The Swift Kick Show

If you're like most entrepreneurs, you know the lifeblood of a business is cashflow. So would that make the heart traffic? This has been a debate for many years since one can't survive without the other. Yet the debate about which is more important to a business rages on. The second question is which traffic source is the best, especially during hard times? My guest Mark Thompson believes one of the most versatile traffic sources you can have is affiliate traffic and we go deep into why it's important and why you should be using it today.

We talk about how business for everyone is experiencing a disruption in the states, but what about abroad? Once we moved into a global economy, we partnered with all countries of all nations to buy, sell, and trade goods and services. To think we'd face a worldwide health crisis in our lifetime was unimaginable, but here we are, and to understand just how far this reaches, we traveled half way around the globe to get perspective. Sometimes, we need to hear our neighbors story, and my guest Micheal Baptiste has a story to tell.

The pandemic is changing the face of what entrepreneurship can be. As challenges arise, the people's needs become take center stage, which means products and services change with it. We've seen big companies refocus their brands and messaging to be more socially conscious, but what about the small business companies? These front line heroes don't make the front page news many times, and The Swift Kick Show strives in being different. We believe in good stories, and our guest Kurenai Kiba tells us how she's going from fantasy to face mask with her business.

As we experience the pandemic, our business reflects the trying times we face. The full scope of what's to come is not entirely in view, so we have to pay attention to the world around us and the opportunities we can create. The question is if we are living in a world that's burning, how do we stay safe, sain, and secure? My guest Thomas H. Clifton joins us to give us perspective on what he sees and how he's working through the fire.

Nothing is as hard as getting your team to buy into new ideas and processes. The future of your business can be determined by the buy-in of your supporting staff and that can go both north and south. The reality is, without a dedicated team working together as one, innovation and growth are minimized. So how do we combine great minds for an even greater purpose? My guest Alan Samuel Cohen talks us through just what shared purpose is...and how magical it can be.

Families are just like a business. You have to manage your finances. You have to keep your customers happy and wanting more. You have to work with outside individuals to ensure strong relationships. Unlike a business, you have a more personal touch to make everything come together. So how do you blend your business life and your personal life so they can be in harmony? That's the question we're answering here, and my guest Nicole Odom-Hardnett not only blends business with her life with precision, but she also does it in a new marriage.

Black Lives Matter.

After a long break, the show returns to a different world.

Just like the name suggests, this is one of the big wishes of most business owners. It's no secret the lifeblood of a business is cash flow, and having a product or service that meets the needs of your target market could mean you're thriving or putting up a closed for business sign. While there are many ways to introduce prospects to the work you do, what is the best way to start or improve? That's the question we plan to answer, and my guest Russ Ruffino broke the code. Let's all find out what he discovered.

Messaging is more critical than ever for businesses. When a new company starts servicing, the window closes more on being unique in the marketplace. Technology provides more access to ease to demonstrate your why and how, but not every business makes an effort to educate the masses. Content still leads to customer acquisition because the cost of advertising climbs higher and higher, so what is a business owner to do to stay relevant? My guest Daree Allen Nieves is a veteran podcaster and voiceover professional that shares how and why she creates content.

Ok, Boomer! We hear it everywhere, and it's not fair. The baby boomer generation is now at a point of becoming retirees, but some boomers have more left to offer. One of the options is starting a business. The question is what to do with all of the years of experience? Better question...what if you're not a boomer? How can this help you? Great questions and our guest Steve Rosenbaum works with the baby boomers by assisting them in turning those years of experience into a strong business foundation. Good job, Boomer!

If you think the stock game is a man's only club, think again. The movement for financial literacy is growing, and women investors are learning the game and changing the rules. What does this have to do with entrepreneurship? Everything. All entrepreneurs need to diversify their income stream, and it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. It only matters where you learn from, and our guest Cassandra Cummings might talk to the ladies more, but she's all about dividends.

Is your branding dull? If it is, it's not your fault. Or maybe it is. That type of real talk is lost in business, and it may be the one thing that hurts your messaging around the world. When you look at the biggest brands, you know who they are. Brand recognition like that is what separates the known from the unknown, but would you be surprised if branding was more of a mental game rather than a visual one? My guest Des Dobreva specializes in taking a brand from basic to Boombastic.

It happens in every entrepreneur's life. You come to a point where all of your hard work is paying off, and the urge to transfer knowledge is calling. Maybe it's mentorship. Perhaps it is speaking to the masses. No matter what it is, you can't deny it. That's the story of many entrepreneurs because one day, the student becomes the master, and masters need students. That cycle of life is real, and my guest AJ Adams walks us through why influence is a vital part of the entrepreneurial journey.

During the weekend of November 1-2, I had the opportunity to speak to a standing-room-only room filled with budding content creators talking about my favorite subject. Media. The funny thing is, while I was teaching principles of monetization, the event was teaching me about hosting a premier, intimate affair. DC Podfest is an event geared towards the education and insights of podcasting within the DC Metro Area. While smaller than most conventions, this event is big on heart, and I walk you through what I learned from being a speaker and an attendee.

On November 3rd, 2016, The Swift Kick Show was born. The show hasn't changed much, and that's  good thing. We all here at SKS want to thank you for listening in each week and being the most critical part of the show. With my special guest, Taniza Holmes-Craggette, we reminisce about what it took to get to year three and what we expect in the future. Enjoy.

The sad truth about life is that it comes to an end. We don't know how or when, but we do know it comes eventually. Not many deaths make it on SKS, but with the passing of John Witherspoon, it was on our minds and hearts. Mr. Witherspoon was a hard-working comedian and actor who's character was larger than life. We dedicated this show to him because, as with all of us, we have great plans that we want more time to complete, yet we can't control that. For every entrepreneur, we all should take note that doing our best when we can is the best we can do. Rest in peace, Pops.

For businesses that fade over time, one of the causes is cashflow. It's been documented in books on business and wealth that diversifying one's business is the key to sustainable revenue but which ventures could we add? The bigger question may be which can we add that doesn't take us away from our primary business? Well, we found one and my guest Leo Piero will discuss why every entrepreneur should have properties in their portfolio.

So I've been away for some time and I miss you all. As an entrepreneur, you get opportunities and some of them take you away from your daily life. I received an opportunity that stretched me out of my comfort zone but was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. In this show, you'll learn what I've been up to and you'll learn a couple of great lessons for you and your business.

It's no mystery starting a business can be tough. The secret to getting where you want to end up begins with understanding where you want to end up. As simple as that sounds, the reality is knowing where to go requires vision than a big imagination to plan the journey. Wouldn't it be helpful to know the starting points so you don't have to tap into your inner child? We think so and our guest Phil M. Jones is one of the best at EXACTLY how to begin.

We as entrepreneurs forget that we can't take our businesses with us. In a world where most businesses aren't designed to be passed to the next generation, years of hard work is lost without any chance of recovery. It's not too late though because there are people that understand how to pass that great business to family and keep the business intact. My guest Christopher Martin is an expert in legacy wealth building and will discuss how we can keep the lights on.

It's no secret Facebook advertising is still a great way to get noticed for your product or services. While their's many ways to use the platform, there is a psychology to the ad network most entrepreneurs miss. Surprisingly, it's not technical knowledge. It's in your head. Once you know how it works, you'll never go back and my guest Carlos Aviles breaks down what to do about your mental Facebook advertising.

No matter your point of view, there is an audience out there waiting to hear what you have to say. As entrepreneurs, we are thought leaders by default but sometimes we forget how powerful our influence is. We command attention so we need to embrace it to grow our businesses and my guest Phillip Scott talks us through the ins and outs of being our media and creating a movement through our voice.

When it comes to systematizing your business. the first factor is time. What separates the good businesses from the great businesses is the ability to have vision. Developing vision starts with the ability to imagine into the future and direct your business in that plan. While most businesses are not built that way, some are and my guess Antonio Thornton has mastered time management and systemization from many big businesses. If you want to find more time, you need this.

Improving your marketing message starts with a decision to inform and entertain. Marketing in today's world revolves around content. If you're not broadcasting, streaming, or writing, you're not tribe-building. One such way is podcasting and it keeps getting hotter around the globe. It's simple to start but does that time to master and my guest Gregg Clunis talks about building a massive following so you don't get left behind.

While most businesses don't think about collections until they need it, it's one of the necessary evils we face. It doesn't matter the amount as long as it's recovered. What's interesting about this task is this business a business model that isn't talked about regularly and it's needed. It's a perfect bolt-in business that fits any industry and my guest Dee Bowden talks us through the ups and downs of one of our most intriguing models yet.

Content is a business model we explore a lot because it's a flexible model. It's industry independent, scalable, and doesn't need much management to be successful. For some entrepreneurs, this model is the printing money model because it focuses on input (traffic) and output (content). People pay you by getting access or by clicking links. The question is how do you get started...even if you hate writing. The great thing is writing isn't the only way to publish content and my guest Dennis Crosby details what you need to do publish and profit passively.

One of the more scalable business models in the world is the membership model. Selling access to exclusive content, benefits, and personal access gives the business owner leverage of making something once and selling it multiple times. What's isn't discussed in length is how you fill that membership. One of the ways is through charity and it is extremely nobel. When a business shows it is socially conscious and strives for change, you talk to the sensibilities of who you serve and my guest Cam Martinez talks us through what he and his partner built...and how you can too.

We've all heard of using billboards to get the message out about your business but have you ever considered making a movie? Being able to capture multiple senses so your viewer can absorb your ideas seems out of reach but with crowdfunding, it's possible. Having a crowdfunding campaign takes concentration, coordination, and a belief that others will see your vision and make it their own. It's a lot to ask but my guest Ken McArthur did that and we talk through what it takes to go from idea to funding.

Google is still the number 1 company for searches online because we all feed the machine. From smartphone use to desktop inquiries, Google learns more about our daily habits and feeds us the information we are more likely to enjoy and use. For business, this means we can leverage their advertising network to sell our products and services but the question of its age comes up. Are people still clicking on ads from Google and does this platform still deliver? My guest Callum Davies breaks down why we all need to reconsider Adwords and how we've been doing it wrong.

As an entrepreneur, we need to use every channel we can to make people aware of what we do. One of those channels is speaking. An effective speaker can move people to take action, cause them to think, and motivate them to buy. Here's the problem...What happens when you don't have the skill to grab someone's attention and hold it for 45 minutes? That can spell disaster and my guest Ariane de Melo details why you need to be great and how acting is the key to success.

Are you running out of prospects for your product or service? Maybe it's time to look at a new vertical. The corporate vertical. For many entrepreneurs, the struggle to compete has become fierce and saturated but corporate consulting is commonly overlooked. There are many benefits to selling to corporate clients and my guest Kimanzi Constable walks us through the process of increasing sales through the corporate space.

One of the strongest skills to develop in business growth is leadership. It is the cornerstone for multiplying yourself, your time, and your completion of a task. While outsourcing has become the latest buzzword, the skill of leading and delegating isn't a natural born trait for most and my guest Annabelle Beckwith explains how we can become effective managers of people.

How many of you have a business that supports helping people globally at it's core? For many businesses, the goal is to turn a profit, financial or otherwise. While gaining wins financially is great, some entrepreneurs focus on getting wins socially. What they do and how they serve is defined by the people they effect for change and my guest Colleen Gallagher has built her business to support undeserved people around the world and make a difference.

Time to finish where we left off. In this second half of the 101 episode, our host Timothy D. Craggette further explores the idea of entrepreneurs raising their voices by reclaiming their voices. With a need to make our marks in our businesses, their are factors all entrepreneurs face to get their prospects aware of who they serve and how they serve.This shoe goes deep into the 3 vehicles every entrepreneurs must master to help at a high level.

We hit the 100 show milestone! Now looking into the future, our host Timothy D. Craggette reflects on the idea of entrepreneurs raising their voices by reclaiming their voices. In a world that runs faster everyday, the challenge to stand out and make a difference has never been so important. In this how, we explore the 3 things to consider in reclaiming your voice.

You may have the next great idea but do you understand how you get your idea to market? The invention business model has helped millions of inventors sell their unique solutions to everyday problems that most of us don't realize exist. That type of keen eye is the difference between a million-dollar idea and a million-dollar experiment but there are companies in the world that prey on the uninformed and my returning guest Donteacia Seymore talks us through the world behind the solution.

Entrepreneurs understand that media coverage helps to grow their brand, their expertise, and their credibility. What most entrepreneurs don't understand is what it takes to make them shine within the media. The magic of a broadcast seems effortless due to hours or training, recording, editing, and post productions. While it's not something we need to know, it's something we should appreciate and my guest Lynn Borton talks us through what we do to make magic happen.

We have been told for many years that growth is the key metric to business. That all sounds well because every book, training, and guru says we need to grow to thrive and survive. With the infinite amount of businesses and business models that exist, no one way the right way across the board so what can we do to mature our hard work? My guest Frankie Fihn is a master at business growth and making it work for different businesses. Let's get ready to learn.

One business model that causes mass confusion is the franchising model. The dream of buying into a pre-made system appears to be a huge endeavor thanks to the bigger, more well-known franchises. The amazing thing is buying into a franchise at a smaller entry point opens the door to starting a business at an affordable price point with the power to influence the growth of the entire business and my guest Shayla Locklear talks us through the misconceptions and the opportunity.

Over the years, the laptop lifestyle has been sold as the ultimate dream business model. Having that picture of being on the beach with your favorite beverage sells a dream for most but for some, this is life. The real question is, what if you could pack up and leave your life of comfort and relocate completely around to world? Could it be possible to live abroad permanently with just a laptop? My guest Ricky Shetty did just that and details how you can become a digital nomad.

It's that time again. Valentine's Day is a time to stop and smell the roses with the person that you work the hardest for. As tradition on the show, I invite my wife to discuss the many facets of being in business and married. This time, she turned to tables and became the interviewer and asked me her burning questions about business. So...my guest Taniza Holmes-Craggette takes the captain's chair and I become the guest. Interesting...

Persuasion is a business and for the ones that understand that, that can move the needle in the black. What's fascinating about the copywriting is people can charge huge sums of money to basically have conversations. No matter if it's awareness, validation, or sales, being able to know and understand someone's needs and desires better then them is the key to moving from interest to income. My guest Donnie Bryant has made a profession in getting into prospects pockets and we're discussing it.

The huge craze for growing your business today is influencers. Big companies are finding these superstars of persuasion to promote their products and services to their loyal, and sometimes rabid, fan base. The ability to move a crowd to check out something they mention can be worth millions to corporations but what about the entrepreneur without the multimillion-dollar budget...how can they get in on the movement? My guest Ty Cohen has been teaching his students how they, too, can leverage all the influencers they can handle.

While many entrepreneurs focus on the external aspects of business building, the internal part sometimes gets shortchanged. The idea of working holistically on your business sounds like a strange way to start or grow a business but it's that exact switch that produces different results. The practice of self-realization and energy can cause dramatic and unpredictable results and my guest Michael Baptiste discovered this for himself. He's helped many entrepreneurs to reshape their practices and he's going to do that for you.

Are you still struggling to get people to understand you? In this new year, some resolutions are to lose weight, to find true love, but entrepreneurs resolute to having Q1 outperform last quarter. Part of the growth is having a message prospects understand and can take action on but many bad habits crept into 2019. My guest Fanny Myth is a brand strategist that's no-nonsense and is here to help you right the ship.

Happy New Year! Getting started on the right foot is the key to a prosperous new year. We are at our most ambitious and we feel unstoppable. That energy has the power to push us to new heights but it also has the power to overwhelm us. Our guest Marla Mattenson is going to help us guide our energy to push us to that next level.

Selling to others is as old as time. What has changed is the way we do it. No matter if you sell small items or large purchase items, the same rules apply. Sell the people what they want. The question is what to do and how to do it so you can have raving fans and my guest John Lawson talks us through the missing link in being a power seller, no matter your skill set.

YouTube still matters. With streaming video rising as a broadcasting tool, recorded video still has its place in your business. Priority for video is increasing with social media picking up the pace and traditional media hiring more content producers so business owners need to follow the trends. As far as we see it, video is here to stay and my guest Paul James knows how to satisfy the masses using video...with over 150K subscribers to prove it!

Resources for starting or running a business can be a challenge unless you can make something out of nothing. The magic of a joint venture is both sides can lift each other up with little to no extra expense or workload but how do you start the relationship for a mutual endorsement? It starts with a single message and my guest Andy Hussong talks us through the simple yet powerful technique of mutual endorsement.

Brand building has become storytelling. Being able to convert buyers has moved away from traditional techniques to endorsed conversations and many businesses are missing out. Trust has shifted over the years and the new segment of buyers look towards influencers to inform and entertain to make decisions. Agencies look for these influencers. Businesses should look towards them as well and my guest Virginia Salas Kastilio goes deep into the psychology and opportunity to work with the new wave of marketing.