Furkan Yuce from Baltimore Maryland joins us on the show today to talk about how he has built his flooring business and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Start small and start local. Entrepreneurship isn't about trying to change the world on the first go.

Buying or being gifted a family business can get complicated. Its all about communication and managing expectations.

People think building a videography is about making great video. Wrong. Its about sales and marketing. In this episode we talk about how to do it and how to win!

Learn how to start or grow a mobile mechanic business in this value packed episode. I apologize for the quality - we're working on that.

Max joined us for episode back in April (#44) to talk about how guerrilla marketing earned him a lot of sales and it has been the favorite episode and most downloaded episode we've done so far. So we had Max back to discuss how he staffs 9 moving crews and hires over 30 full time labor employees at his moving company.

What businesses are best for high schoolers to consider and what else should they think about before starting a business? How do you raise entrepreneurial children?

It seams as if the big dogs are trying to take a bite out of local markets. Is it a real risk and how can we protect ourselves?

Set up a shell company and start testing the market. Launch later when the timing is right!

This would be a heck of a challenge but with the right execution it can be done!

Doing the things that don't scale well. In this episode I tell more of our story and how sidewalk chalk, of all things, gave us the momentum to build a healthy business.

Real estate is the end goal. In this episode we talk about how to approach it.

Some common themes on the podcast and a reminder from what we've talked about so far.

Here is my shot at a motivational speech?

I'm not claiming a recession is coming. I just think you an do a few things that will make your business stronger all around.

Likes and follows aren't as valuable as you think they are.

I'm sure you've heard of the "blue ocean strategy". It was coined by W. Chan Kim in his book of the same name and expanded in the more recent book "blue ocean shift". The concept makes a lot of sense on the surface. A red ocean is an overcrowded market with cutthroat competition. The books main premise is that there is a third area to compete beyond price and value - finding a new untapped market through innovation. The blue ocean is a market without competition. Instead of competing head to head with other companies you find a new untapped market and take it all for yourself. You innovate and add value in a totally new way to create a league of your own. You create a new market through creative disruption. Overcome old technology to gain a huge competitive advantage. This episode is a critique of this concept.

What do you do when employees constantly ask you for help? The way you handle these situations makes all the difference.

What do you look for in a hire? How do you interview? Are you hiring based on experience or soft skills?

Hiring is tough. Job boards aren't enough. In this episode we talk about guerrilla marketing and why you should devote just as much energy to recruiting as you do your marketing strategy. We go over identifying your ideal job candidate and some strategies to find off market talent and get creative with your recruiting. 

Hiring is complicated and very stressful. Trusting your brand in the hands of an employee can be tough. Do these 5 things and you'll be better off when the time comes to hire an employee.

Ray Dalio says - imagine that in order to have a great life you have to cross a dangerous jungle. You can stay safe where you are and have an ordinary life, or you can risk crossing the jungle to have a terrific life. I think what is separating you from a great life is more like a padded obstacle course you see on American Ninja Warrior.

Copying in school is frowned upon but copying in business is the way to succeed. The best way to achieve success is to emulate success.

A brutal week of business leaves me in a reflective mood. I share a recent failure and how I'm coping.

An interview with Max Maher - a serial entrepreneur and 23 year old small business owner living in Phoenix Arizona. We talk about the 500 business connections he made to earn an extra $30k in revenue every month, his entrepreneurial journey, building a pool business, his habits and routines and more. 

Its no secret a few early wins sets you up to do great things and accelerate your wealth. There are a few things to keep in mind before you get too cocky, however.

Deciding which business opportunity to pursue is extremely difficult. The resources to study are endless and there is never a perfect moment. This episode will help you get over that hump and start something.

Are you reactionary or do you call the shots when it comes to your time?

Amazon, Google, Youtube, Facebook are all businesses that many small business owners depend on to make money but its a dangerous game and you should tread lightly.

Answering some questions from the followers about their businesses.

Successful entrepreneurs focus on value and not money. Value is long term while money is short term.

Content marketing is important and not many small businesses are doing it. Write great content with the goal of helping out your potential customers and you will be rewarded!

Knowing when to keep going and knowing when to give up is a tough thing. In this episode I ask a few questions that can help you with your decision.

New England IPA craze was interesting. The best players mastered the art of marketing scarcity and status.

A funny story from the college days.

Tom Cochrane interviewed me for his podcast and we ended up having a great conversation so I thought I'd share! We talk about tech business, partners, books, lessons learned and a lot more about my personal life.

Conference call with Ward in Belgium talking about firewood delivery and how he can target his ideal customer, creatively market to them and how he can differentiate himself with eager professionalism.

High cost of living scares away most small business owners. How can I afford to pay my labor $20 or $30 per hour? In reality its a huge advantage to operate in these markets. If you can operate well you will win.

Entrepreneurship isn't easy. Its scary. Its uncertain. Dealing with the anxiety and the voice in the back of your head telling you to stop and run for cover is something everyone deals with. Heres my take.

50/50 cofounder business partnerships are as important as getting married. Many jump into it without the proper due diligence and it destroys their businesses down the road. Its all about character and value.

I've been getting a lot of questions on lead generation and consulting setups from people who have spotted holes in digital marketing for established companies. Is it a real opportunity?

Simplicity, speed and eager professionalism.

Buying a business is sometimes a great option. Here is what to think about and consider if you are exploring that route.

I share my method for creatively naming your business while checking domain availability.

Communication skills are key. Email is taking over modern day communication. Understanding email etiquette and getting your point across as quickly and efficiently as possible is a skill that will help you get ahead.

Every dollar invested in your business will become 2 or 3 dollars in the near future. Every dollar invested in everything else will either be gone or worth pennies. Free up your capital so it can work for you. Reduce your overhead and make more of your expenses variable.

Customer service is notoriously bad among service businesses. Lucky for us we know how to provide professional and jaw dropping customer service.

Technology focused people have a huge advantage on the service side of things. Digital marketing, software tools, analyzing data and more. Embrace it and join the fun.