Small Business War Stories

Today's episode is nothing short of magical. I sat down with Daniel Whittington, the new Chancellor of The Wizard Academy. We talk storytelling, business, and what it means to run a business school that tackles business from the right side of the brain. What is The Tower? Why are there statues of Don Quixote everywhere? What exactly are the Magical Worlds of Communication? All of this and more in today's episode. 

Mick Whitcomb takes old objects like typewriters and scales and makes funky awesome light fixtures out of them. His wife Paige makes beautiful tintype photography. Mick and Paige spend 300 days on the road with their dog, going to different art shows, setting up their booth, and making a living. They are based out of Springfield, Missouri, but their customers are nationwide. This is a fascinating story, and a business model that I had not seen yet. We cover what it's like to be a traveling artist, how to get accepted into art shows, and what it's like to travel and work with your spouse. Don't miss this episode...it's packed to the brim with unique stories!  

Film cameras? Who shoots film cameras? It turns out an increasing number of people are becoming interested in film as an art medium and as a way to slow down an appreciate photography. Jeremiah Flynn talks about his store where he sells all kinds of film cameras and supplies, from the common to the exotic. We also discuss how he does tintype (or wet plate collodion) photography as a way to supplement his income and keep the business going. Don't miss the part near the end where we discuss how people can create content and lessons that can provide them with a passive income stream.

What would happen to your guitar if it got run over by a truck? Nothing, as long as it was in Calton case. Robert Steel tells us exactly what happened and what the guitar and the case looked like after it was all said and done. Robert is awesome, and he tells a lot of stories, from rock and roll celebrity stories to what it's like to manufacture in the US in the 21st Century. Don't miss this episode!

Paul Jarvis just wrote a book called "Company of One" and sent me a copy. I read it cover to cover and found it really compelling, so we hosted him on the show.  Paul talks about a different kind of business philosophy, where more is not always better.  How do you build a Company of One to fit your lifestyle and goals? Why and how should you resist the envy that comes when you see others constantly growing their business? This and more in today's episode!

Kara is amazing. Do you want to learn how you can take your art and turn it into a business that makes $100k annually within one year? Kara has the blueprint! She is also writing a book about it, and we get a bit of a preview. Kara has a successful ceramics business in Austin, Texas, but this episode is about so much more than that....we cover art, business, manifesting your outcomes, the power of positive thought and intention (backed by consistent action) and more! Unmissable episode if you are looking to take the leap on your own in 2019 and beyond.    

Did Bill Murray really climb through the window of Willie Nelson's chapel during Luck Reunion? This is the 100th episode of Small Business War Stories, and this is the perfect way to celebrate, with an episode recorded at Willie Nelson's ranch Matt Bizer, Ellee Fletcher (Willie's grandniece) and I talked about the music business, Willie and his family, how artists make money in the 21st Century, and how Luck Reunion is creating a new kind of music and content company. We also talk about community and the role that music and podcasts have in bringing people together. Last but not least, we get all kinds of funny stories about the cool, inspiring, and bizarre things that have happened at Luck Reunion Thank you for listening to Small Business War Stories...here's to the next 100!

Jeffrey Stuffings left his job as an attorney to make farmhouse ales, a specialty form of beer in the Texas Hill Country right outside of Austin. He shared the formation story of his iconic brewery, and gave some amazing business tips and ideas, such as how to really unleash your mind with just a piece of paper, a pen, and a cup of coffee. This is a great episode with lots of stories and wisdom from the front lines of starting a business.

Barry Moltz has started three companies, written six books, and done innumerable articles and radio shows on small business. It's fair to say he has learned a thing or two about how to help small businesses! Today we discuss the main 5 reasons why businesses get stuck, and how to address each one. We also talk about various aspects of starting and running a business, including mental health, reading financials, and how to keep it all together as well as possible. This is an episode not to miss!

Two badass designer women got together in Austin, Texas to create Double Barrel Design. Megan Willin and Chelsea Scharbach merged their skills to create a firm that does space design (think 3D and architectural interior design) with 2D graphic design. Their work is awesome...and so is their story!

Wow...I got to sit down with Ryan Deiss! Ryan is one of my personal influences and one of the foremost digital marketing experts in the world.  We talk about how to build your brand as a comic book or movie  character, and how that builds the foundation for everything you communicate to your customers. Then we go into specific tactics to increase your conversion from prospect to new customer. We recorded at the Wizard Academy in the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin. Don't miss this episode with one of the top minds in digital marketing.

Our first follow-up episode in almost 100 podcasts! We re-visit Seth Lee Jones in Tulsa to talk about his new record Live at The Colony, his guitar building and repair business, and how he is planning on building recurring revenue streams for his business.

Today I sat down with Jeff Bean of Helix Metalworks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We talked about what it means to be a job shop in the 21st Century, the history of metal fabrication, and what the future holds, including the prospects for 3D printing and American Manufacturing.

Today I sat down with Austin Peterson of Black Dog Traders. We dug into the refurbishment and custom fabrication of vintage-styled Toyota FJs.   We also talked quite a bit about marketing, as Austin has a lot of experience using Adwords for his business.

Today we are joined by Laurel Barickman of Recspec, a design studio and art gallery in Austin, Texas.

Today we are joined by Leslie Crow of Leslie Crow Leather, a custom handcrafted leather goods shop in Austin, Texas.

Today we are joined by Amelia Raley of Sweet Ritual Ice Cream, a dairy free ice cream shop in Austin, Texas.

Today on Small Business War Stories we are joined by Caren Kelleher, owner of Gold Rush Vinyl in Austin, Texas.

Today on Small Business War Stories we are joined by Trey Ramirez, co-founder of Spokesman Coffee, a cafe by day and a bar by night, in Austin Texas.

Today on Small Business War Stories we are joined by Allyson Garro of Coco Coquette, a wig and makeup shop in Austin, Texas.