Afleveringen
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In this episode I’m sitting down with Stacey Speranza, co-founder and host of The Business Casual Podcast. I was so excited to plan this episode with Stacey. I haven’t had the opportunity to connect at this level with another podcast host, especially one a seasoned as Stacey. So this episode was slightly selfishly motivated… but don’t worry I promise that this episode is packed full of great nuggets for you too.
Stacey and I are obviously pulling back the curtain on the entire podcast process. Everything from getting guests, to developing your personality as a host, to getting picked up by podcast networks. But overall, the conversation is so fun, and when I say conversation I mean conversation. So many of the interviews that I do are truly interviews, but this conversation feels different.
Stacey and I are peers and we’re connecting over that so I had such a blast chatting with her and editing this episode. Also if you’re just joining the podcast for the first time, this is a great episode to start with. You’ll get to learn a little bit about me as the host while getting some tangible takeaways too. Wether you’re looking to start your own podcast one day, curious about the behind the scenes of podcasting, or simply here for the vibes.
As you’ll hear Stacey call out in the middle of the episode, the theme is that nothing happens overnight. As business owners, as podcasters, and with networking in general, you’re playing the long game. This is a fascinating topic because both of us are gen z and one thing our generation struggles with is overcoming the need for instant gratification. I think many of us give up early because we don’t see immediate results.
But for those who recognize the value in the long game, you will be rewarded. It takes work, and it’s a mindset shift, but Stacey is talking you through all of that. I truly believe one of her superpowers is networking, so Stacey is breaking down how she has the confidence to put herself out there, and tips to help you guys build that same level of confidence.
You guys are in for a real treat. We’re laughing, we’re giving hot tips, and at the end of the episode, we’re spilling some tea. I truly hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I do, so let’s welcome Stacey to the podcast!!
Here are the key takeaways from the episode:
What is the appropriate level of pre-preparedness for podcast interviews Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth How to find podcast guests How to develop your personality as a host Podcasting is a journey of learning and adapting over time How to develop confidence in networking It’s about playing the long game Be a connector!!! The tea on podcast networks: is it worth it??Connect with Stacey:
@stace.speranza @business.casual.podcast
Link to show here: https://linktr.ee/thebusinesscasual
Connect with Maddie
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In this episode, I sit down with Trista Chan, a registered dietitian and founder of The Good Life Dietitian. Trista specializes in helping high-achieving women overcome emotional eating habits, optimize their nutrition, and reach their goals.
Episode 50!!! holy crap you guys!! I am so grateful for this crazy journey and that you all tune in every week. It’s my pleasure to be able to facilitate these conversations for you each and every week, and knowing that it’s impacting just one of you is what keeps me going. so thank you from the bottom of my heart. This podcast means so much to me and I’m happy we’re at 50 already!! here’s to 500 more.
This episode is slightly different from our usual type of content. It’s very education focused. You guys know I’m always preaching that as business owners we can’t pour from an empty cup and our health is such a key portion of that. So this is a JAM packed episode full of practical strategies for blood sugar relation and intuitive eating. If you struggle with your relationship with food then you’re going to want to take notes. I definitely did.
One of my favorite parts of the discussion centered around emotional eating. We already know that the mind-gut connection is real, and I truly beleive that so much of our relationship with food is emotion based. So, Trista is sharing valuable insights and free resources to help you work through emotional eating patterns, so you can make food choices that align with your goals.
If you’re interested in health, food, or what it’s like to be a registered dietician than this episode is for you. Trista is incredibly informed and I really enjoy her approach to personalized nutrition. This episode is all about the critical role of diet in thriving in everyday life, and therefore your business. So without further ado, please welcome Trista to the podcast!
