Marketing from the Roosevelt Room
Marketing from the Roosevelt Room believes in one simple concept that there is a method and a mindset to marketing that makes it work. Wrong methods or wrong mindset and your marketing is doomed to fail. This podcast explores the methods and mindsets we've seen turn one businesses's ceiling into their new floor. With the assistance of our main guy, Teddy Roosevelt, and a good cigar in hand, our host, Kyle Willis interviews business leaders across multiple industries to dig into what methods and mindsets they've had to change that brought a drastic improvement to their business and the lives they touch.
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Ep 33: The Complete Entrepreneur How to Remove Yourself from Your Business in Order to Scale with Katya Sarmiento
01/07/2020
Ep 33: The Complete Entrepreneur How to Remove Yourself from Your Business in Order to Scale with Katya Sarmiento
Katya Sarmiento, the founder of Reach and Make Millions is a business consultant who helps busy entrepreneurs scale to 7 figures or more per year by giving her clients repeatable processes, “tough love” business and marketing advice, and market-tested systems design.
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Ep 32: The Complete Entrepreneur - Catching Dreams and Turning Them into Reality with John Bourgeois
12/31/2019
Ep 32: The Complete Entrepreneur - Catching Dreams and Turning Them into Reality with John Bourgeois
John Bourgeois is a writer, investor, and dreamcatcher. He hosts The Dreamcatchers Show, which is an award-winning, top-rated podcast that discusses strategic and practical tools to help you stop chasing your dreams and start catching them both in life and business.
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Ep 31: The Complete Entrepreneur Increasing Profitability through Systems and Processes with Tony Banta
12/24/2019
Ep 31: The Complete Entrepreneur Increasing Profitability through Systems and Processes with Tony Banta
Tony Banta is a managing partner at Venture Greatly; he works with client businesses to generate remarkable client results, lifetime client retention, and endless referrals.
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Ep 30: The Complete Entrepreneur Making of a Champion with Nate Bailey
11/26/2019
Ep 30: The Complete Entrepreneur Making of a Champion with Nate Bailey
Nate Bailey is a speaker, author, and coach whose mission in life is to impact men and women who are ready to truly have the life they have always desired.
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Ep 29: The Complete Entrepreneur Financial Path to Scalability with Adam Rundle
11/12/2019
Ep 29: The Complete Entrepreneur Financial Path to Scalability with Adam Rundle
In this episode, we'll be digging into the roles finance and accounting play for a successful entrepreneur with our guest Adam Rundle.
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Ep 28: The Complete Entrepreneur- Health and Wellness with Jason Priest
11/05/2019
Ep 28: The Complete Entrepreneur- Health and Wellness with Jason Priest
Jason Priest is the founder of Dad Bod Health and is a registered nurse, personal trainer, health coach and fitness nutrition specialist. Jason is extremely passionate about health and wellness and was featured in Men's Health for his own body transformation.
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Ep 27: The Complete Entrepreneur The Power of Networking with Kevin Thompson
10/29/2019
Ep 27: The Complete Entrepreneur The Power of Networking with Kevin Thompson
Over the last decade, Kevin Thompson has created over 16.1 million in revenue solely through strategic partnerships. Depending on who you are, this might not sound like a big number, or it may seem huge.
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Ep 26: The Complete Entrepreneur: Sales Without Being Slimy with Landon Porter
10/22/2019
Ep 26: The Complete Entrepreneur: Sales Without Being Slimy with Landon Porter
Landon Porter AKA the Sales Gorilla joins Marketing from the Roosevelt Room to discuss the topic of sales.
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Ep 25: The Complete Entrepreneur Advertising That Works with Bobby Stocks
10/15/2019
Ep 25: The Complete Entrepreneur Advertising That Works with Bobby Stocks
This episode is about the toolkit of advertising with our guest Bobby Stocks.
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Ep: 24 The Complete Entrepreneur Copy That Converts with Sarah Temte
10/08/2019
Ep: 24 The Complete Entrepreneur Copy That Converts with Sarah Temte
Sarah Temte is a messaging strategist; she helps high ticket coaches and consultants understand their offer, their market, and their clients better so that they can start selling more.
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Ep 23: The Complete Entrepreneur: Mastering Our Mindset with Malorie Nicole
10/01/2019
Ep 23: The Complete Entrepreneur: Mastering Our Mindset with Malorie Nicole
Malorie Nicole is a mindset coach who helps entrepreneurs transform their business through science-based mindset work resulting in massive revenue and fulfillment increases as well as a huge decrease in stress.
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Ep 22: The Complete Entrepreneur: Intro to Our New Series with Kyle Willis
09/24/2019
Ep 22: The Complete Entrepreneur: Intro to Our New Series with Kyle Willis
Marketing from the Roosevelt Room podcast is back with a new series!
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Ep 21: Making Your Place At the Table Even When It’s Crowded with Lee Marsh
08/20/2019
Ep 21: Making Your Place At the Table Even When It’s Crowded with Lee Marsh
Lee Marsh, co-owner of Stolen Throne cigars, joins us in the Roosevelt Room to share his story of how Stolen Throne was born, how their first release, Crooked Crown, sold out within the first month and with no reps or promotional efforts, and how they leverage relationship and service to make waves in the cigar industry.
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Ep: 20 Building Identity and a Following as a Retailer Online with Brett Fry
08/13/2019
Ep: 20 Building Identity and a Following as a Retailer Online with Brett Fry
Our cigar retailer series gets super practical and real as Brett Fry, owner of Tobaccology in Virginia, shares what goes into building an identity and following for a retailer online.
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Ep 19: The Value of Community in the Cigar Industry with Vince Hill of BNB Cigars
08/06/2019
Ep 19: The Value of Community in the Cigar Industry with Vince Hill of BNB Cigars
Vince Hill manages BNB Cigars in Philadelphia and has helped what would appear as a little shop in Chestnut Hill create a nationwide presence through social media and incredible customer service.
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Ep 18: Lovers of the Leaf - Danny Vazquez from Roma Craft
07/30/2019
Ep 18: Lovers of the Leaf - Danny Vazquez from Roma Craft
Lovers of the Leaf – Danny Vazquez from Roma Craft Here at the Roosevelt Room, we’re big fans of cigars and have a passion to help cigar retailers grow their business and better serve their customers. In this new series, we’re bringing you some of the industry’s top shops and manufacturers on what’s worked well for them to build rapport across the country and how to create an experience in their brick and mortar that is unmatched. Our first episode features Danny Vazquez, National Key Accounts Manager at Roma Craft. Roma Craft is regarded as one of the strongest small-to-medium premium cigar companies in the world. Danny shares his insights in working with retailers across the country on what he’s seen work in being able to sell cigars, promote the boutique lines, and build strong relationships with sales reps so that your brick and mortar gets the attention and priority you greatly desire. What You’ll Learn Why building relationships and serving with value to your customer can lead to much greater opportunity. What are the things retailers can do to best serve and understand their customers. How to build the right relationship with manufacturers. And much more! “I’m not a really good sales guy, I’m better like build relationship friend kinda guy.” – Danny Vazquez Key Takeaways “What I want is a store that already has demand from it’s customers and has a fan that works it.” – Danny Vazquez “Seeing the shared responsibility and having the retailer give feedback in real-time to know what’s happening, that is monumental in a paradigm shift for me in a retailer perspective having to work with a manufacturer.” – Kyle Willis
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EP17: Shatter the Mold with Andrew Kaplan
07/16/2019
EP17: Shatter the Mold with Andrew Kaplan
Ready to leave status quo behind? Andrew Kaplan, host of iTunes Top 200 podcast, Shatter the Mold, joins us to break down methods and mindsets in our copywriting, messaging, positioning, and dramatically improve the way we serve our customers. This interview has been one of my favorites as he hates status quo just as much as I do, so we go deep and able to cover a lot of topics in a short amount of time.
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EP16: 5 Pillars to Scale Your Business Without Losing Your Mind
07/09/2019
EP16: 5 Pillars to Scale Your Business Without Losing Your Mind
Cassie Fields is the VP of Sales at FieldEdge, the leading SaaS management platform for those in field services.
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EP15: Sales Through Story: How to Confidently Sell Using the Story Behind Your Product or Service
07/02/2019
EP15: Sales Through Story: How to Confidently Sell Using the Story Behind Your Product or Service
“If I new how to sell, you could always sell your way out of trouble…” – Dan McCann Kyle Willis: Marketing from the Roosevelt Room Dan McCann brings impactful lessons from over 30 years in sales and starting multiple sales enablement businesses to teach us how we can tune into the buyer’s needs and better serve them. There’s a science behind scaling a sales team. In mastering the mindset and methods of what goes into sales cultures, you’re able to scale faster and in a safe environment. This begins when sales development reps (SDRs) confidently understand the story behind their product or service. What You’ll Learn Why learning personal relationships are just as important as business relationship. What you can learn about the products and services that can help you benefit from your own business. How learning to confidently sell your products to generate more sales.
