Business, Her Way

What does it really take to build a business, sell it, and then step back into growth all over again? In this episode of Business Her Way, Judi Paré sits down with Kim Neeson to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, money, legacy, and what it means to start again with decades of experience behind you.
Kim shares her journey through the niche world of court reporting, where she built a successful business over 23 years, expanded it into multiple service areas, and eventually sold it to a national company. She opens up about the challenges of returning to a growth role after leaving business ownership behind, and how trust, reputation, and relationships helped her re-enter the industry.
Kim also talks honestly about the pressure of leadership, the weight of responsibility that comes with entrepreneurship, and how her thinking changed over time. She reflects on learning to let go of perfectionism, empowering team members to make decisions, and building a company that could function without her. The conversation also explores how women relate to money, how stress can affect health, and why protecting your own financial independence matters.
This episode is full of practical wisdom for women in business, especially those building something meaningful while juggling leadership, family, and long-term goals. Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that success is not only about money. It is also about relationships, legacy, and creating opportunities for others.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it take to build a successful tech career across countries, industries, and life stages? In this episode of The Business Her Way Podcast with Judi Paré, Megha Nataraj shares her journey from a small town in India to building a thriving career in software testing and quality assurance in Canada.
Megha opens up about working in the health tech space, where accuracy, structure, and strong systems matter deeply. She explains how quality assurance is much more than testing software. It is about understanding the whole system, thinking like the user, catching risks early, and helping businesses deliver products people can trust.
Judi and Megha also talk about mentorship, leadership, and how careers grow in unexpected ways. Megha shares how she began mentoring others through ADPList, helping people navigate interviews, career transitions, and the changing expectations in tech. She also talks about how startups are now reaching out to her for product advice, especially as AI continues to change how teams build and test software.
This conversation also explores Megha’s personal journey as an immigrant, her experience rebuilding her career in Canada, and why remote work has been such a gift during this season of family life. She offers thoughtful insight on avoiding burnout, staying relevant in a changing industry, and making time for the people and moments that matter most.
You’ll also hear Megha’s honest perspective on financial stability, investing, and why learning new skills is one of the best ways to create both career strength and personal freedom.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it look like to build a career that keeps growing with you? In this episode of Business Her Way, Judi Paré sits down with Jannett Ioanniades to talk about career growth, lifelong learning, hospitality, education, and the side hustles that can open the door to a whole new chapter.
Jannett shares how she built her career over 40 years, beginning in hospitality and hotel management, then moving into leadership roles in major hotels, and later bringing that real-world experience into the college classroom. Today, she works with employers and students at George Brown College, helping create co-op and career opportunities that can lead to long-term success.
This conversation also explores what it means to adapt when life changes. Jannett opens up about the challenges of COVID, job loss, caregiving, grief, and how one life-changing phone call helped her find her way forward again. She also shares how she and her son built a short-term rental business at Rock Lake, and how her love of baking, chocolate making, and travel continue to shape what comes next.
This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, passion, and staying open to new possibilities at every stage of life.
 
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.
 
 

Marianand happy people**, with a special focus on helping women grow in spaces where they’re still underrepresented—like manufacturing. She and Judi talk about what truly motivates employees, how HR can build trust across an organization, and why AI can free HR leaders to do more of what matters: supporting people through real life.
Mariana also opens up about moving to Canada for safety after a traumatic experience, rebuilding her life and career as an immigrant, and how her relationship with money shifted through different seasons of life. The conversation ends with a powerful reflection on ADHD as a superpower, creativity, and leadership that’s rooted in service.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode, Judi Paré sits down with Dr. Dora Chan, a Toronto-based Doctor of Pharmacy with a Master’s in Nutrition, who now helps women through functional medicine and holistic nutrition. Dora shares why she moved away from “just taking a pill” and into a deeper, root-cause approach that looks at the whole person.
Dora also opens up about what it’s really like building a business as a solo entrepreneur and mom of twins. She talks about wearing every hat, managing time, and the money mindset shift that happens when you go from a paid role to charging for your own services.
You’ll also hear a powerful story about one of Dora’s early clients who had scary symptoms that looked like the start of a serious autoimmune condition. Dora explains how early action, better food choices, and targeted support can help someone feel more in control again.
Judi and Dora also talk about why nutrition advice online can be confusing. Dora explains why there is no “one perfect diet” for everyone, and why genetics, hormones, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and even where you live can change what your body needs.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

