Karen, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Business Owner Panel E28

December 8, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Business Owner Panel E28

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Business Owner Panel E28

Lawgitimate Podcast with Mike & Rochelle Poulton discusses a variety of topics to help you get ahead and stay ahead in law, business, and life. This episode covered starting and growing a business in 2020 with the Business Owner Panel.

Our guests included Kelly Lorenzen, Kenyatta Turner, Irene Ploski, and Annie Cavanagh. We discussed the difficulties with running a virtual business, the lack of customer service, and how to move forward into 2021 with hope and plans for the future.

Small business owners or aspirational entrepreneurs should listen to this episode to hear what business is like when everything goes wrong, how to pivot, and how to make plans for the future.

KLM Consulting is a business development firm with 17+ years of award-winning business savvy. We help successful entrepreneurs and non-profits build, brand and brag about their businesses.

By offering business development consulting, marketing, project management, and social media training, our clients can continue to do what they love while having the support they need.

KLM can help you turn your ideas into action, solve your dilemmas, and/or finish those projects you keep putting on the back burner.

Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 17 years of business-ownership experience. She has joined forces with other local experts to provide a multi-faceted team to help small businesses and non-profit organizations with their projects, create solutions-based marketing results, and build their businesses.

Ms. Lorenzen has an extensive sales and marketing background in a variety of industries. She is a certified project management professional with expertise in business development, customer service, marketing, and sales.

Kelly is also a native of Arizona, ASU Alumni, mentor, mother, and philanthropist.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn and follow KLM on Facebook and Instagram.

Freedom Empire Consulting, LLC empowers clients to build and shield their freedom empires! Specializing in Behavioral SuperPowers Coaching, legal services, and identity theft protection for individuals, families, and organizations.

Kenyatta Turner, MM is a Behavioral SuperPowers Coach, Business Consultant, Motivational Educator, and Speaker, and is an Accredited Business DNA Consultant through DNA Behavior.

She is the owner of Freedom Empire Consulting, LLC, where they Coach, Influence, and Protect clients around the world. Kenyatta also serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement for DreamSmart Academy, LLC, and serves on the National Advisory Council for DreamSmart, Inc (501c3).

Behavioral SuperPowers = Influencer.

Communications SuperPower = Lifestyle.

She is an enthusiastic professional with extensive qualifications in educational leadership acquired through 25+ years of experience and success as a Director of Admissions, Assistant Director of Career and Student Services, Professor, and various other roles at colleges in Phoenix, AZ.

Having obtained a Master’s degree in Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, Kenyatta is a creative, yet analytical thinker with an unshakeable commitment to helping those around her to flourish throughout their personal, professional, or educational journeys.

As a Small Business & Group Benefits Specialist for LegalShield, she has the freedom to protect families and small business owners with access to quality, affordable legal service plans, along with identity theft protection and restoration services. Through her nationwide brokerage, she coaches others to build their own LegalShield businesses. Kenyatta transfers her passion for education into a passion for educating others about resources and opportunities that help them to “Worry Less. Live More”.

Being an avid volunteer, Kenyatta served for many years as the Vice President and Membership Director of the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association. She also gives back to the community by volunteering as the Emcee for Girls Rock! Phoenix, a Workshop Facilitator at Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and Dress for Success, served as a mentor to the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, and her involvement at the Central Arizona Shelter Services. Kenyatta is also a Community Ambassador for the Junior League of Phoenix. She’s a multi-faceted musician who enjoys, hiking, travel, reading, live music, art, karaoke, and spending time with family, friends, and her beloved Rottweiler!

Connect with Kenyatta on LinkedIn.

Annie Cav Salon is a private studio offering top shelf salon services with a smile. With attention to detail and a focus on personal connection, clients can rest assured that their investment will surely be their crowning glory.

Owner Annie Cavenagh specializes in color correction and balayage, but don’t miss out on trendy cuts and selfie-perfect blowouts. Also gracing the service menu are vintage styles, fashion colors, gender-neutral services, and dreadlocks.

