Clearing The Way

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

In today's episode, we discuss the difficulties of taking over a family business and the importance of succession planning.

Evan Chambers, President of Chambers Insurance Agency. Evan graduated from Fordham University in 2014. While at Fordham, Evan had several finance internships. After graduating, he spent a year and a half as an accounting analyst before coming back to Washington in 2015 to join his father’s team at Chamber’s Insurance. The agency was opened in 1953 by Evan’s grandfather. In 1979, Evan’s father, Chris, joined the team. When Evan joined, he focused on Personal Lines and brought his experience from the financial world to assist in the company’s accounting and technology. In 2020, his younger brother, Mac, joined the team. After his father’s passing in May of 2021, Evan took over and became the 3rd generation president of the agency.

Evan Chambers

Website: https://chambersinsurance.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanchambersinsurance/

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today, we are going to learn a little bit about a local business owner who is helping tons of organizations in the area. My guest today is Stephanie Masters, owner of Stephanie Masters Consulting and Nonprofit Sidekick. Stephanie’s career has touched several industries, from banking, to higher ed, to nonprofit. Throughout much of her career, her roles have focused on developing people.

Stephanie and I chatted about hiring your first employee in episode 6.

Stephanie Masters

Website: https://nonprofitsidekick.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonprofit.sidekick/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-masters-4ba7332/

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today, we discuss B2B sales. How do we improve? What are we doing wrong? What do I need to know?

My guest today is Jeff Hancher, Founder of Jeff Hancher Enterprises and host of The Champion Forum Podcast. We discussed Jeff’s origin story starts in episode 7. If you want to hear a bit more about Jeff's humble beginnings and life in corporate America, give that a listen.

Jeff Hancher

Website: https://www.jeffhancher.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hancher/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff.hancher/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechampionforum

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-champion-forum-podcast-with-jeff-hancher/id1456048671

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

In this episode, we discuss Bookkeeping. We cover the difference between accounting and bookkeeping, what to look for in a bookkeeper, questions to ask, and why it should be important to your business.

My guest today is Shelley Teller, owner of S. Teller Business Solutions. Shelley has an a ton of time in business support roles. She spent several years as a graphic designer and Creative Director before transitioning to Xerox where she was began as a document advisor. She moved up to become an On-site Document manager before leaving Michigan and heading to PA where she began working as an Account Manager at a Business Support Services company. After a few years there, she moved on to become a Print Shop Manager, then a Business Center Manager. She has been operating a photography business for over 10 years and in January of 2022, she opened S. Teller Business Solutions, a Virtual Bookkeeping business. Shelley finished 2nd in the February '22 I2E program at Ignite.

Shelley Teller

Website: https://stellerbusinesssolutions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellerbusinesssolutions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellerbusinesssolutions

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelleteller/

Brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation

This video is brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation. If you’re a business located in Washington, PA that needs help growing and working through your current challenges, or you are outside of Washington and looking for a place to get started or a space to expand into, reach out using the links in the description. The Washington CDC’s services are free. No strings, No gotchas. My salary is covered. You pay nothing. I don't know how else to say it. There are organizations out here to help.

Email me at [email protected] for assistance!

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-way/id1632477169

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5j4bJQP9IrjXllbyVb9Td8?si=XsChciA4Qmi45zek91P0tA

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC70IdR2_OMcE16cmClr1nDA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearingthewaypodcast/

Website: https://www.didius.us/clearingtheway

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today we discuss avoiding the post-holiday sales slump.

The key takeaways: 

1) Be Active. Stay top of mind for your customers.

2) Think about your customers New Year's Resolutions.

3) More Promotions if you can stomach it.

4) What are your new products/services for this year?

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-way/id1632477169

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5j4bJQP9IrjXllbyVb9Td8?si=XsChciA4Qmi45zek91P0tA

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC70IdR2_OMcE16cmClr1nDA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearingthewaypodcast/

Website: https://www.didius.us/clearingtheway

Brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation

This video is brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation. If you’re a business located in Washington, PA that needs help growing and working through your current challenges, or you are outside of Washington and looking for a place to get started or a space to expand into, reach out using the links in the description. The Washington CDC’s services are free. No strings, No gotchas. My salary is covered. You pay nothing. I don't know how else to say it. There are organizations out here to help.

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today we discuss jumpstarting your new year.

The key takeaways: 

Check in regularly. If you have a big change or big opportunity, reevaluate your list. And most importantly, keep a couple people in the know and make sure you hold each other accountable. 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-way/id1632477169

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5j4bJQP9IrjXllbyVb9Td8?si=XsChciA4Qmi45zek91P0tA

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC70IdR2_OMcE16cmClr1nDA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearingthewaypodcast/

Website: https://www.didius.us/clearingtheway

Brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation

This video is brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation. If you’re a business located in Washington, PA that needs help growing and working through your current challenges, or you are outside of Washington and looking for a place to get started or a space to expand into, reach out using the links in the description. The Washington CDC’s services are free. No strings, No gotchas. My salary is covered. You pay nothing. I don't know how else to say it. There are organizations out here to help.

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today we discuss working with friends as clients.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-way/id1632477169

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5j4bJQP9IrjXllbyVb9Td8?si=XsChciA4Qmi45zek91P0tA

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC70IdR2_OMcE16cmClr1nDA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearingthewaypodcast/

Website: https://www.didius.us/clearingtheway

Brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation

This video is brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation. If you’re a business located in Washington, PA that needs help growing and working through your current challenges, or you are outside of Washington and looking for a place to get started or a space to expand into, reach out using the links in the description. The Washington CDC’s services are free. No strings, No gotchas. My salary is covered. You pay nothing. I don't know how else to say it. There are organizations out here to help.

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

Today’s topic is “setting communication boundaries with clients.”

In most cases, your client is NOT trying to take advantage of you. They are simply communicating with you in a way that they find to be appropriate. And a way that you have also been ok with. They are not trying to get more out of you for free. They arent doing anything malicious. They simply have not run into any walls yet. And that’s because you haven't built any. 

Set clear guidelines for communication. Your clients are not mind readers. If they aren't using the appropriate forms of communication, correct it early.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-way/id1632477169

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5j4bJQP9IrjXllbyVb9Td8?si=XsChciA4Qmi45zek91P0tA

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC70IdR2_OMcE16cmClr1nDA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearingthewaypodcast/

Website: https://www.didius.us/clearingtheway

Brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation

This video is brought to you by the City of Washington Citywide Development Corporation. If you’re a business located in Washington, PA that needs help growing and working through your current challenges, or you are outside of Washington and looking for a place to get started or a space to expand into, reach out using the links in the description. The Washington CDC’s services are free. No strings, No gotchas. My salary is covered. You pay nothing. I don't know how else to say it. There are organizations out here to help.

Welcome back to Clearing the Way. A resource for small business. I talk with sales and HR experts, other small business owners, and anyone else that can provide you with information to clear your way to success. 

My guest today is Mike Skubovius, Conductor of Creativity at Skubo Creative. Mike graduated from PTI in 2008 and went on to gather 10 years of experience in graphic design. He began working as Skubo Creative full time in May of 2019 and focuses on Branding, Print Design, Website Design, Video Production, and Marketing.

Mike was featured in Episode 2.

In this episode, we discuss Branding. What do people mean when they talk about branding? How concerned should you be about it?

Mike Skubovious

Website: https://www.skubocreative.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skubocreative/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkuboCreative