The Liquid Lunch Project

Are some people born naturally creative, while the rest of us are just SOL? Today’s podcast guest would argue that’s not entirely true.  Meet Robin Landa, a Distinguished Professor at Kean University, named one of the “great Teachers of our Time” by The Carnegie Foundation, and author of 25 books, including her latest work, “The New Art of Ideas: Unlock Your Creative Potential.” In this episode, Matt and Luigi sit down with Robin to talk about all things advertising. The industry has evolved quite a bit over the last decade, and brands must match the pace to keep up if they want to stay relevant. Advertising is also much more participatory than ever before; people want to and expect to interact and have conversations with brands via TikTok, Twitter, etc. This can be a double-edged sword: You get real-time feedback on your ads and content, but it might not always be what you want to hear.  Robin also gives our audience a sneak peek at the core concept of her new book - she calls them the 3 G’s: Goal, Gap, and Gain. The Goal is what you want to achieve, the Gap is the missing piece, and the Gain is who benefits from it. When you have all three of these, then you know it’s a worthwhile idea.  If you’re struggling to come up with creative content and ads for your small business, unsure where or how to reach your audience, or simply interested in learning more about generating new ideas in general, you don’t want to miss this episode.   What You’ll Learn: How to get your creative juices flowing How to find and define your target audience What is social listening The importance of taking risks and not settling for pedestrian concepts  Pros and cons of in-house vs. outsourcing advertising …and much more!   Favorite Quote: “If you teach people to be more curious, to observe human behavior, it really enhances creativity and unlocks the creativity that’s already there.”   Connect with Robin: Website: www.robinlanda.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlanda/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.landa Twitter: https://twitter.com/rlanda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proflanda/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com. Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Remember during the pandemic when we started running out of toilet paper? Rolls were flying off the shelves, and stores placed limits on the amount you could buy per family. It was pandemonium, and Americans quickly became acutely aware of supply chain issues (not to mention the importance of this very precious resource).   Our guest on today's show is here to talk about another type of very precious resource: Titanium. And just like the TP debacle of 2020, titanium has experienced its own set of supply chain issues.    Meet Taso Arima, CEO & Co-founder of IperionX. Dubbed "Master of Metals," he recognized that the global titanium supply chain is complex, costly, and environmentally unsustainable - not to mention a lot of it is processed through other countries. His company is on a mission to usher in a new age of American industry and be a leading developer of US-based sustainable critical mineral and critical material supply chains. And that starts with titanium.    Because it's a finite resource (but has innumerable uses - think healthcare, new tech, aerospace, drones, and space exploration, just to name a few), he believes our focus should be utilizing this resource to its maximum potential, so we can minimize the amount we take from the ground.    Through focused investing, providing jobs to communities that once relied on coal mines, and showing kids there is a future worth exploring in these new and exciting industries, Taso hopes that titanium will be as commonplace as having a smartphone; it's everywhere!     What You'll Learn: The raw materials we'll be talking about in 10 years The future of titanium Why and how they use 3D printing in their manufacturing The importance of having a good team The coolest thing they've made with titanium …and much more! Favorite Quote: "Some people want to have the tracks laid, whereas we want to lay those tracks. We want to figure it out."   Connect with Taso: Website: www.iperionx.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iperionx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iperionx/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Branding is hard work. And it’s more than just creating a shiny new logo or building a new website and expecting immediate results. It’s about narrative and storytelling and, above all else, staying curious.    On the podcast today is Max Gerson, creator of Brand Wolfe and branding guru. He’s taking us on a deep dive into what branding - effective branding - actually is and how his company is helping small and medium-sized businesses gain clarity and focus.    For Max, it’s all about staying curious, listening to your audience, and being the brand that loves them back. Your new logo won’t help you meet your sales numbers next quarter. Overhauling your website probably won’t triple your revenue. But engaging with your customers, being in their corner, and knowing what they are saying about you, will help you evolve into the truest version of yourself and your brand - one that people will not only trust but will recommend and refer.   If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck or simply need some brand direction, you’ll want to tune in. What You’ll Learn: How his company, Brand Wolfe, can help with tension in your business Why direction is more important than speed How and when new and existing businesses should focus on branding The one question you should be asking yourself about your brand Why not every piece of marketing is for every single person Why he believes behavior has to change in order for businesses to change The importance of Average Customer Value and Lifetime Customer Value   Favorite Quote: “Be the brand that loves them back. Show real gratitude to your clients. Know your audience.” Connect with Max: www.Brandwolfe.com Instagram: @thebrandwolfe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-wolfe/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

