Sink or Swim

Average Business Owners

They’ve succeeded.

They’ve failed.

Don’t expect smooth voices and pump-it-up motivational speakers.  This raw podcast gets down to the nitty-gritty of marketing a small business. Many of our guests have never been on a podcast before; they’re out pounding the pavement and hustling to bring in more business. They’re professionals that just want to make it.

This podcast is about learning experiences.

It’s about growing bigger.

If you’re running a business and want to learn what others are doing to get more customers/clients/leads then you’re in the right place. Learn from other business owners and how their successes (and failures) have propelled them forward.  Plus, special episodes with marketing experts where you can get tips to really boost your bottom line.

Want to check out a few episodes?

Listen Now:

Upcoming Interviews & Special Guests:

Episode 24: Cofounder of Caveday Jake Kahana

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • What is a Caveday?
  • The lesson Jake’s team learned about expanding too quickly
  • Why do we need to learn how to work?!

Guest Profile

Jake Kahana is pioneering the future of work. As a former advertising creative director. In 2016, he cofounded Caveday, a company facilitating deep work. The idea is to retrain people how to be more effective in a distracting world by creating a space where people can manage technology and distraction. Caveday has lead over 10,000 hours of deep work for their community of “cavedwellers” around the world supporting each other to transform the way they work. Jake also leads the content development for Caveday’s corporate workshops, team training programs, and global newsletter.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Jake Kahana visit http://www.caveday.org

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 23: Founder and CEO Robert “Cujo” Teschner

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • What Rob would have done differently in his previous career
  • The most satisfying part of his new career
  • How the Air Force set Rob up for success after leaving the military

Get Rob’s book Debrief to Win!

Guest Profile

Mr. Teschner is a combat veteran, former F-15 “Eagle” instructor at the prestigious Air Force Weapons school and a former F-22 “Raptor” fighter squadron commander. A 1995 distinguished military graduate of the Air Force Academy and 2013 distinguished graduate of the National War College, Mr. Teschner retired from the Air Force in December of 2015, having achieved the rank of full Colonel. He is now the Founder and CEO of VMax Group, a St. Louis-based national Leadership training company.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Robert “Cujo” Teschner visit www.vmaxgroupllc.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 22: Rental Property Automator T.J. Tavares

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • What’s a scattered site rental unit?
  • How a very cool tech accelerator played a big role in Keybot’s success
  • How TJ balances the role of Chief Revenue Officer with his many other tasks

Guest Profile:

For the past 10 years, T.J.’s been creating win-win customer relationships in early stage companies that he’s founded, co-founded and advised. He’s the organizer of the Lean startup Circle in St. Charles and was previously a Startup Weekend mentor for business development and marketing. T.J. is currently snappin’ necks and cashin’ checks as the Chief Revenue Officer with Keybot Inc, a smart lock company built to open doors to the 80 million scattered site rental units that have Internet infrastructure turned off when they are not occupied.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Rental Property Automator visit www.getkeybot.com

Watch the Leasing Robot Video

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 21: Nancy the Psychic Nancy Feranec

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Does Nancy know what you’re thinking right now?
  • How she handles skeptics
  • What marketing tactic got her business off the ground that she still does today

Guest Profile

I’m an authentic psychic medium. As a Psychic I see into the future and give insight about your journey. I can tell you things about yourself you already know. The intriguing thing is how do I know these things. I tell you what is helping you and what is getting in your way. I’ll always tell you the truth. As a Medium, I connect with your loved ones on the other side. Bridging one world to the other to bring Spirit to life and healing to your soul.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Nancy Feranec visit NancythePsychic.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 20: Productivity & Profit First Specialist Cathy Sexton

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Cathy can help with your business & life goals
  • Cathy’s new program coming next year (2020!)
  • What inspiring thing she’d do if money were no object

Guest Profile

Productivity and Profit Specialist, Speaker, Author and Coach, Cathy Sexton helps individuals and organizations increase productivity and profits. Delivering high-impact principles through speaking, coaching, training and special resources, Cathy empowers people to achieve their life and business goals, make the profit they desire and still have time for family and friends.

Cathy founded The Productivity Experts in 2003 after winning her own battle with workaholism and a stress-induced, life-threatening illness. Cathy is committed to helping people accomplish more, with less stress. Professionals can now avoid burnout, spend more quality time with their family and make the money they deserve.

Cathy’s Easy Processes are taught through 1-on-1 and group coaching, seminars and her unique “I.G.N.I.T.E.™” and “Prescription for Success™” programs. Attendees and participants learn how to take control of their thoughts, processes and tools to achieve better results, faster.

Cathy is the author of “52 POWERFUL Success Strategies to Ignite Productivity” and co-author of “Focus, Organization and Productivity,” “Exploring Productivity”, Innergized Life” and “7 Points of Impact.”

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Cathy Sexton visit www.TheProductivityExperts.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

 

Show Notes

Cathy’s Book: 52 POWERFUL Success Strategies to Ignite Productivity

Pat Flynn Podcast: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/

Episode 19: Founder of App2Speak Gina Baldwin

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Why she likes to keep a job on the side – and how that helps her grow her business
  • What event really helped her app take off
  • What digital marketing tactic Gina thinks is the best for promoting an app

Guest Profile

Gina Baldwin, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Licensed Speech Pathologist, a St. Louis Native, with over 30 years’ experience practicing in a variety of health care environments. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Speech Pathology at Western Illinois University and her Masters of Science degree in Speech Pathology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Helping people with their speech and communication is her passion.

For years, she empathized with her patients’ frustration and emotional pain over their speech impairments due to accidents or illnesses. She had an idea of what they needed to regain relationship connections, independence, and self-respect.

After searching everywhere and not finding the tool she envisioned, Gina designed and created a software application called APP2Speak™. This affordable resource has been funded for four years by her and her husband, Scott.

The simple act of touching a photo allows the speech impaired individual to convey a short phrase, sentence, or even a complex story. APP2Speak™ is fully customizable. The user can easily integrate their own photos, take a photo within APP2Speak™, and record a voice for personalization. These features make the application ideal for all individuals who need assistance for speech and communication.

APP2Speak™ is for sale in the APPLE iTunes and Google Play stores with over 500 downloads and has sold internationally (6 countries). It is a recognized resource by Assistive Technology of Australia, MO Assistive Technology, and over 25 additional state Assistive Technology Organizations. In May, APP2Speak™ made local TV headlines providing St. Louis Police Officer Gary Glasby a means to communicate with his family and friends.

Gina enjoys jogging with her dogs, swimming, and creating heartfelt memories by sewing strip quilted bags, pillows, et al., via her hobby Purse Therapy.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Gina Baldwin visit https://app2speak.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 18: President of Agents and Home Buyers Richard Tocado

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Richard is taking an old industry (real estate) and flipping it on its head
  • The email subject line that really blew up his firm
  • How he uses LinkedIn to find new customers

Guest Profile

I have been in the mortgage and real estate business since 1999.

Utilizing my experience on both sides of the industry’s I developed a way to connect mortgage and real estate professionals. The price point had to be attractive for every loan officer and real estate agent that wanted to participate and subscribe to the site.

I created www.realbrokerconnection.com, where I believe the “solution” is the connection. After several years in both the mortgage and real estate business, I found that it was difficult and time-consuming finding other professionals with the same goals. I learned that there is a need for Mortgage and Real Estate Professionals to have a source to come together, exchange ideas and build productive partnerships. This site does just that! Mortgage Lenders are able to search and find active buyer agents looking to build new lender partnerships. Real Estate Agents are able to search and find lenders that specialize in the purchase market and provide the products and service to cater to their client’s needs. Additionally, both Lenders and Real Estate Agents receive 30 days free coaching, lead exchange, and additional online marketing presence.
log in and register then activate your membership today.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Richard Tocado visit www.agentsandhomebuyers.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 17: CEO/Founder of Savvy Coders Elaine Queathem

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • What corporate-world experience spurred her into action
  • How Savvy Coders uses local meetups to promote their brand
  • How Elaine took a new business from zero students to a long waiting list in just 2 years

Guest Profile

Elaine Queathem is a native of St. Louis and is the CEO and founder of Savvy Coders. Elaine has been involved with technology her entire life, but when she worked for a small software technology firm in 2009, she became acutely aware of the shortage of qualified programming resources which are essential for a small company to grow and thrive. in 2015, she founded Savvy Coders to help people, who have been typically underrepresented in IT to develop those important and sought-after skills. To date, Savvy Coders has graduated over 100 students. Elaine received her undergraduate degree from UMSL and her MBA from Webster University.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Savvy Coders visit https://savvycoders.com/

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 16: Video Specialist Denise Naughton

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Denise started a new business to promote her other business.
  • A few tips on using Facebook Live to get your brand more exposure.
  • How to leverage ‘behind the scenes’ videos to boost your engagement.
  • The difference between video used for social media vs your website.

