Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

A few years ago, Kristian Hansen accidentally bought a pair of women’s jeans.  In the process, he discovered a problem that needed to be solved in a way that didn’t replicate existing challenges within the fashion industry.

Fast forward to today, where Kristian gets called “the Jeans Guy” and for good reason.

Kristian is the co-founder and CEO of Slø (pronounced “slow”).  At Slø, Kristian and his team are redefining what it means to build companies through community. Having generated a $360,000 pre-seed and a 100,000 person wait list ($10M projected revenue) with $0 ad-spend, they are starting the slow fashion revolution.

Kristian is a mission-driven founder currently on a journey to solve the climate crisis through eco-conscious capitalism, the power of consumerism, and data. Not to mention he has 700K followers and 6.8M likes on TikTok.

In this episode, Kristian shares how those lady’s jeans and what he did with them, kicked off a series of events that lead to the founding of Slø

We also talked about:

• Eco-conscious capitalism and consumerism
• Slow versus fast fashion
• Some of the business challenges of moving away from product standardisation and how that affects strategy and scalability
• Getting engagement through feedback
• The value of community and listening to them
• The power of TikTok and some of the concerns around its future

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://slojeans.co/

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kristianfrommntn

WeFunder Round:  https://wefunder.com/slo 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I’m talking with Justin Chen, co-founder of PickFu, who is interested in good information about customers and potential customers.  PickFu is a consumer research platform companies use to get fast, reliable feedback from real people. And companies can use this data to help them make better data-driven decisions about their products. 

We talked about:

• The story behind PickFu
• The primary function of PickFu in aiding decision-making processes
• The importance of continuous learning and internal debates in shaping growth strategies
• The role AI plays in the process and some areas where using AI would be counterproductive
• Justin’s personal journey from corporate employee to entrepreneur
• The significance of patience and customer feedback in the SaaS industry
• Some of the challenges that arise when transitioning from small startup to a business that’s growing

There is some good wisdom here for anyone wanting to take their business to the next level, so I invite you to have a listen.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://www.pickfu.com/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinchen/ 

If you're interested in how quizzes can help you gather customer feedback and what else they can do for your business, download my free Grow Your Business By Asking The Right Questions With Quizzes guide.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collaborations that bring benefits to everyone involved are so cool to be involved in.

Recently, I jumped on a call with this week’s guest, Therman Trotman, to see whether I could help out the people he works with.

Therman is a family man, an Army veteran and IT guy with 16 years of experience.  He teaches project managers how to implement Microsoft Sharepoint.   And he had some questions about how the financial side of project management works. 

I’ve got a lot of project management experience, so when he reached out for someone to talk to, I put up my hand.

An hour and a half later, we were still talking.  And we ended up with enough material for this podcast (which I’m sharing with you today) and for his podcast.  And we will definitely be talking again, because there was a lot more we could have covered.

We talked about:

• People over technology and why that matters
• Why working better and living better are worth focusing on
• How Therman was able to take skills he developed over the years and turn them into a business that supports his family and gives him the lifestyle he wants
• How getting started managing a team can seem like a no-go zone, and why starting small can help
• Entrepreneurship, bright shiny object syndrome and project management
• How project management disciplines can help you achieve business goals
• Project management and/or procurement as potential careers 

If you’re interested in how project management can help you with your business, I invite you to have a listen.

Or if you know someone who is wondering what career to choose, point them to this episode, where they will gain a bit of insight into project management and procurement as disciplines.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/therman-trotman-15790b33

Website:  https://www.thesphelpdesk.com/ 

Book:  10X Is Easier Than 2X:  How World Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More By Doing Less (affiliate link)

Book:  Traction:  Get A Grip On Your Business (affiliate link)

SPI Pro Community:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/spi-pro (affiliate link)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever struggled with creating an online presence for your brand new business?  Especially if you have zero experience with website building or how to build a sales funnel?

Anhely Millan, the voice behind Sustainability for Kids, has “been there, done that” and learned how to turn those challenges into learning opportunities.

Anhely is on a mission to provide education in sustainable practices and develop collaboration opportunities for the greater good of our planet.

She discovered her passion for education when she was a Chemistry teacher for a secondary school while studying Applied Chemistry at University. That experience made her want to continue educating children in complex topics.

In early 2022, Anhely founded Sustainability for Kids and published her first educational book 'The World Behind Recycling' with the aim of providing children the knowledge and tools to embrace sustainability in their day-to-day activities.

Join me as we dive into Anhely Millan’s journey of setting up her website with zero knowledge, navigating through many, many iterations of that website and her “aha” moment with Canva, all thanks to her hairdresser!

We also talked about:

• The pressing need for a shift in mindset amongst entrepreneurs AND people who care about sustainability, prioritising collaboration over competitiveness
• The challenges faced by entrepreneurs when setting up online platforms
• The role of family, acquaintances, and sometimes even a hairdresser in a business journey
• The importance of resilience in business, fueled by passion and purpose
• The impactful role that community support and validation plays in an entrepreneur’s journey

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Canva (affiliate link)
• Sustainability for Kids website
• Anhely’s LinkedIn Profile
• Made By Many Hands website
• Migrant Women In Business website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital assets are an interesting alternative to real estate these days in terms of investment opportunities.

I’ve been doing some “learning by doing” hands-on research in this space and I’ve got a couple of longer-term projects on the boil.  One of my ongoing projects is to buy an existing content-based online business and increase its value. 

And one of my other projects is learning how to build a content-based online business from scratch.  One that will, at some point, generate more than just pennies in revenue every month.

So in this podcast episode, I walk you through the pros and cons of each option, based on what I’ve learned so far.  

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Interview:  With online business buying expert, Sophie Howard (Episode 150)  

My Project Website:  The Menopause Effect

Sophie Howard's Free Masterclass:  Buying On Online Business (affiliate link)

Website Sales Platforms:

• Flippa:  https://flippa.com 
• Empire Flippers:  https://empireflippers.com 
• Motion Invest:  https://www.motioninvest.com/   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing the amazing Patti DiNucci. Patti is an expert in something that has always intrigued me: networking. And not just any kind of networking, but doing it better, rather than doing it more.

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly bombarded with advice about the importance of networking to find clients. But for someone like me, there's a limit to how much networking I can handle before needing a breather. Patti's perspective is refreshing and makes me think, "Maybe there's a better way to approach networking."

Patti brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant. Join me as we delve deeper into the art of networking with her and discover how we can improve our networking skills without feeling overwhelmed.

So, grab your favourite beverage, sit back, and get ready to learn some practical tips and insights on networking from the brilliant Patti DiNucci. Let's jump right into it!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Book:  The Intentional Networker:  Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals and Results In Business (affiliate link)   

Book:  More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide For Anyone Who Wants To Enjoy Better Conversations (affiliate link)

Website:  https://intentionalnetworker.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattidenucci/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve had to make decisions about what tools to use in your business.  For example, which email service provider should you use?  Or which website platform should you use? Should you use WordPress? Or Squarespace? Or … the list of options just goes on and on.

Recently, I went through the process of selecting a new social media scheduling tool.  The one I was using just wasn’t doing the job anymore.   And I needed something with more functionality, but was still affordable.

In this episode I’ll walk you step by step through the process I used to decide which social media scheduling tool to buy.  I’ve used this process many times over the years, both as a Chief Information Officer and as a small business owner  And the fundamental parts of the process are the same for both.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Software Selection Process Checklist - Free Download:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/softwarechecklist 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wanted to ditch your day job?  Or wondered what it's like to create a portfolio of income-generating websites? Our guest today, Jake Lang, founder of The Entrepreneur Ridealong, shares his journey from blogging on the commute to and from his day job, to successfully running multiple online businesses, all while juggling a family and five dogs. This insightful chat gives you a glimpse into the world of passive income, niche markets, and SEO.

My guest is an expert in creating and managing online businesses in niche markets. With a successful background in insurance, he has built a sustainable system that generates passive income. In addition to his first venture, he has expanded into new niches, always prioritizing high-value content and understanding market needs.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:

• How he utilised train commutes and lunch breaks to build his first online business.
• The importance of trust in establishing affiliate relationships.
• The reasons behind his preference for text-based online courses and the unique value they bring to his niche.
• His adventure into yet another niche market, Agile certification.

To learn more about creating a passive income business, understanding niche markets, and tips on SEO, tune in to this episode!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Website:  https://theentrepreneurridealong.com/   
• Book - Step One:  The Surprisingly Simple Process To Research, Validate, and Choose The Perfect Online Business Idea (affiliate link)
• Website:  https://steponebook.com/ 
• Book - Use Your Job To Quit Your Job:  A Proven Blueprint To Forming Your Best Entrepreneur Ideas And Starting Your Business (affiliate link)

Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leading High Performing Teams Even If You're Feeling Burned Out Yourself With Mark Butler

As a business owner, you’re expected to be thought leader, cheerleader, vision provider and all round good example for your team.  But how do you do that?  Especially when there are days when all you want to do is stay in bed and pull the covers over your head.

I'm excited to introduce our guest for this episode, Mark Butler, a mental health expert and strategist. I first heard Mark a few months ago and I was drawn to his insights on mental health, mindset, and high performance, especially during these sometimes overwhelming post pandemic times.  Mark shares his own entrepreneurial journey to where he is now, and how he helps organisations manage mental wellbeing and psychological health in the workplace. 

We also talked about:

• Australia’s new psychosocial hazards legislation that may well have an impact on your business
• The characteristics of high performing teams and what those look like
• How to avoid burnout as a leader
• Mark’s approach to working with high performance teams

This conversation will resonate with anyone facing tough hurdles, not just business leaders, inspiring us all to turn our struggles into strengths.  Have a listen and please share the episode with others who will benefit from it, too.  

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://www.markbutler.com.au/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mark.butler.16503323

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-butler/

Book:  UP YOURS!: The Pursuit of Radical Self-care (affiliate link)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine having a special needs child, a full-time job, and an undying passion to make a difference in the world. Our guest in this episode walks in these shoes every day. Because of his personal situation, Amit Chawla has become an expert in financial planning for parents of children with special needs.

His story is one of determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to providing a better life for his son.  And what he and his wife have been through lit up a desire to help other parents navigate through similar challenges. 

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:

• The challenges and rewards of starting a business from the ground up (while working full-time).
• The role of marketing and automation in business development.
• The importance of financial control, especially in the context of a side project.
• The different strategies for financial planning for parents of children with special needs.

This conversation will resonate with anyone facing tough hurdles, inspiring us all to turn our struggles into strength.  Have a listen and please share the episode with others that will benefit from it, too!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  myspecialfinancialplanning.com

Private Facebook Group:  PlanningForSpecialNeeds

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@PlanningForSpecialNeeds 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered if it's possible to turn a hobby into a thriving business? Angie Wilson, the creative force behind Gnome Angel, shares her incredible journey from government employee to becoming a leading figure in the quilting industry. 

Angie Wilson started blogging way back in 2002.  She initially wrote about what was happening in her life, but eventually ended up focusing on something she’d started doing as a hobby while going through the ups and downs of IVF.

In this episode we talk about:

• The transition from hobby to full-time business
• The ongoing struggle of balancing work and family
• Gnome Angel's mission
• The value of quilting as a way of creating beautiful gifts that people treasure
• How Angie has been able to use her hobby turned business as a unique way of travelling to other parts of the world and getting paid for it.

I really enjoyed talking with Angie about her business model and the joy of combining travel with teaching. So if you’re interested in taking something you have a creative passion for and turning it into a business, have a listen.  

You'll discover how she overcame challenges, found her unique voice, and built a community of passionate quilters. Get ready to be inspired by Angie's story of transformation and creativity.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website: https://www.gnomeangel.com/

Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was on my way to the library to do some work, when I walked past a playing field where two young lads were doing sprint practice.

Their coach was calling out directions.  But something about exactly WHAT the coach was telling them do, caught my eye.

And it reminded me of a time early on in my business when I made the mistake of putting all my eggs in one basket … and how I managed to turn the situation around.

I invite you to have a listen.  Maybe what I learned will help you, too.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Quiz Creators Course:  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/quiz-creators-course-plus/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the unexpected secret of selling your consultancy based business from Professor Joe O'Mahoney - why focusing on your margin isn't the only key to a successful sale. Instead, consider the multitude of factors that can elevate your multiple and result in a more valuable business. It's not just about profit margin—it's about creating an asset that stands on its own.

Our guest today, Professor Joe O'Mahoney, is a highly regarded author, speaker, and consultant who specializes in transforming consultancies. With his unique insights into the art of growing and selling consulting businesses, he advises on how to cultivate growth, increase profitability, and maximize business value.

We also talked about:

• Joe’s early career in business transformation and how it influenced his current approach.
• The evolution of consultancy and the changing needs of business owners.
• Importance of focusing not just on profit margin, but on creating an asset that stands on its own.
• The varying reactions of CEOs to his consultancy and how he navigates these dynamics.
• The concept of 'nemo washy' - a Japanese concept of gradually introducing changes for smoother transitions.
• Valuable advice for business owners who might be considering walking away from their business, stressing the significance of succession management and transforming the company into an asset.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with Professor Joe O'Mahoney where he delves into the world of consultancy transformation. Listen to the full episode now!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Joe’s Website: https://joeomahoney.com/

Connect With Joe On LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeomahoney/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join host Trudy Rankin in this engaging episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast as she interviews Nick Abregu, an engineer turned entrepreneur. Nick shares his inspiring journey from leaving his engineering job to starting his own online business. Discover the defining moment that led him to take the leap into entrepreneurship and how unexpected circumstances provided the perfect opportunity to embark on his new path.

Episode Highlights:

1.  The Journey from Engineer to Entrepreneur:

• Nick's pivotal moment that led him to leave his engineering job
• How unexpected redundancy provided a financial cushion for his entrepreneurial journey

2.  Insights into Website Development:

• Trudy's experience and challenges with website development
• Nick's tips for streamlining the website development process

3.  The Onboarding Process

• Defining the purpose of your website
• Understanding the customer journey to create a seamless user experience.
• Tailoring content for different audiences by gathering feedback and insights.
• Creating a Highly Effective Website: Functionality, Colors, and Vibe
• Clearly defining the desired actions for visitors on your website
• Utilising the psychology behind colours.
• Developing the right vibe that aligns with your brand.

4.  Key Considerations

• Crafting compelling copy by simplifying your message 
• Balancing page length 
• Integrating social media platforms onto your website. 
• Vetting web design companies.
• Ensuring you own your domain name to have full control and ownership over your website.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://thewebsitebuilders.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beau Button’s lifelong passion for computers and software naturally led him to the world of gaming. So when a childhood friend suggested they start their own game company, he said yes.  That gaming company eventually became Atlas Reality, where gamers can earn cold, hard cash for playing a game that layers virtual real estate over real locations.

Building a business from scratch in the software-as-a-service industry definitely comes with its challenges.  Gaming is its own unique space, and the customer base can be a very demanding community. We talked about how Beau and his teammates learned early on how important it is to put the customer experience first.  

We also discussed:

• What it was like transition to a virtual real estate platform and the concept of virtual real estate
• Completely made up virtual environments versus real-world locations
• Generating virtual rent from virtual land and the revenue model behind it
• How they use the concept of a “treasury” in managing revenue and determining virtual rent levels
• How gamers actually earn money
• Some of the ideas Beau has for using the game to make it possible for players to gain further education and increase their financial literacy
• Future plans for expanding revenue sources and ideas of what the game might look like in the future

If you’re interested in gaming and/or gaming-to-earn or even just what it’s like to build a SaaS (Software as a Service) business, have a listen.  Beau has a lot to share.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Websites:  https://www.atlasreality.com/ and https://www.atlasearth.com/ 

Connect With Beau on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaubutton/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Brent Zahradnik was living in Florida in 2015, he was working in a totally unrelated industry to online advertising, although he did have a couple of years of experience with advertising. 

But then he met a friend who was selling on Amazon.  This friend had developed some great connections with some factories that had not done very well in the economic downturn in 2008, 2009 and had since been retooled.  Brent’s friend was basically wholesaling and taking those products and selling them on Amazon. 

And this guy came to Brent one day and said, Hey, there's advertising on Amazon, can you help me with this?

And Brent’s first response to that was actually “there's advertising on Amazon? I had no idea that existed!”

Fast forward to today and Brent has a team of 20 people who work with him to help businesses advertise on Amazon.

In this episode we talk about:

• Building that team and Brent’’s criteria for bringing people onboard as team members
• What you need to have in place in order to have a successful advertising campaign
• Amazon ads and the creatives for them
• The role that product listings play in a successful campaign
• Clicks versus conversions
• Tricky categories, e.g. clothing
• The cottage industry that has developed around creating tools to help Amazon sellers
• Standing out from other 3rd party sellers

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Website:  https://www.amzpathfinder.com/ 
• Tools to help sellers
• Zoof:  https://www.zoof.com/
• Intentwise:  https://www.intentwise.com/
• ZonGuru:  https://www.zonguru.com/ 
• Datadive:  https://datadive.com.au/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When young engineer, Joe Khoei, discovered that the salespeople in his company were selling stuff that the company didn't have … and being rewarded for it with trips to Hawaii … he realised he was in the wrong role. 

So he went back to school, got an MBA and started working as a sales rep.

After 10 solid years experience under his belt, Joe started SalesX to help companies sell more. Not advertise more.  Sell more.

Fast forward to today and SalesX is now a successful agency that helps companies develop profitable customer acquisition programs.  Part of getting to that success has been made possible by focusing on developing the people he works with and growing great teams.

And because of his team ... and a not very well-known source of marketing funds, Joe is now able to give back by helping not-for-proft organisations with their marketing for free.

Listen in if you’d like to know more.

We also talked about:

• How Joe got started with SalesX
• A little known marketing resource for not-for-profit organisations that Google offers … and not many people seem to be using
• Why having a developmental pathway for people on his team is important
• How Joe made the move from being a tech expert to becoming a relationship manager
• Why participating in internship programs can be good for your business
• How automating things can make a huge difference to your business
• The importance of ensuring that the way you network fits your personality.

There is a lot of wisdom packed into this episode, whether you’re a manager, team leader or business owner.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://www.salesx.com/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve hit the wall when it comes to doing all the tasks associated with running a business by yourself, then this podcast episode is for you.

In it, I talk about my experiences in hiring freelancers to help me out with some things that had been sitting on my plate for a long time.  I found those freelancers on Fiverr and I walk you through how I went about finding the right people and getting the work done.

Not every freelancer works out, so I also explain the process I used when one person’s work wasn’t up to scratch.

So if you’re wanting to outsource a piece of work for the first time, have a listen.  And if you’d like to try out Fiverr for the first time, go to http://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/fiverr-cpa (affiliate link).  If you do click the link and decide to hire a freelancer, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

For which I thank you.  

It helps support the work I do with carers and caregivers who have (or want to start) their own online business.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When baby number 2 came along, and it was time to go back to work, civil servant Sophie Howard realised that the numbers just didn’t stack up.

She looked at what her salary would be versus what she would have to pay in childcare costs, commuting to work and all the rest that goes with having a job in a government agency.  And she knew there had to be another way of making a living.

With a lot of research, tons of determination and possibly a touch of beginners luck, Sophie was able to build … and then sell … an e-commerce business for over a million dollars USD.

But by then, she’d caught the entrepreneurial bug and realised she enjoyed the process of buying existing online businesses and making them more profitable.  Several 6 and 7-figure businesses later, she is now sharing what she’s learned with her Freedom Navigator students.

In this episode, Sophie shares some of her experiences along the way to owning a portfolio of online businesses.  As well as a lot of wisdom about this particular business model and how it works.

So if you’re interested in building versus buying an online business as a way to get started on your journey to entrepreneurial success, have a listen.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Website:  https://aspiringentrepreneurs.com 

Sophie Aspiring Entrepreneurs program (affiliate link) - https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/aspiringentrepreneurs 

Affiliate Marketing:  https://affilly.com 

Liz and Matt Raad’s EBusiness Institute (affiliate link):  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/ebusinessinstitute 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.