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Business Machine: Learning from our mistakes
Episodes
Wednesday Jan 06, 2016
Wednesday Jan 06, 2016
Today on Business Machine is Chuck Wang, founder and CEO of MVP Consulting, which creates online business processes to help you streamline your sales. Inspired by other podcasts and a want for more sustainability, he made the leap to entrepreneurship in order to work to live, not live to work.
Mission
To listen to your questions. Chuck assesses that most small businesses get stuck on their first sale, and his purpose is to act as a mirror to discover how to add value to their audience’s interests. In 10 years, Chuck imagines a virtual reality component.
Learning From Our Mistakes
One mistake Chuck has made before is playing small and worrying that your novelty can’t be taken seriously. Another place that leaves room for error is communication. It’s important to know how to articulate who you are, what you do and what you expect from your team.
Recommendations
Eat: Anthology: Fine-Tuned Music & Cuisine.
Quote: “What we do in this lifetime echoes in eternity.”
Read: E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber.
Eat with: Curtis “50-Cent” Jackson.
Apps: Acuity Scheduling.
Contact
Tuesday Dec 22, 2015
Tuesday Dec 22, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Casey Zeman, author of Build Your Audience With Live Video, founder of EasyWebinar, and developer of the Fullscope, a Periscope analytics software tool.
Mission
Casey creates training and software to help clients build their business through webinars, videos, and live videos. In 10 years, he envisions building out EasyWebinar to continue empowering others to find their communities.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Casey realized that incentivizing people to do business with you should be kept simple and digestible instead of robust. The reason is that it saves time to develop the actual business. Casey also believes the ability to say no is invaluable because that discretion saves you time and money to invest more productively. He also thinks it is important to trust in your value and what you can provide in the bigger picture of keeping your business running.
Recommendations
Eat: Stir Market in Los Angeles, CA.
Read: “The School of Greatness” Louis Howes “Launch” by Jeff Walker “ DotCom Secrets” Russell Brunson
Eat with: Elon Musk
Apps: LeadPages, InfusionSoft, Periscope, Meat Edgar, Wordpress, Kajabi,
Contact
Thursday Dec 17, 2015
Thursday Dec 17, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Bolaji Oyejide, founder of Bravepreneur Parents Academy, the #1 podcast to help parents raise superhero kids and 7-time best-selling author of the “Brave Little Heroes” book series. Education was always paramount in Bolaji’s family, and he followed the college path to success with a corporate career and family life. After being laid off from several jobs, he decided to give in to the voice in the back of his head that entrepreneurship would lead him where he wanted out of life.
Mission
Help kids discover what makes them unique and tenacious so they can get excited about changing the world. The origin story is imperative to the identity of superheroes, and Bolaji believes kids are in that origin story phase that can define them in some way for the rest of their life. In 10 years, Bolaji envisions a stand-alone company called Bravequest that will use video game concepts to help over one million kids develop.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Bolaji’s biggest lesson has been the mistake of not using a business model conducive to their industry. If you don’t plan how to monetize, you will sacrifice your health, relationships, and goals. You also should find a mentor that has been down the path that you now walk.
Recommendations
Eat: The Pit in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Quote: “Fall down seven times. Stand up eight.”, an old Japanese proverb.
Read: “Little Bets” by Peter Sims.
Eat with: Stan Lee.
Apps: Audible, Evernote or a similar app to collect your thoughts.
Contact
Website: Bravepreneur.com
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Jason Benavides, gym owner of Octane Athletic Performance, which is a six-figure business that helps clients obtain amazing results while making great margins.
Mission
Octane empowers people through fitness and helps coaches develop their brands. Jason first decided to enter the personal health field in college and 10 years, he imagines more multi-sport events that fundraise for good causes and include track and field.
Learning From Our Mistakes
One way Jason is making sure his business runs like a fine-tuned machine is by hiring an admin. In starting a business, Jason stresses that you can’t please everyone, even if the people you can’t please are the loudest segment of your audience. Another caution he offers is the creation of an online program without having people around with that expertise to help start it. Jason advises this because it can take away from other objectives. Jason is a bigger picture guy, so he has to keep up with the details as much as possible.
Recommendations
Eat: Oleos Perk Coffee Bar
Tip: If you’re tight on time in the morning, have a yogurt and edible nuts to kickstart your metabolism. If you do have time, shoot for a larger meal.
Quote: “Reality is interpretation,” from unknown.
Book: “Drive” by Larry Bird.
Eat with: Todd Durkin or Richard Branson.
Apps: TextExpander
Contact
Facebook: Jason Benavides
Thursday Dec 03, 2015
Thursday Dec 03, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Samantha Riley, creator of The Accelerant Group. With over 20 years of experience, Samantha has built several highly successful businesses, and she uses these experiences to help thought leaders and entrepreneurs clarify their message to attract ideal clients.
Mission
The Accelerant Group ignites business growth so those businesses can make more impactful messages and charge higher fees. In 10 years, Samantha sees a small, beautiful office and happier people.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Samantha sees mistakes as learning experiences and one caution to new entrepreneurs is hiring someone who does not share the same values or passion as the business. Skills can be taught but fitting in either works or it doesn't. She also recommends that new business owners learn how to negotiate and think of the right questions when buying property.
Recommendations
Eat: Opera Bar in Sydney, Australia.
Quote: "Do or do not. There is no try."- from Yoda.
"Legacy is greater than currency." from Gary Vaynerchuk.
Read: "The E-Myth" by Michael Gerber.
"Losing My Virginity" by Richard Branson.
"Book Yourself Solid" by Michael Port.
Eat with: Gary Vaynerchuk
Apps: Canva design program.
Contact
Facebook: The Accelerant Group
Instagram:@thesamriley
Claim your free copy of "The Heart of Entrepreneurship" today! Only 20 copies available: https://theheartofentrepreneurship.com/machine/
Tuesday Nov 24, 2015
Tuesday Nov 24, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Kavit Haria, who started his first online business in 2005 selling marketing education to musicians. He blogs weekly at InsiderInternetSuccess.com, writes an inspiring daily e-mail to 15,000 business owners daily, and has taught at seminars and conferences in the UK, America and Australia over the last 6 years.
Mission
His flagship program, Automated Business Systems, helps people with great ideas turn those meaningful intentions into profit.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Kavit holds the speed of implementation as crucial to business, but cautions to remember the critical steps that must be given time. He personally utilizes checklists to assure all the details are covered to help his own marketing machines run smoothly. He also stays mindful of when it’s time to get his mind off of work and focus on his family and personal life.
Recommendations
Eateries: Manna Vegetarian Restaurant in London.
Quote: “Everybody shines, given the right lighting.”, from Susan Cain.
Read:
- "Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain.
-“Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got” by Jay Abraham.
-"The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" and "Leaders Who Had No Title" by Robin Sherma.
Eat with: Robin Sharma, a prominent leadership coach.
Apps: Infusionsoft, Asana, Skype.
Contact
Thursday Nov 12, 2015
Thursday Nov 12, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Rob McCartey, managing partner of the Image Shoppe.
Mission
Located in Grand Rapids, the Image Shoppe helps businesses clearly understand what a brand is, then take advantage of their own in new ways. In ten years, Rob imagines the Image Shoppe will maintain its intimate size as a team, as well as helping others decide what kind of professional they want to be.
Past Notable Mistakes
Rob notes that a business should not only stick to the services they excel but understand that it’s OK to refer clients to other relationships. He considers himself a workaholic by trade, but has realized the importance of effective communication and spending time outside of work. Rob also talks about the importance of employee happiness and people being a good fit in company culture.
Recommended
Eating: The Green Well Gastro Pub in Grand Rapids
Quote: “People make your life.” from Derek Coppess, founder of 616 Development.
Eat with: Warren Buffett
Contact
Email rob@theimageshoppe.com!
Thursday Nov 05, 2015
Thursday Nov 05, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Justin Grinnell, owner and CEO of State Of Fitness training facility. Justin has been a trainer since he was 20 years old and decided to apply his expertise to small business with the help of his newly wed wife, six other trainers and a large room. He has now reached a place where he can work on his business instead of within his business, operating to support his team’s dreams and the unique network of leaders in his industry. He also talks about the origin and importance of his internship program, from working the front desk to training to empower others.
State Of Fitness focuses on top-notch customer service to help people reach their health goals. In 10 years, he would like to open more fitness facilities in the corporate world, as well as expand their internship program into a larger mentoring school.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Justin describes his beginnings as learning the hard way. He’s encountered challenges like how to manage employees, optimism in business, and the fact that you can’t please everybody. Despite these challenges, he always remembers the words of one of his mentors, “If it doesn’t scare you, you probably shouldn’t do it.”
Thursday Oct 29, 2015
Thursday Oct 29, 2015
Today on Business Machine is Todd Uterstaedt, former army officer turned corporate VP turned entrepreneur of From Founder To CEO based in Cincinnati.
Mission
From Founder To CEO helps young creators enhance their capacity as business owners to create sustainability. In 10 years, Todd sees his initiative as a larger platform for communities to access resources in a timely and easily processed fashion.
Founder vs. CEO
A founder does a lot for themselves to lead a team where a CEO leads an organization and holds people accountable through other people.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Todd encourages listeners to strategically think of returns on investments. Marketing is not sales. He also discovered networking has a strategic component involving making impressions, not just trading business cards. As a leader, he also has learned to trust others to micromanage.
Todd relies on behavioral based interviewing including an investigation into behavior at other work areas. A new employee is also not committed to for the first couple months to discover how he or she fits into the work culture.
Recommendations
Quote: "The Best potential of me is we." from Coach Dale Brown.
Reading: Business As a Calling by Michael Novak.
Eating: Wild Flower Cafe in Cincinnati.
App: Wunderlist
Contact
Email: todd@fromfoundertoceo.com
Twitter: @FromFounder2CEO
Thursday Oct 22, 2015
Thursday Oct 22, 2015
Today on the Business Machine is Kate Snyder, principal strategist and owner of Piper & Gold Public Relations, a Lansing firm dedicated to helping governmental agencies and nonprofits. Kate began her journey by acting as a business consultant within her network after searching for a senior position that matched her experience.
Mission
Help small businesses tell their stories in a way that effects change and builds relationships within their communities.
Learning From Our Mistakes
Kate explains the importance of transparency of operations, as well as trust in employees to grow self-sufficiency. She also speaks to some of the mistakes she has made in this pursuit, such as the sacrifice of physical health. She encourages recreation to keep the body as focused as the mind. She also encourages understanding both the strengths and challenges of your personality to better realize your capacity as a leader.
Favorite quote: "You have the same number of hours in a day as Beyonce"
Eating: Likes to taste different foods.
Read: "10% Happier" by Dan Harris.
Eat with: Barbara from Shark Tank.
Contact
Webpage: www.piperandgold.com
Email: kate@piperandgold.com
Twitter @PiperGoldKate!