Make Your Passion Pay

What does it take to build a business that people love to work for and customers trust for years to come?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with entrepreneur, author, and founder of Gentle Giant Moving Company, Larry O'Toole, to explore how hiring great people, leading with core values, and creating a people-first culture became the foundation of one of the nation's most respected moving companies. Starting with a borrowed truck and a simple newspaper advertisement, Larry built a business that has grown into an award-winning national company while staying true to its values.

Together, we discuss why company culture begins with the very first person you hire, how strong leadership creates lasting impact, and why surrounding yourself with people of integrity helps businesses thrive. Larry shares how defining core values with his team shaped Gentle Giant's "Giant Heart" philosophy and created a workplace where employees grow into leaders and customers become lifelong advocates.

We also explore the importance of hiring for character before skill, promoting from within, empowering employees to make decisions, and creating accountability through trust and teamwork. Larry offers practical leadership lessons on preserving culture as a business grows, resolving conflict with empathy, assuming positive intent, and building relationships that strengthen both employees and customers.

This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who want to build a thriving company culture, strengthen their leadership, and create sustainable business success without compromising their values.

Tune in to discover how leading with integrity, investing in your people, and creating a culture rooted in core values can help your business grow with purpose and make your passion pay.

Let's make your passion pay!

Meet Larry

Larry O'Toole is the founder and president of Gentle Giant Moving Company, which he launched in 1980 with a borrowed truck and a newspaper advertisement. Under his leadership, Gentle Giant has grown into an award-winning national moving and storage company recognized for exceptional customer service, leadership development, and its people-first culture.

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Larry has remained committed to one simple philosophy: hire great people, build a culture rooted in integrity, and empower employees to grow into leaders. That approach has helped Gentle Giant expand across the country while maintaining the values and customer experience that have defined the company from the beginning.

Larry is also the author of Heavy Lifting: Building a Business with a Giant Heart, where he shares the leadership lessons, business principles, and core values that have guided his company for more than four decades.

Connect with Larry

Website: https://www.gentlegiant.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Lifting-Building-Business-Giant/dp/B0GWNGQTST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gentle-giant-moving-co./

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gentlegiant/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentlegiantmove

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17uJrMSJ2w/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gentlegiantmovingco

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

What if sales became one of the most rewarding ways to serve others?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with sales strategist Lynn Whitbeck to explore how entrepreneurs can embrace sales as an opportunity to create meaningful impact. Together, we share practical strategies that help business owners create authentic, value-driven conversations that naturally lead to stronger relationships, more clients, and sustainable business growth

Lynn shares how shifting your perspective from "pitching" to "inviting" creates a more genuine sales experience, why thoughtful questions build trust, and how a service-first mindset helps both you and your clients thrive.

Together, we explore:

• Why sales is an act of service
• How inviting someone to work with you creates opportunities for transformation
• The importance of asking thoughtful questions and listening with intention
• Why your prospect should be talking for most of the conversation
• How creating a "Value Vault" builds confidence and reinforces your impact
• Understanding objections as opportunities for future conversations
• Follow-up strategies that strengthen relationships and keep momentum moving forward
• Practical ways AI can support your sales process while keeping the human connection at the center
• How to create a consistent, repeatable sales strategy that supports long-term business growth

One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is Lynn's reminder that when you know your product or service creates meaningful transformation, extending an invitation to work together becomes an opportunity to help someone move closer to the results they desire.

Whether you're a coach, consultant, entrepreneur, or small business owner, this episode will inspire you to approach sales with confidence, curiosity, and a heart to serve.

Tune in to discover how a fresh perspective on sales can help you create greater impact, build stronger relationships, grow your business, and truly make your passion pay.

Meet Lynn:

Lynn Whitbeck is the Strategic Sales Queen. Business owners hire Lynn to ignite winning sales, because most fail to create consistent, repeatable, and scalable growth. So, Lynn helps sell with intent for maximum impact, influence, and income. Bottomline, sales love it or hate it, you won’t survive without it.

Lynn is the Founder and CEO of Strategic Sales Queen, Amazon Best-Selling Author, Speaker, and Host of Claim Your Career Crown and the Get More Clients shows. She has been seen on NBC, USA Today, HuffPost, Chicago Tribune, and more! When she is not working with clients, Lynn loves visiting National Parks, cooking, and playing Pokémon Go.

Connect with Lynn:

Website: https://strategicsalesqueen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategicsalesqueen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategicsalesqueen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnwhitbeck

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@strategicsalesqueen

Get More Clients Checklist: https://strategicsalesqueen.com/checklist/

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Can artificial intelligence help your business grow while strengthening the human connections that matter most?

In this special solo episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I share my presentation from the AI Unleashed Summit, where I explore how small business owners can embrace AI with confidence while keeping people, purpose, and values at the center of everything they do. 

AI has quickly become part of the way we work, communicate, and create. Rather than viewing it as something to fear or something that replaces people, I believe AI is a powerful business partner that can simplify processes, spark creativity, and help us work more efficiently when we use it with intention. 

Throughout this presentation, I walk through practical examples of the AI tools I use every day and explain how they support the Six C's from my Make Your Passion Pay framework: Clarity, Connection, Community, Collaboration, Commitment, and Creativity. These principles help ensure technology serves people, rather than the other way around. 

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Why AI is a tool that should amplify your voice, never replace it 
•  How to align AI with your core values and business culture 
•  Practical ways to use AI for communication, planning, and organization 
•  The importance of editing AI-generated content so it reflects your authentic voice 
•  AI tools I use, including ChatGPT, Otter, Zoom AI Companion, Calendly, PodMatch, and Google Drive 
•  How the Six C's create stronger businesses in an AI-powered world 
•  Why human connection, leadership, and relationships will always remain essential 
•  Simple first steps to thoughtfully integrate AI into your business 

I also share one of the most important mindset shifts I've made: AI is a creative partner, not the creator. It helps generate ideas, organize information, and improve efficiency, while we provide the wisdom, empathy, discernment, and heart that bring meaningful results. 

Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or looking for practical ways to use it more intentionally, this episode will encourage you to embrace technology without losing the human element that makes your business unique.

Tune in to discover how AI can support your work, strengthen your systems, and help you create a business that reflects your values while serving people well.

Let's make your passion pay!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Have you ever wondered how much easier life's transitions could be with a thoughtful plan in place?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Kelly Kelly, founder of KindNest and a Downsizing & Aging-in-Place Consultant serving the St. Croix Valley. Kelly is passionate about helping individuals, couples, families, and adult children navigate one of life's biggest transitions with clarity, compassion, and intention.

Together, we explore why planning ahead creates more choices, greater peace of mind, and smoother transitions for everyone involved. Kelly shares how she discovered a growing need while working in the home-building industry and how that experience inspired her to create a business centered on helping people make thoughtful decisions about their homes, belongings, and future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why planning early creates greater freedom and confidence
• The emotional and practical challenges of downsizing
• How aging-in-place assessments help people remain safely in their homes
• The importance of building a trusted network of professionals
• Why every family's journey is unique
• How asking for and accepting help strengthens relationships and communities
• The role clarity plays in building both a meaningful business and a meaningful life

Kelly also shares how working through The Passion Test helped her gain the clarity to turn her vision into a business that reflects her values and her desire to serve others. Her story is a wonderful reminder that when passion meets purpose, meaningful work naturally follows.

Whether you're beginning conversations with aging parents, considering your own future housing plans, or looking for inspiration to build a business around serving others, this conversation offers practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement.

Tune in to discover how planning with intention can create greater peace of mind, stronger connections, and a future that reflects what matters most.

Let's make your passion pay!

Meet Kelly Kelly

Kelly Kelly is a Downsizing & Aging-in-Place Consultant serving the St. Croix Valley. Through her business, KindNest, she helps individuals, couples, families, and out-of-town adult children navigate home transitions with intention by providing expert consultation and connecting them with a trusted network of local professionals.

Her work focuses on both the practical and emotional aspects of downsizing and aging-in-place decisions, helping clients create personalized plans that support safety, independence, and peace of mind. As a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, Kelly also conducts home safety assessments and develops strategies that allow people to remain comfortably and confidently in the homes they love.

