I got a few great questions in the other day from some younger entrepreneurs and decided to incorporate a regular Q&A feature on the site.  Instead of picking a specific single CEO to answer, I thought it would be more fun leaving it open to discussion…

The first question I’m going to put out there is from 19 year-old Logan Lindabury, Founder and CEO of Laughtub.com.  Logan wants to know:

“Are there any successful advertising methods that a small business can afford?”

OK Single CEOs, give us your best answers!

comments may appear immediately – due to spam they are manually approved

In the process of looking for cool, single CEOs, I’ve also stumbled across some great products made by other entrepreneurs (single and otherwise).  I’ve decided to highlight those products I find which might come in handy for the busy professional.  Gabrielle Melchionda, founder of Mad Gab’s was kind enough to send me a sampling of her fabulous natural body car line (I LOVE her branding).  I don’t know about you, but my days often run way into nights, and I love the idea of using a relaxing, soothing all natural product like this Lavender “Sleepy Moose Balm” when it’s finally time to wind down.  Check out her products at MadGabs.com (I especially love the peppermint scent) currently available for both retail and wholesale.  Gabrielle has a great product and would have been a great interview…except for that pesky little husband!

Zachary Weiner, CEO of LuxuryReach

Zach Weiner says he is taking me out on the town in Chicago someday.  I believe him, not just because he said he would, but because partying is as much a part of his lifestyle as are his three businesses.  As the owner of MW Media, Luxury Reach, and GreedReviews.com, the 28 year-old CEO still found time this week to a attend a nightclub opening, street fest, art gallery, and last, but not least, a burlesque show.

In the past year he has also traveled, often backpacking along the way, through places like Morocco, Panama, and Portugal.  Managers back home handle the day-to-day operations and call Zach, traveling with an international cell phone and laptop, with any emergent situations that may arise.

Now, let me ask you.  Who wouldn’t fall in love with a young CEO running three companies who also finds the time to write his own (slightly edgy) relationship advice column?  Not me.  See you in Chicago.

1. We talked a little bit about your newest company GreedReviews.com, a peer-to-peer review site for investment information.  Can you explain it better than I just did?

In basics, Greedreviews.com helps investors conduct due diligence on a wide variety of investment information sources and software. It is our mission to help cut through the clutter of thousands of financial newsletters, websites, and investment software platforms so that investors at any level can find the sources that can help them profit during a rough economy. Our crucial feature is that we enable investors to receive unbiased advice that has come from direct consumer insight or provide their own advice to help others in the investment community.

2. Some entrepreneurs seem to enjoy the startup process more than the ending business result.  With three businesses already, are you addicted to the startup phase?

I lead my life in a constant pursuit to ban any potential boredom that could arise, I hate boredom.  I tend to keep a wide range of diversity in what I do and this carries over to my business life.  I love the inception phase of a company as it’s this point that really allows for potential to be at its peak and true creativity to flow. It’s a rush and it’s fun to brainstorm new ideas and new concepts.  That said, there is nothing more rewarding then watching a company grow and achieving and actualizing that initial potential.

3. What advice can you give other startups, especially those with little or no funding?

I think the best wisdom I could detail would be on finances. The only relevant spending a startup should pursue in the initial stages of forming a new company is on the integrity of the product, the sales (or revenue source) and building relationships. A lot of new companies see their downfall due to extraneous expenses that they engaged in before turning a solid profit.   Investing in large office space, useless personnel and flashy branding is a sure path to ruin if you are not ready for these items. Also, be passionate about anything you engage in- Always.

4. Which of your businesses do you have the most personal connection to and why?

I love Luxuryreach Inc – At its core the personality of that company is a lot like my own. We’re able to wear a lot of differing hats with Luxuryreach.  We work with some of the most affluent brands in the world, so have to be polished, intelligent and sophisticated when we deal with our clients, but at the same time we are still an Ad agency which allows us to be creative types with a young and vibrant edge.  One night I may attend a black tie Gala for a client and the next I might be at a small bar with a vendor wearing ripped jeans.

5. You obviously love to travel.  Where will your next adventure lead you?

I’m planning on doing a month or two backpacking around Brazil. I never go with a real plan when I’m traveling, I usually find a place I want to go and then wander around trains, planes and buses in a random and chaotic pursuit of culture, fun and good food.  Going with a plan keeps you stuck to a schedule and stuck to an “idea” of a place, rather than really getting to know its true vibe. Brazil has some great extreme sports, a wide range of geography and some cool little towns from what I hear, so I’m pretty excited to get myself lost.

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

Being single tends to help business.  For one there is no constraint on your time or resources.  I have very little to tie me down and this can lead to productivity.  Truth told there is also a lot of flirtation that can occur in the business world, and there is no reason to not take advantage of that fact.  It depends on how you look at it and my perspectives can change.  Relationships to me are a bright spot in what can sometimes be a dark world, and having someone to go home to after a long day can be better than any of these advantages.

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

I’m a laid back person who is also ridiculously ambitious.  I look for somebody who is adventurous, honest and up for just about anything in life above all else.  There is a lot of fun to be had and so somebody that can embrace its diversity and enjoy a multitude of activities usually works best for me.  One day, I may be meeting with investors, the next I may be surfing and the one after that I might decide to go travel.  I look for individuals who are passionate about living, laid back enough to be spontaneous, but also have passions in life that they pursue.  Good looks never hurt either.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I’d love to say retired on some beach in the Caribbean, but I know with my personality that just wouldn’t work for too long.  Let’s say I hope to be living in a similar fashion as I am now as I  have no complaints in life.  I can see myself married some day, but in no way is it a necessity and it would have to be to the right person.  I learn from the past, live in the present and like to keep my future open.

Zach’s Bio:

Zachary Weiner is currently the CEO of  the boutique advertising agency Luxuryreach Inc. and Owner of the website Greedreviews.com. He is the founder of  MW Media Inc.- A Financial Marketing firm as well as an author of several fictional titles and a world travel writer.  Currently Zachary spends his time working, kickboxing, rockclimbing and pursuing fun (and usually trouble) in foreign countries.

Paige Davis, co-Founder of BlueAvocado

Thirty-four year-old Paige Davis’ entrepreneurial journey starts and ends with her roots in Austin, Texas.  Along the way to co-founding the earth friendly BlueAvocado brand, she gained a strong background in Social Media and website development, working with major startups in the Bay area at the height of the dot-com boom.

Back in Austin, a trip to the grocery store with her sister, also co-founder of the brand, led the one-time consultant turned Pilates instructor to co-develop a reusable shopping bag system.  Just launched in November of 2008, BlueAvocado brand products have already become regional best sellers at Whole Foods Markets and are gaining media presence through creative branding and innovative marketing strategies.

With one patent pending and brilliant marketing plans in the works, Paige is not just single and successful, she is sustainable.  Just like her brand.

1. Plastic bag replacements have been popping up everywhere the past few years.  Tell us a little about your products, how they work, and why they’re different.

BlueAvocado is a mission-driven lifestyle products company that makes it EASY to DO GOOD while GETTING IT DONE.   The BlueAvocado gro-pak(tm) is the country’s first reusable grocery shopping system that includes six pieces that meet all your shopping needs. All bags have their own function (insulation, ventilation, collapsibility) and fold together for easy sto-n-go.  They are responsibly manufactured with recycled material, machine washable, and include a carbon footprint label. By carrying this system, an average shopper can replace 15 plastic bags per trip and up to 1,000 plastic bags every year.   We also have a partnership with Kiva.org (which is an organization close to my heart) and reinvest 1% of income to fund micro—entrepreneurs around the globe. To date, we have invested in 28 female entrepreneurs from Guatemala to Cambodia.

2. I get the impression from you that BlueAvocado is not just riding the “green wave.”  Why was creating an earth-friendly brand so important to you on a personal level?

I think we each come to it from a different perspective. For me, it is really about raising awareness and inspiring change from a place of empowerment and fun.  We believe change is about being mindful – not militant.  We created BlueAvocado to help people to that first step on the green journey and just maybe find a little joy in the process.  Hearing our customers beginning to share their journeys is really what it is all about and inspires us each day.

3. Your press coverage is impressive.  To what do you attribute your media success so far?

Thanks – I would say it is definitely a magic blend of serendipity, intention, an amazing PR team, and a sprinkle of some hard core enthusiasm. When we were first approached by Real Simple and InStyle, much to the chagrin of our PR team, we played it far from professional and quickly turned into giddy school girls praising the magazines that we have loved for so many years. The amount of “We Heart You” that hit their in boxes could have been considered over expressive:-) We are nothing if not emotional, and for better or worse that comes through.

