In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with actress, entrepreneur, and television personality Vanessa Simmons for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and building a career beyond reality television.

Known for Run's House, Vanessa grew up in one of hip-hop's most iconic families, watching her father, Rev Run, turn vision into reality while learning firsthand what it takes to build a lasting career. But while her family name opened some doors, it also created expectations that forced her to work even harder to prove herself as both an actress and entrepreneur.

In this conversation, Vanessa reflects on growing up in the spotlight, filming Run's House at just 21 years old, and how reality television shaped her personal growth, business ventures, and creative journey. She shares what it was like becoming one of reality TV's earliest breakout personalities while staying authentic in front of millions of viewers.

We also dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, from launching successful brands like Pastry to navigating business failures, pivoting after setbacks, and overcoming perfectionism. Vanessa explains why rejection is often the greatest teacher, how she's learned to embrace failure as part of success, and why simply taking the first step is often the most important one.

Throughout the interview, Vanessa opens up about transitioning from reality TV into acting, dealing with industry stereotypes, finding mentors, protecting her energy, balancing motherhood with multiple careers, and learning to trust her intuition when making life-changing decisions.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, aspiring actor, or someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom about resilience, perseverance, authenticity, and creating a meaningful life on your own terms.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you'll learn:

Episode Resources:

https://www.instagram.com/vanessajsimmons https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with entrepreneur, brand strategist, and founder Camille Moore for a powerful conversation about personal branding, business growth, content creation, AI, authenticity, and what it really takes to build a successful career in today's digital world.

Camille's journey is anything but conventional. Growing up with limited resources, she learned early that success isn't about having advantages—it's about recognizing opportunities, developing perspective, and being willing to do the work long before anyone notices. Throughout her career, she has built brands, advised companies, and developed a unique philosophy around entrepreneurship that challenges many of the assumptions people have about success.

In this conversation, Camille shares why she believes success leaves clues, why the most valuable lessons often come from studying people who have already achieved what you want, and why building a meaningful career is far more about consistency than overnight breakthroughs. She explains why many people underestimate the role of patience, why most successful businesses are built over years rather than months, and how long-term thinking creates opportunities that short-term thinking misses.

We also dive deep into personal branding and the modern creator economy. Camille explains why strong brands require strong opinions, why trying to appeal to everyone often leads to being remembered by no one, and how developing a clear point of view can become one of the most valuable assets in business. She shares her perspective on authenticity, content creation, social media, and why people are increasingly drawn to individuals who are willing to be themselves rather than carefully curated personas.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business, marketing, and content creation, Camille offers a refreshing perspective on what AI can and cannot replace. While technology can generate content at scale, she argues that human taste, judgment, lived experience, and unique perspective remain irreplaceable. The future belongs to people who can combine technology with authentic human insight.

This episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, marketers, business owners, and anyone looking to build a brand, grow a business, or create meaningful work in an increasingly competitive world.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you'll learn:

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the episode with someone building a business, personal brand, or creative career.

#PersonalBranding #Entrepreneurship #AI

Episode Resources:

https://camille-moore.com/ 

https://podcasts.apple.com/mv/podcast/the-art-of-the-brand/id1730097248 

https://thirdeyeinsights.ca/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thecamillemoore 

https://www.youtube.com/@The-Art-Of-The-Brand 

https://www.instagram.com/camillemoore

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with singer-songwriter Will Dempsey for an inspiring conversation about pursuing your dreams, overcoming fear, building a music career from scratch, and turning a viral moment into a life-changing opportunity.

Growing up in Louisiana surrounded by country music and classic rock, Will always dreamed of becoming a musician. But after years of battling stage fright, earning a business degree, and working as a process technician in the chemical industry, he believed that dream had passed him by. Everything changed when a video of Will singing with his young son went viral, reaching millions of people online and reigniting his passion for music.

In this conversation, Will shares the incredible story behind that viral moment, how he taught himself guitar and songwriting, and what it took to leave behind a stable career to pursue music full-time. He opens up about overcoming fear, learning to put himself out there, building an audience through social media, and creating a sustainable career as an independent artist without a record label.

We also dive into the stories behind some of Will's most impactful songs, including Best Parts of Me and Beat You There. He discusses writing music inspired by fatherhood, grief, faith, and personal growth, and explains why authenticity continues to be the most powerful tool artists have in today's digital world.

Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone considering a major life change, this episode offers valuable lessons about courage, persistence, creativity, and betting on yourself when the opportunity finally arrives.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you'll learn:

Episode Resources:

https://www.willdempseymusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/willdempseymusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EwJep0jBRD2MMG3BLH6dd

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/will-dempsey/1493773739

https://www.tiktok.com/@willdempseymusic

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with BOYR!OT founders Brendan and Greg for an honest, hilarious, and insightful conversation about building a band, navigating the music industry, moving to Los Angeles, and staying true to yourself while chasing a creative dream.

What started as a Tinder date in New York City eventually evolved into BOYR!OT, an alternative pop punk band determined to carve out a space that didn't previously exist. Together, Brendan and Greg share the unlikely story of how they met, why they left behind their former project, and how they found the confidence to fully embrace the music they always wanted to make.

In this conversation, we explore the realities of pursuing a career in music, from creative burnout and artistic reinvention to social media algorithms, independent artistry, and the pressure to constantly create. Brendan and Greg discuss why the pandemic became an unexpected turning point in their lives, what inspired their viral-worthy single "Hollywood Nightmare," and why Hollywood itself serves as the perfect metaphor for the entertainment industry.

We also dive deep into songwriting, creativity, authenticity, and the tension between artistic expression and public perception. The duo shares their unique songwriting process, the challenges of working together as both creative partners and a couple, and why some songs are simply meant to lead artists toward their next chapter.

Throughout the interview, Brendan and Greg offer refreshing perspectives on resilience, community, rejection, success, and what it really takes to build a meaningful career in the arts. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone chasing an unconventional path, this episode is packed with valuable lessons about persistence, identity, and trusting your instincts.

From conversations about pop punk, alternative rock, and the future of music to insights on Los Angeles culture, networking, social media growth, and artistic authenticity, this is a must-watch interview for anyone interested in creativity and the realities of building a career in entertainment.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How a Tinder date led to the creation of BOYR!OT

• Why they left their previous band and completely rebranded

• How the pandemic changed their creative direction

• The challenges of building a career as independent musicians

• Why authenticity in art is often misunderstood

• How Hollywood inspired their single "Hollywood Nightmare"

• Their songwriting and creative process as a duo

• How social media algorithms impact modern artists

• Why consistency matters more than overnight success

• The importance of community in Los Angeles and the music industry

• How to handle rejection, uncertainty, and creative burnout

• What they've learned from years of pursuing music professionally

• How they balance being both bandmates and romantic partners

• Their advice for aspiring musicians, artists, and creatives

• Why trusting your instincts is essential for long-term success

Episode Resources

https://www.instagram.com/weareboyriot

https://www.tiktok.com/@weareboyriot

https://open.spotify.com/artist/18mjk6Y9mObd2iPynpGjUZ

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/boyr-ot/1743474255

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with actor, writer, director, and filmmaker Markian Tarasiuk for an honest and inspiring conversation about acting, indie filmmaking, creative resilience, self-distribution, and the making of his true crime horror film Hunting Matthew Nichols.

Markian shares how his creative journey began in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from acting classes as a kid to landing a life-changing theater role at 14 years old. He reflects on the early lesson that shaped his career: even if you don’t get the role you want, you can still make the most of the role you have. That mindset would follow him throughout his career as an actor, writer, director, and independent filmmaker.

We talk about the highs and lows of pursuing a creative career, including rejection, comparison, self-doubt, criticism, and the importance of celebrating small wins along the way. Markian opens up about what it really takes to stay grounded in an industry where so much is outside of your control, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can help you manage both success and disappointment.

