Grit & Gravitas

The Truth of Small Business Success: Do It Scared, Do It Messy

Did you know? 1 small business opens every 4 minutes in the US!

May is National Small Business Month, and in this episode of G&G we’re celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit! Meet our guests: Jacquie Ferentinos, co-owner of the locally owned and operated Bagel Boutique, and Brenna Anderson, VP of Relationship Management for Members 1st Federal Credit Union. In part 3 of our Limited Edition Members 1st series, Jacquie and Brenna sit down with co-hosts Anne and Anne to tell the story of entrepreneurial success and a growing bagel empire—including an incredible financial partner. “We are your people,” says Brenna. “Believe in yourself, take the risk, and we will help you every step of the way.” Other key ingredients? Hard work, relationships, and passion for what you do. “We’re sharing stories one bagel at a time,” says Jacquie. Her advice for entrepreneurs: “Do it scared, do it messy, but do it.” Jacquie and Brenna, welcome to the G&G tribe!

Connections Are Everywhere

Our G&G co-hosts are excited to welcome Megan Simpson, co-founder of Two Sparks Media along with Kelly Parker, who graced the podcast in 2023.

A resident of North Carolina, Megan grew up in New Jersey as the youngest of four powerhouse women, and she’s been in the people business ever since. From the fitness industry to the franchise world, Megan’s gift is making connections and creating collaborations.

Megan’s Villanova University marketing professor sparked her passion for marketing. “She’s a powerhouse of a woman who had clarity and confidence and I wanted to be just like her,” Megan says. Megan enjoys returning to her alma mater to mentor today’s students on how to build tomorrow’s network. “It’s never too early to get on LinkedIn to let us know about you and start connecting,” Megan advises. This episode is packed with energetic, people-focused business vitamins perfect for young careerists and college students, and parents of high schoolers.

Always Talk to Strangers

It’s a milestone day here at Grit & Gravitas as Anne & Anne welcome their first male guest on the podcast in four years—Mike Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

“Members 1st comes from humble beginnings,” Mike says. “Seventy-five years ago, 9 people put money into a pot to lend each other money to buy appliances during the war, and that’s how Members 1st got started.” By harnessing what Mike calls the Culture of We, this community-favorite credit union is 600,000 members strong and has $8 billion in assets. 

As an Army Brat, Mike learned from an early age the value of building relationships. “I speak to every single person the first day they start at Members 1st,” he says. Come along with us for an action-packed 30 minutes on leadership, communication, and inspiration. “Always talk to strangers,” Mike advises. “If I ever wrote a book, that would be the title.”

Welcome to the G&G Tribe, Mike!

Speak Your Mind (Even If Your Voice Shakes)

Join us for an inspiring, can-do conversation with Kelly Palmer, Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities. Passionate about the built environment, meeting new people, and increasing opportunities for women and girls through her service on the Cumberland County Commission for Women by working to solve issues like the child care crisis, Kelly believes that planning is a system for the future. “Roads, bridges, wastewater—they’re all mechanisms to connect with one another,” she says. Kelly applies this not only to infrastructure planning, but to community service. Start small, she encourages. You can make a difference by just going to a meeting. The business vitamins Kelly and our co-hosts share this episode will not soon be forgotten. “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes,” Kelly says.

Thriving Together: Today Is the Day

Team G&G is thrilled to present our inaugural Limited Edition Series with Members 1st Federal Credit Union in celebration of their 75th anniversary! In this episode, we have two powerhouse women to highlight Women's History Month: Karen Roland, Chief Marketing Officer, and Christine Pavlakovich, Chief Administrative Officer. From cultivating a powerful culture of servant leadership to exploring how empathy is key to being a leader, Karen and Christine reveal inspiring stories and #businessvitamins to uplift all our listeners. "We're the average of the five business partners we surround ourselves with," say co-hosts Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan. "What a privilege to have Members 1st in our G&G tribe."

Opportunity Is Everywhere

Team G&G is pleased to welcome the incredibly vibrant and energetic Jasmine Brooks, TV News Anchor and Storyteller for CBS21 to the podcast studio. In this episode, Jasmine takes a break from being the interviewer to sit on the other side of the microphone. From how she landed her first anchor job to how motherhood has changed her approach to news reporting, Jasmine shares her secrets to persistence, resilience, and consistency with our listeners and cohosts Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan. What would Jasmine tell her younger self? “You are valuable. And there are opportunities everywhere.” This half hour is bursting with #businessvitamins for young professionals, moms, and mentors.

Raise Your Hand: Donuts & P.I.E.

Today, our G&G co-hosts are excited to welcome fellow Shippensburg University graduate Betsy Hamm, former CEO of Duck Donuts. After four years of leading a donut empire—opening in 9 international countries and 200 locations in 26 days—Betsy is exploring a new challenge as an independent consultant for emerging brands. From figuring out what’s next, to raising your hand and determining your P.I.E., join Anne, Anne, and Betsy for business vitamins for every stage of your career.

The Pursuit of Contentment

In a new year, we often ask ourselves what success looks like. But what does success feel like? As we explore the goals we’ve set for 2025, co-hosts Anne Gallaher and Anne Carnathan discuss not only achieving these goals but how to look back on what we have accomplished with peace, satisfaction, and contentment, rather than always asking ourselves, "What's next?"

The Power of Yet

DYK? Women send themselves 500 negative or limiting messages each day! In honor of National Mentoring Month, G&G co-hosts Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan invited Gillian Byerly, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Mid State PA, to talk about mentorship and the Power of Yet. Using running as a tool, Girls on the Run is equipping girls from elementary through middle school to be authentic and learn to navigate life with confidence and joy. “Nobody knows where you started from, so how can they criticize where you finish?” says Gillian. Run along with us and pick up loads of business vitamins in this fantastic episode!

What Are You Putting Down and Picking Up in 2025?

Team G&G is putting a bow on 2024 with Episode 86! Co-hosts Anne Deeter Gallaher and Anne Carnathan are honored to celebrate four years of broadcasting this podcast with some outstanding guests sharing unforgettable business vitamins. Thank you to each one of you, our listeners and friends, for sharing this experience and growing along with us. For our last podcast of the year, we’re talking about what we’re putting down and picking up in 2025.

“What we put down opens some space for what we pick up. There must be room to pick up new ideas, new people, and new opportunities,” says Gallaher.

Happy New Year! We look forward to more learning, laughter, and adventure in 2025!