Making It Work

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from our Season 3 special. Ben Brooks explores the value of company culture for small businesses. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 9. Our entrepreneurs discussed the mistakes they made in that first year. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 8. When is it finally time to quit the day job? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 7. In this episode, our entrepreneurs discussed the tricky topic of micromanagement. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3 Episode 6. Navigating the murky waters of customer opinions. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 5. In an SEO-led world, how can entrepreneurs gain that vital edge? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 4. Our entrepreneurs discuss the value of awesome packaging. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 3. Just why do entrepreneurs find it so hard to stop and smell the flowers? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 2. Supply chains are rattling worldwide. How do small businesses cope? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 3, Episode 1. How do you hire – and keep – good people? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 2, Episode 4. In this episode, our entrepreneurs discuss the role that innovation plays in the path to success.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer  

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 2, Episode 7. We talk about the pros and cons of going global.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 2, Episode 1. Our entrepreneurs discuss the opportunities and challenges of seasonal selling.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 2, Episode 6. Online reviews are a hot topic. How do you handle the raters and haters? Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from our Season 2 ‘Ask the Expert' Special. Jason ‘Retailgeek' Goldberg discusses the changing retail landscape for small business owners.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from our Season 2 ‘Ask the Expert' Special. Jason ‘Retailgeek' Goldberg discusses the changing retail landscape for small business owners.   Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 1, Episode 3. What are the pros and cons of hiring your nearest and dearest?Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 1, Episode 8. Competition is a constant companion to doing business, but just how can small companies compete with the giants?Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 1, Episode 2. In this episode, we talked about the tricky business of firing your employees.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 1, Episode 7. In a competitive employee market, just how can you make your people feel valued?Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

This is a bitesize compilation of all the best bits from Season 1, Episode 6. Our entrepreneurs talked about the shark-infested waters of investors and investing.Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

We all make mistakes. And making mistakes can be frustrating, even if we all know, deep down, that's the best way to learn. But when you've raised the stakes and invested all of your time, energy and money into a brand new business, that frustration can turn into disaster and failure. The question is, at what point does a mistake go from 'vital life lesson' to 'end of the road'? In Season 3, Episode 9 of Making It Work, we speak to Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers and Ana Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So what are the most common catastrophes for a fledgling company? And is making mistakes a crucial component of success? Tune in to find out. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. Visit fedex.com/MakingitWorkoffer

We've all thought about quitting our jobs. Some may have even fantasized about it. But while most of us are waiting for that lottery payout before we march into our boss's office, entrepreneurs will have to bite the bullet at some point. The burning question is: when? In Season 3, Episode 8 of Making It Work, we speak to Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Dana Donofree of AnaOno and Ana Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So how do you know when to take the plunge and hand in your notice? And is there ever really a good time to do it? Tune in to find out. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. fedex.com/makingitworkoffer

Small business owners can have a big problem with micromanagement. But one person's toxic work culture can be another's collaborative approach, and when you own your own business, striving for perfection can mean you're a stickler for a tried-and-tested method. So is micromanagement even a bad thing? In Season 3, Episode 7 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers and Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters. So why do so many entrepreneurs turn into micromanagers? And what can you do to avoid becoming one? Tune in to find out. Exclusive offer for Making It Work listeners! Open a FedEx account and SAVE UP TO 40% on shipping services, including residential and delivery area surcharges. fedex.com/makingitworkoffer

We've already given the Making It Work entrepreneurs quite the grilling this season. So as they take time out to source new suppliers and update their investors, Tom got a class in 'culture' from HR Influencer Ben Brooks. In this Season 3 'Ask the Expert' special of Making It Work we talk to PILOT CEO Ben Brooks about why a distinct company culture is vital for sustained success and why diversity might not be for you. Let's see how this 'no size fits all' approach to culture and diversity can benefit you as an entrepreneur. So can a clear company culture really benefit a small business? Or is it all just a consultancy cash cow? Tune in to find out. You can find Ben Brooks on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or on pilot.coach

"Got a minute? We'd love to hear your feedback" is a phrase we've all become familiar with. Whether it's through a pop-up, email or good old-fashioned phone call, small businesses are keener than ever to know what we think. But in an era of social media and online reviews, is this candid criticism always welcome? In Episode 3, Season 6 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and And Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So how do you distinguish constructive critics from the habitual haters? And, at the end of the day, can you really please everyone? Tune in to find out.

SEO is the holy grail of online marketing. But optimizing your content to rank higher on Google can be easier said than done, especially if you're an entrepreneur who's strapped for time and strapped for cash. Let's see how these business owners create content that reflects their brand story, and how you can do the same – on a budget. In Episode 5, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do you create content that really converts? And is setting up a blog all a waste of time? Tune in to find out.

The pandemic really boosted online shopping and home deliveries, paving the way for a whole different kind of retail therapy: the unboxing experience. After all, retail stores don't really care about the box that products are delivered in – but if you buy direct from a small business, you want to know the story behind their product. Let's find out how entrepreneurs perfect their packaging. In Episode 4, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do you create that doorstep ‘wow' factor? And can you deliver it on a budget? Tune in to find out.

We all have personal goals. But, as we strive to achieve them, it can be difficult to recognize those milestones along the way. By their own admission entrepreneurs have chosen a vocation with no end in sight, but with this limitless potential comes fierce determination – hardly a recipe for celebrating success. In Episode 3, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do small business owners celebrate their accomplishments? And why are some of them so bad at it? Tune in to find out.

In a 'next day delivery world' we're used to getting the products we buy, fast. But what does this mean for the entrepreneurs who make them? In pursuit of high quality goods and that rapid last mile, small businesses are enduring piles of paperwork, material shortages and longer lead times than ever. And that was before the pandemic. In Season 3 Episode 2 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So will the supply chain ever get back to where it was? And couldn't our entrepreneurs just make their stuff in the US? Tune in to find out.

When it comes to recruitment, entrepreneurs are now culture vultures. Interview questions used to be limited to past experience, salary expectations and your biggest weakness. Now interviewees are expected to bone up on the company culture and commit to embracing its mission and values. But in a tight labor market, does this still make sense? In Season 3 Episode 1 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Chait Razdan of Care+Wear. So how do you make sure you get that first hire right? And do people really still lie on their resumes? Tune in to find out.

This Summer, we are back. On June 16, we drop the first episode of a brand new season of Making It Work. So remember to join Kelli and Tom, as they talk to a whole new set of remarkable business owners and lift the lid on what life is really like as an entrepreneur. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Making It Work: the podcast featuring entrepreneurs who tell it like it is!

Hi there, and welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work.  This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 2, Episode 9. It was an episode about self-reflection, as we asked the entrepreneurs to look at their present and past selves and speak about how entrepreneurship changed their lives.   You can listen to the entire episode over herehttps://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/entrepreneurship-changed-me.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to check out all the other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitworkDon't forget to subscribe and tell us what you think! 

Welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 2, Episode 8. This time we discussed struggles with mental health. A warning that some of it will be difficult to listen to but these small business owners and everyone here at Making It Work want you to know that you are not alone. We believe talking about mental health is a vital first step.    You can listen to the entire episode over herehttps://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/struggling-with-mental-health.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to check out all the other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitworkDon't forget to subscribe and tell us what you think!

Welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work.    This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 2, Episode 5. We talked to four entrepreneurs about a very tricky topic- how to price your goods. You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/how-to-price-your-goods.html   And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to check out all the other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitworkDon't forget to subscribe and tell us what you think! 

Welcome to this special episode of Making It Work.  This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 2, Episode 3, where we talked about how to get your store online.    You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/how-to-build-an-online-store.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to check out all the other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork   Don't forget to subscribe and tell us what you think! 

Hi there, thanks for tuning in to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work.This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 2, Episode 2, where the entrepreneurs talked about how they manage their precious time.  You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/how-entrepreneurs-can-turn-off.html   And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to check out all the other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitworkDon't forget to subscribe and tell us what you think! 

This is a special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 1 Episode 10, where we asked our entrepreneurs to reflect on their time in business and tell us truthfully: when is it time to just give up and just call it a day? You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/when-you-should-give-up.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to listen to other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork Don't forget to subscribe and let us know what you think!

Welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 1 Episode 9, where we tackled the tricky topic of when to scale your business and asked: Can big ever be too big? You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/how-to-scale-your-business.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to listen to other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork Don't forget to subscribe and let us know what you think!

Welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 1 Episode 5, where five entrepreneurs taught us how to market your business in the age of influencers and Instafame. You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/marketing-in-instagram-age.html And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to listen to other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork Don't forget to subscribe and let us know what you think!

Thank you for tuning in to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from Season 1 Episode 4, where we talked to five entrepreneurs about the realities of working with factories in the US and abroad, and treading the fine line between quality and profit margin.   You can listen to the entire episode over here https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/making-it-work-podcast/working-with-factories-abroad.html    And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to listen to other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork Don't forget to subscribe and let us know what you think!

Welcome to this special bitesize episode of Making It Work. This is not a new episode but a collection of some of the best bits from our very first episode, where we discussed the important question: when should you start paying yourself? We talk to five entrepreneurs to get their advice on the delicate matter of paying yourself as a new business founder. You can listen to the entire episode over here www.fedex.com/en-us/small-busine…ying-yourself.html   And if you want to know more about the entrepreneurs, or want to listen to other episodes, head over to fedex.com/makingitwork   Don't forget to subscribe and let us know what you think!

In a time characterized by constant change, we’re reminded that we’re always evolving as human beings. Certain life choices or big events can shape a person’s life – and who better to testify to this than small business owners. In Season 2 Episode 9 of Making It Work we speak to Casey Kelley of Blended Designs, Ebun Olaloye of Live Breathe Futbol, Mayra Hernandez of Back of the Yards Coffee Co., Paul Pallas of SWISCO and Kat Samardzija of Locker Lifestyle. From believing in an idea to making it a reality, these five small business owners are no strangers to change. They share how entrepreneurship has impacted their lives. Does the reward of a new venture outweigh the risk? And how do you grow as a person in the process? Tune in to find out.

The pressures of entrepreneurship can sometimes be too much to handle. No wonder then that small business owners often suffer with depression and anxiety. But are struggles with mental health an inevitability when you own a company? It's time to talk. In Season 2 Episode 8 of Making It Work we speak to Mayra Hernandez of Back of the Yards Coffee Co., Paul Pallas of SWISCO, Dahlia Rizk of Buckle Me Baby Coats and Nik Hawks of Paleo Treats. From daily anxiety attacks to contemplating suicide, four small business owners speak candidly about their depreciating mental health – and the steps they've taken to manage it. So does the macho myth of entrepreneurship contribute to these feelings of hopelessness? Or do small business owners suffer the same as everybody else? Tune in to find out.

In an increasingly globalized world, it's never been easier for small businesses to reach new markets. So why do so many US entrepreneurs shun international sales to keep things ticking along at home? We’re going to take a look at the realities of going global and how the rewards can offset the risk. In Season 2 Episode 7 of Making It Work we speak to Manasi Gangan of Nested Bean, Casey Kelley of Blended Designs, Ebun Olaloye of Live Breathe Futbol and Paul Pallas of SWISCO. From shipping internationally by accident to answering customer queries with Google Translate, we ask the entrepreneurs how they went about global expansion – and why it can take time for this strategy to become profitable. So it is about time you translated your website into Spanish? Or should you just stick with sales to Canada? Tune in to find out.

