In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lotus Buckner, founder and CEO of HLB Talent Solutions and author of The Joy of HR. Lotus is a dynamic leader in the human resources field with experience spanning corporate environments, startups, and everything in between. Her insights on HR's evolution and intentional leadership are essential for understanding today’s workplace.

Lotus’s path to HR began during college when she stumbled upon a management and HR concentration. After taking her first HR class, she discovered her passion and launched a career that has spanned nonprofits, healthcare, universities, and startups. Her first role at a nonprofit hospital turned into an 11-year journey where she advanced from intern to head of HR, managing significant growth and leading efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her experiences have shaped her understanding of how HR functions differ across industries. From resource-heavy corporations to scrappy startups, she emphasizes how organizations require distinct approaches to people management. This adaptability is a key theme in her book.

In larger organizations, HR often revolves around specialization, with leaders focusing on well-defined roles. In contrast, startups demand versatility and a generalist mindset, with employees wearing multiple hats. Lotus embraced this shift when she transitioned to leading HR for Chowbus, a food delivery tech startup. She describes startups as spaces where creativity and adaptability are paramount, which prepared her to establish her consulting business.

During her corporate career, Lotus often encountered leaders who viewed HR as the solution to culture change. She notes, however, that true cultural shifts require the engagement of everyone in the organization, not just HR.

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

I love to bring back great guests to our podcast, On the Brink with Andi Simon. Recently, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Nori Jabba, an insightful author, speaker, and advocate for empowering women through their communication skills. With her extensive experience and deep understanding of the challenges women face in leadership roles, Nori's insights are invaluable. In 2023, she joined our podcast to discuss her groundbreaking first book, Keeping Your Seat at the Table, which shed light on the unique obstacles women face in leadership and offered actionable strategies to overcome them.

Now she has a chapter in a new book, OWN YOUR STORY that is available today on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, among others. Her chapter is about how women have to go beyond finding their voice to mastering that voice.

During our conversation, Nori shared her journey, highlighting the importance of resilience, confidence, and, most notably, the power of voice. Her work encourages women not only to find their voice but also to master it. This mastery, Nori argues, is essential for women to lead and influence others effectively. Her current research focuses on how the way women speak directly affects how they are perceived, heard, and followed in professional settings, providing practical strategies for improvement.

One of the key takeaways from our discussion was Nori's exploration of "verbal mastery." Her latest work emphasizes that it's not just about speaking up but mastering how we communicate. Verbal mastery goes beyond just having a voice at the table. It's about how women can manage or lead depending on how they verbally present themselves—whether they speak with authority or empathy or engage others confidently or openly. This work is particularly relevant in today's professional world, where effective communication is one key essential to a woman's success.

In her chapter, Nori explains that verbal mastery matters in leadership because people hear what they want to hear. When women speak, others are constantly evaluating whether they trust them, whether they'll follow them, and whether they believe in what they're saying. The challenge for women leaders is to recognize this dynamic and adapt their communication accordingly, not only to be heard but also to inspire trust and command respect.

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD
CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kimber Maderazzo, a remarkable leader whose journey through the Beauty and Cosmetics industry is nothing short of inspiring. Kimber's story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unyielding drive to succeed despite daunting challenges.

Kimber's career spans over 25 years in the Beauty and Cosmetics industry, a field where she has worn many hats—from starting out at a makeup counter at the age of 14 to eventually finding herself in the boardroom of the world's leading acne brand. Her path was not linear or easy, but it was driven by a clear vision and a love for what she does.
Kimber has consistently delivered innovation-driven revenue growth throughout her career in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Fortune-ranked companies. She has successfully defended against industry giants with significantly larger budgets, staged an 8-point market share comeback, and modernized business models to resonate with younger audiences, resulting in a nine-digit top-line impact. These achievements are not just numbers on a balance sheet—they are milestones that reflect Kimber's deep understanding of market dynamics and her ability to anticipate and adapt to changes. One of the most notable aspects of Kimber's career is her success in developing global expansion strategies, particularly in the lucrative Mexican and Chinese markets. This international perspective indicates Kimber's broader approach to business—one that is calculated, focused, and always focused on the long-term impact.

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While many in the business world often rush to achieve academic credentials early in their careers, Kimber's journey was different. She earned her MBA in her 40s, long after she had already begun making significant contributions to her industry. Kimber's journey is a powerful reminder that success is not tied to a specific timeline. Her experience shows that talent, hard work, and a willingness to take calculated risks can propel you forward, even if you need to follow the traditional path.
Kimber's story particularly resonates with those who may feel like they are "late bloomers." Her message is clear: it is never too late to pursue your goals, and you should always appreciate the value of your experiences, no matter when they occur in your life.

Reach out and contact us if you want to become a woman entrepreneur with a business that has both great profits and significance. Let's Talk!

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

In a recent episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I welcomed Ilene Rosenthal, the visionary CEO and founder of Footsteps2Brilliance, an educational technology company redefining early literacy and financial education for students across the U.S. Ilene and I explored how technology is revolutionizing the education sector, enabling transformative learning opportunities that bridge gaps and engage students in innovative ways.