Driven by compassion and a heart for service, Kelly is dedicated to helping families move through life's transitions with clarity, confidence, and care.

Connect with Kelly

Kelly With Kindnest Website

Kelly With Kindnest on LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

What if gratitude wasn't just a mindset, but one of the most powerful business strategies you could use?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Kandas Rodarte, creator of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, founder of the Gratitude Geek Lab, and community builder extraordinaire, to explore how gratitude, collaboration, and authentic connection can help entrepreneurs build thriving businesses and meaningful lives.

Kandas shares her entrepreneurial journey, which began at just 18 years old selling Tupperware and evolved into becoming an internet marketing pioneer. Alongside her husband, she launched one of the first online custom furniture businesses, creating personalized shopping experiences long before e-commerce became commonplace. Throughout her career, Kandas has remained passionate about one thing above all else: building communities where people feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow.

Together, we dive into:

• Why community is one of the most valuable assets an entrepreneur can build
• How collaboration creates opportunities that can't be achieved alone
• The role of inclusivity in fostering innovation, learning, and growth
• Why women thrive when they have supportive spaces to connect and share ideas
• How gratitude can become a daily business practice that attracts new opportunities
• The importance of creating cultures and communities aligned with your values
• Why courage is often required to find the communities where you truly belong

Kandas also shares the inspiration behind the Gratitude Geek Lab and the Creator Collab Mixers, spaces designed to help women entrepreneurs, podcasters, bloggers, creators, and business owners connect, collaborate, and experiment with new ideas in a supportive environment.

One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Kandas describes gratitude as fertilizer: when appreciation is shared freely, opportunities grow. From a simple thank-you to intentionally appreciating the people around you, gratitude creates momentum, strengthens relationships, and opens doors to new possibilities.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that success doesn't have to be built through hustle, competition, or going it alone. When we embrace gratitude, invest in community, and collaborate with others, we create businesses and lives that are richer, more sustainable, and far more fulfilling.

Tune in to discover how gratitude, connection, and community can help your passion pay.

Let's make your passion pay!

Meet Kandas

Kandas Rodarte helps Gen X women solopreneurs build resilient, sustainable businesses after major life disruptions by centering gratitude, storytelling, and collaboration rather than hustle culture and transactional marketing.

As the creator and host of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, founder of the Gratitude Geek Lab, and organizer of the Creator Collab Mixers, Kandas creates welcoming spaces where women can practice visibility, experiment with their message, strengthen their confidence, and build referral-rich networks through authentic connection.

A veteran podcast host, YouTube talk show host, entrepreneur, and community builder, Kandas has spent more than three decades helping people connect, collaborate, and grow. Her philosophy is simple: gratitude isn't just a mindset—it's a business strategy.

Through her work, she empowers women entrepreneurs to create meaningful businesses and supportive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Connect with Kandas

Kandas Rodarte website: kandasrodarte.com
Gratitude Geek Lab
Gratitude Geek Podcast
Creator Co-op mixers
Connect with Kandas on Linkedin

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Have you ever walked into a networking event, team meeting, or social gathering and found yourself having the same surface-level conversations over and over again?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Talia Rosenblum, founder of Third Space Experiences, to explore the power of meaningful human connection and why creating space for authentic conversations matters now more than ever.

After spending more than a decade leading teams in the tech industry, Talia found herself reimagining what meaningful work could look like following a career transition. That journey led her to create Third Space Experiences, a company dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and communities build deeper relationships through thoughtfully designed, device-free connection experiences.

Together, we explore:

• Why meaningful connection is essential for thriving teams and communities
• The concept of “third spaces” and why they matter
• How psychological safety creates stronger communication and collaboration
• Why curiosity is one of the most powerful conversation starters
• How leaders can create environments where people feel heard and valued
• The impact of technology on communication and human connection
• Why connection is a foundational leadership skill, not a “nice-to-have” activity

Talia shares how her unique experiences help people move beyond job titles, roles, and small talk to discover common ground, shared experiences, and genuine understanding. Through carefully crafted prompts and facilitated conversations, participants often leave with new friendships, stronger workplace relationships, and a renewed appreciation for the people around them.

