Each week, Reina + Christina bring you up close with the influencers you dream of meeting at conferences and workshops, but maybe don’t have a budget to attend yet. Sprinkled in between these are teaching episodes, and mentoring that walks show listeners through common problems with solutions during their early days of business.
Episode 190: Jam Session with Reina + Christina, Catching Up With Our Co-Hosts - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 29, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina and they're jamming about catching up, both about their lives and what’s been going on behind the scenes for their businesses. They are also talking about traveling, which they've both done a lot of, and they're going to be also talking about behind the scenes in terms of when things go as well as they had hoped or it’s not going as they had expected. Listen below to hear a little bit more about where they both are in their businesses and the changes they are implementing.
Main Takeaways:
Where Christina is [0:01:11]
What moving has been like for Reina [0:02:02]
What business looks like for Christina [0:03:47]
What Reina is looking forward to this year [0:12:03]
How to manage expectations [0:14:38]
What seasons versus shifting hours [0:16:28]
How shifting your business model can work [0:20:46]
How to start setting boundaries [0:23:42]
What Christina's creative empire looks like [0:25:45]
What Reina's creative empire looks like [0:26:43]
For me it’s been like just putting the brake on it and saying, ‘You know what? It’s okay. It’s going to be.’
I mean, there’s definitely certain seasons where I feel more permission. So around, like Christmas and the holidays, I definitely feel a lot more permission to let go and like people aren’t expecting your responses quickly, which is really kind of a breath of fresh air.
— Christina Scalera
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Episode 189: Designing + Doing In Your Product Business, with Megan Auman - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 26, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina is joined with Megan Auman who runs a multifaceted business around her passion for art, Designing an MBA. At the beginning of the eisode, Megan dives right in chatting about how she got started with fine art, her blog, and her program. We learn all about her program and what people can expect to learn with it. Megan talks about when people should start building their business and why you need to get past the ideas of perfection and comparison in business. Lastly, Megan shares about her process and how she uses a visual content strategy.
Main Takeaways:
How she got started in fine art + starting her blog [0:01:28]
What information people learn in Designing an MBA [0:05:36]
Where you should start when building a business [0:10:15]
How to move past perfection for your business [0:15:37]
What Megan's process looks like [0:21:55]
How to get out of comparing yourself to others [0:29:43]
What a visual content strategy + how to start it [0:34:23]
Why you should be writing differently across platforms [0:36:28]
I am the most creative and the best at designing for my business when I’m the one doing the work, when I’m the one actually sitting in there and making production. What that means is that I’m going to spend a lot of my time making, which I’m okay with.
There’s not one right way to run a business. There’s no path that everyone should follow.
— Megan Auman
Bio:
Megan Auman is a designer, metalsmith, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a a multi-faceted business around her passion for art, commerce, and visual content creation! (Which is just a fancy way of saying she's obsessed with Instagram and Pinterest.) In addition to running her eponymous jewelry line, she also runs Designing an MBA, where she helps makers, artists, and creatives grow their businesses.
Episode 188: Building a Calligraphy Community, with Becca Courtice - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 22, 2018
Show notes
Reina and Christina are joined today by Becca Courtice of The Happy Ever Crafter. Becca is modern calligrapher, doer and teacher based on Ottawa, Canada but has been traveling quite a bit recently. The trio start the episode by listening to Becca explain how she has created a Facebook community with her "Show Me Your Drills" challenge. She shares the struggles she has seen her community face and how pricing and community should go together. Becca shares about her love of teaching, plus what partnerships and affiliates look like for her business. Lastly, the trio discuss why you should be doing, rather than worrying about perfection.