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EP14: Killing the Sacred Cows of Sales with Adam Zais
06/18/2019
EP14: Killing the Sacred Cows of Sales with Adam Zais
Killing the Sacred Cows of Sales with Adam Zais “ People who have great sales results come from a diverse set of different personalities..” – Adam Zais Kyle Willis: Marketing from the Roosevelt Room You a fan of hamburger because we’re killing some sacred cows today. Guest Adam Zais brings his almost 40yrs of sales experience onto the show as we tackle common mantras in the sales industry and the need for change. Natural born sellers, ABCs, sales being a numbers game…Adam gets real and practical in how these commonly preached ideas are killing your sales. What You’ll Learn Why you shouldn’t fall for the myths of sales. What you can do to generate more sales. How to make more sales without making the most common mistakes.
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EP13: Future Proofing Your Sales Team Through AI With Chad Burmeister
06/04/2019
EP13: Future Proofing Your Sales Team Through AI With Chad Burmeister
Future Proofing Your Sales Team Through AI with Chad Burmeister “ The early part of AI is just finding the anomalies.” – Chad Burmeister Kyle Willis: Marketing from the Roosevelt Room Sales techniques and customer buying process is changing every day. How can sales teams stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the future in how they grow, train, and empower their sales force? Chad Burmeister is equipping today’s modern sales professional with AI-powered sales strategies and technologies to dominate their market! As Founder and CEO of ScaleX, Chad is responsible for building a next generation AI for a Sales company, that enables salespeople to be 10X more productive. What You’ll Learn Why AI is changing the game. What you can do with AI to make more sales. How to future proof your sales team with AI.
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EP12: How to Build Authenticity and Authority through Podcasts with Zachary Babcock
05/30/2019
EP12: How to Build Authenticity and Authority through Podcasts with Zachary Babcock
How to Build Authenticity and Authority through Podcasts with Zachary Babcock “ You have to clearly articulate what your podcast is about. Good communication is just like throwing a baseball. A bad throw could cost you a couple runs, or even worse, the entire game. Make sure you communicate your messege or potentially miss out on raving fans for your podcast.” – Zachary Babcock Kyle Willis: Marketing from the Roosevelt Room Discover how business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders leverage the power of podcasts to 10x their income, influence, power and respect. Zachary Babcock has leveraged his podcast to get in front of Andy Frisella, Grant Cardone, Brad Lea, and many other juggernauts in the industry. He shares why podcasting is more than a trend and what you need to know to setup a podcast that will rank in iTunes Top 200 within your first 48hrs of launch. What You’ll Learn Why you need to launch a podcast, now. What you can do to get setup right away. How to launch a top shelf podcast and become a celebrity to your audience.
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EP11: Mindset Barriers That Limit Entrepreneurs with Erin Phiel
04/30/2019
EP11: Mindset Barriers That Limit Entrepreneurs with Erin Phiel
“ Our actions aren’t random. What we believe to be true determines how we experience life, which determines the thoughts and emotions we have, which determines our actions.” - Erin Phiel (9:17-9:53) Kyle Willis: Marketing from the Roosevelt Room Every entrepreneur eventually has to face the mindset barriers that keep them from achieving what they want to achieve. Your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions influence your behaviors. If you’re struggling to grow your business, then you need to explore the root cause of your beliefs and ideas. “So many challenges that people think are permanent or are character traits are just patterns that we can shift and change in a short period of time.” - Erin Phiel (26:24-27:05) Erin Phiel is the CEO of Mindfix Group, a collection of experts specializing in helping entrepreneurs and other high achievers overcome the mental roadblocks that hold them back. Erin began her journey running a nationally ranked website consulting agency for almost 17 years. In her work with clients, she saw many challenges they all shared. These include challenges that exist outside of ourselves, such as growing and streamlining teams and generating more revenue. But there are also patterns related to the roadblocks that cause entrepreneurs to get stuck in their professional and personal lives. What are Mindset Barriers? Some of the patterns that result from mindset challenges include perfectionism, chronic fear and self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. But entrepreneurs can change and overcome the obstacles that keep them from achieving real and lasting growth. Sharing your challenges and limiting beliefs with others can help. It’s hard to see your own behavior when you look out from within. It’s like being inside a bottle and not being able to read the label on the outside. “A byproduct of transformation is that you deal with what you need to on your own to open