Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Dr. Louise Mahler, a body language and voice expert and one of the best motivational leadership speakers in her area in Australia. One of the areas of Dr. Mahler's expertise is helping business leaders stand and develop skills to make people listen that would help for the growth of their business. Dr. Louise Mahler actually has a Ph.D. in business, and degrees, and masters in organizational psychology as well as an opera-singing career. Her skills from these experiences give her a unique perspective on what presence and authority entail. She provides highly practical methods emphasizing the study of the mind-body relationship and business applications for the improvement of global leaders. "Our life is a presentation," Dr. Mahler said. She points out that people's lives are similar to giving presentations. "It's how you present yourself in life and bring yourself forward," she added. This Cast Covers: How body language makes people better & brings the best of them to their work. How a life of a person similar to a presentation. The relevance of skills in every form of work. Overcoming the fear of public speaking. The importance of body language & confidence to business owners & in growing a small business. How facial expressions bring positivity even in a virtual environment. The importance of non-verbal communication in giving presentations. Helping business owners get better in body language & communication by development resources. The relevance of increasing professional development in the area of communication for business leaders. Additional Resources: The Mahler Method Business Communication for Success By University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing Building Rapport in Business By Christopher J. Kaspar ………………………………………… Quotes: "Our life is a presentation. It's how you present in life, bring yourself forward, and the skill is highly relevant in every form." – Dr. Louise Mahler "I believe in the mind-body voice connection. Fear starts with the mind, and the mind reflects in the body." – Dr. Louise Mahler "He who presents wins. It's just the way to get through." – Dr. Louise Mahler "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing in this world." – Dr. Louise Mahler "Language is the perception of others." – Dr. Louise Mahler ………………………………………… 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 Edward Rocha, the founder and President of Rola Corporation and the Rola Languages, and CEO of The Morning Goals. Rola Languages is now a part of Rola Corporation, an international education company providing services, such as management consulting and business training. Furthermore, Edward launched his third business, The Morning Goals to help entrepreneurs, creatives, and aspiring reach their full potential. Edward is a passionate entrepreneur, language and communications specialist. That's when he came up with an idea to formalize his teaching method and founded Rola Languages in 2008 which became a part of Rola Corporation, which was also founded by Ed in 2015. Five years later, The Morning Goals was born and during the afflict of the pandemic, Ed pivoted to coaching. "Getting your first client and then your 10th client is the hardest thing in growing a small business," says Edward. But, he also mentions that he likes to see things grow because he finds himself creative just like an artist and at the same time an entrepreneur. This Cast Covers: Started coaching business during the exploitation of the pandemic. Saw an opportunity to lean in his business experience with an entrepreneurial spirit. To help entrepreneurs sort of in crisis both professional and personal. From banking and finance to a language coach. Replicating the system of teaching languages from a quality control perspective. Taking advantage of the opportunities that exist leads to high leverage. Looking for possible ways to cope with business circumstances. Spent a year creating content in social media. The importance of feeling the best a person possibly can to be an effective marketer. Keeping everyone happy and building a community in a business. Defined success as maintaining the reputation and continuing the innovation of growth. Additional Resources: The Morning Goals The Future Breakup The 4-Hour Workweek By Timothy Ferriss Basecamp ………………………………………… Quotes: "I think sometimes there's this push that people see the excitement." – Edward Rocha "As small business owners, we sometimes grow without planning and only grow from our passion in our hearts." – Edward Rocha "As a chief marketer of your company, you need to feel the best you possibly can, from a motivational perspective, from a visionary perspective, from an innovation perspective." – Edward Rocha "Success is defined as maintaining our reputation, and continuing the innovation of growth that we've done." – Edward Rocha "So for me, as long as we can keep everybody happy, I believe in building communities in my businesses." – Edward Rocha ………………………………………… 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 Diane Rae, the CEO of Ewenique Enterprises based in Tasmania, Australia- known for its sheep-making cheese expertise and best vodka. Ewenique Enterprises is the incorporation of Grandvewe Cheeses- a farmhouse cheesery that uses sheep milk to make exceptional cheese and Hartshorn Distillery- a micro-distillery that makes vodka and gin from their own sheep whey. Diane Rae's career didn't start as a cheesemaker, she was a psychologist and a financial planner. She doesn't have an idea she would fall as a cheesemaker and a famous dairy sheep breeding consultant. They started as a dairy sheep enterprise, evolved into incorporating a distillery, and even won Best Vodka in 2018 at the World Vodka Awards in London. Through the innovation of strategies and use of digital marketing, they made significant growth with a 40% annual return. Grew 2 FTE to the current 20 in 19 years in the business. It is amazing to know how a small business grows through innovations and a great attitude in spite of challenges. Diane Rae has shown a great attitude toward the challenges her business had faced which helped the business to become more successful. "The challenges in growing a small business is such a wonderful field for creativity and thinking outside the square."- Diane Rae This Cast Covers: How a particular passion in business leads to success. How challenges in growing a small business become pieces for innovation. Leading the team members to do the right things in order for the business to survive. How making a profit means having fun in business. The importance of understanding differences and being the key to a successful business. How hard work means a lot in growing a business. Getting the most amazing rewards in return for fulfilling the things needed by the business. How digital marketing helps small business owners communicate their products to people. Motivating each team member to do the right thing. Being innovative for significant growth and development. Additional Resources: Ewenique Enterprises Food Business News Make It Tasmania Building Community Food Webs By Ken Meter ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you are not making a profit, you're not actually having fun in your business." – Diane Rae "It is important to know your whys because it drives you." – Diane Rae "Success means hard work." – Diane Rae "Learn to respect each other and understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, understanding the differences is the key to a successful business." – Diane Rae "The challenges in growing a small business is such a wonderful field for creativity and thinking outside the square." – Diane Rae ………………………………………… 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 Brett Steel, the Founding Director and General Manager of Spirit Thief Distilling Co, an independent bottling company based in Tasmania, Australia, and was established in 2015. Brett is defined for his passion for brewing and distilling and found an opportunity to work with other distilleries. Spirit Thief transitions from brewing into maturing their own whisky, and now has a variety of casks ready for future releases around the world. For their initial pilot casks, they distilled approximately 120L, grew it every year, and now produce 12,000L annually. Before Spirit Thief, Brett was the founder of Tasmanian Whisky Tours in 2013 which became Drink Tasmania Premium Tours which was then sold in 2019. Brett says that the number one habit a small business owner needs to develop and maintain is discipline and this is the habit he's still working on every day. Though it is quite challenging, it really helps sustain the business in the long-term duration. This Cast Covers: Providing an overview and knowledge about distilling. Creating and building a brand as part of marketing in a distilling business. Product planning and determining scale. How independent bottling became an opportunity to work with other distilleries. How the business brought it through a pandemic period. Moving from a small bar concept into a tourism venture. The importance of discipline in running a business. How knowing the numbers & understanding that marketing is a return on investment is a key to grow the business quickly. Additional Resources: Spirit Thief Distilling Co Sell Like Crazy By Sabri Suby Enough By Jack C. Bogle ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success for me is work lifestyle balance, in a way that we can grow it in a sustainable direction towards those numbers." – Brett Steel "I feel like knowing your numbers, and understanding that marketing is a return on investment is key to growing that business quickly." – Brett Steel "Learning to respect that each staff member has different priorities and different needs and different ways of leading and managing their role was a really great learning lesson for me." – Brett Steel "Trust that those decisions that you're making, are the right ones." – Brett Steel "Discipline is really important to sustain your business in a longer-term." – Brett Steel ………………………………………… 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 Sadhana Smiles, the director of Harcourts Move, a property management company based in Melbourne, Australia. Harcourts Move's mission is to help investors grow their property portfolio by managing properties and making sure that clients get the right tenants. Starting a property management company has been a long-time dream of Sadhana. She started Harcourts Move in July 2017 in her early 50s. She has seen many different markets and understands how this industry works. The company started by purchasing a rent roll of 200 properties and now sits on 420 properties for 3 and a half years with a current net promoter score of 40. Sadhana wants a business that creates a culture that people want to belong to. "My biggest focus is making sure that my people work in an environment that's going to keep them there for as long as I possibly can." – Sadhana Smiles This Cast Covers: Managing properties and making sure that clients get the right tenants. Getting continued capital growth through investment properties. From a receptionist in a real estate firm to a Director of her own company. Building an asset by practicing what a corporate person tells business owners how to run their businesses. The work of building better connections between the industry and clients. Learning a lot of lessons while running a business, from making money to what systems to use in order to alleviate the loss. How relying on technology makes the business profitable. Providing high levels of transparency to clients. Additional Resources: Harcourts Move The Invisible Entrepreneur By Louise Woodbury The Book on Managing Rental Properties By Brandon Turner ………………………………………… Quotes: "Relying on technology is one of the lessons I learned for the business to become profitable." – Sadhana Smiles "If you have happy people in your business, you're going to have happy clients." – Sadhana Smiles "Success for me looks like building a place where people want to be." – Sadhana Smiles "So be really clear on your target market, then go after them hard and be transparent with clients." – Sadhana Smiles "Take the time to hire the right people." – Sadhana Smiles ………………………………………… 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 Sharon Koifman, the Founder of DistantJob based in