Women of Fort Mill Podcast | Women in Business, Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business

Episode 29: The Myth of Balance: How Real Woman Make It Work

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Women of Fort Mill podcast, co-hosts Kelly and Leah tackle the often-debated concept of "balance" for real women and mothers. They delve into whether true balance exists, how its definition varies for each individual, and share their personal strategies for managing busy lives, growing businesses, and family priorities. The discussion highlights the importance of prioritizing what truly matters, adjusting expectations, and releasing the need for absolute control to reduce stress...

Episode 28: Breaking Down Financial Barriers: ClimbFund's Impact on Small Business Growth

Episode Summary:

This episode features a conversation with Keonta Ramsey, Director of Growth for ClimbFund, a non-profit community lender. ClimbFund is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs access capital when traditional banks decline their applications. They are a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on serving underserved communities, including women-owned, veteran-owned, rurally-based, and BIPOC-owned businesses. Beyond providing funding, ClimbFund offers extensive free technical assistance and wraparound services, such as marketing, accounting, HR, and general business consulting. The discussion highlights the critical...

Episode 27: Time Management (Part 2) - Owning Your Mornings for a Happier, More Confident You

Summary

In this episode of the Women of Fort Mill Podcast, co-hosts Kellie Hoover and Leah dive into the power of owning your mornings (or evenings!) to reduce stress, increase confidence, and create a happier household. Kellie shares her personal morning routine, emphasizing small, consistent changes, and offers practical advice for busy moms, including habit stacking and prioritizing self-care. The discussion highlights how intentional time for oneself can significantly improve overall well-being and relationships.

Timestamps

In this episode of the Women of Fort Mill podcast, hosts Kelly and Leah have an intimate conversation about personal growth, relationships, and parenting. Leah shares her journey of transformation, discussing how she evolved from being insecure and work-driven to prioritizing family, setting boundaries, and creating meaningful connections with her husband and son.

Episode Highlights:
- [0:00:00] - Introduction and podcast overview
- [0:01:31] - Welcome and episode introduction
- [0:03:21] - Discussion about Leah's marriage and relationship history
- [0:08:16] - Shifting priorities and work-life balance
- [0:11:33] - Parenting approach and personal growth<...

If you’re a busy mom constantly saying, “There’s not enough time in the day,” this episode is for you. In this episode, we tackle one of the most common struggles among moms: how to manage your time without losing your mind. Host Kellie shares her real-life systems—from using a paper planner and digital dashboards to teaching her daughters the value of weekly planning. Whether you’re running a business, managing a household, or doing both, these insights will help you reclaim your schedule and your sanity.

We dive into the power of a Sunday res...

If you've ever struggled with confidence around finances, or questioned your value as a woman, mother, or entrepreneur, this episode is for you. In this episode, Leah shares her deeply personal journey with money, mindset, and self-worth.

Leah opens up about how going through a difficult divorce sparked a journey of emotional and financial reinvention. From feeling broken and unworthy to becoming a financially empowered business owner, she walks us through the mindset shifts that helped her step into abundance. You’ll hear actionable insights around identifying your money story, getting aligned with your partner, and taking sm...

Want to build stronger, more authentic relationships, at home, in business, and in your community? In this episode, Nicole McAlister breaks down the power of a “contribution mindset” and how giving without expectations can deepen connection and create real impact.

Whether you’re a busy entrepreneur, a mother navigating relationships, or a woman striving to show up more meaningfully, this conversation will challenge the way you think about connection. Nicole shares actionable ways to lead with generosity, create emotional boundaries, and stop overthinking the act of giving. You’ll learn what contribution mindset is, how to build intentio...

Think you know what pageants are all about? This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew. In this episode, we sit down with Julie Holmes, Mrs South Carolina 2025, who proves that pageantry is less about gowns and crowns, and more about purpose, community, and courage. At 40 years old and a mom of three, Julie stepped into the world of pageants for the first time and hasn’t looked back.

Julie shares the deeply personal story that inspired her platform—the Ronald McDonald House—after her infant son’s unexpected hospitalizations. Her raw, heartfelt experience as a parent i...

Are you searching for purpose, impact, or a way to give back to your community? In this episode, we sit down with Mara Campolungo, Executive Director of The Sandbox, a nonprofit that has helped over 5,000 families facing complex medical journeys in the Charlotte/Fort Mill area and beyond.

Mara shares how personal grief inspired her to shift her entire life toward service, legacy-building, and community impact. From hosting the life-changing Evening of Believing Prom for pediatric patients to launching the CARRE Program, Mara walks us through how she combined...

If you're dreaming of becoming a parent and want to approach fertility from a natural, root-cause perspective, this episode is for you.

Dr. Dalynes Villalobos, chiropractor, fertility expert, and mom of three, shares natural ways to conceive without invasive treatments or medications and how to get pregnant naturally. From optimizing your nervous system to improving hydration, nutrition, and stress management, Dr. Dalynes walks us through how natural preconception care can support both women and men on the journey to pregnancy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Have you ever dreaded going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Dr. Katie Macken knows how common that fear is, and she’s made it her mission to change the way you feel about dental visits.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Macken, founder of Orchard Grove Family Dentistry, to talk about how she created a warm, welcoming dental space designed to ease anxiety and make patients of all ages feel at home. She shares her journey from dental assistant to opening her own practice in Fort Mill, the personal touches that make her offi...

Have you ever worried that your child might fall behind academically during the summer months? You’re not alone. Jewel Wiesinger, the owner of Huntington Learning Center in Fort Mill, joins us again to talk about how parents can help their kids stay on track, and even get ahead, through intentional, fun, and confidence-boosting summer programs.

In this episode, Jewel shares why the “summer slide” is more than just a buzzword, how Huntington’s hands-on camps are designed to support kids from kindergarten through high school, and the role confidence plays in helping kids thrive academically. Whether your chi...

Have you ever wondered if natural skincare can really deliver results? Meet the inspiring mother-daughter duo behind FARM•A•COLOGY, a small-batch, local skincare brand rooted in family, clean ingredients, and a whole lot of heart.

In this episode, Kiersten and Erin share how their shared love of gardening, healthy living, and community blossomed into a business that’s now serving customers across 45 states. From their family land in Catawba, SC—where they grow many of their own ingredients—to their partnerships with local farmers for beeswax, goat milk, and honey, every product they create is made with inten...

Have you ever felt tired, foggy, or like your body just isn’t bouncing back the way it used to? You’re not alone. Kathryn Linden, a holistic nutritionist and therapeutic wellness coach, knows the toll that stress, mineral imbalances, and hormone shifts can take on women’s health.

In this episode, Katie unpacks why minerals are the foundation of vibrant wellness, how chronic depletion is impacting women more than we realize, and the role they play in energy, hormone balance, and mood. She shares actionable tips like how a simple foot soak can replenish vital nutrients, why po...

Have you ever wondered what’s really going on in your teenager’s mind? In this vulnerable and eye-opening episode, Kellie sits down with her 14-year-old daughter, Bayla, for a great conversation about teen mental health.

Bayla opens up about her experience with anxiety and depression, what made her stay silent for so long, and how moms can help their kids feel safe enough to open up. From the subtle signs many parents miss to the daily tools that help her feel grounded, Bayla’s insights are a must-hear for anyone raising or working with teens.

This...

Every day, children enter the foster care system with nothing but the clothes on their backs, facing uncertainty and fear. But Isaiah 117 House is changing that by providing a warm, welcoming space for children awaiting placement.

In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Lendyak to discuss how the nonprofit Isaiah 117 House is bringing love, comfort, and dignity to children during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

We discuss what happens when a child enters foster care—and how Isaiah 117 House is changing that experience, the emotional impact of...

Have you ever worried about losing your most cherished memories, old photos, VHS tapes, or family scrapbooks? You’re not alone. Lynn McKinness has spent over 25 years helping families preserve their history through digital memory keeping.

In this episode, Lynn shares how to easily save and protect your photos and videos, why digitizing your memories is essential, and how Forever makes the process stress-free. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by boxes of old photos or worried about losing irreplaceable moments, this episode is for you!

Resources:

Feeling lost in the busyness of life? You’re not alone. Jaymie Barette, licensed therapist and founder of Growing Mindfully, has spent nearly two decades helping women navigate identity shifts, motherhood, and mental health challenges.

In this episode, Jaymie shares why so many women feel disconnected from themselves, how to break free from societal expectations, and small but powerful steps to reconnect with who you truly are. Whether you’re a mom, a business owner, or simply someone searching for more fulfillment, this conversation will leave you feeling supported and empowered.

Resources:

Do you feel like you’re juggling too much—business, family, and personal goals—without a clear way to keep it all running smoothly? You’re not alone. Nicole McAlister knows exactly what it takes to build a thriving business while maintaining balance. As a successful realtor, leader, and mom, she’s mastered the art of efficiency, systems, and strategy to create success, without the burnout.

In this episode, Nicole shares how smart systems and habit stacking can help you stay organized, why meaningful connections are the key to long-term success, the importance of delegating and trusting your team...

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost yourself in the busyness of life? You’re not alone. Bree Schumacher knows what it’s like to crave something more in midlife. After selling her successful business and relocating, she found herself searching for purpose and fulfillment. That journey led her to create Be Somewhere Sunny, where she helps women rediscover themselves through transformational travel and deep, meaningful connections.

In this episode, Bree shares how stepping outside your comfort zone can reignite your passion and purpose, why travel isn’t just a getaway but a powerful tool for self-dis...

Confidence and academic success go hand in hand, but many students struggle with self-doubt and learning gaps that hold them back. In this episode, we sit down with Jewel Wiesinger, owner of Huntington Learning Center, to discuss how parents can help their children build confidence, improve grades, and thrive in school.

You’ll learn the state of education in Fort Mill and what it means for your child, why confidence and motivation are crucial for academic success, how Huntington Learning Center helps students bridge learning gaps and excel in school, what parents need to know about SAT & AC...

Foster care is closer to home than you might think. In this episode, we sit down with Kim Trainer and Susie Boyle from Fostering the Family to discuss the reality of the foster care system, why so many families struggle to continue fostering, and how communities can step in to help.

Kim shares the heartbreaking moment that ignited her passion for foster care advocacy, and Susie opens up about her personal experience fostering and how it changed her life forever. Together, they’re on a mission to provide wraparound support to foster, adoptive, and kinship families, because no...

In this episode of Women of Fort Mill Podcast, we sit down with Nikki Frost, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Let’s Brie Friends, a mobile charcuterie bar bringing creativity and delicious bites to events all over Fort Mill.

We discuss how Nikki’s background in hospitality led her to create Let’s Brie Friends, the evolution of her business, the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur, and tips for planning the perfect event with a standout food experience

Plus, Nikki shares a special discount for listeners who mention the podcast when booking an eve...

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Jamie Shook, the award-winning entrepreneur and artist behind Vintage Daisy Photography. Since 2012, Jamie has earned multiple local and international awards for her fine-art photography, offering a timeless style and a custom-tailored experience for families, individuals, and business owners.

In this episode, Jamie shares her journey from a corporate career to building a thriving photography business. She opens up about her passion for preserving life’s most meaningful moments and the value of creating powerful artwork designed to be passed down for generations. You’ll also hear her tips for making the mo...

This week, we’re joined by Erin Wallen, an advanced certified life coach, and former clinical pharmacist who turned her personal journey with burnout into a mission to help women thrive. Erin specializes in nervous system resilience and manifestation, empowering women to overcome overwhelm, maximize energy, and create extraordinary, sustainable success.

In this episode, Erin shares:
✨ Her journey from burnout to becoming a life coach
✨ How stress impacts every area of our lives—and what we can do about it
✨ The concept of "Monkey vs. CEO Mode" and how to shift into a calmer state
...

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’re joined by Kayla Leonard, a Community Outreach and Training Specialist at Hope for Justice. Kayla shares the mission of this global nonprofit and their efforts to end human trafficking and modern slavery.

In this episode, you’ll learn what human trafficking looks like locally in Fort Mill and surrounding area, how traffickers exploit vulnerabilities and what signs to watch for in your community, practical ways to protect children and teens from exploitation, and how you can support Hope for Justice’s mission and get involved.

This powerf...

This week, we shine the spotlight on Leah Williams, co-host of the Women of Fort Mill Podcast. Leah shares her inspiring journey from overcoming personal challenges to finding her passion as a financial planner and advocate for empowering women.

In this episode, you'll learn about Leah's entrepreneurial spirit, her commitment to supporting women through education and connection, and the life experiences that help her see her purpose. From balancing family life with a feisty toddler to uplifting other women in the community, Leah’s story reminds us that even through life’s toughest moments, we can find stre...

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on Kellie Hoover, co-host of the Women of Fort Mill Podcast. Get to know Kellie as she shares her inspiring journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship, her passion for empowering women, and how her family motivates her to show up every day.

Discover why Kellie is passionate about connecting women in Fort Mill, her experiences as a serial entrepreneur, and the personal story that led her to co-host this podcast.

Our conversation highlights Kellie's drive to make a difference in the community and her dedication to creating a...

In our very first episode, hosts Leah Williams and Kellie Hoover introduce the Women of Fort Mill Podcast and share their vision for celebrating the powerhouse women shaping the Fort Mill, South Carolina, community.

Get to know Leah and Kellie as they discuss their passion for empowering women, their entrepreneurial journeys, and what listeners can expect from this exciting new show. From inspiring interviews with local female business owners to spotlight features on impactful nonprofits, each episode will be filled with expert insights, actionable tips, and heartfelt stories designed to uplift and motivate.

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