Sadly, most Americans are terrible managers of their personal and/or professional finances. Even business owners and those who pilot their own business endeavor often struggle with money management. Michael Finley, financial author and the Crazy Man in the Pink Wig, dispenses advice for living a life of your choosing by first taking charge of your money.

143 - You Work Hard For Your Money, Now What?

Matt Roeder is an Iowa farm kid who’s employed as an Agricultural engineer for a plastics manufacturing company. A few years ago, after seeing a shortcoming on his corn planter (he still farms on the side), he designed a new and improved closing wheel. But this product design doesn’t belong to his employer, it’s his. Matt explains the inspiration for the product, how he brings it to market, and the delicate and mutually beneficial relationship he has with his employer — they build his designs and support his side hustle all while he retains his day job. We also discuss patent problems and assess the 5 entrepreneurial personalities. This is an excellent discussion for those looking to create or expand a side hustle.

142 - An Engineer With An Entrepreneurial Side-Hustle

My friend Brad Klopfenstein and I have shared a love of beer drinking and beer history for more than 3 decades. Now Mr. Klopfenstein is turning his love into a side hustle. A novice Indiana historian, Brad was poking around the internet researching old Indiana beers as sort of a “where are they now?” endeavor. That’s when he discovered Alps Brau — a former Fort Wayne, IN based beer brand — was available for the taking. Brad acquired the rights to the brand and in February 2023, will release the first batch of Alps Brau since 1978! Brad explains the path to his new endeavor, business lessons learned, and how he hopes to capitalize on the appeal of nostalgia.

141 - A Budding Beer Entrepreneur Resurrects an Old Beer Brand

Inflation has been on a tear since 2020’s globally disrupted marketplace upset the economics of everything from exercise bikes to used cars. With double digit price increases way more common than they should be, are you charging enough for your goods or services? Probably not. In this episode I outline why you should increase your rates. The benefit for doing so: better pay and better customers. Of course, there are downsides, such as losing customers. However, losing customers isn’t always a bad thing, because — like the old showbiz saying goes, “The cheaper the gig, the worse the client.” Listen to this!

140 - Raising Prices, Improving Your “Gigs,” and Firing Clients

The words “business development” get tossed around frequently and there are plenty of people whose titles include “business development,’’ but what exactly is it? Seth Schachner founder of StratAmericas joins me to define and expand on all things that are business development. Seth explains the importance of partnerships and audience building. Today’s business development activities are different today than a few decades ago in light of the technologies employed. Regardless, one thing hasn’t changed over the years: Without business development, you have no business!

139 - What IS Business Development?

Influencer marketing, social media, traditional media, newsletters…the marketplace is crowded with marketing. And…most of it sucks because it’s not marketing to client and customer needs, rather it’s about the company. David Saltzman of The Saltzman Group explains StoryBrand marketing, what most businesses get wrong, and how to make prospective clients become customers.

138 - Making Your Message About Your Clients & Less About You

August 1, 1994 I resigned my corporate post to start in business for myself. Over the years there has been a great deal of evolution and learning. Here are 28 takeaways you can apply to your own enterprise to create a life and business by choice. Please let me know which of these resonates with or most helps you!

137 - 28 Takeaways From 28 Years Running My Own Business

Paul Gambill is an engineer-educated Millennial who saw capitalism as the solution to green house gas removal. In 2017 he and six other people founded Nori — A carbon removal marketplace. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey and a pile of lessons. Among them: why you shouldn’t have 7 company founders, the need to read, understanding the CEO’s most important job, how to raise money from venture capitalists, and the power of vision — something he says most people lack. Tune in to this fast-paced discussion and get inspired!

136 - A Business Vision to Capitalize Carbon Removal

Brad Kent’s first entrepreneurial endeavor was in food sales — he carried oranges off the family’s backyard tree to peddle them outside the neighborhood grocery store. Brad was just 7 years old at the time but he promptly got ran off by the store manager. Brad joins me to discuss his various business endeavors — mostly pizza-related— including his latest project: Bagel &amp; Slice. Bagel &amp; Slice aims to sell high quality, expensive food inexpensively. Brad’s time re-engineering military rations taught him the value of creating a feeling with food. He aims to do that now with his restaurant concept aspiring to make people feel good after eating food that’s good for the environment.

135 - The Feeling of Food — A Food Entrepreneur’s Next Venture

Freight came screeching to a halt two years ago amid global shutdowns. Then things opened up and now "supply chain issues" became the reason for every business challenge on the planet. Seems now would be a good time to be in the shipping business, given that the price to transport goods is through the roof. Right? Well, maybe. Brad McDonald, my high school classmate and owner of FreightCo explains what it’s been like managing through a chaotic transportation marketplace. He explains pricing fluctuation, employee challenges, lessons learned last year, and the value of relationships. Brad also shares this gem of biz truth: Expenses don’t dictate price, the market dictates price.

134 - Managing Through Inflation And A Marketplace in Chaos

This podcast is for you: the entrepreneur, business owner, solopreneur, self employed striver, or business person who wants to do it better. By better I mean more profitably, more happily, and for as many years as you choose. That’s what doing business better is about. I quit my Fortune 500 job in 1994 to pursue a life and business of my choice. All these years later I’m still driven by my original “why” that made me an entrepreneur: to be more creative and rewarded financially for my accomplishments.

Objective Facts

Do Business Better Podcast

Chas Wilson

Chas Wilson is a believer in networking. As a real estate business owner he belonged to a professional networking group for years. Then, after missing a few meetings due to complications with the birth of his twin boys, Chas was dropped from the network.That’s when he decided to start Master Networks — a nationwide organization created to help business owners and the self-employed establish mutually beneficial relationships. Master Networks is also an educational organization with weekly curriculum designed to keep business people sharp. Chas has a lot to offer in this episode, including: the BOND method of relationship building, lessons from starting and running a business, and the peril of being blind to personal resentment.

72 - Networking Lessons to Build Your Business - with Chas Wilson

In this episode we discuss the downside of listening to the wrong people and how it can harm our life and business. We also discuss who you should seek out for advice, counsel, and feedback and how you can create your own “advisory group.” In running our own business, we often turn to the banker, accountant, and attorney for advice. These are competent professionals who can help our businesses. But be careful — all three of those occupations are defined by playing defense. These folks will help your business stay legal, stay compliant with the IRS, and stay solvent but that may be where their expertise ends. When it comes to advice, my number one rule is this: only take it from someone who’s accomplished what you are attempting to accomplish.

61 - Be Careful Who You Listen To

Dale Lillard left his steady, secure job with Motorola in the 1980s to work for Lansdale Semiconductor —  a much smaller company that was losing money.  He was a 29 year old electrical engineer and his wife thought he was crazy. What’s crazier? Within six months Dale was named president of Lansdale. Seven years later, he bought the company. Mr. Lillard had an idea to grow sales and revenue based on his background in collector cars: why not build replacement and repair parts for old equipment? Lansdale does just that. They supply electronic components for older military and consumer equipment. You’ll get ideas you can use from this seasoned business owner —  from understanding cash flow to how to navigate tough times to changing the terms of an agreement when there is no contract.

23 - 38 Years in the Semiconductor Business Selling Outdated Technology

Michelle Klieger didn’t think she’d be running her own consulting business five years ago, but those who knew her did. Michelle is a well educated (BS, MS &amp; MBA) young woman who was traditionally employed until a year ago. What has she learned about running one’s own enterprise in her first twelve months? She’s here to share! From marketing methods that worked, to social media successes, to setbacks on her revenue goals, Michelle paints a picture of life in your first year as an independent service provider. She also provides some insights everyone can use from the seasoned veteran to the aspiring entrepreneur. We’re all pulling for you!

33 - Lessons From the First Year with a Newly Self-Employed Consultant

Larry Winget

You may or may not like selling. You may even be uncomfortable selling. But if you are in business, you are in sales. Period. Without sales, there is absolutely zero demand for your product or service. Larry and I both come from sales backgrounds. In this episode we de-mystify sales and give you usable, practical tips on how to improve your salesmanship(or sales-womanship!). We also discuss the biggest mistakes most business owners and salespeople make. We close out with simple methods to sell better — it’s all about painting a picture of the result and eliminating pain. Before you write off the importance of sales, remember this old saying among peddlers, “If nobody sells, a terrible thing happens: nothing!”

24 - Improving Sales with Larry Winget

Joel Block

Joel Block is a venture capitalist and hedge fund manager. Which is to say, he’s a money guy — kind of like Shark Tank, but for real.  Joel joins me to talk about the reality of money.  Too many people who dream of piloting their own business go into it without a proper understanding of how money works.  Joel shares some solid money wisdom you can use to keep your financial ship sailing forward.  Such as: Money is invisible. Too many people look left when the money is to their right.  And, perhaps the tip you can best benefit from - When it comes to money, everything is rigged.  So, how can you “rig” the money in your favor?  Listen and find out!

05 - When It Comes to Money, Everything is Rigged (So Rig it in YOUR Favor!) - Joel Block

Kenny Chapman

Kenny Chapman was working at a lumberyard when he bought his first business. He’d been to college for one semester, where he learned college wasn’t for him. He then served in the military, where he learned discipline and a few things about himself and his business personality. The 23-year-old lumberyard attendant knew he wanted to be a business owner. So, he bought a drain cleaning business off one of his customers. At the three year mark, Kenny almost threw in the towel, but he got some frank feedback that changed his outlook AND his business. Mr. Chapman went on to buy heating and cooling companies, then plumbing businesses. Mind you, he’s neither a plumber nor an HVAC technician! Today, Kenny operates the Blue Collar Group — a training and consulting business for service providers in the construction trades. He shares lots of lessons and a few stories you can benefit from!

36 - Blue Collar Lessons from a (proudly) Blue Collar Guy - Kenny Chapman

Larry Winget is a 6 time New York Times / Wall Street Journal best selling author, business speaker, and a friend of mine.  He and I discuss what business people get right and wrong and give you tips on keeping your ship righted.  If you’re just beginning your entrepreneurial journey, Larry has some excellent advice for you (hint: it involves defining what a business is and firmly understanding what problem you are in the business of solving).  As Larry says, “your business profitability will be in direct proportion to the problem you solve.”    Lots of great wisdom in this episode!

04 - How To Do Business Better with Larry Winget

Randy Pennington

We’ve all heard the old saying, “The only thing constant is change.” If that’s so (and it is), why are humans so reluctant to embrace change? Is it laziness, fear, lack of resources? Randy Pennington is a business consultant who helps individuals and organizations navigate change. He joins me to discuss strategies you can use to prosper through adaptation. Randy poses two important questions: What else and what next? (We expand on that and then some!). In this episode you’ll glean tactics for reinventing so that your business can attain success and longevity.

37 - Make Change Work - with Randy Pennington

In early January, everyone is going to do everything with their business in the new year. But…by June…or March…or third week of January, the exuberance fizzles. So, how can you accomplish everything you set out to this year? Truth is, you probably can’t if you’re a business person who thinks like me. You’ll never get everything accomplished because you probably were a little overzealous when you came up with your list to begin with! In this episode I provide strategy for gleaning lessons and building on the foundation of last year. Then we discuss the need for realistic goal setting and how you can set then achieve your goals for a life and business by choice.

71 - Hope Is Not a Strategy! Achieving Your Goals in the New Year

Angie Carel

If you’ve read my book or seen my graphics on social media, you’re familiar with Angie. Angie is beginning her 13th year in business, and I’m proud to say I was one of her first clients. She started IBA Design with a laptop and a card table working from her rental house. Now she has five employees and a thriving enterprise. She shares with us how she transitioned from freelancer to business owner, the hard lessons learned from firing bad employees, and the realization that no one shares the commitment to your business that you do. Angie has a good story about growth, biz evolution, and how to keep the creativity flowing in your own business.

56 - Designing a Business Around a Flexible Lifestyle - with Angie Carel

Barry Aycock

Barry Aycock started a cotton scouting business at age 18, walking fields for farmers to make recommendations on crop treatment. In 1999, Barry started AgXplore, a crop inputs business, now doing $50 million in sales.  Barry stepped away from day to day operations of that business this year to free up time for his other entrepreneurial ventures.  They include: two nursing homes, two restaurants, two cotton gins, two meat shops, 15,000 acres of farmland, and a partial interest in the “G” League team affiliated with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.  Mr. Aycock…. technically, Dr. Aycock, because he has a PhD, (although he claims brains aren’t the most important element to business success) provides his insight on what it takes to achieve success and longevity.  He’s never had a business plan and he doesn’t wake up early but he embraces risk and relies on perseverance.

27 - High Cotton: Barry Aycock is a Growing Entrepreneur

If you’re in business, you undoubtedly deal with a bank. What does your relationship with your bank look like? Have you ever thought about your business from your banker’s perspective? In this episode I sit down with my banker to discuss what businesses get right and wrong when it comes to money and banking. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation with Michael Zahn, CEO and president of First Federal Savings Bank. He explains how to use your bank as a business partner, and how to prosper for the long haul by understanding the difference between wants and needs. As Michael says, he’s not in the loans and deposits business, he’s in the dream fulfillment business.

46 - A Conversation with My Banker about Being In The Dream Fulfillment Business

Thom Singer

Most of us - even entrepreneurial types - have a tendency to get comfortable.  The problem: comfortable becomes complacent and complacent becomes outdated and outdated becomes out of business.  Thom Singer joins me to talk about knowing when to pivot your business and your product offering (hint: it’s  usually before it’s apparent). We talk about the paradox of potential and how too many people never tap into their talent, usually because they’re comfortable.  You’ll like the conversation with Thom, he is a sharp guy who used to be in marketing until a decade ago when he started his own enterprise.  He’s also the host of the Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do podcast.  Credit where credit is due: Thom practices what he preaches.  He makes himself uncomfortable by performing open mic nights at comedy clubs (and he’s not even a comedian!).

26 - Pivoting, Potential, and the Positive Rewards of Being Uncomfortable - with Thom Singer

Bill Zimmer started selling siding as a 17 year old high school student. At age 23 he opened up shop as a home improvement company, mostly selling aluminum siding. His company morphed into replacement windows and eventually sunroom and patio enclosures. If you don’t live in the Midwest, you might wonder why anyone would enclose their patio. Hint: it’s because of winter. Now at age 66 Mr. Zimmer is still going strong and on pace for a record year. He shares his story, lessons learned, ideas on how to position through proper marketing, and how to avoid selling on price. The big piece of advice from 43 years of success: Don’t get too excited when things are up or down because they’ll always turn the other direction.

39 - From Siding to Sunrooms - 43 Years and Still Going Strong

A 2019 Gallup survey found that 43 percent of Americans work from home occasionally. U.S. Census data indicates that 5.2% of U.S. workers — approximately 8 million people — completely worked from home in 2017. Add to that the 15 million people The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as self-employed and the millions of others participating in the Gig Economy, and you have a pile of people earning money from their domicile. The problem for many people who work from home or aspire to run a homegrown business: bad habits and practices. Here are tips I’ve learned in three decades of operating a home-based enterprise.

78 - 3 Tips To (*Successfully) Working From Home

Scott Massey was a student in Mechanical Engineering Technology when he had an idea to help people more efficiently grow their own vegetables. His internships working with NASA and building low income housing had taught him about hydroponic food production and the need for healthy vegetables when they’re otherwise unavailable. So he and another student started their company - Heliponix - while they were still in college. Today the company has 5 employees, some outside investors, and big vision. If you’ve heard negative commentary on this nation’s crop of 20-somethings, Mr. Massey will make you think otherwise. They’re doing some cool stuff with technology, and they might just change food production and consumption habits.

32 - Engineering Student Entrepreneur Creates the “Keurig for Food”

Katherine Liola

Katherine Liola is a Washington D.C. area financial advisor. She’s owned her own firm for seven years.  She joins me to discuss money, financial habits, and the bigger picture of why we do what we do.  Our relationship with money has a lot to do with the joy we have in life and in our work, Katherine points out.  She’s a certified financial planner but in some ways she’s a counselor, delivering what she terms Behavioral Financial Advice.  You’ll get some perspective on your life and business in this episode to help improve how you view and handle money.

48 - Finances, Behavior, and You - with Katherine Liola

Oscar Trimboli

Are you a good listener? Do you listen to your customers? How about your employees? Listening is a skill many people struggle with and it’s costing them money. Oscar Trimboli, an Australian deep listening expert, shares the 5 levels of listening. He tells us how we can improve our listening and why we need to do so. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “most people listen with the intent of responding, not with the intent of understanding.” That’s true but in the smart phone era it’s gotten even worse — people aren’t listening period! Listen to this episode to become a better listener!

57 - Improving Your Business By Improving Your Listening Skills - with Oscar Trimboli

If you run your own business - or even if you don’t - it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. From time to time, you just don’t know for sure where you should be allocating your time. This episode will help you prioritize your time based on the return, and will help you better manage your daily activity. If your goal is success, longevity, and less stress over what to do first, use the ROCKY method of task prioritization. Yes, it’s an acronym (sorry!) but it stands for Revenue, Outreach, Creativity, Knowledge, and You. Trust me, it works!

80 - How to Prioritize Your Time? Use the ROCKY Method!

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