Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Abigail Forsyth, the Co-founder and Managing Director at KeepCup based in Melbourne, Australia. KeepCup designed and manufactured the world's first barista standard reusable cup with a mission to ensure the world no longer wants, needs, or uses single-use cups. While running cafes in the late 90s, Abigail saw a huge number of disposable cups be sent to the landfill which can cause damage to the environment. With her brother, they decided to make a solution to such a problem by designing a reusable cup. They sold their first products in 2009 and people responded very well to it making them the world's first barista standard reusable cup with growing consumer demand in over 65 countries around the world. Abigail says one thing she'd recommend marketing a fast-growing business is making great products. She meant products that people need not a product you want to sell and also a product that won't give extreme destruction to the environment. This Cast Covers: Started as a solution to a problem and is now the world's first barista standard reusable cup. While running cafes in the late 90s, saw the rise of the disposable cup that wasn't recyclable and thought they would do something about it. Got the opportunity to design a reusable cup and a mission to encourage the use of reusable cups. People responded very well to the idea and design, selling their first products in 2009. Started with only 2 people to the current 55 FTEs in 13 years. Despite no money allotted for marketing in the beginning, they were still able to sell 10,000 of their products before they even made the tool. A B Corp for such a long time and has been a great tool for recruiting great people. The biggest mindset shift in the small business growth journey is learning to let things go. Sold in 60 countries with 27 distributors and with annual average revenue of 80%. With a mission to ensure the world no longer wants, needs, or uses single-use cups. Helping to divert billions of disposable cups from landfills each year. Additional Resources: KeepCup Collapse By Jared Diamond Masters of Scale ………………………………………… Quotes: "Make great products." —Abigail Forsyth "When a certain stage happens such as an impediment, learn to let things go and know what you have to keep hanging on to." —Abigail Forsyth "Continue to harness self-discipline." —Abigail Forsyth "Build that culture of doing something that you believe in and what you are passionate about." —Abigail Forsyth "Lead by example for others to do the same." —Abigail Forsyth ………………………………………… 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 Pete Mohr, an Entrepreneurial Coach, and Speaker at Simplifying Entrepreneurship based in Elora, Ontario, Canada. Simplifying Entrepreneurship is a coaching company, providing tools, workshops, and programs for business owners to help them succeed in their personal and professional lives. An entrepreneur for almost his entire life, he has owned franchises, started his own, and operated businesses since 1994. Along the way, he has bought and sold some of them as well. Pete's passion is helping other business owners and leaders cut through the chaos of running their businesses by providing systems and frameworks that simplify their life as a leader. Pete says that the hardest thing in growing a small business is obtaining the right people. In order to get the right people, he says, "You have to communicate, have the culture, all those kinds of things and make sure everybody knows their why." This Cast Covers: Creating tools, workshops, and coaching programs that help business owners cut through the chaos in growing their business. Helping business owners and entrepreneurs succeed in their personal and professional lives. Coaching entrepreneurs to cultivate leadership, an essential quality in creating a better business. A Certified Business Made Simple Coach, helping people create the lives that they want to live by setting up the structures and frameworks around those businesses. Transforming business into wins through the right frameworks and strong foundation. The importance of providing open communication and as a significant role of a leader. Creating turn-key businesses to achieve balance while letting others do the job. Setting up a business and structured in a way that allows the balance to be implemented. Started his first business in 1994 and has been leading them for 27 years. The passion for doing a business is a great factor to move it unidirectionally. Additional Resources: Simplifying Entrepreneurship Simplifying Entrepreneurship Podcast Atomic Habits By James Clear Building a StoryBrand By Donald Miller Business Made Simple University ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success for me is as long as I'm doing what I love to do." —Pete Mohr "When we create a promise, we align our culture all around that and that's what delivers the value." —Pete Mohr "Setting up those accountabilities has allowed us to grow and allowed us to end." —Pete Mohr "Driving communication is the number one job of a leader." —Pete Mohr "Part of being an entrepreneur is really understanding again what you want out of your business and what you want out of your life." —Pete Mohr ………………………………………… 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 Bharat Kanodia, the Founder and Chief Appraiser at Veristrat based in San Francisco, USA, helping clients with raising capital, estate planning, and mergers & acquisitions. Bharat has been in valuation since 2000 and has valued assets in real estate, industrial, personal property, and financial assets. With his extensive experience in valuation, he started his own valuation company in 2010. It was self-funded and was a tough start. He started with zero people and by 2013, he got 35 employees. Unfortunately, during the first six months of the pandemic, he had to let go of some of his employees and a few months later got some of them back to the company with a total of 25 FTEs now. Bharat says that two things make the business very sellable: "One, you need a consistent cash flow, you set up a business model, which makes your customers or your clients pay you on a monthly or a quarterly basis. And two, you need to set up systems and processes so that you can service those clients and customers on autopilot." This Cast Covers: The company provides services to people who want to know the worth of something such as buying a business or selling a business. A valuation firm helps clients to raise their capital and to know the worth of an estate they will be inheriting so they can pay appropriate taxes on them. Had a rough time during the first six months of the pandemic which resulted in letting go of some of the employees. Why every small business owner should have a marketing strategy that works for their current clients, increasing the chance for faster growth. Overcoming challenges in the business by doing something you don't normally do. Navigating the ups and downs that come with an entrepreneurial journey. The importance of trying something new just to save the business and the people behind it from crushing. Dealing with the stress of the changes such as when one of the biggest clients suddenly quit. The importance for every small business owner to learn how good habits influence the growth of a business and that everyone in the team must cultivate good habits. Two things that make the business very sellable: One, you need consistent cash flow, you set up a business model and two, you need to set up systems and processes so that you can service those clients on autopilot. Additional Resources: Veristrat What's It Worth What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School By Mark H. McCormack TEDx SHORTS ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is basically when my business comes to a point where I don't have to worry about the business running itself." —Bharat Kanodia "Marketing is just figuring out a way to stay on top of people's minds who are important to your business." —Bharat Kanodia "If you don't toot your own horn, nobody else will." —Bharat Kanodia "People with bad habits in your team are going to corrupt the entire system." —Bharat Kanodia "You need to have consistent cash flow and you need to set up systems and processes so that you can service those clients on autopilot." —Bharat Kanodia ………………………………………… 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 Ryan Limb, the General Manager at Vibestown, an event management & production company based in Tasmania, Australia. Vibestown organizes music, art, and cultural festivals to bring joy and excitement to the people of Tasmania. Due to his passion for attending music festivals, Ryan joined the organization in 2015. Prior to Ryan's involvement in Vibestown in 2015, the festival had yielded a total revenue of $300,000. Starting from 1,200 to 10,000 people on site with gross revenue of $3.5 million in 2020 which was eightfold higher than in 2015. They have a mission to keep the organization expanding in terms of people coming into the events. With the onset of the current pandemic, they have continued innovating to tackle covid restrictions being one of the few event organizers. Regardless of what Vibestown provides to the people of Tasmania, Ryan has a piece of advice to everyone: "Make sure you make decisions not on excitement but on strategy." This means you have to make time and assess the situation before giving out your decision. This Cast Covers: Organizing music, art, and cultural festivals to bring excitement to the people of Tasmania. Nationally renowned Party in the Paddock, attracting the people in the country. From 1,200 people came in 2015 to 10,000 people on site in 2020. Joined the event management team in 2015 after attending the music festival in the same year. From $300,000 total revenue in 2015 to $3.5 million gross revenue in 2020 despite the hit of the pandemic. Marketing is all about how people will feel and the feeling they will get. Expanding in terms of how many people will come to the events and innovating the quality they will impart to them. A quality every leader should have, allowing the team to express their thoughts and opinions. Emphasizing the importance of doing things not sooner or later but now. Success is keeping the people through the journey and enjoying what's provided for them. Additional Resources: Vibestown Productions The Art of the Start By Guy Kawasaki Rework By Jason Fried ………………………………………… Quotes: "As long as we're keeping the people in this journey and enjoying what we're providing for them. I see that as a success." —Ryan Limb "Whenever we're marketing, whatever we're doing, it's about how people will feel and the feeling they will get." —Ryan Limb "Make sure you make decisions not on excitement but on strategy." —Ryan Limb "Always be across the figures." —Ryan Limb "Giving everyone a platform to be able to express their ideas and giving them time to actually express them is really important." —Ryan Limb ………………………………………… 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 Thomas Jeffs, the Founder and Director of Lucidica, an IT support and consulting company based in London, United Kingdom. They make small businesses more effective and efficient by giving advice on new technology and helping them implement it. Thomas started the company by combining his two passions which are small business and technology. Lucidica was founded in 1999 and later on a friend of Thomas joined him in the business. In 2015, they expanded to Ukraine which greatly increased the scope of services that they provide to their clients. The company is growing and constantly expanding, from 3 to 50 FTEs, 22 in the UK and 28 FTEs in Ukraine. They even got a net promoter score of 63 for over 22 years in service. Thomas says the hardest thing in growing a small business is customer acquisition. According to him, bringing in new customers is the one that everyone generally struggles with. He says, "As we get bigger, obviously clients individually become more challenging because we need to win more of them." This Cast Covers: Helping businesses in London with computer support and empowering businesses through technology. Turning his passion into a business that is growing and constantly expanding. Making small companies more effective by providing excellent service. Advising customers on new technology and helping them implement it. Providing the highest standard of IT support for businesses all over London. Extended services in Ukraine in 2015 with a total of 28 FTEs now. Learning to enjoy the journey of growing a small business until it reaches more people. Able to differentiate improvements in growth through processes and see a big change as accomplishments. Make sure to recover from challenges by recording what works and what doesn't. Have handled balance better now and still trying to switch off from working more in the business. Additional Resources: Lucidica The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber Traction By Gino Wickman ………………………………………… Quotes: "Businesses change along the way and have different directions." —Thomas Jeffs "Success is definitely the ability to work on the business and be able to change and improve." —Thomas Jeffs "Once you find something that works, repeat it, but evaluation must continue as the world changes." —Thomas Jeffs "Have a look at where your time goes." —Thomas Jeffs "Getting people to be part of the journey is the most important foundation." —Thomas Jeffs ………………………………………… 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 Andy Miller, the Co-founder, and CEO at Heaps Normal, an independent non-alcohol beer company based in Canberra, Australia, changing the drinking culture to a new drink standard. Heaps Normal was co-founded by four mates, each with their reasons for wanting to reduce their alcohol consumption. Aged 39 in 2020, Andy and his mates started the company. With some investigations, they were able to create and brew beer that tasted so good. The brewing process was completely redesigned and developed their approach based on biological methods so there's no trace amount of alcohol in the beer. In just a year after launching their first brand, they got approximately 1,500 customers nationally and progressed into exporting their products to some other countries. This year alone, revenue grew by almost 200% and is currently going through the process of becoming a B Corp. Andy sees marketing as an opportunity to tell authentic stories that are real so businesses can make a difference and have a positive impact in the world. He says, "It's really easy to market something that you genuinely believe in." This Cast Covers: A non-alcoholic beer company, changing the drinking culture to a new drink standard. Backing everyone to create their own normal when it comes to mindful drinking. Started after meeting a friend who's also fond of beer and wanted to reduce alcohol consumption. With some investigations, create and brew something reflecting on what works on people which is now their products and available in the market. Developed their approach based on biological methods so there's no trace amount of alcohol in the beer. Define success as making a difference in the world and not wanting to be anywhere else. Running a business that allows getting out of bed and makes a product that they truly enjoy at the same time. Creating a product that has a positive impact on Australian drinking culture. Learning that should be normal for all businesses to contribute back to the community. Growing volume and revenue by almost 200% in a year, having approximately 1,500 customers nationally and started exporting to some other countries. Contributing 2% of their revenue to the community, breaking it up into 1% for the planet and 1% for the people. Additional Resources: Heaps Normal Legacy By James Kerr Influence By Robert B. Cialdini Eleven Rings By Phil Jackson ………………………………………… Quotes: "It's more about reflecting on what's working for you." —Andy Miller "Success is not wanting to be anywhere else but making a difference in the world." —Andy Miller "It's easy to market something that you genuinely believe in." —Andy Miller "The clearer you are in your audience, the better you are at connecting with them." —Andy Miller "I feel grateful to have that opportunity to do something that contributes back to our community." —Andy Miller ………………………………………… 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 Michael Denehey, an adviser at Collins SBA based in Hobart, Australia. Collins SBA is a financial advice and accounting service for Australian businesses. They work with small and medium business owners and assist them in growing and scaling their business. Michael is an adviser who specializes in providing proactive, focused, and strategic advice to manage strategic business succession and exit planning for Australian business owners. After working with a number of large accounting firms for over 25 years, Michael has been able to use that experience to help more people on their growth journey. Clients he has been working with have achieved an increase of 37% in net profit. Michael also assists business owners by connecting them