Jen runs three online vintage shops on Etsy. The first shop opened in 2008 with a nice mix of vintage. Several months later she niched down and started a vintage milk glass shop, and soon after that, a vintage china shop. Jen’s passion for objects with character and history started when she was little and would visit my Great Aunt Esther. She had a beautiful 250+ year old homestead in Rye, New Hampshire. It was a gorgeous home filled with many antiques. Jen is a proud member of the EtsyVintageTe...
Jul 04, 2016•33 min•Ep. 65
Heather Robison is co-owner and creative director of editorr. This is a professional copy-editing and proof-reading app where you get immediate online service 24/7 with editing done by real people. Heather’s prior experience includes event planning and corporate marketing for shopping center developers. She’s now in business with her husband, Brian. While working in Singapore, Brian came up with the idea for editorr. The need for an on-demand proof-reading service was strong. Business in Singapo...
Jun 27, 2016•35 min•Ep. 64
Christine been an artist her entire working life and is influenced by natural and ancient symbols. She says, “I feel they represent all that is missing in modern life: our connection to nature, our bodies, our families, and the cycle of the seasons.” Christine has been creating and selling beads and buttons since the mid-1990’s. She also paints and makes mosaics along with other arts and crafts. Working as an artist at home has allowed her to homeschool her 5 children (now mostly grown). That is...
Jun 20, 2016•35 min•Ep. 63
For more than 25 years, Karl has been engaged in various positions in business ownership, sales, marketing, and organizational development. During the last 15 years he has served as Owner of Cooks of Crocus Hill in St. Paul, MN. Cooks of Crocus Hill is a brand driven, specialty culinary retailer and educator focused on the belief that Life Happens in the Kitchen. Karl is also the founder and creator of LifeRecipe, a corporate wellness program focused on changing the way people eat and improving ...
Jun 13, 2016•43 min•Ep. 62
Shelley Rosen, is Founder and CEO of Luxe Bloom, a venture-backed Chicago based start-up. Luxe Bloom delivers a transformative innovation by offering natural, long-lasting rose arrangements to luxury business operators on a subscription basis. Luxe Bloom roses do not require water or refrigeration to keep their supple beauty and last 60 days. Shelley was an executive at McDonald’s Corp for over twelve years. She directed global strategic planning efforts in the areas of innovation, global brand ...
Jun 06, 2016•34 min•Ep. 61
Heather Ann Havenwood, CEO of Havenwood Worldwide, LLC and Chief Sexy Boss, is a serial entrepreneur. She is regarded as a top authority on internet marketing, business strategies and marketing. Since marketing her first online business in 1999, bringing together clients and personal coaches, she has played an active role in the online marketing world since before most even had a home computer. Heather Ann is the Author of…Sexy Boss: How the empowerment of women is changing the Rule Book for sex...
May 30, 2016•42 min•Ep. 60
Sandy Sandler is a marketing expert and the creator of the worldwide bestselling product, the Bowdabra. The Bowdabra is a crafting tool that helps people make professional, hand-tied bows. Her products and supplies are designed to transform the creatively-challenged into creative pros. In Sandy’s own words, “The best way to be successful in business is to remain persistent, be unique, explore new markets, expand your network and perhaps, most importantly, never give up. If you’re willing to do w...
May 23, 2016•38 min•Ep. 59
At 24 years old Sarah successfully built and sold a million dollar business. It started from her kitchen table and grew to become a national corporate gift hamper service that was formally recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Australian Telstra Business Women Awards. With the rapid expansion of Sarah’s rags to riches business, she built systems and procedures to enable its sales and marketing success. She also mastered the art of outsourcing to fulfill the demands of a highly-seasonal ope...
May 16, 2016•35 min•Ep. 58
Cyrissa is a southern Ohio based photographer and business coach; known for her contagious energy and social media savviness! With a Master’s in Art Education, experience on the CreativeLive stage, published work, and a large following of sparkly photographers in her online community, she is well prepared to help YOU shine online! Get ready to be encouraged, educated, and empowered to make strategic and informed decisions for your business! Business Inspiration Hear what led to the development o...
May 09, 2016•43 min•Ep. 57
Julie Yusim is the Executive Director of the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce on Chicago’s North Shore. She recently returned to the helm after a six year stint as marketing director for Duxler Complete Auto Care, a family-owned chain of auto repair shops. Through her Chamber of Commerce and retail marketing experiences, Julie has fine-tuned her skills as a master networker and connector of strategic partners. Motivational Quote Business Building Insights Being an authentic “YOU” [3:15] P...
May 02, 2016•38 min•Ep. 56
Sharon Day is the Owner and Head Designer at Express Yourself Gifts and Baskets, and the only Certified Gift Designer in Massachusetts. The winner of two National Design Awards in 2015, Sharon is in her 21st year designing corporate and personal gifts and baskets. Custom designs are her specialty and she creates everything from small client touch gifts to elaborate designs fit for a Queen. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration From Opera Singer to Gift Basket Designer [2:48] The $30,000 order ...
Apr 25, 2016•40 min•Ep. 55
Monika Zands is an executive business consultant and life strategist who loves to help successful entrepreneurs tap into their greatness and build global empires. Her unique ability is to see through people’s perceived limitations and help them recognize and use their true gifts and expertise to build their unique and specific LEGACY. A graduate of UCLA and a certified Master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Monika uses her broad range of business experience, including a Master’s in Spiritual Ps...
Apr 18, 2016•54 min•Ep. 54
Jane is the founder of TO THE MARKET, a socially-inspired business that economically empowers vulnerable women through artisan enterprise. They work with over 25 co-ops in over 20 countries to design, source, and sell raw materials and finished products. These products range from home goods and jewelry to bags and baby gifts. TO THE MARKET recently launched its first exclusive wholesale line, which allows retailers to purchase wholesale products through TO THE MARKET. They’ve been featured in ma...
Apr 11, 2016•45 min•Ep. 53
Pam Newell and her husband Tom started their gift basket business in 1979 out of their house. In 1981 they added a retail location and in 1983 a Coffee House & Bakery. They continued to expand to 4 retail locations plus an assembly plant before selling in 2005. The sale of their business was a calculated step along the way. Pam and Tom have continued to make a big impact on the industry. They own and host the National Gift Basket Rally where hundreds of gift providers unite to learn basics a...
Apr 04, 2016•40 min•Ep. 52
Maya Liberman, inventor of Shape+Store freezer containers, is on a mission to make homemade meals more convenient than fast food! Starting from a love of baking, she first invented a container that would portion and freeze homemade cookie dough. From there the product line grew as she realized that her freezer containers can make everyday meal preparation quick and easy. Maya lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, 2 girls, and pet bunny. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration How Maya got t...
Mar 28, 2016•47 min•Ep. 51
Kim Garst is the best selling author of “Will The Real You Please Stand Up; Show Up, Be Authentic and Prosper in Social Media”. She is also the CEO of Boom Social, a social selling training and consulting company that helps businesses of all sizes leverage social and digital marketing strategies to increase their traffic, leads, and sales. Kim is internationally recognized as a thought leader in the social media space. Forbes named her as one of the Top 10 Social Media Power Influencers and she ...
Mar 21, 2016•40 min•Ep. 50
Founded in 2002, Katy and her husband Philip are the owners and pioneers of the natural, African-made, sustainable jewelry and elegant, handcrafted products called The Leakey Collection. Based in the Rift Valley of Kenya, East Africa, these renowned designers use natural elements of fallen wood, sustainable grass and “bush fired” porcelain to create uniquely exotic products. Each colorful piece contains vibrant design appeal while giving back to those that produce it. Katy’s motto: Nature Is Our...
Mar 14, 2016•38 min•Ep. 49
Vicki is the owner of Adrian’s boutique, a retail store in Buhler, Kansas that has been in business for 33 years. Their current product mix is 50% fashion, 25% gift and 25% kitchen and gourmet. But Vicki will tell you they are really in the People Business. Their number one priority is to earn customers’ business through exceptional customer service, a well chosen product mix, and a team that is committed to excellence. Additionally, Vicki is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs reach th...
Mar 07, 2016•47 min•Ep. 48
From London, to Athens, to Munich, to across North America, Dr. Shawne Duperon, a six-time EMMY® Award winner and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a good gossip researcher. She travels the globe, educating corporations, entrepreneurs, universities and government agencies on what inspires people to share good things and how to powerfully lead with compassion. Her case study is Project: Forgive, a non-profit leadership foundation that reaches millions in social media. You have seen her featured in ma...
Feb 29, 2016•30 min•Ep. 47
Johanna has been a freelance illustrator for more than ten years and works together with publishers, manufacturers, and advertising agencies. She is currently represented by the agency Wundergarden. Her target market is children and those who like fun characters and happy colors. Johanna is already known in her industry for being active and engaging on all kinds of Social Media Channels. Based on this experience and exposure, she started a second business called Fritzi Flock. It is all about gro...
