Kickstart Your Week

Tune into Toucan Talks this week as we chat with Will Hardison of Creative Outdoor Solutions. Once a cover band member and DJ, he started a successful marketing agency and worked with an innovative e-commerce business selling meats online. Now he is working on a new venture called Creative Outdoor Solutions to help keep you home safe with storm shutters. As we chat, we peel back the layers of this...

Jacob Tippett joins us on this week's episode of Toucan Talks to unravel his journey as a serial entrepreneur. With ventures ranging from e-learning platforms like Production Online to the innovative Sticky Notes, Jacob imparts a masterclass in steering businesses through the tides of time zones and the subtleties of product design. Get ready to immerse yourself in the entrepreneurial ethos a...

Join us as we breakdown some of our favorite Super Bowl ads from this year. This episode pulls back the curtain on big-brand maneuvers, revealing how they can be scaled for small and medium-sized businesses. From the importance of generating pre-launch buzz to the clever use of witty humor, this episode can help you with creating content that's not just seen but felt. We dive deep into some o...

Have you ever wondered how the bond of family can weave its way into the fabric of entrepreneurship? Tune into Toucan Talks this week for an intimate conversation with Sherry and Carmin Black, the mother-daughter powerhouse whose stories will inspire you. Sherry, an interior design maven with years of wisdom, alongside Carmin, whose fresh take on the fashion industry following her shift from Half...

Tune into Toucan Talks this week with Laura and Alyssa from Kickstart Collective. In this minisode, we break down the freshest marketing trends of the new year. We play marketing "Ins and Outs" for 2024 and discuss how a strategic approach to digital content is key to resonating with the modern consumer. We also talk about why SEO is now cozying up with AI and voice searches. With a spot...

Explore the world of franchising with industry expert Wes Barefoot, owner of Path of Freedom. Wes is a passionate entrepreneur with extensive experience in franchising, who now helps other entrepreneurs with proven franchise consulting processes. From Wes's experiences at 101 Mobility to leading ShelfGenie with his wife, learn about the process of franchise ownership and how to craft a vision...

Welcome to Season 2 of Toucan Talks! We are excited to be back and are looking forward to bringing you more insights from business owners in the Wilmington area. Season 2 is going to be all about business strategies to help you start 2024 off on the right path. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Coach Reggie, owner and business coach at Business Growers, share his advice and experience o...

Elevate your marketing game this Q4! Join us as we share how to enhance your strategy by aligning business goals with ideal customer profiles. We guide you through creative content ideas that resonate with your audience. Plus, discover the synergy of merging marketing and sales funnels. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a newbie, get ready for insights that will take your strategy to new...

It's not every day we get to talk about writing, surfing, and the journey of self publishing a book. But today, we're doing just that with the multi-talented author, Laurel Senick. With her first novel 'Foam' and her upcoming novel 'Luminescent', Laurel takes us on her journey from the writing desk to self publishing. She shares the challenges of wearing multiple hats...

Who wouldn't want to illuminate the blind spots in their business? Brittany Fountain from Britt Joy & Co joins us to share her unique approach to growth and culture strategy. She has applied her human-focused strategy to collaborate with companies ranging from those with 50 employees to Fortune 300 giants. But this isn't just about human resources. It's about fostering continuit...

Have you ever imagined what it's like to reinvent yourself in your sixties and thrive? Our guest, Bill Simpson, did just that, and he's here to share his inspiring journey. From engineering to ministry, Bill's career path is unique. Now, he's the proud owner of Refined Renovations, a company that specializes in crafting custom, low-maintenance showers! Bill's showers aren&...

In this minisode, Laura and Alyssa with Kickstart Collective guide you through the steps to craft an effective marketing strategy aligned with your business goals. They break down the process into attainable and relevant building blocks for a successful campaign. They simplify the overwhelming task of choosing a marketing strategy, while focusing on funnel segmentation. Laura and Alyssa breakdown...

We talked with Rob Warwick, a seasoned real estate broker in the Wilmington area. With six-years under his belt, Rob shares everything from teamwork dynamics to neighborhood development. Be prepared for some candid insights into his challenging encounters - water damage, contract complications, and the ever-present inventory issues. But we don't stop at personal anecdotes and real estate intr...

Have you ever wondered why coffee from your local barista tastes so much better than what you get from large chain coffee shops? Explore the exciting world of specialty coffee with Nico Nino, the driving force behind Maven Coffee. Learn what goes into sourcing specialty coffee and creating a coffee business that doesn't follow the traditional coffee shop model. We explore the business side of...

Ever wonder how entrepreneurs manage to succeed for over two decades in the ever-changing economy, business climate, and consumer trends? Meet Jon Carne, who is behind Socco, Legacy Knitting, and Port City Apparel. We get an in-depth look at his journey, the ups-and-downs, his wildest design requests, and the challenges he encountered while navigating this industry for 27 years. Our conversation w...

Have you ever wondered how to make your business stand out in a crowded market? This minisode by the Kickstart Team with Laura and Alyssa takes you on a journey through the maze of differentiation, exploring branding, web design, Google business listings, and the goldmine potential of email marketing.  We share insights on how to nurture and engage your subscribers, from building an email list wit...

Are you ready to uncover the hidden advantages of direct booking websites for short-term rentals? Wilmington's very own Mikey Hayes, owner of a duplex in Carolina Beach, joins us to illuminate the path. He shares his personal journey transitioning from traditional platforms to direct booking, revealing how it's not just about diving into a new venture, but also about dealing with potenti...

Ever felt like you're drowning in clutter? Meet Kelly Barefoot, owner of Shelf Genie of Coastal Carolinas, who has built a thriving business out of solving this very problem. As a mom of three working alongside her spouse, Kelly's journey in entrepreneurship is as complex as a Rubik's cube, and she's here to share with us how she's managed to balance it all while growing h...

Buffy Andrews, owner of Made Well Center for Wholeness, joins Toucan Talks to talk about her journey as a multi-passionate entrepreneur. Buffy shares how she combined her passions for helping others, wellness, and mental health into a thriving business that not only fills her cup, but also serves her clients in a unique way.  Join us as we talk about how to combine your multiple passions into one...

Welcome to Episode 8 of Toucan Talks! We’re excited to introduce our new minisode series “You Can Ask” where our Kickstart team answers your marketing questions in quick 15-minute episodes. During this first minisode, Luke and Joshua answer your video content questions. From how to get started with video marketing to creating shareable content, their candid conversation is full of helpful tips for...

Krisiann Moskal joins Toucan Talks to talk about short-term rentals in Wilmington, NC. Krisiann and her husband, Morgan, own and operate The Digs NC with two short-term rental properties and one long-term rental property. They plan to keep growing their business through new properties, as well as resources and education for other short-term rental property owners. During this episode, Krisiann sha...

Rachel Ellzey from Social Coffee and Supply Co. joins the Toucan Talks podcast to share about growing and expanding a local business! Rachel and her husband started Social Coffee with the mission to service and to love others through coffee. What started as a single location shop has grown to now roasting coffee, a second location, and now wholesaling. In this episode, Laura and Rachel talk about...

Stone Tippett, co-owner of Ruff Draft, joins Toucan Talks for episode five! Ruff Draft is Wilmington’s first dog park bar. While it’s a fairly new business, only being open for eight months, it’s quickly become a favorite among Wilmington dog owners.  After noticing a market for more dog friendly spots, Stone and his co-owner and recent podcast guest, Sam Steger, dived into the logistics of making...

Becca McAbee, owner of Booty Lab, joins us on Toucan Talks this week! Booty Lab is a boutique strength training gym for women Wilmington, NC.  In this episode, Becca shares her knowledge and experience on finding her niche and target client. She shares what it was like shutting down a successful fitness studio to follow her passion and narrow down her target client. The risk was huge, but the rewa...

Steve Warwick from Maus, Warwick, Matthews, and Co. joins Toucan Talks this week to share his experience of being in business in Wilmington, NC for over 35 years. As a commercial real estate broker and business owner, Steve shares insights for other business owners regarding both real estate and business ownership. Get his advice for longevity in business and what it takes to succeed in the long-r...