🇮🇹 Have you ever thought about opening a franchise? 🤌 Do you think owning a franchise is the same as being an entrepreneur? These are critical questions to consider if you're thinking about stepping into the world of business ownership. In this episode of The StartDown Podcast, host Mike Ficara dives into the nuances of franchising with Gregory K. Mohr, also known as the "Franchise Maven." Guest: Gregory K. Mohr - Franchise Expert, known as the "Franchise Maven"Contact Gregory K. Mohr:Ph...

🇮🇹 Guess who's back, baby? 🤌In Episode 221 of The StartDown Podcast, host Mike Ficara is back after an almost year-long break, and he’s more energized than ever. After stepping away from the podcast to focus on new and exciting ventures, Mike returns to share what he’s been up to, including the launch of his cigar brand, Guido Cigars. Mike reflects on the challenges and triumphs of producing his own cigar line, including the process of selecting materials and designing the brand. H...

🇮🇹 This week we are joined on The StartDown Podcast by the Godfather of Instagram, Tony Pec! 🤌🏼We talked about one of my favorite topics – stressing about likes, views, and followers. It’s not about having a million followers; it's about the impact and connection you have with the followers you do have. Think about it: 72 likes might seem small on a screen, but imagine those 72 people in a room engaged with what you have to say. That's a powerful audience. These are individuals you can ...

🇮🇹 Tune in to our latest episode where Mike Ficara and special guest Nicholas Curattalo dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, leadership, and balancing life's priorities. Highlights:1️⃣ Growth & Networking: Relive the memorable moments from Grant Cardone's 10x conference in 2019 with Mike and Jose Flores. 🤝2️⃣ Entrepreneurial Journey: Nicholas shares his inspiring transition from mortgage banking to logistics, emphasizing perseverance and self-reliance. 💼3️⃣ Parenthood ...

Homeownership, mortgages, and local expertise in South Florida. 0:43Nathan Connor grew up in Broward County, Florida, and now helps families find homes as a loan officer.Misconceptions about affording a home. 4:44Discuss misconceptions about affording a home, including the impact of social media on perceptions.Importance of mortgage professionals vs. DIY. 8:09Nathan shares an example of how a mortgage professional can help a client avoid potential issues with AI-generated documents, such as u...

Overcoming fear in business and podcasting. 0:00Mike Ficara discusses overcoming fear in business, sharing his own experiences and insights.Ficara enjoys a CEO Italia cigar during the episode, offering it to listeners who send him a DM.Managing fear as an entrepreneur. 1:58Mike Ficara believes fear is a natural part of being an entrepreneur, but it can be managed by turning it into fuel or fun.Ficara faces fears such as imposter syndrome and the possibility of business failure, but views them...

Poker, bluffing, and lying. 0:00Mike Ficara shares stories about playing poker as a child with his family, learning the game and its mathematics, and the importance of bluffing.Bluffing in personal and professional life. 1:50Mike discusses bluffing as a common phenomenon in various aspects of life, including business and personal goals.He struggled academically throughout his education, blaming himself for 60% of his struggles and the educational system for the remaining 40%.Bluffing and fail...

🇮🇹 Scott Ritzheimer: Navigating Nonprofit Wisdom🤝Entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. 0:59Scott Ritzheimer reflects on their career journey, noting they've helped over 20,000 organizations and experienced similar patterns in their own entrepreneurial journey.Nonprofit vs for-profit businesses and success strategies. 3:33Mike Ficara highlights the misconception that nonprofits are not progressing, and Scott explains that nonprofits are organizations of people working towards comm...

Entrepreneurship, faith, & personal growth. 0:03Mike & James discuss their shared faith & how it intersects with their business ventures.Prioritizing faith & material wealth. 5:34Discusses the misinterpretation of biblical verses, emphasizing that the love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself.Entrepreneurship, stewardship, & balancing callings. 11:33Everyone has an entrepreneurial spirit, & it's not necessary to own a business to be an entrepreneur.Work-l...

Episode 213: Savoring Success and Cigars In this episode of The StartDown Podcast, your host Mike Ficara embarks on an intriguing journey as he dives headfirst into the world of cigars and business with Andrew Thorp King. With over 200 episodes under his belt, he reflects on the captivating notion that, throughout the show's history, he has never had a guest join him for a cigar. This revelation sets the stage for an exciting and uncharted territory, where cigars and conversat...

