The Liquid Lunch Project

Hungry for more than just a burger joint? Matt and Luigi dish out the deets on non-food franchises in the latest episode of The Liquid Lunch Project. Joined by Jon Ostenson (the “King” of non-food franchises), they explore why small business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors are flocking to the non-food side of the franchise menu.    Key Takeaways:  Discover how the $600 billion home and property services market is heating up post-COVID and serving golden opportunities for savvy investors. Learn why non-food franchises offer a shortcut to success with established business models, giving you a head start on the road to profitability from day one. Explore non-food franchises in industries like automotive, health, and fitness. Jon shares how to kickstart your non-food franchise journey, including the insider tip of working with a consultant (for free!) to navigate the vast franchise landscape.   Ready to flip the script? Hit play now and dive into the world of non-food franchises with The Liquid Lunch Project. Your business journey is about to get a whole lot tastier.    Favorite Quote: "Franchising represents about $800 billion annually within the U.S. economy, and so it's a big player; there's a desire to scratch that entrepreneurial itch.”     Connect with John: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/   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.

We cannot think of a better episode to kick off a brand new year than this conversation with Mark Evans. Today, we're talking about masterminds and their impact on supporting small businesses.  Mark defines a mastermind as a powerhouse of great minds collectively striving for excellence. Imagine a space where challenges and opportunities are explored without judgment—a haven for small business owners seeking growth. Key Takeaways: Collective Wisdom: Discover how mastermind groups offer small business owners a treasure trove of insights and solutions. Learn from others who've conquered similar challenges, gaining access to a reservoir of collective knowledge. Accountability Ignites Progress: Mark sheds light on how regular mastermind meetings can steer entrepreneurs away from the daily grind, ensuring strategic planning and personal growth take center stage. Smart Work vs. Hard Work: Mark challenges the traditional belief that working harder guarantees success. Explore the benefits of working smarter and investing in personal development. From reading to mentorship, discover the keys to sustainable growth. Community to Combat Loneliness: The entrepreneurial journey can be isolating. Mark addresses the loneliness small business owners often face and reveals how a mastermind group becomes a tight-knit community. This camaraderie not only boosts morale but propels productivity and success.   Why Should You Listen?  If you're a small business owner yearning for growth in 2024, this episode is your game-changer. Mark's insights, peppered with real-world examples, provide a roadmap to navigate challenges, expand networks, and achieve unparalleled success. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of your business through the power of mastermind groups.  Favorite Quote: As you evolve..as you become aware that there's a better life or a different life, and you don't acknowledge it? Dude, you're gonna live miserably if you don't execute. Connect with Mark: Website: www.markevansdm.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markevansdm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markevansdm/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjeGp6NMmh9Mgraa4WCtXDA     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.    

"Does geopolitics thousands of miles away really affect my small business here in the United States?" In short - yes.  On the show today is Amir Goren, an investor who can translate the macro trends happening all over the world (China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Gaza, etc.) into micro-investment advice. (Trust us; he knows his stuff. Just ask his degrees from UC Irvine, Harvard, MIT, and Tel Aviv.) Our conversation with Amir covers world events, the upcoming election, oil prices, the future of EVs, gold, the likelihood of another recession, and economic predictions for 2024. It's a good reminder that - as easy as it is to focus on our immediate community/town/state/region - what's happening in the world around us can significantly impact how we do business. And this episode is a great place to start.   Key Takeaways: How geopolitical tensions impact oil prices Taiwan’s importance in semiconductor production - and what that means for us Opportunities during a recession for investment How population decline affects economic growth Will AI be the miracle humanity needs? Favorite Quote: “It's very possible that there's going to be an opportunity to pick up things on the cheap during 2024 and benefit from that during 2025.”   Connect with Amir: Website: https://www.economicdefensefund.com   Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/economic-defense-fund/ Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@economicdefense  Substack: https://econdef.substack.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.

Startups might have big dreams and big goals…but they don’t always have a big budget. Joining us on the show this week to address this problem is Anne Laffin, CEO and founder of Fin Marketing.    Anne shares her insights on how early-stage companies can overcome the hurdle of raising awareness with limited resources. Laffin emphasizes the importance of organic strategies such as websites, social media, email marketing, and word of mouth to spread the word about a startup's existence. The conversation also touches on the common problem of mixed messaging and disorganization that primarily stems from first-time founders not used to being CEOs or running companies.   Whether you need help making a dollar stretch further, curating an authentic message for your audience, or perfecting your email marketing strategy, Anne delivers some super-helpful tips you can start today.  Episode Highlights: The biggest challenges startups face How to set realistic user acquisition goals The importance of credibility Why email marketing remains king Organic growth vs. paid social media ads Why you shouldn’t underestimate communicating with your audience Favorite Quote: “Being credible is always a thing and will never go out of fashion.” Connect with Anne: Website: https://www.finmarketingm.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaffin/ Email: anne@finmarketkingm.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.

“I've recently come to the realization that…we're always selling. We're selling ourselves. We're selling our products. We're doing it constantly. And the sad thing is, we're doing it all wrong.”   So, how do we do it the RIGHT way?   On this week’s episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with Bill Caskey to share his revolutionary approach to selling.    Caskey found that most sales training was focused on teaching salespeople what to say or do to persuade someone to buy. However, he believed this approach was flawed. He realized that the prospect or customer should be the one convincing the salesperson that they have a problem that needs to be solved. This realization led him to develop a framework that flipped the script, changing the dynamic of the buyer-seller process.   He calls this approach a "180 flip," in which the salesperson shifts their focus from convincing the prospect to buy to understanding the prospect's problems and needs. Caskey believes that changing this dynamic makes prospects more engaged, honest, and open about their issues. This approach creates a more organic and joyful way to sell, which benefits everyone.   If you’re stuck in a sales rut or looking for ways to get better at what you do (let’s face it, most of us can!), don’t miss this episode.  Key Takeaways:   The importance of crafting customer-focused, unique messages Choosing the right platforms to deliver your message Why persuasion alone is not enough to build trust and establish lasting relationships with customers How to foster honest communication The pros…and cons...of incorporating AI into your sales approach Favorite Quote:   “I believe the greatest salespeople are exquisite communicators rather than exquisite persuaders.” Connect with Bill: Website: https://billcaskey.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billcaskeyfan/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bill.caskey/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billcaskey/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BillCaskeyTraining Million Dollar Checklist: https://resources.billcaskey.com/mds-checklist    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.      

"I have cameras pointing at my fridge. If the fridge is empty, the VA orders it." If you thought you knew all there is to know about virtual assistants, this episode might surprise you. We've got Justin Nelson on the show today; he's the CEO of Sphere Rocket, a VA company that has seen a tremendous amount of success in the past few years, going from 0 to 100 employees in just 12 months.  After leaving Engineering school early at the age of 19, he pursued his Real Estate License and, within three years, took over the team and launched his own Real Estate coaching company. From there, he created Sphere Rocket VA to help agents and businesses across all sectors acquire virtual assistant talent; they now hire thousands of people each year.  Justin shares that most people see their virtual assistants as robots - something he's trying to fix. Employers who treat their VAs respectfully and communicate effectively will have much better results. That's why they offer one-on-one coaching for employers to help change their perspective. We also discuss Justin's determination and discipline that drove his success from an early age, how he leverages VAs in all areas of his life, his tips for managing a team of virtual employees, why he always hires three people for the same job, and how he got his team on board to sell the company.  If you're at all curious about how a Virtual Assistant can improve your life or your business for the better...don't miss this episode.     Episode Highlights: Scaling a VA business How hiring multiple candidates increases success The VA training process How a virtual office enhances team collaboration How he utilizes VAs for both personal and professional use Favorite Quote: “Whenever I'm able to see someone's talent over 90 days, a lot of times I can create a position for them, especially if it's around generating more revenue.” Connect with Justin: Website: http://sphererocketva.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinnelson76 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealjustinnelson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-nelson-82b98412a/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealjustinnelson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealjustinnelson   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.        

Business owners, let's cut to the chase: You NEED to pay yourself. You DESERVE to pay yourself. And if you haven't quite figured out how or just need some additional encouragement, this episode should not be missed.    We sat down with serial entrepreneur Brandon Neely to discuss his journey from starting a coffee shop in South Chicago to becoming a small business advisor. He recognized that, even though he was doing something he loved (running a coffee shop), everyone else was getting paid for it. He knew something had to give.    That's when they pivoted. Today, Brandon is a Profit First and Bank On Yourself Professional and the co-host of the Wealth Wisdom Financial Podcast with his wife and business partner Amanda. Together, they help develop personalized financial strategies for businesses and help implement the Profit First system.    In addition to the Profit First system, we cover the importance of self-care and running a lean, profitable business, the concept of a poverty mindset versus a balanced mindset in finances, and balancing ego-driven desires with financial discipline. Brandon also gives us a look at how he uses life insurance policies to his advantage and how it ties in with the Banking Yourself strategy.    If you're still figuring out how to pay yourself or wonder if you could be doing a better job at it, don't miss this convo with Brandon Neely.  Episode Highlights: The Profit First system explained Why you should bank on yourself The STILL Method What is a “properly structured” life insurance policy? The three things every business owner needs to have Acknowledging if you have a business or a hobby Favorite Quote:   “Is this a hobby or is it a business? Because if it's a hobby, treat it like a hobby and be OK with not getting paid.” Connect with Brandon: https://grandmaswealthwisdom.com  https://www.facebook.com/brandonneely.bizactivist  https://www.instagram.com/wealthwisdomfp/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-neely/  https://www.youtube.com/c/wealthwisdomfinancial      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.  

How did a pair of over-priced soccer cleats become the catalyst for our guest's "dirty hands turned cutting-edge tech" trajectory?    (We love stories like this.)   This week, we sat down with the CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, Bryan Clayton. From starting a simple lawnmowing business in high school to building a successful tech company that connects homeowners with local care professionals, his career has had its share of highs and lows.    Bryan discusses the challenges and triumphs he experienced over the past decade in growing GreenPal into a nationwide network, his grassroots approach to customer acquisition, lessons he's learned from being in the home services industry, and that even though he sometimes has 100-hour work weeks, he's not worked a day in the last ten years.    Service-based businesses, startups, app developers, and those with an idea just itching to be explored - don't miss this episode.  Episode Highlights:   How he transitioned from brick-and-mortar to the tech space Evolving as a business owner Why he taught himself to code The importance of investing in different marketing strategies Foundational lessons from a home service business Why they don’t operate a discount model Product versus Distribution Favorite Quote:   “Pick up your phone, call your 20 customers, and let that data speak.” Connect with Bryan: https://yourgreenpal.com/  https://instagram.com/bryanmclayton  https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-clayton-a96b33214  https://twitter.com/bryanmclayton     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.    

How does someone turn a near-forclosure property into a profit in just one month?    That’s the topic in this week’s episode of The Liquid Lunch Project. We’re sitting down with Quentin West, an expert in Airbnb arbitrage, to learn how he’s found huge success.   Airbnb arbitrage is basically renting a property for a year or more and then subleasing it on Airbnb to travelers. By charging more per night, you can make some extra cash. Quentin, who's been in the Airbnb business for a while now, says he started by listing his own home on Airbnb to avoid losing it but then moved on to renting properties specifically for arbitrage.   Quentin shares the difficulties he faced when starting his business (like dealing with guest relationships and neighborhood complaints) and emphasizes the significance of screening guests and creating a good reputation to avoid problems. He also talked about the importance of scaling the business in a healthy way and advised against maxing out credit cards or spending all the profits on expanding the business, as it can leave one vulnerable in case of a slow month.   While arbitrage offers low risk and flexibility, Quentin urges listeners to remember that it's not a long-term retirement plan. The profits may be insane now, but fluctuating markets and new regulations can change that. Instead, he encourages people to see it as the next step to building long-term passive income.    If you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking to enter the short-term rental market and build a new income stream, don't miss this conversation with Quentin West!  Episode Highlights:   How he’s found success by targeting small niche cities. How he manages guest screenings. The benefits of direct bookings. The highs and lows of having an Airbnb How “The Golden Triangle” helps them determine where to buy next Favorite Quote:   “Arbitrage should be your next step to get to longer-term passive income. Don't put yourself in a position where if tomorrow your market outlaws Airbnb, all your income's gone.”   Connect with Quentin: http://realquentinwest.com/  https://www.facebook.com/quentin.west.98 https://www.instagram.com/qdealshomes/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/qdealshomes/ https://www.tiktok.com/@qdealshomes?lang=en https://twitter.com/Qdealshomes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC5K0vQqeaIvHAe6NraLjGQ   To learn more about his upcoming mastermind retreat, where he aims to help others level up their health, wealth, and mindset, visit www.CapitalConnectionEvent.com/Capital-Castle     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.

This week's episode tackles the long-overdue disruption needed in the real estate industry. Like many, we're frustrated with the outdated norm of traditional property transactions, so we were anxious to sit down with Kareem Karachni of Property Guys. He's on the show to tell us how they're busy revolutionizing real estate and empowering agents to become true business owners through franchising - all while giving them the potential to make more money doing what they already do.   We discuss the industry's potential for change, trends, the costs associated with becoming a franchisee, and how Property Guys has emerged as a prominent disruptor, offering flat fees and comprehensive packages, thereby challenging the reliance on traditional agents.   It's a fascinating new take on a system that's been stuck in its ways for decades. Will Property Guys change all that? Is franchise worth exploring? Tune in as we explore this question and others with Karim Kerachni. Episode Highlights:   How Property Guys is an alternative solution to property sales The future of real est The cost to purchase a franchise How they turn agents into business owners Average revenue to expect Favorite Quote:   “If you’re going to get the exact same result for literally one-tenth of the cost, it’s a no-brainer.” Connect with Karim: http://info.propertyguys.com/Mass  https://www.facebook.com/KarimDuDeAngel?mibextid=LQQJ4d  https://instagram.com/karimfrenchy?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg== https://www.linkedin.com/in/karim-kerachni   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.