Ask Brien Show

In today’s episode, we have Logan Shinholser, founder of Contractor Growth Network (CGN). Logan shares his experience through entrepreneurship, how he started his company and some of his best tips for fellow entrepreneurs. He shares how he helps companies with their marketing strategies and how CGN diversifies itself when working with similar clients. Logan talks about niching down and the success that can create for a company by being an expert in their field. Tune in today for some excellent tips to grow your business through marketing while facing a recession.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [7:16] Logan introduces his company, Contractor Growth Network (CGN).
• [10:01] Logan provides a breakdown of his experience and career.
• [11:53] What services does CGN provide for its customers?
• [13:13] What is a “funnel”?
• [15:23] How does CGN diversity itself with multiple contractors of the same type?
• [17:37] What is the price point CGN has for their packages?
• [20:32] What advice does Logan give someone trying to determine their niche?
• [23:55] Given a potential recession, what marketing recommendations would Logan give?
• [26:00] How does Logan use his podcast to leverage his company?
• [30:22] How do you get people to pay attention to you in this social media market?
• [33:02] What does Logan attribute to getting the “INK 5000” status?
• [34:55] How to do YouTube SEO.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Video Marketing is working really well for businesses right now.
• As a company that does network growth for multiple businesses, it’s vital to diversity your work, create a different look for everyone, and use branding specific to each company.
• Narrowing down your niche can help your business immensely. Having too wide of a niche doesn’t allow you to be an expert in your area, which is what will make you successful.

BIO:

Growing up as the son of a contractor, Logan Shinholser watched my father work through the struggles of running a construction business. He saw his triumphs and failures and learned how difficult running a construction company could be. Watching his father build his business taught him what makes a construction company successful and what doesn’t. Logan’s experiences made him passionate about helping contractors build healthy, thriving businesses. Out of that passion, Contractor Growth Network was born.

Logan’s unique perspective and background in marketing allow me to bridge the gap between best marketing practices and what the average contracting company owner goes through daily. That’s why CGN focus on helping hardworking contractors instead of spreading ourselves thin by trying to assist several industries.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Contractor Growth Network Website

Contractor Growth Network Email

Ask Brien Podcast

On this episode we were joined by Chef Julius West, the owner of Sarge’s Shrimp and Grits Sauce. Chef Julius discussed how he went from owning a food truck to expanding and selling their products in stores and online. His business transformed during COVID, when he had to pivot due to the risk of being a food truck became too high. He talks about how they’ve been able to get their food into the hands of customers as well as expandinging into stores. Tune in to this episode if you are interested in the restaurant industry or are looking to bring a food or beverage item to market.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [5:21] What is Sarge’s Shrimp and Grits Sauce and what did Julius West do prior to starting it?
• [11:29] How did experience as an entrepreneur help Julius keep moving forward with his business?
• [14:15] What was their first minimum order?
• [15:34] What made Sarge’s Shrimp and Grit decide to sell online and not focus on local stores?
• [18:03] Julius discusses the basics about the sauce.
• [19:41] How did they get the product into the hands of buyers?
• [22:18] Was a food truck a good way to get into the industry?
• [25:50] What is their expansion plan?
• [29:55] How does it work for products to get into stores for sampling?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• If you are interested in getting into the restaurant industry, a food truck can be a great option that gets your name out there, allows you to travel around, and it gives you the capability of getting started with less of a financial outlay.
• To get your product out there, you can connect with speciality food associations. They help you get samples out and they offer trade shows so you can get your product in the hands of others. This can also allow for sponsors or investors!
• A lot of entrepreneurship is trial and error. Determining what the market is wanting, try out your solution and then adjust per the feedback you get.

BIO:

Chef Julius West’s love of food developed as a child traveling the U.S. as the son of an Air Force Sergeant. While his dad was serving, Julius spent hours in the kitchen with his mom where she taught him that thoughtfully preparing traditional, homestyle dishes is a way to show others care and respect.

This inspired Julius to open his food truck in 2012 where his delicious shrimp & grits quickly became the most popular dish on the menu. Julius has now decided to bottle this fan favorite to make it easy for anyone to enjoy this delicious, time-honored regional favorite at home.​

LINKS MENTIONED:

Easy Shrimp and Grits Website

Ben Bucher decided to take a chance on himself when he transitioned from being a manager at McDonald’s to opening his own Allstate Insurance business. Ben joins us on this episode to talk about how he decided to open his own business and the challenges that came along with being a new entrepreneur. He shares how he grew his insurance business so quickly and what the most valuable things are that he has implemented into his business. Tune in to hear Ben share some great pointers for creating a successful business with zero experience.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [8:37] Ben share’s his background and what led him to open an Allstate Agency.
• [12:48] How working at McDonald’s helped Ben when opening his own business.
• [14:46] How did Ben grow his business so quickly?
• [17:39] What free resources are out there that are free when just starting a business?
• [19:19] What were the first challenges Ben encountered when becoming an entrepreneur?
• [24:53] Why did Ben grow his business and how did he find success?
• [26:12] What type of insurance do small businesses need?
• [27:50] What led Ben to expand his business outside of Indiana?
• [31:18] Ben shares some pointers for creating a successful business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [23:07] Don’t be impressionable, just because somebody says something, doesn’t mean it’s true. Keep finding contacts and learning and you can succeed.
• [24:20] Business is different than it used to be, while it is still a people business because you are selling to people, now your employees desire the camaraderie that you have when you’re all in the office together and you’re all rowing in the same direction. It can be hard to achieve. Get to know your team on a personal level and ensure that you are valuing the same things when it comes to the business.
• [25:19] All growth takes place outside your comfort zone.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Ben Bucher - Allstate Insurance Agent in Fort Wayne, IN

Ben Bucher - Allstate Insurance Facebook Page

Ben Bucher (@benbucherAllstate) • Instagram

BIO

Welcome to Bucher Family Insurance, your trusted local insurance agency serving Indiana, Ohio, and beyond!

At our agency, we believe in more than just selling insurance policies – we're dedicated to building lasting relationships with customers based on trust, reliability, and personalized service.

With years of experience in the insurance industry, our team of knowledgeable agents is here to guide you through the often complex world of insurance, helping you find the coverage that best fits your unique needs and budget. Whether you're looking for auto, home, life, business, or specialty insurance, we've got options.

What sets us apart is our commitment to providing exceptional customer service. We take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and go through your options in plain language, so you can make informed decisions with confidence. And when it comes to claims, we'll be by your side every step of the way, helping with a smooth and hassle-free experience.

But our dedication to our community goes beyond just insurance. We're proud to support local charities, events, and initiatives that make Fort Wayne, Indiana a better place to live and work. Because we believe that being a good neighbor means more than just selling insurance – it means giving back and making a positive impact wherever we can.

So whether you're a new customer looking for coverage or a longtime customer in need of assistance, you can trust Bucher Family Insurance to provide the personalized service and peace of mind you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect what matters most to you.

On this​​ episode of the Ask Brien Show, our hosts Brien Johnson and Traci DeForge speak with Jenn Trepeck about entrepreneurship and healthy living. Jenn is an entrepreneur, health coach, and podcast host of Salad with A Side of Fries. Brien, Traci, and Jenn talk about how she started her business as a side hustle and grew it through networking. Jenn shares her 30-30-30 fitness hack and how the best diet isn’t a diet at all. They also talk about the myth of balance for entrepreneurs and how investing in your health is investing in your business.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [08:08] Jenn is introduced and her entrepreneurial journey explored
• [12:14] How she started her business
• [15:40] Building relationships that become customers
• [18:00] The importance of health and the 30-30-30 explained
• [28:05] What is the best diet
• [31:55] Moderation and the myth of balance for entrepreneurs

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• As entrepreneurs, we are our business. If we are not well, if we are not able to function, the business suffers. Taking care of ourselves is a piece of taking care of the business.
• The best diet is actually the one that you can follow for the rest of your life.
• We have this idea that for our activity to count, it has to be 30 minutes or 45 minutes or an hour. And it has to make us feel like we’re gonna die. That is nonsense!

BIO:

Jenn Trepeck is described as a “force of nature” in the wellness space. She is an Optimal Health Coach, Podcaster and Business Consultant. After graduating from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Jenn founded Better Life Now LLC while working full time in hedge funds. After over a decade of coaching clients, Jenn started Salad with a Side of Fries podcast to help pay it forward and reach a larger audience to teach the nutrition education we are all supposed to know but no one ever taught us. Jenn implements revenue generating wellness programs in doctors’ offices, salons and spas to further expand impact and help change the state of healthcare as a Certified Transitions Lifestyle Coach and Consultant with nutraMetrix Custom Health Solutions. When not hunkered-down at home during a pandemic, Jenn is typically working out at Physique57, discovering hidden gem restaurants in NYC or traveling to spend time with friends and family.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Facebook – @Saladwithasideoffriespodcast

Instagram – @saladwithasideoffriespod

Twitter – @JennTrepeck

TikTok – @JennTrepeck

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifertrepeck/

Website – www.asaladwithasideoffries.com

Finding an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey, working with an incredible business partner, and turning a hobby into a thriving business can truly be classified as entrepreneur Barry Meisel's dream. This week, Barry Meisel joins the show to talk about his business MeiGray Group, which sells authentic game-worn jerseys and sports memorabilia to collectors. He discusses his background in the sports journalism field, as well as how he transitioned to become an entrepreneur. He has some incredible stories that he shares, including the one time Traci was with him and he confirmed an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey from Matt Snell. Tune in for this fun discussion with Barry Meisel!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [7:02] Barry introduces his background and talks about the books he has written.
• [11:35] What were the first few years of entrepreneurship like for Barry?
• [17:47] How has Barry been able to scale his business and leverage all the enhancements in technology over these years?
• [21:00] Barry shares a story about when Traci was with him and he retained an authentic Super Bowl 3 jersey from Matt Snell.
• [25:35] Barry talks about his experience working with a business partner.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [18:37] MeiGray has techniques to prove that the items they get are real, authentic items. They use technology that blows up an image a thousand times to find one thread or imperfection depending on the sport to prove that it is authentic.
• [30:57] The jersey’s and items that you can purchase from MeiGray are so special because they have a connection with the actual event and player. This is something that was worn or used by a player at a specific game, which can be a real special memento.

LINKS MENTIONED:

MeiGray Website

MeiGray Auctions Website

Discount Code: WRAP10

Email: [email protected]

Barry Meisel LinkedIn

NHL Wraparound Podcast on Spotify

NHL Wraparound Podcast on YouTube

Ask Brien Podcast on Apple

BIO

On April 21, 1997, The MeiGray Group wooed award-winning sportswriter Barry Meisel from the New York Daily News by signing the Brooklyn, New York native to an exclusive multi-year contract.

On April 21, 2017, Meisel celebrated his 20th year at the helm of the hobby’s No. 1 source for Game-Worn Jerseys.

MeiGray marks the second sports memorabilia company to be headed by Meisel. His successful 18-year sports journalism career began while he was directing Garden Sportscard Company, which Meisel founded in August 1977, the prehistoric days of the sports memorabilia industry, while a junior at the State University of Binghamton, N.Y.

Garden's rapid growth under Meisel's direction - sales rose more than 500% over four years - mirrored Meisel's blossoming journalism career. After his graduation from SUNY-Binghamton in May 1979, he was hired by the Binghamton Sun-Bulletin to cover the American Hockey League's Binghamton Whalers.

By 1981, Garden had become phenomenally successful - so successful that it needed Meisel and his partner to run it full-time. Rather than give up his sports journalism career at the age of 23, Meisel sold his 50 percent stake in Garden. He spent five years at the Sun-Bulletin, and then was hired in June 1984 to cover the New York Rangers, New York Mets and New Jersey Devils for the Morristown, N.J., Daily Record.

After only 15 months at the Daily Record, Meisel was hired in October 1985 by the New York Daily News. In his 12 years at one of the nation's largest dailies he covered the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and New York Giants. He spent 1993 and 1994 as the News' investigative sports reporter.

He has also worked as a columnist for The Hockey News (1982-90) and The New York Giants Newsweekly (1990-96). He was a contributing writer for Sport from 1990-1994. He has written two books. In 1988 he co-authored 'Boss: The Mike Bossy Story' and in 1995 he wrote 'Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers.'