Courageous Dreamers Win

Nesha Pai shares her blueprint for living the life of your dreams by focusing on intentional strategies in building the essential pillars that provide a strong foundation for successfully reaching them. Many people feel trapped in autopilot mode, uncertain of their life vision or the path to achieve it, often settling for mediocrity instead of striving for their full potential and life's deeper purpose. Each episode offers an inspiring and transformative conversation to guide you toward achieving the life you've always envisioned.

10. Courageous Solo Travel (for Women) 05/21/2025

09. The Proximity Effect 05/07/2025

08. The Alchemy of Clarity 04/23/2025

07. Build Your Courage Through Fear 04/09/2025

06. SELF-LOVE Isn’t Selfish 03/26/2025

06. SELF-LOVE Isn’t Selfish Self-love isn’t a luxury or a trend. It’s a daily decision to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer everyone else. In this episode, Nesha Pai breaks down what self-love truly means and why it’s central to living a fulfilling life. She reflects on her own upbringing in East Tennessee, where societal pressures made self-acceptance difficult, and shares how learning to turn inward with grace and honesty changed everything. Nesha challenges the idea that self-love is about bubble baths and affirmations. Instead, she reframes it as an ongoing practice built on how we think, speak, and care for ourselves. From setting boundaries to honoring your body, she offers strategies to replace self-criticism with compassion. This episode touches on comparison, perfectionism, and the myth that self-love is selfish. Nesha makes the case that when we care for ourselves, we expand our capacity to support others. Her message is simple: self-love fuels confidence, resilience, and true fulfillment. Quotes “Self-love is accepting yourself without conditions, setting boundaries that protect your peace, showing yourself grace when you make mistakes, and taking care of your mind, body, and spirit because you deserve to feel good.” (02:58 | Nesha Pai) “Just like we learn to be hard on ourselves, we can also learn to be kind to ourselves.” (05:09 | Nesha Pai) “Your body isn’t just something to look at. It is the vessel, the vehicle that carries your soul through your life.” (07:40 | Nesha Pai) “Taking care of yourself doesn’t take away from others. It allows you to give more freely from a place of fullness, not depletion.” (13:21 | Nesha Pai) “You are worthy of love exactly as you are—right now. Not when you lose weight, not when you land your dream job, not when you’re in a relationship. None of that. Right now, in this moment.” (14:05 | Nesha Pai) Links: Self Love Weekly Challenge Journal Sheet: Connect with Nesha: Instagram: Website: Facebook: LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/35854865

05. Getting LIT with Dr. Jeff Karp 03/19/2025

04. Make Gratitude A Habit 03/12/2025

04. Make Gratitude A Habit Gratitude shapes the way we see our challenges, our progress, and the road ahead. But how often do we actually pause and acknowledge how far we’ve come? Nesha Pai explores how gratitude and self-reflection can shift your mindset and help you find meaning in both the highs and the lows. She reminds us that gratitude isn’t reserved for big wins. It’s found in the small, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. What if paying attention to those moments could change the way you experience life? Self-reflection plays a key role in this process, offering a chance to recognize growth, learn from challenges, and even find gratitude in difficult seasons. Nesha shares questions to help you reflect on your journey, along with a deeply personal story of loss and resilience. Through it all, she turned to gratitude as a source of strength and motivation. This episode is filled with simple, practical ways to make gratitude and self-reflection part of your daily routine. Nesha leaves listeners with a challenge: start noticing the good, acknowledge your progress, and stay thankful for where you are right now. The way you see your life might change more than you expect. Quotes “What if instead of only celebrating the big things, we learn to find joy in the ordinary, the everyday, even the mundane.” (02:20 | Nesha Pai) “Gratitude helps us see the good, but self-reflection helps us understand the journey.” (03:07 | Nesha Pai) “Every day, so that I wouldn’t delve into the depths of depression and hell, I tried to find something that I was grateful for.” (05:43 | Nesha Pai) “I look at obstacles as things that derail us, that detour us. So we’re taking the scenic route to get to where we wanna go.” (06:42 | Nesha Pai) “Dream big, reflect often, and always, always be grateful. I promise you it will change your heart and it will shift your mind.” (09:42 | Nesha Pai) Connect with Nesha: Instagram: Website: Facebook: LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/35606235

03. How My Part Time Paris Living Dream Became A Reality 02/12/2025

02. Put Your Dreams Into Action 01/29/2025

02. Put Your Dreams Into Action Most people dream, but only a few take the bold, consistent actions needed to turn those dreams into reality. Are you ready to be one of them? Nesha Pai is indeed back, and in this episode, she talks about the foundational elements that help transform dreams into success. She breaks it down into four key pillars: courage, clarity, commitment, and champions. Courage drives action, clarity provides the roadmap, commitment ensures steady progress, and champions offer essential support along the way. Pointing out that only 8% of people achieve their dreams, Nesha showcases the power of intentional action. Drawing from a quote shared by her friend Ryan LaVarnway, “Information without application is stagnation, but information with application is transformation,” she challenges listeners to apply what they learn to truly transform their lives. Nesha shares her journey of perseverance in building a thriving speaking business and accounting firm, showing us that achieving our dreams requires consistent action over time. Her empowering call to action for big dreamers? Embrace her simple formula for success and keep striving toward their vision with courage and determination. Quotes “I realized that we can’t achieve our big dreams or our big life vision without living boldly and defying all of the obstacles that come our way, whether small or big. If we nurture these four things—courage, clarity, commitment, and champions—I believe we can achieve the dreams we have for ourselves.” (00:43 | Nesha Pai) “Dreaming is at the heart of disruption. It’s only when we dream that we can hope to create something truly new, something that will overtake old habits, old customs, and old ways of thinking and being.” (02:23 | Nesha Pai) “My friend and fellow author and speaker, Ryan LaVarnway, had heard this quote and shared it on his page: ‘Information without application is stagnation, but information with application is transformation.’” (03:03 | Nesha Pai) “Only consistent actions over time will get me there… Progress moving in the right direction is all we need to keep going.” (05:38 | Nesha Pai) “You put your dreams into action by moving the needle forward and choosing to not be stagnant.” (06:40 | Nesha Pai) Connect with Nesha: Instagram: Website: Facebook: LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/35048085

01. How Do Courageous Dreamers Win? 01/15/2025

01. How Do Courageous Dreamers Win? Dreaming big isn’t easy, but with courage, clarity, commitment, and champions, it’s always possible. In this first episode of Courageous Dreamers Win, Nesha Pai opens up about the resilience required to chase a clear life vision, even when life throws its hardest challenges. Reflecting on her journey through personal loss, illness, and rebranding her podcast, Nesha points out how staying committed to your dreams can turn even the toughest storms into stepping stones. Nesha introduces four essential pillars—clarity, courage, commitment, and champions—that can help you build the life you envision. From uncovering what sparks your happiness to surrounding yourself with a strong support system, these strategies are both actionable and deeply personal. Through her story, Nesha reminds us that life’s setbacks don’t define us; our response does. How will you hold onto your dreams when the road gets tough? Courageous Dreamers Win is a call to hold onto your dreams, chase joy, and remember that your voice and vision matter more than you realize. Tune in and subscribe today! Quotes: “I didn’t come this far just to get this far, and neither did you. You must remember this at every obstacle that will try to derail you.” (04:51 | Nesha Pai) “Courage is a muscle. Flex it every day. How you build it is by how much you’re willing to step out into the unknown and discomfort.” (05:58 | Nesha Pai) “Without your health, you have nothing. If you’re alive, healthy, have a roof over your head, good food to eat, and people that love you, you are already rich.” (08:45 | Nesha Pai) “Chase purpose instead. I promise the money will follow.” (09:15 | Nesha Pai) “Your voice matters, and what makes you different matters. You are the person in this world that can make the difference we all so desperately need. The people in your life need you, but more importantly, the world needs you.” (10:05 | Nesha Pai) “Keep going and whatever you do, never, ever give up on yourself or the life you envision.” (10:38 | Nesha Pai) Connect with Nesha: Instagram: Website: Facebook: LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/34850700

59. Jane Bertch - La Cuisine Paris 07/23/2024

59. Jane Bertch - La Cuisine Paris “We all have the right to try something different, to express ourselves, to challenge ourselves,” says Jane Bertch, owner of La Cuisine Paris and author of the memoir “The French Ingredient.” In this episode, she joins Nesha Pai to share her journey from banking to entrepreneurship in Paris. Jane explains how a vision during a low point in her life led her to create La Cuisine Paris, overcoming skepticism from her family and the French community. She emphasizes the importance of listening to the universe and dreaming big, even in challenging times. This episode also delves into the cultural differences between France and the United States, particularly in forming friendships, and debunks myths about living in Paris. Highlighting the city’s beauty and challenges, Jane stresses the need to respect French culture for a richer experience. She hopes her work inspires others to pursue their dreams, with Nesha echoing the importance of evolving throughout life. Quotes “There are so many people who put pressure on themselves to find this passion, to chase a dream that they haven’t discovered yet. And La Cuisine was not my dream. It was a vision that came to me and my dream became to realize it. And that can happen to any of us at any time.” (05:01 | Jane Bertch) “We all have the right to try something different, to express ourselves, to challenge ourselves. And at this ripe age, I feel like I finally do that unintentionally, which is good. It’s in my subconscious.” (14:43 | Jane Bertch) “Why did I write that memoir? I guess that memoir for me was a little legacy of—I hope whoever picks it up sees beyond the Paris story and says to themselves, ‘What the heck, if this gal from Chicago who knew nothing about anything was able to completely pick up and pivot her life and do something different, then I can do whatever I want.’ So, if my legacy is a small, small, small bit of inspiration that somebody says, ‘You know what, I’m just going to try my best, and I’m going to do it, and I’m not going to self-doubt.’—if that’s what I can impart upon people, I’ll feel good.” (30:21 | Jane Bertch) Connect with Jane Bertch: Book: Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/32250562

58. Sripal Jain - India's #1 Accountant 06/17/2024

58. Sripal Jain - India's #1 Accountant “For me, success is that you really enjoy certain things and then you don’t even complain about it,” says Sripal Jain, a first-generation entrepreneur and co-founder of Simandhar Education. In this episode, Sripal shares his journey from working at corporate giants to founding an educational institute that offers alternative certifications and practical skills for accounting graduates in India. Sripal discusses his motivation behind Simandhar Education, addressing the high failure rate of the Indian Chartered Accountancy exam and limited career options for graduates. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and practical skills to complement theoretical knowledge, preparing students for exams like the US CPA and US CMA. The discussion highlights the challenges of “hustle” culture, the importance of delegation, and building a strong team. Sripal also touches on the declining interest in accounting among young people and how integrating technology into the CPA curriculum can revive the profession. He believes AI will automate routine tasks, but human judgment in areas like audit and advisory will remain crucial. Sripal defines success as enjoying one’s work and making a significant impact on others’ lives. His insights go beyond the technical aspects of accounting, exploring how passion, vision, and a commitment to education can drive meaningful change. Tune in for an insightful conversation on education, mentorship, and the evolving accounting profession. Quotes “I think education, personally, is not information. It’s rather a transformation… I think it’s the complete change in attitude, how you work, how you talk, how you behave. So I think these are all factors of having a great education. And one more thing, I felt that skills are very important. And today’s students, they’re not getting those practical skills which are required in order to be employable. At Simandhar, it’s not that we only teach CPA, CMA, CIE or EA. But I feel that personally, we also teach them how to be industry leaders, and make them corporate ready.” (09:29 | Sripal Jain) “For me, success is that you really enjoy certain things and then you don’t even complain about it.” (27:15 | Sripal Jain) “I think the legacy which I would leave here is to give a very strong message to education institutes. I think it’s very, very important that you take your students very seriously. And there are a lot of people who put in a lot of effort, who put in a lot of hard work and put their money on this and then they enroll with you. So I think education is not some product or a commodity. It’s actually, like I said, a transformation.” (29:47 | Sripal Jain) Connect with Sripal Jain: Website | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/31739537

57. Tamara Edwards- PR + Personal Branding Expert 09/20/2023

57. Tamara Edwards- PR + Personal Branding Expert Tamara Edwards, Founder and Principal of Tamara Edwards and Co., spent a decade working in public relations for several prominent congressmen in Washington, DC, a fast-paced, highly-choreographed environment that required a great deal of nimbleness and strategic thinking. Once she moved back to her native Chicago, she realized that communication in the rest of the world took on a very different form from the esoteric manner of “the beltway,” yet the same elements for developing political campaigns could also be applied to creating PR packages and personal branding strategies for entrepreneurs. Now, Tamara offers Personal Brand in a Box, going beyond the usual offerings to provide global business entrepreneurs, industry leaders, philanthropists with the tools, techniques and strategies they need to stay relevant. On today’s episode, she’ll discuss what people get wrong about PR. They tend to ask the wrong questions, aren’t willing to put in the groundwork, and want too much too soon. It’s a long game, she explains, and people need to have patience. She offers advice on what to look–and look out–for when hiring a PR agent, as well as the limits of PR. Quotes: “It was apparent to me that the language that we spoke in DC and in the DC bubble, the beltway, as they say, was very different than the conversations that were happening outside.” (9:23 | Tamara) “Business leaders have a lot more autonomy to influence–of course, policymakers make huge decisions on our behalf–but at the same time, we're talking about job creators, industry makers that I get to work with, people who are just starting out their business who have a vision. And so taking all of those skills and ideas of how we wrap our hands around these individuals and get them to where they're going was just very much in my nature.” (11:03 | Tamara) “Think of why they call it PR campaigns. What is the campaign? What are we campaigning for? So I take a lot of that methodology and apply it. If you're running for office or anything, what are your foundational sort of points of view on X issue? How are you going to deliver that message? And then how are you going to build coalition, community and really get your message out.” (13:06 | Tamara) “What makes me really happy is when people say they felt like a celebrity, and they felt so comfortable. And they didn't really think that this was available to them.” (19:41 | Tamara) “It's a building block. It's not an overnight thing. It's a long game. It is a very long game.” (25:07 | Tamara) “You have to think like a business person. If you're in a decision-making capacity to make decisions around branding, and maybe it's not something that you've thought about. But all of these things play together, it needs to be comprehensive.” (30:37 | Tamara) Connect with Tamara Edwards: Website | Instagram | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/28069311

56. Megan Sumrell-The Pink Bee 09/06/2023

56. Megan Sumrell-The Pink Bee As an entrepreneur, are you struggling to effectively manage your time? Well then, you’re not alone! In today’s episode of Piece of the Pai, host Nesha Pai sits down with Megan Sumrell, owner of The Pink Bee to discuss the importance of weekly planning and how to reimagine the concept of self-care so you can prevent overbooking and feel confident about your commitments. Prior you commit to chasing your grand aspirations, Megan suggests learning how to first conquer your daily and weekly challenges. By setting yourself up for success on a weekly basis, you are able to take a step back and prioritize both crucial tasks and personal time. In addition, Megan encourages listeners to reconsider their perspective on self-care. Self-care extends beyond the occasional face-mask or trip to the spa, but rather includes tasks that bring genuine happiness and health to our lives. Megan's story serves as a poignant reminder that in the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities, it's essential to carve out time for personal interests and self-care to maintain a sense of identity and overall well-being. Join the conversation to feel inspired to master weekly planning and redefine self-care, because both are integral to achieving balance and fulfillment in our lives. Quotes: “I had completely lost myself and I didn't even know I had. I was so busy tackling my daily list, Everything for work, everything for home. And from the outside looking in, I looked like someone that had it all together. But on the inside, I had lost all connection with myself because I was in constant service to others.” (05:44 | Megan) “I've learned to program my phone so it only talks to me when I want it to talk to me.” (10:27 | Megan) “It's really important for business owners to have clear set boundaries on lines of communication that allow everybody to function in their role and not be interrupted unless it's worthy of interruption.” (12:44 | Megan) “Rather than starting with, let's set your big goals and dreams, heck no. Let's get you out of overwhelm with your weekly life first, then your monthly life.” (23:16 | Megan) Connect with Megan Sumrell: Instagram | App | Website | Free Time Management Training | Annual Plan-A-Palooza | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/27946380

55. Ashley Theis - The Constant Wayfarer, Luxury Travel Advisor 08/23/2023

55. Ashley Theis - The Constant Wayfarer, Luxury Travel Advisor In this episode, host Nesha Pai engages in a heartfelt conversation with Ashley Theis, renowned as The Constant Wayfarer. Their conversation dives into Ashley's remarkable journey as a travel concierge and the hurdles she overcame while building her own enterprise. Unveiling the misconceptions surrounding travel agents, Ashley explains the invaluable contributions they make to the happiness of their clientele. Ashley's journey testifies to the strength of pursuing passion and embracing risks. After working in various jobs, she courageously pursued her dream of becoming a travel advisor. The genesis of her agency, The Constant Wayfarer, was met with skepticism, yet her unwavering commitment to curating exceptional travel experiences for clients triumphed. What elevates Ashley as a travel concierge is her methodology and meticulous attention to detail. Every client’s wants and needs are understood, from travel predilections to bucket-list aspirations. Leveraging an extensive network of travel partners and local liaisons, Ashley ensures each journey is tailored to the individual. From itinerary curation to seamless bookings, she unburdens clients from the hassles of travel logistics, allowing them to enjoy every moment of their well-earned vacations. Ashley's story only reiterates that success is measured not solely by conventional metrics, but by the impact on others and the gratification of pursuing your dreams. Quotes: “And I'm very thankful that I have parents who are also small business owners. My dad's been a photographer for, gosh, 50 years or whatever. And he was like, the worst thing that could happen is it fails. And if it fails, you'll survive and you'll figure something else out. And you'll do that. But it never hurts to try.” (4:25 | Ashley) “I'm very thankful that I had the privilege to have a family to fall back on to be in their house for much longer than I intended. And when the middle of 2020 hit, and the full time job decided that they needed to essentially lay people off, I took that as my opportunity to leave and actually, like, basically volunteered myself to do that. So emotionally, it was absolutely the most stressful time I've ever been in. But I'm so so grateful for it. Because if it hadn't happened the way it was,, I don't know if I would have been able to be full time at that point.” (09:28| Ashley) “And just having that on the ground experience is super important. And then it helps in the sense of once I actually am sending clients, I can be like, this is where I stayed. You will love it for X, Y, Z reasons. Make sure you talk to this concierge. She's the best. Like those kinds of notes are always invaluable for my clients. And I think some of my clients come to me because they don't have the time. Some come to me because it's a destination that they're just maybe intimidated by. And some come to me because they want access to the local partners we use and the hotels that we partner with to give them VIP amenities.” (23:50 | Ashley) “I didn't want to sit and wait around to explore the world until I had a partner to do so. I wanted to capitalize on the time I had in my singlehood to explore and see all the things I could.” (26:29 | Ashley) Connect with Ashley Theis: Website | Instagram | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/27818373

54. April Simpkins - Chief HR Officer + Mental Health Advocate 08/09/2023

54. April Simpkins - Chief HR Officer + Mental Health Advocate April Simpkins, Chief Human Resources Officer for Quest Co, is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote mental wellness in the workplace. Following the passing of her beloved daughter, Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019, who battled depression for years, April has since dedicated her life to advocating for mental health. With unwavering conviction, she calls for the normalization of conversations about mental health in the workplace, urging employers to create a safe haven for employees to openly express their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. From interviews to onboarding, April advocates for open discussions about mental wellness and the importance of utilizing resources like the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With each word she shares, April's mission gains momentum. She dreams of a world where kindness and empathy reign, where seeking help for mental health challenges is met with understanding and support. By bravely championing mental wellness, April ignites a spark of hope that together, we can shatter barriers and embrace a brighter, more compassionate future. Let us join her in this crusade, breaking the silence and forging a path where mental well-being is valued, and empathy becomes a universal language. As April's voice resonates, we are reminded that compassion can heal unseen wounds, and together, we can build a world where seeking help is seen as an act of courage and strength. Quotes: "We should be able to talk about our mental health like we talk about other challenges we are facing and not be judged, ridiculed, shamed, or blamed." (04:18 | April Simpkins) "When someone is battling with bipolar disorder and they say, 'Listen, if I'm having a bad moment, this is what I need from my employer,' you taking space to give them that room as an employer will build loyalty and an environment where people feel safe saying, 'I'm not okay today.'" (08:57 | April Simpkins) "When someone says, 'How are you doing?' Let it be a trigger for you to go back to your own chart and say, 'I'm a six, that for me means I'm not doing great, but I'm not in a bad place, and I know what to do.'" (19:38 | April Simpkins) "I want people to feel comfortable seeking help and support for mental health challenges and mental illness." (24:11 | April Simpkins) Connect with April Simpkins: Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/27694374

53. Tali Kogan - Stylist & Empowerment Coach 07/26/2023

53. Tali Kogan - Stylist & Empowerment Coach “We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable,” shares Tali Kogan, Chicago-based premier fashion stylist, empowerment coach and founder of Tel Aviv Couture. Fifteen years ago, Tali was an overweight accountant wearing dark, baggy clothes to hide her unhappiness. When she began to change her physical appearance, she stepped into her full feminine power and her entire life transformed. Now she empowers other women to shine authentically through her styling process, ‘calling forth the Queen’. Women often prioritize taking care of others over themselves. Especially when so many women are stay at home moms or are working remotely, they may think there is no reason to dress up. However, with a small mindset shift, you can begin to see every day as a special occasion and a reason to put your best self forward. Tali explains that there are no real rules in fashion and that it is not even about the specific outfit or the cost. All that matters is how that outfit makes you feel about yourself. Her tips include playing around in your closet for inspiration, topping literally any outfit with a fabulous blazer, building a capsule wardrobe, and taking photos of yourself in each outfit for reference. She also recommends finding your personal crown, whether it be a sparkly necklace, specific shoes, or in her case, glasses, because a Queen should never be without her crown. If you are wanting to change your life and embrace the full potential of your feminine power, start with your wardrobe! When you feel beautiful and great about yourself, you can accomplish anything. Visit Tali’s website linked below to take the 3 minute Style Persona Quiz and begin your transformation. Quotes: “It's more than styling, it's empowering women through fashion.” (4:40 | Tali) “That's what I do. I call forth the queen in you. Because we women, we all are queens.” (7:05 | Tali) “We women operate the best when we feel the best. When you've put this amazing outfit on that makes you feel amazing, this is when you become magnetic, and this is when you become unstoppable.” (8:06 | Tali) “It's way beyond the clothing. It's really not about that outfit, and it doesn't even matter how much it costs. It's about what that outfit does to you.” (9:30 | Tali) “There are no rules in fashion.” (13:00 | Tali) “The hottest trend in life is the trend that brings you joy.” (13:06 | Tali) “Once you know your style persona, your shopping and styling experience become a lot more effortless.” (18:01 | Tali) Connect with Tali Kogan: Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/27551835

52. Edith de Belleville-Your Paris Tour Guide 07/12/2023

52. Edith de Belleville-Your Paris Tour Guide “That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed,” shares Edith de Belleville, native Parisian, official Paris tour guide, University professor, and published author. Edith spent many years as an attorney before deciding at the age of 50 to return to university for her official tour guide license. Now, she shares her love of Paris and its fascinating history with tourists in French, Spanish, and English. Deeply inspired by Parisian women of the past, Edith wrote her first book, in French, entitled The Beautiful Rebels of Paris ("Belles et Rebelle" Editions du 81). This was followed by her second book, written in English, about her Paris memoir "Parisian Life, Adventures in the City of Light". Edith is one of many trailblazing women making a name for herself in the world of entrepreneurship. She did not let her age or any doubts get in the way of her dreams and wholeheartedly believes that people do not necessarily need a degree to succeed - just look at Coco Chanel! As a Parisian woman, Edith loves sharing the history of her city with tourists and watching how Paris changes each person who visits. She explains to Nesha that ‘entrepreneur’ itself is a French word, derived from the name of a brave knight. The modern meaning traces back all the way to the 18th century and denotes a person who takes risks with their money and ideas. Although ‘entrepreneur’ has French origins, the French approach entrepreneurship differently than Americans, making marketing her books a bit more challenging for Edith. She shares that even just telling people about her book could be interpreted as bragging and that for the French subtlety is key. Many women are visiting France for their “Emily in Paris” moment and Edith is happy to share with them an inside look at what life is like for a native Parisian woman. Paris is a magical city with a rich history. And as Nesha recently discovered, deep ties to entrepreneurship. Take a note from Coco Chanel, believe in your dreams, be yourself, do what you like, and you too can be successful. Quotes: “Lesson number one, do what you like and be authentic.” (8:42-8:46 | Edith) “You don't need to have a degree… you can succeed, because Chanel did and she had absolutely no degrees, nothing.” (9:30-9:43 | Edith) “That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed.” (14:04-14:09 | Edith) “I will be successful when my book is well known in America. Because for Europeans, the USA is the top of the top in business.” (28:06-28:16 | Edith) “Believe in your dreams.” (30:13-30:14 | Edith) Connect with Edith de Belleville: Website | Parisian Life, adventures in the City of Light | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/27412146

51. R. Michael Anderson-Leadership Expert 05/17/2023

51. R. Michael Anderson-Leadership Expert “I was trying so hard to be who I thought other people wanted me to be. I spent so much energy wanting to be accepted or wanting to look cool or look successful, but that wasn't authentic,” explains R. Michael Anderson, serial software entrepreneur, author, leadership coach, and speaker with advanced degrees in psychology and neuroscience. Michael went from being a self-proclaimed ‘bad leader’ to quite literally writing the book on leadership mindset. Learning how to be a more effective and authentic leader was life changing for Michael, and now he aims to help other leaders put their egos aside and overcome obstacles. Michael’s first foray into leadership found him with a successful small business and unhappy employees. Although he was successful from a money standpoint, he did not understand at the time what it really meant to be a leader. He became easily frustrated with his employees and was unable to put aside his ego. Things got so intense with his employees that one even assaulted him after an argument. He knew something needed to change, and it all clicked into place when he began studying for his Masters in Spiritual Psychology. Understanding why people behave the way they do opened the door for Michael to learn how to know, like, and trust himself, and become a more impactful leader in the process. Becoming a more effective and authentic leader requires personal growth. If you do not take the time to get to know yourself better and improve your mindset, it will be much harder to manage your employees without ego getting in the way. Quotes: “I was achieving my goals, but it was like I was getting away from happiness.” (7:35-7:38 | R. Michael) “Up until then, I thought leadership was just getting a bunch of to-dos in and passing them out. And if people didn't get them done as fast or as well as I thought, I would just get frustrated and angry.” (7:55-8:03 | R. Michael) “I was trying so hard to be who I thought other people wanted me to be. I spent so much energy wanting to be accepted or wanting to look cool or look successful, but that wasn't authentic.” (9:46-9:58 | R. Michael) “I teach leadership mindset because that's what moved the needle for me. And I see so many other leaders struggling with the same.” (11:36-11:43 | R. Michael) “I'm a big believer in self compassion. I know we can get frustrated and things, but your ego is just doing what you've trained it to do.” (20:30-20:37 | R. Michael) “All poor leadership is when people are in their ego.” (21:40-21:44 | R. Michael) “As you grow as a person, you grow as a leader.” (23:24-23:26 | R. Michael) Connect with R. Michael Anderson: Website | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/26743152

50. Meredith Dean-The Dean's List 05/04/2023

50. Meredith Dean-The Dean's List “Even as a young person, I was in rooms where I never thought I would be. So I said, ‘If I can do this, I bet other students can also do it’,” shares Meredith Dean, founder of The Deans List, a Charlotte-based digital branding and career consulting agency focused on building a strong community of empowered individuals. Meredith started The Dean’s List as a side hustle while working a full-time job with Levine Children’s Hospital and has recently moved to running her business full-time. Now, she empowers entrepreneurs of primarily female and minority owned small businesses to make their dreams come true. Although it was a difficult decision for Meredith to leave her job with the children’s hospital that she truly loved, she found her calling in helping empower other young, female, and minority entrepreneurs. Many people have great business ideas, but fear or lack of business knowledge keep them from pursuing anything. This is where Meredith steps in to help take that fear out of the equation. She helps people get up and running with everything they need to not only create a digital brand, including a professional website and a strong social media presence, but to also be able to run it themselves afterward. There are many obstacles to running a business. And they can keep some people from ever venturing into entrepreneurship in the first place. If these obstacles sound familiar to you, consider bringing on someone like Meredith to help you get started without all the stress. Quotes: “I started getting all these different internships, even as a young person, I was in rooms where I never thought I would be. So I said, ‘If I can do this, I bet other students can also do it’.” (7:16-7:26 | Meredith) “What is your life? Let's put that online and make sure that you shine in that way.” (12:56-13:00 | Meredith) “It’s great that I can get them started, but I want them to feel very competent in holding their own brand and doing things for their own brand going forward.” (13:56-14:04 | Meredith) “If you want to grow, the only way you're going to do it is through Instagram reels.” (14:47-14:53 | Meredith) “Create more than you consume.” (21:11-21:13 | Meredith) Connect with Meredith Dean: Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/26604060

49. Brittney Bogues-The Bogues Group 04/19/2023

49. Brittney Bogues-The Bogues Group “With a PR team, you don't only look at media outlets. You look at other stakeholders that you're trying to reach in other ways that they get their other media or their news, and what are other creative ways that we can reach them that don't call for a paid advertisement,” explains Brittney Bogues, serial entrepreneur and founder of Bogues Group. Brittney decided to open her own consulting firm after noticing a gap in marketing and branding for athletes and falling in love with PR. Now, her firm provides PR, marketing, and branding services for clients from all backgrounds including athletes, CEOs, healthcare professionals, and many others. As a woman of color well versed in entrepreneurship, Brittney is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. Additionally, Brittney had a personal obstacle to face as the daughter of a famous basketball star. She wanted to make sure that her small business was truly her own success and not something that was associated with her father. Brittney has learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to an effective PR strategy; and she shares some of her tips, along with some common mistakes she has noticed other businesses making. Her biggest tip is simply to pay attention to your local news stations and stay up to date on what is current in order to ensure you are always pitching relevant stories. Entrepreneurs face many challenges, and regardless of industry, everyone has their own personal obstacles to overcome. With the right PR strategy, you can take your business to the next level. If you are wanting to improve your business’ branding, be sure to check out the Complete Brand Builder Workbook linked below. Quotes: “The fun thing about having a consulting firm is that we get to work with all types of clients.” (3:34-3:39 | Brittney) “A lot of businesses should really focus and listen first to their current and local news stations.” (9:10-9:18 | Brittney) “With a PR team, you don't only look at media outlets. You look at other stakeholders that you're trying to reach in other ways that they get their other media or their news, and what are other creative ways that we can reach them that don't call for a paid advertisement.” (13:31-13:46 | Brittney) “Things that go national, it all starts from a local perspective. People think that everything starts national, it actually is the opposite.” (15:08-15:16 | Brittney) Connect with Brittney Bogues: Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | The Complete Brand Builder Workbook | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/26563701

48. Amy Pocsik - Bold Moves Coaching 04/05/2023

48. Amy Pocsik - Bold Moves Coaching “This is your one life. And if you're not enjoying what you're doing, your clients are going to feel that, whoever you work with is going to feel that. So let's see how good we can let it get,” shares Amy Pocsik, owner of Bold Moves Coaching and Women’s Business League, a national community for women entrepreneurs. Amy spent a decade working as a CPA, but after going on maternity leave, she knew she did not want to go back to her old position. She felt a calling to do more with her skills and had a large desire to help women small business owners succeed. When Amy realized that there was no network for women in entrepreneurship, she decided to build one herself. Women small business owners face unique challenges. Amy created the Women’s Business League to help other women entrepreneurs with overcoming obstacles such as generating enough income to support their families, implementing healthy boundaries, and designing a business that is fully in alignment with the life they want to live. Success is much more achievable when you are surrounded by a supportive community. As a coach, Amy encourages her clients to build their business alongside a steady income source and to be very intentional about how the business is going to support their desired lifestyle. Life is too short to not enjoy what you are doing. If you are not enjoying your day to day, the people you work with, including your clients, are going to take notice. So, if you feel called to create a business, take a chance and invest in building the life you want. Quotes: “My mission is really to empower women to live a life of impact.” (10:25-10:32 | Amy) “When you're creating a business, it's really important to be intentional that this business is going to support the life you want to live.” (14:05-14:12 | Amy) “The thing I work at continually is aligning and making sure that how I'm spending my moments, my days, my weeks, is in alignment with the life that I want to live.” (15:38-15:50 | Amy) “No one achieves success on their own.” (15:55-15:57 | Amy) “We need to invest in ourselves at the level that we want others to invest in us.” (16:38-16:42 | Amy) “I'm a big fan of building a business alongside a steady stream of income.” (22:30-22:35 | Amy) “This is your one life. And if you're not enjoying what you're doing, your clients are going to feel that, whoever you work with is going to feel that. So let's see how good we can let it get.” (23:31-23:45 | Amy) “If you're still doing what you did pre-pandemic and wondering why it's not working, it's because the entire world of marketing has changed.” (25:46-25:51 | Amy) Connect with Amy Pocsik: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Connect with Nesha: Instagram | Youtube | Buy a copy of Nesha's book, : /episode/index/show/pieceofthepai/id/26391435

47. Kiley Peters of RAYNE IX and the 100 Collective 03/01/2023

46. Gianna Biscontini - Lifestyle Designer 02/15/2023

45. Julian Reeve - Hamilton Musical Director, Founder of Perfect Equilibrium 02/01/2023

44. Judi Holler, Author of "Fear is My Homeboy" 01/18/2023

42. Britnye Shore of The Bardot 01/11/2023

43. Dan Tocchini and Adrian Koehler of Take New Ground and The Naked Leadership Podcast 01/05/2023

41. Khaleel Loyd of Loyd Visuals 12/07/2022

40. Tillie Kerna, AKA Chef Tillie 11/16/2022

Courageous Dreamers Win

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