Riding Tandem

In their milestone 50th episode (technically the 51st), Vivian and Michaela dive into an engaging Q&A session where they answer 25 questions that reveal more about their personal lives and the inner workings of their business. They explore the origins of their entrepreneurial journey, critical moments that shaped their careers, and how they balance the demands of work with their personal lives. The duo discusses the sk...

Join me for an engaging conversation with Rachel, the owner of Anytime Tees, a custom apparel company that has grown from a home-based business to a 4,200 square foot facility. This episode of Riding Tandem is all about the journey of scaling a business, the challenges of expansion, and the power of delegation and trust in a team.

Rachel shares her unique story of starting and growing her business, offering valuable ins...

In this episode of Riding Tandem, Vivian Kvam sits down for a candid chat with Josh Kallsen, the go-getting president of PowerTech. They dive into Josh's journey through the construction world, starting from the life lessons he picked up from his grandfather, to his ambitious moves in buying and growing PowerTech. The heart of their conversation beats around PowerTech's Power to Give initiative, a brilliant example of how ...

In this episode of "Riding Tandem," Vivian Kvam engages in a deeply inspiring conversation with Jennifer Lea, the innovative founder of Entry Envy. Jennifer's journey from the structured world of law firm management to the creative realm of entrepreneurship is not just a career change; it's a life transformation fueled by passion, resilience, and a desire to bring joy and functionality to homes everywhere.

Discover how Jenn...

Join Vivian Kvam for an enriching dialogue with Kaylee Williams, an entrepreneur and business strategist for early-stage startup companies. She is the Investment Director for InnoVenture Iowa, a $30 million co-investment fund allocated primarily for Seed and Series A financing.

Kaylee candidly shares her remarkable journey from studying English to thriving in the tech industry. On this episode we delve into the nuances of b...

Join Lisa Even and Vivian Kvam in a heartfelt conversation about finding joy in both life and work. Lisa shares her transformative framework for prioritizing joy, shedding light on the impact of burnout and offering practical tips for infusing daily life with happiness. As they delve into Lisa's journey of writing and publishing her book, they explore overcoming obstacles and embracing the unique path to joy. Together, the...

Tune in to hear an inspired conversation with Alejandra Valdez, the visionary behind Viva Fit Kitchen. Discover her journey to scalable success through smart business systems and how her network, Embolden, fuels collaboration. Alejandra is an entrepreneur and change-maker on a mission to create a more equitable world.

 If you love this show, please leave us a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/ridingtandem and follow the...

Meet incredible Charista Baye, a serial entrepreneur turned franchise matchmaker. We unravel the myths surrounding franchises – spoiler: they're not all about hefty investments and burgers! Charista shares her journey, from breaking free from the corporate grind to becoming the ultimate business matchmaker. We explore the lesser-known facets of franchises, from diverse industry options to the importance of timely risks and...

Step into the world of press releases with our latest episode of Riding Tandem! 

Have you heard these press release myths? Myth 1: Press releases are only for big businesses. Myth 2: Press releases are outdated in the digital age. Myth 3: Press releases are expensive and time-consuming. Mickie  Kennedy is here to set the record straight. 🎙️ In this insightful conversation, Mickie dispels common myths that may be holding yo...

In this candid and insightful episode, we tackle the pervasive issues of stress and burnout that often accompany the entrepreneurial journey. Drawing from personal experiences and real stories, Vivian delves into many entrepreneurs' challenges, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing burnout before it becomes overwhelming.

With a touch of humor and wisdom, Vivian explores practical strategies to navigate th...

One entrepreneur dared to defy the norm in a world of generic marketing and cookie-cutter copy, Jennifer Curfman's perspective on how to write compelling copy for your business is so refreshing!  Jennifer's journey began with a work-life balance quest, but she discovered a hidden talent that would change the game. Her unique approach breathed life into the businesses she works with by infusing their copy with authenticity ...

Troy Burrus, (Vivian's husband) ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, trading his daily grind for the pursuit of his passion in Landscape Photography. He shares the genuine ups and downs of his recent venture putting together a booth and manning it for 11 days at the Iowa State Fair.  In this episode, Troy candidly recounts the challenges he navigated, from last-minute booth creation to figuring out how much product...

Unleashing her expertise and grace, ballet instructor Natasha Gregory pirouettes her way through the virtual dance world, captivating audiences, and defying expectations as she educates, inspires, and challenges the status quo of traditional dance instruction.

From a professional dancer to a virtual teacher, Natasha Gregory's journey took an unexpected turn. As the pandemic shut down dance studios worldwide, Natasha had to ...

Jeffrey Tadlock, is an experienced photographer who successfully taken a passion from "just a hobby" to a successful business. Together, we dive deep into the key strategies and insights that can help you make that transition as well. We discuss the importance of mindset, being true to yourself, and finding the courage you need to make the transition. Of course, we also dive into tactical ideas like how to build a loyal au...

In this episode, we debunk some common financial literacy myths and discuss the vital art of navigating borrowing for small businesses. Jamel Hamilton, reveals the truth behind many financially related misconceptions (read things that feel scary!) and offers invaluable insights into how even the smallest ventures can effectively manage their finances. We talk about what it takes to construct a robust financial foundation w...

In this episode of Riding Tandem, I'm joined by HR experts Bryn Reed and Lynn Owen, members of HRAM, to demystify HR for your business. HR isn't just about hiring and firing; it's the secret ingredient that shapes your company's culture. Discover practical resources through HRAM and learn when it's time to bring in HR expertise. 🌟

We also spill the beans on crafting standout job descriptions and where to post them. Plus, w...

Do you want to master the art of captivating pitch competitions and leave a lasting impression on potential investors? Look no further! This episode is all about Pitch competitions. I'm talking with Kelsey Stupfell, from Treynor State Bank, and Niki Fergeson, with Advanced South West Iowa all about the REV Pitch competition they collaborate on. We have a candid conversation about what it's like to do a pitch competition. W...

Elizabeth Pooley and son Jack Pooley join me on the podcast to share 8 ingredients for creating a successful business from scratch.  From an aversion to sugar and early mornings to an unexpected encounter with mouthwatering donuts, Elizabeth's path took a sweet twist into a new and unexpected business venture.  Working through doubts and limited baking knowledge and building a tasty experience, they took a leap of faith, s...

Do you dream of your product on the shelves at Big-Box stores like Target, Home Goods, or Home Depot? Then this episode is sure to inspire you! Christi and I talked about how her business took a surprising turn, and she landed her greeting cards on the shelves of Home Goods. She shares her journey from "I don't have a plan" to building her successful but unexpected greeting card business.  She shares her real-life experien...