My First Dollar

Emma Frutkin is more than just the energetic, friendly face behind a franchise of high quality, low price dry cleaner. She's an entrepreneur at heart! She began her entrepreneurial journey flipping houses with her husband and now they own a ZIPS Dry Cleaners. What they've learned, books that have helped Emma along the way, and where she and her husband are planning to open their third location in May!

Learn more about Zips online and Facebook and Instagram. You can also follow Emma on Instagram.

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Chelsea McDonnough is a former teacher turned successful blogger. Chelsea is the adorable face behind Two Twenty One - a DIY projects, organization tips, home & seasonal decor ideas blog. How she got started in blogging, what she's learned along the way and how she's turned her blog into a profitable career.

Follow Two Twenty One online, Facebook and Instagram. 

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Victoria Davis is taking control of her beauty regimen. She decided to make it classy with a plant-based do-it-yourself box of everyday products. These chemical-free DIY creations allow women to craft their own hair and skin products without all the harmful chemicals. She talks about her newest products set to launch later this year and what she's learned through starting her business.

Find Make it Classy online, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Foundry 317 is a unique furniture store with one-of-a-kind pieces including a bicycle table he can barely keep in stock (which we talk about on the podcast)! Owner Tyler Hopper started this business in 2018 in Broad Ripple after spending several years flipping houses and selling them stagged with the furniture inside. What motivated him to start his store, how his parents influenced him and the decisions he has made that helped him grow his business.

Find Foundry 317 online, Facebook and Instagram.

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Rachel Klein launched her business after she created almond butter as a wedding favor at her wedding. The favors were a huge hit and now her business is booming. Rachel talks about her love of nut butter, how she developed her recipe, what sets her apart, where you can buy it and what you can expect from her product line this year!

Learn more about Revival Food Co. online, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Our podcast is about to get much sweeter because we are talking with Mel Neidlinger - best known in Indy as Chef Mel. Her business Eats by Chef Mel creates specialty cakes and cupcakes birthdays, bridal showers, and corporate events.  I can tell you these desserts are nothing short of works of art! Hear how she pivoted her culinary focus, traveled the world and found her happiness in baking.

Find more about Eats by Chef Mel online, Facebook and Instagram.

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Laura Gambrel created something truly wonderful when she opened the process art studio Brightly in Brownsburg. A business birthed out of depression and self-discovery, Laura was able to find a hole in the market and a place to shine. She has taken her passion for art and given children and adults a place to come explore, learn and experiment with different materials and pieces of themselves.

Learn more about Brightly online, Facebook and Instagram.

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Boutique owner Gina Melvin wanted to bring size inclusivity to her store in a way she had never seen before by providing the same clothing items for all sizes. Hear Gina talk about some of her early successes and missteps, some of her biggest marketing tips, how she juggles the boutique along with her other full-time job and what her plans are for 2020.

Shop her store online, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Sierra Holmes, possibly best known by her website and social handles Eclectic Kurves, has turned her hobby into a full-time job while still working full-time in human resources! A stylish mom of two who celebrates all that makes each of us fabulously unique is talking to us about how she started her blog, has developed her loyal following online, and how she has differentiated herself from others in this field.

Find her at www.eclectickurves.com on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Hi, I’m Heather Chastain. I’m fascinated by entrepreneurs: why they started their business, how they conquered obstacles and most importantly - when they earned their first dollar. So listen in on honest conversations with people who paved their own way and crafted their dream career.

This is the My First Dollar Podcast. Season two coming in February!