Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries: Ep 1.16 Taking Care of Your Mind, Body & Soul with Nicole Nichols | The Power of Wellness, Community & Healing

Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries: Ep 1.16 Taking Care of Your Mind, Body & Soul with Nicole Nichols | The Power of Wellness, Community & Healing

This week on Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries, we're LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio with special guest Nicole Nichols, owner of Bit of a Stretch Wellness in St. Charles, Iowa. Nicole shares her inspiring journey of building a wellness-centered business focused on helping others heal—physically, mentally, and emotionally. From yoga and lymphatic therapy to infrared sauna treatments and creating a supportive community, she discusses why investing in your health is more important than ever. The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, creating meaningful partnerships, supporting mental wellness, and Nicole's vision for expanding her mission through community outreach and a future nonprofit foundation. If you've ever wondered how self-care can transform your life, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights. Thank you to our incredible sponsors: * Styled by JJ Boutique * Jenny Farrell – RE/MAX Concepts * Iowa Beef Steakhouse * Revelton Distilling Company Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries is proud to be part of 3 Beards Media, Iowa's Independent Podcast Network. LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.

Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries EP 1.15 Ali Mahoney-Doran – Teal Trailer Dirty Sodas, Family Hustle & Community Over Competition

Julia sits down on location at the iconic teal trailer in Altoona with boss babe Ali Mahoney-Doran — owner of Sips Beverage Bar (Sips Iowa) and Ember Roots t-shirt & garment business. Ali shares the real, unfiltered story of how a daughter’s internship request turned into a full-blown dirty soda empire in under 35 days… after the family turned down a liquor license to protect Sunday family dinners. From 16 years in the garment business and a previous tattoo shop, to beating cancer, raising a family while working full-time corporate jobs, and building something that genuinely serves the community — this is small business grit, Iowa style. They dive into: * Why the teal trailer + canned soda consistency sets Sips apart in a crowded dirty soda market * The secret “3-star taste test committee” that decides every menu item * To-go dirty soda packets (yes, they stay carbonated!) * The TikTok moment that led to a game-changing Drop It partnership * Why Ali lives by “everybody has the same 24 hours — it’s how you divide and conquer” * The real shit show behind juggling events, logistics, full-time jobs, and family Plus: Outfit of the Day (matching aviators included), Women Mean Business energy, and why community over competition actually works. This episode is powered by Revelton Distilling Company and sponsored by Styled by JJ Boutique, Jenny Farrell Team at RE/MAX Concepts, and Iowa Beef Steakhouse. Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios. Follow Sips Beverage Bar on TikTok, Instagram & Facebook @sips_iowa — find the little teal trailer Monday–Thursday at 8th Street SE & 1st Avenue SE in Altoona (diagonal from Fairway). Shop Ember Roots apparel and support local. Rate, review, and subscribe to Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries wherever you get your podcasts. Drop a comment — what’s your go-to dirty soda order?

Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries EP 1.14 Meet the owner of Ember Market, Tiffany Lynch!

Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios and powered by Revelton Distilling Company. Julia sits down with Tiffany Lynch, owner of Ember Market in Norwalk, Iowa, for a raw and inspiring conversation about building a boutique from the ground up. Tiffany opens up about her journey from stay-at-home mom (after her twins spent time in the NICU) to corporate life, to starting a Facebook boutique with a friend, upgrading to a custom 22-foot mobile boutique trailer, grinding through pop-ups and markets, and finally taking the leap into her own bright, airy brick-and-mortar store right next to the Greg Young Sports Complex in March 2025. We get into the real shit: the technical disasters trying to go live from a tin building, the sudden Painted Tree closure and how she rescued her entire inventory in one chaotic day, the overwhelm of first-time market buying in Vegas and Atlanta, sizing headaches, quality control when ordering blind, and the stress of her 14-year-old twins getting their driver’s licenses. Tiffany also shares how she shops markets now, tracks future inventory, built her store with help from local contractors and family, and why listening to her customers (and finally adding more color) has been a game-changer. It’s unfiltered small business talk — the passion, the grind, the wins, and the “what the hell am I doing” moments that come with chasing your dream. This episode is sponsored by Styled by JJ Boutique, Revelton Distilling Company, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, and Jenny Farrell with RE/MAX Concepts. Find Ember Market at 1951 East 18th Street, Suite 107, Norwalk (tucked behind Mullet’s and near the ball fields). Follow @embermarketia on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok — and shop in person Wednesday through Sunday! If you love real-talk conversations about boutique life, small business grit, and Iowa entrepreneurship, follow Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a little inspiration (or a good laugh at the chaos). New episodes every week. Turn it up.

Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries EP 1.13: Birthday Bash with Inspired Iowan | Small Business Love, Motherhood & Real Talk

🎉 Celebrating Inspired Iowan’s Birthday LIVE from the boutique! Julia sits down with Caitlin Norgaard (Inspired Iowan) for an honest, heartfelt, and hilarious conversation about building her platform, supporting small businesses, and navigating real life as a mom. From her rural Iowa roots and creative outlet during the pandemic, to postpartum challenges, miscarriage, moving to the Des Moines area, and surviving chaotic summer break with kids — Caitlin keeps it real with zero filters. Plus, we highlight an amazing night of local vendors: The Cookie Jar, Patched Hat Bar, Handful Made embroidery, Sips Dirty Soda, Color Collective, Ray Lane Jewelry, and more! If you love authentic stories, small business shoutouts, and mom life unfiltered, this episode is for you. **Highlights:** • How Inspired Iowan started & why supporting small biz matters • Rural Iowa upbringing, family farm roots & moving to the metro • Postpartum, miscarriage, and finding your identity as a mom • Summer survival mode vs. Pinterest expectations with young kids • Fun vendor night recaps & local Iowa gems Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios. **Sponsors:** - Styled by JJ Boutique (host boutique + Caitlin’s birthday outfit!) - Iowa Beef Steakhouse - Jenny Farrell – RE/MAX Concepts - Revelton Distilling Company 🔗 Follow Caitlin @InspiredIowan on TikTok, Instagram & Facebook 🔗 Shop Styled by JJ Boutique Drop a comment: What’s your biggest summer mom survival tip? 👇 Full episode out now — share with a fellow Iowa mom or small biz supporter! #InspiredIowan #FashionAndShitShowDiaries #SmallBusinessIowa #IowaMoms #MotherhoodUnfiltered #DesMoines #3BeardsMedia

Fashion & Sh!t Show Diaries EP: 1.12 Connecting with a new friend Nela Biscanin

In this warm, authentic, and relatable episode, host Julia (Styled by JJ Boutique) sits down with her new friend Nela Biscanin (real estate agent). The two bonded quickly on TikTok and at a Moms of the Midwest event and are clearly “each other’s people.” * How they met and instantly clicked despite sitting on opposite ends of the room * Shared history working at the same mortgage company * The realities of balancing corporate jobs, side hustles (real estate + boutique), and raising teenagers * Parenting stories — teaching teens to drive, phone distractions, and hoping kids appreciate the hustle * Nela’s inspiring immigrant story: leaving Bosnia as a child due to the war, time in Germany, and building a life in America * Single mom life, dating (or currently being in a “non-dating era”), self-discovery, and romanticizing your own life * Weekend vibes: barbecues, rollerblading adventures, and therapeutic balcony painting sessions * Outfit of the Day chat and fashion talk * Excitement for the upcoming Dress for Success fashion show fundraiser (Nela is sponsoring, donating a $100 Visa gift card, providing swag, and modeling) The conversation is genuine, supportive, funny, and full of “girl’s girl” energy — celebrating women lifting each other up, building community, and navigating life’s chaos with humor and heart. Live from the AKC Andrew Downs StudiosPowered by Revelton Distilling Company Sponsors:Styled by JJ Boutique • Revelton Distilling Company • Iowa Beef Steakhouse • We Will Pizza • US FEX Shipping • Jenny Farrell Team with RE/MAX Concepts A feel-good, no-filters episode perfect for anyone who loves real conversations about friendship, motherhood, entrepreneurship, resilience, and living life on your own terms. What You’ll Hear: