Journeys Insight Tracks

Episode 19 - With Founder of Bambino's Baby Food - Zoi Maroudas-Tziolas

Thank you for listening to this week’s Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy.  This week, Zoi Maroudas-Tziolas shares some heartfelt testimonies about how and why she started Bambinos Baby Food.  Zoi says, "We are not just a baby food company; we are an extension of your love and commitment to your family."

Bambino's celebrates their Grand Opening on September 1st by opening their new manufacturing location and retail store front at 2819 Spenard in Anchorage, Alaska.  

Bambinos Baby Food is a national natural, organic baby food company that ships 24 meals directly to parents’ doorsteps.  So yes, you can order if you live outside of Alaska!  The flavors are delicious.  I tried the salmon - it was like a creamy bisque, and I loved it. I loved it so much that I fed it to my husband for dinner! Guess what? He liked it too!

The baby food is nutritionally focused to address allergies and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Meals are packaged in fun star shapes to be enjoyed frozen like popsicles to be used as a natural teether, or they can be warmed up into a beautiful smooth puree. Every bite offers a great balance of protein, grain and vegetables creating a healthy, tasty and allergist-approved meal.

Zoi told me that people with food allergies, those who are bodybuilders, and people that are concerned about what they put in their bodies buy Bambinos! I will be buying her products for my healthy meals, and I also fed to our fur baby that is surviving bone cancer.  We have her on a strict healthy diet, and she loved the stars!  

After our interview, Zoi shared what it was like to move to the US as a 4-year-old from Greece.  She has been working in some way, shape or form to help her family’s business from a very young age.  

My take away: Zoi has learned to roll up her sleeves and work hard to achieve a life beyond her wildest dreams for herself and her family.  What a gift she is to our community in Anchorage and businesses all over.

I hope you will take the time to share, comment and remember to subscribe to Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy.  

As always,  if you know someone whose story is filled with inspiration, please drop me a message as they may be a perfect fit for the podcast.  

Episode 18 ~ Itchy Soul Syndrome

Thank you for listening to this week’s Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, Episode 18. This week’s episode is created via Alaska Tracy’s Facebook Live. I have run into a few people in the community and also some of my newsletter subscribers who have told me they were confused with everything I have going on.

So, a quick recap. Once a week on Alaska Tracy's Facebook Business Page, I share a business, social media, or inspirational tip and tool. I am LIVE it is either on a Tuesday or Thursday morning and is promoted ahead of time.  So, you can join in LIVE and comment, share your thoughts, bring your questions and connect with others, or you can watch it later, as it is recorded. I then take the recording and put it on my The Alaska Tracy Tube Channel, and I promote it on my newsletter.  This is called ‘repurposing’ your content.  If you are a business owner looking to grow, repurposing your social media content is a great tool to reach more people and increase your following. Sometimes on my weekly Facebook LIVE, I include a guest. 

This week's topic is fall. It is always a ‘wonky’ time in my world. In Alaska, we are winding down and moving quickly into fall. The temperatures are in the 40s, the heat is on and the leaves are falling!  In this podcast, I share five tools that I have acquired throughout the years. The purpose is to guide you through ‘itchy soul syndrome'. For those times when your soul is restless. I show how the tools can be applied to your life with examples of my real life experiences. 

In this podcast, I share five tools that I have acquired throughout the years. The purpose is to guide you through the ‘itchy soul syndrome'. For those times when your soul is restless. I share how the tools can be applied to your life with examples of my real life experiences. 

I hope you will take the time to share, comment and subscribe to Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy.

Episode 17 - Finance Professional Nicholas Coriano

Thank you for listening in this week to Episode 17.  Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy continues to amaze me as the universe steadily provides astonishing connections in my direction.  In this week's episode, I got to interview Nicholas 'Nick' Coriano from Connecticut.  Nick contacted and connected with me through Twitter.  

You can also watch this interview on Alaska Tracy’s YouTube channel: Alaska Tracy YouTube.

Nick has been an entrepreneur since he was a teen.  He is quite diversified and passionate about all of his experiences and businesses.  I had a hard time keeping up with all of his energy!  Nick's story is one of perseverance, determination, and giving back.  Nick is a multifaceted finance professional who was a former wall street executive and is currently a consultant to clients on 5 continents. Nick shares successes and mistakes throughout the interview.  He likes to remember them, share them and hopefully learn from them.  Nick is a vlogger on YouTube with a goal to help 1 billion people become millionaires.  Nick currently published an ebook, Rules for Entrepreneurship: “Notes for living life on your terms and taking on the bull.” His book outlines the key principles he has observed from successful business people.

“If you believe and tell people what you do, after you visualize it, it will happen” is Nick’s motto in life.  

If you are struggling with all the technical aspects of writing a business plan, Nick is your go-to guy!  He can help you create your business plan, complete with long-term goals and action steps.

I hope you will take the time to share, comment and subscribe to Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy.  

As always,  if you know someone whose story is filled with inspiration, please drop me a message as they may be a perfect fit for the podcast.  Oh, don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy!

Episode 16 - Debbie Ashley - The Online Marketing Expert

Welcome to this week’s episode with guest Debbie Ashley of Thrivoo Marketing! The Universe has guided me to do this podcast so that I may inspire and help you by inspiring and teaching.  Each week the Universe continues to send the perfect people my way to help you along your journey in business and life.

With each episode, it is my goal to find people that are passionate about their life and share their journey with you. Their stories prove that anything is possible with a vision and steps, which means you can achieve your vision, too. Oftentimes, by hearing other’s stories, we are able to let go and trust that we, too, can have big, rich, meaningful lives… that we can take that Leap of Faith — whatever that looks like.  For some, it may be leaving a boring job and creating a thriving business; for others, it may be taking the risk to love; or maybe your Leap is to travel somewhere new.  Whatever it is for you, may you find your truth and live a life that is beyond your wildest dreams.

I was guided to Debbie via a Facebook business group we both belong to.  I am delighted to share her story with you!  

Debbie shares her story about stumbling into the Hosiery business, thus the beginning of her entrepreneurship.  Debbie’s life mantra is “Live Life On Your Own Terms.”  This mantra has created a  business that empowers women to find their voice. By finding their voice, they can learn to speak their truth.  Once women find their truth, they are often free to leave their 9-to-5 jobs and create their own business that is rich and fulfilling.  Isn’t that the overall goal we all seek? To lead rich, inspiring and fulfilling lives?  

As always, thank you for listening, commenting and sharing this week’s episode. If you know someone who’s story is filled with inspiration, please drop me a message as they may be the perfect fit for the podcast.  Oh, don’t forget to click SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy!

Episode 15 ~ Instagram Expert Sue B

 

Welcome to this week’s episode with guest Sue B Zimmerman, Instagram Expert better known as Sue B.  

I have been following,  learning, and watching Sue B grow her business for the last four years.  Her story amazes me. She graduated with a degree in nutrition and has become a well-recognized, wildly successful social media and business consultant and speaker.  This is another testimonial proving that anything is possible when you apply a Vision, positive mindset, and oodles of hard work!  

Sue B’s first business was at the ripe, old age of 13, and she has gone on to create more than 18 businesses.  Her actions match her motto:  “Don’t stop until you get there.”  Sue B’s determination is infectious!  

Do you ever scroll through social media and find yourself comparing yourself to others? Maybe others in your industry or a similar industry?  Maybe wondering how they make it look so easy?  It was so good to hear Sue B say throughout this interview how hard she works...  That her business takes time, and hours and hours of blood, sweat, and tears.  Her success did not happen overnight.  Sue B had a Vision, created the action steps necessary to reach the vision, and hours upon hours of hustle to achieve today's success.   As a business coach, I often see people wanting the success more than they want to roll up their sleeves to do the work.  

