In this episode of Amplify Your Business, host Lance Johnson welcomes Mark McFatridge, the visionary founder and CEO of Quade, an exclusive executive peer group community dedicated to CEOs and business owners. Mark’s journey from a successful career in banking to creating Quade reveals how transformative peer support can be for leaders facing the unique challenges of entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Eunicia Peret, founder of Excelstra, explains the importance of cohesive wealth strategies for entrepreneurs. With nearly 20 years of experience, she delves into why entrepreneurs should adopt a holistic approach that spans tax strategies, investment portfolios, and legacy planning. Eunicia highlights the importance of asking the right questions, embracing outside expertise, and making financial decisions early to optimize long-term wealth growth.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Rick Meekins shares his insights on entrepreneurship and the key factors for success. He emphasizes the importance of having systems and processes in place to scale a business while maintaining quality. Rick also highlights the significance of having the right people on board and creating a strong company culture. He advises entrepreneurs to be flexible, resilient, and willing to pivot when necessary. Rick's goal for his business, Aepiphanni, is to focus on teaching and training, allowing him to work on the aspects of the business that he enjoys the most.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Jeff Sekinger shares his inspiring journey as a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful businesses. Jeff discusses the crucial lessons he learned along the way, including the importance of personal development and transitioning from working in the business to working on it. He also emphasizes the significance of product-market fit, leveraging data for business growth, and adapting to new technologies like AI. Packed with insights on leadership, mindset, and scaling up, this episode offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, host Lance Johnson sits down with Lonnie Sciambi, also known as the "Entrepreneur’s Yoda." Lonnie brings over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience to the table, having successfully started, sold, and advised countless businesses. He shares invaluable insights into cash flow management, the importance of culture in business, and how identifying the right target market can make or break a venture. Whether you're navigating a startup or a seasoned entrepreneur, Lonnie's practical advice will help you on your journey.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, host Lance Johnson interviews Brent Britton, a legal expert and entrepreneur, about his journey and insights into entrepreneurship. Brent reflects on his experience working with startups, emphasizing the importance of market validation and learning from failure. He also discusses the role of AI in the future of business, warning of the ethical implications and the need for a balanced approach to its adoption. This episode is packed with valuable lessons on how to navigate both legal challenges and technological shifts in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, host Lance Johnson interviews Doug McCullough, partner at Crady Jewett, McCullough & Huron LLP. Doug shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, from overcoming the hesitation to take the plunge, to navigating legal pitfalls and startup team dynamics. He also discusses the complexities of cross-border expansion, especially for Canadian businesses eyeing Texas, and emphasizes the importance of legal counsel when entering new markets. Tune in to learn how to prepare for an exit strategy and embrace sales with personality.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, host Lance Johnson welcomes Imran Syed, the founder of Hatchproof, to discuss his insights on tackling one of the most pressing issues businesses face today—employee retention. Imran shares how his personal experiences, from growing up in the Middle East to becoming a tech entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, shaped his approach to leadership. The episode focuses on how Hatchproof integrates AI and behavioural science to revolutionise talent management and retention. Imran Syed’s fascinating entrepreneurial journey—from the Persian Gulf War to the bustling tech world of Silicon Valley—frames his innovative approach to solving talent retention challenges. In this episode, he explains how Hatchproof is using AI and behavioural science to align employees and managers for better retention and workplace happiness. The conversation also covers the broader future of work, how businesses should embrace AI as a tool to optimize human potential, and the power of courage, discipline, and adaptability in entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Lance Johnson welcomes Coach Dan Gordon, an expert in transforming entrepreneurs' approaches to sales. Dan brings over two decades of experience in helping entrepreneurs break free from self-imposed limitations and achieve their full potential.  Lance and Coach Dan discuss the concept of "no douchebag selling," the importance of personal development, and how to build trust with potential clients. Dan also shares his unique sales strategies and tools that help entrepreneurs stay at the top of their game. Topics Covered: The philosophy behind "no douchebag selling" The importance of focusing on the client rather than the product The role of storytelling in sales The significance of personal development for entrepreneurs Techniques to manage stress and improve performance You can connect with Coach Dan Gordon on his website at Dan Gordon Enterprise, on LinkedIn as Coach Dan Gordon, and check out his podcast, For Badass Entrepreneurs Only.

In the latest episode of Amplify Your Business, Lance welcomes Yoni Kominsky, a luminary in the field of entrepreneurship with a vast array of experiences as the co-founder and CEO of Ekeala and Multiply Mii. Yoni's journey embodies the very essence of entrepreneurship, from taking the plunge into the business world to fostering growth through strategic focus and understanding the necessity of effective team management. Upon listening to this illuminating podcast, listeners will gather Yoni’s profound insights into starting an entrepreneurial voyage, the critical nature of measuring impact for business success, and the importance of honing focus to achieve set objectives. Amidst addressing the intricate balance of personal and professional life, Yoni also discusses how to navigate the complex nature of leading multiple business ventures simultaneously and the underlying strategies that bolster his success. To learn more about Multiply Mii, visit https://www.multiplymii.com/

Welcome to yet another engaging episode of Amplify Your Business. Today, we're privileged to have Corinne Mason, Partner at Summit Leadership Partners, who is committed to shaping leaders in mid-market businesses. Despite our usual focus on smaller ventures, this episode delivers invaluable leadership development insights that can benefit entrepreneurs of all scales. With a wealth of entrepreneurial experience spanning over a decade, Corinne emphasises the growth of leadership style, comprehending marketing and communications, fostering creativity, and maintaining focus on organisational expansion. In this enlightening conversation, she provides insights on the hurdles mid-market enterprises face, particularly those backed by private equity, and the immense pressures they cope with to achieve exceptional year-over-year growth. Our discussion focuses on building resilient leadership structures, where Corinne underscores their firm's focus on personal development, team efficacy, and considerations surrounding strategic human capital. The primary goal: to help leaders scale up and align with the quick-paced growth of their organisations. Besides demystifying what leadership entails in fast-growing, high-stakes business environments, Corinne offers timeless advice pertinent to all leaders, irrespective of the size or industry of their ventures. Dive into this absorbing conversation and discover the secrets of exceptional leadership that can catapult your enterprise towards exponential growth! Leadership Styles of Prominent Business Figures & Insights on Organisational Growth Delve into this exhilarating episode where we explore successful leadership secrets in diverse sectors. From emphasising emotional intelligence and discipline as leadership pillars, to highlighting common leadership pitfalls like failing to delegate or maintaining a singular vision. Furthermore, we elucidate on change in leadership styles as organisations grow, necessitating leaders to put faith and support in their executives. This episode also enlightens listeners on the pivotal role of systems and infrastructures in scaling a business, offering a unique perspective into the leadership styles of famous business personalities such as Elon Musk. From HR Specialist to Entrepreneur: Corinne Mason's Journey to Promote Equity in Leadership In this enlightening podcast episode, we are joined by Corinne Mason, PhD. Despite facing personal obstacles, Corinne decided to co-found her own venture? She aims to influence positive change and champion more equity, particularly for women in leadership roles. Reflecting on her journey, Corinne emphasizes the role of entrepreneurship as an agent for change and offers candid advice on effective team management and communication. If you wish to connect with Corinne, you can find her on the Summit Leadership Partners' website or LinkedIn. Get ready for a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration from Corinne’s experiences and wisdom in leadership and entrepreneurship as you tune into this exceptional episode.

