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Some people have their best singing moments in the shower.  For Qeepsake founder Jeff McNeil, he thought of the idea for the company one morning while showering.  After kicking around the idea with his co-founder and wife, they started the company as a way to more easily keep track of and document key events in their five kids' lives.

The idea was to prompt Qeepsake subscribers with occasional text questions, like “What is you child's favorite outfit these days?” And Qeepsake then would file all those memories of that child all together.

These days, Qeepsake has expanded to lots more questions, more customized questions, the capacity to uptake photos with captions, and even to produce a

Sample Qeepsake Memory Book

memory book.

It currently has several tens of thousands of subscribers, an investor, and a successful appearance on Shark Tank.

The journey wasn't easy — there were lots of technology issues, and funding was a real challenge.  Jeff candidly shares with The Savvy Entrepreneur many of the speedbumps and joys of founding and growing Qeepsake.

Click on the arrow to listen to this inspiring story!

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The ecosystem for startups has been steadily growing in Traverse City, Michigan and the entire Northern Michigan region.  It's a lovely, affordable place to live, and as remote work grows, more and more skilled workers have gravitated to the area.

And Michigan, and particularly Northern Michigan, have done a great job of supporting the ecosystem for those who want to create their own businesses.  Traverse City has steadily created more and more resources for startups and entrepreneurs, in spite of the pandemic.

And that has led to an outpouring of enthusiasm and events in the form of an inaugural Norther Michigan Startup Week.  Two of the organizers are 20 Fathoms, a co-working space, and TCNewTech, an organization helping startups with training and connections and other support.

Keri Amlotte, from 20 Fathoms, and Jennifer Szunko, from TCNewTech, join The Savvy Entrepreneur to talk about some of the key activities surrounding Northern Michigan Startup Week.  They also share their thoughts on how to successfully build a startup ecosystem.

Click on the arrow to the left and listen to how Northern Michigan is steadily growing its entrepreneurial community.

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Monika Joshi, Founder of Art of Pure, shares with The Savvy Entrepreneur her quest to source and sell sustainable health and beauty products.

A former New York City investment banker, she grew tired of the long hours and time away from her young family.  When she and her family moved back to Chicago, Monika knew it was time to do something different,

When her daughter began struggling with eczema and other skin issues, the dermatologist suggested putting her on steroids.  Monika felt there must be other, more natural alternatives to try first.

That led her on a journey to find truly natural products but all types and health and beauty needs –something that sounds like it should be easy, but definitely is not!  And at that point, Art of Pure was born.

Click on the arrow to take a listen to Monika's story and some of the bumps and challenges she's faced along the way creating and growing Art of Pure.  Or you can read a transcript of the interview here.

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Jesse Byrd has already accomplished amazing things.  From a college basketball scholarship player, to authoring and publishing childrens' books, to starting his own publishing house, with stops in Dubai and Silicon Valley along the way, it's clear Jesse's mind is always working. 

He joins The Savvy Entrepreneur show to talk about his journey to create Jesse B. Creative, a publishing house featuring under-represented children's book authors and illustrators.  He shares a little bit about what it's like inside the children's book publishing world, as well as lots of tips for budding entrepreneurs and aspiring book authors.

Click on the arrow to take a listen!  Or if you prefer, you can read a transcript of the interview here!

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It's clear that Elaine Frei, Founder & President of Luft Balloon, delights in the sheer joy of sharing colorful balloon bursts and balloon art.

She creates balloon art for her customers, but also loves giving back to her Chicago community.  The company frequently “balloon bombs” first responders, front-line workers, and small businesses that have gone above and beyond, just because they want to spread that joy.

Luft Balloon prides itself on the enormous range of colors of its balloons.  Elaine likens most balloon colors to the old, original Crayon box.  She “double stuffs” her balloons, and uses high-quality latex and messaging on the balloons.  She also adds her flair for color and design by creating jaw-dropping art with her balloons.

Here are just a few examples, but check out her website for a few of her amazing creations: 

Elaine shares with The Savvy Entrepreneur her interesting journey from landscape architect to CEO of a fast-growing startup focused on balloons.  And she candidly shares some of the challenges of growing so fast.

It's a delightful listen, and will leave you smiling and wanting to balloon bomb someone tomorrow!  Click on the arrow to listen, or go here to read a transcript of the interview.

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