We also discuss the importance of creating opportunities for connection in workplaces, communities, and everyday life. From improving team dynamics and fostering psychological safety to strengthening local communities, meaningful conversations can transform the way we work and relate to one another.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while technology continues to evolve, our need for human connection remains constant. When we create intentional space for curiosity, conversation, and understanding, we build stronger teams, stronger communities, and stronger relationships.

Tune in to discover how moving beyond small talk can open the door to deeper connection, greater collaboration, and a more fulfilling life.

Let’s make your passion pay!

Meet Talia 

After more than a decade in the tech industry leading teams and supporting organizational growth, Talia Rosenblum decided to take a different path and create something deeply aligned with her passion for human connection.

As the founder of Third Space Experiences, Talia designs and facilitates device-free connection experiences that help people get to know one another beyond titles, roles, and surface-level conversations. Her work is rooted in the belief that meaningful connection creates stronger teams, healthier communities, and more fulfilling relationships.

Drawing on her leadership experience and her fascination with how people connect, Talia creates engaging experiences that foster curiosity, psychological safety, authentic conversation, and belonging. Through her work with organizations, teams, and communities, she helps people build relationships that lead to greater collaboration, trust, and engagement.

Connect with Talia

Website: https://www.third-space-experiences.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taliarosenblum/

Substack: https://thethirdspaceconnection.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/third_space_experiences/

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

What if some of the most exciting, creative, and purpose-filled years of life are still ahead of you?

In this inspiring episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Dr. Susan Meyer, transformational coach, Life Architect, and author of Champagne Ladies: Effervescent at Any Age, to explore what it truly means to live with purpose, creativity, curiosity, and joy throughout every stage of life.

Susan shares the stories behind her newest book, which highlights 38 remarkable women over the age of 70 who continue to create, contribute, travel, coach, write, perform, and inspire others in meaningful ways. From cabaret singers and digital nomads to coaches, authors, and community builders, these women are proof that passion and purpose continue to expand with age.

Together, we dive into:

• Why curiosity and creativity are essential ingredients for an exciting life
• How purpose evolves through different seasons of life
• The power of resilience, connection, and contribution
• What it means to become a “creatrix” later in life
• Why sharing your wisdom and voice matters
• How women are building meaningful second and third careers aligned with passion

Susan also introduces the concept of “champagne ladies,” women who remain effervescent, engaged, and full of life by continuing to learn, create, connect, and explore new possibilities.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that there is no expiration date on creativity, contribution, or purpose. Whether you’re entering a new chapter, exploring what’s next, or simply looking for inspiration to embrace life more fully, this episode will encourage you to stay curious, follow your passions, and continue creating a life you love.

Tune in to discover how wisdom, joy, and purpose can continue to grow with every passing year.

Let’s make your passion pay!

Dr. Susan Meyer’s Bio:

Dr. Susan R. Meyer is a Life Architect and transformational coach who helps women create meaningful, purpose-driven lives. Her passion for interviewing women and sharing their stories led to her first book, Fifty Over Fifty: Wise and Wild Women Creating Wonderful Lives (And You Can Too!), featuring inspiring women who forged exciting and fulfilling paths later in life.

Her newest book, Champagne Ladies: Effervescent at Any Age, published March 30, 2026, continues that mission by sharing the stories of 38 remarkable women over the age of 70 who continue to create, contribute, and inspire through their passions, careers, and personal journeys.

With a background in teaching, organizational development, coaching, and training, Susan brings wisdom, warmth, and deep curiosity to her work. She is passionate about helping women embrace resilience, creativity, connection, and lifelong growth while discovering new possibilities in every season of life.

Connect with Dr. Susan Meyer:

Facebook: Susan R Meyer Coaching and Consulting https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064011036328

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanrmeyer/
Amazon: Champagne Ladies: Effervescent at Any Age Book

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Ever feel overwhelmed trying to do everything in your business yourself? Wondering if hiring support is worth the investment, or even where to begin?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Anna Brambilla, founder and CEO of Virtually Aligned, to explore how the right Virtual Assistant can completely transform your business, your productivity, and even your joy as an entrepreneur.

