Clover: Conversations with Women in Leadership on Visibility, Authority & Owning the Room

Sometimes you run across someone in life and you feel the nudge to reach out and get to know them better. Nicie Andrew is one of those people. We were reading an article on Austin Monthly, 'Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Austin' and saw that her business was featured. The more we learned about her via our Google searches, the more we wanted to meet her. We reached out via Instagram DM, and here we are.

Nicie is 25 years old and is already shaping up to be a serial entrepreneur. In addition to being a 5th grade Math teacher, she is growing two of her own businesses - The Millennial Perspective, which focuses on helping others launch their own online businesses from idea conception to web presence to branding and packaging, and Golden Goddesz, a passion project turned business centering on beautifully made stationary and planners.

Here's a quick overview of our discussion:

Running a Business in Today's Landscape

• Her role in the anti-racism movement
• The shift she made in her product-based business due to COVID-19

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Bug in College

• The birth of her first business
• The mission of helping and serving young entrepreneurs in her community of Northeast Austin

Insight for Those Starting Out

• Why all your passions are not business ideas
• How to identify the most sustainable business idea out of a long list
• Recovering from imposter syndrome and identifying as an entrepreneur

Daily Routines to Fuel Success

• Morning coffee, devotional, intentional thoughts
• Prioritize 2-3 items for the day, YouTube University
• The one nutrition tip she includes every single day
• The daily practice that keeps her grounded and empowered to keep going

What's Next

• Online stationary design courses
• The ultimate goal: community space for entrepreneurs to have access to trainings, technology and supplies to start and further their businesses

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up
If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? Demi Lovato

Where can people find you online?

• Instagram
  • Miss Nicie
  • The Millennial Perspective
  • Golden Goddesz
• Facebook
  • All Businesses
• Website
  • http://missnicie.com/
  • https://themillennialperspective.net/
  • http://www.goldengoddesz.com/

*Special shout-out to Purposefully Craftee for inspiring Nicie to jump in with Golden Goddesz*

We all know, either from first-hand experience or via media coverage, how hard New York has been hit with COVID-19. This week we speak with Melissa McLoughlin owner of MB Studio Salon & Spa in Rochester, NY. Since the time of this recording, hair salons in certain regions have been able to reopen in NY as part of phase 2 announced May 29.

We discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Melissa's business, the impact on her staff, and how the salon experience will change for clients upon re-opening. In addition, we take a look at the challenges of knowing when to go from a sole proprietor to hiring your first staff member...along with the challenges that go along with expanding your team.

Here's a quick overview of what we covered:

The COVID-19 Impact in NY

• Showing up consistently during uncertain times
• The slap in the face that are the high level of restrictions to reopen in NY
• Selling retail to keep income coming in to make ends meet
• The 4 core steps to take to keep your clients and employees engaged

Getting Scrappy: Opening a Salon at the Age of 28

• Attending and graduating high school and hair school at the same time while working multiple jobs
• Transitioning from hairdresser to salon owner
• Building a brand, not just a company
• The Rachel Hollis connection & leadership

Build It: Key Insights When Starting a Business

• Stopping the slippery slope of buying unnecessary business supplies 
• If you're not driven and humble, rethink being a business owner
• Hair trends and competitors
• Leveraging social media and YouTube to consistently learn and stay ahead of the game

The Art of Hiring and Expansion

• Hiring staff with the right skillset and culture fit
• The hardest part of hiring
• Social media as a tool to find your next hire
• Know every single part of your business before you hire

Wellness Measures

• Phone reminders with intentional prompts
• The impact of a gratitude journal

Looking Ahead

• The risk of losing clients with re-opening restrictions
• Post-covid plans - exciting expansions in the works
• The concern of a covid outbreak in the winter

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up
If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? OneRepublic

Where can people find you online?

