Many entrepreneurs get stuck in the day-to-day operations of their businesses and struggle to take their skills to the next level. The reason? They have become the bottleneck in their businesses.   Growing your company and scaling yourself out starts with hiring people and delegating to allow more time for strategy and identifying opportunities in your way. Initially, you must handle most of the work and leverage your network to build strong relationships and expand.   However, to scale your business, you need a leadership team that can take the work off your plate to give you more time to focus on research, strategy, and preparation. As an entrepreneur, time is a precious commodity, and doing too much can leave little room for doing things that matter to scale to the next level of growth. Start hiring a management team, and position yourself for scale. Growth and scale are inherent parts of your vision.  Join the conversation with Aron Clymer, the founder, and CEO of Data Clymer, a Next-gen data and analytic Consulting firm that empower every client's success by unlocking the value of data. The Data Clymer team helps their client get data-driven answers quickly, write data silos, address a lack of reporting capabilities, and provide more data engineering resources.  Aron previously established and built the product intelligence team at Salesforce for seven years to support all data and analytics needs of 400-plus product managers. Then he headed data at PopSugar, where his team democratized data and supported analytic science across the company. Aron has grown Data Clymer over the past six years into a nationwide team of deeply experienced data professionals.  Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Aron Clymer [01:53] A bit about Aron's journey and his love for data [05:42] Aron's experience running a company in the service industry [11:18] When Aron knew it was time to take a leap from the corporate [13:40] How to leverage your network when starting your business to grow  [15:06] People that have made a big difference in Aron's company [16:35] When Aron knew that it was time to scale himself out of his company [18:30] Aron's big dream and vision for Data Clymer [20:25] Aron’s entrepreneurship journey stages and his next phase  [24:26] What Aron has learned about himself from six years of entrepreneurship  [27:47] Delegation and empowering your team in decision-making  [29:34] The accomplishment that Aron is really proud of [31:11] The importance of investing in people and relationships in your company [32:00] Aron’s one practical recommendation to all aspiring entrepreneurs [33:12] How to reach out and connect with Aron [33:29] Ending the show  Notable Quotes:  When starting out, you will need your network, and that is how you will succeed at the beginning. When you want to scale yourself out, you need a leadership team and to delegate a lot of what you're doing to start focusing more on strategy. When you start hiring a management team, that’s when you are ready for scale. When you delegate, as long as something can be done 80% well as you could do it,  just leave it alone, It’s never going to be 100%. Failure is where you learn the most, and you're going to fail at something no matter what.  Connect With Aron Clymer:  Company website: https://dataclymer.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronclymer/ ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions. 

When building something that aligns with your passion, work can feel more like a joyful experience rather than chores. However, as a business owner and founder, to ensure that your company continues to thrive, you must take care of yourself, visualize your success, and bring the right people to help you carry your vision forward.  Getting the right people in your team is crucial to your success and scalability. You have to be careful when hiring new team members because if you get the wrong person in your company, they are like a virus and can spread negativity and toxicity very quickly, which is hard to eliminate.  So, ensure you find individuals who align with your desired company culture to enhance your scalability and growth. It's not enough to hire for skills. You need people who are passionate about your vision. Join the conversation with Alex Neist as he shares more about building a business that you are passionate about, taking care of yourself as an entrepreneur, and hiring the right people to propel your vision forward.  Alex is the founder of Hostage Tape and a former American football professional. He used to play in the Indiana football league and has been a football coach since he graduated from college. After football, Alex founded two companies, one of which he exited. Hostage Tape is Alex's new adventure. Their specialty, Mouth Tape, will help you sleep and breathe better. Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Alex Neist [02:03] Alex's journey and transition from sport to founding two successful companies [09:22] How Alex has been able to grow his second company in just 12 months [11:07] Alex’s company culture of hiring and managing people  [14:18] Possessing technical skills versus human skills as a leader [16:39] The secret to scaling that has enabled Alex to scale very quickly  [20:55] Alex's losing himself after he stopped playing and how he changed his identity [27:15] The relationship between being fit, taking care of yourself, and business success  [29:25] Time blocking your self-care and keeping it as a visual reminder to balance [31:28] Visualization: lessons from a story on the importance of visualization  [34:58] Alex’s one practical recommendation to all aspiring entrepreneurs [35:45] How to reach out and connect with Alex [36:10] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: When you build something you are passionate about, it will not feel like work.  Hire the right people that fit the kind of culture that you want your company to have so you can continue to scale and grow. As a leader, you deserve your people and have to ensure they have what they need to do their job; it is not about you telling your work what to do.  Put yourself first in everything you do; put more work into yourself and take care of yourself to increase your output.  Connect With Alex Neist: Website: https://hostagetape.com/products/buy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexneist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hostagetape/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HostageTape/ ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

Zeal stands for great energy or enthusiasm in pursuing a cause or an objective. And entrepreneurs must display great energy and enthusiasm at all times if they want to succeed! In this final episode of The Entrepreneur Alphabet, I discuss ways zeal can support you in your entrepreneurial journey, and I share 6 practical tips to cultivate zeal.  Enjoy!  ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.

Entrepreneurship is about recognizing opportunities and taking risks to solve problems. It all begins by researching customer needs and creating solutions that fill existing gaps in their industry to give them a competitive edge.  With the right strategy, entrepreneurs can develop new products or services that customers need and make money in return.  Join this conversation and learn how Stefan Debois saw an existing gap in companies and how he combined his engineering expertise to come up with a software that solves a critical need of a business.  Stefan Debois is the CEO at Pointerpro. For 14 years, Stefan worked in consulting and discovered that most professional services companies had decently digitized their back-office processes (timesheets, invoicing,…).  However, very few have taken advantage of technology to automate what is perhaps their most important process: delivering advice to clients.  So in 2012, Stefan decided to found a software company called Pointerpro to solve precisely that problem. Pointerpro helps consultants - and any other expert advisor - to automate their advice delivery. This is achieved by converting the consultant's expertise into online assessments that generate personalized reports. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Stefan Debois [02:10] Stefan’s journey into an entrepreneurship  [04:52] How do you know entrepreneurship is for you? [06:31] How Stefan knew he had a market fit for his software product [09:33] Bootstrapping his company and why [12:59] Where Stefan plans to take his business  [16:47] Business culture of unity that Stefan employs in his company [19:20] Valuable lessons Stefan has learned by being an entrepreneur [21:28] The most difficult thing he has had to learn [24:10] The last time Stefan was a bottleneck in his business [26:51] Stefan’s other hobbies, apart from entrepreneurship [31:13] Stefan’s one recommendation for entrepreneurs  [34:17] How to reach out and connect with Stefan [34:57] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: Never say never when you decide to bootstrap your business. Do not log yourself out of partnerships that can level you to the next level.  At the beginning of the entrepreneurship journey, you have to be all-round and involved in every faculty of the business. As an entrepreneur, you have to do something until you find someone else who does it better than you, then hand it over to them. Connect With Stefan Debois: Website: https://pointerpro.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefandebois/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefan.debois Twitter: https://twitter.com/sde77 ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

