Episode 36 - Overcoming Entrepreneurial Fears with Dr. Tonya Robertson
Release Date: 01/23/2024
Building a Business That Works for You with Sarah Noel Block
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Derek sits down with Sarah Noel Block, the brains behind Tiny Marketing and the Tiny Marketing Club—a go-to resource for indie consultants who want smart, simple marketing that actually drives business (without the overwhelm). They unpack Sarah’s journey from the corporate world to building a business on her own terms. You’ll hear how she turned a layoff during the recession into a springboard for entrepreneurship, how she ditched the agency grind for a membership model, and why she believes less but better is the future of marketing. This one’s packed with real strategies—like...
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In this episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast, Derek Dall'Olmo interviews Corey Morris, founder of Voltage Digital Agency. They discuss Corey's journey from employee to business owner, the intricacies of digital marketing, particularly SEO, and the challenges and strategies involved in business acquisitions. Corey shares insights on leadership, the importance of transparency in negotiations, and how he has personalized his agency's approach to better serve clients. In this conversation, Corey Morris discusses the evolution of his marketing agency, Voltage, emphasizing the...
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In this episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast, host Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with Brian Smith, an entrepreneur who’s seen it all—from humble beginnings washing boats and launching a college photography business to navigating the highs and lows of real estate. Brian’s story is one of grit, growth, and ultimately, reinvention. Burnout pushed Brian to make a life-altering decision: selling his businesses and stepping back to reassess his purpose. That pivotal moment led him to coaching and founding the Founders Organization, where he now helps fellow entrepreneurs thrive....
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Navigating the Private Credit Landscape: Mike Shum's Journey
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In this episode of Traversing Entrepreneurship, Derek Dall'Olmo sits down with Mike Shum, CEO of Cascade Debt, to unpack his journey from derivatives trader to fintech founder. Mike opens up about the risks, missteps, and breakthroughs that shaped Cascade’s rise in the private credit space. They dive into how alternative credit scoring is reshaping lending, what most people get wrong about asset-based finance, and why economic shifts are forcing innovation in fintech. If you're building in the world of money—or thinking about it—this conversation is packed with firsthand insight. ...
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From Forest Service to Global Visa with Rob Lee
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This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship, Derek sits down with Rob Lee, co-founder and CEO of Swiss Passport and Visa Services, a company that expedites passports and obtains visas. Rob and his wife, Lori, started the business 17 years ago after living in Central America and encountering a need for such a service. Initially relying on paid ads, they shifted focus to business partnerships, particularly with Fortune 500 companies in the aviation, legal, and manufacturing sectors. They are now developing a software application to streamline travel document management. Rob emphasizes the...
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Building an Uncopyable Brand: Marketing Strategies with Steve Miller
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In this episode of Traversing Entrepreneurship, Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with Steve Miller, best-selling author and marketing consultant, to discuss the power of differentiation in business. Steve shares his journey from aspiring PGA Tour player to renowned marketing expert and explains why creating an uncopyable brand is essential for long-term success. He highlights the importance of personal branding, the credibility boost of writing a book, and why businesses should focus on understanding their target market—what he calls the "moose." Steve also explores innovation through...
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Zero to One: The Art of Product Development with Nick McEvily
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In this episode of Traversing Entrepreneurship, Derek Dall’Olmo interviews Nick McEvily, head of product at XGen Ai. They dive into Nick’s journey from design to product leadership, his experiences with startup successes and failures, and the importance of testing assumptions in product development. Nick discusses how AI is transforming the retail landscape, the significance of user experience in software design, and why fractional product leadership can be a game-changer for early-stage companies. This episode offers valuable insights on decision-making, problem-solving, and the mindset...
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The Future of Entrepreneurship in a Tech-Driven World with Adam Fineberg
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In this episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast, Derek Dall'Olmo interviews Matt Theriault, the CEO and founder of Epic Real Estate. Matt shares his journey from the music industry to real estate, highlighting the challenges he faced and the valuable lessons he learned. He discusses creative financing strategies, the importance of finding profitable deals, and how to build wealth through real estate investment. Matt also explains the transition to turnkey real estate investments and how these can simplify the process for investors. Throughout the episode, Matt and Derek cover key...
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The Power of Networking in Real Estate Investing with Matt Theriault
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In this episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast, Derek Dall'Olmo interviews Matt Theriault, the CEO and founder of Epic Real Estate. Matt shares his journey from the music industry to real estate, highlighting the challenges he faced and the valuable lessons he learned. He discusses creative financing strategies, the importance of finding profitable deals, and how to build wealth through real estate investment. Matt also explains the transition to turnkey real estate investments and how these can simplify the process for investors. Throughout the episode, Matt and Derek cover key...
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Staying Ahead of the Curve: The Future of Marketing for Advisors featuring Jake Wagner
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In this episode of Traversing Entrepreneurship, we are extremely excited to be joined by Jake Wagner, CDMP as he shares proven strategies and insights to help financial professionals attract their ideal clients, deliver exceptional service, and grow a sustainable business. Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just starting out, you'll find actionable tips and real-world examples to take your practice to the next level. Tune in and start optimizing your marketing, operations, and client experience today. This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: 0:01:55 Jake discusses what...
info_outlineDr. Tonya Robertson, the learning and strategy specialist is the Founder and CEO of Focused Training Solutions, a company that is committed to curating instructional learning tools designed to optimize performance in the workplace. Dr. Robertson has worked with numerous C-Suite Executives of well-known companies to create training materials that will guide their team to success and establish good retention among their employees. Alongside working tirelessly to help others be productive in the workplace, Tonya also devotes her time to organizations such as the Association of Talent Development and Dell’s Women Entrepreneur Network. She has also received a Doctorate Degree in Education and eLearning. To learn more about Tonya and her work, visit www.focusedtrainingsolutions.com
In this episode Derek is joined by Dr. Tonya Robertson, founder of Focus Training Solutions, as she shares her journey from teen mom to entrepreneur and her expertise helping businesses streamline onboarding and training. Tonya discusses overcoming obstacles through perseverance and education. She shares tips for CEOs on letting go of control, auditing company needs, and hiring for culture fit over skills. Tonya also emphasizes the importance of developing employees long-term through clear career paths, continuous learning, and making work enjoyable.
"You've got to continue developing your people. You can never stop developing your people." - Dr. Tonya Robertson
This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:
- Entrepreneurship, onboarding, and control.
- Overcoming obstacles and pursuing entrepreneurship despite naysayers.
- Education, and training solutions.
- Streamlining business operations through onboarding and training programs.
- Delegating tasks and hiring for a business.
- Leadership, retention, and employee onboarding.
- Business growth and technology adoption.
- Team building strategies.
- Hiring and retaining employees with a focus on culture and career growth.
Our Favorite Quotes:
"This is your baby, you built this thing from the ground up. And you know, it's like hey, how dare you come here and mess up what I built, you're not going to do that." - Dr. Tonya Robertson
"I just had to completely fire myself, because I just had to fire myself from the process." - Dr. Tonya Robertson
Connect with Dr. Robertson:
- Website: www.focusedtrainingsolutions.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focused-training-solutions