Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean as they sit down with Puffco Founder and CEO, Roger Volodarsky. The episode is a master class in building a niche business to produce the best products and customer experience that is possible. Roger is a true champion of creating products that solve particular problems and building a business that reflects his self-expression.     00:00:00 Small Business Show #333 for Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Interview with Roger Volodarsky, CEO and Founder of Puffco Pre-30yo Angst combined with a few Light cannabis arrests = Puffco Started with Puffco Classic, January 2014 — Built for himself! Then the Puffco Pro, October 2014 Try to impress yourself Companies led by community members All ideas are soldiers in the world of ideas “Dabbing” = Vaporizing Concentrates Attention and Intention A thought about pre-filled THC Distillate vape cartridges 19:31 SPONSOR: Custom Comet creates custom merchandise for your business. Air fresheners, coasters, coffee sleeves, stickers, and more. Let Custom Comet help your brand create a unique and memorable promotional product. Mention Small Business Show for 5% off! 00:21:49 Favorite “no” product? Cleaning clip, herbal vaporizer Releasing a product I didn’t want to release, but it led to the Puffco Plus “Let’s give the people what they want… it’s not something I would ever use.” Puffco Glass Open Mothership Glass CEO’s Job: Vision, Money, People For people: Looking at the world through the same lens; same value system. “Do I inspire you? Do you inspire me?” Curious and Passionate The post Roger Volodarsky Founder and CEO of Puffco – Small Business Show 333 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Giving something of value away to customers before they place an order is a common sales and marketing technique. This reciprocity tactic is a powerful way to use persuasion to attract new customers to your business. But what about using it in other ways? With your employees, suppliers, and partners? Today on The Small Business Show you will learn about the hidden power of reciprocity and why it should be at the forefront of decision making for your business. Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton as they discuss the power of using reciprocity to help you and your Small Business succeed! 00:00:00 Small Business Show #332 for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 00:01:01 New Logo for SBS feedback@businessshow.co 00:01:34 The Power of Reciprocity Give away something of value before the order is placed Costco’s Free Samples are their Secret Sauce HelpScout – Teaching great customer service Scott Adams: Hand out TicTacs at the start of each meeting. 00:12:06 SPONSOR: Bambee – Let Bambee help with your dedicated HR Manager! Go to Bambee.com/SMALL right now to schedule your free HR audit. 00:13:36 Today is a good day to start a business 00:14:38 Using Reciprocity to Find Suppliers Buy someone’s junk…and don’t haggle! 00:24:08 Reciprocity in Partnerships (Vendors, Customers, and More) Make a list of what drives your partners crazy 00:28:22 Using Reciprocity with Employees “Give as if you don’t expect anything in return and you will be richly rewarded.” 00:31:46 SBS 332 Outtro The post The Power of Reciprocity – Small Business Show 332 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

What’s the best way to manage employee reviews for your team? Should you use an objective, numerical rating system or stick with a more subjective process? Join us today as your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton discuss ways to make reviews a productive and positive experience for employees and employers. After a message from our sponsor, Streak, then it’s time for listener questions where Kevin tells us that our pie-in-the-sky optimism isn’t working for him. We get down to Earth and offer Kevin some action tips to help him get out from being stuck working for someone else. It’s hard work, but we know you can do it, Kevin! If you have a question for Dave or Shannon, contact us at feedback@businessshow.co! 00:00:00 Small Business Show #331 for Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Listener Questions today! feedback@businessshow.co 00:04:06 Robert: How to do reviews? Make sure you document it Call them “Check-ins.” Ask your employees to create their notes first… and share them. When to schedule reviews One year is too long Separate salary from performance review Salary Review Questions How have you added to your talent stack? What new things are you doing for yourself? How are you growing? Performance Review Compliment sandwich Here’s why you’re here Here’s what you can improve Here’s what we love What’s your plan? What new thing do you want to do here? What new skills do you want to learn? Build your team from within 00:16:36 SPONSOR: Streak is a CRM designed to help you stay on top of each part of your process — and your inbox — without ever leaving Gmail. Visit Streak.com/SBS to get 20% off your first year of Streak’s Pro Plan. 00:18:26 Kevin: Optimism only goes so far; how do you REALLY succeed? Idea — Find a Side Hustle Test it, gain confidence. When you’re saying, “if only I had more time to spend on my side hustle…” that’s when you’re ready DealsOnTheWeb.com — Dave and Shannon’s first venture Idea — Find a product to sell: eBay, Poshmark, Goodwill, Garage Sales Ignore MOST of the negative comments Track your progress Use your To Did List Being an Entrepreneur is a Blue Collar Job 00:35:28 SBS 331 Outtro feedback@businessshow.co The post Employee Reviews and What to do When You’re Stuck – Small Business Show 331 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

This week on The Small Business Show, your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss choosing your ownership and why distractions can be valuable. Then it’s a wrap-up of LinkedIn with a focus on how to use the platform to grow your business, make connections and build your personal brand. Join us!       00:00:00 Small Business Show #330 for Wednesday, June 2, 2021 00:01:01 Seth Godin: “If you want to run an organization you’re proud of, choose your ownership as carefully as you choose your employees.” The Purple Cow 00:07:46 The Value of a Distraction 00:12:29 SPONSOR: Custom Comet creates custom merchandise for your business. Air fresheners, coasters, coffee sleeves, stickers, and more. Let Custom Comet help your brand create a unique and memorable promotional product. Mention Small Business Show for 5% off! 00:14:41 How to Build your LinkedIn Presence Create a personal account Also create a page for your business The Small Business Show on LinkedIn Use Keywords! Highlight Content from your business Bio should be a paragraph, not a page Write posts, not just links Repurposing Content on LinkedIn How to Repurpose Content on LinkedIn Interview with Garry VonMyhr on Small Business Show Engage with other people: Make sure to Like, Comment, and Share! The biggest success comes from you adding value to someone else first. 00:32:49 SBS 330 Outtro The post Ownership, Distractions and a LinkedIn Wrap Up – Small Business Show Episode 330 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

On this episode of The Small Business Show, hear why co-host Shannon Jean believes LinkedIn is one of the most underutilized tools for Small Business owners. We jump into the WHY both you and your Small Business should have a presence on LinkedIn with some enlightening personal anecdotes and lessons learned on the platform.     00:00:00 Small Business Show #329 for Wednesday, May 26, 2021 00:01:24 How to Make LinkedIn Work for your Business LinkedIn Jobs (with a $50 SBS Coupon!) 00:05:03 Using LinkedIn as a “Social Network”* 00:07:40 Using LinkedIn to find Customers* Engage first. 00:10:26 Connecting with Suppliers on LinkedIn* Focus on adding value. 00:14:46 Wade through the noise 00:17:46 Using LinkedIn to develop your board of advisors* 00:19:39 Shannon’s Couch* 00:22:30 LinkedIn’s Paid Tools* 00:23:34 Be tactful with how you use LinkedIn 00:25:16 Will LinkedIn let me control my feed?* 00:26:52 More LinkedIn Tips* 00:28:16 Playing the long game* 00:30:25 SBS 329 Outtro feedback@businessshow.co The post Why Your Small Business Needs to be on LinkedIn – Small Business Show Episode 329 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Over the past 6-seasons on The Small Business Show, we frequently discuss the tactics and actions required to make the jump from Employee to Employer – leaving the comfort of a 9-5 job to start your own Small Business and to create the Charmed Life we promote on the show. Our guest today is a believer. He’s on a quest, a mission, if you will to rescue 1-million entrepreneurs from traditional employment. Tra Williams has escaped employment and founded several companies, has helped other business owners franchise and grow their concepts, and he’s led several franchise companies to success. Tra’s new book, Boss Brain is all about thinking like an entrepreneur to live the American Dream. Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton as we learn about Boss Brain and Tra’s own journey as a serial Entrepreneur. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #328 for Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Tra Williams, Rescuing 1 Million Entrepreneurs from Traditional Employment Growing up with no “Now Hiring” signs Fixing the decline in entrepreneurship 93% are working for the other 7% Gig workers are entrepreneurs Tra’s book, Boss Brain Battling Optimism and Certainty 00:15:59 SPONSOR: Custom Comet creates custom merchandise for your business. Air fresheners, coasters, coffee sleeves, stickers, and more. Let Custom Comet help your brand create a unique and memorable promotional product. Hidden Entrepreneurs We Love Mistakes Prioritize the needs of your customer Belief is reverse-engineered! Design the logo, form the LLC, join a group of entrepreneurs Find Tra! TraWilliams.com Tra Williams on LinkedIn The post Tra Williams, Author of Boss Brain – Small Business Show Episode 328 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

If you are a Small Business owner selling any kind of product or service, is selling and marketing on eBay part of your long-term strategy? We think it should be! Join us today as we speak with Rebecca Michals, eBay Director of Community and Engagement to learn why and how eBay is focused on helping Small Business owners succeed. Rebecca Michals, eBay’s Director, Seller Community and Engagement Marketing Seller to Seller, but everyone’s a customer The eBay for Business Podcast Make your podcast part of the whole story The eBay Up and Running Program Victor and his trading cards business 00:15:23 SPONSOR: Let Bambee help solve your HR problems. Go to Bambee.com/SMALL right now to schedule your free HR audit. Rebecca puts books on her To-Did List Shannon’s eBay Unlocked Book eBay Seller School eBay’s Concierge Customer Service Action: Join a professional organization! The post Rebecca Michals, eBay Director of Community and Engagement – Small Business Show Episode 327 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Are you willing to do everything to make your Small Business succeed or do find certain tasks “below you”? Join us for this episode of The Small Business Show to hear why your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton believe that cleaning the toilets is a crucial step towards success as a Small Business owner. You will hear about doing whatever it takes to succeed while still being wise with your time and why leading from a position of humbleness can make all the difference for your success as a leader. Join us! 00:00:00 Small Business Show #326 for Wednesday, May 5, 2021 00:08:31 SPONSOR: Streak is a CRM designed to help you stay on top of each part of your process — and your inbox — without ever leaving Gmail. Visit Streak.com/SBS to get 20% off your first year of Streak’s Pro Plan. 00:10:22 Being an Entrepreneur is a Blue Collar Job $1,000/hr work vs. $20/hr work Be willing to do everything. It’s a working person’s job 00:25:03 SBS 326 The post Why Your Attitude about Cleaning the Toilet is a Success Indicator – Small Business Show 326 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton for a discussion about what phrases to avoid in-person and with written communication. Then it’s time to discuss very unconventional methods to share your story with both your customers, employees, and partners. Listen in and then join us at the Small Business Support Group! 00:00:00 Small Business Show #325 for Wednesday, April 28, 2021 00:02:09 Controlling our Vernacular Ridding the Pleonasms! Don’t be afraid to chat voice. Is it a Compliment Sandwich or a Bad News Sandwich MailTags as part of SmartSuite 00:11:23 How to Get Your Story Heard Bailey Barnard talking Story on Small Business Show Story should be baked in authentically Self-effacing humor …and humanity Brian from Sell Your Mac Managing your own Terms and Conditions Re-do your voicemail messages! Tell your story everywhere: Website – HelloTushy.com Terms and Conditions Voice Mail Business Cards 00:30:15 SBS 325 Outtro The post Controlling Your Vernacular and Unconventional Ways to Promote Your Business Story – Small Business Show Episode 325 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Joining us for this episode of The Small Business Show is Howard Tiersky, CEO of FROM, a company that describes itself as a Digital Transformation Agency. Howard is going to help us learn about successful digital product launches and how to get our companies ready for the digital future. Howard is also the Best Selling Author of Winning Digital Customers – a terrific manual for driving digital success at your own company. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #324 for Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Howard Tiersky, CEO of FROM – The Digital Transformation Agency Wikipedia: Digital transformation Transformed Banks: JP Morgan Chase, TransAmerica The value of Digital Transformation when attracting talent Redefining the nature of employment Winning Digital Customers Innovation Friction (aka “The Killer App”) VisiCalc The post Howard Tiersky – Business Digital Transformation – Small Business Show Episode 324 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.