Podcasts about christymaxfield

The rules of business are constantly evolving – and it doesn't matter what industry you're in. To stay ahead, we must shift our focus from merely keeping up with the competition to setting the standard ourselves. Innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's the key to relevance and longevity in the marketplace.   Consider this: according to the Wild Newsletter, a staggering 52% of Fortune 500 companies have either faced bankruptcy, been acquired, or disappeared entirely due to stagnation. The cost of inaction is far too high.   So, how can your business ignite change, disrupt the status quo, and lead the way in your sector?   This is a crucial question—because failing to innovate can spell disaster.   In this episode of "It's Your Business," join Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors, Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group, and your host, Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction. Together, they dive into three key areas that will help you navigate the whirlwind of change your business faces:   1. Discover the catalyst that will drive your change. 2. Learn how to identify trends that shape your priorities and decisions. 3. Explore existing resources and strengths you can leverage for sustainable change.   You'll walk away with insights to tackle the pivotal question: How can our businesses not just keep pace but become the catalytic force, the disruptor, and the standard-setter, ensuring we remain relevant and drive our industry forward? Tune in and get ready to innovate!   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

How do you maneuver through the ever-present uncertainty in today's business landscape? The foundation is constantly changing, and external perspectives will influence our choices if we fail to assert our business narrative.   In this episode of “It's Your Business,” we examine the essence of business resilience and investigate how to clarify a company's capacity for adaptation, take charge of your distinct story, and create the future you desire, beginning now.   Don't simply respond to change; learn to proactively direct your business's future.    Tune in to learn actionable strategies for linking past choices to future progress, prioritizing a long-range vision, confronting a passive stance towards uncertainty, and grasping how to foster a culture of ongoing improvement.   Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors, Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group, and your host, Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, share insights on the significance of boldly taking ownership of your company's narrative as you face uncertainty and embrace opportunities.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the “Growth Framework Reset” approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

To remain competitive in rapidly changing markets, leveraging emerging technology is just part of the solution. Equally important is the human element that holds the vision for your company's future, ensuring it remains relevant over time and can anticipate shifting customer expectations.   It's essential to challenge your initial response to emerging technologies as they relate to maintaining a competitive edge in today's marketplace. The clearer you are about what your company does and how it will adapt to keep offering appealing solutions, the better you will understand potential exit strategies. This knowledge can spark curiosity about process improvement and optimization.   In this program, you will learn the importance of identifying what makes your company unique, while also recognizing that your competitors might also present options for revenue growth and exit strategies. Examining how you operate within your business is an excellent starting point for understanding how emerging technologies can fit in.     Join Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, as she hosts an inspiring conversation with Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors, and Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group to learn how to leverage emerging technologies and stay competitive in today's fast-paced business world. --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Are you your own biggest roadblock to success? Discover how to conquer self-doubt and seize control of your company's future! Join us for an enlightening discussion that will guide you through the tough choices of survival, stability, and growth.   Growth isn't just about increasing revenue—it encompasses many areas, including enhancing your infrastructure, developing skills, attracting top talent, and expanding into new markets.    But be aware: every strategic choice comes with hidden costs. By harnessing the right data, you can empower yourself to make informed decisions that propel your business forward.   In this dynamic program, you'll learn about the power of mindset, how to face the tough choices that lie ahead and gain valuable insights from your own experiences, and you'll find practical tips and tools tailored to your unique growth journey.   Join Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, as she hosts an inspiring conversation with Christy Maxfield, President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors, and Dean Barta, Founder and CEO of Barta Business Group. Together, they'll share how to transform challenges into remarkable opportunities.    --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Have you ever wondered why even the best-laid plans can go wrong?    Your company may have a strong strategy devised by a team of brilliant individuals but still face challenges in making progress. This occurs when there is a disconnect between strategy and implementation, which can be difficult to identify.   Tune in to this episode of "It's Your Business" to explore the common pitfalls that lead to failed strategies and discover practical approaches that successful companies use to translate their plans into tangible, measurable results – strategies you can apply in your business.   Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors; and your host, Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, will guide you in learning how to provide yourself and your team with the tools to overcome obstacles, promote accountability, and bridge the gap between strategic planning and successful execution.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Successful business leaders always prioritize the basics. They invest time in understanding themselves, their goals, and the art of preparation. These small but crucial steps can significantly affect the success of your negotiations.   Here are three practical ways to practice negotiation skills daily: Dive into research: Gain insights into the people involved, their objectives, and communication styles. This knowledge will boost your confidence and preparation for the negotiation process. Set clear objectives: Before entering negotiations, define what you aim to achieve and what you will bring to the table. Anticipate challenges: Be ready to handle objections, unexpected requests, and hurdles in finding common ground.   By incorporating negotiation practice into your daily routine, you'll enhance your strategic growth plan and align it with your business priorities. Research will uncover new opportunities, knowing your goals will guide your offerings, and challenges will test your determination and help you better understand yourself.   In this “It's Your Business” episode, Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors, and Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, discuss the daily practice of negotiation and its impact on business growth.   --------------------   Are you looking to achieve your long-term growth goals with ease? If so, consider the Business Base Camp Consultation. This unique program is designed to help business owners like you make informed decisions and take the next best step for your business. With a personalized workflow, you will be able to work more strategically on your business and achieve the results you desire.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or the Red Direction website.

Optimism by itself is not good enough for decision-making. It's the balance of optimism and pragmatism that leads to sound decisions.   Creative solutions have constraints. One way to identify the impact the constraints have on a big business decision is to consider the downsides. Finding out the root cause is still elusive, or continuing some part of the work will hold you back.    It takes courage to face what could go wrong. But worst-case scenario exploration is not just about identifying weaknesses, it's about building a strong foundation to tackle challenges, making you more prepared and resilient.   Tune in to this "It's Your Business" program with three people passionate about consistent action to create accountability. You will hear from Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting; Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors; and your host Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction,, discuss the upside of downside thinking to achieve success.   --------------------   Are you looking to achieve your long-term growth goals with ease? If so, consider the Business Base Camp Consultation. This unique program is designed to help business owners like you make informed decisions and take the next best step for your business. With a personalized workflow, you will be able to work more strategically on your business and achieve the results you desire.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or the Red Direction website.

Forget perfect plans and endless strategizing. The secret to achievement is found by taking action, learning from mistakes, and making choices that align with your biggest goals.    Ultimately, decision-making is a framework for action. Even imperfect choices create an environment that fosters gathering more information to hone in on what you don't know, what you assumed … or even those actions that turned out to be great. Making decisions is a skill and a craft that requires stamina, energy, and commitment. Every action affirms that you are moving away from or toward the goal.   This "It's Your Business" program features audience questions and real experiences from Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors; Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting; and your host, Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction.    You will hear how to stay competitive, that decisions don't have to last forever, how to measure the results of your decisions, and how making decisions is crucial to your success.    --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

Imagine being able to achieve anything you set your mind to, not because you have more hours in the day but because you use the ones you have more effectively. That's what this It's Your Business program covers. We all experience moments of stress and unproductivity, but these can be significantly reduced, or even eliminated, when you transform your relationship with time. By understanding what you can truly control and reframing the pressures around productivity, you can revolutionize the way you use your time. This could mean saving time, finding time, or even manipulating time by making strategic decisions within its constraints. In this program, you will hear about the true cost of poor time management, learn strategies to enhance your effectiveness by embracing constraints and discover the untapped creativity that can be unleashed by reframing your perspective of time. Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting; Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors; and your host Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, discuss accountability and how consistent action is THE factor in achieving your biggest goals. -------------------- Are you looking to achieve your long-term growth goals with ease? If so, consider the Business Base Camp Consultation. This unique program is designed to help business owners like you make informed decisions and take the next best step for your business. With a personalized workflow, you will be able to work more strategically on your business and achieve the results you desire. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or the Red Direction website.

Business longevity results from tenacity, small wins that compound, and saying “no” decisively. When you shape your decisions with nonnegotiables providing constraints, there is less to evaluate with regard to removing overwhelm and freeing up time to spend doing the real deep work necessary to build a thriving business.    Effective communication is necessary to maximize the compounding effect of your choices. That comes from clearly articulating and sharing more than the vision, including the nonnegotiables for the way to do work. It can be difficult to persist, yet sticking to your decisions and continuously taking the next step illuminates the best possible next step to take. This effort compounds and the small wins add up.   In this program, you will hear how the foundation to grow — including what you don't do — is necessary to look to the future, about the importance of consistently coming back to work even when it is hard, and that willpower and effort create momentum to push forward.   Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting, Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors, and your host Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, discuss accountability and how consistent action is THE factor in achieving your biggest goals.   -------------------- Are you looking to achieve your long-term growth goals with ease? If so, consider the Business Base Camp Consultation. This unique program is designed to help business owners like you make informed decisions and take the next best step for your business. With a personalized workflow, you will be able to work more strategically on your business and achieve the results you desire. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website. 

It's incredible how often we can hold ourselves back from growth by not doing the critical work. But the truth is, with intention, awareness, and conscious choice, we can cultivate effective decision-making and become true leaders. Knowing ourselves and our team can unlock our full potential and achieve great things.    Surrounding yourself with individuals who have your business' best interest in mind — who also complement your thinking processes — not only offers support in making sure you don't miss anything essential but also allows an outside set of eyes to help you keep the information you need … and let go of the rest (for now). Reduce your confusion and increase your confidence by seeking advisors and consultants who understand exactly where you are on your business growth journey.   In this "It's Your Business” program, you will hear about the importance of finding an accountability sounding board, embracing the discomfort of consistent action, and knowing the distinction between the inside and outside game of decision-making.    Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting; Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors; and your host, Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, discuss and offer actionable takeaways for moving through knowing what to do and taking consistent action to get things done.   --------------------   If you want to identify business bottlenecks, the necessary skills, the initial actions to take, the expected milestones, and the priorities for achieving growth, try the "Growth Framework Reset" approach. This will help you keep learning and growing while working strategically on your business. -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

While discipline is crucial, the unwavering consistency propels you towards your goals. Prioritizing the right work becomes a cornerstone — building, learning, growing, and managing energy converges in how your plan becomes a reality with the time, energy, and money you have to invest. How you align expectations with the reality of your situation is key.    Growth doesn't have to be complex — and yet, at times, it will be difficult. Your ability to comprehend the way work is done within your organization and the value being provided requires a commitment to deeply understand how you will grow so that it can be communicated. Then will it be possible to discern the right work, communicate what work will be done, and know that choices will be made to reduce the chance of work overload — choices that are supported by processes, automation, and actual results.    In this program, you will hear that commitment, discernment, and consistency are constant in pursuing sustainable, profitable growth. You will also hear real-life examples of determining urgent versus important and practices to help you build confidence in making decisions.    Quentin Ortega, Founder and Lead Consultant at QCO Consulting, Christy Maxfield, President and CEO at Purpose First Advisors, and your host Jess Dewell, Managing Partner at Red Direction, discuss what to do when you can't work any harder, and give you actionable takeaways for how to face what to do when you can't work any harder.   --------------------   Are you looking to achieve your long-term growth goals with ease? If so, consider the Business Base Camp Consultation. This unique program is designed to help business owners like you make informed decisions and take the next best step for your business. With a personalized workflow, you will be able to work more strategically on your business and achieve the results you desire.   -------------------- You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

On this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Darlene Hawley, Christy Maxfield, and Wendy Parslow about teamwork. Darlene is a leadership and business coach, Christy Maxfield is president and CEO of Purpose First Advisors, and Wendy Parslow is a sention leader. Teamwork is “the combined action of a group of people.” It impacts your personal – as well as your professional – life. Darlene, Christy, and Wendy discuss ideas for building and maintaining teams, leadership tips, strategies for better communication, and so much more. What is Teamwork? - Darlene: People coming together with a mission or vision, and bringing their skillsets - Wendy: When everyone knows what they are contributing - Christy: Understanding how your skills compliment others, so you build something bigger than yourselves - Wendy: When 1 + 1 = 3 Remember …   - Darlene; There is no I in Team! - Wendy: Discomfort opens doors - Christy: We are humans working with humans. Respect each other's humanity Goals - Christy: Think about how you want to show up … as the leader and/or a participant - Darlene: Identify one of those hard conversations, schedule it, practice, and make it happen - Wendy: Identify a friction point on your team, and work with your team to resolve it - Wendy: Figure out how you be vulnerable with someone (ask a question, for advice) … and do it Final Thoughts - Wendy: Don't underestimate the power of a leader when they are doing it right - Darlene: Keep speaking up, standing out, and making an impact - Christy: Be intentional about building and nurturing your teams Learn more about:  Darlene Hawley: https://DarleneHawley.com Christy Maxfield: https://purposefirstadvisors.com  Wendy Parslow: https://WendyParslow.com Debra Eckerling: https://TheDEBMethod.com The Marketing Podcast Network: https://MarketingPodcasts.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling talks about The Business of Woo with Christy Maxfield, Cliff Ravenscraft, and Annie P. Ruggles. Christy is founder of Purpose First Advisors, Cliff is the Mindset Answer Man, and Annie is the founder of Quirk Works Consulting and the Non-Sleazy Sales Academy. The trio shared their definitions of "Woo," as well as their takes on intuition, awareness, feedback, following your "trains of thought," and more. How do you define woo? And how can you use it to elevate yourself and your business? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strategically looking forward shows what opportunities, goals, and problems make the most sense to focus on. Results from the time and energy spent working to deliver your product directly relate to your commitment to choosing the following best action to move the business forward. Prioritizing high-value activities that were thoughtfully selected through a lens of curiosity create a firm boundary — one in which you know how many initiatives you can realistically work on at any given time. It takes commitment to dedicate uninterrupted time to evaluate where your company is right now. And from that place of reality, solving problems and striving for goals will help you build a company that thrives and has longevity. In this episode, you will hear how long it takes to know you are committing to the next best goal, problem, or initiative to achieve your long-term goals. The discussion covers tips and experiences about prioritizing, building a commitment to take the time, and traps that may crop up along your journey. Jess Dewell hosts Christy Maxfield, President at Purpose First Advisors; Brandi Olson, CEO at Real Work Done; and Debra Eckerling, Goal Strategist, Author & Workshop Leader, to discuss why it is BOLD to commit time to strategic thinking, planning and business problem-solving. —----------------- If you want to continue to look for inspiration to creatively or innovatively approach decision-making and problem-solving, use the experiences of other business owners who have created great companies. Try Fast Track Your Business today to keep learning and growing and stay intentional as you work strategically on your business. -------------------- Feel like you need a bit of help with some business direction? Then ACT to Plan by contacting Jess for a Business Base Camp Consultation. You'll discuss your aims, where you are, and where you should be to move deliberately toward your team-building goals! -------------------- If you want to stay informed and plan for a successful year, download the Annual Red Direction Business Management Report and get access to survey findings and information to help navigate volatility and uncertainty. You can get in touch with Jess Dewell on Twitter,  LinkedIn or Red Direction website.

On this episode of The DEB Show, host Debra Eckerling had a lively conversation about Coaching - and Coaching Careers - with Christy Maxfield of Purpose First Advisors, Mindset Answer Man Cliff Ravenscraft, and dean of the Non-Sleazy Sales Academy Annie P. Ruggles. They talk about the art, craft, and state of coaching. Christy, Cliff, and Annie share how they came to coaching and lessons learned, as well as a ton of motivation when it comes to finding your path, cherishing yourself, and so much more.  

Creating Consistent Profitability

Our guest in this episode is Christy Maxfield, the founder of Purpose First Advisors. She specializes in helping business owners become more confident, capable and resourceful. Christy helps growth-focused business owners build sustainably profitable businesses. Purpose First Advisors believe that building a business should be a bold adventure that creates happiness and prosperity for individuals, families, and communities. Their mission is to help people and communities build generational wealth (close gender and race wealth gaps) through entrepreneurship. In our conversation Christy talked to me about Cultivating empathy and curiosity as a way to build strong relationships and understand our customers; The power of our personal story to inspire others and How to bring the values and culture of an organization to life and sustain them. Tom Ruwitch in https://innovabiz.com.au/podcast/tom-ruwitch-innovabuzz-483/ (episode 483 ) introduced us to Christy. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

The Covid19 pandemic set off nearly unprecedented churn in the US labor market leading to great resignation. And many companies are struggling to keep their employees. As many of us might be things reasons for the same, one of the main reason which is resonating in the leadership circle is purpose driven life. Employees expect their jobs to bring a significant sense of purpose to their lives. Employers need to help meet this need, or be prepared to lose talent to companies that will. This is your host – Swamy Sriperumbudur and you are listening to “LEADERSHIP IN CRISIS”, and we have invited a very special guest Christy Maxfield Christy Maxfield is the founder of Purpose First Advisors and specialist in business model validation, financial modeling, business operations, marketing and sales alignment, competitive differentiation, and business planning. She has coached and consulted with more than 100 early-stage bioscience, information technology, and consumer/manufactured products entrepreneurs. In 2017 she founded Purpose First Advisors to work with growth-focused business owners to build sustainably profitable businesses. Christy has designed and taught entrepreneurship courses at the University of Missouri St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis. She also co-created and co-hosted the Entrepreneurially Thinking podcast, which elevates and celebrates entrepreneurs, particularly women and entrepreneurs of color. She has a Bachelor's in Political Science degree from Montclair State University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. She is a Certified Human Team Activator helping leaders understand and activate the 6 Facets of Human Need to create top-performing, self-actualized teams. WEBSITE: www.purposefirstadvisors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christymaxfield/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cswamy/message

Christy Maxfield is an ecosystem builder in Saint Louis, Missouri. She joins the show to discuss aligning a community to best support entrepreneurs and the ever-changing terminology around "ecosystem building."Follow Christy on Twitter here.Read more from Mug.News here.

Christy Maxfield is the President & CEO of Purpose First Advisors. After a lengthy professional fundraising career, Christy started her entrepreneurial journey in the spring of 2010 when she co-founded The Mission Center, an administrative services company for nonprofits. Today, she is President and CEO of Purpose First Advisors and co-hosts the Entrepreneurially Thinking podcast. Christy was on the inaugural board of Forward Through Ferguson and has taught entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis and University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Today's guest, Christy Maxfield, brings a decade of business coaching, as well as her own experience as a business owner, to collaborative relationships with owners and senior leaders who are laser focused on building successful companies that deliver tremendous value for clients, employees and the communities in which they operate. Her specialties include financial modeling, business operations, marketing and sales alignment, business planning and competitive differentiation. Find out more about Christy at the below links: https://purposefirstadvisors.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christymaxfield/ https://entrepreneuriallythinking.com/ ...and as always, enjoy the listen. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/archdevops/support

ETHINKSTL 146: Betsy Nacrelli |Collections by Joya [Season 12, Episode 2] Joining us today is B​etsy Blancett-Nacrelli, ​ Founder of Collections by Joya. Betsy's lifelong passion for Women empowerment and her 14 years of experience in international retail and design, afforded her many opportunities to travel to amazing places such as Istanbul, Bali, and India where she fell in love with the vast selection of artisan jewelry. Founded in 2016, Collections by Joya continues to grow and inspire women all over the world. Betsy believes fully that when women support each other, incredible things can happen!   In this episode​:    Betsy tells us about how her journey in product development and design in the furniture industry turned into a whole new journey in jewelry design and development which Betsy has since turned into a full-time career and business.  Betsy fills us in on the long line of entrepreneurs with her family and how she knew from a very young age that she too wanted to be an entrepreneur. She talks about the long line of leaders who taught her the many principles of business such as retail to product development and supply chain management.   Betsy discusses the process of testing the market and the conclusions she reached formed that process and how testing helped her have a better understanding of the needs of the market. She also gives us some insight into the testing timeline.   Betsy tells us about the growth of Collections by Joya and how with a lot of support from family and friends she was able to grow from a company of 1 in her home to a company of 12 in a studio here in St. Louis, Missouri.    Learn More​:   Email: betsy@collectionsbyjoya.com  Company Website: Company Facebook: ​ ​ Company Instagram:

ETHINKSTL 146: Betsy Nacrelli | Joya [Season 12, Episode 02] Joining us today is Betsy Blancett-Nacrelli, Founder of Collections by Joya. Betsy's lifelong passion for Women empowerment and her 14 years of experience in international retail and design, afforded her many opportunities to travel to amazing places such as Istanbul, Bali and India where she fell in love with the vast selection of artisan jewelry. Founded in 2016, Collections by Joya continues to grow and inspire women all over the world. Betsy believe fully that when women support each other, incredible things can happen! In this episode: Betsy tells us about how her journey in product development and design in the furniture industry turned into a whole new journey in jewelry design and development which Betsy has since turned into a full-time career and business. Betsy fills us in on the long line of entrepreneurs with her family and how she knew from a very young age that she too wanted to be an entrepreneur. She talks about the long line of leaders who taught her the many principles of business such as retail to product development and supply chain management. Betsy discusses the process of testing the market and the conclusions she reached form that process and how testing helped her have a better understanding of the needs of the market. She also gives us some insight on the testing timeline. Betsy tells us about the growth of Collections by Joya and how with a lot of support from family and friends she was able to grow from a company of 1 in her home to a company of 12 in a studio here in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn More: Email: betsy@collectionsbyjoya.com Company Website: www.collectionsbyjoya.com Company Facebook: http://www,facebook.com/collectionsbyjoya Company Instgram: http://www.instgram.com/collectionsbyjoya

ETHINKSTL 146: Betsy Nacrelli | Joya [Season 12, Episode 02] Joining us today is Betsy Blancett-Nacrelli, Founder of Collections by Joya. Betsy's lifelong passion for Women empowerment and her 14 years of experience in international retail and design, afforded her many opportunities to travel to amazing places such as Istanbul, Bali and India where she fell in love with the vast selection of artisan jewelry. Founded in 2016, Collections by Joya continues to grow and inspire women all over the world. Betsy believe fully that when women support each other, incredible things can happen! In this episode: Betsy tells us about how her journey in product development and design in the furniture industry turned into a whole new journey in jewelry design and development which Betsy has since turned into a full-time career and business. Betsy fills us in on the long line of entrepreneurs with her family and how she knew from a very young age that she too wanted to be an entrepreneur. She talks about the long line of leaders who taught her the many principles of business such as retail to product development and supply chain management. Betsy discusses the process of testing the market and the conclusions she reached form that process and how testing helped her have a better understanding of the needs of the market. She also gives us some insight on the testing timeline. Betsy tells us about the growth of Collections by Joya and how with a lot of support from family and friends she was able to grow from a company of 1 in her home to a company of 12 in a studio here in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn More: Email: betsy@collectionsbyjoya.com Company Website: www.collectionsbyjoya.com Company Facebook: http://www,facebook.com/collectionsbyjoya Company Instgram: http://www.instgram.com/collectionsbyjoya

ETHINKSTL 145: Jeremy Goss | LinkMarket [Season 12, Episode 01] Joining us today is Dr. Jeremy Goss, Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Link Market. Jeremy is an advocate for low-income communities on issues related to food justice, hunger and health. Upon graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Jeremy took notice to the fact that healthy food options were not available to certain communities in the St. Louis Region. Jeremy's frustration turned into a life changing idea for many St. Louis residents. In this episode: Jeremy discusses the challenges he faced upon his arrival here in St. Louis and how he began to tackle poverty and inequality in the region and how he turned the art of science and healing to a reality for a city that so badly needed it. Jeremy talks about how he reached out to his peers in the medical community to help research how he could best fill the void in the food deserts of of St. Louis and the next steps he took to make his idea take form. Jeremy discusses his very own experience with racism within his own team and the challenges he faced as an out-ofstate entrepreneur. Jeremy talks about the training program set up specifically centered around the community each Link Market serves. Learn More: Email: Jeremy@linkmarket.org Company Website: http://linkmarket.org/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelinkmarket

ETHINKSTL 145: Jeremy Goss | LinkMarket [Season 12, Episode 1] Joining us today is Dr. Jeremy Goss, Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Link Market. Jeremy is an advocate for low-income communities on issues related to food justice, hunger and health. Upon graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Jeremy took notice to the fact that healthy food options were not available to certain communities in the St. Louis Region. Jeremy's frustration turned into a life changing idea for many St. Louis residents. In this episode: Jeremy discusses the challenges he faced upon his arrival here in St. Louis and how he began to tackle poverty and inequality in the region and how he turned the art of science and healing to a reality for a city that so badly needed it. Jeremy talks about how he reached out to his peers in the medical community to help research how he could best fill the void in the food deserts of of St. Louis and the next steps he took to make his idea take form. Jeremy discusses his very own experience with racism within his own team and the challenges he faced as an out-ofstate entrepreneur. Jeremy talks about the training program set up specifically centered around the community each Link Market serves. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook:

ETHINKSTL 145: Jeremy Goss | LinkMarket [Season 12, Episode 01] Joining us today is Dr. Jeremy Goss, Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Link Market. Jeremy is an advocate for low-income communities on issues related to food justice, hunger and health. Upon graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Jeremy took notice to the fact that healthy food options were not available to certain communities in the St. Louis Region. Jeremy's frustration turned into a life changing idea for many St. Louis residents. In this episode: Jeremy discusses the challenges he faced upon his arrival here in St. Louis and how he began to tackle poverty and inequality in the region and how he turned the art of science and healing to a reality for a city that so badly needed it. Jeremy talks about how he reached out to his peers in the medical community to help research how he could best fill the void in the food deserts of of St. Louis and the next steps he took to make his idea take form. Jeremy discusses his very own experience with racism within his own team and the challenges he faced as an out-ofstate entrepreneur. Jeremy talks about the training program set up specifically centered around the community each Link Market serves. Learn More: Email: Jeremy@linkmarket.org Company Website: http://linkmarket.org/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelinkmarket

ETHINKSTL 144: Shannon Thompson | Indie Eatery [Season 11, Episode 11] Joining us today is Shannon Thompson, Proprietor of Indie Eatery and Indie 4 Catering. Shannon devoted 12 years of her life to the United States Air Force. Upon returning , she spent a short time in the corporate world. It didn't take long for Shannon to realize that the corporate world just didn't fill her passion within; It was then that she and her husband started Indie 4 Catering and the rest is history. In this episode: Shannon discusses how Indie 4 Catering maintains sustainability not only in the business aspect but also on the menu side of the business with items such as 'compost nachos' and health based all natural juice drinks. Shannon talks about how being laid off from her full-time job thrust her into entrepreneurship by incident and the process of transitioning into the business with her husband by her side. Shannon discusses the difficulties she and her husband faced in trying to find a new form of employment once exiting the Air Force and how she has to teach herself to ask others for help and how through mentoring, she was able to learn how to be 'coachable'. Shannon tells us about where she sees herself and Indie 4 catering in the future through partnerships, collaborations and franchising. Learn More: Email: eatsbyindie@gmail.com Company Website: http://www.eatsbyindie.com Company Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eatsbyindie

ETHINKSTL 144: Shannon Thompson | Indie Eatery [Season 11, Episode 11] Joining us today is Shannon Thompson, Proprietor of Indie Eatery and Indie 4 Catering. Shannon devoted 12 years of her life to the United States Air Force. Upon returning , she spent a short time in the corporate world. It didn't take long for Shannon to realize that the corporate world just didn't fill her passion within; It was then that she and her husband started Indie 4 Catering and the rest is history. In this episode: Shannon discusses how Indie 4 Catering maintains sustainability not only in the business aspect but also on the menu side of the business with items such as 'compost nachos' and health based all natural juice drinks. Shannon talks about how being laid off from her full-time job thrust her into entrepreneurship by incident and the process of transitioning into the business with her husband by her side. Shannon discusses the difficulties she and her husband faced in trying to find a new form of employment once exiting the Air Force and how she has to teach herself to ask others for help and how through mentoring, she was able to learn how to be 'coachable'. Shannon tells us about where she sees herself and Indie 4 catering in the future through partnerships, collaborations and franchising. Learn More: Email: eatsbyindie@gmail.com Company Website: http://www.eatsbyindie.com Company Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eatsbyindie

ETHINKSTL 144: Shannon Thompson | Indie Eatery [Season 11, Episode 11] Joining us today is Shannon Thompson, Proprietor of Indie Eatery and Indie 4 Catering. Shannon devoted 12 years of her life to the United States Air Force. Upon returning , she spent a short time in the corporate world. It didn't take long for Shannon to realize that the corporate world just didn't fill her passion within; It was then that she and her husband started Indie 4 Catering and the rest is history. In this episode: Shannon discusses how Indie 4 Catering maintains sustainability not only in the business aspect but also on the menu side of the business with items such as 'compost nachos' and health based all natural juice drinks. Shannon talks about how being laid off from her full-time job thrust her into entrepreneurship by incident and the process of transitioning into the business with her husband by her side. Shannon discusses the difficulties she and her husband faced in trying to find a new form of employment once exiting the Air Force and how she has to teach herself to ask others for help and how through mentoring, she was able to learn how to be 'coachable'. Shannon tells us about where she sees herself and Indie 4 catering in the future through partnerships, collaborations and franchising. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook:

ETHINKSTL 143: Alexces Bartley | MO SourceLink [Season 11, Episode 10] Joining us today is Alexces Bartley, Director and Network Builder of Missouri SourceLink. At her core, Alex is a connector with a deep passion for helping communities and individuals grow through access to entrepreneurial opportunities. Prior to her work with Missouri SourceLink, Alex served as Outreach Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Entrepreneurship. In this episode: Alexces talks about how she fills her role as a Network Builder and the idea of the concept that entrepreneurship is a team sport wherever you go and how social networks are extremely valuable to the growth of a business. Alexces talks about the importance of unlocking the talent that Missouri holds within it many territories and accepting that what is good for Missouri is good for its towns and what is good for our towns is good for Missouri. Alexces explains how Missouri SourceLink connects rural communities who may not have the ability to connect otherwise, with the tools the need to get their business to the next step. Alexces gives a detailed summary of the resources available to small business owners and start ups through Missouri SourceLink such as a hotline number, referrals, a personal action plan and a Resource Navigator that gives you access to 500 business resource organizations with the click of just one button. Learn More: Email: bartleya@mosourcelink.com Company Website: https://www.mosourcelink.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoSourceLink/ Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/mosourcelink

ETHINKSTL 143: Alexces Bartley | MO SourceLink [Season 11, Episode 10] Joining us today is Alexces Bartley, Director and Network Builder of Missouri SourceLink. At her core, Alex is a connector with a deep passion for helping communities and individuals grow through access to entrepreneurial opportunities. Prior to her work with Missouri SourceLink, Alex served as Outreach Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Entrepreneurship. In this episode: Alexces talks about how she fills her role as a Network Builder and the idea of the concept that entrepreneurship is a team sport wherever you go and how social networks are extremely valuable to the growth of a business. Alexces talks about the importance of unlocking the talent that Missouri holds within it many territories and accepting that what is good for Missouri is good for its towns and what is good for our towns is good for Missouri. Alexces explains how Missouri SourceLink connects rural communities who may not have the ability to connect otherwise, with the tools the need to get their business to the next step. Alexces gives a detailed summary of the resources available to small business owners and start ups through Missouri SourceLink such as a hotline number, referrals, a personal action plan and a Resource Navigator that gives you access to 500 business resource organizations with the click of just one button. Learn More: Email: bartleya@mosourcelink.com Company Website: https://www.mosourcelink.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoSourceLink/ Company Twitter: https://twitter.com/mosourcelink

