Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkie's Podcast!
Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire are joined by Evan Mullins, data-scientist and founder of Pebble. A startup that’s goal is to help grow and build up other small companies. We want to hear all about it! From a childhood spent innovating, to seeing a problem and solving a problem in school, to the creation of Pebble, we were able to hash it all out with our good friend Evan on this week’s episode. You will want to hear all about Evan and Pebble, and maybe even get on the platform yourself after listening to this!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(0:49) Introducing Evan Mullins of Pebble
(2:12) Always an Entrepreneur
(7:13) Empirical Evidence and Marketing a Startup Up
(9:29) Why work with Pebble?
(10:41) Business Model of Pebble
(15:03) Pebble’s Online Process
(18:22) Data Analytics of Pebble
(22:32) Market Expansion
(28:33) Advice to Younger Self
(39:58) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"I knew that small businesses really value their time. It's really hard to get on their schedules and it's really hard to get them to pay for things.” (4:37) - Evan Mullins
"It's all about exposure. You're getting access to a whole other market of people and getting to see and interact with customers” (9:46) - Evan Mullins
“What we're offering is whenever someone goes to buy anything, they're going to find you.” (10:27) - Evan Mullins
Welcome to the Startup Junkie's Podcast!
This week we mixed it up a little. Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire are joined by guest co-host Tim McFarland and sit down with Tim Miller of Central Standard. Old friends, Tim and Jeff, catch up on his newest venture on the entrepreneurial journey. This episode discusses the flaws in talent recruiting agencies who pull from the international pools and what makes Central Standard different.
Thanks for joining us!
Shownotes:
(0:49) Introducing Tim Miller of Central Standard
(1:38) From Collegiate Track Athlete to Serial Entrepreneur
(11:01) Experience as an Early Stage Startup
(16:48) The War on Talent
(31:55) Why Mexico?
(35:50) Business Growth Outpacing Talent
(40:08) Culture's Influence on Customer Loyalty
(45:22) Central Standard's Business Model
(55:34) Wrap Up
Links:
"It's a talent and recruiting agency, but I like to call a talent agency because first and foremost, I think what makes us different is we are trying to appeal to the talent down there, much like a CAA (creative artists agency.)" (20:46) Tim Miller
"I think our message resonates. They see that we care about their career. We wanna help them find an industry." (25:37) - Tim Miller
"We want to help people identify opportunities." (24:13) - Tim Miller
"What you are seeing is that the people with deep pockets, um, are, are able to attract talent and, and, and talent is moving at a frequency. It's never moved before. Loyalty lasts only so long." (35:05) - Tim Miller
startupjunkie.org
wlj.com
Welcome to the Startup Junkie's Podcast!
Kim Bryden of Cureate joins our Startup Junkie hosts, Jeff, Caleb, and Davis to discuss shifting the dollar to Northwest Arkansas' food and beverage industry. Whether it's making a killer Bloody Mary, almost being in the FBI, running a grocery store, or having a massive heart for small businesses, Kim was beyond fascinating to learn from! Cureate will be NWA's new best friend; listen to the whole episode to hear how!
Thanks for joining us!
Shownotes:
(1:06) Introducing Kim Bryden of Cureate
(8:43) Early Stages of Cureate
(11:51) Why Northwest Arkansas?
(19:06) Distribution End Goals & Co-Packers
(23:25) Staffing Hospitality Industry in 2021
(28:08) Consumer Demands Solution in NWA
(31:22) Kim's Expectations of The Heartland
(50:57) Advice To Younger Self
(54:18) Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
"I'd like to work with people that, I don't know, care about stable cashflow. Who actually build businesses that are of and from their communities." (8:02) - Kim Bryden
"[It's] that inflection point where they've done a thing for a certain period of time, and now they're considering "What's my next business development strategy, marketing strategy, sales strategy?" (9:29) - Kim Bryden
"I'm hoping and desiring that the small businesses that emerge from this time truly define what their mission is and what values [they have] and what they stand for." (24:48) - Kim Bryden
"The best businesses with the strongest cultures are going to attract the best people and everyone else will suffer." (26:15) - Jeff Amerine
startupjunkie.org
wlj.com
This is the Startup Junkie's Podcast; welcome to it!
In episode 261, we have Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire from Startup Junkies sit with Ryann Hartley of Hartley Flooring. From the dynamic of being a woman in the industry to the entrepreneurial spirit being in her DNA to creating an immaculate company culture, we got to hash it all out with Ryann!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes:
(1:24) Introducing Ryann Hartley of Hartley Flooring
(3:48)) From Sherwin Williams To Flooring
(5:23) Company Culture
(7:31) Winning & Customer Targeting
(10:39) Glass Ceiling In Construction & Contract Work
(15:22) What's Next For Flooring?
