Today on the Mentors and Moguls podcast, Heather is talking to Casey Graham. He’s the found and CEO of Gravy, the leading field payment, payment recovery, and customer retention system for business with recurring revenue. This week, Casey is discussing the COVID-19 small business stimulus package and how it impacts your small business.

The way Casey sees it is this: never in history has a virus impacted the world the way it is. It has created a small business disaster and shutdown which has stimulated a capital market recession. There is an underlying fear in the market. People either fight, flight, or freeze. Gravy helps people understand that fight and flight are both options, but freezing isn’t good for anyone. 

The discuss the CAREs act and what it means for small businesses. At the time of this recording, across two phases, 2 trillion dollars has been set aside for small business funding. For the first time, you have the government, banks, and small businesses all relying on each other.  The government is saying that they want you to keep your people employed. If your business has been in place since February, has under 500 employees, and have been impacted by COVID-19, you will get a forgivable loan if you use the loan to stay in business. They discuss who can file and how, and the importance of the act itself.

Casey breaks down important details and offers his advice on how to best leverage the stimulus package. He points out potential pitfalls to keep an eye out for and shares the functional process behind getting the forgivable loan. Then, he talks about the timeline of receiving the approved loan and how the money gets to your business. The amount you get is based on your average payroll and divide it by twelve. From that average, you multiply it by 2.5--this is what will be deposited to your account. There are limits on how many employees and how much you can receive. Essentially, this loan becomes a grant should you spend it on approved expenses. 

Tune in to listen to Casey’s expert advice!

Welcome back to the Mentors and Moguls podcast with your host, Heather Stone! Today’s guest is the late, great TJ Lang, former NFL star who has pivoted his professional life in some incredible ways. He’s on the show today to share his wisdom, experience, and what has made him into the wonderful person he is today.

TJ shares with us what gets him up in the morning. When there are times when he feels like he just can’t do it in the morning, he remembers the motivation he got from his teammates when he was in the league. He knew that when he was hurting and didn’t want to do the work, there was always someone else who was in the same boat and still showing up. He wasn’t afraid to have a bad play, he was most afraid of letting his teammates down. He dedicated himself to extending his career and became the best player he could.

His role models growing up were his parents. The work ethic his father had to make the city better and the motivation he had rubbed off on him. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how big and strong you are if you don’t put in the work. That’s something he’s lived by to this day. 75% of his game was mental. If he was going in 100% confident, he would get it done.

Now that he’s retired, TJ is looking to stay involved with the game. For him, whatever it is he lands in, he wants to dabble in as many areas as he can--radio, TV, advisory roles, you name it. That way, when he decides what it is he is most passionate about, he’ll be more prepared.

Things You’ll Learn

On today’s episode, you’ll get a window into the wisdom, experience, and expertise from former NFL star, TJ Lang. He shares what motivates him, the sort of person he aspires to be, and what made him into the wonderful person he is today.

Welcome to the premiere episode of the Mentors and Moguls podcast with your host, Heather Stone! Today’s guest is the lovely LaTasha Wilson Batch. Latasha is the executive director of the Best of the Batch Foundation, a 20-year-old educational-based organization that impacts more than 3,800 children across 8 counties in Pennsylvania.

A concept that LaTasha and her foundation are built on is prioritizing what kids love to do. By going back to basics, they landed on a basketball program. They were able to establish a family environment and cultivate a community by offering the program for free and in the evening hours when parents may still be working. The trick was, in order to play in the league, you need to attend a study hall. So, to play, you need to read!

When times were difficult, LaTasha is reminded of her purpose when she gets that hug when she first sees the children she is helping. That little extra light is what keeps her going after all these years. Even on the worst days, she knows she is there to help children grow into successful, intelligent, motivated adults no matter the situation they are in. Attending the college graduation of former program-goers and hearing that they want to return to volunteer is the foundation of what has made the organization so impactful.

When she looks back at all the lives shes effected, the first word that comes to mind is “complete.” It’s a cycle--negativity can breed the same. For her, it’s about breaking that cycle and starting a new one--children growing up and coming back to mentor more children.

LaTasha talks about more of the incredible programs the Best of the Batch Foundation provides and offers her wisdom on how she keeps the success rolling in.

What You’ll Learn

On today’s episode, LaTasha fills us in who her foundation is, it’s principles, how it operates, and what programs they offer. She also shares the wisdom she’s gained from running such an incredible organization for the past 20 years and the profound impact it has on the children in her area.

LINKS

http://batchfoundation.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/latashawilsonbatch/

Twitter: @lamay34

Join our host, Heather Stone, as we dive into the first episode of the Mentors and Moguls Podcast. Today, we’re sitting down with a diverse panel of expert, professional women for a roundtable discussion where they share their best career advice from the female perspective.

For many women, there is an ‘a-ha!’ moment where they discover a career path or a calling that resonates with them. When you land in a place where going to work feels natural, that’s when you know it’s where you’re meant to be. Sometimes, even on the most stressful of days, the next morning is still exciting and fresh. There could even be opportunities that may logically tell you to pursue them—more money, better location, you name it. But when you are invested in what your purpose is, you find yourself feeling like there is more work to be done.

The ladies discuss their personal mentors. For some, their mentors have been male--especially in male-dominated industries. For those who have had both female and male mentors, they felt that they were able to be more open with their female mentors. Bonds form quickly!

Balancing work and life can be incredibly difficult. In the end, it comes down to communication. There is a lot of juggling of every child’s schedule--gymnastics, art, music, soccer, you name it. Google Calendars and Whiteboards go a long way!

They chat about negotiation from the perspective of a woman. For some, backing down simply isn’t an option. If there is something that will elevate their team or their family, fighting for it is worth the value. If it benefits other people, it’s no problem, but if it’s for themselves, it’s a different story. Sometimes it doesn’t come naturally! The desire to want to please everyone can overwhelm the want for a raise or for a change. The truth is, if you don’t go and get it, you won’t get it. Dress the part and fill the role! Negotiation only happens if you have the confidence to do it. Confidence comes from believing you have the knowledge and HAVING the knowledge.

Tune in to listen to this week’s genuine, candid conversation!

What You’ll Learn

In today’s episode, you’ll get a window into a roundtable discussion between a group of professional women. They discuss their mentors, their career choices, confidence, and much, much more.