This Is Small Business

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Turning Tactics into Teaching: A Veteran’s Journey to Gamifying Science Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

From a chaotic childhood to joining the military at 17, this entrepreneur discovered the therapeutic power of science and gamified it. In this special Veteran's Day episode of This is Small Business, John Coveyou, founder and CEO of Genius Games, a science-based board game company that has sold over half a million units worldwide, shares his journey. He discusses how military principles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led him to create engaging educational games. John shares the pivotal moment that inspired his first game and how crowdfunding transformed his hobby into a successful business.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(0:00) How various business principles overlap with lessons learned in the military.

(1:50) John explains how his interest in science helped him cope during tough times in the military.

(2:59) While teaching chemistry, John noticed that his students were intimidated by the subject, sparking his idea for a game.

(03:09) John connects the excitement of gaming to learning science and decides to create a game.

(3:50) John details his early experiments with game mechanics and his journey through game design clubs.

(4:12) How feedback from play-tests led to the creation of John’s first game and the push to publish it.

(4:49) John discusses how his crowdfunding campaigns validated his business idea and led to further success.

(5:37) The moment John decided to leave his engineering job and pursue his passion full-time.

(7:20) John explains the After Action Review process and how it encourages continual improvement in business.

(12:35) The power of perspective in entrepreneurship, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

Knock Their Socks Off: A Fresh Solution to a Stinky Problem Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

Matthew Tesvich, the CEO of Skunk Skin turned his personal battle with stinky feet into a thriving business with his innovative odorless socks. Hear about his experience on "Buy It Now," where he impressed judges like Jamie Siminoff, and learn the key lessons he gathered on entrepreneurship, marketing, and overcoming challenges. You can watch Skunk Skin's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Lions and Ducks and Skunks, Oh My!

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll learn:

(0:06): How Matthew’s lifelong issue with stinky feet inspired him to create Skunk Skin, a line of odorless socks, highlighting the power of turning personal challenges into innovative solutions.

(02:38): After a career-ending injury, Matthew pivoted from aspiring baseball player to entrepreneur, demonstrating how setbacks can lead to new opportunities and the importance of creative problem-solving.

(06:02): Matthew discusses how he used press and publicity strategies, including catchy email subject lines, to gain media attention and boost sales, underscoring the value of effective marketing in a startup’s success.

(11:43): Matthew reveals his pitching tactics, including price anchoring and engaging storytelling, that helped him impress the judges and win a spot on the Buy It Now Amazon store, illustrating key techniques for successful pitches.

Cooking up Dreams: A King’s Entrepreneurial Adventure Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

Meet Keith Lorren, a.k.a. The Spice King on Buy It Now. With his aromatic cooking seasonings, he swooned a panel of industry judges, complete with a live cooking demo and an original song. We delve into how his vibrant personality and unique approach won him a spot in the Buy It Now store and a $20,000 prize. Tune in for an inspiring story of perseverance and creativity that might just ignite your own entrepreneurial dreams. You can watch The Spice King's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Turning Up the Spice.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(03:28): Keith's culinary passion stems from a rich family history of cooking, highlighting the importance of heritage in his business journey.

(05:46): Overcoming financial hurdles, Keith shares how he used creative strategies like selling Ziploc bags of spices to fund his dream before scaling up.

(10:11) His theatrical pitch included a catchy original song, demonstrating the power of creativity in capturing audience attention and standing out in a competitive space.

(16:11): After winning the $20,000 prize, Keith immediately focused on improving his product and packaging, showcasing his commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Catch and Release: A Family’s Blueprint for Business Success Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

“Stumble, stumble forward.” That’s the key advice of Scott and Paige Putnam, founders of Swat n Scoop, and winners of Prime Video's Buy It Now. This father-daughter entrepreneurial duo share the origins of their innovative product, which began with a scream— the kind every parent knows all too well. With a blend of humour and heart, they discuss the challenges of creating a humane bug-catching product. Scott describes the evolution of their idea from a father’s determination to save the day without harming any being. From facing fears and finding unexpected solutions, to learning the power of saying, “no’, their insights are invaluable for anyone considering starting their own business. You can watch Swat n Scoop's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Big Scream.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(05:42): Scott’s initial idea for the Swat N Scoop evolved from a basic bug-removal tool to a more refined product through extensive feedback and design iterations, showcasing the importance of a minimal viable product.

(06:16): Scott conducted rigorous testing to ensure the product's durability, including extreme scenarios like freezing the tool and swatting it against sharp objects, emphasizing the need for quality assurance in product development.

(08:44): Despite significant personal challenges, including a house fire and health issues, Scott remained focused on launching Swat N Scoop, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

(13:10): Scott and Paige's engaging pitch on the "Buy It Now" show resulted in 51 green lights from the audience, validating their product and confirming its market potential, further supported by positive feedback from the panel.

Every Entrepreneurs Dream: ‘Your Product Is a Life Saver!’ Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

A tragedy near-miss turned this healthcare professional into an entrepreneur. Her toddler was crying, but no sound was coming out: a clear sign of choking for any medical professional. Felicia Jackson's nightmare scenario inspired a product that is literally saving lives: CPR Wrap.

Host, Andrea Marquez explores the backstory and journey of Felicia’s invention, what led her to audition to Buy it Now, and how that experience (and the $20,000 cash prize) will take her business to new heights. While featured guest, Jamie Siminoff, founder and inventor of RING, points out key lessons you can takeaway from Felicia's pitch. You can watch CPR Wrap's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Gets Dirty.

In this episode, you'll discover:

(00:21) How Prime Video's Buy It Now show works, the stakes involved, and just how difficult it is to convince an audience of 100 to buy your product.

(04:02) The backstory of how Jamie Siminoff created the Ring app, and why shows like Buy it Now can be life-changing for entreprenuers.

(06:41) What made CPR Wrap a unique and essential product.

(08:03) The moment that changed Felicia’s life trajectory. A moment that could have been fatal, and propelled her to dream up CPR Wrap.

(11:07) How Felicia quit her job in secret to create CPR Wrap, a risk she says was inevitable. Thankfully her husband was fully committed at that point, too.

(12:13) Why having a strong support system and community is paramount to being successful.

(14:55) What stage Felicia's business was at when she decided to send in an audition to the Buy it Now show.

(15:57) How Felicia spent countless hours practicing her show-day pitch.

(18:43) Jamie's first impression and feedback of CPR Wrap.

(23:00) Felicia's reaction to winning and how she's planning on spending her cash prize.

(25:04) Jamie, Andrea, and Felicia share some actionable takeaways that you can use to take your business to the next level!

Lessons in Entrepreneurship: Stories That Inspire Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

A behind-the-scenes look into Emmy Award-nominated entrepreneurship show "Start Up" on PBS. Gary Bredow and Jenny Feterovich explore the power of storytelling in entrepreneurship and the journey that led them to creating their successful show Start Up. Gary reflects on his childhood experiences that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, while Jenny shares her journey from the Soviet Union to becoming a successful storyteller and business owner. They discuss how Start Up has evolved to inspire others to pursue their dreams, emphasizing resilience, community support, and the impact of authentic storytelling in connecting with audiences and driving meaningful change.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(01:06) "Start Up" is a national PBS series that explores the mindset and experiences of American entrepreneurs, aiming to inspire and educate viewers.

(01:19) The show's goal is to motivate dreamers to take action by showcasing relatable stories of diverse individuals pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams, both in America and globally.

(1:53) Gary’s entrepreneurial spark was ignited by witnessing a small business story unfold in his own home.

(4:49) Jenny’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked by a trip across the globe.

(7:33) How Gary came up with the idea behind Start Up to solve a problem.

(9:10) How Gary and Jenny started working together.

(11:42) The ways in which the show evolved over time.

(13:59) Why sharing personal stories is important and brings people closer together.

(15:05) How Start Up pushed an aspiring entrepreneur to pursue his dreams.

(16:20) Beyond helping entrepreneurs, Start Up also helps the featured businesses that make it on the show grow.

(18:45) Motivational words from Jenny and Gary.

TISB: Behind the Buy – The Official Companion Podcast of Buy It Now from Prime Video Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Are you an entrepreneur looking to turn your big idea into a successful business? Welcome to "This is Small Business: Behind the Buy", the official companion podcast to the Buy it Now show from Amazon Prime Video. Hosted by Andrea Marquez from This is Small Business, and featuring Jamie Siminoff, creator of Ring, this special season of TISB dives deep into the world of Buy it Now and the entrepreneurs who are building their businesses one pitch at a time. Every Thursday, we follow up with the winner of the previous night’s episode of Buy It Now on Prime Video. You'll hear directly from the entrepreneurs who took the stage, revealing the backstories, challenges, and business strategies that turned their dreams into reality.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an avid fan of the Buy It Now show, "Behind the Buy" offers behind-the-scenes stories that will inspire you to take the next step in your own business journey. From the intense preparation to the thrill of winning, we explore every angle of what it takes to pitch, win, and build a thriving business. Discover how each Buy It Now winner plans to use their prize to scale their business and how you can apply these lessons to your own entrepreneurial path.

