Entrepreneur People Real Stories

165 Lori Vande Krol of A Life Made Simple

Are you losing your vantage of your forest due to those clumped together trees in life? In this interview, meet Lori Vande Krol of A Life Made Simple and learn how she is helping businesses and individuals organize their lives for more clarity and productivity. Lori shares some tips and ideas to get your creativity kicked in, and her own experience on building a business that cultivates order.

(02:09) Provide an overview of what you do.

(04:21) What “type” of person are you . . . type A? You must be very organized to help others become more productive. What’s your background?

(06:30) How long has A Life Made Simple been in existence?

(07:13) How did you come up with the title of your business? You have a partner?

(09:21) Who is your customer both on the business and personal side?

(11:14) Share a story of a client that has benefited from your service.

(14:38) What are some of the major hurdles for people to deal with in order to get organized?

(15:60) What should a person or business expect to get started when they contact you?

(17:27) Do you help people organize their computer?

(20:57) Are you using social media? What marketing works for your type of business?

(23:33) What have you learned about yourself since owning a business?

(25:52) What keeps you going when times are tough?

164 David Sasson of Overstock Art

This is the perfect entrepreneurial love story with all elements . . .

• an exciting product
• an untapped audience that desires the product
• reasonable pricing
• and technology that creates a new way to bring product and customer together.

Do you hear the Love Story theme playing? This really is a love story of success with an inspiring rather than sappy finish.

For those who want art for their walls this is an interview to meet David Sasson and learn why more customers are finding their way to Overstock Art. If you're an entrepreneur, there are insights on what it takes to make your website a work of art for your customer.  

(01:52) Where are you based, somewhere in the Midwest?

 

(02:10) Overstock Art is an internet business so most of your sales are via the web.

 

(02:40) Describe what Overstock Art provides to consumers.

 

(04:00) What is your background and how did you come to decide to create Overstock Art?

 

(05:28) You’ve had a significant increase in growth since you began?

 

(06:37) How did you come to discover that people wanted hand-painted reproductions of famous paintings?

 

(09:02) What is the difference with having a reproduction that is hand-painted versus simply having a poster of a famous painting?

 

(10:29) Who is your customer, and what are they trying to accomplish when they come to Overstock Art?

 

(13:22) People seem happy to own something that they know and love already.

 

(14:50) Were there specific issues you felt you needed to address via your website since you’re selling art on line?

 

(18:18) That’s a nugget of wisdom you share David. It is important to make an experience on your website that the shopper can’t experience anywhere else.

 

(20:00) Share the newest experience a consumer can have on Overstock and take us on a tour of the website.

 

(28:33) Have you been using and found social media helpful? What other marketing works well for your type of business?

 

(33:57) How do you balance your business life with your personal life?

 

(35:27) What keeps you motivated and passionate about what you do?

 

 

163 Sandra Lira of Zanda Panda

Whether it is for baking, confections or crafts Zanda Pandaspeciality molds will help ANYONE look like a creative pro. That was the vision for Sandra Lira who realized the potential of silicon to create unique and detailed molds. She used her expertise to fashion designs that can be used in numerous ways to bake and craft. In this interview, Sandra explains how she launched her vision, did her homework, selected a manufacturer and formed a business.

(01:55)Provide an overview of what you do and offer at Zanda Panda.

(02:39) Where can people find you and more about your decorative molds?

(03:10) How did you get started making these molds and what is your background?

(04:22) Explain the silicon substance and why it’s so useful for your molds.

(05:25) What made you decide to create molds for bake ware?

(08:35) How did you go from creating your designs to selecting a manufacturer?

(09:53) What tips can you offer for selecting a manufacturer?

(10:44) Did you decide from the beginning that your molds would be used for both crafts and baking?

(11:09)Take us on a tour of your website Zanda Panda.

(13:35)How did you come up with the name Zanda Panda?

(14:03)How long has Zanda Panda been in business?

(14:38) How did you go from being a artist to deciding to starting and running a business?

(15:34) Do you enjoy the business side of your business as well as the creative side?

