Pivot With Purpose Season 6 Episode 24 Dr. Neda Hovaizi Full Transcript
Neda (00:00.078)
camera. okay.
Meghan Houle (00:00.964)
No, well, let's see how goes. Okay. All right. Hi, Neda. Welcome to the Pivot With Purpose podcast. How are you? Thanks so much for joining us today.
Neda (00:10.68)
Thank you so much, Megan. You are so cute. Thank you for having me and I am just so excited to be here.
Meghan Houle (00:17.202)
my gosh, it's my pleasure. And I love how Serendipity brought us together from one Boston female founder, girly, all things business, professional woman, badass to another. Yes, we are. Here we are. Tell us a little bit about where we're catching you. I always love to kick off the podcast at the here and now. So maybe doing your your own elevator pitch, as I know I intro you in. But tell us a little bit about what you're doing, you know, some business highlights and
would love to get into your pivots and then some big community building efforts that you have going on. Yeah.
Neda (00:48.846)
Yes, absolutely. And you just make it so fun to talk. So I like, I want to sit here and just listen to you talk so I can totally get why you have a podcast. I love it. I hope to be magnetic like you one day, Miss Megan Hall. Thank you. So yeah, a little bit background about me. I am formally trained as a dentist. I am in people's mouths 90 % of my time.
Meghan Houle (00:59.315)
we tried.
You are. You are.
Neda (01:12.654)
I love it, I love being transformative. I love people having a healthy mouth, a confident mouth. I believe the smile is a connection to your soul. And yeah, I've been a dentist and a practice owner for 14 years now. Yeah, for 10 of those years, I also own a med spa. I do aesthetic medicine. I feel that through doing Botox fillers, teeth, I have found my calling in helping people be the best version of themselves.
And there is a limit on how much you can do that with somebody when you're wet handed. And I say wet handed meaning like pedal to the metal, gloves on and like treating patients in a clinical setting. And it's so rewarding to me and I love it so, so much. But I am finding myself limited in how many people I can see on a daily basis, how many lives I can touch in a short amount of time. And so my pivot has been that
You know, all these years of clinical practice in dentistry, aesthetic medicine has brought me to this idea of being a thought leader and helping people become the best version of themselves through personal development and community building and really pouring my love into other women the way that love has been poured into me.
Meghan Houle (02:37.298)
Wait, can you hear me? Did I go like a little dark? Hold on. No, it's okay. Okay, good. Wait, turn off your camera. I'm gonna do mine just so it like doesn't take up the stupid bandwidth. Cause I feel like that's so good. And where you ended, I can definitely pick up. And I, of course we edit this. So it won't sound crazy. Like what are you guys doing?
Neda (02:38.571)
is that my internet? Okay, now I can hear you.
Neda (02:48.16)
Okay, camera.
Neda (02:54.934)
I love it. I don't know why it's not letting me unclick the Camera. there we go. Yay.
Meghan Houle (03:03.942)
There you go. Okay, perfect. Yay. Okay, so going back. my gosh, Shannata, thank you so much for sharing all that. And can I tell you, first of all, what you're doing right now in just the dental world and with all of the Med Spa offerings, which we call Facial Harmony. And I'll tell you why I know that is because I've had two major reconstructive surgeries. So people that know me well are on this podcast. I actually was born with a jaw deformity.
And Netta, I literally have a million dollar mouth. I'm not kidding and you know this and I will show you my x-rays internally where I look like the Terminator with all the pins and plates in my face. But yeah, I am my first orthognathic surgery for anyone listening in. You're gonna be educated now on the dental jargon, but it's a full reconstructive jaw surgery where they actually break your jaw to reset it. And the first round, as you can imagine in 1998,
Neda (03:34.127)
I had no idea.
Meghan Houle (04:03.41)
we were not as advanced as we were in my second round in 2016, whereas there is a very smaller pool of individuals that are able to operate in that surgery versus what I had beforehand. And what happened to me is I had like a relapse. So I actually hadn't stopped growing yet, Netta, and my bones like kept, I know, kept growing. They did not do like the iodine test or anything like that in the 1990s. They're like, you're fine. So I had to have it again.
Neda (04:22.029)
Ugh.
Meghan Houle (04:32.73)
I wanted to have a functioning mouth. And I'm telling you, my jaw and my teeth have just fought me my entire life. And even with a second round.
Neda (04:35.791)
my gosh.
Neda (04:41.506)
Well, you have an absolutely beautiful smile. I am just, I can't believe that you've been through all of that, because you can't tell. You really can't tell.
Meghan Houle (04:45.09)
my god, I love you.
Thank you for nears. my God, I love it. Well, like if you got me in the office, you'd like, okay. But like even for my second surgery, I had an issue where my muscles froze and I couldn't open my mouth or close my mouth. I was in like jaw rehab where like I was a physical therapist like in my jaw, like with this thumb, like pushing my mouth, like open and close. Like I couldn't eat sushi or like bite into apples. Cause I couldn't open my mouth, Nara. Wild.
Neda (05:17.618)
my God, it's so debilitating. It's so debilitating. see a lot, it's, I mean, it's not just like your talk, like I said, it's a connection to your heart. And when you can't function, like your smile, the way your mouth moves, the way you eat and function, like it's almost like you can't be a true expression of yourself. And so I'm not happy that you have this experience, but I'm so like, I feel so seen that you know what I'm talking about when I say it's a connection to your soul.
Meghan Houle (05:19.282)
I mean...
Meghan Houle (05:34.919)
And now.
Meghan Houle (05:41.266)
I do. Yes. Yes. I had adult braces again back into my late 30s, which is in itself. Now I just feel like people ... Yeah, it's not like you're in high school and everyone's like, I have braces, but when you're 35 and you have braces again, even though they were clear, I'm like, okay, we're doing this again. But your confidence and whatnot.
You know, it's definitely a bit different and I show up now like very vivacious and like showing all the teeth and everything I can brushing them My husband's like, my god, you're such a wackadoo, but I'm like, well, we're gonna spend all this money You got to take care of your mouth people period like no matter like what your teeth situation take care of your mouth But then I love to where your facial harmony comes in because that's where I really got started with some of the facial harmony for me with like
Neda (06:16.295)
Absolutely.
Meghan Houle (06:26.502)
having them kind of cut out a part of my jaw and having my face balanced. So, you know, I just love what you do and I'm sure you make people feel amazing and what you do is just not easy. Do you take on one-on-one patients yourself or do you run like the whole operation with like dental, you know, consultant like supports or hygienist or like whatnot? Like what's your day to day like just at your business? Yeah.
Neda (06:47.468)
Yeah, I do. I still see patients one-on-one, both in dentistry and in aesthetics, but I've definitely cut down a significant amount. I have a lot of support. have nurses and other dentists that do support me and that do work with me. one of my greatest joys has also been being able to mentor and really, you know, the way that I practice aesthetic medicine, the way that I practice dentistry, I think stands out.
Meghan Houle (06:55.538)
Awesome. Yeah.
Neda (07:14.402)
from the rest because for me, it's not a business in aesthetics. It's not a business in medicine. It's really like giving a value to the patient that they are not gonna be able to find everywhere else. Like there's only so many places that are gonna look at you like a human being are going to look at your mouth and say, how can I help this person be the best expression of themselves? And not like, where are the dollar signs and where's the kaching and where's the force and where's the sales? you know, I just...
chose very early in my career that that wasn't going to be what drove me. And it's paid off so much in the sense of like, just feeling part of people's lives. have such a human family that's so large, that extends so large because all my patients have become my friends, my family that we call ourselves the Lume family. Not only the staff, but our patients because they know that like, I'm always gonna offer and suggest what's best for them. I do feel like
Meghan Houle (08:02.172)
Huh? Yeah.
Neda (08:12.098)
you know, I'm on a podcast called Pivot Worth Purpose. So, you know, I have to talk to you about how I, but I really have felt that I'm pivoting into this more like let's change how dentistry is done. Let's change how business in healthcare is done because it's not about the bottom line at the end of the day. It's about how much value I gave that person. And yes, I get paid for what I do and I get paid well for what I do because what I do is not something easy, but.
Meghan Houle (08:15.396)
Yes. Yes.
Neda (08:38.638)
It feels so good to be standing for a mission and for purpose rather than like dollars and cents.
Meghan Houle (08:45.51)
Yep. amen to that. And is what you're doing today what you thought you would be doing early on in your career?
Neda (08:53.784)
So I wanted to be a dentist since I was four years old, my very first dental appointment. Yeah. I've totally, I was, I was, I was like, I'm gonna be a dentist when I grow up and I could see my parents eyes rolling all the time. my God, this, this chick doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. Nobody wants to be a dentist. And I did, it was almost like because they told me I didn't really wanna be one, that it was like, I was so confident that I absolutely had to be.
Meghan Houle (08:56.508)
my God, I love you. Yes, you did. Like, I love you. Were you like in everyone's mouths? Like, how did that transpire?
Neda (09:23.502)
And I guess that shows that early signs of, I don't want to say stubborn, but like maybe headstrong, maybe like adamant, maybe like not going to take no for an answer. And it's not what I thought it was going to be because when I was in high school, I had decided that I loved beauty and I was going to be a hairdresser. My parents at that point were like, no, actually you are going to be a dentist. Shut up about this hairdressers business.
Meghan Houle (09:46.162)
Mmm.
Meghan Houle (09:51.601)
Yeah.
Neda (09:52.268)
you could do that as like a hobby. And I was like, no, but I love making people look and feel beautiful. And I think that's kind of how the aesthetic part of it developed. And I am really good with my hands and I have a skill of like taking an idea and then making it into reality with my hands. And I think that's where my strength in dentistry comes, my compassion. But I think what's really awesome about humans and maybe the thought process that I kind of grew up around.
Meghan Houle (10:01.414)
Mm-hmm.
Neda (10:21.718)
is that you don't have to be the same person you were 10 years ago. I was a person who, my biggest dream was to own a dental practice and practice dentistry on my terms and with my philosophy. And now I am a person who loves that I did that and loves that I'm teaching other people to do that. But I am meant for so much more than what I'm doing right this second or what I did 10 years ago. And I love that about humanity. I love that we're so, we grow.
Meghan Houle (10:26.012)
Yep.
Meghan Houle (10:46.226)
Yeah.
Neda (10:50.238)
in every moment we can redefine ourselves like the next second.
Meghan Houle (10:50.736)
Yeah.
