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Gary Frey & Ben McDonald host round table conversations discussing entrepreneurship, leadership, and success on your own terms.
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Chad Jenkins began his entrepreneurial journey before most people were reading chapter books. Throughout elementary and high school, Chad ran multiple successful business ventures while employing his friends. Today, Chad owns and operates many businesses in different industries. In this episode he discusses how owning a technology company and a waste management company intersect and relate.
One of Chad's superpowers is replicating himself to spark growth and find opportunities. In this episode, we dive in to how SeedSpark, Chad's technology solutions company, takes empowering employees to a level I've never seen before.
The attention to detail, creativity, ingenuity, and problem solving we discussed in this episode makes this a must listen.
Check out Chad on LinkedIn and be sure to look in to SeedSpark.
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
This episode is a throwback to when Ben and Gary first met in 2018. In this episode, Gary shares the lessons he has picked up throughout his journey. We hit on an array of topics such as company culture, CEO responsibilities, leadership traits, and more.
Although this was recorded a couple of years ago, the lesson still apply and will carry forward. Enjoy the insight and a peek in to Gary's mind!
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Running a business can be extremely difficult. But running a business with your brother, while making sure the primary focus is serving others at all times, that is another level. This is exactly what this episode's guests, Nick & Giovanni Gallo, do. These brothers own and run ComplianceLine as Co-CEOs.
In this wide ranging episode, we get to hear about the leadership heritage of these brothers, back to their entrepreneurial grandfather to had to flee Cuba and their grandmother who held the standard in the family for serving others.
Nick & Gio dive in to the dynamics of running the company together, the 2 year process of searching all over the country for the right business to buy, why they didn't go the startup route, the effects of their decision to utilize an outside investor group, and so much more.
Be sure to check out Nick and Giovanni on LinkedIn, as well as ComplianceLine on their Web site.
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
As technology progresses, we have all seen the nonstop gimmicks and marketing strategies to win business or close a sale. This episode is throwing the gimmicks away as we discuss how to be thoughtful, attentive, and meaningful in business.
Caleb Musser founded Craftom.io because he believed that growing a business should not be done by sending cheap swag that instantly ends up in the garbage. His business takes gift giving to an entirely new level with their hyper-personalized gifts to prospects and clients.
Even after hearing sayings such as business being all about relationships or providing a unique experience, we see businesses try the manipulative sales techniques from the 80's. This episode will open your eyes to the power of personalizing your process and the success that comes along with thought and meaning.
Check out Caleb on LinkedIn and be sure to head to Craftom.io for more inspiration and ideas on gift giving in business.
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Wednesday Apr 08, 2020
Jeni Bukolt created Haven Creative, a multimedia marketing agency, in 2012. Jeni started the business like most do, with a laptop and figuring things out by herself as she went. Haven Creative has morphed in to a leader of creating communities using branding and digital marketing. And she certainly is not figuring things out by herself anymore.
Jeni has created a culture inside Haven Creative that rivals any business out there. She is intentional about everything within her company. In this episode, we dive in to the "why" behind brands, how their 5 values have led to creating a winning culture, and mistakes made around building the right culture. We also go deep on tactical advice for branding. Jeni shares about her "8 to Great Maven Method".
Enjoy this episode packed with information and authenticity!
Find Jeni on LinkedIn and check out Haven Creative on their Web Site.
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
Tuesday Mar 10, 2020
When Clean Juice was still only an idea, Kat & Landon Eckles had an audacious goal of opening 10 stores. Today, with over 90 locations and over 50 more in development, the vision for the company has evolved.
In this episode, Landon shares the journey of starting the business, what things are like running a company with a spouse, how to create and adjust a vision for a business, and much more. Landon discusses how profit is not the goal, but it is the outcome. That is due to creating an experience that focuses on the guest instead of the profit margins.
Even as Clean Juice continues to grow, they have never strayed from aligning themselves with the right franchise owners who fit what the brand represents. That is probably why the company has hundreds of thousands of followers and fans.
Enjoy the wide ranging conversation that goes well beyond business, and be sure to check out Clean Juice on Instagram @cleanjuice . The best place to find Landon is on his LinkedIn.
Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
Tuesday Feb 25, 2020
If you're in an airport and you see a yellow blur run past you, that's just Jesse Cole on his way to his next speech. This episode will open your eyes to how you can set yourself apart from your competition and industry. Jesse's stories, lessons, and experiences all empower you to stand out by being different and focusing on your fans and clients.
Fresh out of college, Jesse took over a college wooden bat league baseball team that had no money in the bank account and made it one of the most successful and profitable baseball teams in the country. He did that by realizing that he wasn't in the baseball business, he was in the business of creating memories and experiences.
Jesse now owns the Savannah Bananas baseball team. After going in to a stadium that has hosted professional teams that have failed for almost 100 years, the Bananas sell out every single game and have achieved recognition on the national level with ESPN, CNN, and MSNBC featuring their story.
The experience their fans receive interacting with the Bananas brand is all the marketing the company needs. If you're ready to find a better way to give your clients the experience they deserve and eliminate your marketing budget, this is the episode for you!
Check out Jesse's book, Find Your Yellow Tux. You can hear him on his podcast, Business Done Differently. Be sure to reach out and ask questions after this episode on his LinkedIn. If you want to transform your business, you can book Jesse for speaking engagements and more at findyouryellowtux.com/.
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
Tuesday Feb 11, 2020
A young David Privitera happened in to the construction industry. Having a tangible result from projects caught his interest and kept the pursuit for more opportunities alive. So when David was moved from Western New York to Charlotte, NC for a potentially great opportunity, he was ready for the challenge.
Today, David is the President and CEO of Concorde Construction Company. This episode takes us through David's journey, the hurdles he's faced, and lessons he's learned along the way. He shares why Concorde's 3 Words are Execution, Communication, and People. David goes in depth on flipping the pyramind structure you see in most businesses and having "bottom up leadership". His examples as a leader show how David is truly there to serve those in the company and those working with Concorde Construction.
Find David and reach out to him on LinkedIn. Check out Concorde Construction, and be sure to look in to and support The ROC Charlotte Nonprofit, of which David is a board member.
Please subscribe, share, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Feel free to reach out to Ben@SkywardVenture.com with any questions or comments.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
The journey of Tana Greene, from her beginnings to owning and running a 5 Time Top Fastest Growing National Company by Inc Magazine, is nothing short of awe inspiring. Tana is the Co-Founder and CEO of MyWorkChoice, a company that builds localized communities of highly productive, engaged, W-2 employees, transforming the way companies meet their contingent workforce needs through an easy to use mobile app.
She is also the author of Creating A World of Difference, in which Tana shares her philosophy and approach to business, creating a culture of engagement that results in high performance. On top of running an unbelievably successful business and being a published author, Tana finds the time to share her story and lessons through speaking engagements.
In this episode, we dive in to finding your competitive advantage, understanding and utilizing your strengths, and how people and culture breed competitive advantage. Tana expands on how core values act as a north star. She hits on the mentality of choosing to be a victim or a survivor. This is a must listen as Tana not only is an incredible example, but you will finish the episode motivated and energized!
Check out My Work Choice and Tana on LinkedIn.
Subscribe and leave a review. If you have additional comments, feel free to email Ben@SkywardVenture.com. Check out other episodes on your favorite podcast platform or here.
Tuesday Jan 14, 2020
Tuesday Jan 14, 2020
Today's episode is all about Growing With Purpose. We couldn't have asked for a better guest than Charlie Malouf, CEO of Broad River Retail, DBA Ashley HomeStore.
Charlie takes us through his journey and gets authentic about the difficult decisions that come with running a business with a purpose. He shared how the culture of Broad River has led to a purpose focused business; not a company growing just for the sake of growth.
A theme throughout the episode is taking responsibility as a leader of an organization. Charlie stressed the need of having a pulse on what's going on inside the business with employees as well as the customer experience.
Be sure to reach out to Charlie on LinkedIn. Also see how Broad River Retail is living their purpose.
Connect with Gary Frey and Ben McDonald