Building a Breakthrough Brand: Hayley Segar on Confidence, Grit, and Growth EP 131
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode, Nancy Sheed reconnects with entrepreneur Hayley Segar, who first first appeared on the show during the earliest days of building her One With Swim company. Now, with a patented product, viral traction, and a , Hayley reflects on how far the brand has come and what she has learned along the way. “You have to have almost a delusional sense of confidence, drive, execution, grit, coachability… and that’s a specific combo of things.” From overcoming limiting beliefs to building intentional growth strategies, she shares a candid look at the mindset and systems that...
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Inside An Angel Investing Network: Strategy & Opportunity with Marty Isaac EP 130
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed talks with Marty Isaac, President and Managing Director of the Angel Investor Forum, Connecticut’s leading network of early-stage investors. Marty brings a refreshing, community-minded perspective to angel investing — one built on curiosity and collaboration. “There are no sharp elbows in our group. We all want the companies — and each other — to win.” A former GE and consumer marketing executive turned investor and civic leader, Marty shares how he built his portfolio — from early, overzealous investments to smart,...
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The Human Side of Hiring: Darcy Ahl on What Really Matters EP 129
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy sits down with seasoned executive recruiter Darcy Ahl, who shares her winding career path—from writing romance-novel blurbs to working in brand management and advertising, and ultimately building a 20-year career in executive search where she is currently partner at Ahl, Berrien & Partners. Darcy offers grounded insights on what has changed (and what has not) in recruiting, the continued importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence), and how relationships fuel her national cross-industry success. Key Takeaways Relationships drive business:...
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Breaking Stigmas and Building Muze: The Future of Clean Cannabis with Shirley Xu-Weldon EP 128
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode, Nancy sits down with Shirley Xu-Weldon, a former Google executive turned entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to live and lead with purpose. Shirley shares her inspiring journey from her childhood in China to becoming a successful businesswoman in New York, where her curiosity, discipline, and drive helped her navigate industries as varied as finance, advertising, and tech. When the pandemic hit, Shirley used that pause to reflect deeply on what she wanted next. The result? A bold pivot into the cannabis and wellness space, where she founded Leafology (a welcoming,...
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We’re Not Selling Food, We’re Selling Connection: Lessons from The Granola Bar Founders EP 127
HAYVN Hubcast
On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sat down with Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily, the powerhouse duo behind The Granola Bar. What started as a single idea between two friends has grown into a thriving restaurant group with multiple locations and now, expansion into New York City. Julie and Dana’s story is one of grit, instinct, and staying true to their community. They shared candid insights about: Scaling with heart. Growth isn’t just about more stores, it’s about profitability, efficiency, and staying rooted in values. Partnership as a foundation. Their...
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Say Yes to the Work: Betsy Lerner’s Path from Editor to Agent to Bestselling Novelist EP 126
HAYVN Hubcast
Nancy Sheed, host of HAYVN Hubcast talks with author Betsy Lerner, and she takes us from blue pencils and slush piles to BookTok and bestsellers. She shares how she moved from editorial roles at major houses to agenting for the flexibility publishing didn’t offer at the time, and how that entrepreneurial leap paid off. We get her “discoverability” playbook (from magazine racks on the streets of New York to TikTok), candid advice on today’s path to publication, the backstory of Shred Sisters, and her refreshingly practical mindset on rejection: don’t dwell on no, keep looking...
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The Art of Connection: Building Real Relationships That Last with Penny Goffman EP 125
HAYVN Hubcast
In this high-energy episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed welcomes the dynamic Penny Goffman, connector, community builder, and curator of the POWERUp series at HAYVN. Penny shares how her lifelong gift for connection has shaped her career, and how authentic relationships are the true foundation of community and collaboration. Key Takeaways: Connection is a Superpower A strategy from childhood vacations to high school leadership roles to entrepreneurial ventures, gave Penny the chance to use her natural abilities to connect with people. What sets her apart is how she’s...
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Her Workplace: How Marilynn Joyner Uses Tech to Build Community and Career Confidence EP 124
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Marilynn Joyner, a former commercial real estate exec turned tech founder, to unpack her journey from corporate intensity to building an AI-powered career platform designed for ambitious Gen Z and millennial women. Key Highlights: A Career on Her Terms: Marilynn’s early career in commercial real estate exposed her to a male-dominated, competitive culture. Despite early success, she realized she was following rules she didn’t create and sought more autonomy and purpose. The Pivot Point: While attending Columbia...
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From Meta to Meetup Magic: Petra Pasquina’s Journey to Founding Groopl EP 123
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed is joined by Petra Pasquina, a seasoned marketer turned tech entrepreneur and the creator of , a purpose-built app that makes it easier for small groups to connect, communicate, and stay organized. Petra shares her fascinating journey from corporate roles at Meta and MasterCard to founding a startup aimed at solving one of the most frustrating pain points of modern group life: the chaos of managing logistics across multiple platforms. “I always look for that white space… a place where people aren’t being spoken to in the right way or...
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How to Lead, Thrive, and Shine: Turning Life into Story with Kate Stone EP 122
HAYVN Hubcast
In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Kate Stone, founder of Kate Stone Prep, to trace the unconventional and intentional journey that led her from aspiring actress and world traveler to top-tier college admissions strategist. Kate’s story is anything but linear, and that’s what makes it so powerful. What started as a dream of working in film and television evolved into international teaching, private tutoring across the globe, and ultimately building a business that helps students not only get into college but thrive once they're there. Highlights...
info_outlineWhat does it take to leave behind a stable corporate career and successfully launch a business? Many professionals dream of entrepreneurship but making the leap can feel overwhelming. HAYVN Hubcast host Nancy Sheed sat down with Emelie Calbick, co-founder of Stage 2 Startups, to discuss the realities of starting a business later in life. Emelie shared her personal journey from the corporate world to tech startups and how she now helps others navigate this transition.
Like many professionals, Emelie found herself wondering if there was something more fulfilling beyond corporate life. Research backs this up. 29% of business owners say their biggest motivation is the desire to be their own boss, while 17% leave corporate careers due to dissatisfaction. For Emelie, the opportunity to join a tech startup was exhilarating, offering a new level of independence, decision-making, and creativity.
Making the switch from corporate employee to entrepreneur requires a deep understanding of yourself, your skills, and your tolerance for risk.
Emelie outlined the key questions every aspiring business owner should ask:
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Do I have a passion for this business? Can I see myself doing this every day?
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How comfortable am I with uncertainty? Entrepreneurship involves risk and the ability to pivot.
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Do I work best alone or with a partner? Some thrive independently, while others need collaboration.
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What are my strengths and weaknesses? Identifying skill gaps early helps you find the right support.
She also emphasized the importance of seeking honest feedback from colleagues, friends, and family. Sometimes, others recognize our talents before we do!
A common misconception is that startups are for the young. The average startup founder is 45 years old, and this group is twice as likely to succeed compared to younger founders.
That’s due to:
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Experience – Years in the workforce build valuable skills in leadership, strategy, and problem-solving.
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Networks – Established professionals have connections that can open doors.
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Financial Stability – Many midlife entrepreneurs have resources to sustain early-stage growth.
Whether it’s launching a high-tech business, a local service, or a passion-driven nonprofit, midlife entrepreneurs are proving that age is an asset, not a barrier.
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring business owners make is skipping the research phase. Emelie shared inspiring examples of entrepreneurs who took the time to validate their ideas before launching.
The takeaway? Success isn’t an accident, it’s the result of careful preparation, persistence, and learning from others.
Connect with Emelie
Stage2Startups.com
Connect with Nancy