Mind Your Own Biz with Alycia Yerves

In this episode of Mind Your Own Biz , I’m joined by Jane Kleiman, ceramic artist, teacher, advocate, founder of Squatter Potters in Red Bank, NJ, and co-founder of HomeLife 21. 💛 This episode runs a bit longer than my usual episodes, but this conversation covered so much ground, and Jane shared so many thoughtful insights and stories that I didn't want to trim it down. We covered everything...

In this quickie episode of Mind Your Own Biz , I’m sharing one of my favorite time-saving business hacks: Gmail Templates. ✨ If you’re constantly typing the same emails over and over again, this built-in Gmail feature can save you a ridiculous amount of time and mental energy. I walk you through exactly how to set it up, the kinds of emails I use it for in my own business, and why tiny systems li...

Spring, renewal, change, identity, flowers, feelings… this episode showed up right on time. 🌸 In this episode, I’m joined by Samantha Cagman of Bloom With Sam. She's a Jersey City-based creative multi-hyphenate whose world currently revolves around a blooming new floral business. 🌼 Sam’s work has evolved over the years from yoga and Reiki to candles, sound healing, and now flowers, but the t...

Sweet Dani B doesn’t just make cookies… she makes whimsical, edible works of art that are full of joy, personality, and a whole lot of ❤️🍪👀 In this episode, I’m joined by celebrity cookie artist and Emmy award winning set and prop stylist Dani Boglivi-Fiori, aka Sweet Dani B. Local Jersey friends, you already know… and if you don’t, you’re about to 😏! We get into what it really looks like to bu...

Amy Tipton doesn’t do business the “normal” way. That’s kind of the whole point. In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Tipton, founder of Feral Girl Books, and someone who truly embodies what it means to build a business that actually feels like you. We talk about her punk-inspired brand, her zine-style physical newsletter (yes, actual mail!), and how she’s carved out a creative path that works for h...

After recently celebrating my first full year of podcasting, I kiiiiinda disappeared for a bit. 😬 There was no big announcement or “Season 2” being whipped up behind the scenes. But life was (IS!!!) life-ing. In personal ways. In business ways. In world ways. So I just paused. And if I'm being honest, it’s been reallyyyy hard to market a business lately. There are some absolutely terrible thi...

This episode is quite literally about using your voice. I’m sitting down with Marni Penning , an award-winning actress, audiobook narrator, author, and coach who I’ve known for more than 20 years, dating all the way back to our NYC theater days. Marni has built a creative career rooted in storytelling, performance, and helping others feel more confident expressing themselves, both onstage and off....

We just wrapped the very first full year of podcasting, and Spotify Wrapped for Creators had some very fun things to say about this lil' show. Mind Your Own Biz was named: A 2025 Marathon Show A 2025 Talked About Show A 2025 Most Shared Show I’m soooo grateful for every listen, every share, and every comment. To celebrate, we’re resurfacing one of the episodes that helped us get here. “Deck th...

Happy Giving Tuesday, friends! 🎉 There is no better guest for today than my girl Laurelyn Pearson from Wish Upon a Jar in Point Pleasant, NJ - because generosity, community, and heart are literally painted into everything she does. Wish Upon a Jar is not just a paint-your-own pottery studio. It is a creativity playground. A cozy little universe where kids, grownups, families, first-timers, and no...

Today’s bonus episode is a full replay of a super informal live session where I walked everyone through the inside of my real Flodesk email account. Think of this like a behind the scenes field trip into the tool I use every single day to run my business. Nothing fancy. No slides. No strategy lessons. Just the what, not the how. If you’ve ever wondered what Flodesk actually looks like on the insid...

She’s built a business out of color, creativity, and joy... one custom confetti mix at a time! ✨ In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Huizenga, the artist and founder behind The Confetti Bar, a lifestyle brand and studio that’s all about embracing beautiful messes, finding joy in ordinary moments, and celebrating "just because". Jessica shares how a spontaneous idea (“I want to start...

She’s called thousands and thousands of lighting cues, wrangled countless cast members, and somehow still found time to build a thriving quilting business from her Brooklyn apartment. 🧵🪡 In this episode, I’m catching up with my longtime friend (and one of the best stage managers I’ve ever worked with), Amanda Bertie Michaels : Broadway stage manager turned professional quilter and owner of ⁠ Bro...

It said WHAT?! My robot sidekick finally grabbed a mic, and let’s just say the conversation did not go where I expected. In this must-listen episode, I sit down with my not-so-secret weapon: ChatGPT itself. I have a full-on convo with my robot special guest to pull back the curtain on how I actually use it in my business (and in real life) to brainstorm, plan, prioritize, and get unstuck. But this...

Ever felt pressure to tone it down in your business? Ya know, be “professional,” blend in, or soften those edges, blah blah blahhhhh. Well, if you need that permission slip to go full YOU, today's guest is bringing it. In episode 37, I’m joined by my longtime client and friend, Katie Us, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. and owner of Kismet Acupuncture & Apothecary in Kenilworth, NJ. Katie’s a licensed acu...

It’s been a minute since my last ep. Over 30 days, actually! Eek. So today’s episode is a little different... more of a catch-up and a lil' heart-to-heart. I’m sharing what the last month has really looked like for me — from getting knocked off my usual rhythm, to the messy mix of feelings that come with running a business while also being human. I’ll talk about some of the projects I’ve been...

If you’ve been hanging around these parts for a while, you have definitely heard about the “know / like / trust” factor… i.e., people buy from people and brands that they know, like, and trust. And these days, with that “trust recession” buzzword flying around all over, it’s more crucial than ever. Marketing only works if people do actually trust you with their time, their money, and even their fu...

Sometimes there’s a season (or seasons) in life and biz where the old thing is over, the new thing kinda isn’t here yet, and you’re just marinating in the middle. No map, no deadlines. Just you, your thoughts, and maybe a pen (or lotsa voice notes)? My point is: Sometimes life hits pause for you, and you may stay there longer than you expected. That’s the space where today's convo takes place....

So many of us are told to “market louder” — but what if the real power move is… pausing? Zooming out? Thinking before doing? In this episode, I’m joined by strategist and consultant Nicole Taetsch , who helps mission-driven businesses grow with clarity, thoughtfulness, and actual strategy — not fluff. We talk about why being intentional is more important than being “everywhere,” and how solopreneu...

What do you get when you mix Broadway, figure skating, soap-making, falconry, gardening, and mental health storytelling? You get Caren Lyn Manuel-Tackett. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow creative shapeshifter to talk about what it really looks like to live a wildly creative life. Caren's journey has taken her from the Broadway stage ( Rent , Hair , BKLYN , and mo...

🐘 What do elephants, agates, and plain language have in common? Anisa Bear. This week I’m chatting with my friend and student Anisa — a roller derby-loving, animal-keeping, fantasy-reading, multi-passionate copy editor and plain language coach who helps people actually say what they mean in their biz. We got into all the things: making your messaging make sense, building trust with clients throug...

🎙 Episode 30: Born Feet First & Still Doing It My Way: A Mid-Year Biz Ramble An unfiltered birthday-week download about things I’m proud of, things I’m avoiding, and why this year’s been a weird one... recorded with flabby arms out, zero plan, and too many browser tabs open in my brain. This episode had no script—just me (overheated and freshly 43), talking through what’s been working, what’s...

Still putting off email marketing because it feels confusing, techy, or like one more thing on your list? I get it. And in this solo episode, I’m giving you both the pep talk and the game plan to finally get started (or restarted) with your email list. We’re talking real world , no-fluff strategies you can actually use—plus the mindset shifts, lead magnet tips, and platform tools that will make th...

When you think of a coffee shop, you probably picture espresso, pastries, maybe some lo-fi music in the background. But for today’s guest, Ellen Bodnovich , coffee is just the beginning. In this episode of Mind Your Own Biz, we’re talking about what it really takes to build a community-centered business — the kind people return to not just for the caffeine, but for the connection. Ellen is the fou...

In this solo episode, I’m walking you through the 7 social media topics I swear by — the same ones I use myself, recommend to my clients, and teach inside my content strategy course. These prompts are simple, effective, and (best part?) totally reusable. Whether you’re in a content rut, too tired to be creative, or just need a starting point, these ideas will help you show up, connect with your au...

Ever felt like you’re not the same person you were when you started your business, or that maybe you haven’t even met your true biz self yet? Then you've gotta hop into this episode. This week, I’m joined by the vibrant and brilliant Coach KemZi, a self-reinvention coach and business strategist who helps aspiring entrepreneurs grow businesses that reflect who they really are. (Yes, chocolate cake...