In this episode celebrating Italian American Heritage Month, host Mike Ficara passionately explores the influence of his Italian roots on business practices, treating clients and employees like family members. As a third-generation Italian American, he navigates the balance between preserving cultural heritage and embracing a distinct American identity. Mike discusses the intersection of Italian heritage in daily life, family traditions, and their intriguing parallels with successful business...

Show Notes: The StartDown Podcast Episode 211 with Nick Scarabosio Introduction (00:00 - 0:57)- Mike Ficara introduces Nick Scarabosio, an executive coach and co-founder of Culture to Clash.- Nick's background as a third-generation San Francisco native, husband, and father.- Overview of Nick's diverse experiences in real estate, property management, fitness, and coaching. Nick's Journey and Experiences (0:57 - 6:38)- Nick's experiences on both the highest peak and lowest low in life...

🇮🇹 This week on The StartDown Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Adam Knihtila, the brilliant mind behind Adam Kae & Associates, serving as a Fractional CFO for digital marketing agencies. 📈We examined the world of outsourced C-level opportunities and even touched upon the crucial decision of when to bring in an outsourced CMO, like the pros at @yourbrandethos. 💼Adam Kae & Associates is all about creating financial strategies and systems tailored for digital marketing agenci...

🇮🇹 The StartDown Podcast welcomes Global Credibility Expert Mitchell Levy. He is a 2x TEDx speaker, an international bestselling author of over 60 books, and an executive coach at MarshallGoldsmith’s 100 Coaches. After interviewing 500 thought leaders on credibility, he published a 7-country international bestselling book, delivered a powerful TEDx on humanity, created courses, and created the Credibility. Nation membership community to help those live, learn and surround themselves with othe...

Introduction (0:00) - Mike Ficara introduces Travis Chappell, a social media expert and wealth of knowledge. Travis's Podcasting Journey (0:41) - Travis started podcasting out of a love for personal development, despite not being a fan of reading. Podcasting for Self-Improvement (2:51) - Podcasting serves as a medium for inputting valuable information into your mind, resulting in positive output to the world. Podcasting for...

JM Ryerson’s BackgroundJM Ryerson founded and sold 3 businesses and is now helping leadership teams do the same. He is an Author, Leadership & Performance Coach, International Speaker, and host of the Let’s Go Win podcast who has been building companies and leading sales teams for over 20 years. JM is the co-founder and CEO of Let's Go Win whose mission is to increase leadership, enhance culture, and help teams achieve peak performance. JM’s great passions are inspiring people to live the...

In this episode of The StartDown Podcast, we meet Lydia Stutesman, a high school teacher whose connection with our host, Mike, blossomed at a coffee event where they instantly bonded. Despite recently turning 50, Lydia exudes youthful energy and a perpetual sense of being in her twenties. The conversation explores the delicate balance between pursuing one's true passion and succumbing to societal expectations. Lydia astutely observes that many individuals often find themselves ensnared i...

Segment 1: The Realities of Podcasting (00:04)- Larry Roberts and Mike kick off the episode by sharing their insights and experiences within the podcasting industry.- They emphasize the misconception that podcasting is easy and guarantees instant success, highlighting the importance of hard work and dedication.Segment 2: Overcoming Challenges (05:12)- The conversation shifts to the challenges new podcasters face, such as finding their authentic voice and overcoming shyness.- The significance ...

🇮🇹 Feugetaboutit and join Mike and Mike as they take us through this Italian American journey of dedication to preserving traditions and community👋 Introducing Michael CariosciaMichael Carioscia, the owner of Hardcore Italians, an online entertainment and apparel store. This lifestyle brand, born from Italian roots, showcases an array of options, reflecting the essence of Italian culture and community.👕 From Apparel to Lifestyle BrandMike Carioscia delves into the concept behind Hardcor...

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of The Start Down Podcast! Today, we are honored to have Casey Dellapenna as our guest, and Mike is excited to delve into a discussion that promises to be both insightful and enlightening. 💼 Meet Casey Dellapenna - A Genuine Force for Good In this episode, Mike introduces Casey, a genuine and authentic individual who brings his unique perspective and passion for community engagement to the forefront. Casey's journey has taken him from his roots in Penns...