Meghan Houle (10:54.258)
100%. I mean, I will tell you, I'm not sure if you even feel this, but even this time last year, like I'm not the same person I am today, even from a year ago. And I don't, I feel like if we're not growing and expanding, and listen, some of us are easier said than done, where I understand. And I know you're building an amazing community, maybe to help empower, especially women, to sort of see themselves in a new way, or like know that anything is possible and you can do it. And here's a community of support, because I do know people feel so alone.
or in those decisions and be like, can't do it, I'm not good enough to do this, or they have family members or other support systems around them being like, why are you doing that? You don't need to do that. Stay in the certainty job, stay comfortable, stay in your space, because that's what makes me the most comfortable, which is crazy, because what are we missing out on by not pursuing those dreams?
Neda (11:44.334)
Yeah.
Meghan Houle (11:45.724)
Tell me before we get really into this new, NETA, next level elevated thought leader, what did it take to establish your own practice, NETA? What have you learned through that process of building these multiple businesses where I just feel like your purpose and mission is so inspiring? Yeah.
Neda (12:05.06)
thank you. Yeah, mean, it's like pedal to the metal brick and mortar is not easy. I mean, you've been in that space yourself. And I think, you know, just keeping the lights on sometimes you don't realize like, it takes 10 people. It takes 10 people to do just that. like, you know, branding, that was our hugest thing is that like we came with this at the time when like Instagram was just starting off and like, you know, people were just starting to put pictures online, like we had
Meghan Houle (12:10.615)
huh.
Meghan Houle (12:20.166)
Yes.
Neda (12:34.912)
really taken off in this idea of like, we were the girls in the pink scrubs that everybody wanted to come to in Quincy, you know? And it was like, that's really what catapulted us was me honoring the fact that I love pink and me honoring the fact that like, I enjoy working with people who like to take care of themselves and like to take care of other people and really like setting a philosophy for our practice that this isn't just like a
Drill and fill, drill and bill, what do they say? Drill and bill. This is, yes. But also you're billing, know, but also you're billing. So yeah, no, I think just like standing for a paradigm shift that like people deserve to come and like have an experience.
Meghan Houle (13:05.974)
Mm. my God. I love that. Drill it. But also you're filling, but also drilling. I mean, they both make sense, but also, yes, I love that. Yes. Yes.
Neda (13:28.554)
So yeah, know, setting up systems and processes, like nobody wants to do that. I just want to do the romantic part of like having, you know, a philosophy and sticking to it and having patients come in and have like a spiritual awakening while having their crown done, you know, that's what I wanted to stand for. like recognizing that I needed to put people in places in my business that I didn't find my strengths.
Meghan Houle (13:28.636)
Mm-hmm.
Meghan Houle (13:34.897)
Right.
Meghan Houle (13:46.567)
Yeah.
Neda (13:53.682)
SOPs, like let's learn how to bill insurance. Let's learn how to, you know, have a plan when COVID hits, you know, all these crazy things about business ownership. And like, I think what I found is the hardest thing about business ownership is really staff staffing. And like my employees are part of my family and I'm so proud that like the employees that I've had with me 13 years ago are still with me.
Meghan Houle (13:54.896)
Yeah.
Meghan Houle (14:21.864)
wow. Yeah.
Neda (14:21.866)
Of course, some have come and gone, but like, you know, I have employees that leave because they've had a child and then come back and then grow into management positions with me in my business. And I feel.
Meghan Houle (14:49.37)
Yeah, no, but that's so great. I mean, yeah, no, it really is. And then to have the longevity of what you have in a business says a lot about you. As I know, we're talking about this recording beforehand. I mean, there so many clients I work with that just unfortunately don't
have great reputations and a lot of them, I'm hesitant always to be able to pick up new projects with, I'm like, I want to make sure someone's going to a good home and they're going to be set up for success. And people work for people. I would say like more or less than ever, there are people that are not chasing the big juicy titles or like the brands with the stars on their eyes. So like, who am I going to be working for? And a lot of times you see that boss if they do transition to another brand.
you you see the following of those that, you know, want to continue to be a part of their leadership team and they'll leave and follow with them. So it says a lot about you and what you're building and...
I think I need to change dentists now because yes, please like empower me while you're in my mouth, like redoing my veneers or whatever I need now next. But yeah, I'll take that all day as I just feel like the dentist in itself is like, you know, you have to do it to keep the mouth health going. But when you can like look forward to it, I mean, you got a million billion dollar business model there too. Or I'm sure your patients can't wait to see you. And you guys, everyone listening in Netta is just such a beautiful like.
warm soul like to your core. I know you're good people. So it's so amazing and not. Yeah, surprising that you have been so successful. So let's talk about next level Netta. So where did this burning like in your soul come to say like, okay, I'm more not my voice and maybe reaching a bigger audience, you know, is here to like be this thought leader and help women and build a community. So tell me a little bit about, know, where we're catching in that pivot of
Meghan Houle (16:43.27)
sort of stepping out of the office, so to speak, quote unquote, and starting to really form this female community, which I know we're starting here in Boston, as Nettie's here in Boston with me, but there's so much opportunity to grow and expand further, really across country, globally, wherever we need to kind of look for those women that need support and advice and mentorship. So what is that era for you right now that you feel like you're in and where did that come from? Yeah.
Meghan Houle (18:18.066)
100%. Yeah. wait, can you hear me? Hello? Wait, Nada. I lost you.
Meghan Houle (18:30.915)
wait, now you're back. no.
Hold please.
Neda (18:48.257)
I'm so sorry, Megan, can you hear me? okay, okay, okay, okay. Let me turn off my video camera. Okay, there we go. Can you still hear me?
Meghan Houle (18:48.658)
There you are. no, it's fine. It's still recording. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now I can.
Meghan Houle (18:56.282)
Okay. Okay. Yeah, you were talking about being the strong gree law. Yes. Yeah. wait. There you go. Yeah.
Neda (19:04.857)
yeah, so being the Shangri-La, I just wanted to like scream it from the rooftops and say that I have learned this and I'm finding happiness again. And I wanted to teach my parents, I wanted to teach my sister, I wanted to teach all my family how to be happy because I was thinking to myself all the time, like I've done everything right, but I never.
I don't feel like how I'm supposed to feel. And so that started that whole kind of self discovery and recognizing that like, okay, maybe life is not meant to be the way that maybe the meaning of life is not exactly what I always believed it was. And so this curiosity started in me and I still felt like, my God, so.
lit up by dentistry and I felt so excited to be able to help people with my hands, but I just knew that there was a little bit more. And so that whole journey, I have a friend that says, Netta 2.0 is my inspiration. I think Netta 2.0 is a Netta that came to self, recognized how valuable she was and how I'm not a workhorse that just makes a lot of money because I'm good at a skill.
that I spent a lot of time learning. Like I am so much more than what I do with my hands. I am so much more than that. And I have so much more to give to this world. It's not about like, can I make more money? Absolutely. We all want to be more successful. We all want to be able to have the luxuries of time, the luxuries to give, you know, the private jet is not bad either, but like that's not my driving force.
Meghan Houle (20:48.582)
I mean, I'll share it with you, girl. got you. Two bougie ladies over here, say less. We'll share it, absolutely. No, seriously, I have like a sticker on my computer that says like, only fly first class. like, come for me people if you'd like. But like, you work hard for those like big goals. Listen, and it doesn't have to be just like the vanity things, but like you wanna expand, but also like it's...
Neda (20:53.325)
Bye! I love it! But I'm still...
Neda (21:10.923)
No, yeah.
Meghan Houle (21:13.594)
Life is short. You live it. Do the things you want to do. Do things that make you happy, right? Mm-hmm. Yes.
Neda (21:15.753)
Enjoy it. And then this whole idea of coming to yourself and like, I mean, I remember there was a time when people would ask me my opinion and I wouldn't know what my opinion was. Like, I would think like, what is my opinion supposed to be? And it was this lack of connection with myself, the lack of connection with my essence. And when I came to self, when I recognized like who I am as an energetic being and an energetic source, it was like this
Meghan Houle (21:29.03)
Mm-mm.
Yep.
Neda (21:45.269)
unlimited fountain of energy and fountain of like, expression came through. And actually one of our main saying at the MedSpot is embrace the fountain of you. Because what I found was that it wasn't youth, it's not youth that gives us this unlimited source of energy. It is you. And when you come to yourself, when you build that relationship with yourself and have that connection with a higher power or, you know, a universe or however people want to explain God.
it's like this unlimited fountain of a few. And so that recognition, that realization is what brought happiness and fulfillment back into my life. And I just felt like, my God, I need to help other people who I'm sure were taught the same way as me, because that was the best we knew at the time that need my help, that need to come to this realization and like find their euphoria too.
Meghan Houle (22:43.142)
Yeah. Well, where do you feel like you found the power to harness that voice? Because that resonates with me very heavily. I would say my moment was like going through the pandemic of recognizing very maybe what's been your journey now, too, of like, OK, I've meant for more, but I need to work through some things. And I just even feel like all the personal development I've been doing, even year over year now, like,
my bio changes, my story change, how I present myself change, and it just gets stronger, better, more clear, more concise. But sometimes it's a journey. And I think a lot of times that voice that people don't harness is truly what holds us back if we can't say who we are and what we bring to this world and share it with those that need to know it or however, whatever our goal is to utilize our voice. But it's pretty powerful when you can really say, I know who I am. And this is me unapologetically. But maybe for some advice for individuals listening in that just feel like,
they don't have a voice or, you know, I work with so many women that are like, I don't have anything going on. I'm like, you do. But what are some best tips or tricks that really have helped you to find that voice and now using it too for this like greater purpose and community?
Neda (23:56.663)
that way. I think...
Meghan Houle (23:58.162)
Mm-hmm.
Neda (24:02.221)
I'm so sorry, I lost my train of thought. Can you ask the beginning part one more time?
Meghan Houle (24:05.61)
no, it's okay. Yeah, just like where did you find the power to harness your voice and how is that serving you now?
Neda (24:13.207)
Yeah, so I think what really resonated with me about what you just said though is also the journey because that journey is really what people connect with. It's not the fact that I have found myself. It's the fact that people see the difference between NETA 1.0 and NETA 2.0. It's that they feel a difference in my energy and that that can influence them because like I think about it as like my high school like organic chemistry teacher.
Meghan Houle (24:18.076)
Mm-hmm.
Neda (24:42.659)
Like I could not connect with this guy. He was the genius of everything, but I couldn't like, couldn't learn from him because he was too far away from where I was in my journey. And so I really love that what you said about like the journey and like evolving and continuing to evolve because that's like the beauty in all of this is that like when somebody is closer to where you are in your journey, for example, why do you and I connect so much is that like we are both on this journey and
the excitement that I see about your journey is the excitement that I see in my own journey. And like we have a connection over that and I feel connected to you and there's this magnetic energy and I learn from you more than I can learn from somebody who went through this journey 20 years ago and is Shangri-La-Mana. Like, you know, I cannot learn from that person. And I think that that's so beautiful. I met...
Meghan Houle (25:34.022)
Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Neda (25:40.269)
people in my life who were on their journey and they inspired my journey and they fan, I say this all the time, like sometimes we're a raging fire and we can light so many other fires. Sometimes we're just like barely an ember and when you have friends around you, when you have a community around you who can fan those embers back into flames, like that's the energy I want to be around. I don't need to always be a raging fire.
or be next to somebody who's a raging fire. I just need to be around people who are willing to fan each other's embers and to cheer you on and like, yeah, I think that's a roundabout way of saying.
Meghan Houle (26:18.746)
Yeah, no, I love it. And it's finding your voice, but then again, finding others that can lift your voice that you're inspired by that maybe you're on the same path that birds of a feather girl, we got to stick together and there's so much power in community. And with that, so pivoting to this new, fab, fierce female. And I would love to hear like how this sort of community idea came into play for you. And I do feel like you had an event.
Neda (26:29.73)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (26:45.328)
You've had events with Fierce Female, but we're obviously looking at a very exciting event coming up in November at an amazing location where everyone listening in after this podcast, you better scroll, you better click the link, you better use my code, you better sign up. If you're in Boston, I need to see you in real life. And Neda and I will give you big squeezes and you're going to walk away feeling amazing. But where did the vision for this community come together for you? And how are you building it? And who are those people?
Neda (26:51.011)
Yeah!
Neda (27:00.449)
Yes!
Meghan Houle (27:14.81)
inside of it so far. Yeah.
Neda (27:16.597)
Yeah, so it all started 2022 for me. I was laid up in bed with COVID and it was the best time of my life because my husband was taking care of the kids and nobody could come bother me. Exactly. And I was well into my personal discovery journey and my personal development and all this come to self stuff was already happening. And I felt like a complete person and a whole person. And I was excited about like,
Meghan Houle (27:24.274)
You're like, nobody touched me. Amazing. Yes.
Neda (27:43.317)
expanding my network and I was like, I want this person to invite me. I want this person to, and I'm like trying to manifest this shit. And I'm like sitting in bed sick with COVID and I'm like, why am I trying to get other people to invite me to their events? Why don't I have an event and invite all the people who inspire me in one place? And so it it started off as like just like a beautiful party at my house. And I had 50 women that inspired me from different walks of life come to my house.
Meghan Houle (28:01.212)
Yes.
Neda (28:12.789)
It was an out of body spiritual experience. did fashion, we did flowers, and honestly the name Fab Fierce Females came because it was fall and I was doing a fashion show and I was doing a flower arranging activity and I was like, okay, so this is a lot of Fs, so let's do some alliteration here. Like, what can I do with Fs? So I was like, okay, Fab Fierce Females and fall fashion and f-
Meghan Houle (28:18.674)
Love it.
Uh-huh.
Meghan Houle (28:33.51)
Mm-hmm. Lots. Mm-hmm.
Neda (28:40.983)
Flowers and Fab Fierce Females, that's what it was called. So that's where it started. Yeah, lots of Fs. Different type of F bomb, but that's where it started. And then so many people had a great time and they said, know, Neda, you should do that more often. And I was like, my God, it was like I put on a wedding.
Meghan Houle (28:43.186)
Yeah, yeah, there you go. Easy to remember. Yeah, lots of apps. Yeah. Yeah.
Neda (29:01.403)
I was like, okay, I'll think about that. And then the following year we did it as a ticketed event and we did it similar. It was a party, there was some immersive experiences, there was a lot of activities to bring you and connect you with who you are. And these women were just like, Neda, this felt like I was lit on fire. Something inside me is different than before this event.
Meghan Houle (29:01.458)
100%. Yeah. Yeah.
Neda (29:25.187)
That was such a motivation to me. My friends, my family members, people who knew Netta 1.0 and also knew Netta 2.0 and said like, my God, this is what you've done. Like this is how you've grown. This is who you've become and like we want a piece of it. And I'm like, my God, thank you. First of all, and second of all, I feel so fulfilled. So let's do this on a grander scale. Cause that was the feedback. Like Netta, yeah, it's a great party and it's a great event, but like I want to learn more about.
Meghan Houle (29:35.538)
I'm sorry.
Meghan Houle (29:43.154)
Wow.
Neda (29:52.675)
I want to learn more about business. I want to learn more about how to be better at content creation. Like think that's a huge thing with people who, you know, come from a different generation. Like I don't know how to be magnetic online. I know how to be magnetic in person, but like let's learn. Like all these tools are out here and there's so many women who are fabulous at this. Let them fan your embers into freaking flames. And so that's where FFFCon came from and it's a convention of purpose-driven women.
Meghan Houle (30:01.104)
Wow, yeah.
