Alexis Teichmiller

Life + Style Blog

Episode 33: Pursuing Faith and Authenticity in a Filtered World, with Lifestyle Blogger, Lauren Kay Sims

Who is Lauren Kay Sims?

Lauren Kay Sims is a lifestyle blogger incorporating  all things travel, fitness, fashion and faith. Her blogging journey began in 2014 after she left the corporate world as a buyer for Neiman Marcus and started writing and running LOLOMag.com alongside Lauren Scruggs Kennedy. In the fall of 2015, Lauren Kay Sims took a leap of faith and started her own blog and brand. In just a short year and a half, she has grown her blog following to over 175k on social media and is making a full time income from her blog.

She has collaborated with brands like Nike, ASOS, Lululemon, Four Seasons, Nordstrom, Kendra Scott, and more. Connecting with women online and cultivating conversations about confidence, faith, and finding beauty in everyday life is at the core of why Lauren started her blog.

In this episode, you will hear about Lauren’s career leaps from corporate life to the unconventional world of blogging, how to take risks and own your work, the importance of setting boundaries as an entrepreneur, the behind the scenes of what goes into a single blog post, how to be unfiltered in a filtered world, and learning to hold everything with an open palm.

“People want to see the real life stuff, because that’s what connects them to you and creates a sense of trust and loyalty.” – @LaurenKaySims

Listen above – Direct Download – Subscribe on iTunes

  • “I never want to feel like a slave to my desk and suffocated by the work I do.”
  • When it’s time to make a change, you’ll know. As soon as you feel that urge, take action.
  • There’s nothing like owning the work you create. Cultivating a sense of ownership is key to creating your best work.
  • There is no 8-5 life for an entrepreneur.
  • The difficult thing about entrepreneurship is the more you work the more you make, and the more you make the more you want to work. But where’s the balance? How do you avoid burnout?
  • As a blogger, part of the job is to make it all look effortless – but it’s not. There’s a reality to every filtered image.
  • People want to see the real life stuff, because that’s what connects them to you and creates a sense of trust and loyalty.
  • “Sharing my faith online was never a decision. My faith and relationship with The Lord is my life. So sharing that part of my life is natural and a core part of who I am.”
  • Hold every opportunity with an open palm. 

W: laurenkaysims.com IG: @laurenkaysims

FB: Lauren Kay Sims Blog

Episode 32: Mastering Unconventional Thinking with Marisa Sergi of RedHead Wine

Marisa Sergi is the CEO of RedHead Wine. Her love affair with wine started in the basement of her parents’ home with a sippy cup at age 5. In fifth grade, she went public with her dream of being a winemaker.  A third-generation winemaker, she came by her career choice naturally, having grown up in the family winery business, and in 2015, she graduated from Cornell with a degree in Enology and Viticulture.  She also interned for and worked at E&J Gallo Winery in California.

Her senior year capstone project at Cornell led to the launch of RedHead Wine – a unique blend of California Zinfandel and Chilean Carménère. Although Marisa’s only been working full-time on RedHead since last August, it’s already available at nearly 200 stores in Ohio.  And she has been hard at work on a Provence-style rosé, with a profile that is fruit forward but clean, crisp and refreshing.

Her longer-term goal is to create an iconic RedHead Brand, with a broad product line, aimed at millennials and females.  Marisa’s wine is her own unique concept, and now a growing business, if you will pardon the pun.

In this episode, you will learn the importance of asking for help and feedback on your work, the value of in-person connections to grow your online business, what it means to be a woman in business, and how to master the power of unconventional thinking.

Listen above – Direct Download – Subscribe on iTunes

  • When something you’re working on transforms from just a project and turns into an addition, you know you’re onto something.
  • Entrepreneurship isn’t always about the “business”. It can also be about pursuing work that you truly enjoy and less about money.
  • When the minutes and hours melt away and time seems to slip by, you know you’re doing something you were born to do.
  • Entrepreneurship is not a one man band.
  • The answer is always no if you don’t ask. Take down the fear of rejection and just do it.
  • If you’re not trying or going in for “the ask” you’re already rejecting yourself from the “yes” opportunities.
  • Never be selfish in entrepreneurship
  • What makes you different is what can make you successful.
  • If you don’t believe in your product, how can you expect anyone else to?

W: redheadwine.us IG: @redheadwine

FB: RedHead Wine

Episode 31: Thinking Outside of the Box with Kelly Mindell, Founder of Studio DIY

Who is Kelly Mindell?

Kelly Mindell is the colorful powerhouse behind the DIY lifestyle blog Studio DIY where she shares bold projects, yummy recipes and fresh ideas for making life one big party. Kelly is passionate about celebrating not just the holidays, but the every day and her smile-inducing projects have been featured in Martha Stewart Living and Parenting Magazine, and on Buzzfeed, The Today Show, Miley Cyrus, NPR and more. Kelly lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and son, Arlo.

In this episode, you will learn how to create a loyal community online, how to address negative comments online with kindness, the importance of honoring your intuition in life and business, and why you need to take control of your own future to create the life you want.

“One of the biggest issues people have is they see life in boxes. You have to get outside of those preplanned, perfect boxes and chase what you want.”


Listen above – Direct Download – Subscribe on iTunes

  • Why not ask, the worst someone can say is no.
  • One of the biggest issues people have is they see life in boxes. You have to get outside of those preplanned, perfect boxes and chase what you want.
  • Just because something is laid out for you, doesn’t mean you can’t challenge the plan.
  • Don’t confine yourself to just one career, one job, one industry. You can do more if you want to. Much more.
  • You are what makes your blog and business unique. Put more of you into your blog and your audience will be able to tell.
  • Start with baby steps on the journey to being transparent online. Start with sharing small
  • “I don’t see a consequence to sharing my life online. The internet gives me the opportunity to connect with other people in the world.”
  • Working behind a laptop can be very isolating. When you open up online, you realize you’re not alone.
  • Everyone’s biggest struggle is learning to listen to your gut from the start. Listen to your intuition.
  • Curiosity is the key to creativity. Always have your eyes open and be receptive to inspiration from every moment of life.
  • “The Laptop Lifestyle gives me the opportunity to connect with people all over the world and to learn and grow from each interaction.”

W: studiodiy.com IG: @studiodiy

FB: Studio DIY

 

Episode #24: Quitting Your Day Job to Pursue Your Dream Job, with Ashley Wilson of Everest and Co Boutique

Who is Ashley Wilson?

Ashley Wilson is the girlboss behind the online women’s clothing boutique, Everest & Co. After studying film in LA, Ashley moved to Nashville, TN in search of living out her creative passion. Once in Nashville, she studied Music Business and started working at Universal Music Group. What seemed like a dream job, wasn’t quite fulfilling Ashley’s desire to create and run her own business.

That’s when the idea of Everest & Co. came to life. Ashley says it best, “Everest & Co. was dreamt up from a cubicle in a glass high-rise building in Nashville, TN.  We are here to make you feel your best, simple as that. Let’s be real though…not everything looks great on everyone and that’s okay! Embrace it. We are here to make you feel good and find the perfect clothes for you. We want you to get that job, find the love of your life, and run the world in our clothes. All eyes will and should be on you. Because #LifeAtTheTop is just so much more fun.”

With a #LifeAtTheTop, her goal is to celebrate every aspect of a women’s life, especially those mountain top moments!

In this episode, you will learn how to narrow your target audience when you’re in the beginning stages of building a brand, balancing working full time while creating a business on the side, the millennial mindset about the corporate world, and how to have those difficult conversations that will get you closer to your dreams.

“When starting a business, you might feel like you are standing at the bottom of Mount Everest wondering how you’re going to get to the top.” – Ashley Wilson

Listen above – Direct Download – Subscribe on iTunes

  • I always knew I wanted to run a business, I just didn’t know what it would be.
  • There is so much freedom that comes once you take complete ownership over what you do.
  • When starting a business, you might feel like you are standing at the bottom of Mount Everest wondering how you’re going to get to the top.
  • How well do you know your target audience? What do they want most and how can you best serve them?
  • A business can’t get off the ground and be successful if you’re not putting any time into it.
  • When your full time job starts to get in the way of your passion, and you come home unmotivated to work on your side hustle, that’s when it’s time to quit your full time job.
  • Millennials have incredible knowledge, but it might not seem like knowledge to older generations because it’s digital knowledge.
  • As an entrepreneur, every choice you make directly impacts your life verses someone else making the decisions for you.
  • The answer is always no if you don’t ask.
  • Make life about building relationships and business will follow.
  • The first step off the ledge is always the hardest.
  • Approach difficult conversations and decisions with respect and honesty, instead of doubt and negativity.
  • Regret is a byproduct of not honoring your emotions.
  • There’s no point in dreaming if you’re not dreaming big.

