In this episode of The Dona KAPP Show, host Dona Kappmeyer sits down with Cherie Werner, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of FIESTA, to explore the power of human connection, community building, and the ripple effect of meaningful relationships.

After spending years as a stay-at-home mom, Cherie reinvented herself at 55 and turned her search for belonging and purpose into a thriving community that brings together founders, investors, entrepreneurs, startups, tech professionals, and newcomers in Austin, Texas. Through FIESTA, she creates opportunities for people to connect, collaborate, support one another, and grow together.

Cherie shares how a simple monthly gathering evolved into a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, why meaningful relationships matter more than traditional networking, and how one introduction can lead to an investment, business partnership, friendship, or life-changing opportunity.

In this conversation, you'll discover:
- How to reinvent yourself and find a new purpose at any stage of life
- The difference between traditional networking and building a genuine community
- Why human connection remains essential in an increasingly AI-driven world
- How FIESTA helps entrepreneurs find investors, mentors, partners, and opportunities
- Why celebrating small wins can help founders navigate uncertainty and self-doubt
- How kindness, generosity, and collaboration create lasting business relationships
- The importance of supporting entrepreneurs through the highs and lows of their journey
- How one clear ask can lead to funding, growth, and unexpected opportunities
- Why meaningful introductions can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the initial connection
- How to build a community where people feel welcomed, supported, and valued

Cherie also shares inspiring stories of founders who found opportunities through FIESTA, including an entrepreneur who raised more than $2 million after asking for feedback on her pitch deck, a founder who appeared on Shark Tank, and a couple who met at a FIESTA event and later got married.

Her message is simple: connection begins with clarity, relationships grow through generosity, and opportunities emerge through trust. You don't have to change the entire world to make a difference. Sometimes, helping just one person is enough to start a ripple that continues for years.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, business leader, investor, or someone looking to discover a new purpose, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of community, collaboration, and human connection.

About Cherie Werner:
Cherie Werner is the Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of FIESTA, a community dedicated to connecting founders, investors, entrepreneurs, startups, tech professionals, and Austin newcomers. Through networking events, founder pitch opportunities, newsletters, and community initiatives, Cherie helps people build meaningful relationships and discover opportunities they might never find alone.

Subscribe to The Dona KAPP Show for more conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who are creating a positive ripple effect through their work and relationships.

Watch more episodes on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with Cherie Werner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-werner

#TheDonaKAPPShow #CherieWerner #FIESTA #CommunityBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Networking #HumanConnection #StartupFounders #BusinessGrowth #Leadership

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Please like, share, and subscribe so more business owners and leaders can discover the show.
— Dona and The Dona KAPP Show Podcast Team

Connect with Dona

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donakappmeyer
Website: https://donakapp.com/

Listen to The Dona KAPP Show

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033XgUlw2dBzh9QNyRzKFW
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-dona-kapp-show/id6795499632
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5590e534-faeb-4afd-a5bc-35989833696f

The Dona KAPP Show features honest, engaging conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders about business, life, and the ripple effect created by the choices we make.
Hosted by business coach, consultant, speaker, author, and entrepreneur Dona Kappmeyer, each episode goes beyond job titles and accomplishments to explore the experiences that shaped her guests, the challenges that tested them, and the lessons they learned along the way.

On this episode of The Dona KAPP Show, host Dona Kappmeyer welcomes Carol Warkoczewski, Founder and Chief Vision Officer/CEO of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP), to explore the architecture of leadership, building trust, servant leadership, and the power of collaboration.

With over 40 years of experience in architecture, capital projects, public sector leadership, and organizational development, Carol shares how a pivotal project partnering workshop changed her career, inspired her to launch Synergy Builders Consulting, and led her to champion stronger relationships across the design and construction industry.

In this conversation, Carol discusses why trust is the foundation of effective teamwork, how organizational silos prevent collaboration, and why leaders must listen, respect individual perspectives, and empower people at every level. She also shares personal lessons on navigating difficult seasons, recognizing when to change direction, and turning challenging experiences into opportunities for growth.

Carol explains the importance of I-LinCP and its mission to bring owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and other capital project professionals together through meaningful conversations, shared learning, and relationship building.

In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why trust is essential for effective teamwork and better decision-making
- How to break down organizational silos and encourage open communication
- What servant leadership looks like in practice
- The difference between the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule
- How to recognize when it's time to change direction and follow the right opportunities
- Why reflection, coaching, resilience, and forgiveness matter in leadership
- How public buildings and capital projects create a lasting impact on communities
- How I-LinCP builds collaboration and stronger relationships across the capital projects industry
- Why your leadership legacy is defined by the positive impact you leave on others

Carol's story is a reminder that leadership isn't just about the projects we complete or the structures we build. It's about the people we bring together, the trust we create, and the positive ripple effect we leave behind.

About Carol Warkoczewski:
Carol Warkoczewski is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer/CEO of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP). Through her work in project partnering, facilitation, and leadership development, she helps professionals build trust, improve communication, and collaborate more effectively to deliver better capital projects and stronger communities.

Learn more about I-LinCP: https://ilincp.org/
Connect with Carol on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwarkoczewski/

Subscribe to The Dona KAPP Show for more conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and change makers about leadership, business, relationships, and the ripple effect of the decisions we make.

Watch on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

#TheDonaKAPPShow #CarolWarkoczewski #Leadership #ServantLeadership #Teamwork #Trust #Collaboration #CapitalProjects #ConstructionIndustry #OrganizationalLeadership #ILinCP #LeadershipDevelopment

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Please like, share, and subscribe so more business owners and leaders can discover the show.
— Dona and The Dona KAPP Show Podcast Team

Connect with Dona

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donakappmeyer
Website: https://donakapp.com/

Listen to The Dona KAPP Show

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033XgUlw2dBzh9QNyRzKFW
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-dona-kapp-show/id6795499632
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5590e534-faeb-4afd-a5bc-35989833696f

The Dona KAPP Show features honest, engaging conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders about business, life, and the ripple effect created by the choices we make.
Hosted by business coach, consultant, speaker, author, and entrepreneur Dona Kappmeyer, each episode goes beyond job titles and accomplishments to explore the experiences that shaped her guests, the challenges that tested them, and the lessons they learned along the way.

In this episode of The Dona KAPP Show, host Dona Kappmeyer sits down with Scott Goldman, Founder & CEO of O.J.(Originations Juice), to discuss artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, commercial lending, business growth, and the importance of keeping human relationships at the center of technology.

Scott shares his journey from working at Yahoo and Lending Club to building technology that simplifies the commercial lending process. Drawing on his experience in financial services and product development, he explains how O.J. helps business owners navigate complex lending options, find suitable lenders, and make more informed financial decisions.

The conversation explores how AI can transform commercial lending by reducing administrative work, streamlining loan origination, and helping brokers and business owners spend more time building relationships. Scott explains why technology should act like an Iron Man suit for people, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing human judgment, intuition, and trust.

Scott also discusses the risks of predatory lending, the challenges of understanding loan terms, and why businesses need access to the right financing options. He shares his perspective on the future of AI, the importance of critical thinking for the next generation, and his vision for building technology that creates a positive ripple effect for businesses and society.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Scott Goldman's journey through technology, fintech, and entrepreneurship
• How AI is transforming commercial lending and loan origination
• How business owners can navigate financing options and find the right lenders
• Why understanding loan terms, repayment structures, and hidden costs matters
• How AI can reduce administrative tasks and strengthen business relationships
• Why human judgment, intuition, and trust remain essential in an AI-driven world
• The future of entrepreneurship, financial technology, and responsible AI
• How technology can empower people and create a lasting positive impact

Whether you're a business owner seeking capital, an entrepreneur building a technology company, a commercial lending professional, or someone interested in artificial intelligence and the future of work, this episode offers valuable insights into how technology can make business more efficient without making it less human.

Watch The Dona KAPP Show for more conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and change makers who are creating a meaningful impact.

Subscribe to the channel for more inspiring interviews and discussions about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, technology, and the ripple effect of the decisions we make.

Connect with Scott Goldman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meet-oj/?isSelfProfile=false

#TheDonaKAPPShow #ScottGoldman #ArtificialIntelligence #CommercialLending #Entrepreneurship #Fintech #BusinessGrowth #FutureOfAI #BusinessLeadership

I hope you enjoy this episode!
Please like, share, and subscribe so more business owners and leaders can discover the show.
— Dona and The Dona KAPP Show Podcast Team

Connect with Dona

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donakappmeyer
Website: https://donakapp.com/

Listen to The Dona KAPP Show

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033XgUlw2dBzh9QNyRzKFW
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-dona-kapp-show/id6795499632
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5590e534-faeb-4afd-a5bc-35989833696f

The Dona KAPP Show features honest, engaging conversations with business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders about business, life, and the ripple effect created by the choices we make.
Hosted by business coach, consultant, speaker, author, and entrepreneur Dona Kappmeyer, each episode goes beyond job titles and accomplishments to explore the experiences that shaped her guests, the challenges that tested them, and the lessons they learned along the way.