Elzie engages with Gregg Ward, who is on a mission to transform lives via experiential learning and development programs that create respectful organizational cultures, to unravel the critical process of assessing situations before reacting. Gregg's profound advice resonates as he emphasizes the power of a pause. By taking a moment to breathe and gather oneself, police officers can make more informed decisions. Discover how this moment of reflection can transform real-world encounters for office...
Nov 05, 2023•2 min
Elzie Flenard engages in a dynamic conversation with Tonya McKenzie, Founder of Sand and Shores, a leading communications and leadership firm. They delve into the pivotal role of PR and podcasting in business success. Tonya emphasizes the importance of crafting a compelling brand narrative, drawing inspiration from challenges, and aligning business values for growth. She provides practical insights into PR budgeting and consistent branding. Tonya also shares her journey in launching the Empowere...
Nov 03, 2023•28 min
Tonya McKenzie opens up about her journey as a gun violence survivor and author. Discover how her interest in podcasting was driven by a desire to create a safe haven for discussing challenging topics. Tonya has encountered a community of individuals who have faced similar experiences. By listening to the stories of fellow survivors, she has gained profound insights into the diverse ways people navigate trauma and adversity. Join us in this powerful conversation as we explore the therapeutic and...
Nov 02, 2023•3 min
Elzie dives into the world of podcasting with Tonya McKenzie, the podcast host of My Morning Coffee and Leaders & Learners, and the mastermind behind the Empowered Podcast Network. Find out how Tonya strategically incorporated podcasts into her business, providing a platform for thought-provoking discussions and valuable insights. Discover the diverse shows featured on the network, from candid conversations with influential leaders to addressing sensitive topics in a safe space. Learn about ...
Nov 01, 2023•5 min
Tonya Mckenzie provides invaluable advice on PR strategies tailored for small businesses. Discover why allocating approximately 20% of your budget to PR is a smart move. Tonya emphasizes that smaller businesses need not rush into outsourcing their PR efforts. Instead, she highlights the importance of establishing a strong message and maintaining consistent branding across all platforms before diving into PR initiatives. Investing in training for your marketing staff with fundamental PR strategie...
Oct 31, 2023•4 min
Join Elzie Flenard and Tonya McKenzie in this insightful episode as they dive into the often underestimated realm of brand storytelling. They underscore the pivotal role of elevating your message, a piece that frequently eludes business owners in comprehending the profound impact of their brand story. Tonya sheds light on the prevalent misconception surrounding the value of a brand narrative, emphasizing the necessity for individuals to reflect on their identity and its significance. Especially ...
Oct 30, 2023•3 min
Let's dive into an enlightening conversation with Stacey Brown Randall, award-winning author, speaker, podcast host and founder of the Brown Randall Group, where she helps business owners generate referrals without asking. Stacey's entrepreneurial path, from an HR consulting firm to her thriving coaching business, is a testament to resilience and learning from failures. Discover the critical role of tracking referrals, a practice that doesn't demand complex systems. Stacey's straightforward appr...
Oct 27, 2023•41 min
In this candid discussion, Elzie delves into the profound impact of focus and clarity on referral quality and close rates with the insightful Stacey Brown Randall. With a diverse array of business experiences, Stacey reveals her journey, highlighting the absence of passive income models. As a devoted mother, she places immense value on quality time with her children, working from a small office at her driveway's end to maintain a strong presence in their lives. Through trials and tribulations, S...
Oct 26, 2023•5 min
In this insightful episode, Elzie poses a crucial two-part question to Stacey Brown Randall on maximizing referral data. Stacey emphasizes the paramount importance of identifying one's referral sources, marking it as a fundamental step for every individual working with her. By meticulously tracking this information, patterns begin to emerge, empowering businesses to make more informed decisions. This includes enhancing closing ratios and directing attention towards high-quality leads. Moreover, ...
Oct 25, 2023•6 min
Stacey Brown Randall introduces a straightforward method for monitoring referrals that requires no complex CRM or database system. With just a basic Excel spreadsheet or Google Doc, Stacey recommends four essential columns: date, prospect's name, source, and outcome. The "source" category encompasses a wide range of channels, from Facebook ads and networking events to specific referral sources' names or even LinkedIn followers. Meanwhile, the "outcome" field serves to indicate whether the prospe...
