The BusinessMakers Overtime - Week of May 19, 2010: Building a Company on Your Own Terms

Episode 043 originally broadcast on May 19, 2010

Katie Laird and Esther Steinfeld bring you their OT view of the business world. In the news this week: Utah, the Boy Scouts and Quit Facebook Day. Katie interviews Gabriella Redding, owner of Hoopnotica, then we hash over blogging. (“When the end comes, it won’t be because of Facebook!”)

Big Brother May Be Watching Your Drinking Habits

Katie Laird and Esther Steinfeld bring you their OT view of the business world. In the news this week: Utah is doing creepy things to bar customers. The Boy Scouts have a Nintendo badge?! What happened to creativity and wandering through the woods? Quit Facebook Day is coming. Are you connected? (“When the end comes, it won’t be because of Facebook!”)

Improving Lives through Hoop Dancing!

Katie interviews HoopMomma Gabriella Redding, owner of Hoopnotica, a company dedicated to improving lives, health and well-being through the magic of hoop dancing. Gabriella describes hoop dancing as a fusion of hula-hooping and belly dancing. Five years ago, she took a hoop-dancing class with friends and was completely hooked. She developed a light-weight, collapsible hoop that fit into a backpack, then she developed a curriculum to train teachers for the 150 people who immediately signed up for her classes. Alas, her model is not compatible with those of fitness gyms and aerobic facilities, so it’s all a bit tricky. (“What was really plaguing me was: who will be my competition?”)

Blogging at Work

Katie and Esther hash over independent voices in the blogosphere. Is it possible to keep things in perspective when you have employees who are completely out of your control? Some people need help to know what is and is not appropriate to include in the blog. (“Don’t try to keep everything locked down.”)