The idea behind Rowan was born when Louisa Serene Schneider took her teenage nieces to get their ears pierced at the mall and found the experience lacking in both safety and celebration. Determined to fix a broken industry, she created a nationwide brand where ear piercing is treated as a safe medical procedure and a joyful life milestone—performed exclusively by licensed nursing professionals. Rowan has 100 or more ear-piercing studio locations across 33 states in the U.S. as of early 2026.
In this episode, Louisa discusses:

• The Wall Street Pivot: Her transition from a high-powered finance career—covering consumer retail at JP Morgan and trading at Morgan Stanley—to becoming a venture-backed founder.
• Scaling Through Challenges: How she navigated the pandemic to grow Rowan’s at-home services and eventually expand to over 100 retail studios.
• Empowering Nurses: Why Rowan’s business model is a game-changer for medical professionals seeking flexible, creative, and empowering alternative career paths.
• Modern Leadership: Her commitment to maintaining flexible work patterns and a supportive company culture for her entire team.

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In this episode, Margaret Egiziaco talks leadership, legacy, and the art of the pivot! Before disrupting the fitness industry, Margaret navigated high-stakes government recovery. As Director of the Small Business Recovery Program following Superstorm Sandy, she spearheaded the distribution of $55M in federal HUD-DR funding to New York’s small businesses—proving that impact requires both strategic urgency and a whole lot of heart. Today, she’s channeling that same mission-driven energy into a new frontier: building a fitness community designed specifically for moms! ‍‍️‍️

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Bold Pivot: Moving from government leadership to entrepreneurial grit.
• Pressure-Tested Leadership: Lessons learned from managing multi-million dollar disaster recoveries.
• Purpose-Built Spaces: Why moms deserve a fitness environment that integrates, rather than excludes, their reality.

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Meet Rebecca Kushner, a CPA and Fractional CFO who took the leap from a traditional corporate accounting and finance career to build a business on her own terms. Driven by a desire to marry her financial expertise with her personal values, Rebecca now helps holistic health practitioners and service providers navigate the "scary" side of their business with heart and humanity. Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own career pivot or need a roadmap for your business's financial health, Rebecca shares the substance of how she works. We dive into:

• Financial Empowerment: How she uses personalized financial strategy to help clients understand their numbers without the overwhelm.
• Pricing for Profit: Actionable insights on optimizing pricing and capacity so your business supports your life, not the other way around.
• The "Human" CFO: Why she believes financial decisions should be aligned with your values and long-term vision.
• The Career Leap: What it really takes to transition from a corporate role to a values-driven entrepreneur.

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Searching for career clarity in 2026? Career coach Dara Astmann returns to the podcast to discuss navigating career transitions for moms. Drawing from 20 years of experience in media and sales, Dara offers actionable advice on defining your "second act" and building a supportive professional community. Tune in for new year reflections and a first look at her latest coaching programs designed to help you transition with confidence!

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What does it take to turn a lifelong love of wine into an actual winemaking career when you don’t know the first thing about making it? Christy Counts, Founder and Owner of Neverstill Wines in Hudson, NY, did exactly that — trading a career in business management and animal welfare advocacy for the uncertain world of winemaking. In this episode, Christy shares the reality of her pivot: the steep learning curve, the moments of doubt, and the patience required to build something meaningful in a tradition-bound industry. From her first days learning the craft to the milestones that made it all worthwhile, her story reveals what it really means to trust yourself and commit to a new path. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to pursue a passion, this conversation is for you.

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In this special throwback, Christa highlights one of her all-time favorite guests from the episode that started it all: DJ April Larken. April spent years in the New York City fashion scene before taking a career break to raise her children. After beating cancer, she made a bold pivot in her 40s, enrolling in Scratch Academy to pursue her passion for DJing. Drawing on her background in fashion design and a lifelong love of clubs and music, April now spins vinyl at A-list events throughout the New York and Connecticut. In this episode, she shares her journey of creative reinvention and offers inspiring tips for discovering your purpose at any age. Learn more about DJ April Larken at djaprillarken.com.

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Katherine Gold left teaching to turn her passion for beautiful, functional spaces into a thriving business in New York—without formal training or a clear roadmap. In this episode, we hear how she built Katherine Gold Design from the ground up, leaning on her instincts, people skills, and a natural eye for design, to prove that it’s never too late to create the life you want. As a mom of three, Katherine knows firsthand how important it is for a space to be both stylish and livable. She believes great design has the power to make you feel put together, even while living a busy life. Her aesthetic is a blend of classic and modern, inspired by the pre-war buildings of New York City, fashion, travel, and the beauty of everyday living. Listen in to hear how Katherine turned life’s transitions into an opportunity for growth, creativity, and connection — and how she helps others design spaces that truly feel like home!

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Meet Annie Berger, a former Division I dual-sport athlete who pivoted from a successful career in legal marketing to become a Mental Performance Coach and founder of Match Mindset. After pausing her career to care for family and rediscovering her competitive drive through tennis, Annie experienced firsthand the power of mental skills in transforming performance and perspective. Now she helps athletes strengthen their mindset, embrace challenges, and play with more confidence, focus, and joy. Listen in to hear how Annie turned her personal journey of resilience and reinvention into a career helping others unlock their potential — both on and off the court!

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