Open & Awkward: Shop Talk with Katie and Amanda

Katie Elzer-Peters and Amanda Thomsen
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Finally, a show that encourages you to be YOU while going about your business! Two friends in the green industry (Digital marketing agency owner Katie Elzer-Peters and retail shop owner Amanda Thomsen) discuss life as middle-aged women entrepreneurs in the mid 2020s. Expect a hefty dose of retail operations real-talk, small business marketing and tech tips, appearances from Amanda's shop ghost and plenty of nonsense. The show notes are epic.

  1. Open & Awkward - Thanks for the Memories

    10/28/2025

    Open & Awkward - Thanks for the Memories

    It's a new season so Katie and Amanda are ending the podcast for the time being. Thanks for listening and stay open and awkward! To See What We're Up To: Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/ Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    2 min
  2. Open & Awkward: CANDLE PICKLE

    10/21/2025

    Open & Awkward: CANDLE PICKLE

    Subtitle: A Question of Community Summary: Amanda finds herself in a candle pickle. Her vendor has suddenly raised their order minimum without warning, leaving her unable to restock. Should she start making her own candles instead? Katie sheds light on possible causes behind the change, from the end of de minimis exemptions to tariffs and rising costs. The conversation then turns to community. Why it’s so essential, how some people create it OR actively avoid it! WHY? Finally, they tackle Amanda’s dilemma…will the farmer’s market survive? Highlights: Amanda’s candle pickleEnd of de minimis exemptions and price increasesA discussion of communityWill the Farmer’s Market survive? Links: Capital Stitch Company The Cinnamon Bear - Complete Christmas Adventure There are no photos in this episode The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/ Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    41 min
  3. Open & Awkward: BAG OF IDEAS

    10/14/2025

    Open & Awkward: BAG OF IDEAS

    Subtitle: Apocalypse Skills Summary:  Amanda kicks things off with stories from the local Keepataw Parade and how the event impacts her business. Both Katie and Amanda share their plans for fall yard work (think mountains of bulbs) and exciting garden goals. Katie’s gearing up for a busy season of teaching art classes and couldn’t be more excited. The two discuss holiday customer gifts, is it a good idea? Amanda’s on the fence, but Katie has plenty of creative ideas. They also talk about how recreating an idea isn’t necessarily “stealing” it. They get real about how things just hit differently when you own a business and wonder if they had to do it all over again would they maybe just learn a trade instead? Highlights: The Keepataw ParadeDelightful weatherKatie and Amanda plans to work in THEIR own yardsKatie’s classes and her very busy weekendCustomer gifts and when to giveSlug party artBusiness card blunderAmanda and Katie discuss learning a trade Links: Eddie Gangland - artist Victory Garden of Tomorrow To see photos of picking flowers in the rain, Aster Gardens garden signs, Katie’s Slug Party and more, jump on over to The Garden of Words' website! The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/  Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    51 min
  4. Open & Awkward: BEYOND THE COUCH

    10/07/2025

    Open & Awkward: BEYOND THE COUCH

    Subtitle: The Evolving Why Summary: Katie and Amanda go deep: on business, purpose, and the little things that make a big impact. Amanda’s so excited that shop sales are up and shares her $2-a-day Instagram ad experiment (spoiler: it’s working!). They discuss how promoting your business has shifted over the last 100 years, and how it’s STILL changing. They also talk about evolving goals, hiring for the future, and why letting go of something (like a farmers market) doesn’t mean it’s a failure. Highlights: Katie and Amanda discuss their WHYMoving beyond the couchAmanda’s advertising decisionIs it the end of Lamont’s Farmer’s Market? Keepataw Day ParadeLinks: Katie’s “short” newsletter Lamont’s Keepataw Day Photos: There are no photos in this episode The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/ Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    32 min
  5. Open & Awkward: CHARCOAL MARSHMALLOWS

    09/30/2025

    Open & Awkward: CHARCOAL MARSHMALLOWS

    Subtitle: The Art of Community  Summary: The two-week podcast break is over, and Katie and Amanda are back! Amanda admits she spends a lot of time picking up plants for jobs, (maybe not the most efficient use of her time), but she loves the drive and gives a big shout-out to Midwest Groundcovers for making it such a pleasure to do business with them. That sparks a chat about how they’ve both been spending their energy: Katie’s done the email marketing webinar thing, but her heart is really in teaching art and building community (can that be a webinar?). Which leads to the big question: where has community gone? From post-pandemic habits to the Gen Z stare, they discuss why connecting may feel harder these days. Highlights: Is what we’re doing a waste of time?SHOUT OUT to Midwest Ground CoversMaintaining human connection and communityDo people really want to understand others?Compassion and boundaries (and watercolors)When you want what’s best for the customers AND the plantsLinks: Amy Poehler - Good Hang podcast - Broad City episode There are no photos in this episode The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/ Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    35 min

  6. 09/16/2025 · BONUS

    Taking a Break

    We are taking a two week break. See you back in mid-September!

    1 min
  7. Open & Awkward: BONE APPÉTIT

    09/09/2025

    Open & Awkward: BONE APPÉTIT

    Subtitle: Feeling it in Your Body Summary:  Amanda sold another one of Katie’s paintings! But before you ask, no, she’s not taking consignment. Amanda also talks about teaching a recent vinaigrette-making class and pitches the idea of a mending class (how cool would that be?). Amanda brings up her money stress after her debit card was stolen THREE times in one month, losing her outdoor lot, and business decisions she's being pushed to make. On the brighter side, her latest art drop (featuring bones collected from roadkill) nearly sold out. September’s theme? Twin Peaks. Finally, the Actual Useful Tip™ for this episode is: “Feel it in your body.” Highlights: Amanda’s vinaigrette classStolen credit card HASSLES!When you feel a good decision in your bodyAmanda’s future plans for the shopAmanda’s last drop and September themeKatie plans her visit to see Amanda Photos: Jump on over to The Garden of Words website to see the flowers Katie is ignoring Amanda for as well as Katie’s crepe paper dahlia. The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/  Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    30 min
  8. Open & Awkward: LETTING GO

    09/02/2025

    Open & Awkward: LETTING GO

    Subtitle: Overcoming Overfunctioning Summary:   Katie and Amanda dive into significant business changes they've recently made that brought clarity and relief. Amanda shares the story of losing her courtyard due to her landlord's construction plans and the lessons she learned from the experience. They also touch on the importance of understanding one's value and avoiding over-functioning in both business and personal life. Katie discusses an ongoing struggle with managing work boundaries and dealing with inconsiderate requests. The conversation woven with anecdotes and humor highlights the duo's commitment to authenticity and the importance of self-awareness. Highlights: Amanda’s courtyard is going awayOverfunctioningKatie and Amanda’s Tarot ReadingsShut out the noiseAn unexpected potholeQuestions without CuriosityJohn Derian marble apple Links: John Derian Jump on over to The Garden of Words' website to see Katie's hat from Joan and her marble apple. The Stuff at the End Amanda’s Kiss My Aster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissmyaster/  Katie’s Work Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegardenofwordsagency Katie’s Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_gardenofwords Amanda’s Website: https://kissmyaster.com/ Katie’s Website: https://thegardenofwords.com/

    34 min
See All (75)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Finally, a show that encourages you to be YOU while going about your business! Two friends in the green industry (Digital marketing agency owner Katie Elzer-Peters and retail shop owner Amanda Thomsen) discuss life as middle-aged women entrepreneurs in the mid 2020s. Expect a hefty dose of retail operations real-talk, small business marketing and tech tips, appearances from Amanda's shop ghost and plenty of nonsense. The show notes are epic.

Information