What if leadership didn’t have to be lonely? What if building your business could feel like a joyful act of service—not just a climb to the top?

In this episode of Build the Damn Thing, Kathryn Finney sits down with her longtime collaborator and friend, Darlene Gillard Jones, to unpack the emotional reality of entrepreneurship. From surviving literal blizzards in North Carolina to producing a runway show that changed lives, Kathryn and Darlene reflect on the power of building with people who believe in you—and how joy, levity, and legacy show up in the startup trenches.

This is more than a behind-the-scenes conversation. It’s a blueprint for how to build with purpose, how to honor the people who helped you get there, and how to know when it’s time to move on.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the people you build with matter more than any pitch deck

• How levity and laughter can be leadership superpowers

• What it looks like to transition out of something with grace

• How to spot the difference between someone who’s with you and someone who wants to be you

• Why small acts of generosity can create big ripple effects (hello, Doonie Fund)

If you’re navigating your own leadership journey—or learning how to build the damn thing while staying rooted in who you are—this conversation is your reminder to lead with joy, love, and unapologetic clarity.

✨ Hit subscribe, leave a review, and send this episode to someone who rides with you in the storm and the spotlight. Because leadership is a team sport—and your joy is part of the strategy.