The Tootie Show

11/12/2025

WWBIC Celebration Conference 2025 |

“What Dreams Are Made Of”

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the WWBIC Celebration Conference and what an experience it was! My good friend Rachel and I turned it into a full trip: we stayed at a beautiful hotel, enjoyed some amazing dinners, explored the small business market, and connected with so many inspiring entrepreneurs.

This video is a collection of photos I captured throughout our journey from the conference sessions and meals to the small business shopping moments where I proudly supported local entrepreneurs. I learned so much valuable insight for my own business and met incredible people who I can’t wait to collaborate with on The Tootie Show podcast. (Yes—future interviews are already in the works!)

🎶 The song featured in this video, “What Dreams Are Made Of,” was written and mixed by me! As an upcoming DJ and music creator, I wanted to make something that reflects what this experience meant to me—chasing dreams, building friendships, and believing in the power of passion.

To everyone I met, thank you for the inspiration. To WWBIC, thank you for helping dreamers like us turn our goals into reality. I’ll definitely be back next year!

✨ Enjoy the video, and remember—this is what dreams are made of. ✨



https://youtu.be/UKIcgzwY7lg?si=tdJGNufrRj2Gaxe-

You can also go check out the song track on SoundCloud! Has full description on the track!

https://on.soundcloud.com/CgW7ZJ5pLvwwqCBMdJ

WWBIC Celebration Conference 2025 | “What Dreams Are Made Of” A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the WWBIC Celebration Conference an...

11/06/2025

🌟 Community Call-Out from The Tootie Show

Hey Green Bay and surrounding areas! 💚

With everything happening right now — especially the food-stamp shortage — I want to highlight the local heroes who are stepping up for their communities.

If you’re a local business, restaurant, café, or food truck helping out during this time — offering free meals, donations, or any kind of community support — I want to hear from you!

I’m looking to feature these incredible stories on The Tootie Show Podcast to spread awareness, kindness, and gratitude. Let’s shine a light on the small businesses making a real impact right here in Northeast Wisconsin.

📸 Share photos or videos of what you’re doing.
🎙️ I’d love to stop by, do an interview, and showcase your story so others can see the good happening in our own backyard.

Let’s remind everyone that real kindness starts locally. ❤️

11/06/2025

I’ve noticed a lot of big corporate companies are getting recognition and praise for giving out free meals during this tough time especially with so many families struggling because of the food stamp situation. And honestly, that’s a great thing. Helping the community is always worth celebrating.

But I also want to shine some light on the local restaurants and small shops that are quietly doing the same thing. These are the folks working long hours, cooking extra food out of their own pockets not just for customers, but for anyone in need. They’re handing out hot meals, showing love, and spreading kindness without expecting attention or applause.

You don’t always see them in the spotlight, and that’s what’s heartbreaking. They’re helping just as much as the big companies, sometimes even more, but don’t get the same recognition.

So here’s something to think about: Just because a company is big and well-known doesn’t mean it’s the only one doing good. The small local places—the mom-and-pop diners, family cafés, and food trucks—deserve to be celebrated too. They give from the heart, not for an image.

Let’s keep supporting all the places that pour love into their food and community, not just the ones that make headlines. ❤️

10/30/2025

I came across a post earlier from a DJ named Rachel Lynch, and it really stuck with me. She talked about how, after working in hospitality and events for so many years, she now finds it hard to just be part of the party. Every time she goes to an event to relax, she ends up helping observing the crowd, picking up glasses, making sure everyone’s comfortable because that hospitality mindset never turns off.

And I get it. 👏

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not afraid to go out or have fun. I love being around people, supporting artists, DJing, hosting, and meeting new faces. But when you’ve been in customer service or hospitality long enough, it just becomes who you are. It’s like you’re always “on,” even when you’re supposed to be off.
But I definitely relate to that “always-on” side of hospitality. When you’ve been in service long enough, it becomes second nature.

Whenever I go to shows or events, I can’t help but jump in and help out even when I’m supposed to be off the clock. If I see bottles, plates, or trash lying around, I pick them up. If the bartenders are swamped, I lend a hand. I care about the venue just as much as I care about supporting the music and the people behind it.

I’ve even caught myself greeting guests like, “Hey, thanks for coming out!” or “Have a great night!” when I don’t even work there! 😂 My friends will look at me like, “Tootie… you know you’re off duty, right and you don’t work here, right?” But that’s just me I love creating good energy wherever I go.

And it’s not just events. I’ve done it at restaurants too. Every time I go out with friends or family, I’m that person cleaning up the table, stacking plates, and wiping things down so it’s easier for the servers. My friends always laugh and say, “Stop! You’re not on the clock. Let them do it that’s what they get paid for.” And I’m like, “Really? You’re gonna say that while I’m over here trying to make someone’s night easier?” 😂

The best one though, I was in a drive-through with a friend, and when I got my food, I said, “Thank you so much! Have a great night!” The worker smiled and said, “You too!” Then my friend goes, “Tootie, you can turn off your customer service voice now.” I said, “Nah… kindness doesn’t clock out!” 😎

That’s the thing about hospitality it doesn’t leave you when you clock out. It’s not just a job; it’s who you are. Hospitality it’s a part of who I am. I don’t just do hospitality I am hospitality. 💙

So whether I’m behind the mic, behind the bar, or just out in the crowd I’m spreading that same energy everywhere I go. Some might say Green Bay doesn’t need any more of my customer service vibes… but too bad, y’all are getting them anyway. 😂💁‍♀️

10/28/2025

💥 “Different” Doesn’t Mean “Wrong.” It Means Revolutionary. 💥

I’m not your typical corporate business owner and that’s the point.

I didn’t come from a boardroom or a business textbook. I came from the restaurant floors, the community events, the long shifts, and real conversations with real people. I built my dream from the ground up not from titles or connections, but from grit, heart, and vision.

They say I don’t do things the “corporate way.” You’re right I don’t. I do things my way.

Think about it this way, sometimes the best leaders aren’t the ones who came up through the system. Imagine someone who never worked in government suddenly running for president no background in politics, just bold ideas, a fire for change, and the courage to step into the ring anyway.

That’s me in the business world. I didn’t climb a corporate ladder; I built my own. I’m stepping into the ring with nothing but passion, purpose, and a drive to make things better.

So don’t turn your back on people who do things differently just because they don’t “fit” the corporate mold. Sometimes different is exactly what this world needs.

Maybe it’s time we start celebrating the ones who break the pattern the ones who see things from the ground up, who refuse to quit, who still believe change starts with real people and real heart.

I’m not here to fit in.
I’m here to make an impact. 🥊🔥

Put those gloves on, step into the ring, and punch your way to the top.
Be different. Be bold. Be you.
And never quit because being different is exactly what makes you unstoppable. 💪✨

Stepping into the ring and proving that being different wins the fight.” 🔥

Different doesn’t mean wrong, it means revolutionary.

Let me be clear I’ve got nothing against corporate businesses. I’ve worked for a bunch, and I’ve enjoyed each one for what it taught me.

But here’s the truth: it’s time to do things different. It’s time to make room for the ones who don’t come from the corporate world the ones who have ideas, grit, and heart.

We need to be open to different. Because sometimes the ones who jump in the ring from the outside? They’re the ones who change everything. 🥊🔥

10/27/2025

Why Do You Always Gotta Do Things the Hard Way?” 😂 The Tape Road No Shortcuts to Strength

If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me, I could probably buy a lifetime supply of box cutters. 😂

Seriously, lot of people told me that before and a few coworkers just joined the chorus at work the other day.

So picture this: everyone’s using box cutters to open deliveries. Quick, easy, clean. Then there’s me, peeling tape off boxes with my nails like I’m in a slow-motion wrestling match with cardboard.
They’re looking at me like, “You know there’s an easier way, right?” And I’m like, “Yeah, but at least it’s getting done!” 😂

Here’s the thing though… doing things the hard way has taught me a lot.
Life doesn’t hand you things on a silver platter. You don’t grow by always taking shortcuts or waiting for things to be handed to you. If you take the easy way out every time, you’ll freeze the moment life throws something complicated your way. But when you’ve already fought through the hard stuff, you’re ready for anything.

So yeah, maybe I take the long road sometimes but that’s how I learn, that’s how I build, and that’s how I get stronger. Nothing in life is truly easy it’s all hard work, grit, and a little bit of stubbornness wrapped in duct tape.

And honestly? That’s exactly how I’m building my business, too.
I might be doing it the hard way, one box, one hurdle, one late-night brainstorm at a time but I’d rather face the tough lessons now than later. Because when you learn through the hard way, you’re already prepared when the next challenge comes knocking.

Sure, shortcuts can be nice… but let’s be real something always goes wrong when you take them. 😅 Sometimes it’s better to just dive in, do it the hard way, and get it done right the first time.

💭 Lesson of the Day: The hard way might take longer, but it builds strength, skill, and confidence.
And when life gets tricky you’ll already know how to handle the tape without a box cutter.

Trust me I’m a professional mover. I know how to handle tape. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll master “the hard way” in no time.
And that’s how we roll. 🤣 (Get it? Tape roll!)

