Liz and Steph dive into the messy, honest reality of getting laid off, rebuilding confidence, and turning freelancing into a sustainable, joyful career. They talk boundaries, rest, client juggling, and rediscovering your spark, proof that a sudden stop can launch a better chapter. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz and Marissa unpack designing for real connection, why “be present” beats “network,” how to build white space into agendas, and using micro-retreats, mindful facilitation, and digital wellness to help entrepreneurs align to their North Star. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz and Dax get real about event measurement: why attribution is shaky, how to prove behavior change and brand lift, the one survey question that matters, and replacing “dwell time” with right-time throughput, plus honest reporting that wins trust. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz and executive coach/author Regan Walsh unpack how event pros and aspiring speakers can ditch people-pleasing, shed the “shoulds,” and trust their gut on stage. They get tactical on rehearsal reps, cutting a talk on the fly, simple slides, and staying human in an AI-noisy world, so your keynote actually lands. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz and Anca go from women-in-AV war stories to practical AI you can use today, think Slack task bots, Atlas-powered workflows, and “vibe coding” without writing code. They also dismantle performative “wellness,” swap pizza-for-crew for real fuel, and unpack Anca’s Fit for Events framework and bodybuilding journey to build resilience that actually shows up on show day. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.c...

Liz and Heather swap war stories on production, mentorship, and why attention isn’t the problem, distraction is. From AI’s “good enough” graphics to a Wicked-inspired opening that electrified the room, they make the case for intentional entertainment, phone-free focus, and reviving true corporate theater to drive real learning and ROE. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz kicks off a new season with David Childs (SWX Global) on why exhibits still deliver ROI, and why modern sales is “consultant, not closer.” They cover 2025 floor trends, budget realities, good/better/best proposals, in-person outreach, backup plans when things break, and using your exhibit partner as an ROI insurance policy across the show calendar. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz talks with Pedro Góes, founder of InEvent, to trace how a scrappy college idea became one of the most innovative event platforms in the world. From Y Combinator beginnings and pandemic pivots to AI-powered registration and photo matching, they explore what’s next for event technology, the future of virtual, and why details matter more than ever. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Liz chats with photographer and former event planner Brooke Bryand about what it really takes to translate the magic of an event into images that drive marketing and sponsorship ROI. They dive into the power of planning content early, how to brief your creative team for maximum value, the myth of “we’ll just use phone pics,” and the difference between photos that document and photos that feel. Bonus: Brooke’s tips on turning same-day edits into momentum and how to make videography work ...

Liz and Angela Gargano, former biochemist, six-time American Ninja Warrior, and keynote speaker, unpack her ACL-on-TV setback, the comeback, and how she turned resilience into a stage-ready message. They dig into attention-grabbing storytelling, building a speaking career, vision boards that actually guide action, and why human connection beats algorithms. Cameos: pickleball losses, AI hackathons, and practical tips for event pros booking speakers. Want to be a guest on the Barefo...

Liz sits down with Matthew Petmecky of Nunify to unpack how an 11-year-old platform is winning over small-to-midsize teams (and agencies) with unlimited-events subscriptions, true white-label branding, easy badge printing, and plug-and-play integrations. They swap stories on scavenger hunts, AI matchmaking, and why human connection, not just features, decides which tools stick. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://...

In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz Lathan and Nicola Kastner, CEO of Event Leaders Exchange, talk about the journey from event logistics to boardroom strategy. Nicola shares how trusting her instincts, embracing data, and building community helped her navigate career pivots, lead through uncertainty, and empower the next generation. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insider member today! https://www.weareichi.com/

Jenny Blaschke, a live event calligrapher and engraving artist, and Liz Lathan discuss the high-stakes world of personalizing luxury gifts, from engraving $300 cameras to hot foiling leather goods. Jenny shares how she transitioned from wedding invitations to high-volume corporate and incentive events, creating interactive experiences that engage attendees. They discuss the power of personalization in networking, the challenges of on-site engraving, and creative ways to make any event unforge...

Liz Lathan and Tamar Beck, CEO of Gleanin, talk about her journey from trade show organizer to tech entrepreneur. Tamar shares how Gleanin helps event marketers scale audience acquisition through advocacy and network effects, plus insights on the evolution of their Activate event and podcast. They discuss the challenges of being a non-technical founder, the role of AI in event marketing, and how building community drives success. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast...

Today's Barefoot Business episode is full of laughter, wild stories, and incredible event adventures with not one, but two Nicoles! Liz Lathan is joined by Nicole Matthews of The Henley Company and Nicole Osibodu. From Bedouin camps in Dubai to Prosecco-fueled moments in Tuscany, the trio relives their most chaotic and joyful travel and event stories. Nicole Matthews dives into how she built her career, including starting The Henley Company, working at multiple Olympics and Super Bowls, and e...

In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz Lathan chats with MK Granados, the brilliant mind leading sponsorship innovation at Informa Markets. From orchestrating trade shows and brand activations to finding new ways to create meaningful attendee experiences, MK shares stories and strategies that elevate events beyond the basics. They dive into wild activations, including Samsung battery swaps at SXSW, Deadpool-branded toilet seat covers at Comic-Con, and corgi traffic stoppers in New York Cit...

Liz Lathan is joined by Mark Mohammadpour, founder of Chasing the Sun, to discuss creating a culture of wellbeing in events. Mark shares his journey from PR executive to wellness advocate, offering actionable tips on reducing burnout, setting boundaries, and improving both personal and team health. They cover managing meetings, using multiple workspaces, supporting global teams, and thriving as a solopreneur. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Podcast? Join Club Ichi as an Insi...

Liz Lathan and with Heidi Hiller, founder of Innovative Party Planners, discuss building a successful event business from the ground up. Heidi shares her journey from graphic designer to event mogul, covering topics like scaling a business, managing a team, and the power of networking. They dive into lessons learned through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and how to balance passion for creativity with strategic business growth. Want to be a guest on the Barefoot Business Pod...

In this episode of Barefoot Business, Liz Lathan welcomes Paul Tramonte, principal designer of Paul Tremonti Events. Paul's journey in events began with a family tradition of gathering around the table, which evolved into a thriving career rooted in hospitality. Paul shares how his early roles in food service and hotel operations shaped his approach to event design and management, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and creating memorable experiences.Liz and Paul dive into the ...

In this Barefoot Business episode, Liz Lathan chats with Ronnie Anderson, a Philly-based event producer with roots in broadcasting and videography. Ronnie shares her journey from high school party planner to seasoned event pro, creating immersive experiences that engage all five senses. They discuss the balance between freelancing and running your own business, managing feast-or-famine cycles, and setting boundaries to maintain profitability. Ronnie also opens up about her plans to earn her C...