Oct 24, 2023•5 min
Stacey Brown Randall unravels the prevailing myths surrounding referrals that many entrepreneurs and business owners often fall victim to. Through extensive research and hands-on experience, she has uncovered the underlying scientific principles that truly drive successful referral generation. Contrary to popular belief, relying solely on delivering excellent work or directly asking for referrals may not yield consistent results. Stacey's findings emphasize the need for a customized, adaptable a...
Oct 23, 2023•5 min
Stacey Brown Randall, who is a successful author, podcast host, and entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. She unveils how a pivotal setback in her first venture led to profound insights that paved the way for her subsequent thriving business. Tune in to learn the invaluable lessons she gained about sustainable growth and discover the secrets behind her remarkable transformation. Listen to this episode that is packed with wisdom and strategies ...
Oct 22, 2023•4 min
Elzie Flenard delves into the world of Public Relations (PR) with seasoned expert Andrea Pass, founder of Andrea Pass Public Relations. They uncover the vital role PR plays for small business owners, offering valuable insights and actionable tips. Andrea's journey from high school PR chair to thriving entrepreneur serves as an inspiring backdrop. They emphasize the significance of earned PR over paid strategies, providing a roadmap to PR success. Whether new to PR or seeking to enhance existing ...
Oct 20, 2023•34 min
Elzie Flenard explores the diverse lanes within Public Relations (PR) with expert Andrea Pass. Andrea emphasizes a practical approach to PR, steering away from over-analysis and extensive strategizing. She highlights that getting clients involved from day one and promptly pitching them to media outlets can yield more effective results than prolonged strategizing. This insight provides a fresh perspective on navigating the lanes of PR and seizing opportunities without unnecessary delay. Tune in n...
Oct 19, 2023•2 min
Andrea Pass delves into the dynamics of being a solopreneur, shedding light on her transition from a long-standing career in public relations. Motivated by persistent inquiries from clients about her solo ventures, Andrea now manages a carefully curated client base of four to six, ensuring optimal service delivery. By prioritizing life over work, she maintains a healthy work-life balance while swiftly delivering results to her clients. With a discerning approach to project selection, Andrea aims...
Oct 18, 2023•4 min
Andrea Pass provides invaluable advice on enhancing podcast engagement. She stresses the significance of active listening and maintaining an open dialogue with guests. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of a robust social media presence, including tagging individuals, fostering subscriber interaction, and promptly addressing feedback. Lastly, Andrea advocates for collaborative efforts between podcasters and their guests as an effective strategy for expanding listenership. These insights...
Oct 17, 2023•3 min
Andrea Pass offers valuable insights on podcast engagement, shedding light on the unique challenges she faces due to client budget limitations compared to larger PR firms in Manhattan. She emphasizes the critical step of building a strong client relationship before delving into discussions about potential sponsorship opportunities. Andrea underscores the significance of professionalism in business podcasts, commending Elzie for his adept presentation skills. This discussion highlights the import...
Oct 16, 2023•3 min
Elzie delves into the challenges faced by podcast hosts who find themselves at the lower end of the income spectrum in the podcasting industry. Joining the discussion, Andrea Pass offers valuable insights on the dilemma faced by PR firms and podcast hosts regarding engagement in pay-to-play arrangements to generate revenue. Andrea highlights the significant time investment PR professionals dedicate to researching suitable podcasts for their clients, making compensation a pertinent consideration....
Oct 15, 2023•5 min
Join us for an invigorating episode featuring the dynamic self-made entrepreneur, Dwan Bent-Twyford, who transformed personal upheaval into a flourishing real estate investing venture. From laboriously handcrafting foreclosure lists to renovating her first house, Dwan's journey is a vibrant testament to her unwavering determination and passion. Elzie uncovers the pivotal moments and priceless lessons of her journey, highlighting her commitment to aiding distressed homeowners and rehabilitating b...
Oct 13, 2023•31 min
In this impactful episode, Dwan Bent-Twyford, who is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, podcaster, and real state investor, shares her journey of overcoming adversity and achieving success. Drawing from her own experiences, Dwan emphasizes the importance of teamwork in entrepreneurship and resilience in the face of hardship. Tune in to discover how to bounce back stronger from hard times and the key role collaboration plays in reaching the pinnacle of success. Don't miss Dwan's inspi...
