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Could live selling be the next big opportunity for indie authors? Adam Beswick shares how organic marketing, live streaming, and direct sales are transforming his author career—and how other writers can do the same. In the intro, book marketing principles [Self-Publishing with ALLi]; Interview with Tobi Lutke, the CEO and co-founder of Shopify [David Senra]; The Writer's Mind Survey; Bones of the Deep – J.F. Penn; Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author Lab. Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Adam Beswick is a bestselling fantasy author and an expert in TikTok marketing for authors, as well as a former NHS mental health nurse. Adam went full-time as an indie author in 2023 and now runs AP Beswick Publications. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes How Adam scaled from garden office to warehouse, with his wife leaving her engineering career to join the business Why organic marketing (free video content) beats paid ads for testing what resonates with readers The power of live selling: earning £3,500 in one Christmas live stream through TikTok shop Mystery book bags: a gamified approach to selling that keeps customers coming back Building an email list of actual buyers through direct sales versus relying on platform algorithms Why human connection matters more than ever in the age of AI-generated content You can find Adam at APBeswickPublications.com and on TikTok as @a.p_beswick_publications. Transcript of interview with Adam Beswick Jo: Adam Beswick is a bestselling fantasy author and an expert in TikTok marketing for authors, as well as a former NHS mental health nurse. Adam went full-time as an indie author in 2023 and now runs AP Beswick Publications. Welcome back to the show, Adam. Adam: Hi there, and thank you for having me back. Jo: Oh, I'm super excited to talk to you today. Now, you were last on the show in May 2024, so just under two years, and you had gone full-time as an author the year before that. So just tell us— What's changed for you in the last couple of years? What does your author business look like now? Adam: That is terrifying to hear that it was that long ago, because it genuinely feels like it was a couple of months ago. Things have certainly been turbocharged since we last spoke. Last time we spoke I had a big focus on going into direct sales, and I think if I recall correctly, we were just about to release a book by Alexis Brooke, which was the first book in a series that we had worked with another author on, which was the first time we were doing that. Since then, we now have six authors on our books, with a range of full agreements or print-only deals. With that focus of direct selling, we have expanded our TikTok shop. In 2024, I stepped back from TikTok shop just because of constraints around my own time. We took TikTok shop seriously again in 2025 and scaled up to a six-figure revenue stream throughout 2025, effectively starting from scratch. That means we have had to go from having an office pod in the garden, to my wife now has left her career as a structural engineer to join the business because there was too much for me to manage. We went from this small office space, to now we have the biggest office space in our office block because we organise our own print runs and do all our distribution worldwide from what we call “AP HQ.” Jo: And you don't print books, but you have a warehouse. Adam: Yes, we have a warehouse. We work with different printers to order books in. We print quite large scale—well, large scale to me—volumes of books. Then we have them ordered to here, and then we will sign them all and distribute everything from here. Jo: Sarah, your wife, being a structural engineer—it seems like she would be a real help in organising a business of warehousing and all of that. Has that been great [working with your wife]? Because I worked with my husband for a while and we decided to stop doing that. Adam: Well, we're still married, so I'm taking that as a win! And funnily enough, we don't actually fall out so much at work. When we do, it's more about me being quite chaotic with how I work, but also I can at times be quite inflexible about how I want things to be done. But what Sarah's fantastic at is the organisation, the analytics. She runs all the logistical side of things. When we moved into the bigger office space, she insisted on us having different offices. She's literally shoved me on the other side of the building. So I'm out the way—I can just come in and write, come and do my bit to sign the books, and then she can just get on with organising the orders and getting those packed and sent out to readers. She manages all the tracking, the customs—all the stuff that would really bog me down. I wouldn't say she necessarily enjoys it when she's getting some cranky emails from people whose books might have gone missing or have been held up at customs, but she's really good at that side. She's really helped bring systems in place to make sure the fulfilment side is as smooth as possible. Jo: I think this is so important, and I want everyone to hear you on this. Because at heart, you are the creative, you are a writer, and sure you are building this business, but I feel like one of the biggest mistakes that creative-first authors make is not getting somebody else to help them. It doesn't have to be a spouse, right? It can also be another professional person. Sacha Black's got various people working for her. I think you just can't do it alone, right? Adam: Absolutely not. I would have drowned long before now. When Sarah joined the team, I was at a position where I'd said to her, “Look, I need to look at bringing someone in because I'm drowning.” It was only then she took a look at where her career was, and she'd done everything she wanted to do. She was a senior engineer. She'd completed all the big projects. I mean, this is a woman who's designed football stands across the UK and some of the biggest barn conversions and school conversions and things like that. She'd done everything professionally that she'd wanted to and was perhaps losing that passion that she once had. So she said she was interested, and we said, “Look, why don't you come and spend a bit of time working with me within the business, see whether it works for you, see if we can find an area that works for you—not you working for the business, the business working for you—that we maintain that work-life balance.” And then if it didn't work, we were in a position where we could set her up to start working for herself as an engineer again, but under her own terms. Then we just went from strength to strength. We made it through the first year. I think we made it through the first year without any arguments, and she's now been full-time in the business for two years. Jo: I think that's great. Really good to hear that. Because when I met you, probably in Seville I think it was, I was like, “You are going to hit some difficulty,” because I could see that if you were going to scale as fast as you were aiming to— There are problems of scale, right? There's a reason why lots of us don't want a bloomin' warehouse. Adam: Yes, absolutely. I think it's twofold. I am an author at heart—that's my passion—but I'm also a businessman and a creative from a marketing point of view. I always see writing as the passion. The business side and the creating of content—that's the work. So I never see writing as work. When I was a nurse, I was the nurse that was always put on the wards where no one else wanted to work because that's where I thrived. I thrive in the chaos. Put me with people who had really challenging behaviour or were really unwell and needed that really intense support, displayed quite often problematic behaviours, and I would thrive in those environments because I'd always like to prove that you can get the best out of anyone. I very much work in that manner now. The more chaotic, the more pressure-charged the situation is, the better I thrive in that. If I was just sat writing a book and that was it, I'd probably get less done because I'd get bored and I wouldn't feel like I was challenging myself. As you said, the flip side of that is that risk of burnout is very, very real, and I have come very, very close. But as a former mental health nurse, I am very good at spotting my own signs of when I'm not taking good care of myself. And if I don't, Sarah sure as hell does. Jo: I think that's great. Really good to hear. Okay, so you talked there about creating the content as work, and— You have driven your success, I would say, almost entirely with TikTok. Would that be right? Adam: Well, no, I'd come back and touch on that just to say it isn't just TikTok. I would say definitely organic marketing, but not just TikTok. I'm always quick to pivot if something isn't working or if there's a dip in sales. I'm always looking at how we can—not necessarily keep growing—but it's about sustaining what you've built so that we can carry on doing this. If the business stops earning money, I can't keep doing what I love doing, and me and my wife can't keep supporting our family with a stable income, which is what we have now. I would say TikTok is what started it all, but I did the same as having all my books on Amazon, which is why I switched to doing wide and direct sales: I didn't want all my eggs in one basket. I was always exploring what platforms I can use to best utilise organic marketing, to the point where my author TikTok channel is probably my third lowest avenue for directing traffic to my store at the moment. I have a separate channel for my TikTok shop, which generates great traffic, but that's a separate thing because I treat my TikTok shop as a separate audience. That only goes out to a UK audience, whereas my main TikTok channel goes out to a worldwide audience. Jo: Okay. So we are going to get into TikTok, and I do want to talk about that, but you said TikTok Shop UK and— Then you mentioned organic marketing. What do you mean by that? Adam: When I say organic marketing, I mean marketing your books in a way that is not a detriment to your bank balance. To break that down further: you can be paying for, say for example, you set up a Facebook ad and you are paying five pounds a day just for a testing phase for an ad that potentially isn't going to work. You potentially have to run 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ads at five pounds a day to find one ad that works, that will make your book profitable. There's a lot of testing, a lot of money that goes into that. With organic marketing, it's using video marketing or slideshows or carousels on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook—wherever you want to put it—to find the content that does resonate with your readers, that generates sales, and it doesn't cost you anything. I can create a video on TikTok, put it out there, and it reaches three, four hundred people. That hasn't cost me any money at all. Those three, four hundred people have seen my content. That's not TikTok's job for that to generate sales. That's my job to convert those views into sales. If it doesn't, I just need to look at the content and say, “Well, that hasn't hit my audience, or if it has, it hasn't resonated. What do I need to do with my content to make it resonate and then transition into sales?” Once you find something that works, it's just a case of rinse and repeat. Keep tweaking it, keep changing or using variants of that content that's working to generate sales. If you manage to do that consistently, you've already got content that you know works. So when you've built up consistent sales and you are perhaps earning a few thousand pounds a month—it could be five figures a month—you've then got a pool of money that you've generated. You can use that then to invest into paid ads, using the content you've already created organically and tested organically for what your audience is going to interact with. Jo: Okay. I think because I'm old school from the old days, we would've called that content marketing. But I feel like the difference of what you are doing and what TikTok—I think the type of behaviour TikTok has driven is the actual sales, the conversion into sales. So for example, this interview, right? My podcast is content marketing. It puts our words out in the world and some people find us, and some people buy stuff from us. So it's content marketing, but it's not the way you are analysing content that actually drives sales. Based on that content, there's no way of tracking any sales that come from this interview. We are just never going to know. I think that's the big difference between what you are doing with content versus what I and many other, I guess, older creators have done, which is— We put stuff out there for free, hope that some people might find us, and some of those people might buy. It's quite different. Adam: I would still argue that it is organic marketing, because you've got a podcast that people don't have to pay to listen to, that they get enjoyment from, and the byproduct of that is you generate some income passively through that. If you think of your podcast as one product and your video content is the same—these social media platforms—you don't just post your podcast on one platform. You will utilise as many platforms as you can, unless you have a brand agreement where a platform is paying you to solely use their platform because you or yourself are the driver for the audience there. I would say a podcast is a form of organic marketing. I could start a podcast about video marketing. I could start a podcast about reading. The idea being you build up an audience and then when you drop in those releases, that audience then goes and buys that product. For example, if you've got a self-help book coming out, if you drop that into your podcast, chances are you're going to get a lot more sales from your audience that are here to listen to you as the inspirational storyteller that you are from a business point of view than what you would if you announced that you had a new crime novel coming out or a horror story you've written. Your audience within here is generally an author audience who are looking to refine their craft—whether that be the writing or the selling of the books or living the dream of being a full-time author. I think it's more a terminology thing. Jo: Well, let's talk about why I wanted to talk to you. A friend of ours told me that you are doing really well with live sales. This was just before Christmas, I think. And I was like, “Live sales? What does that even mean?” Then I saw that Kim Kardashian was doing live sales on TikTok and did this “Kim's Must Have” thing, and Snoop Dogg was there, and it was this massive event where they were selling. I was like, “Oh, it's like TV sales—the TV sales channel where you show things and then people buy immediately.” And I was like, “Wait, is Adam like the Kim Kardashian of the indie author?” So tell us about this live sale thing. Adam: Well, I've not got that far to say that I have the Kim Kardashian status! What it is, is that I'm passionate about learning, but also sharing what's working for me so that other authors can succeed—without what I'm sharing being stuck behind a paywall. It is a big gripe of mine that you get all these courses and all these things you can do and everything has to be behind a paywall. If I've got the time, I'll just share. Hence why we were in Vegas doing the presentations for Indie Author Nation, which I think had you been in my talk, Jo, you would've heard me talking about the live selling. Jo: Oh, I missed it. I'll have to get the replay. Adam: I only covered a short section of it, but what I actually said within that talk is, for me, live selling is going to be the next big thing. If you are not live selling your books at the moment, and you are not paying attention to it, start paying attention to it. I started paying attention about six months ago, and I have seen constant growth to a point where I've had to post less content because doing one live stream a week was making more money than me posting content and burning myself out every single day for the TikTok shop. I did a live stream at the beginning of Christmas, for example. A bit of prep work went into it. We had a whole Christmas set, and within that one live stream we generated three and a half thousand pounds of organic book sales. Jo: Wow. Adam: Obviously that isn't something that happened overnight. That took me doing a regular Friday stream from September all the way through to December to build up to that moment. In fact, I think that was Black Friday, sorry, where we did that. But what I looked at was, “Right, I haven't got the bandwidth because of all the plates I was spinning to go live five days a week. However, I can commit to a Friday morning.” I can commit to a Friday morning because that is the day when Sarah isn't in the office, and it's my day to pack the orders. So I've already got the orders to pack, so I thought I'll go live whilst I'm packing the orders and just hang out and chat. I slowly started to find that on average I was earning between three to four hundred pounds doing that, packing orders that I already had to pack. I've just found a way to monetise it and engage with a new audience whilst doing that. The thing that's key is it is a new audience. You have people who like to consume their content through short-form content or long-form content. Then you have people who like to consume content with human interaction on a live, and it's a completely different ballgame. What TikTok is enabling us to do—on other platforms I am looking at other platforms for live selling—you can engage with an audience, but because on TikTok you can upload your products, people can buy the products direct whilst you are live on that platform. For that, you will pay a small fee to TikTok, which is absolutely worth it. That's part of the reason we've been able to scale to having a six-figure business within TikTok shop itself as one revenue stream. Jo: Okay. So a few things. You mentioned there the integration with TikTok shop. As I've said many times, I'm not on TikTok—I am on Instagram—and on Instagram you can incorporate your Meta catalogue to Shopify. Do you think the same principle applies to Instagram or YouTube as well? I think YouTube has an integration with Shopify. Do you think the same thing would work that way? Adam: I think it's possible. Yes, absolutely. As long as people can click and buy that product from whatever content they are watching—but usually what it will have to do is redirect them to your store, and you've still got all the conversion metrics that have to kick in. They have to be happy with the shipping, they have to be happy with the product description and stuff like that. With TikTok shop, it's very much a one-stop shop. People click on the product, they can still be watching the video, click to buy something, and not leave the stream. Jo: So the stream's on, and then let's say you are packing one of your books— Does that product link just pop up and then people can buy that book as you are packing it? Adam: So we've got lots and lots of products on our store now. I always have a product link that has all our products listed, and I always keep all of the bundles towards the top because they generate more income than a single book sale. What will happen is I can showcase a book, I'll tap the screen to show what product it is that I'm packing, and then I'll just talk about it. If people want it, they just click that product link and they can buy it straight away. What people get a lot of enjoyment from—which I never expected in a million years—is watching people pack their order there and then. As an author, we're not just selling a generic product. We're selling a book that we have written, that we have put our heart and soul into. People love that. It's a way of letting them into a bit of you, giving them a bit of information, talking to them, showing them how human you are. If you're on that live stream being an absolute arse and not very nice, people aren't going to buy your books. But if you're being welcoming, you're chatting, you're talking to everyone, you're interacting, you're showcasing books they probably will. What we do is if someone orders on the live stream, we throw some extra stuff in, so they don't just get the books, they'll get some art prints included, they'll get some bookmarks thrown in, and we've got merch that we'll throw in as a little thank you. Now it's all stuff that is low cost to us, because actually we're acquiring a customer in that moment. I've got people who come onto every single Friday live stream that I do now. They have bought every single product in our catalogue and they are harassing me for when the next release is out because they want more, before they even know what that is. They want it because it's being produced by us—because of our brand. With the lives, what I found is the branding has become really important. We're at a stage where we're being asked—because I'm quite well known for wearing beanie hats on live streams or video content—people are like, “When are you going to release some beanie hats?” Now and again, Sarah will drop some AP branded merch. It'll be beer coasters with the AP logo on, or a tote bag with the AP logo on. It's not stuff that we sell at this stage—we give them away. The more money people spend, the more stuff we put in. And people are like, “No, no, you need to add these to the store because we want to buy them.” The brand itself is growing, not just the book sales. It's becoming better known. We've got Pacificon in April, and there's so many people on that live stream that have bought tickets to meet us in person at this conference in April, which is amazing. There's so much going on. With TikTok shop, it only works in the country where you are based, so it only goes out to a UK audience, which is why I keep it separate from my main channel. That means we're tapping into a completely new audience, because up until last year, I'd always targeted America—that's where my biggest readership was. Jo: Wow. There's so much to this. Okay. First of all, most people are not going to have their own warehouse. Most people are not going to be packing live. So for authors who are selling on, let's just say Amazon, can live sales still work for them? Could they still go live at a regular time every week and talk about a book and see if that drives sales, even if it's at Amazon? Adam: Yes, absolutely. I would test that because ultimately you're creating a brand, you're putting yourself out there, and you're consistently showing up. You can have people that have never heard of you just stumble across your live and think, “What are they doing there?” They're a bit curious, so they might ask some questions, they might not. They might see some other interactions. There's a million and one things you can do on that live to generate conversation. I've done it where I've had 150 books to sign, so I've just lined up the books, stood in front of the camera, switched the camera on while I'm signing the books, and just chatted away to people without any product links. People will come back and be like, “Oh, I've just been to your store and bought through your series,” and stuff like that. So absolutely that can work. The key is putting in the work and setting it up. I started out by getting five copies of one book, signing them, and selling them on TikTok shop. I sold them in a day, and then that built up to effectively what we have now. That got my eyes open for direct selling. When I was working with BookVault and they were integrated with my store, orders came to me, but then they went to BookVault—they printed and distributed. Then we got to a point scaling-wise where we thought, “If we want to take this to the next level, we need to take on distribution ourselves,” because the profit lines are better, the margins are bigger. That's why we started doing it ourselves, but only once we'd had a proven track record of sales spanning 18 months to two years and had the confidence. It was actually with myself and Sacha that we set up at the same time and egged each other on. I think I was just a tiny bit ahead of her with setting up a warehouse. And then as you've seen, Sacha's gone from strength to strength. It doesn't come without its trigger warnings in the sense of it isn't an easy thing to do. I think you have to have a certain skill set for live selling. You have to have a certain mindset for the physicality that comes with it. When we've had a delivery of two and a half thousand books and we've got to bring them up to the first floor where the office is—I don't have a massive team of people. It's myself and Sarah, and every now and again we get my dad in to help us because he's retired now. We'll give him a bottle of wine as a thank you. Jo: You need to give him some more wine, I think! Adam: Yes! But you've gotta be able to roll your sleeves up and do the work. I think if you've got the work ethic and that drive to succeed, then absolutely anyone can do it. There's nothing special about my books in that sense. I've got a group called Novel Gains where I've actually started a monthly challenge yesterday, and we've got nearly two and a half thousand people in the group now. The group has never been more active because it's really energised and charged. People have seen the success stories, and people are going on lives who never thought it would work for them. Lee Mountford put a post up yesterday on the first day of this challenge just to say, “Look, a year ago I was where you were when Adam did the last challenge. I thought I can't do organic marketing, I can't get myself on camera.” Organic marketing and live selling is now equating to 50% of his income. Jo: And he doesn't have a warehouse. Adam: Well, he scaled up to it now, so he's got two lockups because he scaled up. He started off small, then he thought, “Right, I'm going to go for it.” He ordered a print run of a few of his books—I think 300 copies of three books. Bundled them up, sold them out within a few months. Then he's just scaled from there because he's seen by creating the content, by doing the lives, that it's just creating a revenue stream that he wasn't tapping into. Last January when we did the challenge, he was really engaged throughout the process. He was really analytical with the results he was getting. But he didn't stop after 30 days when that challenge finished. He went away behind the scenes for the next 11 months and has continued to grow. He is absolutely thriving now. Him and his wife—a husband and wife team—his wife is also an author, and they've now added her spicy books to their TikTok shop. They're just selling straight away because he's built up the audience. He's built up that connection. Jo: I think that's great. And I love hearing this because I built my business on what I've called content marketing—you're calling it organic marketing. So I think it's really good to know that it's still possible; it's just a different kind. Now I just wanna get some specifics. One— Where can people find your Novel Gains stuff? Adam: So Novel Gains is an online community on Facebook. As I said, there's no website, there's no fancy website, there's no paid course or anything. It is just people holding themselves accountable and listening to my ramblings every now and again when I try and share pills of wisdom to try and motivate and inspire. I also ask other successful authors to drop their story about organic marketing on there, to again get people fired up and show what can be achieved. Jo: Okay. That's on Facebook. So then let's talk about the setup. I think a lot of the time I get concerned about video because I think everything has to be on my phone. How are you setting this up technically so you can get filmed and also see comments and all of this kind of stuff? Adam: Just with my phone. Jo: It is just on your phone? Adam: Yes. I don't use any fancy camera tricks or anything. I literally just settle my phone and hit record when I'm doing it. Jo: But you set it up on a tripod or something? Adam: Yes. So I'll have a tripod. I don't do any fancy lighting or anything like that because I want the content to seem as real as possible. I'll set up the camera at an angle that shows whatever task I'm doing. For example, if I'm packing orders, I can see the screen so I can see the comments as they're coming up. It's close enough to me to interact. At Christmas, we did have a bit of a setup—it did look like a QVC channel, I'm not going to lie! I was at the back. There was a table in front of me with products on. We had mystery book bags. We had a Christmas tree. We had a big banner behind me. The camera was on the other side of the room, but I just had my laptop next to me that was logged into TikTok, so I was watching the live stream so I could see any comments coming up. Jo: Yes, that's the thing. So you can have a different screen with the comments. Because that's what I'm concerned about—it might just be the eyesight thing, but I'm like, I just can't literally do everything on the phone. Adam: TikTok has a studio—TikTok Studio—that you can download, and you can get all your data and analytics in there for your live streams. At the moment, I'll just tap the screen to add a new product or pin a new product. You can do all that from your computer on this studio where you can say, “Right, I'm showcasing this product now,” click on it and it'll come up onto the live stream. You just have to link the two together. Jo: I'm really thinking about this. Partly this is great because my other concern with TikTok and all these video channels is how much can be done by AI now. TikTok has its own AI generation stuff. A lot of it's amazing. I'm not saying it's bad quality, I'm saying it's amazing quality, but— What AI can't do is the live stuff. You just can't—I mean, I imagine you can fake it, but you can't fake it. Adam: Well, you'd be surprised. I've seen live streams where it's like an avatar on the screen and there is someone talking and then the avatar moving in live as that person's talking. Jo: Right? Adam: I've seen that where it's animals, I've seen it where it's like a 3D person. There's a really popular stream at the minute that is just a cartoon cat on the stream. Whenever you send a gift, it starts singing whoever sent it—it gets a name—and that's a system that someone has somehow set up. I have no idea how they've set it up, but they're literally not doing it. That can run 24 hours a day. There's always hundreds and hundreds of people on it sending gifts to hear this cat sing with an AI voice their name. Yes, AI will work and it will work for different things. But I think with us and with our books, people want that human connection more than ever because of AI. Use that to your advantage. Jo: Okay. So the other thing I like about this idea is you are doing these live sales and then you are looking at the amount you've sold. But are you making changes to it? Or are you only tweaking the content on your prerecorded stuff? Your live is so natural. How are you going to change it up, I guess? Adam: I am always testing what is working, what's not working. For example, I'm a big nerd at heart and I collect Pokémon cards. Now that I'm older, I can afford some of the more rare stuff, and me and my daughter have a lot of enjoyment collecting Pokémon cards together. We follow channels, we watch stuff on YouTube, and I was looking at what streamers do with Pokémon cards and how they sell like mystery products on an app or whatnot. I was like, “How can I apply this to books?” And I came up with the idea of doing mystery book bags. People pay 20 pounds, they get some goodies—some carefully curated goodies, as we say, that “Mrs. B” has put together. On stream, I never give the audience Sarah's name. It's always “Mrs. B.” So Mrs. B has built up her own brand within the stream—they go feral when she comes on camera to say hi! Then there's some goodies in there. That could be some tote socks, a tote bag, cup holders, page holders, metal pins, things like that. Then inside that, I'll pull out a thing that will say what book they're getting from our product catalogue. What I make clear is that could be anything from our product catalogue. So that could be a single book, it could be six books, it could be a three-book bundle. There's all sorts that people can get. It could be a deluxe special edition. People love that, and they tend to buy it because there's so much choice and they might be struggling with, “Right, I don't know what to get.” So they think, “You know what? I'll buy one of them mystery book bags.” I only do them when I'm live. I've done streams where the camera's on me. I've done top-down streams where you can only see my hands and these mystery book bags. Every time someone orders one, I'm just opening it live and showcasing what product they get from the stream. People love it to the point where every stream I do, they're like, “When are you doing the next mystery book bags? When are you doing the next ones?” Jo: So if we were on live now and I click to buy, you see the order with my name and you just write “Jo” on it, and then you put it in a pile? Adam: So you print labels there and then, which I'll do. Exactly. If I'm live packing them—I'm not going to lie—when I'm set up properly, I don't have time to pack them because the orders are coming in that thick and fast. All I do is have a Post-it note next to me, and I'll write down their username, then I'll stick that onto their order. I'll collect everything, showcase what they're getting, the extra goodies that they're getting with their order, and then I'll stick the Post-it on and put that to one side. To put that into context as something that works through testing different things: we started off doing 60 book bags—30 of them were spicy book bags, 30 were general fantasy which had my books and a couple of our authors that haven't got spice in their books—and the aim was to sell them within a month. We sold them within one stream. 60 book bags at 20 pounds a pop. What that also generated is people then buying other products while we're doing it. It also meant that I'd do it all on a Friday, and we'd come in on a Monday and start the week with 40, 50, 60 orders to pack regardless of what's coming from the Shopify store. The level of orders is honestly obscene, but we've continuously learned how best to manage this. We learned that actually, if you showcase the orders, stick a Post-it on, when we print the shipping labels, it takes us five minutes to just put all the shipping labels with everyone's orders. Then we can just fire through packing everything up because everything's already bundled together. It literally just needs putting in a box. Jo: Okay. So there's so much we could talk about, but hopefully people will look into this more. So I went to go watch a video—I thought, “Oh, well, I'll just go watch Adam do this. I'm sure there's a recording”—and then I couldn't find one. So tell me about that. Does [the live recording] just disappear or what? Adam: Yes, it does. It's live for a reason. You can download it afterwards if you want, and then you've got content to repurpose. In fact, you're giving me an idea. I've done a live today—I could download that clip that's an hour and 20 minutes long. Some of it, I'm just rambling, but some of it's got some content that I could absolutely use because I'm engaging with people. I've showcased books throughout it because I've been packing orders. I had an hour window before this podcast and I had a handful of orders to pack. So I just jumped on a live and I made like 250 pounds while doing a job that I would already be having to do. I could download that video, put it in OpusClip, and that will then generate short-form content for me of the meaningful interaction through that, based on the parameters that I give it. So that's absolutely something you could do. In fact, I'm probably going to do it now that you've given me the idea. Jo: Because even if it was on another channel, like you could put that one on YouTube. Adam: Yes. Wherever you want. It doesn't have a watermark on it. Jo: And what did you say? OpusClip? Adam: OpusClip, yes. If you do long-form content of any kind, you can put that in and then it'll pull out meaningful content. Loads of like 20, 30 short-form content video clips that you can use. It's a brilliant piece of software if you use it the right way. Jo: Okay. Well I want you to repurpose that because I want to watch you in action, but I'm not going to turn up for your live—although now I'm like, “Oh, I really must.” So does that also mean—you said it's UK only because the TikTok shop is linked to the UK— So people in America can't even see it? Adam: So sometimes they do pop in, but again, that's why I have a separate channel for my main author account. When I go live on that, anyone from around the world can come in. But if I've got shoppable links in, chances are the algorithm is just going to put that out to a UK audience because that's where TikTok will then make money. If I want to hit my US audience, I'll jump on Instagram because that's where I've got my biggest following. So I'll jump on Instagram and go live over there at a time that I know will be appropriate for Americans. Jo: Okay. We could talk forever, but I do have just a question about TikTok itself. All of these platforms seem to follow a way of things where at the beginning it's much easier to get reach. It is truly organic. It's really amazing. Then they start putting on various brakes—like Facebook added groups, and then you couldn't reach people in your groups. And then you had to pay to play. Then in the US of course, we've got a sale that has been signed. Who knows what will happen there. What are your thoughts on how TikTok has changed? What might go on this year, and how are you preparing? Adam: So, I think as a businessman and an author who wants to reach readers, I use the platforms for what I can get out of them without having to spend a stupid amount of money. If those platforms stop working for me, I'll stop using them and find one that does. With organic reach on TikTok, I think you'll always have a level of that. Is it harder now? Yes. Does that mean it's not achievable? Absolutely not. If your content isn't reaching people, or you're not getting the engagement that you want, or you find fulfilling, you need to look at yourself and the content you are putting out. You are in control of that. There's elements of this takeover in America—again, I've got zero control over that, so I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I'll focus on areas that are making a difference. As I said, TikTok isn't the biggest earner for my business. My author channel's been absolutely dead for a good six months or so. But that means I get stagnant with the content I'm creating. So the challenge I'm doing at the minute, I'm taking part to create fresh content every day to recharge myself. I've got Instagram and Facebook that generate high volumes of traffic every single day. And usually if they stop, TikTok starts to work. Any algorithm changes—things will change when it changes hands in America—but primarily it still wants to make money. It's a business. If anything, it might make it harder for us to reach America because it will want to focus on reaching an American audience for the people that are buying TikTok shop. But they want it because they want the TikTok shop because of the amount of money that it is generating. It's gone from a small amount of people making money to large volumes of businesses across the entire USA—like over here now—that are reaching an audience that previously you had to have deep pockets to reach, to get your business set up. Now you've got all these businesses popping up that are starting from scratch because they're reaching people. They've got a product that's marketable, that people want to enjoy. They want to be part of that growth. I think that will still happen. It might just be a few of the parameters change, like Facebook does all the time. Jo: Things will always change. That is key. We should also say by selling direct, you've built presumably a very big email list of buyers as well. Adam: Yes. I've actually got a trophy that Shopify sent me because we hit 10,000 sales—10,000 customers. I think we're nearing 16,000 sales on there now. We've got all that customer data. We don't get that on TikTok. We haven't got the customer data. Jo: Ah, that's interesting. Okay. How do you not though? Oh, because—did they ship it? Adam: So if you link it with your Shopify and you do all your shipping direct, the customer data has to come to your Shopify, otherwise you can't ship. When TikTok ship it for you—so I print the shipping labels, but they organise the couriers—all the customer data's blotted out. It's like redacted, so you don't see it. Jo: Ah, see that is in itself a cheeky move. Adam: Yes. But if it's linked to your Shopify, you get all that data and your Shopify is your store. So your Shopify will keep that data. They kept affecting how I extracted the shipping labels and stuff like that, and just kept making life really difficult. So I've just switched it back. I think Sarah has found an app that works really well for correlating the two. Jo: Yes, but this is a really big deal. We carp on about it all the time, but— If you sell direct and you do get the customer data, you are building an email list of actual buyers as opposed to freebie seekers. Which a lot of people have. Adam: Absolutely, and that's the same for you. If you send poor products out or your customer has a poor experience, they're not going to come back and order from you again. If your customer has a really good experience and opens the products and sees all this extra care that's gone in and all the books are signed, then they've not had to pay extra. There was a Kickstarter—I'm not going to name which author it was—but it was an author whose book I was quite excited to back. They had these special editions they'd done, but you had to buy a special edition for an extra 30 quid if you wanted it signed. I was like, “Absolutely not.” If these people are putting their hands in their pockets for these deluxe special editions, and if you're a big name author, it's certainly not them that have anything to do with it. They just have other companies do it all for them. Whereas with us, you are creating everything. Our way of saying thank you to everyone is by signing the book. Jo: I love that you're still so enthusiastic about it and that it seems to be going really well. So we're almost out of time, but just quickly— Tell people a bit more about the books that they can find in your stores and where people can find them. Adam: Yes. So we publish predominantly fantasy, and we have moved into the spicy fantasy world. We have a few series there. You can check out APBeswickPublications.com where you will see our full product catalogue and all of my books. On TikTok shop, we are under a.p_beswick_publications. That's the best place to see where I go live—short-form content. I'll post spicy books on there, but on lives, I showcase everything. I also have fantasy.books.uk, where that's where you'll see the videos or product links for the non-spicy fantasy books. Jo: And what time do you go live in the UK? Adam: So I go live 8:00 AM every Friday morning. Jo: Wow. Okay. I might even have to check that out. This has been so great, Adam. Thanks so much for your time. Adam: Well, thank you for having me.The post Selling Books Live On Social Media With Adam Beswick first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Meet your customer where they want to shop. On the latest episode of the Omnichannel Marketer, I had the pleasure of talking with Sarah McNamara, Executive Vice President & General Manager at Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care and Naturally Serious Skin.Sarah is a beauty industry veteran, having worked at Unilever, L'Oreal, and grew her own beauty brand, Miracle Skin Transformer to $35M in revenue before selling it.‍Now she oversees Peter Thomas Roth.‍Peter Thomas Roth started in a doctor's office, but is now a retail powerhouse. It was one of the first brands to launch with Sephora when it came to the US market, and also is present in Sephora locations around the world. Other key channels for Peter Thomas Roth are Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and QVC. Sarah's philosophy is that you need to be where the customer is. ‍That is highly dependent on demographics. ‍PTR is a legacy brand that historically skews to an older demographic.‍So retail and QVC are big channels for them. ‍Each channel has a unique offering for the demographic that frequents it. ‍And the spread in Ulta is very different from Sephora. ‍She loves department stores herself, but sees it as a shrinking business. ‍Beauty is constantly evolving and experiencing unprecedented digital change. ‍As Sarah says, “You snooze, you lose.” ‍To that end, PTR also has a DTC presence and is active on social media to cater to some Gen X, Z, and even Alpha customers. ‍Her team is actively tinkering with Tiktok shops. ‍She was also relatively early to Amazon, compared to Clinique, another legacy brand that only launched on Amazon a few weeks ago.‍Sarah views the DTC site as a window into the brand and is in midst of an exciting website revamp going live in August. ‍The PTR website serves loyalists, but she also realizes that every channel has its loyalists. “Some people really just want to buy on Amazon. Others only at Sephora.”‍At the end of the day, Sarah shares that good marketing is about “understanding where your customers are and making it easy for them to buy in those channels.”‍Thanks Sarah for sharing your experience and insights. 

Have you ever dreamt up a product in your head? You can see it so clearly, but you have no clue what the first step would be to actually create it. In this episode, the inventor of Click & Carry, Kim Meckwood, shares how she turned a simple idea into a tangible product that's now expanding into 30,000 retail stores. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what the patent process is really like and learn where to find free resources that most people don't even know exist. Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) The origin story of Click & Carry (01:42) Kim's experience on Shark Tank (05:10) Why networking has been the key to her success (07:37) Female inventors and patent ownership (11:03) Where to find free resources for inventors (13:15) Amazon, knockoffs, and product protection (17:19) Kim's accidental hire that fueled her growth (20:15) The rewards of being an entrepreneur (23:02) What brought you JOY today? (26:02) Resources: Sending your child to college will always be emotional but are you financially ready? Take the College Readiness Quiz for Parents: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/college-readiness-quiz/ Doing your taxes might not be enJOYable but being more organized can make the process less painful. Get Your Gathering Your Tax Documents Checklist: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitlin_ChecklistForGatheringYourTaxDocuments_Form_062424_v2.pdf Will you be able to enJOY the Retirement you envision? Take the Retirement Ready Quiz: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/retirement-planning-quiz/ Connect with Larry Sprung: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung Connect with Kim Meckwood: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Click-Carry-100063829561602/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clickandcarry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clickandcarry Website: https://clickandcarry.com About Our Guest: Kim Meckwood is the inventor and founder of Click & Carry, a smart, ergonomic handle that helps people carry multiple bags more comfortably and efficiently. The idea came after a breakup left her struggling to carry groceries alone through the obstacle course that was her Los Angeles condo complex. Realizing how common this struggle was, Kim set out to create a simple yet game-changing solution—not just for shoppers, but for seniors with dexterity challenges, travelers schlepping many bags, and athletes hauling gear. What began as a personal necessity has grown into a versatile product with nearly limitless applications. Before launching her own business, Kim built a successful career in medical device and pharmaceutical sales, working with companies like Medtronic and ACADIA Pharmaceuticals. But two breast cancer diagnoses—in 2012 and again in 2021—caused her to reevaluate everything. Those experiences gave her the courage to leave her corporate life behind and go all-in on her invention. Her perseverance paid off: Click & Carry has since landed deals with massive retailers like Albertsons, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply Company. Click & Carry has also been featured on

