Gift Biz Unwrapped | Women Entrepreneurs | Bakers, Crafters, Makers | Startup

Maria Bayer is the creator of “Irresistible Selling” – an online group coaching program she designed to help creative entrepreneurs book higher-paying clients, grow their business and design a life they love. She teaches the authentic selling and mindset strategies that helped her tripled her income in less than a year, and go on to book over $25 Million in sales from companies like Target, Best Buy, Ulta, Office Max and Hyatt. Maria is a national speaker, and has authored and co-authored several Kindle books. She resides in the Chicago area with her husband Tim and fur-baby Gia, usually with a cold brew in hand. Maria Bayer’s StoryHow Maria’s career in sales began. [4:31] The manager who cultivated her natural talent and mindset. [6:19] Successful Sales InsightsThe sales approach of advocate and consultant. [8:11] It starts with building trust. [11:02] Consistency and fulfilling expectations is key. [13:26] The value of just being yourself. [14:49] The parallels of sales and dating. [15:20] What to do when y

Scott started Twice Baked Pottery as a hobby business 8 years ago. At that time he was a criminal defense attorney practicing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Three years ago, after practicing law for more than 18 years, Scott closed his practice due to stress-related health issues and became a full-time potter and merchant. Twice Baked Pottery has its working studio and store in downtown Racine, WI. In addition to production and running his store, Scott participates in approximately 40 juried art shows each year throughout the upper Midwest. Twice Baked Pottery has come to be known for producing fun, functional pottery for everyday use. The Twice Baked Pottery StoryA huge life alert initiated Scott’s change from law to pottery. [3:22] Scott’s artisan interest came through a gift from a friend. [10:00] The first steps to starting Twice Baked Pottery. [14:57] A description of Scott’s search for his home and studio. [15:17] Company name development. [17:59] Scott’s pricing reality check is, “What would I

The Power of Purpose is a strategy that will help you move forward with your business and produce noticeable results each and every day. What if there was no more guessing if what you are doing is the right activity for growth? Or what if there was no more focusing on the wrong things and wasting time and money? And how about if you could stop comparing yourself to others and feeling like you’re just not keeping up? What if at the end of next year, you could realize revenue increases while at the same time expending less time and money to get those results? And bonus … more balance in your life too! That could mean family time, vacations or indulging in a long lost hobby. The Power of Purpose focuses on a single strategy that prompts you into intentional activity, filters out distractions and time wasters and keeps you active on revenue generating tasks. It’s done through having clarity of purpose for your company overall and for your daily tasks. Hear how The Power of Purpose works and how you can implement

On this Christmas Day, I’d like to present a lighthearted, entertaining episode on the best holiday gift of all. It’s a holiday gift tale that crosses generations and religions. Sit back and enjoy this short story by O. Henry entitled “The Gift of the Magi.” The story transcends the materialism that is equated to gifting these days. In a world of bigger is better and more expensive equals higher status, it’s important to re-ground ourselves in what the spirit of giving is meant to be. It should have less to do with the actual gift and more to do with the intentions and message behind the gesture. The idea is not lost on me that you, as a listener to this show, are most likely a gifter-baker-crafter-or-maker. Your heart goes into the creation of your products and the goal is for people to purchase them (meaning material things) as gifts. Gifts for themselves or others. One could call that materialistic. Or one could consider the deeper reason for the gift. To celebrate a life event, to share the sentiment of f

Cedar & Rush is a Chicago based style and entertaining blog empowering women to feel confident in social settings and have the courage to stand out. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in business finance, Nicole found herself at a crossroad. With no map or clear direction, she moved to Cedar and Rush, the intersection of her first Chicago apartment! She spent the first seven years of her career in finance, but through her blog, made the leap to founding her own social media business three years ago. The Cedar & Rush StoryThe “cliche” blog start … so she says! [3:18] The vision and development of Cedar & Rush. [5:56] The extension of Cedar & Rush into social media services. [17:28] Candle Flickering MomentsThe two biggest struggles her social media clients face. [21:20] Reality sets in after six months of business startup bliss. [25:42] Learning how to sell. [27:52] Business Building InsightsYou can be credible and a professional in a topic when you research and share. [

