41: It's Never to Late in Life to Start a Business w/ Bob Fraser

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EP. 41Today’s Guest is Bob Fraser of BusinessGrowthCoach.org
“When I was a teenager I wanted to be a teacher, that was my passion.  I didn’t follow my passion until I was 38 years old. From the age of 16-38 I had over 25 different jobs, not one of them was I passionate about.
I returned to my passion at the age of 38 after an encounter with God. I went back to school and started a teaching career at the age of 43. I retired from classroom teaching 2012 and now I help others pursue their passion as a Life & Business Coach.
It’s never too late to follow your dream, whether it be going back to school or starting your own business.  
In my free time I like to fish from my kayak, I’m also a Kayak fishing guide where I live in Southwest Florida.  My wife and I also like to travel to different places.” – Bob

Key Takeaways

  • It is never to late to re-start and pursue your calling.
  • Retirement is a great time to start a business
  • When you have a story that you just “have to tell” it is time to write your book.
  • Getting the right help can move you toward your goals.
  • You can create a life that you don’t have to escape from and therefore you do not have to “Dread Mondays”

Tweetable Quotes

[Tweet “Today is the first day of the rest of your life, what are you going to do with it? @bobmfraser”]
[Tweet “If you really want to do something, I believe you can do it! @bobmfraser”]
[Tweet “What a shame if you don’t have time to go fishing. @bobmfraser”]
[Tweet “If you do what you love you will never have to work another day in your life. @bobmfraser”]

Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR41

40: Town Hall – 5 Ways to Manage Business Stress

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EP. 40Biblical Entrepreneurship

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Key Takeaways

  • Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. We don’t have to live under bondage.
  • There are practical things that we can do to manage the stress in our lives and live in freedom.
  • We don’t want to suppress our emotions. We want to harness and empower our emotions.

5 Ways to Handle Business Stress

  1. Harness your emotions.
  2. Manage your energy.
  3. Engage Relationships.
  4. Strengthen your spirit.
  5. Grow your skills.

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. We don’t have to live under bondage.”]
  • [Tweet “There are practical things that we can do to manage the stress in our lives and live in freedom.”]
  • [Tweet “We don’t want to suppress our emotions. We want to harness and empower our emotions.”]

 Resources

YouTube Videos

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR40

39: Starting a Business from 1 Gumball Machine w/ Matt Miller

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EP. 39Today’s guest is Matt Miller of School Spirit Vending.
“The School Spirit Vending concept was developed in July of 2007 by Matt Miller of Kingwood, TX.
As a father of three, with years of expertise in both print media and vending, Matt was able to see school fundraising from a unique, outsider’s perspective.
One day, after a child in the neighborhood came by the house selling items for his school’s fundraiser, Matt decided to create a business that would help schools and their clubs or organizations raise money more simply.
Year-round, hassle-free fundraising with School Spirit Vending was born!
The School Spirit Vending concept and its simplicity has caught on so quickly that schools all over the country are already benefitting from the program with great results!!”

Biblical Entrepreneurship

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost…”  ~ 2 Corinthians
Rely on Him and not on your own strength.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Media IS very important. If you don’t understand it do some research and ask questions.
  • God has a plan. You must be willing to go through the rough times to come out victorious.
  • Businesses do have tough moments. Embrace them because they will make your business stronger in the end.

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “Rely on Him and not on your own strength.”]
  • [Tweet “Social Media IS very important. If you don’t understand it do some research and ask questions.”]
  • [Tweet “God has a plan. You must be willing to go through the rough times to come out victorious.”]

Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR39

I Fix My Eyes on What is Unseen…

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“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 4 NIV)

Tear up the Score Card

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Photo Credit - Munir Hamdan

Photo Credit – Munir Hamdan


Are you a highly competitive business owner and entrepreneur like myself?  Our competitive nature is what gives us an edge in business.  It motivates us to work hard, set goals, and strive for something more.
But that drive, which is one of our greatest strengths, can also be very destructive.
Here’s the problem.  Competition requires us to keep score.  This is very helpful for analyzing and managing our businesses…. But, when when we keep score on ourselves and our relationships, we have this dirty little tendency to only keep the negative score!
[Tweet “We have this dirty little tendency to only keep the negative score!”]
Have you experienced this in your own life?  You get discouraged because the list, in your head, of your own failures is a mile long.  Or, maybe it goes this way, you start to get frustrated and angry with a friend for family member because of your list of disappointments.
A few months ago, I found myself at this place… I received a challenge that I am going to give to you. 
Joe White, spoke at the Ignite Men’s conference and told us that God’s grace was like “tearing up the scorecard” in the game of golf.
[Tweet “”God’s grace is like tearing up the scorecard” – Joe White @Kanakuk”]
Do you need that kind of grace today?  Do you need to “tear up the scorecard” that you have been keeping on yourself and others?  Jesus died on the cross to cover our sins, mistakes and failures.  Why to we insist on keeping a negative score?
We don’t have to go forward living under the weight of the scorecard.  TEAR IT UP TODAY!
Live in the freedom that Jesus bought you on the Cross and have a great day!

  • Brian

38: Building a Business as a Married Team w/ LaShonda Delivuk

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EP. 38Today’s guest is LaShonda Delivuk of Life Focus Pictures.
“Life Focus Pictures specializes in television commercials, educational DVDs (in both English & Spanish), and web videos for YouTube & website homepages.
From the very beginning, the mission of Life Focus was to provide its clients with exceptional customer service while producing video content with a high-end cinematic aesthetic.  Our goal is to bring national-quality material to businesses both small and large.  In 2013, Life Focus Pictures received a nomination for the 2013 Emerging Small Business Award through the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce as well as a nomination for a Small Business Award through the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Since 2011, LFP has served over 70 businesses nationwide producing video content for all needs ranging from broadcast commercials to vision videos for non-profits.
Life Focus Pictures strives to not only produce quality work but have a positive impact on the community in which they live. They are active members of the Lynchburg Morning Rotary Club & the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce (CHAT Team & Minority/Women Owned Task Force). They volunteer their time helping non-profits and also speak to young entrepreneurs, middle & high school students.”

Biblical Entrepreneurship

“When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.” ~ Hebrews 6:7-8

Key Takeaways

  • It’s a great ideas to have a Financial Adviser when first starting off.
  • When you are forced to make something work, you tend to become more creative.
  • Don’t make assumptions about your community. Get to know your community and how it works. 
  • Make sure that you are constantly giving back to your community; thanking them for supporting you.
  • Sometimes we have a scarcity mindset instead of an abundance mindset.
  • Different is scary, but different can be a good thing.
  • Never get too attached to your own ideas.
  • John 15:5

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “Don’t make assumptions about your community. Get to know your community and how it works. “]
  • [Tweet “When you are forced to make something work, you tend to become more creative.”]
  • [Tweet “Make sure that you are constantly giving back to your community; thanking them for supporting you.”]
  • [Tweet “Sometimes we have a scarcity mindset instead of an abundance mindset.”]
  • [Tweet “Different is scary, but different can be a good thing.”]
  • [Tweet “Never get too attached to your own ideas.”]

Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR38

The Faith in the Workplace Struggle…

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Photo Credit – Mays Business School


Have you ever struggled with how to live out your Christian faith in the workplace as a business owner?
You want to make a positive difference for the Kingdom of God. You desire to share the wonderful good news of the freedom that Jesus has brought to your life, but how do you do that in an effective way.
In today’s world it seems like there is more and more opposition to living our faith openly in the workplace.  And yet… we know that Jesus did most of his miracles and ministry outside of the temple.
Jesus said that we are the light of the world. He also said that a city on a hill cannot be hidden. So how are we to be that light in the marketplace, in our daily lives, out jobs,our work,  our businesses, or as entrepreneurs. How do we become that light everywhere we go?
We have a choice.  We can keep quiet and hold the wonderful good news of Jesus in, letting the people around us continue to suffer in darkness or we can find a way to communicate clearly and effectively.
[Tweet “we strive to speak in a way that is heard, received, and understood. “]
Now I am not talking about “preaching at” people.  Effective communication is defined by what the listener hears, not what we say.  Therefore, we strive to speak in a way that is heard, received, and understood.
This struggle is not unique to us.  The Apostle Paul spoke about it in 2 Corinthians 4.  He said, “we have this treasure (The good news of Jesus) in jars of Clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Sometimes I think we forget this. We think that to show God’s glory, we have to be all cleaned up, pretty, look nice and always have it together. But Paul says were jars of clay.  Clay jars are lowly vessels and the glory comes from God.
[Tweet “Be that earthen vessel so that God’s glory can be revealed”]
So this is my challenge to you today… if you want to shine the light of Jesus everywhere you go, then be real.  Be that earthen vessel so that God’s glory can be revealed.
Otherwise, it’s our own glory that were showing. When we are humble, real, authentic earthen vessels, then people are drawn to us and the power and the light of Jesus can be fulfilled in our lives.
In the same way that we couldn’t pay the price for our sins, we can’t clean up our act and show His glory. We have to throw ourselves at the mercy of the cross and allow Jesus’ power and glory to shine through us.

This above all:
To thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

 – Hamlet, Shakespeare

People are crying out for authenticity and it’s time that we gave it to them.  Have a great week.  Let the light of God’s glory shine though you. Make the difficult choice to be real and authentic with someone today.  It is ok to not be perfect.

  • Brian

[Tweet “It is ok to not be perfect. “]

37: Town Hall – 4 Easy, Low Cost Ways to Start a Business

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EP.37Biblical Entrepreneurship

 “As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.” ~ Proverbs 27:18 

Key Takeaways

Why everyone should have a part-time business?
Small Businesses make a massive impact on the community around us.
Trend toward freelancers / independent contractors is increasing.
If you see your employer as someone who exists to serve you, you will see your value to your employer decline. Employers allow to pay for results, not time.
“The number of contingent employees will increase worldwide or independent contraactors in the US alone contingent workers will exceed 40% of the work force by 2020…traditional full time, full benefit jobs will be harder to find… small businesses will develop their own collaborative network of contingent workers, minimizing fixed labor costs and expanding the available talent pool…Self employment, personal and micro business numbers will increase as a result of this…government will misclassify workers creating a major issue for companies of all sizes and work classification and work style will emerge as a target of intense political debate.”

