This episode is brought to you by the Tomball Economic Development Corporation and features one of their recent success stories, Peter Licata, co-founder of The Field, a co-working space, and office building in Tomball, Texas. Peter shares his journey into commercial real estate and entrepreneurship. Listeners can expect to learn about:- The benefits of a co-working space for entrepreneurs vs traditional office space- Peter's hands-on approach to managing and developing commercial real estate properties - How the Tomball Economic Development Corporation supports local businesses- Updates on The Field's expansion plans including a new retail centerKey Discussion Points:- Coworking spaces provide flexibility, lower cost, and amenities compared to traditional office spaces (00:14:11) - Peter and his family take a personalized approach to managing their properties compared to third-party property managers (00:07:25)- The Tomball Economic Development Corporation has been tremendously helpful, backing up their support for development projects (00:25:51)- A new 15,500 square foot retail center next to HEB will be completed by May 2023, with new dining options coming to Tomball (00:27:44)Guest Bio: Peter Licata is the co-founder of The Field, a co-working space and office building in Tomball, TX. He has over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate.Company Bio:The Field offers flexible coworking spaces and private offices for solopreneurs to small companies. They take a hands-on approach to property management. The Field was created out of a former bank building in Tomball by renovating and updating the space.Key Quotes:"It's important to us to build the project the right way or redevelop it the right way. Do little things that, in our opinion, will bring value, not only to the tenants that are going into the projects, but then also the community." (00:07:40)"I 100% honest, I heard mixed things. I heard, oh my gosh. It's a nightmare to deal with. I heard, oh, no. They're, you know, they're fine. [...] For us, for our group, Tomball, the EDC, the chain they've they've been amazing. It's it's been really refreshing." (00:24:41)Links Discussed:Tomball Economic Development CorporationThe FieldBeefy MarketingJohn Kelley's LinksSmall Business Origins Online

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Rick DellaRatta, founder of Jazz for Peace, a nonprofit organization that uses jazz events to raise funds and awareness for other outstanding causes around the world. Rick shares how his lifelong passion for music led him to realize the power of jazz to bring people together across boundaries. On September 11, 2001, witnessing the attacks inspired Rick to found Jazz for Peace. He discusses how the organization works with small community causes to organize jazz events that support their fundraising and outreach goals. Main Discussion Points:- Rick's early years growing up in a musical family and starting piano lessons- Studying jazz and traveling as a musician around the U.S. and internationally - Seeing music's ability to connect with people regardless of background - Being inspired on 9/11 to use jazz to help outstanding causes and bring more peace- How Jazz for Peace partners with small local causes to organize custom jazz events- Raising money, awareness, supporters for community organizations in need Guest Bio: Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a successful musical presentation to a large audience without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz. Through his life long endeavor to help advance people to their highest potential through the understanding of Jazz as well as spreading peace worldwide through his "Jazz for Peace World Tour", Rick DellaRatta is considered to be an innovator and a visionary.His unique and original piano playing and composing has been compared in print to Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Joe Zawinul, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson and Thelonious Monk while his signature vocal sound and style has been likened to Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Joao Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim.Dr. Billy Taylor put Ricks impact in perspective when commenting on Ricks "Thought Provoking CD - he said: "Rick DellaRatta is one of the people who is taking Jazz to the next level".Company Bio:Jazz for Peace is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Rick DellaRatta in New York City in 2002. Its mission is to use jazz performance events to provide substantial funding and well-deserved prestige to outstanding causes and their communities while nurturing cultural enrichment, community goodwill and global cooperation. Over its 20-year history, Jazz for Peace has directed over $1 million in funding plus donated supplies to deserving organizations across the U.S. and in over 30 countries.Key Quotes:"Music has a power, has a healing power, it has a communication power, it go breaks through boundaries and barriers, has all these magical qualities are in music." (00:23:42) "Why don't I take all of this that we already know and do something with it? You know? Do something with it." (00:25:00)"When you see the people we've, helped, most of most of them are organizations you've never heard of...There's a charity that helps birds. I mean, anything you name it and we've played for it." (00:41:28)Links Mentioned:Beefy MarketingJazz for Peace OnlineX (Formerly Twitter)Instagram

