Default Profitable

In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Jennifer Pope Baker, founder and CEO of MVP Giving, a philanthropic services firm focused on the professional sports community. They discuss Jennifer's journey in the nonprofit sector, the complexities of charitable giving, and the importance of understanding nonprofit organizations. Jennifer shares her insights on how to navigate the world of philanthropy, the challenges faced by nonprofits, and the lessons learned in starting her own business. The conversation emphasizes the need for patience, expertise, and intentionality in both philanthropy and entrepreneurship.
takeaways
Jennifer Pope Baker is the founder and CEO of MVP Giving.
Philanthropy education is crucial for young adults.
Not all charities are created equal; due diligence is essential.
Understanding the nonprofit sector's language is vital for athletes.
Patience is key when starting a new business.
Having a second set of eyes on your work is important.
Start with experts like lawyers and accountants.
Jennifer emphasizes the importance of legacy in giving.
Bold and transformative giving requires time and investment.
Navigating nonprofit challenges requires understanding their operations.
Sound Bites
"You need partners to do that."
"Not all charities are created equal."
"Patience is really what it is.
You can learn more about Jennifer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpopebaker/ 

In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Chris Konow, CEO of Clean Slate Technology Group. They discuss Chris's journey from a liberal arts background to leading a technology consulting firm, the challenges of transitioning from sales to a leadership role, and the importance of building a strong company culture. Chris shares insights on the responsibilities of a CEO, the need for agility in business, and the value of fostering talent within the organization. The conversation also touches on the future of technology and the opportunities available in the industry.
 
You can learn more about Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-konow/ or his company website https://www.cleanslatetg.com/ 
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In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Danielle Wernert, a business owner in the trades industry. Danielle shares her journey from starting as an executive assistant to opening a trade school and eventually launching her own consulting business, Upskilled Consulting. The conversation covers the challenges and successes she faced, the importance of training in the trades, and valuable lessons learned in her first 60 days of business. Danielle emphasizes the significance of networking, patience, and genuinely believing in the services offered as key components for success in entrepreneurship.
You can reach out to Danielle on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-wernert/ or her website http://www.upskilledconsulting.com/
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, Matt Nettleton interviews Jim Money. Jim shares his extensive career journey from a controller to the president of a large organization. He discusses the valuable lessons learned throughout his career, particularly the importance of leadership, mentorship, and the need for community involvement. Jim reflects on his experiences during the Great Recession and COVID-19, emphasizing the significance of surrounding oneself with capable individuals and the necessity of listening to others. As he prepares for his next chapter, he expresses a desire to give back to the community and support smaller businesses with his expertise.
Before joining AFC, Jim was the CFO of FUNDEX Games, a privately held toy and game manufacturer. He also played a key role in restructuring back-office operations as Director of Billing, Credit, and Collections at Schilli Transportation Services. Earlier in his career, Jim served as Controller at Anthem Capital Management, a startup investment advisory arm within Anthem, Inc.
Jim is passionate about fostering strong company culture and believes in the power of businesses having a clear and articulated purpose. You can learn more about Jim on LinkedIn at http://linkedin.com/in/jimmoney, where he shares a weekly post called “One More Thing” every Monday at 11 a.m.
If you’re interested in some of the books that have influenced Jim throughout his career, check out From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges, The Heart of Business by Hubert Joly, The Good Company by Arthur M. Blank, Purpose Meets Execution by Louis Efron, and Conscious Capitalism by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia.
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built

From Gelato to Jiffy Lube: A Business Journey. In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Steve Sanner, who shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting a gelato business to building and exiting 52 Jiffy Lube locations. Steve discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of understanding financial margins, and the lessons learned throughout his career. He emphasizes the significance of finding the right buyer for a business and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of perseverance and a positive mindset.
People can find Steve on LinkedIn, but he is not a regular user.
As for books, Steve started off with books like Good to Great, and Ain't It Great (by Jiffy Lube founder Jim Hindman), and now likes to keep up on what Elon, Bezos, Dimon and Gary Vaynerchuk have to say. Some day, Stevewill write a book about the Sanner family motto - Find A Way To Say YES!
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built
 

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with John DeLucia, a seasoned business banker, about the critical role of local banks in supporting small to medium-sized businesses. They discuss the importance of financial literacy, the value of having a dedicated banker, and the lessons learned from years of experience in business banking. John emphasizes the need for business owners to understand their financials, the significance of planning, and the necessity of building strong relationships with their bankers. The conversation also touches on practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the importance of cash flow in business success.
 
takeaways
Building a relationship with a banker is critical for small businesses.
Understanding financial statements is essential for business owners.
Planning is a valuable process, even if the plan is not perfect.
Cash flow is king; revenue generation should be a priority.
Local banks can offer personalized service that larger banks cannot.
Business owners should not skimp on hiring good advisors like accountants and attorneys.
It's important to have a funding plan before starting a business.
Business plans should be created for the owner's benefit, not just for securing loans.
The difference between a bank and a banker is significant for business success.
Hiring and firing decisions can greatly impact a business's health.
you can learn more about John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndelucia/
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com  for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built
 

In this episode, Ken Carite shares his journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of understanding cash flow, the significance of having a clear purpose, and the need to take action rather than over-plan. Ken also highlights the value of company culture and the necessity of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.
 
takeaways
The importance of understanding cash flow in business.
The leap into entrepreneurship was motivated by a desire for purpose and culture.
Planning is important, but execution is more critical.
He wishes he had started his business sooner, realizing the joy it brings.
Understanding the 'why' behind starting a business is crucial for success.
The concept of 'ready, fire, aim' helped him take action.
Maintaining a work-life balance is essential for long-term success.
Ken's wife played a supportive role in his entrepreneurial journey.
Enjoying the journey of entrepreneurship is as important as the destination.
You can learn more about Ken on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-carite-98890a2/ or on his company website https://www.proshred.com/indianapolis/ 
 
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com  for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Ted Brown, co-founder of Safeguard Solutions, about the journey of starting a father-son business in the construction industry. Ted shares insights on the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship, the importance of quality in service delivery, and the lessons learned from his previous venture in drone technology. The conversation emphasizes the significance of work-life balance and the need for a solid business plan while navigating the complexities of running a family business.
 
takeaways
Starting a business with family can be rewarding yet challenging.
Quality should always be prioritized in service delivery.
Building a portfolio is crucial for gaining trust in a service-based business.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket; diversify your client base.
Work-life balance is essential for long-term success.
Narrow down your focus to what you're good at.
A solid business plan is more valuable than the plan itself.
Networking and relationships are key in the construction industry.
Expect sleepless nights when starting a new venture.
Always prioritize family over business.
You can learn more about Ted on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brownteddy/ or at his company website https://www.safeguardsolutionsgroup.com/ 
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com  for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton interviews Mishell Cox, co-owner of Cox Roofing. Mishell shares her journey from business school to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the roofing industry. She discusses the challenges and lessons learned along the way, including the importance of hiring the right people, the necessity of contracts, and the significance of having the right motivations for running a business. Mishell emphasizes the need for aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on management skills and to ensure their reasons for starting a business are aligned with creating value for others.
 
takeaways
Michelle initially did not want to be part of the roofing business.
The roofing industry can be lucrative and has a system behind it.
Hiring the right talent is crucial for business success.
Contracts are essential to protect both the business and its clients.
Mistakes in hiring can lead to significant financial losses.
It's important to learn from financial mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Managing people is a key skill for any business owner.
Starting a business requires support from family and partners.
Doing business for the right reasons leads to long-term success.
Karma plays a role in business; good intentions yield good results.
You can learn more about Mishell on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishell-cox-79610848/ or at her company website http://www.coxres.com/

In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton speaks with Theresa Goodwin, founder of BoldThink, a brand advisory marketing firm. Theresa shares her journey of starting her business out of a need for flexibility as a parent, the lessons she learned along the way, and the importance of defining one's niche in the market. They discuss the significance of having a sales strategy, the challenges of saying no to potential clients, and the value of building a strong support network. Teresa emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to start without waiting for perfection and to focus on growth and scaling their businesses effectively.
 
takeaways
Starting a business can be driven by personal needs, like family.
It's important to define your business size based on your lifestyle.
Sales training can significantly impact business growth.
You don't know what you don't know until you face challenges.
Saying no to clients can be crucial for long-term success.
Building a network is essential for business growth.
Perfectionism can hinder the launch of great ideas.
Consider when it's time to grow and scale your business.
Focus on working on the business, not just in it.
Having a support system is key to navigating entrepreneurship.
You can learn more about Theresa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamgoodwin/ or her company website https://boldthinkcreative.com/ 
Subscribe to the Default Profitable podcast on your favorite podcast platform or visit http://defaultprofitable.com for 100+ episodes about how Indianapolis businesses get built