Beyond 8 Figures

Craig Swanson is a “professional partner” who specializes in helping business owners scale through the powerful tool of community collaboration. In this episode, Craig explains the value of co-creating with your audience, why simpler is better when it comes to scaling, and the importance of embracing experimentation! About Craig Swanson:Craig Swanson is an entrepreneur, business coach, and co-founder of CreativeLive, an online learning platform for creatives. Today, he runs a small investment and incubator company with a fund that invests in and partners with a select few online creators per year to build niche platforms. He provides creators, educators, and influencers with the missing piece of their business that will propel them to the next level and help build $1 million dollar businesses one step at a time. Episode highlights:When it comes to scaling, simpler is better. Don’t spread yourself too thin by adding on services; rather choose one thing to specialize in and focus on improving that. (11:34)Entrepreneurs often create things that are bigger than themselves. Despite what it may feel like, you are not actually your business, and your business is not you. Don’t become too entwined in it. (14:24)Listen to what your market wants, don’t just assume you know. Magic happens when you co-create with your target audience. (26:01)Don’t become too attached to your ideas. Experiment often; you can’t create the perfect product without testing and iterating. There’s nothing wrong with starting out with a “messy” product! (33:35)Building a scalable business requires a very different approach to building a small business. Don’t rely on your first 1000 customers as your revenue source when you are scaling a business. Keep them happy and learn from their behaviors, but don’t worry about making money off them because they will make up such a small percentage of your eventual numbers. (44:48)Craig’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“I see so many people squander the future that they want to have because they’re afraid to take a step into failure, but often failure is actually the first step to start building something.” (55:59)Connect with Craig:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

As Martyna Lewinksa explains in this episode, everything is a learning opportunity! And to be the best entrepreneur you can be, don’t ever stop learning. This episode is a lesson in the value of having an open mind, being honest and transparent, and asking for feedback! About Martyna Lewinska:Martyna Lewinska is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Fiat Republic. She has over eight years of experience in technical and leadership roles across multiple industries, and most recently, she served as the Head of Platform Engineering at OpenPayd (payments), Ex-Habito (mortgages), GE Digital, and ABB.Episode highlights:Being authentic and transparent with potential hires is a much better approach than pretending that everything is perfect. Honesty creates trust, and mutual trust is one of the foundations of a solid team. (15:30)Never stop learning! Every situation you face and every person you meet offers an opportunity for learning if you are open to it. (19:49)Failures are inevitable along your journey as an entrepreneur. Rather than trying to avoid them, accept the fact that you will make mistakes and be open to learning from them. (20:33)You won’t know if you’re good at something until you try, so just go for it! (21:40)If you want to continuously improve as an entrepreneur, always ask for feedback from the people around you who you trust. That way, you can learn what areas you need to focus on and improve. (22:50)Martyna’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“We’re constantly evolving so I need to keep learning all the time. I learn from every situation, every problem that I face, every conversation that I have. For me, everything is a learning opportunity.” (16:59)  Connect with Martyna:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

The purpose of Materna Medical is to make pelvic health products more accessible and to demonstrate that “when we invest in women, we all win.” The art of storytelling is one of the tools that Tracy MacNeal and her team use to achieve these goals. Listen to the episode to hear why Tracy prioritizes storytelling, self-care, and community as she works towards leaving the United States medical industry better than she found it.About Tracy MacNeal:Tracy MacNeal is a healthcare pioneer with an engineering background and leadership expertise at successful start-ups, mid-size companies, and Fortune 100 corporations. She is currently the President and CEO of Materna Medical, whose primary goal is to bring pelvic health solutions to every woman and healthcare specialist in the United States.Episode highlights:Whatever product or service you are selling, ensure that you are telling your story in a way that is relatable to your target market. People don’t want technical details; they want to know what value you bring them. (10:22)As your company moves through different growth phases, your role as a leader will change. From figuring out the business plan to attracting investors to expanding your reach, always be prepared to evolve as your company does. (21:19)Prioritize self-care! Get enough sleep, exercise, and set aside time for yourself because if you don’t set boundaries, you won’t be able to operate at your best. The same is true of your team, so openly model self-care behaviors for them as much as possible. (23:00)Even if we want to believe the opposite, human beings are emotional creatures. Most of us need to feel like we are part of a meaningful story bigger than ourselves to keep us motivated and inspired. You can’t make anyone do anything for long without giving them a purpose. (32:07)Trying to fit in is exhausting. So, as a leader, focus on creating an environment where a diverse range of people can thrive rather than where one demographic dominates. (36:10)Community is a vital part of any entrepreneur’s journey. Many CEOs struggle with loneliness, but if you surround yourself with people you can learn from and bounce ideas off of, you will never be lonely! If you’re looking for a group of like-minded people to connect with, join our Deliberate Entrepreneur’s Community! (43:20)Tracy’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“It’s easy to fall in love with your product and think that it’s your product that matters. And it’s never your product. Your product is not the thing that people are buying. Your product is doing something for somebody that they value.” (10:22) Connect with Tracy:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

If you’ve built a successful business, you’ll already know that it requires a lot of time, planning, and effort. But do you know what it takes to conduct a successful business exit? Laurie Barkman joins us this week to explain why you should start thinking about your exit many years before you actually want to leave your business and to provide an overview of the steps you need to take to make the transition as smooth and beneficial as possible. About Laurie Barkman:Laurie Barkman (the “business transition sherpa”) is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC (where she is helping owners maximize the value of their company and guiding them through the complex process of letting it go), Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, and host of the Succession Stories podcast. In her book, “The Business Transition Handbook,” Laurie provides a clear and practical guide for business owners considering leaving their ventures. With real-life stories, tools, and exercises, this invaluable resource prepares owners to successfully navigate the emotional and practical aspects of the transition process. Her actionable insights empower readers to exit on their terms, avoiding succession regrets and ensuring a smooth and valuable transition of their businesses.For a comprehensive book review, check out thispage.Episode highlights:Just like building a business, exiting a business takes a lot of planning and a lot of teamwork. Letting go is a process, and you want to start evaluating and maximizing value while time is still on your side. A lot of businesses never get sold; they just close down. So plan ahead to ensure that doesn’t happen to yours! (05:55)Before exiting, it’s important to create a vision of what your life is going to look like afterward so that you don’t lose your identity when you sell your business. (31:08)If you want your business to be transferable, make sure you have a documented process of how your business works so that people other than you can do what you do. (42:08)Be patient with yourself! Being a business owner means there’s always something more to do, but be easy on yourself; you don’t always have to be in control. (46:53)Laurie’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Being a planner, being proactive, is a good thing. If we’re always running our business looking in the rearview, how are we able to move forward?” (11:46)  Resources Mentioned:The Business Transition HandbookConnect with Laurie:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, Eleanor Beaton explains the benefits of decentralizing your business and how to do it successfully, why entrepreneurs need to focus on improving their leadership abilities, and the importance of understanding that you are not your business! About Eleanor Beaton:Eleanor Beaton is the founder and CEO of SafiMedia, an education and coaching company for women entrepreneurs. Eleanor has been recognized nationally and globally for her work as a women’s leadership expert, business coach, and writer. Foundational to the work that Eleanor does is her belief that small, women-owned businesses have the power to bridge the gap between economic growth and sustainability.Episode highlights:If you want to grow your business, there will come a time when you will need to learn to let go of total control. At this point, you will need to decentralize and focus on the areas where you can have the greatest impact. To decentralize successfully, you must ensure that you have equipped a team of people to replace you. (04:20)Despite what it might feel like sometimes, you are not your business! When you become too entwined with your organization, you leave no room for your team members to bring their own sense of genius to the table. (12:18)“Economic growth has been linked to a lack of sustainability, and we believe that small (women-owned) businesses are a powerful microcosm to prove that you can have both.” Your small business is making a more significant impact than you think; don’t give up on your dreams! (19:58) As an entrepreneur, you need to be both a visionary and a good leader. Research has shown that only one in 10 managers are well-equipped for their positions. Learn how to be a more effective manager, and you will see a major difference in your business. (22:52)Don’t ignore any parts of yourself. The person that you are today is an amalgamation of all the people that you have been along your journey to get here. When you accept yourself wholly as you are, you will enhance your ability to be a great leader. (32:26)Don’t create limits for yourself. Set goals that are open and inviting, and you’ll be able to achieve so much more. (42:41)Eleanor’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “Who we are [as entrepreneurs] is very much embedded with the business itself, and when that is fused so tightly, there’s no room for others to truly bring these gifts independently.” (12:30) Mentioned in this Episode:Hiro BogaConnect with Eleanor:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

When Mike Smith puts his mind to solving a problem, nothing can get in his way! To turn Rabble Mill into the youth-focused, life-changing organization that it is today, Mike had to do some seemingly impossible things. In this episode, he shares the story of his journey of “proudly serving the misfits.” About Mike Smith:Mike is on a mission to end generational poverty one young person at a time through motivational speaking, consulting, his career education platform (Find Your Grind, and his non-profit organization, Rabble Mill. He works with young people from all walks of life, encouraging them to pursue their passions and live out their dreams.  Episode highlights:Being an entrepreneur requires making sacrifices; there is no such thing as overnight success. If you really believe in your mission, you may have to give up certain things, but the feeling of fulfillment that you get from achieving your goals will be worth it. (15:30)When you find a problem that you want to solve, work incrementally towards your big-picture goals. (22:40)Don’t say yes to things that don’t align with your purpose. When you understand what drives you, you will be a much more effective entrepreneur. (33:03)You will go through many different stages during your entrepreneurial journey. Embrace seasons of growth as openly as your embrace seasons of reflecting. Slowing down is sometimes the key to speeding up in the long term. (37:02)KPIs aren’t the only way to measure success; Mike prefers to use Significant Moments of Impact (SMIs). Figure out what strategy works best for you in terms of what you are trying to achieve. (48:37)Mike’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Find a problem you are really excited to solve for the rest of your life. Once you solve that problem, find another variation or go duplicate that solution.” (22:40) Connect with Mike:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

A lack of diversity within a company has negative implications for the business and for society as a whole. Through imagiLabs, Dora Palfi is fighting for gender diversity in tech by sparking girls’ interest in coding from a young age. In this episode, she shares the great strides they have already taken in this regard, how she stays motivated and happy, and her approach to improving her entrepreneurial abilities.About Dora Palfi:Dora is an impact entrepreneur through and through and believes that technology is our most powerful tool to shape the future. She has years of experience teaching programming to children and teenagers, as well as advocating for women in technology, and she is a yoga teacher. Dora received recognition in 2020 as a Cartier Women's Initiative Fellow, was named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2021, and was awarded Women in Tech Advocate of the Year for 2021.Episode highlights:Surround yourself with people who can hold you accountable and keep you on track. This support system will enhance your entrepreneurial abilities, helping you sustain a thriving business. (17:46)Entrepreneurship is a long-term commitment. To stay motivated in a sustainable way, find something that can keep you mentally healthy and balanced. For Dora, it is practicing yoga. (18:52)Different population groups will have different responses to marketing strategies. Think carefully about the way you communicate your product or service because it matters. (24:55)A lack of diversity results in the creation of products and services that don’t serve everyone as well as they could. Whatever field you choose to found a business in, don’t underestimate the importance of cultivating a diverse team. (29:40)Dora’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “The lack of diversity that we currently have in the tech industry is leading to products that don’t serve all of us as well as they could.” (29:40)  Connect with Dora:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