It's the BLAST POINTS 10 year anniversary and we're celebrating the only way we can by watching a Star Wars QVC special from October 1995! It's a gigantic super sized bigggie episode as we're basically watching 2 whole QVC specials and discussing all the magic that happens in them! Mark Hamill! 23K gold cards! Film cells! Nien Nunb mask and more! So get so excited, celebrate the love and listen today! WATCH THE FULL QVC EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/k2f9jdjrbMs?si=oIvuu26__HMe0Tu6 Thank you Squared Stiff for sending us the video! JOIN THE BLAST POINTS ARMY and SUPPORT BLAST POINTS ON PATREON! MANDALORIAN SEASON 3 BOBA FETT BEACH PARTY COMMENTARY! NEW ANDOR SEASON 2 EPISODE COMMENTARIES! HEAR EPISODES EARLY! Theme Music! downloadable tunes from episodes! Extra goodies! and so much MORE! www.patreon.com/blastpoints Blast Points T-SHIRTS are now available! Represent your favorite podcast everywhere you go! Get logo shirts while supplies last! Perfect for conventions, dates, formal events and more! Get them here: www.etsy.com/shop/Gibnerd?section_id=21195481 If you dug the show, please leave BLAST POINTS a review on iTunes, Spotify and share the show with friends! If you leave an iTunes review, we will read it on a future episode! Honestly! Talk to Blast Points on twitter at @blast_points "Like" Blast Points on Facebook Join the Blast Points Super Star Wars Chill Group here www.facebook.com/groups/BlastPointsGroup/ we are also on Instagram! Wow! www.instagram.com/blastpoints Your hosts are Jason Gibner & Gabe Bott! contact BLAST POINTS at : contact@blastpointspodcast.com May the Force be with you, always! This podcast is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, The Walt Disney Company, or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries.

