In this episode of Color Bar, Betsy and Kim sit down with the incomparable Melissa Clayton, founder and CEO of Tiny Tags—the beloved personalized jewelry brand worn by moms, icons, and everyday heroes. Melissa opens up about her path from CPA and stay-at-home mom to visionary entrepreneur, sharing the real, behind-the-scenes story of what it takes to build a brand with heart.

From bootstrapping and bold pivots to authentic storytelling and building a fiercely loyal community, Melissa brings equal parts wisdom and warmth to every topic. We dig into product innovation, organic growth strategies, retail partnerships, and why cheering on other women in business is not just a value—but a superpower.

Packed with inspiration, hard-won lessons, and Melissa’s signature honesty, this episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming big, building something meaningful, or searching for the courage to stay true to their mission.

🎙️ In this episode of Color Bar, Betsy and Kim sit down with the radiant Stephanie Glaser — Chief Sales Officer at MGM Resorts — for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and real.

With nearly three decades in hospitality, Stephanie opens up about her journey of leadership, personal branding, and well-being — and how MGM is redefining workplace culture with its innovative sabbatical program, “The Intermission.”

From giving yourself grace to finding balance and modeling authenticity as a leader, this episode is a masterclass in holistic growth — with plenty of laughs, wisdom, and aha moments along the way.

Tune in to be inspired to hit your own intermission — and come back stronger, more centered, and ready to shine.

In this episode of Color Bar, hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke dive into the evolution of direct mail with two industry powerhouses — Chris Lien, EVP of Postal Affairs at BCC Software, and David Rosendahl, Co-Founder and President of MindFire Inc.

Together, they unpack how technology, automation, and real-time tracking are turning traditional mail into a smart, data-driven powerhouse that marketers can finally measure, optimize, and integrate seamlessly with digital campaigns.

From 2026 USPS promotions and catalog creativity to the truth that the mailbox is the one channel you can’t turn off, this episode explores how direct mail is reclaiming its spot in the modern marketing mix — delivering performance, personalization, and a serious dose of phygital power.

If you thought mail was old school, think again — this is where print meets predictive.

In this episode of "Color Bar," Betsy & Kim welcome Mel Bishop, Director of In-Store Marketing for Pet Supermarket. Mel shares insights on the unique, emotional nature of pet retail, emphasizing the importance of customer experience, innovative in-store events, and personalized service. The discussion covers holiday planning, the evolving use of technology like QR codes, and the power of collaboration and continuous improvement. They also explore loyalty programs, highlighting the need for aspirational rewards and authentic engagement to build lasting customer loyalty in a competitive retail landscape.

In this episode of Color Bar, we welcome back Kat Tushim, Executive Creative Director, for a conversation all about “Looking Left”—taking unexpected, fresh approaches to marketing challenges.

Kat takes us inside bold campaigns for 360 Chicago, Kum & Go, BF Goodrich, and more, sharing how “looking left” fuels creativity, disrupts the ordinary, and unlocks cross-industry inspiration. From immersive retail experiences and holiday storytelling to AI-driven personalization, Kat breaks down what it takes to connect with evolving consumer expectations and deliver brand moments that stick.

Listeners will hear candid insights on mentorship through her work with True Chicago, how to reimagine campaigns with personality and purpose, and why authenticity always wins. This is a practical, inspiring episode packed with strategies for marketers who want to create experiences that are not just seen—but felt and remembered.

In this episode, hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke sit down with Wendy Moodie, co-founder of one of today’s most innovative event production companies. Wendy pulls back the curtain on her journey designing immersive, can’t-miss brand experiences across entertainment, retail, travel, and beyond.

The conversation dives into:

• How experiential marketing has evolved from flashy activations to authentic, story-driven engagement
• Why brand integrity is non-negotiable when creating environments that wow and last
• The game-changing role of technology in transforming spaces into living, breathing experiences

Wendy also shares her take on the rise of pop-up culture, how brands can spark massive amplification through social media, and what companies should know before stepping into immersive marketing.

The episode wraps with a bold look ahead at future trends—and Wendy’s call for brands to lean into creativity, courage, and innovation as they reimagine how to connect with their audiences.

Helen Smith, Head of Marketing at Precision Proco, joins Color Bar to talk about relaunching their podcast Great Minds Print Alike—and why sometimes the bravest move is simply to Stop Overthinking and Take Action! Check out the podcast here: Great Minds Print Alike 

We dig into the impact of AI on business and marketing strategies—how we can still show up authentically, while weaving AI into the creative process to spark ideas, accelerate execution, and free up time for what matters most: strategy and human connection.

Helen also shares what happened when she fully unplugged on vacation—how stepping away recharged her creativity and gave her team the chance to grow. It became a powerful example of engaging the next generation of talent in our industry and empowering them with real responsibility. As Helen put it best:
“There is nothing more motivational than trust.”

We wrap by reimagining B2B demand generation—shifting away from being purely sales-driven and leaning into marketing-led, playful, multi-channel approaches. And Helen reminds us of a truth every marketer should hold onto:
“It’s not always about selling a product—it’s about selling a feeling.”

 If you’re a B2B marketer or a business leader, this episode is packed with real conversation and real opportunities—both personally and for your business.

Cure our busy brains and bring hope back into our businesses! In this episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Dr. Romie Mushtaq, neurologist, mindfulness expert, author of The Busy Brain Cure, and Chief Wellness Officer of Great Wolf Lodge Resorts.

Together, we explore:

• What it really means to be a Chief Wellness Officer and why more companies should consider this transformative role.
• How to begin creating a culture of wellness inside organizations.
• Practical ways to connect wellness across five generations in the workplace.
• How leaders can lead authentically while curing their own busy brains.

Dr. Romie also shares her personal daily morning practice—Hydrate. Pray. Meditate.—and simple, actionable steps for leaders:

1. Start your day with 30 minutes of no phone, quiet reflection, hydration, stretching, etc. Digital Detox! 
2. Practice empathetic listening.
3. Be someone’s hope holder.

Take the Busy Brain Test today at www.drromie.com
and check out her book The Busy Brain Cure to begin igniting hope in yourself and your organization.

 On this episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Kecia Hielscher, CEO of Formulary 55, to talk about the leap from the corporate world to becoming your own boss—and how staying true to your intentions of freedom and flexibility can lead to remarkable success. Inspired by the “green lights” philosophy from Matthew McConaughey’s book, Kecia shares how she built and scaled her luxury bath and body brand, from product development to finding the right channels—online, in-store, and wholesale. We explore the real-world marketing lessons she’s learned, including how Sandy Alexander supported her catalog and trade show booth for expansion into new markets. Throughout the conversation, Kecia challenges aspiring entrepreneurs to ask themselves: “Why not me? Why not now?” and reminds us all to be bold, trust your gut, and follow your own green lights.

In this inspiring episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Lorrie King and Celeste Lee, the visionary co-founders of Caire Beauty—a science-forward skincare brand created specifically for women aged 40 to 65.

We unpack their journey from startup to standout, exploring everything from the intentionality behind the brand name ("I care") to the challenges and triumphs of launching a brand in today’s evolving beauty landscape. From building direct-to-consumer traction to embracing retail and pop-up activations, Caire is redefining how beauty brands connect with women in midlife.

We also dive into how AI is shaping the omni-channel experience, the rise of subscription models, and why loyalty now goes far beyond points—it’s about purpose.

This isn’t just skincare. It’s self-care. It’s a movement.
Tune in to hear how Caire is helping women care more boldly—for their skin, their confidence, and themselves. MAKE SURE TO USE THE SPECIAL PROMO OFFER FOR SANDY ALEXANDER - www.cairebeauty.com and use promo - SANDY20 

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