Episode 37: Join us in this episode of Freed Stories as host Nathan Rogers chats with Shahira Marei, our April 2024 Freed Fellow and founder of Dirty Cookie. Shahira shares her remarkable journey from an aerospace project manager to creating innovative and indulgent cookie shots that gained fame on Shark Tank. Discover how Shahira's engineering mindset and passion for entrepreneurship led to the birth of Dirty Cookie, a brand that delights with its unique and experiential dessert offerings.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing Change and Innovation: Shahira's transition from aerospace to entrepreneurship highlights the importance of adaptability and innovation. Her story underscores the value of creating unique products that stand out in the market.
2. Building a Business with Limited Resources: Shahira discusses the challenges of managing a growing business with limited resources. Her approach to creativity and problem-solving is a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs facing similar constraints.
3. Importance of Customer Experience: The delight and surprise of customers when experiencing Dirty Cookie's products have been a constant motivator for Shahira. This emphasis on customer experience is crucial for building a loyal customer base and brand reputation.

• Website: https://www.dirtycookie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirtycookieoc
• LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahira-marei-a609b319/

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 36: In this episode of Freed Stories, we sit down with Jennifer Peters, founder of Just Be Kitchen, Colorado’s largest gluten-free restaurant group. Jennifer, who was selected as a May 2024 Freed Fellow, shares her journey from corporate marketing roles at companies like Xerox and KPMG to revolutionizing the restaurant industry with a fast-casual, anti-inflammatory approach to food.

Jennifer shares her personal journey, transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, and the motivation behind Just Be Kitchen, which offers food free of gluten, seed oils, refined sugar, soy, corn, peanuts, and legumes—designed for those with allergies or simply looking for healthy, flavorful options. Jennifer’s story is one of resilience, community building, and redefining how we think about healthy food without compromising on taste.

1. Leverage Your Strengths When Transitioning to Entrepreneurship: Jennifer’s background in corporate marketing and systems management helped her set up scalable systems early in her business, which became essential as Just Be Kitchen grew.
2. Resilience Is Critical to Success: From navigating personal challenges to dealing with banking setbacks and scaling difficulties, Jennifer’s journey demonstrates the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.
3. Community is Key: Jennifer emphasizes how her restaurant has built a passionate community, not only of people with dietary restrictions but also those focused on health and wellness. She highlights the power of fostering connection through shared experiences and wellness events.

• Website: https://www.justbekitchen.com/
• Instagram: @justbekitchen - https://www.instagram.com/justbekitchen
• Facebook: Just Be Kitchen - https://www.facebook.com/justbekitchen

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 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

Episode 31: In this episode of Freed Stories, we connect with Monica Virga Alborno, our January 2024 Freed Fellow and founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats. Monica has turned personal challenges into a mission, creating retreats for mothers and children that focus on holistic wellness and connection. Wanderwild Family Retreats is a U.S.-based multi-day retreat that not only welcomes children but integrates them into a holistic wellness experience. This innovative approach offers a beautiful space for mothers to recharge without leaving their kids behind.

Monica shares her journey from struggling as a new mother during the pandemic to founding a business that provides a unique, nurturing environment for mothers and their children. Balancing a startup, a full-time job, and motherhood, Monica discusses how she is expanding Wanderwild’s reach while navigating the common challenges of growing a business.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Building Trust and Community: Monica emphasizes the importance of building trust with clients through personal connections and relatable storytelling. She shares how she leveraged her personal journey and direct communication to build a loyal customer base.
2. Adaptability and Delegation: Monica highlights the necessity of being adaptable and knowing when to delegate tasks. She explains how these skills have been crucial in managing her business while raising two young children.
3. Diversifying Revenue Streams: Monica discusses her plans to diversify Wanderwild’s offerings, including launching an online summit and membership program to reach a broader audience and provide more accessible options for holistic wellness.

Connect with Monica Virga Alborno:

• Website: Wanderwild Family Retreats
• Instagram: @wanderwildfamilyretreats
• Substack: Monica @ Wanderwild Retreats

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.

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram

1. Innovation Through Necessity: Brittany and Addie shared how their personal experiences as mothers drove them to create a safer and more hygienic diaper changing solution. Their story highlights the importance of identifying and addressing real-world problems to create impactful products.
2. Persistence Pays Off: The journey from idea to successful business is rarely straightforward. Brittany and Addie emphasized the need for persistence, sharing how they faced and overcame numerous obstacles, including product development challenges and securing funding.
3. Building a Supportive Network: They underscored the value of building a supportive network, from leveraging personal and professional connections to seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs. Their appearance on Shark Tank not only provided exposure but also valuable feedback that helped refine their business strategy.

• Pluie Website: HelloPluie.com
• Instagram: @HelloPluie
• Learn more about their time on Shark Tank

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.

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram

Episode 30: In this episode of Freed Stories, we connect with Lauren Gall, co-founder of VaVa Virtual Assistants, our December 2023 Freed Fellow, and a true visionary in the world of virtual assistance. Lauren shares her journey from "accidental entrepreneur" to leading a service that helps small business owners elevate their operations by mastering the art of delegation. Discover how VaVa Virtual Assistants helps transform businesses by allowing owners to focus on growth rather than getting bogged down by day-to-day tasks.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Delegation: Lauren discusses how learning to delegate effectively can free business owners from the weeds of daily operations, enabling them to focus on strategic growth and personal freedom.
2. Building Trust with Virtual Teams: Transitioning to working with a virtual assistant (VA) involves trust and a shift in mindset from seeing help as an expense to viewing it as an investment in the business's growth.
3. Evolution of Business Roles: Lauren details her personal experience and the broader implications of moving from doing to managing, reflecting on how business owners can transition from frontline tasks to leadership roles.

Resources Mentioned:

• How to Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman

Connect with Lauren Gall:

• VaVa Virtual Assistants Website
• Follow VaVa Virtual on Facebook
• VaVa Virtual on Instagram
• VaVa Virtual on Twitter

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.

Apply for our Freed Fellowship Monthly Grant

Follow Freed Growth on Instagram

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com