The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

1229 - Two Paths with Lucas Root

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to CEO of SundaySky, Jim Dicso.SundaySky provides a video platform that allows various sizes of organizations to create, distribute, and scale their use of digital video for all business applications. Jim shares some challenges businesses face regarding video creation and how SundaySky alleviates these for them. He even talked through the process and the approach of SundaySky in video creation and what sets it apart from other platforms. Being in the business for a decade, he shared how he got into the business and how SundaySky locked in their first few clients.During his free time, Jim is passionate about sharing his knowledge with budding entrepreneurs by coaching and teaching them what's the next step to take on their journey. He works with his team in SundaySky to utilize the power of video to result in an exponential impact for a new level of content effectiveness and efficiency.Key Points from the Episode:What is SundaySky all about?What are the pain points associated with SundaySky's customers?Video as a modular mediumVideo creation in SundaySkyImpact of SundaySky video creation on UnitedHealthCareThe customer base of SundaySkyVideo creation in SundaySky:They utilize the concept of "video as a modular medium"Configuration nature vs. Customization natureUsing data to personalize it to each personAbout Jim Dicso: Jim Dicso is CEO of SundaySky. Prior to joining SundaySky, Jim was executive vice president of sales and services at LivePerson, a SaaS-based provider of real-time online customer engagement solutions, where he helped grow revenue from $17M to $96M and operating earnings grew from $2M to $30M. Prior to LivePerson, Jim held multiple sales leadership roles in his two years at Witness Systems and eight years at Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), including a four-year assignment in the UK and Europe, and at a variety of sales positions over four years with Xerox Corporation.About SundaySky: SundaySky's platform includes technology that helps businesses customize, distribute, and optimize captivating videos at an enterprise-scale. SundaySky enables enterprises to lessen their reliance on traditional resource-intensive video production methods which incur significant expenses, time consuming, and demand specific creative and technical expertise.Links Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out the SundaySky website at https://sundaysky.com/Check out SundaySky on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sundaysky/Check out Jim Dicso on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jimdicso?lang=enCheck out Jim Dicso on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdicso/Check out Jim Dicso on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ahvacados/Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:Tickets for the FIRST Annual Fame and Profit Summit 2022 are on sale now! Check it out HERE!️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the CEO and Partner of FranBridge Consulting, Jon Ostenson.FranBridge Consulting is a franchise matchmaker. They match investors and entrepreneurs with great non-food franchising opportunities. Jon shares that there are thousands of opportunities to franchise in industries beyond food. Josh and Jon also discuss some of the advantages of avoiding food franchises. Jon shares that in his experience, he found that most of his clients didn’t want to work with franchises that dealt in food service. Between needing to be available 24/7 for issues and needing a heavy amount of staff members, many investors want to pursue easier methods of generating profit through the franchising model. Jon shares that the level of interest in investing in franchises is unprecedented. With record levels of opportunities and cash on the sidelines, business owners and budding entrepreneurs are looking for new ways to work for themselves. Many of his clients are entrepreneurs who have already built a couple of businesses but didn’t want to reinvent the wheel each time they started a new venture. Franchising gives an entrepreneur an eyes-wide-open perspective when it comes to starting a new business. They have the roadmap completely laid out and they know what to expect from day one. Jon explains that over 85% of franchise businesses will stay in business after five years – a much higher success rate than traditional start-ups. Franchising lends itself to easier exits for a few reasons, Jon explains. For one thing, you have other franchisees that might be interested in buying your business. Also, franchisors usually have a pipeline of interested, high-level leads that you can access as a franchisee. Another win? Private equity loves franchising. Private equity firms are very interested in franchises, especially now. Josh and Jon explore what types of franchises might be ideal for busy business owners who want to break into franchising. Most franchises allow for the room you need to run your other businesses, Jon says. He shares a case study where a very successful business owner he worked with entered the home and property services franchise when he wanted to diversify his businesses. He also came back to diversify further after he went on to hire a competent, trustworthy team to run each of his businesses after they were built. Being a good business owner means having great teams and operators. This is the only way franchising can be executed well for serial business owners. Want to learn more? Check out FranBridge Consulting’s website at https://franbridgeconsulting.com/. Check out FranBridge Consulting on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/franbridge-capital/. Check out Jon Ostenson on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:✅ We are actively booking guests for our DAILY Entrepreneur Success Podcast. Schedule HERE.✅ Are you a 6-figure consultant? Let us fill your sales schedule and move you to 7-figures. Learn more here.✅ Check out our free Authority Transformation Masterclass.