The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Small Business Deep Dives with Entrepreneurs

I sat down with Marc Gaskins (https://x.com/OvenPusher) of Event Kitchens to discuss his $337k/year event rental business in Charleston, South Carolina. Marc noticed caterers needed quality equipment and turned that opportunity into a thriving business. We explored how a bar fire led to community support, becoming a turning point. We also discussed the value of patient growth versus rapid scaling. Marc explained the unit economics of renting convection ovens, the benefits of a niche focus on caterers, and his warehouse hacking real estate strategy. He also shared why he's relied on organic growth and his future interests. This episode offers actionable insights for starting an event rental business.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
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00:00 Highlights
00:34 The Beginning of Squeeze Bar
01:18 First Equipment Purchases
02:18 The Bar Burns Down
02:42 Community Support and Business Growth
04:44 Competitor Exits the Market
06:17 Slow and Steady Growth
08:38 Unit Economics of Rental Items
17:31 Equipment Insights and Investment Strategies
18:21 Expanding Beyond Charleston
19:22 Organic Marketing and Customer Relationships
20:47 Catering to Caterers: Business Operations
22:03 Scaling and Maintenance Opportunities
24:11 Exploring New Business Ideas
25:58 Starting Fresh in a New Market
29:05 Challenges and Rewards of the Business
30:45 Team and Facilities Overview
34:24 Financials and Final Thoughts

OG Episode that inspired Tyler: B2B Stump Grinding. Cash Cow or Dud?

HoldCo Bros are back! In this episode, we feature Tyler (https://x.com/StumpGuyTy), a listener who acted on our B2B stump grinding idea after hearing it on a previous episode, which led him to quit his 9-to-5 job. Tyler shares how he followed our advice word-for-word, testing the concept in Boise before launching in Provo. By implementing our strategies, he achieved impressive results, with $23,000 in September alone. He provides key insights into building relationships with tree trimming companies, his pricing strategy, and cold outreach techniques and more.

Learn more about Nik here: http://linktr.ee/cofoundersnik

Share your ideas with us:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Timestamps below. Enjoy!
---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---

00:00 Highlights
00:37 Tyler's Journey: From B2B Sales to Stump Grinding
01:13 The Initial Spark: Discovering Stump Grinding
01:41 Building the Business: Early Challenges and Successes
02:27 The B2B Sales Connection
04:41 Testing the Market: Boise vs. Provo
06:03 First Jobs and Early Experiences
12:05 Overcoming Hurdles: Mistakes and Lessons Learned
15:11 Revenue Growth and Scaling the Business
17:45 Financing the Stump Grinder
18:40 Monthly Earnings Breakdown
20:05 Building Business Relationships
21:46 Pricing and Payment Structure
23:22 Marketing Strategies
29:03 Future Business Prospects
32:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

I sat down with my good friend and office mate, Stephen Olmon (https://x.com/stephenolmon). Stephen owns a holding company (https://www.severalventures.com) and, like me, is addicted to startups. We talked through a bunch of business ideas, but kept circling back to one in particular: a meeting listening software that detects inappropriate behavior. Imagine a note-taking tool, but one that also identifies issues in real time - turning them into profit opportunities. We also discussed ideas like white-labeling software or plugins that are affordable to outsource, using call tracking software to help home service businesses, and even how reporting tax fraud could lead to a 30% payout from the government.

Timestamps below. Enjoy!

---
Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-yt
Ask me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-ask
Learn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjk
Learn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cof
Follow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-x
Free weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nl
Share this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-all
Scrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os
---
00:00 Highlights
00:13 Welcome to the Corner Office
00:58 Meet Steven Olmon: Entrepreneur and Mentor
01:41 Career Journey: From Consulting to Startups
05:51 The Birth of Quicker Marketing Agency
11:32 Business Ideas and Innovations
20:58 The Power of Quick Email Responses
22:48 Exploring Agency Ideas and Opportunities
23:12 The Tattletale Industry and New Regulations
26:18 Tax Fraud Whistleblowing: A Lucrative Opportunity
30:33 Call Listening for Customer Service Improvement
37:01 Niche Mentor Networks: A New Marketplace
42:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Nick, the mastermind behind Huskybeard, a beard care products business.

Stay tuned as we uncover the three pivotal principles that transformed Huskybeard from a struggling venture into a thriving success story. We'll be exploring the power of exceptional customer service, the impact of offering quality products, and the importance of diligent due diligence. These principles are not just stories from the annals of Huskybeard but invaluable lessons that every entrepreneur can apply in their own business ventures.
Introduction:

• Brief overview of the episode's focus: Exploring the inspiring journey of Huskybeard and the essential principles that led to its success.

Part 1: Nick's Entrepreneurial Odyssey

• Introducing Nick, the entrepreneur behind Huskybeard, his background, and his motivation to acquire the business.
• Nick's journey as a serial entrepreneur and his search for a business that met specific criteria.

Part 2: The Three Principles of Success

Principle 1: Exceptional Customer Service

• Discussing the significance of exceptional customer service in building brand loyalty and trust.
• Highlighting Huskybeard’s approach to addressing customer concerns and fostering a positive customer experience.
• Concrete ways for businesses to implement outstanding customer service in their operations.

Principle 2: Quality Products

• Exploring the importance of offering high-quality products or services to establish a strong market presence.
• How Huskybeard’s focus on product quality contributed to customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
• Practical steps for businesses to ensure the quality of their offerings and continuously improve them.

Principle 3: Diligent Due Diligence

• Emphasizing the critical role of thorough research and due diligence in making informed business decisions.
• Discussing Nick's experience and the importance of verifying claims and assessing risks.
• Actionable tips for entrepreneurs on conducting diligent due diligence before significant business endeavors.

Conclusion:

• Summarizing the key takeaways: Exceptional customer service, quality products, and diligent due diligence as the pillars of business success.
• Encouragement for listeners to apply these principles in their own entrepreneurial journeys.
• Thanking listeners for tuning in and inviting them to stay connected for more insightful episodes.

Today, we're about to unravel the journey of a business that not only weathered the storms of entrepreneurship but also emerged as a beacon of triumph. We'll highlight what went right, the pivotal decisions made along the way, and the principles that propelled this business to greatness. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just embarking on your startup adventure, the lessons from this story are invaluable.

So, get ready to embark on this enlightening journey as we explore the remarkable tale of success and uncover the hidden gems that can illuminate your path to entrepreneurial excellence.