Women Entrepreneurs Archives - Kami Guildner

What if women built their businesses knowing that someday they could become an asset they could actually sell? In this episode, Kami Guildner is joined by her client Jen Thompson, founder of Alchemy Advisors and the Women of Mergers and Acquisitions Network, to talk about what makes a business valuable and sellable, why it’s worth thinking about an exit long before you’re ever ready for one, and why Jen wants more women represented throughout the M&A world. It’s an important conversation for women entrepreneurs because we spend so much time thinking about revenue and clients and impact and growth. There’s also an opportunity to build something that has lasting value and can ultimately contribute to our wealth. In This Episode: Why it’s worth thinking about your exit strategy long before you have any intention of selling What makes a business valuable and sellable and what potential buyers are actually looking for How owner dependency can affect the value of your business and why building beyond yourself matters Why recurring revenue, strong financials, documented processes, organizational structure, and a growth strategy all contribute to the value you’re building How looking at your business through the lens of a future buyer can change the decisions you make today Why waiting until a life event forces you to think about an exit can limit your options and the value you’ve had time to build Why the people side of mergers and acquisitions matters just as much as the financial, legal, and transactional pieces What it takes to realize the full value of an acquisition after the transaction is complete Why more women need to understand the M&A world, both as business owners and as leaders helping shape how businesses are bought, sold, and transformed How building a business with lasting value can become part of a bigger conversation about wealth for women entrepreneurs Jen Thompson is Founder and CEO of ALKMY Advisors, a consulting firm focused on M&A integration, change management, and strategy execution. With over 20 years of professional experience, she has led executives and business leaders through M&A integrations, complex technology implementations, and project and strategy management. Jen is also President and Owner of Women of Mergers & Acquisitions Network (WoMAN), a membership-based organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of women in M&A through three pillars of INFORM, CONNECT, and SERVE. Jen holds a BS in Biomedical Computer Engineering and an MA in Organizational Leadership. About the Host: Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A business coach for high vibe women entrepreneurs helping them #RaiseUP their Voice, Vision and Visibility for Impact and Business Growth. Kami helps her clients build businesses they love with more time prosperity and more wealth prosperity. She weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, and this Soul+Strategy™ approach to business helps her clients succeed in business and worldly impact. Her clients scale and grow their businesses with a more feminine, abundant approach. Her community of entrepreneurs is creating a new paradigm of entrepreneurship, helping each other raise up in a ripple effect of impact. Her clients have gone on to reach extraordinary heights as consultants, coaches and leaders – achieving exponential revenue growth, landing on big stages, starting software companies, launching new professional organizations, transforming corporate cultures and transforming lives. They are influential and they are changemakers. Kami is the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio™. She is the best-selling author of Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose and was named to the 2020 Twenty-Five Most Powerful Women in Business List by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “If the buyers are looking for the same thing that the sellers should be working toward.” ~Jen Thompson To learn more about Jen, visit her website and connect with her on LinkedIn. Jen Thompson’s Show Notes As you think about the business you’re building and the value you want it to create, Kami invites you to join her at the 12th annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, November 5–7 in Colorado. Ignite is where extraordinary women entrepreneurs gather to explore fresh ideas, expand what’s possible in their businesses, and build the relationships that help us grow with greater purpose, prosperity, and joy. Kami would love to welcome you into the room. Learn more and get your ticket here. The post Building a Valuable, Sellable Business: Exit Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs with Jen Thompson appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Some of the deepest wisdom we carry comes from the experiences that have changed us. In this episode, Kami Guildner is joined by Carrie Koh to talk about navigating challenging seasons, the choices available to us, and how those choices can shape our lives, our leadership, and the impact we’re here to make. Carrie’s own journey has taught her the power of changing the question from “What choice do I have?” to “What choice can I make?” Together, Kami and Carrie explore the possibility in that shift and how the experiences that change us can reveal something about who we are becoming and the change we’re here to lead. In This Episode: How to recognize the choices still available to you when circumstances feel outside your control The powerful shift from asking “What choice do I have?” to “What choice can I make?” Four choices that can change how you move through challenging seasons: ownership, focus, identity, and connection Why telling yourself the truth can