Ep. 087 – Capital At Play’s Oby Morgan, Part 2

Oby Morgan

Oby Morgan

In today’s episode, host Tom Ryan continues his conversation with Oby Morgan, publisher of the Western North Carolina-based business magazine Capital At Play. Starting a business-focused publication in the “print is dead” era — not to mention the middle of a recession — wasn’t the most obvious choice for a new venture. In this episode, Oby explains the driving inspirations behind starting Capital At Play, and delves into some of the unexpected challenges he has encountered along the way. Continue reading

Ep. 086 – Capital At Play’s Oby Morgan, Part 1

Oby Morgan

Oby Morgan

In today’s episode, host Tom Ryan talks with Harley “Oby” Morgan, publisher of the Western North Carolina-based business magazine Capital At Play. A native of Asheville, Oby’s keen interest in a wide variety of business topics began at the family dinner table. In 2011, bucking the trend away from new print-based publications, Oby launched Capital At Play to provide a new option for local entrepreneurs and businesspeople to gain insights into the region’s business trends. Continue reading

Ep. 085 – Completely Changing Your Business Model: An Interview With Dr. Michael Trayford, Part 4

8-TYB600x600In this final installment of Tom Ryan’s interview with Neurologist and entrepreneur Dr. Michael Trayford, we discuss the value of content creation, the brains of entrepreneurs, some simple tips for keeping your brain in shape, and much more.

For brain training tips try listening to The Train Your Brain Podcast here. And, for more information on Apex Brain Centers click here. Continue reading

Ep. 084 – Completely Changing Your Business Model: An Interview With Dr. Michael Trayford, Part 3

8-TYB600x600In the third installment of our interview with Neurologist and entrepreneur Dr. Michael Trayford, we discuss the big shifts from moving from a traditional medical practice to a client-focused business. Dr. Trayford talks with host and coach Tom Ryan about growing this business both in brick-and-mortar world, as well as in the online realm.

For brain training tips try listening to The Train Your Brain Podcast here. And, for more information on Apex Brain Centers click here.

Continue reading

Ep. 083 – Completely Changing Your Business Model: An Interview With Dr. Michael Trayford, Part 2

Brain training in action.

Brain training in action.

In the second part of our interview with Neurologist and entrepreneur Dr. Michael Trayford, we discuss transitioning from the traditional medical practice to a more client-focused business model, the challenges of re-establishing professional connections, and the process of rebuilding a referral base. Host Tom Ryan also shares his experiences with Dr. Trayford’s neuroplasticity program, and the benefits of being able to “fine tune” your mental processes.

For brain training tips try listening to The Train Your Brain Podcast here. And, for more information on Apex Brain Centers click here. Continue reading

Ep. 082 – Completely Changing Your Business Model: An Interview With Dr. Michael Trayford, Part 1

8-TYB600x600If you’ve ever considered modifying your medical clinic business model this 4-part series is exactly what the doctor ordered. Host Tom Ryan talks with Dr. Michael Trayford, a Neurologist who specializes in improving brain function. Dr. Trayford explores his thoughts about how a business model can evolve naturally, and discusses how to safely navigate a comprehensive business model overhaul.

For brain training tips try listening to The Train Your Brain Podcast here. And, for more information on Apex Brain Centers click here. Continue reading

Ep. 075 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 5: Creating Work/Life Balance

Brian Walker

Brian Walker

One of the biggest challenges faced by any business owner, and by startup founders in particular, is creating a balance between your working life and your personal one. According to AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker, “The work/life balance is probably the hardest aspect of owning a business.”

In this final segment of the interview with Brian, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles discuss the many personal stresses and challenges of running your own business, from knowing when to check email to finding the right balance of traits in new employees. Continue reading

Ep. 074 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 4: Brand Narrative and Messaging

SIB-Blog-2Brand perception is a huge factor in a startup’s long-term success, and getting that brand narrative right isn’t something you want to rush. As AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker recalls, his company didn’t even have a website for most of their first year of business, opting instead to build the fundamentals of their business over their online messaging.

But does that mean that your online branding isn’t important? Hardly! In part four of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about seeking out customer feedback, knowing when to “fire” a customer, the importance of your brand’s online reputation, and much more. Continue reading

Ep. 073 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 3: C-Suite Relationships and the Trouble with Hype

SIB-Blog-1As the founder of the Chicago-based AE Marketing Group founder, Brian Walker, knows a thing or two about building a sustainable brand. Surprisingly, hype-generating advertising and marketing isn’t always the best answer. In fact, Brian claims it can be a distraction from the important business of building the brand narrative.

In part three of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about building C-Suite relationships, big mistakes young brands make, the problem with the MVP approach, and much more. Continue reading

Ep. 072 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 2: The Value of A Sales & Marketing Background

Brian Walker

Brian Walker

How valuable is a sales and marketing background for entrepreneurs? For AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker, it can mean the difference between a slow burning startup and one that hits the ground running.

In part two of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about sales as a tool for business development, branding as a core business value, and much more. Continue reading