Mike and Mayra have many years of experience making tough decisions and coping in difficulty times. However, 2021 turned out to be more than a tough year. Like many other entrepreneurs, Mike and Mayra found themselves struggling to keep their business operational. Even so, they rolled with the punches and kept their mind on positive thoughts by immersing themselves into a book project based on their personal story.

Mike and Mayra return after months of unexpected problems that kept them busy and explain how the pandemic affected their small business. In this short episode, they provide an explanation behind their absenteeism and express their optimistic outlook for a fresh new start.

Client management, also referred to as customer relationship management (CRM), refers to how a company handles and develops its relationship with customers and future clients. Client management is important for businesses of all shapes and sizes because satisfied customers are more likely to buy more products or services from that business, leave positive reviews that will build brand reputation and trust. Plus, it brings in new customers either through word of mouth or through a referral program.

This week, Mike and Mayra discuss the attributes of a successful client management business.

Red Nose Day is a campaign to help children living in poverty in America and around the world.

Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day raises money and awareness to ensure children who need our help the most are safe, healthy and educated. The last Red Nose Day was on Thursday, May 21, 2020. On that day, millions of Americans, celebrities and businesses came together to fundraise, donate, and tune in for a special night of programming on NBC.

Mike and Mayra share their experience participating in the
annual Red Nose Day campaign.  

What does pricing in 2021 look like? The answer is...it depends!

Of course social media and web presence will continue to be important in the year. However, how you price your product or service will take center stage in 2021 due to the prolonged uncertainty surrouding the present state of the COVID-19 at least until vaccines reach the general public. Mike and Mayra discuss how business owners must adapt their pricing strategy to stay afloat amid pandemic.

Staying alive during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has been tough. However, year 2021 does not seem like it will be any better as quickly as we’d like. No doubt, the business world has been rattled in the wake of Covid-19. The unexpected chain of events due to the economic decline have led to stressful situations. Many employees have lost their jobs and entire businesses had to permanently close their doors. Despite the uncertain times, entrepreneurs must manage to adapt and make it through. Remaining steady during these times is critical.

In this show, Mike and Mayra discuss strategies business owners can immediately use to make pivots to keep forging ahead.

There are plenty of occasions that call for giving your employees gifts such as Christmas, birthdays, to say thank you for their help in building your business or simply to celebrate an accomplishment. In any of those cases, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to show someone you appreciate them – especially during Christmas time. Buying presents for your staff may seem like a generous thing to do, but it is very doable if you plan ahead and put a price limit on gifts.

Mike and Mayra remind us that regardless of what you decide to do, showing appreciation to those who helped you get through the year is a nice gesture that shouldn't break the bank. Plus, the best gifts are the ones that you put much thought into. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas in a big way or not, there is no reason to forgo any party ideas due to cost constraints. You'll still want to keep the festivities fun and that may seem challenging if your startup or small business is on a shoestring budget. Fortunately, there are literally dozens of ways to host an amazing company party - without breaking the bank!  

This week, Mike and Mayra share their ideas for hosting your party while keeping cost to a minimum and the fun factor to a maximum. 

In order to have a successful company, you must have the right product, a well-thought-out process and the right people working for you. Internships can be a powerful vetting process. So, the idea of using interns to develop a talent pipeline is a no-brainer. Plus, it helps provide a trial run for them as much as a trial run for you. But, if your internship program is poorly run, there is no long-term benefit.

Mike and Mayra discuss how a well-established internship programs can help you to attract the best talent from your local colleges and universities.