Bar Napkin Business

Mike Smith is anything but the traditional startup entrepreneur. He's the founder of The Bay, an indoor skate park and creative haven for teenagers in Lincoln, Nebraska. He's also a must-see speaker, consultant, ambassador, author, and founder of Leadership Live, Find Your Grind, and Rabble Mill.  In this interview, we talk about:  Making outrageous commitments for the sake of a cause people care about Finding the right talent to move your company forward and putting people first Balancing demands on your time and prioritizing what matters Focusing on what you’re good at and relying on team rock stars to fill in the gaps Going from small beginnings to being a national celebrity and how that’s impacted his life and those around him  He recently published a book titled "Legacy vs. Likes" geared toward students and adults who are ready to challenge themselves to pursue a passion—especially if they're down to do good for the world along the way. "Legacy vs. Likes" dares you to stop talking and start doing. Learn more about Mike through his various organizations and leadership pursuits: https://www.mikesmithlive.com/speaker#speaker/bio https://www.leadershiplive.tv/about.php https://www.findyourgrind.com/about https://www.rabblemill.org   Connect with Mike: -@mikesmithlive (all social channels) -@findyourgrind (IG, Twitter), @findyourgrindofficial (FB) -@rabblemill (all social channels)  

Chris Brester is the CEO of Brester Construction, a second generation, family-owned company. Brester Construction is a general contracting and construction management firm based out of Lincoln, Nebraska. They’ve built their reputation by providing the highest level of integrity, quality and service in the work they do. In this interview we talk about: Chris' first work in construction at 10 years old Making his own mark on an established family business The importance of hiring for hustle and work ethic Tips to create a culture that keeps your first employees around The company values that motivate everything they do Learn more about Chris and Brester Construction on their website: www.bresterconstruction.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BresterConstruction.  

Spencer Munson's short stint working in a record store ignited his love of music that led to his full-time career as a music festival organizer and promoter of the arts. He's responsible for bringing 100 bands to Lincoln each year through Lincoln Calling, as well as filling the downtown with the sounds of Jazz each summer at the Sheldon Art Gallery. Learn about the challenges of building a non-profit organization, costly mistakes every festival organizer must learn, why music festivals are essential to attracting young talent, and how he makes money and manages artists inside his operation.  Lincoln Calling is a week filled with amazing music and local artisans surrounded by community and professional development. Over the course of one week in the fall Lincoln Calling draws thousands of concertgoers from around the country to catch over 100 bands in Downtown Lincoln. About Lincoln Calling: Lincoln Calling is the city’s premier, non-sports cultural event that specifically targets millennials and young professionals. In 2018 and beyond, this music festival that highlights some of the country’s and state’s most exciting emerging artists, is only growing bigger and better. With YP Week, Startup Week and more non-musical programming joining the fold, and killer headliners already confirmed, Lincoln Calling is on the cusp of securing a spot in the national music festival conversation. By supporting artists, venues and local promoters, it makes Lincoln’s music and arts scene even stronger. By drawing regional crowds to businesses in the heart of Lincoln, it helps stimulate our economy. And by injecting an influx of undeniably cool people and youth culture into the city, it makes Lincoln a more appealing place to live, work and play — valuable evidence for businesses aiming to attract and retain top talent. It is our vision is to make the state a globally recognized cultural destination. lincolncalling.com www.instagram.com/lincolncalling_ https://www.facebook.com/LincolnCalling/ https://twitter.com/LincolnCalling_ About Jazz in June: Jazz in June invigorates Lincoln’s cultural landscape and provides distinctive character as the community’s “signature free event.” It sparks community engagement among all demographics in the city and supports positive urban culture in downtown Lincoln. This community-centric program traditionally serves 25,000 people over the course of four Tuesdays in June. In 2017, Jazz in June enjoyed success not only with well-attended performances, but also within the community and classroom. Artists spent hours leading youth workshops in cultural and education centers. The musicians also discussed career paths and theory while engaging students in the University’s music department. With the overwhelming success of 2017’s performance by 5-time GRAMMY Award-winner Terence Blanchard, Jazz in June is striving to book more world renown artists and educators in the future. The majority of Jazz in June planning is undertaken by a part-time dedicated staff member and a board of volunteers. These individuals plan and execute fundraising, research, community partner development, educational programs, and new marketing strategies. It is the organization’s objective to create a diverse volunteer staff and stable funding base for the community series. The comprehensive funding plan includes support from local foundations, corporations, and individuals. With ample and diverse sources of funding the organization can stay financially viable through any economic climate. The audience of Jazz in June is a reflection of the Lincoln community. People of all ages, economic backgrounds, and diverse heritage regularly attend the program, achieving several key missions of the program. Jazz in June will strive to benefit the community through strong partnerships with other local organizations, elected officials, advocacy groups, businesses, and faith communities. The development of more education before and during the event through culturally sensitive workshops, youth interaction, and interdisciplinary collaboration will continue. The series will also feature artists of color and further support diversity on stage and in the audience. jazzinjune.com https://www.instagram.com/jazzinjuneunl https://www.facebook.com/jazzinjuneunl/ https://twitter.com/JazzInJuneunl

Christopher Aumueller first came up with the idea for FanWord while playing tennis in college. Using his design skills, he mocked up an early prototype. With a small loan from his family, he paid a developer to bring that prototype to life. He's quick to acknowledge that the early "product" is not even close to what the platform is today! In this interview, we dig into the business he’s building, the mistakes he’s made along the way, and how he keeps an open mind to pivot toward what the customer wants in the end. FanWord is a college sports news & media platform. At FanWord, we believe that each athlete and team has an inspiring story to tell. Our goal is to highlight these stories, give them the recognition they deserve, and establish a supportive community of college sports enthusiasts. Website: http://bit.ly/fanword_homepage Blog: http://bit.ly/fanword_blog Facebook: http://bit.ly/fanword_facebook Twitter: http://bit.ly/fanword_twitter Instagram: http://bit.ly/fanword_instagram LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/fanword_linkedin

Dennis Doerfl and his cofounder first developed the idea for Fourstarzz Media while they were working for Groupon in Europe, recognizing the need for an influencer marketing "search engine" to make it easier in deploying influencer marketing as an effective tactic for businesses all over the world. Fourstarzz helps marketers find social media personalities – known as influencers – faster by leveraging extensive data analysis to not only find advertising campaign-relevant influencers but also provide the necessary information to connect marketers with the appropriate influencer agents or networks. For more information, visit www.fourstarzz.com In this episode with Dennis, we cover questions such as: What is a micro influencer and how could they boost your brand message online? Should you compensate influencer marketers to represent your brand? Where do you go to find these influencers? Which platform is still the hottest and most results-driven for influencer marketing? Why does Dennis believe the Midwest is one of the best places to build and grow a business? Connect with Fourstarzz on social media: https://twitter.com/_fourstarzz_ https://www.instagram.com/fourstarzz/ https://www.facebook.com/fourstarzzmedia/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/10515033/

If you've ever watched Saturday Night Live or attended a show at Second City in Chicago, you're familiar with the concept of Improv -- at least as an observer. But Gina Trimarco believes improv training can be beneficial for executives, sales professionals, and anyone who has to communicate to do their job!  In this episode we talk about:  How to build a product that people need when they want something else Running tests to identify how to position your product How Gina leveraged free tools like TripAdvisor for her improve theater to be the #1 attraction in her area Why you have to use the customer’s words in your marketing The hidden benefits of hosting a weekly podcast Gina Trimarco is the founder and owner of Carolina Improv and Pivot10 Results where she helps shift people problems into performance results. She is also the host of the Pivotal Leader Podcast, featuring interviews with modern and pivotal business leaders who share their experiences and anecdotal success stories to inspire rising leaders to shift their own organizational cultures to higher success. Learn more at pivot10results.com or listen to the The Pivotal Leader on iTunes. If you visit Myrtle Beach, make sure to stop in for a show at Carolina Improv as well! 