What’s the relationship between yarn and entrepreneurship? Simple: Just like a ball of yarn, a business comprises many interconnected threads woven together to create a cohesive whole.  Each thread is unique, but they are all connected and contribute to the business’s overall success. Join me on this episode to better understand the analogy between yarn and entrepreneurship and hear a practical example of business interconnectivity.  ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a business and forget to take care of yourself. Taking time out of your day to focus on your mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being can pay off in the long run with improved performance and overall happiness.  Learn how to change the outlook of the table, put yourself first, tell your story more powerfully, and bring more success to your business.  Success is the ultimate goal in business, but many other things matter just as much. Taking a step back to gain perspective and seeking help can be invaluable in helping you focus on what truly matters and break through barriers to find true fulfillment. Join this conversation with Jeff Greenfield shares his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he has learned, and what helped him to be a success. Jeff is an entrepreneur with three decades of strategy, growth, and marketing experience and building terms emphasizing innovative marketing enabled by new technology. He is the CEO and founder of Provalytics, an ad measurement tool that uses Agile Impact Modeling. Jeff also works with the marketing advisory council of Suffolk University and Sawyer business school in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.  Before Provalitics, Jeff founded several companies, and the last one was called C3 Metrics, a leading MTA platform with clients including JP Morgan, US Bank, Nestle, Peapod, Edward Jones, and Fender. Jeff's technical innovations include real-time digital viewability measurement, integrated linear and OTT television measurement, and creating a cookieless identifier. He has also developed & led all GTM strategies and grew the team to 55 with 171% YOY growth leading to being named to Deloitte's 2018 Technology Fast 500. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Jeff Greenfield  [02:26] Jeff’s journey, magician and chiropractor turned into an entrepreneur   [08:32] Learning on the fly and Jeff's experience from the pre-Google era [10:28] Jeff’s perspective on Chat GTP evolution and job creation   [14:41] How technology is supposed to make our life and business easy  [17:10] Why Jeff didn’t stop when he exited C3 Metrics  [20:10] Jeff’s self-care practices in his journey as an entrepreneur [27:55] How knowing what Jeff knows now about self-care would have impacted C3 [31:11] The importance of having a coach and an outside perspective  [32:53] Key lessons that Jeff has learned from his journey as an entrepreneur  [38:58] Jeff’s one recommendation for entrepreneurs  [39:40] How to reach out and connect with Jeff  [40:08] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: We think we’ve to ramp up the game and intensify, but the reality is we need to step back a little bit from technology to enjoy our lives.   You’ve to get out there, move your body every day and be physically active. What you do in the beginning is entirely different from what you do in the end because they have different requirements. You have to develop and enhance your story and what you are selling. As entrepreneurs, we’re like sharks; if we stop moving, we die. Keep moving, and you will live. Connect With Jeff Greenfield: Website: https://jeffgreenfield.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgreenfield/ ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an essential tool for any business wanting to advance in the digital age. It can help your business get more online visibility, drive more website traffic, and improve your search engine rankings.  However, SEO is not as mystical or magical as most business owners perceive, and you don't have to play around with some SEO gods to get the results. SEO is a practice that helps you rank on google, and keywords are a huge part of it. When you place the keywords in the right place, you can win, and with just that, you have done 60% of SEO. Don't overthink it. Join this conversation with Kyle Roof as he shares simple SEO strategies you can implement to increase your online visibility and tips on how to build your business beyond you. Kyle is an American living in Thailand best known for his SEO skills. He has dedicated his life to helping business owners and marketers overcome common SEO challenges using scientifically proven SEO methods. Kyle is the Page Optimizer Pro inventor, built on more than 400 scientific tests he has conducted. Over the years, Kyle has developed a fine-tuner method to test whether single variables are ranking factors in Google's algorithm. This method was officially granted a patent in 2020, validating Kyle's technique and distinguishing him from all the SEO professionals. Kyle is also the co-founder of Internet Marketing Gold, a global community of 3000 + SEO professionals who test and prove cutting-edge SEO techniques. Many SEO Professionals and business leaders follow Kyle's SEO techniques and discoveries. He has been featured in many publications and is a rigorous speaker in SEO and SEO testing at conferences and worldwide. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Kyle Roof [02:22] Kyle’s career background and his entrepreneurial journey   [05:42] Kyle’s exit plan and how he sold his high-voltage SEO agency  [08:41] How Kyle turned their company into a product for sale  [11:02] The challenges that Kyle faced in replacing himself from his company  [15:30] Critical SEO strategies you should know as an entrepreneur  [17:37] How to come up with the keywords for an SEO  [20:58] What the Page Optimizer Pro (POP) offers in the SEO space [22:01] Why POP exists and how it’s different from Kyle’s previous agency  [26:41] Key lessons that Kyle has learned from his entrepreneurial journey  [33:10] Why Kyle moved to Thailand and the community they have built [35:01] Kyle’s one recommendation for entrepreneurs  [39:09] How to reach out and connect with Kyle  [39:19] Ending the show  Notable Quotes: Replacing yourself in your business allows you to build something beyond yourself. The top four places to put a keyword are in the URLs, page title, title tag (H1), and paragraph tags. If you can properly optimize for primary keywords, you can win for secondary keywords. Don't stop people from giving you money; give them the opportunity to pay you the most they want to pay.  If you can acknowledge your mistake and that somebody else can do better, you can put yourself in a better situation. When people are making decisions on partnerships or JVs, the people they will go to first are those around them, so be active and present.  Connect With Kyle Roof:   Website: https://kyleroof.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roof-411166a4  ----- Help me inspire more (wannabe) entrepreneurs. Leave me a 5-star review. Go to https://ratethispodcast.com/interviewscrackingtheentrepreneurshipcode and follow the simple instructions.   

The X-Factor is your 10 to 100x underlying advantage. It’s usually invisible to your customers but underpins your strategy and blocks your competitors from trying to copy you. Finding your X-factor can be a daunting task. Still, it's essential if you want to build a successful and sustainable business. Do you have one? In this episode, I'll define the X-factor for businesses and provide practical recommendations for entrepreneurs to find their X-factor. ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Being an entrepreneur can be a tough job with many ups and downs. Building up your brand, developing a business plan, executing marketing tactics, and managing marketing budgets are all difficult tasks requiring enormous amounts of time and energy.  These demands can lead to burnout and failure in business, but coaching can help you achieve these goals. Coaching provides insight into how to make the most of your time and resources as you set up your business. Join this conversation with Paul Baker, a return guest in our podcast, to talk more about his entrepreneurship journey and the testimonials of the importance of coaching in growing his business, exiting it, and starting a new venture.  Leaving a business you have built and handing it over to somebody else can be emotional. It’s like losing your baby, so you need a coach to help you with a clear path, support, and guidance. Paul Baker bankrupted his first business at the age of 17, and it took ten years before he got back to entrepreneurship. He acquired St Pierre Groupe in 2002 and one day decided to conquer the American market, which he did. He successfully exited it in October 2022.  Let’s jump in Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Paul Baker [01:42] What Paul has been doing since 2021 [04:40] Paul’s entrepreneurship bottleneck necessitated him to seek coaching [08:22] Why Paul exited his successful business [11:58] How Paul was prepared to bounce back after exiting his business [14:33] Benefits of coaching and his expectations in the current coaching sessions [25:45] Why coaching? [26:43] One of Paul’s best “aha moments” in the past two years [35:40] Paul’s advice to anyone who wants to know more about coaching Notable Quotes: Exiting a business you have built and handing it over to somebody else can be emotional. It’s like losing your baby.  You must learn to say NO as a business leader and entrepreneur.  Being an entrepreneur can be a tough job with many ups and downs.  Coaching helps you address the nitty-gritty details of how you think and operate personally. As an entrepreneur, never stop learning. Resources Mentioned: Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek  Past podcast episodes with Paul Baker https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast/episode/230541cd/interviews-46-or-paul-baker-or-saint-pierre-group-or-uk https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast/episode/f2ea6ccc/how-can-entrepreneurs-stay-motivated-or-special-episode Connect With Paul Baker: Website: https://rapaid.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-baker-7847aa11/ The Business He Sold: https://stpierrebakery.com/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

It is no secret that staying competitive in the current market requires more than just a good idea. You must have a robust business model, a great marketing strategy, systems, and many other things that can be challenging for any business owner.  Systems are a proven way to grow your business. They can help you increase revenue, reduce costs, and even manage your operations.  But what if you don't know the best system for your company? Can you still take it to the next level? Join this conversation with serial entrepreneur Benjamin Johnson and learn more.  Ben Johnson is the founder and CEO of Particle41, a development firm providing businesses with integral applications development, data science, and DevOps projects.  Finding new talent to execute new projects can be a hassle, but Ben and his team want to strengthen yours, as he explains in this episode.  Ben is also a serial entrepreneur with over $30 million raised across his five startups. He also has over 20 years of experience in software development. He is passionate about applications and modernization. He finds it as much fun as coaching soccer teams. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Benjamin Johnson [02:56] Ben’s entrepreneurial backstory  [06:30] Ben’s definition of an entrepreneur [07:09] Why he loves entrepreneurship [09:10] What Ben means by going back to the basics of entrepreneurship [14:01] Where the name “Particle41” came from, and what is the company about [16:20] Strengthening talents to execute new projects [20:10] Best business practices [24:58] Can too many systems kill a business system? [27:16] Systems are good, but customers have the final say [27:57] What Ben has learned about himself as an entrepreneur [31:41] What would he do differently than when he started entrepreneurship [33:06] The one recommendation Irina gives to all entrepreneurs [36:10] Best ways to reach out and connect with Ben [36:44] Wrap-up and calls-to-action Notable Quotes: Entrepreneurship is the true test of value.  In entrepreneurship, you are only as good as your balance sheet.   You must create business systems that embrace rapid change. If you are not evolving as a business, it will die. Change is natural and normal for growth. Systems are good, but customers come first. Never underestimate the power of mentors and coaches in your entrepreneurship journey. Resources Mentioned: Influx by Daniel Suarez Connect With Benjamin Johnson: Website: https://particle41.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjohnson77 #founders #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #podcast #devops ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

