Now, you can find all 321 Liftoff Small Business Interviews in one spot!
Each conversation with these brilliant entrepreneurs was a joy to facilitate. We explore the stories of how it all started, how they overcome obstacles and unexpected challenges, how they manage their energy, and much more.
DEALING WITH OBSTACLES 😰
I’ve been able to meet so many impressive small business owners over the years – whether as clients or in interviews like these. They’ve told me stories about all kinds of challenges and roadblocks they’ve had to overcome. But, there are three, in particular, that keep coming up in various ways: overwhelm, distraction, and avoidance.
How do these obstacles resonate with you? You’re invited to share your experience in this brief survey.
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How to Grow A Thriving Side-Hustle – with Wilding Flora
An interview with Adriana Marroquin, owner of Wilding Flora This week I’m featuring my interview with Adriana Marroquin – owner of Wilding Flora. Adriana sells indoor pots and plants, and has a range of plant-based services, including styling your home or office, gifts and party centerpieces, and more! Learn about how she grew her pandemic-hobby…
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How to Design Your Brand Stress-Free with Desert Branding Co
An interview with Janae Rowe, owner of Desert Branding Co This week I’m featuring my interview with Janae Rowe – owner of Desert Branding Co. Janae offers branding, logo, and website packages to female founders so they can launch their small businesses without being overwhelmed by DIY. Design your brand with Janae and skip the…
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How To Build Your Brand, One Conversation At A Time – with Ryan Rogers
An interview with Ryan Rogers, owner of Retail Optics This week, I’m featuring my interview with Ryan Rogers, owner of Retail Optics – a consulting business focused on new and emerging brands. With over 20 years of experience, Ryan will help you build your brand through a buyer lens and navigate the complex world of…
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How To Inspire Customers With Vision And Values – with Wildlings Toy Boutique
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Jenn Mawcinitt, owner of Wildlings Toy Boutique – an incredible little toy store in Phoenix, Arizona, where, with clear vision and values, they spark the kind of play that develops kids into lifelong learning, joy-chasing, world-changing, adults.
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How to Navigate a Learning Curve with Sierra Cider
This week, I’m featuring my interview with David Bailey, co-owner of Sierra Cider with his partner Dana Tiel – a hard cider-making orchard just outside Yosemite National Park in Mariposa, California.
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How to Build a Business that Fits Your Life
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Nicole Warren, owner and operator of GoodNewsCreationsAZ – an Etsy shop where she sells handmade goods, from her heart to your home. Check out her shop for welcome signs, coasters, tote bags, and more.
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How To Start Your Business With Intention & Clarity: An Interview With Eight Maple Founder Maggie Poeske
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Maggie Poeske, founder of Eight Maple – an online home decor brand with a focus on elevated and giftable everyday pieces at an accessible price point. Over the last year, I’ve been highlighting some incredible small businesses in the Twin Cities and around the country. To learn more…
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3 Great Reasons Why You Need to Shop Small Business
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos, founder of Coimatan – a brand she built during lockdown to make it easy for Minnesota consumers to shop small business. For the last several months, I’ve been highlighting some incredible small businesses in the Twin Cities and around the country. To learn more about why,…
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3 Excellent Questions For Your New Be Rooted Co. Journal
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Jasmin Foster, owner of Be Rooted Co. – a brand she built from the ground up to empower and inspire black women through stationery. For the last several months, I’ve been highlighting some incredible small businesses in the Twin Cities and around the country. To learn more about…
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You Need to Know These 3 Brilliant Business-Building Tips From Jeff Bull
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Jeff Bull, owner of Bull – a brand management firm where he builds and grows brands that capture people’s attention. Jeff has over 15 years of experience in the world of brand direction and has collaborated on brands that many in Minneapolis will recognize, including Cardigan Donuts, Gray…
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How to Make Decisions You Can Be Proud Of …with Inspire Dance Studio
This week, I’m featuring Julia Schmitt & Kristen Karon, co-owners of Inspire Dance Studio. Julia & Kristen inspire their students on and off the dance floor, empowering them to become the best dancers they can be and also the best people they can be. Inspire Dance Studio is a model of how to make decisions…
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What’s Your Breakthrough Vision for Professional Growth? …with The Linkedin Gal
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Jennifer Chenoweth, owner of The LinkedIn Gal. Jen’s incredible side-gig offers coaching and consulting to individuals and businesses as they build their professional brands through LinkedIn. For the last several weeks, I’ve been highlighting some incredible small businesses in the Twin Cities – it’s my way of lending…
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How to Flip Obstacles into Opportunities with Gus Dean Coffee
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Gus Dean, owner of Gus Dean Coffee – a micro-roastery he started right here in the Twin Cities where he roasts high-quality beans, creating a smooth and enjoyable cup of coffee. For the last several weeks, I’ve been highlighting some incredible small businesses in the Twin Cities –…
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The Best Way To Let Your Skills Shine Bright
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Lauren Kirkbride, owner of Lauren Kirkbride Photography. She’s a Minneapolis-St. Paul-based wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer where, to use her words, she captures couples and families that are full of love, with timeless photography. And, her business lets her skills shine. My wife and I can attest to…
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3 Important Muscles You Need To Hustle With Heart
This week, I’m featuring my interview with Jackie Walter, owner of Sprinkles & Confetti, a Minneapolis-based company that offers curated party supplies to save you time and stress. And, Jackie’s story is a master-class in learning how to hustle with heart. Celebrations certainly look a little different these days. But, people are still pausing to…
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4 Simple Reasons Why I Absolutely Love Cardigan Donuts
I’m highlighting some of my favorite small businesses in the Twin Cities – it’s my way of lending a helping hand to our local economy during this surreal and challenging time. This week, I’m featuring my interview with Justin Bedford, the Co-founder and General Manager of Cardigan Donuts, located in downtown Minneapolis. Yes, they’re open…