Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Mickie Kennedy, the Founder and President of eReleases, a traditional press release distribution company based in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States, an expert at helping small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility. Mickie Kennedy developed eReleases in 1998 with the belief that publicity shouldn't be restricted. So, the company helps its clients promote themselves with the media. He started with only 40-60 grand in the first year and has grown to $6 million annually. Currently have 8 FTEs working with the company. "All entrepreneurs grow through problems and issues and growing pains," says Mickie. He can relate to that but what matters the most is how they will handle the challenges in growing their business. If you want big success, know how to do it. This Cast Covers: Specializes in press release services for small businesses, startups, and authors to promote themselves with the media. Offers writing service as well as distribution through the largest and most-respected newswire in the country, as well as a proprietary database of journalists and editors. A traditional press release distribution company that focuses primarily on getting press releases into the hands of real journalists. Finds smaller companies and startups usually have better success than large corporations or midsize companies. Developed the company with the belief that publicity shouldn't be restricted especially to small businesses. The company's goal is to reach out to more small businesses and help them make the transition from being a company with a product or service to a company with a clear brand that speaks to the marketplace and media alike. Delivers personal service and exceptional value to every customer at every price point. Has grown exponentially since then, from 40-60 grand in the first year to $6 million annual revenue. Additional Resources: eReleases Influence By Robert B. Cialdini 80/20 Sales and Marketing By Perry Marshall ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you are strategic, you can get a lot of leverage." – Mickie Kennedy "We try to match people with writers who are sort of experts in their fields, and they kind of have a good idea of what would be newsworthy." – Mickie Kennedy "Success for me is providing real value to small business owners, startups, and people." – Mickie Kennedy "I would challenge anybody to sort of putting themselves in the experience of the customer." – Mickie Kennedy "You should try to take every opportunity you can to measure as much as you can in your business." – Mickie Kennedy ………………………………………… 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 Nike Anani, founder and CEO of Nike Anani Practice, Ltd., a strategic consulting company in Austin, Texas. Nike helps clients bridge generational gaps, to enable family businesses to successfully transition to the next generation and leave a lasting legacy. With over a decade of extensive experience in the family business, Nike enables to manifest her expertise in taking the dysfunction out of family businesses. Now, she's working privately with select business families that are future-focused and are committed to achieving impact and transforming the world. Nike says that what she loves the most about growing a small business is building nurturing human connections. Initially, she was scared of talking to other people but as she continued running the company, she was able to build meaningful relationships by knowing the differences of their clients and embodying their culture. This Cast Covers: A strategic consulting company that works with family business owners. Helps clients bridge the gap between the senior and younger generations. Over a decade of extensive experience as a founder enables her to uniquely empathize with both generations and act as a connector. They help their clients to communicate, collaborate and collectively gain clarity, to increase profit and productivity in their family businesses. An entrepreneur and a consultant who was rated as a top-100 family business consultant globally. Working privately with select business families that are future-focused and are committed to achieving impact. Its mission is to create a lasting legacy by connecting two distant generations. The importance of communication is to bring clients to trust the business' service and build a meaningful relationship. Providing their clients with specific and actionable guidance to generate results. Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. Additional Resources: Nike Anani Practice Ltd. Start With Why By Simon Sinek Jay Shetty Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "Enforce personal boundaries because at the end of the day, if you fall apart, the business also loses." – Nike Anani "Sales is not all about sending out newsletters and being on social media, you also need to push conversations with people." – Nike Anani "Ensure that you have a system for getting sales." – Nike Anani "It's important to define the culture and embody that culture. So then people can come consistently with that culture." – Nike Anani "We have to believe that we're on a journey of endless mastery in life. So we have to keep evolving towards mastery." – Nike Anani ………………………………………… 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 Andrew Jones, the owner, and operator of Invercarron Wines, a young Tasmanian vineyard producing premium wines. The Jones family have maintained their farming origins and after constantly looking to diversify and grow the farm- Invercarron Wines was born. Andrew and his wife owned and operated one of the state's most successful travel agencies for 30 years. After such time, they sold the agency leaving a $5 million revenue and a total of 35 FTE. Jones' family now turned their attention to wine, sheep and a luxury farm stay in a sixth-generation farming property in southern Tasmania. Even though Andrew has been doing something different from his former business, he has been enjoying the new environment and he's been farming his whole life now. For him, success is not all about the financial reward but about how you succeeded in keeping the business for a long period. This Cast Covers: Spent almost 30 years in the travel industry and shifted to operating a farm with the family. How the family maintained their farming origin, successfully farming the region until its sixth generation. How constantly looking to diversify and grow the farm made them come up with a unique project for the business. Grown the former travel agency with a $5 million revenue and a total of 35 FTE. How a habit of creating a great culture and environment made the staff and clients happy. The importance of respecting the people and the business to grow them successfully. How social media skyrocketed sales and improved marketing strategy. With a fascinating product produced from a young vineyard to unique flavored wines. Additional Resources: Invercarron Wines Andrew Jones Travel The Picker's Hut The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is being respected by your peers and respected as a business." – Andrew Jones "Social media does change and so does marketing." – Andrew Jones "As the business grew, the staff members grew as well." – Andrew Jones "No matter how good you are, how good your culture is, and how many people you employ, there will always be someone who will disappoint." – Andrew Jones "It wasn't the financial reward that made your business grow but the fact that you succeeded over a long period." – Andrew Jones ………………………………………… 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 Natalie Yeadon, the Co-founder, and CEO of Impetus Digital, a company that designs and builds privately branded online healthcare communities for stakeholder engagement through its fully customizable and very own platform, multilingual interface, and its robust, pharma-compliant security, making it the ideal choice for authentic engagement. Natalie joined her business partner Janice Smith in starting Impetus in 2008 while in her early 40s. Both of them have a background in the pharmaceutical industry. During their 13 years in business, they were able to increase their annual growth from 10-20% to over 250% since the hit of Covid-19 and work with 40 FTE. The Healthcare Heretic, a leadership book written by Natalie Yeadon, contains ideas and motivations for people to take action and leadership roles in order to make a change. This book highlights the importance of assuming a leadership role and becoming potential leaders in the economy of the future. This Cast Covers: Services ensure that life science organizations around the world can easily and cost-effectively grow and prosper. Works with life science companies around the globe, helping them do everything from creating virtual advisory boards, medical education, and investigator meetings. Also helped companies with sales, training virtually, MSL programs, hackathons, and everything in between. How life science companies can establish authentic partnerships with their customers. From 10-20% annual growth to over 250% increase since the hit of Covid-19. Background in the pharmaceutical industry helped to grow the business. Offers a full range of strategic, medical writing, and digital services to help make the transition from in-person to virtual events seamless. With over a decade of experience in virtualizing meetings and events. How leadership roles are essential in creating a purpose-driven organization. The importance of purpose-driven organization for the sustainability of the business. Additional Resources: Impetus Digital The Healthcare Heretic By Natalie Yeadon Healthcare Goes Digital Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman Atomic Habits By James Clear ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you believe in what you're doing and focusing on your vision can push the business forward." – Natalie Yeadon "When the best people doing the best work with that focus-driven purpose made the difference." – Natalie Yeadon "We do everything we can to make sure that we have all the right things in place to continue our growth." – Natalie Yeadon "Being able to build that business and win business is just rewarding." – Natalie Yeadon "Everything that we function and do together is purpose-driven." – Natalie Yeadon ………………………………………… 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 Alan Miltz, the Co-founder and Director of Cash Flow Story, a technology company based in Melbourne, Australia. CFS helps business owners, managers, and financial coaches understand what the numbers mean in the simplest way possible to improve their profit, cash flow, and value. The company is based on the successful financial storytelling techniques developed over the last 25 years by the founders. Techniques are currently used by 40,000 people in 96 countries worldwide including banks, firms, and thousands of businesses. Alan says that one lesson he learned in the industry is that cash flow excellence will never be achieved without people's excellence. He said that everyone in the team needs to know and understand the number because they are accountable for the growth and profit of the company. This Cast Covers: Enables businesses to improve their profit, cash flow, and value. Enables businesses to view the financial impact of decisions in advance. Imparts financial stories to non-financial people. Eliminates complexities in understanding the numbers for business owners, managers, and advisors. How understanding the numbers improves decision-making in operating the business. Achieves cash flow excellence through people's excellence. Creates a global standard by which business leaders and advisors review financial performance. Delivers unique insights to improve business' financial performance. Successful financial storytelling techniques were developed by the founders and have been used for over 25 years. How knowing the numbers is essential for figuring out the cash flow and where to improve. Additional Resources: Cash Flow Story Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) By Verne Harnish Mastering the Rockefeller Habits By Verne Harnish Growth Institute ………………………………………… Quotes: "Everyone in your management team needs to embrace the numbers and know what they can do to make better decisions." – Alan Miltz "First thing I've realized is to surround myself with people who have different skills to me." – Alan Miltz "Two heads are better than one." – Alan Miltz "Routine sets you free." – Alan Miltz "You will never achieve cash flow excellence without people excellence." – Alan Miltz ………………………………………… 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 Rycroft, the Founder and the Executive Director of CanopyPlanet, an award-winning environmental nonprofit organization based in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to protecting the world's forests, species, and climate. Canopy works collaboratively with brands to develop environmental policies and help them implement those, thereby improving their environmental performance and advancing conservation gains. Nicole was a former physiotherapist and an elite-level athlete in Australia. She moved to Canada and later founded CanopyPlanet in 1999. She started with a $1,800 budget and for over 22 years they got more than $5 million of the budget donated by those who are passionate about planetary health. The organization is currently working with 750 large companies to conserve more than 25 million hectares of forest service. To be a fast-growing organization, Nicole recommended always making sure to keep the heart of your work close. Keeping the culture, the change, the authenticity of your brand, and who you are can be the sources of growth. This Cast Covers: An environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to protect the world's forests, species, and climate and help advance frontline community rights. Perform its mission by harnessing the purchasing importance of large corporate customers of the forest products industry. Currently working with about 750 large companies that use a lot of paper, a lot of packaging, a lot of wood-based fabrics. Helping large companies develop environmental policies, and implement them so that they transform unsustainable supply chains that end up destroying koala habitats or orangutan habitats and high-carbon forests around the world. Focuses on creating solutions and working together with the largest pulp and paper products buyers to achieve a much greater impact. Passion to protect the endangered, carbon-rich forests around the world led them to become an award-winning environmental nonprofit organization. Has grown and attracted a group of passionate environmental and social justice activists. An award-winning environmental organization has been present for over two decades already. Additional Resources: CanopyPlanet Influence By Robert B. Cialdini Blue Ocean Strategy By W. Chan Kim ………………………………………… Quotes: "Make sure that you keep the heart of your work close." – Nicole Rycroft "The power of storytelling, and taking people with you on the journey is really important." – Nicole Rycroft "I'm really lucky that I've been able to bring the team that is way smarter than me when it comes to systems design and policy and procedure." – Nicole Rycroft "Recognizing that as a leader, you have to bring your team with you." – Nicole Rycroft "If you want to both attract great people, as well as keep good people, then you have to take care of them in ways that are meaningful to them." – Nicole Rycroft ………………………………………… 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 Mike Geller, the co-founder and President of Tegrita, a marketing technology consulting firm based in Canada that enables clients' marketing strategies through marketing automation and technology. The company has helped clients who begin with small projects and become long-term and dedicated. Tegrita started in 2008 when Mike left his job as an implementation consultant for six months. He started a small business to build a career in marketing technology consultancy. He never wasted a time, he has expanded the business, grown the annual growth by 30-40%, and now has 25 FTE working in his company for several years. Mike says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is allowing himself to make more happy clients. He made sure to achieve the defined success and objectives his clients have given them. This Cast Covers: A remote team of experienced and innovative consultants specializing in marketing automation to support growth-minded organizations. A marketing technology consulting firm that enables digital marketing strategy with technology. Brings clients' marketing strategies to life through marketing automation and the technologies that surround it. Expert in optimizing marketing strategy and making marketing technology perform at its peak. Obtained dedicated clients after experiencing their way of development and optimization. How marketing automation platforms increase conversion as well as revenue. How the marketing automation platform saves clients' time through scheduled automatic emails from the system and makes it easier for them to connect to other people exploring their websites. Works with clients with defined success and objectives then, use technology to achieve those objectives. Additional Resources: Tegrita Flipboard CMO to CRO By Mike Geller Oracle Eloqua ………………………………………… Quotes: "You set up a workflow and you set up a process to achieve a particular business goal." – Mike Geller "We can't measure success if success isn't defined ahead of time yet." – Mike Geller "You need to have unanimous consent on all decisions." – Mike Geller "Growing a small business allows me to make more clients happy." – Mike Geller "If you hire smart, capable people, then you have to give them the space to be smart, capable people." – Mike Geller ………………………………………… 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 Erica Hakonson, the Principal and Founder of Maven Collective Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Vancouver, Canada, working with B2B software and services companies to transform their marketing to measurably improve your results. The agency brings the expertise and experience to translate, navigate and execute the complex world of online marketing. The multi-award-winning digital marketing agency was incorporated in 2016 by Erica as a sole entrepreneur. Started with 3 clients and years later had increased their clients by 400% and from revenue growth of 30% to 250%. The agency even won the Editor's Choice in the Canadian SME National Business Awards in 2020. For Erica, success is when they are able to witness fruition and expertise to their clients for that only means that their hard work effectively improves the result. This realization of success drives them more to work at their best. This Cast Covers: A multi-award-winning digital marketing agency that helps businesses disrupt and redefine their marketing strategies. Brings the expertise and experience to translate, navigate and execute the complex world of online marketing. Work primarily with tech companies, particularly in the Microsoft ecosystem. Started with three clients in their first year and has increased them by 400%. From a revenue growth of 30% to the current 250%. Won the Editor's Choice in the Canadian SME National Business Awards. Success is when they are able to witness the fruition of their hard work and expertise to their clients. How a social media platform works in growing a small business into its best. The importance of empowering other people to help them grow for them to perform at their best. Additional Resources: Maven Collective Marketing Why Johnny Can't Brand By Bill Schley Start With Why By Simon Sinek Decisive By Chip Heath Terry O'Reilly Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "The validation of our expertise as a team and how much that fuels us are what success looks like." – Erica Hakonson "When we can set a goal with our clients, and bring that into fruition, that's what success really feels like on our side and be able to experience that with them." – Erica Hakonson "If you have the capital to be able to invest in your digital presence, that's going to pay off in spades for years for you." – Erica Hakonson "Being able to empower someone else and show that they're just as knowledgeable as anyone else." – Erica Hakonson "When the mistakes are made, you have to recognize them correctly and help them learn and grow from that for them to get better." – Erica Hakonson ………………………………………… 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 Devin Miller, the Founder, and CEO of Miller IP Law, an expert on Intellectual Property that specializes in helping start-ups and small businesses protect their assets with patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Devin established his own patent and trademark law firm after working as an IP lawyer in a large firm for 9 years. While working in a large firm helping Fortune 100 companies with their intellectual property, Devin realized that there weren't good legal resources for startups and small businesses. He wanted to help other small business owners learn about patents, trademarks, and copyrights so they can build value into their businesses and protect their assets. Devin says that one of the things that small business owners often don't think about is their patents and this is why they often fail in standing out from their competitors. People file patents to ensure that all the efforts they put into research and development and design are protected. This Cast Covers: An expert on Intellectual Property focusing on helping those that are underserved within the business community. Worked as a lawyer for 9 years and with a background in electrical engineering. A law firm that primarily focused on patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Patents and trademarks for startups and small businesses. Helps small businesses and startups protect their inventions with patents, their brands with trademarks, and their creative works with copyrights. The expert attorneys of the law firm company will be the ones to take action and tailor solutions for the client's company. The importance of patents, trademarks, and copyrights when growing a small business. Trademark is an investable asset the company can own and either grow and obviously build wealth as well. How IP adds a lot of value not just to businesses but to other countries and platforms. Additional Resources: Miller IP Law The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman ………………………………………… Quotes: "One of the things that people often don't think about is their patents." – Devin Miller "It's really important to go and talk to a professional." – Devin Miller "Not everything online is true." – Devin Miller "Because you've been working on a product or an invention for so long, doesn't mean you're not doing anything unique or different from everybody else." – Devin Miller "Get a strategy of how you're going to stand out in your business." – Devin Miller ………………………………………… 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 Laino, the Startup Founder, and Business Coach at Nicole Coaching in Austin, Texas, USA. She also founded a network marketing business named Hilo CRM, helping network marketers grow their teams and their businesses by means of technology. Nicole was originally an actress but after taking a short break in acting, she got a corporate job and worked for a number of years. With Nicole's corporate world experience, she founded her own business, Hilo CRM in 2015 which saw about 30% growth in its second year with 4 FTE. In 2018, she pivoted to business coaching that helps entrepreneurs build a brand & business using social media. Nicole defines success as living her purpose in life. And what she loves the most in growing a small business is its endless possibilities and seeing everybody in her team shine and letting them own their role. She thinks that it's the fun part of growing a small business. This Cast Covers: A startup founder and business coach who guides entrepreneurs to develop and build a business brand using social media. How her love and dedication to personal development helped entrepreneurs build a life and business they love. From an actress to coaching and now works by sharing experiences and expertise. Also helps network marketers use technology to grow their teams and their business. How leadership and passion for helping others achieve success in their business and lives. With her corporate world experience, she started her own business with a great impact. How the use of psychology helps her clients overcome their limiting beliefs. Define success as living her purpose in life. The importance of teamwork, doing marketing with the team, making strategies, and deciding how to implement them. Additional Resources: Nicole Coaching Limitless Entrepreneur Podcast The Slight Edge By Jeff Olson The Start-Up J Curve By Howard Love ………………………………………… Quotes: "When everything is just working, and it doesn't feel like work." – Nicole Laino "Be ahead of the curve, look for trends and get in on them early." – Nicole Laino "Don't try to do marketing on your own, hire a good team, have a strategy for it, and implement." – Nicole Laino "The growth that you seek lies within you." – Nicole Laino "Putting processes in place and documenting other things, that's a great exercise in organizing your mind and organizing your business." – Nicole Laino ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0