Mikaela Kiner, founder and CEO of Reverb, shares the candid story of leaving big corporations to craft a purpose-driven, people-first company that prioritizes work-life harmony. Her journey reveals unexpected lessons about leadership, boundary-setting, and building a culture where everyone thrives—not just survives.

This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs hungry for practical strategies to foster workplace kindness, craft a sustainable business, and leave a lasting positive impact on your team and yourself.

Show Notes

Embracing Purpose and Flexibility in Leadership with Mikaela Kiner

Discover how Mikaela Kiner transitioned from corporate HR to founding Reverb, a company dedicated to creating inclusive cultures, and explore her insights on leadership, and understanding the true purpose behind her business.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Mikaela’s motivation to leave corporate HR for entrepreneurship rooted in seeking authenticity and balance
• The importance of setting clear boundaries and values for sustainable success
• Strategies Mikaela uses for effective delegation and leadership development
• The benefits of cultivating community through retreats and peer groups like WPO

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introducing Mikaela Kiner: leadership, purpose, and organizational culture
02:02 - Mikaela’s journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship
05:16 - What fuels Mikaela’s fire to be an entrepreneur
09:02 - Reassessing self-criticism through mentorship insights
10:16 - Building a strong team and professional network
14:09 - Business management disciplines and hiring strategies
15:53 - The challenge and ease of delegation
16:47 - Achieving and maintaining work-life balance
20:09 - Regrets in business and lessons learned
21:35 - Setting boundaries and living by core values
22:32 - How Mikaela’s team perceives her as a boss
26:42 - Essential leadership and management books
28:47 - The value of peer groups such as WPO
31:47 - The value of roundtable discussions for peer support
33:50 - Surfing in Costa Rica: a hobby that fosters mindfulness

Resources & Links:

• Female Firebrands by Mikaela Kiner
• Reverb - Creating Inclusive Cultures
• The Leadership Pipeline by Ram Charan
• Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• WPO - Women Presidents' Organization
• Costa Rica Travel Guide

Connect with Mikaela Kiner:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

The conversation with Divyata Rajaram covers her entrepreneurial journey; motivation to start a business; childhood and early influences; career aspirations; working with a spouse in business; challenges and successes in entrepreneurship; authorship and its impact on business; global business expansion; business management disciplines; and work-life balance and wellness.

Divyata shares insights into her experiences and the intersection of creativity, business, and personal well-being. The conversation covers topics such as leadership, emotional intelligence, creating a happy work environment, challenges of entrepreneurship, agility in small businesses, strategic thinking, long-term vision, benefits of WPO membership, opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Dubai, and promoting literature and cultural advocacy.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Journey
• Global Business Expansion Emotional intelligence
• Agility in small businesses

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Divyata Rajaram
• 05:15 Childhood and Early Influences
• 11:40 Working with a Spouse in Business
• 19:45 Impact of Creativity on Business
• 26:31 Business Management Disciplines
• 32:41 Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
• 38:26 Strategic Thinking and Long-Term Vision
• 46:29 Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Dubai

Rose Cholewinski, a respected businesswoman and community leader, shares her journey of starting and growing a successful swim school business.

Her passion for water safety and dedication to serving the community have been the driving forces behind her business. Rose's commitment to mentorship, business growth, and community involvement reflects her values and leadership style.

The conversation with Rose Cholewinski covers themes of generosity and contribution, demonstrating purpose, water safety and impact, life-saving experiences, business books and learning, and continuous learning, Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), peer advisory groups, future plans and motivation, community impact and swim lessons, and concluding remarks.

Takeaways

• Passion and purpose drive business success.
• Mentorship and community involvement are essential for business growth and impact. Generosity and purpose drive business impact.
• Continuous learning and peer advisory groups are essential for business growth.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Introduction of Rose Cholewinski
• 06:03 Childhood and Family Influence
• 12:06 Mentorship and Support
• 22:43 Work-Life Balance and Regrets
• 28:43 Generosity and Contribution
• 35:10 Life-Saving Experiences
• 41:08 Podcasts and Continuous Learning
• 47:52 Future Plans and Motivation
• 53:06 Concluding Remarks

The conversation covers Kristen Croxton's journey in commercial real estate lending and her motivation to start a client-focused business. With her family's influence, she shares how she arrived at her career choice.

There are many challenges and lessons in business management. Kristen learned the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people.

Takeaways

• Client-focused business
• Passion for real estate
• Importance of trusted partners
• Value of customer service
• Involvement in nonprofit organizations

Chapters

• 00:00 Personal Drive and Passion for Real Estate

Jennifer Cue, former CEO of Jones Soda, shares her journey from corporate banking to entrepreneurship and her experiences in building and growing businesses.

She also discusses her time abroad and the challenges of balancing work and life in business ownership.

The conversation covers topics such as managing people, learning from mistakes, the value of peer groups, investing in businesses, and personal motivations.

Jennifer Cue shares insights on managing people, learning from experiences, and her current business endeavors. The conversation also delves into the importance of peer groups, the value of cash flow in businesses, and the significance of continuous learning and giving back.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial Journey
• Influence of Childhood
• Challenges of Work-Life Balance Managing people
• Learning from mistakes
• Value of peer groups
• Investing in businesses
• Personal motivations

Chapters

• 00:00 Time Abroad and Work-Life Balance
• 24:16 Challenges of Managing People
• 32:40 Personal Motivations and Continuous Learning

Tara Turkington shares her journey of starting a business out of necessity. She discusses the impact of mentorship, and the competitive spirit within her family.

Additionally, she reflects on the importance of finding the right people for business growth and shares valuable lessons from mistakes and the resilience required in business.

The conversation covers topics such as entrepreneurial support, passion for photography, the pursuit of mastery and continuous growth.

Tara has created the intersection of travel and entrepreneurship.

With Peer groups, Tara has found the magic in support. From the EY Winning Women Program as well as her WPO chapter. Tara studies business and has learned so much from her mentor Bheki as well as issue processing called Peerview with her WPO chapter.

Takeaways

• Necessity as the mother of invention
• The importance of finding the right people for business growth Entrepreneurial Support
• Photography Passion
• Mastery and Growth
• Travel and Business
• Business Advice

Chapters

• 00:00 Starting a Business Out of Necessity
• 09:02 Mentorship and Business Learning
• 19:04 Impact on Company Growth
• 36:01 Lessons from Mistakes and Business Resilience
• 42:53 Global EY Winning Women Program
• 48:13 Mastery and Continuous Growth
• 55:20 Business Advice and Support
• 01:01:01 Issue Processing in WPO Chapter
• 01:15:28 Entrepreneurial Advice

The conversation with Alycia Doxon covers a range of topics related to entrepreneurship, business growth, and leadership.

Alycia shares insights on the importance of delegation, the value of a clear business thesis, and the impact of networking on business success. She also discusses her motivation for entrepreneurship, the dynamics of working with family, and the lessons learned from mistakes in business.

The conversation provides valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. The conversation covers the importance of peer groups, the utilization of Women Presidents' Organization for business support, implementing regular check-ins and EOS, the value of fiction and fantasy in business, and the investment network and business ownership.

It also highlights the role of Roz, her WPO Chapter Chair, and peer groups, collective goals and business management, and the significance of investment networks for business ownership.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurship and business growth require the ability to delegate and trust others to take on responsibilities.
• Focusing on a clear and defined business thesis and saying no to opportunities that do not align with it is crucial for business growth. Importance of Peer Groups
• Implementing Regular Check-Ins
• Utilizing Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
• The Value of Fiction and Fantasy in Business
• Investment Network and Business Ownership

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Alycia Doxon
• 11:20 Motivation for Entrepreneurship
• 19:02 Mentorship and Leadership Development
• 26:41 Learning from Mistakes and Growth
• 33:09 The Value of Networking and Relationship Building
• 38:11 Implementing Regular Check-Ins and EOS
• 50:06 The Value of Fiction and Fantasy in Business
• 58:26 Investment Network and Business Ownership

Marla Noel is the creator and host of the Per Her Perspective podcast: a series of raw, relatable conversations about leadership, challenges, finding resources and solutions in running a business, many times, with the help of other smart people in peer groups. With riveting episodes available live on all major platforms, the show inspires business owners to grow their businesses and make bold decisions with the input of others to achieve greater success and profitability. To learn more about Marla, visit www.OCGrowthAdvisors.com.

Marla Noel discusses the art of planning, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and thorough training. She delves into resource management, workflow efficiency, and the significance of project progress and follow-up in the planning process.

Takeaways

• Planning is an art
• Clear communication is key