The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation
The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation is your go-to podcast for insights and inspiration from trailblazing industry leaders.Hosted by Dana Staszkiewicz and Melanie Sloane, is a transformative podcast designed to empower entrepreneurs and leaders in the trades industry. With engaging conversations, real-life success stories, and actionable advice, each episode is crafted to inspire growth and innovation. From overcoming business challenges to fostering leadership skills and building thriving companies, The Trade Accelerator provides listeners with the insights, tools, and motivation needed to excel in their professional journeys.
Episodes
39 episodes
Episode 39: Jump and Build the Parachute: Lessons from the Entrepreneurial Edge
In this episode, we sit down with Madison Staszkiewicz—entrepreneur, mom, and someone who’s figured out a whole lot by doing the hard things first. Madison shares how she built her first business from a one-room space, what she learned throu...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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32:08
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Episode 38: What Motivates You?: Finding Your Drive in Business and Life
In this episode, we talk about what really keeps us going. Motivation isn’t always clear or consistent—it shifts as life and business change. We share honest stories about what pushed us in the early days, what drives us now, and how things lik...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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28:10
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Episode 37: Compensation and Incentives: What Every Employee and Business Owner Should Know
In this episode, we talk about compensation and incentives from both sides — as an employee and as a business owner. We share what to think about before asking for a raise, why it’s important to track your work, and how going above and beyon...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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23:33
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Episode 36: The Power of Personal Brand: How You Show Up Matters
In this episode, we talk about what personal brand really means — and why it matters more than you might think. Whether we realize it or not, we’re building our personal brand every single day through the way we show up, the way we work, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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21:37
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Episode 35: From Cheerleader to Technician: Megan Wilson’s Journey Redefining What’s Possible for Women in Trades
In this episode, we sit down with Megan Wilson to talk about her unexpected path from warehouse work to HVAC service tech, and eventually, business owner. Megan shares what it was like stepping into a male-dominated industry, the challenges ...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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34:21
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Episode 34: The Accountability Boost: How Mentorship Moves Us Forward
In this episode, Melanie and Dana dive into what mentorship actually looks like—from both sides of the table. They share personal stories about how formal and informal mentorship shaped their careers, the lessons they’ve learned along the wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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23:50
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Episode 33: The Missing Piece: Rethinking How We Recruit Women
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to attract and support female service experts in the trades. It’s not just about posting a job ad—it’s about being intentional with your culture, your language, and the way you show up. We ...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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18:13
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Episode 32: Turning Tension into Growth: A Real Talk with Katy Higgins
In this episode, we sit down with Katy Higgins for a raw and honest conversation about leadership, accountability, and speaking up. Katy shares what it felt like to raise a concern and the ripple effects it had on both her and the team. We t...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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27:21
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Episode 31: Trust & Relationships: Finding the Right People to Lift You Up
In this episode, we talk about the impact of coaching groups on business and personal growth. We break down the differences between coaching groups, masterminds, and networking groups to help you find the right fit. We share our own experien...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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25:08
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Episode 30: Collaboration & Success: How Coaching Groups Make a Difference
In this episode, we talk about the impact of coaching groups on business and personal growth. We break down the differences between coaching groups, masterminds, and networking groups to help you find the right fit. We share our own experien...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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18:22
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Episode 29: Leadership & Strategy: The Drive for Continuous Improvement
In this episode, Dana and Melanie sit down with Camille Porco from CI Web Group to explore the ever-changing world of digital marketing and business growth. Camille shares insights into how her team helps businesses refine their online prese...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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24:14
Episode 28: The Power of HR: Building a Trust-Driven Workplace with Lindsey Beckstrom
In this episode, we explore the essential role of HR in building trust and a positive workplace culture. Lindsey Beckstrom shares her journey from handling outbound tasks to shaping HR at All Hours. She explains how a friendly and supportive...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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27:27
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Episode 27: Navigating Conflict: Turning Tension into Teamwork
In this episode, we dive into the challenges of conflict resolution in the workplace and how to handle difficult conversations effectively. Melanie and Dana share personal experiences, practical strategies, and key takeaways on addressing co...
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22:49
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Episode 26: The Science of Sales: Expert Insights with Diana Wallace
In this episode, we sit down with Diana Wallace from Scout Online Sales Collective (Scout OSC) to talk about sales strategy, process improvement, and the power of data in growing a business. Diana shares her journey from working solo in sale...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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25:51
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Episode 25: Hiring for Culture: The Key to Long-Term Success
In this episode, Dana and Melanie get real about the challenges of hiring and keeping great employees. They talk about what really makes a workplace attractive, how to write job descriptions that bring in the right people, and why culture fi...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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27:20
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Episode 24: Surviving & Thriving: Navigating Corporate Acquisitions
In this episode, we talk with Mary Lightfoot about her journey in the trades, from working in marketing to leading operations through a private equity acquisition. She shares what it was like to manage a team during a major business transiti...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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26:09
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Episode 23: Budget Smarter, Not Harder: How to Keep Your Business Running Year-Round
In this episode, Melanie and Dana discuss how to navigate seasonal slowdowns with smart financial planning. They share tips on budgeting, saving during peak months, and managing expenses to keep cash flow steady. Learn how vendor negotiation...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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22:34
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Episode 22: Work and Well-Being: How Mindfulness Boosts Productivity
In this episode, Dana and Melanie talk about how mindfulness can make a real difference at work. They share simple ways to stay present, handle stress, and create a more positive work environment. From quick breaks to thoughtful conversation...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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18:40
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Episode 21: Scheduling Smart: Maximizing Productivity in Your Day
In this episode, Dana and Melanie talk about time management and share what’s worked for them over the years. They cover things like quarterly planning, block scheduling, and figuring out when you’re most productive. They also touch on the i...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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18:32
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Episode 20: Smart Moves: Dena Jalbert on Building and Selling Businesses
In this episode, Dana and Melanie chat with Dena Jalbert, founder and CEO of Align Business Advisory Services. Dena shares how she went from working in corporate finance to starting her own firm that helps business owners navigate mergers an...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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39:32
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Episode 19: Onboarding That Sticks: Building Trust and Retention from Day One
In this episode, Melanie and Dana dive into the essential role onboarding plays in shaping the employee experience. They share their journey from chaotic first days to a streamlined, trust-building process that retains top talent. Discover a...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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34:28
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Episode 18: Work-Life Balance Decoded: Finding What Works for You
In this episode, we tackle the ever-elusive concept of work-life balance. We share our personal journeys, challenges, and changing perspectives on what balance really means. From the early days of chasing perfection to discovering the import...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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34:07
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Episode 17: Building Financial Success: Aligning Vision, Strategy, and Profitability
In this episode, we explore the importance of financial planning and budgeting for both personal and business success. We share our experiences with building effective budgets, tackling financial challenges, and creating strategies to drive ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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28:12
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Episode 16: Your Business Accelerator: The Power of Fractional Experts
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of fractional workers—think part-time CFOs, marketing directors, and other experts who can make a big difference in your business without being full-time employees. We’ll talk about how this appro...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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25:09
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Episode 15: How Vision and Strategy Saved Us: The Biggest Issue When Company Was Struggling
In this episode, we explore the biggest issues companies face when they’re struggling and how to overcome them. From the lack of a clear vision to not knowing your financial numbers, we discuss how these gaps can derail progress. Join Melani...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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37:55
