The Second Stage

With 2016 winding down, we feel it's a great time for small business owners to reflect on their successes and failures (or better stated, growth opportunities) in the past year, and then begin developing new strategies that build on these experiences in the year to come. In keeping with the spirit of this show, cultivating cultures of continuous learning, we'd like to share not only our own reflections and experiences over the past year, but those of some of our post popular guests in this two part series. We have had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of incredibly talented individuals, all of whom offered their time, talents and perspectives to help entrepreneurs create the ideal environment for a thriving business. We hope, as in all of our episodes, to provide a few key takeaways to help guide you on your journey as you plan, grow and prepare for an eventual—and prosperous—exit from your business.

With 2016 winding down, we feel it's a great time for small business owners to reflect on their successes and failures (or better stated, growth opportunities) in the past year, and then begin developing new strategies that build on these experiences in the year to come. In keeping with the spirit of this show, cultivating cultures of continuous learning, we'd like to share not only our own reflections and experiences over the past year, but those of some of our post popular guests in this two part series. We have had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of incredibly talented individuals, all of whom offered their time, talents and perspectives to help entrepreneurs create the ideal environment for a thriving business. We hope, as in all of our episodes, to provide a few key takeaways to help guide you on your journey as you plan, grow and prepare for an eventual—and prosperous—exit from your business.

On today's episode of The Second Stage we welcome Bill Hubbard, Owner and Founder of Hubbard Business Counsel, to shed light on the newest of the crowdfunding options for both business owners and investors, Reg CF or Title III. In effect as of May sixteenth of this year, Title III allows businesses to raise equity capital online from non-accredited investors, unlike the previous forms of crowdfunding. We will discuss both the opportunities and challenges investment crowdfunding poses for business owners, as well as resources and internal steps to prepare your business, should you decide investment crowdfunding is right for you. Join us to learn more!

We are thrilled to welcome Joan Crain, Global Family Wealth Strategist, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, this week to The Second Stage. Joan works closely with wealthy families and their advisors to provide comprehensive and customized wealth planning solutions. We will speak with Ms. Crain about steps one can take to ensure a successful navigation of the transition from an active owner/operator to a business investor, post exit. Ms. Crain notes that it is extremely important for a business owner to carefully consider both lifestyle and psychological changes that accompany the transition from entrepreneur to investor. She will touch on the significance of having a good team of advisors in place, who the team should consist of, and the role each plays. Join us to learn more!

We talk often about the importance of great financial metrics and reporting as you establish and grow your organization. And it doesn't stop with just having solid financial practices in place, but must be accompanied with a culture of transparency and accountability to empower your employees for better decision making. Today's guest however takes the concept of being financially sound one step further, as he shares the importance of teaching your employees how to manage their own personal finances and the impact to not only their own life, but that of the organization. Mr. Clint Greenleaf, founder and CEO of Greenleaf Groups and founder of Greenleaf Book Group, speaks passionately about entrepreneurship and personal finances. He shares his own experiences working with employees and how implementing a brown bag lunch series, Personal Finance 101, was just the beginning of what became an ongoing education and modified version of open book management. Join us to hear the results.

At a certain point in the lifecycle of every business, there comes an awkward phase of organizational development where the complexity of a business is overcoming its team's capabilities as leaders and the systems they created. Too big to be small, and too small to be big, this wilderness phase is what Doug Tatum's bestseller refers to as “No Man's Land,” a critical transitional stage in the metamorphosis of a growing company. And just as every teenager thinks they're the only one struggling with fear, doubt, and the pressure to grow up faster, so every business owner needs to understand that this phase is normal and in fact manageable. A serial entrepreneur and 20 year member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, we are excited to welcome back Rich Manders to discuss how leaders can identify that their business is at this pivotal point, where complexity is growing at an exponential rate, and more importantly, how to overcome the transition.

As business owners grow their organizations, attracting AND retaining the right talent is crucial. Without the right team in place with everyone understanding their individual and team roles and how they fit into the organization, it is hard to reach desired company goals. So where does one begin when it comes to ensuring employee success? Does it start with employee onboarding or before? Who is responsible for onboarding? How do you measure the effectiveness of acclimating new hires? These are just a few of the questions we will answer on today's episode of The Second Stage with our guest, human resource expert and President of Organizational Architecture, Mark Fiala. Investing in talent is a significant undertaking for any company, especially small businesses. So join us on today's episode to learn best practices when it comes to employee retention – it starts even before an individual's hire date.

