

Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast
Shannon Jean & Dave Hamilton
Two long-time small-business owners, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, come to you each week to talk through the trials, success, pitfalls and tips it takes to successfully run a small business in today’s world. Hear real-world folks talk about real-world problems, letting you know not only what it takes to get it done but that you’re not alone in doing it!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 16, 2024 • 20min
Free Flow Friday
In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon and Dave discuss problem-solving and efficiency in entrepreneurship, using personal experiences as illustrations. We draw parallels between kayak design and simplifying business processes while highlighting the importance of considering simple solutions like Occam’s Razor. Through anecdotes about seeking expert help and a client overwhelmed by data, we advocate for a bias towards action over analysis paralysis. We also reflect on our podcasting journey, emphasizing practice and iteration over waiting for perfection. We wrap up with a reminder to embrace action and learn from failures as we move forward.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #574 for Casual Friday, August 16th, 2024
August 16th: National Rollercoaster Day
00:01:07 Folding Kayak Inventions
Oru Folding Kayak
Origami Paddler
00:04:13 Finding the right service provider
“I can fix almost anything”
00:10:17 Calculate your opportunity cost
Joe Benson on Business Brain 573
It’s easier to hire someone and control their focus than it is to control our own
00:13:58 Data Collection vs. Action
Have a Bias Towards Action
00:19:18 BB 574 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
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Aug 14, 2024 • 28min
Joe Benson of Eversite
In episode 573 of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean interview Joe Benson, founder of Eversite, a digital marketing agency. Joe discusses his journey from creating websites as a child to launching the innovative “website as a service” model, making web services affordable for small businesses. He shares insights on leveraging social media for lead generation and emphasizes the importance of communication in demonstrating the value of digital marketing.
Joe also addresses the challenges of entrepreneurship, including work-life balance and the need for supportive networks. He concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on networking and embracing challenges
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #573 for Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
August 14th: National Financial Awareness Day
00:01:28 Special Guest: Joe Benson of Eversite by Legnd
$400 was all it took to take a hobby and realize it into a business
Benson Technologies into Legnd into Eversite, which is a website-as-a-service (WaaS)
Eversite will roast your website…for free if you ask them on X.
00:08:27 Every business is the Customer Service business
00:11:06 Systematizing customer service
Twice quarterly check-ins
00:13:13 Entrepreneurship Challenges
Marketing
Family Time
The Right Spouse is a Force-Multiplier
00:16:32 Be intentional about a time-cutoff
00:24:00 Healthy Conflict is key to a successful business partnership
00:26:33 BB 573 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Joe Benson of Eversite – Business Brain 573 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Aug 9, 2024 • 16min
All Your Eggs in Someone Else's Basket
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon stress the importance of making customers feel special and valued, drawing inspiration from lead singers like Pat Monaghan and Sammy Hagar. They emphasize the significance of personalized interactions through simple gestures like using customers’ names to establish emotional connections.
The hosts share personal anecdotes to illustrate the impact of personalized customer interactions and discuss the necessity of diversifying online presence to maintain autonomy and stability. The episode concludes with a call for audience engagement to share strategies for taking control of online presence beyond social media platforms.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #572 for Casual Friday, August 9th, 2024
August 9th: Annual Perseid Meteor Shower Peak Night
00:00:52 Sammy Hagar Syndrome – Pat Monahan has it, too!
Make Your Customer Feel Special: They’re the most important, they’re special, this is the best interaction you’ve had.
Templated responses with Freshdesk, Help Scout, or Text Expander
00:07:59 Don’t Put All Your Eggs In Someone Else’s Basket
“Social is not the end, it’s just the beginning.”
00:15:03 BB 572 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post All Your Eggs in Someone Else’s Basket – Business Brain 572 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Aug 7, 2024 • 18min
The $1000 Brain Switch
Dive into the secrets of boosting productivity, with innovative strategies to outsmart the system for a fulfilling life. Discover how short breaks can enhance focus by engaging the brain's default mode network. Explore quick income strategies aimed at earning a thousand dollars in just two weeks. Learn about the empowering 'thousand dollar brain switch' that transforms financial outlooks and encourages creativity. Embrace independence and reshape your mindset for entrepreneurial success!

