We Mean Business

What if waiting for the "perfect time" is costing you more than you think? On this episode of We Mean Business, host Monica Richards sits down with Brittany Allyn, content creator, brand strategist, and founder of Thirty Waves, to explore how she turned personal milestones into a global movement. From pivoting out of public policy to building a solo media empire, Brittany shares how she uses AI to streamline business operations, negotiate brand deals, and take control of her health. The conversation explores why women need to embrace AI now, how technology can transform everything from contract negotiations to fertility tracking, and why waiting for traditional milestones can hold you back. Brittany also unpacks the story behind MeMoon, her viral movement inspiring women to embrace solo travel and independence, and the unforgettable three-day "wedding birthday" she threw herself at 40. From negotiating with confidence to overcoming social anxiety, Brittany proves you don't need permission, a partner, or a perfect plan to build a life on your own terms. Pull Up a Seat This is We Mean Business - a field guide for builders, believers, and bold operators. If you enjoyed the episode, pull up a seat by leaving a comment, share your biggest takeaway, and follow We Mean Business for more conversations about entrepreneurship, brand building, marketing, leadership and growth. For the best moments and quick actionable insights from our show, connect with us on social @wemeanbusinesspod and for the full We Mean Business experience, join us on YouTube @wemeanbusinesspodcast You can find Britt @brittneyallyn across socials and peep her timeless sunglasses line, inspired by the most independent women, at alianaroseeyewear.com We Mean Business is an original podcast brought to you by The Next Rodeo, in partnership with Connoisseur Media, hosted and directed by CBO Monica Richards, produced by Good Mess Media, with music by JAM Music Collective.

What does it take to build a brand people believe in — and keep it relevant as AI reshapes the future of marketing? In this episode of We Mean Business, Anastasia Shtompel, brand strategist, entrepreneur and Forbes contributor, breaks down the art and science of building brands people want to be part of. From creating a distinctive brand world to understanding the psychology behind why consumers buy, Anastasia shares her approach to brand positioning, cultural relevance and marketing that moves beyond the transaction. Anastasia unpacks her Brand Revolution System, explains why brands need to find their own cultural bubbles and explores what separates memorable brands from those that get lost in the noise. She also shares insights on user-generated content, the power of cohesive marketing and the brands setting the standard for modern brand building. As AI transforms how consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products, Anastasia looks ahead at the evolution of e-commerce, agentic commerce and AI-powered brand discovery. She explains what businesses need to know about AI search, brand visibility and connecting their own data to AI tools. Along the way, she offers perspective on navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship and protecting your energy while building a business. Whether you're launching a brand, refining your positioning or rethinking your marketing strategy for the age of AI, this conversation offers field notes for building a brand that earns attention, trust and loyalty. Pull Up a Seat This is We Mean Business — a field guide for builders, believers and bold operators. Follow Anastasia: Website: https://www.anastasiashtompel.com Follow We Mean Business: Instagram: @wemeanbusinesspod https://www.instagram.com/wemeanbusinesspod We Mean Business is an original podcast brought to you by The Next Rodeo, in partnership with Connoisseur Media, hosted by Chief Brand Officer Monica Richards, produced by Good Mess Media, with music by JAM Music Collective. Thank you for listening!

What happens when an accomplished executive brings corporate-level strategy to everyday builders? On this episode of We Mean Business, veteran brand strategist Betsey Locke, President of The Next Rodeo, talks about leading global advertising strategies for financial powerhouses like Citi, Bank of America, HSBC, M&T Bank, and Regions Bank, and how she's now leveraging modern tech to empower small businesses. Betsey also gets candid about navigating male-dominated corporate environments, normalizing motherhood in leadership, shifting management paradigms toward trust and positivity, and balancing high-stakes career ambitions with a sustainable personal life and a 30+ year marriage. Beyond business, she shares deeply practical lessons on negotiation, brand strategy, AI's role in amplifying human wisdom, and staying grounded in your personal values through every stage of growth. Her message for entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: remember that it's both a journey and a destination—pursue your boldest goals while treating people right along the way. If you enjoyed the episode, pull up a seat by leaving a comment, share your biggest takeaway, and follow We Mean Business for more conversations about entrepreneurship, brand building, marketing, leadership and growth. Explore The Next Rodeo's creative marketing services: @thenextrodeo on social or www.thenextrodeo.com We Mean Business is an original podcast presented by The Next Rodeo and hosted by Chief Brand Officer Monica Richards. Thank you for pulling up a seat with us!

What happens when an entrepreneur refuses to compromise? On this episode of We Mean Business, hair care entrepreneur and celebrity stylist Chaz Dean, founder of WEN Hair & Body Care, talks about building his brand from the ground up, developing products differently, bootstrapping his business, and maintaining creative control as WEN grew. Dean also gets candid about navigating major business challenges, including a $26.3 million class-action lawsuit, standing by his product philosophy, and making difficult decisions to preserve his cruelty-free standards. Beyond business, he shares deeply personal lessons on resilience, loss, spirituality, and staying focused through rejection and adversity. His message for entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: don't let "no" be the end of the conversation. Look for another way to get to "yes." 🎧 Listen to the full episode of We Mean Business with Chaz Dean. We Mean Business is an original podcast presented by The Next Rodeo and hosted by CBO Monica Richards.

From producing for NBC's Today Show to co-founding a $20M+ functional chocolate powerhouse, Charlotte Cruz is a masterclass in radical career reinvention and rapid business scaling. In this episode of We Mean Business, Alice Mushrooms co-founder and COO Charlotte Cruze sits down to share the visionary strategy behind her viral, brand-forward wellness supplement. Learn how she and her bi-coastal co-founder, Lindsay Goodstein, took a functional mushroom chocolate side hustle and scaled it into over 3,000 retail stores, backing the brand with over $8 million in funding from Unilever and celebrity angels like Zac Efron, Tiesto and Pedro Pascal. Charlotte breaks down the secrets to navigating early-stage funding, mastering cross-country co-founder relationships, and using meticulous creative ad strategy to find instant product-market fit. She dives into Alice's unique approach to experiential and collaborative marketing - from a vintage 1969 ice cream truck at Coachella to high-profile partnerships with HBO's The Last of Us and Joe & The Juice. Plus, Charlotte opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome as your business grows, the exact grounding practices she uses before entering a high-stakes fundraising boardroom, and her favorite AI workflow tools. Whether you are looking to pivot your career, scale a product-based business sustainably, or learn how to trust your gut instincts in the boardroom, this episode is packed with hard-won field notes for any entrepreneur who means business.  Pull Up a Seat This is We Mean Business - a field guide for builders, believers, and bold operators. If you enjoyed the episode, pull up a seat by leaving a comment, share your biggest takeaway, and follow We Mean Business for more conversations about entrepreneurship, brand building, marketing, leadership and growth. Explore Alice Mushrooms and discover its functional mushroom chocolates @alice.mushrooms on social or www.alicemushrooms.com  For the best moments and quick actionable insights from our show, connect with us on social @wemeanbusinesspod and for the full We Mean Business experience, join us on YouTube @wemeanbusinesspodcast We Mean Business is an original podcast brought to you by The Next Rodeo, in partnership with Connoisseur Media, produced by Good Mess Media, with music by JAM Music Collective.  Thank you!   

We Mean Business is the podcast we wish we'd had when we started building. It is a field guide for builders, believers and bold operators. Hosted by CBO Monica Richards, each episode brings you honest, unbridled insights from the founders, executives and operators from those inside the arena. Together, we unveil not just what successful leaders built, but how they think, lead and make decisions about business and life when the stakes are highest. Pull up a seat for fresh perspectives, practical principles and actionable lessons to help you create what's next - Because the future belongs to those willing to build it. Presented by The Next Rodeo at www.thenextrodeo.com Find us on @wemeanbusinesspod