Enterprise Podcast Network

Pat Swisher, CEO of Enviro-Master, which is a commercial hygiene cleaning company with more than 65 franchises around the country joins Enterprise Radio to discuss how to “flush with success”.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is working in conjunction with the Franchising Channel.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Pat Swisher discuss the following:

* Tell us how you started as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to go out on your own?

* Many people credit you for founding the Commercial Hygiene Industry. Why did you get into sanitizing public restrooms, and can you make money doing it?

* Tell us about your five principles for starting a new venture or business for young-entrepreneurs out there.

* It sounds as if with the purchase of the Swisher Hygiene book of business from Ecolab, Enviro-Master is still growing. Are you looking for new franchise owners?

* How lucrative can sanitizing bathrooms really be, and what are you looking for in a franchisee?

* Beyond your five principles, what other advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

* What is the process to become a Enviro-Master franchise owner?

Pat Swisher, CEO of Enviro-Master Time Line:

* In 1983, Pat Swisher didn’t just start Swisher Hygiene, he founded an industry: The commercial hygiene cleaning business

* Pat recognized that restaurants and other businesses did not have the equipment, chemicals, or training necessary to deal with the soils, bacteria, viruses, and odor which occur in every restroom. Additionally he understood from his cable T.V. experience the value of packaging a service which everyone could afford.

* In 1989 Pat began franchising his hygiene concept throughout the United States. Soon awards and accolades followed to include Forbes Up and Coming Entrepreneur in 1994, recognition as a top Entrepreneur by Success Magazine in 1995, Semi-Finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the year award in 1994.

* His company was named top 100 franchise companies in the world starting in 1994 and for the following five years.

* By 2000 Pat’s company operated in 23 countries worldwide servicing over 100,000 business each week.

* In 2004 Pat took Swisher Hygiene public on NASDAQ

* In 2004 Pat sold his interest in Swisher Hygiene to Wayne Huzienga, which was unsolicited, and took a five-year hiatus.

* In 2009 Pat launched Enviro-Master using his 23-plus years of experience to improve the model he had developed once before.

* In 2011 the Enviro-Master franchise was born and by 2013 Enviro-Master was listed as one of the Top 500 Franchises and one of the Top 50 New Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine.

* With a proven business model and solid reputation, our franchise business opportunities have ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for the past four years, and was awarded one of the top 10 franchisees in the U.S. by both Entrepreneur and Inc. Magazine.

* 2015 was named one of Inc. Magazine‘s 10 Franchises That Swept the Nation in 2015.

* In 2015 our business displayed a three-year growth rate of 771 percent, far outperforming competitors with franchise opportunities.

* In 2016 Entrepreneur Magazine named Enviro-Master one of the Top Ten new franchises for 2016 (https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/topnew),

Jimmy Fritz, President and Co-Founder of Kennedy Blue and Wedding Shoppe, Inc. joins Enterprise Radio to discuss his entrepreneur journey in launching businesses in the wedding industry.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Jimmy Fritz discuss the following:

* What made you start Kennedy Blue & become the President of Wedding Shoppe, Inc.?

* How do you come up with new business strategies and business development?

* What are your latest strategies and developments you have rolled out that have been successful for your company?

* Have you encountered struggles leading up the position you hold now? If so, what were they and how did you overcome those issues.

* Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

Jimmy, as the proud President of Kennedy Blue and Wedding Shoppe, Inc., oversees the marketing division, production, sales, and promotions for both companies. Kennedy Blue is a designer line of bridal gowns, wear-again bridesmaid dresses, and men’s neckties with an online presence and their dresses in the Wedding Shoppe, Inc.. The Wedding Shoppe has been a family-owned business since 1977. With their own dress designs, the business has created strong relationships by giving exclusive access to top styles and quality for a low price. From providing personalized, simple, and memorable experiences, their brides always leave happy and excited to start a new chapter of their life.

Websites:  www.weddingshoppeinc.com | www.Kennedyblue.com

Social Media Links:

Facebook: Wedding Shoppe, Inc.

Twitter: Wedding Shoppe, Inc.

Facebook: Kennedy Blue

Twitter: Kennedy Blue

Blaine Bertsch, Co-Founder & CEO at Dryrun, a financial forecasting software for small business joins Enterprise Radio to discuss using financial forecasts to drive growth in your business.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Blaine Bertsch discuss the following:

* What are the key areas a small business should forecast?

* Why are these important to forecast all together?

* How can a small business turn this data into action?

* What if a business sees a crisis on the horizon?

* What’s the best way to get started on building forecasts?

Tip: Identify key metrics in your business and build your forecasts to serve your needs. Don’t try and track everything nor be penny perfect.

Blaine Bertsch is CEO and Co-Founder of Dryrun, a financial forecasting tool for small business. Dryrun helps business owners and their accountants forecast cash flow, budget and sales scenarios in the cloud. Blaine holds both Bachelor and Master of Design degrees from the University of Alberta. He has over 15 years of successful entrepreneurial experience at the helm of numerous companies.

Website: www.dryrun.com

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter: @mydryrun

Stephen Valentine, Director of Academic Leadership at Montclair Kimberley Academy a school of thought that turns inquiry into insight joins Enterprise Radio to discuss incorporating digital teaching methods with traditional learning.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Stephen Valentine discuss the following:

* Can you start by telling us more about Montclair Kimberley Academy and your role at the school?

* Technology is everywhere, especially in our school system.  Can you share with us the digital methods that you implement at MKA? Are these methods well-received by students and teachers alike?

* Which method do you think is most essential for your students and how do you help your students practice good technology habits outside of the classroom?

* Do you ever encounter any challenges with technology and your students and if so, how do you overcome those challenges?

* I understand that you take a unique approach in blending traditional teaching methods with technology at MKA, can you tell us more about that and how other educators can learn from this?

Stephen J. Valentine is an educator, school leader, writer, and serial collaborator. He serves as the assistant head, upper school, and director of academic leadership at Montclair Kimberley Academy and Coordinating Editor of Klingbrief, a publication of the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. He is the co-author of Blending Leadership: Six Simple Beliefs for Leading Online and Off and a columnist for EdSurge.

Website: www.mka.org

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter: @MKAcademy

Josh Lam and Yina Liu, Co-Founders of Espin eBikes an eBike company based in the Bay area, focused on affordable commuter eBikes joins the Green Business Podcast Show.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guests Josh Lam and Yina Liu discuss the following:

* Why did you start Espin eBikes?

* What are the benefits of riding an eBike? vs a regular bike? vs driving?

* eBikes companies are growing in popularity, what’s different about Espin?

* What is the environmental impact that eBikes can have in major cities?

* Where do you see the biggest opportunity for eBikes? Do you see it being as popular as a traditional bike?

Josh Lam and Yina Liu are the co-founders of Espin eBikes, the stylish, new breed of commuter electric bikes with an efficient 350-watt motor and a high quality lithium-ion battery that offers 25-50 miles of riding range.

Although he is a first-time entrepreneur, Josh comes from a family of entrepreneurs, where he was influenced and motivated to create a product or service that could make a positive impact on the world. As an avid traveler throughout Europe and Asia, Josh likes to study the efficiency of each country’s transportational framework, which led to the creation of Espin. With a finance and real estate development background, Josh currently oversees Espin’s sales, finance and business development departments. He is responsible for building partnerships with local and national retailers, as well as spreading the brand’s vision and eBike education

Yina is no stranger to the entrepreneurial world, as she previously co-founded Red Door Apparel, a Shanghai-based crowdsourcing T-shirt design company. As a third culture individual – having lived in Norway, China and the United States – Yina has taken advantage of her international background and education, where skills in intercultural communication and language ability launched her professional career in international marketing, with a focus on digital marketing. Yina currently holds a multi-tasking role within Espin in overseeing operations, including product development, business operations and communications.

Website: www.espinbikes.com

Social Media Links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/espinbikes

Twitter: @espinbikes

Instagram: @espinbikes

Earl Schultz, the Founder and President of Strategic Wealth Advisory, a family-owned independent financial advisory and planning firm joins Enterprise Radio. Earl has over 20 years of experience in the financial planning industry.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Earl Schultz discuss the following:

* Tell us a little more about your background. Why did you decide to make a career change?

* What was the most challenging thing during the process of changing careers?

* What is your biggest piece of advice for people looking to make a career change?

* Is there something you wish you would’ve know before you changed careers? Anything you would’ve done differently?

* Have you seen anyone attempt to make a career change and make a serious error? How can others avoid the same fate?

Summary: If you’re looking to make a career change, don’t let your own hesitations or fear of failure set you back. Entrepreneurs call from all different backgrounds and there so perfect recipe for success.

As a seasoned educator, public speaker, and respected financial professional, Earl is the Founder and President of Strategic Wealth Advisory, LLC. Having been in the industry for more than 20 years Earl holds series 6, 7, 63, and 66 securities licenses and a Chartered Financial Consultant designation from The American College.  Earl also has advanced licensing as an Investment Advisor Representative which means he has a legally binding fiduciary responsibility to always work first and foremost in the best interests of his clients. Earl is a member of Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group* and has also studied various aspects of business development with nationally recognized Dan Sullivan of Strategic Coach, Brian Tracy of Tracy International, and Norm Trainor of The Covenant Group. Earl’s passion is teaching and implementing strategies that will potentially allow his clients to realize greater success and enjoyment in their retirement years. It’s Earl’s belief that much of the financial industry puts far too much focus on sales rather than on client education and planning.

Prior to opening the doors of his advisory practice Earl had a successful career as a structural engineer where he was previously able to use his love of math in the design of nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, hospitals, airports, and various other designs. It was his desire to have a more direct and personal impact on the lives of individuals that led him to the financial industry.

Earl and his wife Debbie were high school sweethearts. Together, they are very proud of their two children, Kelly and Matthew. They feel blessed to have five beautiful grandchildren. Earl and his wife are active in their local church and serve as ambassadors with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting our religious freedoms and keeping the door open for the spread of the Gospel.

Website: www.strategicwealthadvisory.net

Sid Mohasseb a serial entrepreneur, investor, venture capitalist, and business thought leader and author of the new book The Caterpillar’s Edge joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Sid Mohasseb discuss the following:

* What is the meaning of the Caterplliar’s Edge?

* Many business owners and leaders don’t want to deal with change.  Why are they resistant?

* What are some of the key ways organizations need to prepare for today’s constant change?

* How have data and analytics transformed business? How can small businesses harness the power of data?

* What do you see as the key leadership trends moving forward?

Sid Mohasseb is a serial entrepreneur, investor, venture capitalist, and business thought leader. He is the former Head of Strategic Innovation for KPMG’s Strategy Practice, where he consults with Fortune 500 clients worldwide. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Marshall Business School, University of Southern California (USC), where he teaches strategy and data analytics.

Sid has founded and led several early-stage and hyper-growth companies from inception to acquisition. He has also led company turnarounds—from near bankruptcy to profitability. His expertise is in connecting theory to reality and helping people see the bend in the road ahead.

Website: www.mohasseb.com

Dr. Kishlay Anand, Co-Founder of Akos, a contemporary telemedicine virtual practice and app to help address some of the pain points currently faced by patients today joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Dr. Kishlay Anand discuss the following:

* How do you see telemedicine being a solution to some of the biggest pain points facing our healthcare system today?

* You recently launched Akos, a virtual practice and app that will provide convenient 24/7/365 service to patients. Compared to other telemedicine offerings, how is Akos prepared to disrupt the healthcare industry?

* Akos uses a 360-Degree approach to treating patients. Can you explain what that means and tell us how you believe it will help empower patients to become the CEO of their own health and ultimately improve patient outcomes?

* There have been other telemedicine companies that have emerged on the healthcare scene, however Akos claims to be different from any other offering out there. Can you share some of your key differentiators and how you plan to maintain a competitive edge in an industry that continues to evolve so rapidly?

* Privacy and protection of personal records is a major concern for patients. How is Akos making sure that patient’s feel safe throughout the treatment process and ensuring their private information is safe and secure?

* Can you talk to us about Akos’ affordable pricing model and why you feel so strongly about telemedicine, specifically Akos, being the first real patient-centric option that can provide efficient, affordable and effective non-acute patient care to the masses?

* For patients looking for an efficient affordable option for patient care, for them or their families or just to learn more about Akos, where should they go?

Developed by a team of leading physicians, Akos opened its first virtual healthcare practice in 2016, located in Phoenix, Ariz. A contemporary telemedicine provider powering a new type of virtual healthcare practice, Akos offers the first complete healthcare solution for patients, physicians, employers and healthcare centers across the United States. By combining smart technology, seamless design, a patient-centric approach, grassroots strategy and the collective power of a preferred provider network, Akos is reinventing the traditional healthcare model one virtual call at a time. Available 24/7/365 days a year, patients can pay a flat fee of $49 or enjoy an Akos membership, which starts at $15 per month and a reduced fee per call of $30, to get unparalleled access to board-certified physicians in their area via a smartphone device or tablet. Currently Akos only serves patients in Arizona with plans to expand to 10 more locations by Spring 2017. For more information or to download our app, visit www.AkosMD.com.

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Dr. Kishlay Anand, MD, MS, FHRS is a board certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist and co-founder of InstaaMED. Dr. Anand has garnered extensive administrative experience serving as Chairman of InstantMed Health Center, an innovative model with Urgent Care and Primary Care Centers in the Phoenix metropolitan area providing lab, radiology, and diagnostics all at one convenient location; President of Arizona Cardiovascular Institute,

Yoon Kim, a hedge fund industry veteran who recently founded Minnit, a live Q&A platform joins Enterprise Radio to discuss why he left hedge funds to launch his own business platforms.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Yoon Kim discuss the following:

* How did you get into the hedge fund industry and what did you learn from working in it?

* From your experience in the financial sector, you have a lot of thoughts on the way the U.S. economy is set up. Where do you think the U.S. can improve the most?

* Explain to our listeners about your newest startup, Minnit.co, the live platform for sharing and exchanging knowledge.

* As a new entrepreneur, what are have been your biggest challenges in starting up new business ideas?

* What advice can you give to our entrepreneurial listeners? Anything that you’ve learned that you didn’t know before starting your own business platforms?

Yoon Kim has 16 years experience investing in public companies focused on the Internet and consumer tech sector. After having worked in the hedge fund industry for companies like Morgan Stanley, Tremblant Capital, and Ziff Brothers Investments, Kim founded Vestry Capital in 2008. Identifying a passion for starting up new ventures, Yoon Kim took the skills and knowledge he gained from doing business in the hedge fund world and set out to build a way to tackle systemic underemployment by building a stronger knowledge economy. His first product Minnit.co is the first part of that solution: a live help desk for everything, powered by the crowd in 15 minute increments.

Website: www.Minnit.co

Crunchbase:  https://www.crunchbase.com/person/yoon-kim-3#/entity

Patrick Taylor, CEO of Oversight Systems, an Atlanta based software company that provides solutions that automate compliance for disbursement related business processes such as Accounts Payable, Travel and Expense and Purchase Card programs again joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to interview with host Eric Dye & guest Patrick Taylor discuss the following:

* Patrick, you wrote an op-ed recently that discussed the role of artificial intelligence in financial auditing. Is this something that you see as positive or negative for the business community?

* Does the use of artificial intelligence and especially robots mean that less jobs will be available or that people and companies will need to be comfortable working with the role of robots that will be playing in our everyday lives both personally and especially in the workplace.

* Will these changes actually save companies money? Or is this just the latest craze that will die down as we move to the next new thing?

* As you mentioned in your piece, the name of the game is speed, efficiency, cost reduction. Is financial auditing and the use of robots something that just the big companies will do or do you think small companies will also use this as well movung forward?

* It sounds like robotic artificial intelligence is on the rise. What else can you see being done in the future. First it’s financial auditing, what’s next.

* What advice do you have for companies and how to deal with the role of robotics in financial operations?

* Secondly, what advice do you have for employees that will work with these robots?

* From personal experience how has robotics and artificial intelligence affected your business and the services that your company offers other companies?

Oversight Systems CEO Patrick Taylor

Patrick Taylor is an authority in the convergence of business analytics, information security and the implementation of technology to boost organizational performance. Patrick recognized that most IT-security and financial-system controls focus on user access and role management, but don’t address how to convert ERP, CRM and other financial transaction resources into plain-language, actionable insights. After speaking with executives from across the country, Patrick launched Oversight Systems to pioneer the concepts and technology for continuous transaction analytics.

As a thought leader in predictive business analytics, Patrick has spoken at a wide variety of conferences. He has held leading positions at Internet Security Systems (ISS) and Symantec as well as ORACLE, Red Brick Systems, GO, Air2Web and Fast-Talk. Patrick has a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree with honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

Oversight Systems

Oversight Systems is an Atlanta based software company founded in 2003. We provide solutions that automate compliance for disbursement related business processes such as Accounts Payable, Travel and Expense and Purchase Card programs. Our solutions are delivered in a Software-as-a-Service model where we host, support, and manage the application on your behalf. Our solutions leverage pre-built analytics that take into account over 13 years of best practices experience we have developed working with global commercial organizations and government agencies.

Website: www.oversightsystems.com