AmiSights: Financing the Future For Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, Ami talks with Erik Nilsen, Senior Vice President of Digital Strategic Partnerships at Owners Bank. Erik has a deep Product Management & Digital Banking background that was acquired from years of banking and fintech leadership. He is responsible for acquiring and managing strategic partnerships that help with the growth of Owners Bank. Owners Bank is a division of Liberty Bank based in Middletown, CT, which is one of the most innovative and established banks in the country.

We've been looking for a bank that offers our clients lines of credit along with great technology, and that's exactly what Owners Bank provides. A good bank isn't just about taking deposits and managing a tech platform; it also plays a key role in providing credit. Owners Bank delivers no BS banking to entrepreneurs. We will launch our partnership at the upcoming EO Xcentric conference in Fort Worth.

Owners Bank is currently open for business in Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. We will start in these states and move forward together.

Eric talks about how Owners Bank is redefining small business banking, making it simple for business owners. "We have real people that will pick up the phone when you call, and you're not going to go through an extensive call tree all over the country and different time zones. We predicate ourselves on that high-tech, high-touch approach. If you have questions, you're going to get a real person. We try to be really upfront and focus on the experience."

Now there is finally a bank that gets you, with tailored products and services that make things easier for business owners with none of the BS.

The main topics of today's episode include the vision behind empowering entrepreneurs, addressing the gap in small business banking, leveraging technology to provide a seamless banking experience, and the origins of Owners Bank.

Click here to learn more about our partnership with Owners Bank: https://bit.ly/3YquWxU

Connect with Erik Nilsen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-nilsen-a980622/ Recorded on 9/8/2024

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, Heather Hoover and Julie Zarr discuss their roles and experiences at MultiFunding. From navigating the world of finance to providing tailored solutions for small businesses, they explain how working with passionate entrepreneurs makes their jobs both rewarding and exciting. Tune in to learn how these amazing women found their way to MultiFunding and why they love being a part of each client's success story!

"We never have a boring day. When you learn about the blood, sweat, and tears that our clients have put into building their businesses, and hear how they've navigated ups and downs through different economic cycles, their passion for what they do is inspiring. For us, being solutions-oriented and helping them achieve their next goal is incredibly fulfilling."

In today's episode, we explore several key topics, including how having hundreds of credit boxes, rather than just one, provides many more opportunities for MultiFunding's customers. We also discuss how lower interest rates and economic stabilization are driving business startups and acquisitions. Additionally, we highlight how teamwork enhances MultiFunding's efficiency, enabling the team to offer more solutions to clients.

Connect with Heather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hoover-63921b100/

Connect with Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zarr-b3762a19/

Interested in growing your business? Get started with one of our advisors today: https://bit.ly/3XErUUP

Recorded on 9/20/24

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Albert Fialkovich, President and Managing Partner of the Prospere Companies owner of Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado; Texas: Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth Central & Waco; Nevada: Las Vegas South and Transworld Commercial Real Estate. Tune in as he shares how his father's experience with not selling his business and the challenges he faced with a broker while trying to sell his own inspired him to become highly productive in the industry. "A lot of these deals, when you're good at them, are about finesse, and that's to get a deal closed and know the right partners—like how to talk to a client—because business owners, including myself, are lunatics."

In today's episode, we'll dive into the current trends in the business brokerage industry, sharing predictions on how the field will evolve with technological advancements and shifting market demands. We'll also feature inspiring stories from clients who successfully bought or sold their businesses through Transworld Colorado, showcasing the transformative impact of these transactions. Additionally, we'll explore how success is measured not just by closing deals, but by how these transactions create jobs and inject money into the local economy.

Connect with Albert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertfialkovich/

Check out Transworld Business Advisors of Colorado: https://www.tworld.com/locations/colorado/

Recorded on 8/27/24

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we speak with Robin Huling, founder of Warner Communication, which delivers transformative workshops and consultancy services. Robin discusses how she transformed her skills into a successful business, driven by her passion for team building and leadership training, along with her deep expertise in DISC theory. "I think what holds people back is the thing that they don't know about, and they're too afraid to ask, and they don't know the different paths that they are able to take on their own," she said. "I had no idea that my experience and the training that I had would really bridge well into a personal consulting business and that I didn't need to work for a company or a corporation."

In today's episode, we will cover how an entrepreneur doesn't always have to sell a product but can instead sell their skillset and knowledge. We'll also introduce DISC theory and explore how understanding personality types can enhance team dynamics and leadership effectiveness. Lastly, we'll discuss how poor communication between leaders and employees can negatively impact the bottom line.

