The Activator HQ Podcast (formerly The Smallstarter Business Podcast)

You're excited. After weeks of planning and strategizing, your business or new product is now ready for launch. After all the time, sweat, and money you've spent developing your concept, the day to earn your big reward has finally come. And sometimes when you're idle, you can't fight the urge to open the calculator app on your phone to work out again the sales and profit figures you expect to hit.

And then the moment arrives. You're finally open for business and ready to make sales. But there's a problem:

They see the product. They touch it. They ask for the price. BUT they don't buy.

Why do potential customers -- the people you had in mind when you started your business or built your new product -- not respond positively when the time comes to bring out their wallets and give you money?

In another interesting episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, John-Paul Iwuoha explores the big 5 reasons why people don't buy, and practical ways to resolve this problem and get the sales you're looking for.

A customer at hand is worth two or more in the wild. The first time a person or company spends money on your product or service is a monumental event in your business. Still, many entrepreneurs miss opportunities for additional sales from existing customers and leave a lot of money on the table because they're too focused on attracting new customers.

Another big mistake some businesses make is to treat all customers the same by selling them the same standard product or service. We often make this mistake because we assume that every customer is only focused on the product and the price. The hard truth is a proportion of your customer base is willing to spend more money on your business if you can offer them value that justifies a higher price.

In another exciting episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, John-Paul explores 3 factors that differentiate all your customers, and 5 effective ways you can sell more and make more from your new and old customers and they'll be so grateful for it.

Making the decision to shut down a business is one of the hardest and most emotional decisions an entrepreneur will ever make. After all the time, energy, passion and money you've poured into the business, some entrepreneurs delay or postpone the crucial decision even when they know the business has become a sinking ship.

While shutting down a business is tough, living with the mental, physical and financial stresses that come with running a failing business is much tougher. And sometimes, making the hard decision when you still have time could help you cut losses and save face.

But how do you handle the personal pressure to close down a business? What are the typical warning signs to look out for so you can fix small leaks before they become big leaks that sink your business? And how exactly do you handle disappointed customers, employees, suppliers, and distributors?

In this interesting episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, John-Paul confronts this difficult and embarrassing topic that many entrepreneurs don't seem to talk about.

Lack of funding is one of the big reasons why many people with ideas and dreams cannot act on them.

But really, is lack of capital a valid reason or just an excuse in disguise? How can aspiring entrepreneurs and passionate people with bright ideas get past the funding problem?

In this interesting episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, John-Paul Iwuoha explores 3 simple but very effective ways to get around the funding problem.

If you've been stuck on a big idea or dream for a business, project, or cause, this episode of the podcast will open your eyes to options and alternatives you can explore to finally birth your bright ideas into the world.

Important topics discussed in this episode:

• How to frame the problem of funding so you have a better chance of finding a solution
• Why capital is hardest to raise at the idea stage
• The real reason most blue-chip companies started from humble beginnings.
• How to tell if your idea is too big for the person you are today and what you can do about it
• How to redefine your funding needs so you focus on the things that you really need to transform your idea
• How to increase your chances of persuading other people to support your ideas with funding

What exactly is a niche and why should you think very seriously about carving a niche for your business?

Is it better to be a generalist in business or a specialist? In starting or growing a business, should you try to grab a little bit of everything and capture a big share of the market, or is it better to focus and specialize in one core area or niche?

In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, John-Paul Iwuoha explores the concept of niches and why they're important, especially for new businesses or companies considering a turnaround.

Important topics discussed in this episode:

• Why most big blue-chip companies started in a niche
• The powerful growth strategy that niche businesses can exploit
• 3 big and invaluable advantages of carving a niche for your business
• 3 simple but very effective ways to carve a niche in any market
• Interesting clues that can help you discover a niche in almost every market

Selling is a superpower skill. The ability to sell, persuade, and influence other people is the most important skill any human can have. If you're good at selling, you're very likely to go far in life, business, relationships, politics, or any sphere of your existence you choose to excel in.

In this interesting episode, John-Paul Iwuoha explores the fears, limiting beliefs, and psychological obstacles that held him back from expressing his ability to sell.

If you're struggling with sales, the revelations in this episode could dramatically change your views about selling, and why you should try hard to be the best salesperson you could ever be.

There is a lot of capital floating around in the world today. Still, many entrepreneurs on the African continent struggle to attract funding to start, grow, or turn around their businesses. Why do many entrepreneurs think funding is scarce when, in reality, the opposite is true?

In this eye-opening episode, John-Paul Iwuoha discusses 5 important areas that could significantly increase every entrepreneur's chance of raising funds to achieve their business dreams.

With a population of 1.2 billion people that is expected to double by 2050, Africa's future is threatened by two dangerous realities: growing poverty and a widening gap between the rich and poor. What is the best way for Africa to create enough wealth to eradicate poverty and distribute the wealth equitably to close the gap between rich and poor?

In another interesting episode, John-Paul analyzes the major economic systems for creating wealth, and how the continent can tweak capitalism to serve its unique interests.

It's in almost every business plan you will ever see. You're likely to find it hanging on the wall in the lobby or behind the receptionist's desk in every company's head office. But exactly how much value can a strong mission and vision bring to a business? 

In another interesting signature episode, John-Paul shares real-life examples of how big brands and successful companies use a strong mission and vision to significantly increase the value of their business in the eyes of customers, employees, suppliers, and the general society.

Despite growing sales, happy customers, well-paid employees, and satisfied suppliers, many businesses and entrepreneurs are broke. A big reason for this is how entrepreneurs treat profit in their businesses. After paying everybody else, most entrepreneurs are left with crumbs or 'paper profit'.

This interesting episode presents an unconventional but very effective way to turn around the profitability of a business in a way that adequately rewards entrepreneurs and business owners for the time, energy and risk they invest in building businesses.