Ask Brien Show

Using his knowledge of the beverage industry, Kevin Hartley created a product that not only is better for the environment, but it also tastes great, and gives money back to coffee farming families. Today, we are joined by Kevin from Cambio Roasters to learn all about his product and how to enter into the environmentally sustainable side of business. Kevin tells us about how Cambio Roasters was started, how it currently runs, and how they are addressing single use plastics along with common environmental concerns within the beverage industry. He talks about how much capital is available for “better for you, better for the world” products and how that can benefit entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn more! 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [5:23] Kevin tells us about his background and experience in the beverage industry.
• [8:48] How did Kevin’s company, Cambio Roasters, come about? 
• [10:58] Is a patent owned by Keurig and do they allow other companies to use the “K-cup”?
• [12:32] What is the unique difference between Cambio Roasters vs. other companies making K-cups?
• [14:42] How is Cambio Roasters run (distribution, employees, etc)? 
• [17:25] Kevin addresses the single use plastics and environmental concerns, and how Cambio Roasters are addressing this.
• [21:33] What is the difference in the leadership capacity to attract energy on the consumer and the team building side?
• [24:02] How does environmentally friendly and sustainable activities affect the bottom line of Cambio Roasters?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [20:16] Only about 8 percent of plastics that are in our curbside recycling in the US end up in another product. 
• [24:33] If the claims you make about your business are transparently true, a large percentage of consumers are willing to pay 5, 10, 20% more for a product.
• [29:09] For aspiring entrepreneurs, there’s drastically more capital looking for “better for you and better for the world” ideas than there are investment opportunities, so that is a big void that can be filled.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Cambio Roasters Website

Email: [email protected] or [email protected] 

BIO

After decades of executive roles at large corporations, including nearly a decade as the Chief Innovation Officer at Keurig®, I was ready to transition to creating companies that are driven to do good by doing good. I love the notion of using business to solve some of the huge problems the planet and its people face. So I started Cambio Roasters®, pouring my creative energy, passion and instincts into this challenge. I believe we've created a pretty special small business that we hope you'll like. I'm thankful to have a driving range in walking distance, where I enjoy my frequent "coffee breaks." If I'm not there, then I'm probably spending time with my three kids, who round out the rest of my world. (Or Ann will know where I am. 🙂)

Finding an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey, working with an incredible business partner, and turning a hobby into a thriving business can truly be classified as entrepreneur Barry Meisel's dream. This week, Barry Meisel joins the show to talk about his business MeiGray Group, which sells authentic game-worn jerseys and sports memorabilia to collectors. He discusses his background in the sports journalism field, as well as how he transitioned to become an entrepreneur. He has some incredible stories that he shares, including the one time Traci was with him and he confirmed an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey from Matt Snell. Tune in for this fun discussion with Barry Meisel!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [7:02] Barry introduces his background and talks about the books he has written. 
• [11:35] What were the first few years of entrepreneurship like for Barry?
• [17:47] How has Barry been able to scale his business and leverage all the enhancements in technology over these years?
• [21:00] Barry shares a story about when Traci was with him and he retained an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey from Matt Snell.
• [25:35] Barry talks about his experience working with a business partner. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [18:37] MeiGray has techniques to prove that the items they get are real, authentic items. They use technology that blows up an image a thousand times to find one thread or imperfection depending on the sport to prove that it is authentic. 
• [30:57] The jersey’s and items that you can purchase from MeiGray are so special because they have a connection with the actual event and player. This is something that was worn or used by a player at a specific game, which can be a real special memento. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

MeiGray Website

MeiGray Auctions Website

Discount Code: WRAP10

Email: [email protected]

Barry Meisel LinkedIn

NHL Wraparound Podcast on Spotify

NHL Wraparound Podcast on YouTube

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

BIO

On April 21, 1997, The MeiGray Group wooed award-winning sportswriter Barry Meisel from the New York Daily News by signing the Brooklyn, New York native to an exclusive multi-year contract.

On April 21, 2017, Meisel celebrated his 20th year at the helm of the hobby’s No. 1 source for Game-Worn Jerseys.

MeiGray marks the second sports memorabilia company to be headed by Meisel. His successful 18-year sports journalism career began while he was directing Garden Sportscard Company, which Meisel founded in August 1977, the prehistoric days of the sports memorabilia industry, while a junior at the State University of Binghamton, N.Y.

Garden's rapid growth under Meisel's direction - sales rose more than 500% over four years - mirrored Meisel's blossoming journalism career. After his graduation from SUNY-Binghamton in May 1979, he was hired by the Binghamton Sun-Bulletin to cover the American Hockey League's Binghamton Whalers.

By 1981, Garden had become phenomenally successful - so successful that it needed Meisel and his partner to run it full-time. Rather than give up his sports journalism career at the age of 23, Meisel sold his 50 percent stake in Garden. He spent five years at the Sun-Bulletin, and then was hired in June 1984 to cover the New York Rangers, New York Mets and New Jersey Devils for the Morristown, N.J., Daily Record.

After only 15 months at the Daily Record, Meisel was hired in October 1985 by the New York Daily News. In his 12 years at one of the nation's largest dailies he covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He spent 1993 and 1994 as the News' investigative sports reporter.

He has also worked as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96). He was a contributing writer for Sport from 1990-1994. He has written two books. In 1988 he co-authored 'Boss: The Mike Bossy Story' and in 1995 he wrote 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers.'

Do you have a business idea, but don’t know how to get it on the market, where to share the product, or how to identify your target consumers? This week, Wayne Lutomski of Hydro Shot Energy Drink joined the show to talk about his incredible success in the food and beverage industry space, and tips for bringing a new product to market. Wayne starts by telling us about his new business, Hydro Shot, and then dives into some great tips for creating a successful business. Tune in to learn how to position your brand and product, how to understand your ideal consumer, and why you need to have alignment in your values within business partnerships. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [5:46] What is Wayne’s business background?
• [6:55] What is Hydro Shot and how does it help people over the age of 55?
• [11:02] What is Hydrogen Water?
• [12:13] What is L Citrulline? 
• [15:09] What is Wayne’s role with Hydro Shot? 
• [19:06] Wayne gives advice on how to compete in a highly competitive market. 
• [25:06] Where should a brand with a new product start building their brand in the market today? 
• [27:31] How do you make a startup successful when you don’t have a lot of money? 
• [29:44] Why is it important for a brand to have alignment with their vision and values?
• [32:52] What is Wayne’s biggest challenge in life?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [19:29] Understand the core value of your target consumer, to the point that you understand the psychological point of view and understand what they think about themselves. Having a strong understanding of the consumer is critical in order to message to them accordingly. 
• [20:31] To be successful, you must understand the current market dynamics, where your competitors are playing, what they are doing, what their core marketing and sales principles are. Don’t replicate your competitors, just understand what they are doing, and then play a game you can win. 
• [30:03] If you don’t share the same values with the partners that you are working with, your relationship is going to fail because you’ll be spending so much time managing the relationship rather than managing the business. Your focus needs to be on the business, not the relationship. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Hydroshot Website

WNDY LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

BIO

I bring FMCG brands to life around the world. A values based C-Level CPG Executive Leader in Sales, Marketing and Commercial development. Extensive multi-regional global experience in 60+ countries that leads the global expansion of brands into high growth markets, including the USA. Drove significant results and market leading positions in multiple global markets for the Welch’s, Starbucks Frappuccino, MIKE & IKE, SoBe, Gatorade, Snapple and Gallo Wines brands. Experienced in developing market entry, brand growth and innovation plans that enable internal and external partner team’s success. 

