Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Sue de Bievre, the founder, and CEO of Beany based in Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand. Sue has set up her own business to help entrepreneurs have quick and efficient accounting services. From working at a corporate chartered accounting job and serving other people, Sue has decided to build her own business to revolutionize her preferred industry completely. Beany was established in 2013 and had been running for over 9 years. Has helped over 4,000 businesses around New Zealand with growth between 35-40% revenue growth for the year 2022 and has 48 FTEs. Sue has said that growing a small business requires persistence in order to become productive in achieving your targets. So she says, "If you say you're going to do something, do it. If somebody says no, you go back again, it's like just not letting go and keeping going." This Cast Covers: Offering online accounting services to small business owners in New Zealand and Australia. Doing traditional accounting through online services at a lower price point. From working at a corporate chartered accounting job to managing her own business. Been in and out of public practice in her whole career. Growing between 35-40% revenue growth for the year 2022. Helped over 4,000 businesses around New Zealand. Uses Zendesk as a sort of Customer Support Platform. A company that has never dropped below 90% client satisfaction. Experienced a painful failure to raise capital for her business. Sharing the positive effect of surrounding ourselves with people who invested in our business. Links: Sue's Linkedin Sue's Twitter Additional Resources: Beany Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Quotes: "Whenever you hit a metric that you've been aiming at, push it down the road, otherwise you get bored." —Sue de Bievre "Sometimes you need to recharge with people who are still invested in your business." —Sue de Bievre "Make sure that you're looking after the people and growing with them and their business." —Sue de Bievre "Do what you say you're going to do." —Sue de Bievre "Keep the core of your being believing your product, service, and your people without being rattled by the negative things." —Sue de Bievre Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Donnie Boivin, the Founder, and CEO of Success Champions based in Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America. Donnie has set up a company to provide training and education in building the business toward success. From working as a straight-commission sales guy, Donnie has decided to run his own networking business to improve his expertise in the field of sales. Success Champions was established in 2017 and has been running for over 5 years. Growing from $67,000 to $800,000 in the present revenues. Donnie mentioned something about being an expert sales guy first before you can build a business of your own. So he said, "Go learn sales, figure out sales and learn how to do the sales side of things you'll eventually be able to bring on somebody who's going to outperform you. But you can't build a business if you can't sell." This Cast Covers: Provide a ton of training and an avenue for the entrepreneurs to network. Became number 22 in the world of podcasting. Growing into 800 thousand dollars in revenue. Had to postpone the Badass Business Summit due to COVID. Became a catalyst when he shows up his true self which allowed the clients and people to do the same. Run a full working farm on top of his business. He's been given feedback over the years on the podcast about his swearing. Almost lost their family's farm in his early year in business. Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45. Learning how to manage priorities. Links: Donnie's Linkedin Donnie's Facebook Donnie's Instagram Additional Resources: Success Champions Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude by Napoleon Hill Quotes: "You can pretty much be anywhere you want to be and still run your business." —Donnie Boivin "Success is watching others succeed." —Donnie Boivin "The best way to truly meet yourself is to build a business." —Donnie Boivin "If you can't sell, you're never going to create a successful sales team because you can't teach them how to be successful." —Donnie Boivin "Your first few hires, don't hire for an entire thing, hire for one particular task you need to be done, and hire specifically for that. " —Donnie Boivin Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this week's Quick Fire Friday episode, Michael interviews Keryn Nylander, a Strategic Communications, Media, Brand, and Public Relations Specialist, and Principal of Nylander Consulting. She's based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Keryn is a former journalist that covered print and electronic media until she decided to transfer to the field of public relations. Now she has a consultancy firm that aids her clients' public relations. A business has three vital parts: advertising, marketing, and public relations. Like the other two, public relations is essential in a business and shouldn't be treated as the lesser of the two. Keryn specializes in that field, giving strategic communications to small-medium business owners, refining their Social License, and preparing businesses to withstand any drama when the chips are down. According to Keryn, what she'd recommend small-medium business owners do on Monday is, "You should have a crisis comms plan; what are you going to do? If something doesn't go right?" a risk management strategy to maintain the excellent reputation of your brand. This Cast Covers: Who's Keryn Nylander? The early days of Keryn Nylander's career. How did Michael and Keryn meet? The cruciality of understanding how media works. Three areas that you can use to promote your business. Media training and strategic communications advice. The importance of communicating. Social License is a really powerful tool. Building the values and the culture first. Having foresight of a bad situation. Links: Keryn's Linkedin Keryn's Instagram Additional Resources: Spin Sucks: Communication and Reputation Management in the Digital Age (Que Biz-tech) by Gini Dietrich Quotes: "Understanding how the media works are integral to being a good public relations practitioner." — Keryn Nylander. "Well, it'll surprise you how few people understand public relations. And yet, you would say it's the most important." — Keryn Nylander. "Your Social License is people's reputation of you." — Keryn Nylander. "Social License it's so powerful because it can make or break you." — Keryn Nylander. "You should have a crisis comms plan; what are you going to do? If something doesn't go right?" — Keryn Nylander. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this week's GASB Podcast episode, Troy interviews Fred Cary, based in San Diego, California, United States. Fred's the CEO of a company called IdeaPros. He has also been involved with a ton of businesses; he was also in a rock band once. Fred started several companies before founding IdeaPros. Fred was always destined to be an entrepreneur; he started at the age of 17 by offering services 24/7 to now, 50 years later, with no plan of retiring. Some of the companies Fred started were BoxLot, Azure, Path1, Imagine Communications, Home Bistro and IdeaPros, a company that helps fellow entrepreneurs with anything and everything they need in their journey. Ideapros has generated over $30 million in revenue in the past few years, with an EBITDA of 25%. According to Fred, in growing a small business, what he loves most is the sense of innovation. The process of creating something or doing something that nobody else has done is incredible. He said, "Sometimes you have to change course; sometimes you have to do so drastically and violently." This Cast Covers: How Troy and Fred knew each other. Fred Cary's early days of entrepreneurship. Fred's variety of businesses. How difficult it is to start a company. The meaning of success as defined by the interviewee. Being mindful of your competitors. Resolving negative feedback to improve the company. Fred's passion for innovation. Being critically honest and transparent. Links: Fred's Linkedin Fred's Website Fred's Instagram Fred's Facebook Ideapros Additional Resources: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran Quotes: "Sometimes you have to change course; sometimes you have to do so drastically and violently." — Fred Cary. "Just because you have a great idea doesn't mean the world's ready for it." — Fred Cary. "They say you spend the first half of your career building up your resume and the second half building up your eulogy." — Fred Cary. "Look behind you. Look at your competitors." — Fred Cary. "The greatest work that you're going to need to do is in the marketing area … It is the lifeblood of your organization." — Fred Cary. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Rene Zamora, the Founder of Sales Manager Now based in Auburn, California, United States. Rene, a sales manager expert, has been assisting small business owners in managing their sales for almost two decades. From working in a corporate job as a consultant, Rene has decided to establish his own company to offer sales management consulting services. Sales Manager Now was founded in 2006 and has been running for over 16 years. Growing with over 4 consultants and has already managed 31 clients with an average tenure of 32.32 months. Rene mentioned being clear as the key to marketing a fast-growing business. So he added, "Take some time, step back, and don't just jump on the first person that comes along telling you what to do." This Cast Covers: Managing small business sales teams on a month-to-month basis. The great advantage of choosing to have a part-time sales manager rather than full-time. Successfully managed 31 clients already. Set up his own company, Sales Manager Now at the age of 47. First started with the high-performance team and leadership training. Jumped from a corporate job to start his first-ever business. The struggles he faced as a consultant. The importance of perseverance and patience in getting through the business. Growing his consultants into 4 including himself that manage 3 to 7 clients each. Learning to become clear and aware of their business growth. Links: Rene's Linkedin Additional Resources: Sales Manager Now Traction by Gino Whitman Quotes: "Every business is a little different out there." —Rene Zamora "Don't fire your clients too early because sometimes it's not about them." —Rene Zamora "There are times when someone just needs to make a decision with or without collaboration to find the right balance that keeps people." —Rene Zamora "If you think you're doing something good, and it's worthy, and there's a market for it, don't give up." —Rene Zamora "Don't skimp on your electronics, so if you know to get the right computer, you need to get the right apps you need. " —Rene Zamora Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this week's Quick Fire Friday episode, Rob interviews Jason K Williamson. Jason's an e-commerce expert, he has generated north of 130 million USD for brands all over the world. He's based in Greater Adelaide Area, Australia. Jason believes that his job is to help collect more interested people. Marketing will be collecting the leads, sales will be selling to them. It's the yin and yang in e-commerce. Jason has developed principles and concepts that helped him to be the expert he is now. Such as the Trojan Horse Method, the Mafia Offer, and Recency and Frequency. Through hard work and patience in collecting data, frequently sending appealing emails and offers, Jason has mastered taking somebody who doesn't know who they are, then enticing them with the products and services that they offer. For he believes that his job is to help collect more interested people. This Cast Covers: Who is Jason K Williamson? Marketing in Email, and SMS. Jason's history and success in email, and SMS marketing. Different types of work Jason did outside of e-commerce. Key questions in e-commerce. Marketing will be collecting leads and sales is selling to them. 3 principles Jason uses in e-commerce. Concepts such as the Trojan Horse Method and the Mafia Offer. Things business owners should take away from the podcast. Links: Jason's LinkedIn Jason's Instagram Jason's Website Additional Resources: The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business by Josh Kaufman Quotes: "Marketing will be collecting the leads, and the sales will be like, selling to them." — Jason K Williamson. "My biggest goal is how can I take somebody who doesn't know who we are? Entice them with something." — Jason K Williamson. "Identify where exactly are you capturing leads." — Jason K Williamson. "Start collecting doesn't matter where you are or what you do, just start collecting more leads." — Jason K Williamson. "I always offer the best stuff up front.." — Jason K Williamson. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Dan Lancaster, owner of Dana Eating House based in Hobart, Australia. Dan together with his brother as co-owner has set up their own business to offer good food, booze and company. With over 12 years of experience working in different job positions in the same business industry, Dan decided to establish his own restaurant which he's been manifesting for a long time ago. Dana Eating House was established in 2020 and has been running for 2 years and counting. Growing his business with over $2.3 million mark in revenue and 11 FTEs. Dan has mentioned that communication and honesty are the habits that small businesses need to maintain. To further explain this, he added, "If you can't be honest with yourself and your team around you, and have difficult conversations and communicate effectively. To be honest, I think you'd have been in a bit of trouble making hard decisions." This Cast Covers: Dana itself is Sanskrit which means the act of cultivating generosity. Started his business during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. A kind of high-capacity restaurant that provides food, booze, and company. Dana Eating House was his first owned business. Was able to fund their business through borrowing from his family members and a loan from the government. Dropped down the full-time equivalents to give an opportunity for staff to shine. Earned $2.3 million in revenue over their first year in business. Left school when he was 17 years old and jumped into hospitality. Manifesting restaurant ever since he was 18 years old. A good bookkeeper is vital to see the business grow. Links: Dan's Instagram Additional Resources: Dana Eating House E-Myth by Michael Gerber Quotes: "Surround yourself with people that are like-minded." —Dan Lancaster "Don't hire friends or people that are too close because it could create certain difficult areas in managing things." —Dan Lancaster "It's going to be hard but you're going to have probably the best time of your life." —Dan Lancaster "You got to spend money to make money." —Dan Lancaster "There are a lot of amazing things you can do in this industry." —Dan Lancaster Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Nicole Baldinu, an entrepreneur and Co-Founder of WebinarNinja & The $100 MBA. She's based in Sydney, Australia. Nicole was an ESL teacher for 12 years, went to film school, and then pursued a career in entrepreneurship. After working as an ESL teacher, Nicole decided to co-develop an idea, which is The $100 MBA that was launched in 2013; later on, WebinarNinja, which was established in 2014, earned 1 million ARR in USD in 2021. According to Nicole, the approach that small-medium business owners should develop and maintain is having an optimal state of mind because that's where your productivity depends. She said, "So the ability to call yourself out, when you recognize you're actually not in an optimal state of mind… realizing that hang on and making an emotional decision." This Cast Covers: How Troy found Nicole Baldinu. Webinars and Podcasts. Nicole's journey before heading out as an entrepreneur. Alpha and Beta stages of The $100 MBA and WebinarNinja. What is The $100 MBA? What is WebinarNinja? How both companies are funded. Having a healthy peer system, mentors, and coaches. Keeping an optimal state of mind. The importance of resiliency. Links: Nicole's LinkedIn Nicole's Twitter Nicole's Website Additional Resources: The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Free Time by Jenny Blake Deploy Empathy by Michele Hansen Quotes: "Never to promise an exact date. Those early second estimates, then you double it." —Nicole Baldinu "You're part of this creation of something that didn't exist until you decide to make it happen. And then you see other people using that thing. That's an incredible feeling." —Nicole Baldinu "When leading a team; you have certain standards, you have certain beliefs in the way that you want things to be in the way you think they should be." —Nicole Baldinu "It's the creative process; nothing in business is fixed or permanent. You're constantly in flux, you're constantly in change. And that's exciting." —Nicole Baldinu "Focus on the work." —Nicole Baldinu Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

For this week's Quick-Fire Friday episode, Rob interviews Karen Laos, who's based in San Francisco, California, United States. Karen's a Communication Expert, for almost three decades she's been coaching women in communication and she's also an International Best-Selling Author of Trust Your Own Voice. In the corporate world: communication, confidence, and negotiation are keys for a small-medium business owner to succeed; whether closing a sale with a customer or negotiating with an investor. Karen has mastered if not close to learning those three fields. She has developed effective techniques and strategies that business owners can use to improve their communication and boost their confidence, which will then lead to a fruitful negotiation. A lot of people think that what happens in a negotiation, is that one person wins and the other one loses. However, Karen believes that if it's like that, it's not a very productive path to go. "So, the number one thing is to think about it as a relationship. I am building a relationship here.", Karen said. This Cast Covers: The definition of communication. Knowing what matters to your audience. The definition of confidence. The correct mindset about the act of negotiation. Common thoughts of small-medium business owners at negotiating. Gaining confidence to get things started. Small-medium business owners own their worth. Preparing ahead for tough negotiations. Planting your foot at negotiation but still open for it. Minimizing rambling when communicating/negotiating. Links: Karen's Linkedin Karen's Facebook Karen's Website Additional Resources: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss Free PDF: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead Quotes: "You can negotiate. You don't have to just pay what's right there at face value." — Karen Laos. "If we're not understanding each other communication hasn't taken place." — Karen Laos. "The number one thing is always to know your audience." — Karen Laos. "Yeah, well, a lot of people look at negotiation, as if it's one person wins, and one person loses." — Karen Laos. "Yes, I'm going to go with how to stop rambling and get to the points. The number one thing in communication, particularly in a negotiation that I've noticed is people start talking too much, tripping over their words, or saying too many words." — Karen Laos. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Alec Balcombe, the Co-Chief of Dodge based in Hobart, Australia. Alec together with his business partner, set up their business to provide Dodge, an all-natural, non-alcoholic, hangover preventative drink to the Australian and global market. From working as a furniture designer, Alec decided to enter various business industries until he found his current company in the industry of Food and Beverage Services. Dodge was established in 2021 and has been running for over a year now. Growing his business with over 5 FTEs. Alec mentioned that one habit a small business owner should maintain and develop is cleanliness because a clear space is a clear mind. So to fully achieve this, he encouraged business owners to have an absolute cleanliness site. He also added, "Everything's in the cloud, whichever cloud it is that you store your sheet in, keep it clean." This Cast Covers: Running an all-natural, non-alcoholic, hangover-preventative drink. Developed with Monash University over the past 18 months. Growing into 2 million dollars in revenue. Started his first business at the age of 21. From being a furniture designer to now more of a business person. Hustling and grinding to meet the standards of new opportunities. Jumped into a software business and developed a CRM. Providing a solid contribution to the success of a public headphone company. Mentors are significant to the productive and effective growth of any small business. Links: Alec's Linkedin Alec's Facebook Additional Resources: Dodge Contagious by Jonah Berger Quotes: "Surround yourself with people who are good at the things you don't know." —Alec Balcombe "It's so important to have the right capital up front." —Alec Balcombe "Do your homework, do your due diligence, and take your time." —Alec Balcombe "Hire people that can contribute to the success of the business and are motivated and have the skill to go." —Alec Balcombe "Surround yourself with smarter people." —Alec Balcombe Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0