Click here to listen to today's podcast

In today's business podcast, we will talk with Julie Kryk of Shoulder Candy, an innovative Canadian business that rents out designer handbags.

This is a very gratifying interview, since Julie's company exemplifies several previous Brain Storm! Business Podcasts. She not only pursued her passion for purses, but she also found a niche that no one else in Canada was covering and cornered that market.

Julie recognized the difference in the Canadian markets and the US Markets.

She also realized that more people live outside urban areas, and don't have a Louis Vuitton store nearby. Shipping was a logical way to conduct business. So far, the handbags are steadily being rented.

Her idea was so innovative that media coverage pushed her out into the foreground, bringing free publicity.

She has been featured on Citv TV Toronto, CTV Canada AM "Consumer Reports with Pat Foran", The Toronto Sun, The Chronicle Herald, A-Channel, Canada.com, Canoe.com, The Winnipeg Sun, The Ottawa Sun, The Windsor Star, CBC Radio, Vancouver 24 Hours, Luxist.com, CKLW Radio, The Edmonton Sun, The Vancouver Province. Add to that word-of-mouth referrals, and that creates a very popular business.

One man's shipping nightmare is another man's dream business.

Julie realized that, although there were companies doing something similar in Europe and the USA, no one was shipping to Canada, thanks to Duties and Customs, etc. The name, "Shoulder Candy", just came to her while she was brainstorming. She grabbed the domain name, registered the business and started renting out multi-thousand dollar bags.

Rent your choice of 80 handbags, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Chloe

The premise is simple: visit the site, http://www.ShoulderCandy.com, choose the designer handbag of your choice, and that purse is shipped to your door. Rentals are billed weekly, and round trip shipping is included in the rental fee of the handbag. Borrow the handbag for a little as one week or as long as you like. No membership fees, late fees, shipping charges or time limits.

Shoulder Candy is a woman's dream, and a man's escape route!

For special occasions, or possibly just as a treat, women who appreciate fasion designer handbags, this is a dream come true. But for the man who never knows what to get the love of his life, and dreads gift buying, this is also a dream come true. Get her a gift certificate and let her pick the purse of her dreams. She'll love you forever!

Julie is also a singer-songwriter who has been performing since her teens.

She has graciously allowed us to share one of her songs on the podcast, so take advantage of this business woman's musical talent as well. Julie now has video of her performance with U2 on VH1 / MuchMoreMusic. Click here to view it.

Check out our 40+ speakers and topics on marketing via podcasting and blogging!

We are very privileged to have Elisabeth Lewin, the owner of PodcastingNews.com, as our Grand Marshall and Keynote Speaker at the International Podcasting Expo. Matt Mullenweg, creator of the world reknowned WordPress blogging software, is also a Keynote Speaker, as well as Andy Wibbels, the original blogging evangelist and author of BlogWild!

Unlimited access tickets are still only $20 until the end of September, and then are $25 in October.

This includes download recordings of every session, which turns out to be about $.50 per session! So come and join us and learn how you can market and brand your business with podcasting and blogging. I hope to meet with you there.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing and Digital Business Books

Click here to listen to today's podcast

In today's business podcast, we will look at another niche market business that is using free seminars with top-rated speakers to meet the needs of moms who are also business owners.

Vicky McMahon of BizMomSolutions shares how the idea for this 12-week series of business and personal teleseminars came to be. As a life coach and also a mom, she realized that her weakness came in the form of problems with time management. She wondered where she could get help with the areas that hindered her business, as well as her family life.

So Vicky decided to put together Experts in life strategies, time management, business strategies and more.

Her goal was to make these seminars easily accessible to mothers who also needed to balance their responsibilities for their husband and children. Once a week would provide a constant stream of mentoring and education that could move each woman that much closer to her business and family goals.

To find out more about the seminars, speakers and schedules, go to http://www.BizMomSolutions.com.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

In today's business podcast, we will brainstorm about animal business with Animal Nutrition Expert, Kim Bloomer, of Aspenbloom Pet Care and Animal Talk Naturally.

We have spoken about many different niche target markets in previous Brain Storm! Business Podcasts, but never the animal niche market. Kim Bloomer is an authority on animals, dogs in particular, is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition & Doctor of Naturopathy, and is the only person she is aware of that provides consultations on animal nutrition. She is also the Organizer for the online Virtual Dog Expo coming up September 22-24, 2006.

Kim has a "bird's eye" view of the animal business market, because she works with doctors, trainers, retailers and every other type of animal entrepreneur.

With that in mind, we talk about the different types of products and services that presently exist, and some surprising innovations that have come on the scene. I even came up with my own idea...although after further research, it may or may not be that great. <smile> But you all must know that THAT never stopped me from trying again!

People with pets, especially people without children, tend to treat their pets AS children.

As such, people are willing to spend a lot of money to take care of their animal "child", from special food and supplements, special medical care, and products designed to protect and preserve. This is a huge market, and if we think about our recent studies on Baby Boomers and their effect on the economy because of their longevity, if Boomers have pets, there's money to be found in serving their needs.

So brainstorm along with us in this business podcast as we discuss the possibilities, as well as the present opportunities.

If you have a dog, I encourage you to check out the online Virtual Dog Expo. Tickets are only $12.95, and you will have access to over 20 seminars on all sorts of dog subjects. If you go, look for me - I may just pop in on behalf of our new puppy, Champ. (You can watch a video about him at http://www.PennyHaynes.com, below my bio - look for NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY! <SMILE>)

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & International Podcasting Expo, October 20-22, 2006.