Welcome back to Business Lesbian with Brittany Diederich! Joining the conversation today is her aunt, Laura Diederich-Carley, to talk about Brittany’s grandma, Irene who was a trailblazer and business leader during her lifetime. Tune in today to hear Laura tell stories from her life, growing up with Irene, and working with her as an adult. Gain insight into the family business and Irene’s vocal and supportive approach, before hearing about traits Laura shares with Irene and how that translates to serving the business and the community. Laura recounts a touching memory of Irene’s unwaveringly calm support during a tornado when she was a child and tells us about her parents’ bustling social life around the Craps Table. Hear about this formidable woman’s impact on her family’s life, and how her legacy shines in her daughter and granddaughter’s lives today. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hello and welcome to episode 5 of Business Lesbian where Laura Diederich-Carley talks about Brittany’s grandma Irene.

• Laura reads the rules of engagement for the Business Lesbian podcast.

• An introduction to Brittany’s aunt Laura.

• Quiet quitting and why it is up to the company to make it worthwhile to give more to your business.

• The nature of a family business and why it is so closely tied to family life.

• Why it’s significant for Brittany to talk to Laura about Irene just before she leaves the company.

• The story of Irene and her husband’s early relationship.

• Laura’s role in the family business and what she worked on with Irene.

• Her position as Special Projects Manager.

• Some of the organizations that Laura has been part of; starting with her kids’ schools.

• The triangle of support that teachers need: administrative, student, and community support.

• Irene and Laura’s community work at the YWCA.

• A memory of Irene keeping extremely calm during a tornado when Laura was a child.

• Irene and her husband’s bustling social life.

• The story of how Irene was named chair of the Neuro Psychiatric Institute.

• Laura’s thoughts on the profound impact that her mother had on her father’s career.

• Board member relationships and why the Diederichs earned the right to have the most say.

• Irene’s commitment to doing what she wanted even if it wasn’t socially acceptable.

• The Las Vegas game and the Craps Table.

• Irene’s attitude to other people’s success which Brittany has inherited.

• How Irene lost her mom and supported Laura’s friends when they went through the same thing.

• The Norwegian influence in the Diederich family value system.

• Irene’s supportive and vocal approach to life, parenting, and her husband’s career.