Today's episode is just a mini. My computer decided it had enough this past week and wouldn't let me create any new audio files until I freed up some space. Cue waiting wayyyyy too long for external storage from Apple. And not being able to get my audio done in time for this week's show.

Lucky for me, I had a minisode recorded all about starting small as a way to combat the overwhelm we all feel. The advice to start small is often given to people that are in the early stages of their business and are trying to figure out where to begin, but I started thinking about how much it really applies to all of us running our businesses no matter how long we've been at it.

Just because we're already in the thick of it, doesn't mean we can't apply this advice to the projects we're starting and the moves we're making to push our business forward. It's easy to become overwhelmed when we're juggling so much, but approaching a project in bits and pieces gives us a better chance of not burning out and actually taking the project all the way. Starting small means we're starting. And that's exactly what we need to do.

Thanks for listening! Rate, review and subscribe if you're liking what you're hearing. I truly appreciate it.

This week I'm speaking with April Gabriel, owner of Boston General Store which has locations in both Brookline and Dedham (both in Mass). From candles to backpacks to journals to so much more (!!!), April has curated an offering of high-quality lifestyle items at various price points. When I was writing the below list of the standouts of our convo, I wrote out over 30 bullet points and had to seriously par it down for this post. It just goes to show just how much value is jammed packed into these 40 minutes. April and I talk about everything from fighting the slow drain of slow days to following our intuition when hiring. Like I said, there's a lot in this episode and I hope you enjoy.

We talk about:

-Why the SBA loan process is brutal but worth it if you're looking for start up cash.

-How she prepared slowly and put her business through lots of iterations before landing on Boston General Store.

-The defining moment that made her leave her job in architecture to pursue a "happy lifestyle."

-Adjusting expectations and following your intuition when hiring a staff (it goes way beyond a resume).

-Why she doesn't agree with the adage "It's not personal, it's business."

-Taking low pressure baby steps when you're starting your business and not being deterred when one of the steps fails.

-Why we need to be spending time with the people that bring us UP instead of privately wallowing in the bad days.

-Looking to the future and holding space for the right business partner. Or not.

-A tangible system for reminding ourselves how far we've come in our creative pursuits.

-The different types of collaborations that's she's currently pursuing to grow her business and her community.

Find more resources and fun stuff over at my website lovekeepingshop.com. If you feel like it, please subscribe to and rate and review the show. Or you can share it with a friend who you think might be interested. As always, thanks for listening.

Today I'm speaking with Kinsey Rosene owner of Crose Nest in Lowell, Massachusetts. Kinsey describes her shop as a botanical pharmacopoeia; essentially, she's created a DIY herbal pharmacy where people can come and blend their own teas or body products. The point is to give people the tools and the instruction, and then to let them create what's best for their body and their needs. I've got so much admiration for the way that Kinsey has structured her brick and mortar as an interactive space that helps people take an active roll in the remedies that help heal their bodies. Follow Kinsey's work on instagram (@crosenestcollective) and enjoy the show!

We talk about:

-Taking risks even when you've got no idea what you're doing.

-What herbs can work for busy (stressed out, anxious, Type A) business owners.

-Sharing your political views as a business owner.

-Using your business to create a community and build a friend group of like minded people.

-How focusing on your health and finding your "plant allies" can help take your business to the next level.

-Using the moon cycles to reflect, renew and grow your business.

-Why you need to think you're kinda cool to be a successful business owner.

-Tips for finding your "plant allies" to help run your business and your life!

Find links to resources and fun stuff I found this past week over at www.lovekeepingshop.com. And while you're there, sign up for my weekly newsletter. Thanks for listening!

I'm baaaack and more excited than ever! I've got some amazing interviews lined up over the next few weeks and I can't wait to share everything. I'm also going to start sending out a weekly email announcing each new episode and including any fun stuff I came across during that week. Sign up over at www.lovekeepingshop.com.

Today I'm speaking with Laura Zeck of ZINC Art + Object and ZINC contemporary both in the Seattle area. Laura and I talk about everything from her start in design (renovating a crack house) to getting clear on her core values for her businesses. She's funny, whip smart and just a total pleasure to talk to (Laura, you rock). Enjoy the show!

We talk all about:

-Trusting the process of your career.

-Getting real about realistic cash flow.

-Deciding what kind of art will resonate with your clients.

-Tips for being on the same page with your staff.

-Knowing when it's time to open a second space and managing the differences between the two.

-How getting clear on your core values enables you to make the best decisions for your business.

-Building the 'Fempire' by supporting other women in both the corporate and small business world.

Laura mentions:

-Entrepreneurs Organization

-Julia Pimsleur's "Million Dollar Woman"

-The Fempire patch (and a slew of other amazing thing)

I'm so fortunate to be hosting this show, because I learn so much from every single one of my guests. I always get off these calls and run into my kitchen grinning and just so fired up about business ownership. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Thanks to all of my guests for being a part of this and thank YOU again for listening.

Hi Friends! Sadly, I don't have an interview for you today. I had a couple of guests lined up, but one had to cancel and one had to reschedule and after madly sorting through my dropbox and my google calendar, I realized that I wasn't going to have an interview to post. It's a bummer and something that I sort of had to work through in terms of the fraudy feelings that came crashing over me when I realized I wouldn't have content this week. You'll hear more about how I love to beat myself up in this little check-in episode. I recorded this because I wanted to touch base with all of you, to let you know what happened and to reassure you that (if all goes as planned!) I'll have an episode for you next week.

Now is a good time to go back and listen (or re-listen) to the 14 other episodes I've released. Each and every one of them is chock full of tips and tricks for starting and running a successful brick and mortar.

You, my dear listeners, are amazing. Thank you for your patience and support. Have a wonderful week and let the hard shit roll off your back.

Today's episode is Part 2 of my amazing interview with Shanel Anderson of Soul City Yoga. In it Shanel gets real about the nitty-gritty reality of making a living as a yoga teacher, chats about turning your passion into a business and gives us business owners some yoga poses that'll ground us even during our crazy days. 

Shanel tells us about Buti Yoga and how she came to this practice when searching for a yoga style that would bring more movement into her practice. In sanskrit Buti literally means "a cure that is hidden" which seems so fitting because it's a deeply personal, chakra based practice that allows people to connect with themselves on a more primal level through specific movements and music. Shanel has my interest all piqued and I'm planning a trip to Lynn for a class sometime in March (who wants to come with?!)

Shanel shares her goals for her business in 2017 and her hopes around bringing yoga to more people of color. Shanel addresses the fact that people of color are majorly underrepresented in the yoga community and shared her thoughts on how to change this. As I say a million times at the end, I loved my chat with Shanel and I'm happy to bring it to you today. Enjoy!

Soul City Yoga is located at 271 Western Ave. Suite 212 Lynn, MA 01904

http://www.soulcityom.com/

Facebook: @soulcity_lynn

Insta: @soulcity_yoga

Thanks again for listening! Tell me what you think via my social or by emailing me at [email protected].

It's my lucky number 13 episode! Today I'm speaking with Shanel Anderson of Soul City Yoga in Lynn, Massachusetts. I got Shanel's name from Erica Feldmann of Hauswitch (check out Episode 5) and immediately reached out for an interview. Shanel graciously accepted and soon we found ourselves in a 90 minute Skype interview. There's a whole lot of advice and empathy and laughter in these 90 mins and since I didn't want to cut anything out, I'm making this interview a two-parter.

Shanel and I get started by chatting about her long path to the yoga life and what led to starting her business. We hit some of really important stuff right off, opening in a neighborhood with a "reputation," being a person of color in the yoga world and the gender bias that we both experienced when opening our spaces. I so appreciated Shanel's willingness to, I guess...go there with me on certain issues. On the more spiritual side, we dive into the beautiful practice of opening yourself up to the Universe and it's plans for you. As business owners, this isn't always easy when we're dealing with our egos and fears, but as evidenced in Shanel's story, it can pay off big-time. It led her to the perfect studio space, a like minded staff of teachers and just a general sense that she is going in the right direction with her business.

We chat about the reality of business burnout, hiring the best people (again, follow the Universe!), and the power that your mind has on your luck or your destiny. Shanel also talks about why she believes in mentorship and gives thoughts on how we can better support the women in our lives. I loved speaking with Shanel; she's warm, funny and so easy to talk to as evidenced by our wonderfully long conversation. Enjoy the show!

Soul City Yoga is located at 271 Western Ave. Suite 212 Lynn, MA 01904

Instagram: @soulcity_yoga

Facebook: @soulcitylynn

Thanks again for listening. Please subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Have a great week!

