Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine

Send us Fan Mail It feels like a moving target.  Pricing is hard to nail down.  But if you can master the art of matching the value proposition of your goods or services, customers will dump money on you.  It takes skill to understand how to price things, so Mike and Blaine discuss the challenges and successes they have had in finding the right price.  Listen in to learn the secret to getting the...

Send us Fan Mail You might be great at what you do, but if you are like Mike and Blaine, you struggle with telling others what that is.  Marketing is a science that requires you to get your message across as quickly and clearly as possible.  In a world of buzzwords and double speak, customers have become really good at sorting the good from the bad.  Put frankly, just get to the point. Don't...

Send us Fan Mail No matter what you want to do in your business you have to make a plan.  Nothing just happens on its own, it takes timing, preparation, and vision to be successful.  In this episode, Mike and Blaine give you their take on the importance of planning strategy, projects, and events, but understanding that flexibility is the key to making your vision match your reality. Don't mis...

Send us Fan Mail Over the past year and a half, we have been obsessed with overcoming the effects of business interruptions caused by the pandemic. However, there are a lot more things that can impact your business on a more regular basis. Mike and Blaine discuss their experience with business disruptions and what you can do to give your business the best chance at survival. Our beer today: Mike:...

Send us Fan Mail You may have heard the adage, “It takes a village.”  Your business is no different, nobody can do it alone, but you might not realize how much of a lift your business gets when you build a network around you.  Those relationships elevate your business, and pay dividends for years on end.  Mike and Blaine talk about the value of building a network and how to be successful at your p...

Send us Fan Mail You have a great idea, the plan is ready, and you’re nervous.  What do you do next?  The answer is obvious - GO SELL.  Two simple words that scare the heck out of the first time entrepreneur.  Who do I sell to?  What if they say no?  What if nobody buys?  All of these questions have passed through the minds of Mike and Blaine.  Check out their advice on getting that all important...

Send us Fan Mail You might think you are great at getting the word out about your company until you try to leverage social media.  We are in an age of the 3 second attention span, so you need to know how to catch the eye of the scrolling consumer or be forever lost in the “feed”.  In this episode, Mike and Blaine will share some of their lessons learned while trying to navigate social media campai...

Send us Fan Mail You might be the executive, salesperson, admin clerk, and janitor all in the same day when you run a small business. Jumping from role to role keeps you on your toes and requires a ton of patience and focus. Mike and Blaine walk through what it’s like to switch hats multiple times per day. It doesn’t take a big wardrobe, it takes an entrepreneur who's focused on success. Don&...

Send us Fan Mail  There is a point in time when every business has to make the decision to hire their first employee, expand their team, or play by a different set of rules based on the number of employees.  Hiring people is super important because they become an extension of you, and you have to learn how to build a team that performs as a unit rather than as individuals.  Mike and Blaine talk ab...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes that dream account can be a nightmare.  One client could completely absorb your capacity, suck up your cash flow, and hold your business hostage.  In this episode, Mike and Blaine talk about customer concentration problems.  You are as much defined by the opportunities you pass on as the ones you take advantage of.  Understand your business model and how each customer pl...

Send us Fan Mail Once you are past the initial thrill of starting a business and seeing it start to grow, you have to watch out for “founderitis”.  That’s when the daily grind of operating your businesses starts to become just a routine.  Mike and Blaine talk about how being obsessed with what your doing is the key to maintaining great quality and keeping customers excited.  If you lose your passi...

Send us Fan Mail Mike and Blaine describe the purpose of the podcast and explain their decision to leave the safety of a “JOB”, and venture out on their own.  We will explore what was happening in our lives, the things that led up to trying to make the decision, any external factors like family, and the feeling when you quit, then started something new, then the range of emotions until you had con...

Send us Fan Mail Mike and Blaine explore the differences between starting a company on your own, versus buying an ongoing concern.  What do you need money for?  What was the biggest surprise?  How long did it take to generate revenue and or profit?  When did the concept of cash flow enter your mind?  These are some of the things that listeners want to know when they are taking that first big step....

Send us Fan Mail Mike and Blaine talk about the various businesses they have been a part of and if there was any challenges with putting a name on your business.  It is not as simple as “hanging a shingle”, you have to consider trademarks, social handles, and connection to your service.  Most importantly, can someone quickly figure out what you do from the name you give your business.  You definit...