Small Business Trends Radio | Small Business Advice

Brian Scudamore, Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has started a second brand called 1-888-WOW-1DAY! Painting. The concept is that your home or business is painted in one day. This new painting company has grown quickly, having gone from 1 to 18 franchises in just over a year with a goal of 150 locations by 2016. It took 20 years to build 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into the $100 million company it is today. Brian learned a lot about business along the way and in this episode, he joins host, Anita Campbell, to share his insights and advice on building a second brand using the lessons he'snbsp;learned from building the first one. Below are the questions we asked Brian: (2:23) Brian, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (4:18) And you came up with the name? That literally came to you at the McDonald's drive-thru? (5:00) If you had to encapsulate a couple of the key lessons, what would those be? nbsp;What surprised you and had the biggest impact on your success? (10:06) What makes 1-888-WOW1DAY! unique? nbsp;What would make someone want to call versus calling someone else? (13:05) Is this something that can be replicated or is this something that you believe is unique? (16:19) Do you agree that many people fail at their second or third business attempts, that they are "one hit wonders" so-to-speak? nbsp;If you agree with that, can you explain why you think that is? (18:06) Were there mistakes that you made with 1-800-GOTJUNK? that you're avoiding this time around? (20:19) Can you give listeners a few recap pointers about what you should do when you're trying to build a second brand? nbsp;How do you really build off of that? (22:29) Brian, where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to Brian's interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

Brian Scudamore, Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has started a second brand called 1-888-WOW-1DAY! Painting. The concept is that your home or business is painted in one day. This new painting company has grown quickly, having gone from 1 to 18 franchises in just over a year with a goal of 150 locations by 2016. It took 20 years to build 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into the $100 million company it is today. Brian learned a lot about business along the way and in this episode, he joins host, Anita Campbell, to share his insights and advice on building a second brand using the lessons he’s learned from building the first one. Below are the questions we asked Brian: (2:23) Brian, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (4:18) And you came up with the name? That literally came to you at the McDonald’s drive-thru? (5:00) If you had to encapsulate a couple of the key lessons, what would those be?  What surprised you and had the biggest impact on your success? (10:06) What makes 1-888-WOW1DAY! unique?  What would make someone want to call versus calling someone else? (13:05) Is this something that can be replicated or is this something that you believe is unique? (16:19) Do you agree that many people fail at their second or third business attempts, that they are “one hit wonders” so-to-speak?  If you agree with that, can you explain why you think that is? (18:06) Were there mistakes that you made with 1-800-GOTJUNK? that you’re avoiding this time around? (20:19) Can you give listeners a few recap pointers about what you should do when you’re trying to build a second brand?  How do you really build off of that? (22:29) Brian, where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to Brian’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

Small Business Trends Radio features interviews and open discussions with todays small business experts on a variety of topics. Guests include a mix of influential individuals who speak on issues of the day important to the small business market; and business owners who speak from a been there, done that point of view, offering insider tips and advice. Small Business Trends Radio is broadcast LIVE every Tuesday on BlogTalkRadio from 1:30 PM until 2PM EST.

As our attentions increasingly divert over to video, mobile content is fast becoming increasingly important. Michael Rosenblum has built cutting-edge media networks and TV stations all over the world from Time Warnerrsquo;s NY1 to Current TV. His new book, iPhone Millionaire: How to Create and Sell Cutting Edge Video, shares secrets and shows you how to get rich quick using your iPhone or camcorder. In this episode, Michael Rosenblum,nbsp;Founder of RosenblumTV,nbsp;joins Anita Campbell to offer key takeaways for monetizing video, something every professional marketer wants to know. Below are the questions we asked Michael: (2:15) Michael, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (5:29) Is it really possible to become an iPhone millionaire? (7:36) You stated that the technology in the iPhone video camera is superior to the technology that broadcast camera men use. nbsp;Why is this? (8:59) How do you know what the cable companies are looking for? nbsp;What kind of shows do they want? (10:10) Is that figure of $100k the limit of what you can make? Are there other revenue sources? (12:14) How do you reach out to cable TV channels? nbsp;Where do you start? (14:19) What about websites such as KickStarter or IndieGoGo, are these avenues for a powerful video? nbsp;If so, how? (15:47) You talked about the need to hone your skills. nbsp;Are there any things you would recommend that people do? (18:10) You say that smartphone footage can be a big game changer and overthrow big media. nbsp;How is that? (19:53) Michael, where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to Michael's interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

As our attentions increasingly divert over to video, mobile content is fast becoming increasingly important. Michael Rosenblum has built cutting-edge media networks and TV stations all over the world from Time Warner’s NY1 to Current TV. His new book, iPhone Millionaire: How to Create and Sell Cutting Edge Video, shares secrets and shows you how to get rich quick using your iPhone or camcorder. In this episode, Michael Rosenblum, Founder of RosenblumTV, joins Anita Campbell to offer key takeaways for monetizing video, something every professional marketer wants to know. Below are the questions we asked Michael: (2:15) Michael, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (5:29) Is it really possible to become an iPhone millionaire? (7:36) You stated that the technology in the iPhone video camera is superior to the technology that broadcast camera men use.  Why is this? (8:59) How do you know what the cable companies are looking for?  What kind of shows do they want? (10:10) Is that figure of $100k the limit of what you can make? Are there other revenue sources? (12:14) How do you reach out to cable TV channels?  Where do you start? (14:19) What about websites such as KickStarter or IndieGoGo, are these avenues for a powerful video?  If so, how? (15:47) You talked about the need to hone your skills.  Are there any things you would recommend that people do? (18:10) You say that smartphone footage can be a big game changer and overthrow big media.  How is that? (19:53) Michael, where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to Michael’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

Jacqueline Baptist was amazed at how rarely the media tells stories of women entrepreneurs. As a result, she has decided to take matters into her own hands and has set out on a course to produce a documentary titled, "She Means Business." The documentary will explore the key issues women entrepreneurs face such as similarities/differences in female-led versus male-led companies; women's access to capital and entrepreneur training/business skills; and successes and strategies of woman-led businesses. She Means Business will share true, honest portrayals of human experience, focusing on four to six early-stage and/or transitioning woman-owned businesses, following their successes, failures, struggles, concerns, disasters, and miracles. Tune in for this special episode as Jacqueline Baptist, Executive Producer of She Means Business, joins Anita Campbell to discuss her journey and the journey of thousands of female entrepreneurs. Below are the questions we asked Jackie: (1:58) Jackie, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (4:22) Why is it important to do a documentary like this? (5:59) What are the differences and similarities between women led versus male led businesses? nbsp;Are we stereotyping or are there significant and meaningful differences and, if so, what are those? (8:51) Are you learning anything about how women owned businesses fund their growth after startup? (11:27) What are some of the successful strategies of women led businesses? (14:20) Are you seeing any patterns in certain age groups such as millennials preferring entrepreneurship versus working for a large company? (16:33) Do you think that's a fad or a sign of what's to come? (17:33) How you chose the documentary subjects - are there opportunities for others? (18:34) nbsp;What are some of the surprises or unexpected insights you've learned so far? (21:36) What tips would you like to share with women attempting to get a business off the ground or grow it to the next level? (21:36) If people want to support the documentary and what you're doing, where should they go? * * * * * Listen to the interview with Jackie now by clicking the red and yellow player

Jacqueline Baptist was amazed at how rarely the media tells stories of women entrepreneurs. As a result, she has decided to take matters into her own hands and has set out on a course to produce a documentary titled, “She Means Business.” The documentary will explore the key issues women entrepreneurs face such as similarities/differences in female-led versus male-led companies; women’s access to capital and entrepreneur training/business skills; and successes and strategies of woman-led businesses. She Means Business will share true, honest portrayals of human experience, focusing on four to six early-stage and/or transitioning woman-owned businesses, following their successes, failures, struggles, concerns, disasters, and miracles. Tune in for this special episode as Jacqueline Baptist, Executive Producer of She Means Business, joins Anita Campbell to discuss her journey and the journey of thousands of female entrepreneurs. Below are the questions we asked Jackie: (1:58) Jackie, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (4:22) Why is it important to do a documentary like this? (5:59) What are the differences and similarities between women led versus male led businesses?  Are we stereotyping or are there significant and meaningful differences and, if so, what are those? (8:51) Are you learning anything about how women owned businesses fund their growth after startup? (11:27) What are some of the successful strategies of women led businesses? (14:20) Are you seeing any patterns in certain age groups such as millennials preferring entrepreneurship versus working for a large company? (16:33) Do you think that’s a fad or a sign of what’s to come? (17:33) How you chose the documentary subjects – are there opportunities for others? (18:34)  What are some of the surprises or unexpected insights you’ve learned so far? (21:36) What tips would you like to share with women attempting to get a business off the ground or grow it to the next level? (21:36) If people want to support the documentary and what you’re doing, where should they go? * * * * * Listen to the interview with Jackie now by clicking the red and yellow player

One of the most challenging roles of an effective entrepreneur or small business owner is that of “peacekeeper.” The ability to effectively navigate conflict will ultimately propel you to grow – both professionally and personally.  As a leader without this ability, it can be extremely difficult to see projects through to fruition and successfully manage your team. Business consultant, licensed mediator and Amazon bestselling author Susan Steinbrecher joins Anita Campbell in this episode to reveal the “Three Golden Rules” of engagement and the “Six Steps to Conflict Resolution.” Learn the secret to heart centered communication that will, more often than not, make the difference between positive and negative outcomes. Below are the questions we asked Susan: (2:47) Susan can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (5:04) How does being a mediator relate to the workplace and executive coaching? (7:10) Tell us about the concept of emotional intelligence?  What exactly is it and how does it relate to the workplace and why is it important to success? (9:27) You say that there are two fundamental needs that must be met in any dialogue.  What are those and why? (11:43) At the beginning of the show, I mentioned you would be talking about the “golden rules of engagement.”  What are those and how can a manager address those in any kind of a conflict situation? (14:27) What about body language? (18:25) Can we jump into the six steps to conflict resolution? (23:49) Can you briefly summarize those six steps? (26:16) What is heart centered communication? (28:01) Where can people find out more about your new book and yourself? * * * * * Listen to Susan’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

With the rise of globalization, the world is increasingly trading across borders. Small and medium sized companies have the opportunity to do business in new and emerging markets, but they need international payment solutions and customized advice on foreign exchange. Despite advances in technology, cross border payments continue to present challenges for businesses. The major causes of these challenges are hidden fees, a lack of transparency, and inefficient processes. Western Union Business Solutions Senior Corporate Trader, Sherif Gabriel, joins Anita Campbell in this episode to discuss how small businesses can manage international payments. Below are the questions we asked Sherif: (2:28) Sherif can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be with Western Union? (3:23) What are some of the changes, specifically, as they relate to small businesses?  What’s been changing in the 15 years since you’ve been involved? (4:54) Why is the idea of making/receiving a payment internationally something that can stop business cold?  What are some of the challenges they face? (6:18) If you’re importing supplies from Europe or India, what advice do you have for the importer in the United States? (8:08) What does “hedging” actually mean to a small business? (9:28) Is that something that Western Union can provide? (10:23) How can a company keep up with the speed of global payments? (12:50) The current economic landscape has been brutal these last couple years.  How do you manage international payments in that type of environment? (14:41) What else does Western Union do as far as these services you’re talking about? (19:36) What does it cost for that type of service? (20:30) How do you make sure that international funds are delivered safely and effectively when you’re a small business? (23:22) Where do you see business to business payments five years from now? (24:48) Is that commerce being transacted in the English language? (25:59) Where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to the interview with Sherif now by clicking the red and yellow player

John Follis, Owner of Follis Inc., was a founding partner of one of Madison Ave’s most awarded agencies, Follis DeVito Verdi.  A featured blogger for AdWeek/AOL’s “Fuel the Future,” he’s also one of the few marketing executives profiled on Wikipedia. John’s marketing therapy program, Follis Marketing Therapy, helps small businesses around the US achieve their marketing goals faster, smarter, and more cost effectively. In this episode, John joins host, Anita Campbell, to share 10 tips that you can apply to your small business to help you qualify marketing help. Below are the questions we asked John: (2:28) John, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? (4:54) If someone needs qualified marketing help, can’t you just go to Twitter and ask for referrals?  What’s really involved in getting the best help that you can afford? (6:56) Let’s jump into these tips.  What’s the first way you would suggest that a business qualify marketing help? (8:08) What is your second suggestion? (9:51) Going back to your first point, where do you find someone’s work?  Where should you be able to look for that? (10:14) If someone doesn’t display their work on their website, should you ask for it? (11:22) Let’s go to the third tip you have for us, what is that? (12:19) What is the fourth way to qualify marketing help before you hire them? (13:49) What do you think about anonymous or semi-anonymous testimonials on their website? (15:05) What is tip number five, John? (18:01) How about tip number six? (19:21) What’s your next tip for us, John? (21:39) Share tip number eight with us, John. (22:39) And tip number nine? (23:47) Tip number ten? (24:29) And the bonus tip, number eleven? (26:30) Where can people find out more about you and your firm online? Be sure to check out John’s three part series, “Ways to Qualify Marketing Help” on our sister site, Small Business Trends. * * * * * Listen to John’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

Millions of entrepreneurs have relied on years of real estate inflation to ensure financing in their business. Home equity and commercial property value increases created overnight piggy banks to withdraw capital from to use in operating businesses. Those days are long gone with millions of foreclosed homes and hundreds of closed, crippled banks. Charles H. Green, recovering banker and Executive Director of the Small Business Finance Institute joins Anita Campbell to explore how a small business can finance growth without collateral and where to turn when the bank is weaker than the borrower. Below are the questions we asked Charles: (3:09) Charles, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you got into this business? (4:17) So you founded and served as President and CEO of Sunrise Bank.  Can you tell us a little bit more about that? (5:18) Can you explain how real estate inflation provided business financing?  If the real estate was there and you could draw on it for a loan, is that a bad thing?  What was really happening? (7:28) Is it the same thing that happend in the late 80′s and early 90′s? (9:03) Are there any banks that are actually lending to small businesses today? (10:00) Where do you go today if you’re an entrepreneur or small business that needs financing and you don’t want to tap into your home’s equity, where do you turn? (11:31) How do you know which banks to approach or which of these forms of alternative lending to go to? (13:42) You mention the eBay for loans.  What were you referring too? (15:14) What about alternative sources like Angel Investors?  Is that a realistic source for many small businesses? (17:20) What that realistically means is that is going to be a fairly limited group of businesses that are going to be attractive to Angel Investors.  Would you agree? (18:42) What are some of the other alternatives?  What do you think of tapping into a 401K or retirement funds?  Is it risky or a last resort? (21:42) What do you think about credit cards as a source of funds?  How realistic is that for a small business owner? (23:42) Bottom line, what advice would you recap with for small business owners?  In general, what would you say to them? (25:18) Where can people find out more about your company online? * * * * * Listen to the interview with Charles now by clicking the red and yellow player

In these changing times, the need to be seen and heard above the roar of the crowd is far more challenging than ever before. What small business owners need are the same cost-effective, targeted media tactics and interview techniques that successful businesses use. Some of the most valuable business and marketing skills today are navigating the media; getting past the gatekeepers, creating sound bites that go viral and creating pitches that “get the word out” about who you are and what you do. Gayl Murphy, Founder of Interview Tactics joins Anita Campbell to share how to “tell it to sell it,” what the media wants from you, the four questions you will always be asked by gatekeepers, why sound bites are crucial and translating your story into media language. Below are the questions we asked Gayl: (1:43) Gayl, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you got into this business? (3:55) You’ve interviewed 15,000 people? (4:31) Why are interview tactics important?  Can you explain? (6:48) Are small business owners ready for this? (10:17) How can you prepare for an interview? (14:21) If you had to point to one or two things to create a memorable, killer interview, what would those be? (16:45) When you find you’re ready to do media events, does this take a lot of preparation to get yourself ready? (18:21) Can you talk about what the interviewers goal is and how it can differ depending on the show, interviewer, etc.? (21:58) What is the most memorable sound bit you can think of? (24:06) Where can people find out more? (25:26) Any final comments before we close? * * * * * Listen to Gayl’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

Most people don’t understand the spell they invoke when they recite the magic works “I need a website” in the presence of a developer. Sometimes the results are good, sometimes bad, sometimes the results are no where near what they wanted. Cal Evans, Author of “Avoiding A Goat Rodeo“ will be joining Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to look at 8 points that people need to consider before contacting their developer. He will dispel the magic of software development and show small business folks how to be involved in the process, keep control of the process, and get the website they want. Below are the questions we asked Cal: (3:39) Cal, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be involved in web design? (5:16) You’ve probably been involved in thousands of web applications, correct? (5:45) What is the number one problem that you see web site projects fall into? (6:50) Is lack of communication the real reason why web developers don’t understand what the business intends? (9:17) Do small business owners think that’s what the developer does?  What would you say to those small business owners, Cal? (12:45) Why would you hire someone if the developer is willing to do it for you? (13:24) What would be the title that person carries?  What skills or title would you be looking for? (14:26) What would you typically pay to hire someone like that? (15:40) When you go to hire a developer, should you tell the developer what your budget is? (17:01) How do you know that the price you’ve been quoted is a good price? (18:48) Once you’ve hired your developer, how can you tell if your project is on track? (22:00) How often should a client and a developer communicate during the project?  What’s the right level of communication? (23:28) Why is a contract so important? (25:18) Is it a good idea to have your developer host your site? (27:34) Is is better for a business to get the domain on their own as opposed to letting the developer register it? (28:34) Once the project is finished, who owns it? (29:39) Where can people find out more about what we discussed today, your company and what you do? * * * * * Listen to Cal’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

When it comes to marketing your small business, coming up with ideas and creative, inexpensive ways of doing so can become quite the obstacle to overcome. That’s when a marketing Ideas File comes in handy. In this episode, David Langton, Founder of Langton Cherubino Group, joins Anita Campbell for an open discussion regarding techniques for coming up with creative ideas for marketing and the concept of an “Ideas File.” Anita and David discuss various types of ideas, tips for creating an Ideas File, where to find ideas and tools to create your very own Ideas File. Below are the questions we asked David: (2:07) David, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to found the Langton Cherubino Group? (4:13) The book has been referred to as a print version of a marketing Ideas File.  Tell us a bit about marketing ideas files.  Is that something that professional designers use, David? (5:35) What kind of ideas should go in the file?  Should you put things that you like in there or bad examples as well?  Or should you just take notes? (7:16) Sometimes people get the idea that a swipe file or marketing ideas file implies that you’re going to steal someone else’s idea.  You never want to steal someone’s idea, right? (12:13) Once you snap a photo of an image that you feel may inspire you later on, do you keep it in a file or on your phone?  What do you do with the image? (12:47) What can you do to set up a marketing Ideas File? (14:03) What about electronic files?  Do you keep track of web pages or email templates or anything like that? (15:07) You spoke about your company and your team.  Who should be responsible in the company for creating the marketing Ideas File? (16:26) When we were doing Visual Marketing, we used a tool, Wufoo, where people could submit projects online to be included in the book.  Do you see that as something that companies should do? (19:15) What other tools are out there for creating a marketing Ideas File? (20:37) Visual Marketing has 99 case examples using visual marketing in a notable way.  You wanted a hand in laying out the pages in the book.  Can you talk about that? (23:56) Can you take a few minutes to explain how small business owners and marketing managers can go about coming up with ideas for marketing that are creative and don’t cost an arm and a leg? (25:41) Understanding who you are and what business you’re in, how might a company articulate that?  What would you be looking for as a designer that would give you good input? (28:07) Where can people find out more about your company and what you do? * * * * * Listen to David’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below

When it comes to accepting payments for your small business, security for both your business and your customers is crucial. Protecting your business and your customers when accepting payments should be your number one priority. Brian Goudie, Senior Vice President and Small Business Center Director, First Data, oversees the company’s Small Business Center and focuses on the broad spectrum of payments issues small businesses of all types face – from payment acceptance and processing decisions to emerging data security threats and mobile commerce opportunities. Brian joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to share First Data’s latest “best practices” for ensuring maximum business and customer security when accepting payments. Below are the questions we asked Brian: (2:02) Brian, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be in charge of this particular role at First Data? (3:07) How would you describe the business that First Data is in? (4:04) What are the security risks associated with accepting various forms of payment? (10:02) What are the real risks of accepting online payments and how do they differ from other types of payments in the real world? (13:13) What are some of the legal or industry requirements that small businesses should be aware of when accepting credit or debit card payments? (16:08) You did a survey about the knowledge that small businesses have about security. What can you share with us about what the survey showed?  Is there a big knowledge gap there? (21:26) There’s a new legislation called the Durbin Amendment.  What is the potential impact this can have on data security? (22:54) Do you see anything else that will take effect in 2012 that will have some significant impact or incentives? (26:19) How are the changes in mobile payments impacting the need for data security?  Do you see changes that have to be accounted for because of these changes to how we’re using mobile devices? (28:39) Are there any tips listeners can put into effect right away to help them address some of the issues we’ve talked about today? (30:22) Where can people find out more? * * * * * Listen to Brian’s interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below