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Think you're bad at networking because you hate small talk and scripted elevator pitches? Think again.

In this episode, I’m joined by Matthew Pollard - author, speaker, and self-proclaimed Rapid Growth Guy - to discuss how to make networking easier and more effective by leaning into your natural strengths instead of trying to do things like everyone else.

Matthew breaks down a refreshingly strategic and human-centered approach to networking that’s tailor-made for introverts and extroverts alike.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How to ditch the elevator pitch and use a “unified message” to create curiosity and connection
• How storytelling makes your value crystal clear (without feeling salesy)
• Why trying to appeal to everyone actually waters down your impact
• Why you need both “momentum partners” and “champions” to succeed
• How to uniquely position yourself to build powerful, lasting business relationships

If traditional networking advice has ever made you want to hide in the bathroom - this episode is your permission slip to do things differently.

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Connect with Matthew Pollard and learn more at https://matthewpollard.com or http://theintrovertsedge.com

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Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

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Being your full, unapologetic self isn’t a liability - it’s a strategy.

What if everything you’ve been taught about how to be “professional” is actually holding you back?

In this episode, attorney Lauren Varner shares how she broke free from the outdated stereotypes that often demand women dim their light in order to be taken seriously.

From ponytails and pantyhose to sexy outfits and bold billboards, Lauren’s evolution is a masterclass in what happens when you stop trying to fit in - and start leading with your whole, authentic self.

Together, we unpack what it really means to be professional, why embracing your femininity gives you an advantage in business, and how to deal with the people who just don't get it.

In this episode, we cover:

• How traditional “professionalism” punishes self-expression - especially for women
• What happens when you stop trying to be palatable and allow yourself to be powerful
• The emotional toll of shrinking yourself to make other people more comfortable
• How to handle criticism from mentors, colleagues, or the internet with grace (and fire)
• How typically feminine traits like empathy, vulnerability, and style can be your business superpowers

If you’ve ever been told to tone it down, cover it up, or be less “you” in order to get ahead - this conversation will light a fire in you.

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Learn more about Varner Faddis Elite Legal
• Follow Lauren and Varner Faddis Elite Legal on Instagram

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Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

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It’s not about going viral. It’s about going deeper.

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by my new business bestie, Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch - a platform that connects podcast hosts and guests, to talk about what it really takes to build a podcast that grows your business and your influence - without burning out or giving up.

Alex shares the truth that so many of us have learned the hard way - the best podcasts aren’t always the ones with the most downloads. They’re the ones that create real connection with the right people.

We also discuss:

• The most important questions to ask before starting a podcast
• The truth about vanity metrics - and how to grow without "going viral"
• How podcast hosts can create unique, one-on-one relationships with listeners that feel surprisingly personal despite being one-sided.
• How to simplify your workflow using the "automate, delegate, eliminate" rule

Whether you’re just starting out or feeling overwhelmed by all the “shoulds,” this conversation will help you simplify your approach and stay focused on what actually matters.

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Whether you are a podcast guest/host or an aspiring guest/host, https://podmatch.com/free will give you some quick ideas to help you grow and improve in your podcasting efforts!
• Join PodMatch to find guests for your show or to find shows to be a guest on! It's an incredible resource!

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

Send us a text

Are you living for yourself or for the expectations of others?

In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Jordan, author of Unhappy Achiever: Rejecting the Good Girl Image & Reclaiming the Joy of Inner Fulfillment, to discuss the power of shedding societal expectations and embracing authenticity in life and business.

Ashley shares her transformative journey of self-discovery, offering insights and actionable steps for breaking free from people-pleasing, perfectionism and the patriarchy so you can reconnect with what truly matters.

We discuss:

• The impact of societal, familial, and cultural expectations on women’s lives and businesses.
• How perfectionism creates barriers to joy, self-worth, and genuine relationships.
• Why breaking the rules and releasing the “good girl” image is a game-changer for female entrepreneurs.

This conversation serves as a powerful reminder for women to stand firm and expect to be acknowledged on YOUR terms, challenging traditional paradigms that no longer serve you. If you’re ready to release the weight of external expectations (as well as your own!) and live the life you were meant to live, this episode will inspire and empower you to embrace your perfectly imperfect self!

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Learn more about Ashley: www.ashjordan.com
• Buy the book! www.unhappyachiever.com
• Connect with Ashley on Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

Send us a text

Feeling stuck? Struggling to make a decision? Feeling like you've tried everything and none of it has worked?

It's time to unlock the power of brainstorming to help you find solutions to even the most overwhelming problems.

In this episode, I'm chatting with my friend Lizzy Moffett, a former music teacher turned web designer, to uncover how brainstorming and creative problem-solving can help you get unstuck and make better decisions.

Lizzy shares her journey from education to entrepreneurship and the specific strategies that have helped her (and her clients!) turn challenges into opportunities.

What you’ll learn:

• Tips for how to brainstorm effectively, even when you're overhwelmed
• Simple strategies to spark creativity when you're feeling stuck
• The power of finding the “third option” beyond simple "yes or no" decisions

Whether you’re facing a tough choice or just need a fresh perspective, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and equipped to tackle decisions in your life and in your business with confidence!

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Learn more about Lizzy's web design services: www.lizzymoffettdesigns.com
• Check out Lizzy's networking group for educators turned entrepreneurs: www.e2enetworking.com
• Connect with Lizzy on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

Send us a text

You can’t build a successful business without relationships - and you can’t have relationships without conflict.

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Donna Marino, a licensed clinical psychologist and family business consultant, to talk about one thing most female entrepreneurs avoid (but desperately need to get better at): CONFLICT.

The truth is that your ability to navigate conflict directly impacts your long-term business success. Whether it’s with a client, contractor, collaborator, or vendor, knowing how to stay grounded and handle hard conversations is a leadership skill we all need.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why conflict is a normal and necessary part of doing business
• How emotional dysregulation hijacks your brain - and what to do instead
• How to prep for tough conversations so they don’t spiral into drama
• How to build your "conflict courage muscle"

If you've ever bitten your tongue, avoided an issue, or said “it’s fine” when it really wasn’t - this episode will give you the tools (and the mindset) to handle things differently next time.

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Connect with Dr. Marino on LinkedIn
• Listen to Dr. Marino's Courageous Conflict podcast!

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

Send us a text

If you want to stand out in a crowded market, have clients rave about your work and make more money with less effort - you need a signature framework!

You can have the best intentions, the fanciest website, and all the certifications in the world but if you’re still "winging it" most of the time, you're leaving money and momentum on the table.

In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Walker, former teacher turned “Framework Building Ninja” on a mission to help business owners stop improvising and start delivering consistent, scalable results.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a signature framework actually is—and what it’s not
• The difference between micro frameworks and big-picture methodologies
• The power of specificity: how to sell the problem you solve, not your title
• The "Reverse Design Method" that makes success inevitable for your clients

Whether you're a coach, consultant, strategist, or creative, this episode will change how you think about the way you serve your clients and how you grow your business from here.

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community!
• Check out Amanda's Framework Builder Lab
• Listen to Amanda's Best Damn Coach podcast!

Loved the episode? Here are four ways you can show your support:
1. Buy me a coffee to show your appreciation!
2. Leave a five-star review
3. DM me on Instagram and let me know
4. Share it with a friend!

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.

Send us a text

Showing Up, Being Seen and Getting Out of Your Own Way...

After 100 episodes of Powerful Women Rising, the biggest lessons I learned weren’t about editing or promotions, they were about how I lead, connect with others and show up in the world.

These lessons apply to anyone building something meaningful - especially if you’re working toward consistent six-figure income and want to grow in a way that actually feels good.

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 lessons and behind-the-scenes truths I wish more women talked about - because they’ve changed the way I do business, and they’ll change yours too.

We’ll cover:

✅ Why your voice matters, even when you think no one is listening
✅ The truth about visibility (HINT: They're called vanity metrics for a reason)
✅ How to stop overthinking and start doing
✅ Why consistency is important - but not at the expense of your sanity
✅ How asking better questions transforms your business relationships

Whether you’re just starting out, somewhere in the messy middle, or finally feeling momentum - there’s something in here that’ll hit home and make you think differently about how you show up for yourself, your people and your business.

If this show has helped you in any way...

Please leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify. You can also Buy me a coffee to show your appreciation - it's basically how I survive!

And if you’re craving authentic connection with other women in business, check out our next virtual speed networking event!

Links & References:

• Join us at our next PWR Virtual Speed Networking Event!
• For even deeper connections, check out the Powerful Women Rising Community
• Our Most Popular! Episode #43 - The Elevator Pitch is Dead

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship. She founded the Powerful Women Rising Community, which provides female business owners with essential support and resources for business growth.

Melissa's other mission is to revolutionize networking, promoting authenticity and genuine connections over sleazy sales tactics. She runs an incredible monthly Virtual Speed Networking Event which you can attend once at no cost using the code FIRSTTIME

She lives in Colorado Springs with two dogs, her soul cat Giorgio and any number of foster kittens. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and Threads.