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to Consultant, Speaker and Author, Melanie Curtis.Melanie competed professionally in skydiving for years and she traveled the world as a professional headliner coach. She helps people learn and reach the competitive success they’re after. According to Melanie the structured environment skydiving has is similar to knowing what your goals are and the steps to take to get there. She also pointed out that working in teams it’s not always roses. Conflict can happen because different personalities and opinions can clash anytime. To mitigate these conflicts, having structured communication really helps.Melanie also emphasized the difference between calculated courage and being less prepared but still going for the gun! Preparation is important to ensure you reach your peak performance, however knowing when to let go and accessing the flow state is equally important. Reaching the next level of success for the team means unclenching those knuckles and getting masterful control of your fear. Key Points from the Episode:Who’s Melanie Curtis?What can Entrepreneurs learn from professional skydivingDifferent forms of professional skydivingThe value of structured environment in skydivingHow can calculated courage help reach your goal vs making a reckless moveHow to get masterful in controlling fearStructuring your goal setting:Structured systemStructured communicationAccessing to flow stateAbout Melanie Curtis: Melanie is a recognized leader and advocate in skydiving and personal and professional development. She's a professional skydiver, author, and podcast host. She's featured as an expert in Forbes, Fast Company, Thrive Global, CBS Sunday Morning, Masters of Scale, and other publications. Being a champion of growth, kindness and inclusion makes her one of the best life coaches, speaker and author. Mel's coaching work helps the greatest performers to look inward to take on some of the most challenging work there is, to grow, to heal, connect, and contribute in the ways people most sincerely desire.She is an excellent listener who is dedicated to truly being there for her customers, their needs, and their experience. Working with her means that she won't be solving the problems herself. Instead, she has a unique way of highlighting numerous possibilities and choices that individuals can make for themselves by using her wisdom, positivity, and encouragement.Links Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out Melanie Curtis website at https://melaniecurtis.com/Check out Melanie Curtis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniecurtis11/Check out Melanie Curtis on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/melaniecurtis11/Check out Melanie Curtis on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/melaniecurtiscomCheck out Melanie Curtis on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/melanie.curtis.37/Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:Tickets for the FIRST Annual Fame and Profit Summit 2022 are on sale now! Check it out HERE!️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

1225 - Podcasting is Valuable with Content Allies' Jake Jorgovan

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the President and Lead Coach of Great Legal Marketing, LLC, Charley Mann.Great Legal Marketing, LLC provides outside-the-box marketing to small law firms to level up their revenue while keeping it profitable. Charley identified that the common challenge small law firm lawyers go through is the need for more clients. GLM tackles this challenge by reframing their members' mindset about marketing. The idea they carry out is getting on the process of realizing the objective of marketing which is getting more clients. The strategy they craft revolves around how to start a conversation with potential clients, make them commit and take the next step. Charley further explains that they do this through a direct marketing approach, where it focuses on providing great education, exceptional value, making your clients act on certain CTA and helping them by offering them the service upfront. GLM believes that by overcoming the education gap, it will open a pool of potential clients to law firms.Key Points from the Episode:What great legal marketing doesWhy setting boundaries with your clients is crucialHow Charley got into the businessReasons why law firm owners get stuck in that 6 figure levelHow Great Legal Marketing reframes the marketing standpoint of small law firm lawyersWhat’s direct marketingReasons Why Law Firm Attorneys Hit That 6-Figure Stagnation:The need for more clientsProfitability strugglesMismanagement of financesHaving only one prospect pipelineAbout Charley Mann:In his 20s, he gained his experience and knowledge in the business through the guidance of Ben Glass, the Founder of Great Legal Marketing. Charley coaches small law firm owners on creating an effective marketing system that naturally attracts potential clients. He's an advocate of education-based direct marketing and never stops spreading this message to the world.About Great Legal Marketing:Great Legal Marketing, LLC supports small firm lawyers in building a firm that generates more revenue and supports their desired lifestyle by offering an intuitive marketing approach based on real human behavioral patterns. Most of all, they help law firm owners put themselves first and how to monetize their services that’s better for them.Links Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out the The Great Legal Marketing, LLC website at https://greatlegalmarketing.com/Check out The Great Legal Marketing, LLC on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-legal-marketing-llc/Check out Charley Mann on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleymann/vCheck out Great Legal Marketing, LLC on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OfficialGLM/Check out Great Legal Marketing, LLC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GreatLegalMarketing/Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:Tickets for the FIRST Annual Fame and Profit Summit 2022 are on sale now! Check it out HERE!1️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.2 Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.2 What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Chief Strategy Officer of Predictive ROI, Erik Jensen.Predictive ROI helps agencies, businesses, and consultants build a position of thought leadership and monetize it. There are many strategies to get into a thought leadership mindset and monetize it. The main way it is being done is through building lasting relationships which help with clientele and leads. Erik explains that thought leadership can be shown through sales cycles being shorter, charging more, keeping clients longer, and having better-fit clients. Being an authority figure is important for a business because it allows you to share the knowledge you have learned to help others and bring in individuals that fit your audience. Creating an audience ecosystem is beneficial because it allows for many people to help the same audience while creating connections with one another to deepen relationships and reach.  Authority sales machine is Predictive ROI’s membership organization. Within this membership, there are training and guides to allow members to find the resources they need to help their business as well as personal coaching with Erik himself. Erik explains increasing authority as planting a flag in one's territory. The flag is how one serves, who one serves, and why one serves. Anytime new content is put out, conversations are had, case studies are released, etc., it is driving that flag of authority deeper. Erik explains that a business owner does not have to be everywhere at once, just where their audience is. This ensures that opportunities are not missed, and the audience is satisfied with the services being provided to them. Key Points from the Episode:What Predictive ROI is and does Thought LeadershipAuthorityAuthority sales machineIncreasing authorityAbout Predictive ROI:Predictive ROI turns clients into authorities so they become relevant and important to key prospects that are difficult to get in front of. Predictive’s proven process is called "The Trojan Horse of Sales"​, which results in a sales pipeline delivering a predictable, measurable, and repeatable return on investment to clients.Want to learn more? Check out the Predictive ROI website at https://predictiveroi.com/Check out Predictive ROI on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/predictive-roi/Check out Erik Jensen on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-jensen-b9946068/Check out Predictive ROI on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PredictiveROIDon’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Chief Executive Officer of RealDefense, Gary Guseinov.RealDefense is a consumer and privacy software development company that sells its products to customers directly as well as licenses its technology to companies in the antivirus, cyber security, hardware, or media sectors. Due to the licensing of the technology, consumers are most likely using RealDefense technology without knowing it. These technologies are typically already installed into a computer before the consumer buys it. RealDefense was created in 2017 as a vehicle to acquire smaller companies within the spectrum. They focus on entities that are divestitures of larger businesses and will keep the staff as well as the technology to then grow it into something better. Gary advises that creating relationships to get into his type of business starts with maintaining the least amount of barrier to entry possible. This can be done by creating offers that are easy to understand and creating a contractual agreement that is easy to cancel. Gary explains that many cyber security software applications are successful at keeping attacks from happening. The most common attack is from attachment emails. The best way to avoid this is to not open attachments from emails one is not familiar with. Other good practices Gary recommends are maintaining antivirus software and VPN access as well as terminating usernames and passwords for staff that has been let go so a breach cannot occur through their account. Key Points from the Episode:What RealDefense is Where does RealDefense fit in for a consumerThe inception of RealDefense Advice from Gary about how to pursue relationships Best practices for cyber security About Gary Guseinov:Gary Guseinov is an entrepreneur and investor who founded his first company straight out of college. Currently, Gary is CEO of RealDefense (a cybersecurity company) and also Managing Director of International Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on emerging technologies in cybersecurity, big data analytics, and marketing automation. He is also a board advisor to 8 startups, and a long-time mentor at the venerable venture capital accelerator 500 Startups. Previously, Gary also served as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of CyberDefender, which he took public in 2010 (NASDAQ: CYDE), and he has co-founded several startups.Want to learn more? Check out the RealDefense website at https://www.realdefen.se/home/Check out RealDefense on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/realdefenseglobal/Check out Gary Guseinov on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyguseinov/Check out Gary Guseinov on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gary.guseinovDon’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Founder of R Public Relations Firm, Emily Bergh.R Public Relations Firm works to help clients get their name out in the public and has taken on clients in the lifestyle, hospitality, and business sectors to name a few. They also have a technology side to the business that helps startup technology brands launch as well as helping already established technology brands with their public relations. Journalism is an important skill set within public relations because you are writing and oftentimes pitching your clients if media coverage is the goal. If a public relations firm does not have much journalism experience, that may be a nonstarter because journalism is a major aspect of what it takes to be a successful public relations firm. Emily explains a recent non-profit client they worked with, Gentle Barn, they had managed to get them into the New York Times and Martha Stewart’s magazine. They worked with Carey Bringle to get voted as the best in Tennessee through a reader's poll. They also worked with a technology company, Pro-Fit X, to secure press and high-profile media outlets as well as create relationships with sports figures to help with licensing. Emily explains that using public relations principles to help broaden her pull as a public relations firm has proved to be useful as they are putting themselves out there and it helps them better understand their clients. Key Points from the Episode:What R Public Relations Firm does The importance of journalism in public relationsClients Emily has worked with and the outcomes Using public relations practices for a public relations firmAbout Emily Bergh:Emily has garnered more than ten years of marketing and public relations experience through owning her own business, R Public Relations Firm, and also through her previous experience running her award-winning website Defining Delicious and working for the Jason Dady Restaurant Group in San Antonio, Bread & Butter Public Relations in Austin, and Bay Bird Inc in San Diego. While helping businesses and brands flourish is Emily’s passion — with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy and a Master’s in Social Work — empowering her clients and her employees is what drives her. Emily can proudly say that each client she signs is one she admires and knows is helping the world become a better place. Emily’s priority in life is enjoying time with her husband Colter and their five children (no, that was not a typo) whom she calls “her peaches,” while simultaneously exploring the country and seeking the next client for R Public Relations. As the helm of R PR, Emily’s philosophy on life and lifestyle are one and the same: words have power, make them move mountains! Want to learn more? Check out the R Public Relations Firm website at https://rprfirm.com/Check out R Public Relations Firm on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/r-public-relations-firm/Check out  Emily Bergh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-reynolds-bergh-rprfirm/Check out R Public Relations Firm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rprfirmCheck out R Public Relations Firm on Instagram at Https://Instagram.Com/rprfirmCheck out R Public Relations Firm on Twitter at Https://Twitter.Com/rprfirmDon’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Co-Founder and Co-Creator of Wealth With No Regrets and Director of the Donor Motivation Program Georgia, Barry Spencer.Wealth With No Regrets is helping show business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOS, and executives how to give more generously before and after retirement to make their money work for them and the things that matter to them most. Barry explains that individuals are not generating the income they could generate, investing to build confidence, and reduce their taxes, and Wealth With No Regrets helps these individuals navigate through those issues. Barry states there are many avenues in which individuals such be focusing on their taxes within a business through QBI deductions and 401k plans for staff and the business. Properly maintaining and delegating taxes allows for more income to be brought in over time. Barry explains that it is important to know what an individual is building their business for whether to sell it in a few years or if they plan to stick with the business until retirement because it determines how one will handle their income. Each avenue for the building has different aspects that need to be taken into account so the correct amount of money is obtained to be stable in one's lifestyle. Barry states that leaving a business to a family member is not always the best case because other generations will not appreciate and value it as much as the creator of a business does. Barry explains that no regrets come from the experience he had dealing with his father's passing. Through this, he has made it his job to help others live their lives to the fullest with no regrets. A charitable trust allows for business owners to avoid the extra taxes by taking assets, selling them within the trust, diversifying the assets, as well as getting a tax deduction from it. Key Points from the Episode:What Wealth With No Regrets is and does Taxes Reasons for building a businessNo Regrets Charitable trusts About Barry Spencer:Barry is the Co-Creator of Wealth With No Regrets, where they help individuals donate to charities of their choice, so they can save hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions of dollars) on tax while supporting causes they care about and cementing a meaningful legacy.Barry has written and contributed to 4 books, including a book with Kevin Harrington - an original 'shark' on the hit TV Show "Shark Tank"! Barry works with successful business owners, executives, high-level managers, and women on their own. Professionals from various industries tend to be high-income earners who have done a good job saving for the future through their 401k/IRA accounts and even investment accounts but rarely have a strategy for tax optimization, investment confidence, and income security allowing them to continue their lifestyle with confidence. As a Keynote speaker Barry has addressed charity professionals, board members, and executives, and attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and CFPs sharing insights about the importance and details of integrated planning, investing, strategic charitable giving and retirement income strategies.As the CEO and co-creator of Wealth With No Regrets®, he advises business owners, executives, and professionals on how to redirect tax dollars to charity, secure retirement income, invest with more confidence, and create a living legacy.As an advisor, speaker, author and financial educator Barry often share experiences and stories from competing as a four-time Ironman athlete and elite triathlete. Want to learn more? Check out the Wealth With No Regrets website at https://wealthwithnoregrets.com/Check out the Donor Motivation Program Georgia website at https://donormotivationgeorgia.com/Check out Barry Spencer’s website at http://barryhspencer.com/Check out Barry Spencer on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryhspencer/Check out Wealth With No Regrets on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WealthWithNoRegrets/Check out Barry Spencer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bhspencerCheck out Barry Spencer book The Secret of Wealth With No Regrets at https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Wealth-No-Regrets/dp/0615848931Check out Build Wealth Like a Shark at https://www.amazon.com.au/Build-Wealth-Like-Shark-Authorities-ebook/dp/B08N66XWCJDon’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.