In this episode of the "How to Start a Business" podcast, host Jon Bradshaw sits down with Matthew Holman, founder of Subscription Prescription, to discuss how he built a successful subscription consulting business. Matthew shares his journey from co-founding a small startup called Qpilot to transitioning into consulting and focusing on the subscription e-commerce space.

Matthew explains how he started a local networking group called Commerce Catalyst to connect with other marketers and solve problems together. This group evolved into a Slack community, an email list, and an annual conference. Matthew emphasises the importance of owning the information and channels to engage with his target audience.

The episode delves into Matthew's approach to building thought leadership through content creation. He discusses how he produces a weekly newsletter and podcast with unique content to provide value to his audience and demonstrate his expertise. Matthew also shares insights on how he uses social media to promote his content and connect with potential clients.

Throughout the conversation, Matthew highlights the benefits of choosing a niche and becoming known as an expert in that space. He explains how his focus on subscription e-commerce has allowed him to build a strong reputation and attract clients in a relatively small but growing market.

This episode offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to start a consulting business or build a personal brand in a specific industry.

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Website: https://www.howtostartabusiness.com/

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In this episode of the "How to Start a Business" podcast, host Jon Bradshaw sits down with Blaze Bullock, founder of Blaze Digital Marketing, to discuss the ins and outs of starting an SEO company. Blaze shares his personal story of transitioning from a full-time job to starting his own SEO business, highlighting the challenges he faced and the strategies he used to overcome them.

The episode covers topics such as the fear of starting something new, the importance of getting your first client, and the value of referrals in growing your business. Blaze also shares his approach to marketing himself and his services, including the role of social media and networking in securing new clients.

Throughout the conversation, Blaze emphasizes the importance of doing your own SEO and sharing your expertise with others as a way to establish credibility and attract potential clients. He also discusses the benefits of focusing on local SEO and the impact it can have on your business.

This episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to start their own SEO company or transition into the field.

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HowToStartABusiness/featured

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/how-to-start-a-business/id1504659523

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lakFrzcTB1mmRAsSKn7yG?si=6940a31dcf1948ad

Website: https://www.howtostartabusiness.com/

Follow Blaze Bullock

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

Follow Jon Bradshaw

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrjonbradshaw

Welcome back to the highly-anticipated relaunch of "How to Start a Business" – the podcast where dreams meet drive, and first-time founders meet their blueprint for success. If you've ever toyed with the idea of taking your vision and transforming it into a thriving enterprise, you're in the right place. Perhaps you tuned in during our first season, gaining insights and understanding from our diverse array of guest entrepreneurs. Or maybe you're joining us for the first time, eager to embark on this entrepreneurial journey.

In our revamped series, we're diving deeper, challenging assumptions, and pushing boundaries. We'll be exploring the rapidly-evolving business landscape, the technological innovations reshaping industries, and the resilient spirit of today's founders. From must-know start-up basics to navigating unexpected hurdles, our episodes are crafted to provide you with actionable steps, seasoned advice, and inspiring stories.

But that's not all – we've added new segments, a line-up of globally recognized experts, and real-time case studies from businesses in their infancy stages. Whether you're sketching ideas on a napkin or ready to pitch to investors, "How to Start a Business" is your companion in entrepreneurship. Together, let's ignite passion, define purpose, and build the business of your dreams.

Don't miss an episode – subscribe now and join our vibrant community of innovators and trailblazers! 🚀

So forgive me! This is one of my first video interviews that we had ever completed.

Michelle McCullough is a proven speak and published writer, in addition to being an awesome entrepreneur.

If she had to start over she'd find companies with lots of different products, rebrand them, and sell products that someone others have made.

If it was a business that she started with her daughter, it would be with her jewelry.

If it was an idea that she ran with her son it would relate to Pokémon.

She loves win-win social entrepreneurship ideas that help entrepreneurs in other countries, in 3rd world countries, and help grow their companies.

Jared Richards is meeting with us today, and sharing his new business idea.

He's the founder of Blue House Ski's, and is now launching Coinless Mobile, a technology platform for carwash owners and their customers.

Jared wanted a mobile payment solution at his car wash.

He came up with that idea in November, purchased a booth at the car wash show in April and are in beta right now with a long list of potential customers.

It shows you that you can come up with an idea today, and be up and running in 6 months.

Today we are with Jennifer Davis from The Blueberry Hill, a company that sells cute hats for children, and she will discuss what social networks she uses to grow her business.

It's important not only to build a presence but to drive sales.

She got on social media several years ago and it was much easier then. People saw her content and it was growing.

Then Instagram and Facebook changed their algorithm, and that stopped.

Now she uses ads to sell products via social networks.

She doesn't sell products, she sells an emotion.

They grow a lot more from Pinterest than Instagram but does a lot on both.

Learn more about Jennifer here:

https://theblueberryhill.com/

Today we learn how to get your first retailer to sell your product.

She shares how a small, children's specialty store was interested and placed an order for her first product.

A month later, they placed a $1,000 order.

At the time she sold the product outright. Sometimes others sell on consignment.

Selling on consignment is a good way to get in a store, but it's hard to scale.

Learn how to overcome challenging days as an entrepreneur. Jennifer Davis from The Blueberry Hill.

What makes entrepreneurs make it or break it, is if you keep going.

Sometimes product doesn't ship, things fall apart, but keeping going is the hardest part.

Do you watch Netflix tonight, or do you work on your business? Do you work until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, or do you just keep going. :)

Learn how to get your first retail partner with Jennifer Davis from The Blueberry Hill.

For the first 2-3 months Jennifer found a few local stores to resell her products and spent $2,000-3,000 a month ordering products through her.

Jennifer talks about what types of margins to expect, and her process about how to sell through retailers and consignment.

We asked Jennifer Davis from The Blueberry Hill what her first 100 days would look like if she had to start her business over again.

Her first time was trial and error, just learning as she went along. The second time around she'd focus on processes and fulfillment.

She'd skip most of the formal paperwork and start building a brand over a business.

Get a name, pick the industry, and start building a following. Start posting content in that genre even before starting a business.

A lot of how Jennifer grows her Instagram accounts is through loop giveaways.

This helps to get exposure with the other company's websites.