Foster Your Passion

After nannying for 12 years with an educational focus on Early Childhood Education and Human Development, the pandemic hit. A go-getter and a doer, Cassie Nadaner decided that there had to be something she could do to help the small businesses that were affected by COVID while sitting home waiting to be able to return to work. After moving to Port Washington in June 2020 with her fiancé, Cassie was blown away by all the closed storefronts on Main Street and surrounding areas. She took it upon herself to start a neighborhood station “Port Washington TV” to keep the families who were stuck inside see their children’s performances, or keep up to date with information on school closures and remote learning, while also creating commercials and helping to market the small businesses in the neighborhood. Listen in and find out more about what Cassie did to turn Main Street into so much more.

Health is wealth, and for many women, that should include your vagina. The vagina is host to an active microbiome that, when not taken care of, can affect your overall health. Hayley Foster has a satisfying conversation with The Vagina Doctor herself, Dr. Betsy Greenleaf. In this episode, they cover all things vagina, longevity, supporting women in business, and so much more. Dr. Greenleaf talks about why she went into urogynecology and her interest in helping other women. She then discusses the importance of the vaginal microbiome as it relates to gut health and vaginal health. If you’re on your way to stepping up your overall health and wellness but missing something, then maybe you’re overlooking the importance of your vagina. Vaginas need love too. Allow this conversation to remind you. 

In this episode, Hayley speaks with the founder of 87th Street Creative, Sherene Strausberg. Sherene recently completed a 100-day challenge to draw something new each day and post the picture to social media. following along on her journey on Instagram, the transformation that took place along the way was amazing. Seeing her creative growth through this challenge was incredible. Sherene shares her tips and tools that got her through it and tune in to hear what she plans to do next.

It's been a while but Foster Your Passion is back with a new episode with Maura Walters.  Maura talks about how the pandemic encouraged her to follow her passion, take a leap of faith and make a pivot in her career.  Maura felt pulled to begin helping women entrepreneurs and business owners to create content that would take their businesses to the next level with the power of storytelling.  If you've been considering making a pivot, find some inspiration in this episode with Maura as she talks about making 2021 her year of YES!

Odellia Fischer, a Foster University alum and founder of Take Off Travel, is an expert planner and avid traveler who combined her passion and expertise to start her own travel planning business. With a focus on creating custom itineraries for families, Odellia combines her experience as an event planner with her fond memories of family vacations to eliminate the common travel stressors for her clients. From Washington DC and Miami to Israel and Turks & Caicos, Odellia has planned trips all over the world and booked countless hotel, restaurants and excursions to memorable and worthwhile results. In today’s episode, Odellia puts her business and experiences in the context of our current quarantined world. From virtual sightseeing opportunities to travel-themed book and movie suggestions, she discusses the ways in which families can find that feeling of exploration while stuck at home together. Despite the current travel restrictions, Odellia remains hopeful and looks forward to summer vacation planning and

With her background in advertising and knack for witty personal branding, Danielle Hughes has cultivated a career helping people and businesses strategize quality content. After years of working as a copywriter in the corporate world, Danielle took the leap into freelancing and, eventually, started her own marketing company. In today’s episode, Danielle discusses her transition from “order-taker” to “business owner,” and shares her insight on the ways in which people can blend their business persona and their personal persona. As a freelancer and entrepreneur, Danielle emphasizes the importance of networking. Patience and maintenance of those relationships over time will result in a solid support group of people that can help and benefit from each other.   More about Danielle Hughes: Danielle studied Advertising Design in college hoping to become an art director, but quickly discovered her strength in her writing. From there, she began her career in copywriting, primarily working in ad sales marketing for tel

In Season 3 of Foster Your Passion, Hayley reflects with some women in her life that have been positively impacted by their relationships with their dads.  The women in Season 3 will share stories about their dads, the best advice their dads ever gave them and other valuable nuggets of wisdom.  

When this young entrepreneur saw a need for using her best asset, her 'little hands', she put together a business card offering her services and began networking at her local pool.  Brooke Ellish, founder of Little Hands, can help you get little things that are stuck in small spaces.  Brooke is the classic example of how you can never be too old or too young to start Fostering Your Passion. If you're in need of Brooke's services, you can reach her at: brooke.ellish@icloud.com  

Being agile and constantly iterating on your business isn't always easy but Jessica Garmise, Owner of Out of the Box Creations, has continued to do this over the years and has seen incredible success.  She listens to and trusts her gut when making hard business decisions.  Jessica took a small product gift business and has turned it into a creative enterprise, designing and creating event decor for all types and all different size events.  With any successful business comes the pressure of balancing work and life, something Jessica has had to deal with as an entrepreneur as well as in her former life as a practicing lawyer.   We chat about how important it is to empower our girls but to also educate them on the sacrifices they will have to make as women, wives and moms.   More about Jessica: Since 2011, Jessica has grown Out of the Box from a small creative gift business into a highly successful event and graphic design company recognized for its innovation, attention to detail and excellence in customer serv

It's all about the angle when staring down the barrel of a camera.  When Alyssa Peek got laid off from her job in the fashion industry, she picked up her camera and immediately fell in love with the idea of taking photos of women over 40.  She shares her journey, her lessons from both of her amazing parents and some great tips on how to look and feel your best in front of the camera.   More about Alyssa: After leaving the Fashion Industry, Alyssa opened Peek Photography, LLC. where she is a self-taught Portrait and Fine Art Photographer. Introduced to art and photography as a young child by her father, Alyssa was greatly influenced by him and continues to honor him in her work by living her passion. Alyssa's portrait work focuses on photographing women over 40, bringing out and capturing her subject’s natural beauty and true essence. Her Fine Art Photography reflects her love of abstract expressionism and modern art by reflecting her surroundings from an abstract point of view. Her work has been exhibited and

With a vibrant and engaging presentation style and an undeniable love of new culinary ideas, food media personality Nicole Meyer has achieved success across multiple platforms. As a published cookbook author, business owner, and featured onscreen segment presenter, Nicole displays a passion for helping busy women find confidence in the kitchen through enticing menu ideas and easy-to-follow techniques. To date, she has been a guest on The Steve Harvey Show, Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz, The Chew, News Pix11, Long Island News 12 and Eyewitness News This Morning, bringing viewers great food, made fun and simple. Nicole is also the founder of Nibbles By Nic, hosting private culinary events and corporate demonstrations and offering kitchen tricks. The owner of her own business, Nicole is a proven collaborator and motivational team leader, with a talent for digital promotion and marketing and for bringing fresh ideas to new audiences. Her credentials also include developing a "Dinner Menu Planning Board" and years of experi

Fran Hauser and Hayley recorded this episode back in April, before both of their book launches.  They discuss Fran's book, The Myth of the Nice Girl, and how NICE is Fran's superpower.  Once Fran accepted her authentic 'nice' self, she gained more confidence and freed up her time because she was no longer focused on trying to be something she's not.  Fran shares great insights from her time in Time Inc's corner office as the President of Digital to her side hustle turned new business of investing in start ups and supporting women in business.    More About Fran: Fran Hauser is a long-time media executive, startup investor, celebrated champion of women and girls, and author of the THE MYTH OF THE NICE GIRL (April 2018). She's held senior positions at some of the world’s largest digital media businesses, including Time Inc.'s PEOPLE, InStyle and Entertainment Weekly as well as AOL and Moviefone. Now an angel investor who largely invests in female founders, Fran was named one of Refinery29’s “6 Most Powerful Wom

The entrepreneur life is full of up ups and downward dogs, especially for this Yogi.  Founder and former owner of Om Sweet Om Yoga in Port Washington, NY, Gail Grossman has seen a lot in her 14 years of running her Yoga studio but in the end she was able to look back with a smile and a full heart knowing that nobody is indispensable, including her.  Gail has helped thousands of people throughout her yoga journey from her kids yoga, to teacher trainings, her committed students and those that have read her book, Restorative Yoga for Life.  Sharing her knowledge of yoga’s life-changing potential truly feeds her soul. Ultimately, Gail’s work is informed by her intuitive inner voice, which has guided her at every step on her path. You can still find Gail at the studio a few days a week but she now lives in NYC with her husband, her pooches and is busy with private clients, teacher trainings and yoga retreats.  More about Gail: Gail Grossman, E-RYT 500, founded Om Sweet Om Yoga in Port Washington in 2004. She has b

Katie Fogarty, founder of Reboot, is a professional communicator and storyteller but when she asked her tribe to describe her, she got a different answer.  They told her how great of a listener she is.  Are you perceived by others differently than you want to be perceived?  Katie shares an exercise to find out how you can find your 'words' in order to tell your story and write your headline.  Reach out to 20 people you know - friends, family, colleagues - and ask them to share three words they would use to describe you and what you do. Katie and Hayley also talk about how they look forward to and love doing what they do but also discuss the challenges of being an entrepreneur and having to wear way too many hats on a daily basis. Katie is passionate about creating content that catapults professional development, grows brands and delivers engaged fans.  As an entrepreneur and communications strategist with years in the political and entertainment worlds, she will transforms your professional identity with cust

Jane Abrahams is the owner and founder of Jane’s Addiction. Jane has always been an organized person and it all started with her kids.  Running a household with three little ones, friends would come over and ask her where all of her 'stuff' was.  She began to share her secrets and so became Jane's Addiction.  ​Jane talks about how to create “your space” and make sure you have a domain. No matter how big or small someones house is, it is all about making a commitment to yourself; and she believes that it all starts with organization.  Jane gives expert tips on spring cleaning and the must haves for anyone that is starting to get organized… but her best advice is: Just Do It. ​Hayley and Jane talk about business, making sure you have a support system and how "you are your own brands ambassador" and how women just have a knack for 'getting $hit done'.    More About Jane: After hearing time and time again from friends and relatives how impeccably organized her house was with three young children at home, Jane rea

Dawn always knew where she wanted to be, and what she wanted to be doing. She was always willing to make sacrifices for her business; and looking back on the day that she decided to turn away from corporate, she does not regret a single thing. Listen to this podcasts to hear it from the motivator herself. She spreads confidence to young-girls in pre-school through middle school, with her energy and wisdom. As Dawn likes to say: If you have passion, follow It. Prior to GAALS, Dawn worked in various capacities with cable companies throughout the world, from writing, producing and directing, to marketing and branding. A 20-year veteran of the television industry, she has garnered dozens of prestigious industry awards.   More About Dawn:As the head of on-air creative for History Channel’s international division, Dawn successfully launched more than a dozen international channels and oversaw their local on-air creative teams. Following her five years at History, Dawn produced the rebranding of Bravo and Oxygen, an

In this episode, Carrie normalizes and makes sense of the “mom juggle.” She elaborates and emphasizes on how we must subscribe to the philosophy that we CAN have It all, but you cannot have it all AND do It at the same time. We must have self acceptance, be focused, deliberate, and again, accept and face the fact that we really are juggling things. Once you have self acceptance, you will be a happier person. And of course, we are human, so it is okay to let somethings fall. Listen to hear more on that “Do It” attitude that Carrie has, the one that we all crave. She teaches us how to pick ourselves up at the times that truly seem to be the lowest. More about Carrie:Carrie is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur.  In her own words, "I'm what you might call an “accidental” entrepreneur. Despite having a rather loud inner self-critic, I built a multimillion-dollar social media agency at a time when there was no one to teach you about social media marketing. Together, my husband and I did it without any formal edu

Chugging along on her side hustle and riding the wave of passion, Hayley hits a wall when things come to light that throw a major wrench into the new business idea.  Should she make a 180 or go 360.  Hayley consults her business coach, John O'Connor for some guidance and direction and then follows up with a conversation with her hubby/business partner, Brian Valenza. Find out if they decide to go for it or kill it before it kills them. More about John: Meet John, my mentor and my inspiration for all things Foster Inc.  John helped me craft my ideas into what is now a growing and thriving business by imparting his wisdom, sharing his own coaching education and guiding me through the process.  John has clocked more than 5k hours helping Entrepreneurs and people on a mission to create meaningful change in their lives.  John takes a special approach when coaching clients, whether 1-on-1 or in group sessions, where he places focus on activating potential, creating clarity that generates velocity and transmuting bl

In Episode6, we hear the outcome of how Hayley's meeting went with the Investors. Following that, she jumps on a call with her friend and fellow Entrepreneur and TEDx Speaker Elisabeth Cardiello. Hayley and Elisabeth catch up about how important it is to have strong Father figures in our lives and share stories about how much their own fathers have molded them into the business women they are today. More about Elisabeth: Meet Elisabeth, your new mentor.  This infinitely curious, coffee loving, Brooklyn native had her first business cards at six and first product on shelves at 13. She graduated college with highest honors, did business school, a stint in finance, dealt with loss, found herself, dove into her passion, more loss, learned the meaning of post traumatic growth, started a coffee company, gave two TEDx talks and started speaking in the US and abroad (we're still wondering where that shy 9 year old went). Now, she is on a mission to help young women deepen their sense of confidence and prepare for the