Small Business Show

You have a successful Small Business, but want to increase revenue, expand your brand awareness and create new revenue streams. This week on the Small Business Show, your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton talk about ways to expand your business, your brand and your income. Listen in and then meet us at the Small Business Support Group to get your questions answered and to join the conversation. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #257 for Wednesday, January 8, 2019 Part 1: The Big Picture of Expansion Educate! Focus on whether the content is intelligible and valuable. Just be authentic. Add a new channel to your business Find something your customers also need, and offer it. Do subscriptions make sense? Monthly recurring revenue With subscriptions, it up to your customer to stop paying you, not up to you to ask your customer to buy from you. Subscribe to a Volvo car! Start a podcast Connect with your customers Increase your average sale/service price Money on the table! 00:27:50 SPONSOR: TextExpa

Happy New Year, everyone! As we take a day to enjoy celebrating the beginning of the new year with our families, we share one of our favorite episodes from 2017 with you. Happy New Year everyone! Are you a Closer? On the Small Business Show, we often say that all business owners are in the Customer Service business – but, we’re also in the Sales business. Wether you’re selling a product or service, you’ve got to sell to make your business grow. This week on the Small Business Show, you’ll get to hear the story of Ryan Stewman, Founder of HardcoreCloser.com. Ryan is an incredibly enthusiastic sales trainer and motivator that has overcome numerous obstacles to create a successful business that helps others succeed. Listen in to learn how Ryan started out washing cars and moved up to selling mortgages before the “Police kicked in the door” and everything came to a screeching halt. Keeping motivated and overcoming adversity propelled Ryan and before long he was back on top and running his own company. As the Foun

As we enjoy Christmas Day with family and friends, we bring you one of our favorite episodes from 2017. Merry Christmas to you and yours! What’s more difficult? Starting up a new company or taking over and changing the culture of a 4th generation small business? Join us today on the Small Business Show with our guest Rick Stuart from Listo, a company founded in 1921! How would you handle taking over and managing employees that have known you since you were a kid? What about “updating” the culture of a company almost a century old? Would you rush in and be in a hurry to make changes to take advantage of current market opportunities, or would you take your time before you started making changes? Dave and Shannon explore these questions and more on today’s show. During the conversation with Rick, we learn about the importance of pivoting into new markets (sound familiar?), going “low-tech” and getting smaller to grow. Listen in to learn about how Rick adapted himself and his small business to keep it moving beyo

As the saying goes: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” The same can be said of Small Business owners. If you don’t give yourself the time and permission to relax, regroup and re-energize, you are going to limit your performance and impact your Small Business in a negative manner. Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton as answer listener questions about how to disconnect, how to get back to sleep and how to step away from things when you need to relax. Listen in, then visit the Small Business Support Group to ask questions and share your ideas!   00:00:00 Small Business Show #254 for Wednesday, December 18, 2019 00:01:30 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a server running in seconds with your choice of Linux distro, resources, and choice of 10 node locations. Visit Linode.com/SBS and use promo code sbs2019 to start with a $20 credit. 00:03:22 Part I: How to relax? Comparison to Lazy If I take a break, can I still generate cash? 00:1

Defining what success means to you is a critical part of developing a system to achieve what you want, both in your Small Business and personal life. On this episode of the Small Business Show, join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean as they discuss how to develop a system to achieve your definition of success. Listen in to hear what questions you need to ask yourself to come up with your own definition of success, why you should avoid blindly competing with others and why your business partners and spouse should be very aware of what success means to you. Join us, then visit the Small Business Support Group to ask questions and share what success means to you! 00:00:00 Small Business Show #253 for Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Bullheaded Persistence 00:01:40 SBS 253 Part 1: Goals vs. Systems “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming” When The Game Stands Tall Keep ch

As we wrap up another awesome Small Business year, it’s time to revisit those tasks and opportunities to take advantage of before we close out December. On this episode of the Small Business Show, your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton share their strategies for closing out the year on a high note. Taking care of things that need to be dated for this calendar year and not missing out on ways to save money, pay fewer taxes, and complete the Executive Summary to keep an ongoing journal of what happened with your Small Business in 2019. Listen in and then join us at the Small Business Support Group to share your stories, ask questions and connect with your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #252 for Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Review your financials Check your cash flow vs. your P&L Check your receivables and settle with folks who owe you Hire your spouse Fund your retirement accounts and build wealth 00:17:07 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD serv

Hundreds of Small Business owner guests on the Small Business Show have been asked this same question: What is the best mistake you have ever made? A mistake that taught you the most, something you remember to this day? Join us for Part Two of the Small Business Show where we sample and discuss lessons we have learned from our Best Mistake question. Guests include Paul Goodman of Pura Vida, Brittany Alwerud of Handlr and Brian Friss from Digistor. Listen in and then join us at the Small Business Support Group to share your stories, ask questions and connect with your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #251 for Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Paul Goodman SBS 56 “Avoid Shiny Objects. Don’t change just for the sake of change.” Brittany Alwerud SBS 130 “Not launching fast enough.” Brian Friss of Digistor “Don’t Make Fear-Based Decisions” 00:22:22 SBS 251 Outtro The post Best Mistake Show – Part Two. Small Business Show Episode 251 appeared first on Business

