Enterprise Podcast Network

Enterprise Podcast Network

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Enterprise Podcast Network episodes

  • Conversations to Have with a Loved One Who’s Ill - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    If someone you love is ill, and nearing death, there are some conversations you’ll want to have with them before the end. Death is a difficult time, no less so because it means an end of communication. As their passing nears, there are some practical things you’ll want to discuss with your loved one, and some more personal things as well.
    Take Your Cues From Them
    If your loved one isn’t ready to talk about death yet, don’t push it. Sooner or later, they’ll likely open up to the conversation. They want to have these conversations too, but they may not be willing to face them at a moment’s notice. They may want to laugh and talk casually most of the time, but if they make a suggestive comment, like not being around for a future event, you can try to lead in, then.
    Discuss Their Burial
    Not every conversation regarding a loved one’s death may be personal. You’ll also want to make sure you understand their burial wishes. While it can seem like a weird conversation to have, it will often make your loved one feel better. They’ll know that you care enough to honor their preferences, and this conversation can be a great way to ease the tension. It’s not as emotional; it’s more of a straightforward conversation about practical steps. You can discuss the options at hand, such as donating their body to science, embalming, or cremation services in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. You can select a funeral provider together, taking a load off of both your minds.
    Say Sorry
    Once the less personal details are taken care of, you might want to try to have those harder conversations. Now is the time to express remorse for past events and behaviors. If you have regrets, be upfront and ask for their forgiveness. Don’t expect them to likewise say sorry. Just do your part and expect nothing more, making this not about mutual understanding, but a personal step in letting go of some of those regrets. Voicing them can be powerful.
    Say I Forgive You
    If your loved one chooses to meet your level of openness, they may also express regrets and ask for forgiveness. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to express forgiveness and help remove some of those unresolved issues. Your loved one may not be able to ask for forgiveness, however, but you can still forgive them silently. That moment of expressing forgiveness in their presence, even if not out loud, can be a powerful experience.
    Say Thank You and I Love You
    There will be a few more things you want to say to your loved one, before they pass. Forgiveness is the hardest topic to express with a passing loved one, and once you’ve confronted it, you’ll find that the remaining conversations are easier. Going forward, you can focus on telling them you love them, and thanking them for the good they brought into your life. Together, you can make sure there are few, if any, things that go unsaid.
    0 min
  • Behind the Seams of Wicked Sheets with Alli Truttmann - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Alli Truttmann, CEO & Founder of Wicked Sheets, which provide comfort sleep solutions to people suffering from night sweats and hot flashes joins eCommerce Radio. Their moisture-wicking and cooling fabrics keep sleepers cool and dry all night long.
    Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Alli Truttmann discuss the following:

    * What are Wicked Sheets? Why are they so innovative?
    * How did you start Wicked Sheets?
    * What’s the most challenging aspect of your business?
    * What’s the most rewarding part of running Wicked Sheets?
    * Why eCommerce?
    * What’s your best customer experience or story?

    Alli Truttmann is a 2006 graduate of Bellarmine University.  She majored in psychology and was a 4-year starter on the women’s soccer team.  Alli received a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Louisville in 2008 and received her personal training certification from Bellarmine in 2009. Alli graduated from the Kauffman FastTrac Program for local entrepreneurs in 2012, as well as Louisville’s LEAD GLI program in 2015.
    Alli is the Founder and CEO of Wicked Sheets. In 2012, Alli won the Louisville Venture Connectors “Venture Sharks” pitch competition for Wicked Sheets. She used the $5,000 winnings to fund a trip to the annual North American Menopause Convention where she gained the support of 60 medical professionals specializing in women’s health issues.  In 2014, Alli was honored as one of Louisville’s Business First’s “40 Under Forty”. In her spare time, Alli is an adjunct Psychology professor at Bellarmine University, teaching an 8am class called “Personality Theories and Research”.
    Wicked Sheets has grown from a single sheet line to offering bedding for two different sleeper types, both suffering from night sweats and hot flashes, as well as expanded its product line to include Wicked-Cool® mattresses and a Mom and baby line called Wicked Little Sleepers™. What started as a one-bedroom apartment operation, has grown into an international sleeping product for consumers of all ages.
    In 2015, Wicked Sheets was featured as the “Centerfold” article in a national magazine for economic development called Site Selection Magazine. Wicked Sheets was featured in the Celebrity Gifting Suite at the Oscars in February 2016 and won a live pitch competition hosted by HSN and Randi Zuckerburg as a part of their American Dreams Entrepreneur Series in May 2017.
    Alli currently serves on the Bellarmine University Board of Overseers, the Louisville Venture Connectors Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board for the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana.

