The Activator HQ Podcast (formerly The Smallstarter Business Podcast)

Can a small business have a strong brand?

These days, “branding” is one of the fastest ways to make an entrepreneur or business owner spend money.

The industry is booming, and it’s not surprising we have a lot of branding experts these days.

But branding is a two-edged sword.

If you understand the value of branding and use it to your advantage, a strong brand can significantly boost the profile of your business.

But if you don’t get it, you can lose a lot of money trying to “brand” your business.

So, when is the right time to start building a brand for your business?

What are the signs that prove that a business has a strong brand?

And what do most of the top brands in the world have in common with the military, religious groups, and sports fans?

What you’re about to learn will change how you see branding forever.

Raising money for a business is hard.

Some people have been rejected by banks and investors so many times they’ve lost count.

Still, every day, deals are being closed.

And that’s because one of the key ways investors and banks make money is by giving money to entrepreneurs and businesses for interest or return.

But that doesn’t mean getting their money is easy.

The reason is: investors and banks are obsessed and influenced by ONE thing.

That thing is called “risk”.

Investors want to be sure that they’re going to make money (and not lose money) by investing in your business.

And it's YOUR JOB to convince them.

But what does it take to convince an investor or bank that you’re a safe investment?

What do they look out for in a pitch, proposal, or business plan?

You're about to find out.

What I’m about to teach you can significantly improve your odds of raising funds for your business.

In this episode of the podcast, I’m going to show you the 10 things investors look for before they invest in a business.

You have a very good product, but nobody is buying it.

The few people who have tried your product say you’re far better than the competition.

They say your product is better, more effective, and more affordable than other products out there.

But if the product is so good, how come nobody is buying it?

You feel invisible.

Why would you have such a good product but it feels like nobody knows you exist?

You’re so frustrated.

You’ve reduced the price, improved the features, and even spent some money on Facebook advertising.

Still, the sales are disappointing.

Can you guess what the problem might be?

In my experience, it may have something to do with “channels”.

Channel power is the reason products like Coca-Cola can be found everywhere you look.

You’re going to learn some interesting stuff from this.

In this special feature episode, I had the chance to speak with Andrew Evans on his amazing Ace Weekly Podcast.

Andrew is a serial entrepreneur who is doing a lot of great work in promoting the mission of entrepreneurship.

I am honored to have shared the stage with him as we discussed several important topics about Africa, entrepreneurship, COVID and its impacts on the continent, and my thoughts on the future of leadership.

You're going to enjoy this episode.

I've listened to the Entrepreneurs on Fire Podcast for almost 7 years and I'm a big fan of John Lee Dumas.

Entrepreneurs on Fire is an award-winning podcast that has featured many of the big names who work with entrepreneurs and people who are working hard to change the world.

It was an honour to share the stage with JLD. It was a great opportunity to share my voice and message with his millions of followers.

In this special feature episode, I talk about why global entrepreneurs need to have Africa on their radar. I also talk about specific business opportunities in Africa that are leading to innovative ideas and solutions on the African continent.

You're going to enjoy this episode.

How do you turn around a business that no longer makes money?

Sometimes, the problem is with the external environment.

It could be that your market has changed, or your competitors have gained on you, or it could just be that your customers have moved on because they want something you don’t offer.

Sometimes, the problem is internal.

The fault could be with your cost structure, margins, waste, or deliberate fraud and sabotage from members of your team.

In this episode of the podcast, I share the 7 areas I typically look at when I work on turnarounds.

What you’re about to learn will allow you to diagnose and pinpoint the problem without breaking things.

Happy learning!

Human beings don’t handle rejection very well.

For most people, rejection is emotional.

We feel insulted, angry, and heartbroken when other people push us aside like we don’t matter.

But when it comes to business, rejection can be a huge blessing in disguise.

And every smart entrepreneur understands this.

You will often face rejection when you try to sell your product.

You will face rejection when you try to apply for a bank loan or approach potential investors to give you money.

You could face rejection when you try to convince suppliers or distributors to do business with you.

In fact, it’s almost impossible to succeed in any business without facing a series of rejections.

That’s why you need to get better at how you deal with rejection so you can exploit it to your advantage.

You’re going to love this.

Nobody can read your mind.

That’s why what you say, and how you say it, matters.

This is especially true when you’re trying to communicate your ideas or trying to convince someone.

Sometimes, it’s what you say and how you say it that makes a customer buy your product.

Sometimes, it’s what you say that makes a person agree to become your supplier, distributor, or employee.

And when it comes to pitching to investors, what you say can make a big difference between getting their money or walking away empty-handed.

That’s why 'messaging' is so powerful.

If you know how to craft the right message for what you want to sell, you may not need to have a big marketing or advertising budget.