I know many entrepreneurs who neglect their family, their health, and their life.  Is it worth it, though?  Imagine it’s your last day on earth; what legacy would you like to leave behind you? I certainly don’t want to look at a life spent working.  You need to learn that, despite finding it counter-intuitive, maintaining a work-life balance is crucial for your well-being and business success. Work-life balance refers to balancing the demands of work and personal life. It's about finding a healthy equilibrium that allows you to meet both your professional and personal responsibilities and limiting the sacrifices on both sides of the spectrum. In this episode of The Entrepreneur Alphabet, I explore some reasons why work-life balance is crucial for entrepreneurs.  Let’s jump in now!  ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Are you feeling unsatisfied in your current job and dreaming of a life of freedom as an entrepreneur? With the right planning, knowledge, and attitude, you can find your freedom through entrepreneurship.  Knowing what to expect and preparing for the journey will help you maximize your chances of success.  Join this conversation with Irina Poddubnaiar and hear her backstory, how she transitioned from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she has learned. Get the insights, tips, and strategies for business success as an entrepreneur. Irina Poddubnaiar is a SAAS founder and business consultant specializing in operations and process optimization. Over the past few years, she has worked with 50+ small and large companies worldwide, helping them design systems that effectively align the right people, processes, and tools to achieve outstanding results. Irina has a wealth of experience in the eCommerce industry, having spent 2.5 years running a fulfillment center in China and launching her own software, TrackMage. Her mission at TrackMage is to make life easier for eCommerce entrepreneurs by automating as many routine tasks as possible. Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Irina Poddubnaiar [01:34] Irina’s entrepreneurial backstory and how TrackMage came about [06:23] Why TrackMage would not exist without China [07:39] The power of automating your business systems [09:15] When and why did Irina leave her 9 to 5 job [10:58] Why the experience from the first job made her keep into entrepreneurship [12:58] Freedom is the cornerstone of entrepreneurship [16:20] Key insights before starting your entrepreneurship journey [19:49] Paul’s advice to anyone who wants to know more about coaching [22:10] Why Irina did not give up despite hitting a wall in business [25:42] Has Irina ever thought of going back to a 9 to 5 job [28:40] Why most women entrepreneurs struggle and Irina’s advice [32:41] The one recommendation Irina gives to all entrepreneurs [34:05] Best ways to reach out and connect with Irina [35:20] Wrap-up and calls-to-action Notable Quotes: When you automate systems in your business, then you get the time to focus and work on the things that truly matter.  Entrepreneurship gives one the freedom to be what one wants to be.  If you want to start a successful business, the best way is to start with something small that is manageable and that you can do yourself. Entrepreneurship is a calling and a contagious virus. Start selling first, test your idea in the market, and see people's responses, then build the business around it. Resources Mentioned: Magical Selling: Engineering Enterprise Sales Success on Any Team, in Any Industry, and in Any Economy by Raju Bhupatiraju Connect With Irina Poddubnaiar: Website: https://trackmage.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-poddubnaia/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

Validation is the process of testing an idea to determine if it's worth pursuing. It's a crucial step in the entrepreneurial journey because it helps entrepreneurs save time, money, and resources on a wrong or irrelevant idea. Entrepreneurs who validate their ideas before they start are more likely to succeed because they better understand their customers' wants and needs. They can then make informed decisions about how to move forward with their business. In this episode, we cover the following: > What is validation? Why is it important? > What are some methodologies you can use to validate your idea?  ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey and not a destination to aim for. While entrepreneurs exist to solve problems in the world, it is not always a walk in the park. It is a cause that demands a different mindset, behavior, and skills.  Jay Bousada, an entrepreneur since 1999, joins us in this entrepreneurship podcast to discuss his journey, the pivots he has made, his mistakes, and his lessons. He has all the information for you if you want your business to be bulletproof in any environment or market. Jay founded Thrillworks in 1999 to help organizations take full advantage of the potential of digital. He’s a born problem solver, beginning his career as an Engineer before turning his attention to technology. As CEO, he’s now driven by a passion for solving problems others may fail to see. This courage is at the core of who he is and the driving force behind everything Thrillworks creates. Among the things Jay shares in this episode include the power of having a vision as an entrepreneur. You must have a business vision that should also be well ingrained in the minds of the people who work for you.  All entrepreneurs also need to understand the importance of boundaries. Let your employees know the values, expectations, ethics, morals, and culture you uphold and ascribe to. Boundaries are the only ways to create a healthy environment in your business. Tune in and learn more. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [02:26] Jay’s journey of entrepreneurship since 1999 [08:04] The different stages of his business’ growth [14:42] How the covid pandemic demanded a pivot in business [15:43] The bottleneck concept [16:44] Why Jay’s early success in business was both a blessing and a curse [18:40] How losing the original ‘why’ of the business brought failure [23:25] How automation can be a disadvantage to trust building with customers [27:15] What Jay has learned about himself as an entrepreneur [32:00] The future of Jay’s business [35:17] Jay’s takeaway tips for entrepreneurs  [35:24] Achievements that Jay is proud of [37:28] Best ways to reach out and connect with Jay Bousada Notable Quotes: The real power of an organization comes from its people.  Any product or solution you put in place has to include a good deal of quality. That’s not negotiable if you want to stay in business. If the business vision is not clear in the minds of the people working for you, the secret success formula will require you to be there every day. Never assume anything in business. First, seek to understand before you are understood. As an entrepreneur, boundaries are the only ways to create a healthy environment in your business. Resources Mentioned: Rethink: The Surprising History of New Ideas by Steven Poole:  Connect With Jay Bousada: Website: https://thrillworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbousada/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybousada/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

Technology is advancing rapidly, and entrepreneurs need to keep pace because they are changing how business is done. Entrepreneurs can leverage these innovations to develop a competitive edge and save time, energy, and money. It is about how entrepreneurs take advantage to grow their businesses. The internet, for example, is evolving and has gone from web1 to web2, and now we are moving towards the future of web3. In the new age of technology, entrepreneurs need to know how they can embrace and tap into the opportunities of web3. The opportunities are endless. You just need to figure out how your business fits in with this new era.  Join this conversation with Adrienne Ravez and learn about technology's past, current, and future and how an entrepreneur can be well-informed to maximize opportunities.  Adrienne Ravez is a Web3 Entrepreneur, Digital & Innovation Specialist, intercultural Clinical Psychologist, DEI Practitioner & Advocate, and trade advisor for France (CCE). Adrienne has been featured in Asia-Pacific's top rising talent in the 2020 Campaign’s 40 under 40 lists and named Entrepreneur of the Year Asia Pacific at the 2019 Women Leading Change Awards. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Adrienne Ravez [02:24] How Adrienne ended up being an entrepreneur [05:18] What has it taken her to be an entrepreneur [08:07] What is web 3.0? [10:20] Does web3 look like blockchain?  [12:10] Helping clients identify and tap into web3 opportunities [13:55] How entrepreneurs can make conscious decisions without forgetting web3 [19:10] A case study of a client she helped implement web3 tools in their business [26:38] Why you don’t need to rush in implementing the tech tools [30:34] A bit about chatGPT [38:42] Things Adrienne has learned about herself since she became an entrepreneur [43:08] Golden nuggets and tips for the success of an entrepreneur [44:10] Best ways to reach out and connect with Adrienne Ravez [44:38] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes: The most important aspect of entrepreneurship is creativity and value creation.  Being an entrepreneur means stepping back and assessing whether your resources can achieve your goals.  Technology tools are there to help you serve the business’ vision. They are not a means to an end.  Entrepreneurs must always adapt to changes. As an entrepreneur, never stop learning. Always remain human-centric in business despite advancing social norms and technological changes. Connect With Adrienne Ravez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienneravez/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call

Salespeople are key to a business’s success, but many entrepreneurs make hiring mistakes. They select candidates based on how well they interview but often end up with people who just don't work out in the field. Hiring people who are passionate about your product and organization, who will stay with you over the long term, and who have a high level of technical expertise is essential.  The key to picking a successful sales candidate is not just making sure that they interview well--it's personality traits. So, what personality traits are shared among the best performers?  Join this entrepreneurship education podcast with Christopher Croner as we discuss how entrepreneurs can become perfect in hiring top-producing salespeople. Christopher Croner, Ph.D., is a Principal with SalesDrive, a cutting-edge sales management consulting firm. He developed the SalesDrive assessment system, including the Drive Model of salesperson motivation. Using this system, he has helped numerous companies to hire and develop top-performing salespeople. Key Highlights from The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Christopher Croner [02:44] Chris’ backstory and how he got into the sales and marketing space [04:49] What is selling, according to Christopher [06:11] The most significant problem that salespeople have [07:24] Bad patterns that companies make when recruiting salespeople [11:28] An ideal client that Christopher works with [12:40] How the process of working with a client looks like [14:23] Meaning of “drive” and how it relates to salespeople [17:20] How to instil and nurture the sales drive in your sales team [23:22] What it means to be an entrepreneur to Chris [25:00] Valuable lessons Chris has learned in the entrepreneurship journey [29:16] How to avoid being in the trap of dishonest salespeople during the hiring  [31:48] The last time Chris was a bottleneck in his business and what happened [34:25] Chris’ tips for the success of an entrepreneur [37:18] Best ways to reach out and connect with Christopher Croner [37:50] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes: Anyone who communicates for a living is selling.  Whether a salesperson can sell is different from whether he will sell.  Recruiting people for your company is an art.  Your destiny is always in your hands. As an entrepreneur, never stop learning. Anyone who communicates for a living is selling. If you are communicating an idea and then having people accept it, that is also selling. Get Christopher’s Book: Never Hire a Bad Salesperson Again: Selecting Candidates Who Are Absolutely Driven to Succeed: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Hire-Bad-Salesperson-Again/dp/0974199613. Connect With Christopher Croner: Website: https://salesdrive.info/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalesDriveLLC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophercroner/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

There 4 entrepreneurship stages. Stage 1 – Pre-launch: When you wonder how to do it Stage 2 – Start: When you get it done yourself Stage 3 – Growth: When you make sure it is done Stage 4 – Maturity: When you build an entity that gets it done If you are successful, your business will expand through these stages. At the beginning of the journey, as your resources are limited, you’re running everywhere, involved in every little thing.  However, as your company grows, you should gradually remove yourself from the day-to-day operations to focus on hiring people, creating efficient processes to strengthen your business’ foundations, and working on your company’s strategy.  There comes a point in time when you need to let others build the business for you. That’s why your role must evolve; you must upgrade yourself. And to successfully do so, you need to learn to let go.  That’s what this episode is about: letting go!  ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

Entrepreneurs are bold and risk-takers. They do not allow themselves to be held back by the fear of the unknown. They pull the trigger, make mistakes, fail, learn and bounce back better and bigger. Though most of them face a lot of challenges, they never give up. However, the better they get informed before going into the startup space, the easier they will navigate the murky waters. Sometimes, they will be compelled to make hard decisions, and their business culture is one of the key skills that will help them. Successful businesses have a strong culture, and the founders have the greatest influence. Culture is important to a business because that makes it different and unique from others. Culture is the go-to method they apply to handle customers and solve problems when they arise. But how do you develop a sound business culture? How do you measure if the culture of your business is correct, and what do you need to do to pivot? Join this conversation with Sophie Theen and get all your questions answered and the entrepreneurial motivation you need to push forward as a startup founder. Sophie Theen is an award-winning HR and diversity & inclusion professional. In this episode, she delivers an insightful and eye-opening discussion of the importance of culture in the vibrant and, sometimes, chaotic world of startup enterprises. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Sophie Theen [01:40] Sophie's backstory and how she got into her space [03:15] The untold stories of how founders affect culture [05:14] Why startup founders need to be informed before embarking on the journey [06:16] Why did you start the journey? [07:18] Things that are common among all founders [08:29] Why startup founders need to have a high level of Emotional Intelligence [09:32] The importance of a business culture [12:07] How to know if you are in the correct culture as an entrepreneur [14:28] Vulnerability among founders and where to draw the line [18:22] What motivates Sophie to wake up in the morning to do what she does [19:33] What she discovered about herself through the entrepreneurship journey [22:17] Why it’s important to have a coach as a business owner [26:59] What it means to be an entrepreneur to Sophie [28:10] Sophie's favorite question to clients as a coach [29:37] The number one recommendation to entrepreneurs from Sophie [30:42] Best ways to reach out and connect with Sophie Theen [30:55] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes: There’s always light at the end of the tunnel on your decision.  Entrepreneurs are bold and risk-takers.  Culture is what makes a business different and unique from others.  Business culture is the DNA behind a business logo. Everybody has a bad day at some point in their life, and that’s why the presence of a mentor or coach is imperative. People always have answers in them. All they need is someone to help them uncover. Learning to ask for help goes a long way. Get Sophie’s Book: The Soul of Startups: The Untold Stories of How Founders Affect Culture: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Startups-Stories-Founders-Culture/dp/1119885590 Connect With Sophie Theen: Website: https://www.sophietheen.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophietheen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophietheen/ ----- Are You Stuck? Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

The beauty of time is that we all have the same amount available to us: 24 hours, 1,440mn, 86,400 seconds per day. However, it seems some people use their time better than others… that’s because they literally use it better than you. Time is a resource, and like any other resources available to you (e.g. people, equipment, money, etc.) you need to manage it.   The thing is when it comes to time management, the biggest hurdle is you; dare I say it: you’re your own bottleneck!  So, the real question is how can you become better at managing all the time that is available to you? Find out my top 3 Time Management Rules on this new episode of The Entrepreneur Alphabet.  ----- Book a FREE call with me now 👉 https://tinyurl.com/book-your-free-call 

There are many business models, each built on a specific premise. If, as an entrepreneur, you want a recession-proof business model, you may want to go into real estate. However, if you want a business with time-tested systems that guarantee profits from the first day, you must choose a franchising model.   In franchising, an entrepreneur sells the rights to market and sell their products or services within a certain territory to independent business owners (franchisees) for a set period of time. The franchisor also provides the necessary training, equipment, and management to the franchisee to use their system, who in return pays royalties or license fees for the right to represent the franchisor's products.  If this business model excites you, David Weaver has some entrepreneur motivation tips and strategies for that cause. This podcast is for entrepreneurs like you who want to find their freedom, control their futures, and fuel their vision through franchise ownership. David Weaver has a diverse and comprehensive background to draw on as a franchise expert and a FranChoice consultant. Having honed his business skills in a variety of ways, he now looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with others. His intimate knowledge of franchise systems, years of interaction with franchise candidates before and after they opened for business, and personal experience investing in Franchise Assets with his wife, Ann Marie, offers David a true understanding of what works and what doesn’t in franchising. Key Highlights From The Show: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; David Weaver [02:56] David’s backstory and what he has been doing in his space [07:06] Largest franchise brands in the world apart from McDonald's [08:15] What makes the franchising business model work? [11:00] When should you go for a franchise instead of starting something new from scratch? [18:20] Ways through which franchisors make money [19:44] Is it wise to buy or start a franchise business in the current market condition? [23:00] What does it mean to be an entrepreneur, according to David [25:25] Key entrepreneur lessons David has learned along his journey [28:58] The current failures of startup founders [32:31] How to reach out and connect with David [33:08] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes: There are over 4,000 companies in the US alone selling franchises.  Many people are manipulative because they have needs and do not know how to address them.  When you buy a franchise, you reduce the time you would take to build successful systems. Every entrepreneur who aspires to succeed must do two things. They must find and attract quality customers and get them to want to come back over and over again. Also, they have to find quality employees that do excellent work in driving the customer experience. The joy of entrepreneurs is knowing that they are unemployable. Connect With David Weaver: Website: https://franchiseyourfreedom.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranchiseFree1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddweaver YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUeVCexUlp4CegJRb54Tg  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook  

Would you drive your car blindfolded?   You will certainly answer no, because the risk to crash, hurt yourself and others is too high.    So, would you drive a business blindfolded?    Of course not, for exactly the same reason! The risk to crash, hurt yourself and others is too high!    Yet, many business owners underestimate the need for a strategy, and put their businesses at risk.    Your business needs a strategy. One that not only focuses on the long-term but that is also flexible enough to adapt to the constantly changing business environment.    An efficient business strategy should include the following 5 elements: Purpose  Values  Objectives  Execution Evaluation   In this episode, I go through each of these elements so you can design the most entrepreneurial strategy.    ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

The root problem of every personal and professional relationship is manipulation. It is also a vice that is deeply rooted in the business world. Most entrepreneurs manipulate their customers to push sales, which is why most fail within the first three years.  It is, therefore, important to learn how to make rational decisions that are not manipulative if you want to stay long in the game because your business is only as good as its name in the market. Manipulation is the easiest way to destroy your reputation. Join this conversation with Noah Revoy as he shares the effects of manipulation and how to know when we have crossed the line. Know the tips for approaching a manipulator as an entrepreneur. It is both an art and a skill that you must master.  Noah Revoy is a personal and business relationship strategist who teaches individuals and organizations how to identify and resist manipulation. Noah mentors couples, professionals, founders, executives, and investors to build a sustainable, win-win relationship.  Let’s jump in! Key Highlights From The Show; [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Noah Revoy [01:39] A bit of Noah’s backstory [04:21] The common problems in society that every person faces [05:54] Everyone experiences imposter syndrome [11:02] What is “manipulation” from the context of Noah’s book [13:58] Maintaining your business clients without manipulation in sales [14:45] The easiest way to destroy your business reputation [16:09] How to know if you are being manipulated [22:28] Effects of manipulation on entrepreneurs and how they can escape it [23:37] Why entrepreneurs need to master the science of emotional intelligence [24:22] Ways you can approach a manipulator [29:27] More examples of manipulation among entrepreneurs [33:08] What does it mean to be an entrepreneur, according to Noah [36:32] What has Noah learned about himself since he became an entrepreneur [40:42] How to reach out and connect with Noah [41:28] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes: All the problems of life come from a need of the human spirit. It is not advisable to make long-term decisions when you are exhausted. Many people are manipulative because they have needs and do not know how to address them. The root problem of every personal and professional relationship is manipulation. Reputation is incredibly important for continual in business. The easiest way to destroy it is through manipulating your customers. Entrepreneurs who have a manipulated mindset will find it difficult to succeed. However, they can escape that by developing an instinct against manipulation. No matter how well you do in your business, the place that will help you the most is your spouse and children because if your family life is chaotic, you cannot give your all to the business. If something makes sense to you, then it is a calling. Resources Mentioned: Become Immune to Manipulation by Noah Revoy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YCB3NL1/  The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Program to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence, and Happiness by Prof Steve Peters: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFPVO9Q/  Connect With Noah Revoy: Website: https://www.noahrevoy.com/2022-01  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/noahrevoy  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook  

The primary source of revenue is and will always be your customers, not your investors. So, generating revenue is basically about generating sales. Simply said: No sales, no customers, no revenue. You could have the best product in the world, if you don’t sell it, you will have 0 revenue.  The problem is many entrepreneurs claim they’re not good at selling. That’s because they’re not looking at sales the way they should.  Listen to my new episode of The Entrepreneur Alphabet to find out what selling is really about. ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

One of the most critical aspects of building impactful relationships with clients is the ability to connect with them. The best way to do this is by reading their personality and speaking to them in a language that resonates with them.  Reading a prospect’s personality helps you know how they like to be spoken to and treated to have a better connection with them. If you’re selling a service or a product, reading your client enables you to talk to them in a way they relate to and understand what they want.  As a business owner, knowing their quirks and how best to connect with your client will make the sales process easier and more successful.  Join this conversation with Alan Steven and learn how to read personalities and build relationships with staff and clients that drive results. Alan is an International Profiling and Communications Specialist. He helps individuals, families, teachers, students, business owners, and salespeople to read other people to understand what makes them tick so they can build relationships and better communications. Today he’s regarded as one of the leading authorities in leading people globally, and his programs are accredited as certified learning programs for all business types across Australia and Asia.  He is also the creator and host of the Campfire project and #We together initiative, which is a global community and a safe place where men and women can give themselves permission to share their stories and have respective conversations.  Key Highlights From The Show [00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Alan Steven [01:52] How Alan became the world authority on reading people [05:02] The difference between profiling and reading clients in any business  [06:23] Reading skill and how to use it in every application we’ve in life [12:32] Being able to read people's faces as a business owner  [15:36] Practical example of how to build relationships with clients   [19:28] How long it took Alan to get to where he is today  [24:42] How to modify our face to tell a different story and fortify information   [27:12] Act as if Vs. Fake it until you make  [30:12] The difference between confidence and arrogance  [31:04] Alan’s perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur  [33:58] The Campfire project and what it offers in the space  [39:41] Alan’s one recommendation to all entrepreneurs  [42:48] How to reach out and connect with Alan  [43:15] Ending the show and call to action Notable Quotes  Understanding the baseline of someone's personality is far more important than anything else because if you don’t get that right, the other stuff can be hit-and-miss.  When we do the things that we love to do, we’re more productive and happier.  Reading people's faces is done to build relationships with people; the last thing we want to do is to manipulate people.  By looking after your staff, you are looking after your customers. If you don’t build relationships with people, you will never get to show them how good your product is. Relationship comes first. Act as if. If you don’t think you’re good enough, get over it, and if you think you’re too good, get over yourself. Being an entrepreneur is valuing everybody, being the best person you can be for yourself, providing the best service to people, and being innovative and open to new ideas. When you worry about saying the wrong thing, you will say the wrong thing; we get what we focus on. Resources Mentioned Get a free course: https://alanstevens.thinkific.com/courses/Free-Course Connect With Alan Stevens  Website: https://www.alanstevens.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/readingfaces?originalSubdomain=au Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ReadingFaces/?_rdc=1&_rdr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqYV7EL6G5I ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 

With the right questions comes the right answers. But are you asking the right questions?  In this new episode of my special series The Entrepreneur Alphabet, I share 4 practical steps to ask yourself the right questions in any situation. Listen now.  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook   

Gabriela Pulido is the Founder of Scalto, which is a creative consultancy that helps Hispanic and Latin American B2B service businesses design truly scalable business models to grow over time. Gabriela founded Scalto in 2020 but she isn’t a rookie entrepreneur. She co-founded and ran a brand intimacy agency called MBLM (Emblem) for nearly 16 years prior to her current role.  On this episode: - Being an entrepreneur in Latin America vs. America - Why the agency model needs to be revised - How start-ups can truly scale up - The importance of finding your narrative  - An example of being the bottleneck and other lessons learned ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Despite how isolated you may feel sometimes, let me tell you: Entrepreneurs, you are not alone! The truth is you absolutely cannot succeed without the help of others, even if you’re a solopreneur.  Others include people within your organization, like your employees, as well as people outside your organization such as your clients, suppliers, advisors, and any other stakeholders. My key message is straightforward: Surround yourself with people, because they are more resilient than technology. ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Gabriele Musella is the CEO and co-founder, and CEO of CoinRule, a YCombinator backed startup which was launched in December 2018.  Coinrule is about catching the next market opportunity on your behalf by automating your investments.  Gabriele has also been a Mentor at Google LaunchPad since Nov 2015 and he’s a visiting lecturer at the University of Palermo in Italy.  In this episode, we cover: - The story behind CoinRule - The experience with Ycombinator – The art of frugality - Why finding the right co-founder is critical to the success of your business  - The importance of decentralizing the decision and delegating, and why your role as CEO should evolve as the company grows (don’t be the bottleneck!) - His experience as a mentor Enjoy! ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Being an entrepreneur requires many qualities - some of which I have talked about on this special series, like Discipline. Emotional Intelligence, Grit, or Listening.  One of those qualities is the ability to spot and grab opportunities.  An opportunity is a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. The thing is opportunities are everywhere around us, all the time. But, can you spot them? And if you can, can you grab them? ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Steven and Faith Rothberg are the owners of College Recruiter, a job search site that was created because every student and recent grad deserves a great career.  Faith serves as the CEO while Steven, who initially founded the company in 1991 is the Chief Visionary Officer. Steve also co-hosts a podcast called Job Board Geek, which connects candidates with employers.  Of course, I couldn’t skip the occasion to talk to a married couple of entrepreneurs!   On this episode: - Running a company as a husband and wife team - The benefits of using the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS)  - How to efficiently manage a remote workforce since 1997 - Lessons learned from 31 years into business (hint: a lot to do with leadership and procedures) ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 

Networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know. As a leader of your own business, it’s important to be seen, to talk to people, listen to them, connect with them, and bring them into your business in the right way. In this episode, I share 8 practical tips so entrepreneurs can improve their networking skills. You don’t want to miss it.  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Cocoon is an organization that helps grow businesses by growing the business founders. It offers a 1-year self-discovery and company growth program through personal mentoring. It’s based on the principle that founders’ personal growth is an unfair advantage that can boost the organization's growth as well. I invited 3 guests to get a 360 perspective: Hristo Neiland is Cocoon co-founder, COO and a mentor Marcel Gasser, one of the top Cocoon mentors Mariana Hagström, one of the most performing Cocoon alumnis 3 guests, with 3 different perspectives and everything you want to know about develop the right entrepreneur’s mindset.  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 

I believe entrepreneurship is the toughest job there is. It requires being a generalist in many areas like financial management, marketing, sales, legal, production, etc.  But you must realize that being an entrepreneur starts in your head first.  Entrepreneurship is all about mindset. Yet, we think it’s first about technical skills.   Unfortunately, you can’t just “learn” a mindset, like you can learn business skills, and it’s impossible to outsource. So how do you grow your mindset? ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 

Derrick is a counter-terrorism operative, hostage shooting survivor, motivational speaker, and Human Durability™ expert. While on a mission, he was shot 14 times with a high-powered rifle and laid on the ground for 3 hours before being rescued Today, he’s a keynote speaker and a coach on a mission to help business leaders reach new heights in their organizations by building teams that can sustain optimal performance. We had an amazing conversation around grit, mental fitness, and human durability, and how entrepreneurs can benefit from it. I keep on saying it: Entrepreneurship is a mindset!  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook   

The truth is we do have the ability to truly listen.  But, listening is a skill. And like any skill, you need to learn it, then practice it to get better at it.  So how well do you listen?  My guess is: you can always improve. ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 

In 2010, Céline and her husband decided to get on their bicycles and travel the world. They haven’t stopped since.   They have traveled more than 48,500 miles (72 000 km) across 4 continents, while having and raising 2 daughters on the way.  Céline shares her extraordinary story with me, and tells us all about her family’s nomadic lifestyle, how they make a living, and much more. Simply fascinating…  This episode is brought to you by Medical For Nomads.  ----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook  #entrepreneurmindset #digitalnomad #entrepreneurship #nomadlife #bedifferent

Alexis Kingsbury is the co-founder of AirManual, a start-up that helps businesses document their processes, onboard, and train employees. In this episode, we focus on employee development.  More specifically, we look into:  - How to create a team that enjoys work - How to create continuous improvement - How entrepreneurs can free up their time - The power of systemizing business with procedures and processes —----- Get my FREE ebook > https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook  #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #podcast #startupfounders #smallbusinessgrowth

