The Unsure Entrepreneur

Roger Pierce

Are you thinking about starting your own business? Know what you're getting into — before you commit. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur grappling with doubts, or just curious about the self-employed life, this podcast demystifies the entrepreneurial process by sharing stories and insights of founders who have successfully launched and built a small business. read less
BusinessBusiness
EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

Episodes

Entrepreneur Helps Solo Travelers See the World (w/Janice Waugh)
Nov 15 2024
Entrepreneur Helps Solo Travelers See the World (w/Janice Waugh)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur, host Roger Pierce interviews Janice Waugh, Founder of Solo Traveler and Co-founder of the nonprofit organization Northstar Startups.  Janice’s company Solo Traveler has transformed the solo travel industry by advocating for affordable travel experiences, partnering with companies that limit single supplements to 20% or less, and building a community of over 275,000 followers on Facebook. "Solo travel comes from a personal place for me," Janice explains, reflecting on how a life transition inspired her business. Janice also shares insights into the financial aspects of running a content-based business, with income from direct sales advertising and other revenue streams like courses and programmatic ads. Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs highlights the value of focusing on a niche market, listening to customers, and building resilience. "Listening to customers is key," she says, explaining how her readers' feedback on single supplements shaped her business model.  She also discusses her work with Northstar Startups, which provides mentorship, resources, and a supportive community for people with barriers to traditional employment, including those in Toronto's underserved communities. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice on building a meaningful business that aligns with personal passions — whether it’s advocating for affordable solo travel or creating opportunities for self-employment through community support. Resources:Solo Traveler websiteJanice Waugh on LinkedInNorthstar Startups website
How to Buy Your Ideal Franchise Business (w/ Gary Prenevost)
Oct 22 2024
How to Buy Your Ideal Franchise Business (w/ Gary Prenevost)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur, Roger Pierce interviews Gary Prenevost, a Franchise Expert with over 30 years in the industry and author of the USA Today top-selling book, The Unstoppable Franchisee. As the President of FranNet Southern Ontario and Eastern Canada and a Board Member of the Canadian Franchise Association, Gary has guided thousands of entrepreneurs through the complexities of franchise ownership.  If you’re exploring entrepreneurship, consider this: A key advantage of franchising is the lower failure rate compared to traditional startups — under 20%, versus 50% for businesses started from scratch.  "Franchising isn't just about buying a business; it's a time-compression strategy," Gary says. He describes the model as a guided path where franchisees benefit from established systems, coaching, and a community of other franchisees. Gary explains the depth and scope of franchising in Canada, where franchises account for approximately 45% of all retail sales. While food and retail franchises are most visible, he emphasizes that the industry spans over 60 sectors, including services like groundskeeping and tutoring.  Don’t want to invest a fortune? As Gary explains, there are franchises for all budgets ranging from small service-based franchises costing under $50,000 to large brick-and-mortar franchises that can exceed millions. And, with the Canada Small Business Financing Program, entrepreneurs can secure up to $500,000 in funding with a government guarantee.  This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone considering franchising as a viable path to business ownership.ResourcesGaryPrenevost.comYourE2EJourney.comThe Unstoppable Franchisee book on AmazonLinkedIn Profile
Bridging the Gap Between Banks & Small Businesses (w/Glen Senior)
Sep 30 2024
Bridging the Gap Between Banks & Small Businesses (w/Glen Senior)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, Roger Pierce interviews Glen Senior, Founder and CEO of The Small Business Company, a specialized marketing agency providing expert small business content to banks, credit unions, and brands.Glen’s company partners with financial institutions across six countries to provide free, accessible educational content and tools for small business owners. These resources range from cash flow templates and business plan guides to webinars and financial calculators — all with the aim of helping businesses start, grow, and thrive. Content from The Small Business Company reaches millions of entrepreneurs globally.In the conversation, Glen dives into how his background in education and entrepreneurship shaped the mission of The Small Business Company, and how the evolving relationship between banks and small businesses can improve financial health and business success globally. "Banks have an incredible opportunity to support small businesses not just by offering loans, but by providing practical, educational resources that empower owners to make smarter financial decisions," he says in the podcast.Key takeaways include Glen's suggestions for creating content that helps banks engage meaningfully with small business customers and his thoughts on the future challenges for entrepreneurs. Links:The Small Business CompanyGlen Senior on LinkedInEmail glen@tsbc.com
