Taking Flight: The Entrepreneurs Journey Podcast Taking Flight

Today’s guest is an expert in Functional Medicine, a podcast host, and an entrepreneur! Please welcome to the show Kristin Oja, Founder & CEO of STAT Wellness. Kristin joins host Sarah Tourville to share her holistic approach to functional medicine, challenges of managing a service-based business, and patient experience in healthcare innovation. Learn with Sarah about Kristin’s leap into her passion and how it’s grown over the last few years!

Takeaways:
Entrepreneurs should pursue their passions with determination, embracing minimal viable product (MVP) and lean startup methodologies to achieve sustainable growth. In healthcare and service industries, it is crucial to prioritize customer or patient experience as a fundamental growth strategy, investing in quality service and transparency. Invest in building a team that shares your vision and passion. Encourage ownership and accountability by recognizing contributions and fostering a culture devoid of ego. Prepare for inevitable business challenges by developing resilience among your team and maintaining open lines of communication with your clients or patients. For scalable business models, focus on systematizing operations without compromising on the unique value proposition that sets your business apart. Engage with entrepreneur networks and communities to gain insights, support, and mentorship critical for navigating the complexities of business leadership.Quote of the Show:
“We’re really putting the health back in healthcare.” - Kristin OjaLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-oja-dnp-fnp-c-ifmcp-70516453/  Company website: http://www.statwellness.com Email: kristin@statwellness.com Instagram: @drkristinoja | @statwellnessCall/Text: 404-254-5905EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156 YouTube: https://youtu.be/GOe2NiuT8vITaking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're interested in an experience share around what it takes to launch a podcast, how to be a better host, or a great guest: shoot me an email at casey@ringmaster.com

Today’s guest is a Forbes contributor on Franchising and Best-Selling Author of Non-Food Franchising. Please welcome to the show Jon Ostenson, CEO and Consultant at FranBridge Consulting. Jon joins host Sarah Tourville to share the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship, the importance of niche specialization, and overcoming business challenges. Learn with Sarah about Jon’s entrepreneurial journey, and the value his company brings to clients!
 
Takeaways:
Jon emphasizes the importance of specializing in non-food franchising to differentiate oneself and attract clientele. He stresses that carving out a niche allows consultants to offer tailored expertise that resonates with potential clients.Sarah and Jon delve into the perks of specializing within their industry, emphasizing how clients highly value consultants with extensive knowledge and experience. They discuss how being perceived as specialists can lead to more lucrative opportunities and long-term partnerships.Jon elaborates on his strategy for managing the high demand for his consulting services by collaborating with trusted partners. He explains how this approach not only expands his capacity but also ensures his clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs.Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Jon underscores the crucial role of a supportive network comprising his wife, business partner Alan Young, and organizations like EO. He highlights how these connections provide invaluable mentorship, encouragement, and collaborative opportunities.Jon finds fulfillment in witnessing his clients' businesses thrive through franchising, emphasizing the immense growth potential across various industries. He celebrates the role he plays in guiding entrepreneurs through their journey to success.Jon underscores the value of his EO forum, emphasizing its nurturing environment, shared values, and focus on personal and professional growth. He explains how being part of such a community fosters collaboration, accountability, and continual learning, ultimately enhancing his effectiveness as a consultant.Quote of the Show:
“I love being a part of the journey with my clients, not just guiding, but also living it with them.” - Jon OstensonLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/  Company website: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Non-Food-Franchising-Better-Business-Ownership/dp/B0BJNDCGN4 EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156 YouTube: https://youtu.be/SRfy53WUfrgTaking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're interested in an experience share around what it takes to launch a podcast, how to be a better host, or a great guest: shoot me an email at casey@ringmaster.com

Today’s guest is an experienced real estate agent who is passionate about helping others create wealth and a portfolio they can retire on. Please welcome to the show Samantha Hayes, CEO of Atlas Real Estate. Samantha joins host Sarah Tourville to share her passion for real estate, and strategies in building passive incomes and wealth through it. Learn with Sarah about Samantha’s experiences and issues women entrepreneurs face, rehabilitating properties, generating passive incomes, and her future business expansion plans!
 
Takeaways:
Samantha underscores the importance of building passive income streams. Through buying and flipping homes or building rental portfolios, she argues, entrepreneurs can achieve financial independence and leave a lasting legacy.Business owners need to strategically adapt to changing market conditions. Samantha draws from her own experiences within the real estate sector during times of high-interest rates and economic downturns.There is value of trust in business relationships. Samantha shares her lessons of expecting accountability from her team members and how a trust-based relationship with her operations manager improved her business process.Samantha uses intense focus on designing her life intentionally. She shares her method of setting clear personal and professional boundaries and goals, transforming those into reality, and achieving work-life balance.There is a challenge for female entrepreneurs, and they often face balancing assertiveness and empathy in professional settings. Samantha has navigated this dynamic by being authentic and unapologetically herself.Community memberships in such groups, like EO Atlanta, can provide a sense of belonging. It also enables members to learn from each other's experiences, and offer opportunities for mentorship.Samantha plans to double the number of rental doors and her goal of achieving a million dollars in passive income profit from these properties in three years to demonstrate her aggressive growth strategy.Quote of the Show:
“If I’m going to do something, it has to have an impact, and it has to matter.” - Samantha HayesLinks:
Samantha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaphillipsrealtor/  Samantha’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsellsatlanta?lang=en  Company website: https://realatlas.com/ Samantha’s Cell Phone: 404-808-9597 EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156 YouTube: https://youtu.be/0nI4HRzjrnoTaking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're interested in an experience share around what it takes to launch a podcast, how to be a better host, or a great guest: shoot me an email at casey@ringmaster.com

Today’s guest has over 20 years of experience in his industry and has been a member of EO Atlanta since 2019. Please welcome to the show Jon Roman, Managing Partner at Transworld Business Advisors of Atlanta. Jon joins host Sarah Tourville to share his insights on understanding and respecting time limitations, trusting and empowering his team members, and providing coaching support! Learn with Sarah how Jon learned to delegate important tasks in the workplace to make an empowering impact. It’s an inspiring episode you don’t want to miss!

Takeaways:
Jon acknowledges the importance of understanding and accepting the limitations of time. This realization is crucial for leaders and communicators as it helps them set realistic expectations and prioritize tasks effectively.It is crucial to trust others and lean on them. Leaders should trust their team members and delegate tasks to them appropriately. Trust fosters collaboration, enables efficient teamwork, and allows individuals to contribute their skills and expertise.A leader of a team should not only trust their team members but also coach and mentor them. By providing guidance and support, leaders can help their team members develop their skills and grow professionally, enhancing the overall performance of the team.No one can handle everything on their own, so team leaders need to delegate responsibilities to capable team members. Delegation not only distributes the workload but also empowers team members to take ownership and contribute to the success of the organization.Quote of the Show:
“We all need people. So we need to learn how to trust them.” - Jon RomanLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonroman/ Company Website: https://www.tworld.com/atlantanorth EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156  YouTube: https://youtu.be/bblf9CodAc0Taking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're interested in an experience share around what it takes to launch a podcast, how to be a better host, or a great guest: shoot me an email at casey@ringmaster.com

Today’s guest has over 20 years of marketing, business development, and management experience! While being inspired to help marketers find agencies that are the most proficient in their respective disciplines, he has also received the AMA Atlanta - Jana Ferguson Mentorship Award and AMA Atlanta - Volunteer of the Year! Please welcome to the show Joe Koufman, Co-founder at ChooseATL and Founder & CEO of SetUp! Joe joins host Sarah Tourville to share how he valued his early support and confidence to sustain his company. Learn with Sarah about Setup’s distinctive business model and the importance of customizing marketing solutions!
 
Takeaways:
Joe hired someone right away, even though some found it risky without ensuring the business's viability. He understood early on that he needed support and was confident in sustaining both his family and an additional salary. It was the right decision in the end.There were a few people who helped Joe spark the start of his own company, including Kelly Deen, Jeff Hilimire, and Genevieve Bos. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the people who have supported and influenced your journey.Leaders should be open to providing guidance and support to others in their industry. Building a strong network of mentors and colleagues is one way to gain valuable insight and assistance in professional endeavors. Being actively involved in professional networks like EO can also lead to fruitful connections and collaborations.Launching Marketing Ecosystem Consulting has helped Setup to enhance client marketing resources and partnerships, serving both a Fortune 500 company and a global hotel chain. The key is to customize the ideal marketing mix for each client through stakeholder interviews, visioning, and roadmap development, while also identifying agency needs to address any gaps.Setup’s business model stands out from the competition. While competitors include search consultants and business development experts, they serve as matchmakers connecting clients and agencies, making the process enjoyable. Helping clients clarify their marketing challenges and forge successful partnerships with agencies is what brings success.Public relations has been key to Setup’s success, leading to outstanding press coverage. Their annual marketing survey was featured in Ad Age and Fast Company, boosting inbound interest and website traffic. The same success is expected with their upcoming fifth survey.Quote of the Show:
“I am filled with a great deal of joy to be able to connect people together.” - Joe KoufmanLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joekoufman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GumboShowJoe Personal Website: https://joekoufman.com/ Setup Website: https://setup.us/ AMA Atlanta Website: https://www.ama-atlanta.com/ ChooseATL Website: https://www.chooseatl.com/ EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156 YouTube: https://youtu.be/kRZQtLqC9rYTaking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/ 

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're

Today’s guest is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, author, and podcast host! Please welcome to the show Casey Cheshire, Founder & Chief Evangelist of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. Casey joins host Sarah Tourville to share how Ringmaster prioritizes company culture, establishes authentic connections with clients, and how his own passion for podcasting was accidentally discovered and led to the founding of the company. It’s a fantastic episode you don’t want to miss!
 
Takeaways:
Casey learned that his first flight was all about passion. Not giving much attention to the logical side, he realized he was burning the candle, but it didn't feel like it. This is where, accidentally, he found his passion, which led to starting the company.Ringmaster strives to grow their team to where members feel like partners. During the hiring process, the company’s vision is shared with potential candidates. If it resonates with them, great! If not, then it’s not the right fit. The company looks for passionate individuals that are just as excited about the mission and vision as they are. After more than a decade in marketing automation, Casey’s recognized the need to reassess its impact and understanding of clients. Marketers often become obscured by technology, losing sight of serving real people, and reducing them to mere data points.Ringmaster is committed to forging deeper connections with customers by understanding their needs and challenges. The motivation comes from Casey’s experience, where he had to launch his podcast without expert guidance, resulting in extensive trial and error.It is important to empower entrepreneur visionaries to realize their vision by connecting them with their existing customers. This vital connection often goes unnoticed in sales materials, but plays a significant role in bridging the gap and will help ensure authentic engagement.Ringmaster helps clients connect with their dream clients through podcast interviews, fostering genuine connections, and valuable exposure. This aligns with the company's mission, making podcasting a powerful tool for business development.Quote of the Show:
“Our company’s core purpose is to foster meaningful human connections.” - Casey CheshireLinks:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseycheshire/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyCheshCompany Website: https://ringmaster.com/Personal Website: https://caseycheshire.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1599327384Podcast: https://www.hardcorpsmarketing.com/ | https://www.creatingthegreatestshow.com/EO Atlanta Organization: https://www.eoatlanta.com/ 
Ways To Tune In:
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1035225 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4e67LgZSZ0Vc2anrFzN8A1Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/id1652695640?uo=4Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jNjJkNzk4OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/82088400-c5a3-413c-9692-4719c8f1fd67/taking-flight-eo-atlanta-podcastPodcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/taking-flight-the-entrepreneurs-journey-podcast/4496468Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/6138535Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3482373 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-flight-the-entrepreneur-4968156 YouTube: https://youtu.be/TJosmpZzMHoTaking Flight is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

Hey! It's Casey Cheshire from EO Boston. It's an honor for my team at Ringmaster to partner with EO Atlanta to produce this great podcast. If you're interested in an experience share around what it takes to launch a podcast, how to be a better host, or a great guest: shoot me an email at casey@ringmaster.com