Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Yaro Starak, the Co-founder at InboxDone, a company that offers email assistants for busy entrepreneurs. This email management service is based in Montreal, Canada, an expert in organizing messages and creating follow-up systems to direct representation of their client's business. Before launching InboxDone in 2017, Yaro was a business coach who profited from his blog, podcast, and courses. He found incredible growth in just six months after he launched the company by managing 10 clients and profited $10,000 in a particular month. By 2020 to early 2021, they skyrocketed to 15-50 clients and scales to $50,000 in revenue per month. Yaro says that what he loves the most in growing a small business is releasing a happy hormone–endorphin after completing a job. "There's nothing greater than making a sale," he added. This Cast Covers: Focuses on simplifying people's lives by taking over their email, replying to messages, organizing messages, and completing that start the email loop. The system allows clients to focus on the important things that grow their business or enjoy some of the time for themselves. Offers assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs by outsourcing their inbox thus enhancing customer service. Responds to incoming emails and creates follow-up systems to direct the representation of the business. How massive does the internet contribute to businesses today and how fast it is an effective tool for selling and building a business around. The importance of pairing the junior member to an experienced member to work better. How building the team and making them well motivated signify the growth of the business. Technology plays a big part in high-growth companies in marketing, sales, and services. Emphasizes that running a business involves loss of customers and potential crisis yet riding on them can be a way out. Additional Resources: InboxDone Podcast Connection Think & Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill Losing My Virginity By Richard Branson ………………………………………… Quotes: "We like to have our words read and heard by others and influence people, teach people and help people through content." —Yaro Starak "Pairing the junior member to the experienced one works better." —Yaro Starak "Success is about exploring what you can do with your resources." —Yaro Starak "Growth is not just acquiring more customers and making more money but, building a team, and making sure the team's well rewarded and motivated." —Yaro Starak "Consistency is important but it can be risky if you're consistently doing the wrong thing." —Yaro Starak ………………………………………… 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 Shauna Armitage, the Chief Marketing Strategist at Shauna Armitage-Moxie, LLC, a marketing and advertising company based in Denver, Colorado, USA, guiding early-stage startups in building a marketing strategy that gets results. They teach founders how to own their brand, reach their audience and scale their startups through a holistic growth strategy. Shauna was a freelance writer and director of digital content for a digital marketing agency. Unfortunately, she was fired for acting as an advocate for clients and staff. After several months of no work, she decided to start her own marketing and advertising company that is more ethical and aligned with her mission. Shauna decided to create custom marketing plans that are catered to a company's unique vision and goals. Starting the business was tough for Shauna, in her first year, she had a few clients but couldn't make a profit. However, it motivated her to do better and ended up growing her team members due to the increase of clients, so her company is now a six-figure business and definitely will grow much more. This Cast Covers: Guides small business owners and entrepreneurs in building a marketing strategy that gets results. Bridges the gap between freelancers and agencies by coming in and looking at marketing from a very high-level perspective. Emphasizes building strategy rather than picking one strategy at a time which doesn't get the company closer to its growth goals. How fractional marketing is a big step in propelling the business involving people who work across marketing channels and events. The role of a fractional marketing director is designed for early-stage startups that were not yet big enough for a full-time hire but wanted a dedicated team member to bring all the pieces together and drive brand growth. The importance of work-life balance and how it makes people more successful. How personal development is a great growth experience. The importance of consistency in all aspects of the business to establish awareness and build trust. Making the largest impact possible with big ideas and small budgets. Additional Resources: Shauna Armitage- Making Moxie, LLC Building a StoryBrand By Donald Miller How I Built This with Guy Raz Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is being able to actually have a work-life balance." – Shauna Armitage "You should be investing in advertising to help yourself go farther, and go faster." – Shauna Armitage "You need to focus on the activities that are going to move the needle now." – Shauna Armitage "A great growth experience is able to grow the team and develop as a