The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast with Tim Reid

Cedar Anderson would rather be walking naked through the Byron Bay hills than running the multi-million dollar empire he created with his old man. Fortunately he loves the fact that they’ve changed the beekeeping industry for good, thanks to one of the world’s most successful crowd-funding campaigns ever. It’s a buzzingly good episode 478 of The (award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing Show.

 

A little bit more about crowdfunding expert and Flow Hive creator Cedar Anderson…

Cedar Anderson grew up in an intentional AKA hippy community in the Byron Bay hills, where he spent his time coming up with crazy inventions.

Then in his early adult years, he worked as a paragliding instructor capturing aerial footage for Greenpeace.

He’s also a third-generation beekeeper and it was during a particularly nasty honey harvest that he decided there had to be a better way. So for the next 10 years, he and his Dad set about inventing a better beehive.

They did and it’s called Flow Hive. Now I don’t know much about beekeeping, but this thing is amazing. It’s a box that looks like a doll house which you can put anywhere, it has windows to see your bees at work, and when you want some honey, you literally turn on a tap and out it comes!

And thanks to a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo that raised $15 million (they only wanted $70,000!),  Cedar is now heads an Australian manufacturing success story, having already shipped over 65,000 orders all over the world. 

I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with Cedar at his Byron Bay HQ - we actually did this interview in his beekeeping suit wardrobe - where he shared:

• How growing up in an intentional community influenced him to become an inventor
• Where the idea for Flow Hive came from and why it took 10-years
• How he managed to create one of the world’s biggest crowd-funding campaigns that crashed the Indiegogo site multiple times!
• And how he reconciles being a hippy with now being a multi-millionaire

I started off by asking Cedar a very probing question ... “How does he likes to eat his honey?”

 

“It’s amazing to work with someone whose brain is wired in the same way. Like … he can make just one hand movement and I already know what he’s talking about.” -Cedar Anderson, Flow Hive

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Flow Hive’s Cedar Anderson:

1. It was a great reminder that the very best marketing you can do is to create a great product or service.
2. I love Cedar’s generosity of spirit. He invited me in to his world, introduced me to all his team who I ended up having lunch with, set-up a recording studio in his beekeeping suit wardrobe and even made time for a Facebook Live video.
3. I love how he works to the beat of his own drum.

 

Cedar Anderson Interview Transcription

Tim
Cedar. Welcome to the small business big marketing show.

Cedar
Thank you for having me.

Tim
I'm very excited about this I got to start with one of the most probing questions that I've ever come up with and that is how do you like to eat your honey?

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

 

Resources mentioned in episode 478 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• Flow Hive website
• Last week’s interview with Rejuvenator's Kym Power
• Interviews I’ve done with other interesting inventors:
  • Interview with Will It Blend’s Tom Dickson
  • Interview with Canva’s Melanie Perkins
  • Interview with Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits Mark Livings

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Linda Mitchener of The Green Life Soil Co. whose motto is to deliver a greener garden.

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Yellow

Check out their online marketing packages tailored for businesses just like yours.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Masseuse to the stars (we’re talking Kylie, Sir Richard Branson & Tony Robbins), Kym Power shares how she’s built Australia’s largest independent supplier of in-room massage services to over 900 4 and 5-star hotels across Australia. It’s a star-studded episode 477 of The (award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing Show.

 

A little bit more about Rejuvenator’s Kym Power …

So I was emceeing an event recently for American Express at Brisbane’s beautiful Carlisle Hotel where I met today’s guest, Kym Power. She actually came up to me afterwards and said what a great job I’d done … so, of course, she had my full attention!

 

Anyway, it turns out she’s the founder of that business that places cards in 4 and 5-star hotel rooms around Australia offering mobile massage services. And she’s been doing it since 1993.

 

Kym now has over 90 massage therapists working for her in every state of Australia, which has allowed her to focus on her own personal brand and side-business in which she is the go-to masseur for the big stars that come to Australia.

 

Now, don’t let Kym’s relaxed nature fool you ... she’s well and truly experienced the ups and downs of starting, growing and scaling a small business, and as she says herself, her “dogged determination has enabled her to create a quality of life that her teenage self would never have dreamt possible!”

 

She kindly made the trip up from Brisbane for this interview, and I was lucky enough to enjoy a two-hour massage from her the night before she joined me in my Noosa studio where we talked about:

• How and why she launched Rejuvenators
• How she strikes partnerships with the big hotel chains
• The moment during her business journey where she stood to lose everything
• How she gets some of the world’s biggest celebs as clients
• The role marketing plays in her business

 

“Why I do what I do is so incredibly clear that it totally drives my passion and love of my business.” -Kym Power, Rejuvenators

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Rejuvenator’s Kym Power:

1. I love the fact that she implemented systems and processes early on in the business’s growth.
2. I love the fact she clearly recognises that people buy from people, as opposed to brands or businesses. She’s proved this by the fact that she could have easily enough launched a second iteration of Rejuvenators if she’d lost that Supreme Court battle, and brought the majority of her clients across with her.
3. And I love how she’s focussed on building strong partnerships with all the big hotel chains across Australia.

 

Kym Power Interview Transcription

 

Tim 

Kym Power. Welcome to the small business big marketing show. 

Kym 

Thank you. It was a pleasure to be here. 

Tim 

Do you feel successful?

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

 

Resources mentioned in episode 477 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• Rejuventaor’s official website - Use discount code 10timbo for 10% off all services
• Kym Power’s personal brand website
• Last week’s interview with Surefire Board’s Mick Slattery
• Interviews I’ve done with other celebrities:
  • Interview with LA concierge to the stars Steve Simms (his clients include Elton John and Elon Musk)
  • Interview with Michelle Bridges (on how she built such a strong personal brand)
  • Interview with AFL Legend Matthew Pavlich (on creating a business-life after football)

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Andrew Simpson of My Health Team

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Yellow

Check out their online marketing packages tailored for businesses just like yours.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is on a mission to create a global surf brand - despite at one point having to write a farewell letter to his wife and kids 80kms off the coast of Sumatra! It’s a roller-coaster ride of an episode 476 of The (award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing Show thanks to American Express.

 

Long-time listener and Surefire Boards founder Mick Slattery shares how he’s on a mission to create a global surf and stand-up paddle board brand, despite some business and personal challenges that have been thrown his way.

 

A little bit more about Surefire Boards’ Mick Slattery …

Mick Slattery is the founder of Surefire Boards, a small stand-up paddle and surf board business based in NSW.

He started the business as a side-hustle in 2009 before going full-time a few years later, only to contract an auto-immune disease that nearly crippled his dream.

 

Mick made the trip up from Sydney to join me in my Noosa studio where we  talked about:

• The challenges of taking the business from a side-hustle to a full-time concern
• What to do when a price war starts in your industry
• How contracting an auto-immune disease changed everything
• The joys of manufacturing in China
• And plenty more

 

“I want Surefire Boards to be an international business - the most recognised and loved stand-up paddle board brand in the world.” -Mick Slattery, Surefire Boards

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Surefire Boards’ Mick Slattery:

1. When a price fight begins in your industry avoid getting caught up in it … instead, remain focussed on what you’re best at … in Mick’s case it was producing a quality product.
2. I love how Mick remained positive through those tough times as he dealt with his auto-immune disease - instead of being the victim and looking for others to blame, he was always looking for the upside.
3. I loved Mick’s overall enthusiasm. He flew up from Sydney for the interview / he was excited to be in the studio taking lots of videos / he got me to ring a mate of his who listens to the show … and then he was off to visit retailers in the local area.

 

Mick Slattery Interview Transcription

Tim 

So Mick Slattery finally mate. Welcome to the small business big marketing show. 

Mick 

Awesome. Thanks so much. 

Tim 

I've just got one question for you mate.

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

 

Resources mentioned in episode 476 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• Surefire Boards official website
• Surefire Boards on Facebook
• Surefire Boards on Instagram
• Surefire Boards on YouTube
• Last week’s interview with The Breathe Project’s Kat & Bodhi
• Interviews I’ve done concerning business owner wellbeing:
  • Interview with Andrew Griffiths on business owner isolation
  • Interview with Damien Lee of Mt Lee’s Noodles about how to overcome adversity in business
  • Interview with Leanne Faulkner on mental wellbeing in business

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Dan I’Anson of Applied Design that specialise in the design, design development, production and installation of environmental graphics and branding in the workplace

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

 

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breathe Project’s Bodhi and Kat have started a business to teach school kids and their teachers around Australia and New Zealand how to breathe correctly. Don’t you just love how some people make a living?!