ETHINKSTL 143: Alexces Bartley | MO SourceLink [Season 11, Episode 10] Joining us today is Alexces Bartley, Director and Network Builder of Missouri SourceLink. At her core, Alex is a connector with a deep passion for helping communities and individuals grow through access to entrepreneurial opportunities. Prior to her work with Missouri SourceLink, Alex served as Outreach Programs Manager at Oklahoma State University Riata Center for Entrepreneurship. In this episode: Alexces talks about how she fills her role as a Network Builder and the idea of the concept that entrepreneurship is a team sport wherever you go and how social networks are extremely valuable to the growth of a business. Alexces talks about the importance of unlocking the talent that Missouri holds within it many territories and accepting that what is good for Missouri is good for its towns and what is good for our towns is good for Missouri. Alexces explains how Missouri SourceLink connects rural communities who may not have the ability to connect otherwise, with the tools the need to get their business to the next step. Alexces gives a detailed summary of the resources available to small business owners and start ups through Missouri SourceLink such as a hotline number, referrals, a personal action plan and a Resource Navigator that gives you access to 500 business resource organizations with the click of just one button. Learn More: Email: Company Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:

ETHINKSTL 142: Collective STL | Healing Mind, Body and Spirit in North St. Louis [Season 11, Episode 09] Joining us today are Terry and Ericka Harris and Alonzo Nelson, Jr., Co Founders of Collective STL. This team of amazing yogi's create a healthy and safe experience catered to African Americans by offering compassionate wisdom that helps heal the mind, body and spirit through techniques of yoga mindfulness and culturally relevant self-strategies. In this episode: Ericka and Terry talk about how their love for yoga transformed into the thought of bringing African American communities together through the Collective STL environment by creating a space that helps heal the mind, body and spirit. The trio talks about the need and importance of accessibility not just for some but for ALL in terms of financial and economics. Before the Collective STL, North St. Louis had no yoga studios. Alonzo discusses the platforms used to bring awareness to the African American communities about the healing qualities of yoga and the results that can be achieved thru a healthy mindset. Ericka explains how the team goes above and beyond to make the space a welcoming one through creating a family environment, various classes and a donation based model so that even low income families can participate. Learn more: Company Website: www.thecollectivestl.org Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecollective

ETHINKSTL 142: Collective STL | Healing Mind, Body and Spirit in North St. Louis [Season 11, Episode 09] Joining us today are Terry and Ericka Harris and Alonzo Nelson, Jr., Co Founders of Collective STL. This team of amazing yogi's create a healthy and safe experience catered to African Americans by offering compassionate wisdom that helps heal the mind, body and spirit through techniques of yoga mindfulness and culturally relevant self-strategies. In this episode: Ericka and Terry talk about how their love for yoga transformed into the thought of bringing African American communities together through the Collective STL environment by creating a space that helps heal the mind, body and spirit. The trio talks about the need and importance of accessibility not just for some but for ALL in terms of financial and economics. Before the Collective STL, North St. Louis had no yoga studios. Alonzo discusses the platforms used to bring awareness to the African American communities about the healing qualities of yoga and the results that can be achieved thru a healthy mindset. Ericka explains how the team goes above and beyond to make the space a welcoming one through creating a family environment, various classes and a donation based model so that even low income families can participate. Learn more: Company Website: Company Facebook:

ETHINKSTL 142: Collective STL | Healing Mind, Body and Spirit in North St. Louis [Season 11, Episode 09] Joining us today are Terry and Ericka Harris and Alonzo Nelson, Jr., Co Founders of Collective STL. This team of amazing yogi's create a healthy and safe experience catered to African Americans by offering compassionate wisdom that helps heal the mind, body and spirit through techniques of yoga mindfulness and culturally relevant self-strategies. In this episode: Ericka and Terry talk about how their love for yoga transformed into the thought of bringing African American communities together through the Collective STL environment by creating a space that helps heal the mind, body and spirit. The trio talks about the need and importance of accessibility not just for some but for ALL in terms of financial and economics. Before the Collective STL, North St. Louis had no yoga studios. Alonzo discusses the platforms used to bring awareness to the African American communities about the healing qualities of yoga and the results that can be achieved thru a healthy mindset. Ericka explains how the team goes above and beyond to make the space a welcoming one through creating a family environment, various classes and a donation based model so that even low income families can participate. Learn more: Company Website: www.thecollectivestl.org Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecollective

ETHINKSTL 141: Rachel D'Souza Siebert | Gladiator Consulting [Season 11, Episode 08] Joining us today is Rachel D'Souza Siebert, Founder and Principal of Gladiator Consulting. Rachel is at her best when she's starting, fixing or leading. In 2015, Gladiator Consulting came to life offering Core Values and Guiding Principles to our communities. In this episode: Rachel talks about how a need to have her voice heard and having a way to fulfill her interest in social justice led her to the nonprofit sector. Rachel discusses the importance of breaking down the barrier of being a mom and an entrepreneur and how she makes that work. Rachel talks about the power dynamic that exists in philanthropy between the people that fund and the people who need the funds and how Gladiator Consulting seeks to obtain their goals. Rachel explains abundance in the non-profit world and forging a new path for future organizations. Learn more: Email: Company Website:

ETHINKSTL 141: Rachel D'Souza Siebert | Gladiator Consulting [Season 11, Episode 08] Joining us today is Rachel D'Souza Siebert, Founder and Principal of Gladiator Consulting. Rachel is at her best when she's starting, fixing or leading. In 2015, Gladiator Consulting came to life offering Core Values and Guiding Principles to our communities. In this episode: Rachel talks about how a need to have her voice heard and having a way to fulfill her interest in social justice led her to the nonprofit sector. Rachel discusses the importance of breaking down the barrier of being a mom and an entrepreneur and how she makes that work. Rachel talks about the power dynamic that exists in philanthropy between the people that fund and the people who need the funds and how Gladiator Consulting seeks to obtain their goals. Rachel explains abundance in the non-profit world and forging a new path for future organizations. Learn more: Email: Rachel@gladiatorrds.com Company Website: www.gladiatorrds.com

ETHINKSTL 141: Rachel D'Souza Siebert | Gladiator Consulting [Season 11, Episode 08] Joining us today is Rachel D'Souza Siebert, Founder and Principal of Gladiator Consulting. Rachel is at her best when she's starting, fixing or leading. In 2015, Gladiator Consulting came to life offering Core Values and Guiding Principles to our communities. In this episode: Rachel talks about how a need to have her voice heard and having a way to fulfill her interest in social justice led her to the nonprofit sector. Rachel discusses the importance of breaking down the barrier of being a mom and an entrepreneur and how she makes that work. Rachel talks about the power dynamic that exists in philanthropy between the people that fund and the people who need the funds and how Gladiator Consulting seeks to obtain their goals. Rachel explains abundance in the non-profit world and forging a new path for future organizations. Learn more: Email: Rachel@gladiatorrds.com Company Website: www.gladiatorrds.com

ETHINKSTL 140: Jessica Hitchcock | Following Her Entrepreneurial Heart for Art [Season 11, Episode 07] Joining us today is Jessica Hitchcock , owner of Jessica Hitchcock, LLC. Jessica paints from her home in St. Louis, Missouri and it's her bold colors that give her a signature look. She only recently quit her day job in Finance and Human Resources to devote her efforts full-time to her art business. Following a recent trip to Mexico to work with an expert to discuss a business plan, she is off to a great start and getting her name out there. In this episode : Jessica tells us where and how her artistic story started in 2015 and how her mom’s entrepreneurship story may have had a little influence on her becoming an entrepreneur. Jessica explains how she went from being an artist as a hobby to having her paintings on display at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. She tells us how it all happened very naturally for her. Jessica tells us how the transition of working full time in the Finance and Human Resource field into a full time artist happened and how other full time artists sparked a flame in her to make the jump from corporate to the world of entrepreneurship. Jessica talks about Instagram and how the Instagram platform has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of her business model not only locally but internationally. Jessica also talks about the power of social media in general. Learn More : Email: Website: Company Facebook:

ETHINKSTL 140: Jessica Hitchcock | Following Her Entrepreneurial Heart for Art [Season 11, Episode 07] Joining us today is Jessica Hitchcock , owner of Jessica Hitchcock, LLC. Jessica paints from her home in St. Louis, Missouri and it's her bold colors that give her a signature look. She only recently quit her day job in Finance and Human Resources to devote her efforts full-time to her art business. Following a recent trip to Mexico to work with an expert to discuss a business plan, she is off to a great start and getting her name out there. In this episode : Jessica tells us where and how her artistic story started in 2015 and how her mom’s entrepreneurship story may have had a little influence on her becoming an entrepreneur. Jessica explains how she went from being an artist as a hobby to having her paintings on display at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. She tells us how it all happened very naturally for her. Jessica tells us how the transition of working full time in the Finance and Human Resource field into a full time artist happened and how other full time artists sparked a flame in her to make the jump from corporate to the world of entrepreneurship. Jessica talks about Instagram and how the Instagram platform has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of her business model not only locally but internationally. Jessica also talks about the power of social media in general. Learn More : Email: info@jessicahitchcock.org Website: http://www.jessicahitchcock.org Company Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicahitchcockart

ETHINKSTL 140: Jessica Hitchcock | Following Her Entrepreneurial Heart for Art [Season 11, Episode 07] Joining us today is Jessica Hitchcock , owner of Jessica Hitchcock, LLC. Jessica paints from her home in St. Louis, Missouri and it's her bold colors that give her a signature look. She only recently quit her day job in Finance and Human Resources to devote her efforts full-time to her art business. Following a recent trip to Mexico to work with an expert to discuss a business plan, she is off to a great start and getting her name out there. In this episode : Jessica tells us where and how her artistic story started in 2015 and how her mom's entrepreneurship story may have had a little influence on her becoming an entrepreneur. Jessica explains how she went from being an artist as a hobby to having her paintings on display at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. She tells us how it all happened very naturally for her. Jessica tells us how the transition of working full time in the Finance and Human Resource field into a full time artist happened and how other full time artists sparked a flame in her to make the jump from corporate to the world of entrepreneurship. Jessica talks about Instagram and how the Instagram platform has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of her business model not only locally but internationally. Jessica also talks about the power of social media in general. Learn More : Email: info@jessicahitchcock.org Website: http://www.jessicahitchcock.org Company Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicahitchcockart

ETHINKSTL 139: Nick Dunne | Marketing M.A.D.E. Man [Season 11, Episode 06] Joining us today is Nick Dunne, Communications Director For MADE, Third Degree Glass Factory and The Delmar Maker District. A 2011 graduate of Webster University with a B.A. degree in Public Relations, Nick brings a culmination of marketing experience to all three businesses while using his background as a professional communicator to elevate the community of artists, makers and other entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area. In this episode: Nick talks about how a collaborative idea turned into an evolution of a multifaceted studio for creating, making and selling; all the while building a social network. Nicks explains where the name M.A.D.E came from and its meaning;M-Makers, A-Artists, D-Designers, E-Entrepreneurs and he tells us how the MADE concept works. Nick talks about the lack of resources for children to learn, make and create and how MADE and The Magic House have collaborated to make a space for children to learn, grow and express themselves through art and design. Nick discusses the future of the maker district and his hopes of development which will help cultivate a community including the joining of a credit union and the possibility of a food truck park . Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Nick Dunne Twitter:

ETHINKSTL 139: Nick Dunne | Marketing M.A.D.E. Man [Season 11, Episode 06] Joining us today is Nick Dunne, Communications Director For MADE, Third Degree Glass Factory and The Delmar Maker District. A 2011 graduate of Webster University with a B.A. degree in Public Relations, Nick brings a culmination of marketing experience to all three businesses while using his background as a professional communicator to elevate the community of artists, makers and other entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area. In this episode: Nick talks about how a collaborative idea turned into an evolution of a multifaceted studio for creating, making and selling; all the while building a social network. Nicks explains where the name M.A.D.E came from and its meaning;M-Makers, A-Artists, D-Designers, E-Entrepreneurs and he tells us how the MADE concept works. Nick talks about the lack of resources for children to learn, make and create and how MADE and The Magic House have collaborated to make a space for children to learn, grow and express themselves through art and design. Nick discusses the future of the maker district and his hopes of development which will help cultivate a community including the joining of a credit union and the possibility of a food truck park . Learn More: Email: promo@stlglass.com Website: http://delmarmakerdistrict.org Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmarmakerdistrict Nick Dunne Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nickdunne_stl

