Women Taking Over Family Businesses with Avery Hale Smith and Host Catherine Gray Ep. 446

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Avery Hale Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, the world’s leading active travel company. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Avery was inspired early on by global travel, cultural engagement, and a strong sense of purpose. Since joining Backroads, founded by her father Tom Hale, she has led major innovations in guest experience and business development, including the launch of Women’s Adventures and a new segment tailored for travelers in their 30s and 40s. With a background in psychology, communications, and social advocacy, Avery is a visionary leader shaping the future of active travel. In this uplifting episode, Avery shares her journey of returning to the family business and helping lead it into its next era with a fresh, inclusive, and mission-driven approach. She and Catherine explore how travel can foster connection, empowerment, and global consciousness. Avery discusses her passion for people-first leadership, building meaningful customer experiences, and launching travel products that inspire joy, wellness, and exploration. Her story is a powerful reminder of how combining passion with purpose can open up a world of impact.   https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Liz Svatek, a powerful voice for female empowerment and radical self-acceptance. Liz is the host of the top-rated Conversations With Warrior Women Podcast, where she amplifies the stories of women who have faced fear and grown into their power. She helps women access their inner warriors through curated masterminds, coaching, and workshops. Liz also serves on the board of Moms in Office and Don’t Hide It Flaunt It, and sits on the advisory board of the She Angels Foundation. In this inspiring episode, Liz and Catherine dive into what it means to embody the warrior spirit and how women can reclaim their voice and power—especially in times of transition or challenge. Liz opens up about her own journey and transformation, offering insights on how to love your fear, rewrite your story, and step fully into your leadership potential. She also shares the launch of her new 8-week group coaching experience, The Warrior’s Way, designed to help women rediscover their voice and create aligned impact. This transformational program builds on her podcast and coaching work to guide women in rewriting their stories and stepping into bold, purpose-driven action. Listeners are encouraged to visit her website for details and to join the waitlist or sign up for the next session. Websites Mentioned:   https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Sarah Dusek, a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for female founders. After building and selling her first company, Under Canvas, for over $100 million, Sarah launched Enygma Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on supporting women-led businesses in Africa. Her work has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs through investor-readiness programs. Sarah is also the author of Thinking Bigger: A Pitch Deck Formula For Women Who Want To Change the World, and the Co-Founder & CEO of Few & Far, a net positive travel company pioneering aerial safaris and large-scale ecological regeneration in South Africa. In this powerful episode, Sarah shares her journey from scaling a $100M company to reimagining the intersection of business, impact, and investment. She and Catherine dive into the systemic funding gap facing women entrepreneurs and how Sarah is working to close it through Enygma Ventures. They also discuss her new ventures in climate-positive travel, the importance of storytelling in pitch decks, and how building a bold, values-aligned business can truly change the world. Whether you're an investor, founder, or dreamer, this episode will inspire you to think—and act—bigger. Websites Mentioned: www.enygmaventures.com www.fewandfar.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Christina Richardson, the founder of Foundology, associate professor in entrepreneurship at University College London, and host of the FounderFuel Show. With a background as a tech entrepreneur and former brand strategist at Nestlé, Britvic, and Mercedes, Christina brings deep insight into the founder journey. She is on a mission to support entrepreneurs through the emotional and operational rollercoaster of startup life. Through her platform Foundology, Christina facilitates group coaching for founders and recently published the Founder Resilience Report, exploring how to cultivate resilience in entrepreneurship. In this inspiring episode, Catherine and Christina dive into the critical importance of resilience for founders and how it can be developed as a core entrepreneurial skill. Christina shares the mental and emotional toll of startup life, what her research uncovered about founder psychology, and how group support models like FounderCircles can dramatically improve both performance and well-being. They also touch on Christina's journey launching two tech startups, her work educating the next generation of business leaders, and why resilience is the superpower every founder needs. https://foundology.org https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Rebecca Palmer, a visionary leader and financial wellness expert redefining how individuals engage with their money. With a background in behavioral economics and consumer financial health, Rebecca is dedicated to building systems that support long-term stability and resilience. Her work bridges innovation and inclusion, making financial tools more accessible for all communities. In this inspiring conversation, Catherine and Rebecca explore the evolving definition of financial wellness—moving beyond budgeting and credit scores to holistic well-being. They unpack how financial stress impacts mental and emotional health, the importance of tailoring solutions for underserved populations, and how fintech can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals. Rebecca also shares actionable insights on how organizations and individuals alike can shift their financial mindset to align with values and long-term goals. https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels  

This week on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray speaks with Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women and non-binary individuals in venture capital. Paige’s career path—from public policy and entrepreneurship to leading founder training programs—has been shaped by her commitment to equity and community building. At All Raise, she’s helping reshape the VC landscape to be more inclusive and representative. In their conversation, Paige shares how her experience as a founder helped her understand the systemic barriers underrepresented founders face when raising capital. She and Catherine dive into the cultural shifts needed within venture capital, the importance of data-backed inclusion efforts, and how All Raise supports investors and founders at every stage. Paige also talks about building momentum through collective action and why inclusive innovation is the future of successful investing. https://www.allraise.org https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Kim Lawton, Co-Founder and COO of Enthuse Marketing Group and the Enthuse Foundation. With over two decades of experience leading marketing campaigns for brands like Disney, Diageo, and Nestlé, Kim has made her mark as a visionary in brand strategy and female entrepreneurship. She previously co-founded Inspira Marketing and has been featured in Forbes and Fortune for her leadership in building mission-driven businesses. In this episode, Kim shares how her desire to foster female entrepreneurship led to the creation of the Enthuse Foundation, a nonprofit arm that offers support, education, and funding for women-led businesses. Catherine and Kim dive into the challenges of running a business, the importance of creating communities for female founders, and what it takes to lead with purpose in today’s fast-paced marketing world. Kim also reflects on how her Midwestern roots shaped her work ethic and entrepreneurial drive. https://www.enthusefoundation.org https://www.enthuse-marketing.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Shira Yevin, the visionary founder and CEO of Gritty In Pink. Shira is a music industry trailblazer who’s shaking up the status quo with her revolutionary platform, INPINK—a dynamic marketplace designed to connect women and gender-expansive creators with paid opportunities in the music and entertainment industries. Backed by Live Nation and championed by advisors like Melissa Etheridge, Shira’s mission to create economic equity in the arts has been spotlighted by major media outlets including Forbes, TechCrunch, Billboard, NPR, and The New York Times. She’s also a sought-after speaker featured at events such as SXSW and New York Tech Week, bringing her bold voice and unapologetic activism to the forefront of cultural change. In this inspiring conversation, Shira shares how her punk rock roots and DIY ethos evolved into a full-fledged movement empowering marginalized voices in music. She discusses the journey behind launching INPINK, her advocacy for gender equity, and the challenges women face navigating a male-dominated industry. Shira and Catherine explore how Gritty In Pink is helping brands, festivals, and creators diversify their hiring practices, all while celebrating talent over tokenism. The episode also dives into the business model behind the platform, recent partnerships, and her vision for building a more inclusive and representative creative economy. If you’re passionate about changing the face of entertainment, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. https://www.grittyinpink.co/ https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com  Follow Us On Social: Facebook: @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X): @sheangelsinvest Instagram: @sheangelinvestors | @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn: @catherinelgray | @sheangels  

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Syama Bunten, Co-Founder and Principal at Big Delta Capital and creator of the Wealth Catalyst Summit. Syama is a powerhouse entrepreneur, award-winning podcast host of Getting Rich Together, and a leading advocate for women’s financial empowerment. Recognized globally, her career has been dedicated to providing women with the tools, education, and access needed to build generational wealth. She’s a multi-time founder who has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and honored with accolades like the 2024 TITAN Business Award “Women & Wealth Entrepreneur-Investor of the Year.” In this episode, Syama and Catherine explore how shifting the narrative around women and money is essential for creating inclusive wealth systems. Syama shares her personal journey from the fashion and finance industries into impact investing, offering insights into values-aligned capital, breaking down financial gatekeeping, and leveraging the power of peer networks. They also discuss the next generation of investors and how women can start owning their financial futures today. Plus, hear about the exciting upcoming 2025 Wealth Catalyst Summit, an incredible day of real, actionable conversations around wealth-building, happening May 13th in NYC at Mastercard headquarters. You are invited to the 2025 Wealth Catalyst Summit in May!! It’s going to be an incredible day of open and honest conversations about building wealth creatively, featuring amazing speakers across entrepreneurship, investing, real estate, and more.  Details: Wealth Catalyst Summit | May 13 | NYC (hosted at Mastercard) Register: https://wealthcatalystsummit.com Price: $649 until May 1st, then $997 Discount: 25% off with code SHEANGEL25 A full day of inspiring sessions, peer-to-peer matchmaking, and real, actionable conversations around wealth-building. Take a peek at the San Francisco event here. Websites Mentioned: 🔗 Wealth Catalyst Summit Registration — Use code SHEANGEL25 for 25% off! https://wealthcatalystsummit.com/ https://www.wealthcatalyst.co https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com  Follow Us On Social: Facebook: @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X): @sheangelsinvest Instagram: @sheangelinvestors | @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn: @catherinelgray | @sheangels

In this episode of the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Helena Wasserman, climate tech investor, co-founder of Investors for Climate, and driving force behind more than $40M in capital raised for sustainable startups. With a decade of experience at the Clinton Foundation, Techstars, and Top Tier Impact, Helena is passionate about moving capital to founders solving the world’s biggest climate challenges. She also leads a 400+ member global investor network and is an Earthshot Prize nominator. Catherine and Helena dig into what it takes to build and fund the next generation of climate tech innovators. Helena shares how her Unstoppable program empowers founders with capital-raising strategies and how her own investment portfolio includes 11+ startups, including one that IPO’d. From investor tips to the importance of diversity in climate tech, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and funding. Websites Mentioned: https://www.investorsforclimate.com https://www.helenawasserman.com https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com https://svwomenfoundersfund.vc www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels