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“I’ve had to prove myself ten times harder just to be taken seriously, but I never let that stop me. If anything, it pushed me to build something that speaks for itself.”In this episode of Startups and Stilettos, host Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Gloria Govan. From navigating male-dominated industries to balancing life as a mom of five and founder of multiple ventures, Gloria shares her unfiltered journey of resilience, innovation, and building with intention.
Gloria is redefining what it means to create brands that prioritize wellness, movement, and authentic connection. She opens up about the challenges of earning respect in boardrooms, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and how failure has shaped her path to success.
What we talked about:
Feeling the Burnout [4:29]
From Corporate to Entrepreneur [9:56]
Mentors Throughout Life [20:48]
Healthy Home Lifestyle [29:33]
Evolving with the Times [35:08]
Connect with Carlyn:@carlynbushmanconsulting on InstagramCarlyn Bushman on LinkedInCarlyn Bushman ConsultingConnect with Ingrid:@itsingridsworld on InstagramIngrid Zapata-Read on LinkedinGrow With Community
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Guests
Gloria Govan
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Grow With Community
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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