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The Hard Launch

Natasha Yuhjtman

Where founder life meets the chaos, joy, and drama of weddings, relationships, and real life.

Hosted by Natasha Yuhjtman — a founder, mom, and entrepreneur — The Hard Launch is a podcast that explores what it really takes to build something from scratch: a business, a brand, a marriage, or even your dream wedding.

Each week, Natasha sits down with startup founders, wedding industry experts, and creative entrepreneurs for candid conversations about the messy, beautiful, and often hilarious process of launching and scaling anything worth building. Together, they unpack the behind-the-scenes realities of entrepreneurship, love, and personal growth — from navigating founder burnout and creative pivots to rethinking relationship dynamics and startup-style wedding planning.

Whether it's AI-powered wedding tools, female founders redefining success, or love lessons learned the hard way, The Hard Launch is your go-to podcast for discovering how to balance ambition, relationships, and real life — and still find joy in the process.

For founders, creatives, dreamers, and anyone juggling big ideas, big love, and even bigger goals.

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21 episodes
weekly
Avg 59 min
English

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S1 · E26
Tuesday · 52 min
Betting on Yourself When the Path Keeps Changing, with Becca Wenning, founder of Dressit
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Becca Wenning, founder of Dressit, to talk about betting on yourself, navigating change and building a business through some incredibly challenging seasons. Becca shares the story of leaving her first career behind, building a bridal business, nearly quitting multiple times, and eventually taking the leap into technology and AI. She also talks about the "pivot people" who can completely change the trajectory of your journey, the importance of having a supportive partner, and why sometimes the hardest moments are the ones that come just before something great. This episode is great for founders, entrepreneurs and anyone navigating a period of change, uncertainty or reinvention — especially if you're wondering whether to keep going or take a different path. Follow Becca on LinkedIn Learn more about Dressit Request an invitation to the Bria app Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E25
August 18 · 56 min
The Founder Mindset That Creates Long-Term Value, with Maggie Lord
This week, Natasha sits down with Maggie Lord, founder and CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic from 2008 - 2020, and co-founder of The Whisper Group, to explore what it really takes to build a business with long-term value. From growing one of the internet's biggest wedding media brands and selling it to David's Bridal, to helping women founders prepare their businesses for successful exits, Maggie shares honest insights on hiring, scaling, founder dependency and why every entrepreneur should build with the future in mind. They also dive into the realities of building a business while raising young children, the pressure many women founders face to do it all, and why creating systems, trusting others and thinking beyond yourself can unlock the next stage of growth. Whether you're just starting out or dreaming of one day selling your business, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring perspective. Learn more about The Whisper Group www.wearethewhispergroup.com Follow on Instagram @wearethewhispergroup Follow Maggie on LinkedIn Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E24
August 11 · 51 min
How Niching Down Built a Global Brand, with Shafonne Myers, founder of Pretty Pear Bride
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Shafonne Myers, founder of Pretty Pear Bride, to explore how she built a media brand dedicated to serving an audience that had long been overlooked. What began as a mission to better support plus-size brides has grown into a trusted platform, with Shafonne sharing the lessons she's learned about entrepreneurship, representation, and building a business with purpose. Together, they discuss growing a niche brand, the evolution of wedding media, how AI is helping founders work smarter, and why creating content that genuinely serves your audience is the key to building lasting trust and impact. Work with Shafonne www.shafonnemyers.com Follow Shafonne on Instagram @shafonnemyers Find out more about Pretty Pear Bride Find out more about Aisle Society Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E23
August 4 · 52 min
The Art of Designing With Intention, with Amanda Luu, founder of Studio Mondine
This week Natasha sits down with Amanda Luu, founder of Studio Mondine, to explore the art of designing with intention. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese practice of Ikebana, Amanda shares how slowing down, embracing simplicity, and finding meaning in every detail has shaped both her creative philosophy and her approach to floral design. Together, they discuss the power of storytelling through flowers, building a creative business rooted in authenticity, and why the most memorable designs aren't always the biggest or most elaborate—they're the ones that make people feel something. This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, purpose, and the beauty of designing with intention. Follow Studio Mondine on Instagram Book a catch up with Amanda - 20 minute meeting Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E22
