Category Archives: Entrepreneurship

Ep. 059 – Interview with N.C. Securities Division Specialist Leo John, Part 1

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SIB-Blog-4One of the most important things for any fledgling entrepreneur to understand is how to build a positive relationship with the state business agencies. Knowing the rules and regulations will prevent countless future headaches, from legal costs to licenses. For a company seeking investment and outside funding, knowing the rules can prevent outright catastrophe.

In this episode, host Tom Ryan interviews Leo John, a Legal Specialist for the Securities Division of the N.C. Secretary of State. Leo provides a wealth of insight, from the value of retaining a securities attorney early in the process to the future of investment crowdfunding in North Carolina. As always, Tom is joined by co-host Jason Pyles. Continue reading →

Ep. 056 – Interview with Slidebean CEO ‘Caya’ Cayasso, Part 4

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Jose 'Caya' Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

In this episode, the Success In Business Podcast wraps up our interview with Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, founder and CEO of presentation-sharing software startup Slidebean. In this segment of the interview, Tom and Caya discuss working with investors, the challenge of timing your fundraising, and the startup cultures of New York, Silicon Valley and Costa Rica.

In addition to his success as an entrepreneur, Caya has been named in the “40 Under 40” list of Costa Rican innovators by El Financiero newspaper, and received an Innovation Champion by the Costa Rican Ministry of Science and Technology. Continue reading →

Ep. 055 – Interview with Slidebean CEO ‘Caya’ Cayasso, Part 3

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Jose 'Caya' Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

In this episode, the Success In Business Podcast continues our interview with Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, founder and CEO of presentation-sharing software startup Slidebean. In this segment of the interview, Tom and Caya discuss accelerator programs, and the lessons learned from pitching his startups to over 150 investors.

In addition to his success as an entrepreneur, Caya has been named in the “40 Under 40” list of Costa Rican innovators by El Financiero newspaper, and received an Innovation Champion by the Costa Rican Ministry of Science and Technology. Continue reading →

Ep. 054 – Interview with Slidebean CEO ‘Caya’ Cayasso, Part 2

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Jose 'Caya' Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

In this episode, the Success In Business Podcast continues our interview with Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, founder and CEO of presentation-sharing software startup Slidebean. In this segment of the interview, Tom and Caya discuss Slidebean’s business model, examine the lessons learned from Caya’s previous startup Saborstudio, and talk about the risks of starting a business with your friends.

In addition to his success as an entrepreneur, Caya has been named in the “40 Under 40” list of Costa Rican innovators by El Financiero newspaper, and received an Innovation Champion by the Costa Rican Ministry of Science and Technology. Continue reading →

Ep. 053 – An Interview with Slidebean CEO Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso

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Jose 'Caya' Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso, CEO of Slidebean

The Success In Business Podcast shakes things up this week, taking a break from business coaching to spend a little time with to entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Slidebean, Jose ‘Caya’ Cayasso. As a serial entrepreneur, Caya has developed a wealth of experience beyond his years, earning a place in the “40 Under 40” Costa Rican innovators by El Financiero newspaper, and being named an Innovation Champion by the Costa Rican Ministry of Science and Technology. It’s safe to say that Caya knows a thing or two about getting startups off the ground.

In the first segment of this multi-part interview, Tom and Caya discuss the development of Slidebean, rising from the ashes of his previous startup Saborstudio, and how the business model for the presentation software has changed since its launch. Continue reading →

Ep. 042 – Consultation With Pam, Part 5: Putting It All Together

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300x300In this episode, Tom concludes his one-on-one consultation with author and burgeoning entrepreneur Pam. As an author without an established following, what’s the best use of Pam’s time and effort? Should she reach out to publishers directly, or should she invest her resources in building an audience through other channels, such as ebooks and blogs?

Tom and co-host Jason Pyles explore this topic with Pam, and tie up a few loose threads from earlier in the conversation. Continue reading →

Ep. 041 – Consultation With Pam, Part 4: How to Tell Your Story

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350x350In this episode, Tom continues his one-on-one consultation with author and burgeoning entrepreneur Pam. This is part four in a five-part series discussing Pam’s efforts to turn her passion for writing into a full-time business.

Tom is joined by fellow podcaster Jason Pyles as they explore Pam’s professional goals, including the importance of sexual abuse advocacy in her writing, and her challenges in preparing a book proposal for publishers. Continue reading →

Ep. 040 – Consultation With Pam, Part 3: Sharing Content One Day at a Time

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350x350-2Welcome to Episode 040 of the Success in Business Podcast with your host, Tom Ryan. This episode is the third portion of a five-part series where Tom coaches Pam the author about marketing her book and her business ideas.

The broad scope of this show consists of Tom teaching Pam the author how to accomplish her mission of inspiring survivors of abuse by sharing her thoughts and experiences in small, daily doses.

But more specifically, Jason and Tom talk to Pam about the benefits of writing a daily blog to help further her cause through multiple channels. Then Tom chats with Pam about accomplishing what he calls a “big, hairy, audacious goal.” Next Tom talks about how the seed of an idea begins to grow into additional aspects and extensions of your business. Continue reading →

Ep. 039 – Consultation With Pam, Part 2: Polling Your Target Audience

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350x350-3Hello again, and welcome to Episode 039 of the Success in Business Podcast with your host, Tom Ryan. This episode is the second portion of a five-part series where Tom coaches Pam the author about marketing her book and her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Tom discusses how Pam can get feedback from her target audience by simply polling them and asking for their opinions. Then Pam shares some passionate opinions about her feelings on the punishments handed down to individuals who are convicted of child abuse.

And Tom talks to Pam about how there is an advocacy angle to her business. Tom explains that Pam’s approach toward reform with the judicial system might be more effectively handled indirectly through raising awareness rather than a direct approach. Continue reading →

Ep. 038 – Consultation With Pam, Part 1: Defining Your Target Market

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350x350-4Welcome to the Success in Business Podcast, Episode 038. This show is Part 1 of 5 episodes titled “An Entrepreneur Consultation With Pam the Author.” These next five podcast episodes constitute a series that is derived from one, full-length, sit-down consultation that your host, Tom Ryan, had with an author named Pam.

In this first part, Tom asks Pam to explain the inspiration for starting a business with her art and her writing. Pam mentions that a book called “The Courage to Heal” inspired her to want to write her own book about her life experiences in hopes of helping other people who have endured a similar ordeal.

Tom also talks to Pam about identifying the various objectives that she has for her book, and he describes how useful it can be for an entrepreneur to express his or her purpose aloud.

Next Tom places Pam’s goals for her book into a business context. He discusses the importance of identifying who Pam’s market will be for her book. Then Tom talks about finding out more about the people who make up Pam’s target market. Continue reading →