GSD Factor Podcast

Get STUFF Done - Powerfully Choosing to Mentor and Invest in Others with Deanna Meador

Meet one of my shero's, Deanna Meador, CEO of tech company Couture Technologies and apparel brand Freedom Company, as well as the co-founder and CEO of Chalk Coaching.
 
She began Couture Technologies to empower apparel companies with virtual fitting technology, 3D garment creation services, and enhanced data analytics designed to reduce returns. Couture Technologies was recognized as one of the Top 9 tech startups in the world during the Olympics of Tech, the 2023 Most Innovative Apparel E-Commerce Tech Solution, 2022 Most Innovative Apparel Sales Software Company in the World, and one of the Top 3D Companies in Tennessee.
 
Deanna is a successful serial tech entrepreneur that describes herself as never meeting a challenge she didn’t like. She started her first company during graduate school and grew it to multiple locations until it was acquired by a larger company. After selling this company, she developed a paperless data collection system for collecting assessment and observational data. This system was adopted by universities across the U.S., South Africa, Portugal, Australia and Sweden. In 2017, she joined 3 other inventors to develop Chalk Coaching, a tool for improving classroom experiences for preschool and kindergarten children through collaborative, data-driven coaching.
 
On March 8th, 2023, International Women’s Day, Deanna made history when she became the first woman to raise $1.5M in 8 hours. She intentionally structured her raise in this way to start to change the narrative around the lack of funding for women-owned companies.
 
Deanna was the recipient of the Unsung Hero award for her work with underserved youth, as well as the Young Alumni Achievement Award from her undergraduate university for her innovations (the highest honor the university bestows on alumni under the age of 40, out of over 400 nominees).
 
Deanna was part of the founding team that started the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt University’s Innovation Center. Through her role as the former Deputy Director, she taught over 17 cohorts of aspiring entrepreneurs and mentored over 600 teams as they evaluated new technologies and launched new ventures. She is a certified national instructor for the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program and in this role, she leads entrepreneurial training cohorts for teams from across the country. Deanna really enjoys working with creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs that dedicate their lives and talents to making a positive impact in the world.
Connect with Deanna Meador on LinkedIn
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Powerfully Choosing to Celebrate the Losses with Nick Woodard

What you see is what you get… a hard working, forward thinking, experienced 15 year veteran realtor that genuinely cares for his clients.  Nick Woodard is genuine and authentic.   
Growing up in the Nashville area has provided him a vast knowledge and love for “The 615.” Understanding that he was extremely fortunate to be raised in such an incredible area, he has made it his passion to help others call Middle Tennessee “home.” Nick is married to his beautiful wife Kathryn and is the proud father of 3.
Nick specializes in assisting individuals and families transition between homes. Whether that is purchasing or selling, Nick has 20 years of experience and a vast knowledge of helping his clients on both sides of the equation. Customer service is his top priority. That is why you see many of his clients come back to him multiple times in their lifetime.
When he is not helping clients, you can find Nick on the sideline coaching youth football or kayak fishing on one of our many beautiful Middle Tennessee  streams.
IG: @nickwoodardrealtor
Youtube:  www.youtube.com/@nickwoodardrealtor
LinkedIn: Nick Woodard
www.nickwoodard.com
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks
 

Powerfully Choosing Patience with Qualia Hendrickson

What does it take to dream big? Sometimes our dream big requires patience. Knowing when to DO and when to BE, that's what it means to be a GSDer.  
Qualia C. Hendrickson, Esq., known creatively as Q, is an attorney, writer, and book publishing coach. In 2021, she started Q Writes A Book to document her journey with writing and publishing her first book and to help other writers learn about the publishing industry. Having earned degrees in Creative Writing, Economics, Publishing, and Law, Q's approach to writing is holistic - taking into account a writer's personal and professional goals to provide education and guidance on the journey to publishing and the many avenues one can take to achieve their dream. 
Q is part of my team, my dream big team.  As my book Coach and Editor-In-Chief across all my writing projects she challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me to see my dream big become a reality.  
Connect with Qualia Hendrickson on LinkedIn
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing to Speak with Confidence with Michael Davis

Michael Davis works with speakers and business leaders to increase their influence and impact with more meaningful presentations, stories, and speeches.  
He is passionate about creating effective communication, but that wasn’t always the case. His journey started with a humiliating experience in front of his first-grade class. That kept him from voluntarily speaking in front of groups of any size for the next 25 years.  
Then a threatened job loss motivated Michael to deal with his fear.  
So, he received help from world-class speakers who taught him the skills and tools to become an influential speaker, trainer, and coach. 
Michael has helped speakers, business leaders and TEDx speakers on five continents deliver presentations that have been viewed over five million times. He’s the author of seven books on storytelling and speaking, and is the founder of Speaking CPR. 
Connect with Michael Davis on LinkedIn
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing B.A.M.F. with Meredith Patrick

Meredith Patrick's version of B.A.M.F. is bold, authentic, magnetic, flourishing. She does this through her work of supporting female solopreneurs as they get shit done.
 
After 15 years of working as an operational and administrative specialist for top-ranked companies like Mayo Clinic, Meredith kept wondering, "Is this all there is?" and finally ditched the traditional track to create her dream career as an entrepreneur.
Now she helps female business owners conquer their to-do list, providing efficient backend relief by taking projects they've been putting off for months and getting them to the finish line ahead of schedule. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their dreams through collaboration and inclusion—being the exact support they need, exactly when they need it most.
 
Connect with Meredith Patrick on LinkedIn
Learn more about Vinsko Jacobs
 
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Get STUFF Done - Powerfully Choosing Female Entrepreneurship with Kellie Geisel

On this special Get STUFF Done episode, meet my mentee through the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Entrepreneur and Innovation Center, Kellie Geisel, female founder multiple times who is confidently leading this next generation of female entrepreneurs with innovating solutionists ideas that will help new working moms and beyond.
Our hope is that this raw and authentic conversation will provide inspiration and encouragement to fellow female entrepreneurs listening.
From Charlotte, NC, Kellie is currently a Supply Chain Consultant at EY (Ernst & Young) and has been In the consulting world since graduating from her Masters Degree in International Business and Emerging Markets at The University of Edinburgh. Kellie holds a BS from Wake Forest University In Business Management. She Is also the founder of the Tea with Kellie G podcast, a podcast that talks about fun local entrepeneurs In and around the North Carolina/South Carolina area.
Connect with Kellie Geisel on LinkedIn
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing Stillness with Ashley Brooke James

Ashley Brooke James kicks off our episode with a breathing and mindfulness meditation, a first for the GSD Factor podcast, but totally in alignment as we discuss the importance of stillness in our busy lives.
 
Ashley Brooke James, a distinguished leader in Nashville's Black business community, serves as the Co-Founder of TRILUNA while also making her mark as a dynamic public speaker and a certified yoga instructor with 300 hours of training. Known for her captivating speaking style, Ashley Brooke addresses a range of topics, including Intentional Mindfulness, Business/Entrepreneurship, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her notable achievements include serving as the emcee for the TEDx Nashville Women's Conference in 2023. Ashley Brooke has also been featured as a keynote speaker for the Good American Pop experience, where she presented "Intentionally 'Good': Diversity in Wellness.
 
Connect with Ashley Brooke James on LinkedIn
 
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing Curiosity with Tracy Borreson

Tracy Borreson is all about authenticity, specifically in the digital space. In a world where it’s easy to hide and follow someone else’s path, Tracy endeavors to lead with her personal brand, as well as encourage others to find, own and show up with their personal brand leading the way. Tracy strives to bring more uniqueness to the world for individuals AND businesses, because THAT’S what actually stands out in a crowded marketplace.
On today's episode of The GSD Factor Podcast we tackle be inquisitive while remaining true to our authentic selves.  
Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing to Fight ALS with Brooke Eby

May is ALS awareness month so what better way than to kickoff this month with the conversation between Misha Bleymaier-Farrish who lost her father Ted Bleymaier to ALS and Brooke Eby who is determined to laugh in the face of her ALS diagnosis.  They talk about resiliency, confidence, and how humor is sometimes the best medicine.  
Brooke Eby was diagnosed with ALS, a terminal, debilitating disease with no cure, at the age of 33 after four years of confusing symptoms. She’s spent the last year sharing her story through outlets like The Today Show, as well as on social media with her over 100,000 followers. She’s fundraised nearly $1 million dollars for ALS research. With the support of her friends and family, she’s been able to laugh in the face of ALS.
 
Connect with Brooke Eby on LinkedIn
Follow Brooke Eby on Instagram
Make a donation to Brooke's fundraiser
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks

Powerfully Choosing Resilience with Layne Cagle

Layne Cagle has an impressive career spanning decades in recruiting and staffing, where she poured into her candidates and clients consistently, seeing something that wasn't there yet and then helping develop it.  This skillset allowed her to become one of the top producers of the year for several years for the Nashville based global firm.  
Through her career, she's tapped into her intuition to connect candidates to the right positions for them to thrive both professionally and personally, helping countless people advance their careers. Even today, she's a rapid connector to those who need help in some area and others who have skills, mentorship, and influence to offer.
Layne embodies all 6 GSD Factor attributes, but she consistently exemplifies Resilience from her core. She's lived an incredible life with grace while she's struggled with Parkinson's disease for over 25 years, only recently retiring. 
Personally, Layne has been an advocate of Misha Bleymaier-Farrish through her early career. She's even featured in The GSD Factor book. Listen to this reunion between Misha and Layne to get a peek into Layne's infectious optimism and her words of wisdom for everyone.
 
Visit us at GSD Factor https://gsdfactor.com/
Purchase the GSD Factor Life book series: https://linktr.ee/GSDFactorLifeBooks