July 28 · 52 min
Building a Business That Brings People Together, with Virginia Frischkorn, founder of Partytrick
In this episode, Natasha sits down with Virginia Frischkorn, founder of Partytrick, to explore the power of human connection and why building a business that brings people together has become her mission. Inspired by growing up in an entrepreneurial family and the lasting impact of her father, Virginia shares how purpose, community, and legacy have shaped both her life and the company she's building. Together, they discuss creating a mission-driven business, building systems that scale, embracing AI and innovation without losing the human touch, and why the most meaningful companies are the ones that solve real problems while helping people feel like they belong. Find out more about Partytrick here Meet Virginia here Follow Partytrick on Instagram Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E21
July 21 · 57 min
Sometimes the Best Decision is to Start Again, with Rumaiza Ali, co-founder of Wedy
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Rumaiza, co-founder of Wedy, to explore what it really means to start again. After making the difficult decision to close one business, Rumaiza took a leap of faith and went all in on a new venture—betting on herself, her vision, and a problem she believed was worth solving. Together, they discuss the realities of early-stage entrepreneurship, why founders should focus on getting their first customer instead of chasing perfection, how AI is shaping the future of the wedding industry, and why sometimes the biggest risk leads to the greatest opportunity. Follow Rumaiza and Wedy on Instagram @rumaizaali_ and @wedy.ai Learn more about Wendy here Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E20
July 14 · 54 min
How AI Will Change Event Planning Forever, with Julie Novack, Founder & CEO of PartySlate
This week, Natasha sits down with Julie Novack, founder and CEO of PartySlate, to explore the journey from dreaming up a bold idea to building one of the world's leading event discovery platforms. Julie shares what gave her the confidence to leave a successful corporate career, why founders shouldn't be afraid to dream out loud, and how that leap of faith led to creating a category-defining business. Together, they discuss how AI is transforming the future of event planning, what it takes to build and scale a trusted marketplace, raising capital, and why execution will always matter more than ideas. Julie also shares practical advice for entrepreneurs navigating rapid technological change, the importance of listening to customers, and how AI can become a powerful tool for creativity rather than simply another search engine. Follow PartySlate on Instagram Find venues, vendors, and ideas for all event types with PartySlate Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E19
July 7 · 1 hr 12 min
The Power of Shooting Your Shot, with Michelle Elaine, Luxury Events, Weddings, and Design
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Michelle Elaine, luxury wedding planner and founder of Michelle Elaine Events, to explore a career built on resilience, reinvention, and taking chances. From training under industry icons David Tutera and Robert Verdi to navigating the pandemic, joining the startup world, and returning to weddings with a fresh perspective, Michelle shares the lessons that shaped her journey. Together, they discuss the power of shooting your shot, building genuine relationships, breaking into competitive industries, and why the best opportunities often come from staying curious, adaptable, and willing to reinvent yourself. Whether you're a founder, creative, or entrepreneur navigating your next chapter, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring career lessons. Follow Michelle Elaine on Instagram Work with Michelle Elaine Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E18
June 30 · 59 min
Leaving a Unicorn Startup to Reinvent Wedding Planning, with Hannah Roze, Founder & CEO of Plannerd
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Hannah Roze to explore the realities of building a startup through life's biggest transitions. After leaving a high-growth unicorn startup, Hannah set out to solve a problem she experienced firsthand while planning her own wedding—transforming a personal frustration into a business opportunity. Together, they discuss the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, building with conviction when the path isn't clear, navigating motherhood alongside startup life, and why resilience matters more than having all the answers. This is an honest conversation about starting from scratch, trusting the process, and finding the courage to keep going when things get hard. Follow Plannerd on Instagram Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E17
June 23 · 1 hr
How the Right Partnership Can Change Everything, with Nora Sheils, founder of Bridal Bliss & co-founder of Rock Paper Coin
