The fastest way to grow your business might be helping someone else win.
So many business owners feel pressure to chase visibility, revenue, and recognition - often at the expense of community, connection, and even themselves.
In this episode, I’m joined by three more of the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who prove that relationships, generosity, and service aren’t just feel-good ideas, they’re powerful growth strategies.
Corina Carrillo, Connector of the Year, Ashley Anderson, winner of the Business for Good Award, and Emily Garcia, Empowerment Award winner, share how they’ve built thriving businesses by putting other people first — and backing that philosophy up with simple, sustainable systems.
We also talk about:
- How connection and belonging drive referrals and long-term growth
- Collaboration over competition as a growth strategy, not just a feel-good phrase
- Using community events to build trust and shared momentum
- Moving past imposter syndrome through relationships and mentorship
Links & References:
- Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
- Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
- Learn more about Emily on her website or connect with her on Instagram
- Follow Ashley and Anderson Designs on Instagram
- Connect with Corina on Instagram or check out her website
Connect with Your Host!
Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.
Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.
She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.
Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:02):
Hello, ladies.
Welcome to the Powerful WomanRising podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (00:05):
Hello.
SPEAKER_02 (00:06):
Thanks for having us.
Thank you for having us here.
Yeah, so good to see you guys.
So I'm excited for thisinterview because each of your
awards is a little bitdifferent, but there's also a
similar vibe in terms of likegiving back and supporting other
people.
And of course, the name of thepodcast is Powerful Woman
Rising.
So I'm all about like womenhelping other women and um
(00:27):
everybody rising together.
And I know that's the vibe forall three of you as well.
So I'm excited for thisconversation.
Before we dive in, I know youguys don't know each other.
Um, and most of the listenersprobably don't know you.
So tell them a little bit aboutwho you are and what you do.
We'll start with Emily.
unknown (00:43):
Great.
SPEAKER_04 (00:44):
Well, I am officially a mental health
therapist.
I own a counseling practicecalled Tribe Mind Body Wellness.
And we have two locations, onein Arvada and one in Lakewood.
And I have a team of 16therapists and a spiritual
director who work on my team.
And really, my goal has alwaysbeen about bringing people
(01:04):
together.
So Tribe was founded with thename because I want people to
find a place where they findbelonging.
And so it's not just about theteam and our belonging, but that
whatever we feel filters down toour clients and then our clients
take out into the world.
So Tribe is really just a placewhere we can all feel like we
(01:25):
can be ourselves and show upfully.
SPEAKER_02 (01:28):
I love that.
That's so important.
Thank you.
Karina, what about you?
SPEAKER_00 (01:32):
Yeah, that was beautiful, Emily.
It's really nice to meet you.
My name is Karina.
I am the owner of Karina's salonand boutique and the signature
by Karina Claxton here inDowntown Monument.
And I have been in the beautyindustry uh licensed for 13
years, unlicensed for about uh15 to 16 years doing hair,
(01:54):
makeup, wardrobe.
And um I am, like I said, I'm inDowntown Monument.
I have another stylist with me,Dr.
Shannon, who does injectables.
And I actually have a couple ofboutiques that have joined my
boutique.
And we are selling all theclothes, all the beautiful
stuff, making Monument,Colorado, surrounding cities,
(02:17):
towns look more beautiful andhelping women feel more
confident.
SPEAKER_02 (02:22):
I love that.
And you do so many events in thecommunity.
I feel like I see youeverywhere.
Lots of events.
I keep very busy.
Yeah, that's awesome.
I love it.
How about you, Ashley?
SPEAKER_03 (02:33):
Hi, um, I am Ashley.
I am the owner of AndersonDesigns, and we specialize in
marquee installations andballoon decor for events.
Um, it really started as more ofjust like a creative outlet and
way to express myself, and um ithas just turned into a lot more
than that, and it's given us away to be able to pretty
(02:56):
consistently be a part of andgive back to the community that
supports us.
Um, and I just find a lot ofmeaning in that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
That's so awesome.
Yeah, I started following you onInstagram, I think, after you
were nominated for the award orafter you won the award.
And so I get to see all of yourcool balloon designs and signs,
and you make some of the cooleststuff.
It always reminds me of like, doyou guys ever watch like Real
Housewives or the Kardashiansand stuff when they have like
birthday parties for theirthree-year-olds and there's like
(03:25):
this enormous, beautiful balloonwall.
Okay, so let's talk about theawards that you won because I
think this is really cool.
Um, I really wanted to, when Icreated these awards last year,
this is the second year thatwe've done them.
And when I created them, Ireally wanted them to honor
people based off of theircharacter, based off of the
(03:48):
contribution that they weremaking to other people, to other
entrepreneurs, to theircommunity, to the world, rather
than just, you know, we have somany things that honor you when
you make six figures, sevenfigures, eight figures, when you
have this many followers, right?
These are our measurements oflike who is successful and who's
doing a great job.
And I think there are a lot ofother important ways to
(04:11):
celebrate people and to measuresuccess.
And that's really what theseawards were all about.
So I want to start with Emily's.
Um, Emily won the EmpowermentAward.
And the purpose of that awardwas really to celebrate someone
who always was uplifting otherwomen, empowering other women,
creating opportunities for otherpeople to grow.
(04:32):
And we were really looking forsomebody who um shared very
generously and openly who reallywanted to see other people rise
with her.
She wasn't just focused on herown success.
And one of the things that um wehad people write in their
nominations, and one of thethings that one of the people
nominated said about you was umshe consistently shows up across
(04:56):
her community withencouragement, humor, and a
steady presence that helps womenfeel seen and capable.
And I really loved that partabout you helping other women
feel seen and capable becauseit's so hard, especially as
female entrepreneurs.
You know, we're constantlycomparing our inside to other
(05:16):
people's outside.
And I would love to just hear alittle bit from you, Emily,
about how empowerment plays arole in what you do and why it
is important to you to helpother women rise within your
community.
SPEAKER_04 (05:30):
Thank you.
And thank you for this award.
It really, there, you're right.
There are so many awards outthere that are honoring things
that are tangible but aren'treally about who you are.
So it means a lot.
I'm gonna take you back a littlefurther than my current life.
When I was 15, my family wentthrough a pretty traumatic time
(05:50):
and I was removed from my home.
I was put into foster care andthen kinship foster care with my
sister eventually.
She was 23 and I was 15.
So you can imagine it was it waschaotic and really hard for her.
But at that point in my life,with everything going on, there
were all these women who showedup in our lives.
(06:11):
There were, you know, of course,women who legally needed to be
in our lives, like a caseworker,and then there was a judge
involved and all these things.
But then women who were likechosen family.
And so I had this experience ofwomen showing up and loving you
through a hard time that youcan't see the light at the end
of the tunnel and telling youthere is a light.
(06:32):
Then, fast forward in my life, Iend up with uh a therapist who I
loved and she made a hugedifference in my life.
Because of her, I wanted tobecome a therapist.
I wanted to help other peopleand make a difference in the way
that she had for me.
So I go to school, I end upbecoming a therapist and working
in community mental health forover a decade and loved the
(06:56):
work.
And eventually, you know, youkind of grow and you're like,
what's next?
And that's when I started Tribe.
So six years ago, I startedTribe.
And like I was saying in theintro, it was about belonging
from the very beginning becauseat all the different times in my
own life, whether I wascelebrating or I was grieving or
(07:16):
I was sad, there were women whoshowed up.
So we wanted to create a spacewhere there was community and
women could show up for eachother and not just women, it's
really like whoever needs it canshow up and get what they need.
So tribe has has grownsignificantly.
