Failing Forward

Hosted by Bethany Fiocchi Root

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Jul 2025

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EN-US

About the show

An exclusive look at what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and all the failures that happen along the way. Get a front row seat to hear the rarely-spoken-of challenges behind the successes. We'll reveal the untold stories you crave, and explore the raw realities of struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned. Failing Forward is a podcast by host Bethany Fiocchi Root.

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11 recent

July 29, 2025Episode 1028 min

EP 10 - Britney Branch Britney Branch on Redefining Growth and Protecting Your Energy

In this episode, Bethany chats with Britney Branch, founder of The Boss Up Agency, about building a business from scratch, learning from fast growth, and aligning work with personal values. Britney shares how she pivoted from influencer marketing into full-service social media management during the early months of the pandemic. She talks about setting boundaries as a recovering people pleaser, and why maintaining a business takes more intention than starting one.She also shares personal systems that support her mental health, including structured digital boundaries and routines that protect her energy. CONNECT WITH BRITNEY BRANCH:Instagram: @ itsbritneynicole_The Boss Up Agency websiteTIMESTAMPS:01:19 Starting the agency during the pandemic05:35 First clients and first pivots09:30 Saying no to misaligned clients13:40 Hiring, scaling, and hard lessons19:20 Digital boundaries and mental health25:20 This or That roundABOUT THE HOST, BETHANY FIOCCHI ROOT AND OCEANVIEW MARKETING:Oceanview Marketing is a boutique consultancy that helps funded SaaS, tech and service-based startups unlock millions in new revenue through strategic digital marketing, fast execution and experience-backed testing.Led by Bethany Fiocchi Root, the firm specializes in validating product-market fit and building scalable systems for long-term growth. Learn more at oceanview-marketing.com.🩵 STAY CONNECTED:Follow Oceanview Marketing on InstagramFollow this podcast on Instagram👑 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a friend or teammate who’s building something big.This episode was produced by ⁠⁠AOLI.fm⁠⁠.

July 15, 2025Episode 920 min

EP 9 - With Meg O’Neill on Social Media Visibility, Motherhood, and Building a Business Her Own Way

Meg O’Neill is a marketing and community-building expert. In this episode, she shares how her career evolved from nonprofit roles to entrepreneurship, how motherhood shaped her choices, and why showing up imperfectly online became her strength.She talks about quitting a job that no longer fit, building a business during a busy season of life, and how her son’s autism diagnosis helped her trust her own path. Meg also shares why she ignores traditional advice like niching down, and how video and personal connection drive her work.CONNECT WITH MEG O’NEILL: Instagram: @megoneill10TIMESTAMPS:02:10 Early career in nonprofit work03:16 Realizing that stay-at-home life wasn’t for her04:10 Starting over in wellness and marketing05:55 Quitting her job without a plan08:30 Managing anxiety and burnout11:04 Setting boundaries with clients12:52 Parenting and building a business around family17:10 Why doesn’t she niche19:32 Using video to grow communityABOUT THE HOST, BETHANY FIOCCHI ROOT AND OCEANVIEW MARKETING:Oceanview Marketing is a boutique consultancy that helps funded SaaS, tech and service-based startups unlock millions in new revenue through strategic digital marketing, fast execution and experience-backed testing.Led by Bethany Fiocchi Root, the firm specializes in validating product-market fit and building scalable systems for long-term growth. Learn more at oceanview-marketing.com. 🩵 STAY CONNECTED:Follow Oceanview Marketing on InstagramFollow this podcast on Instagram👑 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a friend or teammate who’s building something big.This episode was produced by ⁠AOLI.fm⁠.

July 8, 2025Episode 822 min

EP 8 - Lauren Perna on Turning Burnout Into a More Aligned Career

Lauren Perna spent nearly two decades in the corporate and nonprofit world before launching her own communications agency. Along the way, she navigated high-functioning anxiety, depression, and burnout, and learned how entrepreneurship could be a tool for healing. Today, she leads Lauren Perna Communications, a content studio serving clients in life sciences and beyond.In this episode, Lauren shares how mental health shaped her path, what finally pushed her to leave her “dream job,” and how building a business around her strengths gave her the freedom to work on her own terms.CONNECT WITH LAUREN PERNA:WebsiteInstagramTIMESTAMPS:01:15 Living with anxiety and depression04:20 Leaving her “dream job”05:50 Taking a year off to reset07:05 Starting her business during the pandemic10:45 Experience doubts13:00 Choosing the right niche and clients16:05 Building the right team21:10 If she weren’t a writer, she would be…ABOUT THE HOST, BETHANY FIOCCHI ROOT AND OCEANVIEW MARKETING:Oceanview Marketing is a boutique consultancy that helps funded SaaS, tech and service-based startups unlock millions in new revenue through strategic digital marketing, fast execution and experience-backed testing.Led by Bethany Fiocchi Root, the firm specializes in validating product-market fit and building scalable systems for long-term growth. Learn more at oceanview-marketing.com. 🩵 STAY CONNECTED:Follow Oceanview Marketing on InstagramFollow this podcast on Instagram👑 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a friend or teammate who’s building something big.This episode was produced by AOLI.fm.

