Jennifer Goodwin, CEO of Internet Girl Friday

Jennifer Goodwin, CEO of Internet Girl Friday talks about personal branding, her army of virtual assistants, and living an organic lifestyle (most of the time).

Want to connect with Jennifer? Find her on ThatJenGirl.com!

Jonathan Swanson, co-Founder of Thumbtack

Listen in as Jonathan Swanson of internet startup Thumbtack talks to Nina Beckhardt about extreme rock climbing and shirtless co-founders. (scroll down to watch the video)

And, yes, you may have already guessed this lucky boy just came back from the Olympics!

Check out the Thumbtack website, blog, or follow them on Twitter!

Thank you to Nina Beckhardt for being this week’s video correspondent:)

Jason Sadler, Founder of I Wear Your Shirt

For most of us, our whole lives are spent hearing the way to get ahead is by capitalizing on our greatest strength. Apparently, Jason Sadler’s is getting dressed.

Started less than two years ago,  Sadler’s start-up (aptly named “I Wear Your Shirt“) offers PR exposure on a calendar basis with January 1st going for $1 and December 31st going for $365. For the price paid, advertisers get their company’s t-shirt on Jason’s body for the entire day.

OK, so paying someone to wear your shirt might seem like a waste of marketing cash, until you consider this: Jason has acquired a substantial online following and spends hours posting photos, videos, and even playing online games like Pictionary (in front of a strangely voyeuristic following), all while throwing in important company info and random plugs.

With a business on the rise, Jason is increasing his exposure next year, and may soon be on the lookout for even more t-shirt-wearing talent. Start practicing.

1.  What kind of return on investment do your offer advertisers?

I make a solemn promise that I will put their shirt on correctly in the morning and continue to wear it without messing it up for the day. But seriously, most of the customers see traffic growth, an increase in Twitter followers, sales increases and their logos/name are seen by 1,000’s of people! Some companies have seen record traffic days, record sales days and buildabrand.com saw a 4500% increase in user signups on their day!

2.  What about shirt-wearing copycats? How will you deal with them when them inevitably start popping up?

Must mean I’m doing something right huh? Copycats are copycats… It makes me work harder to stay ahead of them and I’ve built an amazing community that supports me and the company’s t-shirts I wear on a daily basis. My previous customers always email me when a copycat pops up and it’s an great feeling to know they’re that loyal to not use someone else.

3.  Your business is essentially doubling next year. What do you hope Evan will bring to the table in terms of social media/personality?

I want a whole new audience to watch Evan’s daily shenanigans. He’s way crazier than I am and I asked him to wear shirts with me because we aren’t the same person. If iwearyourshirt.com can “franchise” and grow, finding good people is key. I think Evan is going to be a fantastic addition and has been a huge help in making 2009 a success. Evan is also going to skydive 1 Saturday each month and will probably end up in Las Vegas quite often.

4.  Of all the social media outlets you touch daily, which delivers the most followers/page views for your time? Which brings your best quality visitors?

On the hour long daily LIVE video show on Ustream.tv. I chat with friends all over the world on the web while wearing a company’s t-shirt. These streams see anywhere from 500 to 85,000 daily viewers. Most days it’s between 2-3,000 views and it’s probably the easiest/most fun part of my day. As far as quality is concerned, I think the YouTube videos are a unique piece of content that will live on forever and always tell a company’s story in a fun and engaging way. I particularly love the video we made for Webs.com on segways.

5.  So much of your work is done from home. Even though much of it is social, do you ever get sick of being online?

Honestly… I don’t. Blah blah blah “it’s not work if you love what you’re doing” – but I really do love what I do. I’ve built a ton of friendships online and genuinely enjoy putting on a t-shirt every morning and getting paid for it. I took my first day off on December 19 and while it was relaxing it felt really weird. I missed talking with everyone and I feel like they missed me too. May sound weird to some people, but that’s what my business thrives on.

6.  How has your business affected your social life, for better or worse?

I think it’s affected my social life for better and for worse. I know I don’t hang out with my local friends as much as I used to, but they also realize I’m trying to build a business, I’m trying to create something unique and I’m a very dedicated person. That would probably be the worse of it. The better is that I’ve met a ton of great new people and companies that will open doors for many opportunities down the road. I’m a firm believer in it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Oh, and I don’t have to stand in front of my closet and try and decide what shirt to wear anymore… that’s definitely a plus for me. And I don’t have to buy shirts, so I’m saving money!

