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Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

Shannon Jean & Dave Hamilton

Small Business Advice for Present and Future Owners

  • 23 minutes 34 seconds
    Freedom or Flexibility - What's more important?
    Image for episode 599 of the Business Brain podcast

    In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the journey of transforming an idea into a business and the mindset shifts required for success. Reflecting on the story of Erica Beth Levin, they emphasize the importance of taking the first steps rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Hamilton and Jean use a baseball analogy to advocate for consistency and resilience over “home runs” in business, suggesting that getting “on base” frequently is more critical for long-term success.

    They also delve into the concept of flexibility versus freedom in business. While freedom is elusive, flexibility allows business owners to time-shift their responsibilities, giving them control over their schedules and letting them prioritize family or personal interests. This flexibility, they argue, is often a powerful motivator and is valuable not only for business owners but also for employees in modern work environments.

    The hosts also share their personal experiences with time-shifting and discuss the value of fostering a flexible work culture that empowers employees to manage their own time. They close by inviting listeners to share their stories on managing flexibility and accountability in business.

    The post Freedom or Flexibility? Business Brain 599 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    15 November 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 26 seconds
    Erica Bethe Levin, Founder and CEO of Globowl

    In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean interview Erica Beth Levin, founder of Global—a unique baby food brand aimed at solving the issue of picky eating by introducing children to diverse and flavorful foods early on. Inspired by her own children’s dietary journeys, Erica shares how she began serving her kids the same meals her family ate, from coconut curry to saffron dishes, challenging the norm of feeding children bland, allergen-free purees.

    Erica discusses the practical challenges of launching a food business, from sourcing ingredients and packaging to scaling up with a remote team. She emphasizes the importance of networking—framing it as “community building”—and creating an advisory board to bridge knowledge gaps. Erica recounts her experience on Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, a journey sparked by her son’s encouragement. Filmed in London, the experience required her to delegate business operations, strengthening her ability to trust her team.

    Throughout the episode, Erica offers advice to entrepreneurs, like surrounding yourself with experts, listening to customer feedback, and always planning ahead. She notes that while scaling a consumer product company (CPG) is challenging, it’s critical to stay innovative and responsive to market trends. In line with Global’s mission, she hints at future plans to expand their product line for adults, creating more opportunities for families to enjoy flavorful meals together.

    The hosts wrap up by highlighting Erica’s inspiring journey and encouraging listeners to follow her company, Global, and connect with her on social media for more insights.

     

    The post Erica Bethe Levin, Founder and CEO of Globowl – Business Brain 598 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    13 November 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 1 second
    Right Time to Retire + Don't Ignore First Steps

    In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean celebrate “International Talk About Money Day” while sharing valuable insights on retirement, entrepreneurship, and teaching effectively. They tackle a listener’s question about retirement, emphasizing the importance of defining retirement on your own terms. Both hosts share their experiences of transitioning out of traditional careers but continuing to pursue meaningful work, whether through new ventures or supporting nonprofits.

    They also delve into the concept of simplifying and breaking down instructions when helping others, especially when teaching complex topics like buying liquidation products. They stress the importance of being thorough when teaching and using tools like Loom to create over-the-shoulder learning experiences. Shannon also shares the surprising news of Loom being acquired for $975 million, highlighting its value as a teaching tool.

    Finally, the episode wraps up with encouragement to keep asking questions, leaving reviews, and pursuing a “charmed life” filled with flexibility and meaningful pursuits.

    The post Right Time to Retire + Don’t Ignore First Steps – Business Brain 597 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    8 November 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 33 seconds
    AI Copyright + Exponential Upside

    In this episode of “Business Brain,” hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the implications of using AI-generated content in a corporate setting sparked by an email from a listener, Jeff. They explore the legal gray areas surrounding AI-generated works, especially regarding copyright and company ownership of AI-assisted creations. The hosts believe the legal response to AI often stems from fear of the unknown, as the copyright implications for AI-generated content have yet to be tested in court.

    The hosts also discuss the often-overlooked upside of entrepreneurship: the “exponential upside.” Shannon likens entrepreneurship to casting a net, where small daily efforts eventually capture larger opportunities, sometimes dramatically changing an entrepreneur’s life. He emphasizes the importance of consistent effort, experimentation, and building infrastructure and skills rather than just chasing grand opportunities. Shannon shares that he’s preparing for what he believes could be the most profitable venture of his life, though it requires further skill development.

    The episode also includes a sponsorship from Vanta, a company that automates security compliance, and the hosts encourage listeners to keep exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, sharing their success stories at [email protected].

    The post AI Copyright + Exponential Upside – Business Brain 596 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    6 November 2024, 5:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 54 seconds
    AI Saved My Ass

    In this episode of the Business Brain podcast, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean share personal anecdotes to emphasize the importance of understanding one’s audience and leveraging AI tools to navigate tricky situations. Shannon shares a humorous experience with LED candles at vacation rentals, highlighting the unpredictability of guest behavior. Dave discusses a recent gig where he used ChatGPT in voice mode while driving to craft a response to a sound engineer he had a conflict with. This approach helped him achieve a positive outcome, which led to a broader discussion about using AI for customer service and problem-solving in business.

    The hosts also explore the dynamics of relationships when one partner earns significantly more than the other, drawing on a recent article and reflecting on their own experiences. They emphasize that the right spouse can be a powerful support in an entrepreneur’s journey, whereas the wrong one can hinder progress. They encourage the audience to use AI in creative ways and remind listeners to reach out with their stories and feedback.

    This episode’s sponsors include LegalZoom and Notion, which offer tools for business formation and productivity.

    The post AI Saved My Ass – Business Brain 595 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    1 November 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 11 seconds
    What's in Your Credibility Stack?

    In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean tackle the delicate topic of politics in business, discussing whether or not businesses should share political views and how doing so can impact credibility. They share their thoughts on staying politically neutral, using an analogy to musicians and how their political stances can influence listeners’ perspectives.

    The hosts also explore the importance of building and maintaining credibility in business. They dive into real-life examples of how over-delivering on promises and offering excellent service can build trust with customers. Shannon shares his experience selling handbags, highlighting how he gradually built credibility over time to increase sales.

    Tune in to learn about the value of credibility in business, why it’s often best to keep politics out of your business communication, and how to create what the hosts call your “credibility stack.” This is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to build trust and ensure long-term success.

    The post What’s in Your Credibility Stack? Business Brain 594 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    30 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 58 seconds
    Family Business Dinner Table Lessons
    Image for episode 593 of the Business Brain podcast

    In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss insights from their recent guest, Michael Prendamano, who introduced his bin store concept. The store operates with a unique pricing model where the price of items decreases each day until sold. They explore how this innovative approach adds value for both customers and suppliers, emphasizing customer service at every level.

    Dave and Shannon also discuss their experiences running family businesses, sharing stories about hiring family members, building trust, and maintaining professionalism in family business dynamics. They highlight the importance of treating all team members equally and the benefits of sharing entrepreneurial lessons at the dinner table. The episode wraps up with a nod to the value of family and business integration while keeping a focus on respect and clear boundaries.

    The post Family Business Dinner Table Lessons – Business Brain 593 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    25 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 25 seconds
    Michael Prendamano - The Bin Store
    Image for episode 592 of the Business Brain podcast

    In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean talk with Michael Prandamano, founder of The Bin Store. Michael shares his journey from starting out with retail arbitrage in his backyard storage shed to operating two successful bin store locations moving over 1.75 million items annually. The Bin Store offers a unique pricing model where everything starts at $6 on “restock days” and gradually decreases throughout the week, making it a treasure hunt for customers.

    Michael discusses the challenges of scaling his business, managing inventory, negotiating leases, and employing effective guerrilla marketing strategies to attract customers. He emphasizes the importance of delivering value to customers and leveraging his past experiences to make strategic decisions. Michael also offers insights into the sourcing process, where he buys truckloads of returned products without delving into specific manifests, trusting in the cost-per-piece model to ensure profitability. The episode showcases the creativity, adaptability, and customer-focused mindset needed to thrive in retail liquidation.

    The post Michael Prendamano – The Bin Store – Business Brain 592 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    23 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 44 seconds
    "Tells" of Successful People

    In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon discuss a variety of topics, starting with the expansion of Spirit Halloween stores into the Christmas season with Spirit Christmas, highlighting the pop-up retail model’s risk-managed approach. They then dive into Michael Girdley’s list of “11 tells of successful people,” exploring traits like clarity of speech, the ability to take action, and a willingness to take risks and be introspective. Shannon shares his own experiences with entrepreneurial challenges, including a software business failure that led to a successful book.

    The hosts also emphasize the importance of unfailing self-belief and optimism while discussing how successful people make hard tasks look easy and seek to align compensation with their contributions. The episode includes a sponsorship message from Shopify, underscoring its role in helping entrepreneurs sell products effectively.

    The post “Tells” of Successful People – Business Brain 591 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    18 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 31 seconds
    Risk is a Competitive Advantage

    In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into several topics, including wedding planning insights, tools for managing emails effectively, and the concept of risk aversion in entrepreneurship. They discuss how tools like SaneBox can streamline email management by filtering out non-essential emails and setting reminders to ensure timely follow-ups, particularly for entrepreneurs and salespeople. They also explore the importance of taking risks as an entrepreneur, highlighting that overcoming risk aversion and pushing boundaries is key to growth. The discussion touches on how risk-taking can be a competitive advantage and how breaking conventional rules often drives successful businesses.

    The episode also features a sponsorship segment by Shopify, where Dave shares his experience using Shopify for one of his businesses and how it significantly simplified selling merchandise worldwide. They conclude by encouraging listeners to reflect on their own risk-taking behavior and share their thoughts.

    The post Risk is a Competitive Advantage – Business Brain 590 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    16 October 2024, 4:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 10 seconds
    Smaller Budget = More Headaches
    Image for episode 589 of the Business Brain podcast

    In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean explore AI’s impact on business practices. They introduce “AI IRL,” sharing how they use tools like Freepik for generating visuals and Cast Magic for transforming content efficiently. The conversation addresses client relations, focusing on the influence of budget sizes and the importance of clear communication. They highlight the balance between providing quality service and managing expectations while inviting listeners to share their own experiences with AI. The episode wraps up with actionable insights on leveraging AI tools and enhancing client interactions.

    The post Smaller Budget = More Headaches – Business Brain 589 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    11 October 2024, 4:00 pm
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