1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: Ruby. 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 2: The views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:11,120 Speaker 2: solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 2: those of Into It QuickBooks or any of its cornerstone 5 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,640 Speaker 2: brands or employees. This podcast does not constitute financial, legal, 6 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,479 Speaker 2: or other professional advice or services. No assurance is given 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 2: that the information is comprehensive, accurate, or free of errors, 8 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 2: and the information presented is for information purposes only. Into 9 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 2: It QuickBooks does not have any responsibility for updating or 10 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 2: revising any information presented. Listeners should verify statements before relying 11 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 2: on them. Hey, everyone, Welcome back to another episode of 12 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,199 Speaker 2: Mine the Business, Small business success stories brought to you 13 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: by Intuit QuickBooks and Ruby's Studio from iHeartMedia. I'm Jennie Torres, 14 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 2: author of financially Lit, the Modern Latina's guide to level 15 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 2: up your denetto and become financially Poderosa, and I'm also 16 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 2: the host of the award winning podcast Yokio din Nero. 17 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 3: And I'm Austin Hankwitz, host of the Rich Habits podcast, 18 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 3: co founder of Wits Ventures, and maker of many a 19 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 3: TikTok videos about personal finance and investing. Super excited to 20 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 3: be here for another great episode. So denis what are 21 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 3: we talking about today? 22 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 2: So we are talking about heroes, and I don't mean 23 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 2: the kind that you find in comic books or big 24 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:23,560 Speaker 2: budget movies or web slinging through the New York City skyline. 25 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 2: I'm talking about the small business owners who become pillars 26 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 2: in their community. 27 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 3: Leadership at a local level is so important, and it 28 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 3: just kind of makes sense that business owners who've invested 29 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 3: their time and money establishing themselves as a part of 30 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 3: a neighborhood would actually become emotionally invested on how well 31 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 3: that neighborhood thrives, even beyond the walls of their own shop. 32 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely, that is why you see it everywhere in big 33 00:01:50,520 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 2: cities or small towns. The backbone of karmerce are the 34 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 2: local small businesses, right. We are such an important part 35 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 2: of our community. And when I branched out into my business, 36 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 2: I was doing it to empower myself and take control 37 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 2: of my life, of course, but I've also been doing 38 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 2: it to empower my community, and I've used my services 39 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: to help people in their journeys. 40 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:11,840 Speaker 1: Did you know that? 41 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,799 Speaker 2: According to a twenty twenty four Quick Books blog entry 42 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 2: about small business and community, small businesses make up approximately 43 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 2: ninety percent of all businesses worldwide, and seventy three percent 44 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: of small business owners say that their community supports them. 45 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:30,239 Speaker 3: That just warms my heart, jenis it's an amazing thing 46 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:32,560 Speaker 3: to be able to help other people even as you 47 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 3: help yourself. 48 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 2: You know, so as much good as we want to 49 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 2: do a small business owners, the reality of things too 50 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 2: is that things are getting more difficult and a November 51 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five quarterly survey of small business owners in 52 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 2: the US, UK, Canada, and Australia found that more than 53 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 2: half of small business owners say that rising costs is 54 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 2: the single greatest challenge that they face. And I think 55 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: that really just speaks to the fact that community is 56 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 2: more important than ever for small business owners and we 57 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 2: really have to look to each other for support because 58 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 2: I don't think it's going to get any easier. 59 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: You know, I'm right there with you. 60 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 3: I think there's nothing more important out there than going 61 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,639 Speaker 3: and if it's driving to your downtown, your local you know, 62 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 3: community area, if it's a park, if it's whatever, find 63 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 3: that small business owner, use that local barber, go buy 64 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 3: from that baker, go to that restaurant. 65 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 2: Absolutely, you too can be a hero and Since we're 66 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 2: talking about heroes in the community, we've got a whole 67 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 2: community of heroes right here on the show. Okay, we 68 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 2: don't have just one, not even two, but three business 69 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 2: founders and all of our guests have been awarded by 70 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 2: the into It QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero program, 71 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 2: which recognizes three small businesses doing big things in their 72 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 2: community with twenty thousand dollars in grant funding and additional 73 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 2: business resources to help them thrive. 74 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: Each quarter, QuickBooks. 75 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 2: And Mailchimp select three small businesses to recognize for the 76 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 2: positive impact that they've had in their communities from nominations 77 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 2: that are submitted by the public. So if you know 78 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 2: a small business that's doing big things in your community, 79 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 2: that means you can nominate them to win a grant 80 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 2: through the program too. You can go into it dot 81 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 2: com slash Hero program to find out more. 82 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 3: And these three winners are truly incredible people. First off, 83 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:23,840 Speaker 3: from North Carolina, we've got Clark Merrill, who runs his restaurant, 84 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 3: Dank Burrito. Clark's personal matra is work hard, take care 85 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 3: of your community, and have fun doing it, and he's 86 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 3: certainly lived up to it. From providing food and shelter 87 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 3: in the wake of a hurricane, to giving discounts to 88 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,160 Speaker 3: Coast Guard members during a shutdown that affected their pay. 89 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 3: Clerk has shared his success with the community around him, and. 90 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: We love to see it. Next up, We've got the 91 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 2: Baby Pantry. It's a nonprofit founded by Colory Campbell that 92 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: provides free baby supplies, postpartum care items, and essential gear 93 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 2: to low income families in and around the Atlanta area. 94 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 2: The Baby Pantry operates with care and compassion and without 95 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:00,679 Speaker 2: red tape or judgment. 96 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 3: And last, but certainly not least, We've got Victoria Chantell, 97 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 3: who founded the Botanical Bar in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her business 98 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 3: is far more than just a plant shop, it's a 99 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:15,919 Speaker 3: community hub. In addition to selling her own plants, arrangements, 100 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 3: and other gardening items, Victoria also hosts and supports other 101 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 3: small business owners. She also hosts other year round workshops 102 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 3: for the other plant enthusiasts out there, and she makes 103 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 3: these workshops free for local youth. Victoria excels at running 104 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 3: her own business while helping neighboring ones and investing in 105 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:36,480 Speaker 3: the community's future generations. 106 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 2: What a fantastic trio of human beings to have here. 107 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: On the show today. Let's welcome them all, Clark, Chlory, 108 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 2: and Victoria. Welcome to Mine the Business. Hi, Hi, Hi, 109 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: All right, y'all. So, since we have the three of 110 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: you here, this is a very very special episode about 111 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 2: a special topic. And first I want to talk about 112 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 2: why small businesses matter to people. 113 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: So, Clark, how about you kick us off with your thoughts. 114 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, So I think small business and small communities they matter. 115 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,799 Speaker 4: Often people talk about small business being the backbone of America, 116 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 4: and you know, as an entrepreneur, it's wanting to take 117 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 4: these ideas and just kind of flush them out and 118 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 4: just share them with the communities. And it's just really 119 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 4: cool to be poor to something. It's really cool to 120 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 4: seed something and watch it grow. 121 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: How about you, Chlory, when you think about small business, 122 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 2: what do you think is unique about the experience. 123 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 5: It definitely helps our ecosystem with creating local jobs. Also, 124 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 5: you have those businesses that are involved with community. I know, 125 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:44,480 Speaker 5: like with being a nonprofit, we benefit a lot from 126 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 5: small businesses to help our nonprofit and then of course 127 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:50,719 Speaker 5: help us to give back to the community. 128 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:52,800 Speaker 1: What about you, Victoria, what are your thoughts? 129 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 6: I would say that small businesses are important because it 130 00:06:56,279 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 6: helps drive innovation, create jobs, help us with competition. And 131 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 6: I think that small businesses are the ones who really 132 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 6: give back to the community which they operate, and so 133 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,039 Speaker 6: I think is really really valuable. I think, as Clark 134 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 6: said before, like we are the backbone of America, and 135 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,560 Speaker 6: so we are the ones that are always driving new ideas, 136 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 6: new products, and we're the ones that's giving back to 137 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 6: the community. So I think that that's why we're very important. 138 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 2: I totally agree with you, and I think at the 139 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: small business level, you still have a connection with your 140 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: community where you can really like experience the impact of 141 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 2: the work that you do. Right, You're not so far 142 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 2: removed that you don't see the day to day impact 143 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 2: of what you've built. 144 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 4: Well, what's cool too, is that you can do things 145 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 4: on a store level. You don't have to get permission 146 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 4: from corporate or somebody higher up, right, like if you 147 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 4: want to sponsor a Little League team or donate or 148 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 4: have a toy drive or you know, we can just 149 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,080 Speaker 4: act as humans and kind of meet the needs in 150 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 4: our community where they need to be met. 151 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 7: Yeah. 152 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: I like to think that there's a little bit of 153 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 2: a rebel streak in all of us that decide to 154 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 2: do this. 155 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: You know, you just maybe don't want to follow all 156 00:07:59,240 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: the rules. 157 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I think what's so exciting 158 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 3: about being a small business owner is having the autonomy 159 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 3: to make these decisions and how we plan to show 160 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 3: up in our own communities. All three of you have 161 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 3: pretty heavy ties within your respective communities and the surrounding areas. 162 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: So can you talk about what that dynamic begins to 163 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 3: shape up like? For you, did your love of the 164 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 3: community inspire you to create a business that gives back 165 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: to it? Or did the business come first and then 166 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 3: you fell in love with the community. Victoria, Maybe we'll 167 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 3: start off with you. 168 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 6: Yeah. So I'm born and raised here in Indianapolis. I 169 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 6: own the Botanical Bar. We are a retail store, a 170 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,080 Speaker 6: plan shop, a shop, flower shop, and also we consider 171 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 6: ourselves a third space. And I'll live downtown India. I'm 172 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 6: very active in downtown. I go to local restaurants, I 173 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 6: support local farmers' markets, I support other local cafe So 174 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,559 Speaker 6: our really was just adding to what was already here 175 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 6: and what the community needed. I was already very active, 176 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 6: and then I built this idea that made me more 177 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:02,320 Speaker 6: in love with the community in actually provided another space 178 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 6: for the community to be able to come and gather. 179 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 6: So there's not a lot of black owned businesses downtown 180 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 6: ending at all, and so I'm one of I think three, 181 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 6: and so we consider ourselves very special in the space 182 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 6: a space for people of color to come and not 183 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 6: just buy a plant, but like we have events, workshops, 184 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,040 Speaker 6: we have a we have free events all the time. 185 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 6: You've celebrated our three year anniversary in our brick and mortar, 186 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,000 Speaker 6: but community is at the heart of literally everything we do. 187 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 3: Congratulations on that anniversary again, clerk, what's your perspective. Did 188 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 3: the love of the community come first and then you 189 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 3: add the business on top? Or were you just all 190 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:37,560 Speaker 3: in on burritos and you said, you know what, my 191 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 3: community ain't that bad too? 192 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, good question. So it's one of those things we're 193 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 4: growing up in the community. It wasn't like business first 194 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 4: or community first. But you know, when you start seeing 195 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 4: need when you're when you're operating your business and somebody says, hey, 196 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 4: like will you donate a gift certificate of the hospital house? 197 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 4: Hey will you sponsor this? And you just start really, 198 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 4: you know, realizing what the need is and you know 199 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 4: as a small business owner, like, we can't fix everybody's problem, 200 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 4: so we really got to kind of figure out like 201 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 4: what a special to us and what impact we can 202 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 4: make and how we want to make it, and that 203 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 4: is that's pretty cool, right, So like everybody kind of 204 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 4: has around little specialty. But I think for me personally, 205 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 4: like being from this area which isn't a huge market, 206 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 4: and being a business owner and business leader, like a 207 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 4: lot of times that stuff just comes to me and 208 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 4: the help and the need and then you know, we. 209 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 7: Just we put it out there. 210 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 3: Chlorie over to you. Now, when it comes to your 211 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 3: specific situation with the baby Pantry, was it more of 212 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: your desire to you know, hey, I'm in love with 213 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 3: this community, I need to fill this demand or were 214 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 3: you all about sort of your nonprofit with the baby project? 215 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 3: And then it fit well into the community. 216 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 5: So it's definitely a community first. When I very first started, 217 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 5: well before I started the nonprofit, I served in our 218 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 5: outreach department at my church, and so we clothe the 219 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:57,199 Speaker 5: community and fit the community, and I just kind of 220 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 5: fell in love with it. It was around that time 221 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 5: where there was a young mom that was reaching out 222 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 5: on social media that needed some support. She didn't really 223 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 5: have friends or family, and her baby came early and 224 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 5: she just needed the help. And I just thought that 225 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 5: it was a needing the community as a way for 226 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 5: me to give back. So with the baby Pantry, we 227 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 5: kind of work on a dicty first model, so there's 228 00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 5: no barrier in place, and so families are able to 229 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 5: come to the baby Pantry without shame, without being judged, 230 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 5: and they're able to get the central supplies that they need. 231 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 5: And so I think that when we were helping families, 232 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 5: of course, were strengthening the community. 233 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 2: You certainly are, okay, So we have discussed why people 234 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 2: care about small businesses and the relationship that you guys 235 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 2: have as founders with your community. All right, Victoria, let's 236 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 2: talk about third spaces right. First off, for those who 237 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 2: don't know what a third space is or what it 238 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 2: represents to folks, can you talk to us about the 239 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,199 Speaker 2: value of what that place represents when we think about 240 00:11:58,240 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 2: the ability to hang out in a place that's not 241 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 2: or home. 242 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 6: Yeah, so typically yeah, like you said, a third space 243 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 6: is typically someplace that's outside of your work or your house. 244 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:09,839 Speaker 6: So when I created the Botanical Bar, I always created 245 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 6: events in the city so I was already very well 246 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 6: known working with nonprofits and doing big events. I worked 247 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,680 Speaker 6: in sports, I worked in food, So I've always had 248 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 6: that connection to the community that I always was the 249 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 6: girl that loved to do events. So like when I 250 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 6: opened the store, events was going to be a big 251 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 6: part of it in creating the space. So when you 252 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 6: come into the shop, which I'm here right now, we 253 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 6: have couches, we have chairs. Even though it is a 254 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,559 Speaker 6: plan shop, like, people come in here and they read 255 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 6: you can buy a plant, you can buy like a 256 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 6: little beverage, and you can sit inside, you can sit outside. 