Sometimes the shortcut looks smoother but trust me, it’s the one that sticks you in place. The hard way? It’s messy, sticky, and takes longer, but that’s where the real strength (and the best stories) come from. Life’s like a roll of tape you gotta peel through the tough spots to hold it all together. 😉

Building a dream isn’t always smooth sometimes it’s sticky, messy, and takes forever to unroll. But hey, I’d rather peel through the tough parts now than take a shortcut and fall through later. Every struggle is another layer of strength. 💪

10/26/2025

💬“Let’s Talk About LLCs”

Does anybody actually know what an LLC is and what it really means? 🤔

I was recently told by a “business professional” that having an LLC doesn’t count that it doesn’t make up a real business.

Well, here’s my take. 💚

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) might not be the entire business, but it is the backbone of it. It’s what separates your personal life from your business finances. It’s your legal protection. It’s your proof to the state that you are officially recognized that you’re taking the right steps to build something real.

No, it doesn’t mean you’re instantly turning profit or fully operating yet. But it does mean you’ve started. It’s the foundation. The beginning. The blueprint that shows you’re serious about your dream.

So don’t tell me an LLC isn’t part of a business because to me, it absolutely is. 💪 That paperwork didn’t file itself. It took time, effort, and heart to make it official. People like me work hard to reach that milestone, and I’m proud to say my name and my business are on it.

You can call it “just paperwork” if you want but to me, it’s proof of progress, dedication, and belief. It’s not just a piece of paper. It’s a step toward everything I’m building.

So when someone says, “That’s not a real business,” my answer is simple:
➡️ It’s the start of something real.

Because every empire begins with a single step and for me, that step is my LLC. 💚

10/25/2025

💭 Question for the Dreamers & Believers

If you could only pick one, what would you want to see come alive first? 👇
🍽️ A new restaurant with real flavor?
🍸 A bar with heart and energy?
🎶 A live music & event venue?
🎧 A live podcast where the community connects?

People tell me all the time — “Start small. Focus on one thing. Be realistic.”
And sure, I get it. Finances matter. Growth takes time. That’s why I’m doing fundraisers, rebuilding my podcast, and laying the groundwork step by step.

But here’s what they don’t see, this dream came from survival.

When I was battling cancer, music saved me. It gave me strength, hope, and purpose. It reminded me to live life fully, to laugh, to dance, to connect, and to love hard.

That’s what brought me here. That’s why I do what I do.

I fell in love with all of it:
💫 Cooking and serving great food.
💫 Hosting and bringing people together.
💫 Taking photos that capture real memories.
💫 Creating and sharing music that heals.
💫 Laughing, connecting, and seeing the community come alive.

So tell me, why can’t I build one special place that holds all of that under one roof? A place where you can eat, drink, laugh, listen to live music or a podcast, and truly belong.

You can’t feed a dream halfway.

During a recent meeting, I was asked:

“What makes you different? What can you bring to the table that will make people come back every day?”

I said: My flavors. My personality. My passion for people. But the response I got was — “That’s not what’s going to draw people in.”

And that hit me. Because it felt like being back in high school, when I was told I could never be a writer because of my disability. When people said my dream wasn’t realistic. That same energy “You can’t.”

But here I am, still proving that I can.

So, when someone says a full community hub is “too much,” I hear the same thing: “Stay in your lane.”
But I don’t have just one lane, I built a whole highway.

Some say it’s not realistic, that it’s too hard, too much, too big. But maybe they’ve never met someone like me.

Because I’ve already fought battles most people can’t imagine. I let people crush my dreams once before, but I’m not letting that happen again.

I’m not stopping this time. My dream is real, and it’s worth fighting for.

Yes, it’ll take time. Yes, it’ll take money. But it’s doable. And I believe the community will help make it happen, because this isn’t just my dream; it’s our space to come alive together.

They say dreams should start small and grow later. But I believe dreams can’t be built halfway. You don’t grow something powerful by playing small, you build it by putting your heart in all the way.

And the heart of my dream is people.
That’s the attraction. That’s what will make Tootie’s Social House different — where people come alive, it’s where locals come alive.

It’s not just food or drinks or music, it’s the energy of respect, love, and belonging. It’s about treating my employees and my customers the way people used to, with kindness, care, and community and respect.

I was told recently that people miss the old-school days when folks showed up for each other, when workplaces felt like families, when respect actually meant something. And I said, “That’s exactly what I’m bringing back.”

He laughed and said, “Good luck, people don’t believe in that anymore.” And I said, “Well, they will when I open my doors.”

Because I’m bringing back the old ways, the ones that built loyalty, connection, and love and mixing them with a new-school spark that celebrates creativity, diversity, and passion.

Some want me to only focus on my podcast and I love my podcast, it’s my heartbeat but I can’t survive on that alone. The podcast needs the restaurant. The restaurant needs the music. The music needs the people.
It all connects. It’s all part of the same dream.