June 23, 2025Episode 741 min

EP 7 - Paige Burns on Starting Main Paige Media and Learning to Lead

Paige Burns walked away from a steady in-house video job to launch her own production company, and without a roadmap. Today, she runs Main Paige Media, a thriving storytelling studio that works with brands across industries.In this episode, Paige talks about leaving the security of a salaried role, the pressure to do everything perfectly at the start, and the mindset shifts that helped her replace overthinking with action. She also opens up about early mistakes in hiring, learning to give direction without micromanaging, and how she built a business around her strengths, and not her weaknesses.CONNECT WITH PAIGE BURNS:Main Paige Media WebsitePaige’s InstagramTIMESTAMPS:01:15 Quitting a full-time job to start her own company06:08 The pressure to be perfect08:40 Focusing on one lead only14:23 Ready to start a business20:00 First clients22:55 Hope for the best, plan for the worst24:20 Putting yourself out of your comfort zone29:42 The hiring process she got right at first38:02 Advice for people starting outABOUT THE HOST, BETHANY FIOCCHI ROOT AND OCEANVIEW MARKETING:Oceanview Marketing is a boutique consultancy that helps funded SaaS, tech and service-based startups unlock millions in new revenue through strategic digital marketing, fast execution and experience-backed testing.Led by Bethany Fiocchi Root, the firm specializes in validating product-market fit and building scalable systems for long-term growth. Learn more at oceanview-marketing.com. 🩵 STAY CONNECTED:Follow Oceanview Marketing on InstagramFollow this podcast on Instagram👑 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a friend or teammate who’s building something big.This episode was produced by AOLI.fm.

June 16, 2025Episode 632 min

EP 6 - Chris Ronzio on Building Trainual

Chris Ronzio started his first business at the age of 14, pitching corporate clients before he could even drive. Today, he is the founder of Trainual, a rapidly growing SaaS company that helps teams scale through improved onboarding and training processes.In this episode, Chris shares the early mistakes that shaped his approach to business, how he transformed his company into a million-dollar venture, and what he wishes he had done differently in his first year. He also recounts an embarrassing story with Shaquille O'Neal and explains why he encourages young founders to think big.Connect with Chris Ronzio:Chris’ WebsiteChris’ Podcast: Organize ChaosChris on InstagramTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:12 Starting a business at 1404:06 The first big mistake (and client disaster)07:00 From video production to a scalable system09:40 Why his 2015 launch flopped16:54 Running out of money21:31 Winning a $150K grant27:26 Network is your networth30:48 Embarrassing moment with Shaquille O'NealAbout the host, Bethany Fiocchi Root and Oceanview Marketing:Oceanview Marketing is a boutique consultancy that helps funded SaaS, tech and service-based startups unlock millions in new revenue through strategic digital marketing, fast execution and experience-backed testing. Led by Bethany Fiocchi Root, the firm specializes in validating product-market fit and building scalable systems for long-term growth. Learn more at oceanview-marketing.com. 🩵 Stay connected:Follow Oceanview Marketing on InstagramFollow this podcast on Instagram👑 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a friend or teammate who’s building something big.This episode was produced by AOLI.fm.

October 26, 20246 min

Solo Episode: My Huge Secret

Follow along to hear about my HUGE SECRET... and find out how sometimes "negative" things can become the very thing needed for everything to fall into place.

March 17, 202432 min

Episode 4 - The Boldest Move

From a lucrative CPA career to following a dream in her heart - learn how Amy Pocsik of Bold Moves and Women's Business League now lives a life that sets her heart on FIRE (and how she helps others do the same). Grab my FREE Marketing Funnel Cheat Sheet here! Follow Failing Forward on instagram here. Follow Amy Pocsik: @amypocsik @boldmoves.co @womensbusinessleague

February 23, 2024Episode 338 min

Episode 3 - The Perfect Pivot

From a "junk drawer business" to a laser-focused company, learn how pivoting with purpose set Mallika up for success! Meet Mallika Malhotra, The Brand CEO - an award winning brand strategist, mentor, and speaker. Mallika shares her learnings from multiple business ventures, and how she honed in on her "zone of genius" to create a thriving niche for herself in personal branding. Follow Mallika here: @mallikamalhotra.co (Instagram) Facebook LinkedIn Follow Failing Forward Podcast here: @failingforward_podcast (Instagram)

February 5, 2024Episode 225 min

Episode 2 - A Summer Legend

What do engaged couples, packed Boston bars, and Howard Stern all have in common? They've all hired Chris Mathison and his talented team to perform during their special events! In this episode, we dive into the world of entertainment with Chris Mathison, owner and co-founder of Summertone Productions. Chris shares his journey managing 5-star bands like Beach Nights and Legends of Summer, revealing the secrets of aligning his business with the right people and the crucial art of seeking help along the way. Find Summertone Productions here: teamsummertone.com And on Instagram here: @beachnightsband @legendsofsummerband Follow Failing Forward Podcast on Instagram: @failingforward_podcast

January 19, 2024Episode 144 min

Episode 1 - 2 Odd Noodles

Paul Scrivens and Marybeth Santos from Pocket Business and Odd Noodle share what they've learned while building an online business over the last 8 years. Listen for lessons on giving up too quickly, getting complacent with success (including a $140K product launch that Scrivs humbly glosses over), and not being in alignment with your audience. Learn more about their businesses: https://pocketbusiness.com/ https://oddnoodle.com/ Subscribe to the Failing Forward Podcast and follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/failingforward_podcast/