Gratitude Geek: Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

Gratitude Geek: Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

By Kandas Rodarte | Business Growth Strategies for Women Over 40BusinessEntrepreneurship
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Gratitude Geek: Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs episodes

  • Spreading Happiness featuring John Cronin & Mark X. Cronin | Episode 108


    Welcome to Gratitude Geek, the relationship marketing podcast helping micropreneurs find your micro-influencer magic. This week, I’m joined by John and Mark X. Cronin.



    John and Mark are the father-son team that founded John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. John is an entrepreneur and Special Olympic athlete who just happens to have Down syndrome.



    With more than 4,000 offerings, John’s Crazy Socks is the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability and Giving Back is baked into everything they do. They commit to creating personal experiences for their customers, so every package includes a thank you note from John and some candy. John and Mark have been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year and their advocacy work has seen them testify twice before the U.S. Congress, and speak at the United Nations.



    Listen








    Conversation



    * John & Mark’s Unique Story* Lean start up plan* Shopify platform* How John became a Micro-Influencer* Marketing lesson: Monday Madness Mystery Bags (door busters)* Testifying before Congress & speaking at the United Nations* John’s relationship with a former US President* 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers * Choosing which socks go on the website?* The five pillars of John’s Crazy Socks* The social enterprise model and why it is a more sustainable business model * Hiring people with differing abilities* John & Mark’s moment of gratitude



    Watch









    Connect with John’s Crazy Socks



    * Website* Twitter* Instagram * Facebook* LinkedIn







    Thank You



    Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast is made possible by listener supported revenue from the following affiliate programs:



    * SendOutCards, a Greener Still company* Shuffle by Elify* Canva* Wondershare Filmora* HoneyBook



    Help Us Spread the Word



    * It would be oh so groovy if you shared Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast for Micropreneurs on social media. Click here to tweet some love.* Fired up after listening to this episode? Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts with just one click!* Review the show on 
    46 min
  • Storytelling for SEO: The Cinderella Formula | Alison Ver Halen

    Why do cold facts and raw statistics fail to win clients, while simple stories stick with people for years?

    In this episode of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, host Kandas Rodarte sits down with Alison Ver Halen, Content Marketing Strategist and founder of AV Writing Services, to demystify how to build a business doing what you love: telling stories.

    Alison shares actionable strategies to help micropreneurs bridge the gap between human-centered narratives and search engine optimization.

    Whether you are struggling to get consistent website traffic or are tired of fighting social media platform changes, this episode will give you the blueprint to own your online presence.

    🔗 For the complete show notes and resources, visit: 👉 https://KandasRodarte.com/107


    ✨ Key Takeaways From This Episode:

    • The Psychology of Storytelling: Why case studies that illustrate real transformation make your audience far more likely to engage and remember your brand.
    • The Cinderella Formula: Alison’s simple four-step copywriting framework—Pain Point, Cost of Inaction, Solution, and Call to Action—that you can apply to almost any piece of marketing content.
    • Owning Your Digital Real Estate: The devastating reality of building a business on rented land (like social media platforms) and why your website and email list are the only online spaces you truly control.
    • Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to save time by repurposing a single piece of evergreen content across video, audio, and written channels.
    • Finding the "Content Gaps": How targeting low-competition search terms allows niche businesses to easily rank on Google's first page.


      • 🔗 Connect with Alison Ver Halen:

      • Learn more about AV Writing Services: https://avwritingservices.com/bridging-the-gap-aligning-sales-and-marketing/
      • Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-ver-halen/


        • 💃 Join the Creator Collab Mixer!

        Are you a woman creator or micropreneur looking to build genuine professional relationships and collaborate with other inspiring women? Come join our monthly Creator Collab Mixer for Women!

        👉 Save your spot here: https://KandasRodarte.com/mixer

        Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners.

        • Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
        • Join the Co-Lab: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab

        Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise

        Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch


        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

        35 min
      • Telling Stories featuring Alison Ver Halen | Episode 107

        Welcome to episode 107 of Gratitude Geek, the relationship marketing podcast helping micropreneurs find your micro-influencer magic, this week, I’m joined by Alison Ver Halen.



        Alison is a content marketer and SEO strategist who is building a business around doing what she loves: telling stories.



        Listen







        Discussion



        * Alison’s Unique Story* The importance of telling stories* The Cinderella Formula* Pain Point* What happens if you don’t take action?* What happens if you do take action?* Call to action.* The Pixar Pitch (Daniel Pink and David A. Price)* Role of gratitude and relationships in growing her business* Chocolate and the Law of Reciprocity* 2022 Content Marketing & SEO tips* Is email marketing is still relevant? * The most effective lead magnet for your business.* YouTube transcription hack.* Repurposing evergreen content.* Search Engine Optimizations Tools and Tips* Content Gaps (don’t miss this tip!)* Alison’s Moment of Gratitude



        Watch




        https://youtu.be/qjVNswtPuuU




        Mentions



        * Beowulf* A Hero (Persian film)* Merchant of Venice



        Tools



        * The Importance of Storytelling* Pixar Story Rules* Answer the Public* Serpstat



        Connect with Alison Ver Halen



        * Website * Twitter* Instagram * Facebook * LinkedIn 







        Thank You



        Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast is made possible by listener supported revenue from the following affiliate programs:



        * SendOutCards, a Greener Still company* Shuffle by Elify* Canva* Wondershare Filmora*
        32 min
      • Unleashing the Creative Process featuring Douglas Rappaport
        Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women
        solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business
        strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte,
        who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women
        business owners.
        - Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
        - Join the Co-Lab: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab
        Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network
        wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise
        Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on
        PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch
        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
        for information about our collection and use of personal data for
        advertising.
        34 min
      • Unleashing the Creative Process featuring Douglas Rappaport | Episode 106

        Welcome to Gratitude Geek, the relationship marketing podcast helping micropreneurs find your microinfluencer magic. I’m your host, Kandas Rodarte and this week, I’m joined by best-selling author, Douglas Rappaport.



        Originally a classically trained violinist and composer, Douglas studied music at various conservatories in the U.S. and abroad. After receiving his Advanced Studies degree in Film and Television Scoring Douglas found a renewed creative outlet as an author.



        Listen







        Discussion



        * Douglas Rappaport’s unique story* The Journey from Composing to Writing* The Creative Process* Homelessness in Reno* Human Generosity* Drug Addiction and Health Insurance* Losing a Parent* Douglas Rappaport’s Moment of Gratitude



        Watch









        “The sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a movie.”George Lucas



        Books








        https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JXQ748G?&linkCode=ll1&tag=gratitudegeek-20&linkId=0dc821cde95679899306ae9dfcd37778&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl




































        About Douglas Rappaport



        During his college years, Douglas Rappaport studied under famed protégé of Jascha Heifetz, Erick Friedman, and after graduate work at Yale University, went on to U.S.C. where he received an Advanced Studies degree in Film and Television Scoring. He also studied at Goldsmiths College (part of the University of London), Guildhall, and London International Film School, amongst others.



        Concerning Douglas Rappaport’s 2003 debut novel, One Day the Weatherman, Absolutewrite.com wrote: “Rappaport’s work is very detail-oriented and his writing is extremely descriptive; it makes for incredible realism….”



        His second book, Victim of Circumstance, climbed to #2 on Amazon’s Free Kindle bestseller list (nonfiction) in 2014. Rappaport’s book, Reckoner, hit No.1 on Amazon’s New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Drugs & Alcohol Abuse days after its pre-release. The novel also received positive reviews from Midwest Book Review and the Booklife Prize 2020 to name a few. Douglas’s short fiction has also earned several distinctions including an invitation to the exclusive Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy.



