Student Built Startups

Summary:
On today's episode, Nikko Zopfi, the Founder of MasteredMedia, LeadGoat, and BetterOptions, will be sharing his story along with some great tips about starting a business from nothing and taking your first steps towards success.

For the complete show notes and time stamps head over to StudentBuiltStartups.com

Where You Can Find Nikko:

• Nikko's Facebook
• Schedule A Call 
• Discord / Community Invite 

Audible Advertisement:

Audible is one of the best ways to "read" more books and learn how to start and grow your business. Start your free trial with Audible today and get access to massive amounts of knowledge in the form of audio-books. (If you use my Audible link I will earn a commission) 

Fast five section:

1. Most valuable class or course: Frank Kern's Beginning courses
2. Recommended book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnage
3. Recommended business tool: Alarm clock
4. Scheduling time and planning ahead: Planning the night before
5. Getting focused and staying productive: Healthy diet

Main Takeaway: Don't give up on whatever it is you are currently doing.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnage
• Audible

On today's episode, Brad Preston, a videographer and entrpereneur will be sharing his story along with some great tips about the art of customer service and quantification. 

Where You Can Find Brad:

• Loon Weddings Website
• Loon Weddings Facebook

Show Notes:
[0:47] - Introduction

• Brads first business was a recording studio in his closet at his parents house

[2:41] - Brad's education and entrepreneurial story

• Brad got D's and F's in high school
• Found that he had a love for business and got accepted into Harvard
• Real world experience has a ton of value

[5:40] - Brad's entrepreneurial story

• Recording studio
• General videography
• Wedding videography

[10:00] - Most rewarding part about wedding videography

• Building connections and capturing memories

[11:09] - Brad's number one priority in his business

• Positive customer experience

[14:52] - How Brad has created a brand and culture around his business

• Focus on love, happiness, community, and friendship
• Building a show based on his wedding business called wedding everything 
• Providing value to the marketplace (Facebook groups)

[19:38] - Brad's biggest fear and how he overcame it

• Fear of disappointing people 
• Overcome by doing it for free

[22:48] - Why is customer experience so important

• Karma (when you do good, good comes back to you)
• The rule of reciprocity

[25:08] - How to assess you customer experience and improve it

• One on one relationship building
• Provide value in excess of what they expect

[26:50] - The difference between customer service and customer experience

[29:30] - Audible Advertisement:

Audible is one of the best ways to "read" more books and learn how to start and grow your business. Start your free trial with Audible today and get access to massive amounts of knowledge in the form of audio-books. (If you use my Audible link I will earn a commission) 

[30:15] - Three things you can do to make sure your customers are thoroughly satisfied

• Free to Fee
• Underpromise and Overdeliver
• Presentation and communication

[41:13] - Three ways to build internal company culture?

• You work for your employees, not the other way
• Mannage needs and wants on an every day basis
• Provide valuable infrastructure for each employee
• Meritocracy (promote the employees who deserve it)
• Use a good color scheme thorough your whole brand

[36:30] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class or course: Full time film maker
2. Recommended book: Launch by Jeff Walker
3. Recommended business tool: HoneyBook
4. Method to keep on track: Google Calendar
5. How to get focused and stay productive: Gary Vee

[55:00] - Main Takeaway: Brad is starting his own course about how to start your own business.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Launch by Jeff Walker
• The infinite Game by Simon Sinek
• Audible

On Today's episode, Stephen Griffiths, a business professional in the world of analytics and Insights and the host of the Digging For Insights podcast will be sharing his story along with 5 analytics and insights hacks for entrepreneurs. 

Where You Can Find Stephen:

• Digging For Insights Podcast

Show Notes:
[0:40] - Introduction

• Stephen lived outside the US for 15 years

[1:38] - Stephens education and career experience

• Undergrad in international relations
• Worked for many Fortune 500 firms
• University of Wisconsin Madison (Masters of marketing and Analytics)

[4:45] - What inspired Stephen to start his podcast Digging for Insights

[5:47] - Analytics tips to grow your podcast

• Keep track of tends in Excel

[11:05] - 5 analytics and insights hacks for entrepreneurs

1. Customer advisory boards (using your target customers to get feedback)
2. Use data and benchmarks to make decisions (Compare current data to past data to predict future results)
3. White space maps (look at your competitive market and put it on a map so that you can determine how to differentiate yourself)
4. Experimentation mindset (find out what the least amount of work you need to do in order to get feedback and then pivot based on the feedback and repeat)
5. EDC Framework (Exploratory research, descriptive research, causal research)

[17:30] - Audible Advertisement:

Audible is one of the best ways to "read" more books and learn how to start and grow your business. Start your free trial with Audible today and get access to massive amounts of knowledge in the form of audio-books. (If you use my Audible link I will earn a commission) 

[35:01] - What are the most important parts of the business to get insights from?

• Look at what is the highest priority for your business
• Keep track of everything

[36:30] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class or course: Qualitative research
2. Recommended book: Lean Startup and New to Big
3. Recommended business tool: Excel
4. Method to keep on track: Weekly goals and structure the day into 30 minute blocks
5. Favorite thing about podcasting: Connecting with other people

[41:30] - Main Takeaway: Keep track of your numbers and maintain a perspective of your target customer.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Lean Startup by Eric Ries
• New to Big by David Kidder
• Audible

On Today's episode, I talk about how the podcast launch went and share some of my knowledge about goal setting. Make sure to go download the Perfect Goal Setting Plan PDF so you can follow along.

Perfect Goal Setting Plan:
Sign up for the email list at the bottom of the Student Built Startups Website. A link will be emailed to you to download it.

Show Notes:
[1:09] - How the podcast launch went

• Mistakes
• Things that went well
• Positive feedback

[4:35] - Stats about the podcast, website, Email, and social media

[7:12] - Marketing tactics I used during the launch

• Flyers
• Business cards
• Social Media
• SEO

[33:02] - Audible Advertisement:

Audible is one of the best ways to "read" more books and learn how to start and grow your business. Start your free trial with Audible today and get access to massive amounts of knowledge in the form of audio-books. (If you use my Audible link I will earn a commission)

[10:27] - Where I have learned about goal setting techniques

• Management classes
• Personal training
• Blog posts about goal setting

[11:12] - Make sure your you are setting SMART goals

• Specific 
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely

[17:20] - How to make a goal setting plan

• Steps to take to reach your goals
• Understand your motivations behind your goal
• Break down your goals into smaller goals

[21:00] - I walk through the Perfect Goal Setting Plan PDF

1. Write down your motivations of why you want to reach your goals
2. Write down three reasons why the answer above motivates you
3. Write down your three long term goals
4. Break down your long term goals into five 30 day goals
5. Break down your 30 day goals into five one week goals
6. Create a plan of action for one of your goals
7. write down the resources you will need and the daily actions you will need to take

[27:00] -Tips and tricks about goal setting

• Celebrate reaching your goals at 90%
• The thinking it requires to go from $90,000 to $100,000 is very different from the thinking required to go from $90,000 to $200,000

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Audible

On Today's episode, Justin Lair, a seasoned entrepreneur from the west coast will be sharing his story along with his expertise in the start up process. 

Where You Can Find Justin:

• Fiber Light's Website
• Fiber Light's Instagram
• Fiber Light's Facebook 

Show Notes:
[0:45] - Introduction

• Justin worked for President Bush as a presidential guard

[2:20] - Justin's entrepreneurial story

• Started a DJ business at 15 years old With his best friend
• Justin had a business mentor who walked him through the process
• This is how Justin learned how to start a successful business

[12:23] - The most rewarding part about starting a product based business

• The brand recognition that comes with building a brand around your product
• You become a bit of a "rock-star

[13:47] - How Justin built a brand around Fiber Light

• Defining the right audience and getting in front of them
• Industry trade shows, social media influencers
• Purchased a domain (can be done through Bluehost) and built a website using Shopify

[17:20] - Justin's ugly-baby theory

• Some fall in love with their business so much they fail to see that is is an "ugly baby"

[24:47] - The concept of fear

• Fear can be rationalized so that you can determine what to do to get past it
• Fear and running a business don't go together well 

[33:02] - Audible Advertisement:

Audible is one of the best ways to "read" more books and learn how to start and grow your business. Start your free trial with Audible today and get access to massive amounts of knowledge in the form of audio-books. (If you use my Audible link I will earn a commission) 

[34:21] - Anybody is able to start a business

• If you say you can't do it, that is the reason you can't do it
• Justin started his current business with $200

[39:50] - The 3 Steps of the Start-Up Process

1. Getting in the right mindset and determining how you will differentiate yourself
2. product development, manufacturing, business infrastructure
3. Start a website and drive traffic to it

[46:40] - Getting into big box retailers

• Buyers for retailers go to trade shows to find new products

[44:10] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable learning experience: Marine Core
2. Recommended book: Gary Vaynerchuk (audible)
3. Recommended business tool: Shopify 
4. Method to keep on track: Having a great support team
5. How do you get focused and stay productive: Being passionate about the work 

[59:25] - Main Takeaway: Don't fall in love with your business so much that you are blind to what it actually looks like.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost
• Crush it: by Gary V.
• Audible
• Shopify

On Today's episode, Jason Czeskleba, a voice-over actor and announcer from Minnesota will be sharing his story along with his expertise in voice-over acting and announcing. 

Where You Can Find Jason:

• Dynamic Voice Talent Website
• Jason's Instagram
• Jason's Facebook 

Show Notes:
[1:00] - Introduction

• Jason recently released a song called The Journey - Letters from the Lion 

[6:41] - Education in the world of voice-over 

• Research the voice over community and get in touch with voice-over actors

[11:21] - How to build a brand around yourself in the voice-over industry

• Your brand is your voice
• Find your niche and have consistency!

[14:50] - The most rewarding part about doing voice-over work

• Having fun, being yourself, and bringing something to life through emotions
• Jason's most proud moment is doing voice-over for  Making Curling Great Again

[22:10] - Jason's biggest fear when he first started doing voice-over work

• Feeling that he needed to sound perfect
• Nobody knows exactly what they want you to sound like
• Voice-over work is just like art when it comes to perspective

[26:35] - Bluehost Advertisement:

Bluehost is my #1 recommended web hosting provider and I have used it for all of the websites for my current and past businesses. Sign up for Bluehost today to take your first step towards creating your website. (If you use my Bluehost link I will earn a commission) 

[28:02] - The first step to getting started in the voice-over industry

• All you need is a computer, USB microphone, headphones, pop shield, and audacity/garage band
• Find a mentor, start practicing, and create a demo

[31:15] - Make sure your recording space is not echoey and is good for recording

[33:25] - Anybody can do voice-over work

• Voices are needed for just about anything
• if you have a passion and drive for voice-over, you can be successful 

[35:22] - Where to go to learn about voice-over work 

• It's best to learn from someone who is "in the game"

[37:30] - The different styles of voice-over

[41:29] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class: Working with Terry Daniel
2. Recommended book: Your probably better off just using Google / YouTube 
3. Recommended business tool: Instagram 
4. Method to keep on track: Google Calendar 
5. How do you get focused and stay productive: Evaluate where your spending your time 

[47:51] - Main Takeaway: If it's your passion and something that excites you, go for it and don't let anything hold you back.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost
• Voice Acting for Dummies by David Ciccarelli
• Samson Q2U Microphone
• Windscreen

On Today's episode, Noah Schminski, a junior in the marketing analytics program at UMD and owner of Poor Man's Vintage will be sharing his story along with his expertise in the vintage clothing resale market. 

Where You Can Find Noah:

• Poor Man's Vintage Instagram
• Noah's Instagram

Show Notes:
[1:00] - Introduction

• Noah was the mascot for the UMD Bulldog's hockey team from 2018-2019

[1:36] - Noah's pop up vintage clothing shop "Poor Mans Vintage"

[3:16] - All about Noah's education 

[4:19] - How Noah's education has played a role in his business

• Reaching out to professors and Interacting with other students to get opinions

[5:25] - The most difficult part about starting Poor Man's Vintage

• It's a trial and error market and trends change

[6:41] - The most rewarding part about staring Poor Man's Vintage

• Interacting with the customer base about the stories that the clothing has

[7:43] - How to leverage being a student in your entrepreneurial journey

• Find something that you're passionate about, others will likely have the same interest
• Ask questions to others thorough out the day

[8:53] - Bluehost Advertisement:

Bluehost is my #1 recommended web hosting provider and I have used it for all of the websites for my current and past businesses. Sign up for Bluehost today to take your first step towards creating your website. (If you use my Bluehost link I will earn a commission) 

[10:12] - Why the vintage clothing resale market has so much opportunity?

