Unpolished MBA

In this episode of the Unpolished MBA, we dive deep into the world of pricing strategies with John Ray, a seasoned expert in investment management, banking, and strategic advisory. John founded Ray Business Advisors to help solopreneurs and small professional service firms navigate the complexities of value, positioning, and pricing. He introduces us to his latest work, "The Generosity Mindset," a...

n this episode of the Unpolished MBA, we're thrilled to introduce Caitlin Ferguson, a seasoned expert in transforming ambitious visions into operational success at scale. Caitlin shares her insights on the critical role of a fractional COO and how she assists companies in navigating the complexities of growth, strategy, and operational efficiency. Whether you're a startup finding your footing or a...

Entrepreneurs need more than money for growing their startup or acquired company. Unfortunately, this is oftentimes overlooked by entrepreneurs when investors want involvement in their companies. Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com Follow Monique Mills LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/ Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/ TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Star...

In the episode we welcome Brian Lee Shields, an acquisition entrepreneur and advisor with a remarkable journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Brian shared his firsthand experiences with burnout, the pivotal moments of his career, and his dedicated efforts to help others navigate the stresses of business leadership. Some Topics Discussed Include: Brian Lee Shields' Background - How...

This episode with Unpolished MBA (TM) host, Monique Mills, discusses how the gig economy is here to stay, and it's not just for low-skill jobs. For professionals, it's a golden opportunity to leverage their skills in new, flexible ways. Some Topics Discussed Include: "I Have Something To Say" podcast with Sami Haimin Marrero Episode 174 w/Monique Mills ( Link ) The expansion of the gig economy int...

In this insightful episode, Yvette Owo--an expert in accounting, finance, and business acquisitions--shares her extensive knowledge and experience in business acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of financial due diligence, understanding working capital, and the nuances of deal structuring. She also discusses the value of maintaining good relationships with sellers and lenders, and the critica...

The episode's central theme revolves around the concept of being "good people" in business. Key Takeaways: Emphasize ethical conduct and kindness in business interactions. Recognize the subjectivity of what constitutes being "good" in business. Uphold integrity by fulfilling commitments and respecting boundaries. Avoid entitlement; utilize resources like AI for initial guidance. Understand that re...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jane McCracken, a serial entrepreneur and an expert in the recruitment industry. Jane brings a wealth of knowledge about the current job market, offering invaluable insights for both job seekers and employers. Some Topics Discussed Include: Adapting to New Communication...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Talisha Shine, a seasoned professional in health tech and blockchain technology. She shares her experiences transitioning back into the job market after a decade, her thoughts on adapting to changes in job search methods, and her passion for Web 3.0 and AI's impact on healthcare. Fo...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Tory Kindlick, a seasoned expert in demand generation. Some Topics Discussed Include: Career Transitions and Recharging: Tory shares his experiences and insights on taking breaks between jobs, emphasizing the importance of recharging and spending time with family. Networking and Lin...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Jibril Sulaiman where he shares his diverse career journey, from entrepreneurship to now pursuing traditional employment opportunities in project management, and the lessons learned along the way. Some Topics Discussed Include: The Recruitment Maze: Jibril's experience with Amazon's...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Amanda Nielsen, a partnerships professional with a rich background in marketing, partnerships, and channel sales, she shares her journey and insights into building successful partnership programs. Some Topics Discussed Include: A Career in Partnerships: Amanda's experience in managi...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Robert Johnson, a seasoned professional in user experience (UX) design. We delve into his multifaceted career journey, exploring the intersections of multimedia, photography, and UX design. Some Topics Discussed Include: Career Transition and Exploration: Robert discusses his initia...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Melanie L. Flores, a degreed engineer with a knack for humanizing tech, making it relatable and human-centric for all to use and benefit from. Her self-described identity is: An engineer's mind, A teacher's heart, and A gardener's hands. Some Topics Discussed Include: Experience in...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Brenda Mariah who is renowned for her career advice and is the founder of Push Career Management. Key Discussion Points: Addressing Termination in Interviews: Brenda discusses the difference between being laid off and fired and how to address termination in job interviews. She empha...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features Cameo Doran , a former VP who has successfully navigated a career transition into entrepreneurship. Cameo's Journey: Layoff Experience : Cameo discusses her layoff experience after being part of an executive team, reflecting on the personal impact and her initial reactions. Launching Cameo Labs: She sh...

Holiday Series 2023 - Unpolished MBA Gold: Mining For Talent In Transition This episode features a conversation with Gregg Burkhalter, widely recognized as "The LinkedIn Guy." He shares his journey from a career in music and broadcasting to becoming a key influencer on LinkedIn, known for his personal branding and professional networking skills. Early Career and Transition: Gregg talks about his e...

This episode wraps up Season 6 and emphasizes three important points that Monique wants the audience to know: 1) The way you earn money from your skills and talents will take a form of entrepreneurship within the next 10 years. 2) You are still valuable even though technology is replacing jobs. 3) You have options for entrepreneurship, one of which is buying an SMB. Become an Unpolished MBA Guest:...

Stephanie Smith, the owner of Social by Steph and founder of Simmy, shares her journey from being an engineering major at Georgia Tech to becoming an entrepreneur specializing in paid social media ads. Stephanie gained early experience in Facebook ads while working at a startup that was one of Facebook's first data partners. Some Topics Discussed Include: Budget Constraints: Small and medium-sized...

This episode explores the fascinating journey of Dr. Kenya Oduor, a dynamic entrepreneur and PhD holder,  human-centered researcher, strategist, and solution designer, as she shares her path from civil engineering to psychology and entrepreneurship. She shares her insights on human-centered design, effective communication, and critical thinking in today's fast-paced world. Listen in to learn...

Shehara L. Wooten, an accomplished author, speaker, and financial life-planning strategist, is the visionary behind Your Story Financial, LLC. Her virtual fee-only fiduciary boutique firm is dedicated to empowering women and #STEM professionals, transforming their financial uncertainty into unwavering confidence. Shehara holds the prestigious title of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Her...

Some Topics Discussed Include: What a search fund investor does and looks for in entrepreneurs Issues in acquiring therapy clinics and healthcare practices Unintentional billing fraud in healthcare SMB's--(searchers beware!) How and why inflation is negatively affecting the SMB acquisition space right now Conducting background checks on SMB sellers (please tell them prior to doing it) Here is the...

Some Topics Discussed Include: Why Jay Lee left a lucrative career to become a pastor His journey from 10 years in ministry to entrepreneurship How churches are an example of the ultimate sales funnel Giving away your product for free BUT with limitations How to redirect people who only want free stuff Being a heart-centered entrepreneur and selling without sounding salesy AND MORE! Become an Unpo...

Some Topics Discussed Include: Startups vs Revenue-Generating Small Businesses Twitter Conflict College Selection and Ivy League networks Thinking Small Nick's 10 Companies (and growing!) Being An Affiliate vs Having Ownership In Companies Raising Kids + more Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com Follow Nick Huber LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweatystartup/ Twitter: ht...

In this episode, Monique shares some insight into the upcoming episode (Ep 085) with Nick Huber , also known as sweatystartup on Twitter , that will be released on July 31, 2023. Follow Monique Mills LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/ Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/ TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/ Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https:...