In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Beth Thornton, Customer Success leader and founder of CS Thrive, a growing LinkedIn community built for CSMs, by CSMs. Beth shares how losing her job in early 2025 became the catalyst for building the space she wished existed — a judgment-free community where CSMs can ask real questions, seek support, and learn from each other.They dive into how customer success is evolving, why community is becoming a core pillar of CX, and how Beth has grown her visibility on LinkedIn while juggling consulting, leadership, and launching a niche community.You’ll hear about: • Why CSMs are turning to community support • Moving CS Thrive from Circle to LinkedIn • Beth’s exact content strategy (and why 1 post/week worked) • The emotional side of customer success nobody talks about • How community + CX + customer success tie together • What founders must understand about retention, lifecycle, and customer journeys • Why perfectionism holds so many CSMs back — and how Beth unlearned itChapters00:00 Intro and meeting Beth Thornton01:20 What CS Thrive is and who it’s for03:10 Why customer success managers need community05:40 Building the community she couldn’t find08:00 Moving from Circle to LinkedIn10:30 What happened after the LinkedIn pivot12:30 Simple LinkedIn content strategy that works15:20 Why personal content gets more engagement17:40 Keeping a LinkedIn community active19:40 Using “plants” to spark conversation21:20 Collaboration and community growth23:00 Customer success skills that translate to community25:10 Advice for founders building community27:30 Letting go of perfection29:00 Best advice: shut up and listen30:40 What’s next for Beth and CS Thrive32:00 Where to find Beth and closingWhether you’re a customer success manager, CX leader, community builder, consultant, or founder, this conversation gives tactical insight into the future of customer relationships, the rise of community-led CSM, and how to build authority on LinkedIn without burning out.📌 Connect with Beth on LinkedIn: / bethgross or Instagram: / c.s.thrive 🪩 Subscribe to the Community Made Newsletter communitymade.substack.com

In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Haley Thomas — new mom, entrepreneur, founder of The Passion Pursuit, and the new owner of Camp Climb — to talk about the real journey of motherhood, entrepreneurship, community building, and buying a business while raising a baby.

Haley shares how becoming a mom reshaped her identity, deepened her “why,” and pushed her to grow two businesses with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. Ingrid and Haley also break down what it looks like to scale a business during early motherhood, make aligned decisions, and build community that actually converts in a world craving real connection.

What's in this episode

• How Haley bought Camp Climb during pregnancy
• The reality of motherhood and entrepreneurship (the identity shift no one prepares you for)
• Why community building is the foundation of long-term business growth
• Transitioning from one business to two without burning out
• Choosing the right tools and platforms as a founder
• Preparing your business for maternity leave as a solo entrepreneur
• How new moms can rebuild confidence and momentum
• Why relationships matter more than algorithms in 2025

Chapters00:00 Intro & reunion00:40 New baby update03:00 Buying Camp Climb06:00 Making scary-but-aligned decisions08:00 First investment & finding community11:30 Power of relationships14:00 How her two businesses connect16:00 Community-building before the event20:00 Future of Camp Climb22:00 Motherhood & entrepreneurship26:00 Efficiency after becoming a mom27:30 Funniest new-mom moment31:00 Platforms she loves (and unsubscribed from)34:30 Advice for founders feeling behind39:30 Preparing for maternity leave42:00 Final thoughts

If you're a mom and entrepreneur (or know someone) navigating a big transition, or someone scaling a business while trying to stay connected to your purpose, this episode will give you clarity, strategy, and a reminder that you’re not behind — you’re evolving.

✨ Subscribe to Community Made

✨ Connect with Haley on Instagram and check out her website to learn more about The Passion Pursuit and Camp Climb

In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Jessie Jaskulsky for an update on her surrogacy support community — a space she built because she didn’t want anyone to go through the journey alone.

Jessie shares what’s changed since launching, how her community continues to grow, and why she ultimately moved from Skool to Circle to better support intended parents. She talks about the realities of leading a sensitive-topic community, the free trial mistake she wishes she avoided, and how consistency, trust, and small daily actions make the biggest impact.

They also dive into the emotional side of surrogacy support, how Jessie blends consulting with community building, what she’s creating next for parents before and after baby, and the importance of choosing a platform that truly matches your members’ needs. If you're comparing platforms, supporting a vulnerable audience, or wanting a behind-the-scenes look at community building inside Circle, this conversation will give you clarity and direction.

You’ll hear about:

• Why surrogacy can feel isolating and how community shifts everything
• Jessie’s update on growing her Circle-based support space
• Moving from Skool → Circle
• The feature differences that matter most
• The free trial mistake Jessie won’t make again
• Building trust through content and DMs
• The emotional labor of supporting intended parents
• How Jessie blends consulting, groups, and community
• Supporting parents before, during, and after baby
• What she’s building next inside her community

📬 Stay ConnectedCommunity Made NewsletterLearn More About Jessie and Surrogacy Simplified

What would you build if the community you needed didn’t exist yet?In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Jonathan Roque, creator of Latino Owned, the fast-growing newsletter spotlighting founders and creators. Jonathan shares how his parents’ story, their jewelry shop, and his own career in tech shaped the movement he’s building today.In this conversation:- How Latino Owned really started- Growing up in a family business (his “second home”)- The deeper “why” behind Latino entrepreneurship- Feeling alone while rebuilding and deciding to build community- LinkedIn visibility + creator strategy- Finding your voice when you’re the only one in the roomIf you’re a founder or creator craving more connection in your work, this one will hit home.📌 Subscribe to Latino Owned: latinoownednewsletter.com/ 📌 Subscribe to Community Made: communitymade.substack.com

What does real financial freedom look like, especially when you didn’t grow up talking about money?

In this episode, I sit down with Janelle Quinn, a retired Air Force veteran, mom of two, and founder of Empowered Investor and 3FIVE Wealth, to unpack the exact plan, mindset, and community support that helped her turn $60K into a multi-million-dollar portfolio.

We talk about:

• How she joined the Air Force with her twin sister and learned discipline early
• The money mindset that changed everything
• How she planned, budgeted, and invested her way to financial freedom
• Building wealth as a mom, a veteran, and an entrepreneur
• Why community and mentorship matter more than people realize
• The reality of FIRE (financial independence, retire early)
• Teaching kids about money, investing, and ownership
• Why comparing yourself financially holds you back
• What to do if you feel “behind” on wealth
• How she started the Three Five Wealth Community to help others build smart, intentional money habits
• Making money decisions with discipline instead of fear

If you’ve ever wondered how everyday people build real wealth or if you feel like you should be further along, this conversation will change the way you think about money, planning, and community in like and business.

🔗 Connect with Janelle

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What happens when the things you’re obsessed with as a kid end up shaping your entire life?Today’s episode is the definition of the perfect snowball effect and it started at just 11 years old for Kaitlynn .

Kaitlynn Blyth, founder of Happy Day Play, shares the full-circle story of how reading What to Expect as a kid, loving developmental milestones, and paying attention to the “little things” turned into a fast-growing business helping families connect through play, curiosity, and community.

We talk about:

• Why our childhood interests are often the first clues to our purpose
• How she grew Happy Day Play from a blog → to social → to full classes
• The moment a video went viral and changed everything
• The power of following your gut (even when it feels wild)
• Why parents are the real experts on their kids
• The role community plays in early childhood and family wellbeing
• And what’s next as she explores franchising Happy Day Play

This episode is a reminder that nothing is random and that every step, bump, or opportunity no matter how small play a role in your journey. And sometimes, your snowball starts rolling long before you ever realize it.

Follow Kaitlynn: ⁠instagram.com/happydayplay/⁠

Follow Ingrid: ⁠instagram.com/growwithcommunity/

⁠Subscribe to Community Made: communitymade.substack.com

In this episode of Community Made, Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with sustainability strategist and Nest Earth founder Gabi Fiorentino to talk about what it really means to build authentic connection in an AI-driven world.

Ingrid and Gabi talk about:

• The viral “Is the Internet Dead?” theory and what it means for creators
• Why in-person experiences and hybrid communities matter more than ever
• How Gabi’s community helps parents raise healthier, eco-conscious families
• The future of social media as digital business cards and curated communities

Connect with Gabi:

• nestearth.com
• instagram.com/nestearthco/
• linkedin.com/in/gabriela-fiorentino/

📬 Subscribe to Community Made for more real, unfiltered conversations about building community and connection in business and life.

A real conversation about leaving corporate life, redefining success, and building a business rooted in connection.

In this episode, Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with Natalie Madrigal, founder of Perfect Your CX, to talk about her leap from corporate life into entrepreneurship—and how she helps businesses grow through human connection, client experience, and community.

We explore:

• Why client retention is your most powerful growth tool
• How community and CX work together to create loyalty
• What “people-first” really means in business
• The truth about AI and authenticity
• What it looks like to build success on your own terms

Questions you might be asking (and we answer):

• How do you turn satisfied clients into loyal advocates?

• Can CX and community actually fuel growth together?

• How do you balance structure with freedom as a founder?

• What does “building on your own terms” look like in practice?

  
  

Connect with Natalie: @perfectyourcx

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