The Rise of Immigrant Entrepreneurship in Canada (w/Sylvie Ratté & Mathieu Galliot)
Sep 4 2024
The Rise of Immigrant Entrepreneurship in Canada (w/Sylvie Ratté & Mathieu Galliot)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur podcast, host Roger Pierce discusses immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada with two special guests from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Sylvie Ratté, Senior Economist, and Mathieu Galliot, Economist. Sylvie and Mathieu share their insights on the fascinating research appearing in their recent BDC article titled, "Immigrant entrepreneurship is taking centre stage in Canada." (See link below). In the podcast, you'll learn how immigrants are transforming the entrepreneurial landscape. For example, with 34% of all Canadian entrepreneurs being immigrants — a rate higher than other developed countries — immigrants are driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth.  The economic impact of immigrant entrepreneurs is significant, as Sylvie points out in the episode: "New entrepreneurs from other countries are responsible for 25% of net job creation in Canada, compared to 17% for businesses in the private sector." The conversation highlights the challenges newcomers face, including access to financing, building credit history, and navigating cultural and regulatory differences. Tune in to discover how immigrants are shaping the future of business in Canada and explore the valuable resources available to support them, including BDC's initiatives for newcomer entrepreneurs.Links from the podcast:BDC Article Immigrant entrepreneurship is taking centre stage in CanadaBDC Resources & Loans for Newcomer EntrepreneursBDC Entrepreneur Toolkit BDC Business Assessments & QuizzesSylvie Ratté on LinkedInMathieu Galliot on LinkedInFollow @bdc_caArticle on UnsureEntrepreneur site
Follow a GPS Plan to Reach Your Business Goals (w/Brian Moran)
Aug 1 2024
Follow a GPS Plan to Reach Your Business Goals (w/Brian Moran)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur, host Roger Pierce interviews Brian Moran, a seasoned entrepreneur, small business expert, and host of The Small Business Edge Podcast.Brian talks about his transition from working in executive roles at prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Inc. Magazine to founding his own companies, Brian Moran & Associates and Small Business Edge. The conversation delves into Brian's passion for supporting small business owners, his insights on foundational business planning, and the significance of having a GPS plan over a rigid business plan. "Imagine having a GPS plan for your business," he says in the podcast. "When you encounter a traffic jam, you don't just sit there — you find an alternate route. The same applies to business. A GPS plan allows you to pivot and adapt, ensuring you're always moving toward your destination."Brian also discusses the challenges faced by small business owners, the critical role of discipline, commitment, and accountability in achieving success, and the abundance of resources available for entrepreneurs. One of those resources is his popular podcast for business owners called The Small Business Edge, where Brian extracts business insights and lessons from entrepreneurs, executives, and experts. Brian wraps up the episode with advice for starting and sustaining a business, the need for thorough preparation, and the importance of surrounding yourself with advisors to hold you accountable to your goals. Links:Check out my recent interview on The Small Business Edge PodcastSmall Business Edge Content ZoneBrian Moran on LinkedInBrian Moran on X/Twitter
Why Gen AI is the Answer to Canada’s Productivity Problem (w/Patrick Gill)
Jun 13 2024
Why Gen AI is the Answer to Canada’s Productivity Problem (w/Patrick Gill)
In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur podcast, host Roger Pierce sits down with Patrick Gill, Senior Director of Operations at the Business Data Lab at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The conversation dives deep into the productivity gap in Canada, the adoption and impact of generative AI (Gen AI) on small businesses, and the potential for AI to enhance productivity and competitiveness.  Patrick highlights the urgent need for Canadian businesses to embrace AI, citing low productivity growth and the opportunities AI presents to streamline operations, automate tasks, and ultimately improve the standard of living in Canada. Patrick discusses the findings from his recent report, Prompting Productivity: Generative AI Adoption by Canadian Businesses which reveals that while interest in AI is high, actual adoption is still limited among Canadian businesses, especially small businesses. He emphasizes that AI can significantly augment workers' capabilities rather than replace them, providing practical examples of how AI can improve daily business tasks such as content creation, customer service, and data analysis. Patrick also underscores the importance of government support in upskilling the workforce and fostering a culture of innovation among Canadian businesses. Key Takeaways:Canada faces a critical productivity gap, with growth rates lagging other G7 countries. AI adoption is essential to reversing this trend.Gen AI can automate low-value tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-value activities, enhancing overall productivity.Only 38% of Canadians view AI positively, making them more nervous about AI compared to other countries.Small businesses, which constitute 98% of Canadian businesses, can leverage AI for tasks like content creation, customer service improvement, and data analysis.Government initiatives to upskill the workforce and support digital adoption are crucial for widespread AI implementation and improving public trust in AI technologies.Enjoy this insightful conversation on a subject that’s very important to all Canadians. Click to download the report ‘Prompting Productivity’Read the media release from the Canadian Chamber of CommerceConnect with Patrick Gill on LinkedInRead the blog article on UnsureEntrepreneur.com
