Podcast appearances and mentions of cynthia kay

My guest for Episode #279 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Cynthia Kay, author of Small Business Big Success: Proven Strategies to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business. Episode page with video, transcript, and more As a business owner for over 35 years, Cynthia Kay has attracted well-known and respected customers from the global Fortune 100 to smaller forward-thinking businesses. Along the way, she has developed practical, actionable strategies for businesses from starting up to stepping out.  As a former board chair of the National Small Business Association, she had advocated for small businesses and spoken to diverse audiences across the country. She has also mentored business owners as a member of the American Academy of Entrepreneurs.  In this episode, Cynthia shares her journey as a business owner and the lessons she's learned along the way. Cynthia discusses her favorite mistake—starting her business with a partner who wasn't a good fit. Despite planning out the financial and operational aspects, she overlooked the importance of aligning on working styles, values, and approaches to growth. Over time, their differing perspectives, particularly around scaling the business and relinquishing control, created tension. This led to the eventual dissolution of the partnership. Through this experience, Cynthia developed the idea of a "business prenup," emphasizing the importance of thorough communication and alignment before entering into partnerships. She also offers advice on leadership, hiring, and building a resilient organization. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? Why do you think the partnership didn't work? How did things end up playing out with the partnership? How quickly did those differences show up, or did they creep in over time? How did you try to address those differences? What advice do you have for others considering partnerships? When you say the company had grown, how many employees did you have, or what was the scale of growth? Can you tell us about the moment when you realized the partnership wasn't working? Can you talk about some of the common mistakes small business owners make? What advice would you give about building a resilient organization after setbacks or mistakes? How do you handle disagreements in your company, especially with different generations in the workplace? What are the key traits that lead to success in your company? How do you foster a culture where people feel comfortable admitting mistakes? What are your thoughts on creating a learning organization? What traits or behaviors do you look for in people who are successful at CK and Company? Where can people find more information about you and your book?

Growing a small business from scratch is not easy. That's why small business owners turn to Cynthia Kay to grow, thrive and become the secret ally to big businesses. As Cynthia states emphatically... "Big businesses LOVE small business owners." If you are a small business owner that is serious about growth, having fun along the way while you build a legacy, this is the episode for you. Brad and Cynthia have known each other for many years, and this is not only a great business conversation, it's two friends catching up...and some Greek recipes make show up near the end. ABOUT CYNTHIA KAY: Cynthia Kay (CK) is the Founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, an award-winning media production company, an author, speaker, and an expert in small business leadership. That expertise comes from over 35 years of experience starting and building her own company. As a business leader and trailblazer among women keynote speakers, her success has been widely recognized. CK works with current and aspiring small business leaders across sectors, industries, or growth stages to help them achieve their goals. Website: www.cynthiakaybiz.com/ HOST OF AWAKENED NATION: Brad Szollose.

Cynthia Kay author of "Small Business Big Success" by The Best Business Minds

In this episode, join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Cynthia Kay, CEO of CK & CO, from humble beginnings to $1 million in revenue. Discover how her business acumen, strategic hiring, and commitment to compliance fueled her success. Gain insights into the importance of mentorship and how Cynthia balanced business growth with personal fulfilment. She discusses her book "Small Business, Big Success: Proven Strategies to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business" by Cynthia Kay provides practical advice for small business owners. It covers topics like building a strong team, achieving operational excellence, effective hiring practices, compliance, mentorship, and balancing personal and professional life. The book is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of running a small business and achieve significant growth. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:   What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Cynthia Kay, the hardest aspect of growing a small business is not merely sticking to familiar routines but daring to innovate and step out of one's comfort zone. Despite the gravitational pull toward the known, success often requires bold moves and embracing change. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Cynthia Kay's favorite business book, which she has found immensely helpful, is "Good to Great." This seminal work by Jim Collins emphasizes the importance of building a great company by getting the right people on board and ensuring they are in the right roles, echoing the sentiment that people are the most critical asset in any organization. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Cynthia Kay suggests utilizing a variety of resources for professional development. She particularly recommends exploring TED Talks for their diverse range of topics and perspectives, which offer valuable insights in manageable timeframes. Additionally, she finds mini-courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning beneficial for targeted learning in specific areas of interest or skill development. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Cynthia Kay recommends the book "Small Business, Big Success: Beat the Odds & Grow a Great Small Business" as a valuable tool for business owners at any stage. This resource provides practical strategies and insights to help navigate the challenges of small business growth, offering a roadmap for success based on real-world experiences. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Cynthia Kay would advise herself to start her business 10 years earlier, feeling that she had waited too long to begin. This highlights the importance of seizing opportunities and taking bold steps in pursuit of entrepreneurial goals. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Invest in people, and they'll bring ideas that sustain businesses – Cynthia Kay   Don't just keep doing the same old thing; be bold and step out." - Cynthia Kay   Balance is different for every person; find what's right for you." - Cynthia Kay      

