Uniquely Small Biz

Welcome to the final episode of Uniquely Small Biz presented by Selective Insurance.  As our journey of meeting unique small business owners and hearing their stories comes to a close, we want to thank our listeners for joining us along the way. In this last episode, we’ll be revisiting each season, hearing from all the small business owners and Selective experts we’ve met, and highlighting some of the unique perspectives they brought to our conversations. So, get ready to relive some of the best moments of each episode on this series finale.

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Welcome back to ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance! Today, host Carolyn McArdle speaks with Brandon Work, owner of Authentic Grain. As a fourth-generation artisan, Brandon is dedicated to the craft of fine woodworking, and from countertops and shelves to one-of-a-kind heirlooms, Brandon’s approach to every project is to view it as a unique opportunity to create each distinctive piece his customers are looking for – which is what makes Brandon so unique himself. Adam Snoke, The West Region Territory Manager at Selective Insurance, also joins the show to talk all about the insurance considerations that any small business owner should be thinking about. So, press play and enjoy this thoughtful episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Brandon and Authentic Grain on their website and social media accounts: Instagram, TokTok, & Facebook.  

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Welcome back to ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance! Today, host Carolyn McArdle speaks with the owner of Superior Shower Doors, Mike Lawlor.  After many years working for others in the construction and remodeling industry, Mike decided to make the jump and go out on his own, founding Superior Shower Doors, and he’s been busy ever since. What makes Mike so unique is his commitment to a customer-oriented business that prides itself on having just what its name implies: an experience that is better than what you will get at a “big box” store. 

Katie Simmons, the Business Segment Manager for Contractors SBU at Selective Insurance, joins Carolyn to talk about some insurance considerations for small business owners who are involved in contract work. So, press play and enjoy this exciting episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Superior Shower Doors on their website and social media accounts: Instagram, Pinterest, & Facebook.  

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Welcome back to ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance! Today, host Carolyn McArdle speaks with the owner of Urban Churn Craft Creamery, Adam Brackbill.  Since childhood, Adam has had an entrepreneurial spirit, and on the road to find a calling, he went from web development to landscaping to eventually landing on churning ice cream. Adam creates unique ice cream flavors with fresh, local ingredients, inspired by his family's recipes and their tradition of churning ice cream on summer days. 

Later, Carolyn sits down with Bryan Culler, the Director of Marketing at Selective Insurance, to talk all about harnessing creativity and translating artistic expression into business success. So, press play and enjoy this exciting episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Urban Churn Craft Creamery on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.  

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Welcome back to ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance! Today, host Carolyn McArdle speaks with Melissa Krudwig - or ‘The Bear of Real Estate’ as she is known by her team and clients. Melissa operates a full-service real estate agency in the Atlanta area. Melissa has decades of experience in the industry and she and her team have won countless awards and accolades for their success, but what really makes Melissa and her business so unique is her commitment to community service and in particular the veterans community. 

Later, Carolyn sits down with Cherie Wright, Small Business Territory Manager at Selective Insurance, to explore the importance of distinctive branding for a small business. So, press play and enjoy this exciting episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about The Think Melissa Team on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & YouTube.  You can also follow Melissa Krudwig and Cherie Wright on LinkedIn!

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Welcome back to ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance! Today, host Carolyn McArdle speaks with Dr. Angela Trochlell - or Dr. Angie as she is known by her patients at The Fun Kid’s Dentist. Angela discusses the unique dental practice, which focuses on establishing trust and genuine, personalized care for each child and their family.

Later, Carolyn sits down with Heidi Mastellone, Director of Customer Experience at Selective, to explore the importance of focusing on the customer experience, no matter what your business is. Press play and enjoy this exciting episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about The Fun Kid’s Dentist on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Angela Trochlell and Heidi Mastellone on LinkedIn!

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Welcome to the fourth season of Uniquely Small Biz by Selective Insurance, a podcast for small business owners to share their inspiring stories. Join host Carolyn McArdle as she brings you a new season of great conversation with small business owners who are as unique as their ventures.  So be sure to hit that subscribe button and get ready for season four of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance, coming soon!

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On this episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance, Carolyn McArdle speaks with Alec McClennan, owner of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, an organic and chemical-free lawn care and landscape service. Alec discusses how his organic lawn care business differs from his competitors and how hiring people who are as passionate as he is has helped his company grow and deliver an improved customer experience. 

Later, Carolyn is joined by Jim Albi, Assistant Vice President of the Contractors Strategic Business Unit at Selective Insurance. Jim shares his expertise on the importance of employee training when it comes to workplace safety. He also shares three critical pieces of advice he has for Contractors.  So hit play and join us for this wonderful episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Good Nature Lawn Care on their website and social media accounts, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Alec McClennan and Jim Albi on LinkedIn!

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On this episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance, Carolyn McArdle speaks with Joslyn and Brittney Rae Reese, two sisters who teamed up to revolutionize wellness for women of color in Colorado and beyond. Together, they are the founders of FIT & NU, a habit-based fitness & nutrition company and boutique wellness club. They join Carolyn to share their story, discuss building this empowering business from the ground up, and give a little insight into how they are supporting women of color in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

Later, Carolyn is joined by the Vice President of Underwriting at Selective Insurance, Tim Abraham. He discusses the importance of diversity in business and some of the best ways to support and build Black-owned businesses. So hit play and join us for this wonderful episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about FIT & NU on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Joslyn and Brittney Rae Reese and Tim Abraham on LinkedIn.

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On this episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz,’ presented by Selective Insurance, Carolyn McArdle speaks with Timothy Lo, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Your Next Jump, an SBA 8(a) certified company that helps job seekers develop professional branding and provides career coaching and resume-writing services. Tim and Carolyn discuss his journey as an entrepreneur, and how he built his innovative business with the goal of building confidence in his clients. Tim also shares some insights into some of the key traits that candidates can showcase to get hired quickly. 

Later, Carolyn is joined by the Vice President of Talent at Selective Insurance, Carrie Martinelli. She discusses some of the resources available at Selective to help support a human element in their talent development program. She also shares how they help employees bring business goals to life and cultivate a culture of professional development. So press play and join us for Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Your Next Jump on their website and social media accounts: Linkedin, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Timothy Lo and Carrie Martinelli on LinkedIn.

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On this episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ from Selective Insurance, Carolyn McArdle talks with Joshua Lance, Managing Director of the Lance CPA Group, a virtual certified accounting firm built to help craft breweries and digital agencies grow and manage their businesses. Together, Josh and Carolyn chat about his story, discuss his work with the Lance CPA group, and even share a little bit of insight into what's driving his entrepreneurial spirit. 

Later, you’ll hear from the Assistant Vice President of Business Development & Analysis at Selective Insurance, Brad Wilson. He sits down to discuss how Selective is making resources available for accounting firms and small businesses to utilize to build and protect their companies. So hit play and join us for Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about the Lance CPA Group on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Joshua Lance and Brad Wilson on LinkedIn too.

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Welcome back to another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance, the show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. On this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the owners of Swatara Coffee Company, John and Joanna Noll. John’s idea for a coffee shop began as an idea he had while deployed in Afghanistan with the US Navy. After deployment, and with help from his wife Joanna, Swatara became a reality when he returned home. Together, the couple joins Carolyn to share their story and what it’s like for John to be a Veteran who owns a small business.

Later, we hear from the Assistant Vice President, of Surety, Fidelity & Cyber Claims at Selective Insurance, Gerald Carozza. He joins us to talk about what Selective is doing to provide support to Veteran employees as they transition back into civilian roles. So press play and join us for another episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Swatara on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests John Noll, Joanna Noll & Gerald Carozza on LinkedIn.

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Welcome back to another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance, the show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. On this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the owner of Mo’Pweeze Bakery, Christine Allen! Using her own custom recipes, Christine creates vegan and Kosher treats free from the top ten allergens including, dairy, eggs, gluten/wheat, and nuts. Christine joins Carolyn to share the passion and the purpose behind Mo’Pweeze Bakery.

Later, we hear from the Vice President Director of Marketing at Selective, Cindy Heismeyer. She joins us to talk about the importance of surrounding ourselves with a strong network, the powerful role women play as small business owners, and why passion AND purpose are the recipe for success. So press play and join us for another episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about Mo’Pweeze on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Christine Allen & Cindy Heismeyer on LinkedIn.

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It’s time for another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance! The show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. On this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the CEO of The Office Coffee Shop, Mike Keith. Mike is here to share how The Office Coffee Shop is changing the very definition of what a workspace can be. The Office provides business resources, workspace, and a sense of community for entrepreneurs, along with a full-service café.  You’ll also hear about how the amazing ripple effect that The Office Coffee Shop is causing throughout the local business community.

Later, we hear from Assistant Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at Selective, Amy Cusack, as she shares her advice for small business owners. Hear about some of the most important considerations for building an innovative small business, and learn how innovation can work for an entrepreneur even at a smaller scale. So join us for another inspiring episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

You can learn more about The Office Coffee Shop on their website and social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, & Facebook.  Don’t forget you can also follow our guests Mike Kieth & Amy Cusack on LinkedIn.

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It’s time to get excited for another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance! The show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. On this special Pride Month episode, Carolyn McArdle sits down with CC and Faith Haug, owners of Good Judy Garage, an innovative auto repair business. Hear first-hand how they established their small business, and the driving force behind ensuring their garage is a safe, inclusive space for their LGBTQ+ employees and customers.

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It’s time for another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance! The show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. On this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the Owner and Chief Empowerment Officer at Family Pet Health PLLC, Michael Shirley. Michael is here to share how Family Pet Health is changing the veterinary field and providing new and insightful experiences to both pets and their owners during a trip to the vet. You’ll also hear about how he got his start helping animals and the motivation behind providing ‘fear free’ care to all.    

Later, we hear from Jim McKeown, the Vice President of Customer Experience and Mobility at Selective, as he shares his advice for small business owners. Hear about the benefits of elevating the customer experience and some of the best ways of leveraging it to your benefit. So join us for another inspiring episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance!   

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It’s time for another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance! The show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. In this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the Owner and Operator of George’s Drains, George De Jesus. 

George shares how he is changing the way people view trades, and how he educates and inspires the next generation through mentorship and volunteer work. George also shares his unique approach to utilizing social media as an educational and networking resource with other tradespeople. 

Later, we hear from Teresa Cates, Contracting Segment Manager at Selective, as she shares her expertise around some of the considerations a small business owner in the contracting space should take from an insurance perspective. Hear about the unique insurance needs of contractors vs. retail or professional offices as well as some of the innovative technologies that are being employed in trade work today. Join us for another inspiring episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance! 

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Welcome to another episode of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ presented by Selective Insurance! The show that brings you inspiring stories from exciting small business owners. In this episode, Carolyn McArdle is talking with the President, Owner, and Operator of Pull the Pin Golf Shop, Thomas Mattaini. Thomas is here to share his story and talk with us about how he offers services that big box stores cannot, while helping cultivate confidence on the course. Hear first-hand how Thomas and the Pull the Pin staff are able to cater to each of their customers’ needs through the unique services they offer. Learn about how he has grown his small business from a passion into a career and what inspired this exciting journey. Later we will also be hearing from Vice President of Small Business at Selective, Mike MacMullin, to chat about the importance of creating a unique customer experience and investing in your staff. It’s time for another exciting and inspiring episode of Uniquely Small Biz, brought to you by Selective Insurance! 

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Welcome to the first episode of season 2 of ‘Uniquely Small Biz’ from Selective Insurance! We’re thrilled to be bringing you another season full of inspiring stories from small business owners. Today, Carolyn McArdle is joined first by the owners of “Tiny Kitchen Candle Co.” Regina and Dom Pasqualone as they share the story of starting their home-based business, how they mastered the science behind creating their scents, and got their candles onto the shelves of well-known retailers. Hear how Regina pivoted from being an educator to a small business owner and the challenges she faced in doing so, how they developed a supply chain to source the materials for their candles. Then, listen as Director of Small Business Portfolio and Underwriting Management at Selective Insurance, Kim Merrick, joins to discuss what entrepreneurs like Regina and Dom should consider from the insurance-perspective. 

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Welcome to the fifth episode of the insightful podcast series Uniquely Small Biz from Selective Insurance and this week features Kaylen Wissinger, the Owner of Whisk: A Sustainable Bake Shop and Tracy Morato, the Environmental, Social and Governance Manager at Selective. This is a show for small business owners to share their journey and different stories about the small businesses that they own! Today Carolyn McArdle is first sitting down with Kaylen Wissinger, the Owner of Whisk: A Sustainable Bake Shop! Hear her journey of how she not only created a sustainable business, but how she is able to keep it sustainable as well. We even get a little up close advice for other small business owners looking to do the same! Learn first hand about Kaylen’s journey as she has built up her own small business to be what she envisioned it to be. Our other guest on the show this week is Tracy Morato, the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Manager at Selective. She is here to talk about how Selective works with clients and what steps businesses can take to cultivate sustainability. As a company it is important to be able to tell your story and illustrate what it is you do to create positive change and growth in your community. Through ESG, Tracy is able to highlight different goals of the company, such as what they are doing to support their customers, employees and the communities that they live in. How is Selective giving back and being a socially responsible company? These are questions and thoughts Tracy has as she helps establish ways to tell the Selective story. This is an episode you do not want to miss! Get comfortable, hit play and get ready for an exciting new episode of Uniquely Small Biz, presented by Selective Insurance. 

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Presented by Selective Insurance