The Start Down

Merri Bragg from Lightspeed tells Mike Ficara why your classroom may not sound like the one you grew up in. 

I think we can all agree that classrooms are not nearly the same as they were when we were in school. Things are drastically changing compared to just five years ago. 

Check out this clip from THE START DOWN podcast where I had the pleasure of connecting with Merri Bragg. We discussed changes not only with what we are teaching the children but also the lack of funding and support for teachers through the pandemic. 

Comment below on the biggest changes you've noticed in schools now vs. then. 


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara and Merri Bragg

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 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Did you know that the government can help schools and businesses achieve their goals? Believe it or not - the government DOES want your business to succeed, and they even more so want the schools to succeed!

There is just a LOT of different mumbo jumbo lingo, hoops, and people to get through to even begin to understand it. BUT once you get through it, there are some amazing grants, scholarships, loans, and many more ways to access monetary help to achieve your goals. We all know it takes money to make money, and I believe (besides lack of confidence) one of the biggest reasons people DON'T chase their dreams is due to lack of funds to get it going. 

Check out this episode of “The Start Down” podcast with my guy John Harrington from Funds for Learning - HAVE PAPER READY TO JOT DOWN SOME NOTES!! 

Let me know what you think below! Don’t forget to leave a 5-star review if you got some value! 


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara and John Harrington

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 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

“WHO EVEN CARES ABOUT THE LIKES ANYMORE?!” 

It is all about how your followers and likes are turning into conversations, engagements, and sales. How do you know what works if you don’t try it? Trying things outside of your comfort zone is how you learn, yes. But it is also where you MIGHT FAIL. And guess what, if you do fail, you aren’t a failure; that STRATEGY just didn’t work for you!

You will never have it all figured out. Even if you start to feel that way, things will change again and require you to step outside the box again! But you can do it!

KEEP Pushing the boundaries and trying things out. 

Let me know in the comments what you think of this episode of the Start Down Podcast.



Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara & Benny Salas

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 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Who are your mentors in your life? What or how do you DEFINE a mentor?

In this episode of The Start Down Podcast, my childhood friend and successful business owner, Julio Villarreal, talks about how anyone in your corner giving you advice and cheering you on is really mentoring you in some way! 

This is a great perspective but makes you think - who are you spending most of your time with? Are you pushing to elevate each other and the relationship? Mentors can help you avoid making the same mistakes they made and coach you through hard times when you feel like you are alone. 


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara and Julio Villarreal

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 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Have you heard of this crazy trend of people avoiding calling goals what they are (goals) & calling them everything else except that for 2022? It’s RIDICULOUS! (P.S. It's NOT WEIRD to laugh at yourself on a podcast!) In episode 158 of THE START DOWN PODCAST, I debunk this trend!

Being an entrepreneur requires you to be OKAY standing in your truth even if that truth requires you to stand alone sometimes. 

Looking for that “unicorn” strategy or company can seem impossible if you aren’t CLEAR on what YOU want to stand behind. 

Make sure you are taking the time to reset and recenter to stay connected to your beliefs as a business owner. It could be as simple as sticking to your designated business hours to create balance in your work and home life. 

No matter what or how you prioritize or get greedy about your goals or dreams (or “word of the year”), it all requires action. Persistence. Discipline. Strategy. Plans. Your Why. End Action Steps. Ways to Analyze. Either way, keep moving forward. Know that if you are working towards something that you enjoy and know it’s an overall goal, you are working towards the right thing. 

Happy February! Share your goals below! 


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

In this interview, Tiffany Taylor describes WHAT your most valuable & most expensive time is.

I can almost guarantee that you didn’t think that someone who works in corporate America and a business owner would have this in common!

You already know - as Tiffany confirms it - Your FREE time is your most EXPENSIVE time! You can do your business part time when it comes to time, but your MIND has to be ALL IN! Taking advantage of the time for yourself or your business is key. If you don't find that balance in the long run, you can do your self more harm than good with your free time!

Check Tiffany Taylor out on IG: @coachtiffanytaylor, and let me know what you think of the podcast episode :)

Host: Mike Ficara 
Guests: Mike Ficara and Tiffany Taylor

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 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

YOU pick the labels that you associate yourself with! POINT BLANK. PERIOD. 

All that matters is that YOU believe you have a vision, YOU believe you are worth it, YOU believe it's yours for the taking. 

In this episode of "The Start Down," Mike talks with Raj Subrameyer about building your personal brand. Raj is passionate about helping leaders step into their zones and maximize their potential! If you had someone like Raj in your ear every single day, would you show up in the way you needed to?


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara and Raj Subrameyer

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

2021 has been hard on many businesses and industries. 
 
On the other hand, many people have been able to find opportunity. 
 
This week I spoke with Marshall Terrin about the matrix of entrepreneurship. We covered everything from how experiences and process can change your business, to work life balance. 
 
Marshall has also been able to take a time and build an amazing business in two towns impacted by the pandemic, Orlando and Las Vegas. 
 
Don’t miss our last podcast of the year! 


Host: Mike Ficara
Guest: Mike Ficara and Marshall Terrin

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Working from home is amazing, or it could be the worst thing ever. 

It really depends on how you set up your work at home environment. This week on The Start Down Podcast we speak with David Koeneman who is a work at home expert. 

Wither COVID sent you to the home office for the first time, or you’re a lifelong work at home professional, David has some key advice to maximize your work at home experience. 

Don’t miss this exciting episode!


Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara and David Koeneman

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego

Life can be really boring sometimes. 
 
Nothing exciting ever happens to me! 
 
Life needs to slow down. 
 
Have you said any of these things? 
 
Life and business are unpredictable. On this week’s episode of the podcast, we talk about that and how to overcome it! 

Host: Mike Ficara
Guests: Mike Ficara

Support the show

More episodes: https://mikeficara.com/start-down-podcast/  

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Get my book for only $0.99 with the promo code PODCAST- https://mike-ficara.myshopify.com/

 Host: Mike Ficara- https://mikeficara.com/

Content Manager: Charlene Gillego