My Better Business Half: Recent Episodes
KITESTRING
Chris Farias and Jenn Hudder share what they’ve learned in their past eight years of partnership, entrepreneurship and agency showmanship.
Is your employee in a rut? Is work no longer feeding their soul like it used to? What can you do as a small business owner? Jenn and Chris say it’s time to ask your team member a simple question: “What’s Up?”
These conversations of “right person, wrong seat,” are never easy (especially when your employees are like family), but that’s why fostering a culture of honesty and truthfulness can make difficult discussions a whole lot easier. Jenn and Chris talk about that and the huge responsibility of being a “mood shifter” in this week’s episode.
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If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Topics
- “Right person, right seat” [...]
“That time we fired a client.” The process of breaking up with a client is never easy, but it may be necessary for the health of your business. Drawing on their own experiences, Jenn shares why she believes these moments come into our lives to make us grow and Chris explains the importance of understanding the impact that a disrespectful client can have on your business. Together, our hosts also talk about the traits that respectful client relationships have in common.
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Topics
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“That time we fired a client.” (2:13)
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The process (8:25)
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Firing a long-term client (13:39)
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Takeaways (23:05)
Links
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It’s something that every business owner deals with. So why aren’t more people talking about it? Jenn and Chris are tackling the tough topic of business financials. They get candid about their own financial challenges and why money conversations are uncomfortable until you decide that they’re not. Stay tuned ‘til the end when our hosts share the lessons they’ve learned and how you can apply them to your own business. Money sucks. But this episode doesn’t!
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Topics
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“Let’s talk about money” (1:04)
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Shame and burden (7:54)
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Uncomfortable conversations (11:42)
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Transparency with team (15:11)
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Changing your mindset (16:53) [...]
‘Tis the season to sparkle! At Kitestring, that sparkle is shared everyday and comes from the team’s collective values. On this holiday edition of the podcast, Jenn and Chris are talking about their team values and the role they play in their business. Listen in as they read from “The Little Book of Sparkle” and make a case for why every business (no matter the size) should define their values. They also let you in on one of the team’s most cherished rituals: the weekly “Laroche” award that’s given to the Kitestringer that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Topics
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Kitestring Values (3:18)
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Value Defining Exercise (6:50)
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Sharing [...]
There are two (or in this case, three) sides to every story. This week, Jenn and Chris are talking about their better business third, Brandon St. Amand. Following up on last season’s interview with their third partner, our hosts reflect on how their relationship as Kitestring’s big three has grown over the last ten years. They also chat about the importance of allowing everyone to play to their strengths, get serious about what to do when your partner doesn’t feel like a partner, and why anyone can benefit from a good helping of humble pie.
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Jenn and Chris are proud to have assembled a force that knows how to pull together through the hard times.
Our hosts share what they learned from a recent staff feedback survey and how the results changed the way they communicate more transparently with their team. They also talk about how an exercise in defining the Kitestring values was directly inspired by their team members and why entrepreneurship is a lot like being a parent.
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to rate the podcast on iTunes.
Topics
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Transparency (2:00)
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Defining Values (7:28)
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Entrepreneurship and parenting (9:53)
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Team building (11:50)
Links
my [...]
This week, Jenn and Chris are breaking the stigmas surrounding mental health and business. For so many people, dark periods can sneak up gradually and are barely detectable until the situation becomes serious and intervention is needed.
Both Jenn and Chris share their own personal experiences and how it’s been in these dark times that they’re most grateful for the support of their partnership. They also discuss the difficulty of being leaders while struggling with mental health and why, in their experience, it’s best to be honest with your staff about how you’re feeling.
And for those that don’t have business partners, Jenn and Chris share advice for solopreneurs that are looking for ways to relight their sparkle while still running a business.
It’s a heavy episode, but we hope you find comfort knowing that no one needs to suffer alone. Remember, it’s going to get better!
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on [...]
Welcome to season three: The Mixtape! To kick things off, Jenn and Chris are getting real. This episode is all about being honest with their feelings on partnership, entrepreneurship, and whether Chris should sing every episode’s title (you can probably guess the answer to that one).
Over the hiatus, Kitestring celebrated its tenth anniversary (!) so naturally our hosts are feeling nostalgic. Jenn and Chris reflect on how they’ve grown as business owners and how their benchmarks for success look different ten years on. You’ll also learn hear Jenn talk about “happy ears syndrome” and why Chris compares being hooked on business to drinking when you’re young.
Season three is just getting started. We hope the premiere was worth the wait and that you’re just as excited as we are to keep going!
If you have topic suggestions for future episodes, leave us a note on Facebook and don’t forget to
Hifyre, a Hamilton-based digital product studio, used to be a one-man show until Matt Hollingshead welcomed Alex Verdurmen as a business partner in 2011. In a first for the podcast, Jenn and Chris explore what a partnership looks like if you didn’t start off as partners in the first place.
Take a listen as the Hifyre guys take you through their entrepreneurial journey. Alex gives his perspective on entering into a partnership in the middle of a business’s path instead of at the beginning. You’ll also learn why Matt says partnership fit is “like a good hug.” Before wrapping up, everyone gets candid when talking about the most enviable and frustrating parts of working with their respective business partner.
It’s an honest discussion that will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of your own professional relationships.
Thanks for listening! If you like what you hear, leave us a five star rating on iTunes.
To learn more about our fri [...]
Fresh off a string of losses, Jenn and Chris are back this week to talk about failure and losing. When you pour your heart and soul into something and still come up short, it can be downright discouraging. But is there value in losing even if it feels terrible?
