That Will Never Work

Marc’s guest today, Seville, is a singular talent. She’s been making her own jewelry by hand since she was 12; over the years, her unique works have become favorites of such icons as NYC fashion magnate Patricia Field and singer Alicia Keys. Now, as a bi-coastal business owner, she’s focused on how to expand what she does without changing who she is. She and Marc have an amazing discussion about authenticity, content marketing and why she doesn’t have to worry too much about copycats.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork). 

Today’s show is a doozy. Weatherman-turned-insurance adjuster Mark calls in to discuss the app he’s developed to help victims of extreme weather events ​​more easily identify their losses and streamline the replacement process. Ironically, he’s calling in while under a tornado watch! And no, this isn’t some cheap marketing gimmick, it’s real life. Fortunately, Marc is able to bestow some solid, go-to-market guidance before the funnel descends. 

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

"Many years ago, broke and hungry, I found myself panhandling for spare change in Hartford, Connecticut," recalls Marc. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but it was an incredible learning experience, because after that, asking an investor for $250,000 was nothing."

There comes a time for every entrepreneur when you need to put your hand out and ask for support, which is exactly the subject of this week's podcast. Leanne has an idea for a life changing non-profit that will provide counseling to victims of sexual assault. But despite being convinced that her idea is a sound one, she’s having a problem getting anyone else to support her financially. Marc quickly recognizes some flaws in her approach and gives her a few suggestions for things she can do -- steps that will benefit anybody who might find themselves in that situation.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

Robert is a veteran in the biotech industry, so when he tells Marc he has a new, potentially life-saving medical device to bring to market, one takes him at his word. And like any entrepreneur with a track record and an exciting invention, Robert is figuring out how to work with the mainstream pharma industry, and when to pull the trigger. As he advises Robert, Marc also touches on the larger topic of what motivates entrepreneurs. A great conversation all around.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

Kemar wears many hats. A sneakerhead-turned-software engineer, his site Flip boasts 80,000 users who buy, sell and obsess about high end sneakers. He’s come to Marc to discuss how to continue to grow his business, but, through the course of their insightful conversation, the duo end up focusing on _who_ his customers are, which takes things to a whole new place. 

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

Today’s guest, Claudia, is on a mission to create a more equitable transit system for people with disabilities. And, like many a successful entrepreneur, her business was inspired by personal experience; blind since childhood - in fact, the first-ever blind woman elected to public office in Colorado - Claudia has experienced the deficiencies in the current systems first-hand. In her conversation with Marc, they tackle one of the thorniest issues for a new business: funding. The conversation is a good road map for anyone who’s ready to take that step.

 Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

Don’t let Chris’ nickname - “The Architect” - intimidate you. He may be one of the kindest-hearted guests the show has had to date. And this spirit imbues his business, a consultancy that designs and executes one-of-a-kind urban adventures for individuals and companies. There’s only ONE Architect - and that’s just the issue. After a COVID-inspired lull, Chris needs to scale, quickly. Listen in as Marc helps him work through the thought process for determining how and when he should delegate.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

In many ways, Markian is the model of a successful, young entrepreneur. His social media brand, Smile Squad, boasts over 13 million followers and a healthy cash flow. Now, this top-tier influencer is focusing on how to keep his staff smiling. Marc is more than willing to provide some guidance on how to create a culture of transparency and trust - and he isn’t too shy to probe Markian for insights on how to increase his own social footprint.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

Jessica didn’t let some pandemic stop her. Drawing on years of experience in the fitness industry, she launched a new kickboxing studio business and, despite all the restrictions and uncertainty, brought 35 franchises online, with plans for hundreds more. She’s looking for some guidance from Marc on her best next steps - and he has a lot to say about where to focus, and, most importantly, where NOT to.

 Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).

It’s not often you meet aspiring royalty, but today’s guest, Mike, has his heart set on disrupting the high-end spice dispensing industry with his invention, Pepper King. An amiable fellow, Mike shares his plans to create the Rolls Royce of pepper mills, and the methodical ways in which he’s going about it. Marc offers up some great strategies - including a first-of-its-kind  recommendation. But you’ll have to tune in to find out what it is.

Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).