Main Takeaways:
How she has created a community + travelling to them [0:01:53]
How the Show Me Your Drills challenge has transformed [0:05:39]
What struggles she has seen with her audience [0:12:28]
Why pricing + community go together [0:13:59]
How to create a community as a calligrapher [0:20:07]
What Becca's favorite teaching moments [0:21:28]
What her partnerships + sponsorship's + affiliates have looked like [0:29:05]
Why you should focus on doing vs. perfection [0:39:34]
It’s one thing to create a community of people who are following and engaging with me, but it’s totally different to put people together in to their own communities.
I always want (sponsorships) to work for my community.
— Becca Courtice
Bio:
Becca is a modern calligraphy “do-er” and teacher based out of Ottawa, Canada. Becca focuses largely on teaching calligraphy – both in person and online. She has created a huge community of aspiring calligraphers around a free, online calligraphy course/challenge called ShowMeYourDrills, where students learn the basics of calligraphy in a simple, step-by-step process from the ground up. If you’re thinking of picking up calligraphy in a simple, fun and stress-free way- Becca aims to help you do just that. But beware... if “Dad jokes” and terrible puns aren’t your jam, you may want to find a different place to learn!
Episode 187: Authenticity + Storytelling in Your Business, with Marisa Arredondo - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 19, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined by Marisa Arredondo of Phace Bioactive. If you have not heard of Marisa or her product, then get excited to hear about how she went from somebody who just had a problem to being on QVC! The episode starts with Marisa sharing how her product was created and why she chose to be the solution. She shares how storytelling has been a big part of her brand. Marisa also shares about hiring people, but knowing your business by being present in all parts of your business. Lastly, she shares about watching her competitors and copycats and how she uses that to fuel her business.
Main Takeaways:
How Phace Bioactive was started [0:01:41]
Why she chose to be the solution for a problem + using storytelling [0:06:08]
Why relationships are important in your business + hiring [0:09:53]
What product struggles are for skin care [0:15:59]
Why you should be in all of the parts of your business [0:17:20]
Why you don't need a business degree, to be a business owner [0:20:28]
Why you should study competitors + copycats [0:23:06]
What influencers need to partner with a large brand [0:29:12]
I spent some time while in Wall Street as a research analyst investing in biotech stock, all the while knowing that might end game was to start my own skin care line. First, to solve my own issues and then bring my products that work to women everywhere.
Storytelling has been a real important part of growing my brand in addition to having true passion about what I’m doing because again as I mentioned it’s a labor of love.
— Marisa Arredono
Bio:
PHACE BIOACTIVE® is the first line of pH Optimized Skin Care®. Each original formula is designed for maximum absorption and efficacy, and to preserve your skin's delicate pH balance. The philosophy and treatments are grounded in decades of clinical research, and as a result of personal experience and years of development. PHACE BIOACTIVE® has been a labor of love for me. I had terrible cystic acne as a teen which lead me to experiment with anything and everything: buff puffs, soaps, scrubs, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide. Eventually I was prescribed antibiotics, retin-A, corticosteroid injections, and Accutane. The blemishes subsided for a period, only to return at age 22 as adult acne. I didn't know it at the time, but I was stripping my acid mantle with the alkaline topical cleansers, creams and exfoliants I was told to use, and I was actually exacerbating my symptoms, not to mention accelerating the visual marks of aging. And so began my quest for the perfect skin care system. After graduating from Stanford University, I worked as an analyst on Wall Street for 12 years to research and invest in cosmetic, drug and biotech companies. There, I learned about skin biology, ingredient technology, and pH balance as it relates to anti-aging. I engaged first hand with novel research and manufacturing practices, and developed a network of dermatologists and chemists I consult with. I also graduated from Harvard Business School, where I conceived the business plan for PHACE BIOACTIVE®. My mission is to educate women and men about the most effective ways to care for their skin; to inform, inspire, and instruct our growing community on a variety of skin care, cosmetic, and lifestyle issues, and to offer the most powerful and effective anti-aging skin care solutions. My wish for you is the happiness, relief, and confidence that comes with having healthy, radiant skin. Show your face, love your face, protect your pH™!
