Road To Seven

“Women access only 4% of the lending capital that is available.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you ever tried to access a loan, a line of credit, or a credit card for your company… and been turned down? Even if you were already successful? For women entrepreneurs (myself included), this is an all-too-common experience.It’s a sad reality that many smart, ambitious, and capable female entrepreneurs struggle to access the funding they need to grow and scale their businesses. Even as women continue to found a significant number of micro- and small businesses, women entrepreneurs remain the most overlooked and undervalued sector of the economy by banks and investors.At the Road to Seven Capital Inc., we are working hard to rewrite the rules of business financing for women through our Capital Access Program, which will provide women entrepreneurs with access to game-changing micro-loans ranging from $5k to $50k!This episode dives into the dysfunctional loan application and approval process that many women struggle with as t

“The excitement of starting a business can sometimes blind us from truly understanding the challenges that we may have ahead.”- Andreea VanackerDr. Andreea Vanacker is the founder and CEO of SPARKX5, a mental well-being technology company that helps organizations elevate their human potential and create cultures of curiosity and growth. Her work focuses on finding synergies between neuroscience, positive psychology, leadership, human resilience, and purpose. While SPARKX5 was founded just a couple of years ago, Andreea has since expanded it into an impressive North American empire!In this conversation, Andreea shares her biggest challenges, most powerful mindset shifts, and the inspiration behind her first book and program, Successonality.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌What led Andreea to become a serial entrepreneur — and how she landed her first clientThe foundational pieces that Andreea put in place BEFORE leaving her corporate position in order to better enjoy her ent

“Just because there is economic turmoil all around us, it doesn’t mean we have to be affected.”- Shelagh CumminsIf you’ve become worried about and preoccupied with what COULD happen during the recession, then this episode will help you refocus on your next power moves and set yourself up for your best-case scenario!Cards on the table: there WILL be an economic downturn. That is a fact. In fact, the recession has already begun — you may have already noticed an effect on your own finances or on the finances of those close to you. But focusing on the things that you can’t control takes your attention away from those you CAN.Tune in to learn the moves that you can make right now to recession-proof your business, how lessons learned during the pandemic will help you stay on track during the downturn, and why the looming recession holds a secret silver lining for entrepreneurs!Remember — if you survived the pandemic, then you’re already strong enough to get through the recession!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to S

“If I have the right mindset, I can deal with anything… part of my growth has been to learn how I can switch from one mindset to the other quickly.”- Emily ChungEmily Chung has always been driven to succeed, even if her road to success has had the occasional speed-bump! Emily is a licenced Automotive Service Technician and the owner of AutoNiche, a family-friendly auto repair shop. Emily founded AutoNiche to offer her clients a friendlier and less intimidating auto repair experience, providing non-judgmental and empowering client service from reputable mechanics.Dive into this fascinating conversation to discover Emily’s experiences as a woman in the automotive industry, the biggest lessons that she has learned along the way, and the benefit of throwing yourself a “structured pity party” (it really works)!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll learn:‌What led Emily down the road to owning an auto repair shop after earning a Psychology in Business degree and starting a career as a psychomet

“Your business is not about you.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you been hiding away when you should have been showing up, speaking out, and selling your offers? If you’ve been hoping that your offers will sell themselves, then you definitely want to listen to this episode!It’s no secret that many entrepreneurs consider sales to be their least favourite part of running their business — and often their weakest skill. “Selling” can conjure up the image of a sleazy, pushy salesman, but letting others know about the incredible transformation that your offer can provide is actually a service. Think about it: if you see someone struggling and you know that your offer could help them thrive, then aren't you doing them a disservice by not sharing it?You should be selling your program wherever you are, whenever you can, whether you’re on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, email, LinkedIn, or bumping elbows at a conference or networking event. Press play to discover a powerful way to reframe the act of selling — and what you mu

“We were committed to making a great living doing what we love, as women and as proud moms… don’t underestimate us. We’re killers, even from our kitchens!”- Erica EhmEver wondered what’s it like to live nine lives? Erica Ehm is an entrepreneur, interviewer, author, playwright, awarding-winning songwriter, sought-after speaker… and an absolute trailblazer when it comes to content marketing and social media. If you’re musically-minded, you may know Erica as one of the original MuchMusic VJs and host of the Reinvention of the VJ podcast.As the CIO of digital marketing agency Ehm & Co, she currently helps connect brands with moms, but knowing Erica, this is far from the final chapter of her entrepreneurial story!Before Erica found success in each of the areas she’s ventured into, she first had to make her mistakes, both big and small, and learn valuable lessons in turn. In this episode, we explore the challenges that she faced along the way and how she has been able to successfully reinvent herself, time afte

“You have to have a price that honours the cost and the value of what it is that you’re bringing.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you been asked for a discount or been told that your fees are “too high” lately? As the pandemic drags on and our economy becomes more unstable, you may have found that people are becoming more comfortable trying to negotiate lower pricing for your offers — even if your pricing has remained consistent throughout.Perhaps you’ve even started to wonder whether your prices ARE too high… but I’m here to tell you to stay firm. Lowering your prices simply out of guilt is the kiss of death for your business, because you cannot light yourself on fire in order to keep someone else warm. Remember: you chose your pricing for a reason. It needs to not only cover your operations, taxes, and salary, it needs to create profit! This episode dives into the psychology and practicalities behind money, including the emotional story that you have attached to your pricing, why you MUST feel confident in your prici

“There was lots of evidence that I was not going to work as a solopreneur… I wanted to be a CEO of an organization.”- Heather NelsonSometimes you need to rewire a few of your deepest core beliefs if you want to scale and grow your business to its fullest and most lucrative potential. Heather Nelson, founder of boutique fundraising consultancy BridgeRaise, did just that — and has since grown her business beyond her wildest dreams.Heather started her business in 2017 with the simple goals of being self-employed and having a travel fund. Embracing a larger vision and dramatically expanding her goals were absolutely key to developing her ability to build a business that is not only aligned with her values and zone of genius, but is also profitable. In this conversation, we discuss Heather’s evolution from self-employed to CEO, and the mindset shifts that led her to incredible success!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Two pivotal decisions that allowed Heather to make major shi

“The gratitude for what you have already and the desire to keep growing is literally what’s going to keep you going!”- Shelagh CumminsWhen it seems as though your goals are out of reach, no matter how hard you work, it’s easy to feel frustrated — and even to consider throwing in the towel and heading back to the corporate world. If that’s how you feel right now, you’ll want to tune into this episode!If you feel as though you’re constantly falling behind when trying to reach your goals, the problem may lie in the timelines that you attach to them, rather than in your efforts. Tune in for a frank and honest discussion about the importance of being patient when pursuing your goals, knowing when to adjust your timelines, and having the courage to make the right choice between “easy” and “fulfilling”.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌My own 14-year journey to success — and the driving force that has kept me going all this timeWhy you won’t always see the progress that you’re ma

“Figure out what you love doing so much that you don’t mind that you’re not getting paid, and then figure out how to get paid.”-Christina FlachWhen celebrity makeup artist and fashion commentator Christina Flach was unable to find a flattering lip gloss that was long-lasting and moisturizing enough, she decided to take matters into her own hands and create her own formula — even though she had ZERO prior experience with product development.The result? Christina is now the CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup, a brand that offers clean, vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics that are made with simple, natural ingredients!Listen now to learn about Christina’s journey through the product development process, how and why her marketing has evolved throughout the years, and how she balances her professional success as a single mother.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How Christina built up her brand without Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter Why Christina decided to bring in investors after successfully self-funding her business 

“Being able to really make decisions in accordance with my soul and my intuition as opposed to what is ‘logical’ — that’s when I really started to see growth in my business.”- Andrea HenryThey say two heads are better than one — but what does that mean for a professional partnership?In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Henry and Irena Brooks, two incredible lawyers who help individuals and business owners at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey build wealth with confidence. After growing their own successful legal careers separately, Irena and Andrea teamed up to launch Henry Brooks LLP, a WOC-owned firm that pairs legal insight with business instinct. Listen now to learn about their journey to merge their firms and what they’ve learned along the way!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How they knew when they were ready to begin hiring full-time employees Why they decided to join forces to launch their firm and the challenges they facedThe big hires and systems that they put in place to facilit

“I think entrepreneurs just naturally grasp the idea of always having support and investing in themselves as the main asset in their business.”- Lisa MitchellWhen it comes to the impact that we create, there’s no reason not to dream big! This episode’s guest is working toward the lofty and inspiring goal of transforming the working lives of 10 million North American professionals — and I have absolutely no doubt that she will accomplish her mission! Green Apple Consulting founder Lisa Mitchell supports talent leaders through transformational coaching, consulting, and training that helps them realize their organizational goals and redefine their organizational culture. Lisa’s success stems from a combination of strategy, determination, and mindset work. During our conversation, Lisa drops countless golden nuggets on topics such as the self coaching practices that allow her to maintain an abundance mindset, the importance of having a biz bestie, and how to know when you’re ready for coaching.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode

“Closed mouths don’t get fed.”-Roxanne FrancisSometimes, the hardest thing to do isn’t coming up with a powerful message. It’s turning up the volume and using your voice to share it with the right audience.When you can help people, you’ve got to let people know!Roxanne Francis is an award-winning psychotherapist, a sought-after international speaker, and the CEO of Francis Psychotherapy & Consulting Services, whose amazing success, at every turn, has stemmed from the power of stepping up and using her voice.Tune in to hear Roxanne’s top tips for building and using your network, how she’s overcome her biggest challenges, and what she’s learned about building an outstanding team!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌How Roxanne found her first clients and used her voice to build up her businessHow to know whether your mental health is impacting your day-to-day life or your business — and what to do on a regular basis to safeguard itWhy she made the shift into DEI advocacy and consulting and

