Making Moves, every entrepreneurs favorite reality web series about a group of young move makers in Boston, has come to an end. Season 1 was exciting and next season is going to be even better. I am a huge fan of this show. I have always been passionate about entrepreneurs creating a show based on their exciting lives and I think Making Moves does a great job of inspiring young entrepreneurs and move makers all over the world. If you haven’t already seen the last episode, check it out below. Big shouts to Cam Meekins on winning the competition for the Making Moves song (even though I voted for Paul Markham…shhhh). In addition to supplying you with Season 1′s last episode, since we interview the most electrifying people in the world, we came to the conclusion that we had to interview the Making Moves cast. We sat down with Alex, Vin and Julian and got to know more about them in the interview below. If you enjoy the show and the interview, tell 10 of your friends and tell them to tell 10 of their friends.

Enjoy!

Making Moves, Season 1 Finale

Interview with the Making Moves Cast

Video breakdown
0:50 – Whose idea was it for the show?
2:40 – How often are the cameras rolling?
3:20 – The Sam Adams and Jenna Marbles experience
4:43 – Who got a date with Jenna Marbles?
5:04 – Plans to meet other stars?
5:56 – What reality shows do the Making Moves cast watch?
7:02 – Late nights in the office?
7:42 – Meeting people?
7:59 – Julian, tell us a story
10:19 – Vin, tell us a story
11:46 – Season 2′s contest

Enter the Making Moves contest

Follow Making Moves on Twitter.

As always, if you think you have a great story and would like to be featured on GetYourBizSavvy, get at us!

“We’re the Ivy League of independent labels.” – Zack Johnson

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You better believe it because this kid can definitely rap. His name’s Paul Markham and it’s being heard through the grapevine. Continue Reading

This is the last in a series of interviews with Etsy entrepreneurs.

It was through social media that Kathy Swenning first heard about Etsy. Kathy is a polymer clay artist that specializes in custom beads and jewelry. In this interview, learn how Kathy started her Etsy Shop – Roz Petalz Studio.

What brought you to become an Etsy shop owner?

I heard about Etsy from a fellow crafter on a social networking site. I was tired of the high fees on Ebay, so I gave it a try.

How do you market your business?

Facebook, My Space, Business cards handed out at local fairs & included in my packaging (from all online sales).

How has social media helped your business? What have you found works best for your store?

Facebook has proven to be helpful. I can link my Etsy items to post when they go up in my shop. They also have a helpful Etsy app. I have gotten several custom orders that way – my page is set to public so anyone can view it.

What is your favorite part of being an Etsy store owner?

Low fees – no charge for store setup, etc. I especially like the “Street Teams”. I belong to two – PCAGOE (polymer clay artists guild od etsy) and Ct. Etsy Team I have participated in promotions and shows as a result of this.

What are some of the ways that you find Etsy helps in your success as a store owner?

Etsy promotes alot on their own – our success is theirs! Also the Virtual Labs has lots of good tips and ideas that have helped me along the way with suggestions for picture taking, tagging & more. The Custom section has also allowed some additional sales.

What advice would you give new Etsians just starting out?

List a few items each day instead of all at once, so you don’t get buried in the “pile” of new listings. Also, make sure your name reflects your business. I changed mine as a matter of fact due to advice from fellow Etsians. I was using my Ebay I.D. (KathyS711); decided it was better to be more recognizable to Etsy customers. Buyers on Ebay want something for nothing. Etsy buyers appreciate handmade!!!!!!

How did you come up with your shop name?

Roz Petalz Studio is the name of my business – named for my daughter, Hannah Rose.

How do you brand yourself to make your shop unique?

I make my product speak for itself. My items are one of a kind and affordable.

Do you feel a sense of community among the Etsy shop owners?

Yes! I have had strangers contact me with advice, etc just because they wanted to help a fellow “Etsian”. I have also done the same.

How do you connect with your buyers?

I respond ASAP to purchases and custom requests, etc. I include a thank you note and small “freebie” with every item. I also wrap my items with attractive packaging, etc. Most importantly, I ship FAST & leave feedback as soon as I get paid.

Visit Kathleen’s Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/RozPetalzStudio
Follow the Roz Petalz Studio blog at http://rozpetalzstudio-kathys711.blogspot.com/
Visit the Roz Petalz Studio website at http://www.rozpetalzstudio.com/
Become a Facebook Fan at http://www.facebook.com/RozPetalzStudio

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron, lovable dog Hank, and sweet kitten Sammy. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

This is # 12 in a series of interviews with Etsy entrepreneurs.

Ella Averbukh, a New York-based knit apparel and accessories designer, was on a quest to figure out how she could earn a living using her creative skills. She found the answer in Etsy. In this interview, learn how Ella is building a brand using her combined creative skills and interest in her Etsy store – Ellita’s Flying Snail.

What brought you to become an Etsy shop owner?

I have always been interested in design, fashion, and art; continuously searching for my own artistic identity, and questioning how one can earn a living by honing their creative side. When I heard about Etsy, my interests merged, and I found the answer. So here I am!

How do you market your business?

There are many ways one can promote their business online. Besides Etsy, I also post my work on such sites as www.trunkt.org, www.senseoffashion.com, www.dawanda.com, www.wholesalecrafts.com. Facebook is another site that is quite useful, as I can upload images of my work on the assorted fashion communities’ pages and interact with people with similar interests, thus promoting my work. And of course, wearing my own designs draws immediate attention; and since I always have a batch of business cards with me—the marketing is also always on the go!

How has social media helped your business? What have you found works best for your store?

Social networking definitely helps my business. I often attend NYC fashion events where I mingle with people interested in style and fashion, thus assembling either creative collaborations or business connections, while promoting my work at the same time. I also attend various trade shows and trunk shows in and around NYC, and I try to plan attending similar events—when I travel—in Europe.
　
What is your favorite part of being an Etsy store owner?

My favorite part of being an Etsy store owner is playing the major role in the little world I created, combining all of my skills and interests. I love interacting with my customers and with the fellow Etsians. I draw constant inspiration through this communication, and not only for my creativity, but also for the appreciation of beauty in the minds and hearts of others.

What are some of the ways that you find Etsy helps in your success as a store owner?

Etsy has many promotional tools which are quite useful. One of such features is “Treasuries,” wherein the items from various stores are combined into a beautiful mosaic to be posted on the front page. Etsy shop owners can also promote their work by featuring one of their items in the “Showcases” and “Gift Guides.” Etsy administrators could also select Etsy shop owners to be the “Featured Sellers.” Featured sellers are asked to give an interview about their work and the experience of being the Etsy shop owners, and the interview is posted on the front page for two days. This usually attracts attention of many people to the shop, thus increasing popularity and sales. An interview about “Ellita’s Flying Snail” shop can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5311402

What advice would you give new Etsians just starting out?

My first advice to the new Etsy shop owners would be to come up with their own authentic look and style in their designs, something that can stand out among other products. Having good quality product photography is crucial, as the buyers want to have a clear image of what they are getting. Photography, as well, can help define the store’s brand style, so that when people browse the items on Etsy, the image of the product will let the customers recognize the store right away.

How did you come up with your shop name?

“Ellita” has been my nickname forever, and I always had an affinity to the symbol of the snail with wings (I have no idea what it symbolizes, I just love it!) Together it came to be “Ellita’s Flying Snail.”

How do you brand yourself to make your shop unique?

I have previously described how photography could be crucial in creating the brand image of the store. I can also add that I have an affinity towards Renaissance, Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Steam Punk influences in fashion, and my designs reflect it. Finding models for the pictures that resonate with these fashion periods in their look also contributes to the creation of the whole “feel” of the brand.

Do you feel a sense of community among the Etsy shop owners?

Absolutely. As I mentioned before, communication with other Etsy shop owners is one of the best Etsy features, as it contributes to the sense of community and provides continuous feedback.

How do you connect with your buyers?

I always attach a hand-made tag to each item with the shop’s logo and the name of the design. I also make sure to gift-wrap each item and include a thank you card with each order.
　
Visit Ella’s Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ellita

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron, lovable dog Hank, and sweet kitten Sammy. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

We’re not talking about the stuff used in war to blow shit up. Even though, Na Palm is coming into the rap game and pretty much blowing up. He’s exploding all over the country, gaining recognition from mainstream music blogs Fresh2Death Daily, Fresh New Tracks, and Good Music All Day. Although only recently coming into the rap world, Na Palm wants to stick around for a long time. He’s coming out of Chicago and he recently finished college. Partying, living it up as a frat boy, and freestyling with the ladies were all part of his daily routine at school. After college, still not taking rapping seriously, someone close to him shed the light on his rapping talent. Na Palm hasn’t looked back since and with the release of another mix tape and constantly writing, he is continuing to grow rapidly. Keep an eye out for this dude.

