@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and “Welcome!” @David_Sherman. Lets start today’s Twitterview in focus. :)

@David_Sherman – I am ready!

Q – #1    So @David_Sherman, where did you grow up, and what were some of the steps that you took to get where you are today?

A:    Grew up in Iowa – studied AgEcon – worked in sales /mking for 11+ yrs – able to finally follow my passion!

Q – #2    So what led you to get into photography? What kinds of things or kinds of people do you shoot?

A:    I was always fascinated by the ability of photography to communicate emotion and personality

AND I was tired of paying for bad images of my kids!

My practice includes shooting @MNTimberwolves, @minnesotalynx, @targetcentermn and many corporate /individual clients.

Also – with some great non-profits – @openarmsmn, @JFCSMinneapolis , AEON, Ampersand Families.

Q – #3    Are athletes easier then say family to shoot photos of?  What’s a “trademark” of your style of photography?

A:    Athletes are great to work with-usually no crying babies!-but pose their own set of challenges! – esp tight time-frames

My objective is to capture the personality,emotion and energy of my clients-keep the image clean-let my subject speak!

Q – #4    Nice! So how has your experience using Social Media been, and does it help with the work that you do?

A:    I try to use Social Media-esp Twitter-for building my business brand – usually tweet with a photo.

Use Twitter to follow interesting people and business trends/topics. Great way to see what my clients are up to!

Q – #5    Who are 5-15 people on Twitter that you follow that you benefit from connecting to?

A:    In addition to @JoelECarlson interesting stuff always from @flashlightmpls , @KatieNadeau,@Sherman_Ian!

Q – #6    That’s nice of you to say! :) Now for your FAVS: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity, color & camera.

A:    Fav restaurants – senyai-senlek in NE,Pittsburgh Blue and sushi anywhere!

Fav summer activity – biking and lounging on the deck! I shoot with the #Canon system.

Q – #7    @David_Sherman – How about FAVE store & color? :)

A:    Ok – fav color is blue – fav stores – REI, any bicycle shop, any camera store.

Q – #8     To end with today, what suggestion or mantra would you like to share with everyone today?

A:    Pursue your dreams, exceed your clients’ expectations, keep family as the most important priority!

@JoelECarlson – Well said! Thank you @David_Sherman for sharing some of your life & thoughts today with this Twitterview. Have a great day!

@David_Sherman – Thank you for the opportunity!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and welcome to the TwitterReview of @FACESmearspark. Lets begin!

Q – #1    Lets begin by asking, where are you located and what kind of restaurant are you?

Thanks for this opportunity Joel. We are located at 380 Jackson Street in St. Paul

and are an all natural organic sustainable modern American restaurant , bakery, and deli

Q – #2    So are there meats of all varieties, or is it more vegetarian type fare?

A:    Our menu is extremely varied & encompasses sustainable seafood & fish, grass-fed meats & organic poultry

We also offer vegetarian entrees and all natural bakery items

Q – #3    Wonderful! So when did you open, and how have you been received in that neighborhood and by the general public?

A:     We opened @ the end of June & have received an incredibly warm welcoming from the neighborhood & residents of St. Paul

Q – #4    Great! So what are your hours of operations, and is your restaurant “kid friendly” or more for adult dining?

A:    The bakery opens everyday at 8 a.m., the restaurant at 11 a.m. & is open until 1 a.m. Sun. – Wed. & 2 a.m. Thurs.– Sat.

We offer aspects that both adults and families can enjoy.

The hospitality of executive chef, David Fhima’s mother, was one of the inspirations for FACES

Q – #5    @FACESmearspark – Good to know. What are some of the specialties that you have on your menu, and are you running any specials now?

A:    We have daily specials and dishes based on what the local markets have available.

For example: today we have lobster cake risotto and organic Greek salad with Moroccan shrimp skewers

Q – #6    Yumm! Do you have a set up for large groups or meeting to take place at your location?

A:    We have several beautiful spaces for large groups that include a private dining room, lounge and atrium

We just hosted a 50th b-day party last night & the whole space has been rented out in the past for a wedding reception

Q – #7    Great! To end off with, what are the top desserts that you have to offer?

A:    Our organic carrot cake topped with orange marmalade and chocolate butter cream cake are the two house favorites.

However the fruit tarts and assorted truffles are very popular as well.

@JoelECarlson – Can a person get a sugar rush from a Tweet? :) Thanks so much @FACESmearspark for sharing some details about your restaurant!

@FACESmearspark – Thank you Joel. Please stop by soon and let us know what you think!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody and welcome to Twitterview today, and our guest will be @beautybets. Time to look pretty! :)

@BeautyBets – I’m putting on my lipstick!

Q – #1    So let begin @beautybets, where did you grow up, and what were some of the steps you took to get you where you are today?

A:    I grew up in North Oaks, attended Mounds View HS, then left to attend Wake Forest in NC.

I started my career at a fashion mag in London, then came back to MN to be a buyer for Target.

I also did a stint at Aveda, which is what sparked my passion for beauty/wellness.

I joined @MNMOmag as the lifestyle editor 3.5 years ago, and have been writing ever since!

Q – #2    So are you still with @MNMOmag, and what is @beautybets?

A:    I moved to a freelance role for @MNMOmag so I could focus on beauty/wellness writing, including the blog.

beautybets.com is about providing smart, well-written beauty news, candid product reviews, and expert tips/tricks.

When I looked at the beauty blogging landscape, I saw a lack of professional sites. They weren’t blogs I would read!

I’m also building a personal brand as a beauty expert. It’s in my blood, and I could talk about it 24-hrs a day.

Q – #3    What are 2-3 current topics you’ve covered, and what’s the “hottest” haircut style for women right now?

A:    Hot topics: detox/cleanses, dry shampoo, shellack manicures. Am I speaking in tongues?!

Long hair is always in, big messy updos are all the rage, and bangs are still big.

Q – #4     Lets shift gears, how many blog posts a week do you average, and how is Social Media helping you with your brand?

A:    I blog daily M-F. It’s far more work than I anticipated, but planning the blog calendar like a magazine helps.

Social media has been crucial for drawing readers. FB & Twitter are my #3 and #4 traffic drivers.

Twitter has helped me attract a 60% readership outside the TC. It’s not a “local” blog, so I need to reach wide.

I knew very little about social media before I started blogging. @socialnicole is my coach!

I also use twitter to build relationships with brands, experts, and other beauty bloggers. More efficient than email!

Q – #5    @SocialNicole is a good coach! So who are 5-15 people/org’s that you follow in which you benefit from their Tweets?

A:    For beauty/trends: @glambr @cutblog @dailyintel @BeautyBlitz @DailyMakeover @StyleListSays

To stay connected to food/style/biz: @derushaj @minnpost @heavytable @alishops @dbrauer @forbes @fastcompany

I also write a food blog for @MNMOmag so the local dining scene is always on the brain!

Q – #6    Lets then go to your FAVS – Favorite: reatuarant(s), offline store(s), hair salon(s), summer activity and color?

A:    112 Eatery + the lounge at King & I Thai; too many stores to choose just one; Evolution salon in LynLake, and green.

I shopped for a living @MNMOmag, which made me appreciate our amazing local retailers all the more.

Forgot summer activity! Going to my family’s cabins in Grand Marais and Big Sky, MT and hiking up a storm.

Q – #7     are you thoughts on the local food/cart offerings, and what do you see as the next food trend?

A:    It’s about darn time! Street food should be followed by $5 brow threading on the corner, like in NYC!

Oh man, more slow food, fresh food, local food, asking where our food comes from. More from @leezukor!

Fine dining is being redefined. I dread formal meals, and I think most people secretly do as well!

Q – #8    You ARE a good resource! If you could invite any 1 person (dead/alive) for dinner, who would you ask and why?

A:    Easy. My father-in-law, who passed away 3 years ago from cancer. An hour with him would center me for an entire year.

Q – #9    That’s touching. :)  To end today, what advice or mantra would you like to share with everybody?

A:    Mantra: Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never. -Winston Churchill

Advice: Never wear glitter. Never, never, never, never.

@JoelECarlson – Whew!!! I’m glad you commented on not wearing glitter. :) Have a great day @beautybets, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

@BeautyBets – Thank Joel & Co! It was fun.