The Art Of Entrepreneurship

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is wondering which funding method is right for their startup. My guest today is Paul Bianco, Founder and CEO of Graphite, a company that provides outsourced accounting and financial services for startups and growth-stage companies. Paul and I discuss the pros and cons of different funding strategies (e.g. investors, bootstrapping), cash management, and how founders should view debt. Even if money talk isn’t your favorite (said as a creative who doesn’t totally love talking finance), Paul’s insights are a must-listen for any entrepreneur. About Paul Bianco Paul Bianco caught the entrepreneur bug at the age of nineteen, igniting a lifelong journey of business creation and growth. From spending hours on his college campus handing out fliers for his first business venture to his invaluable experiences in consulting and venture capital, he laid a strong foundation for his brainchild, Graphite. Over nearly seven years, Paul has dedicated himself to providing entrepreneurs with accessible fractional finance and accounting services, empowering early and growth-stage companies to achieve financial prowess without the operational cost of building an in-house finance team. Website LinkedIn If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: 3 biggest money mistakes w/ Ryan CaltonPodcast: How did I go from $0 to 7-figures without funding?Podcast: Bootstrapping **** If you got value out of this podcast, please send it to just ONE person who needs to hear this message. Or, share it on social and make sure to tag me!*** Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is worried that employees with side hustles are a flight risk. Leaders may not want to talk about it, but it’s more and more common that employees have their full-time jobs *and* have side hustles or entrepreneurial aspirations. Many of the team members at my marketing agency have a side hustle or run their own business. Guess what? These employees are also some of our most dedicated and highest-performing employees. I share some tips on how we handle side hustles at my company and how we prioritize the whole person, rather than the work person. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Side hustles: why companies should accept them & how to grow your own w/ Carrie BohligPodcast:How to be a leader when you don’t want to be a managerBlog:Are entrepreneurial employees a flight risk? **** If you got value out of this podcast, please send it to just ONE person who needs to hear this message. Or, share it on social and make sure to tag me!*** Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who sees people traveling the world in luxury and wonders how the heck they do it. (Hint: your business can help!) My guest today is Spencer Howard, a credit card loyalty program and travel rewards expert. Spencer helps demystify all of those points and benefits associated with different cards, including how business owners can use their credit cards to upgrade work (or personal) travel. Tune in for the tips Spencer shares with his own family and friends to help you maximize your credit card points strategy. ✈️ 📧 Subscribe to Spencer’s Straight to the Points Award Alerts Service https://straighttothepoints.co/the-art-of-entrepreneurship ✈️ 📧 About Spencer Howard Spencer Howard is a credit card loyalty program and travel rewards expert. He’s also the founder of Straight To The Points - the go-to resource for individuals looking to demystify credit card points so they can experience traveling in luxury for business or pleasure (and occasionally, both!). After helping family and friends understand credit card points for years, he launched STTP in 2017 and has been offering members complimentary and premium content through his Award Alert newsletters ever since (he is up to 21K members as of now!). Website LinkedIn Instagram If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Take your PTO! What I learned from time away from my business Podcast: The best work is not done at your desk Podcast: The #1 question you must ask yourself: what if I could? Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone ready to challenge the norm by creating an organization where anyone can be a leader—even if they aren’t a manager. Way too often we assume that career advancement means becoming a manager and having direct reports. That’s awesome for some people, but it’s not always the best use of a team member’s talent. Once you let go of having only one path for leadership, you give people multiple paths to success. Tune in for examples of what leadership without management can look like within your organization. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: The professional habits that stop you from success w/ Matt Maletich Podcast: Growing your business part 2: so you’ve decided to hire FTEs Podcast: You don’t have to improve every weakness. Here’s why. **** If you got value out of this podcast, please send it to just ONE person who needs to hear this message. Or, share it on social and make sure to tag me!*** Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone looking to find clarity on what they really want out of their life (and if you think manifesting is a little “woo woo,” you’re not alone—stay with me!). My guest today is Samantha Kozuch, an entrepreneur with a decade of experience and the founder of the million-dollar e-commerce business, The Maniscripting Journal. Samantha and I have a fun conversation spanning how she got her start, how she deals with the highs and lows of running a business, and lessons learned from her start as a young entrepreneur. Make sure you tune in for her insights on manifestation, goal-setting, self-development, and a lot more. About Samantha Kozuch Samantha Kozuch, is the founder of the million-dollar e-commerce business, The Maniscripting Journal. Samantha has experienced over a decade of transformations and changes in her life during her entrepreneurial career which started right after she graduated college. She is an ex-influencer and social media business coach now running an e-commerce business while teaching others how to step into the power and create their reality truly. Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Your thoughts become your reality w/ Justine Sloan Podcast: Yes, you CAN change your life & follow your dreams w/ Ike Wynter Podcast: Breaking through your upper limits—the discomfort of growth Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is butting heads with a tough customer and doesn’t know how to turn the relationship around. Sometimes our most significant relationships start off on a not-so-great foot—that’s because when we work through hard conversations, it can often result in mutual respect. Make sure you tune in to this rebroadcast for tactical tips you’ll be eager to try with that one extra difficult customer. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast:All customers are not good customersPodcast: How do you know if an employer, partner, or vendor relationship is right?Podcast: How do you build trust in business relationships? Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who struggles to follow their authentic path amid the pressure of wanting to have it all. My guest today is Dr. Tori Ellis, a transformational life and business coach. We discuss how ALL of us experience the same challenges—yes, even your coaches, your idols, and the people who seem to have everything figured out. Join us as we cover a variety of topics, including balancing working and motherhood, empowering the next generation, social media and a lot more. About Dr. Tori Ellis Dr. Tori Ellis, a Transformational Life and Business Coach and Best-Selling Author, is a native of New York with a lifelong aspiration to lead and guide others in education and the workplace. Inspired by her family's commitment to empowering youth, Tori pursued undergraduate studies in Psychology and Criminal Justice, followed by a Master’s Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and a PsyD. in Human and Organizational Psychology. As a "millennial," she is dedicated to providing her peers and future generations with tools for exemplary societal contributions, emphasizing wellness, positive psychology, and entrepreneurship. Her Best-Selling book, "The Sound of Business: Seeing Entrepreneurship through Hip Hop," introduces these concepts. Tori, now a new mom, passionately shares impactful stories to inspire children worldwide, encouraging them to pursue their passions and excel in various aspects of life, including business, education, the arts, sports, and everyday living. Website LinkedIn Instagram If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Bad advice: finding mentors & coachesPodcast: What I would tell my younger selfPodcast:It is not too late. You are right on time. Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who has been burned by selling to a customer who turned out to be a real pain in the butt. Remember: all sales are not good sales. As a business owner or sales rep, you must vet your customers the same way they’re vetting you. The wrong sales can create chaos in your team, kill retention and tank profitability. Tune in for tips on how to spot a bad customer and weed them out before the contract is signed. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Winning over challenging customers: why I love the process & you should tooPodcast:Why you need an ideal customer profile—and how to make onePodcast:How do you know if an employer, partner, or vendor relationship is right? Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who feels frustrated by the tug-of-war between buyers and sellers. Today’s guest is a fun one because he’s a client of ours at my marketing agency, Accelity. Chris Heard is a serial entrepreneur, tech sales leader, and CEO and Co-Founder of Olive, a company on a mission to improve IT decision-making. Chris and I have a fantastic discussion that spans why buyers and sales are always at odds and Chris’ tips for new entrepreneurs. He even turns the tables and asks me a few questions for a conversation about marketing! About Chris Heard Chris Heard is a serial entrepreneur, tech sales leader, and startup advisor. Currently the CEO and co-founder of Olive, Chris is on a mission to take the bias and inefficiency out of IT decision-making. His biggest passions are the ocean, travel, and his family. Website LinkedIn X If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Entrepreneurship: get ready to be in sales, HR, admin, finance, and a lot more Podcast: Can marketing replace sales? Podcast: 3 sales tips from Morgan J. Ingram, Yoav Vilner and Lea Turner Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is feeling uncomfortable about a situation and doesn’t know whether to stick with it or move on. How do you know when something is uncomfortable because you're growing, and how do you know when something is uncomfortable because it's wrong for you? There are no hard and fast rules to making the right decision (I wish!), but I share some guardrails that can help direct you. Remember: even if it’s the “wrong” direction, you’re always growing. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: On the verge of leveling up: do I have what it takes?Podcast:How do I bust through my upper limit?Podcast:What to do when you want to quit Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who wants to put themselves in a position to lead a progressive, innovative company. My guest today is Megan Bowen, the newly-minted CEO of Refine Labs. Megan and I cover a wide range of topics including how to move into the C-suite, building a people-first organization, and best practices for placing your company at the cutting edge. Make sure you tune in for her insights on persistence, self-advocacy and boundaries in your quest for the next big move. About Megan Bowen Megan Bowen has 20 years of experience building and managing customer success, sales and marketing teams at B2B technology companies including eChalk, ZocDoc, Grubhub/Seamless, Platterz and Managed by Q. After over 3 years as COO at Refine Labs, a B2B Digital Marketing and Demand Generation Agency, Megan has recently stepped into the CEO position to lead the company in its next phase of growth. Website LinkedIn If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Succeed at work by embracing your identity & power w/ Tricia Montalvo Timm Podcast: Take charge of your professional development w/ Jenny Weeden Podcast: How to overcome doubts & build your empire w/ Kara Goldin Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who feels like the hits just keep coming and you don’t know how to deal. (Hopefully, that’s not you!) I’ve learned that even the “bad” things that happen—accidents, layoffs, breakups—can end up being for a good reason. In the end, it always works out. Today I’m sharing stories that have helped me build this muscle of reframing the crap life throws at us as life happening FOR you, not TO you. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: What to do when nothing goes as planned Podcast: How do I become an optimist? Podcast: Breakdown to breakthrough? 3 things I learned from a recent breakdown Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone looking for ways to reach an audience that isn’t quite ready to embrace the future of your industry. My guest today is Bob Gaydos, the founder and CEO of Pendella, where he leads a team that is automating the insurance underwriting process through AI and big data. Since he has decades of experience with it, I of course had to ask him about making change in notoriously change-resistant places. We talk through the importance of educating prospects, learning from failure, picking yourself up again and more. Tune in for his insights! About Bob Gaydos Bob Gaydos is the Founder and CEO of Pendella where he leads a team of innovators in the insurance industry, automating the underwriting process through AI and big data. Over the last 10 years, Bob has founded, invested, advised, and operated innovative companies in the benefit & insurance industry, such as Maxwell Health (acquired by Sun Life), Connected Benefits (acquired by GoHealth), Limelight Health (acquired by Fineos), GoCo, and Ideon (formerly Vericred). Website LinkedIn If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Seeing around corners, being early to market, and taking risks w/ Match.com Co-Founder & BabyQuip CEO, Fran MaierPodcast: Learning what’s on the other side of failure w/ serial entrepreneur Chris HarderPodcast: Evaluating new business ideas, making the leap & handling change w/ Marcus Murphy Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who wants to start 2024 by knocking their sales goals out of the park. One of my main goals for Q1 is filling up our pipeline. So, my company President, Jenny, and I brainstormed a bunch of ways to make sure we have plenty of new sales ideas ready to go—and I want to share those with you! Make sure you tune in for strategies you can borrow, from growing your LinkedIn presence to how to effectively capitalize on referrals. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: 8 ways to start fresh in marketing and sales for the new yearPodcast:Influence: 6 ways to persuade your prospects to buyPodcast:3 sales tips from Morgan J. Ingram, Yoav Vilner and Lea Turner Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone curious about the skills required to become a serial entrepreneur. My guest today is Fran Maier, a "Super Founder" best known for co-founding and launching Match.com. With over 25 years of experience in B2B and B2C internet businesses, she is now leading the #1 baby gear rental service company in the country as CEO of BabyQuip. Make sure you tune in for Fran’s insights on marketing to your audience, launching multiple successful businesses, and seeing around corners to spot the next big venture! 