Zachariah Moreno is the co-founder, CEO and CTO of SquadCast. He is a technologist, podcaster, author, and co-founder of SquadCast. Zach and his team are on a mission to connect creatives.  

We discuss: 

• Why developing only a product is not enough [1:34] 
• A side project that turns into a unique tool focused on quality and reliability [3:54] 
• When you don’t know that you’ve actually found a product fit [7:14] 
• A big leap of faith [8:41] 
• How audio quality impacts credibility [12:30] 
• Major differentiators for improving audio quality [16:00] 
• Creative opportunities to foster collaboration outside the studio [19:39]  

Learn more about Zachariah at https://squadcast.fm. 

Brief Description of Gift 

A promo code to get 10 dollars off your first month in addition to a 7-day free trial – STP2020 

URL for Free Gift 

https://squadcast.fm. 

Mark Butler is the founder of the accounting startup Let’s Do the Books, as well as the bookkeeper, CFO and confidante to top online entrepreneurs like Brooke Castillo and Stacey Boehman. Before working in finance, Mark co-founded three online businesses that brought in close to $2 million in total revenue.  

We discuss: 

• You need a budget [1:47] 
• The right amount of money that self-employed people learn to accept [4:02] 
• The three most dangerous addictions [8:00] 
• A new kind of stimuli to deal with [10:03] 
• Why entrepreneurs need to constrain the time they give to their desk [12:36] 
• The [un]willingness to reframe things as a major factor for success [15:47] 
• The importance of mentally experiencing the worst-case scenario [20:17] 
• Why administrative work comes second to building relationships [22:06] 

Today, Mark combines his business savvy with his certification in life coaching to help business owners take control of their finances and work through the shame and anxiety that almost always comes up when dealing with money. 

Learn more about Mark at http://letsdothebooks.com.  

Stacey Hanke is author of the book “Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday”. She has trained and presented to thousands to rid business leaders of bad body language habits and to choose words wisely. She’s worked with leaders at FedEx, Nationwide, Boeing and Oracle. She is a Certified Speaking Professional – a valuable accreditation earned by less than 10% of speakers worldwide.  

We discuss: 

• Why most people believe they’re more influential than they really are [1:56] 
• How to understand how influential you really are [3:27] 
• The importance of silent observers for getting an honest feedback [7:20] 
• The gift you don’t want to receive [9:06] 
• The best way to grow and develop for free [10:50] 
• The three key drivers of influence [12:07] 
• The true test of a leader’s influence [14:19] 
• How consultants and coaches can achieve an athlete’s level of awareness [16:15] 
• The big step is momentum and repetition [20:01] 
• The video camera doesn’t lie [22:46] 

Learn more about Stacey at https://staceyhankeinc.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyhanke/, and YouTube. 

Kevin Perlmutter is a Brand and Customer Relationship Strategist. He is Chief Strategist and Founder of Limbic Brand Evolution, where he helps CMO’s, Brand and Business Leaders strengthen customer relationships through the lens of emotion. He applies behavioral science to turn emotional insights into a competitive advantage.  

We discuss: 

• Why experiences are more important than advertisement [1:23] 
• Going back to your roots in order to move forward [4:55] 
• The largest driver of loyalty for brands [6:36] 
• The hardest client you will ever have [9:46] 
• Going solo without going it alone [16:27] 
• Why you have to keep your foot on the gas [18:00] 
• The intersection where limbic sparks happen [19:36] 

Learn more about Kevin  at https://www.limbicbrandevolution.com/,  LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Michael F. Schein is the founder and president of MicroFame Media, a marketing agency that specializes in making idea-based companies famous in their fields.

We discuss:

• What marketing is really all about [3:53]
• The Hype man: reverse-engineering as a way to make people take an action [8:22]
• Milk before meat [10:13]
• Hustle, hustle, hustle [13:50]
• If only people saw how good your product is [15:57]
• What makes negative hype artists so good at what they do [19:55]
• Why you need to make sure you don’t gravitate only toward people like you [23:33]

He is also the author of The Hype Handbook: 12 Indispensable Success Secrets from the World’s Greatest Propagandists, Self-Promoters, Cult Leaders, Mischief Makers, and Boundary Breakers, published by McGraw Hill, that will appear everywhere books are sold on January 12, 2021.

Learn more about Michael at www.microfamemedia.com, www.michaelfschein.com and TheHypeHandbook.

Susan Drumm is a CEO Advisor and Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience leading teams and senior executives to achieve their potential.   

