Today’s Food-Friday Twitterview guest is @nutrionisteat (Emily Dingmann). Should I tell her that I just ate corn dogs. #confession :)

Emily:    HA!

Q – #1    So @nutritionisteat, where did you grow up, go to school and what was your 1st job as an adult?

Emily:    I grew up in Baraboo, WI (small town) and came to the twin cities to attend the U of M! Go Gophers!!

My first job (well, and only so far) has been working with French MEadow Bakery in Marketing. I wanted to work

in the natural foods industry

Q – #2    I see. So what did you major in at the #UofMN, and what got you interested in marketing?

Emily:    I graduated with a degree in Nutrition. I’ve loved food for a long time now.

hospital work wasn’t for me and i loved and believed in natural foods so wanted to work in that business

FMB was perfect for me. local, natural, organic foods! I didn’t realize I was into marketing until I was into it

but now I love it! (And I’ve turned into a computer/internet nerd!!) :)

Q – #3    Well, your passion for the food will definitly come across in the marketing. In addition to marketing, do you blog?

Emily:    YES! I started a blog about 2.5 years ago (www.anutritionisteats.com) which is all about food, nutrition, health and me!

I’ve met so many great people online and off (like you!) it has been so much fun and I never expected to love blogging

as much as I do! I have learned a lot in the last few years!

Q – #4    Be sure to go to the @MNBlogCon if you aren’t already. Had you liked to write before that you did blogging?

Emily:    I’ve always enjoyed writing, but never thought I’d be doing it as much as I do now!

Now I’m a fully obsessed blogger! I’ve also really gotten into photography, although I still have tons to learn!

Q – #5    How do you come up with things to post about?  Is cooking or shopping at a farmers market ever discussed?

Emily:    Sometimes topics just come to me, sometimes ppl ask questions or I’ll share my daily eats/routine with readers

I’ve def done posts on the farmers market – but haven’t gotten a chance to attend as much as I like to this summer. :(

I just love the vibe at farmers markets, nothing better!

Q – #6    What are some things about nutrition that you feel people don’t understand or know about?

Emily:    I think a lot of times ppl focus on what they CAN’T have or DO if they are living a healthy lifestyle.

I like to focus on the foods you CAN enjoy and that all foods have their place. I’m a regular at @Bulldog_NE. :)

Now is the time to enjoy the MN Fair! (and walk around A LOT!!) Ha.

Q – #7    Lets find out some of your FAVORITE(S) – Restaurant(s), store(s), comfort food, farmers market and vegetable.

Emily:    OOoh! Favorite restaurants: 112, Alma, @Bulldog_NE . Stores? I love @thewedge coop, whole foods, covered for clothes

I live really close to MillCity Farmers Market so that is my fave to visit and favorite vegetable of the season is kale!

comfort food for me is wine and cheese. my favorites!

Q – #8    Do you feel that because of our geographic location and 6-month winters, that Minnesotans miss out on healthy foods?

Emily:    It depends. winters now don’t mean living on meat and potatoes. we can get veggies year round

they may not be the highest quality (tomatoes?!) or as much fun as going to farmers marketbut it is definitely do-able!

As with anytime of the year, you need to make your health a priority! I teach this to kids every summer @campendeavor

Q – #9    It is tougher! :) To close, what professional or personal goal do you hope to achieve in the next year or 2?

Emily:    Well, I’m getting married on 9/17 then moving to California! Two big personal life changes and both very exciting!

Q – #10    WOW!!! Okay, getting married AND moving are big things. CONGRATS! To what area of CA and do you have work there?

Emily:    Thank you! We are moving to LA and working on the job situation. :)

@JoelECarlson:    All the best to you in your NEW life adventures! Thanks for taking time for #jectv. Enjoy your weekend! :)

Emily:    Thank you SO much for the opportunity. So much fun, hope you make it out to the fair! :)

Hello everyone! Welcome to today’s TwitterREVIEW of @swirlmywine with owner Dave Jarvis. Is it early to talk about wine? Lets start!

Dave:    Never too early Joel :)

Q – #1    So Dave, how did the idea of @swirlmywine come together? When did it first open?

Dave:    Idea for swirl sprung from me being a wine nut and wanting to share hard to find wines without breaking the bank

Swirl opened May 2010

Q – #2    Happy 1yr+ Anniversary! Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?

Dave:    Swirl is on the St. Croix River, 4 miles south of I-94 in Afton. 10 min from Woodbury.

Swirl is open Tues – Thurs 4-9pm / Fri – Sat noon – 10pm

Q – #3    You are more than just a wine bar. You have a wine club and are a wine shop. Explain 1st the wine club. How big, etc.

Dave:    Yes, fun wine bar that has wine flights & wines by the glass changing weekly

Wine club is great! We are the biggest wine of the month club in MN

Wine club members get a couple bottles of wine each month and a ton of benefits. We do a lot of fun social events too

I think people most LOVE the unique wines we get for the monthly club & the complimentary socials, meet-ups & cruise

Q – #4    How do people sign up for the wine club and how big is the group roughly that you have?

Dave:    Wine club has really become a fun community. We take people on the world of wine journey. They love it & the value

About 300 wine club members (600 people with spouse/friend).

Swirl does wine club member-only events but the wine bar and wine shop is open to the public

Q – #5    So what’s the process in selecting the wines for the wine club? Are any of the wines featured regional or even from MN?

Dave:    Selecting wines is the fun part and sort of simple… We just try A LOT of wine!

We usually pick a region/theme and then try 25 – 50 wines and narrow down to 10-20 and then narrow down again to 5

Tough job aye? We have MN and Regional wines but don’t have a ton of people asking for it so we don’t focus on it

A lot of our wine is imported & never been in the state before. Mainly they are really good wines from small producers

Q – #6    Explain some of your events like the Ultimate Girls Night Out, Friday Night Free Wine Tastings, and an Annual Wine Trip.

Dave:    Good times! Ultimate Girls Night Out (GNO) is a blast for ladies! 3rd Thursday of every month from 5-8 or later

on GNO, ladies get out for some fun! Swirl has Free wine tasting, chair massage, hair consultation, min spa service

GNO has had spray tan, light therapy, spiritual healing and more. Plus 1/2 off apps @currentbar.

Friday nights there is a free wine tasting at Swirl from 6-8:30pm… usually 6 wines. Fun atmosphere and crowd.

Somtimes too much fun on Fridays! Wait… no such thing

Annual wine trip is to the world renowned Pinot Noir Land in Willamette Valley, Oregon

Pronounced Will AM Et.

Each year we take 20 fun loving trip goers on an annual Wine Trip

Next year – places on radar for Wine Trip… Columbia Valley & Yakima Valley Washington , Finger Lakes New York

Q – #7    For people that are 1st timers to your wine bar, how do you help them with your selection? Should they have a goal?

Dave:    We ask what they like best and then show them some great options

People can try wine first and then decide which is cool because often you buy a bottle, open it and then don’t like

Goal is to just simply enjoy.

Q – #8    To close, explain how your passion for wine developed (Dave) and what your plans for the biz are for the future.

Dave:    Passion for wine started in the South of France about 15 years ago. It hasn’t stopped or skipped a beat

People love Swirl so we are expanding (doubling) the store/bar this October

We have some very creative ideas that could completely change the way some people buy wine

We will continue to make the wine club bigger and better and hope to have more locations down the road

@JoelECarlson:    Congrats Dave on the expansion! Thanks for taking the time and sharing some points about @swirlmywine. Have a great day!

Dave:    Thanks Joel. Cheers!

Hello everybody on this sunny day in MN. Today’s Twitterview guest is @RebekahWoodMN of @kstp. Lets get started!

Q – #1    So @RebekahWoodMN, share with us where you grew up, went school and what kinds of things you were interested in.

Rebekah:    In a town of 98 near willow river. Graduated in 1994 and went to uw superior. Worked3 jobs and lucked out with a job after

I was an intern at kdlh TV. I luv cooking, my kids and decorating and the few date nights I get with my hubby.

Q – #2    When did start thinking that you wanted to do TV? What kind of things did you do as an intern for KDLH?

Rebekah:    I’m the youngest of six so I knew it was the only way to get ppl to listen to me ;) actually I love telling stories and knew

I wanted to do this at 14. At Kdlh I was an intern reporter and assignment desk.

Q – #3    So after interning, how did you sharpen your skills and end up at the desk of @KSTP? What was the process?

Rebekah:    Four moves from small market to bog market learning along the way. Duluth, Madison, Milwaukee then Mpls.

