French Kissing Life

Ep 22: Worry Less, Giggle More With Brittany Pomplun

• Shawnna Stiver • Episode 22

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Ever wondered how a hilarious idea could evolve into a booming business? Today’s conversation is spicy—both because of the subject and because my guest, Brittany Pomplin, blew me away with her business intuition and self-belief. Brittany, a wife and mom, saw the potential in penis waffles and created Giggle Sticks, turning a "silly" idea into a wildly successful business. In this episode, we discuss the birth of Giggle Sticks, the criticism she's faced, her incredible growth, and why this is the most fulfilling job she's ever had.

Brittany is a wife and mother to two young boys. She is an avid traveler, loves to craft and scrapbook, enjoys hosting a good party, runs with her husband, and spends time with her kids. Her aha moment came when she saw penis waffles becoming popular in Spain and found herself surrounded by bachelorettes in Scottsdale. After years of travel and hosting parties, bachelorette events, and girls' brunches, her two realities collided, and the idea of Giggle Sticks AZ was born!

Topics covered:

  • Brittany's initial brainstorming and research process for starting her business.
  • Research and development, including experimenting with recipes and branding.
  • Importance of creating memorable experiences for customers.
  • Utilizing the Batch app for marketing and business growth.
  • Handling criticism and skepticism about her business idea.
  • Importance of pursuing and realizing one's passions.

Here are some actions you can take whether you have 5 minutes or 50:

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Connect with Brittany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigglesticks_
Website: https://www.gigglesticksaz.com/

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Contact French Kissing Life Podcast

I want to hear from you! Share your favorite takeaways, an aha moment you had or a fun emoji that represents this week’s show, along with your Instagram handle or email address and you’ll be entered to win this month’s giveaway!

Until next time, muah!

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French Kissing Life is sponsored by Ampersand Copy and Content. Ready to convert browsers into buyers? If you want to master your messaging, stand out in a saturated market and become a crushed-on, go-to brand, contact us today!

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to French Kissing Life. I'm your host, shauna Stiver, and I am thrilled to help you discover what makes your heart race, your soul dance and your spirit soar. Every week you'll get a fun dose of inspiration, laughter and a sprinkle of magic as we explore stories, insights and conversations that empower you to ignite the spark within In a world that demands you be anything but yourself. This is your permission slip to be a little more you. Together, let's shed the shoulds, embrace our unique brilliance and welcome more joy. Are you ready to French kiss life? Welcome back to another episode of French Kissing Life. I am your host, shauna Stiver. I've said it before and I will say it again One of my absolute favorite things about this podcast and really just life in general, is that these conversations continue to surprise me in the best possible way.

Speaker 1:

Sometimes I go into the conversation thinking I know how it's going to go, and then the best outcome is when I learn something unexpected, or I have this just genuine moment of connection with my guest, who a lot of times I don't know before they come on, and I really hope that the same thing is happening for you when you listen. The whole goal of this show is for you to be inspired by other people sharing their stories and what they hope to accomplish in life, so that it gives you the confidence to do the same, and so I sincerely hope that that's what you're getting from these conversations. So today's conversation is a spicy one, and only because of the subject matter, because my guest thoroughly blew me away with her business intuition and belief in herself. So I guess I should give a little disclaimer that you may want to listen to this one with headphones or put some earmuffs on little ears, or perhaps avoid listening to it at work, because today we're talking about penises and, more specifically, how you can build a wildly successful business out of a quote-unquote silly idea. That spoiler is not so silly. Experts say that the best time to pursue an idea is when other people laugh at it. Well, brittany Pomplin is laughing all the way to the bank because she took the idea and ran with it, and her business has taken off and exceeded her wildest expectations.

Speaker 1:

Brittany is a wife and mom to two young boys. She's an avid traveler. She loves to craft and scrapbook. She's a master at hosting a good party, enjoys running with her husband and spending time with her kids. Her aha moment came when she saw that penis waffles were becoming popular in Spain and she herself was surrounded by nothing but bachelorettes in Scottsdale, arizona. After years of travel and of hosting parties bachelorette parties, girls' brunches, you name it her two realities collided and the idea of Giggle Sticks, arizona was born.

Speaker 1:

In this episode we talk about where the idea for Giggle Sticks was born, the shame and criticism she's faced because of what her business is, the insane growth she's experienced in just a short amount of time and her unwavering confidence in the face of people saying it's just something silly that she pursued. Plus, brittany shares why this is honestly the most fulfilling job she's ever had. Why this is honestly the most fulfilling job she's ever had. Did we have some fun with this topic? We sure did. Did I giggle and think of any and every pun possible while we chatted? I sure did. Do I think Brittany is going to continue killing it and put all of her doubters to shame? You better believe it. This is what can happen when you take an excellent idea, believe in yourself wholeheartedly and find a market who wants what you're selling. Believe me when I say Brittany will surprise you in this episode.

Speaker 1:

Please enjoy my inspiring and slightly naughty episode with Brittany Pomplin. Hi, brittany, thank you so much for being on French Kissing Life with me. Thank you for having me, sean, I appreciate it. Yes, I'm so excited to have this conversation with you. We actually got connected not too long ago, and so I, when we first chatted by phone, I was like, oh my gosh, I've got to have you on the podcast because your story is so interesting and so fun, and so I'd love it if we can just kind of start there, like tell me your story and how you first sort of got this business idea.

Speaker 2:

Okay. So, um, I got this business idea. Um, I'm an avid traveler. I love to travel, um, I travel with my family and my kids. Um hasn't stopped me. Um, and I follow Brian Kelly who has the points guy and he, yeah, and he was in Spain and I'd been to Spain and we're kind of looking at his stories where I was going, and he went to a, uh, penis waffle shop and he said it was becoming very popular there and I was like this is funny and I'm surrounded I live in Scottsdale, arizona, and I'm surrounded by bachelorettes all the time. And, um, I went to Diego pops for my birthday in June and it was dead of summer, hot. Um, you don't want to be in.

Speaker 1:

Scottsdale.

Speaker 2:

And there were seven different bachelorette parties that walked in during the two hours I was there and I was like these people need penis waffles there and I was like these people need penis waffles, and that's kind of how it got started. Just this little. I saw this there. It was becoming popular, and then I kind of did like a deep dive on Instagram and I saw it and I was like this needs to happen.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. So when you were in Spain, did you at that time think like why don't we have this? When you were in Spain, did you at that time think like why don't we have this, like why haven't I seen this somewhere else? Or did you just think it was funny at the time and kind of go move on?

Speaker 2:

So I wasn't personally in Spain when I saw them, it was on his blog. But I had been there before, yeah, and I didn't see it at the time. But when I saw it there I was like, if this is popular there, right, europe's a little bit more lax on the whole sexual stigma as well, yeah, so I thought that's maybe why it was popular there. Um, but yeah, and so once I saw that, I kind of started to just do a little research.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, and then you see all the bachelorettes and the two things clicked and you're like this has got to be a business idea.

Speaker 2:

It's at least worth something trying it yes.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

I knew it was going to be good.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely, oh my gosh, okay, so, so you have this idea. So tell me now about your journey to sort of bring it to life, because one thing to sort of have an idea and think like, oh my God, we need this here, like that would be so fun. What, what did you do, like what were some of the things you did, to sort of like, you know, bring this to life and like really make it an actual business.

Speaker 2:

Um, so good question, cause I I did everything. Basically. I I was like I need to find a good name. I um started doing my website 30 minutes every night, just went on squarespace, was like I'm just gonna start doing this. Um, I started looking at all the bachelorette companies in town, um, and finally it was like, okay, I need to find out where this waffle presses. I bought it. I started doing I had like six different ingredients that I would um, six different recipes that I was using. So I was trying all different things. Um, I was looking at what chocolates to use, what toppings to use, what would look prettiest. And then I remember buying the waffle press, calling my mom saying come over, we're having a photo shoot, and I just started making them and decorating them and I made my website and I kind of just I filed my paperwork for my company, everything, and I just, yeah, I started telling people and a lot of people laughed and that's fine, it wasn't for it's for bachelorettes, it's, it's a funny thing.

Speaker 1:

I wanted people to laugh you know in a way so yeah, yes, so where did the name come from?

Speaker 2:

So the name was a good old Google search. I was at my mom's house and she's actually the one that Googled it and she said names for penises and I think Playboy had a list of a hundred names for what you called it and we were going through them all and it's a giggle sticks and I was like that's it, I don't need to hear anymore, like it's funny, it's not crude, it's something you can say, it's something you'll remember. It's exactly what I wanted to do with this brand was make it fun funny, happy and I was like that's it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, okay. So tell me exactly, then, what you sell to the bachelorette parties. Um, so I sell, um, I want it to be more than just a delivery service. So I actually make the penis waffles and I either do them decorated, which is called the whole package, or naked, which is called the fully nude package, but then it comes with all the toppings for you to kind of DIY it yourself, kind of like an arts and crafts for the bachelorette party IY yourself kind of like an arts and crafts for the bachelorette party, Um, and then I do a full, full service brunch that has eggs, sausage, bacon, and I make the waffles and I go to Airbnbs and I do that as a brunch option. Um, so that's, that's kind of what I, that's my thing, and I, I do the penis waffles and people love them and I get told all the time how great they taste. It's a homemade recipe.

Speaker 1:

Yeah and yeah. And how thrilled are they when the delivery comes Like I would imagine I'm just picturing this like giggles instantly. They're just thrilled beyond belief that because you're creating an experience essentially for them, right?

Speaker 2:

Yes, it's great. So, um, I get all the time just people laughing when I, when they see them, when I deliver them. I got a lot of this is going to be a surprise. I'm not going to tell the girls and as soon as the door closes, people are laughing. I get oh my gosh, the dicks are here, like scream from, like you know, the back of the room. Oh my gosh, you know, and I get girl. They're just always happy, right, and they're just like they. They just start laughing and I get like it's great. Like when they close the door and I hear the laughter and I see the pictures that they post on Instagram and they just do the funniest things. It that funniest things. That's what this is all about. It's just about having a good time with your girlfriends and it's so much fun. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

And I feel like, you know, in the last like few years we're just hearing, you know, I mean bachelorette parties have been around for who knows how long, but I feel like in the last few years maybe it's the Instagram thing, I'm not sure, but I feel like in the last few years maybe it's the Instagram thing, I'm not sure but I feel like I'm hearing about bachelorette parties all the time and like they've just evolved into this really, really like fun thing.

Speaker 2:

And so I am going to guess that, like this took off pretty quickly for you. Yeah, no, it did. And I will say, like I see a lot of people that they're there because they're almost like having a girl's weekend. Yeah, it's. It's everyone's kind of contributed in some way, everyone's kind of picked what they like to do and it's become like this celebration of girlhood, right or um, and I think it's great. I think there should be more things like that. I think it's just an excuse and it really forces people to get together because it's a quote unquote bachelorette party, um, and I see groups of 18, 19 girls coming together. You know, um, averages eight or nine, but I see huge groups, small groups, um, so I think it's really great.

Speaker 2:

Um, as far as you know, taking off, there's this app called the Batch app. I'll tell you a little bit about that because it's a really important part of my story. So the Batch app was founded and I had my babysitter, lauren, who now works for me, under Giggle Sticks. She kind of changed roles, was going to a bachelorette in Miami and she's like, oh, I'm using this app called the batch app. And I'm like, oh, let me see that. And so she showed it to me and it was just all the ideas and things that you can do in every city and I was like I need to get on that, like I need to get on this. This is where everyone's. This is a great concept. So, um, I I just started, and I I had started my company in November 1st uh 2022. In December, I was getting ready to go to Flagstaff with my family and I couldn't sleep the night before Cause I was like I need to get on the back chap, how am I going to do it? And I was having a lot of self doubt.

Speaker 2:

And I woke up the next morning at like 5 AM and I was sitting on my couch scrolling and I came across a quote that was kind of like you have to believe in yourself. No one is going to do the work for you. You've got to believe in yourself. You've something along the lines of you need to put yourself out there. You need to show people that you deserve this, need to put yourself out there. You need to show people that you deserve this.

Speaker 2:

And at that moment I literally picked up my computer, applied for the batch app and I was like I just kept self doubting I don't have enough bookings, I haven't done enough, I don't have enough pictures, I don't have enough reviews. And I literally shoved that self doubt to the back of my mind and I said, if other people are doing this, why can't I? Why can't it be me? The only thing that was different was they had the confidence to do it. Yeah, and that was going to be me. So I applied, I went to the gym before we got on the car. Two hours later I got a phone call from the batch app. I couldn't believe it. I thought it'd be weeks before I heard from them.

Speaker 2:

We want you on here and I was like I'm walking into an orange theory class, Can I call you back? And then I didn't even want to go to work out, but I did and I called them back and they're like absolutely, we want you on here. And that's kind of being on that app has, you know, given me so much marketing and kind of catapulted me into this whole bachelorette that you don't even know exists until you're in it. Yeah, how how much of an industry this bachelorette industry is. So is it?

Speaker 1:

hard to get listed on there then no, it was all. I mean, it was all okay, but it was all self.

Speaker 2:

It was all in your head and like yeah, you've got to believe in yourself, right, you? You've got to prove. If you've got a good idea and you want to do it, you go do it. Yeah, yeah, you've got to prove. If you've got a good idea and you want to do it, you go do it. Yeah, yeah, um, and I know they have a lot of people on there now. Right, there's a lot more competition now because there's a lot more people getting on the app. It was fairly new. I think it came out in 2019. I could be wrong. Um, so it's a fairly new app, but they've gotten a lot more vendors now. Um, but again, I had I had to go for what I wanted. I had to. This was my passion. I needed to make it work and I wasn't going to let the thoughts in my head after I read that quote get take the best of me, right, yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, absolutely. Do you know of anybody else that has a business that's exactly like yours, or are you the only one that does this?

Speaker 2:

Um, so I had somebody, um, I have someone here in Scottsdale who just started doing it. Um, and uh, you know, I get asked all the time like anyone could do this. And, yes, anyone can do anything. I, you know, you can start a podcast, you can do it, you can, you can do all these different things, but it's you've got to have the passion, the drive, and you have to stick to what you know and what you're good at. And if you enjoy doing it, keep doing it.

Speaker 2:

You've got to let, you've got to kind of block out those outside things. And people are like oh, do you know? So-and-so is doing it and I'm like to make my product better, I'm going to make my brand better. I'm going to just concentrate on yourself, because letting all those other people in is where, where you go astray. Yeah, doing what you're doing. You know that's kind of what I tell myself all the time Keep doing what you're doing. There are going to be people that mimic you. They'll never have your name, they'll never be you, they'll never have exactly what you have. So just keep doing you. It's kind of how I.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I mean, to be honest, it's kind of flattering too, because you're like they've seen that this is a great idea and then it's taking off like let them do it. I'm the one that you know, like you said, like you have control over only what you can control, and so, like you know, you always have the ability to make your service and your product and everything better. So, yeah, let them be out there.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and that's kind of how you know, and if I think too much about it, it distracts me from my creativity, right? So I don't want to waste my energy on that. I'm wasting my energy on what makes me happy and what the passion and what fulfills me.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, okay. So we're going to definitely talk about the passion aspect of it, but I want to talk a little bit about the perception that comes with a business like yours. So in my opinion, I would hope that people see this as you know fun and the ingenuity of it. But you mentioned that you have had a lot of people laugh over such a quote, unquote, silly idea. So tell me a little bit about some of that criticism and how you weathered that aspect of it as you were building things early on.

Speaker 2:

So definitely, people thought it was silly. The people that I told people thought it was silly. Um, the people that I told that thought it was silly also know me. Um, I like to take risks. Um so, whether they liked the idea or not, I was going to do it. Yeah, Love that.

Speaker 2:

Um so you know I was at least going to try. Um, I am a mom of two boys small boys and so when I started to share with other moms I got kind of you know, just the looks you know of like really, you know, and I kind of think people get the perception that I've got like penises hanging from my wall and there's like penis shrine in my house. But there's not. It's just, and I think people didn't see, they saw the image and they didn't see the business idea, they didn't see the creativity they got.

Speaker 2:

So hung up on what it was that they couldn't see the business aspect of it. Um, so, you know, and I, I've got religious friends and religious family. Um so, again, little hangups there. Um, but, like I said, you know, if you know me, I was going to take that risk and I, I saw a business opportunity. I saw something funny.

Speaker 1:

Um, I reminded those moms, hey, it took a penis and a vagina to make that child, exactly, you know, like it's a bachelorette, like this is what we're celebrating all this like right, you know, and so um, I think yeah, and like everybody gets to choose how they want to celebrate these things, right, like you know, if you want to do, um, a trip in Europe, and that's what you're going to do, great. If you want to do a book club for your bachelorette party, that's what you do. Like it doesn't matter. Like what everybody else is doing, like just let people have their you know, their fun and their silliness.

Speaker 1:

And because I guarantee that, like you know, we do on this podcast, we talk about playing quite a bit because it's like tapping into that free spirited nature. Getting back to you know, like not worrying about things so much. And like you know, when you're with your girlfriends and you're laughing till your sides are splitting, like how is that something that you could possibly judge? Like that is such a good core memory for those girls to have that it's like who cares what it is that they're you know, like having at their bachelorette party I a hundred percent agree with you and, like this world, we could all use some more laughs.

Speaker 2:

Yes, and that's literally what I want with my brand is people laugh and like. That's what this world needs. It needs less of this criticism and all this. It needs. It needs giggles.

Speaker 1:

It needs laughter.

Speaker 2:

Yeah. So I'm a hundred percent on board with you and I, you know it's really funny because I get. My whole mission for this, even though with the name Giggle Sticks, was to keep it very fun, again, playful. I'm just, you know, I know I keep saying that, but it wasn't to be crude or vulgar, it was to be fun and playful, hence the name giggle sticks. And I get a lot, a lot, a lot of girls that are like I didn't want anything penis at my bachelorette at all, but I wanted giggle sticks.

Speaker 1:

And I hear that probably seven out of 10 times I didn't want penises but I wanted giggle sticks because it's so funny and it's there and then it's gone and it's just fun and it's cute and they're pretty and yes, and it like taps into, like here's so many reasons why this is like genius, but it taps into, you know, the Instagrammable nature of things, right, like talk about, like all these just fun little snaps that you can have. I feel like the younger demographics are, like far less worried about taboo things than, potentially, the older demographics, so you're, you know, tapping into the market that's going to pay for this service. Like to me. All I see is that like it's trendy, it's innovative, it's, you know, like a genius business idea and like why wouldn't you? You know, everybody who has a business is in business because they want to make money and have that be, you know, something that sustains their life. So why wouldn't you go after a business that is a gold mine opportunity, you know?

Speaker 2:

thank you, yeah, no, I mean, it's far exceeded my expectations, as far as you know, um, a lot of people. Again back to the, the criticism where, yeah, you're going to quit your job to do this? Yeah, okay, like what reality are you living in? Um? And you know, okay, like what reality are you living in Um? And you know, five months later, that's exactly what I did, um, and I mean, even when I told my, I talked to my husband, my mom and I was like you know, they meant to quit my job. And they were like, oh, you know, it's going to be so in the summer, just just just keep doing both and until the summer. And I was like, yeah, I'm not listening to you guys Quit my job. And here I am. My boss is like, if you ever want to come back to work, you can. I'm like, yeah, no, thank you, you know, yeah, yeah. And here I am. You know, I'm here in Scottsdale. I just opened in Nashville in February 28th and I'm opening in Austin April 15th, and possibilities are endless at this point.

Speaker 1:

That's right, and you know what it's. You're laughing those people that laughed early on all the way to the bank. I mean, clearly it's a, it's a great business idea. It's like catching on and I think that like there's something so courageous.

Speaker 1:

We talk about this all the time on the podcast but, like you know, whether anybody goes after a business, or they, you know, or they don't like it, you know, not everybody is meant to to have a business.

Speaker 1:

Some people are truly meant to just work for somebody, and that's great, and that there's, you know, like, plenty of people that absolutely love their jobs. But there's something so courageous about taking an idea and seeing it to fruition and like going after something that you really feel passionate about, because there's so many people that throughout the duration of their lives, they have those ideas, they have those little blips and they don't do anything with it. And so I think that, like the fact that you were like nope, I'm going for this and I'm going to see it through, no matter what, is like so commendable, and I know that you talked a lot about how this is like the most creative and fulfilling thing that you've ever done. Can you tell me more about like, why you feel that way and sort of how you got onto that as this whole thing was unfolding for you.

Speaker 2:

Um, yeah, it's, it's kind of you know, I, I did everything from the beginning and just following through on everything. Um, I work every day, but I love it. I love I've got a kind of a do it all attitude, Like I want to do it all. I don't want to source it out, so I just taking idea and seeing it to fruition has been incredible. Right, I did my business, doc filing. I did my trademark filing. I made my own trademark logo. I made my own website. That was so much fun. I love making my website.

Speaker 2:

Um, I got to pick the toppings. I decorate them. I set up these brunches. I see these beautiful events, like it. Just I meet the nicest people. Everyone is having a great time at these bachelorette parties. Like I walk into like a party. Every time I go to a brunch it's like, hey, everyone wants to have a good time.

Speaker 2:

Um, and just seeing where it takes me, like I didn't stop there, I just keep going and I love that part of it. I love the let's see where this can go and I'm not in a box, I'm not being told, no, you've got to use this color, or you've got to use this size, or you've got to use the shape or you've got to use. I literally can do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want, and I just try things and I go. And I've always been a creative person. I was a scrapbooker growing up, like I loved to scrapbook. So I just love to see where and I just arts and crafts and creating things. I'm very into all that. So this has kind of been like my arts and craft project that just keeps evolving and it's been amazing, you know, to look back and say, wow, I did all that, you know, and a lot.

Speaker 2:

I don't do it for the money, I mean, I wanted to quit my job and make it my full-time job, but I just loved creating it and like creativity people think of us like drawing a drawing picture or painting a picture. To me, creativity is is literally creating anything and just making it to something more. So you know it, that's. It's been just so fulfilling. Like I became a mom. I was working in just an office job and it just wasn't me, it wasn't my personality. Um, I wanted more from life. I had a passion to create. I did a travel blog called Little Globe Hopper that I started in 2019, but I stopped doing it because COVID hit and it was going to be me and my kids traveling and then I had like a little Etsy page and I just I love to be hands on and to be doing something and just to continue with this has just literally been the most fulfilled that I have felt in my life.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I think too, it's like you know, having that as your why can continue to drive you when things are challenging, because you know running a business is challenging. There's there's things that come up all the time, you know, and it, I think, when you feel so passionate about what you do, it makes those inevitable times that things are challenging or hard so much easier to you know, maneuver and get through.

Speaker 2:

Oh, 100%. And you're doing it for yourself and you've got full control and it's what you enjoy doing and it's what you have a zest for life about and what gets you up in the morning and doesn't you enjoy doing, and it's what you have a zest for life about and what gets you up in the morning and you don't want to stop. You know, when you're doing something you love. You know you really I never understood that quote until I started living it that you will wake up every day. You will want to eat, breathe, sleep what you do, because you'll love it so much.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I want to ask one other thing about you know, when people have, like you know, shared their feedback or criticism or shame around the idea, you know that's that can be challenging and that's hard, because for you it was like them not just saying that they they're not sure about your business idea, but that like they were questioning you or your morals, or like who you are as a mom or as a human being. So like, how do you, what types of things do you do to not let that criticism second guess you? Because I'm sure that it happens from time to time and that's just going to be part of your story and your entrepreneurial journey. But how do you like kind of work through that when it happens?

Speaker 2:

Um so, yeah, I mean, that was, that was really tough. Um, I don't share as much with people anymore who I just meet, that are moms, that have kids, that are on a first play date. Um, exactly what I do. I just say I do brunches for bachelorettes um and kind of leave it at that.

Speaker 2:

But you know, I know who I am as a person and once you get to know me, you know who I am as a person. Um, I know my morals, I know my values, I know my faith, I know everything about me. And once you get to know me, you can maybe see past what I'm doing, which isn't anything wrong, um, and I'm a good mom and I know that I'm a good wife and I'm I'm I'm a good person. So I, you know I've come. I think, with age and maturity, um, or just maturity in general, you start to realize not everyone's going to like you and that's okay, and I am not. I'm here to live my life the way I want to live my life. I am not here to live for other people.

Speaker 2:

Um, and I've really, even with family and friends, doing this business, like I've really tried to say this is what makes me happy, like they don't have to be part of my journey, but this is my journey, yeah, um, and I think when you're younger, especially if you can learn that, the earlier you learn that, I think, the better off you are. It's like this is your life, you, you are in control of it. You need to do what makes you happy. So, yeah, that's kind of where I've been and it's it's really my mindset. Change my mindset to that has been monumental in my success and just kind of blocking out I mean it still gets to me right. I'll still come home and say to my husband that hurt my feelings, you know, or I thought we were friends or you know the look I got. But in the long run I kind of am like okay, pick yourself up, brittany, you love what you're doing, keep doing it. You're not every you know. You've got a beautiful family.

Speaker 1:

They love you Keep going, yeah, yeah, keep going, yeah, yeah. And I think it illustrates so beautifully the whole spirit of this show. The world needs more you. The world needs you, brittany, to be you in your creative, your fulfilled, your passionate self, because when you create, whatever it is that you're creating, when you create from that place, like the world benefits, whether it's for them or not, the world benefits from it, and I think that that's the, that is really the key, and it's just what you said like not everybody's going to like this, but like you're doing it for you, and like that's just how can you look at that with nothing but admiration?

Speaker 2:

Well, thank you. Yeah, no, I I definitely agree. I mean, people are happier when they're, when they're doing what they love, right when? When you've stopped trying to please other and you're please others and doing what you love, you're happier.

Speaker 1:

And then when you're happier, you're nicer, and when you're nicer, you know makes the world a better place.

Speaker 2:

So, yeah, I'm here for it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, Uh. What's the best advice that you've received during this entrepreneurial journey? I know that you have done most things yourself, but what? What is anything stick out for you as far as advice goes?

Speaker 2:

Um. So I will say I've asked for advice before and, um, I haven't liked the advice I've received, so I kind of just keep doing what I want to do. Yeah, and I think that that the best advice that I've gotten is just being myself. I get that a lot. Just be you, just be you, just be you, and I think that's the best advice is, um, keep going, keep doing what you love and what you know. Um, I really, though, I've asked for advice from people and I've been given advice, but they don't see my vision, they don't see my dream, and so, unless it's something generic, you know, generic, like keep going and focus on yourself and be you, all those little opinions can actually get in your head and and kind of hold, restrict you.

Speaker 2:

I love following um, uh, oh, my gosh, I I blanked on her name. I follow her on Instagram, the Spanx founder, oh, sarah Blakely. Sarah, I knew it was Sarah. Okay, yes, sarah Blakely, because all she does is post things about believe in yourself, you can do it. You know her little like her little mugs that say go for it, like that is the best entrepreneurial inspiration that I get is just keep going one foot in front of the other Like that. To me, um is the best advice that I've received. To be honest, I love, I love following her.

Speaker 1:

I think that's great advice actually, because, to your point, if somebody doesn't see your vision and nobody is going to see your vision the way that you see your vision so it makes sense that you would be the driver of the ship. And sometimes there's those moments where you're like you know what, I know what's best for this and I'm going to stick to what I know to be true about myself and my vision and and where I want this to go, thank you. But I got this and that's like a really empowered, confident place to operate from.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and and thank you. No, it is, and, um, I do ask people for opinions. When I bring out merch, like the younger generation, I'll be like hey, which one do you think will sell? Um, but as for guidance on where I should take my business or where I see it going, um, I've kind of made those decisions for myself because this is my dream, yeah, yeah. So what is next for Giggle Sticks then? So we opened in Nashville. Like I said in February, I fly to Austin on April 15th. We're up on the batch app, but we'll be in full go mode on April 15th for Giggle Sticks.

Speaker 2:

In Austin, I came out with a cock-hoodery board or, sorry, char-hoodery board, I can't even say it anymore. It's just a charcuterie board. I love it Seriously, I don't know how to say it, and I usually do just FYI at the brunches I do blue balls with the raspberries and the blackberries and a white tip with cool whip. So take note when you're decorating your own char-y board. And then I've got some tote bags. So we're going to do some of our deliveries. If you want to purchase those in a reusable Giggle Stix tote bag, that'll say this city, so Nashville, austin, scottsdale. And then I've got a product in the works. I can't talk too much about it, but I've got my first product coming out in end of July, early August, and that's very, that's very exciting and that's been kind of where.

Speaker 1:

I see it going. We'll have to circle back with you and see how that's going, when all that unfolds for you Is the vision to take this to cities all across the United States or, just more so, regional.

Speaker 2:

No, across the United States. I'd love to get into Charleston that's kind of my hope, charleston or Florida by the end of the year. I get a lot of requests for Florida, but different parts of Florida and Charleston is kind of an up and coming bachelorette spot for the East Coast people and so I kind of just see it. You know, you know anyone in Charleston that wants to do it.

Speaker 1:

I actually do. Let me know I actually do. Great, yeah, we'll connect. Yeah, I actually have some girlfriends over there.

Speaker 2:

But yeah, that's a great. I've never been, but it's popping up.

Speaker 1:

So yeah, it is. Yeah, it definitely is.

Speaker 2:

And then, yeah, I see it, you know, take it doing that and then more, more merch, more product and seeing where it goes.

Speaker 1:

Uh, I love this so much, brittany. I think that what you're doing is so fun, it's so innovative and I see like just the sky is the limit for you, truly.

Speaker 2:

Thank you, thank you.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's so great. I can't wait to you know, like, keep up and see how this unfolds. And yeah, I think you're like. I mean, you know this already, but like girlfriend, you are onto something.

