Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur

In this final episode of our podcast, Brian takes the show on the road in front of a live audience at McGlynns Pub in Greenville, DE. Brian shares his final Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur beer with Bob Ashby, Marc Ashby, and Jeremy Hughes, the owners of Ashby Hospitality Group which started out with one restaurant over 35 years ago and has grown to 6 restaurants, a food truck and over 300 employees. If you only have 10 minutes: 2:29 - Learn about the (mostly) family run business from its start in 1983 to its current legacy 8:00 - The secret to success in the often brutal restaurant industry + the dynamic of entering into a family business as an outsider 12:16 - The process of succession in the Ashby Family following Bob’s retirement 17:45 - Attracting and maintaining talent (spoiler alert: social media plays a role) + the role of the pandemic on the hospitality industry (and subsequently laying off almost 300 people) 24:15 - Acquiring and restoring a landmark in the heart of the University of DE campus 30:00 - Find out what happens when you close a restaurant people love 33:00 - Don’t miss the rapid fire round - community involvement, favorite memories, and the award they’re most proud of! Thanks for joining us gentlemen, it was a great conversation! Cheers! 🍻 And, that’s a wrap! Sending a massive THANK YOU to our listeners (in 47 countries! 😲) and past guests (we loved every single conversation 💙)! Cheers! To watch the full episode, head to our YouTube channel! HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Taylor's Grog by Mispillion River Brewing Company - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/mispillion-river-brewing-company-taylors-grog/1917751 Learn more about McGlynns: https://www.mcglynnspub.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode of Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur, Brian has a drink with John Gooden, President and COO of MDavis, Inc. - an industrial construction, fabrication, and maintenance contractor based out of Kennett Square, PA. MDavis is a family-owned business that was started in 1870 and is currently in their fifth generation. Brian and John have an interesting conversation about having a female CEO in a male dominated industry. John explains how they implement their values and work with the clients they like. You’ll also find out how MDavis maintains the loyalty of multi-decade customers. Listen to find out that John means when he says there is endless opportunity right out of high school. If you only have 10 minutes: 2:12 - Learn about MDavis, their strategic plan, and John’s role in the company 7:21 - John’s career path; from the army, through college, starting at Mdavis (then leaving), and returning and working his way from the field into the office. 11:12 - Working for a 5th generation trades business with a female CEO 17:10 - Overseeing operations and handling employees - secrets of success! 20:20 - The “Cool Customers” 24:00 - The effects of the pandemic 26:20 - Team members being recognized for their work 28:00 - The rapid fire round (fitness, community involvement, negotiation skills, job satisfaction) HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Hazy Cannon by Heavy Seas Beer - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/heavy-seas-beer-hazy-cannon/4040628 Manhattan with Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon: https://www.knobcreek.com/our-products/smoked-maple-bourbon-whiskey/ Learn more about John: https://www.mdavisinc.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian enjoys a Rise IPA by Whalers Brewing Company while chatting with Alex Sonkin, founder of Due Diligence Project - a revolutionary platform of vetted resources that supports over 700 tax focused CPA firms and family offices around the country. The two discuss how sophisticated and meticulous tax planning really is, and how understanding the tax code is nearly impossible. Listen in on where the breakdown is between financial advisors, estate planning/tax attorneys and accountants that are working as one collaborative unit. One person should be the quarterback but who should it be? Listen to find out. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Rise IPA by Whalers Brewing Company - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/whalers-brewing-company-rise/1519133 Learn more about Alex: https://duediligenceproject.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsonkin/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

Episode 68 - Joe Zahn | Wired Up Entertainment In this episode, Brian enjoys a Freshies Pale Ale by Tonewood Brewing while chatting with Joe Zahn, aka “Mr. Wired Up.”  You may have heard of Joe, the owner of Wired Up Entertainment, from one of his viral mashups. You’ll hear the story of how Wired Up went from doing 200 weddings, to being hit with the pandemic, to going viral. Joe shares his incredible story, how he got started, and the steps he took to get to where he is now. He also explains how he grew his online social media presence, which has given him the opportunity to open up for acts like Journey and Flo Rida. If you only have 10 minutes: 1:45 - Learn about Joe’s company (from the beginning to the rebrand in 2015) and the journey that led him there 8:05 - The impact of the pandemic  13:10 - Going viral on TikTok—we’re talking 50k views within 2 hours 18:50 - The less glamorous side of being an influencer: the exhaustion behind churning viral content 21:26 - Funneling content creation into sales 24:30 - Find out the most difficult part of Joe’s entrepreneurship journey  26:15 - How did Joe end up opening for major acts? Spoiler, it’s thanks to the extensive reach of social media. 