The Business Grind Show: Recent Episodes
The Business Grind Show, LLC
Get an inside perspective on how to start, build, and run a successful business. The Business Grind explores foundational business strategies with case studies, book reviews, entrepreneurial interviews, and more.
Join us as we delve into the powerful world of McKinsey & Company with our latest episode, reviewing “When McKinsey Comes to Town.” Discover how this consulting behemoth influences everything from corporate giants to government policies. Whether you’re a business enthusiast or a curious listener, this episode is packed with insights into the strategic maneuvers behind closed doors.
In our 50th milestone episode, we reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had so far, sharing key takeaways and favorite moments from past episodes. Tap in as we discuss the importance of resilience, community, and collaboration, highlighting memorable insights from standout guests. We also dive into behind-the-scenes tidbits, showcasing the evolution of our podcast and production. Tune in to hear our heartfelt gratitude to our listeners and guests, and get a sneak peek at the exciting future plans we have in store!
In our latest episode, we embark on the captivating narrative of “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios.” Join us as we explore the evolution of Marvel Studios from its humble beginnings to its global dominance in the entertainment industry, and analyze the business strategies, partnerships, and branding initiatives that contributed to Marvel’s cinematic universe becoming a cultural phenomenon.
In our latest episode, we revisit the wisdom of Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Poor Dad” to see if its advice holds up after its initial release in 1997. Join us as we evaluate the relevance of shifting your mindset in today’s economic landscape, and discuss the significance of prioritizing assets over liabilities, paying ourselves first, and seeking passive income streams for financial success.
Join us as we delve into the thought-provoking concepts presented in Paul Jarvis’ book, “Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business.” In this episode, we discuss how Jarvis challenges the traditional notion that business success is synonymous with growth, as he instead advocates for a model that prioritizes purpose and sustainability. We also explore ideas around being adaptable, aligning business practices with personal values, and the importance of defining success on our terms.
Can a company be too big to fail? Join us as we unravel the Netflix’s docuseries, Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul. From skyrocketing success to the exclusive “Decacorn” club to a staggering fall from grace, we plunge into Juul’s history. Its splashy ad campaigns propelled its meteoric rise while controversies of underage usage led to its turbulent end. Experience the highs and lows of innovation, addiction battles, and corporate accountability, revealing a cautionary tales that’s left its mark on modern culture.
On the heels of #HipHop50, we take a nostalgic journey to comb through the cultural impact of FUBU. In this episode, we highlight how Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown created a brand that transcended fashion to become a symbol of representation and empowerment within the hip-hop and entertainment community. Tune in as we discuss this iconic brand and business moves that helped ensure their success and legacy in the industry.
During its seven year stint, the competition show American Gladiators changed the face of television, creating the path for popular hits like Wipe Out and The Floor is Lava. But the there’s more to the story than tight spandex and obstacle courses. In this episode, we dive into the makings of a show with a great concept, but poor execution. From strung out steroid fights to terrible work conditions, we explore how expensive a great idea can be when you don’t plan for the expected.
Box-tops scandals, customs loopholes and black market deals sound like the true-crime story of a sleuthy bootlegger. In reality, it’s a tale of a midwestern man with a knack for reselling collectibles. In this episode, we discuss The Pez Outlaw, a documentary on an eccentric hustler who finds fortune in peddling liscensed Pez dispensers. From international disputes to cutthroat price wars, we review a true story that was anything but sweet.
Eddie Brown is the living definition of “slow by steady wins the race.” Rising from poverty to heading a capital management firm worth over $17 billion, Brown’s memoir, Beating the Odds, describes his path of taking calculated risks to achieve his goals. A stark contrast to today’s narrative of sensationalized entreprenuership, we discuss how Brown’s thoughtful approach to building his business is not only admirable, but realistic and repeatable.
Founder of Afro Future, a cultural gathering uniting the African diaspora in Ghana, Abdullah is on a mission to spread the stories of local Africans beyond the continent. His bootstrapped efforts have landed him as a speaker at SXSW and featured in Forbes Africa. Listen as we discuss his cultural beginnings and the challenges faced when running an international business.
Learn more: https://www.afrofuture.com/
https://www.instagram.com/afrofuture/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/theruler02/?hl=en
Money doesn’t disappear, it moves. In this episode, we reconnect with Mark Testa, owner of Mark Stephen agency, who followed the money and breathed new life into his experiential events company. Listen as he talks about pivoting in real-time, from allowing remote work around the country to embracing new technologies and staying on top of budding trends. The pandemic might have tried to kill events, but if Mark has anything to do with it, they’ll continue to thrive.
What do Oprah, Beyonce, and the CEO of Lowe’s have in common? They all had a hand in saving the Harlem Chocolate Factory. We continue our conversation with Jessica Spaulding, founder of the Harlem Chcocolate Factory, where she discusses the effects of the pandemic on her new store. Overcoming shipping disasters and finanical pitfalls with a positive community response, Spaulding bounces back from depths many small businesses never make it out of. With a firm belief that anyone can be an entrepreneur, Spaulding’s inspiring story exemplifies the goal of building a business that supports the life you desire.
Learn more: https://harlemchocolatefactory.com/
https://www.instagram.com/harlemchocolatefactory/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessofhcf/
Jessica Spaulding, a lifelong hustler and professional chocolatier understands the unexpected should be expected when starting your own business. Owner of the Harlem Chocolate Factory, Spaulding takes us on a journey of rebellion, luck, and overcoming obstacles. From entering business plan competitions to opening up a chocolate shop in the heart of Harlem, she details how she finessed her finances, swayed minds with chocolate bars, and took L’s with grace.
Learn more: https://harlemchocolatefactory.com/
https://www.instagram.com/harlemchocolatefactory/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessofhcf/
These days, businesses can be more than just turning a profit. On a mission to combine people, purpose, and profit, DiverseCiti offers resources to ambitious entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses. This week we chat with DiverseCiti’s CEO, Claudia DaRobi, and a member of its community, Dr. Benita Ledet, about the impact businesses can make on its environment. We’ll discuss key opportunities entrepreneurs can take advantage of post-pandemic, the success of networking, and how to lead with love in everything you pursue.
Reginald F. Lewis was one of the wealthiest black men in the 80’s, becoming the first to close a billion dollar leveraged buyout deal. In this episode, we review the book “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun”, a biography of Lewis’ short, but powerful life, and discuss the makings of a billionaire. A titan of his time, Lewis paved the way for future entrepreneurs and demonstrated that all dreams are possible, with the right attitude and mindset.
They say some of the biggest ideas and companies are born out of a recession, but is that true? In this episode, we discuss the current state of the economy and what that means for entrepreneurs looking to start a new venture. We’ll talk about how to take advantage of a downturn, leaning into your bargaining power, and why waiting for ‘the right time’ to start a business may not be the best strategy.
Your relationship with money always starts with your mind. In this episode we dive into the book, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and discuss the financial short stories and behaviors associated with personal finance. We’ll talk about how money determines the way we relate to others, ourselves, and our potential future and share a few of our own personal opinions on creating a wealth-mindset.
Maurice Cherry’s name holds weight in the design and media industry. A designer, strategist, podcaster, and pioneering digital creator located in Atlanta, GA, Cherry founded the award-winning podcast, Revision Path, Lunch., a creative studio, and co-owns a production company called Cultural Algorithms. Safe to say, the man is BUSY. From monetizing podcasts to pursuing passion projects over profit, Cherry discusses his journey in a constantly evolving industry.
Every day we're hustling, but at what cost? In this episode, we discuss hustle culture mentality and some of the pitfalls that may come with it when running a business. We also discuss if there is such a thing as having balance when trying to start and run a successful company. Tune in to hear our take on the topic and ponder if there is a way to reach a happy medium.