Speaker 2:

Thank you. No, it's, it's, it's so fun, it's. These girls are like amazing and they're always laughing and I see the funniest things and I hear the funniest things and it's just exactly what you would expect, just a good girlfriend time, and I get to be part of it and that's awesome too. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Well, speaking of funny things, now it's time for a game segment called Famous Last Words. So we are going to play a game called Famous Last Words. We have played this on the show before. We will have five categories. Each category we will have like 30 to 45 seconds and we're going to go back and forth. You say a word, I say a word that fits the category until the end of the time, and then whoever has the last word gets a point, and then, at the end of the five categories, whoever has the most points wins. Are you ready? A box of giggle sticks Okay, let me get my timer here. Okay, so the first category is things that have a tip. Are you ready?

Speaker 2:

Who's going first, you or me? You Ready Go?

Speaker 1:

Iceberg, pencil, nail Mountain.

Speaker 2:

Penis.

Speaker 1:

Gosh, this is so much harder than it looks. Time, okay, you get one point. I'm working on getting some sound effects, so that we know when the end of the 30 seconds is. It was the penis that threw you off. I know, I know, it happens every time. It happens every time, okay. The next category is bachelorette party destinations. Okay, ready.

Speaker 2:

I'll go first, this time Nashville, charleston.

Speaker 1:

Uh geez Um Miami, scottsdale, napa, austin, italy, palm Springs.

Speaker 2:

SoCal San.

Speaker 1:

Diego, one point for you. I'm going to go to a bachelor in Italy. I didn't get invited. I don't even know if these are like destinations, but we're going to go with it, okay. So the next one is genius inventions.

Speaker 2:

This is going to be hard to be honest, because I can't really think of like things that are genius.

Speaker 1:

Okay, you'll start this time. Ready, okay, go Spanx the washing machine.

Speaker 2:

Damn it Time.

Speaker 1:

You got two, I got one. Oh, I'm terrible at these games. Okay. The next one is this. One should be easier. Brunch items Okay, let me get this reset. Okay, do I start with this one? I think I do. Ready Waffles Eggs.

Speaker 2:

Bacon, sausage, mimosa, orange juice.

Speaker 1:

Pancakes.

Speaker 2:

Strawberries.

Speaker 1:

Omelet.

Speaker 2:

Blueberries.

Speaker 1:

Banana Raspberries. Oh man, you got it right. All the berries. Uh, okay. So let's see. Do you have three? I think you do, so this last one is just for fun because you are the grand winner, but this one really is going to be hilarious, okay, uh. The last category is other names for penis and I'll start. You go for it, ready Go, giggle stick, cock. Did you say cock?

Speaker 2:

Um pocket rocket.

Speaker 1:

Um Dingleberry.

Speaker 2:

Penis.

Speaker 1:

Oh, no, no, dick, I cannot take this seriously.

Speaker 2:

Package Sledgehammer Jackhammer.

Speaker 1:

Oh, my God, the best one. Oh, these games, I love them so much. Okay, well, great job. I always lose the games because I can't ever think of things. But one of my other guests was like that game is harder than it looks it's harder than it looks. Okay, so we'll end with our rapid fire questions. Oh gosh, I gotta like reset myself after those answers. Oh God, that was so funny. Okay, the first question question is if you were a drink, what would you be and why?

Speaker 2:

An Aperol Spritz. Didn't even have to think about this, because you'd be sitting on the coast of Italy in the sun drinking me and that's Aperol Spritz for sure.

Speaker 1:

Yes, please, yes, please, yes. Oh gosh, I want to be in Italy right now. Um, okay, what's the craziest, wildest or most memorable bachelor party you've ever seen?

Speaker 2:

I've seen a lot Um and they're all crazy Um the most. So the craziest one that I've seen doing giggle sticks is that, um, the maid of honor had flown home the night before because she got in a fight with the bride because she was somehow married or in the family and had cheated on her husband. Oh God, it's pretty wild Like.

Speaker 2:

I will never forget that. That is wild, wow. And the most memorable one was probably my own because it was mine, but another one I went on was my girlfriend. We had it in Catalina, and one of the friends, her dad, flew us there and back, which was really cool. Oh, that is California to Catalina and a little puddle jumper plane. It was it was pretty memorable.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's a little Island. I've heard a lot about that. I've never been there but it's gorgeous.

Speaker 2:

Um off of off of like Long Beach in California yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, oh, that would be cool.

Speaker 2:

He took us like you know, around the Dodger Stadium and the river and over LA before we got to Adeline. It was great, it was fun.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, oh, that's so fun, okay. So when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Speaker 2:

So two things stand out. I so two things stand out. I wanted to be an actress, so I was always acting, putting on shows. And the second thing was I wanted to own my own scrapbook shop where you could get frozen yogurt and scrapbook all day. Oh, I mean like a color me mind, but a scrapbook studio and then you could get frozen yogurt, because I loved to eat frozen yogurt when I was scrapbooking.

Speaker 1:

I love that. I mean I feel like we should. I mean, maybe that's your second business idea now. To be honest, could be yeah.

Speaker 2:

Kind of the food and the creativity kind of go hand in hand. That's right.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you're kind of living out that dream already. Yeah, I love that. Yeah, what's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

Speaker 2:

Um, I'm a pretty spontaneous person. Um, nothing really stands out. I kind of my trips like I'll just get up if I'm a person, not to miss out on anything in life if I really want to do it. So if you ask me to do it, I'm going to do it, I'm going to make it happen, yeah.

Speaker 1:

I'm the same way.

Speaker 2:

I same way. Yeah, I'm the same way, I same way, yeah. Um, maybe for me the most spontaneous thing was I went and studied abroad, um, and I bought a one-way ticket there, with no return ticket, and I kind of just country hopped a little bit after that and didn't know a soul, didn't go with anyone from my school. I kind of signed myself up Um, no friend going with me, didn't know a soul, didn't go with anyone from my school. I kind of signed myself up, um, no friend going with me, didn't know a soul, and I was like, hey, I'm going to go study abroad and I did that. So that was kind of spontaneous for me.

Speaker 2:

Um, maybe got me out of it. Yeah, where'd you go? Um, so I was studying at UCI and I saw a flyer for it and it was at Cambridge University in London. And then I had a friend who was studying in Paris the semester before, so I went and saw her before I went there. And then I went to a few other countries during the mix and ended in Greece and then.

Speaker 1:

So yeah, that's so funny because we did a May term trip in college, so we did London, paris, switzerland, germany and like kind of did a similar thing where we went to a couple little countries in between. And then last summer I keep saying summer was more like fall Last fall I was in Greece and it was, oh gosh, it was so amazing.

Speaker 2:

Dreamy, yes, yeah, maybe off the record, but I leave April 24th for Italy and Greece for a month.

Speaker 1:

Yay, that's so fun, that's so fun.

Speaker 2:

I'm pretty excited. I'm a lover of Italy. I'll always go back there.

Speaker 1:

I haven't been. I want to go though, yeah.

Speaker 2:

You won't want to leave.

Speaker 1:

It's on the list for sure, okay, okay, if you owned a boat, what would you name it?

Speaker 2:

Lady Brit, and this is an actual boat that exists. It's actually not a boat, it's a yacht and I saw it on the Amalfi Coast two years ago when I was there and we were on our little rental boat and we looked over and it said Lady Brit on this big yacht, and I said it's meant for me.

Speaker 1:

So literally that would be my boat. Yeah, Lady Brit, I love that. Um, I could see a boat in your future. Um, I don't know what mine would be called God. There's so many things I mean. One of my nicknames from friends is Shenanigans. That'd be a pretty good one.

Speaker 2:

That would oh for a boat yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2:

Maybe that'll be mine. Yeah, uh-huh, but even French Kissing Life on the French Riviera would be awesome, that's true, that's true.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I could just go with French Kissing Life and not be like not have it be around me. Yeah, I love that idea. Maybe both of us will have boats in our future, who knows? I love that French kiss or French fry.

Speaker 2:

I love, I love the ocean. So I you know I would love like someday to own a boat would be awesome. And Florida, california, any coast I'm happy.

Speaker 1:

I love the ocean too. California, any coast, I'm happy I love the ocean too. We we have like lakes here, but it's just obviously like not the same at all.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, Same with Arizona. And people are like do you miss California and I miss the? I miss just looking at the ocean, because the lakes just aren't the same.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, definitely not, it's just a different vibe. Okay, next question is French kiss or French fry? French kiss, french kiss, all the way, french kiss.

Speaker 2:

I like it All the way. 100,000%. I love a good kiss is solid. Yeah, that's where it's at.

Speaker 1:

I saw your French fry. If I was asked the question I would say French kiss as well, but I think that it's comical that when I've asked that question which is, I think, every guest so far it's like probably 70-30 French fry, like more people like the French fry over the French kiss, and I just think that's comical.

Speaker 2:

That is funny. They need a good French kiss. They need, they need to. You know, they do, they do I mean there is, yeah, there's something in good french kissing. Okay, get on this people um, okay.

Speaker 1:

So if you could teleport to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Uh, italy, italy, anywhere. Just drop me from the sky.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, just put you there, uh you're making me want to go there and have the sun shining.

Speaker 1:

I'm good, yeah, yeah, you don't need much else. Yeah, um, okay, who was your celebrity crush?

Speaker 2:

Um, it was always been Jake Gyllenhaal. Good one, yeah, and I kind of developed a little crush on Dave Portnoy during COVID.

Speaker 1:

Um cause, I don't know who that is.

Speaker 2:

He's the barstool sports guy, Dave Portnoy.

Speaker 1:

Oh, okay.

Speaker 2:

Okay, okay. So during COVID I had a lot of friends with small businesses and he used his platform to like he was giving away like money to to help people that had small businesses. For COVID and I started like following him and his barstool sports was funny and now he's like trying to help the animals. So I kind of like got a little crush on him too.

Speaker 1:

Oh man, now I got to look this up, cause I don't think I know who that is. I've heard of barstool sports, but I don't know if I have ever seen him. Yeah, but.

Speaker 2:

Jake Gyllenhaal is my like, my you know from from day one was like my little celebrity crush.

Speaker 1:

He's your, yeah, he's your standby. Yeah, um, that's a good one. Yeah, that's a good one. Um, what's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

Speaker 2:

Um, so it's funny, cause I wrote this text to my girlfriend and it was hey, do you think I should text Adam this? It was a boy that I had a crush on and it was in college and I like wrote out this like thing and I was like you know, what do you think? And I sent it to Adam, no, and his response was hi, this is Adam. And I literally was going to dinner and I couldn't eat and I will never forget the day. That's the worst. I'm just like, oh my gosh, how did I do that?

Speaker 2:

And then like I yeah, oh my gosh, it was so devastated and then I couldn't obviously text him because he saw what I was going to text him and there was a bunch of different variations of what I was going to text him and he got it all.

Speaker 1:

There's really no coming back from that. No, and like when you're early 20s or I'm guessing that was probably the age, but I mean, there's nothing worse than like the embarrassment of like your crush seeing that.

Speaker 2:

Oh and yeah, that that prime time age like just totally, yeah, literally was going to dinner and then it was like I can't even stomach this, like oh, my, like just embarrassment, yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, oh, that's the worst. Um well, Adam.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I mean now we're like well, you know, late years later we were. You know, we're friends and I can laugh about it. I didn't never rehash it with him, but yeah, oh, that's so bad.

Speaker 1:

I've had some of those. I've definitely had some of those moments where you're like, oh, if I could just like sink into the floor right now, that would be great. Yeah, yeah, okay. The next question is name a mantra, quote, affirmation or words that you live by.

Speaker 2:

Um, kind of going back to the whole bat chat thing is just like believing in yourself and, um, you know, no one's going to do it for you. No one's going to. No one is going to promote your product, sell your product, believe in you like you do. You have to do it. Um, so if you're waiting for this aha moment, you've got to make that aha moment happen. You've kind of so it's not really a quote or a month, you know, it's just kind of going after what you want type thing, and I think a lot of people wait for the perfect time, the perfect moment, the perfect this. It's never going to be that. You just got to do it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you got to create those moments for yourself.

Speaker 1:

No question, just do it, nike. Just do it.

Speaker 2:

That's my there you go. What to live by Nike? Just do it. By the way, one of my favorite books is Shoe. Dog I haven't read that one. Okay, it's about Nike and yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I've heard of it, but I have not. I have not read that one. I'm a big Sarah Blakely fan fan too. I meant to say that earlier.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, she's you know, just she's the best, yeah, she just has always, you know, empowering women and just go for it, and go for it.

Speaker 1:

And kind of she has the same mantra just do it, just go for it, keep believing in yourself and she, like a couple of years ago I think like gave all of her employees $10,000 or something crazy I don't quote me, but like she definitely gave a large sum of money to all of her employees a couple of years ago. It was absolutely incredible. It like it was enough yeah, it was enough to like change people's lives and she was just like. I think what's so great about her is that, um, she's she's always striked me as the kind of leader that's like recognizes that, um, you know the people that work for her have had such a hand in her success and so you know, just like the gratitude for them and, and you know what, what their role has been in propelling that company.

Speaker 2:

She's amazing prancing around with Chanel bags, on private jets and she's very like, just down to earth, like businesswoman, mom. All those things really makes her relatable and humble, in my opinion, the other thing is employees. I the people that work with me and work for me are some of my favorite people, and if I grow this business and continue to, I want to take them to the top of me because they are so pivotal to helping me grow and be a part of my success. So I think that's awesome that she does that and I. I would hope to do the same with mine too. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

That's the way I've always felt too. I have a small team um right now with my copywriting business, but it's the same thing. It's like you know I say this a lot on the show, but you know, I think that how we treat each other in business and in life just has to be, it just has to improve and like that's one of those things where it's like you know, how do you treat those that are, you know, doing things for you? I'm I'm a hundred percent with you on that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's awesome. We need more. We need more entrepreneurs like that too.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree, I agree. Um, okay, so if you could do anything right in this moment that would make you feel free, what would you do?

Speaker 2:

I would go travel the world with my kids. I wouldn't worry about school in August or running a business. Um, I kind of I love to travel and I feel free doing that. You know, maybe get rid of my bills and just yeah, you know, just go world.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's. What's that quote? It's, I think I have it on the wall here. Well, maybe not, but it's. Travel is the only thing in your life that you well, I'm butchering it.

Speaker 2:

It's something to with like money I'll I'll have to look it up and you actually get where you buy and you get a better investment. I 100%, I am. You know, I'm all I am like. Take every last dollar of mine. I want to see the world. That's how I am, yeah yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I butchered the hell out of that quote, but I'm glad you were tracking with me. No, I know it.

Speaker 2:

I know it. It's a great, it's a know and I, yeah, I like to know that. You know that and you maybe had it hanging on your wall. That's awesome, yeah.

Speaker 1:

It's somewhere around here, okay, so my last question is the one that I ask everybody who comes on the show what does French kissing life mean to you?

Speaker 2:

So French kissing life means just getting the most out of it. And for me I said French kiss because I mean it's a feeling when you have a really good French kiss you can feel it from your head to your toe and it makes you feel alive and all those butterflies and all that passion and that's what I feel like French kissing life is it's just living it to your fullest feeling. You know, obviously there's bad moments. There's never not going to be a perfect life or a perfect way. But embracing those moments and then when you're having your good time, seeing how great they are, um, you know, kind of going after your zest for life and what you want and getting the most out of it. You're in control of it.

Speaker 2:

So I feel like French kissing life is just getting that head to toe feeling of excitement and butterflies and and doing the most that you want to do in life. So that's that to me. When I heard that your name was French kissing life, I I loved it because I knew it had something to do, at least for me, when I interpreted it about loving life and just going, going after it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, going for it all in all in Um, okay, so if anybody wants to hire you, follow along with the giggle sticks journey. How can everybody find? Uh, all that you have going on? And, as a reminder, we'll have this all in the show notes.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so my Instagram is at giggle sticks a underscore at giggle sticks with an S underscore on Instagram. And then I've got my website, which is wwwgigglesticksazcom. And yeah, and I'm on TikTok at giggle sticks, underscore at the end, um, on Facebook at the same same name. And yeah, follow along, book me.

Speaker 1:

Awesome. Well, I can't wait to see where this goes. Brittany, I I love everything that you're doing. I love your tenacity and your conviction in yourself. I think everything that that you stand for and that you are creating is just amazing, and I'm so happy that we got connected and that I could have you on the show. Thank you so much for being here.

Speaker 2:

Thank you for having me, Shauna. I had a great time. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1:

Yay, all right, we'll see you next time, everybody. Okay, I'm just gonna be real. I still haven't recovered from that game of famous last words and I'll never look at a sledgehammer or a jackhammer the same ever again. I'm just saying, if you really need a good laugh, just try shouting the different names of penises to someone and see if you can do it with a straight face, because I guarantee you you won't.

Speaker 1:

Didn't let the criticism stop her from pursuing this idea, and I mean look at where it's taken her. If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what would. It's just incredible. So for today's kindness in action segment, where you can take what you learn and apply it to your life, I wanted to give you some inspiration for moving forward with a creative idea. So we get ideas often in life and we rarely follow through with them because of time or what will people think, etc. And so it's my hope that these resources will be the nudge that you need to take the next step if you have a creative idea. So here are some steps you can take to explore this concept, whether you have five minutes to spare or 50. If you have five minutes, I've got an article from the Harvard Business Review that talks about how you can reclaim your creative confidence. And then, if you have 50 minutes, I have a video podcast you can listen to or watch from Mel Robbins about building unshakable self-confidence. And then, if you want to connect with Brittany, I will share her information in the show notes. We are definitely going to have to check in with her to see how Giggle Sticks is growing. Okay, I didn't even mean that accidental pun. Okay, I got to go before I get into more trouble.

Speaker 1:

See you guys next time for an unexpectedly fun episode of French kissing life. I'm your host, shauna Stiver, and I'm out. Thank you so much for listening to this week's episode of the French kissing life podcast. I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. If you're enjoying the show, shower us with a five-star rating and hit that subscribe button to make sure you never miss a future episode. And if you would be so kind and give the show a review, I'll sweeten the deal for you, since you know I live for good conversation. I want to hear from you. Share your favorite takeaways, an aha moment you had or a fun emoji that represents this week's show, along with your Instagram handle or email address and you'll be entered to win this month's giveaway. The French kissing life movement is gaining momentum, and your ratings and reviews play a pivotal role in propelling the show to new heights until next week.