#16 ~ Motivation Monday – Interview (& GIVEAWAY) with Michele Sipolt Kapustka co-owner of SendABall.com

February 15, 2010 at 9:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged Giveaway, Motivation Monday

I contacted Michele shortly after she appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank with her sister Melisa. These are two “ballsy” (pun #1) ladies who definitely impressed the investors with their growing SendABall.com business. Michele also graced the TV screen with Donny Deutch on The TODAY Show as well as Donny’s CNBC’s Show “The Big Idea” …she’s all over the place, those are just to name a few!

Needless to say, I was blown away when she agreed to participated in 6 Feet Over’s Motivation Monday. To top that off, I bounced around (loving the puns, aren’t you?) the idea about doing a giveaway and she was more than willing to contribute.

Michele’s drive is energizing. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She has inspired me even more to strive for the finish line in my project. I hope she ignites a fire in you to reach your dreams…

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Bucket List [buhk-it list] – noun

• a wish list of things to do before one ”kicks the bucket.”

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Melody: Tell us a little about yourself…

Michele: My name is Michele Sipolt Kapustka. Live in the same Chicago Jefferson Park neighborhood I grew up in. Middle of 5 children. My sister lives across the street and my younger brother lives next door. Not so strange in our neighborhood. I married my high school boyfriend and we have 4 boys ages 18, 17, 13, 11. Andy, Adam, Alex & Alan. My goal in life is to raise KIND Men who contribute to the world in a positive way.

Melody: I love your life goal….I think your sons should meet my daughter one day. Although, they may be a little too old for her, right now. 😉

So, what is one item you’ve checked off your bucket list?

Michele: Just recently checked off – on my bucket list, was this:

To sit in the showcase studio of WGN Radio, with headphones on and talk on the radio.

I’ve listened to WGN my entire life. Radio was always on in the kitchen growing up. Radio in my car tuned to WGN my entire life.

Monday, Feb 8 – I had the chance. After being on TV on Friday Feb 5^th, Prime Time ABC on Shark Tank, the producer at WGN asked if I’d like to do a phone or studio interview, maybe 5 minutes (10 max) on Monday. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT IS ON MY BUCKET LIST!!!! She was really young, and didn’t get the significance of me being so excited to visit the WGN Radio studio.

Melody: Love it! I can picture you with the headphones on trying to contain your excitement! Tell me, when did this become a goal of yours?

Michele: Always imagined what it was like for the radio talent to be sitting there and talking on the radio. I’ve walked by a million times and waved. Kind of cool because it is right on Michigan Ave in Downtown Chicago.

My BFF and I had a goal, to be published somehow, within 5 years. Even if it was just to be quoted for something. I tried writing “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR” which I figured was the easiest way. Didn’t work. Then I started submitting ideas to magazines for crafts or tips or stuff like that. My friend got it first, as she is a talented writer, got a gig writing a book for AMERICAN GIRL. Three months later the Chicago Tribune did a story on my little Send A Ball business. That was COOL.

Then it hit me – I want to sit in that studio on Michigan Ave. I thought I would have to win it from a Silent Auction or something … like ‘be on the radio with the morning guy’.

Then it happened.

Melody: Oh and boy did it happen! Why was being on WGN Radio so important to you?

Michele: Why was it important? Not sure – I feel so connected to the people I hear on the radio, I trust them so much, and I wanted people to hear my passion, for whatever the topic was going to be – imagine my surprise when the topic was ME and my ball business.

Here’s footage that takes you inside her www.sendaball.com business:

Melody: I can imagine you were ‘bouncing’ off the wall with excitement! (heh heh Yeah, pun intended…I know, I know.) At any point, did you think you wouldn’t be able to reach your goal and did you ever want to give up?

Michele: I didn’t give up, but I just thought it may take years – I even called into the radio station all the time to try and get on the air. It wasn’t the same as sitting in the chairs in the big window.

Melody: Knowing that something could taka a long time could cause one to lose momentum, what kept you going?

Michele: I had nothing to lose on this bucket list item.

Melody: What advice would you have for people striving to reach their dreams?

Michele: Best advice I can offer is this:

Don’t let people discourage you. Take baby steps. One at a time. It may take longer, but for me, it felt better to be sure footed.

Melody: Great advice! I’m dying to know what else is on your bucket list…

Michele: I want to be able to give back something really big – not sure exactly what, but something big. Maybe be a motivational speaker, and be able to light a spark in just one person. I make a joke that I want my boys to accomplish something great – and when they give the speech, THANK ME … ha ha – just kidding.

Melody: I’ll admit, I secretly (well, not so secretly now) would love my daughter to say the same thing like that in a speech one day. Oh and by the way, you’re lighting sparks in many lives now…including my own! Thank you for that!

Inspire us some more…what’s your favorite inspirational quote?

Michele: “We don’t talk like that around here! “

Oh that’s not my favorite, that is what I have to say to my boys all the time!

“Life is not about being SUCCESSFUL, it is about being SIGNIFICANT”

“The PRESENT is a GIFT.”

Melody: I agree 100% that today is a gift. Sometimes we forget to unwrap it. Michele, thank you so much for taking time out of your extremely busy day to motivate us! Your success story gives me a clear picture of what patience, focus, perseverance and determination produces. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue to grow your business!

Here’s a video clip from WGN News in Chicago:

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©2010 Melody G. Fritchley

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**GIVEAWAY** 5 winners will have a ball! Enter to win a ball of your choice to be sent to anyone in the USA!

DEADLINE:
Entries will be accepted until Monday, February 22, 2010 at 11:59pm PST.

TO ENTER:
Leave a comment on this post (after reading the fabulous interview, of course) with the following information:*You must follow these simple rules or else your entry will not count.*

• Bounce on over to SendABall.com then tell me something (by leaving a comment on this blog post) you’ve learned about the company or the owners AND which ball you will send if you win.
• You must enter a valid email address on the comment form. You DO NOT need to put your email IN the comment itself. Your email will not be made public. If you have a blog, a link to your blog will do instead of an email address.

**EARN EXTRA ENTRIES** I love extra credit! 😉

• Earn 5 extra entries: Post this contest in your blog/website with a direct link to today’s post. Include a link to your post on your comment for verification.
• OR if you don’t have a blog and would like to earn 5 extra entries….Email 5 or more of your friends about this contest and forward the email to me. Please include your name on the email so I know who it is from. Click HERE to email me.

FIVE winners will be randomly selected and contacted on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. Good luck!

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