help you see the patterns shaping your life, leadership, and business How to find the red thread connecting your experiences to the change you’re here to lead Why valuing your own opinion of yourself can free you to say what you really believe and use your voice more fully Why vulnerability and truth telling are at the heart of becoming truly visible What may be happening when everything in your business feels “fine,” yet you know you’re ready for greater growth Why you can’t outgrow your identity, and the role identity plays as you step into greater influence The questions to ask when you feel stuck and know something needs to shift Carrie Koh is a trusted Business Advisor to accomplished entrepreneurs and executives. High stakes business leaders see her as their behind-the-scenes strategic partner when growth has stalled despite success. Her work centers on influence, not as persuasion, but as the ability to evolve how you operate without starting over. It’s what allows her clients to access bigger opportunities, create faster alignment, and accelerate revenue without adding more effort or time. Her entrepreneur clients 3X–10X revenue, scale to seven figures and beyond, and reclaim time, while executives she advises expand service lines and drive results with fewer meetings and faster decisions. About the Host: Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A business coach for high vibe women entrepreneurs helping them #RaiseUP their Voice, Vision and Visibility for Impact and Business Growth. Kami helps her clients build businesses they love with more time prosperity and more wealth prosperity. She weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, and this Soul+Strategy™ approach to business helps her clients succeed in business and worldly impact. Her clients scale and grow their businesses with a more feminine, abundant approach. Her community of entrepreneurs is creating a new paradigm of entrepreneurship, helping each other raise up in a ripple effect of impact. Her clients have gone on to reach extraordinary heights as consultants, coaches and leaders – achieving exponential revenue growth, landing on big stages, starting software companies, launching new professional organizations, transforming corporate cultures and transforming lives. They are influential and they are changemakers. Kami is the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio™. She is the best-selling author of Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose and was named to the 2020 Twenty-Five Most Powerful Women in Business List by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “The biggest shift that I made early on was valuing my own opinion of myself over other people’s opinions of me.” ~Carrie Koh To learn more about Carrie, visit her website and connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Carrie Koh’s Show Notes If this conversation has you thinking about the choices you’re making in your own life and business and the impact you’re here to make, join Kami at the 12th annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, November 5–7 in Colorado. Ignite is where extraordinary women entrepreneurs gather to explore fresh ideas, expand what’s possible in their businesses, and build the relationships that help us grow with greater purpose, prosperity, and joy. Learn more and get your ticket here. The post What Choice Can You Make? Finding Possibility in Challenging Seasons with Carrie Koh appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Kami Guildner has been bringing more PR into her own business this year, and for good reason. PR is playing an increasingly important role in how businesses become known, trusted, and chosen. In this episode, Kami is joined by Becca Cooper Leebove to explore why PR is making a comeback, how it fits into your visibility strategy, and the power of your story to help you become known for your work. Becca will also be joining Kami as a speaker and sponsor at the 12th annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, November 5–7 in Colorado, where she’ll be sharing more about how to use PR and the power of your story to grow your visibility and become known for your work. In This Episode: Why PR is playing an increasingly important role in how businesses become known, trusted, and chosen The difference between marketing and PR, and why earned media creates powerful third-party credibility How AI is changing the way people search and why PR can help you become more discoverable Why your own content and the stories other people tell about you need to work together What needs to be in place before your business is ready for PR How a clear point of view helps you become known as a go-to leader in your space Why PR is a long-term visibility strategy that builds upon itself How your personal story can help you connect with people and make a greater impact Why showing up as a human and being in community matters even more in the age of AI Becca Cooper Leebove, founder of ShuBu Creative Group, has 24 years of experience bringing prominent branding, PR, and marketing initiatives to life. Her career spans leadership roles at Vail Resorts, Regis University, STARZ Entertainment, PorchLight Real Estate Group, and several Denver-based ad agencies, steering large-scale, enterprise-wide branding and PR initiatives across the public and private sectors. At ShuBu, Becca and her team have developed branding, marketing, and PR strategies for hundreds of clients, earning them coverage in U.S. News & World Report, TIME, CNN, and other notable publications. Becca was named a 2023 Outstanding Women in Business awardee. About the Host: Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A business coach for high vibe women