As a business owner, have you ever felt that the wrong prospects were always contacting you to inquire about services? The ones who didn't align with your company's values or were always huge takers? These clients are the ones that are always anxiety-inducing and often take up much of our time with zero to no reward for working with them. Trish Saemann of Go Beyond SEO and host of the Breaking Even Better Podcast joins us to discuss her new book "Get More Clients You Love" which discusses this c...
Jun 30, 2025•56 min•Ep. 85
We continue our discussion about the cyberattacks on three major United Kingdom retail chains, as discussed previously in Episode 83. Our UK panelist Sara Russell joins us to discuss how Marks & Spencer, Co-op & Harrods were affected after being brought down by a suspicious group known as DragonForce. We also cover some basic tips to help businesses, organizations and consumers protect themselves from becoming victims of a cyber attack.
Jun 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 84
There have been a lot of buzz going on in the cybersecurity world, and we want you to be safe! Our incredible UK panelist Sara Russell once again joins us to discuss some recent events that have happened this month (May 2025). First, we discuss a dangerous phishing attempt targeting Gmail users that looks so real, even the most vigilant of users could fall for it! Secondly, we discuss the major cyberattack related to UK-retailers Marks & Spencer, Co-op & Harrods. We cover what customers ...
May 31, 2025•38 min•Ep. 83
We shine the Small Business Spotlight on U-GET-FIT, an activewear company that is all about encouraging individuals staying in shape to strive for their absolute best! U-GET-FIT is not just about selling activewear, they are all about living the best when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle! CEO & Founder (and CDG Client) Serge Amani joins us to discuss how his passion for fitness has led him to start such a venerable brand! From his faith in God to his expertise in the fitness world, Ser...
Apr 28, 2025•19 min•Ep. 82
What happens when you fail to take accountability for your failures and errors? What happens when you are a toxic leader who refuses to accept such responsibilities and/or just allows them to slide? A cascade of events can happen such as low morale from team members, distrust in the public eye and a downfall in business. If there is a lack of accountability in your workplace, what should you do? Business coach Holly Golebiowski with LeaderSkills joins us to discuss.
Apr 12, 2025•44 min
Tax season is nearing its end, and the filing deadline is just weeks away! We sat down with tax preparation expert Paul Njoku, owner of PKN Accounting in Houston, to explore how small business owners can maximize their returns before the deadline. Plus, he shares insights on common filing mistakes and how to avoid costly errors that could lead to problems down the road.CONTACT PAUL AT PKN ACCOUNTING TODAY:https://www.pknaccounting.com(832) [email protected]
Mar 31, 2025•43 min
Singer-songwriter Lexi Nguyen joins us on CDG BizCast to explore how small businesses can leverage strategic event planning to maximize their exposure. In this episode, we’ll dive into the power of live music, the value of consistency, the importance of preparing for the unexpected, and how collaborating with fellow small businesses can create powerful mutual promotion opportunities. Tune in for expert insights and actionable tips to make your next event a success!
Mar 23, 2025•47 min
In this episode of CDG BizCast, we welcome back John "JD" Dwyer from The Institute of Wow to dive deeper into the power of direct marketing—building on the insights he shared with us in Episode 76. JD explains how to incorporate direct marketing tactics into your website and social media campaigns to drive results. Direct marketing, at its core, is all about offering customers a compelling incentive to take action—think of how kids are drawn to McDonald's Happy Meals for the toy, not the food. T...
Feb 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 78
It's time to shine our Small Business Spotlight on another awesome small, local business in the Greater Houston area! Today we speak to Karina Melendez of Americana Pool Service of New Caney, TX. Karina joins us to discuss her adventure in starting a swimming pool contracting company with her husband Jorge, who are all about providing 5-star customer service. Americana Pool Service is all about providing swimming pools, hot tubs and other backyard amenities with quality materials while educating...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 77
There's a difference between simply offering a product/service and offering SOMETHING with your product or service to help boost sales! Think about the toy that comes with a McDonald's Happy Meal... THAT TOY is the #1 reason why kids want the meal. It's not because of the burger that comes with it! So think about what you can offer as a metaphorical Happy Meal toy with whatever you are selling! John Dwyer "JD" of The Institute of Wow joins us to discuss how direct marketing has helped boost sale...
