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

Debbie started her career in retail, working her way into management almost immediately. At 19 years old, she was the manager of a local retail store and secretary to the President of a large electronics company. She then spent 12 years at Cisco Systems as a global security professional and after being laid off in 2010, decided to be her own boss. Debbie is your classic “serial entrepreneur.” She owns six small business and loves each one equally. Her passion is for small business owners. She specializes in helping new businesses launch, existing businesses excel and all along the way, ensuring they work as efficiently as possible. She’s an active business coach helping business owners all over the world achieve their goals. Debbie holds multiple degrees including a business management degree from UOP. She lives in San Jose, CA with her husband Alex and son Travis and loves spending time at the beach. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration Her disappointment that led to one new business after another – sh

Karl is a former member of the corporate world who allowed work and business to overtake his life to the point where he ballooned to 224lbs with zero energy. He decided to dive into the nutrition world and committed himself to learning the TRUTH about how the body works. After losing 53lbs, Karl now helps others take a similar journey through his website NutritionToTheEdge.com and the I’m Too Busy For Nutrition podcast. This is Part 2 of a 2 Part Interview Motivational Quote Mind Sharpening Insights Taking control [8:27] Choices you can make and newfound time [9:55] The three steps you can take today [12:09] Success Trait Karl sees failure as a lesson that will lead to success. Productivity/Lifestyle Tool Magic Bullet NutriBullet – Effortlessly pulverizes fruits, vegetables, superfoods and protein shakes Valuable Book Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success by Napoleon Hill Contact Links Website Facebook Twitter If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a rev

Karl is a former member of the corporate world who allowed work and business to overtake his life to the point where he ballooned to 224lbs with zero energy. He decided to dive into the nutrition world and committed himself to learning the TRUTH about how the body works. After losing 53lbs, Karl now helps others take a similar journey through his website NutritionToTheEdge.com and the I’m Too Busy For Nutrition podcast. This is Part 1 of a 2 Part Interview Motivational Quote The Biochemistry Lesson How eating affects our focus [9:11] Do you feel this way? [11:21] How this all works. You may have never heard this before! [13:03] Contact Links Website Facebook Twitter If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue

Lana Horton is 69 and when she looks back she wonders where time went. She has two children in businesses of their own and four wonderful grandchildren. Lana started her first business at 23 with $2,ooo. It was an all-inclusive bridal shop and became the largest store in Ohio and the only one to carry exclusive designs from Paris. She sold the store with a large profit when she decided to move to California, stay at home and raise her children. That didn’t last long. She then started Punch Connection and invented a tool that was patented. The business led to doing infomercials with the first show selling 250,000 kits in one airing! Over the next 10 years, Lana sold products on QVC, HSN and Lifetime. Then she retired wanting to spend time with her grandchildren. As little ones always do, they began to grow up and Lana again found time to spare. She talked with her daughter about a new business idea she had … and that is how Make A Memory was born. They are now in their fourth year of this family business an

Rebecca Bloomfield is a partner in Jerry S. Pearlstein Insurance Ltd. The agency was formed almost 14 years ago to provide health, life, long-term care and disability insurance to people who don’t have a company providing those benefits. Their mission is to be the Benefits Help Desk for people who have none. Today, their clients are entrepreneurs and independent contractors. They’re the people most impacted by the Affordable Care Act. Rebecca and Jerry have become experts in helping hundreds get the most out of the benefits the Act offers. Rebecca holds a national Certification in Long-Term Care. It is clear to her that the number of Boomers and the health care available to them represents a revolutionary challenge in how to finance a life that can last 100 years or more. It takes knowing who pays for what in long-term care and the planning of how to provide a cash flow from 35 to 105. Rebecca Bloomfield is also an actor and playwright who has created works based on the lives of women in history. Her play,

Jenny Doan and her husband Ron, live in a small Missouri town and love the rural life. She has seven children and twenty-one grandchildren. She also has an infectious smile, and a knack for breaking down even the most challenging quilt projects into quick and easy steps. In 2008 Jenny and her family started The Missouri Star Quilt Co and began producing weekly tutorials on YouTube. Since then, she’s been featured in numerous articles, and is the subject of the wildly popular quilting magazine, BLOCK. With more than 300 YouTube video tutorials, that have been viewed over 50 million times, it’s no wonder that Jenny Doan has been called “the most famous quilter in the world”. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration “Is this a thing?” [7:08] Her children identified an opportunity [11:13] A Candle Flickering Moment The hurdle of adding that first employee [14:09] Clues on the identifying the best people and the to hire [16:20] Business Growth Insights Love what you do [12:20] You Tube and overall internet im

Stacey is the founder of Shopping for a Change. This online marketplace consists of  fair trade products made by artisans from economically disadvantaged areas across the globe. The local artisans set their own price points, time, where they work and how they’re paid. When you purchase from Shopping for a Change, half the net proceeds go to fund improvement projects abroad in the artisan communities … while the other half is directed by you, the shopper to a US based non-profit of your choice during the online checkout process. Currently they are working with 60 artisan groups from 30 countries on 3 continents. Stacey has received the Jefferson Award for Public Service and has been featured in a number of places including CNN, Mashable, Fast Company and Fine Cooking Magazine. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration A trip to Peru and Stacey’s reaction afterwards led to her commitment and plan on how to “give back”. [7:19] A Candle Flickering Moment How Stacey handles the overwhelm that inevitably comes wit

Terry started Fancifull back in 1987 from her dining room table. Today her business has grown into a famous fine food and gift shop on Melrose Avenue – just a 5 minute walk from Paramount Studios. A look into the Fancifull shop reveals an array of fresh gourmet foods and wine to suit any taste. What sets them apart is the elite clientele they serve while still offering a comfortable and personable style. They maintain a gift site and send gifts daily for Sony Pictures. Conan O’Brien has been a client for years … as was Michael Jackson. They send gift baskets from other celebrities such as Jenifer Lopez, Charleze Theron and Director Tim Burton. During the recent Emmy’s, they did a large basket for Lily Tomelin. This gives you a pretty good picture of her clientele. All this sounds really exciting but she says “It’s just part of working in Hollywood.” This is Part 2 of a 2 episode talk with Terry. Listen to Gift Biz Unwrapped Episode 017 for the beginning of the interview where she shares how Fanciful uses c

Terry started Fancifull back in 1987 from her dining room table. Today her business has grown into a famous fine food and gift shop on Melrose Avenue – just a 5 minute walk from Paramount Studios. A look into the Fancifull shop reveals an array of fresh gourmet foods and wine to suit any taste. What sets them apart is the elite clientele they serve while still offering a comfortable and personable style. They maintain a gift site and send gifts daily for Sony Pictures. Conan O’Brien has been a client for years … as was Michael Jackson. They send gift baskets from other celebrities such as Jenifer Lopez, Charleze Theron and Director Tim Burton. During the recent Emmy’s, they did a large basket for Lily Tomelin. This gives you a pretty good picture of her clientele. All this sounds really exciting but she says “It’s just part of working in Hollywood.” This is Part 1 of a 2 episode talk with Terry. Listen to Gift Biz Unwrapped Episode 018 for the rest of the interview where she continues with more incredible

With the lens trained on everything from sunsets to spiders, R.C. Clark captures the striking beauty of the Southwest with a passion for the wildlife and natural vistas of the Arizona Sonoran Desert. Viewing her photography you can take a journey through the surreal to the downright creepy, through cactus blooms to venomous fangs … and everything in between. R.C. is a nationally published photographer with pictures featured in upcoming books by Marty Crump and Harvey Pough. She will also be teaching her first photography workshop for the Turtle and Tortoise Survival Alliance which hosts the largest gathering of Turtle and Tortoise experts in the world in Tucson on August 6th, 2015. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration Hear this fateful story about what happened when she went out on a whim to take pictures of bats under a bridge. [4:01] A Candle Flickering Moment Dealing with the legal paperwork side of the business led her to seek outside help. [10:09] Skeptics have no place in R.C.’s business plan. [ 1

Jill is the Chairman and Partner of Intermezzo VP. Corporations, associations and professional organizations across the country have benefited from Jill’s personal blend of humor, storytelling, coaching, interactive participatory talks and training workshops. With over 22 years of experience, she focuses and trains on the behaviors, attitudes and techniques necessary to help individuals and teams achieve their vision in revenue growth. Jill has been recognized frequently in her career for excellence in sales. One look at the recommendations on her LinkedIn profile tells the whole story. On the personal side, she values work/life balance with her wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children. Motivational Quote Business Insights The most effective way to meet new prospects [5:45] How to handle the initial conversation in every meeting [11:51] What to do if you aren’t in sync with someone [16:40] Success Trait Jill is 100% okay with rejection – here’s why [22:22] Productivity/Lifestyle Tool Check out Jill’s 8

Kevin Jordan is the owner of Redpoint Marketing Consultants and the host of the Small Business Marketing Minute show, a video and audio podcast that teaches simple, affordable, and practical marketing methods to small business owners. He’s also a member of the Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network, and has recently co-authored a book entitled The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Local Lead Generation. This book teaches local business owners how to successfully compete with much larger companies. Prior to starting his marketing agency, Kevin spent six years as an airline pilot for US Airways Express. He’s a native of Indiana, a graduate of Purdue University, and currently resides in Farmville, Virginia with his wife Jen. Motivational Quote Business Insights Referral Programs that effortlessly increase sales [4:30] Steps to Starting a Referral Program [9:33] All about Event Marketing – it’s value, how to prepare and how to make it a success [13:58] Success Trait Self Discipline – executing the same way eve

Dani Noyes is the new owner of Olga’s Day Spa. She purchased the prestigious spa last year and comes prepared for her new business with 14 years of experience in the salon and spa industry. She has had roles “behind the chair”, in management and also training others in the field. She gives back by being active in the special needs and at risk communities and is a Member of the National Association of Professional Women. Dani has been married for 6 years and has a 4 year old son who is anticipating a new baby brother in the fall! A golden retriever rounds out the family. In her spare time, Dani enjoys theater, dance, tennis, and hosting theme parties. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration Discovering that she enjoyed the business end of the industry most led Dani in a new direction. [3:00] A Candle Flickering Moment She felt the pressure of retaining past clients and employees while bringing in a new vibe and making the business her own. Hear about her motto: Elegance of a Legacy with a Contemporary Twist

Smita Singh is a serial entrepreneur and has created and sold several successful retail and services businesses. At one point, she was running two businesses while she had two little boys at home both under 5 years old. What’s her secret? Automated processes – which is what she now teaches other women entrepreneurs. Smita believes that one size does not fit all in business and she helps identify the holes in your system and creates a strategic plan to automate profit funnels so that you can create a realistic lifestyle business. She hosts a Podcast called Womenpreneur: where her goal is to help women overcome mindset limitations to start or grow their business using high growth tools and strategies. She couldn’t do any of this without the support of her husband who is her sounding board. She says she’s still a physical book kinda gal and her dream home must include a two story library. Motivational Quotes   A Candle Flickering Moment In her retail business, a customer went on a rant that left Smita wonderi

Jill Balick and Susie Schuster started The Cookie Joint® as a way to express their deep devotion to all things cookies, and their desire to make eating cookies fun again. Susie is a former mosaic artist and Jill is a former jewelry designer. Their creativity and love for baking is what brought them together. Cookie Fries, their signature cookies, are designed to look like crinkle-cut French fries. They blend Jill’s taste for sweet and Susie’s preference for salty, along with their combined sense of humor. In October 2014, The Cookie Joint was on Oprah’s O list. Susie and Jill recently filmed a food network show called Food Fortunes and they were also featured in American Airlines in-flight magazine. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration Susie and Jill brought creativity and knowledge from past businesses, combined with their love of baking to life in a new business. Days of brainstorming led them to their signature product. [5:22] A Candle Flickering Moment Broken cookies arrived at a wedding event. The

Marlena Jayatilake is the owner of Love That Spice – a brick and mortar shop where spices and teas are masterfully blended right before your eyes. Love That Spice is unique in that it offers up-to-date information on the relatively unknown health benefits of spices and herbs. Marlena has been seen on ABC News multiple times and featured in the Chicago Tribune and Make It Better Magazine. She has a list of celebrity customers as well. Names you may know are Mike Ditka, Marcus Lamonis from The Profit and the Late Great Ernie Banks! Congratulations are in order because Marlena and her husband Rohan just had a new baby girl, Sehara. She joins her older brother Ra-song-ga to make a perfect family of 4. Motivational Quote A Candle Flickering Moment Moving into a retail location and discovering that January – March are very low sales months. Listen to how she took control and overcame this problem. [8:51] Business Inspiration Her husband is from Sri Lanka and when he introduced her to the traditional meals of hi

Eileen Cyrus is a Vietnam Veteran having spent 12 years in the US Air Force. Once she retired from Civil Service she spent 10 years working several small jobs while also caring for her mother and father-in-law. She opened a gift boutique thinking that would fulfill her passion for a business of her own, but it didn’t totally satisfy her. Now – at last – she has found and followed her dream. Just over a year ago she opened Just Because IYQ Tea Room and Gifts in the Myrtle Beach area. Eileen enjoys reading, fishing, and playing with her grandchildren. She also loves to cook and try new recipes. No surprise there! Motivational Quote A Candle Flickering Moment 1. Negative Facebook backlash from a disgruntled employee. Listen in to hear her strategy in these situations. [15:25] 2. Running out of product and missing out on sales. This led to a perfect restocking plan. [11:32] Business Inspiration From her grandmother, way back in the 50’s she fondly recalls how special she felt dressing up and going to tea togeth

Anne Pazier is the owner of Santa Barbara Gift Baskets. They design unique gifts featuring the finest gourmet food, wine and craft beers from the Santa Barbara area. She specializes in designing custom corporate gifts that combine their client’s branded or personal items with their local goodies to create memorable gifts that truly represent their brand, concept, or event. During the 10 years Anne has been in business, her journey has gone from being a home-based startup to purchasing a deli meant to compliment her gift business, selling that deli and most recently, opening a brand new retail location. Anne serves on the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is also an Ambassador for the Chamber. She was recognized as the 2013 Goleta’s Finest Entrepreneur of the Year and just last week she was honored with the Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2014. Motivational Quote Business Inspiration Anne purchased holiday gifts for her company recognized the marginal quality and service provided by sever

As a motivational speaker, published author, certified wellness coach and person living with MS, Barbara Appelbaum of Appelbaum Wellness is inspiring hope through mindful health and a meaningful life. By combining healthy living, spirituality, and neuroscience principles, she helps people understand how to be proactive in their health care versus reactionary in their sick care, so they can feel great in their body and in their life. Her greatest wish is to never hear a person say, “I should be taking better care of myself.” Barbara is a member of the National Speaker’s Association, Barbara holds two master’s degrees, and is a certified member of the International Coach Federation, International Association for Health Coaches and American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is a Certified Wellness Coach and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She is also a consultant to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Wellness Initiative and an Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society –

Deb Condo is the Owner of Gift Basket Junction. Her basket designs have won numerous awards nationally, and have been featured in many magazines over the years. In 2013, Deb was one of the first to certify with The Gift Basket Association as a Certified Gift Educator and Certified Gift Designer. She’s on the faculty of the National Gift Basket Convention and teaches locally in her community. Deb is a writer, speaker and expert on all things gifting. She’s a contributing author for the gift basket industry book, Fundamentals: A Book of Basic Concepts for Your Gift Basket Business. Her new book, Foundations, The Gift Basket Design Book launched in May (2015). Deb holds a Master’s Degree in Project Management and certificates in Supply Chain Management and Physical Distribution. With her 20 year background in logistics, she educates retail business owners on the ins and outs of transportation (truck, rail and ocean), distribution networks and warehouse operations. Motivational Quote A Candle Flickering Moment