Life is a series of moments strung together, colored by experiences that mark our journey from one milestone to the next. Join hosts Holli and Robert as they celebrate their age and talk fondly of their six decades lived as a testament to their resilience and positivity. They share insights on marriage, parenting, and the value of a strong support system. Spanning topics like career transitions and entrepreneurship, personal growth, and family dynamics, the duo candidly shares the wisdom garnered from their own experiences, shedding light on the trajectory from their youth to the seasoned perspectives they now hold in their sixties. The episode doesn't shy away from discussing the significance of growing older with gratitude, maintaining health, forging and nurturing relationships, and embracing change. This episode of 'Between Over & Next' will inspire listeners to lead a life brimming with joy and fulfillment, irrespective of their age.

• Age is just a number; mindset and embracing every moment are the true determinants of a fulfilling life.
• Investing in personal and professional growth in your twenties lays a strong foundation for the future.
• The thirties and forties are pivotal for balancing family life with personal aspirations and maintaining strong relationships.
• Reflection and reevaluation become more intrinsic in one's fifties, setting the stage for a focused and intentional approach to the coming years.
• Lifelong learning, self-care, and giving back to the community are essential practices for a happy and meaningful life.

"Time seems to move so much faster as you get older."
"Invest in your relationships over and over and over again."
"We are the architect of our happiness."
"I am grateful for the abundance in my life."

In this episode of "Between Over & Next," hosts Holli and Robert sit down with Jill Frechtman to delve into her journey from creating a popular office party snack to becoming the powerhouse behind a nationally admired gourmet brand, Fretzels. The episode promises a blend of personal storytelling, practical advice, and inspiring entrepreneurial insights that are bound to engage listeners from various walks of life.

Known for her innovative approach to marketing and her expertise in branding, Jill articulates the challenges and triumphs of starting and scaling a business, touching on key moments such as receiving overwhelming support and the serendipitous feature on Daily Candy that skyrocketed her sales. She provides a candid look into the evolution of a business, the strategies deployed to thrive in the competitive market, and the bittersweet but necessary decision to close the doors to her venture. As a bonus, listeners will gain an understanding of how personal experiences and professional expertise can pivot to seize new opportunities and guide others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Jill Frechtman shares her story of transitioning from advertising to entrepreneurship, building the Fretzels brand from scratch.
2. Serendipitous opportunities, such as being featured in Daily Candy, can significantly boost a new business.
3. Transitioning a product from direct sales to retail requires a rethinking of packaging, branding, and distribution strategy.
4. The importance of excellent customer service and personal touches in building brand loyalty and standing out in the marketplace.
5. Closing a business can be a complex emotional journey, yet the experience gained is invaluable for future endeavors and mentoring others.

Jill Frechtman Quotes:

“I never invented chocolate-covered pretzels, but nobody was marketing it as a high-end gourmet gift item."
"I just leaned into what I knew and what was available to me when I started."
"Say yes and figure it out later."
"Attention to detail is really important. It's the little things that are important."
"People just want to be seen and heard and understood."
"I certainly knew nothing about the food industry."

About Jill Frechtman

Jill Frechtman is an award-winning entrepreneur turned brand strategist and trusted startup advisor. Her journey from advertising to entrepreneurship embodies the spirit of resilience and reinvention.

Inspired by the acclaim her homemade chocolate pretzels received at an office holiday, Jill launched Fretzels by Jill in 2005 as an online gift business for just $300. Her creative ingenuity propelled Fretzels into a nationally recognized brand, featured on The Today Show and in The Wall Street Journal. Navigating the challenges of the 2008 recession, Jill pivoted to wholesale distribution and secured retail partnerships with Nordstrom, The Fresh Market, and various independent specialty food shops.

Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she played a pivotal role in expanding Chocolate Works, a second-generation chocolate company, into a national franchise. Her roles at organizations like TIGER 21 and Russell Reynolds Associates further honed her branding, marketing, and community engagement expertise.

Today, as a consultant and educator, Jill shares her insights with aspiring food entrepreneurs, teaching brands to stand out and set themselves up for success. She recently co-founded and launched The Aura Project, a community for women leaders navigating a period of personal reinvention due to a career transition.

In this emotionally charged episode of 'Between Over And Next,' join Holli and Robert on a profound exploration of the significance of leaving a lasting legacy through the power of storytelling. With Holli's energetic engagement and Robert's extensive background as a documentarian, the episode encourages listeners to document their narratives, spotlighting the indelible impact such records can have on both the present and future generations.

The episode delves into the essence of legacy and the various forms it can take, from recorded memories to imparted wisdom. Holli and Robert draw from their journey, touching upon their familial history and the professional experiences that have bolstered their belief in preserving personal stories. With persuasive narratives and practical advice, the duo accentuates the impact of legacy videos, the advances in documenting technology, and the ways to overcome the common apprehension associated with starting such a venture.

Key Takeaways:

• Legacy involves preserving impactful events and the essence of a person's life for future generations.
• Documenting one's personal story, values, and life lessons on video is a compelling medium to leave a lasting impact.
• The episode underscores the therapeutic benefits of creating legacy videos for both the storyteller and descendants.
• Robert shares heart-warming insights and practical advice derived from his time at 'Thru My Eyes', where he created video biographies for terminally ill individuals.
• Holli and Robert provide an exclusive free guide with biography questions and best practices to help listeners start documenting their legacy.

Holli & Robert Quotes:

1. "We passionately advocate for the documentation of life stories."
2. "Your story serves as a reminder of how far you've come."
3. "Imagine the chance to watch your grandparents' wedding video."
4. "Everyone has the capability to document their family history."
5. "100% of the time...we always ended with the person feeling grateful."

Mentioned In Episode 12:

Episode 4 'Between Over & Next': Celebrating Achievements Of The Parent-Child Journey

Thru My Eyes Featured on CNN

In Episode 2 'Between Over & Next': A Conversation On Entrepreneurship, Robert shares his experience working with the organization “Thru My Eyes” and the importance of documenting one’s story

Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, NJ

Yogi Berra Museum

In this insightful episode of "Between Over and Next," hosts Holli and Robert dive into the theme of navigating life transitions and their impact on relationships. As they engage in candid conversation, they open a window into how different stages of life, such as anniversaries, career changes, and retirement, can either strengthen bonds or present challenges in our connections.

The episode highlights the importance of communication and intentional connection as the foundational pillars of any relationship. Holli and Robert provide tangible advice on fostering resilience and growth within partnerships, whether facing the excitement of new beginnings or the adjustments of later life stages. With a focus on embracing change, they underscore the potential for relationship milestones to become enriching chapters in a shared story of love and life.

Key Takeaways

• Life transitions are pivotal in shaping relationships and may reinforce bonds or cause tension.
• Effective communication and active listening are vital in adapting to changes within relationships.
• Establishing new traditions and expressing appreciation are key to keeping the connection alive.
• Changes in intimacy and romance can be navigated by redefining their meanings and staying close through life's ups and downs.
• Viewing changes as opportunities for growth, and committing to growing together instead of apart, can transform transitions into enriching relational experiences.

Notable Quotes:

"Communication matters. And the other thing that matters in evolving relationships is prioritizing connection and quality time."
"Intimacy and romance are a really important part of a couple's life. And it's very often, I think, ignored or not talked about enough."
"It's about communication and sharing feelings and thoughts. And those can be a mixed bag."
"So ultimately, it's the commitment to grow together rather than apart. And that transforms these transitions into enriching chapters of a shared story."

In this episode of “Between Over and Next,” hosts Holli and Robert interview Howard Waldstreicher, fondly referred to as Howie, whose remarkable career transition unfolds a narrative of relentless pursuit and adaptation. After a notable stint as a software engineer and a successful career as an entrepreneur, Howard shifted gears and landed a job after a 20-year hiatus from the information technology world eventually becoming the oldest intern at Facebook, which led him to author his book, “Facebook’s Oldest Intern.” He rekindled his programming skills to re-enter the workforce amidst challenging dynamics, personifying the drive to thrive against all odds.

Howard shares his inspiring journey of reinvention and discusses the obstacles he overcame, the lessons he learned, updating a 20-year-old resume, and adapting to radically different corporate cultures, poignantly described through his interview experiences and eventual success landing a role in the titan of social media—Facebook/Meta. Through determination and an unyielding spirit, Howie demonstrates that possibilities are boundless, irrespective of age. Howard’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and embrace new opportunities. To learn more about his transformational story, be sure to listen to the full episode.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest, Howard Waldstreicher
04:25 Howard’s motivation for writing the book and inspiring others
05:26 Overcoming obstacles in switching careers and reentering the workforce
08:11 Howard’s strategy for interviewing and comparing the experience to 30 years ago
09:03 Howard’s successful job offer and the excitement of working at Facebook
10:25 The unique cohort experience and diversity at Facebook
10:52 Adjusting to the culture and differences between Facebook and previous workplaces
11:51 Comparing the strict culture at EDS to the relaxed culture at Facebook
11:55 Howard talks about the differences between working at Facebook and other companies
12:15 Robert discusses the challenges of corporate bureaucracy
12:50 Howard mentions the oddities of office interaction at Facebook
13:55 Howard takes control of a meeting and highlights communication challenges
14:46 Howard discusses the difficulties of communicating through text messages
15:17 Howard shares his biggest lesson from working at Facebook
16:30 Howard reflects on how his entrepreneurial background helped him succeed
16:52 Robert asks if the 30-year-old Howard could have gotten the job
17:30 Howard explains how being older and wiser worked to his advantage
18:03 Howard shares what inspires him
18:17 Howard discusses his plans for the future
19:24 Holli acknowledges the impact Howard made at Facebook
20:09 Howard advises listeners not to act or look old
20:34 Robert discusses the impact of age discrimination in job interviews
22:00 Holli emphasizes the importance of adapting to corporate culture
22:50 Holli encourages listeners to embrace new opportunities
23:24 Robert highlights the power of networking
23:46 Holli concludes by emphasizing the importance of pursuing dreams at any age
23:24 Robert emphasizes the power of connections and networks
24:10 Holli highlights the importance of asking for what you want
25:42 Robert explains the challenges of relating to different generations
26:13 Holli praises Howie for self-publishing a book
26:31 Robert discusses the accessibility of self-publishing in the digital age
28:06 Contact information and request for feedback
28:33 Conclusion and closing remarks

Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing change and taking risks are key to navigating career transitions, regardless of age.
2. Networking and leveraging connections remain crucial, though they may not always yield immediate results.
3. The ability to adapt to new working environments and reimagine your skillset is pivotal in today’s job market.
4. Howard’s experience underscores the importance of opening up to learning and continuous growth.
5. Age should not define or limit potential; it can indeed align with new opportunities and successes.

Howard’s Notable Quotes:

“It’s not easy, but you can do it. And I was proof that you can do it.” – Howard on reinventing oneself.
“I felt I could motivate people and inspire… It just becomes harder as you get older, can you do it? Do you believe you can? And I did it.” – Howard when asked about why he wrote his book.
“What they don’t have, and what I brought to the table, was the life experience.” – Howard on what set him apart in the workforce.