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we sit down with Dan Rogers, an entrepreneur who brings an entirely fresh perspective to the table. The conversation dives deep into the foundational principles every entrepreneur must consider to succeed truly.   In the heart of the discussion, Rogers, the CEO and owner of WorkP2P, emphasizes the importance of a clear and articulate vision, which he believes is crucial for a business's growth. Transitioning to the practicalities, the episode sheds light on the distinction between designing a company as a societal system rather than the traditional corporate model. Dan elaborates on the success of his own company, which stopped outbound marketing and now thrives on inbound interest thanks to a focus on building trust and adding value without a hard sell.   To learn more about WorkP2P, visit https://workp2p.com/   00:00 Intro 00:00 Three things every entrepreneur should know.  06:27 Why the traditional corporate model is flawed 09:42 WorkP2P and their mission to redeem work 12:23 How COVID-19 impacted business 14:00 Getting paid to practice beats working to get paid. 16:52 Sharing programs with smaller companies and individuals. 17:32 Stopping outbound sales as everything started coming inbound. 19:56 Trust and reciprocity are key in building relationships with customers. 23:48 Starting a consultancy business to help with sales & marketing 24:14 Dan Rogers explains the value of creating before taking 25:18 The importance of understanding how money moves 31:35 Pushing a business to its limits 32:17 The purpose of a societal system in developing community 36:19 Letting go of customers to align with the company's vision 38:05 Designing systems to incorporate essential elements 39:12 Importance of facing reality and accepting the truth 40:02 Pulling reality in rather than pushing it out 43:49 Outro

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we're joined by Erika Anderson from the picturesque landscapes of Spain. Erika shares her profound insights on entrepreneurship, the critical importance of vision, and the intricate journey of transitioning from full-time leadership to a semi-retired role. This conversation unveils the essence of entrepreneurial resilience, strategic decision-making, and personal growth.   Erika Anderson is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founding partner of Proteus International, a company specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational transformation. With a career spanning over three decades, Erika has established herself as an authority on helping individuals and organizations clarify and move toward their aspired futures. She has authored a number of books focused on leadership and change management and currently splits her time between New York and Spain.   To learn more about Proteus International, visit https://proteus-international.com/    00:00 Intro 00:57 The importance of having a clear vision for your business 02:23 Being a fair witness and maintaining objectivity as an entrepreneur 03:57 The significance of having enough capital for your business 05:10 Challenges of scaling a business and managing capital 08:57 Gathering data and testing market demand before developing a product 12:26 Summary of the book "Be Bad First.” 13:37 The three practice areas of Proteus 19:27 Erika's transition to semi-retirement and operating Proteus from Spain 22:10 Advice for transitioning and trusting partners 24:44 Importance of clear roles and regular check-ins 29:48 Identifying what you love about your work. 31:53 Erika’s biggest challenge 39:36 How to connect with Erika Anderson 40:01 Find Erika's books on Amazon 40:35 Outro

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, Lance engages with the CEO of Capital Raise, Carl Grant III, diving into Carl's rich entrepreneurial journey and discussing the intricacies of raising capital for businesses. Carl's vast experience presents a treasure trove of insights that are critical for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of investments and growth.   In this interview, Carl opens up about the evolution of his career from his initial foray as an entrepreneur with his father to his eventual return to entrepreneurship after years in the corporate sphere. The discussion sheds light on the essence of capital investment and the strategies that can make or break the success of a startup. By delineating between the perils of being overly reliant on investment capital and the strength of revenue-focused businesses, Carl provides a nuanced look into the world of venture capital and private equity.   To learn more about Capital Raise, visit https://capitalraise.net.   00:00 Introduction 01:08 Three important things every entrepreneur needs to know 03:00 Background and experience in raising capital 07:43 Overview of Capital Raise and its services 11:57 Early experiences in the video streaming industry 12:32 The market crash in 2000 led to the downfall of a startup 13:18 The impact of 9/11 on a financial services company 14:17 Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship 19:26 Working with family in business and the importance of trust 21:41 The significance of revenue and profitability in business success 25:31 Uber's dominance in the market and strategy for success 26:13 TikTok's shift towards driving commerce and monetization 26:51 The importance of generating revenue and being profitable as a startup 27:26 The entrepreneurial strategy of selling to the government 28:28 Overview of the book "How to Live the Abundant Life" 29:27 Focusing on giving and helping others for personal and financial benefit 31:30 Achieving seemingly impossible goals through bite-sized tasks 34:06 Where to find Carl’s book "How to Live the Abundant Life" 35:50 Outro

In episode 268, Lance meets with Seth Temko, the founder of Full On Strategy, a go-to-market consultancy that helps companies achieve hypergrowth. With a background in entrepreneurship and startups, Seth has a wealth of experience in the technology sector. He has lived through the boom and bust of the dot-com era and has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with starting and scaling a business. In this interview, Seth shares his top three tips for entrepreneurs, including that he believes that starting your own business is both the hardest and easiest thing you can do. While it comes with financial strain and stress, it also gives you control over your own destiny. Seth emphasizes the importance of patience, as everything takes longer than expected. He advises entrepreneurs to focus on the things they enjoy and are passionate about, and to outsource or delegate tasks that drain their energy. Seth also discusses his go-to-market strategy for Full On Strategy, which includes building partnerships and creating a community of restaurant tech executives and founders.   To learn more about Full On Strategy, visit: https://fullonstrategy.com/    00:00 - Introduction 01:15 - Three things every entrepreneur should know 07:08 - Go-to-market strategy 09:24 - Helping companies achieve hypergrowth 10:33 - Applying the principles of his consultancy to his own business 12:47 - Defining the consultancy and choosing a niche market 13:19 - Focusing on hospitality technology and generating value quickly 13:54 - Massive potential market size in the restaurant industry. 16:22 - Partnerships with Branded Strategic and other consultants. 17:27 - Focus on selling, defining partnerships, and driving pipeline for growth. 20:58 - Creating a restaurant technology-focused event to connect industry players. 22:04 - Building community and peer support is key for long-term success. 24:07 - Communities can be monetized and lead to strong relationships. 28:32 - Naive thinking can propel young entrepreneurs forward. 29:45 - Lesson from the dot-com bubble: value delivery is key. 33:07 - Importance of good product and customers willing to pay. 36:26 - Outro

In episode 267, Lance sits down with Alex Mic Podar, the co-founder and CEO of Backyard Bookkeeper, a bookkeeping company that focuses solely on bookkeeping services. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Alex has built a successful business that is dedicated to providing high-quality bookkeeping solutions to clients. Alex is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs succeed and is constantly looking for ways to scale her businesses and create job opportunities.   In this interview, Alex Mick Podar shares her insights on entrepreneurship and the importance of financial literacy. She emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have a good relationship with their finances and to understand the concept of good debt. Alex also advises entrepreneurs to be cautious when doing business with friends or family and to learn how to surround themselves with the right people. She discusses her plans to scale her bookkeeping company and the challenges she anticipates in acquiring other businesses. Alex also addresses the impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry and the importance of staying ahead of the technology. She emphasizes the value of systems and replicable processes in scaling a business and shares her personal journey as an entrepreneur.   To learn more, visit Backyard Bookkeeper at https://backyardbookkeeper.com/    0:00:00 - Intro 0:00:22 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know 0:02:26 - The importance of good debt in business growth 0:04:41 - Scaling a business through acquiring other businesses 0:06:03 - Backyard Bookkeeper's unique focus on bookkeeping services 0:08:32 - Plans to grow the team by acquiring other bookkeeping businesses 0:09:21 - Educating oneself and thinking outside the box for mergers and acquisitions 0:11:42 - Targeting retiring baby boomers to acquire their businesses 0:12:47 - The impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry and managing the risk 0:13:40 - The role of a good bookkeeper beyond data entry in the AI era 0:14:15 - Automation of data entry and the role of AI in accounting 0:15:21 - Working closely with AI developers to improve accounting AI 0:16:26 - AI empowering individuals to take on multiple jobs 0:17:37 - Alex's entrepreneurial journey and origins in Romania 0:20:58 - Importance of systems and hiring the right people 0:23:38 - The necessity of replicable systems for scaling a business 0:25:43 - Information about Amplify Your Business and upcoming symposium  

In episode 266, Lance sits down with James Jackson, the founder and president of Spotz, a company that aims to be the "Airbnb for non-overnight community spaces." With a background in business and a passion for entrepreneurship, James has built a career around solving problems and finding innovative solutions. He brings a wealth of experience and a strong work ethic to his role at Spotz.   In this interview, James Jackson, founder and president of Spotz, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of knowing yourself and your weaknesses, being prepared for the difficulties of entrepreneurship, and leaning on your network for support. Spotz is a platform that connects people with unique and rentable community spaces, solving the problems of awareness, accessibility, and tools for hosts. James discusses the strategic approach to building both the supply and demand sides of the market, as well as the importance of efficient funding and strategic outsourcing. He encourages entrepreneurs to have perspective, trust in themselves, and be open-minded to opportunities.   To learn more about Spotz, visit the website at https://www.findspotz.com/.   0:00:00 - Intro 0:01:11- Three things every entrepreneur needs to understand 0:02:58 - Building a strong network as an entrepreneur 0:06:34 - Overview of Spotz and the problem it solves 0:08:40 - The need for a centralized platform for renting non-overnight spaces 0:09:55 - Challenges in finding and renting different kinds of venues 0:10:23 - Potential benefits for organizations with empty spaces 0:11:50 - Building both sides of the market simultaneously 0:11:58 - Challenges of building a platform without an audience yet 0:13:18 - Strategic approach to building a community of hosts 0:14:21 - Metrics for monetizing spaces and marketing to end users 0:16:02 - Encouraging gatherings and creating community post-pandemic 0:17:22 - Funding challenges and efficient spending 0:21:38 - Learning from difficult situations and outsourcing certain roles 0:26:36 - James Jackson's entrepreneurial journey started at 15 with 47 different jobs. 0:30:48 - Advice on sustaining determination and overcoming challenges. 0:35:41 - Reflecting on personal growth and self-improvement 0:37:47 - Invitation to Entrepreneur symposium for business growth 0:37:47 - Outro

In episode 265, Lance sits down with Ashley McCarney, the founder and president of Involvi, an HR consulting firm. With a background in people operations, Ashley is passionate about improving employment relationships and helping leaders become better people leaders.  In this interview, Ashley shares her insights on what every entrepreneur needs to know, including the importance of valuing your time, being flexible and innovative, and understanding “your why” as an entrepreneur. She also discusses the services offered by Involvi, which include HR support, customized learning and development, and recruitment. Ashley emphasizes the importance of trust in her industry and how Involvi differentiates itself by providing customized solutions and working with clients to navigate the gray areas of compliance and legislation. She also shares her experience of scaling the business and the key factors that contributed to its success, including a strong team, intentional networking, and a focus on building trust with clients. To learn more about Involvi, visit https://involvi.ca/.  0:00:00 - Intro  0:00:47 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know 0:02:36 - Overview of Involvi and the problems it solves 0:03:56 - How Involvi stands out from other HR companies 0:06:35 - Ashley's motivation to start her own business 0:07:47 - Challenges and support during the early stages of the business 0:09:54 - Factors contributing to the success of Involvi 0:11:09 - Importance of networking and building relationships 0:12:49 - Focus on providing value and solutions to clients 0:14:44 - Advice for building a great team 0:16:01 - Importance of transparency and flat hierarchy within the team 0:17:45 - Challenges of maintaining open communication as the business grows 0:20:11 - Imparting vision and values through personal interactions 0:21:19 - Involving the team in creating the company's vision and values 0:22:26 - Intentionally separating the business from personal brand for scalability 0:24:02 - Considering options for future growth as an entrepreneur 0:25:09 - Transitioning from being the practitioner to scaling the business 0:29:37 - Building a business without going into debt 0:30:02 - Self-funding and wise spending to avoid unnecessary costs 0:32:28 - Advice for her younger entrepreneurial self 0:34:41 - Outro

In episode 264 of AYB’s Entrepreneur Podcast, Lance chats with Tino Mantella, the CEO of Turknett Leadership Group. With extensive experience in leadership and having previously served as the CEO of the Technology Association of Georgia, Tino is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and businesses develop effective leadership strategies.    In this interview, Tino shares his insights on effective leadership and offers advice for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose and conducting thorough research before starting a business. Tino also highlights the need for entrepreneurs to understand their own skill sets and surround themselves with the right team. He stresses the importance of setting big goals and implementing measurable steps to achieve them. Tino also discusses the challenges of managing different generations in the workplace and the impact of remote work on company culture. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be adaptable and understand the motivations of their team members.   To learn more about Turknett, visit http://www.turknett.com    00:00 - Intro 05:01 - Discussion on "quiet quitters" and job market trends 08:05 - Leadership skills for different generations and remote work challenges 10:20 - Coaching for personal change and common challenges faced by leaders 13:39 - Understanding oneself and others is key to personal growth. 16:47 - Leading the transition back to the office requires clear communication. 19:58 - The future of work may involve a four-day workweek. 23:59 - Transitioning leadership can be smoother with open communication and mentoring. 26:34 - Understanding what is important to founders when working with them 29:21 - Advice for founders transitioning to the next growth stage 31:14 - Balancing the roles of the founder and CEO 31:58 - Questions founders should ask when hiring a CEO 32:40 - Letting go of control and empowering the CEO 36:02 - Different dynamics between boards and founders 36:28 - Importance of the CEO having an ownership stake in the company 39:44 - Importance of founders planning for the future of their company 40:15 - Owning a company until old age can be beneficial 40:55 - Advice to younger self: be patient and listen 42:48 - Outro

In Episode 263 of the Amplify Your Business Entrepreneur Podcast, Russ Law, CEO and co-founder of Verensics, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of perseverance in starting a business. He discusses the roller-coaster nature of entrepreneurship and managing self-doubt. Russ also explains how Verensics addresses ethical evaluations of potential employees using their online smart questionnaire platform. He highlights the limitations of traditional background checks and the value of informed interviews and touches on challenges in partnerships and addressing team behavior.   To learn more visit https://www.verensics.com/    00:20 Introduction to Russ Law, CEO and co-founder of Verensics 01:12 What are the three things every entrepreneur needs to know when starting out? 04:13 Dealing with self-doubt as an entrepreneur 10:15 What problem does Verensics address? 11:11 The impact of hiring on organizational culture 12:39 How Verensics’ software helps improve the interview process 27:42 What advice would Russ give to his younger self? 28:46 Taking the leap into entrepreneurship is tough 30:05 What helps Russ persevere? 30:31 Pursuing passion makes a big difference in motivation

