Amplify Your Business

Welcome to yet another engaging episode of Amplify Your Business. Today, we're privileged to have Corinne Mason, Partner at Summit Leadership Partners, who is committed to shaping leaders in mid-market businesses. Despite our usual focus on smaller ventures, this episode delivers invaluable leadership development insights that can benefit entrepreneurs of all scales. With a wealth of entrepreneurial experience spanning over a decade, Corinne emphasises the growth of leadership style, comprehending marketing and communications, fostering creativity, and maintaining focus on organisational expansion. In this enlightening conversation, she provides insights on the hurdles mid-market enterprises face, particularly those backed by private equity, and the immense pressures they cope with to achieve exceptional year-over-year growth. Our discussion focuses on building resilient leadership structures, where Corinne underscores their firm's focus on personal development, team efficacy, and considerations surrounding strategic human capital. The primary goal: to help leaders scale up and align with the quick-paced growth of their organisations. Besides demystifying what leadership entails in fast-growing, high-stakes business environments, Corinne offers timeless advice pertinent to all leaders, irrespective of the size or industry of their ventures. Dive into this absorbing conversation and discover the secrets of exceptional leadership that can catapult your enterprise towards exponential growth! Leadership Styles of Prominent Business Figures & Insights on Organisational Growth Delve into this exhilarating episode where we explore successful leadership secrets in diverse sectors. From emphasising emotional intelligence and discipline as leadership pillars, to highlighting common leadership pitfalls like failing to delegate or maintaining a singular vision. Furthermore, we elucidate on change in leadership styles as organisations grow, necessitating leaders to put faith and support in their executives. This episode also enlightens listeners on the pivotal role of systems and infrastructures in scaling a business, offering a unique perspective into the leadership styles of famous business personalities such as Elon Musk. From HR Specialist to Entrepreneur: Corinne Mason's Journey to Promote Equity in Leadership In this enlightening podcast episode, we are joined by Corinne Mason, PhD. Despite facing personal obstacles, Corinne decided to co-found her own venture? She aims to influence positive change and champion more equity, particularly for women in leadership roles. Reflecting on her journey, Corinne emphasizes the role of entrepreneurship as an agent for change and offers candid advice on effective team management and communication. If you wish to connect with Corinne, you can find her on the Summit Leadership Partners' website or LinkedIn. Get ready for a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration from Corinne’s experiences and wisdom in leadership and entrepreneurship as you tune into this exceptional episode.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we sit down with Dan Rogers, an entrepreneur who brings an entirely fresh perspective to the table. The conversation dives deep into the foundational principles every entrepreneur must consider to succeed truly. In the heart of the discussion, Rogers, the CEO and owner of WorkP2P, emphasizes the importance of a clear and articulate vision, which he believes is crucial for a business's growth. Transitioning to the practicalities, the episode sheds light on the distinction between designing a company as a societal system rather than the traditional corporate model. Dan elaborates on the success of his own company, which stopped outbound marketing and now thrives on inbound interest thanks to a focus on building trust and adding value without a hard sell. To learn more about WorkP2P, visit https://workp2p.com/ 00:00 Intro 00:00 Three things every entrepreneur should know. 06:27 Why the traditional corporate model is flawed 09:42 WorkP2P and their mission to redeem work 12:23 How COVID-19 impacted business 14:00 Getting paid to practice beats working to get paid. 16:52 Sharing programs with smaller companies and individuals. 17:32 Stopping outbound sales as everything started coming inbound. 19:56 Trust and reciprocity are key in building relationships with customers. 23:48 Starting a consultancy business to help with sales & marketing 24:14 Dan Rogers explains the value of creating before taking 25:18 The importance of understanding how money moves 31:35 Pushing a business to its limits 32:17 The purpose of a societal system in developing community 36:19 Letting go of customers to align with the company's vision 38:05 Designing systems to incorporate essential elements 39:12 Importance of facing reality and accepting the truth 40:02 Pulling reality in rather than pushing it out 43:49 Outro

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we're joined by Erika Anderson from the picturesque landscapes of Spain. Erika shares her profound insights on entrepreneurship, the critical importance of vision, and the intricate journey of transitioning from full-time leadership to a semi-retired role. This conversation unveils the essence of entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making, and personal growth. Erika Anderson is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founding partner of Proteus International, a company specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational transformation. With a career spanning over three decades, Erika has established herself as an authority on helping individuals and organizations clarify and move toward their aspired futures. She has authored a number of books focused on leadership and change management and currently splits her time between New York and Spain. To learn more about Proteus International, visit https://proteus-international.com/ 00:00 Intro 00:57 The importance of having a clear vision for your business 02:23 Being a fair witness and maintaining objectivity as an entrepreneur 03:57 The significance of having enough capital for your business 05:10 Challenges of scaling a business and managing capital 08:57 Gathering data and testing market demand before developing a product 12:26 Summary of the book "Be Bad First.” 13:37 The three practice areas of Proteus 19:27 Erika's transition to semi-retirement and operating Proteus from Spain 22:10 Advice for transitioning and trusting partners 24:44 Importance of clear roles and regular check-ins 29:48 Identifying what you love about your work. 31:53 Erika’s biggest challenge 39:36 How to connect with Erika Anderson 40:01 Find Erika's books on Amazon 40:35 Outro

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Lance engages with the CEO of Capital Raise, Carl Grant III, diving into Carl's rich entrepreneurial journey and discussing the intricacies of raising capital for businesses. Carl's vast experience presents a treasure trove of insights that are critical for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of investments and growth. In this interview, Carl opens up about the evolution of his career from his initial foray as an entrepreneur with his father to his eventual return to entrepreneurship after years in the corporate sphere. The discussion sheds light on the essence of capital investment and the strategies that can make or break the success of a startup. By delineating between the perils of being overly reliant on investment capital and the strength of revenue-focused businesses, Carl provides a nuanced look into the world of venture capital and private equity. To learn more about Capital Raise, visit https://capitalraise.net. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Three important things every entrepreneur needs to know 03:00 Background and experience in raising capital 07:43 Overview of Capital Raise and its services 11:57 Early experiences in the video streaming industry 12:32 The market crash in 2000 led to the downfall of a startup 13:18 The impact of 9/11 on a financial services company 14:17 Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship 19:26 Working with family in business and the importance of trust 21:41 The significance of revenue and profitability in business success 25:31 Uber's dominance in the market and strategy for success 26:13 TikTok's shift towards driving commerce and monetization 26:51 The importance of generating revenue and being profitable as a startup 27:26 The entrepreneurial strategy of selling to the government 28:28 Overview of the book "How to Live the Abundant Life" 29:27 Focusing on giving and helping others for personal and financial benefit 31:30 Achieving seemingly impossible goals through bite-sized tasks 34:06 Where to find Carl’s book "How to Live the Abundant Life" 35:50 Outro

In episode 268, Lance meets with Seth Temko, the founder of Full On Strategy, a go-to-market consultancy that helps companies achieve hypergrowth. With a background in entrepreneurship and startups, Seth has a wealth of experience in the technology sector. He has lived through the boom and bust of the dot-com era and has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with starting and scaling a business. In this interview, Seth shares his top three tips for entrepreneurs, including that he believes that starting your own business is both the hardest and easiest thing you can do. While it comes with financial strain and stress, it also gives you control over your own destiny. Seth emphasizes the importance of patience, as everything takes longer than expected. He advises entrepreneurs to focus on the things they enjoy and are passionate about, and to outsource or delegate tasks that drain their energy. Seth also discusses his go-to-market strategy for Full On Strategy, which includes building partnerships and creating a community of restaurant tech executives and founders. To learn more about Full On Strategy, visit: https://fullonstrategy.com/ 00:00 - Introduction 01:15 - Three things every entrepreneur should know 07:08 - Go-to-market strategy 09:24 - Helping companies achieve hypergrowth 10:33 - Applying the principles of his consultancy to his own business 12:47 - Defining the consultancy and choosing a niche market 13:19 - Focusing on hospitality technology and generating value quickly 13:54 - Massive potential market size in the restaurant industry. 16:22 - Partnerships with Branded Strategic and other consultants. 17:27 - Focus on selling, defining partnerships, and driving pipeline for growth. 20:58 - Creating a restaurant technology-focused event to connect industry players. 22:04 - Building community and peer support is key for long-term success. 24:07 - Communities can be monetized and lead to strong relationships. 28:32 - Naive thinking can propel young entrepreneurs forward. 29:45 - Lesson from the dot-com bubble: value delivery is key. 33:07 - Importance of good product and customers willing to pay. 36:26 - Outro