person." – Shauna Armitage "Showing up consistently in all aspects of your business is really the key." – Shauna Armitage ………………………………………… 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 Rocco Carriero, a private wealth advisor and founder of Rocco A. Carriero Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory practice based in Southampton, New York. This wealth management is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through truly personalized experience and from planning to developing strategies. Rocco has nearly two decades of experience working with successful business owners implementing the Three Cords Approach to life planning. He made a book of that approach to help business owners have a balance between their business and their lives. He believes that there is higher success in addressing both personal and professional aspirations. From no clients to creating more successful clients, grow the team with 13 FTEs, and with revenue growth exceeding 20% for over two decades in the industry. Rocco says he has been through a lot growing his business but he never quits which led him to what he is today. This Cast Covers: Provides personalized financial advice to help clients achieve their financial goals. Expert in wealth management and advanced planning space. Written a book on financial advice and comprehensive planning and has been implementing the principles to business owners. The Three Cords Approach book emphasizes how to balance the business and at the same time the lives of every business owner. A best-selling book expertly matching financial resources to business owners' personal, family, and business goals. Passionate about creating financial plans that help clients achieve their individual, professional, and familial aspirations. Emphasizes the importance of mental fitness for business owners. How business owners take good care of themselves achieves a higher success rate and balance. How referrals and recommendations led them to become one of the most successful financial advisory practices. Additional Resources: Rocco A. Carriero Wealth Partners Three Cords Approach By Rocco Carriero Who Not How by Dan Sullivan ………………………………………… Quotes: "Real leadership is about transferring your skill, it's about leading, and helping people get what they want for themselves." – Rocco Carriero "If business owners can't develop a team, they are going to have a tough time growing." – Rocco Carriero "Our team is a purpose-driven team, not a paycheck-driven team." – Rocco Carriero "If business owners are not doing coaching, personal development reading, they are missing out." – Rocco Carriero "No matter how bad it gets, never quit." – Rocco Carriero ………………………………………… 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 Gail Mercer-Mackay, the Founder and CEO of Mercer-Mackay Digital Solutions based in the province of Ontario, Canada. The company is dedicated to helping technology companies market their brands through storytelling using website copy, blogs, case studies, eBooks, and other digital content. With years of sales & marketing experience gained at technology firms, Gail founded her own digital marketing company in her early 50s in 2007. Along with her passion and enthusiasm for storytelling, she's committed to helping people build valuable business and personal connections. For over 13 years, she has helped a lot of partners gain customers, grow revenue, and number of FTEs to 70. Gail was fascinated by how technology shaped the world and how storytelling is effective in education, learning, and applications. Getting potential customers for their partners is always a great feeling that they are more convinced to be consistent with the way they tell stories to others. This Cast Covers: A marketing agency that helps technology companies uniquely deliver their stories and brand. A full-service agency doing everything for their clients' company so people will recognize that they have something special to offer. Two main streams for revenue are the combination of templates and processes and wizards and access to experts. How stories are one of the most powerful ways to educate the audience and become potential customers. Helping customers get to the heart of how they help their customers, transform, change, and revolutionize as a result of the technology. Specialize in writing blogs, newsletters, case studies, awards, press releases, e-books, and other vehicles to help their customers tell their stories. How a passion for technology enables them to become the clients' biggest supporters. From a salesperson to a marketing content writer, and owning a digital storytelling company. One of the top marketing agencies in the world for technology companies. How covid become a big driver for them to provide services to many more companies that need publicity online. Additional Resources: Mercer MacKay The One Minute Salesperson By Spencer Johnson M.D. The Ray Edwards Show Daxai ………………………………………… Quotes: "The story is not about technology, the story is always about transformation." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "Get disciplined and just do it consistently." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "If you don't have a big budget, you can do lots of things but just be consistent about it." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "When you focus on what you want to do, and you put a plan together, that's where you're growing and things just happen." – Gail Mercer-Mackay "You will get everything you want in life if you help everybody else get everything they want in life." – Gail Mercer-Mackay ………………………………………… 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 de Bono, the Founding Director, and Miso Master at Meru Foods, a food manufacturer based in Launceston Tasmania, specializing in fermented products. They supply premium ingredients to the food manufacturing sector. Meru Foods is the company behind Meru Miso and Umami Pantry. Chris and his wife founded Meru Foods in Melbourne, Australia in 2015. They started out in a shared kitchen and each year they upgraded their space as their small business consistently grew. Now they are based in Tasmania and are committed to crafting the highest quality Australian-made Japanese condiments. Meru Foods has been producing the highest quality miso and has become the first and biggest Miso supplier in Australia with a revenue of 40% and 5 FTEs. Chris says that a fast-growing business is all about consistency. A small business will definitely grow if the best plans are implemented consistently. This Cast Covers: A food manufacturing company focusing on making great and tasty food. Produce the highest quality miso with genuine flavor. Produced an award-winning range of fermented, artisan, and plant-based Asian-inspired condiments. Australia's premier producer of traditional miso using 100% of organic ingredients. Products are individually handcrafted in small batches with limited use of industrial machinery to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The company has been able to produce two brands running side by side. Australia's leading Miso maker with the capability, experience, and capacity to deliver as an ingredient supplier and contract manufacturing partner. Has the pleasure of supplying their range to some of the best restaurants and retailers in Australia. To craft the highest quality Australian-made Japanese condiments, respecting traditional techniques is their company's philosophy. Additional Resources: Meru Foods Meru Miso Umami Pantry The 4 Disciplines of Execution By Chris McChesney The Prof G Pod ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success for me is being able to continue that quality, continue to grow, and expand." – Chris de Bono "It's just consistency and sticking with the platforms." – Chris de Bono "Self-learning to drive that understanding." – Chris de Bono "Sometimes in small business, you need to take a little step back, and just let things unfold." – Chris de Bono "Don't try and be what you think other people want you to be." – Chris de Bono ………………………………………… 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 Trena White, the Co-founder, and Principal of Page Two based in Vancouver, Canada. Page Two is a book publishing company that helps non-fiction authors publish brilliant books, and helps organizations with their publishing activities. With over 10 years of experience in a traditional publishing company, Trena and her business partner decided to start their own book publishing company that treats authors as true partners in the publishing process and helps authors work toward their goals for the book. They founded the company in 2013; in their first year in the business they obtained $100,000 of revenue, and after 8 years they're at mid-seven figures and around 20 FTEs. Trena says that a book is the ultimate expression of somebody's mastery of their subject. So they strive hard to collaborate with each client on reaching their goals for their book projects. This Cast Covers: A book publishing company for entrepreneurs and organizations that want to publish books. Helps non-fiction authors and companies with their publishing activities to manifest their vision for their books. Works with authors in building their brands and marketing strategies. Their Build a Book process helps authors identify their target audience and map out a book structure to make it successful. Had been working in a traditional publishing company for about 10 years together with her business partner. Started the business with a different vision from their traditional publishing experiences, where publishers' work doesn't consider the author's brand, business, or goals. Obtained $100,000 revenue in the first year of business, and now at mid-seven figures growth. Has published several major international bestsellers, including The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. How handpicking a talented team and building a team helps them achieve an excellent reputation. Marketing has been all about client relationships, and 95% of the business comes through referral. Additional Resources: Page Two The Coaching Habit By Michael Bungay Stanier Power + Presence + Position Mike Up in Your Business podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "We feel that a book is the ultimate expression of somebody's mastery of their subject." – Trena White "Excellent reputation takes a tremendous amount of work and team building." – Trena White "We deliver when we work on a project, and we work extraordinarily hard to nurture the relationship with the author." – Trena White "For us, marketing has been all about client relationships." – Trena White "We're constantly making sure we're at the cutting edge of what's possible, and that we're serving them in the fullest way possible." – Trena White ………………………………………… 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 Mickie Kennedy, the Founder and President of eReleases, a traditional press release distribution company based in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States, an expert at helping small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility. Mickie Kennedy developed eReleases in 1998 with the belief that publicity shouldn't be restricted. So, the company helps its clients promote themselves with the media. He started with only 40-60 grand in the first year and has grown to $6 million annually. Currently have 8 FTEs working with the company. "All entrepreneurs grow through problems and issues and growing pains," says Mickie. He can relate to that but what matters the most is how they will handle the challenges in growing their business. If you want big success, know how to do it. This Cast Covers: Specializes in press release services for small businesses, startups, and authors to promote themselves with the media. Offers writing service as well as distribution through the largest and most-respected newswire in the country, as well as a proprietary database of journalists and editors. A traditional press release distribution company that focuses primarily on getting press releases into the hands of real journalists. Finds smaller companies and startups usually have better success than large corporations or midsize companies. Developed the company with the belief that publicity shouldn't be restricted especially to small businesses. The company's goal is to reach out to more small businesses and help them make the transition from being a company with a product or service to a company with a clear brand that speaks to the marketplace and media alike. Delivers personal service and exceptional value to every customer at every price point. Has grown exponentially since then, from 40-60 grand in the first year to $6 million annual revenue. Additional Resources: eReleases Influence By Robert B. Cialdini 80/20 Sales and Marketing By Perry Marshall ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you are strategic, you can get a lot of leverage." – Mickie Kennedy "We try to match people with writers who are sort of experts in their fields, and they kind of have a good idea of what would be newsworthy." – Mickie Kennedy "Success for me is providing real value to small business owners, startups, and people." – Mickie Kennedy "I would challenge anybody to sort of putting themselves in the experience of the customer." – Mickie Kennedy "You should try to take every opportunity you can to measure as much as you can in your business." – Mickie Kennedy ………………………………………… 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 Nike Anani, founder and CEO of Nike Anani Practice, Ltd., a strategic consulting company in Austin, Texas. Nike helps clients bridge generational gaps, to enable family businesses to successfully transition to the next generation and leave a lasting legacy. With over a decade of extensive experience in the family business, Nike enables to manifest her expertise in taking the dysfunction out of family businesses. Now, she's working privately with select business families that are future-focused and are committed to achieving impact and transforming the world. Nike says that what she loves the most about growing a small business is building nurturing human connections. Initially, she was scared of talking to other people but as she continued running the company, she was able to build meaningful relationships by knowing the differences of their clients and embodying their culture. This Cast Covers: A strategic consulting company that works with family business owners. Helps clients bridge the gap between the senior and younger generations. Over a decade of extensive experience as a founder enables her to uniquely empathize with both generations and act as a connector. They help their clients to communicate, collaborate and collectively gain clarity, to increase profit and productivity in their family businesses. An entrepreneur and a consultant who was rated as a top-100 family business consultant globally. Working privately with select business families that are future-focused and are committed to achieving impact. Its mission is to create a lasting legacy by connecting two distant generations. The importance of communication is to bring clients to trust the business' service and build a meaningful relationship. Providing their clients with specific and actionable guidance to generate results. Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. Additional Resources: Nike Anani Practice Ltd. Start With Why By Simon Sinek Jay Shetty Podcast ………………………………………… Quotes: "Enforce personal boundaries because at the end of the day, if you fall apart, the business also loses." – Nike Anani "Sales is not all about sending out newsletters and being on social media, you also need to push conversations with people." – Nike Anani "Ensure that you have a system for getting sales." – Nike Anani "It's important to define the culture and embody that culture. So then people can come consistently with that culture." – Nike Anani "We have to believe that we're on a journey of endless mastery in life. So we have to keep evolving towards mastery." – Nike Anani ………………………………………… 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 Andrew Jones, the owner, and operator of Invercarron Wines, a young Tasmanian vineyard producing premium wines. The Jones family have maintained their farming origins and after constantly looking to diversify and grow the farm- Invercarron Wines was born. Andrew and his wife owned and operated one of the state's most successful travel agencies for 30 years. After such time, they sold the agency leaving a $5 million revenue and a total of 35 FTE. Jones' family now turned their attention to wine, sheep and a luxury farm stay in a sixth-generation farming property in southern Tasmania. Even though Andrew has been doing something different from his former business, he has been enjoying the new environment and he's been farming his whole life now. For him, success is not all about the financial reward but about how you succeeded in keeping the business for a long period. This Cast Covers: Spent almost 30 years in the travel industry and shifted to operating a farm with the family. How the family maintained their farming origin, successfully farming the region until its sixth generation. How constantly looking to diversify and grow the farm made them come up with a unique project for the business. Grown the former travel agency with a $5 million revenue and a total of 35 FTE. How a habit of creating a great culture and environment made the staff and clients happy. The importance of respecting the people and the business to grow them successfully. How social media skyrocketed sales and improved marketing strategy. With a fascinating product produced from a young vineyard to unique flavored wines. Additional Resources: Invercarron Wines Andrew Jones Travel The Picker's Hut The E-Myth Revisited By Michael E. Gerber ………………………………………… Quotes: "Success is being respected by your peers and respected as a business." – Andrew Jones "Social media does change and so does marketing." – Andrew Jones "As the business grew, the staff members grew as well." – Andrew Jones "No matter how good you are, how good your culture is, and how many people you employ, there will always be someone who will disappoint." – Andrew Jones "It wasn't the financial reward that made your business grow but the fact that you succeeded over a long period." – Andrew Jones ………………………………………… 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 Natalie Yeadon, the Co-founder, and CEO of Impetus Digital, a company that designs and builds privately branded online healthcare communities for stakeholder engagement through its fully customizable and very own platform, multilingual interface, and its robust, pharma-compliant security, making it the ideal choice for authentic engagement. Natalie joined her business partner Janice Smith in starting Impetus in 2008 while in her early 40s. Both of them have a background in the pharmaceutical industry. During their 13 years in business, they were able to increase their annual growth from 10-20% to over 250% since the hit of Covid-19 and work with 40 FTE. The Healthcare Heretic, a leadership book written by Natalie Yeadon, contains ideas and motivations for people to take action and leadership roles in order to make a change. This book highlights the importance of assuming a leadership role and becoming potential leaders in the economy of the future. This Cast Covers: Services ensure that life science organizations around the world can easily and cost-effectively grow and prosper. Works with life science companies around the globe, helping them do everything from creating virtual advisory boards, medical education, and investigator meetings. Also helped companies with sales, training virtually, MSL programs, hackathons, and everything in between. How life science companies can establish authentic partnerships with their customers. From 10-20% annual growth to over 250% increase since the hit of Covid-19. Background in the pharmaceutical industry helped to grow the business. Offers a full range of strategic, medical writing, and digital services to help make the transition from in-person to virtual events seamless. With over a decade of experience in virtualizing meetings and events. How leadership roles are essential in creating a purpose-driven organization. The importance of purpose-driven organization for the sustainability of the business. Additional Resources: Impetus Digital The Healthcare Heretic By Natalie Yeadon Healthcare Goes Digital Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman Atomic Habits By James Clear ………………………………………… Quotes: "If you believe in what you're doing and focusing on your vision can push the business forward." – Natalie Yeadon "When the best people doing the best work with that focus-driven purpose made the difference." – Natalie Yeadon "We do everything we can to make sure that we have all the right things in place to continue our growth." – Natalie Yeadon "Being able to build that business and win business is just rewarding." – Natalie Yeadon "Everything that we function and do together is purpose-driven." – Natalie Yeadon ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0