How I Built My Small Business

How I Cured My Two Autoimmune Conditions

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0800

This is my personal story and is not business-related.

It's the reason why I have taken the last month off from podcasting and interviewing... because about a month ago, I got the lab results back showing that not only have my thyroid panels been in range for well over a year now, but they've continued to move more into the ideal center of that range.

I've been off medication for over three years now.

About 17 years ago, I was diagnosed with both Graves and Hashimotos diseases (thyroid autoimmune conditions).

For 13 years, I went down the conventional medicine route and was told repeatedly that autoimmune diseases are not curable.

Says who?

Deep in my heart, I did not take that statement as fact.

So, around 4 years ago, I decided to make it my job to figure out how to cure myself. It's been a journey, and one of the most important and deeply rewarding things I've ever done.

I'm sharing my story in case it can help someone else.

I am not a doctor and this is not professional medical advice. Listeners should always consult appropriate health care professionals. This is just my story.

Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.

Let’s connect!

Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond

Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost

Nik Hulewsky - He Put $180k Down. Then Built and Grew $18m in Businesses.

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is with fellow podcaster and now friend, Nik Hulewsky of Nikonomics - a great show that you should definitely add to your line-up if you’re interested in entrepreneurship. He’s an excellent host and I’ve had the honor of being on his show a couple of times. So I thought I’d turn the table and put him in the hot seat.

How to Start a Christmas Lighting Business: Listener Q&A

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700

🎄 Ever thought about running a Christmas light business? This is your behind-the-scenes masterclass.

In this special episode, a podcast listener flips the mic and interviews the host, Anne McGinty, about how she started a seasonal Christmas lighting business.

The listener comes prepared with thoughtful, detailed questions about every step of starting and scaling a holiday lighting operation.

If you're considering a side hustle, craving entrepreneurial inspiration, or curious about a surprisingly lucrative niche, this deep-dive delivers practical tools, strategy, and real talk.

This is more of a How-To episode.

Chris Smith - What it really takes to run Award-Winning SONOMA PIZZA CO.

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Chris Smith is the co-founder and co-owner of Sonoma Pizza Co., an artisan pizzeria in Forestville, California, which he launched in 2022 with his wife, Eda Atasoy.

After three decades in San Francisco’s nightlife and hospitality world… running spots like The Pawn Shop, Monarch, The Great Northern, and even the record label Om Records… Chris shifted his focus from nightlife to culinary craft.

He trained with renowned pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani and, together with executive chef Carl Shelton, developed a signature dough rooted in Michelin-level technique.

Sonoma Pizza Co. is known for its naturally leavened sourdough crust, cold-fermented for 72 hours, and made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.

In just two years, the restaurant has been named one of Yelp Elite’s "Top 50 places to eat in the Bay Area" and was voted "Best Pizza in Sonoma County" by Visit Sonoma.

Israa Nasir - Escaping TOXIC PRODUCTIVITY

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Israa Nasir is a New York City–based psychotherapist, writer, and the founder of WellGuide, a digital community dedicated to mental health awareness.

With a master’s in counseling and advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, she’s dedicated her career to mental health.

Israa has built a community of over 350,000 followers with her evidence-based approach to mental health and productivity. She’s the author of Toxic Productivity, where she unpacks the hidden drivers of overwork and offers tools for balance. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Time, and she’s spoken at Google, Instagram, Microsoft, and major conferences like SXSW.

Johnny Rickard - Train for Life: Martial Arts Wisdom from THE REFINERY NZ

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Johnny Rickard calls in from Raglan, New Zealand, where he has built a full-time martial arts dojo on his family’s ancestral land.

Johnny was a dedicated schoolteacher for 15 years when life circumstances gave him a nudge (or perhaps a calling) to change paths.

With over 30 years of experience in martial arts and personal training, Johnny is the founder of THE REFINERY, a community space that’s far more than a training ground. It’s a sacred place for healing, connection, and rediscovering who you are. He was raised by a fifth-dan black belt father, mentored by his whānau, and is deeply grounded in Māori values of stewardship and unity.

In this episode, Johnny shares his story and the deeper meaning of martial arts, beyond the punches and kicks.

Dr. Sarah Daccarett - What Everyone Needs to Know About Perimenopause

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Dr. Sarah Daccarett is a board-certified physician, hormone specialist, and founder and CEO of Inner Balance, a personalized hormone therapy platform that just closed a significant investment round and is scaling quickly.

Today’s episode is all about menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause) and the physical, emotional, and hormonal shifts that come with it. We talk about common symptoms, how they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed, and what women can do to start feeling better.

Now, Dr. Sarah’s expertise is in hormone replacement therapy, so that’s a big part of our discussion. But there are many approaches to menopause care, and this episode is meant to inform, not prescribe. My hope is that it helps you feel more seen, ask better questions, and advocate for a path that feels right for you.

This conversation is not medical advice. It’s for informational purposes only. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider when making decisions about your personal health.

Jason Graystone's Path to Financial Independence (Why Freedom Is the Real Currency)

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Jason Graystone, a professional investor, trader, entrepreneur, and founder of the Tiers of Freedom program. He’s the author of Always Free, shares generous education on financial freedom, wealth building, investing, trading, and creating passive income YouTube, and creates financial empowerment content on his own podcast.

I’ve been self-taught in forex trading for a while now, reading books, doing my own research, and watching videos, including some of Jason’s. So I’m especially excited for you to hear his insights today.

Jason has been featured in Forbes, speaks at live events, writes a weekly newsletter, and has made it his life’s mission to help people achieve true financial independence and live their most inspired lives.

The information in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Summer Reset: Why I’m Sitting By the Pool Instead of the Mic (And Why That Matters)

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth Husserl - The POWER OF ENOUGH: Redefining Wealth, Well-Being, and What Really Matters

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Husserl, a financial advisor, registered investment advisor representative, and the co-founder of Peak360 Wealth Management, a boutique wealth planning firm based here in the Bay Area.

Elizabeth has this rare and fascinating blend of expertise: she holds a degree in economics from Tulane and a master’s in East-West psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, where she’s also served as an adjunct professor. Her work weaves together money, meaning, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being — a thread I found both timely and deeply resonant.

Before launching Peak360, Elizabeth worked across the Americas in nonprofit settings, and today she’s also a sought-after speaker, having led workshops at places like Airbnb, Unity, and Google.

She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and daughter, and I can’t wait for you to hear the way she approaches personal finance through the lens of both human psychology and long-term vision.

Buy The Power of Enough

Facebook: @conversationswithmoney
Instagram: @elizabethhusserl
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Husserl

Loren Vandegrift - 2025 Insights from BUSINESS EXITS broker on sales, values, and trends

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today, I’m excited to bring back a guest whose first episode was one of the most listened to of Season 1 and in May this year, it topped the charts again as the most streamed episode on Spotify.

Loren Vandegrift is a partner at Business Exits and has brokered over $500 million worth of business sales in just the past five years. He’s also no stranger to the founder journey himself... he previously built and led a couple of tech strategy consulting firms. But it was actually a bad experience selling his own company that motivated him to jump into the world of M&A, determined to give other entrepreneurs a better path than the one he faced.

Full disclosure: Loren was my business broker when I sold my last company in 2020. Because that experience was so positive, we’ve kept in touch, and I’m lucky to now call him a friend. In this episode, we talk about how business brokering has changed in just the past year and a half, and what current trends buyers and sellers should be paying attention to.

Lauren Vermette — How to Invest in a Franchise on the Side (Without Quitting Your Job)

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Lauren Vermette, founder and CEO of Franchisee Insight.

Lauren has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between franchisees and franchisors, offering a unique perspective on the franchise industry.

She truly understands the challenges and rewards that come with franchise ownership, having successfully built and sold multiple units in her own portfolio.

Now, Lauren’s mission is to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the journey of self-discovery—helping them take that first step toward business ownership and, ultimately, toward wealth and independence.

And just like a health insurance broker, Lauren’s services are completely free to you as the franchisee; she’s compensated by the franchisor for connecting the right people with the right opportunities.

John Clapham - From Volcom Australia/ NZ CEO to RAGLAN SURF EMPORIUM

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

I met John Clapham or "JC" in Raglan, New Zealand last year when I walked into his shop hoping they weren’t yet closing and said while huffing from my brisk walk, “What time do you close?”

He responded with a smile, “depends on whose asking…LOL."

And from there, we ended up chatting for about half an hour.

I left thinking, I want to hear more of this guy’s story.

JC didn’t go to college and worked his way up from tagging surf leashes in a retail shop to becoming CEO of Volcom Australia. He is the co-founder of the Raglan Surf Emporium, is a partner of Raglan Roast Coffee - which now has eleven locations across New Zealand - owns a gas station, holds major real estate investments, and continues to consult and build new ventures.

In today’s episode, we only scratch the surface of JC’s journey.

But wow - what an inspiration.

Anne McGinty — Finding My Voice: Lessons from Season 2 (So Far)

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

What began as a tribute to my dad has unexpectedly become part of my healing journey, transforming from purely business and entrepreneurship to learning through storytelling.

How I Built My Small Business recently won a 2025 Communicator Award of Excellence as an educational series, validating the creative endeavor of hosting, editing, and producing this show.

• Season One focused on business creation and growth while Season Two explores guests' expertise and perspectives beyond business
• Learning through storytelling was deeply valued by my dad, who believed one must never stop learning
• Overcoming autoimmune conditions through diet, lifestyle changes, proper exercise, quality sleep, nervous system rebalancing, and the surprising way podcasting filled a missing puzzle piece
• Podcasting itself has been healing by providing space to express my authentic voice after years of people-pleasing
• Moving away from rigid question preparation to allow for more authentic, flowing conversations
• Finding the balance between "doing" and "being" - a lesson learned from New Zealand culture

As we head into the second half of this season, I'll keep following the joy and leaning into alignment. I wish you less pressure, less stress, and less rushing.

David Pope - Buying a Business in Your 40s: Would You Move Your Family? The KAYTECH, INC. Story

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Dave Pope, a friend of mine from college who spent 14 years in sales in the Northeast before making a bold move and buying Kaytech, Inc., a surface preparation company based in Greenville, South Carolina.

At the time, he had no prior experience as a business owner.

In this episode, Dave shares what it’s really like before, during and after acquiring a small business with stories from his first year as an owner-operator.

Samantha Rose - Behind-The-Scenes with a 3x NYT Bestselling GHOSTWRITER

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Samantha Rose, an Emmy award-winning television writer and three-time New York Times Bestselling ghostwriter.

She’s the founder of Yellow Sky Media, a literary development company that collaborates with celebrities, experts, and industry leaders to bring their powerful stories to life.

Recently, Samantha stepped into the spotlight with her own memoir, Giving Up The Ghost, a poignant exploration of the grief and unanswered questions that followed her mother’s suicide.

Her work has reached readers around the world, with projects translated into more than twenty languages and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, and selected as Reese’s Book Club and Target Bookmarked picks.

Glenn Harrold - The Voice Behind Meditations That Have Helped Millions

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s guest is Glenn Harrold, a meditation guide whose relax and sleep well recordings have personally helped me get much needed rest at times when I’m tired but wired.

Glenn is an international best selling self-help author and one of the world’s most successful hypnotherapists. His guided meditations and mindfulness audio titles have been streamed over forty million times.

And, his CD title, Complete Relaxation, is the only gold disc ever awarded by Nielsen for a self-help title.

Glenn’s story is pretty incredible, from rough teenage years to success in the music business, hitting rock bottom and eventually founding Diviniti Publishing to help bring mindfulness and self-help recordings and products to a global audience.

It was the deep personal challenges he faced that led him to dedicate his life to helping others break through mental barriers, find inner peace, and create lasting change.

Neri Karra Sillaman - PIONEERS: What 46% of Fortune 500 Founders Have in Common (And What You Can Learn From Them)

Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

As the daughter of immigrants, I’ve often turned to my own parents’ story for inspiration, a belief that we’re all capable of achieving anything we truly believe in, and a reminder that taking risks is often the key to making meaningful leaps in life.

Today, I’m joined by Neri Karra Sillaman, who shares her extraordinary journey, from fleeing her home country as a refugee to building a global, multi-million dollar luxury brand, and teaching entrepreneurship at Oxford.

She’s a 3-time TEDx speaker and the author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, which has reached #1 in multiple Amazon categories, including Entrepreneurship, Business Diversity & Equality, and New Releases.

Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, and she’s calling in from Paris for today’s interview.

Buy Pioneers on Bookshop.org (Supports Indie Bookstores)
Buy Pioneers on Amazon

Josh Davis phD - The Hidden Science of Communication: NEUROLINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is not so much about starting a business, but a glimpse into the neuroscience of influence and the power of Neurolinguistic Programming.

My guest is Dr. Josh Davis, PhD in psychology and neuroscience from Columbia University. He’s the international bestselling author of Two Awesome Hours and an upcoming title The Difference that Makes the Difference.

Josh is the founder of the Science-Based Leadership Institute, a sought-after keynote speaker, and his writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Psychology Today, Inc., and more.

In this interview, explore the fascinating world of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)—what it is, how it can help us connect, communicate more effectively, lead with greater empathy, and shift self-limiting beliefs.

Jennifer Tsay - Free Photo Shoots to $9M Revenue: The Surprising Business Model of SHOOTT

Tue, 06 May 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Jennifer Tsay is the co-founder and CEO of Shoott - with two Ts, a fast-growing company making professional photography more accessible for clients and a reliable supplemental income for photographers.

In just seven years, Shoott has grown from $800K to over $9 million in revenue, achieving operational profitability and expanding services to over sixty cities across the US.

"Jen" shares her journey in a very candidly and authentically, and we talk about leadership, giving and receiving feedback, and why experience (even unpaid) is one of the most undervalued assets in today’s time-value culture.

She was named a Forbes #Next1000 honoree, Brit + Co’s 30 AAPI Founders We Love to Support, and on the side, she works as an actor and speaker.

Shoott has been featured on Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Today Show, People, and much more.

Lloyd Rooney – Dyslexia, Determination, and 135 Employees: THE JETSON GROUP Story

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have Lloyd Rooney sharing his journey - from leaving the traditional schooling system at 12 due to dyslexia, learning how he learned best, to bartending in the UK and now owner-operating multiple restaurants in New Zealand, employing over 135 people.

Lloyed is a co-founder of The Jetson Group, a collection of distinctive restaurants in New Zealand:

The Quay, No. 8, Loco, and The Cove Cafe.

I had the chance to meet Lloyd and Mike during a recent stop at The Cove Cafe and I was struck, not only by their approach to hospitality but also their business philosophies - ones that blend creativity, strategy, and a deep respect for community and locally sourced ingredients.

In this episode, we dive into the behind-the-scenes decisions that have fueled their restaurant success, with a focus in this episode on The Cove Cafe in Waipu, New Zealand - which is highly seasonal. At that one location, his staff swells from 16 year-round to 45 employees for the summer months.

Lloyd opens up about the realities of scaling in the hospitality industry, how dyslexia shaped his entrepreneurial style, and why trusting your team is essential to sustainable growth.

Check out Lloyd’s restaurants and learn more through the links in the episode description above.

Tara Bielawski - Connecting the Seen and Unseen: A Personal Journey Into MEDIUMSHIP

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Tara Bielawski is a medium and today’s conversation is not so much about starting a business and more so about perspective, her gift and her journey to mediumship.

Losing my dad was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and it’s what led me to start this podcast. Conversations like this, whether you believe in mediumship or not, are part of my journey of asking bigger questions about life, connection, and what really matters.

Back in December of last year, I was invited to attend a group medium session. I’m pretty open to at least experiencing things once before I knock them, but I won’t lie - while I was curious, I was also very, very skeptical.

In my thoughts, I said - “Dad, this is your opportunity to prove to me there’s something else.”

And, my mind was blown when Tara started telling me about specific memories with details that have never been written or talked about outside of our family.

They weren’t vague details… not like how a horoscope can be bent to apply to anyone’s life.

And, there wasn’t just one memory, but several.

Connect with Tara:
https://www.facebook.com/TaraBMedium/

Dr. Bill and Braden Rawls - CELLULAR WELLNESS: The Missing Piece in Modern Medicine

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s conversation with Dr. Bill Rawls and Braden Rawls is about understanding health at a cellular level.

Dr. Bill Rawls is a licensed physician with over 30 years of experience in medicine. After facing a personal health crisis in his early forties, he turned to herbal and alternative medicine, restoring his health and becoming a leading voice in holistic wellness. He is the bestselling author of "The Cellular Wellness Solution," and serves as the Medical Director and Co-Founder of Vital Plan, a holistic health company and Certified B Corporation.

Braden Rawls is the CEO and other Co-Founder of Vital Plan, a company she established with her father, Dr. Bill Rawls, in 2008. Under her leadership, Vital Plan has developed meticulously crafted supplement blends using the highest quality ingredients, aiming to empower individuals to take control of their health.

The reason I reached out to them is that the information in Dr. Rawl’s book “The Cellular Wellness Solution” had me buzzing from all that I learned because it made so much sense and provided a missing puzzle piece in my healing journey.

I’ve been battling a couple autoimmune diseases for about fifteen years, and in that time, I’ve seen at least a dozen different endocrinologists, and each and every one of them told me that healing my own autoimmune condition was impossible. All solutions they offered ultimately led to surgically remove my thyroid or killing it through radioactive iodine. A major vital organ.

And, I was unwilling to accept this route as a real solution (for me), and so I spent years reading books to learn as much as I could about thyroid health.

