21 Hats Podcast
21 Hats
The 21 Hats Podcast presents an authentic weekly conversation with small business owners who are remarkably willing to share what’s working for them and what isn’t. Unlike many business podcasts, which tend to talk to highly successful entrepreneurs whose struggles are in the past, the 21 Hats Podcast features a rotating cast of business owners who are still very much in the trenches fighting the good fight. Every week, our regulars gather to talk about the kinds of important issues many owners won’t even discuss behind closed doors: whether their businesses are as profitable as they should be, whether they are willing to give up some control to an investor in order to grow faster, why they had to lay off employees, how they wound up with way too much inventory, why they don’t have a succession plan, and even why they are concerned about their own mental health. Visit 21hats.com to hear all of our podcast episodes, read episode transcripts, and learn more. The show is produced by Jess Thoubboron, founder of Blank Word.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 4, 2020 • 46min
What Do I Have to Lose, Right?
Jay, Dana, and Laura talk about risking it all, figuring out digital marketing, and connecting with your target audience: “Right now, my market is predominantly African American, but we have a lot of redheads. We have a lot of women of Indian and Middle Eastern descent.” Plus: how do you know if franchising makes sense for your business?
Jan 28, 2020 • 37min
I’m Trying to Survive in Retail
Jay, Karen, and Laura talk about competing on the internet, buying a supplier, and whether to take venture capital: “Who needs to answer to somebody if you don't have to?” Plus: after the Domino’s decision, what happens if your website isn’t disability compliant?
Jan 8, 2020 • 1h 29min
Special Episode: He Patted My Hand and Told Me I Didn’t Know Anything About Business
Loren and Karen talk with four of EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women about opening the books, bootstrapping a tech company, selling a business for more than $100 million, competing with Amazon, hiring hard-to-get talent, and pitching investors: “I've always said, ‘I'd rather be 75 percent of a watermelon than 100 percent of a grape.’” Plus: how much of your life do you have to sacrifice to be successful?
Jan 8, 2020 • 44min
At Vanderbloemen Search, Everyone Blogs. Everyone? Everyone.
Jay, Karen, and William talk about pricing, custom manufacturing, and content marketing: “There have been people who would have been very good at a job, but they aren't willing to or able to put together content, and that just doesn't work for us.” Plus: the SEO value of an unusual last name.
Jan 7, 2020 • 37min
Is Your Business Making as Much Money as You Think It Should?
Karen, William, and Laura talk about being a bad CFO, dealing with a disappointing profit margin, and the true price of growth: “I think our commitment to being cash-based and debt-free has been more important to me than the big number at the end of the year.” Plus: hiring employees vs. hiring contractors.