source. eat fit was founded in 2014 by Dawn Steffen and her brother to remedy the frustration of being able to eat clean and fit on the go. They make fresh, healthy meals daily that are ready to eat that last up to 7 days. But with this comes many unique challenges, such as keeping food fresh, being healthy without being boring, and remaining a leader in the ultra-competitive health and fitness industry.  In this episode we talk with Dawn about: The biggest surprise she found in running her business The importance of partnerships and securing the right vendors How she used custom software to streamline her operation Why you have to “live it” to grow your business Learn more about Dawn and source. eat fit at https://www.sourceeatfit.com/ or visit them on Facebook or Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/sourceEATFIT/ https://www.instagram.com/source.eatfit/   

Matt Motsick is the CEO of SWIVEL Software, and the founder of Catapult (he has since sold and exited the company). SWIVEL Software empowers digital logistics for freight forwarders and importers/exporters.  The company boasts a mix of customers from across the supply chain spectrum that have a global network of offices using its web-based systems.  In this interview we talk about: His first client and how that experience shaped his product offering How he scraped together $100,000 of starting capital to build a company that would later sell for millions Tips for negotiating with venture capitalists The importance of hiring the right people to achieve your vision What it’s like to lead a company in the US that’s based in Hong Kong Matt also serves as an advisor/mentor to the TechStars Kansas City location. Learn more about SWIVEL Software at their website: http://swivelsoftware.com or on social media @swivelsoftware.

Levrack triples your storage space by combining the best of pallet racking and mobile-aisle shelving. A company that's only a few years old, the concept was birthed out of an agricultural operation that saw an opportunity to better utilize space on the shop floor. Enlisting the help of an engineer friend, the founders developed a solution that has agricultural and garage enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.  Discover the challenge of manufacturing a product, managing logistics, and the power of influencers and reality TV to generate interest and drive sales. Learn more about Ryan and his company, Levrack, at www.levrack.com.  Check out photos of their product on social media at www.levrack.com/facebook. 

The newest idea on the street is blockchain technology. While it's not new by any stretch, it's rapidly gaining popularity as the go-to technology to build and develop. In both private spaces and corporate board rooms, people are having conversations about block chain and how it will revolutionize our world. Because of this, people like Edward Weniger and Kyle Tautenhan have started setting up groups to facilitate discussion and idea sharing about this topic. The founders of the Blockchain Development Group, and brains behind the Midwest Block-a-thon, the largest blockchain event in the region, Edward and Kyle talk about what to expect at this event, why blockchain is so intriguing, and how you can get involved.  This episode is guest hosted by Luke Hansen, founder of CompanyCam and a self-professed blockchain/bitcoin enthusiast.  Learn more at www.block-a-thon.com. 

Casey Donner is the founder of Kiss and Makeup, a Beauty Boutique. But she is also a local social media influencer in her city, leveraging her accounts to connect with followers and brands in her area about beauty, makeup, and more. In this episode we talk about: Building a business through contractors instead of employees How she handles being a local “social media influencer” and what makes a successful social media influencer event The battle against the changing Facebook algorithm  How she targets prospective clients with Facebook ads The importance of transparency in building a brand  The creepy and dark side of social media  Learn more about Casey and her business on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Kiss-And-Makeup-A-Beauty-Boutique-366527456694312/.

Tyler Sprunk started his first business when he was still in college. Excited by the opportunity to put his marketing and advertising skills to work, he and his business partners owned and operated Forgelight Creative for nearly 3 years before they decided to call it quits.  Now, over a year later, Tyler is putting his lessons learned to good use as the CMO of a different Midwest-based marketing agency and he's not afraid to talk about learning from failure. In this interview we talk about the challenges he faced in his first business, what he learned the hard way in building and growing an agency, the importance of pricing your services, and how a bad hire or client fit can challenge a young company.  Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn or Twitter. Learn more about his current role at www.simplestrat.com/about.

