Ep. 035: Asheville Startup Weekend With Special Guest Leanna Miller

Welcome to Episode 035 of Tom Ryan’s Success in Business Podcast, the weekday show that offers how-to advice for entrepreneurs. This show is a continuation from the previous episode on which Tom talked about the Asheville Startup Weekend.

But for the very first time in the history of this podcast, Tom and Jason the producer welcome their first special guest, Leanna Miller, from COMPOSIA. Leanna is one of the organizers of Startup Weekend, so it’s great to have her on the show to learn from her insights and perspective. Continue reading

Ep. 034 – Startup Weekend 101

Good morning! Welcome to Episode 034 of the Success in Business Podcast. In this show, your host Tom Ryan discusses a valuable resource that he believes will be beneficial to Brian and the rest of the listeners: The Startup Weekend.

That’s right! In lovely Asheville, North Carolina, from August 28 through August 30, 2015, attendees with various backgrounds in web development, coding, design, marketing, finance and law will assemble with a common interest in entrepreneurship. Each of these attendees works within a highly collaborative team to develop a product or business in just one weekend! Continue reading

Ep. 033 – How to Build Your Value Proposition in Three Easy Steps – Business Model Canvas Part 3

Good morning! This morning on the Success in Business Podcast we pick up where we left off in Episodes 27 and 32 answering a question from Brian. What is Value Proposition? The concept of Value Proposition is simply the value that you propose to bring to your clients. Now you must find out how the market feels about your product or service. Tom reminds us not to ask them, “Would you buy?” but rather to ask, “Will you buy?” This will give you a more accurate gage on the market. Tom and Jason continue the hilarious Kick-Ass Cat Sweaters example to illustrate just how to use reliable validation of consumer feedback. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 032 – What Is a Value Proposition? – Business Model Canvas Part 2

Good morning! This morning on the Success in Business Podcast we pick up where we left off in Episode 27 with a question from Brian. What is Value Proposition? The concept of Value Proposition is simply the value that you propose to bring to your clients. If you are selling to businesses your value will fall into one of three categories. Your value may be that you:

1) help them make money,
2) help them save time,
3) or help them not get hurt.

If you are selling to consumers your value proposition categories widen and it may be that you:

1) help them make money,
2) help them save time,
3) help them not get hurt,
4) help them look good,
5) or, help them feel good.

Either way, as you assess and develop your Value Proposition, remember that this is the element about your business that is going to make your customers’ life better – either because it is innovative or because it is more efficient. Your Value Proposition is how you help your customers better than any other company can. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 031 – How Much Money Do I Need to Start My Business? Part 2

Good morning! Today it’s Monday and we have a great show for you today! On Episode 31 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan concludes his answer to great listener voicemail question from Kristen. She is asking how to figure out just how much money she needs to get her business started. Tom teaches the importance of bootstrapping. Then, he advises that entrepreneurs do their homework and carefully estimate their expenses and their sales. Give yourself a 3 month long runway for a smooth take off. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 030 – How Much Money Do I Need to Start My Business? Part 1

Good morning! Today on Episode 30 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan answers a great listener voice mail question from Kristen. She is asking how to figure out just how much money she needs to get her business started. Tom explains that first she needs to find out how long this money will need to last. She’ll want to estimate start up and recurring expenses and then deduct her estimated sales. She’ll need to raise enough money to keep her company going until she has three months in a row where her sales exceed her expenses. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 029 – Convertible Note Financing

Good morning! Today on Episode 29 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan dives deeper into the topic of convertible notes. He breaks down the formulas that you’ll need in order to make your own calculations. Click here for the Convertible Note Financing calculations you’ll need! Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Breakthrough Business Models: An Introduction

“How do I turn my product or service idea into a viable business?” As a business coach and entrepreneur, it’s one of the questions I’m asked most often. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are some very reliable methods and tools available to make the process of turning an idea into a business easier.

It’s a huge topic, a real elephant of a discussion, and over the next several articles I’ll be breaking it down into bite-sized pieces. I’ll introduce you to some of the ideas and techniques I’ve found to be the most effective for myself, my friends and my clients. Continue reading

Ep. 028 – Convertible Notes 101

Good morning! Today on Episode 28 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan introduces the topic of convertible notes. He describes what it is and how it works. Learn everything you need to know in order to decide if this type of funding is right for you and your business. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Episode 27: Turning Ideas Into Breakthrough Business Models, Part 1

350x350What’s the process for turning a great idea into a real business? Host Tom Ryan explains the Business Model Canvas method in part one of this two-part podcast.

In this episode, Tom is joined by fellow podcaster Jason Piles to tackle one of the biggest questions faced by entrepreneurs: “How do I turn my product or service idea into a viable business?” This episode provides an introduction and overview of Lean Startup‘s Business Model Canvas method for launching a new business. Continue reading