Martha Cantos is the owner of Ecugreen, a Ventura-based retail store that sells artisan, handmade goods.  Martha began her career in early childhood education, and soon transferred her passion for community and service when she decided to start her own business. Now, Martha runs two physical locations in Downtown Ventura, each filled with quality, purposeful products with a story.  Listen to hear Martha talk about the importance of resiliency as a small business owner, how to build meaningful relationships with artisans, and why it’s important to always have a support system.  P ..read more

Renee Grubb is the owner of Village Properties, a locally owned and operated real estate brokerage based in Santa Barbara.  Renee began her career flipping homes and soon worked her way to upper management. But once she saw an opportunity to start and run her own company, she took it.  Listen to Renee talk about what makes a good realtor, how to thrive in the competitive real estate industry, and how mentorship is key to standing out.  Please enjoy this talk with Renee Grubb.  Want more business inspiration? Follow Charting Her Course on social media and subscribe to the Pa ..read more

Laura Fullilove is the founder and CEO of the Salt Ranch, a Ventura-based brand that specializes in apparel inspired by the old west, especially custom-made hats!  If you’re from Ventura, you’ve probably seen Laura’s hats worn by everyone, everywhere. But what most don’t know is that her business started after recovering from a traumatic brain injury. After realizing that there would be no second chance to pursue her passion, Laura fully committed to forming a business that gave her joy and paid an homage to her roots.  Listen to Laura’s path to becoming one of Ventura’s most beloved ..read more

Kelley Scanlin is the Founder and CEO of Pure Simple Foods, a natural food manufacturing company based in Ojai with brands like Lark Ellen Farm, Banner Road Baking and Purely Sprouted under their belt.  Kelley used her experience building teams for global companies to scale her own business. From a pitched tent at the Ojai farmer's market to competing with bigger brands in grocery store aisles, Pure Simple Foods is quickly turning into a fan favorite. Listen to Kelley talk about why sticking to your values is key to leading a successful business, how to find funding when your business isn ..read more

Melissa Hanson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Kelpful, a wild-harvest seaweed company based in San Luis Obispo.  Melissa has always been passionate about social change and environmental impact, so when the opportunity to wild harvest seaweed cropped up, she and her team took the chance to share it with others.  Now, Kelpful is a growing worker-owned business with a mission to help others acquire seaweed and learn more about its benefits.  Listen to Melissa talk about how wild harvesting seaweed can help mitigate climate change and what you need to hear before starting your mission ..read more

Cynthia Torres is the Founder & CEO of New Dawn Counseling & Consulting Inc., a mental health service space based in Oxnard. Originally from Colombia, Cynthia is a licensed family & marriage counselor with deep entrepreneurial roots. Now, New Dawn has 20 employees with more than 1500 individual clients and counting. Keep listening to find out more about Cynthia's business journey and how being an entrepreneur has become the biggest adventure of her life. Don't forget to subscribe and rate! Instagram: @chartinghercourse FB: Charting Her Course Podcast ..read more

Nicki Parr is the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at Women's Economic Ventures (WEV). She joined WEV in April 2018 to jumpstart business recovery and resiliency programs following the Thomas Fire and Montecito Debris Flow. Listen as she gives advice on what small businesses can do to stay afloat during COVID, including information on loans, services and resources ..read more

Sarah McCarthy Garcia is the Vice President of McCarthy Companies, a family-run real estate development and construction company based in Ventura. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Sarah got into the family business and is now one of four principals who direct the company’s expansion into even more upscale projects. Listen as she talks about being a woman in a male dominated industry, what it’s like working with family, and navigating new motherhood. She has deep roots in the Central Coast community and also happens to be a great friend of mine. Please enjoy this talk with Sarah McCarthy ..read more

Caleigh Hernandez is the founder & CEO of RoHo Goods. RoHo works with local artisans across Kenya to produce ethically-sourced products such as sandals, handbags and jewelry. RoHo’s mission is to create opportunities for their artisans through providing jobs that pay well above industry standards and ensuring that their children have access to quality education. Listen as Caleigh talks about how a trip to a local market led her to start her own business, and how working closely with women artisans shaped RoHo’s commitment to female economic development ..read more

Bridget Foreman is a Partner at Barlett, Pringle & Wolf, an accounting firm based in Santa Barbara, California.  In the beginning of her career, Bridget was a new and expecting mother who knew she wanted to be a successful accountant and a primary parent to her two children. Flash forward to current day, and not only did Bridget achieve those two goals, but she is currently one of five female partners at BPW.  Listen to discover how Bridget built the life she's always wanted, the ins and outs of choosing public accounting as a career, and why it's always a good idea to ask f ..read more