This week's guest is Shaul Weisband, one of the entrepreneurs behind Jifiti, a new app that lets users create a wish list for pretty much any store in the entire world. Once an item is scanned into Jifiti, the app sends a notification to the user's social network so friends and family can "crowd fund" the gift. Once the funds are collected, the user is notified to pick up the gift. Not only does Jifiti help users get the gifts they really want, the app also allows the average brick-and-mortar st...
Dec 14, 2012•25 min
We welcome serial entrepreneur Seth Meinzen, co-founder of EvisThrive, a company that helps communities across the country develop their own "entrepreneurial ecosystems" by organizing and activating networks to accelerate business creation and growth. The result is enhanced economic development, stronger businesses, more local jobs, increased business and community revenues and a more cohesive community. During the past five years, Seth has built more than 10 businesses, taking one startup full-...
Dec 07, 2012•33 min
Great football coaches know more than pass defense and offensive strategy: they also tend to have a strong understanding of sales and marketing. Kelly's guest this week is Jeff Beals, author of Selling Saturdays: Blue-Chip Sales Tips from College Football. Join us as Jeff shares the sales and marketing secrets he learned in interviews with legendary college football coaches like Barry Switzer, Tom Osborne, John Cooper, Hayden Fry and scores of others. You’ll learn how a little "football practice...
Nov 30, 2012•32 min
Kelly talks with her guest Barbara Unell, the founder of Back in the Swing, about how business owners can help their employees—and themselves—get back into the swing of work after surviving cancer. Barbara got back in the swing herself, after being diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer in 1998. She created Back in the Swing originally in 2000 as a fundraiser for breast cancer survivorship programs, services and research. That grassroots start has since evolved into an international presen...
Nov 26, 2012•36 min
Having a plan is important, but if you can't adapt quickly and confidently when business conditions change, you could be putting your company at risk. This week's guest, Brent Gleeson, knows firsthand about the importance of making good decisions on a moment-by-moment basis. Gleeson offers an unparalleled perspective on change. As a Navy SEAL combat veteran, Gleeson has the unique knowledge of how important it is to analyze intelligence, intake situational data, and then be able to throw it all ...
Nov 16, 2012•29 min
Best practices and “back to basics” were forged during a different economic time--and have no place in the New Normal. Sean Stormes is helping companies around the world double and triple their profitable revenue growth just months after they begin his program. As the Chief Revenue Strategist for The Third Door, Sean works with high profile clients around the country. He is a sought after keynote speaker, and his American Cities Business Journal column reaches more than 1.1 million readers each ...
Nov 09, 2012•27 min
As an entrepreneur, do you ever feel like you're losing your "edge?" Kelly's guest, Scott Halford, says that might actually be a good thing if you want to improve employee performance, transform your workplace and be a successful leader. Drawing on his knowledge of neuroscience, Scott shares his insights into why entrepreneurs need "emotional intelligence"—not just the right technical skills and IQ—to be successful. In a witty and humorous conversation, he breaks down the practical uses for neur...
Nov 02, 2012•30 min
Women-owned businesses constitute a large and growing part of the U.S. economy, and nobody understands these kinds of companies quite like University of Hartford professor Susan Coleman, the co-author of A Rising Tide: Financing Strategies for Women-Owned Firms. Listen to Kelly and Susan’s conversation, and learn how other women entrepreneurs are finding effective methods to grow their companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 26, 2012•31 min
Join Kelly and her guest Mike Michalowicz (pronounced mi-CAL-o-witz), who, with no experience, no contacts and no savings, systematically bootstrapped a multi-million dollar business. The he did it again. And again. Now he is doing it for other entrepreneurs as the CEO of Provendus Group, a consulting firm the ignites explosive growth in companies that have plateaued. Mike was the entrepreneurship expert on CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. He is also the small business columnist for The W...
Oct 19, 2012•25 min
Few things feel worse than a lack of control over your own life. But the good news is that if you've lost your sense of personal power, it's possible to reclaim that strength, too. Dr. Linda Moore, the author of Release from Powerlessness: Take Charge of Your Life, has coached executives on restoring their power and improving their lives in the process. Join Kelly and Linda as they talk about ways you can fight "power loss." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 12, 2012•28 min
Believe it or not, but your dissatisfied employees could turn out to be your most productive workers. This week's guest is Robert Sher, a Forbes.com contributor and the founding principal at CEO to CEO, a consulting firm that helps executives sharpen their skills. According to Sher, employees who aren't satisfied with their performance or how the company is doing will push themselves harder and achieve more than "comfortable" workers. Join Kelly and Robert as they talk about systems you can use ...
Oct 05, 2012•37 min
Despite reports implying fast growth of women-owned businesses, many women business owners still face obstacles related to financing business growth. Join Kelly and a panel of national women business leaders as they discuss approaches and strategies for overcoming financing hurdles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 28, 2012•38 min
Charts, graphs and PowerPoint slides will never connect with an audience the way a good story can, and a growing number of businesses are harnessing classic storytelling techniques to increase engagement with customers and employees. Roger E. Jones -- the author of What Can Chief Executives Learn from Stand-Up Comedians? -- has taught the principles of "pragmatic storytelling" to teams at IBM, Cisco and dozens of other leading companies. Join Kelly and Roger as they talk about how you can tell y...
Sep 21, 2012•24 min
Homer Hickam, author of 12 books, all best-sellers, including the acclaimed memoir Rocket Boys which was made into the movie October Sky. His experiments with rockets in high school helped launch both his NASA career and US lunar exploration. Homer is a decorated combat officer. He has been an engineer, a scuba instructor and expert wreck diver. He trained astronauts and designed spacecraft for NASA. He is an amateur paleontologist who has discovered two Tyrannosaurus Rexes. He will be talking w...
Sep 14, 2012•34 min
Social media expert Kristina Jaramillo uses LinkedIn profiles as expertly as a samurai would wield a sword -- and she's sharing that knowledge with our listeners. Want to increase revenue, attract more clients and raise your profile? Some of the biggest names in media, including The New York Times and Reuters, have turned to Jaramillo for her expertise with the business world's top social network. Join Kelly and Kristina as they talk about ways to build LinkedIn profiles that cut through the onl...
Sep 07, 2012•32 min
It's one thing to be an expert in your field. It's even better, though, to be recognized as your sector's undisputed thought leader, the one that everybody else watches. As the founder and CEO of Well-Connected Leader Inc., Denise Brosseau has helped executives from Apple, SAP and Genentech build their credibility, connections and visibility, achieving new levels of success. The White House has named Denise a Champion of Change, and she has been a featured speaker at Intuit, Intel and KPMG event...
Aug 31, 2012•25 min
Sharon Harris, the owner of Napa Valley's Rarecat Wines, has turned her life's passion into a thriving business, and she's committed to helping other women entrepreneurs be successful, too. She formed a group called Wine Entre Femmes comprised of some of the most remarkable women in wine and recently launched A Woman’s Palate, a company that celebrates wines by women for women. Join Kelly and Sharon as they talk about how women can use the power of the wine list at business events to achieve the...
Aug 24, 2012•40 min
Join Kelly as she talks to Katie Snapp, a skirt strategist who empowers women to lead and succeed. Working as a rocket scientist in a male-dominated culture made her realize that women have great value that often gets buried. So she wrote a book called Skirt Strategies that gives women 249 success secrets to empower them towards leadership. She now speaks internationally to give women the encouragement and techniques they need to achieve as leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
Aug 17, 2012•32 min
If you never ask for what you want, the answer will always be no. In his new book, The Answer is Yes But First You Have to Ask, author Jim Charette outlines strategies for overcoming the roadblocks that keep us from asking for new opportunities. Charette is a popular speaker who's worked with Merrill Lynch, Dale Carnegie Training, E.F. Hutton and The New York Times. Join Kelly and Jim as they talk about ways you can employ his insights in your business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Aug 10, 2012•23 min
You don't have to sacrifice relationships for success, or vice versa. In his new book, Get-Real Leadership, Harry S. Campbell offers practical ways you can strengthen relationships and achieve amazing results in your business. Campbell brings a unique perspective to his writing and speaking: he has owned a small business and worked for some of the nation's biggest corporations. Join Kelly and Harry as they talk about ways you can "get real." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
Aug 03, 2012•24 min
Jennifer Wallis and her 8-year-old daughter, Breanna, aren't just family -- they're also business partners! And they've written a book about their experiences, Grand Wisdoms from a Girl Who Grew up Running a Company. Join Kelly as she talks to Jennifer and Breanna about teaching entrepreneurism to young people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 27, 2012•15 min
Opportunities in Government Contracting Winning a government contract can be an important shot in the arm for small businesses. On Aug. 7, Kansas City will host its annual Government Contracting and Procurement Forum at Bartle Hall -- a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn about contracting opportunities from the city level all the way up to the federal government. Join Kelly as she talks with Phillip Yelder, the head of the city's Human Relations Department, and Ashlea Blue, an MWDBE co...
Jul 20, 2012•16 min
After 26 years in public education and at 50 years of age, Tom left the University of Missouri, where he was a professor and administrator, to pursue an entrepreneurial career in real estate franchise sales. In less than 10 years he built a company that did more than $3 billion in sales. He sold his company and now spends his time and energy giving back by sharing his knowledge and experience, and coaching entrepreneurs and others to help them achieve success. Tom also is the author of Living at...
Jul 06, 2012•26 min
Richard Bendis, founder, president and CEO of Innovation America. Rich is a former president and CEO of Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, and a succesful entrepreneur who took his technology company public and eventually sold it to an international conglomerate. He is also an angel investor, venture capitalist, internationally recognized innovation and technology expert and a small business advocate. Rich will share his insights on innovation in the 21st century and how entrepreneurs can...
Jun 29, 2012•36 min
Peter Strople has been called “One of the World’s Great Rainmakers,” “The Most Connected Man in America,” and “One of the Most Connected People in the World.” He is considered to be one the top business strategists in the world focused on being the best at "Now". He has developed unique strategies and methodologies that can be used to insure correct direction changes that immediately place a company on the right path to success. In 2008, he created "Friends of Peter" which is used to bring busin...
Jun 22, 2012•33 min
If your business isn't constantly evolving, you run the risk of becoming as outdated as buggy whips or Kodak film. This week's guest, Ken Thurber, is the author of the hot new business book Do NOT Invent Buggy Whips, which imparts practical advice for reinventing yourself and your business. Join Kelly and Ken as they talk about how you can disrupt the status quo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 15, 2012•29 min
Ken Segall, the marketing genius who put the "i" in iMac, iTunes and other Apple products, has worked with some of the world's largest corporations, including BMW, IBM and Intel. Join Ken and Kelly as they talk about how focus and simplicity can bring new power to your brand. And get a preview of Ken's June 7 talk at the Mid-America Corporate Growth Conference in Kansas City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 08, 2012•29 min
Join Kelly and her guest Dan Stalp as they discuss living a life of significance and Dan's book The Reunion. After co-founding the award-winning employee benefits firm, Dessonville Boler Wood & Stalp in 1993 Dan went on to join Sandler Training in 2005. As a past 25 Under 25® Award Dan is active in the Kansas City business community and has become an accomplished author and sought after speaker. In his book The Reunion, Dan, along with co-author Jim Mathis, dives deeply into life's tough que...
Jun 01, 2012•25 min
Listen in as Kelly interviews Jack Uldrich, global futurist, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. Jack's written works have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week The Futurist and hundreds of other newspapers and publications around the country. In addition to speaking on future trends and leadership Uldrich is a leading expert on assisting businesses adapt. Jack participates in a number of speaking engagements nationwide and has spoken to hundreds of businesses including IBM, C...
May 25, 2012•43 min
Choosing a banker is one of the most important "hiring decisions" that a small business can make. Even if your company isn't looking for financing, a good banker can offer important advice to entrepreneurs. Join Kelly as she talks to Jeff Chambers, chief strategy officer at Alterra Bank, and Chris Wood, managing partner at Paige Technologies, as they talk about finding the right banker for your business and getting the most from that relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...
May 24, 2012•28 min
