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Ep65 Ben Cooper, Founder of Amplify

In this episode, host Matt Nettleton interviews Ben Cooper, founder of Amplify, a business that helps businesses build forecasts and gain clarity on their financials. Ben shares his passion for helping business owners understand their numbers and make informed decisions. He discusses the importance of supporting business owners' unique visions and not comparing oneself to others. Ben also reflects on lessons learned from starting his own business and the value of being a company of one. He emphasizes the significance of networking, adapting plans, and quantifying success to achieve meaningful goals.
Ben Cooper is a Growth Strategist and the Founder of Amplify, helping business owners clarify their goals and create strategic growth plans to hit them sooner (a “GPS for your business”).  
With his roots in Nashville’s music business (he co-wrote the Grammy-nominated Ricky Skaggs album, Mosaic), Ben has a unique ability to sit in the seat of the entrepreneur and value both the creative and more quantitative aspects of each business. He helps clients answer questions like, “When can I afford to pay myself more, hire another person, etc.?” and “What controls can I use to make that happen sooner?” and “How will I know I’m on track?”
Before founding Amplify, Ben stood as the Director of Operations for a private equity startup. Before earning his MBA in Entrepreneurship from Acton School of Business he was a professional songwriter in Nashville (10 songs recorded by Ricky Skaggs). 
Learn more at https://amplify.business
 
 

Ep64 Tim Warren Helium SEO

In this episode, Tim Warren shares his journey from being a med school dropout to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the digital marketing industry. He emphasizes the importance of finding the intersection of passion, market need, and profitability when starting a business. Tim also discusses the evolution of his passion for SEO and SEM and the challenges and lessons he has learned along the way. He provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of hiring the right employees and balancing sales and marketing efforts. Tim concludes by highlighting the benefits and realities of being a business owner.
Takeaways
Find the intersection of passion, market need, and profitability when starting a business.
Hire employees based on scorecards that focus on performance rather than job descriptions.
Balance sales and marketing efforts for long-term business growth.
Being a business owner requires passion, commitment, and the ability to handle the challenges and responsibilities that come with it.
You can learn more about Timn on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwarrenhelium/ and about Helium SEO at http://helium-seo.com 

Ep63 John McNulty Didgebridge

In this episode, Matt Nettleton interviews John McNulty, CEO and co-founder of Didgebridge, a Web 3.0 marketing technology company. They discuss the importance of data privacy and ROI in marketing, as well as the challenges faced by businesses in the digital marketing landscape. John shares his experience of starting Didgebridge in 2007 and the need for boardroom-level analytics in marketing campaigns. He emphasizes the significance of focusing on the client's problems and needs and the importance of building a strong team. John also advises aspiring entrepreneurs to gain experience before starting their own business.
Takeaways
Web 3.0 is a concept that aims to address the privacy and data mining issues of Web 2.0. It focuses on providing the benefits of digital content without compromising user privacy.
Didgebridge was founded in 2007 to deliver boardroom-level ROI analytics in marketing and advertising. The company aims to provide solutions that align with the client's needs and deliver measurable results.
The marketing landscape has changed significantly in the past 20 years, with a shift towards digital marketing platforms like Google and Facebook. However, the metrics used by these platforms may not always correlate with actual results.
Building a strong team and aligning them with the mission of the company is crucial for success. Collaboration with agencies and alliance partners can also be beneficial.
As a business owner, it is important to adapt to the evolving needs of the market and be open to change. Having a clear vision and understanding of the client's problems and needs is essential.
Gaining experience before starting a business is valuable, as it provides insights into the industry and helps in building a strong foundation for entrepreneurship.
Who is Didgebridge?
 
Didgebridge is a Web3.0, Data-PRIVACY & ROI-focused "MarCom" technology company. Our mission is to ensure that all of your digital communication data--- whether internal or external, remains PRIVATE to you and not mineable & retargetable by your competitors, or adversaries. We focus on categories where DATA-PRIVACY & Marketing ROI--- is of paramount importance. 
FOR MORE INFO ON Didgebridge TEXT:  dbvideo   TO:  88512

Ep62 CJ McClanahan, Speaker, Author and Advisor

In this episode, host Matt Nettleton interviews business coach CJ McClanahan. They discuss CJ's background and journey as a business coach, as well as the lessons he has learned from starting a coaching franchise and running his own business..
CJ McClanahan is a sought-after speaker, author and executive coach. Since 2003, he’s spent more than 10,000 hours in front of entrepreneurs, executives and their teams helping them to achieve record sales and profits.
A few years after starting his coaching firm, CJ noticed that no matter how much success his clients achieved, very few every seemed to truly enjoy the journey. It didn’t matter if they doubled their income or become CEO – it never seemed to be enough.
CJ’s latest book, The Overachiever’s Dilemma, lays out a proven strategy to help overachievers get more satisfaction and joy in their lives while still achieving all their professional goals.
 
Takeaways
Get outside of your comfort zone and embrace failure as a way to learn and grow.
Identify your ideal client and focus on providing value to them.
Find joy in helping others and building strong relationships.
Recognize the differences between owning a business and being an employee.
You can learn more about CJ on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjmcclanahan/
 
Here are 10 of CJ's favorite books--Mere Christianity, Lewis, CSPitch Anything, Klaff, OrenLiving the Wisdom of the Tao, Dyer, WayneRich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki, RobertThe Success Principles, Canfield, JackStumbling on Happiness, Gilbert, DanielThe Case for Christ, Stroebel, LeeThere is Nothing Wrong with You, Huber, CherylMan's Search for Meaning, Frankl, VictorThe Road Less Traveled, Peck, M. Scott

Ep61 Chris Reed Creed Improvements

In this episode, Matt Nettleton interviews Chris Reed, owner of Creed Improvements, a general contracting company. They discuss Chris's journey of starting and growing his business, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. 
 
Chris Reed also known as Captain Selfie is the President of Creed Improvements a contract builder of decks, pergolas, porches and basement finishing. He is the founder of Sparks a networking event series that has run for over a decade that features short TED inspired talks. Additionally, he has spent almost a decade serving as an outsourced CMO for small businesses in Indianapolis area.
You can find Chris Reed on LinkedIn and Facebook. You can also visit www.captainselfie.com
Chris recommends the following books; The Four Agreements, Think and Grow Rich, and anything written by Brene Brown, Seth Godin, Gary V and Rob Bell.
Takeaways
Starting a business requires preparation, belief in oneself, and the ability to weather the challenges of the first few years.
Market focus and niche specialization can help a business stand out and attract customers.
Building strong relationships and networking are crucial for business success.
The experience and satisfaction of customers should be a top priority for any business.
you can learn more about Chris on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherdalereed/ and you can also visit www.captainselfie.com

Ep60 Brad Klopfenstein Greater Lawrence Chamber

Brad Klopfenstein has been an influential leader in Indiana’s public policy and political community for the past 25 years.  His areas of expertise include the alcohol industry, hospitality, gambling, election law, energy, health care, immigration, media relations, small business affairs, and crisis management.
As President of the Greater Lawrence Chamber, Klopfenstein has shown his love of Indiana small businesses, and works daily on behalf of those business owners to help improve their businesses and the conditions which will allow them to be successful. He and his wife Sheila recently revived the classic Indiana beer brand Alps Brau, and own that trademark along with 3 others that will soon be in production.
 
Here are some recommended podcasts from Brad,
-Merritt in the Morning (former State Senator Jim Merritt & Brad Klopfenstein)
-Do Business Better (Damian Mason)
-Indiana Issues (Abdul-Hakim Shabazz)
-David Land (because I'm also an IndyCar junkie)
 
Here is some information about the Lawrence Chamber Greater Lawrence Chamber facebook.com/GreaterLawrenceINChamber or @INLawrenceCOC on X/Twitter Home - Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Inc., IN
You can find more information about Brad @IndianaKlop on X/Twitter
facebook.com/bklop on Facebook and you can learn more about Alps Brau beer @AlpsBrau on X/Twitter facebook.com/AlpsBrau on Facebook
 

Ep59 Rick Lagore InTek Freight

In this episode, Matt Nettleton interviews Rick LaGore, CEO and co-founder of Intek, a logistics company. Rick shares his journey of starting and growing his business, emphasizing the importance of complementary skill sets and having a shared vision and values with his business partner. He discusses the challenges of bootstrapping the business and the need for profitability in the logistics industry. Rick also highlights the importance of saying no to opportunities that don't align with the core focus of the business. He concludes by emphasizing the need for patience, resilience, and a focus on building and creating value for customers and the community.
Takeaways
Having complementary skill sets and a shared vision and values with your business partner is crucial for success.
Bootstrapping a business in the logistics industry requires a focus on profitability and efficient cash flow management.
Saying no to opportunities that don't align with the core focus of the business is essential for long-term success.
Building a business takes time, patience, and resilience, and it's important to find outlets to relieve stress along the way.
You can learn more about Rick on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricklagore/ 
and more about InTek at http://www.intekfreight-logistics.com/

Ep58 Mike Protegere DA Lubricant

Mike Protogere runs DA Lubricant. The company has operated in the U.S. for 100 years, D-A Lubricant is the first company ever to specialize exclusively in the manufacture and distribution of heavy-duty lubricants designed especially for heavy-duty equipment.
Family-owned and operated, D-A Lubricant is located in a state-of-the-art facility in Lebanon, Ind., a 250,000-square-foot building with space for offices, blending, processing, packaging, a technical lab, rail loading and offloading and 14 dock doors. The company has seven company-owned distribution centers and business partnerships with 70 independent distributors, with delivery coverage throughout the continental United States and beyond. D-A produces industry-leading engine oils, transmission lubricants, greases, gear lubricants, hydraulic oils, antifreezes, specialty products and industrial grade lubricants.
For more information about D-A Lubricant, visit dalube.com or call 317-923-5321
They also have a book “D-A 100 Year Book” and a series of youtube videos (why D-A) and Made in the USA

Ep57 Annisa Zajac House Seven Design

Anissa Zajac shares her journey of accidentally starting an interior design business and the challenges and successes she encountered along the way. She initially started a clothing business but found it to be financially unsustainable. Anissa discovered her passion for interior design and began sharing her work on Instagram, which led to collaborations and opportunities. She opened a brick-and-mortar shop and an e-commerce store, but eventually decided to focus primarily on interior design. Anissa emphasizes the importance of problem-solving, organization, and developing processes in running a successful business.
Takeaways
Starting a business can often happen by accident, as individuals discover their passion and find opportunities in unexpected places.
Building a strong online presence, such as through Instagram, can lead to collaborations and business growth.
Balancing multiple roles, such as being an influencer and a designer, requires making conscious decisions and prioritizing one's focus.
Adapting to challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may require pivoting business strategies and finding creative solutions.
Developing processes and systems is crucial for running a successful business and ensuring efficiency.
You can find more about Anissa on Instagram @housesevendesign

Ep56 Mike Dukate Dukate Fine Remodeling

In this conversation, Mike DuKate, owner of DuKatete Fine Remodeling, shares his experiences in the construction industry and the challenges he faced as a small business owner. He discusses the importance of finding alignment with one's passion and vocation, as well as the need for business skills and accountability in the trades. Mike also shares the story of how his company survived a major embezzlement and the lessons he learned from that experience. He emphasizes the value of peer groups and mentors in business and offers advice for small business owners.
 
Takeaways
Finding alignment between passion and vocation is crucial for long-term fulfillment in a career.
Business skills and accountability are essential for success in the trades.
Peer groups and mentors can provide valuable guidance and support for small business owners.
Learning from past mistakes and implementing stronger financial controls can help prevent and recover from embezzlement.
You can find morew informatiion about Mike on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedukate/ or his company website https://www.dukate.net/