“It’s not about today. It’s about what our companies and our businesses can do tomorrow.”- Shelagh CumminsIf you struggle with goals — either setting them or trying to achieve them — then this is an episode you won’t want to miss!As a business coach, I notice that many women entrepreneurs set goals that are far too small or limited, holding them back from the incredible power moves that they’re capable of making. On the other hand, while other women may be great at setting big, bold, audacious goals, they aren’t always skilled at creating realistic timelines to match — or at separating their professional (or even personal) worth from their ability to reach those goals.It’s important to find that “Goldilocks” sweet spot when it comes to your goals: ambitious enough to reflect your big vision for your business, aligned with your mission and purpose, paired with a timeline that is actually achievable, and intended to help you create the life you want not only today, but in the future.  In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the

“The more I focus on what I WANT, the more my business will grow.”- Nikki NashDo you have a bold new vision for your business — or even for a new business entirely — but aren’t quite sure how to bring that vision into profitable reality?As the founder of Market Your Genius, my guest Nikki Nash has not only built her own multiple-six-figure business helping entrepreneurs build and monetize in-demand personal brands, she also managed to land a book deal with her dream publisher — despite knowing nothing about the process of working with a publisher when starting that journey!In this episode, Nikki and I get candid about the secret to effective goal-setting, whether books should be considered revenue streams or marketing tools, and the power of pairing intention with real actions, big and small!Listen now and you’ll discover:‌ ‌The concrete steps that Nikki took to turn her lifelong dream of authorship into reality How to handle the difficult times when your fears or limiting beliefs shake your confidence — and

“It’s not stroking your ego when you give yourself a high-five for sending a really difficult email… that’s you being in gratitude and celebration for what you have accomplished.”- Shelagh CumminsDo you feel like you’re running in one place in your business, without ever hitting your goals or gaining momentum? If so, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!As entrepreneurs, we can often feel overworked and overwhelmed. But despite the enormous amounts of effort we put into building and growing our businesses each and every day, it can be hard for us to recognize the results. Why is it that we have so much trouble seeing our own progress, even as we celebrate (or envy) the success of other business owners around us? When you don’t take the time to celebrate the wins, accomplishments, successes, or power moves that you’re making regularly, then you just become transfixed on your end goal. Not only can this focus on what you’ve not yet accomplished stop you from seeing how far you’ve actually come, it can actu

“The magic really came in when I realized I can be all of me in my business, that my business is attractive and magnetic to my ideal client because I bring ME to it.”-Molly MandelbergAre you contemplating taking your business in a new direction, but can’t seem to move past the fear of stepping outside your comfort zone or letting go of your existing clients?My guest Molly Mandelberg is an expert in stepping boldly onto new paths and finding amazing success! As the founder of Wild Hearts Rise Up, Molly works with coaches, healers, and conscious leaders to help them broadcast their messages with more ease. Prior to becoming a business coach, Molly was a self-described “hippie artist,” making ends meet through odd jobs. A full-time nomad, she now runs her 6-figure business out of her self-converted sprinter van tiny-home.In this conversation, we discuss the power of trusting in yourself, how to build a business that is more aligned and fulfilling, and the incredible impact that you can create when you have the c

“If people are busy, they help each other… I’m trying to have an environment where they can work together, help each other, and build a team amongst themselves.”- Nancy CerelliWhen your business is your baby, it can be hard to step back and let others take the wheel as you grow. But without delegating many areas of your operations, it’s impossible to scale up and reach your biggest revenue goals.This episode’s guest has managed to push through the “delegation guilt” and create a team and a set of processes that allowed her to successfully step back in her business — and used that free time to develop a new career and revenue stream!Nancy Cerelli is a Real Estate Sales Representative and the founder of Elite Legal Support Services, a firm that provides lawyers and law firms with real estate law clerk services. During our conversation, we talk about Nancy’s impressive business journey, how she attracted her amazing team, and her system for building out effective processes!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seve

“All of my new ventures, I put out on Instagram… If I put it out here, I’m going to do something with it. Because I’m not going to be out here lying to my people!”-Monique BryanAs an entrepreneur, you are constantly learning, growing, and evolving. What does this mean for your business?Monique Bryan is a personal brand expert, coach, and serial entrepreneur with 15 years of top-level industry experience in branding, business development, and personal styling — she is a leader in using your personal brand as a visual communication power tool.Monique not only shines online, but she has the content and know-how to back it all up. Listen now to learn how your personal evolution influences your brand evolution. In this conversation, we dig into the importance of defining your personal brand, how to adjust to big shifts, and why you need to invest in yourself.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Monique’s incredible story as a breast cancer survivor and three-time business founder How to know when you’re ready

“Get yourself out of the ‘job’ mentality. Get yourself out of thinking that your business is your baby… see your business as the asset that it is.”- Michelle Seiler TuckerWhether or not you’re planning to sell your business in the near future, it’s important to consider your exit strategy as you grow and scale — and in this episode, you’ll hear from one of the world’s top Merger & Acquisition experts!Michelle Seiler Tucker is the founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated and the bestselling author of Exit Rich™: The 6-P™ Method To Sell Your Business For Huge Profit. A leading expert on buying, selling, fixing, and growing businesses, she helps her clients maximize their exits so that they can thrive in their next chapters. In this episode, Michelle shares the strategies, insights, and powerful mindset shifts that have helped her build her multimillion dollar business. In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Michelle’s #1 tip for entrepreneurs and business ownersThe challenges that Michelle has faced a