(19:04) Owning The Business 100%
(22:02) Advice to Women in Trade Space
(25:33) What's Next For Ryann Hartley?
(34:33) Advice To Younger Self
(37:27) Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
"Working with Sherman Williams, a 150 year old multi-billion dollar business, the career ladder was forever long, as long as I wanted it to be, but there was just something attractive about small business in Northwest Arkansas." (2:28) - Ryann Hartley
"Nothing is perfect. It just isn't. So being willing to just ride those waves and meet those challenges when they come up, there's all kinds of unforeseen things and unknown things… so when you just meet those challenges as best you can over time, you gain respect." (11:38) Ryann Hartley
"...So [I was] running a gas pump at a liquor store. That's what small business is, it' 's not always sexy, it's hard work." (20:25) Ryann Hartley
Welcome to The Startup Junkie’s Podcast!
Ben Clark, CEO of B-Unlimited, joins our hosts, Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire, to discuss how he created a people company that just so happens to sell t-shirts. Ben breaks down how making a bought-in team, along with well-curated values and a striving for excellence, has scaled this t-shirt company into an entire culture. From building trust and rapport with competitors, helping other struggling businesses during COVID, to the impact of technology, to even the NCAA licensing fiasco, we dive into just about everything!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes:
(1:07) Introducing Ben Clark of B-Unlimited
(5:19) Big News for B
(8:19) Reaching Out To Competitors
(10:08) COVID and Uncertainty of University & Greek Life Retail
(12:02) Building Brand Loyalty
(16:01) Transitional Leadership
(26:22) Culture Creation and Talent Acquisition
(28:39) Science, Technology, and Earth Friendly Initiatives
(37:15) Impact of New NCAA Protocol
(44:27) 5 Years From Now
(44:27) Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
"Through COVID it really has caused me to reach out to all my competitors, which has been something really different than the past… I've just been able to talk to them and just kind of talk through what we're doing. It was good to know that you had someone there, even though they were competitor... that could help you and pick up the pieces." (8:19) - Ben Clark
From seeing another business fail, [it] actually helped me understand that I needed to make [us succeed]... and it's really more about systems, procedures, and automation." (16:45) - Ben Clark
"Our ethos is: be unique, be yourself, be unlimited and that's on our wall... we don't care how big we get. Culture costs money, it's an investment." (24:39) - Ben Clark
"You've got to find a community to help you navigate… Seek out good mentors and advice." (45:23) - Ben Clark
Summary:
This is the Startup Junkies Podcast.
Brendan Howell of Loloft jumps into this episode with our hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire to discuss transforming the industrial workspace. Brendan discussed his newest venture meant to take traditional industrial space contracts and work environments and aim them to serve small to midsize companies. This looks like combining office grade co-working space with the fit and amenities a larger warehouse would offer. This will be coming to a city near you so listen to the rest and look out for Loloft!
Thanks for joining us!
Shownotes:
(1:22) Introducing Brendan Howell of Loloft
(5:44) Brick & Mortar to Digital Startup
(10:14) Dutch Auction Digital Project
(10:13) Pandemic Pivot
(14:25) Transition to Industrial Co-Working Model
(30:38) Benefits For Early To Mid Size Companies
(33:47) Future with Northwest Arkansas
(41:07) Advice to Younger Self
(46:40) Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
"The whole idea was that we want to enable small to midsize companies to get started and take physical space on a flexible basis. We want to have the amenities that office coworking has also." (26:17) - Brendan Howell
"So if you're a startup, you want to get into business in a physical space, you come and see us go: "Yep, I need 300 square feet." or "I need 1,000 square feet." [And then you can] sign up tomorrow." (27:37) - Brendan Howell
"So now the idea is to make this a unicorn billion dollar plus company that was born in Northwest Arkansas." (28:59) - Brendan Howell
"Being a startup, you just don't know how much space you need... You've got an idea how much you need today, but you don't know how much in three to six months [or] in a year, because you know, startups are the kind of slow and steady growth to explosive growth, or explode into pieces." (30:58) - Brendan Howell
"Collaborate. It's all about the team with any sort of business. I've tried to do it all by myself and being a dictator is not the right way to do it. You just get sick of yourself." (45:41) - Brendan Howell
Summary:
Welcome to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Our hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire, were joined by Carter Malloy and Michael Iseman of AcreTrader. AcreTrader's goal is to simplify farmland investment. It's no joke that the global population and, therefore, demand for food is proliferating, Carter and Michael believe in offering a truly diversified investment opportunity with long-term returns. Hear how this company is not only leveling up in asset acquisition but also a stellar company culture!
Thanks for joining us!
Shownotes:
(1:03) Introducing Carter & Michael of AcreTrader
(5:07) From Listing to Sign-Ups
(7:49) Farm Styles Offered
(10:13) Due Diligence of Saying Yes or No
(15:53) Adapting to Challenges
(22:09) Evolution of Leadership from a Small to Large Team
(27:50) What Winning Looks Like
(30:45) Craziest Business Experience
(35:22)Advice to Younger Self
(37:18)Wrap Up
Links:
Jeff Amerine
Caleb Talley
Davis McEntire
Carter Malloy
Michael Iseman
AcreTrader
Quotes:
"And as a result, we ended up having a great product. We have really great investments to come through and ultimately really great outcomes for those that we work with." (4:15) - Carter Malloy
"Within your team, the people who are closest to any particular interaction are going to understand it better than you. So trusting your team, trusting the process, and ultimately trusting the data very quickly, in this case proved out." (16:46) - Carter Malloy
"We work really hard, but we have a lot of fun too. We celebrate the wins and the milestones, and then everyone comes back and works harder to achieve the next one." (29:19) - Michael Iseman
https://www.startupjunkie.org/
https://wlj.com/
Summary
This is the Startup Junkies Podcast, welcome back!
Episode 257 consisted of our hosts Jeff Amerine and Caleb Talley joined by special guest John Vuong. John is the founder and president of Local SEO Search. This Toronto-based Search Engine optimization company aims to aid business owners who desire to attain ready to buy customers on Google. Website engagement, call scheduling and heightened business are the goals and we got to sit with John and discuss how he got there and what the plan is for the future!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes:
(1:18) Introducing John Vuong of Local SEO Search
(4:10) Adversity & Work Ethic
(10:48) Passion for Small & Local Businesses
(12:11) Instilling Conviction into a Team
(13:30)How to Utilize SEO
(18:19) Biggest Challenges Along the Way
(21:36) Virtual Work & Cultural Nuances
(30:40)Advice to Younger Self
(32:57)Wrap Up
Links:
Quotes:
"In order to learn, you have to educate yourself and make mistakes." (10:42) - John Vuong
"Many of the entrepreneurs that are successful, whether they were there were immigrants or whether they're from here, if they've had a bit of a hard scrabbled start... that drive and that hunger is a little bit more there. I think there's maybe even more appreciation of how hard it really is to do well." (5:54) - Jeff Amerine
I think more business owners and founders, if they take a step back from that typical mythology, and they think about what they want to get out of it in terms of satisfaction and self-actualization, all those other things that really give you a sense of being and quality, peace of mind." (23:45) - Jeff Amerine
"I'm never happy because I feel like there's so much more I can learn and do and impact others." (28:52) John Vuong
https://www.startupjunkie.org/
https://wlj.com/
Summary
Welcome back to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Our team, Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Matthew Ward, were joined by Ryan Estes, co-founder of Kitcaster. Kitcaster is where podcasting and startup strategy meet.
Did podcasting actually save the world? Is Clubhouse going to run podcasting out of business? Check out this episode to see!
Shownotes
(1:02) Introducing Ryan Estes
(4:26) Kitcaster Business Model
(6:44) Podcasting Benefits
(9:27) Podcast Statistics From 2020-2021
(11:53) Clubhouse Vs. Podcasting
(20:28) Kitcaster Roadmap
(35:53)Advice to Younger Self
(36:58)Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"My journey into entrepreneurship was just based on anger and resentment, ultimately. I had some terrible bosses that I was like, this can't be my life, this is going to be horrible." - Ryan Estes (2:06)
"I've kind of validated, launched, and killed many, many projects over the years. Looking for something that really resonated with me personally, and had the scale potential that made it worth my while." - Ryan Estes (3:22)
"Really with [entrepreneurship] it's like getting really honest with yourself. If you put 18 months into a project and it's not working, you gotta let it go. To be able to do that, that's a hard thing to do sometimes." - Ryan Estes (22:51)
"Maybe you lost contact with some of your friends, it's been three or four months-- So having podcasting, hearing other guys that are hanging out or having conversations… it's unbelievably important to kind of keep that loneliness at bay." - Ryan Estes (10:36)
"99% of your ideas are terrible... Spend a week putting together a terrible idea and then put it away. Then develop a terrible idea and then put it away. Get in the habit of killing ideas." - Ryan Estes (32:03)
Summary
Welcome back to the Startup Junkies Podcast! In this episode, Shelby Matussak joins our hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley and Davis McEntire to discuss his transition from unemployment to board game creator. From making a passion project into a business, the importance of face-to-face human interaction, and why asking for help is so hard as an entrepreneur; this episode is packed with helpful information. As founder of Dead Lemon Games and creator of the new board game hit Lonely Undead, Shelby's grit, optimism, and creativity inspired all of us here at Startup Junkie!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(1:17) Introducing Shelby Matussak
(1:49) Introducing Dead Lemon Games & Lonely Undead
(5:52) Displacement of Unemployment
(12:59) Board Games & Pandemic Parameters
(15:53) Funding Dead Lemon Games
(18:36) Co-Founder Scott Forbush & Round Mountain Coffee
(23:55) Advice to first-time Creators
(26:43) Defining Future Success
(30:20) Advice to Younger Self
(32:30)Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"I don't think there's any substitute for being in a physical space, with a number of people, and being set forth with a problem or an objective and having to work together to sort of accomplish a shared goal. Whether it be a friendly competition or it could be cooperatively. "(5:22)
"[On product feedback] And as a new entrepreneur, start small, start close to yourself, like, look at your friends, look at your family, see what resources you have… maybe you can figure out how to weave them into your process." (25:56)
Definitely don't take on everything yourself. Even if they're small tasks and you have friends that can help... if you do have to kind of crunch some numbers and outsource a couple of things to make and keep yourself sane, do that, that's way more important. (31:55)
https://www.startupjunkie.org/
Summary
Welcome to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast!
In this episode, Dr. Mark Goulston discusses navigating entrepreneurs' minds with Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward. Dr. Goulston is a Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 coaches member, a founding member of Newsweek Expert Forum, a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, an acclaimed author and renowned psychiatrist.
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(0:52) Introducing Dr. Mark Goulston
(1:28) Psychiatry and Worldview
(8:38) Psychology and Product Creation
(11:10) Creating Workplace Culture
(19:07) Designed Thinking
(22:55) Journey of Dr. Goulston Working with Entrepreneurs
(33:50) Handling Conflict as Key to Relationships and Team Building
(39:28) Youth Mental Health & Failure to Launch
(43:12) Advice to Younger Self
(44:51) Wrap up
Links
Quotes
“A visionary thinker looks at the unknown as an adventure to be lived.” - (5:59) Dr. Mark Goulston
“What you have to realize is that people aren't just listening to you, they're listening for something. It's a different dynamic.” - (11:26) Dr. Mark Goulston
If everybody in the company wakes up and says, ‘I can't wait to go to work’, you have a good culture." - (16:52) Dr. Mark Goulston
“[Entrepreneurs] What we all have in common here is we're all unemployable.” - (23:23) Dr. Mark Goulston
Summary
We are back at it again with another Startup Junkies Podcast!
Our hosts Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Matthew Ward had the opportunity to speak with Zach Washam, former banking analyst now the creator of Machine Learning Edge, now PyFi and short-form essay writer. From machine learning, to explorative psychology, you will not want to miss this existential hour of an episode!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(0:54) Introducing Zach Washam
(1:45) PyFi Update!
(2:50) Where Banking Meets Machine Learning
(13:15) Psychology and Motivational Speaking
(14:44) Existential Hour
(24:23) The practicality of Explorative Psychology
(31:46) Imposter Syndrome
(35:24) Defining Success
(44:41) Wrap up
Links
Books
Quotes
Everybody's focusing on deals, transactions, staying late, face time, trying to be really quick at responding to emails... I don't want to compete in that arena. I want to do something that's going to blow every other analyst out of the water.
Zach Washam (4:20)
"[In entrepreneurship] You're just directly interfacing with the real world, and you don't have the intermediary of your company to protect you from the chaos, to make decisions, or to construct your values."
Zach Washam (10:40)
"When you look at the way entrepreneurs or wantrepreneurs approach the process, there are those that are in love with the lifestyle, they just fall too in love with constantly chasing shiny objects and experimenting and never get to the point of convergence where they're actually building something meaningful."
Jeff Amerine (30:40)
"Right now I define being successful as being honest and learning."
Zach Washam (35:36)
Summary
Glad to have you back to another episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Caleb Tally, Jeff Amerine, and Matthew Ward are joined by Heather Nelson, President, and Co-Founder of Seal Solar. Seal Solar is a solar design and installation firm out of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Understanding banking, taking mental health seriously, and using storytelling to educate and market have played a significant role in Heather's Midas touch success stories.
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(0:54) Introducing Heather Nelson of Seal Solar
(1:35) From Banking to Entrepreneurship
(7:01) Seal Solar Origin
(10:00) Importance of Mental Health
(12:33) Storytelling as an Entrepreneur
(22:24) Being Comfortable with Uncertainty
(25:02) Imposter Syndrome
(28:34) Casting Vision for Seal Solar
(32:24) Why Solar Energy?
(38:23) Advice to Younger Self
(40:46) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"You really need a strong banking relationship or you're just not gonna make it."
(2:00) Heather Nelson
"[Entrepreneurship] will highlight and show you all these gifts, passions, and things about yourself and your abilities that you never knew… but it will also show you the deepest, darkest, ugliest things about yourself. That you've spent a lot of time shoving into every crevice and corner saying, Lord Jesus, please don't let anybody ever see that or know that about me.
(10:15) Heather Nelson
"We've got a world that says you have to be a subject matter expert on everything at 22, and that's just the biggest lie ever."
(23:10) Heather Nelson
"It's not about whether the utilities are bad and solar's good or solar's bad and utilities are good... The thing is there's this amazing technology and how do we work together to utilize this great technology?"
(33:18) Heather Nelson
Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Matthew Ward, Caleb Tally, and Jeff Amerine are joined by Darrin Williams and Vance Smiley this week on this latest episode. Darrin is currently the CEO of Southern Bancorp Inc and has partnered with Vance, a founding member of BankWorx. Together they are seeking to reimagine and reinvent the way banks use and develop core banking systems. Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(1:00) Introducing Darrin Williams and Vance Smiley
(2:14) Southern Bancorp
(13:11) Facing Big Challenges
(16:20) Growth Alongside Coinbase
(19:52) Innovation Driven by Pandemic Impact
(24:23) Do Banking Education Differently
(28:05) Defining Success Down The Line
(30:54) Opportunity Zones and Gentrification
(35:22) What They Wish They Had Known
(39:28) Wrap up
Links
Quotes
"Our work really focuses on building economic opportunity… we really work to increase the net worth of the people that we serve." (4:14) Darrin Williams
"We don't exist just to be a bank. We really exist to make a difference. Build communities and change lives." (6:18) Darrin Williams
"I'm becoming much more interested in the impact of my work...it means something more than a paycheck, more than an equity upside." (35:57) Vance Smiley
"My parents were so dedicated to being servant leaders. I mean, every day I saw my parents focused on helping other people, it was never about them… so my interest in the law, my interest in politics, all came from this desire to serve." (37:46) Darrin Williams
Summary
This is the Startup Junkies Podcast. Welcome back!
This week, the usual crew, Matthew Ward, Caleb Tally, and Jeff Amerine meet with Dustin Finkel, CEO and Founder of Ka-Pop!, which recently merged with Bubba's Fine Foods to create Awakened Foods. From brand awareness, relationship building, and family-work balance to the importance of community, we discussed all the things that lead Dustin and his team to success.
Thank you for joining us!
Shownotes
(0:53) Introducing Dustin Finkel
(1:41) From Investment Banking to Food Production
(5:05) Shark Tank and Brand Awareness
(7:13) Building Relationships While Sourcing
(9:52) Company Culture + Branding
(14:42) Balancing Family and Running a Corporation
(18:40) The Value of Intentional Community and Partnerships
(29:46) Advice to Younger Self
(33:58) Wrap Up
Links
Quotes
"So despite my food background, it started just like everyone else. I thought there was a better way... The difference is I had a network that allowed me to really kind of partake and grow this business fairly quickly." (4:12) - Dustin Finkel
"And that's really the differentiator that our branding is about… it's about enjoyment. Snacking is fun. It should not be a trade off. It shouldn't be about this serious engagement." (11:15) - Dustin Finkel
"I want consumers to love my product to just gravitate toward it, [to] enjoy the eating experience." (12:26) -Dustin Finkel
"That was the whole point; build as much flexibility to grow. Because who knows what the next COVID is or who knows what the next growth trend is or what that might be." (20:40) - Dustin Finkel
"I don't accept mistakes. I hate them, but understanding how to deal with them, understanding how to react, understanding how to take patience into account." (33:28) - Dustin Finkel