In episode 267, Lance sits down with Alex Mic Podar, the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping company that focuses solely on bookkeeping services. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Alex has built a successful business that is dedicated to providing high-quality bookkeeping solutions to clients. Alex is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs succeed and is constantly looking for ways to scale her businesses and create job opportunities. In this interview, Alex Mick Podar shares her insights on entrepreneurship and the importance of financial literacy. She emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have a good relationship with their finances and to understand the concept of good debt. Alex also advises entrepreneurs to be cautious when doing business with friends or family and to learn how to surround themselves with the right people. She discusses her plans to scale her bookkeeping company and the challenges she anticipates in acquiring other businesses. Alex also addresses the impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry and the importance of staying ahead of the technology. She emphasizes the value of systems and replicable processes in scaling a business and shares her personal journey as an entrepreneur. To learn more, visit Backyard Bookkeeper at https://backyardbookkeeper.com/ 0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:22 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know 0:02:26 - The importance of good debt in business growth 0:04:41 - Scaling a business through acquiring other businesses 0:06:03 - Backyard Bookkeeper's unique focus on bookkeeping services 0:08:32 - Plans to grow the team by acquiring other bookkeeping businesses 0:09:21 - Educating oneself and thinking outside the box for mergers and acquisitions 0:11:42 - Targeting retiring baby boomers to acquire their businesses 0:12:47 - The impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry and managing the risk 0:13:40 - The role of a good bookkeeper beyond data entry in the AI era 0:14:15 - Automation of data entry and the role of AI in accounting 0:15:21 - Working closely with AI developers to improve accounting AI 0:16:26 - AI empowering individuals to take on multiple jobs 0:17:37 - Alex's entrepreneurial journey and origins in Romania 0:20:58 - Importance of systems and hiring the right people 0:23:38 - The necessity of replicable systems for scaling a business 0:25:43 - Information about Amplify Your Business and upcoming symposium

In episode 266, Lance sits down with James Jackson, the founder and president of Spotz, a company that aims to be the "Airbnb for non-overnight community spaces." With a background in business and a passion for entrepreneurship, James has built a career around solving problems and finding innovative solutions. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong work ethic to his role at Spotz. In this interview, James Jackson, founder and president of Spotz, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of knowing yourself and your weaknesses, being prepared for the difficulties of entrepreneurship, and leaning on your network for support. Spotz is a platform that connects people with unique and rentable community spaces, solving the problems of awareness, accessibility, and tools for hosts. James discusses the strategic approach to building both the supply and demand sides of the market, as well as the importance of efficient funding and strategic outsourcing. He encourages entrepreneurs to have perspective, trust in themselves, and be open-minded to opportunities. To learn more about Spotz, visit the website at https://www.findspotz.com/. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:01:11- Three things every entrepreneur needs to understand 0:02:58 - Building a strong network as an entrepreneur 0:06:34 - Overview of Spotz and the problem it solves 0:08:40 - The need for a centralized platform for renting non-overnight spaces 0:09:55 - Challenges in finding and renting different kinds of venues 0:10:23 - Potential benefits for organizations with empty spaces 0:11:50 - Building both sides of the market simultaneously 0:11:58 - Challenges of building a platform without an audience yet 0:13:18 - Strategic approach to building a community of hosts 0:14:21 - Metrics for monetizing spaces and marketing to end users 0:16:02 - Encouraging gatherings and creating community post-pandemic 0:17:22 - Funding challenges and efficient spending 0:21:38 - Learning from difficult situations and outsourcing certain roles 0:26:36 - James Jackson's entrepreneurial journey started at 15 with 47 different jobs. 0:30:48 - Advice on sustaining determination and overcoming challenges. 0:35:41 - Reflecting on personal growth and self-improvement 0:37:47 - Invitation to Entrepreneur symposium for business growth 0:37:47 - Outro

