Struggling Entrepreneur

 

 102A- Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, co-authors of TRUST AGENTS [17:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we interview Julien Smith and Chris Brogan, who are weblebrities and co-authors of this latest book, Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust.

At an event in Austin, Texas, Chris and Julien were the lunch speakers in the world of Marketing (the meeting was sponsored by the AMA). However, we asked Julien and Chris to focus on the topic Trust Agency for the Entrepreneur, within the environment of Small Business Ownership and success.

As you will hear from this shorter podcast episode, some key differentiators that can help the small business owner to get  exposure and notoriety  were:

- being different and unexpected (in a relevant and tasteful manner);

- planning the human interactive strategy of using social media tools (such as twitter, etc.);

- networking in a humanistic way without business cards.

The latter suggestion can best be served by a true case-in-point:

When I first met Julien Smith prior to the luncheon, I did not whip out a business card and start talking about my business or my entrepreneurship. Instead, we focused on two items– (1) His book (because I asked him to sign my copy); and (2) I had started a conversation at  the bar about a drink (Old Fashion) that has gained notoriety because it is on a current TV series (MadMen). Since Julien had never tried one, I offered to him the one I had just ordered. That immediately set in motion a humanistic relationship model where we forgot about business for a few moments and we both earned the trust and respect for each other. And, yes, later on, I did give Julien one of my business cards–after he asked for it.

Note: in this brief interview, we had some ambient noise in the background, as we recorded this after the luncheon in the same dining area. Please forgive this background sound.

As both Chris and Julien had to depart to the airport literally within minutes, we recorded this discussion in a mobile manner and before they had to be shuttled to catch their flight. Thus, you may sense the feeling that we were a bit hurried. We thank Chris and Julien for their time and contribution.

Copyright (c) Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 7 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs- blog post from www.ducttapemarketing.com [6:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver the audio narration (complete and unabridged) of a blog post titled “7 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs.”

This post was published on 20 July 2009 from the Duct Tape Marketing blog.

As you will hear in this brief audio episode, the 7 uncommon traits highlighted are:

1. Curiosity

2. Risk-averse

3. Planners

4. Trusting

5. Non-judgment

6. Spatial

7. Pragmatic

Thanks to Duct Tape Marketing for providing this insight into the makeup of successful entrepreneurs.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation and www.ducttapemarketing.com. All Rights Reserved.

 

 101A- Mark Roberts- Helping customers to validate their market [30:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this bonus episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we interview Mark A. Roberts, who has been a Small Business Owner after he was successful in the Corporate World with Frito-Lay and a Startup business.

He currently has his own business, which is called Out of the Box Solutions.

As you will hear in this podcast, one of the biggest obstacles to success for an Entrepreneur is not being able to sell the product or service. And how come?

As Mark describes, the Entrepreneur has passion for the idea, excitement for the product or service and enthusiasm for the launch of the small business. However, the strategy and planning and research needed to see if the market was there — and if anyone would be willing to pay for the final product or service — does not exist.

Mark’s current business can help the Entrepreneur to do the proper investigation to see if a real market exists and real customers who would buy the product or service.

Mark is currently with a firm called Pragmatic Marketing.  Although we had met at the ProductCamp event in Austin, Texas, he is currently based out of Phoenix, Arizona.

Mark has published a book in 2007, titled “Branding Backwards: A Brand’s Odyssey Toward Self-Discovery.” And you can get a free copy from his web site by simply requesting it on his online form.

In this book, he uses the story-telling method of describing the thought process that goes in acquiring a differentiating BRAND. It is also available as an audio narration in the form of a podcast.

In addition to writing a second book, Mark is also the invited keynote speaker for an events that deal with assistance for Entrepreneurs, especially with the mature and experienced workers who are going into small business ownership after being laid off from their day-jobs or because they have just retired from their corporate or public sector career. This organization is called BoomerzWork.

We thank Mark for empathizing with Entrepreneurs and “how his heart goes out to them” when he sees them in trouble and tries to provide the guidance and assistance to help them save their business, then grow their business.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 101- How distractions can derail an Entrepreneur after launching the business - Elizabeth Harrington [33:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we return and visit Elizabeth Harrington, whom we interviewed in episodes 16 and 17 a couple of years ago (You may look in the archives for these episodes from December, 2007, on the web site).

At  that time, she was in the process of getting the education and training to set up her small business venture as an entrepreneur, which she named The New Prime Time. She shared with us her dreams and goals of her future business, and we promised to check with her later to see how the launch of her business went, as well as her progress as an Entrepreneur.

Well, in this audio episode, she now shares with us the aftermath of the launch–and especially the pitfalls of distractions and detours to which so many entrepreneurs fall prey when they begin the initial stages after launching their businesses.  And, as she describes it, among the symptoms that called her attention to this “entrepreneur minefield” was one which dealt with the excitement and challenge of creating her own business.

The symptom:  “the thrill was gone”  from running the business.

You will hear from her the number of factors for this, all the way from errors in judgment of allocating financial resources, as well as challenges that can arise with business partners who may not share the same “passion” as the creating entrepreneur.

However, as you will hear from this interview, Elizabeth recognized these symptoms and did her own re-assessment. She then re-strategized and re-created her plans, with  the right focus to guide her back to the real objectives for her business. She is now in the middle of a planned re-branding to get her back on track.

The result?

“The thrill is back!” she tells us.

As you listen to this audio episode, you can see what actions she is taking and how she is following her new roadmap back to success–success for herself, personally, as well as financial success.

We thank Elizabeth Harrington for sharing her story, and we hope that this will bring value to other entrepreneurs who are about to launch their businesses, so that they may be aware of the dangers of distractions and other warning signs that may eventually cause them loss of time, money and (most of all) the passion for their business.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.