The Blue Collar Gold Podcast

This episode talks about getting momentum in a business and then maintaining and managing momentum when it wants to overwhelm you. The chocolate business had its "soft" opening and we talk about the good and bad.  

With Christmas upon us, I wanted to reflect on some stories and situations that I hold close to my heart about business and interactions that we have with people.  If you are truly grateful for all you have and the people in your life and business...life gets a lot more meaningful!   I hope you enjoy this podcast and thank you for listening!

Today we welcome Chief Operations Officer and hiring guru Kent Wessley to the podcast.  Kent has an extensive background at starting and building companies and he will discuss how he thinks about the process.  Kent dives into the importance of your unique company story and how to use that to attract the very best people to work in your business.   Kent also talks about mistakes that...

Its busy season in the chimney business.  If you have a fireplace, get it checked out by a CSIA certified chimney sweep.  www.csia.org We talk about assumptions that can be wrong....way wrong. 

In this episode, Mark answers a great  question from a young entrepreneur.  Also we discuss John Maxwell's 7  highly intuitive questions to ask anyone that you want to learn from.  

Allison Reynolds is a Certified Public Accountant that also offers fractional Chief Financial Officer services to all types of small business's   In this episode we talk about common mistakes that small business owners make, what are some of the keys to prepare for a possible slow down in the economy and lots of other really great practical advice for your business.   www. AllisonReynold...

We talk about starting a business with the opportunities that are all around you!  They are everywhere and if you are more risk averse, starting with something that is familiar may be the right thing for you.  

In this episode I pay tribute to my father that passed last week from Alzheimer's.  Thank you to all of you that sent messages, cards and gifts.  I really appreciate it very much.

In this episode, I talk about the fact that every business that I have ever started required 1 or many pivots from the original plan to stay relevant, be successful or to take advantage of a new opportunity.  Where do you need to pivot?  Also, Dumb is real in the chocolate world!  

We talk about Blue Collar Cats and the business leadership lessons that can be gained by understanding the way in which Killer Whales are trained.  Dumb is Real looks at dumb parking garages and October is Cancer Awareness month so please support Sweep Away Cancer. www.sweepawaycancer.com

In this episode we talk about all role of the CEO.  The 6 tasks that you cannot delegate away and what you are ultimately responsible for in your business.  We also have a new Dumb is Real segment and new info on Sweep Away Cancer.   This episode is also available on YouTube

Do you want "A" Players on your team?  Of course, we all do but many people cant attract them or retain them very long.  In this episode Mark discusses several needs and characteristics of "A" players to help you get more of them on your team!  Also, a new rant section of the show "Dumb is Real" 

In this episode Mark talks about 9/11.  He also shares stories about business owners thinking in a way that actually hurts them and limits their ability to make their business become a vehicle to bring them happiness and prosperity . Please share this podcast and rate us on any of the platforms that you listen to this podcast on! Mark is now broadcasting the podcast on YouTube if you would ra...

Mark finishes the 2 part series on leadership.  He discusses Domineering, Secretive, Passive Leaders and the best leadership style...The Empowering Leader.  

We pay tribute to Terry Dearborn, an icon in the chimney industry and we start mini series on leadership styles.  The first style that we discuss is the Unpredictable Leadership style.  These types of leaders create hesitant employees.  They don't know how the leader will react to issues.  They can be super happy or fly off the handle depending on their mood.  They also te...

John Meredith is our guest this week.  He is the founder and CEO of SaverSystems and Mark's closest mentor.  John has built one of the strongest brands in the coatings industry and he has done it while remaining a humble yet strong leader.  John talks about how he looks for the soft skills in leadership and uses intuition to guide his daily actions in business.  

This weeks episode is with entrepreneur Kimble Bosworth.  She runs a fantastic promotional marketing business and has a really great outlook on how to run a business.  This episode has some really great takeaways!

In this episode Mark interviews serial entrepreneur Darin Bibeau.  Darin served in the  a special forces and then took that training and focus into the business world.  He has started several different types of business's from fabrication, to restaurants to fitness gyms.  He has a great philosophy on running his businesses through the guidance of his core values.  If you w...

On this weeks episode, Mark talks to entrepreneur Jake Loeffler.  Jake started off working on Wall Street but found more satisfaction in Blue Collar businesses His latest business is an Amazon based business that has no employees but fierce competition.   Jake will tell the listeners how he started the Amazon business from sourcing a product to protecting it from copy cats on Amazon...

The guest this week is Stacy Files  She is a mother of 4 and a Certified Chimney Sweep in Charleston South Carolina.  Stacy talks about her journey to become a chimney sweep as well as what its like in the day in the life of one of only a very few female chimney sweeps in the US.   Also, come join us in Nashville August 8-9 for the Blue Collar Gold University Summit     ht...

Mark talks about the heath effects of over hustling.  Also, In today's competitive market place you compete for customers and talented employees.  The single best weapon to help beat your competition in both categories is your focus on education.  a better educated staff will out perform your competitors and will help you run a smoother operation.    We welcome you to atte...

This is a bit of a rant about dumb stuff and especially dumb business policies that hinder the customer experience.  Also, real dumb laws that are on the books in certain states  Enjoy   Blue Collar University Summit is August 8-9  To fond out more information or to attend go to www.markstoner.com/bcgu-summit/

Mark interviews Chimney Master Andreas Gaetner on the podcast today.  He discusses the differences in the trade and their businesses between the United States and Germany.  The education of chimney sweeps in Germany is taken much more seriously than in the United States and they discuss the strict requirements of being a chimney sweep in Germany.  

We announce our first ever Blue Collar Gold Summit August 8-9 in Nashville TN   More details and links to come!  Today the podcast has its first ever guest Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Stoner.  We talk about hiring vets (www.pwc.com/vets) and how to employe and lead them in your business   Tim also talks about leadership in military and civilian life.  We hope you enjoy...

Its a myth that there is a "THERE" that you will magically arrive at in life and then everything will be perfect.  Don't set yourself up for that let down!  Mark also annouces the first ever Blue Collar Gold Summit held in Nashville TN August 8-9!