Connect with Trista:
Free hormone + gut health toolkit - https://www.thegoodlifedietitian.com/freebie-signupInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlifedietitian/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode I’m sitting down with Michelle Choi who is the founder of Bov Active, a golf athleisure brand for women. Michelle is truly visionary. In talking to her I was so impressed with where her mind is at at such an early stage. You can tell that she’s got long term strategy and her vision for Bov is truly beautiful. This conversation was a pleasure.
She and I start chatting about her journey founding Bov. I was shocked to find out that she only quit her full time job A MONTH AGO. She’s gained so much experience since founding during the pandemic. We get deep on how she was able to refine and almost re-define her target audience early on through her experience doing pop-ups for early brand awareness.
Along the way she realized that she’s building way more than just a clothing brand. Her mission is to give women a platform to better themselves. I think she and I really align in this way because she too wants to support other women who are out there hustling for their dream lives. But simultaneously, this was a personal journey for Michelle.
She opens up about her experience balancing her full time job and Bov and why she waited until recently to take it full time. I think a lot of my other female listeners will relate to her struggle of trying to be everything for everyone and accepting that she was almost holding herself back with this mentality.
Later, we get to a fascinating conversation on the future of D2C e-commerce. I think this life path is many female entrepreneur’s dreams and her take on the future of the industry is one that I haven’t heard spoken about so clearly, and it’s one that I agree on.
You guys are in for truly a fascinating conversation with someone who I believe is doing something incredibly interesting with her brand. I’m so excited for Michelle on her journey and I’m thrilled that I got the opportunity to sit down with her and share it with all of you. I’m sure you’re going to geek out as hard as I did.
Also, Michelle is giving you guys and exclusive discount code! So go show her and Bov some love!!
Connect with Michelle:
Website: https://bovactive.com/ (use discount code "MIMIR15" to shop)
Bov's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bovactive/
Michelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellechoiii/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
I’m sitting down with the fabulous Maddi Soubry, who is a personal stylist. I was so excited to chat with Maddi as a fellow fashion girlie. She’s living everyone’s Devil Wears Prada dream, so I wanted to get the scoop and see if it’s really as glamorous as it seems.
This episode is the perfect blend between business and fashion. Maddi is breaking down today’s trends and what to splurge vs save on. She’s teaching you how to create a wardrobe that is timeless, tailored to your lifestyle, and still chic and fashion forward.
Inevitably we transition to talking business, and one really fascinating part of the conversation is around how AI is seemingly coming for her job. A lot of businesses are either having to compete with AI or are integrating it in some way. So Maddi and I are diving deep in how to differentiate yourself and “compete” with AI.
We round the conversation out with a discussion on how the entrepreneurial journey shows you that you’re more capable of things you never thought you would be. It’s so refreshing to talk to Maddi, because I relate a lot to her. I never considered myself highly practical, or finance based, so I was always nervous about how that would impact me as a founder. I always just assumed that I could hire someone, but in the beginning, money is tight and we have to put on our big girl pants and do the things we don’t want to do. Maddi and I are talking honestly about finances, tips for attracting clients early on, and why you need to lean on your support system to help in areas you know you don’t excel.
Connect with Maddi:
Website: https://www.maddisoubry.com/
Blog: https://www.maddisoubry.com/stylebymads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddisoubry/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maddisoubry
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Alena Luciani to talk about her journey founding Training 2XL. Her process was one that started small, and built incrementally over time, not necessarily something she thought she would grow bigger. But when she experienced a sudden loss, that was the clarity she needed to realize that she was building something bigger and it was time to stop waiting.
Every so often I have conversations that leave me feeling giddy and incredibly uplifted, and this conversation with Alena is one of those for me. She and I are diving into the correlation between the athlete and entrepreneur mentality. Everything from discipline vs motivation, realizing that a culmination of small steps is what will get you to your goal, overcoming hardship, microdosing adversity, and developing grit.
We’re also chatting about unique differentiators. In a world becoming increasingly inundated by similar businesses, it can feel hard to stand out among the crowd. Alena is talking through her experience with this. She’s sharing amazing tips and processes to articulate your key differentiators.
This episode is your daily dose of motivation and inspiration. The perfect blend of acknowledging the reality of the journey with remembering why we’re all doing this to ourselves. Because it’s the most amazing thing when you see something that was just an idea in your head become real.
Connect with Alena:
Website: https://www.training2xl.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/training2xl?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
This episode is perfect for anyone who’s balancing their 9-5 and their entrepreneurial venture. I’m sitting down with Daria Astanaeva, a personal branding coach, to talk about her journey going from full time to entrepreneur. We’re chatting about everything from how to make a smart transition to building sustainably, going from semi- off the ground to fully off the ground, making 100% of your old salary.
Daria’s sharing some interesting insights on the challenges and rewards of building a business. We’re discussing the significance of community, the reality of hard work, and the necessity of overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. The conversation also delves into the power of storytelling and authenticity in personal branding.
This is really Daria’s area of expertise. She’s offering practical strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and find their unique voice online. I love this conversation because we’re getting insanely granular on the takeaways. Everything from the exact kind of content that she was posting, especially in the early days, to how to determine the kind of content you want to be known for today.
But be prepared because this conversation gets deep. In order to find your voice online, you have to leave your ego at the door. It requires a lot of deep thinking and internal work to present yourself authentically and effectively.
Here are the key takeaways from the episode:
The value of a 9-5 job while building your business When you allow support - you get back so much more than you thought Make sure you have a plan B Personal branding on Instagram & why it matters for your business How to overcome imposter syndrome when posting online - especially in the early days The exact kind of content Daria makes to educate people on her business How to determine what kind of content you want to be known for - you need to remove your ego You have to do a lot of deep thinking/ internal workConnect with Daria:
Instagram: @dariaast
Website: dariaast.com
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Pigeon, the brilliant founder of Epiphany, a clit arousal serum. Kelly's entrepreneurial journey is fascinating, and through our conversation you can tell how wise her experience has made her. With Epiphany, she aimed to create a product for women, but she quickly discovered the complexities of bringing a formulated product to market.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering launching a product that requires a lab and formulation. Kelly shares invaluable lessons from her experience, including the challenges of working with labs and navigating regulatory hurdles. I was particularly surprised to learn about the nuances of formula ownership, which can vary depending on factors like cost and the lab you choose.
Marketing intimate products also presents unique challenges, and I was eager to hear Kelly's approach. We dive deep into the advertising restrictions on platforms like Instagram and the delicate balance of targeting a specific market while promoting inclusivity. Kelly's previous business experience also played a crucial role in her success.
One of my favorite quotes from the interview was that failure is the price you pay for success, and this idea of “failure” in entrepreneurship is almost cliche. But, like all cliches, they’re cliche’s for a reason. Kelly’s opening up about her past mistakes and how that helped her come back as a better business woman with Epiphany. Yes failure is terrifying in the moment, but it serves you so well later. Specifically she told me this amazing story about this INSANELY genius deal she made with agencies to help her with branding for Epiphany.
Whether you're dreaming of launching your own product or simply interested in the world of intimate wellness, this episode offers valuable insights from a seasoned entrepreneur. So let’s welcome Kelly to the podcast.
Connect with Kelly:
Website: https://tryepiphany.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tryepiphany
Connect with Maddie
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This week’s episode is a dream for me. It’s exactly the kind of content I set out to make when I started this podcast. Stephanie Nightingale, the founder of Stimmie, the first reusable toothpick, is breaking down everything you need to know about going from pre-concept to being in the proof of concept stage.
It’s very rare to hear people in the pre-seed, or proof of concept stage, talk deeply and frankly about the funding process and how they got their first investors. But Steph is getting real about her personal experience and passing her wisdom along to you guys. This is really the shit that no one talks about or wants you to know. She’s leaving you with great tips on how to talk to investors, and how she achieved her goal of having 300 conversations.
When I heard that 300 number I was astounded. I never knew how founders spent their days in the early stages of getting a business off the ground, but Steph demonstrates that entrepreneurship is all about connectivity. There’s no blueprint for any of this, so it’s about learning from others’ experiences and getting feedback on what you’re doing. Whether that’s product specific, business advice, or even testing brand messaging.
I had to ask her about her pitch. As someone in the early stages of a startup, the pitch is everything. It’s my bible. But in those 300 calls she wasn’t just doing her pitch over and over again. She said that she was just telling her story, and that’s what people really want to know. Steph and I are also diving deep on simplifying brand messaging.
As founders, we’re so deep in the weeds of what our products are and what their value is. But as Steph says, we really need to dumb it down for people. Distillation can be so challenging, but Steph is walking through how she got there with her product, so hopefully you can apply the same process to your businesses.
This episode is great for all my super early stage founders. You guys are going to learn the process of building a business plan, seeking funding, and refining the product through multiple iterations. This is a super tactical episode, but one that’s also filled with honesty and vulnerability. I am so grateful to Steph for sharing her expertise and experience with all of you.
Connect with Steph:
Subscribe to their Website: shopstimmie.com
Instagram: @itsstimmie https://www.instagram.com/itsstimmie/
TikTok: @itsstimmie
LinkedIn: Stephanie Nightingale https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-nightingale-899b6118/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Adrienne Martin, Founder of Mighty Bean Co., who shares her experience of balancing a full-time job and a side business. Both she and I get asked constantly how we manage our time, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear we have completely opposite approaches. Adrienne is all about simplicity and I really enjoyed hearing her perspective.
My favorite part of our conversation centers around unrealistic expectations. After COVID when we all collectively realized that we could monetize our passions, it felt like overnight successes became a dime a dozen. As a result, we started to model our expectations off what we see online. But, as we know, all good things take time. Adrienne and I are diving deep into setting unrealistic goals, why we do it, how to handle when they inevitably don’t happen, and how to appreciate the actual growth that you’re experiencing, no matter how seemingly small.
Of course I couldn’t let Adrienne go without asking her if she plans to take Mighty Bean full time, and she brought up a good point. Why do we have to choose? I think people expect those with side hustles to eventually make it full time, because why else would we work ourselves to the bone? But Adrienne calls herself a multi-hyphenate and she prefers to quietly sell. It's possible to find joy and fulfillment in both a full time role and a side business. Also, side note, if you were still on the fence about listening to this episode all the way through, Adrienne is hitting you with the social media hack that will get you engagement like never before. She’s tested it herself and it works.. I’m definitely trying it.
This conversation provides an interesting perspective on balancing a full time job and a profitable passion. It’s great for anyone who is currently doing both, or someone who’s looking to start a side hustle. The conclusion we come to is that the beauty of life is that we can pursue whatever we want and we don’t actually have to choose.
Connect with Adrienne:
Website: www.mightybean.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightybeanco/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/mightybeanco
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/mightybeanco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mighty-bean-co/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
Boy do I have a wild ride for you guys. In this episode I’m sitting down with Henry Woodman who has had the most incredible life journey I have ever heard. I knew I had to have him on the podcast when he told me that he spent a summer as a teen exploring the jungles of Honduras searching for a lost city. After that, he has had experience starting a tech platform, executive producing a game show in Chile, and now publishing a book and turning it into a limited TV series.
This conversation really centers on the challenges and rewards of facing your fears and taking risks. Henry's travels and life experiences have shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and perspective. When you were fighting for your life in the jungle as a teenager, taking the risk of starting a company seems small in comparison. So we’re diving deep into the importance of independence, critical thinking, and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals to succeed in business.
Then Henry proceeds to tell me the most amazing journey behind the book his dad wrote, called “The Reincarnation of Marie,” that he is now turning into a TV show. The origin story of this book and how it became a series is unbelievable. It mirrors so many of the same themes in the book, it was like the universe was conspiring to make this happen for him.
This conversation blends all my favorite things, entrepreneur mindset, the metaverse, fiction books, TV, and divine timing, it’s so much fun. This episode is great inspo for any entrepreneur, we are getting into how to take those first steps, what the vision is, how to hire people on a budget etc. But it’s also amazing if you guys are looking for a little adventure and want to hear about someone who has lived seven lives.
Connect with Henry:
https://mariethestory.com/
Networking group discussed: https://www.ypo.org/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
You guys have heard me say ad nauesum how important exercise is as an entrepreneur. Not just for physical health, but more so to support your mental health. Being an entrepreneur is hard on your ego, your emotions, your perseverance and I truly believe that exercise gives you the chemicals, grit, and discipline needed to sustain and support founders. As such, I’ve been dying to have a personal trainer on the podcast to talk more about this.
So, in this episode I’m sitting down with Mel Grauds who the founder of Melrose Training. She started her career as a registered nurse, but after getting burnt out and finding her love for fitness she decided to branch out and start personal training. We’re diving deep into her journey becoming an entrepreneur. Aside from tangible tips on how to start a personal training business, everything from the certifications and studios etc. we’re talking about the importance of strength training.
Mel addresses the common misconceptions about strength training, such as the fear of getting bulky, and highlights the science behind its benefits. We’re also getting into how this style of training allows you to set measurable goals to track progress and stay motivated, that other forms of exercise might not.
Overall, this episode is your motivation to get your butt in the gym. If you’re a long time listener or just tuning in for the first time, you’re going to understand why working out is important for your mental health and why it supports you as the CEO.
Work with Mel:
www.melrosetraining.ca
Instagram & TikTok: melrosetraining
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Maddy Aucoin who has been an entrepreneur for almost 5 years now and is onto her second business. Five years might not sound like a lot, but Maddy has impressive experience with scaling insanely fast - like 18 months fast- and has a wealth of experience to share. Maddy now owns By Maddy Aucoin , a copy writing business where she helps business owners articulate their brand messaging.
This conversation drills down into how to find your voice in marketing, how to create social media content that is unique, and how to pivot industries. It’s a great chat for my early stage startups that haven’t quite figured out how to talk about themselves online. I know this is something that I personally struggle with and Maddy really helped me figure out some basics that I have already started applying.
We’re leaving you with tangible tips for content creation. How to do so authentically, organically, and ethically. Maddy helped reframe my mindset around business marketing which I found really valuable. But, my favorite part of the conversation centers around ethical marketing practices today.
Something we connected on off-air was how out of hand some of these Instagram and TikTok hooks are getting. You know what I’m talking about, you see it all the time when scrolling: download my guide or follow me to get rich in 3 months or get a million instagram followers in 6. months. Maddy and I are diving into why these happen, what it means for brand equity, whether some of them are legit or not, and the implications of this on marketing practices in general. It’s fascinating for someone like me who’s obsessed with marketing.
Connect with Maddy:
Website: https://www.bymaddyaucoin.com/
Instagram: https://www.bymaddyaucoin.com/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Victoria Marshman who is the Co-founder of Mave and Chez, the only ergonomic luxury slipper designed for women’s bodies. This conversation covers a lot; everything from taking an idea from concept to first launch to bootstrapping to first funding rounds. It’s a great episode for any entrepreneur in ideation or early stages.
Aside from the actual topics of the conversation, generally speaking, I loved chatting with Victoria. We bonded over so many things. From both randomly living in China to our personal development journeys, she’s so fun to talk to. It feels like I’m just sitting down for coffee, catching up with my founder girl, hearing about her challenges and current wins. She’s getting deep into her experiences raising capital, kickstarter campaigns, navigating stakeholders, and tapping local communities for help.
One of my favorite parts of the conversation centers around goal setting. I’ve always been curious to understand how business owners set quarterly or yearly goals, and Victoria blew me away with her response. It’s truly fascinating and not at all what I thought she was going to say. Eventually this lead into a discussion about personal growth. It was really fun to talk to Victoria about this because her and her co-founder are totally on the same page as me about this.
She and I are breaking down WHY you need to let go of the how in order to grow. This is cool because I’ve never really articulated why surrendering is key for personal growth, but for any skeptics out there this is the episode where I’m changing your mind. This conversation is a beautiful blend between silliness and seriousness, both Victoria and I hope this episode leaves you feeling hopeful and like your cup is a little fuller.
Connect with Victoria:
Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoria_marshman
Idea to Launch Crash Course: https://victoriamarshman.simplero.com/cart/208729-Idea-to-Launch-Crash-Course
Book a Discovery Call: https://victoriamarshman.ca/
Shop MAVES: https://maveandchez.com/
Book: Crowdfunded - Mark Pecotta
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
Today’s conversation focuses on how to build self-confidence in 5 key areas of life, how to make successful pivots, finding purpose and fulfillment, and what a strong work ethic and self-discipline really is. I’m sitting down with Alexandra Dotcheva who moved to America from Bulgaria to complete her doctorate in music. She went on to join the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. But after 2 years she decided to pursue a career in nursing and has been practicing since 2011. In 2014, she made another change to pursue investing. Alexandra now owns 3 real estate businesses and a holistic coaching business.
Alexandra’s passion for health, fitness, financial independence, and her experience with lack of self confidence prompted her to publish her book, It Really Is Simple: A Holistic Approach to Self-Confidence, in which she shares her path to success in an effort to motivate readers to embrace change and pursue their dreams, in spite of fear and insecurity.
I was so impressed with Alexandra’s ability to adapt to life’s challenges, and I couldn’t wait to pick her brain about how and why she was able to pivot so many times successfully. We’re diving deep into what to do when the universe forces you to make big changes and how to come out on top. Her mission to help people overcome self-imposed limitations that prevent others from realizing their goals, finding peace of mind, and acquiring prosperity, is so Mimir coded that I knew she would be an amazing guest for you guys.
She’s leaving you with tangible tips on how to build self-confidence through addressing five key aspects of life: health, spirituality, career, finances, and relationships. I’m also asking her to dig into how she established her killer work ethic, what it means to be self-disciplined today, and how to hold yourself and others accountable.
This conversation is great for any entrepreneur who’s focused on bettering themselves. We’re talking about how to level up in literally every aspect of your life, so this is not an episode you’re going to want to miss.
Connect with Alexandra:
Website: https://www.holisticselfconfidence.com/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with James McKay who is, the founder of Ven, a collective of revenue experts helping accelerate growth for startups. James shares his career journey from film to tech sales and eventually starting his own business. I’m picking James’ brain based on his wealth of experience in tech. When James and I spoke originally off-air I was curious for him to expand on how even though he had worked in tech, and therefore felt like he had a pretty good idea of what he was getting into before launching his own company, there were still things he wasn’t expecting.
This conversation is a deep dive into the entrepreneurial experience. Everything from the challenges and rewards of working in tech, to the founder mentality, to aligning incentives with employees to create a fostering and empowering environment.
James shares the challenges he’s personally faced and those he’s experienced working in tech. He’s also sharing the tough decisions founders have to face as they scale their companies. We’re talking about things like how to make easy transitions, transfer of knowledge, and the discipline around setting your company up for success early.
Eventually, as all the Mimir convos go, James and I get into mindset and the importance of self-awareness for founders.
But my favorite part of the conversation centers around a high-level breakdown of what sets tech startups apart as an industry. We’re getting deep into the environment it fosters, the people that it supports, and why it’s so much fun to work in. Eventually we’re even talking about the future of work and the benefits of modular work arrangements. This is such a great conversation for anyone in or interested in tech. In my humble opinion, it feels like the first real thought leadership conversation I’ve had on the podcast and I’m incredibly proud of this interview.
