Erin Stampp, she/her, MPP - Director, Professional Development
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

In this episode of Proofing Stage, hosts Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner are joined by DEI practitioner Erin Stampp. Together, they unpack the challenges and necessities of implementing effective DEI strategies, even for minority business owners.

Erin emphasizes that true diversity goes beyond visibility; focusing on fostering an inclusive culture where diverse identities are seen and valued. The conversation also covers practical aspects like dietary restrictions in food businesses and universal design. Michelle and Joan share their experiences with integrating these practices into Bottoms Up Bagels, including staff reticence and industry norms.

Erin highlights the importance of relational, equity-centered leadership, which involves creating a supportive environment through active listening and engagement. She addresses retention challenges and the truly counter-cultural work of inclusion and systemic change. 

Join us for a very open conversation about our blind spots, power-sharing in leadership, and the self-compassion required to make it stick. Like:

• Asking for, listening to and implementing input is where it’s at
• How we can turn our exclamation points into question marks
• Where the anti-racism, anti-sexism fairy dust resides
• The trappings of cancel culture
• Taking a sec to acknowledge what’s working and build on it
• Big, sexy (self-) compliments go a long way

Links

Check out one of Erin’s current projects, a Desegregation History Timeline (education aid to advance culture change)

Connect with Erin Stampp
LinkedIn
Instagram

Faux Sponsor, "Cartoon Mallet" 
- written and performed by Joan Kanner

Theme music by Thorn Haze
Additional music:
Combat Morning by Den Writeman (via Pixabay)
Music for Puzzle Game by Ivantraveso (via Pixabay)

Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond

Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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Guests - Kait Klusewitz (she/her), Muralist/Artist | Caroline Lampinen (she/her), Artist

There was so much goodness in our conversation with Kait and Caro that we couldn't fit it all into the full episode. This mighty bonus episode continues with the artists discussing the very real costs of stress and short turnaround times on last-minute, jobs and the true value of your time when being an entrepreneur.

Our co-host, Joan Kanner, also tees up important questions about intellectual property for artists and start-ups in general. While it may not be top of mind at first, our guests demonstrate that there can be a lot to say on the topic, and that it's never too soon to think about the kind of business you want to be in relation to protecting your work.

Enjoy this bit of extra tasty content from Proofing Stage.

You can also hear more from Joan about IP and the restaurant industry on the Novel and Non-Obvious podcast.

Theme music by Thorn Haze
Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye

Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond
Editing and mixing by Joan Kanner

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Guests - Kait Klusewitz (she/her), Muralist/Artist | Caroline Lampinen (she/her), Artist

Bringing art to business and business to art, hosts Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner dive into a vibrant discussion on "Proofing Stage" with two extraordinary creatives. Kait Klusewitz and Caroline Lampinen join the episode to unpack the powerful intersection of creativity and social impact. Celebrated for their engagement with community and social movements—particularly their support for the Black Lives Matter initiative—they share how they've transitioned from “W2” jobs to self-employment and roles that fuse passion and talent with purpose and personal well-being.

The conversation spans the essential tactics for setting both personal and professional boundaries. From navigating client expectations to appropriately valuing their creative output, Kait and Caroline deliver actionable advice not just for artists but for any entrepreneur.

For anyone drawn to entrepreneurship, art, or social advocacy, this episode is a treasure trove of insights on handling the hurdles of small business ownership while using one’s craft to foster community and advocate for change. Tune in to hear Michelle, Joan, and their guests explore the art of running businesses that do more than just succeed—they make a significant impact.

Gems include:

• Sometimes the $$$ just isn’t worth it
• Setting boundaries for yourself, not just others
• Having an art soulmate is (okay) everything
• Burnout can mean you’re not charging enough
• Developing a signature artistic style takes time
• The power of leveraging your industry’s ecosystem
• Resentment isn’t just a River in Egypt!

Links

Connect with Kait Klusewitz:
Kait K Designs, She/Her
@kaitkdesigns
https://www.kaitkdesigns.com/

Connect with Caroline Lampinen,
Artist, Okay Everything, She/Her
@okay_everything
https://okayeverything.com/

More on working with Creatives: S1: EP9, Points for Creativity

“The Capers Song” written and performed by Katie Long

Theme music by Thorn Haze

Additional music: “Downfall” by AlisaBeats (via Pixabay)

Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye

Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Find more at proofingstage.com
Follow us on Instagram and Threads @proofingstage

Join Proofing Stage+ to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes!

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Some pods offer a peek behind the curtain. But in today's bonus episode, Michelle and Joan give peeks inside their heads!

Now that they're doing the asking, whose asking acts as examples to emulate?

And, yes, you'll be left asking yourself "wait, who had their own talk show?!"

Some delicious samples from this bonus served up in paper soufflé cups below:

Michelle:
"These are things you maybe you talk about with your friends over a happy hour and you commiserate and then you go on to do something else. But if they're actually, in our case, real barriers to not only us, but lots of other people being able to not only go after their dreams, but have financial wellbeing. So, maybe we should talk about them."

Joan:
"For so many years, if not decades, I did not know I had the right to inquire, to ask people to explain or clarify things, which is a big deal."

Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye
Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond

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“There is so much false urgency I have fallen prey to that I’ve learned about through this business. I don’t want to see other people making those mistakes, especially women,” says Joan Kanner on past challenges in business. Alongside co-host Michelle Bond, they kick off the second season of Proofing Stage. Likening the podcast to a business self-defense course, Michelle and Joan aim to equip female business owners with the necessary knowledge to fend off unexpected or unfair obstacles.

The duo shares their diverse backgrounds and their journey from career frustrations to creating their own ventures: a company driven by karma, a music app, and their crave-able concept, Bottoms Up Bagels (BUB). As they take stock of their first season, they reflect on their growth as queer female founders and the role of the podcast in offering business insights and enhancing their network. They discuss the expansive potential of podcasts and their mission as force multipliers—to be the mentors and coaches they didn’t have. 

Today's episode sets the stage for what’s to come in Season 2 and acknowledges the great work of Season 1 producer and contributor, Amanda Schwarz. Michelle and Joan hint at a lineup of diverse guests for the new season and explore the concept of “proofing” across different fields.
 
Whether you are tuning in to build your business chops or just learn from real people with genuine stories Proofing Stage is set to rise to the occasion. 

So, join Michelle and Joan as they:

• Put the "omen" in women
• Give a nod to their best teachers 
• Institute a crash course in defensive entrepreneurship
• Preview upcoming guests and topics
• Surprisingly hold back on their use of expletives

------

Theme music by Thorn Haze
Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye
Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Find more at proofingstage.com
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Not just business as usual!

Proofing Stage provides real talk, actionable guidance, lessons learned (don't make the mistakes we did) and the validation that YOU ARE NOT CRAZY (like when you've been gaslit) for female business owners. 

Season 1 laid the foundation by unpacking 8 years of running a successful food business. Now Joan and Michelle continue the discussion with a cadre of brilliant, straight-shooting guests. 

Available now anywhere you get your pods. 

Listen. Subscribe. Spread the word.

Theme music by Thorn Haze

Artwork by Lisa Orye

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Ever walk away from an exchange with someone “trying to help” whose brilliant suggestions leave you feeling frustrated or drained? Or, maybe you’ve been that well-intentioned person who has missed the mark? Worse yet, you may not know either way. 

In between seasons Joan and Michelle discuss recent experiences (good and bad!) and dissect the all-too-frequent tendency to leap before listening. And, we offer a simple hack to trick us all into doing better.

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Have you ever found yourself frozen in a moment, opportunity dangling before your eyes, only to hesitate and miss out? Picture this: a room full of college freshmen, a motivational speaker, and a single $50 bill that sparked a revelation Joan has carried with her into her forties. 

On this bonus episode of Proofing Stage, Joan takes you back to her freshman orientation at Montclair State University.

Listen for a candid reflection on the insights that simmer over time and discover why, when the next chance comes your way, you might just find yourself reaching out with unhesitating eagerness.

Carpe cash!

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We're celebrating the end of Season 1 with big slice of creativity, talking inspiration and intention with a generous sprinkling of strategy. After all, if you've started a business or dream of starting one, you've got that creative inside you. Whether it's thinking about a different way to design your venture altogether, or giving it just the right vibe or visual representation, your business and your brand is an extension of you. So, take some time to get it right and be PROUD of what you've created. 

In this season finale the creative forces behind Proofing Stage discuss the unexpected approaches to some of Bottoms Up Bagels (BUB) menu items, events, commercials and antics. And, it's more than just a good time with: the purpose of cementing your brand, connecting with your customers and driving business. We zero in on finding the right professional creatives to materialize a vision, and how to develop working relationships that respect what each party brings to the table. In doing so, we share examples from our journey together on Proofing Stage this season, and what's to come. 

Imbuing business with creativity isn't new.

But what do you do when it's all up to you?

• Business title and item names are an obvious place.
• Next up: merch design - hope your illustrator's an ace!
• Marketing videos won't land if you don't have a clue
• Of what you want, or who can deliver that to you.

So take heed, and do listen up
To this final episode of the season, Cheers! Bottoms Up!

Break this one up if you need to, but don't miss any of these hits that surely stick the landing.

And, check out our Instagram for the puppets. 

BUB TV:

Spend Some Time with Miss Michelle [Romper Room spoof]

Contactless vs No-Contact

Michelle as Mary Tyler Moore [Roadshow promotional video]

Foraging with Joan

Halitos - One Seed Makes Everything [Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos spoof]

Theme music by Thorn Haze

Additional music by: AlisiaBeats (via Pixabay)

Artwork by Lisa Orye

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We're approaching the end of Season 1, but not before a jam-packed episode on creativity and collaborations to help amplify your food business. This bonus clip covers important considerations for your brand's visual identity, including who can help and when to drop the big bucks:

Whether working with a firm or independent designer, ask them in advance about:

• Their project discovery process
•  In addition to logo, which visual branding pieces they provide (e.g. style guide)

And, remember:

• Logo ≠ brand identity
• Take time to get to know your customer well before dumping a lot of money into version 1 of your logo
• Check out a designer's portfolio before reaching out to them: if you don't like what you see, move on

Find more at proofingstage.com
Follow us on Instagram and Threads @proofingstage

Join Proofing Stage+ to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes!

See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here.