Introduction
Each year, over six million new businesses launch and millions more grow. This year, Microsoft is sponsoring a very special National Entrepreneurship Week. Feb 20-25. On this episode of Business Insanity Talk Radio, we celebrate that week and talk to some of the entrepreneurs that will be participating. Co-hosting this show is Melanie GASS who is a Sr. Business Development Manager for Microsoft and the brainchild behind National Entrepreneurship Week. She helps shape Microsoft Community Connections (MCC) to deliver strong value to customers and influencers.
Take a Listen
Segment 1: Steven D. Strauss is one of “the country’s leading small business experts”. His column in USATODAY.com is one of the most highly syndicated business columns in the world. He is the author of fifteen books, including “The Small Business Bible”.
2:00 – All about Small Business Connection, a website dedicated to small business.
3:30 – Digital events for small businesses.
5:00 – Resources for small business security.
7:00 – What concerns do small business have in 2017?
9:30 – Do Baby Boomers have an advantage over Millennials?
Segment 2: Jania Bailey is CEO of FranNet Under her tenure, the company has seen an astonishing 18-fold increase in system-wide revenue. For the last six years, FranNet has been nationally recognized on the prestigious Inc. 500/5000 list as one of the fastest growing privately-held companies in the U.S. Her background includes over 25 years’ experience in the banking and franchise industries. Her company is participating in Microsoft’s National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 20-25.
15:45 – Why are you excited about Microsoft’s National Entrepreneurship Week?
16:15 – Which industries are seeing a growth in franchises?
17:45 – What does it cost to start a franchise?
19:00 – What do you need to start a franchise beside money?
21:45 – Why are we a seeing an increase in women franchise owners in particular?
23:00 – What is the success rate of new franchises versus new businesses?
Segment 3: Kevin Weiss joined Courtney and Carter Reum after they sold VeeV, an organic spirits company, to help them launch M13, a diversified investment and brand development company based in Los Angeles. Prior to joining M13, Kevin worked in Bogota, Colombia at Polymath Ventures, a company builder launching businesses for the Latin American middle class and in Cape Town, South Africa restructuring an agriculture technology company and teaching yoga in the South African prison system.
31:45 – Why participate in National Entrepreneurship Week?
32:45 – Why the business ecosystem is more competitive than ever.
35:30 – How do entrepreneurs decide what they outsource and what they do in-house?
Segment 4: Adam Wozney helps large and small brands across the United States amplify their messages through unique marketing initiatives. Previously from Google, Adam is currently is a Community Manager at Wix.com – a free, do it yourself website builder and small business management platform.
41:00 – Why is Wix participating in Microsoft’s National Entrepreneurship Week?
41:45 – Why makes Wix such a powerful tool?
43:00 – Resources for strategically designing, branding and marketing your business.
Segment 5: Kedma Ough leads innovation for the Oregon Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and is the Director the SBDC at Mt Hood Community College (MHCC). Under this directive she manages four small business programs: The Inventor Resource Program, Cyber Security Program, Project Proto Youth Entrepreneurship Program, and the National FranFit Franchising Program. Prior to joining the SBDC, Kedman directed the Women’s Business Center in Oregon and in Arizona. Her past awards have included the SBA’s Women Champion of the Year, Small Business State Champion Award, and National Small Business Influencer Leadership. She calls herself an ‘educated hustler’. Kedma is a proud fifth generation entrepreneur and her great-great grandfather peddled various products throughout Ireland.
50:15 – Why is SBDC participating in Microsoft’s National Entrepreneurship Week?
51:00 – What are the Small Business Development Center’s programs?
52:00 – How the SBDC helped a single mom with her business from idea to execution to now growth.