Guest Profile:

Denise Naughton is an Emmy winning producer with a diverse background in video production. In addition to producing thousands of hours of television, Denise has created 3 television shows, multiple 1-hour national television specials and viral social media videos.

Denise takes all of her broadcast knowledge and translates it into social media, helping business owners connect with customers to drive sales through organic reach.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Denise Naughton

visit: www.BrandYouMedia.net

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 15: Business and Financial Consultant Jim Mosquera

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Jim leverages his experiences in the corporate world to help small businesses
  • What groups Jim thinks have worked well to grow his referral network
  • Which ONE online strategy has worked the best for Jim (hint: you’re listening to one now)
  • How Jim leverages his competitors to his advantage

Guest Profile:

Born in Panama City, Panama, he spent his formative years in Panama City and St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated near the top of his class from the University of Missouri-Columbia with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Industrial Engineering. His Master’s thesis focused on operations research and computer simulation.

After graduation, he studied economics and the markets. He worked in telecommunications serving in a variety of roles including engineering, sales, sales support, product development, and training. In 2004, he received a patent for a software application he developed with a colleague.

Jim’s a Principal at Sentinel Consulting, a business restructuring and alternative finance firm. He also operates the economic and financial website called The Sentinel. He contributes financial and economic articles to various publications.

He’s a published author of fiction and non-fiction and a business professional. His non-fiction work will make you understand why the proposed solutions for our problems will not work. His fictional work is so realistic, it will make you wonder if such stories are possible. He wants people to understand the world around them and think for themselves.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Jim Mosquera

Jim’s site: www.SentinelConsulting.biz

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 14: “The King of Podcasting” JR Rivera

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How his business will help improve your life, no matter who you are
  • ‘The Podcast Factory’ was actually created by mistake
  • How JR uses Facebook groups to his advantage

Guest Profile

JR is an ex-electrician turned entrepreneur. He left the rat race to pursue real estate. After experiencing some success and failure, he had to rebuild. He runs a successful rental business in only 4 hours a week.

Now, his main focus is running The Podcast Factory where he helps his hosts get high-value clients using Direct Response Podcasting™. JR is driven to create a life that is unique and fulfilling for his family. Both he and wife work together in the business and are able to travel and work remotely with their 3-year-old son. They have made their dream of being able to spend a month away at a time a reality. In the winter they work (and snowboard) in Park City, UT and in the summer they continue to work while spending time at the beach.

See JR’s bio sheet for additional info https://drive.google.com/open?id=1u3tlMTPyPOJ7NGmcZRG949_AqWC6JKMG

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about JR Rivera visit http://thepodcastfactory.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 13: Founder, CEO Changescapeweb Ken Tucker

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How the 2008-2009 economy downturn helped Ken’s business grow
  • Why he thinks LinkedIn will soon become a great place to advertise
  • How Ken uses physical mail to get people to his website
  • The way Ken’s company is building revenue through sales funnels

Guest Profile

Ken Tucker is the author of Social Media Marketing for Restaurants and the founder of Changescape Web (www.changescapeweb.com), a Small Business Marketing and Website Design Agency specializing in comprehensive integrated marketing strategies and campaigns for small and mid-sized businesses. Specialties include search engine optimization, website design, reputation management, social media marketing, lead generation, and marketing automation.

Ken is a Master Duct Tape Marketing Certified Consultant, an Inbound Marketing Certified Professional (since 2010), and an SEO for Growth Consultant (stlouis.seoforgrowth.com).

Ken created and taught one of the first college credit level Social Media Marketing classes in the US at the St. Charles Community College. He also taught a course on Content Management Systems. He serves as Co-Chair of the St. Charles County Chambers of Commerce Technology Committee.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Ken Tucker visit changescapeweb.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 12: Entrepreneur & Brand Voice Creator Chandler Walker

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Ways to make customers excited about your offers
  • How med school helped Chandler open a fitness boutique
  • How quickly the marketing plans he had for his new business went out the window
  • Why Chandler’s business had to shut down their sales process at one point (too many referrals!)

Guest Profile

Chandler is a leader in the marketing, business and entrepreneurship landscape and charges forward with strategies well before they are adopted by the masses. Chandler builds brands and understands a customer-centric relationship model in today’s business landscape. He works with high-level brands and over 200 unique companies to identify and define the ideal pipeline for their sales and marketing and to truly understand the customer, their needs and wants.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Chandler visit chanslogic.com | ootcmedia.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 11: Family Friendly DJ Neil Smith

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Why Neil won’t always play the music your kids want to hear (and how that affects his bottom line and future referrals)
  • Why people love to refer business to Neil (and how he can charge more because of it!)
  • What platform Neil wishes he has time to put more marketing effort into
  • What unexpected thing Neil would do if he had an unlimited budget (it has to do with socks!)

Guest Profile

Neil Smith the DANDY DJ is a wedding and corporate event DJ based in Murfreesboro, TN about a half hour south of Nashville. In business over a decade doing strictly family friendly weddings and events. Formerly a professional musician.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Neil Smith the DANDY DJ visit http://www.dandydj.com

Neil’s books

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 10: Business & Senior Living Operations Advisor Roy Barker

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Roy knew a big change was coming to his job, and how he planned ahead for the marketing challenges that were coming
  • What network he loves to share his ‘daily motivators’ on
  • How Roy is in for the long game – nurturing leads for months or even years (and how he avoids hitting the panic button while waiting for those leads to convert)
  • Why Roy thinks sending a different waiter to your table every few minutes would be a great learning experience

Guest Profile

Former rodeo bull rider Roy Barker, Business & Senior Living Operations Advisor, has spent his career working with businesses of all types to improve their sales and marketing strategies. He believes that any company can improve their financial position through expense management, managing employee turnover, and operational efficiencies.

“Employee retention is an area most businesses can improve on. This is one area where shortcuts are often taken. With the average entry-level worker costing approximately $7,500 to turnover, executives reaching 200 percent of their yearly salary, and some technical workers up to 400 percent of their yearly salary, this shortcut can be a costly proposition.”

Roy has some great information to share about how to recruit, retain, and ensure that the employees a business hires are providing quality to customers. He is certain to provide some actionable advice that will benefit businesses of all sizes and types!

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Roy Barker visit https://www.roybarker.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 9: Rob Shanks Home Team – Rob Shanks

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Why Rob thinks some marketing channels are like a bad drug habit
  • How Rob has started to set his brand apart from most other realtors
  • How keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries has boosted his bottom line
  • Lots more (of course!)

Guest Profile:

The decision to become a REALTOR® was an easy decision for me. I had never sold anything in my life, never had any formal sales training and was not even from the area that I intended to service which meant I knew no one and had not base to prospect to.

But I knew one thing for sure, all I had to do was deliver top-shelf service to my potential customers and I would win business from the general public by default because I knew that thousands of other real estate agents out there would not. I just knew in my gut that I would be a huge success simply by observing the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would want done to you.” (Matthew 7:12 NCV, see also Luke 6:31)

10 years later I have tried every possible marketing and advertising scheme available to real estate agents and have spent more time and money than I care to think about yet above all else I have built my business by simply meeting the expectations of my customers and making them feel like they really matter and that I truly understand the stresses involved with such an enormous decision. I have received more awards and milestone achievements than I can count but nothing I’ve ever done professionally has been more rewarding to me than the incredible experiences I’ve had with my customers and the meaningful relationships I’ve created.

Show Notes

To learn more about Rob Shanks Home Team, visit RobShanks.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 8: Home Sweet Legal’s “Lawyerpreneur” Marc Jacob

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How Marc got his first client on the day he started his business – on accident!
  • Why Home Sweet Legal started from frustrations Marc had with buying a house
  • How Marc wants to use the ‘Edward Jones’ approach to marketing his business

Guest Profile:

Marc Jacob loves helping his clients, on big and small deals alike. A self-styled “Lawyerpreneur,” Marc recently launched Home Sweet Legal (www.homesweetlegal.com™), a division of his firm devoted to providing affordable and free legal services to home buyers and sellers. He is the Managing Attorney of The Jacob Law Firm, LLC, in Clayton, MO (www.marcjacobesq.com), where his primary practice areas are real estate transactions, business formation/contracts and not-for-profit organizations.

Marc is also a Supreme Court of Missouri Rule 17-Approved Civil Mediator. He is admitted to practice law in Missouri, Illinois and New York, a licensed real estate broker in Missouri , and he holds a Certificate in Economic Development from St. Louis University. He served as the Chair of the Delmar@170 Business District (the precursor to the U City Chamber), the Olivette-University City Joint Redevelopment Task Force and as co-Chair of the Joint Redevelopment Implementation Committee. Marc currently sits on the Board of Aish HaTorah St. Louis and the Urban League’s St. Louis Housing Task Force. Marc lives in University City with his wife and four sons.

Show Notes

The Social Media Marketing Blueprint for Lawyers
http://amzn.to/2BMTacc

Blue Ocean Strategy
http://amzn.to/2BACYbs

To learn more about Home Sweet Legal, visit https://homesweetlegal.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 7: Principal/Owner Steve Turner

Sink or Swim is a bi-weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Steve’s first ever public speaking experience, for Brian Tracy!
  • Why he thinks everyone should have a LinkedIn account, and how he connected with the guy who makes Mustangs for Ford through it for a client!
  • How Steve thinks networking is the ‘number one source of generating business for your company’ when you’re a B2B company.

Guest Profile:

Steve Turner is a Principal and Owner of Solomon Turner Public Relations in St. Louis. The firm is celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2017 and specializes in both traditional as well as social media. The firm works with clients on a national and local basis. Steve has appeared on TV, radio and in many newspaper articles and blogs discussing public relations and marketing. His firm recently started ThePRChannel.com to serve as an educational tool for business owners, students and others on a variety of public relations and marketing topics. Steve is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Solomon Turner Public Relations, visit http://www.solomonturner.com/

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 1: Managing Partner / President & CEO James Canada

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • What the 4 success factors are in his strategic plan
  • Why coffee/lunch with people is extremely important marketing
  • How he left a corporate job to become his own boss

Guest Profile

Jim has spent over 30 years in the corporate world developing a career that has spanned several major corporations including: John Deere, American Airlines, Reuters, Stone Carlie, an architectural firm and several consulting firms.

He has held the titles of Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Facilities for North and South America, Vice President of Client Services, Director of Reengineering & TQM, Director of Human Resources, Senior Manager of Consulting Services, Manager of IdeAAs In Action and Corporate Administrator for  two cost reduction programs for all North American factories.

Jim has two publications to his credit; Reviewing the Effectiveness of your Suggestion System and Creative Thinking Seminar, both published by N.A.S.S. in Chicago, Illinois. He was co-editor of the popular Legal Guidelines for Suggestion Systems, which he has presented in a workshop series for numerous organizations.james-canada

A few of Jim’s honors include:

  • Founders Award Recipient – for his work in the field of Employee Involvement (one of only 20 people in the United States to receive this honor)
  • President of the National Association of Suggestion Systems
  • Founder and first President of the Midwest Chapter of N.A.S.S. located in Moline, Illinois. Co-founder of the Central States Chapter of N.A.S.S. located in Tulsa
  • Received Certification and elected to the Board of Examiners for the Oklahoma Quality Award Foundation
  • Appointed to the Governor’s Quality Council for the State of Oklahoma by Governor David Walters
  • Appointed to the Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce
  • Chairman for Section 1409 of the American Society for Quality Control in Tulsa
  • Appointed an Examiner for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation and also served as a Judge for the Team Quality Award
  • Co-Founder of the PeopleSoft Regional User Group in St. Louis
  • Co-Founder of ExecLink “Executives helping Executives” in St Louis

Jim has developed and presented workshops, speeches and panel discussions to professional and civic groups as well as companies covering thirteen states within the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe and Saudi Arabia. He has belonged to, or participated in, twenty-three civic and professional organizations at either a local, state or national level.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. He is also is recognized as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute, Certified Manager of Suggestions Systems (CMSS) by N.A.S.S., as well as an Able Toastmaster Gold (ATM) from Toastmasters International.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Alliance Technologies, visit https://www.alliancetechnologiesllc.com/

Jame’s book ‘Smart Networking for Business & Personal Success

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 2: CEO of FreeeUp Nathan Hirsch

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Why he considers himself a ‘hiring expert’
  • How buying and reselling textbooks was the start of this business
  • How he does business with ‘no employees’

Guest Profile

Nathan Hirsch is a serial entrepreneur and expert in remote hiring and eCommerce. He is the founder Nathan-Photoand CEO of FreeeUp.com and the co-founder and COO of Portlight. Nathan started his eCommerce career on the Amazon Marketplace and successfully built a $7 million business within 4 years. After seeing the potential of using remote workers within his first business, he founded FreeeUp to make the remote hiring experience simpler for all eCommerce business owners. FreeeUp now provides reliable eCommerce workers to hundreds of clients around the world. Nathan is an expert at building efficient systems and processes, sales strategies, and business management. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about FreeeUp visit freeeup.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 3: Real Estate Guru & Investor Peter Vekselman

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How the book Deals on Wheels got Peter started in the world of real estate
  • What a Bird-Dog is and how he used them to grow his business (with zero up front costs!)
  • Why direct mail is the best marketing for his business

Guest Profile

PeterVekselman-newphoto3Peter Vekselman is a business owner based in Atlanta. He has a made a lot of money as an entrepreneur in the real estate industry. He is a serial entrepreneur who started in the vending business, then purchased a mobile home park that fell on hard times. Eventually he started investing in real estate and that has paid off extremely well. Peter is now one of the top real estate investors in the Southeast. He is a Principal/owner in three companies including RBP Investments and Yates Estates Keller Williams, one of the fastest growing real estate firms in Georgia.Peter Vekselman has been involved in Real Estate as an investor, contractor, developer, and lender for more than a decade. He has bought and sold more than 3000 properties, and his construction company has handled 100+ projects. As a private lender, he has managed a portfolio of over $10 million. He holds a degree in Finance from Miami University, and is based in Atlanta with a vast business network across the USA.

Peter has some great advice for both new and established business owners.

Peter helps by teaching people…

  • How he has helped others change their life by investing in real estate.
  • In general, he can talk about when you should start a business.
  • How to focus on what you do best and stay away from things you don’t know about.
  • How successful entrepreneurs fill in the blanks with a good team surrounding their skill set.
  • How to market a business and how social media has paid dividends for him.
  • The benefits of YouTube marketing
  • He can also talk about how to avoid the mistakes he made along the way.

Peter speaks to groups of other business owners, and has been on podcasts/radio shows in the past.

Other Notes/Link

To learn more about Peter Vekselman, visit petervekselman.com or coachingbypeter.com

PipeDrive CRM

Commissions Inc CRM

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 5: Turnover Terminator Art Snarzyk

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Art sold his painting business to become the Turnover Terminator
  • Why his worst idea was marketing too broadly, instead of focusing on a niche
  • How he is presenting at schools to help students learn more about people skills.

Guest Profile

Art Snarzyk is known as “The Turnover Terminator” for his unique way of helping business owners and managers hire and manage only ideal, top-performing staff. The Small Business Monthly named him one of the “Top 100 St. Louisans You Should Know To Succeed In Business”. Art-Snarzyk-InnerView-Advisors-Inc

In management and hiring since 1996 and owner of a successful painting company for 9 years, Art knows first-hand the hassle, expense, and headache of trying to hire and develop quality employees.

His consulting company, InnerView Advisors helps service-based businesses across North America. Clients hire him to become better at attracting, hiring and retaining great employees who fit their unique companies. Using scientifically tested and proven methods, his clients no longer need to rely on intuition, skewed references, and subjective work history to make great hiring and management decisions.

Other Notes/Links

Books mentioned: The Seven Levels of Communication, The Go Giver, Outwitting the Devil, The Referral Engine, Coffee Lunch Coffee, and Never Eat Alone

To learn more about Art Snarzyk, visit www.InnerViewAdvisors.com

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Episode 4: Productivity & Profit Specialist Cathy Sexton

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • Why she calls herself a “reformed workaholic”
  • How networking was the thing that helped her business get started
  • What her main lead generator is!

