Better Business with Steve Cook

In this episode I talked with Dj Boles from Oklahoma Gourmet Popcorn. He talked about how he had the courage to start a business- with no money, experience, or expertise in the food industry. DJ started his business in the late summer of 2016 only 3 months after graduating college. The business came from a paper he wrote in his “retail management class” in the fall of 2015. In 2018 he opened his 2nd store! As a recent college graduate and first job (post college) he tackled his own business. Popcorn wasn’t something he had done in his garage for so many years, it was just a niche in the market that he thought needed filling. He wasn’t opening it based off his cooking skills or management skills he simply went off the pure determination that he could make it work. The best way to get something done isn’t a dream, wish or effort. If you want something to work you have to work and he knew he could do that. For more information about the episdoes visit me at stevendcook.com

Kyle Cline is a young business man who is quickly climbing the ranks in one of the largest plumbing/HVAC/Electrical supply companies in the midwest- Locke Supply.  He has grown to his position by being with the company since he left school and stayed with the along the way.  Kyle helped me a ton on questions with interviewing, purchasing, distribution, and tons of other things! 

Daryl is the principal of Mustang Alternative Education Center. I was drawn to him after I found out some of the things he was doing to educate his students outside of the normal things like studying math, history, and English.  Daryl talks about hosting business and community leaders for speeches to his students, mock interviews, and having a "life skills" class for his students.

John Orman spit some serious business chatter in this episode.  From explaining the benefits of distribution, to employee owned business benefits John covered it all.  John is the CEO of Locke Supply a 500 million revenue company with 180 locations over 7 states.  

Employee retention is the most important thing in business. To have good customer service you kind of have to have someone to work with the customers. Lets go over the best ways to keep your employees happy and staying just where you need them.

eCommerce can either change your business or waste your time. Did you know that you can use simple human psychology to convert? Lets get down to small business.

Another out of the park hit from Entrepreneur.Com. An article wrote by Kim Walsh-Phillips helps people truly understand converting people from likes and followers to paying customers. We breakdown the article and go over real world uses on today's small business news!

Productivity in life, hobby and especially work right now need to be highest priority. Today we go over another home run article from Small Biz Trends that talks about what tends to kill productivity and how you can avoid that trip!

5 free marketing hacks for your business that only require some sweat equity! These things taken from an article by Small Biz Trends were great things to try if you don't have a lot of revenue coming in right now.

Why should your business go cashless? Less theft, less danger, easier close outs. Steve goes over an insightful article on why YOU should go cashless!