Nora Sheils built her first company at just 22 years old after winning a college business plan competition—and she's been building ever since. In this episode, Nora sits down with Natasha to share the journey from founding Bridal Bliss, one of the Pacific Northwest's leading wedding planning companies, to co-founding Rock Paper Coin, a software platform transforming how wedding and event professionals manage contracts and payments. Nora opens up about growing up in an immigrant family, navigating entrepreneurship as a mother, finding the right co-founder, and the lessons she's learned from building businesses in an industry often underestimated by outsiders. From scaling teams and avoiding micromanagement to raising investment and balancing family life, this conversation is packed with practical insights for founders at every stage. Follow @bridalblissnw and @rockpapercoin on Instagram Work with Bridal Bliss here Find out more about Rock Paper Coin here Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
S1 · E16
June 16 · 56 min
Why Some Founders Move Fast (and Others Stay Stuck), with Elizabeth Wexler
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Elizabeth Wexler, a hospitality veteran and the founder of Emlan Events, a bespoke wedding and event planning agency, and Spennie, a curated wedding registry platform connecting couples with independent boutique retailers. Drawing on more than 15 years in the events industry, Elizabeth shares how she turned her experience into two thriving businesses at the intersection of weddings, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. From the pivotal moment that gave her the confidence to launch her own company to building a tech startup without outside investors, Elizabeth reflects on why some founders move quickly while others stay stuck. She and Natasha discuss decision-making, networking, motherhood, AI's impact on the wedding industry, and why some of the best business ideas come from identifying a problem and taking action before you feel fully ready. Follow @emlan_events and @lets_spennie on Instagram Work with Emlan Events here Find out more about Spennie here Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram
February 20 · 53 min
Why He Left The "American Dream" To Bet On Himself And The Mindset Shift That Carries You Through Uncertainty
Join Natasha Yuhjtman for another episode of The Hard Launch as she sits down with Luciano Barajas, co-founder of His & Hers Events. In this episode, Luciano shares the story behind building one of the most immersive luxury event brands. From growing up in a traditional immigrant household to leaving a secure corporate role and launching during COVID, Luciano opens up about risk, identity, and betting on yourself when no one else fully understands the vision. He reflects on co-founder dynamics, using Instagram to fuel early growth, learning to say no to protect quality, and the moment he realized he had truly "made it." This episode is about creative courage, partnership, and redefining what success really means. Follow His & Hers on Instagram Work with His & Hers here Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Luciano Barajas + the story behind His & Hers Events 04:45 – Leaving corporate life & proving his parents wrong 09:52 – Six years in business + the Super Bowl "pinch me" moment 11:30 – From high school drama to co-founders 19:34 – Building a co-founder partnership that actually works 25:20 – Their luxury design process + trusting the vision 30:16 – When events don't go as planned 43:44 – How Instagram fueled 80% of early growth 50:37 – Scaling without sacrificing quality 55:43 – The moment he realized he had "made it" 58:57 – What's next: interior design, travel & building a design house
February 12 · 1 hr 1 min
How serial founders build, rebuild, and leverage Every Lesson
In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Dylan Petro, founder of WedPing, and Morgan Kennedy, the newest member of the WedPing team, to unpack what building from zero to one actually looks like in an underserved industry. Dylan shares his journey from launching a real-life dating app in NYC to building wedding tech, breaking down the hard distinction between traction and true product-market fit. and why "good" isn't good enough if no one is obsessed. He opens up about luck, timing, knowing when a business model doesn't work, and why staying alive long enough is sometimes the only strategy. Morgan brings the wedding industry perspective, revealing the communication gaps planners face daily and what it takes to introduce new tech into a fragmented, relationship driven space. Together, they dive into selling innovation before the market fully understands it, simplifying AI so it feels invisible, and why building for intensity, not volume, changes everything. This episode is for founders chasing product market fit and wedding pros thinking about the future of events. Learn more abourt WedPings at Wedping.com Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 05:13 – Traction vs. Obsession 08:01 – The Audacious Hypothesis Test 10:16 – Great Product, Bad Business 28:38 – The 2-Minute Demo Rule 36:03 – Stay Alive Long Enough 38:16 – When to Quit vs. When to Pivot 47:16 – AI as an Ingredient, Not the Dish 50:26 – Founder + Parent Perspective 57:25 – Advice for Non-Technical Founders
February 5 · 1 hr 5 min
Sarah Klingman On Building With Conviction, The Realities of Zero to One, & Reframing Pivots