In episode 265, Lance sits down with Ashley McCarney, the founder and president of Involvi, an HR consulting firm. With a background in people operations, Ashley is passionate about improving employment relationships and helping leaders become better people leaders. In this interview, Ashley shares her insights on what every entrepreneur needs to know, including the importance of valuing your time, being flexible and innovative, and understanding “your why” as an entrepreneur. She also discusses the services offered by Involvi, which include HR support, customized learning and development, and recruitment. Ashley emphasizes the importance of trust in her industry and how Involvi differentiates itself by providing customized solutions and working with clients to navigate the gray areas of compliance and legislation. She also shares her experience of scaling the business and the key factors that contributed to its success, including a strong team, intentional networking, and a focus on building trust with clients. To learn more about Involvi, visit https://involvi.ca/. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:47 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know 0:02:36 - Overview of Involvi and the problems it solves 0:03:56 - How Involvi stands out from other HR companies 0:06:35 - Ashley's motivation to start her own business 0:07:47 - Challenges and support during the early stages of the business 0:09:54 - Factors contributing to the success of Involvi 0:11:09 - Importance of networking and building relationships 0:12:49 - Focus on providing value and solutions to clients 0:14:44 - Advice for building a great team 0:16:01 - Importance of transparency and flat hierarchy within the team 0:17:45 - Challenges of maintaining open communication as the business grows 0:20:11 - Imparting vision and values through personal interactions 0:21:19 - Involving the team in creating the company's vision and values 0:22:26 - Intentionally separating the business from personal brand for scalability 0:24:02 - Considering options for future growth as an entrepreneur 0:25:09 - Transitioning from being the practitioner to scaling the business 0:29:37 - Building a business without going into debt 0:30:02 - Self-funding and wise spending to avoid unnecessary costs 0:32:28 - Advice for her younger entrepreneurial self 0:34:41 - Outro

In episode 264 of AYB’s Entrepreneur Podcast, Lance chats with Tino Mantella, the CEO of Turknett Leadership Group. With extensive experience in leadership and having previously served as the CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia, Tino is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and businesses develop effective leadership strategies. In this interview, Tino shares his insights on effective leadership and offers advice for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose and conducting thorough research before starting a business. Tino also highlights the need for entrepreneurs to understand their own skill sets and surround themselves with the right team. He stresses the importance of setting big goals and implementing measurable steps to achieve them. Tino also discusses the challenges of managing different generations in the workplace and the impact of remote work on company culture. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be adaptable and understand the motivations of their team members. To learn more about Turknett, visit http://www.turknett.com 00:00 - Intro 05:01 - Discussion on "quiet quitters" and job market trends 08:05 - Leadership skills for different generations and remote work challenges 10:20 - Coaching for personal change and common challenges faced by leaders 13:39 - Understanding oneself and others is key to personal growth. 16:47 - Leading the transition back to the office requires clear communication. 19:58 - The future of work may involve a four-day workweek. 23:59 - Transitioning leadership can be smoother with open communication and mentoring. 26:34 - Understanding what is important to founders when working with them 29:21 - Advice for founders transitioning to the next growth stage 31:14 - Balancing the roles of the founder and CEO 31:58 - Questions founders should ask when hiring a CEO 32:40 - Letting go of control and empowering the CEO 36:02 - Different dynamics between boards and founders 36:28 - Importance of the CEO having an ownership stake in the company 39:44 - Importance of founders planning for the future of their company 40:15 - Owning a company until old age can be beneficial 40:55 - Advice to younger self: be patient and listen 42:48 - Outro

In Episode 263 of the Amplify Your Business Entrepreneur Podcast, Russ Law, CEO and co-founder of Verensics, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of perseverance in starting a business. He discusses the roller-coaster nature of entrepreneurship and managing self-doubt. Russ also explains how Verensics addresses ethical evaluations of potential employees using their online smart questionnaire platform. He highlights the limitations of traditional background checks and the value of informed interviews and touches on challenges in partnerships and addressing team behavior. To learn more visit https://www.verensics.com/ 00:20 Introduction to Russ Law, CEO and co-founder of Verensics 01:12 What are the three things every entrepreneur needs to know when starting out? 04:13 Dealing with self-doubt as an entrepreneur 10:15 What problem does Verensics address? 11:11 The impact of hiring on organizational culture 12:39 How Verensics’ software helps improve the interview process 27:42 What advice would Russ give to his younger self? 28:46 Taking the leap into entrepreneurship is tough 30:05 What helps Russ persevere? 30:31 Pursuing passion makes a big difference in motivation

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we interview Tammy Barlette, a former Air Force Pilot for 20 years and now a successful entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Athena's Voice, a speaker referral business that aims to empower and inspire women in the military aviation community. Tammy is also the founder of Cross Check, a mental performance coaching business for aviators. Join us as Tammy shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she has learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of not going on the entrepreneurial journey alone as well as the need to anticipate and then overcome challenges. Tammy also highlights the significance of defining success on one's own terms and not conforming to societal expectations. Tammy encourages entrepreneurs to embrace challenges, prepare for obstacles, and seek help when needed. To learn more visit http://www.athenasvoiceusa.com 00:00 - Intro. 01:02 - Three important things for entrepreneurs: don't do it alone, don't give up, define success. 02:02 - Define success as making a positive impact and matching personal lifestyle. 03:50 - Introduction to Athena's Voice and its purpose. 06:11 - Introduction to Cross Check and its purpose. 09:46 - Overcoming challenges and applying mental performance principles. 11:28 - Advice for entrepreneurs: expect and tackle challenges, and solve problems. 12:43 - Framework for problem-solving and handling challenges. 16:24 - The importance of developing confidence and pushing out of comfort zones. 18:41 - The loneliness of entrepreneurship and the need for support. 20:16 - The challenge of analysis paralysis and decision-making. 21:13 - The importance of establishing personal core values. 24:15 - Redefining success and transitioning the first business model. 25:39 - The importance of mental performance training. 28:13 - Plans to expand beyond aviation in the future. 29:06 - The challenge of deviating from the niche too quickly. 30:53 - Potential applications of Tammy's course outside of aviation. 36:12 - Sacrifices of successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. 37:06 - Realization of being in control of one's business and life. 38:07 - How to connect with Tammy Barlette for coaching and courses. 38:56 - Release date and motivation for completing a course. 39:39 - The importance of deadlines and motivation in achieving goals. 40:18 - Outro.

For Episode 260 of the Entrepreneur Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Richard Pro, the president and Chief Strategy Advisor at VRINetics LLC. With a background in physics, engineering, and business administration, Dr. Pro brings a unique blend of quantitative analysis and strategic thinking to his work, making this episode uniquely interesting as Dr. Pro shares his insights on entrepreneurship and strategy development. Emphasizing the importance of building a community of entrepreneurs who can offer advice and support, and highlighting the role of data analytics in creating and sustaining a competitive advantage are just a few topics Dr. Pro covers in the episode. To learn more, reach out to Dr. Richard Pro at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpro/ 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know 03:39 - An overview of VRINetics and its services 10:31 - Unique focus on data analytics in strategic consulting 14:04 - Importance of measuring and improving strategic execution 15:39 - Misuse of the term "competitive advantage" in strategy discussions 16:18 - The role of analytics in strategy 17:05 - Importance of assessing value, rarity, inimitability, and substitutability 17:51 - Why most strategies fail 18:41 - Applying strategy criteria to personal career development 19:35 - Lack of knowledge of strategy criteria among leaders 20:09 - Importance of tapping into the collective knowledge of other entrepreneurs 22:35 - Being vulnerable and authentic when seeking advice 24:12 - Generosity of entrepreneurs in sharing experiences and insights 26:09 - Importance of regular touch base meetings with fellow entrepreneurs 29:11 - Understanding effective digital marketing strategies 33:35 - The first five years are crucial for a startup's success. 34:37 - Giving first and making connections is effective marketing.

For Episode 259 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Kerri Davis, the co-founder and CEO of Fortress, a software solution that helps property management companies manage their assets and create efficiency in their operations. With a background in accounting and law, Kerri has leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to build a successful business in the real estate and technology industries. Join us today as Kerri shares her insights on entrepreneurship and the importance of embracing failure, creating psychological safety, and surrounding yourself with the right people. She emphasizes the need to redefine success and view failures as stepping stones to success. Kerri also discusses the value of psychological safety in a risky entrepreneurial environment and the importance of commitment in team members. She highlights the benefits of diversity in the workplace and the power of different perspectives in driving innovation and success. To learn more, visit https://fortresstech.io. 00:00 Intro 01:05 The importance of reframing success as an entrepreneur 02:45 Creating psychological safety for teams in a risky environment 04:37 Surrounding yourself with committed individuals 06:26 Hiring fast and firing fast to foster commitment 08:22 Not burdening overachievers with underachievers 09:47 Challenges in letting go of underperforming team members 11:00 The importance of acknowledging the 50-50 nature of hiring 11:34 Introduction to Fortress software solution for property management companies 12:15 Building Fortress to solve problems in property management 13:24 Importance of incubation and finding a champion for software development 14:29 Advice for finding a champion and creating a partnership 16:13 Importance of finding a company with the same problem 18:19 Whittling down features and agile development 21:15 Kerri Davis' background and unique experiences 23:02 Working in Iraq and transitioning to accounting and sales 25:20 Joining Elmington and overcoming fears of lack of knowledge 25:20 Kerri Davis talks about working in a small office space.

For Episode 258 of Amplify Your Business, Christa Jones, the founder of Rose City Professional Organizing. They tackle the overwhelming stress that clutter and disorganization can bring for those facing extreme clutter challenges, where cleaning up feels impossible. This extends to busy individuals juggling work, family, and emotional attachments to possessions, making decluttering a struggle. Additionally, they support those downsizing, packing, and moving, especially seniors and their families dealing with physical limitations and time pressures. Effective time management, adaptability in the face of change, a resilient spirit, a client-centric approach, and a strong foundation in financial literacy are a few vital components of long-term entrepreneurial success according to Christa. She also touched on the importance of learning to let go of control and be okay with delegating. In a letter to her younger self, she would advise little Christa to: “Be patient and realistic with yourself. Embrace growth and ambition, but also celebrate your progress and learning. Success isn't a fixed destination, so be kind to yourself and avoid being overly critical.” To learn more, visit https://rosecityprofessionalorganizing.com/. 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 03:41 - What problem is your business solving and who are you serving? 08:46 - What led to you starting Rose City Professional Organizing? 13:18 - What challenges have you faced in your business and how did you overcome them? 16:48 - What were the benefits of being raised by an entrepreneurial father? 19:22 - What growth-related obstacles are you expecting to face? 22:10 - What will be the last hat you wear as you delegate aspects of your business to others? 25:24 - What advice would you give your younger self in a letter?