SummaryBullseye the Clown shares his journey from being bullied as a child to becoming a clown and using his platform to raise awareness about bullying. He discusses the impact of clowning on people's lives, particularly in senior living communities and schools. Bullseye also talks about his humanitarian trips to Russia, Morocco, and Mexico, where he brings joy to people in need. He emphasizes the power of laughter and the importance of controlling one's own destiny. Bullseye is working on establishing a 501C3 organization to fund his clowning missions and spread his message further.TakeawaysClowning can have a powerful impact on people's lives, bringing joy and laughter to those who need it most.Bullying can have long-lasting effects, but individuals have the power to control their own destiny and overcome their past experiences.Clowning can be used as a tool to raise awareness about bullying and teach children how to navigate and stand up to bullies.Establishing a 501C3 organization can help fund humanitarian trips and expand the reach of clowning missions.Chapters00:01:15 Origin Story and Career Aspirations00:03:29 From Stand-Up Comedy to Clowning: A Journey of Transformation00:09:00 Clowning as a Form of Connection and Antidote to Bullying00:13:09 Using the Clown Persona to Combat Bullying and Support Humanitarian Initiatives00:15:54 John Kelley's Seminars and Travel Plans00:17:07 Interactive Clown Performance to Address Bullying in Schools00:20:55 The Power of Overcoming Bullying and Building Confidence00:23:59 Discussion on Meeting Patch Adams and Overcoming Bullying00:26:41 Embracing the Clown Persona in Public00:30:19 Clowning for a Cause: Bringing Joy to Unseen Communities00:35:29 The Power of Clowning in Healing and Bringing Joy00:38:44 Interview with Bullseye the Clown on Overcoming Bullying and Finding PurposeTweetables:"Nobody has the authority to bully you unless you give it to them. And you give it to them by not saying anything, by allowing them to do it. And you can take back that authority at any time." - Bullseye The Clown"How can you deal with these children and truly get this message across if it wasn't something a fire that you had to walk through and something you had to deal with personally?" - Bullseye The ClownLinks Mentioned:Bullseye The Clown OnlineBeefy MarketingJohn Kelley's LinksSmall Business Origins OnlineWingman (Sponsor)

What our children do today, will be their origin story tomorrow. So we interviewed Beth Probst, founder of At The Core, to learn about how they help high school students with career counseling and planning for life after graduation. They discuss the origin story of At The Core, how Beth helps students explore potential career paths aligned with their strengths and interests, the importance of career and technical education programs, and why many students feel lost when making decisions about college and careers. Key Discussion Points:- The problem Beth aimed to solve: high school students graduating with lots of uncertainty and questions about what to do next (00:15:47)- Beth's process for career counseling students through 1-on-1 interviews and assessments (00:32:36) - Ideal age for students to work with At The Core (00:37:11)- Helping students become more "career literate" and explore options (00:19:53)- Importance of career and technical education programs in high school (00:23:55)Company Bio:At The Core provides 1-on-1 career counseling and assessments to help high school students determine the best college and career path aligned with their strengths and interests. Their guided self-assessment process aims to give students clarity and confidence around post-high school decisions. At The Core has been operating since 2012.Tweetables:"I believe that every student should use their their high school years as a time of exploration so that they make these amazing concrete clear decisions at the end of high school about what comes next." - Beth Probst"Most high school students are career illiterate. And so, John, how can a student ever kind of have their eyes on the kind of career that's right for them if they really don't know very much at all about real world careers?" - Beth Probst "I think I would really be interested in trying to learn how to do that. And so she was the first person that I ever trained, got her up and running, so now we were doubled. And now, now we're a team of 15." - Beth ProbstLinks Mentioned:At The Core OnlineAt The Core on XAt The Core on InstagramAt The Core on FacebookAt The Core on YouTubeAt The Core on PinterestBeth Probst on LinkedInBeefy MarketingJohn Kelley's LinksSmall Business Origins Online

In this episode of Small Business Origins, we speak with Alise Saunders, a digital nomad who travels the world while running multiple online businesses. Hear Alise's journey from unsatisfying corporate career to becoming a location-independent entrepreneur, how she funds her nomadic lifestyle, tips for transitioning to working remotely, and the transformative power of long-term travel. Key Discussion Points:- Dissatisfaction with corporate career despite high salary and societal markers of success (00:00:42) - Following your heart's desire to discover what will bring real joy and meaning (00:01:20)- Funding nomadic lifestyle through online business income, early retirement funds, strategic savings decisions (00:01:45) - Traveling full-time internationally can lower cost of living compared to US (00:02:06)- Many accommodation options for digital nomads including apartments, RVs, vehicles, etc. (00:02:28)- Identifying and transforming limiting beliefs that hold you back from bold life changes (00:29:18)- Seizing opportunities to live your dreams now instead of waiting for "someday" (00:47:49)00:00:00 Small Business Origins Podcast Interview with Alise Saunders00:00:29 Interview with Alise Saunders from Tales From an Untamed Soul00:01:20 Finding Your Way Back: A Journey of Reflection and Rediscovery00:09:42 Finding Fulfillment through Travel and Entrepreneurship00:15:13 The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Working from Anywhere in the World00:23:34 The Value of Experiencing History Firsthand as a Digital Nomad Parent00:27:02 The Journey to Unlearn Limiting Beliefs and Embrace the Digital Nomad Lifestyle00:35:29 Conversation about becoming a digital nomad and living a fulfilling life00:52:07 Exploring a Life of Freedom and PurposeKey Quotes:"I feel like I'm still missing fire. I'm happier, but I wanna live on fire." (00:11:40) "A lot of us are just dead people walking around. Right? We're not fully living." (00:31:14)"What we forget so often is that tomorrow may never come." (00:47:49)Links Mentioned:Untamed Soul OnlineUntamed Soul InstagramUntamed Soul FacebookAlise on LinkedInUntamed Soul on PinterestBeefy MarketingSmall Business Origins OnlineJohn Kelley's Links

This episode of Small Business Origins features Natalie Clays, a franchise owner of Allen Carr's Easyway. Allen Carr's Easyway is an international company that provides seminars and programs to help people quit addictions like smoking, alcohol, and more.Natalie shares her personal story of being a longtime smoker who struggled unsuccessfully to quit until she tried the Allen Carr method. She explains how the Allen Carr approach focuses on reframing your psychological perspective on smoking rather than using scare tactics. Natalie outlines what to expect at one of their seminars, why having facilitators who have personal experience with addiction is so important, and how the program gave her a "lifeline" to be free of cigarettes easily and happily.Key Discussion Points:- Natalie's 20-year struggle with smoking addiction and failed quit attempts before Allen Carr- How Allen Carr's approach avoids scare tactics and reframes your psychological perspective- What to expect at one of their 6-hour seminars and follow-up support offered- Importance of facilitators having personal experience with smoking addiction- How the program provided Natalie an easy, happy way to quit after feeling terrified about life without cigarettesGuest Bio:Natalie Clays is a franchise owner of Allen Carr's Easyway across 4 countries - USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She struggled with a 20-year smoking addiction herself until having an "easy" breakthrough quitting experience at an Allen Carr seminar in 2003. Natalie was so impacted she decided to join the company herself to help others quit smoking. She has now facilitated Allen Carr seminars for over 15 years.Company Bio:Allen Carr's Easyway was founded in London in 1983 and now operates across over 50 countries worldwide. Their mission is to help free people from addictions like smoking, vaping, alcohol and more through a non-scare-tactics, psychological reframing approach perfected by founder Allen Carr. The program's centerpiece is a 6-hour, in-person or virtual seminar led by facilitators with personal addiction experience. Allen Carr's Easyway also offers unlimited follow-up support, online content and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.Key Quotes:"This addiction is 99% psychological, 1% physical. So you can stick a patch on your arm. You can pop a pill. You can take a lozenge or a gum or a spray or a vape, but they all only address the physical addiction to the drug." (00:15:31)"When you withdraw from the drug nicotine, you go below a 100%, and which nonsmokers don't have. When you light up a cigarette and you replace you top up the drug levels of nicotine and you get that boost back to normal again." (00:21:59)"I was terrified. I was terrified of life without cigarettes because it it's like how will I cope? How will I function? I kind of thought I'd be forever deprived and miserable." (00:36:52)Links Mentioned:Allen Carr's Easy Way WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeNatalie Clay's LinkedInBeefy MarketingWingmanJohn Kelley's...

In this installment of Small Business Origins, we listen to the entrepreneurial journey of Taryn Tyler, the visionary behind Teacher Turned Trainer, a dedicated dog training venture nestled in the heart of Kansas City, MO. Transitioning from a career in teaching to becoming a maestro in canine education, Taryn unveils her transformative path, imparting wisdom on how to effectively train and comprehend the intricate behaviors and necessities of our furry companions. Furthermore, she illuminates the array of services she provides to assist pet owners in nurturing well-behaved and happy dogs.Key Quotes and Discussion Points:"I was out on a walk with Sinclair, my pit bull...and I was just watching him walk, like thriving in his in his environment and not freaking out about other dogs and other people in the park and things like that. I'm like, this is what I wanna do. Like, I wanna work with dogs like Sinclair." [00:11:30]On common misconceptions about dog training:"I would say the biggest misconception that I've seen is, I think some people have the mindset that dog training you only need if your dog is showing unwanted behaviors. Whereas I am under the thought that I think every single dog could use some training." [00:26:14]On whether dogs can be "too far gone" behaviorally:"I think it I think it's a case by case situation...if you've exhausted all of those options and even a trainer is like, I don't think this is the best situation, then you have to do what's best for your family and for the dog and just Mutual decision of just trying to figure out what's next." [00:37:47]Key Takeaways:- All dogs can benefit from some level of training, whether it's basic obedience or help with more significant behavior issues. It's never too late to start.- Make sure to find a trainer who uses positive methods aligned with your values.- Look for opportunities to make training engaging - it should be rewarding for both you and your dog.- Be patient, get to know your dog's unique needs, and build trust. With time and consistency, you'll start to understand each other better.Links Mentioned:Teacher Turned Trainer OnlineTeacher Turned Trainer on InstagramTeacher Turned Trainer on FacebookBeefy Marketing OnlineSmall Business Origins OnlineJohn Kelley's LinksEvery Business Needs a Wingman

In this episode, speech pathologist Katie Schwartz discusses how she started her business helping clients improve their communication and public speaking skills. She shares how she discovered a need for her services in her community and how she has expanded her business over time. Listeners will learn about the variety of services Katie offers, from improving accents to teaching leadership skills.Guest Bio: - Katie Schwartz is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist based in Durham, NC- She founded her business, Business Speech Improvement, to help clients communicate more effectively in professional settings- Services include improving accents, teaching public speaking skills, enhancing leadership communication abilities, and moreKey Quotes:"I help my clients learn to communicate more effectively and more efficiently." [00:05:50] "I have been doing this so long that I can give a good estimate of how many sessions somebody is going to need." [00:12:26]Main Discussion Points:- How Katie discovered a local need for her communication coaching services - The story of how she landed her first client with one cold call- The variety of services she offers clients to improve their professional communication- How state licensing regulations limit some of her services across state lines - Her use of eBooks and LinkedIn posts to share helpful communication tips- Options for both individual and corporate communication training servicesLinks Mentioned:Business Speech OnlineBusiness Speech FacebookKatie on LinkedInBeefy MarketingSmall Business Origins OnlineWingman John Kelley's Links

In this episode of the Small Business Origins podcast, host John Kelley interviews Dan Henk, owner of The Abyss Fine Art and Tattoo Studio and Dead Guy LLC. Dan shares his inspiring story of overcoming homelessness, health issues, personal loss, and other hardships on his journey to becoming a successful tattoo artist, author, and entrepreneur.Main Discussion Points:- Dan's challenging upbringing as an "Army brat" and finding solace in punk rock, art, and imagination- Becoming homeless at 18 after his conservative parents kicked him out- Pulling himself out of homelessness by getting a dishwashing job and working his way up- Pursuing art by attending community college and moving to NYC- Facing major health issues like brain cancer soon after starting a tattoo apprenticeship- Bouncing back while still undergoing chemo treatment through sheer determination- Going through a painful divorce right when his tattooing career was taking off- Finally finding stability by opening up his own tattoo shop on Long IslandGuest Bio: Dan Henk is a tattooist, author, and illustrator based in Long Beach, NY. He owns The Abyss Fine Art and Tattoo Studio as well as Dead Guy LLC. He has authored three fiction books and continues to create dark, detailed artwork for various bands, magazines, and book covers.Tweetables:"If you look at everybody, that's like a big actor. Brad Pitt slept in his car. He was homeless. You look at all these people they went through trying times to get there. It's not like it was a smooth ride." (00:35:31) - Dan Henk"So that's what you need to do. You need to find something to keep working at, and you need to not give up." (00:35:15) - Dan Henk"Nobody cares. They might say, hey, well, it kind of sucks, but if you want something to happen, you got to do it yourself." (00:07:50) - Dan HenkLinks Mentioned:Dan Henk OnlineDan Henk WikipediaDan Henk on XDan Henk on YouTubeDan Henk on TikTokDan Henk on LinkedInDan Henk on AmazonDead Guy, LLC on InstagramDead Guy, LLC on FacebookDead Guy, LLC on PinterestBeefy MarketingSmall Business Origins OnlineJohn Kelley's Links

In this episode, host John Kelley interviews Joe Rivera about overcoming adversity and building a comeback after hitting rock bottom from substance abuse. Joe shares his story going from a high-flying stockbroker making seven figures to losing everything and living on the streets, before eventually rebuilding his life and business. Listeners can expect to learn how Joe developed the mindset and tools to transform his life.Key Discussion Points:- Joe's journey getting introduced to opiates, the subsequent addiction and how it destroyed his life and career- Overdosing twice and still wanting to get high immediately after- Realizing he was tired of that lifestyle and making the decision to get sober- The importance of spirituality and building that relationship as the foundation- Steps Joe took to rebuild his business and create a seven-figure coaching company- Surrounding yourself with a strong support group and winning mentalityGuest Bio: Joe Rivera- Went from "Park Avenue to park bench" as a high-flying stock broker before losing it all to opiate addiction- Achieved sobriety after almost losing his life and has now rebuilt his business into a multi-million dollar coaching company- Focuses on empowering people to overcome adversity and transform their livesTweetables:"It took six cans of Narcan to bring me back to life. Six f*cking cans of Narcan." (00:04:57) - Joe Rivera (Speaking about overcoming rock bottom to find success)"If you learn to completely rewire your brain and change your mindset, you could do anything you want in life." (00:12:15) - Joe RiveraLinks Mentioned:Joe Rivera OnlineJoe Rivera InstagramJoe Rivera LinkedIn

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Dick Grove, founder of Ink Inc. PR in Kansas City. Dick shares his origin story of getting into the PR industry, building his PR firm over 30 years focused on earned media, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking for good PR.Key Discussion Points:- How Dick got his first PR job through showing up in person in New York with integrity and persistence (00:06:07 - 00:07:48)- Starting his own PR firm focused specifically on earning media coverage vs other services (00:11:10 - 00:12:56)- Adapting over 30 years to changes in the media landscape (00:17:35 - 00:18:20)- The importance of hiring smart people and knowing when you need to bring on more expertise as you grow (00:18:37 - 00:19:47)- Who is the ideal customer for Ink Inc PR? (00:30:32 - 00:31:38)- Getting in early to help clients craft a media-friendly message (00:49:23 - 00:51:30)Guest Bio:Dick Grove is founder and CEO of Ink Inc. PR, an earned media public relations firm based in Kansas City. He started in PR over 50 years ago and built Ink Inc. on a pay-for-performance model focused on guaranteed media coverage.Company Bio:Ink Inc. PR is a niche PR firm focused specifically on earned media results and coverage for clients. With senior PR experts around the U.S., Ink Inc. takes a media-centric approach to craft and pitch client stories to secure coverage and publicity.Key Quotes:"I still believe in face to face. I believe that a lot can be accomplished in meeting face to face, shaking hands, talking across a table, having lunch, whatever it is." (00:26:08) - Dick Grove"The media world has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. Even more so over the last ten to five years, it's changed dramatically. You have to learn to make your services fit and your model fit that in some way or another." (00:17:53) - Dick GroveLinks Mentioned:INK Inc. PR OnlineINK Inc. on XINK Inc. on InstagramINK Inc. on FacebookINK Inc. on YouTubeINK Inc. on LinkedInBeefy MarketingSmall Business Origins OnlineJohn Kelley's Links

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Cameron McKay, Founder and CEO of Process Street. They discuss Cameron's journey to entrepreneurship, building Process Street from the ground up through bootstrapping and accelerators, and how the product helps businesses systematize and automate workflows. Listeners can expect to learn about the origins of Process Street, strategies for fundraising and growth, and use cases for workflow software. Main Discussion Points: - How Cameron got into software engineering and entrepreneurship after realizing normal people create apps (00:05:49)   - Partnering with his future co-founder Vinay by chance in a hostel in Buenos Aires (00:07:34) - Getting into Startup Chile accelerator to receive funding without giving up equity (00:11:22)   - Fundraising journey - using automation and creativity to get investor meetings (00:17:43) - Pivoting the company and product based on customer feedback over time (00:25:29) - Use cases for Process Street - onboarding, offboarding, compliance, knowledge capture (00:51:59) - Customizability of workflows using conditional logic, rich media, integrations (00:41:04) Guest Bio:  Cameron McKay is CEO and Founder of Process Street, workflow management software that helps teams work more efficiently. He has led the company from the idea stage through fundraising, growth, and continued product iteration for over 7 years.  Company Bio: Founded in 2014, Process Street is a SaaS platform focused on standardizing and automating workflows for teams. Headquartered in San Francisco with remote operations across the globe, Process Street serves thousands of customers from startups to large enterprises. Key Quotes: "An entrepreneurial mindset is that I'm going to push as hard as I can for as long as I can and know that there's always going to be an out because I can get through it." (00:29:19) - Cameron McKay "Once you get the idea, it just like, oh, shit, everything that I've been doing manually, I don't have to do that anymore." (00:52:36) - Cameron McKay Links Mentioned: Process.st Online Process.st Twitter Process.st Linked Beefy Marketing Small Business Origins John Kelley's Links

In this episode, we speak with children's book author Erica Bud of Big World Publishing. She takes us on her journey into entrepreneurship, her passion for educating children about different cultures, and her innovative use of augmented reality (AR) technology in her books. About Our Guest: International travel is Erika’s passion. She started traveling overseas when she was 18 years old, working as an Au Pair. Since then, Erika has traveled to over thirty countries, living in both Spain and Australia. She loves embracing new cultures—eating new foods, learning about the history of the country, seeing remarkable architecture and sites, and meeting interesting people. Erika shares this passion with her son, who already had two stamps in his passport by the age of five and can’t wait to go to the next country. Erika started the Travel Rangers book series and Planes, Trains, & Kids Abroad travel podcast because she hopes to ignite a passion for travel abroad in both children and adults. She wants to teach them about the fascinating cultures throughout the world and the many diverse perspectives shared by the wonderful people of this world that make it such an amazing place to live. Tweetables: [00:07:56] "I started my first business when I was in Australia because I was new there. I’m like, you know what? Here's my chance to start a business." - Erika Bud [00:20:26] "When they go to the great Barrier Reef, they see there's a 3d pop up of an eel and coral and fish." - Erika Bud [00:28:38] "It's not necessarily wrong, it's just different. It's just different than the way we do things." - Erika Bud on teaching cultural perspective and empathy to children Chapters: [00:00:31] Getting to Know Erika Bud of Big World Publishing on Small Business Origins [00:02:09] John Kelley and Erika Bud discuss favorite flavors and food experiences [00:06:24] Introducing Wingman: An All-in-One Marketing Automation Software [00:07:22] From LAPD police officer to Entrepreneur - The unique journey of Erika Bud [00:11:35] Starting a Business from Passion: Erika Bud's Journey [00:15:09] Exploring Cultures: Benefits of Traveling and Learning About Other Cultures [00:19:28]. Interactive Learning: Erika Bud's Augmented Reality Based Educational Books [00:24:55] Promoting Cultural Understanding Through Children Literature [00:29:26] John Kelley Discusses Cross-Cultural Lessons in Erika Bud's Books [00:31:00] In-depth Discussion on Augmented Reality in Publishing [00:36:52] Erika Bud on Big World Publishing and Augmented Reality books Links Mentioned: Big World Pub Online Erika on Twitter Erika on Instagram Erika on Facebook Erika on Pinterest Big World Pub on YouTube Big World Pub on LinkedIn Beefy Marketing Wingman John Kelley's Links Small Business Origins Online

