On today's episode, I am delighted to share my conversation with Courtney Howard! You may now her as the mastermind behind Catbird Consulting - the small business-focused consulting space based right here in Buffalo! From strategic planning to business operations analysis and even general consulting, Courtney works with your business of any size to create tailor-made roadmaps for ultimate success in this crazy world of small business ownership.

In today's episode, we're chatting with Courtney on how she got her start in NYC and how she eventually worked her way into Google. After 11 years in the city, she made the jump to move back home and create Bidwell, the restaurant she created with her husband. Those who had the chance to experience the magic knew Bidwell was a true, short-lived gem that the 716 was lucky enough to have.

Today - Courtney is sharing her vast expertise on small business ownership, and how we can make 2024 the most successful year yet!

catbird-consulting.com

On this very special episode, I got the chance to chat with Buffalo-based artist and graphic designer - Akasya Crosier! As the creator of the infamous 'Juicy Josh,' Akaysa's work is the perfect blend of bold and colorful through a variety of mediums. From prints to t-shirts and even a few Buffalo statues, her work has grown to be a staple within the WNY arts community.

In today's conversation, I had the opportunity to ask Akasya what it's really like being a full-time, self-employed artist. Working for yourself can appear to be perfect, but that is hardly the case when you are your own boss at the end of the day. But that's only the start of it. From overexposing herself to sun lamps to country boy thirst-traps, we get into it all!!

www.akasyacrosier.com

For this episode, I had the chance to sit down with such an incredible triple threat of the WNY small business community - Heather Thurman!  Not only is she the owner and creator of her art brands, Babybird Home Decor and Babybird Bridal, but just earlier this year she also acquired Upstate Indie Weddings!  

And we are here to talk about it all. 

After spending 15 years living in New York City, life was changing and Heather decided to move with the current and change with it. She had spent 8 of those years as a buyer for Macy’s, and was ready for a new path.  Heather threw it up to fate, and applied to two jobs - one in New York and one in Buffalo - whichever one she heard from first was where she would go.  And … as you can guess, was Buffalo!  

Soon after relocating back to the 716 with her son, she discovered the ease and unpredictability of working with alcohol inks.  As time went on and she kept creating in the medium, her friends and family suggested she start as business out of it - and Babybird was born!  

From vending at markets to teaching classes, Babybird came a way to show the creative community that art didn’t have to be so stuffy, and could be an easy, carefree outlet that creates beautiful results. 

In 2022, Heather made the decision to expand into BabyBird Bridal for wedding decor, favors, and gifts.  Shortly after that, she made the decision to look into Upstate Indie Weddings as a way to join the community of the wedding space. 

What started as a conversation with the previous owner, Ali Eagen, on how Heather could get involved with the behind-the-scenes work of UIW eventually evolved into Heather acquiring the whole brand!  And the rest is history. 

Upstate Indie Weddings is an inclusive platform for all couples and local, indie vendors to come together and plan the wedding of your dreams.  From wedding shows and networking events to blog posts and styled photoshoots, Upstate Indie Weddings is the go-to destination for all things wedding for the WNY community!

The Fall Upstate Indie Wedding show is taking place Friday November 3rd from 5pm - 8pm at 500 Pearl.  Whether you just got engaged or just looking to have a fun night, this is the place to be!  Drink and beverage samples, a fashion show, local vendors with GIVEAWAYS, music, a signature cocktails - for real though, it has it all. 

AND - we have a discount code for your tickets!

Head over to https://www.upstateindieweddings.com/event-details-registration/the-fall-wedding-show and enter code ‘LONGSTORYLONG’ at checkout to get 50% off your ticket prices! 

www.babybirdhomedecor.com

SPONSORS:

Upstate Indie Weddings

https://www.upstateindieweddings.com/event-details-registration/the-fall-wedding-show

Use code 'LONGSTORYLONG' at checkout for 50% your ticket prices for the Fall Wedding Show!

An Extra Scoop

www.anextrascoop.com

Use code ‘LONGPOD’ at checkout for 20% your first order!

In this very special episode, we're talking all about the upcoming fashion event taking place on September 30th at the Seneca One Tower - Fig!

Fashion's Initial Garment is more than just a fashion show - it's a opportunity to celebrate Buffalo's creative space and the local fashion community that has been becoming a powerhouse in and of its self. With nine local WNY designers showing their collections, art installations, cocktails and more - it will easily be the 'do not miss' event of the season.

As one of those nine designers myself, I was honored to sit down with Julia Scott Papiernik and Cannon Flowers to hear all about the story behind this new and exciting concept! We're talking about everything from what it's like to start something new to finding sponsorships to make this all possible.

One of the main goals of this show is to solidify the fashion scene in Buffalo and create some sort of garment district of our own! Cannon, Julia and I dive into what it could look like, what should be included, and so much more!

To learn more about fig and *buy your tickets,* head over to:

www.figbuffalo.com

SPONSORS:

An Extra Scoop

www.anextrascoop.com

Use code 'LONGPOD' at checkout for 20% off your first order!

This week I got the chance to sit down with one of my longest and dearest friends - beauty content creator / hairstylist, Ted McKnight!

As the creative mind behind Buffalo Beauty Boy, he is a pioneer in creating inclusive beauty content that is both fun and welcoming to all through Instagram and YouTube. 

From beauty routines and product reviews to favorite things and monthly empties, Ted has created space for anyone + everyone in the self-care and beauty space. 

Before he became B.B.B., Ted has always been a part of the world of hair, and is now a master stylist with a devoted client list. 

Hair had always been a self-haven for Ted - he began teaching himself hair from a young age and experimenting with friends and family throughout the years.  It wasn’t until he was working on his associate’s degree in business that he decided to pursue a career in cosmetology.  And the rest is history. 

www.instagram.com/buffalobeautyboy

www.youtube.com/buffalobeautyboy

SPONSORS:

An Extra Scoop

www.anextrascoop.com

Use code 'LONGPOD' at checkout for 20% off your first order!

On this week's episode, I got the chance to sit down with the creator and owner of made by anatomy, Ali Eagen!

From custom gowns and reconstructed silhouettes to semi-custom looks and alterations, anatomy is here to create such a special one-on-one experiences with brides near and far!

What started as a semi-custom boutique concept in the Elmwood Village, has now progressed into a WNY wedding destination for all things bridal.

From starting at Abercrombie & Fitch as an FIT graduate to eventually moving back to Buffalo to pursue anatomy, Ali and I go through the ins and outs of her career path and how she got to be the tastemaker that she is today!

With summer coming to an end, Ali shares what it's truly been like being a small designer in the bridal space, how to find the perfect team, and even where the future of anatomy is headed.

www.madebyanatomy.com

SPONSORS:

An Extra Scoop

www.anextrascoop.com

Use code 'LONGPOD' at checkout for 20% off your first order!

On today's episode, we're chatting with the brains behind the Buffalo-based meal prep service, An Extra Scoop - Christine Belus! Christine's mission is to create delicious, home-cooked meals that are healthy and readily available with just a quick reheat. With no order minimums or subscriptions, An Extra Scoop is there for however you need them within your lifestyle.

Today, Christine and I chat about her background of 15 years in marketing, and how a short stint in competitive weight-lifting introduced her to the world of meal prep. Coming from an Italian background, Christine always loved cooking and making meals for people in her life. When a need arose on Facebook for a friend to have freshly prepared meals made, Christine took the opportunity to give her business idea a trial run. And the rest is history. Tune in to hear more, and even what the future of An Extra Scoop may look like!

For 20% off your first order, head to ⁠www.anextrascoop.com⁠ and use code 'LONGPOD' at checkout!

This week, we took the recording equipment to Pendleton, NY to chat with the owner and curator behind The Frase Farm - Morgan Cabana Frase!

As she enters her second season as a U-Pick Flower Farm, we chat about everything from planning in the off-season to what it's truly like being at the mercy of Mother Nature for her business.

In 2020, Morgan and her husband Alex made the jump and purchased their home with 30-acres of what was once farmland. Amidst the craziness of renovations, the pandemic, and caring for her two kids, Morgan started a small flower garden as way to bring joy into her life. Her family and friends would come over to pick the flowers, and it was one fateful day that a friend suggested growing a larger space and opening her garden to the community. And the rest is history.

What can you expect at your visit to The Frase Farm this season? What might the future of the farm look like? Listen in to our very fun chat to find out! (And - to even hear the calming sounds of the outdoors in our recording!)

www.thefrasefarm.com

This past weekend, I brought my recording equipment to the AVA Collective Summer Pop-Up Market and chatted with 8 of the vendors right at their booths! We chatted about their brand, what goodies they had, and what was happening for the rest of the summer!

Special shoutout to the vendors:

Casi Hall Creative

Akasya Crosier

The Roaming Buffalo Art

Little Flame Candle Co.

Julia Strada Art

Chloe Fisher Ceramics

Reiki with Andrea

Stacked by Emma