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Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs
Welcome to Business Over Cocktails — the podcast where female entrepreneurs, founder stories, and soulful business growth take center stage.
Hosted by business strategist and community builder Lauren Najar, this show dives into the “why” behind the business, the real stories behind entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shape women-led brands.
Expect candid interviews with creative entrepreneurs, behind-the-scenes reflections on small business growth, and bite-sized solo episodes inside The Business Chaser — where we explore authentic visibility, organic marketing, and building a business that actually feels good.
Whether you're scaling a service-based business, navigating a pivot, or craving real talk for entrepreneurs, this is your spot.
Pull up a seat. Pour your favorite drink. Let’s talk business.
Episodes
65 episodes
How to Host a Meaningful Business Event w/Lauren Najar
In this Business Chaser episode, Lauren breaks down what actually makes an event meaningful, impactful, and worth attending. From networking dinners to retreats, she shares her perspective on why hosting an event is about far more than filling ...
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Episode 64
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15:38
She Rebuilt Her Life From Scratch w/ Maria Rojas
Maria Rojas did not set out to become a marketing agency owner. She began her career as an electrical engineer in Venezuela, certain of the path she was building. But when life changed and opportunity disappeared, Maria was forced to make a har...
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Episode 63
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40:05
Afraid to Start? 3 Steps to Trust, Act & Pivot w/Jessi Dunnagan
When starting feels scary, it’s usually not a lack of talent—it’s a lack of trust.In this quick Business Chaser, Jessie from Big Time Publishing shares three powerful reminders to help you move forward when fear shows up:Trus...
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Episode 62
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5:38
I Turned a Hard Chapter Into a Book w/ Jessi Dunnagan
In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Jessi Dunnagan—author and founder of Big Time Publishing—for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to follow the nudge, tell the truth, and create before you fee...
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Episode 61
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42:40
How to Start Meta Ads Without Wasting Money w/ Lauren Najar
In this quick Business Chaser, Lauren breaks down what you actually need to know before running Meta ads—without the overwhelm. She shares why ads don’t magically fix a marketing problem, how they amplify what’s already working (and what isn’t)...
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Episode 60
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14:29
After Cancer: Grief, Fear, and Learning to Live Again w/ Lauren Najar
In this solo episode, Lauren shares the part of her cancer story that doesn’t get talked about enough: what happens after remission. Thirteen years cancer-free after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice, she opens up about the mental wei...
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Episode 59
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38:41
Product Market Fit Made Simple (For Founders) w/ Heather Miller
In this episode, Heather Miller breaks down the core of product thinking—and why you don’t need perfection to launch something successful. If you’re building from scratch or trying to scale a scrappy offer, app, or service, this is a practical ...
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Episode 58
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10:18
A Woman’s Quiet Power in a Loud Tech World w/ Heather Miller
In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Lauren sits down with Heather Miller, a product management consultant and the CEO of PDRM Consulting—and what starts as a conversation about “products” quickly becomes something deeper.Heather ...
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Episode 57
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41:19
Networking Strategy: Turn Events Into Clients w/ Michelle Thames
In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and i...
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Episode 56
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10:11
The Day I Got Fired and Built My Dream Business w/ Michelle Thames
Michelle Thames went to work one day in 2016 and walked out fired from her healthcare compliance job. What felt like an ending became the pivot that changed everything.In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Michelle shares how she l...
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Episode 55
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41:29
How to Date Consciously & Choose with Purpose w/ Lauren Fondriest
Dating doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game or a grind. In this Business Chaser episode, dating coach Lauren Fondriest shares a grounded, empowering framework for high-achieving women who are ready to shift from casual dating to consciousl...
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Episode 54
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8:33
How She Turned Dating Struggles Into a Calling w/ Lauren Fondriest
What happens when a high-achieving corporate coach realizes the deepest transformation she’s ever had wasn’t in the boardroom—but in her love life?In this soulful conversation, Lauren sits down with Lauren Fondriest, a leadership coach t...
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Episode 53
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44:50
The PR Myth That’s Holding You Back from Visibility w/ Lilian Sue
Think PR is only for celebrities and big brands? Think again.In this quick myth-busting episode, Lilian Sue breaks down the biggest misconception in public relations—and shares what you actually need to start building visibility...
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Episode 52
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6:49
The Courage to Share What Sets You Apart w/ Lilian Sue
What if the story you’ve been hiding is the key to everything you’ve been working toward?In this deeply honest conversation, we explore the powerful intersection of creative storytelling, public visibility, and personal healing. Our gues...
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Episode 51
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48:23
How to Make Music Accessible For All Learners w/ Cassie Williamson
In this solo episode, music educator Cassie Williamson shares practical insights and real-life experiences from her work teaching students with disabilities. From adapting lessons for those with cerebral palsy and low motor function to working ...
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Episode 50
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9:26
Lessons in Music, Life & Letting Go w/ Cassie Williamson
Cassie Williamson didn’t set out to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a music teacher but life had its own tempo. From teaching piano in her childhood home to launching a thriving music studio of her own, Cassie shares how music, patience, an...
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Episode 49
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44:43
Design Your Wedding Without Pinterest Overwhelm w/ Nicole Krygsheld
Feeling overwhelmed by wedding inspiration? In this episode, Nicole Krygsheld of Sweet Pea Designs shares a soulful, step-by-step process to help you cut through the noise and design a wedding that feels like you. From identifying how ...
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Episode 48
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8:59
Motherhood, Marriage & a Flower Shop w/ Nicole Krygsheld
What happens when motherhood, loss, and a pandemic collide? For Nicole Krygsheld, it sparked a quiet but powerful transformation. In this episode, Lauren sits down with the founder of Sweet Pea Designs to unpack how a childhood spent in a green...
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Episode 47
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48:58
Bookkeeping Basics Every Business Owner Should Know w/ Jessica Wilson
If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, “Great, I can pay myself,” without knowing what’s actually coming in or going out — this episode is for you. Jessica Wilson, founder of Design Ledgers, breaks down practical, beginner-frie...
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Episode 46
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9:50
How a Childhood Around Business Shaped Her Work w/ Jessica Wilson
Jessica Wilson grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, where “playing office” as a kid turned into a lifelong love for the numbers behind the scenes. In this episode, she shares how the women in her family taught her the power of bookkeeping, why ...
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Episode 45
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37:48
How to Build a Business That Matches Your Vision w/ Steph Rubio
In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Steph Rubio joins Lauren for a powerful after-hours chaser on what business strategy really means for women entrepreneurs. If you’ve been stuck doing all the things, spinning your wh...
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Episode 44
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10:46
When I Realized Survival Mode Was Holding Me Back w/ Steph Rubio
What happens when doing it all still doesn’t feel like enough? In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Steph Rubio shares the pivotal moment she realized her business wasn’t aligned with the life she actually wanted. From starting ...
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Episode 43
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47:18
Simple Tips to Support Blood Sugar Naturally w/ Jenny Pena
Ever hit that 3PM crash and reach for coffee or sugar? In this solo episode, Jenny Pena, national board-certified health and wellness coach, shares three simple, science-backed strategies to balance your blood sugar, boost energy, and reduce cr...
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Episode 42
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10:40
A Wake‑Up Call, a Career Shift, and a New Health Mission w/ Jenny Pena
What happens when a high-achieving finance executive hears the words “pre-diabetic” before turning 30? In this powerful episode, Lauren sits down with Jenny Pena—now known as the Blood Sugar Bestie—to unpack the wake-up call that changed everyt...
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Episode 41
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43:55
Money Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Success w/ Deanna Cornell
In this Business Chaser episode, money and mindset coach Deanna returns to break down why hustle culture is sabotaging your financial success—and how slowing down can actually accelerate your path to wealth. She shares powerful stories from cli...
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Episode 40
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15:14
