AMERICA AT WORK
Giving a Voice to Small Business
Listen and Learn!
Radio Interview Archives
CHUCK HESTER • STEPHANIE HESTER
05/08/2008
Chuck Hester Corporate Communications Director iContact, LinkedIn Guru
Linked In Tips: Treat your connections like they're standing in front of you • Old school business philosophies still apply • Spend time on your profile, it's your online portfolio, point to your websites and blogs • Build your recommendation section • To network: Introduce yourself, then ask what they're about • Pay It Forward: help people out without the thought of return. It will eventually come back to you!
www.thepayitforwardchronicles.blogspot.com
Stephanie Hester Behavioral Assessment Consultant/Trainer
DISC assessment tool • Try to know your style and other people's style • Remember what you can do, list everything you've ever done • Tap into the power and potential of blogging • Secure informational interviews to learn from experts • Be consistent • Do what you say you're going to do
www.stephaniehester.net
Chuck Hester Corporate Communications Director iContact, LinkedIn Guru
Linked In Tips: Treat your connections like they're standing in front of you • Old school business philosophies still apply • Spend time on your profile, it's your online portfolio, point to your websites and blogs • Build your recommendation section • To network: Introduce yourself, then ask what they're about • Pay It Forward: help people out without the thought of return. It will eventually come back to you!
www.thepayitforwardchronicles.blogspot.com
Stephanie Hester Behavioral Assessment Consultant/Trainer
DISC assessment tool • Try to know your style and other people's style • Remember what you can do, list everything you've ever done • Tap into the power and potential of blogging • Secure informational interviews to learn from experts • Be consistent • Do what you say you're going to do
www.stephaniehester.net
MIKE BERENSTAIN • JOHN GRINNELL
05/01/2008
Mike Berenstain Co-creator of Berenstain Bears
Get an entrée, get in the door • Enjoy what you're doing • Be realistic about your importance • Family integration in business can be challenging but even disagreements can be fun • To balance the demands of a multi-level business: delegate and partner with trusted people and companies, have varying contracts of approval
www.berenstainbearstreehouse.com
John Grinnell Founder of Grinnell Leadership
Leadership: defining the current state, identifying the gaps and developing objectives, relentlessly following thru until you're successful • 3 legs of leadership stool: maintain perspective, find courage, operate with integrity • Best marketing in word of mouth • You can't deliver on the outside what you can't deliver on the inside • Take the knowledge and run!
www.grinnellleadership.com
Mike Berenstain Co-creator of Berenstain Bears
Get an entrée, get in the door • Enjoy what you're doing • Be realistic about your importance • Family integration in business can be challenging but even disagreements can be fun • To balance the demands of a multi-level business: delegate and partner with trusted people and companies, have varying contracts of approval
www.berenstainbearstreehouse.com
John Grinnell Founder of Grinnell Leadership
Leadership: defining the current state, identifying the gaps and developing objectives, relentlessly following thru until you're successful • 3 legs of leadership stool: maintain perspective, find courage, operate with integrity • Best marketing in word of mouth • You can't deliver on the outside what you can't deliver on the inside • Take the knowledge and run!
www.grinnellleadership.com
CORY TAYLOR • RYAN ALLIS
05/01/08
Cory Taylor Horse Breeder
Manage your time, set goals • Talk with all the people you can: gain insight, tap into experience • People are open to helping you • Identify your strengths • Use sales agents, professionals and build a support team • No matter the size, running a business requires the same basic business principles
Ryan Allis Co-founder, CEO iContact
Basic business formula: fill a need, provide value, sell a product or service • Use MAR: Market – Advantages – Return to decide what idea you want to pursue • Live the experience • Talk to people in your target market: get their input • There is value in working closely as a team • Know your role as a manager • Connect with your customers • Read his book: Zero to One Million
www.ryanallis.com
Cory Taylor Horse Breeder
Manage your time, set goals • Talk with all the people you can: gain insight, tap into experience • People are open to helping you • Identify your strengths • Use sales agents, professionals and build a support team • No matter the size, running a business requires the same basic business principles
Ryan Allis Co-founder, CEO iContact
Basic business formula: fill a need, provide value, sell a product or service • Use MAR: Market – Advantages – Return to decide what idea you want to pursue • Live the experience • Talk to people in your target market: get their input • There is value in working closely as a team • Know your role as a manager • Connect with your customers • Read his book: Zero to One Million
www.ryanallis.com
MICHAEL WHALEN • RICK ZAKALIK
04/17/08
Michael Whalen Owner Moore Music Company
Ask all the questions beforehand: write them down, interview financial and business folks • Limited capital is part of small business profile • Transferable business skills and disciplines • You need to work with people who fit with you and your style • Must have strong commitment to financial discipline • Appreciate what you have
www.mooremusiccompany.com
Rick Zakalik President and Co-owner of FWS
Learn from people around you • keep an emphasis on growth, recruiting, marketing • Building a team: keep honest communication open, address concerns • The importance of common sense • Believe in your abilities • Don't run your business on your "best month" • Know more, guess less • Manage by the numbers, not your imagination • Maintain a sense of humor!
www.fwsfurnitureonline.com
Michael Whalen Owner Moore Music Company
Ask all the questions beforehand: write them down, interview financial and business folks • Limited capital is part of small business profile • Transferable business skills and disciplines • You need to work with people who fit with you and your style • Must have strong commitment to financial discipline • Appreciate what you have
www.mooremusiccompany.com
Rick Zakalik President and Co-owner of FWS
Learn from people around you • keep an emphasis on growth, recruiting, marketing • Building a team: keep honest communication open, address concerns • The importance of common sense • Believe in your abilities • Don't run your business on your "best month" • Know more, guess less • Manage by the numbers, not your imagination • Maintain a sense of humor!
www.fwsfurnitureonline.com
CAROLYN McKECUEN • AMILYA ANTONETTI
04/10/08
Carolyn McKecuen President, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Have your heart in the endeavor • Do what you have to do to get in touch with people: the phone, tradeshows, etc • Look into USAID for possible opportunities overseas • Keep exploring! • Know your numbers in your business: they tell you how things are going
www.takeourdaughtersandsonstowork.org
Amilya Antonetti Co-Founder, The Lucky Napkin Company
Just start! • Do market research, quick patent search • Trust your gut • Triage the idea: is it scaleable, protectable, profitable • Read her book: The Broken Cookie • Pitch you idea with the correct buyer • Be grateful everyday for what you have
www.luckynapkin.com
Carolyn McKecuen President, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Have your heart in the endeavor • Do what you have to do to get in touch with people: the phone, tradeshows, etc • Look into USAID for possible opportunities overseas • Keep exploring! • Know your numbers in your business: they tell you how things are going
www.takeourdaughtersandsonstowork.org
Amilya Antonetti Co-Founder, The Lucky Napkin Company
Just start! • Do market research, quick patent search • Trust your gut • Triage the idea: is it scaleable, protectable, profitable • Read her book: The Broken Cookie • Pitch you idea with the correct buyer • Be grateful everyday for what you have
www.luckynapkin.com
DICK HODGIN • JEFF DICKEY
04/03/2008
Dick Hodgin Producer, Engineer, Co-Owner Osceola Music, Inc.
Redefine the word SUCCESS: Do what you love and just make a good living at it • Respect the power of passion • Get your name attached to some success story • Speculation is part of business, be prepared to be wrong sometimes • Every band is like a small business • Marketing: "Donut 101"
www.osceolastudios.com
Jeff Dickey Founder, Business Development Leader SeeSaw Networks;
His other start-ups: Double Click & Advertising.com
The internet is a great thing, it allows aggregation of brain power • Mentoring is important: If you learn it then teach it • Stay curious: explore the web • It's all about new ideas • Read a lot, talk with lots of people • The two points of inflection in your business: point of optimization and when you get there
www.seesawnetworks.com
Dick Hodgin Producer, Engineer, Co-Owner Osceola Music, Inc.
Redefine the word SUCCESS: Do what you love and just make a good living at it • Respect the power of passion • Get your name attached to some success story • Speculation is part of business, be prepared to be wrong sometimes • Every band is like a small business • Marketing: "Donut 101"
www.osceolastudios.com
Jeff Dickey Founder, Business Development Leader SeeSaw Networks;
His other start-ups: Double Click & Advertising.com
The internet is a great thing, it allows aggregation of brain power • Mentoring is important: If you learn it then teach it • Stay curious: explore the web • It's all about new ideas • Read a lot, talk with lots of people • The two points of inflection in your business: point of optimization and when you get there
www.seesawnetworks.com
DAVE FIONDA • STEVE YAUCH
03/27/2008
Dave Fionda CEO, Founder of Candeos
Stay open to options, there is no direct path, be flexible • The right place at the right time • If you don't return my call promptly you never will • It's a 10:1 ratio with VC's, go into the relationship with your eyes wide open • Respect the power of referral • Look for the right sponsor: develop the team, communicate the plans/hurdles clearly, stick to the plan
www.candeos.com
Steve Yauch President, Owner of Carolina Electronic Assemblers
Treat people with respect • Trust your instincts • Talk with everyone and anyone for advice • If you believe in what you're doing, people will sense it and support you • Business Start Up Store concept
www.ceamanufacturing.com
Dave Fionda CEO, Founder of Candeos
Stay open to options, there is no direct path, be flexible • The right place at the right time • If you don't return my call promptly you never will • It's a 10:1 ratio with VC's, go into the relationship with your eyes wide open • Respect the power of referral • Look for the right sponsor: develop the team, communicate the plans/hurdles clearly, stick to the plan
www.candeos.com
Steve Yauch President, Owner of Carolina Electronic Assemblers
Treat people with respect • Trust your instincts • Talk with everyone and anyone for advice • If you believe in what you're doing, people will sense it and support you • Business Start Up Store concept
www.ceamanufacturing.com
JEFF SNELL • TRACY ADLER
03/20/08
Jeff Snell President, Principal Broker ENLIGN Business Brokers
IBBA International Business Brokers Association • New mindset in business brokering: accreditation - commitment to on-going education, exclusive period, avoid confidentiality • Know as much you can about the business • Present the company in a truthful manner • Gather a skilled team to ensure smooth transaction • Expect 9-12 month timeline • Never too early to think about an exit strategy
www.enlign.com
Tracy Adler Owner of Café on The Square, Creator of Yum Yum Dishes
Provide a great place to work • Hiring practice: "Have lunch with Tracy" • Encourage turnover: help employees discover their personal interests, talents • Volunteer • As busy as we think we are, there's more we can do
www.cafeonthesquare.com
www.yumyumdish.com
Jeff Snell President, Principal Broker ENLIGN Business Brokers
IBBA International Business Brokers Association • New mindset in business brokering: accreditation - commitment to on-going education, exclusive period, avoid confidentiality • Know as much you can about the business • Present the company in a truthful manner • Gather a skilled team to ensure smooth transaction • Expect 9-12 month timeline • Never too early to think about an exit strategy
www.enlign.com
Tracy Adler Owner of Café on The Square, Creator of Yum Yum Dishes
Provide a great place to work • Hiring practice: "Have lunch with Tracy" • Encourage turnover: help employees discover their personal interests, talents • Volunteer • As busy as we think we are, there's more we can do
www.cafeonthesquare.com
www.yumyumdish.com
LILY MORGAN • JEFF DICKEY
03/13/08
Lily Morgan Founder, CEO of Lily Organics
Learn all you can about money and how it works • Use the internet: find business partners • Believe in what you do and what you offer • Know what makes you stand out • Stay the course • Check out her book: Beauty, Health and Happiness − A Way of Life
www.lilyorganics.com
Jeff Dickey Founder, Business Development Leader SeeSaw Networks;
His other start-ups: Double Click & Advertising.com
The internet is a great thing, it allows aggregation of brain power • Mentoring is important: If you learn it then teach it • Stay curious: explore the web • It's all about new ideas • Read a lot, talk with lots of people • The two points of inflection in your business: point of optimization and when you get there
www.SeeSawNetworks.com
Lily Morgan Founder, CEO of Lily Organics
Learn all you can about money and how it works • Use the internet: find business partners • Believe in what you do and what you offer • Know what makes you stand out • Stay the course • Check out her book: Beauty, Health and Happiness − A Way of Life
www.lilyorganics.com
Jeff Dickey Founder, Business Development Leader SeeSaw Networks;
His other start-ups: Double Click & Advertising.com
The internet is a great thing, it allows aggregation of brain power • Mentoring is important: If you learn it then teach it • Stay curious: explore the web • It's all about new ideas • Read a lot, talk with lots of people • The two points of inflection in your business: point of optimization and when you get there
www.SeeSawNetworks.com
DR. PAUL TRIOLO • ELIZABETH O'DONNELL
03/06/08
Dr. Paul Triolo President Express Claims, Inc.
Value of being self taught • Learn the business side of things • Keep up on issues and network: use the internet, attend seminars • Power of direct mailing: use your connections • Focus your physicians message on benefits to their qualities • Make each day count • Balance growth and quality • Build infrastructure to grow your business
Elizabeth O'Donnell Founder, President of Gliding Stars, Inc.
Find mentors and partners to help set up your not-for-profit • Research the market: don't duplicate an idea • Marketing: launch for-profit arms off NFP • Internet extends shelf life of publicity • Power of non-profits: address social issues more effectively
www.glidingstars.org
Dr. Paul Triolo President Express Claims, Inc.
Value of being self taught • Learn the business side of things • Keep up on issues and network: use the internet, attend seminars • Power of direct mailing: use your connections • Focus your physicians message on benefits to their qualities • Make each day count • Balance growth and quality • Build infrastructure to grow your business
Elizabeth O'Donnell Founder, President of Gliding Stars, Inc.
