Celebrate the spirit of innovation and resilience as we spotlight remarkable female entrepreneurs making waves following National Entrepreneurship Month. From diverse industries and backgrounds, these trailblazers share a common thread of determination, vision, and transformative leadership. In this exclusive roundup, get to know the inspiring stories of women who have defied conventions, founded thriving businesses, and made substantial contributions to their respective fields. From disrupting traditional models to forging new paths, each entrepreneur brings a unique perspective to the world of business.
In the spirit of community and learning, we’d like to highlight the impactful work of Heather Holmes [formally DeSantis], a mom and entrepreneur, and the CEO and Founder of Publicity For Good for rounding up these amazing leaders. As the head of a communications firm, Heather is dedicated to partnering with purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are committed to making the world a better place. Publicity For Good takes a disruptive approach to publicity and media relations, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Learn more about Heather’s work and explore the world of purpose-driven entrepreneurship at Publicity For Good.
Now, let’s dive into the lives and work of these remarkable entrepreneurs and join us in acknowledging and applauding their achievements, showcasing the power of female entrepreneurship in driving meaningful change and fostering growth.
Wendy Mackenzie Pease
Owner and President of Rapport International
Words for Entrepreneurs
Remember that in the chaos of life – All is Well. You are exactly where you are meant to be right now.
Wendy MacKenzie Pease, President of Rapport International, heads a top-tier language services firm specializing in global translation and interpretation. With an MBA from Dartmouth and a BA from Penn State, Wendy is a versatile professional—speaker, author, and advisor. Collaborating with diverse companies, she facilitates communication across 200+ languages. As an active board member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Boston, Wendy’s global influence is substantial. Having lived in Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines, she passionately connects diverse cultures, emphasizing shared humanity. Author of “The Language of Global Marketing” and host of the Global Marketing Show podcast, Wendy explores multilingual lead generation intricacies. Rapport International excels in precise, culturally tailored communication, ensuring customer acquisition in 200+ languages. Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, the company provides strategic guidance for global growth. Explore Wendy’s work and Rapport International at www.RapportTranslations.com.
Schenae Rourk
Principal of Redwood Resources
Words for Entrepreneurs
This too shall pass.
Schenae Rourk, President and CEO of Redwood Resources, renowned in management consulting for 25+ years, guides entities in transportation and infrastructure projects. Recognized as the “SBE/DBE whisperer,” she offers strategic assistance in procurement processes. Ms. Rourk actively contributes to the small business community, holding advisory roles and receiving accolades for her advocacy. As the volunteer President for NAWBO-CA, she received the 2021 WTS-LA Rosa Parks Diversity Award and the 2022 COMTO Diversity Award. Appointed to the LAEDC Executive Board and CalOSBA Entrepreneur Task Force, Ms. Rourk continues to advocate for business equity, embodying resilience. Explore her work at http://www.redwoodresources.net/.
Tracy Marlowe
Owner of Creative Noggin
Words for Entrepreneurs
Embrace diversity within your organization. Companies that champion those with diverse backgrounds will benefit from diversity of thought, experience and perspective. Your company and your clients will reap the rewards of unique ideation, multifaceted problem solving and creative solutions.
I own Creative Noggin, a mission-driven marketing and branding company founded in 2008 as a fully remote agency. Our mission is to empower smart, passionate women to thrive in both their work and personal lives. Motivated by the challenges faced by women in balancing careers and family, I built Creative Noggin to offer a family-first work environment. Our culture supports and empowers women, recognizing their boundless potential and positive impact. Over the years, with numerous awards and satisfied clients, Creative Noggin remains woman-owned, woman-empowered, and women-run. We continue to thrive, demonstrating that a flexible, human-centered workplace benefits both employees and business. Learn more about us at https://www.creativenoggin.com/.
Brooke Loesby
Founder of LawLifeCoach
Words for Entrepreneurs
Growth does not happen inside of our comfort zone. As entrepreneurs, we have a duty to push boundaries, take risks, and be bold.
Brooke is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of attorneys and fostering positive environments within law firms. Through the Law Life Coach process, she assists motivated attorneys in building their books, transitioning to their ideal roles, and exploring alternative legal careers. If you’re ready to take charge of your career, legacy, and purpose, Brooke is here to guide you. Her expertise extends to legal recruiting, transition planning, and providing recommendations on hiring, retention, firm culture, benefits, onboarding practices, structure, and roles. With a JD from Pepperdine Law School, Brooke draws on her legal background, having worked at Akin Gump and Quinn Emanuel before transitioning to legal counseling at Loyola Law School. Besides living her dream life, Brooke enjoys activities like hiking, vegetarian cooking, paddleboarding, and meditation. Explore more of her work at http://lawlifecoach.com/.
Shivani Gupta
Speaker, Business Coach and Author
Words for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs work 24-7 so they don’t have to work 9 to 5. Believe in yourself, your network is your net worth, keep learning, design life the way you want it, and leave a legacy
Shivani is a Keynote Speaker, Business Coach, and Author. Hailing from India and becoming the first woman in her lineage to work, Shivani moved to Australia at age 11, cherishing the opportunities she’s been afforded. Her mission, driven by a deep sense of gratitude, is to empower business leaders and small to medium-business owners to scale, inspire their teams, and prioritize mental wellness. With over 21 years of entrepreneurial experience, Shivani has addressed audiences in 18 countries, coached over 1500 global leaders, and authored 8 books, with a 9th in progress. Demonstrating her expertise, she has successfully scaled multiple businesses to over $1M, recently achieving a noteworthy exit after growing a business from $0 to $5M. Learn more about Shivani at https://www.askshivani.com/.
Olga Bashkatova
Founder of NextStage Advisory LLC.
