Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Michael Earp, the co-founder at Earp Distilling Co, a distilling company based in Newcastle, Australia, with a vision to demystify the world of spirits and offer premium spirits together with food events, education, and some great little experiences. Michael together with his brother decided to open a distillery as the next evolution of their family business. Earp Distilling Co opened in December 2019 after almost a year of planning and completing the equipment to use. It was a vast beginning but when the pandemic happened, they lost production from March to September. Later in that year, sold 1000 cases and boosted sales, obtaining half a million through events, tasting experience, and bar area, growing the team from 3 FTEs to the current 16. Michael says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is being part of the team. He enjoyed working with people who work hard and push things to attain their goals. He said, "it's really great to see the team just wanting to go harder, try new things and push things." This Cast Covers: Evolving a generational family business from supplying quality goods to offering a high-quality spirit to fellow spirit lovers. The family business which was established in 1883 has been adapted to the needs of many generations of Australians. They have achieved many titles throughout their long history. Opening a distillery to have innovation and further expand the family-run business experience. Growing it from 3 FTEs to the current 16 and sold 1000 cases in the late months of 2020. Obtaining half a million sales in the bar area, events, and tasting experiences. The importance of every small business owner learning the process of leadership. Constantly struggling with trying to achieve some form of work-life balance. The importance of every small business owner, to have the courage to take the right risks so they can be successful. How leading the team by example effectively drives them to act in any circumstances. Additional Resources: Earp Distilling Co TED Talks The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber ………………………………………… Quotes: "It's really great to see the team just wanting to go harder, try new things, and push things." —Michael Earp "Try to lead the team by example." —Michael Earp "We don't tolerate this sort of laziness and poor attitudes." —Michael Earp "We all make mistakes but make sure not repeating them over and over again." —Michael Earp "Think clearly, live differently. Fight fiercely and stand courageously." —Michael Earp ………………………………………… 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 Pauleanna Reid, the founder and celebrity ghostwriter at WritersBlok, a full-service ghostwriting agency based in Toronto, Canada that helps high-profile leaders and doers turn their personal stories into brand assets. Pauleanna is widely known as a journalist and she's also a freelance reporter at Forbes Business Insider. Aged 27 in 2017, Pauleanna founded a full-service ghostwriting agency. She started out as a side hustler and she came across a really interesting article about a ghostwriter and that's when she transitioned into a celebrity ghostwriter focusing on their clients' stories. Now her agency is composed of 10 FTEs, a team of content experts responsible for some of the most talked-about pop culture moments, books, and noteworthy speeches. This year, they're around the bend of hitting $500,000 in revenue. Pauleanna defines success as servant leadership. She loves it when people hear the real stories of their clients. She always makes sure that they are using the right language, right culture, and right approach for their clients. This Cast Covers: From a side hustler to founding a full-service ghostwriting agency. Helping the world's leaders and doers turn their personal stories into brand assets. Allow clients to be able to articulate what they're most passionate about, what they believe, and what they're fighting for. Help clients who were wrongfully accused of something they didn't do. Help clients to regain their reputations by hearing their sides through stories. The importance of allowing people's dreams to evolve in order to make a real difference. Hitting around the bend of $500,000 in revenue with a total of 10 FTEs. A well-known person despite being a ghostwriter for her clients. Define success as servant leadership by making sure that they can navigate certain sensitivities, right cultural societal generational, and right language. A freelance reporter at Forbes Business Insider, creating expert content related to the business growth of world-class performers. Additional Resources: WritersBlok Blockbusters By Anita Elberse Mixed Emotions By Andrew Nguyen & Pauleanna Reid ………………………………………… Quotes: "Activism is very important." —Pauleanna Reid "Trust and price yourself as you weather the storms." —Pauleanna Reid "It's really important to allow your dreams to evolve." —Pauleanna Reid "We give our clients a safe space to be able to articulate what they're most passionate about." —Pauleanna Reid "Having a passion project on the side, everyone is capable of evolving over time." —Pauleanna Reid ………………………………………… 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 Chris "Mercer" Mercer, co-founder of MeasurementMarketing.io based in Austin, Texas, USA, a marketing and advertising company that helps marketing teams and agencies build measurement marketing systems to increase their sales and produce scalable results. Chris has more than two decades of experience in sales and marketing and now he trains larger organizations of marketers. Started a marketing company in 2011 that initially produced online courses to teach people how to use WordPress to create websites. Many people liked it and they pivoted into marketing through optimization of what they have started so far. They began doing measurement setups, got their clients through referrals. For over 10 years, they got an average of 20% revenue growth and a total of 9 FTEs. Chris says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is the result produced by their systems. It is how the system works for the business and at the same time being able to see what works for the business. This Cast Covers: Help marketers, marketing teams, and agencies figure out how they measure their marketing. Helping marketers know their numbers in an easy-to-understand manner. Teach them how to use tools like analytics, tag manager, and data studio so they can grow their numbers. Offers training for larger organizations to expose them to measurement marketing culture. Training helps marketers implement the measurement systems set for them to know what to do with their numbers. How measurement marketing systems help marketers see exactly what's happening in their business. The power of analytics in implementing the system and how the system works for the business and at the same time monitor the progress. The importance of hiring rightful individuals who want to help grow the company, and learn how to grow up in a company. How the platform of measurement marketing produced scalable results by means of the system implemented. Additional Resources: MeasurementMarketing.io Blueprint to Business By Michael Alden Inside Strategic Coach Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "You don't hire to hire somebody, you hire to not hire everybody." —Chris Mercer "Look for somebody who wants to grow the company, and wants to learn how to grow in a company." —Chris Mercer "My biggest lesson growing an organization was being aware of that self-sabotage." —Chris Mercer "Success is being able to produce a scalable result." —Chris Mercer "To marketing a fast-growing business, you have to measure it to have visibility on what is working and not working." —Chris Mercer ………………………………………… 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 Danielle Allen, a business leader and co-founder of Two Birds Brewing, a brewing company based in Melbourne, Australia, developing and manufacturing craft beers for retail and on-premise sales in venues across Australia. This is Australia's first female-owned brewing company. Danielle, together with her friend Jayne Lewis began their journey in the Craft Beer industry after their two-week trip in the West Coast of the US in 2010 where they visited breweries, wineries and dined at some world-renowned restaurants. Jayne was originally a winemaker by trade but transitioned into brewing while Danielle had been in product development and marketing for 10 years. With their complementary skills, Two Birds Brewing was born. According to Danielle, the hardest thing in growing a small business is the commitment to work. Commitment to work involves many things for the excellence of the business. This is why every business owner must develop the self-discipline to execute the tasks needed to be done. This Cast Covers: Started their own brewing company after their two-week tour on the West Coast of the US in 2010. Visited breweries, wineries, and dined at some world-renowned restaurants during the trip, and shared love for the finer delights. Gave up their full-time jobs and began their journey in the Craft Beer industry. Their skills were complementary and it made total sense for them to team up. Launched their first beer together in 2011 and have been growing and building the business every year since then. Developing and manufacturing craft beers for retail and on-premise sales in venues across Australia. Making well-balanced and approachable beers and find impressive by their consumers. The importance of originality when it comes to making their products and how being firm to the vision made them successful. How commitment is crucial yet important in growing a small business. How understanding each other's role results in growth and development which are essential in growing a small business. Additional Resources: Two Birds Brewing Brewing Up a Business By Sam Calagione The Microbrewery Handbook By DC Reeves ………………………………………… Quotes: "Stay true to yourself, don't copy other people, have a firm view of your vision, and just stick to it." —Danielle Allen "You can drive the business forward by making sure that the connection between sales and marketing continuously works." —Danielle Allen "It is worth getting people that share the same values that you have." —Danielle Allen "Understand each other on a personal level, and understand each other's roles as well. That's important." —Danielle Allen "I'm a big believer in data integrity, it gives us the ability to have information at the fingertips" – Danielle Allen ………………………………………… 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 Yaro Starak, the Co-founder at InboxDone, a company that offers email assistants for busy entrepreneurs. This email management service is based in Montreal, Canada, an expert in organizing messages and creating follow-up systems to direct representation of their client's business. Before launching InboxDone in 2017, Yaro was a business coach who profited from his blog, podcast, and courses. He found incredible growth in just six months after he launched the company by managing 10 clients and profited $10,000 in a particular month. By 2020 to early 2021, they skyrocketed to 15-50 clients and scales to $50,000 in revenue per month. Yaro says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is releasing a happy hormone–endorphin after completing a job. "There's nothing greater than making a sale," he added. This Cast Covers: Focuses on simplifying people's lives by taking over their email, replying to messages, organizing messages, and completing that start the email loop. The system allows clients to focus on the important things that grow their business or enjoy some of the time for themselves. Offers assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs by outsourcing their inbox thus enhancing customer service. Responds to incoming emails and creates follow-up systems to direct the representation of the business. How massive does the internet contribute to businesses today and how fast it is an effective tool for selling and building a business around. The importance of pairing the junior member to an experienced member to work better. How building the team and making them well motivated signify the growth of the business. Technology plays a big part in high-growth companies in marketing, sales, and services. Emphasizes that running a business involves loss of customers and potential crisis yet riding on them can be a way out. Additional Resources: InboxDone Podcast Connection Think & Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill Losing My Virginity By Richard Branson ………………………………………… Quotes: "We like to have our words read and heard by others and influence people, teach people and help people through content." —Yaro Starak "Pairing the junior member to the experienced one works better." —Yaro Starak "Success is about exploring what you can do with your resources." —Yaro Starak "Growth is not just acquiring more customers and making more money but, building a team, and making sure the team's well rewarded and motivated." —Yaro Starak "Consistency is important but it can be risky if you're consistently doing the wrong thing." —Yaro Starak ………………………………………… 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 Shauna Armitage, the Chief Marketing Strategist at Shauna Armitage-Moxie, LLC, a marketing and advertising company based in Denver, Colorado, USA, guiding early-stage startups in building a marketing strategy that gets results. They teach founders how to own their brand, reach their audience and scale their startups through a holistic growth strategy. Shauna was a freelance writer and director of digital content for a digital marketing agency. Unfortunately, she was fired for acting as an advocate for clients and staff. After several months of no work, she decided to start her own marketing and advertising company that is more ethical and aligned with her mission. Shauna decided to create custom marketing plans that are catered to a company's unique vision and goals. Starting the business was tough for Shauna, in her first year, she had a few clients but couldn't make a profit. However, it motivated her to do better and ended up growing her team members due to the increase of clients, so her company is now a six-figure business and definitely will grow much more. This Cast Covers: Guides small business owners and entrepreneurs in building a marketing strategy that gets results. Bridges the gap between freelancers and agencies by coming in and looking at marketing from a very high-level perspective. Emphasizes building strategy rather than picking one strategy at a time which doesn't get the company closer to its growth goals. How fractional marketing is a big step in propelling the business involving people who work across marketing channels and events. The role of a fractional marketing director is designed for early-stage startups that were not yet big enough for a full-time hire but wanted a dedicated team member to bring all the pieces together and drive brand growth. The importance of work-life balance and how it makes people more successful. How personal development is a great growth experience. The importance of consistency in all aspects of the business to establish awareness and build trust. Making the largest impact possible with big ideas and small budgets. Additional Resources: Shauna Armitage- Making Moxie, LLC Building a StoryBrand By Donald Miller How I Built This with Guy Raz Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is being able to actually have a work-life balance." – Shauna Armitage "You should be investing in advertising to help yourself go farther, and go faster." – Shauna Armitage "You need to focus on the activities that are going to move the needle now." – Shauna Armitage "A great growth experience is able to grow the team and develop as a person." – Shauna Armitage "Showing up consistently in all aspects of your business is really the key." – Shauna Armitage ………………………………………… 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 Rocco Carriero, a private wealth advisor and founder of Rocco A. Carriero Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory practice based in Southampton, New York. This wealth management is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through truly personalized experience and from planning to developing strategies. Rocco has nearly two decades of experience working with successful business owners implementing the Three Cords Approach to life planning. He made a book of that approach to help business owners have a balance between their business and their lives. He believes that there is higher success in addressing both personal and professional aspirations. From no clients to creating more successful clients, grow the team with 13 FTEs, and with revenue growth exceeding 20% for over two decades in the industry. Rocco says he has been through a lot growing his business but he never quits which led him to what he is today. This Cast Covers: Provides personalized financial advice to help clients achieve their financial goals. Expert in wealth management and advanced planning space. Written a book on financial advice and comprehensive planning and has been implementing the principles to business owners. The Three Cords Approach book emphasizes how to balance the business and at the same time the lives of every business owner. A best-selling book expertly matching financial resources to business owners' personal, family, and business goals. Passionate about creating financial plans that help clients achieve their individual, professional, and familial aspirations. Emphasizes the importance of mental fitness for business owners. How business owners take good care of themselves achieves a higher success rate and balance. How referrals and recommendations led them to become one of the most successful financial advisory practices. Additional Resources: Rocco A. Carriero Wealth Partners Three Cords Approach By Rocco Carriero Who Not How by Dan Sullivan ………………………………………… Quotes: "Real leadership is about transferring your skill, it's about leading, and helping people get what they want for themselves." – Rocco Carriero "If business owners can't develop a team, they are going to have a tough time growing." – Rocco Carriero "Our team is a purpose-driven team, not a paycheck-driven team." – Rocco Carriero "If business owners are not doing coaching, personal development reading, they are missing out." – Rocco Carriero "No matter how bad it gets, never quit." – Rocco Carriero ………………………………………… 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 Gail Mercer-Mackay, the Founder and CEO of Mercer-Mackay Digital Solutions based in the province of Ontario, Canada. The company is dedicated to helping technology companies market their brands through storytelling using website copy, blogs, case studies, eBooks, and other digital content. With years of sales & marketing experience gained at technology firms, Gail founded her own digital marketing company in her early 50s in 2007. Along with her passion and enthusiasm for storytelling, she's committed to helping people build valuable business and personal connections. For over 13 years, she has helped a lot of partners gain customers, grow revenue, and number of FTEs to 70. Gail was fascinated by how technology shaped the world and how storytelling is effective in education, learning, and applications. Getting potential customers for their partners is always a great feeling that they are more convinced to be consistent with the way they tell stories to others. This Cast Covers: A marketing agency that helps technology companies uniquely deliver their stories and brand. A full-service agency doing everything for their clients' company so people will recognize that they have something special to offer. Two main streams for revenue are the combination of templates and processes and wizards and access to experts. How stories are one of the most powerful ways to educate the audience and become potential customers. Helping customers get to the heart of how they help their customers, transform, change, and revolutionize as a result of the technology. Specialize in writing blogs, newsletters, case studies, awards, press releases, e-books, and other vehicles to help their customers tell their stories. How a passion for technology enables them to become the clients' biggest supporters. From a salesperson to a marketing content writer, and owning a digital storytelling company. One of the top marketing agencies in the world for technology companies. How covid become a big driver for them to provide services to many more companies that need publicity online. Additional Resources: Mercer MacKay The One Minute Salesperson By Spencer Johnson M.D. The Ray Edwards Show Daxai ………………………………………… Quotes: "The story is not about technology, the story is always about transformation." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "Get disciplined and just do it consistently." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "If you don't have a big budget, you can do lots of things but just be consistent about it." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "When you focus on what you want to do, and you put a plan together, that's where you're growing and things just happen." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "You will get everything you want in life if you help everybody else get everything they want in life." – Gail Mercer-Mackay ………………………………………… 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 Chris de Bono, the Founding Director, and Miso Master at Meru Foods, a food manufacturer based in Launceston Tasmania, specializing in fermented products. They supply premium ingredients to the food manufacturing sector. Meru Foods is the company behind Meru Miso and Umami Pantry. Chris and his wife founded Meru Foods in Melbourne, Australia in 2015. They started out in a shared kitchen and each year they upgraded their space as their small business consistently grew. Now they are based in Tasmania and are committed to crafting the highest quality Australian-made Japanese condiments. Meru Foods has been producing the highest quality miso and has become the first and biggest Miso supplier in Australia with a revenue of 40% and 5 FTEs. Chris says that a fast-growing business is all about consistency. A small business will definitely grow if the best plans are implemented consistently. This Cast Covers: A food manufacturing company focusing on making great and tasty food. Produce the highest quality miso with genuine flavor. Produced an award-winning range of fermented, artisan, and plant-based Asian-inspired condiments. Australia's premier producer of traditional miso using 100% of organic ingredients. Products are individually handcrafted in small batches with limited use of industrial machinery to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The company has been able to produce two brands running side by side. Australia's leading Miso maker with the capability, experience, and capacity to deliver as an ingredient supplier and contract manufacturing partner. Has the pleasure of supplying their range to some of the best restaurants and retailers in Australia. To craft the highest quality Australian-made Japanese condiments, respecting traditional techniques is their company's philosophy. Additional Resources: Meru Foods Meru Miso Umami Pantry The 4 Disciplines of Execution By Chris McChesney The Prof G Pod ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success for me is being able to continue that quality, continue to grow, and expand." – Chris de Bono "It's just consistency and sticking with the platforms." – Chris de Bono "Self-learning to drive that understanding." – Chris de Bono "Sometimes in small business, you need to take a little step back, and just let things unfold." – Chris de Bono "Don't try and be what you think other people want you to be." – Chris de Bono ………………………………………… 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 Trena White, the Co-founder, and Principal of Page Two based in Vancouver, Canada. Page Two is a book publishing company that helps non-fiction authors publish brilliant books, and helps organizations with their publishing activities. With over 10 years of experience in a traditional publishing company, Trena and her business partner decided to start their own book publishing company that treats authors as true partners in the publishing process and helps authors work toward their goals for the book. They founded the company in 2013; in their first year in the business they obtained $100,000 of revenue, and after 8 years they're at mid-seven figures and around 20 FTEs. Trena says that a book is the ultimate expression of somebody's mastery of their subject. So they strive hard to collaborate with each client on reaching their goals for their book projects. This Cast Covers: A book publishing company for entrepreneurs and organizations that want to publish books. Helps non-fiction authors and companies with their publishing activities to manifest their vision for their books. Works with authors in building their brands and marketing strategies. Their Build a Book process helps authors identify their target audience and map out a book structure to make it successful. Had been working in a traditional publishing company for about 10 years together with her business partner. Started the business with a different vision from their traditional publishing experiences, where publishers' work doesn't consider the author's brand, business, or goals. Obtained $100,000 revenue in the first year of business, and now at mid-seven figures growth. Has published several major international bestsellers, including The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. How handpicking a talented team and building a team helps them achieve an excellent reputation. Marketing has been all about client relationships, and 95% of the business comes through referral. Additional Resources: Page Two The Coaching Habit By Michael Bungay Stanier Power + Presence + Position Mike Up in Your Business podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "We feel that a book is the ultimate expression of somebody's mastery of their subject." – Trena White "Excellent reputation takes a tremendous amount of work and team building." – Trena White "We deliver when we work on a project, and we work extraordinarily hard to nurture the relationship with the author." – Trena White "For us, marketing has been all about client relationships." – Trena White "We're constantly making sure we're at the cutting edge of what's possible, and that we're serving them in the fullest way possible." – Trena White ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0