Welcome to another edition of The Roadmap on ASBN, where we showcase how small business owners leverage their entrepreneurial spirit and leadership prowess to grow, scale, and exit successful startups. On this episode, host Lee Heisman is joined by Matthew Hunt, president and co-owner of C2H Air and Electric, who shares his insights into the preparations necessary to build strong brands.

1. Hunt’s entrepreneurial journey began long before founding C2H Air and Electric. He highlights the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit and gaining experience in one’s field before establishing a first venture.

2. Hunt’s decision to start his own business was fueled by the desire to improve upon the existing standards and practices in the HVAC and electrical services industry, emphasizing the role of innovation and vision in entrepreneurship.

3. The growth of C2H Air and Electric from a three-person startup to a 60-employee organization underscores the critical importance of assembling a strong team. Hunt emphasizes the importance of selecting team members who share the vision of the company and possess the skills and character necessary to drive growth and expansion.

4. Hunt’s strategy for expanding his business into new markets, including other states, demonstrates the complexities and challenges of scaling a business. He urges entrepreneurs to make sure their companies are self-sustaining and ready for new divisions before aggressively scaling their brands.

5. Hunt notes he took on a partner two years after starting his company. He maintains that it is important to understand one’s own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the value of collaboration and the strategic importance of partnerships in filling gaps in expertise, expanding customer relationships, and enhancing overall business growth.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Welcome to another exclusive edition of The Roadmap, brought to you by ASBN, where your host, Lee Heisman, takes you on a journey through the strategies and experiences of the brightest CEOs and entrepreneurs worldwide who have successfully scaled and exited their businesses. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from David Dixon, the visionary founder of NAI Brannen Goddard, who shares insights on the crucial elements real estate agents need to focus on.

Key Takeaways

1. Networking is the most crucial aspect required in any business. According to Dixon, “If you lose that skill, then you lose the ability to succeed in your business.”

2. As a real estate expert, Dixon believes real estate differs between regions. For example, Dixon started in the Atlanta area, but as his clients’ needs grew, he expanded his deals to almost 40 out of 50 states. This also suggests that real estate differs based on factors such as how well-funded the landlords are, the leasing cost, and property tax. There are several different variables that one needs to consider while deciding which market to work in.

3. Currently, the hottest markets are Charlotte, South Carolina, and Houston/Dallas, Texas, while Atlanta, Georgia, has also grown exponentially in the last five years. However, Dixon encourages commercial and seasonal agents in the market to be in the business for at least ten years before considering a purchase. He suggests, “Once your business is established for ten years, you will need those financials to get the best deal.”

4. Dixon advises young professionals to be prepared to work hard. He believes there are no safety nets, salaries, or benefits “in our world.” Therefore, one must treat the initial years of the business like medical school, where one may not see immediate rewards. Dixon also recommends building some savings to support oneself during the initial years of real estate. For experienced professionals, it is more about choosing the industry they want to work in and becoming an expert. 

5. In 2024, the country will have the highest amount of commercial debt that is due, and thanks to the impact of COVID, the major tenants are not renewing their spaces. However, looking ahead, Dixon is interested in exploring teaching opportunities, either by serving on a commercial board or as a speaker, to develop educational content that helps people succeed in the real estate industry.

If you want more information, contact Dixson at (678) 789-1617 or email him at DDixon@naibg.com.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

On this episode of The Roadmap, host Lee Heisman is joined by Michael Lan, serial entrepreneur, business consultant, growth accelerator, and chief strategy officer of Green Boom, a biomass upcycling firm that aims to improve the oil cleanup process. Lan is the founder of multiple successful companies, brands, and products and continues to leverage his experiences as a business owner to help other startups scale and reach new heights.

Key Takeaways

1. Lan explains that consultants bring in external, cross-industry experience to a company, allowing them to form expert conclusions that those from inside an organization may be unable to perceive.

2. Lan was inspired by Shark Tank to form one of his first companies LM Ventures. He notes that a majority of the products the firm designed failed.

3. One product that did succeed was the ToddleGreen, a dissolvable, flushable plastic potty liner. It was eventually sold across 140 stores in the U.S. and Canada as well as online.

4. The experience of selling a successful product came with multiple lessons, the most important of which was that brick-and-mortar retail is difficult to enter and expensive. Lan moved his products to sell only on Amazon, simplifying his supply chain and boosting revenue.

5. Lan encourages entrepreneurs to keep their supply chains simple. While many businesses manufacture products in China, due to the high costs of shipping, packaging, and handling on an international level, domestic production may be the more efficient route for certain brands.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Robert Burke began his professional journey in 2009 as a mid-sized architecture company’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). After spending five years there, he founded his own technology outsourcing firm called Core12 under the banner of ITMSB. However, Burke found it challenging to make it make sense and eventually started SOBO as a consultant for IT. SOBO has introduced a tech platform that employs data-driven insights and a patent-pending system to match consultants, disrupting traditional consulting practices.

In the latest episode of The Roadmap, host Lee Heisman sits down with Burke to provide entrepreneurs, business leaders, CEOs, founders, and top business personnel insight on how he manages to scale and upgrade businesses.

Key Takeaways

1. As time passed, Burke evolved to the next level of leadership by actively developing next-generation leaders to take over the business, ultimately scaling his platform.

2. Burke believes that when managing a business from a distance, owners should be aware of the learning curve that involves developing their team to reduce their own involvement in daily operations. This requires overcoming one’s ego, learning to delegate properly, and setting measurable and timely goals that align with the company’s vision. In Burke’s case, he had to undertake these steps to effectively pursue his vision for SOBO.

3. Small and medium-sized businesses are facing difficulties in hiring strategic talent. According to Burke, “Roughly 10,000 people are leaving the workforce daily, while only 5,600 are entering it.” Hence, SOBO provides a solution for SMB owners to identify these gaps and fill them with on-demand consulting services without hassle.

4. The company alleviates possible consulting engagements through its engagement insurance process. 

5. Moving towards the future, Burke aims to help small and medium-sized businesses level up, because without them, “People wouldn’t have a choice,” asserts Burke. 

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Welcome to another ASBN-exclusive edition of The Roadmap, with host Ted Jenkin. Every week, Jenkin interviews the brightest and best CEOs and entrepreneurs from around the world who have scaled and exited their businesses. In this episode, Jeff Pedowitz, the CEO of The Pedowitz Group, shares his insights on how businesses can effectively implement AI for marketing strategies.

As of recently, the world has been transcended by the idea of implementing artificial intelligence into the workplace. However, the Pedowitz Group assists its clients in utilizing technology to increase revenue and customer engagement, and AI has been a profound contributor to the technology’s success.

Key Takeaways

1. Regarding how entrepreneurs can market AI, Pedowitz suggests, “AI is a generational force, much like the internet and the smartphone; this is a 20-year type of thing where AI will absolutely transform every part of the business, and even our personal lives as well.”

2. Marketing is already at the forefront of utilizing AI, as 70% of marketing organizations are experimenting with it. For entrepreneurs who want to invest $20 a month to try out the software’s premium version, ChatGPT is a great place to start. Pedowitz believes “Grammarly, on top of AI, will make you a world-class writer overnight.” 

3. Pedowitz suggests that entrepreneurs interested in the more advanced level of AI for marketing should consider using the platform, Jasper. He adds, “Jasper is specifically trained for marketing; its model is to write all types of blogs, ads, emails, and white papers, and it will serve you much better.”

4. Although having a website is essential, the content you put there must be different than the content you put on each social media platform. But it’s not so much about what content you put out there rather than who your target audience is, where they get their information, and how you put the right content on the right channel. 

5. AI is a great tool for creating outlines and structures to guide you through certain processes. However, it’s vital to remember that AI should be treated as a muse, meaning that it should be used and verified. Every new iteration of technology presents challenges, so any business should take the necessary steps to safeguard its information. 

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Is print really dead? That is the question that lingers on the minds of many as technology in the modern world continues to evolve. In the latest episode of The Roadmap, host Ted Jekin is joined by Joanne Hayes, Publisher of Simply Buckhead Magazine, to refute that very question. 

When Hayes first “stumbled” into the magazine industry in 1996, she helped a magazine company build another magazine company. Twelve years later, she discovered Simply Buckehad Magazine, a free upscale lifestyle magazine focused on the best and brightest individuals, businesses, and events in the Atlanta and metro Atlanta area. 

Key Takeaways

1. Hayes’ magazine employs freelance journalists who write every word. The editors are also degreed journalists with experience working for other national and international magazine companies— like USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Bon Appetite. 

2. Although Simply Buckhead Magazine doesn’t have a formal office, they treat their staff like family and host events three to four times a year to appreciate and network with them. “Somehow, by networking, it has catapulted us as a standard in the industry of how to start,” says Hayes. 

3. The magazine generates its revenue from advertising, both digital and print copies. Hayes asserts, “As of this month, the magazine is currently located in 427 locations, carefully curated within the Upper West Side of Atlanta.” 

4. As a business owner, it’s important to get involved in the community. For instance, Hayes carefully curates the non-profits they support, and she asserts, “It takes a lot of time, personal money, effort, and editorial to represent them well.”

5. Simply Buckhead Magazine typically partners with The NSORO Foundation and CURE Childhood Cancer, and this year, they supported The Bow Wow Brunch Human Society and the 2024 Fashion a Cure, which are both meaningful to the magazine and reflect the community they serve.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Community marketing is the practice of actively engaging with an audience in a non-intrusive conversation with prospects and customers. This approach can be highly effective for entrepreneurs looking to increase brand awareness, drive innovation, improve customer retention, and enhance overall customer experience. In the latest episode of The Roadmap, host Ted Jenkin sits down with Steve Beecham, CEO of Home Town Mortgage, to discuss how effective community marketing strategies can benefit businesses.

As an unofficial, unpaid mayor of Alpharetta, Georgia, Beecham divided his job responsibilities to better suit his skills. Although he was initially told that his primary focus should be on closing sales, Beecham’s unique learning approach led him to study how to attract customers and encourage them to spend money.

Key Takeaway: 

1. During his studies, he wrote a book, Bass-Ackward Business: The Power of Helping Without Hustling, which depicts how to be the mayor of your village. In the book, Beecham explains that the “village” refers to the sphere of influence or the people who want to surround themselves with you.   

2. Even today, Beecham relies on traditional methods to expand his network. For example, he prefers in-person meetings to build relationships and expand his ‘sphere of influence.’ Moreover, Beecham believes that if someone is referred to him, then the one who referred them is his customer. He also believes that these types of referrals significantly affect business growth. 

3. Beecham aims to build trustworthy relationships with people and not sell them anything. He wants to bring his assets to the table and help people grow their businesses by introducing them to the right people. In short, his agenda is not to sell anything but to help people grow. 

4. “Wherever you get involved, grow the trust factor there, get more referrals, and become consistent at doing that, then it becomes a habit and your business will double in value every time,” Beecham asserts. 

5. A few years back, Beecham used to drive around the park with his Hummer that had his business logo on the side. To this day, people call him, hoping to do business with him. He believes, “Though the park was filled with kids and a parent or two, I made it a habit to drive the same route every day, and I’m still getting calls from parents who remember seeing my Hummer.”

6. After the world shut down, Beecham started sending out e-letters. However, he quickly realized that people tended to delete emails that mentioned mortgages. So, he decided to seek feedback from the community and adopted a new philosophy: “Don’t Delete Me”. Once people stopped deleting, they began sending information about the community instead. As a result, he now has roughly 6,000 people from the community engaged.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Entrepreneurs often have questions about whether they require an operations agreement, a buy/sell agreement, or when to sell their business. Therefore, it’s vital to have a good attorney to assist them in navigating through their legal inquiries. In the latest episode of The Roadmap, host Ted Jenkins sits down with Travis Townsend, co-founder of Townsend Locket, to discuss how entrepreneurs can better manage their legal obligations.

After leaving a large law firm to become an entrepreneur, Townsend spent considerable time diversifying his skill set. Townsend Lockett strives to operate with a lean, efficient, and sophisticated approach. Their culture centers around achieving their client’s business objectives while covering all fundamental areas of business. This includes, but is not limited to, contract drafting and negotiations, intellectual property development, protection and enforcement, business litigation and dispute resolution, company finance, and regulatory compliance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Townsend Locket conducted prior research to discuss pricing options for personnel at different levels of the practice. They were confident that their skill set was valuable to patrons in big law and did not want to undervalue their services. After conducting market tests and analyzing their offerings, they went through a trial and error process to ultimately determine their pricing strategy.

2. Businesses must have a constitution, a set of rules that people can look at and know their business’s expectations. If you don’t get an operations agreement now, the repercussions will cost more in the future. Contract agreements are a way to decide how to break a tie between a 50/50 business decision. 

3. It’s necessary for each party to have an employment agreement with the company outlining specific expectations for the work they will be doing. “When there are guidelines that let people know they can be let go, they behave,” asssert Townsend. 

4. Some states and courts are becoming less lenient towards noncompete agreements for corporations, as many believe that restricting people’s ability to work goes against American values. 

5. Trademarking is a crucial aspect for every business, regardless of its size. At Townsend and Locket, they have a unique approach to trademark recognition, which is based on an inherent understanding of how people perceive and recognize brands. When you offer a quality product or service, and your customers come to you for their needs, it becomes critical to safeguard your business investment by securing proper trademark protection.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

In the latest episode of The Roadmap, host Ted Jenkin speaks with Scott Monge, founder and CEO of Monge & Associates law firm, about the ins and outs of running a successful business. Monge shares tips on effective marketing, smart hiring, and the future of the business world. His advice isn’t just for lawyers—it’s for anyone looking to improve their business strategy.

Monge earned his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Illinois University. From there, he graduated with a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Southern Illinois University School of Law. For 30 years, his high-powered personal injury law firm, Monge & Associates, has been devoted to helping people through their most challenging times. Monge & Associates is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional locations in Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

Key takeaways:

1.Monge emphasizes the trial-and-error nature of marketing. A major part of his strategy involves continuously measuring ROI (return on investment) versus branding. He draws on historical innovators like Thomas Edison to demonstrate that failure is an integral part of understanding what marketing strategies work.

2. Monge & Associates employ a weekly “vision meeting” where key leaders discuss and assess strategies. They monitor metrics such as acquisition cost and the cost per client, ensuring efficient use of resources and avoiding wasted expenditures.

3. Monge explains how his business operates on a contingency fee model, where fees are charged only if the case is won. This model not only helps clients who might not afford legal representation but also challenges the firm to carefully select and invest in cases they believe in.

4. In a tight labor market and a changing work landscape due to COVID-19, retaining and finding talent remains a challenge. Monge looks for two core values: positivity and productivity. He also references Angela Duckworth’s concept of “grit” as a defining quality of success.

5. Jenkin and Monge touch upon the changing dynamics in the legal field, where traditionally only lawyers could own law firms. Now, non-lawyers can own firms in certain jurisdictions. This potentially opens doors to a wider talent pool and brings diverse business strategies to the industry.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt

Welcome to another episode of The Roadmap. This ASBN-exclusive resource is dedicated to teaching CEOs, business leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs how to monetize, expand, and scale their businesses. Today’s host, Lee Heisman, is joined by Harry and Leticia Hutchins, the owners of Alma Coffee.

In 2018, Leticia and Harry Hutchins founded Alma Coffee to promote direct trade coffee and make ethically sourced farm-to-cup coffee accessible to everyone. Alma Coffee is fully integrated from farm to truck. 

Key Takeaways:

1. The Hutchins family is a group of full-time farmers serving as harvesters and importers/exporters. They roast and brew coffee straight from the seed and operate a full supply chain to ensure the highest quality coffee. Harry Hutchins explains, “We oversee the entire process to ensure the best possible results.”

2. In the United States, Alma Coffee has different business segments, such as roasting, brewing, business-to-business (B2B”, e-commerce, and its coffee shop, which allows consumers to witness the entire roasting process. 

3. Alma is a veteran-owned business; therefore, they like to highlight their American craftsmanship. Hence, when you walk into their coffee shop, consumers can see the roasting and brewing process. 

4. Alma originated in the mountains of Honduras, where Leticia was born into the industry. Alma means “Soul” in Spanish, reflecting the Hutchins’ passion for their outreach projects. For example, Alma recently partnered with the Matiak Foundation to build a school and clinic to educate and care for the El Calatato village, adjacent to their first farm. 

5. Moving forward, the company plans to get through the holidays and then continue enhancing the farming community to support more people.

"Once you feel like that company is able to sustain itself, you can take a step away for a second to branch out and start another branch or another area." — Matthew Hunt