In this podcast episode, Kyle Knowles had the pleasure of speaking with Mike Hoffman, an inspiring entrepreneur who has transitioned from a corporate career to building a successful vending business. Mike's journey began in rural Iowa, where his father's entrepreneurial spirit influenced him, and he even ran a lemonade stand as a child. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in exercise science, he entered the world of collegiate strength conditioning, working long hours and realizing the need for financial freedom.

Mike's first taste of entrepreneurship came when he purchased a rental property as a strength conditioning coach in St. Louis. This experience sparked his interest in real estate investing. Still, it wasn't until he moved to Silicon Valley to work for Sparta Science that he truly immersed himself in the startup culture. During his time there, he learned valuable lessons about accountability, transparency, and the importance of having a clear vision for success.

The conversation took an interesting turn when Mike shared how his experiences traveling for work during the COVID-19 pandemic led him to discover the potential of the vending machine business. After witnessing the high margins on vending machine products in airports, he decided to take the plunge and install his first combo vending machine at an apartment complex near the University of Oregon. With minimal investment and a commitment to learning, Mike quickly saw success, generating significant profits from his initial machine.

As we delved deeper into his entrepreneurial journey, Mike discussed the importance of having a solid support system, including a good CPA and legal counsel, to navigate the complexities of running a business. He also emphasized the value of understanding tax advantages as an entrepreneur, which can significantly impact one's take-home pay.

Throughout the episode, Mike shared insights on scaling his vending business, the importance of community among fellow entrepreneurs, and his passion for helping others start their vending routes through his website, Vendingpreneurs.com. He also touched on his broader vision of creating passive income streams, which he believes is essential for achieving financial freedom and spending more time with family.

Listeners will find this episode not only informative but also motivational, as Mike's story exemplifies the power of perseverance, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you're considering starting your own business or looking for ways to create passive income, Mike's journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration for anyone on the entrepreneurial path.

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SUMMARY

In this episode of the Maker Manager Money podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jill Wright, the founder of Executive Shine, a company that has transformed the art of shoeshining into a meaningful service experience. With over 38 years of experience, Jill operates locations in both the Denver and Charlotte International Airports, but her story goes far beyond just shining shoes.

Jill's approach to business is deeply rooted in love and connection. She emphasizes the importance of asking, "What does love look like here for the person in front of me right now?" This guiding principle has shaped her leadership style and the culture at Executive Shine. From her ranch in Colorado, where she raises horses and chickens, Jill has developed an innovative training program called the Shine Experience, which focuses on creating high-functioning teams through a service-oriented culture.

During our conversation, Jill shared her personal journey, including her early experiences with horses and how they taught her about energy and connection. She recounted a pivotal moment with her trainer, who advised her to be mindful of how her energy impacts those around her. This lesson has been instrumental in her approach to leadership and service.

We delved into the concept of HeartMath, a practice that emphasizes heart-brain coherence and the importance of connecting with others from a place of love rather than fear. Jill explained how this practice has influenced her interactions, both personally and professionally, and how it can help individuals navigate stress and build authentic connections.

The episode took a poignant turn as I opened up about my own journey of grief following the loss of my son, Jake. Jill offered insights on how to channel grief into love and connection, emphasizing that unexpressed love is often what we carry in our hearts after a loss. Her perspective on using personal experiences to foster deeper connections with others resonated deeply with me.

Jill also shared her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting her rebellious spirit and desire to create something meaningful. She discussed the importance of hiring individuals who align with her core values and the significance of developing a diverse team that can bring unique perspectives to the table.

Throughout our conversation, Jill's passion for serving others and creating a culture of love and connection was evident. She reminded me that true leadership involves vulnerability and the willingness to honor the unique gifts of each team member.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:01:53 - Jill's Life on the Ranch
00:02:23 - Jill's Passion for Horses and Dressage
00:03:11 - The Connection Between Humans and Horses
00:05:22 - Energy Awareness and Its Impact
00:09:00 - Channeling Energy Through the Heart
00:10:53 - Understanding HeartMath
00:14:02 - The Importance of Heart-Brain Coherence
00:19:04 - Navigating Grief and Loss
00:20:55 - Finding Purpose Through Pain
00:31:05 - Jill's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit
00:33:05 - The Birth of Executive Shine
00:39:00 - Building a Team and Delegation
00:43:07 - The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership
00:55:02 - The Power of Connection Over Perfection
00:58:18 - Hiring for Love and Impact
01:00:07 - Expansion of Executive Shine Locations
01:01:45 - The Journey to Washington, D.C.

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In this captivating Maker Manager Money podcast episode, Kyle Knowles sits down with Glen Calvert, co-founder of Kaizan AI. This innovative startup leverages artificial intelligence to enhance client satisfaction and retention. Glen shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in traditional publishing and online advertising to his groundbreaking work in the e-sports industry. 🚀

What Listeners Will Learn:

🎯 Passion and Persistence: Glenn's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. From starting multiple startups to venturing into AI, Glenn's story highlights the importance of staying committed to your vision and continuously learning and adapting along the way.
🎯 Embracing AI for Business Growth: Glenn's journey with Kaizan AI showcases the potential of AI in enhancing client relationships and driving business growth. By leveraging AI models for client priorities and pain points, Glenn demonstrates how technology can revolutionize traditional business practices and improve customer satisfaction.
🎯 Startup vs. Corporate Mentality: Glenn's insights on the differences between working in startups versus corporate environments shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities each setting presents. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs emphasizes the need for resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace chaos in the startup world.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or fascinated by the transformative power of AI, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧

🔥 #ArtificialIntelligence
🌟 #Entrepreneurship
💡 #Innovation
🤝 #ClientService
💻 #Startups

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In this episode of Maker-Manager Money with Kyle Knowles, Kyle dives deep into the world of AI-powered content marketing with guest Cody Schneider, a trailblazer in the AI-first company landscape. The conversation is lively and engaging, with the host and guest discussing strategies and tools for successful podcasting and content marketing.

Cody Schneider, the CEO and co-founder of Swell AI plus co-founder of Drafthorse AI, shares his expertise in blending technology with marketing to create innovative solutions. From his early days selling sneakers to his strategic role in influencer marketing and SEO, Cody's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of innovation, perseverance, and strategic thinking in today's digital age.

The discussion focuses on the two common paths in podcasting: building a business to sell advertisements or using a podcast as a go-to-market mechanism for a business. Cody emphasizes the importance of leveraging podcasts to build relationships and generate revenue through high-ticket services.

The conversation also delves into the practical applications of AI in content marketing, with Cody sharing insights on how AI can automate content creation, distribution, and optimization. The episode highlights the potential of AI tools like Swell AI in streamlining content workflows and maximizing organic traffic growth.

The episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to leverage AI in their content marketing strategies. The engaging and informative discussion between the host and guest creates a dynamic listening experience for listeners interested in the intersection of AI and content marketing.

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Russ Warner, a seasoned sales, marketing, and operations expert, shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey on the Maker Manager Money podcast with Kyle Knowles. From his early days selling candy door-to-door to co-founding Ghost Boards, a venture he propelled to over 10 million in sales, Russ's story is one of relentless dedication, creativity, and business acumen. His expertise spans traditional and digital platforms, offering invaluable insights into mortgage trends and business best practices. His visionary approach has scaled his company and cultivated a culture of trust, collaboration, and opportunity within his team.

What Listeners Will Learn:

🎯 No Excuses: Russ's journey from selling candy door-to-door to co-founding a successful business teaches the importance of relentless dedication and a no-excuses mindset in entrepreneurship.

🎯 Balancing Act: Russ's experience of managing a day job with a mortgage company while running Ghost Boards as a side hustle highlights the challenges and rewards of balancing multiple commitments.

🎯 Building Trust: Russ emphasizes the importance of cultivating a culture of trust, collaboration, and opportunity within a team, sharing insights on success by delivering unmatched value and innovation to customers and partners.

🎸 #entrepreneurship
🎹 #sidehustle
🥁 #businessacumen
💪 #noexcuses
🎧 #digitalmarketing

Tune in to the Maker Manager Money podcast to hear Russ Warner's inspiring story and gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, balancing multiple commitments, and building a culture of trust within a team.

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Dive into the world of strategic marketing with Sarah Noel Block on the Maker Manager Money podcast. This episode features Sarah, founder of Tiny Marketing, sharing her journey from a corporate marketer to a successful entrepreneur. Discover her unique approach to event marketing, the development of her strategic framework, and her expertise in leveraging AI and digital tools. Learn how Sarah's innovative strategies help small businesses clone their favorite customers and shorten sales cycles. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal business growth.

Key Learnings

• Event Marketing Excellence
  Sarah shares valuable insights on maximizing the impact of event marketing, emphasizing its role in business growth and customer engagement.
• Innovative Marketing Strategies
  Sarah elaborates on her unique approach to marketing, utilizing AI and digital tools to create efficient and targeted campaigns.
• Identifying Your Ideal Customer
  Sarah underscores the critical importance of pinpointing your ideal customer, explaining how this clarity can significantly enhance marketing effectiveness and business success.

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In this enlightening episode of the Maker Manager Money podcast, Kyle Knowles sits down with David Doty, an entrepreneur who left Wall Street to revolutionize the food industry in Utah. Starting with his early days washing dishes at 16, Doty's journey through finance and law school, to his strategic pivot towards acquiring and nurturing local food businesses, is nothing short of inspirational. David's approach isn't just about business growth but fostering community and culture within the food and beverage industry. His story is a testament to passion, innovation, and entrepreneurship's power to create lasting impact.

David is CEO and Founder of Kensington Asset Management, which owns:

• Lehi Bakery
• Magleby's
• Edna's Market & Grill
• Summit Pizza Co.
• Twisted Sugar

What Listeners Will Learn:
🎯 From Dishes to Riches: Doty's transition from a dishwasher to a food industry visionary shows the power of following one's passion.
🎯 Strategic Growth: Learn about Doty's approach to sustainable business growth, including owning real estate and nurturing a community-focused culture.
🎯 Inspiring Entrepreneurship: Doty's journey encourages listeners to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, highlighting the importance of adaptability, hard work, and vision.

🍽️ #FoodIndustry
🚀 #Entrepreneurship
📈 #BusinessGrowthStrategies
🏠 #RealEstateInvestment
💼 #Leadership

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Brian T. Franco is the Founder and Managing Partner of Meritage Partners, a leading M&A advisory firm based in Newport Beach, California. With nearly two decades of experience, Brian is an expert in guiding companies toward successful exits, having deployed over $2 billion in capital across diverse industries such as Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), healthcare, tech, B2B, and B2C services.

Key Learnings

• Stay focused on your core strengths as you scale. As entrepreneurs grow their companies, they often get distracted by day-to-day operations and lose sight of the strengths that made them successful in the first place.
• Exhibit consistent leadership. Leading a scaling company while remaining steady and reliable in your overall vision and approach provides comfort and direction to employees amidst rapid changes.
• Systemize processes where possible. Rather than trying to control everything themselves, successful entrepreneurs build or utilize systems and processes to streamline operations. This empowers managers to scale efficiently.

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