small business Archives - Page 4 of 28

Pick Your Top Product E72

September 15, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Pick Your Top Product E72

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Pick Your Top Product E72

Join the Tycoons as they welcome Jonathan and Rhett from Business Warrior to the show. They offer some valuable advice around small business marketing and advertising. It can be an overwhelming and frustrating experience if not done right. A few of their tips include: making sure to have Call to Actions on your website, check your mobile optimization and load time, and most importantly – campaign around your top product. Be specific and don’t get sidetracked by all of the many services you provide.

This was a great show and one that helps business owners to understand what drives website traffic and how to turn that into value. Check out your business score at www.businesswarrior.com.

Business Warrior is the source for small businesses in America to enhance their brand and boost marketing results. The Business Warrior software takes a holistic view of a business’s online reputation, listings, website search results and social media. Predictive algorithms are utilized to recommend the most imperative actions needed to drive new customers, positively impact daily operations and improve profitability. For more information, please visit businesswarrior.com.

Jonathan Brooks is the President who leads revenue growth and operations. Through his leadership role, the company successfully became public in 2020, tripled their subscriber base, launched two new versions of their software and recently improved 2021 Q2 revenue by over 220% along with growing the team to over 30 people.

Jonathan joined Business Warrior five years ago after a 10 year career at Cox Communications. Jonathan led teams across the U.S. responsible for over 1 million subscribers. At Cox, he held multiple senior management roles in marketing, business operations and product management.

Jonathan’s background with SAAS products enables him to scale the company.

Chairman and CEO Rhett Doolittle, has been a business owner for 13 years and had two successful exits in the past.

Much of Rhett’s experience and capabilities stem from running his first business, Entrust Bankcard, a payment processing company launched in 2006.

Entrust Bankcard had a remarkable three-year revenue growth rate of 8,417%, which placed them #18 on Inc. 500’s list of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

Business Warrior is the culmination of his years of experience creating products and learning what problems need to be solved for small businesses.

Follow Business Warrior on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Show

Tycoons of Small Biz spotlights the true backbone of the American economy, the true tycoons of business in America… the owners, founders and CEO’s of small businesses. Join hosts, Austin L Peterson, Landon Mance and the featured tycoons LIVE every Tuesday at 1 pm, right here on Business RadioX and your favorite podcast platform.

About Your Hosts

Austin Peterson is a Comprehensive Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners 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. In 2021, Austin became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses.

Austin and his wife of 23 years, Robin, have two children, AJ (21) and Ella (18) 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.

Landon Mance is a Financial Planner and co-founder of Backbone Planning Partners out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He rebranded his practice in 2020 to focus on serving small business owners after operating as Mance Wealth Management since 2015 when Landon broke off from a major bank and started his own “shop.”

Landon comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs and has a passion and excitement for serving the business community. This passion is what brought about the growth of Backbone Planning Partners to help business owners and their families. At Backbone Planning, we believe small business owners’ personal and business goals are intertwined, so we work with our clients to design a financial plan to support all aspects of their lives.

In 2019, Landon obtained the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation through the Exit Planning Institute. With this certification, Backbone Planning Partners assists business owners through an ownership transition while focusing on a positive outcome for their employees and meeting the business owner’s 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. In 2021, Landon became a Certified Business Exit Consultant® (CBEC®) to help entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses by counseling owners about exit options, estimating the value of the business, preparing the business for exit and tax considerations.

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. Landon tries to make a difference in the lives of children in Las Vegas as a part of the leadership team for a local non-profit. He regularly visits the children that we work with to remind himself of why it’s so important to, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

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 Planning Partners is a marketing name for registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors. CRN-3754907-091021

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.

Where Are You Flying To? E70

September 2, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Where Are You Flying To? E70

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Where Are You Flying To? E70

You do not want to miss this show with Darlene Ziebell; it was so full of great advice for business owners, that even the Tycoons were taking notes! Darlene’s advice is simple: ask questions and listen. Do your market research and don’t believe everything you read online. Go out and ask strangers to understand the market. A few other tips that she believes in are investing in a good mentor and surrounding yourself with a group of professional advisors.

The biggest takeaway from this episode is the importance of a business plan. It should have three components, similar to a pilot’s flight plan: where are you now, where do you want to go, and what are the steps to get you there. Check out more of Darlene’s advice on her YouTube channel where she has a series of free 7-minute videos.

Prominent entrepreneur, author, and business consultant Darlene Ziebell helps others navigate the world of business by advising entrepreneurs on preparing for and overcoming challenges in managing a business. Darlene bases her methods on lessons learned from her own companies and hundreds of consulting clients. She is a former CEO, Director, and public speaker.

In addition to her MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, her extensive career consists of practical experience bootstrapping four startups and advising the Fortune 1000 as a management consultant. Her strategy methodologies are built on real-life experiences.

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

About the Show

About Your Hosts

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

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.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

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

The Midas Financial Touch E48

April 8, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

The Midas Financial Touch E48

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The Midas Financial Touch E48

Darrell and Blair Hornbacher are very passionate about educating business owners on personal and business credit and providing them access to much needed capital. The reality is most Americans do not understand how the credit system works and how it can work against them if they are not careful.

Midas Financial is built to help educate and provide badly needed capital to business owners in America so that business owners can do what they do best…continue to be the backbone of the American economy.

If you want to understand more about how credit works, or if you need access to capital to help grow your business (which business owner doesn’t), then you won’t want to miss this action packed episode.

Midas Financial was founded in 2004. They are the oldest unsecured business loan broker in the country. Soon after their inception, they were the original creator of unsecured loan and card stacking. A method of obtaining capital that almost 25% of the entrepreneurs and small business owners utilize today.

Along the way, Midas became an authority on personal and business credit. With over 37,000 successful credit restorations completed, Midas is one of the premier credit restoration firms in the business. Their trademarked Score Zoom is the only credit-building platform of its kind.

Darrell Hornbacher founded Midas in the spring of 2004. They just recently enjoyed their 17th anniversary of the company.

Midas was the creator of the loan and card stacking concept which now is responsible for 25% of the capital raised by small business owners. They have served over 42,500 clients.

Prior to Darrell founding Midas, he owned 13 different businesses. It was during that time he realized there was one constant in small business… the constant need for capital.

Darrell resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife Blair and daughters Morgan and Harper.

Blair Porter-Hornbacher is a 5th generation Arizonan. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with a double major in political science and Spanish. She also spent a year at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain.

She started with Midas in the summer of 2010 as an internet marketing manager and is now the Managing Partner of Midas. She is married with two daughters aged 14 and 20 months old.

Connect with Blair on LinkedIn and Instagram, and follow Midas Financial on Facebook.

About the Show

About Your Hosts

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.

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.

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.”

Landon comes from a family of successful entrepreneurs and has a passion and excitement for serving the business community. This passion is what brought about the growth of YourFuture Planning Partners to help business owners and their families. At YourFuture, we believe small business owners’ personal and business goals are intertwined, so we work with our clients to design a financial plan to support all aspects of their lives.

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 while focusing on a positive outcome for their employees and meeting the business owner’s 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 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. Landon tries make a difference in the lives of children in Las Vegas as a part of the leadership team for a local non-profit. He regularly visits the children that we work with to remind himself of why it’s so important to, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

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

CRN-3515649-033021

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

The Future of Finance with Eric Skaff and Suzy Greenwood E24

February 16, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

The Future of Finance with Eric Skaff and Suzy Greenwood E24

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The Future of Finance with Eric Skaff and Suzy Greenwood E24

On this Episode of the Future of Work we are joined by Eric Skaff, Managing Partner and Suzy Greenwood, Business Manager of Arizona Tax Advisors. We learn more about their entrepreneurial journey and how they strive to make the accounting and tax business more than just policies and endless documents. Arizona Tax Advisors takes pride in learning about each of their customers so they can provide the best advice and support for business owners.

If you are a business owner who is confused or overwhelmed by all of the changes in the tax code this year, you won’t want to miss this episode! Suzy and Eric walk us through some of changes and point out key things to think about. We also get Eric’s opinion on Crypto currency and accepting it as a form of payment. This episode is packed full of useful information for any business owner.

At Arizona Tax Advisors, clients always come first. They are a locally owned and operated accounting firm specializing in Small Business and Individual accounting, tax and bookkeeping services. Because every individual and every business is unique, they take the time to listen and learn about your situation. This personalized approach ensures the best possible results.

Initial consultations are always complimentary. They also review any prior year returns, prior year QuickBooks files, or financial statements upon request. From start-ups to established enterprises, their client relationships are built on trust. They aren’t just accounting and bookkeeping, they take pride in educating clients, watching them grow and succeed.

