Father and daughter pair Ron Rudolph and  Kristy Boike never dreamed they would end up selling bluebird houses to find their way through grief. After losing his wife Pat to Breast Cancer, Ron started building bluebird houses as a way to stay busy as he worked through the grief of losing his wife.
The birdhouses resonated with others who wanted to honor their loved ones and have inspired hope and healing along the way as well as a robust business utilizing Facebook's Marketplace.

Click here to see their appearance on the Today Show or here for their People Magazine article and head to their Facebook page here to order a bluebird house.

We had the opportunity to Live Podcast last weekend with three makers of Minnesota at the Stone Arch Bridge Festivals Culinary Market about what it takes to be involved in selling your products at a festival.

We chatted with @ThumbsCookies @petwantsmpls and @angrytomatosalsa about how best to prepare and what to expect when marketing at an outdoor Summer festival.

Bella and Laura Meschini are Twin Cities sisters who are bringing their families Argentinian Wine Company, Familia Meschini, into the new world of canned wines with Vamos Vino, their canned Malbec. Listen to what it's like for these two young women to market their wine in a can.

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Alex Zweber started Sharab Shrubs in 2016  as a way to improve his cocktail life. Available in 3 flavors including Strawberry, Apple Rosemary, and Asian Pear plus a seasonal flavor he is making his way into larger distribution.

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A Makers Of MN update and a Preview of 7 New Makers to Watch. I had the opportunity to emcee a fun event with Auri and Midwest Pantry as part of the Women Chef Conference.

We gave feedback and previewed these new makers products:

1. Planet Princess Grain Free Breads - Alisa Dale
2. Afric Stew - Florence Karp
3. Sailor Mercy Syrup - Dani Dirks
4. 3 Bear Oats - Therese Moore
5. Mighty Jom - Emma Marshall-Cerqueira
6. Add Bubbles Fruit Yogurt - Gayle Malcolm and Suyin Kennedy
7. Heavenly Treats Lactation Cookies - Kathy Carton

Matt Dowgwillo is the architect of the The Minnesota Craft Notes passport. The passport is a curated  guide to all the local spots that are making it happen. When you purchase the passport for just $25 and you get a complimentary drink at 12 great spots around Minnesota.  Hear how Matt went from Thrifty Hipster to creating a curated guide of unique artisan finds around town with the Minnesota Craft Notes Passport.

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Support the show (https://paypal.me/StephanieKHansen?locale.x=en_US)