Brainstorm: An Entrepreneur's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jason Davis and Jeremiah Russell
On this podcast, Brandon Grable, Jason Davis, & Jeremiah Russell host candid conversations about the pains and pleasures of small business ownership.
When Jason Davis started the Davis Firm, PLLC, his goal was to bring a small-business mindset to small business legal representation. In this episode, Jason discusses the struggles of creating an employee structure and culture that catered to that goal and where he is going next.
Follow his journey on instagram: @jasondavis.esq, and @davisfirm and online at www.davisfirmpllc.com
This is episode is not intended to be attorney advertising, to the extent it is deemed to be so, the Responsible Attorney is Jason Davis, AR2018026, 300 S. Spring Street, Ste 715, Little Rock, AR 72201
The Culture, a cigar experience. This episode Jason and Jeremiah sit down with David Jolly, owner and proprietor of The Culture, to talk about family, friends, connections, community, and catering to The Culture. David brings years of experience to the table as a business owner, business leader, product rep, and all around aficionado of cigars and spirits. His passion for creating a culture of service and building community through his personal and professional relationships should be an inspiration to us all as we navigate our own entrepreneurial journey.
Some highlights from the show include:
The challenges of navigating starting a small retail business;
Understanding regulatory requirements;
Building a community of service providers, even those who might be considered competition, to build and grow a business;
Scaling a business into multiple locations;
Creating a culture of community and family within your business and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Fidel Samour, owner of Fidel & Co Coffee Roasters, discusses his transition from corporate America to owning his own coffee shop. While the industries and obligations may have changed, the purpose and mission remains the same: PEOPLE.
Ep 042 - The Rogue Entrepreneur:
Rogue Architecture PLLC
Rogue Construction LLC
Rogue Community Development
The Rogue Companies all focus on a different aspect of the design and construction industries to provide a full range of service to their clients. Architecture and Construction are self-explanatory. Rogue Community Development, as the parent company, focuses on the development of affordable and market rate housing within Central Arkansas. In this episode we focus on the "why" and what the future looks like for this group and how it can positively impact Central Arkansas and beyond.
In this episode, Brandon and Jason get the opportunity to visit with Dr. Chris Jones about the importance of creating the culture in your community. Dr. Jones has a long list of accolades and is a key center of influence within the central Arkansas community. He shares some insight and experience with us around what it means to be an influence in the culture around us. His perspective is one that really holds weight in this area. Please take a chance to listen all the way through.
In this episode, Jason and Brandon discuss where your drive comes from as an entrepreneur. What keeps you going when times get tough and how to fight through the hard times.
As business owners, we all know that the internet has changed the game. Sometimes that change makes it easier for us to reach our customers, sometimes we get lost in the noise, and sometimes internet-based companies can offer what appears to be the same service at a lower rate and in a shorter time-frame. How do we compete against the internet? Jason and Brandon tackle this issue in Episode 10.
HINT: YOU DON'T
That internet based companies offer run-of-the-mill services faster and cheaper than we do allows us to focus our attention on a higher echelon of services. Those that need the personal touch. Those that require connection. It is our job to define our value to those who need our services and to tailor our services in a way that our clients can clearly see it is better to hire the person, than the bot on the other-side of the fiber.
In short, the threat of automation may be the blessing of automation in that it frees up our time.
In this episode, Jeremiah leads the discussion of the many different hats an entrepreneur wears as they are in the process of starting and growing a business. Everything from Chief Mail Opener to Chief Executive Officer. We also discuss how to take off the right hats to make room for scale and growth of the business. Oftentimes as business owners, we find ourselves getting in our own way when we refuse to delegate or let go of a particular process. We discuss how we can't make more time, so therefore we have to add efficiency, support staff, or both in order to effectively grow the business.
In this interview with custom tailor Paul Rainwater, we discuss how building a personal network is a lifelong pursuit. Jason & Jeremiah lead the discussion with Paul as he recounts his nearly 50 years of working in the clothing industry. He tells the story of how he has become a successful networker over his years in business and how relationships are the center of everything. Be sure to check out his store in Little Rock and his website here. https://qclothier.com/pages/little-rock
Show Notes:
"How has being an entrepreneur affected your parenting?"
---availability, flexibility, self-determination, instilling a generational sense of personal worth and work ethic---
"I never want to grow up and work a white collar job." - Brandon Grable
---Ironic considering you now work a white collar job.---
"How does the perception of money affect parenting?"
---Duality of money - charity versus frugality---
Links:
Hustle Sold Separately
In this episode, Jeremiah leads the discussion with Jason and Brandon about how to approach business planning for the new year and how we can take some of the negatives from 2020 and turn them into positives for 2021.
In this episode, Jason, Jeremiah, & Brandon discuss what it takes to find the right people to help build the business you've envisioned. Listen in as we discuss how to build your A-Team.
In this episode, Brandon, Jason, & Jeremiah discuss the importance of defining your niche within your business so that you can position yourself and your business to have greater value to a select group of people.
In this episode, Jeremiah leads the discussion about how to adapt and manage client expectations in a COVID-19 world.
In this episode, Jason, Jeremiah, & Brandon interview each other and talk about each of their business specialties. They also spend time talking about why they do what they do and how to find balance within the ever-changing life of an entrepreneur.
In this episode, Brandon, Brad, Jason Davis, & Jeremiah Russell discuss the transition and rebranding of Coffee & Company. The podcast will now be called Brainstorm: An Entrepreneur's Podcast and will take a slightly different direction from before. Instead of focusing on interviewing success stories of small business owners, it will become more of a round table type discussion where the most important topics of small business ownership are explored.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon share a few shots of long-pour espresso with Jason Davis of the Davis Law Firm.
(https://www.davisfirmpllc.com/) Jason shares what it was like for him to decide later in life to go back to law school, change careers, and start his firm from the ground up right out of law school. We also discuss some of the entrepreneurial benefits of working for yourself and how you can design your work life and your social life to work together to grow your business.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon get to hear the story behind Little Rock Landscape with Tony Knight. (https://www.lrlandscape.com/) Little Rock Landscape is a multi-generational commercial landscaping business that has grown from a couple of guys with a truck to doing landscaping work for one of the largest companies in the United States. Be sure to check it out! Also, on this episode, we taste coffee sent to us from one of our listeners in Texas.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon chat with Tyler Tarver (@tylertarver) who is a serial entrepreneur as well as a public education consultant. Tyler shares with us how the landscape of the education system has been changing over the last several years. This is really interesting because this episode was recorded before the COVID-19 shutdown and before we knew what was going to happen to public schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Be sure to listen as Tyler sheds some light on what the future of education might look like.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon visit with Laura O'Bryan from My Virtual.Lawer (www.myvirtual.lawyer). They are one of the only 100% flat-fee virtual law firms in the state of Arkansas. Laura shares with us her story of how they are disrupting the law industry and bringing a fresh take to client service.
In this episode, Brad & Brandon talk with Chris Dickie of Natural State Recovery Center. (https://www.naturalstaterecovery.com/) Chris is the founder and CEO of this amazing organization. Chris shares his story with us of how his past has led him to use that to make a difference in other people's futures by ultimately starting NSRC.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon get to visit with Ryan Ritchie of Rock City Outfitters (https://www.rockcityoutfitters.com/). Ryan gets his first taste of Ethiopian coffee and tells how he purchased and grew one of Little Rock's iconic t-shirt and apparel brands.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon interview Sally Howell of Starling Music Studio in Bryant, AR. (https://starlingmusicstudio.com/) Sally, also being an avid coffee lover, brings her own coffee on the show and it is some of the world's most exquisite coffee. It is called Kopi Luwak. Be sure to listen in to see where this coffee comes from. I'm positive you'll never guess. Sally tells us about starting her own music teaching studio in Bryant and what has made her so successful thus far. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave us a review!
In this episode, Brad and Brandon interview Julie Bird from Julie Bird Portraits. Julie shares her story of how she went from being a school teacher to chasing her dream of being a full-time photographer and how she has been successful at this transition. Julie is a phenomenal photographer and has carved out a niche in doing family portraits and high-end senior photos for high-school graduates. Be sure to check her out at www.juliebirdportraits.com & https://www.facebook.com/Julie-Bird-Portraits-1655433664746205/
In this episode, Brad and Brandon visit with Brandon Horvath of Horvath Specialty Auto (https://www.facebook.com/HorvathSpecialtyAuto/). Brandon is not a coffee drinker. So, after throwing some serious shade at his "regular" Starbuck's frappucino order, they get to hear about his antique car business. This is an interesting episode because Brandon has done a great job at building his business around such a niche market. Enjoy!
In this episode, Brad & Brandon have the honor of interviewing Amy Counce the owner of Nexus Coffee & Creative. She owns the coffee shop where the podcast is recorded. She tells her story of how she came up with her business plan on the back of a napkin one day and how it all has come into being. She also talks about what makes the culture of her company so unique and effective. Listen and enjoy!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
Hey guys – due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, we've interrupted our usual format to interview local small business owners about how they are dealing with the pandemic and how it's affected their business.
Thanks for listening!
In this week's episode, Brad, Brandon, and Brandon Horvath, take a break from their regular interview-style podcasts to talk about Coronavirus and how it might affect you and your business. We discuss what are some of the best ideas that we can be focusing on as small business owners and entrepreneurs during this time of economic contraction. Listen in and let us know your thoughts!
In this episode, Brad and Brandon get a chance to visit with Darrick Collier of Breakout Bar (www.breakoutbar.com). Darrick tells us the story of why he started his healthy snack company and what some of this wins he's had along the way. He talks about what it was like to go from a career in the military to being a small business owner. Breakout Bar makes healthy snacks from all organic ingredients that you never have to question. Listen in and go check out Breakout Bar!
In this episode, Brandon and Brad visit with Caleb Harris from Ink Custom Tees (www.inkcustomtees.com) and hear about how the humble beginnings of a small t-shirt print shop in central Arkansas have grown into the largest t-shirt and apparel printing company in the state of Arkansas. Caleb talks about how even in the 8 years that he's been a part of the company, so much has changed with the industry and the marketplace. He sheds some light on what Ink is doing to stay relevant in a changing marketplace. Also, we try some nitro cold-brew coffee flights. It's a good time!
In this episode, Brandon and Brad get to visit with Dustin Latchford from Hyped Promotional Products (https://www.hypedpp.com). Dustin shares his story of how he, like many other entrepreneurs, are unemployable. After being fired from his job, he decided he would start his own company. He goes on to talk about the company culture he has created and how it may be a little different from the status quo. We also get to witness Dustin's first attempt at drinking straight espresso. Dustin is energetic and passionate about his work and he is contagious with vision for success!
In this episode, Brad and Brandon talk about Brad's video production business, Flux. (https://www.thisisflux.com) They talk about how Brad got into this type of work and some of the challenges that every entrepreneur faces when starting their own business. Also, they taste test Arsaga's Coffee (http://arsagas.com/) from Northwest Arkansas.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon get to visit with Jeremiah Russell of Rogue Architecture (http://www.roguearch.com). Jeremiah is known as not your typical architect. He designs both residential and commercial buildings, however he pays an incredible amount of attention to how a building is to be used and in what ways do its occupants interact with the space so he can design something custom tailored for its purpose. We also take some time to indulge in some espresso while Jeremiah schools Brandon on the difference between the typical "floor plan" guy and the value of having a professional architect involved in the building process.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon have the pleasure of speaking with Elliott Carr from Arkansas Insurance Advisors (https://arkansasinsuranceadvisors.com/). Elliott tells his story of how he started his own insurance agency. He spends time talking about the personal risks he took starting his business and what differentiates them from other insurance agencies in their category. Be sure to listen in for some of the great all-around business advice Elliott gives for anyone who is in business for themself.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon get to witness Rob Bell of Eric, Rob, and Isaac, (www.ericrobisaac.com) try straight espresso for the very first time. We discuss the proper way to experience espresso and what it pairs well with. Also, we get a chance to hear Rob Bell's story of how he and his two business partners started their advertising agency. This is one of my favorite episodes we've done so far. Be sure to give it a listen.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon try to convince Josh Elrod of Saline County Lifestyles to become a coffee drinker. We witness him drink his very first cup of quality coffee and watch his reaction. Also, we dive into Josh's story of how he went from tending bar out of college to owning and publishing his own magazine called Saline County Lifestyles. (http://salinecountylifestyles.com/)
Josh has an inspiring entrepreneurial journey, so be sure to listen to the end to hear some of the interesting magazine inquiries he's had along the way.
In this episode, Brad and Brandon discuss Ray Ellen's journey as an entrepreneur starting his Real Estate company, Pixel Properties (www.pixelproperties.com) and what they have been doing to disrupt the Real Estate sales industry.
Disclaimer: This was one of the first episodes we recorded, so the audio is not wonderful. Be sure to stick around at least until episode 3 where we invest in some new microphones and audio equipment to provide a better listening experience. Enjoy!