Knack 4 Business

What if your company could make a difference and grow revenue at the same time? In this inspiring episode of Knack 4 Business , hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt sit down with Shel Horowitz , ethical marketing expert and founder of Going Beyond Sustainability . Together, they explore how companies of all sizes—from solopreneurs to multinational brands—can profit while tackling global issues...

Too many entrepreneurs spend their day on the wrong things—this episode shows how to fix it. Are you working hard but not moving the needle? In this powerful episode of Knack 4 Business , productivity consultant Mark Ellwood from Get More Done dives into why time feels so “slippery”—and how to reclaim it. You’ll discover how simple tweaks in communication, delegation, and task prioritization can g...

Most businesses know how to market — but few know how to use publicity strategically to become a go‑to name. In this episode, Richard Kaye of Top Talent Agency joins us to tell stories from over twenty years in publicity, and break down the differences between public relations, marketing, advertising, and publicity in a way you can use now . He shares how to get featured in media , how to keep you...

Most businesses blend in. Alissa Bickar helps entrepreneurs stand out by turning their personal stories into powerful trust-building tools. In a world full of noise, facts and features don’t stick—feelings do. This week on Knack 4 Business , we welcome Alissa Bickar , founder of The Consultress , to unpack how authentic storytelling can unlock client connection and long-term loyalty. With 20+ year...

Meredith Grundei started her journey in theatre and improv. One day, she watched a corporate leader lose everyone in the room with jargon and stiff delivery. She vowed: no one else should lose hearts to “boring talk.” In this episode, Meredith shares her 5 Authenticity Secrets to help you connect, simplify your message, and speak boldly. You’ll learn how to prepare like a pro, ditch corporate-spea...

Too many businesses crumble when disruption strikes—because they never planned for it.   What if your business could keep running , even after a fire, a flood, or a shift in market demand? In this eye-opening episode of Knack 4 Business , we sit down with Kenneth Edmonds , founder of 22 Century Management , who helps companies build operations strong enough to outlast chaos. From training with spa...

What does it take to turn a stutter into a superpower? This episode dives into the transformative story of Rich “Trigger” Bontrager , a media coach, keynote speaker, and talk show host who broke through the odds to own every mic, camera, and crowd. Trigger shares how childhood imagination and relentless resilience built the foundation for a 30+ year career in broadcasting, and how you can use stor...

Entrepreneurs often sabotage their own success by unknowingly staying stuck in survival mode—repeating patterns, resisting feedback, and reacting instead of leading. Mitch helps them shift their thinking to become more resourceful and resilient. In this inspiring episode of Knack 4 Business , we dive deep with Mitchell Weisburgh , founder of MindShifting with Mitch , who reveals the brain-based st...

Many startups can’t build investor‑grade financial models, so they fail to raise capital. 🧩 What this episode covers Step into Vera’s story — from her roots in analytics and early business exposure, to founding B‑Spot Consulting . She reveals how she helps life sciences and health‑tech startups design robust financial models, validate market opportunities, and build compelling funding decks 🔑 Ke...

Many business leaders feel lost when markets shake — Electra shows you how to bring structure, clarity, and actionable focus when uncertainty looms. 📖 A Story of Survival & Strategy When Electra Govoni looked across the horizon of economic shifts and fast fintech change, she saw too many leaders freezing instead of choosing. With 30+ years in FinTech and now leading executive coaching and peer ad...

Many rural areas lack reliable internet and tech support, leaving entrepreneurs and local economies disconnected.   In this episode, Birket Foster takes us on a storytelling journey—from his early days founding MB Foster in 1977, to scaling it into a software powerhouse, and then pivoting to launch STORM Internet to bring underserved communities online. Along the way, he faces regulatory hurdles,...

Old warehouse systems slow down operations, increase costs, and block business growth. Imagine you’re running a business. Orders are delayed. Inventory is messy. Costs are sneaking up. You feel held back by your warehouse. That’s what Carl Ferreira‑Calvet saw in many companies before they fixed the problem. In this episode, Carl, founder of ZIC Solutions , walks us through how outdated warehouses...

Legal surprises derail growing businesses — Jon Hood helps you avoid them with predictable, flat‑fee legal counsel. Jon Hood used to be the general counsel at an ed‑tech startup. He saw first‑hand how legal bills stacked up when issues were ignored until they got big. He decided there must be a better way. Today he runs Hood Venture Counsel, where he offers fractional general counsel services: pro...

When the founder is the face of the business, it can lower its sale price and make it hard to pass on value. Caroline Troy walked into many companies where the founder was the star: everyone knew them, they did many things, and the business depended on them. One day she had a founder ask, “If I stepped away, would my business still be worth something?” That question led her to help businesses chan...

Many business owners struggle to make their message heard because they don’t tell their story in a way that feels real. Once upon a time, there was an entrepreneur who felt invisible. Her words were lost, her brand quiet. Then Helen Harwood Snell stepped in—storyteller, coach, expert in turning simple messages into powerful stories. In this episode of Knack 4 Business , hosts Bernie Franzgrote and...

Eric Pierre once chased a basketball dream—but life had a twist. He redirected that drive into numbers, taxes, and accounting. Today, Eric’s using lessons from courtside grit to help high‑net‑worth individuals and entrepreneurs win financially. He wrote The Great Tax Escape , drawing on years at Fortune 500 firms and his own path. In this episode, Eric reveals how pro athletes’ financial habits ca...

Too many diverse workplaces struggle to build clarity and connection across cultural and communication gaps. What happens when a community leader brings comedy, curiosity, and courageous questions into the boardroom? You get Jason Doiron —a leadership and dialogue expert at The Purposeful Group —who helps diverse teams unlock deeper connection through intentional hosting and vulnerability. In this...

Many people fail to prepare a will, leaving families to face messy legal trouble and unknown outcomes. Once upon a time, Sara thought she’d be okay without writing a will. But when she had health trouble, people fought over decisions. In this episode, Redmond O’Brien from Odette Rwigamba Lawyers PC tells why wills matter, how divorce and family law cases get messy without honest disclosures, and h...

Business owners often underestimate cyber risks—and that leaves them exposed. Once upon a time, many businesses thought cyber threats were problems for “big companies only.” But Greg Young from Trend Micro—with over 35 years of experience—shows us that the dangers are real and that everyone is at risk. Picture a business owner who opens one phishing email… and suddenly, ransomware locks everything...

How can you attract clients without ever feeling or being pushy? With 25+ years of experience, Shawn isn’t about slick sales—she’s about being you, thinking right, and messaging clearly. In this episode, Shawn shares: Her personal journey into coaching and how staying authentic built her business How to reframe your mindset to build trust instead of tension The simple 3-step structure that turns e...

Gerry Lalonde of X-Roads Technology Partners joins hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt to explore what most founders overlook—until it's too late. From preparing for IPOs and private placements to building leadership teams and managing exits, Gerry shares key strategies for founders at every stage. Learn how to recognize your company's true health, embrace future-focused thinking, and plan for...

Burned out by the business side of your art? Marjorie Gutierrez of Smart Business Designs shares her journey from fine art shipping to soulful systems. With over 20 years of experience, she offers creative entrepreneurs tools to create order without sacrificing passion. Hear how she balances creativity and structure, why pricing matters, and how to build boundaries that protect your energy. This e...

How to sell without feeling pushy, stressful, or inauthentic. Imagine you dread selling—too much pressure, too much push. That’s how many of us feel. Today, we welcome Mark Kempf , author of Unfurl Your Sales , who shakes things up with his “Quoin” principle—a gentle, respectful way to build long‑term client trust without the stress of aggressive tactics. With over 40 years in insurance sales, Mar...

  What would happen to your business if your systems went down tomorrow? That’s the question Erika Andresen helps answer in this powerful episode of Knack 4 Business . Erika, founder of EaaS Consulting LLC , is a military veteran and former lawyer turned business continuity strategist. She shares her inspiring journey from legal and military service to helping businesses survive and thrive through...

Once, James Mackenzie, co‑founder of Purecolo, had big dreams but knew that growth meant more than just ideas—it needed strong teams and smart systems. He learned that when people work well together, the company grows stronger and faster. Today, he tells that journey as five simple strategies that anyone can use. Key topics covered: How team dynamics drive business growth Scaling operations while...