Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Chris Ronzio, the Founder and CEO of Trainual based in Scottsdale, Arizona in the United States. Trainual is the training manual for modern businesses, making it easy for growing teams to get up to speed to build a scalable business. Trainual is a better way to organize and track the progress of a growing business. As young as 14, Chris started his first business which was a video production company. He sold it after 13 years and started something else which was a consulting firm where he began to work with small businesses and that was when he realized that every small growing company needs a playbook. That's the time he turned his idea and founded Trainual in 2017. He has grown the company in just four years, from a team of 4 to 87, revenue range of $10-$20 million from $100,000 in the first year, and with the latest net promoter score of 68. Since Chris started so young in the business, he had learned how to handle balance. He said, "I think the way that I handle balance is to start with the most important things and then let work fill in the gaps." He also mentioned that having a time listening to people's feedback and taking action helps prevent future problems. This Cast Covers: A software as a service company where people pay a subscription fee, to use the software to document all of the policies, processes, stories, and knowledge about their business. Training employees to get everyone up to speed for them to be fully productive in the company they are working for. The training manual for modern businesses, making it easy for the growing teams to build a more scalable business. Helping business owners, team leaders, hiring and training managers centralize knowledge, organize processes, and create learning systems. Keeping clients' business afloat through systems that make their business on speed and up to date. Learning that training processes and standard operating procedures are things that every entrepreneur that's growing a business aspired to do. Got $100,000 in revenue in the first year and to this year about $10-$20 million range in just four years. The software as a service company has the latest net promoter score of 68 in four years. The importance of extreme communication to address problems and suggest a strategy to deal with them. How the habit of consistency brings an individual toward his/her established goal and purpose. Additional Resources: Trainual The Business Playbook By Chris Ronzio The E-Myth By Michael E. Gerber Good To Great By Jim Collins Masters of Scale ……………………………………… Quotes: Always make sure that the company can be profitable at any time." —Chris Ronzio "If you don't pay attention to where you're trying to go, you can end up getting pulled in a lot of directions." —Chris Ronzio "The habit of being consistent should be developed and maintained." —Chris Ronzio "What builds a strong culture is when you're open to feedback and when you take action based on the things that people are saying." —Chris Ronzio "Start with the most important things and then let work fill in the gaps." —Chris Ronzio ………………………………………… 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 Maddy Hearne and McKenzie Day, the Co-founders of First Class Conferencing Facilitation, a tech startup based in Toronto, Canada. It's a full-service event management company for virtual events and meetings. The company helps clients and companies with planning, associating concepts, and facilitating tech logistics to make the meetings smooth as possible. First Class Facilitation was born during the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Maddy and McKenzie found an opportunity in the pandemic wherein most of the activities were transitioning to online platforms. With their skills, they started getting clients through referrals until they work full-time and are now a growing company. They got $350,000 in sales just a few months in 2020 and by 2021, the current sales are about $470,000 and with 12-15 FTEs. Maddy and McKenzie say that what they love the most in growing a small business is that they're able to continually innovate their services and they are always motivated to offer new services for their clients. They advised startups to be innovative with their service and products and always leave their clients with a good experience. This Cast Covers: A full-service event management company for virtual and hybrid events and meetings. Organizing online/virtual meetings from start to finish, associating concepts and customs. Being tech support for the actual event, then facilitating tech logistics and creating and implementing content and video creation. Offering expert-level services to clients or companies during this transition to an online platform. Making it as smooth as possible for clients so they are able to enjoy the transition and focus their attention on the meeting itself. Started during the hit of the pandemic wherein they saw an opportunity to manifest their skills in technology. Got $350,000 in sales just a few months in 2020 and by 2021, the current sales are about $470,000. The importance of caring for mental health for every business owner for them to produce a healthy business. How can failures drive to relearn, reroute, and reevaluate in order to ace every opportunity especially in business. How starting a business can boost confidence for individuals who started with little of it. Additional Resources: First Class Facilitation Good To Great By Jim Collins The Design of Everyday Things By Don Norman Ask By Ryan Levesque ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success to me is having happy workers, happy clients, and a profitable