Episode 42 of the Hustle or Bust Podcast focuses on sales, but extends well beyond a successful transaction.  We focus on past war stories that highlight the importance of adding value BEYOND your product or service.  This value creates deep, long term personal relationships.  That’s what separates the average performer in sales from the great ones. 

Sales is extends well beyond generating revenue from customers interested in your product or service.  It’s about the art and science of persuasion.  That persuasion, or leadership extends to all stakeholders:  Employees, suppliers, the community.  Episode 41 we dive into the Art & Science of SALES.  From success traits off effective sales people, common stereotypes, and adding value BEYOND your product. 

Small Businesses need to fight for awareness in a way the big corporation does not have to worry about. Episode 40 we cover a range of Marketing topics. Story-tellingImage-creating, enhancing, and destroying methodsClassic vs digital marketing, and the Prisoner dilemma of 3rd party digital agencies.

Every business will face a crisis, that's a guarantee. What is NOT obvious? WHEN will the crisis happen. On this episode of the Hustle or Bust Podcast, we dive deep into crisis management and how to deal with those existential threats to your business when they happen. A war story of a multi-million dollar disruption and how FAMILY became a detriment, not an asset to a small business owner's ownership. Support networks are key, choose wisely.

A special episode with the return home to PAVERART by Ken Bull, an original founder of PAVERART. Now? A Chief Operating Officer at Five Below, one of the country's most successful, high-growth retailers. We covered the intricate planning of PAVERART's beginning days, actually covering 2 years PRIOR to its start. This was our first episode in the new Hustle or Bust Studios, so early that we didn't even have a sign! Also of note? We just passed our 20th anniversary, so welcoming Ken back to the place he co-founded was truly special.

We dive into a topic that needs to be talked about: Mental Health. We all have our battles we fight. This episode started as an impromptu discussion and Mike said "This needs to be broadcasted, it can help others." The mental freight train is an ONSLAUGHT of brain activity, anxiety, stress, and to-do lists that are unrelenting all rolled into one. We also discussed empathy and talent selection. The human aspect of the business is challenging, and this podcast episode covers many of those areas.

What do you get when you combine an Marine, an MBA and a thoughtful approach to building austainable business of true value?  The makings of a successful venture.  Rodney Adams is the Founder of Mr. Home Repair, a new Handyman Business with big aspirations.  This is part 1 and we cover some key areas of branding, what you should think through in the pre-planning stage, and hiring your first employee. 

Reg Zeller is the Founder and CEO of Cane Kast, a fast growing manufacturing business he acquired in 2017.  As you’ll hear in this episode, Reg’s background in Corporate America gave him both the foundational experience AND the motivation to take a shot on his own.  He’s taken the strengths of his past and tried to shed some of the “bad stuff” as he’s charted his business on a hyper growth trajectory.  We cover all facets of scaling a small manufacturing business through a roll-up/acquisition strategy.  Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) is a massive opportunity, but it is too often glamorized as a deal making gaming.  That’s important, but it’s MAYBE 5% of the hard work needed for successful outcomes.

Episode 32 brings you Part 2 with Robert Phillips, owner of Phillips Contracting.  We get more clues as to how this business has defied the survival odds for over 2 decades.  Have you ever thought about charging clients for price quotations?  There's a strong case to be made that you SHOULD, and Robert dives into his experiences here.  How about NOT expanding your employee base beyond a core team?  Robert talks about that as well along with his "it's all of us, or none of us" philosophy of running a great business.