

Smart Business Revolution | Turn Relationships into Revenues | Networking | More Clients | Relationship Advice
John Corcoran
"Top 100 Small Business Podcasts 2014" -- Small Biz Trends. Former Clinton White House Writer John Corcoran shows you how to build relationships intelligently to get more clients, grow your income and advance your career. Discover how you can use win-win networking and intentional relationship-building with Influencers and VIPs, even if you "hate networking" or feel like you have "nothing to offer" people who are successful. Interviews with today's top entrepreneurs and authors such as Dan Pink, Michael Port, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marie Forleo and Guy Kawasaki, who reveal how they use relationships to grow their businesses and their incomes. Find out more at SmartBusinessRevolution.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 8, 2024 • 40min
Mastering Business Growth With the Power of Forums With Mo Fathelbab
Mo Fathelbab is the Founder and President of the International Facilitators Organization, a community of peer group facilitators dedicated to learning, growth, and development. As a best-selling author, he is well-versed in fostering meaningful relationships among CEOs. Mo, a TEDx speaker and moderator of SHRM Exec Network, played a pivotal role in the early growth of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), where he oversaw its expansion from 100 to several thousand members. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, Mo is recognized for his innovative work in creating and disseminating forum methodologies to a global audience, positively impacting leaders and organizations globally. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Mo Fathelbab, Founder and President of the International Facilitators Organization, to discuss the transformative power of business forums. Mo shares his backstory, including moving from Egypt to the United States and transitioning from door-to-door product sales to leading an organization that champions entrepreneurship through forums. They explore the significance of forums for entrepreneurs and business leaders, highlighting how these groups enable vulnerability, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Mo also provides insight into how forums have adapted to virtual environments and details the underpinnings of successful forums across cultural boundaries.

Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 18min
Crafting the Ultimate Customer Experience With Jason Friedman
Jason Friedman is the Founder and CEO of CXFormula, LLC, specializing in helping fast-growing, entrepreneurial companies gain a competitive edge through enhancing customer experiences. With a dynamic background that stretches from setting up his ventures to working with Fortune 100 brands, Jason's expertise in business development is proven and extensive. Recognized as Ernst and Young's New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year in Business Services, his portfolio includes work with prestigious names like Footlocker, Adidas, Nike, W Hotels, Universal Studios, and Disney. Before diving into the world of customer experience, Jason turned a profit by creating solutions at a young age, from shoveling snow to building elevated beds for fellow college students, growing the venture into a million-dollar business. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Jason Friedman, the Founder and CEO of CXFormula, LLC, to discuss his multifaceted entrepreneurial experience. They talk about Jason’s early forays into business as a youngster who capitalizes on snow shoveling, transforming it from a solo gig to a team operation and learning the staples of managing and motivating a young workforce. He also describes his ingenious idea to maximize dormitory space by building elevated beds, an endeavor that grows into a million-dollar enterprise. Jason doesn't just reflect on the highs of entrepreneurship but also imparts valuable insights into building successful ventures through creating compelling customer experiences, the power of customization, and the efficiencies of a thoughtful business model. With a strong sense of mission and adaptability, Jason illustrates how to steer a business toward success while remaining true to one's roots and skills.

Mar 1, 2024 • 40min
The MKG Marketing Model for Growth With Mike Krass
Mike Krass is the Co-founder of MKG Marketing, where he has leveraged his extensive experience in digital marketing to service cybersecurity and SaaS businesses effectively. As an avid pilot, Mike brings a unique perspective to his business, emphasizing procedure and risk management. His entrepreneurial journey includes learning valuable lessons from youthful ventures, such as his car washing business. Mike is also the facilitator of the What's the Problem? podcast, which explores pressing issues in the tech and marketing space. In this episode, John Corcoran hosts Mike Krass, the Co-Founder of MKG Marketing, to discuss how Mike took the bold step of firing himself as CEO to better serve his company's growing needs. The conversation unravels his entrepreneurial roots, from a neighborhood car washing business to establishing MKG Marketing as a leading agency in the cybersecurity and SaaS realms.

Feb 23, 2024 • 36min
Revolutionizing the Private Security Industry with Anna Redmond
Anna Redmond is the Founder of Braav, a trailblazing company set to transform the private security industry through innovative AI technology. Having transitioned from an investor to an entrepreneur, Anna brings a wealth of experience in venture capital — an expertise she cultivated after graduating from Harvard — to her current role. She previously co-founded and led HIPPO Reads, a thought leadership platform for Fortune 500 companies that facilitated interaction between the academic and business communities. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Anna Redmond, the Founder of Braav, as they explore Anna’s unconventional path from investor to entrepreneur. Anna shares the inspirations that led to the founding of Braav, provides insights into the specifics of AI adoption in security tasks, and emphasizes the significance of empowering clients and employees through enhanced security practices.

Feb 16, 2024 • 31min
Dave Dumoulin | From Paper Routes to Office Furniture Powerhouse
Dave Dumoulin is the President and CEO of LW Office Furniture Warehouse, a nationally recognized leader in the field of office furniture liquidation and resale. Approximately five years ago, Dave pivoted his career to purchase the used office furniture company, Liquidators World. Under his leadership, he successfully rebranded the company, opened additional locations, and expanded the business through difficult economic periods, including the pandemic. Dave has led diverse businesses in the lumber, flooring, and software sales industries. His experience spans leadership roles in companies such as Talpx, JP Flooring Systems Inc., and RFMS Inc. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, as John Corcoran sits down with Dave Dumoulin, President and CEO of LW Office Furniture Warehouse, to delve into Dave's entrepreneurial journey of buying a used office furniture company, transforming it into a thriving venture, and doubling its revenues even during a global pandemic. He provides insights on expanding a product lineup, offering customizable solutions, and adapting to the changes in the business landscape.

Feb 9, 2024 • 41min
Cameron Madill | From Candy Reseller to Employee-Owned Entrepreneur
Cameron Madill shares his journey from candy reseller to entrepreneur, transitioning PixelSpoke into an employee-owned cooperative. He discusses the challenges of selling a business to employees, embracing B Corps, and working with entrepreneurial couples. The podcast explores the impacts of becoming B Corp certified, navigating challenges in transitioning to employee ownership, and the importance of aligning values in business and family dynamics.

Feb 2, 2024 • 45min
Entrepreneurship, Journalism, and Testifying Before Congress With Dan Grech
Dan Grech is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Instructor at BizHack Academy, which provides digital marketing training to corporations, marketing executives, and businesses nationwide. Before starting the academy, Dan was the News Director at WLRN Public Media, worked as a correspondent for NPR’s Marketplace, and was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team at the Miami Herald. He also co-hosted Miami's first podcast, Under the Sun. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Dan Grech, the Founder and CEO of BizHack Academy, about his journalism career and how he became an entrepreneur. They also discuss entrepreneurial and journalism challenges, the effects of AI on businesses, and Dan's experience testifying before Congress.

Jan 26, 2024 • 34min
Strategies for Growing a Software Company Through a Recession With Brad Griffith
Brad Griffith is the President of Buckeye Innovation, a software engineering and design agency with a passion for creating dynamic digital experiences. The company helps growing businesses utilize software and design to amplify their impact on their communities. Brad founded Buckeye Innovation in 2009 after graduating from Ohio State University. He has several years of experience in web application development and has worked with JPMorgan Chase, Qualcomm, and the Go Big Network. One of Brad's first projects involved building a website in sixth grade, developing the same robust skillset he still uses. He is also a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization chapter in Columbus and serves as the EO Accelerator Chair. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran interviews Brad Griffith, the President of Buckeye Innovation, about his strategies for growing a software company in a difficult season. Brad also explains the concept of a self-imposed downturn, the effects of technology and AI on businesses, and how he built a company during a recession.

Jan 19, 2024 • 36min
How To Escape Founder-Led Sales for Agency Owners With Corey Quinn
Corey Quinn is a self-employed Fractional CMO and Go-To-Market Strategist at Corey Quinn, Inc. He is also a seasoned entrepreneur, sales leader, and marketing executive with a mission to empower agency founders through mentoring, consulting, and coaching. Corey graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has been an entrepreneur for 25 years. His focus is on helping agency owners to get out of founder-led sales. Before starting Corey Quinn, Inc., Corey was the CMO at Scorpion, where he helped grow the agency's revenue from $20 million to $150 million in seven years. He hosts the Vertical Go-To-Market Podcast and is the author of the upcoming book, Anyone, Not Everyone. In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran sits down with Corey Quinn, a Fractional CMO and Go-To-Market Strategist at Corey Quinn, Inc., to talk about how agency owners can escape founder-led sales. They also discuss Corey's tech background, the challenges agency owners face selling to lawyers, and the benefits of building a niche business.

Jan 12, 2024 • 37min
Hiring and Recruitment: Finding and Keeping Great Talent for Your Company With Teresa Murphey
Teresa Murphey is the Founder and CEO of Hire Ventures, a company that provides HR and recruiting consulting services specifically tailored for early-stage tech ventures. Based out of the Atlanta area, Teresa founded Hire Ventures in 2001 to provide businesses with human resource consulting, recruiting, and other talent-related services. She is a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Atlanta chapter and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast, John Corcoran is joined by Teresa Murphey, the Founder and CEO of Hire Ventures, to discuss hiring and recruitment strategies. They also talk about the importance of workplace safety, the business development challenges new entrepreneurs face, and how the 9/11 tragedy and the pandemic impacted Teresa's business.