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The Woman-Owned Woman-Operated podcast features the stories of female founders in the process of building a business.

We give a platform for women to share their stories in the different stages of growing their small businesses and bring transparency to the unique challenges women face on this journey. From addressing self-doubt to creating a culture where women help women, we want to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to move forward with confidence and pursue their dreams.

Each episode features an entrepreneur or team of entrepreneurs who own and operate a woman-owned small business. In an interview-style discussion, we dive into personal and professional goals, emotions and motivations behind each small business to understand the different definitions of success.

Season 2 features female founders in the Pittsburgh area.
Listen to the latest episode:

PODCAST EPISODES

 
 
Season Two: Pittsburgh, pA
S2E1: Nisha Blackwell (KNOTZLAND)
S2E1: Nisha Blackwell (KNOTZLAND)

We're in Pittsburgh for Season 2, and in this first episode Rani travels to the Homewood neighborhood to meet Nisha Blackwell, founder or Knotzland Bowties. Surrounded by sewing machines and upcycled fabrics, they discuss sustainable fashion, supporting a changing community, and empowering more women of color to build profitable businesses.

S2E2: Casey Droege (CASEY DROEGE CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS)
S2E2: Casey Droege (CASEY DROEGE CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS)

Rani is in Lawrenceville, one of the largest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh where Casey Droege founded Casey Droege Cultural Productions to build a stronger and more diverse arts community in her city. Hear how Casey helps artists make a living doing what they love, the unique challenges facing female artists and artists of color, and how she sees the future of art evolving and its role in local communities. 

Season One: BOSTON, MA
S1E6: Kristen Lambert (Third Piece)
S1E6: Kristen Lambert (Third Piece)

In this final episode of Season 1 of WOWO Podcast, Rani visits the Third Piece studio in Boston's South End to meet founder Kristen Lambert. After launching her first handmade knitwear collection in 2012, Third Piece designs have become iconic in Boston and beyond. They discuss the highs and lows of growing a business, why she left a promising career in finance, and the burnout that can happen when the product you sell is seasonal.

S1E5: Joan Aylward (ChalkBOS)
S1E5: Joan Aylward (ChalkBOS)

Rani joins Joan Aylward, Chalk Artist and Owner of ChalkBOS. From restaurant menus to murals on the Freedom Trail, Joan is leaving her mark across the city of Boston and beyond. Joan shares her journey from art school to waitressing to becoming an entrepreneur. Learn how brands and businesses use chalk art as a marketing tool, the challenges of scaling a small business when it's dependent on the founder's unique skills, and her advice for young artists just getting started.

S1E4: IRENE LI (MEI MEI)
S1E4: IRENE LI (MEI MEI)

Rani joins Irene Li at her Boston restaurant, Mei Mei. Irene and her siblings launched Mei Mei Street Kitchen food truck in 2013 and turned the concept into a restaurant a few years later with the help of a successful kickstarter campaign. With no formal restaurant training, Irene was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Food & Beverage Category and recognized by the James Beard Foundation. In this episode, they discuss her Chinese-American roots, the challenges and benefits of a family business, and redefining success in the restaurant industry.

S1E3: KACIE CORBELLE (PARACHUTE STUDIOS)
S1E3: KACIE CORBELLE (PARACHUTE STUDIOS)

Rani travels to South Boston to meet make-up artist and hair stylist Kacie Corbelle at her studio space, Parachute Studios. Kacie is an accomplished and creative makeup artist and hair stylist with over 10 years experience. In a service business that solely relies on Kacie's talent and experience, she discusses how she places a value on her time and skills, her journey to working with high-profile clients, and how to scale her business when she can't add more hours to her day.

S1E2: SHELLEY BARANDES (ALBERTINE PRESS)
S1E2: SHELLEY BARANDES (ALBERTINE PRESS)

Rani visits Cambridge, MA to interview Shelley Barandes, Owner and Designer of Albertine Press, a letterpress print and design studio and paper boutique. When not designing wedding invitations, Shelley leads a team of 10 employees in her new retail store, hosts workshops in the studio, and still works the ‘mom hours’ in order to have time with her husband and two young daughters. Learn about how she manages her time, what it was like to transition from a studio to a storefront location, and why community activism plays an important role in her business.

S1E1: Kimberly Huestis (Porcelain and Stone)
S1E1: Kimberly Huestis (Porcelain and Stone)

Rani sits down with Kimberly Huestis, Founder and Designer of Porcelain and Stone in her Somerville, MA studio. Kimberly has handcrafted porcelain jewelry since 2012, and experienced success on sites like Etsy and through an active travel schedule that takes her to markets and shows all over the country. Her designs have caught the eyes of editors at Vogue and designers at Anthropologie, but how does she define success? Learn about her journey to today, intentional design, and what motivates her to get through the toughest days as an entrepreneur.