The Business of You with Rachel Gogos

When Luke Boyenger's family business went bankrupt in the 2007-2008 financial crisis, it ignited an unexpected passion. After witnessing the painful closure of his father's business, Luke began to look around at the other companies that survived the same financial crisis. What did they have in common? The answer came down to accounting and finances.  Luke has since dedicated his career to masterin...

Good writing is the foundation of thought leadership. Whether you choose to write articles online, publish a book, or a combination of both, there's no way around it: writing is an essential skill for any entrepreneur looking to build their authority. Today's guest is here to help you sharpen your storytelling skills.  As the founder of The Institute for Thought Leadership, Rhea Wessel helps entre...

What do all great brands have in common? They create a meaningful experience for their customers–something Stu Synder is an expert in. Stu is the Founder and President of Snyder Media Group, LLC., creating content and providing strategic guidance to media, live entertainment, and start-up companies.  Chances are, you're already familiar with Stu's work. Maybe you watched Cartoon Network or Adult S...

Welcome to our special 200th episode! We're thrilled to mark this milestone with none other than Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a former NBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and current President of the NBA G League. Shareef's incredible journey from professional athlete to business leader is packed with lessons on leadership, personal growth, and making an impact. Reflecting on the Journey Beyond the Court...

When Nick Barrett launched his company in 2020, he had no experience in product development. Just a few years later, his products have appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, ABC Secret Sales, and the Tamron Hall Show. They've also been endorsed by Sharks from ABC's Shark Tank. His product, the CordBrick, was voted "Coolest Product" by attendees of the National Retail Federation BIG SHOW...

Did you know that employees are more likely to stay at an organization when they view their leader as empathetic?  Of all the traits that make for great leadership, empathy is near the top of the list–and according to this week's podcast guest, it's going to be increasingly important for the next generation. Pattie Dale Tye is the Consulting COO for Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC and a Board Member of Tr...

Do you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? As a business owner, your to-do list is virtually never-ending. But what if you could grow your business faster by doing less ? Today's podcast guest is proof that it's possible. Rodric Lenhart is a lifelong entrepreneur, multi-best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. Over the last 30 years, he's built several multi-million dol...

Marketing your business on a budget?  In this episode, Michael Herklots shares how he used the power of storytelling and personal branding to build his luxury cigar business from the ground up. Michael has worked in the Premium Cigar Industry since 1999. He served as Vice President of Nat Sherman International, responsible for creating and maintaining the company's portfolio of premium cigars, pip...

Have you ever heard the saying "Success is a lousy teacher?" Our biggest learning experiences come from failure: the product that flopped, the content that didn't perform, the "failed" business idea. For Anne Montgomery, failure was just the beginning.  Anne is a former television sportscaster, writer, and educator. Her first TV job came at WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia, and led to positions at WRO...

Are you thinking of starting a podcast? Or maybe you already have a show and are wondering how to take it to the next level? Today's guest shares everything you need to know to launch and grow a successful, purpose-driven podcast. Erik Cabral is a leading expert in brand development, trusted by Fortune 100 and Inc. 5000 companies to define and deliver their core messages. Having built thousands of...

The transition from solopreneur to CEO is never easy. It can be hard to let go of control and trust your team to deliver an ROI. Today's guest shares how you can break through that 6-figure plateau and set your team up for million-dollar success with a sales-focused marketing strategy.  Victoria Hajjar, founder of Ugli Ventures, helps female-founded startups scale from 6 to 7 figures. She speciali...

How do you sell someone a product they don't know they need?  When Sheri Chaney Jones launched her impact management platform, most of her customers didn't even know what impact management was. A few years later, it's become an industry standard. Sheri is a renowned social entrepreneur and impact measurement expert. With over two decades of experience, she has transformed the efficacy of nonprofit...

