Welcome to the 1st official @MNMOmag Twitterview of Spring! :) Today’s guest is Becky Sturm of @StormSister and other endeavors.

Becky:    Thanks Joel! Looking forward to it.

Tell us first Becky what made you get into the skin and beauty business?

Becky:    I literally grew up in the salon/spa industry in my grandmothers’ salon. Mom was a hairdresser and so is my sister.

I can’t imagine doing anything else.

So you really know what you’re talking about and the value of your products. When did you story your biz?

Becky:    After 25 years in the salon/spa atmosphere I wanted 2 open a boutique& then 4 years of that, into product development

I started @StormSister in 2006 and @3waybeauty in 2010

Where is @StormSister located, and what do you offer to potential customers?

Becky:    After 4 years of a bricks and mortar in St. Paul, StormSister Spatique is exclusively online: http://www.stormsister.biz

StormSister Spatique offers all of my tried and true Lotions, Potions and Serums for hair, skin, nails and body.

StormSister only sells products I have used & I know work. I am not paid to endorse any of the products I sell

Good for you to sell only what you believe in! :) It’s more than just hair products too right?

Becky:  Oh yes! StormSister Spatique sells skincare, nail care and body care products.

I also chat beauty and grooming on my blog. http://stormsisterspatique.blogspot.com/

Now on to @3waybeauty. How did you come up with this line and how is it different from what’s already in the market?

Becky:  3waybeauty was borne out of the recession. Clients needed to get more bang from their buck so, multi-purpose products.

TSA restrictions for liquids were also a concern. Who hasn’t had a product taken away at the airport?

So, our @3waybeauty flagship product is shhh. shampoo | shower | shave – a 3-in-1 grooming bar for men and women

Every @3waybeauty product I develop has to have multiple uses, hence 3waybeauty/

Smart thinking! @3waybeauty sounds like a great plan. Do you plan to expand that line?

Becky:    We are expanding @3waybeauty – we have several products already http://www.3waybeauty.com  & have another in the works

I even have plans for branding my own @StormSister product. Working with local manufacturer now ;o)

You mentioned that you have a beauty/grooming blog. With Spring now here, what tips would you give for a new season?

Becky:    upgrade skincare. We don’t need rich winter skincare this time of year. Thick brows are in – grow them out ladies ;o)

Also, look at lipstick as an accessory and don’t only match it to your skin. If a shade makes you happy, wear it!

Over @3waybeauty, we want men 2 “think outside the can”. Stop w/the canned foam. There isn’t anything good about it.

I’m also a big fan of getting a facial at the change of each season. Here in MN, our skin needs it.

Here is my StormSister Spatique Blog http://stormsisterspatique.blogspot.com/

For men to #ThinkOutsideTheCan, what do you recommend they use for shaving?

Becky:    My @3waybeauty shhh. bar. http://www.3waybeauty.com  Men are my fastest growing demographic right now.

Men love my @3waybeauty bar because they can use it as a shampoo, shower bar and shaving cream. No tight burning skin

Before ending, please talk about @HAMMSevent and what it’s drawing attention to.

Becky:    @HAMMSevent was developed by Sairey Gernes and I. We wanted to combine crowdfunding and pop-up shopping.

The @HAMMSevent brought small local businesses together, Minnesota Makers, so the public could shop and support them.

The @HAMMSevent also was able to raise $5K in ticket sales and donations to be given to one lucky Minnesota Maker.

The was the first go-around for the @HAMMSevent and we achieved our objective. Sairey and I were beyond thrilled!

The @HAMMSevent philosophy is that small biz needs to stick together & share resources. It’s very tough out there.

We are hoping to do the @HAMMSevent again! So stay tuned.

The @HAMMSevent crowd-funding, Minnesota market concept is a new model and was received very well. Still more to do!

Congrats! What’s 1 or 2 tips that you would give to a small business starting out?

Becky:    You’ll be successful when you can’t imagine doing anything else but your business. Eat, sleep and drink it.

Surround yourself with as many other small biz’s that you can. Small biz’s that share their resources. Generous biz’s

Joel:    Good points! Thanks Becky for your time today with #MNMOtv, and continued success for you! :)

Becky:    Thank you so much for this opportunity, Joel. I greatly appreciate it. Cheers! #MNMOtv Thank you to @MNMOmag as well.

Interview conducted on May 8,2013.

Don’t think about the snow today! Instead, focus on today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with @vsawkar.

@vsawkar’s last day at @KSTP was this week, and so we want to catch up with her and reflect on the past as well as look forward.

A brief synopsis of your time at @KSTP. When did you start and what responsibilities did you have during your time there?

Vineeta:    Aug 95. Wknd reporter then wknd anchor then fill-in wkday anchor then AM/midday anchor. Little of everything!

How much has the news industry changed in that time? Beyond just going to HD. :)

Vineeta:    So much change! Love social media & how it helps news gathering. Quick way to get news out as well

What have been some of your favorite stories to cover in nearly 18yrs at @KSTP?

Vineeta:    We featured a severely mentally impaired girl who had the ability to sing like Whitney Houston and play music well.

I enjoyed Presidential visits as reporter. Clinton and Bush. I liked covering political stories.

I really liked covering education beat and reporting on what was going on in schools.

Having a long history with the station, what was it like for you when you knew that your time there was ending?

Vineeta:    Sad to see it end & say goodbye to dear friends but excited for the next step. So many interesting opportunities.

On AM shift, you work so closely with anchors and crew. Will miss those great people. They are great group!

I try to focus on positive. I get to sleep in! YAY! I get to tackle a new challenge and learn something new.

I am excited to use the skills I learned in 23 yrs of TV, in a diff way. Maybe to help another organization…

 Sleep is always a plus! :) With your years of experience, what kinds of opportunities are you looking at: PR, radio, Tv?

Vineeta:    All of the above! LOL. I have several options I am considering and groups that are considering me.

Whatever option pans out, I look frwrd to learning and also bringing my experience to the job.

So grateful to all the people who had lunches/coffees with me this past yr. I got some great advice!

Strange when employer doesn’t want you any more but I like to look ahead to next employer who will be happy 2 have me.

Are you wanting to stay in MN, or are you open to out of state work as well?

Vineeta:    Anyone who knows me knows I will never leave #StPaul. I love this city so much. We love raising our kids here.

I have lived in Twin Cities longer than anywhere else. (Grew up in Kansas City) This is home. We are so happy here!

MN is a good place to raise a family! :)  What kinds of things are you hoping to accomplish with your time off now?

Vineeta:    Reflecting. Meeting friends. Learning how to play hockey. Organizing our house. Running. Staying up late!

I look frwd to not being so tired. Big change for me. Usually go on 5 hrs sleep. It has been tough.

I don’t want to complain though. Those early AM hour allowed me to be there for kids in afternoon

Now that kids are getting older, games/performances are later. I want to stay up and enjoy them!

I am going to take some time to enjoy my family/friends and figure out my life. Not many have been at job for 18 yrs.

I just know that when time is right, my next step will be very clear to me

Lots of options! @MNMOmag for May has a section on neighborhoods -  http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/May-2013/12-Great-Neighborhoods/ Might you do some exploring?

Vineeta:    Love that idea. We really need to take our kids out of #StPaul more often!

As a seasoned journalist, what advice would you give to HS & college students interested in that field?

Vineeta:    Diversify. Major in journalism but take business classes, too. So important.

Learn latest technology and be ready to report in many diff ways. That is beauty of TV journalism now.

I am excited for future of journalism with use of social media, technology, etc. So many ways to get info.

I would tell them to be persistent and don’t let a rejection get you down. Keep trying for that first job.

Joel:    On behalf of MN TV viewers, THANK YOU for all of your hard work these past 18 years! You’ve made it good!

Vineeta:    Truly appreciate that and also all the kind emails, tweets and Facebook msgs.I am overwhelmed by all the sweet msgs.

Minnesotans are so wonderful. They let me into their homes for 18 yrs and I am sad to say goodbye.

Wish I could personally thank everyone who took time to call,write. It makes me teary to think people care that much.

Joel:    Thank you for your time Tweeting with me today for #MNMOtv. We look forward to seeing where your #NextStep takes you!

Vineeta:    Thanks for this opportunity! I better run. Enjoy the snow!!