Episode 186: Heels + Confidence In Business, with Abby Walker - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 15, 2018
Show notes
Reina and Christian are joined today by Abby Lou Walker who is the CEO of Vivian Lou Incorporated. The episode starts by us diving into Abby's journey into how she got to where she is and we learn more about the business she runs. She talks about keeping momentum in business and how persistence has kept her going throughout many business hurdles. The trio talk about the emotional experiences of being a business owner and Abby shares how she continues to move forward. Lastly, the trio discuss mindset, coaches, and giving back in your business.
Main Takeaways:
What is Vivian Lou + how it was founded [0:01:22]
How she has kept momentum going + persistence [0:13:24]
What it is like to be on television [0:19:46]
What her emotional experience has looked like [0:21:14]
What does managing a 3 million dollar business look like [0:22:47]
Why mindset is important in business [0:26:23]
How to keep track of your highlight reel + insecurities [0:30:08]
What having coaches have looked like [0:32:10]
Why she gives back in her business [0:38:40]
I have purposely set up my company so that I don’t have investors and I don’t have employees, and the reason I did that was because I don’t want a boss and the only people I want to be responsible too are my husband and my kids.
I just want you to know that you are worthy of whatever you’re dreaming of.
— Abby Walker
Bio:
Abby Lou Walker is the CEO of Vivian Lou Inc., a multi-million dollar company that markets and sells shoe insoles that empower women to wear high heels without pain. Walker started the company in 2014 as a “hobby” while working a full-time job and raising two children. Two years later, she ditched her day job to focus on her business. As part of her mission to support women in pursuit of their dreams, she donates a portion of every sale to organizations that support disadvantaged women. Prior to starting her own company, Abby served in a variety of executive roles for various companies ranging from Fortune 500 companies to private-equity owned firms. She received her Master’s degree in Business Communication from DePaul University, and her Bachelor’s degree in English-Journalism from Miami University. Abby currently resides in Mequon, Wisconsin with her husband and two elementary-school aged kiddos. Find Vivian Lou insoles at www.vivianlou.com and follow Abby at www.abbylouwalker.com.
Episode 185: Being a Disruptor + Filling the Gaps, with Jackie Nwobu - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 12, 2018
Show notes
Joining Reina and Christina today is Jackie Nwobu, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bride Magazine. Jackie dives right into the episode, chatting about how she started in the magazine industry. She talks about how her retreat came to be and what it feels like to be a disruptor in an industry. Additionally, she shares about business struggles and how we can help support others. Lastly, the trio talk about spotting gaps in the industry and how to listen to your audience.
Main Takeaways:
How she got started with a magazine, without publishing experience [0:01:54]
Why Coterie Retreat was born + inclusivity [0:12:44]
What being a disruptor feels like [0:19:01]
How we can support others [0:22:36]
What some business struggles are [0:30:59]
Why the publishing world is so scary [0:35:01]
Why leverage your audience + find out what they like [0:36:55]
How to spot gaps in the industry [0:40:53]
If you are launching the next big thing, chances are it doesn’t exist. If it doesn’t exist, there is going to be a learning curve, because there’s no one who’s going to teach you how to do it. You’re going to have to do as much research as you can. You’re going to have to figure things out.
Then when people are honest with what they’re going through on the other end, people who’ve been there before, you know that you’ve been there before and maybe now you’re doing really well, don’t ever forget where you came from, because you didn’t just wake up and become a big time planner, or you didn’t just wake up and become award-winning photographer. There was a process that you went through.
