Breaking Down Your Business | Small Business | Business Owners | Entrepreneurship | Leadership
Top 5 Insights Gained By Getting Away w/ Michael Sacca

What’s In This Episode:

Have you gotten away recently? It truly cleanses the mind and soul, doesn't it? But how do you make sure things are taken care of at work while you're away? Jill spends a lot of time prepping those around her so when she's gone, she feels confident in her team and can enjoy her time, free of responsibility. Though she definitely feels close to death in the weeks leading up to her vacation! Brad recalls his wedding day and taking on the "it's out of my control, there's nothing I can do about it" mindset, which can be pretty freeing. He's a big advocate of long weekends over long getaways, but regardless of your preference, you should absolutely stop what you're doing and plan your next vacation. Just do it, otherwise you'll never go. Well, listen to this episode first because they also bash resumes, talk about Jill's recent adventure in Brazil, discuss the Top 5 Insights Gained By Getting Away and welcome writer, podcaster, and GM Michael Sacca to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Michael Sacca is the general manager of Crew, a network of hand-picked freelancers ready to help you build your brand. Find him on TwitterFacebook and Medium.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_Ep_186.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Lead When Faced With Uncertainty w/ Matt Ruedlinger

What’s In This Episode:

Are you feeling uncertain about the rest of the year? Well, 2016 is almost over (WHEW)! Jill and Brad take a look back on this crazy year: supermoons, gorillas, Brexit, Pokémons, the Cubs, and a new President-elect, just to name a few notable headlines. We also lost a lot of important and influential people in our lives, including Prince and David Bowie. To help leaders navigate through the murky waters that may be ahead, Brad and Jill suggest slowing down and learning from a variety of sources as they share their Top 5 Ways To Lead When Faced With Uncertainty. They also welcome Triple R Marketing's CEO (and aspiring baseball card shop owner) Matt Ruedlinger to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Matt Ruedlinger is the founder and CEO of Triple R Marketing, a marketing firm dedicated to helping businesses connect with their potential clients before they're ready to buy. Find him on TwitterFacebook and YouTube.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_185.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Holiday Wishes For Your Small Business w/ Michael Stanier

What,s in this episode:

Do you do the Santa thing? No, we don't mean dress up in a red velvet suit and..well, actually, that doesn't sound that bad. Bring the kiddos to the mall to sit on Santa's lap? Eagerly await the CTA's Holiday Train (Chicago's very own Santa literally riding through the night sky)? Jill has never seen the elusive train and hopes this season will finally be the one. If not, she'll take solace in eggnog and that Mariah Carey song about Christmas or something. Brad will indulge in a Christmas tree but isn't big on the Santa thing. He'd rather take credit for all the presents he's gotten for his kids, rather than some bearded stranger. They also talk about why the government may or may not be the ultimate Grinch and we get a rein-dare from Jill that you won't be able to resist. Join them as they talk about the Top 5 Holiday Wishes For Your Small Business in this episode and welcome author and coaching guru Michael Stanier to the show. 

Guest:

Michael Stanier is the founder of Box of Crayons, which specializes in coach training for managers and leaders. Learn more about his new book, The Coaching Habit.

 

Direct download: BDYB20EP20184.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 5:03pm CDT

Top 5 Goals You Should Set For 2017 w/ Kim Lundgren

What’s In This Episode:

Are you a goal maker? Do you set goals? Brad shares his complicated relationship with goals and why the mature him is now aiming to be present instead of constantly thinking about being elsewhere to work on reaching his set goals. It's all about balance, people! Jill cuts to the heart of why a lot of us struggle with setting goals - you feel bad when you don't accomplish them! It's ok though, because instead she sets what she likes to call 'hovering wishes' or soft goals...'soals' if you will. They also talk about the Top 5 Goals You Should Set For 2017 in this episode and they welcome sustainability champion Kim Lundgren to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Sponsor:

  • This episode is brought to you by Pluot. Free video conferencing with no logins, no weird plugins, and no fuss. Go to pluot.co/bdyb for a free trial offer.

 

Shout-out:

  • Brad and Jill send some high-fives to 'summergirl524' for leaving a thoughtful iTunes review and reminding us all that we were once basking in the warm glow of summer. But now we're not because it's cold outside.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_183.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Celebrate With Your Team w/ Silvia Mestre

What’s In This Episode:

Have you ever been to an office party that got a little bit awkward? Jill and Brad share their favorite awkward office party stories - Brad's got a bit wet and wild, while Jill's involved a celebrity and absinthe. They draw connections to some ideas from last week's episode on treating employees like family, and cause Seinfeld fans to yell into their headphones when they just can't name that holiday thing from the show. Plus they discuss how business owners can throw great parties but still maintain a level of professionalism - leave early and expand the guest list! And maybe don't include absinthe. 'Tis the season for holiday parties so grab a pen and paper and take note on the Top 5 Ways To Celebrate With Your Team, and give a warm welcome to Egg-Q's Silvia Mestre. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Silvia Mestre is the founder of Egg-Q, a fertility check-up for women who want to have kids in the future. Find her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Sponsor:

  • This episode is brought to you by Pluot. Free video conferencing with no logins, no weird plugins, and no fuss. Go to pluot.co/bdyb for a free trial offer.

 

Shout-out:

  • Someone named 'MarsWife' was kind enough to leave a very nice review of the show on iTunes. We loved it and want more! Perhaps the next reviewer will be named 'JupiterWife'..
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_182.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Reasons You Shouldn't Treat Your Employees Like Family w/ Martin Rawls-Meehan

What’s In This Episode:

Are you looking forward to seeing your family this upcoming holiday season? Or are you just looking forward to lots of food and stretchy pants? Jill and Brad talk about what they love about seeing family this time of year, and what makes them so darn great! And maybe not so great. (Thank goodness for Adele. Google "SNL Adele Thanksgiving." Trust us.) Plus, they discuss the pros and cons to treating your colleagues like family, and what we really mean when we say "like family." Pro tip: assess your leadership style and think about how others may want to be treated. Speaking of family, they also talk about the Top 5 Reasons You Shouldn't Treat Your Employees Like Family in this episode and they welcome Reverie's Martin Rawls-Meehan to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

  • Martin Rawls-Meehan is the CEO of Reverie where they create unique sleep systems so you can sleep better and live better. Find him on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Sponsor:

  • This episode is brought to you by Pluot. Free video conferencing with no logins, no weird plugins, and no fuss. Go to pluot.co/bdyb for a free trial offer.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_181.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Small Business Headaches, And How To Stop Them w/ Maddy Osman

What’s In This Episode:

Do you have problems that feel impossible to solve? No matter what you do, something else is neglected? Or every time you solve one problem, another one pops up? These tricky balancing acts are necessary tensions to manage that keep your business going. How do we be efficient, yet still be present for others? Grow and build a successful business but still spend quality time with friends and family? Jill and Brad have some pretty unique work-life balance solutions that may or may not include cages. They discuss useful insights to help you cope with all your tensions, plus Jill has a meta moment about tensions.  They also talk about the Top 5 Small Business Headaches, And How To Stop Them in this episode and they welcome Maddy Osman to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Sponsor:

  • This episode is brought to you by Pluot. Free video conferencing with no logins, no weird plugins, and no fuss. Go to pluot.co/bdyb for a free trial offer.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_180.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

The Top 5 Things You’ll Learn If You Create A Budget And Plan for 2017 w/ Ross Kimbarovsky

What’s In This Episode:

Do you have plans to change anything up in 2017? How are you going to track what you want to change? Brad thinks there are solid ways to measure the things you tweak, and Jill thinks it's much harder than Brad says it is to do (what else is new?) so if you tune in and hear the goals that they say out loud, you maybe wanna help them and weigh in about whether their goals are realistic or not. (Read: Please do. Pretty please?) So Brad and Jill cover the Top 5 Things You'll Learn If You Create A Budget And Plan for 2017 in this episode and they welcome crowd sorcerer Ross Kimbarovsky to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Ross Kimbarovsky is the founder of crowdSPRING where you can post your project, name your price and watch 182,000+ designers and writers submit ideas for you to choose from. Find him on Twitter and Facebook.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_179.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

5 Things About Owning A Business That Make You A Better Person w/ Joshua Latimer

How do you know that you're actually growing while you're busy running your business? Do you notice behaviors that you repeat and could potentially change? Ever see a situation where you realize that you grew a bit because you're doing things a bit differently? There are different measuring sticks for each business owner. It's always a good idea to make sure that you're tracking changes, somehow, so that you're moving forward. And it's hard to do it without other people. So it makes sense that Jill and Brad talk about the 5 Things About Owning A Business That Make You A Better Person in this episode and they welcome entrepreneur Joshua Latimer to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Joshua Latimer is the founder of SendJim.io, an effortless marketing tool that you can use to generate raving fans with just one button. Find him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_178.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Scariest Things For Your Business (And What To Do About 'Em) w/ Andrew Cavitolo & Bobby Stern

What scares you? What brings out the fear in you during your business week? Jill and Brad reflect on what makes them shake in their boots -- from public speaking to making sales to feeling responsible for other people. So many fears, so little time. The funny part? WE ALL HAVE THEM. All the time. But what is it that makes us stay away from ever bringing them up with other people? So, they also talk about the Top 5 Scariest Things For Your Business (And What To Do About 'Em) in this episode and they welcome catering gurus Andrew Cavitolo and Bobby Stern to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Andrew Cavitolo and Bobby Stern are the co-founders of Riviera Caterers where they offer the best catering and event services to the world's largest brands. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Tool:

  • Heard about Snapchat's first product, Spectacles? They're glasses that have cameras inside of them to snap what you see. But BeASpectacle? You can try Spectacles on without buying them! Try it! (Note to only Brad: It's not another photo app so stop it.)
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_177.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

The 5 Craziest Moments In Your Business Owner Life w/ Levi Baer

Jill & Brad finally have a listener! ONE LISTENER! Who wrote in and asked a question about whether his acupuncture practice should take insurance or not from patients who come to see him. So Brad and Jill lobby this one back and forth to decide what their one listener should do with his business. And they want you to weigh in, too, because should anyone ever stop taking insurance? It gets CRAZY, so you really do need to weigh in (which also gives Jill & Brad a second listener, so thank you in advance.) Speaking of crazy, they also talk about the 5 Craziest Moments In Your Business Owner Life in this episode and they welcome conversational entrepreneur Levi Baer to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_176.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Have More Committed And Engaged Employees w/ Kim Cook

What’s In This Episode:

Do you need your team to be more committed? And why do you expect that anyone is ever going to be as committed as you, the owner of the business? If you believe that employees or colleagues will be as committed as you are, perhaps you have a realistic expectation that should be met by a "better" team member. On the flipside, perhaps you're putting an unreasonable burden on your team to meet your needs when they're not the ones running the business. That's why Brad and Jill talk about the Top 5 Ways To Have More Committed And Engaged Employees in this episode and they welcome Teen World Confidential's Kim Cook to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

  • Kim Cook is the founder of Teen World Confidential where she offers adolescent sexuality health resources for parents, educators, and other caring adults that encourages honest, open, and intelligent conversation with young people. Find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Tool Intervention:

  • Jill thought she'd be presenting a really cool tool, Artisto, that cartoonizes your videos. But Brad and Saul end up staging an intervention to try and get Jill to stop using, and talking about, photo apps. Do you think she mentions too many? Tune in and then send in what you'd contribute to this intervention.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_175.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Things That Take A Lot Longer Than You Thought (In Your Business) w/ Ty Crandall

What’s In This Episode:

How long does it take to get into shape? To get rich? To fall in love? It seems to Jill and Brad that everything has to happen quickly in this day and age. Instantaneously. And that's not been their experience as business owners to date. Society at large puts high expectations on us to make things go as fast as humanly possible, but is it sustainable? They address exactly that in this week's episode. Check out their Top 5 Things That Take A Lot Longer Than You Thought (In Your Business) and join them in welcoming Credit Suite's Ty Crandall to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Ty Crandall is the founder of Credit Suite where he's dedicated to helping entrepreneurs obtain credit and financing to build their businesses whether they have good or bad personal credit. Find him on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Rant:

  • Brad is heartbroken. Tune in to hear about the conversation he had with a boss who's lost control of her business. Even though she's the boss. Hear his suggestions for ways to go about it if you ever feel like you're losing the battle that is your own business.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_174.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Reasons Your Labor Costs Are Going UP w/ Kerry Heaps

What’s In This Episode:

Did you ever have a job where you had to go ask for a raise? Did you ever get a big raise at a job you've held? Brad and Jill know that this is a tough area for most small business owners. Whether your employees have to find the courage to ask you for a raise, or you're thinking about doling generous raises out to your team, it's always a challenge to figure out how to do it right. And when to do it. And if you should do it at all. That's why they explore the Top 5 Reasons Your Labor Costs Are Going UP in this week's episode and they welcome Strictly Marketing Magazine's Kerry Heaps to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Rant:

  • Jill can't stand what's going on in the world of investing. Why are so many venture capitalists supporting companies with millions and millions of dollars when there's barely any market validation for said companies' ideas? Tune in to hear how insane it all is and how it nearly sends her off a cliff...
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_173.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Get Someone's Attention Without Being A Pest w/ LeeAnn Webster

What’s In This Episode:

Why is it that all pitches we get are so predictable? How come so many business owners and PR folk have decided to make an ask the same exact way as everyone else? Brad and Jill are getting real bored of the same old templates showing up in their inboxes. They talk about what they'd like to see, how they'd like it delivered, and they wanna hear from YOU. If you have an idea about how to pitch a product or service that breaks the mold, send it in to the Breaking Down Your Business podcast so that they can talk about your biz on the air. So it makes sense that they discuss the Top 5 Ways To Get Someone's Attention Without Being A Pest in this week's episode, and they welcome Telesummit Queen LeeAnn Webster to the show.

Guest:

  • LeeAnn Webster is the founder of Totally Telesummits where she helps her clients produce telesummits and helps them add hundreds of thousands of subscribers to their email lists. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Tool:

  • Luxe :: It's the Uber for Spothero. Get a valet person to park your car for you, wherever you're going, and have them return it to you wherever you want.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_172.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

How do you decide what to do when free time pops up in your work day? Do you finally get to all the work that you've been ignoring? Or do you drop everything to head outside and explore the great outdoors? Jill and Brad talk about the different ways that they take advantage of surprise spaces in their day. The one thing that they can agree on? Not attempting to get to that mythical place called Inbox Zero in the precious time they have. In this episode, find out from our co-hosts what they consider The Top 5 Things To Do When You Have Free Time. And join them in welcoming nonprofit consultant Andrew Schulman to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Andrew Schulman is the founder of Schulman Consulting where he assists small-to-midsize nonprofits and mission-driven small businesses to improve their operations, save time and money, increase revenues and showcase their impact. Find him on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Rant:

  • Jill shares a story about a business that's decided to sell in a very unique way. But the way that the business has decided to sell includes the notion that news of the sale has to go viral. Which ANNOYS JILL TO NO END. Can you plan to go viral? Tune in and let her know if you think the business in question is onto something.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_171.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

The Top 5 Wardrobe Mistakes Small Business People Make w/ Aja McClanahan

What’s In This Episode:

When you see what fellow business owners are wearing, do you ever think to yourself, "Does that person even own a mirror?" Jill and Brad discuss why people get their wardrobes so wrong, where they live (spoiler alert: Las Vegas,) and specifically what body parts should never be revealed in an office space. Do you ever stand at your closet door and wonder what you're going to wear today? How to dress appropriately for that event tomororw night? That's why our co-hosts talk about the Top 5 Wardrobe Mistakes Small Business People Make in this episode and they welcome Principles of Increase's Aja McClanahan to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Tool:

  • Zapier :: Brad loves automation, and he's always loved Zapier. They've upped their game and offer a lot of new opportunities for you to connect different apps that you need to get your work done for you in your business. Test it out and let us know if it improves your work flow!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_170.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

The Top 5 Times You Should Say "Yes" w/ Amanda Neely

What’s In This Episode:

Brad says that Vern Harnish says that business owners should say "no" about twenty times more than they say "yes." To everything. Do you do that? (This one's rhetorical.) Might you be one of the millions of business owners who need to say "no" more often? "Yes" should be few and far between, but it can get confusing as to which where when to say it. That's why Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Times You Should Say "Yes" in this episode and they welcome coffee shop owner Amanda Neely to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Tool:

  • StickerRide :: Get your brand on the streets or drive other people's brands around by putting stickers on your ride. It's effective for advertisers and profitable for drivers. Jill can't wait to get her first logo slapped onto her car and she wants to know if you're gonna sport some logos on your ride, too. Let her know!

Shout-Out:

  • We heart CBL88 and Brewla for leaving us iTUNES REVIEWS!!!!!! Handclaps for all. Jill and Brad read 'em on the air and they'll read yours, too. Stop by and leave one here.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_169.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

Are there emails that you write over and over and over again? Ever thought about creating a template so that you don't have to re-write the darn thing on repeat? Over time, Jill and Brad have learned that it's good business practice to do so -- and they learned the hard way. While there are well over 285,492 emails that you could keep on file so that you don't have to think them up again, you may as well hone in on the Top 5 Emails You Are Going To Write One Million Times (So Make A Template). It does a body good. Tune in to find out exactly what, where, how, why and when to write those up, and hear all about Clean Forks' Shelley Davidescu and how she impacts thousands of lives. Listen in! »

Guest:

Rant:

  • Stop writing bad emails. JUST STOP. Brad reads to you the worst email ever written -- it was a cold pitch he received -- and you get to cringe throughout the read with him...and then ride through his rant on this type of pitch with him. He needs your support. Go on, tune in.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_168.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Money Mistakes Small Businesses Make w/ Ali Mirza

What’s In This Episode:

Have you ever made solid money decisions for your business? Jill and Brad talk about the little tweaks that have brought in the big bucks and the big mistakes that have brought in next to nothing. There are ways to change up how you pay employees, mistakes to make in how you share value with folks on your team, and plenty of mistakes to be made along the way. Can you make more out of what you're bringing in? You're in charge of your income. It's helpful to remind yourself that from time to time...and that's why Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Money Mistakes Small Businesses Make in this episode and they welcome Rose Garden Consulting's Ali Mirza to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Ali Mirza is the founder of Rose Garden Consulting where he works with Atlanta business owners to increase their sales by developing a sales training program or by actually selling for them. Find him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Rant:

  • What do YOU think about taking on other people's money to help you with your business? Jill and Brad have some pretty major concerns that they need you to know. Tune in to find out why there are more reasons to stay away from that kind of help than you'd ever guess. (And if you disagree, call in and let them know why you think they're wrong.)
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_167.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Say "Thank You" To Your Team w/ Nathan Hirsch

What’s In This Episode:

What does team-building look like in your business? Do you have regular meetings, bonfires at midnight, or cupcake wars to get it done? Jill and Brad discuss the many ways that they build teams: Brad's team is all in one place and Jill's team is spread out around the world so they build up their teams in very different ways. If you take your team to a baseball game, or you host calls with people who can't meet up face-to-face, what are the ways that your team responds to it? Do you find that it helps further your business or is it more of a distraction than anything else? That's why they talk about the Top 5 Ways To Say "Thank You" To Your Team in this episode and they welcome entrepreneur Nathan Hirsch to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Nathan Hirsch is the founder of FreeeUp where he helps businesses save time and money through hands-on outsourcing. Find him on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. (And tune in for the code you can use to hire a free worker!)
Rant:

Brad talks about how rich he is. For reals. Tune in to hear just how rich.

