Small Business Conversations artwork

Small Business Conversations

124 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

This is Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus Solutions. A program where we visit with expert individuals who provide awesome insight and new ideas of how to increase your profits plus build your business for the future. We find experts on small business accounting, marketing, ownership transition, leases, sales skills, merchandising, and most every aspect of ownership in your small business.
Your host is Tom Shay, principal of Profits Plus.

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Episodes

Tom Hubler visits Small Business conversations with Tom Shay to discuss family businesses

September 22, 2023 01:09 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

A family business; a wonderful situation if everyone is working together. But often there are situations; parents that won't give responsibility to a child; siblings that can't agree or siblings where one works very hard and the other does not. These are just a couple of examples. Tom Hubler visits to share an hour full of ideas of the important components of a family business. This was a fascinating visit with a gentleman who truly showed and shared a high level of expertise. If your busin...

Dick Calio, POS expert visits Small Business Conversations and Tom Shay

September 15, 2023 02:34 - 1 hour - 27.7 MB

With all the changes in the way people act and shop, what do you need to do differently with your point of sale system? What is the number one concern you should have for your business? What opportunities are there for you to take advantage of in your business? Can you easily handle cashless transactions? Dick Calio, POS expert, spent the hour with us to answer your questions about what opportunities and challenges are before us as the economy begins to reopen.

Jacob Curtis discusses Opportunities or Traps in your small business

August 18, 2023 01:35 - 1 hour - 55.4 MB

You utilized your gut feeling when you decided to purchase or start your small business. All small businesses have opportunities for growth that come their way. There are also what appears as an opportunity that turns out to be a trap. Jacob Curtis, CPA shares his methodology for determining how to make the decision in your small business.

An extraordinary small business owner, Heidi Kaisand, shares her story on Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

July 07, 2023 11:39 - 59 minutes - 27.1 MB

Heidi Kaisand has quite the story that she shares on Small Business Conversations. A decade ago she started a quilting store. Eight years ago she added to those responsibilities her work with the industry magazine, American Quilt Retailer. A year later she purchased the publication and is now the publisher and editor. She also creates online academies for other business owners in the trade. Her business is unique in that it finds ways to include the customers with their purchases. Heidi mak...

A view from Dave Wendland who has seen thousands of small businesses

July 07, 2023 01:31 - 1 hour - 57.5 MB

The July Small Business Conversations brings a very unique perspective to looking at small business. Dave Wendland has seen and worked with thousands of small businesses through his company Hamacher Resource Group. We ask Dave to share his experiences of the traits of the best small business owners he has seen and worked with; easy to understand with ideas of how you can duplicate these special traits.

Devon Clements discusses "brand voicing" for small businesses with Tom Shay on Small Business Conversations

May 19, 2023 01:08 - 58 minutes - 54.4 MB

Do customers identify your business because of low prices? Is it because it is you, the owner, is seen and heard in your advertising? Perhaps your business is known for supporting a local animal rescue organization. None of these are brand voicing. Listen as Devon Clements of J Schmid Creative Agency explains, discusses and shares examples of how developing the way you connect with your customers can retain customers and bring new customers to your business. That is brand voicing.

Loss prevention in your small business - Jerry Obarski, loss prevention expert visits Small business Conversations with Tom Shay

April 14, 2023 02:02 - 1 hour - 58.1 MB

As we finish the first quarter of 2023, we are finding an increasing number of articles telling of large businesses facing challenges of theft. Is it internal theft? Is it accounting errors? Is it individuals stealing or is it organized theft? With the reports of big businesses we take the opportunity to invite our favorite loss prevention person, Jerry Obarski, to share his thoughts and experiences. These articles from national sources may have correct information but we find what is more i...

SBDC celebrated with the president of America's SBDC on Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

March 17, 2023 01:35 - 57 minutes - 53.5 MB

The SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) is the best resource a small business owner could ask for. The bonus is that their services are free to new and existing small business owners. During this episode, Tee Rowe, president of America's SBDC and Greg Jordan, state director of the Kansas SBDC spend an hour with Tom Shay to tell of the many services that your business can receive assistance with through your local SBDC. Together they explain how to find your local SBDC office as well a...

Ken Banks visits with Tom Shay on Small Business Conversations to discuss today's advertising

February 17, 2023 02:38 - 1 hour - 57.8 MB

Ken Banks, branding, marketing and advertising expert with a career of  having worked with a "who's who" in the world of big business. Ken  visits to discuss with us what small businesses can learn for the  efforts of big businesses. We discuss trends with social media and  traditional advertising. Listening to our hour with Ken Banks is like  your having hired your own personal advertising consultant.

Gwen Bortner discusses small business goal setting with Tom Shay and Small Business Conversations

December 16, 2022 02:10 - 1 hour - 29.8 MB

Soon we will all be bombarded with articles and television interviews telling us how to establish goals for the new year. Are goals only to be established to begin on January 1? Can you adjust a goal? Can you abandon a goal? Are all goals good? How do you measure your goals? Some goals are outcome based while others are activity based; what is the difference? These questions and many more during our hour long visit with Gwen Bortner on Small Business Conversations with host Tom Shay

Mike McCormick visits Small Business Conversations and Tom Shay to explain the ERC application process

October 21, 2022 01:27 - 1 hour - 30.9 MB

A little known aspect of the CARES Act from the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic is the existence of the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Does your business qualify for these funds? How is the amount of ERC determined that you receive? If you received PPP funds is your business disqualified? Are there certain employees that disqualify you? Should I use one of the firms I find on the Internet offering to prepare the ERC paperwork? Is there more paperwork to do than just the ERC application? Is the mon...

Are you thinking about when you want to transition from your business? Kurt Tobin, valuation expert, visits Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

September 16, 2022 19:24 - 58 minutes - 27 MB

Of course you know that there is going to be the day when you transition out of your business. Other than closing the business, you may sell the business to a family member, an employee, create an employee stock ownership plan, or sell to a third party. With any of these options one of the biggest questions is determining the value of the business. Ah, that is the big challenge. And, that is what Kurt Tobin does for a living. As our guest on Small Business Conversations, Kurt talks about th...

Stu Kehler discusses your bank card processing fees on Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

August 05, 2022 02:05 - 1 hour - 24.5 MB

When was the last time you examined the fees your business was being charged for processing bank card transactions? Are you aware of the "add on services" that are a part of the transaction fees that you might not need? Just how does the bank card transaction system work? What should I look for in having the right company to handle my bank card transactions? And very importantly, how can I get the best rate? Stu Kehler, of Retail Control Systems and Mocha Payments visits Small Business Con...

Ivy Walker - expert in business risk management visits Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

May 13, 2022 01:48 - 1 hour - 24.9 MB

Every business faces risks; some risks you know; some risks you don't know. Our guest, Ivy Walker, for this episode of Small Business Conversations is also a small business owner. She authored the book, Twelve-Minute Risk Management, is a "must read" for small business owners. You will learn how to identify and address existing and potential risks in your small business.  The book is written in a unique manner that allows you to quickly understand the risk concern along with suggestions. As...

Podcast expert Cliff DuVernois visits Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

April 22, 2022 01:23 - 1 hour - 27.8 MB

You want people to think of you and your business as the experts within your industry. Today the easiest and best way of doing so is by way of your having a podcast for your business. During this program, Tom Shay visits with Cliff DuVernois, expert on podcasting and the host of the website Experts on Podcasting.  With Cliff having interviewed hundreds of podcasters, he shares with us the many inside secrets he has learned. You'll be surprised at how easy and inexpensively you can create a ...

Tee Rowe, president of America's SBDC visits Small Business Conversations and Tom Shay

March 18, 2022 22:28 - 1 hour - 58.5 MB

The SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) is a tremendous source of information and assistance for your small business. With most all services provided at no cost, this department of the SBA (Small Business Administration) has offices in all fifty states. Our guest for the March 2022 program is Tee Rowe, president of America's SBDC and Greg Tucker, director of the Missouri SBDC. During the program our guests explain how you can get an advisor for your business and the many live events a...

Ken Banks discusses learning from big business advertising to use in your small business - Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

February 11, 2022 02:23 - 1 hour - 28 MB

Ken Banks has had an amazing career in advertising; Circuit City, PetsMart, Levitz Furniture, Eckerd Drugs and one of the largest ad agencies in the USA. Ken joins us for the March 2022 Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay to examine television advertising messages and discuss how the experience and sizable dollars spent by these businesses can give us ideas of how we can advertise. While not likely on television, we can apply the lessons to our social media efforts as well as any othe...

