MOMentum

Ep. 20 - Elizabeth Brunner, StereoType Kids

Elizabeth Brunner is a San Francisco based designer and a mom of girl-boy twins.  StereoType was born with the mission to celebrate kids’ individuality and freedom of expression by blending traditional ideas of boys’ and girls’ wear.  Elizabeth also ran a successful clothing line called piece by piece using scraps from designers to eliminate the waste, which shut down in 2018 when she decided to stay home and focus more on her kids.  
 
Ep. 20 – Elizabeth Brunner, StereoType Kids 
 
1:55 –Elizabeth Brunner is a San Francisco based designer.  StereoType is a gender-free kids clothing brand that’s designed to empower kids to express themselves authentically.  
3:02 – StereoType was inspired by her girl-boy twins when they started to dress from each other’s wardrobes as their preference. 
4:30 - Studied fashion design at California College of the Arts
5:50 – Launched StereoType kids in November of 2020 during the pandemic after feeling the calling. 
6:28 – Advocating for all kids’ individuality. 
7:12 – Her kids were her DNA of the brand, Co-founders, and models. 
7:49 – “Wow mom, you are making changes for the world.” They wanted to be part of a bigger mission. 
9:00 – Became an accidental entrepreneur, her family did not own their own businesses. 
10:00 – Home schools her kids along with a naturalist caretaker. They are learning what they want to learn and what they are called to learn. 
11:25 – It was all about the creative process and commitment to follow through. What is the goal and how are we unique? 
12:23 – Gender Neutral tends to be toned down. Gender-free is more about blending what is typically considered masculine and feminine. Defining it as blended fashion. 
13:35 – Once I had the definitive brand, things started to fall in place. That’s when you know you are on the right track. 
14:10 – I consider this business as raising a third baby.  I need help raising my baby to help get those first building blocks going. It’s never ending, sharing your vision and your passion. 
15:10 – It’s like another child, you have birthing pains, you have growing pains at different stages of growth of your business.  As mom’s we know what that feels like. Like Ariella’s line of CD’s and books on singing, every time she completes a CD it’s like I gave birth to that and now it's there.  It’s such a cool feeling.  Nourishing our newborn baby/business.
16:10 – As an entrepreneur it is so hard, how do you know what to turn it off/on? She has a great answer here…
17:30 – Allowing our kids to express themselves naturally instead of telling them boys play with this and girls play with that, or boys wear this and girls wear that. 
18:50 – It would be nice if there was not just a boys’ section and girls’ section, but just a kids’ section. 
20:30 – This brand is about educating parents to consider what would be normal for their child to express themselves and not limit them or limit ourselves. They should not be labeled. 
21:50 – Some people have a hard time with change. It’s a fear of going outside the norm. 
23:20 – There is a point when our kids become aware of who they are and what they want. 
25:15 – What are they going to do next? 
27:14 – Still in start-up phase with direct to consumer using high quality, limited quantity products that support local manufacturers. 
30:40 – What are your hopes and dreams for your business? Advocating for adults and kids to step outside of your box, get uncomfortable, do something you normally wouldn’t consider. You will learn something about yourself that you never thought you would.
31:50 – Advice to mompreneurs – Go for it!!! If you have a burning idea that your heart is calling you to do, then do it.  Start small but get started.  Once you align your heart with your vision, things will start to fall into place.  It’s not always going to be easy, but your voice matters, and we need to hear what you have to say and share.
 
Find Elizabeth and StereoType at the following links: 
https://www.stereotypekids.com
Instagram: 
@stereotypkidsofficial 
LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizaeth-brunner-of-stereotype/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/stereotypellc/
 
Some Background on the hosts!
Ariella Vaccarino-
Once an opera singer, mother to 5 children, voice and piano teacher, creator of 
Voice Lessons To Go, a line of voice lesson CDs/downloads that sell nationwide.
She is also the host of the podcasts:
The Talented Magical Mommies Club
Ariella's Vocal Notes
and she has her own YouTube channel about singing: 
www.youtube.com/VoiceLessonsToGo
 
Theresa Ofstad-
Is currently working a fulltime job while running a Basketball Club with her husband and teenage son. She is developing a business called Fuller Life, a resource for patients, seniors and their families. She is an area director with Toastmasters, a lifetime learner, leadership fanatic, and community connector.  
Sign up for her monthly newsletter to volunteer and support:
Fuller Life
 
Join MOMentum's private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/849622462704055/
Become a Patron by clicking the link at the top of the page or clicking here:
https://patron.podbean.com/momentum

Ep 21 - Social Media channels and Theresa’s new job

Ariella Vaccarino and Theresa Ofstad talk about latest achievements with social media channels created, making reels, videos, and posts to highlight upcoming interviews and episodes.  Theresa decided to take a new job for benefits and additional income while still building her business.  Ariella released 2 episodes of The Talented Magical Mommies Club. Listen to the letter Theresa wrote to Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi to manifest their destiny. 
 
Ep 21 – Social Media channels and Theresa’s new job
1:30 - Social media posts, Reels, Video interviews, video editing platforms. 
3:15 - Every day is a step towards the polished version. 
4:30 - The two of us would love to be on panels. 
5:45 - Showing our strengths and not being afraid of showing when we mess up. 
6:15 - Being creative in highlighting our guests with Reels.
7:30 - During networking events a conversation about MOMentum comes up. 
8:30 – Ariella talks about holding back her podcast, but since recording this, she released 2 episodes of Talented Magical Mommies Club.
9:12 – Theresa is working on another podcast with people in the senior living industry, not yet released.  
10:00 – Sometimes you need to work a fulltime job while building a business. 
11:45 – Took the time off, stepped away and came back taller.
13:58 – Closed two clients by helping them move into their new community.  
15:30 - Sometimes you plant a seed, and it sprouts the next day and sometimes the seeds are for five years from now.
16:45 - We started Calendly to schedule appointments for interviews and meetings.  
19:50 - We would love to hear feedback on our recent interviews. Please comment and share our episodes. 
21:15 - Manifesting letter “To Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi...”
23:20 - Pay it forward by helping a charity that is important to you. 
23:45 – Other wins for the week: We have a Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram where we post reels and weekly episodes.
 
Some Background on the hosts!
Ariella Vaccarino-
Once an opera singer, mother to 5 children, voice and piano teacher, creator of
Voice Lessons To Go, a line of voice lesson CDs/downloads that sell nationwide.
She is also the host of the podcasts:
The Talented Magical Mommies Club
Ariella's Vocal Notes
and she has her own YouTube channel about singing:
www.youtube.com/VoiceLessonsToGo
 
Theresa Ofstad-
Is currently working a fulltime job while running a Basketball Club with her husband and teenage son. She is developing a business called Fuller Life, a resource for patients, seniors and their families. She is an area director with Toastmasters, a lifetime learner, leadership fanatic, and community connector.  
Sign up for her monthly newsletter to volunteer and support:
Fuller Life
 
Join MOMentum's private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/849622462704055/
Become a Patron by clicking the link at the top of the page or clicking here:
https://patron.podbean.com/momentum

Ep 22 – Mel Mutterspaugh – The Herbalists Path – Apothecary Momma

Ariella Vaccarino and Theresa Ofstad interview Mel Mutterspaugh, formerly known as Mountain Mel and current founder of The Herbalists Path, Apothecary Momma, and Medicine Makin’ Mommas.  Mel was a huge success, and her products were sold at REI until she decided to close down shop and pivot to an online learning platform with The Herbalists Path, Apothecary Momma, and Medicine Makin’ Mommas.  Listen to her story of the highs and lows of running a successful company while being a mom.
Ep 22 – Mel Mutterspaugh – The Herbalists Path – Apothecary Momma
:25 – Found Mel on Need a guest Facebook page. Her company is called The Herbalists Path.
1:45 - Theresa’s story of her mom “Ginkgo Biloba Tree.”
2:15 – Mel has a 9 1/2-year-old daughter.
2:35 - Clinical herbalist - Herbalist Path.
3:30 - Created a Natural first aid kit at age 20, got into REI.
4:50 - Learned how to hustle and network from being a bartender as well as being a mixologist. 
5:50 - Mountain Mel’s essential goods were created to help change the world. 
6:30 - She had a lot of success, yet it was the hardest thing in her life. 
7:55 - How did you know how to price your product?
10:00 - Ariella was hired by LA Opera and wanted to do it so bad that she didn’t realize she would get paid for it. 
11:50 - The stigma of having to give it all away for free when it comes to herbalism. Yet the years of education and hard work needs to be recuperated. 
12:50 - Working with a human body.
15:30 - Shut down her business a year ago. Decided to create something different. 
17:25 - Mel was very successful in many ways. 
19:44 - Meyers Briggs test, Mel is the complete opposite of her new business partner. 
21:25- Apothecary mama – herbal mentorship book sorry but you’re just gonna have to be patient because the car on my way.
22:50 - Herbalist program was launched in July 2022. 
25:45 - Medicine making mamas launched February 2023. The art of mixology. 
26:30 - Ashwagandha Tincture with scientific strategies. 
27:35 - The overwhelm of where to find herbal ingredients and how to mix it all together. 
28:50 - Apothecary mamas get discounts to online dispensaries like Full Script for herbs and supplements.
30:30 - It’s clear that Mel is an expert. How do you do all of this as a mom?
34:00 - Learned the art of delegation, even if nobody can do it as good as you. Hire people to help you.
35:00 - Using a team to help editing videos that were already created. Creating Reels for social platforms.  
35:42 – A mom, Jennifer, has been helping her and just completed VA training (Virtual Assistant.)
36:45 – Record on TikTok, then edit with Capcut, create Reels, and upload to all other platforms.  TikTok gives favoritism to those using their platform and recording in it. 
38:05 – Recently started repurposing her TikTok’s and publish them to the public on her personal page as a fresh post.
41:50 – Many people don’t like to post on their personal page which can be imposter syndrome.  Why wouldn’t your friends and family want to know what you are doing?
43:20 - Metricool, Hootsuite, and vidIQ are platforms to help publish on social media.
45:00 – Onlinejobs.ph is where she found her teams of people to help with VA work.
46:20 – Tips on what to help you use a team of people for. 
47:20 – Connecting to businesses that support the same things you do.
 
Find Mel at the following links:
https://www.theherbalistspath.com/
https://www.theherbalistspath.com/blog/the-herbalists-path-podcast
https://www.theherbalistspath.com/medicine-making-mommas
https://www.theherbalistspath.com/apothecary-momma-herbal-mentorship
https://www.tiktok.com/@theherbalistspath
https://www.facebook.com/TheHerbalistsPath
https://www.instagram.com/theherbalistspath
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHerbalistsPath
https://www.pinterest.com/TheHerbalistsPath/
 
Some Background on the hosts!
Ariella Vaccarino-
Once an opera singer, mother to 5 children, voice and piano teacher, creator of
Voice Lessons To Go, a line of voice lesson CDs/downloads that sell nationwide.
She is also the host of the podcasts:
The Talented Magical Mommies Club
Ariella's Vocal Notes
and she has her own YouTube channel about singing:
www.youtube.com/VoiceLessonsToGo
 
Theresa Ofstad-
Is currently working a fulltime job while running a Basketball Club with her husband and teenage son. She is developing a business called Fuller Life, a resource for patients, seniors and their families. She is an area director with Toastmasters, a lifetime learner, leadership fanatic, and community connector.  
Sign up for her monthly newsletter to volunteer and support:
Fuller Life
 
Join MOMentum's private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/849622462704055/
Become a Patron by clicking the link at the top of the page or clicking here:
https://patron.podbean.com/momentum

