So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

Ep. 69: Arik Hanson Social Media Expert part 1

Arik Hanson is a social media expert who helps mid-sized and large companies feel supremely confident about the way they show up in social. With more than 25 years of experience in social media and digital marketing, Arik has helped more than eighty companies achieve results. He is an early adopter in the field of social media, founded a social media blog in 2008 and is co-host of a podcast with more than 175 episodes, one of the longest running social media podcasts in Minnesota. He also is committed to inspiring and teaching the next generation of leaders.
1:45 Arik’s professional journey including early missteps along the way5:25 Realizing social media could change the word – and careers8:10 Understanding the origins and transformation of social platforms8:45 The myth of ‘creating a viral video’10:15 What life really is like being a solo practitioner11:45 The real-life obstacles of working on your own – including loneliness15:45 Getting involved with outside groups drives innovation, creativity and growth18:00 The value of LinkedIn to the professional21:00 A misconception many users have about LinkedIn22:45 Tips on how to build engaging and consistent content25:30 The balance between celebration and vulnerability
Check out Arik Hanson Social Media at: https://arikhanson.com/. Check out the Hanson & Hunt Podcast at: https://arikhanson.com/podcast/. 
Guest:  Arik Hanson, Owner of Arik Hanson Social Media, adjunct professor
Hosts: Daniel Jasper, Jill Renslow
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

SMM Short 7: Glossy Brands Trends for Today

Beauty is having its moment – over the last few years this category has blossomed. When looking at the latest beauty trends and brands: What is attainable? How is it innovative? How do brands hop on trends – or lead them? And innovative, strategic marketing is critical to succeed. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 68: Glossy Brands Finding Inspiration in Beauty and Fashion.

SMM Short 6: Glossy Brands Staying Timely

How does a beauty and fashion information brand connect with their followers and stay timely? It’s about meeting the customer where they are. Keeping stories short and to the point. Leaning into pop culture. And use outside experts. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 68: Glossy Brands Finding Inspiration in Beauty and Fashion.

Ep. 68: Glossy Brands Finding Inspiration in Beauty and Fashion

Jill Manoff, Editor-in-Chief of Glossy and Global Editorial Director for Glossy Brands shares everything fashion, beauty, brands, trends + wellness with our hosts. Manoff shares insights into the Glossy Brand, how it continues to grow and evolve, as well as sharing how brands continue to be innovative to meet new consumer expectations. Host Jill Renslow and co-host Sara Johnson engage in the conversation from style to pop culture.
1:00 All about Glossy Brand2:30 The holiday outlook for fashion and beauty – playing it safe6:05 Brands that have entered the physical retail space – think Rent The Runway9:30 How pop culture influences fashion and beauty10:45 Brands that tap into culture and move at the speed of light12:05 Why Glossy resonates so well with its audience13:20 Finding the balance between our expertise and our audience expectations14:45 How Glossy appeals to audiences on different platforms17:00 Trends and leaders in the beauty market22:40 How Jill refreshes during her down time – a sense of normalcy24:45 The need for a mood board and escape the day-to-day grind
You can check out Glossy at https://www.glossy.co/ and the Glossy podcast at https://www.glossy.co/podcasts/. 
Guests:  Jill Manoff, Editor in Chief of Glossy and Global Editorial Director for Glossy Brands; Sara Johnson, Integrated Marketing Director at Mall of America

SMM Short 5: From Business Plan to Reality

How does a new business take shape? From the first idea to the first sale the journey can be winding. Jason Hammerberg at Hammer Made custom shirts shares the steps he took to go from a business plan to reality. Inspiration, connections, partnerships and perseverance can lead to success. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 67: Hammer Made; An Entrepreneur’s Story.

SMM Short 4: European Inspiration for American Innovation

Where does inspiration come from? The answer can be different for every person, brand or product. For Jason Hammerberg at Hammer Made custom shirts, part of his inspiration came from a small men’s shirt shop near an ancient bridge in Venice, Italy. The key is giving the design an opportunity to shine. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 67: Hammer Made; An Entrepreneur’s Story.

Ep. 67: Hammer Made; An Entrepreneur's Story

How does an entrepreneur and dreamer take their passion for something and turn it into a thriving business? Jason Hammerberg, CEO and Founder of Hammer Made, a boutique men’s clothing line, shares the story of how he created a beloved brand. Hammer Made shirts have become a favorite for well-dressed men throughout the country. Having just celebrated 15 years, the store grew from one store in Edina to eight locations in premier destinations. But when starting a new business, and building a brand, the path is never straightforward and there are inevitable obstacles to face along the way. Tune in to hear how Jason and his team continues to learn and grow.
1:40 Jason’s start in men’s clothing as a young man in Duluth – for the discount2:40 Why he created the brand, Hammer Made, to be a rule breaker4:25 How he created his vision and started the business, and stumbled along the way7:40 Opening his original store at Galleria12:55 What a first visit to Hammer Made is like, you need to start with the shirt14:45 How a shirt shop in Venice, Italy taught Jason how to merchandise17:55 Collaborating with a specialist in Portugal to design the colors of the season23:00 How the ‘office shirt’ changed since the great pandemic28:50 How a custom crafted shirt can become a collector’s item31:30 Advice for a hopeful entrepreneur
You can check out Hammer Made at: https://www.hammermade.com/. 
Guests:  Jason Hammerberg, CEO and Founder of Hammer Made; Carrie Charleston, VP/Head of Leasing at Mall of America
Hosts: Jill Renslow; Daniel Jasper
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Ep. 66: Communicating Across Generations with Jen Hellman

From emojis to emails and from phone calls to text messages communicating across generations can be a challenge to put it mildly. Now with four generations in the workplace for the first time, where do you even begin? Well, we have the guest with the answers. Jen Hellman is CEO and President of Goff Public a communications and public relations firm. Jen is a sought-after speaker on the topic of Communicating Across Generations, and during this conversation she explains the different generational expectations and missteps found in workplaces today… and how to correct them.
2:15 Jen explains her origins and early career in communications3:30 How Jen began focusing on communicating across generations5:00 The first time that four or five generations are in the workplace…together6:30 Boomer Generation the generation that began breaking rules, and are work-aholics8:40 Generation X the folks that spanned the analog and computer divide12:00 Millennials the people that are very self-confident; an army of one and authentic14:30 Gen Z the group that is more gender-fluid and value physical and emotional safety18:15 A-ha moments when communicating across generations19:55 Punctuation in text or emails? What does it mean to different generations?23:15 Tips for good communication and making a connection
You can check out Goff Public at: https://goffpublic.com/ 
Guests:  Jen Hellman, CEO & President of Goff Public; Maggie Boedigheimer, Strategic Project Coordinator at Mall of America
Hosts: Jill Renslow; Daniel Jasper
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

SMM Short 3: Frank Gold Meets Donny Osmond

Celebrities are nothing new to Mall of America, they’ve been a part of our story since the day we opened. During this short take a 25-year veteran ride operator Frank Gold speaks with Chris Grap and Brian Spielman from Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe. Frank shares the story of when he met Donny Osmond and called him out over a P.A. system on the carousel! Safety first, Frank. Safety first.
To hear the entire conversation, check out So Much More Ep. 65: Frank Gold, Roller Coaster Enthusiast Shares the Thrills.

Ep. 65: Frank Gold, Roller Coaster Enthusiast

Can you imagine riding more than 500 roller coasters? 503 to be exact. And let’s be clear – that’s not riding a few roller coasters a whole bunch of times. That’s riding 503 different roller coasters around the world. My stomach is churning as I write this! 
Our guest, Frank Gold, is a veteran of operating rides for more than 25 years at Mall of America and retired just recently. He’s also an active member of American Coaster Enthusiasts and might just know more about roller coasters than just about anyone. He shares stories of his time at the Mall, his favorite roller coaster adventures, and where his love of coasters began. Join Chris Grap and Brian Spielman, both Mall of America team members, as they go down roller coaster memory lane with Frank Gold.
1:30 Little Franky falls in love with coasters at Queen Anne Kiddieland4:30 Coasters he is looking forward to riding7:00 Ranking favorite coasters9:45 Favorite amusement parks12:10 Why Frank started working at Mall of America17:00 International parks Frank hopes to visit18:25 Frank dishes on a celebrity encounter with Donny Osmond21:20 Nominated for Diamond Service Award in a stretch limo23:50 Frank’s top must-see spots in Nickelodeon Universe for sports fans
Guests:  Frank Gold, 25-year veteran ride operator at Mall of America; Brian Spielman VP of Attractions at Mall of America/Nickelodeon Universe
Hosts: Chris Grap
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.