Elevate your wellness with Hydro Shot® — the premier natural energy drink for those seeking vibrancy and mental clarity without caffeine jitters. At Hydro Shot®, we're pioneering the future of functional beverages with our patent pending blend of molecular hydrogen and L-Citrulline, aimed at enhancing your overall health and helping you LIVE LIFE...WELL! Our commitment to health is evident in our scientifically supported formula, which has shown remarkable benefits for real people of any age, but especially those 50+. We offer a delectable range of flavors: Lemon Lime, Strawberry, and Orange, each crafted to support your body's natural energy production and overall well-being. Hydro Shot® isn't just a product; it's a lifestyle choice for those who want to prioritize longevity and quality of life. 'Whatever your idea of living is, Hydro Shot® empowers you to pursue your passions and live your best life,' encapsulates our mission to serve a community that wants to LIVE LIFE…WELL! Discover the potent benefits of Hydro Shot®. Join us on our mission to enhance health and enable peak living experiences. Visit www.DrinkHydroShot.com to learn more about our groundbreaking beverage and take the first step toward optimized health.

Do you have a bunch of ideas in your mind that might make a great product to sell, but you aren’t sure how to get started? This week, we have CEO of NATPAT Michael Jankie on the show to talk about how he and three partners started their e Commerce business. Michael talks to us about how they transformed their idea of stickers with citronella on them to a full seven plus figure business that is constantly expanding. He shares how Kim Kardashian helped them realize they truly had a business and how they’ve continued to grow. Michael shares his stop 3 things he would recommend for new business owners when turning their ideas into a full on business. Tune in to learn more about their amazing product!  

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [5:35] What did Michael do prior to starting his current business? 
• [6:57] How did Michael get started in his new business and is he the sole founder? 
• [8:27] What products does NATPAT sell?
• [10:54] How did NATPAT create these products without a medical background?
• [12:53] How did Michael and his team turn their idea into an actual business?
• [15:43] How did NATPAT decide to expand their product line?
• [20:11] Michael shares an influential moment that validated his team’s hard work, and it came in the form of a candid post about NATPAT products by Kim Kardashian.
• [24:21] When the business started did all the partners just jump in and leave their prior jobs or was this a side creation?
• [27:34] What are three things Michael would recommend new businesses not to do? 
• [31:41] Where can people buy NATPAT products?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [15:53] NATPAT was started because of a common need for Michael’s daughter.  From there, the the three owner team recognized this need and began looking into other needs for children and adults to help their pain points utilizing a product that would appeal to both parents and children through their natural products and design. 
• [27:58] To have a successful business, you have to really enjoy your style of work and have your values at the top of your mind. 
• [30:08] The cash flow that comes with an e-commerce business is fantastic. Customers pay you up front, and most of the expenses come after the customer has paid you. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Michael Jankie LinkedIn

The Natural Patch Co. Website enter KHTS for 15% of a discount code (valid for 48 hours)

BIO

For Michael, the journey of NATPAT is more than a business venture; it’s a personal mission. His background in B2B software provided a solid foundation for strategic thinking, but it was a personal experience that sparked the creation of NATPAT. Observing his own children plagued by mosquito bites, Michael envisioned a wellness solution that would be both effective and family-friendly. This vision has been the driving force behind NATPAT’s success.

Michael’s approach to entering retail spaces is rooted in a commitment to reach families seeking simple, nature-inspired solutions. NATPAT began by targeting independent stores, recognizing the importance of local connections and community engagement. The brand’s focus on these smaller retailers, often overlooked by larger corporations, has not only provided families with accessible well-being solutions but has also nurtured strong partnerships at the grassroots level. It’s those partnerships that without a doubt have become the base of the company’s success. 

Are you ready to take your business to the next level, but you are feeling stuck? This week, we have Founder and CEO of Masterful Coaching, Robert Hargrove, on the show. Robert’s company helps CEOs and Founders take their businesses to the next level by helping them find their originality, grow successful teams, and create a personal brand. He talks about the difference between an entrepreneur and a CEO or Founder and why businesses should operate from an entrepreneur mindset. Robert ends the episode sharing his seven concepts for scaling a business. Tune in to learn how to elevate your business. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [6:33] Robert gives a brief summary of his background. 
• [10:45] What is Masterful Coaching? 
• [11:40] What is the Blueprint to a Billion? 
• [13:28] What’s the difference between an entrepreneur and a CEO/Founder?
• [17:20] How does Robert work with businesses who don’t have a team under them?
• [18:48] How do you grow a successful team?
• [24:11] What are some of the biggest challenges Robert sees with his clients?
• [29:47] What are Robert’s seven concepts for scaling a business?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [13:46] An entrepreneur is someone who does something creative, something innovative, something new that has an impact, whereas a CEO or Founder is a proprietor, they do the same thing that’s been done a thousand times before. To scale your business as a CEO/Founder, you need to think like an entrepreneur and determine what you can do that’s original, different or better than what’s been done before or currently on the market. 
• [21:11] The three things to look for when hiring someone is: 1) They are smart and capable which is determined by watching the work, 2) they have good character, 3) they are hard workers. 
• [24:27] The biggest opportunity you have in 2024 to grow your business is to build a personal and organizational brand. The best CEOs in the world create a personal brand that drives their organizational brand.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Masterful Coaching Website

Robert Hargrove’s LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Call for an exploratory conversation: (617) 953-5252

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

BIO

Robert is the Founder/ CEO of Masterful Coaching and Co-Director of the Harvard Leadership Research Project. He is the author of 10 books, including the most definitive book on coaching in existence, Masterful Coaching. His clients include the Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, Fortune 500 CEO of the Year, European CEO Entrepreneur of the Year, and various presidential appointees. Robert was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the highest award given to a civilian, for his work at the Pentagon.

He has led leadership weekends with over 30,000 people in the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Korea. Client companies include Fidelity Investments, UBS, Zurich, Nike, Adidas, Phillips Electronics, Andeavor Energy, Chevron Oil, Shell, Biogen, AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, General Motors, Toyota, Phillips Electronics, Samsung, Bell Canada, the United Nations, the US Pentagon, and the NFL.

Do you find your small business missing out on customer opportunities because you don’t have the bandwidth to get back to everyone? This week, on the Ask Brien Podcast, Clayton Turner from Leedly joined us to talk about his lead generation tool and how it can impact all businesses. Clayton discusses the features of Leedly, how the tool can help small businesses connect with their customers and nurture B to C relationships. Clayton talks about how he has grown Leedly and provides some great tips on employee hiring and retention. Tune in to learn how Leedly can manage everything for your business from lead generation to social media, newsletters, and more! 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [7:02] What is Clayton’s background? 
• [8:14] What did Clayton’s former business, Contractor Training Center, do?
• [10:37] How did Clayton grow that company from 1 state to 50 states?
• [11:51] What was Clayton’s biggest challenge and how did he overcome it?
• [13:25] Clayton talks about how Leedly was created.
• [14:50] What are the features of Leedly?
• [19:26] How does lead generation work using Leedly for those who don’t have a geographic restriction? 
• [20:50] Once a business gets a lead, how do you nurture the relationship?
• [22:16] How does Leedly help with as far as newsletters, social media, etc?
• [23:35] What type of business is Leedly best for?
• [26:04] What type of training is involved with Leedly?
• [27:18] Clayton explains the infrastructure and team he has built out for Leedly. 
• [33:04] What does Clayton look for when hiring employees? 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [11:52] Ensure that your technology, SOP’s, and team are ready to go before you even start marketing your product. This takes time and money up front, but when your product hits the market, it will be ready to help your consumers on day one. 
• [27:32] In order to have happy customers that stay on board with you, you have to have a good team. The first thing Clayton did before he even thought about launching anything was go out and hire the best developers and support staff that he could find. He was lucky enough to find a really good team of winners that love working together and love developing Leedly and helping customers.
• [33:06] When building a good team, finding team members with attention to detail is one of the most important things you can do as a business, especially if they’re dealing with customers, data, numbers and workflows. So attention to detail as well as their ability to get along with others, passion for what they do and for helping customers, and they love working with each other to achieve a goal.  

