In this episode1. What it's like to own and operate a bakery2. Amber and Curts's secrets for a successful business partnership between friends - It's a batch made is heaven ;)   If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Please email me at [email protected] Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Amber Sanne & Curt Forester - The Baking Flamingos Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/thebakingflamingos/Website - https://www.bakingflamingos.net/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bakingflamingos/GO VOTE HERE:  https://www.amazingcakeideas.com/11/29/2022/b10-vote-maker-of-the-worlds-highly-impressive-cakes/20/Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

What you will find in this episode: "When you connect with people and you share some of your stories, things start to happen, right? Conversation sparks. They tell a story that relates to the story you said, or they start to ask questions about the story that you told." This is how it all works on social media! Let me show you how!  I recently taught a workshop where we talked about creating a culture of storytelling, specifically related to social media, and I'm sharing some of the most valuable key takeaways in this episode with you. It's so important for your social media posts to be driven by story. If you're making random posts, people will be able to tell, and they'll be less likely to engage with your content. In this episode, I share key questions to help generate story ideas for your social posts. Answering these questions will help you come up with a bunch of ideas for more engaging and interesting social media posts.In this episode, you will learn the following:1. How to make social media posts that are driven by story2. The seven principles of good storytelling*Machaela's Favorite Pen *Vivian's Favorite Pen *These are affiliate links, and we may make a commission from any purchases Free Download  Brand Story Questions Free Download If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at [email protected] Related Episodes: #5 The two words that will change your social media posts forever, create higher engagement and eliminates social media frustrationVivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Brand Story Questions Free Download Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

Unpacking this episode min by min:1:21 - Introduction to Alysia Hess and The Occasional Collective 2:40 - What you will find in The Occasional Collective - a cozy mix of all things local 3:24 - Saw a building for sale, and Alysia knew she had to do something awesome with it4:42 - An article about a local meat producer inspired her idea5:33 - Working at the zoo shaped her mindset for conservation that influenced her idea further 6:00 - Sustainability has always been a priority, and the store inspires behavior change in her small-town community 7:46 - Everything is coming full circle for supporting conservation 8:07 - Unique ability to align passions for impact 8:42 - Designing brand pillars and guiding principles - Community - Sustainability - Inclusivity  9:34 - Highlighting diverse local makers, especially in rural areas10:14 -Sticking to brand pillars requires really tough decisions11:29 - Trusting in the community to support the values of the business12:51 - Can you be driven by your values or is it all about what the market wants?13:25 - Sourcing from larger networks and Inspiring new creators, new makers, and new businesses 16:10 - Leaving her job and transitioning full time into The Occasional Collective18:30- Juggling solo business ownership, full-time work, and healthy living 19:43 - Give yourself grace and start hiring things out to build the business20:25 - What would it take to leave my job20:51 - Getting buy-in from everyone with the idea of The Occasional Collective 21:32 - The right time for a boutique shop and the culture shift toward local shopping 22:24 - The Walmart effect and Amazon 23:33 - Our competitive edge is the customer service and locally sourced items24:14 - Inspiring makers with feedback from customers 25:35 - Rural areas need community hubs like the shop to survive 27:00 - You need to secure a domain for your business29:35 - What if you fail? What's the plan?31:58 - Vetting your ideas and being open to the cold hard truth 36:41 - Finding the right people to review a business plan38:11 - Have to enjoy risk 38:33- Pitch competitions, TS Bank REV pitch 41:55 - Buying and reselling items 45:50 - Utilize ALL the small business resources and get real feedback on your business plan  (scroll below for links to resources) 50:00 - Shifting your mindset for owning a business 51:52 - Utilizing Tandem Works resources (The Social Engagement Method) 52:00 - Improving social media to focus on stories 55:07 - What is on the horizon and how to support The Occasional Collective If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at [email protected] Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] GUEST: Alysia HessFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/theoccasionalcollectiveWebsite -https://www.theoccasionalcollectiveia.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/@theoccasionalcollective/Email - [email protected] Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inboxSBDCAdvanced Southwest IowaTS Bank REVPottawattamie Community FoundationNebraska Enterprise FundRiding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

