Avant-Garde Entrepreneur®

Resilience is one of the defining characteristics of social entrepreneurs. It is the inner strength that keeps you moving when resources are scarce, when doubt creeps in, and when your mission asks more of you than you expected. In this episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey revisits three powerful conversations that reveal how resilience is built, tested, and strengthened through lived experience.First, we return to Dr. Trisha’s conversation with Jennifer Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, who demonstrates how personal hardship can become the foundation of an unshakeable purpose. Next, we revisit her conversation with Mohamed (Mo) Ahmed, whose story shows how determination, creativity, and community can help entrepreneurs push through obstacles that once felt insurmountable. Finally, we reflect on Dr. Trisha’s conversation with Steve Duddy, a leader whose resilience has been shaped by reinvention, humility, and a deep commitment to service.Jennifer reveals how to ground yourself when life demands more than you think you can give. Mo shows how to adapt when the path changes beneath your feet. Steve illustrates the strength that comes from staying flexible and focused through seasons of transition. Together, their stories remind us that resilience is not simply the ability to survive hardship. It is the ability to grow through it.Tune in and listen to the seventy-eighth episode to learn how to build inner steadiness, rise through challenges with clarity, and strengthen the resilience that keeps your mission moving forward.In this episode, you will learn:How early life experiences shaped Jennifer’s commitment to serving underserved students (4:00)Why resilience begins with accepting your story and choosing to move through it with intention (7:10)The moment Jennifer realized her mission mattered too much to quit (11:30)How Mo rebuilt momentum after losing key partnerships and resources (16:20)Why community support becomes essential fuel during difficult seasons (19:40)What entrepreneurship taught Mo about perseverance, identity, and self-belief (22:50)How Steve learned to navigate unexpected changes with steadiness and focus (27:00)The habits that help leaders stay grounded during seasons of uncertainty (32:40)Connect with Jennifer Ann Johnson:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookListen to The Confident Entrepreneur podcastTrue FashionistasConnect with Mohamed (Mo) Ahmed:LinkedInBoundless FounderJoin the Boundless Founder's communityConnect with Steve Duddy:LinkedInDuddy Executive ServicesEmail: duddy.steven@gmail.com

Perfection is one of the loudest pressures in the life of a social entrepreneur. Yet learning how to trust that what you are doing is good, grounded, and aligned can become one of your most powerful advantages.In this theme mashup episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey revisits two conversations that reveal an unexpected truth about success: good is not settling, it is strengthening. And intuition does more than guide you forward; it helps you trust that what you are building is already enough.First, we return to Dr. Trisha's conversation with Heather Campbell, author of Good Is Amazing, who teaches us how to release the pressure to chase perfection and embrace a more sustainable standard of success. Then we revisit her conversation with intuitive consultant Jenn Cohen, who explains how leaders can quiet the noise around them and develop the clarity to trust their inner guidance.Heather shows how redefining "good" opens the door to joy, alignment, and deeper impact. Jenn shows how intuition strengthens decision-making in times of uncertainty. Both remind us that leadership does not require striving for flawless results. It requires presence, clarity, and the courage to listen to what is already true.Tune in and listen to the seventy-seventh episode to learn how to redefine what enough looks like in this season of your life and to reconnect with the intuitive wisdom that helps you trust each step you take in your mission.In this episode, you will learn:Heather Campbell on why "good" is not mediocrity and how it frees us from burnout (5:20)What it looks like to build a life and career around values instead of pressure (8:40)What inspired her to write Good Is Amazing and why the message matters for mission-minded leaders (13:40)The life-changing moment in Jenn Cohen's twenties that awakened her intuitive knowing (19:50)How intuition operates in both creative and analytical environments (22:50)Why intuition is available to everyone and how it strengthens leadership clarity (26:50)How to distinguish coincidences from synchronicities and claim the meaning they carry (34:30)Connect with Heather Campbell:LinkedInInstagramFacebookWebsiteConnect with Jenn Cohen:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What's Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedInInstagram

When life brings you to your knees, the lessons you learn standing back up can change everything.In this powerful solo episode, Dr. Trisha Bailey opens up about her husband John’s recovery, the experience she now sees as her family’s greatest miracle. From crisis to clarity, she reflects on how it changed her perspective on faith, business, and the gift of simply being alive.She offers four timeless lessons from this experience that every entrepreneur and purpose-driven leader can carry forward: rest when you need to, see challenges as upgrades, stay in your own lane, and live fully in the moment.Tune in and listen to the seventy-sixth episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur to rediscover perspective, gratitude, and the everyday miracles waiting in your own life.In this episode, you’ll learn:(0:50) All about “the greater miracle” and what it revealed about gratitude and perspective(3:50) The importance of taking a midday reset and why it’s not weakness, it’s strategy(5:30) How to reframe challenges as upgrades and face uncertainty with courage instead of fear(6:20) Why comparison steals your joy and how to run your own race(7:10) The reminder that changed everything: live while you canLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram

Every new year brings a surge of energy around resolutions and goals. But what if all that pressure to “start strong” is what’s actually holding you back?In this solo episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey shares a refreshing and deeply personal approach to goal setting that replaces stress and self-criticism with peace, clarity, and purpose. Instead of setting rigid annual goals, Trisha creates intentions in 90-day seasons, giving herself the freedom to realign and breathe throughout the year.She introduces three soulful and practical ways to complement your traditional goal-setting routine: write a letter to yourself, create a vision board, and yes—delete some of your goals. These tools are about letting go of pressure and bringing more peace and possibility into your process.Through stories, reflections, and honest examples from her own life, Trisha invites you to rethink what success looks like and rediscover the joy in becoming who you’re meant to be.Tune in and listen to the seventy-fifth episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur to release the pressure, reclaim your peace, and set goals that align with your spirit, not your stress.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why quarterly intentions can transform your focus and peace of mind and set you free from the “New Year’s frenzy” (1:20)Three supplements to traditional goal setting (4:00)The underestimated power of vision boards (9:20)What it really means to let go of outdated goals and how doing so might lead to even greater fulfillment (14:00)How intention setting connects how you want to feel with what you want to achieve (17:00)What to do when you feel foggy, unclear, or overwhelmed while planning your next steps (21:00)Resources:AGE Episode 21: Goal Setting for Any Time of YearAGE Episode 47: Throwback to Ep 21: Goal SettingMy new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in business. But knowing how to use it to teach, connect, and move people to action is what separates a good speaker from a magnetic communicator.In this episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey sits down with Robert Kennedy III, communication and leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and founder of Kinetic Kommunications, to explore how storytelling transforms communication and leadership. In their conversation, Robert breaks ideas into clear, actionable steps that make storytelling feel approachable and practical for any of us. He shares how to capture attention, communicate with confidence, and lead with purpose through the stories you tell.Robert introduces his Three C Framework for storytelling (Challenge, Catalyst, and Change), explains how to read an audience in real time, and reveals the “cheat code” that instantly connects you with listeners. His approach combines strategy and heart, showing that authentic storytelling is less about performance and more about genuine connection.Tune in and listen to the seventy-fourth episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur to learn how to make your stories unforgettable, your confidence unshakable, and your communication truly kinetic.In this episode, you’ll learn:Robert’s early journey from Jamaica to New York to Canada, and how teaching shaped his voice as a communicator (3:10)The Three C Framework for powerful storytelling: Challenge, Catalyst, and Change (6:50)How to recognize when your story has landed and your audience is engaged (10:50)The “cheat code” to instantly grab attention within the first 15 seconds of any presentation (14:00)Why connection, not perfection, is the real secret to confidence (19:20)Why feedback is free education and how to use it to refine your message (23:10)How to stay authentic in a world filled with AI and digital voices (25:00)The role of legacy and family in defining your “why” and staying motivated (26:40)Connect with Robert Kennedy III:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTikTokResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram

Entrepreneurship can open the door to freedom, but only if you build it with clarity and intention. For social entrepreneurs, the challenge is even greater: creating meaningful impact while maintaining personal well-being. When growth becomes constant and every decision seems to serve the mission but drain the person behind it, one raw question remains: What does freedom really look like?In this episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey sits down with Bennett Maxwell, serial entrepreneur, franchise mentor, and mental health advocate. From selling knives and solar panels to co-founding Dirty Dough, Bennett has built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses while learning firsthand what happens when success comes at the expense of health, relationships, and peace of mind.Bennett now helps entrepreneurs build wealth and freedom through franchising, while keeping mental and physical health at the forefront. He explains how franchising can be a powerful way for impact-driven entrepreneurs to scale sustainably without burning out, and why success depends on creating a business that is structured, replicable, and simple enough for others to run.Tune in and listen to the seventy-third episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur to hear how Bennett redefined success, protected his well-being, and turned franchising into a platform for freedom, purpose, and joy.In this episode, you’ll learn:(3:00) How Bennett’s early sales experience and mindset shaped his path to entrepreneurship(6:30) What inspired him to move from sales to co-founding and building his own companies(9:20) How mental exhaustion from overwork reshaped his approach to business(11:50) The turning point that shifted his focus from chasing money to prioritizing health and fulfillment(17:00) Why therapy and emotional awareness are powerful business tools(20:30) Why mental health must be part of every entrepreneur’s growth strategy(24:50) The basics of franchising and how to know if your business is franchisable(29:00) The biggest misconceptions entrepreneurs have about franchising(32:40) Why every entrepreneur should “run it like you’ll franchise it”(33:30) Smart, creative ways to expand without raising large amounts of capitalConnect with Bennett Maxwell:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramListen to the Deeper Than Dough podcastResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy Waitlist​Let’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram

Entrepreneurship is rarely linear. It is full of resets, pivots, and unexpected lessons. The real challenge is not just growing a business but doing it in a way that reflects your values and leaves space for joy, family, and resilience.In this episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, Dr. Trisha Bailey is joined by Jennifer Ann Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, business coach, podcast host, and author of the Amazon bestseller Grace and Grit: Becoming a Confident Entrepreneur. From her beginnings in a small Minnesota farm town to building Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store, Jennifer shares her story of resilience, reinvention, and the mindset shifts that helped her move through challenges with strength and confidence.You will hear how Jennifer defines grace as living in alignment with who you want to be remembered as, and grit as the daily determination to keep going despite obstacles. She reveals her process for identifying core values, the importance of creating “pink spaces” in your calendar, and why assuming positive intent can transform both business and life.Tune in and discover how to stop being your own harshest critic, live intentionally through your values, and build a business that is both sustainable and soul-aligned.In this episode, you will learn:Jennifer’s early journey from small-town roots to serial entrepreneur (04:00)What a lifestyle resale store really is and why it matters for sustainability (06:40)The meaning of grace and how it helps you live in alignment with your legacy (08:50)Why grit is essential for pushing through obstacles and finishing what you start (12:40)How to uncover and clarify your core values with practical questions (15:00)Why values are dynamic and evolve (20:10)What is a “pink space” and how to create it intentionally in your calendar (23:20)The power of assuming positive intent in business and leadership (28:20)Why laughter, fun, and family connection are cornerstones of resilience (30:30)Jennifer’s “why” and how she models resilience for her children and community (34:10)Connect with Jennifer Ann Johnson:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookListen to The Confident Entrepreneur podcastGrace & Grit: Becoming a Confident EntrepreneurTrue FashionistasResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy Waitlist​Let’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn

Perfection is exhausting. Growth doesn’t have to be linear. And sometimes, choosing good over great is the most radical, life-changing decision you can make as an entrepreneur.In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Campbell, author of Good Is Amazing, founder and CEO of Ready, Set, Recover, and a former media executive who has made a career and a life out of giving herself and others permission to release the pressure of perfection.Heather’s work helps people recover from surgery by focusing on the non-clinical aspects of healing that often go unaddressed. However, her wisdom extends far beyond health: it is about how we navigate pressure, tune out our inner critic, and create space for joy and authenticity in our lives and businesses.Tune in and listen to the seventy-first episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur. You will hear how to let go of what is not serving you, how to stop minimizing your worth with small words like “just,” and why celebrating the little things every single day is the key to building a meaningful life.In this episode, you will learn:Why “good” really is amazing, and how striving for “perfect” holds you back (07:40)The simple framework Heather uses to stay happy and healthy (08:10)A practical way to support yourself with daily joy rituals (19:40)How to silence your inner critic (23:10)When to quit, let go, and create space for what is truly right (28:20)Why, sometimes, the most powerful answer is a simple “huh” (37:30)The power of the word “just” and why you should eliminate it from your vocabulary (44:50)Connect with Heather Campbell:LinkedInInstagramFacebookWebsiteResources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy Waitlist​Let’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram

When your mission collides with a personal crisis, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities. But staying grounded and effective isn’t just a nice idea; it’s essential for your impact and well-being.In this solo episode of Avant-Garde Entrepreneur, I share five self-care strategies I’ve learned and lived through while navigating 16 months of caregiving and entrepreneurship. These aren’t fluffy wellness tips—they’re practical, battle-tested tools that have kept me sane, purposeful, and able to serve my mission while caring deeply for someone I love.From loosening your grip on perfection to regulating your nervous system in two minutes flat, to fiercely protecting one small thing that keeps you connected to your higher purpose, these strategies will help you balance purpose, progress, and personal well-being (even in your hardest seasons).Tune in and listen to the seventieth episode of Avant-garde Entrepreneur. You’ll learn to protect your energy, avoid burnout, and keep showing up fully for your mission and the people who matter most.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why holding your plans and results loosely frees your energy (08:00) The 4-7-8 breathing technique to instantly regulate your nervous system (21:20)How to make your “yes” matter by avoiding hidden trade-offs (32:00) The symbolic and physical benefits of doing one thing daily for your health (37:30) How keeping one thing that’s yours protects your mission and momentum (41:40) Resources:My new book! Mindset MattersQuiz! What’s Your Social Entrepreneur Style?Avant-garde Entrepreneur Academy WaitlistLet’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagram