Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur Brian Carney

In this final episode of our podcast, Brian takes the show on the road in front of a live audience at McGlynns Pub in Greenville, DE.

Brian shares his final Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur beer with Bob Ashby, Marc Ashby, and Jeremy Hughes, the owners of Ashby Hospitality Group which started out with one restaurant over 35 years ago and has grown to 6 restaurants, a food truck and over 300 employees.

If you only have 10 minutes:
2:29 - Learn about the (mostly) family run business from its start in 1983 to its current legacy

8:00 - The secret to success in the often brutal restaurant industry + the dynamic of entering into a family business as an outsider

12:16 - The process of succession in the Ashby Family following Bob’s retirement

17:45 - Attracting and maintaining talent (spoiler alert: social media plays a role) + the role of the pandemic on the hospitality industry (and subsequently laying off almost 300 people)

24:15 - Acquiring and restoring a landmark in the heart of the University of DE campus

30:00 - Find out what happens when you close a restaurant people love

33:00 - Don’t miss the rapid fire round - community involvement, favorite memories, and the award they’re most proud of!

Thanks for joining us gentlemen, it was a great conversation! Cheers! 🍻

And, that’s a wrap! Sending a massive THANK YOU to our listeners (in 47 countries! 😲) and past guests (we loved every single conversation 💙)! Cheers!

To watch the full episode, head to our YouTube channel!

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:
Taylor's Grog by Mispillion River Brewing Company - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/mispillion-river-brewing-company-taylors-grog/1917751

Learn more about McGlynns: https://www.mcglynnspub.com/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode of Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur, Brian has a drink with John Gooden, President and COO of MDavis, Inc. - an industrial construction, fabrication, and maintenance contractor based out of Kennett Square, PA. MDavis is a family-owned business that was started in 1870 and is currently in their fifth generation.

Brian and John have an interesting conversation about having a female CEO in a male dominated industry. John explains how they implement their values and work with the clients they like. You’ll also find out how MDavis maintains the loyalty of multi-decade customers. Listen to find out that John means when he says there is endless opportunity right out of high school.

If you only have 10 minutes:
2:12 - Learn about MDavis, their strategic plan, and John’s role in the company

7:21 - John’s career path; from the army, through college, starting at Mdavis (then leaving), and returning and working his way from the field into the office.

11:12 - Working for a 5th generation trades business with a female CEO

17:10 - Overseeing operations and handling employees - secrets of success!

20:20 - The “Cool Customers”

24:00 - The effects of the pandemic

26:20 - Team members being recognized for their work

28:00 - The rapid fire round (fitness, community involvement, negotiation skills, job satisfaction)

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:
Hazy Cannon by Heavy Seas Beer - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/heavy-seas-beer-hazy-cannon/4040628

Manhattan with Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon: https://www.knobcreek.com/our-products/smoked-maple-bourbon-whiskey/

Learn more about John: https://www.mdavisinc.com/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian enjoys a Rise IPA by Whalers Brewing Company while chatting with Alex Sonkin, founder of Due Diligence Project - a revolutionary platform of vetted resources that supports over 700 tax focused CPA firms and family offices around the country.

The two discuss how sophisticated and meticulous tax planning really is, and how understanding the tax code is nearly impossible.

Listen in on where the breakdown is between financial advisors, estate planning/tax attorneys and accountants that are working as one collaborative unit. One person should be the quarterback but who should it be? Listen to find out.

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:

Rise IPA by Whalers Brewing Company - Brian rates it a 4 out of of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/whalers-brewing-company-rise/1519133

Learn more about Alex:
https://duediligenceproject.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsonkin/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

Episode 68 - Joe Zahn | Wired Up Entertainment

In this episode, Brian enjoys a Freshies Pale Ale by Tonewood Brewing while chatting with Joe Zahn, aka “Mr. Wired Up.” 
You may have heard of Joe, the owner of Wired Up Entertainment, from one of his viral mashups. You’ll hear the story of how Wired Up went from doing 200 weddings, to being hit with the pandemic, to going viral.
Joe shares his incredible story, how he got started, and the steps he took to get to where he is now. He also explains how he grew his online social media presence, which has given him the opportunity to open up for acts like Journey and Flo Rida.
If you only have 10 minutes:
1:45 - Learn about Joe’s company (from the beginning to the rebrand in 2015) and the journey that led him there
8:05 - The impact of the pandemic 
13:10 - Going viral on TikTok—we’re talking 50k views within 2 hours
18:50 - The less glamorous side of being an influencer: the exhaustion behind churning viral content
21:26 - Funneling content creation into sales
24:30 - Find out the most difficult part of Joe’s entrepreneurship journey 
26:15 - How did Joe end up opening for major acts? Spoiler, it’s thanks to the extensive reach of social media.
27:50 - Rapid fire round: staying active, favorite event, least favorite wedding song
Thanks for joining us on the show, Joe, it was great chatting with you! Cheers!

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:
Freshies Pale Ale by Tonewood Brewing - Brian rates it a 4 out of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/tonewood-brewing-freshies/2506826

Learn more about Joe: https://justgetwired.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wiredupentertainment/
https://www.youtube.com/@wiredupentertainment5006
https://www.instagram.com/wired_up_entertainment/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode, Brian has a beer with Jon Ohilger, the founder and CEO of VEEPIO, a content optimization tool for athletes. Listen in while Brian and Jon discuss Jon’s journey to this point in his business career. You’ll enjoy hearing Jon’s insightful stories.

Jon talks about building his company and why the technology experience needed to be frictionless and seamless. You’ll be impressed when you hear how Jon’s company is one of the few companies allowed to capture first party data in third party apps. You also get to hear about Jon’s painstaking-process of acquiring a patent.

If you only have 10 minutes:

1:27 - Learn about Jon’s company + the journey and experiences that led him there

12:12 - The decision process from idea to execution + breaking into the NFL

15:45 - Working through the pandemic

16:50 - Behind the strategy to monetize the capture of first party data

22:00 - The patent process and the impact of AI

24:00 - Jon’s background in sports and how it impacted his entrepreneurial journey

26:20 - Was there ever a fear of failure?

28:34 - The rapid fire round!

Thanks for joining us on the show, Jon, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! 🍻

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:

Lawn Boy - Tonewood Brewing - Brian rates it a 3.5 out of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/tonewood-brewing-lawn-boy/3373299

Learn more about Jon: https://veep.io/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com

In this episode Brian has a beer with Anthony Raibick, the owner of Your Mosquito Pros in Parsippany, NJ. Listen along while Anthony shares his entrepreneurial journey. You’ll appreciate hearing the touching story of how Anthony came up with the idea for Your Mosquito Pros. It’s clear that family plays an important role in Anthony’s life, and his business.

Learn why building a business the right way and delivering the proper customer experience will always open doors and lead to success - but don’t miss the one key factor that you need, as Anthony explains.

HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS:

Dogfish Head Beer Pilsner Blue Hen - Brian rates it a 4 out of 5 :
https://untappd.com/b/dogfish-head-craft-brewery-blue-hen-pilsner/4183834

Learn more about Anthony: https://www.yourmosquitopros.com/
https://www.instagram.com/yourmosquitopros/

Learn more about Rivers Edge Advisors: riversedgeadvisors.com/
Connect with Brian Carney on Instagram @riversedgeadvisors_llc
Connect with Brian on untappd.com - brcarney7
More episodes: happy-half-hour.com