Amplify Your Business

The Power of Vulnerability: Building Authentic Connections in Entrepreneurship

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

Embracing Diversity and Building Successful Teams

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

Taking the First Step To the Life You Want

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

Unlocking Conflict Resolution in The Workplace

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

From Farm to Safety Mentor: A Journey of Elevating Workplace Safety

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

Amplify Your Business Assisting Organizations in Becoming Funding Champions

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

Amplify Your Business Entrepreneur at 5, Investor at 10, Founder at 15: What comes at 20 years old for Sophia Fairweather?

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

Amplify Your Business Taking Care of Yourself to Take Care of Others

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