During the pandemic, Nina Ross’ full-time job suddenly became part-time, and she needed something to do with the extra hours in her week.

Her family holds cookie parties every December, and these are some of Nina’s most cherished memories.So Nina started baking again to fill her free time and gave the dozens of cookies she made to friends and family.

After a few months of this, Nina decided to turn her passion into a small business and founded Nina’s Cookie Explosion, a company that offers specialty and customizable cookies and doughs, in September 2020.

In this episode, Nina talks about:

• How she got Nina’s Cookie Explosion off the ground and how her most popular products are not necessarily what she anticipated;
• How she balances her day job, which is now full-time again, with being a small business owner;
• How she builds collaborations both through organic connections and intentional outreach;
• Her big break when it felt like her business started to experience exceptional growth;
• How she views rejection as an opportunity for growth and learning; and more.

Follow Nina’s Cookie Explosion on Instagram

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Mentioned in this Episode:

• Nina’s Cookie Explosion’s website, where you can order specialty and customizable cookies and doughs.
• WJZ story, “Coffee with: Nina’s Cookie Explosion”

**Please note that I mistakenly said that Nina was supporting the Tyanna Foundation through her November Cookie of the Month. In November, she is actually supporting the Maryland Food Bank.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected] (but getting in touch through IG DM is better!)!

While she was a student at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore-based artist and muralist Jaz Erenberg worked on her first community-centered art piece with the homeless population residing along Falls Way.

Then, around graduation, Jaz was part of artist Michael Owen’s HOME Artist Residency. This opportunity allowed her to continue to focus on public art while painting her first mural, a large, quote-filled piece in Highlandtown that centers on the theme of “What is home?”

Today, Jaz is an independent muralist with 25 brightly-colored works throughout Baltimore, including one on the exterior of her home in Upper Fell’s Point.

In this episode, Jaz talks about:

• How she developed her style as an artist and the process behind five of her pieces and projects, including the Highlandtown mural and her work with the East Baltimore Midway neighborhood as a Designer in Residence with the Neighborhood Design Center;
• How she engages communities in her art, how this process has evolved over time, and how her background as a teacher has been an asset in her work;
• The time when she was contemplating leaving teaching to focus on her work as an independent muralist and how she reached this decision;
• What she wishes she knew when she started her business, her advice for other artists, and more.

Follow Jaz Erenberg on Instagram

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Mentioned in this Episode:

• Jaz Erenberg’s website, where you can see photos of her work and to learn about her services, including residential, commercial, and community murals.
• The Designer-in-Residence program at the Neighborhood Design Center

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected] (but getting in touch through IG DM is better!)!

 

Michele Dickinson had been building her successful corporate career at a large investment firm for more than a decade. But after having her third baby in 2018, she started to think about her life’s purpose and began to feel she was meant to be doing something else. Michele ultimately became a life and business coach who focuses on helping women build legacies and make a difference in the world through entrepreneurship and online businesses.

In this episode, Michele talks about:

• When she reached her own turning point professionally and began to feel a nudge to shift away from her corporate career;
• How she found her first client and refined her offerings, including private and group coaching, and a few examples of clients who have made major shifts while working with her;
• Building community on social media and how she strives to share vulnerably and authentically while also providing value;
• Money, pricing, and knowing your own worth;
• Finding balance as a business owner; a consultant at her corporate job, a position she held until recently; and a wife and mom of three.

Follow Michele Dickinson on Instagram

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Mentioned in this Episode:

• Working Moms Wanting More Soul Circle, Michele’s Facebook group
• Intuitive: Speaking Your Truth, a multi-author book. Michele wrote Chapter 11, “A Sixth Sense: The Call of the Soul.”

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected] (but getting in touch through IG DM is better!)!

For about a decade, Aaron Dante was one of the hosts of an annual party called No Pix After Dark. So in 2018, when he was planning to start a podcast to tell positive stories, he used the same name. Back then, the people who came to his parties—which had grown to about 1,000 attendees, including his college friends and their friends—naturally became his audience.

Today, the No Pix After Dark podcast has nearly 200 episodes, and Aaron has several corporate partners and sponsors and just celebrated his third consecutive Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Podcast” from The Baltimore Sun.

(Photo cred: Schaun Champion)

In this episode, Aaron talks about:

• How No Pix After Dark’s focus shifted to Baltimore, and how he’ll be expanding to include areas outside of the city in episodes to come;
• Boundaries and how Aaron balances working full-time and being a dad to two young kids with his regular podcast schedule;
• How Aaron managed the time when he wasn’t sure he should continue his show—a common feeling after doing a project like podcasting for a while—and the experience that made him want to keep pushing forward;
• How he got his first sponsors and developed relationships that led to corporate partnerships;
• What’s next for the No Pix After Dark podcast, including the new season in the fall and some hints into a Patreon page that Aaron plans to launch; and more.