(16:43)Who is your customer? What kinds of things are they interested in achieving when they come to Zanda Panda?

(19:49)It sounds like your audience is a large group of types, i.e. bakers, crafters, children. Does that make it harder to target your information to your customers?

(22:55) Did you discover new things about yourself in the process of owning a business?

(23:58) What have you learned about other people in the process of owning your business?

(26:14) Success . . . slow and steady or a hit right out of the gate?

(26:50) What press release service do you like? www.1888pressrelease.com

(28:57) What keeps you going?

#162 Terri Lonier of Working Solo

Terri Lonier was visionary about the needs of the entrepreneur back when there were not many resources to help people build a business on their own. A successful book that reached thousands turned into the useful and FREE website called Working Solo. With her expertise established, she has gone on to consult for an impressive roster of corporations who work to provide services and products to entrepreneurs and help companies encourage entrepreneurial thinking within. In this interview, we speak with Terri about her experiences and some tips and resources such as Master Mind Magic that she recommends to help new and established business owners.

(01:28) What is the purpose behind Working Solo?

(02:26) You’ve been doing this for some time.

(03:19) Working Solo is more pertinent these days with the change in the economy?

(03:59) What is your background and education?

(06:00) Who is your audience and customers?

(08:43) Are entrepreneurs a growing population of the workforce to focus on for products and services?

(11:27) Corporations are not going to hire like they did in the past. Do people need to reconsider their relationship with corporations as an employee?

(12:52) What are the resources available on your website? Is the book available?

(14:35) What are some of the qualities one needs to be an entrepreneur?

(17:08) Is it okay to stay a solo entrepreneur as opposed to growing your business and adding on employees?

(19:06) Can you recommend a few resources for those who have had a business for awhile and need help with focus and ideas?

(21:05)What are the issues facing a solo-preneur versus someone who owns a brick-and-mortar business with employees?

(23:18) Are you still a solo entrepreneur?

(23:29) What are some of the best things you’ve learned from being an entrepreneur?

(24:45) How do you stay optimistic when it gets tough? What have you learned about others in the process of being an entrepreneur?

(27:07) Share one of your favorite epiphanies.

(28:40) Where can they find you and more about Master Mind Magic, Working Solo, and Working Solo Minute?

(29:10) Share a favorite success story.

(31:04) What do you do to stay motivated when things are tough?

Jolt of June Entrepreneurs 2010

Here is a lineup of stellar entrepreneur interviews for the month of June. Each is with a person that shares stories of turning ideas into reality with successful results. What can you learn from listening to the wins of other entrepreneurs? Tune in and find out.

June 1:
Terri Lonier of  Working Solo is an expert in understanding the needs and goals of the entrepreneur because she has been one for the better part of two decades. Her expertise led her to help individuals work through the process of achieving their entrepreneurial vision. Terri also consults for corporations that want to encourage entrepreneurial thinking within their companies. In addition, Terri consults for organizations and companies that create products and services designed to serve the needs of entrepreneurs. There is entrepreneurial info here from several different perspectives.

June 8:
Remember the line from The Graduate? The one word that Mr. McGuire relates to the freshly graduated young man Benjamin . . . that one word is plastics. Sandra  Lira of Zanda Panda might have restated that the one most important word is silicon. In this interview, She relates her story of harnessing her sculpting know-how with the wonderful substance of silicon to create unique and detailed cookware.  Sandra generously talks about her business evolution and the lessons learned along the way. Could being pliable be a good quality?

June 15:
David Sasson of Overstock Art shares a story of discovering a beautiful product, an undeserved niche of customer interest, and taking his technology know-how to create a new web-based experience for art lovers. This interview should inspire those who are reaching out with the web to sell products and services, and doing so in a way that goes beyond what brick-and-mortar can offer.

June 22:
Lori Vande Krol of A Life Made Simple relates a story of how she came to launch her business by knowing herself, knowing her strengths, and knowing the kind of help others need to be their most productive. Lori also generously shares tips and ideas on how to solve some of the problematic organizational issues at home and in the office.

#161 Maureen Allen of Ergo Work Site

Oh my aching back I scream. Here I sit WAY too long hunched over my computer that is lower than eye level. Neck bent, squinting while my vision continues to blurr. I should get up but I'm just too hooked on sitting here and pecking. I'm due for an intervention. How about you? This week we learn about Ergo Work Site and the founder Maureen Allen. Not only does she share an entrepreneurial journey, but there are things we should all consider if we are an employer of many or simply on our own. Home or business . . . are you ergonomically correct?

(02:00) Describe what it is you do at Ergo Work Site.

(03:43) I originally thought about computer users and ergonomics but really any type of work could benefit from a good ergonomic environment.

(06:41) What is your background and what led you to start your own business?

(09:53) Where can they find you on the web?

(10:13) Can evaluations be done virtually and in person?

(11:54) It’s great that you can help people virtually. Where did you get that idea?

(13:32) Can you share some statistics of the impact of a poorly designed work environment?

(16:15) Is the awareness of ergonomics on the rise? Is the business of ergonomics growing?

(18:35) Can you help employers select the right ergonomic products to purchase for their employees?

(20:16) I have to gripe about the ergonomic keyboard. Is it really better?

(22:16) What are some of the common maladies that people have as a result of a poorly designed work environment?

(23:56) Carpal tunnel treatment sounds really unpleasant. Is that curable with treatment?

(24:31) Who is your customer and what are they trying to solve?

(26:00) So you can help employers of one or many, or individuals with their work environment?

(26:41) Do you have a specific story of someone you have helped that you like to share?

(27:27) How long has Ergo Work Site been in business?

(28:48) Who is your target customer? What kinds of marketing have worked thus far to get the word out?

(31:14) What have you learned about yourself from the process of running your business?

(33:38) Where can people find out more?

 

#160 Dale Moser COO of Megabus

I was so excited when I opened the Des Moines Register about a month ago and discovered that we had a Mebabusroute opened up to connect us with Chicago. Now travelers can pick up this sleek, efficient bus packed with amenities in Des Moines and be transported to Chi-Town without the hassles of a car! Dale Moser shares the background information about the idea and launch of Megabus, the progress of the company, and its parent corporation Coach USA. This is an entrepreneurial lesson in timing and being in the right place at what is probably the appropriate time in our consumer travel history. 

(02:03)Megabus is a division of a larger company. Correct?

(03:07) Europe is struggling with the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland. How is bus travel doing with flight down?

(04:18)Launching Megabus in the U.S. where the car is so prevalent is an entrepreneurial leap. What was considered the chance of Megabus taking off here?

(08:26) Are your buses running on time?

(09:14) It is great that you go to major destinations rather than stopping at small towns along the way. That is what made traditional bus travel such a pain in the past.

(10:07)Baggage fees are a big deal on flights. Is Megabus charging for extra bags?

(11:39)Who is using Megabus? Who are your customers?

(15:14) The further out you reserve your seat the better the price. Is that correct?

(16:44)Megabus markets the green aspect of bus travel. What makes traveling via Megabus a greener alternative than driving cars?

(20:03)How long have you been with Coach USA, the parent company of Megabus? What is your background?

(21:38) What kinds of marketing have you incorporated to reach your customers?

(25:10)Does Megabus establish relationships with organizations within the communities that are the destinations for their routes?

(27:44)Do you have a favorite story of a customer who had a great experience traveling via Megabus?

#159 Alexander Grgurich of Foundry CoWorking

It may be a busy coffee shop, a corner space wedged somewhere in a residence, or a fully realized home office where the work of business takes place. And for those in the UK it might even be a shed. One thing is definite . . . small independent home-based businesses are sprouting up in large numbers and working . . . everywhere.

For many folks these work everywhere solutions can be just right. For others, there needs to be collaboration of minds, and a separation of work and home in a designated space. Enter the co-working solution. In this interview, I visit with Alexander Grgurich and we discuss this phenomonen, its benefits, and the specific space that he has launched in the buzzing mecca of downtown Des Moines, Iowa.

(01:38)What is Foundry Coworking?

