Michelle started her promising career with an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from Ashford University. Only a few years later, she suffered a life-altering stroke at only 36 years old and had to relearn everything and start her life over again. Far from giving up, she rebuilt her life and is now on a mission to help others find freedom from all the unnecessary tasks, using the strategies and systems she’s successfully created for herself. For the last 14 years, she is running “Awesome Outsourcing, LLC “, Combining her strategies with her talents of untangling people's problems and creating actionable and easy-to-follow plans for them to hand things off. Michelle lives in Pendleton, Oregon,  with her cat and dog and loves going hiking and biking http://awesomeoutsourcing.com https://www.facebook.com/diakonos23 https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleethompson/ book: running on autopilot (amazon) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is Brandon Leibowitz Brandon, got his start in digital marketing after graduating from college with a degree in Business Marketing and his first job was to handle the marketing aspects of an e-commerce website, including search engine optimization. Later on, Brandon started his own company called “SEO Optimizers” and he had a friend of his, build a website for his company in exchange for doing SEO for his friend’s insurance website. His friend’s website got ranked above government websites for all of his major keywords and that’s how he started to freelance until he was able to recently quit his day job to concentrate on his company full time. Today, Brandon helps small and medium-sized companies get ranked at the top of Google searches by using search engine optimization tactics and bringing in traffic via social media and paid ads. Brandon lives in Los Angeles, CA, and when he is not doing Search Engine Optimization, he enjoys skating and snowboarding. Free Webinar on SEO: https://seooptimizers.com/gift https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonleibowitz/ https://www.instagram.com/leibowitzbrandon/ https://www.facebook.com/BrandonLeibs https://www.youtube.com/c/BrandonLeibowitz/videos https://twitter.com/brandonleibs https://losangeles.score.org/author/brandon-leibowitz https://seooptimizers.com/seo/podcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is, Johnathan McFarlane.   Johnathan started in the fitness world, working with big brands and superstar athletes like NFL star Rob Gronkowski and UFC legend George St. Pierre. He is now, director of Strategy at Hybrid Marketing Co, the world’s largest cannabis-focused marketing agency where he builds creative marketing and advertising solutions that circumvent the tight restrictions placed on the rapidly growing cannabis industry. Johnathan lives in Denver Co, with his wife and a 4-year-old. In his free time, he is Hiking and fundraising for Ukraine. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathanmcfarlane/ https://hybridmarketingco.com/ johnathan@hybridmarketingco.com Intro: Unlike most states, which have legalized Cannabis via ballot referendum, New York doesn’t have much of a tradition or infrastructure around statewide voter initiatives. Therefore, it is up to the State Legislature to propose and vote on new legislation, that will be signed or vetoed by the Governor. The debate generally gains steam every spring during budget negotiations, when the Governor introduces a budget proposal for the following fiscal year. In New York, cannabis for medical use started to be legal in 2014. In 2018, New York state started a comprehensive study to gauge the likely impacts of legalizing recreational sales which concluded that “The positive effects of a regulated cannabis market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts.” There were many debates on whether or not municipalities would be able to ‘opt-out’ and on the push to ensure a large portion of new tax revenues would be invested in communities of color which have been most affected by what most now see as historically racist and damaging enforcement of cannabis laws. As of today, New Yorkers are now allowed to possess small amounts of cannabis and smoke, ingest, or consume cannabis products. However, the timeline for dispensaries to open and sales to kick off remains distant. The law doesn’t provide a specific timeline, but the first sales aren’t expected until the end of this year or later and it will take another 18 months for New Yorkers to be allowed to cultivate a small number of plants at home for recreational purposes. While many small businesses are awaiting the state to issue licenses for farming, dispensing, and delivering cannabis products, there are many unanswered questions, and these businesses wonder how they will pivot their business to cannabis and position their product in the market. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is Wendy Barlin,   Wendy is an immigrant from South Africa who came to this country with nothing but a bag of dirty clothes and a CPA license. Today she is the owner of About Profit (her website is: Wendybarlin.com). She is the author of 2 books: “That’s Deductible!” and “Never Budget Again”. She has been an educator for small businesses for over 25 years and has made multiple TV appearances. Wendy lives in Jacksonville, FL with her husband, 2 kids, and a big fluffy dog. Book: That’s Deductible! Wendybarlin.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is John Cameron,    John wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps so he started a home-business service company and later and cofounded the “Student Business Launch Program” where he helps students get hands-on marketing, sales, and management experience by starting their first business while they are still in university and get the coveted 2 years of experience by the time they graduate. Discover More about John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncameroniv/ https://www.tiktok.com/@itsjohnnyc https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89u9GoBt2podhvK0X2zz_A https://www.instagram.com/johnnycameron_/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is Mitch Gray, Mitch teaches business leaders how to hire and keep great people through strategic recruiting, in-depth development, and great culture design. Mitch is a Leadership and Personal Development Guide and Speaker. He is the author of the book called How to hire and keep great people” and he is the host of the Mitch Gray Podcast Mitch has 3 awesome kids and lives in Clovis, New Mexico Book: How to Hire and Keep Great People Topics:  Designing a  Great Culture Finding  “great” People Building a great Team --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Being a small business owner brings you a lot of satisfaction including the feeling of independence and creative freedom/ but there is nothing like the satisfaction of hiring someone. This feeling of being part of the economy by creating jobs and supporting families while growing the people that chose to invest their time and efforts helping you grow your business. But for small businesses, that sense of satisfaction is often numbed by the sheer complexity of the hiring process and payroll regulations. Today we’ll talk about payroll with my guest, Charles Read. Charles is an accomplished senior executive and entrepreneur with more than fifty years of financial leadership experience / in a broad range of industries. He is a CPA, U.S Tax Court Practitioner, member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), and the Founder of GetPayroll. He is also the author of four books. His latest book is titled: The Payroll Book: A Guide for Small Businesses and Startups https://www.getpayroll.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-j-read-cpa/ https://www.thepayrollbook.com (enter your info and discount code PODCAST) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Our episode this week is about the 4th industrial revolution also called Industry 4.0. Part of the shift of Industry 4.0 will be through the joining of technologies like artificial intelligence, gene editing, and advanced robotics that will blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological worlds. This week, I offer you an essay that will focus on how our social, political, and financial lives will be impacted by this advance in technology. Today we will focus on the company and particularly on the customer and employees. Later this week, we’ll take about the evolution of Trust in our society and the impact it will have on our political systems. The goal of this essay is to pique your interest so you want to find out more about Industry 4.0 and how, as a business owner, you can adapt to this revolution in the making and adapt all your daily processes and strategies. References: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/ https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/21/us/school-shooting-us-versus-world-trnd/index.html https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-arrested-alleged-conspiracy-launder-45-billion-stolen-cryptocurrency https://www.cgi.com/us/en-us/blog/business-agility/american-constitution-lean-and-agile-framework-government https://themarkup.org/privacy/2021/04/01/the-little-known-data-broker-industry-is-spending-big-bucks-lobbying-congress --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Our episode this week is about the 4th industrial revolution also called Industry 4.0. Part of the shift of Industry 4.0 will be through the joining of technologies like artificial intelligence, gene editing, and advanced robotics that will blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological worlds. This week, I offer you an essay that will focus on how our social, political, and financial lives will be impacted by this advance in technology. Today we will focus on the company and particularly on the customer and employees. Later this week, we’ll take about the evolution of Trust in our society and the impact it will have on our political systems. The goal of this essay is to pique your interest so you want to find out more about Industry 4.0 and how, as a business owner, you can adapt to this revolution in the making and adapt all your daily processes and strategies. References: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/ https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/21/us/school-shooting-us-versus-world-trnd/index.html https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-arrested-alleged-conspiracy-launder-45-billion-stolen-cryptocurrency https://www.cgi.com/us/en-us/blog/business-agility/american-constitution-lean-and-agile-framework-government https://themarkup.org/privacy/2021/04/01/the-little-known-data-broker-industry-is-spending-big-bucks-lobbying-congress --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Teaser for Episode on Industry 4.0 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is Jeremy Streten, Jeremy is the founder and chief executive o­fficer at Business Legal Lifecycle. He is also the author of the book of the same name “The Business Legal Lifecycle” which includes an Australian, a UK, and a US version. Jeremy lives in Brisbane, Australia with his wife and 2 children. https://businesslegallifecycle.com/sbbc Book: The Business Legal Lifecycle https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremystreten/ https://twitter.com/jeremystreten --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

#Storytelling #public speaking #Confidence #Clarity #Credibility #signature story  Robert Kennedy, III  https://robertkennedy3.com/ http://kennetikkommunications.com/ http://www.instagram.com/robertkennedy3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWRUZwMjMAw Books: Find your Voice: 28 Secrets To Inspire You To Speak Up 7 Ways To Know You Were Meant To Lead --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Many small business owners and startups don’t realize they have trade secrets to protect. This is why we are going to talk about Trade Secrets and how to protect them. I hope that by the end of the episode, you realize you already have or will have TS and will take steps to start protecting them. Here is the official definition:* A trade secret can be a formula (like a recipe), pattern, physical device, idea, process, or compilation of information that satisfies 2 things: 1- provides the owner of the information with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and 2- is treated in a way that can reasonably be expected to prevent the public or competitors from learning about it, absent improper acquisition, or theft. Basically, it is something that gives you a competitive advantage because it is secret. So you need to recognize it and protect it accordingly. #IP #Trade Secrets #Protection --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Understanding basic concepts of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets are part of your Asset Protection program because they are arguably the most valuable assets your company owns. While The need for copyright protection is pretty obvious for a book writer and the need for Patents is clear for a pharmaceutical company, you might be looking at your balance sheet and think your most valuable asset is your inventory or your employees if you are a good leader.... Copyrights: Gives its owner the exclusive right to copy and distribute creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work must be in a tangible medium (ex: on paper, computer file) and It is important to note, You cannot copyright an idea, but you can copyright the expression of this idea. #IP #Intellectual Property #IP law #Copyrights Reference: Is the image public domain? https://www.copyright.gov/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