— Jackie Nwobu
Bio:
Jacqueline Nwobu is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bride Magazine, the leading nationally distributed wedding magazine and online wedding marketplace catering to women of color. With no prior experience within the publishing industry, Jacqueline and her husband launched Munaluchi Bride Magazine in 2010 and obtained national distribution within major retailers including Target and Barnes and Noble. Women of color are major contributors to the billion dollar wedding industry, yet, their presence within major bridal publications and websites/blogs is rare. Jacqueline’s vision and determination to fill this void is what gave her the strength and willpower to break into and positively impact an industry she knew very little about. Prior to launching Munaluchi Bride, Jacqueline obtained her B.S. degree in Medical Technology and worked for major pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, including Johnson and Johnson. The rapid success of her magazine has landed her interviews on NBC, ABC, and WPIX NY. Jacqueline resides in New Jersey with her husband and three children. Learn more about Munaluchi at www.munaluchibridal.com
Episode 184: Focusing + Growing on Social Media, with Ashley Perkins - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 08, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined by Ashley Perkins of Prestige Revolution and the Social Smarter Society. The trio jump right in to the episode and talk about how social media has impacted Ashley's business. Ashley's shares how she started small and how social media was her go-to for connections. She shares how social media is a good way to leverage connections and how to use analytics to see how your business is operating online. Next, she shares how video is the game changer in social media and way you need to be using video with your audience. Lastly, the trio discuss what type of content you should be sharing and why you should be real with your audience.
Main Takeaways:
How social media has connected her [0:01:32]
Where the shift and focus came in her business [0:06:26]
How to grow your social media following + taking a look at the backend [0:09:37]
Why should you be using video + getting over the emotional hump [0:15:34]
What social media should you focus on [0:22:33]
How to look at data in social media [0:36:59]
A lot of people are very quick to discredit it because it can be so overwhelming at times, but the connections I’ve made through social media are so invaluable and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
I really got this point where I realize, you know what? I’m at a point now where I’ve got to kind of put the blinders on and put more trust in myself.
— Ashley Perkins
Bio:
Hey there! I’m Ashley, found of Prestige Revolution and the Social Smarter Society. I have almost ten years of experience helping business owners and bosses create more income, influence and impact with strategic online marketing. I’ve worked with dozens of clients across industries like technology and e-Commerce, real estate, investments and finance, and health, wellness, and lifestyle. My blog and insider tips have been featured in several entrepreneurial publications like The Rising Tide Society, and my clients often say I have a talent in growing thriving and engaged online communities to achieve specific business goals and objectives. When I’m not coaching my clients, filming a YouTube video, or prepping for my next guest feature or segment, you can find me out and about with my rescue dog, dancing to ’90’s classics, binge-watching the latest Netflix original, or diving into a good book. Want to chat? Reach out to me on any platform: ashleyperkins.co
Episode 183: Email Marketing + MemberVault, with Erin Kelly - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 05, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined with Erin Kelly who is the co-founder of MemberVault. Erin has transformed in her business adventures, starting out as an online business manager, to now managing MemberVault with her husband. She shares how she has handled big life decisions and what life challenges she has faced from having an on-the-road business. The trio discuss re-engaging with your list and how email marketing can be engaging. Lastly, they dive into MemberVault and how it can help your small business.
Main Takeaways:
How her journey unfolded [0:01:43]
What an Online Business Manager is [0:03:31]
How to handle big life + business decisions [0:08:33]
What challenges they have faced in their on-the-road business [0:09:38]
How to re-engage your list + email marketing [0:14:12]
Where you can get a free MemberVault account + how it can help you [0:22:36]
What segmenting + tagging for a list looks like [0:24:27]
How helpful support can be [0:32:17]
Where to start in MemberVault [0:34:59]
There’s a lot of negativity around email marketing I think. Which is a shame because it’s actually a really really great way to open a conversation with your audience.
I think that’s a good thing for all of us to remember is that we all make oopsies.
— Erin Kelly
Bio:
Erin Kelly is the co-founder of MemberVault, the perfect tool to boost engagement, learn more about your audience and make selling easier. She is currently living full time in a 30 ft RV with her husband, 19 month old son and rescue hound pup. Grab your free account at membervault.co.