“The capital market system is a perfect system…it’s very difficult to disrupt it because it’s on a tightrope of mathematical balance. Every once in a while, someone comes along with a jockstrap the size of a barrel that says, maybe we can make the system more perfect.’” - Luigi   That someone is our guest on today’s episode.    Noah Healy is a mathematician, literal genius, and Founder of Coordisc, a technology product that has the potential to reorder the global financial system altogether. He recognized that in addition to Supply and Demand, information also plays an important role in every deal. Noah found a way to produce a three-sided marketplace that brings Supply, Demand, and Info together - which can ultimately make the entire system considerably less expensive than the current capital markets.    Intrigued yet? Keep reading - and tune in!   What You’ll Learn: Why he’s been working on a patent for over ten years, and what will come next Why competition will continue to exist but in an improved capacity How blockchain technology provides a forum for marketplaces that don’t rely on traditional regulations, and how he’s incorporating it into his own technology A crash course on the scariest numbers in number theory An analysis of the Fibonacci Sequence …and more! Favorite Quote:  “I’ve found a way to produce a three-sided marketplace where Information, Supply, and Demand come together.” How to Connect with Noah: noahphealy@yahoo.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-healy/ www.coredisc.com   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup.   Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Our past will shape us - but it doesn’t need to define us.   That’s the message today’s guest is bringing to the episode. Meet USMC Veteran Alundas Havens: CEO and Founder of Alpha Influence Media and host of the Winner’s Paradigm podcast.   The California native shares how his difficult upbringing shaped the person he is today – and how he’s using his podcast to help others unpack the tools needed to recalibrate their mindset to become better versions of themselves for their families, businesses, and communities. He’s also helping fellow entrepreneurs through his media company who need help promoting their products or services on podcasts, using his network to make connections, and help them dial in their message.     What You’ll Learn: His advice for becoming the elite-level version of yourself How his past shaped who he is today How Alpha Influence Media can help you promote your business How to develop strategic messaging …and much more! Favorite Quote: “You got to look at the time you put into yourself - the reading books, the conversations you have; it’s all those things that mold you into becoming that elite-level version of yourself.” Connect with Alundas:   Send a DM to Alundas on TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram!   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alundas_havens/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alundas.havens TikTok: @alundas_havens LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alundas-havens/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Have you thought about starting your own podcast but need help figuring out where to begin? Today’s guest is Jason Cercone, founder of Absolute Evolution Branding, and he’s spilling all his best advice for aspiring podcasters in this episode.   Podcasting has evolved tremendously over the last several years. According to DemandSage.com, by the end of 2022, there will be around 424 million podcast listeners worldwide, with 100 million of them living in the United States. That’s a lot of ears.   There’s massive potential in podcasting to help build your brand, reach a large audience, and, yes - even make money. But it’s more than just getting advertisers, buying expensive equipment, and waiting for the cash to start rolling in. Podcasting is a long game. You must be diligent, provide valuable content, and build your show the right way, or people will tune out.   This episode has a lot to unpack, so listen carefully and take notes! And make sure you grab a copy of Jason’s FREE guide, “8 Simple Ways to Grow Your Personal Brand with Podcasting,” on his website. What You’ll Learn: Why you should be a podcast guest BEFORE being a podcast host His two vocal exercises he does before any podcast or interview (hint: Anchorman) Three tips for being a good podcast guest Producing a podcast in-house vs. outsourcing How he helps aspiring podcasters develop their ideas to fit their brand Why he recommends affiliate partnerships vs. traditional ads …and much more! Favorite Quote:  “You have to be patient with your growth. If you expect to grow your show, you have to do it on the back of your content.” Connect with Jason:   www.jasoncercone.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podtheory Twitter: @jasoncercone  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncercone/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jasoncercone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncercone/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup.   Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Do you have a killer business idea and have considered approaching an angel investor for financing? Are you interested in becoming an angel investor yourself? No matter which side of the table you’re sitting at, today’s guest is here to give us an inside look at the process's inner workings.   Jonathan Hung is a successful VC Partner, Entrepreneur, and prolific angel investor with over 90 pre-SEED and pre-IPO investments under his belt. He’s also a leader in the FoodTech industry and runs Grudge Ventures, focusing on B2C & Consumer Tech and B2B Tech.   For Jonathan, when he decides to invest (or not invest) in a person’s idea, it comes down to the team and their story. Do they have the grit and the drive to be relentless? Are they willing to listen and pivot when needed? Are they going to be a good steward of his money? It’s not always about handing over a 50k check; it’s about finding somebody you want to work with.    What You’ll Learn: The best investment he’s made What makes a good investment stand out What he looks for when investing in a person or idea The difference between SAFE and Convertible Notes The one sector he would focus on investing in right now What revenue amount does a B2B needs for an exit …and much more!   Favorite Quote: “Any great entrepreneur will tell you it wasn’t what he or she did, it’s who he or she surrounded themselves with.”   How to connect with Jonathan: www.jonathanhung.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhung/ Twitter: @JonathanhungVC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-B3T8YNEjiPmSHpecDLmw     How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Professional development opportunities: It doesn’t matter if you’re running a three-person operation or have hundreds of people on the payroll - this is something every business and corporation should offer to their employees.    Don’t believe us? In the last year, the number one reason people left their company to pursue another job was a lack of career development. And on the Top 500 Best Places to Work list, 72% of employers who made the cut offered learning stipends. Educational resources have gone from being a fringe perk to a necessary benefit.    But all that takes time, energy, and resources. Enter today’s guest, Steve Gilman. Steve is co-founder and CEO of OneRange, a professional development platform that helps business owners retain and grow top talent.    Their cloud-based application is a central hub where employees can access any training resource they want. Gone are the days of manual enrollment or issuing cost reimbursement, or back-and-forth between boss and employee. OneRange empowers individuals to choose the learning tools they want to continue to upskill and reskill with just a click. It not only gives employees more freedom to discover what they are interested in and passionate about - but also helps employers identify potentially hidden strengths and opportunities for growth in their workers. It’s a win-win for all parties involved. What you’ll learn: Why retaining top talent is critical for your bottom line and productivity How OneRange simplifies and streamlines the training process How their data-driven system is changing the game in professional development How Steve’s background (military, professional ball, startups) influenced his current venture Pros and cons of taking on investor capital What founders and investors can learn from one another …and much more!   Favorite Quote:   “A small team with high accountability can get a lot more done with ownership and choice than large teams with low accountability and less talent that’s willing to learn.”   Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegilman26/ https://www.instagram.com/sgilman26/ www.Onerange.co     How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Those bitten by the entrepreneurial spirit love dreaming big. Brainstorming, strategizing, and setting ambitious goals - it’s what gets them up in the morning. The trouble so many run into, however, is implementing the systems needed for long-term scalability and success. And one of those systems that fall by the wayside is sales.   Jim Padilla, Owner and Founder of Gain the Edge, is on the show today to talk about how he helps business owners rapidly grow their sales without you having to make a single sales call or hire another sales person…ever.    If sales just aren’t your thing - or you don’t have the time to hire, train, or babysit a sales team, Gain the Edge can step into that role for you. You still get to strategize and plan, but the implementation is handled by Jim and his team of experts, so you can keep your focus on other matters. If you’re in a service-based industry and looking for some help, tune into this episode and then contact Jim to get started.   What You’ll Learn: How he sets up a structure to make sales over time The advantages of having a “hands-off” role when it comes to sales How his team becomes an extension of you and your business How his background (foster care, prison) shaped him into the person he is today His favorite passive income plays …and more! Favorite Quote: “If you don’t have a system, you are the system. That means you’re not replicable. That means you’re not scalable.”   Connect with Jim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimpadilla/ https://www.facebook.com/jimpadilla02 https://www.instagram.com/jimpadilla_/ https://www.jimp360.com/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca, @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

“There’s nothing more challenging or rewarding than a successful pivot.” - Luigi   Today’s podcast guest is no stranger to the concept of pivoting. Dr. Angela Mulrooney, aka The Arsonist, went from a successful dentist with a thriving practice in Canada to a personal brand expert living in Nicaragua.   It wasn’t an easy journey -- or a journey by choice, for that matter. Life was good. But after sustaining an injury that left her unable to practice, life went up in smoke, and everything she had built for herself was gone in the blink of an eye. So, she pivoted. She used her experience and expertise in niching and branding to build a successful business. Today she’s helping others realize and pursue their goals during their own pivots by looking at what’s not working in their lives and handing them the match to burn it down.    If you’re feeling stuck in your career or going through a pivot of your own, tune into our conversation with Dr. Mulrooney for some words of encouragement, practical advice, and actionable steps you can start right away.    What You’ll Learn: The steps she took to get where she is today. Why LinkedIn is one of the best personal branding platforms out there. How to reach and connect with your audience. What she believes to be the most underutilized feature on LinkedIn How her company, Unleashing Influence, can help you leverage the power of personal branding. …and much more!   Favorite Quote: "If you’re really passionate about your work, your work and your identity are going to be closely intertwined."   Connect with Dr. Angela Mulrooney https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamulrooney/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca possess, between them, a treasure trove of insight and strategic advice for ambitious business owners. Get in touch with the guys at ShieldAdvisoryGroup. You can also connect with them on Instagram at The Liquid Lunch Project, Matthew Meehan, Luigi Rosabianca, and Shield Advisory Group. Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!