• Instagram
  • Personal
  • Business
• Facebook
  • Personal 
  • Business
• Website
  • https://www.mbstudiosalon.com/

Oh my goodness. This woman has such a story, such a mission. This week we connected with Crystalyn Aucoin of Crystalyn Aucoin Jewelry. She has built a solid business over the past 18 months - so solid that you would think she has been in business for a decade.

Out of New Orleans, she has gone through personal tragedy that brought her to Houston and back home to New Orleans again. She emerged from that stronger: a single mom, a widow in her early 30s. A fire was lit within her - she fanned that flame and committed to diving into her dream, starting her own business in spite of those around her questioning, 'Why would you do something so hard, after you've just gone through something so painful?'

Entrepreneurs are used to that question...luckily the 'why' of it all is everything. The stronger your 'why', the the stronger your will to build a sustainable business and the stronger your determination to leverage that business to impact and serve others.

This is a powerful one - here's a quick highlight of our discussion:

The Impact of COVID-19 on a Product-Based Business

• The shift she made when her manufacturers shut down
• Friendship bracelets and the importance of customer connection
• Adopting a creative solution to nudge a slower-moving product

The Importance of Mentors

• The support, coaching, and promotion of her product from Rachel Hollis
• The 1 key thing Jasmine Star personally told her to do in order to launch her business (she launched within one month of that advice!)

Coming Out of a Personal Tragedy Stronger

• Dealing with 'imposter syndrome'
• Pushing through when those around her doubted her goals
• Managing grief, being a single mom, a young widow, starting a business
• Coming to terms with new roles, titles, responsibilities, and expectations

Career Shifting: The Jump from Billboard Sales to Jewelry Design

• Creating an everyday jewelry line for women from work to the soccer field
• Jumping in with zero experience in building a business
• Leveraging online courses and content, hiring help
• Finding success in a male-dominated industry (yes, the jewelry industry is run mostly by men!)
• Empowering women to buy jewelry for themselves

Just Start.

• A special message for single moms and those going through hardships looking to start their own business
• Building the foundation: what you start with won't be what you finish with
• Learning while putting that learning into action
• Obstacles as a reminder of what you've accomplished and a way to prepare you for what's next
• The ultimate question, 'Is it really as hard as I'm making it out to be?'
• The money mindset - investing in yourself and your business

The Mission.

• Inspiring women through her story and journey
• Basing her business on connection and relationships
• Giving back to cancer-related initiatives to honor her husband Ryan
• Earning more to give back more

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? Adele (Vance Joy was a close second)
• Where can people find you online?
  • Website (also at womenbuyjewelry.com)
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

The real estate industry is one in which many flock to with aspirations of financial gains, schedule flexibility, and fulfillment by helping others. Our guests this week, Sarah and Stephen George of Magnolia Realty (yes, the same Magnolia of the infamous Chip and Jo Gaines) take this to a whole other level. Coming from different backgrounds and family lifestyles, these two weave their strong feelings of the importance of a home and all it stands for, their passion to serve, and their dedication to their family throughout their realty business.

This episode was recorded when our state of Texas was just days away from phase 1 of re-opening amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As real estate is about as social and face-to-face business as they come, it was interesting to hear how they shifted during this time to continue to grow, not just maintain, their lucrative business by leveraging technology solutions as well as amping up their client service offerings.

Here's a quick overview of our discussion (which included a lot of laughs along the way):

COVID-19 Impact

• Transitioning a social, face-to-face business to virtual while keeping client care intact
• Virtual tours and open houses, zoom meetings, Facetime walkthroughs
• A day-in-the-life of helping out-of-state buyers during the pandemic
• The impact on the Austin real estate market

Shifting Within an Industry in Flux

• Three big reasons why people are choosing to move now 
• Creative ways to offer support in new ways to clients
• Virtual/technology solutions that might stick around in the real estate industry post-pandemic

Business Insights

• The 4 key pieces to the art of a people-centric business
• Helping clients identify what will work and what won't
• Transitioning to real estate from another career track
• Running a business with your spouse...successfully, and during quarantine