Guest Profile

cathy-ovalCathy Sexton is a productivity and profit specialist, coach, speaker author and founder of The Productivity Experts.

She works with individuals and organizations to I.G.N.I.T.E productivity and increase PROFITS. By leveraging their “Natural Productivity Style” and implementation of the Miracle Money Method.

Cathy uses her passion to help people live healthy, profitable and productive lives. Why? Because she knows the health risks of being a workaholic – she lived it, and paid a very high price for living that lifestyle! As a result, Cathy is committed to helping people reduce stress by gaining clarity and focus, so they get more done in fewer hours and make more money.

Cathy is an author and co-author of 4 books: includes her newest book “52 Powerful Success Strategies to Ignite Productivity”.

Cathy loves the challenge of working with women business owners to regain control of their time, energy and money. She empowers them to achieve guaranteed profitability and get paid what they are worth!

Despite her constant experimentation with new technologies, Cathy’s favorite productivity tools are the tickler file system and the double monitor system and remains forever grateful to whoever invented luggage on wheels.

Other Notes/Links

Cathy’s new book – 52 Powerful Success Strategies to Ignite Productivity

To learn more about Cathy Sexton, visit www.theproductivityexperts.com

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Episode 6: Business Attorney Brian Rogers

Sink or Swim is a weekly podcast of marketing interviews like this one. Click here to subscribe on iTunes.

In this episode, find out things like:

  • How he took his skills he had as an editor and applied them to his law career
  • That his accidental blog became his greatest marketing win!
  • Why he has put more energy into the referral network over the website network

Guest Profile

Brian Rogers HeadshotBrian Rogers is the founder of Blue Maven Law, LLC, a law firm that focuses on small business mergers and acquisitions as well as advising small businesses on legal issues. A contracts aficionado, Brian publishes theContractsGuy blog, edits the contracts section of the Missouri Courts Bulletin, and frequently gives presentations on mergers and acquisitions, contracts, and other business and legal topics. Brian was named by Small Business Monthly in 2014 to its list of 100 St. Louisans to know to succeed in business and was recognized by the newspaper in 2015 and 2016 as a top M&A advisor.

Other Notes/Links

To learn more about Brian Rogers, visit bluemavenlaw.com

the Contracts Guy blog

pssst…. want to be a guest on the show?

Your Hosts

Red Canoe Media owner and SEO veteran Will Hanke is joined by his daughter and Digital Marketing Specialist Amber Hanke on each podcast.

Amber Hanke

Are you Sinking or Swimming?

Is your business a runaway success?  Have you arrived?  Probably not.  Listen to our podcast to get closer to your goals!

Other Broadcasts

Want to know more than your friends without spending hours reading hundreds of blogs and news sites?

Check out our weekly Digi Know? podcast where Will Hanke and Andrew McCauley talk about the week’s changes in digital marketing and social media

Share Your Story

Want to be on a future episode of S0S? Fill out this form

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They've succeeded. They've failed. Don't expect smooth voices and pump-it-up motivational speakers.  This raw podcast gets down to the nitty-gritty of marketing a small business. Many of our guests have never been on a podcast before; they're out pounding the pavement and hustling to bring in more business. They're professionals that just want to make it. This podcast is about learning experiences. It's about growing bigger. If you're running a business and want to learn what others are doing to get more customers/clients/leads then you're in the right place. Learn from other business owners and how their successes (and failures) have propelled them forward.  Plus, special episodes with marketing experts where you can get tips to really boost your bottom line. [/fusion_text][fusion_text columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="default" rule_size="" rule_color="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id=""]

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Your Hosts

Red Canoe Media owner and SEO veteran Will Hanke is joined by his daughter and Digital Marketing Specialist Amber Hanke on each podcast.

Are you Sinking or Swimming?

Is your business a runaway success?  Have you arrived?  Probably not.  Listen to our podcast to get closer to your goals!

Other Broadcasts

Want to know more than your friends without spending hours reading hundreds of blogs and news sites? Check out our weekly Digi Know? podcast where Will Hanke and Andrew McCauley talk about the week's changes in digital marketing and social media

Share Your Story

Want to be on a future episode of S0S? Fill out this form [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]