Bringing Education into the Fifth Industrial Revolution

Ilene’s journey led her to create “Learn With Me,” the first transmedia educational program, eventually nominated for an Emmy. This innovation bridged educational media and interactive learning, setting the foundation for Footsteps2Brilliance. With her extensive background, Ilene has scaled her vision nationwide, serving over a million children to date. She has designed the Footsteps2Brilliance platform to be device-agnostic, ensuring accessibility on smartphones, tablets, and computers—essential for reaching diverse student populations in both urban and rural communities.

If you prefer to watch her video, you will love her story. Click here

I you would like to listen to other podcasts about women entrepreneurs creating companies of purpose:

412: Why is the Lipstick Journey Such an Awesome Company Helping Cancer Patients Thrive

406: The Greatest Journey of a Woman Entrepreneur in Mental Health: Dr. Barbara Brown’s Story

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

In this episode of "On the Brink with Andi Simon," we engage in an insightful conversation with Chantal Cornelius, the founder of Appletree Marketing. Together we delve into the intricate art of marketing strategies tailored for service-based businesses, particularly coaches and consultants. With over two decades of experience in the field, Chantelle's expertise is rooted in a unique approach that emphasizes fostering emotional connections with clients to create lasting and impactful relationships.

Chantal begins by sharing her personal and professional journey in the marketing world, painting a vivid picture of how she transitioned from a traditional marketer to a strategic advisor focused on helping service-based businesses thrive. Her early years were marked by learning the conventional aspects of marketing and understanding client expectations. However, through years of hands-on experience, Chantal discovered that the most effective way for businesses to resonate with their audiences was through meaningful emotional connections. This revelation led her to refine her approach and establish five key strategies at the core of her work today: Certainty, Connection, Contribution, Growth, and Significance.

You might like to watch the interview here:

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

In the latest episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we're thrilled to feature Anna Warner-Mayes, an inspiring entrepreneur whose company, The Lipstick Journey, is making waves with purpose and profitability. Anna's story is a testament to resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to making a difference. Her journey, marked by multiple cancer diagnoses and countless treatments, is a source of inspiration for all of us. Anna's decision to channel her adversity into something powerful and uplifting, The Lipstick Journey , is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her company, with its unique 'buy one, give one' lipstick initiative, is a living proof that even in the face of adversity, we can make a difference.

The Lipstick Journey stands apart from typical beauty brands in its commitment to giving back to a community that has supported Anna through her own battles. Each lipstick purchase goes beyond the buyer to reach a cancer fighter, serving as a reminder of beauty, strength, and connection in the face of struggle. The concept is simple but powerful: each product bought gives a lipstick to someone battling cancer, offering them a small, meaningful moment of self-care and solidarity. As Anna shares on the podcast, 'Lipstick was always a little touch of normalcy for me, a way to brighten my day despite the challenges I faced.' This gesture embodies her desire to uplift others through beauty and kindness, and it's a call for all of us to come together and support those in need.

As Anna has said: "What sets me apart from others is my mission while fighting cancer myself. For every lipstick purchased, one gets donated and when someone purchases, I allow them to choose the recipient. This has been extremely rewarding and heartfelt as some of the recipients send me personal notes. In my mission to help thrivers know they don’t fight alone, I get the support from them knowing I also do not fight alone."

Listen In or watch on YouTube:

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi SImon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, we had the pleasure of sitting down with TaRita Johnson, Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity at The Right Place, a Michigan-based economic development organization. Throughout her career, TaRita has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and has helped organizations grow by embracing a more diverse workforce. She shared her insightful journey, revealing diversity's critical role in creating thriving, successful workplaces, and she introduced us to her powerful leadership model: VOICE.

Watch this podcast here

From the beginning, TaRita's path has been shaped by her passion for promoting equity and opportunity. She shared with us how her early career experiences, paired with her background in education, shaped her belief that talent comes from all walks of life and that it's the role of leaders to create environments where all individuals feel valued and heard.

Having spent years working in roles that intersect leadership, human resources, and diversity efforts, TaRita emphasized how essential it is to build intentional communities within organizations. She explained that DEI is not just a strategy but a core component of business success, enabling organizations to unlock new perspectives, ideas, and approaches. This philosophy has driven her work at The Right Place, where she is tasked with developing programs that help businesses attract, retain, and elevate diverse talent pools.

In her role, TaRita tackles not only the recruitment aspect of diversity but also the equally important work of fostering belonging within an organization. She stressed that companies must focus on hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds and creating inclusive environments where employees feel empowered to contribute their full selves.

One of the most intriguing aspects of our conversation was TaRita's introduction to her leadership philosophy, which she sums up with the acronym VOICE. She explained that This framework serves as a guide for how leaders can foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace while empowering their teams to thrive.

From Observation to Innovation,

Andi Simon, PhD

CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author
Simonassociates.net
Info@simonassociates.net
@simonandi
LinkedIn