As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ernetta Caldwel.

Ernetta Caldwell is an actress, playwright, director, bestselling author, inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and registered nurse, who currently works as a school nurse in SC to serve children within her community. She spoke at the “Power Up Summit” with Kim Coles, Lisa Nichols, Forbes Riley and Chrisette Michele. 

Her book, “A Journey To A Healed Heart; Healing Through A Painful Divorce” is about overcoming dark places to find her destiny. She is the CEO/founder of Beauty for Ashes Transformations, LLC where she inspires women to reinvent themselves to be all that God created them to be by transforming their mind, body, and spirit to be in alignment with God’s purpose for their lives despite life’s adversities.  

She is a transformation coach empowering women to heal and rediscover themselves after divorce/heartbreak by embracing self-love, building confidence and courage to live out their best lives. She is the creator of the “Prayer Vision Box” which is all about being intentional with prayer and creating a vision plan for your life and future. “Pray it, Believe it, See it.” 

Her goal is to passionately help women transform their lives and complete her God given assignments while on earth.

Here’s what we found out about Ernetta’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business? 

I am the CEO/founder of Beauty For Ashes Transformations where I teach women to heal and rediscover who they are after divorce or heartbreak. My business was started due to my own personal experiences of childhood molestation, foster care, teenage pregnancy at 14 and later on in  life I would experience the devastation of a divorce and wanted to give up on life but God never gave up on me.  Now it’s all about me being on the other side and reaching back to help other women to overcome life’s adversities.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

Challenges I face in the business world as a woman is finding resources that help women to be successful in my business. I have overcome them by not being afraid to ask for help. 

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

I balance my professional life and personal life by having balance. Understanding when to say no and staying focused on my passion purpose keeps me motivated to keep moving forward. 

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry 

Strategies I found most effective for networking and building connections in my industry are all about getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people. Whether going to community events, conferences and empowerment retreats it has allowed me to connect with people I would not have met had I never took the steps forward. 

How do you approach mentorship and seek guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

I have truly been blessed to connect with wonderful people along the way of my entrepreneurial journey by connecting with them through different events or by people I knew. I feel as though it is important to have people to help lead and guide you on your journey.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

I would say a setback for my business was having a two day women’s conference and not having enough women to buy tickets to attend. I bounced back by asking for sponsorships from community resources to help me. 

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

Ways I prioritize diversity and inclusion within my company is all about believing we are all unique but play a major role in making a difference in this world. 

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

Ways I stay motivated and resilient during tough times in my business is looking at the bigger picture and keeping the faith. I understand that there are women that are broken and need healing to get them through to the other side. 

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

I would say know your “Why” and remember why you started when things get ruff. 

What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

My reason for starting my business was to help broken women. My favorite quote is “Your story is someone else’s survival guide. This helps me to understand that my business isn’t about me, but about me helping someone else.  

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

A memorable success story was having a women’s conference and the women who came to see transformations by releasing their past and moving forward in their future. I was able to put the conference together in two months. At the conference I performed my stage play from my book  “A Journey To A Healed Heart; Healing Through a Painful Divorce” for the first time. It turned out to be a great success.  

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Susana Chen & Jess Wu.

Susana Chen

Susana Chen is the co-founder of Never Have I Ever Shop, the first artist-licensed press-on nail brand. With a background in design leadership, creative strategy, and brand positioning, she has helped shape the company’s core values and unique market presence. Before her start-up venture, Susana worked as a creative consultant for Fortune 500 companies and served as Senior Global Brand Manager at OPPO. She also serves on the board of the Asian Creative Foundation.

Jess Wu

Jess Wu is the co-founder of Never Have I Ever Shop, the first artist-licensed press-on nail brand. With over a decade of experience in global e-commerce and supply chain management, she has held leadership positions at Alibaba.com, OPPO, and Edelman, where she led product marketing initiatives and developed innovative solutions. Her strategic problem-solving and robust connections drive both business growth and creativity.

Can you share the story behind your journey as entrepreneurs and what inspired you to start your own business?

Susana Chen: Our journey began with a shared passion for creativity and a desire to bring something new to the beauty industry. Both Jess and I come from strong backgrounds in design, creative strategy, and global e-commerce, and we noticed a gap in the market for high-quality, artist-licensed press-on nails. We were inspired to create a platform where art could be worn and experienced in a completely new way. The idea of turning unique artworks into reusable, salon-quality press-on nails felt like the perfect way to merge our love for art with beauty.