In this episode, we speak to Jason Scott, founder of 120 VC, a consulting firm that helps large organizations build high-performing teams and achieve better results. They discuss Jason's journey from growing up in a tough neighborhood to the military to starting his own business. Jason provides insights on leadership, accountability, and empowering teams. Key Quotes: "Getting that alignment is really easy when you have a team player, because there's only three reasons to do anything - improve customer satisfaction, team member satisfaction, or profitability." - Jason Scott "What we do now is we go in and we know corporate America gives a lot of lip service to teams. We're a team. We're a team. We're a team. Except for they don't operate like teams." - Jason Scott "Leadership in and of itself is a change discipline...And lastly, that whole thing, leaders are born, not made. That's baloney." - Jason Scott Main Discussion Points: - Jason's challenging upbringing and early experiences that drove his persistence and curiosity - His approach of working across industries and “living a five or six brand day” to accelerate his learning - Why big companies often struggle when they lose touch with their mission and culture - The role of leadership in aligning teams around shared priorities - Why mastering leadership requires practice and accountability from coaches - Action is more important than learning alone; leaders need to motivate teams to change Chapters: [00:01:09] John Kelley and Jason Scott discuss beginnings versus endings [00:03:00] Revolutionize Your Business Operations with Wingman [00:03:58] Jason Scott: The Journey of A High School Dropout to the CEO of 120 VC [00:09:16] Transforming High Functioning Individuals into High Performing Teams [00:14:16] John Kelley discusses project management efficiency and leadership coaching [00:18:13] John Kelley Discusses Leadership, Military Experience and Reflecting On Performance [00:20:50] The Power of Teamwork in Business [00:24:42] Discussing Leadership Dynamics with John Kelley [00:28:55] John Kelley Discusses Leadership, Teamwork, and Business Innovation [00:32:54] Creating High Functioning Unified Teams Through Culture-Centric Leadership [00:38:06] John Kelley Discusses Leadership Styles and Employee Relationships within Companies [00:40:03] GSD, company culture and the future of big companies [00:45:40] John Kelley Advocates for Leadership Training and Accountability Partners [00:49:52] The Art of Mastery with John Kelley [00:52:00] Jason Scott on Leadership Consulting and Affordable Alternatives Links Mentioned: Jason Scott Online John Kelley Online Beefy Marketing Your Business Needs a Wingman

In this episode we speak with Lori Keesey, the author of an upcoming novel and the writer behind The Accidental Blogger. We discuss overcoming adversity, maintaining faith and purpose during hard times, and Lori's journey in grief, writing, and building her author platform. Lori Keesey is an author, blogger, and accidental entrepreneur from Walland, Tennessee. After working for many years as a journalist and freelance writer, she experienced the tragic loss of her 33 year old son, which inspired her to write her debut novel focused on finding meaning and purpose in life. She started The Accidental Blogger to build an author platform and share stories of overcoming adversity with others.   Main Discussion Points: - The power of faith and trusting in a higher purpose to make it through grief or adversity (14:05, 32:10, 41:10) - Looking for opportunities to turn "lemons into lemonade" and help others after facing hard times (23:59)   - Making conscious choices to move forward in a healthy way instead of falling into victim mentality (33:26) - Remembering that the past is behind us and our future is unwritten, so we shouldn't dwell on past mistakes (33:31) Chapters: [00:01:06] Interview with Lori Keesey: Journalism, Sales Tactics and Adaptability [00:04:43] Lori Keesey: Her Journey From Journalism to Entrepreneurship and Writing [00:11:56] Interview with Lori Keesey about her career and life journey [00:17:48] Lori Keesey Discusses Her Upcoming Novel And Challenges of Writing [00:22:57] Turning Adversity into Inspiration: A conversation with Lori Keesey [00:27:34] John Kelley on Overcoming Challenges and Developing Resilience [00:30:51] Dealing with Personal Loss, Faith and Moving Forward [00:37:58] John Kelley In Conversation With Lori Keesey: Navigating Grief and Loss [00:41:06] Faith, Purpose and Dealing with Adversity: A Discussion with Lori Keesey [00:46:45] Closing Out An Engaging Conversation with Lori Keesey Tweetables: "What scared me most was my son in the Lord's warm embrace. I was worried about him." (35:09) - Lori Keesey "I don't think people can really understand what a parent goes through when a child dies." (09:16)  - Lori Keesey "When you're self employed, you really do need to go with your intuition." (17:09) - Lori Keesey Links Mentioned: Lori's Website Lori on X Lori on Instagram Lori on Facebook Lori on LinkedIn Beefy Marketing John's Links Small Business Origins Online

