Crystal Uncorked

In this episode of Crystal Uncorked, we’re talking about AI, and in my opinion, this is one of the most important episodes that you might listen to on CU all year, if not ever, because it's going to help you understand the ever-expanding capabilities of AI. 

There's so much we don't know about what's coming in the future, but when you understand what it can do today, it's going to help you when you see content online that could be fake. It's going to help you ask questions to determine if what you're seeing, hearing, or reading is actually real or not. 

To demonstrate this I’m going to share with you a story about marketing legend Seth Godin and how he was able to create a podcast episode using AI and even his wife couldn’t tell the difference! 

Beware - this episode may shock you!

Episode Sponsor:

Be sure to check out Christina Gressianu. She is a Northern Colorado photographer that I’ve worked with for over 15 years! She does headshots, lifestyle shots, family portraits, solo portraits, and pets. She's also willing to travel to businesses to create your amazing branding kits. Special offer! If you work with her she's going to give you a free wall art upgrade! So check her out!

Get all of the resources for this episode here: https://crystaluncorked.com/blog/a-cautionary-tale-about-ai/

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

I’m not going to lie to you, I have been fighting feelings of resistance lately. And I think there have been a few reasons for that and I want to share with you how I pushed through it and the amazing benefits that I am seeing on the other side. (Plus a crazy story of synchronicity that made my procrastination worth it!)

[01:17] My recent photoshoot with the amazing photographer Christina Gressianu

[03:29] Why I needed a badass outfit to bring in that badass energy

[05:09] What I have found myself resisting and how changing my environment helped me to overcome it. Steal this trick from me if you need to change your energy…flip the script!

[09:51] When I start to get into my head about things, I tell myself to do things through love and kindness (and here’s what that looks like)

[12:13] The incredible synchronicity that happened when I stepped out of my comfort zone.

[13:50] Is there something you have been resisting and procrastinating on because the work felt hard, overwhelming or just had a lot of moving parts? Me too…here’s how I set myself up for success.

Get all of the resources on our website at: https://crystaluncorked.com/blog/having-an-alter-ego-overcoming-resistance

Be sure to check out Christina Gressianu. She is a Northern Colorado photographer that I have worked with for over 15 years! She does headshots, lifestyle shots, family portraits, solo portraits, and pets. She's also willing to travel to businesses to create your amazing branding kits. Special offer! If you work with her she's going to give you a free wall art upgrade! So check her out!

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

This is a story that I bet so many people can relate to because so many times over the past 11 years of owning Crystal Media, there have been meetings, partnerships, and clients that have initially created this feeling of, "Oh, this is it. We made it. This is the tipping point. This is big!" And then things don't happen.  This is a story about perseverance because even though it doesn't happen you just keep going and you keep going and you keep going until you find your success.

 This is my Drake story.

[01:36] Here is how I got the meeting with Drake’s team and Virginia Black Whiskey. Can we talk about the imposter syndrome?

[02:51] Do clothes really make the woman? And why is it so hard to find the right thing to wear!?!

[04:50] When faced with imposter syndrome, instead of focusing on the nerves, focus on being of service in that moment, maybe teach them something and remind yourself how wonderful you really are.

[05:37] The meeting with Drake’s people. I was hot, sweaty and uncomfortable…what did I get myself into?

[09:58] The results of the meeting and how it made me feel and the lessons we learned.

[13:11] How I look at opportunities that don’t always work out the way that we wanted them to. 

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

In 2008 when I was 23 years old, I started a company called 3 Elements. Today I'm going to dive into why I started it, how I started it, and some really great lessons that I think we can all apply, whether you're starting a business or not.

Let’s dive in:

[01:41] How I got into the social media industry.

[04:38] Let’s take a moment to talk about my love of Kevin Rose from Diggnation. Who may or may not have inspired Crystal Uncorked?

[09:10] The writing was on the wall with my job so I decided it was time to start my own business. With my dad’s support and encouragement, I started to get clients and learned a few things along the way.

[20:52] After a move to San Diego, I was lonely in my business and in a new city so I put out to the universe that I needed a team to work with. And the universe answered in the most unexpected way.

[25:36] These are the lessons I want you to know.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Wine: The Pessimist by Daou

Show: Diggnation with Kevin Rose

Book: Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Get all the resources on the website: https://crystaluncorked.com/blog/realizing-that-no-one-has-it-figured-out/

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

I have a confession to make. I love it when podcasters show us behind the curtain. I think it's very relatable when we can hear what businesses are going through, their thought process and what led them to make certain decisions. And so that's what we're going to be doing in today’s episode.

So let's cheers and dive in!

[2:49] What is happening with Crystal Uncorked - hint we are going to be sharing more stories!

[5:12] At Crystal Media we are looking at our operations through the lens of “10X is easier than 2X”. This way of thinking will encourage you to look at your business differently and help you scale faster and free up time for you as an owner to focus on the things that you want to do.It will also challenge you to create a new schedule, structure and habits in order to meet these new goals!

[14:24] What have I learned from having more speaking gigs this year than I have any other year in business?

[21:19] Celebrating the team at Crystal Media - how I am doing it and why it is so meaningful to me.

[26:08] We will be exploring new revenue streams inside of our businesses - including sponsorship opportunities for the podcasts. So if you would like to promote your business to our audience, reach out!

[27:57] In Rooted in Retail we want to develop a connection with our audience so we’ll be starting a live “After the Show” event online every week so that you will have the opportunity to dive in deeper with us and ask those burning questions that you have after each episode! Should we do it for Crystal Uncorked?? Let me know what you think!

[31:16] Wedding updates!!!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Wine: The Pessimist by Daou 

Book: 10X is easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan 

Event: EVOLVE 2024 

Resource: Learn more about ERC

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

I've got a juicy story to share. Despite being an experienced speaker, I always got nervous before events. But this summer, I had an “Aha!” moment. I had a mindset shift that made me a more confident speaker, and I'll spill the beans on how it happened and what it is. Plus, I've got a nifty tip from Donald Miller on being entertaining when all else fails in content creation.

Enjoy this week’s CU!

Mentioned in this episode:
http://crystalmediaco.com/insider

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

Hey there from Lake Tahoe! I just woke up from one of my energizing power naps.

Today, I share a neat motivation trick I found on Instagram. It's a game-changer! I'm thinking of using this in my talks, especially for encouraging folks to dive into short-form video content like Reels and TikTok.

Remember, motivation is great, but it's all about doing the hard work and setting up your environment for success. So, let's get motivated and chase those goals!

See you on the next CU!

Mentioned in this Episode:
http://crystalmediaco.com/evolve

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

You know they say, “Don’t meet your heroes?” Well, the day before I recorded this, I met mine, and it’s better than I could’ve imagined!

So, I'm spilling the beans on my whirlwind adventure at a two-day writer's workshop with none other than Don Miller. Get ready for some creative nuggets, the secret sauce to staying disciplined in writing, and a sneak peek into my upcoming book titled "15 Mile Famous: From Best Kept Secret to Local Celebrity." Cheers to the writer's life!

Mentioned in this episode:
EVOLVE 2024

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

Social media is scary. There, I said it.

And with what we’re seeing online about how people react so easily because they’re behind a keyboard, it can be scary not only for personal profiles but also for business accounts to post. And some hide behind the excuse, “I don’t have time to post”.

Whether it’s fear of judgment or a lack of time, erase that. Move forward and show up.

Mentioned in this episode:

EVOLVE 2024
Crystal on Instagram

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎

At a recent conference on the topic of finances, an AI generated video depicted the “Faces of Wealth” as 100% male. 

In today’s episode, I’m sharing ideas, tips, and advice to develop a positive relationship with money, especially for my female listeners! 

Whether you’re looking for ways to invest and grow your portfolio or you just need some seeds to plant for your money mindset, you’ll walk away with value after listening. 

Let's stay connected:

• Follow my journey on Substack: https://buildingmyepicempire.com
• Email me: [email protected]
• Instagram: @crystalvilkaitis

I'll CU on the next CU! 😎