Sue B’s current business thrives as it is built on the mantra of “lead with given value”.  I recently took her Advanced Hashtag Strategies for Instagram class - http://suebzimmerman.com/hashtagclass/ - and took 3 full pages of notes. Sue B provided so much value for my business and the clients that I serve within the 60-minute class. It was one that I walked away from with the ability to use what I had just learned. Because of this, I signed up for her other course, Ready Set Gram.  

If you are not on Instagram but are thinking about it for your business, check out Sue B’s Hashtag Handbook:  http://suebzimmerman.com/hh/.  Sue has a teaching style that provides room for progress, not perfection.  Connect with Sue B on Instagram @SueBZimmerman or @theinstagramexpert ....be sure to tell her @AlaskaTracy sent you!

Thank you for listening to this week's episode. As always, remember to comment, share and click SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy!  Want more tips and tools to grow your biz? Pop on over to Biz Vizion Basics at https://business.facebook.com/AlaskaTracy each Thursday 11:30A Alaska / 12:30p Pacific and 3:30P EST.  I bring you an action packed 30 minutes of tips and tools you can use.  

Episode 14 ~ Success and Wellness Coach Sally Thibault

Welcome to this week’s episode with Sally Thibault.  It was an honor to interview Sally, all the way from Queensland, Australia.

Sally and I met via Mari Smith’s social media coaching group back in 2012 in San Diego.  Another testimonial of the power of creating and growing relationships via social media. What a journey we both have had over the last 5 years, and a treasure to stay in touch and watch each other evolve. 

Sally is a Success and Wellness Coach, as well as a mentor, speaker, counselor, author, and trainer. She’s also extremely knowledgeable in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). As an author, she published two books: David’s Gift Asperger’s Life and Love and Tapping to Reclaim You.  

It was fascinating to learn about Sally’s work and how she helps women to achieve success and create transformations in their lives while breaking through old, built-up patterns. I was ready to sign up! Who knows, Sally and I  may team up to create a workshop in Alaska or Vancouver in the upcoming year!

You can connect with Sally on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/sallythibault or  www.sallythibault.com.au to work with her, follow her,  or learn more about transforming your life. Because of today's resources, you can live anywhere in the world and work with Sally.

Give this episode a listen and, as always, remember to share, comment and click SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy!

Episode 13 NYC Social Media Expert Erin Kim

Welcome to this week’s episode! What a gift and honor to meet Erin Kim and interview her.

Erin and I met at a mutual friend’s wedding four hours outside of Anchorage. It was an all-weekend wedding at a remote lodge, and Erin’s very first wedding and first trip to Alaska! Yup, her very first wedding she traveled all the way from NYC to a remote lodge in Alaska!  It was a cool, rainy weekend, and we had a blast!

Social Media, is all about being social and creating relationships to enhance businesses and lives.  That weekend, especially,  was an opportunity to meet new people from all over the country, including a Grammy-award winning trumpeter!  I was reminded of the importance of the human connection without technology. WiFi was limited and conversations were flowing.

As my husband and I were mingling with new friends, the conversation transitioned to Facebook, and many people were seeking to desperately simplify their life by avoiding it.  I then mentioned using it to grow my business and other’s businesses.  As I was sharing my perspective, this amazing lady joined in the convo.  She had cool fingernail polish and was the best dressed there (besides the bride).  I  was told I must meet her as she, too, was Social Media savvy and did it for a living.  My brain turned to fear for a second.  Fear that she may know more than me, fear that she was dressed better than me, and all the other odd judgement fears that I tend to have float around from time to time.  Then Erin walked up and our introduction was made.  I knew right then and there that we would be friends and that I could learn from her.  I also fell in love with her style!

We sat next to each other at dinner and chatted all things Social Media, Alaska, New York, and life!  I asked Erin if she would be a guest on my podcast, and she did not bat an eye before saying she would be honored!

So listen in! Erin talks about Zines, which I knew nothing about.  Check out her Instagram post where she walks us through folding and cutting Zines.  

More questions?  I will put her contact info below.  Feel free to reach out and ask her.  She is a very friendly, approachable person that is always willing to share!

We talked about Snapchat and Instagram storytelling.  Here are some of her examples:

SNAPCHAT

Entertainment Weekly Snapchat story- this video shares both stories Erin made for “The Walking Dead” finale spoof for cover launch and for the “Mr. Robot” cover launch (the second one starts at the 1:00 minute mark). They're her two favorite Snapchat stories that she did for them.  Erin also launched them on Instagram with a scripted narrative.

Here is a Snapchat story Erin filmed live at the BBC America party with celebrities.  

INSTAGRAM

For Erin’s birthday earlier this year, she created a music video out of Instagram's Boomerang feature. We didn't talk about this in the interview, so you are getting a little extra, and Erin thought we might enjoy it as a fun version of Social Media storytelling. (Watch the Instagram post here.)

So if you want more info and also want to enhance your Social Media, feel free to connect with Erin via the links below.  Tell her Alaska Tracy sent you!

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agnesonduty

Twitter: www.twitter.com/erinykim

YouTube (singing/songwriting): bit.ly/erinsings

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agnesonduty

Email Newsletter (creative writing/essays): www.tinyletter.com/erinkim

Website: www.erin.kim

Personal essays: www.medium.com/@erinykim

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/erinykim

Lettres Mag updates (love this one!): www.instagram.com/lettresmag

As always, if this has been helpful to you, please comment and share, and remember to click the subscribe button so the next episode will arrive in your inbox! If you know someone that may be a good fit or have a good topic for Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, please email me AlaskaTracy@AlaskaTracy.com

Episode 12 Fear Holding you back?

Listen to this week’s Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, featuring special guest Jeanette Gardiner with Seastar Strategies. 

I was a little stuck in fear when Jeanette started following me on Facebook and commenting on my business posts.  Why? Because we have very similar consulting businesses.   I have not had the best luck with other consultants or marketing companies in my community, and I was basing my contempt prior to investigation on this.  I went into “lack of abundance” mode.  What that looks like for me is fear of the unknown and mostly that someone else may get something that I think I deserve. Oh, that fear can be crippling.  Can you relate?

It was several months before I allowed the fear to move on through me and started paying attention to Jeanette.  It was then that I learned why the universe wanted us to connect.  I don’t believe in coincidences and realized how many non-coincidences we have in common.  The first and most important connection is our love for our dogs and for pups living with, and dying from, osteosarcoma (bone cancer).  That was the initial reason that Jeanette connected with me.  A friend of a friend told her to reach out to me as our Zena Flair has osteosarcoma and Jeanette’s dear Boone lost his battle earlier this year from this terrible cancer.

When I finally reached out to Jeanette, we talked about our dogs and moving to Alaska from Florida, and also both being from Upstate NY!  There are more similarities, as well!

What a gift Jeanette is!  It turns out that her strengths are my weakness and vise versa.  So, we can really help each other in business and in life.  Imagine that!  I let faith take over and BOOM, I gained a business colleague and a friend.  

I feel so fortunate that the universe brought us together.  I think you will like hearing this interview, and I am hopeful that you will learn something important from Jeanette to enhance your business and your life!

Oh, by the way... Jeanette and her husband just adopted a new fur baby, Tuck!!!

As always, if this has been helpful to you please comment, share and remember to click the follow/subscribe button so the next episode will arrive in your inbox next week! If you know someone that may be a good fit or have a good topic for Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, please email me AlaskaTracy@AlaskaTracy.com

May your week be filled with productivity and fun!

Episode 11 ~ Travel Tech with Chris Rauschnot

Wow! What an action-packed Podcast this one is! Please click Subscribe to get your latest Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy Episode or follow on iTunes. 

A few years ago, I met Chris Rauschnot through an influencer program.  I learned quite a bit about technology and got to hang with tech geeks, like Chris, that are filled with knowledge about the latest and greatest inventions available.

Chris resides in Las Vegas, is a top influencer, a food and HuffPost blogger and social media consultant.  Chris has attended technology conventions for the last 17 years, which has rounded him out to be known as the Gadget Guy.

