This issue, we shine the spotlight on the inspiring Natalie Cargile, a powerhouse entrepreneur and the visionary founder and Executive Producer behind The CONNECT Network TV®. As the #1 network television platform dedicated to female founders, Natalie has created a groundbreaking space where women in business can share their stories, amplify their voices, and inspire others to chase their dreams. With a deep passion for empowering women to thrive, Natalie’s leadership bridges the gap between ambition and action, providing visibility and resources for female entrepreneurs worldwide. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community—a narrative every dreamer needs to hear.
As the creator and executive director of The CONNECT Network TV®, what inspired you to launch a platform that brings entrepreneurs and public figures to the spotlight?
When I started The CONNECT Network® I was actually a pink Cadillac driving sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. I had learned so much about leadership and the power of enthusiasm that I thought I’d be with the company forever. I was considered a record-breaking sales director and earned my first Cadillac in just 18 months of joining – I quickly understood the power of connecting with people and networking.
At the time I launched The CONNECT Network in 2018 I had earned my second pink Cadillac and in just four short years had more than 300 people in my unit and offspring units. Although I considered myself a pretty good leader, I knew I still needed to Mastermind monthly with other strong women (outside of Mary Kay) that were also successful and willing to pour into others. So, there it was – The CONNECT Network.
After becoming an LLC October, 2018, I launched the company with our first quarterly event on January 9th, 2018 at the country club in my neighbourhood. This event specifically targeted women in business and female entrepreneurs that were looking to inspire, influence and network.
To my surprise we sold tickets and tables that brought in nearly 200 guests in attendance that first night. It was Thursday, January 9, 2019, and I was officially in business. And the concept was simple, the membership-based business would host monthly masterminds and quarterly events that included brilliant minds and the “who’s who” every single month that could teach, sell and lead.
One day a lady came up to me and said – you know, I used to watch you on the news every morning on our local ABC Network (I forgot to mention that I am a former Morning News Anchor). She told me she thought it would be brilliant if I interviewed a “member of the week” – allowing our entrepreneurs and women in business to market their brands and businesses. I considered her idea as well and started right away.
After weeks of interviewing businesses one on one – I formed a group with three other tv hosts to interview women alongside me, rather than doing the interviews one on one, giving the three other women a platform as well. And suddenly we had a “The View” – like format with a 30 minute show that broadcasted on our website. TheCONNECTonline.com.
It was new, it was fresh, it had the dream team line up as far as west Texas hosts – and it was trending in my city of Midland, Texas! Women were so excited to be able to promote their businesses on television and I was honoured to level the playing field – allowing women a powerful marketing platform.
While they shared their entrepreneurial stories, their journeys, and their ups and their downs – it was like my own personal mastermind of what to do and what not to do. Each filming I took notes and learned from every woman on the show week after week.
My former co-worker and dear friend – who was still at the ABC station I had left nearly eight years ago – said to me one day – you know what Nat, you should put that show on television – and she showed me exactly how to do it!
The first year in business I trademarked The CONNECT Network® and Natalie’s Network® as they were both brand names I incorporated; but quickly I realised I needed to Trademark The CONNECT Network TV®. And now nearly five years later we have several TV shows broadcasting across the country that we own.
With The CONNECT Network TV® broadcasting on major channels like The CW, WSFL TV, DCW50, and CW Austin, how do your hosts tailor their content to appeal to such a diverse national audience?
It took a while to really dial in on the needs of each market. Our first show launched on FOX in west Texas. A very conservative market with conservative women and for the most part a conservative conversation and a more traditional daily lifestyle.
As we moved to our second market, Miami Florida – I immediately recognized these hosts and this conversation will not necessarily spark the interest and viewership of the women in business and female entrepreneurs in South Florida!
Anyone that’s ever spent any time there knows that women in South Florida are my caliente – and that goes for the white women, the black women and the brown women. They are all on fire in a different kind of way. And we understood quickly that hosts in that market needed to be different and they needed to be local.
That same feeling, energy and perspective had to be considered when we brought our shows to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Austin, Texas, and of course Washington DC. So as I select hosts for my shows, I am now looking at who fits the market, who fits the culture – what are the demographics in this community – and most importantly will viewers be able to see themselves in these hosts.
You wear many hats as an executive director, producer, writer, and creator. How do you balance these roles with your family life while ensuring each episode aligns with your vision for The CONNECT Network TV®?
I believe growth happens in seasons. Today I have a strong support team within the company. But when I first started, I of course was doing everything. In October of 2018, when I officially launched the business, I had a three-year-old daughter and a fresh set of twin boys. So, in those early days I was not only doing everything myself for the business – but I was also taking care of three very little children at home – including twins – so it was busy, but I was hungry.
Hungry to build something out of nothing and hungry to see what I was made of. My husband’s business afforded me the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and so I definitely consider myself a mother first. However, every moment I was not taking care of the children and the household I was up working on The CONNECT Network® and The CONNECT Network TV® every moment I could.
The challenge of building a company excites me. But today, I am in a completely different season. My twins are 7 now and my daughter is ten. So, they go to school from 8:00am – 4:00pm. That is the time I focus on my self care, my business, my social time – like cocktails & day lunches with my girlfriends.
Anything after 4:00pm school pick up time is family time and school activity time. The key to all of this is waking up at 5:00 am no matter what and creating your to- do list the night before with the six most important things you have to do for tomorrow. I try to never wake up without a plan.
You’ve interviewed so many inspirational figures. What’s one standout conversation that’s influenced you personally or professionally?
Ahh… that’s a very good question. In the last 30 days we’ve had Tracy Murray – who is Directing the biggest fashion shows in Paris, Milan and Copenhagen (also just recently partnered with VOGUE, also – singer, songwriter and grammy award winner Faith Evans (former wife of Notorious BIG), Fashion Icon Nicole Miller, Marc Karmizadeh from The CFDA – I meant the list goes on and one – and I am in love with every one of them – but, I think I would have to say Bernt Ullman.
We booked Bernt for our show The House of Faith + Fashion with host Tobi Rubenstein. This aired in our Miami Market. He was so selfless in his interview. It was literally a masterclass of licensing, creating deals and networking. His interview was so good I decided to run it as a full 30 minute show rather than just a segment.
He is known as the 6 Billion dollar man and I can see why! He was absolutely outstanding and anyone in business should watch that episode on our YouTube channel The CONNECT Network TV® @NataliesNetwork..
With The CONNECT Network TV® expanding its reach across multiple cities, and now internationally with your partnership with Relentless Magazine, what do you consider the most rewarding aspect of growing the network?
I always say, “School is never out for the pro!” A student I will forever be. Learning more about brands across London, Monaco and along the French Riviera will not only be inspiring for me but also for our viewers. Here in the States, so many people are looking to travel more overseas.
Opening their eyes to some of the best restaurants, hotels and landmark locations in these new locations thanks to James and Relentless magazine will definitely be a plus for featured international brands on our network and for our millions of viewers.
The media landscape is constantly evolving. How do you see The CONNECT Network TV® adapting to changes in broadcasting and digital media over the next five years?
People will always want to be entertained. Whether it’s movies, TV, social media – we want to see something! Content will always be king. Great content will continue from us. We will also be focusing on licensing and AI.
Just as Influencers took over as the new celebrities, AI will take over as the new Influencers. Companies will be creating their own AI Influencers in which they’ll own and utilise to market brands and businesses. We will be tapping into AI in that way for television and commercial marketing as well.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in growing The CONNECT Network TV®, and how have they shaped the network’s journey and your role as a leader?
Ironically, I think the greatest thing that ever happened to us was COVID and the global pandemic. Had that not happened, perhaps we would still be only broadcasting in Texas. (Although I like to think expansion would have happened anyway) the pandemic pushed us into thinking bigger, thinking faster and thinking outside of our comfort zone.
Creating a television show at all was nothing I was even remotely focused on at the start of this journey – let alone several shows across the country. But I am glad I was up for the challenge.
You never know where your business and your vision will take you. But you should know whether or not you have the dedication and the stamina to push through and stay with it no matter what.
What advice would you give to anyone who’s just starting out in business or media and looking to amplify their voices?
I think one of the first and most important things one can do is see if their brand’s name is already being used. You do that by doing a trademark search. Before you get tied to a name – make sure you own it.
Also, give yourself grace. You will make a lot of mistakes – get clear on your vision and stay committed to your goal. Worry less about what everyone else is doing – chances are much of it isn’t real anyway.
Lastly, make money. If you are losing money consistently don’t be afraid to pull the plug. There is no point in pretending to have, do or be something you are not – just to impress strangers and anyone that you think you may know.
Looking back at your journey with The CONNECT Network TV®, what are you most proud of, and what’s next on the horizon for you and your Network?
I’m most proud of myself for never giving up. February 2025 marks five years broadcasting my television shows across the country. These years have brought many ups and many downs. Clients change, associates change, partnerships change – but your dedication and your faith in the vision must not. If you can stay focused on your dream (and if that dream is aligned with your God-given assignment) you will find a way to be successful.
Coming up next, we have four new shows coming to The CONNECT Network TV®. We have opened up our television distribution platform and are now partnering with exclusive brands, PR firms and health-care companies that want their own 30-minute television programs broadcasting on network television. We are thrilled to lean all the way into this in 2025.
I am also excited to share that we are hopping back into my hometown with a new program designed for our demographic right here in west Texas!
As I mentioned before, knowing your market and the local demographic is critical for success. So of course – it was only right – to focus on a television program that is based on our oil and gas industry. Afterall, west Texas is the largest oil producer in the world.
And I am so excited to connect deeper with the founders and leaders of the oil industry and share more about what’s next and what’s new for our incredible west Texas economy!
