No Plan, No Loans: How Kristen James Built a Thriving Retail Business

No Plan, No Loans: How Kristen James Built a Thriving Retail Business

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Kristen James to talk about building a thriving retail business in the middle of uncertainty—and how one small pop-up during COVID unexpectedly changed everything.   Kristen shares how she went from selling vintage furniture and curated home pieces out of a temporary setup to opening an 8,000 square foot storefront with a loyal customer base and a business built almost entirely through authenticity and word-of-mouth.   They dive into entrepreneurship, trusting your instincts, growing without outside funding, balancing family life, and why staying genuine online matters more than ever.   This conversation is full of relatable business lessons, honest moments, and inspiration for anyone building something from the ground up. — #ClickWithRona #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #InteriorDesign   0:00 – Intro & Meeting Kristen James 2:57 – From a COVID Pop-Up to an 8,000 Sq Ft Store 5:42 – Starting With Vintage Furniture & Side Hustles 9:55 – “There Was No Plan” 11:33 – Building a Business Through Authenticity 14:42 – Why Social Media Worked Naturally 18:06 – Family, Business & Finding Balance 22:14 – Learning What Customers Actually Want 28:08 – Why She Never Took Out a Business Loan 32:41 – The Reality of Running a Retail Store 36:55 – Trusting Yourself as an Entrepreneur 41:12 – Advice for Anyone Starting a Business

From Nuclear Engineer to Creative Leader: Rob Franks on Building Ron Dier Design

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Rob Franks—managing partner of Ron Dier Design—to explore an incredible journey that spans military service, engineering, and the world of high-end design. Rob shares how a chance meeting led to a decades-long partnership with artist Ron Dier, transforming a small pottery operation into a dynamic, design-forward business known for its iconic gold ceramics and statement mineral pieces. From working in nuclear power and living in Italy to helping build a creative brand from the ground up, Rob dives into the mindset shifts, leadership lessons, and “click moments” that shaped his path. This conversation is packed with insights on creativity, business growth, collaboration, and the courage to evolve—personally and professionally. — #ClickWithRona #Entrepreneurship #DesignIndustry #CreativeBusiness #Leadership   0:00 – Intro & Setting the Stage 3:53 – The Origin Story of Ron Dier 9:12 – Rob’s Early Life & Unexpected Path 11:22 – Joining the Military & Finding Structure 13:39 – Life in Italy & a Surreal Versace Moment 22:02 – Discovering Minerals & Scaling the Brand 30:15 – Letting Go to Grow the Business 36:17 – Balancing Creativity vs Business Operations 41:24 – Turning Ideas Into Reality 45:16 – Learning to Say No in Business

From Startup Mistakes to Selling a Magazine: Renee Dee’s Journey & Lessons in Business

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Renee Dee—founder of Iconic Life Magazine—to talk about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it really takes to build (and eventually sell) a successful brand. Renee shares her journey from launching her first magazine with no experience (and learning through costly mistakes) to building a respected publication across multiple markets. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including a defining lesson in integrity that ultimately paid off in a big way. From navigating uncertainty during the 2020 shutdown to expanding into new markets like Orange County, Renee offers real, practical insights on business, sales, and staying true to your values. If you're an entrepreneur, creative, or business owner, this episode is packed with wisdom on growth, risk-taking, and building something that lasts. — #ClickWithRona #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Sales #BusinessGrowth 0:00 – Introducing Renee Dee & Her Next Chapter 3:04 – “If I Knew How Hard It Was…” 6:08 – “Every Problem Has a Solution” 8:21 – The $20K Mistake That Changed Everything 13:47 – Launching a Print Magazine… in March 2020 15:36 – Creative Distribution During COVID 17:31 – Unexpected Success & Client Results 20:00 – Expanding Into Orange County From Scratch 29:43 – Why Print Still Works in a Digital World 41:24 – When It Finally “Clicked”

From No Plan to Purpose: Sandy DeAngelis On Building Community & A Life She Loves

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Sandy DeAngelis—realtor, community builder, and the driving force behind the Floral Park Home & Garden Tour. Sandy shares her incredible journey from small-town South Carolina to California, including the bold decision to drive across the country alone in pursuit of something more. With no clear plan, she built a life rooted in curiosity, connection, and community. From helping shape one of Southern California’s most unique neighborhoods to leading a 30+ year home tour that funds scholarships and local initiatives, Sandy proves that success doesn’t require a straight path—just the courage to take the next step. This conversation is filled with stories, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone building a life, business, or community.   0:00 – “We Knew We Were Friends for Life” 5:45 – Meet Sandy DeAngelis 7:06 – Driving an Hour for Hot Chocolate 8:01 – Floral Park Home Tour & Scholarships 12:57 – Driving Across the Country Alone 17:25 – “I Had No Plan… And That Was Okay” 20:00 – Finding Floral Park & Vintage Homes 26:10 – 32 Years of the Home Tour 33:21 – What Makes the Home Tour Unique 49:10 – Why Community Matters Most

Building a Brand With Intention | Lindsey Head on Entrepreneurship & Creative Growth | CWR

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Lindsey Head for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and building a brand with purpose. Lindsey shares insights from her journey, discussing what it takes to grow something meaningful in today’s fast-moving business environment. The conversation dives into the realities behind entrepreneurship, the lessons that come from building and evolving a brand, and the mindset required to keep moving forward through challenges. From creative vision to practical execution, Lindsey offers a thoughtful perspective on what it really takes to turn ideas into something lasting. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone navigating your own path, this episode offers honest insight into the process of building something you're proud of. 0:00 – “Introducing Lindsey Head & Her Journey” 1:42 – How Lindsey Got Started 5:18 – Turning Ideas Into a Real Business 9:55 – Early Challenges & Learning Curves 14:30 – Building a Brand With Intention 19:10 – Creativity vs Business Structure 23:45 – Navigating Growth & Scaling 28:20 – Mistakes That Taught the Most 32:55 – Balancing Work, Life & Creativity 37:40 – Confidence, Risk & Taking the Leap 42:15 – Advice for Entrepreneurs Starting Out 46:50 – What’s Next for Lindsey Head 49:30 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways