Traversing Entrepreneurship

Jeff Joslin is the Founder and Owner of JJ's Just 1 More Northern Michigan Tour, a tour operator and transportation services company. After receiving his degree in Business Marketing and Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin, Jeff spent seven years in the supply chain industry working for Plastech Engineering and Johnson Controls. In 2010, Jeff returned to North Michigan and worked in the oil and gas industry until 2018.

Jeff joins us today to discuss what it takes to run a tour company during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares his background and discusses the value of being a jack of all trades. He describes his favorite part of owning a business and the financial challenges he faced when he launched his company. Jeff also highlights the power of perspective and explains how being an employee has helped him grow as a person and as a business owner.

"Sometimes, you need to give up a positive asset to move forward and take care of your business." - Jeff Joslin

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Jeff's background and what led him to start JJ's
• The value of diversity and flexibility
• How Jeff learned business by doing
• How feedback and support from the local community inspires Jeff to work and grow JJ's
• What separates JJ's from other rideshare services and tour companies
• The tourism landscape in Northern Michigan and Jeff's favorite part of owning a tour company
• How JJ's supports other local and small businesses
• Financial challenges Jeff met when he launched his business
• How banks currently see small businesses
• How COVID-19 impacted the tourism arm of JJ's and how Jeff navigated through the pandemic
• Why Jeff diversified his business into transportation and tours and how the tourism industry is coming out of the pandemic
• The differences between running an independent business and working for a corporation

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Being a jack of all trades is common among many business owners." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Ambition gets you to many places, but accessing funds is a different story." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Once you put your head down and get to work, people respect you and understand your message and what you're trying to do." - Jeff Joslin

Connect with Jeff Joslin:

• JJ's Just 1 More Northern Michigan Tour
• JJ's Just 1 More Northern Michigan Tour on Instagram
• JJ's Just 1 More Northern Michigan Tour on Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

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And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Jeff Guntzviller is the General Manager of Miner's North Jewelers, a specialized jewelry store in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in 1975 as a rock shop by Wayne and Beth Guntzviller, Miner's North Jewelers is dedicated to providing the ultimate jewelry experience to every customer. Jeff began working full-time after he graduated from Western Michigan University in 2010. He later continued his education at the Gemological Institute of America to become a graduate gemologist. As the store's General Manager, Jeff envisions Miner's North Jewelers as the leading jewelry store and diamond destination in Northern Michigan.

Jeff joins us today to discuss what it takes to scale a family business. He talks about his beginnings in the fine jewelry business as well as what motivates him to serve Miner's North Jewelers' customers every day. He shares the history of Miner's North Jewelers and describes what it's like to operate a local specialty jewelry store. Jeff also highlights the importance of keeping your staff happy and underscores the lessons Miner's North Jewelers learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The retail environment is stressful. But when you have happy people, you have happy customers. That's important in retail." - Jeff Guntzviller

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• The history of Miner's North Jewelers and how Jeff became its current General Manager
• Growing up in downtown Traverse City and what it's like to run a true family business
• What keeps Jeff passionate about running and scaling the business
• Where the growth of Miner's North Jewelers comes from
• The importance of keeping your staff happy
• The struggles of rapid growth and owning a fine jewelry business
• How COVID-19 changed Miner's North Jewelers' way of doing business
• How local customers supported Miner's North Jewelers through COVID-19
• Technological changes Miner's North Jewelers implemented as a response to COVID-19
• The lessons Miner's North Jewelers learned from COVID-19

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Attention to detail is huge in any business." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "There is a common thread among us business owners—we take the next step forward." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Surround yourself with people smarter than you and rely on different people that are equipped to handle situations better than you can." - Jeff Guntzviller

Connect with Jeff Guntzviller:

• Miner's North Jewelers
• Miner's North Jewelers on Instagram
• Miner's North Jewelers on Facebook
• Jeff Guntzviller on LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Jacob Kaberle is the owner of Burritt's Fresh Markets, the premiere specialty meat market in Traverse City, Michigan. Jake spent several years serving in managerial roles for several businesses, including Boone's Long Lake Inn, where he worked for over 15 years. In 2012, he launched his own IT support company, Kaberle Consulting, where he helped individuals and businesses find solutions to their most simple and complex technology challenges, including Windows and Apple support, Smart TV integration, and developing cloud-based and local support backups. Jake graduated from Michigan State University and currently serves on the Board of North Manitou Light Keepers in addition to his responsibilities at Burritt's.

