Bad Business with Bryan Laurel

So... what are you doing with your stimulus check? New TV? New shoes? A vacation? In this episode we ask you to consider investing in yourself, in that small business idea you've had for years and how easy it may be to make it a reality. 

You're a small business or you're on the verge of starting your own business... When is the right time to start thinking about public relations? What are the benefits of hiring a PR pro? And what the heck IS public relations, anyway? We answer all these questions and more with Robyn Patterson of Mack Media Relations. Find our more via the Mack Media Relations website.  

This episode is for any of you who find yourselves distracted throughout your workday. After a conversation with a colleague about their time management hack (The Pomodoro Method), I thought I'd share it with you.

It's the newest and currently most exclusive social media platform. The Clubhouse App is gaining traction and while it's still in beta, hundreds of thousands are spending hours a day on it.  In this episode we unpack what the Clubhouse App is, how it can benefit you as a small business owner or entrepreneur. We also discuss that while it's currently an invite only app, there's an easy way to get on the inside and start exploring it for yourself.

In the last episode we talked about the benefits of playlists for your own personal use. This episode we talk about the importance of playlists for your brick and mortar business.  We discuss considering not only your customers, but your employees as well. We also cover licensing via streaming services for businesses and why playing music you purchased from iTunes can get you into legal trouble. 

Most likely music is a part of your day. On your commute, while working from home, as a means to get you in the right mindset for a particular meeting. If you're just listening to any music without putting much thought into it, you could be doing yourself a disservice without realizing it.  In this episode we discuss the benefits of thinking through the music you listen to and when you listen to it. Seeking out pre-built playlists on the likes of Spotify or what to consider when building your own playlist. To fully gain the benefits of music, it's not as simple as listening to your favorite songs.

You made it! Welcome to 2021. In this episode we talk about (not resolutions, but) goals to set for yourself in the new year and how to ensure you have the time to actually make them happen. 2021 is going to be your year from a personal and professional standpoint. I promise... or your money back. Ha!

We take an honest look at brick and mortar storefronts. Is yours helping or hindering your business? Let's find out.

It's the holiday season and the time to think about gifts for your best clients. We talk about what makes a good gift and what makes a terrible gift. Knowing the difference can solidify that business relationship or sink it.

You've been working from home for months now... maybe you've been working from home for years prior to COVID. Today we ask the question "are you taking your home office seriously?". Is it an efficient, productive, inspiring space? Or is it a spare room that doubles as a storage room and you're wedged somewhere in the middle of it.  Let's talk about what you need and what you can do to make yourself a killer home office space.

2020 has brought a lot of unexpected changes but has also presented unexpected opportunities. Are you working from home now? Less time commuting, less time in person-to-person meetings means you have some time to work on your own business/side-business. In this episode we talk online courses that you should consider to up your entrepreneurial game with that extra time you may have on your hands. 

In this episode we discuss the basic marketing elements that should reside together electronically on your computer, smartphone and on the cloud (Dropbox, etc). Taking the time to put this digital "briefcase" (yeah, yeah, next to nobody uses briefcases anymore - we address that) anyway, taking the time to do this now will make it easier to get to these items at a moment's notice.

Considering how crazy 2020 has been, is now really the best time to start a business? Perhaps. In this episode we talk about why now may be the perfect time to start your own business, become an entrepreneur, follow through on that side hustle. We also go though a laundry list of viable option if you know you want to start something, but you're not yet sure what that something is.

When things are a little slower than usual for your small business, it's the perfect time to address things that could use a little attention.  Today, we talk about taking the time to update your website. Over the next few episodes we'll tackle several things that you can do to enhance your business. Things that you may not normally make the time for.  

When things are a little slower than usual for your small business (like now, due to COVID, for example), it's the perfect time to address things that could use a little attention.  Over the next few episodes we'll tackle several things that you can do to enhance your business. Things that you may not normally make the time for. Today, we talk about managing your online reviews (Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, Facebook, etc, etc.).  

After a short break of... four years, we're back with a few changes. We're keeping episodes to around 15 minutes and focusing more on small business and entrepreneurs and less on big business. Small businesses and entrepreneurs need to power through this COVID mess and get back on track so we'll be here each week to help.  

Let's talk about specific books that can help small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups.  You're probably thinking you don't have time to read. Wrong. You do. Host Bryan Laurel can be contacted at bryanlaurel@syndicatemktg.com

You may not realize it, but you could very well be contributing to your LACK of success. This episode we talk about why you may not be as successful as you should be.  Be real with yourself and let's give this episode a listen. Host Bryan Laurel can be reached at bryanlaurel@syndicatepr.com

We're back and this episode we talk about how you may be juuuuust a little too close to your brand to effective execute the branding and why bringing in an outside source to help you is the answer. Host Bryan Laurel can be contacted at bryanlaurel@syndicatepr.com

If there is one thing almost all small business/startup owners and entrepreneurs have in common, it's insomnia.  When your mind is fill of ideas, decisions, options and worries, it's no surprise sleep often suffers. In this episode we talk about how to combat those sleepless nights and how to turn your brain off occasionally. Host Bryan Laurel can be reached at bryanlaurel@syndicatepr.com