Thanks so much! I promise to let you know when I decide!

Interview conducted on May 3,2013.

Are you thinking of Spring today? The @MNMOmag guest are the owners of @sweetlandorchrd in Webster MN, Mike & Gretchen. Lets go!

Gretchen:    Thanks for thinking of us today, @JoelECarlson. For once, we’re in the position of waiting for spring to catch up to us!

How do things look at the orchard this year? Is the late Spring causing any ill effects?

Gretchen:    We’d take this spring over last spring anytime. A nice & slow warm-up doesn’t put apple blossoms at risk like last year.

. . .not that the trees are close to blossoming at all! They’re definitely biding their time, but they’re going to love this weekend

All of the cold this winter was great too for (hopefully) reducing the insect pest population. Orchardists are happy this year!

When did the orchard get started, and what did you first start with as a crop?

Gretchen:    This is our 4th spring at the orchard, but we bought it as an orchard (fka Bob’s Bluebird Orchard)

Ave. age of apple trees is 15 yrs, but one is 35 years old and others are, well, one day old now. We also have pears and plums.

 How old do the trees have to be in order to provide usable fruit?

Gretchen:    That gets kind of technical, but it depends on the rootstock. Apple trees can be standard, semi-dwarf, and dwarf.

The bigger the tree, the longer to production. Standard = 10 yrs, semidwarf = 5-6 yrs, dwarf = 3-4 yrs.

We plant semidwarfs because they seem to do best in our soil. Many orchards plant dwarfs; they’re also great for home orchards.

Pears and plums take longer to bear, thus the saying “pears for heirs.”

On a good year, what kind of volume of fruit can you get from your trees? How many acres do you have?

Gretchen:    Volume is another case where rootstock matters. For example, a standard tree could produce 20 bu/yr while a dwarf, more like 2 bu.

We’ve got 5 acres of trees (15 acres of wetlands and woods) & a variety of rootstock, so a good year for us would be 2500 bu.

But we also go to @fultonmarketmn & @kingfieldmarket & Bloomington in Sept & Oct.

How do you sell your fruit: farmers market(s), online or can people come to pick on-site?

Gretchen:    We love to have people down to the orchard to pick. We’ve got a pretty quiet operation with dogs and chickens for entertainment.

We’ve also started selling hard cider at the orchard, so that’s fun too. Folks pack a picnic and spend a little time in nature

When are you typically open for customers to come and pick?

Gretchen:    We’re open for picking on Sat & Sun in Sept & Oct. We’re a small operation — it’s us & our folks & a few friends.

For people thinking about coming to pick this Fall, what varieties of apples, pears and plums do you have?

Gretchen:    Oh my, so many varieties. We’ve got the standard MN favorites (Honeycrisp, Haralson, SweeTango, Sweet 16, Keepsake, Honeygold) . . .

But some fun ones too: Scarlet Surprise for novelty, Bonnie Best for pie, and Wolf River for size. Any plum or pear is amazing

@slklug took a great pic of Scarlet Surprise last year: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4106/5069637708_1216b10d01_z.jpg …

What made you (Gretchen & Mike) decide to buy an orchard? Would you change anything after gaining 4yrs of exp?

Gretchen:    We wanted to live in the country — and not have to commute to the city. We love living our here, growing apples, raising chickens.

But market farming is tough and our families have done a ton for us.

That’s one reason we’re getting into hard cider — to make our operation more sustainable.

And we’re doing this too because we love to eat good food and we love growing good food.

Any plans for the future of other things you could add to your business?

Gretchen:    Future directions? Well, cider-making’s like winemaking in terms of gaining experience over a lifetime.

So we anticipate we’ll spend a lot of time refining our cider-making craft.

Honestly, it will be a joy to concentrate on growing trees and fermenting cider, and doing both the best we can.

Joel:   Sounds like you have good plans! Thanks to both of you for sharing your story today on #MNMOtv. Enjoy Spring! :)

Gretchen:    We’re lucky to be doing what we love! Thanks for inviting us to chat today. We think we’ll all finally get to enjoy spring soon!

Interview conducted on April 24,2013.

Welcome everyone to the @MNMOmag Twitterview with @MossEnvy co-owner, @ryanpaulnorth, Ryan North.

