Welcome back to Minding Her Own Business! Today, I'm sitting down with Saanya Ali, the storyteller, consultant, and founder of SOIRÉE - a platform that's connecting over 100,000 engaged foodies through her newsletter and social platforms.

What started as a New Year's Eve dare turned into a journey of pivots, purpose, and discovering that sometimes the scariest thing isn't failure - it's not letting yourself fail properly. Saanya's path from tech startup dreams to building something she truly loves is a masterclass in entrepreneurial authenticity, and her perspective on food as the ultimate cultural connector will change how you think about community building.

In this episode:

• How Saanya pivoted from a tech-focused platform to a digital media approach.
• Embracing failure is a crucial part of the entrepreneurial journey.
• Food serves as a universal connector across cultures.
• Experiences shape passions that can lead to a fulfilling career.
• Pivoting with purpose can lead to new opportunities.

Share this episode with that friend who's been talking about leaving their corporate job to start something but keeps getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Whether you're contemplating a major career pivot, struggling with founder identity, or simply believe that the best conversations happen around a dinner table, this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

Connect with Saanya:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stinglikeali

Instagram: www.instagram.com/justsoiree

Website: www.justsoiree.com

Let's Connect!
Website: https://www.victoriamariscal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mindingherownbusiness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-m-mariscal/

Welcome back to Minding Her Own Business! Today we're diving deep into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship with multi-time founder Makena Finger Zannini, who shares her incredible journey from survival mode to scaling multiple successful ventures.

In our conversation, Makena opens up about the emotional aspects of leadership, the critical importance of operations in business success, and her unique approach to hiring adaptable team members who can thrive in fast-paced environments.

In this episode:

• How Makena's journey began
• The constant adaptation and process re-evaluation of a business.
• Hiring for adaptability is a crucial step in a fast-paced environment.
• Operations play a vital role in the success of a business.
• Accountability is often underestimated in leadership roles.
• Understanding ROI is essential for business viability.
• Making tough decisions as part of being a leader.

Share this episode with that driven entrepreneur in your life who's juggling multiple ventures or considering their next big leap. Whether they're a seasoned founder questioning their pricing strategy, a startup leader struggling with team accountability, or someone building their business while still working their day job, Makena's raw insights about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and her practical advice on everything from hiring adaptable talent to testing product-market fit will give them the roadmap they need.

Connect with Makena:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/makenafingerzannini

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theboutiquecoo

Instagram: www.instagram.com/brickbybrickcollective

Let's Connect!
Website: https://www.victoriamariscal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mindingherownbusiness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-m-mariscal/

Welcome back to Minding Her Own Business! Today, I'm thrilled to reconnect with the incredible Deveney Williams, a multi-talented creative entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of Sunny Side Up, a creative agency that specializes in branding, design, and production.

Over the years, she's worn many hats - visual storyteller, senior social media strategist, brand designer, hype woman, and yes, even lead guitarist of a girl band called Midnight Blonde! With a master's degree in journalism from Georgetown and a bachelor's in visual communications from USC, Deveney's superpowers include understanding, emphasizing, conceptualizing, and producing visual eye candy that truly connects with audiences.

In this episode, we explore:

• How creativity is truly a journey of trial and error
• The importance of transparency in client relationships and understanding their unique needs
• Why finding inspiration can come from the most everyday experiences - from grocery store aisles to architecture
• The crucial role of building a personal brand as an entrepreneur and putting yourself in front of the camera
• The art of capturing authenticity and comfort in photography

If you have that friend who's always been the creative one in your group, share this episode with them - they need to hear that their creative journey, no matter how winding or unconventional, is valid and valuable. Deveney's story is one of embracing the messy, non-linear path of entrepreneurship while staying true to your authentic creative voice.

Connect with Deveney:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deveneywilliams/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesunnysideupstudio/

Let's Connect!
Website: https://www.victoriamariscal.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mindingherownbusiness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-m-mariscal/