Jake joins us today to discuss the importance of taking care of your employees and their well-being. He shares his background and what led him to becoming the owner of a fresh market business after starting his own IT support company. He reveals his secrets to merchandising and improving visual display of products. He outlines the challenges he has faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also underscores the value of connecting with your passion as a business owner and reveals his goals as an employer.

"The secret to running a business is a good management team that understands the dynamics of the business and knows how to make it work." - Jake Kaberle

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Jake's background and how he pivoted from starting an IT support company to owning Burritt's Fresh Markets
• His source of passion as a business owner
• The importance of merchandising and maintaining an attractive visual display of products
• How Jake and the Burritt's Fresh Markets team ensures the quality of their products
• Tips and tricks to improve visual display
• Overcoming labor challenges, supply chain issues, and other business struggles
• How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Burritt's Fresh Markets
• Changes in meat prices and making adjustments to what Burritt's charges its customers
• Managing and juggling different aspects of a business
• The nature of customer service and Jake's goal as an employer

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Owning and growing a business is tough business. But in every story, in every struggle, and in every business, you must have a passion to succeed." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Take care of your people and your products, and your bottom line will take care of itself." - Jake Kaberle
• "Treat others how you want to be treated." - Derek Dall'Olmo

Connect with Jake Kaberle:

• Burritt's Fresh Markets
• Burritt's Fresh Markets on LinkedIn
• Jake Kaberle on LinkedIn

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan, and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Andrea Holcomb is the owner and CEO of Extreme Cleaning Solutions, a commercial cleaning company in Traverse City, Michigan. For over 15 years, Andrea and the Extreme Cleaning Solutions team has been dedicated to providing superior services to local businesses of Grand Traverse County and its surrounding areas. The company offers a variety of services and provides bi-weekly cleaning and maintenance. Extreme Cleaning Solutions is licensed, insured, and compliant with MIOSHA safety standards and is a proud member of the Home Builders Association and Builders Exchange of NW Michigan.

Andrea joins us today to discuss managing and operating a successful commercial cleaning company. She shares her background and explains how initially taking cleaning jobs for extra income led her to founding her own company. She outlines the most difficult parts of running a janitorial services business and how she overcomes them. She also discusses how COVID-19 affected her company and shares her advice to people who want to venture into entrepreneurship.

"Pay your employees well and work hard on having a positive, healthy work environment. Happy employees produce more." - Andrea Holcomb

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Andrea's background and what her life was like before Extreme Cleaning Solutions
• How Andrea decided to transition from being a solopreneur to hiring employees
• The challenges of staffing and managing employees in a cleaning business
• The value of maintaining a healthy, positive working environment
• How Extreme Cleaning Solutions set themselves apart in the market
• The hardest part of being a business owner
• How COVID-19 impacted their business operations
• Andrea's advice on starting a company

Resources Mentioned:

• Cisco Jabber

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "People make mistakes–that's human nature. It's how you learn from those mistakes that makes you who you are." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "The business owner steers the ship, but it's the employees who operate it." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Not every part of the job is fun, so ensure that you let the employees feel appreciated and that they're not coming into some toxic work environment." - Andrea Holcomb

Connect with Andrea Holcomb:

• Extreme Cleaning Solutions
• Email: [email protected]
• Extreme Cleaning Solutions on Facebook
• Andrea Holcomb on LinkedIn

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Matt Hodges is the Managing Broker and Owner of Kultura Real Estate. With over 16 years of experience, he specializes in residential listings and purchases in the greater Grand Traverse region. Matt is an industry leader, currently serving as a Director on the Michigan Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Matt has also served on Aspire North Realtors Board of Directors, the local association for over 4 years and was honored as board president in 2022. In addition to his work at Kultura Real Estate, Matt is a US Navy veteran who is passionate about helping his community.

Matt joins us today to share his advice on marketing your business in the real estate industry. He reveals the characteristics that make great realtors and outlines current trends in real estate. He explains what a title company is and how closing a deal with one is different from closing a deal with attorneys. He also underscores the relationship between marketing and customer service and shares his advice for anyone who wants to start a career in the real estate industry.

"The thing about marketing and business is you have to be in front of people; otherwise, it doesn't matter how good your service is." - Matt Hodges

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Matt's background and how he got started in real estate
• Why you shouldn't try to do real estate part-time
• The growth mindset and what drives Matt to keep going in real estate
• What separates the best realtors from the average ones
• Maintaining consistency in the real estate business and the value of predictability in marketing
• The basics of marketing and how to improve it
• Looking at and using market & industry trends to your advantage
• Changing the culture of real estate and what lifestyle marketing is
• Recent real estate trends in the United States
• Struggles and difficulties Matt has encountered in real estate
• The difference between closing with title companies and attorneys
• The importance of having mentors and what Matt has learned about owning a business over the years
• How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Matt and his business
• Matt's advice for new agents in the real estate industry

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert Kiyosaki

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "It's okay to make mistakes. We're going to encounter something new almost weekly, and when we make a mistake, we learn how to handle the nuances of that particular situation." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Perception is driven by your marketing message. Every successful company is a marketing company that sells something." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "If people don't have a great time buying or selling a house, they won't refer you. It all comes down to how you get them through that door–and that's marketing." - Matt Hodges

Connect with Matt Hodges :

• Kultura Group
• Email: [email protected]
• Kultura Group on Instagram
• Kultura Group on Facebook
• Kultura Group on Twitter
• Kultura Group on YouTube
• Matt Hodges on LinkedIn

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan, and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Ron Harris is the Founder and Managing Partner of Harris Group CPAs, a full-service accounting firm dedicated to providing businesses and individuals with quality and innovative accounting, tax, and financial services. Ron completed his degree in Accounting at Central Michigan University and has more than 20 years of experience as a business owner. Together with his team at Harris Group CPAs, Ron believes in supporting their clients' prosperity and peace of mind by expertly managing their financial affairs.

Ron joins me today to discuss what makes a successful business. He explains how he pre-qualifies his clients and describes the steps he takes when communication lapses between the client and the company. He outlines how Harris Group CPAs help their clients bounce back from a financial setback and how digitalization helped his company prepare for COVID-19. He also shares his advice for growing CPA firms and highlights why he prioritizes hiring for personality and cultural fit.

"Culture shouldn't fit a person. The person should fit the culture." - Ron Harris

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Ron's background and his path to building Harris Group CPAs
• What Ron enjoys the most about being a CPA and owning a firm
• What separates successful businesses from the ones that struggle
• How the Harris Group helps businesses understand their financial statements
• The importance of solid communication between a company and its clients
• How budgeting can help businesses recover from financial setbacks
• The top budget killers that put business owners above their means
• The growth and evolution of Harris Group CPAs
• When to hire for your business and how to evaluate an applicant's fit
• Utilizing technology versus hiring new staff and how Harris Group CPAs evaluates software
• The 'Finder, Minder, Grinder' hiring philosophy
• Using Slack, Zoom, and other apps to ensure that everyone in the company is connected personally
• Ron's advice to CPA firms about hiring their next key person
• Harris Group CPAs' digitalization and how the company has adapted and thrived through COVID-19
• Quantitative and qualitative metrics & KPIs in Harris Group CPAs

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "We're inundated with various software and AI every week; it'll be interesting to see when everything starts to talk to each other seamlessly without having to worry about APIs." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Everybody needs to have their own KPIs, whether you're the owner, manager, staff person - everybody needs to have some metric to be measured against." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Successful businesses are the ones that are in tune with their financial statements and what those financial statements mean." - Ron Harris

Connect with Ron Harris:

• Harris Group CPAs
• Email: [email protected]
• Harris Group CPAs on LinkedIn
• Harris Group CPAs on Facebook
• Harris Group CPAs on Twitter
• Ron Harris on LinkedIn

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Dr. Andrew Gorecki is the Founder of the award-winning clinic, Superior Physical Therapy, and the author of The Truth About Lower Back Pain. He is a highly-regarded physical therapist dedicated to helping people who struggle with physical pain and has delivered over 400 speeches and seminars to individuals who live with chronic back pain. In 2018, Superior Physical Therapy was the recipient of the Hagerty Small Business of the Year Award and was named the 2018 Red Hot Best Physical Therapy Clinic. They also won the Simply The Best award in 2020.

