Making It Work

We all make mistakes. And making mistakes can be frustrating, even if we all know, deep down, that's the best way to learn. But when you've raised the stakes and invested all of your time, energy and money into a brand new business, that frustration can turn into disaster and failure. The question is, at what point does a mistake go from 'vital life lesson' to 'end of the road'? In Season 3, Episode 9 of Making It Work, we speak to Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers and Ana Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So what are the most common catastrophes for a fledgling company? And is making mistakes a crucial component of success? Tune in to find out.

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We've all thought about quitting our jobs. Some may have even fantasized about it. But while most of us are waiting for that lottery payout before we march into our boss's office, entrepreneurs will have to bite the bullet at some point. The burning question is: when? In Season 3, Episode 8 of Making It Work, we speak to Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Dana Donofree of AnaOno and Ana Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So how do you know when to take the plunge and hand in your notice? And is there ever really a good time to do it? Tune in to find out.

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Small business owners can have a big problem with micromanagement. But one person's toxic work culture can be another's collaborative approach, and when you own your own business, striving for perfection can mean you're a stickler for a tried-and-tested method. So is micromanagement even a bad thing? In Season 3, Episode 7 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers and Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters. So why do so many entrepreneurs turn into micromanagers? And what can you do to avoid becoming one? Tune in to find out.

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We've already given the Making It Work entrepreneurs quite the grilling this season. So as they take time out to source new suppliers and update their investors, Tom got a class in 'culture' from HR Influencer Ben Brooks. In this Season 3 'Ask the Expert' special of Making It Work we talk to PILOT CEO Ben Brooks about why a distinct company culture is vital for sustained success and why diversity might not be for you. Let's see how this 'no size fits all' approach to culture and diversity can benefit you as an entrepreneur. So can a clear company culture really benefit a small business? Or is it all just a consultancy cash cow? Tune in to find out. You can find Ben Brooks on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or on pilot.coach

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"Got a minute? We'd love to hear your feedback" is a phrase we've all become familiar with. Whether it's through a pop-up, email or good old-fashioned phone call, small businesses are keener than ever to know what we think. But in an era of social media and online reviews, is this candid criticism always welcome? In Episode 3, Season 6 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and And Van Pelt and Kirsten Colter of Niche Snowboards. So how do you distinguish constructive critics from the habitual haters? And, at the end of the day, can you really please everyone? Tune in to find out.

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SEO is the holy grail of online marketing. But optimizing your content to rank higher on Google can be easier said than done, especially if you're an entrepreneur who's strapped for time and strapped for cash. Let's see how these business owners create content that reflects their brand story, and how you can do the same – on a budget. In Episode 5, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do you create content that really converts? And is setting up a blog all a waste of time? Tune in to find out.

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The pandemic really boosted online shopping and home deliveries, paving the way for a whole different kind of retail therapy: the unboxing experience. After all, retail stores don't really care about the box that products are delivered in – but if you buy direct from a small business, you want to know the story behind their product. Let's find out how entrepreneurs perfect their packaging. In Episode 4, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Graham Veysey and Fisk Biggar of Graham+Fisk's Wine-In-A-Can, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do you create that doorstep 'wow' factor? And can you deliver it on a budget? Tune in to find out.

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We all have personal goals. But, as we strive to achieve them, it can be difficult to recognize those milestones along the way. By their own admission entrepreneurs have chosen a vocation with no end in sight, but with this limitless potential comes fierce determination – hardly a recipe for celebrating success. In Episode 3, Season 3 of Making It Work, we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Chait Razdan of Care+Wear, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So how do small business owners celebrate their accomplishments? And why are some of them so bad at it? Tune in to find out.

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In a 'next day delivery world' we're used to getting the products we buy, fast. But what does this mean for the entrepreneurs who make them? In pursuit of high quality goods and that rapid last mile, small businesses are enduring piles of paperwork, material shortages and longer lead times than ever. And that was before the pandemic. In Season 3 Episode 2 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Logan LaMance of Kanga Coolers. So will the supply chain ever get back to where it was? And couldn't our entrepreneurs just make their stuff in the US? Tune in to find out.

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When it comes to recruitment, entrepreneurs are now culture vultures. Interview questions used to be limited to past experience, salary expectations and your biggest weakness. Now interviewees are expected to bone up on the company culture and commit to embracing its mission and values. But in a tight labor market, does this still make sense? In Season 3 Episode 1 of Making It Work we speak to Stephanie Duncan of Harmony Harvest Farm, Christa Cotton of El Guapo Bitters, Jacquelyn Rodgers of Greentop Gifts and Chait Razdan of Care+Wear. So how do you make sure you get that first hire right? And do people really still lie on their resumes? Tune in to find out.

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