Ask Brien Show

By Peter Bronstein and Traci DeForgeBusiness Entrepreneurship Management

Ask Brien Show episodes

October 28, 2022A Passion for Regenerative Agriculture with Ken Rapoport Azuluna Foods
Today we are joined by farmer and Co-CEO of Azuluna Foods, Ken Rapoport. He talks about regenerative agriculture and how Azuluna Foods uses this style of farming to create fantastic meal-delivery options. He discusses their marketing strategy and how Azuluna Foods converts people into customers. Tune in today to learn about healthy foods and how to market a mail-delivery service.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[8:00] Ken introduces his company, Azuluna Foods, and regenerative agriculture.
[13:49] When was Azuluna Foods founded, and why was it created?
[16:19] How can people purchase items from Azuluna Foods?
[19:45] How does Azuluna Foods distribute items?
[21:13] What is their marketing strategy?
[25:14] What is the call to action to convert people to become a customer?
[29:01] How Azuluna Foods focuses on education for its customers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The key to healthy food for all of us is having healthy soil. Regenerative Agriculture helps restore the soil.
People have to see things up to 7 times before they want to try them out.
If you are eating the wrong thing, it impacts your brain function. People wouldn’t put bad fuel in their vehicles, so stop putting bad food in your body to fuel you.
If you don’t drink enough water, your body robs water from your brain. Drink half your body weight in water.

BIO:
Ken is a farmer and co-founder of Azuluna Foods. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has since pursued entrepreneurial endeavors in the technology sectors, supporting IT and telecommunications, power generation, and software- businesses that continue to thrive today.
Ken knows nutritious food and sustainable agriculture are key to building a more humane, sustainable, and healthy future for people, animals, and the land. He established Woodstock Sustainable Farms in 2011, pasture-raising animals through rotational grazing; feeding his community in his 18th-century event center; and investing in state-of-the-art energy alternatives like biochar heating systems, wind turbines, and solar panels. Ken and his staff have preserved nearly 200 acres of pristine, New England landscape in partnership with the Wyndham Land Trust. Securing this land and nurturing its growth for eternal conservation is a legacy to his late wife, Linda, who is the inspiration for the farm and its bounty.
Ken acquired the Azuluna Foods brand in 2019, merging his farm with programs established at Tufts University, expanding the agricultural services of Azuluna, and fortifying our partnership with Whole Foods. Ken believes that vertically integrating food production, processing and distribution can enhance local economies and improve community health. Ken has unified the best of sustainable agriculture, advanced dietetic sciences, culinary innovation, and medical research to create Azuluna Foods’ mission: Regenerative Farming. Better Food. Stronger Communities.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Azuluna Foods
Azuluna Foods Instagram
34 min
October 21, 2022Challenges and Lessons with Twisted Noodles and Bill Saller
In this episode, we are joined by the CEO of Albany Farms, Bill Saller. Bill gives some excellent tips on entrepreneurship and the lessons and challenges of creating a start-up. He talks about COVID and supply chain issues that impacted his latest venture, Albany Farms. Tune in today to learn more about Albany Farms and Bill’s suggestions for new entrepreneurs.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[10:00] Bill Saller introduces himself.
[11:26] What was Bill’s process to create Albany Farms?
[14:22] How did COVID impact the business?
[18:52] How will relying on non-imported products impact inflation?
[20:17] What has been Bill’s entrepreneurial path?
[23:07] What recommendations does Bill have to help a CEO learn to delegate?
[26:32] What tips does Bill have for retaining great employees?
[29:35] What is next for Albany Farms?
[30:43] Bill shares suggestions for new entrepreneurs.
[33:36] How did Albany Farms come to be?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Retailers have learned not to rely on folks that depend on imported products from the shortage issues during COVID.
Failures can lead to incredible lessons to help you move forward with your entrepreneurship.
Transitioning from founder to operator is a significant move and is actually a good move, not a negative transition. It is necessary for the success of a business.
Having problem-solving skills/strengths is vital for employees in a start-up. This is an invaluable skill to keep the business moving forward.