Montreal, Canada. DistantJob is a remote recruiting agency that specializes in helping companies hire remote employees. They are the best in finding talents and career-driven individuals offering them full-time remote positions. Sharon incorporated the business when he was in his early 20s. From being the only full-time employee to now having 42 FTE, the business now generates 30 or 40% growth in revenue every year. He is also one of the best-selling authors of the book Surviving Remote Work which was published just last year on the 17th day of November. Sharon says he learned a lesson from his previous business that the number one key to be a great marketer is, "understanding your number" like the acquisition cost of clients and loss of clients. So then, you will know how much you can spend on marketing. This Cast Covers: Specializing in finding the best and smartest individuals and soliciting them from established companies. Motivating remote employees to have the mentality of full-time permanent career-driven individuals. The transition from the standard method of working to having to work from home. Highlighting the benefits of working from home- from being flexible of their time, productivity and saves the money allotted for transportation. How they grew revenue 30 or 40% every year for 8 years. The importance of marketing power to grow the business proportionately. How understanding the numbers like acquisition cost of clients and loss of clients become a key to be a great marketer. The importance of managing productivity to be able to produce as much as possible in very little time. Believing that every company deserves access to the world's top talent. Using more than a decade of experience running IT companies to develop the remote recruitment model. Additional Resources: Surviving Remote Work By Sharon Koifman Thinking Remote By Pilar Orti The Art of Action By Stephen Bungay ………………………………………… Quotes: "Once you can stay in the business, you will eventually figure out to make it successful." – Sharon Koifman "Success for me looks like enough financial freedom to be able to do anything that you want without purchasing stupid things." – Sharon Koifman "The number one key to be a great marketer is understanding your number." – Sharon Koifman "I believe in experimenting and failing, it works well for me, at least." – Sharon Koifman "I will fight as long as I can to keep my company and the people working for the company." – Sharon Koifman ………………………………………… 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 Brooke Roberts, the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Director of Sharesies based in Wellington, New Zealand. Sharesies is an online investment platform believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to grow their wealth. It also gives access to invest in thousands of companies aiming to create the most financially empowered generation. Roberts, with her experience in finance and marketing, started an online platform of investment in 2016 together with five other co-founders. Initially, they barely find investors but later on customers slowly show up. In five years, they have over 350,000 investors and are working with a total of 150 members in the team. Their pleasant attitude towards challenging times allows them to continually succeed. Maintaining positivity as one of the values is highly remarkable. Roberts said, "I really think optimism is so important." This Cast Covers: Providing equal opportunity to grow wealth regardless of how much money a person has. Building an online investing platform for accessibility. Helping people be better savers and have financial insights. Garnered 350,000 investors over the last five years. Creating the most financially empowered generation. Bringing a lot of innovations to investing unlocks a lot of areas leading to real purpose-driven marketing. Visualizing the purpose and seeing people who have invested and at the same time succeeding. The importance of effective communication & planning to deliver the vision of the business. Making sure that someone with $5 has the same investment opportunities as someone with $500,000. Additional Resources: Sharesies Online Investing for Dummies by Matthew Krantz Investopedia A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market by Matthew Kratter ………………………………………… Quotes: "Focusing on your purpose and vision and setting up values really enabled our business to flourish and grow." – Brooke Roberts "Success to me so it's always chasing it." – Brooke Roberts "Being understanding is one thing to be considered for a fast-growing business." – Brooke Roberts "Knowing who we are and what we stand for are integrated in our business." – Brooke Roberts "I really think optimism is so important." – Brooke Roberts ………………………………………… 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 Eric Reed, the CEO, and Founder of reed5group based in Cincinnati, a city in Ohio, USA. Reed5group is a media company specializing in custom-tailored sophisticated solutions, organizational coaching, and fractional leadership services. They help startup companies and entrepreneurs build systems to grow their sales and set sales records. Eric Reed has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership. He founded the media company, reed5group in 2018 at the age of 50. In his first year, he handled two clients and obtained $200,000 of revenue. He illustrates 10 times growth in revenue from $200,000 to $2 million in the past three years. Eric's success in business growth is rooted in his passion and taking responsibility. "When you're always responsible for your work, you can always survive", he said. This Cast Covers: Understanding the importance of digital display strategy in marketing. Helping companies that are plateaued by building systems to help grow their sales. The sustainable growth of a business is through quality work and passion. Going into a business in strategic consulting, marketing, leadership to help startups & entrepreneurs. Putting the fundamentals & ideologies means survival of a business. Trying multiple marketing strategies to figure out which is better for the fast-growing business. Hitting $200,000 with just two clients within a year of starting the business. Illustrating the 10 times growth of the company in three years. Experts in delivering sales and marketing objectives. Additional Resources: reed5group Digital Marketing Strategy By Simon Kingsnorth Hacking Growth By Sean Brown ………………………………………… Quotes: "Good people like to deal with good people." – Eric Reed "If you think you're aligned with what you think a good person is, then that emits and rubs off on other people." – Eric Reed "When you're always responsible for your work, you can always survive." – Eric Reed "For me, success is when my people are having a quality of life, doing what they want and they grow." – Eric Reed "You need to not be afraid to pull the plug on something quickly and double down on what is working." – Eric Reed ………………………………………… 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 Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, a Fashion Designer and Co-Founder of fashion label WORLD - one of the leading fashion houses in New Zealand. WORLD was best known and admired by people after they won the Avant-Garde section of the 1995 Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Awards with their 21st Century Origami Outfit. Shortly after, the Auckland Museum bought the piece because of its unique design that got the attention of many. The Fashion Label WORLD was founded by Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and her ex-husband Francis Hooper in 1989 in Auckland, New Zealand. They started in a 100 square foot shop, a tiny shop at the back of an arcade. Dramatically, due to their hard work and passion, they managed to increase their work and now have 4 large stores and 40 FTE in 32 years of innovation. Dame Denise says in order for the business to be recognized, having your own signature is very important so people will know immediately. By doing so, you're doing a smart move to run your business for a long time. "Always think of your business as an extension of your personality, don't copy or look at other people for inspiration."- Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet. This Cast Covers: How her passion for business is a key to her success. The importance of focusing on quality over quantity. How leadership without hierarchy improves management and methodology in business. Formulating a brand that stands out on its own. Making brands of the greatest value, how people see it and perceive it. Recognizing the efforts of the staff is vital for their own growth and for them to feel they have achieved something. Seeing the growth of a business by opening a new branch. How good customer service helps in development and maintenance. Involvement of the staff in every discussion results in well-constructed planning. Embracing change and being innovative for growth and development. Additional Resources: WORLD Brand Management and Strategies by William D' Arienzo Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller Shopify Blog by Dayna Winter ………………………………………… Quotes: "Always think of your business as an extension of your personality, don't copy or look at other people for inspiration." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "The greatest value is obtained if you are passionate in everything you do." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "Be true to yourself and to your service." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "I always treat the business as a child, it needs to be fed, it needs to be watered, it needs to have daily contact, it needs to be looked after. Otherwise, it won't perform for you." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "As long as you keep growing, you've got to make sure that your business keeps growing, otherwise you stagnate." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet ………………………………………… 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 James Boardman, the Founder of Time Domination based in Bexhill, UK, which helps and supports business owners in managing their time, energy, balance, and productivity in order to have a sustainable personal and professional life. Time Domination prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of their clients considering these as important as physical health. James Boardman was a former military man serving under the Royal Marines for 9 years. After leaving the Royal Marines, his world crumbled. He knows from his personal experience the importance of mental and emotional health in setting priorities. Improving daily habits like physical, mental, and emotional fitness is what James has been implemented for his clients. He said, "Physical challenges that you set yourself, whatever it is, it's about having an emotional connection." This Cast Covers: Managing time, energy, balance, and productivity to avoid early burnout. Productivity & balance are real foundational pillars of every business owner to garner success. Helping entrepreneurs become much more effective with their time and energy in their professional life. The key to mental fortitude in business and personal life is connecting physical challenges to emotional health. The importance of working with no barriers, yet growing the business. The struggles many business owners go through trying to grow the business takes a huge part in obtaining a winning business. Talks about the mental health implications of running a business, the mental & emotional breakdown of the business. Working on four pillars business, health, relationships, and personal development. How setting the vision often as support makes a difference. Additional Resources: The Power of Habit By Charles Duhigg The Power of Story By James Loehr The Now Habit By Neil A. Fiore ………………………………………… Quotes: "I love the process by having always loved the process." – James Boardman "Physical challenges that you set yourself, whatever it is, it's about having an emotional connection." – James Boardman "People should understand why others wanted to do it and choose to quit or stay." – James Boardman "If you are not growing, you cannot grow your business." – James Boardman "Taking your roles and responsibilities is what moves the business forward." – James Boardman ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0