Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Ieuan Williams, the Co-founder and Director of Mane Consulting, Sydney-based recruitment and workforce solutions consultancy, specializing in the Finance, Digital, and Data space. They deliver talent solutions and provide the right resourcing strategy for their clients. Ieuan had been working in accounting and finance talent acquisition within boutique and global organizations. At the age of 31 in 2016, Ieuan and his colleague founded a workforce solutions provider, helping businesses and organizations to find the right people for the right role and project. They started with just the two of them and in their first year in the business, they got a revenue growth of $400k. Now, over five years, from 2 FTEs to 35 with a near eight-figure turnover. Ieuan says the hardest thing in growing a small business is being consistent each day. He can see the importance of consistency in business, but it was challenging to him, especially starting out the business doing basic and simple things every single day. In his perception, a lot of people want to do things differently each day, however, he understands the significance of it after a long period of being in the industry. This Cast Covers: Predominantly focusing on workforce solutions, recruitment, and talent acquisition, within the digital, finance, and analytics industries. Helping clients in finding the right people to work on their projects. A boutique consultancy with established networks and expertise within the Australian and International financial markets. Delivering workforce solutions and providing the right resourcing strategy for their client's business. Providing tangible results through understanding and knowledge of the industry. The importance of making a good business plan as a strategic tool for entrepreneurs. Emphasizing the actions to be taken when given advice regarding ways to grow a business. Having a hard time manifesting consistency in growing a small business. How employers find the right people to take the job. Grown revenue from $400k to the upper seven figures with 35 FTEs in 5 years. Additional Resources: Mane Consulting Legacy By James Kerr The Bottom of the Pool By Andy Andrews ………………………………………… Quotes: "Be careful who you listen to, and what you listen to." —Ieuan Williams "If you think it's good and it makes sense to you, there's no need to listen to others." —Ieuan Williams "Have convictions in your decision-making." —Ieuan Williams "As a business owner, you set the heartbeat of a business and the person who starts the rhythm of the business." —Ieuan Williams "Have a business plan, break it down, strategize, and make priorities." —Ieuan Williams ………………………………………… 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 Bianca Welsh, the Co-owner of Stillwater Restaurant, and Founder of From Experience, a mental health service based in Launceston, Tasmania. Bianca Welsh is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor who aims to equip business owners with the tools they need to help identify mental illness in the workplace, understand it from a psychological perspective, and guide how to offer the right support. At just 21, she has over a decade's experience in professional building and development. She spent 7 years studying part-time and graduated with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in 2018. There she found it helpful in building a restaurant culture that strives for mental illness. Now she is heavily involved in her community as a mental health advocate. Bianca has a piece of advice for those starting a small business. She says, "Prioritize yourself and your relationships. Don't make it about making money. Make genuine connections and the business may work on those relationships." This Cast Covers: Helping hospitality workers identify mental health warning signs. Emphasizing the impact of changes in the environment that contribute to anxiety and mental illness. Due to fear of losing workers from her workplace, initiated a project to help aid mental health challenges. Passionate and driven restaurateur and mental health advocate who is heavily involved in her community. Spent years studying psychology and found it helpful in building a restaurant culture that strives for mental health. The importance of every small business owner to take mental health a real thing and must be count significant to make the workplace safer and more efficient. Stating the rapid growth of suicide rate and severe depression each year. How mental health professionals can help those mentally challenged individuals through designed interventions for character improvement and efficiency. How powerful mental health in the workplace can be for business. The ultimate goal of improving mental health is to make people better and happier in life despite facing challenges. Additional Resources: Stillwater From Experience The Resilience Project By Hugh van Cuylenburg The Body Keeps the Score By Bessel van der Kolk M.D Lost Connections By Johann Hari The Happiness Trap By Russ Harris ………………………………………… Quotes: "It can be toxic when mental health is not recognized as being a real issue." —Bianca Welsh "By implementing a mentally healthy workplace truly an attribute to success." —Bianca Welsh "Support system is very needed to help you get through." —Bianca Welsh "Leaders should know when their cup is full and know what their support networks are." —Bianca Welsh "Once you educate yourself, you can empathize rather than sympathize." —Bianca Welsh ………………………………………… 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 Arjun Rai, the founder, and CEO of HelloWoofy based in New York, USA, a social media and blog management platform, driven by artificial intelligence that helps small to medium-sized businesses with smart marketing for the digital age. Arjun is always passionate about social media and he's full of ideas on how it helps startups. From a virtual collaboration space, Arjun set out to modernize another industry related to his former passion of social media. Re-launching a social media management platform in 2019. Initially got 1,520 customers and now has 11,000 users in two years. He started just by himself to a team of 12 FTEs. Arjun shares what he learned from the moment he started as an entrepreneur. It is making better decisions and we can only do that if we keep on learning because achieving something doesn't mean we know everything. This Cast Covers: Building a platform that allows small businesses to do smart marketing. Helping clients schedule social media posts ahead of time. Helps with writing and autocompleting entire blog posts. Supporting small to medium-sized businesses with digital marketing. Started with a mission of wanting to build a bigger company to help smaller ones. Expanded customer base by 21,900% in two years. Directed a team of software engineers, designers, and legal/finance professionals. The importance of getting the right people and being part of the success. The relevance of thinking ahead of time to sort things more easily. Emphasizing the need for small business owners to have the mindset of positioning themselves in certain situations. Additional Resources: HelloWoffy Traffic Secrets By Russell Brunson Expert Secrets By Russell Brunson ………………………………………… Quotes: "We're always thinking ahead, we're always pushing the limits." —Arjun Rai "Once you find the right people and you get to know them, they just become family to you." —Arjun Rai "Those little things we worked on can create moments of delight." —Arjun Rai "There's always light at the end of the tunnel." —Arjun Rai "You are completely in ownership of your destiny." —Arjun Rai ………………………………………… 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 Mariae Leckie, the Interim CEO, and Senior Consultant of The Project Lab, a consulting and advisory firm based in Hobart, Tasmania. They are experts on cyber security and they work with small to large organizations to ensure the safety and security of their assets. Mariae Leckie was also the former CEO of Crime Stoppers Tasmania. Together with the team, they help their clients build and grow; understand; and change their organizations to ensure their high-performing businesses and keep their sustainability. Managing outsourced business processes and cyber risk is services they offer to their clients. These services not only avoid cybercrime but mainly for the growth and success of the organizations. Marie Leckie says that the hardest thing when it comes to cyber security for small businesses is the low level of digital literacy. It is for this reason that people don't quite know where to start or who to ask. Small businesses are the most frequent targets of cyber-attacks so it is a must for them to practice good basic cyber hygiene. This Cast Covers: A consulting and advisory firm experts on cyber security. Services are based on management consulting principles. Helping clients build and grow; understand; and change their organizations to ensure their high-performing business. Helping people perform at their best. Managing outsourced business processes. Delivering the change essential for the growth of their client's business. The importance of cyber security when growing a small business. How cyber security manages cyber risk to businesses by shutting digital doors to cyber-attacks or online criminals. Delivering projects that bring a meaningful impact to every entrepreneur. How setting one's self for success influences the progress of their career and business. Additional Resources: The Project Lab Cyber Risk Management By Christopher J Hodson CyberStrong By Ajay Singh ………………………………………… Quotes: "Small businesses should practice good basic cyber hygiene." —Mariae Leckie "Be careful what you put in your social media, don't ever put your real personal information." —Mariae Leckie "Set yourself up for success." —Mariae Leckie "Look for your business at 360 degrees and make sure it is safe and secure." —Mariae Leckie "Don't lose your good ideas and don't lose your reputation." —Mariae Leckie ………………………………………… 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 Simon Davies, the Founder, and CEO of Bastion Brands, a Melbourne-based healthcare marketing agency specializing in health marketing, advertising, and medical communications. They work with pharmaceutical companies, medical devices, and consumer health businesses. Simon is passionate about innovating and pioneering the healthcare marketing space by encouraging