ETHINKSTL 139: Nick Dunne | Marketing M.A.D.E. Man [Season 11, Episode 06] Joining us today is Nick Dunne, Communications Director For MADE, Third Degree Glass Factory and The Delmar Maker District. A 2011 graduate of Webster University with a B.A. degree in Public Relations, Nick brings a culmination of marketing experience to all three businesses while using his background as a professional communicator to elevate the community of artists, makers and other entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area. In this episode: Nick talks about how a collaborative idea turned into an evolution of a multifaceted studio for creating, making and selling; all the while building a social network. Nicks explains where the name M.A.D.E came from and its meaning;M-Makers, A-Artists, D-Designers, E-Entrepreneurs and he tells us how the MADE concept works. Nick talks about the lack of resources for children to learn, make and create and how MADE and The Magic House have collaborated to make a space for children to learn, grow and express themselves through art and design. Nick discusses the future of the maker district and his hopes of development which will help cultivate a community including the joining of a credit union and the possibility of a food truck park . Learn More: Email: promo@stlglass.com Website: http://delmarmakerdistrict.org Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmarmakerdistrict Nick Dunne Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nickdunne_stl

ETHINKSTL 138: De Nichols | De-Signing Creative Cultures of Impact [Season 11, Episode 05] Joining us today is De Nichols, Principal of Design and Social Practice at Civic Creatives. As a cultural producer, De organizes artists to develop digital media and visual artworks that extend the impact of her design practice. In this episode: De speaks about the current challenges she faces and how she and her team at Civic Creatives rise to those challenges in an effort to bring awareness to these issues. De tells us about her projects such as designing the St. Louis Metro Market, The Artistic STL Collective; which mobilizes artists and creators across the region, the Unites Stories Summit and how she likes to create a vulnerable and brave space for people to express themselves in a safe environment. De describes how she came to the decision to be involved in Social Entrepreneurship. De speaks about how being an artist molded the social side and how her studies solidified the entrepreneurship side. De fills us in on how she manages to separate herself from a personal vantage point of a person from the person that fuels the business. De discusses what it was like to be the visioning artist of The Mirror Casket; currently on display at the Smithsonian. The Mirror Casket is a sculpture and performance piece created as protest art during the 2014 Ferguson uprising. Learn More: Email: Website: Company Facebook: Company Twitter:

ETHINKSTL 138: De Nichols | De-Signing Creative Cultures of Impact [Season 11, Episode 05] Joining us today is De Nichols, Principal of Design and Social Practice at Civic Creatives. As a cultural producer, De organizes artists to develop digital media and visual artworks that extend the impact of her design practice. In this episode: De speaks about the current challenges she faces and how she and her team at Civic Creatives rise to those challenges in an effort to bring awareness to these issues. De tells us about her projects such as designing the St. Louis Metro Market, The Artistic STL Collective; which mobilizes artists and creators across the region, the Unites Stories Summit and how she likes to create a vulnerable and brave space for people to express themselves in a safe environment. De describes how she came to the decision to be involved in Social Entrepreneurship. De speaks about how being an artist molded the social side and how her studies solidified the entrepreneurship side. De fills us in on how she manages to separate herself from a personal vantage point of a person from the person that fuels the business. De discusses what it was like to be the visioning artist of The Mirror Casket; currently on display at the Smithsonian. The Mirror Casket is a sculpture and performance piece created as protest art during the 2014 Ferguson uprising. Learn More: Email: deandrea@civiccreatives.com Website: https://www.denichols.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/civiccreatives Company Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/civiccreatives

ETHINKSTL 138: De Nichols | De-Signing Creative Cultures of Impact [Season 11, Episode 05] Joining us today is De Nichols, Principal of Design and Social Practice at Civic Creatives. As a cultural producer, De organizes artists to develop digital media and visual artworks that extend the impact of her design practice. In this episode: De speaks about the current challenges she faces and how she and her team at Civic Creatives rise to those challenges in an effort to bring awareness to these issues. De tells us about her projects such as designing the St. Louis Metro Market, The Artistic STL Collective; which mobilizes artists and creators across the region, the Unites Stories Summit and how she likes to create a vulnerable and brave space for people to express themselves in a safe environment. De describes how she came to the decision to be involved in Social Entrepreneurship. De speaks about how being an artist molded the social side and how her studies solidified the entrepreneurship side. De fills us in on how she manages to separate herself from a personal vantage point of a person from the person that fuels the business. De discusses what it was like to be the visioning artist of The Mirror Casket; currently on display at the Smithsonian. The Mirror Casket is a sculpture and performance piece created as protest art during the 2014 Ferguson uprising. Learn More: Email: deandrea@civiccreatives.com Website: https://www.denichols.com Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/civiccreatives Company Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/civiccreatives

ETHINKSTL 137: Claire Flowers | Durable, Comfortable, Stylish Shoes for Professional Women [Season 11, Episode 04] Joining us today is Claire Flowers, Founder and Designer of Claire Flowers, LLC. Claire has a passion for making things better. While working in sales and constantly traveling for her work, Claire found herself rapidly going through pairs of heels. In a effort to make women's lives easier, Claire decided to make a change. In December of 2014, Claire quit her full-time technology career to make this idea a reality by forming Claire Flowers, LLC. In this episode: Claire tells us how Claire Flowers, LLC evolved from a self-servicing idea to a much larger production of a full-line of women's shoes. Claire talks about the many different phases of getting her idea from her mind, to a CAD file, to a designer, to manufacturing, then finally to promotion. Claire tells us the 5 things that set Claire Flowers shoes apart from the competition. Claire discusses company growth and where she sees Claire Flowers, LLC in the future. Claire talks SEO and brand accountability. Learn More: Email: Claire@claireflowers.com Website: www.claireflowers.com Company Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/claireflowersshoes