The Start Down

Megan is a systems integrator who helps CEOs grow their teams and their legacies.  I had the pleasure of having her on "The Start Down Podcast," and she explained how she’s been able to effectively get more projects completed WHILE taking time off and enjoying her present season in business.  Check out her "Post-it note way" and how she incorporates her team in helping her stay...

Privacy is very important, and Rich Owen breaks it down in a very relatable way as to why you need to protect your computer. yes - little ol’ you in your suburban townhome.  Why listen to Rich? Rich has worked with massive companies, including NASA, and played a critical role in helping them stay protected and keep everything encoded.  Educate yourself NOW, as our technology usage is increasing by...

Do you hate going to the dentist?  If Agi Keramidas was your dentist, you would not feel that way! Unfortunately, if you’re in the U.S., he cannot be your dentist because he lives in the United Kingdom!  In this episode, Agi shares his journey from Greece to the United Kingdom, what he learned along the way, and more importantly, how you can change your mindset to make major changes in your life! ...

"Did you ever think a 3-year-old could inspire you?"  This week we speak with Gramps Jeffrey who spoke about just that. During COVID, he was inspired by his grandson to write a children’s book. He shares with us the process and why he did it, and the answers may surprise you!   The story doesn’t end there! Gramps Jeffrey talks about life, family, and his career in corporate America. He a...

Ep 168 Entrepreneurs cannot afford not to have a lawyer like Shahrina Ankhi-Krol Do you struggle with creating reels or videos for your social media? In this episode of the START DOWN podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Shahrina Ankhi-Krol!  We discussed all things trademark & copyright law for entrepreneurs but we also got the secret to the awesome reels behind her social media! Drop...

Do you ever go to dinner at someone else's house? It’s great! There's nothing to cook or clean and you have a great meal and usually great conversation! That is how I feel when I get to be a guest on someone else's podcast! So, I wanted to share this super fun episode when I was on The Podcast on Podcasting with Adam Adams. Don’t miss this great episode where we talk about the busin...

Did you file your taxes yesterday? If you did, forgot, or if yesterday caused you stress, Tyler McBroom can offer great advice!  Many people hear the word accountant and think, this guy is going to be boring and yell at me about everything I am doing wrong with my taxes. Not Tyler! He shares some great tips in this episode that will help you save money and grow your business.  Tyler is so dynamic...

On this episode of THE START DOWN Podcast, I have the pleasure of interviewing Kate Eberle Walker, author of The Good Boss. We dive into what advice she has for entrepreneurs and educators for moving forward in the best way possible.  Be kind and make sure that you are listening, NOT ONLY talking! Do you do that often? It’s very easy to get caught up in what we are saying and not listen to others....

We all want to be better. In this podcast episode, Hank Brand (Sibme) tells us how he is helping teachers improve their skills without stress.  Making sure teachers are well-equipped is one thing but making sure they continue to educate themselves and master their skills without adding any extra stress in today's crazy world of teaching is key!  In this episode of ‘The Start Down,’ I get to c...

Can you hear me now? We know how much the educational experience has changed for students across the country, but it is so much more than just online learning. In this week’s episode, we speak with Magen McGahee from Galaxy Next Generation. She explains why audio and security are so important right now in the 21st-century century classroom. She also shares a bit of her amazing entrepreneurial jour...

Merri Bragg from Lightspeed tells Mike Ficara why your classroom may not sound like the one you grew up in.  I think we can all agree that classrooms are not nearly the same as they were when we were in school. Things are drastically changing compared to just five years ago.  Check out this clip from THE START DOWN podcast where I had the pleasure of connecting with Merri Bragg. We discussed chang...

Did you know that the government can help schools and businesses achieve their goals? Believe it or not - the government DOES want your business to succeed, and they even more so want the schools to succeed! There is just a LOT of different mumbo jumbo lingo, hoops, and people to get through to even begin to understand it. BUT once you get through it, there are some amazing grants, scholarships, l...

“WHO EVEN CARES ABOUT THE LIKES ANYMORE?!”  It is all about how your followers and likes are turning into conversations, engagements, and sales. How do you know what works if you don’t try it? Trying things outside of your comfort zone is how you learn, yes. But it is also where you MIGHT FAIL. And guess what, if you do fail, you aren’t a failure; that STRATEGY just didn’t work for you! You will n...

Who are your mentors in your life? What or how do you DEFINE a mentor? In this episode of The Start Down Podcast, my childhood friend and successful business owner, Julio Villarreal, talks about how anyone in your corner giving you advice and cheering you on is really mentoring you in some way!  This is a great perspective but makes you think - who are you spending most of your time with? Are you...

Have you heard of this crazy trend of people avoiding calling goals what they are (goals) & calling them everything else except that for 2022? It’s RIDICULOUS! (P.S. It's NOT WEIRD to laugh at yourself on a podcast!) In episode 158 of THE START DOWN PODCAST, I debunk this trend! Being an entrepreneur requires you to be OKAY standing in your truth even if that truth requires you to stand a...

In this interview, Tiffany Taylor describes WHAT your most valuable & most expensive time is. I can almost guarantee that you didn’t think that someone who works in corporate America and a business owner would have this in common! You already know - as Tiffany confirms it - Your FREE time is your most EXPENSIVE time! You can do your business part time when it comes to time, but your MIND has t...

YOU pick the labels that you associate yourself with! POINT BLANK. PERIOD.  All that matters is that YOU believe you have a vision, YOU believe you are worth it, YOU believe it's yours for the taking.  In this episode of "The Start Down," Mike talks with Raj Subrameyer about building your personal brand. Raj is passionate about helping leaders step into their zones and maximize thei...

2021 has been hard on many businesses and industries.    On the other hand, many people have been able to find opportunity.    This week I spoke with Marshall Terrin about the matrix of entrepreneurship. We covered everything from how experiences and process can change your business, to work life balance.    Marshall has also been able to take a time and build an amazing business in two towns impa...

Working from home is amazing, or it could be the worst thing ever.  It really depends on how you set up your work at home environment. This week on The Start Down Podcast we speak with David Koeneman who is a work at home expert.  Wither COVID sent you to the home office for the first time, or you’re a lifelong work at home professional, David has some key advice to maximize your work at home expe...

Life can be really boring sometimes.    Nothing exciting ever happens to me!    Life needs to slow down.    Have you said any of these things?    Life and business are unpredictable. On this week’s episode of the podcast, we talk about that and how to overcome it!  Host: Mike Ficara Guests: Mike Ficara Support the show More episodes: https://mikeficara.com/start-down-podcast/   Instagram: https://...

What the order, motivation, education, and experiences?  Which one must come first?  Do they all work together at the same time?  We explore those topics on this week’s episode with young entrepreneur (and college student) Eric Chow!  Host: Mike Ficara Guests: Mike Ficara and Eric Chow Support the show More episodes: https://mikeficara.com/start-down-podcast/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

It is not how you start…    It is not how you finish…    It is how you keep going!    On this week’s episode we speak with Jake Kelfer about his new book. Jake has not only worked with entrepreneurs, but many major athletes on how they can get to the next level. Whether that is just getting started, or you are looking to be the greatest!    Don’t miss this episode!  Host: Mike Ficara Guests: Mike...

No one cares about me. Do you ever say that to yourself? Do you feel your story does not matter? Well, you never know who you are going to help or when you plant a seed. This past week I was at an event and spent time with one of my former students. He may have not said it when I had him in class, but he still talks to me about things he liked about my class and how it helped him more than 10 year...

Do you want to be a rock star?    Most people think they don’t need to be on social media, it’s not important. No matter if your online or not, people are talking about you. If you are not telling your story, someone else is!    This week we speak with Isaac Mashman about the importance of a personal brand. He also talks about how important your personal network is to starting off your business st...

Social media has too many people on it!    Have you ever said this about Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or any other social network?    At the end of the day the “power houses” of today may not be around tomorrow, remember MySpace?    So who will replace them? Joel Wolh and his professional social network Bizfluence is looking to take on LinkedIn! On this week’s episode of The Start Down we talk ab...