Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

Liz Johnson from Mountain View Marketing talks about basic branding for startups

Startup Branding Strategies and Costs

Mary Scott interviewed Liz Johnson from Mountain View Marketing to discuss branding for startups. Liz explained that a successful brand is engaging, effective, and consistent, with consistent branding across all platforms potentially increasing revenue by 23%. She outlined key components of branding, including value propositions, logo, tagline, and color palette, emphasizing the importance of scientific color selection and consistent brand personality. Liz also shared that a professional branding package can cost between $3,395 and $12,000, and offered advice on authenticity, transparency...

https://dongleasonconsulting.com/

Don Gleason from Don Gleason Consulting talks about Unreasonable Engagement: How Startups Can Win by Doing More Than Expected

Unreasonable Engagement in Consulting

Mary and Don discussed the concept of "unreasonable engagement" in consulting, inspired by Will Guidara's transformation of a struggling restaurant into the world's top one through "unreasonable hospitality." Don explained that this approach involves leading with curiosity rather than judgment, asking questions to understand clients' needs and challenges, and providing solutions tailored to their unique situations. He emphasized that this method, which he applies to consulting for...

https://blkunicrn.com

Joshua Blackwell from BLK UNICRN talks about immersive marketing experiences

Immersive Experiences for Sales Enablement

Mary Scott interviewed Josh Blackwell from BLK UNICRN about immersive experiences, which combine technology, storytelling, and interactivity to create engaging audience participation. Joshua explained that immersive experiences can take various forms, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and location-based activations, and provided examples such as sales enablement training and interactive slide decks for startups. He highlighted how these experiences can help sales teams understand customer pain points and create memorable investor presentations, emphasizing the importance of...

https://firstinsights.com

Lon Taylor from First Insights talks about the Why & How of UX Market Research

UX Research for Startup Success

Mary Scott discussed the importance of user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) research for startups with Lon Taylor from First Insights. They explored why such research is crucial, including understanding user needs, validating target markets, and ensuring product relevance. Lon suggested using qualitative research methods like interviews and surveys, emphasizing the value of depth and detail in user feedback. He also highlighted how UX research can help startups save time...

Donna Loeffler from Mind Your Heart Marketing talks about Messaging for Engagement

Mary and Donna discussed the critical role of clear and effective messaging for startups, with Donna sharing her foolproof elevator pitch formula and custom GPT tool for message refinement. They explored the importance of specific language, painting vivid pictures, and focusing on target audience problems. Donna also highlighted the value of message testing and feedback, mentioning her monthly workshop where participants can practice their pitches in a supportive environment.

Donna emphasized the need to be specific, use language that paints a picture, and...

George Ochieng Adongo from ATS talks about Funding Challenges for Startups

Startup Funding and Investor Challenges

Mary and George discussed challenges startups face in securing funding, with George highlighting location as a significant barrier due to investor blacklists in certain regions. He advised startups to focus on investors in the US for easier due diligence and emphasized the importance of a diverse, experienced, and trustworthy team to attract investors. George also stressed the need for startups to clearly define their funding needs, passion for their project, and expected timeline for return on investment, suggesting a...

https://www.barbaradaoust.com

Barbara Daoust from Success Mindset talks about Avoiding Procrastination

Overcoming Procrastination Strategies

Mary and Barbara discussed strategies to overcome procrastination, highlighting that the brain often defaults to familiar neural pathways due to fear and energy conservation. Barbara emphasized the importance of awareness and "brain hacks," such as stepping into fear and resistance, to break out of comfort zones and avoid procrastination. She also referenced techniques like the Mel Robbins 5-4-3-2-1 method to counteract rationalizations and excuses. Mary noted that procrastination can be particularly harmful for startups...

https://thedebmethod.com/goalswithdeb/

Debra Eckerling from The D*E*B Method talks about Mission and Tagline for Startups.

Crafting Effective Mission Statements

Debra and Mary discussed the importance of mission statements for startups and businesses. Debra explained that a mission statement should be concise and align with personal goals and passion. She suggested using brainstorming techniques and creating a tagline to effectively communicate the mission. Debra emphasized the role of passion in defining one's mission and provided tips on simplifying and focusing mission statements.