Ron Friedman visits Tom Shay and Small Business Conversations to illustrate premium loyalty programs for small businesses

January 21, 2022 02:47 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

This program was unique as we asked listeners to share with Ron and Tom the details of their business so that during the program we could provide suggestions of a premium loyalty reward program for customers. The traditional loyalty program is often a, "buy a certain quantity of an item and be rewarded with a free one". A premium loyalty program is one where the customer pay a fee to be a member of a select group of customers who are provided with additional products, services and opportuni...

Pam Danziger discusses changing the four Ps of marketing to the four Es on Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

December 03, 2021 02:41 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

Pam Danziger is a prolific author, columnist and speaker. During this program we discuss how the four Ps (product, price, promotion and placement) have become the four E's (Experience, Exchange, Evangelism and Everyplace). Listening to this one hour program with Pam Danziger can have a sizable affect on how you position your business - product or service oriented - in your effort to attract and retain customers. 

Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses & Daniel Pitts Winegarden visit Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

October 29, 2021 01:50 - 1 hour - 27.9 MB

Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses is a school for entrepreneurs. Think of it as getting a masters degree in owning your business. Daniel Pitts Winegarden, lead faculty, join us for an hour to share the details of how our listeners can apply to be one of the scholars. Daniel explained what was taught and how scholars are held accountable for their efforts and the follow up. Goldman Sachs is making this amazing investment, and have for 10 years, by providing the school at no cost to schola...

Ruth King, "The Profitability Master" visits Tom Shay and Small Business Conversations

September 03, 2021 01:31 - 1 hour - 28.4 MB

Listeners of Small Business Conversations know that Tom Shay loves to stress the importance of understanding financial information and being able to make decisions based on numbers instead of just guessing. Ruth King joins Small Business Conversations to bring additional and unique thoughts on financial understanding.  During the program, Ruth explained the need to create a budget by starting with an answer to a very difficult question; How much profit do you want to have in your business? ...

Scott Wagman, small business owner extraordinaire visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

June 18, 2021 01:25 - 1 hour - 28 MB

Scott Wagman may not be someone you know, but within the community of the west coast of Florida, Scott is known as a brilliant small business owner and a generous contributor to enhancing the quality of life. Scott visits our program to tell the story of a small business his father started and how it was grown to a multi-million dollar operation with 24 locations. Scott shared what was learned from growing the business and how his experience is relevant to all small businesses whether they ...

Dr Frank Wood, psychologist vists Small Business Conversations and Tom Shay to discuss stress and corona

April 23, 2021 01:24 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

Motivation or burnout - What has been the reaction of your business and yourself during the corona pandemic? Dr. Frank Wood visits Small Business Conversations and Tom Shay to share methods of adapting to your individual situation. With the anticipated strong economic recovery, we want everyone and their business to be prepared mentally as physically to take advantage of the upswing. Dr. Frank shared a story of Zumbach the tailor which tells of a man accepting an ill-fitting suit and the di...

Celebrate 2021 SBDC with Laura Fine and Tee Rowe visiting Small Business Conversations with Tom Shay

March 12, 2021 02:34 - 1 hour - 28.6 MB

America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) has many advisors who provide assistance to small business owners in areas of marketing, business strategy, financial service, personnel, social media, Internet presence and from our observation, every component of small business ownership and management. As an organization funded by the Small Business Administration, there is rarely a charge for anything your business receives. The SBDC provides individualized counseling, webinars and all...

Ken Banks, advertising and marketing expert visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

February 19, 2021 02:40 - 1 hour - 30.2 MB

Ken Banks has an extensive background in the area of marketing and advertising. During this visit we asked Ken to dispel some of the common "rules" of advertising. We also reviewed the television commercials from Christmas 2020 and the Super Bowl 2021. We are providing links to the commercials. Links were functional as of February 2021. Those commercials we looked at were: Super Bowl 2021: Toyota (adopted swimmer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWG5_7nwyk Jeep (Bruce Springsteen) htt...

Phillip M. Perry, syndicated columnist, visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 22:17 - 1 hour - 29.3 MB

Phillip M. Perry has written over 3,000 columns for a wide variety of small  business magazines. This conversation had us asking the writing expert  about the experts he quotes in his many columns. We discussed the future  of print magazines as well as what the experts are telling Phil are the  biggest concerns among small business owners.

Don Schwertler of Family Business Institute visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 22:03 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

Don Schwerzler, founder of the Family Business Institute, and the  Internet organization, Family Business Experts, joined Tom to  discuss issues with businesses that have multi-generations, siblings,  cousins, partners, or other situations where there is room for  "challenging discussions". We talked about getting out of the business  as well as how to deal with disputes within the business.

Dr Frank Wood, psychologist, visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 21:54 - 1 hour - 28.9 MB

Dr. Frank Wood, psychologist, came to the program with  this concept; there is always going to be stress in your life. For some,  the stress can be painful and challenging. Others may be able to have  stress become a tool to help you achieve your goals. We posed many interesting questions to Dr. Frank as we work to understand how stress is present in our daily lives.

Christine Corelli, author visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 21:47 - 1 hour - 30 MB

Christine Corelli, author of Wake Up and Smell the Competition,  brought an interesting topic to tonight's program. The discussion  centered on her comment, "shoppers are good but buyers are better". This  is a recording you will want all of your staff to hear - probably  several times.

Michael Kalscheur of Castle Wealth Advisors visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 21:35 - 1 hour - 29.8 MB

Michael Kalscheur of Castle Wealth Advisors spoke to a packed phone line  that had more questions than we could cover in our hour. We talked  about planning for the time you want to sell your business. We also  talked about maximizing the price for the business. Surely, all small  business owners will come to that point in time where they sell the  business to an outsider, an employee, or transfer the business to  another family member. You will want to listen to this program.

Mike McCormick, CPA visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:47 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MB

The saying may be, 'April showers may bring you flowers'.  With this call, we think it is, 'April taxes bring you May  accountants'. Are you one of those who have gathered all of your tax  information in the first quarter of the year and given it to your  accountant? Did you also sit with your accountant during that time and  discuss your taxes? Our guest for May's conversation, Mike McCormick,  CPA, tells us this may be the wrong arrangement. Mike says you should  visit with the accountant...

Mike McCormick, CPA visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:47 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MB

The saying may be, 'April showers may bring you flowers'.  With this call, we think it is, 'April taxes bring you May  accountants'. Are you one of those who have gathered all of your tax  information in the first quarter of the year and given it to your  accountant? Did you also sit with your accountant during that time and  discuss your taxes? Our guest for May's conversation, Mike McCormick,  CPA, tells us this may be the wrong arrangement. Mike says you should  visit with the accountant...

Joyce Weiss visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:40 - 1 hour - 42.5 MB

Joyce Weiss, an expert on conflict in the workplace is  the guest for the June conversation. We are discussing conflicts between  employees and customers; employees with each other; partners; siblings;  and parent/child; all within the workplace. If you have experienced any of these, you will want to listen to the wise advice that Joyce shares with listeners.

Kerry Bannigan, co-founder of Independent Retailer month visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:32 - 1 hour - 28.8 MB

July is Independent Retailer Month. Our guest for the  e-ret@iler conversation was Kerry Bannigan, co-founder of the event as  well as the individual who is the driving force of the event. The big question of the night; 'What are the  advantages an independent retailer has over a box store, chain store or  mass merchant?'

Kathy Walsh of Coast to Coast Insurance visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:27 - 1 hour - 29 MB

Kathy Walsh of Coast to Coast Insurance in Tampa, Florida visited as an  expert on small business insurance needs. We discussed how to determine  what types of insurance you and your business needs as well as how to  determine how much insurance you should purchase.

Karl Stearns of KMS Marketing visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:21 - 1 hour - 41.7 MB

Did you know that how a person sees your blog, email or  website makes a big difference as to whether or not your message is even  read? With an increasing number of people using their smart phone to  'showroom', "webroom", read emails, view websites, and maybe even talk,  any message you have needs to be mobile friendly. Karl Stearns returns to the conversations program to discuss how to make your blog, emails, newsletters and website mobile friendly.

Karl Stearns of KMS Marketing visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:21 - 1 hour - 41.7 MB

Did you know that how a person sees your blog, email or  website makes a big difference as to whether or not your message is even  read? With an increasing number of people using their smart phone to  'showroom', "webroom", read emails, view websites, and maybe even talk,  any message you have needs to be mobile friendly. Karl Stearns returns to the conversations program to discuss how to make your blog, emails, newsletters and website mobile friendly.

