Right After Breakfast

Jenny Hernstad is the founder of LA SmashCakes. Which is an awesome alternative to an ordinary birthday cake. They are a chocolate dome filled with mixed gummies, then decorated with chocolates and candy. Jenny has been a chocoholic all her life, so it just made sense to start creating exciting and fun chocolate SmashCakes. Jenny creates any SmashCake from soda bottles, donuts, cupcakes to themed birthday SmashCakes. Each SmashCake is unique and hand made, allowing her to be incredibly creative and specific with the design

I'm so pleased that I was able to talk to Jenny, not only about how passionate she is about her SmashCakes, but also about growing up in South Africa and coming to the United States. Jenny was raised in South Africa and her father had a textile business there. But becoming an entrepreneur and creating new work that makes you happy is very difficult.

Jenny found that her best chance at happiness was to move to the U.S. and try to create a life and a business that gave her fulfillment. It was a reminder to me that so many people are just like Jenny, and continue to move to different countries and leave their families behind to try and pursue their dreams.

Find Jenny Online:

Website - https://www.lasmashcakes.com/

Instagram - @lasmashcakes

Some Questions I Ask:

• What are the differences between trying to start a business in the U.S. and South Africa? (09:02)
• Where did you get the idea to start making SmashCakes? (11:06)
• What is your involvement in the business outside of making the cakes? (13:33)
• How have you tried to reach out into the community so people know your business exists? (14:03)
• Why be an entrepreneur and not just work for somebody else? (16:53)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• How to balance all aspects of a business when you do everything
• The hardest part of Jenny's business
• Two skills that have been transferrable to any job
• Why entrepreneurship can be hard but not always stressful
• Where to get inspiration

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Sudio Sweden link to Regent Black headphones: https://goo.gl/5UGe1d

Shawna Dawson Beer is the founder of Angeleno Inc. Underneath that she operates Sauce LA which is a boutique marketing, PR, and social media agency that deals with mainly hospitality brands but also a handful of lifestyle and beauty brands. On top of that she's created her own brands, which include the LA Food Fest, Artisanal LA, and most recently the Clean Food Fest.

This was one of those interviews where I immediately felt like there needed to be a part 2. Shawna has so much to share and just explaining her career path could have been its own episode!

Shawna is a go-getter, and someone who clearly needs to be constantly swimming in order to survive. It's obvious by how many companies and events she has created. From the outside it would seem like nobody could ever keep up with all that she's doing and accomplishing. And at the very least would be mentally drained and crippled by it. But this is where Shawna thrives and needs to be in order to live the life that makes her happy.

The uniqueness of each individuals needs to remain fulfilled and happy never ceases to amaze me. I know that we can all achieve our own version of success and happiness because it's something that we create for ourselves.

Find Shawna Online:

Website - http://saucela.com/

Some Questions I Ask:

• Is Marketing something you immediately fell for? (15:52)
• What are secrets you can tell us on how you achieved success? (20:37)
• How do you keep it all together in your home and work life? (21:34)
• How do you manage and develop people? (26:30)
• What is a daily mindset or task that you would give people in order to achieve success in whatever they are doing? (28:43)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• The importance and value of your path
• Why you need to be fearless when being an entrepreneur
• How Shawna considers herself a gambler
• How to balance everything when something has to give
• Why comparison is the thief of joy

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Dr. Neal Malik has his own podcast called Optimal Health Daily, or OHD for short. It's a daily podcast on Monday-Friday that talks about all things related to health, fitness, nutrition, stress management, and behavior change. He reads health blogs and gives commentary in regards to his personal experiences and what the research says on that topic. When not doing the podcast he's also the department chair of nutrition and basic sciences at Bastyr University California in San Diego, as well as adjunct faculty at two other colleges.

I was so excited to have Neal come on the show for two reasons. He's the first podcast host I've interviewed and it was fun to be able to talk to somebody who knows what it is like to be in my position. But he also brought something else to the show that nobody has before. An ability to look at the balance between health and career through the eyes of a Doctor and a college professor.

Neal uses his personal experiences to share with us the importance of health in trying to find what you love to do. Achieving goals and merging passion with work is something we could never begin to think about if we didn't have our health. This is truly the root of it all.

Find Neal Online:

Website - http://optimallivingdaily.com/category/optimalhealthdaily/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldpodcast

Twitter - @OLDpodcast

Some Questions I Ask:

• How did you make the leap out of a job that at the time looked like a crazy idea? (08:52)
• How have you embraced school, knowing that you've had to be there for so many years? (12:01)
• What are two things we can do every day to keep us in a good state of mind and state of body? (21:13)
• How dangerous can underlying depression be in our lives when we don't realize it's a problem? (25:09)
• How did you get involved in a podcast originally and at what point did you want to be apart of it? (27:40)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• The resources you have to make leaving security easier
• Why learning something is the worst case scenario
• The importance of meeting people "where they are" when giving guidance
• Two things to do every day for your health
• Why you should say yes to everything

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Olivia Lin is the founder of a paper goods company called Atiliay. She specializes in hand lettered paper goods and greeting cards. Each card gives back to a non-profit that she's partnered with.

Olivia is a lover of people and a lover of dogs. There is purpose to her work that goes beyond just giving to multiple non-profits. She really does care about where the money goes to and what her cards are used for. But whether it's money going to a starving child or a card sent to a friend having a bad day, everyone is benefiting.

Olivia's goal has always been to make a difference. In a small loft in her home she sits down and goes to work on helping others. This is something sustainable for her because it comes from the heart and gives meaning to her work. It's more than just making cards. For Olivia it never really mattered how big Atiliay got or where it went, because it was getting accomplished either way.

Find Olivia Online:

Website - http://www.atiliay.com/

Facebook - @atiliay

Instagram - @atiliay

Twitter - @atiliay

Some Questions I Ask:

• Where have you reached out to learn how to properly run a business? (14:57)
• How important is it for people to know that you may not be able to support yourself with your passion for a long time? (17:40)
• How have you created your place to help your work flow? (20:33)
• Is there a process to deciding when to update your work equipment? (22:36)
• What are some of the added benefits for a business to donate to non-profits? (26:10)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• The benefits of a space that is dedicated to your work
• How to get the information you need to succeed
• The importance of updating and having high quality work "tools"
• Why you should have experiences with people less fortunate than you
• Caring about your stress and the things that cause it

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Brad Holdgrafer is the founder, along with his wife Jenna, of a small home goods store in downtown Los Angeles called Formerly Yes. They sell well designed and functional goods for your home and office from around the world. Their products range from different designers, different time periods, and different materials. All under the mantra to buy less but better.

Walking into Formerly Yes is quite the experience. It is immediately apparent what Brad and Jenna are trying to accomplish with functionality and design. Everything in their store is simple and useful. The reasoning behind it all was partially sparked by an experience of living on a small boat, where functionality was more of an absolute necessity.

But Brad also comes from a design background, and as I started talking to him it was clear that he loves sketching out new ideas in his head. I quickly realized that Formerly Yes was just one of those ideas. Him and Jenna were approaching it like an experiment. And as quickly as it became what it is today, it could evolve and change tomorrow.

Find Brad Online:

Website - http://www.formerlyyes.com/

Instagram - @formerlyyes

Some Questions I Ask:

• Why did you decide to live on a boat in the first place? (4:01)
• Whats your view on the development of your skills at one specific place vs. bouncing around to different jobs? (14:45)
• Do you think that every idea is possible? If you can think it you can do it? (17:07)
• Do you have an ultimate goal for Formerly Yes, or more of an ultimate goal for yourself? (22:11)
• Do you always want to be working for yourself? Does working for "the man" scare you? (24:36)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• How living on a boat helped build the idea for their business
• The experimental approach to an idea or business
• How to find different approaches to the same problem
• Why some people fear working at the same place for somebody else
• Why Formerly Yes is "life" and other things needed to keep it going are "work"

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Kristen Pumphrey is the founder and creative director at P.F. Candle Co. All of their candles are made using domestically grown soy wax, cotton core wicks, fine fragrance oils, and apothecary inspired packaging. Jars are finished off with a simple label and brass lid. Each candle is hand poured, packaged, and shipped in their Los Angeles studio.

When I first arrived at a large industrial looking building to interview Kristen I was immediately greeted with a smile and an offer to tour the "candle factory". It was a thing of beauty, and had me thinking back to some brewery tours I had been on in the past. I instantly understood the vision that Kristen had for her candles, her employees, and the happy customers she was creating.

It was obvious how proud Kristen was to show off the fruits of her labor. A long journey that had brought her to a place that even she was probably surprised at. Her office was attached to the warehouse and we set up the microphones and started talking. With her co-owner and husband Tom in the background doing paperwork, I could tell that this was "home" for both of them. Or at least a second one.

Find Kristen Online:

Website - https://pfcandleco.com/

Facebook - @PFcandleco

Instagram - @pfcandleco

Twitter - @pfcandleco

Some Questions I Ask:

• How did the candle business officially start? (11:10)
• How hard was it to be the sole member of your candle company in the beginning? (13:30)
• Was there a low point where you thought you might have to end the business? (15:13)
• What is it like being married to your business partner? (17:46)
• Have you enjoyed the expansion of your company or do you miss the smaller scale? (24:01)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• When to listen to your own advice
• Why the customer is always right, even when they aren't
• Having your partner also be your business partner
• The challenges of working out of your home
• Embracing a work-life balance that doesn't exist

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Andrew Tyree is the founder of Coast to Costa. A travel company that organizes personalized, guided tours of Mexico, Spain and Cuba. Each trip delivers unique, highly localized travel experiences with an emphasis on the food, wine, and culture of the region.

Andrew is a guy that's always looking for adventure. He found his passion through travel. And like many discover, he loved other countries and cultures. But how can you possibly make a career out of something like that?

Sometimes you have to think a little outside of the box with the things you love. Andrew also loved sharing new places and cultures with others. Helping and setting them up with places he knew about was a passion that was possibly even deeper than exploring them himself. It turned out he was pretty good at this, and that he could make it a career. Isn't it funny that when we think about how we can help others it often gives us the answer!

Find Andrew Online:

Website - http://www.coasttocosta.com/

Facebook - @coasttocosta

Instagram - @coasttocosta

Some Questions I Ask:

• What made you think you could actually start a company around travel? (3:06)
• How did you come up with things like your logo and how did you source it? (8:03)
• Can moving or traveling fix your problems? (16:03)
• What are the main differences between what you're doing in the company now vs. when it first started? (19:50)
• How did you prioritize tasks and ideas when first starting your business? (21:30)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• The importance of business cards
• How talking about what you want leads to success
• The power of a to-do list
• How to be an unorganized person and make it work
• Why you should travel or move more

Here is a link to the Sudio Sweden Regent Black headphones that I've been wearing: https://goo.gl/5UGe1d ---> 15% off discount code: BREAKFAST15

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Kellie Cockrell cofounded a dance and activewear brand called katieandkellie with her twin sister. Currently she also works at General Assembly as the LA marketing producer, and also has free lance clients for social media and digital marketing.

Kellie and her twin sister Katie have been an unbreakable duo. Both moved out to LA to pursue acting and eventually started started a business together. But now Kellie finds herself creating her own career path and discovering what that means for her future happiness and success.

Find Kellie Online:

Website - http://katieandkellie.com/

Instagram - @katieandkellie or @kelliecockrell

Some Questions I Ask:

• How do you go and sell something for the first time with no experience? (7:28)
• What's it like to be founding a company and have a full time job? (9:53)
• How important is it to surround yourself with people who can inspire you? (13:55)
• If you could start a company again how would you go about doing it differently? (16:44)
• How important is it to make an Instagram presence and how do you get followers? (21:39)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• What should you be doing in your early 20's
• If you could do it all over again, what would you change
• The importance of an Instagram presence
• How to be successful on social media
• How being genuine leads to sales

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Sica Schmitz is the founder of Bead & Reel, a one-stop shop for activist fashion. It is based on the belief that fashion and ethics aren't mutually exclusive, focusing on eco-friendly, cruelty-free, sweatshop-free styles. Everything they sell meets the criteria of being thoughtful to animals, people, and the world through their carefully curated selection of hand-picked designers and products.

I love talking with people who's passion is about helping others and the world around them. To be honest, it's most people. When we think about what really makes us passionate and happy, most of the time it has something to do with impacting others positively in a big or small way.

Sica is someone who's passion is very directly related to this. She felt as though she had to do something to try and put an end to the way we manufacture, sell, and use clothing or other things related to fashion. So she just did it.

Find Sica Online:

Website - https://www.beadandreel.com/

Facebook - @beadandreel

Instagram - @beadandreel

Twitter - @beadandreel

Some Questions I Ask:

• What was your first impression of the fashion industry? (5:57)
• Were there daily tasks you had that made accomplishing Bead & Reel easier? (12:37)
• How did you first start to promote Bead & Reel and gain brand recognition? (15:11)
• How do you try to strike a work life balance as an entrepreneur? (18:39)
• What would you say to people who think taking on big issues or making a big impact is too hard to make a career out of? (21:50)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• How to find the perfect opportunities to succeed in what you want
• How to handle a rollercoaster of ups and downs when it comes to your business
• How to make an impact during your time on this earth
• A different perspective on work life balance
• Incorporating your passion into your work at a slow and manageable pace

Music Composed by John Zarcone

Lauri Kranz is the founder of Edible Gardens LA. A company that builds, plants, and sustains vegetable gardens or edible landscapes. They help museums, restaurants, chefs, and anybody else who wants to grow their own food.

This episode was actually recorded in one of Lauri's many gardens that she has made over the years. Talking with her in this environment was really special because | could immediately tell she was in her environment.

Lauri has always had two big passions though, the other being music. We talked about how to balance two passions, and what that means as your life progresses.

To feel the confidence in Lauri's voice that she has finally found a balance for her passions was reassuring. Many times it seems like certain things need to be left behind in life, even if they are part of what makes you happy. But she presents solutions that seem simple and fulfilling.

Find Lauri Online:

Website - http://ediblegardensla.com/

Facebook - @ediblegardenslosangeles

Instagram - @ediblegardensla

Some Questions I Ask:

• What caused you to take the risk and become a musician? (10:39)
• How has your relationship with music changed? (14:14)
• What are some tips to keep multiple passions alive in your life? (18:31)
• Were there failures that you had when you first started gardening that scared you? (20:03)
• What were the daily things that you did and still do to help make you successful? (24:19)

In This Episode, You Will Learn About:

• How to balance multiple passions
• What to do if you lose out on an opportunity
• Why our failures and weaknesses should get us inspired
• The importance of sharing what you love with others

Music Composed by John Zarcone