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She Said / She Said with Laura Cox KaplanAuthor: Laura Cox Kaplan
Through engaging, one-on-one interviews, She Said/She Said is enriching (and challenging) the conversation about womens leadership -- what it looks like and how we define it. Were celebrating, supporting and showcasing a broader range of role models who are leading in inspiring ways -- large and small -- but always with insight and impact. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Practical Career Moves That Built a $100M Exit and launched an AI Startup, Ekyam.ai Founder & CEO Mariah Chase
Thursday, 12 March, 2026
SHOW NOTES Episode 359“Girl's Gotta Eat": Practical Career Moves That Built a $100M Exit and launched an AI startupGuest: Mariah Chase, co-founder / CEO, Ekyam.aiTHIS WEEK'S TOPIC:So many of us approach our careers with the hope that each job or decision leads us closer to some “right” path. But what if your most powerful asset is a blend of every experience: good, bad, logical, or unexpected? This week’s guest, Mariah Chase, exemplifies the idea of “experience equity” and offers a candid, insightful blueprint for embracing career pivots, building entrepreneurial muscle, and thriving through ambiguity and adversity.This episode is for anyone who’s felt stuck, unsure, burnt out, or just looking at an unfamiliar path and wondering: Am I allowed to make a bet on myself?ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST:Mariah Chase is the co-founder and CEO of Ekyam.ai, an AI-native inventory data platform helping retailers and brands wield data more accurately and powerfully. Prior to entering the world of tech, Mariah was an entrepreneur, operator, and leader across fashion (think Roger Vivier and Tory Burch), communications, licensing, and e-commerce spaces, including a 9-year stint serving as CEO of Eloquii, a fashion brand for women sizes 14 and up. She’s led companies through successful acquisitions, weathered “miraculous” exits, experienced burnout, and proven that the most valuable leadership skill might just be asking great questions (especially when you have no idea what you’re doing).KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:THE POWER OF “EXPERIENCE EQUITY”: Laura Cox Kaplan introduces the idea that every job, skill, and even hardship adds to your unique “equity” and Mariah Chase shows how her career pivots, from PR to startup exits to leading in tech, layered together to build her “portfolio” (01:07–02:20).JUMPING BEFORE YOU’RE “QUALIFIED”: Mariah describes how she made bold moves without having all the boxes checked, and how ambition, practical necessity, and hunger can be powerful motivators when evaluating new opportunities (07:19–10:19).WHEN IT’S TIME TO LEAVE (AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S NEXT): Real talk about burnout, being honest with yourself, and having the courage to walk away from comfort, security, or a leadership role, even if you have “no clue” what’s next, and why that’s OK (37:22–39:42).THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAM & LEARNING FROM OTHERS: How Mariah’s time at Eloquii taught her the value of surrounding yourself with incredible talent and being relentlessly curious (and unafraid to ask questions, no matter how basic) (29:27–32:21).CAREER PHILOSOPHY: The difference between making decisions “in the moment” (out of practicality or hunger) and how your story looks “philosophical” only in hindsight. Mariah shares honest reflections on both (14:02–14:52).THE POWER OF INTUITION & BEING OPPORTUNISTIC: How evaluating options, listening to your gut instinct (“bad vibes are never wrong”), and mining your own network can lead to the opportunity you never expected (21:28–22:28).NAVIGATING “MIRACLE” EXITS & BIG CORPORATE TRANSITIONS: Behind-the-scenes of selling a business, working inside giants like QVC and Walmart, and managing stakeholder expectations, customer loyalty, and internal advocacy (19:00–37:05).LEAPING INTO TECH & AI: Why Mariah said “absolutely not” to her own invitation to lead an AI startup, what changed her mind, and what Ekyam.ai is building for the future retail economy (40:01–45:21).ADVICE FOR WOMEN FACING THE UNKNOWN: Mariah’s three “OP” words: Open-minded, Optimistic, and Opportunistic, and guidance for anyone wrestling with a career pivot, uncertainty, or a sense of being “stuck.” Plus, why no job is ever 100% bad or perfect (48:01–51:32).Mariah brings wisdom, humor, and authenticity to every lesson from the value of being “failure rich,” to building (and deploying) experience equity, to finding purpose in surprise pivots. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to embrace the messy, nonlinear, brilliantly valuable journey that is your career.We can’t wait to hear what resonated for you! Please share your feedback or questions after you listen, and remember to leave us a review!LOOKING FOR MORE SHE SAID/SHE SAID? You’ll find all our episodes & lots more content: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comLET’S CONNECT!Instagram: @lauracoxkaplanLinkedIn: Laura Cox KaplanContact: shesaidshesaidpodcast.comEmail: info@shesaid.mediaPLEASE RATE AND REVIEW SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCASTLove the show? Please consider leaving a review on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps shape the podcast and brings more amazing content your way!MORE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR SHE SAID/SHE SAID PODCAST LISTENERS: Use the link below to shop all of our special offers and receive exclusive She Said listener discounts:Get them at: https://MyDeals.Page/1w7dBe sure to use our Promo Code: SHESAID at checkoutNote: She Said/She Said Podcast is a weekly production of She Said/She Said Media.
