If a person only ever ate food with jalapeno or ghost peppers, would anything stand out? It would all be hot to the taste and touch, but isn’t it true that “variety is the spice of life” as the saying goes? Does everything need to be hot?

In today’s tech/social hungry world, people are constantly wondering, “what’s the latest…” this or that, “what’s the hottest in. . .” to make sure that they are on top of it all and aren’t missing out. While I’ll agree that it’s good to stay on top of things like trends, does everything that we do have to be the best or latest?  I still chuckle when I ask someone about their smartphone, and they feel bad about having the previous model, when that model that they have is a year or less old. Your smartphone didn’t even exist 2 years ago! It’s okay to have the one that’s in your hands right now!

While it’s good to stay caught up on reading what the latest social media platform is that’s taking off, or find out which App can save you the most time with a particular task, it’s also good to once an awhile take a breath, and be happy with the place that you’re at currently. It’s okay to be a trend watcher, but you don’t have to live as a trend. It’s good to know what lies ahead, but we also need to enjoy the now in life.

Greetings everyone! Today’s #MNMOtv guest today is @jiwanicki (Jennifer Iwanicki) of the @curationstation. Lets get to know her!

Jennifer:    Hello Everyone! Glad to be here.

Share a little bit about your early years. Where did you grew up, attend school and what job did you want as an adult?

Jennifer:    I’m from Massachusetts. (Go Pats! @patriots) I thought I would be a lawyer when I grew up.

But I even changed that and played music in a rock band for a while before entering a career in management.

You’ll get the hang of it. So what kinds of companies did you first work for? When did you get the entrepreneur bug?

Jennifer:    I began managing a clothing company.Where I began writing code as a developer. I had a side business: Hullabaloo.

Hullabaloo created multimedia events in the city of Boston.

Great name! re: Hullaboloo – What got you to move to MN from the East Coast?

Jennifer:    The cold :)

Seriously, there was an opportunity for my family here, and we moved for that.

When I got here, I was incredibly impressed with the marketing community and went to my first MIMA event @mimatweet

When did you start with @HelloViking, and how did the idea of @CurationStation come to you?

Jennifer:    Ahh, yes! HV was started in 2007

My partner @tbrunelle and I started the company after winning a project with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Curation Station was birthed out of Hello Viking. Through working with marketers, we noticed a need.

So we spent some time doing alpha & beta testing with some key groups and developed Curation Station based on the feedback.

The need we identified was in how to put digital content to work and be more efficient in doing so

What kind of response have your gotten with @curationstation?

Jennifer:    The response for content curation has been huge. We are fulfilling the needs of agencies, CMO’s, etc

We are doing this through engagement, content management, gained efficiencies, etc.

The tool is quite flexible and powerful. We continue to be excited by the possibilities for use.

What did you think when @MNMOmag approached you about being included in their “the Revolutionaries” magazine section?

Jennifer:    So many emotions! Shock, excitement, flattery. The list goes on. And I wondered what it meant, right?

I mean, it’s an honor and someone I have aspired to- to think outside of the box and try new things.

So to be recognized for that within the group of Minnesotans who were also recognized is thrilling.

But there are so many people who have helped and guided me to this place. And I thank them all.

Congrats! So what’s on the radar for you now? More new Biz ideas? Got any professional goals you’re striving to achieve?

Jennifer:    Today, I have my hands full with the current businesses. My focus right now is on growth.

But I am always thinking about ways to become more efficient professionally.

I do have more ideas for projects and products. And suspect I will get to those eventually

Joel:    Sounds like some good plans Jennifer. Thanks for your time today and thanks for being a part of #MNMOtv!

Jennifer:    Thank you Joel. It was my pleasure. And a truly unique experience!

Cory Kampschroer and Jessica Miles are a married couple that live in the Twin Cities. They also work for the same company, Hubbard Broadcasting in St. Paul, which owns the local ABC television affiliate, KSTP. Besides working for KSTP television, they’re jobs also require them to appear on television. So imagine what that means for them. Living and working together, all of the time.  Do you think that you could do that?

In Part 1 of a 3-part interview with the couple, you’ll learn about where they grew up, what they wanted to be when they grew up and what their views of social media and the news are today.

In Part 2 of this series, Cory and Jessica share how a murder brought them together, how they explore the Twin Cities with their busy schedules, and how they go about finding the right babysitter for their children.

In Part 3 of their interview, Cory and Jessica talk about Minnesota vs Mississippi and how long they’ve worked for KSTP-TV. Jessica shares her thoughts on BREAKING NEWS and Cory shares his thoughts on the use of Social Media in the news business.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to the FRI AM Twitterview of @breon who’s Tweeting from the #CES event in Las Vegas. Lets get started!