27:50 - Rapid fire round: staying active, favorite event, least favorite wedding song Thanks for joining us on the show, Joe, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Freshies Pale Ale by Tonewood Brewing - Brian rates it a 4 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/tonewood-brewing-freshies/2506826 Learn more about Joe: https://justgetwired.com/ https://www.facebook.com/wiredupentertainment/ https://www.youtube.com/@wiredupentertainment5006 https://www.instagram.com/wired_up_entertainment/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with Jon Ohilger, the founder and CEO of VEEPIO, a content optimization tool for athletes. Listen in while Brian and Jon discuss Jon’s journey to this point in his business career. You’ll enjoy hearing Jon’s insightful stories. Jon talks about building his company and why the technology experience needed to be frictionless and seamless. You’ll be impressed when you hear how Jon’s company is one of the few companies allowed to capture first party data in third party apps. You also get to hear about Jon’s painstaking-process of acquiring a patent. If you only have 10 minutes: 1:27 - Learn about Jon’s company + the journey and experiences that led him there 12:12 - The decision process from idea to execution + breaking into the NFL 15:45 - Working through the pandemic 16:50 - Behind the strategy to monetize the capture of first party data 22:00 - The patent process and the impact of AI 24:00 - Jon’s background in sports and how it impacted his entrepreneurial journey 26:20 - Was there ever a fear of failure? 28:34 - The rapid fire round! Thanks for joining us on the show, Jon, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Lawn Boy - Tonewood Brewing - Brian rates it a 3.5 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/tonewood-brewing-lawn-boy/3373299 Learn more about Jon: https://veep.io/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian has a beer with Anthony Raibick, the owner of Your Mosquito Pros in Parsippany, NJ. Listen along while Anthony shares his entrepreneurial journey. You’ll appreciate hearing the touching story of how Anthony came up with the idea for Your Mosquito Pros. It’s clear that family plays an important role in Anthony’s life, and his business. Learn why building a business the right way and delivering the proper customer experience will always open doors and lead to success - but don’t miss the one key factor that you need, as Anthony explains. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Dogfish Head Beer Pilsner Blue Hen - Brian rates it a 4 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/dogfish-head-craft-brewery-blue-hen-pilsner/4183834 Learn more about Anthony: https://www.yourmosquitopros.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yourmosquitopros/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian gets to hear behind-the-screen stories from Emmy Award-winning Camera Operator Howie Zales. Howie shares his entrepreneurial journey and how it all started with one opportunity - an opportunity that changed the trajectory of his career. Learn how Howie started two companies - HJZ Productions, a nationwide provider of top broadcasting talent and Viridity Entertainment Services, a high-quality live-streaming service. Brian and Howie take a look at how the consumption of media today is changing the world of sports. Howie also discusses his longtime relationship with John Gonzalez. You’ll hear about Howie’s TV Sports Course, and so much more, which explains why Howie is so good at what he does. If you only have 10 minutes: 1:34 - Learn about Howie’s businesses and the background that led him to television sports 6:15 - The pandemic pivot to live-streaming and fully virtual productions with “remote capture kits” 12:00 - How did Howie end up shooting events like the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Olympics, and Wrestle Mania? 16:00 - Media for a different generation 20:57 - Learn about Howie’s TV Sports Course 26:00 - The lowest point of being an entrepreneur 27:00 - Don’t miss the rapid fire round which covers Howie’s favorite events, pro athletes, and workout routine! Thanks for joining us on the show, Howie, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Mutant X by Oskar Blues Brewery - Brian rates it a 3 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/oskar-blues-brewery-mutant-x/4688811 Learn more about Howie Zales: https:/www.howiezales.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardzales/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian chats with Dr. Christopher Paolino, a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who owns practices in Glen Mills, PA and Wilmington, DE. Listen in while Dr. Paolino shares his interest in oral surgery. He explains the extensive training he went through to become a board-certified specialist. Chris talks about the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur during the pandemic and how to prepare yourself for becoming a successful surgeon. You’ll love Dr. Paolino’s incredible trauma stories from the emergency room. Find out why being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is America’s best kept secret. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Juicy Little Thing IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Brian rates it a 4 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/sierra-nevada-brewing-co-juicy-little-thing/5163117 Learn more about Dr. Chris Paolino: https://www.drpaolino.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drchrispaolino/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode of Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur, Brian enjoys a seltzer with Eric Starrett, the co-founder of Starrett Design Build—a design-build contracting firm specializing in major renovations and new builds for residential homes. Eric shares the journey of how he and his wife, Rachel, started and grew the business all while raising two children, and how sobriety created a positive change for both of them. Brian and Eric also discuss how analytics plays a key role in their process and how their process separates them from their competition. Measure twice, cut once. Learn more about Eric and Rachel at: https://starrettdesignbuild.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with Elorm Ahiamadjie, the CEO and co-founder of Delaware Limo, the highest rated limousine company in Delaware that provides luxury transportation for weddings, events, birthdays, proms, rides to the airport, and corporate transportation. Brian unpacks Elorm’s journey—from starting with one vehicle, to providing transportation for Biden’s inauguration and somehow maintaining a 5 star Google review after over 13K trips. Want to know how he does it, or how he grew 1500 times from 2019 to 2020? Listen today! If you only have 10 minutes: 2:00 - Learn about Delaware Limo and find out what El was doing before he began his career in the transportation industry 5:52 - Surviving a bad business partner and becoming entrepreneurial from a young age 10:45 - From one town car to a fleet of sixteen vehicles and a staff of 21—learn about the company’s growth 20:00 - How DE Limo provides an experience and not “just a ride” and their commitment to maintaining a 5-star experience after 13,000 trips and over 1.5 million miles 25:45 - Providing transportation for President Biden’s inauguration 30:00 - Revenue up by 1500% during a pandemic—how is that possible? 35:45 - Don’t miss the rapid fire round! Thanks for joining us on the show, Elorm, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Dragon's Milk, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout: Brian gave it a 4.5 out of 5 https://untappd.com/b/new-holland-brewing-dragon-s-milk/123662 Learn more about Elorm at: https://www.delaware.limo/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with tenured Professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture Design - Michael Ermann. Michael is also the founder of Amber Book - a review course to help anyone pass the architecture licensing course. The company has had over 16,000 enrollees and has licensed their materials to over 500 architecture firms. Michael shares his incredible journey - from bootstrapping a business idea while maintaining a full time job, to hiring investment bankers to help sell what he had created. If you only have 10 minutes: 2:00 - Learn about Michael and Amber Book 8:30 - Building the business as a full-time college professor and as a state employee only permitted to work 8 hours/week outside of teaching 12:00 - For the first 7 years, all growth was organic, no paid marketing. Also, the importance of hiring the best employees and leaving them alone to do their job. 17:15 - Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit 23:16 - Preparing for sale and then selling the company 35:00 - The feeling of seeing the money in the bank after settlement 38:45 - Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t give away enough of it—the Michael and his wife decided to donate a bunch of the earnings from the sale of Amber Book. Thanks for joining us on the show, Michael, it was a great episode! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Cape May White brewed by Cape May Brewing Co. - Brian gave it a 2.5 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/cape-may-brewing-co-cape-may-white/3669303 Learn more about Michael at: amberbook.com Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian has a beer with Jeannie Stith, founder and CEO of Color Guru. Color Guru is an online service that analyzes people's hair, skin and eye color to provide them with an ideal color palette for their personal wardrobe. Jeannie shares how a life changing experience led her to creating a process that has simplified the lives of people in 26 countries around the world. Listen in on some of Jeannie’s advertising tactics including her affiliate marketing program, retargeting ads and more. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Toast-Bob Crunch Pants is an American Blonde Ale style beer brewed by Flying Dog Brewery - Brian gave it a 2 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/flying-dog-brewery-toast-bob-crunch-pants/3662201 Learn more about Jeannie at: https://yourcolorguru.com/ Connect on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcolorguru/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has shares a transatlantic beer with Stefan Debois, CEO and founder of Pointerpro, based out of Belgium. Pointerpro is an assessment software platform that helps professional service companies automate their advisory process. Stefan shares how it actually started from creating a quiz app for his daughter’s birthday, back when the iPad was first introduced. Listen in to hear how Stefan’s consulting background helps him as a business owner and how he grew his business to $3 million of recurring revenue. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Stone Tangerine Express Hazy IPA - Brian gave it a 3.5 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/stone-brewing-stone-tangerine-express-hazy-ipa/1512388 Learn more about Stefan at: https://pointerpro.com/ Connect with Stefan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefandebois/recent-activity/posts/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

Interested in learning how to fly, buy or work on a plane? In this episode, Brian has a beer with Regis de Ramel, the President and CEO of FlyAdvanced, an aircraft management, maintenance, charter and flight training company. With five locations and over 50 million dollars in revenue, Regis shares his lowest moments, which change the trajectory of his career. The two compare the traditional four year college path to becoming a pilot, how there are more pilots and technicals dying than there are coming into aviation, how simple it is to fly, and flyGateway. flyGateway was founded by Regis with a mission to bring accelerated, affordable, innovative training to the Delaware Valley in partnership with local schools and airlines for the next generation of high-paying aerospace careers. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Troegs Brewery Double Blizzard IPA - Brian gave it a 4.25 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/troegs-independent-brewing-double-blizzard/3567068 Learn more about Regis at: https://www.flyadvanced.com/ or https://flygateway.org/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with Matt Reiner, co-founder and CEO of Benjamin, a financial services technology firm. Matt takes Brian through his journey of building his business - a very niche technology just for the wealth management industry. Matt describes it as “the connective tissue between your processes, and your workflows, and your technologies to execute on menial mundane tasks.“ “In the journey of building a business, the wins are celebrated but the losses are the ones you really remember more.” -Brian Carney Key takeaways: There are challenges in communication between visionary and engineer You’ll be inspired by Matt’s core mission of wanting every person in the country to have access to a real financial advisor We need more real talk involving vulnerability, challenges, and failures If you only have 10 minutes: 2:40 - What is Benjamin and how is it similar to online banking? 4:30 - What was the aha moment? 11:45 - How important is fintech and what are the biggest challenges faced in the industry? 19:00 - How to properly integrate technology 25:00 - Matt’s an author—listen in as he chats about his books 33:00 - The wins and losses of being an entrepreneur 36:45 - Don’t miss this round of rapid fire questions! Matt, thanks for joining us, it was a great show! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: There’s No Crying In Baseball by Evil Genius Beer Company - Brian gave it a 3.5 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/evil-genius-beer-company-there-s-no-crying-in-baseball/3692046 Learn more about Matt: https://www.mattreiner.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-reiner-cfa-cfp%C2%AE-35159216/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattreiner Learn more about Benjamin: https://getbenjamin.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with the franchisees of Delaware's School of Rock, Mike Pesce and Aaron Wygonik. The School of Rock Method™ has taught hundreds of thousands of students around the world to play music since 1998. Mike and Aaron walk us through their initial struggles, opening up just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, how they eventually were able to secure financial government assistance, why they decided to buy-in to The School of Rock franchise, and the reasons why they didn’t throw in the towel. Find out why they put on shows to teach music, not teach music to put on a show, and how it feels to expose young kids to classic rock bands like the Beatles, Green Day, The Who and The Rolling Stones. HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Neon Rainbows - Brewery Ommegang - Brian gave it a 4.5 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/brewery-ommegang-neon-rainbows/1679530 Learn more about The School of Rock : https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/us/de Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with Mark Edelson, co-founder and owner of Iron Hill Brewery. Mark shares his entrepreneurial journey, and how it all started with his friend, and eventual partner, home brewing beer in 1989 as a hobby.From working for “the man” to becoming The Man, Mark walks us through the highs and lows of being a restaurant owner during the pandemic, with over 1600 employees to under 200 employees in 10 days. Listen in on Mark’s experience working with private equity, the curse of being a midsize business, his favorite and not so favorite beers, and why it’s so important to have your spouse on board before committing to the restaurant business. Key takeaways: - Opening a 2nd location is harder than opening your 20th - Entrepreneurs succeed by pure force of will - If you want to quit your day job to become an entrepreneur, make sure your family and support system are on board If you only have 10 minutes: 2:00 - Learn about the business, which just hit its 26th year! 6:00 - It all started with a home-brewing kit 11:40 - The challenges of working with a business partner 14:37 - The “iceberg” view of owning a restaurant 16:40 - The effects of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, plus the importance of pivoting, and taking care of your employees 22:00 - What happens when you’re in the middle of construction on 4 new restaurants and a pandemic hits? 30:20 - The evolution of a business 36:00 - A round of rapid-fire beer questions Mark, thanks for joining us, it was a great show! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Inkredibly Juicy by Iron Hill Brewery - Brian gave it a 4.5 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/iron-hill-brewery-inkredibly-juicy-ipa/4206576 Learn more about Mark: https://www.ironhillbrewery.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian has beer with Thom Harvey, Chairman & CEO of Harvey, Hanna and Associates, Inc - a real estate development and management company based out of Delaware. Brian and Thom talk about the history of how his father started a trash business as a kid during the great depression with a wagon, and how Thom then grew his company from 2.4 million to 4.5 million to 6.5 million in a 30 day period, and then to 15 million over the next 15 years which set the course for the rest of his career. They also discuss how Thom had the foresight to purchase a GM assembly plant in DE that sat vacant for over 10 years, which is now one of Amazon’s largest hubs in the world at over 8 million square feet. Listen in on how Thom opened the first Hyatt in the state of Delaware and how he spent over 3 million dollars in legal fees. Today it’s the number three Hyatt in the world. Key takeaways: Thom received some very sage advice from his mother when he was younger and was frustrated he wasn’t being paid what he felt he was worth — it was to swallow his pride and prove his worth The growth of Thom’s businesses has occurred both organically and through acquisition If you only have 10 minutes: 1:35 - Learn about Thom’s companies 5:25 - How did Thom get his start? 12:00 - The evolution of the business after an acrimonious split 21:00 - What does the move look like from trash business to warehouse business to hotel business? (Spoiler: it has to do with renting boxes) 22:00 - Learn about Thom’s involvement in one of the most significant real estate transactions to take place in Delaware in 50 years 34:00 -Turning a Delware beach landmark into the first Hyatt in Delaware (involving over $3 million in legal fees) It was a great show, Thom, thanks for joining us! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Aslin Beer Company - Cortés & His Men - Brian gave it a 4 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/aslin-beer-company-cortes-and-his-men/1632415 Learn more about Thom: https://harveyhanna.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has an insightful conversation with David Gates, President & Managing Director of Gates & Company. Started in 1999 as a management consulting firm, David shares how his company has evolved into a business-sale preparation & execution firm, working strictly with technology-driven businesses. David explains why business owners need to start thinking about the sale of their business well before they're actually ready to execute a sale, and Brian chimes in with a comparison that makes it easy to understand. Find out how David takes his bachelor’s in computer science and electrical engineering, a master’s in electrical engineering and an MBA from Wharton, to position Gates & Company as the go-to B2B firm to assess businesses to develop strategic plans for highest possible valuation at time of sale. If you are an entrepreneur, want to be one, or are thinking about selling your business one day, you won’t want to miss this episode. There are so many valuable takeaways packed into this podcast. Key takeaways: The importance of being niche while differentiating your business David reveals his approach to building a strong team so clients feel confident in hiring his company The common mistakes people make when it comes to selling their business The emotional side of selling a business and how to prepare for the sometimes volatile sale process If you only have 10 minutes: 2:05 - Learn about the evolution of Gates & Company 6:50 - David’s background 11:06 - The event that sets apart an actual entrepreneur from just a wannabe 15:30 - Growing the business in Germany 22:00 -Do people wait too long to sell their businesses? 28:15 - Emotions wrapped up in selling 35:30 - How does the current economy impact an owner who is on the fence about selling their company? It was a great show, David, thanks for coming on! Cheers! 🍻 HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Iron Hill Brewing Company - Galactic Stardust - Brian gave it a 4 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/iron-hill-brewery-galactic-stardust-ipa/4814342 Bavarian Weissbier (Gates & Company has an office in Munich!) Read more about David: Gates & Company Website: Gatesandcompany.com Gates & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gates-and-company/?trk=hb_tab_compy_id_82259 Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian shares a drink with Ginger Moxam, founder of Curated by Ginger. Based out of Naples, Florida, Ginger offers branding, marketing, web design, and social media management. Ginger enjoyed working from a very young age, and having access to technology as many millennials did, she went on to start her own business offering a marketing team for small businesses who can’t afford to employ an in-house marketing team. Key takeaways: - Consistency with marketing is everything - There is a difference between branding and marketing - The power of simplicity and authenticity If you only have 10 minutes: 2:04 - Learn about Ginger’s background and why she started her business 7:30 - Being entrepreneurial from a young age, and the reason millennials aren’t afraid to try starting their own business 10:00 - The types of industries Ginger works with, and — is it better to niche down or become an expert in everything? 14:00 - How to get through to business owners who don’t like change and the difference between branding and marketing 18:10 - Most common website mistakes and the value of SEO 24:39 - What about trending content? Do you really need a TikTok presence? 27:00 - The importance of delegating tasks and blocking time to focus on creative work and strategy/analytics 29:50 - Advice for others thinking of becoming entrepreneurs HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Voodoo Ranger IPA by New Belgium Brewing - Brian gave it a 4 out of 5: https://untappd.com/b/new-belgium-brewing-company-voodoo-ranger-ipa/1743544 Dry Rose by Hailstone Vineyards - Ginger gave it a 10 out of 10: https://hailstonevineyards.com/ Read more about Ginger: https://www.curatedbyginger.com/ Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/ Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7 More episodes: happy-half-hour.com