BIO:
Everything we do is about you. From chefs who create exciting new flavors to our noodle engineers that bring the BEST to ramen lovers everywhere. The days of ramen just being for college students are over. We embrace everyone in the ramen universe! We give you the fuel from the plants and the sun. Our noodle-obsessed engineers and chefs turn it into an easy on-the-go meal at an affordable price.
Providing Safe Quality Food to the ramen universe. Albany Farms maintains a food safety culture and continually improves our management system. We are 100% committed to complying with FDA and customer requirements.
We would love to take you on this journey with us. Albany Farms is committed to bringing America’s favorite meal, ramen noodles, to your dinner table. We proudly label our ramen noodles as MADE IN THE USA!! This means the WHEAT grown by our very own hard-working farmers, is transformed into steamy bowls of delicious noodles to satisfy ramen lovers far and wide.
What’s next in the Albany Farms journey? In addition to the BEST ramen noodles, we will be making our own flour. If you like our ramen noodles, just wait; our Albany Farms flour will come to you from local wheat farmers and will be seen on shelves soon.
LINKS MENTIONED:
LegalStepz.com
Albany Farms Website
36 min
October 14, 2022Mortgage rates Explained with Michael Fawver
In this episode, we are joined by Sr. Mortgage Advisor Michael Fawver. He explains why it is still an excellent time to buy a home, even though interest rates have skyrocketed since the beginning of the year. He explains why it is still an excellent time to buy a home, even though interest rates have skyrocketed since the beginning of the year. He also discusses the market for investors looking to enter the commercial market. Tune in today to get some great tips for navigating today’s market.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[6:59] Mike Fawver gives an introduction about himself and the mortgage industry.
[7:40] What are the reasons for interest rates skyrocketing?
[9:52] Are the listing costs of houses starting to go down?
[11:13] What do rates look like on commercial real estate?
[13:33] Is now a good time to buy an apartment building because rent is also rising?
[14:33] What is a qualified assumption?
[16:40] How does it look for self-employed people with an income that ebbs and flows?
[18:15] What options are available to entrepreneurs for home loans?
[21:45] How are home equality loans affected by the interest rates?
[28:40] What is a reverse mortgage?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
General consensus is that rates will continue to rise through the end of 2022 but should start to level out and go down in 2023.
If you are planning to sell a house in 10 years, your probably going to get great deals right now; rates are going to go down so that you can refinance and lower your payments.
There are many options available for getting a loan; make sure to find a professional who can help you look at everything.

BIO:
Michael Fawver, a 30+ year veteran of the mortgage business, currently serves as the Director of Branch Production as well as Senior Loan Officer for American Pacific Mortgage’s Preferred Rate Division. In this role Mike mentors Loan Originators through the entire mortgage cycle from pre-qualification of the client through closing and beyond.
In addition to bolstering the originators on his team, Mike also works with his local real estate community by providing training on market conditions and products as well as co-marketing and working hand in hand with real estate agents to ensure that home purchasers are well informed and comfortable in making their major purchase.
Mike is quite adept in providing financial planning for consumers as it relates to home financing including, but not limited to, savings, college funds, move-up borrowers, investment property/second homes as well as cost analysis regarding renting vs. owning. He will listen and set up long-term goals/plans tailored to each individual’s specific needs.
Mike considers himself truly fortunate to work in the mortgage field, an industry he loves. He is also enthusiastic about various humanitarian organizations including Boys & Girls Club, Pathways to Independence, and Food Finders – an organization dedicated to feeding hungry children in his local area.
When not assisting in making financial dreams come true or aiding in charitable events, Mike enjoys golf and outdoor time with his wife, Susan, six children, multiple grandchildren, and his favorite dog, Lucky.
31 min
October 01, 2022Understanding Consumer Behaviour with Reagan DeLattre
In this episode, we are joined by Reagan DeLattre, a CPG professional with 113 Industries. Reagan gives us some great information around insights and analysis that companies can use to reach their customers better. Reagan covers what services 113 Industries provides but also gives a glimpse into the tools entrepreneurs, and small businesses can use who don’t have a budget to hire a company. By asking open-ended questions, being authentic, and digging into consumers’ conversations and feedback, a company can learn so much about what people are looking for when buying products. Tune in today to understand consumer behaviour!
IN THIS EPISODE:
[9:40] Reagan DeLattre talks about her background.
[13:07] What does Reagan do at 113 Industries?
[14:00] What data insights/analysis that 113 Industries use?
[16:30] Reagan gives an example of the information that 113 Industries can uncover regarding consumers’ wants.
[20:58] What is Reagan currently working on?
[22:27] How can entrepreneurs get good feedback from their ideal clients?
[26:01] How can a service company check on satisfaction from customers?
[33:28] What’s the best tool to do a poll to learn more as a small business owner?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Authenticity is the best way to attract customers. Show up as you are and who you are. Let them know, like, and trust you, which will bring them in to purchase the product/item.
People engage more with the people and the moments they tell vs. the product. People want to see themselves in the moment that the company is advertising. Funny, quirky moments are great for engagement. Have an actual dialog with real people, and you’ll uncover incredible information.
Text boxes and digital conversation is the best way to learn from your consumers. It leaves them a place to have an open-ended answer, and you can gain a lot of insight from that.

BIO:
Reagan is a CPG professional with over a decade of experience in sales and marketing. Her passion is fueled by collaboration, supporting a vision, and fostering its growth through meaningful analysis. Her greatest adventure has been bringing a pet food brand to life, a dogged pursuit that went from ideation to back shelf to an epic journey with a team and retailer committed to its purpose that resulted in launch with sustained market success. Reagan credits her achievements to the leaders that have championed her and shares that there is no greater gift or pursuit than believing in others.

LINKS MENTIONED:
113 Industries Website
Reagan’s email: [email protected]
37 min
September 23, 2022Small Business Challenges with Michael Tashman, Founder of Churnfoods
In this episode, we are joined by Michael Tashman, founder of Churn Foods. He discusses the transition from being a high-class chef to becoming an entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges that he faced when starting Churn Foods. Tune in today to hear about Michael’s love and passion for butter and some great entrepreneur tips.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[9:45] What is Churn Foods?
[12:15] What is the story of the commoditization of butter?
[13:23] Why does grass-fed matter?
[15:20] What do the overhead costs look like for transportation for Churn Foods?
[17:11] Where can people buy Churn Foods butter?
[21:06] What’s the process for making Churn Foods butter?
[24:48] What was the aha moment when Michael decided to create Churn Foods?
[26:45] What are some of the biggest challenges Michael has faced?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Grass-fed makes a big difference with the health and vitamins that cows get, which transfers to us as humans when we ingest it.
Keeping business and personal life separate is essential. If you don’t and you are very passionate about your business, it can take over your personal life.
Start small and stay focused. Don’t go from creating a product to hoping it’ll be in all the retail stores immediately. Perfect your craft and grow at a slow and steady rate.

BIO:
As Julia Child famously said, “With enough butter, anything is good.” Chef Michael Tashman took her sage advice to heart. Now, he’s spreading the word with Churn — grass-fed, hormone-free, European-style butter made right here in Los Angeles, CA.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better butter. Sweet, nutty, earthy, and creamy, Churn values quality and quantity in equal measure. Flavors like Garlic Shallot, Cacio e Pepe, and Maple Cinnamon can turn plain bread into a masterpiece, but why stop there? From sautéed veggies to grilled swordfish, Churn was made to elevate every meal.
Thankful for all the support he’s received, Michael is quick to dish the love right back to his employees and loved ones. As he evangelizes butter, just like Julia, he abides by another one of her timeless quotes:
“Remember, no one’s more important than people. In other words, friendship is the most important thing—not career or housework, or one’s fatigue—and it needs to be tended and nurtured.”

LINKS MENTIONED:
Churn Foods Website
Churn Foods Instagram
Churn Foods TikTok
33 min
September 16, 2022Small Business & Entrepreneur Banking Options with Matt Olsen
In this episode, we are joined by Matt Olsen, the Vice President of Torrey Pines Bank. Matt walks through the different types of loans available to small business owners and entrepreneurs. He also discusses the difference between big-name branches and customers’ personalized touch with a smaller bank. Matt gives tips on what is a true bank and a scam. Lastly, we touch on how COVID has changed the dynamic of banking.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[10:38] How can our guests help small businesses?
[11:30] What do loans look like for brand-new companies? Can they qualify?
[13:10] Does this bank use merchant processing?
[15:43] What is the SBA, and what is the 7A program?
[19:21] If a company is a DBA and becomes successful, does the time the business has been in place based on the original company, or is it a brand new company?
[23:48] Micro-fund companies – how do you know what is real and what is a scam?
[25:30] How is personalized service even possible anymore?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Small businesses have options for funding, going to a smaller bank will give you more options than a large chain bank.
If you aren’t sure if a loan offer is legit, look up the company on the internet, better business bureau, and read other reviews from customers of the bank to see what their experience has been.
COVID has opened up the doors to do more banking online and created a way to do banking without having to go into an office. This is a great option for solo online entrepreneurs.

BIO:
Matt Olsen is vice president of commercial banking for Torrey Pines Bank. Based in Beverly Hills, Matt works with clients throughout California, focusing on developing customized depository and treasury management solutions for privately held businesses and partnerships. He works with deposit-centric clients in real estate, property/HOA management, non-profits, private equity, and venture capital firms.
Mr. Olsen joined Torrey Pines Bank in 2019 and has more than twenty years of banking experience.
A graduate of San Jose State University, Matt volunteers with local charities, including NFTE, the International Visitor’s Council of L.A., and the L.A. Regional Food Bank.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Email: [email protected]
310-623-8908
Torrey Pines Bank Website
31 min
September 09, 2022Creative Photography and Copy with Ryan Boudreau
We are joined by Ryan Boudreau, founder of Good Eye Kid. Good Eye Kid is a product photography company focused on the food and beverage space. Ryan gives us some great tips on positioning product photos and the writing portion of the creative business. We talk about why creative is essential when marketing and selling a product. At the end of the episode, Ryan gives tips for small companies that don’t have much funding about what they should focus on. Tune in to this valuable episode to learn tips and tricks to improve your business’s creative side.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[7:30] Ryan describes what Good Eye Kid is.
[10:10] How does it work when the client doesn’t live near the studio?
[11:40] How does Good Eye Kid keep client expenses down when it’s so customized?
[12:46] How do privacy rules affect Good Eye Kid’s images?
[13:58] Is retargeting dead?
[14:58] What is the most important thing when shooting an image?
[16:24] What is your lighting style?
[16:56] How has the iPhone impacted Ryan’s company?
[18:10] Which social media would you use for advertising and reaching customers for food and beverage companies?
[19:13] Ryan gives a tip he would give to a beginning photographer.
[21:29] For a furniture company, what avenue would Ryan start with to catch customers’ attention?
[23:11] How does a picture sell a product or a service?
[26:50] What equipment is a must?
[28:48] What tips could Ryan give to small business owners to be successful?
[30:23] What would Ryan tell a person with limited funds, and how do you know if a test is successful?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
For someone looking to get into the photography space, start with building a portfolio of photos. People want to see what you can do before they hire you. So grab some white paper and your camera and start shooting!
Creative / images and copy are essential to pull in your customers. People want to be able to see what they are buying. The messaging you use pulls at their emotions and gets them to purchase the product.
The first two tasks to start a business are going on google and yelp. These are free tools. Ensure you have cohesive messaging across platforms. All information should be consistent no matter where the customer looks.

BIO:
Good creative is everything. Bold visuals that make the digital world a more authentic, brighter, and happier place.
We are an end-to-end commercial photography and UGC studio. We also act as a full-service advertising agency for many of our creative clients – providing creative direction + strategy, content strategy, media buying, ad design, and ad copy.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Good Eye Kid Website
Good Eye Kid Facebook
Good Eye Kid Instagram
Email: [email protected]
32 min
September 02, 2022Santhigram Foundation – Ayurveda and Yoga with Dr. Anurag Nair
We are joined by Dr. Anurag Nair who is the director of the Santhigram Foundation. Dr. Anurag Nair educates us on Ayurveda and the position of introducing it as an alternative to modern medicine. Ayurveda is used to create self-awareness, as it helps to uncover many details about what our specific self needs, such as what time to wake up, how to eat, and more. Dr. Anurag Nair also talks to us about the combination of using Ayurveda and Yoga together. Tune in today to learn more about how Ayurveda can improve your mental health.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[7:02] Introducing Santhigram Foundation
[10:40] What is Ayurveda?
[12:51] How does Yoga fit in with Ayurveda?
[16:12] Connection between these practices and mental health
[19:21] What is one thing someone new to Ayurveda can do to start coping with the escalated stress levels?
[22:04] How do you know you have optimized your mental state?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Ayurveda is a whole body approach that looks at complete physical, mental and social development.
The idea of Ayurveda is that it is a disease that occurs in the body because of an imbalance of the body’s energy. In ayurvedic medicine, there are three energy types. Knowing your energy type helps to restore balance to the body.
Ayurveda helps you to understand the specifics of your body. It will tell you the best time to wake up, what time to eat, what diet to eat, what type of exercise is best for you, and what occupation will meet your needs best.

BIO:
Dr.Anurag Nair is a Doctor of Modern Medicine with a keen interest in Complementary and Traditional Medicine.
He has served as Vice President of Santhigram Wellness Kerala Ayurveda USA since 2016.
He has been instrumental in establishing FDA-compliant product lines made under the highest quality standards.
He has been at the forefront of helping Traditional Indian Medical Sciences attain global recognition and has strongly advocated research-centered medical practices.
He believes in the body’s inherent ability to heal and thrive and that true healing comes from the inside out, requiring a whole-body, whole-life approach.
To this end, he has leveraged his experience and knowledge in the health and wellness industry to establish Vibrant Veda LLC. This consultancy firm offers a full array of functional and effective end-to-end solutions for anyone desiring to venture into the American health and wellness market.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Santhigram Website
Anurag Nair Linkedin
Santhigram Foundation Facebook
Santhigram Foundation Twitter
29 min
August 26, 2022Sobriety in Business with Kelley Kitley
We are joined by psychotherapist, author, and short filmmaker Kelley Kitley. Kelley talks with us about starting her psychotherapy job and her entrepreneurial journey. She discusses her journey through becoming sober and the pressure of peers telling her not to share her journey. However, sharing her journey made clients feel more comfortable with her, and her business took off. Tune in today to hear more about Kelley’s sobriety journey and the effects on her business. Also, check out her book MY self, An Autobiography of Survival and her short film Gray Area.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[8:05] What is Kelley’s business and her journey thus far?
[17:10] Kelley talks about entrepreneurship and how she started with psychotherapy.
[19:12] What was the biggest challenge from leaving an established practice to starting her practice?
[21:05] What has her experience as an entrepreneur been in sobriety vs. before she was sober?
[24:12] What is the difference between alcohol dependence and alcohol addiction?
[28:38] How do you integrate the intersection between work and life?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Sharing your story and showing authenticity can make a huge difference in your business. It allows people to know, like, and trust you, as well as relate to you, which shows that you’ve been through the trenches, and you can show them that your story can help them.
Find the time that you are most productive and work during that time. When a lot is going on in life and work, finding that balance, your best work time, and having a supportive partner are huge for success in the business.
Follow the path that you feel most called to. Take the risk. If you are unhappy in your current job/business, leap and go for it. The worst that will happen is you hear “no” and keep pushing.

BIO:
Kelley has an eclectic array of experiences using a holistic approach. Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, enhancing relationships with couples, and using a short-term model called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.) Kelley also works with patients in longer-term treatment to work through trauma (including rape and sexual abuse), eating disorders, substance abuse, loss, and phase of life issues.
She’s an action-oriented therapist who believes the therapeutic process is a partnership and works with clients to define and ultimately achieve their goals. She uses positive psychology and coaching to help people be the best version of themselves.
LINKS MENTIONED:
MY self, An Autobiography of Survival
Kelley Kitley Website
42 min
August 19, 2022Full Measure Education with Greg Davies
We are joined by the founder and CEO of Full Measure Education, Greg Davies. Greg digs into what inspired him to get into the education field and what difficulties he has encountered as an entrepreneur. Greg talks to us about his success with three different start-up companies and dives deep into his latest company, Full Measure Education. He talks about the importance of students accessing the administrative lifecycle on their smartphones and how technology has shifted. Tune in today to learn more about the college administrative lifecycle and the processes Greg follows when thinking about his program.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[6:38] What is Greg Davies’s background?
[8:44] How did Greg develop the idea of Full Measure?
[11:07] How has Greg streamlined many of the typical friction points?
[14:16] What are the top 3 products that are used?
[17:27] What are some of the tech and marketing tools colleges use?
[19:19] How is this setting freshman students up for success?
[21:08] What inspired Greg to get into this field? What were the difficulties he encountered when becoming an entrepreneur?
[23:35] Where does Greg see the innovation going in the future in this space?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The times of letters in the mail and emails are no longer relevant. To get information to students, they need to get it through their smartphones. The upcoming college-age students have had a smartphone since they were young and are dependent on them for information.
9 out of 10 students drop out for non-academic reasons. Some of these reasons are that they cannot afford it, don’t know how to fill out forms, live too far away, and have other responsibilities in their life that pull them away from college.
Getting freshmen in the loop of what’s going on at the college, what clubs there are, how to sign up for classes, when orientation is, etc., is key to them showing up for college. Giving them a feeling of inclusion is very important for their success.

BIO:
Greg Davies is the founder and CEO of Full Measure Education. He has dedicated his career to improving student outcomes by launching innovative solutions to help remove student barriers to education. Greg was part of the founding management team at Blackboard in 1997. He then went on to start Presidium, a college call-center support service. In 2011, he sold Presidium to Blackboard and, taking no half measures with his next company, founded Full Measure Education. During his time with Presidium, Greg became more aware of – and was inspired by – the challenges students face as they navigate the complexities of the college enrollment process. Determined to make the steps throughout the student lifecycle more navigable and accessible for all students, Greg set forth to better curate and personalize school-to-student communication using mobile-first technology.
LINKS MENTIONED:
Full Measure Website
Full Measure Website Tours
Full Measure Facebook
Full Measure LinkedIn
Full Measure Twitter
29 min

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