This program began as a variety show, with Kunle Oguneye, author of the children's book Sikulu and Harambe, Ram Dutt, founder of the ecomm platform Meylah, and Patricia Lecy Davis, owner of the Embellish salon (who joined us by phone). We came to the realization that they had more in common than we originally thought -- that they all rely on their communities for their survival, especially in lean times. We're not just talking social media. Hear how they're making it and even finding ways to support each other in this surprisingly connected interview.

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Working together isn't new, but these two new business models are. Staging & Design Network is bringing together a community that hasn't worked collaboratively in the past to share valuable resources. Founder Tricia Tomlinson explains how it will change the way stagers, real estate agents and suppliers work together. Sharon Rowley handles communications for SDN, and she talks about the importance of building a community -- and how she's doing it.

Booktrope is a profit-sharing model filling the gap between traditional and self publishing. Our guest, Katherine Sears explains it as the funnel, the flood and the filter. It's a unique model that gives authors a fighting chance at selling books, and readers the opportunity to connect with them.

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