Markian also takes us behind the scenes of Hunting Matthew Nichols, his feature directorial debut, and shares how the film was inspired by true crime documentaries, found footage horror, The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and the eerie atmosphere of Vancouver Island. He breaks down the long creative process behind building the story, developing the script, directing while acting, and creating a believable true crime mockumentary with a horror twist.

This conversation also dives deep into the business side of independent film. Markian explains the challenges of pitching an unconventional movie, why production companies struggled to categorize Hunting Matthew Nichols, and how that eventually led him and his team to make and distribute the film themselves. From getting the movie into theaters to competing for audience attention against major studio releases, Markian shares the reality of what it takes to self-distribute an indie film.

We also discuss the film’s unique social media marketing campaign, including fake controversy, rage bait, immersive storytelling, the fictional town of Port Rupert, and the interactive online investigation experience created for Hunting Matthew Nichols. Markian explains how his team used creativity, world-building, and unconventional marketing to generate millions of impressions and get people talking.

At the heart of this episode is Markian’s powerful mantra: “Nobody cares. Make them care.” This conversation is a must-watch for actors, filmmakers, writers, directors, creators, and anyone trying to build something meaningful without waiting for permission.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How Markian Tarasiuk first discovered acting as a kid

Why a small theater role became a turning point in his life

How to handle rejection, comparison, and creative setbacks

Why “comparison is the thief of joy” is especially true for artists

How actors can manage the highs and lows of the entertainment industry

What it takes to memorize large amounts of dialogue

Why Markian transitioned from acting into writing and directing

How Hunting Matthew Nichols was inspired by true crime documentaries

Why found footage and mockumentary films are difficult to pitch

The biggest challenges of making an independent horror film

What Markian learned from self-distributing a movie in theaters

How indie filmmakers can think differently about marketing

Why the Hunting Matthew Nichols campaign used fake controversy and immersive world-building

How social media rage bait can drive engagement and visibility

What it’s like to direct while acting in your own film

Why preparation and instinct are both essential for directors

How Markian learned to trust his creative vision

Why creative success can be joyful, stressful, and overwhelming at the same time

The biggest lesson Markian has learned: nobody cares, so make them care

Why staying the course matters when building a creative life

Episode Resources:

https://www.instagram.com/marktaras

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with former British detective, undercover whistleblower, and executive protection expert Nina Hobson for a fascinating conversation about policing, corruption, crime investigations, personal safety, leadership, and what it takes to protect some of the most high-profile people in the world.

After spending 15 years in British law enforcement, Nina worked major crime investigations, child protection cases, and detective operations before making a decision that would change her life forever: exposing corruption from inside the police force.

Faced with warnings that she could lose everything—or even face prison—Nina secretly spent 10 months gathering evidence while working undercover inside her own department. The experience pushed her to her limits physically, mentally, and emotionally, but ultimately reinforced her commitment to justice, integrity, and doing what she believed was right.

Since leaving law enforcement, Nina has built a career in executive protection, working with celebrities, politicians, high-net-worth individuals, and corporate leaders around the globe. Drawing from decades of experience in security, investigations, and crisis management, she shares what most people misunderstand about personal protection, how security teams assess risk, and why intuition is often one of the most important tools in both law enforcement and life.

Throughout the conversation, Nina offers incredible insight into criminal psychology, leadership under pressure, situational awareness, human behavior, and the difficult decisions that come with standing up for your principles when the cost is high.

We also discuss the realities of undercover investigations, exposing institutional corruption, major crime cases, executive protection, celebrity security, kidnapping prevention, social media safety, emotional resilience, and the lessons Nina has learned from a career spent protecting others.

This episode is for anyone interested in law enforcement, true crime, criminal psychology, personal security, leadership, executive protection, investigative work, or the courage required to do the right thing when nobody is watching.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How Nina Hobson became a police officer after being inspired by a television show

• What it was like joining British law enforcement as a young woman

• The path from police officer to detective

• The difference between criminals who make mistakes and people who are truly dangerous

• What major crime investigations teach you about human psychology

• How experienced detectives use intuition alongside evidence

• The challenges of investigating child protection and abuse cases

• Why justice doesn't always prevail in the legal system

• What motivated Nina to expose corruption within the police force

• The risks she faced while conducting an undercover investigation

• Why she was warned she could face prison for exposing misconduct

• How she secretly gathered evidence for 10 months

• What happened after the documentary was released

• The realities of whistleblowing and standing up for your beliefs

• How Nina transitioned from law enforcement into executive protection

• What it's really like protecting celebrities, politicians, and CEOs

• The biggest misconceptions about bodyguards and executive protection

• Why intelligence gathering is critical for security teams

• How executive protection professionals assess threats and risk

• The impact of social media on personal security

• Practical safety tips everyone can use in everyday life

• How to stay calm under pressure and make better decisions

• Leadership lessons from law enforcement and high-stakes security work

• Why trusting your intuition can change your life

Episode Resources:

https://www.torchstoneglobal.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with singer, songwriter, performer, and immersive artist Ariana and the Rose for a thoughtful and deeply honest conversation about creativity, intuition, heartbreak, self-worth, and what it really means to build a life as an artist.

Ariana shares how her journey began at a young age, from performing for imaginary friends in her childhood home to working professionally as a performer by her early teens. She opens up about her early years in theater, her pivot into songwriting, and the moment she realized that music was not just something she loved, but something she wanted to build her life around.

We talk about the realities of being an artist in today’s world, including fear, imposter syndrome, burnout, social media pressure, and the constant challenge of separating your self-worth from online validation. Ariana reflects on the importance of learning to create sustainably, how her immersive show Light and Space taught her to protect herself creatively, and why artists need to enjoy the process of what they are making—because if it works, they may have to live inside that creation for a long time.

Ariana also shares the inspiration behind her new project, The Breakup Variety Hour, and opens up about love, heartbreak, knowing when to leave, and the quiet power of intuition. From redefining success to embracing every version of yourself, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that the creative path is rarely linear—but every chapter, every false start, and every reinvention can become part of the larger story.

At the center of this conversation is Ariana’s belief that art can hold many truths at once: joy and grief, vulnerability and strength, softness and boundaries, heartbreak and empowerment. This is a powerful episode for artists, creators, performers, and anyone learning how to trust themselves, follow their intuition, and define success on their own terms.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How Ariana first discovered her love of performing as a child

Why she transitioned from theater into songwriting and music

How fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome can shape an artist’s journey

Why success should be defined by how it feels, not just how it looks

The importance of listening to your intuition in creativity and relationships

How Ariana’s immersive show Light and Space taught her about burnout and sustainability

Why artists need to protect themselves in the age of constant content creation

How to separate your self-worth from social media validation

The story behind The Breakup Variety Hour and I Just Came to Say Goodbye

Why leaving someone you still love can be one of the hardest but most honest choices

How Ariana embraces contradiction, vulnerability, and reinvention through her art

Ariana’s biggest lesson: make the life you want to make for yourself

Episode Resources:

https://www.instagram.com/arianaandtherose/

https://www.tiktok.com/@arianaandtherose

https://www.arianaandtherose.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation/

https://www.youtube.com/@FromVisionToCreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding/

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with singer-songwriter girli for an honest, funny, and deeply reflective conversation about music, identity, creativity, resilience, and what it means to build a career by being fully yourself.

girli grew up surrounded by creativity, with parents and grandparents who worked as actors and performers. But while performance was part of her world from an early age, music became the place where she could bring together everything she loved: storytelling, writing, performing, emotion, and connection. From writing her first song at eight years old to playing open mics across London as a teenager,girli’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when passion becomes something you are willing to pursue with your whole life.

In this conversation, girli opens up about feeling like an outsider at school, being bullied for being different, discovering her identity, and finding belonging through music and queer artists who helped her feel less alone. She shares how those early experiences shaped her mission as an artist: to create songs and spaces where people who feel different, misunderstood, or unseen can find connection.

We also dive into the early years of her career, including the bold decision to turn away from a traditional academic path and attend music school, the long nights performing at open mics, and the drive it took to put herself in front of the industry before social media became the dominant path for new artists. girli reflects on signing her first record deal at 18, the pressure that came with being expected to succeed immediately, and the difficult experience of feeling molded by a label before ultimately being dropped.

But what felt devastating at the time became one of the most important turning points in her life. girli shares how getting dropped allowed her to reclaim creative control, rebuild on her own terms, and release “More Than a Friend,” a song that became her biggest release and introduced her music to a whole new audience. Her story is a reminder that the things we fear most are often not the end of the road, but the beginning of a more authentic one.

In this episode, girli also talks about the importance of honesty in music, why vulnerability can become a superpower, how she defines success after a decade in the industry, and why artists need to protect their joy from numbers, algorithms, and impossible expectations. She reflects on the making of her new album, It’s Just My Opinion, and the balance between ambition, creative fulfillment, and staying grounded.

At a time when so many artists and creators feel pressure to be instantly successful, girli offers a refreshing perspective on longevity, authenticity, and building something real over time. Her journey shows that success is not just about streams, followers, or sold-out rooms. It is also about making people feel less alone, staying connected to your voice, and continuing to create even when the path does not unfold the way you expected.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, questioned their creative path, struggled with rejection, or needed a reminder that being fully yourself can become your greatest strength.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How girli grew up in a creative household surrounded by performers

Why storytelling became central to her songwriting

How she wrote her first song at eight years old

How feeling like an outsider at school shaped her as an artist

Why discovering queer artists helped her find belonging

How music became a way for her to build community

Why she chose music school over a traditional academic path

What it was like performing at open mics across London as a teenager

How the music industry has changed for new artists in the age of TikTok

Why she says you have to “flirt with the world” and put yourself out there

What happened after she signed her first record deal at 18

How label pressure affected her creativity and mental health

Why getting dropped became one of the best things that happened to her

How creative control led to “More Than a Friend” becoming her biggest song

Episode Resources:

https://girlimusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/girlimusic

https://www.tiktok.com/@girlimusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XX9YjNQrHTZfZz3DCX6DP

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with Joe Nicchi, founder of CVT Soft Serve, for a funny, honest, and deeply insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, risk, creativity, and what it really takes to turn a simple idea into a national brand.

Joe’s journey did not begin with ice cream. He moved to Los Angeles at 18 to study theater at USC and pursue a career in film and television. But after realizing that the soft serve he grew up loving in upstate New York was almost impossible to find in LA, he decided to create it himself. What started as frustration turned into a 1961 Mister Softee truck, a simple menu of chocolate, vanilla, and twist, and eventually a brand now found in thousands of stores, stadiums, universities, theme parks, and concert venues across the country.

In this conversation, Joe shares how CVT Soft Serve grew from one truck in Los Angeles into a national CPG brand. He opens up about the early challenges of getting an old food truck up to code, making only $60 on his first day in business, and learning everything as he went. Without a traditional business plan, Joe built CVT through persistence, momentum, trial and error, and a deep belief in the product.

We also dive into some of the wild moments that helped shape the brand’s growth, including catering for Hollywood productions, taking on influencer culture with his viral “Influencers Pay Double” sign, getting CVT into Jeff Bezos’s kitchen, and realizing that soft serve could become something much bigger than a truck. Joe shares how that realization eventually led him to the idea of putting soft serve in a pouch—an innovation that began with empty breast milk storage bags at home and turned into a patented process that helped bring CVT to grocery stores nationwide.

Joe speaks candidly about the reality behind entrepreneurship: the fires, failures, manufacturing challenges, self-doubt, luck, and long days that people rarely see. He talks about why social media is only the highlight reel, why people need to be willing to fail and look foolish, and why the biggest lessons often come from the moments that feel like disasters at the time.

At a time when many people want instant success, Joe makes a powerful case for patience, persistence, and doing the unglamorous work. From sweeping sprinkles off a broken ice cream truck floor to seeing CVT sold at major venues like SoFi Stadium, Gillette Stadium, LEGOLAND, Live Nation amphitheaters, and the Indy 500, his story is a reminder that nothing meaningful happens overnight.

This episode is for anyone building a business, launching a product, chasing an unconventional idea, or trying to keep going through the messy early stages of a dream.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How Joe Nicchi went from studying theater to founding CVT Soft Serve

Why he started a soft serve truck in health-conscious Los Angeles

What made CVT’s simple chocolate, vanilla, and twist concept stand out

How his “Influencers Pay Double” sign became an international viral story

How CVT ended up in Jeff Bezos’s kitchen

Why Joe says the business grew through momentum, not a formal plan

How breast milk storage bags inspired the original soft serve pouch idea

What it took to turn soft serve into a portable grocery product

How CVT grew from 27 stores to 6,000 stores

Why getting on the shelf is easier than getting customers to buy

How demos, word of mouth, and Live Nation helped grow brand awareness

Why Joe believes entrepreneurs should be more honest about luck

What his $60 first day in business taught him

Why failure, persistence, and looking foolish are part of building something real

How he thinks about patents, manufacturing, and protecting a product idea

Why nothing worthwhile is easy

What advice he would give to young entrepreneurs afraid to start

Why Joe wishes he had enjoyed the highs more along the way

Episode Resources:

https://cvtsoftserve.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cvtsoftserve

https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

Subscribe for more conversations with visionaries turning ideas into reality.

This podcast is brought to you by Proper Placement — a full-service marketing agency helping businesses grow through social media, paid advertising, website design, email campaigns, and more. Learn more at www.properplacement.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with singer-songwriter Haven Madison for an honest, funny, and deeply human conversation about music, heartbreak, creativity, and what it really takes to build a life as an artist.

Haven grew up surrounded by music, spending her childhood on tour with her father and discovering early on that songwriting was not just something she loved, but something she felt born to do. From writing songs in a purple cheetah-print notebook as a child to auditioning for American Idol at 16, Haven’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when talent, work ethic, vulnerability, and purpose all collide.

In this conversation, Haven opens up about the realities of pursuing music at a young age, navigating judgment, learning how to take criticism, and staying grounded while building a career in an industry filled with highs, lows, rejection, and constant change. She shares how growing up around music helped her understand that rejection is part of the process, and why she has learned to separate who she is from the work she creates.

We also dive into Haven’s songwriting process, the stories behind her music, and how heartbreak, friendship, and growing up have shaped her as both a person and an artist. Haven speaks candidly about turning pain into songs, learning to let people go, and why documenting her emotions through music has helped her understand herself more deeply.

At a time when social media and AI can make everything feel overly polished and artificial, Haven makes a powerful case for authenticity. She talks about why people are craving humanity again, why imperfection is what makes art relatable, and why she never wants to be seen as an untouchable artist. For Haven, the goal is not for fans to say, “I could never be her,” but rather, “I’m just like her.”

This episode is for anyone who loves music, dreams of pursuing a creative path, or needs a reminder that nobody truly has it all figured out—and that the messy, vulnerable, unfinished parts of life are often where the best art comes from.

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How Haven Madison grew up surrounded by music

What touring with her father taught her about creativity and resilience

Why she started writing songs at such a young age

How American Idol changed her life and career

How Haven learned to navigate judgment and criticism

Why rejection is an unavoidable part of pursuing music

How she separates her identity from the songs she creates

What her songwriting process really looks like

Why finishing a song matters, even when it is not your best work

The story behind “Uncross Your Heart”

How heartbreak has shaped Haven’s music and perspective

Why letting people go can be one of the hardest but most important lessons

How Haven stays grounded while experiencing success at a young age

Why authenticity matters more than perfection online

How AI is making people crave more human, imperfect, real art

Why Haven believes nobody truly has it all figured out

Her advice for young artists and anyone chasing a dream

Episode Resources:

https://www.havenmadison.com/

https://www.instagram.com/havenmadison

https://www.tiktok.com/@havenmadisonsings https://www.instagram.com/fromvisiontocreation

https://www.tiktok.com/@fromvisiontocreation

https://www.instagram.com/alexschmieding

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