Send us a textSeason 6!! Is this real life? I am still pinchin' myself! Let's go!Straight from the Kelly Clarkson show!! Lawrence Zarian, a.k.a. “LZ,” is one of the most sought after on-camera lifestyle and fashion experts in television. With over 15 years of industry experience, it's clear that he loves what he does—and that's helping people look and feel their absolute best.Listening to LZ is like a contemporary Mr. Rogers of style. He brings: Love. Kindness. Confidence. to thousands of people across our beautiful country. Looking your best is one thing. But, FEELING your best is another. And hearing LZ's take on it all is powerfully inspiring to me and I can't wait for you to hear it. We went to CHURCH YALL! You can find Lawrence Zarian EVERYWHERE you guys. From Kelly to QVC. From his beautiful book to his riveting podcast.  Look. We live in a time where positivity has fallen behind cynicism. When there is someone that lights the room, then it is our job as witnesses to celebrate it. Find him on Instagram and you will NOT regret it! List your 3 gratefuls! @lawrencezarian________________________________________________________________________________Then later yall!We welcome back one of our favorite segments with one of our favorite sponsors! Cafe Du Monde, the world renowned coffee and beignet stand  helps us to find the hottest books on the market today! As seen on Stranger Things, discover the ground-breaking, bestselling science fiction and fantasy classic that has delighted readers for over 60 years!NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER • TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM DISNEYJoin me as I interview the GRAND DAUGHTER of this ground breaking book! Thank you to our family of amazing sponsors! STATE FARM® INSURANCE AGENT Leigh Ann Arcuri https://ridewithla.com/ Ochsner Children's HospitalWww.ochsner.orgRouses MarkersWww.rousesmarkets.comSandpiper VacationsWww..sandpipervacations.comCafe Du Monde www.shop.cafedumonde.com The Law Firm of Forrest Cressy & James Www.forrestcressyjames.comComfort Cases Www.comfortcases.orgNew Orleans Ice Cream CompanyWww.neworleansicecream.comERA TOP REALTY: Pamela Breaux plbreaux@gmail.com

Have you ever found yourself in a season where nothing feels clear, yet everything feels urgent?In this deeply grounding episode of Real Talk with Grace Redman, Grace sits down with Brenda Reynolds, a trusted organizational and leadership consultant, executive coach, award-winning author, and TEDx speaker, for an honest conversation about navigating uncertainty, transition, and what she calls “the fog.”Brenda has spent decades guiding leaders and organizations through moments of change, partnering with global institutions like Goldman Sachs, The Body Shop, QVC, and Villanova University. In this episode, she brings wisdom, compassion, and practical tools for anyone feeling overwhelmed by what's next.Navigating Transition FogBrenda introduces the concept of transition fog, those moments when the future feels unclear, emotions are heightened, and answers seem just out of reach. Rather than rushing toward certainty, she explains why growth requires patience, presence, and trust.Using the powerful metaphor of driving through fog, Brenda reminds us that clarity doesn't come from turning on the high beams; it comes from focusing on the next right step, one stretch of road at a time.What You'll Hear in This Episode:

Living a grateful life Guest Bio Jamie Hess is a TEDx and keynote speaker, media personality and entrepreneur. She is a lifestyle expert and the host of The Gratitudeology™ Podcast (featured on the TODAY Show). Prior to becoming a highly sought after content creator, Jamie spent 17 years as a senior level PR and marketing expert on brands like McDonald's, General Motors, LinkedIn, Barry's Bootcamp, and W Hotels Worldwide. Today, she integrates her expertise to teach people how to expertly optimize and leverage their own personal brand through her course, Brand Ninja, where she helps solopreneurs, side hustlers, and thought leaders achieve the high-paying brand deals of their dreams. Jamie is an on-air personality for QVC, leveraging her love for brands to help America buy their favorite products. She also contributes healthy living advice to hundreds of shows, including TODAY, Good Morning America, The View, and beyond.

Living a grateful life The healing power of gratitude is undeniable, but at times it's easier said than done. In this episode of Live Foreverish, we sit down with Jamie Hess, who shares her personal gratitude journey and everyday strategies to cultivate gratitude in daily life. #LELearn #EDULiveforeverish Guest Bio Jamie Hess is a TEDx and keynote speaker, media personality and entrepreneur. She is a lifestyle expert and the host of The Gratitudeology™ Podcast (featured on the TODAY Show). Prior to becoming a highly sought after content creator, Jamie spent 17 years as a senior level PR and marketing expert on brands like McDonald's, General Motors, LinkedIn, Barry's Bootcamp, and W Hotels Worldwide. Today, she integrates her expertise to teach people how to expertly optimize and leverage their own personal brand through her course, Brand Ninja, where she helps solopreneurs, side hustlers, and thought leaders achieve the high-paying brand deals of their dreams. Jamie is an on-air personality for QVC, leveraging her love for brands to help America buy their favorite products. She also contributes healthy living advice to hundreds of shows, including TODAY, Good Morning America, The View, and beyond.

Today's guest is Kim Gravel. Kim is an entrepreneur, tv personality, public speaker, podcaster and industry leader. Most of all Kim has a passion for people and seeing them rise.Her authentic, common-sense style has resulted in Kim being one of the most booked guests on The Steve Harvey Show and starring in the hit docuseries, “Kim of Queens,” and partnering with retail giant QVC to launch her highly successful apparel line, Belle by Kim Gravel®, and the Belle Beauty® cosmetic line. She also has an awesome podcast called The Kim Gravel show! I will be on it next week! Be sure to check it out on QVC Plus, or wherever you get your pods! This is a great conversation about creativity and purpose!From this conversation you'll learn:-Kim's theory on purpose and how to find yours-How to take the first step toward your creative dream-How to use your fear as fuel-How to reinvent yourself at any age, and-The key to owning the power of ‘no!'

William's back in Austin with Chandler Rhone. They chat about bananas & potassium science, fake pee, “Doctor Death”, getting sober/clean, and vintage QVC rabbit holes. It's The William Montgomery Show! Follow Chandler Rhone Instagram: @chandler_rhone

Whether it's lessons learned from product lifecycles, navigating family and personal setbacks, or his passion for giving back to the entrepreneurial community, David Stowers offers wisdom, humor, and a candid look at what it truly takes to grow, scale, and thrive.On this episode of Empowering Entrepreneurs, hosts Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with David Stowers, principal owner of Smash Success and a business development specialist for FreedomDev Sensible Software. Known for his engaging sales style and entrepreneurial drive, David Stowers shares the twists and turns of his career—from hustling as a teenager and launching infomercial products, to facing financial challenges and reinventing himself multiple times over.With stories ranging from selling foam airplanes at flea markets to making national television appearances on QVC, David Stowers opens up about the peaks and valleys that shaped his journey. He discusses the importance of mentorship, balancing integrity with ambition, and why authenticity matters in business. Get ready for inspiring insights, entertaining anecdotes, and practical advice that every entrepreneur can relate to.Moments00:00 "David Sowers: Growth Enthusiast"03:16 Entrepreneurial Roots and Aspirations08:53 "Parenting with Trust and Independence"09:40 "Lessons from Early Amway Days"15:14 "Weekend Hustles to Rolling Rulers"18:49 "Finding Purpose Through Hardship"21:01 "Entrepreneur's Shift to Network Marketing"25:14 "Transition, Tech, and Opportunity"28:21 "From Selling Invisible to Consulting"31:09 QVC On-Air Training Experience33:01 "Entrepreneurship: Choose Fun Over Stress"36:51 "Recreating Success with Ginsu Knives"41:41 "Need vs. Want in Sales"44:47 "Marketing Lessons from Rich"46:12 "Entrepreneurship, Travel, and Family"This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Here are 3 key takeaways for entrepreneurs and business builders:Embrace the peaks and valleys: David's experience with early financial success followed by a tough downturn (and bankruptcy) highlights that our biggest lessons—and eventual successes—often come from the challenging valleys, not the easy peaks.Authenticity & Integrity Matter: Whether selling products on QVC or consulting for software firms, David stresses the importance of authentic connection and doing business the right way, even when it means turning away a sale that doesn't serve the customer.Mentorship and data-driven decisions: Surround yourself with people who challenge you and supply you with the right tools (including data!). David credits his partners and mentors with teaching him the importance of operational excellence and making marketing decisions based on real numbers—not just gut instinct.Running a business doesn't have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it's easy to be so busy ‘doing' business that you don't have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the

Emily Blumenthal, known as the "Handbag Fairy Godmother," is the author of Handbag Designer 101, a comprehensive guide for aspiring designers. She also founded the Independent Handbag Designer Awards to spotlight emerging talent and hosts the Handbag Designer 101 podcast, which showcases the stories behind iconic handbag brands. Emily is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In this episode… Many women entrepreneurs struggle with scaling their businesses, often finding themselves stuck between growth and control. They are conditioned to take on too much, fearing delegation might dilute their brand or message. How can female founders shift from managing every detail to building sustainable, scalable businesses? Handbag industry expert and entrepreneur Emily Blumenthal has developed the CASM framework — customer, agony, solution, and monetization — to validate business ideas before investing resources. This methodology, combined with persistence, allowed Emily to land her products on Sex and the City and QVC. She encourages female entrepreneurs to embrace delegation, reframe failure as a stepping stone to success, and develop clear strategies for long-term growth.  In today's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Emily Blumenthal, the author of Handbag Designer 101, about her entrepreneurial insights. She talks about empowering young girls through early entrepreneurship, the skill sets she leveraged to launch her business, and the origins of the Independent Handbag Designer Awards.

Mazel morons! Today, Josh explains the very specific mechanics of tanning beds (including pressure points and personal boundaries), while Ben recounts a nightmare creator dinner that ends in public humiliation. Plus: TikTok Live money, QVC sliding into the DMs, awkward public encounters, and why sometimes it's best to just… stand up and move out of the aisle. What are ya nuts? Love ya! Leave us a voicemail here!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok! Sponsors:Mint Mobile - Shop Mint Unlimited Plans at MINT MOBILE dot com slash goodguys.Ollie - Head to Ollie.com/GOODGUYS, tell them all about your dog, and use code GOODGUYS to get 60% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe today!Vital Vitamins - Vital Vitamins is offering my listeners 20% of all orders with code GOODGUYS at myvitalvitamins.comWarby Parker - Warby Parker has over 300+ locations to help you find your next pair of glasses. You can also head over to Warby Parker dot com slash GOODGUYS right now to try on any pair virtually!Krusteaz - Bring a little extra joy to your kitchen this holiday season with Krusteaz! Visit krusteaz.com to find festive recipes and inspiration for every celebration.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pat is sick, telepathy is real, it's ok to be a gremlin and the holiday party was LOVE. Christmas can be every day, let's play QVC, POTUS finds a new low and perimenopause changes your senses! For bonus episodes, early releases and live streams join us on Patreon! Patreon.com/hellodysfunction Subscribe and watch on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@hellodysfunction Follow us on IG: Instagram.com/hellodysfunction Instagram.com/lurkpatafria Instagram.com/crystaldamato21 Submit your questions/stories: hellodysfunctionpodcast.com 

SPONSORS: - Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/nottoday, all lowercase - Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/6fv5azex #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. This week on Not Today, Pal, Jamie-Lynn and Rob stumble into one of the most unhinged rabbit holes yet: a mysterious white rapper with an aggressively Jamaican accent, baffling lyrics, and a new catchphrase that will live forever...*“Bedroom Bully.”* From live-translating incomprehensible patois bars (including a shocking E. coli reference), to debating cultural identity, and wondering if buying something just because a salesman is good makes you weak… the episode spirals beautifully. Things really take off when futuristic robot legs from China come into play, followed by late-night QVC confessions, Sopranos house memories, and a surprisingly heated debate over hand washing, utility belts, Zyns, and empty pockets. Check it out! Have a question for Rob and Jamie? Reach out at nottodaypalpodcast@gmail.com Not Today, Pal Ep. 125 https://www.instagram.com/jamielynnsigler https://www.instagram.com/nottodaypalshow https://store.ymhstudios.com Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:14 - Jamie Translates White Jamaican Rap 00:10:06 - Getting To Know M Dot R 00:18:09 - Clip: Chinese Robot Legs 00:20:34 - As Seen On TV 00:28:57 - Memory Lane 00:31:10 - Washing Hands & Personal Utility Belts 00:41:42 - Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2012, Daniella Kallmeyer began her eponymous brand with $7,000 and a goal to create a line of elevated wardrobe staples. Fifteen years later, her ethos remains the same and she's getting her flowers for the brand she's built—in fact, this year Kallmeyer was nominated for Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. On this episode, Daniella discusses bootstrapping her brand, what it was like in the room at the CFDA awards (hint: Rihanna was sitting next to her), and why she credits so much of her scrappiness to her time spent ghost-designing for QVC.

About the Guest:Lisa Ascolese, known as “The Inventress,” is the CEO and founder of Inventing A to Z, LLC, a full-service invention and product development company. As the sole owner of her business, Lisa helps inventors and entrepreneurs turn mental inventions into real, market-ready products — guiding ideas from a simple napkin sketch all the way to the marketplace.With a belief that “when you think it and believe it, it can be done,” Lisa supports inventors through every phase of the process, including graphic design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, marketing, and licensing.Lisa is also the founder of the nonprofit AOWIE — Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs, which uplifts and supports women innovators. In addition, she launched Inventors Spotlight TV, a shopping network dedicated to showcasing innovative products, and hosts The Inventress Podcast, where she highlights inventors, entrepreneurs, and their journeys. Episode Description:What does it take to bring a product from concept to QVC? In this episode of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, host Taryell Simmons sits down with Lisa Ascolese, The Inventress — a trailblazing product developer, author, and founder of Inventing A to Z. With over 25 years of experience helping entrepreneurs launch products seen on QVC, HSN, and major retailers, Lisa shares her journey, the challenges of scaling inventions into businesses, and practical advice for turning ideas into income. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or curious thinker, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to build. Resources & Mentions:

