#42 – Jane Megown: How a House Fire Ignited Success

In this episode of The She Lift Project, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes Jane Megown, President and Owner of Elastizell, who shares her remarkable journey from a career in marketing to leading a construction company specializing in lightweight cellular concrete. Jane’s company is behind critical infrastructure projects, often unseen but essential, such as filling spaces under stadiums and bridges with lightweight, custom-formulated concrete. Despite entering the male-dominated construction field with no prior experience, Jane credits her success to values she learned early on from her father: honesty, integrity, and putting people first.

Jane’s path was far from linear—she initially avoided construction, only to be drawn back in due to a series of life-altering events, including a devastating house fire. The fire not only tested her resilience but also prompted her to re-enter the workforce, leading to her eventual ownership of Elastizell. Jane’s leadership philosophy centers on transparency, teamwork, and focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains. Her ability to build trust through honesty, even when it meant admitting she didn’t know all the answers, has been key to her success. Through her story, Jane offers inspiration on how to navigate career pivots, embrace challenges, and turn hardships into opportunities for growth.

#44 – Shannon Shores: From People Pleaser to Power Player

In this episode, Shannon Shores shares her incredible transformation from a quiet, people-pleasing young girl to a bold, unapologetic leader, entrepreneur, and kind-hearted powerhouse. Shannon dives deep into her journey of overcoming childhood struggles, setting boundaries, and facing the “monsters under the bed” that held her back for years. Through humor, raw honesty, and empowering

#43 – April Porter: The Secret Sauce (SOS) For Startup Success

This episode of The She Lift Project Podcast features April Porter, a successful entrepreneur, business strategist, and franchising expert. April shares her insights on helping small business owners bridge the gap between passion and profitability by uncovering the “Secret Sauce” for sustainable success. Through candid conversations, April highlights the importance of mindset, resilience, and practical

#41: Sylvia Owens: Basketball & Boardrooms

Join host Cynthia Kirkpatrick in a deeply inspiring conversation with Sylvia Owens, the Director IT Revenue Cycle Systems at BJC Healthcare. With over 27 years of experience in healthcare, 18 of them in IT, Sylvia shares her incredible journey from growing up in East St. Louis to playing professional basketball in Europe and eventually transitioning

#40 – Debi Corrie: Failures Fuel Future Success

In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Debi Corrie, founder of Acumaxum, a strategic CFO company that specializes in helping businesses optimize cash flow, scale, and drive profitability. Debi shares her journey from accounting to becoming a pivotal force in helping small businesses break through barriers, navigate