Small Business War Stories

Michael Slotboom is doing things on his terms. He was on track to run the machine shop at the University of Texas, but he discovered he really wanted to make custom guitar parts. So he talked to his wife and they invested their savings into starting a specialized shop. Fifteen years later, his parts are sought the world over, and you can see them on stage when you see many of your favorite artists.  

Erin O'Keefe is the kind of woman that sees a vision and makes it happen. She learned about what makes a great recording studio...and then built one! What amazing artists is she recording these days? How do you even build a studio? What is the future of the music business? All of this and more in today's show. You can learn more about Firefly Austin Studio at https://www.fireflyaustinstudio.com/

Grace Reyer and Big Henry's Vinyl and Gifts are at the epicenter of Austin music and culture. How did Grace and up with her dream job? What's the importance of self-care when managing a small business? All of this and more in today's episode. You can learn more about Big Henry's at https://bighenrysvinylandgifts.com//

Bubba O'Keefe has the spirit of the Mississippi Delta running through his veins. What stories does he have to tell about the Crossroads? Why is Clarksdale a great place to visit and/or start a business? And what are the kinds of people who succeed here? Bubba has seen it all...and he shares his stories on today's episode. You can learn more about Bubba and the Clarksdale, Mississippi at https://www.visitclarksdale.com/    

Clarksdale, Mississippi is home to the world-famous Crossroads...where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar chops. Why did Robert and Lucy decide to start a hostel in Clarksdale after succeeding with their property in New Orleans? What interesting stories live within the four walls of the Auberge? All of this and more in today's episode. You can learn more about Robert and the Auberge Hostel at https://aubergehostels.com/

And...this week we wrap up the amazing story of Alligator Records. There's even more music in this episode, courtesy of Bruce and Alligator. We also cover the most harrowing and dramatic story we have heard on the podcast to date, involving a train derailment, tragedy, and redemption.  

So many firsts in this episode! First time we have had music in the podcast. First time the conversation was so good and so long that we had to break it up into two episodes. How did Bruce get started as a record executive? Why did he give Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys a guitar?  What does Bruce think about the future of the music business? All of this in this week's episode. Don't forget to tune in next week for Part 2 to hear about how Bruce helped save a band from dying in a derailed train. You can learn more about Bruce and his label and buy all the music in this episode at https://www.alligator.com

Todd Sanders always knew he wanted to be an artist. He get into making neon signs, and he developed a clientele of businesses who sought him for commercial signs. But Todd wanted more...he wanted to make fine art with neon. He was committed. So committed that at one point he slept in a trailer in a field with no electricity. He gritted his way forward, to where today he has an iconic shop in South Austin and his art is displayed the world over. Todd shares his story in today's episode...including the story of the largest piece he has ever sold, a set of three luchador masks with the colors of the Mexican flag.   You can find Todd's work at https://www.roadhouserelics.com/

Lance Herrington found himself in a tough place when Houston, in his words, collapsed in the 1980s, and he was out of a job. He picked himself up by the bootstraps, and together with his wife Pam, they started a business restoring and selling Ford Thunderbirds out of his garage. Fast forward to today, and the Herringtons have a successful classic car business in La Grange, Texas, on a prime piece of real estate on the highway that connects Austin and Houston.  We cover Lance's amazing journey, classic cars in general, and hear about the time Lance flew to pick up a car with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. You can find Timeless Texas Classics at https://www.thunderbirdsouthwest.com/

Britton was unsure he wanted to continue his job in digital media. And then came his biggest blessing in disguise: he was laid off. He started making cutting boards as a way to make money over the holidays, and that slowly evolved to him crafting beautiful custom wood furniture, cabinets, and more. How was Britton's family crucial to his transition? How did he handle the fear and anxiety that came with making a leap into the unknown? All of this and more in today's episode. You can find Britton's work at http://lucktonewoodshop.com/. We also reference two past episodes where we spoke with Michael Dalle Molle and Jordan Gurren of GoodWood Nola, those episodes can be found here: https://smallbusinesswarstories.com/custom-furniture-business https://smallbusinesswarstories.com/goodwood-nola-growing-a-custom-furniture-design-and-fabrication-shop-in-new-orleans-louisiana-michael-dalle-molle-and-jordan-gurren        

DaVon Walker wanted to see positive, sleek, motivational clothing designs, and no matter how hard he looked, he could not find what he had in mind. So he did what entrepreneurs do...he made the clothes himself! We meet DaVon two years into his journey. We talk about his inspiration, his designs, and how he gets it all done.

Michael and Kathy Dumont made a big bet by moving from New England to Tennessee. They bet that they could buy and revitalize a historic hotel in a small Tennessee town. What happened after The Commodore Hotel opened? How many businesses now surround it? What are the rewards and challenges of revitalizing a historic property? All of this and more in today's episode.

Walter Carter and his wife Christie spent decades working in the vintage guitar business...and they had a vision. It was a vision of a guitar store where kids and internationally-renowned musicians alike could feel comfortable playing and appreciating collectible stringed instruments. The business has grown rapidly, and in a short seven years, Carter Vintage Guitars has become a destination for musicians and fans of vintage instruments worldwide. We dug into Walter's philosophy, the pros and cons of a physical store in a digital world, Carter's social media and video strategy, and more!

Amy Dee got to Nashville and could not find what she wanted: A no-frills spot with a vintage vibe to listen to great country and blues music.  So she used all of her experience working in bars in New York City and all over the land to create Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge. She currently works with Daniel Walker, a great musician who is in charge of booking great acts for the venue, and what was a dream is now a reality. Dee's Lounge has an amazing vibe that is hard to pout into words...although we try our hardest in today's episode.

Lindsey Hein is the awesome host of "I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein, a successful podcast about running. We talk about what it takes to make it as a podcaster, but her lessons are applicable to all creators, small businesses, and fans of good stories in general.

David Miller has decades of experience coaching small businesses, and he has seen a LOT. Today's episode is like sitting down with Coach...you will get decades of experience in under an hour....and you'll want to have a notepad! How do you make something the market wants? What exactly is luck? How can you maximize your chances of getting lucky? If you are serious about learning about how to run a small business...you won't want to miss this episode.  

What, exactly, is an HBIC? I didn't know until I met Stacy Ward Lattin, THE HBIC at Hopping Gnome. What are Stacy and her husband doing right in the increasingly exciting Wichita scene? What is Stacy's podcast about, and what else is she doing to inspire women entrepreneurs? All of this and more in today's show.

How did a small cafe in a strip mall in Nashville become a mecca for songwriters? What happened that changed the fortunes of the Bluebird from barely surviving to thriving? (hint: it was a major TV show). Which major celebrities let their hair down and come hang out and trade songs here? All of this and more in today's episode!  

Julia Miller is a badass woman. Together with her partner Elbio, Julia is carrying forward the legacy of Delmark Records, an iconic Chicago label. What are the challenges of being a record label in the 21st century? What are Julia's plans to build upon the success of Delmark? All of this and more in today's episode.

What inspired Peter to start a fitness equipment business? What are the books that Peter reads and the actions that Peter takes to help him discover his own blind spots? How did Peter overcome a painful change in his business involving a family member? All of this and more in today's show.