Neda (30:21.859)
ready to fan each other's flames into fires.
Meghan Houle (30:25.346)
Yeah, because that was going to be my next question of like, what were some of the topics coming up that maybe people in that community are really struggling with? And now I know with this FFFCOM, you are highly curating a room and a lot of educational individuals with breakouts and panels and such to maybe pour into some of those learnings that women want to take away, whether you're in a corporate job or whether you're an entrepreneur.
I feel like there's something for everyone, but there's definitely a common denominator many times of just collectively what we all sort of struggle with. So what were some of those early conversations within some of these like first groups that you just felt like women were like feeling really down and out or defeated? Like is there a common theme that has been coming up that you're so excited for people to come up and show up and say, hey, we're really going to tackle this and you're going to walk away feeling really good. It sounds like a myriad of things, but is there like one theme? Yeah, yeah.
Neda (31:19.029)
Yeah, no, there's so many some well, I think leadership and being purpose driven because it all came down to like for me, like where I was making all this money and I wasn't feeling fulfilled. So I needed to find more purpose and more passion to be able to find that. So I think the overarching theme is being purpose driven and having, you know, something that drives you that's more than dollars and cents. However, I think what's really cool about like even what you're going to speak about is that like some
Money is power and we are so powerful as like human beings and like let's learn how to master money Let's learn how to master Not only having it but managing it and taking the ick out of it because I think like you said it like a lot of times We think to be you know, feminine and and well even I'm not even gonna say for anybody else But for me myself at being in health care
I always felt so awful about charging money for something that somebody needed to be healthy. And I did so much freaking free dentistry in the first few years of my life and it felt really good, but I burnt out because how much can you give of yourself when you're not refilling and replenishing. But learning your value, being able to really master.
Meghan Houle (32:19.42)
Yeah. Yeah.
Meghan Houle (32:24.05)
I mean, wow, yeah.
Yes.
Neda (32:39.479)
who you are and the value that you give and to value yourself. So that's really exciting. I think this overarching theme of like, again, coming to self, knowing who you are and then whether that's in money, in leadership, in business, in personal development. I think that that's what's really hard about this event is because people ask me to sum it up in one sentence and I can't. Can I ask you, can you sum it up in one sentence, Megan Hall?
Meghan Houle (32:56.817)
I'm sorry.
Meghan Houle (33:04.624)
Yeah, well, I'm trying, yeah, yes I can, I got you girl. Well, everyone listening, I mean, I think it's a campaign of you, where you said the fountain of you, I mean, pouring into yourself. This is a campaign of you where, and I don't know if this resonates with you, I mean, you have a beautiful family, you have multiple businesses, like you've borne to everyone else. We can talk about strategies of how you make sure you take care of you, but I do feel like for some women, whether it be personal things that they're managing or professional things like,
Neda (33:13.334)
Yeah.
Meghan Houle (33:32.402)
because life gets so busy and there's all these other things that we need to do to support others or whatever. We tend to become second fiddle when if we are not feeling 100 % and powerful in our voice, in our confidence, in our health and whatnot, everything else around us is really, you're sort of locked into survival mode, right? Of waking up every day, going through the motions, getting through, and it doesn't need to be like that. And I think for individuals like you that are creating this community in Boston,
Neda (33:41.89)
Yes.
Neda (33:54.136)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (34:02.034)
and otherwise that I'm really seeing, especially with events and in person for those that feel comfortable showing up and for anyone listening, just like get into the room. It's this transformational, like finally this phase, like when you had COVID, not that we're saying anyone else needs to it, but like to like be with yourself and be around women that are gonna light those embers in you and maybe seeing the potential that you don't even know that you see. Like sometimes just talking to somebody.
Neda (34:20.29)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (34:28.21)
You come up with these ideas and you're like, wait, I never thought about it that way. So I feel like this whole event is truly showing up in a campaign of you of giving yourself the investment to put yourself first and walk away feeling empowered to go ask for a raise, try a new social media strategy, put a different professional pep in your step, elevate your leadership on your team and maybe trying some new things like the lineup.
Neda (34:41.121)
Yes.
Neda (34:46.892)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (34:56.636)
for this event. There's just so many diverse backgrounds and levels and layers to like all these women that are speaking that I really feel like there's something for everyone and whether a topic resonates a little stronger with you or not, it's time to pour into us.
especially before the new year as everyone waits for a new year resolutions, whatever. Like, I don't know about you, Nana, but that only adds like anxiety to me when I think about January 1st, I'm like, don't push a reset button. It's like, no, it's literally just a continuation of this year as I have things already like booked out for like March and February and whatnot. But I think for any women listening that are interested or excited about an event like this, it's a safe space to be a little vulnerable, emotional,
Neda (35:19.071)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (35:39.962)
get it out and have like a space for someone to hold you in to know that you're not alone. And then building strategies to like tackle whatever goal that you have and just learn, always be learning. That's my big, that's my big thing in life. know? Yeah.
Neda (35:46.604)
Yes.
Neda (35:54.123)
Yes, absolutely learn. And I think a lot of times we forget that we have a lot of that knowledge within us and we need it to be like just turned on. And there's a community of women who want to turn on these already known things inside of you and help you be the best version of yourself. It's like, you know, the theme theme of the event is step into the spotlight. It is like take up space.
Meghan Houle (36:20.166)
Yes.
Neda (36:22.899)
main character era. am in my main character era and it's time for us to all feel confident enough to be able to step into that spotlight, be able to take up space, be able to be in our main character era because that for me is what changed everything and I just want everybody to feel that way and I know it's going to be like an out of body experience for everybody who shows up and who like invests in themselves. know, it's not just the money about
Meghan Houle (36:25.062)
Yes. Yeah.
Neda (36:50.143)
It's about taking the time. I know it's a Sunday and for me Sundays are great because like I have support and I don't have to see patients but like I know sometimes people have like children and games and whatnot and it's an investment. It's a sacrifice. You have to sacrifice one thing to do another and I hope that people can feel the value and that they get the benefit 10 times over when they come to the event. I know that they will because I've set that intention and each year
It's done that and so I'm so excited to share the stage with you and all the wonderful ladies who are coming.
Meghan Houle (37:23.61)
Yes.
100 % no. And I think that a few things like first, we are worthy enough to invest in ourselves. So for the nominal costs, like to get in a room and have life changing conversations, like you can't put a value to that, no way. And second of all this highly curated room where the topics and the leaders are truly like experts in these fields.
Neda (37:41.143)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (37:50.45)
where I know you're pouring your heart and soul to make sure it's amazing and people are gonna walk away saying like, my gosh, like what is the next one? Right, creating that FOMO and like having this like continue on longterm. But then third, you know, I will say to anyone, cause I get asked a lot like, Megan, what are these events? What should I go to? What should I, it's like, what is your goal to invest in something like this? Like if you are doing this investment, what do you, what do you wanna walk away with?
Neda (37:59.974)
Ha ha ha!
Meghan Houle (38:17.06)
you know, like what is your goal to go in and be in this room? And maybe it's starting off if you're feeling nervous or anxious, like having small conversations. But what I always love and I think a great way to like, you know, meet somebody new beyond just asking about like, what do you do? It's like, what are you loving right now? What are some things you're loving to do? I mean, Boston's such a small city. I think once you get chatting with people, we probably know somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody. So there's like all these like connections already and networking and maybe there'll be people to come from.
Neda (38:17.825)
Yes.
Neda (38:40.736)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (38:46.29)
Other cities that I I certainly have like an amazing New York following here too. But what is your future hope for this community, Nada, in these events, but maybe like maintaining them too throughout the year? Like, what do you think 2025 is going to look like for you as we set to transition a new year as well in your goal? Yeah.
Neda (39:06.424)
Yeah, so throughout this planning process, there's just been so much excitement about the event, not just from us, but the people who we talk to about it, who we've invited to speak, those who haven't been able to come this year are so excited about next year, they're already on the roster, there's venues that are bidding to be the next place that we hold the event. there's a lot of proof of concept just through the planning process.
Meghan Houle (39:28.1)
awesome.
Neda (39:34.465)
which is super exciting for me because I think, again, it started off as like a little inkling in my head and now it's this almost like this movement, this paradigm shift of like women in their femininity are so incredibly powerful and they make a mark that is noteworthy and that people around us are taking note and
It just goes to show that like one person is very strong and one woman on her own is certainly strong and capable of whatever she dreams and desires. But when we come together in community, the sky, not only, not even the sky limits us. And I think my dream for this movement is that we, as women, recognize our power, that we don't have to become more masculine to become our full expression of power. And when we come together, we don't
actually take away from each other. In essence, we actually build each other up and getting to the top of the mountain together with my friends is so much more fun than going by myself. So that's, think, my biggest purpose.
Meghan Houle (40:35.484)
Yes.
I love it. No, 100%. And I just feel like that unfortunately kind of has been a narrative for many years of like seeing a woman that's doing something similar than you and like gatekeeping information because like, she can't know my strategies or my secret sauce. And it's like,
but maybe she can compliment you in a way where it helps your business and then you're teaching your new things. So I definitely love this shift that I've been seeing over the past couple of years where women are really getting together and saying like, we could be doing the same things, but we don't necessarily have to be in competition with each other. So, amen to that. I'm really excited. I can't wait. But before I let you go too, you know, just curious on your advice as it.
Neda (41:08.322)
Yes.
Neda (41:12.641)
Yes, I love it. Yes.
Meghan Houle (41:19.526)
Definitely sounds like from a very young age, you were locked in, knew what you wanted to do, have built these incredible businesses. And now in this like Net-a-2.0 era of like taking your thought leadership and expanding your voice into a different community and bringing others in to really inspire and teach and educate. But maybe for somebody in a pivot of purpose, you know, of their own, of just maybe being in a corporate position or...
Maybe there's a business that someone's running where they just don't feel like they're getting traction or maybe they need to make a change. Like what would you say to somebody that's looking for their own pivot with purpose at this point in their life or career?
Neda (41:56.789)
Yeah, I think my biggest advice would be that when you listen to your heart, it will never lead you astray. And if you don't hear what your heart is saying, that's what you need to work on is getting really clear, getting really connected with who you are, your essence, because then there's this like relationship that will never lead you astray. There's this relationship that will always be your biggest cheerleader. There's this
unlimited source of capabilities once you get really clear on who it is you are. You don't have to wonder anymore. It just pours into you. I hope that that wasn't too abstract, but I think that that's, if I could put it into words, what changed my life is that.
