Episode 124: From Juice Cleanses to CEO: Vy Dao on Redefining Wellness and Breaking Stereotypes
Vy Dao’s path to becoming Managing Partner at N Wellness started with a simple juice cleanse, and turned into a mission to change how we fuel our bodies. In this episode of the Powerful Ladies Podcast, Vy shares how she went from studying biology to launching wellness brands that rival the big-name energy drinks (minus the crash and chemicals). We dive into her journey as an Asian American woman in business, the cultural stereotypes she’s pushed against, and why communication and spirituality are now at the center of her leadership style. You’ll hear how she’s making wellness simple, how a focus on plant-based nutrition changed her life, and why she believes the magic happens when we admit we need help. Plus, Vy opens up about her rebranding plans, her approach to team building, and her advice for turning fear into faith in work and life.
“A lot of women in the Asian community are told to act a certain way, you can’t go out, you can’t do this. There’s a lot of rules. We have to break through that.”
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Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
00:00 – Changing majors and changing direction
02:55 – Founding N Wellness
04:45 – Competing with energy drink giants (and winning)
08:15 – Why clean ingredients matter
09:50 – From juice cleanses to wellness shots
13:20 – The case for more plants in your diet
15:10 – Food, color, and the seven chakras
17:00 – Growing up Vietnamese American in Huntington Beach
20:15 – Breaking the “be quiet” stereotype
25:00 – Women in business and finding support
31:10 – Proving people wrong (again and again)
33:00 – Owning your growth and asking for help
35:20 – The women who shaped Vy’s path
36:00 – Why communication changes everything
41:10 – From fear to faith in business
43:00 – Building a spiritual foundation for leadership
50:10 – What’s next for N Wellness and Nurish Group
51:40 – How to connect with Vy
When I had told my mom I was changing majors from bio to business, it was this whole big thing, like it was so rough. She cried and she was like, what are you gonna do with business? I was like, I don't know, but I'm gonna figure it out. And then I was just like, mom, like I'm not happy.
That's V Dao and this is The Powerful Ladies Podcast.
Hey guys, I'm your host, Kara Duffy in this episode, I'm excited for you to meet V Dao. V is leading the charge at Nourish Wellness, creating clean superfood wellness shots to support your busy lives in a healthy way. There are so many energy drinks and shots in the market, and 99% of them are not good for you at all.
From what she learned through a past pressed juice business, V knew there was a market for clean ways to energize and combat the stress we feel every day. In this episode, we discuss her journey to wellness. How she stood up for stereotypes for Asian American females, why communication and spirituality are the key to everything and so much more.
If like vi you wanna step into your leadership, create your own business, and share your gifts with the world, you shouldn't take that on alone. I created my Thrive membership and community for women who are ready to launch, grow, and scale their businesses, side hustles, freelance businesses and empires.
Membership includes weekly group coaching, monthly workshops to empower you and level up your business. Tons of tools and resources to get you where you wanna go faster, and most importantly, a group of women around the world who are rising alongside of you, ready to support you, cheer for you, and collaborate with you.
Visit the powerful ladies.com today to join.
Well, thank you for being a guest in The Powerful Ladies Podcast. Welcome. Thank
you. I'm honored to be here.
Let's begin. Please tell everybody your name and what you're up to in the world.
Uh, my name is V Dow. I am in the health and wellness, um, industry, and I do a lot of, uh, I would say like. Wellness, uh, products and just all about mental health and emotional health and spiritual health, all that good stuff.
Yeah, all the good things. Um, and, um, you work for and with and are creating kind of two big brands. You wanna tell us about those two brands?
Yeah, so the first brand, um, is called Nourish Group. We do, uh, CBD hemp products, um, help people with anything to like, as far as like relaxing or stress management.
Um, the other brand is very similar or sister brand. It's called, uh, end Wellness, also called Nourish Wellness. We recently just started changing our branding, um, for trademark reasons. But, uh, yeah, we do, uh, peak performance products and peak recovery products. So super food ingredients, everything's clean.
Um, we do a lot of, um, I work a lot with people on our team as well, just to kind of like have a lot of, I don't know what the word is, but I would say like. Emotional and mental health. Yeah.
Yes. Yes. The un unidentified untrained team psychologist. Yes. And therapist. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Um, you had given me a bunch of wellness shots.
Um, we had done, uh, a whole series of ads in this podcast for it, and, and we had tried it at our house and. What I was really impressed with, with the awake and the relaxed shots through Nourish was that how clean they are, right? Because you're going right up against things like five Hour Energy, which are full of junk that people don't realize is in there.
They give you a crash, you peak, you fall. Um. But all of these shots had like essentially vitamins in them and all these super foods, and they work like they, they did exactly what you promised they would do. We were more awake and more alert, or we were ready for bed and slept through the night. Um, what made you guys choose to, to make them so clean, and what did you see in the marketplace where you realized we needed an alternative to.
Five hour energy and monster energy drinks and things like that.
Um, this is gonna be a long answer, but um, I think what inspired us to come out with something is, um, I used to be in organic cold pressed juice, um, and I was juicing a lot and I realized that a lot of our customers, um, they were just. I didn't like vegetables and fruits and it was hard for 'em to drink.
And you know, you have to be really committed. You really have to be knowledgeable and it takes a lot of time to teach people, um, what the benefits are. And so we decided that, you know, coming out with these shots, it was going to be a good idea because it was only two ounce. And why not take something that, you know.
That only takes 30 seconds to drink. And you know, it gives you all of these benefits. And we do, um, cater to a lot of, um, I would say like all market place, like mm-hmm. You know, we see a lot of people taking a lot of energy drinks. Um, a lot of our brand ambassadors have had issues in the past with energy drinks and we wanted something.
That was clean, but also revolutionary, um mm-hmm with the super food. So the wake shot has ginger, turmeric, green coffee extract. And then, um, our relax has ashwagandha, valerian root, um, LT active. And you know, these two are just kind of like what you need daily for your. For your, even if you have a crazy schedule, if you don't like, you know, instead of drinking Red Bull five hour energy, um, or trying to drink alcohol at night, you know these shots will actually supplement your life in a better way.
Yeah. Mm-hmm. And they taste good. It's not like you're drinking, you know, some mud water that you're like, this is horrible. Please don't make me like, they, they taste good. They're fresh. Like you said, it takes two seconds to Yeah. You know, drink this tiny drink and it has all these nutrients and benefits and all the immune supportment, or sorry, supporting ingredients as well.
Um, you know, what, what is it about our society today where. We know that we wanna be optimized, but so many people put junk in their bodies all the time to try to achieve greatness. Mm-hmm. And I mean, it's, it baffles me, but like, what do you, what do you see working with these customers and, and the stress, I guess, to, to keep being optimized?
Yeah. It's really important that, um. We are able to function properly. And not only that, it's to function effectively and efficiently. So I feel like with these energy drinks, um, with a lot of chemicals in them, um, you are bound to have a crash and eventually your health will kind of deteriorate if you don't take care of your body.
Um. And if you wanna work efficiently and if you want to kind of do the best that you can, um, in life, taking care of your body comes first. And this is what we, we love to do. You know, we're like, take care of your health. You know?
Yeah. Well 'cause then you, everything else you went in life, you get to build off of that, right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah. So it's, you know, you start with taking care of. Your body, your mind, everything. And then, you know, these shots actually make you feel good. 'cause they're made with good intentions and love and you know, people will actually feel happy when you take them because if mm-hmm. It taste as clean and there's no crash at all.
Yeah. Yeah. Um, you know, going back to when you were eight, did you ever think that this is the work that you would be doing? Or what did you imagine when you were younger?
Um, no, not at all. I was. Born and raised in a very, um, strict environment. You know, the traditional Vietnamese family, they want you to become a doctor.
They want you to become under nurse, a pharmacy, anything that makes you good money and stable. Mm-hmm. Um, and I had no idea that I was going to do this, but I knew that I loved helping people, but I kind of took that chance of like rebelling against my parents. A lot. And, you know, taking organic chemistry was just like, I failed twice.
And after that I was just like, can't do this. Maybe I should go into business. And, you know, and then I, I just did. I just went for it. So,
yeah. Yeah. And what is, what is your, you said you were juicing, that was your first business and now you've moved on to here. Mm-hmm. What was it about taking care of people that.
Like what led you to natural solutions and to this path that you're on now of like from the juicing to these supplements and to the wellness shots?
Yeah. I started juicing and actually trying it out myself, like using organic ingredients because my friend was like, you have to start pasting. Like try it out.
It will change your life. And I did do a three day juice cleanse. Um, and I was like really amazed. I was like, wow, what it does to your body and you feel good and you're just, your skin is glowing. Um, and then I actually did a 10 day juice cleanse during, um, when I was in that industry and in that business.
And Wow. I was like, it felt like I was high on life and my body was just, I didn't eat anything, but it was just water and juice and my body was just functioning. So like, it was just so clean. Like what they say is your body's kind of like a car, right? You need an oil change. So what the juice cleanse does is it, um.
It cleanses out your, your intestines, your organs, so that you're able to function properly. Because as humans, we're not supposed to be, um, eating so much and with, you know, advertising and, you know, all this marketing around like big portions and, you know, they're so cheap we should do it. It's just, you know it.
Mm-hmm.
It um, it takes a toll on your body after a while 'cause your body's constantly working. But what fasting does it is. It gives your body a break to kind of clean everything out. And then once I started seeing the results for myself, I was able to talk to a lot of people, you know, even in the farmer's market.
And to explain to them the importance of like health and organic ingredients. And then it came onto this and people knew like, this is what I do and this is what I was like breathing and living. And they could tell like, you know, um, in the way that I was speaking about certain, like the health benefits of the, of um, juicing.
Yeah. Yeah. Um, it's always great when you have such a profound personal experience, right? For you to like, feel the difference and the, the high you were talking about, right? When your body's like, no, we're fully optimized, like we're working and it's easier, right? 'cause there's so many things that we put into our body.
Or the stress we put on our body that makes our body work harder than it has to. Mm-hmm. And that's where we're getting like brain fog and sluggish and inflammation and all these things. So through that fasting process, when you can be fasting and juicing and your body is working like minimally. And it's able to get rid of some of the junk in the process.
Um, it's like your body saying thank you. Like thank you for giving me a break. Thank you for putting good things into the system. Um, you know, so many people are trying different food lifestyles or food diets and there's so many things out there. Um, what is it you think about going back to the basics of like fruit and vegetables and the things that we know are good for us?
What is it about that that seems to be consistent between all of the different kind of lifestyle and diet approaches?
Um, I don't think people eat enough vegetables. You know, I think I did research on, um, how many like servings people actually eat or veggies and it was just like they don't get enough and drinking even one bottle of juice.
Um, and fruits is actually like, good enough for, it's good enough for your body for like the next three days, you know, and you're just drinking it. Mm-hmm. Um, so I think it's important to have these nutrients because, you know, I think America is so. Fixated on like GMOs and the food that we actually have.
And there's so many hormones in this, you know, um, but the juicing industry, and we're trying to kind of like teach people that, or educate people on the importance of like organic foods.
Yeah. Just the things that, and I don't know about you, but there have been moments when I've gone to the grocery store and been in the produce section or gone to a farmer's market and there's foods that your body is drawn to and you're like, well, I guess I need more of that right now.
Like, wasn't thinking that, you know, it would be spinach or kale or peaches, but there's, when you're in that beautiful, colorful section of a market, it's like, oh, well this is what food is supposed to look like. It's not supposed to be. All the same color. And I love, like Dr. Mark Hyman, who's a big, um, believer in like the eat the colors or eat the rainbow.
And really asking yourself like, how many colors have I eaten today? Because, and we're not talking about like Skittles or m and ms, right? But yeah, like are we eating colors? 'cause when you look at the things they tell you to stop eating and most. Most diets, it's, you know, dairy, it's gluten, it's processed things, which all tend to be in the tan family.
And a tan plate is never a plate that you want to like put on Instagram.
No. Um, this is gonna, we're totally jumping to a different subject, but when you talk about the colors of, you know, the different foods, um, it. It goes along with like the seven chakras. I don't know if you're familiar with the seven chakras when you do like yoga and you know, like I, I meditate a lot, so when I'm feeling off about something, my body is telling me like, I need this or that.
And so like if for instance, you're craving beets, um, even eating red beets or drinking bee juice, um, it helps with a certain shock on your body. Um. Um, more so the root chakra. So the root chakra kind of helps you ground and everything else. So like each vegetable and fruit that you're eating, and it's organic, it's fresh, and like these, you know, amazing, vibrant colors, it actually helps certain chakras of your body too.
So then you're able to kind of balance your body to function better. And when you're more balanced, you're, you think clearly you're not, you know, um. Operating out of fear or operating out of emotions. So yeah, I, I would've thought, yeah.
Well, we were first introduced because I was looking for panelists for our powerful conversation about America Series for this Stop Asian hate episode.
And, um, we, we got connected and we couldn't coordinate to get you on there. So we'll have you on again, but I would love for you to share your experience as an Asian American woman and. What has your experience been through your life of, um, resistance or racism or situations that caught you off guard simply because of, you know, your background and ethnicity and what you look like?
Um, I wasn't born here, so I was born of Vietnam. I moved here in 97. I was turning seven years old. Um, I was very timid. I grew up timid and to be honest with you, like. Being a woman is great, you know, but being an Asian, um, American woman as well, it's, it's a little different. I feel like people kind of have this stigma about Asian people being timid and, you know, following the rules and they have to be a certain way and they don't talk back, you know, because we're, we grew up, we have to be glide and quiet, and that's just.
The nature of our, um, society. And I think me growing up and I was pretty rebellious, um, and I didn't listen to a lot of people. Um, and going to the business industry, working with, you know, a lot of men, um, I.
I wouldn't say like, it's been a terrible thing, but it has opened my eyes to see like what really, what people really think about Asian, Asian people. And especially if they're females, like, um, I don't really have a specific kind of experience that would put me in a negative way, I would say. Mm-hmm. Um, but I do feel that.
I always was taught to be quiet and not talk back to people. And I've had instances where I was yelling out of my car and people were honking at me and, you know, um, for some random reason, I don't know why, maybe I was bad at driving. I don't know. I don't know what it was, but it was, you know, this one time, um, it was like this Caucasian male and he was older and he was just like rolling down his windows and he was like, yelling.
And I was just like, what is your problem? And usually people usually, like we grew up like, okay, don't talk back. Don't get in trouble. My parents are always like, you know, you need to just. Put your head down work, don't talk back to people, even if they try to start friends with you. And I was just like, why?
Why? Why do I have to do that? You know, like I'm stepping, I have to stand up for myself at one point. Mm-hmm. You know, and I've had, you know, going out with friends in the past and, you know, drinking and partying and my college days. Um, yeah, I've ran into people and I think they. They make like racist remarks about like, you know, chinky eyes, you know, and it's mm-hmm.
It's like normal that they do that, but, you know, sometimes it's just, it's just, I feel like a lot of my friends have a bad temper, but mm-hmm. You know, um, I don't know. It's just all those Asian hate that's going around, to be honest with you, it's just been, it's just been crazy. Like, I don't understand why it's happening.
Um, everyone is just kind of. Doing their own thing, and we are just known to kind of like put our head down and just work.
Yeah. Mm-hmm. Did it change all the stereotypes that you experienced? Did it change how you viewed yourself and like the self-talk that you've, you know, had with yourself?
Uh, yes it did, but at one point I was just like, I'm not going to be stereotyped and not gonna follow that stereotype, you know?
Mm-hmm. Because I, I just feel like, well, they can say whatever they want or try to start fights, but, you know, when you engage with somebody, it's like you're giving that person what they want, you know? They, they are trying to like, push your buttons for a reason, so
mm-hmm.
Not giving that person what they want and engaging and, you know, pouring more energy into, into somebody who's trying to pick a fight with you.
It's, I don't think it's necessary. It's just sometimes you just walk away, you know, and I mean, I will yell, like, I will definitely like cuss back or cuss at them, but. You know, it's, it's just at one point it's just not worth it.
Yeah. Yeah. Are you more afraid for your family or your parents since there's been this rise in, um, just, you know, attacks on Asian people and more racism being tracked in the past year?
Um, yes, especially for my parents, because, you know, they're older and they don't know how to handle situations like this. Um. I am not so afraid of myself because I know that I can protect myself. Um, but I actually started enrolling in a self-defense course. Um, I need to be more consistent with that, but like knowing my parents because they think having guns and stuff like that is, it's not good, you know?
And they don't know how to protect themselves. So yes, it is very scary. Um, for people who aren't who. And they don't have, like, you know, they're not a hundred percent confident in where they stand with society.
Yeah. Um, you know, when you moved here in, you said 97 I I believe it was. Mm-hmm. Did you move into a community that, um, you know, was like an all white community?
Was it a diverse community? Were you surrounded by, did you move into a traditional like Vietnamese neighborhood? Like what was it like, and did you feel. Did you feel different or did you feel like there was like, oh, there's people like me, they're right there.
Um, I definitely felt different. We moved into an all white community in Huntington Beach and I didn't speak English, so it was pretty scary and I was very scared of everyone and I didn't know how to, but everyone was so nice to, to me growing up I was probably, like, me and my cousin were probably the only.
Asian females that were actually in her class. Mm-hmm. Um, so it was, it was really different for me. I just, I wasn't that aware when I was younger, but, um, but growing up in that neighborhood, everyone was super nice and, um, yeah, I, I did have, you know, I did have some classmates that, you know, their grandparents were racist and he would tell us like, you know.
I don't know why, but you know, we would be driving down the street and, you know, his grandma would be like, oh, you know, calling this person a certain name and, you know, and he straight up told, told me like, yeah, my, I grew up in a racist family and he's Caucasian, but he's not racist. And so it's. It's crazy to see that, like there's, you know, PE as children, we grow up and we're like conditioned to think a certain way or feel a certain way and to judge people, but, you know, I'm just, I'm just thankful for, for him that he's.
I forgot his name. It was, it's been so long. But he, he was just like, I don't have a problem with, you know, other races, so.
Mm-hmm. I was
really, I was impressed and I was really young too, and for him to say that, you know, but he was, he outwardly admitted, like, yeah, I grew up in a racist family. My, my parents are racist.
Mm-hmm. You had mentioned earlier that through a lot of your career it's been you and a bunch of men, a bunch of guys, um. The pressures you felt in those environments. Has that been, um, would you say it's been more that you were the only woman in the room or that you were only the woman of color in the room?
