Will Talks Biz

"Accountability certainly helps keep you on track for accomplishing whatever your goals are, launching products or ideas that you have." Episode Highlights [00:02:01] Conferences can provide valuable information and networking opportunities. [00:06:57] Set expectations with contractors and hold them accountable. [00:11:49] Improve events through feedback. [00:14:22] Turn hobbies into businesses op...

"The biggest and most important thing for any job, but it's especially true with entry level roles, is you need to display a strong bias for action." Episode Highlights [00:02:59] Be selective for the right fit; what to do when candidates ask about areas of improvement. [00:04:21] Investing time in providing candid feedback to others can greatly enhance one's reputation [00:10:26] Teach the skills...

"It's unbelievable that companies will spend so much money in marketing and then have an experience that doesn't live up to the invitation, the marketing that they have extended." – Scott McKain We couldn't be more appreciative to have renowned speaker, consultant, coach, and author, Scott McKain, back to talk about creating the ultimate customer experience. The last time he was with us [Episode 2...

"Set up clear expectations and standards when a panel is scoring. It makes it fair and consistent for each candidate. At the end of the interviews, you have numbers, and the numbers don't lie." - Autumn Stern There is no doubt that setting up hiring strategies can make a difference for your organization. In an effort to better understand strategies that work, I talked it Autumn Stern, a senior HR...

"I believe that you can accomplish anything with passion, imagination, and grit." Matthew Miller Matthew Miller has always had a passion for the theme park industry. Ever since he was in 1st grade, he dreamed of becoming a roller coaster designer. His passion for roller coaster design, coupled with his determination and hard work, led him to achieve his childhood dream.  Matthew is the Senior Dire...

It's important to remember to step back and celebrate those milestones and those small winds. And because I think that's kind of fuel to keep moving forward. There is one topic that I believe is crucial for personal and professional growth - the importance of sharing your story. Too many leaders underestimate the significance of opening up. Sharing our experiences can make a positive impact on oth...

Take the lessons from your own experiences and the experiences of others to avoid getting burned in the future. - Will Manzaneras We all have those moments in life where we think, "why didn't I see that coming?" I found myself in one of those after a partnership I invested in went south faster than a snowball in summer. It was a publishing company that seemed to have it all. They had the right wor...

Don't let the fear of what hasn't even happened stop you from trying. Bad months will come, but when you have employees, you pay them first. You're the paid last. - Micah Tucker Micah Tucker, owner of Florida Coast Canine, joins for a discussion on strategies for business growth and confidently making your first hire. He has taken his passion for dog training and turned it into a thriving business...

"Don't be stuck in the 'only if' mindset. Get out of your head and start solving your customers, clients, or guests' problems, and you will be successful." - Will Manzaneras There are many people that wonder if their entrepreneurship experience is beneficial for corporations. Recently Cassie decided to apply for a job in a local company after being out of the corporate world for almost four years....

Education isn't just about a degree. You don't need a piece of paper to be successful. Be a lifelong learner, ask questions, listen to podcasts, attend seminars, and be intentional about learning. - Will Manzaneras The way business is always changing and evolving is why it is so important to continuously learn. This can be done in a number of ways. However, during this conversation, Cassie and I d...

"With everything going on in the world there's an opportunity for having more people at the table thinking about solutions in creative ways." Neetal Parekh, the founder of Innov8social, joins for a conversation about the power of social entrepreneurship. She is an incredibly passionate guide for aspiring change-makers and dedicated to making social entrepreneurship more accessible and actionable....

"If something feels off, usually that means something probably is off." There are several challenges within business ownership that tend to weigh on peoples minds, yet are not talked about enough. One that Cassie and I felt drawn to discuss is the importance of being aware of and avoiding business scams. Recently I encountered a couple of companies that folded abruptly, leaving myself and others h...

Karly Thompson, co-founder of Millennial Social Media Marketing, has a focus on social media marketing and content creation. She joins this episode of "Ask Will" to ask questions about her business challenges. These conversations offer so much value with raw advice and experiences from fellow entrepreneurs. In Karly's case, she wants to expand her business and increase profits, but also wants to a...

"Success is relative. What matters is how you define it and the impact you make on others." Picture this: You're a young entrepreneur, and you've just hit your first big milestone. The joy is palpable. You want to shout it from the rooftops, you want everyone to know about your success. But then, you pause. You remember the importance of staying grounded. I remember when I was in your shoes, feeli...

"The customer is always curious about what's in it for them and what value you provide versus another competitor." It is always fun getting to tap into Cassie's expertise and talk about marketing your business. During this conversation she shares some of her secrets to success as a marketing strategist for small to medium-sized businesses. In this episode, you will: Uncover the top marketing strat...

"When people ask, 'What do you do?' they are really asking, 'What can you do for me?'" Too many people don't take action on their business ideas because they feel stuck, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. It is important to pay attnetion to the challenges you experience as an entrepreneur. Those are often the signs that let you know when you need to be making a business pivot. Cassie share...

"Find an agent who returns your calls." My introduction to the world of real estate came from an insatiable curiosity that led me to read numerous books on the subject. I initially thought about experimenting with single-family rentals. However, as I continued to research I chose not to pursue Airbnb due to the challenges it presented. Despite the appealing claims made by Airbnb enthusiasts, I rea...

"Business is not just about numbers. It's about the relationships and the connections that you're building ." Dalton Gilbert is an ambitious entrepreneur and the GM of Caliber Collision in Orlando, Florida. Growing up in Virginia, he wasn't surrounded by entrepreneurs or people who sought to build their own businesses. Instead, people in his community typically found steady jobs and stuck with the...

"Failure to me is only failure if you don't learn from it." Too many business owners simply purchase insurance and hope for the best when it comes to managing risks in your business. But you know deep down that this approach isn't enough. The pain of not truly understanding your risks and how to mitigate them can lead to financial loss, damaged reputation, and even business failure. It's time to t...

"Do not spend more than you know you can sell ." As a business owner you get inundated with pitches about the benefits of business credit cards. While there are certainly advantages it is important to also understand the risks. Financial tools like credit cards could provide insulation against vendor issues, simplify tax preparation, and create valuable audit trails. All of those have the potentia...

"With any goal you have to put it out in the world to those who will help you and keep you accountable." This is a conversation that will give more people an awareness of the comforts and risks that come with entrepreneurship, while staying true to their goals and aspirations. Cassie and I welcome back previous guest, Katie Currens. She is offering updates on how their business has evolved since s...

"Just start asking. When you ask other business owners for advice, they generally give it ." Cassie just spent several days alongside Lee Cockerell and attendees of his "Creating Magic Mastermind" event. Her experience inspired a conversation about the importance of mentorship and community for entrepreneurs. During the event entrepreneurs from different industries present their business challenge...

"Don't let others define what you should be doing." Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a business owner. As an ambitious youngster, I dabbled in various side hustles, from selling candy bars at school to becoming a soccer referee. As I entered adulthood, my side hustles transitioned into more serious ventures. I remember the time when I started a chain of smoke shops and even owned a bar. De...

"Stay true to the customer that's in front of you, even if you're trying to acquire the next one." During this episode Cassie and I share business updates, including some of our lessons around rebranding and shifting marketing strategies. As a business owner you should never underestimate the importance of assessing and adjusting customer service metrics regularly. Creating a positive culture and...

"How much of a rock star would a cashier look like if they knew everything about the person when they got up to the window?" As a passionate entrepreneur in the retail industry, Rick Feuling knew that there had to be a better way for businesses to improve customer service and streamline operations. He was tired of dealing with cloud-based systems that continually failed him and his employees. What...