If you consider yourself a part of the chronically online club, come take a seat. On today's episode, I'm joined by my head of social and Darlington co-founder Lydia Berry to break down the biggest brand marketing moments of 2025 — the drops, collabs, and launches that we couldn't stop talking about.We get into Summer Fridays x Gap, Crown Affair, The Row, The Devil Wears Prada, Chanel and more. Plus, we chat about TikTok Shop being Gen Z's QVC, how Substack became everyone's new diary, wild postings, archives, and what trends we hope never return.Follow Lydia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lydberry/Get 20% an annual membership of our newsletter, Let's Get Dressed, here https://letsgetdressed.substack.com/lgdLove the show? Follow us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. To watch this episode, head to YouTube.com/@LivvPerezFor more behind-the-scenes, follow Liv on Instagram, @LivvPerez, on TikTok @Livv.Perez, and shop her closet here https://shopmy.us/livvperezSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Keywords: inventions, entrepreneurship, marketing, networking, product development, QVC, intellectual property, business success, female entrepreneurs, creativity Summary: In this engaging conversation, Mitch Beinhaker interviews Lisa Ascolese, an accidental inventor and entrepreneur, who shares her journey from childhood creativity to successful product development. Lisa discusses her early inventions, the challenges of marketing, and the importance of networking and persistence in entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the need for commitment, the role of effective marketing, and the significance of teamwork in achieving business success. The conversation also touches on the importance of intellectual property protection and the mindset required to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. Takeaways Lisa Ascolese's journey as an accidental inventor began in childhood. Networking is crucial for success in entrepreneurship. Persistence and follow-up are key to building relationships. Understanding the market is essential before launching a product. You must be committed and passionate about your product. Marketing is a vital component of product success. Utilizing technology can enhance marketing efforts. Teamwork allows for greater freedom and productivity. Visualizing goals can help in achieving them. Overcoming negative feedback is essential for growth. Titles The Accidental Inventor: Lisa Ascolese's Journey From Ideas to Inventions: The Entrepreneurial Path   Sound bites "You're born an inventor." "Follow up is crucial." "You have to be all in."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inventions and Entrepreneurship 01:15 Lisa's Journey as an Accidental Inventor 03:08 The Bosom Buddy and Early Marketing Efforts 06:32 From Prototypes to QVC: The Bun Tie 09:31 Navigating QVC: The Wrap-in-Store Organizer 11:00 The Reality of Product Development Risks 12:20 The Importance of Networking and Connections 15:43 Evaluating Commitment in Entrepreneurs 19:32 The Role of Marketing in Product Success 22:13 Leveraging Technology for Marketing 25:29 The Power of Teamwork in Business 28:30 Creating a Lifestyle of Freedom 30:37 Teaching Entrepreneurship: Lisa's Impact 34:49 The Importance of Persistence and Connection 36:32 The Secret to Success: Openness and Networking 41:53 The Canvas Exercise: Visualizing Goals 44:08 Overcoming Doubts and Negative Feedback 48:42 Intellectual Property: Protecting Your Ideas

As 2025 winds down, we're rolling back the clock on one of the wildest years the television shopping world has seen. From headline-making shakeups to unexpected triumphs, QVC, HSN, and the entire industry have served up a year packed with drama, reinvention, and a few eyebrow-raising moments. And today, we've got a very special guest to help us unpack it all: Marvin Segel, son of QVC founder Joseph Segel, who brings his insight, sharp perspective, and a few stories you won't hear anywhere else. Buckle up—this is the year-end wrap-up you don't want to miss.

Mazel Morons! Today we're deep in our natural habitat: consumerism, contusions, and cursed outlet mall energy. We navigate in-person recordings, red-eyes, and the emotional minefield of December travel optimism. From classic baby name philosophy to monetizing our QVC daydreams on Amazon Live, this is peak Good Guys logic - where the sales are salmon, the bruises are blue, and the gratitude is real. Five stars- otherwise what are ya nuts? Leave us a voicemail here!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok! Sponsors:Nutrafol - For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code GOODGUYS10.Skims - NO LOGO - Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com. The SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com. Shopify - Use our link, shopify.com/goodguys, now to start getting serious about building your future.Home Chef - HomeChef.com/GOODGUYS for FIFTY PERCENT OFF your first box and free dessert for life!Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A holiday-season whirlwind hits both coasts as Katy and Carol break down travel disasters, cough-syrup survival, laser-face anxieties, toddler meltdowns, QVC chaos, celebrity cameos, and a Thanksgiving spent serving New Yorkers in every sense.

There's what happens on Shark Tank—and what happens after an appearance on Shark Tank. In an episode that aired last March, Chennelle Diong (MBA 2022) pitched her frozen, gluten-free, ready-to-bake biscuits and cinnamon rolls to a group of steely investors. Her savvy netted an investment from Lori Greiner, and an avalanche of orders that felt impossible to dig out from under. On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Chennelle explains the ups and downs that came with her national TV success and how she is rediscovering her identity in the startup space. Table of Contents • 1:44 How did you end up on Shark Tank? • 3:17 Countering the "Queen of QVC" • 5:26 The aftermath • 7:57 A vulnerable social media post • 10:32 Fundamentally changing identity • 12:43 Getting back to her roots • 16:31 "The entrepreneurial road is not for everyone" • 17:36 The benefits of an MBA • 20:53 "Nothing takes the place of experience" • 21:59 Show notes and credits

In this podcast, Martha joins QVC host and podcaster Shawn Killinger on her show, 50+ & Unfiltered. Martha and Shawn have known each other for 17-years - since Shawn was one of the competitors on the television reality series, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Here, the two talk about everything from who are Martha’s best friends, what makes Martha cry, who was her first love, secrets to aging gracefully, to her books, her family, her work, and of course, her legacy. Listen in to hear Martha up close and personal. It’s an hour you don’t want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer is the Director of DTC, Martech, and Digital Compliance at OLLY, a Unilever-owned vitamin/supplement brand, and a seasoned eCommerce veteran based in the Bay Area. She specializes in building digital marketing programs, profitable eCommerce stores, and seamless customer experiences. Her expertise includes advanced Martech ecosystems, customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Jennifer's skills span web development, UX/UI design, inventory management, logistics, and omni-channel retailing. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:39] Sponsor: Taboola[01:58] Solving customer needs with simplicity[04:05] Sponsor: Next Insurance[05:19] Leveraging cross-brand learnings for growth[08:37] Using D2C as a customer learning engine[12:00] Callouts[12:11] Evaluating tools that streamline operations[13:37] Reviving traditional marketing with modern tech[16:52] Sponsor: Electric Eye & Freight Fright[20:01] Testing unconventional marketing strategies[21:19] Balancing responsibility with limited control[24:58] Focusing on product value over flashy designResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeOlly Vitamins and Supplements olly.com/Follow Jennifer Peters linkedin.com/in/jennifer-peters-3bbb6220Reach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Amy Phillips and co-host Emily Dorezas recal this week's Real Housewives of Potomac and a little chat about Susan Powter's comeback. We dive into Thanksgiving reservations at the Darling Shopping Network and share hilarious moments from QVC inspired by Stacy. We break down the latest Potomac episode backwards, where Monique opens up about her marriage woes, Cookie and Stacey face off, and we explore the mystery of Temu's slow exit. Plus, we speculate on Robyn's notable absence and one of the most strange scenes we've ever seen, poolside swim practice. For more Drama, Darling, and exclusive content, subscribe to: http://Patreon.com/dramadarling Follow Drama, Darling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramadarlingshow/   Email Drama, Darling with YOUR comments, questions and drama:  DramaDarlingz@gmail.com Follow Amy Phillips on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramadarlingshow/   NEW MERCH! Drama Darling Shop https://drama-darling-shop.printify.me/HONEYLOVE Get 20% OFF Honeylove by going tohttps://www.honeylove.com/DRAMAPromo Code: DRAMALUMI GUMMIES Lumi Gummies are available nationwide! For 30% off your order go to: https://lumigummies.com/Code: DRAMA

Kim Gravel is the host of a bevy of number-one shows on QVC and is a wildly successful entrepreneur, television personality, motivational speaker, Author, life coach, podcaster, and leader in the fashion and beauty industry. In 2016 Kim partnered with QVC to launch her apparel line Belle by Kim Gravel®, followed by the Belle Beauty® cosmetic line a year later. In five years, Kim has grown her brands from zero to hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. In 1991, Gravel was one of the youngest contestants to become Miss Georgia and later starred in Lifetime Network's hit docuseries Kim of Queens. Her first book, Collecting Confidence has helped women know their voice and purpose, and her latest Christmas children's book is called Maribelle and the Manger which is available on Kim's website. This heartwarming tale captures the true spirit of Christmas, celebrating the power of unity and courage.  The minute she says, "Hey, ya'll," you can feel her authentic personality shining through — but she felt pressure to conform for a stretch of her life. She hid her light and lost her shine.  In the aftermath of the pressures of the pageant scene and a toxic failed marriage, Kim found herself alone in a run-down apartment, and it was there that she started to grow closer to God. and she listened. And as she listened, her life started to change and she began to discover her purpose.  Website: www.heatherthomson.com Social Media: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamheathert/                     You Tube: https://youtube.com/@iamheathert?si=ZvI9l0bhLfTR-qdo SPONSOR: CROWD HEALTH - This open enrollment, take your power back. Join Crowd Health to get started today for $99 for your first three months using code IN MY HEART at www.JOINCROWDHEALTH.COM CrowdHealth is not insurance. Opt out. Take your power back. This is how we win!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dimitri and Khalid expand their investigation into the most recent batch of Epstein files, including: Bill Gates Foundation advisor (and scorned Bill Gates mistress?) Dr. Melinda Walker riffing with Epstein about blockchain health data technology and launching some kind of QVC biotech platform in partnership with (the justifiably soft-purged Chinese billionaire) Jack Ma and Jeff Bezos; EDGE Foundation/Reality Club digerati John Brockman and his extremely hits-different-now interviews in the 2003 German documentary “The Net: The Unabomber, LSD, and the Internet”; and last but not least, a long-overdue suscheck of OG dirtbag alt-journalist, Yippie, Merry Prankster, Mae Brussell publisher, sponsor of MK-Ultra troubled teen/gifted child experimental schools, and dear friend of Jeffrey Epstein, PAUL KRASSNER. For access to full-length premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, subscribe at https://patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

On this edition of Are We On The Air?© We're taking a deep dive into one of television's great forgotten stories — the rise and fall of the Cable Value Network. For three short years in the late 1980s, CVN was the shopping channel to beat — bold, ambitious, and ahead of its time. But behind the flashing graphics and on-air deals lay a story of rapid growth, fierce competition, and an ending no one saw coming. Join us as we uncover how a network that once led the pack ultimately became part of QVC's empire.

Beekman 1802's founders turned crisis into opportunity, building a $92 million skin care brand by starting small, staying disciplined, and leading with heart.For more on Beekman 1802 and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Luis Ruelas' legal issues take center stage once again as we prepare for our live show with special guests from near and far. Kathy Hilton issues a stern warning. Dorit and Mauricio meet up in a rendezvous we never saw coming. With BravoCon less than forty eight hours away, the return of RHONY and RHONJ is on everyone's mind with several announcements expected throughout this upcoming weekend. Gia Giudice makes big moves. Stacey Rusch continues to shine, QVC and all. The shocking RHOP casts' net worths are revealed as Wendy Osefo receives some very bad news. Last, but not least, Kandi Burruss bears all and shares TMI. @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope  BROUGHT TO YOU BY: THEREALREAL - therealreal.com/velvetrope (Get $25 Off At the Best Place To Shop Authenticated Luxury Bags, Clothing, Watches & more) INDEED - indeed.com/velvet (Seventy Five Dollar $75 Sponsored Job Credit To Get Your Jobs More Visibility) RAKUTEN - rakuten.co.uk (Go To Rakuten.co.uk, Download The App Or Install The Browser Extension To Earn Cash Back While You Shop At All Your Favorite Stores) MOOD - www.mood.com/velvet (20% Off With Code Velvet on Federally Legal THC Shipped Right To Your Door) PROGRESSIVE - www.progressive.com (Visit Progressive.com To See If You Could Save On Car Insurance) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two friends, a frustrating chicken dinner, and a lot of trial and error led to one of the year's most talked-about inventions: the Turbo Trusser. This simple metal device helps home cooks truss poultry in seconds for a juicier, more even roast. After a Shark Tank debut and a QVC appearance, Brian Halasinski and Kirk Hyust say Walmart is their dream partnership and now, with a golden ticket in hand, that dream is roasting to perfection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode of the Stuck In My Mind Podcast, host Wize El Jefe sits down for an illuminating conversation with Suzanne Roberta Martens—entrepreneur, beauty industry veteran, and founder of the luxury clean beauty brand Adesse New York. This episode is a masterclass in resourcefulness, resilience, and the power of pursuing your dreams—no matter the obstacles. From Industry Titans to Indie Trailblazer The episode opens as Wize El Jefe introduces Suzanne Roberta Martens as someone who has not only worked for global icons like Estee Lauder, Avon, and Revlon but has also boldly stepped out to carve her own path within the competitive world of cosmetics. Listeners are treated to the backstory of a woman who dreamed of her own beauty brand since college, a vision fueled by her fascination with the ever-evolving beauty landscape. Working at the leading edge of brands reformulating their products for safety and wellness, Suzanne Roberta Martens learned every aspect of the business—from concept to market, branding to formulation, and manufacturing to positioning. She recounts how her specialty in skincare and color cosmetics paved the way for her to develop innovative approaches to product creation, especially as the industry transitioned towards clean ingredients. The Power of AI and Agility A key highlight of their discussion is the transformative role of technology. Both Wize El Jefe and Suzanne Roberta Martens share their experiences integrating AI into their creative and business processes, accelerating everything from product development to audience engagement. For Adesse New York, leveraging AI means not only tracking consumer trends but also using predictive modeling to ensure product launches meet real customer desires. Unlike larger corporations bogged down by long product development cycles, Suzanne Roberta Martens's agile team harnesses tech to innovate and adapt swiftly—something essential for indie brands seeking to disrupt established markets. Bootstrapping and Breaking In What makes Suzanne Roberta Martens's journey particularly inspiring is her candor about starting with almost no funding. She explains that, far from being a setback, this forced her to be inventive. By identifying a major gap—clean nail care in an industry otherwise moving towards wellness—she conceptualized Adesse as a skincare-for-nails brand. Approaching contract manufacturers with a vision, not capital, she convinced partners to work in small production runs. Her unique perspective, treating nail care as skin care and using high-quality color pigments, enabled Adesse to stand out immediately. Through strategic partnerships with top beauty subscription companies, Adesse achieved massive exposure early on and quickly scaled from selling thousands to tens of millions of bottles. Suzanne Roberta Martens reflects on the exhilaration and terror of leaving the security of corporate America, betting on herself—and how the sense of truly helping people reclaim their nail health propelled her forward. Making Clean Beauty Accessible Wize El Jefe and Suzanne Roberta Martens dive deep into what sets Adesse New York apart: clinically effective, clean, and vegan nail formulas free from harmful toxins. Their conversation explores why avoiding ingredients that penetrate the body through the nails is vital, especially for conscious consumers already committed to health in other areas of life. A Pivotal QVC Moment—and the Pandemic Pivot Listeners are taken behind the scenes of Adesse's big break: being selected as one of just 400 out of 20,000 brands to debut on QVC. Suzanne Roberta Martens recalls the grueling safety testing, the anticipation, and the heartbreak of COVID-19 shutting down the studio just as she was set to go live. Not to be deterred, she pivoted to a makeshift home studio, adjusting her expectations—and wardrobe!—and successfully launched a nail care solution exactly when the world desperately needed it. This segment is a testament to the entrepreneur's tenacity and ability to turn setbacks into opportunity. Carving a Niche Among Giants How does an indie brand thrive in the shadow of billion-dollar conglomerates? By staying nimble, deeply tuning in to consumer needs, and using digital platforms to level the playing field. New selling channels, from Amazon Live to direct-to-consumer apps like Whatnot, allow agile brands like Adesse to reach global audiences and control their destiny, without gatekeepers. Suzanne Roberta Martens shares her excitement about the democratization of retail and how indie founders today have unprecedented potential to build relationships with customers around the world. Redefining Success and Building Community The conversation shifts to the meaning of success. Suzanne Roberta Martens admits her early ambition was all about landing major retail partners. Today, she finds fulfillment in directly serving her loyal customers—their feedback, stories, and advocacy matter more than any department store shelf. The two discuss how genuine community and word-of-mouth have become the true engine of sustainable business, mirroring Wize El Jefe's own podcasting journey. Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs For listeners dreaming of launching their own ventures, Suzanne Roberta Martens shares priceless wisdom: it's not a lack of resources, but a lack of resourcefulness that holds most people back. She urges entrepreneurs to be persistent and consistent, pushing forward through long stretches without any obvious wins, trusting the process and the impact. Visions for the Future The episode closes as Suzanne Roberta Martens teases exciting new products and market launches for Adesse, outlines her vision for the future of truly clean beauty (grounded in transparency and consumer-driven standards), and reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave: pioneering clean nails and empowering people to feel proud of their hands. Listeners will walk away inspired by Suzanne Roberta Martens's example—proof that relentless perseverance, a commitment to positive impact, and the courage to leap even when unprepared can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Whether you're an aspiring founder or simply passionate about personal growth, this episode is an essential listen. To explore Adesse New York's range and story further, visit adesseny.com or find them on Amazon and social media. And remember: sometimes, having no resources is the very thing that makes you resourceful. Stay bold, stay resourceful—stay wise!

On this episode of Madge Unmuted podcast, Chris Thinks QVC Hosts are his Friends and Madge's Ireland Trip. Madge tells some fun stories about her trip to Galway, Dublin, and London. And Chris talks about his obsession with QVC.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/madge-unmuted--4548342/support.

Gibson Johns breaks down the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" season 15 trailer, the latest episode of "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" and the resurfaced clips of Stacey Rusch from her QVC days. Shop the “Gabbing with Gib” Merch Store: https://shop.hurrdatmedia.com/collections/gabbing-with-gib Subscribe to "Gabbing with Gib" on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/471D8Gb Follow "Gabbing with Gib" on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3StiCtY  Follow "Gabbing with Gib" on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gabbingwithgib Follow "Gabbing with Gib" on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabbingwithgib  Follow Gibson Johns on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gibsonoma Follow Gibson Johns on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gibsonoma Follow Gibson Johns on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gibsonoma Subscribe to Gibson Johns' Newsletter: https://gibsonoma.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma and Isabel chat about the RHOBH new season trailer (hi Rachel Zoe!) before diving in on the epic second part of the SLC ladies on the Below Deck yacht. They also discuss Stacey on QVC, and the RHOP on their cast trip.ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/commentsbycelebsI love LA: all-new episodes of I LOVE LA, Sundays at 10:30pm, exclusively on HBO Max. Subscription required.Head to Saks Fifth Avenue for inspiring ways to elevate your personal style, every day.Squarespace: squarespace.com/CBC for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use OFFER CODE: CBC to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domainDime Beauty: DimeBeauty.com and get 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 – or shop DIME at Amazon and UltaBoll & Branch: BollAndBranch.com/comments to save 20% for a limited time. Exclusions applyJones Road: Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code CBC at checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. As a treat for our listeners, you'll get a free Cool Gloss on your first purchase when you use code CBC at checkout.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us on this episode of Drama Darling as we discuss the latest Real Housewives of Beverly Hills trailer, Below Deck Med drama, and the Real Housewives of Potomac. Emily Dorezas joins Amy Phillips to break it all down. From wedding announcements to revenge porn, nothing is off the table. We land in the world of the Barcelona olympics and QVC and more unexpected territories.TICKETS to CabarAMY @ The Hard Rock Vegas:https://www.ticketweb.com/search?q=%22CabarAmy%22+Live+Comedy+Show For more Drama, Darling, and exclusive content, subscribe to Patreon:http://Patreon.com/dramadarlingFollow Drama, Darling on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dramadarlingshow/  Email Drama, Darling with YOUR comments, questions and drama: DramaDarlingz@gmail.com Follow Amy Phillips on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dramadarlingshow/  Get 15% off OneSkin, go to: https://www.oneskin.co/ Code: DRAMA Get 20% OFF Honeylove by going to https://www.honeylove.com/DRAMA Promo Code: DRAMAJones Road Beauty, modern Day clean makeup. JoneRoadBeauty.com Code: DRAMA

Christa Pitts, the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, joins the show to share her journey from QVC host to creating The Elf on the Shelf. Hear how The Elf on the Shelf came to life, the moments that made it a hit, how to handle rejection as an entrepreneur, how she achieves work-life balance with her identical twin sister Co-CEO, and how to get better on camera. Connect with Christa at ElfOnTheShelf.com, Lumistella.com, ChristaPitts.com, ChandaBell.com, and on LinkedIn

T. Kyle and Brad discuss Halloween 2025, Legends Only's 6th anniversary, Dictionary.com choosing “67” as the Word of 2025, the best “I hate gay Halloween” costumes, including Cynthia Erivo's “the concept” and nail, Fr00dle's Madeline, celeb costumes like Lily Allen's Madeline, Heidi Klum's Medusa, Madonna's Michael Myers / Doña Florinda, Belinda and Jade go Gremlins, Christina Aguilera shipwrecked, Tyla as Nevaeh's viral laughing GIF, Demi Lovato as Poot Lovato, trailers for ‘Scream 7,' the final season of ‘Stranger Things,' and the ‘Hello Kitty' movie, Mariah Carey's “It's Time” promo with Sephora, Zara Larsson kicking off her tour, Danity Kane's mystery tour, High Fashion Editorial! featuring Addison Rae's touch merch and Trisha “Anna who?” Paytas on ‘Watch What Happens Live,' TikTok Talk featuring Stacey Rusch on QVC, the gay who fell live on QVC, Laura Loves New York, Grace, new music from Rosalía, Björk and Yves Tumor, Demi Lovato's “Frequency” sounding like Heidi Montag, and Taylor Swift shaking at KPOP Demon Hunters coming for her on the charts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another Friday packed with Real Housewives recaps, but first, Dylan has to spend some time unpacking his latest hyperfixation: Stacey Rusch's viral QVC clips. Look at that camel! From there, he dives into the dramatic waters of RHOSLC's Below Deck crossover, where Heather's big Lisa Barlow confrontation goes… exactly as expected. Next, he discusses the RHOC season finale, which is mostly a snooze until the last 10 minutes go off the rails. Gretchen is (allegedly) a homophobe, Tamra is (allegedly) leaking filming details to the press, and these editors are definitely exhausted. Later, Dylan shares some thoughts about RHOP's Nevis trip, before sharing the divorce news that's All The Rage, presented by Angry Orchard Hard Cider. Go to the BravoByBetches YouTube page to watch full length episodes every Tuesday: Youtube.com/@BravoByBetches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay so… this episode is one of those “you'll say you heard her here first” moments.

