March 30, 2018

CYLS 111: Co-Founder Conflict And The Power Of Pivoting with Greg Alkalay

53 minutes

Episode Summary

Greg discusses his bold, entrepreneurial leap and growth in digital children's media. He tells about "licking the frog," first thing every morning, balancing work with parenting, and creating his own distinct media platform. He shares his three jewels for those looking to create their best life.

Kevin Y. Brown

Kevin Y. Brown is a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Center For Public Trust (CPT) “Being A Difference” award recipient, international speaker, entrepreneur, and author. The former MTV Networks host and NYC fashion marketer has created an international following as a speaker on personal excellence, effective communication, and leadership. Kevin has been featured by Black Enterprise magazine as a “Modern Man of Distinction” and highlighted in various publications for his self-help speaking work and helping students graduate college debt-free. Recognized for his commitment to empowering foster care youth and as a foster care system alumnus, he has also delivered the keynote address at the International Foster Care Organizations Conference in Sydney, Australia and Osaka, Japan. Kevin is currently the creator/host of Sirius XM’s “Create Your Life” series, a fellow in the New York Chapter of the Startup Leadership Program, and an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Greg Alkalay

Greg Alkalay is the Co-Founder and CEO of batteryPOP, the online and mobile video network exclusively for 6-11 year olds, where kids are in command of what “POPS.” Recently named among Café Mom’s Top 10 Mom-Approved Sites, the network features curated and unique content ranging from cartoons, live action series, and exclusive interviews covering top trending celebrities and topics for kids. A Princeton University graduate, Greg’s passion for youth entertainment is further inspired by the enthusiasm of his own two children, Harper (3) and Dylan (6 months).

Insights From the Episode

Strategies to monetize content

The importance of connecting with the kid audience at eye level

How the audience is calling the shots

Secrets to the kid creative process

How to decide to become an entrepreneur

The importance of emotional and financial support

How to freelance to support the business

The importance of partnerships

How to stay motivated in the down times

Insights into moving past personal roadblocks

Secrets to balancing life and work

The importance of accelerator programs

How to set goals

How to Deal with challenging moments

Quotes From the Show

“We facilitate great content and get it in front of kids where ever they are.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“There is no filter when it comes to kids, they will tell you if something is good or if it is really not good. If they ask to watch five times in a row, you know you have a great piece of content” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“When it comes to kids content, you need a human being to be apart of the process.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“I took that leap, it was plenty scary. There is this myth of entrepreneurship that you drop everything and walk off a cliff and either you land on the next cliff and keep climbing up or you fall and plummet. I had support, so I wasn’t diving into an abyss, I knew I would be ok if I took a run at this.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“Having a support network is very important.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“Partnerships are the lifeblood of entrepreneurship, I think going at it alone is a very difficult approach.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“Look for someone who compliments your skillset. You don’t necessarily need to be working with your best friend, unles you really have different approaches to business.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“It’s not about being comfortable, it's about finding someone to fill the roles you are not good at.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“Focus is a very tricky thing. When you are running a small business you’ve got a million things to deal with at once. And how do you pick that one thing that is more important than something else.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“The two things I am most passionate about in this world are my family and this business I started.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“We want to grow this business and it comes down to, are we making money?" - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“We were all kids at one point, everybody has a take on this.” - Greg Alkalay, Create Your Life Series, #111

“Keep dreaming and keep working, everything is going to be alright.” - Kevin Y. Brown, Create Your Life Series, #111

Resources Mentioned

Slack

Favorite Quote

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Mark Twain

Favorite Book

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Keys to Create Your Best Life

Find somebody who wants to go through it with you

Have a plan for success but more importantly have a plan for failure

Get sleep when you can

Stay Connected

Create Your Life Series

https://www.facebook.com/cylseries/

https://www.instagram.com/cylseries/

Kevin Y Brown

www.kevinybrown.com

www.instagram.com/kevinybrown

www.twitter.com/kevinybrown

www.facebook.com/kevbrown001

Greg Alkalay

[email protected]

https://www.batterypop.com/

https://twitter.com/galkalay75?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregalkalay/

https://www.facebook.com/Batterypop/

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This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

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