Join Divya Parekh and business strategist Cynthia Kay for a dynamic conversation that deepens into the heart of small business success. In this episode, you'll discover seasoned entrepreneurs' key strategies for overcoming challenges and thriving. Tune in to transform your business approach, learn how to compete with the big players, and lead your business toward unprecedented growth. Beyond Confidence is broadcast live Tuesdays at 10AM ET on W4WN Radio - Women 4 Women Network (www.w4wn.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Beyond Confidence TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Beyond Confidence Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beyond-confidence--1885197/support.

There is a lifecycle for each and every small business and to be successful business owners must pay attention to the 4 phases: start-up, operations, growth and stepping out. A small business is not just a scaled down version of a large one. Strategies that work well for large organizations may be counterproductive for small ones. Small business can "court" and win big business if they play to their strengths: responsiveness, fresh ideas, flexibility, and more. My guest Cynthia Kay is the dynamo behind Cynthia Kay and Company, a powerhouse in media production crafting top-tier communications for a diverse clientele, from Fortune Global 100 titans to spirited small businesses. Armed with a Master's in Communications from Western Michigan University, she's not just a leader but a trailblazer, having chaired both the Small Business Association of Michigan and the National Small Business Association. Among her accolades are five coveted Telly Awards and the prestigious Siemens Woman-Owned Small Business Supplier of the Year in 2018. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Cynthia's been hailed as one of West Michigan's 50 Most Influential Women on multiple occasions, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. She's penned enlightening reads like "Small Business for Big Thinkers" and "Stop Wishing. Stop Whining. Start Leading." You'll catch her wisdom gracing the pages of Entrepreneur.com and even making waves on NPR. Oh, and did I mention she's testified before the House Committee on Small Business? Cynthia Kay isn't just making waves; she's leading the charge in shaping the future of business communication. Connect with Cynthia Kay on the web: LinkedIn | Instagram

Cynthia Kay talks about growth strategies that can work for small businessesDrew Cesario talks about aligning marketing and sales for growth

Cynthia Kay founded Cynthia Kay and Company media production which produces high-quality communications for organizations from Fortune Global 100 to small business. A graduate of Michigan State University, Kay holds a master's in communications from Western Michigan University.  Cynthia Kay is a passionate spokesperson for small business. For more than 35 years, she has spent significant time speaking to, teaching and coaching small-business owners while running her own award-winning company. She is the Past Board Chair of the National Small Business Association (NSBA).  Cynthia and the company have been honoured with many awards including many Tellys and Woman Owned Small Business Supplier of the Year from Siemens in 2018. She has been named one of West Michigan's 50 Most Influential Women five times, and is the recipient of over 30 broadcast awards from UPI, AP, and other news organizations.  CK & CO Cynthia has authored several books. Her newest book, Small Business, Big Success: How to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business (Career Press 2024) is available for pre-order and will be on May 6, 2024. She writes for Entrepreneur.com, has been featured in Time Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine's Ask the Expert and on NPR.   Questions ·    We always like to give the guests an opportunity to share in their own words, a little bit about your journey, how you got from where you were to where you are today. Could you share that with us? · Your book, Small Business. Big Success: How to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business. Can you share with our listeners a little bit about that book that you have coming up? And maybe three overarching themes or tenets that the book represents. ·    You've been in business for 35 years, so you've been through all phases of a business over 35 years, not to mention the different experiences that your businesses would have had as it relates to the different travesties that the world had gone through. If you were to pick, let's say, one characteristic that you believe was critical for you to ride the waves over all those years to the point where you are today, what do you believe that would be? ·     Based on your experience, what would you say are maybe five common mistakes that you find small businesses tend to get themselves into? And if you could give maybe a recommendation for each as to how they could prevent themselves from getting trapped into that common mistake? ·  Now, Cynthia, can you also share with our listeners, what's the one online resource, tool, website or app that you absolutely can't live without in your business? ·  Now, can you also share with our listeners, maybe one or two books that you have read, it could be a book that you read a very long time ago or even one that you read recently, but it has had a great impact on you. ·   Where can listeners find you online? ·  Now, before we wrap our episodes up, we always like to ask our guests, do you have a quote or a saying that during times of adversity or challenge, you'll tend to revert to this quote if for any reason you get derailed or there's an obstacle that comes in your way, the quote kind of helps to get you back on track.   Highlights Cynthia's Journey Me: Now, even though we ask our guests to provide us with a bio, which you did, amazingly, thank you so much. And we do read the bio at the beginning of the show so the audience has a good idea of who we're interviewing and what they're about. We always like to give the guests an opportunity to share in their own words, a little bit about your journey, how you got from where you were to where you are today. Could you share that with us?   Cynthia shared that for her, it's an interesting story, she hoped it will be for the viewers as well. She actually started her career in broadcasting and was working in the TV business for about 13 and a half years. But she always had in the back of her mind that she wanted to own her own business. And she grew up in a family owned business so she saw her dad and how he worked and how much he loved what he did and his customers.  And so, one day when she got fired and her dad always said, “Honey, you're no one till someone fires you.” She decided that rather than go and work for another television station and she had some opportunities to do that, she decided she wanted to bet on herself. And so, that's how she started her business.   About Cynthia's Book – Small Business. Big Success: How to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business Me: Now, you have a new book that's being published in a few months, it's called Small Business. Big Success: How to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business. Can you share with our listeners a little bit about that book that you have coming up? And maybe three overarching themes or tenets that the book represents.    Cynthia shared that she really believes that the best way for people to learn about business is by storytelling. And so, the book has not only her story, but stories of entrepreneurs and experts from all over the country. And frankly, that's what makes it so interesting because we all have stories to tell. But she's segmented the book into stages and it is starting up, because the challenges at starting up are very different than the challenges for those who are in second stage or mature businesses.  And then she looks at success at operations because she thinks many small businesses, that's a place that's very difficult for them is to really figure out how to become operationally excellent.  And then success at growth because if we don't grow, we're actually going backwards.  And then finally success at stepping out. And someone asked her, “Well, why cover such a broad expanse in one business? Why not just talk out starting up or stepping out?”  And she said, when you take a look at the whole lifecycle of a business, if you understand that, especially at starting up, and you think about where do you want to end up? Are you growing a lifestyle business? Or are you growing a business to sell it?  If you are in a growth phase, what do you need to really think about? Sometimes it's digging back into what made you successful at start-up and visioning the future? And then also thinking about what kind of legacy do you want?  So, for her covering that expanse and she's been in business now over 35 years, so she's been through many phases of the business. She thinks has been reflective for her to kind of look at each one of those.  And there's lots of things that she talks about, she's talked about customers, it's so important that we understand customers and customer services, it doesn't matter if you run a retail operation or a manufacturing plant or a technology company. But she thinks understanding customers, that's a big overarching theme.  Communications is huge, because it impacts so much of our business, and then also leadership, what does it take to lead a successful enterprise?   One Characteristic That Entrepreneurs Need to Survive Downturns in an Economy Me: So, lots of very critical components that you mentioned in the book to running a business. Now, I know you told us about the overarching themes that the book represents and in your summary just now, you mentioned that you've been in business for 35 years, so you've been through, if not all, well, definitely all phases of a business over 35 years I'm sure. Not to mention the different experiences that your businesses would have had as it relates to the different travesties that the world had gone through, so the pandemic and before that the recession in 2008. So, you'd have had different experiences that different economies would have experienced, that the world experienced. If you were to pick, let's say, one characteristic that you believe was critical for you to ride the waves over all those years to the point where you are today, what do you believe that would be?   Cynthia stated that that one is easy for her. And she thinks this is something that people don't think about a lot, but it's passion. You have to have passion for what you do. If you don't have passion, you cannot survive all of the challenges that you have. She has experienced at least two downturns in the economy and COVID, obviously was huge. But if you don't love what you do, if you don't get up every day, and say, “Wow, what can I do today to make this business better? What can I do today to serve my customers?”  If you don't have that passion, it's easy to get discouraged and she thinks it's easy to give up. And frankly, the businesses that she sees that kind of wither away, it's because they've lost that passion for what they do, it becomes routine and ordinary and in this world, especially in the world of business, you can't survive if it's just same old, same old, you must consistently innovate and to do that, you have to have passion.   Me: So, passion is a number one thing that was able to carry you through. Fantastic, thank you for sharing Cynthia.   Common Mistakes that Small Businesses Make and How to Avoid Them   Me: Now, Cynthia, I'm sure in running a business, there are some common mistakes that sometimes business owners will make, right, regardless of the type of business you're in, whether it's product based or service based. Based on your experience, what would you say are maybe five common mistakes that you find small businesses tend to get themselves into? And if you could give maybe a recommendation for each as to how they could prevent themselves from getting trapped into that common mistake?   Cynthia shared that she thinks the first one is not doing their homework. She thinks so often people believe they have a great idea or a great product, but they're somewhat clouded by their own bubble, by their own world. And so, one of the things that she will tell you is not doing your homework, not going out and saying to someone, not just do you like my idea, or do you like my product? But will you pay for it? So, that's the first one. And the way that you really avoid that common mistake, quite frankly, is to do your research, and to go out and not be afraid to ask the questions. And sometimes she will tell you, she has put in place some efforts that she had to abandon because while she thought it was a great idea, she didn't maybe do enough of the homework to really understand if it was going to be successful. So, that'd be the first one.   And then the second one is financially, can you really withstand the pressures that it takes. So, when she started her business, the first six months, she didn't even take a salary. And she thinks that's very common for a lot of business owners is that they invest in their business. So, are you able to financially withstand what it takes to be able to get through those first really tough years? So, do you have the financing? Do you have the capital? Can you withstand that interim start-up period where you really need to make sure that you have a lot of cushion maybe is the right way to say it.   The third mistake that a lot of business owners make is that they take whatever customer comes to the door and she made that mistake when she first got started, she was so concerned about is she going to be able to pay the rent, that she maybe took customers that she shouldn't have taken because they didn't align with the goal and the core products and values that they had and that's a hard one is to say no to a customer. But if you're getting customers in the door that are taking up your time and taking up your energy and not going to help you move forward, then she thinks that that's a big mistake. And as a result of having made that mistake after she was in business for a while, she kind of had to send customers away and that's very difficult. So, having a good idea of who that ideal customer is and really knowing that.  She thinks communication is a big one. Frankly, she thinks communication is something that business owners don't really spend enough time on, they believe if they have a great product or a great service, that's enough and it's not. You have to be able to articulate your value, you have to be able to communicate that value to your employees because that's so critical because it's not just you, unless you're going to be a solopreneur, which is fine. But if you're going to build an organization, you have to be able to communicate with your employees, you have to be able to educate them, have them understand what the value is of the business, and then being able to communicate to customers. The number one complaint that customers have today is sometimes they lack the communication from businesses, even if it's simply, “I got your phone call and I got your order, and we'll get back to you.” But being able to communicate and being able to articulate is a big one.  