Jess Wu: The concept of “wearable art” really resonated with us. We wanted to create a brand that not only offered stunning, instant looks but also empowered artists by giving them a new avenue to monetize their creativity. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and we saw an opportunity to revolutionize it by making art accessible in a form that anyone could enjoy and express themselves with. That’s how Never Have I Ever was born.

What challenges have you faced as women in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

Jess Wu: As women entrepreneurs, we faced significant challenges, especially in the early stages. The biggest challenge was capital. We bootstrapped Never Have I Ever with our own savings, which meant we had to be incredibly strategic with every penny we spent. Being women in a male-dominated industry also came with its own set of hurdles, including being underestimated and having to constantly prove our credibility.

Susana Chen: We overcame these challenges by being resourceful and resilient. We quickly built a network of over 100 artists, each bringing unique and special designs to our collection. We established processes to ensure that our partnerships with creators were mutually beneficial and sustainable. Our dedication to our vision and our ability to build strong relationships within the industry helped us overcome these challenges and grow our business.

How do you balance your professional and personal life as entrepreneurs?

Susana Chen: Balancing professional and personal life as entrepreneurs is definitely a challenge, especially with a startup that’s growing as rapidly as ours. We’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and being intentional with our time. Delegation has also been key—we trust our team to handle the day-to-day operations, which allows us to focus on both the big picture and our personal lives.

Jess Wu: We also make it a point to take time for ourselves. Traveling, exploring new places, and finding inspiration outside of work help us recharge and stay motivated. It’s about making sure that we’re present in whatever we’re doing, whether that’s running the business or spending time with loved ones.

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

Jess Wu: Authenticity and collaboration have been at the heart of our networking strategy. We’ve always believed in building genuine relationships with people who share our values and vision. Whether it’s partnering with artists, collaborating with other brands, or connecting with industry leaders, we focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships.

Susana Chen: Social media has also been a powerful tool for us. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow us to connect with our audience and industry peers in real-time. We’re also active in industry events, which provide opportunities to meet and learn from others in the beauty and creative sectors. Networking is about being open, listening, and being willing to share and support others.

How do you approach mentorship and seek guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

Susana Chen: Mentorship has been crucial for our growth. We’ve both been fortunate to have mentors who have guided us through the challenges of entrepreneurship. We actively seek advice and feedback from those who have more experience, and we’re always open to learning from others.

Jess Wu: At the same time, we’re passionate about giving back. We’ve taken on mentorship roles ourselves, particularly with aspiring women entrepreneurs and creatives. We believe that mentorship is a two-way street—it’s about sharing knowledge and experiences while also being open to new ideas and perspectives. It’s a continuous learning process.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

Jess Wu: One of the biggest setbacks we faced was the challenge of managing rapid growth. When we expanded to 200 Urban Outfitters stores in just two months, it tested our supply chain and distribution capabilities. We realized that we needed to quickly scale our operations to meet the demand without compromising on quality.

Susana Chen: We approached this challenge by being flexible and adaptable. We reassessed our processes, optimized our supply chain, and made the necessary adjustments to keep up with our growth. Rather than viewing it as a failure, we saw it as an opportunity to improve and strengthen our business. By staying resilient and focused, we were able to overcome the setback and continue growing.

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

Susana Chen: Diversity and inclusion are at the core of Never Have I Ever. We’ve built a diverse team that reflects our commitment to different perspectives and ideas. Our collaborations with over 100 artists from various backgrounds are a testament to our dedication to representing a wide range of voices and styles.

Jess Wu: We believe that diversity drives innovation, and we prioritize creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. This not only applies to our internal team but also to the artists we work with and the customers we serve. We’re committed to fostering a community where creativity and individuality are celebrated.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

Jess Wu: Our passion for what we do is a huge motivator. We’re driven by our belief in the brand and the impact we want to make. When times get tough, we remind ourselves of why we started and the people who believe in us—our team, our artists, and our customers. That keeps us going.

Susana Chen: Resilience comes from staying focused on the long-term vision and not getting discouraged by short-term challenges. We also lean on each other for support. Having a co-founder who understands the journey and shares the same goals makes a big difference. We’re in this together, and that’s a powerful source of motivation.

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

Susana Chen: Believe in yourself and your vision. The road may be tough, but if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it will be worth it. Surround yourself with supportive people, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember that setbacks are part of the journey—use them as learning experiences to grow stronger.

Jess Wu: Take risks and embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and innovate. Build a strong network, stay true to your values, and always be open to new ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to carve your own path.

What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

Jess Wu: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill. This quote has been a constant reminder for us that entrepreneurship is about perseverance and resilience. It’s not about avoiding failure, but about having the courage to keep going no matter what.

Susana Chen: Another quote that resonates with us is “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse. This reflects our belief that being bold and innovative, even when it’s risky, is essential to building something truly unique. It’s a reminder to always push the boundaries and stay true to our creative vision.

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

Susana Chen: A significant milestone for us was winning the Cosmoprof Innovation Award 2024. Being recognized by such a prestigious industry competition was an incredible validation of our vision and the hard work we’ve put into building Never Have I Ever. It reinforced our belief in the power of creativity and innovation in the beauty industry.

Jess Wu: Another memorable milestone was seeing our products in 200 Urban Outfitters stores just two months after our launch. It was a huge moment for us to see our vision come to life on such a large scale, and it was a testament to the strength of our brand and the demand for something new and unique in the beauty space.

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa Bauknight.

Melissa Bauknight is an entrepreneur, adventurer, and Business Alignment Coach. With 20 years of experience in sales and leadership, she founded The Nova, a community empowering women to align their lives and businesses with their true purpose. Melissa has coached over 1,000 women, fostering authentic connection and holistic success.

Here’s what we found out about Melissa’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?

I created the business I wished I had all along to support me. The last decade of my life has been devoted to coming home to myself and creating my life in a way that feels like it represents my most authentic self-expression. Before that, I suffered from decades of anxiety, feeling like I had to hide parts of myself to belong and be loved. This was rooted in growing up in a family with a very black-and-white view of the world. When I began doing personal, professional, and spiritual growth work in what I would call “safe communities” I was able to shed my anxiety and find true belonging in myself and with others. This is the greatest gift I have ever received and the greatest gift I know to give to others – to be seen and supported. 

The Nova community is a culmination of 20 years of professional experience as well as my lived journey of finding myself. I have taken the best practices from that and put it all into one business with the intention of making this journey of life more enjoyable and easier on all women who come into our community. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

I consider one of the most challenging struggles that I have faced and most women face in the business world is the fight against business cultures that are often heavily dominated by masculine values. We have been conditioned to believe that this is the right and only way to be successful when, in fact, that is not true. It’s the fast pass to burnout and feeling like your work is void of meaning.  It has not been easy to create a community focused on more feminine values like interconnectedness, authenticity, and well-being when competition and financial success dominate our traditional metrics of success.

To balance these challenges, I stay devoted to my vision by working with supportive people who believe in the importance of nurturing environments for women. I have discovered that to feel fulfilled in our work and that we are creating lives that represent our authenticity,  it is essential to go against the grain, think differently, and follow our intuition instead of conforming to other people’s expectations. In doing this, I have built a community that embodies these ideals and creates safe spaces where women no longer abandon themselves. It has been quite a ride and at times one of the most difficult seasons of my life, but as they say, all things worth having require hard work and resilience. 

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

Juggling business and personal responsibilities has always been something I’m navigating especially since starting my own business but it is necessary to find joy in the journey and not burnout. One of the things that I do to ensure that there is a line between work and personal time is to stick to traditional work hours. I rarely work after 4 pm or on weekends. I also make sure to schedule my time, such as workouts, every day as a non-negotiable. It has been my experience that one cannot give out what he or she does not have, so I prioritize regulating my nervous system, doing things that bring me joy, and adding in spiritual rituals to my daily life.

I also make sure that there is congruency between the way I show up in my work and my values. This helps me feel more integrated and not as if I am just switching from one role to another, creating separate identities for each. As a leader, I have learned that the more I trust my team, support them work aligned with their values, and get us all rallied around our vision, the less I have on my plate that doesn’t belong to me. I am now surrounded by incredible women, all working in their zones of genius which allows me to focus on what I consider to be essential.

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

I was raised in a very community-centric home so I have spent my entire life knowing the importance of having a solid network. The strategies I’ve found most effective for networking and building connections in my industry I pulled from my childhood and are deeply rooted in authenticity, community, and meaningful connections. These approaches have not only been pivotal in building The Nova but have also played a key role in my overall success throughout my life, especially in my 20 years in relationship-based sales.

The easiest way to do this is to be the type of person you would want to build a relationship with. When I network, I prioritize finding 1-2 people at an event that I deeply connect with vs trying to collect as many business cards as possible. I learned form my friend and mentor, Lisa Kalfus, to be “interested rather than interesting”. When you approach people with curiosity, a genuine interest in who they are over what they do, and a desire to cultivate win-win scenarios, you build solid trusting relationships much faster than you could ever imagine.