It, you know, with 16 people onour team now, and we're doing a
(07:39):
lot of different things, but Ialso hold workshops and I'm the
president of a networking groupand part of a lot of community
groups, and I'm on a board, anonprofit now.
And I've always felt like, youknow, you walk into a space and
you look at people and go, Oh, Idon't belong here.
And you get that impostersyndrome and think everyone else
(08:01):
is way more capable and they'regoing to see me and go, Oh, she
she doesn't belong here.
But all of us are already whole.
We already have everything weneed, but we need people who can
have a sense of humor and seesomething in us that maybe we
don't see in ourselves or wedon't yet believe about
ourselves and pull us up withthem.
(08:23):
So I feel like my job now, andI'm honored to do it, is see
that in other people and bringthem with me.
SPEAKER_02 (08:32):
Yeah.
Does this resonate with you,Karina?
Because this sounds a lot likewhat people were saying about
you when they nominated you too.
SPEAKER_00 (08:39):
That was it was beautiful, and yes, it did
resonate with me.
Um, and I I love whileeverything you said, it it's
very genuine and it comes fromexperience.
And I think that that tricklesinto how I feel in this
community and what I feel like Ihave been trying to build, and I
(08:59):
didn't realize I mean, I sort ofrealized that people are seeing
what I'm doing and um some ofthe changes I'm trying to make.
And community, community is hugefor me.
SPEAKER_02 (09:14):
So yeah.
One of the things that um peoplesaid when they nominated you, so
your award was the connector ofthe year award, and that really
was about someone who isspeaking other people's names in
rooms that they're not in, whois always saying, like, hey, I
gotta introduce you toso-and-so, you would love her,
or you know, just somebody whoreally believes and embodies
(09:36):
that idea of collaboration overcompetition and celebrates other
people's wins um as much as theycelebrate their own.
And that was one of the thingsthat came up over and over again
was how you have this way ofbringing the community together,
how you are always hostingevents or creating spaces where
(09:56):
people can meet and collaborateand find new opportunities.
And um, one of the things thatthe that one of the people who
nominated you said was um shedoesn't compete or gatekeep.
She collaborates at every turn,amplifies the people around her,
and is truly the heartbeat ofconnection in every room she
enters.
And I just thought, first ofall, that's so sweet.
(10:19):
So I wanted you to hear that.
Um, but I so I want to honorthat in you, in the way that you
are really creating thatcommunity and creating those
spaces for people.
And I would love to hear just alittle bit about how um
community and having spaces likethat has impacted you and your
business.
SPEAKER_00 (10:38):
Yeah, and just like Emily, I'm gonna go a little bit
back on that um or a few stepsinto the past.
I think that community for mestarts with um my upbringing,
big family.
Everyone was always over, wewere always together.
And when I moved here toColorado from California, I felt
(11:02):
like an outcast.
I was looking for other Latinas,I was looking for women who were
loud like me, who dressed likeme, and everyone was just
different.
And so when I opened up mysalon, I had a few empty rooms,
and I was so lonely.
I didn't know how am I going todo this.
(11:24):
I had clients, but I didn't haveother women in business that I
could interact with.
So I started hosting um vendorevents every four to six weeks.
It was always free, and I wouldjust try to find anyone that
wanted to join, and that's how Istarted building my community.
And then it was okay, I I wanteveryone to know who Karina is
(11:47):
is because I want people to shopand get their hair done.
And so through that, I have beenable to find other boutiques,
and Ashley's another uh businessowner that I I met and just fell
in love with because her heartis so genuine and so kind, so
loving, so giving.
And I want to be surroundedaround women who are
(12:10):
like-minded, but also I havebeen blessed in my business for
it to be a very fruitfulbusiness, very busy business.
I want to pass that on to thewomen around me, especially the
newer business.
I want us to link arms and Idon't want competition.
I don't believe in that.
So that has been like thedriving force is just this
(12:33):
community where I feel like,okay, I I finally feel like I
have a place in where I am.
And I want other women to feelthat way too.
SPEAKER_02 (12:41):
Yeah, I love that.
What do you think changed foryou when you went from the
beginning where you were in yourboutique alone with these empty
rooms and didn't really haveanybody like peers or people to
bounce ideas off of orcollaborate with, to now where
you have this community and youhave these support people?
(13:01):
How has that impacted your likeyou as a human building a
business?
SPEAKER_00 (13:08):
I don't feel alone.
Yeah, I feel like I can bounceideas tomorrow.
I'm actually having my firstmeeting with a team that has
come together.
It's multiple boutiques thathave joined me: Amber Lane,
Zebakimonos, Thrive and Thread,Fresh Finds, Operation
Candlelight.
They are businesses that I getto work alongside with, and
(13:30):
tomorrow's our first meeting.
I'm so excited because um it'sit's been it's been a journey.
I've been here for four years,and it it's just been really
cool to be able to have thesepeople that I can bounce ideas
off of that pour into me, and Ican pour into them that they can
(13:51):
say, like, this is what's goingon in in the uh in the town
right now, or I'm not doing itsolo.
I'm not just trying to scratchfor ideas, and I've got people
who are with me.
SPEAKER_02 (14:03):
So yeah, absolutely.
Because I feel like you can talkto the people that are in your
life, you know, your partner,your friends, your family,
whoever it is.
But if they're notentrepreneurs, especially like
there's a difference talking toother entrepreneurs, and there's
a difference talking to otherentrepreneurs who do the same
thing that you do, right?
Like you just understanddifferent things, speak a
(14:25):
different language, can, youknow, vent to each other in a
different way than I think it iswhen you're talking to like a
regular person.
SPEAKER_00 (14:36):
Yeah, my husband is definitely a nine to five type
of guy.
He always tells me, don't try tojoin me into the entrepreneur
world.
It's not for me.
And then I get to hype up myfriend who wants to start this
specific business, or they hypeme up because I have a new idea.
We know that there are risks,but there's a drive that that
(14:58):
you get with new ideas and like,can I can I do this?
So those are the people that Iwant to surround myself with.
Obviously, my husband keeps megrounded and tells me, hmm,
financially, we are not going todo that.
But to have those friends thathype you up with all the crazy
ideas is it's the best thing tohave around.
SPEAKER_02 (15:18):
Yeah, I agree.
I know my husband, he'll say,like, oh, like I'll tell him
something like awesome thathappened.
And or like, you know, yesterdayI just launched this new virtual
networking community.
And uh, so I'm telling him likehow many people signed up and
stuff.
And he's like, Oh, that's cool,babe.
And I'm like, listen, I don'tthink you understand exactly how
(15:39):
much work went into this andexactly how long I ruminated
over like what if not even oneperson joins?
Like, this is more than that'scool, babe.
But like, if you've never beenthrough it, you don't you don't
get it.
SPEAKER_00 (15:52):
Or is anyone showing up to these events?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (15:57):
Yeah.
Is it anyone of is anyone otherthan my mom listening to the
podcast?
I don't know.
Maybe now your mom is too.
Um, Ashley, let's go to younext.
Um, I know that empowerment andum collaboration and all of
these things really resonatewith you.
And the award that you won um isthe Business for a Good award.
And that award specifically isdesigned to honor somebody who
(16:21):
is using their business to giveback to the community, to give
back to people.
And um, one of the things thatcame up a lot in your
nominations was the fact thatyou um your work is very
mission-driven.
And people were saying, youknow, it's not just balloons and
glitter.
Uh, in fact, one of the peoplesaid, she is the kind of person
(16:44):
who will step up before anybodyeven asks, and she will give
generously because that's whoshe is.
And, you know, people listed awhole bunch of organizations and
groups and communities andpeople that you um have donated
to, that you have provided yourservices to, all of these
things.
But every single one of themmentioned the fact that you are
(17:05):
never seeking recognition.
