The Startup Sessions with Michael Knouse

Just when he thought that everything was on track, Jason Spencer received the call that would change everything.

In June 2013, the startup that he was working for suddenly lost funding and he was laid off.

He was “just making it” in terms of paying the bills and keeping a roof over his family’s head so when he got laid off, there was no plan B.

Everything was going great one moment, and then things got turned upside down. Jason got a part-time job delivering pizza and he and his wife had to apply for food stamps.

This pressure forced Jason to:

Jason used his current email list to launch an early adopter beta program for something that was not being offered in the market. Enough people joined so that he was able to quit his pizza delivery job and focus on his new business idea full time.

Jason had a part-time job and a family to feed. He could have made excuses like everyone else. Instead, he leveraged his situation to create something truly remarkable. Here are the steps he took.

Jason had been working on a blog over the last couple of years to express his thoughts on heart-centered entrepreneurship and building tribes. During this time he wrote and gave away a free ebook called ‘The Tribe Builders Manifesto.’

He had built a small email list through this process. He brainstormed about what he could offer these people right now.

What resources do you have that can be leveraged right now? Who do you know? What could you teach? How can you help people? What experience can you draw from to provide value in a meaningful way?

Jason reached out to his blog email list and told his story + connected with them on a very real level. He developed a conversation with people about failure and how there’s a hidden gem whenever we stumble.

He then invited people to participate in a small group offering to help them discover what they’re meant to do and how to pull it off. This turned into his initial beta group of which 18 people committed to The Flight Formula.

This is what allowed Jason to quit the pizza delivery job and buy back his time to focus on his new business idea.

Connect with others and listen to what they want. Then offer them a solution. Don’t make this too complicated. Keep it simple and focus on making the connection.

Jason had connected with his audience and knew their general needs but he didn’t wait to launch. He allowed people to give him real time feedback that ended up defining his product as he went along.

There’s no sense in spending a bunch of time and effort creating something that you don’t know if anyone will want. Gather feedback and create as you go.

Jason offered three different variations of his program to experiment with what his clients were asking him for.

The first program was delivered online via Google Hangouts with a small group meeting at the end. The second was a live 7-day event with online follow up. The third was an online-only version.

Experimenting with the delivery of your content is a great way to reach more people and offer your product or service in new ways.

Again, listen to what people are telling you and give them what they want.

Notice what’s missing in other programs or offerings. Jason noticed that accessibility and connection to the leader was lacking in other similar programs. He also noticed that there was a gap in the level of support with similar programs.

Look for gaps in other offerings. Better yet, ask people what they’ve liked best and what they’ve liked least about offerings similar to yours. Whether it’s a software solution or a dog walking service, you’ll find there’s always opportunity for adding more value.

Stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Reach out and collaborate with others to make your offering even more dynamic and powerful.

Build your team and get the support you need sooner than later. There’s no glory in being a lone ranger.

Question: What inspired you the most about this discussion? Go ahead and add your answer to the comments section below. We’re all on this journey together so we might as well share. 🙂

Now, here are some of Jason’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

How good are you at telling your business story?

Are you ready to build your business and brand from a place of personal power and business vision?

My guest this week is Victoria Prozan and she’s a badass branding expert + business storyteller. She’s here to set your business and brand on fire.

She’s from Madison, Wisconsin and she will show you how to cut through the distraction to find the golden message that your clients long to hear.

Her business super power is empathy and she uses it to connect owners with their businesses and businesses to their customers.

Victoria spends her time helping ambitious entrepreneurs take their rightful place at the big table of business. She gives emerging voices the permission to speak up. She will help you excavate your truth and turn it into branded language that thrills you to the core.

If you’re looking to activate your entrepreneurial superpowers and really plant your flag and be known for something meaningful, you’ll love this episode and all the valuable content that Victoria shares.

Here are some of Victoria’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Question: What is your business super power? Add your answer to the comments section below. Go ahead, it’ll be fun to share! 🙂

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Expert”?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “unknown?”

Now, if you’re in business for yourself (or plan to be) which word sounds like the better option?

Today’s guest discusses a fundamental truth in business. You’re either perceived as an expert or you’re not. And if you’re not being seen as an expert, what is it really costing you?

Catriona Pollard is with me on the show this week and she is passionate about helping people find their authority and communicate it clearly and with purpose.

Catriona Pollard is the founder and director of CP Communications – one of Australia’s most respected and innovative PR and social media agencies. She is also the author of ‘From Unknown To Expert’, Catriona’s new book that is a step-by-step process for growing your profile, expanding your influence and increasing your income by becoming a recognized expert.

After years of staying behind the scenes, Catriona finally reached a point of complete frustration on November 9th of 2010.

She was making a presentation to a room full of people. She was so nervous and remembers looking at the light shining from the spotlight. There was absolute silence as the audience waited. She looked out to the crowd, took a breath and began to speak.

And do you know what happened?

She realized that she deserved to be in the spotlight. For the first time, she wanted people to hear her speak.

Because she realized that she had something important to say. Something that could change people’s lives for the better.

If you are guilty of playing small and not claiming your role as an expert, then you need to hear this episode.

Here are some of Catriona’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Question: What’s one step that you can take to start positioning yourself as an expert? Go ahead and be brave. Add your answer to the comments section below. I read and respond to every comment.

Have you ever felt that your business was missing something?

Have you ever wondered what felt “off” about your offering?

My guest this week is someone who took a huge leap of faith and left the business she started with her partner to pursue a more authentic path for herself.

This takes exceptional courage, especially when your new path feels easier than the old one. After all, shouldn’t change be difficult or challenging?

Andrea Leda is my guest today and she will describe how she finally allowed her business to unfold in the most natural and intuitive way.

After 4 years of trying to make her business work, Andrea tried a little experiment. She began infusing her work with something she was naturally good at. And now, Andrea’s business has taken off and it’s never looked brighter.

Andrea is a journal teacher & guide, Certified Life Coach, and blogger. She brings a unique perspective as both a journal guide and life coach to the practice of journal writing. She teaches people how to use it as a tool for less stress, more fulfillment, living out your dreams, finding balance, having better relationships, and navigating big changes.

The thing you do that feels so natural – so much a part of who you are – is probably the thing you discount and don’t give yourself enough credit for. And having the courage to highlight your natural gifts and talents could be the difference between remaining stuck or soaring to new heights.

If you feel like you haven’t quite hit upon your sweet spot or you feel like you’re working super hard in your business and not getting any traction, then this episode is for you.

Here are some of Andrea’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Question: What’s one thing that comes so easy to you that you don’t often give yourself full credit for it? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

So how exactly does an Engineer at Intel make the decision to quit his job and start leading Bollywood dance parties?

In today’s discussion, you’ll learn how Prashant Kakad made the tough decision to follow what was tugging at his soul and leave his job.

After graduating from an Ivy League University, Prashant joined Intel Corporation as an Engineer & worked there four years before deciding to quit and follow his passion for Bollywood.

Fast-forward to now, Prashant is one of the most sought after Bollywood entertainers in North America. He entertains from coast-to-coast including New York City, L.A., Bay Area, Seattle and Portland.

I experienced Prashant’s energy and enthusiasm four years ago at a conference called World Domination Summit. It was there that Prashant rocked the crowd into a frenzy by leading everyone through his Jai! Ho! Party.

I’ve seen Prashant entertain the crowd at this event every year since and he just keeps getting better and better.

I feel so lucky to be able to connect with people like Prashant. He is such an incredible example of what it means to be following your bliss and spreading joy.

Here are some of Prashant’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

A few months ago I was sitting in the fourth row at Pioneer Nation listening to Shenee Howard talk about her frustration with horrible clients, being busy but not making any real progress, and feeling broke.

These sounded like the typical frustrations for many early stage solopreneurs.

But then Shenee described the simple process she used to launch her business forward.

Enter The 100 People Project.

Shenee Howard is my guest today and we’re going to talk about a simple process that she crafted by talking to 100 people.

It’s the process she used to turn a struggling business into a growing empire.

If you have a small email list – I’m telling you – this is the way to make it convert.

Shenee is THE branding expert for undeniably mind-blowing, awe-inspiring (profitable) brands. She helps entrepreneurs and business builders strategize and become truly unforgettable online.

Shenee will teach you how to do the right stuff to sell more products, get more clients and have more fun doing the work you love.

Here are some of Shenee’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

My guest this week lives by the motto, “You get what you give” and she certainly gives a lot through her work at Inspired Living.

Keri Murphy is the founder of Inspired Living where her sole purpose is to empower people to create an authentic and inspired life.

But it was only a few years ago that Keri was bankrupt and broken. As a serial entrepreneur, she closed a business she loved in 2008 and started completely over. She moved 7 times in 3 years and she still remembers wondering how she was going to afford gas to get to her auditions.

In less than 3 years, Keri created a six-figure business doing — and more importantly — BEing what she always knew she was called to do.

She started doing what she did best and sought out incredible mentors to help her get there. For too long, Keri admits to trying to do it all on her own and then finally realizing how important collaboration is.

Today, Keri and her team are committed to providing you with meaningful and inspirational content that will inspire you to be the agent of change in your life and the reason for change around the globe.

Here are some of Keri’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

Think you’d have the guts to strike out on a 1000 day journey to all 50 states with nothing more than $10 and a laptop?

That’s exactly what Greg Hartle did to prove what he was capable of and be a source of inspiration and an example of possibility for others who are experiencing a significant life transition and have to start from scratch.

Greg went on to help over 500 people start over while reminding them of what they’re capable of.

Now that Greg has finished his 1000-day journey, he’s focusing his efforts on mentoring startup founders as the founder in residence at Starve Ups in Portland, Oregon. Greg is also facilitating and co-facilitating workshops around the country as well as giving keynotes on twenty-first century skills and entrepreneurship.

Change is happening at an accelerated pace. It’s not a matter of if we’re going change, it’s a matter of when and how readily we can adapt.

Enjoy this episode as Greg digs into what it takes to make a contribution and be an example of possibility in business and in life.

Here are some of Greg’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

What’s it like to be so stressed at work that you pass out on a bus, end up leaving your high paying corporate job, start a travel blog, decide to redesign your entire business around your life’s purpose, lose a big part of your audience, then gain back a new one and then some?

You’re about to find out!

Andy Hayes is my guest this week and he’s the founder of the popular online magazine and brand called Plum Deluxe.

Plum Deluxe specializes in content marketing programs and campaigns for some of today’s hottest boutique brands. According to Plum Deluxe, the key to living a life you love is all about making time every day for great moments.

In today’s episode, Andy Hayes will talk about the unique and inspiring story behind the creation of Plum Deluxe as well as how he expanded his revenue model and grew a loyal audience to over 100,000 subscribers.

It’s not getting any easier to capture eyeballs on the Internet. And it’s even harder to turn them into subscribers and loyal fans. If any aspect of your business is online, you should probably listen to Andy’s guidance on growing and expanding a successful business and brand online.

Enjoy this episode as Andy shares his valuable insights about succeeding with a digital business.

Here are some of Andy’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.

What if I told you there was a way for your startup to be 6x more likely to stay in business, 5x more likely to raise funding, and 2.5x more likely to exit positively, than the national startup average?

That’s not just daydreaming, that’s reality for founders that participate in a unique and proven incubator and accelerator Co-Founded by John Friess, Executive Director of Starve Ups.

In today’s episode, John will explain the full circle approach to successfully leading companies from the SURVIVE stage, through the STRIVE stage, and on to the THRIVE stage.

Starve Ups in the last decade has an 82% survival/success rate amongst its 93 membership companies, has raised over $350M in funding amongst membership companies, has had 9 membership companies positively acquired, with one of them being an IPO, and three Inc. 500 companies within it.

John is also the Co-Founder & CEO of Journey Gym, the current company that he and his team are building towards a positive exit.

If you are in the early stages of a startup, or are considering starting one, this episode is a gold mine of strategies and mindset you need to navigate the uncertain entrepreneurial waters.

Here are some of John’s favorite things:

If you prefer audio only, you can subscribe and listen to The Startup Sessions podcast on iTunes! 

Ask yourself: How can I apply this to my business? Add your answer to the comments section right now. I read and respond to every comment.