When John Samuel realized he was losing his vision, he started to hide from others and from himself. He knew what was happening, but he didn’t want to admit it. His journey from embarrassment and fear to accepting his disability as a superpower took over 20 years. And then…John found an opportunity to see once…

Courtney and Dana unpack last week’s episode (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) with Abbie Nwaocha from For Her Empire. They talk about lying on their resumes (and who would be willing to lie as a reference), why it sucks to hear criticism, and who would be on their personal Board of Directors (Sara Blakely, are you…

Abbie Nwaocha’s career path started, as she puts it, “because my mom stopped sending me money.”  She was a Nigerian in Kenya, a place where she had no relatives and no immediate skills, and she had already failed many times. With no money and no prospects for the future, Abbie was forced to hustle hard…

In today’s episode, we reflect back on 2021 – it was a crazy and in many ways unexpected year. And we set our personal and professional goals for 2022. What are your goals for 2022? Share this episode along with your goals on instagram, and tagging @hustleandgather, and we’ll share in our stories. Cheers to…

Courtney and Dana unpack last week’s episode (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) with Inez Ribustello, author of Life After Windows and owner or Tarboro Brewing Company.  They talk about why it’s ok for their kids to swear, when they can stop caring about other people’s opinions, and what books they would write (and maybe one day…

In September 2001, Inez Ribustello was the Beverage Director for Windows on the World, located on the 106th and 107th floors of the World Trade Center North Tower.  When she flew home for her sister’s wedding, she hugged all her friends at work and said she’d see them in a week. But she would never…

Courtney and Dana unpack last week’s episode with publicist Melinda Jackson (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) and her unique approach to public relations, brand consulting, and life in general, including: What’s an Eff-You Fund? What would life and entrepreneurship be like sigle and kid-free? What does it mean to manifest fire?   Transcript Dana: And they…

When Melinda Jackson graduated from college, it was time to move to Los Angeles to get out of North Carolina and onto a bigger stage. But she knew no one, had no job, and had to pay someone $500 to share a room (where she slept on the floor).  But she hustled, had three jobs…

Courtney and Dana unpack last week’s episode with Jess Ekstrom (Apple Podcasts | Spotify), discussing the different seasons of their business and what it means to them personally and professionally. Plus, why starting your second business is scarier than starting your first, why success is situational, and enjoying the journey rather than the outcome. Transcript…

Jess Ekstrom started Headbands of Hope back in college, and the demand was more than she could have ever imagined. With the success of her first business comes expectations for her follow-up chapters.  So how has she responded?  Plus, Jess talks about why everyone should create 100-year goals and why you should celebrate the parts…