You are not the person that'slike, hey, everybody, I donated
this, this, and this to thesecommunities because I'm so great
and I give back to thecommunity.
Um, what they said was that thatis just your heart and that you
really live with this unwaveringbelief that every person
deserves to feel celebrated.
(17:27):
And I would love to hear fromyou just a little bit about your
story and where that comes fromand why um this element of
giving back is so important inyour business.
SPEAKER_03 (17:38):
Um, absolutely.
Um, so currently, you know, wehave Anderson Designs, and aside
from that, I'm home with ourthree girls.
We have 15, 5, and 3.
Prior to being at home with mygirls, um, I was out um I worked
for DHS for a long time.
That had me down at the SpringsRescue Mission, um, things of
(17:58):
that nature.
And I was always uh, you know,out in the world and busy and
involved in different jobs thatallowed me to uh give back to
the world we live in and thecommunity that we're in.
And I personally have had kindof a hard time adjusting to stay
at home mom life.
(18:19):
The promotions at home lookdifferent, right?
The recognition at home looksdifferent, and that was just
kind of a harder transition forme.
And surely I can't be the onlyone that feels like that.
Um, so it kind of started out asa way to help other moms.
Every mom has their strongpoint, right?
Like, you know, I was just inKarinas a couple weeks ago
(18:39):
because hair and makeup not mystrong point.
Um but I do have a creativeniche that allows me to
celebrate our kids or celebratetheir milestones or events at
their schools, and that's reallyhow that started.
And it's transformed into beingable to get back on a much
(19:00):
broader spectrum.
SPEAKER_02 (19:02):
Yeah.
And I really actually love nowthat we're having this
conversation, that the examplethat I used at the beginning of
this call was like the RealHousewives or the Kardashians
kids' birthday parties, becausethat really is what you are all
about is making sure thateveryone can have celebrations
like this, right?
Everyone deserves to have thingsthat make them feel important
(19:22):
and special and like you are acelebrity even though you're
three years old.
And I love that um you operateyour business that way that it's
not just for people of a certainprivilege, that it's really
important to you to make surethat everyone gets to have
experiences like that.
SPEAKER_03 (19:42):
Oh, absolutely.
It's very meaningful to not justmyself, but our family in
general.
Um, it has become definitely afamily run business.
Like everybody is able to helpwith something.
Um, our teenager has some causesthat are really meaningful to
her that we try to support andgive back.
Um, but she Doesn't just ask,she helps.
unknown (20:02):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (20:02):
She sets up marquees, she inflates balloons.
Um, we've been able to this yearkind of start giving back to
some causes that my husband ispassionate about.
He retired from active dutyabout a year and a half ago.
Um, and it's important to him tobe able to celebrate the veteran
community and um people thathave gone through some of what
(20:23):
he's gone through, transitioningout of the service after so long
and things like that.
It's just nice being able toutilize something that we are
good at and be able to createmeaning for others.
SPEAKER_02 (20:35):
Yeah, absolutely.
That's awesome.
So I want to ask each of you ifyou were, if somebody's
listening to this podcast andthey are starting a business or
they've started a business,whether it's something similar
to what you guys do or somethingvery different, and maybe
they're feeling overwhelmed,they're struggling, they're
like, why aren't I getting theresults that I need?
(20:56):
This is terrible.
Why did I think this was a goodidea?
Or maybe they are havingsuccess, but they're struggling
to get to the next level.
Is there one piece of advicethat you would give them or like
something that you've learnedalong the way that you're like,
man, I wish I would have knownthis in the beginning.
Um, and any of the three of youcan start.
Anyone have an answer right offthe bat?
(21:17):
Emily, you look up your deal.
SPEAKER_04 (21:19):
Yeah, yeah.
It it's kind of hard to make itinto one.
So it's kind of a two-partthing.
It's fine.
I won't buzz you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Relationships matter.
And it is when you are inbusiness, that Karina was kind
of talking about this.
The people that you meet alongthe way are so important.
And even if they're in the exactsame industry, those
(21:41):
relationships matter becausethere is an abundance out there
if you believe it.
And so really putting yourselfout there and being vulnerable
to develop relationships withpeople who are in similar
industries and differentindustries and allowing for
those relationships to form andnot being too rushed about it.
Like I met this person andnothing happened.
(22:03):
But knowing that it can taketime, but over time, the
relationships and the people whotrust you, those end up being
the people who will talk aboutyou when you're not in the room,
who will recommend you forthings, who will um do a lot of
things that benefit you, and youcan do a lot of things that
benefit them.
SPEAKER_02 (22:22):
Yeah.
I think that I for some reasonthat takes a while for us to
realize.
Like I feel like I heard it andI was like, yep, that makes
sense.
But also, I think in thebeginning of business, we're
just like so focused onourselves and what we need to do
and what's next, and how are wegonna make money and how are we
gonna survive?
Um, and it takes a while torealize that you can't do
(22:44):
everything on your own and theimportance of having a community
and having other people that youcan not only that you can like
talk to and bounce things offof, but also that are out there
in the world saying, like, oh,you're struggling with this, you
got to go talk to Emily.
Oh, you need cuter clothes, yougotta go talk to Karina, right?
Like it's so it's such animportant part of like your
(23:06):
emotional support, but also likeyour marketing too.
SPEAKER_04 (23:09):
Yeah, yeah.
And also even just the buildingyour business.
Like, you know, you have thisspecific thing you need to do on
your website, and you're like,who do I know who knows someone
they trust?
Yeah, so it's like thoserelationships where you're like,
I know I trust you, and if youlike that person, then I'm going
to them.
SPEAKER_02 (23:26):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
SPEAKER_00 (23:28):
What about you, Karina?
Yeah, so I loved your answer,Emily.
And so I had a business foreight years in California and I
let everything go, like I soldeverything and moved here.
And I felt like I was startingas a new business, but I had a
lot of I'm gonna do this and I'mnot gonna do that.
(23:51):
So if you are new or startingover, the biggest thing is find
a business owner that you lookup to, or it looks like I can
learn from them and bevulnerable and go to them and
ask them to help you.
Don't expect people to offerhelp.
Ask for help.
(24:12):
Hey, I really suck at socialmedia.
What is one thing I can do?
And find the people and find thepeople who are willing to pour
into you who are not going togatekeep.
That's something that I trulytreasure.
There are people that I look upto that speak more eloquent than
I do who are better atcommunicating.
(24:33):
This is the process of how youdo this service or this dressing
someone like that.
That's how you talk to them.
I look at those people, I followthose people so that I can speak
better because I can speak alittle ghetto if I want to.
And that's my recommendation isput yourself next to the people
that are doing things betterthan you are and ask them, how
(24:54):
did you get to this point?
Whether it's social media, yourwebsite, client communication,
appointments, um, interactions,all of those things.
So that's my advice.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (25:07):
I think that's great advice.
And that's also, I think, whereyou're um how you epitomize the
collaboration over competition,right?
Because you don't see it thatway.
You see it as we can help eachother, we can learn from each
other.
Um, I was just having thisconversation this morning
because I launched the umPowerful Women Rising Connection
(25:28):
Network two days ago.
And I've had two women, at leasttwo women join who also have
their own networking groups.
And at first I was like, whatare they doing here?
Why are they in my group?
And I was having a conversationwith one of them this morning,
and I'm like, we should do apodcast episode about this,
actually, because I actually hadan experience where um somebody
(25:49):
who was running a networkingevent refunded my money and sent
me an email and said, I refundedyour money because you are my
direct competition.
Um, and it that's so theopposite of the conversation
that I'm having with these womenthat are joining my community
and I'm joining theircommunities.
And it's it's that idea of like,first of all, it's the
(26:10):
abundance, right?
There's enough out there for allof us that I don't need to be
like, these are my people.
You can't have my people.
And I mean, there's likebillions and billions of people
out there.
So there's enough people for allof us, there's enough money for
all of us, and also that idea,like you've said, Karina, that
we can learn from each other, wecan grow from each other.
There's gonna be things that shedoes really well that I'm not
(26:33):
great at.
There's gonna be things that I,you know, ideas that I come up
with that she's like, that's agreat idea.
I never would have thought aboutthat.
And we can both benefit fromhaving that relationship as
opposed to like her hiding overhere and I'm not gonna talk to
her, and I'm over here and I'mnot gonna talk to her.
I think that's really important.
SPEAKER_00 (26:51):
That's something that I do uh with my events.
A lot of my events, you're gonnasee three, four, five boutiques
selling clothing just like I do.
And I have been told before, youdon't think it's weird that
you're having other boutiquesjoin you?
Absolutely not.
We have all become friends andwe don't sell the same stuff, we
(27:12):
have different styles, but we'reable to work together.
And in fact, during the events,I love to put everybody's
clothes on and walk around indifferent pieces that are from
theirs, not even putting aspotlight spotlight on mine
because in the end it doesbenefit me also, and I get to
support my friends in theprocess.
(27:32):
I don't understand why peoplefeel like if there's one
boutique, if there's a boutique,there needs to be one that you
support or one that you go to,or one boutique at an event.
It should be collaboration.
SPEAKER_02 (27:47):
Yeah, because for you to think my clothes are the
only clothes that anyone everwants to or needs to wear,
right?
Like these are the clothes foreveryone.
It's closed-minded.
That is as silly as me sayingthis is the only networking
group anyone should ever be in,ever, right?
Like, we've all met people thatright off the bat were like,
(28:07):
yeah, this is not the vibe.
And I am certain people meet meand think that.
So, how could this be the onlynetworking group anyone needs
ever, right?
SPEAKER_00 (28:15):
Like, I think Ashley also does collaborate with other
people in your field, right?
Ashley.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (28:25):
Oh, yes, no.
So actually, what you guys aresaying resonates with me so much
because as Karina knows, I'm alittle bit of a shy individual.
I have very extrovertedchildren.
Um, that comes harder for me.
And um, sometimes it is harderfor me to go to things like
networking or take part in groupdiscussions.
(28:46):
Um, I have this is definitely myfirst podcast.
Um, but kind of in line withwhat you guys are saying, um,
last April there was a balloonartist at an event we were
setting up Marquise, and I sawher trailer when we pulled in,
and I love her work.
Like, I follow her on Instagram,I love her work, and that was my
(29:09):
opportunity to be like, hey, I'mAshley.
I love your work.
And you know, Jason had to giveme a little bit of a pep talk
because shy individual and youknow, imposter syndrome.
Like, oh my gosh, like her.
But um, actually having thecourage to do that has been one
of the most positive decisionsthat I could have made because
(29:31):
she has turned out to be anamazing mentor resource.
I get to go help her sometimes.
I've gotten to learn from her.
She doesn't gatekeep.
Um, it's Heather with TurquoiseSky Events.
She does the most beautifulballoon installs.
She has Disco Dolly that shemade.
Um, I don't know if you guysfollow her page yet, but you
(29:52):
should.
Um, she has this amazingbackdrop that she made from
thousands of disco balls.
Um, and she has just been a hugesupport system for not just me,
but for our entire family.
Maddie has gotten to go workwith her a couple of times.
And if I was like, oh my gosh, adifferent balloon artist is
ballooning my my marqueesinstead of being like, oh my
gosh, I love your work, thatprobably would have stopped
(30:15):
right there, right?
SPEAKER_02 (30:16):
Yeah, or if you had gone to her, I thought that's
where this was going.
If you had gone to her and beenlike, oh my gosh, I love your
work.
This is what I do.
And she was like, Hmm, I'm nottalking to you.
SPEAKER_03 (30:26):
Yes, I was so afraid for years of something like that
happening.
So, you know, just put up myballoons or put up my marquees
and leave.
But what a positive experience.
And I'm so glad that I foundsome courage to do that because
it has been one of the mostpositive experiences that I
could have hoped to have had.
SPEAKER_00 (30:45):
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, it's really coolseeing you guys collaborate too,
seeing that relationship grow,even just watching through
social media.
SPEAKER_03 (30:55):
Yes, it's been amazing.
And just what is today,Wednesday?
Monday, we were at the Broadmoorwith Heather, and it was a first
for both of us.
Um it was a 16 marquee install,which is our biggest install to
date.
Like that's a lot of marquees.
Um, and then she ballooned thewhole thing.
Um, and I think that's probablythe most marquees she has
(31:17):
ballooned at once thus far.
Um, it was over 40 feet long.
Like it's epic, it's magical.
Um, and you know, it saysstronger together.
And I for me that was kind ofironic because I do think we
make a pretty good team withHeather.
SPEAKER_02 (31:30):
So yeah, that's so cool.
So, Ashley, what advice wouldyou give to somebody who was
struggling with their business?
SPEAKER_03 (31:38):
Um, something that I wish I would have done better
from the start, and sometimes Istill wish I was better at was
having more streamlinedprocesses.
Um, like, you know, people sendyou a text or message the
business page or message you onInstagram or your personal page
on Facebook, and I struggle withbeing like, nope, please fill
(32:01):
out the inquiry form.
Um so make stuff like thatsimpler for you.
Also simplifies it for yourcustomers and just an overall
more streamlined experience thatI sometimes get caught up in the
oh, like I have a few minutes,I'm just gonna answer this, I'm
gonna take care of it.
SPEAKER_02 (32:20):
Yes, I've gotten much better about responding to
pretty much everything with canyou email this to me, please?
Because otherwise I will forgetthis conversation ever happened.
unknown (32:32):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (32:32):
Goals for 2026.
I am hoping to be the same way.
And if I had implemented thatfrom kind of the beginning.
SPEAKER_02 (32:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we don't know what wedon't know, but now everybody
knows because you told them.
So that's awesome.
Um, I love this conversation andI love what you just said about
stronger together, too.
I'm like, that's the theme ofthis podcast episode, maybe.
Um, if people want to connectwith you guys, if they want to
know more about what you do,they want to follow you, Ashley.
(33:01):
I know on Instagram and see allof your cool stuff that you're
coming out with, um, see theevents that Karina is doing.
What's the best way for them todo that, Emily?
SPEAKER_04 (33:11):
Yeah, on Instagram, we are Tribe Mind Body Wellness,
or our website isTribemindbody.com.
SPEAKER_00 (33:18):
Awesome.
What about you, Karina?
So for me, you can find meprimarily all the information is
going to be on my website,Karina Doeshair.com, C-O-R-I-N-A
doeshair.com, or you can find meon Instagram and Facebook,
Karina Salon Boutique.
Awesome.
And you, Ashley?
SPEAKER_03 (33:38):
Um, our website is Anderson Designs L C dot net.
Um, and I have our Instagram,which is also Anderson Designs
LLC.
Trying to jump on the socialmedia.
SPEAKER_01 (33:53):
You're doing great.
I see your stuff all the time.
You're doing great.
SPEAKER_02 (33:57):
Yeah.
Okay, cool.
I will put all of those links inthe show notes so people can
follow you guys on Instagram.
They can check out your website.
And thank you guys so much, notonly for being here for this
podcast interview, especiallyyou, Ashley, your first podcast.
You did so great.
I'm so excited.
I didn't know that, but I'm gladthat I I hope it was an
(34:17):
enjoyable experience for you,not too scary.
Um, appreciate you guys beinghere for the podcast, but also
just appreciate the work thatyou're doing in the world.
Like I said at the beginning,everything that you guys are
that you stand for, that youembody, that you are living
every day is exactly whatPowerful Women Rising is all
about.
And um, I just love hearing andseeing all the ways that you are
(34:38):
giving back to the community,that you're supporting other
women, um, and all of thesegreat things that you're doing.
So thank you so much and keep upthe good work.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (34:47):
Thank you very much so much, Melissa.
Hello, ladies.
Welcome to the Powerful WomanRising podcast.
SPEAKER_00 (00:05):
Hello.
SPEAKER_02 (00:06):
Thanks for having us.
Thank you for having us here.
Yeah, so good to see you guys.
So I'm excited for thisinterview because each of your
awards is a little bitdifferent, but there's also a
similar vibe in terms of likegiving back and supporting other
people.
And of course, the name of thepodcast is Powerful Woman
Rising.
So I'm all about like womenhelping other women and um
(00:27):
everybody rising together.
And I know that's the vibe forall three of you as well.
So I'm excited for thisconversation.
Before we dive in, I know youguys don't know each other.
Um, and most of the listenersprobably don't know you.
So tell them a little bit aboutwho you are and what you do.
We'll start with Emily.
unknown (00:43):
Great.
SPEAKER_04 (00:44):
Well, I am officially a mental health
therapist.
I own a counseling practicecalled Tribe Mind Body Wellness.
And we have two locations, onein Arvada and one in Lakewood.
And I have a team of 16therapists and a spiritual
director who work on my team.
And really, my goal has alwaysbeen about bringing people
(01:04):
together.
So Tribe was founded with thename because I want people to
find a place where they findbelonging.
And so it's not just about theteam and our belonging, but that
whatever we feel filters down toour clients and then our clients
take out into the world.
So Tribe is really just a placewhere we can all feel like we
(01:25):
can be ourselves and show upfully.
SPEAKER_02 (01:28):
I love that.
That's so important.
Thank you.
Karina, what about you?
SPEAKER_00 (01:32):
Yeah, that was beautiful, Emily.
It's really nice to meet you.
My name is Karina.
I am the owner of Karina's salonand boutique and the signature
by Karina Claxton here inDowntown Monument.
And I have been in the beautyindustry uh licensed for 13
years, unlicensed for about uh15 to 16 years doing hair,
(01:54):
makeup, wardrobe.
And um I am, like I said, I'm inDowntown Monument.
I have another stylist with me,Dr.
Shannon, who does injectables.
And I actually have a couple ofboutiques that have joined my
boutique.
And we are selling all theclothes, all the beautiful
stuff, making Monument,Colorado, surrounding cities,
(02:17):
towns look more beautiful andhelping women feel more
confident.
SPEAKER_02 (02:22):
I love that.
And you do so many events in thecommunity.
I feel like I see youeverywhere.
Lots of events.
I keep very busy.
Yeah, that's awesome.
I love it.
How about you, Ashley?
SPEAKER_03 (02:33):
Hi, um, I am Ashley.
I am the owner of AndersonDesigns, and we specialize in
marquee installations andballoon decor for events.
Um, it really started as more ofjust like a creative outlet and
way to express myself, and um ithas just turned into a lot more
than that, and it's given us away to be able to pretty
(02:56):
consistently be a part of andgive back to the community that
supports us.
Um, and I just find a lot ofmeaning in that.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
That's so awesome.
Yeah, I started following you onInstagram, I think, after you
were nominated for the award orafter you won the award.
And so I get to see all of yourcool balloon designs and signs,
and you make some of the cooleststuff.
It always reminds me of like, doyou guys ever watch like Real
Housewives or the Kardashiansand stuff when they have like
birthday parties for theirthree-year-olds and there's like
(03:25):
this enormous, beautiful balloonwall.
Okay, so let's talk about theawards that you won because I
think this is really cool.
Um, I really wanted to, when Icreated these awards last year,
this is the second year thatwe've done them.
And when I created them, Ireally wanted them to honor
people based off of theircharacter, based off of the
(03:48):
contribution that they weremaking to other people, to other
entrepreneurs, to theircommunity, to the world, rather
than just, you know, we have somany things that honor you when
you make six figures, sevenfigures, eight figures, when you
have this many followers, right?
These are our measurements oflike who is successful and who's
doing a great job.
And I think there are a lot ofother important ways to
(04:11):
celebrate people and to measuresuccess.
And that's really what theseawards were all about.
So I want to start with Emily's.
Um, Emily won the EmpowermentAward.
And the purpose of that awardwas really to celebrate someone
who always was uplifting otherwomen, empowering other women,
creating opportunities for otherpeople to grow.
(04:32):
And we were really looking forsomebody who um shared very
generously and openly who reallywanted to see other people rise
with her.
She wasn't just focused on herown success.
And one of the things that um wehad people write in their
nominations, and one of thethings that one of the people
nominated said about you was umshe consistently shows up across
(04:56):
her community withencouragement, humor, and a
steady presence that helps womenfeel seen and capable.
And I really loved that partabout you helping other women
feel seen and capable becauseit's so hard, especially as
female entrepreneurs.
You know, we're constantlycomparing our inside to other
(05:16):
people's outside.
And I would love to just hear alittle bit from you, Emily,
about how empowerment plays arole in what you do and why it
is important to you to helpother women rise within your
community.
SPEAKER_04 (05:30):
Thank you.
And thank you for this award.
It really, there, you're right.
There are so many awards outthere that are honoring things
that are tangible but aren'treally about who you are.
So it means a lot.
I'm gonna take you back a littlefurther than my current life.
When I was 15, my family wentthrough a pretty traumatic time
(05:50):
and I was removed from my home.
I was put into foster care andthen kinship foster care with my
sister eventually.
She was 23 and I was 15.
So you can imagine it was it waschaotic and really hard for her.
But at that point in my life,with everything going on, there
were all these women who showedup in our lives.
(06:11):
There were, you know, of course,women who legally needed to be
in our lives, like a caseworker,and then there was a judge
involved and all these things.
But then women who were likechosen family.
And so I had this experience ofwomen showing up and loving you
through a hard time that youcan't see the light at the end
of the tunnel and telling youthere is a light.
(06:32):
Then, fast forward in my life, Iend up with uh a therapist who I
loved and she made a hugedifference in my life.
Because of her, I wanted tobecome a therapist.
I wanted to help other peopleand make a difference in the way
that she had for me.
So I go to school, I end upbecoming a therapist and working
in community mental health forover a decade and loved the
(06:56):
work.
And eventually, you know, youkind of grow and you're like,
what's next?
And that's when I started Tribe.
So six years ago, I startedTribe.
And like I was saying in theintro, it was about belonging
from the very beginning becauseat all the different times in my
own life, whether I wascelebrating or I was grieving or
(07:16):
I was sad, there were women whoshowed up.
So we wanted to create a spacewhere there was community and
women could show up for eachother and not just women, it's
really like whoever needs it canshow up and get what they need.
So tribe has has grownsignificantly.
It, you know, with 16 people onour team now, and we're doing a
(07:39):
lot of different things, but Ialso hold workshops and I'm the
president of a networking groupand part of a lot of community
groups, and I'm on a board, anonprofit now.
And I've always felt like, youknow, you walk into a space and
you look at people and go, Oh, Idon't belong here.
And you get that impostersyndrome and think everyone else
(08:01):
is way more capable and they'regoing to see me and go, Oh, she
she doesn't belong here.
But all of us are already whole.
We already have everything weneed, but we need people who can
have a sense of humor and seesomething in us that maybe we
don't see in ourselves or wedon't yet believe about
ourselves and pull us up withthem.