doors of opportunity that were previously closed.” - Kyle Willis (28:08-28:34) How to Overcome Mindset Barriers. Look closely at whatever it is you believe to be true. One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is spending all their time trying to change their behaviors first. But what you believe to be absolutely true is the engine that drives all your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Until you’re able to root out the beliefs that aren’t serving you, it’s going to be difficult to make lasting change in your business and in life. Many entrepreneurs discover they’ve attached their self-worth to their achievements. But this can create internal conflict when they aren’t able to achieve a goal, making it hard to overcome the mental roadblocks they’ve created for themselves. There are other ways to measure your self-worth such as the value you bring to the lives of others. The fear of failure and the need for perfection can prevent you from creating the life and business you want. When it comes to overcoming the mindset barriers that limit entrepreneurs, it’s important to realize that real change can happen fast, and it doesn't have to be hard. Reevaluating what you believe to be true helps you uncover the hidden drivers of behavior. You can create permanent change in a short period of time and open new doors of opportunity for you and everyone around you. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group. If you want to learn more about Erin Phiel and Mindfix Group, visit their website at .
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EP10: Gratitude: The Missing Mindset Ingredient for Entrepreneurs With David Brooke
04/23/2019
EP10: Gratitude: The Missing Mindset Ingredient for Entrepreneurs With David Brooke
“Gratitude helps you focus on what you have versus what you don’t have. Gratitude turns what you have into enough.” - David Brooke (3:00-3:10)Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Entrepreneurs are no strangers to the importance of mindset. Your ideas, beliefs, and opinions impact the decisions you make and the results you achieve in business. But there’s one foundational mindset element that isn’t always mentioned when talking about entrepreneurship. “Gratitude means raising employees up instead of dragging them down. That’s what good managers do.” - David Brooke (11:56-12:03) David Brooke is an expert on developing mindset and daily activities to produce significant and lasting results for your business. Known as “the Gratitude Guy,” David has made gratitude his life message even after losing his wife and experiencing other significant losses. Many of the coping mechanisms that people use in difficult times can be destructive. Cultivating gratitude transforms your own thought processes in ways that contribute to your goals in life. Learn to be content. What you have now is enough. Gratitude gets you to focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have. But more importantly, gratitude lets you see that what you have now is enough. Something as simple as writing down what you’re grateful for each day shifts your way of being and the success you achieve in business. Too many people compare themselves to others. Over time, they see themselves as “less than” others. Their attention turns to the things that are missing in life at the expense of recognizing what they already have. “You are the only one who can control your joy and what you’re grateful for. When life happens...choose joy.” - Kyle Willis (21:37-21:52) Gratitude is inspiring, magnifies your impact, and it’s contagious. Life has its ups and downs, and no one is immune to the challenges that arise in business and in personal relationships. Gratitude is essential for today’s leaders. Those who cultivate an attitude of gratitude are more likely to get others on board with their vision. Setting a good example for others is one of the most important skills you can have as a business leader. Showing gratitude for others and the work they do raises them up instead of dragging them down. They’re more likely to want to work with you, leading to more effective collaboration and better business results. Gratitude can come naturally to some people, but it takes work for others to learn and develop the gratitude habit. There are steps you can take to incorporate gratitude into your mindset and actions. The process begins with looking at yourself and asking, “How is my life working for me?” Then ask yourself, “Do I want to improve?” Become accountable to yourself while recognizing the things in life that bring you value. Keep a gratitude journal and write down everything you’re grateful for. This is a simple yet powerful way to make gratitude a foundational part of your routine. It sets you on the path to set a positive example for others. When you understand and foster gratitude, it carries over to your employees, family, and other relationships. You choose the emotions you experience instead of letting your emotions dictate your actions. You restore the good in every situation. A few minutes of gratitude each day may be all that you need to transform your business and the people whose lives it impacts each and every day. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group. Learn more about David Brooke and how to develop an attitude of gratitude at .
