She Became CEO

If you’re a midlife entrepreneur — or you’re thinking about building a side gig, online business, or network marketing income stream — this episode will expand your perspective.
Today’s guest, John Solleder, has spent over 42 years in network marketing, direct selling, leadership training, and entrepreneurship development. He has guided more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, built organizations across multiple countries, and developed a reputation for integrity, discipline, and a deep commitment to helping people grow.
In this conversation, we explore:
The real truth about MLM and network marketingWhat’s legitimate, what isn’t, how to tell the difference, and why the shady versions online give the entire industry a bad name.
Why discipline matters more than motivationJohn explains the habits, routines, and mindset shifts that separate long-term business builders from those who quit.
How midlife can be your strongest entrepreneurial seasonWe discuss confidence, lived experience, community, and the advantages midlife women and men bring to the table.
Turning disadvantages into assetsWhether it’s immigration, language barriers, financial limitations, or late starts — John shares stories of people who built success anyway.
What actually works in network marketingCommunity, trust, repetition, mentorship, and consistent action — not digital tricks or “get rich fast” promises.
Side gigs, financial stability, and health-conscious entrepreneurshipWhy midlifers are rethinking work, money, and lifestyle — and where network marketing fits into the bigger picture.
John is also the author of two highly regarded books:
📘 Leave Nothing to Chance: 15 Principles for Success and the Stories That Inspired Them📙 Moving Up: Real Life Secrets for Getting from Here to ThereYou can purchase his books and contact him directly through his website:👉 www.johnsolleder.com

It started as something small — just noticing 11:11 on my phone one day. Then it happened again. And again. Soon, the number followed me everywhere.
Was it a sign from the universe, or just my brain searching for patterns?
In this episode, I explore how repeating numbers can become mirrors — reflecting what we believe, what we’re ready to see, and what we still need to stabilize in life. I connect the dots between spiritual symbolism and psychological insight, from Tesla’s fascination with numbers to Dr. Daniel Amen’s neuroscience of love and decision-making.
Along the way, we’ll talk about the new narrative of womanhood — how today’s women are rewriting the old scripts of relationships and independence, as seen in a recent Vogue article that questions whether being “boyfriend-free” is the new empowerment.
And through it all, I return to the question: what are the four pillars that hold our lives steady when everything else shifts? For me, it’s health, relationships, money, and faith — whether that faith points upward or inward.
💫 In this episode:
What it really means when you keep seeing 11:11
The link between pattern recognition, belief, and brain health
Why stability requires four pillars, not three
How modern women are reframing love and independence
Why Dr. Amen says brain scans might be the best premarital gift
Revisiting interviews with 4 female entrepreneurs who have shared on this podcast how they used intuition in their business
🔗 Mentioned:
Episode 33 – The Power of 3-6-9 and Reframing the Narrative
Chanté Joseph’s Vogue article: “Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?”
Dr. Daniel Amen, Amen University
 

Guest: Azgari Lipshi — entrepreneur, founder of Asgari.com, and serial business builder who has launched and sold companies across industries and continents.
Episode Summary:What does it really take to start a successful business — and how do you recover when passion projects fail?In this candid conversation, Ilze talks with Azgari Lipshi, a serial entrepreneur who launched her first supplement line in Bangladesh at 15 and went on to build multiple ventures. Currently, she owns a construction and remodeling business, LIV180, and a consulting company, Azgari.com, in the United States.
Azgari shares what she’s learned from early success, costly failures, and navigating a new business culture as an immigrant. She explains why she believes passion must meet market demand, why borrowing smartly can be better than self-funding, and why courage — not perfection — fuels entrepreneurship.
The episode also features a role-play segment in which I present three audience avatars (Ellen, Marta, and Nicole) — women in midlife considering entrepreneurship — and Azgari offers tailored advice for each. Whether you’re an analyst trapped in a corporate job, an immigrant dreaming of cultural entrepreneurship, or someone starting over with no formal business education, Azgari’s insights will help you see that it’s never too late to start smart.Watch the full episode on YouTube.
Key Takeaways
Start with validation, not emotion. A great idea still needs market demand.
Passion projects fail without profit planning — and that’s okay. Every loss teaches leverage.
Loans aren’t the enemy. Using financing strategically can protect your savings.
Entrepreneurship after 40+ is possible. Your transferable skills are your biggest asset.
Failure is a PhD in disguise. Every setback prepares you for sustainable growth.
Contact Azgari via:https://azgari.com/ 
To inquire about being a featured podcast guest, please email me at:https://ilzebe.com/ 
 

What does growing wisdom have to do with growing your wisdom teeth? And why does Dr. D-Nice believe every woman should enter a beauty pageant at least once in her life?
In this lively, laughter-filled conversation, we explore the intersection of confidence, purpose, and the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on likes or followers.
Dr. Denise Hunter — known to audiences as Dr. D-Nice — is a medical doctor, motivational speaker, and the creative mind behind Wisdom Teethinger, a project devoted to helping youth grow into emotional and intellectual maturity while their “wisdom teeth” (and life experience) come in. She explains that our frontal lobe — the part of the brain tied to judgment and decision-making — develops at the same time as our wisdom teeth, which inspired her unforgettable name and mission.
From there, we dive into her belief that every woman should participate in a beauty pageant at least once. For Dr. D-Nice, the runway isn’t about vanity — it’s a crash course in self-knowledge. Behind the gowns and glitter, contestants must articulate who they are, what they stand for, and how they handle pressure. As she puts it, pageants give women “the opportunity to get to know yourself and share yourself with other people.”
Dr. D-Nice also opens up about a moment of inner conflict — teaching a teen weight-loss class while not feeling at her own goal weight. Her honesty about that incongruence adds a refreshing layer of humanity to the conversation. Rather than pretending perfection, she models what integrity and self-acceptance look like in real time. This passion business is her side-hustle, at least for now.
And of course, she brings humor to everything — from confessing her love for Jamaican oxtail (“Even when I was vegetarian, I’d still have an occasional oxtail”) to explaining why she doesn’t take social media too seriously. As she says, “I’m not saying social media doesn’t count — it definitely does — but it’s not my world.” That line alone sums up her grounded approach to modern life.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear a woman who leads with laughter, faith, and fierce authenticity — reminding us that wisdom isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we grow into, one experience at a time.
Key Themes
Finding wisdom through humor and honesty
Our youth and depression
Pageantry as a path to self-discovery
The importance of congruence and compassion in health coaching
Living joyfully beyond social media validation
You find Dr. D-Nice and get in touch with her through her website or social media channels. The links are below:
https://www.wisdomteethinger.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/dr.dnicebeaugelin
https://www.facebook.com/denise.hunter 
https://www.youtube.com/@drdnicebeaugelin If you found this conversation entertaining and/or valuable, please leave me a review, and if you'd like to be my podcast guest or you know someone who could be a good fit, please visit my website, SheBecameCEO.com, to find the form. 

In this entertaining and reflective episode, I share a true story in a way that will make it sound like a tall tale. I also talk about how we see and perceive in the best way I can, without overwhelming my audience with complexity. Finally, I share 33 statements as my gift to you. They are condensed wisdom from the painful but valuable experiences I've had. Enjoy, and please follow and give my podcast a 5-star rating. If you'd like to be my guest, please visit my website, SheBecameCEO.com, and follow the instructions.

What happens when a woman stands on stage and dares to speak about her body, her rights, and her pleasure? According to my observations, people take sides, but usually, nobody stays neutral.
In this episode of She Became CEO, I sit down with public speaking and communication expert Natalie Jones for a conversation that is as bold as it is practical. Natalie doesn’t just teach speaking techniques—she lives what she teaches by delivering speeches that stir, challenge, and empower.
We talk about:
Why courage matters more than polish in public speaking
The difference between performing and truly connecting with your audience
Natalie’s journey as a professor and coach who helps students and professionals find their voice
Her two most provocative prepared speeches: The Boys and Memories (about reproductive health and identity) and My Selfish Vagina (about women’s right to pleasure)
How women can reclaim their stories and stand on stage with an unapologetic presence
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or simply someone who wants to speak with more confidence, this episode will inspire you to bring more boldness to your voice.If you’re ready to improve your public speaking, interpersonal, and intercultural communication skills in a supportive, trauma- and brain-health-aware space, check out my new program She Knows Now. 

If you’re a woman in your fifties or beyond and you’ve felt the pull to finally start that business, this episode is for you.
Messages are floating online that sound comforting, hopeful, even empowering—but they’re only half the story. And half-truths can cost you precious time, money, and confidence. In this episode, I unpack three of the most common half-truths about midlife entrepreneurship—what’s real, what’s missing, and what you actually need to know to build something that lasts.
With three decades of entrepreneurial experience, I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to respect you with the whole truth—so you can move forward with clarity, courage, and realistic expectations.
Key Takeaways
Half-Truth #1: “Online business is easy.”Starting is simple, sustaining isn’t. Community and trust—not just a platform—create longevity.
Half-Truth #2: “You don’t need your own product.”Affiliate marketing can work, but it’s still labor and rarely a full business. Vision, assets, and authenticity matter more.
Half-Truth #3: “Older entrepreneurs have cognitive advantages.”Experience is real leverage, but only if you also care for the midlife brain—nourishing it, protecting sleep, and managing energy.
Why unhealed trauma and menopause shifts can quietly affect your business stamina—and how to approach both with compassion and strategy.
Resources & Mentions
Dr. Lisa Mosconi on menopause as a neurological transition.
Dr. Daniel Amen on brain health and blood flow.
Entrepreneurs mentioned: Amy Porterfield, Lewis Howes, Jenna Kutcher, and Steven Bartlett.
Amen University for brain health insights.
Let’s Connect
This is why I’m building a trauma- and menopause-aware business coaching program for women—because pace, structure, and brain health aren’t side notes; they’re the infrastructure.
If this episode resonated with you, please check the links and resources at SheBecameCEO.com.

Līga Brence is a Latvian entrepreneur and world traveler. She is the owner and CEO of the brand "Liga Nature SPA," which she created from scratch over the span of 30 years. Today, Liga joined me for an open and heartfelt conversation in which this courageous woman shared about her successes and hardships as she was building her beauty salons, SPA centers, and her organic product line. Her English isn't perfect, but her insights are profound. You don't want to miss this one. 
For more information about Liga Nature SPA, please check out the following resources:https://salonsliga.lv/
https://www.instagram.com/liganaturespa/ 
https://www.instagram.com/spa_namins/
https://www.youtube.com/@liganaturespa9601 
 
To be featured as a guest on this podcast, please apply through the webpage:https://shebecameceo.com/index.php/collaborate/ 
As always, if you want to support me in creating content like this, please give me a 5-star rating and leave a review. It helps a lot.
 

In this episode, I weave together stories of caregiving, resilience, and the hard choices that come when love and responsibility collide. You’ll hear reflections on Danielle’s story of choosing her own health over continuing as her ex-husband Matt’s caregiver, Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming’s public sharing about boundaries, and my own experiences with stepping back when my care wasn’t being received.
Together, these stories highlight what it really means to love ourselves—especially when caregiving responsibilities risk draining us beyond repair. And I close with a reminder that self-love isn’t indulgence in a glass of wine or beer—it’s protecting the very organ that carries our memories, our creativity, and our ability to love: the brain.
Danielle's TikTok handle: @djoseywilliamsMy TikTok handle: @ilzebe1I also mentioned the interview of Emma Heming Willis by Dr. Daniel Amen on his podcast Change Your Brain Every Day.
Key Takeaways
Caregiving can be an act of love—but knowing when to step away can also be self-love.
Boundaries are not selfish; they are what allow us (and those we love) to thrive.
Stories like Danielle’s and Emma Heming Willis’ remind us that choosing ourselves is sometimes the most loving act.
Self-love isn’t found in alcohol or numbing habits—it’s in honoring and protecting our brain health.
Every act of stepping back from what drains us is also a step forward into clarity, resilience, and freedom.

What happens when the people we love most speak words that cut deep — not because they are true, but because they come from unhealed pain? In this episode, I share the stories of two mothers who faced that reality, and I reflect on the shadows of trauma, the echoes of narcissistic abuse, and the delicate balance between guilt and responsibility.
Together, we explore fear as a dark angel, guilt as love in disguise, and the ways unhealed wounds ripple across generations. You’ll also be guided through a gentle meditation to release fear and false guilt, and to return to the one truth that remains: love endures, even when misunderstood.
This conversation is for every mother — and every listener — who has ever carried grief, fear, or blame that was never truly theirs to hold.