Game Changer
Guest: Linda Vater
Game Changer with Linda Vater (Ep. 154)
“It's important to show people not just the pretty Instagram pictures, or the pretty pictures for the book. I try to show people the sausage making along the way because there is a lot of grit and ugliness to the process as you try to conjure something into existence,” explains Linda Vater, self-taught garden designer and stylist with an impressive YouTube following. In this episode, Linda joins host Cheri to talk about how embracing change can enable you to live a more full life.
When Linda started out her side hustle, she never expected it to become as successful as it has. As a busy entrepreneur, Linda was anxious at first about the idea of uprooting her life and family from their home of 30 years. She knew that her followers were equally attached to her garden, but felt in her gut that it had reached its full potential.
Leading up to the move, Linda prepared her followers and shared her journey, even the uncomfortable parts. She strongly believes that by sharing ugly, grittier side of building something new, she will inspire others to embrace their own mistakes and challenges. Change may have been intimidating at first, but for Linda it opened a new world of possibilities.
Making a big change can feel scary and uncomfortable at times. However, if you are willing to embrace change, that discomfort can lead to incredible opportunities and a chance to live your life to the fullest.
Quotes
“I was insecure about my ability to do it again, because that one was done over a 30 year period. As you understand, a garden doesn't happen overnight. And all of a sudden, I was changing my paradigm to moving to this new place where I don't have that luxury of 30 years.” (5:54-6:13 | Linda)
“I knew that not only did I love that place, but that a lot of other people loved it vicariously through me, just as I have loved some other famous gardens and I didn't want to be disrespectful of that.” (13:27-13:40 | Linda)
“It's important to show people not just the pretty Instagram pictures, or the pretty pictures for the book. I try to show people the sausage making along the way, because there is a lot of grit and ugliness to the process and discomfort to the process and angst as you try to conjure something into existence.” (16:53-17:22 | Linda)
“I am happy to share the mistakes I make along the way because that's how it happens. And sometimes those mistakes are fortuitous and give you an even more magical canvas to work on than you thought originally.” (27:37-27:56 | Linda)
Links & Resources
Connect with Linda Vater:
Listen to Linda’s Story in Episode 39 entitled How to Make a Profitable Hobby
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindaVater
Website: https://www.lindavater.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potagerblog/
Subscribe to Cheri’s Victory Letter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny
Also on Instagram @VictoryGirl, YouTube @CheriRuskus, Spotify, Sound Cloud, Apple Podcasts
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
Making Time for Creativity
Guest: Wendy Conklin
Making Time for Creativity With Wendy Conklin (Ep. 153)
“Looking back, I'm really glad I bet on myself. That was the best thing I could have done,” shares Wendy Conklin, founder of Chair Whimsy. Wendy is an artisan, designer, and educator who uses her chairs to teach others how to bring creativity into their lives. In this episode, Wendy joins host Cheri to talk about the importance of making time for creativity as an adult.
Entrepreneurs often struggle with knowing how to involve creativity in their work. No matter what kind of job you have, even if it is not in a particularly creative field, you can still incorporate play. When you get really hands-on, that activity links with your brain and allows for creativity to happen. Allowing yourself to play requires you to allow yourself to mess up. There is great freedom in being able to make mistakes without getting hung up on them. This way you can get into a playful headspace and brainstorm creative solutions in a way that is playful and largely stress-free.
Kids are not the only ones who need to play. Play and creativity are very beneficial for adults as well. When you learn how to play and incorporate that creativity into your professional space, you are setting yourself up for a more enjoyable life.
Quotes
“Looking back, I'm really glad I bet on myself. That was the best thing I could have done. And I just think that more people should just bet on themselves. It gets me up in the morning.” (9:01-9:14 | Wendy)
“You know your business better than any expert out there.” (9:41-9:44 | Wendy)
“Research has shown us that tactile doing, touching with your hands, connects to your brain and allows creativity to happen.” (15:44-15:54 | Wendy)
“We all need more play. All of us adults do, and many of us just don't know how to do it.” (18:56-19:01 | Wendy)
“When you go ahead and set your price really high, you are setting yourself up for that perceived value.” (22:50-22:57 | Wendy)
“Life is not about working 24/7. It is about doing your work, but also enjoying life too.” (23:39-23:46 | Wendy)
Links & Resources
Connect with Wendy Conklin:
Website: https://chairwhimsy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairwhimsy/
Wendy’s Book: https://chairwhimsy.com/book/
Subscribe to Cheri’s Victory Letter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny
Also on Instagram @VictoryGirl, YouTube @CheriRuskus, Spotify, Sound Cloud, Apple Podcasts
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm
Making Your Passion A Way Of Life
Guest: Chef Bai
Making Your Passion A Way Of Life w/ Chef Bai (Ep. 143)
“Private cheffing is a big, bright, shiny object for me because I realized that I could really do it on my own terms,” explains guest Bailey Ruskus aka Chef Bai. On today’s podcast, host Cheri Ruskus interviews someone very near and dear to her heart, her daughter. A vegan chef who successfully navigated a male-dominated field, Bailey shares her entrepreneurial journey and the bright shiny objects she found along the way.
When Bailey first went to culinary school, she quickly realized that being a restaurant chef was not for her. Not interested in dealing with a culture of sexism and grinding, Bailey switched her focus to becoming a private chef. Now, Bailey uses her love of food to promote wellness and health to her followers while calling out the corporations who force us to live in a toxic environment.
Every entrepreneur is driven by making passion a way of life. Learn more about Bailey’s reflection on youth, her client experiences, and the process of writing a book.
Check out her podcast: The Plant Remedy is a place where you can learn new tools to find your very own remedy. Best selling author + professional plant based chef Bailey Ruskus (aka Chef Bai) sits down with other chefs, healers, doctors, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, professional athletes, and change makers who are making this world a better, healthier, and more aware place. We dive deep on topics like reversing diseases through a plant-based diet, climate change, hormonal health, psychedelics, and so much more.
Quotes
“The more eyes on you, the more you realize that being well known actually holds a lot of responsibility.” (5:12-5:20 | Bailey)
“Private cheffing is a big, bright, shiny object for me because I realized that I could really do it on my own terms.” (13:10-13:18 | Bailey)
“Sometimes you have to follow the “wrong” things to find what's right for you.” (20:22-20:28 | Bailey)
“When it comes to entrepreneurship and having a business, everybody's different. Everyone's on a different path.” (35:37-35:43 | Bailey)
“The more people you hire to do things, the better you can be at the genius you are.” (50:46-50:50 | Bailey)
Links & Resources
Connect with Bailey Ruskus:
Website: www.chefbai.kitchen
Instagram: @chef_bai
TikTok: @chef_bai
Spotify: The Plant Remedy
Apple Podcast: The Plant Remedy
Subscribe to Cheri’s Victory Letter
To order the Grow Planner use the coupon code brightshiny
Also on Instagram @VictoryGirl, YouTube @CheriRuskus, Spotify, Sound Cloud, Apple Podcasts
Thinking about starting a podcast? Use my code “shiny” for 50% off your first month with HiveCast.fm.