Ciara Searight is the founder of the first circus gym in Nebraska and the epitome of starting a business on a bar napkin, with the vision for her first business starting on a napkin at Yia Yia’s pizza. Ciara is also the owner of Tangerine Salon, which will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary. In this episode we talk about what it’s like to be the first to do something different, her perspective on risk and getting out of your comfort zone, and why a little bit of publicity can go a long way. Learn more about Ciara’s businesses on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/TangerineHairArtistSalon/ https://www.facebook.com/BigTopCenter/  

Courtney Lockridge started a business in college called Nebraska Wedding Day. She grew that magazine and media platform to a regional leader and later sold the business in order to focus on her family. She says she's still an entrepreneur at heart, but she's shifted her focus to....MLM? Courtney recently decided to become a market partner for Monat, a direct sales company that offers specialty hair products. But does joining an MLM company mean that you're an entrepreneur? Or just a sales person? Is it a pyramid scheme? What's the risk if you can just start selling?  In this interview, we dive into a lively discussion of what she believes are positive and negatives points of coming into a MLM opportunity, and how Facebook and online communities have become a new "norm" for social selling but don't replace the face to face meetings. Learn more about Courtney at courtneylockridge.mymonat.com. 

Dan Sloan is one of the owners of The Mill Coffee & Tea. A self-professed recovering accountant, he's been running his business for decades - long before the emergence of Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, or even McCafe Coffee. Despite the prevalence of national chains and the development of new coffee brands nationwide, The Mill has continued to grow and prosper in the community of Lincoln Nebraska. On this episode of Bar Napkin Business, we talk about going from one location to four, building a brand people want to be part of, the importance of hiring for talent even when you think you can't afford it, and why people choose to frequent a local coffee house (hint: it has to do with experience!). Learn more about The Mill Coffee & Tea at www.themillcoffee.com or visit them on Facebook.

opendorse is the athlete marketing platform that helps the biggest brands in sports share content on social. Started as an idea while founders Adi and Blake were running a social media agency, they've now secured millions in funding and work with hundreds of athletes, agencies, and brands to share content online. In this episode we talk to co-founder Adi Kulanic about coming to America when he was little, his short time as a professional athlete, how they started the company, and challenges they've experienced along the way.   Learn more at www.opendorse.com or follow them on social media. 

Erik Hustad is best known as the co-founder of a Midwest foodie favorite - Honest Abe's restaurant. From food truck to a brick and mortar food and beverage business, Erik's learned a thing or two about building an experience that customers want to be part of. He's also learned when to call it quits, how to pivot quickly, and how to swallow your pride and learn from failure. In this podcast episode, we talk about his journey from culinary school in Seattle to starting and growing a restaurant group in Lincoln, Nebraska. Learn more about Honest Abe's at grounduprestaurants.com or follow them on Facebook. 

Brandon Akert was a college student when he pitched the idea for Gate 25 Restaurant. After approaching dozens of people and getting shot down, he eventually found a believer to invest in his idea - and that started him down the path of entrepreneurship. In this episode, we talk about the story of Gate 25, how he structured his financial risk, the new endeavors he’s working on, and the lessons learned along the way. We also learn about the one thing that scares him more than anything else. Get the details, menu, and more at www.gate25lnk.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Today's world is driven by word of mouth online - and that word of mouth often comes in the form of online reviews. Whether you like it or not, your business is just as susceptible to a bad review as it is a good review.  Jessica Sodeke has been reviewing businesses on Yelp for years - at such a level that she's earned the title of "Elite Yelp Reviewer" by the platform itself. She's reviewed over 400 places and posted nearly 4,000 photos of her experiences. Get an inside perspective on her tips for businesses to earn five star reviews, how to manage bad reviews, and why storytelling is essential to your customer experience.  Read Jessica's reviews and connect with her on Yelp at https://jsodeke.yelp.com. 