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EP9: How to Bring the Power of Story into Your Marketing Campaigns With Jason Pamer
04/16/2019
EP9: How to Bring the Power of Story into Your Marketing Campaigns With Jason Pamer
“Every top film is going to have an underlying hero’s journey. For many companies, the hero is their customer.” - Jason Pamer (11:30-11:44) Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Storytelling is a powerful and essential marketing tool. As consumers become better at tuning out marketing messages, businesses that craft compelling stories are more likely to stand out and gain a leading edge over their competitors. Jason Pamer, founder of Thespis Films, has made a living telling stories that elicit emotional responses and compel audiences to take action. The right story engages your target audience. It lets them know they’re being seen, heard, and valued. They become empowered by your products and services and are more likely to tell others about the value you provide. “There is a different story for each potential customer that you have to tell to get people to act.” - Kyle Willis (17:36-17:40) Storytelling is a skill that grows with practice. Maybe you have the ability to command the room, drawing a customer in through a powerful anecdote, and feel like storytelling is one of your strengths. Or perhaps, it isn’t your forte. Either way, there is room for growth, and the best way to hone this vital skill is to practice. The more stories you tell, the better you become at engaging others. Over time, you will find more compelling stories to tell and develop a unique voice for you and your brand. Storytelling is powerful, but it must be in an authentic way. Your audience can sense when something is genuine. And they’re also good at sniffing out marketing messages that don’t put their needs first. Consumers are tuning out the endless number of marketing ploys thrown their way every single day. With each gimmicky ad they grow more skeptical, making it even more important for you to share real stories that match the needs of your target audience. When clients feel that they’re being treated as a human - valued, seen, and heard - they’re going to tell others because that’s unique. It’s not the norm.” - Jason Pamer (24:54-25:06) Crafting a compelling story for your marketing campaigns is both a science and an art. Stories can be integrated into your blogs, social media posts, online and offline advertisements, email marketing, and other channels. The hero’s journey is at the heart of any great story. In your business, the client is the hero looking to achieve some goal or transformation. The journey starts when they leave their world and enter unfamiliar territory filled with insurmountable obstacles. In many films, the hero comes into contact with a wise mentor who provides the guidance needed to reach their goal. Your business plays the role of that guide. Compelling stories come from understanding your clients, what they want, and where they are along the journey. What obstacles will they encounter? How can your business help them overcome those challenges? You engage your audience with your story when you provide ongoing value along each step of the journey. But your actions need to be consistent and match the needs of each person. If you’re struggling to create your own brand story, revisit the “why” behind your business. Prioritize the client as the hero in your story, and give them the tools and resources they need to achieve their vision of success. The better you are at telling your story, the more your clients will want to be a part of your business journey. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group.
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EP8: Making a Courageous Choice With Dorothy Liu
04/09/2019
EP8: Making a Courageous Choice With Dorothy Liu
“Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. It’s something you’re either born with or you can develop a skill into, but it’s not meant for everyone.” - Kyle Willis (3:16-3:25)Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Knowing when to embrace the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship is often the first hurdle on the path to success. More than half of all small businesses fail within their first four years, making the prospect of stepping out on your own even more daunting. Asking yourself the right questions helps eliminate much of the fear that holds entrepreneurs back from making their dreams into a reality. Dorothy Liu is an expert on what it means to be an entrepreneur. Having spent time in top roles at companies like Apple and Microsoft, Dorothy eventually started her own consulting agency. She now mentors others who want to blaze their own business trails by helping them get clear on who they are as entrepreneurs and on the path to success. The DNA of the Entrepreneur “The thing that’s hard for entrepreneurs to believe is that you are worth every penny. That belief is the ‘X factor’ for entrepreneurs.” - Dorothy Liu (25:25-25:48) Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. The traits that make a successful entrepreneur are either natural, innate giftings or developed into a skill set that makes it possible to turn an idea into a thriving business. While some people are willing to take risks and try anything, others are more measured in the actions they take. Many entrepreneurs follow the traditional life script. They take the academic path, earning business degrees and other qualifications that drive them to work for established companies. But like Dorothy, many feel unfulfilled with the work they’re doing. So they look to entrepreneurship as a way to pursue their passions and create something valuable for the world. Successful entrepreneurs understand the foundational principles and have the discipline to implement them in their business. When the fundamentals are in place, it is possible to make the decisions that move you forward towards building a business despite the risks that entrepreneurship brings. “When people are dissatisfied with what they’re doing every day, it’s because they’ve moved away from what’s truly important to them.” - Dorothy Liu (11:22-11:30) Find Guidance Along the Way Every entrepreneur's journey is unique. While building a business, it is really important to make sure that the choices made honor your core values. Working with a coach or mentor who can guide you through this process can help to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in the way. When we take the time and space to discover core values, the result is clarity and a clear path for the next logical steps. When looking at the path forward, it’s important to remember that comfort level for risk is unique for each entrepreneur. When you move closer to honoring your values in the actions you take, achieving success in your business becomes just a matter of time. Consider the purpose of your entrepreneurial journey. How can you break it down to the next 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks? What do you need to feel safe and secure as you move forward? What needs must be met to take the next big leap in your business? Answering these and other questions puts success within your reach. Choosing the path to entrepreneurship is a courageous choice. Knowing what risks are reasonable to you and applying the fundamental principles give the confidence needed to pursue the dream of building and growing your business. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group.
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EP7: When Work No Longer Feels Like Work
04/02/2019
EP7: When Work No Longer Feels Like Work
“It’s important, that aspect of recognizing the availability of expertise and resources, but we have to have the confidence and willingness to ask for help.” - Kyle Willis (31:50) Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Growing a company, and the staff to go with it, is not unlike growing a family. The phrase “company culture” gets thrown around a lot in marketing circles. But what does it take to build a company that really thrives as its own functional family unit? This is a concept Andrew Considine knows a lot about from his experience building Small Batch Cigars and its tight-knit staff dynamic. Building a solid brand, and team, begins with innovation. Small Batch has owned this concept in its effort to shine a spotlight on boutique cigar companies and help them tell their stories. The cigar community is a close community. In fact, Andrew's online business was birthed when he transitioned out of a tech job asked his favorite local cigar shop about making a website. From there, the mission became giving small cigar companies a platform and customers unique and excellent service. Word spread easily through online cigar communities without any big marketing push. Building a strong business requires patience and strategetic planning. “These guys went to my wedding. These are guys that I go out to dinner with. And I think the team that I built, I don't really view them as employees.” - Andrew Considine. (14:35) If there were ever a story to echo the adage, “don't quit your day job,” this is it. Andrew gave Small Batch the time it needed to grow, supported by capital from his other job until the time came naturally for him to fully transition to his new venture. He moved into the new phase confident that Small Batch had grown enough to serve as a solid income source. The staff of Small Batch is unique. The feeling throughout the company is more like an afternoon with family than a stressful day at work. Cigar shops are most often hubs for conversation, relaxation, and general good vibes, an atmosphere Andrew encourages. In fact, most of his employees began as customers and moved smoothly into their careers. The barrier between boss and employee is there, but it's intuitive. Because the company culture is familial and comfortable blending professional with personal, egos are kept at a minimum and knowledge is shared freely. This is also, as it turns out, an excellent way to keep your employees. In the years since Small Batch Cigars was established, they have maintained a 100% retention rate. Celebrating individual skill sets is the key to a happy staff. “Part of the secret sauce of what we do is we care about our customers and we care about each other. There's a balance there.” - Andrew Considine. (28:08) Within the work environment, each staffer is praised for his individual strengths, in the knowledge that he'll lean into what he does best and continually improve as a team member. No one is expected to start out perfect, and everyone is empowered in a way that makes initiative easy. Decisions are a group effort, with employees kept in the loop and consulted about the company's trajectory, large decisions that need to be made, or simple task delegation. And when someone inevitably drops the ball, Andrew approaches the subject in a caring and supportive way, rather than coming down hard on the person who came up short. When your employees feel supported and cared for, they're much less likely to bring up issues in the future. The barrier between employer and employee can remain intact, without being overly rigid. All these components come together to form a team that radiates care, both for the customer and for each other. This team mentality is definitely unique and may seem like a foreign way to operate a business. However, when you invest time and energy into building a cohesive team, the results will filter down to your customers, creating a brand and business that continually gains success and momentum. Take a look at your team structure this week. Perhaps there are small changes you could make to begin fostering a greater level of healthy connection, and building a team that wants to stand by your business for years to come. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group.
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EP6: Creating a Culture of Raving Fans With Kyle Hoover of Ezra Zion Cigar Co
03/26/2019
EP6: Creating a Culture of Raving Fans With Kyle Hoover of Ezra Zion Cigar Co
“I hate the status quo. What is no one else doing? Where is nobody else looking? That’s what we’re constantly asking ourselves.” - Kyle Hoover (48:53-49:03) Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Building a compelling and memorable brand isn’t easy. Consumers face an endless array of options anytime they make a purchase. To stand out, and create a culture of raving fans, requires an ability and willingness to go above and beyond. Co-founders Kyle Hoover and Chris Kelly of Ezra Zion Cigar Co. have done what many would consider impossible. They turned a weekend idea into a thriving business while establishing a brand name in one of the most difficult markets to break into. Ezra Zion Cigar Co. is a boutique cigar company that offers coffee, whiskey, and related products to dedicated fans. Boutique cigars appeal to enthusiasts who want something other than the typical big-name brands. They look for products that reflect their lifestyle, interests, and tastes. “Humility, along with tenacity and drive, propels a business forward.” - Kyle Willis (15:27-15:34) Successful businesses understand the value of true craftsmanship. They infuse brand ownership into every detail of the products they create. Companies like Ezra Zion Cigar Co. take a hands-on small-batch approach to make the kind of products they always wanted for themselves. The right mindset is key to creating a business with a culture of raving fans. You need to have the confidence to take risks even when you’re facing huge competition. Every business starts with nothing more than an idea. But desire, passion, and a willingness to learn can turn a single idea into a thriving business. Entrepreneurs need to become students of the product they want to share with others. The path to business success may be longer than you think. If you’re willing to listen, put in the work, and do what others aren’t willing to do, then you can create something of real and lasting value. There is no fast track to success. Finding a mentor who can educate and guide you along the journey is an invaluable strategy for building your business. Without the right guidance, business owners rush to market and end up offering an inferior product. Instead, foster a willingness to learn, grow, and become better. Learning from industry competitors takes humility, but it helps you learn from the mistakes of others. “There are two ways you can learn: Your mistakes or somebody else’s mistakes. I’d rather learn from somebody else’s.” - Kyle Hoover (13:58-14:04) You turn customers into brand champions by delivering top-level service. When things go wrong, it’s an opportunity for you to exceed the expectations of your customers and give them another “wow” moment. When you listen and respond to their needs, you create a culture of raving fans, and those needs can inform the products you offer in the future. Ezra Zion Cigar Co. began offering coffee and whiskey based on what they knew about their cigar customers. This approach made their business more accessible and communal for their fans. You grow a culture of raving fans by improving the quality of your product and the customer experience. Successful businesses are always challenging themselves to make something better than before. Figure out what’s unique to you and your business. What is it that makes you different? Use your unique gifts to your advantage so you come out of the gate with an amazing product that blows people’s minds. Look at what others in your industry aren’t doing. What can you do better than the rest? When you love what you do, it’s easy to build a culture of raving fans because you’re one of them. But you have to take the time to learn and put in the work. Focus on making a great product, meeting the needs of your customers, and making sure they love your brand. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group. Interested in becoming one of Ezra Zion Cigar Co.’s raving fans? You can find their incredible brand and fantastic products at .
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EP5: Interview with Randy Wootton, CEO of Percolate
03/19/2019
EP5: Interview with Randy Wootton, CEO of Percolate
“You’re better served if you have a specific area that you focus on, and you’re better in that area than anyone else.” - Randy Wootton (22:43-22:50) Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room The marketing landscape is rapidly changing, and keeping up is harder than ever. In order to succeed in your industry, you have to be the best at what you do. Knowing how to identify what you’re great at, leveraging “moments of influence,” and connecting with your audience at the right time with the right message leads to long-term success. Randy Wootton has been a marketing leader for over 20 years, and he’s seen the drastic changes that have occurred in that time. Marketing has become more personalized as it intersects with technology and data. The result is a marketing future that relies on your ability to manage data in order to identify your customers, know where they are at any moment, and deliver the content that speaks directly to their needs. “While some advertising may spark interest, it’s the content that helps customers know who you are and why they should buy from you.” - Kyle Willis (15:55-16:15) Having the capacity to create personalized content is one of the biggest challenges marketers face. Content creation takes time, money, and other limited resources. Customers have a wide range of channels to connect with your company. You have to know who they are, what device they’re using, what they’ve done in the past, and what they’re doing now. Traditional approaches to marketing just don’t work anymore. Today’s consumers are less likely to share an advertisement than they are to share a piece of content. The online social landscape has changed what customers are looking for at every point in the buying process. You must identify the moments of influence when you can send the right message at exactly the right time. “The real challenge is differentiating your message. How do you get in front of customers? When you’re in front of them, how do you help them understand what you do is different and why it’s something they need to have?” - Randy Wootton (16:48-17:07) Social media and other tools let you see where customers are in the buying cycle and build content that is directly tied to their point in the process. Customers rely on business websites before, during, and after they’ve made a purchase. Create a website that gives them access to the information they need to get the most out of your product or service. Interact with customers so you can continue to market to them over time. Let your audience know who you are and why they should purchase from you. Are you differentiating your message? How are you delivering that message? You create and own your own category when you get clear on what you do well. It’s the difference between trying to do everything versus specializing in one service you deliver to the right customers. Some marketing agencies offer a full one-stop-shop experience. Others focus on one thing and do it better than everyone else. Modern-day marketing is harder because it involves so many components. In order to move vertically up, figure out what horizontal skills you need to learn. For most marketers, that means becoming better at understanding data, technology, processing, and building systems and teams. You gain a leading edge by learning how to collect and evaluate data so you don’t have to rely on analysts to make decisions about your marketing campaigns. Marketers have to react in real time to the changing environment and market needs. You need systems that give you a clear idea of what’s going on while orchestrating your actions for maximum results and efficiency. Marketing is radically different, and your business better keep up. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group.
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EP4: Life Hacks for Increased Productivity from a Nobel Prize Winner
03/12/2019
EP4: Life Hacks for Increased Productivity from a Nobel Prize Winner
“It’s easy to get so caught up in the big audacious goals of life that we neglect the important things right in front of us.” - Kyle Willis (3:30-3:38) Kyle WillisMarketing from the Roosevelt Room Theodore Roosevelt knew how to manage his time and activities to accomplish greatness. When you look closely at his life, you discover gold nuggets of wisdom that can help you perform better in your business and personal relationships. Roosevelt said, “We cannot do great deeds unless we’re willing to do the small things that make up the sum of greatness.” This core belief made him productive in all areas of life. For entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get lost in the big picture view of what we want to accomplish with our work. But in the process, we overlook the more important things that need our attention each day. “If you have so many unplanned things happening in your day that you can’t structure your time, then you have other issues to worry about.” - Kyle Willis (8:50-8:58) Anyone running a business knows how overwhelming it can be to reply to hundreds of phone calls and emails each day. Entrepreneurs fear they’ll lose clients if they don’t respond right away. So they spend time and energy addressing the needs of their clients while their own needs fall by the wayside. Their personal relationships suffer and they miss out on the chance to be present with those they love and do the other things that are truly great. The “small things that make up the sum of greatness” never quite get done. “What are the small things in your business or personal life that you’ve been neglecting that must be completed in order for great deeds to come your way?” - Kyle Willis (5:12-5:25) While a student at Harvard, Theodore Roosevelt carried a full course load while pursuing extracurricular activities like boxing, wrestling, dance, poetry readings, and time spent in nature. His primary activities would fall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Any gaps during that time were protected from distractions. Roosevelt would seclude himself from others and only take the books required for a class while devoting no more than a quarter of his day to studying. Roosevelt knew that if he didn’t leverage the time gaps in his schedule, he’d have no way of making them up. After meeting all of his obligations within his scheduled time frame, he would allow himself to do all the other activities he enjoyed. Although it might seem like an extreme approach, it proved to be effective. He developed a system to get more done in the same 24 hours that all individuals have. How can you take Roosevelt’s example and apply it to your own life? The first step is to sit down and map out your activities for the day. Create high-leverage windows of time where you eliminate distractions. Turn off your phone, email, and all the other things that pull your attention away from what really needs to get done. This lets you focus on one or two big projects instead of trying to manage too many things at once. Planning your activities allows you to look back each day and see what you’ve accomplished. You can also effectively plan your tasks for the next day. Your daily schedule is yours to control, and it’s up to you to protect your time. Learning from Theodore Roosevelt and other high-performing leaders helps you achieve more in less time so you can be present with others when it matters most. You can never achieve perfection with your time management. But creating an environment that lets you focus on the small things paves a path to greater deeds. Time is the only asset you have that you can’t make more of. Spend it wisely. How to Get Involved Visit online to learn how they can help you renovate your marketing strategies. Join the marketing conversation with Kyle on Facebook in the group.
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