Alexis Walsko is a great success story.  She has grown her company, Lola Red PR to be a highly recognized PR firm.  She has helped many businesses get noticed and has been working with the fast growing Smashburger company since they started expanding into Minnesota.

Not only does she help other companies get noticed, but she has done well for herself.  Having been a co-host on the popular “Shop Girls” radio program, featured on MyTalk 107.1 FM on Saturday mornings in the Twin Cities for the past few years. Talking about the latest in shopping trends locally and nationally.

Alexis loves new challenges and also has a heart for helping non-profit companies get attention. So how does she do it all?  Where does she get the time and energy for all of it? Learn more about Alexis by checking out this 3-part interview of her with “Faces of MN” host, Joel Carlson.

In part 1 of her interview with Joel Carlson, Alexis talks about her childhood and her early entrepreneurial spirit. Her college years and how she started Lola Red PR.

In part 2 of Alexis’ interview, she talks about the connection of PR with marketing and social media. Discusses why she is passionate about working with non-profit companies and explains how she got connected with the fast-growing company, Smashburger.

In part 3 of Alexis’ interview, she talks about shopping, her love for chairs and why she feels people pay retail price for some things. Alexis talks about her passion for glitter and how it got started. She ends with talking about Pinterest and her prep for the “Shop Girls” radio show on MyTalk 107.1 FM.

Happy Friday everybody! Welcome to the Twitterview of @bworden who’s Tweeting from Orlando FL today. Lets roll!

Q – #1    So tell us @bworden, for those that missed your video – http://youtu.be/oNnM3SNscmA where did you grow up and attend HS?

Brooke:    I grew up in Lanesboro, Minn. It’s this gorgeous little town in southeastern MN with more than 20 B&Bs!

I grew up on a farm one mile west of Lanesboro. The MN state bike trail runs through the farm I grew up on.

My daughters have a pony named Smore and he lives in Lanesboro. He looks like a hippo.

I graduated from Lanesboro HS in 1989. There were 22 peeps in my class.

I encourage everyone to come to Lanesboro and take pictures of my dad’s cows. That’s what the tourists do.

Q – #2    Wow!! 22?? When did you first come to Mpls? Where did you attend college and what did you major in?

Brooke:    I moved to St. Paul in the fall of 1989 to attend Hamline University, the oldest university in Minnesota. Founded 1853

I got a double major in English and political science. I have a liberal arts degree.

I moved to Uptown after I graduated. Lived there for three years and then moved back to St. Paul.

Q – #3    Did you intern anywhere while you were in college? What was your 1st job out of college?

Brooke:    I did! I am a huge fan of internships. I was an intern on John Grunseth’s gubernatorial campaign. Fun times.

I also interned at the MN Chiropractic Association around the time Hillary Clinton was doing healthcare reform.

We did a letter writing campaign to Hillary Clinton trying to get chiropractic care included in health benefits.

also did an internship at the firm I work for now. Back then, it was called Mona, Meyer, McGrath & Gavin.

My first real job out of college was at Accenture in management consulting. It was so awesome to land at a global firm!

Q – #4    So what is your role at @WSmpls, and has the economy affected how you do your job?

Brooke:     I am a VP in the financial services practice @WSmpls. I work on on FS and government clients.

The economy has made everyone laser-focused on results and value, on doing more with less.

The economy has had an enormous effect on the issues I work on for my clients. My specialty is retirement.

Since the crisis hit in 2008, the retirement security issue has really come into focus.

The economy made the 2010 Census a much more difficult campaign as well because of home foreclosures.

Q – #5    What else makes the Census a tough project to tackle? Do people get confused with the forms?

Brooke:    The census was tough because distrust of the federal government was at its highest level in 50 years when we did it.

The census form itself was very simple in 2010. It was only 10 questions and took about 10 minutes to complete.

Research shows that survey participation in general is down. You have to really work hard to show the benefits.

Some people didn’t trust that the census was confidential. We counted everyone, regardless of citizenship status.

