AmiSights: Financing the Future For Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

In today’s podcast, we talk to Winnie Hart, founder and Chief Strategic Engine of TwinEngine, a brand growth agency fueled by purpose, and best-selling author of the new release, “Stand Out as a Thought Leader.” She tells us why she wrote this book and how it differs from other business books.

“We have such a massive opportunity to, especially as entrepreneurs and as business leaders in this world, to really be clear about what we stand for, and the difference we make in the world, and to find a way to share it with other people. And that's what the book is all about,” she says. “I wanted to write a book that you actually do, and this book is structured to help people to actually do the work because thought leadership is practice.”

The main topics of today's episode will be how living and working in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina taught Winnie how to be self-sufficient and prepared for future crises like COVID.We will also discuss how being your true self at all times will make you a better leader and how Winnie’s journey in Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) since 2004 helped save her business and transform her thinking.

Connect with Winnie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winniehart/

Check out TwinEngine: https://twinengine.com/

In today’s podcast, we talk to Gabe Abshire, founder and CEO of Utility Concierge, a one-stop-shop for setting up utilities and home services—such as electricity, cable, internet, phone, and smart security—when moving into a new home. Gabe explains how he came up with the idea for the company and why it is of value to customers, real estate professionals, and service providers.

"We're going to save you time. We're going to talk to you, find out what you need and what you're looking for in the house, and we're just gonna say, ‘here's your options, check, yes or no.’ We go to work making all those connections and setting appointments so you don't have to do that," he explains. "We figure it's about a couple of half days on the phone, trying to set everything up. And we can do that in a 30-minute phone call, get everything taken care of for you."

The main topics of today's episode will be how the company goes up and down with housing demand and how the pandemic changed the business model from in-office to remote. We will also talk about how to retain strong company culture with employees working virtually.

Connect with Gabe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabeabshire/

Checkout Utility Concierge: https://utilityconcierge.com/

In today’s podcast, we talk to Mac Lackey, a former professional soccer player and an entrepreneur who has built and sold six companies. Currently, Mac is mentoring entrepreneurs via ExitDNA, his exclusive program for founders and entrepreneurs who want confidence and clarity on the exact steps they need to take now to create the option for a successful exit in the future. He explains how his experience as an athlete prepared him for the business world.

"Whether it's entrepreneurship or traditional business, or whatever people pursue in life, what is required to achieve success in a sport at a high level is discipline, drive, and hard work. And if it's a team sport, it requires all kinds of interpersonal dynamics, dealing with others, and communication," he explains.

Mac talks about how he turned a frustrating experience with his daughter’s soccer tournament into a company he eventually sold to NBC Sports. He stresses why it is crucial to surround yourself with team members who are aligned with not just your business goals but also your morals and ethics. We also talk about why entrepreneurs should bootstrap in the beginning and seek funding after creating something solid and what Mac considers before becoming an angel investor Connect with Mac Lackey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maclackey/ Checkout ExitDNA: https://exitdna.com/ Recorded on 07/06/2023

In today’s podcast, we talk to Wendy Lieber, Co-Founder and CEO of ContentBacon, a subscription-based company that works with companies to help tell their story through all different types of tasty custom content. She explains how her company’s niche is content storytelling.

"The best customers for us are companies that know who they are, know who they're trying to target, and utilize us to help tell that story in a compelling way," she explains. "I'm a big believer that most companies, if not all, usually have a very compelling story to tell. They're just usually doing it poorly or not at all. And we help solve that problem."

The main topics of today's episode will be how the subscription content model results in outsourced marketing for clients and how clients measure the effectiveness of her company’s services, and whether or not everything has to be measured in order to be effective. We will also chat about how to use AI tools to be more effective and efficient, rather than replacing creativity and the story behind the name ContentBacon.

Connect with Wendy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendylieber/

Check out ContentBacon: https://www.contentbacon.com/

Recorded on 06/29/2023

In today’s podcast, we talk to Mbasa and Sabu Siyaka, brothers who each run successful businesses in the township of Langa, about nine miles from the Cape Town City Centre in South Africa. Mbasa runs Mzansi Restaurant, which was started in 2008 by their parents, Nomonde and the late Vuklie Siyaka. Sabu runs Ubizo Events & Tours, which also started in 2008.

Ami visited Mzansi Restaurant while he was in South Africa earlier this summer for EO’s global conference. While the restaurant and experience were great, the family and entrepreneurial spirit were what made it so special.

The Siyaka brothers tell us more about their community and what they learned from their parents.

“It’s the oldest and smallest township with thousands of cultures,” Sabu says about Langa. “Whenever we have celebrations, everyone sits together; no VIPs. We all respect one another because we believe that we breathe the same air, we got the same blood.”

In today's episode, will talk about how word-of-mouth through social media and sites like Trip Advisor built their business after several years of operating at a loss.We will also talk about how learning every aspect of the business teaches an entrepreneur how to lead and how opportunities don’t come to you, but rather you need to work hard and go out and find them.

Checkout their business below:

• Mzansi Restaurant: https://mzansi45.co.za/
• Ubizo Events & Tours: https://ubizo-sa.co.za/

Recorded on 06/23/2023 *Due to Mbasa and Sabu Siyaka experiencing unstable internet connection, there are moments where it has caused audio lag when streaming audio.

In today’s podcast, we talk to Ian Meierdiercks, Founder and Chief Planner of IM Wealth Partners, a company he launched in 2003 to provide clients with financial planning and concierge services. He tells us how he takes a holistic approach to wealth management, considering all aspects of a client's financial life.

“There's all the things that I saw at my old firm that I thought could be done in a different way…I just put together a best hits and created something that now we call the financial concierge,” he explains. “Everybody needs to deal with tax issues and estate planning issues and business issues and cash flow issues and investing and insurance, but no one usually has a team to do that. So, we quarterback that team and either bring in our own partners to do that outside of our core competency or we deal with theirs.”

In this episode we will focus on why during rough times, you should stick with your plan and core business philosophies. We will also be evaluating how much risk you are taking as we get back near the highs and why you should understand your tax return and where the needle is moving. *Securities offered through SA Stone Wealth Management Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services offered through SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc. Recorded on 06/22/2023

In today’s podcast, we talk to Brian Brault, Transformational Leadership Trainer and Corporate Retreat Facilitator of Legacy Of Significance, a company he launched in 2018, based on living out his purpose of creating a positive impact in the lives of others. He tells us what he loves most about his new venture.

“I love doing retreats just because it's the ability to be personal, intimate with people and help them kind of move forward on their own journey of self discovery…But also I love the executive education programming that we do,” he said. “When we love what we do, and we feel like we're adding value to the world, whether it's our family or our neighborhood or the globe, I think we show up differently in the relationships in our life.”

The main topics of today's episode will be how getting fired from the company Brian started pushed him out of something he didn't really want to be in anyways, allowing him to do what he wanted for the rest of his life. We will also talk about how he prioritizes his family with “Papa days” and how he stresses the importance of listening to understand versus listening to fix or listening to reply.

Recorder on 06/05/2023

In today’s podcast, we talk to Jeremy Jenson, Founder and CEO of Encore Search Partners, a 38-person executive search firm in Houston. He tells us about his journey since starting the business in 2013, and how he plans to stay the course with his talented staff despite uncertainties in the economy.“

We think that going into the face of a downturn, being fully staffed, and almost even overstaffed, is really an opportunity for us to capture market share while our competitors are laying off,” he said. “That way, when things recover, hopefully in 18 months, 24 months, or whatever the economists say, our market share percentage will actually take a much bigger piece of the pie.”

The main topics of today's episode will be learning how to delegate and work on your business instead of in it and how the recruiting business is cyclical but not completely insulated from economic downturns. We will also talk about being intentional about improving things in your life, one at a time, with an accountability partner such as a life coach.

Recorded on 06/02/2023

In today’s podcast, we talk to Jeremy Jenson, Founder and CEO of Encore Search Partners, a 38-person executive search firm in Houston. He tells us about his journey since starting the business in 2013, and how he plans to stay the course with his talented staff despite uncertainties in the economy.“

We think that going into the face of a downturn, being fully staffed, and almost even overstaffed, is really an opportunity for us to capture market share while our competitors are laying off,” he said. “That way, when things recover, hopefully in 18 months, 24 months, or whatever the economists say, our market share percentage will actually take a much bigger piece of the pie.”

The main topics of today's episode will be learning how to delegate and work on your business instead of in it and how the recruiting business is cyclical but not completely insulated from economic downturns. We will also talk about being intentional about improving things in your life, one at a time, with an accountability partner such as a life coach.

Recorded on 06/02/2023

In today’s AmiSights Podcast, we talk to Craig Span, Founder and CEO of GlobeTopper, a prepaid B2B gift card concierge firm that helps clients navigate the ever-evolving digital payments landscape. Craig explains how being laid off from a major communications company after just nine months was the best thing that could have happened for his career, allowing him to focus on his own business.

“My years of experience in the telecommunications business kind of led me to the path of recognizing that there was something that in my previous company we weren't serving,” he said. “I was passing leads off to other companies. It was essentially recharging prepaid mobile phones. And so that was kind of the impetus to get it started.”

The main topics of today's episode will be building culture in a virtual company, how COVID was actually a positive for Craig’s company as everything moved digitally, and how a company that typically isn’t in the gift card business can utilize the gift card.

Recorded on 06/01/2023