YouTube Podcast - Southaven Business Beat

Southaven Business Beat On YouTube

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She turned retirement into a movement for women in business.
After 40 years in corporate America, Karen Mager created CrèmeMagnolia, a community built to guide and mentor women starting their own businesses.

In this episode of Southaven Business Beat, host Cristan Engelke sits down with Karen to uncover how she turned decades of hard-won lessons into a mission-driven platform helping women avoid costly mistakes, build confidence, and find real support. Her story is proof that passion and planning can turn any dream into reality—at any age.

Karen shares her journey from changing her name on a résumé just to get an interview in a male-dominated field, to mentoring hundreds of women across the country. Now, through CrèmeMagnolia, she’s created a virtual hub filled with practical tools, mentorship, and a community that believes every woman deserves a seat at the table.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•How Karen went from a 1973 Volkswagen to running a 17-state transportation company
•Why she sold it all to start CrèmeMagnolia and what inspired her new mission
•The real costs of starting a business and how women can access affordable resources
•What mentorship looks like today and how her “She Speaks” platform changes the game
•The 80+ free downloads every new business owner should know about
•The difference between “having passion” and having a plan that actually works
•The lessons behind her new book Unpolished but Unstoppable and how it connects to her journey

Why this matters now:
DeSoto County continues to see record growth in small business startups, especially among women entrepreneurs. Many face barriers like lack of funding, training, or access to mentors. Karen’s story shows what’s possible when experience meets purpose. Her $23 annual membership gives women real tools and one-on-one help—not sales pitches or empty promises. For local business owners looking to start or scale, this episode offers a roadmap that’s both practical and inspiring.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to Southaven Business Beat
00:40 – Meet Karen Mager, Founder of Crème Magnolia
02:00 – Breaking Barriers: How She Entered a Male-Dominated Industry
03:40 – From Volkswagen to a 17-State Transportation Company
05:10 – The Birth of Crème Magnolia
07:00 – Why Passion Alone Isn’t Enough
08:30 – The “She Speaks” Platform Explained
10:00 – Affordable Mentorship for Women Entrepreneurs
12:30 – Technology Challenges and Triumphs
14:50 – Building a Legacy and Mentoring the Next Generation
17:20 – Testimonials and Real Results
21:00 – Membership Options and What You Get
24:30 – The True Value of Resources
28:00 – Unpolished but Unstoppable – The Book Launch
30:00 – Her Best Advice for New Entrepreneurs
31:30 – The Chamber Connection
34:00 – Final Reflections
36:00 – Sponsor Acknowledgments

Guest Spotlight:
Karen Mager is the founder of CrèmeMagnolia, an online mentorship community providing tools, resources, and encouragement for women in business. The platform includes over 80 vetted business documents, webinars, and direct mentorship opportunities. She’s also the author of Unpolished but Unstoppable, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.

Watch this if you’re:

•A woman ready to start or relaunch your business
•A mentor, coach, or Chamber member who supports local entrepreneurship
•Someone who believes experience should never go to waste
•Interested in authentic stories of business growth from right here in Mississippi

About Southaven Business Beat:
Produced in partnership with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce and Southaven Chamber Foundation, Southaven Business Beat brings you conversations with the people shaping our local business community. Each episode highlights success stories, challenges, and the practical lessons behind thriving Mississippi businesses.

Call to Action:
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode filled with real stories, local insight, and business advice from DeSoto County leaders.
Visit SouthavenChamber.com for Chamber events and resources.
Learn more about Pure Focus Media at purefocus.media
Learn more about Wisdom Integrators at wisdomintegrators.com
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