 

 

Denver Travel Diary with Hotel Teatro

Travel Diary with Hotel Teatro

With just 48 hours in the mile high city, every second counted. That’s why I stayed at Hotel Teatro because of it’s historic charm and classic cultural experience. If you are visiting a new city and you want to truly experience it’s culture, I suggest staying in boutique hotels.

Boutique hotels are independently owned hotels that typically showcase the history, architecture, and culture of the city they’re in. Plus they are unique, and I’m a big fan of supporting entrepreneurs who think outside the box. So I try to shy away from staying at chain hotels and seek out one of a kind boutique hotels instead.

And Hotel Teatro didn’t disappoint one bit.

From the moment my boyfriend Matthew and I arrived, the service was impeccable. From the warm welcome of Jordan, The Concierge, to the delightful charcuterie board that awaited us in our room upon arrival – we felt taken care of.

Our room was a dream. The 9th floor view came with a corner balcony that overlooked downtown Denver to the East and the majestic mountains to the West. Of course I dropped my bags and ran to the see the view. And maybe snapped a few pictures…. ha!

After settling in, we made our way downstairs to The Study lounge in the lobby to get double shots of espresso. I had been traveling all week and Matthew had just finished an intense week of grad school. Caffeine was a must!

Once caffeinated, we got ready for a special dinner at Beatrice and Woodsley on south Broadway. This is one of my favorite areas of Denver because of the hip restaurants and shops as well as the never ending supply of cocktail bars. Beatrice and Woodsley is hands down one of THE coolest restaurants I have ever eaten at. The food was great, but the ambience, the atmosphere, the decor is what made it so unique. It was like dining in a warm lit forest of aspen trees. That’s right, I said trees! Inside the restaurant! It was incredible and the perfect ending to our day.

Is there anything better than waking up in the heart of a city overlooking the Rocky Mountains sipping coffee?

Well maybe just one thing – brunch.

After waking up to a beautiful view, we traveled downstairs to The Nickel for brunch. The Nickel’s decor is what drew me in immediately. The high ceilings and rustic vibe made me feel like I was dining in a classic 1920’s bar in London.

Between the two of us, we ordered bottomless mimosas (oops!), persimmon french toast, chicken and waffles, an apple fritter, breakfast sausage, and biscuits and gravy. Needless to say – we left with our bellies full with no plans to eat for the rest of the day!

Before we made our way into the mountains for the rest of the weekend, there was one more room I had to explore – The Study. This library/coffee car was my favorite room in the entire hotel. The books alone drew me in, inviting me to pick one up and stay for a while.

We sipped our coffee and sat by the fire taking in the slow Saturday morning before heading into the mountains.

To any one passing through Denver or planning a Denver vacation, I highly recommend Hotel Teatro. The service, the experience, the decor – everything was top notch. It truly was a stay I will never forget.

 

A little more about Hotel Teatro:

As Denver’s original boutique hotel, Hotel Teatro provides the modern experience of a recent $3 million interior renovation juxtaposed with the historic details from the early 20th century traditional Renaissance Revival-style building in which it is housed. An ideal location in the heart of Denver’s music and theatre district, set against a beautiful Rocky Mountain backdrop, the four-diamond Hotel Teatro is surrounded by independently owned and operated restaurants and shops.

It is easily walkable to prime Denver destinations such as the Denver Center for Performing Arts, the Colorado Convention Center, Union Station, and professional sports and entertainment venues Coors Field and the Pepsi Center. Home to The Nickel, a popular restaurant offering new American cuisine created through a Colorado lens, and The Study, a cozy coffee bar and breakfast lounge, Hotel Teatro allows guests to enjoy a one-of-a-kind Denver experience.

Hotel Teatro – recently named “The Top Hotel in Denver,” in the 2016 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, and “The Best Hotel of the West” by Conde Nast Traveler in their Reader’s Choice Awards – aims to expand its awareness beyond Denver market and elevate its profile amongst seasoned travelers in key fly-to markets, with an eye for style and an appreciation for detail.

 

 

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