In this episode of Business Unzipped, Gem sits down with powerhouse entrepreneur and strategist Allison Bridges, a business consultant with a vibrant network of female founders and influencers.

Allison has built and scaled 8+ startups, from scrappy $10K bootstraps to multimillion-dollar enterprises, generating $48.8M+ in revenue and closing $3.2M in franchise sales in a single year. She leads Experts Only, a strategy platform for founders who crave more than cookie-cutter advice, and she brings that same energy to our conversation.

We dive into how to land your first client or sale, and why it’s often the biggest hurdle, common mistakes early-stage companies make (and how to avoid them) as well as some unconventional advice that might just change your approach (spoiler: it involves ditching traditional emails!)

Allison is the embodiment of the modern entrepreneur, juggling multiple businesses, motherhood, higher education, and speaking engagements with grace and grit.

Our host Gem Fletcher is a communications strategist, podcast host, and coach-in-training who blends neuroscience, storytelling, and systems thinking to spark meaningful change. she creates space for honest conversations about leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth—unpacking what it really takes to build thriving organisations.

A finalist for Best Female Leader in the Best Business Women Awards 2025, Gem brings over a decade of experience in strategic content creation, pitch development, and organisational analysis. Her work is rooted in authenticity, measurable impact, and a deep belief in the power of reflection and connection.

Whether she’s coaching leaders through transitions, crafting compelling narratives, or exploring the science of engagement, Gem is driven by one mission: to help people and businesses grow with intention.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone building something bold and looking for real, actionable insight.