4. Who is “Schlumpy?”

It is kind of a running joke that Schlumpy is really the true love of my life:-) Schlumpy is a 7ft. x 8 ft ball of plastic bags that has been rolling around the country (LA, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville) demonstrating the impact plastic bags have on our environment and invites people to take the pledge to collectively get 1 billion bags off the streets by 2010. Here’s a demo. His next scheduled stops include Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and  San Francisco.

5. What is it like working with family, and do you ever find yourself struggling to maintain a line between work and family roles?

Beyond the overwhelming “yenta” factor, it is actually an unexpected dream come true.  With Amy and Missy being best friends and Missy and I being sisters, we went into this knowing that regardless, our relationships always come first.  Recognizing that challenges would definitely occur, we worked with a consultant very early on to help us identify and articulate our mission, vision, and values.  This has served as an amazing foundation that we can always turn to when emotions sometime run high and we are all reminded why we are in this.  Having said that, we definitely are in a constant state of self-growth and awareness as we quickly move through the various challenges that do arise – it can be exhausting and rewarding all at the same time:-)

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

Well working with two moms who have four children between them all under the age of five, I definitely have sleep in my favor:-)  I also like to think I add a bit of some outside perspective/reality beyond the “mommy bubble” and on occasion some fashion insight.  However, there is no way I could ever imagine doing this on my own – it is the magic of the three of us that truly is the heart and spirit of BlueAvocado.

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

Luckily, I have amazing business partners who reflect every day what I am capable of, inspiring me, making me laugh, believing in me, challenging me, and empowering me to become the best version of myself. Ideally I’m looking to meet a man who is passionate about his life pursuits, secure in who he is and where he wants to go, can appreciate a good laugh (am fine if it is at my expense as I do it all the time:-), and building an inspiring and supportive partnership together.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Oh man, the future question is always hard for me:-). Having grown up in a constant stage of goal setting for most of my life, my real challenge is to stay grounded in the amazing and not so amazing moments as they arise.  Having said that, I hope that in 10 years, I am continuing to “stay in the moment”, embracing success, surrounded by amazing friends and family, in a loving and passionate relationship, inspiring and being inspired by others, and able to appreciate a good giggle on a daily basis!

Paige’s Bio

As Co-Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of BlueAvocado, Paige Davis brings her strategic perspective and background as an integrative wellness practitioner, sustainability consultant, and social media entrepreneur. With over 12 years of experience, Paige’s background is rooted in the Bay Area where she initially worked for Organic Inc. working with clients to develop first generation web commerce capabilities and social media applications.  Following her passion for integrative health and sustainable living, she founded a successful pilates studio in Austin, Texas – Pilates360.  Continuing to pursue her interests in sustainability, Paige launched Green Maven Strategies, a consultancy that provided strategic marketing and sustainable consulting services targeted to the LOHAS segment (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability). Paige received her BA from Indiana University in Journalism and Environmental Science and is thrilled to see all of her life experiences coming full circle as she realizes the dream and potential of BlueAvocado.  Keep up with her latest musings and BlueAvocado news @ http://www.blueavocado.com/blog/.

Want to connect with Paige?  Follow her on Twitter and Facebook!

Editors Note:  For a special 10% discount for Single Startups readers go to BlueAvocado and use the code billionbag10

Derek Johnson, CEO of Tatango

Derek Johnson was suspended in the third grade for selling candy at school.  But that was 9 businesses ago, and at only 24 Derek is now the Social Media-friendly, always accessible, CEO of text-messaging service Tatango. How accessible?  He posts his personal cell phone number online and has video cameras streaming live from his office.  And if you look like Derek, that’s a pretty decent marketing plan.

1. What is Tatango and how does it work?

Tatango is a company I started while in college that simply put, offers group text messaging.  Tatango allows any group to collect, manage and text message all of their group members from both a computer and mobile phone.  We have all types of groups using the service, like athletic teams, religious organizations and businesses.  Any type of group that would like to get a message out to their members in a fast, efficient manner can benefit from using Tatango.

2. You say you didn’t get good grades in school (I don’t believe you).  What about your personality makes you so such a successful business person?

Yea, I was a horrible student.  I wasn’t even able to get into the business school at the University I attended.  I think education plays a big part in being a successful entrepreneur, but what has always separated me from others is the “hustle”.  In the end, it really comes down to who wants it the most. I really want it.

3. At 24, you have already started a handful of businesses.   Do you think you would ever have the attention span to commit to someone for more than a few months?

Yea, I’ve been known to have a pretty short attention span, in both business and my dating life.  With how crazy my life is right now, I think someone would really have to impress me to even try and hold my attention.  I think it’s possible though.  If you’re up for the challenge, here’s my cell phone number 206.334.4012.

4. Do you ever feel like you’re better than other guys your age?

No, not at all.  I think everyone excels at his or her own things, mine happens to be business.

5. You took a rare day off recently to attend a friend’s bachelor party. Do you feel like you’re missing out on your youth by spending so much time working on your business?

Yes, there is no doubt about it that I’ve missed out on certain parts of my youth by focusing so much on my business ventures.  I feel though, if you really want something, there are going to be tradeoffs.

6. You’re looking to date women in their early twenties, but seem to feel they aren’t as motivated.  Why don’t you just date older women?  I’m motivated.

I would be down to date an older woman.  If you’re ever in the Seattle area, be sure to look me up.  In regards to the first part of the question, I wouldn’t say “motivated” is the right word.  Most of the girls that are in their early twenties are just finishing up college and their lifestyles, goals, availability, etc. are just different than mine, which makes it very hard to get on the same page with someone.

7. I get the feeling you are doing well financially.  Are you afraid of women who may look at you and see dollar signs?

A lot of people have the misconception that just because I started my own company, I am set financially.  This is very far from the truth, as the majority of what I have is tied up in the company.  I still get those types of girls approaching me though, but it’s very easy to see their intentions.

8. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in your business and why?

The biggest benefit to being a single entrepreneur has been the ability for me to focus 100% on the business.

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Being the CEO of an internet startup, but things change so fast, and I really only plan a couple of weeks in advance.  10 years, who knows really?

Derek’s Bio

Derek Johnson is the 24 year old CEO of internet startup, Tatango.com. A dropout of the University of Houston Entrepreneurial program, Derek has raised half a million dollars in investments for the company from private investors and the Bellingham Angel Group. As any entrepreneur will tell you, launching a company is hard work. Derek, a self proclaimed workaholic puts in 100+ hour workweeks to fulfill his vision of Tatango. Derek and the Tatango.com team have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Seattle Times, Mashable, TechCrunch, PC World, LifeHacker and other national publications.

Want to connect with Derek?  Follow him on Twitter and Facebook!

Karl Miller, Owner of Hudson Goods

Karl Miller was good at math.  Originally majoring in architecture, he moved on to a 25 plus year career on Wall Street, in his own words, “working his ass off.”  Tired of looking for consulting work, and with the economy in a downturn, he became his own boss.  What was just an idea one year ago has now evolved into Hudson Goods, a profitable start-up, one he bills as the “Old Navy of Furniture, but with better quality.”

I like Karl’s furniture, but most of all, I like Karl.  He is upbeat, full of business knowledge, and as enthusiastic about my business as he is his own.  When asked if he had the same passion for his old line of work, he says, “Sort of.  But now at the end of the day, I never feel the urge to escape the fluorescent lights of an office.”

To Karl, may you never be a fluorescent, Wall Street lab rat again.

1. Tell us a little about your product line and how you got started.

I believe that homes are meant for living and not for looking.  So I designed my own line of home furnishings that are sold exclusively on-line at HudsonGoods.com.  The furniture is affordable, made of all solid wood and of course built “jack-tough” as inspired by my dog and company logo.

2. After so many years working on Wall Street, did you ever doubt your ability to succeed in a creative field?

I actually never doubted myself in changing career fields.  I felt I was equally good at both and just gave it the same drive and work ethic that I did working on Wall Street.  It is much more fulfilling to work hard when you reap all of the benefits!

3. How has your life changed since last November?

My life has totally changed.  First, I have never worked so hard, as running a small business is much more challenging than a 9 to 5 corporate job.  It is on your mind 24/7 but the good part is that I really enjoy what I am doing.  I can also be myself and not have to fit into a specific corporate image.  I also see more of my family which has improved the balance between work and my personal life.

4. We talked at length about your successful marketing strategies.  Give our readers some specifics about which of these has been the most useful in managing to stay competitive with places like Pottery Barn.

Although on a smaller scale, I advertise in some of the same places as Pottery Barn on BizRate, Shopzilla, etc. and undercut them on price.  I also utilize Google Ads but I have also put myself and my face out there to make my product more personal than the generic Pottery Barn by using youtube videos, facebook, and more importantly the bloggers world.  I started a blog at HudsonGoodsblog.com on home design which I love and run frequent giveaway contests on fellow blog sites which has proven to be very successful.

5. You mentioned to me you had a mentor who was invaluable to your start-up.  How has this relationship affected your business?

