Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

Ep. 078 – Five Easy Ways to Stop Vibrating, Part 1

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IMG_2329Few things are more frustrating than finding yourself in a rut, spinning your wheels rather than making meaningful progress. One of the biggest ruts for entrepreneurs is never having enough time. The trick to getting back on track is realizing what’s a legitimate use of time, and what’s simply “vibrating” in place.

To get out of that trap, host and business coach Tom Ryan has created a simple, five-step process. Joined by co-host Jason Pyles, Tom explores some great ways to reclaim your time and your energy without sacrificing your business momentum. Continue reading →

Ep. 077 – The Work-Life Balance and Seven Signs of Vibrating, Part 2

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SIB-Blog-2Are you really constantly overworked as you build your new business? Are you truly too overwhelmed to make time for your personal life? Or are you simply obsessing over the tiny details, “vibrating” in place rather than generating forward momentum?

In today’s episode, host and business coach Tom Ryan wraps up his “Seven Signs of Vibrating” list. If you answer “I’m busy … but it beats the alternative” when someone asks how you’re doing, you need to listen to this podcast. Continue reading →

Ep. 076 – The Work-Life Balance and Seven Signs of Vibrating, Part 1

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SIB-Blog-1Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is one of the biggest problems for entrepreneurs. The more dedicated you are to the business, the harder it can be to have a rich life outside of the office. When you’re that busy, can be hard to find time for the personal stuff.

Or maybe not. Are you really that busy with meaningful, business-related tasks? Or are you just “vibrating” in place, seeming busy and active, but actually accomplishing very little? Host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles explore this idea and more on today’s show. Continue reading →

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

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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

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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

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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

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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 →

Ep. 071 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 1: “Whitewater Growth” and Startup Priorities

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Brian Walker

Brian Walker

After spending over a decade working at marketing and advertising agencies, Brian Walker had an epiphany. “Everyone is expendable.” In that moment, Brian decided that making others wealthy without even the promise of security wasn’t a sustainable life. In the middle of one of the worst economic climates in modern history, Brian struck out on his own, launching his own marketing firm from a walk-in closet turned office.

He’s done pretty well for himself. As the founder of the Chicago-based AE Marketing Group, Brian has overseen 18 straight quarters of profitability, and 200% growth. He’s also a Graduate of Goldman Sachs Small Business 10K Program. In this episode, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about his background, his company, and his mission. Continue reading →

Ep. 070 – The Four Ps of Sales

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FourPs-ImageFollowing on the heels of the earlier “4 Ps of Marketing” episode, this week host Tom Ryan explores his newly minted “4 Ps of Sales” concept. Unfortunately, he’s not entirely sure that this content is the most engaging, particularly for a Friday.

Thankfully, he’s joined by co-host Jason Pyles, who is always ready to bewilder Tom with an off-handed reference to a semi-obscure ’70s sci-fi cult film. Continue reading →

Ep. 069 – An Interview with Brenden Fitzgerald, Part 3

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SIB-Blog-3As an entrepreneur who has spent substantial time in the crowdfunding space, Brenden Fitzgerald has a few thoughts for listeners about growing a community, building collaborations and exploring partnerships as a means of creating a successful campaign.

In this final installment of this three-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles also chat with Brenden about his favorite startup resources, balancing priorities, time management, and what it means to be a “slasher” entrepreneur. Continue reading →