Hundreds of Small Business owner guests on the Small Business Show have been asked this same question: What is the best mistake you have ever made? A mistake that taught you the most, something you remember to this day? Join us for episode 250 of the Small Business Show where we sample and discuss lessons we have learned from our Best Mistake question. Guests include Tyler Merritt from Field Harmony, Sara Beznicki of A Gilded Leaf, Justin Sisley from Digidern Bookkeeping and Bob Grewal of Seapoint Business Advisors. There are some terrific lessons shared by our guests today. Listen in and then come join the conversation at the Small Business Support Group. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #250 for Thursday, November 21, 201900:01:28 Tyler Merritt SBS 102“I thought other people would think like me” Sara Beznicki SBS 107“Don’t panic and throw money at things you believe will quickly accelerate your business.”00:15:40 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a

Today on the show, we are fortunate to have a successful reseller as well as a builder of communities to support other sellers. Out guest today is known as the Prime Time Treasure Hunter on YouTube, with over 8,000 subscribers that come to him for advice and support. As well, he is the administrator and force behind the Reselling Resource Center group on Facebook, with over 13,000 members that help each other succeed. If you are reselling on marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, or others, you need to be a member of this group. Join us and hear Dominic talk about his journey as a longtime reseller and why he decided to build communities to support other sellers. His advice can help anyone reselling as well as all Small Business owners. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #249 for Wednesday, November 13, 2019 00:02:55 Part 1 Prime Time Treasure Hunter Prime Time Treasure Hunter on YouTube Reselling Resource Center Facebook Group Neuropsychologist becomes Reselling Treasure Hunter Dominic

You have heard your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean repeatedly discuss the power of optimism, of creating your own Success Story and embracing the power of yes to create a system of success. But what about failure? Are we shortchanging ourselves and other business owners by neglecting to focus on our failures? Discussing our failures is a way to celebrate our perseverance, our ability to recover and to a bit of humbleness when thinking about our success. Today on the Small Business Show we talk about the concept of a Failure Resume and why you should create and share one. A Failure Resume is a great tool to use when we are having trouble with a new project, a new product or a new business. Use it to remind yourself about how you have gotten through those failures to find success. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #248 for Wednesday, November 6, 2019Write your Failure ResumeShannon’s Failure Resume00:09:54 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cloud. Get a se

Simple marketing messages resonate with your potential customers. They allow you to connect with a customer and promote your brand. But the power of simplicity goes way beyond just marketing. Today on the Small Business Show, your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, discuss three areas that benefit dramatically from simplicity: Getting Started, Customer Choice, and Internal Policies and Procedures. We start with tips on keeping your focus when starting your Small Business or creating a new product or service. We explain why it’s easy to get stuck in this phase and how to avoid the Perfection Trap to create a minimally viable product. Then it’s on to simplifying choices for your customers. Forcing your customers to make to many decisions can cause them to shut down and take their business elsewhere. We wrap up the episode with why we believe it’s essential to bring simplicity to your internal policies and procedures, as well as your terms and conditions. Join us today for

Join us today on the Small Business Show to learn how to manage a one-way contract situation. Dave Hamilton shares his experience when negotiating a vague contract and why you might not want to help make the contract better. Listen in as Dave uses Pacing and Leading persuasion techniques to learn more about the person he is signing the contract with and why sometimes the smallest actions can help to cement a relationship. We then jump into one of Shannon Jean’s favorite topics: using stories to connect with your customers. We all know the power of story. Stories connect with us on a deep level, creating a long-lasting impact that influences our behavior and our views. Are you the protagonist in your Small Business Story?  By promoting the story of your Small Business, you are moving beyond a transactional relationship and into an emotional one. Whether it’s sharing your reasons for creating your business, talking about the obstacles you have overcome or focusing on the problem you wanted to so

Your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton are traveling this week so we are bringing you one of our favorite episodes from 2017 with the owners of Tanglefree Waterfowl. There’s a lot to learn from this one! What’s the best way to build your companies brand and create fans that are passionate about your products? Cory Fosket and Doug Butcher took a company focused on a single product line and expanded it over the last 13-years into a trusted brand for waterfowl hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Along the way, they’ve learned about the importance of quality and how to step outside the business to plan 3-5 years ahead rather than just grinding it out day-after-day. Listen in to this episode of the Small Business Show to hear the Tanglefree story! During our discussion today, we get some great tips on creating strong relationships with your customers as well as your overseas suppliers to create a win-win environment where your company and suppliers profit while the customer gets a great

One of the most frequently repeated pieces of advice that we give on the show is to get involved with a board of advisors and to connect with other business owners. Connecting with a group of diverse business owners and executives is a powerful way to build relationships and to bring experience to your business that you may be lacking. You’ll gain insight, critique, and knowledge with every meeting. We have had business owners on the show that have mentioned the impact of just such an advisory group: the Alliance of CEOs. We’re thrilled to have Paul Witkay, Founder of the Alliance on the show today.  Paul shares the story of why and how he started the Alliance back in 1996 to help both large and Small Business CEO’s solve problems and connect with other leaders. Listen in and then visit the Small Business Support Group to ask questions and comment on the show. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #244 for Wednesday, October 9, 2019 00:02:28 Paul Witkay – Alliance of CEO

Today on the show, we’re fortunate to have David Dawson with us, owner of The Instant Print Shoppe. David is going to talk all about printing as well as his journey as a small business owner. Regular listeners of the Small Business Show will know that we are passionate about the customer experience when they receive your product. We recently did a show all about packaging and how big of an impact it has on your customer’s view of your business, product, and service. There are so many opportunities to impress your customers with what you include in the box: fliers, stickers and promotional material along with what is printed on the box. The design and creation of printed goods, from business cards, those stickers and fliers to the critically important thank you cards. These things matter and help to create the framework for how your business is viewed by your existing and potential customers. Join your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton today as they learn about listener David DawsonR

We all know how powerful saying No is. In fact, we’ve done shows where we discuss just that – focusing your power by saying no. But what if you are on the other side of that no? How do you work around being shut down? What techniques can you use to convince someone to change their mind and embrace your idea, your service, or your product? Stick around for the next half-hour or so to learn how your hosts Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton have overcome the NO over and over again. 00:00:00 Small Business Show #242 for Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Gary Vee Podcast 00:04:14 SPONSOR: TextExpander.com/podcast gets you 20% off your first year. 00:06:07 Converting No into Yes Bullheaded Persistence Timing and Listening Ask for What You Want Pacing and Leading Define the Trial 00:18:51 SPONSOR: Mint Mobile. To get your new wireless plan for just $15/month, and get the plan shipped to your door for FREE, go to MintMobile.com/sbs 00:20:51 SPONSOR: go.co – Get online with your .CO domain today. Regist

We often talk about outsourcing with off-shore companies on the Small Business Show. Back in April, we focused on using outsourcing as a resource for delegating and on last weeks episode, Dave shared some of his frustrations about being impatient and expecting perfection when using outsourcing for a project. Today, we’re fortunate to have Curt Zweier of C3S Software on the show to provide some deeper insight into the world of outsourcing. Listen in to learn how to avoid the pitfalls of poor communication and how by treating your outsourced talent like they are your employees, you increase your success dramatically. If you have been tempted to contract with off-shore programming companies, but concerned about quality or the process, this is a show you don’t want to miss! Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean as they get a chance to learn from a successful leader in the off-shore and outsourcing industry. Then, visit the Small Business Support Group to ask more questions and share your

Should your Small Business make loans to employees that are in a bind and if so, what policies and procedures do you need to put in place to protect yourself? And creating your own reality is great, but what about the reality of not being able to pay your bills? Join us today for a special listener questions edition of the Small Business Show! Most Small Business owners have found themselves in the position of being asked for a loan or payroll advance from an employee. When this comes up, should you make the loan? If you do, how do you protect your business and yourself and create standards to follow for future payroll advances? We discuss this terrific question from listener Grace T. and come up with ideas to support your employees when they need your help while protecting your own interests at the same time. We then tackle a question about how to create your own reality when your Small Business runs out of cash. Terry P. likes our focus on creating your own story, but when his Small Business can&

Every Small Business moves through cycles. From Creation, launch, growth and the grind, are you ready to adapt your skill set to each cycle? On this episode of the Small Business Show, we will explore each of these business cycles and more while we highlight the opportunities and pitfalls of each. Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean to learn how they adapted their leadership styles during each different cycle, what they excelled at and what they failed miserably with. Along the way, you will hear personal stories of success and failure and gain insight about what each of these serial small business owners would have done differently and how they have adapted to find success. We start with the Creative cycle, then move into Launching your new business before moving on to our Grow or Die phase that can often be followed by The Grind – a cycle that can burnout many entrepreneurs. This phase is where we start to ask ourselves: “Am I the right person to be running this business?&#

What is Intentional Tension and how can you use it to achieve more with your Small Business? Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean for this episode of the Small Business Show to hear why introducing Intentional Tension to your company culture can increase productivity and produce higher quality results. We also discuss why some people feel the urge to quit on the cusp of success. What is it about that last 10% of a project, new business or new product launch that is often so hard to complete? Both Dave and Shannon have experience with this phenomenon and they have tips for you to help avoid these situations. Listen in for these topics and more as we discuss ways to make all of our Small Businesses better. After the show, please take 30-seconds to leave us a review on the Apple Podcast directory – it really helps! Chapters/Timestamps: 00:00:00 Small Business Show #238 for Wednesday, August 28, 2019 00:02:32 SPONSOR: Linode. Instantly deploy and manage an SSD server in the Linode Cl