When you're deciding which product to buy, online reviews are most people's first port of call. But what do small business owners think of the feedback? In Season 2 Episode 6 of Making It Work we speak to Manasi Gangan of Nested Bean, Casey Kelley of Blended Designs, Dahlia Rizk of Buckle Me Baby Coats and Paul Pallas of SWISCO. From seeking out negative criticism to sending out thank you cards, we take a look at how you can use buyers' feedback to make long-lasting changes – and ultimately strengthen your relationship with customers. So should you be taking that one-star review to heart? And how do dissatisfied customers react when you give them a call? Tune in to find out.

When you're passionate about your product, the price tag can often come as an afterthought. But when you factor in marketing, manufacturing and those sometimes-fiddly customs fees, it's vital you think about your margin. Otherwise, you could be looking at a loss. In Season 2 Episode 5 of Making It Work we speak to Mayra Hernadez of Back of the Yards Coffee Co, Casey Kelley of Blended Designs, Dahlia Rizk of Buckle Me Baby Coats and Kat Samardzija of Locker Lifestyle. From setting a strict 80% margin to 'free' delivery that's not free, we discuss pricing strategies with the best payoff – and how it can all still go horribly wrong. So can you still make a healthy profit without pricing out your customers? And who's been hit with a $44,000 shipping bill? Tune in to find out.

There are few words that get thrown around in the world of entrepreneurship as much as 'innovation'. And while for many, it brings about thoughts of Marie Curie and George Washington Carver, for small business owners being innovative is just one more way to survive. In Season 2 Episode 4 of Making It Work we speak to Kat Samardzija of Locker Lifestyle, Casey Kelley of Blended Designs, Nik Hawks of Paleo Treats and Paul Pallas of SWISCO. From throwing things out there to "see what sticks" to staff mediation and yoga classes, all of these entrepreneurs have different approaches to innovation. The thing they all agree on? It's do or die. So what can you do to stay one step ahead of the competition? And will our entrepreneurs ever run out of ideas? Tune in to find out.

We thought it was time to give the Making it Work entrepreneurs a bit of a break. So as they catch up on calls and tweak their Ts & Cs, Tom chewed the fat with Jason "Retailgeek" Goldberg. In this Season 2 'Ask the Expert' special of Making It Work we ask Publicis Groupe's Jason Goldberg what the future holds for retail businesses. Nobody could have seen COVID coming, but some coped better than others. While big-box retailers scrambled to streamline their online offering, small businesses were disproportionately disadvantaged in the race to adapt. But as big companies struggle with their supply chains and service levels, changes in consumer behavior have created new opportunities for SMEs. So how can entrepreneurs fill this gap? And who did Jason (not) say "I told ya so" to? Tune in to find out.

With online store builders like Shopify, it's never been easier to attract the mass market. But should you go all in with your own website or dip your toe in the water with Etsy or eBay? In Season 2 Episode 3 of Making It Work we speak to Kat Samardzija of Locker Lifestyle, Ebun Olaloye of Live Breathe Futbol, Nik Hawks of Paleo Treats and Paul Pallas of SWISCO. From creating cohesive customer journeys to handling knockoffs on marketplaces, this multigenerational set of entrepreneurs tell us what it's like running an online store – and how it's changed since the early aughts. So should you splash out on that Shopify plan or carry on at that craft fair? Tune in to find out.

Working round the clock has always been a strong symbol of entrepreneurship. But does it do you and your business any good in the long term, or is it just a fast path to burnout? In Season 2 Episode 2 of Making It Work we speak to Dahlia Rizk of Buckle Me Baby Coats, Nik Hawks of Paleo Treats, Kat Samardzija of Locker Lifestyle and Mayra Hernandez of Back of the Yards Coffee Co. From breaking up your day into 30 minute chunks to fighting fires in the early hours, four small business owners discuss how they manage their precious time and whether you can ever stop thinking about work. So should you be packing boxes until bedtime? Or is it time to axe the agenda and start putting yourself first? Tune in to find out.