How do you build a network that actually fuels your business and life?
In this special compilation episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney brings together some of the most powerful insights from past guests on the importance of relationships, risk-taking, and resilience in entrepreneurship.
You’ll learn:
- How founders turned corporate careers into thriving businesses
- Why inclusive communities create better opportunities for everyone
- Strategies for balancing leadership and family life
- What separates angel investors from venture capitalists
- How to embrace pivots, failure, and self-belief to fuel growth
- Why networking isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of entrepreneurship
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your venture, this episode is packed with strategies to expand your network, embrace resilience, and leverage community for long-term success.
Learn more
Discover Kathryn: kathrynfinney.com
Join the community: buildthedamnthing.com
What does it really take to turn a kitchen side hustle into a thriving wholesale business?
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney talks with entrepreneur and sales strategist Andee Hart, founder of Hart Design Co. and host of She Sells Differently. Andee shares how she went from a Fortune 500 sales executive to building a candle empire, the sales framework that works in any market, and her mission to help women entrepreneurs overcome sales anxiety.
You’ll learn:
The lessons Andee took from corporate America into entrepreneurship
Why having a simple, repeatable sales framework is a game changer
How to create lead magnets that actually grow your business
The importance of starting local and listening to feedback
Sales confidence
Pricing strategies for scaling into wholesale
If you’ve ever struggled with sales or wondered how to take your side hustle full time, this conversation is packed with strategies and inspiration.
Learn more:
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, host Kathryn Finney interviews financial advisor and money mindset expert Shari Rash, host of Everyone’s Talking Money, a show recognized by The New York Times. The conversation gives new and early stage entrepreneurs a clear money playbook for leaving a 9 to 5 and building a profitable business. Listeners learn how to pay themselves first using a Profit First style framework, budget variable income, and separate personal and business finances with simple systems that work in real life. The episode explains LLC basics, dedicated business bank accounts, and a lightweight Google Sheets dashboard. It also clarifies the roles of a bookkeeper, a CPA, and a financial planner, and teaches how to read a profit and loss statement and a balance sheet. Shari and Kathryn cover pricing a founder salary, creating a profit buffer for slow months, and the mindset shifts women entrepreneurs need to discuss money with confidence. This is a practical guide to small business finance, cash flow, and wealth building for first time founders.
What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted but feel completely empty inside? Bianca D'Alessio, author of "Mastering Intentions," HBO Max's Selling Tampa star, and top real estate broker, found herself at the pinnacle of success—and completely burned out, isolated from family, and questioning everything.
In this raw conversation, Bianca breaks down the difference between toxic goal-setting and intentional living, sharing how her approach to success nearly cost her the relationships that mattered most. From her father's incarceration for financial fraud to her siblings staging an intervention in Sicily, she reveals how family trauma became the catalyst for rebuilding her leadership philosophy and ultimately writing "Mastering Intentions."
You'll discover:
Bianca doesn't sugarcoat the reality of entrepreneurship: "One day you're the CEO, the other day you're the janitor." But she's learned that vulnerability, not perfection, creates the strongest teams. Her approach to writing intentions on glass walls instead of traditional goal-setting offers a fresh framework for building sustainable success.
Whether you're burning out from hustle culture, struggling with family dynamics while building your business, or ready to lead with authenticity instead of perfectionism, this episode will shift how you define winning.
Bianca D'Alessio is the author of "Mastering Intentions," a top real estate broker, and star of HBO Max's Selling Tampa. Her journey from family scandal to intentional leadership offers a blueprint for sustainable success.
