@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @MNMOstyle (Katie Dohman) today. Lets get on the runway!

@KatieDohman – Hi! I’m ready for ya.

Q – #1    So tell us @MNMOstyle, where did you grow up and what steps lead you to working for @MNMOmag’s style section?

A: I grew up in West St. Paul, and attended the U of M j-school, with internships at the Pioneer Press and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

Then worked as a weekly newspaper editor, then in the style dept. at Mpls.St.Paul, where I learned what style reporting is all about.

After a layoff, I worked for Brain Traffic, a web-writing firm, for 2 years. Then, the position opened up @MNMOmag and I was hired!

Q – #2    Neat. So what would you say Katie is your approach to style reporting? Who is your niche or demographic target?

A: My approach: Everyone can and should have a well-styled life, from home to fashion to beauty to health/wellness.

And I think you can do that on ANY budget. And latest trend is not always “style.”

Coco Chanel once said “Fashion fades, but style is eternal.” If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me!

I want to help people feel good about themselves, be stylish without being talked down to, and to reap positive impact of good style.

Q – #3    What have you found to be unique about the stores and boutiques in MN that is different from say NYC or LA?

A: Retailers know we want great style, but they also know we have realities . . . i.e. open-toed boots don’t work in snow.

Q – #4    Lets now focus on other interests of yours. Your Twitter BIO mentions dogs. Can you elaborate on that?

A: I’m dog crazy, plain and simple. I adopted my cockapoo at 8 years old from the Animal Humane Society of MN…

And as such consider myself an advocate for adopting rescue dogs, especially senior ones. Old dogs can learn new tricks!

I think that living a stylish life means doing good for others, and while I get a lot out of having a pet, it also saved an animal.

Q – #5    You should definitely connect with @BeckyEwert! More about you, FAVS: restaurant, store(s), winter activity and gadget.

A: Restaurant: Taste of Thailand or Ruam Mit. Can’t get enough Thai food. Winter activity: reading (I’m not into snow).

Stores: tough, because it depends what I’m shopping for! Love Lula and @Rewindvintage for vintage, Picky Girl. Focus on local/indie.

Gadget: not really gadgety. I guess I would pick my phone, but it’s not a fancy one. I have a press to emboss my books with my name!

Q – #6    No problem. :) Is travel something that you’re interested in, and if so, where have you been?

A: LOVE traveling. SO many places I want to go. I got engaged and married in Hawaii, so that’s especially notable.

I spent three weeks in Thailand this past winter, touring the country. It was completely amazing–trip of a lifetime.

Q – #7    Sounds like fun! So to end with you today Katie, what’s 1 or 2 style tips you’d give for people dressing for winter?

A: 1. Tights/leggings keep you warm, on-trend 2. Tall boots! 3. Infinity scarves. 4. Outerwear can absolutely be stylish.

@JoelECarlson – You are a VERY busy person, so thank you so much for your time and comments today @MNMOstyle! Have a good afternoon.

@MNMOstyle - It was my pleasure. Thanks for thinking of me! Happy Monday, all!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and please welcome @DavidVlach for today’s Food-Friday Twitterview. Set your timer for 1hr and lets begin.

@DavidVlach – Hi! Thanks for having Me

Q – #1    So @DavidVlach, for a little background, where did you grow up and what lead you to get into the food/catering business?

A: I grew up in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, My family has always been very into food, gardening and cooking..

My mom was a professional Cake decorator, Her bakeshop was in our basement. I was surrounded by creative cooking all the time

I worked in restaurants in town before going to the CIA in NY

Q – #2    @DavidVlach So when did you start the business that you’re in, and what kind of menu or style of food do you specialize in?

A: My background is in high end restaurants. I starting my catering biz this year.

I started my catering biz this year. My goal is open a restaurant. This is just the beginning

For specialties I enjoy cooking tasting menus paired with wine.

Q – #3    Do you have a certain kind of clientele that you are focusing on? What size events/parties have you done?

A: I’ve done events for a variety of clients. I try to focus on people that want creative refined food

I’ve done dinners, small plates, buffets for groups from 8 – 400. I prefer cooking at smaller events, less stress

Q – #4    Can you give an example or 2 of a popular appetizer, main dish and dessert that you offer?

A: Sure. Here’s the menu for the next event I’m cooking for: Butternut Squash w/Truffled Agnolotti, Arctic Char..

w/ melted Leeks and Beet Reduction, Venision with Chestnut Strudel, Maple Caramel Apple Tart w/Creme Fraiche

Q – #5    Lets get a little personal, what is your favorite: Restaurant, store for food, store for utensils and gadget?

A: Fav restaurant: @Saffron, Store for food: my garden, farmer’s markets and co-ops

Fav Store: Cooks of Crocus Hill, Fav Gadget: 2″ serrated Victorinox paring knife, I use it for everything.

Q – #6    Spoken like a person that KNOWS how to cook! :) So about this CIA comment in NY. What did you do?

A: it’s not the spy CIA, I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY

at the CIA I learned the basics, It gave me a good foundation to build on. I’m still learning everyday

Q – #7    LOL!! That would make for an interesting show. “Spies that Cook!” So to end, what life mantra do you want to share?

A: Mantra: “Today is the only day that matters, make it a masterpiece” It’s from UCLA Coach Wooden. It keeps me focused.

Thanks! I had a great time.

@JoelECarlson – Thanks @DavidVlach for your time and sharing some of your life online today. Have a great weekend!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone and to @girlmeetsgeek as we conduct a Twitterview 2.0 with her today. Lets make like an 80′s hair-band and rock!

Q – #1    Lets start with you and all of your recent “pub” about your work. What’s happened with you recently in your career?

A: I revved up the 7+ year freelancing biz and landed a fantastic gig as the Dir. of Mktg and Recruiting at Brigham Group

(And, I love it.) I work with some of the most passionate and hilarious people daily. Right, @JenniferBrigham?

Q – #2    That’s just awesome! So how were the first few days for you, and what kind of responsibilities do you have now?

A: My first steps were to really figure out strategy and learn about our team. We are expanding rapidly

I focused on the preliminaries. Taking over the recruiting world is next. #Maybe :)

To make any organizational changes, you must first understand, trust and acknowledge your team. :)

Q – #3    In starting a new job, as you did, what advice would you give to people on how to mentally and emotionally prepare?

A: Lose ends need to be tied up. Treat it like a valuable relationship, don’t bring old baggage to the new job.

I remind myself my goal is to be a SME where I’m at, but each company is different. I set myself up 2 listen and learn

Q – #4    Good points! Now as a big Social Media user, how will you use it to connect people to work and businesses to people?

A: We will be unveiling a brand new website soon. Our strategies for recruiting are changing. It’s more HUMAN.

We’ll be sourcing more with SM, but also trying to be more accessible to give resources, guidance and a clear voice.

Q – #5    With all of the recent TECH advances, the HUMAN element cannot get overlooked. So how was your summer? Any travel?

A: Our summer completely flew by. Big trips included… River Falls, Winona and the North Shore. #PhotoTaking

You can check out the ridiculous amount of photos I can’t stop taking here: www.flickr.com/photos/lovelyava

Q – #6    North Shore is ALWAYS awesome! So with your new job, will you continue speaking, and where have you done so lately?

A: I’ll be speaking a few places coming up. Tomorrow is Wordcamp- (http://www.wordcampmsp.org)

Tues. is: You Can Get Hired (www.youcangethired.com) and Tues. Afternoon is http://bit.ly/smjobsearch for the MNPRSA.

Tonight: Speaking for the #NCCC on Cervical Cancer awareness at Rhea Pappas Show: http://526salon.qwestoffice.net/events.html

Q – #7    I see. RE: Blogging – Where do you get inspiration from for your posts from, and are new topics difficult for you?

A: I never blog unless I’m ‘fired up.’ This keeps me from looking back and saying, “what a waste of words.” I draw from life.

My greatest successes in blogging have come when I’ve cracked open my soul and laid it out on the keyboard. #TheBest

Q – #8    At the #MNBlogConf I heard about the #HeartGut. Good 4 you! Any “hot” job fields right now for job seekers?

A: I try to favorite great job leads and articles for searchers. (Feel free to peruse.) Make sure to check POLLEN Group on LinkedIn

Q – #9    Okay. On the personal side, and restaurants or stores that you’ve tried lately that you had a good experience at?

A: I now order everything I can from @SoapDotCom. You could say I’m obsessed. Also, everyone knows what a @LOFT fiend I am.

As far as local goes, I try to shop second-hand…except for food. A secret? I still love Perkins pancakes at 3am. #SoGood

Q – #10    So as we near the end of 2010 and start 2011 soon, what professional or personal goals have you made for yourself?

A: My huge goal is to get the book published by 2012. Most of my goals just revolve around being a good parent, and happy.

Q – #11    Book?!?! What book are you writing, and what is it about? (Sorry if I missed hearing about it.)

A: Had a publisher in college, wanted to wait. Now I think it’s ready. :) I’ll be excited to share more, soon.

@JoelECarlson – Thank you so much @girlmeetsgeek for your comments and time today. I think most will agree that you are a positive force in MN!

@GirlMeetsGeek – It was a honor to Twitterview with you twice. :) Joel, you ROCK. And, I think I speak for everyone, you’re a FORCE in the industry.