What changes in life bring about the biggest toll? The answer is always different for everyone, but there are a few constants. Grief, stress, and change itself can be some of the biggest sources of turmoil. For some people, big life changes can be exciting; for others, they’re a dreaded chore. 
No matter which category you fit into, though, change is always hard. It’s a process that we go through every time something new happens – we have to adjust and figure out how to make this new thing work in our lives. 
Sometimes that’s easy and sometimes it’s really difficult, but it’s always worth it in the end. Because when we finally do settle into our new lives with all of their surprises and challenges.
In this episode, we talk about the changes that have happened in our lives since taking a break. We also talk about the concept of work-life integration, which is something that every business should be aiming for. 
So, whether you’re facing a big change in your life right now or are just looking to learn more about the concept of work-life integration. This episode has something for everyone. Check it out now!
What To Listen For:

Samantha’s life update (04:38)
Jennifer’s new business (05:15)
Joe’s work setup (10:06)
Meeting people at events (16:16)
How to treat your employees right (18:58)
The concept of work-life integration (23:14)
Making the Daylight Saving Time permanent (31:12)
Staying on your track (35:20)
Getting the context before diving in (37:58)
Getting a customer’s contact information (39:03)

What’s Grinding Our Gears
Samantha Riley: “Just because you like one place doesn’t mean that you can’t go and experience another place”
Sources Mentioned

Shark Tank
Your Podcast Concierge

 

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

In today’s day and age, it seems like everyone is looking for ways to make a little extra money. Whether it’s picking up a few extra shifts at work or starting a side hustle, we’re all looking for ways to pad our wallets. 
But is a side hustle really worth it? Is it actually possible to make more money with a side hustle than you would at a full-time job? 
In this episode, we talk about having a side hustle and a full-time job. We discuss the pros and cons of each and how to decide which one is right for you.
A full-time job offers stability and benefits like health insurance, while a side hustle can be more flexible and allow you to take on projects that interest you. If you’re trying to decide between a side hustle and a full-time job, consider your goals, schedule, and lifestyle to help you make the best decision.
The bottom line is that there are advantages and disadvantages to both a side hustle and a full-time job, so you need to weigh the options and decide what’s best for you. Do you want more stability and benefits or more flexibility and control over your projects? It’s up to you!
What To Listen For:

Samantha Riley’s reaction to the video “The Lies You Have Been Told About Side Hustle and Multiple Streams of Income” (4:50)
Rules that Sam disagree on (6:01)
Getting income from side hustle (15:02)
Doing side hustle before having a full-time business (18:53)
Side hustle versus a full-time job (23:06)
Joe’s experience on customer service (30:36)
Understanding how to create a business (37:47)
Lululemon Documentary (42:38)
The concept that failing is a part of a business (50:00)
One of the big hard lessons for Joe (50:45)
How to get clothing or merch business out to the world (56:40)
Does renaming a business help? (1:03:43)
How to reconstruct a business (1:04:29)
How does Joe get in touch with Angel Investors (1:06:33)
Creating a website (1:10:46)
How to start a business without money (1:16:06)

What’s Grinding Our Gears
Samantha: “There is a point where you start your side hustle where it grows to a point where it still is not enough to be your full time job.” (23:00)
Sources Mentioned

The Lies You Have Been Told About Side Hustle and Multiple Streams of Income 
Lululemon
Your Podcast Concierge

 

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

When it comes to shopping, everyone has their own unique behaviors and preferences. Some people love nothing more than spending hours browsing through stores, while others prefer to get in and out as quickly as possible. There are also those who carefully consider every purchase and those who impulse buy on a regular basis.
Whatever your shopping habits may be, there is one thing we can all agree on – shopping can be a fun and rewarding experience! Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone special or treating yourself to something new, there’s nothing like finding that perfect item. And when you finally make your purchase, the feeling of satisfaction is unbeatable.
In this episode, we talk about the various shopping behaviors of each of us. We all know the feeling of standing in front of a full shopping cart, looking at the total price, and wondering how we got there. Or, on the flip side, of leaving the store with only a few smaller items and thinking about all the money we saved. 
Our shopping behaviors are strongly influenced by both our personal preferences and outside forces. By understanding what drives shoppers to make decisions, businesses can better cater to their needs and wants.
What To Listen For:

Thoughts about what is happening between Ukraine and Russia (1:05)
The shopping behavior of Australians (7:44)
Samantha Riley’s shopping behavior (8:17)
Jennifer Crawford’s shopping behavior (8:51)
Is the “price increase” an opportunity (11:29)
All about Chipotle (18:04)
Jen and Sam’s thoughts on a business billboard with their business competitor’s name (26:37)
How do people find trusting vendors (31:57)
Joe Pardo’s experience about marketing (39:58)
How did Joe Pardo’s experience with marketing affect him as a Kanye fan (45:25)

Sources Mentioned

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Your Podcast Concierge


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

It can be tough to run a business on your own. You have to wear so many hats and juggle so many tasks. That’s where a coach can come in and help you out. A coach can help you get focused and organized, set goals and track progress, stay motivated, and overcome challenges. 
They can also provide valuable feedback and guidance, which can help you reach your business goals. So, if you’re ready to take your business to the next level, consider hiring a business coach.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of having a business coach and when it is time to get one. We believe that there’s nothing wrong in asking for help, especially when you’re stuck on something and a business coach can save the day.
Whether you are just starting out your business or you have been in business for a while, it is important to have a coach. A coach can help you to reach your goals and achieve success. But, with so many different coaches available, how do you know which one is right for you? 
When looking for a coach, be clear about what you hope to gain from experience. This will help narrow down your search and make sure you’re working with someone who has the skills and knowledge necessary to help you reach your goals. 
What To Listen For:

Who is a business coach? (04:20)
What credentials to look for in a coach (08:48)
When is the right time to get a coach? (14:58)
How to break the ego and ask for help (18:48)
How to find the right coach (27:20)
How to handle sudden decrease in sales (37:20)
Solar Storms and Elon Musk’s Starlink (47:30)
Their favorite shark tank pitch (01:09:58)

What’s Grinding Our Gears

Samantha: “A lot of people don’t reach out to a coach because of their ego.” (18:18)
Sources Mentioned

Entrepreneur 
CNBC
Your Podcast Concierge


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

Social media is one of the most popular ways to communicate with friends, family, and followers. It can also be a great way to stay connected with what’s happening in the world. While social media is often associated with younger generations, it can be used by people of all ages to connect and share information. 
In fact, it has become a norm to see people of all ages using social media. Whether it be a toddler tapping on an iPad or a retiree scrolling through their Facebook feed, social media is something that has become ubiquitous in our society. 
In this episode, we talk about the different social media platforms and how it has become a haven for people of all ages. We specifically give emphasis on why Facebook will not go anywhere soon and why TikTok is the next big thing.
What To Listen For:

Increasing YouTube followers (06:15)
Hitting a million views in YouTube (10:43)
Why every person should take time to rest (11:50)
What is creative rest and how can it help (14:00)
The culture of a person and their relationship to work and entrepreneurship (19:00)
Why older people should not be treated differently in terms of technology (28:00)
Why Facebook is still relevant today (32:00)
What’s exciting about TikTok, according to Jen (35:30)
Why Instagram isn’t as impressive as Facebook and TikTok (37:30)

What’s Grinding Our Gears
Joe: Facebook is for old people. (27:00)
Sources Mentioned

The 7 Types Of Rest That Every Person Needs 
Own The Room
Your Podcast Concierge


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

We have all heard the saying, “the truth is out there.” But as our lives move further and further into the digital age, it seems that “lies are becoming true” on the internet. We see this everywhere on social media, where people can share whatever they want without any accountability. 
This has led to businesses being afraid to put their content online for fear of being twisted or taken out of context. But by not having a strong online presence, businesses are missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with customers and create awareness about their brand. 
In this episode, we talk about how the internet has become a haven of lies becoming a truth. We also talk about why you should or should not be a shark in the business world. 
Sharks are known for their aggressiveness, resilience, and ruthlessness. They are always moving forward and constantly on the hunt for new opportunities. This can be extremely beneficial when it comes to achieving business success. 
However, sharks can also be viewed as cold-hearted and ruthless, making it difficult to form relationships and succeed in collaborative ventures. 
What To Listen For:

Helping employees to learn more (07:41)
How lies are becoming a truth on the internet (13:10) 
Verifying information you see online (20:00)
Spending time in the gray area (22:11)
Responding reviews to social media (26:00)
Giving people a reason to start(35:58)
Being a shark in the business (39:28)
Thinking outside the box (44:00)
Working behind the scenes (46:58)
Searching for the best in business (55:10)

What’s Grinding Our Gears
Sam: What we see on social media not only is not true but how quickly we can get sucked up in a vortex of made up ——  (14:10)
Take My Lunch Money
Joe: See’s Candies (55:15)
Sources Mentioned

Sale’s Won’t Save Your Business


The Apprentice 

Your Podcast Concierge

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

One rule of owning a business is to have a clear idea of your avatar or ideal customer. One rule of creating content is knowing that you are talking to your avatar, who is a real person with their own ideas and questions.
In this episode, we answer some questions from our BGP followers. We talk about a wide range of topics, from lessons in producing social media content for your business to a short film review of Being the Ricardos from a business owner’s point of view.
What To Listen For:

Lessons in producing TikTok and Youtube content based on audience response and analytics (00:56)
A special personal message (10:38)
Some advice in using social media to market bath and body products (16:13)
Things to think about when moving to other states for lower taxes (24:11)
How to choose manufacturers for prototypes (33:54)
Taking risks and disasters (38:46)
When you can’t reply to a DM (42:03)
About Jenn and BGP (48:03)
Concerns about a venture capitalist stealing your ideas (51:47)
Watching Being the Ricardos as a business owner and the legacy of I Love Lucy (1:02:14)
Your Podcast Concierge (1:10:21)


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

Tricky times bring difficulties for businesses, but they can also bring huge opportunities or new ideas to upscale and thrive. Despite the fact that the food industry is one of the most affected by these difficult times, we see growth and innovation at the end of the tumultuous period.
In this episode, the Business Geeks discuss the emerging third-party delivery apps and their impact on the restaurant industry. The restaurant industry is just fiercely competitive and low margin business and these apps are taking a big chunk of the profits making it detrimental to the business.
They also talked about the staggering effects on the workforce and how business startups can thrive in order to enter the space. Startups are struggling to raise enough investor capital to get off to a good start. Diverting their focus on how to get investors instead of figuring out how to get their business to work.
Change is inevitable, especially in business. Coping on that waves brings challenges on the startup culture and how entrepreneurs handle it.  It’s really interesting when you see these new business models develop as our culture is changing. It is fascinating!
What To Listen For:

The adverse effects of Pandemic on the workforce (03:37)
A bright spot from supply chains issues (04:56)
How third-party delivery apps affect businesses (07:31)
KPI versus ROI (08:40)
Getting started with inventing (12:35)
The first publicly traded company worth 3 trillion(20:37)
The birth of a new industry – Cloud Kitchen (23:03)
Joe’s experience with a ghost kitchen’s delivery service (26:59)
Hyperbolic presentations on business startups (32:10)
The line between fraud and confidence (35:48)
Joe’s take on the glorification of startup money (45:27)
Tip bidding (48:33)


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

With all of the challenges of the previous year, how do you intend to restart and make this year better? It is easy to focus on the negative events that occurred, such as lockdowns, illness, and so on, but we must remember that a positive mindset can be a great place to start.
In this episode, The Business Geeks discuss how positivity and innovation can help entrepreneurs plan for the coming year. They discuss how work culture played a significant role in implementing a business change.
Because there is an emerging talent war among the leading companies today, it raises awareness about the state of happiness and knowledge in the employees’ working environment. Everyone deserves to be happy, which necessitates a significant shift in most businesses. More emphasis is being placed on transparency and appreciation.
They also discuss how selecting a lens can help entrepreneurs make better business decisions. That will provide long-term benefits and meeting this year’s goals. And because businesses are inherently complex, focusing on simplicity will be critical to achieving goals and improving team understanding.
What To Listen For:

Positivity beyond the angst and challenges of the past year (01:45)
How awareness helps in planning ahead (05:15) 
Creating an inclusive culture (07:29)
Investing and Tax rates in the US (17:30)
How big companies keep their employees happy and talent fed (22:07)
The impact of fake representation in business (25:38)
Celebrating the wins from the past year (28:48)
Rebranding – Attracting right people that believe in the same thing (36:25)
Joe’s biggest win for 2021 (42:23)
Theme words as the lens in life(44:46)
Setting goals for 2022 (51:01)
Injecting simplicity on business (55:47)


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

2021 may not have been the year that we have all hoped for, but it still brought good changes in our lives. We saw disastrous events happening in big business conglomerates, and we also saw significant wins for small business owners.
In this episode, the Business Geeks share their thoughts and opinions about the innovative transformations in business from 2021. They start the conversation by looking back at the unfortunate events from big companies and how this is reshaping company policies.
Another thing that they discussed is the shift in what people fancy for both quality and entertaining content. With a lot of platforms out there, TikTok rose to be the most popular website for 2021, beating great competitions such as Google and Facebook.
This kind of trend indicates that the viewing preference of people are changing, and social media platforms need to keep up with this demand. If businesses want to stay relevant, they have to think of creative strategies that bring them closer to their target audience.
What To Listen For:

Disastrous events in some retail business (03:15)
The positive outcomes from these disastrous events (06:28)
How TikTok became the most popular website for 2021 (08:45)
The difference between long-form content vs short-form content (12:30)
What makes TikTok stand out from other social media platforms? (15:18)
Various marketing strategies that encourage foot traffic(18:38)
The host’s advice for people wanting to launch their own business (26:35)
Joe’s experience with a mattress company’s customer service (34:45)
Why some business owners give up their equity (46:40)
What the hosts are grateful for in 2021 (51:45)


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

With a lot of things going on, we have seen the good, the bad, and everything else that could possibly happen in businesses. Surprisingly, the effects of the global pandemic in various industries weren’t all negative.
In this episode, the Business Geeks discuss the contemporary wins and issues faced by both small and large businesses. Although the pandemic gave rise to pressing concerns across various business industries such as the Great Resignation, it also gave positive impacts on small business owners.
Employees feel that they should no longer be shackled by industries that are not fully committed to their welfare. They developed the courage to venture into their own business and explore better choices.
This global phenomenon sure puts us on a roller coaster ride but as business owners, we have to learn how to go with the ride and to prepare to land back on our feet.
What To Listen For:

Typhoon Rai and the unfortunate event in Mayfield, Kentucky (02:10)
The power of faces and its significant effects on people (11:40)
What is Face Blindness and how does it affect consumer marketing? (16:38)
The resurgence of demand for small businesses (19:08)
The Great Resignation – why are employees leaving? (21:25)
Apple’s transition into remote work (25:43)
The reduction of foot traffic vs the surge in online traffic during Black Friday (27:05)
What’s different in Joe’s life in the last two years? (28:55)
Joe’s strange issue with T-Mobile (31:20)

Take My Lunch Money
Jen: Apples and Pears – A clothing solution for your weight journey.

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

We’ve been far since the start of the Pandemic. Finance, Accessibility, and Communication have been the most common challenges that businesses suffered. A lot of them failed in the transition, but it is a huge growth to those who get to keep moving forward.
Decision-making is crucial when we face challenges. Knowing where the business is going by looking at the numbers and data is extremely beneficial.
In this episode, the Business Geeks discuss the challenges that entrepreneurs face in the aftermath of the Pandemic, as well as emerging communication channels. We cannot avoid these challenges as our businesses grow, but there is always a solution. 
What To Listen For:

The stake of paying off massive debts with luxury assets (04:03)
The Impact of the Pandemic on China’s Businesses (09:35)
Significance of Numbers and Data in Decision Making  (11:35)
Taking promotions to a new level (13:50)
Joe’s creative celebration (16:47)
A successful presentation – Humor, Compatibility, and Telling Stories (20:52)
How to handle negative comments or feedback? (30:32)

One Cool Thing
Joe: Switched from Amazon Echo to Apple HomePod (32:03)
Take My Lunch Money
Jen: Design Powers – Women-owned and led company that designs websites (35:05)

Check-In With The Geeks

Posted by Business Geeks Podcast on Thursday, November 11, 2021

Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

It may sound like a cliché, but we say that with every problem there is an opportunity. And with the number of issues the world currently has, the opportunities are huge. Unfortunately, this is not an easy feat.
One of the pressing matters during this tumultuous time is sustaining service to the customer base. Business owners had to think of ways to get their services and products to people who need them. 
In this episode, the Business Geeks focus on solutions that can help entrepreneurs during this challenging time. If your business is feeling the effects of the pandemic, we’ll give you tips on how to adapt and share effective ways on how to operate your business. 
What To Listen For:

Real estate difficulties in Australia in the present times (03:25)
Employment situations in Sydney and the States (05:40)
The differences between the past and present living (07:19)
Business automation – yay or nay? (12:11)
Value vs Skill – what do business owners need to consider? (15:22)
Business solutions to counter the challenging times (18:18)
The significance of looking at the numbers: timewise and profit-wise (29:10)

One Cool Thing
Joe: Switched from Amazon Echo to Apple HomePod (32:03)
Take My Lunch Money
Jen: Design Powers – Women-owned and led company that designs websites (35:05)


Check-In With The Geeks

Posted by Business Geeks Podcast on Thursday, November 11, 2021

Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

We are finally back after months of hiatus. We cannot contain our excitement to be able to talk to each other and connect with all the business geeks again.
What better way to kick off our season 2 than sharing what we have learned and what has kept us busy in 2021. As usual, we do this by engaging in a happy and upbeat conversation. 
Also, we gave a  brief background of what the three of us do and, we share our expectations for the show; what we want to accomplish this season, and a bit about weighted blankets and hug sleep pods.
Let’s get the ball rolling; welcome to season 2 of the Business Geeks Podcast!
What To Listen For:

Jen’s realizations for 2021 (00:55) 
The hug sleep pod experience for Joe (04:12)
What is 2021 like for Joe? (09:45)
What has kept Sam busy this year? (16:56)  
The hosts’ expectations for Business Geeks podcast (21:25) 
Jen’s, Sam’s and Joe’s career story (24:50)
How many ways the Business Geeks Podcast is streaming? (31:01)


Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 4:00pm EST / Tuesday 8:00am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

It’s been only a few months, but it feels like we’ve been doing this podcast for decades! Sad today, though, that it’s our final episode for this season. We want to thank people and look back on how the almost 11 months of podcasting have gone. 
True to form, we banter and laugh as we reminisce about what we did wrong, what lessons we’ve learned, our favourite moments, and how we could make the show better if we ever come back from our hiatus. It’s been a chaotic yet awesome journey, and we’ve loved every minute of it!
What To Listen For:



Looking back on 2020 (00:38)
Learning our lessons one podcast at a time: conceptualisation and marketing (05:22)
It’s okay to agree to disagree (09:54)
Audience feedback is important (11:38)
It’s okay to be vulnerable (14:03)
A year of bad luck and resilience (16:47)
Favourite moments (21:24)
How can we make the show better if we come back? (35:56)
When we lose control (46:07)
Coming full circle (47:53)
Our individual plans for the future (56:20)
Final thoughts (1:04:51)




Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

Many things can threaten our businesses. One way to avoid the disastrous results of these threats is to be aware of them, analyse them, and find ways to lower the impact that they may have on our businesses.
One of the major threats is ego. An ego-driven business can go down the wrong path.
In this episode, the Business Geeks focus on the “toxic vanity” that is ego. How do you know if you’re egocentric or just confident? Since the ego is something you can control, what do you do about it? How do you handle the ego of your business partner or team member?
What To Listen For:



Analyse threats and be aware of them to their lower risks (03:19)
Ego vs confidence (04:02)
Dealing with “toxic vanity” (05:35)
Outward confidence vs inward vulnerability (07:39)
Looking back at past glories and misrepresenting actions (11:05)
Balancing confidence and ego vs being driven by ego (13:41)
Leaders who get it right (16:51)
Keeping the ego in check when you need to put your foot down (20:15)
Signs when you’re operating from your ego (26:00)
Are you egotistic if you decide that your idea is better? (27:56)



Take My Lunch Money
Jen: DCfempreneur – created a shopping guide and gift ideas of small businesses (34:57)
One Cool Thing
Jen: Marco Polo – video messaging app similar to a voice mail system (28:58)
Joe: Kid who started a successful plant business (32:16)
An Announcement (37:44)

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

The concept of a minimum viable product (MVP) originated from Eric Ries’ Lean Startup. It stresses the importance of identifying and presenting a product’s most rudimentary features so a business owner can collect the maximum amount of validation with the least amount of effort and resources.
In this episode, the Business Geeks discuss the importance of using MVP and how you can use it to fund, launch, and develop your business idea. They also share minimum viable product examples for businesses in the contracting or trade industries.
What To Listen For:



Getting investors vs using your own funds for your business (06:25)
MVP needs to feature what separates your business from others (11:20)
Airbnb as a case study for MVP (12:24)
Using MVP to strip down launch strategies (14:13)
Pare down the features (17:00)
What single problem will your MVP solve and how can you market it? (21:58)
Other features can be used as an “upgrade” (23:30)
Impose deadlines (24:01)
Use MVP even beyond the launch and as your business develops (24:46)
MVP for contracting or trade businesses (27:23)
Listen to what your ideal clients want or what you think they will want (34:30)



What’s Grinding Our Gears
Joe: Phone carrier call waiting systems and strict policies (39:33)
Jen: Subscription company with a confusing message (46:44)
Get My Lunch Money
Joe: Elgato: stream deck products (52:45)
Your Podcast Concierge (57:08)

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

As a business owner, you will have days where your to-do list will overwhelm you. To get back some control, you can start categorising your tasks according to the four quadrants of the Eisenhower Matrix: 1. important and urgent; 2. important and not urgent; 3. not important and urgent; and, 4. not important and not urgent.
In this episode, the Business Geeks talk about how they apply the Eisenhower Matrix to classify their tasks, how the matrix could be improved or adjusted according to personal management style, and the importance of delegation.
What To Listen For:



Categorising tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix (02:06)
The origin of the matrix (04:35)
Do you delegate only “urgent, not important” tasks? (05:10)
Other people’s “urgent, important” tasks may not be your emergency (05:56)
Maximise the “important, do later” quadrant for your plans (07:22)
The bucket list of tasks (08:02)
The “One day, maybe” list (10:06)
Delegate “do now, urgent” tasks to keep the quadrant light (11:48)
Delegate now vs delegate soon (14:29)
Define what is “important” and “not important” (15:25)
“Are we working hard on the wrong things or are we working hard on the wrong things?” (19:27)
What if you can’t delegate? (21:45)



America vs Australia
Sam: Passion fruit, sausage rolls and meat pies, pork belly and crackling, and fairy bread (28:10)
Review
Joe: 5-star review from CSTJKA (33:59)
What’s Grinding Our Gears
Joe: Emails and hard sell add-ons (37:22)
One Cool Thing
Sam: Headliner: an app that you can use to create audiograms, captions, videos, etc. (53:05)

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

Did you know that most businesses fail because of the entrepreneur having the wrong mindset? 
In order for your business to grow and scale, switching from a worker bee to boss mode is essential. 
In this episode, we nerd out about the differences between the employee mindset and the CEO mindset and how you can get your mindset straight in order to grow your business. 
The major difference between having a CEO mindset and an employee mindset is the vision. CEO’s don’t get stuck on the day-to-day grind but look at the long-term vision. A CEO’s role is to create the company’s mission and vision and to create its growth strategy. 
Are you holding your business back with an employee mindset or are you pushing ahead with a CEO mindset?
What To Listen For:



Wearing all the hats as a business owner (6:05)
Embracing the role as visionary (6:46)
Working hard on the wrong things (6:55)
Working only on the things you should be working on  (7:12)
Having the CEO mindset from day 1 (7:46)
Thinking of your team as an asset (9:19)
92% of businesses fail within 10 years (13:44)
The importance of delegation (14:03)
What is a CEO and what is their role? (17:35)
The number one question to ask yourself if you are wearing the CEO hat (18:50)
Asking the wrong questions (20:18)
It’s okay not to have all the answers (24:13)
Delegating and having systems (32:12)



What’s Grinding Our Gears
Jen: The person who posts on Facebook: “If you care about XYZ then you will copy and paste this post”
Get My Lunch Money/One Cool Thing
Jen: Rowan Tree

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com

When you meet a potential client or network partner, how do you answer the inevitable question “What do you do”? How do you make sure that the person you’re talking to understands your value proposition and is engaged by your introduction that they will want to work with you? 
In this episode, we talk about elevator pitches. Terms related to it. Its origin, and some examples that will make you think about how you can effectively pitch your services without sounding like you’re selling a car to another person.
What To Listen For:



What is an “elevator pitch”? (04:33)
Do you use just one pitch? (07:10)
Do you think about the verbiage of your pitch? (08:34)
What’s the unique value proposition? (09:39)
“Elevator pitch” vs “proposition pitch” vs “value proposition” vs “positioning statement” (12:04)
Joe’s long proposition example (14:07)
You don’t have to condense what you do (16:43)
People asking questions about your introduction is not a bad thing (17:28)
Confusion does not equal interest (18:16)
Joe’s 5-second elevator pitch (19:38)
Origin of “elevator pitch” and its evolution (23:01Some final thoughts and tips (25:43)



What’s Grinding Our Gears
Jen: Companies that make it hard for customers to pay for their services (28:05)
Get My Lunch Money/One Cool Thing
Jen: The Art of Sucre: reinventing cotton candy (33:34)
Joe: Cheesecake-stuffed apples (36:45)

Check-In With The Geeks
Catch us live each week on Monday 8pm EDT / Tuesday 10am AEST at the Business Geeks Podcast page on Facebook.
Submit your question to the geeks at questions@businessgeekspodcast.com to have your question answered live on the show. Be sure to include your business name for a free shoutout.
Find Samantha at SamanthaRiley.global
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Find Jennifer at Sparent.co
Find Joe at SuperJoePardo.com