Meghan Houle (42:38.022)
Yeah.
Meghan Houle (42:44.146)
Yeah, the clarity. It's all about clarity. And anyone that comes to me in career coaching or otherwise that's like sitting and struggling, you my first questions I'll ask are like, what do you want to do? What do you want to be doing? I don't know. And it's like, you got to figure that out. And, you know, I say like, make make three columns, like one column that is like a heck no column. I know don't want to be doing this. And then the other column that's like a heck yes column with like, you know, for free 99, I would get paid to do these things with confidence.
Neda (42:57.858)
Yes.
Neda (43:05.088)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (43:13.36)
And then like down the middle is all of those hard and soft skills that like make you who you are. And in between there is like, I'm really good at this or operations or people or service or, you know, whatever it is. And I think with the resources that we have and more to come, whether it be a LinkedIn or kind of putting yourself in job boards or just having conversations and entrepreneurial communities like this of like, hey, I was thinking of starting a business or hey, was thinking of pivoting into merchandising.
then start singing out loud and telling people that need to know about your goal, who can help you along the way, is really gonna continue to move the needle. But joining events like what Netta is throwing here in Boston certainly is a great kickoff to finding that clarity and getting re-energized before the end of the year, before the holidays.
Neda (43:47.511)
Yes.
Meghan Houle (43:58.62)
which we know is another heavy time of year for many of just navigating all of the holiday things. tell us a little bit about the logistics of the event, and just kind of promoting it before I let you go. So date, time, place, and we'll link everything and of course have people follow you as well, but give us a little scoop on what to expect and where, yeah.
Neda (44:00.949)
Yes, girl.
Neda (44:20.705)
Yes, I'm so, absolutely so excited to meet you guys and give you big hugs. The event is FFFCon on November 17th at the Seaport Hotel. It's a convention, so it's all day from registration and check-in is at nine and we end the day at five. If you do get a VIP ticket, which I believe we only have two more left, yeah, there's a VIP dinner at 5.30 with our keynote speaker, Sarah El-Madani.
Meghan Houle (44:44.346)
yay!
Neda (44:50.403)
and our host, which is Carly, Harvey, Raymond, and all the speakers, including Miss Megan Hul, will be at the VIP dinner. So we get this intimate, really romanticized dinner. I'm so excited for that. That will be at 5.30. So it's an all-day event. We do have a room block at the Seaport Hotel, so if you wanna take advantage of that, you certainly can.
Meghan Houle (45:01.254)
Yes.
Neda (45:17.151)
I will be staying there the night before and the night after, so it's gonna be a party!
Meghan Houle (45:21.746)
It's going to be a party. And I have to tell you, that hotel is such good energy because that's where I got married almost 14 years ago.
Neda (45:26.467)
stop!
Meghan Houle (45:29.074)
for 2713, we are at the World Trade, which really doesn't exist because they like totally redid the World Trade Center across the way. But one of those rooms is where we got married. Now it's completely renovated. But our hotel was Seaport because we wanted to like easily walk like over and back and forth in the bridge. So you guys, it's such a beautiful hotel. There's so much great energy in that. So I'm excited to be back because it's been a while since I've been in the hotel. And last time I was there, I was a married woman. yeah, I know. yeah.
Neda (45:51.064)
my god!
I love that, Megan. I didn't know that. This is gonna be a wonderful full circle moment.
Meghan Houle (45:58.736)
Yeah. Full circle. Now I'm in there teaching women how to feel amazing and build whether they're professional confidence or their business confidence. But I will tell you, events like this have really changed my life. And if you've been following me for a long time, you have even so graciously and generously even talked about it already, Neto, just like kind of the inspiration maybe that you get from me. But it's just something that is so true to me.
to be able to fill my cup with women that are like NEDA, that are really just creating these rooms for women to feel more clarity and purpose. I can't wait to talk about money for a girl that was like, I have $2 my bacon cow until I was like 24. You know, it really is something where if you harness the power of money mindset and being able to stand in your worth and your value, whether you're negotiating business contracts, negotiating a new salary, like.
This is something I live and breathe, and I'm just so empowered by sharing my insights with women so they can make more money and live their life with more flow and ease. So thank you for having me. And I cannot wait. So I'm so excited. And yeah, for anyone else listening to follow you, are there any other platforms that you love to have people follow you, engage with you? What are some of your favorite social platforms where people can find you? Yeah.
Neda (47:20.253)
Yeah, I am on Instagram with Neta Hovazy, my first and last name. And also Fab Fierce Females is on Instagram. We just started that and it is taking fire. Like I'm really enjoying like learning how to do all this stuff. But Neta Hovazy is probably the best way and Fab Fierce Females on Instagram.
Meghan Houle (47:40.24)
And Nettie's like fashion, yeah, and your beauty is like on point, you're gorgeous, human, inside and out, my friend. So thank you so much for being on the podcast with me and for bringing me into your world. And I can't wait to see everyone on the 17th of November. So click the link, sign up, and we'll just give you all kinds of hugs and lots of energy in person. So thank you, Nettie, you're amazing. Thank you for sharing your pivot story and I will see you soon.
Neda (48:00.983)
Yeah
Neda (48:06.925)
Thank you, Megan, I love you.
Meghan Houle (48:08.804)
Love you, girl.