Connect with Robin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-huling-676908153/ Check out Warner Communication: https://warnercommunication.com/ Recorded on 8/26/24

On this week's episode of the AmiSights Podcast, Fran Miller and Nick Lasorsa from MultiFunding's loan team join Ami and Lynn to discuss the company's culture and mission, along with their experiences navigating the ups and downs of the financing industry. "You have to have all the tools in your tool shed and be comfortable and sort of get your hands dirty to a degree," Miller said. "And being in that position, I think, simply put, it's not for everybody. There's ebbs and flows of this business…some can ride that wave and others don't enjoy that up and down." The main topics of today's episode include how making mistakes early in your career can serve as valuable learning opportunities for growth, the transition from a highly process-oriented corporate environment to a small, creative, hands-on company, and how learning on the fly—especially during COVID—helped the company grow and diversify. Connect with Fran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-miller-51116389/ Connect with Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-lasorsa-aa2230268/ Interested in growing your business? Get started with one of our advisors today: https://bit.ly/3XErUUP Recorded on 8/6/24

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Morgan Katz, founder and CEO of Ticketnology, a company that works with executives across multiple industries to ease the frustration of corporate ticketing. She explains why she started the company five years ago. "So during that very long intermission, it was what am I going to do to be relevant to come out? And that's when we transformed to a ticket to a technology company, and so in late 2020 we started building software. We re-rolled out in April of 21 as a software company a ticket management platform." Tune in as we explore how the company successfully transitioned into a ticket technology business when events were canceled during the pandemic, highlighting the adaptability required during challenging times. We'll also discuss how sending personalized packages has proven to be a more effective marketing tool for the company compared to sending blind emails to prospects. Finally, we dive into why entrepreneurs should consider taking more significant risks after they've established their business, rather than during the early stages. Connect with Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-denton-katz/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketnology/ Website : www.ticketnology.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ticketnology/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ticketnology/ Recorded on 5/24/24

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Tim McDiarmid, Coach & Consultant, Founder/Owner of The Good Kind Hospitality Group, Co-Founder at The Bravery Strategy, and owner of Tim the Girl Catering. She describes how she became an "accidental entrepreneur." "The reason, what gets me up, what made me love this business, is people. People, experiences, being able to create things, interesting, unique experiences for people. And I've worked in hospitality most of my life. And I genuinely love to see when things come together." The main topics of today's episode will explore how treating fear as a protector and advisor can prepare you for challenging situations, the importance of diversifying your business to handle unexpected changes in your core operations, and how building a stronger connection with your physical voice while tapping into different aspects of your personality can lead to better decision-making. Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timthegirl/ Check out The Bravery Strategy: https://thebraverystrategy.com/ Check out The Good Kind Hospitality Group: https://eatgoodkind.com/ Check out Tim the Girl: https://www.timthegirl.com/ Recorded on 7/3/2024

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Adam Silberstein, a YPO and EO retreat facilitator and co-founder of The Local Leaders Collective, which offers a peer group experience and community for entrepreneurs. He explains how focusing on holistic health has helped entrepreneurs get through tough times such as the pandemic. "Anybody who is an entrepreneur, anybody who owns a business and is not in a peer group, I think you're at a severe disadvantage of not accessing information, not only support but also learning how other people run their businesses."

In today's episode, we will explore how treating fear as both a protector and advisor can better prepare you for challenging situations. We'll discuss the importance of diversifying your business to safeguard against unexpected changes in your core operations. Additionally, we'll delve into why building a stronger relationship with your physical voice and tapping into various aspects of your personality can enhance your decision-making process.

Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-silberstein-19678414/

Check out The Local Leaders Collective: https://thelocalleaders.com/

Recorded on 7/1/24

In this week's edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Joe Trave, Owner & CEO at Village Handcrafted Cabinetry, which makes customized high-end cabinets. Be sure to tune in as Joe explains how an increase in prices has made customers more hesitant to quickly jump into an extensive project. "I think emotional strength and resilience are important. The most important thing we can have as entrepreneurs, and I'm not going to blow smoke right now and tell you I have it every day, but I have to rely on prayer and meditation and just dial in and kind of clear out all the noise and just go inward and say I have the strength to get through this."

Today's episode will cover how scaling a business enables entrepreneurs to overcome their limitations as workers, the unique dynamics and challenges of working with family members, and the importance of businesses being at the top of their game as the market stabilizes after the COVID rollercoaster.

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-trave-05b18010/

Check out Village Handcrafted Cabinetry: https://villagehandcrafted.com/ Follow Village Handcrafted Cabinetry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/village_handcrafted/?hl=en

Follow Village Handcrafted Cabinetry on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Villagehandcraftedcabinetry/ Recorded on 6/27/24

In this episode of the AmiSights Podcast, we chat with Michael Ly, the founder and CEO of Reconcile. Michael shares his journey of starting the company in 2016, driven by a mission to support entrepreneurs by handling their daily bookkeeping and accounting needs, allowing them to concentrate on their core business strengths. "The business owner or the entrepreneur, they don't start a business because they're excited about accounting," he said. "They start a business because they're passionate about a product or service they want to provide to the world and provide to their end customer, and accounting generally is not that service unless you're an accountant."

Today's episode will explore why rapid growth doesn't immediately translate into cash flow, as the need to hire more employees increases. We'll also discuss the challenges of finding qualified accountants, a task made even more difficult since the pandemic, which saw 300,000 accountants leave the industry. Lastly, we'll dive into strategies for building a strong company culture within a fully remote environment. Connect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelly/ Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michael.s.ly/ Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/michael_ly_ Check out Reconciled: https://www.reconciled.com/ Follow Reconciled on X: https://x.com/getreconciled Follow Reconciled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getreconciled/ Follow Reconciled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getreconciled/ Recorded on 6/24/24