In this episode of Amplify Your Business, we interview Tammy Barlette, a former Air Force Pilot for 20 years and now a successful entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Athena's Voice, a speaker referral business that aims to empower and inspire women in the military aviation community. Tammy is also the founder of Cross Check, a mental performance coaching business for aviators. Join us as Tammy shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she has learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of not going on the entrepreneurial journey alone as well as the need to anticipate and then overcome challenges. Tammy also highlights the significance of defining success on one's own terms and not conforming to societal expectations. Tammy encourages entrepreneurs to embrace challenges, prepare for obstacles, and seek help when needed.   To learn more visit http://www.athenasvoiceusa.com    00:00 - Intro. 01:02 - Three important things for entrepreneurs: don't do it alone, don't give up, define success. 02:02 - Define success as making a positive impact and matching personal lifestyle. 03:50 - Introduction to Athena's Voice and its purpose. 06:11 - Introduction to Cross Check and its purpose. 09:46 - Overcoming challenges and applying mental performance principles. 11:28 - Advice for entrepreneurs: expect and tackle challenges, and solve problems. 12:43 - Framework for problem-solving and handling challenges. 16:24 - The importance of developing confidence and pushing out of comfort zones. 18:41 - The loneliness of entrepreneurship and the need for support. 20:16 - The challenge of analysis paralysis and decision-making. 21:13 - The importance of establishing personal core values. 24:15 - Redefining success and transitioning the first business model. 25:39 - The importance of mental performance training. 28:13 - Plans to expand beyond aviation in the future. 29:06 - The challenge of deviating from the niche too quickly. 30:53 - Potential applications of Tammy's course outside of aviation. 36:12 - Sacrifices of successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. 37:06 - Realization of being in control of one's business and life. 38:07 - How to connect with Tammy Barlette for coaching and courses. 38:56 - Release date and motivation for completing a course. 39:39 - The importance of deadlines and motivation in achieving goals. 40:18 - Outro.

For Episode 260 of the Entrepreneur Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Richard Pro, the president and Chief Strategy Advisor at VRINetics LLC. With a background in physics, engineering, and business administration, Dr. Pro brings a unique blend of quantitative analysis and strategic thinking to his work, making this episode uniquely interesting as Dr. Pro shares his insights on entrepreneurship and strategy development. Emphasizing the importance of building a community of entrepreneurs who can offer advice and support, and highlighting the role of data analytics in creating and sustaining a competitive advantage are just a few topics Dr. Pro covers in the episode.  To learn more, reach out to Dr. Richard Pro at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpro/    00:00 - Intro  01:14 - Three things every entrepreneur needs to know  03:39 - An overview of VRINetics and its services  10:31 - Unique focus on data analytics in strategic consulting  14:04 - Importance of measuring and improving strategic execution  15:39 - Misuse of the term "competitive advantage" in strategy discussions  16:18 - The role of analytics in strategy  17:05 - Importance of assessing value, rarity, inimitability, and substitutability  17:51 - Why most strategies fail  18:41 - Applying strategy criteria to personal career development  19:35 - Lack of knowledge of strategy criteria among leaders  20:09 - Importance of tapping into the collective knowledge of other entrepreneurs  22:35 - Being vulnerable and authentic when seeking advice 24:12 - Generosity of entrepreneurs in sharing experiences and insights  26:09 - Importance of regular touch base meetings with fellow entrepreneurs  29:11 - Understanding effective digital marketing strategies  33:35 - The first five years are crucial for a startup's success.  34:37 - Giving first and making connections is effective marketing.

For Episode 259 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Kerri Davis, the co-founder and CEO of Fortress, a software solution that helps property management companies manage their assets and create efficiency in their operations. With a background in accounting and law, Kerri has leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to build a successful business in the real estate and technology industries. Join us today as Kerri shares her insights on entrepreneurship and the importance of embracing failure, creating psychological safety, and surrounding yourself with the right people. She emphasizes the need to redefine success and view failures as stepping stones to success. Kerri also discusses the value of psychological safety in a risky entrepreneurial environment and the importance of commitment in team members. She highlights the benefits of diversity in the workplace and the power of different perspectives in driving innovation and success. To learn more, visit https://fortresstech.io.        00:00  Intro 01:05  The importance of reframing success as an entrepreneur  02:45  Creating psychological safety for teams in a risky environment  04:37  Surrounding yourself with committed individuals  06:26  Hiring fast and firing fast to foster commitment  08:22  Not burdening overachievers with underachievers  09:47  Challenges in letting go of underperforming team members  11:00  The importance of acknowledging the 50-50 nature of hiring  11:34  Introduction to Fortress software solution for property management companies  12:15  Building Fortress to solve problems in property management  13:24  Importance of incubation and finding a champion for software development  14:29 Advice for finding a champion and creating a partnership 16:13  Importance of finding a company with the same problem  18:19  Whittling down features and agile development  21:15 Kerri Davis' background and unique experiences  23:02 Working in Iraq and transitioning to accounting and sales  25:20 Joining Elmington and overcoming fears of lack of knowledge  25:20 Kerri Davis talks about working in a small office space. 

For Episode 258 of Amplify Your Business, Christa Jones, the founder of Rose City Professional Organizing. They tackle the overwhelming stress that clutter and disorganization can bring for those facing extreme clutter challenges, where cleaning up feels impossible. This extends to busy individuals juggling work, family, and emotional attachments to possessions, making decluttering a struggle. Additionally, they support those downsizing, packing, and moving, especially seniors and their families dealing with physical limitations and time pressures. Effective time management, adaptability in the face of change, a resilient spirit, a client-centric approach, and a strong foundation in financial literacy are a few vital components of long-term entrepreneurial success according to Christa. She also touched on the importance of learning to let go of control and be okay with delegating. In a letter to her younger self, she would advise little Christa to: “Be patient and realistic with yourself. Embrace growth and ambition, but also celebrate your progress and learning. Success isn't a fixed destination, so be kind to yourself and avoid being overly critical.” To learn more, visit https://rosecityprofessionalorganizing.com/.        00:00 - Intro 00:37 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 03:41 - What problem is your business solving and who are you serving? 08:46 - What led to you starting Rose City Professional Organizing? 13:18 - What challenges have you faced in your business and how did you overcome them? 16:48 - What were the benefits of being raised by an entrepreneurial father? 19:22 - What growth-related obstacles are you expecting to face? 22:10 - What will be the last hat you wear as you delegate aspects of your business to others?   25:24 - What advice would you give your younger self in a letter?

For Episode 257 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Dennis Humphrey, the owner of Eden Business Concepts, LLC. They’re a company that collaborates with family-owned and closely held businesses to address workforce-related crises and employee conflicts that impede both productivity and growth. Their strategies are designed to enhance workforce productivity and foster a positive workplace culture. Dennis describes his heartbeat as being to “see leaders gain clarity and vision for their task.” Dennis coaches entrepreneurs to understand their core motivations and gain self-awareness. By recognizing both the positive and negative aspects of their motivations, he helps leaders make more effective, clear decisions in their roles, reducing disruptive behaviors in their leadership. Dennis defines success as a twofold achievement: seeing leaders thrive and witnessing the well-being of their people. In a letter to his younger self, Dennis would advise him to be confident and trust his gut because he has the power to influence and inspire others.  To learn more, visit https://edenbusinessconcepts.com/.       00:00 - Intro 00:42 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 02:32 - What problem is your business solving and who are you serving? 05:55 - Why do you believe that execution is usually lacking in businesses? 07:34 - How do you coach entrepreneurs to detach from their businesses? 10:37 - What is the biggest stumbling point where leadership teams fall apart? 12:16 - How quickly can leadership teams move on from that? 14:28 - What motivated you and your business partner to come together?   17:35 - How has your experience informed the way you set up and grow your business? 19:08 - How do you define success for your business?  25:02 - What advice would you give your younger self in a letter? 

For Episode 256 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Amy Zuk Olsen, the owner of Safety Buzz Campus, who’s tackling the problem of safety awareness and culture in both individual and corporate settings. Safety Buzz educates businesses about areas requiring safety measures, mentors employees to create a safety-oriented culture, and emphasizes the importance of safety in building a positive workplace atmosphere. Additionally, it provides specific services, such as truck driver training and air chiller division services, to address safety challenges in those domains. With 20 years in business, Amy stresses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the value of a strong team, and cautious growth planning in today’s episode. In a letter to her younger self, Amy would advise her younger self to: "Get ready for the ride. It's going to be really tough.” There will be days when you just want to stay in bed - you can't. Amy’s got plenty of wisdom for other entrepreneurs and amazing offerings for businesses looking to elevate their safety.  To learn more, visit http://www.safetybuzzcampus.ca.      00:00 - Intro 00:57 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 03:49 - What problem is Safety Buzz Campus solving? 07:43 - What inspired you to enter this industry? 12:40 - Tell us more about the growth of your business from when you began until now.  16:22 - Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently in terms of your growth? 18:16 - What advice would you give someone looking into mergers or acquisitions for success? 23:08 - At what point were you able to transition from being a part of the business to running it?   27:35 - What has become easier now for you compared to when you started your business? 30:21 - If you could write a letter of advice to your younger self, what would you say? 

For Episode 255 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Mike Lee who is the President of Fundica, a company addressing the formidable challenge of helping entrepreneurs secure essential funding. They aim to simplify the funding process through research and surveys while supporting "entrepreneur support organizations" to enhance client acquisition as well as overall financial success. Although a successful entrepreneur, Mike's journey with Fundica was not without its challenges. Transitioning from a traditional consulting business to a more capital-intensive venture ushered in upfront expenses and unique business demands. In a letter to his younger self, Mike would advise little him to build more confidence and invest in the people around him. Mike also shares some advice for other entrepreneurs: the need for a structured funding approach, the pivotal role of crafting the right team, and the delicate balance of persistent drive and patience in navigating the entrepreneurial path.  To learn more, visit https://www.fundica.com/.     00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 04:28 - What problem is Fundica solving? 10:25 - How did you come about this business model and where can people interact with Fundica resources? 13:00 - What do businesses gain by licensing with Fundica? 17:48 - What’s the biggest challenge you experienced in starting Fundica? 22:08 - What was easier about starting Fundica compared to your first consultancy? 23:54 - What do you think is going to be your biggest challenge to take Fundica to the next level?   26:29 - How do you navigate ambitious growth goals and falling economic conditions? 31:00 - If you could write a letter of advice to your younger self, what would you say?

For Episode 253 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Sophia Fairweather, the founder of Key Angels, and the youngest entrepreneur we’ve had the pleasure of chatting to for our Amplify Your Business podcast. Key Angels aims to support both entrepreneurship and home-ownership in the youth. Key Angels' core model involves living in one unit of a fourplex and having the income from the other three units cover expenses, effectively offering financial stability while allowing pursuit of entrepreneurial goals. This approach enables young entrepreneurs to dedicate themselves fully to their ventures without the added pressure of part-time jobs or immediate financial needs. The concept of "angels" is derived from traditional investment angels, however, it describes individuals who provide qualifying credit scores, ensuring access and stability rather than financial investment. There are many things that Sophia has learned along the way in her seven years of entrepreneurship, however, the one significant aspect that stands out to her is the importance of attending events: both for networking and for improving your communication skills. Particularly improving your ability to educate people about your product or service.    To learn more, visit https://key-angels.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:38 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 09:01 - How old are you and when did you begin your entrepreneurial journey? 16:37 - How do you cope with the frustration of being an entrepreneur at such a young age (going against your peers, dealing with age-related roadblocks)? 18:53 - Tell us more about your business, Key Angels. 24:38 - Can you tell us more about the market itself? 26:50 - What excites you about entrepreneurship? Why did you begin this journey? 30:55 - How can we establish a stronger ecosystem and movement centered around youth and entrepreneurship?  

For Episode 253 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Pierce Krol, the founder and CEO of Insurely Inc, who generously shared his 18 years of entrepreneurial experience. He emphasized three key lessons: embracing failure, continuous learning, and resilience. Insurely, his digital insurance brokerage, evolved from his frustration with the insurance industry. He recognized that traditional insurance processes were slow - often lacking user-friendliness. Pierce's vision was to digitize the insurance experience and provide his customers with a seamless, efficient, and user-friendly platform. Pierce pivoted from his previous bricks-and-mortar insurance business to start Insurely, driven by this need for technological advancement. He values surrounding himself with business mentors and has a long-standing business coach who helps him navigate personal and professional challenges. Pierce believes in betting on oneself and emphasizes self-care and spirituality as he continues his entrepreneurial journey.  To learn more, visit http://www.insurely.ca.    00:00 - Intro 01:03 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 07:47 - What problem is your company solving? 10:06 - What was your inspiration for starting this company? 13:14 - How did find the courage to embrace entrepreneurship? 16:12 - What role does an advisory board play in your development as an entrepreneur? 21:32 - What are your biggest challenges as an entrepreneur? 24:33 - What is easier for you now that you’re further along in your entrepreneurial journey?   28:35 - What obstacles are you anticipating and how do you plan to overcome them? 33:23 - What is the most expensive lesson you’ve had to learn as an entrepreneur? 36:19 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give? 40:06 - What was happening internally to inspire that advice?

For Episode 252 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Kim Lowert who is the Founder and CEO of a company reshaping the online shopping experience: Appstract. Kim founded his eCommerce consultancy after observing that online shopping hasn’t evolved much in the past 15 to 20 years - remaining static like a catalog. Appstract’s focus has primarily been on optimizing the checkout process, however, they recognized a challenge in that shopping is naturally social. Their objective is to merge the social aspects of shopping with the online store experience, making it more engaging, like shopping with friends in a physical store. Kim has undeniably picked up some invaluable knowledge throughout his experience as an entrepreneur: the value of hard work and learning new skills, being able to pivot your mindset, and hiring the right people. Uncover this knowledge with us in today’s episode of the Amplify Your Business Podcast, as well as how Appstract's adaptable business model is currently being tested with a monthly subscription and consumption fee for their social shopping service.  To learn more, visit https://appstract.co/appstract.    00:00 - Intro 01:23 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 02:35 - What problem is your company solving? 08:29 - How are you working on the business model side of things? 10:45 - What are the advantages of a product-based model over a consultancy model? 15:42 - How have you leveraged your transferable skills to make starting this business with a SaaS model easier? 20:45 - What big challenges are you expecting in the next year or two? 26:08 - How are you approaching marketing with Appstract?   

