Stand to Serve

Meet Sam Coil of Branded Bills. Sam built an empire from humble beginnings using a utility knife, a scrap of leather and a hand forged iron brand. He sold 30 hats in one day by wearing his creation to work. In the next six months, he sold 80 hats that he made by hand at home after working a full day at his other job. He now owns a large apparel brand, Branded Bills, that sells made to order quality products and has exclusive merchandise partnerships with individuals like Cameron Hanes and Adam Greentree. From side hustle to apparel success story, Sam continues to live on his own terms and stay true to his path. There’s no right way to do any of it. My hope is that by hearing Sam’s journey it will help you dive deeper into your own. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation. Tune in now! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: standtoserve.com/episode37/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

The whole reason I’m doing this podcast is to highlight the people who are living the life they’ve defined for themselves. The people who shut out outside distractions and dive into serving the world we live in by being themselves. I love the conversations I've had on this podcast, and it serves me to be reminded that there’s no right way to do this. The right way is what's right for you and what's right for me and hearing others’ stories opens my mind up to that. In this episode, I share my story of hosting my first Intro to Handlettering Workshop at The Local, and the lessons I learned along the way. I had to work through mindset shifts, ultimately take action (aka burn.my.boats) and approach the results with a whole lotta grace. Is there a project calling to you but you're not sure where/how to get started? I put together a free worksheet for you to help you journal, reflect and give you the freedom / permission to do / host / schedule / sell your first *thing*! Download the worksheet over on the Stand to Serve show notes and listen in to hear the full episode now! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: standtoserve.com/episode36/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

Do you believe that by creating a space that inspires you, your life will launch from there? These were words of wisdom given to our guest, Morgan Molitor, and she’s taken that advice to heart and continues to design a life that lights her up. Not only have Morgan and her husband, Jamie, created an inspirational space for their family, but they also help others express themselves by creating spaces that feel good to them. “You need to make your happy place in your home, no matter if it’s on-trend, no matter if it’s other people’s style, do your own style.” She and Jamie started a DIY blog, construction2style, in 2012, and since then their blog has evolved into a full-service design and build interior residential and small media company based in Minnesota. In this episode, you’ll hear how Morgan and Jamie’s blog launched into a full-time husband & wife team, how to be more transparent with your clients, tips to create a space that speaks to who you are, and how to listen to your audience and give them what they need. I admire Morgan and Jamie’s work and am so excited for you to hear their story. So grab a cup of coffee and listen in. EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://standtoserve.com/episode35/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

When do you feel like your truest self? This week on the podcast I chat with Eliza Raney, Owner and General Manager of Skogen Kitchen, an innovative restaurant in Custer, South Dakota. Eliza shares how she and her husband (and Executive Chef) are pursuing a life aligned with their truest selves, and the mindset shifts that have changed everything. “My truest self is a full dining room, and I’m hopping around opening up bottles of wine, getting to know our guests, seeing our regulars, laughing and enjoying life.” Skogen Kitchen is a legend, and Eliza and Joseph's story is just as good as the food they serve, the menu they’ve curated, and the brand they’ve built. In this episode, you’ll hear how to move past your fear and doubt when taking big risks, how to share your creativity with the world in a meaningful and vulnerable way, and how to look past social norms to uncover your truest self. “No one lives your life but you and you have to be happy.” You don’t want to miss this conversation; tune in now! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://standtoserve.com/episode34/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

I’ve met a lot of amazing people through social media, specifically Instagram. Some of my very best friendships started with a DM on this app. My friendship with Maddie Peschong is no different. I was drawn to Maddie by how she shows up online; her IG stories are some of my favorites because she shares who she really is. So who is Maddie Peschong? Maddie is a photographer based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a passionate learner, a wife, a mom, and an educator. After working in the digital media and marketing space and side hustling for eight years, she realized she was burning the candle at both ends and felt the pull to take her photography full time. On July 1st of last year, Maddie went full time with her photography business, and since then she’s created additional passive income streams as a creative to be able to be paid without having to be away from her family. In this episode, you’ll hear how Maddie has learned to turn up her own inner voice and turn down the voices of others, how she’s learned to redefine success for herself, how to start small, and how she’s used out of the box thinking to create passive income in her business. Maddie is an amazing human who shares her story just as well on the podcast as she does on Instagram; I can’t wait for you to tune in! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://standtoserve.com/episode33/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

You know the feeling you get when you walk into an Anthropologie? Everything is curated from the smells and the eclectic aesthetic to the collection of goods and how their products feel. In the same way, Freckled Fox, a boutique in Spearfish, South Dakota, appeals to all of the senses. The vibe and atmosphere is dangerous; you'll want to buy ALL the things. In this episode, I interview Amanda Goetz, co-creator of Freckled Fox, a boutique I’ve been ooohing and ahhing over since it opened in 2017. Amanda and her mom, Beth, run the shop together, although it’s been a family affair from day one. From thrifting for vintage one-of-a-kind items to rummaging for pieces to repurpose, the Goetz family has cultivated a place where you feel the love and warmth that went into creating it. You’ll hear the story of how Freckled Fox came to be, how you can spread positivity each and every day, how to stand out as unique in the marketplace, some of the challenges Amanda faces a business owner and tools you can use to turn down the digital noise. Amanda is a storyteller, is open to new opportunities, and I can’t for you to hear more from her. Tune in now! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://standtoserve.com/episode32/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

I don’t have time. I can’t pursue my dreams because I might fail. It’s too late to change. Have you ever said a version of one (or all) of these limiting beliefs to yourself? In this episode, I chat with Allie Siarto about how she’s learned to reframe limiting beliefs like these and live a life of impact on her own terms. Allie is a wedding and portrait photographer based in East Lansing, Michigan, podcast host, Rising Tide Society leader and published author. She’s also a mom, wife, and zero-waster who tackles life by experimentation. “If I approach everything as an experiment then I can’t fail.” Allie shares how you can redefine success for yourself, how to grow a community based on genuine connection (over growing a following on Instagram) and tools you can use to overcome mindset blocks and limiting beliefs. This conversation will inspire you to get started on some thought work! Tune in now!

Small town living's great right? It’s slow-paced, you’re not constantly fighting traffic, there’s a lower cost of living, and don’t forget the quirky small-town traditions. But what happens when you move back to your small town after climbing the corporate ladder only to realize readjusting to small-town life isn’t as easy as you thought it’d be? Meet Rebecca Undem. Moving back to her hometown of Oakes, North Dakota (population 1,800), left her feeling out of place and discouraged. But this transition ultimately led her to leave her safe, comfortable full-time job to pursue a career connecting with other women and encouraging them to live life on their terms. “We need to know who we are and what really matters because it drives all of our decision making.” Rebecca is now a professional speaker, author of How Mommy Got Her Groove Back and is on a mission to empower women in rural communities across the country. She is gifted at talking about topics that aren’t often discussed in society and is sharing her gift every week on the Small Town Big Talk Show. Rebecca has an incredible story and so much wisdom to share. Tune in now! EPISODE SHOW NOTES: https://standtoserve.com/episode30/ JOIN OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/standtoserve/ JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/standtoservepodcast/

Karoline Rose is an entrepreneur who’s used the hardships in her life to make her own rules. Her tenacity led her to create a brand that helps others in the agricultural industry to develop and grow their businesses. I’ve followed Karoline on social media for years, and what she creates and puts out into the world continues to resonate with me. Karoline is a big picture thinker who knows what works and isn’t afraid of trial and error to turn the dial and bring in more revenue. She works in her zone of genius and outsources the rest. “I do what I am best at, and then I hire people who are experts in their industry.” In this episode, Karoline shares how two strokes in high school impacted her life, how she blocks out all of the noise to be her most creative, and one quality she has that continues to take her to the next level. No matter where you are in your career or what industry you’re in, this conversation is relatable and will leave you with clear takeaways for your life and business. I can’t wait for you to hear from Karoline; listen now!

Lauren Bongiorno’s story and essence are so well aligned with how Stand to Serve shifted in Season 2. Lauren and I both had the honor of being part of Amy Jo Martin’s Renegade Brand Bootcamp last fall and spent three months learning and growing together. I grew to appreciate, respect and look up to her and how she’s paving the way for the space she’s stepping into. Lauren was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, type 1 diabetes, when she was 7 years old. This impacted every area of her life, and as she tried to navigate this illness and learn how her body worked she recognized a major lack of support from the healthcare system. Lauren set out to find a way to be healthy, manage her diabetes and feel balanced and happy in her own body. Lauren is now an entrepreneur, diabetes health coach, author of the Diabetes Health Journal, and dedicates her time to giving people with diabetes the tools they need to become strong and empowered. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about what events led her to choose the path she’s on now, how she lives a life of mindfulness and self-reflection, and strategies you can implement to approach health, wellness and business in a holistic way. “I think everybody has to look at their lives and reflect on the recurring themes because they’re trying to tell you something.” This conversation is so good; I dare you not to take notes. Listen now!

