Inter:views | Cracking The Entrepreneur Bottleneck

What’s the relationship between yarn and entrepreneurship? Simple: Just like a ball of yarn, a business comprises many interconnected threads woven together to create a cohesive whole.  Each thread is unique, but they are all connected and contribute to the business’s overall success. Join me on this episode to better understand the analogy between yarn and entrepreneurship and hear a practical example of business interconnectivity.  ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a business and forget to take care of yourself. Taking time out of your day to focus on your mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being can pay off in the long run with improved performance and overall happiness.  Learn how to change the outlook of the table, put yourself first, tell your story more powerfully, and bring more success to your business.  Success is the ultimate goal in business, but many other things matter just as much. Taking a step back to gain perspective and seeking help can be invaluable in helping you focus on what truly matters and break through barriers to find true fulfillment. Join this conversation with Jeff Greenfield shares his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he has learned, and what helped him to be a success. Jeff is an entrepreneur with three decades of strategy, growth, and marketing experience and building terms emphasizing innovative marketing enabled by new technology. He is the CEO and founder of Provalytics, an ad measurement tool that uses Agile Impact Modeling. Jeff also works with the marketing advisory council of Suffolk University and Sawyer business school in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.  Before Provalitics, Jeff founded several companies, and the last one was called C3 Metrics, a leading MTA platform with clients including JP Morgan, US Bank, Nestle, Peapod, Edward Jones, and Fender. Jeff's technical innovations include real-time digital viewability measurement, integrated linear and OTT television measurement, and creating a cookieless identifier. He has also developed & led all GTM strategies and grew the team to 55 with 171% YOY growth leading to being named to Deloitte's 2018 Technology Fast 500. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Jeff Greenfield  [02:26] Jeff’s journey, magician and chiropractor turned into an entrepreneur   [08:32] Learning on the fly and Jeff's experience from the pre-Google era [10:28] Jeff’s perspective on Chat GTP evolution and job creation   [14:41] How technology is supposed to make our life and business easy  [17:10] Why Jeff didn’t stop when he exited C3 Metrics  [20:10] Jeff’s self-care practices in his journey as an entrepreneur [27:55] How knowing what Jeff knows now about self-care would have impacted C3 [31:11] The importance of having a coach and an outside perspective  [32:53] Key lessons that Jeff has learned from his journey as an entrepreneur  [38:58] Jeff’s one recommendation for entrepreneurs  [39:40] How to reach out and connect with Jeff  [40:08] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: We think we’ve to ramp up the game and intensify, but the reality is we need to step back a little bit from technology to enjoy our lives.   You’ve to get out there, move your body every day and be physically active. What you do in the beginning is entirely different from what you do in the end because they have different requirements. You have to develop and enhance your story and what you are selling. As entrepreneurs, we’re like sharks; if we stop moving, we die. Keep moving, and you will live. Connect With Jeff Greenfield: Website: https://jeffgreenfield.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgreenfield/ ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an essential tool for any business wanting to advance in the digital age. It can help your business get more online visibility, drive more website traffic, and improve your search engine rankings.  However, SEO is not as mystical or magical as most business owners perceive, and you don't have to play around with some SEO gods to get the results. SEO is a practice that helps you rank on google, and keywords are a huge part of it. When you place the keywords in the right place, you can win, and with just that, you have done 60% of SEO. Don't overthink it. Join this conversation with Kyle Roof as he shares simple SEO strategies you can implement to increase your online visibility and tips on how to build your business beyond you. Kyle is an American living in Thailand best known for his SEO skills. He has dedicated his life to helping business owners and marketers overcome common SEO challenges using scientifically proven SEO methods. Kyle is the Page Optimizer Pro inventor, built on more than 400 scientific tests he has conducted. Over the years, Kyle has developed a fine-tuner method to test whether single variables are ranking factors in Google's algorithm. This method was officially granted a patent in 2020, validating Kyle's technique and distinguishing him from all the SEO professionals. Kyle is also the co-founder of Internet Marketing Gold, a global community of 3000 + SEO professionals who test and prove cutting-edge SEO techniques. Many SEO Professionals and business leaders follow Kyle's SEO techniques and discoveries. He has been featured in many publications and is a rigorous speaker in SEO and SEO testing at conferences and worldwide. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Kyle Roof [02:22] Kyle’s career background and his entrepreneurial journey   [05:42] Kyle’s exit plan and how he sold his high-voltage SEO agency  [08:41] How Kyle turned their company into a product for sale  [11:02] The challenges that Kyle faced in replacing himself from his company  [15:30] Critical SEO strategies you should know as an entrepreneur  [17:37] How to come up with the keywords for an SEO  [20:58] What the Page Optimizer Pro (POP) offers in the SEO space [22:01] Why POP exists and how it’s different from Kyle’s previous agency  [26:41] Key lessons that Kyle has learned from his entrepreneurial journey  [33:10] Why Kyle moved to Thailand and the community they have built [35:01] Kyle’s one recommendation for entrepreneurs  [39:09] How to reach out and connect with Kyle  [39:19] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: Replacing yourself in your business allows you to build something beyond yourself. The top four places to put a keyword are in the URLs, page title, title tag (H1), and paragraph tags. If you can properly optimize for primary keywords, you can win for secondary keywords. Don't stop people from giving you money; give them the opportunity to pay you the most they want to pay.  If you can acknowledge your mistake and that somebody else can do better, you can put yourself in a better situation. When people are making decisions on partnerships or JVs, the people they will go to first are those around them, so be active and present.  Connect With Kyle Roof:   Website: https://kyleroof.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roof-411166a4  ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

The X-Factor is your 10 to 100x underlying advantage. It’s usually invisible to your customers but underpins your strategy and blocks your competitors from trying to copy you. Finding your X-factor can be a daunting task. Still, it's essential if you want to build a successful and sustainable business. Do you have one? In this episode, I'll define the X-factor for businesses and provide practical recommendations for entrepreneurs to find their X-factor. ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Being an entrepreneur can be a tough job with many ups and downs. Building up your brand, developing a business plan, executing marketing tactics, and managing marketing budgets are all difficult tasks requiring enormous amounts of time and energy.  These demands can lead to burnout and failure in business, but coaching can help you achieve these goals. Coaching provides insight into how to make the most of your time and resources as you set up your business. Join this conversation with Paul Baker, a return guest in our podcast, to talk more about his entrepreneurship journey and the testimonials of the importance of coaching in growing his business, exiting it, and starting a new venture.  Leaving a business you have built and handing it over to somebody else can be emotional. It’s like losing your baby, so you need a coach to help you with a clear path, support, and guidance. Paul Baker bankrupted his first business at the age of 17, and it took ten years before he got back to entrepreneurship. He acquired St Pierre Groupe in 2002 and one day decided to conquer the American market, which he did. He successfully exited it in October 2022.  Let’s jump in Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Paul Baker [01:42] What Paul has been doing since 2021 [04:40] Paul’s entrepreneurship bottleneck necessitated him to seek coaching [08:22] Why Paul exited his successful business [11:58] How Paul was prepared to bounce back after exiting his business [14:33] Benefits of coaching and his expectations in the current coaching sessions [25:45] Why coaching? [26:43] One of Paul’s best “aha moments” in the past two years [35:40] Paul’s advice to anyone who wants to know more about coaching Notable Quotes: Exiting a business you have built and handing it over to somebody else can be emotional. It’s like losing your baby.  You must learn to say NO as a business leader and entrepreneur.  Being an entrepreneur can be a tough job with many ups and downs.  Coaching helps you address the nitty-gritty details of how you think and operate personally. As an entrepreneur, never stop learning. Resources Mentioned: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek  Past podcast episodes with Paul Baker https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast/episode/230541cd/interviews-46-or-paul-baker-or-saint-pierre-group-or-uk https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast/episode/f2ea6ccc/how-can-entrepreneurs-stay-motivated-or-special-episode Connect With Paul Baker: Website: https://rapaid.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-baker-7847aa11/ The Business He Sold: https://stpierrebakery.com/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

