In this episode, Julie Cole—co-founder of Mabel's Labels—shares the real, behind-the-scenes journey of building a product-based business from a basement startup to a category leader. What began as a simple solution to a frustrating everyday problem turned into a thriving company powered by innovation, word-of-mouth marketing, and a deep understanding of moms as consumers. Julie opens up about the early days of testing products, navigating e-commerce before it was mainstream, and building a business alongside three co-founders—all while raising a growing family. She highlights the power of community, both as a customer base and as a support system, and how partnerships can provide not just shared risk, but shared resilience.

Julie also dives into the evolution of leadership, personal branding, and what it really takes to grow a sustainable business. From learning when to delegate and hire the right people, to stepping out of day-to-day operations, she offers honest insights into scaling without losing your vision. She reflects on her transition into becoming the face of the brand, an author, and a speaker, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connection in today's digital world. The conversation wraps with a powerful perspective on empowerment—tuning out societal noise, trusting your own path, and quieting the "brain gremlins" that try to hold you back.

Connect with Julie:
Website: www.mabelslabels.com
LinkedIn: Julie Cole, LLB, MA
Instagram: @mabelslabels | @juliecoleinc

Let's keep the conversation going!
Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk

Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest

Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, communications expert Amy Reczek shares her journey from a background in psychology and the arts to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author. She discusses the evolution of her career over seventeen years in sales, which eventually led her to "walk away" from corporate life to create a more fulfilling path centered on the human element of connection. Amy introduces her "BREW" methodology—Be the moment, Raise confidence, Engage, and What about the crap—a framework designed to help professionals uplevel their communication by focusing on micro-moments and authentic presence in every business interaction.

The conversation also dives into the modern landscape of business tools, specifically the role of AI in professional communication. Amy emphasizes that while AI is a phenomenal tool for structure and efficiency, it should never replace a person's unique voice; she advocates for a balanced approach where technology supports, rather than dictates, human connection. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights from Amy's new book, Connect to Close, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be an empowered, centered professional in today's fast-paced world.

Connect with Amy:
Website: www.salesandpresence.com
LinkedIn: Amy Reczek

Let's keep the conversation going!
Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk

Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest

Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking

In this episode, we have a conversation with Nancy Li Smith, founder of Boop and a seasoned AI product leader with experience at Meta and Microsoft, to explore how her global upbringing and deep tech background led her to reimagine the way we plan travel. Nancy shares the inspiration behind Boop, sparked during her honeymoon in Venice, where she realized how fragmented and time-consuming travel planning can be. By combining AI with personal travel data, Boop transforms everyday memories—like photos and notes—into instantly shareable, bookable itineraries, making it easier for friends to discover, customize, and actually commit to trips together.

Nancy also dives into the bigger vision behind Boop: empowering women to monetize their travel experiences and shift a portion of the massive travel economy back into their hands. She opens up about the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the importance of mentorship and community, and how building from a female lens is shaping both the product and its impact. This conversation is a powerful blend of innovation, storytelling, and purpose—highlighting how lived experiences can become valuable assets in creating meaningful, scalable change.

Connect with Nancy:
Website: www.boopwithme.com
Instagram: @nancylistyle | @boopwithme

Let's keep the conversation going!
Website: www.martaspirk.com
Instagram: @martaspirk
Facebook: Marta Spirk

Want to be my next guest on The Empowered Woman Podcast?
Apply here: www.martaspirk.com/podcastguest

Watch my TEDx talk: www.martaspirk.com/Speaking