This week’s episode is different from past episodes on the podcast. This is the first episode recorded in front of a live audience. For those who may not know, I quit my job last August, and in January I opened a co-working space, The Local, in my small town of 6,000 people. To foster this change, I needed quiet. I needed space. I found guidance and comfort at a very special place in the Black Hills. An 80-acre sanctuary created by an unlikely person: "a Nebraska farm kid, who happened to have some extraordinary experiences that allowed him to see a new world of love, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness." That person is Dave Snyder. Dave is the founder and caretaker of Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary, author of The Turkey Shack, and self-proclaimed pig farmer. In this live conversation with Dave, he shares his story in an open and vulnerable way, how he’s learned to embrace change throughout his life, and how he’s using his story to help others reflect on their own journeys. “I don’t feel my life is really about me. There’s a bigger picture playing in all of our lives.” Whether you’re in the midst of your own change journey, or if you can look back and see the path that's led you to where you are today, you don’t want to miss this episode. Listen now!

Brit Kolo is the creator and the mastermind behind Marketing Personalities, a company whose tagline is, "you shouldn’t have to feel fake & salesy to grow your business." What's rad about Brit is that she helps give permission to ditch every preconceived notion you've ever had about selling your product and/or service, and instead base your entire marketing strategy around who you are as a human. Brit is a deep feeler who loves deep conversation and is a believer in better. Her goal is to make this life awesome for herself and others by being the person she's meant to be: herself. “You don’t have to be anybody other than yourself and you’re not here to be anybody but yourself.” Promoting and selling is something I've struggled with since quitting my 9-5. This conversation with Brit validates the belief that running and growing a business doesn't have to feel icky. Instead, marketing your business can serve in the best way possible. Brit shares tips on how to tap into our inner voices, how to remove the noise of the outside world, and how to have faith in your calling. This episode encourages a greater sense of purpose and is an inspiring chat you don't want to miss! Hear more from Brit in this episode!

Megan was working in a corporate job when she stumbled on an art fair and realized her creativity was not only sitting dormant, but she didn't feel creative at all. This sparked her transition from her 9-5 to pursue a photography business full-time, and since then she's pivoted again to work as a virtual assistant.   Megan's whole marker for deciding whether she stays somewhere or if she moves on is to ask herself the question, “does this excite me?”. This idea is so well aligned with how I want Season 2 of the Stand to Serve podcast to shift. If you want to hear more about how we're shifting in Season 2, check out episode 24!  Megan is my virtual assistant and I’m excited for you to hear how we work together and how she's defined how she wants to live her life. If you're in a season of uncertainty right now, if you're curious what a virtual assistant is, or if you want to hear a story of someone defining their life this episode is for you!

When I started this podcast last year, I set out to hear and share the story of the entrepreneurs, the individuals behind the small business. The individuals with the drive, passion and the grit to create something from nothing. I set out to hear the stories of the men and women who are standing up to serve their customers, market, and communities. And that's exactly what happened. These conversations helped me make some scary decisions over the last several months. I needed to hear the stories of the entrepreneurs to help me work through my fear of leaving my 9-5 to jump into entrepreneurship. Season 2 is shifting, and the podcast will focus on conversations with people who are standing up to serve in the bravest, scariest way possible: by being who they were meant to be no matter what. I'm excited to continue on my journey of story-finding and story-telling, and am happy you're on this pursuit with me.

Kelsey’s world changed when she heard Janie, of Peak Motion Physical Therapy, speak at last year’s SDCEO conference. After hearing Janie’s story, Kelsey’s friend reached over and said, “Your time is coming.” Kelsey knew she was right, and later that day ran into an old friend whose reconnection led to the purchase of her company. Connecting with others, hearing their stories and changing perspectives is what this podcast is about, and that’s one reason this episode is so powerful. Kelsey shares how she’s learned from every opportunity she's had along the way, and how she's used each new skill to prepare her for the jump into entrepreneurship. I can’t wait for you to hear this inspirational conversation with Kelsey!

