Under construction- conjures up ideas of not being ready for prime time, eh? Not so fast! A business that is under construction has chosen to remain open to possibility. It is a business that knows that the status quo is not reliable. It is a business that understands, innovation is a key to success.

As enticing as entrepreneurship is, it is often misunderstood. Join us as we take a look at the inner workings of the concept as well as the mindset of those who choose this path.My guest, John Panaccione is the co-founder of Folla Capital, an SEC-registered broker-dealer focused on helping small businesses and startups raise capital. Before launching Folla Capital in 2020, he co-founded and led a software company called the LogicBay Corporation from its launch in 2003 to its sale to Pluribus Technologies in 2020. During that time, he learned everything there is to know about the challenging world of small business finance the only way you can – the hard way - by doing. Along the way, in 2013, John also co-founded a non-profit VETtoCEO with another Army veteran-turned-business-owner. VETtoCEO’s mission is to help transitioning military members explore small business ownership as a viable career path when leaving military service.  Contact information for John can be found on either of his websites.

Marketing, love it or hate it, if you are a small business person you know it matters. Learn more about four fundamental elements that can take your marketing effort from mediocre to extraordinary. Intent, Audience, Content, and Venue...

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This second hiatus has turned out to be quite a lengthy one.  It wasn't just a matter of relocating and settling in. It is about accepting that with major changes comes a lot of introspection. This process has taught me a few things, which I chose to share in this episode. At the root of it all, it doesn't matter if you are a small business owner, CEO of an international conglomerate, or President of a major world power. We are all human. Taking the time to get back to the basics of who we are is a vital step. A step that should be repeated as necessary.

My guest, Dave Lubelczyk is a corporate escape artist dedicated to helping individuals break free from societal expectations and live authentically. His philosophy centers around empowering people to create a roadmap to realize their dreams, guiding them to define and follow their own unique paths. Society tells us to measure success in terms of amassing riches. But Dave believes that success should be measured by experiences and fulfillment. Therefore, one's success is measured by how well we are able to leverage our resources of time, money, energy, and freedom to give us the experiences and fulfillment we seek in our lives. During the discussion, listeners will learn what is needed to map out their unique success journey and create a plan that will give them the life they want when they want it. You can learn more about Dave at  www.TheDreamCatapult.com. Get your free Dream Life Handbook here. Sign up for the discounted Liberation Launchpad here.

Irene Stern Frielich discusses the attributes of courage, trust-building, and authenticity and how they have helped her achieve audacious goals she sets for herself. Setting those lofty goals, and having an operational plan to break down her goals and then execute on them, has helped Irene to grow her instructional design consulting business and has propelled her through writing and publishing her memoir. Now, Irene uses the same strategies to realize her goal of scheduling 50 events related to her book in the next year, while also achieving the business goals she’s set for EnVision.Irene is the owner of EnVision Performance Solutions, an award-winning instructional design consulting firm based in Massachusetts. For the past 25 years, Irene and her team have been developing customized learning solutions for large and small corporations, not-for-profit groups, and public health organizations. Irene’s memoir, Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story, came out in October 2023 and has earned the #1 New Release in Jewish Biography and #1 New Release in Holocaust Biography spots on Amazon. Irene has spoken internationally about her family’s story and has had articles about her family published in German and Dutch media. She is deeply grateful to the eighteen courageous individuals who helped her family survive.More from Irene Stern FrielichIrene's business, EnVision Performance Solutions, providers of custom instructional design services: www.envision-performance.comIrene's book, Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story, available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKJ9WX35Irene's family story presentations and author talks are described here: Book Irene Frielich, Author & Speaker, Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts (good for community groups, churches and synagogues, business groups, book clubs, and any organization looking for inspiration to lead the way in doing good in the world)

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My Home Office Hacks Publisher Joe D’Eramo, a copywriter/marketing & PR consultant by trade, shares his insights on being more productive while working in a home office. During this episode, we’ll also delve into marketing campaigns for small business owners: what works and how they could be better.My guest is Joe D’Eramo, the founder and publisher of My Home Office Hacks, a virtual water cooler/newsletter for work-from-home professionals and home-based business owners. Joe’s been working remotely as a freelance copywriter/marketing & PR consultant since 2002. In addition to My Home Office Hacks, Joe has self-published two books, Recipes for the Roommate-Impaired and 25 Ways to Go from Stepfather to StepDad. He’s the father of a very cool 17-year-old and the owner of HiRoad Communications (www.hiroadcommunications.com) of Plymouth, Massachusetts. You can read My Home Office Hacks on Substack at https://iworkfromhome.substack.com/.

