On this episode of Business Insanity Talk Radio, we first talk to the head of one of the largest entrepreneur networks in the world. He gives his advice to those looking to take the entrepreneurial leap. Next, we talk to Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec about his partnership with Deluxe and the Main Street Makeover Contest. After, we talk to a director at Xero, a cloud-based accounting software, about how to make the most out of the gig ecomony. Then, we are celebrating Small Business Week with a series of segments sponsored by Microsoft Office 365 by talking to companies that are leveraging technology in their business. Finally, we’ll show you how you can start your own business as a consultant tomorrow!
Listen and enjoy:
Segment 1: Vijay Tirathrai, EO’s CEO, has made an indelible mark in a variety of businesses, spanning numerous industries in Southeast Asia, for more than 30 years. As a business owner, Tirathrai has led numerous multinational ventures, ranging from manufacturing, distribution and retailing of fashion.
2:15 – Why entrepreneurs across the country are optimistic in 2016.
4:00 – What makes an entrepreneur the leading indicator of the world economy?
4:30 – The biggest surprises in this year’s EO survey.
6:00 – Advice for those looking to take the entrepreneurial leap.
8:30 – The best thing you can do when transitioning from a start-up to a growth company.
Segment 2: Robert Herjavec who is one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders. A dynamic entrepreneur, Robert has built and sold several IT companies to major players such as AT&T. In 2003, Robert founded Herjavec Group, and it quickly became one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies. And of course he appears on Shark Tank. Amanda Brinkman is the Chief Brand & Communications Officer of Deluxe Corp. She has a lot of experience in internal marketing, brand management and interactive development.
15:45 – Every year, nearly one million people decide to start a business. Why is Deluxe focusing their efforts on the main streets of small towns across the United States?
16:30 – How can small businesses combat big box retailers?
17:45 – Deluxe Corporation is announces the 2 finalists in their $500K Main Street Makeover contest.
18:30 – Have the challenges of running a business changed over the past 20 years?
19:35 – How does Deluxe help entrepreneurs start their business?
20:30 – What does Robert Herjavec look for when investing in businesses?
21:30 – What makes these two small town finalists special?
23:00 – Visit www.smallbusinessrevolution.org to see which small town won!
Segment 3: Peter Wen is a director at Xero, a New Zealand-based software company that develops cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago, is a seasoned CPA with more than 10 years of Audit & Tax experience, small business accounting & corporate accounting.
31:15 – How big is the freelance workforce today? Why is it growing so rapidly?
33:00 – How to make the most out of the gig economy.
33:45 – A survey commission by Xero says that the on-demand workforce is not prepared for tax season. How does Xero help?
34:45 – How often do freelancers need to pay taxes? How can they pay less in taxes?
Segment 4: Stephanie Bullwinkel has been intricately involved with her family’s remodeling company, Imperial Kitchens and Baths, Inc. in Brookfield, IL for over 18 years. Her various roles have included general contractor, design and sales, marketing and business strategies. Stephanie is a Certified Bathroom Designer with the National Kitchens and Baths Association and is a member of GRPR’s “FreeSpeech” program.
40:45 – Who is Imperial Kitchens and Baths?
41:15 – How has technology changed your business over the past 20 years?
42:15 – How OneNote helps Imperial organize client documents.
43:15 – How Outlook keeps everyone in the office on the same page.
44:00 – Imperial uses Access Database to track client leads.
Segment 5: Chris Daniel, is called The Consultant in Jeans and is a 15-yr consulting veteran. Originally from Thomaston, Georgia (population 9,000 on Thanksgiving), his girlfriend became pregnant when he was 17. He committed to finish college right then but quit college after his freshman year, then went back after working in a textile mill driving forklifts. After that, Chris didn’t look back. He’s since been homeless for a 6-month spell, been through a divorce, and lost a child to suicide. In the midst, he penned his debut book, Consult in Jeans.
50:00 – Can anyone be a consultant? If so, how?
50:30 – How do you figure out who needs your services?
51:10 – How do you know what to charge for your services?
Sponsored by Nextiva and Microsoft Office 365.