👶 PROMO CODE: Head to babyquip.com and use promo code ART20 for $20 off any order of $100 or more! Offer valid through March 2024. About Fran Maier Fran Maier is a highly successful serial entrepreneur, investor, and fundraiser with an impressive track record of launching and scaling five business ventures, such as Match.com and TRUSTe (now @TrustArc). Throughout her career, Fran has pioneered game-changing solutions that have disrupted industries, built trusted brands, and driven growth and valuation. Currently, as the founder and CEO of BabyQuip, the leading global baby gear rental marketplace, Fran has taken the company's reach to over 1200 markets worldwide. Website LinkedIn If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Learning what’s on the other side of failure w/ serial entrepreneur Chris HarderPodcast: Break free of “good girl habits” at work w/ Lisa Carmen WangPodcast:Strengths-based development: analyzing my CliftonStrengths Assessment w/ Micah Lorenc Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is ready to have the best year ever—but feels like it’s already too late for those New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure if you’re listening to this podcast, you already have at least some pretty strong habits. It takes good habits and discipline in order to run a company, be a solopreneur, or even climb in your career. That said, we often get off on the wrong foot in the new year because the holiday season can destroy our good habits. Make sure you tune in for ideas to reset your personal, physical and professional routines to create a system that works best for YOU. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: New year, new you?Podcast: Quit neglecting your physical health and expecting to be successfulPodcast: The best work is not done at your desk Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who loves taking personality assessments like DiSC, Myers-Briggs, and Enneagram, and wants to learn how to read and strengthen their results. My guest today is Micah Lorenc, owner of Tailor Consulting and a specialist in leadership and team development and training. This episode has a different format: Micah and I chat through the results of my CliftonStrengths assessment. Even though everyone’s results are different, we cover a lot and I think you’ll appreciate the insights. Make sure you tune in for a new way of thinking about your strengths—and why “weaknesses” aren’t what you think. About Micah Lorenc Micah Lorenc is the owner of Tailored Consulting - a company that specializes in leadership and team development training, executive coaching, and workplace culture consulting. Micah is an ICF Certified Leadership Coach, a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, and engaging public speaker. In January 2023, he launched a software startup called CultureLab, which helps both candidates and companies determine whether a candidate is likely to thrive at a new company. Website LinkedIn If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: You don’t have to improve every weakness. Here’s why.Podcast: The professional habits that stop you from success w/ Matt MaletichPodcast: How to bring humanity into your work w/ Anna Oakes Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is a roundup episode featuring some of my favorite advice from podcast guests this year. We talk about everything from failure and feedback to building the network you want and how to make it work for you. I walked away from these conversations feeling really inspired, and I hope they’ll give you some a-ha moments to take into the new year too. Check out the full episodes with these guests for more insights. Episode 200. Learning what’s on the other side of failure w/ serial entrepreneur Chris HarderEpisode 191. Take charge of your professional development w/ Jenny WeedenEpisode 171. Evaluating new business ideas, making the leap & handling change w/ Marcus MurphyEpisode 158. Don’t be a professional success & a personal mess w/ Alechia ReeseEpisode 181. Yes, you CAN change your life & follow your dreams w/ Ike Wynter Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who is looking ahead to set their sales and marketing goals in 2024. In this episode, we dig a little deeper into what you should be considering to set strong goals for next year and think creatively around your sales and marketing programs. Tune in for 8 tips to keep in mind to set challenging but achievable goals for your business. If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast: Are you making these 5 sales & marketing mistakes?Podcast: New year, new you?Podcast: Are my goals big enough? Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website

This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for anyone who wants to enjoy, and feel passionate about, their work. My guest today is Nate Randle, CEO of Gabb Wireless, a safe cell phone designed for kids. Nate and I discuss that magic intersection between passion, purpose, and money and how he uses his platform to help others. Make sure you tune in for Nate’s advice for building a career founded on your core values. About Nate Randle As CEO of Gabb Wireless, Nate brings years of experience and expertise to the nation’s leading kid-safe tech company. Nate has held pivotal leadership positions at major companies like Nike, Callaway Golf, Qualtrics, and the Utah Jazz. He joined Gabb in June 2021 as the CMO and took on the CEO role in November 2021. Nate is a husband and father of four. He places the highest priorities on people and family. His focus on family directly translates into his leadership at Gabb, where protecting kids and encouraging a stronger connection between families are core to the Gabb mission. Website LinkedIn X If you like this episode, check out these resources. Podcast:Yes, you CAN change your life & follow your dreams w/ Ike WynterPodcast: Going against the grain & building a cause-focused brand w/ Nyesha StonePodcast: "Do what you love & you'll never work a day" w/ William Deck Submit your topics for the podcast: https://www.jackiehermes.com/connect Learn more about the podcast: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Love the podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts! More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcast Hit me up! LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Website