business." —Maddy Hearne "Leave your clients with a good experience." —McKenzie Day "Being healthy is the best thing you can do for your own sanity, running a business." —McKenzie Day "Go with welcoming your failures, that level of transparency helps you grow as a person and as a business owner." —McKenzie Day "You need to keep innovating your services, you need to keep delivering, refining, and offering new things, so your clients keep coming back." —Maddy Hearne ………………………………………… 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 Rex Afrasiabi, a principal and the founder of MA Legal, a Melbourne-based law firm consisting of a team of experts who assist and help clients through various legal services and consultations whether it be in the form of creative resolution, strategic business structuring or asset protection. Rex is also a co-host of the business advisory show called Real Estate Renovators. The law firm was established in 2007 and is still running for over 14 years now. Rex started his career working for various law firms and shifted to work in the fashion industry. He later left the fashion world and established MA Legal and has grown revenue from 0 to $100 million with 20 full-time lawyers. Rex finds success by helping clients and advising them each step of the way on their individual journeys. His purpose is to help people and to learn and continually grow. This is why he's always motivated to step closer to the goals established by his clients. This Cast Covers: Helping clients as being their advisors in business and in life. Supporting their clients, standing loyal to them, and advising them each step in reaching their individual goals. Providing legal counsel to clients upon starting their own business that assists them in moving forwards. Representing some of Australia's real estate tycoons, developers, and businesses and sharing clients' successes in the industry. A firm comprising a commercial, business advisory, and civil litigation division and a private client division. Creating a team of experts who are strategic problem solvers to achieve commercially viable results. Involved in multi-businesses such as private lending, consulting, law firm, and also a co-host of Real Estate Renovators. Obtained a $100 million revenue and a total of 20 lawyers in 14 years. Learning the importance of leading by example to grow people as well as the business itself. The importance of implementation and execution of plans for progress and growth. Additional Resources: MA Legal Real Estate Renovators How to Win Friends & Influence People By Dale Carnegie ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you do the right thing if you're honest to your clients, and you don't take advantage, then you'll always do well." —Rex Afrasiabi "Be consistent, have a clear message and a clear focus on what your business is, and get the right team around you." —Rex Afrasiabi "If you have a plan and have a strategy to do it, you can achieve so much more." —Rex Afrasiabi "Lead by example." —Rex Afrasiabi "Be strategic, have a clear goal, and revisit that goal as frequently as possible." —Rex Afrasiabi ………………………………………… 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 Ute Preusse, the Founder and CEO at Will Creative Inc. based in Vancouver, Canada. Will Creative is a small firm that is focused on strategic and creative brand development. They help their clients position their brands in the market and amplify marketing through various amounts of advertising and other varying degrees. The creative firm was founded in 2014 when Ute and her business partner headed out as vice-presidents of an integrated marketing firm. They started their branding and marketing firm with the skill obtained for many years working from their previous company. From 2 FTEs, now around 30 after seven years with a year-after-year double-digit growth in revenue. Ute said that what she loves the most in growing a small business is seeing the growth and joy of their clients. It is the amount of pride they collectively feel after they collaborate with their clients. Seeing them satisfied with the service and happy with their success is just overwhelming. This Cast Covers: A branding design and marketing firm focusing on creating a brand with a strong sense of strategic purpose and connection. Helping clients position their brands in the market or reposition those that need to rebrand. Amplifying marketing through various amounts of advertising or any varying degrees of marketing. Understanding the actions of the brand is what the small firm is focused on. Emphasizing that a brand is a business tool that creates a roadmap of how people think, feel, looks, and most especially how people act. Former vice-presidents of an integrated marketing firm for seven years, head out on their own to start a creative firm with the skill they have. Starting from 2 FTEs, now around 30 with a year-after-year double-digit growth in revenue. The importance of keeping a brand simple so people can relate and understand it. How can allowing people to live their best work lives and influence their personal lives mean a legacy in the long term. The importance of focusing on the thing that you do really well or on the thing that made the business good. Additional Resources: Will Factfulness By Hans Rosling Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman ………………………………………… Quotes: "Brand isn't just a marketing tool but also a business tool that creates a roadmap for people to act." —Ute Preusse "Keep that notion of branding super simple and superhuman." —Ute Preusse "Success means how we can keep innovating and keep inspiring the courage to change our ways and put out better work." —Ute Preusse "The best way to market yourself as a fast-growing company is to stick to what is the original thing that has made you good." —Ute Preusse "You empower others and hence you can grow." —Ute Preusse ………………………………………… 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 Ben Simpson, the Founder and CEO of Collective Shift based in Melbourne, Australia. A pre-purchase investment firm composed of experts in cryptocurrency, helping crypto investors create wealth and freedom. Clients can get a $50 membership credit by using the Collective Shift membership link. Ben enjoys being in the crypto space and is passionate about helping people and startups solve their problems and make success. In 2020, during the pandemic, Ben had an opportunity to develop a platform to help crypto investors have access to data, analytics, and research to support and help them make decisions easier. In just a year, Ben has doubled the revenue of the company and expanded its service for over 40 countries with members all around the world. From 5 employees to the current 18. Ben says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is creating a product that people would love to use. "Building a good product is already a good marketing strategy," he said. This only means that a good product highly guarantees the success of the business. This Cast Covers: Simplifying the world of cryptocurrency to people by giving recommendations, advice on how to build a crypto portfolio and how to be safe in the environment. Giving investors and traders access to a suite of tools, expert daily insights, opportunity alerts, and a thriving community. A subscription membership business where people can subscribe to have data, analytics, and research videos to make investments easier for them. A pre-purchase investment firm composed of experts in cryptocurrency, helping crypto investors create wealth and freedom. Members receive information up-to-date based on a crypto asset with this platform whether it is a good or bad investment. Building a product that serves as a pre-purchase decision-making tool. Launched the subscription company at a young age and doubled the revenue in just a year. Started off just in Australia, now running across over 40 countries with members all around the world. How creating a good product that people want to use is already a form of marketing strategy. Seeing the investors create wealth through the platform is also the success of the company that built it. Additional Resources: Collective Shift The Lean Startup By Eric Ries Startup School Leveling Up ………………………………………… Quotes: "Progressing growth doesn't necessarily need to be numbers, but knowing that you're moving towards the right direction." —Ben Simpson "Success starts when you can start to solve your customers' problems. Seeing their success is my success." —Ben Simpson "Building a good product is already a good marketing strategy." —Ben Simpson "When you actually give someone the ownership of a certain project, they thrive in that. —Ben Simpson "Finding what people want and love and being able to pivot and innovate based on people's needs is one way to grow." —Ben Simpson ………………………………………… 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 Laura Patrick, the Founder and CEO of Kids Physio Group based in Vancouver, Canada. Kids Physio is private physiotherapy providing a highly specialized and fun environment helping physically limited children improve function through traditional and play-based physiotherapy. Laura is a passionate physiotherapist who has treated and connected a lot of children and has helped many families around Canada. Kids Physio was founded in 2006 when Laura pivoted from a public health care provider to private practice. She started out of a need for physiotherapy services for children in Vancouver. Started as an independent physiotherapist renting a space but due to increased demand, she developed a group and now has grown to 10 locations in Canada and currently has 60 FTEs. Laura says that leadership has been one of the important tools for the business to carry on. She has led others through passing the wisdom she had learned in growing the business and this helps them grow and manage to continue expanding rapidly. This Cast Covers: Physiotherapy for kids, providing meaningful services to children to help them overcome injury, disability, and just everyday movement. Making clinic spaces super fun so children are moved to engage and participate throughout the treatment. Started as an independent physiotherapist renting a space, attained growth through increasing demand, developed a group, and now franchising physio clinics around Canada. Started private practice out of a need for physiotherapy services for children in Vancouver. Supporting a wide range of young clients and helping them be more functional through motor learning. The company has grown to 10 locations and continues expanding rapidly. Ensuring to provide exceptional patient care through a highly specialized and fun environment and combination of traditional and play-based physiotherapy. From an independent physiotherapist to a group composed of 60 FTEs in a length of 15 years. Supporting entrepreneurs in bringing a much-needed service to their own communities, while also giving them the tools they need to grow a thriving business. Saw success when incredible clinic owners get to do the right things in a faster way to grow their clinic with the tools provided for them. Additional Resources: Kids Physio Group Parent Talk Do Lead By Les Mckeown Kris Plachy Podcast—Leadership is Feminine ………………………………………… Quotes: "Get coaching and get mentorship." —Laura Patrick "Keeping your personal relationships probably out of your business would be a really good habit to get into as well." —Laura Patrick "When we're clear about sharing our mission, our vision, and our values then we can actually attract the right people." —Laura Patrick "If it's not filling your cup any longer, figure out a way that can actually make that happen." —Laura Patrick "The only way a business can grow is by leading others in a way that they can feel really proud at the end of your day." —Laura Patrick ………………………………………… 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 Gurmesh Sidhu, the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Moment Energy, a Vancouver-based cleantech startup repurposing electric vehicle batteries for energy storage. Moment's goal is to provide a reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage solution for our customers. Moment Energy is a Canadian-owned and operated company founded by four tech entrepreneurs in 2019, with a mission to provide worldwide access to clean, reliable, and affordable power. From creating a solution to certain issues to rolling out second-hand batteries in changing the world. Started off as four co-founders/engineers, now a team of around 16. Gurmesh said that what he loves the most in growing a small business is the feeling of gratification. They find that feeling of gratification through giving people a job, reducing carbon footprint and carbon dioxide pollution, and making an impact on the planet. This Cast Covers: Creating stationary energy storage from electric vehicle batteries, optimizing and ensuring they perform at their best. The revenue model is simply based on one-time sales as of the moment but starting transitioning into energy storage as a service model. A cleantech startup repurposing electric vehicle batteries for energy storage. Providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy storage by repurposing retired electric vehicle batteries. How energy storage systems made from repurposed electric vehicle batteries help build a sustainable economy. A cleantech company's goal is to provide a reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage solution for their customers. A Canadian-owned and operated company founded by four tech entrepreneurs. Helping build a sustainable environment by keeping people's lights on, and their batteries from ending up in landfills. Realizing they will succeed in this space when they find a solution to an issue that hasn't been solved yet. The importance of hiring people who are talented and most of all will fit into the business culture. Additional Resources: Moment Energy The Hard Thing About Hard Things By Ben Horowitz What You Do Is Who You Are By Ben Horowitz ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success looks to me like building a pack that can compete with the big players out there." —Gurmesh Sidhu "Focus on those key clients that you see a lot of traction with." —Gurmesh Sidhu "You have to learn what's worth your time to do, and what's worth your time not to do." —Gurmesh Sidhu "You need to be able to push through, you can't just give up every time a challenge faces you." —Gurmesh Sidhu "Take time making sure people fit in with you and your culture." —Gurmesh Sidhu ………………………………………… 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 Stevie Dawn Carter, the CEO and Founder of Stevie Dawn Inspires, LLC based in Mansfield, USA. Stevie Dawn Inspires is a platform dedicated to helping people be productive at work and happy at home. They provide corporate training sessions and leadership development for individuals who want to be productive and impactful. Stevie Dawn is a four-time business owner who has created a multi-million dollar success in business, fine art, dance, and now speaking/coaching. She started her first business as early as 17. She owned and operated her first dance studio in Australia. She has lived her life doing what she loves and at the same time helping people to have an impact in the world. According to Stevie, the hardest thing in growing a small business is keeping it afloat despite the challenges. She says, "Growing a small business is not always going to be easy. There's going to be a lot of hardship. And it's about not giving up and just keep swimming until you get there." This Cast Covers: Helping people find, reignite, and chase their joy both at work and at home. Ability to energize others to unleash their unstoppable success. A professional speaker and coach, talking about leadership, emotional intelligence, and unstoppable success. Working with small business owners to increase their impact and for greater purposes. Coaching small business owners to be more effective, more organized, more profitable, and more impactful. Speaks, motivates, and inspires others from experiences highlighting learned failures throughout the journey. The importance of setting expectations to grow the culture a small business owner has started. Specializing in leadership and management training for organizations and individuals. Has created a multi-million dollar success in business, fine art, dance, and now speaking/coaching. Helping people be productive and impactful through corporate training sessions, leadership development, and high-energy that inspires. Additional Resources: Stevie Dawn Inspires Traction By Gino Wickman Get A Grip By Gino Wickman ………………………………………… Quotes: "Communication is the key to all relationships." —Stevie Dawn Carter "For me, success always comes with a feeling of peace." —Stevie Dawn Carter "If I get better, everybody gets better and everything gets better." —Stevie Dawn Carter "Don't quit, just keep going." —Stevie Dawn Carter "If you want to grow the culture you have started then, have clear expectations." —Stevie Dawn Carter ………………………………………… 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 David Fradin, the President of Spice Catalyst based in Silicon Valley, USA, a worldwide product success management and product success marketing training, consulting, and assessment organization. They offer training to product managers and product marketing managers who are under huge companies to help them accelerate revenue and innovation. In 2012, Spice Catalyst was born and David as a former mentor and professor was teaching courses that cover understanding what customers do, personas, innovation, value proposition, markets, and product strategy plans. Within the next two years since 2012, he saw growth of about $5 million and now constantly growing about 100% each year with current FTEs of 6. David says that in order to promote products and accelerate market impact, business owners along with the managers should always consider what is good for their customers and engage in continual fast-paced cycles of learning and innovation that accelerate revenue and keep ahead of the market. This Cast Covers: Teaching the principles of product management and product marketing to companies around the world. Has trained thousands of managers by infusing his workshops with insights and experiences gained as a product leader at certain companies. Offering product management and marketing training as well as assessments. Revenue is obtained primarily through project-based work. Formerly a professor teaching courses that cover understanding what customers do, personas, innovation, value proposition, markets, analysis, and product strategy plans. The importance of delegation for the continuous progress of the business. Accelerating market impact through product-market strategy plans. Engaging in continual fast-paced cycles of learning and innovation that accelerate revenue and keep ahead of the market. Growing the consulting company from hundreds of dollars to about $5 million within the next two years since it has started. The importance of team building and teamwork in an organization and how it accelerates revenue and innovation. Additional Resources: Spice Catalyst Building Insanely Great Products By David Fradin Crossing the Chasm By Geoffrey A. Moore The Leadership Engine By Noel M. Tichy ………………………………………… Quotes: "Make sure the company's values and your values are matched." —David Fradin "If you make a mistake, that's okay because most of us learn better from our mistakes than from doing things successfully." —David Fradin "It's important to make sure that the team has teamwork and that they have the backs of the other members." —David Fradin "Team-building exercises are very important so everyone knows what they need." —David Fradin "Focus on the customer, not on all the other organizational things." —David Fradin ………………………………………… 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 Corina Ludwig, President at FunctionFox Systems, Inc. based in Victoria, Canada. They offer online timesheets and project management for creative professionals to help them track time and projects and improve workflow. Corina is responsible for overseeing the FunctionFox engine, as she manages daily operations; vision and planning, advertising, and marketing. FunctionFox started in 2000 when the agency was looking for a better way to track time and projects. At that time, Corina was working at an advertising design creative studio. While developing a timesheet and project management software for themselves, they then branched it out to other creative companies. That's when they started selling and growing. Now the leading choice of creative professionals with thousands of subscribers and a total of 20 team members for over 20 years. Corina has emphasized the importance of working with great, smart people. She believes in placing value on the team, and in turn, the team takes good care of their clients. This Cast Covers: Offering online timesheets and project management for creative professionals. Helping creative companies move faster and worry less by accurately and easily tracking time and projects. Has been doing it for over 20 years and about 70% of the user base is creatives. A monthly subscription software service that helps companies track their projects, clients, and personnel so they can work with them accordingly. Referrals as the main source of new clients and the biggest drivers of the company. The importance of hiring good people and mentors and firing people when they don't work out. Managing daily operations; vision and planning, advertising and marketing. Started working with people from the parent agency, which now has a total of 20 team members and has thousands of users around the world. Keeping the product very relevant to core customers and audience by having features that are customer-driven. A customer-driven company makes sure that people are getting everything that they need. Additional Resources: FunctionFox Good To Great By Jim Collins Never Split the Difference By Chris Voss The Metronome Effect By Shannon Byrne Susko Mastering the Rockefeller Habits By Verne Harnish ………………………………………… Quotes: "There are little wins along the way and you really have to celebrate all those little wins." —Corina Ludwig "If you have a great product and great people that can tell your story, you'll do wonders." —Corina Ludwig "Surround yourself with good people. Good team and good mentors." —Corina Ludwig "Believe in yourself when no one else is." —Corina Ludwig "Focus on what you're doing. Not what everyone else is doing." —Corina Ludwig ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0