Feb 22, 2016•34 min•Ep. 46
London Kaye is a classically trained dancer who discovered her passion for crochet at the age of thirteen. London received a dance scholarship to NYU and after graduation, dove into the local street-art scene. She began developing her signature style by crocheting on fences. She has adorned the windows of ABC Carpet and Home and has recently crocheted pieces for major brands including Starbucks, Miller Lite, Chex Mix, and the TBS Network. According to Condé Nast Traveller, “London Kaye is the on...
Feb 15, 2016•32 min•Ep. 45
Karyn Ranzau is the owner of Little Pink Ladybug. The company sells templates that allow crafters to create multi loop and layered custom bows for hair accessories and numerous other applications. Karyn started making bows eleven years ago. In 2008, after the creation of the template bow making system, Little Pink Ladybug as a business was born. In addition to running the business, Karyn home-schools her daughter, volunteers at her son’s school, is a Comfort Dog Handler for her church and a lead...
Feb 08, 2016•40 min•Ep. 44
Kerry Boozenny is the founder of Social Selling Mom where she teaches people how to make a significant part-time income selling on eBay. Kerry is an Education Specialist trained by eBay and a top-rated seller. She has been on eBay Radio, and in the YouTube video “We are eBay”. Kerry started her career as a menswear designer for major brands in the fashion industry. Today, she’s known as elegantkb on the platform where she’s made enough money selling part-time to pay for her daughter’s college ed...
Feb 01, 2016•31 min•Ep. 43
Cathy Nolan is a Caricaturist and has been illustrating and bringing joy with her art for over 20 years. Her passion for art and people are combined in her method of drawing faces and capturing the essence of her subjects whether they are adults, children or pets! She has drawn famous celebrities such as actress Lily Tomlin, “Eat, Pray, Love” best-seller author Elizabeth Gilbert and Marianne Williamson. She has drawn for corporations such as Zyloware Eyewear, HSBC, Citibank, Ann Taylor and for t...
Jan 25, 2016•38 min•Ep. 42
Cydni Mitchell is the founder of Sweet Fest, a global online directory designed to connect Sweet Lovers with local Sweet Makers . By trade, Cydni is an accountant & financial analyst with a Masters from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked closely with many of the Sweet Makers on her site to help them develop and successfully implement their own social media marketing strategies, re-branding initiatives, and business plan remode...
Jan 18, 2016•37 min•Ep. 41
This is a very different podcast than I have ever done. As you know, I’m the host of Gift Biz Unwrapped. I want to talk with you about some super crazy things that have been happening to me over the last four months. It’s beyond belief. I want to share with you because my experience can help you with your entrepreneural journey as well. I had no idea when I stepped on this path, what I was getting into. It’s leading me in a totally different direction today and that’s what I want to tell you abo...
Jan 10, 2016•40 min•Ep. 40
Founded in 2009, Treasured Touch helps individuals and businesses create unique, one-of-a-kind items that help brand their business, or give a unique presentation to a gift or special event. Anita’s specialty is using custom printed ribbon alone and/or incorporated into their gifts. This simple touch of ribbon instantly transforms even the plainest of items into something which leaves a lasting impression of WOW! Anita lives just outside of Hershey, PA (a/k/a Chocolatetown USA) with her husband,...
Jan 04, 2016•36 min•Ep. 39
Steve Dotto is Canada’s most respected geek. As host and executive producer of Dotto Tech, a nationally syndicated TV show, Steve has entertained and educated millions of Canadians on all aspects of technology. After 20 years in traditional broadcast Steve re-invented himself learning the world of social media, online community building and internet marketing as he built his YouTube channel into his new career. YouTube is now Steve’s network of choice. There he serves 2 communities; a traditiona...
Dec 28, 2015•40 min•Ep. 38
Tracy is the founder and executive director of Icing Smiles, a non-profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes to children with critical illness and their siblings. She believes that everyone has a responsibility to give back with their God given talents. Tracy has identified two. One is her artistic skill of cake decorating and the other is the skill with numbers. Cake decorating is much more fun, but unfortunately, doesn’t pay the bills. So she spends her days juggling between h...
Dec 21, 2015•38 min•Ep. 37
Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, delivers inspirational keynotes, provides sales training and authored The International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”. Community service led to the writing of her second best-selling book, “HIRED!” CEO World Magazine named Stutz as one of “The brightest sales minds to follow on Twitter.” She was featured on the cover of the March 2015 Sales and Service Excellence e-Magazine and NowISeeIt named Elinor wit...
Dec 14, 2015•34 min•Ep. 36
