Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode, I interview Sharon Koifman, the Founder of DistantJob based in Montreal, Canada. DistantJob is a remote recruiting agency that specializes in helping companies hire remote employees. They are the best in finding talents and career-driven individuals offering them full-time remote positions. Sharon incorporated the business when he was in his early 20s. From being the only full-time employee to now having 42 FTE, the business now generates 30 or 40% growth in revenue every year. He is also one of the best-selling authors of the book Surviving Remote Work which was published just last year on the 17th day of November. Sharon says he learned a lesson from his previous business that the number one key to be a great marketer is, "understanding your number" like the acquisition cost of clients and loss of clients. So then, you will know how much you can spend on marketing. This Cast Covers: Specializing in finding the best and smartest individuals and soliciting them from established companies. Motivating remote employees to have the mentality of full-time permanent career-driven individuals. The transition from the standard method of working to having to work from home. Highlighting the benefits of working from home- from being flexible of their time, productivity and saves the money allotted for transportation. How they grew revenue 30 or 40% every year for 8 years. The importance of marketing power to grow the business proportionately. How understanding the numbers like acquisition cost of clients and loss of clients become a key to be a great marketer. The importance of managing productivity to be able to produce as much as possible in very little time. Believing that every company deserves access to the world's top talent. Using more than a decade of experience running IT companies to develop the remote recruitment model. Additional Resources: Surviving Remote Work By Sharon Koifman Thinking Remote By Pilar Orti The Art of Action By Stephen Bungay ………………………………………… Quotes: "Once you can stay in the business, you will eventually figure out to make it successful." – Sharon Koifman "Success for me looks like enough financial freedom to be able to do anything that you want without purchasing stupid things." – Sharon Koifman "The number one key to be a great marketer is understanding your number." – Sharon Koifman "I believe in experimenting and failing, it works well for me, at least." – Sharon Koifman "I will fight as long as I can to keep my company and the people working for the company." – Sharon Koifman ………………………………………… 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 Brooke Roberts, the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Director of Sharesies based in Wellington, New Zealand. Sharesies is an online investment platform believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to grow their wealth. It also gives access to invest in thousands of companies aiming to create the most financially empowered generation. Roberts, with her experience in finance and marketing, started an online platform of investment in 2016 together with five other co-founders. Initially, they barely find investors but later on customers slowly show up. In five years, they have over 350,000 investors and are working with a total of 150 members in the team. Their pleasant attitude towards challenging times allows them to continually succeed. Maintaining positivity as one of the values is highly remarkable. Roberts said, "I really think optimism is so important." This Cast Covers: Providing equal opportunity to grow wealth regardless of how much money a person has. Building an online investing platform for accessibility. Helping people be better savers and have financial insights. Garnered 350,000 investors over the last five years. Creating the most financially empowered generation. Bringing a lot of innovations to investing unlocks a lot of areas leading to real purpose-driven marketing. Visualizing the purpose and seeing people who have invested and at the same time succeeding. The importance of effective communication & planning to deliver the vision of the business. Making sure that someone with $5 has the same investment opportunities as someone with $500,000. Additional Resources: Sharesies Online Investing for Dummies by Matthew Krantz Investopedia A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market by Matthew Kratter ………………………………………… Quotes: "Focusing on your purpose and vision and setting up values really enabled our business to flourish and grow." – Brooke Roberts "Success to me so it's always chasing it." – Brooke Roberts "Being understanding is one thing to be considered for a fast-growing business." – Brooke Roberts "Knowing who we are and what we stand for are integrated in our business." – Brooke Roberts "I really think optimism is so important." – Brooke Roberts ………………………………………… 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 Eric Reed, the CEO, and Founder of reed5group based in Cincinnati, a city in Ohio, USA. Reed5group is a media company specializing in custom-tailored sophisticated solutions, organizational coaching, and fractional leadership services. They help startup companies and entrepreneurs build systems to grow their sales and set sales records. Eric Reed has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership. He founded the media company, reed5group in 2018 at the age of 50. In his first year, he handled two clients and obtained $200,000 of revenue. He illustrates 10 times growth in revenue from $200,000 to $2 million in the past three years. Eric's success in business growth is rooted in his passion and taking responsibility. "When you're always responsible for your work, you can always survive", he said. This Cast Covers: Understanding the importance of digital display strategy in marketing. Helping companies that are plateaued by building systems to help grow their sales. The sustainable growth of a business is through quality work and passion. Going into a business in strategic consulting, marketing, leadership to help startups & entrepreneurs. Putting the fundamentals & ideologies means survival of a business. Trying multiple marketing strategies to figure out which is better for the fast-growing business. Hitting $200,000 with just two clients within a year of starting the business. Illustrating the 10 times growth of the company in three years. Experts in delivering sales and marketing objectives. Additional Resources: reed5group Digital Marketing Strategy By Simon Kingsnorth Hacking Growth By Sean Brown ………………………………………… Quotes: "Good people like to deal with good people." – Eric Reed "If you think you're aligned with what you think a good person is, then that emits and rubs off on other people." – Eric Reed "When you're always responsible for your work, you can always survive." – Eric Reed "For me, success is when my people are having a quality of life, doing what they want and they grow." – Eric Reed "You need to not be afraid to pull the plug on something quickly and double down on what is working." – Eric Reed ………………………………………… 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 Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, a Fashion Designer and Co-Founder of fashion label WORLD - one of the leading fashion houses in New Zealand. WORLD was best known and admired by people after they won the Avant-Garde section of the 1995 Benson & Hedges Fashion Design Awards with their 21st Century Origami Outfit. Shortly after, the Auckland Museum bought the piece because of its unique design that got the attention of many. The Fashion Label WORLD was founded by Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet and her ex-husband Francis Hooper in 1989 in Auckland, New Zealand. They started in a 100 square foot shop, a tiny shop at the back of an arcade. Dramatically, due to their hard work and passion, they managed to increase their work and now have 4 large stores and 40 FTE in 32 years of innovation. Dame Denise says in order for the business to be recognized, having your own signature is very important so people will know immediately. By doing so, you're doing a smart move to run your business for a long time. "Always think of your business as an extension of your personality, don't copy or look at other people for inspiration."- Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet. This Cast Covers: How her passion for business is a key to her success. The importance of focusing on quality over quantity. How leadership without hierarchy improves management and methodology in business. Formulating a brand that stands out on its own. Making brands of the greatest value, how people see it and perceive it. Recognizing the efforts of the staff is vital for their own growth and for them to feel they have achieved something. Seeing the growth of a business by opening a new branch. How good customer service helps in development and maintenance. Involvement of the staff in every discussion results in well-constructed planning. Embracing change and being innovative for growth and development. Additional Resources: WORLD Brand Management and Strategies by William D' Arienzo Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller Shopify Blog by Dayna Winter ………………………………………… Quotes: "Always think of your business as an extension of your personality, don't copy or look at other people for inspiration." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "The greatest value is obtained if you are passionate in everything you do." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "Be true to yourself and to your service." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "I always treat the business as a child, it needs to be fed, it needs to be watered, it needs to have daily contact, it needs to be looked after. Otherwise, it won't perform for you." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet "As long as you keep growing, you've got to make sure that your business keeps growing, otherwise you stagnate." - Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet ………………………………………… 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 James Boardman, the Founder of Time Domination based in Bexhill, UK, which helps and supports business owners in managing their time, energy, balance, and productivity in order to have a sustainable personal and professional life. Time Domination prioritizes the mental and emotional well-being of their clients considering these as important as physical health. James Boardman was a former military man serving under the Royal Marines for 9 years. After leaving the Royal Marines, his world crumbled. He knows from his personal experience the importance of mental and emotional health in setting priorities. Improving daily habits like physical, mental, and emotional fitness is what James has been implemented for his clients. He said, "Physical challenges that you set yourself, whatever it is, it's about having an emotional connection." This Cast Covers: Managing time, energy, balance, and productivity to avoid early burnout. Productivity & balance are real foundational pillars of every business owner to garner success. Helping entrepreneurs become much more effective with their time and energy in their professional life. The key to mental fortitude in business and personal life is connecting physical challenges to emotional health. The importance of working with no barriers, yet growing the business. The struggles many business owners go through trying to grow the business takes a huge part in obtaining a winning business. Talks about the mental health implications of running a business, the mental & emotional breakdown of the business. Working on four pillars business, health, relationships, and personal development. How setting the vision often as support makes a difference. Additional Resources: The Power of Habit By Charles Duhigg The Power of Story By James Loehr The Now Habit By Neil A. Fiore ………………………………………… Quotes: "I love the process by having always loved the process." – James Boardman "Physical challenges that you set yourself, whatever it is, it's about having an emotional connection." – James Boardman "People should understand why others wanted to do it and choose to quit or stay." – James Boardman "If you are not growing, you cannot grow your business." – James Boardman "Taking your roles and responsibilities is what moves the business forward." – James Boardman ………………………………………… 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 Kirsty Dunphey, the Co-Founder and Director of Up Loans, an award-winning mortgage broking business based in Tasmania, Australia. Up Loans assists people by helping them secure their finances for home loans, refinance, and property investment. Kirsty won a lot of Business Awards and just last year got her 4th award for Choice Platinum Broker and ranked 86 on the Mortgage Professional Australia's Top brokers list. Kristy is a former real estate agent and owned her own agency by the age of 21. She grew following her parent's businesses and cultivated a passion for small businesses and property. Aged 36 in 2014, she sold her real estate agency and began another business, the Up Loans. She became a famous and successful mortgage broker and was awarded several times. Only the two of them of her business partner were the FTE, later in six years has 16 FTEs. There's a quote that reminds Kristy regarding growing the small business successfully. It says, "Success is getting what you want, but happiness is wanting what you get." So, if you remember stuff that makes you happy, work for it to achieve it and you will be successful. This Cast Covers: How her passion in business pushed her to constantly have bigger goals. The importance of good interaction to gain people's trust. How her experience at a young age molded her skills in marketing. Being inspired by the desire to work for herself and the numerous challenges. How social media presence helped to improve marketing and business. Hitting $100 million in a year with the business and what pushed her to grow it each year. Providing a great workplace for her team and ensuring that team members work comfortably. Communication in a friendly manner works better than doing it professionally. Helping people build their future wealth. The importance of outside guidance. Additional Resources: Up Loans The Marketing Agency Blueprint By Paul Roetzer Invest Like A Bank By Beaux Blast dashdot Buyers Agents ………………………………………… Quotes: "I never sit back and go, do it." - Kirsty Dunphey "Success is getting what you want, but happiness is wanting what you get." - Kirsty Dunphey "So always be on the side of friendly rather than professional." - Kirsty Dunphey "You have to remember the people behind your success." - Kirsty Dunphey "Even though you're going to have really hard times coming up, your friends will get you through it and just to lean on them and ask for help" - Kirsty Dunphey ………………………………………… 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 Lachlan Grant, the CEO of Sydney-based Vital Addition, an accounting, and finance firm which specializes in working with small to medium-size businesses. They helped their clients reach their business and financial goals through modern and innovative approaches including outsourcing. Before Vital Addition, Lachlan Grant founded a cafe retail and coffee roasting business in 2011. He developed the business from scratch, grew it into a multi-site café, and was sold. A few years ago, together with his business partner, they've grown Vital Addition which aims to help drive growth through effective financial management. Working with no more than 1000 clients of different industries and has 20 FTEs in the team. Lachlan Grant believes there's an inherent trust that an external advisor can provide, that is common in the finance and accounting world. He also emphasized that by outsourcing the business owner has more time to focus on generating income. This Cast Covers: The importance of proper management of core commercial & financial issues when growing a business. Making more revenue for the business growth. The importance of knowing the business what it is like. The importance of streamline systems and processes. Recommending potential clients to get access to higher skill sets. The importance of having a well-documented finance function in running a business. The role of an accountant or financial person in the growth journey of a business. Common assumptions about outsourced business consultants. Additional Resources: Vital Addition Selling Outsourcing Services By Grant Lange Selling Outsourcing Services in the Digital Age By Grant Lange ………………………………………… Quotes: "When you start a small business, you always have to learn that you can't really outsource commercial thinking, you gotta have that yourself." – Lachlan Grant "Make sure you have the right people around you." – Lachlan Grant "You need to be very clear of what you can and can't do." – Lachlan Grant "I think small business owners do poorly in financial management because they tend to focus on the cost rather than value for the proper finance function." – Lachlan Grant "Sometimes you need to give yourself some inspiration to go off and do something and build something because it's a long journey." – Lachlan Grant ………………………………………… 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 Dr. Elise Bialylew, The Founder of Mind Life Project based in Melbourne. Mind Life Project teaches people how to use their minds to their best through mindfulness meditation. It offers online and one-on-one mindfulness-based training to enhance the function of the mind for better living. Dr. Elise Bialylew started the Mind Life Project more like an experiment rather than a business. Later, she created a new career path for herself from medicine to entrepreneurship and she began the business by herself. It was a tough start but dramatically went up with an increasing number of bookings of sessions. Dr. Elise applies her medical understanding, her passion, and creativity and grew from 1 FTE to 6 teaching thousands of people each year with great feedback. Dr. Elise has said that everything in life has its seasons and success does change depending on the stage of life. She quoted "Success is being clear on what matters most to you." This Cast Covers: The importance of meditation to every business owner in order to run the business with value. The challenge of creating a new career path from medicine to entrepreneurship and taking risks. Visualizing the growth of the business by working hard & putting your whole self into it. Teaching people how to use their minds to their best through mindfulness meditation. Ability to showcase the flexibility of having enough time for both family and the business. How online marketing provides the best return to the business. The importance of mental fitness training to help people stay present & focus even the world is evolving. Mindfulness is a powerful tool to help people with mental health. So with marketing, doing something you're passionate about really works. How the evolution of technology fragmented the attention and mental health of some individuals. Additional Resources: Mind Life Project Feel Good and Do Well by Doing Good By Peter Milewski Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind By Alex Counts The Balance Between Hustle & Flow By Theo Prodromitis ………………………………………… Quotes: "Having extra engine power, putting my whole self into it really paid off."- Dr. Elise Bialylew "Success is being clear on what matters most to you." - Dr. Elise Bialylew "I think everything in life has its seasons and success does change depending on the stage of life." - Dr. Elise Bialylew "Believing in what you're doing really makes a lot of difference in marketing." - Dr. Elise Bialylew "If you want a mind that is functioning in its best, you actually need to train it." - Dr. Elise Bialylew ………………………………………… 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 Jared Graybeal, the Founder, and CEO of Superfit Foods based in Jacksonville, Florida. Superfit Foods is a meal prep company that empowers people to live happier and healthier lives. They specialized in health, wellness, and fitness- providing healthy food as well as food delivery convenient, affordable, and tasty experience. Jared Graybeal was a personal trainer and health club manager for 7 years. Superfit Foods was started in Lakeland, Florida in May of 2015 and expanded to Jacksonville in 2016. Grew 2 FTE to current 16 and 9 part-time drivers. A meal prep company has an average annual growth of 18% for the whole 5 years. And this year, they are aiming to reach 24% amidst a pandemic. One of the values for a fast-growing business is the passion imparted by the team to the business itself. And that's what Jared Graybeal said: "You must build a team that's passionate about the mission, a team with a growth mindset." This Cast Covers: Success is measured in the people they reached. The hospitality of the customer service plays a big part of the marketing offer. How standard operating procedures prevent unnecessary events. Reading good business books and applying the principles on how to build a company. The importance of creating an operating agreement from day one of starting the business. Part of growing a business is sticking to the values and pursuing the mission. Helping other people live happy lives and become healthier. Building a team with passion and a growth mindset. Additional Resources: Superfit Foods Getting Naked By Joel Primus Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 By Jim Collins Keys You Need to be a Successful Entrepreneur ………………………………………… Quotes: "I measure success in the impact that we got to make in the world or in the community around us." - Jared Graybeal "You must build a team that's passionate about the mission, a team with a growth mindset." - Jared Graybeal "In a business, there's a need to have standard operating procedures for everything to avoid messing a client up." - Jared Graybeal "One of the business' values you need to consider is to have exemplary customer service." - Jared Graybeal "One of the interesting journeys in growing a business is leading a team to stick to the values and pursue the mission." - Jared Graybeal ………………………………………… 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 Michelle Seiler Tucker, the Founder, and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated - the leading authority in mergers & acquisitions based in the USA. Michelle specialized in buying, selling, fixing, and growing companies and on average, obtained a 20 to 40% higher selling price for their clients, closing 98% of all offers she wrote, currently have over 20,000 buyers in their database. A 20-year veteran in mergers & acquisitions has sold hundreds of businesses and owns and operates several successful businesses. Michelle is also the two-time Best-Selling Author of the book "Sell Your Business for More Than It's Worth" (2013) and her latest "Exit Rich" (2021). The continued operations of Seiler Tucker prove the persistence and dedication to help their clients create financial freedom and obtain a better quality of life. "Design your processes around the customer experience rather than your own agenda." - Michelle Seiler Tucker This Cast Covers: Designing processes around customer experience and providing them with the greatest value. Success will be far more effortless as long as the aim is always in mind. Helping companies grow by improving businesses through extensive marketing. Keeping the right people in the right seats who can run the business without the owner's presence. Building people in order to build a business. To have a sustainable business, there's a need to undergo processes. Exceeding client's expectations. Living what you tell people. The best time to sell a business is when it's at its peak. Additional Resources: Seiler Tucker Incorporated Exit Rich by Michelle Seiler Tucker Built to Sell by John Marrillow Flippa Empire Flippers ………………………………………… Quotes: "You don't build a business, you build people and people build a business."- Michelle Seiler Tucker "Processes are kind of like exit strategy to build a sustainable business." - Michelle Seiler Tucker "Design your processes around the customer experience rather than your own agenda." - Michelle Seiler Tucker "Processes built around the owner's agenda don't make happy clients." - Michelle Seiler Tucker "Aim is always innovative and marketed." - Michelle Seiler Tucker ………………………………………… Music from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0