The Owner’s Guide: Strategies to Successfully Start and Grow a Business

Russ and Greg drop a major announcement—Greg is entering the world of indoor pickleball with new facilities launching in Las Vegas! Joined by Jennifer Christensen of Beacon Media + Marketing, the trio dives into how to market health and wellness brands (like pickleball centers!) using cutting-edge AI strategies. Learn the essentials of GEO (the new SEO), leveraging Google Business Profiles, ethica...

Russ and Greg welcome serial entrepreneur Eli Portnoy, founder of BackEngine.ai , to explore how AI is revolutionizing the way businesses understand and act on customer feedback. From synthesizing data across platforms to pinpointing growth opportunities and preventing churn, Eli breaks down how AI-driven insights can give executives a real-time pulse on customer needs—without losing the human tou...

In this timely episode of DIY For Business , Russ and Greg welcome Abe Orgel of SimpleForwarding.com to unpack the chaos surrounding the recent tariff changes affecting imports from China. They dive into the implications of the Section 321 elimination, how it’s disrupting e-commerce and brick-and-mortar supply chains, and what business owners can do to adapt. From rising shipping costs to legal wo...

In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg sit down with Brandon Davis, founder of Trek One Capital, to dive into the real cost of entrepreneurial growth—and how to scale without burning out. Brandon shares hard-earned insights from managing over 100 entities to paring down to a happier, healthier portfolio, revealing how clarity, collaboration, and culture can lead to massive success. We...

What does it take to turn rock bottom into a launchpad for success? In this gripping episode of DIY For Business, Russ and Greg sit down with Luke Lunkenheimer , founder of Paid to Persuade , to uncover his incredible transformation from bank robber to respected entrepreneur. Luke shares how he rebuilt his life after addiction and incarceration, diving into the mindset shifts, relentless work ethi...

In this insightful episode of DIY for Business , Russ and Greg chat with startup strategist and software veteran David Hirschfeld , founder of Tekyz , about why so many startups fail—and how to prevent it. David introduces his proven Launch First methodology, showing how early validation and sales before building a product can be a game-changer for founders. They dive into the power of identifying...

Public speaking is one of the most powerful tools entrepreneurs and business leaders can use to grow their influence—and their revenue. In this episode of DIY for Business , Russ chats with Blair Bryant Nichols , founder of BBN Creative Management , about how mission-driven professionals can overcome the fear of speaking and leverage the stage (or Zoom!) to strategically scale their business. From...

AI is transforming email marketing—but are you using it effectively? In this episode of DIY for Business , Russ and Greg dive into AI-driven email campaigns with experts Robin Tully and Michael Levitz of Forecasting ( forecast.ing ) . Learn how AI can craft personalized messages, improve click-through rates, and predict campaign success before you hit send. Topics covered include: • How AI enhance...

Small businesses no longer need big budgets to compete in social media marketing. In this episode of DIY for Business , Russ and Greg talk with Adam Nathan, CEO and Founder of Blaze AI , about how artificial intelligence is changing the game for entrepreneurs. They cover: • How AI can automate and optimize social media marketing efforts • The best strategies for using AI in social media, SEO, and...

In this episode of DIY for Business , Russ sits down with Vance Morris, a business consultant and former Disney leader, to uncover secrets for creating a business that thrives. Vance shares actionable insights on balancing work and family life, mastering the art of pricing for profitability, and building lasting emotional connections with customers. Drawing from his Disney experience, he explains...

In this episode of DIY for Business , Russ and Greg discuss fractional CFOs with Luke Boyinger, founder of Cruzumi CFO and Advisory. Luke explains how businesses can benefit from a fractional CFO to navigate financial complexities, forecast cash flow, and balance short-term profits with long-term growth strategies. This episode is packed with actionable tips, from practical advice on choosing the...

How can small businesses and entrepreneurs use PR to rise above the noise? In this episode of DIY For Business , Russ and Greg chat with PR expert Zachary Bernard , founder of We Feature You PR . Zachary shares his insights on crafting authentic narratives, leveraging social media, and navigating the ever-evolving world of public relations. Discover how to stand out as a thought leader, build trus...

Discover the secrets to turning one-time buyers into loyal, recurring customers in this insightful episode of DIY for Business. Russ welcomes Guitze Messina, author of Money Call , to break down the science behind proactive sales and customer retention. Learn the 5 key questions every business must ask to foster stronger relationships, uncover hidden opportunities, and optimize your sales strategy...

Join Russ and Greg as they chat with Peter Murphy Lewis, aka Strategic Pete, a seasoned marketing consultant who lives inside a zoo (literally) and has mastered the art of digital marketing. Dive into Peter’s fascinating journey from building a successful travel business to becoming a fractional CMO and marketing expert for unique ventures, including his current home at a private zoo in Wichita, K...

In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg share their contrasting networking experiences, from AI conferences to pickleball tournaments, and dive into the secrets of effective networking with expert Michael Forman. With over 30 years of experience, Michael reveals key strategies that work in both in-person and online settings, offering valuable insights for introverts, extroverts, and eve...

In this special crossover episode of “DIY for Business,” Russ and Greg are joined by Brigie and the dynamic duo behind Twisted Pickle, Ashley Blakely and Suzanne Griever. Dive into the fascinating world of pickleball entrepreneurship as they discuss how Twisted Pickle evolved from a simple idea into a thriving consulting firm specializing in pickleball businesses. Learn how to leverage teamwork, c...

In this episode of DIY for Business, Russ and Greg are joined by two extraordinary guests, Chip Massey and top DC publicist Adele Gambardella, authors of the book "Convince Me." With backgrounds in crisis communication and FBI hostage negotiation, they share their expertise on mastering the art of convincing others, whether in high-stakes situations or everyday business negotiations. Listen as Chi...

In this vibrant episode of DIY for Business , join Russ and Greg as they explore the dynamic blend of art, co-working spaces, and strategic marketing. With special guest Jesse James Wroblewski , dive into how embracing your inner 'marketing supervillain' can differentiate and elevate your brand. Discover the power of niche marketing, the advantages of targeted advertising, and innovative approache...

In this episode of DIY for Business, join hosts Russ and Greg as they dive into a kaleidoscope of topics from the unexpected lessons of the Oscars and the strategy behind wearing black, to the intriguing world of business transitions with special guest, Tom Conlon, founder of North Street Creative . Discover the art of branding and web design tailored for B2B success, and unravel the complexities...

Join Russ and Greg on a captivating episode of DIY for Business as they welcome Kyle Smith, CFO and co-founder of Strata Cloud , diving into the crucial interplay between finance and marketing strategies for business success. From Russ's enlightening trip to Austin and insights into FileMaker's capabilities to exploring the financial intricacies of starting and scaling a business, this episode cov...

In this insightful episode of DIY for Business, hosts Russ and Greg dive deep into the nuances of creating a compelling remote work culture with special guest Gerry Godori, a seasoned expert in leadership, team building, and author of " Destination Employer. " From transitioning traditional office settings to fully remote operations, Gerry shares invaluable strategies for attracting, recruiting, a...

Join Russ and Greg in a unique episode of DIY for Business, recorded from a co-working space's phone booth! They dive into the vibrant world of startups with tech expert Bill Bolden. With over 24 years of experience and a knack for launching tech startups, Bill shares invaluable insights into the dos and don'ts of the startup ecosystem. From distinguishing between B2B and B2C app development to id...

In this episode of DIY for Business, join us as we welcome Ken Wentworth, also known as Mr. Biz, a dynamic entrepreneur with a unique journey. Discover how his relentless pursuit of goals, from powerlifting to business, offers valuable lessons in achieving success. We delve into his four-step methodology for goal achievement, outlined in his latest book, "Don't Fake the Funk." Ken shares his exper...

In this episode of DIY for Business, hosts Russ and Greg dive into the art of transforming business challenges into triumphs with guest Chris Spanier, a seasoned consultant known for his optimistic approach and ability to unearth potential in seemingly adverse situations. From discussing the power of storytelling in marketing and personal branding to exploring the importance of adopting an optimis...

In this episode of DIY for Business, hosts Russ and Greg welcome Mark Donnigan, a seasoned virtual Chief Marketing Officer specializing in B2B sales and marketing strategies for startups. Mark delves into the complexities of startup marketing, highlighting the importance of executing the right strategies over accumulating more strategies. He discusses the common pitfalls startups face, such as mis...