    Website: www.WickedSheets.com
    Social Media Links:

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/WickedSheets

    Twitter: @WickedSheets

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WickedSheets
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    12 min
  • Personal or Fleet: Which Vehicles are Popular in the Private and Business Sectors? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    In business, you can’t just talk the talk – you need to walk the walk. To be taken seriously, you need the brains, the experience and the right look  – everything from smart clothes to a classy vehicle. But it can be hard to know where to start.  Don’t waste your time talking, searching for the most popular vehicles in the private and business sectors – everything you need to know is right here.
    The state of the market
    It’s undeniable that there’s a lot of choices out there when it comes to buying a new car. The United States has been a leader in the automotive industry since the early 1900s, ever since Henry Ford introduced the world to the assembly line method to car production with his Model T.
    The market has been growing and growing ever since, with Statista reporting just under 7 million cars sold in 2016 (around 4 million of which were produced in the United States). Business Insider predicts that 2018 will see the industry continuing to boom.
    Considerations when choosing a new company vehicle
    When choosing to buy a new company car, you’ll obviously want to consider what’s popular in the market right now (which we describe below). However, there’s a lot more you’ll want to think about when making your decision.
    The team over at American Express give some really useful tips for what to look for in a new company car: from the vehicle’s fuel economy and its technologies (including its ability to create a wifi hotspot – essential for those businessmen and businesswomen who are always on the road) to its level of comfort and its impact on the environment.
    Personal vehicles 
    In their 2017 roundup, Car Keys put together an impressive collection of personal company car options – everything from high-power SUVs to trendy sports cars. Topping the list is the BMW 330e iPerformance, a package that gives you the best of both worlds: speed and eco-friendliness.
    Also near the top of the list are the Volkswagen Golf GTE, another sensible hybrid that’s also reasonably priced and affordable to run; the Mercedes E350e PHEV, with electric capability that doesn’t sacrifice speed and power; and the Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron, with a great charge-to-range ratio that makes it ideal for business trips with a low travel cost.
    Fleet vehicles 
    When it comes to fleet vehicles, Fleetio expects us to see some pretty impressive innovations in 2018. This year, we should expect to see new fleet vehicles equipped with everything from more sophisticated driving behaviour trackers to the increased installation of telematic units – and the introduction of autonomous vehicles!
    In terms of what’s popular, Automotive Fleet reports that more and more companies are replacing midsize sedans and trucks with compact SUVs, with the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V taking the lead. Right behind at about 200,000 units sold annually are the Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, and Jeep Cherokee.
    There’s a lot of information out there and it can be difficult to digest it all when it’s time to buy a new car for your company – regardless if its a personal car for the CEO or a couple of delivery vans to complete your fleet. By choosing among the most popular vehicles, you’re more likely to buy something that’s well-tested already and, as a result, more reliable.
    0 min
  • Sleep Patterns, Diet Quality and Energy Balance: For the Sake of Your Business - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Entrepreneurs put especially rigorous demands on themselves.  The constant pressure, empowering ambition and energy draining tasks can leave a person exhausted.  It can impact sleep patterns, diet quality and energy balance.  However, changing your overall lifestyle is likely not going to happen without conscious effort to put your health first.

    Sleep is my business.  As the owner of the online retailer Rest Right Mattress, specializing in sleep products, it consumes my day to day activities.  I’ll be the first to admit though; I don’t always prioritize my own healthy sleep.  I do however know why sleep is important and the difference it can make in my productivity. That’s one of the reasons we should all aim to get the recommended amount of sleep.  Continued success as an entrepreneur requires focus and energy and those are only two of the reasons sleep is necessary.  Maintaining healthy sleep patterns allows your body and mind to recharge.  Internally, sleep affects multiple processes.  If you don’t get enough quality sleep, you could find yourself less creative and more likely to forget that thing you need to remember.  It can also influence your attitude and decision making.

    Diet quality goes hand in hand with sleep.  A proper diet supplies your body with energy in the form of nutrient dense calories.  When people work hard – and stay busy – nutrition is often one of the first things to go to the wayside.  Sneaking in a fast snack can end up replacing meals.  Rich fatty foods are often consumed in client meetings.  Office junk food is all around tempting a time crunched go-getter.  It only takes a few minutes each day to set yourself up for success in this area.  There are lots of tips out there but something that I find that works is planning ahead.  Make healthy snack packs and keep them readily available.  I prefer that it be something that doesn’t require refrigeration for convenience, but if you have refrigeration available throughout your day you have a lot more options! Apples or other pieces of fruit and nuts make great natural pick me uppers.  It goes without saying that these aren’t meal replacements, rather an emergency stash for those times you are hungry and don’t want the sugary, fat laden donuts from this morning’s meeting.

    Sleep patterns, diet quality and energy balance can all be very important to an entrepreneur. Exercising regularly is a great way to boost your energy levels.  Not only does getting your heart rate up (due to exercise, not stress) benefit your overall health, it can lead to more creativity.  Finding the motivation to prioritize your workout can lead to increased motivation for other tasks as well.  In fact there have multiple studies performed that show results that diet and exercise are directly tied to motivation, productivity and happiness.

    As a fellow entrepreneur, I encourage you to make yourself a priority today for the sake of your health and the sake of your business.  I challenge you to get enough uninterrupted sleep to cycle through the necessary sleep stages multiple times each night.  I invite you to make healthy food choices and to get some exercise!  I wish you the most success.

    0 min
  • You Need a New Challenge. Here’s How to Make the Jump - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    Boredom would seem to be an immutable fact of the human condition. We’re a tough bunch to please, or at least to keep pleased for very long.
    Nowhere is this more apparent than in the workplace. Despite well-intentioned (and sometimes off-the-wall) attempts by HR professionals to liven things up around the ol’ office, burnout and tune-out are all too common.
    If you’re done in all but name with your current employer, or simply aren’t feeling challenged in your role any longer, you have no shortage of options at your disposal. You can ask (subtly) for a promotion. You can volunteer to take on additional projects or responsibilities (with or without a new title). You can look for freelance side gigs that don’t conflict with your current role.
    Or you can cut ties completely and strike out on your own in search of the next adventure. Whether you land in a position of greater responsibility at a dynamic new employer or follow in the footsteps of seasoned executives tackling new challenges and launch your own enterprise, you’ll regain some measure of control over your professional life and probably improve your mental health to boot.
    Not sure how to get started? Here’s what you need to do, and when.
    Update Your Resume
    Get the boring stuff out of the way.
    If you haven’t looked over your resume in a while, now’s the time. Bring it up to date, adding new competencies and credentials, recent positions, notable achievements, and extracurriculars. Don’t be afraid to tap a consultant for assistance — they’ve been around the block more times than you have.
    Burnish Your LinkedIn Profile
    Ah, yes: your “second resume.” LinkedIn is a crucial tool for job-seekers and budding entrepreneurs; the cruel irony is that it’s very often seen as superfluous by comfortably employed folks. Make sure your LinkedIn is up to snuff well before you announce your intention to quit.
    Create a Separate Personal or Professional Website
    If you don’t yet have a personal or professional website that stands apart from your LinkedIn profile and corporate team profile, create one. (Or hire someone to spin one up for you.) You don’t need anything fancy — basically, you’re going for an extended CV that succinctly outlines your experience and value to prospective employers or partners.
    A blog, though optional, is a great way to highlight your expertise and burnish your thought leadership credentials — though you should already be doing this via LinkedIn updates and published posts. If you’re a creative, include links or clips of published or live work products.
    Bone Up on Interviewing (and Start Practicing)
    When was the last time you sat for a job interview?
    For inexperienced job-seekers, the prospect is downright terrifying. Take some time to review the basics of preparing for a job interview, and begin practicing mock interviews with a willing partner (spouse or dedicated friend works best) well in advance of your first engagement. Once you know where you’ll be interviewing, spend time researching the company — you can’t be too prepared.
    Hang Out a Consulting Shingle
    Unless you have a non-compete agreement that prevents you from soliciting work outside your professional lane, take whatever steps are necessary to re-enter the freelance job market before formally quitting your current gig. You don’t have to give over your evenings or weekends entirely to freelance work, but the mere act of making yourself available is a boon to your visibility and reputation.
    Who knows? You might find that you enjoy the freedom of independent consulting so much that you set that 9-to-5 job search on the back burner.
    Prepare for Your Exit Interview
    Most employers subject exiting employees to exit interviews. This is a valuable opportunity — your last, at least in a formal setting — to help your …
    0 min
  • Top Trends of Mobile Casinos in 2018 - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    2017 is now past us, but casino players can’t complain because it passed after preparing their minds on what to expect from the upcoming trends of mobile games.

    It was a great year that brought with it an improvement in the technology that you now enjoy in the mobile casinos. You can now enjoy thematic games on Mr Mobi online casino, the virtual reality technology that everyone can’t resist, bitcoin analytics and the live games that players can enjoy with partners across the globe.

    2018 is expected to be a prosperous year in the gambling industry, and the following are some of the tendencies that will make it the best year so far in this arm of the entertainment industry.

    Virtual Reality

    The rate at which this technology is spreading is a confirmation that shortly, all mobile casinos will have embraced it. In the beginning, it may seem to be expensive because of the related devices that players and mobile casino owners will need to purchase.

    The bright side of it is that with any industry when an introduction of a service or commodity has been spread to all corners and reached most of the consumers, it tends to get cheaper. The saturation of the technology will make it affordable to all.

    Live Gaming

    Going by the speed with which live casinos have been launched, there is no doubt that in the new year the trend will spread further. Developers are even in the process of launching live dealer casinos to improve the reality of the games. The good thing is that with the improvement of the game comes the improved quality of the internet, and the devices for accessing the internet.

    Players will hence be able to access a casino like Mr Mobi and play an online game just like it has been downloaded on their mobile device. That is, without delays or strobing.

    Extra Gamification

    It’s a tool used to convince consumers to use a specific brand due to various events. They can be; competition, costs and interesting tasks. When a game is marketed well and has immersive features, more players will play it. The psychological nature of players is that when they find a few others playing a game, they will also want to try it, and the trend goes on and on.

    More Data Collection

    Modern players have the advantage of communicating with the developers through the mobile casinos gaming applications. The “Leave us Your Feedback on Your Experience” feature is a great way for the developers to collect crucial data that they will use to improve the gaming software.

    It does not only give them ideas of making the games better, but it also provides them with insights of producing other better games.

    The Prospects Going Forward

    The rapid evolution of the industry makes it more profitable. The profits will by 2020 exceed the £41 billion mark, and that will be a great achievement. The good thing is that the major players in the industry – both casino owners and developers – aren’t relenting in improving the status of the industry.

    They will broaden the diversity of the games to attract and grow the customer base for casinos.

    0 min
  • Financial Technology is Making Business Lending and Real Estate Financing More Accessible - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Chris Moreno, President of GoKapital, a private business lending and real estate financing firm based in Miami, Florida joins Enterprise Radio to discuss the myriad of alternative lending options currently available, and the benefits of having access to these non-bank loan programs.
    Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Chris Moreno discuss the following:

    * How has the small/medium business lending industry changed in recent years?
    * Why are banks not a viable option for all borrowers?
    * Why is it important for entrepreneurs to have access to working capital?
    * How does GoKapital facilitate access to non-bank financing to borrowers?
    * What types of alternative lending programs offered by GoKapital should business owners be aware of?
    * What advice can you offer to borrowers applying for a business loan?
    * How do you see the industry changing in the next few years?

    After a banking crisis that severely limited traditional lending option, GoKapital was formed in 2013, with the goal of facilitating access to alternative financing to borrowers nationwide.
    Chris Moreno, CEO, and founder is a graduate of Cornell University’s business school and has previously worked in financial services in New York City, as well as in economic research for the federal government in Washington D.C. He was raised in Miami with an entrepreneurial upbringing, with his family having emigrated from Colombia in the late 1980s.
    GoKapital now has over 100 active sales agents, an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau, an office in Miami and Colombia, and hundreds of satisfied clients. Chris has also presented as a Guest Lecturer to FIU’s business students on topics in entrepreneurship/career goals. By maintaining its values of providing exemplary service and employing committed staff, GoKapital will continue to expand its operations and provide financing to more customers for years to come.

    Website: www.gokapital.com
    Social Media Links:

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

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoKapital
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    12 min
  • Expanding to Brazil: Business Tips for Adventurous Entrepreneurs - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    The largest economy in Latin America isn’t just attractive because of its business potential for foreign investors; it’s also a country of vibrant culture and unbridled fun that will appeal to adventurous entrepreneurs with a gregarious streak. In order to expand or set up in Brazil – especially in the import/export industry – it’s important to be aware of some of the country’s unique aspects that make it a business environment quite unique from those of Europe, America, Canada and other established world-leading economies. Here are some tips to help with your delve into the jewel of the South American continent.
    Get to Grips with Portuguese 
    Brazil is a fabulous country to travel in, not least because of the huge Amazonian wilderness that’s home to some of the unique creatures on earth. The myriad tribes that exist in the thick of the jungle still retain their indigenous languages, but when it comes to business, it’s Portuguese that’ll get you places. Be aware on arrival in Sao Paolo or Rio de Janeiro that English is not spoken as widely as in other developing countries; you’ll have to get some of the local lingo under your belt to excel in Brazil.
    Whether you’re working a job in the US or you’re a globe-trotting entrepreneur, learning Portuguese as simple as using language-learning apps, taking night classes, or even going the traditional route of living in Portugal or Brazil to slowly pick up the dialect. Bear in mind that Brazilian Portuguese is distinct from its European derivative so that you may find yourself struggling with regional accents if you do happen to have experience in talking in Portugal.
    Understand the Culture
    Although Brazil has some acute issues when it comes to societal inequality, the business environment in the country is comparable to those that you’ll be more familiar with, though of course, it comes with its regional flavors.
    Getting to grips with the general and the business cultures of Brazil is best-achieved through exposure to the country itself, perhaps on a long prospective tourist trip during which you see some of the main sights while establishing your first contacts in this marvelous country of contrasts, carnivals, and Catholicism. The more you learn, the more context you’ll have to approach business deals with a regional knowledge that’ll gain you trust in the local individuals and will ultimately single you out as an investor who’s interested not only in making money but in the country as a whole.
    Prepare for Business
    There’s a set number of objectives you’ll have to achieve when working with Brazilian partners in business. For one, you’ll need to ensure you’re on the correct visa when visiting the country; this can be researched on the relevant immigration websites. You will likely need to set up a local bank account that’s operational throughout Latin America, and you’ll do well to be aware of the financial services at your disposal so that you’re able to be agile and knowledgeable come to the ups and downs of setting up shop in a new country.
    This site, for instance, offers small to large personal loans from an online platform for those in need of a quick boost to their cash flow. Moreover, homespun financial technologies and institutions are gaining global recognition as important players in greasing the wheels of Latin American business, and having the wherewithal to harness these powerful tools will give you some extra support when it’s needed. Finally, you’ll want to find some office space or an address in the country to call your own for various reasons – it might be required for setting up a bank account, and it’s certainly required for receiving the post.
    Don’t Just Stick to Rio
    Glamorous and swelteringly passionate, Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful city to base yourself in when con…
    0 min
  • Does the US Senate Plan To Impose Restrictions on Forex Businesses? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN
    The recently proposed senate bill has impacted the Forex market already. Most of the biggest and popular Forex companies/brokers are panicking and convincing clients to sell their shares and stocks. Brokers also believe that the new taxation means making money in Forex trading might be quite expensive. Under the senate plan, minimizing profits will be a hard task. To answer the above question it is important to know what the bill intends to do.
    What does the proposed bill entail?
    Investors, over the years, have devised ways of reducing their capital gains tax on stocks but the Senate bill might create a limitation which will increase the taxes that investors will be forced to pay. The proposed legislation requires investors who have brokerage accounts that are taxable have the mandate to offload any shares that they have had for the longest period. They are calling this process FIFO which means first in first out.
    Congress members are trying to do away with the lower tax rates in the country. They are meant to ensure the costs of their 10-year plan does not exceed $1.5 trillion contrary to the laws concerning budgets in the senate. According to a study done by the Taxation Joint Committee, it was predicted that the sale of stocks was expected to rise up to $2.4 billion.
    With the current rules on taxation, investors are able to decide the stocks to sell which allows them to reduce their taxes based on their profits. Take for example an investor bought shares from Microsoft twice  in 1998 and later in 2014 if the trader decided to offload these shares today with the a prevailing trading price going for $150,the tax imposed on the investor would be less if he sold the last shares he bought as opposed to the initial ones he bought. The 2014 shares might have cost $80 while those from 1998 might have cost $2.
    One resulting effect of this is that brokers are now urging their clients to liquidate their shares before the senate bill, which has the FIFO change, is passed. Prior to the proposal, investors had the power to select any stocks that they wished to dispose which is what they are meant to do for tax loss selling. The bill also has an impact on various investors starting from large family owned corporations to traders and hedge funds.
    Various tax firms have taken it upon themselves to look for other ways that can assist the investors to maintain their tax benefits, in case the proposed legislations are passed. It is now possible for investors to evade this by splitting their holdings and spreading them out to various money managers or traders. They can also separate low and high basis stocks.
    What are the tax strategies?
    By using the theoretical Microsoft investor, earlier mentioned, a trader can take the stocks bought in 1998 and put them under one trading account while also putting the ones bought in 2014 in another account. This means the broker has one remaining lot that can be sold and the best case scenario would be to sell the 2014 share and hold on to the 1998 shares. Normally, the IRS reviews basis reports by brokers based on accounts held by the brokers. There are high chances that the IRS will create an anti-abuse law that stops tax payers from avoiding the intention of the FIFO bill. Another way to avoid the taxation would be to take a significant amount of stocks into a family-owned partnership, which is a different tax unit. These strategies are just preliminaries seeing as the bill is still pending.
    The bill might impact the donations of shares as the existing law allows investors to freely donate shares that would incur a large capital gain tax if they were to be sold. This is beneficial to non-profits as donated shares can be worth up to $15000 when given to charity and worth $10000 to a single person after …
    0 min
  • Changing Your Career and Your Skin Really IS That Easy! - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

    Abha Saraswat, the Founder and CEO of Sano Naturals, a natural skincare company that is changing the way we not only look at our skin, but also how we take care of it joins Enterprise Radio.
    Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Abha Saraswat discuss the following:

    * You came from a corporate background to become an entrepreneur.  Can you tell us about what that transition has been like for you?
    * Can you please tell us about Sano Naturals and how it came about?
    * What is different about Sano than other brands and what can we expect from your products moving forward?
    * Your products are luxury products with a reasonable retail price.  Why is that so important to you and who are your typical customers?
    * Can you please share some insight about your silk mask with us and why it is so special?  What should users expect when using it?

    Abha Saraswat, the Founder and CEO of Sano Naturals, has multiple degrees from major universities and has worked in corporate America for years.  She left the corporate world to start Sano Naturals when she discovered how to help heal her own skin.  At that time, she decided to help others change their skin as well, because according to her, “if you help someone change how they look on the outside for the better, you help them change how they feel inside.”

    Website: www.sanonaturals.com
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    12 min

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