The Steve Shriver Podcast: Recent Episodes
Steve Shriver
The Steve Shriver podcast is a podcast to help share Steve Shriver's knowledge and experience as an entrepreneur. Steve owns 5 businesses in 5 different industries and has seen some shit go down on his journey. The goal is to host this podcast to inspire and guide you in your entrepreneurial endeavors. If we can help even a few people to pursue their passion, we believe we can have a profoundly positive impact on our communities and the world.
We have a real special guest on the podcast this week in Dan Bensema of Luna Venture Partners (lunavp.com). Dan has spent his career in mergers and acquisitions, wealth management and business consulting for some of the largest companies in the world.
In 2021 Dan partnered with Rob Luna (RobLuna.com) to create a system that helps small to medium sized businesses maximize the success of the business. In many cases, Dan is helping his clients implement systems designed to achieve a business valuation of $100M or more.
While not every business will be poised for a $100M exit, the systems and processes discussed on this episode will help ANY business be better, more efficient and more valuable.
Listen to this episode to get a glimpse into the strategies you need to help your business grow.
If you're not familiar with the latest trends in marketing, this episode is for you! Podcast co-host Andy Sulhoff goes over some advice he has for business owners as it relates to marketing your business. Steve adds in some fun stories about how he has earned media attention through the years as well.
The conversation covers a lay of the land for marketing initiatives, starting with product. From there we discuss a few alternative ways to grow the reach of your business WITHOUT breaking the bank. Finally we discuss the top trends going on in the marketing world right now that you need to be considering.
Sales is the lifeblood of any new organization. You can overcome a lot of deficiencies if you're able to keep closing deals. For any organization, generating a large sale can mean significant growth and opportunity for long term success.
From smiling and dialing into individual retailers to working with sales brokers, Steve shares the story of how Eco Lips went from selling to individual retailers to selling into 12000+ retail locations across the country.
Hear the tips and tricks to closing deals with large retailers AND the untold origin story for one of Eco Lips' top selling products. We also cover some advice Steve has if you're not quite comfortable selling to make sure you're setting your business up for success.
As of this episode we're over 2 years removed from the first lockdowns in the US related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impacts of the pandemic are still being felt and will likely continue for several more years. If you add into the global pandemic the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we're experiencing an economic environment that none of us have experienced in our lifetime.
In every obstacle there is an opportunity. In this episode we cover a few ways you can make sure your business comes out the other side of the current economic environment better than ever before. This practical advice to business owners and managers is based on Steve's experience across his businesses so there's something for everyone!
Do we have an episode in store for you! One does not typically associate Etch A Sketch and American Ninja Warrior with entrepreneurship, but that's EXACTLY what we're bringing to the podcast today.
Tim Gallenbeck is a resident of Cedar Rapids and has gained notoriety for his Etch A Sketch artwork and recently competed on American Ninja Warrior. We talk with Tim about his story and how he went from a skateboard dude to being featured in a New York Times Best Selling Book and competing with ninjas from across the country for the title of American Ninja Warrior Champion.
Listen in to hear Tim's outlook on taking on new hobbies, learning from mistakes and how you could turn your curiosity and passion into a business.
Telling the story of your business is possibly one of the most under utilized sales pitches made by small and medium sized businesses. Believe it or not, people care about who they're doing business with and actively use your business story to justify decisions to buy (or not buy) from your business.
Check out this episode to answer these highly impactful questions related to your brand story.
- What is a brand/company story?
- Where should you share your story?
- What are some examples of some great stories?
- What are some tips for writing a good brand story?
Contrary the popular portrayal of an entrepreneur, you don't have to START a business to become an entrepreneur. While starting your own business from scratch can seem like the safer way to go, it's a well established fact that startup businesses fail at an alarmingly high rate. The safe path to entrepreneurship is actually to purchase an existing business.
We've discussed business acquisition at a high level in the past (check out episode Ep 4 - Multi-Million Dollar Business Acquisitions). Today, we're going in depth on the financial evaluation of a small business acquisition using hypothetical cashflow statements.
We're excited to be down in the details today and encourage you to put these skills to practice NOW! Let us know what other questions arise as you explore the opportunities associated with acquiring a business.
In this episode we recap Steve's trip to South by Southwest with a special guest appearance from long time South by Southwest junkie, Joe Coffey. So much great content from some of the leading marketing and business minds in the country.
