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The Seed: Growing Your Business

The Seed: Growing Your Business

By: Lisa Resnick Founder of Dandelion-Inc
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 Welcome to The Seed: Growing Your Business, brought to you by Dandelion Inc. I’m your host, Lisa Resnick, and this podcast is all about connecting, developing, and supporting women in business. Join me as we explore tips and insights on leadership, business development, and social media strategies that can help you thrive. We’ll also hear from amazing guests who share their stories and experiences, offering inspiration and practical advice for your entrepreneurial journey. So, tune in, download, like, and subscribe. And remember, if you love what you hear, share the love with others. Together, let’s cultivate growth and empower women in business.2024, Dandelion-Inc Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Ep.86-How to Lead and Grow a Community While Growing Yourself

    Ep.86-How to Lead and Grow a Community While Growing Yourself
    May 21 2025
    How to Lead and Grow a Community While Growing Yourself Let me tell you something I’ve learned the long, messy, beautiful way: you do not need to have it all figured out before you start building something that matters. We tend to think that in order to lead, we need to be 10 steps ahead. That to create a business, a network, a movement, or even a support group, we need to have the credentials, the perfect plan, and all the confidence in the world. But here's the truth: growth and leadership happen at the same time—and they often look a lot messier than the highlight reels we see on social media. In this season of my life and business, I'm showing up as I am—imperfect, evolving, and still learning. And I’ve realized that this is where real connection lives. When you're honest about where you are, people don't back away... they lean in. The 5 Things Helping Me Lead and Grow (Even When I’m Still Figuring It Out) 1. Embrace the Work-in-Progress Season There is no “ready.” If you wait until you’ve got it all together, you’ll be waiting forever. I used to believe I had to earn the right to lead or launch something. Now? I know the magic is in starting before you're ready. People connect with honesty, not perfection. So if you're just starting, say so. If you're pivoting or starting over, say that too. That’s where the connection begins. 2. Lead From Where You Are You don’t need to be 10 steps ahead—you just need to be willing to stand next to someone and say, “I don’t know everything, but I’m here with you.” One of the most powerful things you can do is create space—for conversations, support, reflection, and mutual growth. Host something small. A 30-minute coffee chat, a silent co-working hour, or even a casual DM exchange. The size doesn’t matter. The intention does. 3. Be Transparent (Even When It’s Not Pretty) Some days I wake up feeling unstoppable. Other days? It’s like running through molasses with a backpack full of undone tasks. But I show up anyway. Why? Because people are craving real. And when I share the hard stuff—the doubts, the detours, the imposter syndrome—I always get DMs, emails, and messages saying, “Same.” You don’t have to be bulletproof. You just have to be you. 4. Grow With Your People You’re not building for your community. You’re building with them. Ask what they need. Invite them into the process. Let them help shape what comes next. When people feel like they’re co-creating something, they’re more likely to stick around because it’s not just your space anymore. It’s ours. 5. Celebrate the Tiny Stuff I’m terrible at celebrating my own wins. (There, I said it.) But I’m working on it—because those tiny triumphs? They matter. They add up. Finished a hard email? Posted something vulnerable? Recorded a podcast episode even when you wanted to hide under a blanket? That is worthy of celebration. Don’t skip over it. Your Invitation to Start Now If you’ve been waiting for a sign that you’re allowed to begin before you’re “ready,” this is it. You are not too late. You’re not behind. You’re a real human in motion with something to say—and that is more than enough. Whether you're leading five people or five hundred, whether you're just starting or starting over, you're building something that matters. Let it be messy. Let it be real. And let it grow from exactly where you are. I’m right there with you. 💛 🎧 Listen now to The Seed: Building Your Business – Growing Your Business with Isabel DesousaAnd if you love it, share it with a friend. That’s how we grow—together. 📩 Want more insights like this? Sign up for my newsletter at Dandelion-Inc.com and get weekly strategies to help you grow your business with confidence! Listen to the full conversation here.Don't forget to check out our blog, beyond the podcast, by clicking here.
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    16 mins
  • Ep.85-Bootstraps and Breakthroughs: Lessons from Isabel De Sousa

    Ep.85-Bootstraps and Breakthroughs: Lessons from Isabel De Sousa
    May 14 2025
    From Bikini Dreams to Saks Shelves: Isabel De Sousa’s Journey with Akalia What if you stopped waiting for everything to be perfect… and just started? That’s exactly what Isabel De Sousa did. This week on The Seed: Building Your Business, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Isabel, founder of the luxury fashion brand Akalia—a line that’s gone from college side hustle to being featured in high-end boutiques and major retailers like Saks. But like most great success stories, the journey didn’t come with a straight path or flawless blueprint. It came with grit, vision, and a whole lot of learning on the go. Isabel started selling swimwear in college, while most of her classmates were focused on parties and finals. She was busy Googling how to open an LLC as an international student, figuring out shipping logistics, and navigating the confusing maze of small business startup life. Sound familiar? Over the years, she pivoted through industries—from banking to marketing to retail—all while carrying the seed of something bigger inside her. And eventually, she brought Akalia to life. In our conversation, Isabel shared so many real takeaways that I want you to walk away with. So if you’re building something of your own—whether you’re just getting started or deep in the grind—here are a few of her biggest lessons you can apply right now: 1. Execution Beats Perfection If you’re holding off on launching until your website is perfect, your logo is flawless, or your product photos look like a Vogue spread—stop. As Isabel says, “Start with what you have. Fancy will come later.” Get your product in people’s hands. Get feedback. Make adjustments. Just start. 2. Focus on the Product First You don’t need PR, influencers, or a massive marketing budget to begin. Focus on making your product or service really good. When the quality and value are clear, the rest gets easier. Save the fancy tools and expensive packaging until you know you’ve created something people actually want. 3. Know Your Numbers Isabel learned from her time in banking that a business only works if your money does. Use tools like the Profit First method to allocate funds, manage cash flow, and make sure you're paying yourself, too. You don’t need a finance degree—just discipline and a plan. 4. Block Out the Noise There will always be people questioning your vision or telling you you’re doing too much. Isabel’s advice? “Reduce the noise and focus.” Not everyone is meant to understand your dream—and that’s okay. Keep showing up anyway. 5. There’s No Such Thing as Overnight Success The world will see your highlight reel, but you’ll live the long nights, the rejections, the moments you want to quit. That’s normal. That’s entrepreneurship. The more we share the whole story, the more we give each other permission to keep going. Bonus Tip: Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot Isabel lost a major contract with Macy’s when she raised her prices to reflect higher quality—but that shift is what opened the door to Saks and her current success. Sometimes letting go of what used to work is exactly what creates space for the next level. If you’re building a business and wondering if you’re doing it “right,” I invite you to listen to this episode. You’ll hear from a woman who didn’t wait until she had it all figured out—she moved forward with clarity, courage, and a whole lot of belief in what could be. 🎧 Listen now to The Seed: Building Your Business – Growing Your Business with Isabel DesousaAnd if you love it, share it with a friend. That’s how we grow—together. 📩 Want more insights like this? Sign up for my newsletter at Dandelion-Inc.com and get weekly strategies to help you grow your business with confidence! Listen to the full conversation here.Don't forget to check out our blog, beyond the podcast, by clicking here.
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    36 mins
  • Ep.84-5 Fresh Business Development Ideas That Actually Work in 2025

    Ep.84-5 Fresh Business Development Ideas That Actually Work in 2025
    May 7 2025
    Stop Overthinking Business Development: Start with What You Already Have Let’s be honest—“business development” can sound intimidating. Like you need a massive marketing budget, a viral social media strategy, or a team of experts just to move the needle. But here’s the truth: Business development isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right small things—again and again. This week on The Seed, I shared not just tips and trends, but a deeply personal look at how I’ve been growing Dandelion-Inc from the ground up. No hacks. No big brand behind me. No overnight success. Just relationships, consistency, and belief. And I want to break it down for you—what’s really working when it comes to growth that’s intentional, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. I Started With What I Had When I launched Dandelion-Inc, I didn’t have a huge audience or ad spend. But I did have conversations. I did have belief. And that belief turned into value-driven content, trust-building moments, and authentic relationships. There were (and still are) seasons when I felt like I was watering dry soil. But little by little, the roots have taken hold. Connections are deepening, referrals are coming in, and opportunities are growing. Not because I went viral—but because I kept showing up. That's the real heart of business development. Let’s Simplify What Business Development Really Means It’s not about pushing or chasing. It’s about planting. It’s about nurturing. Whether you’re running a nonprofit, selling a product, offering a service, or building a movement—it all comes back to the same thing:How do I create real opportunities, nurture them, and grow something that lasts? Here are 5 fresh business development ideas I shared on the podcast that can help you thrive in 2025 and beyond—without losing your mind or your values in the process. 1. Personalized Micro-Connections Over Mass Marketing Forget blasting emails to thousands. Start thinking: Who can I genuinely connect with today? A quick voice note. A thoughtful DM. A short email that lets someone know they’ve been seen. These small touches are how we build relationships—and relationships are what build businesses. 2. Own One Micro-Moment of Value If you try to be everything to everyone, you end up being nothing to anyone. Pick one small, powerful piece of what you do—and be known for that. Time mastery for entrepreneurs. A signature bracelet. Bite-sized health tips. Just own your corner. Consistency will always speak louder than volume. 3. Co-Create Instead of Compete I love collaborating with other women in business—especially those who are in the same arena as me. Co-creating energizes you and expands your audience without doubling your work. Do a joint live, build a shared freebie, or host a pop-up event. Find the people who serve similar audiences and build something together. It feels good. It is good. 4. Nurture Your Leads—Don’t Just Capture Them Everyone’s chasing attention, but keeping trust is where the magic is. Simple welcome emails. Check-ins. A quick personal reply. These moments build confidence in your audience. And confidence turns into conversions—whether that’s a sale, a sign-up, or a new member. 5. Build an Off-Social Touchpoint Instagram can help people find you—but you need a place to keep them. Whether it’s your email list, private podcast feed, or membership platform—own your space. Social media changes constantly. Your relationship with your audience shouldn’t depend on an algorithm. Here’s Your Call to Action You don’t have to implement all five ideas tomorrow. Just pick one. Start small. Water it. Nurture it. You’ll be amazed at what grows in a year when you commit to showing up consistently in a way that feels true to you. If something in this post sparked a new idea or gave you a moment of clarity, I’d love to hear from you. Share it with someone you're growing alongside,
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    15 mins

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