So no — I’m not thinking too big.
I’m just thinking beyond limits.
Because sometimes, to make the impossible happen…
✨ You’ve gotta hop on that rocket ship and go all the way up.

Now tell me, if you could choose,
🔥 What would YOU want to see first — and why?

10/24/2025

💚 Lessons I’ve Learned 💚

The last few week taught me some lessons that hit deep. I had business meetings and no, it wasn’t everything I wanted to hear. Some of it was full of things that were hard to swallow and even a little discouraging. But sometimes life gives us those moments to remind us: growth isn’t always comfortable.

I’m an emotional person. I always have been. When I get overwhelmed or frustrated, I tend to shut down, I get quiet, maybe tear up, trying to process and understand. But I’ve gotten so much better through the years, and I’m proud of that progress. I still have work to do, and that’s okay.

I’m also not someone who likes to argue or fight, it shuts me down completely. But I’ve learned that sometimes, healthy debates and disagreements are necessary. Whether it’s in business, friendships, family, or love — there’s no such thing as perfect harmony. Disagreements don’t mean the relationship is broken; they mean you both care enough to speak your truth.

I had to be reminded of that the last few weeks both in my meetings and by someone very close to me. Sometimes tough love comes from the people who believe in us the most. They push us, not to hurt us, but to make sure we truly listen and understand.

Yes, I said a few things out of frustration things I didn’t really mean. But sometimes that’s just how I fire myself up to keep going. Because when I was told my dream was “too much” or “unrealistic,” it fueled me even more.

I know my dream isn’t going to happen overnight. It might take a couple of years, and that’s okay. I’m not giving up. I’m building it step by step, through fundraisers, my podcast, and staying focused on my goals.

And here’s the biggest lesson of all: disagreements, debates, and tough conversations don’t mean the love or respect is gone. They mean there’s something worth fighting for.

So no — I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here. I’m still learning. And I’m still moving forward — emotional, passionate, and determined as ever. 💚

If others chose to walk away because of disagreements, debates, or couldn’t handle a few rough conversations, then that’s on them, it simply wasn’t meant to be. But me? I’m not running. I’m staying right here, learning, growing, and doing my best to understand. Because real connection isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up, even through the messy parts. 💚

I’m still going with my vision. I’m still fighting, still moving forward, and I’m not giving up. This dream means everything to me, and I know it’s going to take hard work, patience, and time.

Growth isn’t always comfortable — but it’s always worth it.

So even when it feels tough, even when things don’t go as planned, I’m staying the course. And if you’re willing — grow with me. Let’s learn together, build together, and rise together. Because the best kind of success is the kind we share. 🌱

10/23/2025

💊 The Pill Choice – A Life Reflection by Tootie

If you were given two pills — one red, one blue — which would you choose?

The red pill lets you restart your life at six years old, but with all the knowledge and wisdom you have now.
The blue pill gives you ten million dollars in cash, right here, right now.

At first, I’ll admit — the thought of ten million dollars sounds amazing. I could finally open Tootie’s Social House, help my family, take care of bills, invest in the community, and bring my vision to life. That kind of money could change everything.

But then I thought about the red pill. What if I could go back to being six — little me, full of energy and dreams — but this time, I’d know everything I know now?
Maybe I’d start my business earlier.
Maybe I’d find love or be in relationship
Maybe I’d have kids before cancer entered my story.
Maybe I’d make more friends, avoid some heartbreaks, and build confidence long before I did in this life.

But then again… if I went back, would I erase everything I have now?
Would I lose the memories, the laughter, the music, the friendships, and the moments that shaped me?
Sure, my past had drama and pain, but it also had beauty — moments that built my strength, taught me resilience, and showed me who I am.
If I erase all that, do I erase me?

Money might seem like the easy answer, but money doesn’t fix everything. It doesn’t fill loneliness or heal the heart. It doesn’t guarantee happiness. It can make life more comfortable, sure — but not more meaningful.

And that’s when I realized something deeper:
What is life if we don’t actually have to work for it?
That’s not life. Life is about effort, dedication, and growth. It’s messy, hard, painful — but it’s also loving, beautiful, and rewarding. You can’t expect everything to be handed to you on a silver platter. You have to earn it — the pride, the lessons, the peace.

As much as I’d love to go back and change a few things, and as much as I’d love to take that $10 million right now, there’s no easy path. Either way, you face challenges.
Some people get things handed to them and never truly feel proud because they didn’t build it themselves. But those of us who’ve struggled, fallen, gotten back up — we know the meaning of strength, because we earned it.

Sometimes the answer isn’t in starting over or taking the shortcut.
Sometimes it’s about moving forward, one step at a time, carrying every lesson we’ve learned and every scar we’ve earned with pride.

Because in the end — our past is what makes us who we are today. 💫