@Breon - I’m ready when you are :)

Q – #1    So @Breon, where did you grow up and briefly, what did you do after High School up until today?

A: I was born and raised in Southern Michigan. I lived there until I was 23. While in HS i was working at Best Buy.

after HS, I decided to work as much as i could and save some money. I ended up with a lot of opportunities at Best Buy

i worked in BBY stores for about 5 years. Then I worked on a traveling project team for a year. Then they moved me to Philly

they eliminated the position in Philly but offered me a position at the corporate office in Mn.

I worked at the corporate office for about 6 years on the interactive Display Design team. Then left BBY to seek other opp

i got a job with a end or of BBY called LYNX Innovation. Worked there for a couple of years and was laid off.

durning my unemployment, i decided that i wanted to shift my focus to mobile. That’s how i got to where i am today.

Q – #2    Cool! How did you get interested in mobile, and what’s the company that you work with today?

A: I’ve always been interested in mobile. I had to have the coolest phones.

I really started researching and learning in 2007. When I wanted something more than my flip phone.

i looked at the iPhone and other smart phones of the time and didn’t think they were ready for primetime yet.

I jut bought a messenger phone and kept researching. When i was laid off in 2009 i had a lot of time for research.

i started saw a message about this @MobileTC group, where i met @JustinGrammens. He later started @RecursiveAwesum

i pestered him enough to get a job there. We develop mobile and web applications for a variety of clients.

Q – #3    In addition to your mobile work, you also are also into rally-racing. Can you briefly share you interest & work with it?

A: I’ve been into rally racing since about 2000. My cousin bought a Subaru Impreza and learned about its rally heritage

When i moved to Mn, i found out that there is a massive rally community here. I started racing in 2003.

It was fun for a couple of years, but got too expensive. After racing I started helping the organizers.

now i organize 4 or more events per year. I still get to drive down the roads and have a lil fun

Q – #4    How has the #CES event been going for you? What are 1-5 things that you were WOWED or excited about?

A: #CES is chaotic, as always. Tons of people a bunch of TVs. The top three things I’m excited for are…

4G mobile devices – tons of tablets, smartphones and MiFi devices.

Tablets in general – a range of sizes, form factors, cellular connected and not

Connected TVs – the ability to watch Internet content and use apps on the big screen

Q – #5    FAVORITES Question: Restaurant, store (brick/mortar), store (online), mobile service, mobile device, MSP neighborhood.

A: Corner Coffee for lunch, Pizza Luce for dinner, Best Buy, Threadless.com, Foursquare (won a Mashable award last night)

HTC Thunderbolt (announced yesterday) Uptown…maybe northeast.

Q – #6    Lets get a “mobile vision” point of view from you. Where do you see mobile going in the next 1-2 years?

A: Mobile is only one part in the future of our connected life. Mobile devices will be the portal to give access on the go

Faster connections, faster devices, tablets were always on the horizon…they are now here.

@JoelECarlson – THANKS @breon for your time and comments today. Have a great time at #CES and enjoy all of the “new toys”!

@Breon – Thank you for the twitterview opportunity. Now i have to catch a shuttle to the convention center!

@JoelECarlson – Hello and welcome to Twitterview No.2 today, this time our guest is @lgmelcher. Lets get rolling!

@lgmelcher – thanks, @JoelECarlson. coffee in hand and ready to go

Q – #1    So @lgmelcher (Lauren), please share where you grew up, what you did after High School and what lead you to where you are today?

A: I grew up in an Air Force family – dad was stationed in Texas and California, and I came to Minnesota for college (@StOlaf)

I took some time off to travel, then studied journalism in Wash. DC before coming back to MN and getting an English/Management degree

My first “real” job was with @AliveMagazine – managing editor – which was an awesome experience. loved the mission and the community

…and then two years ago I took a new job in strategic communications and marketing, which I also love.

Q – #2    Cool. So what is your role, what type of clients/customers to do you work with and is SM part of what you do?

A: My role changes for each client, but I’m generally in a project manager / content strategist position for #highered clients

I also work on our technology team, building internal and external systems (including web dev processes, etc) so that includes SM

Our firm doesn’t specialize in any particular area, but I’ve been lucky to work with lots of nonprofits and colleges/universities

Q – #3    Neat. What kind of things do you do to stay caught up with the latest platforms, systems and processes?

A: I read all the time. Blogs, yes, but also magazines and books (!). That’s always been a habit, and it serves me well in my job.

I also write for @TECHdotMN, which leads me to meeting tons of great people – I learn a lot from talking to and writing about them

I should say, too, that while I like staying caught up with the “latest & greatest,” I make an effort for it not to control my life

Q – #4    Good for you! So in addition to work, what other kind of hobbies or activities are you involved with doing?

A: Well, last year I splurged on a DSLR camera that I love, and spend a lot of time outside of work on personal & volunteer photo prjcts

I’m also the proud new owner of a 110-year-old farmhouse in Minneapolis, which has been a blast to work on the last few months

really, I’m a sucker for a good home improvement or cooking blog and love DIY projects.

Q – #5    Wow!  A 110yr old farmhouse. Hopefully it’s warm inside! Now to your FAVS: restaurant, store, winter activity and gadget.

A: very warm :) that thing was built back when people really built houses well, I’m telling you.

hmm. favorites. restaurant: Northeast Social Club in Mpls, but my all-time fav is a BBQ dive in San Antonio. Rudy’s. mmm.

store… Hunt and Gather (50th and Xerxes) is great for vintage finds. But I’m a Williams and Sonoma girl at heart.

winter activity… downhill skiing, for sure. I grew up skiing at Lake Tahoe and that’s the thing I miss most about California

gadget… my mom’s iPad. sigh. I love that thing. also, my bluetooth b/c I’m always driving and talking on the phone

Q – #6    So what kind of professional or personal goals have you set for yourself for the next year or so?

A: great question. I like goals when they relate to business, but I don’t have a lot of personal/professional goals set out right now…

… I feel that I’m lucky to have already gotten to do many of the things I dreamed of as a little girl.

so my goals are to be challenged in my work and have the freedom to volunteer my time to causes I feel strongly about

Q – #7    That sounds fulfilling. :) If you could have any 1 person (dead/alive) over for dinner, who would you ask and why?

A: I’ve always imagined that Indira Gandhi would have some amazing stories to tell.

Q – #8    Final question, what life advice or mantra would you like to share today?

A: I used to be a cautious person. Still am in some ways, but the phrase “feel the fear and do it anyways” really resonates with me.

and the quotation behind Alive Magazine has been hugely influential for me …

“don’t ask what the world needs. ask what makes you come alive and go do that b/c what the world needs is people who have come alive”

@JoelECarlson – Thank you @lgmelcher today for your time and sharing some of your thoughts. Have a great afternoon and have fun.

@lgmelcher – thanks, @JoelECarlson. take care.

@JoelECarlson – Welcome everyone to today’s Twitterview 2.0 with tech/humorist and 1/2 of the @GeekGirlsGuide duo @irishgirl as today’s guest.

@irishgirl – I’ve never been called a humorist before, but if it means you think I’m funny I’ll take it! :)

Q – #1    So @irishgirl, lets first talk about your application with @nylons to the #SXSW event. What brought about the thought to apply?

A: Well, @Nylons called me and said, “Guess what I did?”

I’d love to say we were really strategic about it, but it was a whim. And we believe strongly in the topic.

With @geekgirlsguide, we just have a ton of passion and we like talking to as many people as possible.

Q – #2    So what is the application process like? How long was the “open voting” for approval? Still in the running?

A: We filled out an online app in July. The judges reviewed the apps and decided which ones went up for public vote.

Public voting was from 8/11-8/27. That accounts for 30% of your score (the initial judging was 40%).

Final judging (which is happening now) is the last 40%. They announced the first round last month (we weren’t in it).

But the second round will be announced this Monday. Fingers crossed!

We’ve been on their list of “trending” ideas (http://ow.ly/354Sb) which seems like a good sign, but who knows?

The page I just linked to: one minute we’re at the top, and the next we’re at the bottom. I can’t tell what it means!

Q – #3    Hopefully that works out for you and @Nylons! :) Now you get paid to blog a lot right? :) j/k  How’s work been lately?

A: Work has been very busy, in a good way. We have launched lots of cool stuff lately! Wanna see some of it?

@JoelECarlson – @irishgirl Sure, Tweet some links of @Clockwork_Tweet’s recent activity.

We launched @GirlScoutsRV: http://www.girlscoutsrv.org/ – I’m really proud of that one. cc: @bradbaso, @m3ggiesue

We also launched @UnitedWayTC at https://www.unitedwaytwincities.org/ – they are a great client and I love the site!

We also – for fun on a Lab Day – built an app called Slydology. Just a fun, silly (free) game – for iPhone & Android.

And lots of others: helped Capella with an iPhone app for students, new site for United Bankers’ Bank…fun to be busy!

Q – #4    Fun! Now you also have a @GeekGirlsGuide Social Media 101 session for next WED planned. Who are you targeting w/that?

A: That 101 session is for people who look at social media and either feel overwhelmed, skeptical, or think,…

There are still a large number of people who don’t really “get it” – especially how it can be used professionally.

The best summary of their attitude is, “I don’t care what anyone had for lunch.” We try to address that skepticism.

We have no vested interest in whether or not they do anything with social media, but are passionate about educating.

The point is: it’s fine to reject something if it’s not for you, but at least make sure you know what you’re rejecting.

Q – #5    Good idea! Got a link for people to sign up? On the personal side…any new stores or restaurants that you’ve tried?

A: More info on 11/10 workshop here – http://ow.ly/355MS I should also mention that it’s the first in a series.

Different folks at #clockwork will do workshops on all kinds of stuff both tech-related and not. So watch for those!

As for new stores/restaurants: I am the boringest loser ever. I did finally make it to Haute Dish, which was awesome!

I’m WAY more into movies and books than restaurants or stores!

Q – #6    1 more question, and then I’ll open it up to anyone following on #jectv to ask you a final question. OK?

A: Cool. Hit me.

Q – #7    @irishgirl You’re a BIG advocate of #GTD and speak about it. What would you say is the biggest reason to apply it?

@JoelECarlson – FYI – #GTD (Get Things Done)

A: To reduce stress by being productive about things you really care about instead of busy work and emergencies.

@JoelECarlson – Wonderful! :) Now 1 question from anyone following now on #jectv, directed to @irishgirl? I’ll choose which one she answers? Anyone?

@irishgirl – *crickets*

In case no questions come in, I’m going to spout off about awesome things I think people should know about.

@KDFindley – Favorite book @irishgirl has read recently. Business and/or pleasure.

@irishgirl – Awesome thing 1: Sherlock on @PBS. Completely awesome, stars Martin Freeman from the BBC version of The Office.

@JoelECarlson – Go ahead and answer @KDFindley’s question on books.

@irishgirl – Awesome thing 2: The Passage by Justin Cronin. Long book, but really good. Post-apocalyptic & unusual vampire tale.

I love the one I just mentioned – The Passage. Last night finished book 2 of the Hunger Games trilogy. I’m loving those.

I’ve wanted to check out #booksandbars for a while, and on 11/23 they’re talking Hunger Games. http://booksandbars.com/

@JoelECarlson – Agreed! Sherlock is a VERY good series on Sunday’s on @TPT / @PBS

@JoelECarlson – Thank you so much for your sharing some of your life online today. Have a great weekend @irishgirl.

@irishgirl – Thanks, Joel! And thanks to anyone who listened to me. Enjoy the weekend. Go read a good book!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @00lyl00. Lets get started. (1st and only Twitterview of the week!)

@00lyl00 - good morning

Q – #1    So @00lyl00, tell us where did you grow up, what High School did you attend, and what did you do out of High School?

A: I grew up in RedWing MN and went to the high school there and then finished up with home school.

I went into construction working with my dad after that

Q – #2    Cool! So jumping ahead to NOW. What kind of work do you do now, and how did you get into that field?

A: I work with secure file transfers now. I got injured in construction that required me to change fields.

after my injury and multiple surgeries I went back to school with the idea of going into information security

I loved that role but after the economy downturn I was laid after some time I was able to get the job I have now

Q – #3    Layoffs have hit many people lately. :(  So what kinds of programs or software do you use in your current job?

A: I primarily use a tool called Axway. It’s a way to securely deliver files that contain sensitive data.

I spend a lot of my time working in Linux and use pretty standard transfer protocols like SFTP, FTP and HTTPS

Q – #4    I see. Security/Privacy is important in the tech-world! I see you’re Tweeting from an #iPad. Your thoughts on it?

A: as someone who thought the iPad was a joke and had a stupid name I have to admit I was soooo wrong. I love it!

I use it for everything and I keep finding new uses for it.

Q – #5    What is one of the most entertaining Apps that you currently have on your #iPad?

A: one of the most entertaining huh? That’s tough there’s so many but I would have to say Angry Birds

Q – #6    I’ve played #AngryBirds. It’s kind of addicting! Now for your FAVS: Favorite restaurant, store, website and Fall activity?

A: fav restaurant is Salut Fav store has to be Bestbuy…so many shinys Fave website is either Amazon or Etsy

I get some really cool cufflinks from Etsy Favorite fall activity. Just being outside with the cool weather and colors

Q – #7    So to end today and this week, what job-hunting or tech advice would you like to share with people?

A: don’t let the discouragement get to you and be persistent. The perfect job may not be the one you are looking for

@JoelECarlson – Thanks for your time today @00lyl00 and for sharing. Everybody have a good Friday and a super weekend!

@00lyl00 – thanks you too!