From Teen Mom to Dragon's Den: The Raw Truth About Business Pivots with Michelle Bong

Описание: What happens when you realize the path you’re on isn’t the one you were meant to walk? In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Bong, a former dental assistant turned beauty mogul and Dragon’s Den success story. Michelle opens up about her incredible journey of transformation—transitioning from a stable career in dentistry to launching a beauty brand out of a basement, all while navigating the complexities of being a "teen mom" and breaking generational cycles.
We dive deep into the messy, beautiful reality of reinvention. Michelle shares the raw truth about shedding old identities, the power of "calculated risk," and why seeking external validation is a trap that keeps women small. We also discuss her emotional pitch on Dragon’s Den, how she involves her children in her business to illustrate resilience, and the difficult decisions she faces now regarding work-life balance and business growth.

If you are a woman over 35 feeling the itch to pivot, or if you are struggling to balance motherhood with your ambition, this conversation is the permission slip you’ve been waiting for to step into your "20% zone" of creativity and purpose.

Key Takeaways & Themes
The Power of the Pivot: How to transition from a "safe" career to a passion project using calculated risks.
Identity Shift: Moving past labels like "Teen Mom" or "Dutiful Daughter" to define your own worth.
The Validation Trap: Why you need to stop waiting for applause and start validating your own growth.
Generational Healing: How to raise children free from societal pressure regarding marriage and traditional paths.
Dragon’s Den Behind-the-Scenes: The reality of vulnerability on national television and what it taught Michelle about her own strength.

00:00 | The Connection: How Selena and Michelle met.

04:06 | The Pivot: From dentistry to a beauty empire.

06:58 | Blocking Doubt: Using ignorance as a shield.

09:20 | The CEO Shift: Moving from employee to boss.

12:00 | Self-Belief: Why you are your own best cheerleader.

15:48 | Scaling: From a basement to a storefront.

23:23 | Modern Parenting: Involving kids in business.

28:50 | Progress: Measuring success by how far you've come.

30:36 | Resilience: Reframing the "teen mom" label.

33:29 | Mindset: Morning rituals and the "no phone" rule.

45:44 | Dragon’s Den: Behind the scenes of the TV pitch.

50:09 | What’s Next: Streamlining for the future.

Connect with Michelle

Want to learn more about Michelle’s brands and follow her journey? Check out the links below:

Elevate Brows: https://elevatebrows.com
Lash Artisan: https://lashartisan.com
Instagram:   / _michellebong