• There is a massive amount of used clothing out there
• Shopping at the Goodwill "Bin" (pay by the pound)
• Using technology to determine in something will sell before you purchase it

[12:12] - How to determine what items will sell and what items won't 

• Keep track of your own sales in excel and finding trends based on that
• Secondary research through Google and eBay 
• Talking with other resellers in the vintage clothing community

[13:21] - What does the typical customer look like for vintage clothing

• Millennials or Gen Z but it varies greatly

[14:13] - How to start a pop-up clothing shop

• Minneapolis vintage market
• Partnering with other resellers to rent a space
• Sidewalk sales 

[15:32] - One extra tip about getting into the vintage clothing resale market

• Brush up on your history (tv show, major events, movies, music, etc)

[16:42] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class: Class with Dr. Elgayeva
2. Recommended book: Historic graphic T-shirt books or Game of Thrones
3. Recommended business tool: Instagram Analytics
4. Method to keep on track: Google Calendar 
5. How do you get focused and stay productive: Eliminating distractions 

[23:20] - Main Takeaway: If your going to start something make sure you're passionate about it

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost
• Vintage T-Shirts (Book) by Lisa Kidner
• Game of Thrones Book Set

On Today's episode, Cullen Fleming, a student at NCU and owner of CFlem Media will be sharing his story along with his expertise in video production. Cullen often takes videos of weddings and other events.

Where You Can Find Cullen:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Show Notes:
[0:48] - Introduction

[1:21] - All about Cullen's Education

[1:35] - CFlem Media and Cullen's videography experience

• Weddings, event videos, non-profit work, real estate

[2:21] - Cullen's biggest fear about starting his video production company

[3:17] - Everything involved with being in the video production industry

• Finding clients and determining what they need
• Give a price estimate
• Pre-Production
• Recording the event
• Edit the video content
• Send finished product to the client and make touch-ups if necessary 

[6:44] - How Cullens education has played a role in his business

• Networking on a college campus and building up referrals 

[7:48] - The most difficult part about creating great video content

• It is hard to get the proper gear for large production type videos on a college budget
• Renting gear is one way to get around that problem

[9:09] - The most rewarding part about creating great video content 

• Seeing the reaction on the clientele face when you provide the final product

[9:55] - How to leverage being a student in your entrepreneurial journey

[11:30] – Bluehost Advertisement:

Bluehost is my #1 recommended web hosting provider and I have used it for all of the websites for my current and past businesses. Sign up for Bluehost today to take your first step towards creating your website. (If you use my Bluehost link I will earn a commission) 

[13:00] - The first step someone should take when trying to create great video content.

• Get the idea in your head first and plan out the video!
• You don't need the most expensive gear available to make great videos

[14:52] - How Cullen promotes his business

• Post video content on Instagram
• Boost the important Instagram posts

[15:37] - Tips for purchasing your initial camera gear

• Match the quality of everything you purchase
• Do your research

[16:35] - How being in the video production industry is similar to the marketing industry

• Many companies use video as their marketing strategy
• Video allows views to get a more broad understanding of what a company offers

[18:02] - Tips for taking great videos

• Making sure lighting is good
• Check your audio
• Focus on basics before worrying about fancy things

[18:30] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class: Broadcast media class
2. Recommended book: The Bible   
3. Recommended business tool: Instagram
4. Method to keep on track: Use a calendar  
5. Most productive time of day: Very late at night 

[20:18] - Main Takeaway: Know your limits, know what you're capable of and don't sell yourself short

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost

On Today's episode, Joey-D, an independent recording artist will be sharing his story along with his expertise in music production. Joey-D is a junior at UMD and has released his newest album (First Impressions) while still in school.

Where You Can Find Joey-D:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Spotify

Show Notes:
[0:48] - Introduction

[1:28] - All about Joey-D's Education

• Pursuing finance and sales

[3:16] - Joey-D's biggest fear when starting to create music

[4:50] - How Joey-d's education has played a role in him producing music

• Networking and meeting people to work with  

[6:34] - What's involved with being an independent recording artist?

• know what to put your money and time into 
• Spend massive amounts of time planning 
• Social media marketing

[9:52] - The most challenging thing for Joey-D about creating music

• Staying in the right headspace and keeping your belief 

 [11:03] - Why a creative field is preferable to a “9-5 job”

 [12:11] - Joey -D shares the most rewarding thing about creating music.

• Seeing growth over time

[15:40] – Bluehost Advertisement:

Bluehost is my #1 recommended web hosting provider and I have used it for all of the websites for my current and past businesses. Sign up for Bluehost today to take your first step towards creating your website. (If you use my Bluehost link I will earn a commission) 

[16:58] - The first step someone should take when starting to create music.

• It's going to take time to find your style
• Don't copy anybody ever!
• The best way to stand out is to not do what other people are doing

[20:07] - How Joey-D has built a brand around himself

• Be unique 
• Be selective with who you work with

[21:27] - How to promote new music or new creative content

• Know how far in advance you should start promoting
• Tik-Tok is huge for getting music seen
• DistroKid is great music distributor to get you on Tik-Tok

[23:38] - How being an independent recording artist is similar to being an entrepreneur

• You are your own boss
• Work on your own budget 
• Networking

[24:38] - Tips for being on stage and performing

• Bring the same vibe you have when you're singing in the shower
• Just bring your best performance
• Take public speaking opportunities seriously 

[26:55] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class: Public Speaking
2. Recommended book: Unlimited Power by Tony Robins       
3. Recommended business tool: DistroKid
4. Method to keep on track: Set priorities 
5. Most productive time of day: Very late at night 

[33:53] - Main Takeaway: Have your vision, don't ever lose your vision, and don't let anybody change your vision.

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost
• Unlimited Power by Tony robins
• DistroKid

On Today's episode, Sam Shehperd, a self-published author will be sharing his entrepreneurial story along with his expertise in book writing and self-publishing. Sam is a junior at UMD and has published 3 books while still in school.

Where You Can Find Sam Shepherd:

• Sam’s Instagram

Show Notes:
[0:51] - Introduction

[1:28] - All about Sam’s Education

[1:48] – Sam shares what is involved with being a self published author

• When self-publishing you have to create the publishing process yourself
• Amazon is the easiest way to self-publish your book
• Thumbtack is a great place to find editors 

[3:55] – How Sam’s education has played a role in him publishing his books

• Letting your mind grow and experiencing new things helps come up with content 

[4:43] - Sam shares what his books are about

[5:30] – The most challenging thing for Sam when publishing his first book

• Figuring out the workflow and process
• Fear of disapproval during the process and after the book has been published

 [6:50] – How Sam has leveraged being a student in his publishing process

• Connecting with administrators and librarians to help find information for his books

 [7:30] – Sam shares the most rewarding thing about publishing his books.

• Being recognized for something that you create

 [7:58] – Why creative content is preferable to a “9-5 job”

• You have control over your time and what you are doing

 [8:40] – What is unique about Sam’s book compared to others

• The more you read his books the more you will learn about Sam through indirect messages. 

[9:05] – Bluehost Advertisement:

Bluehost is my #1 recommended web hosting provider and I have used it for all of the websites for my current and past businesses. Sign up for Bluehost today to take your first step towards creating your website. (If you use my Bluehost link I will earn a commission) 

[10:28] - The first step someone should take when wanting to publish a book.

• Write down your ideas!
• Do research about your publishing options and what the pros/cons are.

[11:58] - Methods to promote your books and build a brand around yourself

• Social media
• Website and E-Mail list

[14:00] - Making creative content has a lot more work than what is expected

[15:51] - Fast five section

1. Most valuable class: High School English class
2. Recommended book: Mind Gym by Gary Mack and Complex Mind by Sam.         
3. Recommended business tool: Instagram / Facebook / Snapchat
4. Method to keep on track: Balancing time between responsibilities 
5. Most productive time of day: Depends on when he falls into a rhythm 

[19:43] - Main Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to share your ideas with the world and write them down!

Mentioned Resources:
Note: Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

• Student Built Startups website
• Bluehost
• Complex Mind by Sam Shepherd
• Breaking Point by Sam Shepherd
• Positive Thoughts by Sam Shepherd
• Mind Gym by Gary Mack