Entrepreneur Journey

• Turning would-be crazy ideas into realistic sustainable businesses
• 3 steps to take to transition from the corporate world to building your own business
• How community is critical when going out on your own
• Daily routines that help intention rather than just 'winging it'
• Making a constantly changing and fluid schedule work with business, kids, and distance learning

What's Next for Sarah and Stephen

• Their big goals moving forward (exciting!)
• Their vision will impact Austin and the surrounding areas in a big way

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? Sarah: Lauryn Hill
  Stephen: The Beatles
• Where can people find you online?
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

One of the most loved industries that has been one of the most impacted during the global pandemic has been hair salons. I can tell you (from personal experience) that when public officials call a press conference to announce the gradual and safe re-opening of local businesses that many of us are on the edge of our seats to hear when we can get our hair done. (Especially those of us with grey hairs that have a mind of their own. Why are those hairs so wiry and untamable?) 

We are overjoyed to have Rita Fellers of Rita Fellers Hair as our guest this week. It just so happened that on the day we recorded this, Texas Governor Abbott had announced the first phase of 're-opening the state' - which did not include hair salons. Since then, he surprisingly accelerated the plan for salons to open, sending many to scramble for required supplies and to put necessary safety protocols into place.

Rita has been practicing hair (styling and coloring) for over twenty years. She honed her craft in Los Angeles, fast-tracking her way to success working with a variety of celebrities and training under highly respected stylists. After pausing her career to dedicate herself as a stay at home mom, she jumped back in to create the successful business she has today. Here's a quick highlight of our discussion:

COVID-19 Impact

• Initial reaction to Governor Abbott's re-opening of the state for businesses
• What her business might look like once she returns to the salon
• Safety measures to take with her clients moving forward

Building a Business in Hair

• How she found herself with a career in hair
• Managing working with celebrities and doing hair for bi-coastal events
• She shampooed Morrisey's hair you guys!
• The art, psychology, and therapeutic aspect of hair

Strategic Insights for Entrepreneurs

• Implementing your vision to achieve your goals
• Sharing your inspiration and business via social media
• Supporting other small business entrepreneurs
• Daily meditation and gratitude, and reflection

Transitioning Back Into Your Career After Being a Stay at Home Mom

• Going back to school 
• Personal belief and managing fear
• The importance of confidence in your pricing
• Empowering women through hair
• The critical need to ask for help, especially as mom entrepreneurs

Looking Ahead - What's Next for Rita

• Clear vision of what her business plan entails for the future
• The effectiveness of writing down your goals to manifest
• The hair trend of 2020 (once we can all get our hair done)

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be? The Rolling Stones
• Where can people find you online?
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritalynnfellers/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RitaLynnFellers

This episode has an additional layer of specialness to it, as Muscle Creative's own Joey Ramirez is reunited (via Zoom) with his best friend since he was a little tike. This week we welcome serial entrepreneurs, Gabriel Gonzalez and Maya Sanchez.

Gabe and Maya have a variety of business interests that they are in the process of expertly weaving together.

Gabe's background is in music; having been a member of many bands, the most recent of which have been El Paso-based Sparta and Sleepercar. Music has been a steady constant in his life and career as he has owned a recording studio, opened a live music venue in El Paso with partner Jim Ward (also of Sparta and Sleepercar) called Tricky Falls as well as bar Bowie Feathers. Gabe continues to build his business in music via recording, sound engineering live and studio projects, as well as mixing, producing, and recording client material. In addition, he offers a mobile service where he can meet clients at their location.

Maya's background and career is one for the record books (literally). After a career as a post production commercial producer in Los Angeles (where she also grew up), she moved to her hometown of San Elizario to start her own business. In addition to running an event venue, Presidio Hall, her vision is to grow a farm-based restaurant and destination experience, focused on sustainable agriculture. In parallel to all of this, Maya was instrumental in the incorporation of the city of San Elizario and was elected the city's first mayor. Yes. She is basically a queen and we should all bow to her. 

