The Secret Ingredient from Digital Sandwich: Recent Episodes
Adam LaFaber
The Secret Ingredient live cast from Digital Sandwich believes that everyone has a story behind the story... and THAT is where their secret ingredient lives. And unleashing that secret ingredient is the best way to build the relationships you need to grow your business. Twice a month we will have a conversation with folks that have used their history to propel themselves forward with purpose.
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[01:10] Meeting Chris Curcio
[03:50] The Dual Role of Owner and Employee
[08:20] Challenges of Managing and Participating
[12:15] Balancing Business Growth with Personal Involvement
[17:30] Key Lessons Learned from Being Both Boss and Worker
[22:45] Strategies for Effective Leadership and Self-Management
[28:00] The Future of Littlehouse Pools and Spas
[33:10] Advice for Aspiring Business Owners
[37:50] Rapid Fire Questions
[42:00] Conclusion
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagency)
🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45M2UwTAP1lXeZFUTMIjgD
📺 Watch and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXn1jLwvLk4c0J6wC9p1Yow
Find Chris Curcio on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscurcio/
On this week's episode, Adam is interviewing Diana Richardson! SEO, PPC, social media, and email marketer turned public speaker, Diana has a passion for marketing and all things related that knows no bounds. Adam and Diana even touch on the subject of AI. Is it taking over? Can it actually help us? Will it take our jobs? They dive deep into the reality of the work it takes for proper usage, what AI can free up for us, and a lot of the misconceptions.
We've worked with Diana before, and Adam has been on another webinar with her before. So, we're very excited and honored to have her on our podcast this week! There are some great nuggets in here you don't want to miss!
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[01:10] Meeting Diana
[04:30] Is AI taking over?
[05:30] Diana's Background
[07:40] In-house Marketing SaaS
[09:15] Proper AI Use Frees Up Time
[13:20] How Do You Use Free Time?
[15:00] What is AI Widespread Adoption?
[17:40] Reskill Yourself Often
[20:20] AI for Feedback
[24:35] Internal Processes and Innovation
[29:40] How will Google adjust to AI?
[31:00] Make Long-Form Content Valuable
[35:20] Growth of TikTok and YouTube
[37:10] Building Engagement Across Platforms
[41:15] Content and Know, Like, Trust
[45:45] Creativity and Technology
[47:00] How do we teach marketing with new technologies?
[49:40] Advice from Diana
[53:40] Rapid Fire Questions
[57:00] Conclusion
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagencyEpisode
Find Diana on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-richardson-8965a317/
And you can also find Diana's podcast to subscribe!:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6qyKBOHshDMUX0spnsu11c
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tough-love-marketing/id1698432581
This week, we have a very special guest on The Secret Ingredient. Usually he's the one behind the cameras (and you may even recognize his voice at the start of this episode), helping us bring this magic to life, and without him, we wouldn't have such an awesome studio space to act like the fools we do! I hope you're as excited as I am to sit down and listen to my discussion with Josh Troche of Pedal Stompers Productions!
From photography and videography to getting into the podcast industry, Josh has a great journey and insights when it comes to content creation. His piece of advice to those who may want to start a podcast? Don't be afraid or overthink it! It's not hard, and once you get going, you won't want to stop.
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[00:45] Meeting Josh
[02:30] Josh and Adam talk Hawaiian shirts and other fashion
[04:20] How Adam and Josh Met
[05:50] The history of Elves and More
[08:30] Logistics of a large volunteer event
[10:20] Reminiscing on their time with Elves and More
[12:40] The impact volunteering and nonprofits have on communities
[13:50] Podcast and production talk
[15:20] Josh's curiosity and learning on the job
[17:15] Josh's business journey
[19:35] Why do people fear starting a podcast?
[21:20] Josh's favorite Christmas Song
[23:10] How to leverage audiences with your network
[25:00] Opportunities in podcasting
[26:45] Josh's message to those who have doubts
[29:10] Podcasting and other content creation
[31:35] How to get started podcasting
[32:25] Rapid Fire Questions
[37:10] Closing Remarks
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 👉🏼👉🏼 https://youtube.com/@digitalsandwichagency?si=zC8LOL5qyxdrCALL
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagencyEpisode
Find Josh on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroche/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pedal-stomper-productions/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pedalstomperproductions6240
And listen to his podcast, where he hosts Adam!:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN3exc_Oby78p1EkqXbzd78YShPKzLIvU&si=sZOJs18iTSnJnbP1
This week on The Secret Ingredient, we welcome back Ned Parks! Adam has done many Facebook Live videos and has had Ned on this podcast a couple of times in older episodes, and each time Ned always brings new nuggets of information wrapped in a lesson to use in business or even in life.
We love Ned's stories and how he can always find something to learn from them. From his insightful videos on his YouTube channel to just being able to say you've experienced a workshop led by Ned, there's always something to take away.
So, sit back, take some notes, and get ready to laugh and learn (hopefully)!
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[00:40] Meeting Ned
[01:30] What's Bothering Ned?
[03:20] Comedy Workshops in Business
[05:00] Adam and Ned Create a Workshop
[06:15] Ned's Thoughts on Networking
[08:00] Building Relationships in Business
[09:25] What's Ned Up To?
[11:40] Strategic Planning: What is it?
[15:00] Embracing and Encouraging Competition
[17:15] The "Integrative, Strategic Roadmap"
[20:00] What is Adam "Jazzed" About?
[21:20] Being More Naturally Curious
[25:20] The Purpose of the Podcast
[28:00] Attention Spans Today
[30:30] Parenting and Growing a Team
[31:25] Ned's Secret Ingredient[34:35] Rapid Fire Questions
[35:30] Closing Remarks
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 👉🏼👉🏼 https://youtube.com/@digitalsandwichagency?si=zC8LOL5qyxdrCALL
🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast too!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45M2UwTAP1lXeZFUTMIjgD
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagencyEpisode
Find Ned on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedparks/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aegis360consulting2
This week's episode of The Secret Ingredient brings you one of our most interesting guests, Jon Zeit. Or, as Adam so affectionately calls him, Yukon Cornelius.
Here, Jon talks about his newest and best venture yet, Vinyl! Where "music meets blockchain," Jon also talks about the many journeys he's taken to get here, the mistakes he's learned from, the crossroads he's encountered, and the smarter people who have helped propel him and his team to success. As Jon accurately describes his journey as "chaotic," there's one thing about his secret ingredient that has yet to dull that journey, and that is his determination to always take big swings.
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[00:40] Meet Jon Zeit
[01:30] A Jack of All Trades
[02:15] Adam and Jon's History
[05:00] The Hard-Hitting Questions
[07:00] Uncovering Hidden Gems
[09:30] "Different" Networking Angle
[12:00] "Music Meets Blockchain"
[14:00] Learning from Our Mistakes
[15:15] Getting into the Music Industry
[17:40] Securities Angle in Music
[19:00] Creating the Fan Experience
[21:00] Looking Ahead in Music
[23:30] Jon's Crossroads
[26:00] Hire People Smarter than You
[30:00] Rapid Fire Questions
[34:00] Closing Remarks
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 👉🏼👉🏼 https://youtube.com/@digitalsandwichagency?si=zC8LOL5qyxdrCALL
🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast too!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45M2UwTAP1lXeZFUTMIjgD
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagency
This week on The Secret Ingredient with Digital Sandwich, Adam sits down with our Social Media Director Lindsey Curcio to uncover her secret ingredient. From unfiltered (but often filtered) fun and professionalism to studying psychology, which leads to being an influencer (weird path, right?—not really, not for Lindsey!), we follow Lindsey in her path to finding us and her passion for social media.
Watch on to see how not having a degree in marketing doesn't mean you can't still knock it out of the park and how Lindsey doesn't let other people's opinions drag her down!
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[00:40] Meet Lindsey Curcio
[04:50] Lindsey's Background
[05:15] How Lindsey got into Social Media
[07:00] Finding the Akron Bucket List
[08:00] Finding Digital Sandwich Agency
[09:00] Reflecting on College Plans
[10:15] Lindsey's Secret Ingredient
[15:00] Agency and Influencer Life
[19:00] Kathy's Gut and Intuition
[22:00] Building an Influencer Cohort
[24:00] The "Slow Burn" of Social Media
[26:00] Rapid Fire Questions
[28:00] Closing Remarks
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel 👉🏼👉🏼 https://youtube.com/@digitalsandwichagency?si=zC8LOL5qyxdrCALL
🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast too!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45M2UwTAP1lXeZFUTMIjgD
📱 Find us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagency
Join us in this inspiring episode of Digital Sandwich as we sit down with Kathy Romito, a dynamic force in marketing and public relations. Kathy, renowned for her ability to make meaningful connections, shares her journey at Western Reserve Hospital and her extensive community involvement. Discover how she's breaking barriers with innovative projects like the nanoseptic pads at airports and her strategic role in the growth of the Women's Network.
Dive into Kathy's world of impactful storytelling and learn how she's shaping the future of public relations and community engagement.
Episode Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast
[00:40] Meet Kathy Romito
[01:30] Kathy's Role and Community Engagement
[02:50] Innovative TSA Bin Project
[04:05] Women's Network and Strategic Growth
[05:30] Learning and Pivoting in Your Role
[11:00] Unseen Opportunities and Vision
[14:10] Kathy's Secret Ingredient
[15:20] Connecting to Benefit All
[19:00] Kathy's Recipe for Success
[22:30] Rapid Fire with Cathy
[23:30] Closing Remarks
📱 Find us on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalsandwichagency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsandwichagency/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitalsandwichagency
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@digitalsandwichagency?si=zC8LOL5qyxdrCALL
Show Notes for "Celebrating Three Years with Abby Peters"
[00:00] – Introduction
* Welcome and introduction to the Secret Ingredient podcast.
* Introduction of today’s guest: Abby Peters, Director of Operations at Digital Sandwich Agency.
[00:40] – Celebrating Three Years at Digital Sandwich
* Abby reflects on her three-year anniversary at Digital Sandwich.
* Discussion on why Abby has chosen to stay with the agency for this period of time.
[01:10] – Abby’s Journey and Growth
* Insight into Abby’s journey and experiences over the last three years.
* The changes and developments within the agency during her time there.
[01:29] – Job Hunting in 2020
* Abby shares her experience of job hunting during the challenging times of 2020.
* How she landed the job at Digital Sandwich and her initial impressions.
[01:49] – Transition from Retail to Digital Marketing
* Abby talks about her transition from working in retail to her role at Digital Sandwich.
* The learning curve and adjustments she had to make.
[02:03] – Reaching Out and Getting Hired
* The story of how Abby applied to Digital Sandwich and the hiring process.
* Initial interactions with the team and her decision to join.
[03:32] – State of Digital Sandwich at Hiring Time
* Discussion on the state of Digital Sandwich when Abby was hired.
* Insight into the agency’s size and aspirations for growth.
[03:37] – Early Days at the Agency
* Abby shares her initial impressions and experiences during her first year at Digital Sandwich.
* Reflection on the challenges and learning opportunities she encountered.
[03:44] – Need for Help and Growth
* Discussion on the early realization of needing more help to grow the agency.
* Abby’s role in this growth phase and her contributions to the agency.
[06:49] – Dealing with Challenges
* Discussion on overcoming challenges and maintaining a positive outlook.
* How the team at Digital Sandwich approaches problems and uncertainties.
[06:51] – Perspective and Historical Context
* Exploration of how people’s perspectives are shaped by their experiences and historical context.
* The importance of understanding and acknowledging these factors in professional settings.
[10:05] – Changing the Playbook and Work Processes
* Discussion on the need for more structured work processes at Digital Sandwich.
* Insights into the agency’s approach to constant evolution and improvement.
[10:08] – Balancing Flexibility and Structure
* Exploring the balance between having a flexible work environment and the need for more rigid structures.
* The ongoing process of tearing apart and rebuilding work processes for better efficiency.
[10:20] – Agency Culture and Fit
* Commentary on why Digital Sandwich’s unique work culture might not be suitable for everyone.
* The importance of adaptability and openness to change within the agency.
[13:26] – Continuous Improvement and Fine-Tuning
* Discussion on the ongoing process of improving and fine-tuning internal processes at Digital Sandwich.
* The role of small conversations and interactions in driving change and improvement within the agency.
[13:30] – Refining Processes and Services
* Insights into how the agency works on refining not just their processes, but also their services.
* The importance of looking back, evaluating, and making necessary adjustments for better service delivery.
[16:27] – Finding a Voice and Speaking Up
* Abby shares a moment of personal growth when she decided to speak up and share her thoughts.
* The impact of being vocal and expressing oneself in a professional setting.
[16:32] – Moments of Realization and Change
* Discussion about moments of realization and changing perspectives.
* How being more open and adaptable has influenced Abby’s approach to work and life.
[16:40] – Balancing Rigidity and Flexibility
* Exploration of finding the right balance between having a structured approach and being flexible to change.
* Abby’s journey in adapting her mindset and approach to challenges.
[19:26] – Reflecting on Past Experiences
* Discussion on the importance of reflection to understand past experiences and their impact.
* How getting to know each other better over time has enriched these reflections.
[19:36] – Learning and Growing Together
* Insight into the mutual process of learning and growing within the team.
* The realization that growth and understanding should be a shared journey.
[22:26] – Decision Making and Advocacy
* Discussion about a specific instance of decision-making within the team.
* How team members advocated for what they believed was the right course of action.
[22:31] – Passion and Experience Driving Change
* Insight into how personal passion and past experiences can drive change and influence decisions.
* The importance of listening to each other and valuing different perspectives.
[25:44] – Conclusion and Thanks
You can also watch my interview with Brent on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJVN_rxgp6M
The Secret Ingredient podcast features Brent Vanfossen, the popcorn king of Saskatoon, as a special guest. The podcast talks about people's secret ingredients for building relationships and growing their business through personalized content, social media, and paid advertising. Brent Vanfossen has a degree in history and educational administration, loves to dance and sing, is a proud girl dad and husband, and wears tiny shorts on vacation. The podcast delves into how Brent became friends with the host through the Chamber of Commerce and shares their journey from acquaintances to sharing office space for five years. The podcast also talks about Brent and the host's rural backgrounds and how they connected over being farm boys.
In this episode of the Secret Ingredient, Adam LaFaber is joined by Chris Burns, an old coworker and friend who shares some of his knowledge as a newly certified John Maxwell Team Coach and Speaker. Chris Burns is the vice president of sales at Conway Communications where Chris helps aspiring and driven organizational leaders reach their goals and maximize their potential. In today’s episode, Adam and Chris discuss the turning point in playing it safe or taking the leap of faith for your career. They also consider the reasons why some never do make that leap, new thinking on the performance-based compensation seen in organizations, and what the John Maxwell certification for leadership and coaching allows Chris to help leaders reach success. Tune in to discover Chris Burns’ secret ingredient!
In this episode of the Secret Ingredient, Adam LaFaber is joined by Vic Ing, a business owner and author who has found success across several industries. Vic Ing is the founder and president of Viking Sales Consultants where Vic has helped businesses of all sizes simplify and clarify their selling process. With over 25 years of direct experience as a successful salesperson, leader, executive, and trainer Vic has proven why he is a top sales performer who constantly is going against the status quo while challenging what a salesperson can truly be. In today’s episode, Adam and Victor discuss Victor’s forthcoming book, Selling Is Easy: If You Know the Rules. They also discuss the importance of saying no and how Vic helps businesses analyze their sales process to continue to grow and flourish. Tune in to discover Vic Ing’s secret ingredient!
In this episode of the Secret Ingredient, Adam is joined by Emily Knight, an entrepreneurship educator with over fourteen years of experience. Emily Knight is the creator of EntrepreNew, an entrepreneurship program for high school and middle school students. Emily specializes in entrepreneurship programs that incorporate partnerships with businesses in the community, mentorships, and student-created companies. In today’s episode, Adam and Emily discuss her current project and the impact it will have on the future workforce. They also discuss how education and entrepreneurship can work hand-in-hand and the positive effects such a program can have on the next generation. Tune in to discover Emily Knight’s secret ingredient!
In this episode of the Secret Ingredient, Adam LaFaber is joined by Ace Epps, Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship at Bounce Innovation Hub. Ace Epps is one of the true treasures of Northeast Ohio and lives his purpose every day. Ace has demonstrated his passion for career development and community outreach in his years of working in the non-profit arena. In today’s episode, Adam and Ace discuss some entertaining stories and the importance of networking. They also have some deep conversations around serving different levels of business growth and even entrepreneurial ventures. Tune in to discover Ace Epp’s secret ingredient!
In the very first episode of The Secret Ingredient from Digital Sandwich, Adam LaFaber is joined by Ned Parks, U.S. Army Warrant Officer, pilot, and helicopter instructor turned business consultant! Ned Parks is the founder and owner of Aegis 360 Consulting. Ned Parks brings over 20 years of business management and ownership experience in a variety of industries to the table. Ned strives to connect leaders with their teams through proven business strategies with creative approaches! In today’s episode, Adam and Ned discuss the importance of communication in the workplace and the general framework you can follow for delivering bad news. They dive deep into what led Ned Parks to where he is today and some of the key insights he offers from his experience as a business consultant.
