Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Kris Ward, the Founder of Win The Hour, Win The Day based in Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is a consulting business and together with her team, they help small business owners with time management and productivity. Crushing clients' demanding schedule is one of their targets to free clients from exhaustion but promising that their business profits remain growing. Win The Hour, Win The Day was founded in 2006. Kris started by herself and had a tough time during the first three years. As she got more clients, she grew her business as well as her team. Kris then has led authority in building a business by creating a team. For over 15 years in consulting, now a six-figure business with 8 FTEs. Kris describes success by saying, "Success is having a business that supports your life instead of consuming." She also added, "Success is really about having a quality of life, being able to take care of yourself, your vitality, and your family while enjoying your work." This Cast Covers: Helping small business owners be more effective with time management and productivity. Crushing clients' demanding schedules yet still growing profits and spending time on what's important in life. Helping clients create the freedom they desire through time management, productivity, outsourcing, and team building. With three proven steps to crush a demanding schedule, focusing on the team, time, and toolkits. Creating a business that supported their life instead of consuming it. Describing success as having a quality of life, taking care of one's self and vitality, having quality time with family while enjoying work. Teaching clients how they can progress and move toward their goal by letting their team manage and assist in propelling the business forward. Emphasizing that being a successful entrepreneur is all about getting ideas to execution. Additional Resources: Win The Hour, Win The Day The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is having a business that supports your life instead of consuming." —Kris Ward "Have a toolkit that allows you to purposely focus on anything you're doing." —Kris Ward "Your team should manage you and propel you forward, just like having a little motor on the back of your rowboat instead of you just paddling by yourself." —Kris Ward "Be more purposeful about going deeper instead of skimming things." —Kris Ward "We all make mistakes, so lighten up on yourself." —Kris Ward ………………………………………… 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 Raja Pagadala, the Founder and the Managing Director at The Final Step, a UK-based IT company, helping businesses and firms upgrade their IT. The company ensures that its clients' IT is generating growth and success on a daily basis. Raja loves helping professional services firms grow through the use of technology. The Final Step was established in 1987 when Raja was only 22 years old. He started and operated his business by himself, now working with the biggest businesses and companies as well as helping small businesses to grow. And from 1 FTE to around 20 for over 35 years. Raja has been witnessing the success of their clients and most of them still work with The Final Step. Raja said that being honest with their clients makes their business reliable. Clients trust them so much to do a good job. "Be honest. If a client is telling you something that is patently incorrect, you don't have to agree with them," he said. This Cast Covers: Helping small to medium-sized businesses with technology to achieve their business goals. Established in 1987, started by himself to around 20 FTEs now for over 35 years. Services include removing barriers to growth, improving productivity, solving IT problems, and protecting the business against the unexpected. Supporting professional services firms through better use of technology and extending security. Turning businesses around by transforming their IT capabilities. Helping clients to make an informed decision not to make the decision for them. Creating a service that provides the solution thus, the business exists to grow other businesses. The importance of looking for people with core values in the hiring process and their ability to learn is also needed. How being honest with your clients makes your business and company reliable. The importance of methodology in executing and adjusting business plans. Additional Resources: The Final Step Mindset By Carol S. Dweck Grit By Angela Duckworth ………………………………………… Quotes: "Be honest. If a client is telling you something that is patently incorrect, you don't have to agree with them." —Raja Pagadala "Accept feedback and do something about it." —Raja Pagadala "Do what you need to do, learn from the failures, and praise the effort, not the end result." —Raja Pagadala "Get into the habit of planning, executing, reviewing, and adjusting your plan." —Raja Pagadala "Go and find out what the demand is, adjust your offering and be consistent." —Raja Pagadala ………………………………………… 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 Leanne Haining, the Co-founder and Creative Director at Urban Rituelle, an award-winning manufacturer of bath, body, skincare & home fragrance products based in Sydney, Australia. Urban Rituelle is known for beautiful products, exceptional scents, signature packaging, and quality natural ingredients. Founded in 1999 by Leanne Haining & Scott Kelly, Urban Rituelle grew from its beginnings at the inner-city Sydney Market into a successful international business. Leanne's passion is to create a sustainable business with a philosophy of passion, kindness, care, and unsurpassed quality. Her 20 years of experience in the gift industry makes her the expert when it comes to gifting. Leanne says, "Surround yourself with amazing people who know more than you do and that are willing to help and share advice." If you want your business to grow, make it possible to learn from people who know more than you do. Learning from them is not a bad idea but helps you make better decisions. This Cast Covers: An award-winning manufacturer of bath, body care, home fragrance, and skincare which was established in 1999. Known for its exceptional products, high-quality formulations as well as beautiful packaging. A family-owned business for over 21 years in the gift industry and 100% Australian-made. Creating rituals that make people feel good is the first thing they value. Make sure that the experience with the brand and the company is exceptional. Started at the inner-city Sydney Market into a successful international business. Renowned as one of the market leaders in bath, body & home fragrance luxuries and has established distribution both in Australia and international markets. With the passion of creating a sustainable business with a philosophy of passion, kindness, care, and unsurpassed quality. Helping other businesses create extraordinary experiences with her 20-year experience in the gift industry. Additional Resources: Urban Rituelle Everything Is Figureoutable By Marie Forloe One Wild Ride ………………………………………… Quotes: "Make it unique and authentic, then you'll stand out from the crowd." —Leanne Haining "Allow the leadership team to thrive, make decisions, and do what they do best." —Leanne Haining "Set targets and goals with timelines and deadlines." —Leanne Haining "Surround yourself with amazing people who know more than you do and that are willing to help and share advice." —Leanne Haining "If you don't address the problems, they won't go away." —Leanne Haining ………………………………………… 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 Angela Henderson, a Business Consultant and Coach at Angela Henderson Consulting based in Brisbane, Australia. They help women entrepreneurs and small business owners build a successful lifestyle business, creating 5-figure months & then onto 6/7- figure years without burning out. In 2016, Angela jumped out from being a mental health clinician to starting business consulting and coaching. They are now working with women all around the world and passionate about getting more wealth into the hands of women. When she became a business coach for women, she had 0 people in the online community but now has grown to over 10,000 people. Angela says that what she loves the most in growing a small business is seeing everyone grow. It doesn't necessarily just mean growing from a financial point of view but growing their confidence and that they have the ability to do what they want and create something for themselves. This Cast Covers: A business consultant and coach, helping entrepreneurs and business owners fast track their business success. Working with women all around the world and passionate about getting more wealth into the hands of women. Helping women get all the pieces in place to help them hit four and five-figure months, and then on six and seven-plus figure years without burning out. Working together to build strong foundations with startups and small businesses that are ready to grow. Building strong foundations through marketing and sales activities, systems, and mindset. The importance of working with a business consultant who has run a successful business dealt with and made mistakes. Guiding aspiring female entrepreneurs to have the courage, mindset, and foundations to build a successful business. A former mental health clinician, explaining the importance of checking individuals' mental health. Learning a long-term strategy in business is learning to get to know people as conversations lead to connections. Additional Resources: Angela Henderson Consulting The Go-Giver By Bob Burg Chill & Proper with Denise Duffield Thomas ………………………………………… Quotes: "You don't have to work hard, you just have to work smart." —Angela Henderson "It's important to know about hiring the right people for the right jobs and getting the right people on the bus." —Angela Henderson "At the end of the day, you are responsible for the outcomes in your life." —Angela Henderson "Learn to have conversations, conversations lead to connections." —Angela Henderson "There's more to business than just strategy." —Angela Henderson ………………………………………… 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 Shannon Ferguson, the Co-founder and CEO at FanSaves, a digital platform based in Ottawa, Canada that offers fans discounts and deals from sponsors of their favorite teams and organizations. Shannon grew up playing competitive hockey so her experience has grown her skills and allowed her to lead with authority and credibility. The social couponing platform serves as the bridge that connects fans to their favorite teams, organizations, and team sponsors. This was launched in 2017 together with Shannon's life partner, Chris McCarthy. They are currently working with 45 teams and organizations across North America and have surpassed 600 businesses and brands offering deals on the digital platform. Shannon says that success is waking up happy every day and loving what you do. She added, "The happier you are in life, the more tangible things like money, fame or anything that usually equate with success find you." This Cast Covers: A digital platform that offers discounts and deals to fans from the sponsors of their favorite teams. Features discounts and deals from the sponsors and affiliated brands of sports teams, organizations, schools, events, influencers, media, and more. The platform also helps organizations increase their sponsorship and engagement while giving both the organization and sponsors a way to track ROI. Started a small business in 2016 which was about marketing and events and later started managing the sponsorship sales and marketing for professional hockey teams. Has launched a digital way to activate and engage fans. Grew up playing competitive hockey and her experience has grown her skills and allowed her to lead with authority and credibility. The first to be connecting fans to their favorite teams, organizations, and team sponsors. Currently working with 45 teams and organizations across North America. Recently surpassed 600 businesses and brands offering deals on the digital platform. Won a Best Ottawa Business Award for best leaders for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additional Resources: FanSaves Overcome Your Villains By Heather Monahan Untamed By Glennon Doyle How to Build a Goddamn Empire By Ali Kriegsman ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success waking up happy every day and loving what you do." —Shannon Ferguson "The key to marketing is having a community around because at the end of the day, marketing comes down to people and people need to be happy." —Shannon Ferguson "What you manifest can actually become real." —Shannon Ferguson "Never let your fears overcome your potential." —Shannon Ferguson "Believe that every tiny little step that you make adds up to really big changes in the end." —Shannon Ferguson ………………………………………… 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 Riley Oickle, the CEO and Founder of Riley Oickle Investments based in Toronto, Canada. Riley is a Real Estate Investor and Mentor and he is passionate about helping people buy their first income property and manage it profitably. His business offers opportunities such as joint ventures, private lending, and sustainability. Riley started multiple businesses from the age of 19 to his early 20s including home maintenance and business consulting. He still operates his businesses from afar but he is more focused now on Real Estate Investing, helping people take their first step toward financial freedom through the investment vehicle of Real Estate. According to Riley, the challenge of a business that's growing too fast is making sure that the business has something to land on. It's a tough job ensuring that there must be growth and innovating the business according to trends and world change. However, embracing technology would be one of the best choices to make every business alive. This Cast Covers: A Real Estate Investor who is passionate about helping people take their first step toward financial freedom through investment. Started multiple businesses at a young age and now focuses his career on Real Estate Investing. Offering opportunities such as joint ventures, private lending, and sustainability. Helping clients to be able to effectively manage their time so they can perform better at running their business. Became the best choice of his clients through his knowledge and understanding of real estate investing. With a coaching program that would essentially help clients and students to learn more about consulting and investing. How treating clients right and spending more time with them can build trust in one another. How embracing technology could help the business grow in this constantly changing world. Learning to manifest good habits in order to put everything in business align. The importance of making your own way and not minding what other people would think. Additional Resources: Riley Oickle The 4-Hour Workweek By Timothy Ferriss TED Podcasts The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck By Mark Manson ………………………………………… Quotes: "Embrace technology if you want to grow your business." —Riley Oickle "The advantage of having a small number of people is that we can really get to know them." —Riley Oickle "Not worrying about what other people think must be the big mindset shift that we needed to look at." —Riley Oickle "Stay consistent." —Riley Oickle "Don't be a pessimist, be happy and enjoy life." —Riley Oickle ………………………………………… 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 Tara Howell, the Founder and Director at Blue Derby Pods Ride based in Launceston, Australia. Blue Derby Pods Ride is a luxury adventure mountain biking experience with a three-day itinerary. Tara Howell is living her values by showcasing just how special the offerings Tasmania has available really are. Blue Derby Pods Ride is the first and only five-star mountain biking experience in Australia. With a strong background in the space of Brand and Marketing, Tara started finding what she was good at and what she was interested in which was tourism and mountain biking. She started pushing the idea of a luxury adventure mountain biking experience in 2017, aged 27. Tara says she grew her business by ensuring their guests have the most incredible time. Guest focus or guest first is the number one mantra of their business. She says, "I absolutely love the way to get to be on our guests' highlight when they look back on their life." This Cast Covers: An exclusive accommodation Pods in Derby, Tasmania with a luxury adventure mountain biking experience. Get to experience the world-class mountain biking trails and indulge in beautiful Tasmanian food and wine. Captivating and perspective-altering experiences in the Tasmanian landscape. Allowing visitors to be captivated by the beauty of North East Tasmania. Incorporated her love for mountain biking and launched exciting activities and accommodation. How business owners and entrepreneurs learn from mentors who are younger than them. Ensuring every guest had an incredible time and enjoyed the activities provided for them. From running one trip per week through peak season, now running all year round with back-to-back trips. Pushing the idea of a luxury mountain and manifesting its business' mantra which is guest a focus. Additional Resources: Blue Derby Pods Ride The Courage to Be Disliked By Ichiro Kishimi Wild with Sarah Wilson ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success isn't about hitting a certain amount of money or a certain title but is really about being happy every day in what I'm doing." —Tara Howell "The way you behave and the way you act around your team, the energy you put off will be how your tech team is." —Tara Howell "Mentorship doesn't have to be someone older." —Tara Howell "You have to read to be able to run your business really well." —Tara Howell "Just keep your feet on the ground while shooting some stars." —Tara Howell ………………………………………… 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 Dmitrii Kustov, the Founder and Marketing Director at Regex SEO, a Houston-based Internet Marketing company, helping businesses and entrepreneurs grow their presence online through developing fully custom digital marketing strategies. Dmitrii is a data-driven Internet Marketing Director who helps companies increase their market share and revenue. With his extensive experience running an internet marketing team at a local agency, he founded his own SEO company in 2016 at the age of 25. He started off with $0 to a million dollars in revenue and from 1 FTE, now working with a total of 30 FTEs for over 5 years. Dmitrii shares that he had worked the most on building and investing in his team. He says, "The more you can trust your team, the better you're going to be. If you have a great team, you can create a great product, great service, and you can get great clients." This Cast Covers: A full-service Houston SEO marketing company offering a comprehensive array of professional SEO campaigns and services. Helping clients with internet marketing, SEO services, and online marketing campaigns. Offering our clients the highest possible search engine ranking for their