WJR Business Beat
655 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsWJR Business Beat as heard on 760 WJR, hosted by Guy Gordon and StartupNation's founder and CEO, Jeff Sloan.
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Episodes
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Navv Systems Gets $3.2 Million in Venture Funding (Episode 244)
June 21, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 1.96 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff talks to physician Daniel Siegal, CEO of Navv Systems, a Michigan-based company focused on hospital personnel location and equipment tracking and location services. The company just closed a $3.2 million venture fundraising round from some of the top venture firms in our region. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Navv Systems and the way this company is changing health care for good.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Bea's Squeeze Lemonade Stand Goes from Eastern Market to 25 States (Episode 243)
June 18, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.37 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff talks to Bea Wolnerman of Bea's Squeeze, a lemonade company that started in Eastern Market as a summer pop-up and is now available through retailers distributed in 25 states. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Bea's Squeeze and how you can build a brand that's just as authentic and lovable.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Huntington Bank Announces Major Financing Initiative to Detroit Region (Episode 242)
June 17, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.21 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses Huntington Bank's $1 billion commitment to minority-owned businesses in Detroit and Wayne County. Huntington just completed the acquisition of TCF Bank, making Huntington the 25th largest bank in the country with more than $170 billion in assets. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about what Huntington Bank is pledging to do to support local small businesses in Detroit.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Impact of Fake Reviews on E-Commerce (Episode 241)
June 16, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.08 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses a newly released study from CHEQ and the University of Baltimore, which found that fake reviews in the e-commerce market have resulted in a $152 billion problem. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn about these fake reviews on e-commerce sites and how to mitigate the costly problem.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Entrepreneurship and Mental Health Issues (Episode 240)
June 14, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.12 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses findings from Freshbooks' latest Self-Employed Mental Health Report, which reveals that 49% of those surveyed said their mental health conditions left them with a loss of energy and difficulty focusing on their business during the tumultuous year that was 2020. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about how impactful mental health issues were this past year as well as ways to rebound post-pandemic.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Business Ideas Are Limitless as MI Picnic Demonstrates (Episode 239)
June 11, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.16 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff talks to Yathu Manick, the founder of MI Picnic, a business that aims to caters to all your picnic needs. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about MI Picnic and how to find successful business ideas.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Food Delivery Apps Gain Major Market Share (Episode 238)
June 10, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.17 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses how food delivery apps surged during the pandemic — and how they're expected to stay for the long run. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn about why food delivery apps are taking over the business world.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Small Business Owners Feeling Good About Future (Episode 237)
June 09, 2021 08:00 - 1 minute - 1.65 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses how small business owners are seeing bright times ahead for their enterprises. In fact, around 90% of small business owners are now saying with confidence they believe they're going to survive the troubling times the pandemic caused, according to a survey from Goldman Sachs. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about small business owners' optimistic outlooks:
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Restaurant Business Forever Changed by the Pandemic (Episode 236)
June 08, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.17 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses some major concerns that consumers have with the restaurant business going forward due to the pandemic. A new report from PYMENTS in collaboration with Paytronix finds that 27% of the population is concerned about spending money, and 39% are still worried about health issues related to COVID-19. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about how the restaurant business has been forever changed.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Michigan Businesses Are Being Started in Record Numbers (Episode 235)
June 07, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.15 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses how it's as good a time as ever to start a business, especially in Michigan. In fact, a report from Detour Detroit found applications for Michigan businesses skyrocketed by 43% from February 2020 to February 2021, and Black communities were a major factor. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn why these numbers for Michigan businesses are surging.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Small Business Failure Statistics Don't Tell the Whole Story (Episode 234)
June 04, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.2 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses the deeper meaning behind small business failure statistics — and what you should do to make sure you don't become a part of those numbers. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about what entrepreneurs should really take away from small business failure statistics.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Use Consumer Feedback to Your Competitive Advantage (Episode 233)
June 03, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.2 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses how consumer feedback is one of the most crucial assets in a successful business, especially in modern times, when anyone with access to the web can post their opinions. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn how you can use consumer feedback to propel your business forward.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: The Importance of Offering Health Care to Employees (Episode 232)
June 02, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.09 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses the increasing importance of having a health care plan for your employees — and how it can be the difference in employee retention and productivity. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about why health care plans for employees are more important now than ever.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Cryptocurrency Going Mainstream as Consumer Purchasing Payment Method (Episode 231)
June 01, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.07 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses the emergence of cryptocurrency as a common payment method and how business owners should adapt. Now, nearly one-fifth of the U.S. adult population — that's roughly 46 million consumers — say they will likely use cryptocurrencies to make a purchase this year. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about why you should start accepting cryptocurrency sooner rather than later.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Wedding Sector Re-Emerges in 2021 as a Booming Business (Episode 230)
May 27, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.11 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses how the wedding industry is set to thrive again as the pandemic is beginning to slow down. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that wedding caterers and venues are fully booked for 2021 and wedding registry signups are skyrocketing. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the booming wedding industry.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Michigan Leads Nation in Venture Capital Investment (Episode 229)
May 26, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutes - 2.82 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff talks about how Michigan leads the nation in the biggest increase in venture capital investing and how venture capital is furthering innovation in our state. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the importance of venture capital.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Poll Shows Companies the Public Views as the Most Conscious Brands (Episode 228)
May 25, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.1 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses a poll from Wolff Olins and Hall and Partners that found the top companies the public finds to be the most conscious brands. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn which companies are named as the most conscious brands.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Working from Home is Highly Desired by Employees (Episode 227)
May 24, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 1.98 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses the uptick in workers' desires of working from home permanently after the COVID-19 pandemic moved the world to remote work. According to an in-depth look at remote work after the COVID-19 pandemic from the University of Chicago's Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, around 21% of total work hours post-pandemic will be working from home, nearly four times as high as the level of those working from home pre-pandemic. Tune in to the Business Beat t...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: New Survey by Sage Indicates Rising Small Business Optimism (Episode 226)
May 20, 2021 08:00 - 1 minute - 1.62 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff discusses a hopeful look for the future of small businesses, as a recent survey from Sage reveals that small business optimism is growing, which could potentially create millions of new jobs. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about this rising small business optimism.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Addressing America's Digital Divide is a Necessity (Episode 225)
May 18, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.18 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff talks about an incredibly important issue: the digital divide, resulting in 82 million Americans who lack broadband internet access at home, according to Pew Research. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about addressing America's digital divide.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Data Shows Consumers Want to Shop and Dine Locally (Episode 224)
May 13, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.01 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff shares an ongoing trend in consumer behavior: those who are searching for something online but going to a store locally to actually make the purchase. Visits to local stores and restaurants are top of mind, according to a recent report by Google. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about this great news for local merchants and local restaurants.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Valuable Mentoring Offered by SCORE (Episode 223)
May 12, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.28 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff discusses an excellent resource for entrepreneurs who need free, high-quality coaching and mentoring: SCORE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the mentoring services offered by SCORE.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Tech Workers Continue Migration into the Midwest (Episode 222)
May 11, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.13 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares a recent Axois survey indicating that young engineers and recent college graduates are looking to Miami, Houston and Philadelphia as hot spots to start a career, rather than San Fransisco, New York or Seattle. This news comes on the heels of last week's Business Beat features with Ryan Landau of Purpose Jobs discussing tech workers migrating to the Midwest. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the new regions that are becoming tec...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: National Retail Federation Predicts Strong 2021 (Episode 221)
May 10, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.21 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares exciting news from the National Retail Federation (NRF): retail sales are beginning to rebound, and the NRF predicts a strong acceleration of the U.S. economy in 2021. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the National Retail Federation's predictions.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Vroom Picks Detroit to Grow and Expand its Business (Episode 220)
May 07, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.14 MBOn today's Business Beat, Jeff welcomes back Ryan Landau, founder of Purpose Jobs, to discuss another hot startup company right here in the Midwest: Vroom, an e-commerce company that allows consumers to buy and sell cars online. The New York City-based company is opening up an engineering office in Detroit. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Vroom. In case you missed it, tune in to Landau's earlier appearances on the Business Beat this week to learn about the emerging startup...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Clearcover is a Hot Midwest Tech Company to Watch (Episode 219)
May 05, 2021 08:00 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff welcomes back Ryan Landau, founder of Purpose Jobs, to discuss Clearcover, a hot InsureTech company based in the Midwest that's one to watch. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Clearcover. Landau will be back on the Business Beat on Friday, May 7 to discuss another local startups that he believes is one to watch!
