Have you ever wondered how an unexpected challenge can reveal a new path?

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Kelsey Cook, a former teacher turned entrepreneur, about how she recognized the uncertainty parents faced when schools shut down during the pandemic. To help her students and their parents, she began creating hands-on, engaging educational packets for preschoolers. What started as a simple way to support families during the pandemic evolved into Learning with Kelsey, an educational subscription box that has grown from a home-based idea into a thriving business. Kelsey shares how responding to a real need helped her reimagine her purpose and build something lasting.

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MORE ABOUT KELSEY COOK:
Website: Learning with Kelsey
Instagram: Learning with Kelsey

Kelsey: How it Started

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Are you being passed over for promotions despite being the go-to person everyone counts on? In this episode, we dive into the surprising downside of being too reliable at work.

While dependability is a strength, it can sometimes box you into a support role instead of positioning you as a strategic leader. We explore why being the "fixer" or “hidden gem” might actually be holding you back - and what to do about it. You'll learn how to shift from doing to leading, speak about your work in terms of impact, and advocate for your future role, not just your current one. If you've ever felt stuck in a role because you're "too good to lose," this episode is your playbook for breaking out of the reliable-but-overlooked cycle and stepping into the spotlight where your leadership belongs.

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ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Julie Wilson, CEO and founder of Terra Nova Medical Clinics. A visionary family physician and healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Wilson shares how she reimagined primary care by prioritizing workplace culture, physician autonomy, and compassionate leadership. She talks about the importance of investing in people, earning trust through action, and creating a culture grounded in respect. Today, she leads the largest integrated clinic network in British Columbia, with a mission to ensure every resident has access to a family doctor within the next decade.

Dr. Wilson is a Family Physician Leader, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, and Advocate for Comprehensive Health Care. As a dedicated family physician with a deep-rooted passion for healthcare innovation, she has devoted her career to not only serving the medical needs of diverse populations but also reshaping the landscape of medical practice in British Columbia.

Dr. Wilson has been named:
* 2023 & 2024 Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women
* Top 40 under 40
* Top 5 Canadian SME Businesswoman
* 3 Time Stevie Award Winner
* 3 Time Richmond Business Award Winner

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT DR. JULIE WILSON:
LinkedIn: Julie Wilson
LinkedIn: Terra Nova Medical Clinics
Website: Terra Nova Medical Clinics
Forty Under Forty Award: Business Intelligence for B.C.

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Susannah Robinson, CEO & Founder of Partnership for Talent, about what it truly means to lead with impact through service leadership. Susannah emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision and leading from it with clarity and purpose. Drawing from years of guiding leaders, she reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity is. When leaders show up as their real selves, it creates space for teams to do the same, building trust and fostering a culture of accountability.

Susannah is also the author of “Beyond the Boxes and Lines: Are You Ready for the Next Step?”, where she unlocks the secrets to mastering organizational design in today’s dynamic business environment.

Susannah is the founder and president of Partnership for Talent LLC. With more than 30 years of executive level leadership experience in human resources, communications, investor relations, board interaction, and business management in a variety of verticals, she works closely with you and your management team to catalyze change within your organization and support your leaders.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT SUSANNAH ROBINSON:
LinkedIn: Susannah Robinson

LinkedIn: Partnership for Talent LLC

Website: Partnership for Talent LLC

Book: Beyond the Boxes and Lines: ARE YOU READY for the NEXT STEP? Transforming Business Results Through Organizational Design

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless

LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Valarie Sandjivy, founder of EllipsUS. As a seasoned leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience guiding leaders through growth and change, she empowers today’s leaders to lead themselves and others with empathy, agility, and fresh thinking. Valarie believes that true leadership starts within - because you can't lead others until you know how to lead yourself. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that focusing on ourselves is selfish, but the opposite is true. Self-awareness is strength, and asking for support is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

Valarie Sandjivy is an adaptive leadership mentor and business coach with over 20 years of experience. She combines her corporate expertise with a creative, intuitive approach to leadership, helping clients build scalable systems while fostering personal and professional transformation. With a deep commitment to evolving leadership and empowering others, Valarie inspires lasting and meaningful change in both business and life.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT VALARIE SANDJIVY:
LinkedIn: Valarie Sandjivy
Website: EllipsUS
Blog: EllipsUS Blog

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Melissa Franks, founder of On Call COO, a fractional COO company. Melissa talks about her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur and how aligning business goals with personal vision is key to sustainable success. She suggests that when looking to make a career pivot, you should ask yourself: 1) What does my life need to look like right now? 2) What does the next year need to look like? 3) What will my life look like once my goals are achieved.

Melissa doesn’t believe in waiting for the right opportunity. She believes in creating it, and part of that comes from knowing how influence really works. If there’s a decision you’re trying to move forward at work, find out who’s influencing the decision-maker. That’s where your relationship-building should start.

As a Fractional COO, Melissa provides part-time operational leadership and expertise. In 2022, she left corporate life with a mission to support small businesses with pragmatic approaches to unique problems and a healthy dose of optimism that all businesses can be successful with the right people, doing the right things at the right time.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT MELISSA FRANKS:
LinkedIn: Melissa Franks
Website: Melissa Franks

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Jensen Savage, founder of Savage Growth Partners, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to start your own business. From embracing fear to finding your niche, Jensen shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They talk about the entrepreneurial spirit, the power of carving your own path, and why waiting until you're "ready" might hold you back. Jensen’s advice? Do it scared—because clarity often comes from action, not perfection.

As the founder of Savage Growth Partners, Jensen has led marketing campaigns that have driven tens of millions in revenue across industries. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Wired, and Inc., and she’s recognized for her hands-on leadership, strategic insights, and results-driven approach.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT JENSEN SAVAGE:
LinkedIn: Jensen Savage
Website: Savage Growth Partners

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Dr. Tiffany Watson, Owner of Dr. Tiff’s Fuel. Sweat. Science, about the often-overlooked connection between health, ambition, and sustainable success. Dr. Watson shares practical tips for finding balance in a world that glorifies hustle, and reminds us that if we're not careful, career growth can come at the cost of our well-being. From fueling your body with the right nutrition to making sleep a non-negotiable, this conversation is your reminder that peak performance starts with taking care of yourself - mind, body, and rest.

Dr. Watson is an experienced Performance Coach and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Skilled in prevention, employee wellness, nutrition, training, and exercise physiology. Dr. Watson is a Performance Nutrition Director at MPOWER Performance Institute.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!

MORE ABOUT DR. TIFFANY WATSON:
LinkedIn: Dr. Tiffany Watson
Website: Work With Tiff
Limited time Free consultation call
Instagram: Work With Dr. Tiff
Sign up for Dr. Tiff’s Newsletter

ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS:
Website - Sweet but Fearless
LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless