Summary

In this episode, Courtney interviews Natalie Pointe about her journey from working in big tech to opening a teeny tiny bookstore called Schmendricks. They talk about her journey from her internship at Facebook right out of college; the importance of finding your community and (of course) supporting indie bookstores. She shares how she took steps forward that were the right size for her.

After Facebook, Google and various start ups, Natalie Pointe felt big tech wasn't creating a future she wanted to be part of anymore. So, she found a tech company she felt aligned with - Libro.fm.

Then, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of working the book industry. She rented a space and opened a tiny bookshop in Wilton, CT called Schmendricks.

Listen in as we talk about how she decided to take the leap, when she knew it was the right time and how it's all coming together today.

Recommendations:

• I Cheerfully Refuse: Print and Audio
• The Last Unicorn: Print and Audio
• An Immaculate Deception: Print and Audio
• Libro.fm, Bookshop.org and Libby
  
  

Links:

Instagram: @schmendricks

Website: https://www.schmendricks.shop/

Key Topics

• Natalie Ponte's career transition from tech to books
• The significance of supporting indie bookstores
• How small businesses impact local communities
• The role of books in fostering community and empathy
• Challenges and joys of running a tiny bookstore
• The meaning behind the name Schmendrix and its symbolism
• Balancing a full-time job with a passion project
• The importance of community events and collaborations
• Reflections on personal growth and following passions

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EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)

Do you have a creative project that you dream about but that never quite gets any time or attention? After all, after work there's not much energy, time or attention left.

You'll like Sheila's story.

During the day, Sheila Kazan creates programs and experiences designed to help teams thrive at Slack. She's really good at what she does. It's a demanding full-time role.

But, Sheila is a storyteller at heart. She's the creator and host of Small Talk with Sheila, where she explores the messy, funny, and very human parts of life. She produces a YouTube channel, podcast and more. Her commitment to this creative expression has caused her to better understand herself, build confidence and make a personal commitment not to quit.

Listen to hear more about building a creative life outside of work.

In the episode, I talk about (and recommend) The Perfectionists Guide to Losing Control, by Katherine Morgan Schafler.

YOUTUBE: @SmallTalkWithSheila

POD: Small Talk with Sheila (links to Spotify)

Send us Fan Mail

EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)

Today's guest found a transformation after burnout and chronic illness.

From founding a groundbreaking incubator for musicians and artists in the Bay Area to finding her own healing and then becoming a Depth Hypnosis practitioner, Vinitha Watson finds her way.

Vinitha Watson is a certified Hypnotherapist, Depth Hypnosis Practitioner, and the Founder of Zoo Labs, an arts entrepreneurship organization dedicated to empowering people of color. With over two decades of experience, Vinitha has focused on helping individuals overcome internal obstacles, empowering them to heal and thrive, and creating transformative spaces for healers to deepen their own journeys.

Previously, she led a pioneering wellness initiative at Johns Hopkins Medical Residency, introducing wellness tools for medical doctors—a program that has since influenced residency programs nationwide. Vinitha integrates energy medicine, shamanic practices, Buddhist psychology, a degree in Sociology, and training in Psychology with South Indian knowledge systems. This unique perspective helps provide a safe, supportive space for her clients to explore their inner worlds, interpret subconscious patterns, and transform their suffering into greater awareness. Her mission is to help clients uncover the unseen, foster healing through deeper consciousness and understanding, and empower them to reclaim their own agency.

InnerAgency: Vinitha's healing practice

ZooLabs: supporting music creators – empowering them to fully own and expand their creative paths. We bridge the worlds of music and business by providing artist-tailored entrepreneurial training.

Sacred Stream: A School for Consciousness Studies in Berkeley, CA

Send us Fan Mail

EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION is produced by Courtney Kaplan.

Website: Iconic Leadership Coaching.

Follow me on IG @iconic_owl

Connect on Linked in @courtney-kaplan

Music by Midwest Got It (IG: midwestgotit)