Proofing Stage
Proofing Stage examines the origins, progress, struggles, and setbacks of entrepreneurs through the lens of its founders, who, among other things, have run a bagel business for the past 8 years.
Join us, as we share wins and cautionary tales from that space between “atta girl” and “I told you so!” Co-hosted by Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond, with Season 1 contributions by Amanda Schwarz.
Proofing Stage
BONUS: Don't Finger My Bagel Bin
The air was thick with election fever, but even thicker with the scent of fresh bagels.
Imagine our surprise when what we thought was a media frenzy for our beloved bagel bonanza at the Marion Public Library turned into an impromptu meet-and-greet with a Republican presidential candidate! In today's bonus episode, Michelle and Joan recap this somewhat humorous, mostly unnerving, Tale from the Roadshow.
Join us for laughs, a sprinkle of politics, and a whole lot of heart from the Proofing Stage team.
Then on Feb. 7th, we resume new episodes with a focus on the Bottoms Up Bagels (BUB) Roadshow. This bonus episode is just a taste of what's in store.
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Hey there Proofing Stage family. This is Michelle Bond.
Joan:And I am Joan Kanner.
Michelle:And we've got a mini-sode for you this week.
Joan:I believe it might be election season when we're recording this. I think it is. Things are getting hot and heavy in 2024. That takes me back to a time. Do we have take me back time music?
Michelle:We'll have to get Amanda to figure out what that sound is.
Joan:But not even a year ago, Michelle and I and some great team members that we hired locally were in Iowa for the Bottoms Up Bagels, the BUB Roadshow, and we were in Cedar Rapids. But given what's going on in politics right now in terms of people campaigning, I can't help but think about our time at the Marion Public Library for a stunning one-day event with those thoughtful, beautiful people.
Michelle:Absolutely, and you'll begin to hear more about the BUB Roadshow in its entirety on Episode 7, starting February 7th. Just a little plug for that. But yeah, we were coming off of an event and all of a sudden there was like a lot of security and there was a room lockdown and there were VIPs and we thought they were coming for our bagels.
Joan:I mean, as soon as I saw the cameras and the, basically like, the news program people, I thought this must be for us. And I don't say that as a joke. Like I literally thought that they were there for us, but they were also coming at a time when we had sold out. We had a constant line all morning, again, like some great local team members helping us. And when I saw all those cameras and whatnot, I thought they were for us. And we were wrapping up and I just thought, "gosh, we can't feed any more people, but we can probably still talk to folks. And then who walks in? But a Republican presidential candidate, which I mentioned just factually. Guys, I mean, everybody just be cool. Right, it's mentioned factually, but a candidate comes in and, yes, they were campaigning in 2023.
Michelle:Yeah, and I mean we'll feed anybody, bring it. This guy looked a little familiar. I couldn't place it. I kept saying I feel like I'm supposed to know him, but I'm sorry, I don't have any bagels.
Joan:So I remember extending my arms out and just saying "oh I'm sorry, dude, you know we don't have anything for you. And he was coming at me simultaneously as I was speaking with a bunch of dollar bills. I mean, typically, for people who do know me, I've normally shimmy or do something to perhaps earn them. I'm also okay if people want to make it hail when it comes down to it. But he came at us with a fistful of dollars and then he approached us with cameras flashing and like video folks there and his whole entourage. There's an exchange that he had with Michelle over one of our large bagel bins that was empty.
Michelle:Yeah, he had said he had never had an everything bagel, which made me a little suspect from jump. But I felt bad. I wanted to like be the one to kind of usher him into this experience. But I was like, "oh man, all I have here is, you know, I'm sorry, Look, this is the bin. This is like it's empty. We had hundreds of everything bagels in here, but I'm sorry, I don't have any. And what does he do? He sticks his finger in the bin.
Joan:Fingers. Fingers into the bin. And he basically did a line of like everything mix and or like, without consent, stuck his fingers in our bagel bin. That is almost as disturbing as what he said. He said his favorite bagel was a "raisin cinnamon. I mean a raisin cinnamon, it's cinnamon raisin dude, get together, So I want to share that with you guys. It's the Roadshow that continues to be a wealth of stories, and that's one of the ones that I find to be the most absurd. I feel like the Roadshow helps me feel a little bit like, I don't Forest Gump, in terms of range of stories.
Michelle:Yeah, and in terms of this candidate, he's no longer in the race, but I will say that he's pretty buddied up with the nominee- to- be, so to speak. He's ingratiated himself, that's for sure.
Joan:Yep, I think it's good enough just to say that it's a he/ him. There you go. Enough for people. So thanks for listening, guys. We're going to be taking a brief break to get situated for the final three episodes of Season 1. Laying some foundation for all things BUB before we head into Season 2. Thanks for listening.
Michelle:Yeah, thank you so much. We're two thirds of the way through Season 1, so we'll have nine full episodes. Six are out now, three more are coming at you beginning February 7th and, if you would please just follow the show, subscribe, share with the entrepreneurs and women in your life, let us know what you think. Again, we're just getting going. We really appreciate your support and we hope that the space between "Attagirl and I told you so has been helpful for you.
Joan:And if any ratings are going to be under five stars, contact me, I'm Joan Kanner. I'll rectify it.