Q – #4    Do you miss reporting, or do you prefer the desk? What is one of the more exciting or memorable stories that you did?

Rebekah:    I actually have the perfect mix right now. I anchor the 4:30-7 then get to report on stories of ppl doing amazing things

right now I’m working on a story of a man who is taking his firefighting skills to his hometown in Guatemala. I’ve interviewed

Pres. Candidates, athletes but working the MD’s Telethon 8 yrs is my favorite.

Q – #5    Lots of variety! Did you have any bloopers along the way? With youtube it can’t be easy to forget/delete mistakes.

Rebekah:    My mom says she thinks I’m perfect, but ohhh yes therapy been a few. Mostly flubs, but I did set a studio kitchen on fire.

Q – #6    Lets next go to your FAVORITE(s): Restaurant, store, comfor food, TC neighborhood, recent book, movie or blog.

Rebekah:    I love My mom’s kitchen. Her strogonoff… its unbelievable. Grand Ave. In St Paul is a place I could spend hours at…

the Golden Fig to be exact. Rise of the planet of the apes was outstanding and the book my husbands writing.

Q – #7    Can you say what your husband’s book is about? Give a hint? With having a family, is the EARLY A.M schedule tough?

Rebekah:    It centers on two girls exploring and learning. The A.M schedule is rough. I go to bed around 9-9:30 and get up at 2:15.

by 5 pm my brain. Is mush!

Q – #8    Understood! :) To close, any professional or personal goals that you’d like to achieve in the next year or so?

Rebekah:    I’ve focused a lot on trying to be a super mom and I just don’t think its possible… so I’m going to work hard on being the

on shifting things and being the best mom and wife I can be. Well see ;)

@JoelECarlson:   Balance is the key! Thank you so much for being a part of #jectv today and your time. Maybe we’ll get to meet sometime IRL.

Rebekah:    Thank YOU Joel. It was so much fun and yes, I’d love to meet in person too!

Welcome everybody to today’s Twitterview of @StephShimp, a member of the #4StephaniesFoodCrew. Lets get this thing started!

Stephanie:    I’m here #4stephs

Q – #1    So @StephShimp, for those that didn’t see your video, where did you grow up and then where did you attend school?

Stephanie:    Grew up Lake City, MN. Lake Pepin great place to be a kid #sailing.

Schools were many. #Stolaf #UMN #UST. & my MBA from @highlandgrillmn @grovelandtap @longfellowgrill @3squaresMN

In my car jammin to #prince @TheCurrent tweeting w/ @JoelECarlson #jectv. Did I mention I really like #prince?

Q – #2    After HS, where did you go and what was your 1st job as an adult?

Stephanie:    1st real job at Nicollet Island Inn. Oh…and driving #dumptruck in LC. Can drive #heavywequipment too. Still have my CDL.

Q – #3    Don’t mess with @StephShimp! #HeavyEquipment  So how did you get the idea to get into the restaurant business, and why?

Stephanie:    Had visions of @highlandgrillmn while drinking beer w/ @aussiegriller. Knew TC needed more #breakfast joints.

parked by Lake Calhoun. #sailing is my fave. Headed to @TheLowryMN #sunnyfriday

Q – #4    Share the progression of the locations that you helped open. Did it get easier over time? Did you listen to your “gut”?

Stephanie:    Resto biz is 1pt art 1pt science 1pt biz 1pt #foodie. Gotta have ‘em all for #success. 1st resto was @highlandgrillmn

sold my 1987 Honda to invest $$ in @highlandgrillmn Rode the bus a few years.

next was Blue Plate Cafe Red Wing. 97-99. We were ahead of our time. Tough going.

3rd was @grovelandtap in MacGrove. An icon for the neighborhood #beer joint. #jectv bought it cause liked drinking #beer there

4th was @edinagrill lotta similarities to Highland ‘hood. Good peeps. @rfmoeller @lunds @landmarktheatres

@edinagrill Loves @WCCORosen

Q – #5    When your not busy with Blue Plate Restaurant Co. or being a mom, @stephshimp what kinds of things take up the rest of your time?

Stephanie:    Re: Lake City. Just passed a MasterCraft. As a kid we made own #slalom course on Pepin. And could barefoot #waterski.

Love to eat out of course. #run #sail #ski #golf #fashion

I’m all about my funky #glasses & great #lipstick. Prolly have 6 lip color in my handbag at anytime.

I got to choose the ‘edgy’ uniforms for @TheLowryMN. Like fashion. #jectv had to fight @aussiegriller for the job.

Q – #6    When you run, what are some routes you enjoy?  What are some of your favorite golf courses to play at?

Stephanie:    Love the city lakes. #Isles #Calhoun #Harriet. Did Monster Dash 1/2 Mar last year. Picturesque route.

don’t have a CC membership. I’ll play anywhere I’m invited. I like Rush Creek up by @3squaresMN. #jectv TPC is great.

as is Mpls Golf Club. Brother belongs there…

Q – #7    RE: #FunkyGlasses you should connect with @ZoeBakes. She likes them too!  What’s your true comfort food of choice

Stephanie:    my friends know I like Fries. The Poutine @TheLowryMN is amazing. W/Ellsworth cheeese curds, braised beef gravy. Nom.

Love #bourbon too. Had Revel Stoke for lunch yesterday w/Dean Philips @TheLowryMN

and the #4stephs LOVE #bubbles. Love #oysters too. Did you know #fries & #bubbles are perfect pairing. @jasonkallsen

now you know my food #craving. And wings from #Bunnys w/Webb.

w/side of holly or béarnaise is best. #bubbles & #fries. #pinkbubbles are happy #bubbles.

@JoelECarlson:    Thank you VERY MUCH @StephShimp for your time today. All the best to you with the launch of @TheLowryMN in Mpls. Great to meet you!

Stephanie:    Is this work? #ilovemyjob @highlandgrillmn @grovelandtap @edinagrill @longfellowgrill @3squaresMN @ScusiMN @TheLowryMN

Hello everyone! Welcome to this noontime Twitterview with my special guest, @FrankieVWCCO. Lets get things started!

Q – #1    So @FrankieVWCCO, when did you first know that you wanted to get into journalism? Did it come easy to you?

Frank:    No. I had another career as a stockbroker and didn’t get into TV until I was 27-28. Wish I would have read …

“what color is your parachute” years earlier. But it all worked out, just took a while. No regrets.

Q – #2    Where did you get your journalism training from and what was your first job working in news?

Frank:    I went to Columbia College in Chicago then an internship in Champaign, IL. and first TV gig was in Decatur IL.in 1992

Q – #3     Do you remember the first story that you covered or is there a memorable one from your 1st gig?

Frank:    Sure do. It was about a job fair and I did a stand up about the fact there were no TV jobs. Corny and took 17 takes.

most people need to start in smaller markets to get polished and comfortable. I sure did!!

I have an Emmy Award winning blooper real.

Q – #4    Needless to say, you’ve come a LONG way! :) So what steps did you take from there to end up at @wcco?

Frank:    Just kept working to get better and go to bigger markets. From reporter in Decatur to weekend anchor/reporter

then from Decatur to Peoria as 5,6,10 pm anchor, then KARE as morning and eventually evening anchor, then WCCO

Q – #5    Most people probably know that your co-anchor @wccoAmelia, is also your wife. How did you two meet?

Frank:    At a charity event in Nov. 1996. I am such a wimp that I sent my buddy in first

to talk to her to she if she was ‘cool’. He gave the tumbs up so I went over and said hello. What if he

had given her a bad report? Life is funny. thank God it worked out

Q – #6    For sure. How was it when you were going to work at @wcco with her. Was there a big discussion about it?

Frank:    Of course. Lots of discussion. It was much harder on her. She would tell you I’m a bit of a control freak.

But it worked out great. Certainly an initial change but actually lead to better communication.

Q – #7    Good! Lets shift gears now. You had some major surgery recently. What did you have done and how have you helped others?

Frank:    Hip replacement April 1st. Worked out great wish I would have done it sooner. Dozens of people asked about it….

..and I’m always willing to answer questions and try to help

Dr. Scott Anseth at Twin Cities Orthopedic was my surgeon and it took place at Abbot.

Q – #8    Now the #TweetFLOOD is going to hit you. :) How has your recovery been going after you had it done?

Frank:    Great! No pain any longer. In hospital 2 days on crutches for 4 weeks and now can do everything except for impact sports

Q – #9    Super! Now to your FAVORITE(S) – Restaurant, store, comfort food, hobby and recent book or movie.

Frank:    Bar LaGrassa, Buon Giorno, Broders,notice an Italian theme here? Grew up on and still eat mom’s pasta and meatballs

read all Vince flynn novels but many more periodicals than fiction. My sister just told me about book, Lone Survivor

hobbies are on hold w/ 3 kids but I love to fish and go to live rock-n-roll shows. U2, The Who.

@JoelECarlson:    Thank you VERY MUCH for taking some time for #jectv from your busy schedule! See you at 5,6 and 10pm tonight on @wcco.

Frank:    My pleasure, great questions and a lot of fun. Enjoy the perfect weather today.  Shower now and off to work.

@JoelECarlson:    I also love the segments with your mom and with @wccoRosen’s mom too! Hopefully we see more of them soon. :)

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Twitterview of @jbsem today! He’s one of those Social Media  . . . gurus. :)  Lets get started!

Q – #1    So @jbsem, where did you grow up, go to school, and what was your 1st job as an adult?

Jason:    I was born in Fargo but moved around MN a lot but finally stayed in st paul

My first job was on the farm in MN where I helped my grandfather milk cows

I remember one of my favorite jobs was riding the tractor and combine. Good fun

I ended up going to high school in Columbia Heights and then went to St. Cloud State for college #jectv Go Huskies!

And I just have to say I my computer crashed and my cell phone lost signal all at 2pm. What timing.

Q – #2    What did you major in at #StCloudState, and how did you end up working in the field of Social Media?

Jason:    studied international relations at St. Cloud State after I went on a study abroad program at was able to live in a castle (Alnwick)

I didn’t get into sm though until about 5 years ago when I was working at Carlson Companies as a sales manager.

At Carlson I went to a lot of trade shows in a sales capacity and I found I got a lot of sales at the receptions.

I quickly learned that one2one contact with people and the ability to be human went a long way to building relationships

When social media rolled around I understood it intuitively because that was exactly what I was doing with my sales efforts

I think coming to sm from a sales perspective has helped me work with orgs to help them become more social in terms that they understand

Q – #3    What tools did you first start using and which ones do you primarily use now? What thoughts leaders have you learned from?

Jason:    When first getting into social media I was using the basics in terms of interacting on the different platforms. Hootsuite was my 1st

I also used Tweetdeck and I’m still trying to decide which one I like more. There’s also umpteen other ones that cost some $$

For large companies who need enterprise solutions I usually recomd involver context optional buddy media, depending on their needs

For monitoring I’ve used Radian6 and am just getting the hang of Sysomos. I like both of them depending on the clients

The thought leaders I most closely follow are @jowyang @charleneli as they understand social from an enterprise-wide perspective

I also follow @briansolis as he has an interesting perspective on changing corp structure to allow for effective social

Q – #4    In 1-2 Tweets, what’s your take been on Google+ and it’s features?

Jason:    Regarding Google+ I like it a lot. It’s incorporating aspects from Facebook & Twitter and putting its own spin on social circles

I don’t think it’s a FB or Twitter killer but it has some functionality that ppl will like and it has some privacy safegaurds

One more thing about Google+ – I believe it will have significant influence on brands and their seo efforts

Q – #5    @radian6 Thanks for follow #jectv!  So @jbsem, FAVORITES – Restaurant, store, comfort food, recent blog or book and TC neighborhood

Jason:    As a social guy I love #punchpizza; not only for the food but they way they’ve approached their online social presence.

I’ve also really come to like the food trucks that stop in St. Paul on the river bluff. I especially like border tacos

I live in St. Paul right now but I miss the Lynden Hills neigborhood. Especially turtle bread

I also have to send a shout out to the local ice cream place: connie cones

Q – #6    Good calls on food and Linden Hills! Do you feel the MSP is a strong force when it comes to Social Media use?

Jason:    I’m really getting into how the consumer decision journey is changing in the digital age. http://t.co/u8vGVk8

Judging from the size and scope of Social Media Breakfasts #smbmsp I would say Mpls/STP is a hotbed of social media

We also have big companies here who are embracing social like #target #bestbuy #3m #generalmills that’s also driving social adoption

#bestbuy seems to be one of the national leaders in social and I think it has definitely affected how other companies view social

Q – #7    Do you see any areas or fields of business that aren’t taking advantage of the abilities that SM has to offer them?

Jason:    I’ve spoken to a few med tech companies like here and they’re struggling to integrate social due to regulatory issues

For companies like #medtronic and bostonscientific it really comes down balancing regulation with being social with their communities

I also see B2B companies struggle with sm but there is a wealth of opportunity for them to engage customers via blogs, LinkedIn, etc

Q – #8    Final question, what’s one tips you’d give to students or interns wanting to get into Social Media for employment?

Joel:    I would definitely recommend students understand how social is used to achieve business objectives

For companies, social media is more than getting #’s of followers or likes, its about understanding customers and then engaging them

I stongly recommend they read “Career Path of the Social Strategist”

@JoelECarlson:    Thank you very much for your thoughts and time today. It’s great to get your take on Social Media. Have a great week!

Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s Twitterview with my guest @Sara_G_N_Kerr. Lets get started!

Sara:    Thanks, Joel, I’m delighted to be here.

Q – #1    So @Sara_G_N_Kerr, share with us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, attend school and what was your 1st adult job?

Sara:    I studied French Lit and Econ at the U of MN which led me to selling wine at Haskell’s the @TheWinePeople

From there I went into Intl Marketing at the former #NWA and now teach @skate and do marketing for @goodgroundpress

Q – #2    So what got you interested in marketing and then using social media?

Sara:    I’ve always loved marketing, so to me, social media is a fun, dynamic tool to add to the mix

Plus social media is fast, creative, and quantifiable.

One of the things I love about social media is that it “evens the playing field” better than other tools when it comes to non-profits

The same applies to small vs large businesses.

Q – #3    Did you have any mentors that helped you, along with your schooling, along the way?

Sara:    Yes and no – I had a brilliant Frech prof in college, but by the time I was in grad school I didn’t.

I wish I had @UofStThomasMN, but my 1st masters (intl mgnt) was before the Opus school. My class didn’t have that #cohort experience.

However, I do now with the Dean of School of Bus. & Leadership @stkate, Paula King and my chair, Mary Henderson.

Q – #4    Since #sm as it’s used today wasn’t taught in school, how have you learned and adapted to use it effectively?

Sara:    I think all marketers / biz people have to stay up to date. It was pretty hard to NOT notice #SM 5 years ago.

HOW is really using #sm (which is how I teach it, too), reading, analyzing and #playing

Philosophically, I think experimentation is incredibly powerful — teaching you how to do something and what the limitations are.

Q – #5    Are there any Thought Leaders or people in the industry that you’ve benefited from following and connecting with?

Sara:    I suppose you could say that whom I follow here, on Twitter all influence me. #jectv (Vague, I know)

My #ahah moment occurred when I read @dmscott first book. Otherwise, I follow the #usualsuspects for insight.

My favorite blog du jour is @tboard an innovative #StPaul realtor with the most perfect real estate blog

I love to follow new uses of current #SM such as the #unsummit or bar classes.

Q – #6    Lets learn more about YOU. Favorite(s): restaurant, store, comfort food, color, recent book/blog and TC’s neighborhood.

Sara:    I’m #ADHD which means I make mischief, mayhem, messes, and meals.

I LOVE #stpaul and will never live anywhere else. I am a total wine geek, so maybe if I had the chance I’d own a vineyard #Burgundy.

For gifts I love @grandhand and @sciencemuseummn

Our family comfort food is linguine and clam sauce, however I always tweek my mother’s recipe.

Going out, if a restaurant serves #mussels, my husband and I will be there! @meritage_stpaul and W.A. Frost

Oh, and I do love #minneapolis, too. I could not live without @FirstAve (i was a DJ in college, too)

Last one: interestingly I’m not at all into the #momblog phenomenon

Q – #7    You mentioned that you LOVE St. Paul. What are your thoughts on Mpls, and should they both be called Twin Cities?

Sara:    Siblings at the very least, but #twin is more marketable. Bickering children that remind me of my sons.

When I blog http://t.co/Gbhqx4B (+ 5 others) I write more about #stpaul only because I bike everywhere and I have to drive to #mpls

Q – #8    So for your own growth, personal or professional, what do you hope to accomplish in the next year or two?

Sara:    Personally, I’m looking into a PhD program at the U of MN #jectv Either http://cscl.umn.edu/ Cultural Studies / Comp Lit or Comm.

I’m speaking here http://www.mmaglobal.org/ in Sept about teaching #SM in college

Goals: apply to school, publish another paper, teach better and make more messes with my kids

Q – #9    Nice opportunity! So to close today, what advice would you share with students looking to get into your field?

Sara:    To take risks and make mistakes AND always use spell check.

2nd, volunteering with an organization you care deeply about often presents opportunities to learn and apply #SM in IRW.

Thanks Joel, this was really fun!

@JoelECarlson:    Thank you for sharing some of your thoughts and your time today on #jectv. Have a great week! :)

Hi @prchck123 (Heather) and everyone following #jectv today! :) Lets get started.

Heather:    Sounds great! Glad to be here.

Q – #1    So @prchck123, tell us first where you grew up, attended school and what your first job as an adult was.

Heather:    I grew up on the east side of the Twin Cities. Went to @AugsburgCollege. First job in PR was working @mysticlake doing promotions

Or more specifically, dressing up in costumes running games on the floor of the casino.

Or what I like to call character building. I actually learned a ton in that job

Q – #2    When and how did you know that you wanted to be involved with PR work?

Heather:    Before going to college I wanted to train horses. When I realized you couldnt make a living I focused on something I loved – talking.

As learned more about PR I fell in love. I loved learning how people think and how to reach them.

Now more than ever, I am happy about the field I picked. It is an exciting time as a communicator.

Q – #3    What kinds of clients have you been able to work with? Any types that are a bit challenging?

Heather:    I have had the chance to work with amazing brands from @officemax to @kempscows. I think every client is challenging in its own way

Q – #4    What effect would you say Social Media has had on the way PR is conducted now?

Heather:    companies are trying to figure out how to use these tools in an effective and authentic way.

Social has help companies gain direct access about their customer’s perspective of their brand and service.

PR peeps have had to become multifaceted in how they communicate and what solution they give. Media relations isnt always the answer

Q – #5    More about YOU: Favorite(s) – Restaurant, store, comfort food, recent book or blog and TC neighborhood.

Heather:    Restaurant :@labellevie_MN, Store: St. Croix Saddlery , Comfort Food: Mac and Cheese, Book: Gamestorming, Neighborhood: Hugo

Blogs – I love @mnprblog because it connects the community http://bit.ly/1xFeSD and total guilty pleasure is http://bit.ly/17gPIb

@heavytable is great for capturing the local food scene. heavytable.com

Q – #6    Lets now discuss the @MNAlphabetBash coming up next week. How did it get started and what groups are involved with it?

Heather:    I am also slowly launching a blog for @mnalphabetbash. It is slow to start but we are getting there. http://bit.ly/nyYBm3

I created the @abcbash11 6 years ago because I saw a need for collaboration with orgs in the marcomm/PR/creative space.

We currently have 9 orgs involved in the #abcbash11 @minnesotaprsa, @adfedmn, @iabcmn, @midwestdma, @mnama, @mwmcorg, @mimatweet

And @mnwift and @friendsofmmpa are also involved with #abcbash11

Also thanks to @clreps who corrected me #abcbash11 is our hashtag not our handle as I accidentally referenced.

Q – #7    What kind of growth has there been with @MNAlphabetBash over the years, and what can people expect this year?

Heather:    Our goal when we launched in 06 w @MinnesotaPRSA @IABCMN @AdFedMN @MNAMA was 250 people. We knew we had something when 400 came

We have grown @MNAlphabetBash every year. 2010 saw 600 people. We expect around 650 this year. Sponsorships have been huge for us

#abcbash11 always has great food (48 ft buffet), cocktails, conversations, 40+ door prizes. dessert bar alone makes it worth coming

Q – #8    What would be your 1-Tweet pitch for newcomers to come to the @MNAlphabetBash next Thursday? Link for tickets?

Heather:    Oh wow — that is a great question @joelecarlson. First here are #abcbash info. 8/11. Doors at 5:30. http://bit.ly/wPGl9

Attend the @MNAlhapbetBash and I promise you will leave well-fed, with many new connections and amazing pride for this community

Heck I even know a couple who are celebrating their one year anniversary at the #abcbash11. Nice to see we brought them together

Q – #9    Nice job! :) Getting back to you, do you have any professional or personal goals that your working on to achieve soon?

