Leaders Perception Magazine is currently running an interview series called – Pathways to Success: Exploring Unique Paths to Achievement
Stephanie LoVerde and Emily Palacios, the dynamic duo behind the Cycle Chats Network, have a story of resilience and determination that is sure to inspire. From starting their podcast during the pandemic to overcoming obstacles and finding success, these two entrepreneurs have navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with grace and tenacity. In this exclusive interview, they share their journey, the challenges they faced, and the mentors who have guided them along the way. Join us as we delve into their definition of success and the valuable advice they offer to those striving to achieve their own version of success in life.
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde from The Cycle Chats Network: Navigating Success Through Collaboration and Empowerment
Interviewee Name: Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde
Company: The Cycle Chats Network
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde’s favourite quote: Our fantastic guest Kara Walker, a contestant on NBC’s Making It Season 3, said something that has stayed with us since her interview. She said, “We don’t have to do this. We GET to do this.” We would lie if we said this journey had been all sunshine and roses. There are times when we have just wanted to throw in the towel because we aren’t where we want to be, where we know we deserve to be. We have continued to move forward because we love what we do and know that one day, someone will start noticing what we have done. So, we don’t have to keep doing this; we GET to.
The Interview
Thank you so much for joining us today! Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your backstory?
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde :
Of course! We’re honored to have been chosen, and thank you again for this fantastic opportunity to share our story. Our names are Stephanie LoVerde and Emily Palacios, and we are the creators and CEOs of the Cycle Chats Network! Our story began like a lot of peoples during the pandemic. We lost our jobs and needed to make money, so we started a company that focused on women’s health and supporting small women-owned businesses. Since we both come from a background of education, we knew that we wanted to have some form of educational component that our customers could turn to learn about their bodies. So, the Cycle Chats Podcast was born! Unfortunately, the company ended up dissolving, but the podcast grew legs and started running. Three and a half years (and a rebrand) later, we are now successfully hosting multiple shows under the Cycle Chats Network. Our network is dedicated to thought-provoking conversations that inspire people to break free from the chains of generational traumas, societal pressures, mental health stigmas, women’s health advocacy, and toxic relationships. Each of our shows is a powerful journey toward empowerment, providing our listeners with the tools of education, self-discovery, and a sprinkle of humor.
Overcoming obstacles is often a part of the journey to success. Can you tell us about a particular challenge you faced and how you navigated through it to ultimately achieve your goals?
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde :
We have certainly dealt with many hurdles along the way. The biggest hurdle we dealt with was support; we needed more of it. As a small business owner, the beginning of your journey is often the most exciting and heartbreaking. When you start, the assumption is that you will have immense support from family and friends. While that may be true for some, it was not for us. People didn’t quite get what we were trying to accomplish. We would be met with skepticism about the validity of our platform. We were even told that we had nothing to show for our ability to give advice and have these conversations. While it hurt to hear those things from people you thought cared about you, it did unlock a fire to be a stronger voice than ever. We would be lying if we said we’ve completely overcome these obstacles. We still struggle to get our voices heard above the noise. However, we have found that providing a space where women (and men!) can share their struggles with like minds has allowed us to bridge the gap of smaller creators like ourselves.
Many people draw inspiration from the stories of others. Are there any individuals or mentors who have played a significant role in guiding or supporting you along your journey? How have they impacted your perspective or approach to success?
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde :
We are constantly drawing inspiration from our guests. It’s hard not to when you talk to experts in their field who have put in the time, done the work, and come out on the other side to share their stories and inspire someone on their journey of self-acceptance. With each of our over 150 guests, we have had the privilege to speak to, they have each impacted our journey in different ways. Some of our guests have given us excellent business advice, some have impacted how we show up in our relationships, some have given us the building blocks to understand our bodies better, and some have even become our good friends. Being a woman in our society, we often grow up with the idea that other women are the enemy, and doing this podcast, where we have gotten to speak to people we would never have connected with, has proved to us how wrong that thinking is. It is the opposite; when women get together, there is a power and strength like no other. That has been the most significant perspective change for us, the idea that we need to work together to change the world.
Success can mean different things to different people. How do you define success personally, and what advice would you offer to others who are striving to achieve their own version of success in life?
Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde : This is a great question and something we think about a lot. Strip away all the likes, downloads, views, and money. What are you left with? Our voices, our stories, and our microphones. As long as we have impacted ONE person, we have done what we set out to do 3 1/2 years ago. Large-scale success would be incredible, but we know that only happens sometimes and may never happen to the degree that we would like it to. However, we know that we have successfully cultivated a space that is our own and has made many beautiful connections along the way. And that is something we will be forever grateful for. If we can offer others advice on their journey to success, we would say not to compare your journey to others. You are the person you compete with and no one else. Make yourself proud, and that is what success is.
Leaders Perception would like to thank Emily Palacios and Stephanie LoVerde and The Cycle Chats Network for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
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