More Precious Than Rubies

What does it take to stand out in a saturated photography industry? And how do you build a successful creative business without losing sight of what matters most? In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I sit down with Salomé Palomino - professional photographer, entrepreneur, and mom - to explore what she's learned throughout her 15 years in photography. We also discuss how younger generations are changing photography, from candid, documentary-style images and motion blur to the resurgence of film.

CONNECT WITH SALOMÉ

Photography:

Instagram: @salome_palomino

Vida Creative:

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Kate Carpenter did not set out to build one of the top-ranked restaurants in the nation.

Before Sunny Side Kitchen became a beloved Escondido spot and earned national recognition on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S., Kate was working in journalism and public relations. In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, Kate shares how she and her husband Bob built Sunny Side Kitchen from the ground up, what journalism taught them about listening to people, how customer connection became central to their restaurant, and why community matters more than ever as they navigate a difficult health season together.

If you are in San Diego County, especially North County or Escondido, this episode is your sign to visit Sunny Side Kitchen, grab breakfast or lunch, buy a gift card, and support a local restaurant that has poured so much love into its community.

Learn more about Sunny Side:

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On this week's episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I toured Sharia’s Closet, a woman-founded San Diego nonprofit providing free emergency clothing to individuals and families experiencing crisis, hardship, or major life transition. What started from Shamine Linton's own experience with clothing insecurity and a desire to serve her community has grown into a dignity-centered resource for families, survivors, children, men, women, and people rebuilding their lives.

Learn more about Sharia’s Closet, request support, donate, or volunteer through their website.

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Today on More Precious Than Rubies, we’re in San Marcos at TERI Campus of Life, a community serving individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through more than 20 programs. I’m joined by Heather Downey, TERI’s Program Quality Specialist and Registered Behavior Technician, to talk about TERI’s woman-founded mission, Heather’s career journey, what quality and inclusion actually look like, and how TERI is changing the way the world sees, hears, and empowers individuals with special needs.

Learn more about TERI

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A homicide prosecutor, a craft cider company, and building a San Diego space that feels like an outdoor adventure lodge, Lara Worm’s path to Bivouac Ciderworks is anything but predictable.

In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I visited Bivouac Ciderworks in North Park, San Diego, to talk with co-founder and CEO Lara Worm about building a women-powered cider brand, creating a community-centered hospitality space, and teaching people that cider is so much more than an alternative to beer.

Lara shares how her background in restaurants and homicide prosecution shaped her leadership, what cider actually is, and why Bivouac’s SoCal approach to cider is designed to be approachable, and rooted in community.

Visit Bivouac Ciderworks!

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Pelvic floor physical therapy is something many women have heard of, but few of us were actually taught to understand.

In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I sat down with Dr. Ivy Colbert, founder of Empower Physical Therapy in Rancho Bernardo. In this episode, you'll learn what pelvic floor PT is, who it can help, and why symptoms like leaking, pelvic pain, pressure, constipation, postpartum discomfort, or trouble connecting to your core should not be ignored. We'll even show you some exercises you can do at home to strengthen your pelvic floor!

Learn more about Empower Physical Therapy

Follow Empower on Instagram

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In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, I'm visiting Companion Bread in San Diego County to talk to founder Sienna Walters.

Companion Bread began during the pandemic as a home-based bread project and grew into a local favorite for people who love sourdough. In this conversation, Sienna shares the story behind the name Companion Bread, what she learned from the science of bread making, why sourdough can be such a unique process, and how the business has evolved over time.

Where to find Companion and weekly flavors: https://www.instagram.com/companion.bread/

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A San Diego classic with an 87-year story: today I’m walking through the Chicken Pie Shop in North Park with General Manager and co-owner Lisa Townsend.

In this episode, Lisa shares how the restaurant started in 1938 in downtown San Diego, moved through Hillcrest, and landed in North Park in 1992, plus why they’ve resisted trends to stay true to the restaurant's history. We talk about leading as a woman in the food industry, how they pivoted during COVID, why the regulars are truly the “bread and butter,” and we go behind the scenes to see how the pies are made.

If you’re in San Diego, you MUST add Chicken Pie Shop to your list of places to try! https://chickenpieshops.com/

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In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies I sat down with Dianne Sivulka, founder of Travel on Purpose, a full-service travel company curating culturally immersive trips that connect travelers with organizations doing good around the world. We talk about what it looks like to travel as a guest in someone's "home", why locals are the experts, and how ethical tourism can support communities without exploitation. These trips are designed as learning journeys rooted in humility, community connection, and global education. On top of that, Travel on Purpose donates 100% of its profits to its nonprofit partners worldwide!

Book a trip with Travel on Purpose: 

Join the book club:

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In this episode of More Precious Than Rubies, we dive into the evolving conversation around body image and healthy habits for young women. From the impact of social media to fostering self-empowerment, we explore how we can shift the focus from appearance to well-being. Plus, we spotlight the incredible Carmellia Jackson-Hurley, Executive Director of Louisville Girls Leadership, and reflect on her inspiring journey of mentorship, community service, and leadership. Tune in for uplifting stories and practical ways to nurture a healthy body image!

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