The Ideal Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
Joe Sova
When you listen to Ideal Business, you will discover ways to double your impact and double your income. We cover business strategy, entrepreneurship, and local business success!
If you're an entrepreneur, you've probably asked yourself "how do I know when I can afford to hire someone?" After you listen to this episode, you'll know exactly what the answer is for your business...listen now!
It takes a special person to support their family through entrepreneurship. When you listen to this episode, you are going to find how much impact it really makes!
You probably know that successful businesses are a marathon not a sprint, right? After you listen to this episode you will learn how to level up from the short term DIY mentality!
If you're like most business owners, multitasking is a natural thing. But you may not realize yet how much this habit is actually costing you. After you listen you'll know why!
If you're like most entrepreneurs, you probably started your business to have freedom, impact, and income. And as you know, that freedom can quickly disappear as you get pulled into putting out fires, wearing all the hats, and more. After you listen to this episode, you will discover 4 simple ways to become the Dialed in CEO with the freedom you dreamed of!
If you're someone ready to take your business to the next level, this episode is for you! You probably know that great businesses are built by great teams. You will discover 4 simple steps to hiring your BEST team after you listen!
If your like most entrepreneurs, you may have thought "I'll hire someone when I have more revenue." But when you listen to this episode, you will realize that is exactly what's keeping you stuck!
When you listen to this episode, you will realize how one simple word can impact how you see your business. The more you understand this concept, the higher you can take your own business!
Starting a small business can be tough, but starting in a pandemic can be almost impossible...until you adapt and thrive! Patrick Patino was forced out of his corporate gig and into entrepreneurship in 30 days. Listen to discover how he found what he loves to do and is now thriving in his own business!
Life gets busy...and it gets especially busy when running a small business! In today's start-up series episode, Kelly Spurgeon CEO/Founder of Zeal tells us her story of how she went from corporate to start-up during a pandemic! If you enjoy small business
You probably have heard before that the golden rule in business is to “begin with the end in mind.” And if you’re like most entrepreneurs, you already know that before you can achieve huge results, you must understand the steps needed to get there. That’s exactly why we speak with Jill and Brad from Exit Playbook as part of our “IDEAL Start-Up Series!” after you hear this episode you will fully understand why it’s so important to have a plan in place from Day 1!
When building a successful business, finding great employees can make or break your company. Today Mike Zeigle from Careerlink brings us proven ways to help your business find and hire the best staff possible! Mike’s many years of experience will benefit you whether you’re hiring your 1st or your 100th employee! Click and take a listen!
There’s a lot of chaos in the world today. There’s more division than ever before. If you’re tired of all the negativity and suffering you see on the news and online, take a few minutes to watch this video.
Tara Bowne shares a deeply personal and amazing story of how her family brings light into the world through their son Ryker. Do yourself a favor and shut off the news, close your social media apps, and embrace this story of love and good-will that makes our world a better place.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with your business? Trying to juggle home, work, and personal life all at once? Well, today we speak with Jenny Alford of Davis & Co Designs, who had a new born baby, started a business, AND navigated the impact of COVID right as she opened her doors!
Jenny has an amazing start-up story to share as part of our “IDEAL Start-Up Series!” Her business is thriving through all the turmoil of 2020 and has a bright future ahead.
Watch the video now and click the link in the comments for future updates!
This one is for the dreamers, the doers, the entrepreneurs...who have not started yet.Or maybe you’ve started your business but you’re questioning if you made the right move. Or maybe you’ve been at this start-up game for a while and you’re just having one of those days where you think having a “real job” would be much easier! So if you dream of having a small business, if your goal is to work for YOU, but you continue believing that the risk is too great, then you are leaving your fate up to something outside of your control. And where will that get you in life?
Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Today we hear an amazing story of risk, reward and, most importantly, donuts as part of our “IDEAL Start-Up Series!” Elizabeth Pooley, founder of Square Donut in Omaha, is our guest and she tells us about the obstacles she faced, the divine intervention she experienced, and what it’s like starting a new food business during COVID! If you’re someone who appreciates determination, entrepreneurship, and sweet tasty treats then click and listen to her story now!
One of the biggest mistakes people make in business is not fully understanding their numbers before hiring an employee. Hiring without knowing the true costs is like buying a new car without checking the sticker price! If you’re someone who is serious about running a successful business then you already know the value of planning ahead. Listen now to learn exactly how to budget for your next employee!
If you are starting a new business, one of the hardest things to navigate is the paperwork needed with your state. Where do you start? Do you need a registered agent? Can I file all the paperwork myself? We discuss these questions and more with Amy Purdy of URS Agents today as part of the “IDEAL Start-Up Series!” If you’re someone who wants to start your business off right, you’ll want to listen to Amy in this interview!
Small business makes a big impact in our communities.
In fact, small businesses are responsible for creating millions of jobs and provide income for families all over the world.
By supporting local businesses, we help improve our economy and increase our sense of togetherness.
Our mission at Ideal is “Local Business Success!” Let’s make a conscious effort to stand behind local and build a better future together!
We are featuring new businesses to support in our "IDEAL Start-Up Series!" Today we speak with Christen Scofield from the Bright Side of Happy! Christen tells her start-up story of juggling health, family, and a new business through the challenges of COVID-19!
Additional guidance was provided on a common PPP question about early forgiveness last week. We discuss how this impacts your loan along with additional grant opportunities that are available. We also cover some free marketing tools provided by Google and Facebook that can give your business a boost along with an open Q&A.
Another week brings more changes to the PPP program. This week the SBA released a new simplified forgiveness application so we cover the details during this call. In addition, a common question has been "what do I do when PPP funds run out?" We cover two possible solutions to look for along with updating the Nebraska Stabilization Grant process
The PPP forgiveness process has changed once again. Luckily the changes are not as dramatic as last week, however there are things to note as you use the funds. Also, the state of Nebraska announced a new grant program offering up to $12K for businesses impacted by COVID-19. We discuss these topics and more with a live Q&A.
The PPP Flexibility Act significantly changed the PPP loan forgiveness process. Most of the changes are postiive and will help business owners achieve full forgiveness. However, there are a few landmines to watch out for with the new law. We discussed these changes with an open Q&A on our Monday discussion call.
New guidance was issued regarding the PPP Loan forgiveness process. Today we cover the important aspects of the application along with potential changes that can impact how the funds are used. Listen now for the latest update!
Small businesses are taking small steps towards normalcy and re-opening as of May 4th. The Governor established a business task force to provide information on best practices for re-opening and to get real-time feedback from local businesses. Dept of Economic Development Director Tony Goins is the chair of that task force and joined us to discuss.
There are still questions remaining about PPP forgiveness, the EIDL program, and more for businesses to answer. We went straight to the source and invited the District Director of the Small Business Administration Leon Milobar to join our weekly round-table. Leon was generous with his time and very helpful answering questions many of us face during COVID-19
I hosted a round-table discussion on Monday April 20th with 60+ small businesses. We discussed the steps needed to ensure you get PPP loan forgiveness and what to do if you were not able to get the first round of funding. We also covered what to do as the world starts to "normalize" again
The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt by small businesses across the nation. To help us through this, we held a round-table discussion with small businesses on April 13th. We cover details on SBA loan programs along with creating our future as entrepreneurs through these changes.
There is a lot of new "stuff" out there for small businesses including the PPP Loan, EIDL advance program, tax deferrals, tax credits, and more. If you are feeling uncertain and overwhelmed, you are not alone! We hosted a round-table discussion on April 6th to clarify the different programs available for your small business.
There are many ways a small businesses can receive help through the new CARES Act. Today we cover the details of the new forgivable SBA loan program, potential payroll tax deferrals, and more. We hosted 50+ like-minded small business owners for a round-table Q&A
Things move fast in this COVID-19 environment and there is a lot of uncertainty with how to handle HR details. At Ideal Payroll, we are getting many human resource related questions on Family Medical Leave, Emergency Paid Sick Leave, how to handle layoffs, PTO balances, and more. On March 27th, Doug Pedersen of HR Systems Inc joined us for a Q&A. Doug has 25+ years of HR experience and helps businesses of all sizes. If you need further help, you can reach out to Doug and/or consult your attorney.
We have all felt the impact of COVID-19. Small business is hurting, but if we stand together we can get through to the other side of this issue. I held a conference call of approximately 50 small businesses on Monday March 23rd. We discuss multiple issues facing small business including SBA loans, Dept of Labor unemployment options, marketing your business, and much much more. This episode brings the roundtable discussion to you. We are all in this together!
Today is a "best of" episode featuring Maddie Carson of Carson's Cookie Fix. Maddieo made the decision to re-brand her small business after the prior business had been in existence for 40 years! She shares her story of how building processes, getting team members involved, and focusing on a specific product line lead to her success.
Today we share one of my favorite episodes in a "best of" the podcast edition! RISE is an organization that brings entrepreneurship and business ideas to incarcerated men and women in Nebraska. This incredible program benefits the community, the participants, and the volunteers.
In this episode, we discuss mindset and how to overcome your inner thoughts that may be holding you back. Janelle Roker is a strategy coach that discusses the mental side of business success.
Do you ever have a day when everything goes wrong? Employees have issues, customers are calling, and nothing seems to go the way you want it to go! Believe it or not, but these days are the BEST days for growing your business. Problems can lead to change which sets your business up for long term success! Listen to this episode to hear the details!
Does the name of your business impact your success? Does your logo and branding really matter? Today's episode we discuss how a name can have a big impact on the customers and employees in your business. We also get into why I changed the name of this very podcast and what that means for the future of the show. Take a listen!
Where do you come up with new ideas for your business? Are you creating something entirely brand new every time you do a marketing campaign or build a process? Likely, you are "borrowing" from other ideas and systems that came before you. Today we discuss 4 ethical ways to borrow ideas to help improve your business. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel when you can use concepts and tactics from others that have been there before you.
Do you want more engagement with prospective customers? How about an easy way to qualify leads and get them info they need more efficiently? RJ Redden joins us on the show to discuss how chat bots are a tool to do exactly those things and more! You'll be surprised at how much a bot can do while keeping things personal and not "robotic."
It's January 20th, 2020 and I have a scary question for you. Have you been sticking to your New Year's Resolutions? Have you been taking action towards your 2020 small business goals like you planned back in November/December? If you're like most people, the answer is NO! Most resolutions and goals do not make it past the second week of January. Today we discuss how you can add two easy actions to your day that will help you stay on track for your goals. Take a listen now!
The mental part of small business can be a challenging obstacle to overcome. It's not easy to stay positive when everything around you seems to go wrong! Em Ducharme joins us today to tell her story about staying positive and being mentally strong. These concepts help our business in many ways including building a team to support you during down times.
Can you describe the difference between branding marketing and selling? All three are important concepts to master in your small business if you want to drive growth and success. Today we discuss why it's important to understand each concept, where they overlap, and how to use each to your advantage in 2020!
Big and exciting changes are coming to Local Business Talk for 2020! We are taking a brief break for the holidays and will come back in January with exciting news.
Nobody likes talking about taxes. But it is absolutely necessary in small business to understand your numbers and where taxes comes from. Unemployment tax is often confused with insurance, but it's the only tax small business owners can control. Today we discuss what you need to know about this tax, how it's calculated each year, and what you can do to make sure you keep your rate low.
What if there was a new way to hire employees that would not only keep employees happy, but it would increase productivity in your organization? Hiring and retaining good, quality employees has long been one of the biggest challenge small businesses face. Today Jessica Charlsen joins us to discuss a new way to look at filling the roles in your business called job sharing.
Most small business owners do not want to think about the legal side of operating their business. But we can't bury our heads in the sand and pretend there are no threats to consider. Disputes over contracts, employee issues, landlords, and more all can cause huge issues if not handled the proper way. Jon Brown is Partner at Walentine O'Toole and joins us today to discuss the basics of protecting your small business.
Consistent results are not always common in small business. Our attention can be drawn to several areas every day and sometimes things fall through the cracks. Today we discuss the best way to limit this issue and how to be consistent inside your business so that you can build the business of your dreams!
Are you prepared for year end in your small business? December seemed to sneak up on us as always, but the good news is we have you covered! Today we discuss 5 things every small business needs as we approach 2020. These are simple and easy tasks that will make sure you finish this year on a high note! Click the link to listen to the full episode!
Do you have control of your thoughts? Or do you let your thoughts control you? It's a deep question that is important in our ongoing quest for growth and success. Today Paul Halpine joins us to discuss his book "A Disciplined Mind and a Plan to Achieve It."
What do you do when nothing goes your way? Is it possible to still be grateful even on your worst day? I experienced a day full of roadblocks and momentum stoppers and it was extremely frustrating. But by the end of the day I was grateful for what I experienced and what I have to look forward to next. Listen to the full story on this episode of Local Business Talk!
Imagine you are looking for a business partner. You need someone that will help guide your company for the next 20 years. You've interviewed hundreds of candidates and have narrowed your choices down to three potential hires. Now you must choose only ONE! And your choices happen to be Patrick Swayze characters...Dalton from RoadHouse, Sam Wheat from Ghost, and Bodhie from Point Break! Each character brings some entrepreneurial traits to the table so we must decide who would make the best business partner in your small business.
Do you know what your reputation is online? How can you control what comes up when someone searches your name or company without paying for an ad? These are topics we must be aware of in the digital world we live in. Dave Klein of AMP joins us today to discuss how we manage our internet reputation and how to increase traffic results organically without paid ads.
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Dovydas Viskelis has an entrepreneurship journey that has taken him all over the world. He's overcome cultural differences, changing expectations, and other obstacles to successfully own his own small business. Dov's story is an example to all of us about how fortunate we are to live in the land of opportunity.
Hollywood likes to give us feel good stories of a hero coming up to one final chance or one ultimate opportunity to win. That makes for a great 2 hour movie, but this is the opposite of how we should approach our small businesses. Today we discuss the value of being a scientist and experimenting with failure. Click the link to listen to the full episode!
Today we wrap up Veteran's week with an episode that gives perspective on the importance of military service. We get to work in our small businesses because of the sacrifices that our military men and woman make every day. Let's take a moment and thank them all for their service.
Veteran's week continues on the Local Business Talk Podcast with guest Roman Roberts. Roman is a US Army Veteran who uses his military experience to help small businesses streamline process, solve problems, and grow their bottom line. We discuss several areas of his military background and consulting experience.
We continue Veterans week on Local Business Talk with our guest Bob Fritz. Bob is an U.S. Army Veteran and operates two successful small businesses. The first business he started from scratch in the pet care industry and the second business is a home health care franchise. Bob has many lessons to share from his experience along the way.
We celebrate Veteran's Day today and honor all those that have served our great nation! Freedom is not free so thank you to all verterans who protect our country and allow us to operate our small businesses. Did you know you can earn a significant tax credit for hiring certain groups of veteran employees?
Burnout is real. You may not think it can hit you because you feel good right now, but the stress, overwhelm and non stop action of being a small business takes a physical and mental toll on EVERYBODY! Today I discuss how I learned to take a vacation and why it's a critical element of business success!
Entrepreneurship can be a roller coaster of ups and downs. Tristan Wright joins us today and tells the story of how he was riding high, hit the lowest of lows, and came back stronger on the other side
Motivation is a hot topic both the personal development space and the business world. But motivation only can take you so far. To get true results you need momentum on your side. Today we discuss the difference between the two concepts and how momentum can bring you to ultimate success!
Today is November 1st so we just finished up with Halloween. I happened to visit our local pumpkin patch multiple times which may seem like torture for many people, however I took some valuable lessons from the experience. In this episode I compare my time at the pumpkin patch to business topics such as not following the crowd, pushing through the tough times, and building a fantastic company culture. Click to listen to the full episode!
This is a special Halloween edition of Local Business Talk so we bring on magician and memory expert Denny Rourke! Denny has spent 45 years perfecting his craft and uses his skills to help businesses gain marketing attention and drive more sales.
Using social media in your small business can bring a lot of value to your company and your followers. It can also expose you to some unexpected hazards that are difficult to navigate. Our guest today is LeAnne Morman who has an extensive background in media, PR, and small business needs
Year end is approaching fast and a topic many small business owners face is how to handle employee bonuses. There are several things to consider from the type of bonus, when to tax, when to pay, and more. Today's episode covers the basics you need to know about employee bonus pay.