What happens when you turn a fashion blog into a business empire worth acquiring? Marie Denée, founder of The Curvy Fashionista, sits down with Kathryn Finney to break down the real economics of influence - from the wild west days of $12 CPMs and $50K satellite media tours to today's oversaturated market.This isn't your typical "follow your passion" conversation. Marie and Kathryn dig deep into the business fundamentals that separate profitable personal brands from hobby accounts that burn out. You'll learn:Why understanding marketing funnels can 10x your influencer income:- The critical difference between building "Marie Denée" vs "The Curvy Fashionista" (and why it matters for exits)- How a failed 10-month acquisition nearly bankrupted Marie - and the legal mistakes to avoid- The mindset shift from "creating content to create revenue" to "creating revenue to create content"Two pioneers who built their tables before anyone knew the rules existed share hard-won wisdom about turning personal brands into scalable businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up beyond being the product yourself, this episode reveals the strategies that actually work in 2024.Marie Denée is the creator of The Curvy Fashionista, a groundbreaking digital platform that redefined plus-size fashion coverage. Kathryn Finney is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and author of "Build the Damn Thing."
Owning your power isn’t a personality trait—it’s a strategy.
In this special Build the Damn Thing compilation, Kathryn Finney brings together bold voices who know what it takes to lead, negotiate, and build with intention. From navigating bias to setting unapologetic boundaries, this episode is a crash course in standing tall and taking up space as an entrepreneur.
You’ll hear from founders and leaders who refused to play small—even when the systems around them demanded it. They chose themselves. They bet on their voice. And they built something better.
Listen in for real talk on:
Saying no without guilt
Navigating likeability and respect
The emotional cost of shrinking in the room
Why underestimated entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of power
This isn’t just about building a business. It’s about building yourself in the process.
🎧 Hit play—and don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share with a fellow builder.
#BuildTheDamnThing #Entrepreneurship #OwnYourPower #Negotiation #UnderestimatedFounders
What does it really take to build the business—and life—you want?
In this special compilation episode of Build the Damn Thing, host Kathryn Finney brings together powerful insights from founders and leaders who are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur. From negotiating your worth to building through bias, this episode unpacks the real inner work required to lead with power and purpose.
You’ll hear from voices who’ve been told to shrink—and chose to expand instead.
Discover why owning your power isn’t just about saying yes to opportunity, but also about knowing when to say no. Learn what it looks like to create spaces where underestimated founders can thrive. And walk away with the mindset tools every entrepreneur needs to navigate the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
If you’re building the damn thing—this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes that speak to the heart of what it means to be a builder.
#BuildTheDamnThing #Entrepreneurship #PowerMoves #Negotiation #UnderestimatedFounders
What if leadership didn’t have to be lonely? What if building your business could feel like a joyful act of service—not just a climb to the top?
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with her longtime collaborator and friend, Darlene Gillard Jones, to unpack the emotional reality of entrepreneurship. From surviving literal blizzards in North Carolina to producing a runway show that changed lives, Kathryn and Darlene reflect on the power of building with people who believe in you—and how joy, levity, and legacy show up in the startup trenches.
This is more than a behind-the-scenes conversation. It’s a blueprint for how to build with purpose, how to honor the people who helped you get there, and how to know when it’s time to move on.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the people you build with matter more than any pitch deck
How levity and laughter can be leadership superpowers
What it looks like to transition out of something with grace
How to spot the difference between someone who’s with you and someone who wants to be you
Why small acts of generosity can create big ripple effects (hello, Doonie Fund)
If you’re navigating your own leadership journey—or learning how to build the damn thing while staying rooted in who you are—this conversation is your reminder to lead with joy, love, and unapologetic clarity.
✨ Hit subscribe, leave a review, and send this episode to someone who rides with you in the storm and the spotlight. Because leadership is a team sport—and your joy is part of the strategy.
It's time to use AI to save you time and grow your business
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Cheryl Contee—tech futurist, serial entrepreneur, and author of AI for Nonprofits—to break down how underestimated founders can use AI right now to grow their businesses, save time, cut costs, and stay competitive.
Whether you’re running a small team, a solo hustle, or a community-based organization, this episode is packed with real-world examples, free tools, and no-BS advice on how to integrate AI into your workflow without selling your soul (or breaking the bank).
🎧 You’ll learn:
The 3 types of AI you need to know (and which one matters most)
How to use AI for content, customer service, bookkeeping, research, and more
What “prompt engineering” actually means—and how to do it
How to overcome fear, avoid burnout, and stay human in an AI-powered world
The one mindset shift that separates businesses that grow from those that get left behind
💡 AI Tools Mentioned in This Episode:
ChatGPT – content creation, research, and analysis
Claude – AI chatbot by Anthropic for writing and productivity
Gemini – Google’s AI assistant
PopAI – instant slide deck generator
Fathom – AI-powered meeting transcription and summaries
Fireflies – automatic meeting notes and follow-ups
Read.ai – meeting summaries and analytics
There’s An AI For That – searchable AI tool directory
Synesthesia (now Synthesia) – AI-generated human avatars for video
Lovable.dev– AI voiceovers and media generation
Perplexity – AI-powered search and research assistant
ChangeAgent – AI for social impact content and storytelling
This isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about building smarter, not harder—and making AI work for you.
🚀 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if you’re ready to grow your business and stay ahead of the curve. Let’s build the damn thing—together.
You’ve heard the buzz about venture capital, but do you really know how it works? Or if it’s even right for your business?
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Brian Laung Aoaeh, co-founder of Refashioned Ventures, to break down the truth about venture capital—without the jargon. From understanding how VCs actually make money to knowing what “high growth” really means, Kathryn and Brian reveal what most entrepreneurs get wrong about raising money and why VC funding is not for everybody.
They also get real about:
Why most businesses will never be a fit for venture capital
The financial realities of venture funds (aka how VCs get paid)
The #1 question every founder must answer before pitching investors
Why press and popularity don’t translate into profit
The tough but necessary truth about legacy-building vs. scaling
If you’ve ever wondered when (or if) you should raise VC money, or you’re tired of the hype and want the real deal on funding, this episode is your roadmap.
💡 Learn more about Kathryn Finney: kathrynfinney.com
👥 Join the Build the Damn Thing community: buildthedamnthing.com
🔗 Connect with Brian Aoaeh: Refashioned Ventures
In this episode of "Build a Damn Thing," host Kathryn Finney delves into the intersection of art and entrepreneurship with Natalie Osborne, founder of Natalie O. Decor. Born in the historic Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Natalie carries the legacy of Black Wall Street into her vibrant art. Discover how she transitioned from teaching to full-time artistry, leveraging platforms like Etsy and Shopify to sell her work. Natalie shares insights on pricing, market strategies, and breaking free from traditional art world constraints. Whether you're an artist or an entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on betting on yourself and thriving in a rapidly changing world.
Your network is more than who you know — it’s about who knows what you know.
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with networking powerhouse Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network, to unpack how building the right relationships can be the ultimate power move for entrepreneurs, career changers, and women in business.
From career pivots to personal branding, Kathryn and Kelly dive into the strategies that turn connections into catalysts. Learn how to engage your community authentically, how to identify your value in a crowded space, and why curiosity is the underrated superpower of successful networking.
Whether you’re launching a business or planning your next professional chapter, this episode will show you how to build and use your network with intention.
Listen in to discover:
How to make your network work for you
Why relationships unlock entrepreneurial opportunity
What it means to build with community, not in isolation
How to show up with value and bring others on the journey
This episode is for anyone serious about:
Networking, entrepreneurship, building connections, career transitions, women in business, personal branding, and leading with purpose.
Subscribe, share, and start building your damn thing with the people who want to see you win.
What does it really mean to own your power in business—and still be likeable?
In this powerful episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Dr. Alison Fragale, negotiation expert, professor at the University of North Carolina, and author of "Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Desrve", to unpack how underestimated entrepreneurs can navigate power, presence, and persuasion without losing themselves.
They explore what it means to be a “likeable badass,” why curiosity is one of the most underrated business tools, and how storytelling can be your secret weapon in negotiations. Alison shares practical strategies that you can use to confidently advocate for yourself, build authentic connections, and push back on the myth that assertiveness and likability are mutually exclusive.
