Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

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...

https://eng2e.seismic.com/ls/79c6ac86-4242-401f-bf63-4705f609dd22/GkDeSO9PqmYf8u1D#/

Kasey Devine from R & D Tax Credits talking about Tax Credits for Startups.

Summary

R&D Tax Credits for Startups

In the meeting, Mary Scott from BusinessRiff welcomed Casey Devine from R&D Tax Credits to discuss the topic of tax credits for startups. Casey explained that 2/3 of companies that qualify for research and development tax credits are unaware of the program's existence. He highlighted that the R&D tax credit is available...

https://bit.ly/SSSMC

Steve Brossman from SteveBrossman.com talking about How to Sell Yourself When You ARE Your Brand.

Steve and Mary discussed the importance of understanding customers' pain points and the value of collaborative selling, with Steve sharing examples of successful collaborations. They also explored the potential for expanding strategic alliances and creating clarity around their offerings. Lastly, they discussed the promotion of upcoming workshops and the need for Mary to monetize her social media impressions, with Steve offering to help her with self-selling secrets in the

Understanding Pain Points and...

https://clienttether.com

Keith Levenson from Client Tether talking about What Startups Need to Do Before Franchising

Franchising Capital and Support Requirements

Keith and Mary discuss the significant capital requirements and support systems needed to successfully franchise a business. Keith emphasizes that a minimum of $250,000 is required to start franchising, with more capital being better. He explains that substantial resources are needed to provide ongoing support to franchisees, such as real estate assistance, operational systems, and accounting guidance. Mary notes that even service-based franchises require detailed manuals and procedures. Keith stresses the importance...

Julie Lichtman from Freedom Professional Services talks about How Startups can work with a Virtual Assistant

contact Julie on her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/julielichtman/

Virtual Assistants in Startups Discussion

In this meeting, Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and Julie Lichtman from Freedom Professional Services discussed the role of virtual assistants in startups. Julie explained that virtual assistants can handle administrative tasks such as calendaring, scheduling, email management, and customer service. She also highlighted the importance of asking potential virtual assistants about their skill set, availability, and rates. Mary emphasized the...

https://danielpatrickandrews.com/

Daniel Andrews from Network In Action International talks about Networking & Strategic Partnerships for Startups

Daniel shared insights on building authentic professional relationships and strategic partnerships in business, emphasizing the importance of long-term connections and mutuality. The discussion covered effective networking strategies and the value of trust in referrals.

Building Authentic Professional Relationships

Daniel shared his personal experience of transitioning from casual networking to building authentic professional relationships. He emphasized the importance of understanding that most people encountered in networking are suspects rather than prospects. Daniel recounted his journey...

Aileen Boyle from Fortro talking about Sales Mistakes & Opportunities.

https://link.eventraptor.com/widget/bookings/fortro-amplify-your-sales 30 minutes call to get to the root of your challenge and point you in the right direction

Summary

Understanding Customer Needs for Business Success

Mary and Aileen discuss the importance of understanding customer needs before launching a business. Aileen emphasizes serving customers over aggressively selling, and ensuring products solve real problems. She stresses validating ideas through customer interviews. Mary agrees idea validation is crucial before starting a business. They mention piloting new offerings. Aileen highlights...

https://morethanafewwords.com

Lorraine Ball from More Than a Few Words talks about 3 Questions to Answer Before Starting a Marketing Campaign

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

you tube tag @MTFWPodcast

Preparing for Marketing Campaigns: Key Questions

Lorraine and Mary discussed the importance of preparing before launching a marketing campaign. Lorraine mentioned three key questions that business owners should answer before pursuing new marketing strategies. The first question was not stated in the meeting transcript, but Lorraine emphasized the need to address these questions to avoid getting distracted by...

David Austin from Summit Sales Partners with Sales Tips for Startups

Understanding Target Market and Sales Process

Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and David Austin from Summit Sales Partners discussed the importance of understanding the target market and customer needs for startups. David emphasized the need to listen to a variety of customers and be prepared to innovate based on their feedback. They both agreed that a CRM and a well-defined sales process are essential for long-term success. David suggested having a well-planned CRM system from the outset, as it can be challenging to adjust later...

Dotty Scott from Premium Websites talking about Google Business Profiles

Google Business Profile for Startups

Mary and Dotty discussed the importance of Google Business Profile for startups. Dotty explained that it's a free listing offered by Google for all businesses and can be acquired by signing up on Google's website. Dotty emphasized the significance of the profile for online presence and highlighted that it's the only way to get listed in Google Maps. Mary agreed to share the link to the Google Business Profile checklist and the recording of the session with Dotty

...

https://cultivationcapital.com/strategies/midwest-seed-stage/

Matt Phimphavong from Cultivation Capital discussed the next Spirit of St. Louis program

Cultivation Capital traditionally invests in Startups that are farther along: series A or higher, particularly in the areas of B to B software, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Geospatial Technology. This will be the third offering of the Spirit of St. Louis Fund, originally launched as an SBIC, Small Business Investment Company, which is designed for companies in those industries and in traditionally under capitalized geographic areas, Like St. Louis.

The fund plans to invest an average...

Becca Heissel, Business Owners Advocate, talks about why Startups need to set goals and some tips on how to do it. Setting SMART Goals for Startups

Mary and Becca discussed the importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goals for startup businesses. Becca suggested creating a list of 100 things a business owner wants to achieve to stimulate ideas for goals. Mary stressed that holistic goals, including personal life, relationships, health, financial legacy, and career, should be prioritized. Both agreed on breaking down big dreams into smaller, achievable steps, and Mary advised identifying the core problem...

https://tech-assist.ca/

Abby Bassie-Cripps from Tech-Assist talks about Cybersecurity for Startups

https://tech-assist.ca/safety.php

https://abidel.legalshieldassociate.com/en-ca

Cyber Security for Startups: Prevention and Preparation

Mary Scott from Business Riff discussed the importance of cyber security for startups with Abby Bassie Cripps from Tech Assist. Abby emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent hacking, such as using antivirus software, a VPN, and a separate router. She also advised rebooting the system when signs of...