Homegrown Hustle

SUMMARY:

Listen in as we journey with Ashley Gilbert, a former teacher who turned her love for teaching into a successful tutoring business. Discover how Ashley channeled her passion and frustration with red tape in the education system into a venture that not only provides additional income but also makes a significant impact on young children. Ashley shares her experiences, early struggles, and the resources she leveraged, including free government programs and advice from other small business owners.

Tune in to hear an insightful discussion about self-monitoring in children and adults and how teaching children to think before they speak can benefit them in the long run. Our guest, a full-time teacher, shares her passion for helping children with dyslexia and the advancements being made in the education system to address this issue. Also, get a glimpse into her future plans to expand her business and assist children with other subjects such as math.

Don't miss our conversation on parents' tendency to compare their children to others, how it can be harmful, and how to shift focus to their child's individual development. We recommend that parents familiarize themselves with different learning styles and not concentrate on comparing their child's progress to others. We share personal experiences and emphasize the importance of meaningful conversations with children. Finally, listen to our guest as she talks about her plans for the day, which include tutoring and researching new methods for a new student. Tune in and find out more.

(00:00) From Teaching to Business

(10:31) Teaching Dyslexia and Building a Business

(24:31) Parental Concerns

(36:57) Moving Students Forward

(40:48) Transitioning From Teaching to Business

(51:50) Helping Parents Support Their Children

(56:49) Connecting With a Passionate Tutor

"Teachers have so many skills that can be easily transferred to the business world. You just have to believe in yourself."

"Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, it's about molding minds. The earlier they get the help the better."

"Your passion is your power. Use it to fuel your journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship."

Website - www.KeepItUpTutoring.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/keepituptutoring

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keepituptutoring/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keepituptutoring/

SUMMARY:

In this conversation, Matt reflects on a recent interaction with someone he used to do business with. Despite the person's aggressive behavior, he chooses to respond with empathy and kindness, recognizing that there may be underlying issues in the person's life. 

He emphasizes the importance of caring for others and understanding their experiences. Matt draws inspiration from various teachings, highlighting the power of grace and compassion. He also acknowledges the need to consider different perspectives and not let our own self-centeredness hinder our interactions. 

Finally, Matt discusses the importance of taking control of our emotions and not allowing them to dictate our actions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Showing Empathy and Kindness

02:27 The Power of Grace and Compassion

03:26 Understanding Others' Perspectives

04:21 Taking Control of Emotions

Join me, your host Matthew Eickman, on a captivating journey with my guest, Jeff Salzbrun , a successful entrepreneur and property developer. Listen in as we explore his daring transition from working for a major property developer to spearheading his own business. Hear about the challenges he faced, his unwavering determination, and how he boldly made the decision to branch out on his own amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff's story is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and taking calculated risks to achieve one's dreams.

We also turn our attention to the intricacies of commercial real estate, managing properties, and the exciting world of brokerage. With insights on the benefits of having an additional snow or lawn care division, we discuss the growth potential of using a management company and the role brokerage plays in expanding one's investment portfolio. We touch on the rewards of sharing knowledge with clients and the profound satisfaction of positively impacting others' lives. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking valuable insights and eager to venture into commercial real estate.

Finally, we shift gears to discuss personal growth and building authentic connections in various aspects of life. Hear about the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, seeking out mentors, and the importance of balance in both business and personal life. We also explore the transformative impact of genuine connections on personal and professional growth. Tune in to gain valuable insights, and let's celebrate the stories that shape our local business landscape together. This episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to ignite your own spark of excellence.

(00:04) Transitioning Into Entrepreneurship in Real Estate

(14:08) Managing Commercial Properties and Real Estate

(20:40) Growth and Challenges of a Brokerage

(26:50) Real Estate and Personal Growth Reflections

(41:04) Build Team, Grow Business

(48:49) Access and Authenticity in Building Connections

(01:00:31) Building Positive Relationships for Personal Growth

"The reward isn't the money. The reward is helping other people, and so the hurdles are. I've never really managed a lot of people."

"I'm not just a broker. I know all these buildings from the ground up. I know the management inside. I know how to do the performers. I know how to do the budgets."

"I'm trying to bring everybody on my team along in some fashion, even if they don't really want to. I try to talk them into like, think of what it's like. From my property manager people, from my maid to my maid's people, like this isn't just a job. I'm bringing you to something that I may teach you."

Website - https://www.cegspaces.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/commercialequitiesgroup

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cegspaces/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/commercial-equities-group

Join us on Homegrown Hustle as we spotlight local brilliance with our special guest, Darren Kelley, owner of Divine Shine Cleaning and a former professional football player. We take a trip through Darren's life, starting from his challenging upbringing in Baltimore to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the Midwest. Darren opens up about how football saved his life and shaped his approach to business. You'll hear about his journey of building a cleaning business, his transition from the football field to the entrepreneurial world, and his goal of achieving $100k in profit. 

This episode also explores Darren's experiences with personal growth and dating while maintaining a busy work schedule. Darren sheds light on his pursuit of self-improvement and his journey to find a partner who understands and supports his lifestyle. We also talk about his podcast, "The Real Balance Podcast," which delves into the intersection of culture and consciousness. 

Lastly, we discuss practical strategies for growing a business in the cleaning industry. We share insights into how to find and retain customers, leverage contractors, and track and organize marketing efforts. We touch on the importance of mail campaigns and creating a customer database for targeting potential clients. Plus, Darren shares his passion for social media branding and how he manages to find balance in all aspects of life. So, tune in to this episode full of wisdom and inspiration, as we celebrate the brilliant leaders in our local business community.

(00:04) Local Brilliance

(09:35) Transition From Football to Cleaning Business

(19:25) Dating Challenges and Personal Growth

(32:02) Growing and Marketing a Business

(43:08) Exploring Social Media Branding Strategies

(47:53) Supporting Local Business Success

"Football literally saved my life from getting me out of Baltimore City, giving me a free education but, more importantly, coming to the Midwest, like literally saved my life."

"I think cleaning is the easiest one that has the highest profitability that you can get into because you have to have a license to be a pest control specialist. You have to have a license to be a roofing specialist. You have a license to go do GC work. You don't have to have a license to clean too many towels. So it was that barrier to entry."

"My goal is to nurture those clients, treat them like a one people they are A1 and get them to either refer more business or just to be our steady recurring base and scale the commercial side."

Divine Shine Cleaning - https://divineshinehomecleaning.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/darren.kelley.10

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/humblhustler/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@humblhustler

Twitter - https://twitter.com/dkthareal

Welcome to another episode of Homegrown Hustle! This week, we welcome the incredibly driven Jackie Le Vvintre, owner of Le Vvintre Living, a successful cleaning service based in Minnesota. Listen in as Jackie takes us through her entrepreneurial journey - from her early interest in making money through cleaning to successfully running her business across the main metro areas. She highlights the importance of mentorship and support for women entrepreneurs and how her family's entrepreneurial background influenced her. 

We further explore the topic of starting a cleaning business amidst the pandemic, discussing the value of time and the significance of support in running a business. Our guest shares her personal journey of transitioning to this business after a life-changing cancer diagnosis and the increasing demand for cleaning services due to the pandemic. Then, Jackie offers invaluable insights into the growth of her business - from gaining her first customers through her website and referrals to effective networking with organizations like NABO and BNI. 

Finally, we discuss the growth and success of Jackie's cleaning business and her future plans. She shares her thoughts on franchising and maintaining control over her business. She also reveals her dream of opening a coffee shop and discusses other business ventures. We celebrate Jackie's inspiring journey, highlighting the importance of creating a positive environment for employees and customers. Get ready for a wealth of knowledge on local business growth and entrepreneurial insights. Join us in this compelling conversation!

(00:04) Local Business Growth and Entrepreneurial Insights

(09:11) Start Cleaning Business During Pandemic

(14:29) Customer and Networking for Business Growth

(22:59) Effective Cleaning Business Strategies

(32:26) Expanding Cleaning Business and Future Ventures

"My journey from being a child curious about the art of cleaning to being a successful entrepreneur is an inspiring tale of determination, grit, and the magic of entrepreneurship."

"The pandemic has thrown us many challenges, but it has also opened up opportunities. As the world adapted to the new normal, I seized the moment and employed it to scale my cleaning business."

"We have picked up a lot of people from larger cleaning businesses because we focus on certain things specifically. I always ask the people that have had those services in the past okay, what did you not like about them? What did you like about them? It's all about maintaining a personal connection with clients and managing expectations."

Le Vvintre Living Luxury Cleaning Services - https://www.levvintreliving.com/

Jackie's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063632947899

Jackie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/levvintre_living/

Jackie's Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-le-vvintre-46a263a7

SUMMARY:

Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey with our guest, Marc, a thriving business owner in the home service industry. Marc takes us through his transition from a career in logistics to owning his own business. He shares his insights about the financial preparations and the hurdles he encountered along the way, including the unexpected impact of COVID-19 on his business. Listen as Marc reveals the determination and hard work that led to his current success. 

Join us as we tackle the challenges and rewards of business ownership, navigating the blurred lines between work and personal life. We share our experiences and lessons learned on taxes, payroll, and the essential investment of time and money required to run a business. The episode also touches on the significance of marketing and how it has contributed to our success. The episode wraps up with a discussion on small business challenges, particularly in marketing and financial management, with our franchise owner guest shedding light on the advantages of being part of a franchise system.

Finally, tune in as we explore the journey of Jill and Marc, founders of the Foundation Painting Corp. They discuss the hurdles they faced, the decisions they had to make, and the role of authenticity in achieving success. We also touch on the importance of community involvement, not just for publicity, but for the joy it brings and the support it offers to others. This episode is packed with valuable insights and advice for anyone contemplating starting their own business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

(00:00) Transitioning From Sales to Business Ownership

(09:21) Balance Work and Personal Life in Business

(13:20) Navigating Small Business Challenges and Franchising

(21:42) Foundation Painting Club's Journey and Impact

(34:25) Finding Customers, Building Trustworthy Teams

(38:23) Running a Business and Maintaining Relationships

(45:03) Community Events and Business Relationships

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

"The road to success is not always smooth but with determination and hard work, the rewards are fulfilling."

"Balancing work and personal life often feels like a tightrope walk when you own a business. But the satisfaction of witnessing your business grow is unparalleled."

"The importance of authenticity and community involvement in business success is not just for the publicity, but for the real joy it brings and the support it offers to the community."

GUEST RESOURCES:

WOW1DAY Painting - https://www.wow1day.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wow1daypaintingstpaul

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wow1daypainting_stpaul/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcsieber/

SUMMARY:

Join us as we welcome Chuck Bolkcom, Owner of North Star Media Partners and a digital billboard platform in the North Metro, as he shares his journey in the advertising industry. Listen to Chuck’s stories on his unique career spanning the West Coast to the East Coast, covering various industries and services. Learn how he transitioned into becoming an independent billboard operator and how he's leveraging his network and understanding of the business to make a significant impact.

In our discussion, we cover topics crucial for every business owner. Discover how a holistic approach to the media mix creates trust and awareness, and how even with a limited budget, you can make your small business stand out. Listen as Chuck explains the importance of a long-term strategy, consistent branding, and how he uses local and regional advertising platforms to reach his customers.

We also get a glimpse into the mindset required for successful business growth. Chuck highlights the value of making informed and speedy decisions, the power of having the right team, and the significance of empathy in business. The discussion takes us further into creating balance as business owners, and the art of generating consistent referral opportunities. Get ready for a rich conversation filled with practical advice and strategies from an industry expert. Don't miss out!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

(00:00) Diverse Experiences in Billboard Advertising

(13:37) Marketing and Branding Consistency Importance

(22:42) Understanding Branding and Effective Marketing

(37:43) Decisiveness in Business Growth

(42:34) Balance & Networks in Business

(52:45) Creating Consistent Referral Opportunities

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

"The power of referrals and networks can't be underestimated."

"You need to figure out the creative and the message prior to thinking about how you're going to act on it."

"You need to show up and give back to the community, and so if you're closer to the community. You're understanding what initiatives are happening around the city or nonprofits."

GUEST RESOURCES:

Chuck’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckbolkcom/

Nordeast Marketing Group - www.nordeast.com

Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.forestlakechamber.org/

Welcome to "Homegrown Hustle" with host Matthew Eickman. This podcast is your gateway to the compelling, untold stories of local business leaders who've brought their dreams to life. Dive into the journeys of these entrepreneurs and the driving motivations that keep them pushing forward.

Join us on this thrilling adventure as we explore the "Homegrown Hustle" together and get ready to be inspired by the incredible stories of entrepreneurs in your own community. Stay tuned for each episode where we delve into the personal stories of local business leaders who've found success and inspire us to do the same. Don't miss out on this incredible ride through the world of local entrepreneurship. Subscribe today!