This week's episode is with Claire Cheney, owner and master spice blender at Curio Spice Co. in Cambridge, Ma.  Claire's shop recently opened in my new(ish) neighborhood and when I went in to check it out, I knew it was a perfect space for Keeping Shop. I somewhat awkwardly approached her (ummm do you want to be my podcast friend?) and was thrilled when she agreed to speak with me on the show.

Claire has such an interesting path to brick and mortar business ownership. Whilst working at a local coffee shop, she learned that she had a talent for picking out and separating the individual scent and taste components in coffees.  Then she fell in love with saffron and traveled to Greece to find, and eventually to work at, a fabled saffron village. After more travel and more spice experiments, Claire started blending in a shared kitchen and marketing her blends to local businesses. Late last year, Claire opened her own brick and mortar storefront; a gorgeous retail space in the front with ample blending space in the back. 

Claire and I chat about registering her business as a benefit corporation, growing her space in an up-and-coming area and why waiting for "the one" when hiring a contractor is the way to go. She shares her favorite spice with us as well as a way to use it that's amateur-cook friendly. Claire offers her best business advice (hint: you can't be the best at everything) and shares her plans for growing Curio in 2017. 

Enjoy the show and thank you so very for listening. 

Curio Spice Co. is located at 2265 Mass Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140

http://www.curiospice.com/

Instagram: @curiospice

Facebook: @curiospice

If anyone has any questions about brick and mortar business ownership, feel free to reach out to me. It's my hope that Keeping Shop is being used as a resource for small business owners and I'd love to help in any way that I can. Email or contact via Facebook (@keepingshoppodcast) or Instagram (@lovekeepingshop).

Today I'm speaking with Valerie Sarron, photographer and the owner of VS Photography, a recently opened brick and mortar studio space. Valerie and Forty Winks collaborated and after working with her, I knew wanted to reach out to her for the podcast. Not only is Val well spoken (always a plus when choosing podcast guests) but I knew that listeners would find value in her measured and consistent approach to moving her business forward.

Valerie and I talk about using different social platforms in ways that make sense for your business, why investing in continuing education can be more important that your equipment, her best tips for successful collaborations and why you should never let fear hold you back from trying something. She gives insight into her goals for 2017 and shares some really solid advice on avoiding the comparison traps we can all fall into.

Valerie is building her business as a self-taught photographer. Teaching yourself anything takes major dedication and building an actual business from what you are learning requires determination and grit; because, in reality you're the only one that's holding yourself accountable. I admire Valerie's constant movement towards personal development and her willingness to put herself into sometimes uncomfortable situations when she knows they'll take her business to the next level. This is a valuable episode for any brick and mortar business owner, but especially for those among us that are just starting out and might be looking for some tangible steps to take as they start their journey.

VS Photography is located at 316 East 2nd St. Studio 107, Boston, MA

http://www.vsphotograph.com/

Facebook: @VSPhotograph

Instagram: @vsphotography_insta

Thanks again for listening! If you have questions for me please do reach out via [email protected]. Don't forget to share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening.

It's my 10th episode!!! I'm excited to mark this little milestone with a wonderful chat with Boston shop owner Lana Barakat. Lana is the owner of December Thieves a truly beautiful and unique shop, with soon-to-be two locations on Charles St. in Boston's historic Beacon Hill neighborhood.

December Thieves is full of pieces sourced from designers and makers that Lana really loves and that resonate deeply with her. As she says, the pieces in your shop or space are representations of YOU as the owner and when you walk into DT you know that Lana has chosen with intention and love.

Lana is sort of life goals for me. She's traveled a ton, she's owned other businesses, and she seems to really honor balance in her life. She has two school aged children and her thoughts on balancing motherhood and career really resonated with me. Lana talks about being an example for her children as a business owner and why it's important for them to see her succeeding at her career. I love that instead of focusing on the difficulties of being your own boss and raising a family, Lana focuses on how important it is for her son and especially for her daughter to see her as both mom and businessperson. Lana also talks about knowing when it's time to close a store, surrounding yourself with talented people to grow your business, and stocking pieces that create conversation in your space.

Like I said, I pretty much want to be Lana when I grow up. She's kind, smart and so very creative. I'm excited to bring you this episode and I hope you enjoy.

Find December Thieves at 88 Charles St. Boston, MA 02144

http://www.decemberthieves.com/

Facebook: @decemberthieves

Instagram: @decembertheives

I'm really proud and excited to have made it to the ripe old age of 10 weeks of podcasting. Thank you all for listening and don't forget to share, rate, review the pod. You early adopters are the best. THANK YOU!