Machaela Clark, co-owner of Tandem Works, jumps onto the podcast to introduce herself and share how she started her own business, merged with Vivian to create Tandem Works, and shares thoughts on having a successful business partnership with a co-owner.  Unpacking this episode min by min:1:49 - Machaelas first business selling fabric wreaths out of a wagon2:22 -Publishing newsletters as kids, clip art, and comic sans4:06 - First grown-up business as a photographer4:52 - Pursuing something you love now, not waiting for when you retire5:55 - Machaela's mom encouraged her and her siblings to go after what they loved7:05 - An 8-week job turned into a nightmare that pushed Machaela to make them move8:14 - Waiting for the sign to take the jump 8:42 - Setting yourself up to make the jump leaving your job to start a business9:55 - How to decide it's time to start your own business - look for the nudge10:34 - Create a plan11:27 - Don't get stuck in perfect 12:00 - Straddling a job and your own business12:55 - What happened after Machaela started her own business (Morrissey Photography) 13:32- Making strategic connections to grow a client base15:08- Outgrowing word-of-mouth marketing tactics, telling your brand story to people who don't know you16:30- How we met and started a business together 17:55- How we created a partnership that works and remains friends too 18:50 -24-hour rule19:55 -Is a partnership worth it? What we have discovered about the huge benefits of working together22:18 - Using the 16Personalities evaluation and personalities in the workplace podcast with our team  26:55 - Leaning into your strengths and working on harder areas, flexibility is key to business success 27:52- Some of our frustrations when we first started working together and how we handled them 29:36- Pro tip - Use a separate messaging system for personal and business; we use Telegram32:18 - Pro tip - Find your people to help prioritize, bounce ideas, and keep you accountable33:33 - How to prioritize what is important and what is not, even when the ideas all seem important (or great!) 35:34- Playing with ideas, what happens when that confuses the team, being ok with throwing ideas back over the fence37:32 - Throwing ideas back over the fence or saying no when transitioning offerings  38:09- Love your Mondays39:47 -Our biggest takeaways looking back on our business 42:45 - Taking our Fridays off, even though we were incredibly busy. Read more on the blog here44:54 - Pushing each other to be better45:29 - What to do when looking for a business partner. Know yourself, find someone better than you at key activities, not a clone of yourself  If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at [email protected] Related Episodes:#0 - What is Riding Tandem? #1 Core values, why they matter, and how to create them #7 How to take a vacation as a business owner- with Ilona Holland Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Machaela Clark:Email - [email protected] Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected]  

You started your business to have freedom, not feel stuck, and never be able to travel. Gain inspiration from Ilona Holland, who shares her story of traveling for 7 weeks with her family and leaving her business to operate without her. Vivian shares how she also traveled internationally and how it was nearly disastrous with her first business. She shares what she learned so she can travel successfully now with her husband and their teardrop camper to visit every National Park. Unpacking this episode min by min:2:02 - Meet Ilona Holland2:23 - From a closet at the YMCA to a thriving wellness studio7:43 - Vivian's first "desk" - making things work8:44 - Traveling for seven weeks, how Ilona did it as the business owner10:53 - Making wise and skillful choices and planning ahead 13:34 - Planning as a family for the ideal vacation15:00 - Thinking about your vacation dreams early in your business 17:14 - Traveling to Africa without a plan for our business17:45 - We couldn't afford Netflix, but we traveled to Africa 19:40 - Working with an accountant for big travel plans 23:50 - Taking small trips first and involving the team 27:14 - Putting together an out-of-office plan and getting input from your team31:00 - Practical tip - Creating frameworks and using screen recordings of processes 37:57 - Traveling internationally without a fixer lined up and adapting to the moment 42:16 - Working while traveling, pros and cons 52:25 - Even if you are not self-employed, it's important to design your life with self-awareness 54:29 - Giving yourself permission to travel as a business owner 55:47 - Illonas invitation to attend an incredible Malta experience with immersive yoga practice and workshops and touring for the Summer of 2023  If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at [email protected] Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] GUEST: Illona Holland, Life Dimensions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LifeDimensionsCB/Website - https://lifedimensionscb.com/Twitter - https://twitter.com/ilona_holland?lang=enTandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

A massive layoff after a successful career in Radio left Todd Studer with a critical choice to make, was this the time to start his own business? Todd and Vivian discuss what it was like to make that decision, especially later in his career, how pressure makes you hyper-focused and living life in forward motion.   Unpacking this episode min by min:1:55- Introducing Todd Studer 3:10-  About The Studios on S 4th Street4:04- Todd's past radio career led to a layoff6:16- The way things begin is seldom how they end up; failure is a baseline 7:52- Going from painting houses and radio to being self-employed8:05- The difference between working for yourself and growing a business8:20- Growing a business is not just adding things to your to-do list9:42- Focus under pressure led to being hyper-focused10:56- Feeling jaded with the layoff led to starting a business12:07- Technology has allowed more possibilities in podcast recording anywhere12:43- Now is the time to start a podcast13:30- How do you decide to make a move from employment to owning your own business13:55- Comfort can hold you back15:00- Letting go of perfection when stepping out on your own, failure is the base-line 15:42- Meeting your client's needs and how Todd works with new clients17:42- Designing your destiny allows for fulfillment and impact19:30- The feeling of seeing your name on the door 20:00- The impact of turning 50 and losing a parent21:00- The dreams that drive us toward success23:57 -Starting or growing a new business idea at age 5027:00- Life has to be lived in forward motion If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at [email protected] Related Episodes:#2 The 3 most important pieces of advice that will directly impact your entrepreneurial experienceVivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Todd Studer:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/The-Studios-On-South-4th-101523482630570Website - https://www.studioson4th.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toddstuderproductions/Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

Unpacking this episode min by min:1:00 - Two words that are the secret ingredient behind all our successful posts 3:31 - This is one of the most overlooked tactics, and it's also the key3:40 - 4 key areas you can create delight on your social media3:52 - The question, how do I stand out on Social Media?4:00 -Many owners struggle with social media 4:51 - #1 create delight for yourself first; the fact is we won't do things we don't enjoy8:23 - Tactics that work the best 9:22 - How Machaela and I handled creating posts in different ways 10:25 - Tips for making content types that are "not your thing" or give you anxiety11:54 - # 2 create delight for your team 12:11 - Define who your team is14:37 -How business owners can practice gratitude on social media15:11 - Real-life example -Meet us Monday posts for Barleys Bar17:44 - #3 Create delight for your clients and customer18:56 - Ask these questions when making your posts to make sure your audience will connect with them 21:30 - #4 Create delight for your community by showing up actively 22:59 - What happens when we celebrate the success of others28:47 - Social SideKick for small business If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions. Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? email me at  [email protected] Related Episodes: #1 Core values, why they matter, and how to create them#2 The 3 most important pieces of advice that will directly impact your entrepreneurial experienceVivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Nicole Lindquist:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelindquist/Website - https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/Imagine Hour Results - https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/about-us/imagine-hour-results/Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected] 

Unpacking this episode min by min: 4:00 - Both clients and business owners are often feeling similar emotions about a project4:05 - Just because you haven't done it before doesn't mean you are not capable5:11 - Moving with confidence into the unknown - Female-owned business owners often won't step into an unknown *7:30 - Building in and charging for discovery during the start of a project9:19 - How we priced things when the scope is uncertain 10:32 - Imagine Hours - what they are  21:00 - Growing in confidence by taking calculated risks 23:00 - What we did when I couldn't show up and deliver, and how the IWF felt about it 29:28 - How we brought together and promoted one session in another language37:42 - What we know now, we didn't have to know the answers before we ask the question  (*A google search pulled up the statistic I was referencing and came from an internal Hewlett Packard Report stating that Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.)If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions. Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast?Related Episodes:#3 Nailing an RFP, scope creep and sticky details - a candid chat with client Nicole Lindquist (PT 1) Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Nicole Lindquist:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelindquist/Website - https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/Imagine Hour Results - https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/about-us/imagine-hour-results/Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox.  Riding Tandem with Vivian Kvam A podcast from Tandem Works Email the team: [email protected] 

Unpacking this episode min by min:1:32 - #1 Succesful business owners don't struggle alone2:15 - At age 23 I was running a business and trying to figure it all out on my own3:04 - Why I didn't ask for help 4:00 - I have never seen a successful business run by a lone wolf 4:05 - The direct link in business failure is not asking questions and seeking guidance 4:58 - The day I discovered what a CRM is and how much time I wasted making my own 6:04- Ask questions and seek advice and mentors6:47 -Our team's internal process for finding answers7:35 - What I do when I don't know what question to ask8:04 - The excuses we make and getting past them 9:14 - #2 People matter, success doesn't happen in a vacuum 9:30 - Make space and protect your space  9:40 - The people we choose to surround ourselves directly impacts the way we think, act and feel 10:06 - Making space for people as an introverted business owner has taught me valuable lessons 10:40 - The wider your circles are the better11:11 - Add people who think differently than you do11:29 - Find a super connector 11:52 - The time I wanted real animals in a photoshoot and Machaela sourced them for us because of her connections 13:02 - The best job you can have before going into business for yourself 13:32 - Choosing people wisely14:15 - The characteristics I look for when adding people into my circles  15:00 - Eliminating people from your circles 15:49 - People I avoid in my close circles16:58 - #3 Know yourself 17:40 - Are my personal and business core values the same? 18:27 - The last thing you want to do is build a business out of alignment with your personal core values 18:35 - Its possible to have great personal values and great business values that just don't align, and it leads to unhappiness 19:33 - Step-by-step how to define your personal core values 20:36 - My personal core value examples20:58 - Recap itIf you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions.Related Episodes: #1 - Core values, what they are, why they matter, and how to create them If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the simple instructions. Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What do you think of these three pieces of advice? What would you add?  Drop me a message I would love to hear from you.Vivian Kvam:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/Email Vivian - [email protected] Tandem Works Team:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeamInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/Email the team: [email protected] FREE RESOURCES Tandem Works Circle for Marketing, Facebook Group all about marketing for small biz ownersJoin our weekly email HERE for Next-level advice, a little accountability, and out-of-the-box ideas delivered to your inbox. Riding Tandem with Vivian KvamA podcast from Tandem WorksEmail the team: [email protected]