Anna shares her personal journey of hiring her first VA and how that single decision helped her reclaim 10–15 hours each week, triple her revenue, and rediscover the passion she had for her business. That experience became the inspiration behind Virtually Aligned, where she now helps coaches, solopreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners find support that truly aligns with their goals and work style.

Together, we dive into:

• Why entrepreneurs wait too long to hire support
• The difference between a generalist, specialist, and executive assistant
• How Virtual Assistants can become your “second brain”
• Why collaboration helps eliminate overwhelm
• The evolving role of AI and why human support still matters
• How the right VA can help you focus on the work only YOU can do

We also discuss the importance of clarity, culture, and core values when building a team. Anna explains how Virtually Aligned carefully matches business owners with VAs who not only have the right skills, but who also align with the mission and heart behind the business.

This conversation is full of insight for entrepreneurs who feel stretched too thin, stuck in the day-to-day details, or unsure how to scale without burning out. If you’ve been trying to do it all alone, this episode is your reminder that asking for support isn’t weakness—it’s smart business.

Tune in to learn how the right support system can help you reclaim your time, expand your impact, and fall back in love with your business.

Let’s make your passion pay!

Anna Brambilla’s Bio:

Anna Schulman Brambilla knows how powerful the right support can be—because it changed everything for her. When she hired her first Virtual Assistant, she wasn’t just trying to lighten her load. She was trying to reclaim her time, her energy, and her love for the business she had built. What she didn’t expect was how dramatically things would shift: within a year, she had tripled her revenue and gotten back 10–15 hours a week. But the biggest change? She actually started enjoying her business again.

That experience was the spark behind Virtually Aligned—a company built to help other coaches, solopreneurs, and consultants find the same kind of transformational support.

Anna brings nearly 25 years of experience in career transition, including recruiting, outplacement, job search coaching, and relocation services. She spent almost eight years as a top-performing Career Ownership Coach, guiding thousands of professionals through moments of uncertainty into new paths—many of which included business ownership.

Through Virtually Aligned, Anna and her team offer a personal, thoughtful, and flexible approach to finding a Virtual Assistant. Whether clients prefer direct hire or managed support, each VA is carefully selected to match their specific goals, work style, and needs.

What sets Anna apart isn’t just her experience—it’s how she listens. Clients often say she asks the question they didn’t know they needed to answer. She has a gift for seeing what’s really going on beneath the surface and crafting win/win/win solutions where the client, the VA, and the business all grow stronger together.

Virtually Aligned exists to help business owners remember why they started, get the support they deserve, and finally build a business they don’t want to escape from.

Connect with Anna:
 

Website: https://virtuallyaligned.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Virtuallyaligned
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabrambilla

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

What if the very challenges you face became the foundation for your greatest success?

In this inspiring episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Marlee Kivens, a top-performing Pampered Chef consultant whose story is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and the impact of believing in yourself.

Living with Spina Bifida and navigating physical challenges throughout her life, Marlee has consistently exceeded expectations and created opportunities where others saw limitations. From helping run her father's business at a young age to becoming an award-winning direct sales professional, she has built a life centered on independence, service, and purpose.

Together, we explore:

• How Marlee developed an entrepreneurial mindset growing up in her father's business
• The importance of self-advocacy and believing in your own capabilities
• Why living intentionally one day at a time creates greater fulfillment
• How gratitude and reflection help build resilience
• The role direct sales played in creating independence and confidence
• Why authentic relationships and trust are essential in business
• How community and connection support personal and professional growth

Marlee shares how discovering Pampered Chef transformed her life in a very personal way. After struggling with traditional kitchen tools and relying on assistance to prepare meals, she found products that allowed her to cook independently and regain confidence in the kitchen. What began as a customer experience grew into a thriving business and a mission to help others experience greater freedom and enjoyment in their daily lives.

We also discuss the power of consistency, maintaining a positive mindset, and focusing on what you can control. Marlee's approach to life's challenges is simple yet powerful: acknowledge difficult moments, allow yourself time to process, and then move forward with intention and purpose.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that success isn't defined by circumstances. It's built through commitment, courage, gratitude, and a willingness to keep moving forward one step at a time.

Tune in to hear Marlee's incredible story and discover how resilience, passion, and purpose can help you create a life you love.

Let's make your passion pay!

Meet Marlee 

Marlee Kivens is a top-performing Pampered Chef Independent Consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for independence and self-sufficiency. Growing up in her father's Minneapolis-based business, she learned the fundamentals of customer service, communication, and entrepreneurship from an early age.

Living with Spina Bifida and learning differences, Marlee has spent her life breaking barriers and exceeding expectations. She earned a college degree, built a successful career, and became an award-winning Pampered Chef consultant, earning top sales recognition and incentive travel opportunities through her dedication and passion.

Through her business, Marlee helps people discover tools and products that make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and more accessible. She is especially passionate about helping individuals find greater confidence and independence in the kitchen.

Her philosophy is simple: live for today, believe in yourself, and never let others define what is possible for your life.

Connect with Marlee

Website: www.pamperedchef.com/pws/kivenskitchenkorner

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kivenskitchenkorner

Email: [email protected]

Interactive Catalog: https://www.pamperedchef.com/pws/kivenskitchenkorner/interactive-catalog-page

Whether you're interested in hosting a party, fundraising, joining her team, or learning more about Pampered Chef products, Marlee would love to connect.

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Have you ever dreamed of leaving corporate America to build something of your own, but wondered if it was really possible?

In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with Deanna Krick, owner of Rusty Nail Custom Creations, to talk about what happens when life unexpectedly pushes you out of your comfort zone and into the business you were always meant to build.

After spending more than 31 years in the corporate technology world, Deanna suddenly found herself facing an unexpected career transition. What started as a “someday retirement plan” with her husband quickly became a full-time entrepreneurial journey centered around handcrafted, personalized gifts that celebrate memories, milestones, faith, patriotism, and beloved pets.

Together, we explore:

• The emotional transition from corporate structure to entrepreneurship
• Why networking and community support are essential for business growth
• How BNI helped open doors, connections, and unexpected opportunities
• The importance of clarity, coaching, and accountability in building a business
• How Etsy, AI, and strategic collaborations helped Deanna grow her online store
• Why you don’t have to do everything alone to build a successful business

Deanna also shares how she combines handmade creations with manufacturer partnerships to expand her offerings while staying true to her mission of creating meaningful, joy-filled gifts. From pet memorials to personalized family keepsakes, her work is rooted in heart, connection, and helping people celebrate the moments that matter most.

One of the most inspiring parts of this conversation is hearing how quickly things shifted once Deanna leaned into community, coaching, and collaboration. In less than a year after launching her Etsy shop, she celebrated her first $3,000 month in sales; proof that small, consistent steps really can lead to big transformation.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could turn your passion into profit, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin. Sometimes the next step simply starts with putting yourself out there and saying yes to support.

Join us as we talk about courage, creativity, connection, and building a business that truly brings joy. Let’s make your passion pay.

Meet Deanna 

Deanna Krick is the owner of Rusty Nail Custom Creations, a small business specializing in handcrafted, personalized wood and laser-engraved gifts. Through Rusty Nail, Deanna creates meaningful pieces that help people celebrate memories, milestones, faith, patriotism, pets, and the people they love most.

After more than three decades in corporate America leading data and technology teams, Deanna made the leap into entrepreneurship alongside her husband, Jason. Together, they are building a business rooted in creativity, personalization, and heartfelt connection.

Deanna is also an active BNI member who is passionate about building relationships, supporting local businesses, and embracing the power of networking and collaboration. Through Etsy, craft shows, and community connections, she continues to grow Rusty Nail Custom Creations while inspiring others to believe that it’s never too late to pursue what brings them joy.

Connect with Deanna

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RustyNailCustom?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8XRL32Rx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook!

Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!