On this episode of Business Insanity Talk Radio, we first tackle a serious issue facing our country today: incarceration. It is a sad fact that we have more people in jail than most Western nations, and it’s really sad that a lot of these people end up back in jail after they are let out. My first guest talks about how he is tackling this problem through education. My next guest helps run a business that solves two pains at once – expensive parking at the airport and expensive airport car rentals. Do you think that direct mail is dead? My next guest will tell you why direct mail is making a comeback and how to use it. Then hear how to deal with the haters of your business and how they can actually be beneficial. Finally, do you have an idea for a board game and want to bring it to market? Hear how my last guest did just that, and now runs a successful board game company.
Listen and enjoy:
Segment 1: Brian Hill is the CEO of Edovo, a mission-driven organization committed to reducing recidivism by bringing the incarcerated population daily access to tech-enabled educational and rehabilitative programming. Brian was in his first year at Northwestern University Law School when he began work on a Social Impact Bond initiative for the largest single-site jail in Chicago. Edovo’s work won the 2014 Techweek Chicago Launch Competition, the 2013 Kellogg Innovation Network Prize, as well as grants from the MacArthur Foundation.
2:15 – What is the current state of incarceration in U.S.?
3:00 – What is the impact of education on inmates?
3:45 – Why isn’t education already in every correctional facility?
4:30 – How did Edovo develop as a business? How does it work?
5:30 – What are the most popular courses? What has the feedback been from inmates and officers?
6:45 – How do you sell and market to prisons?
9:00 – Edovo is a finalist in the Miller Coors Tap the Future Contest.
10:00 – What has the biggest surprise been in founding the business?
Segment 2: Ryan Adlesh is the Head of Expansion at FlightCar, the first peer-to-peer car sharing company to operate out of airports. FlightCar offers free airport parking in exchange for renting your car out to other travelers while you’re away. Renters get discounted rates and car owners get a payout when their vehicle is rented.
15:30 – How does FlightCar work?
16:00 – Where is FlightCar operating?
16:30 – How do the rates compare to traditional rental car agencies?
17:00 – How does FlightCar set themselves apart from other ride services?
18:15 – How does the service work from the car owner’s side? How much money can they make renting their car?
10:00 – What issues is FlightCar facing?
Segment 3: Shaun Caldwell is digital entrepreneur and Owner of Charlotte Print, a web-to-print company that empowers micro businesses and consumers annually with affordable, professional options to make an impression. He has been featured in over two dozen publications as a subject matter expert on matters of branding, design, and promotion.
31:15 – The risks of relying solely on Internet marketing.
32:15 – Print marketing is more expensive. What are the benefits?
33:30 – What are the common mistakes businesses make with direct mail? What are the elements of an effective direct mail campaign?
35:00 – What’s the typical response rate for direct mail campaigns?
35:45 – What does an integrated marketing campaign look like?
Segment 4: Evan Carmichael helps entrepreneurs. At age 19, he built and then sold a biotech software company. At age 22, he became a venture capitalist helping raise between $500,000 and $15 million. He now runs evancarmichael.com, one of the world’s most popular websites for entrepreneurs. His goal is to help 1 billion entrepreneurs. He has set two world records, works 20 hours per week, uses a stand-up desk, rides a Vespa, raises funds for Kiva, and created a line of entrepreneur trading cards. He graduated from the University of Toronto, enjoys salsa dancing, being a DJ, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
40:45 – How do you handle “haters” online?
42:00 – How do you get past the harsh words?
43:00 – The difference between haters and negative comments. Which ones should you respond to?
44:45 – What kinds of opportunities do hateful comments present?
45:45 – How can negative comments make your business better?
Segment 5: Eric Poses is the owner and operator of All Things Equal, a board game company in Miami Beach, FL. The lines of family and party games, including Loaded Questions and The Awkward Family Photos Move Line Caption Game, have sold more than 2.5 million copies, all of which are made in the USA.
49:45 – Can anyone submit their awkward family photo for the game?
50:30 – How did you start a board game company?
51:15 – The loaded question that started it all.
52:00 – How do you get a board game into distribution?