7.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living on the beach and not having to put a shirt on

Jason’s Bio:

Jason Sadler hasn’t always been wearing t-shirts for a living, but has always been creative. From drawing on walls with crayons, possibly doing a small amount of graffiti and eventually graduating college with a degree in Graphic Design. Jason has worked with professional sports organizations, advertising agencies, online retailers and most recently co-owned his own web design company. Jason loves playing Scrabble, watching terrible movies (sometimes for 24 hours at a time), has been known to shoot a hoop of basketball or two and is an avid automotive enthusiast. Living at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida gives Jason the freedom to prance around in t-shirts 365 days out of the year with his Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Plaxico.

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

Josh Bob of Textaurant

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I posted a message on Facebook and gave a random interview to the first single entrepreneur who called me via Skype.

(Are you part of our Facebook party?)

Unfortunately, video wasn’t set up on Josh’s end, but a great interview nonetheless. Thanks, Josh!

Want to connect with Josh? Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or check out the Textaurant website!

Nina Beckhardt, Founder of The Naming Group

What can you do with a fine arts degree, a minor in psychology and some time spent in Martha’s craft corner? Twenty-something Nina Beckhardt spun that background into founding The Naming Group, a NYC-based startup focused on branding and the art of corporate name choice. OK, so there was that Abercrombie manager training in between…

A Boston native, Nina went to college in DC, always knowing her final destination would be New York City. After graduating from George Washington University, a dream internship in the crafts department at Martha Stewart failed to result in a permanent position and Nina found herself in search of Plan B. Abercrombie’s retail management training program wasn’t exactly what the doctor ordered, but the next opportunity was. Applying her combination of art, psychology and language skills, Nina came on as a creative contributor to naming/branding group Namebase, where she left as President and Creative Director to form her own group in 2009.

Now heading a team of her own, Nina is thankful to the winding, and sometimes bumpy road that led her towards the business she has today. She even learned a little decoupage along the way.

Thanks, Martha.

1.  Is the psychological effect from a product/tagline measurable? How do you quantify client results?

I think the beauty of developing names is that there really isn’t a formula. While we have a consistent and time-tested naming methodology, we apply a custom-fit approach to each project. My background in psychology plays a big role in name development and analysis because I have to be aware of “baggage.” All words, even coined ones, have baggage, that is, the associations and reactions they elicit. While market research can help identify baggage, at the end of day, client results are measured in marketing dollars saved. With a great name that is memorable, communicates key benefits and forms an emotional connection with consumers, you don’t need to spend as much on marketing and advertising. A strong name does all the heavy lifting for your brand.

2. Do your clients know how young you are? How does your age/appearance affect your credibility?

I think in this day in age it is becoming more and more common to see young people in positions of power. Thanks to great parenting and education, I was raised to believe that my thoughts and opinions matter. I feel that my talents and aspirations have little to do with my chronological age. I am a woman of words; I find numbers too limiting.

Cultural and age diversity are crucial elements of The Naming Group’s creative team. Naming and branding are about creating timeless appeal across multiple demographics.

3. Is there a turning point where the importance of maintaining brand recognition supersedes that of fixing a poor naming choice?

In some instances, the brand name is so strong that it would simply be imprudent to change it. Pizza Hut learned that earlier this year when they sliced off the most important part of their name in an attempt to perhaps sound a bit hipper, more edgy? Bad decision. They quickly backpedaled away from “The Hut” to their original name. Good decision. In other instances, however, a name change can be very fruitful – if done correctly. At The Naming Group, we have developed a concept called Brandsition®. This is our proprietary, three-part process of transforming, reviving and/or expanding an already established brand. Brandsition® breaks down the typical idea of “re-branding” and “re-naming” which, we believe, are outdated and inflexible terms. We make sure to create a new name that draws from the original name or brand in some way. Perhaps the new name will have the same first letter or sound or evoke a similar image as the old name. Bottom line: If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. But, if there is room for improvement, then there is room for Brandsition®.

4. Living in NYC was a non-negotiable for you after college. Why?

After growing up in the Boston area, going to college in Washington, DC and studying in London there still is no city that arouses me the way that New York City does. Even when in a quiet restaurant or tucked away in my office, I can feel the energy of the city. It fuels my creativity. It wakes me up in the morning. I drink less coffee when I’m here.

My favorite part of leaving the city is knowing I get to come back. It’s that feeling I get when I see the skyline on my way home from the airport. Sometimes I can’t believe I live here. There is a quote I’ve come across that says “You have to be crazy to live in New York, but you’d have to be nuts to live anywhere else.”

5. As a former Fine Arts major and Martha Stewart intern, how do you keep up with your creative side while building up your business?

Given my all-or-nothing approach, keeping up with my creative extra-curriculars has been a significant challenge during these nascent stages of my business. The nature of my work taps my creativity in a number of ways. For me, rather than clay, paint or yarn as my medium, I am now creating art with words, syllables and morphemes. However, after a long day at the office, I can’t tell you how good it feels to dig your fingers into clay, craft a pair of earrings or make a simple greeting card.