Ryan:    Hello @JoelECarlson Hello everyone!!!

How about that weather! :)

Explain what moved you to open the store first Ryan.

Ryan:    Moss Envy grew out of 2nd store “Twin Cities Green” which grew from our first shop “Re Gifts” It was actually my wife (Tina’s) idea.

We wanted to be our own bosses and start a business that somehow gave back to the world!

#recycled #reclaimed #natural #organic products… a lot of locally made items too. Fair trade too!

Tina and I are actors by trade… we met doing the show “Tony n Tina’s Wedding” together #historyofmossenvy

What was the business plan as to the types of things that you would offer to customers?

Ryan:    Building trust was paramount! A lot of people R becoming more concerned about the items they use on their bodies and in their homes

people want to avoid their exposure to toxins and junk… we do the research, find products, and sell them at @MossEnvy

We are a lot like an #ecofriendly department store! A bit of everything! Gifts, decor, kitchen items, baby stuff, furniture…

…building materials, mattresses, bath and body products, cards, purses, jewelry… all recycled, reclaimed, natural, or organic.

 Are products that are #recycled #reclaimed #natural and #organic much more expensive then if they weren’t?

Ryan:    Our products can be more expensive, but a lot of customers are very surprised at our value! Eco doesn’t always = spendy.

sometimes buying with a sustainable mindset saves money in the long run. Buy it right the first time!

you also have to look at the OTHER costs. Costs to your body, costs to the environment, the cost to the person who made the product.

Can people bring things to you for you to sell or to use in trade?

Ryan:    Sometimes we work w/local artists to have their works on consignment, but we usually like to buy outright. We usually don’t barter.

This summer we are looking for visual artists and musicians for our Summer Arts Series! http://www.mossenvy.com/sas

Moss Envy has a strong commitment to MN’s talented pool of creative folks! You’ll find many Made in MN products on our shelves!

What are some of the #HotTrends in #EcoProducts globally and at your store right now?

Ryan:    During the recession there was a shift away from “save the earth” to “save me.” Eco consumers’ focus has turned personal. But…

when you focus on doing right by your body, you’re often making choices that honor our environment. EXAMPLE: #organic body products!

less chemicals, fewer ingredients, fewer resources being used is good for our bodies and good for the planet!

There’s also a big trend to shop locally! Support the mom and pop shops in your neighborhood! #shoplocal

Happy #EarthDay weekend BTW! This is like a big holiday for @MossEnvy!

For a product to be labeled or branded as #organic, what rules or guidelines are there for manufacturers?

Ryan:    The USDA is the biggest “stamper of approval.” But there are others: here’s a link to an article: http://goo.gl/1J3gA

organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-201 … #MNMOtv Here’s another article to learn more about #organic labeling. You have to read and educate yourself!

Online, we use a system of eco labels that help identify what is special about our products: http://www.mossenvy.com/Articles.asp?ID=142 …

Are your running any specials or deals right now? With Spring right near (hopefully), what should people think about now?

Ryan:    #EarthDay is on Monday so we are currently running our 20% Off Earth Day Sale thru Monday! Some GREAT deals right now at @MossEnvy

You can find out details on our sale at http://www.mossenvy.com/earthday  #EarthDay #Sale

If you’re shopping online (http://www.mossenvy.com ) you’ll want to use coupon code: EARTHDAY at checkout to get your 20% off!

If Spring ever arrives… people want to get out side and staying hydrated will be important! We sell these great glass waterbottles

Glass water bottles are awesome because there is no leaching or bad taste! Here’s a link to check ‘em out: http://goo.gl/9GGye

More like DREAMING about Spring. Geez! It’ll come… I’m SURE of it!

People can also start thinking about SPRING in MN by checking out the May issue of @MNMOmag right now! – http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/May-2013/

In addition to shopping online, where can people find your physical store in the Twin Cities? What are your hours?

Ryan:    Yes, @MossEnvy DOES have a storefront! It’s at 3056 Excelsior Blvd, on the West side of MPLS. Near Lake Calhoun and WholeFoods.

@MossEnvy is easy to find! Link to http://www.mossenvy.com/directions  to find us! We have our own parking lot right in front!

@MossEnvy is open 7 days a week! Mon-Sat from 10-7 and Sun from 12-5. 24 hours at http://www.mossenvy.com

Joel:    Thanks for all of your history and sharing what people can find at your store today Ryan. Have a great weekend!

Ryan:    Thank you @JoelECarlson & @MNMOmag I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about @MossEnvy Happy #EarthDay to everyone!

Interview conducted on April 19,2013.

Hello to everyone in snow covered Minnesota! Today’s guest is Maria Driscoll of @ParkaMpls, an appropriate Twitter handle for today!

Maria:    Yeah it’s snowy. I can’t tell if it’s Christmas or the worst/best April fools joke ever played.

In addition to handling the Twitter account, what else do you do there Maria?

Maria:    I’ve worked with @DogwoodCoffee for about 3 years and was excited to see them expand with Rustica and @Victory_44

I love coffee so I have been working the AM, meeting new people and preachin’ the good word of coffee.

Not to mention we have just started serving a stellar breakfast at 9!

Share how the concept of Parka came about and when it was that you opened the doors to the public?

Maria:    It is a collaboration with @DogwoodCoffee @Victory_44 #Rustica all of which put a lot of effort and passion into their crafts

creating a space that highlight each one of our strengths and skills.

We had a soft opening for friends and family then got the ball rolling pretty quick about the end of January.

Any thought behind choosing Longfellow neighborhood as the area to open in?

Maria:    Longfellow is such a great up and coming neighborhood where businesses around us share like-minded views

@ForageModern_MN was nice enough to let us be roommates and also helped furnish our dinning room with local designers

having met quit a few people from the area, its safe to say we are all excited to see this neighborhood grow

For people that don’t know, what’s your address and hours of operation?

Maria:    Tuesday-Friday 7-10 and the kitchen is open from 9-3 and 5-10. Weekends 8-10 with the kitchen having the same hours.

the address is 4021 East Lake Street where I will be workin’ the coffee and breakfast crowd!

What element from @DogwoodCoffee @Victory_44 and #Rustica are on the menu?

Maria:    I think @DogwoodCoffee #Rustica and @Victory_44 can all be seen quite well in our desserts.

From Coffee and Doughnuts to Cookies and Bars.

Pastries and bread from our dear #Rustica each day. As well as @DogwoodCoffee used in various meat rubs, mustards etc,

@Victory_44 Chef brings his talent and flare to the trational Midwestern home cookin’

Since you mentioned it earlier, what are some of your most popular breakfast options on the menu?

Maria:    the biscuits and gravy are to die for (I just love gravy). Also the Benedict is amazing with a yuzu kosho Hollandaise

Ants on a log french toast with #Rustica ‘s multigrain bread (delicious)

Oh! and I almost forgot- Breakfast Fries! french fries topped with a couple fried eggs and dressed in delicious gravy

What’s popular at lunch time, or right about now for some people? :)

Maria:    We have a really amazing Kale salad with baked kale, roasted grapes, compressed apples, sprinkled with a bit of chevre

Mom’s Meatloaf Sandwich a great lunchtime meal. It comes with a cute basket of fries and icebox pickles.

My favorite- the Hot Beef. Set on toast, brown butter mashers, melted leeks, topped with gravy and fried leeks. YUM!

or you can take it easy with a bowl of onion soup or a tempura battered shrimpwich.

For your evening crowd, what drink options do you offer to your customers?

Maria:    We have @indeedbrewing on tap with Day Tripper, Midnight Ryder, and the current seasonal Burr Grinder

Burr Grinder is a collaboration with @DogwoodCoffee and @indeedbrewing to create this unique coffee beer

We also have red and white wines some of which are from here in the Midwest. And of course bottled beer.

We have a few larger bottled beers that are great for sharing!

To end today, in the length of 1 Tweet, why should people come and check out your place?

Maria:    One stop Midwest shop, minus Nana’s ugly sweatshirts. Great coffee, bread, and food…the people aren’t so bad either.

Joel:    Thanks Maria for your time and comments today! Have a good weekend.

Maria:    No problem. Thank you! Hope to see you in soon.

Lets welcome @ChefJasonRoss as today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview guest. He’s a chef, teacher & restaurant/product development consultant.

