Entrepreneur Island

Rent is due during Covid-19 quarantine and many of the 670 tenant small businesses at North Forest Office Space are not allowed to operate. David Merrell, President, explains how they created a customer engagement team combining empathy with proactivity to improve payment, the advantages that North Forest has over other commercial office space in a post Covid-19 world, expansion plans and much more. Tony also thanks Domenic Berardi for the previous interview.     

Three of the four occupations ranked with the highest Covid-19 risk are in the dentist industry. Dr. Domenic Berardi of Berardi Dentistry shares how the industry is about to be turned upside down due to the risk of Covid-19 exposure. In this episode, he discusses his entrepreneurial family, the business model changes and added costs that may create a shortage of dentists, disbursing the "mist" when drilling in teeth to protect the employees and clients, expectations on protective equipment, how to keep the "personal touch" and when we can finally get a teeth cleaning again. Tony also thanks Jeff Kruzska from BS&P CPA's for the previous episode interview.  

You have your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and now you need to track it to make sure you maximize the forgivable amount. Jeff Kruszka, Principal at BS&P CPAs, answers some of the FAQ's of PPP so the average business owner can understand and walks us through his simple spreadsheet (and shares a copy for anyone who wants it) so we can avoid the need to open a separate bank account or add another line on the chart of accounts.  Tony also thanks Charlie Cho, Supercuts franchisee for coming on the previous episode.

When most restaurants are closed or failing, Chiavetta's is thriving during the Covid 19 crisis. Kathleen Chiavetta, Director of Business Development of Chiavetta's Chicken BBQ shares how the company made daily adjustments to create a winning Covid 19 business model. She also discusses keeping the staff safe, growing the business, spending time with her family and 4 cats and counting woodchuck holes. Tony also thanks Rosanna Berardi, owner of Berardi Immigration Law one more time for coming on the previous interview.

All the borders are closed and Rosanna Berardi, owner of Berardi Immigration Law is still open for business. In this episode, Rosanna shares how she remained true to her company values during the very painful layoff of employees, she predicts when the borders to Canada will reopen, shares her vision of what post-corona immigration looks like, life without Disney, her new venture and much more. Tony also gives one more shout out to Babcia's Pierogi in the introduction. Please support our small businesses!  

Fifty percent of sales for Babcia's Pierogi happens at the Broadway Market during Easter season. This year, due to the Corona crisis, the Broadway Market is only allowing curbside delivery. Find out how owners, George and Linda Lund have quickly adjusted to sell the 200,000 pierogi in inventory. Also, discussed in this episode is how to play Covid 19 friendly tennis. Tony starts the episode by discussing a new vodka drink he created as he once again thanks Jason Barrett from Black Button Distillery for sharing his time on the previous interview.   

Jason Barrett, the owner and head distiller of Black Button Distilling shares how his company quickly adjusted from making vodka and other drinking grade consumables to thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer! 

Luke Cellino, President of Cellino Plumbing and HVAC, discusses keeping the employees and customers safe, UV filtration systems that kill viruses, sharing all cash and financial reports with the employees, marketing opportunities and introduces special guest Rex (Luke's dog)!

Ethan Cox, Co-owner of Community Beer Works shares how they had to pivot during the corona crisis in order to sell all the kegs of beer that the restaurants no longer needed. He also discusses keeping the employees safe, brewery grade sanitizer and the drive up garage.

Guest Neil Carroll, owner of Vidwheel shares the do's and don'ts so you can get the most out of your audio and visual set up during the Corona Crisis. Neil shares the most common mistake people make and gives Tony an impromptu Webcam Assessment and Recommendations coaching session. During the interview, he offers a free analysis to all my listeners - be sure to take advantage!  

Yes, liquor stores are considered essential businesses! Tim Delaney, owner of Elma Wine & Liquor shares with us how he keeps his staff safe, how the business has been operating during the Corona crisis and what consumers are buying. 

No need to rush over to the supermarket for more toilet paper, the trucks are moving smoothly throughout the United States. Listen to Tim Vogt, co-owner of Ag Logistics discuss the supply chain and how Ag Logistics is managing to operate during the Corona crisis.

Nick Pitillo owner of Osteria 166 and Villagio had to lay off all 60 employees due to Coronavirus. Hear his story and the entrepreneurial pivot he's making to rehire as fast as possible by creating Stock the Freezer.  Stock the Freezer is a website where you can get all of your Italian favorites for $7 cooked to order and frozen! 

In this podcast, Tony shares the 4 steps to terminating an employee who once was a fiercely loyal always reliable employee or a FLARE and has turned into a fiercely loyal but isn’t producing or FLIP employee.

Tony explains how we are currently setting ourselves up to be victims of ageism and risking our jobs and businesses because of it. Also, a special thank you to Rosanna Berardi, owner of Berardi Immigration Law for hosting my book signing. 

Winter is coming! The recession happens on average every 6 years, we are now in year 10 without one. Tony explains what the inverted yield curve is and why it's getting so much news. He then explains a more important question to answer than "When is the recession going to start?" He finishes by sharing three ratios that will help your company become recession proof.

During this podcast, Tony explains why Ryan O'Reilly went from playing below average for the Buffalo Sabres to becoming the 2019 MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the champion St. Louis Blues in just one season. He then shares the simple secret so you can create a Stanley Cup-like winning team for your business.  

Tony explains why becoming respectfully candid will improve the lives of all those you are being candid with while enriching yours in the process. Tony then tries something new because he has more time after breaking his toe by extending the podcast when he "free forms" after the ending credits.  

Tony shares a story that dates back to the 14th century to warn you that if you are not careful, you can end up in the same predicament as the donkey in the story. He then offers advice to avoid it.

Tony shares a recent experience on why it's important to check social media and google the applicants you're serious about hiring.