6. Do you miss Martha? (or is she as crazy as we all think?)

Y’know, I never formally met Martha. I did pass her in the hall a couple of times. She is alarmingly tall and her aura even taller! Seriously. She emits a vibe that is all at once terrifying and awe-inspiring. I learned so much about business, corporate bureaucracy and brand control. There were certain words you couldn’t say and colors she didn’t like and you just had to know them. Crazy? Arguably, yes. However, she knows exactly what she wants, how she wants it and who her audience is. It is that borderline obsessive, uber-regimented brand control that has differentiated her from the Betty Homemakers of the world.

What I don’t miss about Martha Stewart is the corporate culture. While working there, it became clear to me that I was simply a cog in a very big wheel. It didn’t matter how hard I worked or how meticulously I applied gold leaf to a vintage Christmas ornament, if my boss didn’t love me or some editor above me didn’t switch departments, I wasn’t going to be promoted. I believe in hard work being recognized. As soon as I entered the small creative agency environment I finally felt the reigns in my hands. I worked hard and moved up. I worked harder and moved up higher. I’ve come a long way from applying gold leaf in a back room studio. I’m on the front lines now and I couldn’t be happier.

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

I joke with people that I am dating my business right now but it’s pretty much a reality. So, if I were to meet that special someone in the next year or so, they’d have to be patient and totally willing to go on dates with me in my office. This is a hard question to answer because while I have a preconceived notion of what kind of person I think would compliment me, I believe in keeping an open mind when it comes to meeting people. I think the kind of person who would jive with me is someone who is creative, hard-working, affectionate and opinionated. They would need to respect my ATDD (Attention To Detail Disorder) and work ethic. As far as what that person does professionally, I have no requirements. A love of food, dogs and the ability to make me loose my breath laughing are my only major requirements.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Wow. Over the past two years my life has evolved to a point that takes years, sometimes decades for most people. Given this, I almost feel I can’t predict. If you asked me two years ago what I would be doing in ten years, I could never, in my wildest dreams, tell you that I would own my own naming company. Strangely enough, I can’t imagine anything more perfect for me right now. In ten years, I see The Naming Group continuing on to become a top authority in the branding industry. While many companies are proud to drop the names of prestigious advertising agencies with whom they’ve contracted, they often don’t like to admit that they’ve engaged a naming company to name their products. By 2019, I plan on changing that. I am discovering that the realm beyond my comfort zone is where my ultimate potential lies. I definitely plan on continuing to exceed my own expectations.

Nina’s Bio:

Nina Beckhardt founded The Naming Group upon the philosophy that the right brand name catalyzes brand evolution. She is obsessed with three things: words, brands and people. These healthy obsessions pair beautifully with a strong academic background in visual art, design and psychology. A self-described creative solutionist, Nina infuses every project with her passion for creative marketing and extensive knowledge of Latin, Spanish and sound symbolism. Her razor-sharp Scrabble skills don’t hurt either.

Before founding The Naming Group, Nina was President / Creative Director of Namebase where she led naming and brand development for Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Target, Southwest Airlines, EPSON, and Dow Jones, ConAgra and Mercedes Benz. A recognized authority on brand naming, Nina has been published nationally and has appeared in a feature segment of the Emmy Award-winning television show, Autoline Detroit.

Want to connect with Nina? Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and her blog “Nomenculture”!

Casey Arisohn, Founder of Radii Footwear

If you believe Casey Arisohn, success in business is all about who you know. Believe him. The 26 year-old Founder and CEO of Radii Footwear, an upscale sneaker line popular with music artists (think Gwen Stefani and Jay-Z.), launched his first line in August 2008 at the Magic Tradeshow in Vegas and now, less than two years later, boasts distribution in 10 countries and over 350 retail locations.

Casey, a retail worker at age 16, buying assistant by 17, then retail sales rep, also spent his share of time in college, leaving shy of graduation. Realizing he was losing important relationships while away at school, Casey decided to come back to retail as a consultant and manufacturer for private label. Shortly after, a business associate took note of his fast-selling sneaker designs, approached him about working out a partnership, and Radii Footwear was born. With funding, a decade of retail experience behind him, and noteworthy clientele, Casey, along with his partner, enjoyed a staggering $1M in sales in just the first 6 months, cementing the relationship.

The moral of the story? If business really is dependent upon relationships, we all need to meet a few more Caseys.

1.  You are adamant that business is all about who you know. What was the key to building your most important relationships?