I caught Chris on #TravelTuesday for our interview.  If you hashtag #TravelTuesday on Twitter, you will see discussions of all things tech and travel.  So it was appropriate that Chris packed 30 minutes full of tech/travel gadgets!  You can read more about these gadgets at mactrast.com.  My favorite tech gadget we talked about is the Monster Elements Rose Gold Bluetooth Wireless Headphones; they may need to go on my Christmas wish list!

Listen to his interview to hear about outstanding affordable tech and travel gadgets!  

Golden tip of the week from Chris:  if you are a local business owner, be sure you are on Google Local Guides!  I had no idea this existed.  Chris explained that he is recognized as a Google Local Guide level 7.   'Local Guides is a global community of explorers who write reviews, share photos, answer questions, add or edit places, and check facts on Google Maps. Millions of people rely on contributions like yours to decide where to go and what to do.'  You can sign up to become a Local Guide.

To connect with Chris, find him on Twitter - @24k - and Instagram - @24kmedia.  If you would like a product reviewed, see some of Chris’s reviews at www.themacwizard.com.

As always, if this has been helpful to you please comment, share and remember to click the follow/subscribe button so the next episode will arrive in your inbox next week! If you know someone that may be a good fit or have a good topic for Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, please email me AlaskaTracy@AlaskaTracy.com

Interested in being a part of Alaska Tracy’s Facebook Biz Vizion private group? Message alaskatracy@alaskatracy.com for an invite! Topics and discussions on business and inspiration will occur once a week and there will be an opportunity to promote your business, which is a way to grow your business community and more!  Thank you.

May your week be filled with productivity and fun!

 

Episode 10: Beginners Guide: To Podcasting with Dion Sekone-Fraser

Are you curious about creating your own podcast?  My hope is that after listening to this interview, you will be more certain if podcasting is the right choice for you.

Ten weeks into podcasting and the learning curve continues!  I dove head first into creating Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy with no clue to what would be involved.  The goal: to create a following interested in the two online courses my team and I created, consisting of a 90-day goal with action steps for each week.  Because I have done vision boards for years, I knew the end results would far exceed my expectations.  This continues to be my experience.  Show up, learn all I can, share with my community and let go of the results.

I got to Episode 3 and I panicked! I started comparing what I was doing with other podcasters… ones that had been podcasting for years.  I freaked out and encountered many technical questions that were not in my skill set.

I asked for tech help via a Facebook business group.  Several people had suggestions, which lead to more confusion, and then someone private messaged me: Dion Sekone-Fraser’s info.

Dion has been a Godsend!  Dion has a music background and is a tech-savvy, 29-year-old with a super cool New Zealand accent! Dion has been my podcasting editor and go-to guy for all of my bazillion podcasting questions!

Dion is at 3 years of podcasting and just aired episode 100!  You can listen to his podcast and hire his service at Honor and Conquer.

In my interview with Dion, he shares his input on which recording platforms may be best when starting out, where to go to have a “jingle” created for your podcast, his personal weekly podcasting experience, tips on how to stay motivated week after week, and more words of wisdom for when you’re starting out! Dion also shared his experience with sponsors and how they approached him, not the other way around!

My favorite part of our interview was when Dion explained to me the importance of having a “WHY”! As most of you that follow me know, I teach this first and foremost to all seeking business and personal growth.

Alaska Tracy's Free Gift to you this week is a podcast checklist. These will help you to create a good foundation before you publish your first podcast. It can save you time and money in the beginning.

As always, if this has been helpful to you please comment, share and remember to click the follow/subscribe button so the next episode will arrive in your inbox next week! If you know someone that may be a good fit or have a good topic for Biz Vizion with Alaska Tracy, please email me AlaskaTracy@AlaskaTracy.com

Interested in being a part of Alaska Tracy’s Facebook Biz Vizion private group? Message alaskatracy@alaskatracy.com for an invite! Topics and discussions on business and inspiration will occur once a week and there will be an opportunity to promote your business, which is a way to grow your business community and more!  Thank you.

May your week be filled with productivity and fun!