Archives: Episodes

In today’s Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talked about the when your target markets become too small. While tailoring your message to a specific group is essential for effective marketing, getting too fixated on a handful of individuals can hinder success. Marketing is about reaching an audience, not targeting individuals. Sales, on the other hand, can personalize approaches, but overly fixating on one or two decision-makers is counterproductive. To succeed, broaden your perspective. Have a diverse pipeline of prospects with common traits, allowing you to address collective needs.

In today’s episode, I had a conversation with Will Miller, Deputy Director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is a vital resource for businesses with 500 or fewer employees, providing guidance on everything from business plans to financing. Will emphasized their coaching approach, offering tailored advice and support based on a business’s unique situation. The SBDC’s expertise extends to strategic planning, legalities, and insurance needs. Their mission is clear: to empower businesses to succeed. It was a real eye-opener to learn about their free services and comprehensive assistance. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, the SBDC is a valuable partner on your entrepreneurial journey, and I encourage everyone to explore the resources they offer.

In this episode, I had a conversation with Jamon Schmidt, the content manager for Goodwill Industries Of Kanawha Valley. Jamon shed light on Goodwill’s diverse mission beyond thrift stores – they’re focused on empowering individuals through education, career shifts, and job opportunities. The revenue from their thrift stores drives their impactful initiatives. As the content manager, Jamon plays a key role in conveying Goodwill’s message through graphics and videos. We discussed their upcoming Monte Carlo event, which serves as a fundraiser to support their mission. Jamon emphasized the need to spread awareness about Goodwill’s services, which extend beyond their thrift offerings. This episode highlighted the power of purpose-driven organizations like Goodwill in fostering positive change in communities.

Before you dive into advertising, get to know your audience through detailed customer personas. Imagine them as real individuals – give them names, jobs, and backgrounds. Demographics matter, but also understand their pains, desires, and challenges. Personalized marketing hits the bullseye, so talk to them directly.

Advertising isn’t about mass exposure; it’s about reaching the right people. Digital media lets us target precisely, but you can’t do that without knowing your personas. So, create detailed profiles. Also, dig into what makes them tick. By crafting messages that resonate deeply, you’ll connect on a whole new level.

Forget trying to please everyone; focus on resonating with your personas. This personalized approach leads to success. So, invest time in crafting these personas – it’s worth it.

Marketing isn’t just about flashy ads; it’s about strategy. Don’t fall for the “magic ad syndrome.” Perspective matters – the more you do, the more you get. Let’s be real about conversion rates. 50% is a unicorn dream; 3-5% is the game. Embrace rejection, go after those “no’s.” It’s not personal, just part of the journey. Activity is the key – talk to more people, get more results. Accept that not everyone will say yes, but keep pushing. And don’t forget, chasing “no’s” can lead you to “yes.”

In this episode I had an awesome conversation with Dr. Travis Kahle from the Innovation Center at UC We talked about promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in our community. The Innovation Center, established in 2017, helps people think differently and provides tools for turning ideas into reality. We discussed the Innovation Scholar program, where students spread innovation through workshops. There’s also a Downtown Innovation Hub that accelerates businesses to the next level. Dr. Kahle’s passion for fostering creativity and practical innovation is inspiring. We touched on 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and their impact on various projects. Overall, it’s all about sparking creativity, both big breakthroughs and small improvements.