Reptile shows are a foundation of the community. Rick Porter has built up  the San Jose Reptile Show in the San Francisco Bay Area with constant growth each year. In this episode he takes behind the scenes and shares with us what it takes to start and run a reptile show.

Josh Willard, CEO of Josh's Frogs, joins me and we talk about the core values that drive Josh's Frogs. Josh is an example of someone who has not lost the amazed wonder that inspires us to want to be involved with reptiles in the first place and that shows itself in the company he has built. From committing to offering only captive bred reptiles and amphibians to funding conservation efforts to offering grants for amphibian research, Josh and his team are showing what a true reptile-focused company can be.

Authenticity is presenting yourself as you are. Why do we feel like we need to be more? Is being the best and smartest and most “right” person in the room the path to success? Here is the truth about authenticity - You do not have to be more than you are to build a following. More so, you will build a stronger following if you come as you are. Today I explore being authentic in what we do.

There is an enormous amount of work that goes into creating and maintaining a content stream whether it be blog, video channel, or podcast. And your content stream is relentless in demanding new material every week or two. There are ways you can be compensated for your hard work which can allow you to invest in the show and help put the roof over your head! Joining me is Dillon Perron from the Animals At Home Network to share how he has monetized his show. Listen in and learn what you can do for your content outreach.

Today I talk with Alex Menke of Frog Daddy who openly shares his experiences starting a dart frog breeding business. More than just talking about dart frogs, Alex gives us an insight into what he is doing to make his business successful. These principles are key to any business. But now you are hearing it from a man who is living it in the reptile community.  

Today we talk about being original in our business approach. The entrepreneurial mindset is that we can create a larger market and we can expand the customer base. We do not have to copy or follow in anyone else's footsteps.

Good morning, Reptile Entrepreneurs! This fine day we will be talking about patents. This is the protection you have to profit from your invention. Everyone loves a good idea. The only thing better than a good idea is a good idea that someone one spent all the effort to develop, prove out, and create a market for. Which isn’t that great when someone else decides to make money off of what you invented! So, it is worth spending some time here exploring what protection is available for inventors. I will be talking with Richard Clarke who is the patent attorney who helped me get my patent on the Dragon Ledges.

The quickest way to prototype a product to prove out a design is to find a manufacturer that makes a similar product who can tweak the design to match your specifications. They then can manufacture the product for you. Today I talk to Todd Goode, president of LightYourReptiles.com, who has spent years working with overseas manufacturers to get his high end and specialty reptile lighting products made. Todd comes on and shares the process so that you have another option for getting your products made.

It is important to create a comprehensive success scenario that ensures that you will be happy when you achieve your entrepreneurial goals. In today's episode I help make sure you don't lose the most important things while chasing your dream. 

Breeding reptiles is a dream job for many of us. And there are some people who have been able to make it work enough that that is what they do. Today I talk with Josh Dovenbarger from Phantom Dragons. Josh is one of the top breeders of bearded dragons and shares with us how he built this business, what his life is like, and his advice to anyone who would like to breed reptiles for a living.