Sarah Klingman, founder and CEO of Mostest, joins the show to share what building from zero to one really looks like. She breaks down the early-stage reality founders don't talk about, why "pivoting" is often misunderstood, and how reframing change can unlock better decisions and long-term growth. Sarah talks about conviction over noise, following the breadcrumbs instead of a rigid plan, and what it takes to build a company without burning out. This episode is a must-listen for founders, creators, and working parents navigating early-stage startups, motherhood, and modern entrepreneurship. More about Mostest Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + casual banter before diving in 01:15 – Sarah Klingman's background and founding story of Mostest 03:54 – Why corporate event planning at Adidas exposed a massive market gap 09:30 – The "full-body sweat" birthday party moment that changed everything 14:55 – Why founders must stay close to the work (and actually plan events) 22:38 – The first version of Mostest and what went wrong with hourly pricing 27:38 – Why "pivoting" is often just learning (and why Sarah hates the word) 48:21 – Building a startup while raising three kids: the real zero-to-one reality
February 2 · 1 hr 3 min
From Side Hustle to Wedding Powerhouse to Tech Founder ft. Annie Lee
In this episode, Natasha sits down with legendary wedding planner and entrepreneur Annie Lee, founder of Daughter of Design and Plannie, to explore what it really takes to build longevity, relevance, and innovation in the wedding industry. Annie shares how she accidentally entered weddings, how growing up in a family of interior designers shaped her creative eye, and why studying history helps her anticipate shifts in wedding trends. Annie discusses why weddings are uniquely recession proof, how planners can stand out in an oversaturated luxury market, and what it takes to build lasting credibility through media, relationships, and visibility. They also dive into the creation of Plannie and unpack how technology, AI, and changing consumer behavior are reshaping the future of weddings. This episode is a must listen for planners, creatives, and founders looking to evolve beyond traditional models and build sustainable businesses. More about plannie More about Daughter of Design Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Annie's path into weddings, early career, and design background 05:31 – Design, history, and how wedding trends evolve over time 15:21 – Recession-proof weddings, market saturation, and industry shifts 27:01 – Building Daughter of Design, media credibility, and standing out 39:31 – Why Plani was created & the rise of hourly, fractional planning 50:31 – Technology, AI, and the future of event planning 01:00:46 Advice for planners, defining success, and what's next
January 22 · 1 hr 14 min
Weather Witchcraft, Climate Chaos & Six-Figure Weddings: How Andrew Levitt Turned Event Disasters Into a Luxury Concierge Forecasting Empire
#12 In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Andrew Levitt, founder of Ironic, to unpack how he built a niche, profitable company at the intersection of weddings, weather, and event safety—without chasing the traditional startup playbook. Andrew shares how he went from DJ-ing and touring in live music to concierge meteorology for ultra high-end events, why his first tech product flopped, and how redefining success as a "mom and pop" business helped him avoid burnout while still serving top planners around the world. They dive into bootstrapping on credit cards, building credibility in a small, tight-knit industry, setting boundaries with the wrong clients, and what it really looks like to offer human-led, high-touch services in the age of AI. Andrew also breaks down the rise of Etsy "weather witches," how most $12 spells miss the mark, and the story behind co-creating a New Orleans voodoo-inspired blessing offering that blends ritual with real meteorology. If you're an entrepreneur navigating pivots, pressure, or the temptation to "go big" just because everyone says you should, this conversation will hit home. More about Ironic Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 00:01 – Andrew's unconventional path into weather, events, and weddings 05:06 – The entrepreneurial itch: finding "what's not there" 08:15 – Why Andrew's first tech product failed (and what it taught him) 10:45 – Startup vs small business: choosing sustainability over hype 15:55 – Burnout, failure, and why you have to get it wrong first 23:32 – Finding the right clients (and why not everyone is your customer) 27:35 – How Andrew built credibility in a tight-knit wedding industry 35:41 – "Pay to play": getting into the right rooms and building relationships 41:09 – The truth about Etsy witches and wedding weather 01:11:50 – Practical weather planning advice every couple should know
January 15 · 1 hr 7 min
Zvi Goffer on Why Perfect Plans Kill Great Businesses and the Accidental Pivot That Proved It
#11 What started as a VR campus tour turned into something far more powerful. In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha Yuhjtman sits down with Zvi Goffer, founder of Reloom, to unpack how an accidental moment led to a breakthrough business—one that allows people to relive their most meaningful life moments through immersive VR. Zvi shares why overanalyzing risk can kill great ideas, how listening (not planning) unlocked his biggest pivot, and what it takes to earn trust in relationship-driven industries like luxury weddings. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, intuition, emotional product-market fit, and building something so impactful people don't just buy it—they feel it. More about Reloom Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Zvi's entrepreneurial mindset 03:15 – Choosing entrepreneurship over traditional employment 07:20 – How Zvi thinks about risk as a founder 12:05 – The origin of Campus VR and early market research 18:40 – The emotional moment that sparked the Reloom pivot 23:05 – First wedding in VR and realizing the impact 30:20 – What Reloom is and how "moment-specific time travel" works 35:25 – Scaling a hardware-based business across cities 44:45 – Breaking into the luxury wedding industry and earning trust 01:03:55 – Advice for founders entering industries they don't come from
January 9 · 1 hr 1 min
Ali Carbone on Wedding Planning, Motherhood, and Building a Community-First Business
#10 Ali Carbone joins The Hard Launch to share her journey from on camera journalism and red carpet reporting to founding What Do I Do Brides, a modern bridal community born from her own wedding planning frustrations. Ali and Natasha dive into what it really looks like to pivot careers and build community. They talk candidly about entrepreneurship, personal branding, and navigating massive life transitions in parallel, from launching a company to marriage and stepping into motherhood. This episode is for anyone rethinking their career path, building something from scratch, or learning how to grow a business while evolving as a person. More about What Do I Do Bride Follow Ali Carbone on Instagram Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + Ali's background in journalism and red carpet reporting 03:10 – The shift in media, influencer culture, and losing the traditional journalism path 08:30 – Leaving Hollywood Life & searching for what came next 10:00 – Wedding planning frustration & the idea for What Do I Do Brides 14:00 – Building a wedding-centric community from personal pain points 17:45 – Hosting the first community dinner & creating industry relationships 22:45 – Turning community questions into podcasts and resources 27:45 – Advice for brides: values, budgets, and setting boundaries early 35:55 – Why bride-first community is the real differentiator 41:15 – Scaling the brand, motherhood, and building something bigger than yourself
Dec 19, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
From 20 Jobs to Seven-Figure Celebrations with Chris Weinberg
#8 She worked 20+ jobs before accidentally discovering the business that would change her life. Chris Weinberg never set out to be a wedding planner, but one chaotic event taught her the most important lesson in luxury: experience is everything. In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with the founder of Chris Weinberg Events to break down the moment she stopped undercharging, rewrote her pricing model, and scaled from solo planner to producing multi-day, six-figure celebrations. They talk pricing strategy, luxury client psychology, avoiding costly budget surprises, why founders need tunnel vision, and what the future of weddings looks like in a world of AI and immersive tech. Follow about Chris Weinberg Events on Instagram Work with Chris Weinberg Events here Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 02:30 – Chris's Career Before Weddings 05:55 – The Moment That Changed Everything 08:45 – Guest Experience as the Core Philosophy 12:00 – Fear, Risk & Entrepreneurship 15:00 – Investing in Education & Finding Her Tribe 18:55 – Pricing Mistakes & Tripling Her Rates 22:00 – Building a Team & Scaling 25:45 – Choosing the Right Luxury Clients 29:45 – Multi-Day Luxury Events Explained 32:15 – Budgeting Transparency (Minimum + Percentage) 36:00 – Why She Created The Event Summit 41:45 – Motherhood, Legacy & Business 47:55 – Tech, AI & the Future of Events 54:00 – Rapid Fire + Wild Event Story 58:30 – Final Advice & Where to Find Chris
Dec 11, 2025 · 56 min
The Unfiltered Founder Experience and What it Really Takes to Build a Business While Building a Life with Kathleen Sheppard
#7 In this episode of The Hard Launch, Natasha sits down with Kathleen Sheppard—three-time founder and co-creator of Tote—to talk about building a startup while building a life. Kathleen shares the personal growth, resilience, and alignment required to navigate foundership and the lessons that come from betting on yourself and creating a life that truly fits. She also opens up about her Bora Bora engagement, planning a destination wedding in Menorca, and how she and her partner balance both being founders, fiancés, and future family-builders. A grounded, honest conversation about love, leadership, and the milestones that shape us as entrepreneurs. More about Tote Follow The Hard Launch on Instagram Follow Natasha on Instagram Watch the full episode on YouTube Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + introducing Kathleen 01:00 – Kathleen's path to becoming a 3x founder 04:00 – Lessons from past startups & finding real customer pain points 09:00 – Product-market fit, prototyping, and team dynamics 13:30 – Kathleen's Bora Bora engagement 16:00 – Wedding planning while building a company 20:00 – Balancing two founder schedules + boundaries 24:00 – Vendor challenges + destination wedding logistics 30:00 – How relationship dynamics influence startup life 34:00 – Emotional support, resilience, and future planning 41:00 – Advice for founders juggling life milestones 48:00 – What Kathleen has learned about herself 52:00 – Co-founder dynamics & how they met

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