What does it really take for women to show up confidently, share their stories, and build a meaningful personal brand?
In this episode of the Business Her Way Podcast, Judi Paré sits down with Wendy Russell for a powerful, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about confidence, storytelling, purpose, and the true cost of success.
Wendy shares her journey from a 30-year career in film and television to becoming a coach, speaker, and event producer dedicated to helping women step into their voice. She opens up about producing large-scale events for female entrepreneurs, including the Fearless Women’s Summit, and how her background in television made the transition into live events a natural one.
The conversation dives deep into the power of story and why vulnerability paired with growth is what creates real connection. Wendy explains how sharing stories helps people feel seen and understood, why confidence is built through action and repetition, and how women can stop overthinking marketing by leaning into authenticity and storytelling instead.
Wendy also reflects on the sacrifices that success can require, including difficult personal choices, and shares how her relationship with money has evolved from scarcity to abundance. Throughout the episode, she reinforces the importance of asking for support, letting go of what no longer fits, and focusing on work that truly lights you up.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of The Business Her Way Podcast, Judi Paré sits down with real estate investor and licensed real estate agent Kelly Caldwell for a powerful and honest conversation about growth, mindset, and building a business one door at a time.
Kelly shares how her real estate journey began without a big master plan and evolved into a thriving portfolio of 42 doors. She opens up about juggling family life, entrepreneurship, and leadership, while staying grounded in long-term goals. From joint venture partnerships to building strong teams, Kelly explains what people often misunderstand about real estate investing and why strategy matters just as much as hard work.
This conversation goes beyond real estate. Kelly talks candidly about grit, navigating fear, and reframing nervousness into excitement. She reflects on how her relationship with money has changed, especially coming from a background with very little financial security, and why women need to talk more openly about money, credit, and independence.
Judi and Kelly also explore leadership, trust, and teamwork, including how Kelly empowers her team by aligning everyone around shared goals. The episode wraps with a meaningful story from Kelly’s early investing days that reminds us all that progress often starts with simply believing you can keep going.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of Business Her Way, Judi Paré sits down with Kristen J Parise, founder of Blueberry Therapy, for an open and powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, and women’s pelvic health.
Kristen shares how she built a thriving multidisciplinary pelvic health clinic in Dundas, Ontario, while also launching a podcast, a women’s sexual health conference, and an online store. She talks honestly about the evolution from clinician to CEO, and how learning to say no, time-blocking, and building the right team changed everything.
The conversation also dives into topics many women don’t talk about openly, including pelvic health myths, why leaking is never “normal,” and how education can change lives. Kristen explains why she created The Hole Shebang podcast and the Pleasure Principle Conference, both designed to give women and healthcare professionals access to evidence-based, shame-free information.
Judi and Kristen also explore leadership growth, letting go of perfectionism, setting boundaries, using AI in business operations, and the emotional weight that comes with being responsible for a growing team. Kristen shares what success really costs, how her relationship with money has evolved, and why trusting your own vision matters more than outside opinions.
This episode is honest, educational, and empowering — especially for women building businesses in people-centered industries.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this thoughtful and inspiring episode of The Business Her Way Podcast, host Judi Paré sits down with Tara Bakker, an experienced banking manager with decades of leadership, coaching, and financial planning expertise.
Tara shares her journey through a traditionally male-dominated industry and how she worked her way into leadership by leaning into her strengths — communication, relationship-building, and coaching. As she approaches a major career transition, Tara opens up about redefining success, purpose, and what “enough” truly means.
Together, Judi and Tara explore what it really looks like to navigate business as a woman — whether inside a corporate role or as an entrepreneur. They discuss mentorship, burnout, financial literacy, and the importance of planning for both today and the future. Tara also shares her passion for empowering women, supporting entrepreneurs, and giving back through financial education.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.

In this episode of Business Her Way, Judi Paré sits down with Serena Holmes, a serial entrepreneur, author, real estate professional, and personal brand strategist, to talk honestly about growth, pivots, and the lessons that only experience can teach.
Serena shares how she became an “accidental entrepreneur” after stepping into an events company in its early days and eventually buying out her business partner. She opens up about running the company for nearly two decades, navigating massive growth, and facing one of the most challenging periods of her career when COVID brought the events industry to a complete stop.
The conversation dives into what it was really like to downsize, let go of a large team, and ultimately sell a business during uncertainty — and how strong branding and SEO became the key asset that made the sale possible. Serena explains why trusting your instincts in business matters, how ignoring red flags can be costly, and why saying no can sometimes be the smartest growth strategy.
Judi and Serena also explore Serena’s transition into real estate, coaching, podcasting, and brand collaborations. Serena talks candidly about personal branding, consistency, systems, and why showing up the same way every time builds trust. She shares lessons around money, risk, and rebuilding after setbacks, along with her belief that women need to talk more openly about both success and struggle.
 
Be A Guest: Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://businessherway.ca/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.