For Episode 251 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by John MacInnes, the founder of Earthware. In this episode, John shares invaluable insights from his lifelong entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing perseverance, financial acumen, and adaptability. Earthware is transforming single-use containers through a circular strategy, catalyzing a positive change in responsible consumption and the eco-friendly food sector. By tackling waste and diverting millions from landfills and streets, they’re reshaping the narrative for a greener future. Discover Earthware’s seamless system that incentivizes consumers and restaurants to return and reuse containers, driving an eco-conscious shift. Tune in to explore how Earthware is reshaping sustainable practices in the food industry and envisioning a greener tomorrow for everyone. To learn more, visit https://earthware.me/.    00:00 - Intro 00:59 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 08:18 - What problem is your company solving? 11:28 - How did Earthware’s business model evolve? 16:43 - How did you overcome obstacles with Earthware? 20:55 - How has your previous entrepreneurial experience made managing Earthware easier? 23:42 - What motivates your cycle of starting and transitioning between businesses? 25:41 - What surprised you in this venture?   30:03 - What distinguishes founders from CEOs? 33:40 - What would you write in a letter to your younger self? 

For Episode 250 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Jay Schiff, the co-founder and CEO of Addinex Technologies. Addinex Technologies is cost-effectively and brilliantly solving a massive problem: the growing opioid crisis, which saw overdose deaths surpassing 100,000 for the first time, with over 80% of these deaths attributed to opioids. Jay’s company’s primary focus lies in preventing opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose while also assisting those with Opioid Use Disorder. Join us as we discuss everything, from Addinex’s dispensing system to the importance of being flexible and persistent as an entrepreneur to the challenges that Jay has faced in starting his own business as well as how they’ve overcome those challenges.  To learn more, visit https://www.addinextech.com/.    00:00 - Intro 00:39 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 04:39 - What problem is your company solving? 08:40 - What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome? 12:08 - What made you pivot from your career to entrepreneurship? 15:19 - At this stage in your business, what aspects are easier now compared to when you started? 17:05 - What are the ingredients of a successful entrepreneur? 19:01 - If you could send a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give?  21:38 - What did you find difficult when you ventured into entrepreneurship? 

For Episode 249 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Alex Dow, the co-founder and chief innovation officer over at Mirai Security out in Vancouver, B.C. Mirai Security is a cybersecurity company that focuses on developing solutions for small, medium, and large enterprises, particularly those that are digitally enabled and may face compliance or customer-driven requirements for enhanced security. This episode delves into cybersecurity challenges faced by businesses, discussing common attacks like business email compromise and ransomware. It explores the need for effective training and awareness among employees to combat sophisticated threats as well as the motivation behind starting a cybersecurity company that aims to offer a comprehensive people-process-technology solution, filling the gap between expensive consultancies and software vendors. To learn more, visit https://miraisecurity.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:01 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 04:21 - What problem does your company solve in 60 seconds? 06:57 - What are the most common cyber attacks that are occurring? 09:38 - Are businesses facing potential bankruptcy due to the massive financial losses and damages caused by these attacks? 14:42 - What danger does AI pose in terms of cyber security? 20:13 - What motivated you to start a business? 33:57 - How do you maintain the core structure of your business?

For Episode 248 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Josh Furstoss, the CEO and co-founder of Incued. Induced aims to provide real-time financial data on private market assets to venture capital firms, private equity firms, investment banks, lenders, etc. This allows them to understand the performance, revenue, spending, and more of the portfolio companies they're involved with. Currently, traditional methods like Excel documents and PDFs lead to static, potentially fraudulent, and low-quality data, increasing investment and loan risk. The long-term goal is to create a Bloomberg terminal for the private markets, enhancing liquidity and driving market efficiency and innovation. To learn more, visit incued.com.   00:00 - Intro 00:49 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 05:57 - What problem does your company solve in 60 seconds? 11:06 - What was your inspiration for starting this company? 15:13 - Describe your mentorship and how it gives back to your community. 19:56 - At what stage should you heavily invest in assembling the right people for your advisory board? 24:12 - What advice would you write to your younger self in a letter? 36:17 - How to balance feedback from a small subset of potentially self-serving target audience members while finding a product-market fit in the early days of your business?

For Episode 247 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Thomas Deneve, the founder and CEO of RentFund. RentFund turns rent payments into an investment and incentivizes people to take better care of the places where they live. The mission at RentFund is pretty simple: they believe that everyone should benefit financially from the place they live because, oftentimes, that's our biggest monthly expense. Essentially, a portion of each rent payment a renter makes gets put into an investment fund that will be returned to the renter upon the end of their lease, as long as the property is in good, undamaged condition. To learn more, visit https://www.rentfund.ca/    00:00 - Intro 01:16 - What are the three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 05:00 - Tell us a little bit about RentFund. 12:52 - Can you speak to the marketing aspect of RentFund? How do landlords market their property on your site? 17:13 - From the time you came up with this idea to the time you launched, what are some of the challenges that you’ve had to overcome? 24:23 - Can you explain how you’re playing both sides of the market with RentFund? What is your business model? 27:43 - What is going to be the biggest hurdle you’ll have to overcome to get to the next stage of growth? 33:11 - What is the best way for our listeners to connect with you?

