The Power of Collective Mentorship with Breanne Kiefner (S9:Epi 251)

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, is joined by Talya Elitzer, co-founder of the GRAMMY-nominated artist development company Godmode Music, to share her fearless journey through the music industry. Starting out in the mailroom of a Hollywood talent agency, Talya carved her own path toward building one of today’s most influential music companies—home to groundbreaking artists like Channel Tres, JPEGMAFIA, and Yaeji. In this conversation, Talya opens up about the evolution of Godmode Music, what it takes to nurture genre-defying talent, and why she prioritizes sustainable operations that allow artists to pursue their craft without compromise. Her story is one of grit, vision, and redefining what it means to succeed in music.   MORE ABOUT TALYA ELITZER: LinkedIn: Talya Elitzer YouTube: GodMode Music 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 Breanne Kiefner, owner and founder of Roots Adventures, about embracing inner strength and finding stability in the midst of chaos. Their conversation explores the power of curiosity, the value of staying present, and why building a collective mentorship is essential. Instead of relying on a single mentor, Breanne shares how surrounding yourself with a circle of guides, each offering unique perspectives, can bring greater depth, resilience, and growth to both your career and your life. Breanne also talks about her work as the owner and founder of Root Adventures, an adventure travel company that blends wellness, sustainability, and inclusivity. She believes travel is more than a destination, it’s a transformative experience that ignites passion, deepens cultural understanding, and nurtures happiness. Root Adventures reflects this philosophy, showing how exploration can become a powerful path to self-care and joy.     MORE ABOUT BREANNE KIEFNER: LinkedIn: Breanne Kiefner Website: Root Adventures Instagram: Breanne Kiefner ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Titles, accolades, and financial milestones often measure success. But for Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini, CEO of Lush Enterprises, LLC, success is about transformation - financial, emotional, and generational. Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless talks with Sun Yong about how she’s built a career helping others break free from survival mode and step into true financial independence. Even in her dream job, with the title and passion she’d worked hard to earn, her paycheck fell short of the life she envisioned. That eye-opening moment led her to redefine success, not just loving her work, but building real financial impact through strategy and growth. Her quest for freedom sparked a bold pivot into options trading, where education, consistent practice, and calculated risks became the foundation of her success. Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini is the CEO and founder of Lush Enterprises, LLC. She is also an author and educator focused on financial success, particularly options trading.  She also authored "Invest In Yourself" and co-authored "Opposite/Opposites".  Sweet but Fearless does not provide financial advice; listeners should always do their own research before making investment decisions. Disclaimer: Options trading involves significant risk and is not suitable for all investors. You can lose more than your initial investment. Always carefully consider your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance before engaging in options trading. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Seek advice from a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.   MORE ABOUT SUN YONG KIM-MANZOLINI: LinkedIn: Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini YouTube: Entrepreneurship Life Instagram: author_sun_yong Books: "Opposite/Opposites" "Invest In Yourself" ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

We’ve all seen male-driven misogyny, condescending remarks, unequal pay, and the ever-present glass ceiling. But what about the subtler, more unexpected form that comes from within our own ranks? In this episode, Mary Sullivan and Cooper Alexander, co-founders of Sweet But Fearless, talk about when women, knowingly or not, uphold the very systems and stereotypes that hold other women back. From competitive gatekeeping to subtle undermining, we’ll explore how female misogyny plays out in the workplace, why it happens, and what we can do to break the cycle. It’s time to have the uncomfortable conversation and start rewriting the narrative. ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

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. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and review to help more fearless listeners like you find us!   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. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment—we’d love to hear your thoughts!   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