Find mentors and partners to help set up your not-for-profit • Research the market: don't duplicate an idea • Marketing: launch for-profit arms off NFP • Internet extends shelf life of publicity • Power of non-profits: address social issues more effectively
www.glidingstars.org
DREW GERBER • GLEN LAPLACA
02/28/08
Drew Gerber Entrepreneur, Owner of PressKit247 and Wasabi Publicity
Get out there ana make it happen • The importance of relationships • ""Dial and smile" • Internet research • Expect surprises on your business journey
www.PressKit247.com
Glen LaPlaca Owner of Past & Present
Never underestimate the power of family support • Trust your gut • Get involved in the community • The power of word of mouth • Consistency in messaging • Listen to your customers • Assess your businesses effectiveness • Expect the unexpected
www.pastpres.com
Drew Gerber Entrepreneur, Owner of PressKit247 and Wasabi Publicity
Get out there ana make it happen • The importance of relationships • ""Dial and smile" • Internet research • Expect surprises on your business journey
www.PressKit247.com
Glen LaPlaca Owner of Past & Present
Never underestimate the power of family support • Trust your gut • Get involved in the community • The power of word of mouth • Consistency in messaging • Listen to your customers • Assess your businesses effectiveness • Expect the unexpected
www.pastpres.com
DR. JARED CONLEY • STEVE BRAND
02/14/2008
Dr. Jared Conley Partner, Falls Pointe Animal Hospital
Find people you can learn from • Be honest, be kind, work hard, work smart • Core value: build that relationship • Partnership: morals have to matter • Accordian facility grows with your business • Educational advertising
www.fallspointe.com
Steve Brand Creator, Founder of Drive-Time
You need tenacity • "No" doesn't mean "never" • Listen and watch • Keep up on technology because you link to customers • Independent contractors are a great resource
www.drive-time.com
Dr. Jared Conley Partner, Falls Pointe Animal Hospital
Find people you can learn from • Be honest, be kind, work hard, work smart • Core value: build that relationship • Partnership: morals have to matter • Accordian facility grows with your business • Educational advertising
www.fallspointe.com
Steve Brand Creator, Founder of Drive-Time
You need tenacity • "No" doesn't mean "never" • Listen and watch • Keep up on technology because you link to customers • Independent contractors are a great resource
www.drive-time.com
PAT FRALEY • MATT FRANCIS
02/07/2008
Pat Fraley Voice artist, Teacher
Stay connected with positive people • Keep that day job until it hurts • Have a financial net to carry you thru the tough times • Let your praises be on another man's lips • Book for the entrepreneur: The Long Tail by Chris Anderson • Stay educated • Keep up on technology
www.patfraley.com
Matt Francis President, Trizon Films
Believe in what you're doing, it's positive, powerful energy • Value all your connections • Don't ever burn a bridge • Who's your audience and what do you want to tell them? • Find a web company that listens to you and can help you
www.trizonfilms.com
Pat Fraley Voice artist, Teacher
Stay connected with positive people • Keep that day job until it hurts • Have a financial net to carry you thru the tough times • Let your praises be on another man's lips • Book for the entrepreneur: The Long Tail by Chris Anderson • Stay educated • Keep up on technology
www.patfraley.com
Matt Francis President, Trizon Films
Believe in what you're doing, it's positive, powerful energy • Value all your connections • Don't ever burn a bridge • Who's your audience and what do you want to tell them? • Find a web company that listens to you and can help you
www.trizonfilms.com
ERIK FRANCEY • MARY AZARIAN
01/31/08
ERIK FRANCEY Co-owner Edward Thomas Cigar
Internet research is free and there's a lot of information • Due diligence: do the leg work • Pay yourself: factor it in your plan • Take an honest look at your idea • Find the right partner • Remember the theatre of business • Stay ahead of the curve • Listen to your customers
MARY AZARIAN Owner of Farmhouse Press, Print maker, Book Illustrator
You never know who will see your work • Look for opportunities and grab them • Keep it simple if that works for you • Be disciplined, keep a schedule • Keep your energy up
www.maryazarian.com
ERIK FRANCEY Co-owner Edward Thomas Cigar
Internet research is free and there's a lot of information • Due diligence: do the leg work • Pay yourself: factor it in your plan • Take an honest look at your idea • Find the right partner • Remember the theatre of business • Stay ahead of the curve • Listen to your customers
MARY AZARIAN Owner of Farmhouse Press, Print maker, Book Illustrator
You never know who will see your work • Look for opportunities and grab them • Keep it simple if that works for you • Be disciplined, keep a schedule • Keep your energy up
www.maryazarian.com
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