We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deanna Radulescu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Deanna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Embarking on the journey of creating and nurturing the Label Free Podcast was a labor of love and personal transformation. It all began as a passion project, sparked by a profound desire to shed the weight of negative labels that had burdened me throughout my life. Having experienced the hardships of abuse, widowhood, and surviving human trafficking, I was intimately familiar with the suffocating effect of these detrimental labels. They led me to believe that I was undeserving of many things.

In 2019, the concept of Label Free took root and started to flourish. As I delved into honing my podcasting skills and engaging in conversations with incredible individuals from around the world, the podcast developed a life of its own. My conversations with a diverse array of guests all converge on a common theme: the yearning for acceptance and the desire to break free from judgment.

What I strive to offer through Label Free is a distinctive perspective on diversity and unity. As my closest friend often reminds me, our world is not so much divided as it is disconnected. Through the podcast, I hope to bridge those gaps and inspire a sense of belonging and understanding among us all.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, I embarked on a journey that spans various roles and accomplishments. My academic foundation in Business and Accounting at Harper College laid the groundwork for my entrepreneurial spirit. Before meeting my late husband, I ran a small event planning business and offered personal training services. I honed my leadership skills and entrepreneurial acumen during my tenure as VP of Key Accounts & Business Operations at a $20 million transmission remanufacturing facility, where I simultaneously managed four other entities.

During my corporate career, I achieved remarkable success, including closing significant contracts, such as a five-year deal with the State of South Carolina estimated at $20 million, which effectively doubled the size of the business. I accumulated a substantial portfolio of multi-million-dollar contracts and Key Accounts, earning stellar recommendations from esteemed clients like FGA, Verizon, AER, and Dhamer Powertrain.

In 2016, life took an unexpected turn, prompting me to start over. Fuelled by my enduring passion for fashion, I embarked on a new chapter. I launched Deanna Marie Label in 2017, designing and producing three collections over several years. I successfully ran a Kickstarter campaign, raising over $5,000 to fund my debut collection. My fashion journey led me to prestigious runways like StyleWeek in Rhode Island and the Cadillac Design Challenge with StyleChicago. It culminated with a charitable runway event against human trafficking, which I organized. My foray into fashion also included a skincare line, which was a thriving part of my business until Covid.

In 2019, I ventured into podcasting, driven by my personal history of overcoming abuse and trauma. The name “Label Free,” coined with the assistance of my best friend Julie Bryant, reflects my commitment to living a life free of societal labels. My podcast focuses on conversations with entrepreneurs who lead life on their own terms, offering valuable insights to the audience. Since its inception, Label Free has flourished, reaching the top 0.5% globally across various platforms, including 15 audio platforms and YouTube. The power of podcasts in nurturing business growth and brand development has become evident.

Additionally, I’ve served as the former Head Coach & Founding Partner of the Female Podcasters Network, boasting over 2,000 members. I’ve also been a nationally syndicated personality on a prominent NBC affiliate news/talk radio station.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I find this question absolutely intriguing. It’s fascinating that, even at this stage of my podcasting journey, some individuals still hold the expectation that podcasters should provide their services and platforms for free. In the early days, I used to offer free recordings, but as the reach of my podcast and my presence on various social channels has expanded, thanks to the substantial investments of time and energy, so has the value of my show.

I often ponder the idea of individuals seeking to leverage the work of creatives like myself while being hesitant to offer their own services for free. The answer is typically a resounding “No.” So, why should the work of podcasters be undervalued? Nevertheless, for those who are just beginning to establish their podcasting communities, I believe that offering their services for free is a valuable step in building the foundational relationships and credibility necessary. Once that foundation is solidified, it becomes more appropriate to recognize and charge for the value provided.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My entire life journey is a testament to resilience. It’s a journey that began with an abusive father, led to tumultuous relationships, and took me through the harrowing experiences of escaping the clutches of drugs and human trafficking. Along the way, I faced the profound challenge of rebuilding my life after the loss of my partner and husband of 17 years, leaving me with virtually nothing.

Through every twist and turn, I’ve discovered an unwavering inner strength that has compelled me to keep moving forward. As I engage with guests who’ve endured even greater hardships, yet have achieved remarkable feats, I’ve come to recognize a common thread among people like us: resilience and strength. None of us have allowed our past experiences to define us or hinder us from realizing our true potential and destiny.

In the words of my mother, a steadfast source of inspiration, “live your legend.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.labelfreepodcast.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/labelfreepodcast
• Facebook: Facebook.com/labelfreepodcast
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/deanna-kuempel
• Twitter: twitter.com/labelpodcast
• Youtube: YouTube.com/labelfreepodcast

Image Credits
Annette Patko Bordeaux Studio