In this episode we discuss:
- A brief overview/history of South by Southwest
- Concepts confirmed - ideas and concepts that confirm Steve and Joe's beliefs and values
- Trends & nuggets - new ideas that may not be mainstream
- Big Takeaways - the mind blowing concepts
Sessions discussed on the podcast include:
- Mark Cuban - with the founders of Bala (www.shopbala.com)
- Maira Genovese - MG Empower
- Maggie Lower CMO of Hootsuite
- Jack Conte - CEO and co-founder of Patreon
- Marketcast's Dr. Martin Eichholz
As you look to start your entrepreneurial journey, you will have periods of highs and lows. Excitement you think will last forever and an almost crippling sense of stress and anxiety. To get through, you have to remain steadfast in your belief of a positive outcome in the face of adversity.
One of the best ways to overcome the stress and anxiety of starting and running your own business is to build up a network of resources that can help you with any aspect of your business BEFORE you need it.
It's these types of relationships and "entrepreneurial ecosystem" that David Tominsky has been cultivating in Eastern Iowa for nearly a decade. Today, David serves as the Chief Relationship Officer for The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative where he leads the NewBoCo Studios and NewBoCo Innovation Services teams. NewBoCo Studios is a full-service startup and venture studio that offers technical, creative, go-to-market, and digital marketing services. NewBoCo Innovation Services delivers an array of services designed to infuse the entrepreneurial mindset into existing organizations.
If you've ever thought about starting your own business, you've likely experienced self-doubt. Am I really ready to start my own business? Do I have what it takes to make it work? How do you know if you have the traits to be an effective entrepreneur?
Steve addresses his top 7 traits of an effective entrepreneur based on his experience and interactions with hundreds of entrepreneurs and business leaders in his career. Take a listen. Maybe you're ready to take the entrepreneurial leap!
If you're ever feeling in a rut or struggle with burnout, you might consider taking a trip to clear your mind. Getting out of your routine by taking a trip can be a great way to get a fresh perspective and recharge your batteries.
On this episode, Steve is fresh off a trip to the Patagonia Region of Argentina. While that type of trip is not necessary to gain a fresh perspective, having a once in a lifetime international trip will assuredly open your eyes to the way of life in a different culture.
We hope you enjoy Steve's perspective and thoughts recorded only a few days after returning to "normal" life in the US.
One of the most rewarding parts of being an entrepreneur is the relationships you develop along the way. As an owner or manager, you probably know the importance of keeping your employees happy but that's easier said than done.
On this episode we discuss some unique ways to keep employees happy in our ever changing world.
So Steve is out of the country and we need to record a podcast. What do you do? Call up Steve's daughters and have them TAKE OVER the Steve Shriver Podcast.
Steve's three daughters, join the podcast this week to talk about their upbringing and what it was like to be raised in a household of entrepreneurship and business owners. They also cover their mentality and advice for entrepreneurs based on their own entrepreneurial adventures.
A bit wild and whacky, this is a can't miss episode of the Steve Shriver Podcast.
Stress and anxiety are an every day reality of life for many. This is especially true for entrepreneurs and business owners who are responsible for balancing the needs of employees, marriage, kids and self. Steve is a big proponent of good mental health practices and habits to help you get through the good times and the bad that come with owning and running a business. That's why he's brought on Rina Jensen to discuss that topic in depth.
Rina is a Mental Fitness & Resilience Coach who meshes neuroscience, energy work and spirituality to create massive and instant change in the subconscious mind. Her teachings help reduce stress, fear and anxiety and increase joy, happiness and improve relationships.
Links mentioned:
https://anchor.fm/notjustprettyfaces/
https://rinajensen.com/
https://youconferences.com/
How do you go from a "wantrepreneur" to an entrepreneur? Well, we're glad you asked! On this episode of the podcast we talk to AJ Vens of Wolf Den Wares about turning is 5 - 9 into is 9-5.
AJ is employed full time and looking for advice on how to turn his side hustle passion into his livelihood. Check out Steve's advice and get inspired to chase YOUR entrepreneurial dream!
The best business and entrepreneurial books can have a profound impact in your business and life. In this episode we explore the takeaways from a few of our favorites!
One of the biggest excuses for NOT starting a business is a lack of financing. People are often apprehensive about starting a business without proper financing. The fact is, if financing is your ONLY concern, you may be one conversation away from starting your entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode we sit down with Josh Moore from Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust to discuss the ins and outs of bank financing and the best way to start and build a relationship with a business banker near you.
If you're like many small businesses and entrepreneurs, your plan for the upcoming year may have room for improvement. More than 50% of small businesses fail within their first year of operation. 95% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years.
Going through the planning process can help your business thrive in 2022. Listen to this episode of the Steve Shriver Podcast to learn how Steve plans for his businesses growth in 2022 and beyond.
Have you ever felt like you couldn't trust anyone to do anything? Ever thought, to get it done right, I'll just have to do it myself? High expectations are almost a standard for many entrepreneurs.
In this episode, Steve discusses his mentality and how he has lowered his expectations AND driven better business growth. If you've ever felt like you have to do everything yourself for your business to grow, you MUST listen to this episode.
Steve was recently asked to speak at a conference on the Evolution of a Manufacturing Entrepreneur. It was well received by the audience so we decided to bring that content to the podcast.
This episode has some great insights from Steve's 20+ years as a manufacturing entrepreneur. Check it out and let us know what you think!
It's October and it's getting spooky outside! In the spirt of Halloween, Steve has decided to share horror stories from his entrepreneurial journey. From poo on product to run ins with the police, Steve has seen some sh**!
If you get into business, you're bound to have your own horror stories. We hope Steve's horror stories will give you some perspective on your journey.
Check out this episode and if you have horror stories, we'd love to hear them!
To be an entrepreneur is to be resourceful. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs got their start on recycled office furniture, unwanted office space and other scrappy tactics.
Steve is no different and is sharing stories of how he's used his scrappy nature to push the boundaries and help his businesses grow. From borrowing hotel furniture to borrowing money, there's all sorts of scrappy tactics you can use to get through the tough times.
Check it out on this episode of The Steve Shriver Podcast!
Mastering business and financial terminology is one of the best ways be a confident and successful entrepreneur. While it may not be a guarantee of success, if you can manage the terms discussed in this episode we guarantee you'll be a more aware and effective business manager.
Check out this episode for Steve's top finance terms that all entrepreneurs should know when starting and managing a business. Don't know some of them? Most people don't, so check out this episode and unleash your inner finance nerd so you can make it in business, and make it good!
We're all about spreading the gospel of entrepreneurship and helping others learn from our experiences. On July 1, 2021, college athletes were empowered to profit from their name, image and likeness for the first time catapulting hundreds of thousands of college athletes into the world of business and entrepreneurship.
We sat down with former college and professional athlete, Nate Kaeding, to learn more about name, image, and likeness and what he'd recommend to current college athletes as they begin their journey into entrepreneurship and how to best navigate the business world.
We're keeping it light with this week's episode of the podcast. Generally speaking an entrepreneurial mentality comes with some quirky ways of viewing the world. Whether it's how you view money, business or your personal life, there's obvious signs you're an entrepreneur. Steve shares some of the ways he knows if someone is an entrepreneur.
You might be an entrepreneur if...
Like many entrepreneurs, Steve's global travel experiences have shaped his outlook on life and business. Whether it's mountain climbing in Argentina or backpacking through Nepal, Steve's global thinking and local efforts have driven business and community growth in Eastern Iowa for 30 years.
In this episode, Steve is acting locally with an interview of Cedar Rapids Mayoral Candidate Amara Andrews. Learn more about
- The journey from entrepreneur to a mayoral candidate
- How does entrepreneurship experience help a mayor?
- Did Amara REALLY endorse cannibalism?
Should businesses be more than just profit engines for owners and shareholders? Is there a benefit to my business for being a certified "B-Corp"? What is the Triple Bottom Line anyway? Learn about the Triple Bottom Line and see how creating a culture of prioritizing People, Planet and Profit have helped Steve's businesses grow and thrive over the last 20+ years!
We had the pleasure of recording an episode of the podcast LIVE at one of the largest entrepreneurship festivals in the midwest, Entrefest. We reached out for questions before the festival and got dozens of questions Steve answered in rapid fire format. Check them out in this edition of The Steve Shriver Podcast!
Being an entrepreneur isn't all sunshine and rainbows. The path of an entrepreneur can be filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. How do you get through it all? Listen to this episode and hear Steve's thoughts on how to get through the difficult times of entrepreneurship.
You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with the right mindset. In this episode, Steve gives insights into his mentality and how being a self-made entrepreneur started with a little encouragement from his mom.
In this episode of The Steve Shriver Podcast Steve talks about his largest business acquisition to date. Steve dives into the details on how Eco Lips acquired Simply Soothing , a fellow Iowa-based personal care company responsible for bringing Bug Soother Insect Repellent to the market. This is a can't miss episode for anyone looking to learn more about the process of purchasing another business!
It is very common for entrepreneurs to utilize partnerships when starting a business. Listen to this episode of the Steve Shriver Podcast to make sure you're setting up your business partnership for success.
In this episode Steve talks about his philosophy for starting a business. A great way to help gain traction and grow a meaningful business is to not only start a business, but to start a movement. What does that mean, exactly? Listen to find out!
In this episode Steve discusses how his near death experience on a mountain in Chile created one of his guiding life principles, Safety Last. What's that mean for you? Check out the episode!