“If you don't open up and share your story, you're never going to find the people who are meant to find you and that you're meant to find.”

In this special live episode of Startups in Stilettos, host Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with three accomplished Entreprenista members—Emily, founder of Electric Collab; LinkedIn strategist Natasha Walstra; and trademark attorney Lauren—to explore how collaboration, authenticity, and community have transformed their businesses.

From landing first clients and creating powerful referral partnerships to protecting your brand and overcoming imposter syndrome, this conversation is packed with actionable networking advice for founders at every stage. The panel shares practical tips on following up after events, finding complementary business partners, building trust before making a sale, and why collaboration will always outperform competition.

What We Talked About:

Why Community Matters [1:06]

Natasha: LinkedIn Strategy [6:02]

Lauren: Protecting Your Brand [10:55]

Making Meaningful Event Connections [16:59]

Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone [21:13]

Closing: Be Open and Vulnerable [24:21]

Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

⁠⁠@itsingridsworld⁠⁠ ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on⁠⁠ ⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Emily: ⁠⁠

@heyemilypaulsen on Instagram ⁠⁠

Emily Paulsen on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Connect with Natasha: ⁠⁠

@nearpoint.strategies on Instagram ⁠⁠

Natasha Walstra on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Connect with Lauren: ⁠⁠

@storylocklegal on Instagram ⁠⁠

Lauren Bercuson on ⁠LinkedIn

⁠

Members of our Entreprenista League get access to live Office Hours with top founders that have been on our show! Join the ⁠Entreprenista League ⁠today! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our ⁠website,⁠ social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Twitter,⁠ ⁠Instagram,⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn.⁠ And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – ⁠⁠⁠visit our website⁠⁠.