Podcasts about businesses

Richie Schwartz has photographed close to 100,000 pets over a 40+ year career — and he's done it with a business model that's simple, structured and unapologetically commercial. In this episode, Richie explains how partnering with pet businesses allows him to book 10–20 sessions in a single day, run a tight 30-minute shoot → show → sell workflow, and keep pricing clear enough that buying feels easy. It's not about trends, styling or social media growth. It's about building a repeatable system that works in the real world. If you're curious what a true high-volume pet photography model looks like — and whether parts of it could apply to your own business — this conversation will give you plenty to think about. The post 655: Richie Schwartz – Partner With Pet Businesses to Book 10–20 Sessions a Day appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—makes a bold case for why this year could be the most important visibility year small businesses have seen in a decade. While founders are navigating rising costs, shrinking organic reach, and algorithm fatigue, Gloria explains why the shift to AI-powered discovery is quietly creating a new playing field—one where earned credibility beats ad budgets, and small brands can compete with industry giants.Why Visibility Feels Harder Right NowMany founders are experiencing:

In this episode, Cory Connors speaks with Lydia Geddes from Lorax EPI about how her team helps companies navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) globally. Lydia shares her personal journey from sociology graduate to EPR expert, the evolution of Lorax EPI, and why data management is the cornerstone of compliance. They discuss the rapid changes in EPR legislation, the challenges businesses face, and why Lorax EPI's hands-on approach beats AI-powered shortcuts.Key Topics Discussed:Lydia's career path and how COVID reshaped her trajectoryWhat Lorax EPI does and why it's a global leader in EPR complianceThe complexity of EPR reporting and why data is kingHow Lorax EPI supports businesses with last-minute compliance needsThe rise of EPR in North America and its impact on global brandsWhy AI tools fall short for nuanced EPR legislationLorax EPI's growth, global footprint, and commitment to client collaborationFuture trends: Will EPR ever be standardized worldwide?Practical advice for companies starting their EPR journeyResources Mentioned:Lorax EPI website: loraxcompliance.comLorax EPI LinkedIn pageCircular Action Alliance webinarsContact:Reach out to Lydia and her team:Email: lgeddes@loraxcompliance.comInfo: info@loraxcompliance.comWebsite: loraxcompliance.comClosing Thoughts:Lydia emphasizes that EPR is here to stay—and it's only getting more complex. Businesses that act now to gather comprehensive data and partner with experts will be better prepared for the future. Lorax EPI's combination of technology and human expertise makes them an invaluable resource for companies navigating this fast-changing landscape.Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!https://anewearthproject.com/collections/new-earth-approvedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

An episode with a special guest! Scott Harrison, celebrity personal trainer and founder of The Six Pack Revolution invites Sophie Forrest-Lavery from Forrest Group into his home to talk about her experience with the programme. https://thesixpackrevolution.com/ https://www.theforrestgroup.co.uk/Support the show

Chris Markowski discusses the current state of the financial world, focusing on the job market, the impact of tariffs on small businesses, the budget deficit, government spending, and immigration reform. He emphasizes the need for a realistic approach to economic issues and critiques the political narratives surrounding them. McFadden also highlights the importance of small businesses in job creation and the challenges they face due to economic policies.

Starting a business with no money sounds impossible. How can you launch anything without capital, without investors, without even a budget? Yet the truth is, you can. Some of the most effective business models require nothing more than your skills, resourcefulness, and the willingness to start.In this episode, Omar shares three proven ways to get started with absolutely no money upfront. You will learn how to take the first steps, build momentum, and establish credibility without waiting for funding. Along the way, Omar offers real life examples and actionable tips that show you what is possible when you focus on the right approach.So if you have no money, take action today. Press play at the top of this page and learn how to start building a business from nothing, create momentum, and set yourself on the path to real growth.MBA2742 Three Businesses You Can Start With No Money Up FrontResource:MBA2560 Extended Interview: Claire Baines – How to Start & Run an Events BusinessRecommended episode to explore:MBA2731 Why People Turn Against You When You Start To SucceedWatch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHiSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Neil Patel is the co-founder of NP Digital, a New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most influential marketers in the world. Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a top web influencer and named a Top 100 Entrepreneur by President Obama and the United Nations, Neil has spent decades building software companies, agencies, and media brands. In this episode, Neil shares how he made his first $20K/month at age 16, why he chose the “boring” agency path over venture-backed startups, and how founders can build real wealth without sacrificing their lives. On this episode we talk about: How Neil landed his first SEO clients as a teenager—and what sparked his entrepreneurial journey Why he believes agencies and “ugly businesses” are often better opportunities than flashy startups The real reason most founders fail (and why 10-year thinking changes everything) How lifestyle creep quietly kills financial freedom Where opportunity still exists for new entrepreneurs in an AI-driven world Why patience, persistence, and passion matter more than any single tactic Top 3 Takeaways There's money in almost every industry—the key is finding something you enjoy enough to stick with for a decade. You don't need venture capital or billion-dollar exits to win; profitable, bootstrapped businesses often create more freedom and wealth. Controlling lifestyle creep preserves optionality—real success comes from building a life you don't want to escape from. Notable Quotes “There's money in boring businesses—sometimes that's where the biggest opportunities live.” “If you think in 10-year timelines instead of 12-month timelines, everything changes.” “It's not worth making millions if you're miserable, unhealthy, and disconnected from the people you love.” Connect with Neil Patel: Website / Agency: https://npdigital.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/neilpatel LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkpatel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilpatel/ Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Thursday's "Drivetime with DeRusha"... 3pm: Tom Homan says ICE is on its way out of Minnesota - was it worth it? Then Jason talks with Joe Maloney from the Sports Betting Alliance - is this the year MN makes it legal? 4pm: Jason talks with St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her to get her reaction to ICE's announcement and the city's new separation ordinance. Then on DeRusha Eats: Mary Leonard from Chocolat Celeste talks Valentines Day! 5pm: On the DeRush-Hour - Jason goes "In Depth" with Blois Olson - should the government help make businesses whole from the ICE surge? Then, is the Twins new "Happy Hour" program likely to get you back to the ballpark? And is social media clinically "addictive"?

Send a textYou don't need the “right” background to make real change.Today's episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn't come from perfect resumes or polished pathways. It comes from lived experience, values, and the courage to step forward when something isn't right.We're joined by Representative Emily Weber, who represents Jackson County District 24 in the Missouri House of Representatives. Emily shares her journey from growing up as an adopted kid in rural Kansas and earning an art degree, to becoming the first Asian American woman elected to Missouri's General Assembly.Emily opens up about what pushed her into politics, how imposter syndrome almost stopped her from running, and why representation truly matters. We talk about money, power, confidence, and what happens when women stop waiting to be “qualified enough” and start showing up anyway.This conversation is honest, grounding, and motivating. Especially if you've ever thought, “Who am I to do this?”If you've been feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure where your power actually lives, this episode will meet you right there.Join us for next week's Money Talks, we'll talk about “His, Hers, Ours: Setting Up Shared vs. Separate Accounts” Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions!  Want to take this conversation one step further? Join us for our next Money Talks, a free 30 minute live session where we'll dig into a question we hear all the time from women business owners: Budgeting for Businesses to Offer Benefits. Click here to register for FREE and bring your questions! Follow & connect with us! Website Facebook Page Facebook group Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Reddit Resources Have questions? Click this to check out our expert Q&A for tips from industry experts, tailored to help women address their most common financial concerns. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive financial tips delivered weekly here! ...

Tourism-dependent businesses in the central North Island town of Waimarino have faced hard times since November's fire in Tongariro National Park. The blaze, which burned through almost 3000 hectares, kept the popular Tongariro Crossing closed for over a week and was then followed by a smaller fire in December, as well as wet weather. Although February has so far proven kinder, many say a good dumping of winter snow is needed to get the area, and its tills, humming again. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Ever wondered how legendary operations leaders onboard 800 seasonal hires for world-class performance in just 30 minutes? What if your biggest edge wasn't tech, but radical clarity, proven systems, and the courage to democratize what most companies hide?In this revealing conversation, guest host Sivana Brewer sits down with Tom Root, Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order and a driving force behind its remarkable open-book management culture. Tom isn't just running a $24M operation; he's helping to architect the Zingerman's way, a playbook that turns consensus, culture, and scientific thinking into a market advantage.Dive in to discover how Tom's team hires 800 people for the holidays, keeps SOPs thrillingly relevant, leverages just-in-time knowledge systems, and makes “lean” truly work. If you crave real answers on scaling without chaos or losing culture, THIS episode is your exclusive playbook to operational victory. Listen now to avoid another year of stalled growth, outdated systems, and disconnected teams.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why “democratization” is a double-edged sword for accountability[03:07] – Zingerman's wild origin: Russian anarchists, consensus, no classic CEO—and their bold growth vision[06:37] – Why illustrated food (not photos) is marketing magic…and why it works[13:27] – The single ops lever for onboarding 800 people in 30 minutes (no, it's not superstar managers)[17:28] – Secrets behind just-in-time knowledge, digital twins, and how training is dead[23:15] – “Tim's Law”: What happens when only one person “knows everything” and how to fix it[28:41] – Radical SOP audits, the core mistake most leaders make (and how Tom solved it)[31:39] – How open-book management paid off $300K debt and kept Zingerman's profitable every year since[42:09] – Scientific thinking vs. the “tools” trap, and why organizations resist outsidAbout the GuestTom Root is Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order, part of the legendary Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Michigan. He's recognized for championing open book management, building empowered teams, and pioneering proven operational systems that help Zingerman's scale their beloved brand while keeping culture alive. Tom's unique perspective joins hands-on leadership with a background in tech, manufacturing, and continuous improvement.

Seattle was flooded with Seahawks fans for today’s Super Bowl parade. Guest: KIRO News Radio's Chris Sullivan on why the mayor of Wilkeson has called out Governor Bob Ferguson for focusing on Trump and not a local emergency. // There were fireworks between Pramila Jayapal and Attorney General Pam Bondi at today’s House hearing on the Epstein files. // Washington could be facing a mass exodus of businesses.

Seattle was flooded with Seahawks fans for today’s Super Bowl parade. Guest: KIRO News Radio's Chris Sullivan on why the mayor of Wilkeson has called out Governor Bob Ferguson for focusing on Trump and not a local emergency. // There were fireworks between Pramila Jayapal and Attorney General Pam Bondi at today’s House hearing on the Epstein files. // Washington could be facing a mass exodus of businesses.

Entrepreneurship is hard—no shortcuts, no hype. On this episode of The Ana Cruz Show, Ana sits down with Andrea Ramirez, founder of Spcy Pilates and AR Med Spa, to talk about the real journey behind building two successful businesses by 27. From immigrating to the U.S. at 14 without speaking English to navigating failure, sacrifice, and growth, Andrea shares the lessons no one talks about. Raw, honest, and grounded in real experience—not overnight success myths.

Most founders think success comes from having the right idea. Yash Daftary learned early that it comes from knowing how to sell, persuade, and build trust at scale. In this episode of The Next Level Podcast, Jeremy Miner sits down with Yash Daftary, founder of FanBasis, a digital commerce platform powering creators, entrepreneurs, and online businesses selling products, services, and memberships worldwide. Yash breaks down why his company pivoted away from celebrity-driven fan experiences, what he learned from watching real operators outperform big names, and why payment systems and customer behavior reveal the true quality of a business. You'll hear Yash's perspective on why sales is the most important skill a founder can develop, how experience and repetition sharpen judgment, and what it takes to build something that lasts beyond short-term wins. This episode is for entrepreneurs who want to build a real businesses in the modern digital economy.   Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:44) What FanBasis Actually Is and Why It Scales (03:56) Why Celebrity Models Failed and Digital Products Won (06:03) Growing Up Entrepreneurial and Learning Through Experience (09:22) Scaling Problems, Product Quality, and Real Metrics That Matter (14:17) Why Sales and Persuasion Are the Most Important Skills (20:09) The Trust Collapse, Rising Ad Costs, and What Wins Now (25:10) The Amazon for the Internet Economy Vision (27:03) Legacy, Fulfillment, and Why Goalposts Keep Moving   Got a question about sales, persuasion, or objection handling? Text me directly: ⁠+1-480-481-6755⁠   Join the 7th Level University: ⁠https://whop.com/discover/7thlevel/⁠   Join the waitlist for the Ask Jeremy 7q.AI : ⁠https://7q.ai/waitlist⁠   The exact NEPQ script I used to earn $2.4M/year as a W-2 sales rep: ⁠https://nepqtraining.com/smv-yt-splt-opt-org⁠   Prefer to understand the psychology behind NEPQ first? Grab The New Model of Selling: Selling to an Unsellable Generation on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/1636980112⁠   Book a call with my team: ⁠https://7thlevelhq.com/book-demo/⁠   Connect with Jeremy Miner YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@jeremeyminer⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jeremyleeminer/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyleeminer/⁠ Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.miner.52⁠   Connect with Yash Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yashdaftary/?hl=en ⁠ Fan Basis Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/fanbasis/?hl=en ⁠ X: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ydaftary/ ⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ydaftary ⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.fanbasis.com/

Employee benefits strategy has become one of the most important levers for sustainable business growth. As healthcare costs continue to rise and employees struggle to understand and use their benefits effectively, leaders are being forced to rethink how benefits fit into the larger picture of culture, retention, and performance. The companies getting it right are no longer treating benefits as a necessary expense, but as a strategic advantage. Reid Rasmussen has spent years helping employers navigate this shift. As Co-Founder and CEO of FreshBenies, Reid has built a company focused on cutting benefits costs while removing the confusion that often leaves employees disengaged and frustrated. His work centers on a simple belief: when employees understand and trust their benefits, businesses operate more efficiently and grow stronger. FreshBenies was designed to address the real pain points employers face every day. Rising premiums, higher out-of-pocket expenses, and underutilized benefits have created a system that works against both employers and employees. Reid's approach reframes employee benefits strategy as a tool for empowerment, combining healthcare advocacy, concierge-style navigation, telehealth access, and prescription savings into one streamlined experience. This clarity matters. When employees feel overwhelmed by benefits, they avoid using them or make costly decisions that impact both their health and the company's bottom line. A smarter employee benefits strategy reduces friction, increases utilization, and builds trust between organizations and their teams. That trust becomes a foundation for stronger engagement and long-term retention. Reid's leadership perspective is shaped not only by benefits innovation but also by how he runs his company. FreshBenies has operated as a remote team since 2009, long before remote work became mainstream. That experience has reinforced the importance of values-based leadership, clear communication, and systems that support people regardless of location. For Reid, employee benefits strategy is inseparable from leadership strategy. Ford Saeks brings a complementary lens to the conversation, grounded in business growth and scalability. Having worked with organizations across industries, Ford consistently emphasizes that growth is not driven by tactics alone. It comes from alignment between systems, culture, and leadership. Benefits are often overlooked in that equation, yet they play a critical role in how employees perceive their employer and their own value within the organization. A strong employee benefits strategy also signals something deeper about leadership priorities. It shows that a company is willing to invest in clarity, access, and employee wellbeing rather than defaulting to complexity and cost-shifting. That mindset resonates in today's labor market, where employees are more informed, more mobile, and more selective about where they work. Beyond benefits design, Reid is a passionate advocate for continual learning and leadership development. He believes that companies grow when leaders commit to understanding their people, listening to feedback, and making decisions rooted in shared values. That philosophy shows up not only in how FreshBenies serves employers, but in how the company builds its own internal culture. Employee benefits strategy is no longer a back-office function. It is a front-line growth decision that affects recruitment, retention, productivity, and trust. Businesses that embrace this reality are better positioned to compete, adapt, and scale in an increasingly complex environment. FreshBenies continues to demonstrate how simplifying benefits can create meaningful impact. By reducing confusion and empowering employees, Reid Rasmussen has helped organizations transform benefits from a source of frustration into a driver of smarter business growth. Watch the full episode on YouTube. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central on your favorite social platforms and catch The Business Growth Show Podcast every Thursday for a weekly dose of business growth wisdom. About Reid Rasmussen Reid Rasmussen is the Co-Founder and CEO of FreshBenies, a modern employee benefits platform designed to reduce healthcare costs and eliminate confusion. With a focus on advocacy, telehealth, and prescription savings, Reid helps employers empower employees while strengthening culture and financial performance. He is a values-driven leader, a long-time remote work advocate, and a firm believer that employee benefits strategy should support both people and business growth. Learn more at https://freshbenies.com. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has helped generate more than one billion dollars in sales worldwide for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 organizations. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford specializes in helping businesses attract loyal customers, expand brand awareness, and ignite innovation. An entrepreneurial powerhouse, Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored five books, and holds three U.S. patents. He is widely recognized for his expertise in modern marketing, customer acquisition, and AI-driven strategy, helping organizations apply emerging technologies to improve operations, engagement, and results. Ford hosts Fordify LIVE and The Business Growth Show Podcast, where he shares insights and conversations designed to help leaders think differently, act strategically, and drive meaningful business growth. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch his show at Fordify.tv.

How did a married couple with $30k in savings and no business plan build one of the biggest beauty and accessories brands in America? Cassandra Thurswell (Founder & CEO of Kitsch) and Jeremy Thurswell (COO), join hosts Mike Beckham and Matt Bertulli for their first-ever joint podcast interview. Together, they unpack the full story of building a bootstrapped empire from a living room apartment to over 30,000 retail doors and more than 10 million ecommerce orders. Cassandra and Jeremy open up about eight failed businesses before Kitsch, catching their manufacturer stealing IP on their “honeymoon” in China, and navigating a terrifying pivot that led to 70 million face masks. They share how they've protected their marriage while running a company together, the reality of balancing motherhood with being a CEO, and why scarcity — not funding — created the focus that made Kitsch unstoppable. Learn more about Latinas in Beauty, where Cassandra serves on the Advisory Board: https://latinasinbeauty.org  Operators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the our channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://9ops.co/channels 

Some Mount Maunganui businesses are facing the equivalent of winter trading conditions in the middle of summer after the deadly landslip and the closure of the campground and hot pools, according to one restaurant owner. He is now appealing to the government and council for financial help. Some businesses closed due to the slip have only just re-opened this week. Owner of Rustica Italian Food pizzeria, Michele Delaini spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government says businesses are benefiting from its Investment Boost policy - introduced in last year's Budget, and is calling on Labour to retain it. Chief Executive of United Machinists, Sarah Ramsay spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Holly Bennett, the founder of Awhi Group, joins Jesse to talk about small businesses and why they become front and centre in an election year.

In this short episode I sit down with two fantastic clients of mine and two sponsors of The Fit Mind Experience 2026! Learn more about Ionic IT here https://www.ionic-it.comLearn more about Gibson Financial Planning here https://gibsonfp.com

Online Reviews for Jewish BusinessesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nick Friedman, co-founder of multimillion dollar moving company College Hunks Hauling Junk and the keynote speaker at ASI Fort Worth 2026, explains how building trust helps his company stand out in a crowded market.

MacArthur Center mall will close June 27. Business owners say they got the news with everyone else.

Half of all businesses fail within five years, and the leading cause is lack of product demand.What You'll LearnWhy demand generation determines survivalHow owned, earned, and paid marketing differThe 3D framework for structured growthWhy authority and visibility matter more than everSaul Marquez joins Ewell Smith to unpack why businesses fail and how founders can build sustainable product demand. Drawing from two decades in healthcare sales and marketing, Saul explains how strategy must come before tactics and how visibility drives growth.Key TakeawaysDemand is engineered, not accidentalMarketing must start with strategyAuthority compounds over timePaid advertising should accelerate proven systemsGuest BioSaul Marquez is the founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket, a healthcare-focused marketing and growth firm. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare sales and marketing, including leadership roles in medical device companies, Saul helps health technology and provider organizations build demand through strategic positioning, authority building, and disciplined execution.##Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.Ewell Smith is talking with sales and marketing pros and business owners and leaders who help professionals and business owners drive more leads and close more deals. He's the Publisher of CloseTheDeal.com and author of Your First Franchise Roadmap. Close The Deal Podcast Supported by Your First FranchiseWe have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

From The Apprentice boardroom to building and exiting multiple businesses, Richard Woods has used his voice to create real‑world impact — for himself and for hundreds of entrepreneurs. In this episode of Impact Through Voice, I sit down in the Dubai studio with Richard to unpack how he's: Grown, scaled, and sold several businesses (including a plumbing company he ran without ever touching a boiler) Built a fast‑growing outsourcing company, Sprint VA, scaling from 3 to 167 VAs in just 18 months Leveraged Africa as an underused outsourcing powerhouse to help business owners keep their phones ringing and inboxes pinging Turned his TV appearance on The Apprentice UK into a platform for personal brand, opportunity, and media work Recovered from a real‑time "freeze" on stage and what it taught him about preparation, courage, and being human on camera You'll hear Richard and Lisa dive into: Why your elevator pitch can change everything — and how to craft one that actually makes people care The trap of doing everything yourself and how to step into the million‑dollar CEO role Richard's 13‑week LinkedIn content system that keeps you visible without burning out The power of story, emotion, and vulnerability in business communication How to transition from one‑to‑one work to one‑to‑many impact, without losing connection If you're an entrepreneur, coach, or expert who knows you need to use your voice more boldly — on stage, online, or on LinkedIn — this conversation will give you both the inspiration and the strategy to step up and stand out.     Listen now to discover how to: Pitch yourself without feeling "too big for your boots" Turn your expertise into leveraged offers and scalable programs Build a personal brand that attracts clients, opportunities, and collaboration

For most of my career, I've been focused on two things: Operating businesses and Multifamily real estate. The strategy has been pretty simple. Take money generated from higher-risk, active businesses… and move it into more stable, long-term assets like apartment buildings. That shift—from risk to stability—is how I've tried to build durability over time. Now, to be fair, the sharp rise in interest rates a few years ago put a dent in that model. But zooming out, it's still worked well for me overall. So I'm sticking with it. That said, there are other ways to think about real estate. In some cases, the real opportunity is when you combine real estate with an operating business. We've done that before in the Wealth Formula Investor Club with self-storage, and the results were excellent. Storage is operationally simple, relatively boring—and that's exactly why it works. But there's another category that sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. Hotels. They're sexier.They're more volatile.And yes—they're riskier. But the upside can be dramatically higher. One of my closest friends here in Montecito has quietly built a fortune doing boutique hotels over the past few years. He started with a no-frills hotel in Texas serving the oil drilling industry. Over time, he combined his operational experience with his talent as a designer—and eventually created some of the highest-rated boutique hotels in the world. He's absolutely crushing it. Of course, most of us aren't world-class designers or architects. I'm certainly not. Still, his success made me curious. Hotels have been on my radar for a while now—not because I understand the business, but because I don't. When I asked him how he learned the hotel industry, his answer was honest: “I figured it out on the fly—starting with my first acquisition and a great broker.” That's usually how real learning happens. So this week on the Wealth Formula Podcast, I brought on an expert in hospitality investing to educate both of us. We cover the basics: How hotel investing actually worksWhere the real risks are (and where they aren't)How returns differ from multifamilyAnd what someone should understand before ever touching their first hotel deal If you've ever thought about buying or investing in hotels—but didn't know where to start—welcome to the club. You don't have to jump in tomorrow. But you do have to start somewhere. This episode is a good starting point. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/545-should-you-invest-in-hotels/id718416620?i=1000748759003 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Lx5Rp4x704lWRazWLqDOK Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GMFf6-g8w_0 Transcript Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI and may not be 100% accurate. If you notice any errors or corrections, please email us at phil@wealthformula.com. Welcome everybody. This is Buck Joffrey with the Wealth Formula Podcast coming to you from Montecito, California. Before we begin today, I wanna remind you, if you’ve not done so and you are an accredited investor, go to wealthformula.com, sign up for our investor club. Uh, the opportunity there is really to see private deal flow that you wouldn’t otherwise see because it can’t be advertised. And, uh, only available to those people who are deemed accredited. And then what does accredited mean as a reminder? Well, if you’re married, you make $300,000 per year combined for at least two years with a reasonable expectation, continue to do so, or you have a net worth of a million dollars outside of your personal residence. Or if you’re single like me, $200,000 per year or a million dollars net worth. Anyway, that’s probably, uh, most of you. So all you gotta do is go to wealth formula.com, sign up for investor club because hey, who doesn’t wanna be part of a club? And, uh, by the way, it’s a great price. It’s free. So join it. Just get onboarded and all you gotta do is just wait for deal flow. What a deal. Now let’s talk about different kinds of things to invest in. For most of my career, I, I have really focused on two things I’ve focused on. Either operating businesses, uh, in my case, those operating businesses largely have been medical and multifamily real estate. Uh, the strategy itself, theoretically the way I think about it, take money from sort of these active businesses, a higher risk, move them into more stable long-term assets like apartment buildings. Okay? The idea is that’s how you build some durability over time. Now, to be fair, okay, to be fair. Sharp rise in interest rates a few years ago. Put a little bit of a dent in that model. But here’s the thing is that you can’t throw out the, uh, baby with the bath water. ’cause when I zoom out, still worked well for me overall. So I’m sticking with it and, uh, that’s my story. I’m sticking with it. That said, there are always other ways to think about real estate, right? Real estate is not just multifamily. Um, in some cases, the real opportunity is when you combine real estate and operating businesses. So. We’ve actually done that before in our wealth formula investor club. Um, and we’ve done that through self-storage, for example, and the results were really good. Storage is operationally, generally pretty simple. Probably not that simple, but you know, but more so than other things, relatively boring. Boring is good, and that’s exactly why it works. There’s another category that sits at the opposite end of the spectrum of boring, and it’s sexier and it’s more volatile and it’s riskier. And uh, that is the area of hotels, right, like leisure, that kind of thing. But the upside in those things can be dramatically higher. You know, one of my closest friends here. Montecito, I talk about him all the time. He’s a, he is a little bit of an inspiration to me, although I wouldn’t tell that to in space. He’s built a fortune doing boutique hotels over the past few years and the way he started, you know, and I think it was only about a decade ago because he bought like this no frills hotel in Texas that was serving the oil industry. There was a bunch of guys, you know, drilling needed a place to say, and you know, he had this and he actually. I don’t know that I would recommend this, but he, he told me he bought it sight unseen just based on the numbers. Ah, man, I gotta tell you, I don’t think I’m that lucky. If I bought something sight unseen, it would not work great for me, but it did work great for him. But over time, what he did is he, he combined his operational experience with his talent as he’s like a designer, like designs, homes, an architect, uh, of sorts, although more than that. Um, and he, he used to build houses for like famous people in Hollywood. Anyway, he took that skill and so he combined it with hotels and he created some of the highest rated boutique hotels in the world. And he’s absolutely crushing it. Just crushing it. Of course, the reality is that most of us aren’t world-class designers or architects. I’m certainly not. I’m not artistic at all. Still, um, you know, the fact that he’s had so much success in this space and that he loves hotels. What got me curious? So, hotels have been on my radar for a while, not because I understand the business, but actually because I don’t. And when I asked him how he learned, uh, about the hotel industry, he just said, you know, I figured out on the fly and, uh, you know, started with my first acquisition, had a great broker who taught me everything I, you know, needed to know at the beginning and. That’s a great story. I mean, and ideally that’s how things happen. As you can tell, this guy is, uh, seems to just hit on everything. So good for him. So this week on Wealth Formula Podcast, I wanted to get a little bit of a hotel investing 1 0 1. So I brought on an expert in hospitality investing that could educate both you and me. So we’re gonna cover some of the basics, how hotel actually works, you know, what are the risks returns. Like, what should people do if they even consider, you know, buying their first hotel or investing in one? So if you’ve ever thought about investing, uh, in hotels, or maybe that’s the first time you’re hearing about it and you’re curious, uh, welcome to the club and uh, we will have a great interview for you right after these messages. Wealth formula banking is an ingenious concept powered by whole life insurance, but instead of acting just as a safety net, the strategy supercharges your investments. First, you create a personal financial reservoir that grows at a compounding interest rate much higher than any bank savings account. As your money accumulates, you borrow from your own. Bank to invest in other cash flowing investments. Here’s the key. Even though you’ve borrowed money at a simple interest rate, your insurance company keeps paying you compound interest on that money even though you’ve borrowed it. At result, you make money in two places at the same time. That’s why your investments get supercharged. This isn’t a new technique. It’s a refined strategy used by some of the wealthiest families in history, and it uses century old rock solid insurance companies as its backbone. Turbocharge your investments. Visit Wealth formula banking.com. Again, that’s wealth formula banking.com. Welcome back to the show, everyone. Today. My guest on Wealth Farm I podcast is, uh, John O’Neill. He’s a, a professor of hospitality management and director of the Hospitality Real Estate Strategy Group at Pennsylvania State University. Uh, he spent decades studying hotel valuation performance, Cabo flows and economic cycles in in the lodging industry. John, thanks for, uh, joining us. You’re welcome. So, you know, we’re talking offline. You’ve been in the hotel business for a long time. We’re trying to figure out how to frame this thing because you know, I mean there are, I know there are certainly people in. Uh, who in, in my group and my listeners, my community who are in the hotel space, but a lot of ’em aren’t. And you know, they’ve been thinking about, well, you know, we do a lot of apartment buildings, that kind of thing. Um, you know, what else should we be thinking about? And so, you know, when we hear, uh, hotel, um, they’re thinking of hospitality. But from an investor’s perspective, I guess the first question ask is what kind of real estate asset is a hotel? And, and may, may maybe just sort of fundamentally how different it is. From apartments office or retail? Yeah, that’s a great question because hotels are fundamentally different. But what I’ve seen over the past few years as well is hotels have increasingly been considered to be a component of commercial real estate. So we’ve always thought about office and retail and residential and industrial as being components of commercial real estate, but increasingly. Investors are thinking about hotels that way as well, because some of the high risk aspects of hotels have been moderated a little bit. So they are still considered to be a high risk and potentially high reward category, but they’re much more cyclical than those other types of businesses. So if we look at apartment leases, maybe being a year or two. Office leases may be being three to five years and retail leases could be five or 10 years. The leases in hotels are one or two nights, so there’s upside, but there’s risk involved in that as well. So when there’s pressure in a market to increase rates, like here where I am in University Park, Pennsylvania, when we have a home football game. We can see hotels with average daily rates of maybe a hundred to $200 a night charging seven, eight, $900 per night, and filling up on those rates. You can’t do that in an office building or in a retail center. And so there’s great opportunity when demand increases to push up rates and to greatly benefit from that. The flip side of courses on Sunday night when all those guests leave. You might be back to a hundred dollars a night and running 20 or 30% occupancy. Do hotels kind of follow the rest of real estate in terms of market cycles though? Yeah, it depends. I, I would say in many cases they’re actually leaders, which again, double-edged sword there. So for, yeah, when we plummeted in 2020 because of COVID hotels were probably the first category really to see it. Demand dried up overnight, and you go back to September 11th, 2001 on September 12th, 2001, a lot of hotels were empty and that wasn’t the case with office buildings and retail centers. The flip side, of course, is when the economy started improving, hotel operators could start pushing their rates very quickly. And so other categories of commercial real estate didn’t receive those benefits. Yeah, I mean, obviously there’s certainly gonna be. Real estate that’s often used that that’s often using debt and, you know, probably has the same sort of, uh, issues with regard to cap rate compression or decompression based on interest rates as well. Right, right. So, um, where are we? Right? What would you say right now, like, I mean, we know that. Our, we’ve been following very closely on the multifamily side. You know, prices are depressed. I mean, from 2022, we’re looking at probably 30% to 40%. Most, most, uh, large apartment complexes are not moving because people don’t wanna sell into a down market. But when they are, they’re being sold at 30, 40% discounts compared to 2022. Where is the, where is the hotel? Market at right now? It it, it’s challenged because right now we’re seeing discrepancies between where buyers wanna buy and sellers wanna sell. We’ve started to see some movement because some sellers have come down a bit in pricing because of what we’ve seen in 2025, the market really did soften as far as the hotel business is concerned. So in 2025. We really saw no increase in occupancy and in many markets we saw some decreases in occupancy. We are still seeing average daily rates going up a little bit, so yeah. Might be worth maybe a quick step backward that the two key indicators in terms of hotel lodging performance would be occupancy and average daily rate. With occupancy being the extent to which the guest rooms are occupied and average daily rate being the average price somebody is paying. We can talk about the mathematics of those, but, um, just I think conceptually, hopefully that makes sense. But, so, you know, at this point what we’re seeing is average daily rates are still going up a little bit, and the forecasts for 2026 are. Pretty much more of the same, where we’re not expected to see great occupancy increases, but we are anticipating that the average daily rates might go up a little bit. Uh, and, and in fact we might see occupancies decline slightly. And, uh, we might see, uh, average daily rates still possibly going up a little bit. That’s usually an indicator of being late in the cycle, you know, being somewhere near the peak and, and, you know, if the trough was 2020. Which was a pretty deep trough. 2021, we started seeing improvements and we saw great improvements in 22, 23, and 24, and so it’s looking like the end of a cycle. The thing we don’t really know for sure is, is there some reason that we’re going to really go into a substantial down period or are we actually in a situation where we’re going to have another upcycle? Yeah. You know, the other thing I was curious about too, like when you talk about these cycles for hotels, even within hotels, there are certainly, you know, different types of hotels. You know, there’s the boutiquey ones that are pe really pure tourism versus the ones that, okay, well maybe they are, you know, good for football games or. There’s others that are people use for, for, for work frequently, right? They’re, they’re just passing through for, for work trips. Do you, is there, um, is that difficult to extricate those types of different economies running at the same time? It’s not, I, I don’t know that it’s that difficult, you know, just to give you a little bit about my background, I’ve been a professor for some time, but prior to being a professor I worked for. Three of the four major hospitality organizations, namely Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt. Uh, and so going back into the 1980s when I was doing feasibility studies for proposed Marriott hotels, we, in most markets, analyzed three markets segments. And, and you essentially said what they are commercial business, which are your business travelers, leisure business, which are your pleasure travelers, and then groups, which includes conventions and, and those are still the three major market segments in most markets. In, in some markets. For example, if you’re approximate to a major international airport, there’s usually a fourth segment, which is that fourth segment is airline crew business, which is, is very different than the other three because. Whereas the other three go up and down throughout, not just the year, but throughout the week. Airline crew business tends to be stable throughout the year, so it, it, it’s in your hotel 365 nights outta the year. So it’s, it’s a very low risk, but also a very low rated market segment. So it, I don’t know if that’s that complicated, but it just needs to be broken out as you delineated it, which is that there’s. Three or four market segments in any market. And in terms of studying a hotel for development or for investment, it’s necessary to understand not just what’s going on on the supply side, in other words what’s going on in the hotels, but what’s going on in the demand side as well. So give you an example. I recently did a feasibility study in a market, which is a big pharmaceutical market. So I actually spent time with major pharmaceutical people talking about, where are you staying now? Why are you staying there? Are you a member of the Frequent traveler program? How does your business vary throughout the year? What rates are you paying? What facilities and amenities are you seeking? And things like that. So to really understand the demand because that demand segment. So important in that market. So it is ultimately a street corner business and what’s going on in a specific market in terms of the mix of commercial, leisure and group business and possibly other market segments. Really is something that we have to study in depth when we conduct a feasibility study or an appraisal for hotel. I, I don’t know if I mentioned, I’m a licensed real estate appraiser too, and although my licenses allow me to appraise any type of property, I only appraise hotels. Got it. Businesses fundamentally changed pre COVID and post COVID. I would assume that there’s probably less travel. Are you seeing impact? On those types of hotels from that kind of, you know, less travel, more zoom type activity. Yeah. And, and that’s a great, that’s a great follow up because with those market segments, although the segments are the same. The demand from each of those segments really has different, and, and as you said, it really changed substantially in COVID. It, it, it’s fascinating how once we were forced to use Zoom and, and other, you know, Microsoft teams and other technology like that, you know, we, we kind of did a kicking and screaming. But once we figured it out, we realized we didn’t get a lot done. Uh, now I spent last week in Los Angeles at America’s Lodging Investment Summit, and I go to this. Function every year, because I see many of the same people year after year, and the business cards might change, but it’s the same people involved in the hotel business, whether they’re brokers or investors or asset managers or consultants or appraisers. But in between. Each year I do a lot on Zoom with these people and you know, we can keep those relationships going. So it hasn’t eliminated, you know, in my personal case, my need to travel, but it has substantially reduced it. And I think a lot of other business people have seen the same thing. So if we look at the recovery since COVID, it was fascinating because the first market segment that recovered and recovered really strongly was leisure business and people, people see it as their right. To have a vacation and, and people were paying high rates, particularly in, in, in mountain locations and in beach locations. And so those rates came up really quickly. And then the group business followed. If people do wanna go to group functions like I did last week in la what has not recovered to the level of 2019 though is the business travel. Right. Interesting. So I, that’s probably a, uh, you know, and he, I can’t really see a particularly promising future for that Subsect either. Right. I think, in fact, bill Gates said it’s never going to be back to the, you know, he, he’s an investor in Four Seasons hotels, and he said it’ll never be back to the way it was in 2019. I don’t know if he’s right. I mean, because I, I still feel like we get a lot of things done. Face-to-face, person to person that we really can’t do in Zoom. I don’t think Zoom is great for establishing relationships. I, I still think that we need face-to-face, uh, personal contact. But, you know, that might be just my perspective because I’ve been working in hotels since I was a teenager and I’m really far from being a teenager now. And, you know, I, I’ve been indoctrinated in this philosophy of the importance of face-to-face contact. But yeah, you know, that might be generational. You with a younger generation. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, just kind of going back to the difference differences, uh, with compared to other real estate hotels, ultimately the, one of the big differences, they’re operating businesses, right? I mean, they’re not that large. Apartment buildings aren’t, but they’re is I think, a specific sort of operational execution that matters a lot in hotels. So, you know, in invest, when investors are kinda looking at that, I mean, they, they should probably be not looking at it as nearly as passive as other real estate investments. Is that fair? I, I think that’s very fair because I think, you know, it, it shows what’s happened in terms of the market with real estate investment trust. Because I’ve sold my entire position in hotel real estate investment trust and, and as you probably know, if we look at real estate investment trust. Different categories in, in commercial real estate, hotels lag, which is fascinating because everything else we’ve been talking about explains why hotel returns tend to outperform other classes of commercial real estate. More volatility, but higher returns on average. If you can withstand the long period, uh, that you need to be an investor. On real estate investment trust, it’s the opposite. Hotels actually lag and, and I think it really is because of exactly what you’re talking about, which is that they really are like an operating business where there’s also real estate as opposed to a real estate play where it’s almost like there’s an annuity of rent that is very easily projected, uh, in hotels. You know, we, we. Project all the time how they’re going to perform. But you know, you know, I hope my projections are very good, but there’s always things that can COVID. For example, you know, now there’s a virus in, in India that you know might be coming and, you know, we don’t know, will this be substantial or will it be really minor in the Americas? We really don’t know. Uh, that won’t have a big effect on, on other classes of real estate investment trust, but. It could have a big effect in hotels, so, so the unknowns in hotels are very high. And then when you combine that with the fact that they are an operating business, which are very labor intensive and wage rates are going up. So the cost structure and the management of that cost structure becomes. Very important and the expertise of the hotel managers becomes very important. And so, yeah, like you say, other classes of commercial real estate or, or institutional real estate investments have an operational component. It’s much greater when it comes to hotels. So I actually have a friend who’s an, um, owns, uh, a few boutique hotels here in, in California, and he was telling me one of the things that he’s kind of worried about is, um, you know, they, they’re, they have some, um. Some mandates coming up with regard to, you know, minimum wage and, and all these things that, uh, hotel workers have to get, uh, give you just outta curiosity. I mean, most of my audience is not in California. I am, but have you heard about this? Can you tell us a little bit about those pressures? Yeah, I have heard about it. And there’s, there’s forces on the other side as well, namely the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents hotel owners, managers, and franchisers. And so they have a voice in these things as well. But the, the, the forest, particularly in places like California and, and in the west coast in general, we’ve seen it in Seattle as well. Um, you know, in, in terms of increasing minimum wages to rates that, that are shocking to me. Um, you know, that’s, that’s a big issue. You know, you don’t see it as much in the middle of the country, but you do see it on the coast and particularly in the, on the West Coast. So, you know, if we’re looking at projections, say into 2026 and, and perhaps beyond, we expect in many cases to be seeing higher growth in wage expenses than we expect to see growth in RevPAR, which is room revenue, preoccupied room, which is just occupancy times average daily rate. So the, the overall revenue is expected, at least in the short term, to grow more slowly. Than expenses and, and wages are really driving a lot of it. And then anything that’s affected by wages, so insurance, for example, property taxes, other expenses are really growing at this stage more than what we’ve seen in terms of revenue growth. So that’s, that’s a challenge right now. The, the question I think really then is how much will AI affect that and to what extent will guests become more comfortable with checking in? On an iPad type of a situation as opposed to seeing a person face to face, and there’s probably generational differences there. What it is forcing hotel operators to do is the same kinds of things that restaurant operators have been forced to do, which is find ways to use technology and actually have the guests face the technology and get the guests comfortable with that. In terms of things like check in and check out, you know, but still in hotels the rooms have to be cleaned and, and although there’s robots that. You know, they’re nowhere near what, where they need to be to actually clean Hotel guestroom jet, at least in any sort of economically viable way. But, you know, the long-term question is to what extent will the industry be adopting AI and other technology in order to address that issue? Because that’s what’s going to happen. It’s, it’s, you know, it’s not just going to be a situation where. The operators will accept paying higher wages and have the same number of employees in each hotel. Right. Um, branding, you know, sort of confusing to a lot of people. Not in the space, but you know, what role do hotel brands actually kind of play in, in protecting revenue and value? Um, and I guess when does a brand help an owner versus become a constraint? Yeah. You know, brands have been very important and, and I, I forget if I mentioned but of the, the big brand companies I’ve worked for three of them and, um. You know, they, they, they typically started as management companies. So originally companies like Hilton and Marriott primarily generated revenue through management fees. And so they own some of the real estate, although they’ve become asset light over the years and own very little, if any, anymore. Uh, but they do still manage hotels. So one thing that the brand companies do have is expertise in terms of management. That’s one of the fees that a branded hotel and a non-branded hotel would have as well, would be a management fee, which is usually expressed as a percentage of revenue. And sometimes there’s an incentive structure in there as well. But then there’s a franchise fee, which is just paying for the brand, and, and that’s usually as a percentage of total revenue, higher than the management fee. But what it does is it, it, it. Puts the property in a global distribution system, so the global distribution systems that brands like Marriott and Hilton and IHG and, and HIA have, uh, they. Generate heads and beds. You know, that’s, that’s the term we always, when I worked at Hyatt and Merritt, we always talked about heads and beds. Every night you’re trying to, trying to get people in the rooms. The brands do a lot to put heads and beds, you know, in a typical hotel with a good brand affiliation. Somewhere between probably a third and two thirds of the occupy rooms actually came in through the brand global distribution system, which historically was a toll free reservation system. And although the, you know, those still exist now, it’s really more of a focus on the online system and, and, and sometimes toll-free reservations and direct reservations. But, but that’s what the brand does. It, it, it ultimately is a generator of. So kind of just focusing on somebody who’s potentially thinking about hotels as an investment. So far, what I gleaned from you, and, and correct me if I’m wrong, is that timing probably isn’t perfect right now. We’re probably, you know, we’re probably in a, you know, a peak and you generally not a great idea to buy in peaks. Um. I personally, from what I understand, would stay outta California. You know, uh, you know, like my friend was saying that it was gonna make it very difficult for a lot of hotels to have their, you know, hotel restaurants even. And so he foresees like a lot of them having to close those down. Um, and then the, the next thing I think is, gosh, you really have to be cognizant of the, of the fact that, you know, work patterns are changing. And so maybe that’s not a good. Way to go, either. What other, what are some other big picture things that you think people ought to be thinking about as they evaluate the space? Yeah. Well, I think there’s a couple of things. One of which is. That is a street corner business. So it really depends on what street corner you’re in. Uh, I’ve done some research just on how hotels perform in university towns versus other locations because, for example, there are brands now called graduate hotels, which eventually was acquired by Hilton, uh, and, uh, scholar Hotels and, and these properties are university town hotels. They’re doing okay. You know, they’re, they’re doing okay. If you look at how universities operate, we’ve seen some Ivy League schools pay 60, $80 million or more just to make sure they keep that billion dollars a year coming in from the federal government that they, they get for research grants and, and we’ve seen, you know, look at what’s going on with NIL now in terms of, of university sports. Universities clearly are willing to. You gen willing to spend a lot of money to keep doing what they do, which is, you know, they, they generate a lot of research and I’m talking about. Big universities now, uh, you know, a lot of research and, and there’s a sporting business aspect to universities as well. So university towns are okay, and, and what I ultimately found in my research is they’re much less cyclical than the average. So, you know, we talk about the risk of hotels as things go up and things go down and things go up and down. That doesn’t happen as much in university towns. You know, big universities don’t close and, and don’t even substantially change their business model. So it really depends on, on where you’re located. And then there’s certain cities as well, you know, people, you know, I, I don’t have to go into detail about my last visit to San Francisco and how weird it was, and I was with students and, and told my female students don’t go out at night alone. I mean, it was, it was, it was really freaky, but. San Francisco now might be a place to invest. Now San Francisco probably has bottomed out. Uh, and the same might be true with New York. So, you know, it really depends on where you’re going. I, I think in general, yeah, you know, there’s, there’s concerns, but even so, you know, I think it’s still might be a good time to invest in. Good quality hotel companies, just, you know, in terms of the stock market and, and equity in, in businesses like Marriott and, and Hilton because their franchise fees and their management fees are a percentage of total revenue. So hotels that are not profitable, that are a member of those brand affiliations are still paying. Into those systems and you know, hopefully the goal is that these properties become profitable, but even while they’re not profitable, they owe franchise fees and in some cases management fees as well. So I think there are a lot of ways to still invest in the hotel business. It’s just what vehicles are being used and where. So, you know, it sounds a little overwhelming, um, for someone who, again, who’s new to the space. Any suggestions on how somebody might just learn more about this ecosystem and, you know, start to go down this path of potentially becoming, you know, a hotel investor? Yeah. Well, first thing is, you know, we talked about ai. AI is pretty good for helping people to learn. So if you wanna learn about the hotel business, you can go and have a really good conversation with chat GPT about what makes it click and where could the opportunities lie today. Uh, you know, I’ve gone over the past year from essentially not using AI at all to using it essentially every day. And so that’s a great way because that’ll access a lot of, there, there’s trade journals, for example, but it’ll access those things. Uh, the conference, like I went to last week, the America’s Lodging Investment Summit, which is in LA every year is a. Is a great place to learn as well. There’s, there’s wonderful sessions and that conference is attended by everybody from Anthony Capano, who’s the CEO of Marriott, down to people involved in real estate and investments in the hotels and, and who essentially make their living. Off of those as brokers, appraisers, consultants, asset managers and things like that. So, so there’s ways online to do it and there’s ways to do it actually by attending conferences as well. Yeah. A good broker as well. Right. I mean, you know, going back to my, my friend who, who’s become a very successful hotelier, the first one he bought, he threw a broker and he said he learned everything about hotels that he knows from that guy. Um. So that’s probably, it probably tells you something as well. Yeah. And, and there are some excellent hotel brokers. There’s some who are national in scope and some who are local in scope. So again, it depends on where you’re thinking you might wanna be investing. Uh, but, but there’s some great local brokers, but then there’s national firms like JLL and CBRE and Hunter, uh, that, you know, they have really good people who are very knowledgeable about the hotel business. Yeah. John, thanks so much for, uh, joining us here on Wealth Formula Podcast and giving us sort of an overview of the, uh, um, hotel, uh, real estate, uh, uh, asset class. You bet you make a lot of money, but are still worried about retirement. Maybe you didn’t start earning until your thirties. Now you’re trying to catch up. Meanwhile, you’ve got a mortgage, a private school to pay for, and you feel like you’re getting further and further behind. Now, good news, if you need to catch up on retirement, check out a program put out by some of the oldest and most prestigious life insurance companies in the world. It’s called Wealth Accelerator, and it can help you amplify your returns quickly, protect your money from creditors, and provide financial protection to your family if something happens to. The concepts here are used by some of the wealthiest families in the world, and there’s no reason why they can’t be used by you. Check it out for yourself by going to wealth formula banking.com. Welcome back to the show everyone. Hope you enjoyed and again, uh, hey hotels. Think about it. I guess. Uh, I continue. I will continue to do so, uh, especially given my buddy’s success in this space. Um. Although, I will tell you, I probably am not a boutique hotel guy. Um, you know, I don’t, I don’t know that I could make it super fancy, you know? And then on the other hand, you hear about these, uh, hotels that are. For the people traveling through and they’re not doing this so great. So maybe wait till that we hit that, um, that trough that he was talking about, he said we’re kind of at a peak right now. Anyway, that’s it for me. Uh, this week on Wealth Formula Podcast. This is Buck Joffrey signing off. If you wanna learn more, you can now get free access to our in-depth personal finance course featuring industry leaders like Tom Wheel Wright and Ken McElroy. Visit well formula roadmap.com.

Welcome to a brand-new three-part series on The Ops Authority Podcast, where we go behind the scenes with operators from industries that look completely different on the surface but share the same heartbeat: strong operations. In this first episode, I'm sitting down with Thais Saenz, Founder of Saenz Global, to explore the world of roofing contractors. From managing chaotic job sites to leveraging AI for world-class delivery, Thais is proving that operations isn't just about keeping things running. It's about building businesses that scale, teams that thrive, and clients who trust you. Whether you're supporting trades, running your own business, or simply curious about what makes companies work, this conversation will show you how strong operations create stability and success in any industry. For full show notes, check out  www.TheOpsAuthority.com/podcast/297 Stay Connected: Join the Ops Insiders FREE Facebook community! Other Ways to Connect with Me: Facebook Page Instagram

The New Frontier of Hospitality: Optimizing for AI and Direct Bookings with Adam HamadacheIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Adam Hamadache, the CEO of Formula Digital, to discuss the radical evolution of how travelers find and book accommodations. As AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity begin to act as digital concierges, traditional SEO is no longer enough for independent hotels to remain competitive. Adam shares his expertise on how hospitality brands can bridge the gap between classic search engine visibility and the emerging world of AI optimization, ensuring they capture guest attention and drive high-value direct bookings in an increasingly automated marketplace.Mastering the Shift from Search Engines to AI EnginesThe traditional playbook for hospitality marketing is being rewritten as AI platforms move from simple chatbots to fully integrated booking interfaces. Adam explains that the modern definition of SEO has expanded to include "AI Visibility," which requires a website to be easily "readable" by large language models that suggest travel itineraries and specific properties to users. For independent hotels, this means the technical health of a website—specifically the implementation of structured data and schema markup—is now just as important as the aesthetic design. If an AI tool cannot instantly identify a hotel's amenities, pricing, and location through its backend code, that property essentially ceases to exist in the eyes of the digital concierge.Beyond the technical hurdles, Adam emphasizes that the human element of reputation remains a primary data point for AI recommendations. These intelligent systems don't just look for keywords; they synthesize guest reviews, consistent business information, and topical authority to determine which hotels are "trustworthy" enough to recommend. Maintaining absolute consistency across directories and actively managing online reviews are no longer just administrative tasks—they are the fuel that powers an AI's decision to put a property in front of a potential traveler. By treating online reputation as a core SEO asset, hotels can significantly lower their reliance on expensive third-party booking platforms and recapture their profit margins.To help hospitality leaders navigate these changes, Adam highlights the importance of creating "content hubs" that establish a property as a local authority. Instead of thin, disconnected blog posts, hotels should focus on interlinked, comprehensive guides that answer every possible question a traveler might have, from wedding logistics to local hidden gems. This depth of information signals to both Google and AI bots that the brand is an expert in its niche, resulting in higher rankings and more personalized user experiences. As the hospitality industry moves toward hyper-personalization, those who invest in these foundational digital strategies will be best positioned to thrive in the era of AI-driven travel.About Adam HamadacheAdam Hamadache is the CEO and founder of Formula Digital, a specialized agency dedicated to driving digital growth for independent hotels. With a deep background in hospitality marketing and technology, Adam is a recognized expert in helping hotel brands increase direct bookings and optimize their online presence for the next generation of search.About Formula DigitalFormula Digital is a hospitality-focused digital agency that helps independent hotels compete with major chains by leveraging advanced SEO, AI optimization, and direct booking strategies. The agency also developed Score Plan AI, a proprietary tool that allows hotel owners to benchmark their visibility across AI platforms and search...

What if building a successful coaching or consulting business wasn't about doing more. But about building better systems?In this episode, Candy sits down with Scott Abbott, entrepreneur, author, and founder of BossUp. A modern business operating system designed to help leaders bring clarity, alignment, and accountability to their organizations.With more than three decades of experience across startups, Fortune-level companies, and global consulting firms, Scott shares the real story behind BossUp. Including his personal rock-bottom moment, the mindset shift that changed everything, and why ownership and structure are the true foundations of sustainable growth.In this conversation, you'll learn:Why most coaches don't have a motivation problem. They have a systems problemHow business operating systems create freedom, not rigidityThe role AI plays as a co-pilot for better thinking and executionWhy community and structure matter more than hustleWhat “coach them up or coach them out” really means in client conversationsThis episode is especially relevant for highly skilled, deeply purpose-driven coaches who are tired of inconsistent growth. If you want a business that supports your life, not one that drains it, this conversation will give you a new way to think about leadership, systems, and what's actually possible.-----Ready to Grow Your Coaching Business? Get the Free Course Today https://candymotzek.lpages.co/vfo/If this resonated and you'd like some support, click the link to book a call. Let's have a simple conversation to explore your goals and how I can best support you. https://candymotzek.as.me/breakthrough

You've got £250K in the bank. You're profitable. Everything looks fine.Then your VAT bill hits and you're scrambling. Or a major client payment is 60 days late and suddenly you can't make payroll.Marc Obrart has seen this exact scenario play out dozens of times. As co-founder of Fin House, he provides finance teams and CFOs to 50+ scale-ups. And the pattern he sees most often? Founders managing by their bank account instead of understanding the two stories every business tells.Here's what makes this different:Marc's not talking about hiring expensive CFOs or implementing complex ERP systems. He's talking about getting the basics right - and most founders don't have them in place.His approach is simple: finance should be embedded in your business, not isolated in a dark corner. When finance is done right, you have access to forward-looking data that lets you make confident decisions about hiring, marketing spend, and growth.You'll learn:Why your bank balance is a terrible way to manage your business. It tells you where you are now, not where you're going. Founders look at £250K and think they're fine—then their VAT bill goes out in three days and they've forgotten to connect the dots.The rolling 13-week cash flow framework and why this specific timeframe matters. In 13 weeks (roughly 3 months), you should know everything: new hires coming in, monthly payroll, payment terms from customers (30-90 days), supplier obligations. This is your Bible. If you don't have this, you're flying blind.Why VAT catches founders out more than margins, profitability, or any other metric. It's a red herring—you're collecting it, sitting on it, and then suddenly you owe £150K and don't have the cash because you thought it was available. Ring-fence it. Track available cash separately.The two stories your business tells: your profit story (management accounts) and your cash story (cash flow). These are completely different. You can be profitable and run out of cash. You can have cash and be unprofitable. Get your profit wrong, you have time to fix it. Get cash wrong, you're out of business in 30 days.Why you probably don't need an ERP system or NetSuite. Most businesses can run on Xero with proper bookkeeping, controls, and forward-looking insights. Don't overcomplicate it.How to know if your finance setup is useful. If you're skipping pages in your management pack, they shouldn't be there. If you don't understand something, it's not simple enough—and that's the finance team's fault, not yours.Marc also shares his background as an FA-qualified football coach and how explaining tactics to 9-year-olds taught him to simplify finance for founders. The crossover is remarkable: clear, concise messaging that people can actually understand and act on.The reality check:This isn't about fancy systems or complicated models. It's about nailing the basics: up-to-date bookkeeping, a rolling 13-week cash flow, and understanding your 3-5 key KPIs (not 25). If you don't have these in place, you're managing by gut feel—and that's how businesses end up in trouble.If you've been managing by your bank balance or avoiding your finance function because it feels too complicated, this episode shows you exactly what to fix.One action: Listen to the end for Marc's single recommendation every founder should implement immediately.Questions? Email hello@peereffect.com or find us on LinkedIn.More from James: Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com

In a podcast recorded at ITEXPO / MSP EXPO, Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, spoke with Pierre Donyegro, CEO of CyberFortPro, about why penetration testing is becoming a necessary—and often overlooked—part of cybersecurity for small businesses. Donyegro explained that CyberFortPro focuses on delivering penetration testing services to smaller organizations such as law firms, medical offices, and restaurants. Penetration testing, he noted, is a short but intensive process that analyzes a customer's network traffic and configurations to uncover vulnerabilities before they are exploited. “Even when you feel healthy, a doctor runs tests—this is the same idea, but for cyber health,” Donyegro said, framing penetration testing as preventative cybersecurity rather than a reaction to a breach. While certain industries face higher risk due to sensitive data, Donyegro emphasized that cybersecurity is not limited to regulated verticals. Any business with a network, outdated firmware, or misconfigured equipment can be exposed. The value of penetration testing, he said, lies not only in identifying weaknesses but in clearly explaining them to business owners and outlining remediation steps—from firmware updates to infrastructure changes—so risks can be addressed proactively. For MSPs, Donyegro positioned CyberFortPro as a natural partner rather than a competitor. “For every technology, you need experts to explain to the customer what their exposure really is,” he said. MSPs can bring CyberFortPro into customer engagements to provide specialized penetration testing, creating additional value, strengthening client trust, and opening new revenue opportunities tied to security assessments and remediation. Visit https://www.hellophello.com/hi/pierredonyegro

Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced this week the launch of two new AgriMarketing Program streams: Market Diversification for National Industry Associations and Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. A total of $75 million is earmarked for AgriMarketing Program Market Diversification streams over 5 years (2026-27 to 2030-31) to support the Canadian... Read More

In the UK, New Zealanders are proving their businesses can thrive - and they say Kiwi support, and the Kiwi reputation, is a big part of their success. Alice Wilkins reports from London.

A two-year construction project is putting the squeeze on businesses in St. Clair Shores. WWJ's Chris Fillar and Jackie Paige have your Wednesday morning news. (Photo credit: WWJ's Luke Sloan)

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledMeta Verified isn't just for celebrities anymore, and no, it's not just about that little blue checkmark either. In this episode, Hallie Wasinger and Caroline LeGrand from Shop Marketing Pros dig into five solid reasons why your auto repair shop might want to seriously consider Meta Verification. We're talking real-world protection from impersonators, better access to Meta support when something goes sideways (because it will), and even perks that can boost your SEO and visibility in the algorithm. Caroline breaks down the entire process, what it actually gets you, and how to know if it's right for your shop.If you've ever asked, “Should my business be Meta Verified?”—this episode is your answer. Give it a listen, and decide if it's time to level up your digital presenceShow Notes with TimestampsIntroduction and Sponsor Messages (00:00:00) Podcast and hosts introduced; sponsors Shop Boss and App Fueled are mentioned.Background on Meta Verification (00:01:06) Hallie and Caroline discuss their initial skepticism and early research on Meta verification.Meta Verification for Public Figures vs. Businesses (00:02:13) Explains how verification started for celebrities and public figures, and the shift to broader availability.Real-World Example: Meta Verification Benefits (00:02:29) Hallie shares a story from Macon about another agency benefiting from Meta verification during a Facebook ads hack.Updated Research and Agency Perspective (00:03:51) Caroline describes her new research and conversations with another agency about Meta verification.Meta Verification vs. Business Certification (00:04:45) Distinguishes between verifying a business page and business portfolio certification.Impersonation Protection and Security (00:05:17) Discusses impersonation protection, security, and limitations for agencies managing multiple pages.Enhanced Support and Limitations (00:06:08) Explains the scope of enhanced support and its limitations for business portfolios and client pages.Five Main Benefits of Meta Verification (00:07:21) Caroline outlines the five main benefits: enhanced support, improved security, impersonation protection, links/content, and search optimization.Levels of Meta Verification (00:11:35) Describes the four levels of verification (Standard, Plus, Premium, Max) and their differences.Sponsor Messages (00:13:06) Additional sponsor messages for Shop Boss and App Fueled.The Meta Verification Process (00:15:09) Caroline explains the step-by-step process to get Meta verified and why it was quick for them.Importance of Facebook Hygiene (00:17:12) Discusses the importance of good Facebook practices for successful verification.Personal Profiles and Business Pages (00:17:55) Explains the relationship between personal profiles and business pages, and the impact of personal behavior.Consequences of Poor Facebook Hygiene (00:19:05) Shares an example of how a business owner's personal profile in “Facebook jail” affected their business page and ads.Meta Verification vs. Business Certification for Multi-location Businesses (00:20:56) Clarifies when to use verification versus certification, especially for multi-location businesses.SEO and Search Optimization Benefits (00:23:02) Explains how Meta verification helps with links in posts, SEO, and algorithm prioritization.Algorithm Prioritization and Featured Profiles (00:25:11) Describes how verified pages are prioritized in Facebook's algorithm and featured more...

“There's something sort of romantic about losing everything and going back to zero.” Garry Vee Continuing to champion a winning mindset after Super Bowl week, We sit down with serial entrepreneur, investor, cultural icon and friend of The Pivot Gary Vaynerchuk, better known to the world as Gary Vee. From immigrating to the U.S. as a kid and transforming his family's liquor store into a multimillion-dollar business, to building VaynerMedia and becoming one of the most influential voices in entrepreneurship, Gary's journey is all about betting on yourself and embracing the long game. Gary dives right in on the do's and don'ts of navigating everyday life, offering research and guidance whether you are someone who feels stuck, looking for the next thing or experiencing self-doubt, he shares something for everyone in this conversation by making complex ideas seem relatable and breaking down what's hold someone back. He breaks down the fears associated with AI and how, electricity, something we couldn't live without now, was once feared that same way. Gary gets real about taking chances before you're ready, the fears that still drive him, and why self-awareness is the ultimate competitive advantage. He breaks down what most people get wrong about success, money, and happiness, and why patience, humility, and execution matter more than hype. The conversation also dives into emerging business and media trends, where attention is really going in 2026, and how creators, athletes, and entrepreneurs can stay ahead without burning out. Plus, Gary connects his passion for sports to leadership, ownership, and legacy—and explains why athletes are perfectly positioned to dominate the business world if they play it right. This is a masterclass in mindset, risk, and evolution from someone who's lived every chapter and has a willingness to share information hoping to make an impact. Pivot Family, please like, comment and hit the subscribe button, we love hearing from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What's the real secret to building a personal brand that lasts? In this power-packed duo episode, Rory and AJ Vaden break down why chasing trends and virality will never replace the one thing that actually grows your business: trust. If you've ever felt pressure to go viral, post constantly, or master every new platform, this episode will set you free. Rory and AJ reveal how sustainable success comes not from algorithms—but from anchoring your brand in service, consistency, and undeniable credibility. You'll learn: Why viral moments rarely convert into real revenue The hidden cost of "chasing cool" over building trust How to stay relevant without selling your soul to social media The one thing every 7-figure brand has in common This is a call to rise above the noise, build with integrity, and become known for the right reasons. If you're playing the long game, this episode is your new blueprint.   CLICK HERE to listen to the Wealthy and Wellknown Audiobook FREE

What if building a great business mattered more than building a big one? In this episode, Jean Moncrieff shares hard-won lessons from entrepreneurship, Small Giants, and purpose-driven leadership—revealing how values, people, and intentional growth create long-term success without burnout.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is predicting the surge in federal immigration agents is nearing its conclusion. At an event this morning to highlight business hardships, Walz said he believes a bigger drawdown could be just days away. And Minnesota business owners say even after ICE operations eventually end, recovery will take a long time.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Names removed from mailboxes. Businesses shuttered. More packages from online retailers. These are just a few of the changes mail carriers say they've noticed since President Donald Trump's administration sent a surge of federal immigration agents to Minnesota in early December.MPR News host Angela Davis hears from mail carriers about how ICE activity is affecting their work and the people they serve, and how their familiar routes feel different.Guests:Artis Curiskis is a reporter and producer for the Center for Investigative Reporting — a nonprofit, independent, investigative newsroom that produces the radio show “Reveal,” the print magazine Mother Jones and the podcast “More To The Story.” You can hear his recent report about the changes mail carriers are noticing on their routes here: How Minneapolis Taught America to Fight Back.Luke Ferguson is a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier who delivers along a Minneapolis route ten blocks from where he grew up.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

In this conversation, Dylan Silver interviews Tyler Minor, a framer and handyman from Lawrence, Kansas. They discuss the trends in new construction, the vocational training programs available for young people, the dynamics of the housing market in Lawrence, and the common requests for handyman services. Tyler shares insights on entering the handyman business, the importance of education in the trades, and his current projects.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Should you design your logo yourself or invest in a professional one? In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of DIY versus professional logo design for lawn care and landscaping businesses earning between $0 and $1M. Learn when DIY makes sense, when it holds you back, and how your logo impacts trust, growth, and long-term success. Important Links: https://www.brandedbull.com/  https://www.instagram.com/brandedbull/ https://www.facebook.com/brandedbullinc https://www.lawntrepreneuracademy.com/ 

Why do some lash artists charge premium prices and attract dream clients while others struggle to stand out even with amazing skills? In this episode, I sit down with Sydnee McGee, an educator and business coach, to talk all about branding for beauty professionals. We dive into why visual branding matters beyond just pretty Instagram feeds, and Sydnee shares the exact strategies she uses to help lash artists differentiate themselves in a saturated market.Sydnee breaks down the practical steps you can take right now to elevate your brand, common mistakes most of us make when starting out and why copying your favorite lash influencer's aesthetic is actually hiding you instead of helping you shine. This episode is packed with actionable tips that'll help you position yourself as the go-to expert in your area.What you'll learn in this episode: What are the three non-negotiable components every beauty business needs for a cohesive visual brand kit? Why branding matters long-term (even if you've built a successful business without it)What are brand archetypes and how can they help you attract your ideal clients instead of just more clients? The biggest branding mistake that's secretly making your life harder instead of easierHow you can stand out visually in a saturated market without reinventing the wheelConnect with Sydnee:InstagramWebsiteBrand It Like A Pro: Guide to Iconic Branding Sydnee's Pinterest Boards:Canva GraphicsColor paletteFontsSydnee's Book Recommendations:“Hero and the Outlaw” by Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson“Zag” by Marty Neumeier“Influence: Science and Practice” by Rober Cialdini“Blue Ocean Strategy” by W. Chan Kim and Renée MauborgneLASH BIZ BABES EXPERIENCE 2026

If you're creating a dozen LinkedIn clips, X posts, blog articles, and email newsletters from every podcast episode because you can, this episode will change how you think about repurposing forever. In this solo episode of Pipe Dream, host Jason Bradwell breaks down why most B2B teams get content atomisation completely wrong and what to do instead. Jason's core point is clear: just because you can create 50 things from one piece of content doesn't mean you should. The real problem isn't lack of effort, it's creating a little bit of everything instead of focusing on the few assets that actually move prospects through the buyer journey. Most teams are building redundancy, not results. The appeal of content repurposing is obvious. You record one 60-minute podcast episode and suddenly you can create clips for LinkedIn, X, Instagram, blog posts, newsletters, listicles for SEO, and ads. At the end, you've got 50 things from one episode. Sounds amazing, right? But that mindset creates massive redundancy because you're not asking the critical question: should you actually create all of this? Can you create clips for X? Sure. But are your customers actually on X? Only three people subscribe to your newsletter, so why spend the time turning this into an email? What B2B Better does instead is map the content they create from one flagship piece against the buyer journey, specifically the stages of buyer awareness: unaware, problem aware, solution aware, and product aware. When you map these stages on a grid, you can identify how to plug each gap using different distribution channels. Take the unaware stage. There's a subset of your target audience that's unaware a massive problem is facing them. How do you reach them? B2B Better typically suggests running ads on platforms like LinkedIn or Google using content from your podcast that educates them about the problem. But you can't just hope that content naturally comes out of your recording. You need to script for it ahead of time. If you're running a guest-based podcast, ask questions that evoke answers and perspectives that educate unaware customers about the problem they're facing. Now flip to the product aware stage. These are people who know about the problem and solutions available, but don't have enough trust in your product to pull the trigger. For this stage, interview your existing customers and have them talk about their experiences using your product or service. Then turn that content into something your sales team can use to hit leads who have already demonstrated interest in your business. This is the tipping point that moves them from uncertainty to actually picking up the phone. This exercise of mapping different content types to different stages of buyer awareness is incredibly useful in evaluating not what content you could create, but what content you should create that's actually going to move people from podcast to pipeline. If this is an exercise you're interested in learning more about and you'd like B2B Better to run it with you, drop them an email or message using the details in the show notes. Chapter Markers 00:00 - Why B2B businesses get repurposing wrong 01:00 - Creating the wrong things instead of what matters 02:00 - Just because you can doesn't mean you should 03:00 - Mapping content to buyer awareness stages 04:00 - Targeting the unaware stage with strategic ads 05:00 - Building trust with product aware prospects 06:00 - Moving people from podcast to pipeline Useful Links Connect with Jason Bradwell on LinkedIn Learn about Stages of Awareness framework Explore Content Atomization strategies for B2B Explore B2B Better website and the Pipe Dream podcast 

Send a textIn this conversation, Andi and Tori McElwain delve into the essentials of digital marketing for business owners, focusing on how to effectively show up online. Tori shares her insights on the importance of building an email list, nurturing leads through content, and the critical role of launching products. They discuss strategies for managing multiple projects and the significance of documenting the creative process to engage audiences. The conversation emphasizes the need for a structured approach to digital marketing, making it easier for entrepreneurs to connect with their audience and drive sales.If you need a community to bounce ideas off of, join our on Patreon!If you are looking for Digital Marketing help, join Tori's Digital Marketing Coaching Program. Don't miss an episode! Like, comment, and subscribe for more quilting stories, tips, and industry insights.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Digital Marketing for Quilters03:44 Understanding the Lead Strategy08:42 Content Strategy: Building Trust and Authority12:11 The Launch Strategy: Converting Leads to Sales18:45 Adjusting Launch Strategies for Different Products23:33 Creating Content While Staying InspiredWant More Quilting Business Content?

Capital decisions are some of the most important—and irreversible—choices a business owner will ever make. Yet many tax and accounting professionals don't get pulled into the conversation until after the deal is already done.In this episode of The Growth Minded Accountant, we break down how small and mid-sized businesses actually access capital today—and why accountants are uniquely positioned to guide these decisions before funding is locked in.Host Lee Reams is joined by Sven Nelson, Founder & Owner of Aevi Business Capital, who brings over 20 years of experience in commercial finance. Sven shares how small business lending has evolved, why traditional banks leave so many healthy businesses behind, and where brokers fit into the modern capital landscape.You'll learn:Why “I need a loan” means very different things todayThe real differences between term loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, and alternative fundingWhen higher-cost capital can make sense—and when it creates long-term riskCommon mistakes business owners make before applying for fundingWhy payment structure often matters more than interest rateWhere accountants fit into capital advisory without becoming lendersHow early involvement helps protect cash flow, tax efficiency, and exit optionsThis episode is designed for growth minded accountants, advisory-focused firms, and business owners who want a clearer understanding of capital—without the hype or confusion.

He started by buying a small flooring business in 2000. Today Paul Lajoie takes home $1m a year and works how he wants.Register for the webinar:Why Deal Flow Isn't Your Biggest Problem - TOMORROW! - https://bit.ly/4ah8L1ETopics in Paul's interview:Background in Big Six accountingBuying the first business he looked atPartnering with his brotherDownsizing his lifestyle in the beginningUnderestimating working capital needsDetailed partnership agreementsYou are not smarter than the sellerPivoting to remodeling after 2008 crashAcquisition vs startup success ratesHis BizBuyPro communityReferences and how to contact Paul:LinkedInpaul@bizbuypro.comKiplinger Today NewsletterConfessions of a MillionaireGobundanceLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact jenny@aspenhr.comConnect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton RohozovProduced by Pam Cameron

Gene Marks warns administrative roles face AI threats while employers prioritize AI literacy, advising businesses to update Google profiles to avoid losing significant annual revenue from outdated listings.OCTOBER 1954