(02:47) Describe the downtown community and the kind of energy down here for entrepreneurs.

(03:27) The building that Foundry is in is very lovely. Share its history.

(04:30) There has been a great deal of renovation?

(05:27) Describe the layout and design of Foundry’s space and the amenities.

(07:29) So is a component of co-working, working with others in a sense?

(09:35) Share your story and how you developed as an entrepreneur.

(11:29) As you started Foundry, you began by getting clients before you created the space. Speak to that and how you did it.

(12:54) Talk about the level of planning you went through and your attitude about planning in general.

(14:00) What have you learned about yourself?

 

#158 Mary Gottschalk Talking Risk

I love interviews where I come away from the discussion considering some old way of thinking in a new way. In this interview with Mary Gottschalk we talked about the nature of risk and determining individual comfort level. Since change is inevitable, figuring out how best to navigate our attitude about change seems the only control. The subject is one near and dear to Ms. Gottschalk who authored a book about her own dive into the waves of risk when she and her husband decided to travel around the world in a sailboat. Its an incredible adventure and Gottschalk's writing allows the reader to feel they travel along on deck.

Entrepreneurs are a particular species of risk takers so if you're one, or aspire to be one this is a topic sure to give you some thought. But beyond the business types this is an interview for anyone who must deal with change.  

(01:40) Provide an overview of the storyline of your book Sailing Down the Moonbeam.

(04:03) What topics do you cover in your speaking engagements?

(05:34) Talk to me about what you address for your audience on the subject of risk. What do you think they seek in a presentation regarding risk.

(07:54) Are there actions that people should do when they consider taking on a risk?

(10:54) Are there specific tools to use for considering whether to make a change?

(17:40) Do you think we are more risk averse than other cultures where you’ve visited in your travels? Are we control freaks in the U.S.?

(24:37) Do you think there are different perceptions to risk from today’s generations versus those of the past, especially from a employee perspective?

(31:26) Are you working on another book?

(32:41) Where can people contact you regarding speaking or find out more about your book?

 

Magnetic Entrepreneurs of May 2010

May 4:

Mary Gottschalkauthor of “Sailing Down the Moonbeam,” is also a noted speaker on the subject of navigating change.  For this episode, Mary and I discuss the challenge of change and facing risks in life. This is pertinent for everyone with key relevance for entrepreneurs who realize failure or success in what they do. How do you deal with change in your life? How do you mitigate the downside to change . . . or is there a “downside?”  This is compelling conversation about the subject, and noteworthy these days within the economic realities of employee think in contrast to entrepreneur think.

 

May 11:

Alexander Grgurich of Foundry Co-workingrepresents the engaged and intelligent twenty-something generation coming into their own at this tumultuous time. In this interview, he talks about the vision behind starting Foundry, a fresh, energetic, and professional co-working space located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Alexander relates his view on the entrepreneurial journey as well as thoughts on Des Moines, business, community, and social media. Need to shake up your thinking a bit and get a renewed view for your own business experience? This is a great opportunity.

 

May 18:

I opened the page of the Des Moines Register a few weeks ago and discovered that Megabushas come to town! What an exciting concept and how fortunate for Des Moinians.  I knew zippo about the company and wanted to interview someone there to learn more. I was awarded the opportunity to talk with COO Dale Moser of Coach USA, to learn more about this subsidiary venture called Megabus. There is a fascinating and exciting vision Megabus, and even though Dale is quick to point out he is a company man with over 30 years of transportation experience, there is an entrepreneurial story and energy about Dale and Megabus that provide lessons for all of us in business.

 

May 25:

As I I write this entry, I’m hunched over a laptop that is positioned too low, my legs are crossed and I’m sitting off to the side on my chair. I’m sure Maureen Allen of Ergo Work Site would have a few things to say about this ergonomically incorrect setting. As a solo-preneur I’ll have myself to thank for the hunched over appearance of my posture, but for business owners both large and small the impact of a poor ergonomics on the job site ratchets up to loss in productivity and loss of dollars. Learn how Ergo Work Site began and is growing as more businesses make sure to sit up straight in the working environment.