 

A few months ago, my girlfriend, Sarah told me about this couple, Bodhi and Kat, who run a business called The Breathe Project, traveling around Australia teaching school-aged kids to breathe properly. Like that is literally all they do!

My first reaction was … “That’s awesome, what a beautifully simple business. I love hearing the different ways people make money!”

My second reaction was “What a great idea, there should be more of it! I want to interview them.”

Now I don’t know about you, but I’m a shocking breather - shallow and from the chest. As opposed to deep and from the belly. I’ve even got myself an Apple Watch that reminds me every hour to breathe!

So just recently, Sarah and I were wandering through the Noosa Farmers Market and she says “Hey, I think that’s the guys from the Breathe Project.”

It was, we have a chat, get to know them, and I invite them on to the show.

So, what is The Breathe Project? Well, it’s the fastest growing well-being initiative in Australian and New Zealand schools. Bodhi and Kat go into schools and teach this one, simple breathing technique which helps students and their teachers get rid of stress and anxiety. And that’s it!

 

A little bit more about The Breathe Project’s Bodhi and Kat ...

Bodhi Whitaker is a free-thinking, realist and the founder and presenter of the Art of Breath Training, with 32 workshops and 2,500 individuals helped directly since 2012. He has extensive experience as a Psychosomatic Therapist and yoga teacher, supporting youth and adults through awareness, education and action.

Katherine Tucker is the Breathe Project’s self-confessed organising, perfectionist who holds a Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion) with a published mental health promotion resource. She has extensive experience working with youth in character building and career advising, a yoga teacher qualification as well as a passport full of experiences.

 

They joined me in my Noosa studio with my girlfriend Sarah where they share:

• Why we all need to learn to breathe better!
• How the business came to be
• What being on-purpose feels like
• What they find hard and easy about being in business
• How they’ve used crowd-funding to launch and finance their growth
• How they get in to schools
• And what marketing works best for them

 

“We can empower kids all over Australia with one simple breathing technique.” -Bodhi & Kat, The Breathe Project

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with the Breathe Project’s Bodhi & Kat:

1. Breathe.
2. Breathe.
3. Breathe.

 

Bodhi and Kat Interview Transcription
Tim
So Bodhi and Kat welcome to the small business big marketing show.
Bodhi and Kat
Thank. Thank you.
Tim
It was awesome that we could be face to face and having this discussion.

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

 

Resources mentioned in episode 475 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• The Breathe Project's website
• The Breathe Project on social media:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
• Last week’s interview was with mobile personal trainer Scott Hunt
• Interviews I’ve done with owners of other interesting business:
  • Interview with Nic and Lucas of Orange Sky Laundry
  • Interview with Nigel Godfrey of Miss Universe
  • Interview with Adam Lippin - the Cuddlist

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Tegan Brennan of the candle and wooden decor company Stump and Co.

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of Australia’s leading mobile personal trainers joins us to share how he’s building a fitness empire that’s already servicing over 2,000 suburbs across Australia.

 

A little bit more about Fitness Enhancement’s Scott Hunt ...

In 1999, with just $400 in his pocket and a dream to make an impact on the Australian personal training scene, 19 year old Scott Hunt started Fitness Enhancement Personal Training. Today it's the largest mobile personal training business in Australia servicing over 2,000 suburbs, and it was just recognised in the top 5 PT businesses in Australia (and number 1 in Queensland) by the industry’s governing body.

 

Scott joined me in my Noosa studio where he shares:

• The secrets to his business’s success
• What frustrates him about his poorly regulated industry and what he’s doing about it
• How he’s attracting only A-Players into the business
• Along with some of his most effective marketing strategies

“We only employ the best of the best. That means that nine out of ten people that we see just don't make it as franchisees.”
Scott Hunt, Fitness Enhancement

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Fitness Enhancement’s Scott Hunt:

1. I love Scott’s view on the importance of maintaining quality customer service, no matter how many employees or franchisees you may have.
2. I love the fact that Scott has put together in depth training courses that include exams for all new franchisees.
3. I love Scott’s focus on first and foremost chasing repeat business as opposed to the constant hunt for new clients.

“We’re heavily focussed on maintaining strong customer service … growth and expansion as well .. but we have a real focus on keeping and maintaining that quality of service.”
Scott Hunt, Fitness Enhancement

 

Scott Hunt Interview Transcription

Tim 

Scott Hunt. Welcome to the small business big marketing show finally. 