How do you approach mentorship and seek guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

I lean heavily on my mentors and very intentionally discern who gets to influence me. There are lots of people who want to provide advice but not everyone should get that airspace. For me, mentorship is non-negotiable—just as essential as having a coach is to being an athlete. As a former collegiate athlete, I would never have tried to play a sport without a coach or mentor, so why would I approach life or business any differently? Depending on the season I’m in and what I need, I’ve invested in 1-on-1 coaching, participated in group programs, and attended retreats. Each of these experiences has provided me with the guidance, support, and perspective I need to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. I believe that having the right mentors by my side is crucial for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and staying aligned with my vision and values.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

One significant setback I experienced was during the early stages of building The Nova. I was eager to grow the community quickly and took on too many projects at once without having the necessary infrastructure or support in place. This is a pattern of mine as a manifesting generator who is designed to be multi-passionate and create at a very fast pace. This led to burnout, both for myself and some of the early team members, and ultimately slowed our progress. I had never experienced burnout before and it was misaligned to our values at The Nova. I felt like a complete impostor. It was a tough realization, but I knew I had to reevaluate how I was approaching the speed to which I believed we needed to grow.

To bounce back, I took a step back to reassess my priorities and the long-term vision for The Nova. I focused on building a strong foundation by investing in systems, processes, and the right people to support sustainable growth. I also am learning to pace myself (which will be a lifelong journey), setting more realistic goals and timelines that allowed us to grow steadily without compromising the well-being of the team or the integrity of our mission. This experience taught me the importance of balance and patience in business, and it ultimately is making The Nova stronger and more resilient.

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

I prioritize diversity and inclusion within The Nova by intentionally creating a community where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. This commitment extends to creating a safe and welcoming space for women and non-binary individuals as well, ensuring that everyone feels included and supported in our community.

We’re actively exploring initiatives to bridge gaps between our community and other communities that might be more BIPOC, Latina, or centered around other marginalized groups. We believe in the power of coming together and fostering collaboration between different communities to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. By building these connections, we aim to amplify our collective impact and ensure that The Nova is a space where everyone feels empowered and valued.

To further solidify this commitment, we’re in the process of hiring a new team member who is an expert in diversity and inclusion. This ensures that these principles are not just intentions and something nice to put on our website but are truly baked into the core of who we are.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

This is a timely question. This summer has been one of the hardest seasons of my life personally and professionally. I normally can power through but this time, it has felt different. I have felt a lot of shame in feeling so defeated but I also continue to lean heavily on my mentors and community to help me keep going. 

What this looks like is regular check-ins scheduled with my mentors, a voxer chat with my mastermind where I feel safe to fully express myself without having to sensor anything, and clearly asking for what I need from my husband. I believe with my entire being that our support system is what gets us through and that we aren’t meant to do anything alone. Too many people are isolated and have inadequate support and that’s one key initiative we have at The Nova – that nobody feels alone or unseen! 

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

To aspiring women entrepreneurs, my advice is this: trust yourself. I often say, “I have never met a confused woman.” Everyone thinks they are, but in my experience, 100% of the women I talk to know exactly what they want. The challenge is that they don’t trust their vision, and the fear becomes louder than their inner knowing. Your intuition is powerful—lean into it and let it guide you.

Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. As I said before, surround yourself with the most supportive community that believes in you and your vision and allows you to show up authentically. Building a network of mentors, peers, and collaborators who uplift you is essential. Being an entrepreneur is one of the most profound spiritual journeys. It’s designed to teach you to surrender, to believe in yourself, and to learn to let your courage be louder than your fears.  Embrace the fear, trust your voice, and know that you have everything you need within you to succeed.

What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

One quote that has guided me throughout my entrepreneurial journey is, “Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.” This mantra reminds me to stay aligned with my core values and purpose, rather than getting caught up in the endless possibilities and pressures of what I could or should do. It’s about making intentional choices that truly resonate with who I am and what I want to create, rather than simply chasing every opportunity that comes my way. Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but if you do not discern who supports you and what you say yes to doing vs delegating, you will burn out. As cliche as it might sound, the journey is the point not the destination and it’s our job to find joy in the journey. 

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

The most memorable success in my entrepreneurial career has been actually starting The Nova and putting everything I have into my biggest dream and soul purpose. The hardest part is starting – we spend so much time getting ready to be ready that so many people never begin. 

I’ll never forget the first Zoom call with the five women on our leadership team who came together to launch this soul baby! Taking that leap of faith to say yes to this bold vision to create a community that empowers women to embrace their true selves and connect on a deep, authentic level has been equal parts fulfilling and terrifying. Watching The Nova grow from a vision into a thriving community where women support and uplift each other is something that continues to inspire me every day to keep going. It’s a testament to the power of following your heart and fully committing to taking the first step!