Direct download: Breaking20Down20Your20Business20EP20166.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Tell It's Time To Fire An Employee w/ Susan Solomon and Christina Papale

What’s In This Episode:

Was there ever a time in your life where it took you too long to let someone go? Maybe the employee who drank a lot of coffee and did very little rings a bell. Perhaps it was the intern who took up all of your time and left you with nothing. Or the colleague who left...and left you high and dry. Why did you wait so long to let them go? Jill and Brad talk about how long they've waited -- including recent experiences (even after years of running businesses) -- and what they wished that they'd done differently. That's why they talk about the Top 5 Ways To Tell It's Time To Fire An Employee in this episode and they welcome branding experts Susan Solomon and Christina Papale to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Susan Solomon and Christina Papale are the co-founders of Drive-Thru Branding where they know that time and money are in short supply so they help businesses drive in a company and drive out a brand in 10 days. Find them on Twitter and Instagram.
Story:

Instead of a rant this week, Jill shares a traumatic experience that she had earlier in the week and how the perspective it offered was literally life-changing.

Direct download: Breaking20Down20Your20Business20EP20165.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Pitch Secrets w/ Janet Kraus

What’s In This Episode:

Have you ever received a great pitch? If you're nodding your head while reading this, what planet are you living on? Brad and Jill would like to meet you there. The co-hosts talk about why they're not getting great pitches, how people who write requests (of any kind) could do a whole lot better, and as per usual, there's as much shouting as there is complaining. Wanna avoid sending terrible pitches? Tune in to find out their Top 5 Pitch Secrets in this episode and hear all about the radical shift happening in the lingerie industry from guest and Peach CEO, Janet Kraus. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Janet Kraus is the co-founder and CEO of Peach where she's inspiring women to feel beYOUtiful every day with a fresh approach to lingerie & basics. Find her on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Rant:

  • Brad tells a true story about a week in the life of his clients and wants you to know that STUFF HAPPENS. Read no more: You gotta tune in for this one.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_Ep_164.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Secrets To Making Progress On Your Goals (Even In The Summer) w/ Jason Blumer

What’s In This Episode:

Is summer a slower time in your business? If so, do you give in or fight the slow summer crawl like crazy? Every year, Jill pretends that she's gonna get through alllllll the work that she needs to catch up on and never does. Brad doesn't experience quiet until August but he's learned to stop fighting the fight and shut his technology off. Just hearing the co-hosts discuss how they work during the summer might just be enough to inspire you to think about how you can do it differently, too. So, in this episode they share their Top 5 Secrets To Making Progress On Your Goals (Even In The Summer) and they welcome marketing accountant Jason Blumer to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Rant:

  • Will, a loyal listener and an engineer, emailed Jill & Brad about the fact that he needs to follow "best practices." Neither Brad nor Jill got very far into Will's email before they went OFF THE RAILS about said "best practices"...tune in to hear the glorious rant. (And thanks for the rant fodder, Will!)
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_163.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Things Everyone Else Is Doing Right And You Are Doing Wrong w/ Cody Lister

What’s In This Episode:

What's everyone else doing right that you're doing wrong? Do you think you might know? Do you feel like success is easy for everybody but you? Brad and Jill know that all the other business owners look like they're having an easier time than they are. And we've all seen it before: That Facebook post, or that press coverage, or that LinkedIn announcement that reveals the success of a colleague. You want to be happy for them. You know just how hard they've worked. And yet, you question yourself. What am I not doing right that they're doing right? Why are they getting the accolades that I deserve, too? In an effort to sort this out, the co-hosts talk about the Top 5 Things Everyone Else Is Doing Right And You Are Doing Wrong in this episode and they welcome content marketing expert Cody Lister to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Cody Lister is the founder of MarketDoc where he helps marketers, business owners, solopreneurs and bloggers get more customers from smarter content marketing with no-frills, step-by-step content marketing and content promotion strategies. Find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Sponsor:

  • Sage Summit 2016 – Join the world’s largest gathering of small and medium businesses in Chicago at McCormick Place on July 25-28 where business gets personal with celebrated speakers, business experts, tech innovations, mentor and peer networking, and off-the-chart experiences. You’ll get 3 days of learning, networking, and getting your hands on the latest technology available from over 150 vendors. There’ll be enlightening keynotes from A-list entrepreneurs and visionaries like Sir Richard Branson, Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zoey Deschanel, and the stars of ABC’s Shark Tank! And it’ll all end with a fun beach concert featuring a Grammy-nominated band. Go to www.SageSummit.com and register to attend for $99 when you use code BDYB99 before July 22 to receive this special offer.

Tool:

  • Annotable :: It's Skitch reincarnated. It's a phone app that's the most full-featured all-in-one image annotation tool. Brad's LOVING it. He couldn't recommend it more highly.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_162.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

The Top 5 Spiritual Practices You Need To Survive Self-Employment w/ Matt "Handshakin" Holmes

What’s In This Episode:

How do you make everything in your business stop spinning? In the craziness of a work week -- let alone a work day -- how do you know what to tend to first? Or what needs to be tackled last? Or whether you should do one thing before the other? It can drive any business owner nuts. So Jill and Brad discuss the ways in which they avoid spinning out of control when they're working...and the way that Jill deals with it actually gets Brad to stop talking (albeit for .00023 seconds.) That's why they talk about the Top 5 Spiritual Practices You Need To Survive Self-Employment in this episode and they welcome Matt "Handshakin'" Holmes to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Sponsor:

  • Sage Summit 2016 – Join the world’s largest gathering of small and medium businesses in Chicago at McCormick Place on July 25-28 where business gets personal with celebrated speakers, business experts, tech innovations, mentor and peer networking, and off-the-chart experiences. You’ll get 3 days of learning, networking, and getting your hands on the latest technology available from over 150 vendors. There’ll be enlightening keynotes from A-list entrepreneurs and visionaries like Sir Richard Branson, Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zoey Deschanel, and the stars of ABC’s Shark Tank! And it’ll all end with a fun beach concert featuring a Grammy-nominated band. Go to www.SageSummit.com and register to attend for $99 when you use code BDYB99 before July 22 to receive this special offer.

Rant:

  • Guys. You get what you pay for. So if it's valuable, you should pay for it. Brad and Jill go on...and on...and on...and on...and on...about the ways in which people refuse to pay for things in business and how it HARMS EVERYONE ELSE. You gotta tune in for this one. Be prepared to get riled up, too.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_161.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Bring More Value To Your Webinars

What’s In This Episode:

What's the worst webinar that you have ever attended? What made it so bad? Could be the slides. Or the monotonous tone of the person giving the webinar. Or the volume. Or the lack of value. Stop writing outlines and turning them into Powerpoints that only you understand. Stop sucking the energy out of your viewers. Respect your audience, offer great content, and do it your way...or Jill and Brad are gonna send you to the highway. That's why they talk about the Top 5 Ways To Bring More Value To Your Webinars in this episode and they welcome MotherG's Dave Davenport to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Dave Davenport is the founder of MotherG, an IT company that acts as your technology guardian to deliver secure and stable technology, problem-free. Find him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Sponsor:

Tool:

Brad experiences another Slack attack. Jill is convinced that Slack is unbelievably useful for your business. And Brad is not. (Shocker.) Find out why -- or why not -- Slack is fantastic, and CALL THE HOSTS to let them know your take. They need your help.

Direct download: Jill20and20Brad20EP20160.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Things You Should Have Started Doing A LONG Time Ago

What’s In This Episode:

Are there things you started doing a long time ago that have since accumulated a lot of value for your business? Say, starting a newsletter or a Twitter account or an event you host regularly? Jill and Brad dig into the things they thought were useless at the start but that have evolved into big wins for their companies. The changes have been huge but they wouldn't have thunk it without a little reflection and a lot of shouting. So it makes a lot of sense that they talk about the Top 5 Things You Should Have Started Doing A Long Time Ago in this episode and they welcome PartySlate's Julie Roth Novack to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Julie Roth Novack is the founder of PartySlate, a site that helps you find the inspiration and the pros to make your next event more meaningful and memorable. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Fight:

Mailchimp vs. MadMimi = WHO WINS? Tune in to find out. (Spoiler alert: Jill says Jill does, Brad says Brad does. You decide.)

Direct download: Jill20and20Brad20EP20159.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

The Top 5 Ways To Get Value Out Of An Online Community (As A Member) w/ Candice Caruso

What’s In This Episode:

Have you ever been part of an online community that gave you a ton of value? Have you had a great experience growing your business through a group on Facebook or LinkedIn Google+ or, say, a Twitter conversation? Brad and Jill discuss the ways in which they've found quality help in different online communities and want you to find that kind of help, too. Some folks wonder if it has to do with the quality of the people who participate in it. Others wonder whether it has to do with the size of said communities. What's your take on what makes a good community? And where are you finding value right now? Tune in to hear their Top 5 Ways To Get Value Out Of An Online Community (As A Member) in this episode and they welcome Pango Financial's Candice Caruso to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Candice Caruso is the President of Pango Financial, a business that offers a full suite of innovative funding solutions can help your business get the jump-start it needs. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tool:

  • Acorns :: This app lets you invest spare change from everyday purchases into a diversified portfolio. Jill is confident that you'll love saving without having to do anything. Brad thinks the app steals your money. YOU decide.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_158.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Top 5 Tools For Getting Work Done ANYWHERE w/ Emily Lonigro Boylan | Ep. 157 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

What are your kids doing for the summer? Headed to summer school? Going to camp? Traveling abroad? Running away with the circus? Brad and Jill discuss what their kids are doing for the summer -- and between the two of the co-hosts, that's 7 children -- so they've got plenty of ideas for you if you're still thinking about what to do with them. They also talk about the Top 5 Tools For Getting Work Done ANYWHERE in this episode and they welcome Lime Red Studio's Emily Lonigro Boylan to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Emily Lonigro Boylan is the founder of Lime Red Studio, a UX agency that creates user experiences and shapes campaigns that build social impact. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

5-Star Review:

  • JoyOfSolvingBoy left us an iTunes review! Be like JoyOfSolvingBoy over here! Jill and Brad read his kind words on the air and encourage you to do the same so we rave about you in the future, too.

Tool:

  • Marco Polo :: It's an app that helps you find your phone by shouting MARCO! Tune in to hear exactly how it works -- it's hilarious. You will fall in love. And you will get the app.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_157.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

What To Do On Your Summer Vacation w/ Matt Miller | Ep. 156 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

So what are you doing this summer? Going far or staycationing it? Jill and Brad talk about camping, tech blackouts, and how they're going to spend the time off. It's nearly impossible for a small business owner to feel relaxed and comfortable about taking time away from the business, but it's important. And while entrepreneurs know that it's a necessity to take a breather, how long you can get away from your business and how much you can genuinely enjoy that break is different for everyone. So, tune in to find out What To Do On Your Summer Vacation in this episode and hear from School Spirit Vending's Matt Miller. Listen in! »

Guest:

  • Matt Miller is the founder of School Spirit Vending, a franchise business that provides a wide range of benefits to help school fundraising needs and helps professionals develop more freedom and security. Find him on LinkedIn and Google+

Tool:

  • ScannerPro :: This app allows you to scan paper documents (like receipts!) into PDFs that look clean and professional. Brad highly recommends you try this one out!
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_156.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways You Can Tell That The Prospect Is Not That Into You w/ Ryan Dohrn Ep. 155 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Are all of your prospects into you? Do you pitch to a prospect in, think everything's going swimmingly, and then it just doesn't happen for you? Why do people seem so into you one minute, and the next, they aren't interested or stop calling you back? Brad and Jill dig into what's going on when you're trying to close a deal. What happens, when you should really try and close the deal, and why they just might not be that into you. They also talk about the Top 5 Ways You Can Tell That The Prospect Is Not That Into You in this episode and they welcome Brain Swell Media's Ryan Dohrn to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Rant:

  • Jill really really really really really really really really really really really wants you to stop speaking for free. She gets all riled up during her public service announcement to everyone in small business who keeps taking speaking gigs that do not pay. No pay? No way. Tune in for the hysteria!
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_155.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Get Out More w/ Melissa Lanz | Ep. 154 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

What does "getting out there" mean to you? How do you get out the world of business for your business? So much sales and marketing seems to be focused online today. Should we be so focused on staying there, or do you try to get folks offline and meet you face-to-face? Jill and Brad debate whether what's more important and throw in a conversation about whether PayPal money is real money. And they throw in a big fat fight about sales -- is it a dirty word??? They also talk about the Top 5 Ways To Get Out More in this episode and they welcome The Fresh 20's Melissa Lanz to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

  • Melissa Lanz is an author and the founder of The Fresh 20,a meal planning service, created for busy families and singles who want to eat fresh, healthy meals, and save time and money. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Fight! Fight! Fight!:

  • Brad and Jill go after one another in a heated debate about whether sales is a dirty word. Because it is, says Jill. Except it's not, says Brad. Tune in to find out who wins!
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_154.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Top 5 Things Business Owners Say That Actually Mean The Opposite w/ Ben Seigel

What’s In This Episode:

Do you ever listen to the conversations going on around you at networking events? Is everyone having the exact same conversation? They're all doing really well. Super busy, making paper, things are just soooooo fantastic. But what if you slipped some truth serum into their drinks and heard what was really going on in their small businesses? Jill and Brad think that more business owners should stop the hype. Say what's really going on. Tell the truth. There's seemingly only one way that business banter has to go -- and so many of us would benefit from having it go the other way, even if only from time to time. So, they talk about the Top 5 Things Business Owners Say That Actually Mean The Opposite in this episode and they welcome Ben Seigel to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Ben Seigel is the founder of Versa Studio where he builds smart, creative, effective brands and web sites through a consultative approach. Find him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Rant:

  • Why can't people commit to scheduling anything anymore??? There has been a rise of people not committing to phone calls or in-person meetings at specific times on specific days. What's with this "call me some time between these 3 hours" or "let's play it by ear" type of planning? It's crazy-making. And neither Jill nor Brad understand why this has become a thing. Do you know why?
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_153.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Have A Better Business Conversation w/ Chris Thompson

What’s In This Episode:

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Unlike Jill and Brad, do you stick to them? If you’re resolving to get in shape, stop doing all the bad things and wanna sing Kumbaya more often: Good luck with that. Jill and Brad talk about how they make goals, not resolutions, and they plan ahead rather than making a few things up in the hopes that they stick to it. They also talk about the Top 5 Ways To Have A Better Business Conversation in this episode and they welcome Chris Thompson to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Chris Thompson is the founder of  truBrain and wants you shift to a focused state of mind using their nootropic drinks. Find him on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Tool:

  • No More Voicemail :: This app helps you stop your voicemail box from becoming full, and from needing to check or return messages at all, by sending your unanswered phone calls to endless ringing.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_152_2.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

Do you know the difference between cash and accrual accounting? (YUCK.) If you're wondering how much money you've loaned to your clients, where would you look for that? (UGH.) Do you ever pay yourself distributions as opposed to salary? Are those expenses? (GRRR.) If you're like Jill, you can't stand this topic...and if you're like Brad, you know a lot more than she does. But they're pretty important principles, along with a slew of other number basics that any business owner should be familiar with when it comes to that whole money thing you're trying to conquer. So it's time, guys. Tune in to hear Brad lead us through the basics, and check out how they talk about the Top 5 Accounting things that actually matter. They also welcome app creator Angela Jackson to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Angela Jackson is the founder of Talent Flood, a central, instant marketplace for employers and employees to get matched based on who they are, not what they do. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Rant:

  • People have pitch problems. If you're sending a pitch, via email or otherwise, to media outlets or colleagues or sponsors or venture capitalists or customers or clients or anyone, really, to have them do something about it -- publish you, partner with you, pay you money -- you need to do a better job. Jill's been getting WAY too many poor pitches and while there's no one right way to do it, there are thousands of wrong ways to do it. Tune in to hear what's going wrong.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_151.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 8:33am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Have A Better Business Conversation w/ Chris Thompson

What’s In This Episode:

We made it, guys. WE MADE 150 EPISODES!!! We can't believe it, either. Jill and Brad, in their disbelief, mull over the things that have surprised them the most as podcast creators. They talk about what they've found difficult in the making of what has become a top business podcast. They talk about what they've found to be inspiring along the way. Things they never considered, guests that they learned from, and the commonalities they've found across the board no matter what business folks run. Have you been thinking about doing your own podcast? Then you're in for a treat. In this episode, Jill and Brad go over the Top 5 Things You Need To Know When You're Podcasting. And they welcome NEW Breaking Down Your Business podcast producer and sound engineer Anthony Gravino to the show. (Hand claps, please!) Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Anthony Gravino is a Freelance Music Producer and Engineer who works on studio albums for the world's best artists and happens to produce the Breaking Down Your Business podcast, too. Find him in the studio and on Instagram.

Tool? Rant?

Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_150_2.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Driving Yourself Crazy? w/ Erika Marie

What’s In This Episode:

Ever have really important stuff that you know you need to get done but you're not doing it? Are there times when you've made a decision -- and you feel like it's the right decision -- but you spend a few hours second-guessing yourself? One of your co-hosts experiences this tactic a lot of business owners use to drive themselves crazy, and one of them is crazy enough to skip the questions altogether and press on. Which host goes which way? You'll have to tune in to find out! In this glorious episode (and by glorious, we mean hilarious, and by hilarious we really mean CRAZY,) Brad and Jill talk about the Top 5 Ways You're Driving YOURSELF Crazy in this episode and they welcome Erika Marie to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Erika Marie is the founder of the Chiyu Center where she offers exceptional acupuncture, integrative medicine services, and integrative health connections. Find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Tool:

  • One Big Thing :: The simple app to keep you focused on your biggest task every day. Every day, you type in one big thing you want to do. Add a few little tasks you might also want to get done. Check the app during the day to focus on your goals. Next day it’s a blank slate. That’s it? Yeah! Trust us, it totally keeps your aim on the game.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_149_2.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 2:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Market Your Content w/ Priya Amin

How do you market your content? What is content? If you're producing things that you want customers and clients to see, read, hear, and see, you're producing content. There's so much of it, and so many WAYS to get it out to the world, what's really working for you? It's hard for small business owners to figure out what's actually working and what seems like it's working and what's really just giving you a lovely positive feedback loop full of likes and followers -- even though it's not actually paying your bills. If you don't market your content properly, no one is gonna read or see or hear it. That's why they spend this episode talking about the Top 5 Ways To Market Your Content and they welcome Priya Amin to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Shout Out:

  • Meg Ricard called in to tell us what's happened to her since she was on the podcast. Her business, Simply Organized By Meg, is taking off and her clients are happy. YOU MADE OUR DAY, MEG!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_148.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Top 5 Things You Need To Know BEFORE You Start A Podcast w/ Laura Kalister| Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

Ever consider starting your own podcast? Everybody's doing it. Brad and Jill got wayyyyyyy ahead of the game and determined that it would be really easy to promote what they do for a living by shouting into microphones every week about business things and stuff. But whaddya know? Getting way ahead of the game also put them in a position of not knowing what they were doing, having to learn what podcasting is all about from the ground up, and making a lot of mistakes along the way. Well lucky for you, they have a thing or two that they want you to know about launching your very own podcast before you actually do it. So they talk about the Top 5 Things You Need To Know BEFORE You Start A Podcast in this episode and they welcome Laura Kalister to the show before Brad goes on another amazing rant... Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Laura Kalister is the founder of LK Weight Coaching where she helps clients end their struggles with weight and emotional overeating. Find her on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Rant:

  • Brad is MAD. Do companies think that incompetence is actually a business model? A serious question from a very amazingly lengthy and hilarious rant. If Brad is ready to "gouge his ears out" and firmly believes that people are creating "customer incompetence systems" you HAVE to tune in to hear why he hates the hotel industry and customer service fails so very much right now.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Buseinss_EP_147.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Manage Your Online Reputation w/ Andrei Mincov | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Do you leave bad reviews on Yelp? Have you ever left a bad review anywhere? Brad does. Jill does not. (We know. Shocking.) So, they fight about why Brad likes to let businesses know when they wrong him and whether Jill should leave more reviews or let folks know offline rather than online. They also talk about the Top 5 Ways To Manage Your Online Reputation in this episode and they welcome founder Andrei Mincov to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Andrei Mincov is the founder of Trademark Factory, the only firm in the world where licensed lawyers and trademark agents can help you register your trademarks with a free trademark search, for a single all-inclusive flat fee, with a 100% money-back guarantee. Find him on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Shout-Out:

  • Remember Anna Stout of Astute Communications? She called in a while back to ask about what to do with her business since she was about to have a baby. And then she followed none of our advice. Tune in to hear all about how she didn't listen to us and how successful she is now. GO ANNA!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Busienss_EP_146.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Top 5 Ways To Make It Easy For Customers To Buy (And Keep Buying) w/ Raj Bhaskar | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Are there businesses that you purchase from repeatedly? If you spend a lot of money at Amazon.com, why do you like going back for more? Is it cost? Efficiency? Convenience? If you're an Uber addict or a SpotHero junkie, it may be time to figure out what makes those businesses stand out (or rather, suck you back in) and how you may be able to do have the same effect on your customers or clients. Jill and Brad talk about their favorite places that attract their repeat business and talk about the Top 5 Ways To Make It Easy For Customers To Buy (And Keep Buying) in this episode. They welcome app founder Raj Bhaskar to the show and hear from amazing listener Arthur Zards! Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Raj Bhaskar is the founder of Hurdlr, a smart mobile app for independent workers, freelancers and solopreneurs to seamlessly manage their business finances in seconds, in real-time, on the go. Find him on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Tool:

  • AwesomeBoss.com :: It's an app that coaches you to be a better boss. Brad loves it. It has everything you need to engage, recognize and reward your team. Jill thinks you're probably an awesome boss without it, but Brad swears you'll be awesome-er with this tool.

Shout-Out:

  • The brilliant Arthur Zards of TEDxNaperville fame called in with a clever solution for Brad. Remember how Brad was having a tough time weeding through job applicants in last week's episode? Arthur makes all job applicants fill out a multi-page form so they have homework to get through rather than merely checking out resumes. He finds it a much more effective way to find the right person. THANK YOU, ARTHUR!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Busienss_EP_145.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

What are some really great things about attorneys? Most likely, you can't think of a single one. But what about all of the good that they do for small business owners? There are reasons, after all, that people still hire them. Lawyers, for some folks, are necessary evils. For others, great weapons to have at the ready juuuuuust in case something comes up. And for most people, they don't fall into the "things I like" category when it comes to running a business. But they can be great for a variety of reasons -- and they've stuck around all these years because they're up to something good. What is that something? You'll have to tune in to find out. This week, Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Legal Things That Actually Matter and they welcome serial entrepreneur Pam Worth to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Pam Worth is the founder of Tiny Treks, an innovative alternative to indoor early childhood programming. She also co-founded Instructions Included, where experts share their parenting experiences to make your unique parenting experience not just less stressful, but truly enjoyable. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Rant:

Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Busienss_EP_144.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

I Don't Understand... |  Top 5 Networks That Make No Sense (To Us) w/ Kenny Nguyen | Ep. 143 | Small Business

Is there a social network that you thought, when you got on it for the first time, that you'd hate? When you first logged onto Twitter, you may have been one of the millions who thought, "I will never, ever need to understand this so just forget it." If you first joined Instagram and only saw photos of celebrities showing off their very filtered selfies, you may have been one of the many users who rejected the platform outright. So were Jill and Brad. They talk about the different platforms that they didn't understand at first use -- Twitter taking the top of the list -- and they reminisce about the way these platforms functioned before everybody started to use them. Remember the good 'ol days? So it makes perfect sense that they talk about the Top 5 Networks That Make No Sense (To Us) in this episode and they welcome Kenny Nguyen to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

Accolades:

  • We made it! Inc. Magazine named us one of the "Top 100 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter, Better, and Wiser." AMAZING, RIGHT?!?!?!?! !!!!!!!!!  Well, we think so. We're humbled by it, and by all of you who continue to support us by listening and calling in. Thank you, thank you, and thank you some more.

Turn The Tables:

  • Brad needs your help. He has a job post on his site at Anchor Advisors and he wants better applicants to find it than the folks who apply right now. How can he make sure that he finds the right people to work at his company? Got ideas? Call 708.872.7878 and let us know!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_143.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Slow Your Roll | Top 5 Reasons NOT to grow your business  w/ Thomas Smyth | Ep. 142

Do you know any small businesses that flame out? You know the ones. They look like they're doing an amazing job, they make you jealous of their successes, they even convince investors to write big checks for them because they are just so incredible. And then they die. You may have heard about plenty of these companies, but you don't often hear about what actually happened and why they went bust. Jill & Brad discuss the rumors they've heard and the different reasons that this happens to even the best of 'em. They also talk about the Top 5 Reasons Not To Grow A Business in this episode and they welcome CEO Thomas Smyth to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Thomas Smyth is the founder of Trim, a service that finds your subscriptions and cancels the ones you don't want. Find him on LinkedIn.

Tool:

  • Homemade :: The app connects hungry customers to delicious homemade, locally cooked food. Ever miss the flavors of home? The dishes grandma used to make? Find them on Homemade! And then call in and tell us about your experience, please.
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_142.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Gettin' On The 'Gram | Top 5 Ways To Use Instagram For Business | Ep. 141 w/ Jivko Bojinov | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Do we need another social network to be active on? Don't we have enough to work on? It's complicated. If you're just getting going on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram or Pinterest or Flickr or Tumblr or Youtube or Ello or Peach (see?) there always seems to be a new outlet popping up and you have to catch up. Is it all important? Are some important? Is it ok to focus on just one social media site? Jill and Brad talk about the myriad sites that are out there and discuss whether keeping up is a smart option for entrepreneurs. They also talk about the Top 5 Ways To Use Instagram For Business in this episode and they welcome entrepreneur and CEO Jivko Bojinov to the show. Listen in! »


Guest:

  • Jivko Bojinov is the co-founder of ShipBob, a company that helps you pack and ship the stuff you sell. Find him on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.
  • Brad recently read about "How Solitude Can Change Your Brain in Profound Ways" which stirred him up enough to share with Jill all the ways it affirms that it can change your brain, make you more creative, and strengthen relationships. Do you take time out from your business to explore this solitude idea? Tell us!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_141.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

Do you write your goals down? Do you tell people what you plan to do so they hold you accountable? Jill writes them down all over the place (sticky notes, anyone?) and works really hard at remembering to read them. Brad creates fewer goals than Jill does, and he seemingly remembers to both look at them and act on them. If you're the type who needs to come up with more goals to help you get down to business, or you are the desperate-for-an-accountability-buddy type, or you just need to keep that persistence going that will help you accomplish everything, tune in to hear how Jill and Brad find ways not to get lost or distracted as they get things done. They also talk about the Top 5 Things You Need To Focus On To Achieve Your Goals in this episode and they . Listen in! »

Rant:

  • Jill takes issue with people who know everything. You know the type, right? When someone asks you for help or advice and then they give you the good 'ol "Yeah, I knew that" response, IT SETS JILL OFF. Listen in to find out just how much it does, and why, and how you should never ever do this, either.

