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.
Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs
The Day I Got Fired and Built My Dream Business w/ Michelle Thames
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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 leaned on the blog she’d been building since 2009, taught herself marketing through real-world reps, and turned a career curveball into a thriving path as a marketing strategist, community builder, and boutique agency owner. We talk about what it really takes to build trust online, why relationship-based marketing still wins, and how intentional community building (especially through in-person events) can accelerate your visibility, confidence, and client growth faster than social media alone.
You’ll also hear Michelle’s honest take on early business setbacks, boundaries with social media, and what it means to create a truly “magnetic” brand—one that attracts the right-fit people and opportunities. Plus, she shares details on her book, From Fired to Featured, a practical guide to personal branding with purpose.
Episode Highlights:
- Michelle’s 2016 firing that sparked her entrepreneurial pivot
- From blogger to brand-builder: learning marketing through real experience
- Behind the scenes of scaling fast in 2020 and choosing a boutique model
- What “magnetic” means: attracting the right-fit people and protecting the room
- Why in-person community and intentional invitations sell out events faster
Chapters:
00:01 — Meet Michelle Thames + community-building vibe
00:50 — 2016 layoff story: healthcare compliance to pivot
02:55 — Falling back on her blog + landing MyAlle Organics
04:51 — Starting the agency + shifting into community + events
18:23 — Early setbacks: scaling in 2020, hiring, going boutique
23:14 — “Magnetic” branding + curating the right room
39:42 — Her book From Fired to Featured + closing + where to connect
Connect with Michelle Thames:
Website - http://www.michellethames.com/
Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect
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