Owner Operated

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Owner Operated. This will be the last episode of season one! I wanted to end appropriately on Mother's day by interviewing perhaps the greatest influence in my career, my mother, who is a successful business owner in her own right. Starting with a professional career she launched her own investment management business in 2001. We cover topics ranging from what it's like to start your own business after 20+ years working for others and how being a mom has influenced her management style. We hope you enjoyed the first season of this podcast! If you have any suggestions for guests to interview in season two, please contact us. 

Welcome back to the show! On this week's episode I chat with Lisa Maddox to chat about her business in Family History Intelligence.

Welcome back to Owner Operated!  In this episode I interview Jake from Elevato. Elevato is a digital marketing company with a growing global client base.

Owen Franklin, the owner of Blue Summit Supplies, shares his fascinating journey from engineering rocket launchers to running an office supply business on Amazon. He discusses how strategic inventory management and market understanding helped him navigate the challenges of rapid growth and the pandemic's impact on sales. Owen highlights humorous anecdotes about selecting a niche and the necessity of diversifying sales channels beyond Amazon. He also emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in leadership, drawing parallels between sports and business resilience.

Diamond Dyer, co-owner of The Para Girls, shares insights on building a trendy sorority merchandise brand while juggling a full-time job at a Fortune 100 tech company. She discusses the journey from side hustle to successful business, highlighting the role of branding and strategic limited-edition releases. The conversation dives into authentic marketing on social media, overcoming pandemic-related challenges, and the importance of community engagement. Diamond also reflects on the emotional connection with their products and the lessons learned in scaling their operations.

Aimee Woodall, founder of the Black Sheep Agency, discusses her journey in building a cause-driven marketing agency in Houston. She highlights the significance of trust and transparency with clients, especially in the nonprofit sector. The conversation explores the challenges of measuring social impact and distinguishes genuine efforts from 'impact washing.' Innovative solutions born from the pandemic, like dynamic QR menus, are showcased alongside a critique of corporate social responsibility commitments, emphasizing the need for authenticity in business.

Melanie Moore, the founder of Elizabeth & Clarke, discusses her journey from finance to launching a women's clothing brand in New York. She shares hilarious stories from her childhood that inspired her subscription model, as well as the challenges of navigating co-founder dynamics and legal battles. The conversation highlights her innovative 'Unstainable Shirt' designed for busy lifestyles. Melanie also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on consumer habits, revealing how she pivoted her business to meet new demands, showcasing resilience and creativity in fashion.

Zach Chaskey, owner of Midtown Lumber and a seasoned professional with 12 years at the company, dives into the unique challenges of running a lumber store in Manhattan. He discusses adapting to the pandemic by shifting focus from contractors to homeowners and the importance of customer service. The conversation highlights resilience during crises, navigating financial challenges, and maintaining team morale. Zach also shares insights on the 'magic triangle' of business success, balancing affordability, quality, and speed while fostering strong customer relationships.

Hello and welcome to Owner Operated. A show where I, Jesse Safir, Interview other Business owners on the day to day grind of running a successful business. Join us on March 22nd for our debut episode featuring Zach from Midtown Lumber where we talk about the struggle of owning a home improvement business in the tight streets of New York City. Please tell all of your friends and colleagues about this show, you won't want to miss it. See you next week!