Globalizing local shops… Olga Vidisheva (Founder/CEO of Shoptiques, an ecommerce destination offering high quality local boutiques worldwide) joins Pavan Bahl (Open Source Fashion), Rob Sanchez (Ralph and Remington [Episode 22]) and Marc Raco (The Hope Is Project and Monkey Radio) in front of a live studio audience for an interview presented by Open Source Fashion at Rise New York. The hosts revel in Vidisheva’s personification of achieving the American Dream as she shares the concept and reason for her company, all about immigrating to America from Kyrgyzstan, learning English, educating herself, the word ”cucumber”, the international core of the brand, embracing the global economy, how marketing for the US differs from the UK, and how uniqueness ND physical store appearance matter. She talks Shoptiques’ role in teaching stores to be online and providing assets and content to build brands, as well as challenges of packaging and shipping volumes. And a segment of “Feed the Animals” reveals what could be Rob’s surprising primary news source. Vidisheva discusses how scaling changes process, moving from manual to automation and building technology, how information flows to employees as the company grows, why she involves every employee in process, the value of social gatherings at work, pursuing a singular vision in growing a company and trusting others to execute, the pros and cons of being a single founder, hiring strategies, the challenge of finite time, and what Vidisheva does with every employee without exception. The impact of an invitation to Y Combinator on Vidisheva’s accomplishments, the “Harvard of everything”, and why innovating without rules and emotional maturity matter. The difference that’s made when allowing people to speak up, and trusting your team. How employees should be constantly innovating themselves, learning every day, and watching at least one interview a day, and realizing that business evolves. How Shoptiques on-boarded twenty five stores and why one should never be too proud to walk around in order to make money before investing into technology and infrastructure. Plus, doing things that don’t scale, and what Pavan’s dad has to say about the rusty wheel. “Off the Grid Questions” covers New Mexico, Russian scientists, a Japanese restaurant, smiling Americans, a disembodied hand hanging from a chain, puppies, and Beethoven. And, Vidisheva’s parting thoughts on doing what you love. References: Mike O’Day Paul Graham Jessica Livingston Cantata on the Death of the Emperor Joseph II Sucre