Anything But Typical

083: Problem Solving Liberian Adoption to Accidental Entrepreneur, Angel Rutledge

Angel Rutledge was an educator. Her first career choice, teaching 7th graders, was the path Angel envisioned for herself. Through a passion of adoption, Angel and her husband, Dan, adopted two kids from Liberia. Along that journey were many other families trying to do the same thing. The problem was, it was unorganized chaos. Angel and Dan solved their own problem, and the problems of many hopeful families. 

This experience led to software solution company SignUpGenius. Angel discusses her transition into entrepreneurship, her experience exiting SignUpGenius, her multitude of advisory and board experience, and her Angel Investing experience. We also discuss Angel's most recent venture, Meetify. 

Check out Meetify and be sure to follow and connect with Angel on LinkedIn.

082: Pouring Into Your People with Phillip Lanier

Phillip Lanier didn't realize he even started a business until years in. This accidental entrepreneurship journey almost came with an early exit. Lanier wasn't enjoying the business and was thinking about a way to sell. Instead, with business coaching and a voracious appetite for personal development, Phillip Lanier built a company that he loved working in. The renewed passion led to significant business growth. So when Lanier did sell the business, it was in a completely different mindset. Enjoy this story and the lessons Phillip learned along the way.

081: Branding & Merchandise For Your Business with Scott Dunstan

Scott Dunstan, Owner & President at The Dunstan Group, has helped businesses utilize custom apparel and promotional merchandise to build their brands for years. So it may come as no surprise that when they started a podcast they named it the Brand Builders Podcast.

Scott talks with us about how they go about understanding their audience. Figuring out budgets and goals of companies, then executing branding plans to accomplish those goals. Dunstan takes us into his mindset and shares how he tries to personify honesty and doing good for the community. Scott also discusses how they've used the podcast to add more value, engage more with clients and community, and build their own brand.

Be sure to follow Brand Builders Podcast, check out The Dunstan Group, and connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

080: Coffee Shop For Beer Drinkers with Ketan Patel

Ketan Patel was exposed to business ownership helping out his parents as a kid in their business. Today he owns and runs Pop the Top Craft Beer Shop. Ketan took a year and a half to put together a business plan. He factored in what he was passionate about and what he wanted in his life. Ketan discusses how he gets out of his bubble to gain perspective. He shares what it was like going back to 80+ hour weeks during the Covid pandemic. We also get into future growth and expansion.

Ketan and Kathy have created an environment in Pop the Top where people can come, hang out with a group of friends or hold a business meeting, and enjoy a craft beer. Then be sure to take home your favorite hard kombucha or cider from their market section. Check out Pop the Top.

079: Mike & Cindy Praeger Running Businesses Synchronously

Mike & Cindy Praeger sold their first business together in their 20s. They looked at this sale not as a finale, but as a building block. Cindy learned that is was her job to find people's super powers and bring the right people into a company. One of Mike's takeaways was "Everybody tries to boil the ocean right at the beginning." Instead, Mike said, we must solve a narrow pain point.

Mike went on to co-found Avid XChange, which he has since taken public and remains Chairman and CEO. Cindy co-founded and is Managing Partner at Rhythm Systems, where she helps CEOs and their companies achieve their strategic goals. This episode is filled with advice and lessons from both of their journeys.

Follow Mike on Instagram @MikePraeger, and connect with him on LinkedIn. Connect with Cindy on LinkedIn, and check out Rhythm Systems.

078: Learning From Investment Banking to Acquire and Operate Businesses

Matt Pozda and Mike Meyer met in the corporate world doing investment banking. With consistency and purpose, the two created MM Capital. Today they acquire, operate, and grow businesses. In this episode, we talk about how they choose businesses to acquire. We discuss the qualitative aspects that make a company or industry attractive. And we dive into how they balance running a business together while getting their time with families. Check out MM Capital and connect with Matt and Mike on LinkedIn.

077: Pivoting When The Uncontrollable Happens with Helen Edwards

"It was like going 200 miles per hour and somebody pulling the emergency brake and spinning out for months." That was Helen Edwards description of Covid-19 hitting. The pandemic hurt many businesses. But when you own and run an event planning company, business screeched to a halt. In this episode, Helen describes how they responded to the pandemic. Spark By Design was able to adapt so well, they did as much revenue in 2021 as they had in 2019.

Want to know how a company can lose all of its revenue in 2 months and bounce back stronger than ever? Then this is the episode for you. Check out Spark By Design and connect with Helen on LinkedIn.

076: From College Tennis to Global Marketing with Jack Burke

Jack Burke is the CEO & Chief Visionary Officer at BRK Global Marketing. He’s been running the business for almost 32 years. In addition, Jack is the Founder and President of A Big Heart Foundation. Yet, it all started with a $3,000 limit Sears credit card. From his days playing Division 1 Tennis, Jack learned to keep a tight schedule, balance multiple responsibilities, and master his time management. Jack also posed the question: When you lose the first set, how do you walk of the court a winner?

Jack has taken this mentality to flourish in the world of business and entrepreneurship. Seeing his father be self employed, Burke began his entrepreneurial journey shoveling driveways, cutting lawns, and stringing tennis rackets as a kid. He began a t shirt company is college. Follow along this episode to hear the rest of his journey and share in the lessons he learned along the way.

075: Lifelong Entrepreneur & LinkedIn Influencer Steve Wohlenhaus

When Steve Wohlenhaus was in his early 20's, he started Weatherology. He has run the business for over 35 years. In this episode, Steve discusses working an unpaid internship for 2 years to learn from a mentor. He maintained his priorities and refused to give up his workouts, even when that meant 2:00AM wake ups to get a run in before working. 

Today, in addition to running the business, Steve is an author, speaker, podcast host, and LinkedIn influencer. He has shifted some of his time to help others find joy and fulfillment in their lives. Steve spends 6 hours a day on self care, reads 60-70 books each year, focuses on getting the greatest amount of life satisfaction.

Check out Steve's podcast, Anatomy of Success, on every podcast platform. Follow him on LinkedIn.

074: Quality Work, Community Impact, and Vision Boards with Jim & Sandy Forbes

Jim & Sandy Forbes, owners of Rinnovare Inc, have been running businesses since 1989. From trying to make a living with their first business to trying to make a positive impact today, the Forbes' entrepreneurial path is filled with stories and lessons.

Jim and Sandy discuss how they now use vision boards to increase their focus and accomplishments of their goals. They go into their differentiators and how they stand out in their industry. Sandy describes their process of disappearing for a few days at the end of the year to plan out the next. Jim shares some of their favorite business books, including The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. 

Check out Rinnovare to learn more about how Jim & Sandy run their business.