Each week, Paul Foster & Simon Alexander catch up for coffee. This week: La Trompette, Paul on QVC, Aktar Islam's Biryani, Knife's Edge - Chasing Michelin Stars, Paul Welburn's new book, sugar content in puddings and chewing the industry fat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our recent book tour, we met so many amazing tweens and teens who surprised us by saying they listen to this podcast. (Yes, this one! The one about aging knees, perimenopause, and remembering dial-up internet.) Somewhere between the hugs and deep conversations, it hit us: We might actually be their Golden Girls.I loved watching the Golden Girls growing up, so we've decided to embrace it. In this episode, we share a love letter to our younger selves — advice we wish we'd known in our teens, 20s, and 30s that we want to pass along to Gen Z. From not chasing the guy peaking in high school to keeping your passions — we've learned a few things. Plus, I can deinfluence you with my latest TikTok purchase. (TikTok Shop is the new QVC, by the way.)So grab your orthotic slippers, listen to Penn's version of “Thank You for Being a Friend,” and enjoy some voicemails from our answering machine — your Golden Girls are here. We love to hear from you, leave us a message at 323-364-3929 or write the show at podcast@theholdernessfamily.com. You can also watch our podcast on YouTube.Order our new book, All You Can Be With ADHD (also available on audiobook!)Visit Our ShopJoin Our NewsletterFind us on SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTok Follow us on FacebookLaugh Lines with Kim & Penn Holderness is an evolution of The Holderness Family Podcast, which began in 2018. Kim and Penn Holderness are award-winning online content creators known for their original music, song parodies, comedy sketches, and weekly podcasts. Their videos have resulted in over two billion views and over nine million followers since 2013. Penn and Kim are also authors of the New York Times Bestselling Book, ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD and winners on The Amazing Race (Season 33) on CBS. Laugh Lines is hosted and executive produced by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness, with original music by Penn Holderness. Laugh Lines is also written and produced by Ann Marie Taepke, and edited and produced by Sam Allen. It is hosted by Acast. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ageless Attitude with Gwen Gottlieb - Reinventing Life, Style & Success at Any Age. What does it really mean to reinvent yourself—and do it with style? Meet Gwen Gottlieb, content creator and founder of Gwen Lives Well, the lifestyle brand inspiring women to embrace fashion, wellness, travel, and life with an ageless attitude. After years in corporate PR and marketing, Gwen pivoted into blogging and social media, building a brand that's bold, sassy, and all about living well. She's partnered with powerhouses like L'Oreal, QVC, Walmart, and Chicos, while staying authentic, funny, and true to herself. In this episode, Gwen shares: ✨ The secret to embracing reinvention at any age

When I first heard about Lisa Ascolese, known as “The Inventress,” I knew I wanted to bring her story to Clause 8.Lisa's path into inventing began after her family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where her creativity and curiosity found room to grow. She started inventing at a young age, driven by the simple desire to solve everyday problems. That curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion for turning ideas into reality. Her first major success—the Bosom Buddy breastfeeding cape—opened doors to retail shelves, QVC appearances, and a deep understanding of what it truly takes to bring a product to market.Thanks for reading Voice of IP! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.In our conversation, Lisa and I talk about what inventors often learn the hard way: that success requires persistence, self-belief, and an understanding of both patents and business. She shares how she built Inventing from A to Z, a company that helps independent inventors navigate everything from concept to commercialization, and why she tells every creator:“A patent doesn't sell your product—you do.”Lisa also offers insights for patent attorneys—encouraging them to ask inventors where they see their product being sold before diving into legal protection. Her perspective bridges the gap between invention and entrepreneurship, showing how passion and practicality go hand in hand.For anyone ready to turn ideas into impact, Lisa's story is both inspiring and instructive. Her new book, “The Inventress's Guide to Inventing The Right Way: All Or Nothing, Now Or Never”, is an essential companion for creators determined to make their vision real.

Learn how e-commerce sellers can scale beyond Amazon and into retail. In this episode, our guest shares insider steps to go retail-ready and build a brand that truly lasts. What if the key to transforming your e-commerce brand into a retail powerhouse lies in understanding the nuances of today's retail landscape? Join us for an insightful conversation with Yohan Jacob from Retail Bound as we challenge common misconceptions Amazon sellers hold about retail. Discover how the post-COVID-19 era has created opportunities for online brands to thrive in physical spaces, with retailers integrating enhanced online experiences and buy online, pick up in-store models. We'll uncover the strategies behind pricing consistency across platforms and how a strong online presence can serve as a stepping stone to retail success.   Ready to master the marathon that is retail success? We dive deep into the transition from crowdfunding to the big leagues of traditional retail, revealing the strategic planning needed for product packaging, pricing, and marketing in environments like Best Buy, Walmart, and Costco. Through Yohan's expert lens, learn about the importance of understanding margins, price points, and product derivatives, and how these factors can be leveraged to thrive amidst fierce competition. Hear real-world examples of how brands have navigated these challenges, ensuring their place on the shelves of major retailers.   But the path to retail success isn't just about getting onto the shelves; it's about staying there. We tackle the financial intricacies of working with large retailers, from managing extended payment terms to financing purchase orders. Yohan shares valuable insights into the unique world of platforms like QVC and HSN, where product demonstrations are key. Plus, discover practical advice on breaking into the market through smaller channels, honing your craft before taking on the giants. Whether you're an e-commerce seller ready to expand or an Amazon aficionado eager for new opportunities, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and expert advice to elevate your retail game. In episode 468 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Yohan discuss: 00:00 - Navigating Retail for E-Commerce Sellers 04:37 - Changing Attitudes Towards Online Retailers 07:57 - Challenges of Crowdsourced Product Manufacturing 09:42 - Navigating Retail Margins and Strategies 13:45 - Retail Pricing Strategies and Brand Derivatives 18:01 - Preparing for Retail Success 24:05 - Understanding Retail Economics and Margins 27:46 - Consumer Electronics Profit Margins and Costs 30:23 - Retailers' Margin and Product Strategy 37:50 - Handling Retail Transitions and Liquidation 42:03 - Exit Strategy for Seasonal Products 42:32 - Navigating Retail Payment Terms and Strategies 48:31 - Retail Financing and Distribution Strategies 54:51 - Exploring Trade Shows for Business Growth 58:11 - Utilizing Brand Exposure for Retail Expansion 1:02:09 - Retail Growth Strategies for E-Commerce

How many times have you been told “no” when your gut was screaming “yes”? In this episode, I'm bringing back a conversation with my friend and inspiration, Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics. Jamie shares how she went from building a company in her living room to selling it to L'Oréal for $1.2 billion, becoming the first female CEO in L'Oréal's 100+ year history. We talk about how to stop letting other people's opinions drown out your own intuition, how to keep moving forward when the doors keep slamming shut, and how to root for yourself even when no one else does.  In This Episode, You Will Learn Why you must turn down the volume on critics and tune into your intuition. The “microphone” tool to protect your energy and choose whose voice you amplify. Why setbacks are often your setup for something bigger. The visualization practice Jamie used before her life-changing QVC pitch. Why rejection can be “God's protection” and how to trust it. How to believe in yourself even when the world tells you no. Resources + Links Visit Jamie's website: ⁠https://jamiekernlima.com/⁠  Get your copy of Jamie's ⁠Believe It⁠ HERE! Get your FREE 95 PG Action Plan HERE! Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/monahan Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at NetSuite.com/MONAHAN. Want to do more and spend less like Uber, 8x8, and Databricks Mosaic? Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/MONAHAN. Get 10% off your first Mitopure order at timeline.com/CONFIDENCE. Get 15% off your first order when you use code CONFIDENCE15 at checkout at jennikayne.com. Call my digital clone at 201-897-2553!  Visit heathermonahan.com Sign up for my mailing list: heathermonahan.com/mailing-list/  Overcome Your Villains is Available NOW! Order here: https://overcomeyourvillains.com  If you haven't yet, get my first book Confidence Creator Follow Heather on Instagram & LinkedIn Jamie on Facebook & Instagram

What does it really mean to reinvent yourself—and do it with style? Meet Gwen Gottlieb, content creator and founder of Gwen Lives Well, the lifestyle brand inspiring women to embrace fashion, wellness, travel, and life with an ageless attitude. After years in corporate PR and marketing, Gwen pivoted into blogging and social media, building a brand that's bold, sassy, and all about living well. She's partnered with powerhouses like L'Oreal, QVC, Walmart, and Chicos, while staying authentic, funny, and true to herself. In this episode, Gwen shares: ✨ The secret to embracing reinvention at any age 

My guest today is Barry Diller. Barry is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures, Fox Broadcasting, and the founder of IAC. He has been at the center of every major media transformation over the past five decades, from creating the Movie of the Week format to building the fourth broadcast network to executing 150 internet-era deals. Barry reveals his "creative conflict" philosophy - pushing smart, opinionated people past their endurance point to generate breakthrough ideas. He also shares stories of working alongside media titans like Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates. We discuss his current portfolio strategy, innovation in media, and how personal struggles can become professional superpowers. Please enjoy my conversation with Barry Diller.  For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp.com/invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ridgeline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ridgelineapps.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about the platform. – This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlphaSense⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alpha-Sense.com/Invest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:02) Early Career in Entertainment (00:06:33) Defining Moments and Fearlessness (00:09:18) Personal Reflections and Family Impact (00:12:37) The Magic of Interactivity (00:14:44) Creative Conflict and Instinct (00:19:24) Breaking Down Complexities (00:21:35) Innovations in Television (00:23:37) The Fox Network and Murdoch's Gamble (00:29:37) The Value of Money and Motivation (00:30:17) The Leap to Independence (00:32:28) QVC and the Internet Revolution (00:33:37) The AI Opportunist Approach (00:36:55) The Rise of Match.com and Tinder (00:38:57) The MGM Investment and Future of Entertainment (00:41:21) Negotiation Lessons from Lou Wasserman (00:43:47) The Simpsons: From Doubt to Success (00:44:25) The Changing Landscape of Media (00:51:53) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done for Barry

You asked for more Rob Lowe, and now you're getting more Rob Lowe! Every other Monday in the Literally podcast feed, we'll be sharing a special re-release from the Literally archives. From Robert Downey Jr. to Oprah Winfrey, you never know who will show up. In this episode, Rob and SNL great Vanessa Bayer discuss the pace of big cities vs the suburbs, Vanessa's summer on Sesame Street, doing Rachel Green for Jennifer Aniston, the brilliance of Encino Man, and rank their favorite QVC hosts. Plus: Rob answers an unusual sports question in the Lowedown Line.  This episode was originally released in March 2021. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Your question could get featured on the show!