Jason:    Hi there.

Welcome! This Saturday & Sunday is the @MNMOmag #ChefChallenge at the @MallOfAmerica. Have you been a judge before?

Jason:  this will be my 4th year judging and my 3rd out at the @mallofamerica rotunda.

For people NEW to the #ChefCallenge, what can people expect to see, smell and experience?

Jason:    Well, big crowds, crazy food combinations, hi pressure, this year @MarielHemingway. So fun time.

That’s right! @MarielHemingway is going to be a #ChefChallenge judge too. What’s your approach to judging?

Jason:    I look for timing, use of secret ingredient, creativity, presentation, and in the end, for me, Taste trumps all
To be honest, I find judging these chefs to be a little humbling.

Each year with had top talent and this year there’s a a bunch of new faces.

Going into the challenge, do you know many of the chefs already? Does that make judging more challenging?

Jason:    I think I know or at least have met all of them. I doesnt make it any easier, but judging is never an easy thing..

the chefs have really put themselves out there in public way and there time restraints and secret ingredients..

make it pretty high intensity.

There are 4 match-ups that lead to the finals on Sunday at 3pm CDT. Which match-us are you most looking forward to?

Jason:    @SaffronMpls vs @BoroughMpls will be a nail biter. They are both competitive, want to win, and are good friends.

I also like the the @BarbetteMpls vs @BirchwoodCafe for good “locavore” competition.

I hate to list them all, but they’re all good match ups. @piccolo_mpls vs @stripclubstp is a great revenge match too.

Are there any trendy or new ingredients that you expect to see used?

Jason:    Honestly I have no idea. Each year they’ve made it pretty challenging -gummy bears, venison liver, cookies…

Some ingredients are more challenging than others. You can see it sometimes in the chefs faces during the reveal.

The #ChefChallenge is Sat & Sun. The judges are @MarielHemingway, @ChefJasonRoss, @DeRushaJ, @Rachel_Hutton & @FreshTartSteph.

Joel:    Get more details about the #ChefChallenge at the @MNMOmag website – http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/Events-Pics-Calendars/2013-Local-Chef-Challenge/.

Thanks to @ChefJasonRoss for today!

Interview conducted on April 3, 2013

@LindseySeavert is a native Minnesotan and started reporting locally for @WCCO and now reports for @KARE11. She also is a busy mom! :)

Lindsey:    I am all of those things. And I am beginning this Twitterview with a toddler insisting to be on my lap!

Juggling and Tweeting then. :) What made you want to become a storyteller?

Lindsey:    I love to offer people a voice, words come easily and you have the ability to educate, inspire, evoke emotion.

Creation and development are important. Did you have some on-the-job mentors along the way?

Lindsey:    Yes, owe so much to peers who made tv storytelling a craft. @boydhuppert has been an incredible mentor

Being a good storyteller is important, and you also have to know your audience. What do Minnesotans like?

Lindsey:    MNs are a sharp bunch. They don’t tolerate sensationalism, demand quality. We have engaged, educated news consumers

Our viewers see through a weak report and aren’t afaid to tell you. They hold us accountable. We work for the public.

With large cities as well as a large rural area, is balance also important in the types of stories covered?

Lindsey:    Balance is paramount. Have to remember this vast state, avoid being “Cities” centric, and showcase diverse groups.

As a working mom, what kinds of things do you juggle with to get “everything done” each day?

Lindsey:    Voice in my head! Honestly, feel like I come up short often. Story ideas, deadlines, housework, boy and hub to love

Try to remember I’m doing my best. Try to forgive myself. I take longer to return emails, floors aren’t as clean.

Are there any Apps, organizing tools or strategies that you use to help to keep things scheduled?

Lindsey:    No, anyone have suggestions? I use Outlook calendar. My mind used to be enough, but I can’t keep it straight anymore!

Joel:    Thank you very much for your time and comments today for #MNMOtv. When can people see you on @kare11 again?

Lindsey:    Just started my weekend w Fri/Sat off, but I’ll be back Sunday at 10pm. M-Th for 5/6pm. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and devotion to the Twitterverse. #MNMOtv Have a beautiful weekend!

Interview took place on April 3,2013.