In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Jessie Jaskulsky for an update on her surrogacy support community — a space she built because she didn’t want anyone to go through the journey alone.

Jessie shares what’s changed since launching, how her community continues to grow, and why she ultimately moved from Skool to Circle to better support intended parents. She talks about the realities of leading a sensitive-topic community, the free trial mistake she wishes she avoided, and how consistency, trust, and small daily actions make the biggest impact.

They also dive into the emotional side of surrogacy support, how Jessie blends consulting with community building, what she’s creating next for parents before and after baby, and the importance of choosing a platform that truly matches your members’ needs. If you're comparing platforms, supporting a vulnerable audience, or wanting a behind-the-scenes look at community building inside Circle, this conversation will give you clarity and direction.

You’ll hear about:

• Why surrogacy can feel isolating and how community shifts everything
• Jessie’s update on growing her Circle-based support space
• Moving from Skool → Circle
• The feature differences that matter most
• The free trial mistake Jessie won’t make again
• Building trust through content and DMs
• The emotional labor of supporting intended parents
• How Jessie blends consulting, groups, and community
• Supporting parents before, during, and after baby
• What she’s building next inside her community

📬 Stay ConnectedCommunity Made NewsletterLearn More About Jessie and Surrogacy Simplified

What would you build if the community you needed didn’t exist yet?In this episode, Ingrid sits down with Jonathan Roque, creator of Latino Owned, the fast-growing newsletter spotlighting founders and creators. Jonathan shares how his parents’ story, their jewelry shop, and his own career in tech shaped the movement he’s building today.In this conversation:- How Latino Owned really started- Growing up in a family business (his “second home”)- The deeper “why” behind Latino entrepreneurship- Feeling alone while rebuilding and deciding to build community- LinkedIn visibility + creator strategy- Finding your voice when you’re the only one in the roomIf you’re a founder or creator craving more connection in your work, this one will hit home.📌 Subscribe to Latino Owned: latinoownednewsletter.com/ 📌 Subscribe to Community Made: communitymade.substack.com

What does real financial freedom look like, especially when you didn’t grow up talking about money?

In this episode, I sit down with Janelle Quinn, a retired Air Force veteran, mom of two, and founder of Empowered Investor and 3FIVE Wealth, to unpack the exact plan, mindset, and community support that helped her turn $60K into a multi-million-dollar portfolio.

We talk about:

• How she joined the Air Force with her twin sister and learned discipline early
• The money mindset that changed everything
• How she planned, budgeted, and invested her way to financial freedom
• Building wealth as a mom, a veteran, and an entrepreneur
• Why community and mentorship matter more than people realize
• The reality of FIRE (financial independence, retire early)
• Teaching kids about money, investing, and ownership
• Why comparing yourself financially holds you back
• What to do if you feel “behind” on wealth
• How she started the Three Five Wealth Community to help others build smart, intentional money habits
• Making money decisions with discipline instead of fear

If you’ve ever wondered how everyday people build real wealth or if you feel like you should be further along, this conversation will change the way you think about money, planning, and community in like and business.

🔗 Connect with Janelle

🔗 Subscribe to Community Made

What happens when the things you’re obsessed with as a kid end up shaping your entire life?Today’s episode is the definition of the perfect snowball effect and it started at just 11 years old for Kaitlynn .

Kaitlynn Blyth, founder of Happy Day Play, shares the full-circle story of how reading What to Expect as a kid, loving developmental milestones, and paying attention to the “little things” turned into a fast-growing business helping families connect through play, curiosity, and community.

We talk about:

• Why our childhood interests are often the first clues to our purpose
• How she grew Happy Day Play from a blog → to social → to full classes
• The moment a video went viral and changed everything
• The power of following your gut (even when it feels wild)
• Why parents are the real experts on their kids
• The role community plays in early childhood and family wellbeing
• And what’s next as she explores franchising Happy Day Play

This episode is a reminder that nothing is random and that every step, bump, or opportunity no matter how small play a role in your journey. And sometimes, your snowball starts rolling long before you ever realize it.

Follow Kaitlynn: ⁠instagram.com/happydayplay/⁠

Follow Ingrid: ⁠instagram.com/growwithcommunity/

⁠Subscribe to Community Made: communitymade.substack.com

In this episode of Community Made, Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with sustainability strategist and Nest Earth founder Gabi Fiorentino to talk about what it really means to build authentic connection in an AI-driven world.

Ingrid and Gabi talk about:

• The viral “Is the Internet Dead?” theory and what it means for creators
• Why in-person experiences and hybrid communities matter more than ever
• How Gabi’s community helps parents raise healthier, eco-conscious families
• The future of social media as digital business cards and curated communities

Connect with Gabi:

• nestearth.com
• instagram.com/nestearthco/
• linkedin.com/in/gabriela-fiorentino/

📬 Subscribe to Community Made for more real, unfiltered conversations about building community and connection in business and life.

A real conversation about leaving corporate life, redefining success, and building a business rooted in connection.

In this episode, Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with Natalie Madrigal, founder of Perfect Your CX, to talk about her leap from corporate life into entrepreneurship—and how she helps businesses grow through human connection, client experience, and community.

We explore:

• Why client retention is your most powerful growth tool
• How community and CX work together to create loyalty
• What “people-first” really means in business
• The truth about AI and authenticity
• What it looks like to build success on your own terms

Questions you might be asking (and we answer):

• How do you turn satisfied clients into loyal advocates?

• Can CX and community actually fuel growth together?

• How do you balance structure with freedom as a founder?

• What does “building on your own terms” look like in practice?

  
  

Connect with Natalie:👉 Instagram: @perfectyourcx

Subscribe to Community Made:💌 Join Ingrid on Substack for weekly stories and strategies on community, connection, and building what’s next.

What does it really mean to show up authentically online? Can you build community without burning out or chasing algorithms?

In this episode, Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with Max Pete — community builder, writer, and speaker best known for his All Caps Tuesday posts — to talk about authenticity, kindness, and redefining success in the age of social media.

We explore:

• How to create genuine connection on LinkedIn and beyond
• Why being human online is your biggest brand advantage
• The difference between “audience” and “community”
• How to measure impact beyond KPIs and follower counts
• Why belonging still matters in an AI-driven world

Questions listeners are asking (and we answer):

• How do you stay authentic on LinkedIn without oversharing?
• What’s the best way to start building an online community?
• How do community managers show ROI beyond engagement numbers?
• Can AI replace community building?
• How do you recover from burnout while still showing up online?

💌 Subscribe to Community Made → ⁠communitymade.substack.com⁠

💬 Connect with Max → ⁠linkedin.com/in/max-pete

What happens when you leave the “safe” path in corporate, and build not one, but two businesses from scratch?

In this episode of Community Made, host Ingrid Zapata Read sits down with Fatima, founder of Viva Nova Media and co-founder of NJK Partners, to share her bold leap from finance into entrepreneurship.

Fatima opens up about:

• Leaving corporate life after burnout and health struggles

• Launching two businesses with her partner

• How community helped her overcome postpartum depression

• The power of authenticity as an introverted founder

• Redefining success as a Latina entrepreneur and mother of three

Whether you’re dreaming of quitting corporate, building your first business, or craving more community in your journey, Fatima’s story is proof that you can create success on your own terms, without the hustle, burnout, or compromise.

⁠✨ Connect with Fatima⁠

✨ Follow ⁠Community Made⁠ for more founder stories, strategies, and community-building insights.