Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this week's episode, Michael interviews James Baker, the Co-Founder of Varicon, a construction cost management software, based in Hobart, Tasmania. James is all about efficiency in business, it's what drove him to co-create Varicon. James helps small to medium business owners, especially startups by convincing them to be as efficient as possible and recommending them to use the BMC (Business Model Canvas), which he states is a powerful tool for business owners. It shows all of the key building blocks of the business and how it comes together, aiding business owners in being efficient in costs. Leading to a well-understood value proposition. James has spoken from experience that "before we go and spend a lot of effort on something, we want to find out how we can do this as cheaply as possible, with as little possible capital investment." This Cast Covers: The importance of efficiency in business startups. Carefully evading possible risks. Proving the significance of your product in the market. A business owner should be an expert. The advantages and disadvantages of being an expert. Generating capital for the startup. Constantly thinking of ways to innovate. Finding ways to involve customers in your business. Utilizing the Business Model Canvas. Business owners should be more curious and humble, listen to customers. Links: James' Linkedin Additional Resources: The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses _______________________________________________________________________ Quotes: "So we went through before even incorporating our business, we spent about a year just interviewing as many potential customers as we could." — James Baker. "So as a business owner, you might be the expert in this thing that you do. And sometimes being an expert is a massive advantage. But sometimes it can be a big disadvantage." — James Baker. "But the experimentation journey didn't definitely didn't finish there. We're doing it all the time. And a lot of the time, we're doing things like things very manually, that will be done in the future by software." — James Baker. "But the reality is that for someone to come and ask for something doesn't cost them anything. Whereas on that journey, we get our customers more and more involved. And this is what any small business owner can be doing." — James Baker. "If there was one thing that I could recommend to any business owner to do is to be more curious and to be humble." — James Baker. __________________________________________________________________________ Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Olivia Jenkins the Founder, and CEO of Olivia Jenkins Consultancy based in Adelaide, Australia. Olivia has set up her own business to provide advice and expertise required to help entrepreneurs improve leadership and generate revenue. From working as a general manager in a global beauty brand, Olivia has decided to leave her former job to open a new door of opportunities by growing her own business. Olivia Jenkins Consulting was established in 2019 and has been running for over 3 years. Growing her business rapidly into a 7-figure consultancy and growing sales to 270% with over 9 FTEs. Olivia has said that growing a small business requires time blocking, and becoming very intentional about where you're spending your time. So she says, The more disciplined we can be around service-based, the better life can be." This Cast Covers: Running a consulting firm based out of Adelaide. Serving clients all over the country and working with several international clients as well. Focusing on growth for eCommerce businesses in particular. Work across areas like email marketing, promotional planning, etc. Offering a broad mix of services and making sure that the clients don't experience growing pains. Helping entrepreneurs learn the importance of implementing an amazing team. Having a signature combination of strategy and implementation. Experience rapid growth at her early stage in the business through offering expertise. Became a 7-figure consultant and grew sales to 270% from FY 19 to FY 21. Learning how to adjust and grow productively in a new environment in business. Links: Olivia's Linkedin Olivia's Facebook Olivia's Instagram Additional Resources: Olivia Jenkins Consultancy Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman Essentialism by Greg McKeown Quotes: "Don't just focus on the growth, but also on the sustainability and what underpins that as well." —Olivia Jenkins "If you're going to start your business, you need to fully embrace that and stand on your own two feet." —Olivia Jenkins "You have to provide the best quality service to your client to get the best results." —Olivia Jenkins "If you're not working to a plan, you won't know what your objectives are." —Olivia Jenkins "If you're not investing your mindset and how you're showing up every day, you won't be able to reach your full potential." —Olivia Jenkins Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Blaine Oelkers the President, and CRO of Selfluence based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Blaine has set up his own business to help entrepreneurs cultivate habits that bring success and good results to their businesses. With over 27 years of experience in growing different businesses, Blaine has decided to enter coaching to pursue new opportunities and help people improve their businesses. Selfluence was established in 2008 and had been running for over 14 years. Growing to estimated $2 million annual revenue with 6 FTEs. Blaine has said that growing a small business requires taking next-day planning and guidance from a mentor in order to make an excellent performance in managing a business. So he says, "Never let a day end without planning the next one, and I think even though chaos can slip in and your day could get all out of control." This Cast Covers: A training and education company for business owners. With most income from helping small groups, typically mastermind groups. Making sure the members get results each week and every week. Sharing his two moments of dawning comprehension. Formerly working as a software engineer in a corporate job. Working from home with his own business for several years. Learning the importance of having a good business model. Using the Entrepreneur Operating System as the best tool for good hiring. Improving business habits like NDP (Next Day Planning). Links: Blaine's Linkedin Blaine's Facebook Blaine's Instagram Additional Resources: Selfluence Think Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Quotes: "Life is just way better when you're kind of ahead of the game." —Blaine Oelkers "Success is someone moving towards their personal goals." —Blaine Oelkers "You can't win all the time, because then you're not learning." —Blaine Oelkers "Make sure that your business model is correct because if that business model is off, you're going to struggle." —Blaine Oelkers "Never let a day end without planning the next one." —Blaine Oelkers Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

For this week's episode, Michael interviews Tom McMeekin. He's a financier, debt adviser, coach & strategist, and Tom is based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Tom gets what it takes to be a banker, his experience and certifications will vouch for his reputation. In the past 25 years, Tom specialized in assisting small-medium business owners, specifically in working capital and debt funding. Tom focuses on the mastery of cash flow, that before business owners will embark on a change, they have to make sure that the cash flow is sufficient. The reason things don't usually go as planned and that there hasn't been a project that didn't have complications. However, with a cash flow plan paired with clever leverage of debt you can "plan for the worst but expect the best." This Cast Covers: Generating capital through debt funding. Understanding cash requirements for each business goal. Seeing business as a team sport. Outsourcing a particular problem if you're not equipped for it. Keeping in mind capitalization whilst making growth objectives. Generating income from the debt made. Not forgetting the last thing, which is taxes. Monitoring the balance sheet. Mastery of cash flow. Links: Tom's Linkedin Tom's University of Tasmania Profile Additional Resources: Raising Money: Get the Money You Need To Grow Your Business by Andrew J. Sherman Quotes: "Quite often people will come up with a good idea or have some ideas that they're trying to execute, but not understand the cash requirements for each one." — Tom McMeekin. "If you don't have the skill, it's not a particular problem, you need to outsource it." — Tom McMeekin. "Spending time building out those forecasts with the right people on your team, I think is critical." — Tom McMeekin. "You can plan for the worst but expect the best." — Tom McMeekin. "If you're leveraging to generate income, who cares how much debt you've got." — Tom McMeekin. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, Troy had a chat with David Ridden the Founder, and CEO of Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery based in Gold Coast, Australia. David has set up his family business to operate a distillery creating craft spirits & liqueurs for the world to enjoy. From owning an outdoor events business, David has decided to transfer to a different industry to pay homage to the legend that was Granddad Jack. Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery was established in 2017 and has been running for just over 4 years. Became one of Australia's most awarded & recommended artisan producers with over 17 FTEs. David has said that growing a small business requires sacrifice and focusing on your priority. So he says, "There ain't no days off. And you think about it all the time you wake up in the night thinking about it." This Cast Covers: A super premium spirits manufacturer with a very unique model direct to the consumer model. Focused on the super-premium end of the market. Exporting products in Norway, North America, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Making a range of four different gins, vodka, coffee, secure whiskey, and all types of whiskey rise. Had Australia's two biggest mobile bars and customers with bigger brands. Build his company to share his grandfather's inspiring life story. Worked for himself for 30 years now. Trained and opened their first distillery 8 months after entering the industry. Good at planning by getting the very tunnel visioned on people and the systems around. Ended up raising 