Mission and Tagline for Startups

http://theartofrelationshipping.com/

Michelle Hoffmann from The Art of Relationshipping talks about How to have a good relationships with your Co-Founder, Banker, IT person

Building Strong Team Alignment

Mary and Michelle discussed the importance of building strong relationships with team members and co-founders to ensure alignment with a business's mission and vision. Michelle emphasized the need to acknowledge and balance individual strengths and weaknesses, highlighting her book "The New Management BluePrint" as a resource for achieving this. She advised acknowledging team members' values and ensuring everyone understands their role in achieving the business's...

https://www.cortexstl.org/sq1/

Ben Molina from Square ONE talks about boot camps, incubators and accelerators for Startups

Startup Programs: Boot Camps, Incubators, Accelerators

Mary Scott interviewed Ben Molina from Square One to discuss the differences between boot camps, incubators, and accelerators for startups. Ben explained that incubators are for idea-stage businesses, accelerators for established businesses seeking rapid growth, and boot camps fall in between, offering support for already established businesses that need to grow. He described Square One's programs, Square One Ignite and Square One Boot Camp, which provide guidance on...

https://suzanneshpall.com

Suzanne Shpall from Suzanne Shpall Consulting with advice on where to spend the first money on your new business.

Startup Fund Allocation Strategies

Mary and Suzanne discussed the challenges and strategies for startups when allocating their first funds. Suzanne emphasized the importance of focusing on activities that validate product-market fit and drive traction, such as creating a minimum viable product (MVP) and conducting market research. She introduced the "3 S's" framework—Structure, Safety, and Signage—to guide early spending decisions. Mary highlighted the value of boot camps and strategic partnerships for skil...

http://www.traverstraining.com/

Rhonda Travers from Travers Training on Attracting Talent

Startup Talent Attraction Strategies

Mary and Rhonda discussed attracting talent for startups, focusing on the employee lifecycle from hiring to retirement. Rhonda emphasized the importance of a clear digital presence, particularly on LinkedIn, to attract Gen Z candidates who expect instant gratification. She advised startups to clearly communicate their purpose, mission, and values across all platforms. Mary noted that for many startups, the first hire might be a virtual assistant or someone to create the website, and Rhonda agreed that a...

Daniella Tedesco fromNextRound, Bespoke Impact Philanthropy talking about a new way of funding startups.

Mary Scott interviews Daniella Tedesco from Next Round Philanthropy about their innovative funding model that combines philanthropy with startup investments. The donor-advised fund model allows investors to make tax-deductible contributions that are converted into equity investments in early-stage startups, particularly in life sciences and climate tech. Daniella explains that they typically focus on seed to Series B funding with grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, benefiting both startups and donors through charitable giving.

This is "Cause-based Funding" The donation/investment essentially works...

https://businessriff.com https://www.slpl.org/ptrc-2/

Eleanore Chadderdon from the St. Louis Public Library talks about Patent and Trademark Resources for Startups

Library Resources for Entrepreneurs

Mary Scott introduces Eleanore Chadderdon from the St. Louis Public Library as the guest speaker for the session. The topic of discussion is the resources available at public libraries for entrepreneurs, specifically focusing on patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property. Mary emphasizes that the library is an underutilized resource for startups and expresses her excitement about sharing this information with the audience.

Intellectual...

https://conversionalchemy.net/

Chris Silvestri from Conversion Alchemy talks about the Messaging Gap for Startups

Aligning Messaging With Audience Needs

Mary and Christopher discussed the messaging gap that many startups face, where they focus on their product or internal knowledge rather than aligning their messaging with their audience's needs and motivations. Christopher explained that effective messaging should match the conversation prospects are having when they encounter a company's materials, emphasizing the importance of addressing pain points and unique qualifications to solve problems. He introduced a matrix with four quadrants to illustrate the ideal...

https://maikosakai.com

https://businessriff.com

Maiko Sakai from Airtight Concepts talks about Using Quizes to Generate Leads for Startups

Quiz Design Strategies for Startups

Mary and Maiko discussed the differences between quizzes and surveys, emphasizing that quizzes focus on the user's experience while surveys focus on organizational data. Maiko advised startups to create engaging quizzes tailored to their business model, suggesting educational quizzes for SaaS companies and product recommendation quizzes for physical product startups. She recommended talking to potential customers to understand their needs and using 7-13 questions to create...

Maartje van Krieken from The Chaos Games Consulting talks about 'turning business chaos around"

The main topic of their discussion was to provide tips to startups on how to prioritize and increase productivity amidst chaos.

Decision-Making Hygiene in Startups

In the meeting, Mary and Maartje discussed the importance of decision-making hygiene in startups. Maartje emphasized the need for clear decision-making frameworks, such as the Stanford method, to avoid biases and make informed decisions. She also highlighted the importance of understanding stakeholders' decision-making processes and tailoring pitches accordingly. Mary agreed, noting that startups often...

Chukwudum Chukwudebelu from the ChumEffect talk about the Developmental stages of a Startup

Developmental Stages for Startups

Mary and Chumze discussed the concept of developmental stages for startups, with Chumze sharing his personal experience of launching a business prematurely and reflecting on his mistakes. Chumze explained that businesses go through different stages, like babies, toddlers, teenagers, and adults, and each stage requires a different approach. He emphasized the importance of managing expectations and understanding the life cycle of a business. Chumze also mentioned that he has written a book on this topic and plans to...

Shawni Jackson from the Women's Business Development Center talks about WBENC certification for women-owned startups

WBENC Certification for Women-Owned Businesses

Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and Shawnee Jackson from the Women's Business Development Center discussed the importance of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification for women-owned businesses. Shawnee explained that the certification provides access to government contracts and subcontracts, and that it is an asset that helps businesses compete. She also mentioned that the certification requires a business to be 51% or more female-owned and involves some documentation. Shawnee further discussed the services offered by...

Mel Lambert from the Kirkwood Public Library talks about Library Resources for Startups

Mary Scott and Mel Lambert discussed the resources available at public libraries for startups, emphasizing the importance of asking librarians for information and the availability of industry data, market analytics, and digital resources. Mary also encouraged startups to book a call with her

Library Resources for Startups

Mary Scott and Mel Lambert discussed the resources available at public libraries for startups. Mel emphasized the importance of asking librarians for information, as they know where to find it. They highlighted the...

Pooja Arshanapally from The Content Repurposer talks about AI prompts for Startup Content

Quick recap

The meeting focused on the use of AI prompts for startups to create content, with Pooja sharing her experience and insights on developing an AI tool for generating website copy. Pooja emphasized the importance of starting small, using AI for repetitive tasks, and understanding the market through personal experience and client feedback. The discussion concluded with Pooja mentioning her upcoming AI prompt writer product launch.

SummaryAI Prompts for Startups Content

In the meeting, Mary and Pooja...

Carmen Williams from Global Teams talks about How to Actually Let Go & Delegate

Delegation for Business Success

Carmen Williams from Global Teams discussed the importance of delegation for business success, particularly for startups. She shared her personal experience of hiring a virtual assistant to handle LinkedIn marketing, which helped her focus on discussions and ideas. Carmen emphasized the need for a detail-oriented and organized person to support business owners, and advised against delegating the strategy. She also highlighted the importance of scoping the right role and selecting the right person for the task. Mary Scott...

https://businessriff.com https://scaleblazer.com

Laura Burkemper from ScaleBlazer talks about Pain Storming & other ways to approach a challenge

Mary and Laura discussed various brainstorming and problem-solving techniques, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and teamwork in entrepreneurship. They highlighted the significance of these techniques in identifying unique solutions to existing problems in the market. Laura also stressed the importance of having a strong network and product-market fit for business success.

Brainstorming Techniques for Entrepreneurial Success

In the meeting, Mary and Laura discussed various techniques for brainstorming and problem-solving, including...

Regina Crandall from the St. Louis County Library talks about Small Business & Nonprofit Conference

Regina and Mary discussed the benefits of attending the St. Louis County Library's small business and nonprofit conference, highlighting the library's extensive business resources, networking opportunities, and community building. They also discussed upcoming conferences and events, with Regina mentioning a conference in St. Louis. And the business resources of libraries are available nationwide, so Startups should take full advantage of their local libraries, particularly if they have a Business Center.

St. Louis County Library Conference Benefits

Regina and Mary...

https://www.joshdixcounseling.com/career-and-workplace-challenges https://www.joshdixcounseling.com/training

Josh Dix from LeadershipXD talks about Staying Sane Wearing All the Hats

Mary Scott and Josh Dix discussed the challenges of wearing multiple hats in a startup, emphasizing the importance of mindset shifts, delegating tasks, and maintaining a healthy relationship with work. They also highlighted the significance of self-care, setting boundaries, and recognizing signs of burnout in maintaining a healthy work environment.

Maintaining Sanity in Entrepreneurial Chaos

Mary and Josh discussed the challenges of wearing multiple hats in a startup, particularly...

William Jordan from Justine Petersen talking about Credit for Startups

Establishing Business Credit for Startups

Mary and William discussed the importance of establishing business credit for startups. William clarified that starting a business does not automatically create business credit, as it requires affirmative actions to establish. He emphasized that business credit is separate from personal credit and needs to be built through a specific process, including opening accounts and paying bills.

Building Business Credit

The discussion focuses on building business credit. William explains that business credit is primarily based on timely...

http://websitesthatwin.com/

Philippa Gamse from Websites That Win talking about the Importance of Web Analytics & What They Mean.

Web Analytics Importance and Top Metrics

Mary and Philippa begin their meeting, briefly discussing Mary being snowed in at St. Louis. They then prepare for the recorded portion of their conversation, which will focus on web analytics. Mary introduces the topic and Philippa as an expert, stating that they will discuss the importance of web analytics and the top three analytics businesses should monitor.

Web Analytics for Business Investment

In...

Saida Cornejo Zuñiga from WEPOWER talks about the KIVA program for startups

Mary Scott and Saida Cornejo Zuñiga discussed the Kiva program, a partnership between WEPOWER and Kiva, which provides 0-interest loans for entrepreneurs with no minimum credit score or business plan required. Saida also mentioned that We Power focuses on supporting black and Latino entrepreneurs

SummaryKiva Program for Entrepreneurs Discussion

In the meeting, Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and Saida Cornejo Zuñiga from WEPOWER discussed the Kiva program, a partnership between WEPOWER and Kiva, an international online crowdlending platform. Saida exp...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frupinter/

https://fru.plus/

Fru Pintér, branding expert, talks about Creating a New Category to Market Your Brand.

Creating Unique Branding Categories

Mary welcomed Frupinter for a discussion on creating unique categories for branding. Frupinter explained that many businesses have innovative ideas that don't fit traditional branding strategies, thus necessitating the creation of new categories. She shared two examples of services that required new categories, one combining dancing and knowledge management, and the other a food innovation that doesn't fit existing buckets. Frupinter also offered a...

https://www.yarusiholdings.com

instagram : jasonyarusi

Jason Yarusi from Yarusi Holdings talks about how to start a Real Estate Investing business

Real Estate Investing Journey Discussed

Mary Scott from BusinessRiff interviewed Jason Yarusii from Yarusi Holdings about his journey into real estate investing. Jason shared his story of leaving college with a business degree, feeling lost, and eventually making a change after an accident. He started working various jobs, including bartending and construction, before deciding to invest in real estate. He found the model of buying apartment buildings highly attractive due...

https://linktr.ee/deborahivanoff

https://TheBEINGCoach.com

Deborah Ivanoff The BEING Coach, talks about Mastering the Overwhelm for Startups

Managing Overwhelm in Startups and Entrepreneurs

In the meeting, Mary Scott and Deborah Ivanoff discussed the topic of overwhelm in the context of startups and entrepreneurs. They identified three signs of overwhelm: feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks, difficulty in focusing or organizing, and a sense of helplessness or giving up. They also discussed the different types of entrepreneurs and how they may experience overwhelm differently. Deborah emphasized the importance of helping...

https://parux.com

Ken Mocabee from Parux talking about Falling in Love with the Problem

Startups' Focus on Problem Validation

In the meeting, Mary Scott and Ken Mocabee from Parux discussed the importance of startups focusing on the problem they aim to solve rather than just an idea. Ken emphasized that many startups fail because they haven't validated their idea or considered potential blockers and hidden costs. He suggested that startups should concentrate on the things that might cause their failure before building their product. Mary agreed, adding that investigating competition and being...

https://businessriff.com

https://www.roniibartles.com/

Ronii Bartles, Business Strategist talking about Doing Less to Gain More

Prioritizing Revenue-Generating Activities Discussed

In the meeting, Mary Scott and Ronii Bartles discussed the importance of prioritizing revenue-generating activities and cutting back on "busy work" that doesn't contribute to revenue. Ronii shared her personal experience of cutting back on marketing and networking activities, which led to increased revenue. They emphasized the importance of in-person networking for professional services and suggested that once a successful strategy is found, it should be doubled down on...

https://www.modinc.ca

Joseph Pinho from MOD INC talks about Monetizing Your Fans & Community

https://www.modinc.ca is the B2B website tailored to businesses and brands to work with on fan art licensing opportunities. https://www.modfanart.com is the fan facing site focused on fan artists and designers to submit and showcase their fan art for potential licensing opportunities. We'll also be hosting future fan art contests with different creators and brands on there.

Monetizing Fan Communities Through Art

Mary Scott and Joseph Pinho discussed the concept...

https://pitchstl.com

Joe Muller from PitchSTL talks about the Do's and Don't's of Pitching

Creating Engaging Pitches for Investors

In the meeting, Mary and Joe discussed the importance of making pitches interesting and engaging for investors. Joe emphasized that the biggest mistake startups make is being boring, and that pitches should be thought-provoking and unique to capture the audience's attention. He also advised against using gimmicks like raising hands to involve the crowd, as it can come across as unprofessional. Mary agreed with Joe's points and ended the conversation by stressing the...

Https://businessriff.com http://focusopex.com/

David McFarland from Focus OPEX talks about what he & investors look for in a startup

Startups, Investing, and Manufacturing Strategies

In the meeting, Mary and Dave Mcfarlane discussed the importance of startups being wildly successful. Dave, an investor, shared his journey into investing and his focus on manufacturing startups, particularly component makers and contract manufacturers. He also discussed his approach to working with early startups, often providing pro bono work and helping them find funding. Dave emphasized the viability of buying existing companies as a strategy for...

https://businessriff.com https://growthwarrior.co/book/

Lenore Kantor from Growth Warrior tells startups how to Create an Effective Culture

Building Corporate Culture for Startups

In the meeting, Lenore Kantor from Growth Warrior discussed the importance of building a good corporate culture for startups. She emphasized that a culture is a reflection of the founder's personality and values, and it can help attract and retain the right talent. Lenore suggested that founders should communicate their expectations and operating style to employees, and that this can be done verbally or through written documents. She...

https://www.StoryMattersCompany.com

https://www.MyStory911.com

Bridget K. Brown from StoryMatters tells New Businesses how to Get Your Story Straight

Storytelling in Business and Wall Street

Bridget K. Brown from Story Matters discussed the importance of storytelling in business, particularly in preparing for quarterly calls with Wall Street. She emphasized the need to find the right story amidst data and to understand the 'why' behind a business decision. Bridget also highlighted the significance of a business's 'why' in connecting with their target audience. Mary Scott from BusinessRiff facilitated the...

Nikki Serenity, Social Media Influencer, talks about Influencer Marketing for Startups

Summary

Influencer Marketing for Startups Discussed

Mary and Nikki discussed influencer marketing for startups. Nikki explained that there are various ways to partner with brands, including flat fees, affiliate marketing, and influencer apps. She recommended that startups look for influencers who have a similar niche or target audience. Mary asked how startups could contact influencers, to which Nikki responded that messaging or commenting on their social media profiles could be effective. Nikki also shared her experience with a local company, Biofit, and...

https://www.dreamhost.com/features/ai-business-advisor/

Hector Barresi from Sextant International talks about AI for Marketing for Startups.

AI's Role in Marketing Plans for Startups

Mary Scott and Hector Barresi discussed the role of AI in marketing plans for startups. Hector emphasized that AI can be particularly beneficial for startups that have developed a product but lack a formal marketing organization. He highlighted four key areas where AI can help: defining the target market, developing a go-to-market strategy, analyzing different options for deployment, and building a high-level go-to-market strategy. Hector also noted that...