CDG BizCast

(FROM A NON-POLITICAL, STRICTLY BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE & RECORDED BEFORE THEY REVERTED BACK TO THEIR OLD LOGO). We discuss the situation regarding Cracker Barrel's new logo, the surrounding backlash towards it and how the business world can learn from this fiasco. Why was Cracker Barrel's new logo hotly disliked among the public? We answer this question in great detail and explain the importance of thinking before making drastic changes in business. Former marketing research recruiter Allan Stuckey joins us to discuss.

In this episode of our Business Sins Subseries, we cover a sin that is all too common: deceptive advertising. This sin is one of the worst practices any company can engage in, as it tricks innocent customers into making purchases they don't want or need. In general, using deceptive advertising (ads with false claims, charging extra unexpected costs, using Photoshopped pictures, pushing unrealistic claims, etc.) causes consumers to make purchases under false pretenses. Companies are stealing consumers' money and crushing their hopes every day with lies, and we discuss why being deceitful to customers should be avoided at all costs! CDG BizCast United Kingdom panelist Sara Russell joins us to discuss.

As a business owner, have you ever felt that the wrong prospects were always contacting you to inquire about services? The ones who didn't align with your company's values or were always huge takers? These clients are the ones that are always anxiety-inducing and often take up much of our time with zero to no reward for working with them. Trish Saemann of Go Beyond SEO and host of the Breaking Even Better Podcast joins us to discuss her new book "Get More Clients You Love" which discusses this common problem business owners of all sorts face. We discuss some tips to help business owners only attract the clients that they want to deal with, as well as some tips to help you handle current problematic clients professionally and respectfully.SUBSCRIBE TO THE BREAKING EVEN BETTER PODCAST:https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@BreakingEvenBetter⁩  BUY "GET MORE CLIENTS YOU LOVE" ON AMAZON:https://a.co/d/62wxZp6CHECK OUT RELAY BANK:https://relayfi.com/affiliatesGOBEYOND:https://gobeyondseo.com/

We continue our discussion about the cyberattacks on three major United Kingdom retail chains, as discussed previously in Episode 83. Our UK panelist Sara Russell joins us to discuss how Marks & Spencer, Co-op & Harrods were affected after being brought down by a suspicious group known as DragonForce. We also cover some basic tips to help businesses, organizations and consumers protect themselves from becoming victims of a cyber attack.

There have been a lot of buzz going on in the cybersecurity world, and we want you to be safe! Our incredible UK panelist Sara Russell once again joins us to discuss some recent events that have happened this month (May 2025). First, we discuss a dangerous phishing attempt targeting Gmail users that looks so real, even the most vigilant of users could fall for it! Secondly, we discuss the major cyberattack related to UK-retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op & Harrods. We cover what customers and end-users should do to stay safe, as well as some tips for business owners responsible for ensuring their customers' information is properly secured.INFORMATION ON GMAIL PHISHING ATTEMPT:https://www.pcmag.com/news/watch-out-sophisticated-gmail-phishing-email-from-googleINFORMATION ON MARKS & SPENCER CYBER ATTACK:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0el31nqnpvo

We shine the Small Business Spotlight on U-GET-FIT, an activewear company that is all about encouraging individuals staying in shape to strive for their absolute best! U-GET-FIT is not just about selling activewear, they are all about living the best when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle! CEO & Founder (and CDG Client) Serge Amani joins us to discuss how his passion for fitness has led him to start such a venerable brand! From his faith in God to his expertise in the fitness world, Serge has put all of his heart and soul into creating such a strong brand!"But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33, King James VersionCONTACT U-GET-FIT TODAY:info@u-get-fit.comFOLLOW U-GET-FIT ON SOCIAL MEDIA:YouTube:  @U-Get-Fit  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UGetFitActiveWearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugetfitactivewear

What happens when you fail to take accountability for your failures and errors? What happens when you are a toxic leader who refuses to accept such responsibilities and/or just allows them to slide? A cascade of events can happen such as low morale from team members, distrust in the public eye and a downfall in business. If there is a lack of accountability in your workplace, what should you do? Business coach Holly Golebiowski with LeaderSkills joins us to discuss.

Tax season is nearing its end, and the filing deadline is just weeks away! We sat down with tax preparation expert Paul Njoku, owner of PKN Accounting in Houston, to explore how small business owners can maximize their returns before the deadline. Plus, he shares insights on common filing mistakes and how to avoid costly errors that could lead to problems down the road.CONTACT PAUL AT PKN ACCOUNTING TODAY:https://www.pknaccounting.com(832) 916-2461info@pknaccounting.com

Singer-songwriter Lexi Nguyen joins us on CDG BizCast to explore how small businesses can leverage strategic event planning to maximize their exposure. In this episode, we’ll dive into the power of live music, the value of consistency, the importance of preparing for the unexpected, and how collaborating with fellow small businesses can create powerful mutual promotion opportunities. Tune in for expert insights and actionable tips to make your next event a success!

In this episode of CDG BizCast, we welcome back John "JD" Dwyer from The Institute of Wow to dive deeper into the power of direct marketing—building on the insights he shared with us in Episode 76. JD explains how to incorporate direct marketing tactics into your website and social media campaigns to drive results. Direct marketing, at its core, is all about offering customers a compelling incentive to take action—think of how kids are drawn to McDonald's Happy Meals for the toy, not the food. This episode revisits this strategy and provides practical tips for small businesses to leverage direct marketing in their online efforts.

It's time to shine our Small Business Spotlight on another awesome small, local business in the Greater Houston area! Today we speak to Karina Melendez of Americana Pool Service of New Caney, TX. Karina joins us to discuss her adventure in starting a swimming pool contracting company with her husband Jorge, who are all about providing 5-star customer service. Americana Pool Service is all about providing swimming pools, hot tubs and other backyard amenities with quality materials while educating every customer with industry-standard tips to ensure their swimming pools last for years to come! When you get a pool from Americana, you will know everything you will ever need to know about swimming pools from construction to maintenance. In this episode, you will learn about Karina's passion for great customer service as well as some tips to help you get started on a new swimming pool in addition to some pro tips to keep your pool sparkling! Americana Pool Service serves Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita and several other northern areas of Greater Houston.LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICANA POOL SERVICE AT:https://americanapoolservice.netGET A FREE QUOTE:(832) 689-0232FOLLOW AMERICANA POOL SERVICE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanapoolservice/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americana.pool.service/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americanapoolservice

There's a difference between simply offering a product/service and offering SOMETHING with your product or service to help boost sales! Think about the toy that comes with a McDonald's Happy Meal... THAT TOY is the #1 reason why kids want the meal. It's not because of the burger that comes with it! So think about what you can offer as a metaphorical Happy Meal toy with whatever you are selling! John Dwyer "JD" of The Institute of Wow joins us to discuss how direct marketing has helped boost sales for many of his clients, including actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld! You won't want to miss this episode! CHECK OUT JD'S DIFFERENT BUSINESSES & LEARN MORE ABOUT HIM: THE INSTITUTE OF WOW (for those serious about making irresistible offers for their clients): https://www.theinstituteofwow.com FACEBOOK CONTENT IDEA: https://www.fbcontestformula.com VACATIONS INCENTIVE (mentioned at the end of the episode): https://www.vacationsincentive.com AI GENIE PHONE RECEPTIONIST: https://www.aigeniephone.com 20 MIN **FREE** ZOOM CALL WITH JD: https://getmorejd.com JD'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/JDTV-IOW

Every year, many people make the New Year’s resolution to leave their full-time jobs and turn their skills into a business. While pursuing your passion is exciting, starting a business involves much more than just doing what you love. One critical area you must understand before launching your venture is cash flow. Today, Leo Kanell, founder of 7 Figures Funding, joins us to explain why mastering cash flow is essential for new business owners. He’ll break down what cash flow really means, what you need to know before starting your business, and the steps you should take to effectively manage it as you grow. LEARN MORE ABOUT 7 FIGURES FUNDING: https://www.7figuresfunding.com GET A FREE COPY OF LEO'S EBOOK: "THE 3 CASH FLOW SECRETS THAT CREATE 7 FIGURES OF CASH FLOW IN ANY BUSINESS Remember that 82% of businesses fail due to cash flow issues. In Leo's book, you will discover... • ​Why you must intentionally create cash flow products & services from Day 1​ • The secret tool to automatically track your cash flow weekly • Why the Key to Making the Right Decision Comes down to how to Forecast your Future Cash Flow​ • Plus a bonus video that brings it all together so you can move forward with 100% confidence

Hiring the right people is one of the biggest challenges business owners and hiring managers face. The endless search for top talent and the time-consuming screening process can feel overwhelming—but what if there was a better way? Enter Discovered ATS, a game-changing SaaS solution designed for businesses of all sizes. Powered by AI, this innovative tool takes the hassle out of recruiting with features like candidate pool nurturing, automated interview scheduling, recruiting video production, and so much more. On this episode of CDG BizCast, we’re joined by Fletcher Wimbush, the visionary founder of Discovered ATS, to explore how this cutting-edge platform is revolutionizing the hiring process. Say goodbye to the struggles of traditional recruiting and hello to a smarter, faster, and easier way to build your dream team. Don’t miss this conversation! Check out Discovered ATS for yourself at https://www.discovered.ai

Not all lead magnets are created equal—some are good, but great lead magnets can transform your small business. The right lead magnet on your website and within your content strategy can attract more customers and grow your audience like never before. If you’re unsure what a lead magnet is or how to craft one that’s irresistible to your potential customers, this episode is a must-listen! Join marketing expert Sarah Noel Block, founder of Tiny Marketing, as she breaks down the secrets to creating lead magnets so compelling, they’re impossible to ignore. LEARN MORE ABOUT SARAH & TINY MARKETING: https://www.sarahnoelblock.com TAKE THE TINY MARKETING GATEWAY CHALLENGE: https://cfaa2127.streaklinks.com/COqDv2aJCQ5TRDrw2AHiMe4A/https%3A%2F%2Ftinymarketing.myflodesk.com%2Fchallenge CHECK OUT THE TINY MARKETING PODCAST (50% OFF WITH PROMO CODE: BIZCAST): https://tinymarketing.myflodesk.com/challenge FOLLOW SARAH & TINY MARKETING ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahnoelblock/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahnoelblock/ X: https://twitter.com/sarahnoelblock YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCthKB_eYQBVeJ9NTiIq6Scg

Local photographer Aisha Khan has had an interest in the art since she was a child. But never once did she think that her interest would turn into an entrepreneurial journey making major breakthroughs in the industry, and ultimately becoming one of Houston's leading wedding photographers and videographers. Her firm, Ama by Aisha began in 2012 and has been featured in several magazines and won several awards for her outstanding work. In addition to starting a photography/cinema firm she is also the founder of Houston Warehouse Studios located at 1506 Lorraine Street (a building that is 100 years old!). "Houston Warehouse Studio focuses on providing a creative space for small businesses, innovators, and creators at competitive rates for all budgets." In this episode we discuss Aisha's entrepreneurial journey and how her passion for the art of photography has led her to becoming one of Houston's best photographers! Learn more about Ama by Aisha at: https://www.amabyaisha.com Learn more about Houston Warehouse Studios at: https://www.houstonwarehousestudios.com

We all know The Eighth Wonder of the World, or Houston's Astrodome! Once home to many events such as concerts, rodeos and sporting events, it has been closed and shuttered for many years and unfortunately falling into urban decay. In this episode, we are discussing the proposed Astrodome Revitalization Plan that was announced in early November by the Astrodome Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the beloved structure from destruction. We will focus on how this plan could open many doors for entrepreneurs and small business owners and make stellar contributions to the economy of the Greater Houston area. Our United Kingdom panelist Sara Russell joins us to discuss, as a potential tourist to the Houston area how she feels about this plan and also discusses the UK's O2 Arena (formerly known as the Millenium Dome), a similar (but much newer) venue that once faced its own issues but was revitalized and reborn before it was too late.

In the second episode of CDG BizCast's Business Sins subseries, we discuss the importance of maintaining a friendly, professional, customer-focused composure when conducting business in any fashion. There is no room for being rude and disrespectful in the business world, and this is especially true if you are a business owner yourself. Christian and our United Kingdom panelist Sara Russell discuss some examples of rude customer service they have both received in the real world, and how they felt as customers, when treated in such a disgusting fashion. We share stories and tips over what business owners should do in the event they have to reprimand rude employees, and we also stress the importance of ensuring your place of business remains friendly and respectful. The customer has both the power to increase your business and cause it to boom! Conversely, the customer also has the power to put you out of business!

As an agency whose web design business is built solely on WordPress, we have been monitoring the ongoing dispute between WordPress/Automattic owner Matt Mullenweg and Austin-based hosting company WP Engine. Matt Mullenweg made disparaging comments about WP Engine back in mid-September 2024, which resulted in a cascade of unfortunate events such as WP Engine's customers' websites being blocked from the WordPress repository. Warren Laine-Naida of Germany-based Warren Laine-Naida Consulting joins us to discuss what is going on, how it is impacting the WordPress community, and what both clients and WordPress professionals should be doing to ensure business runs smoothly throughout the dispute. CHECK OUT WARREN LAINE-NAIDA'S BOOKS ON DIGITAL MARKETING SUCCESS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BDKM7YR CHECK OUT WARREN'S BOOK "SEO All You Need to Know: Get Yourself and Your Website Found! A 7-Step Beginner’s Guide to Basic Search Engine Optimisation" ON AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/SEO-All-You-Need-Know-ebook/dp/B0B4YXHMJF LEARN MORE ABOUT WARREN LAINE-NAIDA AT: https://warrenlainenaida.net/online-marketing-books/

Is it your dream to one day leave traditional 9-5 work and enter the world of entrepreneurship? Maybe you are tired of dealing with things such as bully bosses, toxic coworkers, or the lack of morals at the company you currently work for. Many people do not even consider leaving their toxic workplaces due to complacency, which results in those people never living their dreams to start their own businesses. Julie Cropp Gareleck has seen it all in her career! After realizing that entrepreneurship was her calling, she traded in the 9-5 lifestyle for one full of great success as the CEO of her own company, Junction Creative Solutions of Atlanta, GA. Julie joins us in this episode to discuss the importance of making the transition from full-time employee to full-time business owner the correct way! It's not just simply quitting your job and selling your services. There is a lot of planning and preparation involved! Her new book, "Dare to Become: From the Corner Booth to the Corner Office" discusses her adventures throughout her career and how she was able to say goodbye forever to working for someone and start her own successful company! It is a must-read for all business owners and individuals who want to enter the wonderful world of entrepreneurship one day. ABOUT THE BOOK: Dare to Become: From the Corner Booth to the Corner Office is an inspiring narrative of entrepreneurial grit and determination. The book chronicles the journey of Julie Gareleck, who, without the safety net of venture capital or an Ivy League education, dared to dream and ultimately succeeded in establishing Junction Creative, one of the nation's leading marketing firms. Gareleck's humble beginnings in her parents' restaurant in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, laid the foundation for her understanding of business operations. Her experiences in the corporate world, marked by challenging bosses and complex dynamics, fueled her desire to create her own company. This candid account of her entrepreneurial journey offers invaluable insights into self-financing a start-up, salary considerations, hiring practices, and generational management differences. Dare to Become stands out among entrepreneurial literature, offering a unique, real-world perspective on navigating the tumultuous path to business success. Gareleck's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and a guide for those daring to chase their own entrepreneurial dreams. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Julie Cropp Gareleck, Best Selling Author, CEO, and Entrepreneur, is a well-respected leader in business communities that extends from the US, to Canada, and the United Kingdom. In her 25 years of experience, Julie has consulted with more than 1000 companies, including startups, midsize, and Fortune 1000 companies, to build sustainable, revenue generating strategies. In 2009, she founded Junction Creative, an award-winning strategic marketing agency, in 2009, combining the intellectual capital of a business consulting firm with the creative execution of an advertising agency. As the author of the Best Seller, Dare to Become, From the Corner Booth to the Corner Office, Julie shares the right blend of personal anecdotes and professional advice makes it a valuable read for those looking to gain insights into the entrepreneurial journey and the importance of resilience in achieving success. The book reached a #1 Ranking on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in the first week. For more information: www.juliecroppgareleck.com. BUY "DARE TO BECOME" TODAY AND LEARN HOW TO START YOUR JOURNEY INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP CORRECTLY! Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Become-Corner-Booth-Office/dp/1611884012 Buy on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dare-to-become-julie-cropp-gareleck/1144498212 Buy directly from Julie's official website: https://juliecroppgareleck.com/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO JULIE'S PODCAST "ASPIRE TO BE": https://www.youtube.com/@juliecgareleck/