// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: NIU Sousaphone Player

  

Hello! My name is Brooke and I blog at You’re In Brookelynn. I am a college senior at Northern Illinois University, where I study psychology and dance performance. Oh, and I also play the sousaphone in the NIU marching band.

A sousaphone is essentially a marching tuba. If you’re wondering why an extremely short girl (I’m only 5 feet tall!) chose to play an instrument that weighs almost 50 pounds and is about as tall as I am, you wouldn’t be the only one! I started playing tuba 6 years ago, when my high school marching band needed a tuba player and I got bored of my original instrument, the flute. Although transitioning from playing the flute to playing the tuba may seem extreme, it was actually surprisingly easy. And, it was surprisingly fun!

The beginning of the marching season starts at the beginning of the fall semester with a weeklong ‘band camp.’ Yes, there really is such a thing as band camp, and it’s one of the most important parts of the season! While many people think that marching band is just for nerds, it’s actually an extremely athletic activity. We spend our 11 hour days at camp learning marching basics, show music, and our pre-game and halftime drill.

The rest of the season is spent cheering on our NIU Huskies at football games! Performing at football games is one of the best things about being in the marching band. We parade around the stadium and perform for tailgaters before kickoff, and play in the stands throughout the whole game. While we take music and marching very seriously, cheering on our team from the stands is where we get to let loose and have fun! We perform cheers, dances, and popular songs to pump up the team and entertain the (usually drunk) football fans. We also perform pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows at every game. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun!

How to get started

At most colleges, anyone can join the marching band! All you have to do is be able to play an instrument and want to join! Keep in mind that some college’s marching bands may require an audition to join, but not all. At NIU, you don’t have to audition to join, but you do have to audition for a spot on the field. But, it’s not usually as bad as you would think!

Joining the marching band was one of the best things I could have done in my college career. I met so many new people who helped me break out of my shell and enjoy college. Plus, I learned a lot about college football and have started to enjoy watching it! There’s no better way to spend a crisp fall day!

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: Candle Maker

Hello! I'm Kelley, and I'm a candle maker from the coal region of Pennsylvania. While I've absolutely grown to love the candle industry, I will admit, they weren't the spark to light my fire -- owning a business was. 

I'm not the type of person who ever liked having a boss. I've always been a go-getter and a really hard worker, but I've found that in each of my jobs, I felt the urge to climb the employment ladder as high as possible, perfecting their processes, tweaking their methods for better results, and working harder than my position ever required. Even though promotions had happened, I began to realize that while I could more than likely get quite high on each company's ladder, I'd never be at the very top. That was a problem.

Candelles was originally created in February of 2013, but we were using wooden wicks instead of our current cotton wicks, and to put it simply, they were a flop. The wicks wouldn't stay lit, which made the candles useless. After many refunds and so much loss, Candelles reluctantly shut down soon after. At that time, I didn't have any plans on starting back up. I was embarrassed and a little hopeless.

I couldn't help it though. I continued to fall in love with the small business community, through both Instagram and Etsy. I quietly sought inspiration and motivation through many shops that I had witnessed growing wildly online. I took the time to find business role models, like Little Hip Squeaks or Freshly Picked, and tried to figure out how they ran their business and what made them so incredible.

With the loss of an incredibly important person in my life happening only a few months later, I was luckily able to have some life changing conversations with them that really made me change my perspective on things. I couldn't just sit by and let the months pass and just hope everything would fall into place. I had to work for it, and sometimes that meant swallowing my pride, and keep pushing through. I realized at this point that starting a business is really just a never-ending obstacle that requires the constant taking of risks and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and in order to be successful, I needed to learn to love that.

So, I learned to love it. I swallowed my pride and reopened Candelles in November of 2013 and, since Fall is the best season for candles, we started growing so quickly. We were very hopeful and even though we spent many nights up really late making sure all our orders were packed on time, slowly learned how to balance a full-time job and a growing business, and had some (see also: many) road bumps along the way, I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm no super woman though. CJ, our head candle maker (and lucky for me, my hubby), handles almost all of our candle production and quality control. While I focus on curating and blending each of our essential oils to bring a rolling variety of seasonal scents, as well as handle all of our collaborations and designs, CJ is constantly on the hunt to perfect each and every one of our hand-poured candles. This helped tremendously, because as we began to grow rather quickly, I didn't have to worry about hiring on another set of hands to help complete our tasks. Instead, I already had someone extremely dedicated to Candelles' success and more than ready to dive in and help.

Without a doubt, our customers are what made me fall in love with candles. Starting out, my main perk to making candles was to not have to buy my own anymore. But realizing how much our customers fall in love with our scents, and our candles being what they light to relax and unwind after a long day, or to brighten and cozy up their homes, it really makes you appreciate your craft so much more.

If I could give any words of encouragement to those who want to run a business themselves, you just need to go for it, but at the same time, start slow. Research your craft and the basics to running a small business before you dive right in. Don't compare yourself to bigger businesses and focus on keeping yourself afloat and moving forward successfully. Find community and support. I have met some of the most amazing people since opening Candelles, whether they also be other small business owners, retail shop owners who sell our candles, or even bloggers. There are so many wonderful, beautiful people out there who want you to succeed as badly as you do, who can give you priceless advice, and will cheer you on every step of the way. The small business community is a beautiful thing that I am honored to be a part of. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Owning a business requires that you wear many hats, and many hats require so much knowledge. You will constantly be learning, and you have learn right away that you don't already know everything.

PS; Get 15% off anything in the Candelles shop with the coupon code: RADGAL15

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: Teaching Artist

Hi! I'm Caro, a Chicago-based teaching artist who blogs at Like the Syrup.

In case you’re not familiar with the role of a teaching artist, it’s just that: an artist who teaches. They’re usually practicing creatives first and teachers second, but many of them go on to get formal credentials. The day-to-day schedule varies but most of us are employed full-time at one organization or work on a freelance basis at several.

I became a teaching artist by chance. I went to art school, graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Art, and landed at an ad agency after graduation. The short version is that it was a horrible experience. I quit without a plan B and found myself doing freelance design work to pay the bills. I did a little bit of everything but I wasn’t enjoying it and it felt like I was wasting time.

Then a mentor told me something that I still think about all the time. She said, "Nothing’s a waste. At the end, you know one more thing you don't want to do and that's just as valuable." It was a light bulb moment for me. I continued to take on odd jobs and freelance projects but started looking at each one as a process of elimination.

I ultimately realized that what I wanted was a creative job that allowed me to give back. Another thing I learned about myself is that I prize flexibility over stability, and that I don’t want to do the same thing every day. When I came across an open teaching artist position, it seemed like a perfect fit!

The Chicago Public Library has a program called YOUmedia that puts creative spaces in the library specifically for teenagers. Students can kick back, check out laptops and other professional-grade equipment, and attend free workshops on everything from music production to graphic design. There’s even a little recording studio at one of the branches!

I worked with YOUmedia part-time, Monday-Thursday from 2:00-8:00pm. I taught one hour-long workshop each day but I spent the rest of my time just hanging out with students in the space. I'd work on lesson plans while they worked on homework and we’d chat about their friends, families, or whatever TV show they were watching that week. Every day was different, whether it was helping a student use GoogleDrive or getting my ass kicked at Mario Kart. I lost count of how many prom dresses I looked at that spring!

My position at YOUmedia lasted seven months (the length of a grant that paid my salary). In that time, I taught six-week units on self-publication, graphic design, and creative writing. I also did some one-off workshops to help students create resumes and work on their college applications. Not only was it a great job, it helped me find the path I’m on now. 

Chicago has a large number of nonprofits working with underserved youth, most of which employ teaching artists or volunteers in a similar capacity. We’re basically one big extended family, which makes it easy for us to share best practices, collaborate, and connect each other to opportunities. That sense of community is a big reason I love what I do so much.

These days, teaching is about 25% of my work. The rest of my time is spent on the other side of the classroom. I own a small business that works with colleges, community organizations, and bloggers to develop online classes.  It’s a dream job that I never would’ve discovered without being a teaching artist! 

How to Get Started

All you really need to become a teaching artist is a portfolio that showcases your craft and some teaching experience. An art degree or teaching accreditation definitely helps but isn’t required for most positions. 

What is required is a lot of flexibility, patience, and the ability to make things work in less than ideal circumstances. Sometimes your lesson plan just doesn’t work and you have to adapt it on the fly. You’ll likely be working outside the standard 9-5 and may or may not have benefits.

If that doesn’t deter you, I recommend starting as a volunteer. It’s a great way to get experience! I got my job at YOUmedia because the interviewers liked my web development background (hard to find among teaching artists) and that I had planned my own workshops as a volunteer with Girls Rock! Chicago. 

Nonprofits like Girls Rock and 826 have chapters all over the country and are powered by volunteers. So are libraries! You can also check out Idealist to find local organizations looking for specific help. It’s important to find an organization that’s doing work you’re passionate about.

I also recommend asking a teaching artist if you can assist them—especially if they teach at multiple places! Many of the people that have assisted me have gone on to do their own thing and I regularly recommend them when I have to turn down a gig. 

If you’d like to chat more about teaching artistry, or just be buds, you can find me at Like the Syrup and as @carolinesyrup on Twitter or Instagram. Thanks for letting me share!

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: Pinup Model

Hi my name is Katty, I blog at Chronicles of a Sweet Tooth, and I am a pinup model. I don’t let the description define my whole identity, but it is a large part of who I am. I have been modeling in the vintage/retro/tattoo realm for 4 years and I swear each year bigger and better things happen. 

If you are not familiar with the “pinup” genre, please, let me introduce you to the most magical part of my life. Most people a familiar with Marilyn Monroe, Bettie Page, Jean Harlow. These women kind of paved the way for modern “pinup models”. The name originated from images of women being pinned up to barracks, walls, tents, etc during war time by soldiers, and it has translated to an art form for modern day, vintage loving models.

I kind of stumbled into this art a few years ago by shear happenstance. I have always loved vintage clothing and aesthetics, so naturally I shop at stores that make those types of clothing available. I was introduced to a local photographer that specialized in pinup photography, and after shooting with them, found myself published in some international magazines such as Retro Lovely, Skin and Ink and AtomicBombshells Magazine. I was blown away by the response I got, and decided that if people liked seeing this images enough, then perhaps it is something I should look into.

I have formed a lot of great bonds with wonderful vintage and reproduction clothing companies along the way and have been privileged enough to model for Sourpuss Clothing and have a weekly feature for Steady Clothing. 

Along with all the amazing opportunities that I have been given, there are sometimes a few haters out there that make it hard along the way. First, since I am heavily tattooed, I get a lot of flack for not being a vintage “purist” meaning that I don’t look exactly like a woman straight out of the 1940’s or 50’s. To me, I don’t let it get me down, because obviously this is not 1945. I get the ability to live my life with retro glamour, but all the liberties of being a woman of the new millennium, and that means covering my body in the artwork I choose. My body, my life. Second, I am a woman that has curves. This can be appreciated and it can be slammed. The great part of being a curvy build is retro styled dress it tailored for curvy, hourglass figures. Yay! But in the same breath, being a model means you are putting your body, your self, out there for judgement. Even though I think society is gaining by leaps and bounds, the acceptance of body positivity, there are still people that will comment that I am too big to be a model, or that I am plus sized. Again, technically by my measurements I don’t wear plus sized clothing, but to the model standards I actually am plus sized. It is something I just have to let roll off my back, because I am comfortable in my own skin, and I am not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

How to get into pinup modeling

If you think you would be interested in getting into pinup or alternative modeling the best advice I can give is start out small. Start to contact a photographer, that is local to you, and book a session. The key to this, or something you need to know, is you are going to have to spend some money up front, to pay for sessions, wardrobe, hair, makeup, etc to get your portfolio started. Once you have built a solid portfolio, you will have the ability to approach modeling agencies, or start working for trade, or even start getting paid as a working model.

This is not an industry for everyone. You do have to be self motivated, creative, and develop a thick skin! I do encourage you to start looking up models that you think have a good esthetic, or images that you get inspiration from and perhaps send them a message for guidance! Getting a mentor is a great plan, and will help you navigate, sometimes unchartered territory. 

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: European Au Pair

Hi! I'm Alex and I blog over at Her Wonderful Adventure.  I have been many things in my life: foster kid, ghost story enthusiast, and teacher -- but one of the coolest things I can say about myself is that I spent a year abroad in Sweden as an au pair. 

What an au pair actually does can vary from country to country and household to household.  The sky is usually the limit on where you decide to go, but the basic idea is the same; to help a family with their children and home, usually including teaching the children conversational English.  The term 'nanny' isn't quite accurate; actually the word 'au pair' is loosely translated as 'equal' meaning that the worker is treated as family and not a servant or housekeeper.  Some au pairs just skip the paperwork and work under the table, others go through agencies.  I used a web service called Au Pair World.  (It's free!) 

I got the idea in my head while in a really bad spot in my life -- crumbling relationship, unhappy with my pointless job, taken over by wanderlust.  I saw some agency posting on Craigslist for an au pair and I was like, "What the heck is that? Travel overseas?"  I researched and ran across the site, made a profile, and started contacting families.  It only took a few months before I found my perfect match (no seriously, we skyped and there were fireworks!) and right around Christmas, I made my way to beautiful Sweden for the winter.  I chose Sweden because I've visited before and had friends there, as well as being a little obsessed with the language and culture.  It's the land of the Vikings, of course!!

To be perfectly frank, the first month was ran on pure adrenaline and nerves.  I had never quite been a family member before, only the awkward foster kid, and I was unfamiliar with how families worked.   I did have a ton of experience with kids though, so I just ignored the terrifying feeling of being totally lost, and focused on the wonderful boys I au paired for.  They taught me Swedish relatively quickly, and their adorable broken English is probably one of my favorite things on earth!  After the two month mark things started feeling normal.  We were closer than ever.  The family and I went on outings, spent time sightseeing and showing me the culture, and having lots of 'fika' over delicious coffee while discussing the differences in our countries.  They were disgusted by things like cool-whip and flavored coffee creamer, and I was horrified at the lack of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cashiers who would bag groceries for me!

The snow began to melt and the days began to get long (REALLY long...sunset at midnight, sunrise at 3am) and before I knew it this life was normal!  Riding the subway to get around, speaking Swedish to store cashiers, taking my shoes off as soon as I entered the house and lots and lots of fika.  A sweet sidenote that I feel I should mention here is that I met my current boyfriend, Henri, shortly after moving to Sweden.  I had no intention of falling in love with a dark-haired Scandinavian hunk, but it happened.  He became a part of our little family as well.  My friends and my boyfriend and my au pair family all took me on amazing adventures: overnight cruises to Finland and Estonia, a long train ride to the arctic circle, the Stockholm archipelago where we had our typical Swedish summer house. 

I was changed so much by Sweden and its culture and people.  The authentic friendships I built, and the genuine family I have over there will never leave the deepest part of my soul.  I actually recently wrote some of the ways Swedish culture itself changed me, but I will say this--no matter where you go as an au pair, you will grow and thrive immensely.  Of course part of that comes from just being away from home which is important for everyone seeking to learn more about themselves.  Another part of it comes from the courage it takes to just plop down in a foreign land where nobody speaks your language or knows the truth about your home.  It's isolating, and being isolated is a great learning experience.  And of course the job itself, caring for and looking after children, is so rewarding, exhausting, and exhilarating there are no words for it!

How to get started

If you'd like to get started on the road to adventure and finding your own overseas family, I personally recommend Au Pair World, just from my own experience.  You can also google local Au Pair agencies, just make sure you do your research on them and if possible interview some au pairs for suggestions and advice.  If you do find a family, always make sure you Skype with them first, and prepare a list of questions (What will my pay be? What chores would you like me to do?  What hours would you anticipate me working?  Can you detail an 'average' day in the household?)  Pick a country you'd like to visit and search for au pair families in that country! 

The people who are searching for au pairs need someone who is comfortable with kids, comfortable with cohabiting in their home, ready and willing to possibly learn a new language and teach each other their own unique culture.  And good au pairs are people who are creative, adventurous, and want something a lot more unique than just a nanny job or a babysitting night every so often. 

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: Social Worker

Hey all! My name is Allyson. I blog over at Allyson Wonderland Photography, but my full time job is as a social worker working with older adults. You won't find me blogging about my full time job since I'm bound by privacy laws from talking about my clients, but don't worry, there is still plenty to talk about! 

How I got into social work
& working with older adults 

My love for older adults started almost immediately after birth. My grandparents were 70 when I was born, and I loved spending time with them all throughout my childhood. I didn't realize that not everyone had a close relationship with their grandparents or that not all grandparents were as old as mine. Working with older adults always felt natural to me because it was familiar. 

In hindsight, I think my career really started with my high school job as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. For those of you not familiar with the health care field, that means I got to do fun things like help older adults get dressed, give them baths, and yes, even help them in the bathroom. At the time, it was the best paying job there was in my little town, and to be honest, I had no idea what I was getting myself into!

What I didn't realize until later in life was how much working with people so closely really changed me. It takes a lot of humility to literally get pooped on from time to time. I quickly learned that for as difficult as it was for me to do those tasks, it was just as hard for the residents -- they had to trust me to provide for their most basic needs, ask for help with things they used to be able to do on their own, and let go of the privacy they had come to expect earlier in life. I learned more in those 3 years than I could ever have imagined. Here's where it really changed me -- sometimes I was the only human touch, the only actual conversation a person had that day because they didn't have family to come visit them. Having people trust me with the most intimate moments of their day made me want to be a more trustworthy person, someone who improved their days instead of going through the awkward motions & getting out of there. I learned about their lives -- their passion, their former jobs, their families, their dreams, their regrets. The not-so-comfortable parts of the job faded pretty fast. 

I went off to college not realizing how much this job had impacted me. I was dead set on being a writer, so being a writing major seemed like an obvious choice. It took a year and a half of being forced to write things I didn't care about before I realized that writing was more of a hobby than a career. The more I thought about alternatives, the more I realized that I loved working with people and social work was a perfect fit. I finished my four year degree and soon after, finished my Masters in Social Work, too. Somewhere in the middle of my Master's program, I realized that I loved working with older adults. I got a scholarship and officially changed my focus to aging. I did my thesis research with older adults, which solidified my choice to work with that population. 

Before I tell you more about my actual job, I have to gush a little about how much I love working with older adults. In my experience, they tend to have a lot of sass and a low tolerance for BS, and those are two things I can get behind. One of my coworkers recently went and did a home visit with an older woman who apparently said, "I live in the metallic age -- I've got silver in my hair, gold in my teeth, and lead in my ass!" 

Older adults aren't boring! 

What I actually do 

I am a care coordinator for older adults who are enrolled in health plans [think Medicare]. The purpose of my job is to help older adults stay at home for as long as possible. That means that I assess their needs, recommend and coordinate services, encourage and support informal caregivers, make sure they keep their benefits up-to-date, etc. The business side of it sounds a little boring, but much like that first job, I've seen how even a simple phone call or home visit can make someone's day. Sometimes I'm the only person who visits that person or asks/cares how they're doing. I might be the only one who will listen to their problems and help them find solutions. Sometimes a client has plenty of family involved, but they are too embarrassed to ask for help. I love being the person they can trust to help them. Don't get me wrong -- I'm no special snowflake. It's not me, it's the listening/caring/helping. Investing time in people always pays off. 

All of the warm fuzzy parts of this job are great and far outweigh the not-so-great stuff, but it wouldn't be fair to leave those parts out. There have been clients I've visited and found living in pretty terrible situations. I've had to report family members for taking advantage of the generosity of their parent/grandparent. Perhaps hardest of all is when a client really shouldn't be living independently anymore and I have to coordinate the difficult conversation that leads to them moving somewhere with more care for them. These situations SUCK, but in the end, that person is truly better for it -- not just because that helps me sleep at night, but because their needs are being met. 

How to get started

If social work interests you, I think a great first step is to volunteer. Maybe older adults aren't your thing -- volunteer at a homeless shelter or a hospital. Get a feel for the population and work that interests you and go from there. Making connections and getting experience are the best two things you can do if you plan to get a degree and get into the profession. Getting your foot in the door will not only help you feel out your passion, but will benefit you in the long run. Social work is not for the faint of heart -- it's not a great-paying field and the chance of burnout is always there, BUT it is endlessly rewarding and I love what I do.

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!

// Rad Gal, Rad Gig: Chocolatier

My name is Andrea Smith. I love it every time I get to say “I am a Chocolatier.” I use wonderful bulk chocolate to make creations like ganache center truffles, toffees, caramels, and shapes. It is my art. It is my passion. I learn something new about it everyday, wether it is through error or reading and experimenting. 

I have always been a fan of chocolate. I had been looking online for something when I came across a website that was selling really cute chocolates. I ordered some. When they arrived, I opened the box and was in awe. They were like little works of art. Some had little prints on them, some looked airbrushed with vibrant colors. The thought came to mind, that maybe I could do this, and make the designs into things that I enjoyed.  

I had gone to school for Special Effects Make-up. There I had learned sculpting and mold making. I did a bit of research and found out that I could use an FDA approved silicon to make molds and be able to use food product in them! From there the ideas were limitless… still are. I could make chocolates with imagery that I loved, Monsters, Tattoos, Sci-Fi, and other goofy stuff. I immediately fell in love. My goal was to make these creations in my own way, while respecting the teachings and following Chocolate Masters from all around the world.

I played Roller Derby at the time, and got injured. I was told I could not play unless I had surgery or got a brace. This brace was extremely expensive. I then offered everyone I knew a pre-ordered bag of Toffee, for a certain amount of $. I ended up getting ordered for 100 bags of toffee. I got REALLY good at making this stuff, and it tasted better every time I did it. It was a big hit, so big that I ended up winning Best Chocolate in Atlanta’s AJC.com Best of 2011. From there I couldn’t stop, I had done a lot of airbrushing in art school as well and learned it was pretty much the same, only the paint was replaced with colored cocoa butter. That made it easier for me to learn as well.  I found a job as head chocolatier and manager at a small chocolate shop in Atlanta, and worked there sharpening my skills for the last 3 years.

I have competed in 2 pastry competitions for Chocolatier of the Year against other chefs from all around the world and my placement has moved up each time!  I have now moved to Nashville, TN. and just 5 weeks ago opened my own chocolate shop. Where I showcase my works of art and sell to the public. The response has been incredible. It only motivates me more to up my game and try new and exciting techniques and recipes.

Being a part of the chocolate industry is amazing, it is bigger than you would ever think. I have only to scratch the surface, but plan on making a name for Chocolate F/X real soon.  I only want to dive in more and more everyday. I cannot wait to someday travel and meet chocolatiers in France and Belgium.

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Rad Gal, Rad Gig is a new feature on The Clueless Girl's Guide where I invite really neat gals to share their really cool stories. Whether your gig is a full-time job or just a hobby, I want to hear from you! If you think you'd be perfect for Rad Gal, Rad Gig, feel free to get in touch or view the information on the Submissions page! Just submit a short description of what you do and why you think it's rad!