How'd She Do That?

Today’s guest, Nicole Brewer, is the founder of Classic Whimsy!

Classic Whimsy (formerly called “smocked auctions”) is a leading D-to-C retailer for infants and kids clothing, specializing in smocked and everyday pieces for celebrating all of life’s special moments.

Nicole leveraged a handful of social media followers who were drawn to her smocked clothing pieces into 700k social media followers and an e-commerce site selling both private label and other brands nationwide.

We know listeners will love hearing more in today’s episode, brought to us by shophsdt.com!

Today’s guest is Emily Hostetler, Co-Founder of Heaven on Earth festivals. Emily is native of Boulder, Colorado, is a dedicated music and art enthusiast and mom of four. She loves traveling and being outdoors whenever possible. With dual degrees in music and art, she seamlessly intertwines her creative passions while homeschooling her kids and spitting time between Connecticut and Texas. Formerly running Paper Moss, her thriving custom stationery company for over a decade, Emily now channels her entrepreneurial spirit into curating unforgettable retreat experiences as a co-founder of the Heaven on Earth festival! Today’s episode is brought to you by shophsdt.com use code Luke for 10% off your first order!

I am so excited to share that previous guest Nicola Bathie is live on our shop! Listen in as I give you all an update on the podcast, as well as new brands arriving on the shop, my most recent purchase, and opening my DMS for any specific topics that I can cover that would be helpful to you all! As always, thank you for your encouragement and excitement around all things HSDT!

We’re thrilled to share that today’s guest is the founder of Sea Bags, Beth Greenlaw. Sea Bags are born as sails and transformed into nautically inspired totes and accessories that bring their customers great happiness. You see, they believe that sails soak up sun, salt, smiles and adventure.

Of course they clean their sails before they make them into bags, their materials retain the essence of what they once were, where they've been and what they've done. It's this previous life that makes each bag unique.

Each Sea Bag is meticulously designed, sewn and finished by skilled Maine craftspeople: world-class sewers, artists, graduates of top-notch design schools. The thought, care and skill that goes into each bag is evident. Sea Bags carefully select and cut sails, taking into account unique stitching details, grommet holes and, occasionally, treasures like tell-tales. Each sail panel is completely unique. They hand-splice the rope handles. And skilled stitchers finish the bags with great care. We know listeners will love today’s episode!

Sharing a personal update with you all as well as the inside scoop on recent recordings and all things email marketing for shophsdt.com!

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When she was four, Soon’s family fled Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. After a perilous 12 days on a boat and another six months at a refugee camp, the family ultimately settled in Fresno, California, sponsored by an uncle who had fought for the South Vietnamese. Her parents’ determination to create a successful life in America by becoming entrepreneurs inspires and defines Soon to this day. Soon has co-owned several PR/marketing firms including Luxe Communications, which she founded, and Centigrade a marketing, communications and events company with several offices in North America and Europe. Her global brand communications experience includes developing strategy for many of the world’s top brands, including Lamborghini, Ducati Motorcycles, eBay Motors, Black River Caviar, Xellent Vodka and Breitling watches. Since 2016, Soon has overseen Hagerty’s brand strategy in support of the company’s stated purpose to save driving and fuel car culture for future generations. In 2022, she was named one of the U.S.’s “Top Women in Communications” by Ragan Communications for her work in transforming the Hagerty brand. She played a lead role in transforming Hagerty from a local specialty insurance company operating in a basement to a global publicly traded lifestyle brand for car lovers that joined the New York Stock Exchange (HGTY) in 2021 with a value of more than $3 billion. A believer in “doing good by doing well,” Soon is founder and co-owner of The Good Bowl, a mission-based Vietnamese restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan, that donates $1 per bowl to charity. She is also the creator of “Help in Heels,” a women’s volunteer group, and “Running in Heels,” a women’s entrepreneur group. Soon is married to McKeel Hagerty. Together they plan to launch a non-profit to support women entrepreneurs nationally. Of everything she has done in her life, Soon is the most proud of her daughter Ava and her step-daughters, Olivia and Sophia.

Today's guest is Sophie von Oertzen, the founder of Sophie Williamson Design.

Throughout her childhood, Sophie witnessed numerous scenes of Gastfreundschaft at joyful dinner parties with her parents’ friends, family holiday gatherings, and society events. And it’s those memories of listening in on the buzz of conversations and raucous laughter shared at parties and over candlelit dinners that she’s on a quest to emulate today.

For Sophie, making a house a welcoming home isn’t about following the latest design trends or subscribing to fashion norms. It’s about challenging the status quo and letting your own authentic style shine—an aesthetic that signals to guests that they can do the same. It’s in the warm lighting diffused through a beautiful lampshade or an intricately set table adorned in vibrant colors that welcomes every diner. It’s in the details, the tasteful trim of a pillow or the delicate pattern of a napkin, that shows a guest you care enough about them enough to share your very best. We know listeners will love listening to (and shopping) Sophie’s story!

No notes, just me thinking of you all, and sharing what’s on my mind! In this 15 minute clip we’re chatting all things business, shophsdt sales, longevity and securing podcast sponsors.

Today's guest is Natalie Holst, Founder of HOLST + LEE. HOLST + LEE believes jewelry can be the most transformative thing you can wear. These words spoken by the iconic Iris Apfel is the core principle and inspiration for Natalie's company. Their collections are inspired by the vivid colors of art, music, nature, and the symbols that make life beautiful and fun. 

HOLST + LEE was founded by Creative Director, Natalie Holst, in New York City in 2012. Before launching HOLST + LEE, Natalie trained with Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs by day, and by night she worked in the hub of New York’s nightlife scene, where she witnessed the best in outrageous cutting-edge fashion. Craving a fusion of art, texture and fresh design in accessories that she couldn’t find anywhere else, Natalie started making her own jewelry, which captured the attention of everyone she came in contact with. It comes as no surprise that she quickly made the leap to introduce HOLST + LEE, which has grown exponentially since.

We know listeners will love listening to today's episode! Brought to us by Texas De Brazil.