Happy Half Hour with an Entrepreneur

Brian Carney

Every entrepreneur understands the extreme highs and lows that come along with starting and owning a business. Join Financial Planner and Co-Owner of RiversEdge Advisors, Brian Carney, for a virtual (half) happy-hour as he and a guest pour a drink and get real about business ownership. You'll be entertained and educated as Brian interviews various entrepreneurs willing to dish out first-hand insight into the good, the bad, and the ugly of entrepreneurship.

  1. 09/28/2023

    Episode 71 - Bob, Marc & Jeremy | McGlynns Pub

    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

    Episode 71 - Bob, Marc & Jeremy | McGlynns Pub
  2. 09/07/2023

    Episode 70 - John Gooden | MDavis

    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

    Episode 70 - John Gooden | MDavis
  3. 08/10/2023

    Episode 68 - Joe Zahn | Wired Up Entertainment

    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

    Episode 68 - Joe Zahn | Wired Up Entertainment
  4. 07/20/2023

    Episode 67 - Jon Ohliger | VEEPIO

    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

    Episode 67 - Jon Ohliger | VEEPIO
  5. 06/15/2023

    Episode 65 - Howie Zales | HJZ Productions & Viridity Entertainment Services

    In this episode, Brian gets to hear behind-the-screen stories from Emmy Award-winning Camera Operator Howie Zales. Howie shares his entrepreneurial journey and how it all started with one opportunity - an opportunity that changed the trajectory of his career. Learn how Howie started two companies - HJZ Productions, a nationwide provider of top broadcasting talent and Viridity Entertainment Services, a high-quality live-streaming service. Brian and Howie take a look at how the consumption of media today is changing the world of sports. Howie also discusses his longtime relationship with John Gonzalez. You’ll hear about Howie’s TV Sports Course, and so much more, which explains why Howie is so good at what he does. If you only have 10 minutes: 1:34 - Learn about Howie’s businesses and the background that led him to television sports 6:15 - The pandemic pivot to live-streaming and fully virtual productions with “remote capture kits” 12:00 - How did Howie end up shooting events like the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Olympics, and Wrestle Mania? 16:00 - Media for a different generation 20:57 - Learn about Howie’s TV Sports Course 26:00 - The lowest point of being an entrepreneur 27:00 - Don’t miss the rapid fire round which covers Howie’s favorite events, pro athletes, and workout routine! Thanks for joining us on the show, Howie, it was great chatting with you! Cheers! HAPPY ½ HOUR DRINKS: Mutant X by Oskar Blues Brewery - Brian rates it a 3 out of 5 : https://untappd.com/b/oskar-blues-brewery-mutant-x/4688811 Learn more about Howie Zales: https:/www.howiezales.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardzales/ 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 65 - Howie Zales | HJZ Productions & Viridity Entertainment Services
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Every entrepreneur understands the extreme highs and lows that come along with starting and owning a business. Join Financial Planner and Co-Owner of RiversEdge Advisors, Brian Carney, for a virtual (half) happy-hour as he and a guest pour a drink and get real about business ownership. You'll be entertained and educated as Brian interviews various entrepreneurs willing to dish out first-hand insight into the good, the bad, and the ugly of entrepreneurship.