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Syndication

This is the final episode of Teenage Entrepreneur.

Thank you to every fan, guest & everyone who supported me along this journey.

I love you all.

Your host,
-Jordan Agolli

Direct download: The_Final_Episode_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Kate Atwood is the founder of Kate’s Club: a not-for-profit that empowers children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling. At the age of 12, Kate Atwood lost her mother. For 7 years she did not talk about her loss, until she told her story at a camp at 19. It was at this camp that the idea for Kate’s club was born. 
 
On this episode we discuss:
  1. How Kate had the idea for Kate’s Club.
  2. How she took the idea and built it into a non-profit. 
  3. How Kate supported herself while starting Kate’s Club.
  4. How Kate raised money for Kate’s Club when they were just getting started.
  5. The story behind the name of Kate’s Club.
  6. Advice she would give to young entrepreneur’s who want to start a non-profit. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit our website.We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.21-_Kate_Atwood-_Founder_of_Kates_Club.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

I met Gregg & Henry at a young entrepreneurship meet up I held and was blown away by both stories. Gregg is a serial entrepreneur and his son, Henry, is only 10 years-old but already has built and launched multiple apps on the app store. 
 
On this episode we discuss:
  1. Gregg’s background and the different companies he’s built. 
  2. Gregg’s advice he would give to young entrepreneurs.
  3. How Henry taught himself how to code. 
  4. The types of app and games Henry has built. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit our website.We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_20_Gregg_and_Henry_Branham.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Michelle Blue is the co-founder of bené; A luxury scarf company, made in the USA, committed to providing educational opportunities to girls around the world. 
 
On this episode we discuss:
  1. How Michelle developed a love for fashion. 
  2. How she graduated college with no debt. 
  3. How a trip to Ghana sparked the idea for bené.
  4. How bené was able to support girls education in Ghana. 
  5. How she and her co-founder grew their business. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit our website. We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.19-_Michelle_Blue-_Co-founder_of_Bene_Scarves_-_5-9-17_2.39_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Michael Gargiulo is currently the founder and CEO of ProxyServer, a company who’s mission is to protect your data and identity by giving you a safer way to connect to the internet. Previously, Michael sold over $2,000,000 worth of gift cards and built multiple gaming websites that reached over 100,000 daily visitors. 
 
On this episode we discuss:
  1. How Michael taught himself how to build websites and SEO.
  2. How he grew 3 websites to 100,000 daily visitors.
  3. How Michael sold $2,000,000 worth of gift cards. 
  4. Why Michael was sued at 20 years old and how he overcame the obstacle.
  5. Where the idea for Proxy Server came from and how Michael built it. 
  6. How Michael secured $600,000 in funding for Proxy Server. 
  7. How Michael handles stress as a business owner. 
  8. The advice Michael would give to his 18-year-old self. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit our website. We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.18-_Michael_Gargiulo-_Founder_of_ProxyServer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Nick Mares is the co-founder of Kettle and Fire, the first and only shelf stable, grass fed bone broth on the market. Bone broth is a hot up and coming health food trend which is a nutritious broth that you can drink with numerous health benefits. The company was founded in 2015 and within 4 months they did 7 figures in revenue. Fast forward to 2016 and the company is still growing at a fast rate. 
 
In this episode we discuss:
  1. Nick’s family life and the impact that growing up in a house of 9 had on his path as an entrepreneur.
  2. Why Nick took a gap year between high school to college and the advice he’d give to others. 
  3. How Nick turned a knee injury into the business that would eventually become Kettle and Fire. 
  4. Where the name Kettle and Fire came from. 
  5. The operational process of how their bone broth is created.
  6. The rigorous process it took to manufacture and sell the product. 
  7. How they grew the company from 0 to 7 figures so quickly. 
  8. What Nick does on a difficult day and how he picks himself up.
  9. Nick’s dream that he wants to turn into a reality.
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.17-_Nick_Mares-_Co-founder_of_Kettle_and_Fire_.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Dylan Gambardella is a 20-year old undergraduate student at Duke University and the founder of Next Gen Ventures and Students4Students. Dylan was named a Wunderkind, a Melissa & Doug Scholar and has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Fox News, Inc, Entrepreneur, and many more. 
 
In this episode we discuss:
  1. Where Dylan’s drive and motivation comes from.
  2. How Dylan has become a strong leader and his advice to other leaders. 
  3. How Dylan betters himself as a businessman and human being.
  4. The business model behind Students4Students and how it was started. 
  5. The wild story of how Dylan went to Forbes 30U30 conference. 
  6. How Dylan balanced freshman year of college and starting Next Gen Ventures. 
  7. What Dylan does on a difficult day or when he faces an obstacle. 
  8. How Dylan takes care of his physical and mental health.
  9. Where Dylan’s humble personality comes from. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 

Calvin Wayman is the founder of Cobbes Media (a social media management company), a sought-after speaker, the host of Millionaire Case Study, and author of the book “Fish Out Of Water"
 
After quitting his day-job to pursue his dream of working for himself, Calvin relocated from Salt Lake City to Southern California. He sold solar systems door-to-door to pay the bills and fund his online business. Calvin’s passion is helping entrepreneurs grow their business by taking advantage of modern tools and technology.
 
In this episode we discuss:
  1. How homeschooling in High School shaped Calvin’s path as a businessman. 
  2. How taking a few gap years between high school and college showed Calvin what he did NOT want for his life. 
  3. The story of why Calvin quit his day job and started selling solar systems door-to-door.
  4. Why Calvin spent $20,000 on a business coach.
  5. How Calvin started and grew Cobbes Media.
  6. The one social media platform Calvin would use if he could only use one for the rest of the year. 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.15-_Calvin_Wayman-_Founder_Of_Cobbes_Media.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Nathan Fox is the founder of Fox LSAT, a high-level program that teaches law students how to ace the LSAT. Fox LSAT offers live classes, online courses, books, videos, podcast, blogs and 1 on 1 tutoring. Out of 7 years of teaching, not 1 student has ever asked Nathan for a refund. 
 
In this episode we discuss:
 
  1. Nathan’s opinion on going to college.
  2. Nathan’s tips on how you can find or create a career you are passionate about.
  3. The jobs Nathan had that eventually led him to start Fox LSAT. 
  4. How Nathan started and grew Fox LSAT. 
  5. How Fox LSAT received 93 Five star reviews on Yelp. 
  6. The best teaching advice Nathan has ever heard. 
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.14-_Nathan_Fox-_Founder_of_Fox_LSAT.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Daryl Urbanksi is the founder of BestBusinessCoach.ca, a high-level coaching program and is also known for his incredible ability to build 7-figure automated income streams. 
 
In this episode we discuss:
 
  1. How many hours it takes to master the fundamentals of any skill.
  2. Daryl’s unique background and how it helps him to connect with others.
  3. The different businesses Daryl built over his life (From martial arts school to a travel agency). 
  4. Marketing strategies Daryl used to grow his businesses.
  5. How Daryl built his 7 figure coaching business.
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.13-_Daryl_Urbanksi-_Founder_of_Best_Business_Coach.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

 
Ryan Magdziarz is a master of marketing, sales and business growth.
 
Before the age of 21 Ryan had started and run multiple successful ventures, including a marketing agency that he grew to a team of 8 people, an app that gathered over 100,000 downloads in the first 4 weeks and many more.
 
After a painstaking life breakthrough, Ryan realized his birth purpose and Winning International was born with the mission of raising a billion dollars for charity.
Before age 22 Ryan had grown Winning to 7-Figures and changed 100’s of coaches’ lives.
 
In this episode we discuss:
 
  1. Why Ryan and his team gave away free $100 gift cards. 
  2. The concept of “Giving instead of getting” in marketing.
  3. How Ryan had his confidence shattered when his mother left him and his father when he was 13.
  4. How getting into golf and finding a mentor gave Ryan confidence again.
  5. How talking to girls and joining a sales team helped Ryan face his fears. 
  6. How Ryan learned how to sell by cold calling for 3 months straight, 8 hours a day. 
  7. The side hustles and businesses Ryan built before he started Winning International. 
  8. The behind the scenes of what Winning International provides for their clients. 
  9. Ryan’s advice on how you can land your first client.
  10. The 2 different types of failure.  
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
The podcast is produced by Force Media. 
Direct download: TE_2.12-_Ryan_Magdziarz_Founder_of_Winning_International.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

On today’s episode, you will hear interviews from 4 inspiring young entrepreneurs at The Teenpreneur Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The interviews are in the following order:
 
  1. Eugene Holsey (14 year’s old) - Founder and CEO of The Paracord World. 
  2. Ben Olsen (17 years old)- A seasonal entrepreneur. His current business is a freelance writer on financial management and being financially smart. 
  3. Jordon Cox (19 Year’s old)- Public speaker and money saving expert!
  4.  Sade Reid (14 Year’s Old)- Founder of Sade Tutoring: a math tutoring company. 
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
Direct download: TE_2.11-_Live_Interviews_at_Teenpreneur_Conference.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

 
Patrick Ambron is the CEO and co-founder of BrandYourself.com, the first DIY platform that makes it simple for anyone to take control of their own search results.
 
In 2011, his company was named New York’s # 1 Emerging Technology Business, making his team the youngest company ever to win the $200K prize. He was recognized by the White House as one of the Empact 100 Top CEO’s under 30, named Young Entrepreneur of the year by the SBA, and most recently, named to Inc Magazine’s top 35 under 35.
 
Patrick has led BrandYourself to secure over $5 million in venture capital and grow to over 60 full-time employees. They were recently named the overall StartUp winner at SXSW.  His ideas on Online Reputation and business have been featured on Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, HuffingtonPost, FastCompany, Mashable, TechCrunch, WSJ, the NYTimes, and many others.
 
On this episode we discuss: 
  1. Patrick’s career as a competitive runner.
  2. The types of businesses Patrick had as a kid.
  3. How Patrick learned about SEO
  4. How Patrick’s co-founder, Pete, was being mistaken as a drug dealer and how that led to the idea of Brand Yourself.
  5. How Brand Yourself went from 3 years of no traction to 60,000 users in 60 hours. 
  6. How they financially supported themselves while building Brand Yourself. 
  7. How Patrick lived off $10,000/year for 3 years. 
  8. How Brand Yourself went from 5 to 60 full-time employees in 5 months.
  9. How every venture capitalist originally turned them down but invested months down the road.
  10. Advice Patrick would give to other entrepreneurs who are trying to secure funding.
  11. How Patrick has managed the transition of being a start-up founder to being a CEO. 
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
Direct download: TE_2.10-_Patrick_Ambron-_Co-Founder__CEO_of_Brand_Yourself.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

While attending GA Tech University, Partha broke his ankle and spent six weeks on crutches, leading him to found Better Walk to create a crutch that didn't hurt a user's armpits and other revolutionary medical devices. Since founding the company in May 2013, Partha has been invited to the White House to present to President Obama, been named on the 2015 Forbes 30 Under 30, been featured on CNN, and received numerous entrepreneurship awards.
 
On this episode we learn:
  1. What music Partha listens to while he works.
  2. How Partha went from being shy and quiet to outgoing in high school and college.
  3. What inspired Partha to start Better Walk.
  4. How Partha used his background in physics to create the prototype of the crutch.
  5. How Partha applied to accelerator programs and how it helped build their company.
  6. The challenges faced in bringing a physical product to market. 
  7. How many revisions of the prototype they had to make (over 10!)
  8. How they raised $600,000 to bring the product to market.
  9. The advice he would give to other entrepreneurs that are in college. 
  10. How Partha is scaling Better Walk.
  11. How Partha got to meet and present the crutches to President Obama.
  12. How Partha handles stress or negativity in business.
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
 
Direct download: TE_2.9-_Partha_Unnava-_Founder_of_Better_Walk_Crutches.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Jacob Goodman is the founder of Fresh Prints. They set out to do one thing: help make it insanely fun for people to order custom apparel. Fresh Prints is known for their honest and fun approach to business. They have 80+ campus ambassadors that earn an average of $8,000/YR. I highly recommend you check out their unique designs because they’re incredibly creative: https://freshprints.com/product/gallery
 
On this episode we learn:
  1. How Jacob did not fit inside the box at school and what he did to overcome that obstacle.
  2. How Jacob convinced his father to loan him $50,000 to invest in his first business.
  3. How Jacob ran two business at the same time.
  4. We dive deep into the hiring process for campus ambassadors. Jacob calls the hiring process the “secret sauce” to Fresh Prints. (During the interview process he tries to get them to quit and over 80% of applicants drop out in the first round.)
  5. How Fresh Prints separates themselves from their competition. 
  6. Why/how they strategically place their printers across the country. 
  7. How they handle a print order that goes wrong.
  8. The unique refund policy Fresh Prints has.
  9. The lessons learned from building their own ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software. 
  10. Why Jacob doesn’t think you should follow advice from other’s. 
  11. Why Jacob is like Richard Branson!
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
 
Direct download: TE_2.8-_Jacob_Goodman-_Founder_of_Fresh_Prints.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Kim Kaupe is the co-founder of Zinepak: a music and publishing company founded in 2011. Zinepak partners with the world’s largest brands & entertainers to create compelling content to engage with super fans. Zinepak has worked with artists/brands such as Katy Perry, KISS, Justin Bieber, Coors Light, American Express, Boston Red Sox and hundreds more! Kim has been selected as Forbes 30 under, Inc 35 under 35 and was on Shark Tank season 6. 
 
On this episode we learn how Kim & her co-founder used their savings to build Zinepak into the multi-million dollar company it is today, we dive deep into their experience inside “The Tank” and we hear the advice Kim would give to herself if she could go back in time to when she first started Zinepak. 
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
 
Direct download: TE_2.7_Kim_Kaupe-_Co-founder_of_Zinepak.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

Justin Lafazan is one of those people who is taking over the world. By the age of 19, Justin has already founded 2 companies: Students 4 Students & Millenial Marketing Strategy. He has co-founded the Next gen Summit which is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as 1 of 7 top conferences for entrepreneurs under 30. He has written a best-selling book called “What Wakes You Up?”. He has spoken at TEDx 3 times and has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Inc. Magazine, Huffington Post & many more publications. 
 
On this episode you will learn:
 
  1. What drives Justin to accomplish his goals
  2. How Justin saw a problem in the market place and started a business to solve the problem
  3. How Justin contacted every single member of the Forbes 30 under 30 list
  4. Why he chose to take a Gap year even though he was accepted to UPENN.
  5. How he and his co-founder started Next Gen Summit
  6. What Justin does to handle the stress of business
  7. How Justin wrote a best-selling book
  8. Advice he would give to young entrepreneurs
  9. Advice he would give to parents to support their entrepreneurial children
 
Thank you so much for listening to Teenage Entrepreneur! For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, please visit www.teenpodcast.com We have built a community of entrepreneurs from all around the world to help you on your journey. 
 
 
Direct download: TE_2.6_Justin_Lafazan_-_52316_7.32_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Chris Harris is a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder of Lift It moving company which went from 0-$1.2 Million in 36 months. Recently, they were valued at over $6 Million while seeking a round of investments. In this episode we discuss how Chris went from washing his clothes in his bathtub to running a million dollar company, his views on going to college if you’re an entrepreneur, the non-negotiable routine he follows to keep his life balanced and the advice he’d give to a younger version of himself when starting out in business. Chris truly brought the wisdom this episode. You’re going to love it!
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business,    visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE_2.5-_Chris_Harris-_Founder_of_Lift_It.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Bryan Wish is the founder of The Wish Dish: a platform to connect people through the sharing of life stories. In this episode we discuss how Bryan accepted a job in New York but then changed his mind so he could work on The Wish Dish full time, how he turned a difficult emotional and mental time in his junior year into the writing platform that would eventually become The Wish Dish, and how he grew the website from 0 visitors to over 15,000/month and shared over 350 stories in a little over 1 year.  
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business,    visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE_2.4-_Bryan_Wish-_Founder_of_The_Wish_Dish.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Frank Rabinovitch is the founder of Impact Mouthguards:  they provide high-quality, custom sports mouthguard. (I have used their product for almost 2 years and can attest it is the greatest mouthguard I’ve ever used. It’s saved my mouth in multiple sporting events). In this episode we hear from Frank on how he made money as a kid, why we should be taking imperfect action on a daily basis and how he started and has grown Impact into the brand it is today. 
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business,    visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE_2.3_Frank_Rabinovitch-_Founder_of_Impact_Mouthguards_-_32216_6.05_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Eva Baker is 20 years old and the founder of Teens Got Cents, an online resource dedicated to educating and equipping teens to manage their finances properly. In this episode, we talk about how Eva turned a high school project into a full-time business. We also discuss the conference she is hosting in Jacksonville, Florida on June 10 & 11: The Teenpreneur Conference as a place where business-owning teens, as well as those interesting in starting a business, can get together, network, learn practical skills, and connect with brands who can point them in the right direction.
 
I will be speaking at the conference as well as doing live interviews! I hope to see everyone there!
 
If you are a teenager or the parent of a teenager, I highly recommend you sign up for the conference today! Visit http://theteenpreneur.com/ to purchase tickets for the early bird special! 

Marshall Mosher is the co-founder and CEO of Vestigo: A marketplace to find independent outdoor guides who lead trips in your area. In this episode, we dive deep into Marshall’s journey as a young entrepreneur and how he went from earning 4 college degrees to founding an outdoor technology start-up in Athens. 
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business,    visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE_2.1-_Marshall_Mosher-_CEO__Co-Founder_of_Vestigo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

We recorded a quick episode to go over the updates for the Teenage Entrepreneur community! They include:
 
-Season 2 of the show has launched!
-Brand new website design with all new resources, tools and ideas to build your business!
-A mentorship program for new business!
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, visit www.teenpodcast.com
Direct download: Season_2_Updates.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Tom Windish is the founder and CEO of the Windish Agency: an independent booking agency devoted to the artistic development and vision of its incredibly talented roster of musicians, bands and DJs. In this episode we discuss Tom’s journey as a young entrepreneur and how he built The Windish Agency from his apartment in Chicago to now having over 800 artists on their roster and booking 19,000 concerts in 2014.  
 
For more details on this episode or resources and support on building your business, visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE_39-_Tom_Windish-_The_Windish_Agency.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

**Babson entrepreneurship Forum Special**
 
Kathy Dalby is the CEO and a managing partner of Pacer's Running. In this episode we dive into her entrepreneurial journey which includes leaving her secure job to start Pacer’s Running. 
 
For more details, resources and support in building your business, visit www.teenpodcast.com 
Direct download: TE38_Kathy_Dalby-_Pacers_Running.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

**Babson Entrepreneurship Forum Special**

Bettina Hein is the founder of Pixability, an ad buying & video marketing platform which enables agencies, brands and marketers to run better YouTube ad campaigns. Founded in 2008, Bettina’s company now has 50 employees!

What you will learn in this episode:

  • A different understanding of work-life balance.
  • Raising $8,000,000 in capital over 4 years.
  • The importance of having an entrepreneur as your partner.
  • How to deal with negativity. 
  • The entrepreneurial roller coaster & how to deal with it. 
  • Why Bettina wants to create 5,000 jobs in her lifetime.

 


Want to learn more about business & entrepreneurship? Visit www.teenpodcast.com/37

Direct download: TE37_Bettina_Hein.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

**Babson Entrepreneurship Forum Special**

Octavia Costea is the founder of Spreads & Beyond, a producer of 100% pure fruit spreads made without any added sugars, using an old Romanian family recipe. Octavia learned the original recipes from her mother, but, found the fruits she had access to in the USA weren’t quite as sweet, so she had to modify the recipes to come up with the three recipes she produces today.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How Octavia moved to a new country at age 19.
  • How she worked her way through college.
  • How to find a need & solve it. 
  • How to pivot in your business. 

 

For more details & resources visit: www.teenpodcast.com/36

Direct download: TE36_Octavia_Costea.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm EDT

**Babson Entrepreneurship Forum Special**

Jennifer Odera is the founder of Shanti Tearooms: a modern take on the traditional high tea experience that sells premium loose leaf teas, infused locally in-store, complimented by cuisine from around the world at branded tearooms. Using her experiences from traveling around the world, Jennifer hopes to capitalize on a concept that pushes against the technologically frenzied lifestyle and offers something more relaxing & filled with conversation instead of texts, Facebook messages, and Snapchats.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How to take your personal experiences and turn them into a marketable experience for the rest of the world.
  • How to understand your culture & environment.
  • Why Jennifer chose not to wait till she retired to start her business.
  • Why Jennifer's business is a no cell phone zone. 
  • How Jennifer has worked through the change in lifestyle while starting her business.
  • What made Jennifer turn down her dream job. 
  • How to be risk rational instead of risk averse. 

 

Want to learn more? Visit www.teenpodcast.com/35 for the full show notes! 

Direct download: TE_35_Jennifer_Odera.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am EDT

Ever wondered what goes into writing a book? You'll find out in this episode! An avid crime fiction reader, Patrick was inspired by writers such as Agatha Christie & Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Current authors such as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Jonathan Kellerman, Robert Crais and Stephen King have been equally inspirational. A gentle prod from friends and family convinced him to pursue writing his first novel, Varied Traits.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Patrick’s back story and what life was like for him growing up.
  • Why Patrick started writing his first novel.
  • How he creates & outlines his story.
  • How Patrick was able to let go of what other’s think.
  • The lessons he learned about himself while writing the book. 
  • What advice he would give to aspiring writers.
  • The lessons he learned about a book writing process. 
  • Patricks advice on the difference between failing & being a failure. 

 

 

For links and more info visit: www.teenpodcast.com/34

Direct download: TE_34-_Patrick_Brown-_Self-Published_Author_of_Varied_Traits.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

**Babson Entrepreneurship Forum Special**

Marissa Goldstein is the co-founder of Orora Global, a global social enterprise with a simple mission to a complex global problem: to provide affordable, reliable & accessible renewable energy to rural & urban communities around the world. Their state-of-the-art technology provides individual families and businesses with off-grid, affordable and reliable energy solutions, including lighting, air circulation and cell phone charging. They hire and train women from rural communities to become micro-entrepreneurs, empowering them by providing them with economic opportunity and access to clean and reliable electricity.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Why Marissa sold her house and travelled the world with her husband.
  • Why Marissa wanted to fail. 
  • How Orora global is empowering female entrepreneurs.
  • How Marissa is making an income & an impact.
  • How Orora global is working towards providing renewable energy to 1.2 billion people. 

 

Click here for the full show notes!

Direct download: TE33_Marissa_Goldstein.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

**Babson Entrepreneurship Forum Special**

Sam Aquillano is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Design Museum Boston. 

The DMB produces public exhibitions, events, and programs to show the who, why, and how behind the things we see and use everyday. DMB aims to highlight the positive impact good design and innovative thinking can have on literally everything. 

 

In this episode you will learn:

  • How to teach your team to read your mind. 
  • How to delegate and not be a control freak. 
  • The answer to "What does a CEO do everyday?"
  • How Sam got the opportunity to design the Bose speakers for the iPod. 
  • How Sam supplemented his income from his corporate job to work full time on the museum.
  • How Sam took a staircase into entrepreneurship instead of jumping off a cliff. 

 

 

Detailed show notes: www.teenpodcast.com/32

Direct download: TE_32-Sam_Aquillano.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Patrick Whaley is the founder & CEO of Titin Tech, the world's only weighted compression gear. Titin is doing extremely well, having revenues of $1,000,000+ in May of 2014 alone. Titin was also featured on Shark Tank and received an investment from Daymond John to help take his business to the next level. 

In this episode you will learn:

  • The lessons Patrick learned starting his first business in kindergarten.
  • How to have a strong work ethic when the odds are against you. 
  • How Patrick took Titin tech from $10,000 in monthly revenue to $1,000,000/MO in only 7 months.
  • How being shot and almost killed changed Patrick's life.
  • How Patrick brought his company back from near bankruptcy. 
  • How to make an income & an impact in this world. 

 

For full show notes: www.teenpodcast.com/31

Direct download: TE_31_Patrick_Whaley.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Greg Selkoe is the founder & CEO of Karmaloop: the leading online retailer in cutting edge fashion and a one-stop shop for the verge culture. Karma loop did $150 million in sales in 2013 and currently has 150 employees. 


In today’s episode you’ll learn:

  • Greg’s backstory and how he was always a problem child.
  • How Greg built Karmaloop out of his parent’s basement. 
  • What it takes to build a community that supports your product.
  • The importance of commitment, focus & overcoming obstacles.

 

 

For the full show notes, visit: www.teenpodcast.com/30

Direct download: TE-_30_Greg_Selkoe.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Michael Goodroe has Asperger’s Syndrome, but refuses to let this control the way he lives life. At the age of 4, the doctor’s told Michael’s parents that he would not be able to go to school or ever live on his own. Instead of listening to the Doctor’s, Michael chose to live life on his terms. Today, Michael is a 2nd degree blackbelt in Taido karate, college graduate, singer, comic book artist and currently studying for his MBA.

 

In today’s episode, you will learn:

  • How to face your fears
  • How to not take “no” for an answer
  • How to not give up when the going gets tough. 

 

 

Check out teenpodcast.com/29 for a full list of show notes! 

Direct download: TE_29-_Michael_Goodroe.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm EDT

Alex Obert is the founder of Journey of a Front Man. The website transitioned from a journal of Obert’s attempts to become a front man of a rock group to an interview site featuring front men of all types. Obert offers his definition of a front man, talks about his love of music, and how it helps him land some of the biggest names in entertainment for interviews.

Today, you’ll learn 

  • The hustle it takes to build an online business
  • Working for little or no pay while you’re building your internet presence.
  • How Alex was able to overcome his social anxiety.
  • Being creative — using the things you love and live for — to build your empire.

 

For the full show notes go to: www.teenpodcast.com/28

Direct download: TE_28_Alex_Obert.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Ryan Kulp has been an entrepreneur from the time he could walk. At 10, he was selling popsicles he made by freezing KoolAid. In the 7th Grade, he was kicked out of school for selling fireworks on campus. By his Senior year in High School, he’d left his parents home and was working on his own - making gold tooth grills! 

Just before signing to be a Marine, Ryan was convinced by his parents to accept their help and go to college. While in college at Georgia State University, Ryan interned with several great companies such as Target, Red Bull and Microsoft - while, at the same time, starting two different businesses while a student.


In today’s episode, you’ll learn

  • Lessons of determination & courage.
  • How to try new things.
  • How to determine the value of yourself so others do not give you an inaccurate valuation.
  • The secret of patience. 
  • What a REAL entrepreneur is!

 

 

Detailed show notes: www.teenpodcast.com/27

Direct download: TE_27_Ryan_Kulp.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Son of Greek immigrants, Chris was an entrepreneur since the age of 13. He eventually would get into trouble for selling candy in school. Afterwards, his mother told him, "just don't get caught" and continued to buy him bubble gum to sell.

Now, Chris runs Tampa Bay Business Owners in Tampa Bay, Florida with a number of other businesses, while his wife runs the www.bizwomenrock.com podcast. After listening to today's interview, you'll learn:

 

  • -The importance of knowing if you're made to be an entrepreneur or an employee.
  • -The importance of validating your business ideas before you start creating the product or service you're selling. 
  • -Marketing your business in a much more creative fashion. 

 

For the full list of show notes: www.teenpodcast.com/26

Direct download: TE_26_Chris_Krimitsos.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:54pm EDT

HELLO, CREATIVE REBELS!

Today’s guests were featured on the hit ABC TV show, Shark Tank. For those who aren’t familiar with Wicked Good Cupcakes, even though the name is pretty self-explanatory, the three-year old company’s trademark packaging (in a Mason Jar), sets them apart, and lets them shipped their baked goods nationwide.

 

Tracey and Scott are here today to talk about their company, their visit with the entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, and a bit about their past that got them to where they are now at Wicked Good.

 

Visit the full show notes: www.teenpodcast.com/25

 

 

 

BEFORE WICKED GOOD (1:20)

Tracey was developing a career as a writer, with an agent in Beverly Hills. She had started the company with her youngest daughter Danielle after going to a cake decorating class. 

Scott was working in Boston at a software company as a managing CTO officer, with no experience in baked goods. Both he and Tracey have some experience as entrepreneurs. 

Scott started a software company, Tracey has been a photographer, photo-stylist and  even an animal talent agency, before starting Wicked Good Cupcakes.

 

PROMOTING CUPCAKES (4:45)

Tracey started posting images of cakes, and other baked goods on their Facebook pages, which quickly attracted business from others who wanted birthday cakes, or other holiday baked goods.

Scott says the company started with $30,000 to outfit the kitchen and the initial shop. They then seeded the company with $20,000 for operating funds, “and when that was gone, then the experiment was over. We would not borrow money. We would not raise money. We would not go into debt.

He says it was important to the family do not go into debt or raising investment. “We could have done all kinds of great, extravagant stuff, but that wouldn’t have kept us as tied to the bottom line as we wanted to be.”

“It was to the point where Scott and I would have some lively discussions over whether or not our little shopping bags would be printed or not. That’s how tight we were with money,” Tracey says. “I can remember in the beginning being really jealous of these other bakeries that had beautiful packaging, but a lot of those bakeries no longer exist.”

 

A GOOD PRODUCT SELLS ITSELF (8:00)

Tracey says she wanted to have a beautiful bag, but it came down to the decision, “Do I want to have pink tissue paper or do I want to have the best dairy I can by? And it all went right into the product.” All of the money the family had went right into the product. 

I tell the two that their product “proves itself.”


AN EXPERIMENT IN FINANCE (9:00)

Scott says he had a good job that could provide the family’s income, so the baked goods wouldn’t have ruined the family, but the money from the savings would have hurt, but not ruined the budget.

“The expectation in the beginning was really, Tracey is the person who looks out her front door and says ‘where’s the biggest mountain and how can I go climb it?’ So, even though we were just opening as an individual bakery in the town of Cohasset, the goal was to ‘take over the world,’” says Scott.

He admits the goal was a lofty one, but that they really had no idea where that would take them, or how they would get there.

 

STARTING A BUSINESS WITH A LINE OUT THE FRONT DOOR (10:32)

Business was so good that Tracey quit on the first day. With family and friends in the back of the store washing dishes, there was still a line going out the front door. “It becomes so crazy, about 2 in the afternoon, Tracey went out back and said, ‘I just can’t do this. I quit.’ Then, two minutes later she was right back in the fray again.”
The sales were good, with the story well located, even with competition nearby.

 

SET YOURSELF APART QUICKLY IF YOU WANT TO SELL (11:30)

Scott offers some great business advice, “everyone can say, ‘our product is the best’… from a marketing perspective. I think our biggest differentiator was the custom work that we were abel to do and the artwork we were able to do to cakes and cupcakes.”

To support that decision, the team hired artists to decorate cakes, not culinary-trained cooks. “We hired people with art background and then we got them their food service training.”

“Because of that, we were able to do very ornate and really interesting work with cakes and cupcakes that other companies in our area couldn’t do,” says Scott.

 

A BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHANGES EVERY DAY (14:00)

Tracey says her business model has changed so much since the start of the business, that their current model and the first model wouldn’t be noticeable next to each other.

“It’s really different ever day,” says Scott.

The family has their own tasks in the company, Tracey is now in the product development and marketing, while Danielle manages the physical facilities and the employees, while Scott handles the operations side: managing supply chain, managing inventory, customer service and the technical aspects of the company.

 

THE STORY OF THE MASON JAR PACKED WITH CUPCAKES (16:30)

Scott says the company came up with the idea of layers of cake and frosting in mason jars to ship their baked goods effectively a few months after opening.

“We came up we came up with this concept, had it tested, and put the product on the website to see what happens,” Scott explains. The response was very good, which led to a huge scandal with the TSA.

A student at Salem State University sent a few jars to a professor, who then took them to Las Vegas on Christmas break. The cupcakes made it through Logan Airport on the way to Vegas, but, on the way back, TSA agents confiscated it because it had more than 3 ounces of a gelatinous-like substance in a closed container.

The professor was a communications professor who was writing a book on PR and media. She took a photo, posted it on a well-known blog, and the image and story went viral. “The next thing you know,” says Scott, “we had requests, the very next morning, we were getting requests from all over the world for media about this incident of the TSA taking someone’s cupcake.”

And, to add more fuel to the fire, about two weeks after the publicity had died down, the TSA came out with a press release rebuttal calling the product “not your average, run-of-the-mill cupcake,” giving the company a great tagline and weeks more of free publicity.

 

QUALITY PRODUCTS IN QUALITY PACKAGING (20:30)

Tracey says the TSA publicity gave them a great proof-of-concept to understand that their idea was a viable product. 

Scott says the cupcakes ship on 2, 4, and 6 packs, priced at $14.95, $28,95 and $42.95 in reusable mason jars and nice spoons to eat them with.

“From the giving perspective,” Scott says, “it sort of makes that nice presentation.”
I mention that I was very impressed with the quality of the jars, “actually, I still use the jars because they are high quality jars and just have different things inside them. So, it’s really, that’s also a big selling proposition.”

Scott says he things Wicked Good Cupcakes are leaders in the space of selling shippable baked goods. “Of course, since our national exposure, we’ve had a lot of people that have tried to replicate the idea and to the same thing. No one is doing it to the scale we’re doing it right now.”

He says the business is very difficult to scale, which is an advantage because it is very difficult for others to duplicate their work. “A lot of people have tried to replicate it, to duplicate it is a whole other thing. I think it is very difficult for someone to be able to do that at this point,” Scott says.

 

THE PROCESS OF GETTING CUPCAKES OUT THE DOOR (24:30)

I ask Tracey to give us an idea of the process it takes to get the cupcakes from the start to a customer’s door.

The cake is baked in the morning, around 4 a.m., stored in airtight containers, then shipped to a separate facility. “We have to keep our facilities separate so the handling of the glass and decorating is done in a separate room in a separate area.”

After the cakes are in the decorating facility, “the decorators then take the cupcakes, they peel the papers off, they disassemble them and they each work on a flavor at a time,” Tracey continues. “A cake is never opened and exposed. All day long, once it’s baked, it goes right in that jar, which is really important to us.”

From there, everything is layered with the proper fillings and toppings, the jars are sealed and then they’re sent for labeling and shipping.

 

EXPECT THE PAIN OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP (29:30)

Tracey and Scott discuss all the moving around to different locations for production until they found their current facilities. Then Tracey offers wise advice to Teenage Entrepreneurs. “There is a good amount of pain when you first start your business… [we] did not get paid for the first year and a half that we worked, because we needed help and those people had to be paid before us.”

Tracey says it’s funny when they go to college and high school entrepreneurial programs. “I think they picture us sitting on a tact somewhere eating bonbons, and in truth, we just finally started getting paid because all the money has to go back into the business.”

 

HOW CAN YOU WORK FOR FREE AND PAY YOUR WORKERS? (30:46)

I tell the two that I was surprised, even, to know that the two principal workers in the business didn’t get paid for the first 18 months of their business. So, I ask them, “Why do you think you were willing to do it so long without getting paid?”

Scott explains that you have to have goals and a purpose when you’re starting out. “Our goals from the beginning were to create… to take over the world. We’re looking for something. We wanted to be the Ben and Jerry’s of baked goods, and to have something for Danielle in the future.”

He says the company is a way for them to help their daughter in the future. “We could have… pulled a lot of cash out of the company when we started getting successful… but that’s not where we wanted to be in the future.”

Tracey says that they also didn’t know how long it would be before they would get paid. “Honestly,” she says, “had I known it would be a year and a half, it would have made it a lot harder. It’s just you get up every day and go and work and eventually, you do start to pay yourself.”

She says Scott even helped motivate the two girls by eventually giving she and Danielle $50 each per week. She says it motivated them to make more money for the company, “there’s a hundred dollars you now have to make up because that’s not going back to the business and it does motivate you to work to replace that money you’re now taking.”

 

BAKED GOODS MAKE GOOD SHARK FOOD ON THE SHARK TANK (33:30)

I mention to Scott and Tracey that I’m a huge fan of the ABC hit show, Shark Tank. “I remember seeing you guys on there. How did the idea come about to do Shark Tank, and I’m sure many people think about doing Shark Tank, but, then they’re lik, ‘oh no, I will never be selected.’ Take me through that process from wanting to do it and then making it happen.”
Tracey says her family watched the show since day one. “I was alway fascinated with it. Scott, as well. Once we had the TSA incident and we had a little bit proof of concept, Scott kept very close tracking on our numbers and our growth. That April, I decided to apply. It was for season 4… it was three sentences. I think they ask like three questions.”

She says she knew there was only one shot, competing with thousands of applicants. I included a link to the news clip from the TSA story, and I included a picture of our cupcake jar. I went the extra step, because I figured we needed to get noticed.”

About five days later, Mindy from casting called. She remembered the TSA story, and the “Wicked Good” thing resonated with her, according to Tracey. “So, we sent a sample of products and then we got the package and we did our audition video.”

 

WOW! WHAT A PACKAGE! (35:55)

I ask them about the package. Turns out, the show’s producers sent them 100 pages of legal documents. Tracey says the package included a $5-million NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). “So, if you spill the beans, they, in theory, can come after you for $5 million. It’s crazy.”

The documents also described the type of video they were to create and send in. “The video should be three minutes and should just talk about how much you’re looking for, what you're business does, no editing, just straight up talk,” says Tracey.

“We, of course, said ‘screw that, it’s a one-time deal, we’re going to edit the living crap out of this thing and make it really fun. So we did.” Tracey says she heard from one of the producers that Mark Burnett actually watched their video and loved it.

The video was turned in in May, three days after they received their package. And, still, with no guarantee they would make it to even tape a segment with the Sharks, the producers worked to keep information flowing. “They would work with you, call you, talk with you, sort of walk you though your pitch, hone down your pitch. Not knowing if they are even going to fly you out to film or not,” she explains.

Two months later, in July, the family were flown out to LA for five days. They met other entrepreneurs who were auditioning, but were not allowed to talk about their businesses. Then, you do a practice pitch in front of the network executives and a room of about 30 people listening to the pitch.

After the pitch, the executives then talk to the applicants, and “then you have to wait for a phone call to see if they are going to put you in the lineup.” 

Once you’re in the lineup, you want to get in early, “you hope you get earlier in the day, because if they run over… and they run over time, that’s it. You’re bumped,” says Tracey. Luckily, Wicked Good Cupcakes got an ideal interview time slot. “We were the last entrepreneurs to pitch before the lunch break So, we had a food product, it just all worked in our favor, I have to say, “ Tracey says.

 

WALKING INTO THE TANK FULL OF BIG SHARKS! (40:00)

I ask Tracey what it was like to open those big doors and enter into the room full of sharks. “All I can say is, I honestly felt like I was going to fain standing back there,” she explains.

Her daughter Danielle was karate kicking an laughing and saying, “let me at those sharks,” according to mom, Tracey. “I was like, ‘I’m going to faint.’”

She explained that it is very scary. “All I can say is if anyone listening has the opportunity, make sure you know your pitch so well that it just comes out of your moth, without even thinking, and that’s what we did.”

Then, when you’re finished, “they start asking questions, and keep in mind, any stupid face you make, any stupid noise you make, it can all be edited in our out. So, you have to really be aware of your physical body, what you’re doing, faces you’re making. You’re exhausted by the time you get out of there,” says Tracey.

Tracey and Danielle was in with the sharks for about an hour. Producers edited that down to about 8 minutes. 

 

STRIKING A DEAL WITH ‘MR. WONDERFUL’ (42:40)

I ask about how the deal with Kevin went down.

Tracey responds with, “the deal you saw on TV is the deal that we struck. He wanted that royalty, we agreed to id, and afar you walk out of the tank, Kevin’s team, their due diligence begins.”

Tracey says the team has to find out who you are, if you’re really making money, if you’re a legitimate company. They do criminal background checks… everything to protect themselves, because it is their money, their real legitimate money.”

Tracey and Danielle went into the tank wanting $75,000, willing to give up 20% of the company. “I don’t believe they showed it on air, but it’s a family run business, you can handle the business yourself. I don’t need to have equity, but he (Kevin) asked for a dollar a jar until we paid him back the 75 thousand, which we did in six weeks. And, then after that, he wanted 50 cents a jar in perpetuity, and we negotiated to 45,” says Shark-tamer, Tracey.

 

SO WHY DID YOU WANT THE MONEY??? (44:45)

Scott says they weren’t looking for an investor, “We were going on the show for the exposure that we could get. Being able to work with someone like Kevin and his team and what they could bring to us in terms of knowledge, network, infrastructure, all those things that we wanted to grow with.”
He says if the family had needed the 75-thousand, they could have gotten the money a number of different ways, “it wouldn’t have been as beneficial to us as doing a deal on national television with someone like Kevin.”

 

ALL THE ADVERTISING YOU WOULD WANT - FOR 20% (45:15)

“The money,” Scott says, “went towards really helping us prepare for launch. Getting enough inventory, product packaging to help expand our kitchen out and the large amount of orders we could be getting.”

I ask them what sales were like following their appearance on the Shark Tank? Scott says sales were huge the first week. “the night we aired, we did that week alone, almost what we did the entire prior year.”

Tracey brags a bit about their website, “we were actually the first website not to crash in Shark Tank history the night that we aired… even when you’re launching your business in general, you need to be ready… be able to execute, or if you miss an opportunity and you piss off a potential customers, they might not come back,” advises Tracey.

 

THE IMPACT OF KEVIN O’LEARY (45:40)

I ask them what kind of impact bringing in someone like Kevin O’Leary had on the company. 

“Kevin’s awesome,” says Tracey. “He is literally an email or a text or phone call away… He’s a very interested and kind person, and he’s been a great mentor for us.”

“It’s a nice relationship,” she continues, “because I don’t fell like we have anyone who is standing over us, saying ‘you need to do this, this and this’,” Tracey says. Kevin and his team works with the family “as someone we can to go and say, ‘hey, run the umbers for this and tell us if this makes sense. We have a working relationship as well as a friendship,” she concludes.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOURSELF IF YOU HAD TO LAUNCH AGAIN? (50:00)

“I think it might be what Tracey alluded to earlier… you get so wrapped up in your product and your business,  - particularly being, essentially, what we are not is an e-commerce company - you just tend to forget the post-sales process with your customers and don’t realize how much goes into that,” says Scott.

He explains some of the issues a company has to deal with from day to day, “my package is late, I need to change this address because the person is moving… questions that come after the fact when people get the product like can I refrigerate it, can I freeze it, how long is it good for, can you do custom flavors for me, how can I order 600 for an event? - all of that stuff comes along in that post-sales process and I don’t think we really thought that through well enough,” explains Scott.

Scott says customer service after the sell is “the thing that I would say we would do differently or that we would, as advice to give to ourselves, particularly in the digital age.”

 

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? (52:15)

Scott almost completely answers my question before I asked it. “we want to be that company who isn’t just running you through call centers and answering your questions, because on script number seven and line number 2 it says, ‘say this.’ We want people to have that personal touch and we are a family business and we do what we can.”

When I ask him about his legacy, he continues his answer, “we want to be known for a high level, quality product and we want to be known for high level, out of this world, customer services. We’ll never stop trying to get better. We’ll keep making mistakes, we’ll keep improving them them, but we never want to lose site of that goal.”

 

I conclude my discussion with them, “even though it is two cupcakes, it could be someone apologizing and the customer service you are providing and relating to your customers, that’s just you guys caring.”

 

Direct download: TE_25_Wicked_Good_Cupcakes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:19pm EDT

 

Who are you?

Jodi-Tatiana Charles has been a teacher, radio producer - who interviewed Oprah Winfrey, TV producer, Press Secretary for then-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and entrepreneur. She owns two businesses aimed at assisting entrepreneurs, small businesses and and non-profits understand how to market, and deal with the media.

Important lessons you’ll learn from Jodi include:

  • The importance of traveling world-wide
  • How to become great
  • Why you should be willing to accept jobs with people unlike yourself
  • Why it’s important to know your strengths and your weaknesses.

By the end of this episode, you will find out who YOU are. 

For a detailed list of show notes visit: http://teenpodcast.com/24

Direct download: TE_24_Jodi_Tatiana_Charles_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

16 year old entrepreneur Ollie Forsyth runs two businesses. One in the fashion industry, the other, reselling classic cars. In this episode, Ollie talks about being bullied, the problems he encountered in the education system and some things he thinks should change. He also talks about the problem of high taxation, his dyslexia and who he’d like to meet before he dies (fellow UK teenage entrepreneur, Richard Branson).

Ollie gives advice on turning customers into loyal friends, and even tells how he started his business making pure profit selling jewelry that was discount priced to his market.

Plus, you’ll get great advice from Ollie on dealing with bullies, handling rejection, & NEVER giving up. 

Direct download: TE_23_ollie_forsyth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Today’s guest, Jordan Romero, became the youngest human in the world to climb to the top of Mt. Everest before the age of 13 years, 10 months and 10 days. But, his life remains before him. He hasn’t lived his life, he has a life to live. In this episode, you’ll be challenged to consider what it is you want your life to be about. What is it you want to stand for. What legacy will you leave in this world? Additionally, you’ll be given an opportunity to contribute to a fund-raising campaign to impact the lives of children and the generations to follow, by helping build a school in an impoverished country.

Direct download: Jordan_Romero_TE_22.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Dan Adams, founder of The Higher Purpose Project talks about being an anti-stereotypical college football player, being kicked out of school on false charges as a 17 year old, and then getting a college football scholarship while playing on his new high school’s state championship team. Using his knowledge in the world of finance, Dan left the corporate world to create The Higher Purpose Project. His first trek up Kilimanjaro became a documentary, and earned his climbing partner, Kyle Maynard an ESPY Award from ESPN.

Direct download: TE_21-_Dan_Adams.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Meet Valerie Groth.

Today’s guest opens Jordan’s eyes to consider what his core values are, and to consider the dangers as a student and as a school therapist in inner-city Chicago schools. Val is the host of the Inspiration with Val Podcast, and a life-coach at InspirationwithVal.com. She has two Master’s degrees, but suggests that young entrepreneurs study and build relationships with mentors who have experience in the type of business they are breaking into. Today’s podcast is less than an hour long, but, is filled with wise advice and an exciting life story of a nine year old girl who was all about the money, a nineteen year old girl who had given up on the cash and wanted to serve others, to a life-coach who embraces the entrepreneurial journey for her own life.

For detailed show notes, you can visit: www.teenpodcast.com/20

 

Direct download: TE_20-valerie_groth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Meet Grant Baldwin.

A former youth pastor turned international public speaker. Grant is not only an incredible speaker, but in each of his presentations he provides incredible actionable advice to solve the problems that teens, college students and adults face every single day.

In today’s episode, we dive into Grant’s backstory.

-Why he got into speaking.

-The risk he took by quitting his secure job to pursue speaking.

-The sacrifices he had to make while building his public speaking business. 

-What students can do if they are confused on whether or not they should go to college.

 

After you’re finished listening to this episode, I promise that you will not be able to make any more excuses! 

Direct download: Grant_Baldwin_TE_19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Meet John Lee Dumas.

A former Army Captain, John transitioned from the corporate world and jumped into the podcasting world in 2012 with his show, Entrepreneur On Fire. John took the world by storm and his daily (yes you read that correctly…DAILY!) podcast skyrocketed to the top of iTunes and hasn’t left the top of the charts since! John’s podcasts brings in SIX FIGURES a month and he brings inspiration, incredible guests and actionable advice to every episode. 

John is actually the inspiration behind Teenage Entrepreneur. I emailed him a few months ago with the idea and he responded within a few hours saying he believed in me and knew I would succeed. With the motivation from John, I dove head first into TE and here we are today! It was an honor having John on the show. He told me that after being interviewed over 300 times, he shared some facts in our interview that he has never shared before. When you’re done with this episode, I promise you will be prepared to ignite!

 

 

Direct download: TE_18-_John_Lee_Dumas.mp3
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Meet David France.

A visionary, a musical genius, a creative leader and a man whose passion to teach others helps him overcome any obstacle he faces. 

David is the founder of http://www.revolutionofhope.org/ . Revolution of Hope exists to empower youth development and community renewal through an ignited passion for musical excellence and expression. 

In this episode you will hear about David’s humble background and the lessons he learned at a young age that he has applied to his career today. Be prepared…David is the kind of guy that will make you feel like you’ve been making excuses your whole life. He does not take no for an answer; he just gets it done!

 

Direct download: TE_17-_David_France.mp3
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Meet Jordan Rubin.

At the age of 19, Jordan was on death’s doorstep. He had liver, heart, kidney problems, he had symptoms of diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, he was diagnosed with crohns/colitis, he had lost over 80 which took him from 185 pounds at 6 feet tall to only 104 pounds. He was wheel chair bound and had to medically withdrawal from college. He visited 69 medical experts…all to no avail. 

Even though Jordan so was close to dying, he never gave up on the will to live. Jordan was introduced to a diet based on the bible and through hard work, faith in God and determination, he underwent a miraculous transformation. You can see Jordan’s before/after photos here: http://goo.gl/IvGs4d

 

Through Jordan’s near death experience, he developed a passion to share his story. Even though he had little business experience, Jordan took his passion and a problem he saw in the world, and used that to start his first company Garden of Life at the young age of 21 (he started it in his parents friends garage with his father’s credit card). No matter what obstacle Jordan faced, he refused to give up and that is why he succeeds today. 

Direct download: TE_16_Jordan_Rubin.mp3
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Whether you struggled as a child, teenager, young adult or even are struggling now, this episode is for you. Struggling with what you may ask? Anything! Social skills, depression, bullying, addiction, relationships, entrepreneurship…this episode will help.

Meet Cameron Adair. Cameron dropped out of high school twice, he was addicted to video games and he really struggled connecting with others. Now, Cameron is a TEDx speaker, the founder of http://kingpinlifestyle.com/ and is the Brand Manager/Visionary of the http://thehigherpurposeproject.com/ . 

In this episode Cameron really opens up about his past to show others that anyone can make positive changes in their lifestyle if they have the perseverance and determination to do so. 

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHmC2D0_Hdg

Direct download: TE_15-_Cameron_Adair.mp3
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Why is it that society, media, school, and our families lead us believe that we need to go to college, get a job, get married, have 2.5 kids, work 9-5 until we are 65 and then retire to do the things that we dreamed of doing in our 20’s and 30’s only to realize that we are now too old to do them?

Does that path still work? Is that path the ONLY way?

NO! No it’s not. 

Now, don’t misunderstand what I am saying. You can do all the things I listed above and love every minute of it! Whatever path you choose to follow, I will respect! But what about the people that don’t want to do all the things “Society” deems necessary? What should those people do?

 

Meet Jeff Steinmann, founder of How To Quit Working. Jeff brought ENERGY to this episode! He is the kind of the guy that does not believe everyone fits into the same box. Jeff believes we are all unique individuals and his goal is to help those around him leave their job and build a business that allows them to live a life of freedom.

Direct download: TE_14-_Jeff_Steinmann.mp3
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College will always be there, but business opportunities come once in a lifetime. 

Meet Jeet Banerjee, a serial entrepreneur. The first website he built had exactly 3 visitors…his mother, his father and himself! HOWEVER, this venture sparked his entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout the following years this guy has accomplished so many incredible things. He built up a media company to 15 employees, then sold it. Started https://statfuse.com/ that now has over 50,000 users. Wrote a book, Limitless Thinking, that hit the best sellers list on amazon. Started another media company that has over 150 products, many of which are featured on the iTunes app store! Finally, he had a killer presentation at TEDx…oh and did I mention..he’s only 21 years old!

In this episode we really dive deep into his journey and he shares the mistakes he made, his failures/successes and how the power of your mind is quintessential to your success in business! 

 

Want more info on this episode? www.teenpodcast.com/13

Direct download: TE_13_Jeet_Banerjee.mp3
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"You don’t have to choose between making money and making a positive difference in other’s lives. You can do both."

Meet Jonathan & Alex Torrey. 2 passionate social entrepreneurs that are making an income & impact through their company Umano. They believe that a sound business idea can also help solve a global problem.  Umano is fashion with a purpose. Kids draw the PocketArt and with every pocket you purchase, umano will give a backpack full of school supplies to empower a kid. 

 

I purchased a t shirt and it is, without a doubt, the softest t shirt I have ever worn. In this episode, you will not only will you hear their incredible journey leading up to the founding of Umano, but you will be inspired to make a positive impact in your community. The world is larger than the tiny circle we live in; it’s time we go out and give back to it. 

Direct download: TE_12_Umano.mp3
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Stop flattering yourselves. Get off your damn butt. Go out and make it happen. 

Chris Cerrone is the MAN. Even though Chris was a poor student in school, he still sold swatches and ran a lottery over the school announcements. Instead of going off to college, he carved his own path. At one point he was homeless but the next year he owned his own cafe. Later, he worked corporate for 5 years but the entrepreneurial bug never left him. Today, Chris runs a TOP ranked business podcast on iTunes that averages over 100,000 downloads a month! To sum up Chris Cerrone, he is a man who loves to help people and he takes action. If listening to Chris doesn’t inspire you to get off your butt and take action, I don’t think anything will!
 
PS. We talk about Wu Tang, Drake and Dr. Dre in this episode. It was epic. 
Direct download: TE_11_Chris_Cerrone.mp3
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"No one is going to rescue you. Get on that horse and head off into battle!"

Nicola brings an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm to this 10th episode. When she was 16, Nicola's teacher told her she was never going to pass English class. Today, she is a best selling author with a #1 ranked booked on Amazon. Her entrepreneurial journey has been a roller coaster but she refuses to give up. Why? Because her desire to succeed courses through her veins. Nicola takes us through her entrepreneurial journey from selling waist coats, to starting a record label and then buying and running a hotel…she’s done it all! Nicola shares with us the lessons she wish she knew when she first started out as an entrepreneur. 
Direct download: TE_10_Riding_the_Entrepreneurial_Roller_Coaster_with_Nicola_Cairncross..mp3
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Before you start building a business, find out…”What is your WHY?”

This interview with Phil really hit home for me. Phil talks about his quarter life crisis and how he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life.  He was in business school, architecture school, marketing agencies, back to school, worked at a resort, started a strawberry farm, was certified as a personal trainer…oh...and he has started multiples companies and even sold one of them! When I say he has A TON of work experience, I mean it! Not only does he have incredible work experience, but he has such a positive, optimistic attitude that I believe everyone should emulate to help improve their lives. 

Direct download: TE_9-_Getting_Through_Your_Quarter_Life_Crisis_with_Phil_MacNevin_copy.mp3
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Dive in head first or stop dipping your foot into the pool.

Guys, at some point or another, EVERY entrepreneur takes a risk. I believe a synonym of entrepreneur is risk-taker but that's a conversation for another day.Denny Krahe had a choice, he could stay in his job, run his business on the side and never allow it to grow. OR, he could quit his job and focus on building his business. Which one do you think he chose? Of course he took the risk. Denny takes us through his journey and literally has some incredible pieces of advice that I'll be using for my quote of the day photos.

You are going to love this episode. 

Direct download: TE_8-_Taking_A_Risk_with_Denny_Krahe.mp3
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Never perfect a product before having a paying customer in the door. 

Trevor Page spent 2 years building a product. He poured his blood, sweat and tears into it and then when he launched, he did not have any sales! How would that make you feel? Most people would pack their bags and call it a day but Trevor refused to lose (That’s the entrepreneur in him). He used the lessons he learned from his launch and applied it to future ventures. Trevor learned that it’s vital to validate a product before you spend time and money building it. 

Direct download: TE_7_Trevor_Page.mp3
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"Learn how to celebrate the little wins."

Vance Fite has a unique perspective because of his background. Vance grew up in the creative industry: music, design, production. What I respect the most about Vance is he took the road less travelled by releasing his album independent. For those of you that aren't  familiar with the music industry, going independent means you do ALL the work yourself. website, touring, marketing, management, travel booking, merchandise, and....one more thing...oh yeah! making the entire album! In this episode, we learn about Vance's backstory as well as the journey of an independent artist and how to celebrate the little wins. There is no win too small to celebrate. 

Direct download: TE_6_Vance_Fite.mp3
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People want freedom. They think they want a billion dollars but what they really want is freedom to live life on their own terms. 

How would you feel if you had a 1.3 MILLION dollar deal on the table and then lost it all? Probably wouldn't feel too good. In this episode, Garrett shares an experience where he lost a 1.3 million dollar deal. How would you bounce back? Take a listen and find out what he did. 

Direct download: TE_5_Garrett_Carrara.mp3
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Just because somebody loves you does not mean they are qualified to give you advice.

I wish I knew that a few years ago because I would have avoided so many problems!

When it comes to business, and life in general, we need to ask qualified people for advice. Learn what Jeff Hopeck does when he is searching for a mentor in his life. He has a very unique system. 

Direct download: TE_4-_Finding_A_Qualified_Mentor_With_Jeff_Hopeck.mp3
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Lead, follow, or get out the way. There's no room for negativity with Dr. Agolli. His family lost their business when he was 17 years old. How do you think that made him feel? How would it have made you feel? Dr. Agolli was able to use this negative experience and turn it into a positive.  

Stick around to the end of the show and you'll find a surprise :)

Direct download: TE_3_Dr._Agolli_from_Progressive_Medical_Center.mp3
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Don't reinvent the wheel, just perfect it. Taras Howell gives us incredible actionable advice on how we can care more about our clients and build better relationships with them.

As you know, I love strong relationships and the more you care about your clients, the more they care about you. I have a firm belief that if more business owners made an effort to build relationships with their clients, their business would significantly increase in size!

Direct download: TE_2_Taras_Howell.mp3
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 Yes! It's finally here guys!  Welcome to the intro episode of Teenage Entrepreneur! On today's show you will find out what: 

  • What sparked the idea of Teenager Entrepreneur. 
  • Why I started the show. 
  • What I envision for the future of Teenage Entrepreneur.
  • My back story and who I am. 

 

Thank you guys so much for listening! I truly cannot wait to build this community and see the incredible opportunities that come from it. 

Direct download: TE_1_Introduction_with_Jordan_Agolli.mp3
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