
Hosted by Andrew Dickow · EN

As a passionate entrepreneur (or someone aspiring to be one), you are likely pretty comfortable talking about your product/service to your friends and family. You’ve probably gotten really comfortable explaining everything about your company and why it is going to be the next big thing during your daily encounters. No matter how enthused you are, once you get in front of potential investors your zealous pitch may be a major letdown if you aren't prepared and mindful of what they want to hear and know more about. If you are looking to fine-tune your informal pitch into a polished one that actually gets investors' attention, check out this episode outlining the six key tenets of a successful capital raise pitch.

In this episode, we revisit how each of our previous guests answered the question, "what is your best piece of advice for entrepreneurs?". We dive into the topics of networking, adaptability and the power of mentorship to peel back the onion on how to think through each effectively. We challenge the status quo of what it means to network by considering adding value to others before looking out for yourself, and we explore how being adaptable is not just about reacting to change but anticipating it. Lastly, we touch on my favorite topic of mentorship and why it doesn't just help open doors, but more importantly, opens up your mind.

When is the right time to take a leap of faith in business? How do you manage the risk vs. reward? These are the questions many of us are facing. In this episode we invited special guest Mark Ghafari to dive into his fascinating career path filled with unique lessons in both life and business. Mark dives into his specific experiences working with entrepreneurs and clients from a variety of industries alongside his own remarkable journey that led him all the way to Beirut as a professional basketball player. We dive into numerous topics ranging from diversification and leadership to cash flow management and mentorship. We touch on specific examples of how to think about managing risk and how to push through adversity. “Be perfect at the things that don’t require talent.” - Mark Ghafari

In the world of business that I operate in, I am interacting mostly with companies that range from $25 Million to $500 Million in sales (middle-market). In my day-to-day dealings, I have come across a phenomenon that I believe is a crucial one for all entrepreneurs, the “Second Banana”. So, what is the Second Banana? Find out in this episode where we dive into the nuances of having a #2 in your business. We explore what to look for and how to leverage your sidekick/COO/Second Banana in this quick deep dive into how you mitigate your weaknesses in sales, strategy, marketing, or finance by identifying how to fill the people gap. This is for all of the "solopreneurs" and those that try to do it all and for those advising or helping small business owners who just can't seem to break through to the next level.

In this episode we continue to follow along in my sometimes comical journey of learning how to start a podcast. We discuss basic editing tools for beginners, how to build your audience, and how to focus on making great content.

Whether you are a business owner or a professional, we are all facing a "new normal". Coffee meetings and after-work happy hours have come to a halt. How do we think about networking when we can't physically leave our homes? In this episode we discuss with Alex Drost, CEO, and Founder of Connection Builders, how to continue building your network and brand during these challenging times. We discuss ways to connect with your existing network in a genuine way and creative ways to continue to add value to friends, clients, and new prospects alike. Get inspired with new ideas and resources to take your networking efforts to the next level and use this episode to help reflect on how you can improve upon your current tactics.

In a day and age where entrepreneurs are encouraged to fail quickly and pivot, we often forget the lessons we can learn from others. In this episode we connect with the CEO and founder of Hire Hero, Eli Halabu. We dive into how he started as an entrepreneur, mistakes he made along the way and how he and his company have been able to pivot effectively throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Learn useful tips about effectively communicating and maintaining your culture in addition to how you can continue your business development efforts even when you can’t meet face to face.

Companies of all sizes track hundreds of different things and create reports that nobody uses. This consumes a lot of time and money. What should companies be tracking? Entrepreneurs need to think about the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that drive their business forward and allow them to be the most efficient. In this episode we dive into 7 of the most helpful KPIs to track for your business and how to put them into practice. If you are measuring your KPIs consistently the results will follow.

This is a quick BONUS episode where I touch on the actual journey of starting a podcast. It has been challenging, fun and interesting. Enjoy the journey with me and maybe learn a few things yourself.

A continuation of episode 1 where we focus on the personal finance element of surviving through the COVID-19 crisis. In this episode we discuss a variety of topics including budgeting, managing your 401k, refinancing and more.