A journey every business owner MUST take, exiting your business can either be the most rewarding or the most deflating. The part of an entrepreneur's journey not often highlighted, the question is, what defines a great exit and how can it be planned for so that the entrepreneur leaves on his or her own terms (with satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment) and not by happenstance (with remorse). Here to join us is author Bo Burlingham, his new book “Finish Big” focused on this very subject. During our discussion we will walk through what Bo defines as the four phases of exit (Exploratory, Strategic, Execution and Transition), including what each of these phases entails. There is a process every entrepreneur can take to ensure that the factors important to them personally and professionally are dealt with in the best possible manner. And these factors can include everything from company culture to simply the involvement or lack thereof of the entrepreneur upon exit.

Growing your small business is a challenge, no matter the size or industry, with many owners identifying access to capital as one of the biggest hurdles in achieving their goals. But typically access alone is not the stumbling point. Knowing how to identify the right kind of capital, along with finding the best capital partner to fit your needs rank high in the hurdles category. To help us address these points, along with how and where to start on this journey, is Founder and CEO of Star Mountain Capital, Brett Hickey. During today's discussion we will touch on the importance of timing, planning and knowing your long term goals -both professional and personal- before setting sail. Join us to learn more!

Kim Ferenchak, Practice Leader of Executive Risk at Oswald Companies, joins us on today's episode of “The Second Stage” to discuss privacy and data security risks and how to ensure your business is prepared as well as protected. Business practices have evolved as we move further and further into the digital world, making it easier to not only start a business, but conduct business on a day to day basis – think better customer experience and data access - however with this comes strategic risks over cyberattacks. Ms. Ferenchak will help us understand exactly what private information is, the primary exposures that may cause harm to a business or business owner, and what elements of a cyber risk management program are imperative to ensure protection. In addition to knowing what to look for when identifying ways to get ahead of cybercrime, Ms. Ferenchak will also address what, if any, insurance solutions may be available to protect your business and its customers.

As you plan to sell your business, remember (1) you can never start too early and (2) don't go it alone. Finding the right professional (s) to help you through the process is essential. Here to join us for today's discussion on selling your business is the co-founder of Divestopdia, John Carvalho. Sharing his knowledge and expertise as a seasoned M&A professional, we will speak with John about some of the more difficult issues he frequently sees during the sale process and ways to possibly avoid these common pitfalls. We will also discuss not only why identifying the right advisor is so crucial , but tips and resources for finding the advisor or partner that best fits your needs as you go through this important phase in your business's life cycle.

An important element of a great business many overlook is assembling a diverse advisory board, committed to developing your organization and exchanging knowledge. The right people bring innovative ideas, create opportunities and help a company move forward faster toward its stated objectives (or ones they didn't even think possible). In fact, having the right people involved can be more important than having capital, because good ideas and good companies can attract low-cost capital. And it is important to note that an advisory board is different than a board of directors, focused solely on governance. The advisory members bring experience and views not found within the business, who are prepared to challenge the expectations, capabilities and vision of the organization. We are thrilled to welcome back Jeff DeGraff, the Dean of Innovation, to help us explore this topic in depth, providing suggestions for attracting those individuals that will push your organization to new heights.

Can intentional and “attention”al networking have a meaningful impact on your business and life? Global Leading Authority on Networking and Relationship Capital, Itzik Amiel, joins us on The Second Stage to share how to utilize ATTENTION to not only find the RIGHT people to connect with, but how to create both exciting and authentic connections to grow your business. The small act of giving genuine attention to others creates opportunity, through referrals and leads, having not only an impact on your bottom line, but enhancing your personal life too. Join us to learn more about Mr. Amiel's own attention giving story, which ultimately saved his life!

On today's episode of The Second Stage we welcome Bill Hubbard, Owner and Founder of Hubbard Business Counsel, to shed light on the newest of the crowdfunding options for both business owners and investors, Reg CF or Title III. In effect as of May sixteenth of this year, Title III allows businesses to raise equity capital online from non-accredited investors, unlike the previous forms of crowdfunding. We will discuss both the opportunities and challenges investment crowdfunding poses for business owners, as well as resources and internal steps to prepare your business, should you decide investment crowdfunding is right for you. Join us to learn more!

It's your weekly management meeting and everyone is late, there is no agenda and mentally most in attendance are off somewhere else “working” on their laptop or smartphone just waiting for their turn to do a “data dump” of information to the team on their efforts. Sound familiar? One of the most common frustrations for business owners and their management teams are unproductive meetings. Join The Second Stage to learn how a simple and consistent agenda and a set of meeting rules can turn those dreaded weekly meetings into perhaps the most productive and energizing time spent during your week. Mr. Rene Boer, Certified Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Implementer, defines a “Level 10 Meeting” and how it is a great place to begin simplifying your business, eliminating those circular conversations that occur during most leadership meetings. The benefits are well worth the time. Experience better communication, increased accountability and over all improved team health.

Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or new to business ownership, the law can be confusing when it comes to protecting your assets, limiting your liabilities or just creating your company's operating agreement. On today's episode of The Second Stage our hosts will be joined by legal expert, Michael Marhofer, Partner at Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, to address some of the common pitfalls for business owners from a legal perspective. The hosts will discuss many topics when it comes to forming your organization, including what your entity choices are, where you should form your entity and the necessary documents. Don't miss this important episode covering many of the basic legal points essential to not only getting your small business started, but planning for the future.

Are you contemplating selling your business, but unsure where to start? On today's episode of The Second Stage our guest, Founder of EdgePoint Capital Advisors, offers his expertise on how and when a business owner should begin preparing their business for sale. While there are many factors as to why a business owner may be motivated to sell their organization, under all circumstances, one must understand the value of their business to set expectations and potentially improve the value should time allow. It is also important that business owners have a well-defined wealth plan to ensure they can comfortably enjoy the next stage of their lives, whatever that may be. Tune in Monday at 5:00pmEST / 2:00pm PST to learn how to create an effective exit plan as well as how a trusted advisor, such as an investment bank, can help during this process.

Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or starting a business for the first time, the world of insurance, including the terminology, can be overwhelming. And in this case, what you don't know, really can hurt you. So on today's episode, the hosts of The Second Stage will be joined by insurance expert, Jeffrey Schwab, M&A Practice Leader with Oswald Companies, to boil down the basics when it comes to business insurance. He will address practical questions every business owner should ask themself not only as they start, but as they grow and expand their business. Mr. Schwab will discuss the various types of insurance, including property and casualty, liability and errors and omissions. Walk away with good rules of thumb as you work to protect your business (and future) against predictable and unpredictable risks.

As demonstrated by the name of our show, Second Stage Companies are our passion. In broad terms, these are established businesses with typically 10-99 employees, a local or regional reputation, and most importantly, establishments consistently adding jobs. While many think of start-ups or large corporations as being the job generators, companies demonstrating ‘sustained growth' turn out to be the heroes. So what does ‘sustained growth' look like? Here to discuss the characteristics of these companies and why he considers ‘sustained growth' an important measure of company health is Dr. Gary Kunkle, the founder of Outlier LLC and Research Fellow at Business Dynamics Research Consortium. Through his extensive research, Dr. Kunkle demonstrates that growth is actually a learning curve. No matter the industry, he states, “all companies face the same set of challenges and decisions each time they expand. And the more frequently they grow, the better they get at making these decisions.”

We are thrilled to welcome Spencer Williams, President and Owner of West Paw Design, a US manufacturer of eco-friendly pet toys and beds for cats and dogs, to The Second Stage. As an honoree on the 2016 Forbes' list of America's Best Small Companies, Mr. Williams will share his entrepreneurial journey, why the decision to implement Open-Book Management, and the impact it has had on his organization's success.

Introduced through the Small Giants Community, we are thrilled to welcome leadership advisor and strategist, Anese Cavanaugh, to The Second Stage. Anese sites that 93% of our impact is in how we “show up,” leaving only 7% of our impact to the words we actually say. During our conversation with Ms. Cavanaugh we will talk about what she describes as the five steps for creating intentional impact, including knowing the outcomes you want to get out of any and every interaction and/or meeting. Ms. Cavanaugh will also share with us her leadership methodology, Intentional Energetic Presence®, and how to create a “Contagious Culture,” the title of her new book. As a business owner and the leader of your organization, you hold the power to influence and create the culture around you, so why not make it positive and impactful!

We are excited to welcome investment banker and author of “Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading and Winning the Deal,” Mr. Oren Klaff, to The Second Stage. During our time with Mr. Klaff we will discuss his S.T.R.O.N.G. Methodology and why establishing a high status position matters. As a leader or business owner pitching a potential investor or large client, join us to learn the most common pitching flaws and how to gain frame control. Don't be afraid to make the buyer qualify him or herself back to you. Be direct, have the confidence to ask why you should do business together, and create curiosity to make the buyer listen.

Back by popular listener demand, we are thrilled to welcome back Greg Crabtree, financial expert and author of “Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!,” to The Second Stage. On today's show Mr. Crabtree will share with us the seven key numbers that every entrepreneur should monitor to create a sustainable, profitable business. Identifying these metrics through his work with entrepreneurs all over the country and across numerous industries, the first identified is profitability, which Greg will explain is the biggest driver of cash flow. Tune in to hear the remaining six key numbers in every business to not only measure, but monitor, and how it will help create success (and build wealth) in your growing business.

At a certain point in the lifecycle of every business, there comes an awkward phase of organizational development where the complexity of a business is overcoming its team's capabilities as leaders and the systems they created. Too big to be small, and too small to be big, this wilderness phase is what Doug Tatum's bestseller refers to as “No Man's Land,” a critical transitional stage in the metamorphosis of a growing company. And just as every teenager thinks they're the only one struggling with fear, doubt, and the pressure to grow up faster, so every business owner needs to understand that this phase is normal and in fact manageable. A serial entrepreneur and 20 year member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, we are excited to welcome back Rich Manders to discuss how leaders can identify that their business is at this pivotal point, where complexity is growing at an exponential rate, and more importantly, how to overcome the transition.

On today's episode of The Second Stage we will be joined by business leader, engineer, Harvard Senior Fellow, and lifelong entrepreneur, Dr. Paul Hsu. Arriving in the US in 1976 with only $500 to his name, he grabbed hold of the American dream and never let it go. Today Dr. Hsu owns several very successful companies, achieving annual revenues in the millions and continues to give back as a dedicated public servant and a member of the National Minority Business Advisory Board. Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Hsu recently authored Guardians of the Dream: The Enduring Legacy of America's Immigrants recounting his personal inspiring journey as a Taiwanese immigrant arriving in the United States with little more than his hopes of achieving the American dream. Don't miss this episode as the co-hosts discuss with Dr. Hsu challenges entrepreneurs face today, advice he would offer to hopeful entrepreneurs, and the future of entrepreneurship in the United States.

We are excited to welcome Performance of a Lifetime CEO, Cathy Salit, to today's episode of The Second Stage. As a singer and actor, Ms. Salit offers a unique approach to organizational change and leadership development, using what she calls “The Becoming Principle (SM),” defining as learning who you are not…yet. The Performance of a Lifetime methodology, which combines techniques from theatrical performance and performative psychology, has been embraced by and shaped leaders and organizations, such as Microsoft and Coca-Cola. Now, Ms. Salit shares her methodology in her new book, “Performance Breakthrough: A Radical Approach to Success at Work.” In it, she offers case studies and practical exercises to help you hone your listening, communication skills; recognize and act on opportunities; build healthy working relationships; and grow as a leader. Join our discussion to learn how this might help your small business thrive and evolve!

As a leader and business owner, your ability to think strategically is perhaps one of the most important skills you can share with your team and organization. To address this point, we have invited Author and CEO of Outthinker LLC, Kaihan Krippendorff, to discuss a proven set of tools outlined in his most recent book, “Outthink the Competition.” Mr. Krippendorff has worked with more than 300 clients to create innovative growth ideas, as well as increase revenue and profit. Having completed extensive research studying the patterns that allow companies to achieve breakthrough performance, he has identified these businesses seek disruptive innovation across eight dimensions. Learn more about the eight dimensions as well as the type of innovation that can allow your business to stand out from the crowd.

As an entrepreneur, looking for creative ways to expand your business, is for most, intuitive, but certainly not easy! Finding that next big customer is most likely on your radar on a daily basis, but have you ever wondered what might happen if you put as much effort into finding the right strategic partnership as you do into sales? You just might crush your competition, according to strategic business development (BD) expert and co-founder of TrueCar Inc., Mr. Bernie Brenner. Rather than a singular focus on “closing” deals, an emphasis on creating a BD strategy, in addition to sales, may just “open” the door to the perfect strategic partnership, completely changing the trajectory of your business. To find out how you can take your business to the next level, gaining dominance over your competition, join the hosts of The Second Stage as they talk BD strategy with expert Bernie Brenner, author of “The Sumo Advantage.”

In today's customer-focused world, most businesses want happy customers to spread the viral word and increase brand reputation, but overall customer experience ratings are dropping. In fact, the founder of Frank Reactions podcast, Tema Frank, notes in her latest book, PeopleShock: The Path To Profits When Customers Rule, “sixty-one percent of consumers say they have switched service providers in the past year due to a bad service experience. Interestingly, 82 percent said that the previous provider could have done something to keep them from switching.” Why is this occurring and how do businesses evolve to meet these increased customer standards and expectations? To help us explore this topic further, we have asked Ms. Frank to join us to share her insights, having over three decades of experience in marketing strategy and customer experience improvement. We will also touch on the higher expectations of employees today, and how this factors into the customer experience.

The topic of business valuation (or fair market value assessment) is a common theme among business owners, often questioning the “value.” To address some of the common questions surrounding this subject, the hosts of The Second Stage invited Western Reserve Valuation Services' Managing Director, Robert Stutz. During this episode Mr. Stutz will outline the importance of this practice to a private business and its owner(s) as well as circumstances under which a valuation is recommended and sometimes even required. He will also speak to the various methodologies for conducting a valuation, along with common factors that can have an effect, both positive and negative, on the outcome. Tune in to learn best practices for staying in touch with the value of what is typically a business owner's largest investment, their company!

We are thrilled to welcome valuation expert and author Dr. Carl Sheeler, to today's episode of The Second Stage. In his new book, ‘Equity Value Enhancement: A Tool to Leverage Human and Financial Capital While Managing Risk,' Dr. Sheeler addresses the transformation of an entrepreneur from being overwhelmed, working in their business, to thriving, working ON their greatest investment. Leveraging 25 years of experience, including 1,200 advisory engagements, he distills best practices of trusted advisors and their entrepreneurial clients, on what successful value creation means to the business and its owner. In the end, it comes down to leveraging human (knowledge and relationships) and financial capital. We will also discuss the importance of an exit plan in the value creation process. Dr. Sheller notes that some of the most successful owners had a transition plan on day one. It's never too early to begin planning.

Relationship building is the key for most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders as they establish and achieve both business and personal goals. The ability to instinctively engage, respond and create trust with employees, customers, vendors and investors is crucial in building a lasting brand. To discuss this in depth, we are excited to welcome Telecommunications Industry Veteran and Author of “The RiVal,” Benjamin Von Seeger, to The Second Stage. On today's episode, Mr. Von Seeger will share with us the importance of focusing on the practical soft skills, when it comes to driving new business and creating a successful culture. In his book, Benjamin outlines some of what he believes are the essential elements of business leadership, based on his 20-year professional career, including emotional and relational intelligence, relationship-building and brand development. Join us to learn more!

After a near-death experience, today's guest and author of “Thank God It's Wednesday!,” Mark Langford, made it his mission to help individuals and organizations uncover and define their purpose. Purpose and passion are topics we discuss often here on The Second Stage, so we were intrigued by Mr. Langford's approach to identifying professional passion, using one's talents and abilities to their fullest. As entrepreneurs, we are by nature a passionate group, but should not underestimate the challenge of pinpointing our individual or organization's purpose and the power it holds once acknowledged. Join us as we discuss Mark's experiences, his approach for helping us find our purpose, and even broach the age old dilemma for entrepreneurs, finding work-life balance.

Many entrepreneurs feel that if they put enough hours and hustle into their business, they will be successful. And while many certainly are and should be congratulated, vision and value creation might go unfulfilled. Implementing a business operating system or methodology can offer the answer. It provides an organization (especially a small, growing business) a clear process for achieving its vision, including tools for decision making and ensuring one has the right people in the right seats. The result is a clear plan with a culture of transparency and accountability by which to transform a business. On today's show we are lucky enough to have one of our own partner company leaders, Mike Vea, the President of Lewellyn Technology, speak with us about what implementing an operating system, in particular, Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System ™, has meant to his business as it has transitioned from a lifestyle business to a growing, scalable organization.

What does it mean to be a conscious leader? The first step may simply to become more self-aware, albeit not an easy task. However, if achieved, not only is becoming a conscious leader good for one's spirit, it's good for business too. Joining us on today's episode of The Second Stage is entrepreneur, author and founder of Three Creative, Tim Brown. We will speak with Mr. Brown about his own experiences (both personal and professional) that ultimately prompted him to share his story in “Jumping Into The Parade.” And now, through Three Creative, Mr. Brown serves fellow entrepreneurs and professionals delivering his belief that for true success, one must reframe their life to live and lead from the inside out. Join us to learn more!

We are thrilled to welcome Joan Crain, Global Family Wealth Strategist, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, this week to The Second Stage. Joan works closely with wealthy families and their advisors to provide comprehensive and customized wealth planning solutions. We will speak with Ms. Crain about steps one can take to ensure a successful navigation of the transition from an active owner/operator to a business investor, post exit. Ms. Crain notes that it is extremely important for a business owner to carefully consider both lifestyle and psychological changes that accompany the transition from entrepreneur to investor. She will touch on the significance of having a good team of advisors in place, who the team should consist of, and the role each plays. Join us to learn more!

Last week our guest noted startling statistics on the small number of businesses built that are ever sold (20-30%) and the wealth creation that never occurs. On today's episode, our guest, Sean Hutchinson, CEO of Strategic Value Advisors, will speak to actions owners can take today to buck this trend, create true value, and ultimately wealth, for not only themselves, but generations to come. One such action Mr. Hutchinson will discuss in a value creation strategy is employee engagement. Join us to learn why employee engagement matters, how a business owner can get started, and importantly, telltale signs that a culture of value creation is emerging.

The hosts of The Second Stage are thrilled to welcome Allie Harding, Partner at Orange Kiwi, a firm providing assessment tools, training and consulting to advisors and owners in understanding and leveraging the psychology of exits for bottom-line success. Today's episode will focus on helping business owners understand their own entrepreneurial strengths and how those very same strengths resist the traditional exit process. According to Tom West (Business Reference Guide) 70-80% of all businesses never get sold. Instead, lifetimes of wealth and legacy are destroyed. Of those that are sold, 78% (PwC) of the owners report being dissatisfied with their exit within 12 months of the close. In addition, many of the businesses that are sold are not adequately prepared for the sale leaving vast amounts of value unrealized. Join the discussion to find out how certain identified behaviors can predict how well the business owner is likely to exit, and what to do now to improve the odds.

With 75 original episodes behind us, we would like to thank our listeners and guests for helping us create an entrepreneurial forum, which has gone well above our expectations. We will continue to shine the light on the significant impact that Second Stage Companies have on creating a vibrant economy, sharing business best practices, resources and actionable advice. As the hosts, we have had the pleasure of learning from and being inspired by the fellow entrepreneurs and experts that have joined us on The Second Stage. And to celebrate, on today's show we will reflect on some of our past episodes and guests, including small business financial expert Greg Crabtree, Dr. Jeff DeGraff, the Dean of Innovation, and many more! We will also revisit building a foundation for sustained growth with The Five Pillars of Business Freedom, consisting of great Financials; a shared Plan; the attraction and retention of the right People; a culture of Transparency, and a culture of Accountability.

On this episode of The Second Stage, hosts Brendan Anderson and Jeffrey Kadlic will be joined by serial entrepreneur, Rich Manders. Rich will share his experiences as the founder of iAutomation and how continuously driving toward identifying the ideal customer truly transformed his organization. Rich will share actionable advice on how to identify those clients or customers that will allow you to grow your small business, not just in size and revenue, but in profitability. Join the hosts as they discuss the process iAutomation went through to become so successful at defining the ideal customer profile and reaching their target audience. While it does not happen overnight, one can begin the process with one simple question in mind. Who are the customers that you love, make you smile and wish you simply had more of?

Today's successful small business culture thrives on learning. Consider the idea that you, the business owner, are the lead educational cultivator among your employees. Under your leadership, you possess a tremendous opportunity to assist your team in expanding their skill sets and improving their productivity. How does this help? The answer is simple: a learning culture makes for stronger employees, organization and ultimately, an enormously positive work environment. And getting it organized and implemented is a lot simpler than you may think. A great example comes from today's guest, Arnie Malham, the founder and president of cj Advertising, who was always in the practice of learning. He was an avid business book reader, and with a proud collection amassed, Arnie brought his books to work for others to borrow and study, ultimately leading to the founding of BetterBookClub.com, an organization designed for those who share his passion for creating a learning culture.

As demonstrated by the name of our show, Second Stage Companies are our passion. In broad terms, these are established businesses with typically 10-99 employees, a local or regional reputation, and most importantly, establishments consistently adding jobs. While many think of start-ups or large corporations as being the job generators, companies demonstrating ‘sustained growth' turn out to be the heroes. So what does ‘sustained growth' look like? Here to discuss the characteristics of these companies and why he considers ‘sustained growth' an important measure of company health is Dr. Gary Kunkle, the founder of Outlier LLC and Research Fellow at Business Dynamics Research Consortium. Through his extensive research, Dr. Kunkle demonstrates that growth is actually a learning curve. No matter the industry, he states, “all companies face the same set of challenges and decisions each time they expand. And the more frequently they grow, the better they get at making these decisions.”

With cyber crime on the rise and a very real threat to small business, we have invited cyber security expert, Vikas Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Kalki Consulting, to discuss what makes small businesses so vulnerable to cyber incidents. Astonishingly, 20% of cyber attacks are on small businesses with less than 250 employees. Overwhelmed? So are we. Join us as we identify with our guest a good place to start if you have no experience handling incidents and review how to begin preparing an incident response plan before you find your business in the thick of a cyber attack. And should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of experiencing an incident prior to putting a plan in place, we will also discuss where business owners can turn for immediate help.

On today's episode of The Second Stage we are thrilled to speak with the co-owners of Squeeze In, Misty Young and Shila Morris. Misty and Shila are a mother/daughter TEAM (in all aspects of the word) that have embraced The American Dream and embody entrepreneurial spirit. A true family affair, not only have they created a successful business and inspiring culture for family, friends and employees, they are dedicated to helping other business owners grow and prosper. In Misty's book, “Rags to Restaurants,” she unveils her success code with the world, ‘The Five Irrefutable Laws of Restaurant Success,' and how, if wholeheartedly embraced, it can transform any business. Here to share their story - successes, failures, lessons learned and best practices – this duo emanate why a company's “why” is so much more important and powerful than its what or how, as Shila discusses in her recent TEDx Talk. Join us as we learn from with this inspirational and growth oriented pair of entrepreneurs.

When it comes to describing an entrepreneur, it would be hard to imagine that description not including the word “passion,” as passion and drive is typically what not only gets he or she started, but what keeps their internal flame burning. Fast forward the entrepreneurial journey to a successful, established business with people to transfer that passion to [employees and customers], all while entering the next phase of growth. It can become a bit overwhelming. Here to address not only the importance of transferring that passion to those within the organization at all levels, but the results when successful, is nationally recognized speaker and author, Mike Goldman. In his book, ‘Performance Breakthrough: The 4 Secrets of Passionate Organizations,' Mr. Goldman describes four elements for creating a more passionate, productive, and profitable organization. Tune in to learn more!

Many entrepreneurs feel that if they put enough hours and hustle into their business, they will be successful. And while many certainly are and should be congratulated, vision and value creation might go unfulfilled. Implementing a business operating system or methodology can offer the answer. It provides an organization (especially a small, growing business) a clear process for achieving its vision, including tools for decision making and ensuring one has the right people in the right seats. The result is a clear plan with a culture of transparency and accountability by which to transform a business. On today's show we are lucky enough to have one of our own partner company leaders, Mike Vea, the President of Lewellyn Technology, speak with us about what implementing an operating system, in particular, Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System ™, has meant to his business as it has transitioned from a lifestyle business to a growing, scalable organization.

Typically avid learners with a great deal of passion, entrepreneurs, especially new entrepreneurs, see the world as their oyster, full of opportunity. And while risk and hard work are synonymous with entrepreneurship, most welcome it, as the rewards can be tremendous, matching the entrepreneur's incredible aspirations. But one area that can become overwhelming as one begins their entrepreneurial journey, as well as when success is obtained, is separating one's life, business and financial goals. Is it necessary to separate or do entrepreneurs just need to purposely plan with the understanding that their goals will be intertwined? Is achieving work-life balance out of reach for entrepreneurs or can balance actually be created? On today's episode of The Second Stage the hosts have invited first-generation wealth manager and founder of Gerber LLC, Randy Gerber, to discuss these questions and more.

The Second Stage is joined by guest Stephen Gurgovits, Managing Partner at F.N.B. Capital Partners, to discuss mezzanine funding as an alternative source of capital for established and growing businesses. Mr. Gurgovits will not only define exactly what mezzanine capital or debt is, but how it differs from bank debt, acting as either a supplement or alternative to. The hosts will also discuss with their guest specific situations where a business owner would benefit from mezzanine, such as in a management buyout, and the company characteristics mezzanine providers typically look for when partnering. Acting as a bridge between senior debt and equity, there are pros and cons that will be highlighted during the discussion. Mezzanine providers tend to be more aligned with a business and its goals versus a traditional bank, as their focus is on a company's cash flow and potential versus merely its collateral and asset value. To learn more, join The Second Stage discussion at 5:00pm EST.

Introduced through the Small Giants Community, we are thrilled to welcome leadership advisor and strategist, Anese Cavanaugh, to The Second Stage. Anese sites that 93% of our impact is in how we “show up,” leaving only 7% of our impact to the words we actually say. During our conversation with Ms. Cavanaugh we will talk about what she describes as the five steps for creating intentional impact, including knowing the outcomes you want to get out of any and every interaction and/or meeting. Ms. Cavanaugh will also share with us her leadership methodology, Intentional Energetic Presence®, and how to create a “Contagious Culture,” the title of her new book. As a business owner and the leader of your organization, you hold the power to influence and create the culture around you, so why not make it positive and impactful!

We talk often about the importance of great financial metrics and reporting as you establish and grow your organization. And it doesn't stop with just having solid financial practices in place, but must be accompanied with a culture of transparency and accountability to empower your employees for better decision making. Today's guest however takes the concept of being financially sound one step further, as he shares the importance of teaching your employees how to manage their own personal finances and the impact to not only their own life, but that of the organization. Mr. Clint Greenleaf, founder and CEO of Greenleaf Groups and founder of Greenleaf Book Group, speaks passionately about entrepreneurship and personal finances. He shares his own experiences working with employees and how implementing a brown bag lunch series, Personal Finance 101, was just the beginning of what became an ongoing education and modified version of open book management. Join us to hear the results.

We had the pleasure of working with serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Leeza Distribution Inc., Jack McDonald, over the past several years; and are thrilled to have him as a guest on The Second Stage to share with you his insights and reflections after successfully exiting his business. We will discuss the importance a back-to-basics approach, focusing on cash flow and internal alignment, as well as the role an objective third party assessment played in Mr. McDonald's success. We cannot over emphasize how important it is for business owners and entrepreneurs to plan for a successful exit. Self-reflection and focus on vision, strategy, culture and financial metrics can make all the difference between an exit on your terms versus that of others. Everyone will someday exit his or her business, so why not plan for it? Done right, the exit can be as exciting and satisfying as starting the business. Done wrong however, and the result can be devastating.