Words for Entrepreneurs
Turn your accounting weakness into a superpower. Take the time to sit with your accountant on a monthly basis, learn how to analyze your business’s financial health, and start using financials for future planning instead of just reviewing the past.
Olga Bashkatova is a certified public accountant and the visionary founder of NextStage Advisory LLC, based in Austin, Texas. Specializing in providing monthly accounting services and CFO-level insights to startups and growing businesses, including those in the crypto and blockchain industries, Olga boasts over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. With a mission to give leaders the freedom to focus on their vision, NextStage Advisory promises precision in every number and power in every decision. Olga encourages turning accounting weaknesses into superpowers by engaging in monthly discussions with accountants, learning to analyze financial health, and utilizing financials for future planning. Beyond her professional endeavors, Olga hosts Crypto Mondays Austin, a meetup fostering knowledge exchange and opportunities in the crypto and blockchain space. Check out her newsletter “Business Sense Without the BS” on LinkedIn, and for more information, visit www.NextStageAdvisoryLLC.com
Jane Hales
Founder of Part of The Team, Co-Founder of Sapio Research
Words for Entrepreneurs
You’ll be surprised what you can achieve if you push yourself out of your comfort zone, have a bit of a plan and just keep plugging away. Hard work, being prepared for opportunities as they come at you and an enquiring mindset can deliver surprising returns, even if it’s just a change of mindset to enable you to appreciate what you have.
With over 30 years in Market Research, Jane Hales is a seasoned professional who not only established two successful research agencies but also coaches business leaders. Under her transformative leadership, Sapio Research achieved rapid success, earning Recommended Agency Register status within five months and winning the UKBA Professional Services Award 2020. Jane’s latest venture, Part of the Team, offers virtual market research assistants to enhance businesses, allowing insight professionals to focus on strategic initiatives. Through her role as Accelerator Chair for the London Board of the Entrepreneurs Organization, she doubles Sapio Research’s revenue in 18 months, showcasing her commitment to supporting small businesses. Learn more at https://partofthe.team/.
Janine Zappini
Founder of Empowered Parents Unlocked
Words for Entrepreneurs
Embrace the challenges, for within them lies the canvas of opportunity. As an entrepreneur, each obstacle is a stroke of resilience, and every setback is a chance to paint a more vibrant success story. Dare to dream, persevere with passion, and watch your entrepreneurial spirit create a masterpiece of innovation and achievement.
Janine Zappini, an award-winning entrepreneur, transforms personal and professional development with a groundbreaking approach, challenging traditional growth concepts. Her focus on empowering parents begins with mindset transformation, blending personal and business development with lifestyle coaching. As the founder of Empowered Parents Unlocked, Janine reaches a global audience through training workshops, online courses, and business programs. Drawing from her experiences as a single mom, global business trainer, educator, and coach, she enriches lives with her book series, “Empowered Parents Unlocked.” With a Foreword by Verne Harnish, the series explores parenting psychology and mindset, offering practical tools for self-empowerment. Janine extends her impact through a podcast and workshops, facilitating insightful discussions, expert interviews, and structured experiences. Empowered Parents Unlocked serves as a beacon for harmonizing personal and professional life, providing guidance and expertise. Explore more at www.janinezappini.com.
Catherine Kuo
Broker and partner at Engel and Volkers
Words for Entrepreneurs
“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” -Zig Ziglar
Catherine “Cathey” Kuo, a seasoned commercial real estate broker, investor, and entrepreneur, brings over a decade of expertise in leasing and sales, real estate investing, and 1031 exchanges, coupled with a strong background in business development and strategy. As the Broker and a Partner at Engel & Volkers Las Vegas, and a Forbes Business Council writer, Cathey combines her intuitive understanding of clients’ real estate needs with a passion for helping entrepreneurs and investors achieve their dreams and build wealth. With a focus on serving underrepresented communities, particularly women and minorities, Cathey, a living example of the American Dream, began her real estate journey alongside her mother at a young age. Actively engaged in the Las Vegas community, Cathey is not only dedicated to brokering deals but also supports local businesses and charities. Explore her work at https://elitecommercialre.com/ and https://lasvegasspringvalley.evrealestate.com/.
Rosanna Berardi
Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law
Words for Entrepreneurs
Say “yes” to every opportunity; it doesn’t matter whether you feel qualified or not. You never know which doors will open by saying yes. Make time for learning—read, watch, learn. You can’t be an expert if you’re in a vacuum! Know your numbers, inside and out.
In 2005, Rosanna Berardi embarked on an audacious journey, leaving a prestigious big-firm job to establish her immigration law venture. From a small apartment office with just one client, she has grown Berardi Immigration Law into an award-winning, multinational, full-service firm, serving thousands of global clients across industries. As the Managing Partner, Rosanna, a first-generation Italian-American, envisions her firm as the “Disney of Immigration Law,” prioritizing an exceptional client experience through proactive service. With a background as a former Immigration Inspector and Trial Attorney, she stays abreast of immigration trends, benefitting her clients. Certified as a woman-owned business, Berardi Immigration Law received the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award from Women Owned Law in March 2020. Despite her leadership, Rosanna values work-life balance, dedicating time to family and personal pursuits. Explore more about her practice at https://berardiimmigrationlaw.com/.
Honoring National Entrepreneurship Month we reflect on the journey of these visionary women who have exemplified the essence of entrepreneurial spirit. Their stories inspire and highlight the diverse landscape of innovation and leadership. From creating revolutionary businesses to championing social impact, these entrepreneurs have left an indelible mark on their industries. As we celebrate their achievements, let their experiences serve as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing the limitless possibilities when passion meets perseverance. May their stories continue to motivate and empower, reinforcing the belief that entrepreneurship knows no bounds. Here’s to the trailblazers, the risk-takers, and the change-makers who redefine what’s possible.