Built by Margin
Built by Margin is the podcast at the intersection of risk, numbers, and decision-making for founders, CEOs, and high performers. Hosted by CPA, fractional CFO, and author of the upcoming book Risk Worthy, Laurie Chen, CPA, MBA, the show explores how better decisions create better businesses, stronger leadership, and more meaningful long-term outcomes. From financial strategy and entrepreneurship to intelligent risk-taking and growth, each episode helps you think sharper and build with intention.
Built by Margin
From Corporate Leader to Intentional Unicorn with Jennie Lopez
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In episode 34 of Built by Margin, Laurie sits down with Jennie Lopez, Founder and CEO of Intentional Unicorn, to talk about what it really means to bet on yourself, build in alignment, and make decisions rooted in authenticity rather than fear. Jennie shares her journey from a 23-year corporate career spanning chemical engineering, operations, and global talent leadership into entrepreneurship, motivational speaking, and authorship, explaining how intuition, intentionality, and bold risk-taking shaped her path. Together, Laurie and Jennie explore the realities of leaving stability behind, writing a book, scaling a coaching business, using AI as a modern entrepreneur, and defining success on your own terms — all through the lens of growth, impact, and building a life that feels fully aligned.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how Jennie Lopez built an Intentional Unicorn, from chemical engineer to motivational speaker and founder, and leaving a favorite job to build a business.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:01:05] Leaving a favorite job to build a business.
[00:02:04] Chemical engineer with a dual career.
[00:04:42] Memoir exercise inspires Intentional Unicorn.
[00:08:13] Authenticity plus intentionality equals impact.
[00:09:35] Turning corporate truth into a book.
[00:10:32] Writing every Saturday at Starbucks.
[00:15:26] Risk of leaving corporate as a Latina.
[00:18:23] There is no right or wrong decision.
[00:21:04] Proof of concept before going all in.
[00:24:31] App idea sparked during hospital wait.
[00:30:19] Using Manus for deep research.
QUOTES
- "I wanted to see how I can reach out to more and more people." -Jennie Lopez
- "Authenticity plus intentionality equals impact." -Jennie Lopez
- "You just create an ecosystem, a family, a community, a relationship that is so powerful that you want the person to choose to stay with you." -Jennie Lopez
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Laurie Chen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriechencpamba/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriechen/
Jennie Lopez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalunicorn/
WEBSITES
Risk Worthy: https://www.riskworthy.co/
Advanced CFO: https://www.advancedcfo.co/
Built By Margin: https://www.builtbymargin.com/
Leaving a favorite job to build business. Chemical engineer with a dual career. Memoir exercise inspires Intentional Unicorn. Authenticity plus intentionality equals impact. Turning corporate truth into a book. Writing every Saturday at Starbucks. Risk of leaving corporate as a Latina. There is no right or wrong decision. Proof of concept before going all in. App idea sparked during hospital wait. Using Manus for deep research. Global growth and unlocking unicorns.