Rhymes with Odd

From Corporate Desk to Thrifting Queen: How Amber Smith Turned Reselling Into a Full-Time Job

Can you really quit the corporate grind, thrift for a living, and graduate debt-free? In this episode of Rhymes with Odd, we sit down with Des Moines-based creator Amber Smith (@amberwavesofbrain). Inspired by her parents’ antique reselling, Amber built an online business through Poshmark and eBay that helped her walk away from student loans and, eventually, her corporate job. Today, she combines thrifting expertise, creator revenue, and radical financial transparency to lead a massive Midwest community. We break down the reality of full-time reselling, how her income actually divides across platforms, the true impact of TikTok on Iowa small businesses, and her top money tips for your 20s.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction & Meet Amber Smith (@amberwavesofbrain)02:15 - Growing Up Around Antiques & Childhood Background05:30 - Walking Away From Corporate: The Leap Into Full-Time Content & Resale09:45 - The Income Breakdown: Reselling vs. Brand Deals vs. Creator Revenue14:10 - What Actually Separates Full-Time Creators From Everyone Else?18:25 - The Reality of Daily Content Creation & Creative Fatigue22:10 - Surreal Influencer Moments & Unforgettable Follower Interactions26:40 - The Power of Financial Transparency Online31:15 - Graduating Debt-Free: Amber’s Personal Finance Journey35:00 - Solo Business vs. Management: Handling Backend Operations38:30 - LIGHTNING ROUND: Sleeper Platforms, Dream Hires & Best/Worst Comments43:10 - Top 3 Money Rules for Your 20s46:50 - TikTok’s Economic Impact on Iowa & Local Small Business Culture51:00 - The Future of Social Media & Staying Power: Can You Ever Retire?55:20 - Is Amber "Unemployable" Now? Closing Advice & Where to ConnectRESOURCES & GUEST LINKS:• TikTok: @amberwavesofbrain• Instagram: https://instagram.com/amberwavesofbrain_See more about the Economic impact of platforms like TikTok to the Iowa business community here: https://tiktokeconomicimpact.com/Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #businesspodcast Guests YouTube channel:  ⁨@amberwavesofbrain_⁩ 

Our guest today is a water scientist, author, and the 2026 Democratic nominee for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Chris Jones. For years as a research engineer at the University of Iowa, Chris used raw data to sound the alarm on agricultural runoff and industrial pollution—even writing the acclaimed book, The Swine Republic where he held few punches toward the current production agriculture model that has contributed to high nitrate levels in our water ways and the state with the highest rate of new cancer cases out of the US.  Now, he’s stepped out of the lab and onto the campaign trail to take on multi-national corporate agribusiness, fix Iowa’s water quality crisis, and rethink the future of the family farm.

What does it take to go from a war-torn childhood in Bosnia to becoming a high-level corporate leader, author, and global motivational speaker?In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with entrepreneur, mindset coach, and author Mensur Pudic. Mensur shares his raw origin story of escaping execution trucks in Bosnia, arriving in the United States at age 18 without knowing a word of English, and using absolute determination to build a life of profound impact.

If you are feeling stuck in your career, struggling with a corporate burnout, or battling a subconscious "victim mindset," this episode is your blueprint to breaking through self-imposed limits. Mensur breaks down the actual science of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), how to audit your own thoughts like a lawyer, and why your daily habits must tie directly to your core identity.

In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd Podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Dr. Nataliya Stone, Senior VP and Shareholder at Holmes Murphy, for a powerful conversation on resilient leadership, the human capital crisis, and what it truly means to lead with empathy.

Born in Ukraine, Nataliya moved to the United States alone at just 16 years old with two suitcases and a fierce determination to achieve the American Dream. Over the last 20 years, she has broken ceilings and built an incredible career in the insurance industry—all while committing to lifelong education, earning an MBA, a PhD, and becoming an adjunct professor.

Tune in as we deconstruct her 18-year climb to the top, the power of deep human connection in a disconnected world, and exclusive insights from her upcoming book, When Life Disrupts Work (coming Spring 2027).

If you want to know what real, empathetic leadership looks like today, lock in. This episode is for you.

• 00:06 - Introduction: Meeting Dr. Nataliya Stone

• 02:17 - Is the American Dream Still Alive?

• 03:07 - What Does an Employee Benefits Market Leader Do?

• 04:44 - Growing Up in Ukraine & Lessons from an Independent Mother

• 10:33 - The 14-Year-Old Exchange Trip That Changed Everything

• 13:06 - Moving to the U.S. Alone at 16 (and Packing Too Much Contact Lens Solution)

• 17:48 - The Trajectory of Chasing Fearless Dreams

• 22:38 - Meeting Mentors & Navigating College Life at DMACC and Drake University

• 26:56 - The Journey to an MBA, a PhD, and Becoming a Lifelong Learner

• 32:28 - "You Can't Read the Label From Inside the Bottle" — The Importance of Network

• 36:43 - Why Job Hopping Wasn't for Me: 20 Years at Holmes Murphy

• 39:38 - Why True Leaders Must Be Plugged Into Their Community

• 41:17 - Treating Employees Like Human Capital, Not an Expense Line Item

• 43:12 - THE LIGHTNING ROUND (Favorite Ukrainian Dishes & Best/Worst Career Advice)

• 45:12 - The #1 Trait of a Great Leader: Empathy

• 51:40 - The 3 Non-Negotiable Pillars of Leadership Psychology

• 54:32 - Transitioning from an Individual Performer to a Team Leader

• 56:22 - Sneak Peek: Nataliya’s Upcoming Book When Life Disrupts Work (Spring 2027)

• 58:49 - Doctoral Research: How Leaders Can Support Employees Through Personal Crisis

• 1:01:34 - How to Connect with Dr. Nataliya Stone

• 1:02:09 - Outro & How to Support the Show

• Website: http://www.nataliyastone.com (Sign up for her newsletter and book updates!)

• LinkedIn: Connect with Nataliya on LinkedIn for coffee or lunch.

📌 Episode Timestamps🔗 Connect with Dr. Nataliya Stone

In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, Ryan Snaadt sits down with James Drescher, the founder of Rooted Films, to discuss the "second act" of creative entrepreneurship. James shares his journey from dominating the Iowa City wedding scene with over 300 weddings to pivoting into high-end sports cinematography and agency work.They dive deep into the importance of storytelling over gear, the "content gap" in local markets, and how to maintain a creative edge while prioritizing family and personal faith. Whether you are a freelance filmmaker or a business owner looking to tell a better story, this conversation offers a masterclass in adapting to an ever-changing industry.Topics CoveredAdapting to Your Market: Why buying a $40,000 camera rig might be a bad business move depending on your geographic location.The Wedding "Grit": How shooting weddings serves as the ultimate training ground for communication and problem-solving.The Pivot to Sports: Applying wedding storytelling to the high-stakes world of Iowa Wrestling and the NCAA Championships.Non-Profit Impact: Using video as a bridge to help organizations like Make-A-Wish raise life-changing funds.Business for Creatives: The "missing classes" in art school—negotiation, client relations, and knowing your worth.Intentional Fatherhood: Balancing the "strive" of entrepreneurship with being a present husband and father.Timestamps00:06 – Introduction: Who is James Drescher?01:35 – Bridging the "content gap" and choosing the right gear for your market.04:06 – Following intuition: When life calls you to a new chapter.07:32 – How a 7th-grade art teacher changed James' academic trajectory.09:28 – The jump into the DSLR era and shooting your first wedding.13:27 – The "missing" business education in creative arts programs.17:03 – Why being a "people person" makes you a better filmmaker.20:10 – Adding video to wedding packages and avoiding burnout.24:46 – Entering the world of Iowa Wrestling and the "Iowa Way" documentary.31:36 – The "Wife Test": Testing if a sports story has universal human appeal.38:46 – The power of storytelling for non-profits and the Make-A-Wish Gala.43:58 – Finding your own voice in an industry full of competitors.51:41 – Lightning Round: Sony vs. Canon, prime vs. zoom, and top coffee spots.1:02:12 – "Your child will follow your actions, not your advice."1:07:45 – The value of quality over quantity in friendships and mentorship.1:19:18 – Advice for 21-year-olds: You don't have to have it all figured out.Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes with Snaadt podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sits down with Nick Wylie, the COO of J.P. Petticord and co-founder of Renewal Blade. Nick shares his incredible 26-year journey from a 19-year-old mechanic’s helper to leading a 70-person heavy machinery team.We dive deep into his "boots-on-the-ground" leadership style and the innovative ways his team is solving a massive environmental crisis: recycling wind turbine blades. Discover how Nick is turning 150-foot pieces of recycled wind power into lightweight, indestructible concrete barriers and retaining walls right here in the Des Moines metro.Whether you're interested in the trades, sustainable tech, or high-level business operations, Nick’s "easy button" approach to business offers a masterclass in grit and innovation.Episode Timestamps00:06 – Introduction to Nick Wylie & J.P. Petticord02:02 – Leadership Philosophy: Why a COO shouldn’t stay behind a desk04:40 – Nick’s Career Path: From mechanic’s helper to partner09:29 – Learning on the Fly: Estimating and sales at 19 years old12:45 – Implementing the EOS System and the "Easy Button" core value18:04 – Navigating tragedy and business succession planning23:33 – The growth of organic recycling and the compost business26:14 – The Problem: Why wind turbine blades are a landfill nightmare30:33 – The Solution: Engineering a new concrete formula from fiberglass waste34:24 – Creating "Indestructible" Jersey barriers and T-walls38:58 – Lightning Round: Best machinery to operate and expensive mistakes50:33 – Safety Culture: Captive insurance and risk management in the trades56:42 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in the sustainability spaceThanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, Ryan Snaadt sits down with Nicolle McClure, President and Owner of Moche Marketing. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare marketing space, Nicolle shares her journey from being a marketing specialist to acquiring and growing a multi-agency empire.We dive deep into the world of independent pharmacy marketing, discussing how "the little guy" can win against big-box giants through specialization and education. Nicolle also opens up about the difficult decision to fire her largest client, the importance of "extreme ownership" in leadership, and why she believes the future of marketing still relies heavily on the human touch—even in the age of AI.Whether you are a healthcare professional, an aspiring agency owner, or an entrepreneur looking for a masterclass in niche marketing, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Connect with Nicolle McClure:Website: MocheMarketing.comAgencies: GRX Marketing & Finch MarketingConnect with Ryan Snaadt:Website: snaadtmedia.comSubscribe: Don't forget to hit that subscribe button to help us reach our goal of 1,000 subscribers!Topic Timestamps00:06 - Introduction to Nicolle McClure and Moche Marketing01:48 - The "Know, Like, and Trust" factor in Pharmacy Marketing03:15 - Full-service strategy vs. "Bland" marketing04:24 - Nicolle’s origin story: From 1997 grad to Agency Owner05:48 - How marketing has evolved: From newspapers to Geofencing08:08 - The journey of building a side hustle into a nationwide business11:19 - Taking the leap: Moving from employee to 100% owner13:44 - Being "risk-averse" vs. "jumping off the cliff" in business18:03 - Mentorship and giving your team "Extreme Ownership"22:30 - Marketing for clients vs. marketing for your own agency28:39 - Firing your biggest client: The hardest decision for a business owner34:33 - The Lightning Round: Favorite tools and marketing buzzwords36:58 - Why Nicolle chooses in-office collaboration over remote work41:20 - The future of Finch Marketing and industry diversification43:03 - New opportunities: Texting programs and HIPAA compliance45:09 - AI in healthcare: Why human connection still wins52:11 - Career advice for the next generation of marketers#HealthcareMarketing #PharmacyBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #AgencyGrowth #DigitalMarketing #SmallBusinessSuccess #RhymesWithOddThanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes Podcast, Ryan Snaadt sits down with Dr. Sarah Outlaw, a clinical nutritionist, herbalist, and founder of the Natural Health Improvement Center. Sarah shares her incredible journey from being a stay-at-home mom in New Jersey to becoming a "professional pivoter" and entrepreneur in Iowa.They dive deep into the differences between Western and holistic medicine, the challenges of bringing a new health modality to the Midwest, and the raw reality of owning multiple businesses—including the hurdles of the restaurant industry with her concept, Cava DSM. Whether you are interested in holistic healing or the gritty details of business growth and resilience, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom.Topic Timestamps:00:06 – Introduction to Dr. Sarah Outlaw and host Ryan Snaadt.01:31 – Sarah’s origin story: From military spouse to holistic doctor.03:33 – What is missing in Western medicine? Asking the question "Why?"05:50 – Moving to Iowa: Bringing muscle testing to the "OG" level.06:42 – Culture shock: Navigating "Iowa Nice" vs. New Jersey bluntness.08:32 – Rapid growth: Building a million-dollar practice in 18 months.09:31 – The 2020 Pivot: COVID-19, business divorces, and closing training centers.13:17 – The "Phoenix rising": Overcoming the desire to quit.16:28 – Credibility and Titles: Explaining the role of a Natural Doctor.18:54 – Simple health fixes: The importance of movement and bone density.20:37 – Early marketing strategies: The power of organic Facebook growth.24:39 – A major setback: Healing from a severe dog bite injury in the office.31:10 – Lightning Round: Best/worst first jobs and debunking the "customer is always right."33:14 – Starting Cava DSM: The vision for a sober, health-minded cafe.36:54 – The reality of the restaurant business: Staffing drama and viral TikToks.41:50 – Hard-earned advice: The emotional and financial cost of investing in people.43:44 – Abundance vs. Scarcity: Maintaining a mindset of growth in a cutthroat industry.48:02 – Future of the practice: Metabolic testing and pediatric health.49:37 – Where to connect with Dr. Sarah Outlaw.Connect with our Guest:Website: https://nhiccenters.com/Social Media: @NHICDesMoines / @SarahOutlawResources:Inquire about services at Snaadt Media Group: https://snaadtmedia.com/Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

