On this episode I speak with Deidre Bembry, The Insurance Lady. Starting her business during the recession of 2008 Deidre learned some life long lessons that has helped her grow personally and grow her business over the years. A rock star in the insurance and financial services industry, Deidre has starred in a national ad for State Farm Insurance. She has owned and operated Deidre K Bembry Insurance Agency Inc for 11 years and recently opened her second location. In this episode, I bring you part one of my interview with Deidre. It is full of important financial lessons that many of us have learned the hard way in business and in life. We discuss the entrepreneurial itch that is impossible to shake once you have it, and the steps she took to scratch that itch.  

Deidre Bembry is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, change agent, and philanthropist. She believes that we all have been placed in this world with a designed purpose to fulfill. Deidre also co-founded and acts as Chairperson for Keris Kares Inc, a nonprofit that exists to support families impacted by Pediatric Cancer.

You can get help with your insurance needs by visiting Deidre's website: https://www.asktheinsurancelady.com/

Quote for this episode: For better or worse, cash is the oxygen of your business, and you can't last long in any environment without it. - Neil Blumenthal

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic and Anchor.

Whether you are starting a business or you're already in business, on this episode we discuss the questions you need to ask yourself from the perspective of one of my favorite exercises in my marketing classes. We talk about your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Also known as your SWOT analysis. I walk you through completing one of these for your company and leave you with a question that I would love for you to answer.  You can direct message me on Instagram @stitchedforsuccess or leave me a voice mail message by visiting stitchedforsuccess.com.

Question: How has Covid-19 impacted your business and what will you change going forward to mitigate or minimize a threat like this in the future?

On this episode I take you through an analysis of your competitors before starting your business as well as when you are growing and scaling your business. What questions do you need to ask yourself and what can you do about competition? Direct message me on Instagram @stitchedforsuccess if you have any questions or want to discuss this topic further.

On this episode we talk about determining the target market for your products and/or services and how vital this is to the success of your business. Asking just 3 simple questions will help you determine the best way to market to your customers and help you save time and money. Also drilling down into the different segments within your customer demographic will help you better market and reach your customers. Lastly, I discuss how important knowing that your target market is large enough to sustain your business for the long haul is imperative to success. 

Follow me on Instagram @stitchedforsuccess. If you have any business related questions or want to know more about getting started in a new business, feel free to DM me via Instagram.

Happy Anniversary to me! Reading an excerpt from my journal from 2005, I celebrate 15 years of being a full-time entrepreneur this summer. I share with you my thoughts and feelings the day prior to my last day of being an employee and just a few of my ups and downs since.

My unintentional conversation with McBride, CEO of Vitalysys Technologies, after the interview gives alot more insight into mistakes made, lessons learned and long-term strategies for creating and growing a successful business.

After passionately stating that he could never see himself being an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Vitalysys Technologies, McBride, sits down with me to discuss what brought him to the point of owning his own business and what he has learned after 10 years of being on his entrepreneurial journey.

Vitalysys Technologies ®. #entrepreneur #sidehustle #startup #entrepreneurjourney

On this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with my life partner and business partner, Ethan King. Ethan and I began our business almost 20 years ago, and we have had our fair share of challenges over the years. In this episode Ethan specifically give his perspective of challenges we faced in the early years and what we did to overcome them. He also discusses his new side hustle and passion project, Wealthy Starving Artist. Check out his YouTube Channel for more information. www.ethanking.com

Ethan King is co-founder and CEO of the multimillion-dollar brands stuff4GREEKS and Zeus’ Closet. Last year he was president of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Atlanta. Ethan is also an award-winning graphic designer with over 20 years experience. His work has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and 60 Minutes.

If you have any questions or comments, please message me @stitchedforsuccess on Instagram or visit www.stitchedforsuccess.com to leave a voice mail message.

On this episode I discuss what traits it takes to be a great leader. We all want our business to succeed and as leaders it all starts and ends with us leading our team to greatness. Discussing the current lack of true leadership in our country, we can draw parallels between what is happening in our country today and what our companies will look like tomorrow if we are on the wrong path of leadership. #leadership #smallbusinesssuccess #entrepreneurship