Mission Driven Business
Brian chats with serial entrepreneur and visionary leader Amanda Bauer-Frisch. As the CEO of Small Legacies, Amanda creates a way to give thoughtful, high-quality learning tools that enhance a child’s development. She also oversees several other small, legacy-driven businesses under the Enduring Legacy brand. On the episode, Amanda opens up about how becoming a young widow and being open to the right, new opportunities shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She also provides a behind-the-scenes look at how she’s purchased several existing brands and shares tips for finding and acquiring...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 71: Driving A Heart-Led Business with Brian MoakMission Driven Business
Brian chats with Brian Moak, an entrepreneur, consultant, coach, and motivational speaker focused on service-based businesses and team engagement. As the owner and CEO of HEART Certified Auto Care, Brian used empathy to transform his family’s business into an industry-leading auto shop. He also owns one of the largest Shack Shine franchises in North America and is a partner in a digital marketing firm. On the episode, Brian Moak details his rollercoaster entrepreneurial journey, riding the lows of losing $1.5 million in one year to growing his business to earn nearly $15 million in revenue....
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 70: How To Create Powerful Mission, Vision, and Values StatementsMission Driven Business
On this special episode, Brian dives deep into the art of crafting your business’s mission, vision, and value statements. These principles are the roadmap to success, and Brian gives a blueprint for creating powerful mission, vision, and values statements that shape the foundation of a successful company. This process is a fundamental topic for any budding entrepreneur or business owner. Episode Highlights How to write an effective mission statement The mission statement is the heart of any business, encapsulating the “why” behind your company’s existence. To be effective, a...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 69: Building A Business For Financial Independence with LaSean SmithMission Driven Business
Brian chats with LaSean Smith, a software developer and business creator on a mission to help businesses and business owners succeed. LaSean spent more than a decade as a software executive at Amazon and Microsoft, where he uncovered patterns to use process as a tool to win in business more often. He now uses those insights to help entrepreneurs launch and sustain bootstrapped businesses. On the episode, LaSean digs deep into what it means to have a values-based business and why owning a business is the most predictable way to achieve financial independence. He also outlines the...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 68: Start 2024 With A Clean Slate With This Year-End ChecklistMission Driven Business
It’s hard to believe that 2023 is almost over. Before the New Year, it’s time to reflect on the past year and get ready for the next one. On this special episode, Brian lists off 10 business and 10 personal tasks that you should check off your list to end 2023 on the right note and start 2024 with a clean slate. Episode Highlights 10 End-Of-Year Business Action Items 1. Review your goals How did you do this year? What were you proud to accomplish? Anything you wish you could have done better? The end of the year is a great time to review the goals you made at the beginning of the year and...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 67: Empowering Inclusive Entrepreneurship with Ebony JanelleMission Driven Business
Brian chats with inclusive entrepreneurship expert Ebony Janelle. As an Empower by GoDaddy manager, Ebony drives GoDaddy’s corporate program that helps underserved entrepreneurs thrive. She manages the day-to-day operations that provide education, networking, and mentorship to small business owners from underfunded communities. On the episode, Ebony discusses the challenges facing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, including a disparity in funding and resources. She also shares the three pillars that entrepreneurs of all kinds can use to uplevel their businesses and how the use of generative AI can...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 66: Creating Your Personal Brand with Isaac SaldanaMission Driven Business
Brian chats with serial entrepreneur and SendGrid founder Isaac Saldana about his new venture Memo, which helps people build authentic and trustworthy personal brands. On the episode, Isaac opens up about how his introversion initially made it difficult for him to sell his expertise online, and how he's now using his experiences to help other entrepreneurs and creatives effectively showcase their talents. He also gives tips for being a leader with your natural personality and for using your values to navigate difficult business decisions. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses move...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 65: Cultivating Courage with Elliot GreenbergerMission Driven Business
Brian chats with Elliot Greenberger, a new entrepreneur who recently pivoted from corporate leadership to business coaching. On the episode, Elliot opens up about how he felt stuck and drained before he started his business, even though he had a successful career and a fulfilling family life. He also shares the practical steps he took to launch his coaching firm and tips for creating an effective sales process that aligns with your business's mission. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses are born out of a sense of purpose. Every business has a purpose, whether the leaders of a company...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 64: Creating An Inclusive Clothing Company with Spider PerryMission Driven Business
Brian chats with Spider Perry, founder of the inclusive clothing company NerdyKeppie. Spider initially created the company as a side business to provide LGBTQ Judaica for their daughter and now runs NerdyKeppie full-time with the help of several part-time employees. On the episode, Spider shares how the business has evolved throughout its growth. They also list their top tips for keeping a business afloat and emphasize the importance of delegation. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses create the world you want to live in. Spider defines a mission-driven business as a company that...
info_outline The Mission Driven Business Podcast Episode 63: Disrupting the Status Quo with Miki AgrawalMission Driven Business
Brian chats with serial entrepreneur, social innovator, and author Miki Agrawal. As the founder of disruptive ventures Tushy, Thinx, and Wild, Miki is known for challenging the status quo and driving cultural change. She is also the author of best-selling books Do Cool Sh*t and Disrupt-Her. On the episode, Miki dives deep into her experience building multiple 100-million-dollar businesses. She also shares the questions she asks before starting a new business and opens up about how some of her hardest times have led to growth. Episode Highlights Mission-driven businesses do well and good. Miki...
info_outlineIt’s hard to believe that 2021 is halfway over. Things have changed so much since the beginning of the year, and it’s the perfect time to take a step back and reflect. In this special episode, Brian provides insight and advice for conducting a midyear review for your business. You’ll learn steps to gain awareness, evaluate your business purpose, and take corrective action while there’s still time to change things.
Episode Highlights: How to Conduct A MidYear Business Review
1. Have a personal check-in
Paradoxically, the first action item is to take a break from the action, as Brian says in the episode. The midyear review is the perfect time to take a pause and check-in with yourself about your feelings, successes, challenges, and goals.
Here are just a few questions to get you started:
- Are you living up to the company’s purpose and vision?
- Are you accomplishing your goals?
- Are you working the number of hours you want to work?
- Are you feeling overwhelmed or anxious about the future of your business?
- Do you feel satisfied and fulfilled in the work that you’re doing?
“I’ve seen so many entrepreneurs use their passion and energy to accomplish things they never thought they could,” Brian said. “So don’t fight your emotions, let them drive you.”
2. Assess your cash flow
Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business, and proper cash flow management requires systems. Brian advocates for putting your money into buckets like with the Profit First system, which he covered in Episode 6 and Episode 7.
3. Review your tax payments
Halfway through the year is a good time to think about taxes. By this point in time, you should have made two tax payments on April 15 and June 15.
“Mid-year is an excellent point to check in with your accountant and see if you’re on track with your projections,” Brian said.
An account or tax professionals can make sure you’re on track and help you correct your estimated tax payments if you’re behind. You can also review your payments with an online program, like Quickbooks, Brian said.
4. Conduct an expense analysis
Now is also an excellent opportunity to review your expenses. To conduct an expense analysis, you need two things:
- Expenses for the past six months
- Recurring expenses (e.g. rent, subscriptions, training, classes, etc.)
Brian recommends adding up the costs of your expenses and multiplying that number by 10%. Then, cut your costs by that number. One place to start is with items you’ve justified as a business expense for tax purposes.
“Just because you get a tax deduction for an expense, you’re still losing money if you still purchase something you don’t use,” Brian said.
5. Write down 2 - 3 action steps for the second half of the year
Now that you’ve reflected and reviewed, it’s essential to write down two or three action steps to get you started for the second half of the year, Brian said.
Here are some questions to help you do that:
- What is it that I can do about the obstacle that I’m facing?
- How am I going to do it?
- When am I going to do it?
- Who can keep me accountable?
- How do I feel about it?
After you’ve set action steps, give yourself some downtime to relax, so you can go into the second half of the year full of passion and energy. And remember: you don’t have to accomplish everything right at the start.
“You’re more likely to find success taking several steps each day rather than trying to run several miles at once,” Brian said.
Resources + Links
- Episode 6: Eradicating Entrepreneurial Poverty with Ron Saharyan
- Episode 7: Being Profit First with Mike Michalowicz
- Contact Brian: [email protected]
- Brian’s Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast
Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and certified financial planner who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit.
On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.