Episode 182: Mindfulness + Self-Compassion In the Entrepreneurial World, with Dr. Leah Weiss - the Creative Empire podcast
Mar 01, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina and Christina are joined by Dr. Leah Weiss who is a teacher at the Stanford School of Business and the author of an upcoming book titled, How We Work: Live Your Purpose, Reclaim Your Sanity and Embrace the Daily Grind, published by Harper Collins. The trio start off by chatting about Dr. Leah's background and how it has influenced her career. They then discuss the idea of mindfulness and what some practical ways to start incorporating mindfulness into your routine can look like. Lastly, she talks about her new book and how it is structured for everyone.
Main Takeaways:
How her background influenced her career [0:01:55]
What "the hustle" means to her [0:04:43]
What mindfulness means + practical practices [0:09:06]
How to be a better leader [0:19:06]
Why you need self-compassion [0:25:13]
How to examine yourself + moving forward [0:29:27]
How her book is structured [0:33:34]
The way I have approached the classes to give people resources and resilience so they can live that life that they’re so passionate about, but do it with more sanity and not burn out and you know, not implode themselves, their families, their projects.
The mindfulness for me is a way of enacting the purpose and the purpose is about priorities, it’s about our personal priorities, it’s about our professional priorities, it’s doing what we can to bring those together so that we know what we’re doing, we know why.
— Dr. Leah Weiss
Bio:
Leah Weiss, PhD. is a lecturer, a researcher, a writer, and an author. She’s trained thousands of executives, team leaders, students, veterans, and Silicon Valley’s best and brightest in mindfulness. She’s taken years of personal and academic mindfulness research and applied it to training seminars, speaking engagements, Ivy League courses, and a book published by Harper-Collins and launching this coming March, 2017. Some of the clients that Leah has worked with include Google, LinkedIn, The Omidyar Group, and countless others. She currently lectures at the Stanford School of Business -- where her course ‘Leading With Mindfulness and Compassion’ is one of the most popular courses offered since 2013. Her academic work has been (and still is) used at the Stanford School of Business, at the University of California at Berkeley, the Stanford School of Medicine, at the US Department of Veteran Affairs, and in countless other places. In addition to academic research, consulting, and teaching, Leah has spoken at Kaiser Permanente, Harvard Medical School, Accredited Investors Wealth Management, the Hebrew Senior Life Center, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, TedX, and in many additional corporations and centers both in the US and abroad. Leah also writes (as a columnist) for Psychology Today, the Huffington Post, and the Harvard Business Review. She is regularly called upon to voice her opinion on the topic of mindfulness in the workplace by journalists from a variety of business publications. She has worked alongside the Dalai Lama’s main English interpreter (Thupten Jinpa), with popular health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, and with Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay) through the Hope Lab where she implemented the Compassion Education and Scholarship program. Leah currently lectures at the Stanford Business School along with running her own consulting business.
Episode 181: Educational Nugget - Getting Testimonial from Clients, with Reina - the Creative Empire podcast
Feb 26, 2018
Show notes
Today, Reina is here in an educational nugget, to teach us about testimonials and how to get them from clients. There are so many reasons behind having client testimonials, so Reina is diving in and talking about the why behind testimonials and what to do with client testimonials once you have them. In the episode, Reina also shares about a free resource that she has that can help you get killer client testimonials.
Main Takeaways:
Why client testimonials are important [0:01:17]
How to ask for a testimonial [0:04:25]
How to get the transformation in the testimonial [0:09:40]
Why you should set an intentional day for feedback [0:12:11]
How to prepare for critical feedback [0:15:13]
What are ways to get sales page testimonials [0:19:53]
Where you can receive reviews [0:23:51]
We should make sure to get feedback from all of our customers so that we can figure out how to fine tune our services.
Data is important to me just because it’s not just about testimonials but being able to say like, “This is where I help my clients. This is what, you know, the changes we make by working together.
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