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/

In this episode A. Lee Judge—entrepreneur, multimedia content expert, and founder of Content Monsta—discusses the evolution of content creation in the digital age.

Lee shares his journey from DJing and corporate marketing to building a creative agency that specializes in video and podcast production for enterprise clients.

They discuss why starting with “big content” like podcasts and video interviews unlocks a wealth of repurposable material, the challenges and innovations of remote video production, and how Lee’s team helps companies adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape.

Lee also offers candid advice for businesses of all sizes on working with agencies, trusting experts, and the importance of focusing on what you do best.

Plus, Lee gives a sneak peek into his book, “CASH: Communication, Alignment, Systems, and Honesty,” which aims to bridge the gap between sales and marketing teams.

Whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or aspiring content creator, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world stories about building a brand, scaling content, and thriving in today’s business environment.

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

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

Company - Content Monsta https://contentmonsta.com/

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

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

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

About Episode 147 of Unpolished MBA(R):

This episode of Unpolished MBA has guest Caroline Dunn—electrical engineer turned VP of Marketing, YouTuber with 37,000+ subscribers, and author of A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech.

Caroline shares her unconventional career journey, starting in engineering and pivoting into marketing—despite pushback from peers who didn’t see it as “real” work. We get into how she navigated that transition, what it takes to succeed in male-dominated industries, and why having an entrepreneurial spirit matters whether you’re at a startup or not.

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

Caroline Dunn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinedunn/

Caroline on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caroline

Her Book on Amazon: "A Woman's Guide To Winning In Tech" https://a.co/d/1hZlS8j

Tired of being the only woman in the room—and still having to prove you belong?

You’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.

This smart, sharp, and refreshingly unfiltered guide is part memoir, part satire, and 100% done with outdated gender myths that still linger in tech.

Inspired by real experiences (with the names changed to protect the guilty), A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech is both a reality check and a rally cry for women navigating the world of startups.

Whether you're coding your first app, running a team, mentoring others, or simply tired of being underestimated, this book is for you.

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

🎧 Subscribe & listen on:

Apple Podcasts: Unpolished MBA

Spotify: Unpolished MBA

Amazon Music: Unpolished MBA

This episode kicks off Season 11 with a conversation that every small and mid-sized business owner needs to hear. We’re not talking hype—we’re talking real numbers, real friction, and the decisions that make or break your cash flow (and ultimately your success!).

Monique sits down with Jess, a seasoned executive turned small business advisor, who shares practical insights from his time managing companies from $15M to $250M—and now, helping small businesses operate smarter.

They unpack:

• Why gross margin isn’t enough if your cash conversion is broken
• The danger of discounting without strategy
• What it really means to track a 13-week rolling cash flow
• How small business owners can become both the biggest asset and the biggest risk in their companie
• A simple framework for locating the friction in your business and unlocking growth
• You’ll also hear how these lessons tie directly into what we do at Source to Scale—helping manufacturing companies find the cash hiding in their supply chain and procurement operations.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

TPM Focus – Strategy firm for innovation and sustainable growth: https://www.tpmfocus.com

Source to Scale (powered by TPM Focus) – Cash flow optimization for US manufacturing companies: https://www.tpmfocus.com/sourcetoscale

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

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

Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/

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

🎧 Subscribe & listen on:

Apple Podcasts: Unpolished MBA

Spotify: Unpolished MBA

Amazon Music: Unpolished MBA

This final episode of the ETA series brings everything full circle. If you've been following along, you know we’ve covered the entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) space in depth—exploring what it takes to buy a business, what can go wrong, what goes right, and how investors evaluate deals.

In this episode, the host breaks down:

• Why acquisitions became part of her growth strategy
• The real challenges of buying a business vs. starting from scratch
• Lessons from her own ETA journey, including deals that fell through
• Why innovation and AI are crucial, even when acquiring an existing business
• How to determine the right path for you—startup vs. acquisition

No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode will give you valuable insights into wealth-building, growth, and business strategy.

Whether you’re an aspiring searcher, a startup founder, or someone exploring business ownership, you’ll walk away with actionable insights for your next steps.

📩 Join the host's newsletter for exclusive insights & updates: tpmfocus.com/newsletter TPM Focus Newsletter - "Unpolished Business"

💡 Want to learn how to scale smarter with AI & automation? Join the waitlist: tpmfocus.com/businessstrategy This is the Business Strategy Cohort of entrepreneurs learning directly from the host of Unpolished MBA.

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

Most searchers focus on finding the perfect business to buy—but what happens after the deal closes? In this episode, Monique Mills sits down with investor and experienced entrepreneur Mario Montag to discuss what really drives post-acquisition success. Spoiler: it’s not just adding new tech and CRMs.

Mario shares what he looks for in searchers before investing, why operational execution is the #1 factor in long-term success, and the importance of EOS (from the book Traction). He also reveals the biggest mistakes searchers make, why keeping customers is the most critical post-close task, and why the ETA space needs more honest conversations about its challenges.

If you’re thinking about acquiring a business or investing in one, don’t miss this conversation!

Key Topics:

• The investor mindset in ETA
• Key operational improvements that drive value
• How to assess risk and avoid hidden pitfalls in acquisitions
• Why seller notes and earnouts are essential protections
• Lessons from failed deals
• 
  

📌 Mentioned in this episode:

🔗 The Book Traction (EOS Framework): https://www.eosworldwide.com/traction-book

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

🔗 Mario Montag’s Website:https://mariomontag.com

🔗 Mario Montag on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariomontag/

🔗 Fruition Capital:https://fruitioncap.com

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