We discuss: 

• The surprising benefits of nonlinear transitions [1:47] 
• How to get your fire back and create exciting opportunities for yourself [5:59] 
• What business leaders can learn from great actors [10:16] 
• Drawing from multiple disciplines as a short detour to your dream [13:54] 
• A powerful tool to help you think through your gifts as well as your blind spots [17:49] 

Her consulting firm, Meritage Leadership, focuses on leader and team effectiveness by helping leaders develop the capacity and mindsets to lead in today’s disruptive environment. Meritage utilizes over a dozen exceptional coaches in its senior leadership programs.  

Learn more about Susan at www.meritageleadership.com. 

Brief Description of Gift 

A free download of the Enneagram  

URL for free gift 

http://meritageleadership.com/goingsolo

Matt Zinman is a difference-maker devoted to personally enrich the lives of at least 100 million people by 2025.  

We discuss: 

• How interns could be helpful when going through a major transition [1:32] 
• Putting earned confidence in action [6:27] 
• Hiring interns versus hiring virtual assistants [8:30] 
• Ways to use interns as a multiplier [9:30] 
• Overcoming business challenges with a no-quit attitude [12:56] 
• Why it’s important to have a Plan B [14:14] 
• The impact plan: changing the lives of at least 100 million people by 2025 [15:10] 
• A snapshot of your life [18:10] 

His new book, “Z-isms: Insights to Live By” is based on his experiences as an entrepreneur, athlete, single parent, caregiver and nonprofit founder. He is also the host of “Insights to Live By,” a podcast that invites guests to share their own pearls of wisdom. In addition, Matt is CEO of The Internship Institute, which he established in 2007 to “Make Experience Matter.”  

Learn more about Matt at https://mattzinman.com, www.internshipinstitute.org and www.isazinman.com. 

Brief Description of Gift 

Free Self-care Report Card 

URL for Free Gift 

https://mattzinman.com/z-isms/report-card/ 

James Burgess is the author of the international bestselling book CHAOS: How Business Leaders Can Master the Power of Focus and “No Problem” Is The Problem; How to Attract and Retain Raving Fans. He is a professional speaker and Founder of FOCUS31 an international management consulting company that are global experts in Business Planning for businesses from start-up to millions of dollars in revenue.  

We discuss: 

• When you’re too entrepreneurial for the company you work for [1:47] 
• The simplicity of a name that makes the difference [5:57] 
• A business plan is not about a 50-word page [7:56] 
• James, what’s next? [10:18] 
• How to go through the pains of starting your own business without losing your passion [12:24] 
• The FOCUS Accountability System Protocol [14:30] 
• It is usually about somebody’s personal dream [17:34] 
• LinkedIn as a virtual chamber of commerce [18:58] 

After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1983 with an Honors degree in Commerce and Economics, James joined the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. James enjoyed 22 successful years with CIBC with the last 10 years as a senior leader of small business responsible for a portfolio of three quarters of a billion dollars with 30 direct reports, receiving the Chairman’s Award on three separate occasions for performance excellence.   

James founded FOCUS31 in 2006. FOCUS31 enables business owners. FOCUS31 programs enable business owners to identify and focus on the right priorities, to think strategically and to improve the quality of their business decisions generating greater financial results through radical FOCUS on, and accountability for, the activities that will truly advance a business’ success.  

Learn more about James at https://www.focus31.com.  

Brief Description of Gift 

Free downloadable version of James Burgess book CHAOS: How Business Leaders Can Master the Power of Focus  

URL for free gift 

CHAOSThePowerOfFocus.com 

Uri Adoni is the author of the book “The Unstoppable Startup – Mastering Israel’s Secret Rules of Chutzpah”, published by Harper Collins.   

We discuss: 

• The secret sauce of the Israeli high-tech companies [1:53] 
• Summarizing your 30-minute talk to a tweet [4:07] 
• The six principles behind the mindset of chutzpah [6:34] 
• Why you need a good musical ear to dominate your niche [17:48] 
• How to validate a product before you even build it [21:15] 
• Foreseeing the future: the hypothesis startups should come up with [22:25] 

Uri has over 20 years of experience in high-tech as the CEO of Microsoft Networks Israel, a venture capitalist at JVP (Jerusalem Venture Partners), one of the leading VC’s in Israel, an angel investor, a board member in numerous companies and a speaker.  

Learn more about Uri at https://www.theunstoppablestartup.com/ and LinkedIn. 