Eric Skaff is the Managing Partner of Arizona Tax Advisors. He has been serving as an accounting and finance professional for over ten years. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Eric moved to Phoenix, where he worked for a small public accounting firm. From there he relocated to Boston and spent several years as an accounting professional for a large international public accounting firm. Back in the Phoenix area again, Eric’s work is focused on his clients.

Through the years Eric has developed a solid network of resources in accounting, tax, and finance. This broadens his knowledge base and gives him access to other accounting and finance professionals.

He has specialized in small business solutions in both accounting and business analysis. He understands the complexities of starting and maintaining business in an ever-changing economy. Eric also has a full understanding of accounting, and has set up and maintained the books for many different clients. He includes training as part of his service so that business owners and operators have a full understanding of their operation. He has experience in preparing and filing tax returns for businesses and individuals, as well as sales tax returns, and quarterly and annual payroll returns.

Suzy Greenwood has over 30 years of business and management experience. Her career has been focused on customer service including creative problem-solving, training, daily operations and financial management.

Suzy served as the Chair for the Ambassador Committee, Tempe Chamber of Commerce; Chair for the Women In Business Council, Tempe Chamber of Commerce; serves on the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the Tempe YMCA Advisory Board.

She was awarded the 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she has organized, facilitated and/or spoken at many seminars and workshops for Small Business Owners and Managers.

Follow Arizona Tax Advisors on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WORK: WATER COOLER CONVERSATIONS

Welcome to Future of Work: Water Cooler Conversations Radio Show and Podcast – where business leaders share how they integrate humanity and technology through innovative approaches, healthy culture, flexible workspaces and seamless virtual technology.

ABOUT YOUR CO-HOSTS

With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.

Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6. Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space. The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook and Twitter.

Jennifer Burwell, joined MAC6 in 2013. Jennifer is their VP and Director of Programs.

She uses her experience in real estate, team development and management to seamlessly integrate each of the MAC6 business units to assure they are all focused on the long-term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior.

As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, she uses her knowledge to facilitate culture-focused leadership programs with organizations of all sizes to integrate the company’s values and create higher-performing teams.

To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

MAC⁶ offers flexible spaces and programs to help your team grow, and a community of thriving businesses, just like yours. Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, MAC6 is Accelerating the shift to Conscious Capitalism (where Purpose and Profit Unite) through Creativity, Collaboration, Community and Change.

Second Round of PPP Loans Info E37

January 20, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Second Round of PPP Loans Info E37

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Second Round of PPP Loans Info E37

Ryan Weissmueller re-joined the show to discuss the second round of PPP loans. If you’re a small business owner, you cannot miss this episode. Ryan shares valuable information and insight into the loan process and lessons learned from the first round of PPP loans.

Ryan’s advice is simple: make sure to ask questions, surround yourself with good advisors that will give you honest feedback, and capture your lessons learned going forward. We want to thank Ryan for being such a great guest and we’re looking forward to having him join more shows in the future.

Successful businesses face new challenges as they evolve over time. Fintrepid Solutions exists to help its clients navigate those challenges, providing clarity and confidence so they can become more sustainable, more profitable and more valuable.

Having supported nearly 100 clients since its founding in 2016 the Fintrepid Solutions team delivers customized solutions for each client, combining both strategy and execution to achieve business goals.

For its efforts partnering with businesses seeking to buy and sell, Fintrepid Solutions received the 2020 M&A Firm of the Year for the Southwestern US by Acquisition International.

After serving in C-level finance and operational roles for multiple entrepreneurial companies, Ryan Weissmueller realized his dream to serve the entrepreneurial community even further by founding Fintrepid Solutions.

Using nearly two decades of experience with the creation, growth and ongoing support of small and midsize businesses, Ryan has developed a rich skill set in delivering customized, nimble solutions to support leadership teams and their companies as they face new challenges at various stages over time.

Follow Fintrepid Solutions on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Your Hosts

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

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. Landon tries make a difference in the lives of children in Las Vegas as a part of the leadership team for a local non-profit. He regularly visits the children that we work with to remind himself of why it’s so important to, “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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.

Connect with Landon on LinkedIn.

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 3403265-011221

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

Brooke Lively with Cathedral Capital

December 14, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Brooke Lively with Cathedral Capital

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Brooke Lively with Cathedral Capital

Cathedral Capital provides fractional CFO and strategic business consulting to small- and mid-size firms across the country. Cathedral Capital’s team of CFO’s and Profitability Strategists help entrepreneurs turn their companies into profitable businesses.

Brooke Lively is the Founder and President of Cathedral Capital, a team of CFO’s and Profitability Strategists who help entrepreneurs turn their businesses into profitable companies. After earning her MBA in Investments and Corporate Finance, Brooke built a seven-figure company in under two years. As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), she and her team work with Hall of Famers, INC 5000 businesses, CEO’s, and Small Business Owners.

With expertise in growth management, creative problem solving and profitability strategy, Brooke has been named 2016 – 2020 Diversity Journal ‘Women Worth Watching’ and ‘Fort Worth’s 2016 CFO’s of the Year.’ She is a highly regarded speaker and the author of several books including her 2020 International Best Seller, From Panic to Profit. Brooke has been featured in international media including CNBC, Forbes, US News and World Report, and on podcasts such as Mission Matters, The American Bar Association Modern Law Library, and The Entrepreneur Way.

Connect with Brooke on LinkedIn and follow Cathedral Capital on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Financial Goal Planning E26

November 11, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Financial Goal Planning E26

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Financial Goal Planning E26

Hosts Mike & Rochelle Poulton covered Financial Goal Planning 2020 with guest Rory Stone-Walsh with Hershenberg Stone-Walsh Insurance Services. This episode covered it all, from funding retirement to understanding your health insurance benefits, to why disability and life insurance are critical. We also discussed long-term planning, especially for those planning to sell their business to fund retirement or buy a business in retirement. Lawgitimate wants you to get ahead and stay ahead in law, business, and in life.

If you want to know what should be on your Financial Goal Planning Checklist this episode is for you. Even small steps make a big difference in the long run. Enjoy and tell a friend!

Hershenberg & Stone-Walsh Insurance Services, LLC is a full-service insurance broker. We specialize in helping small and medium size businesses create and maintain their employee benefits program.

We work very closely with our clients HR Dept/Office Manager to create processes which ensure that all employee notices are delivered, all government regulations are being followed and that the employees are well educated on the their benefits package.

Rory Stone-Walsh started with Hershenberg Financial & Employee Benefits in February 2010 as the Employee Benefits Manager and became a partner of Hershenberg & Stone-Walsh Insurance Services in 2014.

Rory helps businesses design, implement and monitor their employee benefits programs. Rory has extensive knowledge on the current ERISA, HIPAA & ACA regulations and helps companies stay compliant. Rory designs employee benefit enrollment websites for our clients to move away from the cumbersome paper and pen enrollments.

Connect with Rory on LinkedIn.

About Your Lawgitimate 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.

Keap Co-Founder Scott Martineau E16

November 10, 2020 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Keap Co-Founder Scott Martineau E16

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Keap Co-Founder Scott Martineau E16

Keap (formally Infusionsoft) helps small businesses grow without the chaos. Keap’s industry-leading sales and marketing automation software helps serious entrepreneurs get organized, follow up and automate to create peace of mind, grow sales, and free up time.

Scott Martinueau is the co-founder and chief marketing officer at Keap.

He’s served in several different senior management roles at Keap since founding the company.

Connect with Scott 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.

10 Challenges Small Businesses Face (and How To Overcome Them)

September 29, 2020 by Terkel

This year has been about perseverance, ingenuity and overcoming obstacles. Ask any small business owner about the challenges they’ve faced in 2020, and you’re likely to receive a wide variety of answers.

Most small businesses faced financial challenges, and were forced to make some tough decisions as a result. Other small businesses who enjoyed their best year ever faced a different kind of challenge: scaling to meet demand.

To learn more, we asked small businesses a simple question: “What challenge have you overcome as a small business, and how did you overcome this challenge?”

Here’s what those 10 small businesses had to say.

Don’t Be Afraid to Hire Professionals

Upon opening my first business, I thought I had to oversee every project myself. But, I’m not good at everything. My time became fractured so things often fell through the cracks and simple tasks had to sit “on hold” much longer than necessary. I’ve learned to hire professionals who know far more than me in their area of expertise. Together, we scale quickly and better serve our clients.

Karen Nowicki, Business Radio X

Embrace Restructure and Adopt to People’s Current Needs

Earlier this year, our business went from $250,000 per month to nearly zero in three days. We had to quickly restructure, which included laying off staff, reducing marketing and operation spends and similar tactics. Then, using data from trends.google.com we found a related business vertical that was surging (virtual team building). Within 24 hours we redirected our entire operational capacity toward virtual events, which meant a new website, new marketing systems, new products and event types, and eventually re-hiring staff. This action-oriented approach paid off, we scraped by that first month with a small profit, and have been growing quickly since.

Michael Alexis, Teambuilding

Keeping Morale Through Short-Term Goals

As an SEO company for small businesses, we’ve seen a variety of challenges firsthand. The universal challenge we’ve seen is keeping employee morale and mental health intact in a fully remote work environment. There’s just so many things that employees face on the daily within their lives that have the potential to impact their mental health and morale. To combat this challenge, establishing short-term goals is incredibly important. Leaders need to give their employees something to look forward to and work towards. Short-term goals enable employees (and companies) to persevere when things get tough.

Brett Farmiloe, Markitors

Determining the Right Company Size

As a small business, the leadership team has spent the last two years revamping structure after a change in branding for the organization. Our goals included outlining the specific processes and positions required to elevate the well established programs, including the Arizona SciTech Festival and Chief Science Officers. While the changes have helped our organization thrive in the current situation, over the course of two years we have had a lot of staff turnover and many of those team members would find success in SciTech Institute as it operates today. In a small team, each individual played a role in our growth.

Kelly Greene, SciTech Institute

Disruptive Innovation

In my business, there are several big name companies out there that the consumer is familiar with, which makes it difficult to compete/differentiate our offering. We have been forced to be innovative in our marketing, our branding and how we go to market. We have been innovative in our outreaches on LinkedIn, podcasts, radio shows, etc. to show the consumer our differences and to portray our value to them, versus the household names that serve the masses.

Austin Peterson, Backbone Financial

Pivot To Address Customer Needs

Small businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. There’s been a total collapse of the industry, and companies like Cruise America have had to pivot to better serve the changing needs of our customers. Whether that pivot has been towards better serving commercial business or exceeding CDC guidelines, businesses of all sizes have had to adjust and face the challenges this year has presented.

Randall Smalley, Cruise America

Adopting a Consistent Digital Marketing Strategy

The biggest challenge for small businesses this year was adopting a consistent digital marketing strategy. For a lot of businesses, it’s on the top of their mind, but bottom of their “to-do” list. When storefronts and events closed, many small businesses couldn’t rely on organic traffic anymore, and were forced to learn and activate their digital marketing and eCommerce strategies… if they had one.

It was a big shift for many! However, you should ultimately be posting everyday, activating email marketing weekly, launching paid advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, producing and editing video, developing new product launch tactics and documenting every ounce of your business and sharing it with customers convincing them to care about your business, as much as you!

Dianna Stewart, Social Media Marketing Consultant

Your Business Plan Should be a “Live” Document

What is the purpose of your business and do your customers or clients know your value? It truly helps to have to have a clear vision and mission, and in my experience, there are a few actions you can take to help make your goals a reality. First, create a detailed business plan, in the form of a “live” document, that has attainable goals and can be adjusted as needed to reflect results along the way. Include some stretch goals as well so you can continue to elevate your own skills and professional development.

Marketing also should not be thought of as just another expense, but rather, an investment. Have a strong plan in place for how you will generate leads on a consistent basis, including a way to track and measure what works and what doesn’t. Lastly, take the time to hire and train your staff and include an ongoing development plan so they can continue to support you in whatever ways needed in order to help make your business thrive, not just survive.

Jennifer Leicht, Marketing and Small Business Consultant

Admit It’s Not Working and Make Plans to Change

We had to pivot three times as we’ve seen customers are not really interested in what we were doing and we struggled to get profitable. The biggest challenge is to make a call. Say that it’s not going to work and that it’s better to make a change as soon as possible. You need strong leadership and a coherent team that can accept such calls.

Jakub Kliszczak, Channels

Keep Track of Your Cash

From online invoice software to better budgeting systems and effective cash flow management, these challenges can be difficult to overcome. However, virtually every small business owner has cash flow problems. One simple tip is to keep a strict record of your money, where it’s coming from, and where it’s going.

Eliza Nimmich, Tutor the People