Oct 12, 2023•3 min
Dwan Bent-Twyford delves into the art of delegation and how it's crucial for scaling a business. Elzie shares how maturity and the realization of the unsustainability of doing everything on his own prompted him to embrace delegation as a means for business growth. Dwan's delegation journey began unexpectedly during a long layover at an airport when she came across a mini-book. Recognizing the need to delegate, she started by handing off tasks she disliked, such as paperwork and managing monthly ...
Oct 11, 2023•4 min
Dwan Bent-Twyford shares her remarkable journey from factory work to entrepreneurial success. Growing up in Ohio, she graduated high school in 1977 and initially took a factory job. However, Dwan quickly realized she aspired to achieve more in life. Driven by determination, she delved into the world of business and investing by devouring books on the subjects. With unwavering commitment, she gradually amassed enough funds to hire an accountant, further enhancing her financial knowledge. Tune in ...
Oct 10, 2023•4 min
self-made real estate entrepreneur. Her story is a testament to resilience and determination in the face of life's unexpected turns. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, she stumbled into the realm of real estate investing, a decision which proved to be life-changing. Emerging from humble beginnings, Dwan’s initial pursuits involved handwritten foreclosure lists and property visits. Her first investment was a financially-challenged property in dire need of repair. Despite the hurdles, she took ...
Oct 09, 2023•7 min
Elzie sits down with Meng Chen, the founder of Portfolio Bay, a software designed to help early real estate investors transition from full-time work to full-time investment pursuit. Meng talks about his experience in real estate investing and how he struggled with managing properties, tenants, and accounting. He created Portfolio Bay to automate his processes and handle payments automatically, leading him to see the potential of creating a business out of it. They discuss the Lean Startup method...
Oct 06, 2023•30 min
Let's discuss funding as a potent accelerator of success. Elzie dives into the topic of funding for Portfolio Bay, prompting Meng Chen to share his perspective. He enlightens us on how funding can serve as an amplifier, capable of magnifying both the success and failure of a startup. Meng unveils his current focus, which is firmly centered on product development and fostering gradual growth. At this juncture, Portfolio Bay isn't actively in pursuit of funding. Instead, Meng's strategy hinges on ...
Oct 05, 2023•3 min
Explore the art of outsmarting competition with Meng Chen as he discusses measuring progress and results. In this episode, Meng shares his multifaceted approach to business, emphasizing the significance of thorough measurement and learning. As a founder, he navigates various aspects, not limited to engineering but also encompassing marketing, like SEO. Meng reveals his strategy of enhancing marketing knowledge through user feedback and interactions with real estate agents. Quantitative metrics g...
Oct 04, 2023•5 min
Discover how Meng Chen, Founder of PortfolioBay, launched his platform from scratch in this episode as he sheds light on how even those without software engineering skills can embark on building a platform. Meng emphasizes the wealth of online resources available for learning web development. Drawing from his experience transitioning from software engineering, he highlights the importance of determination and conviction. He recommends starting with a minimal viable product, focusing on functiona...
Oct 03, 2023•3 min
Let's explore the world of real estate as a stepping stone to pursuing passions and entrepreneurship with Meng Chen, Founder of PortfolioBay. He discusses the financial challenges of starting a business in this episode and how real estate can serve as a pre-entrepreneurial runway. Meng shares his perspective on real estate, emphasizing that it offers more than just financial gains. For him, it provides the freedom to explore passions and create a successful business. He also believes that having...
Oct 02, 2023•2 min
If you're intrigued by the intersection of technology and business growth, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom. Join Elzie in an engaging conversation with Yanev Suissa, Managing Partner and Founder at SineWave Ventures, a leading firm that invests in early-stage commercial technologies with a unique focus on the public sector. Apply the wisdom Yanev shares to make informed decisions in your entrepreneurial journey. Assess the potential of your tech innovations and focus on meeting custom...
Sep 29, 2023•33 min
We dive deep with Yanev Suissa, a tech industry veteran, where he shares his approach that prioritizes authentic relationships, emphasizing compatibility and shared vision among team members, partners, and venture capitalists. Yanev highlights how at SineWave, fostering team growth and development is a core principle. He advocates for providing avenues for team members to take on new roles and acquire skills. Moreover, he addresses mismatches by guiding individuals towards environments where the...
Sep 28, 2023•6 min