Ep 23 – Jess Maul – From Rockstar energy spokesmodel to Jess Travel

Ariella Vaccarino and Theresa Ofstad interview Ariella’s cousin; Jess (Harbour) Maul.  From modeling to ring card girl, to rockstar energy spokesmodel, to e-commerce modeling, to motherhood, and travel business, this woman has experienced a lot.  Hear her exciting journey and which celebrity gave her his phone number.  Also gain tips like habit stacking. 
Ep 23 – Jess Maul – From Rockstar energy spokesmodel to Jess Travel
1:20 – Background: Jess was a model, ring girl for Mayweather vs MacGregor, traveled for events, spokesmodel for Rockstar energy drink, and e-commerce modeling.2:40 - Straight A student, with a BA in psychology, was on her way to getting her doctrine before she started modeling. 3:40 - Find out what interesting things happened and what celebrity gave Jess his phone number while being a ring card girl.
4:11 – As lead model for Rockstar energy, she would manage the other models and help plan their travel.  She also did a lot of personal travel.
5:20 – Struggled when she transitioned to a fulltime corporate job because she worked hard and didn’t make any more money versus having flexibility to make more money the harder, she worked. 
6:30 – Built influencer program for Rockstar energy.
8:00 – Met her husband nine years ago, both travelled a lot for work.
8:50 – Pepsi bought Rockstar and laid off a lot of people.
9:55 – She avoided the layoffs and managed a brand ambassador and model program with 1,000 influencers. Booked corporate travel.
11:45 – Had friends ask her to book their travel based on all the amazing places she travelled. 
13:00 – Timeline of transitioning to her own Travel business through the pandemic.
14:00 – Theresa shares her journey through the pandemic when travel shut down.
16:20 – Nashville didn’t experience as much issues with booking travel.
19:05 – Her husband Jeremy sees how much happier Jess is when booking travel and asked her to handle a very big client that he had from his tour bus company.  She landed the job after interviewing with the “A” List client.
21:05 – Quit her corporate job so she could focus more on travel business and her baby at home. 
23:55 – You have to take advantage of your network. Proximity is power.
24:30 – New mom, new entrepreneur, still working on building website, domain, etc.
26:05 – “Leap and the Net will appear” All three of us took a leap in different ways. 
27:00 – The best lessons are learned when you are on the ground running.  No better school than the school of life. If you are good with people, they will come back to you.
30:00 – There are so many skills that are covered in being a mom, you can list it on a resume.
31:00 – Learned about habit stacking from podcast The Skinny Confidential. Like listening to a podcast while taking the baby and dog for a walk with a hair mask in her hair. Getting a bunch of good habits in at the same time.
37:00 – Selfcare is so important. Finding 30 minutes at the end of the day to do something for yourself.
38:30 – Next phase is to expand with an office and an assistant.
41:45 – An example travel itinerary for a trip to the Bahamas.
 
Find Jess at the following links:
https://www.instagram.com/jessharbour/
https://www.facebook.com/jessica.harbour.75
https://twitter.com/jessharbour
https://www.dreamlinercoaches.com
 
Some Background on the hosts!
Ariella Vaccarino-
Once an opera singer, mother to 5 children, voice and piano teacher, creator of
Voice Lessons To Go, a line of voice lesson CDs/downloads that sell nationwide.
She is also the host of the podcasts:
The Talented Magical Mommies Club
Ariella's Vocal Notes
and she has her own YouTube channel about singing:
www.youtube.com/VoiceLessonsToGo
 
Theresa Ofstad-
Is currently working a fulltime job while running a Basketball Club with her husband and teenage son. She is developing a business called Fuller Life, a resource for patients, seniors and their families. She is an area director with Toastmasters, a lifetime learner, leadership fanatic, and community connector.  
Sign up for her monthly newsletter to volunteer and support:
Fuller Life
 
Join MOMentum's private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/849622462704055/
Become a Patron by clicking the link at the top of the page or clicking here:
https://patron.podbean.com/momentum