For Episode 257 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Dennis Humphrey, the owner of Eden Business Concepts, LLC. They’re a company that collaborates with family-owned and closely held businesses to address workforce-related crises and employee conflicts that impede both productivity and growth. Their strategies are designed to enhance workforce productivity and foster a positive workplace culture. Dennis describes his heartbeat as being to “see leaders gain clarity and vision for their task.” Dennis coaches entrepreneurs to understand their core motivations and gain self-awareness. By recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of their motivations, he helps leaders make more effective, clear decisions in their roles, reducing disruptive behaviors in their leadership. Dennis defines success as a twofold achievement: seeing leaders thrive and witnessing the well-being of their people. In a letter to his younger self, Dennis would advise him to be confident and trust his gut because he has the power to influence and inspire others. To learn more, visit https://edenbusinessconcepts.com/. 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 02:32 - What problem is your business solving and who are you serving? 05:55 - Why do you believe that execution is usually lacking in businesses? 07:34 - How do you coach entrepreneurs to detach from their businesses? 10:37 - What is the biggest stumbling point where leadership teams fall apart? 12:16 - How quickly can leadership teams move on from that? 14:28 - What motivated you and your business partner to come together? 17:35 - How has your experience informed the way you set up and grow your business? 19:08 - How do you define success for your business? 25:02 - What advice would you give your younger self in a letter?

For Episode 256 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Amy Zuk Olsen, the owner of Safety Buzz Campus, who’s tackling the problem of safety awareness and culture in both individual and corporate settings. Safety Buzz educates businesses about areas requiring safety measures, mentors employees to create a safety-oriented culture, and emphasizes the importance of safety in building a positive workplace atmosphere. Additionally, it provides specific services, such as truck driver training and air chiller division services, to address safety challenges in those domains. With 20 years in business, Amy stresses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the value of a strong team, and cautious growth planning in today’s episode. In a letter to her younger self, Amy would advise her younger self to: "Get ready for the ride. It's going to be really tough.” There will be days when you just want to stay in bed - you can't. Amy’s got plenty of wisdom for other entrepreneurs and amazing offerings for businesses looking to elevate their safety. To learn more, visit http://www.safetybuzzcampus.ca. 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 03:49 - What problem is Safety Buzz Campus solving? 07:43 - What inspired you to enter this industry? 12:40 - Tell us more about the growth of your business from when you began until now. 16:22 - Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently in terms of your growth? 18:16 - What advice would you give someone looking into mergers or acquisitions for success? 23:08 - At what point were you able to transition from being a part of the business to running it? 27:35 - What has become easier now for you compared to when you started your business? 30:21 - If you could write a letter of advice to your younger self, what would you say?

For Episode 255 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Mike Lee who is the President of Fundica, a company addressing the formidable challenge of helping entrepreneurs secure essential funding. They aim to simplify the funding process through research and surveys while supporting "entrepreneur support organizations" to enhance client acquisition as well as overall financial success. Although a successful entrepreneur, Mike's journey with Fundica was not without its challenges. Transitioning from a traditional consulting business to a more capital-intensive venture ushered in upfront expenses and unique business demands. In a letter to his younger self, Mike would advise little him to build more confidence and invest in the people around him. Mike also shares some advice for other entrepreneurs: the need for a structured funding approach, the pivotal role of crafting the right team, and the delicate balance of persistent drive and patience in navigating the entrepreneurial path. To learn more, visit https://www.fundica.com/. 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 04:28 - What problem is Fundica solving? 10:25 - How did you come about this business model and where can people interact with Fundica resources? 13:00 - What do businesses gain by licensing with Fundica? 17:48 - What’s the biggest challenge you experienced in starting Fundica? 22:08 - What was easier about starting Fundica compared to your first consultancy? 23:54 - What do you think is going to be your biggest challenge to take Fundica to the next level? 26:29 - How do you navigate ambitious growth goals and falling economic conditions? 31:00 - If you could write a letter of advice to your younger self, what would you say?