There’s a difference between thinking you know and knowing.  I can hear your argument.  I’m an entrepreneur, if I was listening to all people who told me I couldn’t do it, I would never have started.  I need to trust my guts, I know some things feel right. Absolutely. Listening to your guts you should. Some things do feel right.  But there’s a difference between following your intuitions and using data to make an informed decision to confirm it.  And the problem is too often we don’t make informed decisions because we want to go too fast.  Listen to the new episode of the Entrepreneur Alphabet - K for Knowledge. #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #podcast #knowledge

Wayne Mullins is the Founder of Ugly Mug Marketing. Wayne is a serial entrepreneur whose passion is to help entrepreneurs build exceptional teams and create high-performance cultures.  Wayne influences more than 250 000 entrepreneurs annually through his blog, books, and training programs and has personally worked with clients in over 100 industries.  A fascinating conversation around:  - Wayne’s incredible journey from building a lawn care company to owning a marketing agency  - The critical skills to be an entrepreneur - The keys to successfully running a company for 13 years and still growing at 25% per year - Why the marketing agency model is broken - The importance of seeking mentors and coaches, and investing in oneself - Practical tips for your marketing in general, and for your website and social media in particular - Moving from good to great and how to build a culture with remarkable leaders  #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #podcast #marketing #companyculture

Salo Sterental and Beto Azout are the co-founders of SoStereo, an integrated platform and service created to modernize the way Brands find and work with artists for their ads. We focus on the power of having a co-Founder.  Some of the questions they answer:  How did they meet? How did SoStereo idea come up? What are the benefits of having a co-founder? How do they divide the tasks between them? What have they learned from each other? What is their big dream and what are the key challenges they face toward it? #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmindset #podcast #cofounders

Entrepreneurship is like watering a plant. First you don’t see too much progress, but if you persist, if you continue to do it properly, feed it, take proper measures to make sure it’s growing strong, eventually the plant will blossom, and you will yield results. Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.  Listen to the full episode now >  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #entreprenership #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurs #journey #infinitegame

Roman has been a digital nomad since 2014. He co-founded Arbonum in April 2021. In this episode, we discuss: Digital nomadism Life as a digital nomad and start-up founder: the keys to success, the traps to avoid, and the dark side of nomadism The office of the future Roman’s journey from product manager to start-up founder How to start a digital nomad life This episode is brought to you by Medical For Nomads  Listen to the full episode now >  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #entreprenership #entrepreneurmindset #startup #digitalnomad #remotework

I’ve interviewed more than 100 of them on my podcast Inter:views, Cracking The Entrepreneurship Code.  When they talk about entrepreneurship, they invariably use the same words and expressions. Impact or purpose are 2 of the words that come back the most often.  Entrepreneurs are driven by impact. There are many ways to make an impact: opening a social enterprise, focusing on a good cause, solving a painful problem for people as well as treating employees, clients and suppliers correctly.  It always begins with finding a sense of purpose. Japanese people talk about Ikigai.  The question is: Why are you doing whatever it is you are doing? Listen to the full episode now >  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #entreprenership #entrepreneurmindset #founders #purpose #impact

On the occasion of the 100th episode, I wanted to celebrate senior entrepreneurs.  Paul Tasner is the co-Founder & CEO of PulpWorks Inc., which he founded 11 years ago at the age of 66 after working for other people for 40 years!  If you do the calculation, it gives you an idea of Paul’s age today!  PulpWorks turns garbage into safe, planet-friendly products. Paul has also been a TED resident since 2017. His TED Talk How I Became an Entrepreneur At 66 has had 2.4m views and counting.  We talk about why he moved into entrepreneurship, why senior entrepreneurs have a higher rate of success than younger ones, and he shares the lessons he’s learned throughout his 50 years of business experience.  There’s no age to re-invent yourself.  Listen to the full episode now > https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook  #entreprenership #entrepreneurmindset #founders #sustainability #ageisjustanumber

Do you know any brilliant entrepreneurs, who have so much to offer to the world, basically killing themselves for the sake of their businesses?  I do.  Are you one of them? I did a burn-out in 2014, and I was not an entrepreneur back then, so I have learned to take care of myself since.  Let me ask you: As an entrepreneur, how can you take care of your family, your people, and your business if you don’t take care of yourself first? The reality is you can be a high performer without pushing yourself into the red zone all the time. I get it, being an entrepreneur is hard work; it demands sacrifice. You always think about it, you constantly work on it, you want to go fast, you want to be more efficient, and as a result, you rarely take any days off.  But how long can you sustain such a pace? #entreprenership #entrepreneurmindset #founders #healthandwellbeing #takecareofyourself

Bant Breen is the Founder & Chairman of Qnary, an award-winning executive reputation management and talent branding solutions company, which he founded in 2012.  Qnary was listed as one of the 5000 fastest-growing companies in America by Inc magazine in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In this episode: The benefits of being a veteran entrepreneur From 1 to 200 staff in 10 years: The key company’s stages of growth The importance of not overthinking and delivering quality right now Why and how entrepreneurs should manage their online reputation How entrepreneurship has transformed him Listen to the full episode now > :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #entrepreneurship #reputationmanagement #entrepreneurmindset #startup #innovation

Every entrepreneur will tell you that entrepreneurship is a journey.  You usually begin from scratch with something that you’re passionate about but doesn’t exist, and patiently build it up piece by piece.  But the construction never ends. There’s always a new piece to add. It’s a slow process, full of uncertainty.  Sometimes, you must destroy part of the construction and re-build. Sometimes, you must entirely give up and do something else.  That’s why being an entrepreneur is so addictive and difficult at the same time.  So how can you make it? The first thing you need to sort out is your fortitude. You have to make sure that your mind is in a place where you’re ready. In other words, you need to grow grit.  Listen to the full episode now > :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #grit #passion #perseverance

Tracey Bissett is  the Founder and Chief Financial Fitness Trainer of Bissett Financial Fitness.  She teaches financial literacy and fitness skills to entrepreneurs in any industry who are looking to better understand their data so they can take charge of their businesses and lives.  Topics we cover:  Her journey to financial fitness expert Financial fitness explained The skills entrepreneurs need to acquire to be financially fit The main financial tools and how to use them (deep dive into cash-flow, budget, P&L) The key financial questions entrepreneurs should ask themselves more often Bootstrapping vs. VC funding Listen now  :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook   #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #cashflow #smallbusiness #businessfinances

If entrepreneurship is a journey full of uncertainty, there’s one thing that’s certain: Failure.  The problem is that no schools teach you about failure. It’s taboo.  Plus, we always read about the few that succeed, and then we forget about the thousands that actually struggle and fail.  Let’s be clear. Failure is the norm. Success isn't. You will fail. 100% guaranteed. If you think you won’t, maybe it’s time to check your ego.  So how can you deal with failure?  Listen now > :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #digitalhealth #positivechange

Jeremy Miller is the Chairman & Founder of Health-E Commerce the digital health industry-leading provider of direct-to-consumer pre-tax health and wellness accounts. Jeremy defines himself as a compassionate entrepreneur at heart, and he’s always on the lookout for new ways of resolving social problems.  In this episode, we discuss:  - The shift from a physical to a virtual office - HIs move from CEO to Chairman stepping out of the business and how to manage the transition - The secret to building a great company culture - The tipping points that made the difference in growing the business  Listen now > :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #digitalhealth #positivechange

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) covers 5 main domains: Knowing your own emotions. Self-awareness, which is recognizing a feeling as it happens.  Managing emotions. In other words, handling your feelings so they are appropriate (for instance shaking off anxiety) Motivating yourself. The ability to mobilize your emotions in service of a goal.  Recognizing emotions in others. It is called empathy and it is considered to be the fundamental people skill.  Handling relationships. The art of relationships is in large part to be able to manage emotions in others.  So why should EQ matter for entrepreneurs?  Listen to find out > :https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #EQ #emotionalintelligence

Bryan isn’t a novice entrepreneur. Before starting GreenPal, he founded Peachtree Inc., one of the largest landscaping companies in the state of Tennessee, USA, growing it to over $10 million a year in annual revenue before it was acquired by Lusa holdings in 2013. In this episode:  - The early years of the journey (when you don't know how to pay for the bills) - Why running a business is like playing a video game - How your business is an extension of your life and forces you to evolve - Why you shouldn’t believe your own BS - The trap of delegating too soon or too late - The importance of taking care of oneself Listen now:https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcastk #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #marketing #smallbusiness

Covid19 has changed the way people work. Now that we’re getting closer to the end of the pandemic, we hear more and more employees enjoying this new lifestyle and not willing to go back to their offices, or under certain conditions.  The term hybrid space has been popping up in many conversations.  So, for businesses, the following question has become a big headache: What should the future workplace look like?  I have invited 3 guests with 3 different perspectives to help me answer that question: Robin Wycherley, Founder of Itu Design in Finland, Benoit Barbiche, HR Director, Talent Management & HR Business Partner at Santen Switzerland, and Mark Hemmeter, the founder, and CEO of Office Evolution, USA.  We cover the following topics:  What have we learned about workplaces with the pandemic?  What is a hybrid space?  What’s the purpose of the new workplace?  What skills does the workplace of the future require? What do leaders need to do to prepare for it?  What are the questions about the workplace of the future that are yet to be answered?  Listen now: https://podfollow.com/inter-views-cracking-the-entrepreneurship-code  —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #workplace #hybridwork #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneur

Alper started his career as a musician. He toured across Europe with over 500 concerts and made it to platinum album sales in Turkey where he’s from. He was called into entrepreneurship and founded Xtensio in 2015.  On this episode:  - Alper’s journey from musician to set up Xtensio - The differences between his business today vs. 5 years ago  - The importance of letting go when you hire better people than you - How to run a fully remote company   - Why you shouldn’t aim for perfection - Needs, People, Story: the 3 pillars of any company Listen now: https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #saas #startup #uxdesign #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneur

Here’s my definition of discipline for entrepreneurs: Be organized, and get things done, one thing after the other.  Entrepreneurs are often creative people, excellent at what they do, but sometimes lack the business skills required to run a company.  My point: don’t worry, you can always learn the business skills (or hire someone). But you must excel at getting things done. And that requires to be disciplined. So where to start?  Listen now: https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #cashflow  #financialmanagement

Fredrik van Huynh is the Co-Founder & CEO of Absolute Internship, an award-winning internship programs designed for ambitious, hard working and talented university students. Fredrik is also a Tedx Speaker, the host of Fika with Rice Podcast and he’s ranked among Top 25 Swedish Entrepreneurs Disrupting Industries and Breaking Boundaries Around the World.  Topics we cover:  - Building a remote company - Marketing beyond digital - Bootstrapping the business instead of getting investors in - Biggest entrepreneurship lessons  - The importance of reading books Listen now: https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #cashflow  #financialmanagement

Make no mistake, your number one job as a business owner is not to die.  In human bodies, blood is what keeps us alive. In a company, the life blood is cash-flow.  That’s why your #1 priority should always be cash-flow.  Cash-flow is the real cash, the money that you have on hand. It’s different from revenue or profit, which are numbers on a piece of paper. Cash-flow is tangible: you can see it in your bank account.  Growth requires cash. The faster your business grows, the more cash you need.  In this special episode, I answer one key question: How can you have consistent sources of cash to fuel the growth of your company? —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #cashflow  #financialmanagement

Alinka Rutkowska  is the Founder & CEO of Leaders Press where she creates books for entrepreneurs from scratch, and launches them to best-seller with a 100% success rate. We go deep into book writing.  Content: How entrepreneurs can share their wisdom with a book How to get on the bestseller list  The differences between lead generator books vs. legacy pieces What the book writing process is  How to get on to the best seller list What her legacy piece would look like —---- Download my eBook - https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

I’ve talked to a hundred entrepreneurs on my show. I’ve coached and mentored dozens of business owners and start-up founders.  There’s one thing I’ve learned about entrepreneurship: It’s a calling! Either you have it or you don’t. No entrepreneurs set themselves up to fail. No entrepreneurs believe they can't do it. But it happens more often than we'd like to think. Why? Usually, because company's founders have locked themselves into a situation they can't get out of. They know something's wrong, perhaps they've seen some signs or people have warned them, but somehow, they don't act. Call it ego, fear, or lack of accountability. It doesn't matter.  Because of their inaction, the company doesn't move forward either. The consequences can be devastating.  That's what I call becoming the main bottleneck in your business, and it's the biggest risk you face.  There are many ways you can be a bottleneck, but the price you pay is always the same: you're stuck. And when you're stuck, your business is stuck. Listen to the episode to find out how it manifests and what you can do about it.  --------- Listen now: https://www.laurentnotin.com/podcast #podcast #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #unlock

Nick  is the Founder & Steward of Lime Painting, an emerging franchise brand in the US, focusing solely on high-end homes and businesses. We discuss: > How he became an entrepreneur in the painting industry > What franchising is about and the advantages of owning a franchise vs. starting your own business > The importance of giving back to communities > How to stop the “noise between your ears” (hint: show up, push harder and smarter) > The keys to expand the business from 7 to 60 franchisees in one year during the pandemic --------- Get my eBook -  https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Launching a new 26-episode special series to help you better navigate your entrepreneurship journey.  We start with episode 1, A For Advice.  Here’s the definition from the dictionary: guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.  Here’s my definition applied to entrepreneurship: Seek knowledge and experience from people who have it. Listen more, and speak less. Do yourself a favour and stop pretending that you know everything. --------- Get my eBook -  https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook 0hVbGk6eBpnhN02MeY4Y

Howard holds the world’s fastest reader title in the Guiness Book of Records.  He can increase the learning rate of an average individual by 100% in 4 hours resulting in better decisions, fewer costly mistakes, and more time to devote to the things that matter to them. In this episode we discuss: Why being the world’s fastest reader matters The importance and benefits of learning faster and remembering it How to actually read faster How to ask the right questions How to deal with pressure and be in the right state of mind 72 years of wisdom.  --------- Get my eBook -  https://www.laurentnotin.com/get-my-ebook

Mike is a serial entrepreneur, Author of the best-selling book Owner Shift - How Getting Selfish Got Me Unstuck, and host of the How’d It Happen podcast.    In this episode, we cover: Bootstrapping vs. VC money How he became the bottleneck in his business How getting selfish got him unstuck What entrepreneurship taught him about himself What’s his current mission I’ve been repeating it: being the bottleneck in your business is the highest risk you face. Learn from others like Mike. 

Arnaud defines himself as an Author, Entrepreneur, and Optimist.  In 2012, he co-founded a start-up because he thought he could go after Facebook. Unfortunately, he had to throw in the towel after 7 years. He shares this experience in his book How Hard Can It Be - Startup Lessons From Trying (And Failing) To Take Down Facebook In this episode we cover the story behind the book, the lessons he learned about start-up and himself, how he managed failure, and why he remains an optimist. A podcast for ALL start-up founders.

Carrington is the founder and President of Carrington Legal Search and best-selling author of "Blooming." This conversation focuses on the importance of designing one’s own life. We cover: How trauma has impacted her journey and made her who she is today What it takes to create opportunities for oneself Why our stories determine who we are, and how to shift to a positive mindset How entrepreneurship has transformed her Many of the things she says will resonate with you as they did with me. 

To be and remain the best, entrepreneurs need to sharpen their skills, be disciplined, grow resilience, inspire others and make fast decisions under constant pressure.  Exactly like professional athletes.  But where professional athletes understand the importance of resting to let their bodies and minds recover, it seems most entrepreneurs don't follow their example.  Imagine what happens to professional athletes when they overtrain. They injure themselves, and potentially ruin their careers.  Well, it's exactly the same with entrepreneurs. When they overwork and forget to rest and relax, they burn out.  In this special episode of Inter:views, I invited 3 coaches to discuss founders' mindset: Evelien van Es,  Andrew Miller, and Joye Ra.  On the menu: What's the relationship between mind, body, and work? We always think work, work, work although it's not sustainable long-term. Why is it so counterintuitive?  What negative patterns do you see with most entrepreneurs you work with? Why? What should business founders do more of (or less of)? How can entrepreneurs deal with pressure and failure? Is it OK or not OK to show you're vulnerable when you're a business founder? Why? What's your one recommendation to entrepreneurs to help build their mindset?

Christian is the Co-Founder of Vitruvia and has invested in 35 companies.    He explains why transforming health and lives are his passion and why he chose the entrepreneurship path.    We talk about the importance of focusing on customers instead of chasing capitals, people and leadership, mindset and how to allow things to grow in oneself as opposed to breaking through walls.   Christian also shares some practical tips about mental recovery.   I’ve always enjoyed conversations like this one distilling little pieces of wisdom here and there. 

Holly, Founder & CEO of Emergence Institute has dedicated her life to helping others find their purpose. In this episode, we cover: Her journey and the lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur How she discovered her own purpose Why business founders should uncover their purpose, with some examples 3 hypothesis why finding our purpose is often difficult The difference between the founder’s purpose and the business’ purpose A conversation that goes beyond entrepreneurship. 

Coming from a humble family, Darren was the first in his family to get to the university, then PhD. After 10 years as a university professor, the entrepreneurship calling was too strong to resist.  So he created Rivalus, which he brought to $20m revenue in 5 years.  He then sold it and launched his 2nd company, Outcast Foods Inc in 2018, which has been doing very well too.  There are some conversations that stick to you. That’s definitely one of them. From the academic world to becoming a serial entrepreneur, there’s a gap that Darren successfully bridged.  There’s so much to say that I can’t summarize this episode. Just tune in, you’ll see. 

In this reverse interview episode, Rasmus Basilier interviews me, Laurent Notin. Hear about my decades-long journey to becoming my own boss, the key milestones that have changed my life, some of the lessons I have learned from doing my podcast interviews, a few common mistakes that entrepreneurs make, being alone, and my mission to crack the entrepreneurship code. Timestamps [01:44] Why Laurent created the podcast. [04:08] Becoming his own boss. [08:13] Key milestones in Laurent’s life. [13:28] How taking on the role has changed him. [22:07] Lessons learned from the podcast. [25:30] Common entrepreneurship mistakes. [29:27] Using resources to be less alone. [31:28] What would Laurent have done differently? [32:13] Laurent’s advice to his younger self. [37:45] Laurent's top recommendation for entrepreneurs. [39:04] Has Laurent cracked the entrepreneurship code? Key Takeaways “With great questions comes great answers.” “Entrepreneurship is a calling.” “Outsource as much as you can.” “Don’t hesitate to spend some money. You have to spend money to make a bit of money.” “The biggest barrier to getting yourself rich is having a job.” Relevant Links: Website: www.laurentnotin.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentnotin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurentnotin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurentNotin 

After beginning her career in corporate pharma, Carson decided it was time to launch her own business.  She launched Working Simply Inc. in 2015, a business consulting firm helping enterprises boost productivity, accelerate performance and develop high performance teams. Carson’s new book is called:  Own It, Love It, Make It Work - How To Make Any Job Your Dream Job.  We discuss productivity hacks for business owners and their teams as well as how to teach accountability and engage people. She also shares some of her key lessons, why she pivoted her business from B2C to B2B and the importance of saying no to clients.

In 2008, Pat was laid off as a Job Captain in the architecture industry. Since then, he has built several businesses online, such as The Smart Passive Income Blog, which have now allowed him to make much more, and work much less. In this episode, we talk about his entrepreneurship journey, the key lessons he’s learned and mistakes he’s made, his dreams, as well as his top success habits.  As Pat says, entrepreneurship is all about serving people, and he’s been really good at it. So grab a cup of coffee, sit down in your favorite chair and listen.

After 10 years in the tourism industry, Patricia moved to the sex tech sector. That's when she came up with a pioneering idea that was so powerful she decided to launch MyHixel in 2017.  Do you think being an entrepreneur is tough? Well, what about when you're a woman tech entrepreneur working in the male sexual and health industry in southern Spain?  Patricia's resolve is strong though. She's recently managed to raise 2m € to take her company to the next level.  This episode is a lot about resilience and the power of an idea.  And it doesn't include any sexually explicit content.  This episode is brought to you by Impulse 4 Women.

Simon describes himself as unemployable. So taking the entrepreneurship route made sense. He created Strategy Sprints in 2017.   They only do one thing: Doubling their clients' revenue in 90 days. They've developed a thorough process using 3 distinct strategies that Simon explains in detail.  We also talk a lot about the importance of delegating to scale up, why inner work is at the core of the entrepreneurial journey, and how to release tension to be more efficient.  From practical to spiritual. 

Annissa has more than 25 years of experience in HR, IT, Finance, and Strategy.  She loved her job but like most entrepreneurs, she wanted to make a bigger impact. So she founder LogLab LLC in 2015.  This episode focuses on modern HR for early-stage to more advanced companies. What is modern HR? How has HR evolved with time? How should HR help people love their job more? Why are we not looking at HR the right way and what can we do about it?' How should founders use HR? In the last part, we discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, and the importance of being who you truly are. HR should definitely not suck.  Buy Annissa's book The Comeback: https://www.theloglab.net/the-comeback 

Rewind is Mike's 4th company. He co-founded it in 2015, worked part-time on it, nights and weekends, for 18 months. Today, the company employs 120 staff and has raised $80m in VC capital. Prior to that, Mike failed 2 businesses. So, we talk a lot about failure and how it has changed him.  We also discuss coaching and mentoring (yes!), the importance of finding the right dynamics between co-founders ("not all co-founders are created equal"), as well as entrepreneurship in general.  A guideline to success.  ------- Do you want to be a podcast guest? Go to https://kitcaster.com/ctc to apply for a special offer for friends of this podcast.    

Special Start-up Episode, in collaboration with the Nordic Start-Up School. Part 5: Mentoring. A conversation about mentoring with 3 NSS Mentors: Hanna Nylhom, Merituuli Vainio, and Tommi Ullgrén.  What does a mentor do? Why does mentoring matter? Who can be a mentor? What are the characteristics of a great mentor? What are the benefits of mentoring for start-ups? What should start-up teams do to maximize the mentoring experience? What are the common mistakes start-ups make with mentors?  How to increase mentors' value and impact? How can the start-up ecosystem leverage better on mentors?

Hatti was the 1st non-legal in the UK to set up a legal firm, Red Bar Law LLP. She's never lost a case since 2012.  She also launched her podcast Get Legally Speaking in Feb 2019, and exceeded 1m downloads in 18 months!  We discuss a lot about mental wellbeing through being disciplined, prioritizing ("don't be busy being busy"), and developing the right mindset ("learn to be you").  Hatti also talks about the importance of legal issues for entrepreneurs, and why you should protect your business.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the episode.  ------- Do you want to be a podcast guest? Go to https://kitcaster.com/ctc to apply for a special offer for friends of this podcast.

Special Start-up Episode, in collaboration with the Nordic Start-Up School. Part 4: Finance & Fundraising.  Aki Luukkainen and Ilkka Kaikuvuo joined me to discuss everything related to financial management and fundraising.  What's financial management? How is it linked to fundraising? Why is it critical that start-up founders understand financial management? What are the financial management tools that any start-up founders should learn? What are the different ways a start-up can fund itself?  What does it take to successfully raise funds? What are the fundraising red flags? What’s the #1 practical tip you’d give to any start-up?

Special Start-up Episode, in collaboration with the Nordic Start-Up School. Part 3: Team Building. 3 NSS mentors joined the conversation: Mia Wähälä, Merituuli Vainio, and Aleksander Gansen, to discuss everything start-ups need to know about team building.  How to recruit your co-founder(s)? How to build the co-founders' team? How to recruit your first staff? What are the most common mistakes start-up can do when it comes to team building? What is the #1 practical tip you'll give any start-up?

Being an entrepreneur is a tough job, with a lot of ups and downs. Combined with all the challenges the pandemic has created, the journey can quickly become draining and one can reach the bottom and lose motivation. Hence the questions : How do entrepreneurs keep their motivation levels high? Where do they find the strength to continue? I've invited 4 successful entrepreneurs (and former guests) located in 4 completely different business environments: Laxmi Gandhi, the founder of a boutique consulting company OPERAScale in the USA,  that specializes in go to market strategies utilizing first principles thinking. She helps leaders get unstuck and go back to the fundamentals of why they started their business and communicate with clarity on what they are actually doing. Richard Burrage is the Managing Director of Cimigo, a boutique market research agency that he founded in 2002 in Vietnam. He’s been living in Asia since 1992, and has seen firsthand the transformation of the region with all the challenges that came with it. Maria Frangieh is the Founder and Managing Director of SocialPrise, a digital marketing agency based in Lebanon. She founded her company 15 years ago and decided from the start to make it a 100% remote company. She knows what challenge means operating in a country that has been economically suffering over the past years. Paul Baker is the founder of St Pierre Groupe based in the UK, a bakery business with a love of European Bakery. He bankrupted his first business at the age of 17 and took 10 years before he got back to entrepreneurship. He acquired St Pierre Groupe in 2002 and one day decided that he’d conquer the American market, which he did. That didn’t come without its challenges though.

Special Start-up Episode, in collaboration with the Nordic Start-Up School. Part 2: Business Planning. A conversation with 3 NSS Mentors: Hanne Nuutinen,  Hanna Nylhom and Pasi Pohjola,  to discuss everything start-ups need to know about Business Planning (also called Strategy).   What is business planning / strategy? Why do start-ups need to focus on strategy/business planning? Where to start? What elements should they focus on?  What are the reasons not to launch a start-up?  What are the biggest strategy mistakes start-ups can make? What is the #1 practical tip you'll give any start-up?

Special Start-up Episode, in collaboration with the Nordic Start-Up School. Part 1 : Sales & Marketing. Kelvin Chikezie, Ukko Järvinen and Anthony Sundström, 3 NSS mentors joined me to discuss everything start-ups need to know about Sales & Marketing.  Why do start-ups need to focus on sales & marketing? Will they fail if they don't? What should they specifically spend time on? Where should they start? Is there a difference between B2B, B2C and B2B2C? What are the most frequent questions start-ups have?  How and where can they get their first clients? What are the biggest sales & marketing mistakes they can make? What is the #1 practical tip you'll give any start-up?

You Cannot Thrive In Chaos Entrepreneurship is Alicia's way to use her natural skills and abilities. She's very good at organizing and she decided to make a business out of it, Equilibria Inc.  In this episode, we talk a lot about a neglected topic: business infrastructure, how to move from being messy to being organized. We also cover the importance of trusting your instincts, listening to your customers and how to plan a business selling strategy.  Get in touch with Alicia: [email protected]