the adoption of new techniques combined with traditional methods. After 5 years of working in different advertising and marketing companies, Simon gained experience and helped a friend in marketing a funeral business. He gets clients for his friend and gets a percentage in revenue. Later, he decided to start his own business in 2012, aged 32, and that's how Bastion Brands was born. He has grown the revenue from 20% to 60% and from just by himself to the current 40 FTEs for over 9 years. Simon says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is the teamwork and camaraderie his great team has possessed. He finds it fantastic how it evolves the business and says, "Having a great team who works together is just so amazing." This Cast Covers: An advertising and marketing agency focusing on health in the industry. Working with pharmaceutical companies, consumer health, and medical device businesses. They do the marketing as well as the medical education. Had a big drop in revenue during the first few months of the pandemic but over time still was able to find more clients and never subside. Grown revenue from 20% to 60% despite the hit of the pandemic. Running the business for 9 years and growing the team from just himself to the current 40 FTEs. How setting an environment that allows people to flourish is a factor for the small business to flourish as well. The importance of discipline, to focus on activities that drive the success of the business. How getting the right people provides efficiency in implementing the values of the business for its reputation to flourish. How teamwork and camaraderie of a great team influence the growth of the small business. Additional Resources: Bastion Brands Principles By Ray Dalio Shoe Dog By Phil Knight ………………………………………… Quotes: "Set an environment which allows people to flourish." —Simon Davies "Focus on activities that drive the success of your business." —Simon Davies "If you get the right people, you're more likely to have success." —Simon Davies "Have a lot of passion and enthusiasm for what you're doing." —Simon Davies "Believe in yourself." —Simon Davies ………………………………………… 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 Annemarie Hayek, the Founder of Global Mosaic, a Chicago-based cultural consultancy that helps clients deeply understand the culture and organically grow corporate or brand initiatives that connect. Annemarie Hayek is a cultural consultant, generational expert, and social agitator who deeply understands society's evolutions. She used her passion for creativity and founded a cultural consultancy in 2002 at the age of 31. In her first project, she hit a $14,000 profit, and within three years in the business, she got over a million-dollar revenue and has been growing since then. Now the company is running for over 19 years and with a total of 10 FTEs. Annemarie is the author of the book "Generation We: The Power and Promise of Gen Z." This book is all about generation Z, the roots of their power, and the impact that they'll have in taking a leadership role. Annemarie says, "What had mostly been written about them was fairly superficial and maybe we hear about their canceled culture, which is criticized. But there is a much deeper story about them." This Cast Covers: Helping entities understand the culture, cultural movements, cultural trends and understand how people's lives are evolving. Organically grow corporate by helping clients understand the cultural insights, movements, and tensions. Generational expert, and social agitator who deeply understands society's evolutions. Describing Generation Z as the power generation coming on the scene now. Emphasizing some misconceptions about generation Z. Publishing a book that empowers generation Z emphasizing that this generation is far ahead and has so much power to make things move. Hitting $14,000 of profit in her first project and over a million dollars of revenue within three years after starting the business. Have been growing the business since then, and are now in their 19th year in the industry. How passion and creativity are more important than skills. The importance of every small business owner learning to remain true to their initial vision and intention. The importance of every small business owner learning to chase every opportunity. Additional Resources: Global Mosaic Generation We: The Power and Promise of Gen Z By Annemarie Hayek A Whole New Mind By Daniel H. Pink ………………………………………… Quotes: "It doesn't matter how successful we are at work, we're still like students who kept on learning." —Annemarie Hayek "Skill can be learned but the attitudinal disposition toward passion and creativity can't be taught to anyone." —Annemarie Hayek "You need to think about where your passion is and engage with it." —Annemarie Hayek "Remain true to your initial vision and intention in whatever way that makes sense to you." —Annemarie Hayek "You are bigger than you think you are so don't be afraid to be big in the world." —Annemarie Hayek ………………………………………… 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 Earp, the co-founder at Earp Distilling Co, a distilling company based in Newcastle, Australia, with a vision to demystify the world of spirits and offer premium spirits together with food events, education, and some great little experiences. Michael together with his brother decided to open a distillery as the next evolution of their family business. Earp Distilling Co opened in December 2019 after almost a year of planning and completing the equipment to use. It was a vast beginning but when the pandemic happened, they lost production from March to September. Later in that year, sold 1000 cases and boosted sales, obtaining half a million through events, tasting experience, and bar area, growing the team from 3 FTEs to the current 16. Michael says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is being part of the team. He enjoyed working with people who work hard and push things to attain their goals. He said, "it's really great to see the team just wanting to go harder, try new things and push things." This Cast Covers: Evolving a generational family business from supplying quality goods to offering a high-quality spirit to fellow spirit lovers. The family business which was established in 1883 has been adapted to the needs of many generations of Australians. They have achieved many titles throughout their long history. Opening a distillery to have innovation and further expand the family-run business experience. Growing it from 3 FTEs to the current 16 and sold 1000 cases in the late months of 2020. Obtaining half a million sales in the bar area, events, and tasting experiences. The importance of every small business owner learning the process of leadership. Constantly struggling with trying to achieve some form of work-life balance. The importance of every small business owner, to have the courage to take the right risks so they can be successful. How leading the team by example effectively drives them to act in any circumstances. Additional Resources: Earp Distilling Co TED Talks The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber ………………………………………… Quotes: "It's really great to see the team just wanting to go harder, try new things, and push things." —Michael Earp "Try to lead the team by example." —Michael Earp "We don't tolerate this sort of laziness and poor attitudes." —Michael Earp "We all make mistakes but make sure not repeating them over and over again." —Michael Earp "Think clearly, live differently. Fight fiercely and stand courageously." —Michael Earp ………………………………………… 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 Pauleanna Reid, the founder and celebrity ghostwriter at WritersBlok, a full-service ghostwriting agency based in Toronto, Canada that helps high-profile leaders and doers turn their personal stories into brand assets. Pauleanna is widely known as a journalist and she's also a freelance reporter at Forbes Business Insider. Aged 27 in 2017, Pauleanna founded a full-service ghostwriting agency. She started out as a side hustler and she came across a really interesting article about a ghostwriter and that's when she transitioned into a celebrity ghostwriter focusing on their clients' stories. Now her agency is composed of 10 FTEs, a team of content experts responsible for some of the most talked-about pop culture moments, books, and noteworthy speeches. This year, they're around the bend of hitting $500,000 in revenue. Pauleanna defines success as servant leadership. She loves it when people hear the real stories of their clients. She always makes sure that they are using the right language, right culture, and right approach for their clients. This Cast Covers: From a side hustler to founding a full-service ghostwriting agency. Helping the world's leaders and doers turn their personal stories into brand assets. Allow clients to be able to articulate what they're most passionate about, what they believe, and what they're fighting for. Help clients who were wrongfully accused of something they didn't do. Help clients to regain their reputations by hearing their sides through stories. The importance of allowing people's dreams to evolve in order to make a real difference. Hitting around the bend of $500,000 in revenue with a total of 10 FTEs. A well-known person despite being a ghostwriter for her clients. Define success as servant leadership by making sure that they can navigate certain sensitivities, right cultural societal generational, and right language. A freelance reporter at Forbes Business Insider, creating expert content related to the business growth of world-class performers. Additional Resources: WritersBlok Blockbusters By Anita Elberse Mixed Emotions By Andrew Nguyen & Pauleanna Reid ………………………………………… Quotes: "Activism is very important." —Pauleanna Reid "Trust and price yourself as you weather the storms." —Pauleanna Reid "It's really important to allow your dreams to evolve." —Pauleanna Reid "We give our clients a safe space to be able to articulate what they're most passionate about." —Pauleanna Reid "Having a passion project on the side, everyone is capable of evolving over time." —Pauleanna Reid ………………………………………… 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 Chris "Mercer" Mercer, co-founder of MeasurementMarketing.io based in Austin, Texas, USA, a marketing and advertising company that helps marketing teams and agencies build measurement marketing systems to increase their sales and produce scalable results. Chris has more than two decades of experience in sales and marketing and now he trains larger organizations of marketers. Started a marketing company in 2011 that initially produced online courses to teach people how to use WordPress to create websites. Many people liked it and they pivoted into marketing through optimization of what they have started so far. They began doing measurement setups, got their clients through referrals. For over 10 years, they got an average of 20% revenue growth and a total of 9 FTEs. Chris says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is the result produced by their systems. It is how the system works for the business and at the same time being able to see what works for the business. This Cast Covers: Help marketers, marketing teams, and agencies figure out how they measure their marketing. Helping marketers know their numbers in an easy-to-understand manner. Teach them how to use tools like analytics, tag manager, and data studio so they can grow their numbers. Offers training for larger organizations to expose them to measurement marketing culture. Training helps marketers implement the measurement systems set for them to know what to do with their numbers. How measurement marketing systems help marketers see exactly what's happening in their business. The power of analytics in implementing the system and how the system works for the business and at the same time monitor the progress. The importance of hiring rightful individuals who want to help grow the company, and learn how to grow up in a company. How the platform of measurement marketing produced scalable results by means of the system implemented. Additional Resources: MeasurementMarketing.io Blueprint to Business By Michael Alden Inside Strategic Coach Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "You don't hire to hire somebody, you hire to not hire everybody." —Chris Mercer "Look for somebody who wants to grow the company, and wants to learn how to grow in a company." —Chris Mercer "My biggest lesson growing an organization was being aware of that self-sabotage." —Chris Mercer "Success is being able to produce a scalable result." —Chris Mercer "To marketing a fast-growing business, you have to measure it to have visibility on what is working and not working." —Chris Mercer ………………………………………… 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 Danielle Allen, a business leader and co-founder of Two Birds Brewing, a brewing company based in Melbourne, Australia, developing and manufacturing craft beers for retail and on-premise sales in venues across Australia. This is Australia's first female-owned brewing company. Danielle, together with her friend Jayne Lewis began their journey in the Craft Beer industry after their two-week trip in the West Coast of the US in 2010 where they visited breweries, wineries and dined at some world-renowned restaurants. Jayne was originally a winemaker by trade but transitioned into brewing while Danielle had been in product development and marketing for 10 years. With their complementary skills, Two Birds Brewing was born. According to Danielle, the hardest thing in growing a small business is the commitment to work. Commitment to work involves many things for the excellence of the business. This is why every business owner must develop the self-discipline to execute the tasks needed to be done. This Cast Covers: Started their own brewing company after their two-week tour on the West Coast of the US in 2010. Visited breweries, wineries, and dined at some world-renowned restaurants during the trip, and shared love for the finer delights. Gave up their full-time jobs and began their journey in the Craft Beer industry. Their skills were complementary and it made total sense for them to team up. Launched their first beer together in 2011 and have been growing and building the business every year since then. Developing and manufacturing craft beers for retail and on-premise sales in venues across Australia. Making well-balanced and approachable beers and find impressive by their consumers. The importance of originality when it comes to making their products and how being firm to the vision made them successful. How commitment is crucial yet important in growing a small business. How understanding each other's role results in growth and development which are essential in growing a small business. Additional Resources: Two Birds Brewing Brewing Up a Business By Sam Calagione The Microbrewery Handbook By DC Reeves ………………………………………… Quotes: "Stay true to yourself, don't copy other people, have a firm view of your vision, and just stick to it." —Danielle Allen "You can drive the business forward by making sure that the connection between sales and marketing continuously works." —Danielle Allen "It is worth getting people that share the same values that you have." —Danielle Allen "Understand each other on a personal level, and understand each other's roles as well. That's important." —Danielle Allen "I'm a big believer in data integrity, it gives us the ability to have information at the fingertips" – Danielle Allen ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.com. License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0