Whether you’re walking into a pitch meeting, asking for what you’re worth, or trying to build strategic business relationships, this episode is packed with the tools you need to stand tall and get what you came for.
What You’ll Learn:
How to self-promote without the cringe
Why presence matters more than polish
The truth about power (and how to use it effectively)
Negotiation tips that actually work for women
How to build influence through connection and storytelling
More from this episode:
Learn more about Alison Fragale’s work and speaking at alisonfragale.com
Check out her book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, here
Discover more about Kathryn at kathrynfinney.com
Join the movement at the Build the Damn Thing community
🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Tune in now and start showing up like the badass you already are.
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
#BuildTheDamnThing #NegotiationTips #WomenInBusiness #PowerMoves #KathrynFinney #LikeableBadass #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategies #AuthenticConnections #PodcastDrop
In a world where business often feels transactional, how do you build relationships that actually matter?
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with renowned connector and corporate responsibility expert Susan McPherson to talk about the real power behind authentic connections. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with purpose, why curiosity is your greatest networking tool, and how entrepreneurs can thrive in a world transformed by AI and social uncertainty.
Susan shares her powerful Gather, Ask, Do framework—designed to help you create meaningful relationships that fuel both personal and professional growth. From building purpose-driven brands to navigating the shifting political and economic landscape, this conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to do business with heart and impact.
What You’ll Learn:
How to build a network rooted in authenticity and generosity
Why curiosity is the key to long-term connection
The role of kindness in modern entrepreneurship
How the political climate is reshaping business relationships
Tools to navigate AI, economic uncertainty, and subsistence entrepreneurship
Don’t miss this episode packed with wisdom, strategy, and a whole lot of heart.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify: The Power of Connection
🔗 Learn more about Susan at mcpstrategies.com
🌐 Discover Kathryn at kathrynfinney.com
👥 Join the Build the Damn Thing community and connect with bold entrepreneurs like you
#BuildTheDamnThing #PurposeDrivenBusiness #Entrepreneurship #AuthenticConnections #WomenInBusiness #KindnessInBusiness #KathrynFinney #SusanMcPherson #NetworkingWithPurpose #AIandEntrepreneurship
What if your burnout, breakup, and boldest idea all showed up in the same year—and led you to your biggest breakthrough?
In this powerful episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Nekeia Boone, tech executive turned ice cream entrepreneur and founder of Tudy’s Kitchen. Named in honor of her grandmother, this Amsterdam-based, Black woman–led dessert brand is shaking up the frozen food aisle with flavors rooted in culture, legacy, and love.
After hitting a breaking point during the pandemic—divorce, corporate burnout, and a global shutdown—Nekeia leaned into an unplanned pivot. What started as late-night kitchen therapy became a booming ice cream brand now stocked in major European retailers like Albert Heijn.
In this episode, Nekeia shares how she went from managing product teams at Booking.com to managing churn (the good kind), why storytelling is her superpower, and how building with what you already have can unlock global opportunity.
🔗 Learn more:
🎧 Subscribe, share, and review—because your pivot could be your purpose
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Dana Hork — a powerhouse marketer, brand builder, and founder of the rapid-fire microagency Beers With Friends — to unpack what it really takes to go from startup scrappiness to billion-dollar success, and why speed, clarity, and creativity are the new marketing superpowers.
From being one of the first 100 employees at Jet.com to leading its explosive growth and $3.3 billion acquisition by Walmart, Dana has had a front-row seat to brand revolutions at scale. She’s revitalized corporate giants like Walmart with a bold new social strategy, launched food-tech innovations at Wonder, and stepped into the future with a Web3 podcast that cuts through the hype to explore real-world use cases.
But Dana doesn’t just lead with strategy — she leads with energy. As a certified spin instructor, NYC Marathon and Triathlon finisher, and all-around execution machine, she brings the same level of discipline and vision to her fitness goals as she does to her entrepreneurial ventures.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to slow down or play small, this episode is your permission to go fast and build loud.
