Episode 35: In this episode of Freed Stories, we connect with Daniella Cornue, the March 2024 Freed Fellow and founder of Le Village Cowork. Daniella’s innovative coworking space uniquely combines full-time onsite childcare with a vibrant professional community designed specifically for parents. With a background in marketing and communications, Daniella's entrepreneurial journey began out of personal necessity. She sought to create a flexible work environment after struggling to balance her professional life with the demands of motherhood. Her solution? Le Village Cowork, a pioneering model that is now expanding through franchising to support parents nationwide.

During our conversation, Daniella shares the challenges and triumphs of building Le Village from the ground up, including how she pivoted her business to survive the challenges of COVID-19 and the lessons she learned about resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship. She also dives into her experiences with funding, the decision to franchise, and how she’s empowering other women to succeed as franchisees.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Grit and Adaptability: Daniella emphasizes the importance of grit and the ability to pivot when challenges arise. Her ability to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, by creating new products and services, was crucial to her business's survival and growth.
2. Balancing Family and Business: Driven by her personal values, Daniella underscores the significance of maintaining a balance between work and family life. She encourages entrepreneurs to stay true to their core values, ensuring that business growth doesn’t come at the expense of personal well-being.
3. Franchising as a Growth Strategy: Daniella explains how franchising Le Village Cowork allowed her to expand the business while empowering other women to become entrepreneurs. She discusses the challenges of finding the right funding and how franchising became a viable path for growth.

Connect with Daniella Cornue:

• Le Village Cowork Website: levillagecowork.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levillagecowork
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levillagecowork/

Continue Your Journey: Don't forget to subscribe to Freed Stories on your favorite podcast platform. Stay tuned for more episodes filled with actionable insights and stories of entrepreneurship that inspire and guide. Visit our website for additional resources and support at

Freed Growth - https://freedgrowth.com/grow

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant - https://freedfellowship.com/

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/freedgrowth

Episode 34: In this episode of Freed Stories, we sit down with Danielle Letayf, the founder of Badassery and the February 2024 Freed Fellow. Badassery is a dynamic private community focused on empowering diverse professionals by amplifying their voices and impact. Danielle shares her journey from the tech and media world to creating a platform that curates connections and opportunities for underrepresented voices. She opens up about the challenges she faced in building Badassery, including navigating the significant shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how her unwavering commitment to amplifying diverse voices has guided the evolution of her business.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Community and Curation: Danielle highlights the importance of building a community with a deep, curated network rather than focusing on sheer numbers. By prioritizing meaningful connections over scale, Badassery ensures that its members not only connect but also thrive by accessing relevant opportunities and resources.
2. Flexibility and Adaptation: One of the biggest challenges Danielle faced was adapting Badassery's business model in response to the pandemic. Her story emphasizes the importance of being flexible and open to change, even when it requires a complete overhaul of your original vision.
3. The ROI of Community: Danielle discusses the often intangible yet powerful returns that come from being part of a community like Badassery. While there may not always be a clear, linear path to success, the support, resources, and networking opportunities provided can significantly accelerate personal and professional growth.

Connect with Danielle Letayf:

• Badassery HQ Website: www.badassery-hq.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleletayf/

Continue Your Journey: Don't forget to subscribe to Freed Stories on your favorite podcast platform. Stay tuned for more episodes filled with actionable insights and stories of entrepreneurship that inspire and guide. Visit our website for additional resources and support at

Freed Growth - https://freedgrowth.com/grow

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant - https://freedfellowship.com/

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/freedgrowth

Episode 33: In this episode of Freed Stories, we sit down with Latasha Brooks, also known as "Coach Brooks," our June 2023 Freed Fellow. As a serial entrepreneur, business consultant, and expert in government contracting, Latasha shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Her story is a testament to the importance of focus, resilience, and self-care in the path to success.

Latasha opens up about the emotional turning point that led her to leave a secure corporate job to prioritize her family and personal happiness. She also dives deep into the challenges of juggling multiple businesses, the necessity of building the right support system, and the critical lessons she learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to scale your existing business, Coach Brooks' insights will inspire and empower you to take bold steps toward your goals.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Focus and Organization: Latasha emphasizes the value of concentrating on one or two key areas rather than spreading yourself too thin across multiple ventures. This focused approach is crucial for long-term success and avoiding burnout.
2. Building the Right Support System: Surrounding yourself with the right people—those who challenge you and help you grow—is essential. Latasha shares how stepping out of her comfort zone and networking with successful individuals transformed her business approach.
3. Self-Care as a Business Strategy: Latasha discusses the role of self-care in maintaining the energy and mindset needed for entrepreneurial success. She highlights how regular self-care routines, like massages and quiet time, keep her grounded and focused.

Connect with Latasha Brooks:

• Instagram: @moneybaggs623 - https://www.instagram.com/moneybaggs623
• TikTok: @moneybaggs623 - https://www.tiktok.com/@moneybaggs623

• Website: www.latashabrooks.com - https://www.latashabrooks.com/

Continue Your Journey: Don't forget to subscribe to Freed Stories on your favorite podcast platform. Stay tuned for more episodes filled with actionable insights and stories of entrepreneurship that inspire and guide. Visit our website for additional resources and support at

Freed Growth - https://freedgrowth.com/grow

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant - https://freedfellowship.com/

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/freedgrowth