How I Built My Small Business

Welcome to a very merry episode of How I Built My Small Business! I’m Anne McGinty, your host, and I know I said no new episodes, but this is a surprise Christmas special. Today, we’re diving into the magical world of Santa’s little helpers with Chanda Bell, co-founder and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, home of The Elf on the Shelf. Whether you’re a seasoned elf owner or someone who’s just wondering why these mischievous little elves keep popping up, this episode has a sprinkle of something for everyone—kids, grown-ups, and the young-at-heart. 🎅🏼🎁 Chanda, along with her mom and sister, took a simple family tradition and turned it into a global Christmas phenomenon that has enchanted millions. She’s the creative force behind the storytelling and magic that make the Elf on the Shelf part of so many family holiday traditions. Over the years, the elves have been featured on Good Morning America, USA Today, and even appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her company, The Lumistella Company, continues to innovate with projects like the Santaverse while staying true to the magic of Santa’s mission. But with great magic comes great responsibility. In today’s conversation, Chanda shares how they keep Santa’s vision alive while addressing everything from sustainability to inclusivity to… yes, even those whispers about “elf surveillance.” So grab your hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, and let’s unwrap the story of how one family tradition became a global celebration of joy, generosity, and a little holiday mischief. https://elfontheshelf.com/ https://lumistella.com/ https://santaverse.com/ Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized! I’m Anne McGinty, host of the show. While full-length guest episodes are on hold for the holidays, I’ve prepared a collection of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired until Season 2. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized! I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired. Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening. Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth! Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized! I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired. Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening. Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth! Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized! I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired. Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening. Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth! Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

As we draw season one to a close, I’m thrilled to share some of the heartwarming stories and pivotal lessons that we've heard on this journey. From grappling with technical hiccups like latency delays during my chat with Max Skinner of Two Rock Amplifiers to drawing inspiration from Jason Feifer's spontaneous interviewing style, this season has been an exhilarating learning curve. Your support has been the driving force behind this podcast’s success. From educators who use these episodes as teaching tools to entrepreneurs finding newfound motivation, your feedback is the lifeblood of this show. This platform, inspired by my father’s legacy, has become a space for sharing business know-how, niche expertise, ideas for making money, and for imparting life wisdom. As we wrap up Season One, I’m filled with gratitude and a continued commitment to help aspiring entrepreneurs take control of their futures. Have an incredible holiday season! Be kind, take deep breaths, slow down, find meaningful connection, and a moment to rest and reflect. Season Two will launch the week of January 25, 2025. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

John Kilcullen, the creator of the For Dummies brand and former chairman and CEO of IDG Books, shares his journey in building one of the world’s most iconic publishing series. In this episode, John delves into the rise of For Dummies, his experience leading other renowned brands like Frommer's Travel and Cliff’s Notes, and his time as president and publisher of Billboard Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter. A sought-after lecturer on entrepreneurship and innovation at institutions like Stanford, NYU, and Babson, John’s wisdom has been profiled in Forbes, The New York Times, and USA Today. PART 1: The story behind For Dummies and how to build a lasting brand. PART 2: Insights on the evolving future of publishing (starting at 43 minutes). Closing: John’s invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, life wisdom, and actionable takeaways. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today we’re joined by Farnoosh Torabi, America’s leading personal finance expert who is dedicated to helping others become unapologetically rich. Farnoosh is an award-winning financial correspondent, television personality, and best-selling author of You’re So Money, A Healthy State of Panic, Psych Yourself Rich, and When She Makes More. Her Podcast So Money was ranked a Top Female-Hosted Podcast by Entrepreneur Magazine, described as "a Podcast Your Wallet Will Love" by The New York Times, and has been downloaded over 35 million times, earning multiple Webby awards. She is a former CNBC host and has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, and numerous major news and talk shows. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Let's dive into a topic that affects all of us - how cellphones, social media, and AI are fundamentally reshaping the way we consume news and engage in politics. Jack Brewster is the Founder and CEO of Newsreel, an app designed to make news more accessible for young people and those that are digitally exhausted. As a Fullbright scholar in Germany, he researched how young people consume news and how journalism can adapt to these changing behaviors. He is also the Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard, which rates the credibility of news sources and works to combat misinformation in media. Before founding Newsreel, Jack was a reporter at Forbes Magazine, where he covered politics and online extremism. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, VICE, Fortune, and Newsweek. Jacks’ reporting has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN, and The Washington Post. Connect with Jack Brewster: Jack Brewster on LinkedIn Try Newsreel here Newsreel on Instagram Podcast recommendations from Jack: Plain English with Derek Thompson Up First The Daily A Balanced News Diet from Jack (Both Liberal and Conservative): AxiosAM The Rundown - an AI newsletter Mainstream Conservative - The Dispatch, The National Review Tortoise - British media publication Nate Silver’s substack If you’re looking for a new news diet starting point, UpFirst gives the headlines in a succinct manner Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Jason is the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and is widely recognized as an authority on business and adapting to change. He's the author of the bestselling book Build for Tomorrow, host of the Help Wanted and Problem Solvers podcast and has been named a "Top Voice in Entrepreneurship" on LinkedIn. With decades of experience in national media, Jason has held editor roles at Men's Health, Fast Company, Maxim and Boston Magazine and has written about business and technology for the Washington Post, Slate, New York Magazine and many more. Connect with Jason Feifer: Twitter: @heyfeifer Instagram: @heyfeifer Facebook: @heyfeifer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer Website: jasonfeifer.com Newsletter: jasonfeifer.com/newsletter Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Ana Homayoun shares insights gained from over two decades of working with young people. Ana is the founder of Silicon Valley-based Green Ivy Educational Consulting and the executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions, a non-profit focused on developing executive functioning skills in classrooms. She’s the author of four books, including her latest, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, which highlights the essential skills students and young adults need to thrive. As an academic advisor and early career development expert, Ana blends executive functioning, technology, and personal development, working directly with students, schools, and global organizations. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Fast Company, and NPR. Connect with Ana Homayoun: www.greenivyed.com www.anahomayoun.com www.luminarialearning.org Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today, we're joined by Duran Morley, an action sports enthusiast who has built a thriving business centered around adventure living. Duran is the founder and CEO of VanSpeed, a company that converts sprinter vans into recreational vehicles for adventure-seeking customers. College wasn't the right path for Duran, and he found that he learned best by doing. At just 17 years old, he opened the Van Mart, an e-commerce store selling van accessories. That venture has since snowballed into a full-scale, eight-figure annual revenue sprinter van conversion business, customizing vehicles not only for recreational use but also for mobile business opportunities. And he's only 24. Duran has taken the outdated 1980s RV design and transformed it into something modern, efficient and visually appealing. As an avid surfer, motorcyclist and camper van traveler, duran is the end user of his own products. His work has been featured in American Iron Magazine, hot Bike Magazine, roadkill Magazine and Hot Rod Magazine. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Sophie Milliken is a remarkable entrepreneur and leader with contributions that extend far beyond business. She co-founded City Ladies Networking, chairs the UK Charity Smart Works Newcastle, and serves as a Founding Ambassador for Every Child Needs a Mentor. Her dedication was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded an MBE by the Order of the British Empire for her services to Business and Education. Sophie founded SRS Recruitment and Employability in 2013, successfully scaling it before selling in 2019. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Moja Group, an award-winning modern PR agency, Sophie continues to break new ground. She is the host of the popular podcast Beyond The Bio which consistently ranks on the UK marketing podcast chart. Sophie has written two best-selling books, with a third on the way titled From Unknown to Unforgettable: How to Build a Personal Brand that Goes Beyond the Bio. Connect with Sophie! Buy Sophie's latest book From Unknown to Unforgettable LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/moja_sophie/ Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today we have Dr. Harshal Chokhawala chatting with us about starting a biotech company. Harshal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Zymochem, which he founded in 2015 and recently celebrated a major milestone by closing a Series A funding round in January this year. As a speaker at the SynBioBeta conference in San Francisco and the Rethinking Materials conference in London, he is passionate about about bringing sustainability to everyday materials and reducing humanity's dependency on plastic. After hearing that microplastics can be carried through the placenta from mother to baby, Harshal doubled down on his mission to bring breakthrough technology products to everyday materials. Zymochem recently introduced Bayse, a biodegradable, bio-based super absorbent polymer that can be used to make diapers, the third-largest item in landfills. He aims not only to tackle the hygiene industry, but coatings, textiles, and plastics. Zymochem has partnered with well-known including Toyota and Lululemon. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Kimi Chadwick chats with us about running a pumpkin patch without any farming experience! Kimi is the co-owner of Craven Farm, winners of the Best of Snohomish County two years in a row. She and her husband are incredibly savvy business owners who are utilizing vertical integration in nearly all aspects of their business, including a fleet of in-house concessions and floral design. It's no surprise that on the day of our interview, they closed on the purchase of Whitewall Brewing Company, a local brewery that had been considering shutting down. They will be able to breathe new life and energy into the brewery, while also expanding on their existing offerings by possibly bringing Whitewall Brewery to their farm. Kimi is smart, yet incredibly humble, and I absolutely love her and her husband's innovative business approach. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Collin Hathaway shares strategies for scaling small businesses to mid-sized enterprises. Collin is the founder of Skylight Capital, a micro-private equity investor that acquires companies in the U.S. with $500,000 to $4m EBITDA. As part of his journey, he founded Flint Group, a collection of seven small residential home service businesses in HVAC and plumbing across five states, more than doubling revenue in four years. In 2017, he bought into ownership of Guardian Roofing in Western Washington and has tripled business within seven years. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and in 2017 was awarded Puget Sound Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. In his free time, he volunteer coaches his son’s select baseball team. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Sandi Carter calls in from New Zealand to share her story starting a skin clinic. Sandi is the founder CEO of Blush Skin Clinic, which she started in 2017 at the age of 22. Just three years later, she won a prestigious national award "New Zealand's Beauty Salon of the Year," which also landed her a feature in the national newspaper, the New Zealand Herald. At just 29 years old, she now has two locations one on the North Island, in Whangarei, and one on the South Island in Christchurch. Her world-class spa uses state-of-the-art technologies with proven life-changing skin results. Just peruse the fascinating procedures with before and after results on her Instagram page and you will see how passionate she is about skin health. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today we have Jak Wonderly in the studio chatting with us about his journey to becoming a National Geographic photographer. Jak is an award-winning commercial and editorial photographer based in Northern California. His remarkable work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Smithsonian Life and the New York Times, with over a thousand images in the National Geographic Image Collection and contributions to more than 25 National Geographic books. Wonderly's photography captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. He achieved first place in the prestigious Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition and has had his work exhibited in several museums. A passionate advocate for conservation, Wonderly has lectured on conservation photography at Stanford University and the California Academy of Sciences. Through his lens, Jak not only documents the world but also inspires action to protect it, making him a significant figure in both the artistic and environmental communities. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Naomi Crawford is the visionary founder and CEO of Lunchette. Naomi has been at the forefront of the sustainable business movement, transforming Lunchette into a model for eco-friendly and socially responsible practices. Lunchette has become Petaluma, California's go-to lunch spot and is renowned for its engagement in community building, zero-waste policies, commitment to paying living wages and partnership with small local farmers. Naomi's innovative approach not only champions sustainability, but also proves that doing good can positively impact the bottom line. Lunchette was ranked by Sonoma Magazine as one of the 50 best restaurants in Sonoma County and has been recognized with a Slow Food Award for their business values. Businesses mentions: Zero Waste Sonoma Rusty Hinges Ranch Niman Ranch Blue Zones Recology Sonoma Compost Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Today we have a special guest, Karan Singh, chatting with us about his journey in starting and growing a business in the mental health space. Karan is the co-founder and former chief operating officer of Ginger, a leading mental health and coaching platform that merged with Headspace in 2021 to form Headspace Health in a multi-billion dollar transaction. Although Headspace Health is far from a "small" business, Karan's journey started small, and the lessons, wisdom, and insights he shares are valuable for everyone. Under Karan's leadership, Ginger was recognized by Fast Company as One of the World's Top 10 most innovative companies in healthcare and was named a World Economic Forum technology pioneer. Karan also volunteers on the Dean's Advisory Council at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and was the recipient of MIT's Social Impact Fellowship. This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform. Connect with Karan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanvsingh/ Headspace Health: https://www.headspace.com/ Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube. Let’s connect! Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost