In this episode of Making It Happen, Pauline sits down with Adam Gay, full-time drummer, content creator, coach, and member of the band When the Sun Sets. Adam shares how he went from saying yes to every opportunity to building a life around music, touring, teaching, creating content, and helping other drummers find their own path.

This conversation is full of practical motivation for anyone trying to figure out what they really want and how to start moving toward it. Adam talks about building confidence, learning through failure, creating multiple income streams, staying focused when shiny distractions pop up, and why getting just 1% better every day can completely change your direction.

If you have ever felt like you have big goals but no clear roadmap, this episode will remind you that the first step matters, belief matters, and you have more control over your future than you may think. As Adam puts it, if you care about something, do not take your focus off of it. Make it happen.

Nick Myrhow’s story is not polished and that’s exactly why it stands out. In this episode, he shares what it really looks like to grow up fast, take responsibility, and figure things out without a safety net.

From getting kicked out at 18 to becoming a young father and working his way through barber school in record time, Nick didn’t follow a straight path. Today, he’s balancing two businesses, raising two kids including a son with autism, and pushing toward something bigger than just getting by.

This conversation gets into the realities most people avoid talking about. The pressure to provide, the trade-offs between family and business, and the constant tension of trying to build something while still being present at home. Nick is honest about the mistakes, the mindset shifts, and the moments that forced him to grow up quickly.

One idea comes through loud and clear: you don’t fail when things go wrong, you fail when you stop trying.

If you’re navigating business, family, and the pressure to do more with your life, this episode will hit close to home and give you something real to think about.

What does it really take to build a business from the ground up while raising a family and navigating real-life pressure?

In this episode, Miguel Cerpa shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship and the lessons that came with it. He breaks down how he turned a simple skill into a growing business, why focusing on quality over quantity changed everything, and what most people get wrong about scaling.

We also get into the realities behind the scenes, managing stress, hiring the right people, balancing family life, and figuring things out when nothing feels certain. Miguel doesn’t pretend it’s easy, but he makes it clear it’s possible.

If you’re building something of your own or thinking about it, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, failure, and what it actually means to make it happen.

What does “having it all” actually look like when you’re juggling marriage, kids, and building a business?

In this episode of Making It Happen, Pauline is joined again by her husband, Jim Roth, for a candid, no-filter conversation about what life really looks like behind the scenes. From managing the daily chaos of parenting to navigating financial pressure, shifting roles, and building a business from the ground up, they break down what it takes to keep everything moving forward.

They get into the realities most people don’t talk about, like who’s carrying more at home, why “doing it all” often feels like just surviving, and how partnership plays a bigger role than love alone. You’ll also hear how their kids are learning about work, independence, and money just by watching what happens inside their home.

This episode is equal parts honest, practical, and relatable. It’s a look at what it really means to grow together, figure things out as you go, and keep showing up even when it’s not perfect.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing it right or just doing your best, this one will hit home.

What does it really look like to juggle a full-time career, marriage, kids, and your own health… without losing yourself in the process?

In this episode, Deanna Varisco gets honest about the reality behind “doing it all.” From raising teenagers and navigating different parenting styles, to managing a demanding career while protecting what matters most, this conversation is full of practical perspective and real-life lessons.

Deanna shares what it’s like guiding a new driver, balancing independence with protection as a parent, and why strong communication is the backbone of her marriage. She also opens up about living with a chronic kidney condition for over 15 years, and how that experience completely reshaped how she views time, priorities, and life itself .

You’ll also hear:

• The truth about balancing work and family when everything feels important
• Why “figuring it out as you go” might actually be the best strategy
• A refreshing take on marriage, including unconventional choices that work
• How stepping away from a career path can be the breakthrough, not the failure

This is a conversation for anyone trying to keep all the plates spinning and wondering if they’re getting it right.

In this episode of Making It Happen, host Pauline Roth sits down with Riz Hakim, co-founder of Team Hakim (RE/MAX Premier Group) and founder of The Bay Network, to talk about entrepreneurship, mindset, and building meaningful community.

Riz shares how his and his wife Abby’s shared roots in real estate shaped their journey, how they turned networking into a genuine support system for local business owners, and what it takes to stay resilient through life’s challenges. From growing their business together to giving back through The Bay Network, this conversation is full of wisdom about balance, relationships, and staying grounded while growing.

If you’re a business owner, real-estate professional, or anyone looking to build authentic connections, this episode will inspire you to lead with heart and purpose — and keep making it happen.

Guest: Riz Hakim

Team Hakim Homes — teamhakimhomes.com
RE/MAX Premier Group | Serving the Greater Tampa Bay Area

The Bay Network — thebay.biz
A professional community designed to foster authentic connections and local business growth.

• 
  

• Topics Covered:

  • How childhood influences led Riz and Abby Hakim into real estate

  • The dynamics of Florida’s booming housing market

  • Creating The Bay Network and redefining what networking means

  • Building trust, relationships, and community among entrepreneurs

  • The challenges of time management and prioritization in business

  • The importance of mindset, physical activity, and balance

  • Staying resilient and grounded through personal loss and professional growth

  
  

  Key Quote:

  “Failure builds character. It’s part of the journey — what makes success that much sweeter.” — Riz Hakim

  
  

  Connect with Riz:
  📩 Email / Inquiry: via thebay.biz or teamhakimhomes.com
  🌐 Follow: The Bay Network on social media for upcoming events and membership details.

  
  

  Connect with Pauline:
  PaulineRoth.com | Follow Making It Happen on Spotify for new episodes each week.

Navigating Motherhood, Marriage, and Starting Over – with Cathie Stich

In this episode of Making It Happen, Pauline sits down with her friend Cathie Stich — a full-time working mom, wife, stepmom, homeschool parent, and founder of her home-based baking business, Whisk'd Away. Together, they dive into the unseen emotional labor of motherhood, the evolving seasons of marriage, and the courage it takes to follow a creative dream while balancing real life.

Cathie shares what it was like to grow up in a tight-knit Dominican-American family, become a stepmom unexpectedly, and raise her daughter Naya — who is now homeschooled after a difficult experience in traditional school. From her honest take on mom guilt to the mental juggling act of working full time while parenting, she opens up about the struggles, sacrifices, and small joys that define her journey.

They also discuss keeping a marriage strong through change, how faith shapes Cathie’s resilience, and what it really means to pursue passion without losing the love for it.

If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, felt the weight of invisible work, or wondered how to chase your goals while raising a family — this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Cathie’s upbringing and family roots in the Dominican Republic

• What it was like becoming a stepmom and navigating blended family dynamics

• The decision to homeschool her daughter and what led up to it

• Letting go of outside opinions and trusting your parenting instincts

• How mom guilt shows up at every stage — and how she’s working through it

• Keeping her marriage strong through communication and realistic expectations

• Starting Whisk'd Away, her home bakery business, and what baking means to her

• The fear of turning passion into pressure — and finding peace in the process

• Her biggest lessons from failure and how faith keeps her grounded

  
  

🎧 Cathie’s Final Takeaway:

“It’s not a failure if you tried. If you trust God, even when it doesn’t feel okay — it eventually will be.”

💡 Learn more about Cathie’s baking journey:
Follow her on Instagram: @cathiem143
Coming soon to Facebook & local markets in Florida!

✨ Want more real talk and resources?
Visit PaulineRoth.com for free tools, career tips, family strategies, and to sign up for the newsletter. Get practical support sent straight to your inbox to help you thrive at home, in work, and beyond.

In this episode of Making It Happen, host Pauline Roth sits down with Alexa Ayala, co-owner of Apex Martial Arts in Wesley Chapel, FL. Alexa shares her incredible journey from working as a paralegal and nurse to running a thriving family business alongside her husband and son.

Alexa opens up about the wake-up call that pushed her to leave her corporate career and fully step into entrepreneurship—the medical emergency that reminded her to focus on what matters most: family, health, and purpose. She reflects on what it’s really like to work with her spouse every day, the challenges and rewards of blending marriage with business, and how her son Justin inspires her vision for the future of Apex Martial Arts.

Together, Alexa and Pauline dive into:

• The leap from a 9-to-5 career into full-time entrepreneurship.

• How a health scare reshaped Alexa’s priorities and perspective on life.

• The realities of working with your spouse—conflict, roles, and the surprising rewards.

• Lessons learned as a mom of an adult son and what she’d tell her younger self.

• Why believing in your family’s business and mission is essential for success.

• The importance of legacy, time freedom, and consistency in both business and life.

Alexa’s story is an inspiring reminder that success isn’t just about business growth—it’s about resilience, family, and building a legacy that lasts.

✨ Don’t miss this conversation filled with honesty, wisdom, and encouragement for anyone balancing family and entrepreneurship.

👉 For more resources and to join the Making It Happen community, visit PaulineRoth.com

Show Notes:

Guest: Alexa Ayala – Co-owner, Apex Martial Arts
Host: Pauline Roth

Key Topics Covered:

• [01:00] Alexa’s path from paralegal and nurse to martial arts business owner

• [02:30] The wake-up call that made her go “all in” on her family business

• [04:00] Experiencing a heart attack during a class—and how it changed everything

• [07:45] The rewards and challenges of working with her husband

• [13:00] Parenting insights: raising and guiding a 21-year-old son

• [16:30] Building a business legacy for the next generation

• [18:15] The hardest lessons (and biggest growth) as a business owner

• [20:00] Advice for moms considering joining their spouse’s business

• [22:00] Personal growth, perspective shifts, and defining success today

• [25:30] Stories of transformation from students and families at Apex Martial Arts

• [27:45] Alexa’s most valuable lessons from failure and how she applies them daily

• [31:00] Closing reflections: consistency, resilience, and making it happen