Happy Thanksgiving! Here is some listening material while you cook: This episode is a discussion with Lori Raymond, the owner and president of Tourmaline Enterprises, a company that manufactures and distributes coding and marking equipment for consumer goods packaging. Lori shares her entrepreneurial origin story including taking over and growing the business after the passing of her husband, as well as the critical role that packaging coding plays in product safety and traceability. Listeners will learn about an industry that most people don't know exists despite the important services it provides. Key Quotes: "Everything that is touched by human hands is coded in some way these days." - Lori Raymond "The only thing that keeps a company going is marketing and sales." - Lori Raymond Chapters: [00:01:15] John Kelley and Lori Raymond discuss diet, snacks and spicy foods [00:05:51] Revolutionizing Business Operations with Wingman [00:06:49] Lori Raymond Shares Her Entrepreneurial Journey and Turning Challenges into Success [00:19:13] The Impact of Coding and Marking in Different Industries [00:21:33] Understanding Distributor Role in Packaging Industry [00:28:49] Understanding the Supply Chain Process [00:34:43] Understanding Different Types of Entrepreneurs and Goals for Tourmaline [00:35:38] Supporting Entrepreneurs and Ensuring Quality in Product Coding and Marking [00:40:56] The Power of Caring Entrepreneurs: An Interview with Lori Raymond. [00:46:58] Lori Raymond Discusses the Story Behind Tourmaline Enterprises [00:52:18] The Power of Omnipresent Marketing and Branding [00:55:07] Episode Recap: Passion for Unique Industry and Business Challenges with Lori Raymond Links Mentioned: Tourmaline Enterprises Tourmaline Enterprises YouTube Lori Raymond on X Loris Raymond Instagram Lori Raymond LinkedIn Lori Raymond Pinterest

Guest Bio: Phyllis is known as the Ghetto Country Brandmother®. She is an empathic bitch who nurtures solopreneur brandbabies who are self-aware and starting over so they scale with impact. She left her multi-million dollar bbq business because she doesn't like to cook on purpose. Also, she wants to impact failure rate statics for independent businesses. She's been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, has a degree in business, and holds certifications as a brand strategist, business coach and life coach. In this episode, Phyllis shares her journey into entrepreneurship, starting from selling barbecue dinners out of her home to help fund her husband's barbecue competitions, all the way to opening two restaurants together. After realizing the restaurant business wasn't for her, Phyllis pivoted into business coaching and branding. She discusses the importance of being true to yourself in business and "owning your ghetto country" - drawing on your own unique roots and experiences to shape your brand and connect with your ideal audience. Listen in to learn more about Phyllis's branding philosophy and how she helps entrepreneurs develop strong, authentic personal brands that attract the right customers. Chapters: [00:01:40] Discussing Productivity Times and Schedules with Brandmother [00:05:38] The Ghetto Country Brandmother's Entrepreneurship Journey [00:12:46] Unpacking the Unique Branding of Goat Man and Brandmother [00:13:57] Creating a Unique Brand Identity in the Voiceover Industry [00:19:28] Developing a Personal Brand with Brandmother [00:24:19] Brandmother's approach to personal branding for solopreneurs [00:25:07] Brandmother on Scalability and Pursuing Impact Over Money [00:29:02] A Candid Talk on Branding, Marketing, and Nurturing Small Businesses [00:34:30] Unpacking Brand Strategy with Brandmother [00:40:06] Brand Building with the Brandmother [00:41:38] Small Business Origins Podcast discusses brand building with Brandmother Tweetables: "I had to go back to how I was in the restaurant, and I didn't know how people were going to take that because I don't believe in the whole code switching of it all...I had to go back and own my ghetto country." - Brandma "When I stopped being ghetto country grandmother, I got to go back to being wife, mother, sister, and all the other things...It creates the boundaries." - Brandma "If you're about chasing money, I don't think I want to work with you. But the part is that, sweetie, I want you to make all the money." - Brandma "Your branding hasn't moved into your marketing. Your marketing hasn't moved into conversion. You're broken along those lines." - Brandma Links Mentioned: Holla at Brandma: holla@brandmashouse.com Brandma's Website Brandma on X Brandma's Gram Brandma's Facebook Brandma's LinkedIn Brandma's Pinterest Brandma's Tik Tok Brandma on Amazon Beefy Marketing John The Marketer...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John The Marketer interviews Dann Williams of Owner's Pride in Omaha, Nebraska. They discuss Dann's journey into entrepreneurship after overcoming addiction, starting a mobile auto detailing business, and eventually joining Owner's Pride. Listeners will learn about Dann's origin story, keys to success like seizing opportunities, Owner's Pride products and services, their podcast, and the importance of offering a legitimate warranty program.   Discussion Points: - Dann's early struggles and the influential people in his life like his father and wrestling coach (0:04:00) - Getting sober, moving to San Diego, and starting a mobile auto detailing business (0:08:50)   - Scaling the detailing business and stepping back from doing the work himself (0:11:50) - Selling his detailing business and consulting for another company (0:18:00)  - Launching Owner's Pride right before COVID-19 hit (0:19:00) - Owner's Pride product offerings and direct to consumer options (0:23:00) - The Owner's Pride podcast focusing on interviews (0:26:00) - Why Owner's Pride offers a legitimate and compliant warranty program (0:33:00) Links Mentioned: Owner's Pride Dann Williams LinkedIn Dann Williams Facebook Dann Williams Instagram Owner's Pride Podcast Twitch John Kelley Beefy Marketing Wingman

This episode is all about the impact of learning and coaching on various aspects of life. It emphasizes the importance of personal growth and development. Tamara speaks all about her coaching sessions, which occur once per week for 45 minutes over a period of 16 weeks. They highlight the role of a coach in providing guidance and support, particularly in situations involving relationships and decision-making. The speaker also discusses the value of coaching in improving self-confidence, communication skills, and overall happiness. They mention that coaching can be beneficial for individuals from different cultures and with diverse needs. The speaker shares their personal experience of being coached and expresses their belief that coaching is often undervalued as a service. They compare it to the challenges of raising children. Additionally, they briefly mention their background as an entrepreneur and how they transitioned to becoming a life coach, specifically focusing on confidence coaching. Overall, the tone  Chapters: 00:02:04 Finding Fun In Simple Pleasures 00:05:52 The Power Of Gratitude In Starting The Day 00:07:29 Finding Enjoyment In Life And Work 00:10:00 The Struggle Of Getting Up In The Morning 00:15:40 The True Importance Of Relationships, Self-confidence, And Personal Development 00:20:29 Why Coaching Can Resonate With People: A Tale Of Personal Growth And Dating 00:26:22 The Power Of Trusting Our Intuition 00:29:32 Next Steps: Connecting With The Ideal Fit 00:30:40 The Impactful Lessons I Wish I Had Learned 00:31:46 The Benefits And Affordability Of Coaching 00:35:28 Appreciating The Short But Informative Podcasts Links Mentioned: Tamara Coaching John Kelley Beefy Marketing Wingman

After a break last week (first one in almost three years), WE ARE BACK! In this episode, host John Kelley speaks with mortgage loan advisor Aaron Chapman about his origin story as an entrepreneur, the journey from working for others to starting his own business, and his insights on real estate investing, and investments as a whole. Aaron Chapman is a mortgage loan advisor and real estate investor based in Gilbert, Arizona. He is the founder of Security National Mortgage Company, where he specializes in financing for real estate investors. Aaron has over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Security National Mortgage Company provides financing solutions for real estate investors across 30 states. With a team of 22 people, the company completes thousands of loan transactions each year, focusing on creative financing for investment properties. Chapters: 00:00:00 Small Business Origins Podcast: Uncovering The Power Of Origin Stories 00:02:16 Indulgence in Moderation: Navigating a Health Kick without Giving Up Cravings 00:04:31 The Roller Coaster of Weight Loss: Battling Temptations and Long-term Effort 00:09:33 From Overqualified to Diaper Coupons: My Journey to Survival 00:14:29 Mastering the Art of Persuasion: How One Realtor Crafted the Perfect Persona to Close Deals 00:17:19 Revolutionizing the Consulting Game: No Sales Pitches, Just Straight Education 00:18:20 The Power of Consulting: Unlocking Success in Real Estate with Practical Wisdom 00:23:02 Maximize Your Mortgage: Why Paying It Off Early Could Cost You Thousands 00:24:55 Maximizing Savings: Deciding Between 30 Years or 15 Years to Pay Off Your Mortgage 00:28:40 Don't Waste Your Money: Investing in Real Estate the Right Way 00:31:07 Unleashing the Unstoppable: The Never-Ending Journey of Grinding and Succeeding 00:36:17 Breaking Free: Escaping the 9-5 Grind and Building My Own Empire 00:39:52 Building Trust: The Foundation for Successful Business Partnerships 00:44:40 Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate Investment: Maximize Your Returns with Smart Choices Tweetables: "I hated that other people had control of my day. I hated that I had to be at the yard at a certain time. I hated getting up every morning and put on those boots in the dark to go out there and sometimes work till it was dark." - Aaron Chapman on why he wanted to be an Entrepreneur "I want that name to endure as real estate investment finance. That's what I want that name to endure as. When you hear that name, it's like, oh yeah, that's that group that does real estate investment finance and all types of loans." [00:31:43] - Aaron Chapman "If you can keep it rented and being in an environment that raises by at least two and a half percent per year, that's another 10% increase. On your initial investment, approximately that's 20% above 20% increase on your initial investment on that property before any cash flow and before tax benefits." [00:45:25] - Aaron Chapman Links Mentioned: Beefy Marketing Every Business Needs a Wingman John Kelley's Links Aaron Chapman (Guest) Online Aaron Chapman Instagram Aaron Chapman Facebook Aaron Chapman YouTube Aaron Chapman LinkedIn