Surviving Main Street

About Surviving Main Street

Welcome to the Surviving Main Street podacst, the small business podcast helping creatives, skilled workers and visionaries launch and grow their business in competitve local markets, both online and brick n' mortar. I’m your host Tammy Venneri, award-winning business owner, website and digital marketing consultant, and SCORE Mentor supported by the SBA. Origin stories and practical advice for creative people who are on an unconventional path to full-time income doing what theey love. We're bringing you interviews and subject episodes from successful small business owners to help you overcome the unique challenges in competitve, local and seasonal markets. Topics covered include market proof, feasibility, growth and scaling your business, practical marketing plans and social media strategies, website design to help SEO, understanding content creation for social media, how to engage your audience, creating customer avatars, analyzing your online visibility, adding new services, e-commerce. course creators, branding basics for your business type, customer service, and actionable business strategies that will encourage your willingness to adapt, collaborate, be flexible, compete and maintain the healthy mindset needed to thrive and feel fulfilled. You must be authentic and deliver an amazing customer experience. Here we go! survivingmainstreet.com PRESS & INTERVIEWS: fb & insta dm @survivingmainstreet or email survivingmainstreet@gmail.com

Publisher

Surviving Main Street

Category

business · business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Sept 2023

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   S2 E1 Why Showing Up Still Beats Sending Emails | Danny Meese, Founder of Deep Deck

   Send us Fan Mail What happens when sending emails gets you nowhere, but walking into a shop and actually showing people your product changes everything? In the first conversation of Season 2, Tammy sits down with Danny Meese, founder of Deep Deck, to talk about what it actually looks like to take an idea, turn it into a physical product, and figure out how to get it into people's hands. Deep Deck grew from Danny's interest in creating better conversations, but its roots go back even further, ...

2. 

   19 Sept 2026

   S1 E8 The Doubt Gremlins with Maria Scrivan

   Send us Fan Mail What happens when the thing you know you're meant to do takes years to actually happen? In this episode of Surviving Main Street, Tammy sits down with lifelong friend Maria Scrivan, award-winning cartoonist, author and creator of the Nat Enough graphic novel series, for a conversation about creativity, rejection, persistence and what it really takes to build a career doing the work you love. Maria knew from childhood that she wanted to be a cartoonist. But the path from drawi...

3. 

   22 Feb 2024

   EP 13: Modeling Agency Owner, Erin Scimeca "We Raise Eachother Up"

   Host Tammy Venneri interviews Erin Scimeca, Owner of SIGNED Model Management, who raises-up fashion models in the competetive landscape of international modeling. Erin has been a model scout for 30years and has worked with the best of the best in the industry, including her start with Elite Model Management in NYC om the 90's, who discovered Cindy Crawford (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Crawford), Stephanie Seymour (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Seymour), Karen Mulder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Mulder), Tatjana Patitz (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatjana_Patitz), Gisele Bündchen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gisele_B%C3%BCndchen), Alessandra Ambrosio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandra_Ambrosio), Caitriona Balfe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caitriona_Balfe), and Lara Stone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lara_Stone). In 2018, while at the top of her game and in demand, Erin decided to take the leap as an entrepreneur, and left her job in the city to follow her dreams of starting her own model management agency on Cape Cod. It was scary to bve so far from the action, but with her years of industry experience, connections and friendships, she has grown SIGNED and now has over 50 models on the interbational scene. Known as a "mother agency", her approach to scouting and coaching is nurturing with wholesome family-style approach, that includes model camp, modeling basics, business and travel support, team building skills and industry savvy that doesn't compromise her values. Erin Scimeca's story starts with a shy girl from a tiny town in MA who unknowngly fell into a career in the modeling world that would change her life forever. Her lessons include staying true to who you are, putting yourself out there, having confidence to go for it and raising eachother up! SIGNED Management website: https://www.signedmgmt.com/ SIGNED Management instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signedmgmt/?hl=en The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

4. 

   15 Feb 2024

   EP 12: Real Estate Agent & Lifestyle Expert, Sarah Lapsley Martin "You Have to Make the Time"

   Host Tammy Venneri sits down with award-winning Cape Cod real estate agent and lifestyle expert, Sarah Lapsley Martin. Sarah and her husband Marty are ranked top 1% in the competitive Cape Cod real estate agent world, recognized as the very best. Sarah has built a lifestyle brand around her professional services and love for the Cape Cod community, covering the what’s cool, interesting and happening on Cape Cod including entertainment, events, small businesses and good eats & drinks! Recognized for her outstanding community service as both a volunteer and an expert in her field, Sarah sits on the board for the Chamber of Commerce and has nurtured a huge following on her Instagram account where she showcases her real estate listings and shares as many cool and interesting places to visit, eat, shop, and enjoy on Cape Cod. How does she make the time? Sarah shares her mindset for how she gets it all done and has found synergy between her professional life and family life as a business partner, wife, mom, friend and community supporter. The secret is not to make excuses and instead make the time for what is important to you. Very inspiring! Follow Sarah and Marty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capecodproperties/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/capecodproperties/?hl=en) Connect with Sarah and Marty’s real estate office: https://www.lapsleymartinteam.com/ The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

5. 

   14 Feb 2024

   EP 11: Your Website & Online Presence

   Host Tammy Venneri explains the meaning of your web presence, where it comes from and building a strong foundation on the web, so you appear in searches in more ways than one. The foundation of a strong onlines presence begins with an awesome website that delivers on the guest experience by delivering information and building trust throughout your website. With a few basic design tools to get you going, you will be well on your way to designing a website that will reflect what it is you do, what you're selling, how you got there and why you do what you do. From the use of your business name and header section, to the Hero section of your homepage, this episodes helps you understand the importance of beautiful visuals that match your vibe and creates a consistent look and feel across platforms, so guests who land on your website know they are in the right place and you're able to hold their attention, once they get there. If you need a website designer for your small business, contact Tammy at poprockstudios.com The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

6. 

   6 Feb 2024

   Consume & Conquer: It's Never Too Late to Build An Empire

   On this week's episode of Consume & Conquer, our weekly series that takes a look at motivational social media posts, ads, quotes and reels to see how you can apply this simple content to your small businesses strategy and mindset. Today, we take a look at an ad from the Master Class Series that appeared on my Instagram feed for Martha Stewart's class, and it read "It's Never Too Late to Build an Empire".  Now, I don't know about you, but that gets me excited, and the marketing department did a great job choosing a quote that makes me ask if I, too, can build an empire? Let's see how this Instgram ad resonates with you and how we can take steps to scale our business in the direction of empire status! The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

7. 

   5 Feb 2024

   2024 Trailer

8. 

   1 Feb 2024

   EP 10: Zookeeper, Bethany Boucher "You've Got the Best Job!"

   Host, Tammy Venneri, is with Zookeeper and Wildlife Educator, Bethany Boucher, Owner of Amazing Animal Ambassadors, which is based on Cape Cod and serves New England as a traveling eductational zoo experience. Bethany take us behind the scenes of everyday life and talks about the extensive training and experience needed to present her animal ambassadors to our local communities. As a presenter with a small team of helpers, Bethany's natural speaking and educating skills combined with her passion for truly engaging her audience, she has created an in-demand business that is booked solid with local hotels, museums, schools and private events! Bethany's colorful and candid matter-of-fact interview with us allows a glimpse into the day-to-day duties of a zookeeper and explains what it's like to live with and care for large and small reptiles, parrots, birds of prey and a variety of small rescued mamals who are animal ambassadors forn their species. Lots of cheers for this hard-working small business owner! Find out more on her website and social media: Website / Book a Show: https://amazinganimalambassadors.com/ Intagram and Facebook @amazinganimalambassadors The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

9. 

   25 Jan 2024

   EP 9: Resale Shop Owner, Missy Jones "My Store is a Beast"

   Host, Tammy Venneri, interviews Missy Jones, the new owner of Wicked Thrift on Cape Cod, the business she bought from Tammy in 2023. This is a unique interview from the persepctive of a key employee who was presented with the opportunity to buy the business where she worked for over 10 years, and where she had started at just 15yrs old. It takes guts to enter into an asset purchase, and at 25yrs old Missy became the new owner of an established award-winning business on main street. Missy had unique advantages over most other buyers of businesses for sale, which was knowing every intimate detail of the operation, process, financials and even being on first name basis with most of the shop's loyal following. Very insightful and lots of grit, as we go behind the scenes of buying a resale and consignment shop on Cape Cod. The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

10. 

    22 Jan 2024

    EP 8: Cartoonist, Maria Scrivan "The Doubt Gremlins"

    Host, Tammy Venneri is with NY Times best selling author of middle grade graphic novels and syndicated cartoonist, Maria Scrivan,. Her series about Nat,  a little girl who faces her fears and insecurities, is hugely popular. Each book and page is full of humor and colorful cartoon art. Our interview is a true origin story that goes back to elementary school where it all began, and covers Maria's natural wit and talent,  the funny cards she used to make for family and friends, the business of cartooning, navigating changing times and technology, landing a book deal with Scholastic and the perseverance it took to finally arrive . Want to know what it takes to land a graphic novel book deal and become a syndicated cartoonsist? Maria's road to success took over a decade to travel. She shares how she knocked on dooors, submitted her cartoons to industry heads, and filed-away the rejections, and also dives into how she built a foundation of discipline and the mindset needed to show-up, every day, and get it done... even when the "doubt gremlins" are determined to derail her confidence (see the gremlins in her book "Nat for Nothing"!). Learn more about the journey to becoming a cartoonist, best-selling author of  graphic novels and greeting card artist, all in this awesome interview with Maria Scrivan! Maria Scrivan website : mariascrivan.com (https://www.mariascrivan.com/) Buy the books (https://www.mariascrivan.com/half-full): The bestselling middle grade graphic novels about main character, Natalie: "Nat Enough", "Forget Me Nat", "Absolutely Nat", "Nat For Nothing", "All Is Nat Lost" and her box set Definitely Nat Maria Scrivan comics: Half Full (https://www.mariascrivan.com/half-full) Maria Scrivan Funny Comics Greeting Cards: Nobleworks (https://www.nobleworkscards.com/search-results.html?.autodone=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nobleworkscards.com%2Fc8980gdg-world-is-your-oyster-funny-graduation-paper-greeting-card-maria-scrivan.html&query=scrivan&vwcatalog=yhst-94387763560218&x=0&y=0) Maria Scrivan Social Media Instagram, fb, X @mariascrivan The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

11. 

    10 Jan 2024

    EP 7: Underwater Photographer, Heather Perry: "Be open. Be authentic"

    Host, Tammy Venneri interviews Heather Perry Weafer, entrepreneur, photographer, swimmer and author. Heather shares her deeply authentic perspective on what the career and life journey really looks like, and describes what it means to be open to the signs and allow oursleves to reach beyond conventional career constructs and labels. Let it flow, follow your passions and be flexible along the way. Magic will occur! Heather is partner/owner of swimvacation.com, where she photodocuments the human experience on swim tours, as well as a published author and artist. SHE IS AN ABSOLUTE ROCKSTAR. Heather Perry of SwimVacation swimvacation.com (https://www.swimvacation.com/about) has been swimming and photographing the islands of the world since 1996. She is logistics coordinator, guide, photographer and marine naturalist. Heather is a former collegiate swimmer and currently competes in open water swimming races in New England. She is also a professional freelance photographer specializing in underwater work. Follow SwimVacation on Instagram & Facebook @swimvacation You can see more of Heather’s photography, canvas art and independent work at www.heatherperryphoto.com (http://www.heatherperryphoto.com/). Instagram @heathfish fb @heatherperryphoto The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

12. 

    9 Jan 2024

    EP 6: Take Action in the New Year

    Host Tammy Venneri and co-host Laura Gaetani talk about what "resolve" should mean to us and committing to resolutions for our business in the new year.  Asking ourselves, what do we truly desire, how have we changed personally, and are our values still aligned with our business's process and mission. Taking action on new goals for 2024 in your business has to start with fresh eyes and truth about yourself, life circumstances, the market, your product, your service, your core. Only then, can you commit to a new year's resolution that will be a real driver and guiding light, one you should continuously refer to, that will motivate you to take action in the new year. The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

13. 

    1 Jan 2024

    EP 5: Are You Willing?

    Host and small business consultant, Tammy Venneri, and co-host, Mindset Coach Laura Gaetani ask the question, are you willing to adapt your business vision to changing times, new challenges and life circustances to evolve and keep your business alive? Asking ourselves why we resist or strategize, one way or another, is critical to understanding why some of us are resistant to deviating from the original vision, sometimes blaming time, sometimes our ego, or maybe we're just stubborn. We know you are able... but are you willing to evolve, try new things, adapt and grow in a new prosperous direction? The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

14. 

    4 Oct 2023

    EP 4: Customer Avatars for Target Marketing

    Join host Tammy Venneri and co-host Laura Gaetani in this episode that covers how to create a customer avator. Regardless of how long you've been in business, creating and referring to your customer avatar will be a "guiding light" for your marketing efforts, including where you spend your time and money trying to reach your core customers. From general demographics to psychographic traits, we walk through the basics of defining who your core customer is, where they live, how old are they, what is their lifestyle, occupation, budget and level of expertise in reference to your mission, product and standards. Join us in creating an avatar of your own, a representation you can use to guide you through your small business marketing efforts and product lineup. Do you have a topic suggestion or pain point you need help with? Email us at survivingmainstreet.com The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

15. 

    25 Sept 2023

    EP 3: Saying Yes, When We Shoud Say No

    Host and business coach, Tammy Venneri, and co-host and mindset coach, Laura Gaetani, discuss why saying yes to making exceptions in your business can be detrimental to your process, reputation and team morale. From creating a process to match your standards to strategy and mindset management, we look at the short-term gains versus the long-term damage. Four reasons why we might create bad habits in our business by saying yes, when we should say no are: Reason 1: The Customer is Always Right Reason 2: Lack of Policies and Standards Reason 3: Fear of Competition (and bad reviews) Reason 4: The Hero-syndrome (Over-committing) Don't create confusion or distrust in your brand, by not having a standard process or providing information that can be easily found on your website and/or print material, where it is easy to find and refer to for customers and staff. Having a process and policy minimizes the burden of decision making on your staff and is your backup to respectfully declining special requests with  a policy that matches your business standards. There are long-term consequences to our actions that reflect on our work-life balance, When we make it a habit of saying yes and breaking our policy to make special exceptions, we lose time that we can never get back - time away from your family and friends, time away from self care, and time away from doing the extras for your business. Tips and strategy on mindset are discussed to help small business owners say no more often, if the request to make an exception is one-sided. It all starts with knowing your standards and creating policies to match. The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

16. 

    15 Sept 2023

    EP 2: Co-host, Laura Gaetani

    Surviving Main Street's guest co-host, Laura Gaetani is a fashion designer, 9-to-5'er and a mindset coach. Laura is a creator who loves beautiful aesthetics, believes deeply in sustainability in the fashion industry and sharing her journey as a designer and mindset coach to help other creatives find their way to achieve their goals for smart profitable businesses. From fashion line manufacturing and fast-lane networking in Miami and Las Vegas, to her corporate day job where she's taking notes and applying them to her 5-year plan, this candid interview  introduces the power of mindset practices in your daily life and how you have the power to change your path with chainging that voice in your head from negative to positive. The business podcast for creatives, artists and visionaries in competitive markets and challenging seasonal locations. Interviews with succesful small business owners who are doing what they love and industry experts who have years of wisdom to share. Mindset, business strategy, marketing, planning, action. Be open, authentic, and adaptable. If you show up to do the work for your vision, your vision will show up and work for you. To learn more about our small business services and mindset consulting, please log on to survivingmainstreet.com (https://www.survivingmainstreet.com/) Follow us on social @survivingmainstreet All right reserved Surviving Main Street.

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.