Scott 

Thanks, Tim. 

Tim 

Lovely to have you here mate. Now personal trainer tell us about the most interesting session with a client that you've ever had and don't hold back?

Click Here To Download Full Interview

Resources mentioned in episode 474 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• Fitness Enhancement’s website
• Scott Hunt on LinkedIN
• Last week’s interview was with video marketing specialists Geoff Anderson
• Interviews I’ve done with other fitness / wellness-related specialists:
  • Interview with celebrity personal trainer Michelle Bridges
  • Interview with mindfulness expert Ray Good
  • Interview with mental health advocate Leanne Faulkner

 

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Gordon Gnohm of ecosystem building company TheGordonGnohm

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you one of those business owners who’s made a video for your business, put it on your website and then wondered what else to do with it? Excellent! Then wonder no more, as today’s guest, video marketing expert Geoff Anderson,  has 30 ideas to make sure your video gets seen by as many of the right peeps as possible.

 

A little bit more about video marketing expert and founder of Sonic Sight Geoff Anderson ...

Righto, hands up if you’ve ever produced a video for your business.

Excellent. Well done to you.

Now, keep your hand up if you’ve posted that video somewhere on your website then wondered why it’s not getting the views or engagement you’d hoped for.

Just what I expected … 95% of hands remained up.

Well, herein lies the problem. You finally find the courage to appear in a video for your precious business, you invest precious time and money into having it produced (or you may have shot it yourself), but then all you do is post it on your website hoping it’ll magically take care of itself.

Well, as you’ve discovered … it won’t! But that’s all about to change thanks to video marketing expert Geoff Anderson of Sonic Sight who’s been producing marketing videos for businesses and schools since 1993. He’s even written two books on the topic - Shoot Me Now and Watch Me Now.

You’re going to need a notebook for this one … in the first half we talk about some tips and tricks to optimising your video production, then in the second half, Geoff shares 30 ways to get every video you produce … seen.

Pens at the ready …

 

“Video is very much a highly effective business communication tool … it’s no longer just a promotional tool. So … take it seriously!”
- Geoff Anderson, Sonic Sight

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with video marketing expert Geoff Anderson:

1. I love how Geoff’s gone about marketing his own business. We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about this, but just the fact that he’s written two books on video marketing for business positions him as an expert in his niche. Another past guest who’s done this is Darren Finkelstein.
2. I love Geoff’s advice around “starting strong and smart.” this isn’t dissimilar to the advice I received from past guest Richard Stubbs, who was very big on always leading with your best content. The bottomline here is to avoid long, rambling starts and cut straight to what;’s important to the viewer/listener/reader.
3. I love Geoff’s advice around frequency. Always remember to breathe life back into the videos you create. Sharing them once on social media just won't cut it.

 

“There has never been a better time to use video production to reach your audience. Professional corporate videos attract attention, engage the audience, build trust, and convert.”
- Geoff Anderson, Sonic Sight

Geoff Anderson Interview Transcription

Tim 

Geoff Anderson welcome to the small business big marketing show. 

Geoff 

Thank you for having me Timbo. I've been listening to your show for years. I'm very excited to be on it. 

Tim 

You're the one out there listening hey Geoff let's start off. I want to just talk about why video. What do you love about video as a marketing medium? 

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Resources mentioned in episode 473 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• The official Sonic Sight website
• The Idea Exchange powered by American Express (you’ll find Timbo’s new podcast here September 11, 2019)
• The transcription service Geoff uses for captions
• Last week’s interview with Snackwize founder Connor Reynolds
• Interviews I’ve done with other video marketing specialists:
  • Getaway’s Jules Lund
  • iVideo Hero's Jules Watkins
  • Wistia’s Chris Savage

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

David Weir of Young Turks Barbers

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know those healthy snack boxes that get delivered to businesses around Australia? Not the ones with Freddo Frogs and Caramello Koalas in them … I’m talking about the ones with Wasabi-flavoured peas and Organic Popcorn. Well … you and I are about to meet the fella who started that business. How dare he bring healthy snacking to the workplace!

 

A little bit more about Snackwize founder Conor Reynolds ...

Conor Reynolds is a corporate health and well-being expert, as well as the founder of SnackWize … Australia’s #1 monthly subscription healthy snack service that delivers healthy snacks straight to your office.

Like I said at the top of the show … Conor’s not delivering yummy chocolate snacks or fatty potato chips… we’re talking Veggie Crisps and Raw Cacao Cookies!

But clearly there’s a market for it, as Snackwize is going gang-busters. Since its launch in 2016, the business has experienced rapid growth in Australia, doubling its revenue year-on-year and quintupling its client base, delivering tens of thousands of snacks to blue chip clients including Uber, Universal Studios, Deloitte, Red Bull and Samsung, to name a few.

Conor’s recently launched Snackwize in New Zealand, and he’s just finished a successful capital raising of half a million dollars!

 

“We’re aiming to create a ‘set it and forget it’ service that encourages organisations to foster a wellness culture internally, resulting in more happy and engaged employees at work." - Conor Reynolds, Snackwize

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Snackwize founder Conor Reynolds:

1. I love how (despite the fact that Snackwize is not yet an empire), Conor has embraced publicity as a major marketing strategy. I’ll put the press release he sent me in the show notes to give you an idea of what best practice looks like.
2. I love his pricing model. Any recurring monthly income business gets my attention straight away.
3. And I love the fact that Conor went out of his way to listen to his customers.

 

“Publicity has been by far and away our best source of creating brand awareness and generating leads.” - Conor Reynolds, Snackwize

Conor Reynolds Interview Transcription

Tim

Conor got to start with the big question the hard-hitting question what's your favourite snack?

Conor

Good question to start off with. I'm a bit of a beef jerky fan myself, Tim. So it is either a hate or love relationship with people with beef jerky literally love or you hate it. But I love it. That's my favourite snack.

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Resources mentioned in episode 472 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• The official Snackwize website
• The Snackwize press release Timbo mentions
• Interview with The E Myth’s Michael Gerber
• The Idea Exchange powered by American Express (you’ll find Timbo’s new podcast here September 11, 2019)
• Last week’s interview with online poker champion Chis Sparks
• Interviews I’ve done with other healthy business owners:
  • Michelle Bridges on building a strong personal brand
  • Naturopath Katherine Maslen on starting the world’s first healthcare membership model
  • AFL legend Matthew Pavlich on disrupting the talent-booking industry

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw

Garrett Addisson of online adult toy store Top Drawer Essentials

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Sparks made his mark, in his tracky dacks, on his couch, by becoming a world online poker champion. These days, he’s improved his fashion-sense, and started a successful New-York based business called The Forcing Function. It’ll all become clear in this high-stakes episode 471 of The (award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing Show.

 

A little bit more about online poker champion and now The Forcing Function’s founder Chris Sparks ...

New Yorker Chris Sparks is one of the top online poker players in the world and is now a highly sought-after performance coach for entrepreneurs.

In order to become one of online poker’s most feared competitors, Chris developed a system for acquiring the mindset and habits necessary to become elite in any field.  

So, guess what he does in this chat?

He deconstructs what it takes to become a top performer, and demonstrates how to implement these lessons in your life and business.

These strategies will allow you to uncover your bottlenecks, get clear on your mission, and manage your time and attention more effectively.

And who doesn’t want a bit more than that?!

 

“Be helpful to others in your industry. The biggest winner does not compete. All my knowledge is open source.” - Chris Sparks, The Forcing Function

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with online poker champion Chris Sparks:

1. I love Chris’s idea about obsessing over your market fit, niching down as much as necessary. Stop trying to be everything to everyone!
2. I love his idea that the biggest winner does not compete. That being exceptionally helpful to others in your industry can only repay you in spades (excuse the Poker pun!).
3. And I love the idea of finding time to identify your personal bottlenecks and doing everything you can to remove them. Remove a bottleneck, and everything else moves smoothly through your business.

 

“Obsess about marketing fit, niching down as many times as necessary. It makes it easy to be the best.” - Chris Sparks, The Forcing Function

 

Chris Sparks Interview Transcription
Tim
Chris Sparks welcome to the small business big marketing show.
Chris
Honoured to be here Tim thanks.
Tim
Chris how does a fellow like you get into online poker?
Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Resources mentioned in episode 471 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• The official website of The Forcing Function
• Take Chris Sparks What’s holding me back quiz
• Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
• Interview with The E Myth’s Michael Gerber
• The Idea Exchange powered by American Express (you’ll find Timbo’s new podcast here September 11, 2019)
• Last week’s interview with Canva’s Melanie Perkins
• Interviews I’ve done with high performers:
  • High performance coach Mark McKeon
  • Getting things done with productivity guru David Allen
  • The guy who never takes no for an answer Steve Sims

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw
Anna Smyth of System X Storage

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Yellow
Partner with Australia’s #1 online business directory for all your digital marketing needs.

 

Switchnode
Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with Canva founder Melanie Perkins who surely has to be one of Australia’s great young entrepreneurial success stories! 32 years-old and from Western Australia, Melanie Perkins created the online design tool Canva, and it just got valued at $3.6B.And what’s particularly exciting is she’s created something that every single one of us small business owners needs. Want to know how she did it? Me too!

A little bit more about Canva founder Melanie Perkins ...

In 2006, Melanie Perkins was a troubled 19 year-old teenager.

Not by the usual stuff that troubled most people of that age. Oh no … something much more serious.

Melanie was troubled by the fact that desktop publishing software (like Adobe, CorelDraw and Photoshop) was so complicated and hard to use.

So, like any young smart entrepreneur would, she set about coming up with a simple, elegant solution … starting small by launching a website to make yearbook design easy.

That business was a huge success, and following an unexpected meeting with a venture capitalist, she found herself in a position to pursue her original idea and the chance to take on software industry giants like Adobe and Microsoft.

Fast forward to today, and 32 year-old Melanie’s online design platform called Canva, has recently been valued at $3.6B, employs over 600 staff who have no working hours or dress code, has over 15 million clients … and here’s the interesting bit … she thinks her and her team have only scratched the surface of what’s possible.

I visited Melanie in Canva’s new inner-Sydney 7-story office which resembles something more of an oversized cubby house for millennials, complete with a very cool rooftop garden, full commercial kitchen pumping out two home-cooked meals a day, a very funky, well-stocked bar that, and all types of meeting booths and rooms and pods full of those previously mentioned millennials getting stuff done.

 

“I hadn’t planned to go to San Francisco. But when I did, I got two meetings … one with a leading venture capitalist, and another with the creator of Google Maps!"  -Melanie Perkins, Canva

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Canva founder Melanie Perkins:

1. I love the fact that despite being an introvert, she’s willing to step out of her comfort zone and put herself in positions where she may fail, but just as likely succeed beyond her wildest dreams. The willingness to learn kit-surfing and then get the opportunity to pitch at the kitesurfing conference is a great example of this.
2. I love the fact that Melanie got the business idea right by testing it on the high school yearbook niche, before taking it out to the broader market.
3. And I love the fact that she’s focused on creating an exceptionally amazing product that’s resulted in tens of thousands of blog posts, YouTube reviews and now podcast interviews about it. What changes could you make to your offering to make it the world's best?

 

“In those early days, I was working out of a food court near Silicon Valley!”  -Melanie Perkins, Canva

Melanie Perkins Interview Transcription

Tim

Melanie Perkins welcome to the small business big marketing show. 

Melanie

Thank you so much for having me. 

Tim

Now I've just got to get the fanboy alert out of the way up front. So it's all out in the open. Okay. I love Canva and I've loved Canva for a long time. So I'm pretty excited to do this interview. And I love it because of what the solution it offers my listeners small business owners so elegantly. And just recently I interviewed James Chin Moody from Sendle another business that I think has a great solution. Very elegant to a problem. There's so much going on here it's just very exciting. So fanboy out of the way and we'll get on with it.

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Resources mentioned in episode 470 of The Small Business Big Marketing Show:

• The official Canva website
• The official Fusion Books website (Melanie’s first business and prelude to Canva)
• The Idea Exchange powered by American Express (you’ll find Timbo’s new podcast here mid-July 2019)
• Last week’s interview with me(!) where I answer your most pressing marketing questions
• Interviews I’ve done with other entrepreneurs who started off with very humble beginnings:
  • Loz & Will from Will and Bear hat shop
  • Naturopath Katherine Maslen
  • Cargo Crew’s Felicity Rogers

 

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw:

Online retailer Jenelle Schembri of Homeworks

 

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Yellow

Partner with Australia’s #1 online business directory for all your digital marketing needs.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing. 

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Where should the focus be for my upcoming keynote?”

“How do I avoid spamming my database?”

“Can I start another business in my 50s?”

"Should I run an online survey?”

"Can I have your podcast workflow?”

These are just some of the questions you’ve been sending me over the past few months, and today I finally get around to answering them.

 

Question - Rhys Donovan of the Animal Rehab Klinik

Hey Timbo,

I'm having a debate with my business partner about an upcoming presentation that we're doing, and we've got very different opinions on how we should structure it...so I figured I'd ask you for your opinion, because I can’t think of anyone more qualified to answer it!

The business I am in is animal allied healthcare/rehabilitation - just like when us humans are sore we might see a physio, chiro or massage therapist, but we provide that service for the family pet.

We've scored a gig presenting to a room full of veterinarians (our main source of referrals), right after the main presentation which is on hip replacements in animals. Our goal is to get every vet in that room sending us at least one case in the next 3 months. This will be the best platform that we’ve had so far to get our message across, so it’s important we nail it.

I'm of the opinion that we should focus our presentation on how strengthening & rehabilitation can help their patients with hip problems, because that’s what the Vets came there for. However, my business partner doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed as just the ‘hip rehab’ place because we can (and do) a lot more than that. So, he wants to talk about a range of things that we can help their patients with. 

I think both points are valid, I just don’t know what is the better option ¯\_(?)_/¯

How would a seasoned marketing guru and presenter like yourself handle this one?

Kindest of regards,

Rhys.

Relevant Small Business Big Marketing episodes to Rhy’s question:

Episode 417 - This simple (yet scary) conference-speaking strategy generated $150K in new revenue

Episode 303 - How to become a professional public speaker

 

Question - Scott Burns of CleanrCrates

Hey Timbo,

Great show mate. I’m looking for some advice on better ways to market my small business. I launched a year ago and growth has been quite slow. I have a basic email setup regarding autoresponder as I hate spam and have trouble getting my head around spamming the few customers I have (150 contacts with about 100 purchasing within that number.) 

I have been sending out free products to ‘up and coming’ Instagram influencers for a post and a story pointing out the positive points in our bundles. This is fantastic for exposure and IG profile views and al that BUT! Hardly any of them convert. If I got a small percentage of them converting I doubt I’d be writing to you. 

Stay sustainable!

Scott Burns.

Relevant episodes to Scott’s question:

Episode 412 - Sports Illustrated was the inspiration for this clever email marketing strategy says Dan Fagella

Episode 131 - Email marketing tips from email marketing guru Chris Tilley

Episode 376 - How to start an eCommerce business and turnover $1.8M in your first 10-months with Power Planter’s Brian Chapman

Episode 451 - Snotty Nose’s Laura Klein on how to build an eCommerce empire

Episode 468 - How to slow down and build an online empire selling hats

 

Question - Dean Zellman of Mr. Stitch

Hey TImbo,

I've been running an embroidery business for about 20 years now. We specialize in custom logos for TV/Movie and marketing companies as well as small to medium size businesses. 

Our work is very custom but I just haven't seen any good out of the box marketing tips.

Are there any shows of your that might relate to my business?

Thanks

Dean

Relevant Small Business Big Marketing episodes to Dean’s question:

Episode 388 - Will It Blend’s Tom Dickson on turning an everyday product in to a YouTube sensation

Episode 270 - A masterclass in remarkable marketing with Chick-Fil_A’s Arthur Greeno

Episode 75 - Phil McKinney on how to use killer questions to think differently

 

Question - Amera Eid of Ameras Palace Belly Dance Boutique

HI Tim !

Im re emailing you my message I sent you on Facebook …….

I just want to let you know that I have just started listening to your podcasts whilst driving back and forth to work  ,

You make my dreary drive worth it !

I don't know how yet , but I know you will be mentoring me in my next venture .

8 years ago I sold my business Ameras Palace Belly Dance Boutique , that is now in its 32nd year ( pretty good for a small business ) I opened it in 1987 and its still going - granted didn't make big dollars , but I created great pathways for like minded dancers around Australia - and I guarantee every Belly Dancer in Australia bought at least one product from there

Im now working full time as I moved to Caves Beach  NSW 18 months ago . I am itching to get back into my own business - and have come up with an idea , Cave Woman ( IN Caves Beach) I can just see this area as the Byron Bay of 20 years ago.

I just know my mindset needs to change from what it was from Ameras Palace ( which I opened with nothing ) to this project that needs to make money this time ( as I have a mortgage up here ) how do I start again in my fifties with no start up funds ?

Amera x

 

Question - Sam Krief of Stay Kinetic

Hey Timbo,

I’m a new business owner and I have set up a small podiatry supplies business (medical supplies) 

I just have a couple of questions and hoping for some of your wisdom. 

I have gone back to the very start of your podcast

And in the process of making my way through all of your episodes.

First question is around my email. You have just listened to an episode where it talks about an unprofessional email. 

I have set mine up as staykinetic(at)outlook(dot)com

And I thought that sounded reasonably professional. And I didn’t want to spend extra money on securing a different email when I thought this one was ok?

My second question is I don’t really know where to start with marketing the launch of my business to podiatrists. 

I have already done a bit of a soft launch with people in my direct network, but am in the process of trying to think of ideas to reach podiatry clinic owners outside my personal network. For reference I am a young (27) Podiatrist myself. 

Anyway I would love any help you could give me 

Cheers Sam

Relevant Small Business Big Marketing episodes to Sam’s question:

Episode 326 - How to make more money by working less with Daniel Gibbs from Posture Podiatry

Episode 387 - How to create a happy business that thrives with dentist Paddi Lund

 

Question - Would-be student Troy Heinz

Hi Tim,

Love what you do, just wanted to ask a question around studying marketing. Would it be wise to go off to university and waste 4-5 years of your life, when in today’s world social media is producing 100’s of videos around “marketing” that helps educate people?

Does the qualifications really matter? Or would you suggest starting in sales then work your way into marketing as a career?

Cheers,

Look forward to hearing from you.

 

Question - Roger Harrower of The Modern Butcher

Hey timbo.

I own a small retail butcher shop but am also pursuing other ventures. i hear a lot about market research but i don't really know much about it. where do you start to run an online survey or is there companies that sell this sort of data. any info would be great or reference to a past podcast if you have covered this before.

love the show it's very helpful and more importantly motivating

kind regards

Roger

Relevant Small Business Big Marketing episodes to Roger’s question:

Episode 435 - Sam Canning runs six fancy butcher’s shops through Melbourne’s leafy suburbs

Episode 422 - A $1,500 online survey lead to a 34% increase in sales for this craft beer retailer

 

Question - Jonathon Painting of Jono’s Jerky

Gday Timbo! 

First of all, I love the show. 

I’ve listened to other business podcasts before but nothing provides as much value as yours. Pure Marketing G.O.L.D as you say! 

My wife and I run a business called Jono’s Jerky where we focus on creating a range of premium, full flavoured beef jerky. Currently we’re getting ready to launch a new product which has the potential to totally transform our business and take it to the next level. The product I’m talking about is a flavour of jerky that no one has done before... A Cheeseburger flavour! (I actually got the idea after listening to your interview with Phillip Kuoch, episode 441) 

Anyway, I have been going through your back catalogue to pick up as many tips as I can to help this launch be successful. 

Two of the best ones I found were the interviews with Kara from the Kader Boot Co and Tom Maclean from Sofi Spritz. 

I’m emailing to see what other episodes you can think of that are specific to new product launches or line extensions that might be useful for me?  

Also I’d like to finish with a tip for your listeners that has worked wonders for me! 

Every time I listen to an episode of SMBM I think of other business owners in my network who might enjoy and get good value out of that particular episode. For example customers, distributors, suppliers, friends or just someone who I’d like to connect with! It’s a simple thing and people really appreciate that I’m thinking about them, after all we can all get stuck in our own business bubble a lot of the time! 

I look forward to hearing from you! Jono.

Relevant Small Business Big Marketing episodes to Jono’s question:

Episode 468 - How to slow down and build an empire with Loz and Will from Will & Bear

Episode 424 - Storytelling is Dave Munson’s secret weapon

Episode 396 - 15 year-old Will Deeth made $70,000 selling toys last Xmas

 

Monster Prize Draw winner

The winner of this week’s Monster Prize Draw is Matthew Harris of The Pedal Empire who wins over $1,000 worth of goodies thanks to the generosity of past guests.

 

Episode Transcription

Let's get into your wonderful marketing questions that have been emailed to me over the last few months and that I have been sitting on. The first one is from Emily Harris who simply demands I mean asks in a short tweet. Very short tweet that I hand over my podcast workflow.

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

 

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

 

Yellow

Partner with Australia’s #1 online business directory for all your digital marketing needs.

 

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

 

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.

[ For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big Marketing ]

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.