In this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, Ryan Snaadt sits down with Amber Robinson, co-founder of Crave Gym and host of the Chromosomes and Chaos podcast. Amber opens up about the "athlete mindset" required to scale a multi-location fitness empire, the scientific truth behind nutrition and carbohydrates, and her deeply personal journey raising a son with Down syndrome.Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to scale, a parent navigating a new diagnosis, or a fitness enthusiast tired of the "7-days-a-week" burnout, Amber’s perspective on the "sport of life" offers a masterclass in resilience and intentional living.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why the "fearless" mindset of a 22-year-old entrepreneur is a superpower.The "Three Days a Week" rule: Why working out more is actually killing your results.How to navigate a birth diagnosis and find joy in the "chaos" of special needs parenting.Why "Girl Math" and "Amazon Influencers" are Amber's secret obsessions.The evolution of Crave Gym from a small startup to a 6-location regional powerhouse.Topic Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Amber Robinson02:43 – Building the "Mental Muscle" to choose the hard path05:04 – The Crave Gym elevator pitch & origin story08:51 – Starting a business at 22: Fearlessness and parental support12:06 – How the name "Crave" was born (before the cereal!)15:32 – The power of mentorship: Meeting the right people at the right time24:54 – The Carb Myth: Why your body actually needs them29:18 – The biggest hurdle to nutrition: The "Busyness" trap35:21 – The Grieving Process: Navigating a Down Syndrome diagnosis41:03 – Why having more children helped their family dynamic42:37 – Starting the "Chromosomes and Chaos" podcast51:46 – Parenting & Fitness: How to lead without being "forceful"57:44 – Lightning Round: Deadlifts, Skin Care, and "Girl Math"1:07:38 – Scaling to 6 locations: Growth and the COVID challenge1:12:07 – Why the Franchise model is broken (and how Crave is fixing it)1:20:55 – The Science of Strength Training vs. Cardio1:28:40 – Where to find Amber and Crave GymThanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast

This episode, we sit down with James Machamer, President and Chief Experience Officer of Walk Your Plans Des Moines. He discusses his transition from a 23-year military career and the fire department to launching a technology-driven business that projects life-size floor plans for homeowners and developers.Timestamps: (00:20) Innovative Business Model: James explains that "Walk Your Plans" takes architectural blueprints and projects them onto a floor at a 1:1 scale, allowing clients to physically walk through a space and verify the flow, furniture placement, and functionality before construction begins.(01:37) The Reality of Starting Up: He emphasizes that new entrepreneurs must prepare for a difficult lending environment; he specifically recommends the SBA 7A loan route but cautions that the process for startups is significantly more complex than it was decades ago.(03:06) Seeking Relevant Mentorship: James advises aspiring business owners to talk to those who have started businesses within the last three to five years, as the modern landscape of loans, technology, and regulations has changed drastically.(04:34) Beyond Residential Use: While often used for homes, the studio handles massive commercial projects, including a 150,000-square-foot industrial renovation where the team saved an estimated three months of design time in a single day (49:08).(10:54) Transition from Service: After retiring from the Navy as a combat corpsman and the Des Moines Fire Department due to injury, James struggled with his identity, eventually realizing that his service was "what he did, not who he was" (24:37).(33:39) Managing the "Noise": A recurring theme is the battle against "noise"—distractions that don't move the needle. He credits his wife for pushing him to use lists and EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) principles to maintain laser focus (38:40).(45:27) Bridging the Literacy Gap: He highlights that most people cannot truly "read" a 2D plan; his service provides confidence and clarity, preventing expensive "change orders" once the walls are already framed.(54:18) Leadership Wisdom: James shares the best advice he received from a Master Chief: "Slow down." He applies this today by taking moments to assess the bigger picture before reacting to business challenges.(59:05) Defining Success: He concludes that success is only possible when you enjoy the ride and give yourself permission to find joy in growth moments, even when the daily tasks are difficult.Thanks for tuning in for this episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast. Make sure to subscribe to catch future interviews. Follow on TikTok: @rhymeswithoddFollow on Instagram: @rhymeswithodd#RhymeswithOdd #BusinessPodcast