Adapting to Changes in Industry
OUTdrive
In today's competitive industry, marketing strategies like trade shows and fostering long-term client relationships are crucial for sustainable business growth. Mike Hill, general manager of Big Rocks Engineering, a company making significant strides in the manufacturing and engineering sector, shares the importance of trade shows in their marketing strategy. Big Rocks Engineering skillfully utilizes trade shows to maintain a strong presence, connecting with existing customers and reaching potential new ones. This approach has become a fundamental element in their search for new business...
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Navigating the World of Travel
OUTdrive
Crafting the perfect trip is not just about finding a spot on the sand, it's about creating a travel experience that dives deeper into your passions. Jamie Anderson is an independent travel consultant known for her personalized travel planning and rural Missouri charm. Despite the digital age making travel planning seem easy, Jamie's services are in high demand because she offers a human touch that algorithms cannot. She meticulously tailors each journey to her client's desires, ensuring their trips are meaningful and aligned with their interests. Join us to learn more about the irreplaceable...
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Banking on Community
OUTdrive
Doug Fish, CEO of BTC Bank, is a true embodiment of rural American values and a visionary in community banking. From his humble beginnings on a small dairy farm to leading BTC Bank's expansion to 23 locations across Missouri and Iowa, his story is one of hard work and innovation. Imagine setting up mobile banks in shipping containers to reach the underserved – that's BTC Bank's level of commitment! This innovative approach is a testament to their dedication to serving people where they are, quite literally. But it’s not just about being physically present, it’s about embedding oneself...
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Where Manufacturing Meets Marketing
OUTdrive
It's fascinating how chance encounters can lead to monumental projects and a pivotal moment that completely changes the course of your career. In this episode, Michael Eaton, the Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, recounts the 'God moments' that led to his incredible journey from architecture to art and then eventually marketing to manufacturing—a transition driven by the practical need to make a living while staying true to his creative roots. Today, Michael supports the work of the growing Missouri manufacturing industry and his story is a compelling narrative...
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Connecting Business Buyers and Sellers
OUTdrive
Sometimes, the best investment is in the next generation. Seasoned entrepreneur Wayne Swisher collaborated with his wife Kelly to create Waymaker, a platform to connect retiring business owners with young, aspiring entrepreneurs. Together, they encourage every individual to stay active in business and community life, regardless of age, and help young people transition into new careers as business owners. For them, it’s all about ensuring a legacy of reliability, work ethic and invaluable life lessons. Tune in to hear Wayne’s full story and learn about the power of mentorship, adapting to...
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The Voice Behind the Brand
OUTdrive
Ever wonder what it takes to bring a brand to life? It's not just about the visuals; it's the voice that often resonates with us. Today’s guest, Michael Ashcraft, a professional voice and on-screen talent who you may know as the voice of the Missouri State Fair, dives into the creative process. Together, he and Cliff explore how collaboration in the studio is key to refining the delivery of advertising content. It's not just about reading a script; it’s about interpreting and perfecting it to ensure the message hits home. Tune in to learn more about what it means to be a recognizable sound...
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From Farm Roots to a Creative Career
OUTdrive
Can you imagine mastering a skill set that's 852 hours in the making? That's the reality for students in the graphic design program at the Career Technology Center (CTC) at State Fair Community College, where instructor Linda Harris molds the creative minds of tomorrow. With an emphasis on industry-standard software, and the chance to earn college credits, these students are set on a path to success. Join us to hear how Linda's roots influenced her creative journey and the values she's passing on to the next generation. Her story is one of dedication and love for the simplicity and...
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From Field to Film
OUTdrive
Aaron Warbritton's journey from a small-town upbringing to a trailblazer in the hunting video industry is a tale of passion and perseverance. Raised in a close-knit farming community in Missouri, Aaron's childhood was steeped in the traditions of hunting and fishing. These early experiences fostered a profound respect for nature and a dream to one day create hunting videos. Aaron's unwavering dedication to his dream led him to pursue a digital media and video production education and eventually create his YouTube channel, The Hunting Public. Despite financial challenges and a modest start,...
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Part 2: Be Bold!
OUTdrive
Did you know that local charm can be your ticket to global markets? In part two of this two-episode series, I sat down again with Paul Ruppert, an international strategy consultant, to discuss how rural American companies can craft compelling stories around their unique products. These narratives resonate not only domestically but internationally. It's fascinating how a local advantage can become a global phenomenon! Listen in to hear how Paul leveraged demographic insights and shed a light on the role of artificial intelligence in streamlining operations from customer care to conversational...
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Part 1: Be Bold!
OUTdrive
Sometimes, you really never know what you’re getting into when you jump into a business opportunity, or where it might take you. For our guest today, opportunities have taken him all over the world, and then some. Paul Ruppert is an international strategy consultant with a specialty in mobile telecommunications, working primarily with private equity firms and enterprise level organizations. With a background in product development, strategic partnerships, and global operations, Paul has been on the leading edge of marketing and technology throughout his career. He also has a unique...
info_outlineOut here in the country, there are a lot of exciting things happening. Every day, entrepreneurs, both young and old, are coming up with innovative ideas and turning them into some of the new products and services we experience in our lives. Many times, those folks need a little shot in the arm financially to either help them get their idea off the ground, grow it or scale it, and that brings us to our guest today.
Neenah Jain is the Chief Financial Officer for Armory Square Ventures. Neenah is a lifelong Midwesterner who currently resides in Indianapolis and she brings a wealth of experience to our podcast, having moved back and forth between the business worlds of Dallas and New York and more rural communities like the one she grew up in. As a partner at ASV, Neenah is a leader on a team dedicated to backing mission-driven entrepreneurs who strive to transform traditional industries and uplift their communities.
Listen in to learn what kind of companies and entrepreneurs venture capitalists are looking to partner with, how the process works, why a VC might be a better option than a traditional bank loan and how they help companies grow and someday sell.