Small Business Origins

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley welcomes sales expert Walter Crosby from the Sales and Cigars Podcast and Helix Sales Development. Walter dives deep into the world of sales strategies, the intricate dynamics of sales teams, and the essential mindset needed to thrive in business. They share insights on the importance of culture, leadership, and personal development in driving sales success.

• The connection between personal experiences and professional success.
• The significance of sales skills and mindset for entrepreneurs.
• Strategies for establishing a productive work environment and cultivating team culture.
• Identifying the real issues within a sales process rather than jumping to solutions.
• The importance of setting realistic expectations and understanding client needs.

• “Experience is the name I give to my mistakes.” - Walter emphasizes how learning from failure shapes future success.
• Work-Life Balance: Both John and Walter discuss the necessity for time freedom and how it directly impacts personal life and professional satisfaction.
• Sales Dynamics: Walter discusses how mediocrity within teams can hinder overall performance and the importance of having the right people in place to drive success.
• Custom Solutions: Instead of offering generic training, Walter focuses on identifying specific problems to create tailored solutions for clients.

• Walter Crosby: "You need to be the salesperson that that prospect needs you to be."
• John Kelley: "If you enjoy what you do, truly enjoy it. If it fulfills you and brings you joy inside, then you're not working."
• Walter Crosby: “Mediocrity kills performance across the board.”

• 00:00 - Intro Music and Introduction
• 00:32 - John Kelley introduces Walter Crosby
• 02:18 - Icebreaker question about unlimited vacation
• 10:40 - Discussion on work-life balance
• 19:40 - Walter shares his entrepreneurial origin story
• 32:06 - Strategies for successful sales leadership
• 46:43 - Importance of aligning values and expectations in business
• 55:01 - Insights on personal branding and sales strategy

• Walter Crosby's Book: Sales Integrator - Learn how to ensure your sales team is effectively integrated into your organization.
• Sales and Cigars Podcast - Find episodes featuring discussions on sales strategies, personal growth, and more.
• Connect with Walter on LinkedIn: Walter Crosby's LinkedIn and website.

Other Links:

John The Marketer

Sponsor (Wingman)

Beefy Marketing (Start Your Own Podcast)

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Small Business Origins and leave us a review! Share this episode with fellow entrepreneurs and engage with us on social media. Join us next week for more inspiring stories from business leaders about their unique journeys. Stay beefy, my friends!

In this episode of the Small Business Origins podcast, host John Kelley interviews Jason Hassenstab, the founder of Elevated Development. The conversation dives deep into Jason's personal journey, his entrepreneurial spirit, and the development process of real estate in the growing Tomball area. Listeners gain insights into construction, real estate investment, and building community, making it a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in real estate development.

• Background Stories: Jason reflects on his childhood experiences in the construction business, influenced by his family's legacy.
• Career Path: His journey from working as an intern at Kiewit to establishing Elevated Development in Texas.
• Development Strategies: Discussion of land opportunities, types of projects undertaken, and the dynamics of working with home builders.
• Community Building: The importance of contributing to the local community and embracing new families in Tomball.
• Investment Opportunities: Insight into creative structures that benefit landowners and developers alike.

• Networking is Key: Jason emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the community to find opportunities and collaborate on projects.
• Long-Term Vision: Development is a long-term investment that requires patience and strategic planning, often taking years to bear fruit.
• Flexibility in Structures: There are various ways to partner with landowners and investors that allow for creativity and shared successes.

• “Participating in the community's growth is essential to ensuring its prosperity.” - Jason Hassenstab
• “When you think of developers, you might think about the transactions, but at the heart of it is a passion for building something meaningful.” - Jason Hassenstab
• “You don’t have to have a million dollars; having the right network can open doors to investment opportunities.”- Jason Hassenstab

• [00:00:00] - Intro and Welcome
• [00:01:10] - Icebreaker: If you weren’t doing this, what would you be known for?
• [00:05:04] - Jason’s Background and Early Influences
• [00:12:14] - Transition to Elevated Development
• [00:19:24] - Discussion on Development Strategies
• [00:28:07] - The Importance of Community and Family
• [00:37:44] - Networking and Investment Opportunities
• [00:58:00] - Closing Thoughts and Advice

• Website: Elevated Development
• Contact Jason: [email protected] | Phone: (402) 639-4325
• Sponsor: Wingman | Beefy Marketing
• Host: John The Marketer | Phone: (346) 534-7200

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe to the Small Business Origins podcast for more inspiring stories and insights from entrepreneurs. Leave us a review and share with your friends to help spread the word! Join the conversation and connect with us on social media for updates and additional content!

In this episode of the Small Business Origins podcast, host John The Marketer welcomes Teresa and Bryan from The Hutson Group, a prominent development and property management company based in Tomball, Texas. Another feature of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation, they share their family's journey into real estate, the importance of preserving the town's historical charm, and their commitment to supporting local businesses. The conversation dives into family legacy, community impact, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives their work in Old Town Tomball.

Topics:

• The origin story of The Hutson Group and their path into real estate (0:00 - 10:00)
• Balancing commercial development with preservation of local history (10:00 - 30:00)
• Building community through strategic business partnerships and grant opportunities with local economic development corporations (30:00 - 45:00)
• Focus on local businesses and the importance of a well-planned and cohesive commercial environment (45:00 - 1:05:00)
• Personal anecdotes and stories about transforming historic buildings (1:05:00 - 1:20:00)
• The role of family and collaboration in business success (1:20:00 - 1:35:00)

Key Insights:

• The Hutson family's focus is not just on profit but on building a vibrant community and supporting small local businesses (0:00 - 10:00).
• A strong partnership with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation plays a crucial role in facilitating local development and helping businesses thrive (30:00 - 45:00).
• The intention behind leasing spaces is to foster businesses that contribute positively to the community, rather than just filling vacancies (45:00 - 1:05:00).
• Personal stories shared by Teresa and Bryan highlight the importance of legacy, creativity in business, and preserving history within Tomball (1:05:00 - 1:20:00).

Notable Quotes:

• "We're going to keep doing this as long as we're still having fun." – Bryan on maintaining passion in business (1:37:51).
• "We want to choose a business for a particular building or area that will gel with the businesses around it." – Teresa discussing tenant selection and community cohesion (1:27:48).

Timestamps:

• Intro and Icebreaker: 0:00 - 5:00
• Hudson Group Overview: 5:00 - 10:00
• Impact of EDC on Community Development: 30:00 - 45:00
• Personal Anecdotes about Property Transformations: 1:05:00 - 1:20:00
• Importance of Family in Business: 1:20:00 - 1:35:00
• Final Thoughts and Takeaways: 1:35:00 - 1:40:00

Relevant Resources:

• For more information about The Hutson Group, visit The Hutson Group Website
• Explore local businesses in Tomball: Visit Tomball
• Economic Development Corporation: Tomball EDC
• Sponsor: "Every business needs a Wingman"

P.S.

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Small Business Origins is recorded and produced by Beefy Marketing

In this engaging episode of Small Business Origins, host John The Marketer sits down with Matt Lawrence, founder of Lone Star Development, to explore the journey of building a family-owned real estate development company deeply rooted in community values. From growing up in a small Texas town surrounded by entrepreneurship to managing multi-million-dollar development projects in Tomball, Matt shares insights on balancing work, family, and business growth. Discover how Lone Star Development transforms properties with a people-first approach and works hand-in-hand with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation to foster local business success.

Key Topics Discussed:

- The evolution of their definition of success: from flashy dreams to focusing on integrity, family, and community respect (00:02:14)

- Matt's entrepreneurial roots growing up in a family car wash business, including his international experience managing a major car wash in Germany (00:17:12)

- Transitioning from family legacy to founding Lone Star Development, rebranding from a “mom and pop” model to a full-service development company (00:22:27)

- Challenges and rewards of managing construction, leasing, and property management within development (00:24:59)

- Importance of community engagement and creating developments that reflect neighborhood needs—not just quick profit (00:48:44)

- The vital partnership with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to secure grants, support, and tenant connections (01:10:05)

- Overview of Lone Star’s projects including the Hufsmith-Kohrville Business Park in Tomball and the upcoming Theis/Cherry development (01:02:27 and 01:31:40)