business. Helping clients rebuild and reorganize their business' website for organic growth. Highlighting the role of SEO in business which is to make every business show up on the first page for those searches in the area. Incorporating processes to determine the best strategy for the clients' businesses. Engaging with professional designers and marketers for brand development. Developing a branding strategy that gives a brand a distinct voice and personality. The importance of having data to track processes as well as the progress of the business. How perseverance allows every entrepreneur to build a future-ready business. Additional Resources: Regex SEO Moz Seige Media Valuetainment ………………………………………… Quotes: "There is always room for improvement and there are always better ways to do what we do." —Dmitrii Kustov "Don't trust the gut, trust the data." —Dmitrii Kustov "Invest in your people because without the team, the business does not exist." —Dmitrii Kustov "If you have a great team, you can create a great product, great service, therefore you can get great clients." —Dmitrii Kustov "Whoever perseveres and whoever pulls through, they usually come out on top and have really nice businesses." —Dmitrii Kustov ………………………………………… 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 Tammy Smith, the President of Wheeler Accessible Van Rentals based in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Wheelers Accessible Van Rental is an affiliate program that specializes in wheelchair-accessible van rentals in every city within the United States. They help by providing comfortable accessible transportation for functionally limited individuals. Wheelers was born in 1987 after co-owners Tammy and her husband Ron Smith recognized the need for wheelchair-accessible rentals while operating a non-emergency ambulance service. They started in Glendale Arizona with only two vans, now in 13 states, a couple of hundred vehicles, and thousands of customers for over 34 years. Tammy says, "Success for me is not just about the money but also having referrals from our satisfied and happy customers." According to her, the most cost-effective way to get referrals is to leave customers with good and satisfying service. This Cast Covers: Providing comfortable accessible transportation for functionally limited individuals. Having wheeler rental locations available in every city is the company's mission. Finding new and innovative ways in making the world a more accessible place. Serving clients the best possible solution for your transportation challenges. Specializing specifically with the mobility impaired who use wheelchair scooters such as elderly, senior, paraplegics, and quadriplegics. Educating the population on the need for these individuals to have access to transportation designed for them in order to see and explore the world. Has been running the business for over 30 years with a hundred vehicles and thousands of customers. Learning the importance of good communication with clients to introduce the company's name and product. Getting referrals from satisfied and happy customers. The importance of technology in the innovation of products and services. Additional Resources: Wheelers Accessible Van Rentals The Energy Bus By Jon Gordon The ONE Thing By Gary Keller ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success for me is not just about the money but also having referrals from our satisfied and happy customers." —Tammy Smith "Good communication to your customers is the best and most cost-effective way to get your company's name out there." —Tammy Smith "Consistency in your customer service and consistency in your mission are habits that must be developed and maintained." —Tammy Smith "We just tried to do our one thing and do it as best as we can do it." —Tammy Smith "We probably need to do the things we lack in doing and that would help build a better culture within the company." —Tammy Smith ………………………………………… 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 Ro Fernandez, the Co-founder and CEO at Nova Tools, a Vancouver-based online collaboration tool that helps innovation projects come to life by providing the tools and an optimized process all in one platform. The platform has helped numerous teams and made them successful. During Ro's time as a business consultant, she found that small and medium organizations struggle to find the time and resources to keep up with the market and she found herself repeatedly searching for tools and processes for the teams to collaborate and ideate. That's the time she created Nova and now with thousands of subscribers. Ro said that success for her is being able to help and mentor other companies and keep helping other businesses grow, being able to use platforms and technology to really find solutions for today's environmental and social challenges. This Cast Covers: An online collaboration platform that helps small and large teams to manage the collaboration and make better decisions. Making the idea come to life through fast implementation. Guiding multi-disciplinary teams through the ideation and strategy process. From ideation to strategy, template business processes and track how to build IP in a visual way. Having access to all the tools, resources, and collaborative space to make sure clients can collaborate. Learning the importance of businesses for society, creating jobs for people, and innovation. How businesses get to the trends, change for the society, and implement processes to get better. How small businesses and companies change the way people live by using the products they created. Making an impact by being able to use platforms and technology to really find solutions for today's environmental and social challenges. The importance of making a product that speaks for itself. Additional Resources: Nova Buyology By Martin Lindstrom Influence By Robert B. Cialdini ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success to me is being able to help and mentor other companies and keep helping other businesses grow." —Ro Fernandez "Make a product that speaks for itself." —Ro Fernandez "You need to love challenges to be able to wake up every morning and no matter how hard things get, you'll be able to take that." —Ro Fernandez "Celebrate small successes." —Ro Fernandez "Resources and contacts are the two things that are extremely important." —Ro Fernandez ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0