Building wealth while black has never been easy. In this episode, we review “The Banker”, a movie based on a true story of two ambitious black men who became bankers and landowners in the 1950’s. Fighting against racism and financial gatekeeping, we discuss the journey of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris and key lessons learned that still apply to today’s business world. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the unsexy parts of business, vetting business partners, and knowing when and when not to stay in your lane.
Legos, the classic interlocking blocks toy, wasn’t always a hit. First introduced in wooden form and later shifting into the colorful plastic blocks we know and love today, Legos went through tumultuous times to stay on top. From reviving the company after owing millions of dollars to overcoming PR nightmares, we discuss the countless (and largely unknown) challenges the company faced. We also cover how Legos persevered and remained successful by staying true to innovation, constantly listening to customers, and creating strategic licensing deals.
If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will. With work-life balance at a premium, balancing priorities is a must. But the question is always, how? In this episode, we discuss Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, a book about directing your most precious resources (time and energy) on doing only what is essential. We review the power of saying no, the importance of routine, and why boundaries are so important to living an essential lifestyle.
Here’s some free legal advice: trademark your s**t. If anyone knows anything about new business formation, it’s Ariana Smith. Founder and managing attorney of AC Smith Law Firm, Smith helps entrepreneurs and small businesses secure their intellectual property via trademarks, contracts, more. We sat down with Smith to discuss her legal journey, how she started two legal firms, and what key advice she has for the next wave of lawyers.
Most businesses fall into two buckets: those built for scale, and those built for maintaining a lifestyle. We peel back the layers of lifestyle businesses, a venture created solely for founders to maintain and enjoy a particular way of life. Breaking down the basic principles of creating a lifestyle business, we discuss key points to determine if this business type is right for you.
Consistent winners are also the biggest losers. We’re conditioned to think that great ideas always turn into successful businesses when in fact, entrepreneurs fail more times than most. In this humbling episode, we dig through our past to uncover lessons learned from every L and how we used them to come out closer to the top the next time around.
We discuss avoiding unnecessary stress with kill fee clauses and F.U money, to finding harmony in partnerships with the proper vetting techniques.
If you decide to leave a good job and start your own business, Mr. Hugh Johnson advises staying away from wet blankets. As founder and president of HAMJ accounting services, Mr. Johnson learned not to share his dreams with everyone, especially those that would deter him from pursuing them. We walk through how he started his business with limited capital and tight deadlines, and succeeded by keeping quality service top of mind in everything he did.
If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that there’s more than one way to work. But even pre-Covid, Tim Ferris was always in favor of dramatically changing the way we operate in the workplace. In this episode, we discuss Ferris’ best-selling book, 4 Hour Work Week, and the dramatic recommendations he suggests to improve your life. From reducing daily email checks to speed reading, we delve into the hacks that may (or may not) get you closer to working less and experiencing more.
Trying to make a good business decision? Check your ego at the door. We review the movie, Ford vs. Ferrari, a historical sports drama depicting the fierce battle between the two automobile giants. Along the way, we uncover character types and questionable business scenarios influenced by egos rather than expert advice and data.
Did you know Ikea is a non profit? With so many types of nonprofits (and their close cousin, not for profits) it can be a confusing business setup. Simone Wellington, community outreach manager for various non profits, joins us to discuss the benefits, challenges and misconceptions of nonprofits, and why they’re important to society.
Email marketing isn’t sexy, but it is essential to a business’ success. Mailchimp may be a common name now, but during its 17 years of growth, the company was unlike any of the glorious startup valuations we’ve become accustomed to. Join us as we discuss Mailchimp’s beginnings, how they grew their business without venture capital, and how they continue to over serve their customer base of small to mid sized businesses.
Great ideas don’t always turn into great businesses. We discuss the chaotic dot com era and Startup.com, a documentary that covers the rise and rapid fall of one company, Govworks. Startup.com may be 20 years old, but the lessons we uncover from this cautionary tale are still relatable when starting a business today.
Starting your own business can get pricey real fast, but it may not be as expensive as you think. We discuss some of the initial startup costs to consider when developing your idea. From creating a digital presence and advertising your services, to getting incorporated and hiring your first team members, we provide a quick primer on what it takes to be the boss.
You know how to start a business, but do you know how to sell it when the opportunity arrives? We review the book “Built to Sell”, by John Warrillow, a guide on building businesses that can succeed without you. We discuss relatable stories from the book including traits to make your business sellable, how to separate yourself from the product, and how to position your exit strategy in front of investors.
You might think Apple was the sole pioneer in the smartphone industry. But have you heard of Research In Motion? Better known by their BlackBerry brand, BlackBerry RIM paved the way for instant messaging, working on the go, and corporate connectivity. We discuss the company’s humble beginnings, its wildly drunken success, and the final return to its roots.
How do you know when to leave a job for a side hustle? Lynya Floyd, life coach, writer and media consultant, describes the path she took to make this challenging transition. Comparing her journey to a symphony, Floyd walks through all of the instruments she had to sync up to fully pursue her passion. Sharing valuable tips on pricing your worth and building up an online presence, she reminds herself that it’s all about the orchestration that makes success stick.
Franchising is one of the many ways to start a business and build wealth — but is it worth it? More than fast food joints, franchising has a long history as well as opportunities in different industries. From startup costs to brand recognition, we discuss the pros and cons of investing in a franchise and why it could be beneficial for certain personality types.
What’s the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Jason John and Monica-Wright John, founders of Plant Based For You, explain the diet differences as well as why they created a business around healthier living. Starting their story in the 90’s and growing their careers and family, the Johns outline their motives for the vegan life as they build their brand through word of mouth, maintain respect in their relationship, and strive for balance between both worlds.
We review The Founder, a film that uncovers the beginnings of McDonald’s franchising business. We’ll discuss important business lessons like how to pick the right business partners and innovate during profitable times, as well as share our opinions on the film.
From selling homemade wax concoctions out of her home to getting beauty counters in Sephora, Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s […]
Business cycles are made of high and low seasons. We chat with Ashley Fouyolle, graphic designer and founder of UNWRP, who started a seasonal business creating designer gift wrapping paper. Fouyolle explains the challenges around attracting customers past the holiday season, the pains and lessons learned from business growth, and the power of online resources to overcome blindspots
Co-founder & COO of Kreyol Essence, Stéphane Jean-Baptiste shares his entrepreneurial inspiration around bringing natural and ethical Haitian beauty products to the mainstream. We discuss starting a business with your romantic partner, turning an idea into an MVP, focusing on customer needs, and more.
Success starts in the mind. In our second book review, we discuss the popular work, Think and Grow Rich, uncovering how to create material success from abstract thought. From understanding different kinds of imagination patterns to sidestepping procrastination pitfalls, we draw connections between desire and accomplishment.
Is it better to have a strong culture or a flawless strategy? We’ll discuss the common clash of each principle using real-world examples and explain why it’s important for growing businesses to strive for balance.
Starting out in a college dorm room and growing into a multi-million dollar company, Dell has spent the last 30+ years reinventing itself to remain a key player in the technology space. In this case study, we review pivotal points in the company’s history and discuss takeaways that can be applied to today’s modern business climate.
Live events may have taken a hit during COVID-19, but there are still ways to thrive in this changing business climate. We chat with Mark Testa, CEO of Mark Stephen Experiential Agency, as he reflects on his past successes and shares key strategies to remain top of mind for his clients.
What lessons can a pandemic teach a business? We sit down with Kendell Burton, business owner, designer and art director as he shares his thoughts on the impact COVID-19 has on companies. From being too big to fail to spreading yourself thin, we cover viewpoints on how a business can operate to stay afloat in challenging times.
From vanity metrics to data-informed decisions, The Lean Startup covers important foundational pieces when building out a new product or idea. Listen as the hosts explain their favorite takeaways from the book and how starting with less can help your business grow smarter.
Learn more about the hosts, Danny Shaw and Sean Micheal Wellington as they dive into their backgrounds, inspiration for starting the Business Grind and what to expect as they deconstruct the multilayered world of business.