Heather:    Personal — I have started riding horses again (something I gave up a few years ago). My biggest goal to start jumping again.

Professional – I want to find new ways to infuse creativity and thinking into my team.

Creativity is a challenging process and the ole’ giant post-it/everyone shout out ideas isnt working for me anymore:)

I am totally looking for suggestions on both pieces

Q – #10    Ideas=paycheck might help with creativity. :) j/k  To close, for students in PR, what advice would you give them to grow?

Heather:    LOL. So true

Students should remember two things social media is a massive help but can also hurt — especially when looking for jobs

I check out every Twitter and FB account for resumes I get. It is amazing what people out on their pages.

Social can help a student impress and learn about the people they are meeting with but NEVER underestimate that face to face meeting

That personal connection is so huge and important when connecting with the biz community

@JoelECarlson:    Thank you so much for your time and comments today. Have a great week, and see you next week at @MNAlphabetBash. :)

Heather:    Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing you (and all those following at the Bash).

I will also offer one free admission to the first person who tells me what my personal goal is:)

Hello everybody and welcome to the Twitterview of @AaronWeiche on this #wetANDwild Monday in the Twin Cities. Lets get started!

Aaron:    Thanks Joel for having me.

Q – #1    So to start @AaronWeiche, where did you grow up, go to school and what was your first job as an adult?

Aaron:    I grew up mostly in Buffalo MN, attended Southwest St for communications & first job was Fingerhut (forever ago!)

Q – #2    How have you been able to grow professionally over the years to get to where you’re at today?

Aaron:    I’ve always tried to create my opportunities, not wait for them. After that, a focus on quality & results in all work

Quality lasts forever. So whether its’ a web design, a SEO or social campaign, do it right & take it 1 step further.

Q – #3    How much would you say that your growth and learning came from working with the right people or businesses?

Aaron:    Some, but mostly self driven. Take any opportunity & make the most of it. “Be remarkable or be replaceable.”

It’s passion that makes you read 100 blog posts in a day, research, create, network, etc. Get’s back to the hustle.

Q – #4    Lets chat about your new location, @Spyder_Trap. How’d that connection happen, and what’s your role there?

Aaron:    Thanks to Twitter, @mikerynchek & I became friends 3 years ago, partnered our companies on a few projects ….

@mikerynchek kept after me on helping take ST to the next level. To start 2011, it became clear is was the right move.

I currently fill a VP role here & have mostly helped with production, quality, adding devs, creative staff & others.

I’m getting back into some biz dev now that we’ve grown more, added more great people.

Q – #5    I saw on FB that you’re looking for 3 more people, that’s AWESOME! Any speaking or training events coming up?

Aaron:    Yes, looking for another developer & 2 other positions: spydertrap.com/talent . Nearing 20 people on staff!

On August 10th I’m keynoting the SCORE MN Social Media seminar: conta.cc/njRyIu , should be a great event.

I also get to speak nationally on SEO and Local Search as part of the Local University tour: getlisted.org/university/

Q – #6    More about you: FAVORITE(s) – Restaurant(s), store(s), comfort food, sport and recent Twitter connection.

Aaron:    I’m a steak guy, so Manny’s is fav restaurant, Nike outlet store (sneaker junkie), love College Football & NE #Huskers

Twitter connection is tough, so many awesome people here, but most recent would be @aschottmuller (great content)

Q – #7    As a local sports fan, how have you felt lately about the level of play from the local teams?

Aaron:    Twins are my team, tough to watch them be so mediocre and injury bugged. M & M boys can’t get on the field together.

I’m a UM football tix holder & I’m hopeful Kill is the coach to work us back to a competitive program.

Q – #8    I hear you! As a family man and being in the creative-job-world, how is it juggling work and family life for you?

Aaron:    With 3 young daughters it is tough. 1. My wife is incredible, supportive & makes things work for me & us.

2. Since I’m a workaholic & passionate about online, I count blogs, analytics, creative, biz & stuff as a hobby!

3. I know my most important job is a Dad. I have to make time to impact and share their lives, work can wait.

@JoelECarlson    Sorry to @AaronWeiche and everyone following on #jectv. My electrical power was out for a time. :( Thanks for being on #jectv today! :)

Aaron:    Thanks @joelecarlson for the TWITTERVIEW! Sounds like your power & internet went out with the storm. Great questions!