Leveraging Third-Party Logistics: The Ups and Downs of Starting a Remote Business Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Can you still start a business if you’ve got no space or time to create, store, and pack your products at home? Just ask Marilyn Yang, the Co-Founder and CEO of Popadelics, who managed to do just that by starting her business remotely using third party logistics. She shares the ins and outs of outsourcing your operations as a startup, some of the early risks she had to take to make it work, and the benefits and challenges that might come your way.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

(01:05) How Marilyn, a picky eater, created and introduced mushroom chips to the snacking world.

(02:38) The steps it took for Marilyn and her husband to collaborate with a food start-up consulting firm.

(03:25) What to do if you hit a snag with your outsourced co-packer. In this case, Marilyn had ingredients that took many months to arrive with nowhere to go, and a co-packer that was still on the fence – but she still managed to make it work.

(6:42) Why Marilyn started her business using third party logistics – something that companies usually do as they scale.

(7:30) How outsourcing your operations can help your business scale faster.

(8:29) How having your operations spread out across the US can make your business eligible for more opportunities but makes applying to them more complicated.

(10:11) How to balance running a remote business with the rest of your life.

Stand Out in a Competitive Market: How Ads Can Help You Get Noticed Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

How can the right ad strategy help your business stand out in a crowded market? Just ask Kyle Goguen and Garrett Gosselin, the co-founders of CRBN Pickleball, who transformed their passion for pickleball into a thriving brand by leveraging the power of Amazon Ads. Discover how the right advertising helped them showcase their unique brand identity and stay ahead of the competition. Whether you're new to advertising or looking to fine-tune your approach, you’ll walk away with actionable lessons on maximizing your ad spend, using Amazon ads to increase brand awareness, and converting potential customers into loyal fans.

Learn the importance of testing and refining your ad strategy, how to use data-driven insights to optimize campaigns, and why it’s crucial to tell your brand’s story through ads.

In this episode, you'll discover:

(1:08) How Garrett came up with CRBN pickleball

(2:33) How to find the perfect business partner by combining complementary talents, just like Garrett and Kyle did to build CRBN Pickleball.

(4:35) How to stand out in a competitive market by creating a strong brand identity. CRBN's "Southern California" vibe helped them break through the noise — how can your brand story do the same?

(6:58) Why incorporating Amazon Ads into your marketing strategy could be the game-changer your business needs.

(8:41) How CRBN used data to track the results of their ad campaigns and how you can implement that.

(11:11) Why you should embrace experimentation and data analysis to continuously improve your Amazon Ads strategy and how those insights can shape other areas of your business

Watch full episodes of Rising Stars by Amazon Ads here: thisissmall.biz/crbn

Unlocking Business Grants: Strategies for Securing Funding Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Ever wondered how to get a cash injection for your business without giving up equity or taking on debt? Just ask Elise Lambkin, the founder of Lil Sippers, who landed a game-changing for-profit grant that helped propel her business forward. Elise breaks down the entire process of applying for the Amazon Business Small Business Grant, from finding the opportunity to making sure her brand story resonates with everyone. You’ll also hear from Bria Arline, the Founder and CEO of IQ Ignited, a boutique grant writing firm, who reveals the secrets behind crafting a winning grant proposal. From finding the right grants to nailing your application, this episode gives you a crash course on what you need to know to secure your next grant and grow your business.

Learn how to identify grants that align with your business goals, what makes a standout application, and what you should focus on to make your application shine.

(2:18) How Elise Lambkin transformed a common parenting struggle into a thriving business

(4:50) Where to find the best business grants and how to kickstart your search for funding opportunities to grow your business.

(6:05) Elise’s approach to winning the Amazon Business Small Business Grant.

(6:57) Bria's lessons on how you could craft a winning grant application which includes understanding the funder's perspective, aligning your budget with your goals, and presenting a strong narrative that highlights your business's potential.

(10:51) Why Elise’s grant application stood out from the crowd with strong brand messaging and a clear vision for her business’s growth.

(12:17) Why taking your time and planning carefully can improve your chances of success in the grant writing process.

(13:52) The benefits of getting rejections and how that could help fine-tune your approach for future success.

(15:09) How Elise used her Amazon Business Small Business Grant to propel her business forward.

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