People feared their answers would be shared with law enforcement or ICE, but by law, all census data is confidential.

Q – #6    Lets shift gears. Some of your FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, non-MN city, recent book or movie, hobby.

Brooke:    Well, I love core power yoga. That has been my obsession for the past month or so.

I really love the store Brooks Brothers. People don’t always think of it for women, but it is my favorite.

OK and for comfort food, you must try Hill Country Chicken in NYC. The most amazing fried chicken ever!

Hill Country Chicken is at 1123 Broadway in NYC. http://www.hillcountrychicken.com You can play with a Lite Brite!

You can get these little baby pies–apple cheddar, whiskey buttermilk, bourbon pecan, texas billionaire!

You go down in the basement and they have all these awesome board games from the 1980s! I was there Tuesday night.

I also really love the key lime pie at Kincaid’s in Bloomington near @WSmpls. Am I going on too much about food?

Q – #7    I don’t think ANYBODY can Tweet too much about food! :) If you could have lunch w/any person (dead/alive), who & why?

Brooke:    OK, alive would be my mentor John Deveney from New Orleans. He’s actually here in Orlando right now!

John’s firm did all of this amazing work around Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. His work matters.

This one is a little more unrealistic, but I would love to have lunch with Diana Ross. I really dig her music.

would love to have lunch with JFK, RFK, Abraham Lincoln, Jackie Kennedy, JFK JR, Princess Diana.

@JoelECarlson:    Wow! Impressive work by John. Well we have to close, but thank you for your time and comments today. Say hi to Mickey!

Brooked:    I will say hi to Mickey. I can see him out my window by the pool. Fun chatting with you Joel.

Sorry for the #TweetScare today @KellyGroehler! So lets start out from the beginning! Where did you grow up and attend school?

Kelly:    Thanks. spent childhood in Adrian, MN. Left in 10th grade; graduated from ROCORI H.S. But Adrian will always be home.

Q – #1    After H.S, what did you go on to? Did you know what kind of profession that you wanted to get early in life?

Kelly:    Original plan: sports broadcasting. But I turned down Emerson College. Suzy Kolber at ESPN has my childhood dream job.

Took intro broadcasting class at SCSU (TOP-NOTCH mass comm school). Hated it. I sat in my advisor’s office, crushed.

she suggested PR: Either ask the coach a question as a reporter, or help the coach answer it. That was my PR awakening.

graduated ’93 with a B.S. Mass Comm, PR emphasis/minor: Human Relations from SCSU. Accredited in Public Relations 1998

but I don’t do sports PR. I enjoy being a plain ol’ fan, but I do respect well-handled team PR. To wit: #YANKEES. :)

Q – #2    Great that you found your calling! :) What then was the first job that you got to apply your newly acquired skills?

Kelly:    internship at St. Cloud Hospital; learned I don’t enjoy health care PR. Dad was patient at that time, so didn’t help.

then, 8-month internship at @padillaspeer. A fantastic, grounding experience. I recommend for any graduate.

Q – #3    Take us down the road from the SC Hospital to you getting to end up at Best Buy. How did you know you were a fit?

Kelly:    From @padillaspeer, did short stints at a St. Cloud ad shop, then in Brainerd at Russell & Herder. Back to PSB in ’96.

I was at PSB from ’96 to ’05. Amazing experiences; manufacturing, tech, labor negotiations, supply chain, change mgmt.

learned so much about the value of good communication, and the role of intangible assets like reputation to biz goals.

most importantly, learned to think and speak the language of business, and how to explain PR in those terms.

Best Buy – came here in ’05 to help build corporate PR capability, reputation mgmt & comms strategy for sustainability

understanding how sourcing, supply chain, labor, manufacturing works helped immensely in a retail environment.

Q – #4    Nice! With your experience, how have you seen technology/internet change how PR is done? Has it effected the quality?

Kelly:    It has affected quality. we get caught up w/new channels like SM. Adoption curve; PR principles needed more than ever.

There is an adoption curve while we all figure out the best way to approach a new channel: earned, paid, owned, or all.

the lines between paid-earned-owned are fuzzier than ever with social media.

Principled PR approach to SM – audience, message, prioritize, focus, proactive, relevance, perseverance – will prevail.

I’m happy tech is here to stay; we need to adapt PR principles to new ways of engaging stakeholders & sharing stories

Q – #5     In your mind, when a CO. is hiring a Social Media Manager, what should be the top skill – PR, Marketing, cust serv?

Kelly:    Depends on where the position is staffed. I don’t think social media warrants own department. It’s a set of channels.

If it’s in PR, I’m looking for a PR manager with experience integrating social media into communications strategies.

It’s highly unlikely we’d ever seek a social media manager, or seek to create a position so specific to one channel

Q – #6    Good points! Lets shift gears.  Please reveal your own @vanityfair version of “My Stuff”. What’s your “stuff”?

Kelly:    have you ever seen one of those lists? I was kidding – we’d be here all day

Q – #7    It was new to me, but I’d figure that I’d play. :)  FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, recent book or blog?

Kelly:    Restaurant: MSP – @travailkitchen, Manny’s, Fuji Ya, @Barbette, @tilia. NYC: Balthazar, Del Posto, Republic (noodles!)

And I LOVE the cereal milk soft serve & compost cookies at @momofuku Milk Bar, East Village NYC

comfort food: Anything Ole whips up (mac/cheese, Spinach-scallion-jalapeno pizza, marinara). Also love roasted chicken.

recent book: I’m ashamed to admit I have a list a mile long on my iPhone, but haven’t cracked open a new one in 1 year.

I do read @Fortune & @VanityFair issues cover to cover. NatGeo, too. I reread Salem’s Lot this summer (favorite book).

favorite blogs: Same Rowdy Crowd, Smart Politics, Daily Beast, HuffPost. @freshtart to drool. @judy3x for crazypants.

ah! One last comfort food: @Aveda tea.

Q – #8    Busy mom! To close, what’s one goal that you have, personally or professionally, that you hope to reach soon?

Kelly:    Happy, well-adjusted teenage boy. T-minus four years to go! Professionally: an overseas assignment and a CCO role.

@JoelECarlson:    Thanks SOOO much for your time and comments today Kelly. I hope that you reach your goals soon. Have a good week!

Kelly:    Joel, this was fun. Thanks very much for the opportunity!

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:)

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @ekdao (Erica Dao) on this snowy day in the Twin Cities. Let get rolling!

Dao: Hey there! Thanks for having me. How’s it going?

Q – #1    So @ekdao, you work right now in PR at @LifeTimeFitness. What steps led you to that from when you started college?

Erica: I graduated f/ Univ of St.Thomas w/a degree in broadcast journalism. My first job out of college was…

…as a general assignment reporter for @WEAU13News. My ultimate dream was to be an entertainment red carpet reporter but…

… I realized it wasn’t a reality in my world. I also realized news wasn’t my passion. So I started job searching and applied for…

… the PR coordinator position at @mallofamerica. I got the job and a year or so into it, was bumped up to the media relations …

…specialist position. I was at MOA for over 4 years and now at @lifetimefitness and love it! Been here for over a month now.

Q – #2    Congrats on your new assignment! :) So what is your responsibility in doing PR with @LifeTimeFitness? Is it just 1 business?

Erica: I will be collaborating w/ @kjmediadarling in the expansion of our local, regional & national media relationships…

… while driving increased coverage on behalf of our 90 centers & 19 businesses!!!

To elaborate, each biz at @lifetimefitness is aimed at providing all the necessary resources within the discipline (i.e. cycling,)

… (i.e. running, group fitness, etc). Our offerings go beyond just a class. @lifetimefitness is more than a health club…

… it’s a healthy way of life company. We’re not about fad diets & quick fix gmmicks. It’s all about changing your lifestyle.

Q – #3    Great! @ekdao Are you a fitness person yourself? What kinds of events does @LifeTimeFitness get involved with?

