Podcast Summary: This Is Woman's Work with Nicole Kalil
Episode: From Small Business to Big Impact: Leadership, Confidence, & Community at the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Summit | 362
Host: Nicole Kalil
Date: November 17, 2025
Overview
In this live episode from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit, host Nicole Kalil explores the authentic journeys of three powerhouse women entrepreneurs: Natalie Katis (Katis Enterprises), Tessa Arneson (Maven District), and Perla DeLuca (Southeast Constructors/Pink Hard Hat Foundation). The episode centers on how small business ownership is as much about leadership, confidence, and community impact as it is about profit and growth. Nicole and her guests dig deep into redefining “woman’s work,” building confidence through action, balancing purpose and well-being, and making a lasting difference beyond the bottom line.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Redefining "Woman's Work"
- Nicole Kalil kicks off by reframing "woman's work" as any work that feels "authentic, true, and right for you."
- Women now own over 12 million businesses in the US, employing more than 10.7 million people.
- Small business ownership is compared to “jumping out of a plane and building your parachute on the way down,” highlighting the courage and adaptability required.
2. Natalie Katis: Leadership, Confidence, and Community (05:00–11:22)
Supporting Others and Representation
- Natalie Katis (CEO, Katis Enterprises) stresses the power of using her positions on powerful boards (Federal Reserve, US Chamber of Commerce) to bring small business voices to key decision-making tables.
- Quote: “How do I take the opportunities that I have been afforded and…help others come to the table, make sure their voices are heard at the table, even if they physically can’t be there?” (04:19)
Building Confidence as a Muscle
- Confidence wasn’t innate; it was a learned, practiced skill.
- Quote: “You don’t have to have all the answers today. That’s okay.” (05:47)
- Attributes her growth to the Goldman Sachs program teaching her to "dream big" and iterate.
- Nicole draws parallel to confidence being a muscle: “It’s a skill we get to develop. The only way to do that is through practice.” (06:42)
Giving Back through Impactful Initiatives
- Natalie launched a financial literacy program for her manufacturing staff—92% participation, with team members buying first homes and focusing on health.
- Quote: “One of my team members came to me and he says, ‘For the very first time in my life, I’m okay. Me and my family are okay.’" (09:03)
Embracing Growth, Overcoming Fear
- Shares struggles with anxiety and the constant pressure as a business owner.
- Highlights importance of “lifelong learnership” and intentionally staying in rooms where she isn’t the smartest person.
- Quote: “As soon as I start to feel like the smartest, I need to change rooms.” (10:45)
Memorable Moment
- Girl Scout advice: “Here we grow, ladies. Here we grow.” (10:57)
3. Tessa Arneson: Self-Care, Boundaries, and Prioritization (15:37–32:21)
Rejecting the “Hustle Harder” Myth
- Tessa Arneson (Co-founder, Maven District) rejects unsustainable workaholic cultures.
- Quote: "You cannot do it all … That is not sustainable.” (16:08)
- Shares her experience living with a head injury, emphasizing the need for “livability” over work/life “balance.”
Self-Awareness and Energy Management
- Introduces the concept of “tickets”—energy units—for each day and guarding them for high-impact tasks.
- Leans into morning and evening routines to support mental and physical health:
- Breathwork and movement upon waking.
- No screens an hour before bed.
- Avoids social media: “For me, it’s not great for me.” (18:22)
Choice Management > Time Management
- Nicole reframes time management as "choice management."
- Quote: “Time is fixed. … What is different are the choices we make with the time that we have.” (21:00)
Practical Prioritization
- Tessa’s team uses daily “top three priorities” to stay focused.
- Social media and unproductive meetings are seen as “ticket” drains unless they align with goals.
- Confesses to sometimes failing and having to reset priorities.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- "Do it sooner." Regrets waiting until age 30 despite entrepreneurial instincts.
- Importance of finding mentors (“someone you can ask really dumb questions to”) and community.
- Quote: “You don’t actually have to be alone in this.” (25:04)
Handling Criticism and Feedback
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Nicole shares a four-step process for reframing negative feedback:
- Identify the facts.
- Separate facts from what you're making up.
- Consider a more empowered perspective.
- Get into action.
- Quote: “Action builds confidence. … We put one foot in front of the other towards what matters most.” (29:58)
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Tessa’s business partner’s method: “Maven - Meet the Moment” (31:09)
- Meet the moment.
- Align from within.
- Venture into the next step.
- Evaluate and celebrate.
- Nurture your next step.
4. Perla DeLuca: Social Impact, Resilience, and Gratitude (33:53–42:44)
Access, Leverage, and Giving Back
- Perla DeLuca (Southeast Constructors, Pink Hard Hat Foundation) credits the Goldman Sachs program for teaching her about financial leverage, which enabled her to open a school and a foundation for women in trades.
- Quote: “I didn’t have money to give back, but I knew I had time and experience and maybe could empower other women.” (35:19)
The Power of Connection
- Acts as a connector, helping others succeed by connecting people and providing opportunity.
- Leadership through integrity and loyalty.
Redefining Success
- Previously valued external markers (offices, status), now values impact: “I was never driven by money; I was always driven by people.” (37:35)
- Success is celebrating students’ growth and well-being, not personal wealth.
Lessons Learned from Failure and Change
- Lost her Florida real estate businesses in the crash, struggled with guilt and a “failure” mindset.
- Quote: “I realized that I lost just the business—I am the business.” (39:40)
- Emphasizes kindness and self-compassion in adversity.
- Practices gratitude as a discipline and a conscious choice.
- Quote: “If you are grateful, every day is a new day.” (40:57)
Ending on Perseverance and Community
- Reminds women in male-dominated industries, especially construction, “You can do it. A lot of people said I couldn’t do it too.” (42:30)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Nicole: “Small business ownership is daily proof that winging it is, in fact, a strategy.” (01:30)
- Natalie: “You can’t buy a gym membership and hope to lose weight. You have to show up, you have to do the work and the results will come.” (06:51)
- Tessa: “Build with your whole self, but not at the expense of yourself.” (16:08)
- Tessa: “What is the most important thing you can do with your time rather than doing everything with your time?” (20:22)
- Perla: “I was never driven by money. I was always driven by people.” (37:35)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Podcast Theme & Intro: 00:55–03:58
- Natalie Katis Interview: 03:58–11:22
- Tessa Arneson Interview: 15:37–32:21
- Nicole’s Four-Step Criticism Response: 29:29–31:09
- Perla DeLuca Interview: 33:53–42:44
- Host’s Takeaways and Closing Reflection: 42:44–end
Closing Reflection & Themes
Nicole ties the episode together with the message that growth sneaks up on you—not just in profit, but in resilience, boundaries, confidence, and a deepening sense of purpose. These women are living proof that “business is never just about business—it’s personal. It’s who you become when you refuse to give up, when you decide to bet on yourself one more time. And that kind of courage, that kind of confidence, well, that is woman's work.” (41:40)
Recommended for:
Aspiring and current women entrepreneurs, leaders seeking an authentic perspective on confidence and growth, and anyone interested in the human side of small business and community impact.
Links to explore:
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
- Each guest’s businesses and foundations (see show notes)
Connect and share:
If you’re interested in building your own business, redefining success, or simply curious how other women are leading with impact and confidence, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable insights straight from the source.