So Much More, A Mall of America® Podcast

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.

SMM Short 2: Halloween Favorite Candy Treats

Here’s a hint – Candy Corn is NOT most people’s favorite Halloween candy. Is it Nerds, Reese’s PB Cups, Gummi bears or Twix?  During this short take, Ryan Miziker from American Monsters join the Mall of America team Chris Grap, Sierra Goerg and Meri Ryan to talk their all time favorite Halloween candy. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 64: Onionhead’s Revenge + Halloween Haunts.

SMM Short 1: Halloween Favorite Scary Flicks

There’s nothing better than talking scary movies during Halloween season! During this short take, Ryan Miziker from American Monsters join the Mall of America team Chris Grap, Sierra Goerg and Meri Ryan to talk their all-time favorite Halloween flicks. To hear the entire conversation check out So Much More Ep. 64: Onionhead’s Revenge + Halloween Haunts.

Ep. 64: Onionhead's Revenge + Halloween Haunts

This episode covers all things spooky, haunting, and truly terrifying for Halloween at Mall of America. Special guest Ryan Miziker, Senior Creative Director for American Monsters, shares behind the scenes stories and details on Onionhead’s Revenge – the scarifying Halloween Haunt at the Mall. Here for its second year, Onionhead’s Revenge features new rooms, new scares + of course, Vern’s Bayou Bar. Sierra Goerge and Meri Ryan of the Mall’s Experiential Team share fun details on Nickelodeon’s Booniverse, Fright Lights, Crayola Experience’s Screamin’ Green Hauntoween, SEA LIFE underwater pumpkin carving + more October family-friendly activities.
2:05 How music moves people in attractions5:00 Immersive moments designed to delight6:40 Nickelodeon Booniverse highlights7:18 Massive pumpkin details9:50 Bringing back The Fog Chute10:40 Crayola and SEA LIFE Halloween events11:40 New additions to Onion Head’s Revenge15:40 Setting the stage for Onion Head’s Revenge24:10 Favorite Halloween Costumes26:10 Favorite and least favorite Halloween Candies28:47 Favorite scary movie
For information and to purchase tickets for Onionhead’s Revenge visit: https://www.americanmonsters.com/. For more on Mall of America’s Halloween activities visit: https://mallofamerica.com/entertainment/events/all. 
Guests:  Ryan Miziker, Senior Creative Director for American Monsters/Onionhead’s Revenge
Hosts: Chris Grap with Sierra Goerg and Meri Ryan on the MOA Experiential Team
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.

Episode 63: KFAN’s The Power Trip Chris Hawkey + Cory Cove

The Power Trip morning radio show on KFAN at 100.3 has been entertaining fans for 22 years with their hilarious banter about sports, current events, music + just about anything they can think to talk about. Two of the hosts, Chris Hawkey, who started the show, and Cory Cove, who started as an intern and worked his way into a regular gig, share stories about their journeys to radio and what keeps them there.
1:45: Chris Hawkey’s journey to radio and why he chose his path2:48: Cory shares how he happened upon radio and decided to make it a career4:20: What is KFAN’s secret sauce to the success of a 20+ year show5:23: Why failure is a big part of the success of The Power Trip7:00: Why having so many guests + ‘experts’ is a key to their popularity and success of the show9:00: What is the ‘Charch Challenge’ Chris Hawkey does every year and the time he took the challenge to MOA12:56 The importance of ‘community’ and KFAN’s need to give back and supportcommunity15:05: The importance of sharing mental health issues and how each of them has struggled with mental health issues and the importance of being open and talking about them on the show.17:28: Why they don’t talk to each other before the show
For more information visit: www.kfan.iheart.com. On Instagram: @kfan1003 or listen at FM 100.3
Guests:  Chris Hawkey, Cory Cove; hosts of KFAN’s The Power Trip morning radio show
Hosts: Jill Renslow, Chris Grap
Presented by Bloomington Minnesota Travel and Tourism the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minn.