Some Topics Discussed Include:

Are you an educator hoping to pursue entrepreneurship? Listen in to learn how an educator-turned-entrepreneur reimagined her career to serve families, schools, and communities with language and literacy. Guest, Lisa Shaw, author, educator, and founder of My Other Tongue joined us on this episode. Lisa helps children and adults learn Spanish and Portuguese in ways that are practical, fun, and rooted in community. She also co-authored a children’s series with her son, Liam’s Faith Adventures, blending social-emotional learning with faith.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Some of the topics discussed include:

• The “mother tongue” idea: Learn a second language before age 8 and it can function like a mother tongue. What that means for accent, ear training, and home routines.
• Home language strategy: How to support bilingual homes when only one parent speaks the language. Why community, events, and real conversations matter more than vocab lists.
• What actually makes you fluent: Routines and patterns you use daily. Learn essential structures first (I need, I have, I go, Do you have… Can you…?) and layer vocabulary on top.
• Business reality: The hardest part is aligning expectations. Fluency is built outside class, so families need goals, accountability, and small weekly habits. Struggle is part of learning.
• Message to women rebuilding: Package your gifts, find your tribe, ask for support, and be courageous enough to share your dreams in the right rooms.

Programs and offers:

• Kids, teen, and adult Spanish with thematic, real-life tasks
• Travel Spanish intensives before summer trips
• Immersion partnerships in Mexico with host families
• Corporate/adult practical Spanish for everyday interactions
• Literacy services leveraging science-of-reading practices in English and Spanish
• Georgia Milestones, decoded: Levels (Beginning, Developing, Proficient, Distinguished), why 3rd and 5th grade are promotion years, and how parents can interpret Lexile scores and act fast.
• Book series: Liam’s Faith Adventures (ages 6–9). Everyday situations, kindness, and Scripture tied to action.

Company Website: myothertongue.com

• Programs and bookings: via site
• Children’s book series: Liam’s Faith Adventures on Amazon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisacovingtonshaw/

Blog: https://lisareneashaw.blogspot.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs:

In this episode we speak with Karla Trotman, CEO of Electro Soft, an electronics contract manufacturer serving industrial and defense customers. Karla shares the company’s origin story from kitchen table cables to a second-generation operation, and how she’s steering through tariffs, supply chain shocks, skilled-labor shortages, and leadership stress.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlatrotman/

Her Company - Electro Soft Inc https://www.electrosoftinc.com/

Karla's Book on Amazon : https://a.co/d/9aHaU7T Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

Erika Jefferson joins the Unpolished MBA to talk about why more scientists and engineers aren’t at the venture capital table. She breaks down common myths about who becomes a VC, discuss the real backgrounds of investors, and highlight the unique value technical professionals bring to the world of startups and funding.

Erika shares insights from her research, offering practical advice for STEM professionals curious about breaking into venture capital.

Whether you’re an engineer, scientist, or just interested in the intersection of tech and finance, this conversation is packed with eye-opening stories, actionable tips, and inspiration to help you find your place in the VC ecosystem.

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikajeffersonmba/

Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/venture-capital-for-stem-7345981518642618368/

LinkedIn Group - VC for STEM https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14714659/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/

Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com

This Episode is Supported By:

TPM Focus - tpmfocus.com

Source to Scale for Manufacturing Companies - tpmfocus.com/sourcetoscale

Venture Capital for STEM - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/venture-capital-for-stem-7345981518642618368/

New Majority Capital - https://newmajoritycapital.com/