The Entrepreneur Next Door 🏡

Life was great; Rebecca married the love of her life, her business was growing, and then cancer showed up unannounced. "You have terminal ovarian cancer and seven to ten months to live." Rebecca Lynn Torres, a personal trainer and functional medicine health coach, shares her journey of finding her passion and building a successful career in the fitness industry and how life prepared her to beat ovarian cancer. Becky started with a love for sports and dance, which led her to become a soccer coach and eventually transition into personal training. She emphasizes the importance of doing what you love and finding happiness in your career. She also discusses the challenges of being a personal trainer and the need to differentiate oneself in a saturated market. Rebecca's approach focuses on building a solid connection with clients and helping them make positive life changes. She emphasizes the importance of passion, knowledge, and experience in the fitness industry and how age is not a barrier to success. She opens up about her battle with cancer and how her healthy lifestyle and positive mindset played a crucial role in beating and being cancer-free. Takeaways If Rebecca's story inspired you, help her win the Ms. Health & Fitness contest by voting here: https://mshealthandfit.com/2024/rebecca-torres Connect with Rebecca: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trainerbecca/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.heiberg.7

Terri Alessi-Miceli, President and CEO of HIA-LI, shares insights on the Long Island small business community, which has 100,000 businesses, of which 90% employ fifty or fewer people. Terri emphasizes the importance of seeking mentors, prioritizing customer service, and building strong customer relationships. She has spent years with Dale Carnegie and discusses the sales role in generating revenue, emphasizing the need for businesses to embrace continuous learning and open-mindedness. Terri also highlights the significance of hiring for attitude and culture fit. She concludes with a discussion on the value of doing what you love and being kind to others in achieving success. **Takeaways** ☛ Seek out mentors and learn from those who have experience in your industry. ☛ Ignore the naysayers and believe in yourself and your business. ☛ Humility is key in leadership, as well as recognizing that you don't know everything. ☛ Focus on the basics and the simple principles of running a successful business. ☛ Customer service is crucial for building a strong reputation and attracting customers. ☛ Sales is the lifeblood of any business and should not be seen as spammy or pushy. ☛ Developing relationships with customers and treating them well is essential for success. ☛ Businesses need to embrace AI and understand its potential impact on marketing. ☛ Continuous learning and staying open-minded are important in business. ☛ Hiring for attitude and culture fit is crucial for building a strong team. Connect with Terri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terria1/ Connect with Terri on the Web: https://www.hia-li.org/

Can a sixty-five-year-old woman beat a 30-year-old man in #Pickleball? Meet Seymour Rifkind, one of the original Pickleball entrepreneurs. He shares the real, firsthand story behind the game's origin and why it's called Pickleball. Seymour's tireless efforts introduced the game to over fifty countries, and his early vision of what the game was lacking was a key factor in transforming Pickleball into a professional sport. Rif is a 5.0-rated player who has won medals in the US Open, regional, and national tournaments. He is also the President and Founding member of the World Pickleball Federation. Rif was an accidental pickleball player. His friends dragged him to play the game in The Villages in Florida, and he was hooked after just ten minutes. Rif shares his love for the game and his innovative vision for the future; he emphasizes the importance of proper training and coaching, which led him to form the first (and only one at that time) International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA). Takeaways ➡ The 'real' origin of the name Pickleball ➡ Can a sixty-five-year-old beat a 30-year-old athlete? ➡ Will the Pickleball boom surpass soccer? ➡ Who should pursue training and why ➡ Does the new generation of power paddles threaten the integrity of the game? ➡ Which group of new players will become the biggest one? Connect with Seymour: https://iptpa.com

Tom Sicola takes us on a captivating journey from his days as a submarine naval officer, where he learned the invaluable lessons of teamwork and purpose, to the corporate world, where he witnessed firsthand the pitfalls of the infamous Peter Principle. Tom embarks on an entrepreneurial adventure with a burning desire to help corporate leaders and business owners unlock their true potential. Tom highlights the need for training and development in leadership positions and the importance of creating a fulfilling work environment. ***HIGHLIGHTS*** ➡️ How coaching can help individuals achieve their greatest potential ➡️ The Peter Principle is still prevalent in many organizations. ➡️ Asking for help and delegating tasks allow for better focus on core responsibilities. ➡️ Maintaining a positive mindset and seeking support from peers and mentors are essential for overcoming challenges. ➡️ Why Taking risks and learning from mistakes are necessary for entrepreneurs ➡️ Having the right mindset and taking action are key success factors. Connect with Tom: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tomsicola Web: sicolainsights.com/ Email: tpsicola@gmail.com

Nichole Daher, founder of Success on the Spectrum, shares her personal connection to Autism and her journey of starting the first ABA therapy franchise in the US. Nicole emphasizes the need for emotional connection with customers, good ABA professionals, and building trust with parents. Nicole shares how she differentiates her clinics from schools or other forms of Autism therapy and emphasizes the need for passion and dedication in running a successful franchise and aligning with franchisees who share her mission. Takeaways Connect with Nichole: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichole-daher-b9b30150/ Website: SUCCESSontheSPECTRUM.com

David Sauers co-founded Royal Restrooms, a luxury portable restroom trailer company. David focused on marketing to the event industry and offering a cleaner and more pleasant restroom experience. He emphasizes the importance of providing a unique customer experience and targeting higher-end events. David's business grew organically through word-of-mouth, but he faced challenges in convincing event organizers of the value of his higher-priced solution. David's journey highlights the importance of niche marketing and providing a superior product in a competitive industry. David emphasizes the importance of taking risks and working hard to succeed. He also highlights the significance of having a supportive partner and community involvement. ********************* CHAPTERS ********************* 00:00 Introduction 00:37 The Inspiration 04:10 Turning an Idea into a Business 06:04 The Need for Better Restrooms 07:31 Balancing Full-Time Job and Entrepreneurship 08:15 Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship 09:10 Challenges and Skepticism 10:26 Financing the Business 11:20 Operating as a Side Hustle 12:11 Unexpected Growth and Expansion 12:43 Accidental Royal Bathroom Guy 16:00 Marketing and Niche Targeting 19:46 Convincing Event Organizers 23:38 Enhancing the Event Experience 26:46 The Royal Bathroom Experience 30:04 Growing Organically and Dealing with Legal Issues 32:03 The Complexity and Cost of Franchising 32:59 Expectations and Efforts in Running a Franchise 34:48 The Business in a Box Concept 35:48 The Challenges of Franchising 36:50 Balancing Autonomy and Support in Franchising 38:08 Investing in Local Marketing and Community Involvement 39:18 Misconceptions about Marketing Support in Franchising 40:40 The Impact of In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits 41:54 The Importance of Sharing Wealth and Supporting Employees 43:20 The Personal Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship 44:24 The Impact of Divorce on Entrepreneurship 48:44 Lessons Learned from Divorce 51:33 Taking the Chance and Believing in Yourself 54:17 The Value of Hard Work and Persistence Connect with David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers/ Website: http://www.royalrestrooms.com/

Join Sam and Hal Zeitlin in captivating stories as they share their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys. Coming from different backgrounds but sharing a Jewish heritage, they discuss how collaboration and learning together have helped them scale their businesses. Whether baking delicious bagels or creating websites using Webflow, the principles of building a successful business are similar, in this engaging conversation, you'll discover: ☛ The challenges of meeting high expectations in the competitive food industry and the importance of collaboration. ☛ The growth and success of their businesses, Zeitlin's Deli and Candid Leap, and the significance of building a solid core team. ☛ Insights into the Jewish deli tradition, its evolution, and the role of culture in their business. ☛ The ultimate test of a successful business – is the ability to take a vacation without constant check-ins. ☛ The formula for their business success ☛ The importance of humility, surrounding oneself with the right team, and giving back to the community. ☛ Lessons learned in entrepreneurship and their exciting plans for the future. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Quick Introductions 01:29 Becoming Entrepreneurs 05:19 Opening a Deli 06:36 Collaboration Between Sam and Hal 08:42 Hal's Journey into Web Development 10:01 Teach for America 11:21 Web Development and WordPress 12:07 Introduction to Webflow 13:55 Webflow as a Solution 19:29 Webflow's Problem-Solving Capabilities 21:46 Challenges in the Food Service Business 23:07 Dealing with High Expectations in the Food Industry 26:37 Creating Unique Food Experiences 28:28 Collaboration Between Sam and Hal 29:21 Building the Business and Making Decisions 30:12 Building a Strong Core Team 31:37 The Importance of Proper Communication 32:27 Delegation and Growth 33:27 The Evolution of the Jewish Deli 34:25 The Significance of Traditional Jewish Food 35:25 The Ultimate Test of a Successful Business 36:21 The Formula for Success 37:21 The Importance of Empowering and Hiring the Right People 38:19 The Components of a Successful Business 39:46 The Role of the Owner in Business Success 40:16 The Impact of Humility and Surrounding Yourself with the Right Team 42:18 Feeding and Bringing People Together 44:26 Experiences with Anti-Semitism 46:22 Giving Back to the Community 49:45 Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship 51:20 Taking Risks and Trying New Things 52:05 The Importance of Humility and Building a Strong Team 53:06 The Value of Different Perspectives and Contributions

This podcast is for you if you're an entrepreneur or a small business owner, especially a SaaS founder. This is a raw and honest discussion about marketing. Justyna Ciecierska-Göçeryan (Justi) and I rant about common mistakes by Saas founders and small business owners and the proven ways to get more out of marketing. When you start a business, you may experience growth at first, but eventually, you reach a point where you cannot grow any further. Justi refers to this as "going from zero to one and getting stuck there." This applies to startups and established businesses, with the only difference being the revenue level at which they plateau. For Justi, marketing is simple - focus on basics, spend a lot of time on (a term we all take for granted) The Ideal Buyer, and then match the buyer to what makes your solution better and different. Justi's message to founders or established business owners is straightforward: there are no shortcuts to launching and growing a business. Copying or stealing someone else's unicorn solutions that promise unbelievable growth is an excuse for not doing the hard work required to build a successful business. Other highlights from our discussion on marketing and growth: ☛ What is strategy? ☛ What is the Marketing Waiting Room? ☛ Why collaboration between marketing and sales is critical for growth ☛ What do you do when your head of marketing s@*#s? ☛ The challenge of proving marketing ROI: "Show me the data." ☛ How do you answer, "We tried it, but it didn't work." ☛ How should Solopreneurs use LinkedIn to grow their business ☛ Scaling a business vs. growing a business ☛ The future of marketing Connect with Justi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justyna-ciecierska/

If you loved Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" talk, this is the street-smart version from a young Israeli entrepreneur. Itay Forer dove into entrepreneurship as an Israeli student living in New York City. He openly shares his down-to-earth and transparent reasons for becoming an entrepreneur and his invaluable reality check. If you want to succeed in business, Itay's raw and street-smart advice is a must-have roadmap to beating tough odds. ☛ "If you have the willpower and want to do things out of the ordinary, go for it. " ☛ Itay never asked for or needed an allowance as a teenager. Find out why. ☛ "Entrepreneurship combines the freedom to create and the thrill of uncertainty. " ☛ "The odds of entrepreneurial success are low, but if you don't compromise on your vision and do what you love, you'll find a way to succeed. " ☛ What is product-market fit, and why will it make or break your business? Connect with Itay: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itayforer/

You may not have heard of Moldova, a small country of only 2.5 million that borders Romania and Ukraine. It is unlikely that you have encountered a young man as ambitious and inspiring as Cristian Frunze, who is a high school student and already a successful entrepreneur. Despite the country's lack of access to many resources that Americans enjoy, Cristian has managed to tackle the daily challenges that even many older adults face. He recognizes that productivity is the key to success and has a simple yet powerful schedule in place to stay focused. Key highlights of Cristian's journey and success as an entrepreneur: What Cristian has already accomplished, and his insatiable drive to learn will undoubtedly make this young man someone we will hear about one day. Connect with Cristian: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cristian-frunze Email: cristian@ken.group

Have you ever worked for a company that had an active program to improve the well-being of its employees? I'm not talking about just a standard medical plan but ongoing resources that help you deal with stress, anxiety, and other obstacles that can hinder personal and professional fulfillment. If you did, you're lucky and one of a select few who never felt alone at work. Meet Steve Ware, a plain-spoken, unpretentious bloke (a UK term for a simple guy) who shares how he picked his favorite football (soccer) team, discovered mindfulness, and his mission to impact workplace happiness and productivity. Here are a few highlights from our fun but severe conversation: Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-ware-mindfulness/ Web: stevewaremindfulness.com Email: steve@stevewaremindfulness.com

