046 • Tough Cookie: Sweet Dani B On Spreading Joy In A Messy World

049 • Building Places to Belong: Jane Kleiman on Clay, Community, & Autism Advocacy

In this episode of Mind Your Own Biz, I’m joined by Jane Kleiman, ceramic artist, teacher, advocate, founder of Squatter Potters in Red Bank, NJ, and co-founder of HomeLife 21. 💛 This episode runs a bit longer than my usual episodes, but this conversation covered so much ground, and Jane shared so many thoughtful insights and stories that I didn't want to trim it down. We covered everything from clay and creativity to caregiving, community, belonging, and autism advocacy, and it felt worth giving those topics the room they deserved. If you've got a longer drive, a walk, a pottery project, or a quiet afternoon ahead of you, settle in and enjoy. Jane and I talk about what happens when your life doesn’t fit neatly into one little box, and how motherhood, caregiving, creativity, advocacy, and community have all shaped the work she does now. We talk about clay as a creative practice, but also as a way to come back to yourself. We talk about building a ceramics studio that feels less transactional and more like a creative home. And we talk about HomeLife 21, the nonprofit Jane co-founded to help create loving, supportive homes for adults with autism. We dive into: * Why Jane believes authenticity is the thread connecting art, advocacy, motherhood, and community * What belonging means when you’ve spent much of your life feeling like you don’t quite fit * Raising a son with profound autism and how motherhood shaped Jane’s worldview * How clay became a refuge, creative practice, and form of self-discovery * Why Jane moved Squatter Potters from a class-based model to a membership model * What artists need emotionally, not just technically * Why Jane believes creativity has been stripped out of so many people * The vision behind HomeLife 21 * What families of autistic adults are often left to navigate * Building homes, studios, and communities where people can feel known * Coming into alignment later in life * Jane’s upcoming anthology chapter in Radiant Wisdom: 18 Stories of Feminine Power, Purpose, and Rebirth Parts of this conversation are heavy. Jane shares openly about raising her son, navigating broken systems, and the urgent need for safer, more dignified options for autistic adults and their families. But this episode is also full of humor, honesty, creativity, and that very specific magic of talking to a woman who has lived many lives and discovered how all those pieces fit together. 🔗 Links & Resources: * Jane’s website: https://www.jkceramicsnj.com [https://www.jkceramicsnj.com/] * Jane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkceramicsnj [https://www.instagram.com/jkceramicsnj] * Jane on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SacredSpaceYogaandMassageTherapy [https://www.facebook.com/SacredSpaceYogaandMassageTherapy] * HomeLife 21: https://homelife21.org [https://homelife21.org/] * Radiant Wisdom: 18 Stories of Feminine Power, Purpose, and Rebirth - Available on Amazon Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨ 🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more! ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖 🎤 Got a question for the podcast? Submit yours here: ⁠https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion⁠ [https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

048 • How To Use Gmail Templates: My Favorite Time-Saving Business Hack

In this quickie episode of Mind Your Own Biz, I’m sharing one of my favorite time-saving business hacks: Gmail Templates. ✨ If you’re constantly typing the same emails over and over again, this built-in Gmail feature can save you a ridiculous amount of time and mental energy. I walk you through exactly how to set it up, the kinds of emails I use it for in my own business, and why tiny systems like this can make your business run so much smoother behind the scenes. We also get into email marketing, lead magnets, automation, list clean-up, and the reality of running a business during unexpectedly busy seasons (like the one I'm currently in). Having things that can quietly work for you in the background can make all the difference in your biz! In this episode, we talk about: * How to set up Gmail Templates inside Gmail * Repetitive emails that are perfect for templates * Tiny automations that save time and brain power * Email marketing systems and welcome sequences * Lead magnets and automated freebie delivery * Why cleaning your email list matters * The emotional weirdness of unsubscribes (and why they’re normal) * Backend setup support for DIY business owners ✨ BTW: Want help setting up your lead magnet, welcome sequence, or email automations? Visit alyciayerves.com [https://www.alyciayerves.com] or send me an email and let’s talk about it. 🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more! Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨ 🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more! ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative⁠⁠ so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖 Want to submit a question for a future episode of Mind Your Own Biz? Head over to: https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

047 • Bloom Where You’re Planted: Samantha Cagman on Flowers, Feelings, & Healing

Spring, renewal, change, identity, flowers, feelings… this episode showed up right on time. 🌸 In this episode, I’m joined by Samantha Cagman of Bloom With Sam. She's a Jersey City-based creative multi-hyphenate whose world currently revolves around a blooming new floral business. 🌼 Sam’s work has evolved over the years from yoga and Reiki to candles, sound healing, and now flowers, but the throughline is clear: helping people feel more connected to themselves, their bodies, their spaces, and the little pockets of beauty that make life feel more human. We talk about what it means to “bloom where you’re planted,” how her relationship with her body shaped the way she teaches yoga, why flowers have become such a joyful creative outlet, and how she shows up online as a real person, not some perfectly curated internet version of herself. There’s also a lot of Jersey, a little fat girl bonding, some flower nerdery, and a reminder that joy and hard things can exist at the same time. ✨ In this episode, we talk about: * How Bloom With Sam evolved from yoga and Reiki into flowers, candles, sound baths, and more * What “bloom where you’re planted” means to Sam right now * Teaching yoga for injured bodies, fat bodies, new students, and people who need extra care * Building a business around connection, creativity, and joy * Why Sam is not interested in being a big traditional florist.. (elaborate, large-scale events are soooo not her thing) * Creating bouquets, pop-up flower bars, and floral subscriptions in her own way * The pressure of selling when your work feels personal * Showing up online without trying to be overly polished or perfectly curated * Finding joy without pretending the hard stuff isn’t happening * Why flowers, stillness, dogs, coffee, and naps all deserve their moment I loved this chat and I know you will, too! 🔗 Links & Resources: * Sam's website: https://bloomwithsam.com [https://bloomwithsam.com] * Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomwithsam [https://www.instagram.com/bloomwithsam] * Grab my free OMG… It’s So Me! guide: https://www.alyciayerves.com/omg [https://www.alyciayerves.com/omg] Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨ 🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more! ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖 🎤 Got a question for the podcast? I’ll be answering select listener questions in upcoming episodes! Submit yours anonymously or with your name here: https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion [https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

046 • Tough Cookie: Sweet Dani B On Spreading Joy In A Messy World

Sweet Dani B doesn’t just make cookies… she makes whimsical, edible works of art that are full of joy, personality, and a whole lot of ❤️🍪👀 In this episode, I’m joined by celebrity cookie artist and Emmy award winning set and prop stylist Dani Boglivi-Fiori, aka Sweet Dani B. Local Jersey friends, you already know… and if you don’t, you’re about to 😏! We get into what it really looks like to build a business that feels like you from the inside out. From her background in the fashion world and working on The Martha Stewart Show to building her own cookie studio here at the Jersey Shore, Dani shares how creativity, values, and personality have shaped every step of her journey. She’s taught thousands how to decorate cookies and have so much fun doing it! And yes… with her fashion industry background, I had to ask: Just how real is The Devil Wears Prada? 👀 But beyond the cookies (which are life-changing, literally), what makes Dani’s brand stand out is how clearly she stands in what she believes. We talk about using your voice as a business owner, speaking up about what matters to you, and the reality that your business doesn’t have to be for everyone. In fact, it's not supposed to be. Dani shares how her involvement in things like the Women’s March shaped how she shows up, how she navigates the tension between joy and real-life heaviness, and how she continues to spread love even when the world feels chaotic. Cuz people need it. ✨ In this episode, we talk about: * How Dani turns cookies into art (like… actual art) 🍪 * Her path from Rhode Island School of Design to Ralph Lauren to entrepreneurship * Working behind the scenes on The Martha Stewart Show (and winning an Emmy 👀) * The reality of running a creative business in unpredictable times * Saying no to things that don’t feel aligned (even if they make money) * Using your platform to share your values and beliefs * Why your business doesn’t have to be “for everyone” * Why your business is allowed to evolve as you do * Burnout, boundaries, and shifting how your business operates... we love a pivot these days! There’s art. There’s activism. There’s googly eyes. There’s a brief but important Muppet moment. It’s all here in episode 46 with Sweet Dani B. Join us for a sweet chat! 🔗 Links & Resources: * Grab my free OMG… It’s So Me! guide: ⁠https://www.alyciayerves.com/omg⁠ * Sweet Dani B website: https://sweetdanib.com * Follow Dani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetdanib [https://www.instagram.com/sweetdanib] * Classes, events, & orders: all through her website! Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨ 🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more! ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖 🎤 Got a question for the podcast?I’ll be answering select listener questions in upcoming episodes! Submit yours (anonymously or not) here:https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion [https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

045 • Feral Girl Energy: Editor Amy Tipton Loves Lit, Hates Tech, & Wants You to Stay Weird

Amy Tipton doesn’t do business the “normal” way. That’s kind of the whole point. In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Tipton, founder of Feral Girl Books, and someone who truly embodies what it means to build a business that actually feels like you. We talk about her punk-inspired brand, her zine-style physical newsletter (yes, actual mail!), and how she’s carved out a creative path that works for her… even while actively avoiding most tech. We also get into her background as a literary agent, the story of how she suffered a stroke and how it reshaped her relationship with work and time, and why she’s so passionate about accessibility, marginalized voices, and doing things differently in a very traditional industry. This one is real, a little chaotic in the best way, and full of personality. Just how we like it. ✨ In this episode, we talk about: * The origin story behind Feral Girl Books and its punk/DIY aesthetic * How her stroke changed her perspective on work, time, and priorities * Accessibility gaps in everyday spaces and why they matter * The reality of running a business when you don’t love tech (or AI!) * Creating a physical, mailed-out newsletter instead of using email * The role of personality, pop culture, and personal taste in branding & lots more! Like her plans for her next tattoo -- which you've just gotta hear. 🔗 Links & Resources:Join the waitlist for my next Minimind cohort:https://alyciayerves.myflodesk.com/minimindwaitlist [https://alyciayerves.myflodesk.com/minimindwaitlist]Grab my free “30 Days of Social Media Ideas” cheat sheet:https://alyciayerves.com/30daysofsocial [https://alyciayerves.com/30daysofsocial]Amy Tipton’s website: https://amy-tipton.com [https://amy-tipton.com] Sign up for Amy’s printed/mailed newsletter: https://amy-tipton.com/newsletter [https://amy-tipton.com/newsletter] Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feralgirlbooks [https://www.instagram.com/feralgirlbooks] Follow Amy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeralGirlBooks [https://www.facebook.com/FeralGirlBooks] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-tipton-09414223b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-tipton-09414223b/] Listen to Amy’s Spotify playlist “Introducing Feral Girl Books”:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Psu20uWa8ZRtSGGaF2pYS [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Psu20uWa8ZRtSGGaF2pYS] Let’s chat:Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖🎤 Got a question for the podcast?I’ll be answering select listener questions in upcoming episodes! Submit yours (anonymously or with your name — totally up to you) here:👉 https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion [https://www.alyciayerves.com/podcastquestion] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.