Marianne enjoys the art of transforming spaces through Feng Shui practices to provide a dynamic and rewarding environment. In addition to Feng Shui training, she combines her psychology and counseling background for extra impact. It enables her to fully understand the challenges and limitations of a busy entrepreneur. In analyzing a space, Marianne helps clients remove and unlock roadblocks to their success. What that really means is she sets them up with their unique “Power Office.” Marianne is currently working with Marie Diamond (from The Secret) in competing her Diamond Feng Shui Certification. She will then be licensed internationally under Marie Diamond. Marianne’s Feng Shui StoryHow Marianne started and her investment into the art. [8:08] Working with her clients and what the results they’re looking for. [10:10] Remote consultation. [27:39] Her connection with Marie Diamond. [29:23] Understanding and Feng ShuiWhat is Feng Shui? [4:02] The results when you use this technique. [8:57] How energy comes int

In March of 2016, Bruce opened his Summer Classics Home store in downtown Highland Park, IL. Bruce chose Summer Classics because he has known the owner for over 20 years and has always admired Bew White’s vision for the company and the industry as a whole. Having been in the furniture business for over 35 years, Bruce has perspective from both the retail and wholesale sides. He knows a good thing when he sees it and he wanted “in” on the this retail chain. Summer Classics Outdoor Furniture stands out with its timeless yet fashionable style. Their designers are inspired to create sophisticated products by combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative usage of diverse materials. In a disposable culture, this makes Summer Classics furniture a purchase for generations. Bruce’s Summer Classics StoryBruce’s love of retail started early. [5:19] Why Bruce decided to go back into retail. [9:39] How his Summer Classics store is unique. [16:21] The planning and party – a Grand Opening success. [20:39] The advertis

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we’re so focused on getting gifts made and sold for our business, that remembering to do our own holiday business gifting is an after thought. That’s dangerous and stressful because addressing this at the last minute leads to overspending and mis-aligned results. You throw a list together in haste hoping you don’t forget someone. The gifts you find “will have to do” so at least you’re sending something. And it becomes a big chore when the intent was to extend sentiments of gratefulness and appreciation through your business gifts. That can change this year. Here’s your plan. The Holiday Business Gifting PlanWhy do you need a holiday gifting program in the first place? [2:52] Step OneDetermining a budget at the beginning eliminates overspending. [5:39] Step TwoBreaking your gift recipients into three lists weights gift cost correctly. [7:13] Employees – List One [7:26] Vendors – List Two [8:02] Customers – List Three [8:49] When you have a lot of customers (good

The holiday season brings a spirit of giving … both spiritual giving and material giving. [4:16] The reality is people are expecting to spend money. They have their pocketbooks wide open and need to find the right gift … and sometimes any gift … to complete their holiday list. Corporations are the same. They have to figure out how to manage a holiday gifting program into all the other tasks they normally do to run the business. They’ve budgeted for gifts. They have a deadline. And they’re looking for options. The groundwork has been set and it couldn’t be more perfect! So how can you use the holiday sales “spirit” to grow your business. But not just for this year. 5 Key Steps to make your holiday sales magical!DOCUMENT[6:21] Whether you created a formal plan this year for holiday promotion or not, you can get started with writing down every action you’ve taken to attract customers. Here are some possible things you’re doing: Attending networking/local events Posting in social media Partici

Distraught by the lack of handmade chocolates in her area of East Longmeadow, MA, Maureen realized she had to save others her despair and bring her community mouth-watering homemade treats! Fortunately, Maureen was sitting on many original recipes and took to perfecting them before presenting them to the town’s people. Made fresh daily with wholesome real ingredients, she began standing over hot boiling pots to create the perfect candy. Candy whose only preservative is the love folded into it by the chocolatiers of in her shoppe. Maureen believes that chocolate is a blank canvas from which, not only traditional pieces of fine chocolate can be created, but fun, whimsical and ultimately incredible tasting confections can be crafted to create smiles! The Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe StoryHer key to happiness was not to use her law degree. [4:54] Cotton candy to lollipops to chocolate. [6:03] The mall kiosk. [7:04], [13:36] What Maureen did before she opened her shoppe. [11:29] Why the name of her business. [

In 1987, Liz’s career began where most designer’s peak – at Barney’s of New York. There she made a name for herself with a single napkin. Liz evolved her couture linen collection into a lifestyle brand with a hold in more than 1200 luxury retailers worldwide. Since then she’s been intimately involved with such brands as the Thomas Kinkade Collection of Fine Jewelry, Nostalgia Home Fashions, Enesco, Things Remembered and more. Today she is a sought after consultant through her company Wain’s World, where she works with an elite list of top world brands. Liz prides herself on building businesses through developing relevant and compelling collections of products and services. She focuses on creating and implementing strategic initiatives across branding, product design and development, and sourcing and licensing. Liz’s StoryIt all started with college bed sheets. [5:41] A bold move and a commitment to her grandmother. [ 7:20] A not-so-chance encounter. [10:04] The power of … a paint rag? [11:38] Liz reflects on

For over 100 years, Lucas Candies has been manufacturing their own chocolate confections. It is a family business currently run by 4th generation Nick Lucas and his partner, Deb Bertrand. Nick and Deb have kept the traditions that were started long ago while taking chocolate making to the next level by creating combinations that will both surprise and delight your palate. Their number one product and most loved is the PMS bar. (PMS = Peanut Butter, Milk Chocolate, Crushed Potato Chips and a Semi-Sweet Chocolate Drizzle.) The company has been featured in many Forbes Magazine, The Today Show, and Fox News to name only a few. The Lucas Candy StoryNick’s progression and final decision to join the family business. [4:12] The changes to Lucas Candy when Nick took over. [7:50] The newest venture is wholesale through trade shows. [9:33] A community tradition. 121 years in the same store location. [13:58] The division of tasks between Nick and Deb. [21:05] A description of true candy cane production versus the process

Ryann is the founder and designer behind GasparaFlora, a company that specializes in corporate gifting. But it wasn’t always that way. GasparaFlora originally launched in April of 2016 as a company focused on hotel welcome gifts for weddings. Very quickly Ryann recognized an opportunity and chose to pivot. Since that time, they’ve morphed into corporate gifting. Ryann’s passion lies in branding, design and creating unique experiences for her clients and their recipients. She uses intuition and personal style to design thoughtful gifts. Part of her customization skill lies in sourcing local artisans and small-batch companies. Ryann enjoys making every day a special occasion. She says she has never met a glass of bubbly she didn’t like. The GasparaFlora StoryPivoting almost right from the start. [3:34] The GasparaFlora customization strategy. [11:14] Ryann’s first interaction with a potential client. [13:51] Ryann describes one of her favorite designs to date. [21:10] Ryann’s sales style [23:21] Candle Fli

With a BFA in Fine Arts and MA in Art History, Tanya ended up with a career in Higher Education in the IT department! Desperate for some art in her life, about 6 years ago she opened teaching and event facility called Create Studios. She describes it as an Arts and Carafes space because people can bring a carafe of wine to class, if they so desire. Her goal is to educate people in a way that, despite their background and experience, they can do what they set their mind to. The classes she teaches (on whatever topic – computers or arts) are designed to educate without intimidation. The Create Studios StoryWhat sparked the initial idea. [3:26] Tanya’s first studio space. [5:28] Balancing your creative sideline passion with a full time job. [8:11] The value of being on the path of The Art Hop. [26:10] Class scheduling. A description of Tanya’s creative day. [27:24] Candle Flickering MomentsWhy Tanya had to move studios and what she learned. [17:26] The Thousand Year Flood and it’s affect on business. [20:46] Bus

My Secret Garden is a retail store specializing in home décor, unique gifts, boutique apparel, garden accents and more. What started in 1990 in a booth at art shows has grown into a beautiful 12,000 square foot facility in Bay City, Michigan. Today retail is changing at a faster rate than ever before. But Terri loves what she does, even on those challenging days. She says continual learning and change keeps her young. One of her keys to success is the experience customers receive when they walk in the door. Exciting displays and special events make My Secret Garden a place people want to come back to again and again. The My Secret Garden StoryWhy Terri loves her career choice. [4:00] Life before My Secret Garden. [4:59] Terri’s first craft and the Antique Mart opportunity. [5:43] Her first storefront. [7:02] Event – Moms, Muffins and Mimosas. [12:18] Candle Flickering MomentsThe reality of a brick and mortar location sets in. [8:35] Dealing with a major shoplifting situation. [22:55] Business Building Insight

Dorie Clark is an adjunct professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She’s also the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, the New York Times describes Dorie as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” Dorie is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and consults and speaks for clients including Google, Microsoft, and the World Bank. You can download her free Recognized Expert Evaluation Toolkit and learn more at http://dorieclark.com/toolkit (dorieclark.com/toolkit). Dorie’s StoryDorie’s background that led to where she is today. [3:06] The importance of Dorie’s mission. [4:47] A description of Entrepreneurial You. [6:02], [23:10] Dorie’s personal approach to getting people together. [13:29] Challenging herself through stand up comedy. [19:24] Self reflection and adjustments she made in her life. [19:56] Cha

Starting out as a mechanical engineer in Austria, Klaus Haagen had no idea that he would one day be applying his expertise from manufacturing metal and steel products to creating contemporary candles. Klaus has an eye for geometric shapes, colors and textures. He was influenced by Europe’s visionary artistry and quality craftsmanship and in 2006 devoted himself solely to designing one-of-a-kind candles in the United States. He works in his own studio (atelier), which combines the quality control of his handmade candles and the opportunity to create candle art using shapes, sizes and jewel-tone colors. Klaus is inspired by customers who appreciate stepping out of the accelerating comet of life into an oasis of atmosphere, art and candlelight. The Austrian Atelier StoryWhy Klaus decided to leave his professional corporate position. [4:54] Why the Austrian Atelier candles are different. [8:17] Understanding the meaning behind the name. [9:55] No social media for Klaus! He sells his candles solely through trade s

Melissa Ferber likes to think of herself as a wine drinking, coffee sipping, charity thinking kind of gal. Born in Philadelphia and living her adult life in South Florida, Melissa has enjoyed raising her 2 children, Nikki and Joey, while living a full and exciting life with her college sweetheart, Stephen. Melissa has been working with ONEHOPE wine just shy of 2 years and loves the freedom it offers her to manage her own business how and when she desires. ONEHOPE wine is a brand curated along with Robert Mondavi jr that gives back with every bottle/gift sold. They have partnered up with various causes such as The ASPCA, WhyHunger, and Gateway for Cancer Research just to name a few. To date, the ONEHOPE Foundation has donated over $2.7M to those charities. They have also been able to make contributions to smaller, lesser known charities through events held by their hosts. Melissa feels very fortunate to have found the ONEHOPE opportunity and sees this being a long term business for herself. Melissa’s StoryDent

As a child, Deborah enjoyed gardening with her Grandfather. This is what inspired her to become a certified floral designer and then she learned about flower essences. Flower essences are natural remedies made from flower blossoms, which are used to uplift the mood for support in daily life. This was her calling! Deborah became a certified practitioner and founded Earth Wind and Flowers in 1997. Her line of Balancing Sprays are sold in spas, health food stores, yoga centers, through practitioners, and online. Deborah also educates on the power of flowers, offers private consultations and has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Revitalize TV, and numerous magazine and news articles. The Earth Wind and Flowers StoryDeborah innocently discovered her love of flowers as a child. [3:53] Flowers have always been her passion but she made a pivot. [4:49] Discovering where it all came together. [8:25] Making her first flower essence. [10:09] The natural effects of floral essence. [11:44] Earth Wind and Flowers o

Irene Costello and her friend Joan MacIsaac founded Effie’s Homemade, a wholesale baking company. The inspiration for Effie’s Homemade comes from Joan’s mom, Effie and her recipe for Oatcakes. Effie grew up on a rural farm in Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Like many traditional farmhouse recipes the uniqueness of Oatcakes is in its honest and simple flavors. All their products are based upon this premise as they rekindle old-fashioned and forgotten recipes. The Effie’s Homemade StoryThe timing of the start. [4:31] How it all came together. [5:29] Reconnecting with a childhood friend to start the business. [8:07] Irene and Joan tested several company concepts. [9:00] The final pivot to Effie’s Handmade. [10:59] The evolution of the Oatcakes as a product. [24:27] A full description of Effie’s company structure. [29:33] Business Building InsightsAn example of a way to test product prices. [13:01] What investors do and don’t look for in a business startup. [14:30] Things to consider when creating your brand. [16:33]