The StartupCamp Podcast with Chris Graebe

Waiting for everything to be “just right”?

Then don’t expect to get very far, says Alexis Busetti. That perfectionism is holding back your business.

Alexis and her husband Seth Busetti started a financial coaching and advocacy business called Cistern and Grove. Like so many of us, Alexis’ greatest entrepreneurial challenge was overcoming her own Type-A Personality.

Alexis found the courage try new ideas and make peace with organized chaos. If you need a little inspiration to “just jump,” look no further than this episode of StartupCamp Stories.

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On this episode, you’ll learn how to overcome black-and-white thinking, financial must-haves from a financial coach, why your “last run” is always the most important, and how Alexis manages to be both a part-time pro and a part-time homeschooling mom of four adorable children.

 

 

 

Nic Comanici was lying on his back under the engine of a school bus in the middle of a Pittsburgh winter, snowmelt and salt dripping into his face, when he decided to change his life.

Three businesses later, Nic is the CMO of Carney, the founder of Tactics Not Hacks, and one of the newest coaches in the StartupCamp+ program.

Nic is an entirely self-taught entrepreneur, and his story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial success is all about mindset and determination.

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So much of entrepreneurship is a process of learning to teach yourself, and there isn’t a better model than Nic. On this episode, you’ll learn his simple rule to educate yourself with free resources and how he made time in his life to do it.

Many of the most important lessons Nic learned were from his experience working blue collar jobs and from his father, who was an auto mechanic. Too often, capable people talk themselves out of starting their own businesses because they’re convinced that they need some kind of degree or diploma. But any kind of honest hard work can be a strong foundation for entrepreneurship if we know how to apply the lessons.

Finally, Nic will share his recipe for balancing a full-time job with a thriving part-time business, and how he still makes time for his family and his life.

We’re lucky to have Nic as a StartupCamp Counselor and a StartupCamp+ Coach. He has invaluable knowledge to share in the world of social media, digital marketing, management, and, above all, grit.

What do you do when you have three kids in diapers, a husband working miserable long hours, and no friends or family for a thousand miles?

First, declutter. Then, start an explosively popular online course to lift up other moms across the country.

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Sound impossible? That’s what Allie Casazza did. By being thrifty, passionate, and determined, this homeschooling mama went from broke and overwhelmed to a seven-figure online business doing what she loves: helping other moms find joy, meaning, and simplicity in motherhood. She has plenty of wisdom to share for bloggers, working parents, and entrepreneurs hustling for a better life. 

On this episode, you’ll learn how Allie launched her business on a shoestring budget, her secret for being super productive at home, and the one thing you absolutely need to do to grow quickly.

We love Allie because she’s living so many of the StartupCamp principles. She started lean, learned from her mistakes, and followed her heart.

How do you beat the odds?

By tapping into the power of the people around you.

That’s what Bryan Bessette says. He’s the founder of Freedom Cafe, a non-profit working to end human trafficking. To launch Freedom Cafe, Bryan put together a board of directors, recruited some sixty-odd volunteers from the local university, and wrangled a bunch of free equipment from a generous neighbor.

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Whether you’re trying to start a socially conscious business or not, Bryan has plenty of insights to share about harnessing the power of your network and jumping in with both feet.

All new businesses face risk, but not-for-profits face especially long odds. Bryan has done something impressive with Freedom Cafe; he’s given us a model we can use and a story to aspire towards.

On this episode of StartupCamp Stories, we’ll also learn how to balance long-term strategic thinking with action and adjustment, and Bryan’s number one piece of advice for new and would-be non-profits. Enjoy!

The hospitality industry is one that will never die, and as an entrepreneur in a niche market like Chris Centracchio’s, it’s exciting to realize that the market is not going anywhere. It takes elements of risk and creativity (entrepreneurs’ strengths) to have a hospitality business, which is what we talk about in today’s StartupCamp Stories podcast.

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After being in campus ministry for 20+ years, Chris Centracchio decided it was time to pursue a side-hustle, one in which he could flex his creativity muscle.

Photobooth Planet Vermont, a photobooth rental company, went from being a part-time side hustle to his full-time business. His unique rentals are in high-demand across New England, and he’s learned a lot from the booming hospitality industry.

In the age of the selfie and instant gratification, he provides classic enclosed vintage photobooths as well as uniquely designed and built photobooths, like his delightful VW Photobuses, the vintage Bellows Booth, and his newest photobooth built into an airstream camper.

In this episode, Chris shares his company mission statement and some do’s and don’ts of the industry and business:

aim to “delight your clients” by learning what the market wants and over-delivering

don’t be intimidated by the competition, but instead see it as an indicator that you’re in the right market!

don’t coast through a good business – keep inventing and innovating, or it will stagnate and die

keep your home time and family time as sacred, so that you’re recharged and focused when you do work

put systems in place early in order to grow your business well as it expands

We’re excited to have him on the show this week!

Life can feel like this sometimes, speeding at 120+ miles an hour with everything a blur and your heart racing.

Sometimes it’s life that flies by you. And sometimes it’s you that speeds past everything else.

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At Fishtail Riding School, Tim Hafner provides this experience for the speed-hungry population.

He joins us on our show this week to share about his motorcycle riding school located in New England – how he got started and the important perspective he has on his students.

Tim’s background as a fighter pilot, a commercial airline pilot, a middle school teacher, and a campus minister has interestingly enough equipped him with what he has needed to start Fishtail Riding School and be a riding instructor.

In this episode we talk about:

People-centered business: students feel the difference between feeling like you’re trying to empty their wallet versus feeling like you are trying to maximize their experience

Weaknesses and strengths: giving other people and team members a chance at what they’re good at

Leadership: if you’re doing a good job as a leader, it should have as much impact as taking your hand out of a bucket of water

The balance of work and play: recapture the love! recapture the passion for what you do!

Qualifiers of having a great business: something you love (won’t be for the money), run with passion, focus on the people, sacrifice to give the best possible customer experience, letting success percolating out from those things

Gather round the fire for a great story and lots of wisdom!

When it comes to starting a business, most people have doubts.

I’m not sure if I could be an entrepreneur. I already have a full-time day job. I don’t have much money to throw into a new venture. How would I balance family life with even more work hours?

As everyday entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs, this thought process is common among us. But as our guest, Chris Graebe, shares with us, these thoughts don’t have to stop us.

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Chris Graebe–a full-time pastor, a husband, and a dad of five kids–started an e-commerce business that has grossed $2.1 million.

In this episode of StartupCamp Stories, Chris tells his story–how three years ago, he built an extremely profitable e-commerce business by working on it part-time at night after his family was asleep. He turned $4,000 into a $2.1 million business in only three years.

Sound too easy? Or does it sound intriguing? Are you now wondering “How?”

Gather ‘round the campfire, folks. It’s story time! Listen, be inspired, and learn something new!