Aligning Multiple Business Ventures

• Juggling the trifecta: established business, new businesses, working full-time
• What motivated Gabe to take a break from touring and start a business
• How Maya saw an opportunity to make a difference in the San Elizario and El Paso communities
• Obstacles experienced as a trailblazer, growing a new and unique business
• Ways to ensure various businesses are aligned, carefully selecting opportunities that build their brand

Moving Ahead Through Obstacles

• Obstacles experienced as a trailblazer, introducing the local community to a new and unique business
• Knowing when to end a business and lessons learned in doing so
• Impact of COVID-19 on an events-based business and a music production business
• How to adjust a business model to survive in a changing economic landscape
• The top key strategy to help ensure your business is nimble and sustainable

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be?
  Maya - Cat Stevens (with a mention of Lionel Richie)
  Gabe - Ritchie Valens
• Where can people find you online?
  Presidio Hall
  https://www.facebook.com/presidiohall
  https://www.instagram.com/presidiohall
  
  Wavelength Audio Resolutions
  https://www.facebook.com/wavelengthaudio
  https://www.instagram.com/wavelengthaudio

 The fitness industry is a crowded one, with every one and their neighbor seeming to have some sort of health and wellness related business. So to be in business for 15 years with no signs of slowing down (well, except for this pandemic the world is currently experiencing), is quite the feat. We had the pleasure of chatting with Harry Shaw, owner of Lakeway Elite Fitness, who not only has accomplished this but other impressive things as well…such as being one of 20 active Krav Maga 3rd Degree Black Belts in the world.

We cover everything from running what is considered a non-essential business during the pandemic of COVID-19 to pitfalls to watch out for when starting your own business all the way to the vision he has for his gym.  Here's a few highlights:

 COVID-19

• The painful process of applying for the small business loans and payment protection plan offered to those affected by COVID-19
• How COVID-19 has impacted his gym and ways he has shifted his business operations to stay afloat
• How to see a tough time in business as an opportunity and rely on your strengths to get you through
• His master plan for re-opening a gym post COVID-19

Starting and Growing a Business

• The story behind how he discovered Krav Maga and CrossFit
• How to cultivate an engaged community that supports your business goals
• Getting into debt for your business - is it ever a good idea?
• Who to leverage for business advice
• A warning against business partnerships
• Exploring the tactic of not obsessively looking at your competitors
• 4 New habits to adopt to create a better you, a better business
• It's not all about the numbers - how tracking certain stats too closely can slow you down 

 Muscle Creative Wrap Up

• If you could only listen to one artist the rest of your lift who would it be? Johnny Cash
• Where can people find you online? 

https://www.facebook.com/CrossfitLakeway/

https://www.facebook.com/lakewayelitefit/

https://www.lakewayelitefitness.com/

https://www.instagram.com/crossfitlakewayelitefitness/

This week we chat with baker extraordinaire, kid entrepreneur, and finalist on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship Season 6, Madison Totaro, as well as her mom and 'Momager', Mindy Totaro.

It continues to be a strange time as at the time of this recording, Austin, TX had just begun their quarantine lockdown and students were beginning ‘distance learning’ as school buildings were closed. We had a delightful conversation covering how COVID-19 is impacting their family as well as a closer look on what it takes to be a successful kid entrepreneur.