Jan 31, 2025•33 min•Ep. 76
Every year, many people make the New Year’s resolution to leave their full-time jobs and turn their skills into a business. While pursuing your passion is exciting, starting a business involves much more than just doing what you love. One critical area you must understand before launching your venture is cash flow. Today, Leo Kanell, founder of 7 Figures Funding, joins us to explain why mastering cash flow is essential for new business owners. He’ll break down what cash flow really means, what y...
Jan 20, 2025•30 min•Ep. 75
Hiring the right people is one of the biggest challenges business owners and hiring managers face. The endless search for top talent and the time-consuming screening process can feel overwhelming—but what if there was a better way? Enter Discovered ATS, a game-changing SaaS solution designed for businesses of all sizes. Powered by AI, this innovative tool takes the hassle out of recruiting with features like candidate pool nurturing, automated interview scheduling, recruiting video production, a...
Dec 28, 2024•32 min
Not all lead magnets are created equal—some are good, but great lead magnets can transform your small business. The right lead magnet on your website and within your content strategy can attract more customers and grow your audience like never before. If you’re unsure what a lead magnet is or how to craft one that’s irresistible to your potential customers, this episode is a must-listen! Join marketing expert Sarah Noel Block, founder of Tiny Marketing, as she breaks down the secrets to creating...
Dec 16, 2024•29 min
Local photographer Aisha Khan has had an interest in the art since she was a child. But never once did she think that her interest would turn into an entrepreneurial journey making major breakthroughs in the industry, and ultimately becoming one of Houston's leading wedding photographers and videographers. Her firm, Ama by Aisha began in 2012 and has been featured in several magazines and won several awards for her outstanding work. In addition to starting a photography/cinema firm she is also t...
Nov 30, 2024•36 min•Ep. 72
We all know The Eighth Wonder of the World, or Houston's Astrodome! Once home to many events such as concerts, rodeos and sporting events, it has been closed and shuttered for many years and unfortunately falling into urban decay. In this episode, we are discussing the proposed Astrodome Revitalization Plan that was announced in early November by the Astrodome Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the beloved structure from destruction. We will focus on how this plan cou...
Nov 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 67
In the second episode of CDG BizCast's Business Sins subseries, we discuss the importance of maintaining a friendly, professional, customer-focused composure when conducting business in any fashion. There is no room for being rude and disrespectful in the business world, and this is especially true if you are a business owner yourself. Christian and our United Kingdom panelist Sara Russell discuss some examples of rude customer service they have both received in the real world, and how they felt...
Oct 31, 2024•50 min•Ep. 70
As an agency whose web design business is built solely on WordPress, we have been monitoring the ongoing dispute between WordPress/Automattic owner Matt Mullenweg and Austin-based hosting company WP Engine. Matt Mullenweg made disparaging comments about WP Engine back in mid-September 2024, which resulted in a cascade of unfortunate events such as WP Engine's customers' websites being blocked from the WordPress repository. Warren Laine-Naida of Germany-based Warren Laine-Naida Consulting joins u...
Oct 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 69
Is it your dream to one day leave traditional 9-5 work and enter the world of entrepreneurship? Maybe you are tired of dealing with things such as bully bosses, toxic coworkers, or the lack of morals at the company you currently work for. Many people do not even consider leaving their toxic workplaces due to complacency, which results in those people never living their dreams to start their own businesses. Julie Cropp Gareleck has seen it all in her career! After realizing that entrepreneurship ...
Sep 30, 2024•48 min•Ep. 68
Presenting is a major part of the business world. At one point or another, you may be faced with the task of presenting to large crowds either on behalf of your employer or for your own business. The majority of presentations fail for a variety of different reasons, which results in the audience feeling bored and no impact being made on them to take action. Don't let this happen to your presentation! Learn how to prepare a great presentation that will leave your audience wanting more and how to ...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 67
Do you struggle with time management as a business owner (or as anyone who is involved in the business world)? Then maybe you need a guide to help you keep track of your everyday tasks to make sure deadlines are being met and your life/work balance is in order. Managing time properly can be extremely daunting for many people, but it doesn't have to be. That is where Time Boss steps in, a framework built on several easy to implement habits to manage your time. Time Boss founder Andrew Hartman joi...
Aug 24, 2024•27 min•Ep. 66
We debut our new subseries Business Sins by diving into the critical issue of pricing dishonesty. This episode unpacks the unethical practices of bait-and-switch tactics, price gouging, and deceptive marketing methods. We emphasize the damaging impact these practices can have on consumer trust and long-term business success. By exploring real-world examples and offering practical advice, we highlight the importance for business owners to steer clear of these "sins" and foster transparent, fair p...
Aug 16, 2024•49 min•Ep. 65
In this episode of CDG BizCast, we delve into the significant global repercussions of the CrowdStrike outage on July 19, 2024. Join us as we explore how this unexpected downtime disrupted businesses, governments, and cybersecurity operations worldwide. We'll also examine recent major cyberattacks, analyzing their impact and the lessons learned. Tune in for useful tips and discussions on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the measures being taken to protect against them. CDG BizC...
Jul 29, 2024•49 min•Ep. 64
In this episode of CDG BizCast, we are joined by Jesse Tayler, a true pioneer in the world of digital innovation. Jesse takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, starting with his groundbreaking invention of the world's first app store, an idea he pitched to Steve Jobs in 1993. We delve into the origins of this revolutionary concept and its impact on the tech industry. Jesse also shares insights into his latest venture, TruAnon™, a cutting-edge platform designed to make profile fraud ...
Jul 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 63
Business owners, does your marketing strategy include making your customers feel special on their own special days? If your marketing strategy does not have any birthday marketing methods then you are leaving money on the table! There are many ways you can market your products and services to your customers who subscribe to your email lists and follow you on social media. But birthday marketing is a formidable way to generate more revenue as it has the best response rates among other methods. Be...
Jun 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 62
Restauranteurs and other professionals in the hospitality industry, this episode is for you! Chef Michael Brown of Jamburritos joins us once again to discuss a topic that is near and dear to him, and that is Xtreme Hospitality! In the restaurant industry, it is important to always bring your A-Game when it comes to serving your customers. Everyone involved from the chefs to the servers should always strive to deliver a 5-star experience to every customer they serve, and every customer deserves a...
Jun 20, 2024•53 min•Ep. 61
Business owners, have you ever received a heart-stopping, threatening email from a stranger claiming that they hacked your website, stole all of its information and will use it against you by harassing all of your customers unless you pay a large amount in bitcoin? Consumers, have you ever received a similar email where they claim they have video of you doing something inappropriate and will share it with all of your friends and family unless you also pay in bitcoin? If you have, rest assured th...
May 28, 2024•36 min•Ep. 60
Pastor Steven Foster, owner of Next Steps LLC discusses the importance of putting God first during one's entrepreneurship journey. Pastor Steven shares his own personal testimony over how God helped him triumph over the darker times of his life and become a successful business owner making over six figures. It's not just about focusing on your business goals, it's about seeking the kingdom of God first in order to achieve said goals and focus on His Grace. It's not about "grinding" and trying to...
May 18, 2024•54 min•Ep. 59
Chef Michael Brown of Jamburritos joins us once again to discuss a major issue facing the restaurant industry: rising operating costs! From the rising minimum wage that was implemented in California to the cost of food rising due to inflation, we talk about how these things impact the consumer and what restaurants have to do to ensure they can deliver top-quality food without cutting corners to do so!
Apr 27, 2024•38 min
Stolen money! Recipe rights! A legal battle is heating up between the founders of Trill Burgers over these issues, a hotly popular burger joint headed up by rapper Bun B. We discuss the entire ordeal in detail to illustrate the dangers of going into business with multiple partners in the restaurant industry (or any industry in general). Chef and restauranteur extraordinaire Michael Brown joins us to discuss.
Apr 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 57
Today, we speak to the founder and CEO of StretchMed® Brian Cook to learn more about his passion for fitness and his experience as an entrepreneur leading him to form a strong brand that is rapidly growing. StretchMed® Studios are franchised by fierce business owners just like Brian who have a passion for fitness and bring their A-Game when it comes to serving clients. Because stretching has several benefits for the body such as improving posture, blood flow, energy, and decreasing muscle/joint ...
Mar 29, 2024•53 min•Ep. 56