The working world is a different place compared to 50, 10, or even five years ago, and a business’s success hinges on its ability to adapt to this new environment. For Ray Kimble, adaptation has meant enhancing employee empowerment within his company, Kuma LLC, and during this episode, he explains why this approach has been so beneficial! About Ray Kimble:Ray is passionate about leading teams and rethinking how services and organizations can thrive in the 21st century. He is committed to revolutionizing the privacy and security consulting industry by creating a company culture where diversity, innovation, and efficiency drive customized cyber solutions. Additionally, Ray is passionate about reducing the access gap for individuals of all backgrounds seeking careers in STEM fields.Episode highlights:Leaders need to be able to adapt to change to ensure their companies stay relevant. Some of the major changes that have taken place in the working world in recent years include the ability to tap into data in real-time, technological advancements, and the rise of distributed workforces. (06:52)Different ways of thinking help to create better products and services. Because location is no longer an exclusionary factor for many jobs, the talent pool is much wider. Use this opportunity to increase diversity within your organization! (12:29)By trusting your team to make their own decisions about where and when they want to work, you are allowing them to tap into the best versions of themselves, which will do wonders for your business! (16:24)To be a good leader, focus on continuous growth in a personal and professional capacity. There are always more books and more people to learn from and be inspired by. (26:00)Ray’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“You can now bring in all sorts of people to your business; different ways of thinking, different socioeconomic backgrounds, different cultures. You have the ability to tap into that and bring that knowledge to help create better products and services.” (10:21) Connect with Ray:LinkedInFacebookWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

You can’t get away from big mistakes in business, but what you can do is turn those mistakes into big success! In this week’s episode, Reg Zeller (the founder of the holding company CaneKast) talks about the importance of learning to roll with the punches and look at your mistakes (and the mistakes of your team members) as opportunities for learning. About Reg Zeller:After climbing the corporate ladder for many years (and experiencing a lot of stress and unhappiness as a result), Reg Zeller took the leap and became an entrepreneur. Five years after buying his first foundry, he has done six acquisitions and is on track to do another 15 to 20 over the next five years and to settle out at $100 million in sales! Episode Highlights:Make sure your business is sustainable in the long term by putting the right people in place. You won’t be around forever, but if you build a strong team, your business could be! (11:55)It’s inevitable that you will make mistakes along your journey, and if you give your team members autonomy (which you should), then they will too. The way to move forward is to treat all mistakes as learning opportunities. (14:56)To be a successful entrepreneur, learn to roll with the punches! No entrepreneurial journey is going to be smooth all the time, and you have to be willing to take the hard times in your stride. (18:32)Take the time to check out from your business and clear your head as often as you can. This will allow you to respond to issues more objectively and effectively. (37:04)Reg’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“You have to learn to be okay with getting punched in the face and then turning around the next day and smiling and coming back the next day.” (34:16)  Connect with RegLinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite

Kevin Lee credits much of his success in the for-profit and non-profit marketing world to the people in his life, so one of his key pieces of entrepreneurial advice is to surround yourself with winners! During this episode, we also get into the importance of making your plans flexible and why “unsexy” areas are sometimes more fun to pursue than “shiny objects!”About Kevin Lee:Kevin describes himself as an “inventor and marketing-mad scientist.” He is the founder of GivingForward.org (a cause marketing nonprofit), Co-Founder of Didit (a marketing/tech firm), and CEO of the eMarketing Association (a digital marketing education platform). His innovative work in the for-profit and non-profit spaces has earned him worldwide recognition, and he is frequently quoted by high-end publications. Episode highlights:Surround yourself with a team of people who you trust, who you can bounce ideas off of, and who will hold down the fort so you can take a well-deserved vacation every now and then! (05:02) Don’t underestimate the importance of Human Resources and the recruiting process. People can either make or break a business, so being able to “pick out the winners” is essential to success (that’s where the HR expertise comes into play!) (07:02)No matter how far along you are on your entrepreneurial journey, there is always room for growth! Continually seek out opportunities and business relationships that you can learn from. (10:18)If you want to do good as an entrepreneur, you may want to get into cause marketing. When done well, businesses, consumers, and non-profits will benefit from this marketing approach. (23:33)You can’t plan for every eventuality, and you don’t know when you’re going to have your next epiphany, so always be open to receiving whatever comes your way and pivoting as need be. (32:56)Shiny objects may look like good opportunities, but if everyone is chasing the same thing, they may end up not being worth your while. Don’t underestimate the “unsexy” marketing areas (direct mail, for example); they can be the most fun to innovate within! (35:44)Kevin’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “Entrepreneurship is the ability to choose where to point your mental energies and where to deploy them.” (05:41)  Connect with Kevin:LinkedInTwitterWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInTwitterWebsite