WorkParty

Latest Episodes:

Jaclyn Shares Her Breast Cancer Journey and What She's Learned Along the Way Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

This week on WorkParty, Jaclyn opens up about her recent breast cancer diagnosis and how a routine mammogram led to early detection. She shares what the process has looked like so far and the lessons she’s learned about listening to her body, advocating for herself, and staying proactive with her health.
In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Jaclyn and Marina talk about what it’s like to navigate something life-changing while balancing work, emotions, and everyday life. They share why early detection matters, how to better understand your own body, and what it means to prioritize health even when life feels busy.
Early detection can change everything. By sharing her story, Jaclyn hopes to encourage other women to take action, ask questions, and schedule that screening.

Join Us for 2027 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festival
Get 15% off your Create & Cultivate Festival Tickets with code WORKPARTY15

To follow along with Create & Cultivate:
https://www.instagram.com/createcultivate
www.createcultivate.com
To connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnson
To connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

How Motherhood Can Make You a Stronger Founder with Denise Vasi Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Motherhood doesn’t just change your schedule, it changes everything.
This week, Jaclyn and Marina sit down with Denise Vasi, founder of Maed Beauty, actress, writer, and advocate for intentional living. Denise shares how becoming a mom reshaped her definition of success, what it took to launch Maed at Sephora, and how she learned to give herself grace through it all.
In this episode, we cover:
• How motherhood transformed Denise’s approach to ambition and self-worth
• The real story behind launching Maed Beauty and landing in Sephora
• The truth about balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood
• Why giving yourself grace is key to leadership and sanity
• The importance of slowing down after years of hustle culture
If you’ve ever felt torn between chasing your goals and being present for your family, this episode will remind you it’s possible to do both.

Reimagining Email: Authentic Marketing for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

They break down why email is still the highest ROI marketing channel and how to make it work for you — from writing subject lines that feel personal to creating automations that nurture your audience while you sleep.

We cover:

Why email converts better than social media (and how to measure success)
How to grow your email list without feeling salesy
Tips for writing authentic, high-converting newsletters
Segmentation and automation 101: what to set up first
The balance between beautiful design and genuine connection

Check out Flodesk here: https://flodesk.com

From Solo to CEO: Building Your Team & Org Chart as a Founder Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton dive into one of the toughest, and most important, aspects of building a business: your team. From first hires and org charts to evolving into a confident, effective leader, they break down the realities of what it takes to grow a strong company culture and why managing people is often the most challenging part of being a founder.

They get candid about everything from early-stage hires and revenue-generating roles, to the pros and cons of remote work, how to delegate with trust, and why hiring the right person isn’t just about filling a title. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of managing a lean team, wondering when to build an executive layer, or trying to balance startup hustle with sustainable culture, you’ll hear hard-earned lessons and real-world insight from two seasoned entrepreneurs who’ve been there.

Confidence at Every Stage: Fundraising, Leadership & Life Transitions Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton are diving into what it really means to show up with confidence in work, leadership, and life. From fundraising and running a business, to navigating major personal transitions, they break down the challenges and mindset shifts, like moving from an employee to CEO and other things that shape how women lead and grow.
They also get candid about the evolution of Create & Cultivate, the lessons learned from moving cities, and how owning your story can change both your personal and professional trajectory. Whether you’re pitching investors, building a team, or managing life’s big transitions, you’ll gain actionable insights, perspective, and encouragement to embrace your confidence at every stage.

The Girlboss Reset: Founders Returning to Rewrite the Playbook Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

This week on WorkParty Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton return with an honest conversation about leadership, reinvention, and what it actually looks like to grow a modern business. From the evolution of the “girlboss” narrative, to the pressure of building both a brand and a personal identity online as a founder, they break down the realities many women in business face, but don’t always talk about.

They also get into what’s changed at Create & Cultivate, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Festival, and how running a small team can still lead to big results. Whether you’re figuring out your next move, trying to stay visible while staying sane, or learning how to show up with confidence, this episode offers real perspective and plenty to think about as we approach this next season!

The Myth of “Having It All” & Other Hard Founder Truths You Need: Live Q&A with Cyndi Ramirez Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

In this special live episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton come to you from Palm Springs for the Blueprint Mastermind, joined by Cyndi Ramirez. Cyndi is the founder and CEO of Chillhouse, with a goal to modernize the spa industry. Together, they host a candid, no-holds-barred AMA answering anonymous questions from attendees on everything from building a brand, fundraising, rebranding after 10 years in business, to what really goes into launching a new product or strategy.

Cyndi shares powerful stories about her biggest founder fails, including an ambitious Paris expansion attempt, and how an unexpected DM from Sophia Amoruso changed the trajectory of her business. Jaclyn and Marina reflect on their partnership and growth journey, diving deep into the leadership challenges, ego checks, and real-life lessons they’ve learned in building and rebuilding Create & Cultivate. From angel investing and team equity, to the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, this episode doesn’t shy away from the messy middle!

Whether you're navigating a rebrand, scaling your business, or simply wondering if it's okay to not be in hustle mode 24/7, this conversation is packed with relatable insights and hard-earned wisdom.

Connect with Cyndi: https://www.instagram.com/cyndiramirez
Chillhouse: https://www.instagram.com/chillhouse/
https://chillhouse.com/

Figuring It Out Along the Way: The Realities of Entrepreneurship Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton recorded this episode of WorkPartyduring one of the biggest weeks of the year, Create & Cultivate’s Festival. They’re giving a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring a multi-day experience to life, from programming four stages and managing a small team, to hosting hundreds of attendees, speakers, and brand partners.

They reflect on what’s changed since their early event days, the lessons they’ve learned in real-time, and why supporting small businesses goes far beyond likes and reposts. If you’re building something big, navigating leadership in high-pressure moments, or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes, you’ll find plenty of honest takeaways from two founders in the thick of entrepreneurship, while also making huge strides.

Join us for next year’s Festival using the links below!

Is Slowing Down the Secret to Success? with April Gargiulo Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

This week on WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton are joined by April Gargiulo, the founder and CEO of Vintner’s Daughter, a cult-favorite skincare brand rooted in craftsmanship, performance, and radical quality. April’s journey is a rare one: from growing up in a Napa Valley winemaking family to formulating one of the most iconic serums in the beauty world. But what sets her apart is how she’s built her business, not by chasing trends, but by staying committed to intentional growth and uncompromising standards.

In this episode, April shares how she went from formulating a single product, to creating a luxury skincare line known for its slow, thoughtful process and cult-like customer devotion. She opens up about launching with one hero product, building trust through transparency, and why the “clean” beauty movement is still so misunderstood. From creating a three-to-five-week infusion process, to giving 2% of top-line revenue to charity, April is redefining what it means to build with integrity and why “less but better” is a powerful business strategy in a world that moves too fast.

Follow April:
Website: https://vintnersdaughter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintnersdaughter

Balancing the Build: Sammi Cohen on Life Between 9–5 and the Creator Economy Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

This week on WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton sit down with Sammi Cohen, creator, entrepreneur, podcast host, and former Amazon product manager who’s built a loyal following across Instagram, TikTok, and her own podcast, Social Currency. Known for her smart commentary at the intersection of business, tech, and culture, Sammi is part of the new wave redefining what it means to grow online with purpose, strategy, and a strong POV.

In this episode, Sammi shares how she juggled corporate life at Amazon while building a content brand from scratch, why she waited years to monetize, and what finally made her take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. From navigating burnout, staying consistent, and leveraging AI, to building thought leadership and pushing back on celebrity brand fatigue, this conversation goes deep on what it really takes to thrive in the creator economy today.

Follow Sammi:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sammicohentalks
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sammicohentalks
Social Currency Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-currency-with-sammi-cohen/id1812712126

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