entrepreneurs helping them #RaiseUP their Voice, Vision and Visibility for Impact and Business Growth. Kami helps her clients build businesses they love with more time prosperity and more wealth prosperity. She weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, and this Soul+Strategy™ approach to business helps her clients succeed in business and worldly impact. Her clients scale and grow their businesses with a more feminine, abundant approach. Her community of entrepreneurs is creating a new paradigm of entrepreneurship, helping each other raise up in a ripple effect of impact. Her clients have gone on to reach extraordinary heights as consultants, coaches and leaders – achieving exponential revenue growth, landing on big stages, starting software companies, launching new professional organizations, transforming corporate cultures and transforming lives. They are influential and they are changemakers. Kami is the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio™. She is the best-selling author of Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose and was named to the 2020 Twenty-Five Most Powerful Women in Business List by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “Your story is power, so use it.” ~Becca Cooper Leebove To learn more about Becca, visit her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Becca Cooper Leebove’s Show Notes The post Why PR Matters More in the Age of AI: Visibility, Credibility & Becoming a Go-To Leader with Becca Cooper Leebove appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Your voice, your visibility, and the way you use your resources all have the power to create a ripple effect far beyond your business. Kami Guildner is joined by Jennifer Stapleton, founder of Fire and Bliss, to explore what’s happening in philanthropy right now, how foundations are using their voices alongside their dollars, and how we can become more thoughtful about our own giving. They also dive into the smart visibility and thought leadership strategies Jennifer is using through podcasting, research, white papers, and long-form content to deepen her authority and relationships. And if you’re ready to bring your own voice and ideas into a room filled with extraordinary women entrepreneurs, join Kami at the 12th annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, November 5–7 in Colorado. Early Bird pricing ends September 15. Come explore fresh ideas, expand what’s possible in your business, and build relationships that help you grow with greater purpose, prosperity, and joy. In This Episode: How your voice and your business can create a ripple effect far beyond the people you directly serve Why speaking up when it matters is part of leadership and movement making How to use thought leadership to become known for your ideas and deepen relationships with the right people Why long-form content can be a powerful visibility strategy when you’re building a business around a smaller number of high-value clients How listening to your ideal clients can help you understand what they need now and shape stronger offerings around those needs How to become more intentional about your giving and where your dollars can create the greatest impact Why building a business that reflects what matters to you can create both meaningful impact and joy Jennifer Stapleton is an advocate, communications strategist, business owner, and founder of Fire and Bliss. For more than three decades, she has helped philanthropies, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations strengthen their communications, engage audiences, secure funding, and advance meaningful change. Jennifer has worked with organizations including The Pew Charitable Trusts, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Raikes Foundation, and numerous family and community foundations. Her work has helped secure major media coverage, raise tens of millions of dollars, and advance legislative and policy wins. She also serves as Board Chair of Elevated Denver, a nonprofit working to end homelessness in Denver. About the Host: Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A business coach for high vibe women entrepreneurs helping them #RaiseUP their Voice, Vision and Visibility for Impact and Business Growth. Kami helps her clients build businesses they love with more time prosperity and more wealth prosperity. She weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, and this Soul+Strategy™ approach to business helps her clients succeed in business and worldly impact. Her clients scale and grow their businesses with a more feminine, abundant approach. Her community of entrepreneurs is creating a new paradigm of entrepreneurship, helping each other raise up in a ripple effect of impact. Her clients have gone on to reach extraordinary heights as consultants, coaches and leaders – achieving exponential revenue growth, landing on big stages, starting software companies, launching new professional organizations, transforming corporate cultures and transforming lives. They are influential and they are changemakers. Kami is the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio™. She is the best-selling author of Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose and was named to the 2020 Twenty-Five Most Powerful Women in Business List by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “Courageous foundations don’t just fund change. They speak up when it matters most.” ~Jennifer Stapleton To learn more about Jennifer, visit her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Jennifer Stapleton’s Show Notes The post Your Voice Creates a Ripple Effect: Philanthropy, Visibility & Thought Leadership with Jennifer Stapleton appeared first on Kami Guildner.

Kami Guildner is exploring visibility and movement making, using our voices to shape conversations, bring people together, and move ideas that matter into the world. Today, Kami is joined by Hilary Blair, speaker, facilitator, leadership communication coach, and CEO of Articulate Real & Clear. They explore what we may be missing when we avoid friction, what it takes to stay grounded when differences arise, and how our willingness to have real conversations can create greater connection, stronger leadership, and meaningful change. For those of us who are here to use our voices and create movements that matter, this is such an important conversation. And if you’re ready to continue these conversations in a room filled with extraordinary women entrepreneurs, join Kami at the 12th annual Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference, November 5–7 in Colorado. Come explore fresh ideas, expand what’s possible in your business, and build the relationships that help you grow with greater purpose, prosperity, and joy. Early Bird tickets are available through September 15. Get your ticket here. In This Episode: Why your ability to stay in the conversation becomes increasingly important as your voice, leadership, and impact grow How to recognize friction as an opportunity for new ideas, deeper relationships, innovation, and forward movement Why separating friction from conflict can completely change the way you enter conversations where perspectives differ How to stay in the “messy middle” between avoiding and attacking, and create more space for meaningful dialogue Why confidence doesn’t require comfort and how learning to “rock the awkward” can help you stay connected and present How self-awareness, breath, and transparency can help you remain grounded when you feel tension rising Why the different voices and perspectives around the table are essential to stronger businesses, teams, and communities What becomes possible when women are willing to use our voices, stay in meaningful conversation with one another, and move the ideas that matter forward Hilary Blair is a dynamic speaker, facilitator and CEO of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She’s the creator of Fruitful Friction®, a framework redefining tension as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and trust. Blending her background as a professional actor with deep expertise in communication and executive presence, Hilary helps leaders stay in conversation when it matters most. Her work equips teams to engage authentically, communicate clearly, and use friction to gain traction for growth. About the Host: Kami Guildner believes women’s voices matter. She is a connector. A storyteller. A business coach for high vibe women entrepreneurs helping them #RaiseUP their Voice, Vision and Visibility for Impact and Business Growth. Kami helps her clients build businesses they love with more time prosperity and more wealth prosperity. She weaves soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies, and this Soul+Strategy™ approach to business helps her clients succeed in business and worldly impact. Her clients scale and grow their businesses with a more feminine, abundant approach. Her community of entrepreneurs is creating a new paradigm of entrepreneurship, helping each other raise up in a ripple effect of impact. Her clients have gone on to reach extraordinary heights as consultants, coaches and leaders – achieving exponential revenue growth, landing on big stages, starting software companies, launching new professional organizations, transforming corporate cultures and transforming lives. They are influential and they are changemakers. Kami is the founder of the Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference and host of the award-winning Extraordinary Women Radio™. She is the best-selling author of Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose and was named to the 2020 Twenty-Five Most Powerful Women in Business List by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “Friction is inevitable and conflict is optional.” ~Hilary Blair To learn more about Hilary, visit her website and connect with her on LinkedIn. Hilary Blair’s Show Notes The post The Conversations That Shape What’s Next: How Women Leaders Turn Friction Into Forward Movement with Hilary Blair appeared first on Kami Guildner.