786,000 dollars with 330 people. Links: David's Linkedin David's Facebook David's Instagram Additional Resources: Granddad Jacks Quotes: "You have to understand the goal of your business." —David Ridden "You have to have the right partners if you plan international games." —David Ridden "The great thing about having a privately owned business is that we can change tomorrow." —David Ridden "If it's not working where you want it to be, keep changing and you'll find exactly what you need to do." —David Ridden "You have to be prepared not to know everything." —David Ridden Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Per Sjofors the Founder, and CEO of Sjofors & Partners, Inc. based in Los Angeles, United States. Per has set up his business to provide predictive pricing strategies that increase revenue and growth. With over 23 years of experience in running a business, Per has decided to change his career and apply his knowledge in pricing by creating his own pricing consultant firm. Sjöfors & Partners, Inc. was established in 2007 and has been running for over 15 years with 5 FTEs. Per has said that growing a small business requires a passion for what you do to become successful in managing your business. So he says, "Entrepreneurs need to be passionate about what they're doing." This Cast Covers: Predict sales volume, revenue, and profits at different prices with great accuracy. Willingness to pay for research. Expert in setting prices in a way you don't leave money on the table. Running companies in Europe and in the US and doing experiments with pricing. Developed a European-wide business and grew about 6 million in 3 and a half years. Part of different network organizations. Learning more about price imaging/price anchoring. Learning how to become a tough and smart leader. Helping entrepreneurs explore the art of pricing and fast marketing. Wrote a book called "The Price Whisperer" to approach pricing power. Links: Per's Linkedin Per's Facebook Per'sinstagram Additional Resources: Sjofors The Price Whisperer by Per Sjofors Crossing Chasm by Geoffrey Moore Quotes: "The price itself sets an expectation of the value of quality." —Per Sjofors "You can't leave things for and just hope they do themselves they don't." —Per Sjofors "Always try to hire people that are smarter than you." —Per Sjofors "If you run a company and certain team knows the simple calculation, a lot is going to change in the company." —Per Sjofors "If you don't have passion for what you do, you're not going to succeed." —Per Sjofors Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

For this week's episode, Michael interviews Steve Brossman, based in Sydney, Australia. He's a Multi Best Selling Author, International Speaker, and an Innovative Sales Enablement Strategist. He is a firm believer in the notion that it is better to be different than better, cheaper, or faster. Steve assists small-medium business owners through his coaching, books, and talks. He is providing strategies for business owners to get picked from the metaphorical shelf, putting a different spin on things, and seeing themselves not from an internal perspective but a customer's perspective, all in all, overcoming the Brown Box Syndrome. "If you just call yourself a coach, a consultant, or an accountant, something is telling your prospective clients that you don't value yourself enough to work on you to be perceived as being different. And that's a big lesson to get started with.", he said. This Cast Covers: Brown Box Syndrome. The betterment of being different. Ways to be different. Putting a different spin on things. Looking from the customer's perspective. 3 P's: Purpose, Process, and Payoff. Getting customers up to the box value. Being efficient in dumping information. The D, Q, and C formulas. Links: Steve's Linkedin Steve's Website Steve's Twitter Additional Resources: Back Pocket Guide by Steve Brossman Quotes: "All they need to do is to be different enough to start the conversation to be the next step." — Steve Brossman. "If you just call yourself a coach, a consultant, or an accountant, something is telling your prospective clients that you don't value yourself enough to work on you to be perceived as being different." — Steve Brossman. "An expert knows something. And authority is known for something." — Steve Brossman. "You don't have to be the best in the world. You just have to be the best in their world." — Steve Brossman. "You give some information and then turn it into a narrative." — Steve Brossman. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Gil Bar-Lev the Founder and CEO of HomeRoots, based in New Jersey, United States. Gil has set up his own business to help entrepreneurs make sure to sell their products to the consumer. From working as a software engineer, Gil has decided to run a whole new business to open a new window for improvements and a new door of opportunities in a different industry. HomeRoots was established in 2018 and has been running for over 4 years. Growing from $80,000 in 2018 to multi-million in the present revenues. Gil has mentioned that growing a small business takes patience and perseverance to become great. So he says, "It's patience and it's mainly the mindset that you have to continue, not let the knows that you're going to receive from whoever you're trying to reach out to break you." This Cast Cover: B2B platform for furniture and home decor manufacturers. Making sure that everybody in the US who can sell their products to the consumer will do so the way HomeRoots make money from customers. From being a developer to now more of a business person. Started his first-ever company with a partner in 2005, helping brands sell online. Improve marketing your products by spending money on advertising. Growing into 3.3 million dollars in revenue. Helping entrepreneurs avoid stress by becoming independent in their organization. Learning how to improve and grow your B2B and B2C through multiple solutions. Expanding business by getting exposed to very interesting people and building up your networks. Positive mindsets can help cope with difficulties that are hard to handle. Links: Gil's Linkedin Gil's Facebook Additional Resources: HomeRoots The Lean Startup by Eric Ries Quotes: "Success is when you see how your life gets into a certain balance." —Gil Bar-Lev "You have to think twice whether your product is a product that customers are interested in." —Gil Bar-Lev "Be there to serve your team members, not just to drop down commands." —Gil Bar-Lev "Cultivate the mindset that you got to continue, and you've got to find a way to move on." —Gil Bar-Lev "The more you face bigger challenges, the more you should keep going." —Gil Bar-Lev Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this episode, I interview Jeff Williams the Founder and CEO of Barcats based in Sydney, Australia. Jeff has set up his own business to help staff and venues connect with new opportunities. With over 20 years of experience in corporate life, Jeff has decided to sat down and came up with different ideas to build his own business. Barcats was established in 2017 and has been running for over 5 years. Became one of the fastest growing hospitality networks across Australia and New Zealand with over 65 FTEs. Jeff as said that growing a small business requires resilience and sort of bloody-mindedness. So he says, "Have confidence in your idea, but then go and execute it. Don't leave it up to somebody else. This Cast Covers: With over 20 years of experience in corporate life. Helping venue and staff connect with new opportunities. Bringing parties together with a vision of making hospitality better. Supporting stadiums and doing hundreds of people at a time. Managing their staffs with a system called "triangle". Launched business in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and UK. With major sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Campari, Wine in Mackay, and Nestle in UK. Learning how to grow your business consistently through execution. With good group of investors and big corporate certain line officers. Learning how to overcome the biggest challenge in recruiting. Links: Jeff's LinkedIn Additional Resources: Barcats The Habits Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Quotes: "Taking many opportunities is easier to find within the wider industry." —Jeff Williams "You must ensure that you can build and grow with your people." —Jeff Williams "You've got to get out of you chair and away from your desk to execute." —Jeff Williams "Learn to be part of the solution not the problem itself." —Jeff Williams "Resilience and bloody-mindedness are the key to grow through opportunities." Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In this week's episode of QFF, Rob Cameron interviews Eve Nelson, based in Tasmania, Australia. Eve Nelson is an HR specialist, an Industrial Relations Consultant, and a Managing Director at HRTAS. Surely a veteran in navigating the complex world of employee and industrial relations, and Fair Work legislation. Eve aids small-medium business owners by teaching them ways how to maintain a solid consistent staff. Deliberating the importance of retaining good team members, and understanding why it's hard doing it, however, blending it with solutions by the utilization of conversations. This Cast Covers: Eve Nelson, an HR specialist. HR support. The difficulty of retaining good team members. Employers not fully understanding the need of their staff. The competition around keeping talent. Five things that business owners should do, to improve retention of their staff. Employers asking what their staff needs. Employers conversing with employees on a consistent basis. Utilization of the talent of the staff. Links: Eve's Linkedin Eve's Business Blindspots Profile Eve's Twitter Additional Resources: Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay by Beverly Kaye Quotes: "One of the biggest issues with staff retention is employers not understanding what their staff needs." — Eve Nelson. "Have a conversation with the employee about where they're at in their life… And ask the question point blank, what is it that motivates you?" — Eve Nelson. "Consult with your staff, consult with the ones doing the job on a day to day basis, on how they think things may be done better or differently." — Eve Nelson. "One thing I think a lot of businesses, be it small, medium, or large overlook what talents they've already got in the business." — Eve Nelson. "If your staff are happy, they're going to be more productive." — Eve Nelson. Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0