifer shares her entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned in building a people-centered consulting practice, and why storytelling, community, and clarity are critical in today’s ever-changing business landscape. Resources: Abundance Leadership Consulting Jennifer Sconyers on LinkedIn Rebel Marketing Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

NAWBO Columbus In this episode of The Business of Belonging: NAWBO Columbus Conversations, host Yasmine Robles sits down with Rhonda Peterson, incoming president of NAWBO Columbus and an accomplished executive coach, speaker, and facilitator. Rhonda shares her leadership journey, her vision for the chapter, and the importance of intentional engagement, partnerships, and storytelling in strengthening the community of women business owners. RKP Ventures Rhonda Peterson LinkedIn Rebel Marketing  Yasmine Robles LinkedIn

Welcome to the NAWBO Columbus Podcast where women business owners rise together. This podcast is your front-row seat to the stories, successes, and strategies of the powerhouse women behind the Columbus chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Each episode features dynamic conversations with NAWBO members, entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers who are growing businesses, building community, and driving advocacy for women in business. Whether you’re a current member, a curious listener, or a woman ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and connection here. Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, real talk about running a business, and the powerful network that helps make it all possible. Together, we’re not just building businesses, we’re shaping the future for women entrepreneurs.