Fast forward to today, and without medication, all of my thyroid levels are back in the normal range - because of what I’ve learned about healing through diet, lifestyle and herbal supplements.

This is not medical advice. The information and opinions presented in this podcast are for generational informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is solely at your own risk.

www.vitalplan.com
www.rawlsmd.com
Instagram: @rawlsmd
Instagram: @vitalplan

Kerri Futch - A Candid Year One at WOLF AND FOX, a Wisconsin Winery

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Kerri Futch is a friend of mine who moved from Northern California to Wisconsin to be closer to family and to chase a dream vision for a Wolf and Fox, boutique winery and an event space.

This episode is more of a casual conversation and catch-up between friends, but there are oodles of nuggets in her story, her strategic approach, and you’ll get real-time insights and perspective into what it’s like being in the midst of a less than 1 year-old business.

Kerri and her husband, Jon, purchased forty acres of land with a barn in Calumet County, Wisconsin with motivation to cultivate a diverse, sustainable farm, vineyard, and community event space.

Let’s hear how it’s going.

Duncan Wardle - Set Your Creativity Free Inside the IMAGINATION EMPORIUM

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0700

This interview was so entertaining to host because I felt like I was back in college for an hour and had the most interesting guest teacher who made me laugh, play games, and have fun - all while learning.

Duncan Wardle, the former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, is on a mission to teach people how to access their natural creative abilities, to be innovative, explore curiosity, connect through empathy and tap into one’s intuition.

As soon as I saw Duncan in the online recording room, he just jumped straight into teaching and you’ll notice that the first few minutes of our conversation were missing because I hadn’t yet hit the record button.

After a few minutes I thought, hit the dang record button, which I did. Next time, I’ll hit it sooner.

In this episode, you may wonder - who is leading the show? LOL

At one point, my husband overheard us in the distance and said, “it sounded pretty negative when you kept on saying No… what was up with that?” I guess you’ll just have to listen in to figure out what that was about.

https://duncanwardle.com/

https://theimaginationemporium.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncanwardle

https://www.instagram.com/duncanjwardle/

https://www.facebook.com/DuncanJWardle

https://x.com/duncanjwardle

Jackie Ashton - Secrets to Landing a Non-Fiction Book Deal with THE BOOKMARK AGENCY

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today we’re diving into the world of publishing with Jackie Ashton—literary agent, journalist, and founder of Bookmark, a boutique agency helping thought leaders bring impactful books to life.

Before launching The Bookmark Agency, Jackie was an agent at Lucinda Literary, where she landed major publishing deals for authors like Dave Pell (Please Scream Inside Your Heart) and Scott Shigeoka (Seek). With a deep understanding of the publishing industry, she specializes in helping authors craft books that don’t just share expertise but resonate with readers, disrupt industries, and fill market gaps with empathy over ego.

She also shares her knowledge in The Big Idea, her free newsletter packed with insights on writing books that matter. And as a journalist and essayist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Salon.

https://www.jackieashton.com/

Christopher Helfrich - How EAT.LEARN.PLAY. is Changing Lives in Oakland

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Today’s episode is part of Podcasthon, a global effort bringing thousands of podcasts together to raise awareness for charitable causes.

My guest today is Christopher Helfrich, President and CEO of Eat. Learn. Play., the foundation he co-founded with Stephen and Ayesha Curry to tackle childhood hunger, early literacy, and active lifestyles for kids in Oakland.

Since launching in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play. has raised and invested over $32 million—directly impacting underserved children and families. Under Christopher’s leadership, the foundation has grown into a force for change, helping Oakland kids get the nutrition, education, and movement they need to thrive.

Before this, Christopher led the Starlight Children’s Foundation and served as Head of the Nothing But Nets campaign for the UN Foundation, working to combat malaria globally.

And in 2024, he and Stephen Curry landed on the cover of Inc. Magazine for their work in fostering equity, access, and opportunity for all.

Laura Wachtel - Why You Should Try IMPROV At Least Once

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Laura Wachtel talks about how improv can make life—and work—better.

The principles of improv—like saying ‘yes, and,’ thinking on your feet, and embracing the unexpected—can transform how you communicate, lead, and handle challenges.

Laura is the owner of Zipline Improv, where she’s bringing improv out of the theater and into the real world—helping individuals, businesses, schools, and communities use play to sharpen listening, build connection, and get out of their heads.

Ru Hill - The Rise of SURF SIMPLY RESORT in Costa Rica

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Ru Hill is the founder of Surf Simply, a globally renowned boutique coaching resort in Costa Rica that has transformed the way people learn to surf. Unlike traditional surf schools, Surf Simply takes a science-based, technique-driven approach, breaking down the complexities of surfing into teachable, measurable skills. This method has attracted everyone from complete beginners to seasoned surfers looking to refine their craft.

Beyond the waves, Ru is a deep thinker on business, leadership, and intentional growth. His grassroots journey—from coaching out of the back of a car to running a world-class surf resort—offers invaluable lessons on entrepreneurship, scaling with purpose, and building a high-performing team without sacrificing company culture.

His resort has been featured more than once in the New York Times and if you want to check out what you’re missing, just watch any of the inspiring weekly videos you can find on the Surf Simply You Tube channel.

Alexa D'Agostino - Secrets to go from $0 to 7-8-9 FIGURES from a Serial 6x Exit Entrepreneur

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Today, Dr. Alexa D’Agostino is coming on the show to share insights on how to build a company from six to seven figures or seven to eight.

Alexa founded her first official company at 18 and went on to build and then exit multiple businesses achieving over nine figures in exits by the age of 30.

As a part of her journey, she has raised over $100m for charities worldwide.

As the CEO of Thynk Consulting Group, Alexa specializes in scaling businesses through strategic marketing, sales, and leadership development. Her expertise has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.

Hayes Hitchens - MOONDANCE ADVENTURES: Unplugging Teens with Life-Changing Adventure Travel

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

In today’s episode, Hayes Hitchens talks with us about his journey starting and building Moondance Adventures.

Moondance is a teen adventure travel program that sends over 2000 teenagers each summer on trips across five continents and over twenty countries with a commitment to foster personal growth, leadership skills, problem solving, decision making and a love for the outdoors.

For some backstory, Hayes was the dean of students and director of summer programs at my school and I remember him talking about starting Moondance Adventures when I was in the 7th grade.

So, this is a super meaningful reconnection and WOW - to see what he has accomplished is just so inspiring and heart-warming.

Dr. Megan Lyons - Stop Burnout Before It Starts: Staying Healthy and Happy

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Today we have Dr. Megan Lyons on the show to talk about recognizing early symptoms of burnout, ways to optimize your health, and fix the root causes of illness.

Megan is a Harvard graduate with two Master’s degrees, two Board Certifications, and a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition. She is a passionate health and wellness expert, inspiring others to feel their healthiest and happiest.

In 2014, Megan pivoted from the management consulting business world to follow her passion for wellness by opening The Lyons' Share Wellness.

Since then, Megan and her team have amassed over 15,000 hours of 1-to-1 nutrition consulting with clients internationally, providing personalized guidance to help individuals achieve their health goals.

Megan is the hosts of a top podcast on health and wellness, “Wellness Your Way with Dr. Megan Lyons,” where she shares insights and tips for living a healthier life, and publishes informational articles on The Lyons’ Share website weekly.

She speaks widely at conferences, corporations, and organizations.

Check-out Megan's free download file, where you can take a short quiz designed to give you a head start at figuring out if your symptoms are suggestive of any common pattern that Megan sees at The Lyons' Share Wellness!

Dr. Megan's Website: https://www.thelyonsshare.org/
The Revitalize Health Accelerator: https://www.thelyonsshare.org/revitalize/
Podcast: https://www.thelyonsshare.org/wellness-your-way-podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsshare/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsShareWellness/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganoharelyons

Andy Hunter - Saving Indie Bookstores: The Innovated Model Behind BOOKSHOP.ORG

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Andy Hunter is the founder CEO of bookshop.Org
In todday's episode, he talks about his innovative solution to save indie bookstore.

Quoting the New York Times, “The rapid rise of Bookshop.org during the shutdown has been hailed as a boon for independent stores.” B-Labs announced the company as one of the “best for the world,” and in the top 5% of all B-Corps.

The business model is brilliant on so many levels, and I can’t wait for you to hear what he has to share.

Andy is also the co-creator of the websites: Literary Hub, Electric Literature, Crime Reads, and BookMarks - combined annual readership of about 30 million people. And, worked as an independent publisher at Catapult, Counterpoint and Soft Skull Press.

Alexandra Janelli - HYPNOTHERAPY: What Celebrities and CEOs Know That You Don’t

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Today we’re joined by Alexandra Janelli, a leading hypnotherapist and founder of ModrnSanctuary, an alternative beauty and wellness spa and winner of Philadelphia Magazine’s 2024 “Best of Philly.”

She is also the founder of My Burble, a transformative app designed to help users overcome stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and other personal challenges through tailored guided visualizations and meditations.

As one of New York City’s premier hypnotherapists, Alexandra has guided Academy Award-nominated actors, renowned photographers, singers, and executives toward meaningful transformation. Her work has been featured in top publications like The New York Times, Elle, Oprah Magazine, Men’s Fitness, and Forbes.

HIGHLIGHTS Geoff Smart Episode

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

I’m trying something new this week by releasing a shortened highlights episode alongside the full one. It’s designed for those of you who may not have time to listen to the whole episode—perfect for a quick commute or a busy day.

To be honest, it’s more work, and my ADD brain isn’t entirely convinced this idea is worth continuing, but I wanted to experiment and see how it goes.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you like and appreciate the highlights version, or should I stick to full-length episodes? Your feedback will help me decide if this format is a keeper. Thanks for being flexible as I try this out!

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In the full-length episode, we discuss why building and scaling a business—and achieving more freedom and free time—starts with the “who” in your business.

Our guest, Dr. Geoff Smart, is the Chairman and Founder of ghSMART, a leadership advisory firm specializing in helping companies make high-impact hiring and leadership decisions. With over $100 million in revenue, ghSMART’s hiring strategies are in high demand because they deliver results.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Who is the world’s expert on hiring?”—just ask ChatGPT, and Geoff Smart’s name will surely come up. He’s the New York Times bestselling author of Who, Leadocracy, and Power Score: Your Formula for Leadership Success.

Geoff’s mission is to help leaders amplify their positive impact on the world. His expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek, and he’s a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

Geoff Smart - The Power of WHO from New York Times Bestseller

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Today we’re diving into why building and scaling a business—and achieving more freedom and free time—starts with the “who” in your business.

Season 2 of How I Built My Small Business Coming January 21

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

🎉 Season 2 of How I Built My Small Business is Coming January 21!

Get ready for more thought-provoking stories, expert wisdom, and actionable advice to help you grow in both business and life.

This season, I’m sharing conversations with incredible guests, including:

Ru Hill (Surf Simply Resort): Discover why his impactful business model and unique perspective earned him an invitation to speak at MIT’s Sloan School of Business.
Dr. Megan Lyons (The Lyons Share Wellness): A Doctor of Clinical Nutrition specializing in functional medicine and integrative nutrition to discuss combating burnout, optimizing health, and fixing the root causes.
Hayes Hitchens (Moondance Adventures): Hear how he creates life-changing adventure travel experiences for over 2,000 teens every summer, spanning 20+ countries across five continents—moments he hopes they'll call “the best days of their lives.”

Our season opener features Geoff Smart, international best-selling author of Who, the #1 book on hiring for over a decade (globally).

I'm incredibly selective about guests. For every hundred or so pitches, I might choose one. The rest? I find them through my own research and life experiences - reaching out directly because I have a sincere interest in learning from them.

🎧 Follow the show now so you don’t miss an episode—and don’t forget to share it with a fellow learner!

Bite-Sized Life Wisdom: 4 of 4

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized! I’m Anne McGinty, host of the show. While full-length guest episodes are on hold for the holidays, I’ve prepared a collection of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired until Season 2.

Bite-Sized Business Insights 4 of 4

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Bite-Sized Life Wisdom: 3 of 4

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

Bite-Sized Business Insights 3 of 4

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Bite-Sized for Parents

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Chanda Bell - The ELF ON THE SHELF: Unwrapping The Story

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to a very merry episode of How I Built My Small Business! I’m Anne McGinty, your host, and I know I said no new episodes, but this is a surprise Christmas special.

Today, we’re diving into the magical world of Santa’s little helpers with Chanda Bell, co-founder and co-CEO of The Lumistella Company, home of The Elf on the Shelf.

Whether you’re a seasoned elf owner or someone who’s just wondering why these mischievous little elves keep popping up, this episode has a sprinkle of something for everyone—kids, grown-ups, and the young-at-heart. 🎅🏼🎁

Chanda, along with her mom and sister, took a simple family tradition and turned it into a global Christmas phenomenon that has enchanted millions. She’s the creative force behind the storytelling and magic that make the Elf on the Shelf part of so many family holiday traditions.

Over the years, the elves have been featured on Good Morning America, USA Today, and even appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her company, The Lumistella Company, continues to innovate with projects like the Santaverse while staying true to the magic of Santa’s mission.

But with great magic comes great responsibility. In today’s conversation, Chanda shares how they keep Santa’s vision alive while addressing everything from sustainability to inclusivity to… yes, even those whispers about “elf surveillance.”

So grab your hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, and let’s unwrap the story of how one family tradition became a global celebration of joy, generosity, and a little holiday mischief.

https://elfontheshelf.com/

https://lumistella.com/

https://santaverse.com/

Bite-Sized Life Wisdom: 2 of 4

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Bite-Sized Business Insights 2 of 4

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Bite-Sized Business Insights: 1 of 4

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Bite-Sized Life Wisdom: 1 of 4

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to How I Built My Small Business: Bite-Sized!

I’m Anne McGinty, your host. While we take a break from full-length guest episodes for the holidays, I’ve curated a series of short, impactful episodes to keep you inspired.

Each bite-sized episode features a collection of powerful snippets from interviews, organized by topic for easy listening.

Stay tuned for quick insights to fuel your business and personal growth!

Season 2 drops the week of January 25, 2025.

Season 1: Host Reflects, Celebrates, and Shares What's Next

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800

As we draw season one to a close, I’m thrilled to share some of the heartwarming stories and pivotal lessons that we've heard on this journey.

From grappling with technical hiccups like latency delays during my chat with Max Skinner of Two Rock Amplifiers to drawing inspiration from Jason Feifer's spontaneous interviewing style, this season has been an exhilarating learning curve.

Your support has been the driving force behind this podcast’s success. From educators who use these episodes as teaching tools to entrepreneurs finding newfound motivation, your feedback is the lifeblood of this show.

This platform, inspired by my father’s legacy, has become a space for sharing business know-how, niche expertise, ideas for making money, and for imparting life wisdom.

As we wrap up Season One, I’m filled with gratitude and a continued commitment to help aspiring entrepreneurs take control of their futures.

Have an incredible holiday season! Be kind, take deep breaths, slow down, find meaningful connection, and a moment to rest and reflect.

Season Two will launch the week of January 25, 2025.

John Kilcullen - The Rise of FOR DUMMIES and The Future of Publishing – Insights from the Creator of an Iconic Brand

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800

John Kilcullen, the creator of the For Dummies brand and former chairman and CEO of IDG Books, shares his journey in building one of the world’s most iconic publishing series.

In this episode, John delves into the rise of For Dummies, his experience leading other renowned brands like Frommer's Travel and Cliff’s Notes, and his time as president and publisher of Billboard Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter.

A sought-after lecturer on entrepreneurship and innovation at institutions like Stanford, NYU, and Babson, John’s wisdom has been profiled in Forbes, The New York Times, and USA Today.

PART 1: The story behind For Dummies and how to build a lasting brand.

PART 2: Insights on the evolving future of publishing (starting at 43 minutes).

Closing: John’s invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, life wisdom, and actionable takeaways.

Farnoosh Torabi is SO MONEY: Mastering Mindset, Wealth, and Financial Freedom

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Today we’re joined by Farnoosh Torabi, America’s leading personal finance expert who is dedicated to helping others become unapologetically rich.

Farnoosh is an award-winning financial correspondent, television personality, and best-selling author of You’re So Money, A Healthy State of Panic, Psych Yourself Rich, and When She Makes More.

Her Podcast So Money was ranked a Top Female-Hosted Podcast by Entrepreneur Magazine, described as "a Podcast Your Wallet Will Love" by The New York Times, and has been downloaded over 35 million times, earning multiple Webby awards.

She is a former CNBC host and has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, and numerous major news and talk shows.

Jack Brewster - How NEWSREEL is Tackling Misinformation in Today’s News Landscape

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Let's dive into a topic that affects all of us - how cellphones, social media, and AI are fundamentally reshaping the way we consume news and engage in politics.

Jack Brewster is the Founder and CEO of Newsreel, an app designed to make news more accessible for young people and those that are digitally exhausted. As a Fullbright scholar in Germany, he researched how young people consume news and how journalism can adapt to these changing behaviors. He is also the Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard, which rates the credibility of news sources and works to combat misinformation in media.

Before founding Newsreel, Jack was a reporter at Forbes Magazine, where he covered politics and online extremism. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, VICE, Fortune, and Newsweek.

Jacks’ reporting has been featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN, and The Washington Post.

Connect with Jack Brewster:
Jack Brewster on LinkedIn
Try Newsreel here
Newsreel on Instagram

Podcast recommendations from Jack:
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Up First
The Daily

A Balanced News Diet from Jack (Both Liberal and Conservative):
AxiosAM
The Rundown - an AI newsletter
Mainstream Conservative - The Dispatch, The National Review
Tortoise - British media publication
Nate Silver’s substack

If you’re looking for a new news diet starting point, UpFirst gives the headlines in a succinct manner

Jason Feifer - Unlocking Opportunity with ENTREPRENEUR Editor-in-Chief

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Jason is the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and is widely recognized as an authority on business and adapting to change. He's the author of the bestselling book Build for Tomorrow, host of the Help Wanted and Problem Solvers podcast and has been named a "Top Voice in Entrepreneurship" on LinkedIn.

With decades of experience in national media, Jason has held editor roles at Men's Health, Fast Company, Maxim and Boston Magazine and has written about business and technology for the Washington Post, Slate, New York Magazine and many more.

Connect with Jason Feifer:

Twitter: @heyfeifer
Instagram: @heyfeifer
Facebook: @heyfeifer
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer
Website: jasonfeifer.com
Newsletter: jasonfeifer.com/newsletter

Ana Homayoun - Why Traditional Success Is Outdated: ERASING THE FINISH LINE

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Ana Homayoun shares insights gained from over two decades of working with young people.

Ana is the founder of Silicon Valley-based Green Ivy Educational Consulting and the executive director of Luminaria Learning Solutions, a non-profit focused on developing executive functioning skills in classrooms. She’s the author of four books, including her latest, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admissions, which highlights the essential skills students and young adults need to thrive.

As an academic advisor and early career development expert, Ana blends executive functioning, technology, and personal development, working directly with students, schools, and global organizations. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Fast Company, and NPR.

Connect with Ana Homayoun:

www.greenivyed.com

www.anahomayoun.com

www.luminarialearning.org

Duran Morley - No College? No Problem. 17 year old started VANSPEED instead.

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today, we're joined by Duran Morley, an action sports enthusiast who has built a thriving business centered around adventure living. Duran is the founder and CEO of VanSpeed, a company that converts sprinter vans into recreational vehicles for adventure-seeking customers.

College wasn't the right path for Duran, and he found that he learned best by doing. At just 17 years old, he opened the Van Mart, an e-commerce store selling van accessories. That venture has since snowballed into a full-scale, eight-figure annual revenue sprinter van conversion business, customizing vehicles not only for recreational use but also for mobile business opportunities.

And he's only 24.

Duran has taken the outdated 1980s RV design and transformed it into something modern, efficient and visually appealing. As an avid surfer, motorcyclist and camper van traveler, duran is the end user of his own products. His work has been featured in American Iron Magazine, hot Bike Magazine, roadkill Magazine and Hot Rod Magazine.

Sophie Milliken MBE - From UNKNOWN TO UNFORGETTABLE: A Blueprint for Every Business Owner!

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Sophie Milliken is a remarkable entrepreneur and leader with contributions that extend far beyond business. She co-founded City Ladies Networking, chairs the UK Charity Smart Works Newcastle, and serves as a Founding Ambassador for Every Child Needs a Mentor.

Her dedication was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded an MBE by the Order of the British Empire for her services to Business and Education.

Sophie founded SRS Recruitment and Employability in 2013, successfully scaling it before selling in 2019. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Moja Group, an award-winning modern PR agency, Sophie continues to break new ground.

She is the host of the popular podcast Beyond The Bio which consistently ranks on the UK marketing podcast chart. Sophie has written two best-selling books, with a third on the way titled From Unknown to Unforgettable: How to Build a Personal Brand that Goes Beyond the Bio.

Connect with Sophie!
Buy Sophie's latest book From Unknown to Unforgettable
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/moja_sophie/

Harshal Chokhawala - ZYMOCHEM’s Game-Changing Bio-Based Materials: Affordable and Sustainable!

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have Dr. Harshal Chokhawala chatting with us about starting a biotech company.

Harshal is the CEO and Co-Founder of Zymochem, which he founded in 2015 and recently celebrated a major milestone by closing a Series A funding round in January this year.

As a speaker at the SynBioBeta conference in San Francisco and the Rethinking Materials conference in London, he is passionate about about bringing sustainability to everyday materials and reducing humanity's dependency on plastic.

After hearing that microplastics can be carried through the placenta from mother to baby, Harshal doubled down on his mission to bring breakthrough technology products to everyday materials.

Zymochem recently introduced Bayse, a biodegradable, bio-based super absorbent polymer that can be used to make diapers, the third-largest item in landfills. He aims not only to tackle the hygiene industry, but coatings, textiles, and plastics.

Zymochem has partnered with well-known including Toyota and Lululemon.

Kimi Chadwick - Beyond the Pumpkin Patch: CRAVEN FARM’s Journey of Innovation and Growth

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Kimi Chadwick chats with us about running a pumpkin patch without any farming experience!

Kimi is the co-owner of Craven Farm, winners of the Best of Snohomish County two years in a row. She and her husband are incredibly savvy business owners who are utilizing vertical integration in nearly all aspects of their business, including a fleet of in-house concessions and floral design.

It's no surprise that on the day of our interview, they closed on the purchase of Whitewall Brewing Company, a local brewery that had been considering shutting down. They will be able to breathe new life and energy into the brewery, while also expanding on their existing offerings by possibly bringing Whitewall Brewery to their farm.

Kimi is smart, yet incredibly humble, and I absolutely love her and her husband's innovative business approach.

Collin Hathaway - Private Equity Perspective: Secrets to Scaling from Small to Mid-Sized

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Collin Hathaway shares strategies for scaling small businesses to mid-sized enterprises.

Collin is the founder of Skylight Capital, a micro-private equity investor that acquires companies in the U.S. with $500,000 to $4m EBITDA.

As part of his journey, he founded Flint Group, a collection of seven small residential home service businesses in HVAC and plumbing across five states, more than doubling revenue in four years.

In 2017, he bought into ownership of Guardian Roofing in Western Washington and has tripled business within seven years.

He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and in 2017 was awarded Puget Sound Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. In his free time, he volunteer coaches his son’s select baseball team.

Sandi Carter - No College? No Problem. From 22 to NZ’s "Beauty Salon of the Year" at 25

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Sandi Carter calls in from New Zealand to share her story starting a skin clinic.

Sandi is the founder CEO of Blush Skin Clinic, which she started in 2017 at the age of 22. Just three years later, she won a prestigious national award "New Zealand's Beauty Salon of the Year," which also landed her a feature in the national newspaper, the New Zealand Herald.

At just 29 years old, she now has two locations one on the North Island, in Whangarei, and one on the South Island in Christchurch. Her world-class spa uses state-of-the-art technologies with proven life-changing skin results. Just peruse the fascinating procedures with before and after results on her Instagram page and you will see how passionate she is about skin health.

Jak Wonderly - Becoming a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Photographer

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have Jak Wonderly in the studio chatting with us about his journey to becoming a National Geographic photographer.

Jak is an award-winning commercial and editorial photographer based in Northern California. His remarkable work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Smithsonian Life and the New York Times, with over a thousand images in the National Geographic Image Collection and contributions to more than 25 National Geographic books.

Wonderly's photography captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. He achieved first place in the prestigious Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition and has had his work exhibited in several museums. A passionate advocate for conservation, Wonderly has lectured on conservation photography at Stanford University and the California Academy of Sciences.

Through his lens, Jak not only documents the world but also inspires action to protect it, making him a significant figure in both the artistic and environmental communities.

Naomi Crawford - LUNCHETTE'S Secrets to a Sustainable Food Biz

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Naomi Crawford is the visionary founder and CEO of Lunchette.

Naomi has been at the forefront of the sustainable business movement, transforming Lunchette into a model for eco-friendly and socially responsible practices. Lunchette has become Petaluma, California's go-to lunch spot and is renowned for its engagement in community building, zero-waste policies, commitment to paying living wages and partnership with small local farmers.

Naomi's innovative approach not only champions sustainability, but also proves that doing good can positively impact the bottom line.

Lunchette was ranked by Sonoma Magazine as one of the 50 best restaurants in Sonoma County and has been recognized with a Slow Food Award for their business values.

Businesses mentions:

Zero Waste Sonoma

Rusty Hinges Ranch

Karan Singh - Mastering Entrepreneurial Mindset: Insights from GINGER and HEADSPACE HEALTH Co-Founder

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have a special guest, Karan Singh, chatting with us about his journey in starting and growing a business in the mental health space.

Karan is the co-founder and former chief operating officer of Ginger, a leading mental health and coaching platform that merged with Headspace in 2021 to form Headspace Health in a multi-billion dollar transaction.

Although Headspace Health is far from a "small" business, Karan's journey started small, and the lessons, wisdom, and insights he shares are valuable for everyone.

Under Karan's leadership, Ginger was recognized by Fast Company as One of the World's Top 10 most innovative companies in healthcare and was named a World Economic Forum technology pioneer.

Karan also volunteers on the Dean's Advisory Council at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and was the recipient of MIT's Social Impact Fellowship.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Connect with Karan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanvsingh/

Headspace Health: https://www.headspace.com/

Rachel Platten - The Untold Story of her Singer-Songwriter Journey

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Rachel Platten chats about the business of being a singer-songwriter. Rachel is the Emmy Award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter of the global sensation Fight Song, which has been streamed over a billion times worldwide. Stand By You was certified platinum in the United States, and Better Place has been a ballad at countless weddings.

Her songs have literally been anthems for millions. Rachel, modeled for Aries advertising campaign, has performed with Candlelight Concerts, New Year's Rockin' Eve in Times Square in New York City, and has been an avid supporter of a growing list of charities, including a dedication to Musicians on Call.

Her newest album, I Am Rachel Platten, will be released on September 3rd of this year and will give the world a glimpse into the other parts of her life, the real and the raw side that so many keep hidden.

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend that you pre-save her upcoming album HERE.

Jeremy LaDuke - DIY Marketing Secrets for Local Businesses from EPIC NINE’s Team

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have Jeremy LaDuke with us on the show. This interview is, in part, about Jeremy's journey starting a boutique marketing firm, but it's also an opportunity for him to share advice that could help anyone improve their do-it-yourself marketing.

Jeremy is the founder CEO of Epic Nine Marketing Outfitters, a 15-person boutique marketing firm with two goals in mind to help great local businesses thrive and to create a wonderful workplace for creative people. Jeremy is also the author of Climb, a how-to book for local businesses to navigate the world of marketing. He is a board member for the Sky City Entrepreneur Center and the Loudoun County Education Foundation. His business, epic Nine, won Pigeon Forge Chambers 2023 Best Non-Tourism Business of the Year Award and has been nominated for the Best of Blount County's 2024 Small Business of the Year.

Jenny Sauer-Klein - ACROYOGA’s Global Success: Lessons You Can’t Miss

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Jenny Sauer-Klein's journey as a serial entrepreneur has seen her start four influential ventures, including AcroYoga, Scaling Intimacy School of Experience Design, Play on Purpose and The Culture Conference.

Jenny co-founded AcroYoga, a global phenomenon blending acrobatics and yoga, which has captivated millions worldwide, including Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and Silicon Valley innovators. Professional athletes and Silicon Valley innovators.

Her other ventures focus on creating transformational experiences and deep connection. Throughout her career, Jenny has been a sought-after speaker and consultant for top organizations including Google, airbnb, dropbox and UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Her insights and work have been featured in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc Magazine and Tim Ferriss' book Tools of Titans.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Will Stults - The honest truth about starting an e-commerce business! A growing trend from smartphones to DUMB WIRELESS?

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Will Stultz chats with us about the ups and downs of starting an e-commerce business. Will is the co-founder of Dumb Wireless, an e-commerce site that consolidates all of the world's best non-smartphones and accessories and sells about $100,000 worth of dumb phones and accessories per month. They also offer their own SIM cards, their own MVNO network and have collaborated with the Unplugged tag to offer solutions that can help people break free from their technology dependency.

Dumb Wireless has been featured in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, BBC and on CBS National.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Amy Wilkinson - STANFORD GSB Lecturer and CREATOR'S CODE Author Shares the Future’s Most Crucial Skills

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Amy Wilkinson talks with us about the skills needed for the future and gives a glimpse into what is being taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Amy is the founder and CEO of Ingenuity, a lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business and the author of the international bestseller The Creator's Code. She has written articles for Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Inc. Magazine and dozens more. Amy has been featured on NPR, is a top-ranked keynote speaker, and her TEDx talk on the Secret of How to Think Like an Entrepreneur has been described as a must-listen full of amazing content.

Follow Amy Wilkinson on LinkedIn

Eric Henry - 30% of clothing never gets sold?! 12-Employee TS DESIGNS shares blueprint for starting a climate-friendly clothing line

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Eric Henry is the owner of TS Designs (a 12-employee business) and Solid State Clothing and a trailblazer in environmentally friendly supply chain practices WhereYourClothing.com . His commitment to sustainability has extended to a TEDx talk he gave at Elon University, where he educated the crowd about the state of the apparel industry. He was awarded the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year by his local chamber, is the president of the North Carolina Business Council and has sat on the board of over 10 different organizations. He is an inspiration for the entire textile industry.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Danielle Connor - A successful local coffee shop can make how much?! RETROGRADE COFFEE ROASTERS reveals secrets.

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Danielle Connor shares her story and what she has learned going from employed barista to starting her own cafe and coffee roasting brand.

Danielle is the co-founder of Retrograde, a popular local cafe Sebastopol, California and with a separate roasting facility in Petaluma.

Retrograde was the first Certified Green coffee roaster and cafe in Sonoma County. Danielle takes a value-based approach in everything she does as a business owner, placing a focus on the people she works with and the quality of her products.

Listen in to see how Beauty's Bagel Shop owner helped launch Danielle into her own coffee shop and her friend into Rolling Sloane's bakery; how friends at Blue Bottle Coffee and Andytown Coffee Roasters contributed to her success; how fond childhood visits to the Antique Society in Sebastopol made her want to move there; and why she chooses to work with Sweet Maria's and The Coffee Shrub for her beans.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Jacques Spitzer - Unlocking Marketing Magic: Mind-Blowing Insights from RAINDROP AGENCY, 4x Emmy and 2x Superbowl Ad Genuises!

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Jacques Spitzer shares the secrets of how to create high performance marketing content that people actually enjoy watching.

Jacques is the founder-CEO of Raindrop, an eight-figure, four-times Emmy Award-winning and two-times Super Bowl ad-producing creative agency that is also behind the top-performing ad in YouTube history.

Their ads combine the best of entertainment and advertisement and have generated over a billion dollars in sales for clients, and he shares the formula in this episode.

The San Diego Business Journal named Raindrop Agency as "one of the best places to work and Jacques as one of the most influential people in San Diego. The Los Angeles Times named him as one of California's most visionary CEOs.

Amanda Judge - How to grow a successful jewelry biz? 8-figure UNTAMED PETALS brand with 100k+ customers worldwide!

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Amanda is the CEO, founder and lead designer of Untamed Petals, a bridal jewelry and dresses brand that started as an Etsy shop and is now tipping 8-figures a year with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce site, over 250 wholesale accounts nationwide, and an emerging presence internationally.

Her business has collaborated with Nordstroms, Anthropologie, and the costume designer for the CW drama Reign.

Her creations have been photographed being worn on the red carpet by several celebrities, including Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Sofia Vergara and many more.

Amanda is a proud member of the female founder collective, the 10th House.

This episode is sponsored by Pareto Labs, an online business education platform.

Joe Allen - $30k in a week? 3+ months of vacation a year? JUMPIN' JACKS bounce house biz

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Joe Allen is the owner of Jumpin' Jacks, a family owned and operated event rentals company that offers bounce houses, inflatables, and other event entertainment in Sonoma County.

Majority of rentals take place within a 6 month window from the end of April until the end of October, providing for a great lifestyle and very comfortable, livable income for Joe and his family.

Listen in as he shares his story - jumping (no pun intended) from cellular retail sales to buying (what was at the time) a very small bounce house business and making improvements that have helped him build to 750+ events per year (and growing).

Nicole Stevenson - What goes into producing a street fair? Inside PATCHWORK SHOW's Journey to 500k Attendees and 15k Artist Vendors!

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Today we have Nicole Stevenson talking with us about what it takes to start and run a street fair. Nicole is the co-founder CEO of Dear Handmade Life, a company that produces Patchwork Show Festivals in nine cities twice a year, reaching over 500,000 attendees in a marketplace for over 15,000 artists and small business owners. Her business also produces the Craftcation Conference, an incredible five-day event with over 200 craft and business workshops in Ventura, California. That conference has been described as "life-changing" and "an MBA for creatives in a weekend." Dear Handmade Life has been featured on Good Day LA, the Huffington Post and Sonoma Magazine, the LA Times and countless blogs.

Alex Salz and Buzz Bonneau - Making Waves: The Inspiring Journey of FERAL WETSUITS and Its Visionary Founders

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Alex Salz and Buzz Bonneau talk with us about their journey starting an international wetsuit brand.

Alex and Buzz are two avid surfers who started and still run FERAL Wetsuits, a mostly direct-to-consumer brand from Ocean Beach in San Francisco. FERAL designs and produces the Vans Surf Team wetsuits, has collaborated with Volcom, and Stab's editor-in-chief, Michael Chiaramella, was quoted saying "it's my favorite of the entire wetsuit test.

Their business has been featured in Surfer, Stab, Vans, Vogue and in the short film "Once Upon a Time in New Zealand" with Raglan surfer and comic Luke Cederman @RaglanSurfReport.

Alison Hotchkiss - How ALISON EVENTS became one of Vogue's Top 50 Event Planners in the World

Tue, 28 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Alison Hotchkiss is one of Vogue’s top 50 “Best wedding planners around the world,” and has topped over half a dozen other prestigious lists.

Alison is the founder CEO of Alison Events. She is a destination wedding planner, event producer, luxury concierge, and now a third-time author of “Gorgeous Gatherings” a large format coffee-table book that showcases some of her most stunning events and is an explosion of visual inspiration with practical tips and how-to for anyone designing a bespoke event.

She has produced over 500 jaw-dropping events in 15 countries and 29 cities. Her exquisite celebrations have been featured in Vogue, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elle Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar.

Other businesses that have helped Alison on her journey:
Studio Mondine
Norman and Blake
Max Cutrone

Ali Navid - Ready to Ditch Corporate and Unlock Financial Secrets? Discover How THRIVING MINDSETS Levels the Playing Field!

Tue, 21 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Ali Navid about his journey from the corporate world to crafting Thriving Mindsets financial education programs. Ali was a former banking VP and private wealth advisor who managed client relationships with high net worth individuals and only working with wealthy people did not align with his personal values. So, he made a transformative leap into offering the same high caliber financial education, but to thousands of regular everyday people at a very reasonable cost. He places the highest value on quality and has self-limited the number of individuals that he can accept at a time so that he can maintain an open line of communication with his students and so that he doesn't compensate quality.

He is the author of the bestselling book Stock Investing Without Fear and is driven by a passion for empowering others to make savvy investment choices and attain financial freedom more quickly.

Anne McGinty - Part 2 - Host Reflection: How has podcasting been so far?

Tue, 14 May 2024 06:00:00 -0700

This episode is Anne McGinty's reflection on how hosting the 'How I Built My Small Business' podcast has been so far and offers additional insights into the process.

She answers the questions:

How has podcasting been?
How do you find your guests?
Are you monetizing?
How is the show performing?

Anne McGinty - Part 1 - Host Introduction: Who is the host of HOW I BUILT MY SMALL BUSINESS? Why did she start this podcast?

Tue, 14 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode, the podcast host, Anne McGinty, shares anecdotes from her upbringing and the motivation behind starting her podcast.

Links to references in her episode:
BUNAC - Work visas for other countries for people ages 18-30
The Pop Nation - Gourmet ice pop business
SF Holiday Lighting, Inc. - Christmas lighting business

Matt Scorringe - A life-changing moment? New Zealand's Olympic Surfing Coach and THE ART OF SURFING in 40+ Countries

Tue, 07 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Matt is the New Zealand's Olympic surf coach and founder CEO of THE ART OF SURFING, a business that provides high-performance, personalized surf coaching, academy memberships and remote coaching worldwide. He's not just a former professional surfer; Matt's an inspirational figure who's story is as compelling as it is educational.

His programs are designed to help surfers (of all abilities) fulfill their potential by fine-tuning their personal style while mastering technique.

Matt has been featured on the cover of Uno Magazine and New Zealand Surfing Magazine.

You Tube The Art of Surfing
Instagram @TheArtofSurfing

Libiss and Matt Skinner - Why Starting a Business in Your Mid-40s Could Be the Best Decision of Your Life? HIGH RISE BEVERAGE COMPANY’s hockey-stick growth

Thu, 02 May 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Matt and Libiss Skinner are the co-founders of the Charleston Hemp Collective and High Rise Beverage Company, both which have been guided by their commitment to highest quality ingredients.

Their CBD brand makes tinctures, topicals, gummies, pantry items and beverages.

After only five years in operation, Charleston Hemp Collective brings in a couple million dollars a year. After only two years, High Rise Beverage Company has a $40 million valuation. They started both businesses in their mid-late 40s.

They've been featured in Charleston Magazine, South Magazine, the local Charleston News and many more. You can find a link through to their business in the episode's description.

Websites:

HighRise Bev

Charleston Hemp Collective

Jim Groverman - MINISODE: How to Make a Living in Just Six Weeks? Inside the Agritainment World of PETALUMA PUMPKIN PATCH

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Jim is the founder, owner, and farmer-operator of the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, a fall destination for many families in the Bay Area and a well -known agritourism enterprise in Sonoma County. Jim is a member of 4 -H, which promotes positive youth development, mentorship, and education, and FFA, the Future Farmers of America, an organization that encourages leadership in agriculture.

Not only does he run an incredibly successful pumpkin patch, but he is also in charge of managing over 800 acres of other land. His pumpkin patch has been featured in countless media, including Sonoma Magazine, KQED, Time Out, and was named as one of the top three pumpkin patches in the United States by the New York Times.

Amy Lai - How do you start a franchise? Boba Beginnings to 45+ Franchise TEASPOON Locations in five years

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Amy is the co-founder and CEO of Teaspoon, a nationwide boba chain that opened its first store in Los Altos, california, in 2016 and started franchising two years later. Since then, the brand has expanded to 45 Teaspoon boba shops nationwide and counting. Her business has been featured in Style Magazine, Restaurant Magazine, Chef's Warehouse and more.

Brian Dutt - How do non-engineers build successful apps? Empowering 10,000+ Creators (Everyday People) at BEEROLL.IO

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Brian Dutt, in the heart of New York City, talks with us about what it's like starting and growing a video creation platform and app.

Brian is the founder CEO of BeeRoll, a tech platform that empowers leading brands to weave authentic stories through user -generated content. For nearly a decade, Brian worked in the corporate world as an analyst executing strategy and business development with companies including HBO, Comedy Central, Paramount, Comcast, and more. Then in 2017, he combined his interests in storyboarding, video editing, and screenwriting and launched Beeroll.

Rachel Berick - How to start a business with $600? Learn how MAPTOTE founders climbed to 800+ stores worldwide

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Rachel is the co-founder of Maptote, a Brooklyn based small business that has been making fun and functional products with unique location-centric designs. With a tale that stitches together art, fashion, and sustainability, Rachel recounts the leap of faith that propelled a single Brooklyn map tote bag and an initial $600 investment into a diverse collection of over 600 products at 800+ store globally.

Maptote has collaborated with Museums, L’Occitane, Pendleton, HBO, Martha Stewart and many more and has been featured in The Spruce, on Birdie’s “Top 50 Best Friend Gifts,” in Women’s Day, Bloomingdale’s “Greatest Gift Guide,” People Magazine, Women’s Health, and so much more.

Skip Abed - How a 26 year old spotted an opportunity! Becoming owner-operator of the SANTA BARBARA SAILING CENTER.

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Skip Abed bought the Santa Barbara Sailing Center at twenty-seven years old back on April 1, 2000 after working there for eight years.

Skip saw a vision for the myriad of ways he could improve the Santa Barbara Sailing Center and over the past twenty-three years, he's gradually put them in place growing the business from about ten boats to over forty.

His business has been named the American Sailing Association School of the Year twice now, and he is passionate about making the sport of sailing accessible to everyone.

Mentioned in the episode:
Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce
Santa Barbara Cheese Shop
The Sea League
Alpha Resource Center
Whale Heritage Site

Rochelle Webb - Unlocking the Secrets of Social Entrepreneurship: OPTIMIST MADE's Journey to Empower Global Fashion and Change the World

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Rochelle Webb is a clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship and marketing at Loyola Marymount University. She’s not only an academic powerhouse, but also the visionary founder and CEO of Optimist Made, connecting global designers to the American market.

With over a decade in corporate America, Rochelle’s expertise in global brand marketing has earned her accolades, including media plan of the year and a Grand Effie.

An alumna of Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she brings an MBA-backed perspective to her ventures. Beyond her professional realm, Rochelle is a dedicated Board Member for 1% For The Planet and Movember, as well as an Advisory Board Member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. A true leader with a heart for positive impact, Rochelle strives to leave our world better than she found it. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey!

Ross Jacobson - Is Pivoting into Entertainment at 29 Madness? Uncover How 3311 PRODUCTIONS Turned a Tape-Librarian into a Producer in Just Four Years!

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Ross Jacobson is the co -founder CEO of 3311 Productions, a company of film lovers who take movie making seriously, but not themselves.

Ross went from the entry level job as tape librarian at Magical Elves, the producer of Top Chef and Project Runway, to leading the company in just four years. Ross is a film industry veteran who has brought films to Cannes, Sundance, Telluride, Berlin, Toronto, and Comic -Con, and has been a part of Emmy and Peabody winning TV shows.

3311 Productions has produced many films including In A World , The Assistant , Brigsby Bear , and many more.

Melissa Martinelli - Can Surplus Whey Save the Planet? How DRINK SUPERFRAU! Hit 400+ Stores and Fights Climate Change

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Melissa Martinelli is the founder and CEO of Superfrau. Melissa was an immigration lawyer and pivoted to crafting delicious Super Sodas made from surplus fresh whey that is generated during the youghurt fermentation process. She has been featured on the Boston Globe, was a speaker at the Tufts University Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute, and her company @drinksuperfrau has been touted as a top key player in the growing upcycled foods industry.

Listen to her journey, the highs and the lows, and how she went from spark of an idea to over a hundred stores in a couple years. Her company, Superfrau, is on track to be in over four hundred stores nationwide this year.

Mark and Anne McGinty - Netting seven figures in months hanging Christmas lights with SAN FRANCISCO HOLIDAY LIGHTING, INC.

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0700

In this special episode, join me, Anne, and my husband Mark as we co-host a journey down memory lane, reflecting on the origins and evolution of San Francisco Holiday Lighting, Inc, a full-service holiday lighting and decor installation company. Mark, with a background in carpentry, and myself, formerly a sales representative for a nationwide oral and body care company, share the story of how we built our business.

Tune in for valuable insights as we reminisce on the lessons learned during our path to netting seven figures annually, all within the dynamic world of holiday lighting - a business that only operates for six months a year.

Article mentioned in the podcast:
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine

Kelsey Sheofsky - Can Glamping Make Millions? Discover How SHELTER CO. Achieved High Seven-Figure Success

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Kelsey is the owner of Shelter-Co, a full scale event production company with luxury canvas tents and beautiful furnishings to boot, that has gained a reputation for well-designed, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious productions. Prior to starting Shelter Co, Kelsey cold-called Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events to see if she had any job openings. After five years of working for Alison, Kelsey was ready to branch off on her own and created a tangential offering that allowed her to maintain a strong relationship with her former boss.

Shelter Co has built pop-up hotels in remote locations, produced magazine-worthy events around the country, designed VIP spaces at music festivals including Outside Lands in San Francisco and Bottleneck in Napa, run corporate retreats, built a semi-permanent outdoor, open-aired meeting "rooms" on three of Google's campuses, and has been featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine, and on The New York Times, Vogue, among many, many more.

You can check out her business' inspiring and beautiful designs on Instagram @shelterco

Loren Vandegrift - SPECIAL EPISODE: What business should you start? Insight from BUSINESS EXITS broker on sales, values, and trends

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Loren is a Parter at Business Exits and has sold over $300 million worth in businesses over the past six years. Prior to brokering business deals, Loren was the founder CEO of a technology strategy consulting firm that he exited after thirteen years. After his own terrible experience as a seller, Loren was motivated to create a better and more authentic process and entered the world of Mergers and Acquisitions. As a seasoned broker, he’s currently expanding his reach into the broader middle market, all while actively acquiring businesses and real estate along the way.

Listen in as he gives us insight into the process of valuation, preparing a business for a sale, challenges faced, and so much more.

Terminology Used:
EBITDA (Earnings before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization)

P&L (Profit and Lost)

COGS (Cost of Goods Sold)

AP (Accounts Payable)

AR (Accounts Receivable)

LOI (Letter of Intent)

PSA (Purchase Sales Agreement)

Keyman Risk

Dr. Arlene Dijamco - Meet the Doctor of the Future: The Vision Behind ALL WORLDS HEALTH

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Arlene is a true force in the wellness realm. As the owner of All Worlds Health and Pediatrics, a dedicated teacher at the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and the heart behind the All Worlds Foundation, Arlene is not just an integrative physician; she’s a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and spreading peace, joy, and love. She has been described as a compassionate doctor and miracle medicine woman, and is consistently booked months in advance. She is releasing her first book, I AM Intuitive: A MultiDimensional Guide to Embrace Your Inner Light, in March 2024.

You can connect with Dr. Dijamco through her social media channel @allworldshealth

Adam Rosendahl - Can Creativity Cure Disconnection? How LATE NITE ART is Bringing People Together IRL

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Adam Rosendahl is the visionary founder and CEO of Late Nite Art . As an Experience Designer and Artist, Adam weaves a variety of art forms and cutting edge facilitation to foster deep connection and trust for a very impressive list of teams and conferences around the world.

From Outward Bound USA to the Scaling Intimacy School of Experience Design and Partners for Youth Empowerment, his journey reflects a commitment to positive intelligence and leadership.

Adam's impact extends to crafting a module for Stanford Life Design Lab and taking the stage in his captivating TED Talk, "How to Use the Arts to Unlock Deeper Connection." It’s no wonder that he was awarded Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year by the non-profit, Social Venture Network.

Simone LeBlanc - Ups and downs of a gift box business? 16-employee SIMONE LEBLANC

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0800

While serving as a personal life stylist for a wealthy LA client, Simone was tasked with curating gifts for special events and holidays. In 2014, she seamlessly melded her experience and artistic vision, birthing her eponymous gift box business, Simone LeBlanc. She has helped notable clients such as the Obamas, Jamie King, Taylor Swift, and more with curating gifts for their family and friends, the media describing her as the "gift giver extraordinaire." Her business has been featured in The New York Times, In Style Magazine, Vanity Fair, Goop, Architectural Digest and more. Turning gift-giving into an art form, she's now the go-to for Hollywood's über-stylish, sharing her creative journey on Instagram @simoneleblanc.

Tune in to hear her story - from personal stylist to building a thriving brand.

Nick Tappan - No college? No problem. PAPAS AND POLLO restaurant transforms into a seven figure thriving success

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Nick chose life experience and industry exposure over a formal higher education and learned how to manage and run a restaurant. Then, in 2011, a longtime-local "Seb-Mex" eatery Papas and Pollo was threatening closure in Sebastopol, California. Nick saw the potential to bring back a community restaurant, negotiated seller financing for three years, and turned the restaurant into a thriving community hub that supports his family's binational lifestyle.

Listen along to his incredible story and how he proves that a formal higher education is not always the best way to learn.

Chelsea Bay Dennis - Can You Still Make a Living as a USA Graphic Designer? C.BAY DESIGN Reveals How + Bonus Tips on Buying Property on an Entry-Level Salary

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Chelsea Bay Dennis is a graphic designer, certified life coach, and storytelling even creator with nearly twenty years of experience. She was a co-owner of a four person graphic design firm and also a solo entrepreneur that found a win-win solution for clients and herself. Listen as she provides nuggets of wisdom that anyone interested in graphic design can use to get clients and keep them coming back. As the founder of C.Bay Design, The Conscious Entrepreneur, and Expand Storytelling, Chelsea continues to inspire others to make ideas happen, be successful and make a difference at the same time.

You can find her on Instagram @chelseabay_design

Chad David Kraus - How a Self-taught photographer's hobby turned into a seven figure business with CHAD DAVID KRAUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0800

Chad went from being a self-taught photographer hobbyist that took photos of his family's travels and memories the way many of us do. In 2008, after experiencing reduced hours and a shrinking paycheck at his job, he boldly launched Chad David Kraus Photography. Since then, he has photographed over 1000 weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and several iconic Broadway shows and red carpet events with images featured in the New York Times and on Times Square billboards as well.

Check him out on Instagram @chadkrausphoto

Listen along to his incredible story and learn what you can do to make this happen too.

Mac Skinner - Employee to Owner: Reviving TWO-ROCK AMPLIFIERS to Seven-Figure Glory

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0800

Mac Skinner was an employee of Two-Rock amplifiers for over six years and found an opportunity to co-purchase the brand in 2016. Within five years, he and his co-owner, Eli Lester have more than quadrupled sales, released new lines, and built the legendary brand back up and beyond. Check them out on Instagram @tworockamplification

Listen to his journey, how he made it happen and the steps he took to build the brand to an on-going six-month waiting list.

Jenny Griffo - From Non-Profit Worker to Multi-Million Dollar Success: The Inspiring Story of GRIFFO DISTILLERY

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Jenny Griffo worked in education and the non-profit sector building libraries in Southeast Asia and East Africa for Room to Read before pivoting in 2015 to co-founding and operating award-winning, community-focused Griffo Distillery in Petaluma, California. With no prior experience in sales or business, Jenny learned on-the-fly, grew multiple revenue streams, and navigated her and her husband's company to a multi-million dollar exit in 2023. Check them out on Instagram @griffodistillery

Listen in to her inspiring story as she shares the knowledge she gleaned from the process.

How I Built My Small Business Podcast Trailer

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Trailer for the How I Built My Small Business Podcast: fascinating stories with practical advice and insight from entrepreneurs willing to give you the keys to how it's done.

In each episode, I interview small business owners who have made anywhere from a livable salary working part-time to others making upwards of twenty million a year (and everything in between). My goal is to extract the real nuggets of gold so that you learn something from each episode.

You can help support us by sharing this podcast with aspiring entrepreneurs, anyone who is curious about the secrets of business owners and what happens behind the curtain, and anyone interested in the incredible stories of how people go from the spark of an idea to full blown success.

How I Built My Small Business is produced, hosted, and edited by Anne McGinty.