It is no secret that staying competitive in the current market requires more than just a good idea. You must have a robust business model, a great marketing strategy, systems, and many other things that can be challenging for any business owner.  Systems are a proven way to grow your business. They can help you increase revenue, reduce costs, and even manage your operations.  But what if you don't know the best system for your company? Can you still take it to the next level? Join this conversation with serial entrepreneur Benjamin Johnson and learn more.  Ben Johnson is the founder and CEO of Particle41, a development firm providing businesses with integral applications development, data science, and DevOps projects.  Finding new talent to execute new projects can be a hassle, but Ben and his team want to strengthen yours, as he explains in this episode.  Ben is also a serial entrepreneur with over $30 million raised across his five startups. He also has over 20 years of experience in software development. He is passionate about applications and modernization. He finds it as much fun as coaching soccer teams. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Benjamin Johnson [02:56] Ben’s entrepreneurial backstory  [06:30] Ben’s definition of an entrepreneur [07:09] Why he loves entrepreneurship [09:10] What Ben means by going back to the basics of entrepreneurship [14:01] Where the name “Particle41” came from, and what is the company about [16:20] Strengthening talents to execute new projects [20:10] Best business practices [24:58] Can too many systems kill a business system? [27:16] Systems are good, but customers have the final say [27:57] What Ben has learned about himself as an entrepreneur [31:41] What would he do differently than when he started entrepreneurship [33:06] The one recommendation Irina gives to all entrepreneurs [36:10] Best ways to reach out and connect with Ben [36:44] Wrap-up and calls-to-action Notable Quotes: Entrepreneurship is the true test of value.  In entrepreneurship, you are only as good as your balance sheet.   You must create business systems that embrace rapid change. If you are not evolving as a business, it will die. Change is natural and normal for growth. Systems are good, but customers come first. Never underestimate the power of mentors and coaches in your entrepreneurship journey. Resources Mentioned: Influx by Daniel Suarez Connect With Benjamin Johnson: Website: https://particle41.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjohnson77 #founders #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #podcast #devops ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

I know many entrepreneurs who neglect their family, their health, and their life.  Is it worth it, though?  Imagine it’s your last day on earth; what legacy would you like to leave behind you? I certainly don’t want to look at a life spent working.  You need to learn that, despite finding it counter-intuitive, maintaining a work-life balance is crucial for your well-being and business success. Work-life balance refers to balancing the demands of work and personal life. It's about finding a healthy equilibrium that allows you to meet both your professional and personal responsibilities and limiting the sacrifices on both sides of the spectrum. In this episode of The Entrepreneur Alphabet, I explore some reasons why work-life balance is crucial for entrepreneurs.  Let’s jump in now!  ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Are you feeling unsatisfied in your current job and dreaming of a life of freedom as an entrepreneur? With the right planning, knowledge, and attitude, you can find your freedom through entrepreneurship.  Knowing what to expect and preparing for the journey will help you maximize your chances of success.  Join this conversation with Irina Poddubnaiar and hear her backstory, how she transitioned from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she has learned. Get the insights, tips, and strategies for business success as an entrepreneur. Irina Poddubnaiar is a SAAS founder and business consultant specializing in operations and process optimization. Over the past few years, she has worked with 50+ small and large companies worldwide, helping them design systems that effectively align the right people, processes, and tools to achieve outstanding results. Irina has a wealth of experience in the eCommerce industry, having spent 2.5 years running a fulfillment center in China and launching her own software, TrackMage. Her mission at TrackMage is to make life easier for eCommerce entrepreneurs by automating as many routine tasks as possible. Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Irina Poddubnaiar [01:34] Irina’s entrepreneurial backstory and how TrackMage came about [06:23] Why TrackMage would not exist without China [07:39] The power of automating your business systems [09:15] When and why did Irina leave her 9 to 5 job [10:58] Why the experience from the first job made her keep into entrepreneurship [12:58] Freedom is the cornerstone of entrepreneurship [16:20] Key insights before starting your entrepreneurship journey [19:49] Paul’s advice to anyone who wants to know more about coaching [22:10] Why Irina did not give up despite hitting a wall in business [25:42] Has Irina ever thought of going back to a 9 to 5 job [28:40] Why most women entrepreneurs struggle and Irina’s advice [32:41] The one recommendation Irina gives to all entrepreneurs [34:05] Best ways to reach out and connect with Irina [35:20] Wrap-up and calls-to-action Notable Quotes: When you automate systems in your business, then you get the time to focus and work on the things that truly matter.  Entrepreneurship gives one the freedom to be what one wants to be.  If you want to start a successful business, the best way is to start with something small that is manageable and that you can do yourself. Entrepreneurship is a calling and a contagious virus. Start selling first, test your idea in the market, and see people's responses, then build the business around it. Resources Mentioned: Magical Selling: Engineering Enterprise Sales Success on Any Team, in Any Industry, and in Any Economy by Raju Bhupatiraju Connect With Irina Poddubnaiar: Website: https://trackmage.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-poddubnaia/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

Validation is the process of testing an idea to determine if it's worth pursuing. It's a crucial step in the entrepreneurial journey because it helps entrepreneurs save time, money, and resources on a wrong or irrelevant idea. Entrepreneurs who validate their ideas before they start are more likely to succeed because they better understand their customers' wants and needs. They can then make informed decisions about how to move forward with their business. In this episode, we cover the following: > What is validation? Why is it important? > What are some methodologies you can use to validate your idea?  ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey and not a destination to aim for. While entrepreneurs exist to solve problems in the world, it is not always a walk in the park. It is a cause that demands a different mindset, behavior, and skills.  Jay Bousada, an entrepreneur since 1999, joins us in this entrepreneurship podcast to discuss his journey, the pivots he has made, his mistakes, and his lessons. He has all the information for you if you want your business to be bulletproof in any environment or market. Jay founded Thrillworks in 1999 to help organizations take full advantage of the potential of digital. He’s a born problem solver, beginning his career as an Engineer before turning his attention to technology. As CEO, he’s now driven by a passion for solving problems others may fail to see. This courage is at the core of who he is and the driving force behind everything Thrillworks creates. Among the things Jay shares in this episode include the power of having a vision as an entrepreneur. You must have a business vision that should also be well ingrained in the minds of the people who work for you.  All entrepreneurs also need to understand the importance of boundaries. Let your employees know the values, expectations, ethics, morals, and culture you uphold and ascribe to. Boundaries are the only ways to create a healthy environment in your business. Tune in and learn more. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [02:26] Jay’s journey of entrepreneurship since 1999 [08:04] The different stages of his business’ growth [14:42] How the covid pandemic demanded a pivot in business [15:43] The bottleneck concept [16:44] Why Jay’s early success in business was both a blessing and a curse [18:40] How losing the original ‘why’ of the business brought failure [23:25] How automation can be a disadvantage to trust building with customers [27:15] What Jay has learned about himself as an entrepreneur [32:00] The future of Jay’s business [35:17] Jay’s takeaway tips for entrepreneurs  [35:24] Achievements that Jay is proud of [37:28] Best ways to reach out and connect with Jay Bousada Notable Quotes: The real power of an organization comes from its people.  Any product or solution you put in place has to include a good deal of quality. That’s not negotiable if you want to stay in business. If the business vision is not clear in the minds of the people working for you, the secret success formula will require you to be there every day. Never assume anything in business. First, seek to understand before you are understood. As an entrepreneur, boundaries are the only ways to create a healthy environment in your business. Resources Mentioned: Rethink: The Surprising History of New Ideas by Steven Poole:  Connect With Jay Bousada: Website: https://thrillworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbousada/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybousada/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call