Small Biz Florida

Ep. 211 | Building a Customer-Centric Culture with Ryan Boylston, CEO and Founder of 2 Ton, a Creative Agency

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Ryan Boylston, the CEO and Founder of 2 Ton, a full-service creative agency. Ryan shares his journey from the corporate world to start his own agency, drawing inspiration from his experience at JM Family Enterprises. He emphasizes the importance of creating a customer-centric culture and highlights the use of the term "associate" instead of "employee" to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within the organization. Ryan discusses the organic growth of 2 Ton and how they expanded their services in-house to provide clients with trusted and reliable solutions. He also delves into the concept of work-life integration and the value of transparency and accountability in building a strong team. Tune in to gain insights into creating a thriving culture and prioritizing customer satisfaction in your business.
 
– Learn more about 2 Ton: https://2ton.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 210 | Exploring Entrepreneurship and the JU Review App with Roland Jean Charles

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Roland Jean Charles, an aspiring entrepreneur and graduate of the JMI Institute. Roland shares his journey in the real estate industry, specifically focusing on property management as a way to diversify investment risks. He discusses the valuable resources and networking opportunities he encountered through conferences and how they have influenced his business growth. Roland also talks about his participation in a pitch competition, where he presented his innovative app, JU Review. This social value app provides users with real-time recommendations for dining and drinks, offering a dynamic and engaging experience, unlike static review apps. Tune in to learn more about Roland's entrepreneurial journey and the unique features of the JU Review app.
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 209 | Overcoming Adversity and Thriving in Entrepreneurship: Insights from Michael Allison, Founder of the Adversity Academy

Join us in this inspiring episode as we sit down with Michael Allison, the founder of the Adversity Academy. Michael shares his personal journey of overcoming various challenges, including homelessness, bullying, injuries, and combat experiences during his service in the United States Marine Corps. Despite facing adversity, Michael's determination led him to excel in the military, pursue higher education, and transition into entrepreneurship. He discusses his experience working in the railroad industry and becoming a project manager in a government contractor, as well as his decision to start his own franchise and ultimately launch the Adversity Academy. Discover how Michael's experiences have shaped his passion for helping business owners overcome obstacles, improve leadership, and implement effective strategies. Tune in for an insightful conversation on resilience, personal growth, and thriving in entrepreneurship.
 
– Learn more about The Adversity Academy: https://theadversityacademy.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 208 | Maximizing Sales Success: Insights from Kelly Hill, CEO of Sales Advisors of Florida

Join us in this episode as we welcome Kelly Hill, CEO of Sales Advisors of Florida and a seasoned sales professional with a diverse background in sales, marketing, and purchasing. Kelly shares her career journey, transitioning from sales and marketing roles in the commercial cooking equipment industry to venturing into purchasing and eventually founding Sales Advisors of Florida. We explore the core focus of Kelly's organization, which is to help companies develop proactive sales approaches and effectively manage day-to-day sales activities. Kelly emphasizes the importance of having a written sales process, specifically tailored for inbound and outbound sales, and emphasizes the value of regular reviews to assess and refine strategies. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips for maximizing sales success within your small business.
 
– Learn more about Sales Advisors of Florida: https://salesadvisorsfl.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 207 | Bridging the Generational Gap: Insights from Katie Howard, Innovative HR Consultant

In this episode, we are joined by Katie Howard, an innovative HR consultant with James Moore accounting firm. Katie shares her unique career journey, starting as a finance major and eventually transitioning into various HR roles, including a consultative role with James Moore. Our conversation delves into the challenges of managing a multigenerational workforce. Katie challenges common stereotypes and encourages embracing the differences and strengths of each generation to foster innovation and creative thinking within organizations. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to bridge the generational gap, sharing a compelling example of a younger employee utilizing Instagram to connect with CEOs and achieve remarkable results. Join us as we explore how organizations can cultivate a harmonious and thriving work environment by embracing generational diversity and harnessing the power of technology.
 
– Learn more about James Moore & Co.: https://www.jmco.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 206 | Crafting Compelling Messages: Insights from Jay Owen, Founder and CEO of Business Builders

In this episode, we are thrilled to have Jay Owen, the founder, and CEO of Business Builders, join us. Jay shares his entrepreneurial journey, driven by a desire to chart his own course and create something unique. With a deep understanding of the challenges that entrepreneurs face in marketing, Jay emphasizes the importance of clear and effective messaging to capture attention and acquire customers. He introduces the StoryBrand framework, developed by Donald Miller, which guides businesses in crafting messages that invite customers into their stories. Jay highlights the seven critical components of the framework, including understanding the customer's desires and problems, positioning the business as a guide, creating a clear plan, and incorporating a call to action. Join us as we delve into the power of storytelling and how it can elevate your business's marketing efforts.
 
– Learn more about Business Builders Marketing Agency: https://businessbldrs.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 205 | Building Resilience: Business Continuity Planning with Dana Kerigan

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dana Kerigan, an agency principal at Kerigan Marketing Associates. Dana shares her career journey, starting in purchasing and supply chain before transitioning to the marketing field. She discusses her role in media contracts, media buying, and digital marketing, which has contributed to the exponential growth of their SBA-certified women-owned business. Our conversation then turns to the critical topic of business continuity planning after a disaster. Dana highlights the sobering statistics that show a significant percentage of small businesses fail to reopen or close within a year after a disaster, emphasizing the importance of having a business continuity plan in place. She provides insights into what a business continuity plan entails, including projecting worst-case scenarios, assembling a management team, and assigning responsibilities to ensure effective communication and action during and after a disaster. Tune in to learn valuable strategies for building resilience and planning for the continued success of your business.
 
– Learn more about Kerigan Marketing Associates: https://keriganmarketing.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 204 | Streamlining Business Operations for Success: Insights from Crystal Davis, Founder of The Lean Coach

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Crystal Davis, the founder and CEO of The Lean Coach. With a wealth of experience in lean and Six Sigma methodologies gained from her corporate career, Crystal shares her journey of turning around a struggling factory and becoming a champion of operational excellence. Crystal's mission is to demystify the complexities of lean and Six Sigma, providing practical solutions for business owners and their teams to address pain points and achieve effective outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of viewing tasks and projects as operational processes and aligning them with company goals for consistent results. Crystal also discusses her transition from being an independent consultant to building a team of consultants who follow a consistent framework, ensuring brand consistency and delivering impactful results. Join us as we delve into the significance of operational efficiency and growth, especially in the post-pandemic landscape, and gain valuable insights on streamlining business operations for success.
 
– Learn more about The Lean Coach, Inc.: https://theleancoachinc.com/  
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 203 | Empowering Small Businesses: Insights from Katrina Tuggerson, President of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce

In this episode, we are delighted to have Katrina Tuggerson, the President of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce in Tallahassee, Florida, join us. Katrina shares her entrepreneurial journey, which began in her family's business during middle school and continued through her roles in higher education and the chamber world. With a passion for serving the community and helping small businesses thrive, Katrina emphasizes the importance of social capital and minority perspectives in the business arena. She highlights the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who possess great talent but may lack the administrative or marketing skills to scale their businesses. As the President of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Katrina and her team work tirelessly to provide the necessary support and resources to businesses at different stages, bridging the gap and advocating for their needs. Tune in to gain valuable insights on leveraging community connections and accessing the right resources for business growth and success.
 
– Learn more about Capital City Chamber of Commerce: https://www.ccctally.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

Ep. 202 | Driving Success in Small Business: Insights from Audra Fournier

In this episode, we are joined by Audra Fournier, the founder of Partners for a Solution and a certified master business coach. With a background in hospitality and change management, Audra brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service and business operations. She shares her journey, transitioning from hospitality to business coaching, driven by her passion for helping entrepreneurs and business owners navigate the often lonely road of building and managing a business. Audra discusses the top three issues she commonly sees in small business operations: capital management, disorganization and lack of prioritization, and the absence of a defined vision, mission, and values. Tune in as we explore practical strategies and insights to address these challenges, optimize business operations, and foster a strong company culture.
 
– Learn more about Partners for a Solution: https://audrafournier.com/ 
For more segments like these, subscribe to Small Biz Florida and Follow the official Small Biz Florida Instagram! This and the following segments were recorded at this year’s annual JMI Small Business Leadership Conference hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.