And then she thinks the other mistake that she thinks a lot of small businesses make is they don't build an external team that can help them, because as a business owner, you're an expert in what you do, but that doesn't mean that you're an expert in all things. And so, building that really critical team of outside resources, she likes to say who can keep you out of trouble because sometimes you get into trouble because you don't know enough. So, having that critical team of people that you can trust and can go to, she thinks that's it. So, those will be she thinks the five things that she would say are really important.    App, Website or Tool that Cynthia Absolutely Can't Live Without in Her Business When asked about online resource that she can't live without in her business, Cynthia shared that when she saw that question, she was like, there's lots of things she can't live without. Cynthia estimated that because of the business that she's in, they have a tool, it's called Function Point that coordinates all of the efforts. In media production and in communications, consulting, there are so many pieces of every single job that all have to align and being able to track where something is and being able to understand who on the team is doing what, it's a communications tool.  Now, that may be one that it's for creative agencies, but there are other tools. SharePoint, she thinks is a fabulous tool for keeping people really focused. So much of what we do today, there are so many pieces of information and keeping it organized she thinks is the biggest nightmare or it can be the biggest advantage. So, some sort of a communication tool that allows you to track and be able to measure where you are is really critical.    Books that Have Had the Biggest Impact on Cynthia When asked about books that has a great impact, Cynthia shared that there are two that she really loves. And the one is Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins and she's read that book maybe twice and should go back and read it again. But the reason that she loves that book is that she thinks there is such a difference in just being good and really having a company and growing a company that is excellent. And she thinks today good is just the baseline, everyone expects if you're in business that you're good, but can you be great? So, that's one.  The other one that she really likes is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey. We as people sometimes think we're effective, but we might be missing something. So, those are two that she really loves. And she'll be honest, she hasn't been doing a lot of reading lately, mostly because she's been doing a lot of writing, so, she's been reading her own book. But she does have a list of other books coming up that she would like to read.  And then there's one other one that over the years she's kind of steered people to and it's called Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Other Don't by Simon Sinek. And she thinks so much of the success of organizations and businesses really rests with how effective is the leader, because the business takes on sort of the personality of the leader. So, that's a book that she always recommend because she thinks this idea of servant leadership is one that really can catapult an organization ahead.    Where Can We Find Cynthia Online  LinkedIn – Cynthia Kay Website – www.cynthiakaybiz.com Website – www.thinkck.com    Quote or Saying that During Times of Adversity Cynthia Uses When asked about a quote or saying that she tends to revert to, Cynthia stated that it's interesting, there are so many quotes that she loves, but her father was a huge influence in her life and there's a quote that her dad always used to say when she faced adversity, and she was struggling and didn't know what to do and he would always say, “Do what's in your heart.” And she really believes that if you look inside, you often know the answer. And so, that's one that she always remember, her dad always said, do what's in your heart.  And his second favourite one was, “They can't pay you enough money to do a job you don't love.” And so, that's her second one.    Me: I love it. Is the second one attributed from your dad as well? Cynthia said absolutely. He was a wonderful businessman. He ran a small business with his two brothers and so much of what she thinks, they learned, they learned by osmosis. She learned a lot about business by watching her dad.  Me: That's fantastic. So, thank you so much for sharing those two quotes, we'll definitely have them in the show notes of this episode.    As we wrap up our episode, we would just like to extend our deepest level of gratitude to you for taking time out of your very busy schedule and coming on our podcast today and sharing about your journey, a little bit about your new book that will be released in May of this year. For those of our listeners that would love to tap into that resource, we'll have Cynthia's contact information in the links for the show notes of the episode so you can definitely follow along and just be abreast of when the book is going to be released and the different platforms that it will be available on so thank you again, Cynthia for coming on and we wish you all the very best.    Please connect with us on Twitter @navigatingcx and also join our Private Facebook Community – Navigating the Customer Experience and listen to our FB Lives weekly with a new guest   Links •    Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins •     The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey •     Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek   The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience Grab the Freebie on Our Website – TOP 10 Online Business Resources for Small Business Owners  Do you want to pivot your online customer experience and build loyalty - get a copy of “The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience.” The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience provides 26 easy to follow steps and techniques that helps your business to achieve success and build brand loyalty. This Guide to Limitless, Happy and Loyal Customers will help you to strengthen your service delivery, enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the customer experience and provide tips and practical strategies that you can start implementing immediately! This book will develop your customer service skills and sharpen your attention to detail when serving others. Master your customer experience and develop those knock your socks off techniques that will lead to lifetime customers. Your customers will only want to work with your business and it will be your brand differentiator. It will lead to recruiters to seek you out by providing practical examples on how to deliver a winning customer service experience!

Remaining entrenched in a career path that fails to resonate with one's true passion is a substantial life misstep. Opting for a fulfilling career isn't merely a luxury but an essential pursuit for a well-rounded and contented life. That's exactly what our guest Cynthia Kay will be sharing about. Cynthia is the Founder of Cynthia Kay and Company, an award-winning media production company, an author, speaker, and an expert in small business leadership. That expertise comes from over three decades of building her own company. As a business leader and trailblazer among women keynote speakers, her success has been widely recognized. Cynthia works with current and aspiring small business leaders across sectors, industries, or growth stages to help them achieve their goals. She is past Chair of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). Listen in and learn more about mistakes leaders often make and how to avoid them.

We live in a video age, which opens up a vast array of entrepreneurial pathways. Video is a field for open-ended free creative expression, as well as for tightly managed business tools built for ROI. It's the ideal field for creative entrepreneurial small business innovators. Cynthia Kay of CK and CO is both a business founder and CEO of a video production business and a consultant and advisor to small businesses. She shared some of her insights and a preview of her 2024 book Small Business Big Success.  Resources: CK's business resources site: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/Books you can buy now: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/books/Cynthia Kay's upcoming 2024 Book - Small Business, Big Success:https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CFWFZQTS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1700618573&sr=8-3Shownotes:0:00 | Intro02:37 | CK's Business Backstory: Inception to Present04:41 | Started with Cold Calls and Big Capital Investment06:39 | Tech Evolution Every Two Months07:14 | Business Growth: Gradual OR Leaps09:00 | Understanding the Big Business Perspective11:58 | Education's Video Evolution: A Rapidly Changing Business Tool.16:47 | Clients' Perception of Video Costs18:30 | Functional knowledge: Educating Clients on Video Value and ROI19:56 | Defining 'Best' in Video Production22:39 | CK's Advice: Solving Common Small Business Problems25:08 | Excel as a Small Business Owner, Embrace Big-Thinking Strategies.27:27 | From Expensive Equipment to iPhone Editing29:17 | Small Customers Can Evolve into Major Assets32:29 | Key Areas for Small Business Growth through Strategic Partnerships35:58 | Can Small Businesses Outshine Big Corporations?38:11 |  Automating Operations: Essential or Optional?40:55 |  Wrap Up: Cynthia's Upcoming Books Overview

You may not have yet realized it yet...God (The Creator of heaven and earth and the Sovereign Ruler of all)created YOU for a purpose and has given you special gifts to fulfill that purpose. Find out from special guest, Cynthia Kay, how she came to realize her calling and spiritual gifts even after having spent several years of frustration in an oppressive religious system. You will even get to listen to her track "Teach Me To Know You." No matter what you have done and no matter what you have been through, God created YOU for a purpose.

Part of the challenge of an effective multimedia marketing campaign launch is knowing where to begin and what to focus on. The goal is to gain immediate impressions and, most importantly, long term retention. Marketers at companies of every size grapple with market placement, brand awareness and cost efficacy. The purpose of content marketing is to create and share relevant written, downloadable, and visual media so your target audience can learn about you as a brand, your products and services, and your expertise. Video marketing is highly effective in appealing to and converting customers as more than 50% of consumers prefer video content over other forms of content like emails, social, and blogs. Podcasts are also one of the hottest new media channels for targeting specific audiences and establishing your brand as market influencer. In this podcast our panel discusses the most popular multimedia channels including videos, podcasts, photography, blogs and webinars to discover the best outlets to gain maximum engagement for your campaign. We'll explore pros & cons, tools & resources, and tips & tricks for each medium. We’ll also hear how our panelists have utilized these mediums to increase exposure with their own campaigns. Key Topics: -Visual Storytelling -Videos & Vlogging -Photography -Blogging -Podcasting -Webinars Panelists: -Brad Larabell of SHEFIT -Lynne Jarman-Johnson of Consumers Credit Union -Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay & Company Moderator: -Josh Janowiak Marketers In Motion Podcast Host & PodcastStoryPros.com Founder. Detailed show notes, links and resources can be found at: www.amawestmichigan.org/EP20

There are many great reasons for entrepreneurs like you to belong to the Small Business Association of Michigan. “For one thing, I really value the expertise of the people who are leading the organization.” Cynthia Kay is a past board chair of SBAM and owner/president of Cynthia Kay and Company, a full service media production and communications consulting company in Grand Rapids. “What I love about SBAM is that they understand the issues sometimes before we even know it's an issue as a business owner, they take a really even handed nonpartisan approach to what they look at what is good for small business, and they come back and they give you the pros and the cons of things.” Leverage the value of your involvement with the Small Business Association of Michigan. Learn more by calling today at 800-362-5461.

Curiosity and humility -- common traits of uncommon leaders. Michael Rogers talks with Cynthia Kay, a past board chair of SBAM and owner/president of Cynthia Kay and Company, a full service media production and communications consulting company in Grand Rapids.   The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Dan and Dennae interview Cynthia Kay, author, speaker and owner of Cynthia Kay and Company, a media production and communication consulting company. Join in as they talk about what Cynthia did after receiving a bad result from a big consulting firm and how important it is when looking for business coaching to make sure they […]

Dan and Dennae interview Cynthia Kay, author, speaker and owner of Cynthia Kay and Company, a media production and communication consulting company. Join in as they talk about what Cynthia did after receiving a bad result from a big consulting firm and how important it is when looking for business coaching to make sure they are in the right position to consult, having business agreements before going into partnership, and how turning money down has allowed her business to grow.

Sales insight and tips from successful thought leaders. This is a mashup episode featuring Shane Snively, Cynthia Kay, and Mitch Long.  In this episode, we discuss Sales, Sales, and Sales  Shane, Cynthia, and Mitch have all been featured on previous episodes. If you haven’t heard them yet, google Kazsource podcast and the first name of the guest to find their episode.  Let's get right into this sales episode.  0:38 | This section is from The Strategy Addict, Shane Snively. Don’t fake it. Having a passion in sales is critical. You will not make it if you are not selling with a passion. Let’s listen to Shane talk about selling with a passion.  7:17 | This next segment is all about The Activity Monster, Mitch Long. As a salesperson, you’ll develop a strategy that works for you. Mitch discusses the benefits of a salesperson continuously showing up.   12:40 | The new age tools can lead to big business. However, you miss some critical aspects of communication with these tools. In this next part, Cynthia Kay discusses why sometimes you must stop typing and pick up the phone and call.   13:41 | As a salesperson, your time is valuable. In this segment, Mitch Long discusses how to go about managing your time and how you need to start thinking about time in sales. The post EP069: Perspectives from Sales Leaders on Sales appeared first on KazSource.