What I love about these young artists is how passionate they are for this and how bad they want it. Some bad artists try and come in and some actually make it for some reason. Na Palm isn’t one of those. He can rap and he’s working hard to make sure he makes it big. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Na Palm and ask him some questions. You’re definitely going to enjoy this one. Make sure you listen to his freestyle at the end of the video. And once you’re done, head over to Na Palm’s Facebook page and download Dirty Girls Like Dirty Beats, the mix tape just released!

Video Breakdown
0:41 – Where the name Na Palm came from
1:20 – When did you start rapping?
2:26 – Na Palm’s brother
2:54 – What makes Na Palm unique?
3:49 – Na Palm’s strategy
4:27 – What it takes to get big
5:24 – When’s the album coming out?
6:32 – Dirty Girls Like Dirty Beats Shirts
7:40 – Ultimate goals
8:25 – Advice to aspiring rappers
8:51 – A sick freestyle

Go get the mix tape right now!! Right here.
Follow Na Palm on twitter.
Check out the Facebook page

If you enjoyed this, leave a comment.
While you’re here check out our interview with Sam Adams.

And hit us up with who you want to see interviewed next.

Eric Gazin discovered Ebay was a great way to find collectables for his collections. Eric quickly realized that he could fund his hobby by selling items on Ebay. In this interview, learn how Eric went from hobby to business owner by launching Auction Cause. Auction Cause is the leader in cause marketing campaigns, branding, and fundraising. Auction Cause works with celebrities, brands, and nonprofits to put them on eBay, selling their items and experiences.

What made you decide to become an Ebay Seller?

In 1998, I had discovered eBay was a great place to indulge in finding items for my collections (I am a US history buff). I was buying more than I should and quickly realized I could fund my hobby purchases by selling all sorts of items on eBay.

How do you market your Ebay business?

We use a variety of methods – our in house email newsletter which we send out 2x a month to over 34,000 subscribers, press releases via PR Web, media alerts, fan sites, and eBay Giving Works featured auction page all help drive traffic and bidding.

How has social media helped your business?

Both Facebook and Twitter have opened up a huge world of philanthropic people to our charity auctions. Some bid, others help spread the word.

What would you say is your favorite part of being an Ebay Seller?

Selling is always different – meeting interesting people, learning why they bid on items or experiences, hearing how happy they are after winning, all make this job very fun.

What are some of the ways that you find Ebay helps in your success as a Seller?

EBay has been great, extending special promotional opportunities to help our auctions stand out, giving us Top Seller status, PowerSeller discounts, and using key words from our listings on Google to drive more traffic.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about becoming an Ebay Seller?

Make a decision if you want to sell as a hobby or do it for a business. Selling an item once in a while is fairly easy, and you are able to focus on that one thing. Selling as a business means you need to think through every detail – photography, shipping times, customer service, marketing, and more. There are great selling opportunities on eBay as a business, but one need to do their homework and take it serious in order to be successful.

In a sea of many sellers – how do you brand your store so that it stands out?

All about the design and marketing. We have great graphic designers on staff who incorporate eye catching images, video, and lots of detail to help the buyer know what they are bidding on. We also start low, with no reserve price. We even did this for our $2.1 million auction!

Do you feel a sense of community among the Ebay Sellers?

There used to be more of this in the past, and the community aspect is not as evident now. Still, sellers will share tips, and we ourselves are always happy to give some free eBay selling advice when asked to foster the community spirit.

How do you connect with your buyers?

Often times, on our higher value auctions, we call them to verify their sincerity to bid. This helps them also feel confident that their bid is being taken seriously and that what is being auctioned is for real.

Is there anything you would like to add?

EBay is still the best place to sell online. We love the fact that they have 100 million active accounts, all fighting potentially for what we are selling. I think people who buy or sell on eBay need to realize that there are many tricks to being successful, and that while the vast majority of the people on eBay are great, still keep your common sense when dealing with buyers or sellers who seem to be insincere. My best secret when having a problem with someone on eBay is to ask for their phone number. Anyone legitimate would be happy to clear up a problem with a quick chat rather than a drawn out email thread!

Learn more about Eric and Auction Cause at http://www.auctioncause.com
Follow Auction Cause on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/auctioncause
Become a Facebook Friend at http://www.facebook.com/auctioncause

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron, lovable dog Hank, and sweet kitten Sammy. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

Sammy Adams!!! In the building. Make some noissssse! Continue Reading

This is the eleventh in a series of interviews with Etsy entrepreneurs.

Katy Mims was looking to add more retail sales to her South Paw Studios Jewelry business when she decided to start her Etsy shop. Kathy uses only the finest Swarovski Austrian crystals, glass pearls, fresh water pearls, Balinesian beads, Venetian glass, sterling silver, semi-precious and precious stones, and vermeil in her handmade jewelry. In this interview, learn how Katy started her successful Etsy shop – South Paw Studios – that has customers from all over the world.

What brought you to become an Etsy shop owner?

I decided to add Etsy as another facet to my business because I needed to add more retail sales to my business plan. Etsy was the key! I had been hearing about Etsy for a while, and just decided to join one day. It was VERY difficult at first to figure out how to get noticed and get sales, but with drive and 100’s of hours of research I broke the code and figured it out and haven’t looked back.

How do you market your business?

I market my business using Social networking, and I take out a few online ads once and a while. During the holiday season I step it up a notch and do more online ads. I also send out a quarterly newsletter to my customer base. This newsletter consists of new products, upcoming events, and usually a sales code so they can get something free or for a percentage off. For my local customers, I send out postcards for any local art shows that I am doing and I tell them where I sell at local galleries and museum shops.

How has social networking helped your business? What have you found works best for your store?

I love social networking. It really is a way to network for online stores. Really it is the new “business lunch meeting” or “dinner party”. Online stores don’t get out much to do face to face networking, so the new life of social networking has opened that door. I have a blog that I try to tend to once a week, I use facebook and twitter; a combination that has been very successful for me.

What is your favorite part of being an Etsy store owner?

On the personal side of being my own boss and having a successful Etsy shop, I really realized when my son was born, if I didn’t feel like working after not sleeping all night – that was ok. As a family we didn’t have to worry about maternity leave, or missing out on work or child care. That was all part of the plan and has worked out beautifully. Now my son is 3, and I haven’t missed a thing. On a business side, Etsy opens up a whole new realm of customers that never would have known South Paw Studios existed. I have mailed orders all over the world, from Spain, to Israel. It really is very exciting to see.

What are some of the ways that you find Etsy helps in your success as a store owner?

Etsy has made me a more successful business owner because it generates more retail sales for me. Etsy does this by having its hand in all the cookie jars, all over the world, funneling all these buyers into one central location. With Etsy drawing in consumers of handmade goods, and marketing to businesses like me that supply them, it is just a match made in heaven. It just makes perfect sense.

What advice would you give new Etsians just starting out?

My advice is to have good photography. I invested in a great Nikon SLR camera, and it has been worth every penny. I have been in the jewelry business 13 years and counting, and this camera is one of the best business decisions and money well spent, ever.

How did you come up with your shop name?

My store name, “South Paw Studios”, means that I am a lefty. It originated as a boxing and baseball term for someone that is left handed. I felt that my business name should be more than just Katy Mims jewelry, I needed something that I could identify with, and that other people would notice too.

How do you brand yourself to make your shop unique?

I feel that I offer functional jewelry that you can wear everyday with jeans and a simple white t-shirt, yet you can wear it to a formal function if preferred. I don’t want my customer to seem pressed on the thought of “I love this necklace, but where am I going to wear it?” I want them to be more, “I love this necklace, and I can wear it with anything”. I want there to be “No Fuss”. Jewelry shouldn’t be complicated, it should be enjoyable. That is why I feel I create jewelry that is much more appealing and affordable to a wider range of woman, from the younger jewelry lover to the seasoned shopper.

Do you feel a sense of community among the Etsy shop owners?

The sense of community is huge! Even though none of us ever meet, we are a big part of each others’ lives. I am an active member of two Etsy teams; The Etsy Twitter team and the Full Time Etsy Crafters team (FTEC). Both teams are so supportive and offer all kinds of business advice, and we are all in the same boat so they “just get it”. Some other people that I talk about Etsy to just look at me with a stare in their eye, and say, “what is it called again?” They just can’t grasp that it really propelled my business to the next level. So the Etsy community fills that part of my life. We all live and breathe our craft and are so passionate about it. Knowing that others are out there just like me, makes me feel a little less crazy and a lot more normal.

How do you connect with your buyers?

To connect with buyers, I always enclose a special hand written note, thanking them for their order and hoping to see them again soon. I use my own South Paw Studios note pads that are printed with my business logo and websites and I include a few business cards. For the holiday season I always include holiday gift tags too. The jewelry is placed in a special made, silver foil-stamped gift box and is lined with white tissue. All gift boxes come with a silver bow. People just love it when they get to “open” a gift, it makes it more exciting. I can’t tell you how many times I have received compliments on my packaging. It really is something I take great pride in. It really shows to the customer that I spare no expense when they buy something from me. I also encourage customers to sign up for my quarterly newsletter – which they can do from my blog – and to find me online on Twitter and Facebook.

Visit Katy’s Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/southpawstudios
Visit the South Paw Studios website at http://southpawonline.com/
Follow the South Paw Studios blog at http://southpawstudios.blogspot.com/
Become a Facebook Fan at http://www.facebook.com/SouthPawStudios?v=wall
Follow South Paw Studios on Twitter at http://twitter.com/southpawstudios

Julie Barnes is the author is this post. Julie is excited to be living in Generation E – the age of the Entrepreneur. As a writer, she enjoys writing about all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. She enjoys interviewing entrepreneurs whose experience and wisdom can inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Julie lives and works in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS with her husband Ron, lovable dog Hank, and sweet kitten Sammy. You can visit her site at www.julieabarnes.com. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieBarnesKS. Become a Facebook friend at Julie Barnes.

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Tienes Hambre? What you going to do about Mr. Stern?

Let me just break down for you what Alex Stern is doing. He recently graduated college from the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was there he began spreading the word about his best friend, Sam Adams. Today, Alex Stern is Sam Adams full time manager. For those of you that don’t know Sam Adams – he is one of the hottest emerging artists in the music industry. Go to YouTube and iTunes and listen to his stuff. Not only does Alex do all the management duties, but he even gets up on stage with Sam. This dude has biz savvyness running through his blood. He took on responsibilities as Sam’s manager knowing nothing about the business. He just knew what he had to do to learn and was dedicated to taking Sam to where he is today and beyond. In addition to being a manager, Alex is doing his own thing. He has had a work in progress called Eighties Babies USA, which just launched. It is a fresh, trendy clothing line for men and women. I’ll let the man behind it tell you more about it in this exclusive interview.

And be sure to grab your Eighties Babies Gear here.

They say to not work with a close friend in business, but it works for you and Sam Adams. Why is that?

I think it’s because we don’t think of it as business. If it were a business relationship or that was the main concern, then I think it could be a problem.  We don’t have the perspective of “strictly business”. It’s basically us just doing what we always did.

Why be an entrepreneur and not go after a steady paycheck?

I think it’s a general perspective on life as far as answering this question goes. We got one chance here. I don’t believe that anything happens after this life that we have here on earth. So, while we’re here I know it’s important for myself and definitely important for Sam to make the most of it. To subscribe to a normal societal thing where you go and sit in a cubical was never something that either of us was going to do since we were born. It came very naturally to do our own thing and be entrepreneurial in that sense.

How has Boston given you guys a leg up in the music industry?

I wouldn’t say that Boston is giving us a leg up in the music industry. We do have very very loyal fans from Boston. And it’s cool to kind of put Boston on the map as far as hip-hop or music in general. I think the main way that Boston gives us the leg up in the music industry would be that they haven’t had music before and that gives us the opportunity to, I wouldn’t say claim the city but use it as kind of a foundation to really be the first big corporate name as far as the music industry goes – someone doing big numbers in Boston at least.  That definitely gives us a leg up, sort of being the first to do that.

We have to know if you’re working with any other upcoming artists.

I had this discussion with a couple people, but there is nothing serious at all. I’m already swamped everyday with work.

What about managing other artists in the future?

I think in the future once things settles down and we really plan where our place is in this industry and we set a steady pace for ourselves, it would definitely be something that interests me.  But as of now its important for me to get the one artist that I do have to the place that he deserves to be before worrying about anyone else.

Tell us about your clothing line, Eighties Babies USA

The idea behind the clothing line is to give people the ability to wear clothing that speaks from their generation.  The idea behind for me is to give girls the opportunity to wear cool clothing that they normally only get to see guys wear as far as urban, high fashion goes. That’s more of a specific description, but more than anything it’s an urban, luxury clothing company that is trying to mix those two genres and create a brand that people can be very proud of wearing to anything that they’re going to. Whether it be a very fancy event to a barbeque.

How has your life changed since becoming an entrepreneur?

The main way my life has changed is I don’t have the option to be busy or not. I just am busy.

Follow Alex Stern on Twitter.

Hope you enjoyed that folks. Upcoming interviews will be 1st Round Records, the independent label Sam Adams works with and also Sam Adams himself.