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In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Steph Sellers, founder of Cookies and Dreams, and her mission to spread joy through gourmet cookies. As she navigates the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, she shares valuable insights into building community connections and the realities of running a successful business.

Steph Sellers is the founder of Midwest based, gourmet cookie company called Cookies & Dreams. Her baking journey started at the local farmers market as a young college graduate & continued over many years, a few restaurants & lots of ups & downs. After a particularly tumultuous year, Steph knew she needed to try something new if her restaurant was going to survive. She came out with a menu of 12 gourmet cookies to sell at her restaurant's bakery & the rest, as they say, is history. The cookie concept took off quickly! Later that year, she opened her first stand-alone brick & mortar store for Cookies & Dreams & began shipping nationwide. While the Cookies & Dreams journey has also been full of highs & lows, Steph & the Dream Team now run two successful brick & mortar locations, ship nationwide, wholesale & offer fundraising opportunities with their giant, gourmet cookies.

You can learn more about Cookies & Dreams on their website or Instagram.

You can also connect with Steph on LinkedIn.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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Caitlin McGregor’s journey as the founder of Plum transforms the hiring landscape by embracing data to reveal innate talents rather than relying on traditional resumes. The episode explores how technology and behavioural data can help businesses thrive while ensuring that employees are matched with roles that allow them to flourish.

Caitlin MacGregor, CEO and co-founder of Plum, is passionate about helping people reach their true potential. That’s why, after building two businesses for other people, she founded Plum – to help organizations fully leverage the human potential within their workforces. Plum equips business leaders with the talent data needed to match employees’ talent to roles where they’ll thrive, so that the business can thrive too. She is a regular speaker at global events including CES, Human Resource Executive HR Technology Conference & Exposition, Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG) Women Connect, HRCI Higher Standards Summit and more. She also is a sought-after guest on podcasts including, Recruiting Daily, The Recruitment Flex Podcast, and 3Sixty Insights. In addition, she has been quoted in the NY Times, Financial Post, The Globe and Mail, The Record, Global News, Human Resource Executive, and Benefits Pro. Caitlin is a gold GLOBEE Women World Awards winner for Achievement in Innovation and was named an Inspiring Leader by InspiringTM Workplaces.

You can learn more about Plum on their website.

You can also connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn or Instagram.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

Send us a text

This conversation with Kristi Herold illustrates how play can be a transformative force in both personal and professional realms. With insights into her journey, the evolution of JAM, and the impact of recreational play on workplace culture, this episode offers valuable lessons on community and joy in entrepreneurship.

Kristi Herold is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected millions of people through play since its inception as one of the largest adult recreational sports leagues
in the world. The JAM team has produced and delivered over 4000 playful corporate events, in over 30 countries since the summer of 2020 and the JAM team consults organizations helping them integrate fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture”. JAM has been awarded “Canada’s Most Admired Culture Award,” and certified as “Great Places to Work – Canada” multiple times.

Kristi's team is offering Figure 8 listeners a copy of her PLAYbook PDF and 25% off a JAM event. Get yours here!

You can learn more about JAM on their website. You can also connect with Kristi on LinkedIn or Instagram.

If you're interested in learning more, you can find my book Big Gorgeous Goals on Amazon, anywhere you might live. For more about my growth and leadership training programs, visit www.julieellis.ca to see how we might work together. Read my blog or sign up to get your free diagnostic. Are you ready for growth?

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!