Shout-Out:

  • Marcy Capron and the great people of Polymathic left a fantastic comment about how much they enjoy the podcast. So many thanks!
Direct download: Breaking_Down_Your_Business_EP_140.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

Ask for it! | Top 5 Reasons You Need Help NOW! | Ep. 139 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Do you like getting help? Is reaching out to other people for help easy enough or challenging for you? Brad and Jill talk about when they've asked folks to pitch in with their opinions, and how long it took them to actually get to the place where they were comfortable reaching out. From Weight Watchers to laptop screens to coach addicts, they wind their way to sharing their Top 5 Reasons You Need Help NOW! in this episode. Brad also shares a tool for screen fanatics. 

Tool:

  • Duet :: It's the first app that allows you to use your iDevice as an extra display for your Mac using the Lightning or 30-pin cable.
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_139.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

What’s In This Episode:

How important is trust in your business day? If you didn't trust the folks you work with, would you really be able to get anything done? We need our colleagues to trust us to that work gets done. We need customers and clients to trust us so that they pay us for the stuff and things that we sell. Do we talk about trust enough? No, silly. Which is why Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Ways To Build Trust in this episode and they welcome Scott Beebe to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

  • Scott Beebe is the founder of My Business on Purpose, a multi-broadcast platform that equips, inspires, and mobilizes business professionals to live out their skill set to society. Find him on TwitterLinkedIn and Facebook.

Tool:

  • Video Merger :: Want to merge videos? Use this app. It's ridiculously easy to figure out. (And then email us a video you merged!)
Direct download: Jill_and_Brad_EP_138.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

No Wishing For Wishes | Top 5 Wishes for 2016 | Ep. 137 | Small Business | Entrepreneur | Leadership

What’s In This Episode:

Are you a resolution kinda person? Do you make them, like Jill, or resolve to never be resolute about anything, like Brad? The co-hosts banter about their January heroics, by what date they plan to be over their own resolutions, and discuss their Top 5 Wishes for 2016 in business. And for the very first time on the show, Brad has a public service announcement all of his own for you. Listen in! »

Brad's PSA:

Brad wants to talk about not talking about politics. On social media. Especially for those of you who want to express outrage about things. To hear more about why he suggests editing your political voice on social media, you have to check this episode out.

Shout Out:

Waqas Hassan left us an amazing comment on our Facebook page all the way from Dubai. WHAT’S UP, WAQAS!? (You can leave one too, just like Waqas. You know you wanna!)


Talk to us! Leave us a Google Voicemail so that we can read it in a future episode at 
708.872.7878. Or tweet at us using hashtag #jillnbrad. And leave us a review on iTunes — pretty please? Over here!

Direct download: 01_Top_5_Wishes_for_the_new_year-Ep-137.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 8:24am CDT

Top 5 "Back-to-Basics" Practices You Need Now

 

What’s In This Episode:

What's something that's really basic but that's always worked for you? It could be as simple as following up with customers or clients. Maybe it's using proper grammar when you email potential partners. Or it could be that you pick up the phone and actually calling people. Jill and Brad talk about getting back to basics -- also the name of a Christina Aguilera album (COINCIDENCE? Yes.) -- and so naturally they go over the Top 5 Back To Basics Practices You Need Now in this episode. Jill also talks about something so newsworthy that there's a video to accompany this topic -- tune in for a great discussion! Listen in! »

Newsflash:

Jill brings up the epidemic of bad things happening to good people around the world. Watch Guy Winch's TED talk, Why We All Need To Practice Emotional First Aid, and listen in to Brad and Jill's conversation about our need to pay more attention to the kinds of problems that no one is talking but are turning up everywhere in the world, in business and beyond.


Back to Basics | Ep. 136Talk to us! Leave us a Google Voicemail so that we can read it in a future episode at 
708.872.7878. Or tweet at us using hashtag #jillnbrad. And leave us a review on iTunes — pretty please? Over here!

 

 

 

Direct download: Back_to_Basics___Ep._136.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-2790 size-full" src="http://breakingdownyourbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/135_Horizontal-Podcast-Art.png" alt="Top 5 Ways to Make your Business Different in 2016 " width="585" height="182" />


<h2>What’s In This Episode:</h2>
How many things that you use every day these days did you not even know about last year? Are you a Slack user now? Know when you started using Google Docs? <em>All</em> the photo filtering apps that are on your phone now? Jill &amp; Brad discuss the apps and business practices that they now use,  and they talk about the <b class="">Top 5 Ways To Make Your Business Different in 2016</b> in this episode. They also welcome entrepreneur Tim Fargo to the show.<span class=""> </span><strong><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-down-your-business/id784888385" target="_blank">Listen in! »</a></strong>
<h2><img class="alignright wp-image-2792 size-medium" style="float: right; margin-left: 20px;" src="http://breakingdownyourbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/tim-fargo-262x300.jpg" alt="Tim Fargo" width="262" height="300" />Guest:</h2>
<ul>
<li><span class=""><strong>Tim Fargo</strong> is the founder of <a href="http://www.tweetjukebox.com/" target="_blank">Tweet Jukebox</a>, an app that helps you to eliminate the need to continually schedule your tweets and manage your content on Twitter. Find him on </span><a class="" href="https://twitter.com/alphabetsuccess" target="_blank">Twitter</a><strong>, </strong>of course.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Tool:</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ecoute-beautiful-music-player/id536882653">Ecoute</a> :: It's Brad's favorite, and according to iTunes, it's the best music player available for the iOS. It's an alternative way to play your existing music library.</li>
</ul>
<i>
<img class="alignleft wp-image-2793 " style="float: left; margin-right: 20px;" src="http://breakingdownyourbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/135_Square-Podcast-Art-150x150.png" alt="Change It Up | w/ Tim Fargo | Ep. 135" width="115" height="115" />Talk to us! Leave us a Google Voicemail so that we can read it in a future episode at </i><i>708.872.7878</i><i>. Or tweet at us using hashtag #jillnbrad. And leave us a review on iTunes — pretty please? </i><strong><i><a href="http://breakingdownyourbusiness.com/itunes" target="_blank">Over here</a>!</i></strong>

&nbsp;

Direct download: Change_It_Up___w__Tim_Fargo___Ep._135.mp3
Category:Business -- posted at: 3:00am CDT

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