Owner's Voyage - The Journey to Business Ownership

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What does the trip look like; the trip from employee to business owner? How do you make that trip? What are the challenges, known and unknown? Where do you start? What's the best path? Woody Huffines has taken the trip before and is doing so again....

Woody Huffines


    • Jun 23, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 45 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Owner's Voyage - The Journey to Business Ownership

    Episode #045 - Vicki Dale, NerdsToGo, Grapevine, Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2021 50:09


    Vicki is a good and great friend. Her honesty and vulnerability come through this interview from start to finish!

    Episode #044 - Erik Nelson, NerdsToGo - Swarthmore, PA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 38:51


    As if a small business start-up isn't enough, Erik kept a full time job as an aerospace engineer! Listen to his take on establishing relationships through monthly services and the necessity of flexibility in planning and execution. Add to that the skill of finding the right WHO to keep a business up and running. I must say that I'm amazed at the energy and focus necessary to have a full-time job and a NerdsToGo!

    Episode #43 - Regis DeVeaux, NerdsToGo - Alexandria, VA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 43:37


    It's amazing to continue the interviews with other NerdsToGo owners. The commonality from one owner to the next is the values shared by each of them. Learning and reinforcing those values has been a gift for me.... Listen to the challenge of asking Dan Sullivan's entrepreneurial question: Who not how!

    Episode #042 - Mike Varnadore, NerdsToGo - Tampa, FL

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 46:48


    Mike and I met at Nerd University two years ago and started the process at the same time. It was a pleasure to reconnect and discuss business with Mike. He is an Air Force veteran and long time IT guy so we communicate well. Listen for Mike's lessons about doing the business of business and the importance of process.

    Episode #41 - David Alcorn, NerdsToGo - League City, Texas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 45:18


    David is my twin brother from another mother. He has been a tremendous help and support for NerdsToGo -McKinney from sharing resources to commiserating on the tough days. Listen for his why and his community involvement One could do a lot worse for a role model than David....

    Episode #40 - Chuck Kleindienst, NerdsToGo, Richmond, VA

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 43:03


    Some interviews could go on a lot longer than others... this is one that had to be edited substantially. Get two aviation guys on the phone and stories just start coming out! Chuck is a serial entrepreneur that has seen success in a couple of ventures. Listen for how he has and is adjusting to the COVID world; take in his why; look for lessons learned.

    Episode #039 - Tricia Jones, NerdsToGo North Hampton, NH

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 40:53


    Another fun and interesting discussion! Pay attention to when you might want to start your Owner's Voyage (What are you waiting for?) The assumptions you may bring with you from a corporate gig... Thanks again to Tricia for the time and honesty!

    Episode #38 - Paul Blanchette, NerdsToGo Charlotte, NC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2021 52:34


    Another fun interview! Pay attention to: Paul's Why Constant learning bias Creating culture

    Episode #037 - Kevin Martin, NerdsToGo Franklin, MA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2021 21:52


    Kevin is one of the long term Nerds owners and has lessons learned that he can effectively teach. Kevin has great technical background and a direct way of working toward his goals. The day of our interview, both of us were busy and it limited our time since we had a hard stop... I'd love to revisit this interview with an hour free....

    Episode #036 - Angel Soto, NerdsToGo Las Vegas, NV

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 33:04


    Speaking with and learning from others is always a humbling experience. I find that there are some many good ideas, inspiring stories and interesting perspectives to be gleaned from those conversations. This interview with Angel raised to bar! Enjoy!

    Episode #035 - Rory Dunnaback, NerdsToGo Milwaukie, OR

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2021 50:00


    The first of the series! Rory Dunnaback owns the NerdsToGo in Milwaukie, Oregon. We spoke about what what it takes to start and continue on the Ownership Voyage.

    Episode #034 - Interview with Catherine Monson of FASTSIGNS International, Chair of the IFA

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 36:31


    Catherine Monson is a leader that is widely recognized for her drive, passion and results. Listen to this episode to begin to understand why she gets the results she does...

    Episode #033 - Austin Titus, President Network Lead Exchange

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 29:45


    This episode is an interview with Austin Titus from Network Lead Exchange. Austin and his family run a very successful portfolio of franchise brands. We talk about franchising, small business and networking. If you are interested in learning more, contact Austin through LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-titus-3ba358148/ He is worth your time to connect with.

    Episode #032 - The Pain of Uncertainty Is Worse Than The Certainty Of Pain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 15:11


    Presidential election. COVID. Business regulation... could there be more uncertainty? What steps can you take to reduce the pain of uncertainty?

    Episode #031 - Have You Chosen Your Board of Directors?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 11:06


    You are going to end up with a Board of Directors.... Why not chose the one you want? The one that will help?

    Episode #030 - How Irritating Do You Want To Be?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 16:33


    There are many options to marketing your business. Some of the options can just irritate your customers. How irritating do you want to be?

    Episode #029 - You Gotta Make 'em Drink the Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 12:12


    How do you manage expectations and change behavior? Make folks involved 'drink the water'.

    Episode #028 - Social Media and the Cancel Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 9:30


    How do we continue to use social media in the era of cancel culture?

    Episode #027 - Systems Thinking In The Snow Globe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 13:12


    It's time to take some time to think through your total environment and see how the pieces/parts affect the whole!

    Episode #026 Snow Globe 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 11:33


    If this year feels like you are living in a snow globe that keeps getting shaken up... Join the crowd! What does it take to survive the snow globe? There is a great resource available from Wayne Salmans. You can find it here: http://www.theheronation.com/

    Episode #025 - Systems Thinking

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 13:49


    One of the many keys to success in business and in life is understanding systems... from adjusting the temperature of you shower to responding to COVID-19...

    Episode #024 - Are You an Entrepreneur or a Small Business Owner?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2020 9:01


    I saw an article several years ago that made a distinction between small business owners and entrepreneurs... I'm not sure that is helpful...

    Episode #023 - What's Your Identity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2020 12:12


    Your identity defines how you execute the roles you undertake....

    Episode #022 - Thinking of a Franchise? - Interview with Sara Waskow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 32:17


    This episode is an insightful interview with Sara Waskow of FranNetDFW. Sara is a franchisee that helps folks find a franchise that might work for them. Her process in interesting. Her insights are valuable. Having a local resource to help you with the network of local support a business might need is definitely and added benefit! You can contact Sara by phone: 817-519-3952 By email: swaskow@frannet.com On the web: frannetdfw.com

    Episode #021 - Mental Models - Intro to the Fifth Discipline

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 13:04


    Whether you are new to business or an old hand, transformational thinking is always welcome. The Fifth Discipline is the kind of book that will provide mental model of mental models that can provide transformational thinking as well as transformational processes. https://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Discipline-Practice-Learning-Organization/dp/0385517254

    Episode #20 - Mental Models - Looping

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 10:56


    OODA Loop? Boyd Loop? What kind of mental model can you fit to your decision process?

    Episode #19 - Making a List for Your Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 10:00


    What are the key factors for your customers when you consider a retail space? You've got a list of possibles, which one is best?

    Episode #018 - Finding Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 7:08


    So you need a retail space and have never thought about how to go about that... It's lots different than buying a house....

    Episode #017 - Trading Time for Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 8:15


    As a small business owner that phrase has a different connotation. Instead of the employee view were you trade your time for money (salary), as a small business owner your trade get time back by paying someone else...

    Episode #016 Endeavor to Persevere

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2020 8:41


    How much persistence can you exhibit? What does in mean to have the discipline to be persistent.

    Episode #015 Belief

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 18:03


    Everything we do begins with our beliefs.

    Episode #14 - Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 11:28


    How will you become a part of your community? What will your community be? Will you be additive to that community?

    Episode #013 - What Are Your Big Rocks?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 14:39


    What are the goals you have for each of the roles you have in your life? Those goals are your big rocks; the ones you have to tend to first....

    Episode #012 - Start a Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 11:24


    Start a business; start a podcast! Document the journey. Create content. Here's the book: https://www.amazon.com/Leuchtturm-Lines-Memory-Medium-Black/dp/B00ACDNP70/ref=sr_1_1_sspa

    Episode #011 - Sharpening The Saw

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 13:43


    Sometimes the most challenging activity in starting a business is not working on that business....

    Episode #010 - A Guide for Finding Your Why - An Interview with Coach Dale

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2020 34:08


    As daunting a task as self-examination is, having a guide or coach to help is a welcome addition. Coach Dale AKA Dale Young is such a guide. Dale brings a wealth of experience, a long history of searching for significance as well as a history of helping others find their significance. His book, Identity Key, is a well written and concise guide to resources that will help someone that is interested in finding a meaningful 'why' or identity. His patience and wisdom coupled with a nerd's focus on data leads to a broad set of tools that can be used to develop and more robust understanding of oneself. I have been blessed to be associated with Dale and have gained greatly from his knowledge. Find his book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Lifesong-Keys-Unlocking-Significance-Identity-ebook/dp/B084RSXH9X/ Find his website at: http://www.coachdale.com/ Thanks once again to Coach Dale for taking the time. (He always does.)

    Episode #009 - Mining the Miners

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2020 15:55


    The only people that are sure to make money in a gold rush are the guys selling shovels, pics and prospector's pans.

    Episode #008- Resources? What Resources

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 16:24


    When considering what kind of business you will have and how it is to operate, determining your resources, your talents and skills will be important to ensure you align yourself with your business purpose and goals.

    Episode #007 - A Passion for Travel and Customer Service - A Conversation with Bob Roden

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 29:25


    I greatly enjoyed speaking with Bob Roden of Utmost Travel. In thinking about having a sufficient 'why' to carry on when times get tough, I think about Bob and the passion he has for his business and what it means to him. We spoke about the difficulties of owning a travel business during the COVID-19 excitement and his why shines throughout the conversation. Find Bob's interviews with travel industry leaders on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDDXWSWu-FYKONzA22Y1i7w Visit the Utmost Travel website at: https://www.utmosttravel.com/

    Episode #006 - How Do I Get Started? Resource Review

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 13:22


    Before you get started, it's important to review the resources and tools available to accomplish the mission.

    Episode #005 - What Is Your Business Going to Be?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 9:12


    You know who you'll sell to... now what? What kind of business will you start?

    Episode#004 - Who? Who Is Your Avatar Customer?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 11:49


    And by avatar customer, I'm not suggesting you are look for someone with blue skin.... Find the right customer to match your why and most of the time, it's a fun day!

    Episode #003 - Why is the Why So Important

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 16:10


    Getting started any voyage necessarily needs a strong why. Why will get you through the tough spots. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics-ebook/dp/B000W94FE6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2D6ESULJH8L0W&dchild=1&keywords=flow+the+psychology+of+optimal+experience&qid=1590209223&sprefix=flow+the%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-2 Awakening Your Ikigai https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Your-Ikigai-audiobook/dp/B079HDSRWV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5B50H6VW8U7M&dchild=1&keywords=awakening+your+ikigai&qid=1590209309&sprefix=awakening+your+i%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1 ikigaitribe.com Venn Diagram https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fikigai-living.com%2Fthe-perception-of-ikigai%2F&psig=AOvVaw1e-0Hd_lYNtJER-VX4HcR_&ust=1590295827134000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNjBtumXyekCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI

    Episode #002 - Your Backstory and Why

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2020 12:47


    Everyone has a backstory... a narrative about why they've become what they've become. That's a great place to start the Owner's Voyage

    Episode #001 - Backstory

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 16:47


    Everyone has a backstory - how did I get from Fortune 500 controller to small busineess owner and franchisee through the Japanese concept of ikigai?

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