After finding the courage to say “bye-bye” to her corporate marketing career, Kathy Goughenour built a 6-figure virtual assistant business from her tiny house in the middle of a forest. Today, she teaches professional women how to create their own work-at-home VA businesses so they can enjoy the freedom, flexibility, and financial security they desire and deserve.   

We discuss: 

• Why you are not getting promoted [2:20] 
• That’s called being a virtual assistant [5:14] 
• The difference between a virtual assistant and a virtual expert [7:12] 
• How to go from $15/hour to $75/hour in 30 days [11:19] 
• Why you are never actually starting all over again [16:19] 
• What’s keeping your target market up at night [18:16] 
• A hidden gem of an industry [20:57] 

Kathy also offers VA Matchmaking sessions to business owners interested in working with Expert VAs®️ and Virtual Experts®️. Kathy and her Expert VA®️ and Virtual Expert®️ Training program have been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, All You, and The Wealthy Freelancer. 

Learn more about Kathy at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dare-to-leap/id1527322302. 

Brief Description of Gift 

Guidelines on how to become a virtual expert  

URL for free gift 

www.virtualexperttraining.com/goingsolo

Yvonne Dam is an online business coach that helps driven business owners to double their turnover and not their hours.   

We discuss: 

• A good starting point to start your own business [1:46] 
• How to find your golden thread [4:38] 
• Engaging with your clients first: a time-saving strategy for entrepreneurs [6:10] 
• The one thing that makes a difference when going solo [8:23] 
• The funny thing about removing 75% of your profit source [11:48] 
• The strengths that will help your business flourish [15:04] 
• Opportunity as a question of combination [18:48] 

She has over 25 years of experience in the corporate world, within Finance, HR, sales and change management. She started Amaze Yourself as she was done with being a workaholic. Little did she know that every business owner turns into a workaholic. As a recovering workaholic, she now helps driven business owners to work less and earn more. Her book: “How to improve your work-life balance – 50 proven tips”, is a good start.   

Learn more about Yvonne at https://amaze-yourself.com/book-work-life-balance/.  

Brief Description of Gift 

Yvonne’s book “How to improve your work-life balance with 50 proven tips” which is normally $30, is available when you use the code “smashing” for only $15.  

URL for free gift 

https://amaze-yourself.com/book-work-life-balance/  

You’ll receive $5 for every sale made using that code.  

Craig M. Chavis, Jr. is an author and coach that specializes in helping working professionals launch profitable businesses and successfully transition into full-time entrepreneurship.  

We discuss:  

• Planting the seeds of becoming an entrepreneur [1:55] 
• None of us are self-made [5:18] 
• A mentorship that turns things around [6:52] 
• The most important variable in the PIE formula [9:07] 
• The entrepreneur of your life [11:05] 
• Bucket number one and Bucket number two [12:40] 
• The roadblocks to creating something from nothing [17:04] 
• The best form of security there is [19:06] 

He is a serial entrepreneur, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, former division-1 collegiate athlete, and received his BSBA from Samford University and MBA from the University of Tampa. Craig is also a super foodie, world traveler, and lifelong learner.  

Learn more about Craig at https://www.cre8ivecraig.com/ and https://www.burdensofadream.com/.  

Brief Description of Gift  

A signed hardback copy of Craig’s book – Burdens of a Dream  

URL for Free Gift  

craig@cre8ivecraig.com 

Liz is the founder of EBC Associates, a consulting, networking and search services firm. The business is a global network of affiliate partnerships to drive growth and Erudites Networking Group was formed as a subsidiary.  

We discuss:  

• Critical steps to getting your business off the ground [1:58] 
• When you know the market place but don’t know how to do market research [3:42] 
• How to focus more on bringing in the money [4:57] 
• Techniques to effectively tap into your relationships [7:11] 
• A business model focused both on expertise and who you know [11:13] 
• Jumping to a new career without a plan B [12:55] 
• Why you need to go online and have a marketing engine going on [14:49] 
• Shifts in and opportunities for building relationships online [17:02] 
• The first thing to do once you realize your job is ending and you want to be an entrepreneur as a next step [18:33] 

Liz is actively involved with a number of associations, certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise, the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and she is a strategic alliance board partner with the Entrepreneurs’ Association of New York.  

Learn more about Liz at LinkedIn. 

Trevor Turnbull is the CEO of Linked Into Leads and Founder of the transformative Expert Selling programs where he empowers B2B SOLOpreneur consultants and coaches to connect with their “Most Valuable Prospects” using the LinkedIn LINCHPIN Method.

We discuss:

• The mistakes consultants and coaches make that cause them to be stressed and overworked [2:31]
• The less daunting perspective on scaling your business [4:25]
• All the different ways that a person could get in front of their ideal clients [6:14]
• It always starts with the profile [7:13]
• Why you should not be afraid to go niche [8:49]
• How to relate your personal story to your potential clients [12:15]
• The reason to work with certified coaches and consultants [14:16]
• How to take opportunity of the situation before marketers ruin it [16:39]
• Change your thoughts, change your mind, change your life [19:53]

He has served over 26,000 people with his Repeatable, Predictable, Measurable Client Acquisition System and has shared his story and methods in numerous media publications including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Time, Money and Business Insider about how to go from being stressed, frustrated and over-worked to confident, empowered and profitable.

Learn more about Trevor at http://expertselling.com, http://linkedintoleads.com and http://trevorturnbull.com.

Brief Description of Gift

Trevor’s LinkedIn LINCHPIN Method

URL for Free Gift

https://go.expertselling.com/smash

Keith Leimbach left the corporate world following multiple C-level roles in a career that include 2 IPO’s and an 11-figure exit to Oracle. Then he launched what is now called the Diversified Income Experiment building laundromats, car washes, and Amazon private label business, an acquisition of an existing business and 7 trips through the franchise process. Now he’s packaged up all these leanings and shares the details in his podcast ‘Diversified Income Experiment’ and his website dincpie.com.

We discuss:

• You better own your own business by now [1:36]
• Why 28 is [not] a magic number [3:38]
• The timeline to needing cash [9:34]
• The happy middle ground [15:10]
• The things that keep your income’s dream from going away [20:29]

Learn more about Keith at www.dincpie.com and LinkedIn.

Brief Description of Gift

Visit dincpie.com for tons of free content as well as detailed financial models and other high value planning assets

URL for free gift

www.dincpie.com

Craig Chavis has 29 years of experience with the research, testing, selection, architecture, design, and implementation phases of contact center and real-time communications hardware and applications solutions. This includes 9 years in customer facing roles as a sales engineer and solutions architect. Those roles included responsibilities for the requirements analysis, architecture, solution recommendation, technical assessment, and design phases of small, medium, and enterprise scale projects.

We discuss:

• A journey from on-premise to a [private] cloud space [1:35]
• How to become aware of the gaps in your business [4:36]
• The right time to get downsized [6:24]
• Resisting the temptation to saying “yes” to headhunters [8:05]
• The butterflies for being your own business person [10:44]
• The big thing about being in business [12:04]
• The answers to the questions you don’t know about your business [13:27]
• Not yet a consultant but still an employee [16:40]
• The game is years long, not months long [18:14]

Learn more about Craig at cchavis@chaveconsulting.com.

Neil Sahota is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations AI Advisor, author of the book Own the A.I. Revolution., and Chief Innovation Officer the University of California. 

We discuss:

• Why it is so difficult for people to think differently [2:31]
• The trap of long-term consultant-client relationships [4:46]
• Why executives should get out there more often [6:38]
• What we forget about assumptions [9:27]
• Understand different: why consultants should fall out of love with their idea [12:32]
• Be different: how to avoid having a superior product fail [15:57]
• Own different: Why Tesla succeeded with electric cars while others failed [18:13]
• A little, disruptive, entrepreneurial piece within a big bureaucratic organization [19:57]

Over his 20+ year career, Neil worked with enterprises to launch business ventures by creating next generation products/solutions powered by emerging technology as well as helping organizations create the culture, community, and ecosystem needed to achieve success, like the U.N.’s AI for Good initiative. Neil also actively pursues social good and volunteers with nonprofits like the Zero Abuse Project to prevent child sexual abuse. 

Learn more about Neil at https://www.neilsahota.com/, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Danielle left corporate accounting to pursue her dream as a real estate entrepreneur.

We discuss:

• The first 90 days of your first job [1:22]
• You can’t really get something for nothing [5:16]
• How to deal with the extreme level of pushback once you decide to be an entrepreneur [6:05]
• The motivating role of strong negative emotions [8:28]
• How saying “no” could save many problems for entrepreneurs [10:06]
• You don’t want to hear it until you have to hear it [12:03] 
• What happens if the need in the market niche you’ve chosen isn’t that strong [13:28]
• What makes us stay stuck and not think like an entrepreneur [14:30]
• [15:58]
• The first dollar you made [17:44]
• The people you should take advice from when you get suddenly unemployed [20:11]

Learn more about Danielle at www.propertypreservationmastery.com and YouTube.

Tamar Hela is an entrepreneur based in Shanghai and the COO of the digital agency Genius Encel. She helps Fortune 500 companies in Asia generate leads through LinkedIn. 

We discuss:

• What about LinkedIn makes it a great opportunity in China [2:05]
• The benefits of practicing what you preach [4:50]
• Approaching community as a good way to pivot, evolve and get feedback [6:32]
• Why you should use English content on LinkedIn regardless of your location [8:49]
• What large companies most need on LinkedIn [10:08]
• How to use a lead magnet to capture people’s attention [13:33]
• The firms that manage really well in webinars [16:26]
• It’s all in the follow-up [18:38]

As the Co-President of LinkedIn Local Asia, Tamar has created a network of communities made up of LinkedIn lovers, embracing the original idea of LinkedIn Local: getting to know “the person behind the profile.” Tamar founded the LinkedIn Local Shanghai community, which has more than 3000 members, making it one of the most professional and active networks in China.

Learn more about Tamar at www.geniusencel.agency and LinkedIn.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Simon Brady is a seasoned financial advisor specializing in individuals coming out of a divorce, suddenly single (widows), millennials and individuals that are between the ages of 20-40, and immigrants, all underserved demographics that get taken advantage of due to emotional stress, naivety, or language barriers.

We discuss:

• An unusual niche for a financial advisor that many would avoid [1:50]
• The benefits of a fee-only basis for both entrepreneurs and clients in the financial field [4:44]
• Why the wolf quit Wall Street [7:11]
• Shifting lives instead of shifting millions of dollars [10:26]
• The time to get creative about arranging your time [13:38]
• Why it’s crucial you realize what you don’t know [15:48] 
• How to keep a steady flow in the pipeline [17:04]

Learn more about Simon at https://www.angliaadvisors.com.

Brief Description of Gift

A free initial consultation, plus Simon’s “Family and Friends” discounted hourly rate if they sign up for a Per Hour engagement

URL for free gift

https://www.angliaadvisors.com

Kenneth Gronbach is president of KGC Direct, LLC and is an internationally respected demographer who has been able to forecast societal, commercial, economic, cultural and political phenomena with uncanny accuracy.

We discuss:

• An unusual blend of marketing savvy and common-sense demography [2:23]
• The power of shifting demography [5:04]
• The connection between the millennials and the current protests [5:55]
• Why businesses should focus on the need of shelter [7:09]
• Endless opportunities based on a single generation [9:14]
• Shifts coming up from the current pandemic [11:09]
• Why there will be better cops in the future [12:47]
• A kinder business climate: how millennials change the way people work [14:16]
• Barbie Dolls, Hot Wheels, and Latinos [16:02]

Ken is predicting that the United States and the Americas, because of their superior demographics over any other continent, will excel culturally and economically in the post corona era.

He keynotes all over the United States and the world. His company does high value, customized demographic research. Ken is the author of the current best-selling book The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm. His first book Common Census: The Counter-Intuitive Guide to Generational Marketing was released in 2005. Ken’s 2011 book Decades of Differences: Making It Work is a comprehensive guide to coping with three generations in the workforce. Ken’s newest book Upside: Profiting from the Profound Demographic Shifts Ahead was published in April 2017.

Learn more about Kenneth at www.kgcdirect.com.

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub

Arline Warwick shows businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits how to find large sums of money to build their businesses and organizations. 

We discuss:

• Why you don’t need to be big to have sponsors [2:30]
• The myth of sponsorship being a donation [5:28]
• The good guy: How to approach a sponsor [8:19]
• The best place to start making connections with potential sponsors [11:22]
• Why a big car company would sponsor a small charter fishing boat [16:34]
• The importance of following up on a “No” from a sponsor [19:24]

Arline teaches people how to partner with local businesses and corporations so they can work with them and get paid handsomely to do so. After learning from her own experiences and years of research, Arline now guides businesses through a system that reveals the easiest approach to finding the best partnerships so they can grow, blossom and bloom.

Learn more about Arline at Facebook.

Brief Description of Gift

A list of 100 corporations and contact information

URL for Free Gift

Send an email to info@findcorporatesponsors.com with “100” in the subject line

Thank You to Our Sponsor: SiteHub

www.smashingtheplateau.com/sitehub