Annie has been licensed and working as a stylist in Phoenix for 18 years. Wanting to add some spice to the mix, she created the Melrose Vintage Market, and also runs a costume studio Black Rock Earthling.

When she’s not busy, she keeps busy reading and cooking and searching for the end of her Jack Russell’s energy stores. Traveling the world has always been a great passion, and she’s got two continents yet on which to set foot.

Connect with Annie on Facebook and Instagram.

Founded in 2009, the team at Independence Insurance Group, PLLC has a total combined industry experience of over 40 years. They are an independent insurance agency and have several options to offer to their clients. Their team is not bound to a single insurance company that offers a single type of product, instead, they look for the best fit for each of their clients.

Their goal is to find the right combination of coverage and price. The team at Independence Insurance Group PLLC looks forward to providing knowledgeable, prompt, clear and honest customer service to their clients and prospects.

They offer competitive rates and top products in the industry from financially-strong and reputable insurance companies. It is their priority to respond to all requests within 24 hours.

Independence Insurance Group PLLC thrives to be a relationship-based agency with their clients, business partners and professional network. They actively serve our community through fundraising & volunteering.

Irene Ploski has been in the insurance industry since 2003. She is married and is the mom of 2 very busy teenagers, a high-energy Golden Retriever and a Doberman puppie. Irene is fluent in Spanish, and she is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. She moved to Arizona in 2000 and became a U.S. Citizen in 2010.

She founded Independence Insurance Group in 2009. She has been a member of Networking For Charity, a Central Phoenix-based business networking group that focuses on generating qualified business referrals through philanthropy and volunteering. She has been Vice President of NFC since 2014. NFC has raised over $60,000 for small local nonprofit organizations in our community.

Irene is a member of the Phoenix Elks Lodge #335 and served as Chairwoman of the Advisory Committee for their teen program called the Phoenix Antlers Lodge #335, an organization that promotes leadership, good citizenship and strong friendships, respect for parents and love for community in teens through volunteering and fundraising.

She is also soon-to-be Secretary of the Phoenix Lions Club, which is a global organization of volunteers that join together to give their time and effort to improving their communities and meet humanitarian needs.

Connect with Irene on LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Your Hosts

Rochelle Poulton is an attorney and owner of X Firm LLC. Rochelle has been helping people with Credit and Debt issues since 2012, owns several small businesses, and has nearly 20 years of real estate experience.

Rochelle created Lawgitimate to bring in a network of awesome people to raise awareness and educate people about the litany of legal issues she faces everyday at X Firm LLC.

Connect with Rochelle on Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram.

Mike Poulton, with Poulton & Noroian, draws on his knowledge and experience in other fields to serve his clients. As an experienced science researcher, Mike understands technical issues that many other attorneys cannot, and applies that knowledge for his clients’ benefit. His construction management experience also provides him with a broad knowledge base not only in construction law, but also in regulatory compliance, worker safety, and negotiation.

Michael is licensed to practice law in Arizona and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Federal District Courts in Arizona.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.

About X Firm PLLC

We help clients improve their financial lives through strategic financial transaction planning. Whether you want to buy a car, a home, or a building, X Firm can help you reach your goals in 3 easy steps.

We are small but mighty and love helping people get back on track financially. Learn more about us at XFirmLaw.com.

Grit and Grace with Laura and Jodi E5

December 8, 2020 by Karen

Grit-and-Grace-with-Laura-and-Jodi-feature

Phoenix Business Radio

Grit and Grace with Laura and Jodi E5

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Grit and Grace with Laura and Jodi E5

Laura and Jodi were a perfect match for the conversation about creating a conscious business where they are supporting the community, making profit, and keeping in consideration the four tenants of Conscious Capitalism. Both women took a step to create a business that they could grow, and that they continue to grow through the pandemic.

Jodi, a local member of the Conscious Capitalism Arizona Chapter, highlights how she has grown her conscious business that empowers both adults and teens to create stronger personal and professional lives. Laura was able to join from San Diego to highlight her company WHYZ Partners and how they have been able to successfully navigate purpose and profit. We were able to dive into the purpose behind her new book The ABC’s of Conscious Capitalism for Kids and how it aligns well with the teen program that Jodi leads.

Grit and Grace is how they do it. When it comes to success, they are measuring what matters, taking the first step even if it is difficult, continuing to be authentic, and elevating humanity daily.

Not only was this a great conversation full of motivational takeaways, but we may have just found a perfect match for future collaboration. Although, we are in the middle of a pandemic and having to do all Conscious Capitalism Arizona events virtually, there is one thing that we are still able to do and that is make connections.

We hope folks listen in and take away some motivational thoughts about taking chances, being authentic, and remembering all of your stakeholders to grow. The takeaway from the show and from this entire pandemic- continue to have grit and grace.

WHYZ Partners is a retail consumer goods consultancy that offers retailers and brands a roadmap for how to successfully navigate purpose and profit in a 21st century ‘new abnormal’ consumer goods ecosystem.

The female founders utilize a high-touch approach of IQ/EQ/LQ that leverages their extensive experience in brand strategy and development, product development, omnichannel execution and operational excellence.

WHYZ believes in a triple bottom line business model, but knows that unless their clients are profitable, they cannot help people or the planet!

Laura Hall is a global business leader in the fashion and consumer goods industry. She left her last corporate role as president of accessories for Polo Ralph Lauren to join forces with two other female C-Suite executives to create WHYZ Partners.

Laura has been called a ‘collaborative co-conspirator’ by her clients and her peers – a descriptor she proudly accepts. And most recently, Laura is the author of a new children’s book The ABCs of Conscious Capitalism for KIDs – because Laura believes that “it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”…as Frederick Douglass said over a century ago.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

U & Improved is an award-winning leadership development company that empowers people to create the personal and professional lives that they envision and deserve!

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of the award-winning heart-based leadership development company U & Improved.

Jodi has trained tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, Fortune 100 executives, and small to medium sizes companies, and their teams, on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Her series of interactive, performance-based classes at U & Improved take leadership development to new heights using a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each attendee. Classes cover a variety of important workplace topics including communication, confidence-building, goal-setting, team collaboration, integrity and leadership.

The curriculum is adaptable and can include anything from a one-day workshop or corporate speaking engagement to their series of four award winning classes – each two-and-a-half day experiential leadership development courses – that focus on leadership, communication, team building and trust. Graduates are empowered with the knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, at home and within their communities.

In addition to helping Fortune 100 leaders, entrepreneurs and their teams see measurable success, Jodi also launched a teen leadership program, called U the Teen Leader, in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused future leaders. And in 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—which makes the program more accessible to deserving teens by offering partial and full scholarships to the U The Teen Leader class offered at U & Improved.

Follow U & Improved on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Our People and Profit Co-Hosts

Sarah McCraren is an Arizona native with a strong sense of community. Sarah spent many years in the corporate finance world specializing in the operational analysis, measurement and accountability systems, project management and software implementations. However, Sarah wanted to do work which was meaningful and would positively impact her community.

She found that saving lives and reducing injuries through comprehensive safety programs fit that bill. Sarah currently leads the McCraren Compliance team by keeping everyone focused on their primary purpose, creating workplaces where we all watch out for each other, and balancing the needs of all their stakeholders.

Sarah serves on the Boards for Conscious Capitalism Arizona and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Tucson Chapter, and is also active with the Arizona Builders Alliance, Arizona Rock Products Association , Arizona Transportation Builders and Women in Mining Az.

Sarah McCraren
Part of an Awesome Team
www.McCrarenCompliance.com
Creating Workplaces Where We All Watch Out for Each Other

No arm twisting is required to get Jeremy Neis, a CC Arizona leadership team member, to engage in conversation with impassioned business minds on the topic of leveraging enterprise to create long lasting advancements for humanity.

His two plus decades of entrepreneurial experience, leading strategic initiatives and tailoring solutions for organizations, families and individuals has led to a strong appreciation of the profound impact business wields over the people it serves and relies upon.

It is his delight to explore with inspiration, show guests their experiences, observations and approaches to doing business in a people centered manner.

About Our Sponsor – Conscious Capitalism Arizona

Business has the potential to be a powerful force for good.

Free enterprise capitalism has served to lift more people out of poverty than any other socio-economic system ever conceived – empowering social cooperation, human progress, and elevating humanity.

Good business is the answer to many of the global issues that humankind is facing. This is what we will dive into on the show.

We are working to change the capitalism narrative by shining a bright light on good business – telling the stories of conscious Arizona companies and encouraging others to follow in their footsteps.

CPA Tanya Luken E18

December 8, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

CPA Tanya Luken E18

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CPA Tanya Luken E18

Tanya Luken CPA PC is a public accounting firm that simplifies and streamlines accounting for nonprofits, bars and restaurants, and rights management.

We are ending shoebox accounting. We believe accounting should be as dynamic as the business it serves. We streamline, automate, and analyze your accounting data to create forward-thinking solutions for your business challenges. Unlike other accounting firms, we have ideas. We don’t just measure yesterday’s successes – we use historical data to predict tomorrow’s successes and reach your goals.

Tanya Luken is a CPA and business owner. She started her first accounting practice in May 2000. For over 20 years, she has helped nonprofits and small businesses with their accounting and operations.

Tanya is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, a Champion for the Arizona Society of CPAs, an Ambassador for the American Institute of CPAs, an Advisory Board Member for Saint Vincent de Paul. Tanya Luken CPA PC is a proud member of Local First Arizona and an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.

When she’s not running her accounting firm, Tanya is learning Spanish, traveling and hanging out with her dog, Barbara Gordon. She has a thing for Chuck Norris jokes.

Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn.

About Arizona Good Business

What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?

Join Arizona Good Business to hear from local companies who are:

Centering purpose at the forefront of business
Creating social well-being for the community
Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions

Arizona Good Business features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.

About Your Host

Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.

Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.

Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Local First AZ

Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.

E68 Cornelius Fichtner Shares His Journey as a Leader in the Project Management Community

December 8, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

E68 Cornelius Fichtner Shares His Journey as a Leader in the Project Management Community

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E68 Cornelius Fichtner Shares His Journey as a Leader in the Project Management Community

Listening to this session as we chat with Cornelius Fichtner and learn about his career and lessons learned on his project management leadership journey. We hear how he started The Project Management podcast (www.project-management-podcast.com) back in 2005 and why it might not be a good idea for you to start your own podcast.

Cornelius also explains how he had to learn the language of Project Management and how that can be a challenge for non-English speaking PMs preparing to take the PMP exam.

Cornelius also shared how volunteering within a PMI chapter helped springboard him towards starting his PM training company. Listen to hear the story how he started OSP International and how he is adjusting to the new rules PMI has set for PMP training.

Cornelius also shares the Project Business Foundation (www.project-business.org) which is an emerging topic in the industry. The Project Business Foundation is a nonprofit association and is the professional home association for individuals and organizations dealing with project business as clients, contractors, or as experts.

Thanks to our sponsor THE PMO SQUAD. Visit www.thepmosquad.com learn more about the premier PMO consulting firm in the US. Utilize our industry leading services such as PMOaaS, Purpose Driven PMO, PM & Agile resources and training.

Check out all prior episodes and upcoming guests by visiting www.projectmanagementofficehours.com.

OSP International LLC is a Project Management Institute (PMI)® Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) based in Orange, California, USA. We have been coaching project managers to prepare for their Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam since 2006.

We also work with project managers who need to maintain their PMI® credentials by providing webinars and online learning tools that allow them to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) for their recertification.

We have coached over 60,000 project managers on their way to becoming PMP® certified, and we are one of the leading online training companies for PMP® exam preparation. You can read testimonials and product reviews from our successful students here.

Cornelius Fichtner has been working as a Project Manager in his native Switzerland, in Germany and in the USA since 1990 and received his Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential in April 2004.

He has led projects for a management consulting company, a national retailer, an internet startup company, and for one of the oldest financial service providers in the USA.

His passions are Agile, project management methodologies and PMOs.

Cornelius is the 2007 Chair of the Project Management Institute (PMI)® Orange County Chapter, and the host of The Project Management Podcast.

He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, USA with his wife and their four computers.

Connect with Cornelius on Twitter and follow the Project Management Podcast on LinkedIn and Facebook.

ABOUT PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE HOURS SERIES

Project Management Office Hours is intended to provide Project Management professionals a place to drop in and discuss Success Stories, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned. Project Management Consultant Joy Gumz has shared with us, “Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides the light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.”

Each of us has a unique story to tell, but collectively we share a message that organizations who embrace Project Management Best Practices perform better than those which don’t. Organizations which align Projects to Strategy perform better. Organizations with Engage Executive Sponsors deliver better results. Organizations which measure Project Management performance outperform those which don’t.

During our Project Management Office Hours, we hear directly from Industry leaders how to make an impact in our profession. How we, collectively, will Advance Project Management Best Practices, One Listener at a time!

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Joe Pusz started THE PMO SQUAD to bring real world PMO Leadership experience to the consulting space and to advocate for Project Management through his blog PMOJOE.com. The old saying is “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Following this mindset Joe left Corporate America in 2013 to start THE PMO SQUAD and work with fellow Natural Born Project Managers to advance Project Management Best Practices.

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

THE PMO SQUAD focuses exclusively on PMO and Project Management consulting. Corporate America is full of Accidental Project Managers running projects who haven’t been trained to be PMs. To help solve this problem THE PMO SQUAD is on the Leading Edge with PMO As a Service. PMO As a Service allows our clients to focus on their respective core competencies while THE PMO SQUAD delivers Project Management expertise. Contact Joe at 678-591-7868. Follow The PMO Squad on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Fresh Start and Big Ideas with Brett Thomas and Steve

December 7, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Fresh Start and Big Ideas with Brett Thomas and Steve

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Fresh Start and Big Ideas with Brett Thomas and Steve

In 2020, businesses of all shapes and sizes were stretched and pulled in ways we never thought imaginable. On this podcast, we recap the year with a focus on what’s made us stronger and more resilient – with a solid look ahead to 2021.

Join co-hosts Karen Nowicki with Phoenix Business RadioX and Brett Farmiloe with Markitors and their guests, Thomas Barr, Executive Director of Local First Arizona and Steve Zylstra, President and CEO of Arizona Technology Council. Listen in as these incredible leaders speak to how they continue to advocate for your success.

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Our Special Guest Host

Brett Farmiloe is the Founder & CEO of Markitors, an SEO company for small businesses. He is a frequent contributor to Forbes, Business Journal, and more outlets on the topics of marketing, careers, and entrepreneurship.

He is also the Founder of Terkel, a knowledge platform the creates community-driven content featuring expert insights.

Connect with Brett on LinkedIn and follow Markitors on Twitter.

Joe Meli and Mark Hoffman with Hoffman Financial Services

December 2, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Joe Meli and Mark Hoffman with Hoffman Financial Services

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Joe Meli and Mark Hoffman with Hoffman Financial Services

Hoffman Financial Services specializes in small group and individual health plans, life, disability, long term care, Medicare Supplements and fixed annuities.

Mark Hoffman and Joe Meli have a combined forty six years experience in the financial services arena.

About Our Co-Host

Green Living magazine is the premier Arizona eco-conscious lifestyle magazine centered on your daily life and the way you express yourself as you live, work, and play green. We offer the latest in products, fashion, wellness, and home while enlivening you to make a difference in our environment.

Our content is modern and has a wide-spread reach. Green Living magazine is designed to empower you with new ideas and inspirations using nature’s resources to lead you to a more sustainable you.

Dorie Morales is an experienced Principal with a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry.

She is a strong education professional skilled in negotiation, sales, sustainable business, and team building with a passion for the environment.

Follow Green Living magazine on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Flip the Script E31

December 2, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Flip the Script E31

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Flip the Script E31

You can’t host a radio program/podcast called Tycoons of Small Biz, without being tycoons yourself, can you? The hosts, Austin Peterson and Landon Mance decided it was time for them to get on the other side of the mic and let Karen Nowicki interview them about the show and what it has meant to them, but she also interviews them about their area of expertise in working with small business owners, the true backbone of the American economy.

If you are a business owner that wants straight forward advice on how to prep your business for an eventual succession and planning along the way that is crucial, then you won’t want to miss this episode where Austin Peterson and Landon Mance reveal the process they go through that sets them apart from your every day financial planner.

Austin Peterson is a Comprehensive Financial Planner and owner of Backbone Financial in Scottsdale, AZ. Austin is a registered rep and investment advisor representative with Lincoln Financial Advisors. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial Advisors, Austin worked in a variety of roles in the financial services industry.

He began his career in financial services in the year 2000 as a personal financial advisor with Independent Capital Management in Santa Ana, CA. Austin then joined Pacific Life Insurance Company as an internal wholesaler for their variable annuity and mutual fund products. After Pacific Life, Austin formed his own financial planning company in Southern California that he built and ran for 6 years and eventually sold when he moved his family to Salt Lake City to pursue his MBA.

After he completed his MBA, Austin joined Crump Life Insurance where he filled a couple of different sales roles and eventually a management role throughout the five years he was with Crump. Most recently before joining Lincoln Financial Advisors in February 2015, Austin spent 2 years as a life insurance field wholesaler with Symetra Life Insurance Company. Austin is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and Chartered Life Underwriter.

Austin and his wife of 21 years, Robin, have two children, AJ (19) and Ella (16) and they reside in Gilbert, Arizona. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in French and of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management with a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in sales and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Austin on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

YourFuture Planning Partners is a financial services firm out of Las Vegas, Nevada and came to life in 2020 after operating as Mance Wealth Management since 2015 when Landon broke off from a major bank to start his own practice.

YourFuture Planning Partners helps business owners and their families successfully transition businesses from one owner to the next while focusing on a positive outcome for their employees. Whether you are transitioning a business to family, key employees, or an outside party, they define success as being educated on all of your options. Landon will help you select the option that will make you feel best after the transition, and ensure that you have a comprehensive written plan for what you’re going to do after you’re done running your business.

Landon Mance is a Financial Planner and founder of YourFuture Planning Partners out of Las Vegas, Nevada. His firm came to life in 2020 after operating as Mance Wealth Management since 2015 when Landon broke off from a major bank and started his own “shop.”

In 2019, Landon obtained the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation through the Exit Planning Institute. With this certification, YourFuture Planning Partners assists business owners through an ownership transition to meet business owners’ goals. Landon is also a member of the Business Intelligence Institute (BII) which is a collaborative group that shares tools, resources and personnel, and offers advanced level training and technical support to specifically serve business owners.

Landon received his B.S. from California State University Long Beach in business marketing and gets the rest of his education through the school of hard knocks via his business owner clients. Landon enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, stepson, and new baby twins. He grew up in sunny San Diego and loves visiting his family, playing a round of golf with friends, and many other outdoor activities.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn and follow YourFuture Planning on Facebook.

About The Tycoons of Small Biz Sponsor

Whether you’re an established local company, or a brand new start-up, you can count on GBS to be a part of your family.

We’re not just any benefits consulting firm, we’re GBS. We have nearly 30 years of experience in group benefits, a strong sense of purpose and it shows.

Austin Peterson and Landon Mance are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Backbone Financial and Your Future Planning Partners are marketing names for registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. CRN-3361590-120820

Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

The content presented is for informational and educational purposes. The information covered and posted are views and opinions of the guests and not necessarily those of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Business RadioX® is a separate entity not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Connecting- An Inside Look at the Culture of COX Communications E2

December 1, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Connecting- An Inside Look at the Culture of COX Communications E2

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Connecting- An Inside Look at the Culture of COX Communications E2

This was such an impactful conversation with Susan Anable, Vice President of Public Affairs- Southwest Region with COX Communications. She gave us insight into the history, the people, and the passion of the employees. We could have listened to the stories of the culture and the people all day, but unfortunately the show is only 60 minutes.

If you thought you knew about the great culture at COX and the amazing people that work there, there is so much more that Susan tells on the podcast. This podcast dives into areas of the company culture that our host didn’t even know about. It’s a company culture all about connections and doing the right thing.

This is a great episode to listen to if you are trying to grow the culture at your company, if you are looking to partner with an great company, if you want to hear about a company that is supporting the community, and if you want to hear about people just doing the right thing and making a difference.

 Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states.

In metro Phoenix, we serve approximately 2.5 million product subscribers, and in Southern Arizona, approximately 400,000 product subscribers, with residential and business digital television, 1G high speed Internet, security systems and digital telephone service over its own nationwide IP network. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique.

The 3,100 Arizona employees of Cox are proud to have topped numerous J.D. Power and Associates’ studies of customer satisfaction and for many years top “Ranking Arizona-Best of Arizona Business” list. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

Susan Anable, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Southwest Region, has been with Cox Communications since 2001. She is responsible for media relations, community relations, government affairs and internal communications for Cox in Arizona and Nevada.

From 1991 to 2001, Susan was part of the Arizona State Senate Research Staff, serving as Staff Director and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Analyst when she left to join Cox in 2001.

Susan serves on the Executive Committee of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and recently passed the gavel after serving as Chair of the Board for two terms. She is the past Public Affairs Chair and Board member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

She is a former President and member of the Phoenix Suns Charities Board and serves on the Cox Charities Board. In 2015, Susan was named to the Banner Health Foundation Board of Directors.

Susan was appointed to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s Workforce Arizona Council in 2016 and has served as an appointee on numerous City of Phoenix Task Forces dealing with regulatory simplification, pension reform and technology. Susan is the past President of the Southwest Cable Communications Association and a past member of the Executive Board of the Arizona Tax Research Association. In 2019, Susan was recognized as a “Woman to Watch” by Women in Cable Television (WICT), and as Woman of the Year by the Arizona Capitol Times in its 2019 Women of Achievement Awards. She has also won numerous company and industry awards for government relations and public affairs initiatives.

Originally from Wyoming, Susan came to Arizona to attend school, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from The Walter Cronkite School of Broadcast Journalism at Arizona State University in 1991, and is a graduate of the Cable Television Public Affairs Association’s Institute for Public Affairs.

She is married to Mike Anable and they have two adult children, Nicholas and Ellise. They reside in Phoenix where Susan loves to hike, run and spend as much time outdoors with her family.

About Culture Crush

Culture Crush is officially relaunched! We are thankful to Debra Caron who launched and hosted the show originally. Culture Crush is back with a new host but the same focus- highlighting what makes a great company culture and how it affects the overall success of a company.

Culture is not just a tag word to be thrown around. It is not something you throw in job descriptions to draw people to applying for jobs within a company.

According to Marcus Buckingham and Ashely Goodall in their book Nine Lies About Work, “Culture is the tenants of how we behave. It’s like a family creed. This is how we operate and treat each other in the family.”

On this long form podcast we will highlight companies local to Arizona and beyond that are crushing it with great culture!

We will talk with company leaders to learn about real-life experiences, tips, and best practices for creating a healthy work environment where employees are finding joy and satisfaction in their work while also striving and growing within the company.

About the Host

Kindra Maples is your new host taking the lead on the relaunch of Culture Crush! She is spartan racer, past animal trainer, previous magician’s assistant, and has a weakness for Oreo cookie shakes. Her journey working with people actually started working with animals as a teenager (don’t worry we won’t go that far back for her bio).

She worked for over 15 years in the zoo industry working with animals and the public. Her passion of working with animals shifted into working with people in education, operations and leadership roles. From there her passion of leadership and helping people develop has continued to grow.

Then came the opportunity for relaunching the Culture Crush Podcast and she jumped on it. Leadership, growth, and strong company cultures are all areas that Kindra is interested in diving into further.

Shout Outs

We want to thank a few people for their behind the scenes effort in helping this relaunch to come to life. James Johnson with Tailored Penguin Media Company LLC.– It is a small, but powerful video production company with a goal to deliver the very best by articulating the vision of your brand in a visually creative way. Gordon Murray with Flash PhotoVideo, LLC. -Flash Gordon has been photographing since high school and evolving since then with new products that will equip, encourage, engage, and enable. Renee Blundon with Renee Blundon Design – She is not only one of the best free divers (that’s not how she helped with the podcast) but she is great with graphics design and taking the direction for the vision that you have while also adding creative ideas to bring to your vision to life.

These are just a few of the folks that supported the relaunch of the podcast. If you would like to be part of the Culture Crush team or would like to support underwriting the show- please reach out: culturecrushpodcast@gmail.com

Cristina Fields with Knead by Nynn Bread Co and Shelly Weaver-Cather with Beahnie’s

December 1, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Cristina Fields with Knead by Nynn Bread Co and Shelly Weaver-Cather with Beahnie's

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Cristina Fields with Knead by Nynn Bread Co and Shelly Weaver-Cather with Beahnie’s

Knead by Nynn is a cozy cottage bakery in Chandler Arizona ran by Cristina Fields. Knead by Nynn makes small batches of handmade kneaded doughs created with love in every loaf from their home bakery.

Her name is Cristina Fields, but her family calls her Nynn, and she loves baking bread.

Like. She really loves it.

At first this was just an obsessive hobby. The day after she made her first loaf she couldn’t stop thinking about learning more. She was overly excited and so proud that she gave some to everyone she knew. And every person she fed absolutely loved it.

She was being asked to make bread for friends, friends of friends, random Instagram followers… and the craziest part? They wanted to pay her!

That’s when she stared blankly at her computer screen and fantasized about quitting her day job and making bread all day long.

She fell in love.

What at first was a hobby is a growing community of carb lovers, and she’s so excited to welcome you to the fam!

Follow Knead by Nynn on Facebook and Instagram.

Beahnie’s is a sister-owned bakery focused on bringing unique flavors to classic recipes and delivering comfort to their customers’ doorsteps. After they started delivering surprise pastry boxes to their friends to cheer them up during quarantine, the Weaver sisters decided to offer their goodies to anyone who needs a break in their day or just a little extra sweetness.

You can find them running their Bedtime Bake Sales on Friday nights in Downtown Gilbert, delivering Valley-wide on Saturday mornings, and hopefully in farmer’s markets near you as soon as they finish their trailer renovation.

Shelly Weaver-Cather is a baker, photographer, writer, marketer, wife, mother, sister, and whatever else the situation calls for. She got her start in the wedding industry as a photographer’s assistant, and eventually moved into the e-commerce world at local startup Tuft & Needle.

At T&N, she learned the art of content creation and the role that great content plays for a brand. She was able to apply these skills to not just her own business, but other brands popping up in 2020 as her friends and family started to get creative to fill their time at home.

When she isn’t wrangling a toddler, shooting the next big entrepreneur’s headshots, or baking dozens and dozens of cinnamon rolls, she’s usually rewatching Gilmore Girls for the thousandth time.

Connect with Shelly on LinkedIn and follow Beahnie’s on Facebook and Instagram.