🔗 Learn more:
🎧 Subscribe and share — because speed is strategy, and legacy doesn’t wait.
What if the boldest thing you could do is build the space you’ve been told you don’t belong in?
In this powerful episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Alex West Steinman, co-founder and CEO of The Coven—a trailblazing co-working space built by and for women, non-binary, and trans professionals. From confronting systemic inequities in the advertising industry to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, Alex’s journey is a blueprint for leading with purpose, equity, and unapologetic authenticity.
Together, Kathryn and Alex dive into how childhood lessons, supportive parents (especially #BlackDads), and bold leadership shaped her entrepreneurial path. They explore building community as a business model, the power of showing up as your full self, and what it means to scale without selling out your values.
Whether you’re launching a startup or rethinking your leadership style, this episode will inspire you to bet on yourself—and build something that centers belonging for all.
🔗 Follow Alex:
🎧 Don’t forget to rate, share, and subscribe—because you are a big deal.
What if building your business could also build a better world?In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with Teresa Chahine, Yale School of Management senior lecturer, social entrepreneurship pioneer, and author of Social Entrepreneurship: Building Impact Step-by-Step. Teresa shares how she’s blending academic insight with on-the-ground action to reshape the future of business—one purpose-driven venture at a time.From launching the first venture philanthropy organization in Lebanon to supporting immigrant-owned businesses in New Haven, Teresa offers a global perspective on how entrepreneurs—especially underestimated ones—can create companies that are both profitable and ethical. Together, she and Kathryn explore how to build sustainable ventures, work with imperfect allies, shift from scarcity to abundance mindsets, and fund your idea without waiting for VC validation.This episode is your playbook for socially responsible entrepreneurship—and a powerful reminder that building your damn thing doesn’t have to mean building alone.🔗 Learn more about Teresa’s work:Book: Social EntrepreneurshipImpact & Innovation PodcastLinkedIn🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share—because making money and making impact don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
How do you stay relevant, build community, and lead through massive industry change—without losing yourself in the process?
In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with powerhouse media executive and community builder Ann Shoket, former Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen Magazine and current CEO of TheLi.st. From the high-stakes world of legacy media to building a digital-first, purpose-driven network for women and non-binary leaders, Ann shares raw lessons on evolution, acquisition, and leadership in the face of disruption.
Together, they unpack:
The collapse of the magazine industry and how Ann pivoted from editorial to entrepreneurship
Why knowing what problem you’re solving is the most critical leadership skill
How acquiring a brand (instead of starting from scratch) can accelerate your impact—and the pitfalls to avoid
The business cost of loneliness in leadership, and how to build your personal advisory board
The power of micro-habits to strengthen your professional support network
Whether you’re navigating a career shift, scaling a startup, or searching for your next bold move, this conversation delivers actionable insights for leading with clarity and building what matters.
🔗 Follow Ann Shoket:
🎧 Don’t just dream—build smarter. Subscribe, share, and let us know what you’re building.
What if the skills you used to launch your dream business were the same skills you need to launch a successful romantic partnership?
In this one-of-a-kind episode of Build the Damn Thing, host Kathryn Finney sits down with acclaimed love coach and entrepreneur Francesca Hogi to uncover the surprising parallels between building a business and building a relationship. Francesca—author of How to Find True Love and TED Talk veteran—dives deep into how intention, vision, and self-worth shape both our love lives and our entrepreneurial paths.
Together, they break down why so many high-achieving people struggle with dating, the toxic impact of the “fairy tale industrial complex,” and how your personal growth is the greatest asset in both business and love.
Whether you’re pitching investors or planning your next date, this episode will help you ditch the scarcity mindset, align with your true values, and open up to the partnership—and life—you actually deserve.
🔗 Learn more and connect with Francesca:
Fran’s book: How to Find True Love – Book
Fran’s TED Talk
Fran’s Website
Follow her on Instagram @dearfranny
🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share—because your best business move might just be opening your heart.