        Connect with Douglas Rappaport



        * Amazon



        Mentioned



        * Viking Dog Entertainment* Rasheed Hooda’s Podcast* Million-Dollar Murray by Malcolm Gladwell







        Thank You



        Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast is made possible by listener supported revenue from the following affiliate programs:



        * SendOutCards, a Greener Still compa...
        32 min
      • Idea to Invention featuring Kimberly Cloud | Episode 105

        Kimberly Cloud is an inventor and multi-preneur currently living in Santa Maria, California.  She has a burning to desire to help her community grow technologically and innovatively.   ***

        Show Notes, Links, and the edited podcast: http://MomGeek.com/105

        Check Out My Favorite Marketing Tools (affiliate links):

        • SendOutCards http://sendoutcards.com/u/147356
        • Stream Marketing:  http://streammarketing.com/147356
        • Filmora Video Editor: http://momgeek.com/filmora
        • Canva: http://momgeek.com/getcanva
        • Shuffle Landing Pages:  http://momgeek.com/getshuffle

        Follow me here:

        • PODCAST: https://plinkhq.com/i/820738086  (or search for Kandas Rodarte on your preferred podcast platform)
        • TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KandasRodarte
        • INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/GratitudeGeek 
        • FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/GratitudeGeek 
        • YOUTUBE:  http://momgeek.com/youtube 

        JOIN my FREE MARKETING COFFEE CLUB: https://momgeek.com/coffee-club 

        Please sign up for updates on my new projects: https://momgeek.com/subscribe 

        Gratitude Geek is the business education podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who weave gratitude and appreciation into their business strategy. Hosted by metastatic breast cancer thriver, Kandas Rodarte, who co-creates spaces, opportunities, and conversations for women business owners.

        • Subscribe to weekly emails: https://kandasrodarte.com/subscribe
        • Join the Co-Lab: https://kandasrodarte.com/lab

        Gratitude Geek is a member of Marketing Podcasts Network. For network wide advertising options visit: https://marketingpodcasts.net/advertise

        Want to be a guest on Gratitude Geek? Send Kandas Rodarte a message on PodMatch here: https://kandasrodarte.com/podmatch


        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

        28 min
      • Idea to Invention featuring Kimberly Cloud Idea to Invention featuring Kimberly Cloud | Episode 105

        This week on Gratitude Geek, the relationship marketing podcast for micropreneurs, I’m joined by serial entrepreneur, Kimberly Cloud.



        Kimberly is a veteran, inventor and multi-preneur currently living in Santa Maria, California who overcame drug addiction and homelessness. She has a burning to desire to help her community grow technologically and innovatively.



        Listen







        Discussion



        * Kimberly’s Unique Story* Military service and a few words about kimchi* On being a homeless veteran and overcoming drug addiction as veteran* Bringing an invention to market is a group effort* How a wig can be a source of empowerment* Kimberly’s Moment of Gratitude



        Watch









        Mentions



        * Legal Zoom* Damond John* Kevin Harrington







        Connect with Michelle Cloud





        * Wigs for Success, Inc.* Twitter* Instagram* Facebook* LinkedIn

























        Thank You



        Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast is made possible by listener supported revenue from the following affiliate programs:



        * SendOutCards, a Greener Still company* Shuffle by Elify* Canva* Wondershare Filmora* HoneyBook



        Help Us Spread the Word



        * It would be oh so groovy if you shared Gratitude Geek | A Relationship Marketing Podcast for Micropreneurs on social media. Click here to tweet some love.* Fired up after listening to this episode? Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts with just one click!* Review the show on Podchaser, 
        26 min

      About Gratitude Geek: Business Education for Gen X Women Solopreneurs

      From the publisher's feed

      Gratitude Geek is the podcast for Gen X women solopreneurs who've faced major life challenges like cancer, divorce, or loss—and are rebuilding their businesses and lives with strategy, systems, and gratitude as a powerful business tool.