This week, one of our favorite guests, Paul Long, comes in and asks Brian about common small business themes that have been discussed on the podcast over the last year. Brian also shares a couple of big announcements regarding a project he has been working on for the last several months. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/p…

This week we talk to Brandon Christian who, in 18 months, has already hit some major milestones in his business. He gives one of the best pointers I've ever heard for recruiting and interviewing candidates. He also talks about specific things he does in his company to provide a great culture that is constantly striving to build leaders from within.…

Merchant services is one of those confusing things that are difficult to get a grasp of. Listen in as Paul Liddane breaks merchant services down for us. He also shares the secrets to success that he has learned from running multiple businesses like 'speaking things into existence', 'always saying yes' and 'all you gotta do...'. --- Send in a voice …

One of the key things that drives success (or lack thereof) in a business is culture. And, 'culture' has become one of those catch phrases that has come to be used as a cliche, often times without any real meaning. We all know that working for inept, mean or micromanaging leaders or managers is the key reason employees leave. Devin shares some idea…

What a story Travis Daigle brings into the studio this week. He went from a 300 pound, 17-year old kid who couldn't swim to a Green Beret in just a few short years. Between that time, he suffered from massive depression and feeling 'rudderless'. He talks about his keys to overcoming life's obstacles, how to find one's direction in life and why he f…

Stephanie Prosser from Prosser Construction joins the podcast to talk about the immense benefits she has received from forming powerful strategic alliances, and even a womens' construction related mastermind group. She also talks about how she maintains balance with employee relations and a few lessons she's learned along the way. Take a listen! --…

What a great episode. Chuck Sweigart from the very well-known and successful Washington Karate, Lakewood Dojo discusses the determination it took to get his business started. He also talks about how many karate principles and values are directly related to running a business like balance, posture and perseverance. If you want to know how to be succ…

Not sure what to do with social media to help grow your business? Karen Rosenzweig is a social media coach and gives tips on how to use social media and pitfalls to avoid. She also talks about the knowledge she gained by hiring a business coach, how to detect and maneuver through, "Free advice," conversations and much more. --- Send in a voice mess…

Mark Robinson comes in and takes us through his unbelievable journey of becoming a very successful business owner after a bit of a rocky start in life. Mark takes us through the many bumps in his business ownership road, and what got him not just through those obstacles, but to a place of running a thriving business. This is a 'feel good' story tha…

This week, we hear from Dean Smith, who created the award winning documentary 'Live to Forgive'. The film captures Dean's journey of forgiving and helping save the life of the man who brutally beat his mother to death when Dean was still in elementary school. Dean talks about how forgiving others, and yourself, can free up the time and energy neede…

Do you have, "Key man," insurance to insure your Buy / Sell agreement and / or to insure your key employees in the event an employee or business partner (including your spouse) becomes unable to perform their job or leaves the company? Have you ever heard of a, "Captive Insurance Company," which can be used as a very tax-friendly component of your …

Harry Wilson, owner of Shine on Signs drops some serious knowledge about topics that plague many businesses and business owners. He talks about how to craft a cultural handbook to keep the team focused on the right goals, how to address mistakes without embarrassing employees and a whole lot more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spo…

Photographers Angie Guy and Angie Whitten talk about gaining the confidence to charge the price they need to in order to have a sustainable business and the importance of finding a good 'fit' with clients. Plus they talk about the value they have gotten from working with other professionals in their industry for finding mentors, bringing others in …

Tacoma Stars General Manager, Tony Roberts stops by to talk sales, branding and how lowering prices actually increased revenue. Plus he talks about good times in the entertainment world, like how to deal with 2,500 unexpected protesters at an event. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message…

Brian hosts his CPA and good friend, Shawn Mattingly who talks about her own experience owning and managing a business. She also talks basic tax and accounting dos and don'ts. She explains why being 'bankable' is important, and some basic steps to take to achieve that. Brian and Shawn also get into some common errors inexperienced entrepreneurs mak…

Dave Parkhurst, who currently owns two businesses, but has owned nine in his career, joins Brian to discuss buying a business vs. starting one from scratch, common things business owners overlook and why you shouldn't let emotion get the best of you. He also gives out some valuable IT tips for businesses of all sizes. --- Send in a voice message: h…

A solo episode leaves Brian with plenty of time to drill down on frustrating and annoying, yet seemingly acceptable practices in the modern business world. And the notion that many companies no longer shoot for excellence, but rather merely attempt to disappoint their clients a little less than the competition... Are you or your company guilty of a…

Kenneth talks about his 'radical' approach to running his business and how that has helped him immensely, including 'radical transparency' and 'radical open-mindedness'. He also takes us through the ups and downs of his company's massive growth in just a few short years. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/mess…

A very exuberant and excited Samantha Neal discusses her experience so far running her Janitorial and Cleaning business. She talks about the difficult cycle of giving up control and then again having to focus too much on the tasks of the business rather improving and growing her business. She also has a couple of questions of her own for Brian. ---…

Mark Anderson takes us through 40 years of owning and running his business that he started with a small family loan in 1974 and sold with over 300 full time employees in 2012. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

Author and B2B sales expert Greg Anderson gives some insight as to how a small business should approach sales, and gives tips on what your goals should be in every step of the process. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

Paul is a Senior Vice President at Timberland Bank, and he is also quite successful at implementing non-traditional marketing ideas. Paul comes on to share some of his tricks to get the edge over your competition. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

Abbie Cates, owner of FliP Food Company, talks about how she had to change her perspective on failure after some major setbacks to continue to grow her business. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

Kari Anderson shares her experience starting and running her business, Thrive Communities, and gives some great pointers on employee happiness and retention. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

Michelle Graham comes on to discuss how she built a fulfilling business which gives her the lifestyle that she loves. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message

What are the pros and cons of buying an existing business vs. building one from the ground up? Dr. Michelle Marconi brings her infectious laugh and ever-cheerful outlook with her to discuss her experience buying a chiropractic business and then later starting an entirely new chiropractic practice from just an idea. Plus she shares some lessons lear…

If you're looking for some true honesty about the pitfalls and successes a business can encounter over 30 years to help you with your own business, you are in luck. Joanne Sandberg, owner of the largest Chem-Dry franchise in the world, talks about a myriad of things she has done well and a whole host of things she wishes she could do over again sin…

Accounting is one of the most intimidating and most often mismanaged parts of many businesses. Shawn Ottenbreit, former CFO of the marketing division of Hewlett-Packard - and current franchise owner of the Freedom Boat Club, shares some accounting tips for business owners who don't have an accounting background. Shawn also talks about his experienc…

How do I keep a competitive edge in an ever-changing and extremely price sensitive industry? Dean Paulson, the third generation owner of the Floor Trader Outlet, talks about tactics he employs to stay on top of the family business he has run for 30 years now. He also shares plenty of mistakes he has made on his journey with the business his grandfa…

What is a KPI? How can measuring results improve my business? How do I know what decision is the right one? Lyle Crews, Managing Broker at Aspen NW Real Estate and Property Management, talks about how he utilizes a Process Improvement background to make critical decisions and implement new strategies to improve his Real Estate and Property Manageme…

When you've been in business for over 20 years, you've got plenty of knowledge to share. Kevin House, owner of the auto-body repair shop, Center Collision, talks about the things that he has done well over the years, and also gives some insight on things he wishes he had done differently. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/…

Brian talks about why he is doing a podcast and why he started his own business. He also shares a variety of things he has learned along the way, not only as his plumbing business grew from 3 partners in 2011 to 50 employees in 2019, but also from the coaching he has provided other business owners. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.sp…

What could you possibly learn from a guy in a multi-level marketing business? When he is literally one of the most successful multi-level marketers in the world, and a retired Air Force Colonel who helped broker NATO deals, you could learn a lot. Mac talks about leadership, motivating subordinates and the art of helping people reach their own goals…

What should you consider when branding your company? When is it a good idea to rebrand? Does your brand stand out in the crowd? Doug Hudak, from BAM Design, talks about business Branding, Advertising and Marketing in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message…

What advice would a business lawyer give small business owners? Why do I need to use contracts? Tune in to hear Keith Armstrong from Strong International Law Group give his advice and shares some nearly catastrophic mistakes business owners have made in the field of law. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/mess…

How do bankers make lending decisions? Why should you have a banking plan for your business? Paul Long, Senior Vice President of Timberland Bank, talks about common banking mistakes business owners make and how banks analyze businesses to determine risk. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gysb/message…

Not sure why networking is such a big deal for growing a business? Or maybe you feel like a fish out of water when attending a networking event? Listen to Kieran Murry, owner of a 500+ member networking organization, give some pointers on how to make the most of your networking opportunities. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.…