Erica: I am. I enjoy running a lot & am inspired to one day participate in a sprint distance triathlon – but I need to…

… work up to that! @lifetimefitness is involved in the prestigious #Leadville mountain bike race, triathlon series Race to the…

..Toyota Cup. And new this year – the Leadman Epic 250 which will consist of a 5K swim in Lake Mead, a 223K bike through…

…the Valley of Fire State Park and a 22K run with a turnaround overlooking Hoover Dam. Pretty intense!

Q – #4    I’d say! Lets find out some of your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, comfort food, Twin Cities neighborhood & coffee shop.

A: I have more than one of each! Restaurants: @victors1959cafe, Quang, Nami, @CafeLurcat_MN , @MannysTortas & @ScusiMN

Stores: Bloomingdale’s, Patina, @ClubMonaco, @sugarsugarcandy

Comfort food: mashed potatoes TC neighborhoods: Selby/Dale & Linden Hills Coffee Shop: Spyhouse

Q – #5    You also like a specific genre of music. Which one is it, and why do you like it?

Erica: I do. I’m really getting into house music. The majority of people think it’s “techno” – but it’s much more than that…

…there are different genres within house music and I just love discovering new DJs. Electronic music is an art in a way…

…But I’m also a HUGE fan of old school hip hop music.

Q – #6    Interesting. What’s on the “upcoming agenda” for you?  Any races? As a foodie, any new foods/restaurants you plan exploring?

Erica: Yes – I’ll be running the MN T-Wolves Running w/the Wolves 5K April 9. And I actually just tried @tiliampls in the Linden Hills …

… neighborhood & the food was delicious. Also a nice, cozy atmosphere – perfect for catching up w/friends or family.

@JoelECarlson – New adventures for you for sure! Thanks @ekdao for your time and sharing some of your life today on #jectv. Have a great afternoon! :)

Erica: Thanks for having me! This was fun. Have a great day as well and be safe on the roads if you drive today :)

@JoelECarlson – Having a good Wednesday? If not, check out today’s Twitterview with my guest @timotis of GdB. Lets get this thing started!

Q – #1    So @timotis, you’re originally from the Chicago area and started studying music. How did you end up switching to SM and PR?

Tim: It was on a whim. In 2007, the agency I worked for said, hmm, this stuff is taking off. How would u like 2spearhead it?

I’ve been unknowingly an expert since 2005 ;)

Q – #2    Better to use expert over guru right? :)  Can you give a brief rundown of how you to got to be with GdB?

Tim: Right. I was looking for an opportunity to learn more than I already was and what was presented to me was a duel role

I met with my now boss’ wife, had to give a presentation to the agency on my understanding and my take on social media.

Boss was so impressed I was asked out to coffee next day and was offered the job. I LOVE my job.

correction: *dual. Then again, I suppose there’s a fight over what department owns social media lol. Here, it’s PR.

Q – #3    You’re a real believer in companies that build a strong brand. (@McDonalds) IYO is that easy to do with social media?

Tim: No, with social media you must think long-term. One-off campaigns may give a bump, but we’re talking about building

Brands like @McDonald’s do a great job bc they integrate in every facet of their operation. It’s about trust & triggers

more on that: trust = brands need to be human, approachable. Triggers: talk about things that everyone is talking about

@JoelECarlson - Agreed! Social Media can start as a “grass roots” approach for a new biz, but it has to build beyond that.

Tim: saying that, a local brand that does it really well: @summitbeer (GdB client)

Q – #4    More about you. Your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, comfort food, hobby or non-work interest.

Tim: Dakota Jazz Club- awesome food, fun atmosphere. You might say I’m a 40 year old stuck in a 27-year old’s body

Store would have to be BestBuy. Comfort food is mashed potatoes or pot roast (I like hearty meals)

My wife and I are working on giving back to the community. We are blessed with a lot. So perhaps a coffee shop for the homeless

I also write songs. The goal is to go around to nursing homes and churches and perform them. Encourage/inspire others

In my leisure time, I enjoy running. I know people say runners don’t run for any reason, but c’mon now. It’s fun

Q – #5    Exercise should be fun! What if you could pick 1 person, dead/alive to have a meal with. Who would you choose and why?

Tim: Martin Luther King, Jr. To introduce a message at a time that message was hated and do so with a great outcome, wow.

Division is commonplace in the world and keeping one’s integrity and mission amidst it is hard to find. Ppl compromise

Q – #6    With your background and experience, what kind of schooling/training would you recommend to people interested in SM?

Tim: Great question. You absolutely need to know Web design. If ur client asks you to create a social presence, it’s key

It’s important for companies to work w/ media partners and see how they can leverage digital buys to drive the message

You also need to be intellectually curious. ALL THE TIME. I say “intellectual” bcuz there are dumbheads out there.

We’re all aware of those gurus who think updating on Facebook = intellectual expertise

@JoelECarlson – The 5 W’s Who? What? Where? When? Why? are important! Thank you @timotis from your time and insights today! Have a great day!

Tim: anytime, Joel.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the 1yr Anniversary Twitterview with @mnpr (Ryan May) as the guest. Lets get the party started!

@mnpr – I am ready Joel

Q – #1    tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, where did you go to school and where did you start after school?

Ryan: I am Minnesota born and raised. I went to @UMN_SJMC and hoped to be a DJ. Life took a different direction.

After graduation I received my first offer in radio for $18,000 a year. I knew I couldn’t survive, so I made a course correction.

I ended up working for @patrickstrother at Strother out of college. It was a great learning experience.

Q – #2    So after @PatrickStrother, what other work did you do that led you  to @mnpr?

Ryan: My focus has always been hi-tech PR. When I was offered a job in April, 2002 @baesystemsInc I couldn’t resist.

@baesystemsinc gave me free reign to explore communications. I started my blog in February of 2003. It’s been a great experiment

The @mnpr blog was just a way to get my name out to local professionals. Anyone who’s work in corporate knows you need to do outreach

Q – #3    How long have you been on Twitter, and how is your #Honeywell campaign going?

A: I have been on Twitter since Sept 2007. It has been a great professional development tool. It is has led me to multiple interviews.

I have had success in getting interviews I haven’t landed a job yet. As you mentioned, I recently ran a #hiremehoneywell campaign.

I thought the Honeywell position was mostly social media. Turns out they wanted mostly traditional media relations.

While I feel like I have media relations skills I don’t have the contacts @honeywellgrid was looking for nationally.

The best thing about #hiremehoneywell was the feed back I got from follower. 13-pages of great comments.

Q #4    Something will no doubt turn up for you! What other interests or hobbies do you get involved with?

Ryan: Right now I have two kids. A one-year-old and a two-year-old. My hobby is reading parenting books a tickling my kids.

My wife runs a blog www.samuelmay.com. I help her think of ideas to post. I am trying to get her on twitter @initstime.

I can’t wait for Samuel to be old enough to go snowboarding.

Q – #5    Do you snowboard? Now your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, winter activity, comfort food and recent book or blog.

Ryan: I have been snowboarding since before it was allowed in Minnesota. That should age me some.

I love to drink coffee. I mean I LOVE to drink coffee. I am @starbucks right now and I frequent Diamonds too – http://bit.ly/gbrAtM

Beer is right up there with coffee. If I were to choose a place right now I would say @bulldogne is the place to go.

Books are tricky. I mostly read parenting books now and kids books.

Q – #6    If you could pick to have a meal/coffee with any 1 person dead/alive, who would you pick and why?

Easy – @barackobama. Beyond the fact he is leader of the free world. I think it would be great to talk policy with him.

@JoelECarlson – THANKS @mnpr for sharing some of your time and thoughts today on the 1yr anniversary of #jectv. Have a great evening!

Ryan: You too Joel. Thanks for engaging me and for your great blog. Keep it up.