Small Business Origins

In this episode, host John Kelley interviews Joe Rivera about overcoming adversity and building a comeback after hitting rock bottom from substance abuse. Joe shares his story going from a high-flying stockbroker making seven figures to losing everything and living on the streets, before eventually rebuilding his life and business. Listeners can expect to learn how Joe developed the mindset and to...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Dick Grove, founder of Ink Inc. PR in Kansas City. Dick shares his origin story of getting into the PR industry, building his PR firm over 30 years focused on earned media, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking for good PR. Key Discussion Points: - How Dick got his first PR job through showing up in person in New York with i...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Cameron McKay, Founder and CEO of Process Street. They discuss Cameron's journey to entrepreneurship, building Process Street from the ground up through bootstrapping and accelerators, and how the product helps businesses systematize and automate workflows. Listeners can expect to learn about the origins of Process Street, stra...

In this episode, we speak with children's book author Erica Bud of Big World Publishing. She takes us on her journey into entrepreneurship, her passion for educating children about different cultures, and her innovative use of augmented reality (AR) technology in her books. About Our Guest: International travel is Erika’s passion. She started traveling overseas when she was 18 years old, working a...

In this episode, we speak to Jason Scott, founder of 120 VC, a consulting firm that helps large organizations build high-performing teams and achieve better results. They discuss Jason's journey from growing up in a tough neighborhood to the military to starting his own business. Jason provides insights on leadership, accountability, and empowering teams. Key Quotes: "Getting that alignment is rea...

In this episode we speak with Lori Keesey, the author of an upcoming novel and the writer behind The Accidental Blogger. We discuss overcoming adversity, maintaining faith and purpose during hard times, and Lori's journey in grief, writing, and building her author platform. Lori Keesey is an author, blogger, and accidental entrepreneur from Walland, Tennessee. After working for many years as a jou...

Happy Thanksgiving! Here is some listening material while you cook: This episode is a discussion with Lori Raymond, the owner and president of Tourmaline Enterprises, a company that manufactures and distributes coding and marking equipment for consumer goods packaging. Lori shares her entrepreneurial origin story including taking over and growing the business after the passing of her husband, as w...

Guest Bio: Phyllis is known as the Ghetto Country Brandmother®. She is an empathic bitch who nurtures solopreneur brandbabies who are self-aware and starting over so they scale with impact. She left her multi-million dollar bbq business because she doesn't like to cook on purpose. Also, she wants to impact failure rate statics for independent businesses. She's been an entrepreneur for over 20 year...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John The Marketer interviews Dann Williams of Owner's Pride in Omaha, Nebraska. They discuss Dann's journey into entrepreneurship after overcoming addiction, starting a mobile auto detailing business, and eventually joining Owner's Pride. Listeners will learn about Dann's origin story, keys to success like seizing opportunities, Owner's Pride product...

This episode is all about the impact of learning and coaching on various aspects of life. It emphasizes the importance of personal growth and development. Tamara speaks all about her coaching sessions, which occur once per week for 45 minutes over a period of 16 weeks. They highlight the role of a coach in providing guidance and support, particularly in situations involving relationships and decis...

After a break last week (first one in almost three years), WE ARE BACK! In this episode, host John Kelley speaks with mortgage loan advisor Aaron Chapman about his origin story as an entrepreneur, the journey from working for others to starting his own business, and his insights on real estate investing, and investments as a whole. Aaron Chapman is a mortgage loan advisor and real estate investor...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, host John Kelley interviews Haley Burns, founder of SugarCopy, a Chicago-based copywriting agency focused on direct response copy for coaches and online course creators. They discuss Haley's journey from studying science in Scotland to becoming a digital nomad and freelance copywriter, as well as the importance of research and personality in crafting pers...

In this episode of Small Business Origins, Matt Lebris unravels the challenges and excitement of managing a podcast while running a business. He stresses the importance of leveraging personal experiences for content creation and share a willingness to seek expert advice, particularly in podcast promotion. The conversation transitions to his collegiate encounter with Daymond John and a subsequent c...

In today's groundbreaking episode, John Kelley dives into an enlightening discussion with Ahmed Reza, the visionary founder of Yobi, about the potential AI holds for businesses and personal connections. This isn't just any regular conversation—it's an exploration into the frontier where human interaction melds with AI technology. Personal Note from John: The advances AI promises to bring are truly...

In this episode, John welcomes Dr. Wren McCallister from Edmonds, Washington, the founder of Better Health Made Easy and HandGuyMD. Dr. McCallister is a Medical Doctor with a background in orthopedics and sports medicine. He shares his journey into entrepreneurship and how he noticed a gap in the healthcare system. Dr. McCallister realized that many patients were showing up late in the game when s...

Are you tired of attending events that are forgettable and lackluster? Do you long for an experience that will leave you and your guests talking about it for years to come? Look no further! In this episode, we delve into the importance of an exciting and unique brand experience. We dive into how your brand reputation hinges on the opportunity to showcase your innovation and excitement. From the ri...

The founder of Kettlebell Kings grew up in Texas and had a background in sports, including playing football at Rice University on a scholarship. After working various jobs in corporate America, including outdoor sales and oil and gas, he embarked on his entrepreneurship journey. Entrepreneurship is seen as a skill that can be learned through experience and failure. The founder emphasizes the impor...

In this riveting episode, journey from the humble beginnings of a custom shirt printing service to its expansion into a brand that empowers veterans and first responders. Discover affordable solutions that are making a difference in the lives of these heroes. As we navigate the cosmos of entrepreneurship, we pause to reflect on humanity's place in the universe, drawing inspiration from the story o...

Special Note: I owe Gen X an apology for this episode. Can you find my mistake? Get ready to dive into an exhilarating episode of Small Business Origins with your host, John Kelley, as he sits down with the charismatic Jason Hennessey, founder of Hennessy Digital. Buckle up for a thrilling ride through Jason's entrepreneurial journey, from spinning records as a DJ to mastering the digital world as...

In this deeply moving episode, we explore the universal experiences of grief, loss, and the ways we remember and honor our loved ones. Join us as we sit down with Kat Socks, author and creator of the children's book series featuring Pickles the Dog, to discuss the profound impact of personal memories and the simple acts that can bring healing. Chapters: 00:02:33 Icebreaker Question 00:05:55 Succes...

In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Brad Evans from Health and Fitness Technologies. Brad unveiled the magic behind his groundbreaking product, Jukestir. At first glance, you know it's not just another punching bag, but Jukestir really is so much more. What sets Jukestir apart from traditional punching bags? It's the innovation and technology infused into its design. Brad delved...

Dive into a unique blend of environmental passion and holistic healing in this episode of Small Business Origins. Join John Kelley as he converses with Cathy Nesbitt, the brilliant mind behind Cathy's Laugh Factory. Discover the transformative power of composting and its pivotal role in our ecosystem. But that's not all; Cathy also delves deep into the rejuvenating world of laughter therapy, revea...

Listen in as John and Chris reminisce about their personal experiences with the skateboarding scene, emphasizing the joy it brought them. They express gratitude for the positive direction it provided them in life, away from potential pitfalls like crime or drugs. The discussion delves into the importance of open communication and other leadership strategies, the benefits of a streamlined work proc...

In the latest episode of "Small Business Origins," we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of a founder who's mastered the art of leveraging virtual assistants to run businesses autonomously. As someone who cherishes the balance between work and leisure, the founder shares their passion for prioritizing life's real values. From reflecting on childhood memories to navigating the volatile land...

In this episode we hear from a stand-up comedian who has successfully balanced his day job with his passion for comedy. The episode explores the challenges of clean comedy and its broader appeal, as well as the benefits of adding comedy to corporate events. The evolution of communication, from tapes to hand signals, is also discussed, highlighting the importance of adapting to changing times. The...