I always try to follow the golden rule of treating everyone like I would want to be treated.  Coming up in this business, I recall running into a lot of people that would treat others who weren’t necessarily on the same business level or status as them as such.  You have to be careful, sometimes those people end up in positions where you might need them.

2. Radii’s growth since August 2008 has been off the charts. What advice do you have for small business owners who are struggling in the recession?

Make quality products.  It all comes down to the goods you manufacture.  Sure, the volume might not be where it was years ago, but as long as you’re making quality products that consumers want, you’ll weather the storm and make it through.

3. Dealing with Chinese factories for several years, you must have hit some bumps along the way. What were your biggest challenges, and would you ever consider manufacturing domestically?

Oh boy…bumps don’t even describe it!   The language barrier and lead time slow us down.  When dealing with China, especially in the footwear industry, you’re dealing with a larger time window to produce samples for a season.  We’re working on 2011/12 samples for Radii right now because it takes that long to get the product the way you envision it.

4. Name the five things that most influence your style.

History, fashion, our retailers, price, and competition.

5. For a 26 year-old, you have achieved a high level of personal success. Given that you don’t have a history of it, does the thought of failure scare you?

Honestly, I was a bit scared before I launched the line but that didn’t last long.  We’re too busy to really think about that, to tell you the truth.   With a retail and buyer background, I guess you kind of learn how to shut that emotion off.   I know that in business, everything doesn’t go as planned but I also know that if you plan properly you can’t fail.

6. Are your friends jealous?

Haha…for the most part no.  Most are just stoked and still can’t believe I have a sneaker line.   I hear about competitors that say things here and there but it’s never said to my face.

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

You know, I think someone who has their own set of goals that they want to accomplish.  Someone who is about their business whether it’s finishing school, opening their own business or working for a company.  Someone who has a passion for what they do because I’m passionate about Radii Footwear.  I’m young so I’m sure these things will change as I date more.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Sitting on an empire not just limited to footwear and just being happy.  I want to be able to leave an impact on my generation and generations to come.

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

Tricia Basanyi, Founder of Voiceovers by Trish

Do you ever hear voices? If you’re wandering through a casino in A.C., taking in a museum, or listening to a radio advertisement for your local grocery store, you could be hearing the voice of Tricia Basanyi. At 34, Tricia has made a name for herself (or for her voice, rather) doing voiceover work for the likes of Dole, Caterpillar and Verizon Wireless, among others.

Communications degree graduate? Nope. After realizing college wasn’t working for her, the former Psychology major turned to a (yawn) accounts payable job to pay the bills. At 24, a light bulb went off and Tricia turned her passion for media into an entry-level internship with a radio station, going on to receive her own afternoon program and doing voiceover gigs on the side, while still working her accounting 9-5.

After four years, Tricia’s part-time hobby was viable enough to become her full-time business. Active on networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, she credits several projects per week to effective use of social media. Click here to listen to a sampling of her work, and if you start to hear a voice at the Taj Mahal…well, lets just hope it’s Tricia.

1.  Where is the strangest place we can hear your voice?

Ummmm I’d rather not tell you the STRANGEST place;)  But, I can tell you that I’m the voice for the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and I do the audio tours for the Miami MetroZoo and a few other parks in Florida.

2.  Why do you prefer voiceover acting versus television/film acting?

Because you can be anyone you want to be! On camera you’re limited to your own looks, but when you only have audio the audience’s imagination is a huge advantage. Plus, when you do a job you’re not so proud of (see answer to #1) you get to deny it!  haha -  When you’re on camera it’s harder to convince people you have an identical twin you didn’t know about.

3.  Has the down economy affected the amount of voiceover work you receive? Or, have businesses turned to radio as a cheaper means of communicating?

Yes, it’s affected it, but in a good way. I’m busier than ever!  Businesses still need to advertise. I give a few more “discounts” these days than before but there’s no shortage of work by any stretch of the imagination. You just have to know where to look and, of course, network, network, network.

4.  What do businesses look for most when shopping for a “voice” to sell their products?

Well, to be honest a lot of it is personal preference. How do you pick which shirt to buy out of 10 different choices? We each have different tastes. I will say one thing though, it’s NOT just the voice itself. Someone could have a fantastic voice but sound like they’re reading when they do a commercial. We all know that’s not a good thing. On the other hand, many people with “average” sounding voices are making a killing in this business because they know how to sound natural and believable. So a good amount of it is talent and skill, knowing what the client wants and who your audience is that you’re “selling” to. Once you have a good amount of talent and voices to choose from, that’s when personal preference kicks in. Like choosing your favorite color. You can’t explain WHY you like it best, you just DO.

5.  Has anyone in public ever recognized your voice?

Yes! A client that did not know I was the voice for the Trump Taj was walking along the boardwalk in Atlantic City over this past summer and heard my voice coming out of the loudspeaker, and immediately knew it was me. He called me and held his phone up to the speaker so I could hear myself coming through my own phone! It was a little weird.  A few other similar stories like that over the past few years.

6.  How do men react when they find out that you “do voices”? Give us the worst line you’ve heard.

You ready for this one? “Ohhhh, so you give good voice, huh?”  HILARIOUS. In general, though, I find that guys find what I do quite fascinating even though I don’t do character voices. They always ask, “so where can I hear you?” They’re pretty curious and ask a lot of questions about it, and occasionally they’ll say “I’ve been told I have a great voice and should look into doing voiceovers but didn’t know how to get into the business.”  Yeah dude, you and 50 million others. lol

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

My life is pretty fly-by-night. I like to travel a lot because I can and life is short. I work from anywhere and it would be cool to be with someone that had the same freedom. Doesn’t really matter what they do as long as they enjoy their work. I do think that it’s important to have your own interests outside of a relationship, if you do EVERYTHING together things get stale and boring pretty quickly. I do swing dancing, play poker, and play tennis with certain friends on a regular basis and it’s nice to have a guy that has his own interests too, so I can have my “me” time and he can have his.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Well a LOT has changed in the past 5 years for me, so 10 years from now it should definitely be interesting. Professionally, I hope to have realized several projects in the voiceover industry that I’m working on right now, and they should be up and running smoothly by then.  I’m an “idea” person so I imagine I’ll have some other things that I’ll be pursuing and trying to get finished, that as of right now I haven’t even thought of yet.
Personally, I’m not quite sure. Meeting someone would certainly be an enhancement but not a necessity. Children have never been a desire of mine, I have 2 nephews and a niece that I adore, and they keep me quite busy and satisfied on that front. I love my lifestyle but kids don’t fit into it very well, and I don’t see things changing anytime soon.

Want to connect with Trish? Follow her on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn!

Verral Rathod, President and co-Founder of J. Hilburn

For a corporate finance guy, the road to success begins with a well-tailored shirt. For Veeral Rathod, ex-financial professional and co-Founder of men’s luxury apparel line J. Hilburn, that same tailored shirt is where the road ends.

Veeral began his career in finance after receiving a liberal arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, getting his foot in the door at a Wall Street firm after graduation with the help of friends. Eventually landing in Dallas to serve as Vice President at a private equity firm, Veeral knew his career as it stood was not the end of the road.

Deciding to follow his entrepreneurial instincts, Veeral co-founded the J. Hilburn company, along with business partner Hil Davis, in 2006.  Structured around a business model with combined elements of e-commerce and direct sales, the company offers luxury men’s apparel direct to consumer at a significant discount from traditional retail. Utilizing a small army of “Personal Style Advisors” who measure clients to achieve a tailored fit, and circumventing the usual store overhead, J. Hilburn passes savings on to the consumer, while sourcing luxury fabrics from the same vendors as well-known brands.

Veeral credits much of the initial success of J. Hilburn to finding the right advisors, as well as the right vendors, early on. Or maybe he just knows the power of a man in a well-tailored shirt.

1.   Fashion is evolving as men are increasingly concerned with their appearance and how their clothes fit. Do you think a company like J. Hilburn would have been successful 15, or even 10 years ago?

The current timing is perfect for our business model for several reasons, which didn’t exist 10 years ago:

(1) American men are finally starting to care about better fitting clothes, personalized style and high quality fabrics.  The men’s apparel segment has been growing faster than women’s for the past 5 years, and tailored apparel is the leading category.

(2) Luxury brands have outsourced all their production, and this gives us the ability to source directly from the same fabric mills and manufacturers.  At the same time, luxury brands have continually marked up their prices and taken massive profits at the consumer’s expense.  So now we’re in a time where consumers want high quality goods, but are less willing to pay the absurd markups.  Since we sell direct, we deliver luxury apparel at half the price of traditional retail stores.

(3) The emergence of Dell, Amazon and Zappos prove that consumers will shop online.  Our unique model of direct sales as well as ecommerce gives us a direct relationship with our customers, and saves guys from having to go to the mall.  Once we have a customer’s measurements, they can go online and design custom shirts and pants as well as purchase sweaters, belts and cufflinks.  J. Hilburn offers the best elements of value, customer service and convenience.

2.  How did you learn the basics of the fashion industry and what more would you like to learn?

Both Hil Davis, my business partner, and I started our careers in investment banking, so the intricacies of fashion, retail, technology and business operations are all new to us.  We did a lot of research and sought advice from knowledgeable people, so that contributed to our ability to launch our custom shirt program.  Since then, we’ve been able to attract incredible talent that has proven experience, such as our VP of Product Development – Jon Patrick – who has 10+ years creating menswear for Polo Ralph Lauren.  We still have a lot to learn, and our primary goal for 2010 is to develop signature product that defines us as a luxury brand.

3.  Has your company vision changed at all since receiving venture capital?

From day 1, Hil and I have always believed that we can fundamentally change the retail world and build an world-class company.  Venture capital funding enabled us to accelerate our business plan and spend behind product development, ecommerce and infrastructure.  So while our vision has always been the same, we now have the capital resources to execute on all the strategic initiatives that will build the brand and grow our market share.

4.  What do you think men appreciate more about your business: the product or the service?

I think they appreciate both – what guy wants to go to the mall, spend twice as much money, and get clothes that don’t fit well? Our products deliver luxury at unmatched pricing and our style advisors provide both convenience as well as fashion advice.

5.  Why do men find it so difficult to piece together an outfit?

Men aren’t able to visualize as well as women, and most guys don’t want to spend the time preparing outfits.  So we train our style advisors to help guys pick the right colors, patterns and looks for their lifestyle.  Additionally, our website will feature tools and content to help men piece together outfits.  Currently, our customers can design custom shirts online, and see that shirt in real-time (just like building a car online).  We’re currently expanding that technology to suggest additional items, such as matching pants, belts and cufflinks, and then put it all together in the custom apparel builder so they can see the whole outfit on the screen.

6.  What do you enjoy most about owning your own business?

I never feel like I’m ‘working’.  We have a very unique business model that’s never been done before, so I enjoy the challenge of building the company and seeing it come together every day.  Additionally, I think our corporate team as well as our style  advisors really enjoy being part of J. Hilburn, and it’s a great feeling to know you’re making a difference in someone else’s life.  One of our style advisors once told me: “J. Hilburn gave me and my family the opportunity to dream again” – that’s pretty powerful.

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

Someone who is intelligent, confident and has a sense of humor.  Someone whose willingness to take calculated risks is matched by their ability  to dream with me.  Most importantly, she should build my strengths and complement my weaknesses.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I think J. Hilburn will be synonymous with renowned brands like Ralph Lauren and Zegna. By then, we should have seasoned executives running the company, so I look forward to spending my time building our brand and working with our style advisors.

Veeral’s Bio:

Veeral Rathod is the President and co-Founder of J. Hilburn, a luxury men’s apparel company based in Dallas, Texas.  J. Hilburn brings luxurious, personalized men’s apparel to the market at affordable prices through a combination of Personal Style Advisers and an elegant e-commerce site.  Prior to founding J. Hilburn, Veeral Rathod was a Vice President at Cogent Partners where he was responsible for sourcing and executing private equity transactions. He also spent two years at Credit Suisse First Boston in the technology mergers and acquisitions group in San Francisco.  Veeral earned a BA in International Relations and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.  He is an avid car enthusiast, a Dallas Cowboys fan, and enjoys traveling.

Want to connect with Veeral? Follow him on Facebook!

Adam Nguyen, CEO of Ivy Link

In high school, Adam Nguyen never toured an Ivy League campus. In fact, he never toured any college campus. Students in his Texas town were not actively recruited by top schools, and Adam applied only to the few schools who sent him catalogs in the mail. A friend with an extra college application urged Adam to apply to at least one more school. Now the CEO of New York-based Ivy Link, an education company which serves as a “link” to the Ivy League, Adam took his friend’s advice and mailed in that application. Not that he had ever heard of a school called “Columbia”.

What started as a chance encounter with the Ivy League become a life-long passion for Adam, not only for quality higher education, but for universal access to it. After graduating from Columbia, he worked at the Department of Justice for a year before entering Harvard Law School. A high-paying corporate law job in Mergers and Acquisitions followed, but a sense of personal satisfaction was missing, which led to the founding of Ivy Link. Operating under the principle of “profit with a purpose” Ivy Link offers high-end tutoring and admissions counseling to those students and parents who can afford it, and the same services free or at low-cost to motivated, academically-gifted students who can’t. Still practicing law on the side (with a fondness for counseling startups), Adam has shifted his career focus to the social impact possible when access to higher education is open.

In his spare time, you might find Adam painting, playing the piano, surfing, scuba diving, or taking his annual international birthday adventure trip with friends. I’m guessing they’re probably more fun than those college tours anyway.

1. Have you ever lost a promising student because of differences with their parents?

Luckily, that has never happened to us.  We take great care to understand the interests and objectives of both students and parents, and in instances where they diverged, we have managed to bridge the gap and accommodate both students and parents without sacrificing the quality of our services.  Parents have been uniformly pleased by our focus on each student’s success.

2. What would you change about the current American educational system?

From my experience working with students, many coming back to school after the summer break (or even a long winter or spring break) tend to experience a “summer slide” – meaning that like athletes out of training, they suffer a loss of knowledge from a lack of mental stimulation.  Broadly speaking, I think that our students would benefit from more time in the classroom, which would require a combination of extending the school day or academic year, a dramatic increase in investment and funding, and an enormous amount of political will and public support.  Alternatively, students should engage in some sort of academic or mentally stimulating pursuits during their break in order to prevent an atrophy of the mind.

3. Through all the years competing in Ivy League schools, and then working in a large practice, you seem to have remained unusually well-rounded. How did you do it?

I think it’s a combination of three things that has helped with remaining well-rounded: a natural curiosity of the world around me, a desire for active pursuits and an appreciation for balance in my life.  I enjoy meeting new people and seeking out novel ideas and opportunities, all of which expose me to valuable perspectives and allow me to develop new interests.  I am also a very active person who needs to be engaged in a variety of endeavors.  At the same time, I strive to maintain a healthy balance among work, civic responsibilities, hobbies, and friends and family.

4. Do you ever miss the prestige (and paycheck) associated with working in corporate law?

Prestige and a hefty paycheck are undoubtedly nice perks of the corporate world, but at this stage in my life, I derive tremendous satisfaction from the independence and creative process that come from running my own business.  Being able to chart my own path has been a great experience.

5. What role does the creation of art play in your life?

I am naturally a left-brain, logical type, so I pursue art not only to relax but also to develop my creative side.  I have found that the process of creating art and starting a business to be remarkably similar.  Both are creative endeavors that allow you to see different perspectives and appreciate different approaches and ideas.  Filling a blank canvas, like building a business from the bottom up, is one of the most challenging and creative processes that I have ever undertaken.

6. Where are you going next year for your birthday?

I generally prefer a historically significant destination that is also conducive to active pursuits.  I would love to assemble a motley crew of close friends and family members to join me on a tour of Jerusalem and Petra, followed by an excursion to the Red Sea for scuba diving.

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

That person would be someone who is intelligent and loyal, has a big heart and a bigger sense of humor, and shares my passion for pursuing a purposeful life and my interests in entrepreneurship and making a social impact through innovative means.  We would help each other keep things in perspective and laugh through the inevitable ups and downs in life and business.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully, in 10 years (or perhaps much earlier than that) my company will have a global presence so that we can make a meaningful social impact in education throughout the world.  I see education as a means of bringing together people from different backgrounds, seeing complex issues and problems from fresh perspectives, and ultimately, achieving meaningful progress.  I plan on being actively involved in education, while pursuing other social entrepreneurial opportunities.

Adam’s Bio
Adam is the President & CEO of Ivy Link, an education company staffed by a select team of Ivy League-educated instructors and advisors who provide one-on-one admissions advising and standardized test preparation to candidates seeking acceptance to colleges, business schools and law schools, as well as academic coaching to students in grades K-12.  Ivy Link is known for its innovative approach, including its “smart-pricing” model, the Ivy Link Method and the Ivy Link Network.  As a social entrepreneur, Adam operates the company under a “profit-for-purpose” principle with the aim of making a social impact in education through need-based scholarships and community outreach.
Prior to founding Ivy Link, Adam held business and legal positions in investment management companies and corporate law firms.  His experience also includes work at government agencies and non-profit entities.  Adam graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Economics and Political Science, and he received his law degree from Harvard Law School.  He enjoys skiing, scuba diving, painting and living in New York City.

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

Melinda Massie, President and Founder of Melinda Massie Events

“Because less than fabulous is just unacceptable.” -Melinda Massie Events

Need an event planner who can deliver affordable luxury, “fabulousity” on a budget and who believes that details are everything? How about one who can dance circles around you while she does it? If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Melinda Massie is happy to help – and you may even get to see her dance.

President and Founder of Melinda Massie Events, 34 year-old Melinda was born and raised a Texas girl. After receiving her degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Wesleyan University (by way of Austin College), she went on to work as…(you guessed it)…a professional ballroom dancer. Starting with Swing, and then moving on to Salsa (after the infamous GAP ad over-crowded the dance floor), Melinda spent three years polishing her steps before realizing it was more of a hobby than her ultimate career goal. A move to event planning for the Ft. Worth Zoo was just the thing, as Melinda had enjoyed a taste of social planning while working as a promotional assistant for her college radio station.

Fourteen and a half years of event planning later, Melinda knew one thing – she could do it all herself. Utilizing the experience she gained from planning roughly 80 events per year at the zoo, Melinda formed her own planning company, Melinda Massie Events, in September of 2008.