Ben Pankonin is the CEO and Cofounder of Social Assurance, a marketing and software company that helps financial brands market with confidence.  In this interview with Ben, we dig into the concept of trust - and why it takes admitting that you've been through a challenge in order to build it. We also talk about the foundational elements of a good story and why conflict, or "the hard stuff", in inevitable in building a brand that people want to follow.  Ben has been recognized as the Silicon Prairie News 2017 Executive of the Year, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce 2017 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Winner, and Pipeline Innovator of the Year.  Learn more about Social Assurance at www.socialassurance.com. 

Adam Holmberg and Matt Gohring are the owners of Code Beer in Lincoln, Nebraska. In this interview, we talk with Adam about his experience starting the brewery while still keeping his full time job and the challenge of growing a brewery following in a community that was quickly becoming saturated by craft beer and tap rooms. While they thought they knew what it took to brew beer, Adam and Matt quickly realized that building a business around their hobby was harder than anticipated. Learn how they bought their equipment from Goose Island, had to haul it back to Nebraska, the mistakes they made, and the plans gone awry. Learn more about Code Beer at codebeer.co or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Infogressive, a fast-growing company that provides around-the-clock cybersecurity services with custom and personalized support to keep your organization safe and protected. In this interview with Founder and CEO, Justin Kallhoff, we dive into how he started his business, some of the lessons he learned the hard way in growing his business, the common ways most businesses compromise their own security, and how they adopted the "Netflix" business model for the next generation of their company growth.  Justin is also a fellow through Pipeline, a network of high-performing entrepreneurs who call the Midwest home. Learn more at Infogressive.com or follow them on LinkedIn.

Devon Seacrest has tried his hand at a number of entrepreneurial pursuits. Starting first with hand sewing clothes for beannie babies, he now focuses his efforts on ScoutSheet -- a high growth software company helping businesses transform the outbound sales process.  ScoutSheet is designed for high-growth technology companies doing outbound sales.  This smart list-building technology allows you to build your own custom lists of people or companies using relationship mapping and live data gathering. In this interview, we talk about the challenges they face, the entrepreneurial program that's help contribute to his success, and the common question people ask about data privacy. 

Defy Ventures is an entrepreneurship, employment, and character development training program for currently and formerly incarcerated men, women, and youth. On this episode, we talk to Jeremy Bouman, executive director of Nebraska, about his experience in helping individuals launch and start a company after serving time in prison.  Learn about the types of businesses prisoners can start for less than $20,000 and some of the success stories from Defy Ventures nationwide. Defy Ventures transforms the lives of business leaders and people with criminal histories through their collaboration along the entrepreneurial journey. To get more insight about Defy Ventures, visit defyventures.org.

John is a Professional EOS® Implementer, Visionary, and Founder of Gear80. He helps business owners stop spinning their wheels and get more profit, enjoyment from their work, and time with their families. An EOS® Implementer combines a passion for helping entrepreneurs and their leadership teams with the skills and experience to help strengthen all Six Key Components™ of their business. Learn why John is building a business this way, how he helps others find sanity and grow their business, and the failures and learnings it took to get to where he is today. Visit Gear80.co for more information.

Edward Weginer is the founder of Alpha BTC, a trusted bitcoin (BTC) leader offering advocacy, implementation and consulting services for retail, eCommerce and other organizations in the Midwest. Bitcoin is a decentralized, digital currency used as a means to transfer value around the world. Released to the public in 2008, it has grown into a network of miners and users of all shapes and sizes worldwide. On this episode we talk about bitcoin, how to get started, and some of the ups and downs Edward has experienced in building a business based on cryptocurrency.  Learn more at alphabitcoin.com or visit them on facebook. Learn more about the Midwest Block-a-thon at www.block-a-thon.com.

Pink Gorilla Events is an independent event production company founded in 2008. Events that are owned and run by Pink Gorilla Events include the Market to Market Relay Series, Good Life Halfsy half marathon, Born & Raced In Nebraska 10K Series, Leprechaun Chase 10K, Cornfield Cornfield 10K and Harvest Moon Hustle 10K. They excel at creating unique, large scale hyper-local, signature running experiences that appeal to elite athletes as well as the casual fun-runner. On this episode we talk with Zach Harsin, COO of Pink Gorilla Events and one of the equity partners of the company. Learn how his previous company merged with Pink Gorilla, the unique way he approaches sponsorship, and why customer service is the ultimate marketing strategy.   Learn more at www.pinkgorillaevents.com or visit them on Facebook. 

Whether you're looking for specific deals or a local place for food, drink, or shopping, there's a good chance you'll use your smartphone to discover options. That's exactly what Mailani Veney wants you to do. Her company, DealAnyDay, gives you a free, no-registration, no-coupon list of deals in your city. Your list is made by people, for people.  In this episode we talk about the idea behind the company, the philosophy of building a business the "Hawaiian way", and the desire for her to build a startup ecosystem other woman tech entrepreneurs like herself.  Learn more at www.dealanyday.com, download the app, or visit them on Facebook! 

Angela Garbacz believes in dessert at every meal. Which is fitting, considering she owns Goldenrod Pastries - one of Nebraska's favorite pastry shops. But her journey to owning a bakery started as a food blog, transformed into a side hustle, and eventually into a brick and mortar bakery.  In this interview, we dive into the challenges Angela faced in building her business, including a frustrating first meeting with a banker when trying to get a bank loan; challenges in communicating with a construction crew when her only way to describe the build out was "it has to be cute"; and the social media philosophy that took her from a few fans to over 12,000 followers on Instagram.  Learn more at www.GoldenrodPastries.com or follow her on Facebook or Instagram at @Goldenrodpastries.

Evol Empire Creative is an end-to-end digital agency headquartered in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. Andrew Tuzson is the founder and mastermind behind Evol Empire Creative. In this interview we talk about the most important ingredients for success in launching and growing a company. We also dive into his journey in founding two agencies in two different states, slowing down to scale up, and building a culture of hustle.  Learn more at www.evolempirecreative.com.

TJ Walker is one of the co-founders of Backswing Brewing Company - a new commercial brewing company that's less than 5 years old. The interesting thing about TJ's story is that he's kept his full time job while building this business on the side (mostly off hours and weekends). Learn about some of the risks they've had to take in growing the business, how he balances this crazy passion with his responsibilities as a dad and husband, and why he's looking forward to having a work-free labor day for the first time in 20 years.  Learn more at backswingbrewing.com or visit them on Facebook. 

This episode is Part II of the interview with Bulu Box co-founder Paul Jarrett. In this interview we dive deeper into the data and analytics side of the business - from the vision of what this looked like early on, to the sale of that part of the company to an outside party. Paul shares what he learned in collecting and managing "big data" and how the sale came from an unlikely conversation.  We also dive into the advice Paul has for entrepreneurs, and the books and philosophies that helped him grow Bulu Box as a whole. Learn more at www.bulubox.com. 

Bulu Box is the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best.  Every month, you'll get a box filled with 4 to 5 premium, curated samples from top brands. In this interview, we talk with co-founder Paul Jarrett about his journey in building Bulu Box, spamming friends in the early days, and managing the tricky dance of asking for money.  In his career, Paul has launched million dollar brands such as Neebo and executed multi-facted campaigns for Lowe's and Nike. In 2010, Paul joined Complete Nutrition where he became the Vice President of Marketing and an Executive Board Member. He built the MarComm department, trained dozens of franchises and positioned Complete Nutrition and its products for success in a saturated market. The company's growth skyrocketed. In fact, it was one of the fastest growing startups in the U.S. Paul's experience at Complete Nutrition was the precursor to starting his own company. In 2012, Bulu Box was born. Learn more at www.bulubox.com. 

AMPT is a customizable employee engagement recognition platform for small, medium and enterprise size businesses. Started in 2013, the founders of AMPT realized the current system of engaging and recognizing employees was broke. Combining the talents of a human motivation expert and the founder of a gaming platform, AMPT was created to provide recognition AMPt-lified on the largest of scales. Craig Spilker joined the company as Chief Strategy Officer, after working in a sports technology startup and coaching baseball. In this interview, we talk about the "atta-boys" in the workplace, how you can build a thriving small business culture, and the mindset needed to overcome failure. Find out more about AMPT at www.amptnow.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. 

Tasty Good Toffee is a local favorite for sweets lovers -- boasting mouthwatering flavors and some fun surprises, like toffee with a hint of ghost pepper. But that wasn't always the case for owner Katie Becker, who started the business as a side hustle, or as she says, "more of a hobby to keep grandma's toffee recipe alive". However, after she lost her job, she was forced to act on her dream of taking the business full time. Learn how she has moved from craft shows and pop ups to wholesale, and the critical decisions she needs to make in order for her business to grow.  Learn more at www.tastygoodtoffee.com, or visit Tasty Good Toffee on Facebook or Instagram! 

In this episode of Bar Napkin Business, we delve into the previous 10 episodes and share nuggets of wisdom from each of our guests. Lessons range from hiring employees and the first scary years of entrepreneurship to money woes and making the numbers work. Get a quick recap of the top 10 lessons, and if you want to dive in even further, go back and listen to the episodes that interest you most! To learn more about Bar Napkin Business, visit www.barnapkinbusiness.co or visit us on Facebook or Instagram. 

While you receive the tools and training in hair school to be a good cosmetologist, the training of running and growing your own business often comes from the school of hard knocks. Salon owners Kylie and Steph attribute their business savvy and risk-taking tolerance to the advice of friends and family. Never being afraid to ask questions and keeping an eye on the future rather than short term gains has led them to leasing commercial space and launching the next phase of their business. Listen in on this interview as we talk about the pivotal moments in their business, why they decided to invest in a "suites" model, and what they've learned along the way.  Learn more about Bah-shah Salon & Suites at their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Bah-shah-salon-suites-151596654927756/. To learn more about Bar Napkin Business or enter the weekly giveaway, visit barnapkinbusiness.co or search Facebook or Instagram for Bar Napkin Business. 

Kelsey Hearnen was one of the early employees of Spreetail - an ecommerce company that started in the founders' garage in 2006, and now employs over 200 people. Fast growing companies like Spreetail have a unique perspective on hiring and on-boarding new talent, often bringing on multiple employees in a single day. In this Bar Napkin Business interview, Kelsey shares the lessons learned along the way, including their specific process for hiring, why culture is as important as salary, and the growing pains they've experienced with the rapid growth of their company! To learn more about Spreetail, visit www.spreetail.com or www.vminnovations.com or catch them on Facebook by searching "Spreetail". Enter to win the weekly Bar Napkin Business giveaway at our Facebook or Instagram page, or join the email list at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. 

Mac Rodgers has spent the last several decades building and growing businesses in a variety of industries. His resume includes regional manager of a national data company and CEO of a multimillion dollar organization. He now spends his time consulting with small businesses and startups to help them build healthy, sustainable, and profitable businesses. On this episode we dig into the common mistakes that small businesses make and how they can be avoided. Hint: A lot of the mistakes have to do with money, planning, and people. Get entered to win the weekly Bar Napkin Business giveaway by visiting our Facebook or Instagram page. Behind the scenes footage and tips showcased on our social media accounts as well. For guest ideas, email show@barnapkinbusiness.co.

SP Group is an accounting and CPA firm with a focus on helping clients with not only tax challenges, but also interpreting their numbers and making sound business decisions. Dave Swan, one of the founders of SP Group, started the business at age 27. Originally launching with a business partner, Dave's plans were rattled a bit when his business partner changed his mind a few days after launching the business. Learn more about his journey, tips for growing a service based business, and why they killed their mission statement. Learn more about SP Group at www.spgrouppc.com. Get entered to win the weekly Bar Napkin Business giveaway by visiting our Facebook or Instagram page. 

