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Have you ever heard a story so raw, so real, that it physically stopped you in your tracks? The kind of story that makes you put down your to-do list, take a deep breath, and remember why you started this journey in the first place?
May is National Small Business Month, and while I LOVE hearing from the headline-makers and household names, today is about something even more special: real stories from real listeners of this podcast.
These are the kind of women who tune in while they’re juggling kids and client calls, who build their dreams during nap time or after their 9-to-5. They may not have gone viral, but what they’ve built? It’s powerful. It’s personal. And it matters.
Tonbra, Maris, and Chelle didn’t just build businesses… They built something beautiful from heartbreak, identity shifts, and unimaginable challenges. From cancer diagnoses to grief to reinvention, these women turned their hardest chapters into platforms that now help others.
If you’re walking through your own hard chapter, or even just need a reminder of what’s possible on the other side of pain, this one’s for you.
1. Tonbra Nwosuagwu: From Layoff to Life Coach for Women Over 40
First, let’s dive into my conversation with Tonbra Nwosuagwu, who is basically a ball of sunshine and a burst of fresh air wrapped into a human!
When Tonbra was laid off during the 2020 pandemic, it sparked a wake-up call. With a background marked by childhood trauma and an unshakable feeling of misalignment, she launched a podcast to begin finding her voice—and ended up finding her calling.
Her core belief? Everything is rooted in identity. Through her coaching, she helps women over 40 embrace “cyclical living” using a powerful framework:
- Release what no longer serves you.
- Align with your purpose in this season.
- Activate your power and take aligned action.
Tonbra’s mission is to help women step into the most powerful season of their lives, not later, but now.
“Purpose changes per season. Your identity does not.” -Tonbra Nwosuagwu
Connect with Tonbra on her website, listen to her podcast, and follow her on Instagram!
2. Maris Saar: Hypnotherapy, Neuroscience & Reclaiming Her Story
Next, we’ll hear from Maris Saar, who is an absolute queen at wearing so many different hats in life and in business, and doing it all so well!
Estonia’s former top wedding photographer and home chef, Maris’s turning point came in a quiet moment of postpartum depression.
With her newborn by her side, she was navigating new motherhood, depression, and eventually her son’s autism diagnosis. Her healing began with a single Skype hypnotherapy session—and that moment planted the seed for her now-thriving business as a neuroscience-based hypnotherapist.
Maris has helped thousands of high-achievers get results fast by combining neuroscience, developmental psychology, and hypnosis. Her work helps people identify subconscious loops and limiting beliefs to finally move forward.
“Sometimes, it’s your 7-year-old self keeping you stuck. When you realize that, you can heal it.” -Maris Saar
Connect with Maris on her website and follow her on Instagram!
3. Chelle Chapman: Creating Comfort Through Akoya Clothing
Lastly, I’m so excited to introduce you to Chelle Chapman. She has such an inspiring story of turning her pain into her purpose. I think this conversation will inspire anyone who’s ever felt like their dreams had to be put on the back burner… and decided to take action anyway!
When Chelle was diagnosed with breast cancer—despite feeling her healthiest—her world flipped upside down. But even as she braced for surgery, she believed that something good would come from the diagnosis.
That “something” became Akoya, a clothing line of post-surgery pajamas designed with both practicality and dignity in mind.
Named after the Akoya pearl (which is formed through adversity), her brand reflects the beauty that can emerge from pain. With sewn-in drain pockets and stylish design, Akoya pajamas are a tangible way to offer comfort during one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life.
“This brand was born from a place of pain, but it wraps women in something beautiful when they need it most.” -Chelle Chapman
Connect with Chelle and follow Akoya on Instagram and visit the Akoya website!
Final Thoughts
Tonbra, Maris, and Chelle each show us that when pain meets purpose, something extraordinary can be born.
Whether you’re sitting in your own hard season or standing on the other side of it, I hope their stories remind you that your experience matters, and it might just be the roadmap someone else needs to keep going!
And hey, if you want to be part of this kind of community I’d love to invite you to join the Goal Digger Podcast Insiders Group!
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