Angel Investor’s Network Podcast

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions with Audra Hajj Audra Hajj joins AIN as the new co-CEO of Angel Investors Network and brings over two decades of business growth expertise! In this week’s special episode go behind the scenes with Jeff and Audra as they unpack the evolution of Angel Investors Network and deep dive into the […]

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions with Audra Hajj Audra Hajj joins AIN as the new co-CEO of Angel Investors Network and brings over two decades of business growth expertise! In this week’s special episode go behind the scenes with Jeff and Audra as they unpack the evolution of Angel Investors Network and deep dive into the greater impact that AIN is bringing for the economy and society as a whole. Listen in for a special announcement! About this week’s special guest Audra Hajj In this episode meet the new co-CEO at AIN Audra Hajj. Audra helped thousands of entrepreneurs build their dream businesses since 2006 and her experience has allowed her to pioneer a new investment approach through proprietary blockchain technology. She is known for her innovative concepts and savvy business approach. Her methodology and leadership skills are the key to her success. Her drive to make a difference in people’s lives and businesses is evident in her work. Audra built a highly reputable reconstruction agency with over 300 employees and 4 international offices. She specializes in launching new companies and helping existing ones rebuild on proven methodologies. These methodologies were built working with over 3,100 businesses over two decades, helping them launch from concept or restructure, systematize, and relaunch in six countries. With her business training program businesses are streamlined, automated in the most efficient areas, and built on a solid foundation for exponential growth. Moreover, she developed a due diligence system that addresses all the key investor concerns. Audra is an expert in systemization and optimization through technology and believes that it is time the investment world adopts technology to reimagine investment. And now she’s bringing in her unique strengths to AIN to lead the investment technology revolution along with Jeff Barnes. What you will find in this episode Audra’s life mission of helping entrepreneurs and supporting entrepreneurship. How Audra got invited to speak at the World Summit for Economic Development in Korea. How Audra created 34,000 jobs during her career! Why 80% of the business process is similar across all industries. Why marketing without a conversion foundation is a waste of money! Audra’s top 3 tips for entrepreneurs when it comes to building a conversion foundation. Top investor problems and how Audra developed a solution for each. How Jeff met Audra, what led to the evolution of AIN, and how AIN is democratizing angel investing and supporting entrepreneurship. What is “Ascension Exchange” and how it’s changing the investment landscape! Find out more about Audra Hajj You can find more about Audra at: www.angelinvestorsnetwork.com www.audrahajj.com

Todd Smith has consulted hundreds of startups and businesses during the process of raising capital, and his success rates are off the charts! About this week’s guest Todd Smith. Todd Smith is the founder and CEO of Blue Horizon Venture Consulting, an early stage consultancy. One of the top business plan consultants in the country, Todd has more than 20 years of experience working with high-growth firms, and his work has helped entrepreneurs start or grow hundreds of businesses in 26 U.S states and 12 countries. These firms have raised well over US$300 million in capital and have employed thousands of people. Todd is a business plan expert with a specialty in helping high growth start-ups and business units develop investment grade strategic business plans. He is passionate about working with entrepreneurs to develop business plans that obtain investment capital and add to the economy. When less than 1% of all entrepreneurs receive any outside funding, Todd’s methods have over 50% success rate. In addition to his entrepreneurial consulting work, Todd is the author of “The Adventure Consultant”, an Amazon best-seller that describes his adventures across the entrepreneurial path. He is also a speaker, former radio show host, and featured in prominent media sites such as the New York Times. What you will learn about in this episode What led Todd from being an entrepreneur to helping other entrepreneurs. The biggest mistake that entrepreneurs make when it comes to business planning. How business planning elevates your chances of success. Why business plans are not dead! The importance of a strategic plan. What’s wrong with the lean startup methodology? The inherent weaknesses for entrepreneurs and how to remedy them. Sniff test for investors before investing in an opportunity. Todd’s advice for entrepreneurs looking for capital. Find out more about Todd Smith You can find more about Todd and his work at these links. The Book Home https://www.linkedin.com/in/thsmith1

Todd Smith has consulted hundreds of startups and businesses during the process of raising capital, and his success rates are off the charts! About this week’s guest Todd Smith. Todd Smith is the founder and CEO of Blue Horizon Venture Consulting, an early stage consultancy. One of the top business plan consultants in the country, […]

Todd Smith has consulted hundreds of startups and businesses during the process of raising capital, and his success rates are off the charts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Randy Tate Randy Tate exited his first company, coached hundreds of business owners, then helped an Inc 500 SaaS grow up, and is now building the future platform for investing! About this week’s guest Randy Tate Randy Tate is a successful entrepreneur, business coach, advisor, and CEO of iFlip, an AI investing software company. Randy spent his earlier years as a successful collegiate athlete and then self-made entrepreneur. He grew an athletic apparel company to over $5M+ in revenue, then sold it to a publicly traded sporting conglomerate, Sports Chalet. For the last 10+ years he has trained thousands of employees and business owners on how to market effectively, grow sales and build sustainable growth in their companies. His passion for technology led him to a leading CRM company Infusionsoft, where he developed and oversaw the expansion of the Elite Business Education curriculum program as the VP of Business Training for customers, Since then he has led as the co-founder and CEO of iFlip, SAAS Financial Technology Company. His passion is to empower all individuals to grow their wealth for the future through the use of AI investing technology. What you will learn about in this episode Why it’s important to design products for the largest number of people How to balance your ideal customer avatar with the largest customer base What is a “sticky” product and how to design one How the metrics for company valuation are evolving Why it’s important to build your business from the bottom up How iFlip is disrupting the investing industry How AI is different from regular algorithms How iFlip is bringing the efficiency of Goldman Sachs to the average investor’s pockets Three key measures of disrupting an industry You have to make and deliver the product better than the competitors. You have to do it cheaper than the competition. You have to make it easier on the consumer than the competition. Find out more about Randy Tate and iFlip here Website: https://iflipinvest.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randytatefws Twitter: https://twitter.com/randyetate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iflipinvest/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDYPXZA5Zlmz1vYs1l63BYg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ran.d.tate/ Email: Randy@iflipinvest.com Listeners of the show can send an email to Randy and he’ll personally reply with a special surprise for our listeners. Be sure to mention you heard him on the Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast with Jeff Barnes.

