Before We Get It Right

In 2015, Ali Reff walked away from eight years in agency PR, including her dream client, her dream agency, and the position she had spent years working toward, and launched an online boutique from her bedroom in Chicago with 13 products. Today, Alice & Wonder is a full Chicago lifestyle brand with multiple storefronts, a children's boutique called Mini Wonder, original apparel lines, a warehouse operation, pop-ups, and collaborations with the Cubs, White Sox, and Blackhawks.But before we even get into all of that, we have to tell you something. Katherine and I actually met because of Alice & Wonder. Katherine found Polished Prints through products Ali carried, reached out to Leah, and the rest is history. So Ali, without ever knowing it, is partially responsible for this podcast existing. Which felt like exactly the right way to start this conversation.In this episode we talk about what it actually took to build something that looks this polished from the outside. The season when growth outpaced the systems behind it. What the pandemic broke and what it built. What nobody tells you about working with your spouse. How motherhood changed her ambition. What goes into landing a major sports team collaboration. And so many other tangible takeaways.We also ask her the question we ask everyone: what is the current messy middle? Because even at this level, there still is one.This one is for every woman who has ever wondered if walking away from something that looks good on paper to build something that feels right is worth the risk. Ali's answer is a resounding yes. And she shows you exactly what it costs.

Check out Sustainable Haus HERE* and use code PODCAST10 for 10% off.What if the secret to building a loyal business was talking customers out of buying things? Janette Filbert Spiezio is the founder of Sustainable Haus, one of America's largest independent refill and zero-waste retailers- and she built it on a radical idea: trust is more powerful than a sale.After 30 years in corporate America, Janette walked away and built something completely on her own terms. In this episode she talks about why lasting change doesn't start with guilt or perfection, how to spot greenwashing, what one small product swap can actually do for your family and your community, and why the most overlooked business strategy is simply telling the truth.She also shares her top practical starter swaps for moms who want to live more sustainably without overhauling their entire life: real, affordable, doable changes that actually stick.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by sustainability, talked yourself out of trying, or just want to make smarter choices for your family without the guilt trip.. this one is for you.*affiliate link above which means we may earn a small comission if you purchase through them- no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us!Topics covered: sustainable living for moms, non-toxic home products, zero waste beginner, plastic free swaps, greenwashing explained, refill stores, building a business after 40, women entrepreneurs, corporate to founder, consumer behavior, trust in business, Chris Voss lead with empathy, sustainable haus

What happens when you study one thing and build something completely different? Serena Cavallo graduated with a nutrition degree and is now going into her seventh year running Cavallo Creative Co. - a full-service creative marketing agency helping local businesses come to life through branding, websites, social media, photography, design, and advertising. And she built it almost entirely by teaching herself as she went.In this episode we talk about what it actually means to become an expert before you feel ready, how to trust your instincts when nobody has officially handed you permission, and what separates women who launch from women who keep preparing to launch. We also get into the real stuff about marketing and social media, what small business owners overcomplicate, what actually makes content work, what going viral really does for a business, and the simplest realistic marketing plan for someone with limited time and money.This one is for the woman who keeps learning, tweaking, and planning, but hasn't quite let herself claim the title yet.CONNECT WITH SERENA: Instagram: cavallocreativecoE-book: Social Media 101Topics covered: building a business from scratch, self-taught entrepreneur, creative agency owner, marketing for small business, social media strategy, going viral, branding for local business, women in business, imposter syndrome, trusting yourself, before we get it right podcast, Cavallo Creative Co.

Katherine sits down with neighbor and real estate agent Danika Holt, former college basketball player, Miss Wisconsin USA 2019, and mom. They talk about career transitions, identity, and why you can have it all, just not all at once. If you're a mom navigating a big life change or feeling the pressure to do everything at the same time, this conversation will hit home!Connect with Danika@danikanicoleholt@ndpropertieswi@danikaonpurposeand don't forget to follow us on IG and YouTube @beforewegetitright

We're back with another round of Messy Middle Confessions and this batch might be the most honest one yet. Four anonymous submissions from real women about the things that live quietly in the back of your mind but rarely make it out of your mouth. The woman who misses liking her husband and doesn't know if it's a season or something more. The one who realized somewhere along the way her entire personality became "getting things done." The one who doesn't know how to make real friends anymore, not acquaintances, not people she texts, but the kind of friends who just know. And the one who has a life that looks completely fine from the outside while quietly wondering if she's actually happy or just really good at functioning.No fixing. No silver linings. Just two moms reading your confessions out loud, reacting honestly, and reminding you... you are not the only one.If you've been carrying something quietly, this one's for you.Submit your messy middle confession HERE completely anonymously for a future episode! Find us on IG and YouTube @beforewegetitright

What does it actually look like to walk away from the career you've spent years building to pursue the dream you can't stop thinking about?This week on Before We Get It Right, we're joined by Erin Fahs—founder of La Forme Pilates, mom, community builder, and former Fortune 500 global operations leader for an honest conversation about taking risks, redefining success, and building a life that feels aligned.Erin shares what it was really like balancing a demanding corporate career while teaching fitness, the moment she realized she couldn't ignore the pull toward something more, and what it took to bet on herself and open La Forme Pilates.Together, we talk about:Making the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurshipBuilding a business rooted in purpose and communityThe realities of scaling a business and opening multiple locationsMotherhood, ambition, and navigating the juggleWhy community has become the heart of everything Erin is buildingLearning to trust yourself even when the next step feels uncertainThe messy middle that comes with creating a life on your own termsWhether you're dreaming about starting a business, considering a career change, or simply trying to figure out what the next chapter looks like, Erin's story is a reminder that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone and that sometimes the biggest leap you can take is believing in yourself.Connect with Erin and La Forme Pilates:Instagram: @arinatlaforme & @laforme_pilates If you're in the St. Louis area...go take a class! If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who's been waiting for the "right time" to chase a dream. We'd also love to hear what resonated most with you.Follow along with us on instagram @beforewegetitright for honest conversations about motherhood, business, identity, and everything we're trying to figure out... before we get it right.

Grief is something every one of us will experience, yet it's one of the hardest things to talk about.In this deeply personal episode of Before We Get It Right, Katherine shares what it's been like to navigate a lifetime of loss. Together, we have an honest conversation about what grief really looks like—not just in the moment of loss, but in the years that follow. We talk about how grief changes as we grow, why it never truly disappears, and what it means to carry the people we love with us while continuing to move forward.Whether you're grieving someone you've lost, supporting someone you love, or simply trying to better understand one of life's hardest experiences, we hope this conversation reminds you that there is no right way to grieve—and no timeline for healing.If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may need it today.Follow along with us on IG @beforewegetitright for more honest conversations about motherhood, identity, relationships, and everything we're trying to figure out... before we get it right.

Sometimes you need a deep conversation.And sometimes... you just need to laugh.This week, we're putting the organized planned episodes away and doing something a little different. No big life lessons, no carefully planned topic—just a rapid-fire round of completely random questions that somehow turned into stories, confessions, questionable opinions, and way more laughter than we expected.From childhood memories and personality quirks to motherhood, business, and the things we're still figuring out, this episode is exactly what it feels like to hang out with two friends who somehow end up talking about everything and nothing at the same time.Grab your coffee, fold some laundry, go for a walk, or hide in your car for a few extra minutes—we're so glad you're here.Follow along and connect with us at @beforewegetitright. What's one random fact about you that would surprise people?