(08:23):
So I feel like my job now, andI'm honored to do it, is see
that in other people and bringthem with me.
SPEAKER_02 (08:32):
Yeah.
Does this resonate with you,Karina?
Because this sounds a lot likewhat people were saying about
you when they nominated you too.
SPEAKER_00 (08:39):
That was it was beautiful, and yes, it did
resonate with me.
Um, and I I love whileeverything you said, it it's
very genuine and it comes fromexperience.
And I think that that tricklesinto how I feel in this
community and what I feel like Ihave been trying to build, and I
(08:59):
didn't realize I mean, I sort ofrealized that people are seeing
what I'm doing and um some ofthe changes I'm trying to make.
And community, community is hugefor me.
SPEAKER_02 (09:14):
So yeah.
One of the things that um peoplesaid when they nominated you, so
your award was the connector ofthe year award, and that really
was about someone who isspeaking other people's names in
rooms that they're not in, whois always saying, like, hey, I
gotta introduce you toso-and-so, you would love her,
or you know, just somebody whoreally believes and embodies
(09:36):
that idea of collaboration overcompetition and celebrates other
people's wins um as much as theycelebrate their own.
And that was one of the thingsthat came up over and over again
was how you have this way ofbringing the community together,
how you are always hostingevents or creating spaces where
(09:56):
people can meet and collaborateand find new opportunities.
And um, one of the things thatthe that one of the people who
nominated you said was um shedoesn't compete or gatekeep.
She collaborates at every turn,amplifies the people around her,
and is truly the heartbeat ofconnection in every room she
enters.
And I just thought, first ofall, that's so sweet.
(10:19):
So I wanted you to hear that.
Um, but I so I want to honorthat in you, in the way that you
are really creating thatcommunity and creating those
spaces for people.
And I would love to hear just alittle bit about how um
community and having spaces likethat has impacted you and your
business.
SPEAKER_00 (10:38):
Yeah, and just like Emily, I'm gonna go a little bit
back on that um or a few stepsinto the past.
I think that community for mestarts with um my upbringing,
big family.
Everyone was always over, wewere always together.
And when I moved here toColorado from California, I felt
(11:02):
like an outcast.
I was looking for other Latinas,I was looking for women who were
loud like me, who dressed likeme, and everyone was just
different.
And so when I opened up mysalon, I had a few empty rooms,
and I was so lonely.
I didn't know how am I going todo this.
(11:24):
I had clients, but I didn't haveother women in business that I
could interact with.
So I started hosting um vendorevents every four to six weeks.
It was always free, and I wouldjust try to find anyone that
wanted to join, and that's how Istarted building my community.
And then it was okay, I I wanteveryone to know who Karina is
(11:47):
is because I want people to shopand get their hair done.
And so through that, I have beenable to find other boutiques,
and Ashley's another uh businessowner that I I met and just fell
in love with because her heartis so genuine and so kind, so
loving, so giving.
And I want to be surroundedaround women who are
(12:10):
like-minded, but also I havebeen blessed in my business for
it to be a very fruitfulbusiness, very busy business.
I want to pass that on to thewomen around me, especially the
newer business.
I want us to link arms and Idon't want competition.
I don't believe in that.
So that has been like thedriving force is just this
(12:33):
community where I feel like,okay, I I finally feel like I
have a place in where I am.
And I want other women to feelthat way too.
SPEAKER_02 (12:41):
Yeah, I love that.
What do you think changed foryou when you went from the
beginning where you were in yourboutique alone with these empty
rooms and didn't really haveanybody like peers or people to
bounce ideas off of orcollaborate with, to now where
you have this community and youhave these support people?
(13:01):
How has that impacted your likeyou as a human building a
business?
SPEAKER_00 (13:08):
I don't feel alone.
Yeah, I feel like I can bounceideas tomorrow.
I'm actually having my firstmeeting with a team that has
come together.
It's multiple boutiques thathave joined me: Amber Lane,
Zebakimonos, Thrive and Thread,Fresh Finds, Operation
Candlelight.
They are businesses that I getto work alongside with, and
(13:30):
tomorrow's our first meeting.
I'm so excited because um it'sit's been it's been a journey.
I've been here for four years,and it it's just been really
cool to be able to have thesepeople that I can bounce ideas
off of that pour into me, and Ican pour into them that they can
(13:51):
say, like, this is what's goingon in in the uh in the town
right now, or I'm not doing itsolo.
I'm not just trying to scratchfor ideas, and I've got people
who are with me.
SPEAKER_02 (14:03):
So yeah, absolutely.
Because I feel like you can talkto the people that are in your
life, you know, your partner,your friends, your family,
whoever it is.
But if they're notentrepreneurs, especially like
there's a difference talking toother entrepreneurs, and there's
a difference talking to otherentrepreneurs who do the same
thing that you do, right?
Like you just understanddifferent things, speak a
(14:25):
different language, can, youknow, vent to each other in a
different way than I think it iswhen you're talking to like a
regular person.
SPEAKER_00 (14:36):
Yeah, my husband is definitely a nine to five type
of guy.
He always tells me, don't try tojoin me into the entrepreneur
world.
It's not for me.
And then I get to hype up myfriend who wants to start this
specific business, or they hypeme up because I have a new idea.
We know that there are risks,but there's a drive that that
(14:58):
you get with new ideas and like,can I can I do this?
So those are the people that Iwant to surround myself with.
Obviously, my husband keeps megrounded and tells me, hmm,
financially, we are not going todo that.
But to have those friends thathype you up with all the crazy
ideas is it's the best thing tohave around.
SPEAKER_02 (15:18):
Yeah, I agree.
I know my husband, he'll say,like, oh, like I'll tell him
something like awesome thathappened.
And or like, you know, yesterdayI just launched this new virtual
networking community.
And uh, so I'm telling him likehow many people signed up and
stuff.
And he's like, Oh, that's cool,babe.
And I'm like, listen, I don'tthink you understand exactly how
(15:39):
much work went into this andexactly how long I ruminated
over like what if not even oneperson joins?
Like, this is more than that'scool, babe.
But like, if you've never beenthrough it, you don't you don't
get it.
SPEAKER_00 (15:52):
Or is anyone showing up to these events?
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (15:57):
Yeah.
Is it anyone of is anyone otherthan my mom listening to the
podcast?
I don't know.
Maybe now your mom is too.
Um, Ashley, let's go to younext.
Um, I know that empowerment andum collaboration and all of
these things really resonatewith you.
And the award that you won um isthe Business for a Good award.
And that award specifically isdesigned to honor somebody who
(16:21):
is using their business to giveback to the community, to give
back to people.
And um, one of the things thatcame up a lot in your
nominations was the fact thatyou um your work is very
mission-driven.
And people were saying, youknow, it's not just balloons and
glitter.
Uh, in fact, one of the peoplesaid, she is the kind of person
(16:44):
who will step up before anybodyeven asks, and she will give
generously because that's whoshe is.
And, you know, people listed awhole bunch of organizations and
groups and communities andpeople that you um have donated
to, that you have provided yourservices to, all of these
things.
But every single one of themmentioned the fact that you are
(17:05):
never seeking recognition.
You are not the person that'slike, hey, everybody, I donated
this, this, and this to thesecommunities because I'm so great
and I give back to thecommunity.
Um, what they said was that thatis just your heart and that you
really live with this unwaveringbelief that every person
deserves to feel celebrated.
(17:27):
And I would love to hear fromyou just a little bit about your
story and where that comes fromand why um this element of
giving back is so important inyour business.
SPEAKER_03 (17:38):
Um, absolutely.
Um, so currently, you know, wehave Anderson Designs, and aside
from that, I'm home with ourthree girls.
We have 15, 5, and 3.
Prior to being at home with mygirls, um, I was out um I worked
for DHS for a long time.
That had me down at the SpringsRescue Mission, um, things of
(17:58):
that nature.
And I was always uh, you know,out in the world and busy and
involved in different jobs thatallowed me to uh give back to
the world we live in and thecommunity that we're in.
And I personally have had kindof a hard time adjusting to stay
at home mom life.
(18:19):
The promotions at home lookdifferent, right?
The recognition at home looksdifferent, and that was just
kind of a harder transition forme.
And surely I can't be the onlyone that feels like that.
Um, so it kind of started out asa way to help other moms.
Every mom has their strongpoint, right?
Like, you know, I was just inKarinas a couple weeks ago
(18:39):
because hair and makeup not mystrong point.
Um but I do have a creativeniche that allows me to
celebrate our kids or celebratetheir milestones or events at
their schools, and that's reallyhow that started.
And it's transformed into beingable to get back on a much
(19:00):
broader spectrum.
SPEAKER_02 (19:02):
Yeah.
And I really actually love nowthat we're having this
conversation, that the examplethat I used at the beginning of
this call was like the RealHousewives or the Kardashians
kids' birthday parties, becausethat really is what you are all
about is making sure thateveryone can have celebrations
like this, right?
Everyone deserves to have thingsthat make them feel important
(19:22):
and special and like you are acelebrity even though you're
three years old.
And I love that um you operateyour business that way that it's
not just for people of a certainprivilege, that it's really
important to you to make surethat everyone gets to have
experiences like that.
SPEAKER_03 (19:42):
Oh, absolutely.
It's very meaningful to not justmyself, but our family in
general.
Um, it has become definitely afamily run business.
Like everybody is able to helpwith something.
Um, our teenager has some causesthat are really meaningful to
her that we try to support andgive back.
Um, but she Doesn't just ask,she helps.
unknown (20:02):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (20:02):
She sets up marquees, she inflates balloons.
Um, we've been able to this yearkind of start giving back to
some causes that my husband ispassionate about.
He retired from active dutyabout a year and a half ago.
Um, and it's important to him tobe able to celebrate the veteran
community and um people thathave gone through some of what
(20:23):
he's gone through, transitioningout of the service after so long
and things like that.
It's just nice being able toutilize something that we are
good at and be able to createmeaning for others.
SPEAKER_02 (20:35):
Yeah, absolutely.
That's awesome.
So I want to ask each of you ifyou were, if somebody's
listening to this podcast andthey are starting a business or
they've started a business,whether it's something similar
to what you guys do or somethingvery different, and maybe
they're feeling overwhelmed,they're struggling, they're
like, why aren't I getting theresults that I need?
(20:56):
This is terrible.
Why did I think this was a goodidea?
Or maybe they are havingsuccess, but they're struggling
to get to the next level.
Is there one piece of advicethat you would give them or like
something that you've learnedalong the way that you're like,
man, I wish I would have knownthis in the beginning.
Um, and any of the three of youcan start.
Anyone have an answer right offthe bat?
(21:17):
Emily, you look up your deal.
SPEAKER_04 (21:19):
Yeah, yeah.
It it's kind of hard to make itinto one.
So it's kind of a two-partthing.
It's fine.
I won't buzz you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Relationships matter.
And it is when you are inbusiness, that Karina was kind
of talking about this.
The people that you meet alongthe way are so important.
And even if they're in the exactsame industry, those
(21:41):
relationships matter becausethere is an abundance out there
if you believe it.
And so really putting yourselfout there and being vulnerable
to develop relationships withpeople who are in similar
industries and differentindustries and allowing for
those relationships to form andnot being too rushed about it.
Like I met this person andnothing happened.
(22:03):
But knowing that it can taketime, but over time, the
relationships and the people whotrust you, those end up being
the people who will talk aboutyou when you're not in the room,
who will recommend you forthings, who will um do a lot of
things that benefit you, and youcan do a lot of things that
benefit them.
SPEAKER_02 (22:22):
Yeah.
I think that I for some reasonthat takes a while for us to
realize.
Like I feel like I heard it andI was like, yep, that makes
sense.
But also, I think in thebeginning of business, we're
just like so focused onourselves and what we need to do
and what's next, and how are wegonna make money and how are we
gonna survive?
Um, and it takes a while torealize that you can't do
(22:44):
everything on your own and theimportance of having a community
and having other people that youcan not only that you can like
talk to and bounce things offof, but also that are out there
in the world saying, like, oh,you're struggling with this, you
got to go talk to Emily.
Oh, you need cuter clothes, yougotta go talk to Karina, right?
Like it's so it's such animportant part of like your
(23:06):
emotional support, but also likeyour marketing too.
SPEAKER_04 (23:09):
Yeah, yeah.
And also even just the buildingyour business.
Like, you know, you have thisspecific thing you need to do on
your website, and you're like,who do I know who knows someone
they trust?
Yeah, so it's like thoserelationships where you're like,
I know I trust you, and if youlike that person, then I'm going
to them.
SPEAKER_02 (23:26):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
SPEAKER_00 (23:28):
What about you, Karina?
Yeah, so I loved your answer,Emily.
And so I had a business foreight years in California and I
let everything go, like I soldeverything and moved here.
And I felt like I was startingas a new business, but I had a
lot of I'm gonna do this and I'mnot gonna do that.
(23:51):
So if you are new or startingover, the biggest thing is find
a business owner that you lookup to, or it looks like I can
learn from them and bevulnerable and go to them and
ask them to help you.
Don't expect people to offerhelp.
Ask for help.
(24:12):
Hey, I really suck at socialmedia.
What is one thing I can do?
And find the people and find thepeople who are willing to pour
into you who are not going togatekeep.
That's something that I trulytreasure.
There are people that I look upto that speak more eloquent than
I do who are better atcommunicating.
(24:33):
This is the process of how youdo this service or this dressing
someone like that.
That's how you talk to them.
I look at those people, I followthose people so that I can speak
better because I can speak alittle ghetto if I want to.
And that's my recommendation isput yourself next to the people
that are doing things betterthan you are and ask them, how
(24:54):
did you get to this point?
Whether it's social media, yourwebsite, client communication,
appointments, um, interactions,all of those things.
So that's my advice.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (25:07):
I think that's great advice.
And that's also, I think, whereyou're um how you epitomize the
collaboration over competition,right?
Because you don't see it thatway.
You see it as we can help eachother, we can learn from each
other.
Um, I was just having thisconversation this morning
because I launched the umPowerful Women Rising Connection
(25:28):
Network two days ago.
And I've had two women, at leasttwo women join who also have
their own networking groups.
And at first I was like, whatare they doing here?
Why are they in my group?
And I was having a conversationwith one of them this morning,
and I'm like, we should do apodcast episode about this,
actually, because I actually hadan experience where um somebody
(25:49):
who was running a networkingevent refunded my money and sent
me an email and said, I refundedyour money because you are my
direct competition.
Um, and it that's so theopposite of the conversation
that I'm having with these womenthat are joining my community
and I'm joining theircommunities.
And it's it's that idea of like,first of all, it's the
(26:10):
abundance, right?
There's enough out there for allof us that I don't need to be
like, these are my people.
You can't have my people.
And I mean, there's likebillions and billions of people
out there.
So there's enough people for allof us, there's enough money for
all of us, and also that idea,like you've said, Karina, that
we can learn from each other, wecan grow from each other.
There's gonna be things that shedoes really well that I'm not
(26:33):
great at.
There's gonna be things that I,you know, ideas that I come up
with that she's like, that's agreat idea.
I never would have thought aboutthat.
And we can both benefit fromhaving that relationship as
opposed to like her hiding overhere and I'm not gonna talk to
her, and I'm over here and I'mnot gonna talk to her.
I think that's really important.
SPEAKER_00 (26:51):
That's something that I do uh with my events.
A lot of my events, you're gonnasee three, four, five boutiques
selling clothing just like I do.
And I have been told before, youdon't think it's weird that
you're having other boutiquesjoin you?
Absolutely not.
We have all become friends andwe don't sell the same stuff, we
(27:12):
have different styles, but we'reable to work together.
And in fact, during the events,I love to put everybody's
clothes on and walk around indifferent pieces that are from
theirs, not even putting aspotlight spotlight on mine
because in the end it doesbenefit me also, and I get to
support my friends in theprocess.
(27:32):
I don't understand why peoplefeel like if there's one
boutique, if there's a boutique,there needs to be one that you
support or one that you go to,or one boutique at an event.
It should be collaboration.
SPEAKER_02 (27:47):
Yeah, because for you to think my clothes are the
only clothes that anyone everwants to or needs to wear,
right?
Like these are the clothes foreveryone.
It's closed-minded.
That is as silly as me sayingthis is the only networking
group anyone should ever be in,ever, right?
Like, we've all met people thatright off the bat were like,
(28:07):
yeah, this is not the vibe.
And I am certain people meet meand think that.
So, how could this be the onlynetworking group anyone needs
ever, right?
SPEAKER_00 (28:15):
Like, I think Ashley also does collaborate with other
people in your field, right?
Ashley.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (28:25):
Oh, yes, no.
So actually, what you guys aresaying resonates with me so much
because as Karina knows, I'm alittle bit of a shy individual.
I have very extrovertedchildren.
Um, that comes harder for me.
And um, sometimes it is harderfor me to go to things like
networking or take part in groupdiscussions.
(28:46):
Um, I have this is definitely myfirst podcast.
Um, but kind of in line withwhat you guys are saying, um,
last April there was a balloonartist at an event we were
setting up Marquise, and I sawher trailer when we pulled in,
and I love her work.
Like, I follow her on Instagram,I love her work, and that was my
(29:09):
opportunity to be like, hey, I'mAshley.
I love your work.
And you know, Jason had to giveme a little bit of a pep talk
because shy individual and youknow, imposter syndrome.
Like, oh my gosh, like her.
But um, actually having thecourage to do that has been one
of the most positive decisionsthat I could have made because
(29:31):
she has turned out to be anamazing mentor resource.
I get to go help her sometimes.
I've gotten to learn from her.
She doesn't gatekeep.
Um, it's Heather with TurquoiseSky Events.
She does the most beautifulballoon installs.
She has Disco Dolly that shemade.
Um, I don't know if you guysfollow her page yet, but you
(29:52):
should.
Um, she has this amazingbackdrop that she made from
thousands of disco balls.
Um, and she has just been a hugesupport system for not just me,
but for our entire family.
Maddie has gotten to go workwith her a couple of times.
And if I was like, oh my gosh, adifferent balloon artist is
ballooning my my marqueesinstead of being like, oh my
gosh, I love your work, thatprobably would have stopped
(30:15):
right there, right?
SPEAKER_02 (30:16):
Yeah, or if you had gone to her, I thought that's
where this was going.
If you had gone to her and beenlike, oh my gosh, I love your
work.
This is what I do.
And she was like, Hmm, I'm nottalking to you.
SPEAKER_03 (30:26):
Yes, I was so afraid for years of something like that
happening.
So, you know, just put up myballoons or put up my marquees
and leave.
But what a positive experience.
And I'm so glad that I foundsome courage to do that because
it has been one of the mostpositive experiences that I
could have hoped to have had.
SPEAKER_00 (30:45):
Yeah, absolutely.
You know, it's really coolseeing you guys collaborate too,
seeing that relationship grow,even just watching through
social media.
SPEAKER_03 (30:55):
Yes, it's been amazing.
And just what is today,Wednesday?
Monday, we were at the Broadmoorwith Heather, and it was a first
for both of us.
Um it was a 16 marquee install,which is our biggest install to
date.
Like that's a lot of marquees.
Um, and then she ballooned thewhole thing.
Um, and I think that's probablythe most marquees she has
(31:17):
ballooned at once thus far.
Um, it was over 40 feet long.
Like it's epic, it's magical.
Um, and you know, it saysstronger together.
And I for me that was kind ofironic because I do think we
make a pretty good team withHeather.
SPEAKER_02 (31:30):
So yeah, that's so cool.
So, Ashley, what advice wouldyou give to somebody who was
struggling with their business?
SPEAKER_03 (31:38):
Um, something that I wish I would have done better
from the start, and sometimes Istill wish I was better at was
having more streamlinedprocesses.
Um, like, you know, people sendyou a text or message the
business page or message you onInstagram or your personal page
on Facebook, and I struggle withbeing like, nope, please fill
(32:01):
out the inquiry form.
Um so make stuff like thatsimpler for you.
Also simplifies it for yourcustomers and just an overall
more streamlined experience thatI sometimes get caught up in the
oh, like I have a few minutes,I'm just gonna answer this, I'm
gonna take care of it.
SPEAKER_02 (32:20):
Yes, I've gotten much better about responding to
pretty much everything with canyou email this to me, please?
Because otherwise I will forgetthis conversation ever happened.
unknown (32:32):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (32:32):
Goals for 2026.
I am hoping to be the same way.
And if I had implemented thatfrom kind of the beginning.
SPEAKER_02 (32:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, we don't know what wedon't know, but now everybody
knows because you told them.
So that's awesome.
Um, I love this conversation andI love what you just said about
stronger together, too.
I'm like, that's the theme ofthis podcast episode, maybe.
Um, if people want to connectwith you guys, if they want to
know more about what you do,they want to follow you, Ashley.
(33:01):
I know on Instagram and see allof your cool stuff that you're
coming out with, um, see theevents that Karina is doing.
What's the best way for them todo that, Emily?
SPEAKER_04 (33:11):
Yeah, on Instagram, we are Tribe Mind Body Wellness,
or our website isTribemindbody.com.
SPEAKER_00 (33:18):
Awesome.
What about you, Karina?
So for me, you can find meprimarily all the information is
going to be on my website,Karina Doeshair.com, C-O-R-I-N-A
doeshair.com, or you can find meon Instagram and Facebook,
Karina Salon Boutique.
Awesome.
And you, Ashley?
SPEAKER_03 (33:38):
Um, our website is Anderson Designs L C dot net.
Um, and I have our Instagram,which is also Anderson Designs
LLC.
Trying to jump on the socialmedia.
SPEAKER_01 (33:53):
You're doing great.
I see your stuff all the time.
You're doing great.
SPEAKER_02 (33:57):
Yeah.
Okay, cool.
I will put all of those links inthe show notes so people can
follow you guys on Instagram.
They can check out your website.
And thank you guys so much, notonly for being here for this
podcast interview, especiallyyou, Ashley, your first podcast.
You did so great.
I'm so excited.
I didn't know that, but I'm gladthat I I hope it was an
(34:17):
enjoyable experience for you,not too scary.
Um, appreciate you guys beinghere for the podcast, but also
just appreciate the work thatyou're doing in the world.
Like I said at the beginning,everything that you guys are
that you stand for, that youembody, that you are living
every day is exactly whatPowerful Women Rising is all
about.
And um, I just love hearing andseeing all the ways that you are
(34:38):
giving back to the community,that you're supporting other
women, um, and all of thesegreat things that you're doing.
So thank you so much and keep upthe good work.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (34:47):
Thank you very much so much, Melissa.
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