Own It! from Women Lead Change – Details, episodes & analysis

Tiffany O’Donnell talks to Sara Castillo & Katie Castillo-Wilson who are the founders of TapOnIt- a leader in text message marketing. Their proprietary SaaS (software as a service) Text Marketing Platform is used across the country by businesses of all sizes to build, grow, retain, engage, and even monetize databases of users that have opted-in to receive content from them via text. Whether the platform is used for marketing, sales, internal operations, or customer service, TapOnIt's best-in-class solution helps its clients reach their goals. In January 2018, Gannett, a leader in local media, invested $2M in TapOnIt to accelerate its growth. The team operates out of its office in Davenport, Iowa.

On today's episode, Sara and Katie talk about lessons that they have learned and what it's like to start a tech business in Iowa.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O’Donnell talks to Dr. Kit Evans-Ford who is passionate about nonviolence, God, and serving others. She has been a trainer and activist for 14 years working relentlessly in the areas of nonviolence education and assisting people in healing from violence and abuse. Dr. Kit is a Teach for America and United States Peace Corps Alumni. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at St. Ambrose University and is also the founder of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope in Davenport, Iowa. Argrow’s House is a safe space where free services are offered daily for women healing from violence and abuse in the greater Quad Cities area. Argrow’s House is also a successful social enterprise where women healing from violence and abuse create beautiful bath products that provide a living wage for themselves in a safe space that celebrates who they are.

On today's episode, Dr. Kit Evans-Ford talks about her journey and discusses how her work inspires her life and how her life inspires her work.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Marsha Aldridge, the Vice President of Human Resources and Shared Services for IMT Insurance in West Des Moines. Marsha’s career focused on Human Resources with a passion for Leadership Development. She is a lifelong learner on a mission to share her leadership journey. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, camping, and hanging out with friends and family. You will most likely find her outdoors somewhere around Iowa!

On today's episode, Marsha talks about how the role of family caregiver often falls on women, not only for young children but older relatives as well, and what organizations can do to be flexible to help avoid burnout of their employees.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Brandi Spurling who is the brains and head human behind Sage Culture Company, a leadership development and team building company located in Columbia, Missouri. She pairs a Master's degree in Leadership with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre, and draws on her experience in training over 300 workshops in order to challenge companies, leaders and teams to rethink the common workplace to create a culture that doesn’t sacrifice fun for results. Brandi is also the first-ever winner of the Women Lead Change Speak Tank!

On today's episode, Brandi talks about getting out of your comfort zone and countering Imposter Syndrome.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Kourtney Perry, the owner of two Des Moines-based companies, Privacy, LLC and Ladie Lex Scented Candles. Privacy is an event coordination company that also provides business consulting and mentorship services. Ladie Lex offers therapeutic aromatherapy products such as candles, room sprays, lotions, and more.

On today's episode, Kourtney talks about being your own boss and the importance of keeping an open dialogue with your children.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Sydney Rieckhoff, the 24-year-old CEO of Almost Famous Popcorn Company, a gourmet popcorn brand she co-founded at 14 years old. Almost Famous Popcorn is an Iowa-based company with a nationwide presence. Sydney is a graduate of Stanford University. She highlights her experiences as a young woman in business through a personal brand called The Popcorneur, with an aim of inspiring other women and young people to pursue their dreams.

On today's episode, Sydney talks about the challenges she has faced due to her age and gender and her biggest piece of advice for young entrepreneurs.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Find resources here.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University. 

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Joni Ekstrum, executive director of South Dakota Biotech who oversees its advocacy, communication, education, and membership services. SD Biotech represents more than 50 companies in industries spanning from agriculture to medical services and renewable fuels. Since assuming this role in 2012, Joni has grown its membership and increased gross profit while maintaining and expanding membership benefits. Her collaborative approach has provided connections for networking and led to career, new business, and partnering opportunities for both members and individuals.

On today's episode, Joni discusses her journey, the importance of women lifting each other up and how sometimes the only person standing in your way is yourself.

Learn more about biotech here.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University.

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Marcy Roundtree who is an accomplished public speaker and entrepreneur. She is the second African American woman to serve on the Cedar Rapids School Board. In 2017, she founded SOUL Coaching- Strategically, Optimistically, Unapologetically, Liberated to live your best life.

On today's episode, Marcy discusses the power of self check-ins, her passion for serving others and the importance of allyship.

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University.

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, the president of Dakota State University in Madison, SD. President Griffiths has spent her career in research, teaching, public service, corporate leadership, workforce and economic development, and higher education administration, with special focus on work in STEM fields. She has served in presidential appointments to the National Science Board, the U.S. President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee, and the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. She is a member of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for 2020.

On today's episode, Dr. José-Marie Griffiths tells us about what led her to Dakota State University, the importance of allyship and mentorship, and that everyone has Imposter Syndrome. 

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Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University.

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Tiffany O'Donnell talks to Katy Susong, president and CEO of Iowa-based Cardinal Construction, a mid-sized commercial construction and development company. She is the 127-year-old company’s first female CEO. In her role, she develops and oversees company strategy. Katy is passionate about team member engagement and development, and providing opportunities for leadership. In 2021, she was recognized as Grow Cedar Valley’s Businessperson of the Year for her leadership in creating and strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation for economic and community development.

On today's episode, Katy talks about her non-traditional journey to get to where she is today, the women she looks up to, and the importance of diverse conversations.

Follow Women Lead Change on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit wlcglobal.org for more information.

Own It! from Women Lead Change is sponsored by Mount Mercy University.

Support the show