My guest today is Danny Decker. Danny is a direct-response copywriter and marketing consultant for ambitious entrepreneurs. Danny is also the co-author of a new book that came out last week entitled The Automatic Marketing Machine. This book aims to help ambitious business owners learn how to stop wasting money on marketing that doesn't work / and create simple, effective marketing systems that generate a profit. How to get in touch with Danny and learn more about his book "The Automatic Marketing Machine": Website: https://automaticmarketingmachine.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automaticmarketingmachine/ Email: office@automaticmarketingmachine.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

#Trademark #IP #Intellectual Property #Registered Trademark #Risk Management Resources: https://www.uspto.gov/ https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/ https://domains.google/ www.stopfakes.gov Did you know that Cellophane and Aspirin were Trademarks that became generic terms and lost their TM! We are talking today about: Company AssetsIntellectual PropertyWhat is a TrademarkTypes of TrademarksWhat is difficult to Trademark[Game with sound marks]How to register a Trademark TM Vs RUSPTO.GOVDon't infringe another TM Kalyan C. Kankanala: “Every Trade Mark you Build adds to the financial value of your business, much more than your tangible assets” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

Today we have a special guest, P.J Reilly, who will share his journey. PJ worked for an insurance company, sold supplements, and worked as a personal trainer. He even went to become a kickboxing champion before finding his entrepreneurial path. Today P.J., who lives in Colorado with his wife and 3 kids is an entrepreneur in what he calls the ‘dirt game’:  Buying and selling land all over the country. His company is called “Wholesale Land USA”. He also owns a clothing line called “Landlife” How to contact P.J. Reilly: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=564097712 https://www.wholesalelandusa.com https://www.shoplandlife.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

References: Mentorship: https://www.score.org/ Video: The social responsibility of business | Alex Edmans | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool Book: Anyone Can do it – Sahar and Bobby Hashemi Video: First give, then receive: Nong Poonsukwattana at TEDxPortland Study: Diversity drives better decisions Video: Are We Automating Racism? Podcast: NPR – The indicator- Companies get political Companion PDF File Put your ideas on paperThink of your business as a responsible CitizenAugment the OtherPartner with your customers to solve a problemAdopt Lean or Agile Thinking for every facet of your businessBe Comfortable being uncomfortableEmbrace diversityBe curious, keep learning & Seek MentorshipSeek expertise and become partner with your expertsDon’t Give up Keywords: #leadership, #mindset, #lean, #agile, #diversity, #expertise, #entrepreneur, #startup --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

#Small Business #Negotiation #Deals #Ethics #integrity Small Business Big Challenge.com Today, I am taking you to the beginning of the 20th century and I will tell you a story involving the 22nd amendment, copyright infringement, and the interesting negotiation talent of the campaign manager of Teddy Roosevelt "This story reminds us that reaching an ethical judgment is sometimes difficult. True integrity requires you to be able to distinguish all the shades of grey between black and white. But as a negotiator, it matters. Acting with integrity matters! Respecting the other DOES matter! Do NOT believe these books that tell you that bluffing, puffing, misleading, and not correcting wrong assumptions are 'truthful hyperboles'. They are lies and nothing but lies." For more info go to: Small Business Big Challenge.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message

#Leadership #Business Plan #Business Model #Business Model Canvas Links: Business Model Canvas: https://www.strategyzer.com/canvas YouTube- Business Model Canvas Explained with Examples YouTube-Osterwalder explaining the Business Model Canvas Score.org- Template Gallery Genalyte – Like Theranos but it works! Training Videos from SBA.GOV- Writing a Business Plan 7 good reasons to write a business Plan: Prove yourself you are readyGive your company better chances to growDo your due diligence to lower your risks of failureDetermine your financial needsGet fundingAttract partners, and employeesCreate a guide to measure future performance 8 crucial elements in your Business Plan: - The elevator pitch- The Team (you, partners, advisory board, future staffing need)- Your operations and user experience- The market need for your item/service- A competitor analysis- Your roadmap with major milestones- Your financial projections for the next 1 to 2 years- The Capital need (how much money are you trying to raise) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/smallbusinessbigchallenge/message