Randy Tate exited his first company, coached hundreds of business owners, then helped an Inc 500 SaaS grow up, and is now building the future platform for investing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Randy Tate Randy Tate exited his first company, coached hundreds of business owners, then helped an Inc 500 SaaS grow up, and is now building the future platform for investing! About this week’s guest Randy Tate Randy Tate is a successful entrepreneur, business coach, advisor, and CEO of iFlip, […]

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Alec Stern How one entrepreneur created a $1 Billion exit by changing the marketing game for small businesses and entrepreneurs About this week’s guest Alec Stern Alec Stern is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor and investor. He’s been a co-founder or founding team member of 8 startups with 5 exits – 2 IPOs and 3 acquisitions. As a primary member of Constant Contact’s founding team Alec was one of the original 3 who started the company in an attic. Alec was with the company for 18 years from start-up, to IPO, to a $1.1 Billion-dollar acquisition. Known as America’s startup success expert, Alec advises a variety of early stage companies and serves as a judge, mentor and advisor for nationally known startup accelerators and programs including TechStars, MassChallenge, The American Business Awards, The Stevie Awards and speaks at Universities including Harvard and MIT. What you will learn about in this episode: Alec’s unconventional entry into entrepreneurship How Alec raised $2.4 million for his Constant Contact startup before having a finished product Why Alec met with investors not for raising money but for feedback Alec’s advice for startups What the Bicycle Wheel Syndrome is and why you need to focus on just one core thing in your business The top 2 mistakes to avoid as an entrepreneur How your ability to handle challenges and obstacles determines your success Pillars of Startup Success Alec Stern has developed a set of success strategies that can greatly help entrepreneurs on their path to success. To access the Pillars of Success workbook just text in “PILLARS” to 59925, enter your name and email and you’ll receive a link where you can download the workbook and give your feedback. Find out more about Alec Stern here https://alecspeaks.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-stern-3b6a94196

How one entrepreneur created a $1 Billion exit by changing the marketing game for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Alec Stern How one entrepreneur created a $1 Billion exit by changing the marketing game for small businesses and entrepreneurs About this week’s guest Alec Stern Alec Stern is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor and investor. He's been a co-founder or founding team member of 8 startups with 5 exits […]

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Justin Donald On this week’s episode Jeff and Erock speak to Justin Donald, the Warren Buffet of lifestyle investment, about investment that supports your lifestyle and the 10 Commandments of lifestyle investing. About this week’s guest Justin Donald Just Donald, called the Warren Buffer of Lifestyle Investing, is an expert in low-risk cash flow investing. His philosophy is to create wealth and not just a job. He has expertise in simplifying complex financial strategies, structuring deals, and disciplined investment systems that consistently produce profitable results. His investment strategies lead to enough passive income generation that enabled him and his wife to retire from their jobs, all within a span of 21 months and before he even turned 40. Justin negotiated deals with over 50 companies, multiplied his net worth to over eight figures, and maintained a family-centric lifestyle in less than 2 years. Just 2 years later, he doubled his net worth again. He has an upcoming book based on his success strategies titled The 10 Commandments of Cash Flow Investing for Passive Income and Financial Freedom. Justin’s 10 Commandments of Lifestyle Investing Here’s a sneak peak of the 10 commandments that Justin expands on in the podcast. Lifestyle first Reducing the risk Finding invisible deals Getting your principle back quickly Creating cash flow immediately Finding an income amplifier Cutting out the fat Plus the deal Use leverage to your advantage Every dollar of investment gets a return What you will learn about in this episode: What is lifestyle investment? How Justin set up successful investments before he even turned 40. The role Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki played in his success. Justin’s journey from an employee to an investor. Why being a copycat is not a bad idea but lets you mirror success. How Justin saved cash to take the leap into investment. Why real estate is one of the safest ways to start getting into investment. Find out more about Justin Donald here www.justindonald.com www.lifestyleinvestor.com

On this week’s episode Jeff and Erock speak to Justin Donald, the Warren Buffet of lifestyle investment, about investment that supports your lifestyle and the 10 Commandments of lifestyle investing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Justin Donald On this week’s episode Jeff and Erock speak to Justin Donald, the Warren Buffet of lifestyle investment, about investment that supports your lifestyle and the 10 Commandments of lifestyle investing. About this week’s guest Justin Donald Just Donald, called the Warren Buffer of Lifestyle Investing, is an […]

About Dinesh Gauba This week on Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast, Jeff Barnes and Erock Christopher is talking to Dinesh Gauba. Dinesh is a serial tech executive, a dynamic entrepreneur, and a sharp investor. He has built up a diverse portfolio of angel investments, real estate investments, and alternate cash flow investments. He became involved in investing after having been a part of different tech startups that went through the acquisition process. Having an electrical engineering degree he leaned towards the tech industry with software, embedded systems, semiconductors, and video technology. Over the years he has invested in real estate, oil, and gas, angel investing distressed properties. He has developed an interest in disruptive technology in the environment sector as well as the health and wellness industry. One of his ventures Through years of investment experience he has mastered the ins and outs of investing. He has learned how to create wealth and earn financial freedom as an entrepreneur and as an investor through smart investments. In addition, Dinesh has built expertise in tax reduction strategies, helping businesses keep more of their earnings. How Dinesh overcame a personal health challenge Eighteen months ago Dinesh survived a serious car accident and it took him months to recover from that. He could not walk for over three months and did not know when he would get better. Of his experience, he says it was painful but a learning experience for him. He learned to be more grateful and realized the importance of diverse investments and having multiple streams of income. He suggests that it’s important to be mindful of where we put our attention and what we focus on. Instead of panicking and overthinking the future, we can focus on the present moment. Taking things one day at a time instead of constantly worrying about the future will help. Keeping a sense of perspective is important during these trying times. Advice for Business owners Diversify income streams to stay safe in uncertain times. Learn to use capital efficiently to get through downturns. Anticipate the changing needs of the times and adjust and innovate. Avoid over-funding because that can lead to failure of the business. Advice for Investors Look for companies that are efficient with their capital and resources. Seek companies that are diverse and adaptable. Build a trustworthy network. Build a diverse investment portfolio and focus on multiple income streams. Trust your sources but make sure you also verify. Find out more about Dinesh Gauba You can connect with Dinesh through Linkedin or Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinesh-gauba-873410 https://www.facebook.com/dinesh.gauba.7

About Dinesh Gauba This week on Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast, Jeff Barnes and Erock Christopher is talking to Dinesh Gauba. Dinesh is a serial tech executive, a dynamic entrepreneur, and a sharp investor. He has built up a diverse portfolio of angel investments, real estate investments, and alternate cash flow investments.  He became involved in investing after having been a part of different tech startups that went through the acquisition process. Having an electrical engineering degree he leaned towards the tech industry with software, embedded systems, semiconductors, and video technology. Over the years he has invested in real estate, oil, and gas, angel investing distressed properties. He has developed an interest in disruptive technology in the environment sector as well as the health and wellness industry. One of his ventures Through years of investment experience he has mastered the ins and outs of investing.  He has learned how to create wealth and earn financial freedom as an entrepreneur and as an investor through smart investments. In addition, Dinesh has built expertise in tax reduction strategies, helping businesses keep more of their earnings.  How Dinesh overcame a personal health challenge Eighteen months ago Dinesh survived a serious car accident and it took him months to recover from that. He could not walk for over three months and did not know when he would get better. Of his experience, he says it was painful but a learning experience for him. He learned to be more grateful and realized the importance of diverse investments and having multiple streams of income.  He suggests that it’s important to be mindful of where we put our attention and what we focus on. Instead of panicking and overthinking the future, we can focus on the present moment. Taking things one day at a time instead of constantly worrying about the future will help. Keeping a sense of perspective is important during these trying times.  Advice for Business owners  Diversify income streams to stay safe in uncertain times. Learn to use capital efficiently to get through downturns. Anticipate the changing needs of the times and adjust and innovate. Avoid over-funding because that can lead to failure of the business.  Advice for Investors Look for companies that are efficient with their capital and resources. Seek companies that are diverse and adaptable. Build a trustworthy network. Build a diverse investment portfolio and focus on multiple income streams. Trust your sources but make sure you also verify.  Find out more about Dinesh Gauba You can connect with Dinesh through linked-in or Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinesh-gauba-873410 https://www.facebook.com/dinesh.gauba.7 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About Dinesh Gauba This week on Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast, Jeff Barnes and Erock Christopher is talking to Dinesh Gauba. Dinesh is a serial tech executive, a dynamic entrepreneur, and a sharp investor. He has built up a diverse portfolio of angel investments, real estate investments, and alternate cash flow investments. He became involved […]

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Michelle Seiler Tucker About Michelle Seiler Tucker In this week’s episode of the Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast Jeff Barnes is joined by Michelle Seiler Tucker. She is the foremost authority on buying, selling, and improving businesses. A certified Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), one of only 3 women in the US, she closes 99% of all the offers she writes and specializes in selling businesses worth $2 million and above. She helps businesses improve their revenue streams and get ready for selling at the best value. With her expert counsel, businesses are able to sell for 20-40% above appraised price on average. With over 20 years of experience helping businesses through the process of selling and buying she is known for her always exceeding client expectations. She is the author of two best bestselling books including Exit Rich, and Sell Your Business for More Than It’s Worth. Through her work, she inspires people to live the American dream and strive towards greater financial freedom and quality of life. Michelle shares the 6 Ps of growing and selling your business People The most important thing for a business is people, the teams that understand the business Product Businesses must continue to innovate and market their product. Processes Processes must be productive, efficient, and well documented. Proprietary Businesses must build their brand name. Patrons Businesses need a loyal customer base that trusts their product or services. Profits Businesses need to be operating at the highest profit margin for their industry. Michelle Seiler Tucker describes the 5 types of buyers Competitive/ Strategic buyers Private Equity groups Sophisticated buyers First time buyers Turnaround specialists The number 1 mistake that businesses or sellers make They don’t plan for the exit. Most sellers never think about selling until they have to. When they wait too long to sell, they are forced to sell at low value because their business is declining. Find out more about Michelle Seiler Tucker here https://www.seilertucker.com/ https://info.exitrichbook.com/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleseiler https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPWqoz-CaFrBdMWrDyN-5g or call at 504-525-1717

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Michelle Seiler Tucker About Michelle Seiler Tucker In this week’s episode of the Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast Jeff Barnes is joined by Michelle Seiler Tucker. She is the foremost authority on buying, selling, and improving businesses. A certified Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), one of only 3 […]

About Michelle Seiler Tucker In this week’s episode of the Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions podcast Jeff Barnes is joined by Michelle Seiler Tucker. She is the foremost authority on buying, selling, and improving businesses. A certified Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI), one of only 3 women in the US, she closes 99% of all the offers she writes and specializes in selling businesses worth $2 million and above. She helps businesses improve their revenue streams and get ready for selling at the best value. With her expert counsel, businesses are able to sell for 20-40% above appraised price on average. With over 20 years of experience helping businesses through the process of selling and buying she is known for her always exceeding client expectations. She is the author of two best bestselling books including Exit Rich, and Sell Your Business for More Than It’s Worth. Through her work, she inspires people to live the American dream and strive towards greater financial freedom and quality of life.  Michelle shares the 6 Ps of growing and selling your business People  The most important thing for a business is people, the teams that understand the business Product Businesses must continue to innovate and market their product. Processes Processes must be productive, efficient, and well documented. Proprietary Businesses must build their brand name.  Patrons Businesses need a loyal customer base that trusts their product or services. Profits Businesses need to be operating at the highest profit margin for their industry. Michelle Seiler Tucker describes the 5 types of buyers Competitive/ Strategic buyers Private Equity groups Sophisticated buyers First time buyers Turnaround specialists The number 1 mistake that businesses or sellers make They don’t plan for the exit. Most sellers never think about selling until they have to. When they wait too long to sell, they are forced to sell at low value because their business is declining.  Find out more about Michelle Seiler Tucker here https://www.seilertucker.com/ https://info.exitrichbook.com/book/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleseiler https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPWqoz-CaFrBdMWrDyN-5g or call at 504-525-1717 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Craig Shah About our guest Craig Shah This week’s guest Craig Shah is a celebrity designer of high-end luxury watches and jewelry under the brand name Craig Shelly. His designs are uniquely crafted and customized. He started with a small company crafting platinum and 18 karat diamond rings and other jewelry. Venturing into the world of watchmaking in the year 2000, the company slowly made a name for itself. Today the company has a presence in eight countries and ships to 29 countries around the world. He partners with many organizations, with official time partners including Harvard versus Yale, right from the eyes of cricket, all-stars Beverly Hills police, IFA PGA and trans Hospital for Children. He’s committed to giving back to society. He partners with many organizations supporting children and veterans. Hope to break the cycle of poverty, each watch purchased supports one child, with food and education for one year. Craig Shelly’s secret to success Craig Shelly’s designer watches and jewelry are competing with top brands like Rolex, Tiffany, and Cartier etc. But Craig says it took him a long time to get here. What helped Craig Shelly reach this level of success? Commitment to creativity and excellence Making the Craig Shelly products truly unique filled a gap in the market Producing durable products with a lifetime warranty Corporate gifting program Customizing watches and jewelry for brands Craig Shah’s advice to entrepreneurs and investors “If you have talent, put it out there. If you have money, meet the right people to level up.” – Craig Shah Find out more about Craig Shelly You can find more information on Craig’s company here. Welcome https://craigshah.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-shah-65533549

Introducing Co-host ERock Christopher This week we’re pleased to announce that our podcast has a new cohost ERock Christopher! Eric Christopher, also known as ERock, is a successful marketing strategist and business consultant. He is the founder and CEO of Biz Famous Media Group, which is a business advisory group designed to promote large brands and enterprises. Erock is an accomplished writer, business strategist, inventor, and an award-winning speaker. He’s a featured contributor on Entrepreneur.com, Business.com, Thrive Global, and Huffington Post among other major media outlets. He’s been a successful entrepreneur for over two decades and has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs on how to run successful businesses. About this week’s guest: James Dentley James Dentley is a professional speaker, trainer, author, entrepreneur, and business strategist to many notable business celebrities. He’s been a successful entrepreneur for over 30 years helping over 400,000 people throughout the world learn what it takes to become high performers in their business and their personal lives. He has personally helped create over 80 millionaires using proven success strategies. Furthermore, James has also consulted many companies in the areas of trading profitability, communication, and leadership development. Author of “The 5 Frequencies of High Performance”, James is a motivational speaker inspiring thousands of people to live and lead better. James believes in the power of effective communication and founded the #1 communication training platform Inspired2Speak. Overcoming challenges James Dentley overcame several personal challenges throughout his life. He rose from poverty in childhood through hard work and perseverance. Later on, after having achieved tremendous business success, he felt dissatisfied with life. Through losing his father and wife to cancer, he got a new perspective on life and committed to greater personal growth and shared his wisdom with others. After being diagnosed with cancer he found a deeper connection with his family and realized that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change for you. Key ingredients in the recipe for success James Dentley believes the key ingredients for success include: Having a vision Clarity about what you want Persistence Being prepared for challenges Perseverance Advice for Business Owners Communication Being adaptable to a shifting culture Believing in yourself Endurance and understanding that adversity comes to serve you Focusing on where you want to get instead of worrying about where you are. Spending time with people who uplift you and reading books to inspire you. Never giving up and continuing to grow gives other people permission to grow too. Staying prepared and sharpening your axe Never stop and think you’ve got it all. Tips for entrepreneurs to communicate their vision “Never let what you want to say get in the way of what they need to hear.” –James Dentley Be clear and concise: “Don’t give a person a drink of water with a firehose.” Identify your core values, which will determine the energy that you create for your business. Ask the right questions. Don’t try to figure everything by yourself. Find resources and people who can help. The favorite mistake that you learned the most from? James’s experience with depression taught him valuable life lessons. He says his greatest mistake was beating himself up and not taking care of himself. He believes that becoming an alcoholic and giving up everything that he had achieved actually helped him get back up again and find a greater appreciation for life. It helped him build programs to help other people overcome self-defeating behaviors and breakthrough challenges. His experience taught him humility and love for himself and other people. Find out more about James Dentley here https://www.thejamesdentleyshow.com/ http://nbcuniversity.com/ Home James Dentley https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dentley-20400616

About our guest Jeffrey Hayzlett Jeffrey Hayzlett is a leading business expert, bestselling author, prime time television and podcast show host, and keynote speaker with notable expertise in starting, running, and selling businesses. He is the CEO of C-suite Network and the Hayzlett group in addition to being a board member, trustee, and chairman for numerous other companies. He runs several different councils and media companies and has previously been the CMO of Kodak. He has bought and sold over 250 businesses for billions of dollars. A global business celebrity, Jeffrey Hayzlett has been featured on leading television networks and magazines. He was the host of the Bloomberg series C-suite with Jeffery Hayzlett which featured an inside look at several big companies and also appeared as a guest judge on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. He has also partnered with our host Jeff Barnes on Angels and Heroes Venture Growth Fund. He hosts the business podcast All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C-Suite Radio where he shares his executive insight and commentary. His bestselling books include The Mirror Test, Running the Gauntlet, Think Big, Act Bigger, and The Hero Factor: How Great Leaders Transform Organizations and Create Winning Cultures. Advice for Businesses looking to grow through acquisition Jeff believes that business owners must first think about and answer some important questions before embarking on an acquisition strategy and even before starting a business. The key questions should be: What are your conditions of satisfaction as a business? What are you trying to drive? What are you trying to achieve? What might be the scenarios for the business itself? Determine the right fit based on your access, resources, knowledge, etc. Do we have some people to do it? Is there a good partner? Is their partner willing to do it with us or not? Does this make sense? Or not? Do we want to do it this way or that way? Tips for Investors Develop a sound strategy Build a trusted network Develop a team of value-driven people Think about your conditions of satisfaction What to look for as an investor The track record for the company Sales and market strategy Thoroughness about researching the target market and industry requirements See if the team is realistic and transparent Ask lots of questions to get to know the people behind the company. Insights from the book the Hero Factor At the C-suite network, Jeffrey Hayzlett has formed the Hero Club, a value-based organization for CEOs. If a business has greater core values, they have the ‘hero factor’, which puts them ahead of others. These values include integrity, diversity, inclusion, and putting people over profits. They have certain walkaway values that they do not compromise on. As a result Hero businesses get more revenue, happier employees, engaged customers, eager vendors, and respect from communities. Advice for first time angel investors Focus on possibilities instead of risks. Trust experienced groups or networks to mitigate risks. Investor networks have the right resources and experience and carry out due diligence to sort through opportunities. Biggest mistake Jeff says that he once invested in pheasant farming which led to disastrous results. The lesson he learned was that it’s important to do your homework whenever you invest. He does not believe in the advice “follow your passion”. Passion helps to develop your interest. After that follow your head and pay attention. Find out more about Jeff Hayzlett here Keynote Speaker Jeffrey Hayzlett | Marketing & Business Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayzlett

About our guest Jeffrey Hayzlett Jeffrey Hayzlett is a leading business expert, bestselling author, primetime television and podcast show host, and keynote speaker with notable expertise in starting, running, and selling businesses. He is the CEO of C-suite Network and the Hayzlett group in addition to being a board member, trustee, and chairman for numerous other companies. He runs several different councils and media companies and has previously been the CMO of Kodak. He has bought and sold over 250 businesses for billions of dollars.  A global business celebrity, Jeffrey Hayzlett has been featured on leading television networks and magazines. He was the host of the Bloomberg series C-suite with Jeffery Hayzlett which featured an inside look at several big companies and also appeared as a guest judge on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. He has also partnered with our host Jeff Barnes on Angels and Heroes Venture Growth Fund.  He hosts the business podcast All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C-Suite Radio where he shares his executive insight and commentary. His bestselling books include The Mirror Test, Running the Gauntlet, Think Big, Act Bigger, and The Hero Factor: How Great Leaders Transform Organizations and Create Winning Cultures.  Advice for Businesses looking to grow through acquisition  Jeff believes that business owners must first think about and answer some important questions before embarking on an acquisition strategy and even before starting a business. The key questions should be:  What are your conditions of satisfaction as a business?  What are you trying to drive? What are you trying to achieve? What might be the scenarios for the business itself? Determine the right fit based on your access, resources, knowledge, etc. Do we have some people to do it? Is there a good partner? Is their partner willing to do it with us or not? Does this make sense? Or not? Do we want to do it this way or that way?  Tips for Investors Develop a sound strategy Build a trusted network Develop a team of value-driven people Think about your conditions of satisfaction What to look for as an investor The track record for the company Sales and market strategy Thoroughness about researching the target market and industry requirements See if the team is realistic and transparent  Ask lots of questions to get to know the people behind the company. Insights from the book the Hero Factor At the C-suite network, Jeffrey Hayzlett has formed the Hero Club, a value-based organization for CEOs. If a business has greater core values, they have the ‘hero factor’, which puts them ahead of others. These values include integrity, diversity, inclusion, and putting people over profits. They have certain walkaway values that they do not compromise on.  As a result Hero businesses get more revenue, happier employees, engaged customers, eager vendors, and respect from communities.  Advice for first time angel investors Focus on possibilities instead of risks. Trust experienced groups or networks to mitigate risks. Investor networks have the right resources and experience and carry out due diligence to sort through opportunities.  Biggest mistake Jeff says that he once invested in pheasant farming which led to disastrous results. The lesson he learned was that it’s important to do your homework whenever you invest. He does not believe in the advice “follow your passion”. Passion helps to develop your interest. After that follow your head and pay attention.  Find out more about Jeff Hayzlett here http://hayzlett.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayzlett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Cohost ERock Christopher This week we're pleased to announce that our podcast has a new cohost ERock Christopher! Eric Christopher, also known as ERock, is a successful marketing strategist and business consultant. He is the founder and CEO of Biz Famous Media Group, which is a business advisory group designed to promote large brands and enterprises. Erock is an accomplished writer, business strategist, inventor, and an award-winning speaker. He's a featured contributor on Entrepreneur.com, Business.com, Thrive Global, and Huffington Post among other major media outlets. He's been a successful entrepreneur for over two decades and has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs on how to run successful businesses.  About this week's guest: James Dentley James Dentley is a professional speaker, trainer, author, entrepreneur, and business strategist to many notable business celebrities. He's been a successful entrepreneur for over 30 years helping over 400,000 people throughout the world learn what it takes to become high performers in their business and their personal lives. He has personally helped create over 80 millionaires using proven success strategies. Furthermore, James has also consulted many companies in the areas of trading profitability, communication, and leadership development. Author of "The 5 Frequencies of High Performance", James is a motivational speaker inspiring thousands of people to live and lead better. James believes in the power of effective communication and founded the #1 communication training platform Inspired2Speak.  Key ingredients in the recipe for success James Dentley believes the key ingredients for success include: Having a vision Clarity about what you want Persistence Being prepared for challenges Perseverance Advice for Business Owners  Communication  Being adaptable to a shifting culture Believing in yourself Endurance and understanding that adversity comes to serve you Focusing on where you want to get instead of worrying about where you are. Spending time with people who uplift you and reading books to inspire you. Never giving up and continuing to grow gives other people permission to grow too. Staying prepared and sharpening your axe Never stop and think you've got it all. Tips for entrepreneurs to communicate their vision "Never let what you want to say get in the way of what they need to hear." –James Dentley Be clear and concise: "Don't give a person a drink of water with a firehose." Identify your core values, which will determine the energy that you create for your business. Ask the right questions. Don't try to figure everything by yourself. Find resources and people who can help. The favorite mistake that you learned the most from? James's experience with depression taught him valuable life lessons. He says his greatest mistake was beating himself up and not taking care of himself. He believes that becoming an alcoholic and giving up everything that he had achieved actually helped him get back up again and find a greater appreciation for life. It helped him build programs to help other people overcome self-defeating behaviors and breakthrough challenges. His experience taught him humility and love for himself and other people.  Find out more about James Dentley here https://www.thejamesdentleyshow.com/ http://nbcuniversity.com/ https://businessaccelerator2020.com/ https://jamesdentley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dentley-20400616 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About our guest Craig Shah This week’s guest Craig Shah is a celebrity designer of high-end luxury watches and jewelry under the brand name Craig Shelly. His designs are uniquely crafted and customized.  He started with a small company crafting platinum and 18 karat diamond rings and other jewelry. Venturing into the world of watchmaking in the year 2000, the company slowly made a name for itself. Today the company has a presence in eight countries and ships to 29 countries around the world.  He partners with many organizations, with official time partners including Harvard versus Yale, right from the eyes of cricket, all-stars Beverly Hills police, IFA PGA and trans Hospital for Children. He’s committed to giving back to society. He partners with many organizations supporting children and veterans. Hope to break the cycle of poverty, each watch purchased supports one child, with food and education for one year.  Craig Shelly’s secret to success Craig Shelly’s designer watches and jewelry are competing with top brands like Rolex, Tiffany, and Cartier etc. But Craig says it took him a long time to get here.  What helped Craig Shelly reach this level of success? Commitment to creativity and excellence Making the Craig Shelly products truly unique filled a gap in the market Producing durable products with a lifetime warranty Corporate gifting program Customizing watches and jewelry for brands Craig Shah’s advice to entrepreneurs and investors “If you have talent, put it out there. If you have money, meet the right people to level up.” – Craig Shah Find out more about Craig Shelly You can find more information on Craig’s company here.  https://www.craigshelly.com/ https://craigshah.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-shah-65533549  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels, Exits, & Acquisitions Podcast with Craig Shah About our guest Craig Shah This week’s guest Craig Shah is a celebrity designer of high-end luxury watches and jewelry under the brand name Craig Shelly. His designs are uniquely crafted and customized. He started with a small company crafting platinum and 18 karat diamond rings and […]

Introducing Co-host ERock Christopher This week we're pleased to announce that our podcast has a new cohost ERock Christopher! Eric Christopher, also known as ERock, is a successful marketing strategist and business consultant. He is the founder and CEO of Biz Famous Media Group, which is a business advisory group designed to promote large brands […]