For Episode 253 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Sophia Fairweather, the founder of Key Angels, and the youngest entrepreneur we’ve had the pleasure of chatting to for our Amplify Your Business podcast. Key Angels aims to support both entrepreneurship and home-ownership in the youth. Key Angels' core model involves living in one unit of a fourplex and having the income from the other three units cover expenses, effectively offering financial stability while allowing pursuit of entrepreneurial goals. This approach enables young entrepreneurs to dedicate themselves fully to their ventures without the added pressure of part-time jobs or immediate financial needs. The concept of "angels" is derived from traditional investment angels, however, it describes individuals who provide qualifying credit scores, ensuring access and stability rather than financial investment. There are many things that Sophia has learned along the way in her seven years of entrepreneurship, however, the one significant aspect that stands out to her is the importance of attending events: both for networking and for improving your communication skills. Particularly improving your ability to educate people about your product or service. To learn more, visit https://key-angels.com/. 00:00 - Intro 01:38 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 09:01 - How old are you and when did you begin your entrepreneurial journey? 16:37 - How do you cope with the frustration of being an entrepreneur at such a young age (going against your peers, dealing with age-related roadblocks)? 18:53 - Tell us more about your business, Key Angels. 24:38 - Can you tell us more about the market itself? 26:50 - What excites you about entrepreneurship? Why did you begin this journey? 30:55 - How can we establish a stronger ecosystem and movement centered around youth and entrepreneurship?

For Episode 253 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Pierce Krol, the founder and CEO of Insurely Inc, who generously shared his 18 years of entrepreneurial experience. He emphasized three key lessons: embracing failure, continuous learning, and resilience. Insurely, his digital insurance brokerage, evolved from his frustration with the insurance industry. He recognized that traditional insurance processes were slow - often lacking user-friendliness. Pierce's vision was to digitize the insurance experience and provide his customers with a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly platform. Pierce pivoted from his previous bricks-and-mortar insurance business to start Insurely, driven by this need for technological advancement. He values surrounding himself with business mentors and has a long-standing business coach who helps him navigate personal and professional challenges. Pierce believes in betting on oneself and emphasizes self-care and spirituality as he continues his entrepreneurial journey. To learn more, visit http://www.insurely.ca. 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 07:47 - What problem is your company solving? 10:06 - What was your inspiration for starting this company? 13:14 - How did find the courage to embrace entrepreneurship? 16:12 - What role does an advisory board play in your development as an entrepreneur? 21:32 - What are your biggest challenges as an entrepreneur? 24:33 - What is easier for you now that you’re further along in your entrepreneurial journey? 28:35 - What obstacles are you anticipating and how do you plan to overcome them? 33:23 - What is the most expensive lesson you’ve had to learn as an entrepreneur? 36:19 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give? 40:06 - What was happening internally to inspire that advice?

For Episode 252 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Kim Lowert who is the Founder and CEO of a company reshaping the online shopping experience: Appstract. Kim founded his eCommerce consultancy after observing that online shopping hasn’t evolved much in the past 15 to 20 years - remaining static like a catalog. Appstract’s focus has primarily been on optimizing the checkout process, however, they recognized a challenge in that shopping is naturally social. Their objective is to merge the social aspects of shopping with the online store experience, making it more engaging, like shopping with friends in a physical store. Kim has undeniably picked up some invaluable knowledge throughout his experience as an entrepreneur: the value of hard work and learning new skills, being able to pivot your mindset, and hiring the right people. Uncover this knowledge with us in today’s episode of the Amplify Your Business Podcast, as well as how Appstract's adaptable business model is currently being tested with a monthly subscription and consumption fee for their social shopping service. To learn more, visit https://appstract.co/appstract. 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 02:35 - What problem is your company solving? 08:29 - How are you working on the business model side of things? 10:45 - What are the advantages of a product-based model over a consultancy model? 15:42 - How have you leveraged your transferable skills to make starting this business with a SaaS model easier? 20:45 - What big challenges are you expecting in the next year or two? 26:08 - How are you approaching marketing with Appstract?