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: The Midwest is Now a Hotbed for Startup Companies (Episode 218)
May 03, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.13 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff welcomes Ryan Landau, founder of Purpose Jobs, to discuss the rise of startup companies in the Midwest. Landau is dedicated to building the startup ecosystem in the Midwest by connecting startups with top talent, and has a particular passion for Detroit tech startups. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the emerging tech startup market based in the Midwest. "I think the tide is shifting to specifically the middle of the country and emergin...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Supports Detroit Businesses (Episode 217)
April 29, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.27 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff chats with Jerome Brown, co-owner of Detroit Soul, and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program alumnus. Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation launched the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic growth by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. In 2013, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses committed $20 million to supp...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows Small Businesses Put Employees First (Episode 216)
April 28, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.03 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff discusses the recently released Small Business Recovery Report conducted by Kabbage, an American Express Company. When asked which milestone would best indicate their business has recovered from the pandemic, the number one response of those surveyed was paying their employees their full wages. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the Small Business Recovery Report's findings.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Midwest Venture Showcase (Episode 215)
April 26, 2021 08:00 - 5 minutes - 5.06 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff and Paul W. Smith discuss the 2021 Midwest Venture Showcase, a partnership between the Midwest Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) and InvestMidwest, which will showcase 57 companies actively seeking funding to an audience of top-tier investors, entrepreneurs, researchers and business executives. The virtual event runs April 27 to 28, 2021. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the Midwest Venture Showcase.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: The Startup Story of Bloomscape (Episode 214)
April 22, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.09 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares a great story of entrepreneurial success happening right here in our region. The company is Detroit's own Bloomscape, helmed by founder and CEO, Justin Mast. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Bloomscape's success.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Want to Start a Business? Find a Niche and Fill it (Episode 213)
April 21, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.11 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff shares an important adage for all aspiring entrepreneurs: find a niche and fill it! To reiterate the importance of finding a niche, Jeff discusses the startup success story of Avery Stempel, founder of Collar City Mushrooms, a store in Troy, New York, that's devoted entirely to selling mushrooms. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the importance of starting a business in a niche you're passionate about.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Pace of Startup Businesses in Detroit (Episode 212)
April 20, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.08 MBWhere's the hottest startup activity in the U.S. today, and how does Detroit measure up? On this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares U.S. Census Bureau statistics for new U.S. startups by location. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn where Detroit ranks on the list!
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies (Episode 211)
April 14, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.1 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff welcomes Dr. Craig Everett, finance professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School, who shares details of Pepperdine's Most Fundable Companies competition. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies, and how you can enter.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Fortune Magazine List of Best Companies to Work For (Episode 210)
April 13, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.24 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff discusses Fortune's recently released 100 Best Companies to Work For, which includes a local Detroit business in the top five! Tune in to the Business Beat to find out which businesses made the list of Fortune Magazine's List of Best Companies to Work For.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows That Small Businesses Are Making Bold Moves to Stay Relevant (Episode 209)
April 12, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 1.87 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff shares findings from a recent Borrell Associates study, indicating that small businesses are making bold moves to stay relevant and capture market share. One third of local advertisers said they plan to spend more on local advertising in 2021, and 70% will add more types of media that are new and different methods in their marketing mix. Tune in to the Business Beat to hear more results from the study on local advertising and the state of small busines...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Detroit Startups Celebrate Valuations Well into the Billions (Episode 208)
April 09, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.45 MBEarlier this week, Rochester, Michigan-based OneStream Software announced that it closed on $200 million in new capital that will be used to position the company optimally for its IPO slated for the near future. Additionally, StockX announced a major round of funding in the amount of $195 million at a valuation of 3.8 billion. It's a great week for Detroit startups! Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the incredible growth of these Detroit startups!
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Put the Power of Social Media Marketing to Work for Your Small Business (Episode 207)
April 07, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.15 MBOne of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is how to market their products or services. On today's Business Beat, Jeff welcomes Ignite Social Media president, Deidre Lambert-Bounds, who shares her expertise about making social media marketing work for your small business. Tune in to the Business Beat to hear Deidre's tips on social media marketing.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Impact on Brands Taking Positions on Social Issues (Episode 206)
April 06, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.13 MBOn this morning's Business Beat, Jeff discusses results from a recent Piplsay study on the impact of brand activism and social issues. Of those consumers surveyed, 22 percent report that brand actions have impacted both their buying behavior and brand impression. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about taking a stand on social issues and how your business can influence real change.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Click and Collect Has Become a Mainstay in the Way Consumers Make Their Purchases (Episode 205)
April 05, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.23 MBAs we move further and further away from the epicenter of the pandemic of 2020, it's becoming clearer which changes the pandemic caused that will be here to stay long into the future. On this morning's Business Beat, Jeff discusses click and collect, a distinct consumer behavior in which customers make their purchases online and go to the store to pick them up. As U.S. click and collect sales nearly doubled in 2020, this business trend is here to stay. Listen to the Business Beat to learn ...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Coffee Consumption is Booming During the Pandemic (Episode 204)
April 02, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.27 MBThe pandemic has changed consumer habits in a number of ways, including what we drink and even how much. According to the Spring 2021 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) survey conducted by Dig Research, COVID-19 drove record coffee consumption at home. Grab a hot cup of coffee and listen to this morning's WJR Business Beat to learn more.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: TalkDesk Study Shows Business Owners Must Have an Omnichannel Presence
April 01, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.3 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff discusses the importance of having an omnichannel approach in business. What does that mean? It means that in order to succeed, business owners must meet their customers where they are, and that requires both in-person and online interactions. According to a new study just released by Talkdesk, 78% of consumers polled seek to engage with companies on their preferred channel, while 58% of consumers say their service expectations are higher than they ...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: New Study by Accertify Indicates That Businesses Online Face a Growing Threat (Episode 202)
March 31, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 1.98 MBMore businesses are being started up online than ever before, and with that, a new study conducted by the American Express Company, Accertify, indicates that these businesses face an ever-growing threat of payment fraud. A certified survey to 105 respondents from merchant companies in December 2020 found that 38% of merchants saw an increase in online payment fraud last year, and 25% suffered from an increase in identity theft. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn what online merchants ca...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Consider the Legal Entity Known as a B Corp for Your New Business
March 30, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.15 MBAre you looking to start a business with a social mission? If so, creating a B corp might be the right fit! By harnessing the power of business, B corporations use profits and growth as a means to a greater positive impact for their employees, communities and the environment. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn what exactly a B corp is and how it's different from a nonprofit business.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Federal Government Offers Deferred Payments on EIDL Program Loans (Episode 200)
March 29, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.34 MBThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will defer the time period in which small businesses need to start repaying Economy Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) in principle and interest. The COVID-19 EIDL program has assisted over 3.7 million small businesses in this country, including nonprofit organizations, sole proprietors and independent contractors from a wide array of industries and business sectors. Tune in to the Business Beat to get the full scoop!
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows Gains in Local Ad Sales for 2021 (Episode 198)
March 25, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.32 MBWe've long been advocating for entrepreneurs to start an online business, and now it's time to take your advertising online, too! On this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff discusses trends and predictions in local ad sales for 2021. Local businesses are estimated to spend $127 billion on advertising with local media in 2021, and that's up 7.3% over last year. Listen to the WJR Business Beat to learn where you should focus your efforts this year if you're in local ad sales.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Cryptocurrency Now Going Mainstream as Accepted Payment (Episode 197)
March 24, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 1.92 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff discusses the rise of cryptocurrency as a mainstream form of payment. According to a 2020 survey by HSB, 36% of small- to medium-sized businesses in the U.S. now accept Bitcoin. Listen to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about cryptocurrency and why your business might want to consider accepting it as a form of payment.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Google, Facebook and Amazon Attract Majority of All U.S. Ad Spend Last Year (Episode 196)
March 23, 2021 08:00 - 1 minute - 1.59 MBAccording to a provisional GroupM analysis just published by the Wall Street Journal, Google, Facebook and Amazon attracted the majority of all U.S. online ad spend in 2020. On this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff breaks down the ad spend and discusses why these top three companies are winning big.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: RingCentral Study on the State of Hybrid Work (Episode 195)
March 18, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.28 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares results of Ring Central's 2021 State of Hybrid Work report, which found that the future of work is likely to be a combination of remote and in-office work. Tune in to the Business Beat to learn more about the hybrid work report.
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Women Leadership Roles Show Progress When it Comes To Venture Capital (Episode 194)
March 17, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.24 MBOn this morning's WJR Business Beat, Jeff shares progress as it relates to women in venture capital and discusses the importance of diversity in the venture capital field. Tune in to this morning's Business Beat to learn more about women in venture capital.