Struggles: Entrepreneur Challenges & Small Business Stories presented by NCBI

At this NCBI luncheon, business owners and leaders unpack a struggle that rarely gets labeled correctly: communication.  Leaders often think they are dealing with turnover, burnout, confusion, or lack of accountability. But beneath those symptoms is something deeper. A breakdown in clarity, trust, and how information moves through a team.  This conversation explores what really happens when leader...

Solo entrepreneurship is often celebrated as freedom, flexibility, and control. But the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Struggles presented by NCBI , Chris Inman and Laura Hardin have an honest conversation about what it actually feels like to run a business alone. From being responsible for everything in the business to the mental weight of never truly turning it off, they unpack...

In this special episode of Struggles presented by NCBI , Chris Inman sits down with Phil Vedda of Vedda Printing to break down why traditional direct mail often underperforms and how pairing it with digital advertising changes the outcome. Phil explains the real problem with one impression marketing and why most direct mail campaigns fail to convert on their own. He introduces Vedda Boost, a strat...

Struggles presented by NCBI welcomes Vic Ing, founder of Viking Sales Consultants, to share how he went from struggling with sales uncertainty to becoming a confident consultant getting clients to call him first. Vic breaks down the real mindset shifts and sales fundamentals that helped him win business consistently. We dig into sold-out networking, overcoming rejection, consultative selling, and...

When traditional banks say no, where do business owners turn next? In this episode of Struggles presented by NCBI , Brian Butkowski sits down with Dana Korosi of Riverstone Capital Consultants to unpack the real struggles business owners face when trying to secure financing. Dana shares what happens behind the scenes when deals fall apart at the bank level and how storytelling, creativity, and exp...

In this episode of Struggles , presented by NCBI, Chris Inman sits down to share a real conversation about one of the hardest parts of running a business: staying focused on your mission while the world throws opportunities, distractions, and shiny objects at you. Chris opens up about his early years in video production, from working on sports broadcasts to managing large corporate shoots, and the...

In this episode of Struggles , Jon sits down with Justin Gamble , a Northeast Ohio photographer who built his business from the ground up and made the difficult leap from contractors to hiring his first employee. Justin shares the real story behind growing a photography brand, shooting 30–40 weddings a year, managing burnout, and learning how to delegate the creative work that used to live only in...

In this episode of Struggles , Brian Butkowski sits down with Kim Klima , founder of Squeaky Clean NEO , to talk about the real story behind building a cleaning company from scratch with nothing but a vacuum, a vision, and a ton of grit. Kim opens up about the early days — from figuring out business basics without capital to juggling full-time jobs while cleaning houses at night. They talk about w...

In this episode of Struggles presented by NCBI, host John Carpenter sits down with Phil Vedda, third-generation leader of Vedda Printing, to talk about the bold decisions behind investing in new technology — even when it’s not the “safe” choice. Phil shares how his team is embracing a revolutionary new inkjet press, why betting on yourself matters, and how modern print innovations can actually low...

In this episode of Struggles presented by the North Coast Business Initiative (NCBI), host John Carpenter sits down with business coach and advisor Janelle Burnheimer to explore what it means to live and lead with intention. After nearly two decades in corporate finance, Janelle made the bold decision to step away from burnout and redefine success on her own terms. She shares her journey of becomi...

In this episode of Struggles , presented by NCBI, host Brian Butkowski sits down with Dan Cullen , owner of More To Give Fitness , to discuss how he helps people eliminate chronic pain and injury through advanced stretching techniques. Dan shares his personal journey from competitive athlete to pain-relief specialist after discovering a unique approach that traditional healthcare couldn’t offer. F...

You’re posting for you—and your buyers don’t care. In this Struggles episode, Chris Inman and John Carpenter break down the three mistakes killing small-biz social (me-centric posts, stock visuals, wrong platform) and the three fixes that work: a simple Hook → Educate/Entertain → CTA formula, being social on social, and telling real, interesting stories. You’ll learn where to put links so reach do...

Entrepreneurship is full of big swings. In this NCBI panel, three owners at different stages share the leap they took, the struggles they faced, and the systems and teams that helped them grow.   Guests: Amy Mucha (Daisy Pops), Marvin Montgomery Jr. (Kicks n’ Cuts), and Adam LaFaber (Digital Sandwich Agency).  We cover leaving a stable job, starting during COVID, hiring and delegation, building pr...

In this episode of Struggles, presented by NCBI, Lisa Holly shares her powerful story of resilience through nearly two decades of business ownership. From inheriting her family’s moving company after a sudden loss, to navigating one of the worst recessions since the 1940s, to surviving a three-year lawsuit without employee liability insurance, Lisa’s journey is filled with lessons for every entrep...

Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking to overcome the real, everyday obstacles of building and scaling a business. Each episode dives into the heart of entrepreneurship—sharing candid stories from founders across all industries, exploring the ups and downs of business struggles, and uncovering actionable solutions through con...

In this episode of Struggles, presented by NCBI, Brian Butkowski sits down with Debbie Metzger, founder of Metzger Retail Lease Advisors. Debbie shares her remarkable journey through decades in the retail real estate industry, from working with major Cleveland developers to launching her own firm after a sudden career setback. She reveals: ● How unexpected job losses led her to entrepreneurship ●...

In this episode of Struggles, host Chris Inman sits down with Corey Head, founder of SkyQuest, to discuss the journey of turning a passion for aviation into a thriving business. Corey shares how his unique approach to customer service in corporate aviation sets SkyQuest apart from traditional airlines, focusing on delivering memorable, efficient, and flexible travel experiences for clients. He ope...

Welcome back to another episode of Struggles, the podcast that delves into the everyday challenges we all face. I'm your host, Chris Inman, and in today's episode, we're catching up with Brian Butkowski from Bomb Image.  Together, we'll explore the art of effective follow-ups in professional settings—whether it's after meeting someone at a networking event or when connecti...

Welcome to Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together – the podcast dedicated to exploring the common hurdles entrepreneurs face across all industries and discovering strategies to overcome them. Whether you're grappling with scaling challenges, navigating business struggles, or looking for leadership tips and financial management advice, this podcast offers a wealth of real-world stories, ex...

In this episode of the podcast "Struggles," hosted by Chris Inman, guest Corey Head from SkyQuest discusses the unique aspects and benefits of private charter services offered by his company. Corey explains how SkyQuest provides efficient and personalized travel solutions for corporate clients and others with specific needs, such as time constraints and difficult-to-reach destinations. H...

Welcome to "Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together," the podcast dedicated to helping entrepreneurs across all industries tackle the common hurdles they face on the path to success. Join host Chris Inman as he dives deep into the real-world challenges of entrepreneurship, exploring leadership tips, scaling challenges, and financial management strategies through engaging conversations...

Dive into the world of entrepreneurship with "Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together," where we explore the common hurdles faced by business leaders across all industries. Each episode features compelling real-world stories, expert insights, and practical solutions, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles and drive their success. Whether you're grappling with leadership h...

Welcome to Struggles: Navigating Challenges Together, "Struggles" is designed to illuminate entrepreneurs' common hurdles across all industries and provide actionable strategies to overcome them. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just dipping your toes in the entrepreneurial waters, our show offers a wealth of real-world stories, expert insights, and practical solutio...

Welcome to Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together, the podcast that discusses the everyday hurdles entrepreneurs face across all industries. In this episode, we explore how to transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Each episode brings you real-world stories, expert insights, and practical solutions to help you tackle common business struggles. Discover leadership tips, learn about...

Join us on "Struggles: Navigating Challenges, Together," the podcast where we dive deep into the common challenges entrepreneurs face across all industries and uncover how they can overcome them. Hosted by Chris Imman and featuring insightful guests from various business sectors, we tackle the nitty-gritty aspects of entrepreneurship, offering real-world stories, expert insights, and pra...