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© 2023 Small Business DNA
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Small Business DNA features a series of conversations where business owners and industry experts share compelling stories and helpful insights for managing and scaling a small business. Listen in to learn more about topics like marketing, sales, hiring, funding, and more.
23 Episodes
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Fundbox CEO, Prashant Fuloria, speaks with Ahmande "Mondo" Grimes about the origins and growth of his company, Spartan Financial, an insurance provider specializing in final expenses. Mondo talks about his personal journey that took him through the Nashville music industry, sales, insurance, and ultimately led to him becoming an entrepreneur. Though he experienced tough times through COVID, he emerged stronger with the help of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that he applied for through Fundbox. Now his business has bounced back and diversified, and continues to grow. From the experience and wisdom he's gained, Mondo offers tips for other small businesses on how to succeed.
In honor of Black Music History Month (every June), we're sharing a brief history about R&B (rhythm and blues) music as well as some small business aspects of the music business today. We’ll even suggest some tips for entrepreneurs and others who want a piece of the music business action.Our podcast guest is Akim Bryant, Head of R&B Programming at Pandora, one of the leaders in streaming music. Akim is an entertainment/media professional with extensive expertise in media relations including: creative writing, artist booking, and content programming. He is also a small business owner himself—an author, being not only an accomplished music journalist but also a published, independent novelist.Want to learn more about how to support your music-related venture? Read this article to learn how one music store used a Fundbox Line of Credit to grow their business: https://fbx.bz/musicstore
Starting a small business is difficult. On top of that, many entrepreneurs feel like they have to go it alone. That’s where a platform like Alignable comes in to help small business owners find the advice and resources they need from a community of like-minded peers.In this episode, Alignable co-founder and CEO, Eric Groves discusses the value of networking and how small business owners can leverage their community for support and those all-important referrals. He discusses how small business owners can approach networking with authenticity and why it’s so important to genuinely connect with others to boost business growth. Learn more about Alignable here.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlignableNetworkTwitter: https://twitter.com/alignableInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignable
Forest Flager is the co-founder and CEO of Parspec, a software solution that makes it easy for construction companies to source and procure materials and products for their projects through an e-commerce platform. Parspec is still in its early startup stages, having launched in early 2021. The company’s mission is to modernize what is still a highly manual sales and purchasing process, but their vision is to make it easier for companies to purchase more sustainable products and make an impact on housing affordability. In this episode, Forest talks about the unique value proposition of Parspec’s solution and its potential to disrupt (and improve) the way construction interacts with the supply chain. He discusses the challenges he and his team have faced bringing their product to market and securing funding from venture capitalists. Follow Forest’s startup journey on LinkedInLearn more about Parspec here: https://parspec.io/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hello_parspec
Neal Cobb is the co-founder and Vice President of Customer Success at Skipcart, an innovative scaleup that combines software with fleet logistics for on-demand deliveries across the grocery, retail, and restaurant industries. The company launched in 2018 as a scrappy startup that happened to land their first account with a major national grocer. In the years since, Neal and his team have positioned their company as a disruptive force in the delivery space, punching above their weight to compete with the likes of Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Doordash. In this episode, Neal shares how Skipcart faced the challenges that come with rapid scaling. He discusses how the company weathered major shifts in the gig economy alongside increased demand for delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing key insights about how to keep your doors open despite volatility as you grow. Connect with Neal on LinkedInLearn more about Skipcart here: https://www.skipcart.com/Instagram: @skipcartFacebook: @skipcart
Zach Richter is a real estate investor who purchases and rents multi-family properties across the United States. His journey began with a broken water main and a dilapidated building in the Arizona desert. Several years and several properties later, Zach now operates many multi-family buildings through his business, Norstar Listings. In this episode, Zach talks about the current state of the real estate market and what it takes to get started in property investing. He also discusses the ups and downs of operating rental properties and some of the financial and managerial challenges he’s faced along the way. Connect with Zach on LinkedIn.Explore Norstar Listings here.