In this episode discover: 

The Impact of COVID-19

• Tips on how to keep kids productive during COVID-19
• Insight on helping kiddos with different personalities manage distance learning
• Madison’s view on coping with a quarantine

How the Baking Began

• What influenced Madison in catching the baking bug at a young age
• How her neighbor’s love of sweet treats inspired her baking business
• The next ingredient that Madison will be experimenting with

The Kids Baking Championship Experience

• How Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship came about
• Did they really say that? How Madison’s parents let her know she made it on the show
• How Madison juggled school, her business, and keeping the secret of taping the show under wraps
• The one treatment Madison and Mindy would pamper themselves with each off day during taping
• How Madison handles the challenges that come with being well-known from a television show
• Madison’s favorite part of being involved with the show
• Mindy’s biggest challenge as a parent having a kiddo on a national show
• The one ritual they would do every day before Madison would go on set

Building a Business as a Kid Entrepreneur

• How Madison’s business nurtures her philanthropic spirit
• What makes up Madison’s daily routine for success
• Creating something of your own vs. improving upon something already out there
• Managing the financial side of the business
• Tips from Mindy for parents with a kiddo that wants to be an entrepreneur – the one thing to focus on
• Tips from Madison for kids who want to start their own business
• Next steps for Madison and how she’s expanding beyond traditional baking

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• Favorite thing for Madison to bake: cakes or cupcakes because she can let her creativity fly!
• Favorite thing for Mindy to eat that Madison bakes: ummm...everything?
• If you could listen to only one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be?
  Mindy – Maroon 5 (Adam Levine…swoon)
  Madison – Meghan Trainor (coincidentally on tour with Adam Levine)

You can find Madison and see what she’s up to here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison_bakes/

For more info on Food Network's Kids Baking Championship, Season 6, click here.

If you've ever wondered how to create a business from scratch after relocating your family out-of state, within an industry you have no experience in, expand that business into multiple markets, win multiple awards and esteemed recognition, and still have it going strong more than ten years later, this is the podcast episode for you. 

This week we're chatting with Wade Lombard, co-founder of Square Cow Movers. In this episode, Wade is super transparent not only regarding what it takes to set out on your own to start a business but also to then see sustainable growth followed by severe setbacks stemming from said exponential growth. Wade and his team built a strong business in 10 years that almost completely unraveled in 18 months. Their ingenuity and getting back to basics strategy saved their business and gave them the leadership tools to handle other obstacles...such as leading an essential business through the global pandemic of COVID-19.

In this episode learn:

COVID-19

• How an essential service continues to operate amidst COVID-19
• The most important message to give your customer-facing team in uncertain times

Kicking Off a Business

• Tentpoles to consider and measure when choosing an industry to enter
• How identifying key cornerstones for your company and ensuring your team lives and breathes them, plays in company growth

Identifying & Managing Pitfalls

• Turning your business around once it gets off track - financially and organizationally
• Identifying problem areas and prioritizing which to tackle first
• Why the small things matter the most
• How hard years prepared them to handle the COVID-19 pandemic
• What leadership means and when things get hard
• Why considering growth a strategy could mean the start of your business's downfall

Growing a Strong and Sustainable Business After Conflict

• Four tactics to implement to align company goals for a strong future
• How the tipping point is an actual thing (Book reco: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell)
• Growing your business by multiples of 1 
• Why chasing your passion as a business is not always the right decision
• How a daily routine is critical to success
• What's behind serial entrepreneurship and what's next for Wade

Muscle Creative Wrap-Up

• Favorite CrossFit Movement: Double-Unders
• If you could only listen to one music artist the rest of your life who would it be: Justin Timberlake

You can find Wade and more information on Square Cow Movers here:

Wade Lombard on LinkedIn
Wade has graciously offered to connect with our podcast audience of entrepreneurs via email: [email protected]

Square Cow Movers Website

This week we are chatting with Melanie Wright of Melanie Wright Photography. We booked this session weeks before we were aware that COVID-19 had entered the United States. Rather chatting in our home studio we tested out our first (and not our last) technology solution for doing podcasts remotely. In this episode we discuss:

• How COVID-19 has impacted her business
• Unique offerings she has shifted to due to COVID-19
• The dramatic event that drove her to leave her teaching career for photography
• How she worked through her biggest fears to build her business
• The critical part online courses have played in her business growth
• Key insights for others wanting to start their own business
• Next steps in her entrepreneurial career