Maximiliane Mihajlovic was only 16 when she began chasing her dream as an actress. But somewhere along the way, she gave it up—pressured by a boyfriend who told her it wasn’t safe, practical, or worthy of her future. That decision led her down a path she never expected: toxic relationships, heartbreak, and eventually raising two children on her own.

Her journey as a single mom was anything but easy. She faced lonely nights, financial stress, and even health challenges, all while trying to hold onto her identity. There were moments she admits she felt lost, broken, and unsure of how to keep going. But becoming a mother changed everything. Her daughter and son became the reason she found strength she didn’t know she had, and for the first time, she learned the power of self-love.

Today, Maximiliane is rewriting her story. She’s building a brand to unite and empower single mothers around the world—turning her pain into purpose.

From actress to advocate, she proves that even when life breaks you down, you can rise stronger than ever before.

What’s one challenge you thought would break you, but instead made you stronger?

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Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

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#WomenInBusiness #SelfLove #ResilientMoms #EmpoweredWomen #SingleMom

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

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Denied. Overlooked. Told she was “too much.

That was Jerria Donelson’s reality, even with two master’s degrees and years of experience. She was qualified — more than qualified — but still shut out of opportunities simply because she’s a woman.

At first, she played along. She kept quiet. She tried to fit in.

But not anymore.

Now, Jerria shows up authentically — as a Black woman, a mother, and a leader who refuses to shrink. Her story is about courage, confidence, and claiming space in workplaces that weren’t built for women like her.

Fast-forward to today:

✔️ She’s a HUD compliance manager helping families access affordable housing.

✔️ She’s an elected township trustee.

✔️ She’s raising her daughter to be fearless and confident.

Her journey is more than breaking barriers. It’s a testament to what happens when women stop asking for permission and start taking their place.

Jerria Donelson’s story is proof that your credentials don’t define you — your confidence does.

Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated at work — even when you had the skills and experience? How did you handle it?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WomenInBusiness #BreakTheBias #WorkLifeBalance #CareerPivot #CareerConfidence

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Visit MomSub.com to learn more.

She thought she had found her calling as a speech-language pathologist.

But the reality was long hours, holidays away from family, and endless pressure from insurance rules.

Then came burnout.

Suzy Carbrey had always been entrepreneurial. So she started building a private practice on the side. The very same day she finalized her business, Illinois shut down for Covid.

What looked like disaster turned into opportunity.

Her medical job slowed down. Patients stopped coming. And in that space, Suzy built something new.

She launched a tele-practice, helping adults with ADHD who suddenly found themselves struggling to work from home.

No coworkers. No structure. No accountability. And for many, no idea how to stay focused.

Suzy became their coach.

Not just teaching skills, but helping them design systems and strategies that fit their brains. She knew how — because she had lived it.

Her own challenges with executive functioning became her strength.

Her story is proof that your biggest struggle can become the foundation of your greatest impact.

Today, Suzy is thriving. She works from home, creates her own schedule, and most importantly — has balance with her family.

This is the story of burnout turned breakthrough. This is the story of how Suzy Carbrey built freedom on her own terms

What’s one challenge in your career that pushed you to reinvent yourself and how did it change your path?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #WorkLifeBalance #CareerPivot #Leadership #ADHDCoach #ExecutiveFunction #ProductivityTips

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Visit MomSub.com to learn more.

Dr. Sakira Jackson’s story is one of resilience and bold choices. Growing up in Illinois with entrepreneurship in her blood, she rose through the ranks in sales before facing a defining moment: when her boss told her to choose between her job and her kids, she chose her kids and walked out. Years later, after securing a $10M federal contract with a $1M commission, she was fired on the day the deal closed—but instead of breaking, she signed a new client and launched her first business that same day.

Since then, Dr. Sakira has built multiple companies, authored The Power of the Dress, and become a sought-after business psychologist and speaker. She shares powerful lessons on leadership, mindset, and the seven assets every woman needs to own the room—intelligence, wardrobe, skills, reputation, resources, intuition, and faith. Her mission is clear: to help leaders live intentionally, lead powerfully, and never apologize for being in the room.

She fought for a $10 million contract. She even secured her $1M commission in writing. But on her birthday, the same day the deal closed, she was FIRED.

What did she do next? She called a client, signed a new deal, and launched her first company—on the same day.

In this powerful interview, Dr. Sakira Jackson shares:

✔ How she turned setbacks into comebacks

✔ The moment she chose her kids over her career

✔ The seven assets every woman needs to lead with confidence

If you’ve ever felt underestimated, this is your sign: You can rise.

Have you ever had to make a choice between your career and your family?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WorkingMom #CareerBreak #Burnout #Postpartum #MomLife #WomenInLeadership #HealingJourney

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Visit MomSub.com to learn more.

What happens when you land your dream job—only to realize it’s breaking you? Marisa Ciesluk had everything she thought she wanted: a senior leadership role, a growing family, and a thriving career. But behind the scenes, she was burned out, crying on her commute, and battling an identity crisis. In this candid interview, Marisa shares:

• How she navigated postpartum depression and career burnout

• The turning point that changed everything

• Why she walked away from the role she worked her whole life for

• The lessons she learned about success, identity, and well-being

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to make a big change, this conversation will inspire you.

Would you ever leave your dream job if it meant saving your mental health? Why or why not?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WorkingMom #CareerBreak #Burnout #Postpartum #MomLife #WomenInLeadership #HealingJourney

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Visit MomSub.com to learn more.

What happens when you pour 25 years into a career… only to be told you’ll never move up? Katie Dunn faced that moment after leading the biggest deal of her career. Instead of giving up, she built a new path—one focused on empowering women and underrepresented founders. In this episode, Katie shares:

✔ Why being the only woman in the room shaped her career

✔ The breaking point that changed everything

✔ How she transitioned from finance to angel investing

✔ Tips for women considering a big career shift

If you’ve ever felt undervalued or stuck, this conversation will inspire your next move.

What would you do if your company said you’d never get promoted after years of hard work?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #ResilientWomen #WomenInBusiness #AngelInvestor #WorkingMoms #CareerPivot #WorkLifeBalance

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Rebecca Torres lost her best friend at 13, her mom, dad, and brother in later years — yet she refused to be defined by grief. After nearly 20 years as a recruiter, including at Amazon, she turned her pain into purpose, becoming a mindset coach who helps others overcome challenges and unlock their potential.

In this episode, Rebecca shares how she learned to control her mindset, rise above tragedy, and transform loss into strength. If you’ve ever struggled with grief, self-doubt, or a career transition, her story will inspire you to see challenges as your “next level up.”

How do you find strength when life doesn’t go as planned?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow @Diane Moca and @MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #ResilientWomen #HealingJourney #Coaching #WorkingMoms #CareerPivot #WorkLifeBalance

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

When Susan MacNicol’s corporate job disappeared just days before she returned from maternity leave, she faced a choice: start over in the corporate grind or build something of her own. With a 3-month-old baby and no job, she launched her own marketing business — and never looked back.

In this episode of Women & Work, Susan shares how she navigated the “boys’ club,” grew her company into an agency, landed government contracts, and built a real estate portfolio — all while raising two kids.

If you suddenly lost your job tomorrow, would you go back to corporate life — or start something of your own?

Invest in a solution to the child child care crisis at https://momsub.sppx.io/

Advocate for pay equity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women by supporting the Women and Work podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469592/support

Follow Diane Moca and MomSub for inspiring stories and actionable tips for working women

#WorkingWomen #WomenAndWork #MomSub #WomenInBusiness #CareerTips #Entrepreneurship #WorkingMoms #EntrepreneurLife #FemaleEntrepreneur #WorkLifeBalance

Disclosure: this page represents Testing The Waters materials.

1) No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if money is sent in response, it will not be accepted;

2) No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary’s platform;

3) A person’s indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

Visit MomSub.com to learn more.