Follow No Pix After Dark on Instagram

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• No Pix After Dark podcast
• Episode 35, “Mrs. Robinson, We Need to Talk” – Aaron interviews his mom, a breast cancer survivor
• Episode 37, “Family and Fatherhood Part I” – Aaron and his cousin Demetrius talk about being fathers and how this role has changed them.
• Episode 57 “Aaron, I Have COVID” – Aaron interviews Karen, who at the time was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. This episode dropped on March 20, 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic.
• Episode 76 NoPixAfterDark Round Table Part I and Episode 77 Part II - Four guests talk about race, Black history, and the police.
• Episode 79: “The Camera Always Eats First” – Aaron interviews Simone, a Baltimore-based food blogger with CharmCityTable
• Episode 84: Florida COVID-19 Whistleblower Story Featuring Rebekah Jones
• Episode 90: New Era of Black Podcasters
• Episode 105: CAnE Collective
• Episode 108: The Notorious Stoop Storytelling Series Featuring Jessica Henkin and Laura Wexler
• Episode 178: Ashish Alfred, Owner of No Way Rosé and Duck Duck Goose
• Episode 185: Baltimore Pride Week Featuring Unique Robinson and Kenneth Morrison
• Baltimore Beat – A Black-led, Black-controlled nonprofit newspaper and online outlet
• Charm City Media Collective

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected] (but getting in touch through IG DM is better!)!

 

Episode 21 of the We Built This Life podcast is about 7 Tips for Reaching Personal Goals. Last month, I reached my big personal goal of 20 podcast episodes, which is a number I have been working toward since starting my podcast in September of 2019. In this episode, I talk about the steps I took to reach this goal, including:

• Finding time;
• Dealing with feelings of rejection and protecting the ego;
• Making adjustments along the way; and more.

I also talk about why I started this podcast and my new goals going forward. Although I focus on the steps I personally took to reach my podcasting goal—I mainly speak in terms of my own experience so as not to seem like an expert—I think you can apply these tips to whatever personal goal you are working toward, whether it’s podcasting or something else. As always, thank you so much for listening!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Elise Blaha Cripe’s website – She has a lot of content about goals including a book (Big Dreams, Daily Joys) and a recent podcast episode about how she keeps track of her plans (five episodes back at the moment). You can find both of these on this website.
• Get to Work Book – Elise Cripe’s planner plus goal setting book.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected] (but getting in touch through IG DM is better!)!

Theresa Cangialosi was drawn to essential oils in the 1980s, long before they were readily available in the United States. She was one of the first people to start an aromatherapy bar in the U.S. and has had some form of this type of retail space for more than 30 years.

Today, SoBotanical, Theresa’s aromatherapy apothecary in Baltimore, has two retail locations and a warehouse; carries essential oils, as well as its own skincare, haircare, and specialty lines; and offers education and events on a variety of topics related to aromatherapy.

In this episode, Theresa talks about:

• Her connection to essential oils, what it was like being one of the first people in the U.S. to open a business that focuses on aromatherapy; and how her business has evolved over more than three decades;
• The benefits of essential oils, particularly during end-of-life care;
• What she wishes she knew when she started her business;
• Her advice for other small businesses owners (hint: don’t let the need for perfection keep you from getting your thing out there); and much more.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• SoBotanical (Aromatherapy + Apothecary)
• SoBotanical’s SoBo Black Soap
• SoBotanical Deep Repair Hand Cream
• SoBotanical Soaps (I’m actually not sure they offer the “soap bar” as mentioned in this episode, but here’s the collection of their soaps that are available online)
• SoBotanical Roman Chamomile Hydrolat

Follow SoBotanical on Instagram!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow and get in touch on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected]!

Episode 19 of We Built this Life is Part 2 of a three-part series about my experiences with naturopathic care for skin issues and more. This episode focuses on my seven tips for dealing with eczema and Grover’s disease. I’ll cover resources, products (beauty, clothing, home), and supplements that I have found to be helpful in addressing itchy skin and rashes. Many of the products I mention are made by small businesses, which ties back in to the podcast’s original (and hopefully soon to be again) focus on entrepreneurs and small business owners.

I’ll also talk about my experience with food elimination for skin issues, which is when you give up certain foods for a limited time and then reintroduce them to see if they trigger a reaction on the skin or otherwise. Basically, eliminating many foods at once did not go well for me, but I did successfully test a few foods, some of which did cause a reaction on my skin after being reintroduced. This continues to blow my mind.

Finally, the disclaimer: This episode is intended to simply give an idea of one person’s experience with trying to heal eczema and Grover’s disease. Especially when it comes to supplements, please do you own research or talk to your provider to see if they will work for you.

Thank you so much for listening!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Osmia Organics Instagram account
• The Healthy Skin Show Podcast
• Grover’s Disease Support Group on Facebook
• Ice packs
• FlexiFreeze ice vest (I haven’t tried this, but could be a good option if you get very itchy in the heat)
• Osmia Itchy Body Kit
• Osmia Facial Soaps
• Avène XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Cream
• Everyone Nourishing Lotion, Citrus + Mint
• Province Apothecary Healing Eczema Balm
• EmuaidMAX First Aid Ointment
• SoBo Black Soap by SoBotanical
• Osmia Oh So Body Soap
• Violets are Blue Magnesium Deodorant
• Evolverie Knit Tiered Maxi Skirt in Black
• Vetta Blossom Capsule (100% tencel)
• Vetta The Boyfriend Shirt
• AirDoctor Air Purifier (I do not have personal experience with this brand, but this might be a good place to start in your research)
• Branch Basics for laundry detergent, hand soap, cleaning products*
• RiseWell Toothpaste
• Molly’s Suds Dish Soap
• NOW Foods Biotin 1,000 mcg
• HMF Super Powder (I get this through my ND so I don’t have experience with the company linked here.)
• L’Amour et la Musique on Patreon and YouTube
• Radiant Life Desiccated Liver
• Vitamin E – lots of brands out there at different doses to investigate
• Skin Friend supplements
• The Eczema Detox by Karen Fischer

*This is an affiliate link. If you choose to use it, I thank you so much!

I'm breaking from this show's normal format today to tell a story about my experience with naturopathic medicine. I'll cover why I sought out this type of care (eczema, Grover's disease), how this type of care was structured, what tests I had done, and my treatment plan/recommendations from my naturopathic doctor (ND). 

This episode is intended simply to give an idea of one person's experience with naturopathic medicine. How this type of care is structured and more may and probably will vary depending on the ND, and all of the treatment recommendations mentioned here were tailored to me for my specific situation. Please take this episode as an example not health advice. 

Thank you so much for listening! 

Mentioned on this episode:

• What is a Naturopathic Doctor? – American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• The Eczema Detox by Karen Fischer (I said “diet” on this episode, but it’s “detox”)
• Year of No Sugar by Eve O. Schaub

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected]!

Rachel Wagner’s path to fitness company franchise owner began in a pub with a near stranger about 7 years ago.

This is when Rachel, a former teacher and a mom to one young daughter at the time, got to talking to another mom about how FIT4MOM Baltimore City, a company that offers fitness classes and community for moms, was going up for sale. The two didn’t have more than a passing relationship, but they decided to go into business together. Today, Rachel, now a mom of 2, is the sole owner of FIT4MOM Baltimore City.

On this episode, Rachel talks about how she has taken on the role of business owner without having a background in business; how she has shaped FIT4MOM Baltimore City, an already-existing business when she bought it, and made it her own; how she transferred into sole ownership of FIT4MOM Baltimore City and how she got through her most challenging year as a business owner; and the biggest lesson she has learned along the way.

Rachel also discusses FIT4MOM’s (the national organization) United in Anti-Racism/United in Motherhood initiative and how she is striving to share resources and offer safe spaces for dialogue within her community in Baltimore City about racism and white supremacy.

FIT4MOM programs are available in more than 2,600 locations throughout the country with 310 franchise owners like Rachel who are running their own FIT4MOM businesses.

This is the fourth episode in a series highlighting small businesses in Baltimore.

Mentioned in this episode:

• FIT4MOM Baltimore City Main Page
• FIT4MOM Baltimore City Programs
• FIT4MOM Baltimore City United in Anti-Racism/United in Motherhood Resources
• FIT4MOM Guide to Black-Owned and Black-Created Businesses in Baltimore
• Body Kindness by Rebecca Schritchfield, RDN
• The Body Liberation Project

Follow FIT4MOM Baltimore City on Instagram

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected]

Writer and Director Jerron Johnson realized his dream when he started his podcast, Hidden Know-Hows. In this episode, he'll talk about growing up in a small North Carolina town that didn’t offer many options for young people in terms of activities and future opportunities and finding his place and his voice through writing.

Jerron will also talk about Hidden Know-Hows, his podcast that focuses on conversations with creative people who are doing amazing things but maybe not yet getting the recognition they deserve. (Hence the “hidden” part of the show’s name.) He’ll share the episodes that still stick with him, his biggest challenges and accomplishments, the power of patience and staying the course, and what he has learned along the way. And if you want to check out my episode, I was very honored to be Jerron’s guest on Episode 29 of his show. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Hidden Know-Hows Podcast
• The Experiment that Shows the Power of Negative Words: I think this might have been Dr. Masaru Emoto’s rice experiment, and if not, this experiment sounds similar. The link shows how you can recreate this experiment at home (maybe a fun project for kids!)
• Episode 16 with Duran (Hidden Know-Hows)
• Episode 20 with Big Katt/El Grande Gato (Hidden Know-Hows)
• Episode 5 with Oliver from The 76 Club (Hidden Know-Hows)
• Episode 35 with Danny Viiirgo (Hidden Know-Hows)
• Episode 29 with We Built This Life (Hidden Know-Hows): I was so excited to be a part of Jerron’s podcast. You can listen to my episode of his show here!

Follow Hidden Know-Hows on Instagram!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or listen on my website, follow on Instagram (where I am most active), like on Facebook, or email [email protected]!