For Episode 246 of Amplify Your Business, we’re in conversation with Christian Solomine, founder and CEO of Fractional CRO. What is a fractional CRO? A fractional CRO is an executive team member responsible for marketing, sales, business development, and customer success, essentially overseeing all revenue-generating aspects of a business. The key distinction is that they perform the same responsibilities as a full-time Chief Revenue Officer, but with a designated number of hours or days per week. In an effort to help companies that either don’t need a full time CRO, or are unsure which duties to assign to a person in this role, Christian began Fractional CRO to organizations to shape this role to be effective from day one. To learn more, connect with Christian on LinkedIn or visit their website at fractional-cro.com.    00:00 - Intro 00:51 - What is a CRO?  07:08 - What patterns have you noticed from your diverse interactions with different businesses? 13:42 - Does your role have system-based implementation strategies? 16:22 - Can some tools be more of a distraction than a help for certain businesses? 19:02 - Do you have stories from some of your more memorable engagements?  20:36 -  If any of our audience members wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 245 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Charlie Aldis, the co-founder and CRO of Maven IT. Charlie started in the telecom industry at just 18 years old, and by 30, had worked his way up to the executive level. However, frustration, anger, and stress caused his blood pressure to skyrocket, and he ended up having a stroke at work one day. It was then, after more than 30 years in the telecom industry, that Charlie realized he needed a change. So he hooked up with an old colleague, Aaron, and together, they founded Maven IT. Maven IT got its start with the aim of providing enterprise-level managed IT services to small and medium businesses. After a chance phone call to the franchisee of a Smoothie King opening up new stores in Michigan, Charlie and his co-founder Aaron realized that franchises were a very underserved market in terms of managed IT services. And so, eventually, Maven IT evolved from serving primarily small to medium businesses to operating in the franchisee space. To date, they’re in 32 states servicing about 1100 franchise locations nationwide and growing. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.mavenitinc.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:03 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur should know? 02:58 - Can you tell us a little bit about Maven IT? What is it you do, and how has the business evolved since you first started? 08:55 - Why did you leave your job, in an industry you were in for more than 30 years, to get into entrepreneurship with Maven IT? 15:31 - Where does your entrepreneurial drive come from?  22:19 - What have you found most challenging or frustrating about pivoting from the telecom world into entrepreneurship? 29:55 - What does success look like to you now? 35:44 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give? 38:48 - If our audience members wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 244 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Moh Noori, the CEO and founder of ScriptChain Health. heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, which equates to over 700,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone and globally, over 18 million deaths annually. Readmission equates to over $72M a day in penalties and losses. The heart-shattering and life-changing moment of witnessing his beloved grandmother suffer and ultimately pass away from Congestive Heart Failure is what led Moh down the road to founding ScriptChain Health. In an effort to find a solution to both heart disease and readmission, two growing issues in the health care industry, Moh and ScriptChain Health created an AI prediction platform for heart disease readmission in order to better patient outcomes and help physicians identify patients who are at a high risk of readmission. To learn more, connect with Moh on LinkedIn or Twitter, or visit their website at https://scriptchain.co.    00:00 - Intro 01:10 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 04:18 - Can you give us a snapshot of what ScriptChain Health is all about? 10:51 - How did you go from being a grad student in business to the founder and CEO of a medical tech and digital health startup? 12:09 - How have you bootstrapped this startup, and where are you now in terms of funding? 13:12 - How are you handling the work-life balance as the founder and CEO of a startup? 17:08 - How do you manage to stay so driven after two-and-a-half years at such an insane pace? 18:29 - Tell me a bit about your business journey. What are some of the hurdles you’ve had to overcome? 25:48 - If you could write a letter to your pre-entrepreneurial self, what would it say? 30:04 - If any of our audience members wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 243 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Neil Belenkie, the CEO of Ascent Drywall and Coating. Neil is a serial entrepreneur with over 50 successful businesses under his belt. In his current venture, as the CEO of Ascent Drywall and Coating, Neil completely redone their finance modelling, created a new ideal customer profile, rebuilt supplier partnerships, and put in new controls for theft and accountability. In two-and-a-half years, he turned a company that was drowning into a successful and thriving business. To learn more, connect with Neil on LinkedIn, or shoot him an email at [email protected].   00:00 - Intro 04:12 - Can you talk to us a little bit about Ascent, what you’re doing there, and what you mean by the term “turnaround specialist”? 10:01 - Please tell us about the $2,000 coffee. 17:56 - How did you get to this place in life where you have all this expertise that allows you to help these companies with their turnarounds? 21:21 - If you could distill this expertise down to three things that you think every entrepreneur should know, what would they be? 25:26 - How do you find the balance between all of the multiple businesses you work for or with simultaneously? 36:34 - If you could write a letter to your younger entrepreneurial self, what advice would you give? 40:49 - What’s the best way for our listeners to connect with you?

For Episode 242 of Amplify Your Business, we’re at the Edmonton Unlimited Open House, and we’re speaking to a lot of incredible entrepreneurs, hearing their stories, their challenges, and their successes.    First up, we speak with Lilah Penddah, the founder and CEO of Afro Facts. Afro Facts creates educational tools, games, workshops, and webinars to help people increase their awareness with respect to black history, as well as give them the tools needed to have more productive and healing conversations with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion. To learn more about Afro Facts, visit their website at www.afrofacts.ca.    Next up is Ali Salman, the founder of Lawtiq. Lawtiq is an online platform that allows you to connect with a lawyer in the time it takes you to order a pizza online. With just a few clicks, you can book an appointment with a lawyer of your choice, or if you’re looking for long-term legal services, they have a fixed-price option. Learn more at www.lawtiq.com.    After Ali, Lance meets with Sahr Saffa, the founder of C-Tribe Society. C-Tribe Society’s mission is to find ways to celebrate diversity and to help more underserved and underrepresented innovators and creatives in achieving their goals. They operate across various verticals, ranging from the technology sector, fashion, music, gaming, and culturally inspired sectors as well. To learn more, find them on Facebook.   Our fourth interviewee is 14-year-old Sophia Fairweather, the founder of Key-Angels. Sophia founded Key-Angels when she was only 10, with a unique purpose in mind, which is to provide single-parent and zero-parent families with the ability to grow and succeed in their lives. They do this through a unique financing platform that connects single-parent and zero-parent families with “Angels” that help them with access to buying their first home. To learn more, visit www.key-angels.com.   Finally, Lance interviews Kevin Peterson, the founder of Zipstall. Zipstall is a parking app, downloadable from all major app stores, that doesn’t just allow you to pay for parking directly from the app but also helps you find available parking in downtown Edmonton – an often difficult task! By solving local parking crises, Zipstall brings communities together and helps Edmontonians support local businesses. To learn more, visit www.zipstall.com.    00:00 - Intro 01:48 - Introducing Lilah Penddah, Founder & CEO of Afro Facts/ 2:07 - Can you tell us about your business? 02:27 - Is this Canadian Black history, or do you encompass Black history in other countries as well? 02:52 - What is the business model of Afro Facts? 04:21 - Where do you want to take your business in the next three years? 05:27 - What advice would you give to an entrepreneur who’s on a similar journey to yours? 06:57 - Introducing Ali Salman, Founder of Lawtiq.com. 07:40 - What is Lawtiq, and what is the problem are you trying to solve? 09:43 - After running a marketing business, how did you find yourself starting Lawtiq? 11:33 - Introducing Sahr Saffa, Founder of C-Tribe Society. 11:44 - Tell me a bit about your business and what problem you’re trying to solve. 12:28 - What are you doing differently now than you were before COVID hit? 15:04 - Introducing Sophia Fairweather, Founder of Keys-Angels. 17:47 - Where did the idea for Key-Angels come from? 18:35 - The youths that come do you, do they provide their own capital, or is the angel investor providing it? 20:20 - Introducing Kevin Peterson, Founder of Zipstall. 20:34 - What has changed with Zipstall since the last time we interviewed you?

For Episode 241 of Amplify Your Business, we’re excited to be let out of the studio! Coming to you from Edmonton Unlimited’s Open House we had the opportunity to chat with some of the great entrepreneurial minds coming out of Edmonton. This episode is part one of a two-part series, in which Lance enjoyed catching up with past AYB alum and meeting some of the Edmontons' brightest entrepreneurs.    00:00 - Intro 02:41 - Derek Nolt, CEO of Bladeflex 05:32 - What’s the biggest challenge Derek has to overcome to get to where he wants to be in a year’s time? 07:05 - Emily Craven, Founder & CEO of Story City 10:20 - How does Emily stay focused on her most important goals? 12:56 - Harpal Mandaher, CEO of Sarcomere Dynamics 14:37 - How did Sarcomere Dynamics shift from prosthetics to automation? 17:57 - Jean Bruce Koua, Co-founder & COO of Elev 20:30 - How is Elev overcoming the challenges they face?

For Episode 240 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Jenny Beres, the co-founder and president of Pink Shark PR. Pink Shark PR works with funders and founders in the tech industry to help them expand their companies past the early or growth stages of their businesses. Their area of specialization is startup first, PR second, which means that they understand the unique challenges faced by startups in that there are no one-size-fits-all strategies for early and growth-stage businesses. This is all done through a program called the Startup Accelerator, which offers customized “fast and deep” PR strategies to help startups get funded, find the right investors and strategic partners, and connect with the right customers. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.pinksharkpr.com/ or connect with Jenny on LinkedIn.   00:00 - Intro 00:59 - What are three things every entrepreneur should know? 05:36 - What problems are you solving at Pink Shark PR? 08:45 - Can you tell us a little bit about the “startup press machine” that you’ve created for your clients? 11:42 - What have you found are some of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs are making in terms of PR? 20:29 - Is there a hierarchy of value in terms of the different avenues of PR? 26:09 - How do you leverage PR and build upon it? 32:14 - What is your opinion on this onslaught of AIs and AI-enabled chatbots in terms of PR and PR content? 37:29 - What is the best way that our audience members can connect with you?

For Episode 239 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Lior Klisman, the co-founder of Sentant. Sentant is a service company in the IT security and compliance space that works with startups and investors to help them grow. They do this by ensuring their security is in place for regulation and compliance, which allows for more secure investments. In essence, Sentant is a startup’s backbone when it comes to technology and security.   Lior caught the entrepreneurial bug at just 12 years old, selling bagels outside of a stadium, and it’s been full steam ahead from there. He prides himself on giving back to the community by inspiring and empowering young entrepreneurs through mentorship programs.  To learn more, visit https://www.sentant.net/ or connect with Lior on LinkedIn.   00:00 - Intro 00:52 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 11:47 - What does Sentant do? What problems are you trying to solve? 15:50 - What has changed or gotten easier at this stage in the business versus what it was when you were bootstrapping this company seven years ago? 24:30 - What is different about entrepreneurs or entrepreneurship in the U.S. or North America compared to some of the other places you've lived? 29:02 - Where do you find your inspiration? 32:12 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give? 34:04 - If our audience wanted to reach out to you, how could they do that?

For Episode 238 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Ryan Smith, the co-founder and CEO of 360 Liability Management. 360 Energy Liability Management is an engineering and environmental science consulting business. They work towards making oil and gas site closures as simple as possible. Essentially, they focus on making these site closures simple so that their clients can continue to create thriving businesses and communities across Western Canada, and they do so by helping their clients understand cost, manage obligations, and mitigate risks. To learn more, visit https://360elm.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:06 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur should know? 03:46 - Can you tell us a bit about 360 Energy Liability Management? What is it that you do and what problem are you trying to solve? 06:51 - What made you transition from full-time employee to full-time entrepreneur and start your first business? 09:02 - What key lessons did you learn from your first business did you bring to 360 Energy Liability Management? 12:14 - Can you elaborate a bit on this idea of a 100-year strategy? 15:19 - What are the differences in your business plan from the startup stage to the scale up stage? 21:26 - How are you balancing the organic growth you’re trying to achieve with the culture and brand you’ve cultivated at 360? 24:54 - In the three businesses you’ve acquired, were there any surprises or challenges you had to overcome? 27:44 - If you could write a letter back to your pre-entrepreneurial self, what advice would you give? 29:45 - If our audience wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 237 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Jamie Smith, the Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Advisors. Amplify Advisors helps small and medium-sized growth-focused businesses with their financial strategy. Their mission is to enhance communities, cultivate connections, and amplify opportunities by aiding these small to medium-sized businesses to become financially healthy. Becoming financially healthy allows these business leaders to not only be better employers, but achieve their strategies and their purpose, and become better community members. Through amplified tech, recruiting, and their innovative financial leader service line – where they offer fractional CFOs and controllers – they’re helping these businesses achieve the growth they aspire to. To learn more, visit https://amplifyadvisors.ca/    00:00 - Intro 01:03 - What are three things every entrepreneur needs to know? 12:17 - Can you share a bit about how you structure your retainer model? 15:25 - What does Amplify Advisors do, and what problem are you trying to solve? 20:13 - Let’s talk a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey. 26:13 - How are you approaching leadership development within Amplify Advisors? 32:59 - What are your goals over the next couple of years, and what challenges do you think you’ll face in trying to achieve them? 37:14 - If you could write a letter to your pre-entrepreneurial self, what would it say? 41:49 - If any of our listeners wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 236 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Aireka Harvell, the founder of Nodat. Nodat is a geo-targeting mobile marketing platform that uses AI, machine learning, and natural language processing to personalize the local search experiences for content creators and local businesses to help them target the right audiences in the right places. They are the first opt-in geo-targeting platform that empowers both the business and consumer to exchange data in a more ethical and transparent way for better targeting and relevant results for local information. To learn more, visit https://nodatplace.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:01 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 05:06 - What is Nodat and when did the idea for it come about? 09:36 - Can you explain the difference between first-party data and third-party data? 17:27 - What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in terms of your business? 22:33 - In five years, where do you want Nodat to be? 23:45 - What are the biggest hurdles you’ll face to getting to that five-year goal, and how will you overcome them? 28:29 - Does the potential for acquisition down the road change your thinking about the way in which you grow Nodat in the present? 29:19 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you offer pre-entrepreneurial Aireka? 32:31 - What is the best way for people interested in Nodat to connect with you?

For Episode 235 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Fred Dyste, the founder of BizWatt LLC. BizWatt is a software development company that has developed a PPM tool, called QFactor that helps Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers effectively and profitably track project scope, budget, and timeline.   Qfactor is a software tool designed to help land surveyors with the proposal and project creation process. It allows for easy tracking of project status and profitability by integrating with time entry and accounting software, eliminating the need to enter data multiple times. Proposals are crucial for land surveyors as they lead to business opportunities, cash flow, and profitability. However, it can be difficult to quantify this information if it is not easily accessible. With Qfactor, tracking work progress in real-time becomes possible, giving the ability to see the percentage of completion and profitability before invoicing. To learn more, you can email Fred at [email protected] or visit the website at https://bizwatt.com/.    01:39 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 07:50 - Can you tell us a little bit about BizWatt? What sets you apart and what’s special about what you’ve developed? 13:53 - What are some of the profound moments within your entrepreneurial journey that have led you to this point? 20:16 - What makes the entrepreneurial journey so difficult? 22:49 - What’s easier with this business than what you’ve found with the rest of the startups you’ve founded? 27:10 - What’s your secret to maintaining your resilience despite the failures you’ve had in the past? 29:25 - If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice would you give? 31:38 - If our audience wanted to connect with you, how could they do that?

For Episode 234 of Amplify Your Business, we’re joined by Ryan Niddel, the CEO of MIT45. MIT45 is a kratom company. Kratom is what we call the leaves of a tropical tree in the coffee family, Mitragyna speciosa, that is indigenous to Southeast Asia. These leaves contain a chemical called mitragynine that produces stimulant-like effects (like caffeine) in low doses that help with focus, clarity, and energy. In higher doses, these leaves offer sedative-like effects, providing users with a relaxing sensation, and allowing for better sleep and less muscle pain. MIT45 is working hard to educate the masses on this new, mostly unheard-of substance, espousing its benefits, and battling against the fearmongering currently making its way through mainstream media. To learn more, visit https://mit45.com/.    00:00 - Intro 01:21 - What are three things that you think every entrepreneur needs to know? 06:05 - Let’s talk about MIT45. What are you guys doing? What problems are you trying to solve?  11:54 - What are the potential biggest roadblocks to MIT45 getting to your goal of taking on the global market? 17:01 - At what point in a company’s trajectory should they start looking at acquisitions being an integral part of their growth strategy? 23:57 - What lessons did you learn through the process of your early mistakes in entrepreneurship? 29:13 - How did you bounce back from your business being a huge success to having to shut your doors completely, and then launching your next business venture that turned into a multimillion-dollar exit as well? 34:32 - Where does your passion, your drive for entrepreneurship come from? 38:23 - If you could write a letter to your pre-entrepreneurial self, what advice would you give? 40:44 - If our audience wanted to connect with you, how could they go about doing that?