Stand Out in Business by ‘Super Niching’ Advises Marketing Coach (w/Chala Dincoy)
Jun 4 2024
Stand Out in Business by ‘Super Niching’ Advises Marketing Coach (w/Chala Dincoy)
Listen to this episode for expert strategies to win more customers. In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur, host Roger Pierce interviews Chala Dincoy, CEO and founder of The Repositioning Expert (Repositioner.com). Chala shares her journey from a successful corporate marketer at companies like Pepsi and Frito-Lay to becoming a sought-after marketing coach who helps B2B service providers reposition their marketing messages to better connect with decision-makers. Chala shares valuable insights into the concept of ‘super niching,’ where she advises businesses to narrow their focus to a specific niche market to differentiate themselves from competitors. She emphasizes that this approach not only makes the messaging more targeted and effective but also positions the business as an expert in solving specific problems. Chala says, "When you're super niched, your messaging conveys that you're an expert in their pain and that you serve nobody else but them.”​ Chala also discusses her ‘abundance mindset’ and encourages other entrepreneurs to believe in their value and charge accordingly. She explains that many new business owners underprice their services due to a ‘scarcity mindset,’ but shifting to an abundance mindset can transform their business success. "It's not about diplomas or certifications — it's all mindset. If you believe in your worth, others will too," she advises​​. Website: Repositioner.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaladincoy/ Twitter: @Chala_Dincoy
Surprise and Delight Your Customers, Advises Virtual Event Producer (w/Louis Trahan)
May 23 2024
Surprise and Delight Your Customers, Advises Virtual Event Producer (w/Louis Trahan)
If you've ever been nervous about clicking the wrong button during a Zoom event, listen up.In this episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, host Roger Pierce interviews Louis Trahan, the owner of Learngistics, a company specializing in corporate in-person and virtual learning experiences. Louis shares his journey from founding Last Minute Training to expanding into corporate learning and virtual events through his current company called Learngistics. He talks about the challenge of organizing virtual events, how nervous people can be online, and the kinds of supports his company provides, including technical checks, event production — and arranging guest speakers and content, if requested. Along the way he shares his thoughts on delighting customers and maintaining high service standards.He also discusses the urgency of AI readiness for businesses, explaining how AI can transform operations for both small and large enterprises. Louis emphasizes the nimbleness of small businesses in adopting AI, saying, "AI adoption can be a lot easier and quicker than for large enterprises." When asked about his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Louis recommends doing thorough market research and asking the "right questions" to potential customers before launching a business.  Tune in to hear more about Louis' entrepreneurial path and insights on staying agile and client-focused in the business world.Visit LearngisticsLinkedIn Profile
Intro / Know What You're Getting Into BEFORE You Commit to Starting a Business
Apr 11 2024
Intro / Know What You're Getting Into BEFORE You Commit to Starting a Business
Are you teetering on the edge of starting your own business but find yourself overwhelmed by the what-ifs? Dive into The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast with your host, Roger Pierce to unravel the mysteries of entrepreneurship. This podcast is your compass in the world of self-employment, guiding you through the highs and lows of starting a small business. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Roger doesn't just share his journey; he opens the door to a myriad of small business owners and experts, offering insights that are as diverse as they are enlightening. What's in it for you?Learn from firsthand accounts from those who've been where you stand – at the precipice of decision.Glean wisdom from top small business experts.Find out if your business idea has legs, or if it's back to the drawing board.Uncover why some businesses thrive and others don't make the cut.From raising start-up capital to the nitty-gritty of business planning, we've got you covered.Starting a business might just be the most daunting venture of your life, but it's also potentially the most rewarding. Whether you're aiming for financial independence, seeking personal fulfillment, or both, The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast is your first step towards making an informed decision.Author, columnist, and coach Roger Pierce has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and weathered 14 small businesses of his own over the past 30 years. Join him weekly to explore if entrepreneurship is your calling, or if the stability of employment is where your heart lies.Subscribe now to enjoy what could be the turning point in your professional life. For more insights and to join our community, visit ⁠unsureentrepreneur.com⁠.