About our guest Jeffrey Hayzlett Jeffrey Hayzlett is a leading business expert, bestselling author, prime time television and podcast show host, and keynote speaker with notable expertise in starting, running, and selling businesses. He is the CEO of C-suite Network and the Hayzlett group in addition to being a board member, trustee, and chairman for […]

On today’s podcast episode, Laura speaks to Eugene Levin, the chief strategy officer of SEMRush, about how Online visibility can save companies in a competitive market. He shares how hard to come up with an example of a business that can have no online presence which is the major challenge to make products / services stand out among the many. Eugene will also talk about how important it is to reinvent advertising to refocus company’s customers’ attention, and share the new tactics and data between departments to avoid silos. Eugene was one of the first investors to spot SEMrush. After joining the company as a Chief Strategy Officer he helped to quadruple company revenue and raised over $40m from Tier 1 investors. Before SEMrush, Eugene was a partner at Target Global, pan-european venture fund that invests in consumer Internet space. There Eugene was in charge of US pipeline and invested in number of notable companies including Blue Apron, Lyft and Juno. He started his VC career as Senior Associate and then Partner at Foresight Ventures. Foresight Ventures was focused on early stage US technology companies and was ranked top 10 Russian VC Firm by Forbes In 2013. More about SEMrush here, https://www.semrush.com/

On today's podcast episode, Laura speaks to Eugene Levin, the chief strategy officer of SEMRush, about how Online visibility can save companies in a competitive market. He shares how hard to come up with an example of a business that can have no online presence which is the major challenge to make products / services […]

On today’s episode, Laura talks to Christine, Chief Marketing Officer of Rogue Wave Software about her experiences from ideation to implementation, across both large and small canvases. She runs marketing like the business it is – getting the most from teams, driving to measurable results and fiscal responsibility. She commands audiences from customers, prospects, analysts, Boards and investors. From start-up to IPO to large public and mid-sized private companies, she built strategies and teams that deliver results. The things that interest her the most just so happen to provide the highest value to the company. Driving innovation, talking to customers, working with sales. Christine Bottagaro leads the marketing organization at Rogue Wave, driving messaging and positioning, go-to-market campaigns, and sales enablement. Christine has 20 years of experience in developing marketing strategies and leading global growth for technology companies. Christine previously held senior marketing roles at Sybase, SAP, and Rally Software. In those organizations, she led comprehensive marketing initiatives for enterprise software spanning product marketing, corporate marketing, integrated go-to-market campaigns, customer reference programs, sales enablement, content direction, through building and managing high-performing teams. Christine holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado, and an MBA from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. More about Christine Bottagaro here, https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-bottagaro-312a9a1/ Learn about Rogue Wave Software here, https://www.roguewave.com/

On today's episode, Laura talks to Christine, Chief Marketing Officer of Rogue Wave Software about her experiences from ideation to implementation, across both large and small canvases. She runs marketing like the business it is - getting the most from teams, driving to measurable results and fiscal responsibility. She commands audiences from customers, prospects, analysts, […]

On today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Mitch Russo, CEO of Russoplus.com about his two main ingredients that he brings to the table; Experience and Creativity – he will share how he started being an inspiring Rock Band Star on his way up in being an entrepreneur reaching $35MM in sales. Mitch has helped hundreds of coaches build a profitable practice through his MasterClass and through private client relationship. His greatest passion is helping CEOs get extreme leverage by building independent “tribes” of Certified Consultants. This mainly builds loyalty with your best clients and deeply engaging them through a powerful, integrated community which happens to drive massive profits year after year. He also has built powerful tools for his clients to license their IP and deploy their own Certified Consultant program quickly and successfully. Learn more about his program here, https://mitchrusso.com/

On today's episode, Jeff speaks with Mitch Russo, CEO of Russoplus.com about his two main ingredients that he brings to the table; Experience and Creativity - he will share how he started being an inspiring Rock Band Star on his way up in being an entrepreneur reaching $35MM in sales. Mitch has helped hundreds of […]

On today’s episode, Laura speaks with Bill Leake, CEO of Apogee Results. Bill talks about direct response marketing and how pattern recognition can be used to find what business model will have the most impact on optimization. Bill Leake, CEO of Apogee Results, draws on a deep expertise in both business and marketing to help increase revenues for a wide range of clients. He has been involved in driving provable revenues through Internet marketing techniques since the early 1990s when, as part of the management team at Power Computing, he built the first company to sell $1 million of product over the Internet. As founder of Apogee Results, he has guided the company from inception to its current position as the largest search engine marketing company in Texas, one of the 20 largest independents in North America and one of the fastest growing companies on the Inc. 500 / 5000 list. In addition to leading Apogee Results, Bill also serves as the president of the Austin Interactive Marketing Association, and as a judge in several prestigious internet marketing competitions. Bill is a sought after speaker in the online marketing sector, having been featured at ad:tech, Search Engine Strategies (SES), MarketingProfs, Search Marketing Expo (SMX), Online Marketing Summit (OMS), Integrated Marketing Summit (IMS), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi), and others. Before founding Apogee, Bill was President of Journyx, one of the earliest SAAS (software as a service) companies, which grew to become one of the 500 largest software companies in N. America. Prior to Journyx, he held leadership and executive positions at several public and private venture-capital backed firms, including Trusted Information Systems, Haystack Labs, Power Computing, and Dell. At Dell, Bill worked in the Office of the Chairman on several key strategic initiatives. Before Dell, Bill worked as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company. Bill received an M.B.A. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.A. from Yale University. For more on Bill Leake visit: About Bill For more on Apogee Results visit: Home

On today’s episode, Laura speaks with Bill Leake, CEO of Apogee Results. Bill talks about direct response marketing and how pattern recognition can be used to find what business model will have the most impact on optimization. Bill Leake, CEO of Apogee Results, draws on a deep expertise in both business and marketing to help […]

On today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Shaun Buck of The Newsletter Pro. Shaun talks about how he started his epreneurial journey as a teen in need of a way to raise a family and how he came to create The Newsletter Pro. He also talks about his experience in scaling and exiting from his entrepreneurial ventures and how to position yourself and view these investments. Shaun Buck has been a successful serial entrepreneur for almost two decades. He currently owns and operates The Newsletter Pro, based out of Boise, Idaho. The Newsletter Pro has only been operating since 2011, but it has rapidly grown into the nation’s largest custom newsletter company, mailing millions of newsletters annually. The Newsletter Pro has been recognized for their tremendous growth by Inc. Magazine, making the Inc. 500 list twice and the Inc. 5000 list once. The Newsletter Pro has also been named one of the best places to work in Idaho for the past three years. Shaun was named “Man of the Year” by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is a successful business coach to owners of million-dollar businesses. For more on The Newsletter Pro, visit: Home Tweets by Newsletter_Pro For more on Shaun Buck: Tweets by ShaunBuck To get your Free Copy of Shaun’s Book The Ultimate Guide to Newsletter Marketing Go to: https://www.thenewsletterpro.com/angel Or opt-in via Text “podcast” 208-269-9111

On today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Shaun Buck of The Newsletter Pro. Shaun talks about how he started his epreneurial journey as a teen in need of a way to raise a family and how he came to create The Newsletter Pro. He also talks about his experience in scaling and exiting from his entrepreneurial […]

On today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Kim Perell, entrepreneur, tech CEO, best-selling author, and angel investor. Kim talks about the importance of execution when it comes to succeeding as an entrepreneur and attracting investors. She also discusses what she has seen to be the key qualities in companies she has invested in that have successful exits. Kim has made headlines for her transformative story of a startup entrepreneur to a leading tech CEO and prominent angel investor. Laid off from her dream job out of college, Kim started her first company from her kitchen table, going from broke to a multi-millionaire by the time she was 30, and selling her last company for $235 million in 2014. Passionate about supporting other entrepreneurs, Kim is an angel investor in over 70 startups, 14 of which have successfully been acquired. Kim’s first book, The Execution Factor, The One Skill That Drives Success, is a national bestseller, designed to help others achieve success in business and life by mastering execution. Kim attributes her success to her ability to execute and believes that execution is a skill that can be learned, which inspired her to write The Execution Factor. Kim also launched The Execution Factor Fund with 100% of the proceeds from the book in order to support up and coming execution-led entrepreneurs with early stage investment. To learn more including how to apply for the fund, please visit KimPerell.com or follow Kim on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @KimPerell.

On today’s episode, Jeff speaks with Kim Perell, entrepreneur, tech CEO, best-selling author, and angel investor. Kim talks about the importance of execution when it comes to succeeding as an entrepreneur and attracting investors. She also discusses what she has seen to be the key qualities in companies she has invested in that have successful […]

On today’s show, Jeff speaks with Anthony Glomski, principal and founder of AG Asset Advisory, and author of Liquidity and You: A Personal Guide for Tech and Business Entrepreneurs Approaching an Exit. On the show, Anthony discusses important factors to consider as both an entrepreneur building a business, and as an investor. Anthony talks about surrounding yourself with the right people to build your business on secure footing to produce a successful exit, and what questions to ask when considering investing in a startup to maximize your investment. AG Asset Advisory is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in Los Angeles. Anthony works with a select group of successful tech and business entrepreneurs who are approaching a liquidity event to help them make smart decisions with their money. Anthony is a contributor on MariaShriver.com, a member of the Milken Institute Young Leaders Circle, and a member of the Silicon Beach Surfers. Anthony’s 18 years of diverse roles in financial services has taught him that many entrepreneurs are faced with a dilemma. As business owners, they were responsible for looking out for employees and family, but oftentimes no one was looking after them. Anthony founded his advisory firm to fill that void and now serves a select number of clients who’ve entrusted their personal, retirement, and legacy assets for management. Together with his strategic partners and staff, he helps affluent clients address their five biggest concerns: preserving their wealth, mitigating taxes, taking care of their heirs, ensuring that their assets aren’t unjustly taken, and charitable giving. He uses a consultative process to gain a detailed understanding of his clients’ deepest values and goals. He then employs customized recommendations designed to address each client’s unique needs and goals beyond simply consulting on investments. In the AG model, a client becomes the CEO of the client’s financial life, and AG becomes the client’s personal CFO. Originally from the Midwest, Anthony began his career at KPMG, a Big Four accounting firm in Chicago, where he audited private and publicly traded companies. He then moved to the front line of the investment world while working on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and in London in the early days of electronic trading. He relocated to San Francisco in time to experience the height of the dot-com boom firsthand. Anthony is a widely recognized leader in the financial advisor community. He is an author and public speaker and has made media appearances. He’s also an avid surfer, a member of the Porsche Club of America, and is involved with several charities. He splits his time between Los Angeles and New York. For more about AG Asset Advisory visit http://www.agassetadvisory.com/ For more about Anthony visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyglomski/ To get Anthony’s book visit https://www.liquidityandyou.com/

On today’s show, Jeff speaks with Anthony Glomski, principal and founder of AG Asset Advisory, and author of Liquidity and You: A Personal Guide for Tech and Business Entrepreneurs Approaching an Exit. On the show, Anthony discusses important factors to consider as both an entrepreneur building a business, and as an investor. Anthony talks about […]

On today’s show, Jeff speaks with Marty Schultz, angel investor, and award-winning software innovator and creator. Marty talks about how to know you are ready for investors, how to make sure you have a product that solves a pain that people are willing to pay for, and how to successfully navigate challenges and create growth. Marty Schultz (martyschultz.net) is a mentor-speaker, angel fund investor, award-winning innovator and creator of some of the top category-leading software companies over his expansive career. In 2014, Marty started Blindfold Games, an app development company that builds accessible games for the visually impaired community. The idea for Blindfold Games was conceived serendipitously during an after-school App Design Club he started at his daughter’s middle school. To date, the company has released over 80 games that promote learning through gamification. The games are enjoyed by over 10,000 visually impaired people from 7 to 70 years old, and recently surpassed the 500,000th download. In 2014, Marty started Blindfold Games, an app development company that builds accessible games for the visually impaired community. The idea for Blindfold Games was conceived serendipitously during an after-school App Design Club he started at his daughter’s middle school. To date, the company has released over 80 games that promote learning through gamification. The games are enjoyed by over 10,000 visually impaired people from 7 to 70 years old, and recently surpassed the 500,000th download. In 2005, he founded McGruff SafeGuard, a parental control system in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Council and McGruff the Crime Dog, a talking dog loved by generations of children, designed to increase crime awareness and personal safety. The service alerted parents to online dangers for their children, such as Internet predators, sexual abuse or drug use and provided helpful advice about online parenting issues. Throughout his career, Marty has received many awards and recognition for his work, including being named “Developer of the Year” (2015) and “Best iOS Game of the Year” (2016) at AppleVis’s Golden Apple Awards, as well as one of the “Technology Fast 500 in the US” by Deloitte & Touche and Software magazine’s “Top 500 Software Companies in the US” (2000). A firm believer in sharing his knowledge with others, Marty mentors entrepreneurs and presents at startup and venture capital conferences on how to bootstrap and grow software startups. His presentations include topics such as “Lessons Learned from Bootstrapping Companies” and “How My Hobby – Blindfold Games – Has Brightened the Lives of Thousands.” He holds a Certificate from the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program and earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.   Marty Schultz is a mentor-speaker, angel fund investor, award-winning innovator and creator of some of the top category-leading software companies over his expansive career. In 2014, Marty started Blindfold Games, an app development company that builds accessible games for the visually impaired community. The idea for Blindfold Games was conceived serendipitously during an after-school App Design Club he started at his daughter’s middle school. To date, the company has released over 80 games that promote learning through gamification. The games are enjoyed by over 10,000 visually impaired people from 7 to 70 years old, and recently surpassed the 500,000th download. In 2005, he founded McGruff SafeGuard, a parental control system in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Council and McGruff the Crime Dog, a talking dog loved by generations of children, designed to increase crime awareness and personal safety. The service alerted parents to online dangers for their children, such as Internet predators, sexual abuse or drug use and provided helpful advice about online parenting issues. In 2000, Mr. Schultz co-founded eSped (www.esped.com), an educational SaaS focusing on school districts providing services for special-needs students. He was also the founder and President of Omtool (www.omtool.com, 1991-1999), a company that provided enterprise messaging systems to Fortune 500 companies. Omtool completed an IPO in 1997 and was one of the top 500 software companies for several years. Prior to Omtool, Mr. Schultz founded and ran a company that enabled hundreds of computer resellers to prosper by selling the new generation of microcomputers. Throughout his career, Marty has received many awards and recognition for his work, including being named “Developer of the Year” (2015) and “Best iOS Game of the Year” (2016) at AppleVis’s Golden Apple Awards, as well as one of the “Technology Fast 500 in the US” by Deloitte & Touche and Software magazine’s “Top 500 Software Companies in the US” (2000). A firm believer in sharing his knowledge with others, Marty mentors entrepreneurs and presents at startup and venture capital conferences on how to bootstrap and grow software startups. His presentations include topics such as “Lessons Learned from Bootstrapping Companies” and “How My Hobby – Blindfold Games – Has Brightened the Lives of Thousands.” He holds a Certificate from the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program and earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. https://www.martyschultz.net/

On today’s show, Jeff speaks with Marty Schultz, angel investor, and award-winning software innovator and creator. Marty talks about how to know you are ready for investors, how to make sure you have a product that solves a pain that people are willing to pay for, and how to successfully navigate challenges and create growth. […]

On today’s episode, Greg speaks with investor Dennis Joyce about the difference between angel investors and venture capitalists, risk mitigation, and getting comfortable with “the pitch” that will draw in investors and sales. Dennis Joyce is an investor across multiple asset classes including commercial real estate, equities, and various alternative investments. He is an active member of Seattle’s Alliance of Angels and Puget Sound Venture Club and sits on the screening committee of both groups. His angel investments include Ripl, Blokable, Visual Vocal, Bluhaptics, and CityBldr. For more on Dennis Joyce visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-joyce-1501a85 For more on Puget Sound Venture Club visit: https://www.pugetsoundvc.com/ For more on Seattle’s Alliance of Angels visit: https://www.allianceofangels.com

On today’s episode, Greg speaks with investor Dennis Joyce about the difference between angel investors and venture capitalists, risk mitigation, and getting comfortable with “the pitch” that will draw in investors and sales. Dennis Joyce is an investor across multiple asset classes including commercial real estate, equities, and various alternative investments. He is an active […]

On today’s show, Cliff speaks with Tony Pompliano, President and CEO of ANEXIO, a Raleigh-based desktop to data center, infrastructure-as-a-service company. Tony talks about creating value for your product or service that draws in investors and delivers a successful return and profitable growth for the company. Since 2013, Tony had led ANEXIO to grow more than 1,400 percent as it builds new, mission critical infrastructure for the world’s most innovative organizations. This growth is in large part due to Tony’s expertise in mergers and acquisitions, as he’s led the company to successfully acquire several companies in the past few years. ANEXIO is included on the Inc 500 list of America’s fastest-growing privately held companies, and is transforming the IT industry by building high-performance technology infrastructure to serve the complex computing needs of the world’s most innovative companies. The company provides this mission-critical infrastructure across eight Tier III SOC-2 certified data centers, an IT solutions center, and a nationwide IP Network. ANEXIO continues to accelerate as the company builds new infrastructure for emerging technologies. For more on ANEXIO, visit https://www.anexio.com/ For more on Tony Pompliano, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypompliano/

On today’s show, Cliff speaks with Tony Pompliano, President and CEO of ANEXIO, a Raleigh-based desktop to data center, infrastructure-as-a-service company. Tony talks about creating value for your product or service that draws in investors and delivers a successful return and profitable growth for the company. Since 2013, Tony had led ANEXIO to grow more […]

On today’s show, Laura speaks with Hiten Shah, owner and President of MES, Inc. Hiten speaks about his positive spin on failure and how it can always be turned into a lesson on developing better long-term strategies. Hiten also talks about the importance defining what you do well, and what you better than anyone else, and how it is critical to continually redefine that, as clients and the market change. Hiten Shah believes that human beings have unlimited potential and he is the living proof. Having started his career as a plastics engineer, Hiten knew very little about overseeing a global supply chain. But with an experience as key manager, process engineer, engineering manager then director of engineering, vice president of sales, and director of joint venture sales, he was ready for the challenge. Hiten built MES, Inc. on a culture of trust and honesty, where employees have the freedom to express themselves and where everyone in the company strives to treat all people—coworkers, customers, and suppliers—fairly and transparently. MES today incorporates both his ambitious work ethic and his personal values. Hiten credits a lot of his success to his wife of 27 years, Heena. MES develops custom engineered solutions by leveraging global manufacturing resources and implementing comprehensive supply chain solutions. It follows five distinct steps from finding and auditing suppliers to developing their quality systems, consolidating shipments at various ports, performing domestic value-added operations and warehousing near customers and shipping Just-In-Time. For more about MES, Inc. visit: http://www.mesinc.net/ For more on Hiten Shah, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/hitenshahmes/

On today’s show, Laura speaks with Hiten Shah, owner and President of MES, Inc. Hiten speaks about his positive spin on failure and how it can always be turned into a lesson on developing better long-term strategies. Hiten also talks about the importance defining what you do well, and what you better than anyone else, […]