257 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 6: I think it's really important that it doesn't always have 258 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 6: to be very transactional. When third spaces, I think a 259 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,719 Speaker 6: lot of times people think of cafes, which obviously you 260 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 6: can't just go in a cafe and hang out for 261 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 6: eight hours, at least you shouldn't without buying something. But 262 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 6: that is my third space and digital spaces cannot replicate that. 263 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 6: And so no matter what you do online does not 264 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 6: replace you know, physical in person connection with people. And 265 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 6: so that is something that we really build our community on. 266 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 6: And when you look at our workshops and when you 267 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 6: look at our events, that's probably the most diversity you'll 268 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 6: ever see. That is really important when we think about 269 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 6: a third space, and so as we expand, that is 270 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 6: something we can continue to consider, creating these story spaces 271 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 6: where people feel seen and welcome. 272 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:22,719 Speaker 1: I love that. 273 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 2: You know you sign up to become a community builder 274 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: when you started a business. Maybe you didn't even realize it. 275 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 3: Yes, now small businesses show up for their community in 276 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 3: a bunch of different ways, kind of on a spectrum. 277 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 3: Right in times of crisis if it is, you know, 278 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:40,440 Speaker 3: some sort of natural disaster, but then also day to 279 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 3: day right with everyone's got their own challenges. We're all 280 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 3: living our own lives here, and you know, being that 281 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 3: integral part of a community is just so important. So Clark, 282 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:50,559 Speaker 3: want to kick this discussion off with you. If I'm 283 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 3: not mistaken here, Dank Burrito did a pretty good job 284 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 3: of feeding a couple thousand folks after some hurricanes. 285 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 4: When Hurricane Florence came through, I think it was September 286 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 4: of eighteen and we weren't really expecting it. A lot 287 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 4: of roofs got destroyed and all of that, so we 288 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 4: were going to evacuate south and then we realized that 289 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 4: they had a higher potential to come in south, so 290 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 4: we wanted to go north. Well I don't know how 291 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 4: or why, but my wife booked us an airbnb up 292 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:17,320 Speaker 4: on the water, just four hours north. 293 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 7: So we load the kids up. 294 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 4: And we have family and we go up there and 295 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 4: the storm starts to hit and it's really close to 296 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 4: our area. Everyone loses power, you know, the storm wasn't 297 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 4: even fully over. 298 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 7: Power was out all of the things. 299 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 4: And I had some phone calls from some pretty key people, 300 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 4: just prominent community people, and they wanted to know when 301 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 4: I was coming back that we had. 302 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 7: Some people to feed. 303 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 4: And that's kind of again going back to the service 304 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 4: heart of like, look like we'll figure it out, right Like, 305 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 4: So my wife and the kids stayed up and I 306 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 4: came back with one of my managers and we just 307 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 4: kind of set up a camp at the dank breedy 308 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 4: of parking lot. So what we ended up doing was 309 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 4: pay what you can because I had a bunch of 310 00:14:56,920 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 4: employees that I was asking to work that we're now 311 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 4: out of work because we'd not power. So we set 312 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 4: up the day burrito truck, I set up some smokers, 313 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 4: we set up the hot dog cart, and it looked 314 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,280 Speaker 4: like a big like food truck radio kind of carnival 315 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 4: circus going on, and we were really the only like 316 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 4: game in town that was able to feed anybody. So, uh, 317 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 4: that was that was Hurricane Florence. And so then the 318 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,640 Speaker 4: following year, Hurricane Dorian hit Ochre Cook, which is the 319 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 4: next island up from us, and same thing. It really 320 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 4: like ravaged that little town, and it was the same thing. 321 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 4: It was like, let's let's see what we can do, 322 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 4: and we, uh, we took our truck, we caravaned over 323 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 4: and it was really crazy and you know, the first 324 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 4: hot meal in a couple of days, Like you just 325 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 4: the amount of joy that just like a hot meal 326 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 4: brings to somebody when they haven't eaten anything in a 327 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 4: couple of days, you just can't even really, it's just 328 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 4: so it's so cool. And on that trip, everybody I 329 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 4: brought was like volunteers, and they I put a volunteer 330 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 4: kind of request out on Facebook and I just had 331 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 4: so many people reach out, and man, it was just 332 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 4: like a really cool feel and just just the people 333 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 4: that receive that, they're just so thankful and to be 334 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 4: able to like provide that opportunity. It's not to fulfill 335 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 4: my own ego. It's just like it's what I would 336 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 4: want somebody to do for me. 337 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 3: Absolutely well, that's what we're trying to do here as 338 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 3: small business owners, right is treat other people how we 339 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 3: want to be treated. And you know, Chlorya, I want 340 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 3: to I want to toss us over to you too, 341 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 3: because I think you do such a good job of 342 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 3: this right, which is like being so non judgmental and 343 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 3: being able to cut through the red tape. Talk a 344 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 3: little bit more about how the Baby Pantry is meeting 345 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 3: people where they are in your community. 346 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 5: So we meet a lot of families where they are 347 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 5: and a lot of them come in from just all 348 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 5: different walks of life. You have some that are transitioning 349 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 5: from homelessness, you have some that are still homeless that 350 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 5: are you know, at shelters. We also work on lock 351 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 5: with the hospitals here in Atlanta, and one of the 352 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 5: specific hospitals that we work with is Grady and so 353 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 5: we work with a lot of the moms after their 354 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 5: discharge from the hospital. 355 00:16:58,600 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: But a lot of those moms at. 356 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 5: Their they have their babies, they don't have car seats 357 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:06,359 Speaker 5: to come home, so we allow them to come in 358 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:09,719 Speaker 5: to get car seats to get their babies home, and 359 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 5: so you know, we're meeting families where they are. We 360 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 5: do have appointments for families just to kind of depending 361 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 5: on what program they need, but we just kind of listen, 362 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 5: we assess their needs, what their needs are, and then 363 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 5: we would try to make sure that we're able to 364 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 5: fulfill those needs. You do have families that are in 365 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 5: shelters that may not have a place for their babies 366 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 5: to sleep, that may come in to get a crib, 367 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 5: and then we also allow them to you know, get 368 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 5: the baby food, the formula. Some of them just cannot 369 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 5: afford to get a pack of diapers, they may have 370 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 5: lost their jobs, and so just you know a lot 371 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 5: of different stories as to a variety of backgrounds that 372 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 5: we kind of see at the Baby Pantry, and so 373 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 5: we just want to help to continue to feel those 374 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 5: needs and continue to make greater impact here in Atlanta. 375 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:56,680 Speaker 3: I think what's so cool about what you just laid 376 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 3: out about the baby Pantry here is you're not over 377 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:00,919 Speaker 3: here like what happened here? 378 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 7: What's going on. 379 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 3: It's like, listen, this baby needs food, this baby needs diapers, 380 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 3: this baby needs place to sleep, and we're going to 381 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:11,199 Speaker 3: provide that, so I appreciate that walkthrough. Finally, to you here, Victoria, I. 382 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,880 Speaker 6: Would say the potentical bar is meeting people where there 383 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 6: are by providing the products that are helpful for their lifestyle. 384 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 6: I think one of the things that we do here 385 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 6: we do a lot of free workshops as well. We 386 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 6: partramed a lot of corporations to do workshops for young kids, 387 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:33,399 Speaker 6: and we do some for seniors as well. So giving 388 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:35,720 Speaker 6: back to seniors is one of the areas that I'm 389 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:38,640 Speaker 6: really passionate about. I was really close to my grandmother 390 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,800 Speaker 6: before she passed away, and so I always want to 391 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 6: be able to give back in her spirit. And so 392 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 6: when you look at seniors, they often don't have access 393 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 6: to green spaces and things like that, and so they 394 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:53,199 Speaker 6: have limited activity. So we just think that providing these 395 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 6: workshops is a really great tool to be able to 396 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 6: put their hands in nature. A lot of them probably 397 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:01,120 Speaker 6: are more experienced in that than me, but it's always 398 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 6: good to be able to give back and give them 399 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 6: an activity that will help with mental health and also 400 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 6: just provide a little bit of greenery in their space. 401 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 6: And we also focus with kids as well, so letting 402 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 6: them know how plants and nature can help with mental health, 403 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 6: how one little plant can be the gateway for that 404 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 6: and reducing stress. And so those are just some of 405 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 6: the areas that we focus on as far as giving back, 406 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 6: and for this year too in particular, that we really 407 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 6: wanted to support more people. So we're raising money and 408 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 6: collecting donations for a local pantry here as well, and 409 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 6: partnering with other plant shops in the city to be 410 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 6: able to give back and reference to so they get 411 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 6: a discount of people come in, they bring in donations 412 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 6: and we'll give them a discount. But we try to 413 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,879 Speaker 6: meet community needs as much as possible. Obviously it's a 414 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 6: small business. It's not attainable to do everything, but we 415 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 6: try to show where we can and support other nonprofits 416 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 6: or other small businesses. There's a lot of other small 417 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 6: businesses that open that reach out to us and say, hey, 418 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 6: you mind donating something for our grant opening things like that. 419 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 6: So we always try to meet people in that sense 420 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 6: where they are, if it's a small business, if it's 421 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 6: a community member, things like that. So those are just 422 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 6: some of the areas that are important to us as 423 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 6: a brand, and so I think meeting people where they 424 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:19,239 Speaker 6: are can be relevant depend on what the community need is, 425 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 6: but as right now, there's a lot of needs. So 426 00:20:22,359 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 6: we're trying to think about as a brand moving forward, 427 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:27,440 Speaker 6: how we can be able to meet needs of the 428 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 6: community while also trying to be a sustainable business as well. 429 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:34,199 Speaker 3: That is absolutely incredible, and I just get so excited 430 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 3: talking to people like you all who have built these 431 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:41,679 Speaker 3: relationships with your community during times of crisis like with Clerk, 432 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 3: and then during times of day to day like with 433 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 3: obviously Victoria and Chlory here, and so just being able 434 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 3: to listen about these examples I think is it's just 435 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 3: so inspiring and I commend you all so much, Thank you. 436 00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:52,159 Speaker 6: Thank you. 437 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 2: All Right, so obviously you guys aren't here for no reason. 438 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 2: You are actually all grant winners from the into It, 439 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:06,480 Speaker 2: QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero program, and so I 440 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 2: would love to talk about what the impact of that 441 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,160 Speaker 2: recognition has had on your business and how you are 442 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 2: investing the funds, And I'll start off with you Victoria. 443 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 6: Yeah, So first, I was so excited to be able 444 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 6: to get recognized by quick Books, a tool that I 445 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,719 Speaker 6: actually used all the time. So I say that how 446 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 6: we're going to invest in funds is really just trying 447 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 6: to keep the business sustainable and healthy over time and 448 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 6: scale and grow. Our goal was to be able to 449 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 6: open up other shops in other cities and then also 450 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:38,640 Speaker 6: expand into a cafe and wine bar. That's why it's 451 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 6: called the Botanical Bar, because our concept was always for 452 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 6: it to be a wine bar and a cafe, creating 453 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 6: another third space for us. And so those funds will 454 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:49,760 Speaker 6: help us be able to be a little bit more 455 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:54,000 Speaker 6: sustainable versus just living in survival mode as a small business, 456 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 6: especially right now and this economy is insane, but right 457 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,880 Speaker 6: now we're going to you know, invest it in our business, 458 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 6: new products, and really just think about how we're going 459 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:05,120 Speaker 6: to be able to scale. But over the recognition has 460 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 6: been amazing to be able to be supported by such 461 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 6: a big brand like quick Books for small businesses. Twenty 462 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 6: thousand dollars is a lot of money for a small business, 463 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 6: especially at this time. QuickBooks was also in town with 464 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 6: their AI tours. Recently they recognized me there and bought products. 465 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:24,399 Speaker 6: So it just continues to be a blessing. And so 466 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:27,360 Speaker 6: that has been so amazing for us at the Botanical 467 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 6: Bar because it's just validation for me knowing that I'm 468 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 6: on the right path and I'm doing the things that 469 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 6: I'm supposed to be doing that someone else outside of 470 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 6: myself is being recognized, and so this is just one 471 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 6: of those moments that I'm truly grateful for. 472 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:44,120 Speaker 2: That's fantastic. I love to hear that, Chlory. I'm sure 473 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 2: twenty thousand dollars can buy a lot of diapers, right. 474 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: Yeah. 475 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:50,439 Speaker 2: What's the impact of being a grant warner been on 476 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:52,679 Speaker 2: your business and how are you investing the funds? 477 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:56,400 Speaker 5: Well, first, I'm just super grateful to be recognized by 478 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 5: into it. It's definitely been helpful at a time kind 479 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 5: of like during a transition. But the funds are definitely 480 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:08,119 Speaker 5: going towards our operation and it's also helping us to 481 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 5: build more sustainability. We are launching a new initiative to 482 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 5: expand diaper access and so that's going to be through 483 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:21,239 Speaker 5: our diaper hub programs, and so we want to have 484 00:23:21,440 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 5: create diaper hubs, and so the funds will be used 485 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 5: to help us to be able to do that. We've 486 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 5: kind of already. We have a new pilot program with 487 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:35,560 Speaker 5: a local YMCA community center here in Atlanta, and they 488 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 5: were very excited about it, and so the funds are 489 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:40,919 Speaker 5: being used to help us to do that. 490 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:42,879 Speaker 1: Yep, that's fantastic. 491 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:43,399 Speaker 5: Thank you. 492 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:46,080 Speaker 2: How about you, Clark, what is the grant money going 493 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 2: to be used for and how's that recognition impacted your business? 494 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,439 Speaker 4: Yeah, the recognition has been great, you know, just just 495 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:56,919 Speaker 4: like the other two years. I was really shocked to 496 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 4: kind of speak of the funds. 497 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:01,399 Speaker 7: You know, I think we're going to be. 498 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 4: Using that to relaunch one of our Dank Burrito and 499 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 4: just kind of provide opportunities for employment for some of 500 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 4: the folks that had that kind of taken away. We 501 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,320 Speaker 4: had a situation where we had to modify one of 502 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,120 Speaker 4: our stores, but it's going to enable us to get 503 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:20,440 Speaker 4: that store kind of back up and roll and then 504 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 4: just bring the teams back together and continue to employ 505 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:26,719 Speaker 4: and operate and run our small business. So we're very 506 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:27,479 Speaker 4: thankful for that. 507 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. 508 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,040 Speaker 2: I love that, you know, and I think it's a 509 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 2: good reminder that there are resources out there for small businesses. 510 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:34,160 Speaker 4: Right. 511 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,879 Speaker 2: A lot of the times, I think folks have the 512 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 2: same mindset where it's like, well, nobody's ever going to 513 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:41,480 Speaker 2: pick me for this, or what's the point when there's 514 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 2: like you know, hedge funds and all this stuff investing 515 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 2: in billion dollar companies, and you know, I think the 516 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:51,000 Speaker 2: impact of these types of programs can be really, really 517 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:53,439 Speaker 2: life changing. And so congratulations to all three of you. 518 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 2: You're doing incredible work, and obviously it is being recognized. 519 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 1: Thank you, thank you. 520 00:24:57,600 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 7: Thank you guys so much. 521 00:24:58,840 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: For sure. 522 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 3: Well, as we wrap up the interview, I would love 523 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 3: to get a closing statement from each of you in 524 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 3: a response to the question what does community mean to you? Victoria, 525 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:11,600 Speaker 3: I'll let you kick us off. 526 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 6: Community means to me belonging a place where you feel seen, heard, safe, 527 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 6: I'm supported. But also I think community also means share responsibility, 528 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:26,600 Speaker 6: Like it's not just take take take. As a business owner, 529 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:28,960 Speaker 6: I also give, also show up for other business owners. 530 00:25:29,000 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 6: I also support other business owners. I don't just expect 531 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 6: everyone just to come and support my business. I think 532 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:37,480 Speaker 6: it's a share responsibility for all of us to support 533 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 6: each other and to support small businesses, because if you don't, 534 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,480 Speaker 6: you will not see them. And so I think it's 535 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:45,760 Speaker 6: really important that it's not just one issue, it's a 536 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 6: community issue, and so I think all of us have 537 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 6: to take part in that and participate in community, but overall, 538 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 6: community means belonging. 539 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:57,640 Speaker 3: What a powerful answer. What about you, Chlory? 540 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 5: So, I think that community is kind of you know, 541 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:05,600 Speaker 5: creating safe, nurturing spaces and it's just you know, coming 542 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 5: together to help one another, you know, with the baby pantry, 543 00:26:08,920 --> 00:26:10,200 Speaker 5: it's kind of like what we have like our own 544 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:13,719 Speaker 5: community where a lot of the moms they're connecting with 545 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 5: one another and also share resources with one another. So 546 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,160 Speaker 5: I think that that's what creates community. 547 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:22,120 Speaker 4: How about you, Clark, Well, yeah, so what does community 548 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 4: mean to me? Like? Community is very dynamic, but I 549 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:27,440 Speaker 4: do think that community has a heartbeat and I feel 550 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 4: like community you have to participate and there are so 551 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 4: many people that are part of what they think is 552 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 4: a community, but they always want to take. And I 553 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 4: think that it's important to give more than you take 554 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 4: and to just really kind of be present and we 555 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:49,399 Speaker 4: all have our unique skills and our own unique abilities 556 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:51,560 Speaker 4: and how can you like serve other people. 557 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 7: That's community to me. 558 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:56,200 Speaker 3: I love that, Clerk. Absolutely incredible answers from all three 559 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:59,480 Speaker 3: of you. I am I'm so inspired after talking to 560 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 3: you while you are actually incredible just you know, key 561 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,800 Speaker 3: stakeholders in your own communities, and I really commend you 562 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 3: all for being that to your community. Chlory, Clark, Victoria, 563 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 3: thank you all so much for joining us on this 564 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 3: episode of Mind the Business, Small Business Success Stories. 565 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:16,240 Speaker 1: Thanks for having us. 566 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 7: Yeah, thank you for having us. 567 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 5: Thank you. 568 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 3: I don't know about Eugenie, but I could absolutely smash 569 00:27:30,040 --> 00:27:31,160 Speaker 3: a burrito right now. 570 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh. Absolutely. 571 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:36,320 Speaker 2: And you know, not to mention the fact that I 572 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:39,920 Speaker 2: think this was just such a powerful reminder of the 573 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:44,159 Speaker 2: power of community, right and just like how you identifying 574 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 2: that there's no burrito spots in your neighborhood, or there's 575 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:51,840 Speaker 2: a lack of resources for new moms, or there's not 576 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 2: somewhere that folks can go and hang out without having 577 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 2: the pressure to like buy something. I mean, this is 578 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: the core of entrepreneurship. It's identifying a problem and solving 579 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:01,920 Speaker 2: it for people. It's incredible. 580 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:05,200 Speaker 3: It is absolutely incredible. One dred percent agree with you. 581 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:08,880 Speaker 3: You know, we ended the conversation with that final question 582 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:11,960 Speaker 3: of what does community mean to you? Victoria, Chlory and 583 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:14,439 Speaker 3: Clark did such a wonderful job answering it, But I'm curious, 584 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 3: in your own words, genius, what does community mean to you? 585 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 2: You know, I have really felt the impact of my 586 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 2: community when I've hosted live events, And there is a 587 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:27,879 Speaker 2: word that comes up often when folks speak to me 588 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:31,399 Speaker 2: about the power of the community that I've built, and 589 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 2: it's representation. So I've heard so many folks say, you know, 590 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 2: I didn't know that, as a first generation Latina that 591 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 2: I could invest or start a business or be the 592 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 2: change maker that my family didn't even know that they needed. 593 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 2: And so for me knowing that just me showing up 594 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 2: here on the internet and telling people about money has 595 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 2: like changed their lives, I mean, I don't think I'll 596 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:53,600 Speaker 2: ever get used to it. 597 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:56,880 Speaker 3: I love that answer, genius. I think that is an 598 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:58,960 Speaker 3: incredible perspective. And I need to come to one of 599 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:00,280 Speaker 3: these live events. Where's my own fight? 600 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:03,160 Speaker 2: Oh absolutely, We're planning one for twenty twenty six, So 601 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 2: join the newsletter. 602 00:29:05,480 --> 00:29:07,520 Speaker 3: I will say, you know, what does community mean to me? 603 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 3: After thinking about it for a second, I think community 604 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:16,920 Speaker 3: means free information and no gatekeeping, right, And that can 605 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:20,120 Speaker 3: be across any anything you think of here. But I mean, 606 00:29:20,160 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 3: if it means having a wonderful conversation at the Botanical Bar, 607 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 3: if it means having a you know, encouraged conversation over burrito. 608 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 3: If it means sharing your perspective with a newborn child 609 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:36,400 Speaker 3: with someone else at the baby pantry, it's just no 610 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 3: gatekeeping collaboration. You know, information is free type mentality, and 611 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,600 Speaker 3: the more we know as a collective, the more information, 612 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:47,680 Speaker 3: the more data, the more experience we can share with 613 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 3: those around us as a collective, the better off we'll 614 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 3: all be. And I think the Internet, this podcast and 615 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 3: everything has done such an incredible job of helping disseminate 616 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,200 Speaker 3: information so quickly, and I just think the freedom of 617 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:00,960 Speaker 3: information is what community means to me. 618 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:05,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, Austin, We're very lucky to have these jobs, 619 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 2: you know, But sometimes I think there just are not 620 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,920 Speaker 2: enough minutes in the episode to really describe how inspiring 621 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 2: our guests are. 622 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 3: I know exactly what you mean. Now, for more information 623 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 3: on our guests today, you can follow their social media 624 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 3: and for anyone who wants to nominate a business for 625 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:25,120 Speaker 3: the into It QuickBooks and Mailchip Small Business Hero Program, 626 00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:28,880 Speaker 3: they can visit into it dot com Slash Hero Program. 627 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:29,960 Speaker 1: Good luck to all. 628 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:32,840 Speaker 2: Of our current and future Hero grant winners out there. 629 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 2: And speaking of heroes, what do you think about giving 630 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:37,520 Speaker 2: our listeners some heroic. 631 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:38,320 Speaker 1: Homework of their own. 632 00:30:38,720 --> 00:30:41,080 Speaker 3: Let's do it. Okay, So, in the next couple weeks, 633 00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:45,480 Speaker 3: challenge yourselves to survey your neighbors and customers to get 634 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 3: a feel for what people think of your own business. 635 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:50,520 Speaker 3: And be sure to check out those Yelp reviews and 636 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:54,040 Speaker 3: local social media pages to see what the cultural footprint 637 00:30:54,120 --> 00:30:55,640 Speaker 3: of your business really looks like. 638 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:59,760 Speaker 2: Identify areas you can impact locally and run the numbers 639 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:03,200 Speaker 2: on pros and cons. For example, would funding a little 640 00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:06,360 Speaker 2: league team be worth the advertising opportunities? Try to find 641 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 2: at least three examples of this, and if one or 642 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 2: more are doable, then go for it. 643 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:16,120 Speaker 3: Next, find a local cause for celebration and champion it. 644 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 3: Maybe decorate your store in the local sports team's colors, 645 00:31:19,280 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 3: whether it's a pro team, minor league, or a little 646 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:24,520 Speaker 3: league team that's local to you. Or maybe it means 647 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:27,840 Speaker 3: congratulating the local school's graduating class with a sale or 648 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:32,200 Speaker 3: a discount. Or maybe embrace a local cultural icon like 649 00:31:32,320 --> 00:31:33,120 Speaker 3: a mascot. 650 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,880 Speaker 2: I mean, yeah, we have flamingos I think here in 651 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:40,160 Speaker 2: Tampa that's kind of the local mascot. Also, get to 652 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,520 Speaker 2: know your customers if you haven't yet tried to memorize 653 00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:46,120 Speaker 2: names of loyal customers. Try to do that and get 654 00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 2: to know their interest in families because when customers feel welcome, 655 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 2: they tend to spend more money. 656 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 3: So everybody wins, everybody wins. That was mentioned in the episode. 657 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 3: We're going to emphasize it here. Everybody wins as the 658 00:31:58,280 --> 00:31:59,520 Speaker 3: best way to run your business. 659 00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:03,280 Speaker 2: Well, and everybody actually won on this show, right because 660 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 2: they're grant winners, So I love that for them. And again, 661 00:32:07,520 --> 00:32:10,960 Speaker 2: make sure that you check out this awesome opportunity to 662 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:12,880 Speaker 2: potentially get funding for your business. 663 00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:16,560 Speaker 3: That's right into It dot com slash hero program. 664 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 1: Well that's it for today's episode. 665 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:22,600 Speaker 2: You can find me on social media at Jochierrodinto podcast. 666 00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:24,840 Speaker 3: And you can find me at Austin Hankwitz. You can 667 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:28,480 Speaker 3: follow Into It QuickBooks on all social media at QuickBooks. 668 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:30,920 Speaker 3: To get the tools you need to start, run and 669 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:36,280 Speaker 3: grow your business, head to QuickBooks dot com slash mtb today. 670 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:39,200 Speaker 2: Don't forget to follow this show wherever you listen to 671 00:32:39,240 --> 00:32:42,280 Speaker 2: podcasts so you can stay up to date on future episodes. 672 00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:44,080 Speaker 3: We also want to hear from you, so be sure 673 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:46,960 Speaker 3: to leave us a rating and a review. See you 674 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 3: next time. This podcast is a production of iHeartRadio's Ruby 675 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:57,280 Speaker 3: Studio in Into It QuickBooks. Our executive producers are James 676 00:32:57,280 --> 00:33:00,760 Speaker 3: Foster and Ryan Martz. Our supervising producer Meredith Barnes. 677 00:33:01,480 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 2: Our writer is Eric Leeja, and our mixing engineer is 678 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:05,520 Speaker 2: Eric Zeiler.