Paper Kite is a cheerful, brick and mortar boutique located in the charming College View neighborhood of Lincoln, Nebraska. Catering to “baby, home, and her”, each of their thoughtfully selected goods are handmade by local and regional artisans whenever possible. The shop is founded and managed by Meg Magsamen and has grown from one location to two in the last few years. In this episode, we talk about her first year in business and the emotions that strike any first time business owner. We also dig into the strategies behind growth, including Instagram and having an innate sense for what her customers want. For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Learn more about Meg and Paper Kite at www.paperkiteshop.com, or follow her on instagram at @paperkiteshop.

Jon Camp is a household name in the commercial real estate business in Lincoln, Nebraska. The founder of Haymarket Developers, Jon saw an opportunity several decades ago and took a huge risk in investing in dilapidated buildings in the city's downtown district, now called the Haymarket. Join us as we talk with Jon about risking his money, relationships, and identity to build a thriving commercial real estate business in one of the midwest's top startup cities. Discover the two things that he believes are essential to being an entrepreneur, and the one word that doesn't exist in his vocabulary. For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Learn more about Jon Camp and Haymarket Developers at http://lincolnhaymarket.com/.

Brett Byman grew up in an entrepreneurial family, helping his family in their business of cleaning and maintaining Interstate facilities. A unique study abroad opportunity in college resulted in a taste of startups and high growth companies, to which he couldn't get enough. After graduating college and completing a "technology entrepreneurial bootcamp", he connected with another co-founder and along with a team, developed Nobl - a company that utilizes technology to improve communication, workflow, and processes for healthcare providers. After four years growing that business, he's now focusing on a new entrepreneurial venture called Retail Aware -- a startup that provides real-time analytics to manufacturers in retail stores. In this interview we talk about the challenges of raising money, building and growing a startup, getting people to believe in your idea, and why he would rather swim with sharks than climb Mount Everest!  For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Connect with Retail Aware at www.retailaware.com.

Luke Hansen grew up helping his dad with the family roofing business. When he moved into a manager role, he discovered there was no easy way to track progress at a job site or communicate about deliveries of supplies. So, he went to work - getting an MVP built with the help of a local software company and launched the company now known as Company Cam. Rather than building a product to serve just their company, Luke and his team realized they could sell their product to other businesses that were similar to theirs. Listen to this interview as we talk about the challenging aspects of building a software company from a small business beginning, hiring people, and the most valuable character traits he looks for when building a team.  For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Connect with Company Cam at www.companycam.com or on Facebook or Instagram!

As a candle maker, how do you go from the kitchen table to retail shelves? On this episode of Bar Napkin Business, we dig into the accidental entrepreneurial journey of Alicia Reisinger, founder of Wax Buffalo. In just a couple of years, Alicia has taken her business from a home-based hobby to a small scale operation, with a commercial space and distribution to over 30 stores across the country. Learn more about Alicia's key learnings in growing her business, the Hollywood and celebrity story linked to her brand, and the narrative behind the scents and products.  For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Connect with Wax Buffalo at www.waxbuffalo.com or on Facebook or Instagram!

Ever dream of turning your hobby into a business? On this episode of Bar Napkin Business, we chat with Marcus Powers, COO and Co-Founder of Zipline Brewery in Lincoln, Nebraska. Though Marcus never thought he'd go from home brew to commercial production, a chance encounter with two fellow brewing enthusiasts changed his mind. A short while later, he found himself in a world of business plans, loans, distributors, and employees -- in one of the fastest growing breweries in the region. Learn more about Marcus' journey and what he learned along the way about success, failure, and the most important parts of running and growing a business. For behind the scenes content and videos, visit Bar Napkin Business at www.barnapkinbusiness.co. Connect with Zipline Brewery at www.ziplinebrewing.com. 

IT'S BAR TALK. JUST FOR SMALL BUSINESS. Looking to grow your company or small business? Join us each week for Bar Napkin Business as we share actionable tips and insights from business owners who've faced every challenge in the book. Hosted by Matt Taylor and Ali Schwanke. If you want to increase your profits and grow your small business, we've got the quick and dirty tips to get you there. Plus it's free, and it's filmed at a bar. Does it get any better?