So, if for your next event you require luxury, style, and someone else to work out the details, Melinda Massie has you covered. Just don’t be surprised if she asks you to dance.

1.  With so much experience planning events, why did you wait so long to start your own business?

Starting my own business was never really something I thought about.  I was always told I should, but I never wanted to.  Being an independent planner always seemed like this daunting and impossible task.  However once I decided to do it, it was the only think I could think about.  It can still be daunting at times, but no longer seems impossible.  My extensive experience in all types of events has given me significantly better preparation to be able to take on anything.  I wouldn’t have that if I’d started this business earlier.

2.  How has the recession changed event planning, or are people still partying like its 1999?

Events are still happening, but we’re “reining it in” so to speak.  We’ve traded in the grandiose displays in favor of stylish minimalism.  All of life’s celebrations – i.e. weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. – still happen no matter what the state of the economy is.   The biggest difference now is that we’re challenged with creating something that is still lush and elegant with a smaller budget.

3.  Describe your most sensational low-budget party and how you pulled it off.

I did this really fantastic, casino themed 30th birthday party.  We held the event in the small private room of a nightclub.  Staging the party in a nightclub saved us the cost of a DJ so I could put the majority of budget into casino set-up.  We had black jack, roulette and an illusionist for the entire evening.  The ambiance of the room was great so it only needed a hint of decoration.  I created casino candles using mini votives, surrounded by dice and placed inside the center of small, clear glass globes.  I set these out all around the room to add a great glow and additional atmosphere.  Total spent was just over $700 and the guest of honor said it was the best birthday party she ever had!

4.  What advice do you have for those who cannot afford a professional planner?

Make the list your very best friend.  When I ask potential clients what have they liked and disliked about previous events they’ve attended, almost every single one of them mentions being at a disorganized party.  Lists help prevent this.  So many details are involved with planning a party and they generally come with many different deadlines as well.  If you’re working with multiple vendors and/or are hosting your party in a venue, they all come with varying different policies that need to be followed.  Write everything down in one place.  Make a time line of when things need to get done.  Stick to the lists.  When you open any of my client files, the very first thing you see is a list of each and every detail pertaining to their event, grouped by facet of the party – set-up, catering, entertainment, florist, etc.  Creative party ideas abound on the internet, but embracing the list is what will keep your head on straight and sanity in tact if your details try to become overwhelming. 

5.  What is your dream event to plan? To host?

For me, the dream event to plan versus the dream event to host are two very different events.  My dream event to plan would be something like you’d see on the TV show “Behind the Bash.”  Events that are spectacular, elegant and have people talking for some time to come.  I love putting tiny details and unexpected quirks into beautiful events.  I see a roving party with cocktails in one space; a formal, seated dinner in another space and dancing in a third area – each area having coordinating, but completely different atmospheres.  However, my dream event to host is a small dinner party for 6-10, possibly 15-20 people.  I really got into cooking a couple of years ago and have become quite good at it.  However, my home is too small to accommodate dinner parties, which is why that’s what I would love to host.

6.  Describe the person who would best complement your life and your business.

The ideal person would be equally as driven and passionate in his own career as I am mine and follow his talents.  Active, social and loves good food.  Has to be comfortable in black tie and going to a lot of openings/events.  But most importantly, we can be ourselves with each other and support and encourage each other in our various accomplishments, goals and dreams.

7.  How has being a female entrepreneur empowered you?

In a word – unstoppable.  There really isn’t anything that compares to taking what comes naturally to you, turning it into a career and then into your own business.  If you can do that and do it well, there really isn’t anything you can’t do.

8.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years

I usually don’t set long range goals for myself because you never really know where you’ll end up.  If I’d been told as little as 1 ½ to 2 years ago that I’d have my own business right now I wouldn’t have believed it.  However, I could easily see myself planning and consulting nationally.  I’m sure wherever I am in 10 years is exactly where I need and want to be.

Melinda’s Bio:

Melinda Massie is the President of Melinda Massie Events and Consulting, a full service event planning company that specializes in luxurious, stress-free events with a personal touch.   Her career started in 1995 when a friend asked a simple question, “Will you help me?”  From there, the seed was planted and a passion has grown.  Events include: benefit rock shows and festivals, guest appreciation events for car dealerships and dance studios, intimate and beautiful rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions and fabulous company picnics.  She has also worked behind the scenes to pull together presidential fund raisers and even put together a Cirque de Soleil style show from scratch.

Melinda attended Austin College in Sherman, TX and has a degree in advertising and public relations from Texas Wesleyan University in Ft. Worth, TX.  She is also a former professional ballroom dancer.

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