Skills you will need:

  1. Understand how to manage your finances and your resources.
  2. How to take care of clients.
  3. How to find new business.
  4. How to manage your own time, energy, and yourself.

4 Easy Ways to Start a Part-Time Business

  1. Freelance service work
  2. Teach a class (Online or Offline)
  3. Join a Direct Sales Organization
  4. Make Handcrafted Items

Starting a business does not have to be a massive undertaking when you start out.

“Working for one company and expecting that that is going to be your total career is putting all your eggs in one basket.”

Take the plunge. Start something today, even if it’s small.

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “If you see your employer as someone who exists to serve you, you will see your value to your employer decline.”]
  • [Tweet “Starting a business does not have to be a massive undertaking when you start out.”]
  • [Tweet “Take the plunge. Start something today, even if it’s small.”]
  • [Tweet “”Working for one company and expecting that that is going to be your total career is putting all your eggs in one basket.””]

Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR37

36: Employing the Unemployable w/ John Rush

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EP. 36Today’s Guest is John Rush, CEO of Cleanturn.
“John is a social entrepreneur with a distinct focus on leveraging business as means for creating training and employment opportunities for individuals with significant obstacles to employment, including prior incarceration.
After serving as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, John focused his career on empowering those impacted by poverty and incarceration. John served as Managing Director of nationally recognized Cleanslate and President of 180 Properties in Chicago. In 2011, John partnered with several socially conscious investors to launch CleanTurn, a social enterprise that has leveraged its business to provide nearly 300 training and employment opportunities for men and women returning from incarceration in its first three years. CleanTurn was awarded the 2012 Honda Empowerment Award by the Columbus Urban League and has been recognized by Mayor Coleman’s Restoration Academy in Columbus Ohio as the first private company partner for hiring Restoration Academy participants. John has been awarded Columbus’ BusinessFirst’s Forty Under 40 Award highlighting his work as a social entrepreneur in Central Ohio.
John is married with eight children and currently resides on the southwest side of Columbus.”

Key Takeaway’s

  • You have to be smart and work hard, but you also have to enjoy the risk.
  • Make it more about the challenge and the opportunity, not about whether it’s going to work or not.
  • Managing your family and your business requires a lot of discipline and time management.
  • “The political and economic are always at the service of the social.”

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “Make it more about the challenge and the opportunity, not about whether it’s going to work or not. @john_c_rush”]
  • [Tweet “You have to be smart and work hard, but you also have to enjoy the risk. @john_c_rush”]
  • [Tweet “”The political and economic are always at the service of the social.” @john_c_rush”]

 Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR35

35: Saving Children Through Social Entrepreneurship w/ Sam Caster & Jon Copper

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EP. 35Today’s guest is Sam Caster of EM Squared and Jon Copper of Nutrition on Mission.

Sam Caster

“In 1998, founders Sam and Linda Caster donated to an orphanage organization based in Romania. When the directors of that organization thanked the Casters for their contribution, they expressed their growing concerns for the children in their care. Malnutrition was taking its ruthless toll on their lives. In desperation, the directors said, “If you know anyone that can help us with this problem, please let us know.” With the world’s most advanced nutritional and wellness technology at their fingertips, Sam and Linda donated a one year supply of nutrient support. One year later, the directors came back wanting more and out of the direct need, MannaRelief was born. A little over a decade later with thousands of people around the world joining together, we’re addressing the problem of malnutrition for children everywhere.”

Jon Copper

“I am a Social Entrepreneur. I started Nutrition On Mission with the intent of creating a sustainable business model to nourish children with malnutrition, as well as create micro-enterprise opportunities in those same communities we nourish children.”

 Biblical Entrepreneurship

“Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.”  ~ Proverbs 11:11

Key Takeaways

  • If you offer your customers something of value they will be more receptive to your services.
  • You have to be competitive in the marketplace. Especially if you are a non-profit.

  • “Concern with building platforms that enable more people of every age to think and behave like change makers, to help them work together powerfully in teams of teams to facilitate rapid circulation and sharing solutions on a global scale.”

  • Utilize the technology around you.
  • Would you rather invest your life to make a difference?

Tweetable Quotes

  • [Tweet “You have to be competitive in the marketplace. @JonCopper @TheSamCaster”]
  • [Tweet “If you offer your customers something of value they will be more receptive to your services. @JonCopper @TheSamCaster”]
  • [Tweet “Utilize the technology around you. @JonCopper @TheSamCaster”]
  • [Tweet “Would you rather invest your life to make a difference? @JonCopper @TheSamCaster”]

Resources

For complete show notes and clickable links go to www.BrianMininger.com/SBR35