At age 23, Alana Snyder started 605 Magazine with her husband, John, after seeing a need for content for young adults to connect in South Dakota. Ten years later, the publication has become a place for people to read about life, entertainment, fashion, food & beverage, and those who are making a difference in their communities. Alana also saw a need to share wedding vendors in the Midwest, so she created Dainty Obsessions, a bi-annual Midwest publication featured in stores like Barnes & Noble. Alana has a gift for listening to what her readers want and creating content they want to see. She takes risks, studies trends, and starts new projects when she sees a need for them. She considers every year a chance to start fresh and is excited about what 2019 holds. In this episode, Alana shares how she's learned to deal with others' critiques, some of this year's new trends, how she creates a fun culture in her business, and how she juggles the magazines and her own podcast, the 605 Show. Alana has a love for people and for seeking out new adventures. “What is saving my life right now are probably all the people that I meet on a daily basis because it just reminds me why I do what I do.” Listen to our conversation now!

Sarah Enos is a dreamer, history teacher turned small business owner, founder of The Vintage Lease, and co-founder of VL Homes. Sarah's gifted at creating beautiful things and believes in the power of aesthetics to help elevate your mindset. “It’s okay to create beauty because it is important.” As a wife, mom, and entrepreneur, Sarah is passionate about intentionality and seeks to live every day with purpose. “Every day we make choices, and every day we can do small things. Sometimes small things can be really big.” Sarah's business, The Vintage Lease, specializes in event planning and design and brings big-city trends to rural South Dakota. Sarah's family business, VL Homes, offers residential remodel and design services for those in Rapid City, South Dakota and around the world. Sarah's family has set out to make an impact with VL Homes, and are in the process of building a safehouse in South Dakota to help those coming out of human trafficking. This safehouse will offer a beautiful and healing space for those coming out of a dark time in their lives. "You are worth something beautiful.” Sarah walks us through her story, how she lives a life of intention, and how she's making an impact every day. Sarah shares how you can start making an impact now, how to combat the problems you see in your daily life, and how to move past the fear of not knowing your future and instead focus on living a meaningful life today. I can't wait for you to hear from my friend; listen to my conversation with Sarah now!

This episode is different from the others in that I don't interview another amazing guest. Instead, I decided it was time for me to share a little more of my story. I started this podcast to share stories of the makers and creators who are being brave, showing up, and serving their communities. I didn't feel that I could rightfully ask others to share the raw and hard moments in their lives if I wasn't committing to doing the same. So it's time for me to get a little uncomfortable and share what has led me to where I am today. The last three months specifically have been transformational for me, and I've done a lot of soul work through meditation, reading books, and protecting my time and mental state. Every podcast guest I've had on the show has helped me think about life a little differently, and there have been moments in my career and personal life that were catalysts to make big changes and take big risks. I hope this episode is encouraging to you, just as the stories of others have encouraged me to move past the uncomfortable and the scary and to show up anyway. Listen in now!

Seven years ago Heath Johnson played publicly at a pub for the first time in his life, and now he's leading a community of songwriters in South Dakota whose goal is to support each other and showcase others' talents. Heath's vision for South Dakota Songwriters is to make the Black Hills the Nashville of the Midwest and to become a nonprofit that promotes art in the form of songwriting in the Black Hills, South Dakota and surrounding states. He also hosts his own podcast, The Heath Bar, where he features guests with interesting stories and talents and provides listeners with conversations they might hear at a pub over their favorite beer. In this episode, Heath shares his journey, how his past has shaped who is now, and how he's using his gifts to shine a light on local talent. Heath is authentic and focused on others, and this conversation is one you don't want to miss. “I don’t care what you’re doing, if you’re being honest with people, everyone’s attracted to that.”  Listen in now!

Dr. Rachel MK Headley and Meg Manke have a goal to positively impact 1 million lives by the end of 2019. Their mission is to change the way business is done; to help foster work environments where people feel satisfied, engaged, and heard. Self-proclaimed "change people", Dr. Rachel and Meg use the experience they have in the corporate world to fuel change in as many companies and individuals' lives as possible. For example, Dr. Rachel and Meg saw a disconnect between organizations offering personality tests to their employees and using what's learned with these exercises to better value others within the organizations themselves. This idea became the inspiration for their book, iX Leadership, in addition to the training and certification programs they offer to help improve performance, reduce turnover, and consequently change lives. Whether you're part of a corporation, have a small team, or are a solo-preneur, this conversation is full of helpful tips and strategies on how to create a work atmosphere that inspires change. "No matter what age you are, you want to feel valued and you want to learn and grow." I can't wait for you to hear this conversation; listen to the full episode below!