As with anything in life, you can’t be an expert at everything.  Having someone that has gone through a similar process and has experienced all of the ups and downs has proven to be invaluable.  Having a mentor that tells you what to expect and sometimes how to do things has enabled me to get up and running much faster than if I had stumbled along on my own learning through my mistakes.  But believe me, I still make mistakes!

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

I am actually in a relationship, with my business!  Being single has helped me in that I am able to devote all of my energy to growing the business and driving sales.  Right now, I live and breathe HudsonGoods.com and just would not have the time to be in a healthy relationship.  My family has been a great support system and of course my trusty sidekick Buddy!

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

Right now, that would be Buddy as she supports me in both.  But seriously, that person would need to have a passion to follow their own dreams and the drive to do it.  I find it hard now to enjoy people that are stuck in dead end jobs with no ambition to make a change.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years, I see Hudson Goods as a household name right up there with Pottery Barn.  But, this new life has opened up so many doors and I have met so many different types of people that I dare to predict what I will be doing.  For now, it’s just all about HudsonGoods.com.

Karl’s Bio:

Karl Miller is the owner of HudsonGoods.com, an on-line store that features his personal collection of home furnishings.  After spending many years working on Wall Street, he decided to follow his life long passion for home decorating and designed his own line of furniture.  Karl has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Rutgers University and an MBA from Monmouth University.  He has worked for JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, but now enjoys working for himself and spending more time with his favorite Jack Russell, Buddy.  Karl spends most of his time designing new pieces, traveling for unique decorating finds and writing for his design blog at HudsonGoodsblog.com

Want to connect with Karl?  Follow him on Twitter!

Today’s featured entrepreneur is Jackie Silver, or should I say my new BFF?  Jackie and I recently met for the first time in Florida where she is known as the “aging backwards guru.” During our lunch together, she gently reminded me to stop frowning,  gave me invaluable beauty tips, and just by her glow made me feel like I should be working harder to look…well, just like her!  Not only does Jackie look young and feel young, but she girlishly throws around terms like BFF without sounding the least bit ridiculous. Only someone who is aging backwards can get away with that.

ps-check her out plugging MY product on the radio! Mother Ink Tampa Radio

1. At what age did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I’m pretty sure I was BORN an entrepreneur. I’ve had plenty of my own businesses. We used to make a Halloween Horror House at a very young age and charge admission. I’ve started three businesses.

2. What is your product or business and how did you get started?

My business is AgingBackwards.com. The idea came to me in a dream…isn’t that how all the best ideas start?

3. What separates your business from the competition? In other words, what makes it special?

What makes my business special is that everyone wants to stay young and I know how to do it – then I tell you! I’m especially adept at finding the latest, greatest anti-aging and beauty breakthroughs, not to mention I’m personal friends with many of the world’s top experts in the industry. I get “inside info” to share.

4. What separates you from other business leaders? In other words, what makes YOU special?

What makes me different than other people in my industry?  I’m 50 and I still get asked for I.D. to buy wine. David Kekich, CEO of Maximum Life Foundation said, “Jackie is a poster child for anti-aging, so take her advice.”

5. What is a typical day like for you? Not just work, but the good stuff, too.

Typically, I work all day every day. Luckily, my work is tons of FUN and I love it!  When I’m not doing TV, radio or writing, I travel extensively meeting amazing people, having wonderful adventures, discovering new ways to keep Aging Backwards – I have the perfect life!

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

I always say, “Two brains are better than one,” so even though I’m a single entrepreneur, I make it a point to seek out brilliant people to brainstorm and collaborate with.

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

The ideal person who would complement my business would be someone who is very business-savvy. I’ve got the content. I’ve got the ”staying young” down.  I’ve got the P.R. down.  My weak area is business.  So, any biz geniuses out there?  Feel free to contact me, wink.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years?  I see myself living on the West Coast, taking a huge vacation (haven’t had a real vacation in years) that I’ve always wanted to take with Voluntourism.  That’s not a typo.  It’s a company that arranges vacations combined with giving back – perfect!  That’s what I plan to do for the rest of my life when I “retire.”

Annika Pfluger, Owner of Red Thread Confections

I chose Annika Pfluger, Owner of Red Thread Confections, to be my next guest because as a business owner, single adoptive parent, and world class musician, her story is interesting on many levels.  My close second reason, of course, is that I am addicted to chocolate and Annika happens to make it.