Today I am joined by Kelly Fox for a conversation about work and volunteerism in the non-profit sector. Kelly's journey is powerful and I want to share it with you, with the hope that you will be inspired to explore your opportunities. One of the most powerful takeaways is the impact that Kelly's non-profit work has had on her for-profit business.Kelly Fox came to the financial services industry by way of retail buying and customer service. setting. Early on she sought answers to questions of financial viability but could find no one to help her out. She was fortunate enough to come across a mentor who saw her potential as a financial advisor and professional and she proceeded to progress to where she is today as a self-employed Financial Advisor. Kelly, however, had further aspirations to serve the non-profit sector. Her efforts helped grow the local Council for Children from 12 to 150 volunteers. The extent of her efforts has had a profound impact on local children, their families, and the community at large. Kelly’s uncanny ability to successfully serve in both roles is simply amazing. I am thrilled to call Kelly Fox a friend and I am humbled by her unending commitment, passion, and humility.

Today I am joined by my guest and friend, Ed McDonough. Join us for an enlightening discussion about marketing strategies and tools that will help you to increase your visibility and sales effectiveness.Ed is the founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ECE Marketing Services which is located in New Bern, NC. Since 2001 Ed has been a successful entrepreneur and multi-business owner who has a unique talent for developing and implementing winning email marketing campaigns, automated client acquisition systems, and proven lead generation and sales funnels for companies of all sizes.He is the author of 4 marketing strategy books including Amazon Best Sellers, Build And Monetize Your Email List, and Client Acquisition Marketing.Ed is a Marketing Strategy Advisor who has taught marketing seminars and workshops to thousands of B2B consultants and company owners throughout the United States.Learn more about Ed's latest book here, Client Acquisition Marketing. Learn more about Ed and ECE Marketing Services here.

Your business does not exist in a vacuum. No matter how big your business is, the ability to analyze and understand your competition is essential for success. One analytical tool is Porter's 5 Forces Analysis. These 5 forces, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, and threat of new entries, can provide information that will solidify your business integrity. Listen in to learn more.

If you have ever been treated uncivilly, you know just how horrible it feels. Moreover, you know that the impact of being treated uncivilly is far-reaching. Working in an uncivil workplace is hell and the prosperity of the business is damaged as a result.Civility is a choice. It is not rocket science. What will you choose?

Today, I am joined by my guest, Kyle Swanson. Kyle is the founder of Ziel Leadership which is developing a soon-to-be-released program “Live Life Aligned.” The Live Life Aligned program equips people to live their personal and professional mission while moving closer to their goals and aspirations. To accomplish this, the program integrates mindfulness and emotional intelligence into in-the-moment practices through the Aware – Able – Accountable Model. To learn more about Ziel Leadership go to https://zielleadership.com/.

They work after school, during the summers and breaks. The jobs they do may not be the most inspiring, but they are as essential as that which anyone else does. It is getting harder and harder to find these employees. How can we inspire them to join us?

Traditional coaching is a top-down affair. It makes sense as it is the job of a manager to get things done through people. But it's more than getting things done. It's about getting things done effectively and efficiently. To accomplish that, a manager has to consider an employee-centric approach. Alas, the manager as coach. Adding coaching tools to your management portfolio can change your world.

Join me as I discuss small business matters with John Dustin. John is the President of JED Insurance and Financial Service Agency and the Founder of the Optimal Collaborative Consulting Group. He is not only an experienced small business owner but he is an advocate for small businesses everywhere. Our topics range from the pressure (and distraction) of short-term profits, and collaboration with our competitors, to the willingness to sacrifice and business transition.Join me for this insightful conversation with a person I trust and believe will make your small business life a whole lot more productive.

A strategic alliance is a collaborative relationship between two or more parties. It is designed to facilitate the achievement of agreed-upon goals or to fulfill a critical business need while retaining the independence of the parties. Unlike a partnership, there is no need for a transfer of equity nor is costly legal assistance necessary, however, the quid pro quo principle applies. The parties agree to certain conditions and hold each other mutually accountable. The myriad of tasks and responsibilities for a small business owner can be daunting. When there are not enough staff, expertise, or resources, a strategic alliance is worth considering. In fact, strategic alliances can be a lifeline, particularly for those who are engaged in a new or growing business.Here are a few tips to get a strategic alliance started: 1. Envision and express the synergy Identify your needs; it doesn’t matter how simple or complex they are- if you are not best equipped to handle them, someone else surely is Be prepared to express your needs so that a prospective alliance can appreciate their potential value to you Identify what you will offer in return; be prepared to express this in a way that shows a prospective alliance your potential value to them 2. Identify and screen alliance candidates Identify known contacts and/or seek referrals from trusted sources that match your needs and your offerings Share your vision 3. Upon mutual agreement go forward and reap the rewards The world is full of talented people; not all of us excel at the same things and it is this heterogeneity that fuels synergy and success. Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone.

A project pre-mortem is just what The Small Business Doctor prescribes to give you the best shot at a successful project.

This episode is possible due to the amazing customer service offered by the staff of West Bridgewater Coin and Jewelry Buyers of West Bridgewater, MA. These folks put the customer in customer service. They truly have earned the title of 24kt customer service.