Cynthia Kay founded Cynthia Kay and Company media production which produces high-quality communications for organizations from the Fortune Global 100 to small business. We discuss: Becoming a thriving company that values the importance of communication [2:22] Why you should stop typing [6:10] What causes mistakes in communication and how to avoid them [9:21] What is better than being in a bubble for small expertise-based businesses [13:30] What it takes to know what’s coming up and push the customer to get involved in [16:32] How to avoid the feast and famine cycle and generate recurring revenue flow [19:39] A graduate of Michigan State University, Cynthia holds a Masters in Communications from Western Michigan University.  She is the Past Board Chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and is the 2018 Board Chair of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). Cynthia and the company have been honored with many awards. She has been named One of West Michigan’s 50 Most Influential Women 5 times. Cynthia has authored several books including Small Business for Big Thinkers: Unconventional Strategies to Connect With and Win Big Business. She has written for the Washington Post, has been featured in Time Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Ask the Expert and on NPR. Cynthia also testified on behalf of NSBA before the House Committee on Small Business Hearing. Learn more about Cynthia at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaKayandCompany/) . Brief Description of Gift Assessment of presentation and media skills; free coaching via Skype URL for Free Gift https://cynthiakaybiz.com/ (https://cynthiakaybiz.com/) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn 2Shares

Do you love your job? If not, should you continue working there? Many professionals are not happy with their jobs. This special KazShort podcast episode is from Cynthia Kay, a known speaker, author, and communicator. Cynthia is also a spokesperson for small businesses and is the President of Cynthia Kay and Company — a video production company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We believe in the work that Cynthia Kay does. In this episode, Cynthia Kay discusses why you should love what you do.  Listen to this KazShort podcast episode of Entrepreneur Perspectives to get a better understanding of why you should do what you love.  The post KazShort | Love What You Do from Cynthia Kay appeared first on KazSource.

Introducing your communication and small business expert. Our guest today is Cynthia Kay. Cynthia is a known speaker, author, and communicator. She is also a spokesperson for small business and is the President of Cynthia Kay and Company -- a video production company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Her expertise for conference events includes communication makeovers, leadership, corporate video production, presentation and media training. She even creates customized presentations on a variety of topics for groups, networks, events, and businesses. You can schedule Cynthia to speak or host a workshop at your next event by visiting cynthiakaybiz.com.  You will hear Cynthia and I discuss these 5 topics and more:  4:50 | The National Small Business Association (NSBA)  17:40 | Hiring  24:55 | The importance of video  34:30 | Event speaking  42:10 | Her dad, the dry cleaner  The post EP039: Perspectives on Small Business with Cynthia Kay appeared first on KazSource.

Cynthia Kay joins host Kelly Scanlon this week on Smart Companies Radio. For more than 25 years, Cynthia Kay and Company has produced high-quality communications used on the national and international scene. Find out about her efforts on Capitol Hill as an advocate for small business, testifying before the Congressional Sub-Committee on Small Business in 2015. Discover out how Kay made the transition from an award-winning broadcaster to a successful small business owner and advocate? She’ll also share advice on how to make your voice heard and why she feels women business owners keep getting in their own way. Kay has written a number of articles for the Washington Post and has been featured in Time Magazine and on NPR. To hear more shows with host Kelly Scanlon, please visit our archives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denise Griffitts interviews Cynthia Kay - Unconventional Strategies to Connect With and Win Big Business. Cynthia Kay is a passionate spokesperson for small business. She spends significant time speaking to, teaching and coaching small business owners while running her own award-winning company. Cynthia Kay founded Cynthia Kay and Company media production after working in broadcasting. As a professional broadcaster, she was honored with awards from United Press International, the Associated Press, and numerous regional broadcast awards. A graduate of Michigan State University, Kay holds a Masters in Communications from Western Michigan University.  She is the Past Board Chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and Past Chair of SBAM’s Political Action Committee, serves on the Executive Board of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) as the Vice President for Advocacy. Cynthia and the company have been honored with many awards. She has been named One of West Michigan’s 50 Most Influential Women 5 times, most recently in 2014. CK & CO produces high-quality communications that are used on the national and international scene. The Company serves an active client base of over 130 businesses and organizations from the Fortune Global 100 to small business. Cynthia’s book Small Business for Big Thinkers: Unconventional Strategies to Connect With and Win Big Business was published by Career Press. She blogs for CEO Magazine and also has her own blog Biz Thinking.  She has written a number of articles for the Washington Post, & has been featured in Time Magazine and on NPR.