Andrew joins me today to share his advice on marketing strategies. We cover his background, and Andrew explains what drove him to become a physical therapist, and how he founded Superior Physical Therapy. Andrew describes how telling a personal story helps him connect with his patients and clients. He also discusses his philosophy on marketing and advertising, and how Superior Physical Therapy adapted to the pandemic.

"Shine the light on patients and clients in your marketing message. Enter the conversation clients are already having with themselves, then prove that your product is the solution." - Andrew Gorecki

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• The origin of Superior Physical Therapy and how Andrew grew the company
• The importance of specializing and qualifying clients
• What drove Andrew to become a physical therapist
• How telling his personal story helps Andrew connect with his patients
• The five conditions that make the most out of spending in healthcare
• Why people don't exercise and Superior Physical Therapy's mission statement
• How Andrew markets the Superior Physical Therapy story
• Andrew's marketing principle and how he became passionate about marketing
• How many of Andrew's patients come from referrals
• Financial struggles and other challenges Andrew faces in running and maintaining Superior Physical Therapy
• How COVID-19 impacted Superior Physical Therapy and the way they do business

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "The pillar of success in every business is being able to define who you are." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Simplify your business. Find out what you like, what you're good at, then let other people do the other things." - Andrew Gorecki
• "To be an expert in your trade, you have to be somewhat specialized." - Derek Dall'Olmo

Connect with Andrew Gorecki:

• Superior Physical Therapy
• Email: [email protected]
• Book: The Truth About Lower Back Pain: The Hidden Culprits
• Superior Physical Therapy on LinkedIn
• Superior Physical Therapy on Facebook
• Superior Physical Therapy on Instagram
• Superior Physical Therapy on Twitter

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.

Derek Dall'Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Email Derek Dall'Olmo at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

Follow Derek on LinkedIn.

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Jake Baldridge is the Founder and CEO of The Baldridge Group, a boutique, full-service sales agency that helps innovative brands gain the market share they deserve. Jake served as the Chief Strategy Officer of SunFrog Wholesale for over a decade prior to founding The Baldridge Group. Before his entry into the promotional merchandise industry, Jake worked in institutional finance and hedge funds. He served as a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch, the Managing Director of Clear Alpha, and a Senior Analyst for Cole Partners Asset Management.

Jake joins me today to discuss how his experience in hedge funds and institutional finance helps him as the CEO of a promotional merchandiser provider. He explains why the merchandise industry is still "old school" and what The Baldridge Group does to disrupt a traditionalist industry. He discusses how the pandemic has impacted their business and how they navigated the effects of COVID-19 on supply chains. Jake also shares his advice for entrepreneurs who want to start their own promotional merchandise business and underscores what motivates him to work on the growth of The Baldridge Group.

"Using the on-demand model makes you more efficient and helps buyers save dollars while giving them the full customer experience." - Jake Baldridge

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Jake's background and how he started in the world of custom apparel
• How his experience in institutional finance and hedge funds helped him in the merchandise industry
• Why the merchandise industry is still "old school"
• How The Baldridge Group is innovating promotional merchandise
• What separates The Baldridge Group from other business merchandise providers
• The challenges in overhauling a business's brand and merchandise
• The major challenges COVID-19 has presented to The Baldridge Group and how they navigated them
• What motivates Jake to work on the growth of The Baldridge Group
• Jake's advice to entrepreneurs who want to start a promotional merchandise business
• How The Baldridge Group helps companies elevate their brand
• What is next for Jake and The Baldridge Group

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "At the end of the day, you need to know what you want and how you want it delivered." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "If you're willing to take the risk, you're also willing to enjoy some of the finer things life has to offer." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "Understand the market, what you're doing, and all the moving parts." - Jake Baldridge

Connect with Jake Baldridge:

• The Baldridge Group
• Jake Baldridge on LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]