Crystal Uncorked

What do business owners and circus performers have in common? This may seem like a really silly question, but I had the unique experience participating in Circus for Entrepreneurs, a leadership training created by my friend Stacey Murphy. I spent a day at the San Diego Circus Center, practicing real circus acts with real circus professionals while reflecting on my business.

What's in a name?
At the beginning of the day, we were asked to create a power word. This power word we would wear on our shirt, and it would be our name for the rest of the day. The challenge behind this word was to identify a word or phrase that embodied who you wanted to be. I chose: Risk-Taker. Some might say I take risks but it's truly relative to what you're comparing to. For me, I feel like I really value comfort and tend to play it safe and stay comfortable in my business and I would like to take more risks. So "Risk-Taker" became my name of the day, and it really impacted my thoughts and how I approached each activity.

Let's Get Down to Circus
The day revolved around three stations, the silks, the clown, and the trampoline. As we worked through each station, I was really inside my head. For the silks and the trampoline, I had these ideas of grandeur. I love to perform, I love all eyes on me and I really saw myself performing like a circus professional and everyone is so amazed. This was not the case. I really learned that as I compared myself to others, it really affected what I was actually able to do. Comparing myself in business has become a habit, and this has made me more aware of these comparisons. They are not fair, to me and to the other people. We have different skill sets and that is great.

Working with the clown was a really interesting experience. I may be the only one, but I have always wondered what clowns look like under all the makeup and costumes. Turns out, they might be cute. In this lesson in body language from a plain-clothes clown, I learned my face truly shows my judgment and curiosities. This is something I never expected to get from working with a clown.

Business Reflection with a Twist
After each station, we had the opportunity to reflect, journal, and discuss the connections we made. They had some really great questions that I think would be great for anyone in business to provide a fresh perspective.

1. How do you make visible your power word?
2. What do you tell yourself when you nail it and when you don't?
3. What are you doing to amuse and delight your clients?
4. How can I have more fun in my marketing and sales?
5. What happens when you get really high?
6. What stories do you tell yourself about how easy or hard you are working?
7. Where is the hang time in your business? That space where one action has the greatest leverage?

This training was so interesting and unique, I can't wait to try their next one! If you'd like to learn more, you can check out Circus for Entrepreneurs online and sign up for more information and notifications on their next training.

What’s Inside:

• My experience at a unique training course, Circus for Entrepreneurs.
• Questions for reflection on your business from the perspective of a circus performer.
• Expectations rarely match reality, and that’s okay.
• How comparison can really hurt your potential.
• What can business owners or entrepreneurs learn from the circus?

Mentioned In This Episode:
Circus for Entpreneurs
Our Dreamville Label — Akash Winery

Crystal Media
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on TikTok 

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! 😎

1. Pay really close attention to who you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with the people you want to be more like.
2. Try new things, don't be afraid to fail. 
3. Ask for help sometimes. 

• How a business can grow from your unique passions.
• Three tips and lessons from business owner, Michelle Smith.
• Michelle Smith’s best business advice.
• The importance of goal setting and writing down your goals.
• Are you communicating your desired brand and message for your business?

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! 😎

Laura Brandenburg is a great friend of mine and a member of my mastermind group. She is the founder and CEO of, Bridging the Gap, an online training and certification company for business analysts.

Not only is Laura incredibly successful in her business but she discusses her success in real estate as well. For Laura her "Made it Moment" in business was the first sale of her ebook one year after beginning her blog. She also shares a really special "Made it Moment" after she arrived in North Carolina in their new investment home. She speaks on the incredible rewards of working hard and being intentional and seeing everything come to fruition.

One of my favorite things about Laura is her Zone of Genius. She is truly an answer seeker. But more than that she is intentional about digging deep and finding the root question. She has a really unique way of looking at a set of problems and seeing more.

This wouldn't be Crystal Uncorked without getting raw and real, Laura talks about some big decisions in her business, like adding on a crucial new team member. When making big changes like that self-doubt comes flying in. She handles these feelings by taking the worst case scenario approach. This is where you let your mind go to the worst possible outcome of your decision, and you can decide… can you handle it? More times than not you can and in reality you usually never have to.

Not only has Laura battled self-doubt, like many other business owners, she has overcome burnout. She made the incredibly important point that you do not have to physically be working overtime to experience burnout, it can happen if you're working less than the typical person but your mind is never taking a day off. After Laura was hospitalized just a few years ago for this, I have witnessed her change her intentions, create boundaries, and make such a healthy shift that is so important for all business owners.

Laura is not about keeping her secrets, tips, and lessons learned to herself. In this episode she shares three really great pieces of advice for business owners and those looking to create revenue through real estate investment. Stay tuned till the end if you want to see how a business analyst can be connected to farming! If you want to find out more about Laura Brandenburg, check out her website or find her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What’s Inside:

• The importance of the Zone of Genius.
• Tips and lessons learned in real estate investing and business. 
• What it means to have self-doubt in business.
• Can you handle the worst-case scenario?
• Can burnout put you in the hospital?

Mentioned In This Episode:

Bridging the Gap
Laura Brandenburg - LinkedIn
Laura Brandenburg @thisislaurabrandenburg - Instagram
45 North Vineyard & Winery

Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

If you’re struggling with needing to be perfect to get started, or thinking everyone knows the answer but you, this is the episode for you. In this open and honest conversation with Oonagh Duncan, CEO of Fit Feels Good, award-winning fitness coach, and the author of the bestselling book, Healthy as F*CK, we talk about all the highs, lows, and insides of being a business owner and person in today’s world. 

Oonagh’s career actually began as a Canadian actress and playwright where she began fitness coaching at the beginning of her day. As time went on she realized where her passion lay and she moved into fitness full time. When she committed to this as her career and niche, doors started opening and the opportunities exploded. 

Last season, I talked about my “Made it Moment” visualization. Oongah shares a few of her special moments in her career including the moment she found out she was a bestselling author. Having been told a few days prior her book fell short on the bestsellers list, she received a call while in the airport that a mistake had been made and she was in fact number one! This news for her was a pivotal moment and twice as sweet.

Oonagh is a part of a MasterMind group I am in and is full of amazing tips and tricks. Her best piece of advice originates from her acting career. She describes the roles of a character, one being the actions they take. Oonagh says that the most impactful and important actions revolve around the transformation of another character. She carries this advice into her business as she builds her focus and priority into her audience, her goal is not to look inspiring but to actually take action and create inspiration within her clients. The message behind this is to look past yourself and what you can do for yourself, and instead ask what you can do for your audience.

Do we all have it all figured out? No. No matter how successful you are in business or how much money you make, no one has the answers. Oonagh shares some profound questions she is grappling with through her recent experiences. One in particular, What does it mean to live fully in the here and now? The world has gone through some heavy, deep, and somber experiences in the last few years. We can all relate to lose and confusion. So Oonagh is on a self-journey to understand how to take on life and seize her desires and live life in the present!

Wow, this conversation was just an incredible way to kick off the season! If you’d like to learn more about Oonagh Duncan or get connected with her be sure to check out her website, get on her email list, and follow her on Instagram.

What’s Inside:

• What can happen when you allow yourself to pursue something you love?
• What is Oonagh Duncan’s “Made it Moments”?
• Oonagh’s transformative business advice.
• What big questions and curiosities are on Oonagh’s mind?

Mentioned In This Episode:
Fit Feels Good
Fit Feels Good ⚡️ (@oonaghduncan)
The Habits You Need to Get Lean, Stay Healthy, and Kick Ass at Life
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results 

Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

It’s been a few months but Crystal Uncorked is back! We left off in November 2021 when I rather suddenly felt called to take a break, and I am so glad I did. I’ve spent this time resting, reflecting, learning, and getting energized about what’s to come!

I really want to emphasize the importance of taking a break when you need it. Because as a fellow entrepreneur, friend, and listener shared with me, sometimes you need a break to have a breakthrough. I spent more time inward than I ever have before and I came out with several realizations and advice for others.

• Rest without guilt: you really deserve rest and to let go, so that you can truly retain the benefits of a break.
• Get to know yourself: we get so caught up in our lives that we forget about ourselves and what matters to us.
• Stop asking for permission and trust yourself: don’t wait for people to love your ideas. If you feel it, do it. 
• Patience is required: it doesn’t always take a quick week off to get what you desire. Trust in divine timing. 

So now that I’m back, and I've had some time to generate ideas, get feedback, and jump into the new season, what can you expect? Season 2 is all about entrepreneurs. We are focusing on business and we are pulling off the veil on the reality of the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur. I’ve curated questions that my guests will choose to direct the conversation, but you can trust it will be full of open, honest, real conversations because that’s what Crystal Uncorked is all about.

I have several guests lined up that I know you’re going to love. If you’d like to be a guest, reach out on my website and if you have friends who would be interested in a business podcast served up with a glass of wine, please share Crystal Uncorked with them. I would love to have them listen.

Cheers to last season and the season to come!

What’s Inside:

• What did Crystal learn over the season break?
• Takeaways from self-reflection.
• The importance of listening to yourself and following through. 
• What can you expect in the new season of Crystal Uncorked?

Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

That’s a wrap! Yes, Season One of Crystal Uncorked has come to an end. As you know, I have a lot of transitions in my life right now. We just moved to Colorado, we’re temporarily living in an AirBnB, and I am still figuring out what this new environment means to me.

Coming from California to Colorado, I can finally feel winter like a real season. Something about this cold season is calling me into hibernation. I am feeling very pulled to turn inward and reflect on myself right now. I’ve always been super open about the importance of doing what feels right for you, and for me what feels right is to pause. Not stop. Not end. Just pause.

If I were to keep going at this time, I would be pushing myself against the direction my heart is calling. I don’t want to push. I want to be pulled and I want to listen. So for now I am taking this time to explore some things I am excited about personally, have some adventures, and just slow down as I settle into life in Colorado after living away from my family for 11 years.

So what’s next? Crystal Uncorked, Season Two will be out in 2022. Stay tuned for amazing guests, virtual events,  my home studio, and so much more. I may be taking a pause, but you can still find me online and on Instagram, so follow along or join our email list to stay connected.

I’ll see you in 2022, well-rested, energized, and better than ever!

What’s Inside:

• Season One has come to an end.
• What will Crystal be up to during the break?
• What does the end of the season mean for Crystal Uncorked?
• What to expect for Season Two, Crystal Uncorked.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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 recording from Colorado! Our long-awaited move has finally happened. I am not going to lie, it was emotional! I feel so much sadness from leaving behind our house, friends, and my Crystal Media team in California. But at the same time, I have pure excitement for the new opportunities for us in Colorado.

I am coming to you with a little raw and real update about where my head is and my new perspective. I am physically in a new place and it is sparking so much change. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been learning and adapting and trying to find my new “routine”. The fact is, I don’t think routine is working for me anymore.

In this new chapter in my work and life, I am slowing down and embracing the flow state. I’ve never really felt that 9-5 office life was for me, but I had fallen into my own repetitive schedule. I am starting to realize letting myself rest and recharge is okay and it is okay to wait for creative bursts and flow states of creative energy. I really feel like that is where I am going to create greatness, and that’s my ultimate goal.

I am loving this opportunity to be with my family. I’ve been getting to spend a lot of time with my grandma which is so important to me. Time is just so important and what you do with it is even more so. For me, this has been a time of action and doing instead of just talking about it.

I have a vision for the future and I have gained so much clarity since arriving in Colorado. There is so much new in my life right now. New ideas, perspectives, and opportunities. I cannot wait to share them with you!

What’s Inside:

• The big move; we’re in Colorado.
• What’s next for me in life, work, and the show.
• New opportunities and a new perspective.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

After an inspirational trip to Sonoma with family and friends, Burtech Family Vineyard was born. Dominic Burtech did not grow up in the wine industry or as an avid wine drinker, yet his family has created an amazing environment with amazing wines in Encinitas, California.

In this interview, Dominic joins me at a table in their vineyard. The views are incredible as well as the Maile Rosé we are enjoying. The Maile Rosé is the namesake of his daughter who designed the wine right down to the letter and design of the bottle. As someone whose first choice for wine is not Rosé, this is actually one of my favorites.

“You have good grapes, you’re going to make good wine”, is the phrase Dominic quotes during our conversation. It is so true to their philosophy on the Burtech Family Vineyard. Dominic takes so much care of the vines and walks the vineyard daily. He proves that you do not have to have extensive knowledge about wine and grapes to be successful, you just have to be committed to doing the research and asking the right questions.

Dominic left his job in the construction world to open up this vineyard and winery. Determined, passionate, and eager to learn, he has made it happen, even though the wild ride of 2020. For others thinking of pursuing this same dream, Dominic’s advice is to go for it with excitement and good intentions. For those that live locally, you have to visit this amazing vineyard and family. If not, be sure to check out the Burtech Family Vineyard online, they ship!

What’s Inside:

• The background of The Burtech Family Vineyard.
• How Dominic and his family work together on their wines.
• Advice on challenges and inspiration for future vineyard owners. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

Burtech Family Vineyard
Burtech Family Vineyard (@burtechfamilyvineyard) on Instagram
2019 Maile Rosé — Burtech Family Vineyard
Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

No, it’s not made of strawberries. Strawberry Wine is a country music-inspired wine company that captures a moment in time. Kate Edgecombe, friend, sommelier, and creator of Strawberry Wine Company, joins me today to talk about her wine and the inspiration behind it. We are both drinking her Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is delicious. She also has a Rosé and announces in this episode, for the first time ever, the newest wine to be added to Strawberry Wine Company.

Kate says the inspiration for Strawberry Wine Company is two-fold. Her first desire to create a new wine came from the lack of options and quality in wine at music and event venues. As an avid country music listener and concert attendee, she was constantly underwhelmed by her choices for wine. References to alcohol are not scarce in the music industry, and there is no shortage of songs about wine. Kate says her Spotify playlist is hundreds of songs deep. The name Strawberry Wine came to her as this beautiful reference to so many things, as just this moment in time. While she does get confused around the name and its specificity to her type of wine, when she tells the story, people love it!

These wines are incredible. I’m holding the Cabernet Sauvignon in my hand and it's amazing down to the bottle and label. As someone who explicitly states, I am not a wine expert; this bottle tells me all the flavors and notes I should be tasting, and suddenly I can point out those exact flavors! As a sommelier, Kate wanted to make sure her clients could understand and experience the wine as if she was sharing it with them.

Kate is on a journey to create better choices for wine in venues. She definitely hit a setback, when her first bottle was released at the height of COVID in April 2020. However, as the world opens back up she is ready to share her wine with the world and country music lovers alike. As we recorded this she was gearing up for her first wine festival.

Stay tuned, because I am excited to announce Kate agreed to do a virtual wine tasting with the Crystal Uncorked community. More details coming soon, so be sure to follow me and Strawberry Wine on Instagram!

What's Inside:

• The inspiration for Strawberry Wine Company.
• Wine tastes and pallets from owner and sommelier, Kate Edgecombe.
• Why is there not better wine available in music venues?

Mentioned In This Episode:

2015 Cowgirl Cabernet - Strawberry Wine Company
Strawberry Wine Company
Kate Edgecombe (@wine_sass_) on Instagram
Strawberry Wine Company (@strawberrywinecompany) on Instagram
Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎

Have you ever wondered what could happen if you just followed your passion? In this interview with Kelly Gunn, owner of Part-Time Pickers and host of the Crazy Good Vintage Podcast, she shares how she changed careers at age 54, followed her passion, and created a job she loves.

In her early career, Kelly was a retail goddess. She was really a name to be known. She worked with A-list brands and was incredibly successful. All of this success drove her desire to start her own business in the retail world. But after several ups and downs, she still ended up working for someone else. Except for this time, she was working with lower-end B and C-list brands. She felt stuck, anxious, and miserable where she was. When you’re feeling this way, this affects not only your career, but it spills into your personal life too.

Enough was enough, it was time to follow her passion. On the side, Kelly had been reselling vintage finds as a hobby. This was something she loved, so why not go for it? Kelly turned her social media page, Part-Time Pickers, into a sensation. With over 75,000 followers between Facebook and Instagram, she has a huge base of vintage buyers. She has created something really amazing, her engagement is huge and her buyers truly feel like they won when they score one of Kelly’s finds.

Kelly is on track to make more this year than she has in her entire career and she’s doing something she loves and spending time with her family. She is a true testament to the reason to never give up. Kelly reminds us that no matter where you are in life, no matter your age, how low on the bottom you are feeling...you are in control of your destiny. She promises when you build a business you’re excited about, no one cares how old you are.

Now, as this episode airs, Kelly is debuting her brand new podcast all about her vintage passion. Crazy Good Vintage is her new show with a focus on the story behind vintage items and even other successful vintage re-sellers. This isn’t the last you’ll hear from Kelly Gunn for sure. Between Part-Time Pickers, Crazy Good Vintage, and a book in the works, her passion is on fire.

What’s Inside:

• How Kelly followed her passion and built something incredible.
• What can happen if you don’t give up.
• Age doesn’t matter in business.
• What’s new for Kelly?

Mentioned In This Episode:

2019 Fog Land® Cabernet Sauvignon - Winc.
Crazy Good Vintage: Podcast
Crazy Good Vintage on Facebook
Crazy Good Vintage on Instagram
Part-Time Pickers on Instagram
Part-Time Pickers onFacebook
Connect with Crystal
Crystal on YouTube
Crystal on Instagram
Crystal on Facebook
Crystal on TikTok

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! 😎