Business, Beer & BS with Mike & Blaine

Send us Fan Mail There is never a shortage of consultants, but the lifespan of a consulting company looks short. In this episode of Mike & Blaine, we will explore taking your skills and turning them into a business. So, how exactly do you leave the corporate grind and find success in consulting? Tune into this episode to find out. Thanks to our beer sponsors! Larry Weinstein, Rachel Barnett &a...

Send us Fan Mail Small business is a grind. It’s day-in and day-out repetition of barely moving the needle.  Sometimes, we wonder why we put ourselves through it as small business owners. The emotional toll presents itself as burnout, but is it? We think burnout is about resentment, and preventing it means discovering what you resent about your situation the most. Find out more during this episode...

Send us Fan Mail Just getting paid!... It’s a huge part of mastering cash flow. Too often, we hurt ourselves by not making the most important task in our business super simple. In this episode, Mike & Blaine talk about making it easy for your customers to give you money. They talk about strategies and technology to streamline your payment process and boost your bank account. Thanks to our beer...

Send us Fan Mail We were doing so well. Really. The small business community had finally rebounded from the collapse in 2008, and businesses were staying alive. There was a significant drop in filings from the high back in 2009, but in the last 12 months, they are climbing again.  Mike and Blaine talk about how to keep your small business alive. Thanks to our beer sponsor  - Rachel Barnett from Ge...

Send us Fan Mail Everyone knows you must have a sales funnel, but what does that mean? ...and why can’t I seem to master it?  In this episode, Mike & Blaine discuss the challenges they have encountered building and optimizing a sales funnel, which often feels like a game of Whack-A-Mole. Go beyond "Build It and They Will Come" and learn how to lead your customers down the golden path...

Send us Fan Mail I caught it before I hit send but “tomatoes that rock for you” nearly went out to a prospective client who was introduced to me through a friend. Clicking send would have been a double-whammy. Lost lead and annoyed friend. There’s so much more than auto-correct that is helping us run our companies every day – but they’re also putting us at much greater peril? Much more than a sill...

Send us Fan Mail How do you know if your inventory is too old?  Just blow on it.  If you see dust in the air, your inventory has been there too long.  Inventory is a real pain for small businesses.  Have too much and you kill your cash flow, have too little and you lose valuable sales.  In this episode, Mike and Blaine talk about the perils of inventory and a few survival tactics for small busines...

Send us Fan Mail Take a deep dive into the age-old debate of buy versus build to drive business growth. Mike & Blaine explore the nuances of expanding your company, from hiring employees to outsourcing projects, and share insights on when to invest in existing assets or create new ones from scratch. Tune in for a discussion that will help you make strategic decisions for your businesses. Featu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Mike & Blaine podcast, join us as we dive deep into the art of resourcefulness and how to achieve remarkable results with minimal resources. We'll share personal anecdotes and practical tips on how to harness creativity, innovation, and a can-do attitude to make the most out of limited means. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and learn how to turn c...

Send us Fan Mail Not every business has the chance to attract customers on a global level.  There are lots of businesses that must fight tooth and nail to win customers in their own neighborhood or town.  In this episode of Mike & Blaine, we discuss the Hyper-Local business.  Those small shops we depend on for home-grown services. Featured Beer: @saintarnold @snakelakebrewco Mike: Saint Arnold...

Send us Fan Mail The internet is here for good, so small business owners need to embrace the idea of having a digital identity.  After all, it may be the only impression a customer may have of you and your business.  In this episode, discover actionable tips to enhance your online presence and avoid common pitfalls. Tune in while Mike and Blaine try to help you level up your digital game and drive...

Send us Fan Mail It’s been said that a good plan executed on time is better than a perfect plan executed late.  In this episode of Mike & Blaine, the duo dive into mastering the perfect balance of planning and taking action in your business.  After all, business is faster now than ever.  Can you take the right calculated risk to get ahead? Featured Beer: @RealAleBrewing @collectiveartsbrewing...

Send us Fan Mail Tune in to the latest episode of the Mike & Blaine Podcast as we delve into the fascinating world of AI adoption by small businesses with special guest Ron Saharyan of Profit First!. In this insightful discussion, we unpack the intriguing insights from a recent Fox Business article that highlights how small businesses are embracing AI solutions and reaping the benefits. Join u...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Mike & Blaine discover how to craft irresistibly edgy messages that captivate your audience, resonate with their emotions, and leave a lasting impact on your small business. Get ready to take your marketing game to the next level and dominate your competition with our expert tips and tricks. Featured Beer: @LakewoodBrewing @Frontaalbrewingco Mike: Lak...

Send us Fan Mail In the biggest episode yet, Mike and Blaine tackle the stigma of giving away things for free in your business, while giving away a massive amount of goods to the winner of The Hundo Super Pack.  Mike and Blaine fearlessly discuss the misconceptions around giving freebies in your business. Learn how strategic generosity can build trust, loyalty, and authentic connections with your...

Send us Fan Mail Join Mike and Blaine in this riveting 100th episode of "Unbelievable Stats," where they uncover mind-blowing numbers that defy imagination. They also get into an epically silly argument over tactics for improving your profit margin. And they drink some great beer! Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining discussions on entrepreneurship, small business,...

Send us Fan Mail Delve into the crucial role of the entrepreneur in identifying and seizing business opportunities. Drawing from their own experiences and featuring inspiring success stories, Mike and Blaine explore the key indicators to look for in choosing whether to take or pass on an opportunity.   Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining discussions on entrepreneurship, sma...

Send us Fan Mail Raising money is hard, especially if you go the traditional VC route, but what about crowdsourcing platforms like Kickstarter.  Start-ups have raised a ton of money through crowdsourcing, but before you invest or try to raise funds, you better do some research. Mike & Blaine discuss their opinions and experiences with crowdfunding. Don't miss out on the latest insights an...

Send us Fan Mail Discover winning strategies to master small business competition in this insightful episode. Mike & Blaine share actionable tips on differentiation, target audience understanding, and leveraging technology. Gain a competitive edge with real-life success stories and practical steps for sustainable growth. Tune in now! Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining...

Send us Fan Mail Featured Beer: @ShinerBeer @redhartbrewing We’re convinced that the art of effective storytelling is the key to giving your small business success. It’s the magic of capturing your ideal audience’s attention with a memorable experience that will set your business apart. In this episode, Mike & Blaine discuss what they think are the elements of a good story. Don't miss out...

Send us Fan Mail Every time we post something or plan a huge campaign we try to unlock the secret of riding the viral wave. Join Mike & Blaine as they explore the frustration and excitement attached with creating a campaign that vaults your brand across the internet. You truly can turn your underdog status into triumph in this new digital world, but at what cost? Don't miss out on the lat...

Send us Fan Mail We are torn between two worlds. The lure of the new cryptocurrency and digital currency and the security of cold hard cash. Any more it seems inevitable that we don’t need a physical currency, after all most people stopped carrying it. Mike and Blaine discuss the future of money and what that means to business owners. Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining dis...

Send us Fan Mail We get bombarded daily with offers to be “coached” or “trained” on one skill or another. Truth is, most of the time we think we don’t need it while we pour over the internet for some secret that we must have overlooked. In this episode, Mike & Blaine talk about the Rise of the Coach and how a small business can reap the rewards…or sometimes, risk damage. Don't miss out on...

Send us Fan Mail In an article this week, the author made the claim that travelers are likely to refuse an upgraded plane seat to sit with someone they know. That got us thinking. How effective are add-ons and upgrades as promotions? Do they work? Mike & Blaine take on the psychological effect of ‘free’ in this episode. Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining discussions on...

Send us Fan Mail You wouldn’t think that.  After all, I think we all see ourselves as pretty smart.  But business has a way of bending your beliefs and making your challenge your gut instincts.  In this week’s episode, Mike & Blaine take on the psychology of the buying customer. Don't miss out on the latest insights and entertaining discussions on entrepreneurship, small business, and ran...