Alexis Teichmiller

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

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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

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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

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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 30: Choosing a Healthy and Positive Mindset with Life Coach Madison Hedlund

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Who is Madison Hedlund?

Madison Hedlund is a life coach, speaker, writer, and entrepreneur who helps women own their story, step out of fear and shame and come alive to their most vibrant, confident selves. Known for her soulful spirit both online and in person, she brings authenticity, power, and creativity into all she does. Whether she is working one on one with clients, facilitating a workshop, or speaking to a large group, it is Madison’s deepest desire to see women step up to their very best and truly come alive.

Madison is co-author of Be The Better Bride,  the creator of the Come Alive Journaling Guide, and is a co-founder of The Bravery Board where she hosts monthly gatherings and weekly podcasts. The Bravery Board is based in Springfield, MO.

In this episode you will experience Madison’s healthy mindset on shame and ego, the power of giving yourself the permission to love yourself for who you are, and how to overcome imposter syndrome. This is an extra special episode because the last 15 minutes, Madison and I have an impromptu coaching session on my fears and lack of creativity lately. It’s raw and it’s real.

“You can’t succeed when you base your success on the expectations and definitions of others.” – @MadisonHedlund

Listen above – Direct Download – Subscribe on iTunes

  • The qualities you dislike about yourself are apart of who you are. There’s nothing wrong with you. The good and the bad make you who you are.
  •  You can truly help other’s by helping yourself first and leading by example.
  • Guilt is “I did something bad.” Shame is “I am bad.” – Brene Brown
  • People need to be responsible for their own actions. You aren’t responsible for their actions and emotions.
  • Why would you be born with a certain personality with certain passions and not have the permission to be that person?
  • Transformation doesn’t happen when you think about change. It happens when you’re in the midst of change.
  • We get caught up in too many options that we paralyze ourselves.
  • Imposter syndrome is the voice inside your head that’s telling you you’re not good enough and what you create doesn’t matter.
  • You can’t succeed when you base your success on the expectations and definitions of others.
  • Figuring out what doesn’t work is half the journey.
  • Life isn’t about being happy, it’s about being whole.

W: madisonhedlund.co  IG: @MadisonHedlund

FB: @MadisonHedlundTribe

 

 

 

Episode 29: Trusting the Creative Process with Youtube Star and Songbird Liz Mace of Megan and Liz

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Who is Liz Mace?

Liz Mace is a Youtuber, Singer/Songwriter, and the other half of Megan and Liz. Over the last ten years, Liz and her twin Megan have built their Youtube audience to over 1 million subscribers by releasing covers and original music. This resulted in millions of views and helped launch their career, releasing several singles and EPs. From being on Oprah to building two successful Youtube channels (Megan and Liz & Life of Megan and Liz) that launched their singing career and created a strong, loyal audience, Megan and Liz are true Laptop Lifestylers.

Liz is a believer in all things goodness and love. Her ability to seek gratitude and stay grounded in the midst of success is what keeps her centered and able to create meaningful work.

In this episode, you will learn the importance of combating ego with gratitude, how to create authentic relationships in business, the creative process behind songwriting, and the power of loving your body just the way it is.

“There’s no room for ego when you are centered in gratitude.” – Liz Mace


  • It’s more than okay to learn as you go and learn as you grow.
  • Following trends can seem cliche, but sometimes it’s more about what your audience wants.
  • There’s no room for ego when you are centered in gratitude.
  • You can’t “clock out” when you’re an entrepreneur. You’re always “on” and your mind is always coming up with new ideas.
  • Art is constantly breaking open your old wounds and then using that art to heal them back up.
  • Not everything you create is going to be the best. It’s not suppose to be. You find true greatness in the process.
  • I write songs because I need it. Because my soul needs to tell a story.
  • If you’re completely sold out on your craft, there is no plan B.
  • Being open and making space for truth is the quickest path to healing.

W: meganandliz.com  IG: @stella218

FB: @meganandliz T: @meganandliz

 

 

 

Episode 28: From the Corporate Grind to Jewelry Designer with Bethany Wilson of Bela Begonias

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Bethany is the artist, designer, maker and owner behind Bela Begonias.  She was born into the Appalachian mountainside of eastern Tennessee, and later immersed in the vibrant culture of Asheville, North Carolina before finding her way to Nashville. Her art is an organic reflection of the mountainous landscapes from which she came, heavily influenced by nature, earth tones, the beach and ocean, the southwest and countless other wonders this incredible world creates.

Bethany is a walking wanderlust, having spent years exploring the world at each opportunity given.   Although she studied art, design and fashion in college, the courage to “be an artist” seemed unrealistic upon entering “the real world.”  After a decade of feeling like a round peg trying to fit into a square hole, in 2015, Bethany (with the undying support and true belief in skill from her loving husband) finally took her vision, studies, travels, ethos and experience and cultivated it into a single leap-of-faith that is now Bela Begonias.

In this episode you with learn the important of patience as an entrepreneur, how to choose quality over quality, why a social media following doesn’t always mean you’ll successful, and how to build up enough confidence to put yourself out there to build relationships.

“It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the things you could be doing, but you have to focus on what you NEED to do. Not what everyone else is doing.” – @Bela_Begonias

  • Seeing how a business is ran on the ground level can teach you the lessons you need to learn before you start your own business.
  • Working for someone else can teach you all the things that do work and don’t work.
  • There will always be that voice inside you trying to talk you out of going after your dreams. Just make sure the voices that are cheering you on are louder than the inner voices of doubt.
  • I want what I create to last a lifetime.
  • It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the things you could be doing, but you have to focus on what you NEED to do. Not what everyone else is doing.
  • Be patient and do things the right way.
  • You can’t grow if you don’t make room for people to help you grow.
  • Making time to actually create is one of the biggest struggles.
  • “I want to make something beautiful, but I also want it to serve a purpose and have function.”
  • If you don’t make time to create and strategize, it’s easy to just fizzle out and let the inspiration die.
  • Confidence comes with time, experience, and knowing yourself.

W: belabegonias.com  IG: @bela_begonias

FB: @belabegonias