Know Your Value

Niki McKay

Niki McKay is the Founder and CEO of Seattle-based Blue Danube Productions. She has been a dynamic, noteworthy leader in the event production space for over 20 years. Niki’s expertise is demonstrated through the rapid growth of her company and the industry-wide recognition for her excellent work. She has served partners such as Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Reality Labs, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Having founded Blue Danube Productions in 2007, Niki has grown the company into one of the premier event technology companies in the Pacific Northwest. She has an exceptional ability to fuse vision with development, bringing about stunning results that combine the best of technical and logistic elements. She leads a team that transforms client relationships into powerful partnerships. Together, they pinpoint goals, target demographics, and achieve the best possible results for their clients. Niki is an influencer and a thought leader. She has been featured in Special Events magazine and has served as a keynote speaker for numerous associations including Meeting Professionals International and the International Live Events Association.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • What drove Niki McKay to start Blue Danube Productions?
  • Niki talks about her company’s philosophy and the value of understanding a client’s target audience
  • What went right for Niki when she started her company?
  • The most challenging event Niki has ever worked on, the most exciting speaker she has worked with, and other people she admires
  • What Niki loves about her job and the best piece of advice she has received from her mentors
  • Niki’s superpower and how to get in touch with her

In this episode…

When starting a business, it’s important for entrepreneurs to have a good understanding of their target audience and the value they will provide to that audience. This helps you find clients who share your values, and in the process, helps you build amazing relationships with them. So what does it mean to know your value?

As a business leader, understanding your value means that you know what you deserve and what you need — and you are willing to go for it. It also means that you are not afraid to get paid for your expertise and precious time, and you get compensated for who you are and what you bring to the table. You also have to decide and choose the types of clients you want to work with.

In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Niki McKay, the Founder and CEO of Blue Danube Productions, to talk about the importance of knowing your value. They discuss Niki’s company philosophy, the most challenging event she has worked on, and what she loves about her job. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

[Women of EO] Success Leaves Clues

Elise Holtzman

Elise Holtzman is a former practicing attorney, certified executive coach, and the Founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, where she and her coaching team work with law firms to grow thriving businesses by helping lawyers become better business developers and leaders. Prior to practicing law in large New York law firms, Elise earned a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her JD from Columbia Law School, where she was a member and Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review.

In addition to providing consulting, training, and coaching for clients, Elise speaks frequently for women groups and legal organizations such as State Bar Associations, ABA Women Rainmakers, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. She writes articles on the subject of business development for publications such as the New York Law Journal and Law360. She is also the host of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • Elise Holtzman’s journey to starting The Lawyer’s Edge, a coaching company for lawyers
  • How Elise’s work helps clients build successful law firms
  • What went right for Elise when she started The Lawyer’s Edge?
  • Elise talks about her discomfort in scaling her business — and how she helps clients deal with being uncomfortable
  • Why entrepreneurs should network with like-minded people
  • The types of topics and guests Elise features on The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast
  • How Elise leads like a woman and her advice for women looking to start a business
  • Elise talks about her superpower and shares her contact details

In this episode…

Building a successful business requires managing many key pieces, from handling finances to tackling sales and marketing, hiring and managing employees, and scaling the business. However, no one can be an expert in all of these areas — regardless of how smart they are. So what should growing entrepreneurs do?

According to Elise Holtzman, this is where having a coach or mentor comes into play. Connecting and learning from a mentor who has gone through similar challenges is invaluable. It helps business owners network with like-minded people, grow both personally and professionally, and learn how to take on uncomfortable situations.

In this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show, Andrea Heuston is joined by Elise Holtzman, the Founder of The Lawyer’s Edge, to talk about the importance of coaching and working with a mentor. Elise shares her journey to entrepreneurship, her secret to success, and the value of networking with like-minded people. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Pay it Forward

Stephanie Camarillo

Stephanie Camarillo is the President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), Idaho. She sits on a global subcommittee for membership and serves on the Leadership Council for the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Stephanie started her career working in international business and academia. She had an “aha moment” one day and realized she was building programs in large organizations and could probably do the same on her own as an entrepreneur. With a dream of financial and time freedom in her mind and heart, she and her husband bought a residential cleaning business 15 years ago. Since then, it’s been an unexpected journey. She has learned that success often requires overcoming personal blocks. In order to be a better leader, she had to face and recover from decades of abuse as a child.

On the other side, Stephanie now knows that the secret is learning to live in a place of responsibility and in the present moment. Her 40 employees — most of them single moms with troubles much greater than hers — have shown her the way. She wants to share her journey with other entrepreneurs to help them see how their business can become a vehicle for personal and social change (and make money). She is currently writing a book called SHINE: How Empowered Employees Can Transform Your Workforce, and recently graduated from EO’s Global Speakers Academy (GSA). Stephanie and her family love to travel, and she is working toward expanding her business to different countries.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • Stephanie Camarillo’s reasons for buying a business and becoming an entrepreneur
  • What went right when Stephanie started her business?
  • Stephanie explains why she loves being a servant leader and how it has helped her business
  • What inspired Stephanie to heal her past and grow?
  • The strategies Stephanie uses to work herself out of her business
  • Stephanie shares her little metal box story and talks about her upcoming book and speaking goals
  • The best piece of advice Stephanie has received from a mentor and her advice to women on believing themselves
  • Stephanie’s superpower and how to get in touch with her

In this episode…

Are you aware that empowering your employees is one of the best things you can do for your business? It can help motivate them, increase their productivity, and give them hope for the future.

This is what Stephanie Camarillo did in her residential cleaning business. She concentrated on empowering her employees to become better people, giving them a sense of purpose, and guiding them to work independently. She hired brilliant employees, and over the years, worked on honing their leadership skills. This has enabled her to step away from the business’ daily operations and focus on other aspects of her life.

Stephanie Camarillo, the President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Idaho, joins Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about her business and her inspiration to empower employees. Stephanie also talks about servant leadership, her strategies for working herself out of her business, and the importance of paying it forward. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.

Prepare to Power Through

Alexis Krisay

Alexis Krisay and Melissa DiGianfilippo are the Co-founders of Serendipit Consulting, a full-service creative and PR agency. Alexis has an extensive background in online and offline strategic marketing operations and has developed her innate talent and flex for all things marketing. After more than 15 years in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry, Alexis has adopted a deep understanding of what makes people, brands, and organizations tick. She is the President of Marketing at Serendipit Consulting, known for her out-of-the-box thinking and contribution to fresh ideas. She has helped dozens of clients across a wide range of industries, effectively identifying market opportunities and pairing them with strategic and impactful results-driven marketing. 

Melissa DiGianfilippo

Melissa DiGianfilippo is the President of Public Relations at Serendipit Consulting, where she leads all of the agency clients’ PR and communications efforts. She leads a highly skilled team to help clients achieve their goals. Under Melissa’s direction, Serendipit’s clients have achieved millions of dollars in positive press coverage across international, national, and local media outlets, including CNN, Nancy Grace, Entrepreneur magazine, The Late Show, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Reuters, Associated Press, Huffington Post, along with broadcast and print outlets in all US markets. 

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

  • Melissa DiGianfilippo and Alexis Krisay’s journey to entrepreneurship
  • What led to the success of Serendipit Consulting and what the business partners did to differentiate themselves from other agencies
  • Why Alexis and Melissa started a business during a recession and their experiences working in a male-dominated industry 
  • The most impactful piece of advice Alexis and Melissa have received from their mentors and their advice for women looking to work in a male-dominated industry
  • Alexis and Melissa talk about their superpowers and share their contact details

In this episode…

For many women, starting and building a business in a male-dominated industry can be very challenging. They may face intimidation and be treated in an unacceptable manner. So what can women do to be on a level playing field with men?

Having started a consulting agency at a young age, Alexis Krisay and Melissa DiGianfilippo found themselves in such situations. But through confidence and belief in themselves, they pushed through those challenges. They kept going, stayed true to their mission, and went for their dreams. Now, they’re here to share their strategies and empower women across the globe. 

Alexis Krisay and Melissa DiGianfilippo, the Co-founders of Serendipit Consulting, join Andrea Heuston in this episode of the Lead Like A Woman Show to talk about their entrepreneurial journey in a male-dominated industry. They also talk about their ideal clients, why they started a business during a recession, and their advice to women looking to work in an industry traditionally led by men. Stay tuned.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Artitudes Design by Andrea Heuston. Artitudes Design is an award-winning creative agency that has been creating visual communication for Fortune 500 companies for over 25 years. They have worked with notable companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Expedia, and have also served startups and nonprofit organizations.

They specialize in connecting speakers with audiences by creating visual value with presentations and through the creation of motion graphics, video, and content.

To learn more about Artitudes Design, visit their website today. Checkout their portfolio to see their previous projects, and contact them today to find out how they can help you bring your business a cut above the rest.