Big Gorgeous Goals

Hosted by Julie Ellis

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

Conversations with women entrepreneurs about the best and the most difficult parts of growing 7- and 8-figure businesses and chasing our Big Gorgeous Goals. You can find Julie's book, Big Gorgeous Goals, and the brand-new companion workbook at www.julieellis.ca/book

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54 recent

July 9, 2026Episode 324 min

Retail Isn't the Only Goal: Sustainable Growth for Product-Based Businesses

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . In the final episode of this retail strategy series, Kathy Vurinaris and I discuss what it really takes to scale successfully in retail. From product innovation and manufacturing to forecasting and financial planning, we explore the systems and strategies that support sustainable growth. If you're building a product-based business and considering retail, this conversation will help you think beyond getting on the shelf—and focus on what it takes to stay there. You can connect with Kathy on LinkedIn . Find out more about Sleaks on their website. Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

June 25, 2026Episode 242 min

Breaking In and Setting Yourself Up to Win with Kathy Vurinaris

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . In this second episode of my three-part podcast series we continue the conversation with Kathy Vurinaris , and dive into what it really takes to succeed in retail. Kathy brings decades of retail expertise to this discussion as we explore the strategies, systems, and mindset shifts that can help entrepreneurs build strong retail partnerships and create sustainable growth. Whether you're preparing for your first retail opportunity or looking to strengthen your existing retail business, this conversation will help you avoid common pitfalls and position yourself for long-term success. Tune in for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to win in retail—and why preparation is often the difference between getting on the shelf and staying there. You can connect with Kathy on LinkedIn . Find out more about Sleaks on their website. Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

June 4, 2026Episode 5231 min

What to Know When Going Into Retail in 2026: With Kathy Vurinaris

Kathy Vurinaris , founder of Sleaks and veteran retail product development executive, joins Julie to launch a new series on selling to big retail. With experience on both sides of the table, Kathy cuts through the myths and shares what founders really need to know before pursuing major retailers. Kathy is a seasoned retail product development executive behind some of Canada's most iconic brands, including Joe Fresh, Club Monaco, and Roots, with experience at major retailers like Sephora and Loblaws. Inspired by her 88-year-old mother's passion and wisdom, Kathy took on the challenge to confront a societal taboo, and created Sleaks. Scientifically researched, patent-pending washable leakproof underwear that looks and feels like normal underwear. Discreet, affordable, and eco-friendly, Sleaks empowers individuals to live freely while reducing environmental waste. Kathy's mission is rooted in responsible consumption, environmental stewardship, and helping people live their best lives. You can connect with Kathy on LinkedIn . Find out more about Sleaks on their website. Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

November 13, 2025Episode 5130 min

Looking Back, Moving Forward: 5 Lessons from 50 Episodes

The Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . We mark 51 episodes of Figure 8 by pausing to extract five powerful lessons from fifty conversations with women who scaled, exited, and reinvented. We share what changed for us, why belief work precedes strategy, and how purpose and profit move together when you lead in public. You can grab your Big Gorgeous Goals book and workbook bundle here ! Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

October 30, 2025Episode 5036 min

Financial Strategy Meets Entrepreneurship with Tracey Lundell

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . Tracey Lundell shares her journey from banking to entrepreneurship, revealing how she built a wealth management company that breaks industry norms while providing better client service. With 30+ years of expertise in finance strategy, Tracey helps women investors and entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of wealth by building smart future-proof portfolios. Women often face unique challenges when it comes to finance and Tracey, with her tailored strategies that go beyond numbers, works closely with them to help align their investments with their entrepreneurial ambitions, life goals, and family legacies — whether it’s women who are newly widowed, divorced, or suddenly in charge of managing an inheritance or severance. Currently a Senior Investment Advisor at Harbourfront Wealth Management , Tracey’s approach to investment planning is deeply Canadian — fair, transparent, and sensitive to clients who need an extra layer of attention. She is industry-certified as a Chartered Investment Manager. Tracey is a passionate advocate of empowering women’s financial futures and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Leading Women in Wealth in 2023. She has also been a consecutive Excellence Awardee for the Wealth Professional Advisor of the Year (2021-2024). You can connect with Tracey on her website or LinkedIn . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

October 16, 2025Episode 4938 min

From Managing Rock Stars to Empowering Entrepreneurs with Tarra Stubbins

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . Tarra Stubbins shares insights from her journey managing rock stars to founding Take it Easy , a company providing executive assistants and chiefs of staff to entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Tarra Stubbins is the founder of Take It Easy Group, a team of elite fractional Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff helping high-growth founders get out of their own way and reach the next level of success. Known for turning chaos into clarity, her team supports ambitious CEOs with time optimization, strategic execution, and operational excellence—becoming the behind-the-scenes force that helps big goals become real. Before launching Take It Easy Group, Tarra spent over two decades managing the lives of icons like Mick Jagger, Drake, Richard Branson, and Sandra Bullock—mastering the art of high-performance support at the top level. She is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, having delivered keynotes and workshops globally on topics like delegation, productivity, and entrepreneurial leadership. Tara brings a no-fluff, action-first approach to every stage, inspiring leaders to ditch overwhelm and scale with clarity and confidence. You can connect with Tarra on her website , Instagram , or LinkedIn . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

October 2, 2025Episode 4839 min

Mindful Entrepreneurship with Casey Carroll

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . Casey Carroll shares her entrepreneurial journey through nonlinear career paths, balancing multiple businesses, and creating transformative experiences for clients through her holistic approach to business and branding. Casey Carroll (she/her) is an entrepreneur, business strategist, communications professional, and hospitality expert dedicated to building social enterprises rooted in care, creativity, and community. She is Co-Owner of BWB , a holistic brand agency supporting female entrepreneurs and equity-centered businesses, and Coray Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant in Delmar, NY. Casey is also a writer, mother, coach, and facilitator known for her grounded presence and deep love of people. Her work is guided by the vision of creating bigger, longer tables—spaces where people gather, belong, and connect. A compelling speaker on creativity, customer experience, and culture-building, Casey has delivered talks such as Storytelling for Change , Applied Feminist Business , and Creating Dinners That Feel. She is the creator of Questions to Hold, a platform exploring inquiry as a revolutionary leadership practice through a podcast, card deck, and in-person experiences that invite reflection, connection, and transformation. Learn more about Enneagrams: https://www.seedstowholeness.com/ https://www.integrative9.com/ You can connect with Casey on LinkedIn . You can learn more about BWB on their website or Instagram . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

September 18, 2025Episode 4732 min

Counting on Curiosity with Jennifer Devine

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Grab your copy . Jennifer Devine shares her journey from controller at a commercial real estate development firm to owner of an accounting and technology solutions business that provides outsourced accounting services to clients. Jennifer Devine is a highly accomplished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 25 years of experience in the accounting and accounting software industry. She founded Devine Consulting in 2011, merging her expertise in accounting with her passion for software. A graduate of the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University, Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1996 and obtained her CPA license in 2000. With a diverse background that includes serving as the Controller for a prominent international commercial real estate firm, Jennifer is known for her innovative approach to accounting. Notably, she has leveraged her in-depth understanding of software to streamline multi-currency reporting systems, resulting in significant cost savings for her clients. Jennifer is dedicated to providing personalized customer service and has been recognized for her contributions with numerous accolades, including the Aggie 100. Her commitment to breaking the typical accountant stereotype and embracing new strategies to deliver added value to her clients is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to her craft. You can connect with Jennifer on her website or LinkedIn . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

September 4, 2025Episode 4632 min

After the Exit: Living, Leading, and Learning Forward with Sarah Michelle Boes

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workboo k can be ordered now! Grab your copy . Sarah Michelle Boes created and sold a multi-million dollar nurse practitioner test prep company before turning 30, only to face her newborn daughter's heart condition diagnosis just weeks after the acquisition. Her journey reveals how entrepreneurial success and personal crisis can intersect, forcing a profound reevaluation of what success truly means. Sarah Michelle Boes , MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is the Founder of Sarah Michelle NP Reviews and also served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Blueprint Test Prep. With a robust educational background including a BSN from the University of Kentucky and an MSN in Nursing Education from Western Governors University, Sarah has extensive experience in oncology, intensive care, and nursing education. After obtaining her family nurse practitioner degree in 2020 she launched SMNP Reviews, an innovative platform that rapidly grew to a seven-figure business within seven months. Following SMNP Reviews’ acquisition by Blueprint in 2022, Sarah transitioned to a role where she continued to oversee the nursing vertical while integrating cutting-edge educational technologies. You can connect with Sarah on her website , Instagram or LinkedIn . Click here to check out Beyond the Exit by John Rood . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

August 21, 2025Episode 4531 min

Scaling a Photography Startup to $10 Million with Jennifer Yeh

Julie's brand new Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook can be ordered now! Jennifer Yeh , COO of Shoott , transformed her startup photography business from $800K to over $10M in revenue in just six years by expertly connecting photographers with busy families. She shares her journey of pivoting from targeting influencers to serving moms, navigating major challenges like iOS privacy changes, and maintaining company values while scaling across 60 cities. Jennifer Yeh is the co-founder and COO of Shoott, a female-led startup revolutionizing access to professional photography across 60+ cities. With over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, operations, and creative problem-solving, she specializes in streamlining processes and driving growth. Jennifer’s leadership has helped Shoott scale from $800K to over $10 million in annual revenue while maintaining a lean, efficient team. Passionate about innovation and lifelong learning, she combines her expertise in the performing arts, economics, technology, and marketing to help organizations do more with less and turn challenges into opportunities. You can connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn . You can also learn more about Shoott on their website , LinkedIn or Instagram . Love the show or want to request a topic? Leave us a message (All submissions are anonymous, so if you'd like a reply, please include your email address!). You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram . Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals and the brand new official companion workbook ! What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!