LINKS MENTIONED:

Email Clayton: [email protected]

Leedly Website

Have you been thinking about using Facebook Ads to launch your business forward but you aren’t sure where to start? This week we have digital marketing expert Jodi Sodini on to talk about Facebook advertising and marketing. Jodi discusses how to start campaigns and make them successful, the difference between Google Ads and Facebook Ads, as well as the trends that are currently leading back to conversions. She also talks about how AI can be utilized in writing the ads and where she has seen success with AI. At the end of the episode, Jodi breaks down what business owners should be aware of when starting an ad and the best steps to take. Tune in today to learn more about Facebook Ads! 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• 
  
• [7:06] What did Jodi do prior to her marketing and advertising business?
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• 
  
• [10:11] How did Jodi get her first marketing customer?
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• 
  
• [11:45] How did Jodi learn Facebook advertising and marketing?
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• 
  
• [13:20] How do you start a campaign and how do you make it successful?
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• 
  
• [15:51] What’s a typical budget that you need per month to really promote a Facebook ad?
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• 
  
• [17:21] What’s the difference between Google Ads and Facebook Ads?
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• 
  
• [18:35] Who is Jodi’s target audience and what is it like working with Jodi?
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• 
  
• [23:00] What type of ads are on trend right now that are really getting those conversions back to lead gen opt-ins?
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• 
  
• [25:45] How has AI influenced ad messaging?
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• 
  
• [27:56] What are some of the other innovative things that are happening in the paid advertising space?
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• 
  
• [31:07] What are the first things people need to do when starting an ad campaign on Facebook?
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• 
  
• [33:30] How do you know what price to sell your product at?
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 
  
• [13:24] The way to make money online is to create an offer and send traffic to it. 
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• 
  
• [20:00] Every type of content is worth testing for Facebook Ads. What might work for one company doesn’t work as well for others, it really depends on your audience and the execution of the type of creative. 
• 
  
• 
  
• [31:08] The first thing you need to do before creating an ad is to know where you’re currently at with your numbers and your conversations, and then where you want to be. 
• 
  

LINKS MENTIONED:

Jodi’s Instagram

Sodini Marketing Website

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

Are you looking to start a small business, but you don’t have the funding readily available in your bank? If so, you don’t want to miss this episode where we spoke with Matt Olsen, the Vice President of Nano Banc. Matt provides so many valuable resources regarding the various types of funding available to small business owners, what you need to have in hand when setting up a business account, and the pros and cons of utilizing a traditional vs nontraditional bank. With over 20 years of experience working in the financial field, the information Matt provides throughout this episode is top notch. Tune in to learn more about small business loan options so you can be prepared when you start reaching out to banks for funding! 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• 
  
• [9:27] Matt introduces himself and discusses his experience in the business world. 
• 
  
• 
  
• [10:40] How can you get a start-up loan without any revenue? 
• 
  
• 
  
• [12:30] What is a micro loan? 
• 
  
• 
  
• [15:36] What are private micro loans?
• 
  
• 
  
• [16:53] Are there industry micro loans?
• 
  
• 
  
• [17:19] What are the challenges with the 7A or 504 programs? 
• 
  
• 
  
• [20:22] How do you determine an accurate projection for the 7A loan?
• 
  
• 
  
• [22:20] What you need when you go to a bank to open up a business bank account.
• 
  
• 
  
• [27:44] What are the pros and cons of banking with traditional vs nontraditional banks?
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• 
  
• [30:07] Does every single bank operating the services have to be part of the FDIC?
• 
  
• 
  
• [34:34] Why do businesses need a line of credit before they may even need the funding?
• 
  
• 
  
• [37:49] What is the standard to determine what the credit line will be?
• 
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 
  
• [11:11] The most basic loan program for a small business that doesn’t have revenue is through the Small Business Administration, SBA, 7A program. Their loans are typically based on the income that you’re projecting when you’re a start up. 
• 
  
• 
  
• [18:30] There are two types of loans for a small business, a 504 and a 7A. A 504 is specifically for commercial real estate and it has to occupy 51 percent or more of the available rentals or available space. The 504 consists of two loans, the first is through the bank and the second is called a debenture that a community development (a private organization) supplies – called a CDC loan. The 7A program can be used for real estate or for businesses that want capital, want to buy equipment, or need to do expansion buyouts. This is where you can use the projections for your financing requisitions. 
• 
  
• 
  
• [29:04] When choosing a bank make sure that their services fit your needs. For example, do you need a bank that you can go into and talk with someone, is there a personal touch? If you don’t foresee yourself needing to be in direct contact with a teller/banker/etc. then an untraditional bank might work for you, but if you want those specific services then check out traditional banks. 
• 
  

LINKS MENTIONED:

Matt’s Contact Email: [email protected] 

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

Do you keep track of the new laws passed each year? There are some critical laws that are being passed that every business owner needs to know about. During this episode, Peter and Traci discuss new laws, specific to California, for 2024 that are passing that are crucial to business owners. Then they discuss a new law called the Corporate Transparency Act that will impact every business owner in the United States and those that do business with the United States. Peter walks through the risk that arises with this new act, and information that you need to be aware of while filling out the information. Tune in to this important conversation to gain knowledge about the Corporate Transparency Act, and understand how it will impact all business owners. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

LINKS MENTIONED:

FinCEN Website

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

Today, Catalina Gaete-Bentz, CEO of Catan Pisco, a spirit distilled 100% from grapes, shares the challenges she faced as a female entrepreneur. Catalina was told that she could not attend business school, but did not let that stop her from pursuing her dream. She utilized her resources to start her business and continues to push for excellence bringing Pisco to the market. Catalina tells about her experiences retaining investor funding and how she plans to grow Catan Pisco in the future. Tune in to learn more about this amazing woman owned business and give Catan Pisco a try. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

BIO:

For as long as I can remember, pisco is associated with celebration. Instead of champagne, my family marked special occasions and life milestones with pisco sours—the spirit’s most popular cocktail from the land where my story began.

Born in Santiago, Chile, my family moved to Bellflower, California when I was three years old. Though I was raised stateside, my Latin American roots and Chilean soul is who I am. My parents ensured we were raised with our Chilean traditions—and my mother’s cooking, accompanied by my father’s pisco cocktails were the center of it all.

Being raised in a traditional Latin household in the USA was truly wonderful. However, it also came with its challenges. I knew at a very young age I wanted to start and own a business, but when the time came to pick a college major, my father did not approve or support my entrepreneurial path; so, I settled on a Psychology BA and eventually pursued a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, MPA (which was the closest study to an MBA without disappointing my father.) Eventually, my desire to become an entrepreneur became unignorable, and I knew I had to establish my own business. All I needed was my product. The answer eventually came to me overwhelmingly, and that answer was pisco.

Though pisco did retail here in the states, it was always difficult to find, and premium pisco brands were never an option. We relied on my aunts and uncles’ visits from Chile to smuggle in the good stuff. Not only was pisco not widely accessible in the U.S. market, but the reality is, pisco had not been truly discovered by the American consumer. This had to change, and I knew I had to change it, so I did.

In 2018, I launched the first American pisco brand in the USA, and became the first female-owned pisco company in the history of Chile. I humbly carry this title with honor, in hopes to inspire other Latina women to chase their entrepreneurial dreams, to turn them into realities.

I dedicate Catan Pisco to reflect the beautiful journey, the inevitable struggles and the wonderful celebrations of life and love with those who mean the most—and I invite you to join me with Catan Pisco. Salud!

LINKS MENTIONED:

Catan Pisco

Catan Pisco Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

We Funder Website – To Support Catan Pisco as an Investor 

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple