Green Bananas & Grit: How Tina Holt Turned Adversity into Purpose, Leadership, and Impact
Fanatical DreamHer
In this deeply powerful and inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Tina Holt—author of Green Bananas, regional vice president in real estate, coach, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Tina shares her extraordinary life journey, from growing up as the caretaker of an alcoholic parent to building a highly successful career in real estate leadership. With raw honesty, she recounts her battles with breast cancer—twice—and how faith, mindset, discipline, and service carried her through the hardest seasons of her life. This episode is a masterclass in...
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A Life of Integrity: Serving the White House and Following a Dream Through History
Fanatical DreamHer
In this remarkable and deeply moving episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Joni Stevens, a woman whose career placed her at the very heart of American history. Joni served at the White House for over 25 years, beginning just ten days after the Watergate break-in in 1972 and continuing through multiple administrations—from President Nixon through President Clinton. From a childhood moment peeking through the White House fence and receiving a wave from President Kennedy, to assisting at historic events and serving alongside First Ladies and military leaders, Joni’s...
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Finding the Yes: Leadership, Service, and Building Something Magical in Hospitality
Fanatical DreamHer
In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Stephanie Kannady at the Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia—a destination often described as nothing short of magical. Stephanie shares her journey through the hospitality industry, from discovering her passion for service in her early twenties to helping build one of the most celebrated boutique hotel experiences in the Southeast. This heartfelt conversation explores leadership rooted in empathy, the power of teamwork, overcoming self-doubt, and why saying “yes” can change everything—from guest...
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Always Marketing: How Jennifer Bushong Built a Dream Career Through Passion, Purpose, and People
Fanatical DreamHer
In this inspiring and full-circle episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp welcomes Jennifer Bushong, CEO of JBE Marketing Group and founder of Inspire Northwest, to share a powerful story decades in the making. From her early career in corporate sales and media to executive leadership roles, festival production, arena management, and ultimately launching her own marketing firm, Jennifer’s journey is a masterclass in persistence, positivity, and purpose-driven leadership. Listeners will hear how Jennifer continuously invested in education, embraced every season of growth, and trusted...
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Why Not Me? How CC Chu Built The Bean Flower and Created Unconventional Happiness
Fanatical DreamHer
In this vibrant and deeply inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with CC Chu, founder and owner of The Bean Flower in Durham, North Carolina — a beloved community space known for its authentic Asian desserts, cultural representation, and heart-centered leadership. Born and raised in Durham, CC’s journey is one of coming home — culturally, creatively, and personally. From studying art at UNCG to working across food service and retail management, CC intentionally learned every layer of the industry before taking the leap into entrepreneurship. What emerged...
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Choosing to Live: How Marissa Collins Turned a Cancer Diagnosis Into a Life of Purpose and Service
Fanatical DreamHer
In this deeply moving and powerful episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Marissa Collins, Executive Director of Cancer Support Community Central Washington, to share a story of resilience, courage, and choosing purpose in the face of life’s hardest moments. At just 31 years old, Marissa was newly married, starting a new job, and building her marketing career when a self-breast exam led to a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. What followed was an aggressive and life-altering journey—bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple...
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Sweet Tea, Stories and Staying the Course: How Author Jan Marry Turned a Lifelong Dream Into a Published Cozy Mystery
Fanatical DreamHer
In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Jan Marry, former Virginia Librarian of the Year turned cozy mystery author. Jan’s debut novel, Sweet Tea and ANZAC Biscuits, is charming readers with its warmth, humor, and small-town Southern–New Zealand flair, but the journey to publication was anything but simple. From stapling together homemade stories as a child… to pursuing a master’s degree in science writing… to receiving 37 agent rejections… to finally holding her first printed book in her hands… Jan’s story is a testament to perseverance,...
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From Art Teacher to Full-Time Artist: How Paula Freeman Rebuilt Her Life, Her Health & Her Dream
Fanatical DreamHer
In this powerful and emotional episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with coastal artist Paula Freeman, whose journey from longtime art teacher to thriving full-time artist is a testament to courage, reinvention, and trusting your gut. After twenty years of teaching, raising three children in two years, and giving everything she had to her students, Paula reached a breaking point when stress and illness forced her to reevaluate her life. What came next was terrifying—but transformational. She stepped away from the classroom, reclaimed her health, rediscovered her joy, and...
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Too Tall for the Garden: Artist Jlyn Henderson on Bravery, Reinvention & Trusting Your Creative Voice
Fanatical DreamHer
In this powerful and soulful episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with artist Jlyn Henderson, whose striking portraits of women—long necks, wild hair, forward-facing eyes—captivate viewers with their emotion, mystery, and truth. Jlyn didn’t pursue art professionally until retirement, when she finally chose to “be brave” and step fully into her creative identity. Her work is deeply symbolic: women who look forward, shoulder life’s weight, hold secrets behind their eyes, and unapologetically take up space. Through stories of her first art shows, reinvention...
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Raising a Leader: How Vera Duncan Built Confidence, Courage & a Dream for Military Service
Fanatical DreamHer
In this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Vera Duncan, a remarkable young woman whose leadership journey began at just eight years old. Now a college freshman at William & Mary and a 2024 recipient of the elite U.S. Army National Scholarship, Vera shares her story of discipline, humility, resilience, and purpose. From watching her father land a Black Hawk helicopter at her elementary school, to earning one of the most competitive ROTC scholarships in the nation, to taking on leadership roles in her community, Vera represents the next generation of...
info_outlineIn this inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, host April Kemp sits down with Lashonda Sanford, founder of Scratch Bakery, to share her incredible journey from a foster home in Kentucky to running one of Virginia’s most beloved bakeries. Lashonda reveals how her foster mother’s passion for baking shaped her own, the determination it took to launch during a recession, and how resilience and community support helped her grow through challenges—including a pandemic and a national television appearance on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship.
Lashonda’s story is one of grit, love, and legacy, reminding us all that real dreams are fueled by passion, persistence, and a sprinkle of sugar.
Key Discussion Points:
- (01:20) Childhood memories of biscuits, fudge, and daily trips to Spalding’s Bakery in Kentucky
- (03:29) The inspiration of her foster mother and early lessons in baking and life
- (05:05) Discovering her hidden determination and fight while pursuing her dream
- (06:09) Adapting during COVID with delivery, DoorDash, and her cupcake truck
- (07:18) Opening in 2011 during a recession and milestones of growth and expansion
- (08:40) Launching the first cupcake truck in the area
- (09:48) Getting “the call” from Food Network and competing in Holiday Baking Championship
- (10:42) Facing fear, taking the leap, and discovering more of herself in the process
- (13:39) Education, mentoring women, and turning Scratch Bakery into a space of empowerment
- (17:16) The defining moment: hobby or career? Choosing to go all in
- (19:25) Positive self-talk, calling her staff “gladiators,” and leading with encouragement
- (21:23) Empowering employees, including a 13-year employee who was completely deaf
- (23:20) Favorite customer desserts: wedding cake, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and more
- (24:26) Community support as the backbone of Scratch Bakery’s success
- (25:26) Advice for aspiring bakers: loving it enough to bake thousands every day
- (26:59) Favorite quote: “When people show you who they are the first time, believe them.”
- (29:01) Motto: “We bake it right—with love and good ingredients.”
Notable Quotes:
- “You discover a fight in you that you just didn’t know you had.”
- “Is this a career or is this a hobby? That was my defining moment.”
- “I call my staff gladiators—because they can do anything.”
- “When people show you who they are the first time, believe them.”
- “We bake it right. Like your grandma used to.”
Takeaways:
- Early inspirations often plant lifelong dreams
- True resilience is adapting to challenges while caring for your team and community
- Fear is part of growth—feel it, then do it anyway
- Mentorship and empowerment can transform not just a business but people’s lives
- Loving the craft is what keeps passion alive, even through thousands of repetitions
Connect with Guest:
• Website: https://itsmadefromscratch.com/
• Instagram: @_scratchbakery
• Email: sales@itsmadefromscratch.com
Connect with Us:
• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher
• Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/
• April’s email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com
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