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

Ep. 026 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 10: Just Do It

Good morning! Today on Episode 26 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan completes his 10 part series on what to consider before starting you business. The first 9 steps have prepared you so well that the only left to do is to jump right in and just do it! If you are waiting for every single star to align and for the time to be perfect, you may never get your chance. Go ahead and take the leap! Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 025 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 9: Getting Ready to Fail

Good morning! Today on Episode 25 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan gives goes on record saying that failure is just part of business. Let it make your business stronger. Take this chance to do research and development. Tom teaches you how to fail quickly and fail softly. Of course, you have to hang in there and fight when times get hard, but you also need to have a plan to land the plane and walk away safely if a crash is inevitable. Thanks for listening! Continue reading

Ep. 024 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 8: Identifying Your Prospective Customers

Today’s episode is a continuation of the series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the process of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the eighth thing to remember before starting your business, knowing your customers.

Key Takeaways
A big part of telling your story includes knowing who your audience is, and today’s episode delves deeper getting to know your customers. Tom offers five tips to accomplish this in your own business.

Tip 1: Ask them

The first thing you must do is get out there and seek immediate and direct feedback from your audience or prospective audience. There’s no better way to figure out what someone is thinking than to go out and ask them. In order to do this, use whatever means you have to connect and test out your assumptions. Different ways include Continue reading

Ep. 023 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 7.5: How to Tell Your Story Well Continued

Today’s episode is a continuation of the series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the process of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the seventh thing to remember before starting your business, how to tell your story.

Key Takeaways
An important part of connecting with your customers and audience is to know how to tell your story. Tom’s role as the Kauffman Foundation’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Western North Carolina allows him to work with startup early stage companies and founders; he continually encounters interesting patterns that emerge about companies’ ability to effectively tell their stories. In this episode, Tom reveals the last two tips for you to follow so you can get better at telling your story.

Tip 4: Answer the right question (not the comfortable one)

The order in which you communicate your story to your audience begins with answering the right question and not the one you want to or are most comfortable with. Frequently, people are asked the question—what do you do? Too often they Continue reading

Ep. 022 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 7: How to Tell Your Story Well

Today’s episode is a continuation of the mini series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the process of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the seventh thing to remember before starting your business, how to tell your story.

Key Takeaways
An important part of connecting with your customers and audience is to know how to tell your story. Tom’s role as the Kauffman Foundation’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence of Western North Carolina allows him to work with startup early stage companies and founders; he continually encounters interesting patterns that emerge about companies’ ability to effectively tell their stories. In this episode, Tom reveals three out of five quick tips for you to follow so you can get better at telling your story. The fourth and fifth tips about storytelling will be delivered in tomorrow’s episode (023).

In order to successfully convey your company’s products and services, you first need Continue reading

Ep. 021 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 6: How to Have a Profitable Mindset

Today’s episode is a continuation of the series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the works of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the sixth thing to remember before starting your business.

Key Takeaways
Tom provides 5 tips on how to start your business with a mindset of profitability on today’s episode. Constructing and stress testing your company will determine a solid idea of how your business is going to be profitable in the long run.

Tip 1: Don’t be like everyone else

When many people start a business, they are excited about the concept and the notion of taking the plunge, but most fail to Continue reading

Ep. 020 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 5: How Do I Raise Money for My Business?

Today’s episode is a continuation of the series, “Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business,” which was initiated by one of the show’s listeners, Kathy. She is making the shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, and is in the works of starting her first business; she asks, “What do you suggest that I consider and avoid before taking the leap of faith?” Tom discusses the fifth thing to remember before starting your business.

Key Takeaways
Tom works with entrepreneurs and startup businesses every single day, and the number one thing that Tom encounters through coaching and mentoring is the question regarding capital. In today’s episode, Tom discusses the 5 tips for understanding the basics of raising money in order of priority.

Tip 1: Understand the options

First and foremost, you Continue reading

Ep. 019 – Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Business Part 4: Learning How to Sell

Hello fellow entrepreneurs! Today on Episode 19 of the Success in Business Podcast your host Tom Ryan continues his 10-part series on things to consider before starting your business. Tom delivers realistic advice and expectations for your startup. It doesn’t matter what stage of business development you are at, sales are supremely important. Develop sales as part of your DNA. Own, don’t rent, this core competency. You’ll love it! Continue reading