What happens when a future doctor becomes a bold interior designer instead? In this episode, we peel back the layers of what it really looks like to build a creative business that reflects who you are—color, chaos, courage, and all.

Melissa Griffin shares her unexpected journey from medical school aspirations to founding her design studio, Indigo Ink Interiors. We talk about how art, grief, motherhood, and therapy all played a role in shaping her work and the life she’s designed around it.

This conversation isn’t just about beautiful spaces. It’s about identity, joy, and giving yourself permission to pivot. Whether you're a creative entrepreneur or just craving more meaning in your work, this one is for you.

🎙️ Topics we explore:

• How Melissa shifted from science to design
  
  
• The emotional roots of her bold, layered style
  
  
• Creating a business that fits your life (not the other way around)
  
  
• Navigating motherhood, grief, and growth as a founder
  
  
• What it really means to design with joy and intention

Episode Highlights:

Pivoting with Purpose

Designing with Duality

Motherhood as Motivation

Creating Joy Through Color

Saying No to Fit the Yes

Chapters:

00:00 - “From Medicine to Design: The Unexpected Pivot”

04:40 - “Blending the Analytical & the Artistic”

10:00 - “Motherhood, Loss & Starting a Studio”

15:30 – “Bold Color, Maximalism & Design Identity”

21:10 – “Time Freedom, Business Ownership & Priorities”

27:00 – “Running the Back‑End: What Designers Don’t Talk About”

32:20 – “Designing Joy, Finding the Right Clients & What’s Next”

Connect with Melissa:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/indigoinkinteriors

Website

https://indigoinkinteriors.com/

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

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In this episode of Business Over Cocktails, Payton Moran breaks down the mindset, strategy, and messaging behind successful business pivots. Whether you're shifting your niche, rebranding, or launching a new offer, Payton shares how to move through fear, trust your intuition, and pivot without overthinking. Learn her 6-part messaging framework to clarify your ideal client, articulate your unique value, and create content that converts. If you’ve been stuck in indecision or scared to change directions in your business, this episode is your permission slip to pivot boldly—with clarity, confidence, and a magnetic message that sells.

Episode Highlights:

• Why pivoting in business isn’t a big deal
• The six-part messaging framework that converts
• How to pivot without announcing it
• The difference between solution and transformation
• Using your energy to create magnetic messaging

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction & Why Pivoting Isn’t a Big Deal

02:15 — Understanding the Six‑Part Messaging Framework

07:00 — How to Pivot Without Making a Big Announcement

11:45 — Distinguishing Between Solution vs. Transformation

14:05 — Bringing Your Energy & Unique Positioning into Messaging

Connect with Payton Moran:

IG: Instagram.com/paytonmoran__

Website: https://payton-moran-495e.mykajabi.com/

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
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What happens when the business you built isn't the one you're meant to grow?

In this heartfelt episode, Lauren sits down with Payton Moran, a creative branding strategist who walked away from her first business just months in—right after maternity leave, in the middle of a pandemic, with zero backup plan. What followed was a raw, unexpected pivot that led to a deeply aligned personal brand, a sought-after podcast, and a sold-out women's business conference in the South.

They talk about what it really takes to build a personal brand that feels like you, how to clarify your message without second-guessing everything, and why burnout might just be the beginning of something better. If you're in a season of shifting, questioning, or rebuilding, this conversation is your permission slip to choose differently.

Episode Highlights:

• Quitting her job post-maternity leave and launching a boutique
• Realizing the misalignment and pivoting into branding
• Creating a conference for women entrepreneurs in Alabama
• Embracing her unique voice and letting go of industry “rules”
• Her take on pain point marketing and trust in personal branding

Chapters:

00:01 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

01:06 – The Leap: Quitting Corporate and Starting a Boutique

03:49 – Discovering Branding Through Burnout

10:03 – From Local Events to Launching a Conference

18:31 – Clarifying Your Message & Personal Brand

24:55 – Why She Started Her Podcast & Her Stance on Marketing Trends

35:43 – Hosting with Heart: Behind the Scenes of Her Conference

Connect with Payton Moran:

IG: Instagram.com/paytonmoran__

Website: https://payton-moran-495e.mykajabi.com/

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

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In this short but powerful solo episode on this edition of the Business Chaser, Heidi Schmidt breaks down why chasing social media trends, viral moments, or new platforms like TikTok or Substack may be hurting—not helping—your business. Learn how to create an intentional marketing strategy, repurpose content across platforms, and engage your current audience with purpose. If you're feeling overwhelmed by shiny object syndrome or stuck on follower count goals, this episode offers practical marketing education to help you focus on what really drives results.

Episode Highlights:

• Stop Chasing Trends That Don’t Serve You
• Nurture the Audience You Already Have
• Virality Doesn’t Equal Business Growth
• Assess Platform ROI Before You Commit
• Your Energy and Time Are Business Assets

Chapters:

00:00 Why Most Business Owners Chase the Wrong Metrics

01:50 The Power of Nurturing Your Existing Audience

04:30 What Going Viral Really Gets You

06:45 How to Evaluate Platform ROI Before You Dive In

09:30 Protecting Your Time, Energy, and Marketing Focus

Connect with Heidi:

Website: www.heidijschmidt.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/heidischmidtcreative

IG Hooks Freebie: https://heidischmidtcreative.kit.com/e01c14043e

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
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When Heidi Schmidt lost her job in 2020, she didn’t just pivot—she rewrote the script. In this episode, Heidi shares how she went from laid-off marketing director to six-figure agency owner and now, a candidate for state delegate. We unpack the realities behind the title “marketing strategist,” the emotional toll of burnout in the social media world, and why so many businesses fail before they even get started. From balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship to launching new offers while staying rooted in values, this conversation is a raw look at what it really takes to grow a business and stay true to your purpose.

Episode Highlights:

• Social Media Strategy Is More Than Just Posting
• Time Freedom Is the Real Wealth
• Growth Requires Letting Go
• Marketing Success Comes from Consistency
• Define Success on Your Own Terms

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Heidi’s Story

02:30 What a Marketing Strategist Really Does

11:20 Pivoting After the Pandemic

20:00 Building & Scaling the Agency

27:40 Time Freedom, Boundaries & Burnout

32:45 Launching a Political Campaign & Purpose

48:30 Lessons, What to Unlearn & Final Pride

Connect with Heidi:

Website: www.heidijschmidt.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/heidischmidtcreative

IG Hooks Freebie: https://heidischmidtcreative.kit.com/e01c14043e

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
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Ever wondered what a real week looks like for a mompreneur running multiple businesses? In this solo Business Chaser episode, Lauren Najar pulls back the curtain on her weekly routine as an entrepreneur, podcast host, and mom. She walks you through her typical Monday–Thursday work structure, why Fridays are reserved for family, and how she balances client calls, content planning, and CEO tasks. Lauren shares her favorite business tasks (spoiler: lead generation and spreadsheets), how she structures her call days, and the systems that keep her grounded while juggling ad campaigns, podcasting, retreats, and client work. Whether you're a service-based business owner, coach, or creative trying to build a business that fits your life—not the other way around—this episode is full of relatable insight and actionable structure.

Episode Highlights:

• How Lauren structures her work week as a mom and entrepreneur
• Why she only takes client calls Tuesday through Thursday
• The importance of CEO days and how she uses Mondays for strategy
• Her favorite business tasks (spoiler: it’s not content creation)
• How she balances flexibility with structure in a full schedule
• The unique rhythm of “Danny Fridays” and making time for family
• Behind-the-scenes of running multiple brands, retreats, and events
• Why she believes engagement and relationship-building matter most
• How she sets boundaries around call times and client availability
• What a typical workday really looks like—and why every day is different

Chapters:

Welcome to a Business Chaser Episode – 00:00

Why I Work Monday Through Thursday – 01:10

How I Structure Client Calls and CEO Time – 02:30

What “Danny Fridays” Look Like for Us – 03:45

Favorite Tasks in My Business Week – 06:45

A Look at Today’s Real Schedule – 08:30

Outsourcing vs. What I Personally Handle – 10:15

Balancing Multiple Brands and Projects – 11:30

Why Flexibility with Structure Works Best – 13:00

Final Thoughts and Your Next Steps – 14:30

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
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In this solo episode, Lauren Najar breaks down why traditional objection-handling tactics in sales often miss the mark—especially for coaches, creatives, and service providers. With over a decade of experience in banking and entrepreneurship, she shares how to approach objections with integrity, empathy, and strategy. Learn how to build trust, avoid pushy sales tactics, and create a business where clients feel safe, seen, and ready to say yes.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Lauren no longer uses traditional objection-handling scripts
• The difference between surface-level excuses and real financial objections
• How her banking background shaped her sales philosophy
• What it actually means to build trust before a sales conversation
• Examples of misaligned sales calls that broke trust and lost business
• Why high-pressure tactics often repel high-integrity clients
• Questions you can ask instead of overcoming objections
• The role of content in warming leads and reducing objections
• How to stay in integrity when someone truly can’t afford your offer
• Why follow-ups matter more than slick sales scripts
• A call to shift from convincing to connecting in the sales process

Chapters:

0:00 – Welcome & Rethinking Sales Objections
Lauren sets the stage for a deeper conversation around objections—this isn’t about handling them, but reimagining them.

1:30 – How Banking Shaped Her Sales Philosophy
With a decade in finance, Lauren shares how real-world money conversations changed how she approaches sales.

3:00 – Why Sales Scripts Break Trust
Scripts can turn a real conversation into a robotic pitch—here’s why that’s a problem.

5:45 – Two Sales Calls That Lost the Sale
Real-life examples of how misalignment and poor follow-up can break the buyer journey.

10:00 – Respecting Financial Boundaries in Sales
Lauren explains how to stay in integrity when someone truly can’t afford your offer—and why it matters.

12:30 – Objections Are Feedback, Not Barriers
What to do when you get a “no”—and how to reflect on your own messaging, not just the lead’s mindset.

19:20 – Ask Questions, Don’t Convince
A powerful shift: using thoughtful, non-pushy questions to guide someone through fear and uncertainty.

35:00 – The Follow-Up Is Everything
Why most sales are lost in the lack of follow-up—and a reminder to reconnect even when you assume it’s a no.

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
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Learn how to master podcast guest pitching using the STAR framework with visibility strategist Kim Roy. Discover how authentic visibility, lead generation strategy, and relationship-based outreach help female entrepreneurs grow their brands. This episode explores pitching podcasts, building authority, and using soulful strategy to attract aligned clients and podcast opportunities.

Episode Highlights:

• What Is the STAR Framework for Podcast Pitching?
• Why Visibility Starts with Strategy
• Pitching as Relationship Building
• Energy + Authenticity = Impact
• Staying Consistent with Your Visibility Plan
• Avoiding Common Pitching Mistakes
• Kim’s Free Visibility Guide
  
  
  

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction: Why Podcast Guesting Matters

01:05 – Redefining Pitching as Relationship Building

02:05 – The Two Sides of Pitching: Strategy vs. Energy

03:15 – The STAR Framework Overview

04:35 – S: Strategy – Clarifying Your Messaging & Audience

06:05 – T: Target Research – Finding Aligned Opportunities

07:05 – A: Approach – Personalizing Your Pitch

08:55 – R: Review – Tracking, Following Up & Staying Consistent

11:05 – Final Thoughts: Where Strategy Meets Soul

12:00 – Free Resource: The Visibility Guide

Connect with Kimberly:

• Website: https://pitchwithkim.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchwithkim/#
• Free Resource - 4 Steps to Consistent Lead Generation https://pitchwithkim.myflodesk.com/4-steps
• Book: Deserts to Mountaintops: The Pilgrimage of Motherhood
• Contributing Author Chapter: Grieve With Gratitude https://a.co/d/30HGUJk
• Email: kim@pitchwithkim.com

Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect

🎧 Subscribe & Review:
Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.