Aakash Shah struggled with allergies for years before finally finding permanent relief. Now he's helping others access the same life-changing treatment–all from the comfort of their own homes.  Aakash is the founder and CEO of Wyndly. He holds BAs in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia. After graduating, he helped found and grow several startups, two of which he...

If you want to grow your e-commerce or retail sales–or you happen to be a cigar lover–this episode is for you! David Garofalo is the owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop, the largest independently owned and operated cigar retailer in the world. He's also the host of The Cigar Authority Podcast and author of the book David vs. Goliath: How to Compete and Beat the Online Giant . David's other business ventu...

Do you know the difference between a plan and a strategy? To reach your business goals, you need both. Today's guest shares a new approach to growth strategy. As the Founder and CEO of Demand Metric, Jesse Hopps has spent the last 18 years working with senior executives at many of the world's largest organizations to accelerate revenue growth with focused problem-solving. He's on a mission to help...

If you want to scale your business for more profit and peace of mind, the solution comes down to one word: systems.  Ernesto Mandowsky is an expert in designing systems that grow with you. As the founder of The Million Dollar Machine, he helps scaling service providers design systems to improve revenue, retention, and peace of mind. His mission is to democratize business transformation tools. Erne...

A great customer experience is the difference between someone choosing to buy from you again…or switching to your competitor. Today's guest will help you turn one-time buyers into repeat customers through a powerful experience and community engagement.  Jess Cervellon is the Founder of Open Late Collective, an agency blending brand strategy, insights, CX, and digital marketing. As the former Vice...

We're re-running our favorite episodes from The Business of You archives. If you missed it the first time, or just want to listen again, check this one out! In Part 2 of our conversation with Joelle Flynn and Sonia Hounsell, the Co-Founders and best friends share valuable advice for women launching product-based businesses. Sonia and Joelle did not plan on breaking into the oral care industry, but...

We're re-running our favorite episodes from The Business of You archives. If you missed it the first time, or just want to listen again, check this one out! In this episode, we're sharing a Shark Tank success story! These two Founders combined their strengths to turn the seeds of a great idea into a best-selling product. Childhood best friends turned powerhouse entrepreneurs Joelle Flynn and Sonia...

Differentiation in business involves embracing your unique strengths, experiences, and passions to create a distinct value proposition that sets you apart from competitors. It's not about being different for the sake of it but authentically showcasing what you uniquely bring to the table. Understanding your market and analyzing your competition is essential for effective differentiation. By compar...

We're re-running our favorite episodes from The Business of You archives. If you missed it the first time, or just want to listen again, check this one out! When Saima Rathor and Patricia Gallardo met outside their children's preschool 15 years ago, they never could have imagined that one day they'd be founding a company together. The two women struck up a fast friendship, and over a decade later...

Crafting an exceptional customer journey, from the initial contact through every touchpoint to post-service interactions, is crucial for ensuring your clients' satisfaction. This holistic approach to customer experience is key to setting your business apart in today's competitive market. Your customer journey consists of several key stages: inception, selling, onboarding, service delivery, and off...

You've probably heard that practicing generosity can make you happier…but did you know it can also affect your business's bottom line? Cynthia Kersey, recognized as one of the World's Greatest Motivators, is a sought-after speaker, and best-selling author of two books, Unstoppable and Unstoppable Women . Her remarkable 25-year career is not only marked by a client list of global powerhouses but is...

By focusing on the specific characteristics, pain points, and behaviors of your ideal customer, you can create impactful messaging that drives engagement and business growth. While a target audience is broad, an ideal customer persona hones in on a single, detailed profile representing your perfect customer. Narrowing down your focus to this ideal persona allows you to create more effective messag...

Did you know that playing French music in a liquor store makes shoppers more likely to buy French wine? Sound has a real impact on our buying decisions and Jodi Krangle is an expert in how to use it to your advantage. Jodi has been a full-time voice actor since 2007. She collaborates with global clients like Dell, Kraft, and Lindt, specializing in Brand Voice, Commercials, Corporate Narration, and...