Working Sunday

The turtle and the hare – a classic fable. Building a brand is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't be the cocky rabbit who burns out. Today we have stories of two humble, hard-working guys who have persevered through tough times ... to see huge success. This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Show Guests: • Truck Torrence of 100%Soft • Eric Nakamura of Giant Robot note: big thanks to Michelle Valigura, who we neglected to include in the story as a key mentor of Truck Torrence, alongside Amanda Visell! Website: workingsunday.com Patreon: patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

It takes courage to follow your dreams. But these women in this episode aren’t just carving out a space for their work in the world ... they’re carving out a space for themselves. This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Show Guests: • Ann Shen author of Bad Girls Throughout History • Lela Lee of Angry Little Girls Website: http://workingsunday.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

In the social media era how do we get past the popularity contest – to build a real community? Both guests face serious health challenges, alongside running an art business. A strong social media community has supported both their business and their healing process. But as we all know … social media has its darkside… This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Show Guests: • Ryan Brunty of Depressed Monsters • Kate Hart of Bittersqueaks Website: http://workingsunday.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

Two stories of people finding a tiny little niche ... and building a hugely successful business. Our first guest turned a part time passion project into the largest art market of it’s kind in the world – DesignerCon. Our second guest launched a super niche (and kind of bizarre) art product on a shoestring budget. This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Show Guests: • Ben Goretsky of DesignerCon • Wendy Bryan Lazar of I Heart Guts Website: http://workingsunday.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

We start ... with the fine art world. Where a piece can sell for $10 million dollars – or wind up in the trash heap. Lots of us believe the difference is a lucky break. But what if the difference is internal? Our mindset as creators. How we value ourselves, and our work … This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Show Guests: • Kim Weller of LA Creeps • MEAR ONE legendary graffiti artist Website: http://workingsunday.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

In the next 5 shows, we are going to travel deep into the psyche of 10 successful Working Artists. This season of Working Sunday does a deep dive into what it takes (and means) to build an authentic, personal brand – that can blow up. From Pasadena to Culver City – from Melrose to Long Beach – Welcome to the world of LA Working Artists. Season Guests: • Kim Weller of LA Creeps • MEAR ONE • Ben Goretsky of DesignerCon • Wendy Bryan Lazar of I Heart Guts • Ryan Brunty of Depressed Monsters • Kate Hart of Bittersqueaks • Ann Shen • Lela Lee of Angry Little Girls • Truck Torrence of 100Soft • Eric Nakamura of Giant Robot Website: http://workingsunday.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/workingsunday Twitter: @WorkingSunday Instagram: @WorkingSunday

Born to immigrant parents in New York City, Mark Choey 'climbed' the ladder of corporate success until he realized ... he could make much more money in real estate. Co-Founder of Climb Real Estate, one of the Top 10 Brokerages in San Francisco, Mark is successful by any standard. But does he think so? On this show we will explore the mindset required to build a real estate empire. Plus enjoy an extended conversation between Mark and myself on gentrification and affordable housing ... Enjoy!

Steve Fox has bottled the magic of Miniature Golf … shaken it up … and let it explode all over the walls, floors and ceiling. Building a magical universe that can withstand "the rigors of 8 year old boys and 30 year old drunks…" and "all of the terrible things that can happen when you arm a bunch of people with weapons and set them loose with drinks." Business is good! But as Steve Fox has learned ... even a successful business, takes a huge toll on your personal life.

On a trip back home to Nigeria, 'Lola' took $1,000 and produced as many outfits as she could. She brought them back with her to the US and began selling them at a weekend flea market. Her clothing not only is a thriving business, but helps boost a sense of identity for her African-American customers – in a small way, helping combat a legacy of slavery. She's super charming, and her fun selfie videos have given a big boost to her social media channel, and her business. Her goal? Ankara fabric will be like Levi's. Nobody even thinks about it... everyone is just wearing it!

The Seshen is a major band in the making. They've licensed their songs to BET and the Syfy channel ... and have played major festivals around the US. They're fresh off a European tour and sit down to talk about what it takes to make it in the music business... something they are still working on every day

On a baby break! Listen in for the *sweet* murmers of infanthood and the secrets of soothing a screaming being (spoiler alert: yoga 'ohms' are involved) Be back soon with a new featured business!

MCA = Merchant Cash Advance = Indigestion for Small Business Owners OK, let me back up. A totally different type of indigestion was the inspiration for the restaurant formerly-known-as-Grease-Box – which is likely the ONLY totally gluten-free, greasy-spoon diner in the world. Owner-chef Lizzy Boelter has Celiac Disease which inspired her to create – and I say this objectively – the best tasting gluten-free sourdough bread in the world. But not without facing some challenges along the way. They've opened up to us about how Merchant Cash Advance companies lured them in with promises of quick cash loans, then put their cash flow in a headlock – taking up to 25% of their sales. And how they are now turning to crowd-funding as a means of opening up their new location. UPDATE: Lizzy and Hae have since put the brakes on their planned uptown Oakland location, but they are still baking away. This time selling their packaged dough! You can follow them on their new venture at www.OiseauFoods.com

By the end of this show, you will never look at the wine shelves in your supermarket the same way again. Big brands own most of the labels on those shelves (yes even those fancy ones) ... and our guest is a second-generation farmer of the grapes that go into them. We discuss recent labor shortages. Most people are aware that immigrants from south of the border provide most of the field work. But many people are not aware just how rapidly this issue is changing. But our story begins with a kid growing up in a family owned supermarket, forty years ago in a little town just south of Sacramento in California’s Central valley...

If you work for yourself – do you get paid by the hour? $20? $50? Or are you thinking beyond the hourly paycheck and getting creative in order to put that ‘X’ Factor in your income. On today's show we feature a freelance musician who has carved a living for himself despite his Bay Area rent going up 500% ! We talk about how to survive the disruption of your industry – and finally how to think beyond the hourly wage for your services, towards a sustainable business model that will allow you to swim in these waters. Visit our website at www.workingsunday.com to learn more about the show.

Clifton Jang is not your typical small business person... Not one, but THREE orphanages in Thailand and Cambodia have been started by the organization he co-founded. And by ONLY employing international staff – Re:ACTS Ministries has been able run these three fully staffed programs on a budget of only $100k per year. In this episode we learn savvy leadership and fundraising tactics that enable them to run these 24/7 facilities from half a world away, in San Francisco. They also run a Fit Club, where volunteer fitness instructors will get you in shape for free! Visit our website at www.workingsunday.com to learn why and how!