Um, I would say because I'm the only woman in the room. Yeah. It, I'm always around men and they would make jokes like, well, you're part of, you're, you're basically a Duke. And I was like, no, I'm not. But you know, it's just, I feel like being around men actually kind of empowers me in a way. In the beginning I was very, um, intimidated because I just didn't know how to stand my ground.
But I think I'm learning to, um, do that now. And being able to like set boundaries. It's hard because they just think like, oh, you know, a pretty girl and you're in business. Mm-hmm. Like, they can just, you know, they don't take you seriously and it's, it's been rough. I think that's the part that I been trying to get over and it's like, you know, a challenge that I've had, but it's just my own mindset that I'm mm-hmm.
Talking to myself, thinking that way.
Yes. When you look back at your career and the different businesses that you've, um, started and launched and, and built, what are you most proud of? Um,
I am most proud of, I think,
uh, being an influence to the people that I work with and to. You know, go through these crazy changes in myself. And you know, looking back a year from now, I've changed so much and I've improved so much of who I am and I'm a totally different person now, and I think that's, that's what I'm most proud of.
Yeah, we, we ask everybody on the podcast when they hear the word powerful and ladies separately. What do they mean to you? And then does the definition change or what does it mean to you when powerful ladies is combined?
Um, powerful ladies. I, I was actually out for, uh, my birthday dinner last night and then I was telling my girlfriends like, oh, I'm doing a podcast.
And they're like, oh, what kind of podcast? I was like, oh, it's called Pop for Ladies, and you know. My girlfriends were like, oh my God, what is that? And you know, it's just, it's, it's like very empowering to hear like a woman, you know, doing a podcast for powerful ladies. It's just that word is just, it's just so powerful.
That's all I can say. Yeah.
Um, do you think it's that like women. Are are looking for a sense of comradery right now. Like they're looking for more community and support and like togetherness in stepping into their power. Yes.
Um, I feel like a lot of women. Grew up, they have to be a certain way. Um, and especially in the Asian community, you have to really, um, you know, act a certain way.
You can't do this, you can't do that. You can't go out like all this crazy stuff and rules and restrictions, but women don't get enough support. So we don't know who to talk to and we don't know who we can talk to that is going through the same things that we are. Um, especially women in business. I think we're very a rare breed and it's hard to kind of, you know, go out and ask for help in.
In, in a world of full of men. Mm-hmm. Um, but yeah, but when you're around like women who have been through it all and, you know, talk about their struggles and you know, what they've overcome, it's, it's really supported, it's really, um, supportive. Or somebody to kind of like, oh, you've been through it and please help me.
'cause I don't know what I'm doing. Or like, I'm going through a crisis and I don't know what to do. So yeah, I feel like women do do feel more, um, supportive of that. Yeah. When they hear like, Hey, there's a group of women who are doing the same things, that you are going through the same thing that you are.
Yeah. And to your point, you know, when, when there's so much that we have to prove. You know, against, you know, we shouldn't be a CEO or you're, you know, women should do something else or fill in the blank of, right, like, when we have to prove everyone wrong, it can be really hard to ask for support or ask questions or admit we're you don't have everything together because you don't want anyone to think that there's a gap.
You don't wanna reveal that. They might be right that I'm not, I'm not at the 10 that I'm like pushing to be at because I don't know this one thing. And you know, when we look at it from the outside in, it's, it's silly, right? Because no one, no one knows everything and no one's getting there. But so often the, the men in the room don't have those same expectations, right?
They're not having to overcome all of this just to get the seat at the table. Um. It's, it's why we're doing it, right? Like there's so many women doing incredible things and making great businesses and changing the world in different ways. And I just want more women to, to see other women like them and hear their story and be like, oh, well if she did it, I can do it.
Mm-hmm. And so, you know, even just to, to tell your parents like, I'm not gonna become a doctor or a pharmacist. Like, I wanna go into, you know, health and wellness and helping people that way. I'm sure that alone was like a conversation that you probably had to, you know, prepare for and reiterate and you know, even just fight through that conversation at home.
Yeah, when I had told my mom I was changing majors from bio to business, it was this whole big thing. Like it was so rough. Mm-hmm. She cried and she was like, what are you gonna do with business? And I was like, are, I was like, I don't know, but I'm gonna figure it out. And then I was just like, mom, like I'm not happy, you know?
And she was just like, why, why, why, why? And then she was like, I don't know, like, I don't know if you'll make it. Like, what are you gonna do? You know, like, how are you gonna find a job? And I was like, wow, this is crazy. You know? But that, that conversation changed my life. Like after that conversation I was like, you know, well I'm gonna prove them wrong.
Mm-hmm. And I did. So it was, you know, it was so, it was rough, but I had to go through that.
Mm-hmm. How, how often do you think, I'll prove you wrong, like keeps coming up in your life and motivates you?
Um, all the time. Every, every week, every day. You know, having conversations with, you know, anything about work related, like how do I make this happen, you know, and people, um, yeah, people and this industry in business is just cutthroat.
Like if you're not gonna do what you say you're gonna do. And that's what I, I'm very passionate about is, um, when I say that I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it. Mm-hmm. Or else I lose trust in myself and other people. I let other people down, but most importantly is like I let myself down.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. What are you putting into practice, into your, your life outside of work so that you can, you know. Keep yourself into the in, in your highest state. You mentioned meditation earlier, like what else are you doing outside of work so that you can be social and be sane and be well so that you can come to work and be the boss that you wanna be.
Um, admitting certain stuff about myself. Um, before, you know, you mentioned about like, you know, there's certain stuff that we don't wanna review and it's, it's hard, you know, but once you take responsibility for your own actions and who you are as a person and admitting like, this is something I need to improve on and it's not a big deal, and, you know, don't be so hard on yourself.
You're still learning, you're still growing, um, that mindset. I've, you know, started to train myself on, it's been helping me a lot and mm-hmm. You know, alongside with meditation, like I, I need time to kind of process things and, you know, if I don't have my time to process and be my, by myself to kind of learn like, what, like the breakdowns of, you know, everyday life, then how am I able to kind of.
Work more effectively in the future. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. How have the women in your life, whether they're peers or colleagues or mentors, you know, friends or family, how have the women in your life gotten you to where you are today? Um, everyone's,
the women in my life have been very supportive, you know? Mm-hmm.
Sometimes like, we don't agree. Or they don't agree with, you know, me, like starting my own business because they want me to kind of just, you know, hey, maybe it will be easier on your life to just mm-hmm. You know, get a nine to five corporate job and you'll be okay and marry like a rich husband, whatever.
Um, but I, you know, but, but still supportive through any kind of choices that I make and, you know, whatever makes me happy there. They're gonna support me. So I think that's been very helpful.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Who are the, um, powerful ladies that have inspired you? Whether you've met them or just read about them, or who are the ones that you look up to to come back to for inspiration?
Um, you is one of them. Thank you. Yeah. Um, another. A person would probably be, um, my mom, um, I mean, she was really hard on me and sometimes she didn't support what I did, but at one point I think she was just kind of like, I believe in her, you know? Yeah. And she's gonna be okay. Um, and I do have like a handful of girlfriends that, you know, like just see how.
Just see like how much I believe in myself and you know, they started to just support me so much and just believe in me so much. And, you know, I think that's, that's something that, I mean, yeah, I love them. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. You know, you and I have talked a lot about the power of like communication and teams and like really getting that structure defined.
Um. What have you been implementing that's, you know, making day-to-day work better and you know, how is it changing your confidence in doing that as well?
Um, being able to speak up, it was, I had a struggle. In the past when I was really young, I didn't know how to speak up for myself and I didn't know how to communicate that.
But I think in the last, you know, five, six months, I'm starting to, um, realize like without communication there's a lot of breakdowns and there's a lot of gaps that doesn't get filled, and things just fall into those gaps and nothing gets done. Um, I've recently implemented kind of like. A more like team, quick five minute meetings once a week.
Um, but we do also have other meetings. But being able to speak up and, you know, um, bringing up, uh, I would say issues that we have during the workplace. Um, has really helped everybody on the team. 'cause they're realizing like, oh, what happened? And how can we improve on that instead of just like not talking about it.
Yeah. Yeah. There's so much power in communication, right? Because mm-hmm. Just even coming back to not, not knowing when to ask for help or not wanting people to know, we don't know. So much of it comes from a place of people thinking that. You know, talking about something that is disruptive is going to like, cause problems or make people look dumb or be angry or whatever it is.
And there's so much power in, uh, separating how we feel from the people or from the event and just saying like, what was, so what actually happens? Like mm-hmm. It's no one's fault. No one's gonna be mad, but we really do need to know how to fix it. And if we don't talk about it, we can't fix it. Um, and it's, it's amazing to me how many companies and organizations just sweep things under the rug and don't wanna talk about it.
And just like in families, when we do the same thing, you know, all this stuff builds up and it builds up and suddenly. There's a whole pile of things we've never dealt with that are often bigger than either the revenue we're making or the success we're having, or the achievements. And it gets really out of balance.
Um, so I think it's so great that you're taking on, you know, being a space for communication at your companies and giving people the room to come to you, as you mentioned earlier, and just like. Stopping the nonsense when it comes to just being aligned, like being in the, the basic, most basic forms of communication.
You know, like, who are you, what are you doing? Here's the answer, what happens? Right? Like, it's, it's so simple and you know, all businesses are made up of people. And so we forget that we're dealing with not just the business issues, but we're dealing with the people and their issues and their issues within the business.
And it's really a complex structure. You know, it's, there's whole majors, right, for organizational behavior and management. Um, because it, it can be overwhelming and it, I think it's unfortunate for not enough small to mid-size companies. Are investing in training their people on leadership and communication and these kind of core fundamentals to just project manage better.
Um, but it changes everything, everything.
No, it, it really does. I mean, it is, I work with a lot of people and you know, everyone is starting to call me like, oh yeah, she's the one that's connecting the dots. And I'm like, yeah, I am. Um, and it's just so crazy because people we're so afraid to kind of like bring up issues.
Mm-hmm. '
cause they didn't have solutions to it and they didn't wanna talk about it because it's like. It's a failure, you know, it's like, oh, we failed. But it's like, you know, we're trying to get into that habit of like, it's not failing. We're learning and we're gonna improve. So let's not talk about like the negative, you know, let's, let's talk about like, how.
Things are going to be in the future in a positive way. Um, yeah, and people just come to me with all types of issues I'm getting. I'm like, okay, this is cool, I guess.
Yeah. Yeah. I know. It's amazing how much time we can spend dealing with people issues, and you're like, I don't think I've done a project for the business today.
Like, hold on.
Yeah. Um, yeah. A lot of times people just spend on like talking about like, what went wrong, but it's like mm-hmm. Now, you know, I have, I kind of have to be like putting my foot down and be like, Hey, let's not talk about the past. We're talking about what can be, you know, let's talk about solutions.
Like, don't talk about the past anymore. It's just a waste of time. Yeah.
Yeah. We ask everybody on the podcast where they put themselves in the powerful lady scale, zero being average everyday human, and 10 being the most powerful lady imaginable. Where would you rank yourself today and has your rank changed over time?
Oh, definitely. Um, I think I would probably rank myself at a seven now, which is pretty high up there. Um, I just, you know, I just. Have I started reflecting the last couple days, um, because my birthday was just yesterday and I started to realize happy birthday. Wow, thank you. Um, and I've realized like, wow, I've come a long way, you know, um, with all the stuff that I've been through and, you know, the improvements that I've had in myself and transferring myself to be, you know, empowered.
Um.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, it's amazing. I'm just so thankful.
Well, and, and how great does it feel to make that, you know, mental and time investment into yourself? Right? Like, what, what else do we have to do then make our lives more fun and more interesting and more powerful?
Um, I spend a lot of. My time, um, working on my spirituality and I think that's really helped me in all aspects of my life.
Um, and I feel very fulfilled, you know, and I mean, the role that I have right now that people don't really realize is like, you know, we just came back from a team retreat, um, last weekend and the transformation that I saw with everybody, I was like. Being on the other side now, I was like, wow, this is amazing.
And mm-hmm. You know, it's like nothing, like no money can actually, you know, fulfill that. But I was so fulfilled with the way that people were transforming, you know? Mm-hmm. Into the best version of themselves helps.
And is that a spirituality that has been passed to you from your parents? Or is it one that you've discovered on your own?
Um, we grew up, um, following Buddhism and I went to a lot of temples, but, you know, the practices that I've been doing now, um, didn't really come from my parents. I kind of started learning and exploring a lot of it, so it's been a very interesting journey for me in that sense. But it's, mm-hmm. I, I grew so much from it.
Yeah. Yeah. Um, I couldn't imagine running a business and not having a spirituality system because there's so much that's out of our control and there's so much that, um, you know, we, on the past couple of podcasts we've been talking about really needing this faith like you, a belief in yourself, a belief that it'll work out, a belief that, um.
Like things will work out and because so often you'll be standing on one side of a cliff and know you need to get to the other one, but you can't see the bridge. So the, the amount of trust in yourself or belief or faith in yourself and you know, who, whomever or whatever is supporting you to take that first step and to, to say, I'm not gonna fall.
It's like so crazy that I don't know, like I don't know how you can, can take those leaps and take the risks in life if you don't have some sort of practice that you can go back to and get grounded in and. And just not, just not feel disconnected or alone. Because so often if it's, if, if I am totally in control and I'm to, I'm all, if I'm all powerful, well that's disappointing because I know how powerful I am and I'm like, well, that's not enough.
Like we're gonna need more help to get through this. Right? So whether it's it's, you know, human support system or a spiritual support system. Like doing things alone. Like it's, it never works as big as it could. It's never as fun. It's never as easy. And you know, we hear a reoccurring theme on this podcast of, of like entrepreneurs belief in something else.
Whether it's believing in the universe or believing in a specific religion, or even just believing that they can trust their heart and their intuition. Like, you know, it's. I don't know how people don't have something like that to keep moving forward sometimes.
Yeah. Um, I think a lot of people just operate out of fear a lot of times and you know, now I'm trying to change the, the mindset of like, let's operate out of faith, but you know, you need to replace fear with faith.
Like, don't freak out. Everything's gonna be okay. Um, yeah, spirituality. I mean, it ties in with, you know, how you believe in yourself and other people as well. Like, if you don't believe in yourself, nothing's gonna work. You know, if you don't believe in this idea, if you don't believe in this system, like nothing is ever gonna work.
So you just gonna have to believe in it at the end of the day. Or else, you know, everything just doesn't work. It's like, you know, the power of, um, your mind and your
mm-hmm. You
know, your, your creation of it. Like your thoughts are so powerful. It's amazing what you can do. Yeah.
Yeah. And I just want more people to know they can do it, like mm-hmm.
There's sometimes we think, especially when we're lower than where we wanna be, we think that there's this hidden line where I can't have that. Only people over there can have that and. The people who we see being super successful, or the people who we see achieving some of these things that we're like, wow, that's incredible.
They're no different than you and I, they're no different in regards to, you know, being human and having doubts and having, you know, fears and, and all these things. But what they have done is said, I'm gonna do it anyway. We're gonna figure it out. Like they've, they've taken that step that we were talking about into the unknown, and we don't need to have the whole plan to take that first step.
We just need to know, I think there's a step here. Let's try like, take that, take that step. And I don't know, for, for, I know in my life and in many of the, the people we've had on this podcast, when you just start doing what you know you're supposed to do. And you're in action and you're sharing and you're asking for help, and you're just like letting the world get involved in what you're up to.
Like things just happen differently. You know? Like if, if people who are listening feel like they're hitting a wall over and over and over again, I would probably once stop and start meditating. But two, like really be honest with yourself about. What am I doing? What am I avoiding? Like what am I hanging onto that like continues to bring us to the locked door versus like the 50 open doors that are over here.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. You know, when you've gone through switching from fear to faith, I'm sure it's impacted more than your business life. Like how has it shifted just your perspective on things in general?
Um, less anxiety. Um mm-hmm. I, you know, I used to have just crazy anxiety as well, but now it's. You know, just now if something, we have a breakdown, I'm just, you know, it's like, okay, well, changing that mindset took me forever.
Like, and asking for help was a really hard thing for me. Um, I don't know what it was, it's like the way I grew up or something, or mm-hmm. It's just I was so conditioned to not ask for help, but now I'm realizing like, you can't put everything on yourself. You know, you know, you work with a team and you kind of have to.
Be okay and admit like, oh, I need help and people. Mm-hmm. And that's when the magic happens when you're, like you said, like admitting like, and accepting like, okay, well this is not where we want it at. Mm-hmm. How can you know what's gonna make it happen? Like, who do we need to talk to or work with to make this happen?
Mm-hmm. Um, so. What is next for Nourish? What's coming up? What are you excited about?
Um, we are rebranding our nourish, uh, wellness shots. Um, and it's exciting to, you know, to do this whole revamp of our online store and our packaging and it's gonna be the same products, but, um, that's something that we're working on and me speaking my voice more.
Mm-hmm. Trying to kind of like, um, going out there and talking about it more because I used to be kind of. A Herman about it. Like, I was like, oh, I don't wanna talk about it. Nobody cares. Nobody's gonna listen. But yeah. Um, very exciting stuff that's coming.
Yeah. And I know you work with a lot of different athletes and influencers who are kind of brand ambassadors.
Are you looking for more brand ambassadors? Like if somebody's like, you know, this is something I believe in, should they reach out to you? Uh, yes.
We are always looking for, um, the right kind of, um. I would say, yeah, somebody in like health and wellness, definitely.
That's, yeah. Perfect. And what are, what's your website?
What are your handles? How can all, how can everybody follow and support you? So,
uh, our Instagram handle is n Wellness underscore, and then our website is nourish wellness.com. And Nourish is spelled N-U-R-I-S-H wellness.com.
Perfect. Well, it has been such a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. I loved our conversation.
I am, you know, I think what you shared about the journey you've had of, of confidence and building communication and just the path, right? That fear to faith path, I think is something that so many people listening right now really get. And to see that you're on the other side and continuing to grow and expand, um, I imagine is really inspiring for a lot of them.
Yeah. Thank you so much. You're welcome.
Thank you for listening to today's episode. All the links to connect with be are in our show notes at the power.com/podcast. There you can also leave comments or questions about this episode. Want more powerful ladies? Come join us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies, where you can also find free downloads to start being powerful today.
Subscribe to this podcast and help us connect with more listeners by leaving us a five star rating and review. If you're looking to connect directly with me about private coaching, collaborating, or the other services that we offer, please visit kara duffy.com. I'd like to thank our producer, composter and audio engineer Jordan Duffy.
Without her, this wouldn't be possible. You can follow her on Instagram at Jordan K. Duffy. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, I hope you're living powerfully in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
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Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
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