Debriefing on their recent experiences, our hosts try to figure out whether anything can be learned from those challenges. What they come up with is a list of key takeaways that will help leaders and their teams better manage the disappointment that comes from defeat. Like Jenn says, “Losing sucks, but it’s not horrible.”
When you’re done listening, why not leave us a five star rating and review on iTunes? After all, it’s the least you can do for a couple of losers.
Have a topic you’d like us to tackle? Share your podcast ideas by tweeting @KITESTRING. Thanks for listening!
Topics
- “Let’s talk about losing.” (1:40)
- “What can we le [...]
Follow your passion. It’s common career advice, but what happens when you feel like you’ve found your place and people, but not your passion?
To discuss this topic, we’ve invited our own Manager of Business Development, masterful builder of relationships, and all-around Kitestring cheerleader, Kelly Riley-Dunbavin! Kelly has flourished in her current role where she composes brilliant proposals and is passionate about all things Biz Dev, but that enthusiasm wasn’t always on display in the first position she held at our company.
Join Chris and Jenn as they follow Kelly’s awesome journey at Kitestring and describe how finally finding her “sweet spot” has benefitted the entire Kitestring team, as well as herself. Our team also discusses the importance of being honest with your employer, the concept of “right people, right seats,” and hiring for fit. You may even be treated to some of Kelly’s trademark British slang along the way!
Have a topic yo [...]
How do you sell the intangible? That’s the question on Chris and Jenn’s minds in a special Valentine’s Day edition of the podcast. Going back to basics and drawing on their ten years of experience, they tackle the topic from both a client and agency perspective. From the competitive proposal process to the importance of finding an agency that fits your company culture, Jenn and Chris walk you through the process of buying and selling creative services. If this week’s tips made your heart sing, why not show us some love by leaving a five star review on our iTunes page? Thanks for listening!
Topics
- How to sell the intangible (2:15)
- The competitive proposal process (9:50)
- Fixing client problems (11:50)
- “By being your partner, we can change your business together” (13:48)
- Educating your client (16:05)
- Hiring an agency that fits (18:50)
Links [...]
Erin Dunham and Matt Kershaw of The Other Bird are the brains behind some of Hamilton’s most delectable dishes and unforgettable dining experiences. This week, we get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the restaurant business and the lifestyle that goes along with it. Erin and Matt also talk about the importance of learning to let go and trust others to do their jobs even though you may want to do it yourself. It’s an episode full of delicious morsels of entrepreneurial wisdom! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to leave us a rating on iTunes!
When it comes to digital marketing, a DIY approach isn’t such a good idea. That’s where Chris Barnes comes in. As a member of Kitestring’s digital team, Chris navigates the ever-changing worlds of e-commerce and digital marketing. In this episode, Chris gives us sound advice on search engine optimization and we discuss the difficult choice to “divorce” a business partner when a common vision is no longer shared. If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please leave us a review and rating on iTunes. Thanks for listening to this week’s episode of My Better Business Half!
Forget about “a box of chocolates.” For entrepreneur and professor, Melanie Sodtka, “Life is like a dessert table.” With so many options to choose from, how do we choose that one slice of life that will make us happy? This is the question that Melanie explores in her new blog, EgoCake. This week, we ask Melanie about creating her blog, how to approach doing business with different personality types, and whether there is a “secret sauce” to hiring millennials (What do they want? What are they looking for?). Talking with Melanie was a real treat, so we hope you enjoy this week’s chat as much as we do! And if you’re feeling extra sweet, why not leave us a review and rating on iTunes? Thanks for listening!
Like many new grads, Kristin Archer finished school and asked herself: “Now what?” What came next was a summer blog project called “I Heart Hamilton” and a mission to encourage Hamiltonians to be tourists in their own city. Today, the blog has a loyal following and has led Kristin to a career in social media management. In this week’s episode, we welcome Kristin to the podcast and chat with this “girl about town” about how she built her personal brand through her blog. Plus, you won’t want to miss her top social media tip for small businesses! Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this week’s episode!
Batman and Superman. Sherlock and Watson. And now, Taffs and Folsetter! This week, we’re talking business team-ups with local Hamilton realtors Tricia Taffs and Doug Folsetter. The duo discusses the importance of compromising and how their male-female partnership works to their advantage when dealing with clients. Plus, have you ever wondered about the strange things realtors find in the homes they sell? Stay tuned to the end when all will be revealed! Thanks for listening to this week’s episode!
Prepare to fall in love with Kitestring’s own “heart in Moncton,” Natalie Davison! Natalie is the Director, Sales & Operations for Eastern Canada at our office in Moncton, New Brunswick. In this week’s episode we learn about what it’s like to work for an entrepreneur and how a year of self-discovery led Natalie to her Kitestring family. We hope you enjoy listening in as the newest member of our team makes her My Better Business Half debut!
When it comes to “small acts of wonderful,” look no further than the wonderful Susannah Bleasby! Whether it’s a beautifully illustrated card or a large-scale mural, Susannah brings a little bit of whimsy, happiness, and joy to every canvas she paints. We chat about how this self-proclaimed “accidental artist” became an “accidental entrepreneur” and the impacts that five key people had on her career. As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this week’s episode of My Better Business Half!
In this episode we chat (and sing along) with Teresa Cirillo, the owner and director of Studio E School of Music and Drama. Teresa takes us through her decision to open her own teaching studio and shares how entrepreneurship can be a form of therapy. We also discuss the value of personal development and the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Plus, Chris makes a compelling case for the merits of the ukulele! Sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s show!