Today our topic is the 90's movie Tommy Boy with Chris Farley and David Spade. This movie is about an auto parts company in Sandusky, Ohio and the characters that operate the small business. We can take a lot of good lessons from Tommy, Big Tom Callahan, Richard and Ray Zalinski back to our own small business lives.
Facebook is the largest social media platform on the planet. Everybody is using it for personal reasons, but can it be effective for our small business? There's a lot to learn and the platform is constantly changing. Tom Luke joins me today to discuss all things Facebook including ads, algorithms, and more.
Sometimes the most difficult part of small business is just getting started. Of course, once we start there are many obstacles and challenges so pushing through and being persistint is a key trait of any entrepreneur. Paul Madsen joins us today to discuss his journey through recruiting talent, coaching business owners, and producing almost 100 episodes of "The Grow Your Biz" show on cable TV and online.
How much of your revenue is dependent on just a single large client? What would happen if your largest customer no longer used your services? This isn't a fun topic to think about, but it's an important discussion in small business. Today we cover what it means if a large client leaves and how to best prepare your business to handle the loss.
Today's episode is about change in our small businesses. We see changes to employees, changes with customers, changes with our vendors, and more. How do we react to change? What should we do when unexpected changes happen? The song "Keep on Rollin" by REO Speedwagon has some fantastic advice when it comes to this topic in our small businesses
So many of us go through life and business without knowing what we really want to do. Tocarra Nicole was there but figured out how to break free and unlock her potential. Today she teaches women entrepreneurs how to do the same. Her message is powerful and energy is amazing so listen close to this episode! Topics we cover include:
Revenue is what drives small business forward every day. What if you could find more revenue in your business without re-inventing the wheel? Howard Wolpoff helps small business owners get more clients and increase revenue without spending more money.
How much should you charge for services? Is your price too high? Is it too low? There are endless questions when it comes to pricing and generating revenue for small business. Today I discuss a different view of pricing and how to test the waters to see what the market will pay. You could be leaving a lot of untapped revenue on the table without even knowing it!
This week our topic comes from the Prophet Habakkuk who was a biblical prophet around 600-700 B.C. I listened to a Bible verse on Sunday that struck home with virtually every line that was read. Themes such as crying out for help, writing down a vision, and playing the game for the long term all are discussed in this one verse. We can take these ideas back into our small business today!
This is the 100th episode of Local Business Talk! We've covered many topics, went through a few iterations of the show, and learned a lot along the way. Today I recap the journey it took to go from episode 1 to 100 and cover the big lessons I learned throughout the process. It's a fun experience talking small business and hosting the show and I look forward to 100+ more episodes!
Cyber security is something every small business needs. Unfortunately, most steps to protecting our businesses are usually missed even when they are easy to complete. Rob LaMagna-Reiter of FNTS joins us today to discuss simple and effective ways we can protect our small business from cyber attacks
There is a change coming effective January 1st, 2020 to the minimum salary threshold needed to classify employees as salaried. Employees must earn at least $12,000 more than under the previous law. This change will impact over 1 million workers nationwide so make sure you are prepared.
This week I tell the story of when I recently played a 74 year old man in racquetball. I felt really confident going into the match, but things did not go as planned! My opponent dominated the match and I learned several lessons that translate to the world of small business.
There are many areas to address during the first month of owning a small business. Brian Gross joins us today to discuss what he's experienced since recently taking over an established State Farm Agency. We cover a lot of topics such as how he's made the transition for himself, his staff, and his customers in a short amount of time.
iring skilled employees is a difficult task for most small business owners. That's why Metropolitan Community College offers valuable resources to both local businesses and to individuals seekers. The MCC Workforce Innovation Division bridges the gap between what businesses need and what skills are necessary for employees to learn.
Two weeks ago I discussed how it's dangerous to associate your brand with a negative message. Today the proof of that theory is alive and well as I drove past the billboard in question from episode 86. This marketing message is so terrible I had to make a follow up episode to discuss two more points about what we can do in our small businesses to avoid this type of issue.
Today's topic is small business lessons learned from the musical Hamilton! This show tells the life story of Alexander Hamilton who is a complex man that played an important role in the birth of our nation. We discuss several themes from the show that relate to small business including taking our best shot, battling against large competitors, and taking action to build our legacy.
The travel industry has changed dramatically over the years and it continues to evolve. Ralph Williams of Cruise Planners joins us to share his story about starting a tech business from scratch, exiting tech and starting OVER again from scratch, and what it takes to become a top 5 producer in an ultra competitive industry.
LinkedIn is a platform designed to help those in small businesses connect. Unfortunately, many of us don't understand how to make connections, engage with others, and use LinkedIn as a proper tool to grow our businesses. David Alto joins us to discuss how he grew his following to over 15,000 connections in just a few short months and how he found his passion by using LinkedIn
As small business owners, it's easy to get caught in the trap of comparing ourselves with others. But this is a futile exercise that will never lead us to the results we want. No matter where you are in your business you are never the worst and never the best at anything so stop comparing! In this episode we discuss how to work on simply getting yourself to the next level needed to achieve your goals.
This week we are going biblical and discussing Luke Chapter 6 Verses 6-11. Whether you are religious or not we can take valuable insight from the Bible into our lives and our business. This passage relays a story of when the scribes of the time wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus decided to help a man even though it was the Sabbath because His mission was to help. We can look at various areas of our business and decide if the actions are in line with the purpose of our business
Social enterprise businesses are a unique challenge for entrepreneurs. You must balance the mission of making a difference in the lives of those you serve along with operating a successful small business. Miah Sommer of The Bike Union and Coffee joins us to discuss his journey of leaving a traditional job to start his non-profit that serves young adults impacted by foster care. It's an amazing story that will inspire anyone that listens!
Many small business owners talk about having a vision, but how do we make sure it is more than just talk? Tim Moore of VIsionwriters joins the podcast today to discuss how to use your vision as a lens, as a guide, and more inside your life and business.
Associating your brand with a negative emotion is terrible idea in small business marketing. Today I explain why I cringe ever time I drive by a local billboard advertisement and why it's critical to make sure your marketing message brings positive emotions for your business. Make sure you avoid this huge mistake!
This week our topic is small business lessons learned from The A-Team! This was a popular TV show in the 1980's about a team of ex-military commandos that helped the less fortunate. Listen to this episode to find out what can we learn about small business teamwork, using our strengths, and marketing and sales from Mr. T and the rest of the A-Team!
For most small businesses, hiring good employees is a difficult process. Hiring for a sales position can an entire different level! Greg Dyche joins us today to discuss best practices when hiring a sales person and how to be successful long term. He uses a cake decorating analogy that makes the process very simple yet successful. T
September 11th, 2001 is a day where many police, fire, and other heroic first responders scarified their lives. Today we speak with Jim Hanson who is Chairman of the Board at the First Responders Foundation in Omaha. We discuss the important work these heroes provide our city and how the goal of the foundation is to support local fire, police, and other first responders in our our community
This is the week we remember the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. The world seems like a very different place than it did 18 years ago. Today's MomentumMonday episode reflects on the opportunity we have in front of us and how we can bring good to this world even when it seems only the negative stories get amplified.
This week the topic is the opening game of the 2019 Nebraska Football season. Expectations were sky high heading into the game and many people predicted a blow out win for the Big Red. Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as well as planned. Listen to this episode where we discuss how we can use this lesson to improve our small business and achieve more success!
Homelessness is an issue that can impact your family, co-workers, employees, and others in your life. From our personal lives to professional businesses, we all feel the issues related to homelessness in our city. Today we speak with Michael Murphy from the Stephen Center in Omaha. Michael tells us about the mission of the Stephen Center and what it's like operating an organization who's clients face addiction, homelessness, and more. This discuss really puts our 1st world small business problems into perspective.
Long term thinking can apply to multiple areas in small business. Today we speak with Ron Loder of Securian Financial to get a high level overview of retirement plans available to small businesses. We also dive into how Ron and his family impact the community for long term success.
Long term thinking can apply to multiple areas in small business. Today we speak with Ron Loder of Securian Financial to get a high level overview of retirement plans available to small businesses. We also dive into how Ron and his family impact the community for long term success.
Labor Day is the American celebration of the workforce so today's episode is all about employees in small business. Surrounding yourself with great employees is critical to any small business. We discuss why employees are important and how to show your appreciation for all they do!