Randy Dean of email sanity visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:15 - 1 hour - 29 MB

Randy Dean, the e-mail sanity expert, joined Tom Shay to discuss how you  can get more control of your time by managing all of those things that  intrude into your day - phone calls, emails, tasks, calendars, and  people. There was a lot to be learned and implemented from the ideas  Randy shared with us.

Mike McCormick, CPA visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:06 - 59 minutes - 27.3 MB

Every small business owner comes to that point in time when they are  thinking about getting out of the business. You may think of selling the  business, closing the business, or transferring the business to a family  member. There are a lot of considerations in your transitioning out of  the business; from both a personal and financial standpoint. That's why  we are visiting with Mike McCormick to discuss the many components you  should consider with selling or closing your business.

Deb Brown visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 43 MB

Deb Brown, the expert on small town business and communities joins us  for the final program of the year. We talk about small towns,  communities, Main Street programs and neighborhoods which allow a group  of businesses and citizens to work together. We talk about the  advantages and disadvantages of being small.

Dave Fellman, author, visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:54 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MB

The Small Business Book; 10 Ways to Improve Your Small Business written  by Dave Fellman. Yes, that is our guest for this e-retailer  conversation. We discussed all 10 ways (you'll want to listen to this  recording) of things you can do in your business to make a difference in  your bottom line.

Scott Newberger of Regions Bank visits Small Business Convesations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:48 - 1 hour - 28.5 MB

Scott Newberger, vice-president of Regions Bank brought valuable  information with regard to the relationship between a small business and  the bank. We discussed borrowing money, processing credit cards, using a  banker as an advisor and other aspects of your business that a bank can  help with.

Cathy Nagle-Erwin visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:42 - 1 hour - 28.8 MB

Cathy Nagle-Ervin joins the conversation as we discuss how the various  generations can work with, and for each other. If you think your  generation is having problems with a generation older or younger than  you, this is a great program to gain some insight.

Christopher Dicenso of Growth Strategy Partners visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:32 - 1 hour - 41.3 MB

Christopher Dicenso, of Growth Strategy Partners, joins Tom as  we discuss the value of a business coach. Could you handle the  relationship and the expectations the coach will have of you as well as  your expectation of the coach. Taking advantage of our conversation with  Christoper, we also discussed how to differentiate your business.

Becky McCray visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:24 - 1 hour - 41.3 MB

Becky McCray, the small business survival expert, rejoins Tom  as we discuss the many reports that show Wal-Mart and other big box  stores as having issues. What is happening? And can your small business  take advantage of it? You will want to listen to this program.

Scott Neal of Fast Track Computer Solutions visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:17 - 59 minutes - 27.1 MB

Scott Neal, from Fast Track Computer Solutions brought us a lot of  information about the current dangers our businesses can face on the  Internet. We also discussed off site storage and backup of the  information of our businesses.

Ben Muldrow visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 19:11 - 58 minutes - 27 MB

e start the new year with Ben Muldrow as our guest. Ben's expertise is  branding. We look at the colors and fonts used for a name as well as any  tag line the business may utilize. It's a great lesson of how to do  things right with the image of your business.

Ann Baldwin of Baldwin Media visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 00:21 - 59 minutes - 27.2 MB

Ann Baldwin of Baldwin Media Marketing joined Tom to discuss how  a small business can utilize the media so that the business is seen as  an expert within their industry. Ann also talked about crisis  management; when the media is in your face and you are looking to do  damage control. Ann has some great ideas. She speaks from experience as  she was a part of the media for many years.

Ron Friedman visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 00:14 - 1 hour - 29.3 MB

Ron Friedman returns to discuss the new laws affecting credit card  acceptance and the credit cards themselves. Ron explained what is  required to accept the new cards as well as the penalties a business  will incur by not being ready for the new format.

Ron Friedman visits Small Business Conversations from Profits Plus and Tom Shay

January 19, 2021 00:14 - 1 hour - 29.3 MB

Ron Friedman returns to discuss the new laws affecting credit card  acceptance and the credit cards themselves. Ron explained what is  required to accept the new cards as well as the penalties a business  will incur by not being ready for the new format.

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