Gift Biz Unwrapped | Women Entrepreneurs | Bakers, Crafters, Makers | Startup

The greeting card industry hasn’t really seen anything new in the last 50 years … except for the cards that play music when they’re opened. Card Isle is a company, founded by three engineers, that changes that. They’ve captured all the magic that comes from a tangible greeting card and made it easier to find that perfect card. Whether you run an e-commerce shop, take most of your orders over the phone or have a brick & mortar store, Card Isle sets you up with more selection than a Hallmark store. It also eliminates the headache of guessing what card designs will sell. Business Building Insights Adam is an entrepreneur because he likes creating and doing things others haven’t done. Go out and talk to customers to understand what problems they are facing. Find out what needs to be solved. Meet people where they are already. Take direction on your next steps from people using your product. Getting the right partner makes a big difference. It must be someone you can count on and trust. In a com

Shelia is the founder and owner of Heavenly Treats 4 U, a custom gift basket company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Shelia’s entrepreneurial spirit, hard work and long hours provide the leverage to go places she never thought could be possible. What was born out of the hospitality industry and a passion to design, has blossomed into something quite amazing; touching so many people with a little basket of cheer. Shelia is proud to have earned the coveted Gift Designer Certification. She has been featured on the cover of the gift basket industry magazine Trends & Tips and was a keynote speaker at the 2017 National Gift Basket Convention. This year Shelia added author to her list of accomplishments in the collaborated book, “Simply Inspired.” Shelia and Dan have been married for 35 years. They have two boys and an adorable grandson, Gabriel. Business Building Insights When you move a business to a new town, you’re basically starting over. Make something that can be reproduced and market to the mass

Kristy Mangia started Giddy Up Nuts as a way to escape “the crazy” of everyday life. Today she feels lucky because it has become her everyday life! Giddy Up Nuts was born about 5 years ago in her dad’s kitchen. They started selling at the local farmers market and then took on distributing to gourmet and specialty food stores from there. Kristy says that now more than ever it’s important to know where your food is coming from and to have a connection to what you’re eating. Giddy Up Nuts is all natural, uses local ingredients whenever possible and tastes delicious too! Kristy’s mission is to create something unique and delicious that people can also feel good about eating. Business Building Insights Never stop pushing yourself or exploring. Deal with self doubt by reminding yourself everyday that you’re doing it already. Have a fierce tenacity to turn down the noise around you and follow whatever is pulling you. The closest people around you can be your first test group. Start small and start humb

Katie is a mom, wife, podcaster, and business strategist. She’s also an adventurer, seeker and change maker. Katie is committed to brightening the light of women around the world in two ways. First, through her Biz Women Rock community, which supports women entrepreneurs. And most recently, through Meditation for Women, guided meditations that are specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. These meditations are tools to help reconnect with the divine wisdom already inside of each us, so we may live our own, extraordinary lives. Business Building Insights We can create the life and business of our dreams. Our journey as women is multi-dimensional and integrated. We are already the CEO of our life, the manager and organizer in charge of our lives and the lives of our family. We are all in our own way with negative self talk and comparison. If you believe it, you can do it. Our lives and our business have to work together. Meditation for Women connects you to your inner voice.

A two-time Olympian, Aja Evans, won a bronze medal in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games as a brakeman for the USA Women’s Bobsled Team. Throughout her track and field career, Aja was known for her dominance in both the sprints and shot put. At the University of Illinois, she won three Big Ten titles. The 5-time NCAA Division 1 All-American recently competed in her second Olympic games in February at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. She and her driver Jamie Greubel-Poser placed 5th. Aja comes from a family of elite athletes and in this podcast episode we’re talking about the drive, the passion and the discipline needed to win. Business Building Insights Developing confidence in whatever you do is a game changer. Embrace the psychological aspect of your journey. Be mentally ready. If things change, you want to be able to bounce back quickly. Working on strength, conditioning and speed applies as much to a business as it does to a sport. Get in tune with your body so you know when to push and w

Shawn is the owner of All The Buzz, a gift basket and corporate gift company located in San Jose, California. Shawn’s business has grown over the past 14 years from part-time & home based to very full time in a private production facility. All The Buzz focuses on custom business gifts, with an emphasis on California products and personalized products created right in her workshop. Shawn is a recognized expert in her field. She has served as an instructor at a national conference, has been featured in several publications and won many design awards, most recently first place corporate design at the National Gift Basket Convention. Business Building Insights It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just keep going. A support group is critical. You need somebody when times get tough to tell you, “You can do this. You got this. I’m going to come help you.” Places you can get support: Facebook Groups, Networking, Mastermind Groups It’s a sign of strength to know when you need help. One of Shawn’s most valua

 Lisa graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2005 with a degree in English. But there was a problem, her passion was for art and design. Unsure about what career to pursue, Lisa made what she considers to be the best decision of her life. She applied to a design school in San Francisco and dropped everything to attend. She earned a degree in Visual Communications and for the following 9 years worked as a visual merchandiser, eventually landing as a corporate visual merchandising manager. Although Lisa loved her work, she wanted to start a business of her own. It was at this point, she seriously started to entertain an idea that she’d had in her late 20’s – selling her mother’s candied pecans. The inspiration came after making the candied nuts for friends who raved about them and encouraged her to start a business. Finally, at 32, she was ready. Black Bow Sweets is now 3 years old and growing rapidly with an expanded product line and distribution across the US. Business Building Insights Get used to and bec

Who, what, why, when, where. Back in my college journalism days, these were the necessary points to cover in any article or broadcast. As a business owner, experience has shown me that the first and most important one, by a long shot, is “Why.” Knowing the “Why” of your company is like creating a guidebook that outlines the answers to the rest. The who, what, when and where. It brings direction and clarity to all your decisions and actions. With direction and clarity comes business momentum and growth. Without it there is confusion, random action and stalled or declining results. There are actually two “Whys” and it all starts with discovering what these are for you. They are completely individual. There is no power in borrowing someone else’s “Why.” It’s something you must discover for yourself. We go through the description of the two “Whys” you are after. I’ll give examples from others that will help you uncover your own unique position. This can lead to significant change for you and your business. I’m

In his law firm, Indie Law, Joey works with creative small business owners to protect their passions and give them the legal foundation they need to thrive. With these services, Joey focuses on the legal issues that matter most to creatives: trademarks, business formation, copyrights, and contracts. I knew Joey was someone I wanted on the show when I visited his website and saw this phrase, “We strive to keep things simple, positive, honest and human!” Business Building Insights Put your well-being before your business. When you stay happy and healthy, your business keeps thriving. It’s fulfilling to work with people who have a big heart and passion for what they’re doing. You have to be careful because a hobby that you enjoy can easily turn into a business you hate running. It’s not necessary to legally protect your business until it’s successful, meaning a proven concept that sells. Once you are selling to more than friends and family, don’t wait to protect your copyrights and trademarks until

Susan RoAne is the author of the classic bestseller – How To Work A Room® which has sold over 1.2 million books in 14 countries, as well as The Secrets of Savvy Networking, also a best seller. Named by Forbes as one of the networking gurus of 2015, Susan is an in-demand international keynote speaker who has shared her message of connection and communication with audiences worldwide. She has been featured in New York Times, The Guardian, on CNN, The BBC, Chicago Tribune and Wall Street Journal to name a few. Susan was quoted by Sir Richard Branson in his 10 Quotes to Mark Things Happen as his #6! Her clients include Coca Cola, The US Air Force, UnitedHealth Group, Yale University, Apple Computer, Intel, Stanford University, LinkedIN, The National Football League, and her personal favorite . . . Hershey Chocolate! Business Building Insights Let everyone in your life circles know what you’re interested in and what you do. Networking is reciprocal. If you don’t recommend other people, why should they recom

As a successful business owner, there will be a time when you are asked or have an opportunity to share your expertise in public. It could be a presentation at a town meeting, a networking event or a large conference. Most people react by thinking, “I’d never be able to do that!” But hold on! Don’t jump to that conclusion so fast! Speaking can provide a big boost to your business. It gives you visibility and credibility and positions you as the expert in your field. But you need to deliver a strong presentation. How do you go about doing this? In this episode I share my step by step process to presentation creation. That way, when you do encounter an opportunity to speak, you can say “yes” with enthusiasm and confidence because you know what to do next. Business Building Insights Public presentations can boost visibility and credibility for you and your business. Make sure you understand who your audience will be and create your message around what is important to them. Give a presentation that prov

Danielle is a maker and craft business consultant who loves iced lattes and pop music. Through her work at The Merriweather Council, Danielle teaches creative people how to turn their crafty tendencies into profits. On her blog and podcast, Danielle aims to inspire and support makers in business and share insights from her eight years of experience selling handmade work online. Danielle believes in celebrating the reality of gainful self-employment through craft and wants to help more artists, crafters and designers share their work with more confidence. Business Building Insights For most, you don’t wake up one day and have this great big business plan. More likely, you make something and want to figure out how to sell it. To start your business, find someone who can be a resource and you trust to guide you. Etsy is a strong platform for the handmade seller and comes with a solid audience of buyers. If you want a business that’s sustainable and viable into the future, you’ll also want your own we

Sarah Frink, CEO & Founder of Real Marketing Solutions is a creative, driven and radically authentic digital marketing strategist with a head for marketing and the heart of an entrepreneur. Sarah has the unique talent of taking complex ideas and breaking them down into actionable steps that get results. Four years ago, Sarah founded Real Marketing Solutions. RMS is a creative digital agency specializing in helping businesses create an online presence that converts strangers to followers, followers to leads and leads to paying clients. Sarah and her team offer social media training, end-to-end social media management, digital advertising, content design and self-study courses and group coaching for Do It Yourself marketers, virtual assistants and business owners. Business Building Insights Your ideal client has to be attracted to your brand. There’s a certain amount of “personality of you” that needs to be in your branding. Be very clear on who your ideal client is. It is important to have cons

Annette started Fill My Jar Candy Company three years ago, introducing the world to a unique line of handcrafted yet traditional caramel, toffees and chocolate barks. She grew up in a large Italian family where everything centered around the kitchen. There was always good food and a large table to gather around. Even when she was young, Annette loved showing people she cared about them by making delicious dishes and sweets. When Annette started her own family, she made homemade treats and candy to give as gifts for holidays, or as a way to say thank you to family, neighbors, friends, teachers, coaches and co-workers. After raising her daughters, she decided it was time to return to school and start on a path of making her dream a reality. Business Building Insights Sometimes you have to have a “what the hell” attitude to discover new possibilities. Narrow down your offerings based on what works for you and your customer. Be involved in local craft shows to get your name out. Regarding your websit

Natalie is a Business Strategist and High Performance Coach who helps high-achieving women entrepreneurs across industries and time zones build, grow and scale their business while avoiding overwhelm. She’s the Founder of the BizChix Community, Podcast, Programs and Events and has been recognized as “One of the Top Women in Business to Listen to.” She has also been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur. Natalie brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. She draws from her MBA education, 20+ years of work experience, deep intuition, and over 250 podcast interviews with industry influencers to help her clients with customized strategy and coaching. When she’s not enjoying precious moments with her husband, Mark and her 3 children, you can find Natalie drinking a steaming cup of coffee, on her way to spin class or sneaking in a power nap. Business Building Insights Listen to the people you’re attracting. They will tell you what to do next. Understand what is performing

Bobbi is the President of Think Big Go Local, a digital marketing agency headquartered in the Chicagoland area. They focus exclusively on entrepreneurs and have worked with over 300 clients spanning dozens of different industries. TBGL specializes in getting small business messages in front of their client’s ideal customer, thereby growing their business and bottom line. Three years ago, Bobbi lost her 25-year-old son in a motorcycle accident. She is now passionate about turning emotion into productivity and sharing a message of strength and resiliency. Business Building Insights Social Media isn’t necessarily a selling tool. It is a relationship building tool. With the limited reach we’re getting in social media, our content has got to get better in order to get noticed. Building relationships requires us to be our authentic self. Start thinking in terms of creating groups, attracting the right people and engaging as your authentic self. Take something terrible that happened in life and turn it i

The Queen Bee Artisan Market an indoor market open year-round in the beautiful tourist town of Lake Geneva, WI. Nancy has tripled in size in only three years! Going from 22 to now 75 artisans, the Queen Bee Artisan Market displays products from all over the USA with many artisans local to the area. The one requirement is everything must be handmade or upcycled. Here you can find everything from jewelry to pottery to home decor. Nancy is most proud of how supportive everyone is of each other. Many of the local artisans (the bees) also work at the store. The environment is cheerful and lively. Sounds like the place to be! Business Building Insights If you encounter an opportunity, take the leap! To form a co-op, start a company and begin networking with other artisans. It’s all about the experience when a customer walks into your store. Everybody is creative in some way. You just need to figure out what that way is for you. Have activities that draw people into your shop. Something that engages t

Layne’s business, The Project Booth, focuses on the inventory and ordering mayhem that becomes a struggle for many product-based businesses. Layne grew up as a math nerd, graduated college with two engineering degrees and went straight into manufacturing. She spent over a decade in the supply chain world. But as her family started to grow, she was ready for more flexibility. She started The Project Booth to help businesses confidently plan their sales and inventory and maximize their bottom line. It results in the owner’s clarity, confidence, and of course, cash flow! Layne makes the numbers in your business “show you the money”. When not nerding out with numbers, you can find Layne enjoying time with her family at the playground or catching the latest superhero movie with her husband. Business Building Insights The goal is to balance inventory quantities to realize and maximize profit targets. Reducing options such as colors or fragrances helps keep inventory under control. If you are just startin

Viveka von Rosen is Cofounder of Vengreso, the largest provider of full spectrum digital sales transformation solutions. Known as the @LinkedInExpert, she’s also the author of the best-selling book, LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day and LinkedIn: 101 Ways to Rock Your Personal Brand! She is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc, Entrepreneur, Selling Power and the Social Media Examiner. The Start of Vengreso A group of LinkedIn experts and social selling experts thought about creating an online membership community to teach and train. But no one wanted to step up and take the lead. In the desire to come together as opposed to work against, five competitors (including Viveka) decided to start a social selling company, now known as Vengreso. Digital sales transformation is about the entire ecosphere of digital sales, strategies and marketing. Having these partners has made it easier for Viveka to provide a true value proposition as opposed to just competing and coming down to price. Business Building Insights

Jim has spent over thirty years in the restaurant business. Companies he’s worked with that you may recognize even if you aren’t local, are Stouffers Restaurant Corporation, Don Roth’s, and Crawdaddy Bayou. Jim has traveled and consulted in the food & beverage industry for Universal Hospitality. He also started the Restaurant Row Hospitality Group, which empowered a number of independent restauranteurs while he was President of the Board at the Wheeling and Prospect Heights area Chamber of Commerce. Fourteen years ago, Jim decided to go off on his own and open Bluegrass. He’s taken the fine dining approach to a casual setting. Adding in traditional southern cuisine and a lively atmosphere, Bluegrass is always, “the place to be.” The Start of Bluegrass Back in high school Jim started throwing parties in his backyard. It was fun for him to create an event and see it come to life. That’s how he caught the entertainment bug. From the very beginning, he treated it more like a business than just a high schoo