Aug 2, 2024 • 14min
Priority is not Plural
Join us in this episode as we reflect on International Beer Day and explore the acquired taste of beer. We then delve into a discussion on Sam Walton’s approach to change in business, focusing on the concept of the “RC factor” – resistance to change. Discover how our pattern-seeking minds can lead to resistance to change and the importance of identifying and staying true to our priorities.
Learn about managing priorities based on interests, the role of self-awareness, and how systems and resources impact decision-making. Gain insights into the dynamic nature of priorities and the value of celebrating small victories while scaling success through replication. This conversation offers valuable perspectives on change management, self-awareness, priorities, and maintaining focus to drive success.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #570 for Casual Friday, August 2nd, 2024
August 2nd: International Beer Day
00:01:31 The RC Factor
The Founders Podcast with David Senra
What is your resistance to change factor?
Pattern Recognition Robots
It’s a “Two Week Experiment” to boil your frog
00:05:34 Priority is not plural.
What’s your current priority?
Mike Schmitz from the Focused Podcast and Bookworm Podcast
00:13:58 BB 570 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Priority is not Plural – Business Brain 570 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jul 31, 2024 • 17min
What is Your Unfair Advantage?
Discover the power of identifying your business's unique strengths as unfair advantages. Explore how these competitive edges can be nearly impossible to replicate, setting you apart in the marketplace. Personal anecdotes and case studies enrich the discussion, illustrating the impact of unique qualities over traditional pricing and services. Delve into the Doctrine of First Sale and connect consumer rights to entrepreneurial success. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own advantages and share their experiences.

Jul 24, 2024 • 2min
Business Brain Intermission
Business Brain is taking an intermission this week! Visit your hosts, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, on 𝕏 for daily updates.
We will be back with you next week!
The post Business Brain Intermission appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jul 19, 2024 • 22min
Get Comfortable Being Different – Business Brain 568
In this episode of Business Brain, we emphasize the value of embracing one’s differences and sharing personal narratives, even in embarrassing situations like getting locked out of a hotel room in just a hoodie. By owning our quirks and transforming challenges into relatable stories, we can connect authentically with others and shape our own narratives, celebrating individuality and sharing experiences with pride.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #568 for Casual Friday, July 19th, 2024
July 19th: National Daiquiri Day
00:02:05 Corky’s Gag
00:06:36 SPONSOR: Fastmail, the email provider who puts your privacy first. Visit Fastmail.com/BusinessBrain to try free for 30 days and then 10% off your first year
00:08:27 Get Comfortable being Different
Control the Narrative
00:21:49 BB 568 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Get Comfortable Being Different – Business Brain 568 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jul 17, 2024 • 22min
Should You Mix Politics with Your Business?
In this episode of Business Brain, we explore the challenges faced in daily business operations, focusing on managing unexpected disruptions and the importance of task prioritization. We also discuss incorporating personal opinions, particularly on political matters, into business platforms, emphasizing the need for creating a neutral environment to respect diverse viewpoints and uphold a positive reputation.
The conversation stresses the caution and responsibility of engaging in social commentary, highlighting the value of maintaining neutrality in business communications.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #567 for Wednesday, July 17th, 2024
July 17th: National Hot Dog Day
00:01:58 Time Vampires!
00:04:30 Managing incoming phone calls
00:08:32 SPONSOR: Fastmail, the email provider who puts your privacy first. Visit Fastmail.com/BusinessBrain to try free for 30 days and then 10% off your first year.
00:10:22 Politics mixed with your Business
Business Brain 392 and Business Brain 98
Nobody Cares What I think about politics (until I share what I think about politics)
I am not a PR Expert
The emacs vs. vi flame war
BB 567 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Should You Mix Politics with Your Business? Business Brain 567 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Jul 12, 2024 • 22min
Stopping a Coup
In this episode of Business Brain, we discuss leveraging AI algorithms like ChatGPT for targeted marketing, handling internal conflicts within companies, and managing teams effectively. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights on balancing business needs with employee satisfaction. The episode offers practical advice and engaging storytelling for business owners and entrepreneurs.
00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #566 for Casual Friday, July 12th, 2024
July 12th: National Simplicity Day
00:01:08 Flying Yourself!
Grumman Tiger
00:03:23 Reviews and Customer Service
Use ChatGPT to build an Ideal Customer Profile
THEN…build a target list of fifty other companies that match that list
THEN…develop a marketing plan to pitch to those fifty
00:08:50 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and take your business to the next level today!
00:10:46 When there’s a coup, fire the coup-leader, too.
00:20:59 BB 566 Outtro
feedback@businessbrain.show
Call/Text: (567) 274-6977
X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow
LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain
Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain
The post Stopping a Coup – Business Brain 566 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.