Not just chocolate, mind you.  Handmade, intricately hand-painted organic chocolates made from the finest ingredients and with nothing artificial added.  In the past year that I have known about Annika, I have secretly browsed her website, stalking her adorable little chocolates’ every move.  After all, a true chocolate lover knows that just because you can’t eat it every day, doesn’t mean you can’t spend the afternoon pretending you were.   (On a personal note, I have to say I’m not sure why men don’t show up for dates more often with chocolates.  THIS WORKS, trust me.)

In the spirit of giving back, and following along the lines of the “Red Thread” legend (which you will read about below), Annika donates a portion of all Red Thread Confections proceeds to orphanages in China, Guatemala, and Ethiopia.  So if you want to really impress someone, while also giving to a good cause, do the right thing.  Be a man.  Bring chocolate.

1. At what age did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I actually had no clue that I wanted to be an entrepreneur until just 5-6 years ago. But looking back, there were definitely signs pointing in that direction. I was always a bit of a risk taker and tended to pursue non-traditional paths throughout my life. I’m a classically trained professional cellist with a Master of Music degree. And I spent a year in Budapest, Hungary (before the iron curtain fell) studying at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music on a Fulbright Scholarship. I also traveled to Guatemala to adopt my son as a single parent – and what a fabulous adventure that was, and continues to be! So, while it may have taken me a while to traverse the various paths that led me to entrepreneurship, I’m now thrilled to be the sole owner of Red Thread Confections – a business I developed and have grown from the ground up.

2. What is your product or business and how did you get started?

Red Thread Confections is a unique artisan handcrafted chocolate business. I hand paint each chocolate with organic all naturally colored cocoa butter. I trained at Ecole Chocolat based in Vancouver, Canada and studied artisan chocolates and confections at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. I got the inspiration for my company from the ancient Chinese Legend of the Red Thread: “At birth, an invisible red thread connects us to everyone in our life who will become important to us. That thread may stretch and shrink over time, but it will never break.” As an adoptive parent, the red thread legend is very close to my heart. I believe that my son was connected to me by the invisible red thread at birth and that he will also be forever connected to his birth family and birth country by that same red thread. Red Thread Confections honors the red thread legend by donating a portion of the proceeds from each sale to orphanages in Guatemala, Ethiopia and China. Another part of our mission is to create red thread connections with each of our customers – once you try our chocolates, you’ll be forever connected as well!

3. What separates your business from the competition?  In other words, what makes it special?

All of my chocolates are lovingly made by hand using no automated equipment. I use premium fresh ingredients and don’t use any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in any of my confections. Each piece is hand painted with organically colored all natural cocoa butter. We also donate a portion of the proceeds of each sale to orphanages in Guatemala, Ethiopia and China.

4. What separates you from other business leaders?  In other words, what makes YOU special?

I am currently running all aspects of the business – from sweeping the floor at night to developing all of our recipes to packing the boxes. I believe that by becoming an expert at each job within the company, it will enable me to be well positioned for future expansion.

5. What is a typical day like for you?  Not just work, but the good stuff, too.

Up early with my coffee, then I get my son up and ready for school. In the meantime I head down to my production space and start the chocolate tempering. While my son’s in school, it’s all about making chocolates, packing orders and marketing for sales. After my son gets home, we have a nice late afternoon and dinner together and then maybe off to soccer practice. After dinner I start working on my computer/administrative duties, bills, accounting, etc. Late nights after my son is in bed, it’s either back to the commercial kitchen space to work on more chocolate production or I’ll continue with the computer/administrative duties. Long days… but so worth it!

6. Has being a single entrepreneur helped you or hurt you in business and why?

I see it very similar to being a single parent, actually. There are pros and cons – the pros are that I get to make all the decisions and don’t have to be accountable to anyone except myself. The cons – well, those would be the same – I have to make all the decisions and there’s no one else who could be accountable for a nice change of pace once in a while.

7. Describe the ideal person who would complement both your life and your business.

The ideal person would be someone who loves sales and marketing. That would really complement my needs. That way I could focus more of my time on recipe development and production.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself freaking out because my son will be just about to get his driver’s license – LOL! No, really… I see myself in my future beach house on Block Island while my business is flourishing.

Annika’s Bio:

Annika Pfluger is the Owner/Chocolatier of Red Thread Confections, LLC. She’s also a professional cellist with an active teaching studio. When she’s not busy in her kitchen developing new recipes and making chocolates, or teaching cello students, she spends her time enjoying life with her 6 year old son, gardening and hunkering down with a great book.

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