Have you ever wished you could play out your favorite racing video game in real life? For Joshua Nelson, founder and CEO at Emotional Ideas Inc., a love of gaming and a dream of shaping the future of the amusement industry lead to building an ambitious tech startup with a unique product. His brainchild, Battle Racing, combines traditional go-karting with augmented reality software that provides an interactive experience for drivers. In this episode, Joshua shares how his unshakable passion and vision have enabled him to overcome the challenges of being a young founder introducing a never-before-seen product to market. He discusses the roadblocks he’s faced as a black man in tech and shares tips about how he raised his seed round of investment. He also gives advice on building a team and proving that you’re the best person to make your most inventive ideas a (scalable) reality. Follow Joshua’s startup journey on LinkedIn.Learn more about Emotional Ideas Inc. and Battle Racing on their website.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emotionalideasinc/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Emotionalideasinc Twitter- https://twitter.com/Emotional_ideasLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotional-ideas-inc/
Entrepreneur Jerry Sanders started his e-commerce business, Midsouth Coffee and Tea Co., out of frustration with his usual morning coffee run. Long lines at local coffee shops and the closure of his favorite café prompted him to figure out how to get that barista-grade cup of jo at home. With many people working remotely during the pandemic, Jerry’s direct-to-consumer model took off faster than he was expecting. In this episode, Jerry shares how he started his business and successfully met the challenges of finding customers in a crowded market. He also talks about what it takes to quickly scale a business when you’re not an expert in every department and why building relationships needs to be at the core of your growth strategy. Get coffee and tea from Midsouth Coffee and Tea Co. here: https://midsouthcoffeeandtea.com/ Email: jsanders@sandersed.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/midsouthcoffeeandtea/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/midsouthcoffteaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-sanders-789180a3/
Kaylin Marcotte is the founder and CEO of Jiggy, a jigsaw puzzle company that turns independent artists’ work into puzzles made for winding down and relaxing. Kaylin wanted to create puzzles that could live on as art after completion. This unique approach coupled with a commitment to low-waste packaging set her products apart in the market and earned the brand loyal fans, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Kaylin talks about her entrepreneurial journey from hobbyist to founder and imparts wisdom from her time as a marketing director and a management consultant. She discusses the nuances and challenges of running a product-based business and shares insights about the product development and marketing strategies that have helped Jiggy grow into a beloved brand. Follow Kaylin’s entrepreneurial journey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylin-marcotte/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylinmarcotte/Keep up with Jiggy on Instagram @jiggypuzzlesCheck out Jiggy puzzles here: https://jiggypuzzles.com/
Alejandra Melo owns and operates R&M Cleaning Service in Austin, Texas with her family. Alejandra and her family immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico City in 2015 and launched the business two years later. Having been at the helm of several businesses in Mexico — including a restaurant and a recycling company — Alejandra was ready for the next evolution of her entrepreneurial journey in the States.In this episode, Alejandra is joined by her daughter, Frida, who manages the business alongside her mom. The two talk about how they handle the challenges that come with running a successful service-based business that employs multiple contractors and how they managed serious issues that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss their family’s history of entrepreneurship and reflect on the process of building a thriving business from the ground up in a new country.Find R&M Cleaning Service on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rymcleaningserviceConnect with Alejandra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-melo-07227736
Stacey Toews is the co-founder of Level Ground Trading, a coffee company that’s as serious about farmer welfare and environmental responsibility as they are about serving up an exceptional cup of jo. Stacey’s approach to a distributed leadership model and focus on creating a workplace where it’s safe to be vulnerable has helped Level Ground attract and retain exceptional talent. The company’s culture has also been a core differentiator that’s kept the company going strong in an increasingly saturated market. On the podcast, Stacey discusses the company’s 25-year history and the challenges (and triumphs) of building a team of people who espouse Level Ground’s heart-centered core values: keep it real, always improve, uplift everyone, and love the planet. Learn more about Level Ground Trading or find their Fairtrade certified, organic beans near you at https://levelground.com/ Social: FB: https://www.facebook.com/LevelGroundTradingInsta: https://www.instagram.com/levelgroundtrading/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/level-ground-trading/
Serial entrepreneur Kristin Luck is the founder and current managing partner of ScaleHouse, a consulting agency for scaleups, and the president of ESOMAR, a global organization that promotes the value of data, research, and insights in effective business decision-making.Kristin and her team at ScaleHouse help businesses of all sizes reach their growth goals. In this episode, Kristin shares hard-won wisdom about scaling and provides tips and insights for other founders looking to grow rapidly — and sustainably. With decades of experience growing her own companies to successful exits and supporting organizations across every industry with their scaling strategy, Kristin’s knowledge is an invaluable resource for any entrepreneur who’s ready to get growing. Connect with Kristin on Twitter @kristinluck or LinkedIn.Learn more about ScaleHouse here: https://www.scalehouse.consulting/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/scale_house?lang=en
Ryan Englin is the CEO of Core Matters, a business consulting agency with a mission to help employers find and retain top talent in high-turnover industries. With his Core Fit approach, Ryan and his team guide leaders through the process of uncovering their business’s core values and attracting team members who fit in with a company culture that’s built around those values. In this episode, Ryan shares his top tips for blue collar business leaders looking to improve their hiring and retention strategies. He shares why it’s so important for businesses in blue collar industries to establish a culture where employees feel respected and supported in their pursuit of career advancement. Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanenglin/ Listen to Ryan’s Blue Collar Culture Podcast: https://thecorematters.com/blue-collar-culture-podcast/ Learn more about Core Matters: https://thecorematters.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thecoremattershttps://twitter.com/coremattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/corematters/about/
Holly Ong is the co-founder of Sibeiho, a Portland, Oregon-based startup that offers Good Food Award-winning sambal sauce and other Singaporean dishes. As a former marketing and branding professional for Fortune 500 companies like Nike, Holly brings go-to-market expertise and corporate wisdom to her role at Sibeiho. The business began as a supper club showcasing the nostalgic foods that Holly and co-founder Pat Lau wanted to recreate from memories of their childhood in Southeast Asia. Now, the pair is focused on expanding production of their consumer product line of sambal sauces made from their own family recipes. In the episode, Holly shares her passion for bringing the flavors and stories of Singaporean cuisine to customers and discusses the challenges of growing a culinary product-based business — from perfecting the recipes to managing cash flow. Shop Sibeiho sambal sauces and get recipes.
Shannon Ross is the co-founder of D’s Trucks trucking company and founder and executive director of The Community, an organization dedicated to fostering and showcasing the successes, humanity, and agency of people with criminal records. Through D’s Trucks and his community-building initiatives, Shannon’s goal is to destigmatize individuals who are system-impacted and previously incarcerated and support their efforts to build fulfilling lives and achieve their dreams. On the podcast, Shannon shares his approach to business and leadership. He provides invaluable advice for entrepreneurs who are system-impacted and employers who may not have considered exploring this untapped pool of workforce talent. Find Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-ross-b0378717a/ Learn more about The Community: https://thecommunitynow.us/ Explore how your organization can benefit from awareness training regarding system impacted employees in the workforce: https://paradigmshyft.org/
Join our conversation on how your small business can maximize forgiveness for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, designed to help companies, their employees, and even independent contractors during the economic impact of coronavirus/COVID-19. This podcast was updated on January 29, 2021.In this podcast, we share and discuss some of what we've learned to help clarify the #1 question topic about the PPP loan: forgiveness.Click the CHAPTER MARKERS tab above to skip to each question.A text version of this podcast is available here. (For translations, open in the Chrome browser.)Disclaimer: Fundbox and its affiliates do not provide financial, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own PPP lender for specific needs, or your own financial, legal, or accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
When COVID stay-at-home mandates hit, Philadelphia-based digital marketing agency Brand Llama moved their operations 100% online and also showed their clients how to pivot and go digital themselves. Sagan Medvec, co-founder and creative director of Brand Llama, talks about how they used innovative design, website, and ecommerce expertise to help manufacturers, trade shows, and other face-to-face industries survive and even grow when traditional ways of doing business were interrupted.
Minority businesses, particularly Black-owned small businesses, have been the hardest hit by the economic impacts of COVID. This comes atop a stark, historical disadvantage. On average, minorities have less access to start-up capital, are less likely to receive loans, and when they do, they typically get lower dollar amounts and pay higher interest rates. What can be done to help solve the huge funding gap facing Black and other minority small businesses, especially start-ups? In this Fundbox podcast, our guest is Henry Childs, II: the world’s #1 minority business strategist. CEO of the Minority Wealth Commission, and a former National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Henry Childs is an expert in Black wealth, and a champion in the fight for financing the minority economy.
Learn how one small business, a K-12 education company that had a business model dependent largely on face-to-face interaction, quickly adapted to a fully-online operation when the COVID pandemic shut down schools and non-essential businesses and social distancing and Zoom meetings became the new normal.This interview features Rosy Cohen, the founder, and educator at Grupology, a company that specializes in designing after-school educational experiences for K-12 students.
This is a story about small business resilience in the wake of the economic and logistical impacts of COVID-19. Masterworks Creative is a digital marketing agency, based in Ocala, Florida, that has a unique focus on horses. Specializing in equine marketing for over 30 years, proprietors Tami and Marv Johnson share their experiences and insights at how they pivoted their business to better serve a community and industry that was heavily curtailed when live public events were shut down beginning in March, 2020. Tami and Marv talk about how focusing on the needs of a niche marketplace and adapting to new technologies can help a small business survive and succeed, and how a Fundbox line of credit helped them improve their business process as well as their cash flow.
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