Alethea Schaeffer, Owner of Form-All Plastics and VP of Sales and Marketing at USHECO, is not only steering the ship of her family’s 60-year-old plastics manufacturing business, she’s also leading her own company through its next chapter of growth—all while balancing family life across two states.

Alethea shares her journey of leadership, delegation, and cultural transformation. Discover her work in formalizing communication structures, implementing best practices, and fostering a team-oriented, workplace culture that drives innovation and success.

Alethea also opens up about the personal side of leadership. She shares her morning routine, built around gratitude and prioritization, and reflects on how letting go of perfectionism and embracing delegation have empowered her to lead effectively across two businesses.

Where you can find Alethea: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aletheas/

Companies:

• Form-All Plastics: https://www.form-all.com/
• USHECO: https://www.usheco.com/

------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

What if life’s challenges weren’t roadblocks but stepping stones to something greater? This week, Jenny sits down with Raji Kompalli, VP of Research and Development at Laticrete, to explore the powerful mindset shifts that have propelled her remarkable career.

Raji shares how her journey from a bench scientist to a leadership role was driven by persistence, adaptability, and embracing support systems. Her story includes a pivotal moment when a visa lottery rejection forced her to return to India, only to find a way back to the U.S. and build a thriving career.

Key themes include:

• Reframing Challenges
• Adapting to new cultures
• The Leadership Mindset
• Discipline and Growth

This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to navigate challenges, build a fulfilling career, and inspire others along the way.

Tune in for insights, inspiration, and practical takeaways to shake up your approach to leadership and personal growth.

Where you can find Raji: Raji's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raji-rajeswari-kompalli-0890976b/ Company: https://www.laticrete.com/ ------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/

How do you find a workplace that truly fits? For Melissa Mazo, Manufacturing Engineer Manager at Straton Industries, the answer lay in meaningful conversations, a culture of respect, and the power of a clean manufacturing facility. In this episode, Melissa shares her journey from a CT technical high school to leading in aerospace manufacturing, all while defying stereotypes and creating space for others to succeed.

Melissa’s story begins with curiosity—learning how to create something tangible and meaningful as a teenager—and evolves into a career that blends technical mastery with leadership. Along the way, she overcame cultural and gender barriers, proving that women, particularly Latina women, have a powerful role to play in reshaping the manufacturing landscape.

Tune in to hear Melissa’s insights, tips for identifying workplace cultures, and how her passion for “making things” has driven her career. Learn what the CT Technical Schools are doing to help build the workforce of tomorrow and why you should get involved in supporting them.

Where you can find Melissa: Melissa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamazo/ Company: https://straton.com/ ------- Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/