to other businesses or individuals who can help them with specific needs or projects. Michael says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is meeting new people and helping them through their journey. That becomes his objective each day, helping his clients achieve their business and personal goals. This Cast Covers: Supporting business owners through guiding them to achieve their business and personal goals. Building remarkable futures for their clients, staff, and stakeholders. Achieving their clients' dreams by investing in products and services that are designed to help business clients and individuals grow their wealth. Helping with business strategy and planning as well as cash flow management. How confidence in what you provide to customers greatly affects the sales process. Learning that selling products or increasing business sales doesn't come naturally but determination and understanding the value of what you provide is what helps the process. The importance of doing some pieces of training to learn different approaches that could help level up sales. Part of the coaching role is to keep business owners accountable for working on the business. The importance of being specific on what you want to achieve, the length of time needed, and building specific strategies to get there. The need of having systems and processes in place, and making sure you have the appropriate data to actually measure how you're tracking. Additional Resources: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business By Gino Wickman Blue Ocean Strategy By W. Chan Kim Good to Great By Jim Collins How I Built This with Guy Raz Podcast At The Table with Patrick Lencioni ………………………………………… Quotes: "Be clear on your target." —Michael Denehey "It's important for any of the people in the business to be aligned and on the same page as far as where the business is going." —Michael Denehey "Confidence in what you provide your customers and focusing on the value helps in the sales process." —Michael Denehey "Part of growing a business is being able to delegate and make sure you have the right people in the right roles and are accountable." —Michael Denehey "Be very clear on what you want to achieve over a period of time and build a strategy to get there." —Michael Denehey ………………………………………… 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 Jennifer Seeno Tucker, a Real Estate Associate Broker at eXp Realty, one of the world's fastest-growing real estate brokerages. Services include offering unique tools to help agents and clients buy and sell stress-free and ensuring the highest quality standards throughout the transaction. Jennifer came to real estate from an educational background. She jumped out from teaching to build a brokerage in New York. She got her license in real estate in 2012, and she used her advanced degree in education to understand how to communicate the benefits and features of the property. According to Jennifer, the covid year was the best year for their business after she sold over $18 million through 30 transactions which were 3x greater than their usual transactions. She says the hardest thing in growing a small business is always taking the leap to start something new. It's always hard to do something that's different from what we normally do. However, taking that leap is an opportunity to try and receive something bigger than what we normally obtained. This Cast Covers: A former educator jumped out from teaching to build a brokerage in New York. Used her advanced degree in education to understand how to best communicate the benefits and features of the property. Ensuring the highest quality standards throughout the real estate transaction. Helping people transition from being paycheck employees to high-earning real estate transactions. Offering unique tools to help agents and clients buy and sell stress-free. How an organized and systematic business makes work less. How a holistic approach to business encompasses personal growth and well-being. The importance of the holistic approach to treating the minds by consuming what's needed to support wellness and get rid of negative thoughts and people. The habit a small business owner needs to develop is scheduling and block planning his/her day. Sold over $18 million through 30 transactions during covid. Additional Resources: eXp Realty Calendly Become a Rock Star Real Estate Agent By Jennifer Seeno Tucker Make 'Em Beg to Be Your Client By Dr. Angela E. Lauria ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success to me is having an automated business where things just naturally roll." —Jennifer Seeno Tucker "Find a blend that works best for you." —Jennifer Seeno Tucker "We come across deals every day and we just have to be ready." —Jennifer Seeno Tucker "Having more of a holistic approach to business encompasses personal growth and well-being." —Jennifer Seeno Tucker "Having an intimate relationship with our creator has helped my business as well." —Jennifer Seeno Tucker ………………………………………… 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 Punit Dhillon, the President, CEO & Chair of Skye Bioscience Inc. based in San Diego, California, USA, a public pharmaceutical company with a leading program in ophthalmology, developing a drug for glaucoma. Punit is a biotech and life sciences entrepreneur passionate about helping the community. He's also an author of the book Catapult wherein he shares 10 principles for a purpose-driven life and career, linking together the athletic strengths that will help people succeed in the business world. With his extensive experience in biotechnology and life science space, he's leading Skye Bioscience for a year now with phenomenal growth in market cap from less than $10 million to over $16 million and from 2 to 24 FTEs. Punit was the former CEO and Director of OncoSec, a San Diego-based biotechnology company pioneering new technologies to stimulate the body's immune system to target and attack cancer. Punit says the two hardest things in growing a small business based on his experience were learning to step aside and speaking to people with brevity to drive clarity in terms of decision-making. These were challenging for him throughout his career because these were the certain expectations of many toward leaders in an organization. This Cast Covers: A unique company developing novel first-class molecules that focused on a whole range of different therapeutic areas. The life science space-focused business with a leading program in ophthalmology. Particularly developing a drug for glaucoma using synthetically derived molecules known as cannabinoids. Through extensive experience co-founded and served as President and CEO of OncoSec Medical Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering new technologies to fight cancer. Tackles about the role of a leader in growing a small business which is to enable growth by getting rid of obstacles that restrict it. How can working together with the team and having effective decision-making help get through challenges. An inspiring biotech and life sciences entrepreneur who is focused on serving the community. The importance of working with outside experts in achieving good purposes. The significance of listening to what the team needs and understanding their purpose to accommodate the company needs to succeed. Figuring out an individual's purpose alongside the roles and responsibilities is the best way in order to really foster growth. For over a year in a public pharmaceutical company, the market cap grew from less than $10 million to over $16 million and from 2 to 24 FTEs. Additional Resources: Skye Bioscience Catapult By Punit Dhillon The Second Mountain By David Brooks Atomic Habits By James Clear ………………………………………… Quotes: "The measure of success is when you can enable growth not only in the company but also for the individuals who are part of that success." —Punit Dhillon "The leader's job is to help get rid of obstacles and enable growth to not be restricted." —Punit Dhillon "We can be visionary, if you're not having that mindset, you're not having that support and driving purpose, then you're not doing a great job." —Punit Dhillon "We're living in a profound era and we have an opportunity to aspire 10 times higher than where we are, and just do the best we can to outline a plan so you can actually execute." —Punit Dhillon "Planning and establishing a set of tools that helps you hold accountability to yourself and allow you to hold accountability with your team is a habit that must be developed." —Punit Dhillon ………………………………………… 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 Kristi Soomer, the Founder, and CEO of Encircled, a slow fashion brand based in Toronto, Canada, which makes workwear perfect for active individuals that embrace everyday adventure in style, and in comfort. Encircled is a Certified B Corporation, as sustainability and ethics are the core of everything they do. A former strategy consultant and no fashion background, Kristi bravely launched a fashion brand that was initially a travel-inspired clothing brand in 2012. It took her six months to refine her first product while working full-time. After 2 years, he left her full-time job and focused her attention on growing her small business which is now a seven-figure business with 30 FTEs, and grew last year's sales up to 70%. Kristi says that what she loves the most in growing a small business is having the ability to impact. She always wants to create a product that gives impact to those who will be wearing it. It has been her favorite thing seeing people loving their products by wearing and tagging them. This Cast Covers: A slow fashion brand that makes workwear that embraces everyday adventure in style, and in comfort. Creating versatile, stylish, and ethically designs that work well with active individuals. A Certified B Corporation, as sustainability and ethics are at the core of everything they do. Started as a travel clothing brand where the idea was to travel more with less. A former strategy consultant with no background in fashion but got inspired by a garment while packing for a yoga retreat. Passionate about helping purpose-driven female founders. Define success as a fulfillment of building a business aligned with the values. Encouraging entrepreneurs to look at their profit and loss statements to really understand the key drivers in the business. Described the biggest mindset shift throughout the small business journey that people can do anything if they work hard enough even without a background of it. Emphasizing the power of gratitude and how this affects the people behind the business's success. Additional Resources: Encircled The E Myth By Michael E. Gerber The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber StoryBrand DigitalMarketer Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success always leaves clues and you can't see those clues unless you really look at the data." —Kristi Soomer "I always encourage people to look at the profit and loss statements to really understand those key drivers." —Kristi Soomer "There's never going to be no work to be done if you have effective prioritization skills." —Kristi Soomer "Never underestimate the power of acknowledging people and their work." —Kristi Soomer "People make mistakes and there's no problem with that, as long as they take accountability for their mistake and learn from it." —Kristi Soomer ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0