On January 18th, 2015, a devastating motorcycle accident changed Jesi Stracham's life. She was twenty-two years old. "The last thing I remember is everything going black. And then, at some point, I saw my Grandmother, and she said, "Jesi Mae, it's not your time..." Through grueling back surgeries and rehabilitation, Jesi is determined not to let her condition shape her life. She's in control of her life, her physical and emotional being. Jesi is a sought-after speaker and an entrepreneur. She manages a few businesses while dedicating her life to helping wheelchair-bound and non-injured people discover the power of purpose and determination. Listen to Jesi's profound and touching answer to my question: "I don't see too many people in wheelchairs. Where are they?" Connect with Jesi: linkedin.com/in/jesi-stracham-13a758103 Websites jesistracham.com wheelwithmefoundation.org Email: jesi@jesistracham.com

Your search is over. If you're a business owner or a startup founder who has yet to find the formula for successfully growing your business while maintaining a happy work-life balance. Cutis Matsko, the CEO of a growing $120+ business, proudly declares, "I've had a great life, and I am nearly always happy!" Curtis shares his early struggle with alcoholism and the event that inspired his leather goods business. He backs his self-proclaimed "I'm a marketing genius" with impressive accomplishments and ongoing success. Spoiler alert: You will not hear about marketing hacks or high-level vague academic concepts; what Curtis shares about what it takes to build a successful and thriving business is simple. Being a successful CEO or entrepreneur is about who you are. If you aspire to build a successful and fulfilling business and life, it is crucial to be a good person. This means being honest, fair, and kind to others. Your personality and character traits will impact your success in ways that go beyond just financial gain. Here are a few nuggets from my incredible conversation with a down-to-earth, genuinely good guy: ➡️ "Over the top, baby. You don't have to beat them by much to beat them by a lot in the long run." ➡️ "I own all of my companies outright. When something goes wrong... it's me. " ➡️ "The biggest thing we lost when we went into e-commerce." ➡️ "Don't wait for your quarterly review. If you have an idea, go find Curtis." ➡️ "Hard conversations is the way we grow in this world." ➡️ Why Curtis hated his first job (the one his father found for him) and the the creative, gutsy way he replaced it." ➡️ As a leader, you often make decisions before it is the right time to make those decisions; you don't necessarily have all the data, so you'll be making plenty of mistakes. You have to recognize it and reign that in." Connect with Curtis: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/curtis-matsko Twitter: twitter.com/CurtisMatsko Website: https://www.portlandleathergoods.com/

In this episode of the Entrepreneur Next Door, you'll meet Chad Brown, who became an entrepreneur at fifteen and found his calling after multiple pivots in his career. His first sales job was as a sales rep for his father’s drywall business. It colored and defined Chad’s professional future. Chad takes a psychology class and gets hooked: “A space where we can discuss the humanness of life.” Additional highlights from our fun and energetic conversation: ➡️ Why did Chad drop out of college in 2007, and how did a “What could go wrong?” business go bust? ➡️ Chad’s big move into a new business and why he packed his family to start a new life in California? ➡️ What technology was a game-changer in Chad’s new entrepreneurial venture? ➡️ How does Chad balance and tackle the challenge of family life and a successful career? ➡️ The unlikely path that had Chad pivot his career again ➡️ How filmmaking and leadership coaching come together for Chad ➡️ What does “You spot it, you got it” mean? ➡️ To see any pattern in my clients where they are getting in their way, I have to first recognize it in myself.” - “You must address the thinking that created the reality right now.” ➡️ The question that left Chad speechless and how he recovered. Connect with Chad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-brown-leadership-coach-477a7015/ Email: chad@chadlbrown.com #leadership #leadership #leadershipdevelopmentcoaching

Every business dreams of growth and scaling up. Successfully growing your business only happens by expanding your team. Listen to my guest and get valuable insights on how to manage change and people to ensure a smoother transition later on. I prefer to introduce Pia Wendelbo as something other than an 'expert' in change management since the (overused) term often exaggerates one's accomplishments. However, Pia has amassed a wealth of experience in diverse fields, making her exceptionally effective in leading, directing, and managing organizational change. Here are a few highlights of our conversation: Connect with Pia: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/digital-change-agent Email: pwendelbo13@gmail.com

Irit Levi, "The Secret Tapes." Well, not really. I invited Irit to do a follow-up interview for last year's podcast. A lot has changed with Irit's business, and I wanted her on video so she could be part of my new YouTube podcast line-up. Irit Levi is a source of inspiration for women who strive to balance their roles as a mother, wife, and successful business owner while keeping up with the demands of maintaining a Jewish tradition. Many women (and men) dream of achieving the healthy and productive balance Irit has found in her life. Other highlights from our open conversation: Find & Connect with Irit Levi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irit-levi/ Web: https://www.day-by-day.biz/

Loren Greiff (who purposely plays with how her name is displayed) is a super successful executive career coach. I invited her to the podcast because the key to success in building and growing a business is hiring the right talent. Loren is a self-declared "Idiot Savant" with a talent to visualize, "I treat life like a pallet." And she gives kudos to Grandma, who Loren calls "the bad-ass in the family." Loren attributes her success to the smart strategic move she made to "Learn from the Masters." and sharpen her tools - I wanted to learn 10" deep, not 1" ten times." Join me for this fun rollercoaster interview, learn the behind-the-scenes of recruiting and the following additional insights: Connect with Loren:

This podcast is about a career journey that showcases the value of pursuing personal interests and leveraging individual strengths. As a teenager, Ernie aspired to be a Disney artist but started his career as an illustrator for an ad agency. Frustrated with corporate bureaucracy and low pay, he jumps ship and becomes an independent artist. From there, he developed a passion and expertise in branding and opened a branding agency. Ernie's twin brother is a licensed therapist who diagnosed him with a unique "Hyperactive Productivity Disorder." It's not an official diagnosis, but both brothers focus on being productive and on self-development instead of being preoccupied with useless distractions. And yes, Ernie asked his brother to dance with his date without letting her know. What happened? Listen and find out. Additional highlights: ➡️ Being identical twins when even your mother couldn't tell you apart ➡️ The #1 challenge confronting most artists ➡️ Why did Ernie quit a high-paying job, and how did his father-in-law feel about that? ➡️ The creative way Ernie was able to keep his company at the height of the Big Recession ➡️ How did a Maverick presentation change the trajectory of Ernie's career? ➡️ Ernie's definition of a brand ➡️ The (surprising) company Ernie, as a branding expert, considers best at branding ➡️ How Ernie was able to control the Dream Killer and overcome feeling like a failure Ernie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernie-harker-a56b7624/

I've worked in marketing for years, and I rarely say this: this young man is one of the most talented marketers I've come across in a long time. Shlomo Genchin possesses similar intuitive brilliance that drew me to Seth Godin many years ago. Listen to my intimate conversation and the evolution of a talented marketer. Get to know him; you won't regret it. Copywriters are entrepreneurs, too. On this episode of The Entrepreneur Next Door podcast, you'll meet an amazingly talented young copywriter with an equally impressive entrepreneurial journey. Join me for a refreshing and intimate conversation with a talented young man from Israel. We speak about his entrepreneurial journey to becoming a sought-after copywriter and what he attributes to the key to his success (spoiler alert, it's not about tech). Shlomo's career aspiration as a creative young man growing up in Israel was to become a military officer or an actor. He becomes an 'accidental copywriter' after taking a get-rich-quick sketchy course. Contrary to what one may expect, Shlomo can express his creative talent and freedom during his military service (in a K-9 unit as a dog handler). His journey takes him to Berlin, where he studies copywriting at the Miami Ad School (this is not a typo; it was in Germany). After creating an award-winning campaign, he gets an amazing offer to join one of the leading international ad agencies. Watch the rest of his journey and find out: ➡️ Does working for an ad agency prepare you for a successful career as a Copywriter? ➡️ Did Shlomo accept a once-in-a-lifetime job offer? ➡️ "Creativity is about freedom." How does Shlomo put his belief into practice? ➡️ Did Shlomo exercise this option, "If it didn't work, I could always crash on my parents' couch." ➡️ Why is Shlomo Genchin excited about AI, and what does he think is the biggest mistake people make while using it? ➡️ What key ingredient do you need to generate brilliant copy? Connect with Shlomo: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shlomogenchin/ Website: http://thecreativemarketer.net/ Email: Shlomedia@gmail.com

Join me for a candid conversation with a courageous Ugandan woman who overcame challenges, balanced her professional and personal life, and contributed to a noble cause. Tess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessnyman/ Tess on the web: http://katkonsult.com