- How Lone Star Development supports small business tenants—from fledgling startups to expanding operations—offering flexible leasing and hands-on support (00:56:19)

- The future direction of development in Tomball, balancing city infrastructure, community growth, and thoughtful planning (01:17:35)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

- “Success, to me, is holding true to your promise—being a man of integrity and being respected by your community.” (00:02:35) - Matt Lawrence

- “We really see all of our tenants as partners. If they're successful, we’re successful.” (01:01:00) - Matt Lawrence

- “If you build something and the community doesn’t like it, it’s pretty much not going to be successful.” (00:49:50) - Matt Lawrence

- “The Tomball EDC has been 10 out of 10 to work with. They’re really there to help local businesses grow.” (01:10:05) - Matt Lawrence

- “We’re focused on building a brand and a community, not just structures.” (00:22:41) - Matt Lawrence

Episode Timestamps:

- 00:00 – Introduction & Icebreaker on defining success

- 00:17 – Matt’s origin story and family background in business

- 00:22 – Founding Lone Star Development and vision for growth

- 00:24 – Daily realities of construction and property management

- 00:48 – Community engagement and tenant relationships

- 01:00 – Collaborations with Tomball Economic Development Corporation

- 01:02 – Highlighting key development projects in Tomball and Kemah Texas

- 01:14 – Importance of city infrastructure and balanced development planning

- 01:31 – Future developments and investor partnerships

- 01:37 – Closing remarks and final thoughts

Relevant Links & Resources:

- Lone Star Development Website: lonestardevelopment.com

- Tomball Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Explore Tomball EDC

- Sponsor: Wingman – Streamline your marketing and sales workflow

If you enjoyed this deep dive into Lone Star Development's community-driven approach, please subscribe to Small Business Origins for more inspiring entrepreneur stories. Leave us a review and share this episode with friends and fellow business enthusiasts. Connect with John Kelley and Lone Star Development through their website to learn about leasing opportunities or future investments. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay updated with new episodes and behind-the-scenes content!

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Small Business Origins. Stay Beefy, my friends!

This episode of the Small Business Origins podcast features guest Alexis Haselberger, a time management and productivity coach from San Francisco. She shares her personal journey into entrepreneurship and coaching, as well as advice for improving efficiency, prioritization, planning, focus, and more. You'll hear all about how she got started, and how she can help you.

Main discussion points:

- Alexis' transition from working at startups to starting her own business

- Common time management myths and mistakes

- Strategies for productivity, planning, prioritization

- Building sustainable habits

- Managing distractions and notifications

Guest Bio:

Alexis Haselberger is a time management and productivity coach who helps people do more and stress less through coaching, workshops and online courses.  Her pragmatic, yet fun, approach helps people easily integrate practical, realistic strategies into their lives so that they can do more of what they want and less of what they don't.  Alexis has taught thousands of individuals to take control of their time and her clients include Google, Lyft, Workday, Capital One, Upwork and more.

Key Quotes:

"I had worked in startups and I was familiar with entrepreneurship...I just didn't think about it for me." (00:05:47)

"There are a number of different traits, tendencies, scales where they have something to do with how we get things done. And knowing about ourselves helps us to build sustainable strategies." (00:20:39)

"I teach science backed habit strategies that help us with that...we also talk about strategies and teach people strategies so that they can sort of create focus out of thin air when you need to because sometimes you need to." (00:28:32, 00:29:47)

Links Mentioned:

Guest Website

Guest Instagram

Guest Facebook

Guest YouTube

Guest LinkedIn

Beefy Marketing

Trust Your Wingman (Sponsor)

John Kelley's Links

This episode we speak with Tiago Fiara, a solopreneur, business coach, and consultant from Portugal. Hear Tiago's journey from working at Google to becoming an entrepreneur, the common traps entrepreneurs fall into, and advice for starting and growing a business.

Main Discussion Points:

- Leaving corporate jobs to pursue entrepreneurial dreams

- Dealing with "shiny object syndrome" and lack of focus

- Importance of getting a business coach/consultant

- Steps for identifying your target customer and finding product/market fit

- Leveraging your existing network to generate leads and sales

Guest Bio:

My name is Tiago Faria, and I help coaches, mentors, consultants and other professionals in the help industry to unearth premium dream clients from their current follower/subscriber lists. My “Anti-Marketing Method” is based on 3 pillars: turning generic services into irresistible offers, turning your contact network into your own sales team, and uncovering dream clients that are hidden in your current audiences.

Key Quotes:

"It takes a lot of time to do something that is extremely necessary, but most of us avoid it...talking to people first." (Tiago at 02:39)

"The power of everything that works in business world is to be consistent and choose something simple and just do it until it works." (Tiago at 19:53)

"I focus more on people that work in this kind of industry, people that generate results for others, service providers, coaches, consultants..." (Tiago at 27:23)

Links Mentioned:

Tiago's Website

Tiago's YouTube

Tiago's Facebook

Tiago's LinkedIn

Tiago's Podcast YouTube

Beefy Marketing

Our Sponsor: Wingman

John Kelley's Links

Small Business Origins Online

This episode of Small Business Origins features Sabrina Osso, the founder of OSSO Safe, an organization working to prevent domestic violence through education and technology. The conversation covers Sabrina's childhood experiences with domestic violence, the inspiration behind starting OSSO Safe, and details on their core product offering for landlords and property managers.

Main Discussion Points:

- Sabrina's challenging upbringing in a home with domestic violence and her realization that she wanted to help others in similar situations

- An overview of the OSSO Safe certification program that combines education and technology to promote safety and prevent violence in homes

- How the program works - it includes a policy, seminar, app to detect violent movements, and assigned therapists to properties

- Ideal customers being landlords, property owners and managers to implement this across rental properties

- Pricing details - $125 per unit, one-time fee for landlords to get properties OSSO Safe certified

Guest Bios:

Sabrina Osso is Founder and CEO of OSSO SAFE…Feel safe where you live, work, and play. She is a TEDx Speaker, Author, and Real Estate Agent on promoting safety and preventing violence in the workplace, schools, and in places of residence. Sabrina’s personal and professional experience with the subject allows her to bring a unique and holistic approach as a solution. She is also a professional dancer/teacher who uses her performance abilities to educate on the subject. As a real estate agent, Sabrina is bridging the real estate industry with Osso Safe.

Key Quotes:

"If you're not safe at home, you're not safe anywhere." (00:18:43)

"Enough is enough. Let's nip it in the bud. Let's solve it in residency where all of these violence abuse episodes happen." (00:24:48)

"I always blamed myself. In fact, I would say I am responsible for my parents' marriage, like making it okay." (00:16:05)

Links Mentioned:

OSSO Safe Online

OSSO Safe on X (Formerly Twitter)

OSSO Instagram

Sabrina Osso on Facebook

OSSO Safe on YouTube

Sabrina Osso on LinkedIn

Sabrina Osso on TikTok

Amazon Link

Beefy Marketing

Small Business Origins Online

John Kelley's Links

Our Sponsor (Wingman)

This podcast episode features entrepreneur Chris Joyce discussing his company Gusher, which helps founders build startups without needing external funding. He provides insight into leveraging "sweat equity" and performance-based partnerships to get ideas off the ground. Gusher is a facilitator for startups, without a big investment needed.

Key Discussion Points:

- Origins of Gusher after seeing barriers entrepreneurs faced in securing traditional VC funding

- Using "performance-based equity" model to build startups with expertise rather than money

- Recruiting team members who believe in the idea and will work in exchange for equity

- Case studies of companies launched successfully on Gusher platform

- Mindset shift around believing you can start a business without seed funding

- Resources Gusher provides like support, structure, applicant pool to staff your startup

Guest Bio:

Chris Joyce is a prolific entrepreneur who has founded 24 companies across high tech, consumer goods, health, and manufacturing. His innovative products have reached over 11,000 stores in 23 countries, with tech users in 148 countries worldwide. Recognizing that many great ideas and entrepreneurs were being overlooked for superficial reasons, Chris created Gusher to ensure that anyone with a groundbreaking idea has the opportunity to succeed. His mission is to democratize the startup process, allowing the market to judge the viability of ideas rather than traditional gatekeepers. Chris's extensive experience and commitment to innovation make him a compelling guest with invaluable insights into entrepreneurship.

Company Bio:

Gusher democratizes the startup process, enabling entrepreneurs to launch ventures without traditional investors or capital. Using performance-based equity, Gusher connects founders with skilled collaborators, allowing ideas to come to life across various industries, including technology, media, health, design, finance, and gaming. By eliminating traditional barriers, Gusher empowers innovative ideas to succeed based on their merit in the market.

Quotes:

"I had to contact more than 500 food chemists that told me it couldn't be done. It shouldn't be done. It wouldn't be done. I had PhDs telling me to go F myself." (00:15:12)

Links Mentioned:

Gusher Website

Beefy Marketing

Small Business Origins Website

John Kelley's Links

Wingman (Sponsor)

This episode of the Small Business Origins podcast features guest David Encarnacion, the founder of Day Care Accounting Pro. They discuss David's journey into entrepreneurship, from working various jobs like driving a cab and bartending while attending college, to becoming a stockbroker and eventually an accountant focused on helping daycares. If you have tax questions and would like to limit your liability, this episode is for you!

Main discussion points:

- The importance of tax planning for small businesses instead of just tax preparation

- Common mistakes David sees daycares making with their taxes and entity structure

- How proper bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes can help daycares grow their business and retain more of their income

- Actionable tax strategies listeners can implement like retirement contributions and bonus depreciation

Guest Bio:

David is a Tax Strategist, Speaker and Founder of Daycare AccountingPRO. David runs a boutique accounting practice exclusively servicing the Daycare Industry for over 10yrs. David and his team provide modern-day accounting tactics & strategies to help Daycare Owners increase profits, cut cost, pay the least amount to the IRS and put owners on the road where they can focus on building their business so they can ultimately enjoy peace of mind. David has put together a team of strategic thinkers focused on exploring tax strategies, uncovering hidden gems in the tax code, and executing outside-the-box tactics that will increase revenues, save on taxes, and bring unsurmountable VALUE to the Daycare Industry. If Owners are not as financially successful as they want to be, the team will help them to get there. David’s mantra is “Daycare Owners suffer from an inherent number of challenges; Accounting should NOT be one”.

Key Quotes:

"Everyone talks about, without naming any names, all these companies and individuals that are paying 0 in taxes or very little. Well, guess what? That's what you should be following." [00:20:29]

"If you're paying tax, you're in a group that doesn't know." [00:36:33]

"How much business can you bring in if you had an additional 43 days?" [talking about spending less time on bookkeeping] [00:43:43]

Links Mentioned:

Daycare AccountingPRO Online

X (Twitter)

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

LinkedIn

TikTok

Beefy Marketing

Small Business Origin Online

Sponsor: Wingman

John Kelley's Links

This episode of Small Business Origins features Kat Polsinelli, founder of Agent Services Plus and host of the "A Real Chat with Kat" podcast. They have an insightful conversation about Kat's origin story, from getting pregnant at 16 and overcoming an abusive relationship, to finding purpose in entrepreneurship and coaching. Listeners can expect to learn about limiting beliefs, rebuilding after trauma, the importance of networking and collaborating, and Kat's unique approach to business coaching.

Main Discussion Points:

- Overcoming trauma and limiting beliefs

- Leaving an abusive relationship and starting over

- Finding purpose in helping others through entrepreneurship

- The importance of networking and collaborating

- Taking a collaborative approach to business coaching rather than one-on-one

Guest Bio: Kat Polsinelli

Kat is a passionate individual with a goal of helping others get out of their head and into what they love. She is a business organizing powerhouse and a personal development strategist. She uses her personal stories and the skills she has developed as a unique way to approach helping others. She strives to help others feel more seen not only by others but by themselves as well but helping them grow their mind as well as their business.

Key Quotes:

"If you don't work through them, it's going to eventually affect you. And for some of us, it can be very dramatic, and it can tear businesses down. It can tear relationships apart." [00:08:38]

"I love sharing people's stories, other podcasts. I share their websites, like, anything I can because if someone in my group coaching or someone that's listening finds that they connect better with them, that's who I want them to connect with." [00:22:39]

Links Mentioned:

Agent Services Plus Online

Facebook

Instagram

Beefy Marketing

Small Business Origins

Every Business Needs a Wingman

John Kelley's Links