Connect with James:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mckay-ven/
Website: https://www.ven.studio/
VEN Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ven-revops/
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Vince Quinn who is the founder of SBX production. Vince got his start in radio and worked his ass off in sales until he grew to hosting his own nationally syndicated show.
We chat about the challenges and realities of working in radio, including the competitive nature of the industry eventually leading him to transition to running his own podcast production company.
This was one of the main reasons I was excited to chat about Vince. So many people want to start a podcast these days, and I encourage everyone to do it. When I decided to start Mimir I had grand dreams of expanding it into a podcast production company similar to Dear Media. Even now, I get questions all the time about how I started the podcast, what it takes to run it, and where I see it going in the future. So this is a great episode for anyone who’s thought about starting a podcast.
Vince and I dive deep into what it takes to make one that succeeds. He emphasizes the importance of building a brand organically over time, the need for commitment, perseverance, and finding the right audience.
Our conversation explores the overwhelming need for passion in your area, authenticity, and commitment in creating a successful podcast. In order for people to tune in every week you have to fully believe in and be obsessed with your topic, and hosts should have a genuine curiosity when conducting interviews. We’re also leaving you with tangible tips into the various aspects of podcast production, including show development, guest booking, editing, and social media promotion.
Vince’s advice to any aspiring podcaster is to take the time to figure out if podcasting is the right fit for you and be willing to iterate and let it evolve. I wish I had had this episode when I had the idea to transition Mimir from a blog to a podcast, so I hope this will inspire the right person and them the tools they need to get that dream moving.
Connect with Vince:
Website: SBXProductions.com/contact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillycontentclub/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-quinn-7456114a/
Connect with Maddie
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mimirthepodcast/support -
In this episode I’m sitting down with Rebecca Mazzara who is the founder of Calita, an intimates line for women, made from natural fibers to prevent health issues like UTIs, and ethically manufactured. Our conversation is perfect for any of my girls dreaming of starting an e-commerce brand.
We’re talking about her journey starting Calita after working at Shopify. She’s sharing what she learned while there and how that helped her build Calita. One thing we bond over is the importance of nailing down shipping strategies and rates. I’ve learned through my 9-5 how complicated shipping is for any business, and especially for small startups, you need to understand this stuff to get a hold on your margins.
Rebecca also shares her experience with early ideating and manufacturing. She emphasizes the need to focus on solving a specific problem and not trying to be everything to everyone. She also highlights the value of attending conferences to learn as much as you can about your industry in a short amount of time. It’s really the best strategy if you’re early in ideation.
The meat of our conversation centers around marketing, which both Rebecca and I are obsessed with. She was able to build a really strong Instagram community before launch, so naturally I had to ask her seven million questions about that, so you guys can learn exactly how to replicate that. We are also talking about her recent journey using TikTok to grow. Everything from what kind of content has gone viral for her, how frequently to post, and algorithm tips and tricks.
Rebecca also gets vulnerable about her challenges when launching new products and we agree that being data obsessed is so important for all areas of the business.
Here are the key takeaways from the episode:
E-commerce Shipping Tips & Tricks Building your website on Shopify If you’re just starting - go to conferences You can’t be everything for everyone How to build a community on Instagram TikTok content hot tips Be data obsessedConnect with Rebecca:
Calita’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calitaintimates/
Rebecca’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_mazzara/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@calitaintimates?lang=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-mazzara-6479864a/
Connect with Maddie
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In this episode I’m sitting down with Jennifer Cain Birkmose who is co-founder of Viva Valet, a platform providing trusted services for elders. She has years of experience in healthcare ranging from work with the WHO, World Bank, even Pharma. It was really interesting getting her perspective on working with big organizations versus small business in terms of change enacted. The meat of our conversation centers around how to conduct really great product research before building the product.
We also get into defining company values and cementing culture early on. It’s the one thing that won’t change even if your product or service iterates. Culture is the oxygen that surrounds us, and it goes beyond words on a poster. It's embodied by leaders through language, stories, symbols, and interactions. Defining and living by your company's values and culture is key to success and growth. Culture is more than words on a poster; it's embodied by leaders through language, stories, symbols, and interactions.
One of the big reasons I was excited to chat with Jennifer is because of her passion for improv. I wanted to learn what values and skills that craft has taught her in her entrepreneurial career. Jennifer highlights that Improv is a life skill that positively impacts confidence and speaking abilities. It teaches presence, listening, humility, and failing with joy. Improv helps form connections, build teams quickly, and nurtures creative thinking. Improv provides tools to overcome hurdles and handle confrontation.
We talk about what great leadership looks like. How you will never grow beyond the amount of feedback you’re willing to receive. Also a leader, your job is to be a stable presence and create a an environment which others feel confident expressing their thoughts and inspiring them to do their best. These are tools that improv teaches.
Connect with Jennifer:
Company: www.vivavalet.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cain-birkmose-ab05a6/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jcbirk
Ted talks: https://www.ted.com/search?q=jennifer cain birkmose
Connect with Maddie
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In this episode, I’m sitting down with Susan Bryant who has over two decades of experience as a CPA, or certified public accountant. She’s also a certified tax planner helping business owners strategically navigate tax planning and accounting. As CEO and Co-Founder of Unboxed Advisors, she has a wealth [ 😉 ] of knowledge to share regarding the intricacies of business taxing and accounting.
It is my life mission to set my business up correctly, from the beginning, so as I scale I don’t have to go back and fix now costly errors. So I asked Susan to go through all the questions she gets from early entrepreneurs and also the common mistakes she sees. She’s breaking down all the basics. Everything from which entity you should be setting up, how you need to be filing your taxes, what it actually means to write something off, to the aesthetics of financial records. We’re also talking about the importance and significance of different finance roles. So, if your CFO is just really your BFF, you definitely need this episode.
One of the main takeaways that I learned from Susan is that accounting is a discipline. It’s one of those things that as founders, we don’t want to do, but really should be doing every day to make our lives easier going forward. Also, if you’re going out to investors it’s incredibly important to have your finances buttoned up, or else you’re going to leave a poor impression despite the quality of your idea.
This episode is jam packed with tangible tips and is perfect for my early stage entrepreneurs. So, open your notes app or grab a pen and let’s dive in.
Connect with Susan:
Official Site of Tax-Free Wealth - A Book By Tom Wheelwright, CPA (taxfreewealthbook.com)
Business Resources | Break Out of the CPA Box (unboxedadvisors.com)
Connect with Maddie
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In this episode I’m sitting down with Kaycie Romanello who started her own digital marketing agency after being laid off. Kaycie shares the challenges she faced and how crucial it was for her to trust her intuition and be open to different solutions. It was really interesting to hear that even though she started her business based on a skillset she was very comfortable with flexing, she still had to learn how to better target her ideal client and how to communicate in a way that turned sales. Overall, Kaycie's story highlights the resilience and determination required to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Kaycie and I explore the importance of being secure in your own path. The whole reason we are entrepreneurs is because we were never bound by societal expectations. But, people will tell you you’re crazy, or social media will tell you exactly the right or wrong way to make money. So it’s crucial to remember that it’s your own journey, and this is where intuition and being open minded comes into play.
Kaycie gets deep on the challenges and realities of being an entrepreneur. She’s totally honest about the fact that right now she might not leave her room for the whole day. We talk about how to embrace the ‘fuck it’ mentality to navigate through fear, failure, and constant comparison. We encourage all entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to trust the process, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and focus on your own journey.
Connect with Kaycie:
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Maddie
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