Businesswomen Talking Podcast

According to 2024 Statistics from the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy, women own more than 12 million small businesses across the country and employ over 10.7 million workers. These businesses contribute massively to the economy, producing nearly 2 trillion in total sales annually.

However, challenges for female business leaders and entrepreneurs continue including struggles to secure funding, fewer opportunities for mentoring/networking, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and gender bias.

In an effort to provide a tool for women business leaders and future owners in both the Greater Lansing area and around the state, Foster Swift launched a monthly podcast: Businesswomen Talking. Hosted by business attorneys, Amanda Dernovshek and Lindsey Mead, this podcast discusses a number of legal topics that can pose hinderances for business owners such as succession planning, IP protection and entity selection/organization. 

Each episode features a special guest, a local business owner or leader sharing their personal experiences such as how they got started, difficulties they have faced along the way and other insights. Each podcast recording is available below on YouTube as well as on Spotify. Also available below are FAQs about Women-Owned Business Certification and other resources:

Podcast Episodes

1. Episode 18: A Discussion with Carrie Rosingana with Capital Area Michigan Works!
2. Episode 17: A Discussion with Tracey Szuran of Vintage Vine Co. 
3. Episode 16: A Discussion with Shamayim ‘Mama Shu’ Harris of Avalon Village
4. Episode 15: A Discussion with Rachel Champine of Reverie Wedding Co.
5. Episode 14: A Discussion with Kathy Valentine of The Plant Professionals, Inc.
6. Episode 13: A Discussion with Selina Máté of Peculiar Coffee Co.
7. Episode 12: A Discussion with Chanel Schoeneberger of Bluewater Technologies Group
8. Episode 11: A Discussion with Hannah Cary and Jaime Mancini of JH Solutions - Nonprofit Management
9. Episode 10: A Discussion with Megan Shannon of Tiny Bit of Wood
10. Episode 9: A Discussion with Hillary Coleman of 1991 Greenery
11. Episode 8: A Discussion with Dr. Sarah Reckhow of Hooked Coffee & Book Store
12. Episode 7: A Discussion with Monica "Nikki" Fores of Our Lansing Home
13. Episode 6: A Discussion with Emma Bostwick of Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
14. Episode 5: A Discussion with Abby Burnell of McCall Hamilton
15. Episode 4: A Discussion with Katie Davis of The Literacy Camp
16. Episode 3: A Discussion with Jessica Starks of Transworld Business Advisors
17. Episode 2: A Discussion with Julie Holton Smith of mConnexions
18. Episode 1: An Introduction to the Series

Listen to episodes also on Spotify

Coming Soon:

• Michelle Richards - GLWBC
• Corie Costello - Awe Luxury Travel

Resources

• Overview of Minority & Women-Owned Business Certifications

• Michigan-Focused Capital and Support Opportunities for Women-Owned Businesses

• How Foster Swift Experts Help Navigate the Women-owned and Minority-owned Certification Process

• Women-Owned Business Certifications FAQs

• LEAP’s Procurement Readiness Program

• Michigan Specific Women and/or Minority-Owned Business Certifications

• For more information on these women-owned business certifications, consult the following websites:

  • WBENC Certification: https://www.wbenc.org/certification/
  • WOSB and EDWOSB Certification: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program

  
  

Contact Us

If you would like to appear as a guest on a future podcast episode, please contact us at info@fosterswift.com.