Entrepreneur Intel

Wes Mathews
Entrepreneur Intel

Welcome to Entrepreneur Intel, a podcast where we discuss the most important strategies for success from amazing entrepreneurs. Host Wes Mathews sits down with business owners to learn about how they got started running their own business, what helped them succeed and the biggest lessons they learned along the way. Be sure to catch new episodes every Thursday morning, and to make sure you never miss out on any insights, don’t forget to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, You Tube or wherever you get your podcasts. This show is sponsored by Stealth Consulting, your Fractional CMO. Stealth provides the roadmap and accountability to reach your business and marketing goals. Learn more at https://stealthconsulting.com/

  1. Revolutionizing the Roofing Industry - Mike Harvey - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #44

    JAN 30

    Revolutionizing the Roofing Industry - Mike Harvey - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #44

    In this episode, we sit down with Mike Harvey, founder of The Roof Resource, to explore his journey of disrupting the roofing industry. By applying innovative business models akin to Airbnb, Mike has redefined how roofing services are delivered, saving homeowners significant costs and earning their trust. He shares insights into his franchise model, the power of customer-centric innovation, and his vision for scaling this unique approach to other industries. Takeaways: The "Airbnb of Roofing": Mike’s innovative approach connects homeowners with roofing solutions at half the traditional cost, without owning materials or contractors. Overcoming Challenges: Building trust with customers was initially a hurdle, but referrals and exceptional service created lasting credibility. The Power of Process: Proprietary systems like their custom CRM and robust agreements make The Roof Resource scalable and unique. Franchise Growth: With an affordable franchise model and extensive support, entrepreneurs can join this revolutionary movement. Future Expansion: Mike plans to expand into windows, gutters, and beyond, while maintaining a sharp focus on roofing for now. Quote of the Show:  "We’re not just selling roofs; we’re delivering a service that transforms how people think about home improvement, saving families thousands and building trust.” - Mike Harvey  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harvey-a53bb7116/Website: https://harveysroofingllc.com/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    40 min
  2. Unpacking Visionary and Integrator Dynamics - Lisa McCurdy - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #43

    JAN 16

    Unpacking Visionary and Integrator Dynamics - Lisa McCurdy - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #43

    In this episode, we explore the crucial relationship between visionaries and integrators in business, discussing how their collaboration can drive success and sustainability. Our guest shares insights on fostering the right company culture, the importance of behavioral assessments, and best practices for hiring and onboarding. We also dive into strategies for overcoming challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including loneliness in leadership, effective delegation, and scaling with purpose. This episode is packed with actionable advice for business leaders looking to sharpen their skills and enhance team dynamics. Takeaways: Visionary-Integrator Synergy: The partnership between visionaries and integrators is essential for scaling businesses effectively. Visionaries focus on long-term goals, while integrators ensure daily operations align with these objectives. The Right People in the Right Seats: Using tools like Culture Index, Colby, and Working Genius can help identify team members' strengths and align them with the right roles, fostering better outcomes and reducing friction. The Value of Behavioral Assessments: Assessments like Acumax and Patrick Lencioni's frameworks provide deep insights into team dynamics and individual contributions, ensuring healthier work environments. Hiring Lessons Learned: Cutting corners by hiring cheaper talent can lead to repeated failures. Investing in experienced professionals yields long-term benefits and avoids costly mistakes. Overcoming Visionary Challenges: Tools like the Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) and Strategic Coach’s Impact Filter help visionaries clarify goals and improve communication with their teams. Regular Alignment Meetings: Weekly or biweekly "same page" meetings between visionaries and integrators strengthen alignment and ensure the business moves forward cohesively. Quote of the Show: "Integrators get into the details, but visionaries are always looking down the field and beyond—this dynamic, when respected, is how businesses truly thrive." - Robert Wolfe  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatmccurdy/Website: https://www.cbltm.com/Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    40 min
  3. Leading with Data in Marketing - Ben Quintana - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #42

    JAN 2

    Leading with Data in Marketing - Ben Quintana - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #42

    In this episode of Entrepreneur Intel, we delve into the insights shared by Ben Quintana, who is the Principal at Kis Solutions. The conversation explores innovative approaches to advertising, creative strategies, and customer experience optimization. Ben brings a unique perspective rooted in data-driven decision-making and the application of economic principles to foster impactful customer interactions. Takeaways: Customer-First Strategies: Ben emphasizes the power of prioritizing customer experience in shaping successful marketing campaigns.Data-Driven Marketing: The integration of data analysis and economic principles is essential for achieving marketing success.Transparent and Integrated Shopping Experiences: Innovations in automotive retail are highlighted, showcasing how transparency can enhance customer trust and engagement.Challenging the Status Quo: Success often lies in questioning conventional methods and embracing new technology and partnerships.Revenue Technology Leadership: Insights from Ben on implementing MarTech tools and managing multi-million dollar tech stacks to drive GTM effectiveness. Quote of the Show:  "The key to marketing success lies not just in the numbers, but in telling a story that the customer can connect with — one that’s transparent, concise, and built on trust.” - Ben Quintana Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-quintana-4a43682/Website: https://www.kissolutions.tech/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    40 min
  4. Unlocking E-commerce Marketing Efficiency - Charles Leikauf - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #41

    12/19/2024

    Unlocking E-commerce Marketing Efficiency - Charles Leikauf - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #41

    In this episode, Charles Leikauf, a fractional CFO and e-commerce marketing expert, shares insights into achieving marketing efficiency and driving revenue growth for e-commerce businesses. He discusses challenges with ad platforms, the importance of data accuracy, and strategies to optimize marketing spend. Charles also talks about how he works with clients to streamline financials and manage growth, using a playbook to guide decisions. If you're looking to boost your marketing effectiveness, this episode provides practical tips for making smarter ad spend decisions. Takeaways: Data-Driven Decisions: Platforms like Facebook, Google, and Snapchat all provide data, but attribution can be misleading. It's crucial to rely on accurate data for making strategic decisions on ad spend. Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER): By focusing on MER, you can determine the optimal ad spend to achieve the highest possible return. CFO’s Role in E-commerce Growth: Charles emphasizes the importance of financial accuracy, setting clear goals, and using playbooks to guide businesses through cost management and scaling strategies. Leveraging Sales Teams for High-Ticket Items: Adding salespeople to call abandoned carts can significantly boost revenue for higher-ticket items like massage tables or other specialty products. Overcoming Fear of Spending on Ads: Many entrepreneurs fear investing in ads, but Charles uses financial modeling to show the potential return on investment, helping businesses confidently scale their ad spend. Quote of the Show: "If I had a box, it's a little black box, and I could feed a dollar into it and it popped out four, you better believe I'm taking out a second mortgage and I'm putting every dollar I can into that box." - Charles Lykoff Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleikauf/Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/profit-surge-group/Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    38 min
  5. Modernizing Board Meetings with ZECK - Robert Wolfe - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #40

    12/05/2024

    Modernizing Board Meetings with ZECK - Robert Wolfe - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #40

    In this episode, we dive into the creation and innovative mission of ZEC, a platform designed to modernize and simplify board meetings. Born from the founders’ personal frustrations at Moosejaw and CrowdRise, ZEC addresses the inefficiencies of traditional board presentations, which often spanned over 100 hours of preparation for decks exceeding 130 slides. By integrating cutting-edge AI and infusing lighthearted elements into a serious process, ZEC transforms board meetings into more productive and enjoyable experiences. The discussion covers how the platform enhances preparation, ensures security, and fosters a collaborative environment that aligns with today’s technological advancements. Takeaways: Origin of ZEC: The idea for ZEC came from firsthand experiences with cumbersome board presentations at Moosejaw and CrowdRise, where the shortest deck was 134 slides, taking over 100 hours to create and resulting in repetitive, unproductive meetings.Building on Familiar Ground: ZEC was co-founded by the guest, his brother, and Edward Norton. Their team comprises members from Moosejaw and CrowdRise, allowing for a seamless startup phase where everyone spoke the same language and could collaborate effectively.ZEC’s Target Market: The platform is suited for any organization with a board, from enterprises to nonprofits. Notably, 25% of ZEC’s users are nonprofits, a segment they did not initially anticipate.Vision for ZEC: ZEC aims to modernize board meetings similarly to how DocuSign revolutionized signing documents. The platform prioritizes accessibility and collaboration, recognizing the limitations of traditional slide decks in today’s digital landscape.Infusing Fun into the Process: ZEC’s branding includes creative, lighthearted touches—such as sending cookies to client teams before board meetings, with notes that bring humor to otherwise tense situations.Integration of AI: ZEC leverages AI, powered by a secure backbone based on ChatGPT, to significantly reduce preparation time and enhance the quality of presentations. The platform’s AI is tailored to executive needs, turning users from content authors into editors.Security Focus: Understanding the sensitive nature of board content, ZEC has implemented robust security measures to ensure compliance, meeting stringent due diligence standards.Quote of the Show:  "We’re trying to modernize the board meeting experience in the same way DocuSign modernized signing documents. It’s about transforming a process that’s outdated and making it not just efficient, but engaging.” - Robert Wolfe  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-w-0abaaa273/Website: https://www.zeck.app/Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    36 min
  6. Visionaries and Operators: Building Bridges for Success with Mario Lupia - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #39

    11/21/2024

    Visionaries and Operators: Building Bridges for Success with Mario Lupia - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #39

    In this insightful episode, Wes speaks with Mario Lupia, an expert in operations and leadership, about the challenges faced by visionary entrepreneurs and how structured processes are essential for achieving their ambitious goals. The discussion centers around balancing visionary ideas with realistic operational strategies and the importance of having an experienced operator to transform vision into execution. Takeaways: Visionaries often have grand ideas but may struggle with practical execution, as they tend to focus more on the big picture and less on the step-by-step process required to achieve it.Establishing a clear end goal is essential before creating strategies to achieve it. Without a defined outcome, the steps to get there may become disorganized or misguided.Tools like the Vision Traction Organizer (VTO) from EOS are highly effective in aligning visionaries and operators by clearly documenting core values, long-term targets, and actionable plans. This alignment helps ensure that everyone is on the same page.Operators play a crucial role in translating high-level goals into actionable steps, providing structure, timelines, and foresight to prevent potential setbacks. They serve as the bridge between vision and reality.Effective operators ask tough questions and challenge assumptions to ensure realistic goal-setting and resource allocation. They don’t just accept ideas at face value but delve deeper to highlight gaps and foster better decision-making.Quote of the Show:“A visionary might see the end result, but it’s the operator who steps in and says, 'Here’s how we’re going to get there.'” - Mario Lupia Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-lupia-57a460/Website: https://opfficiency.com/Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    42 min
  7. Fractional Leadership & Scaling Businesses - Mark Scrimenti - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #38

    11/07/2024

    Fractional Leadership & Scaling Businesses - Mark Scrimenti - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #38

    In this episode, Wes is joined by Mark Scrimenti, an expert in fractional leadership, to discuss the power of fractional executives and how businesses can scale effectively using frameworks like EOS. Mark shares his experience transitioning from digital marketing to fractional COO and how businesses can benefit from having strategic support without the commitment of a full-time executive. They explore the challenges of being a visionary leader, managing growth, and the importance of setting clear goals while embracing iterative improvements. Takeaways:- Fractional executives bring a strategic edge to companies by focusing on specific needs while offering flexibility.- The role of a fractional COO is often temporary, aimed at setting up systems for growth and eventually handing over responsibilities to an internal team member.- The key to a successful fractional leadership model is regular communication, accountability, and a structured approach to planning and goal-setting (e.g., EOS, OKRs).- Visionaries need to embrace imperfection, iterate often, and allow their businesses to evolve in response to feedback and changing market conditions.- Building a healthy, growth-oriented culture within the company is crucial for long-term success. Quote of the Show:“Done is better than perfect. If you get it out there, you get real market feedback, and you just keep improving.” – Mark Scrimenti Links:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrimenti/- Website: https://vividpathconsulting.com/ Ways to Tune In:- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 - Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 - Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    44 min
  8. Betting on Yourself: A Founder’s Guide to Success - Alexandra Satine - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #37

    10/24/2024

    Betting on Yourself: A Founder’s Guide to Success - Alexandra Satine - Entrepreneur Intel - Episode #37

    In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned entrepreneur Alexandra Satine Co-Founder and Fractional COO/CFO at Your-Cohort. She shares her journey from building her first business in her 20s to gaining two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and VC-backed startups. She discusses the importance of betting on yourself, managing time, and balancing operations, finance, and people in business. Tune in to learn about her unique perspective on startup infrastructure, the differences between self-funded and VC-backed companies, and how founders can set themselves up for success by building strong teams and financial models.   Takeaways: Betting on Yourself: Building your cohort and company begins with believing in yourself, as no one will be more invested in your success than you.The Value of Time: Time is the most valuable resource, and entrepreneurs should focus on making the most of it while also giving back to others.The Entrepreneur's Journey: Moving from Venezuela to the U.S. at 20, the guest shares her experiences working in retail, manufacturing, and finance, ultimately leading her to build her own business.Operations, Finance, and People: The importance of these three pillars in any business, and how balancing them is crucial for growth and sustainability.VC vs. Self-Funded: The guest dives into the differences between VC-backed companies and self-funded ventures, highlighting the expectations, timelines, and pressures associated with each.Building the Right Team: Hiring the right talent early on is key for success, as mistakes in this area can lead to a costly waste of time and resources.Financial Literacy: Entrepreneurs must educate themselves on finance, from understanding a P&L to knowing how to structure their business and hire the right professionals, such as bookkeepers, to guide them.Quote of the Show: "At the end of the day, it's about betting on yourself, and not waiting for someone's approval. No one will ever believe in you like you believe in yourself." - Alexandra Santine  Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-satine-78907020/Website: https://www.yourcohort.co/Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Entrepreneur Intel, a podcast where we discuss the most important strategies for success from amazing entrepreneurs. Host Wes Mathews sits down with business owners to learn about how they got started running their own business, what helped them succeed and the biggest lessons they learned along the way. Be sure to catch new episodes every Thursday morning, and to make sure you never miss out on any insights, don’t forget to subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, You Tube or wherever you get your podcasts. This show is sponsored by Stealth Consulting, your Fractional CMO. Stealth provides the roadmap and accountability to reach your business and marketing goals. Learn more at https://stealthconsulting.com/

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