 Lots of crazy stuff going on in the world, not to mention the daily operation of your biz. This week, I’m all about providing some things to keep in mind for perspective to stay strong as well as some resources that should be just what you’re looking for, including the debut of a new segment where you get to participate, if you want. Scroll below to find it all, enjoy! (Tap/Click to Subscribe to Bryce's YouTube Channel) DON'T MISS THE NEXT EDITION, LET THEM COME TO YOU... THE GOODS TO GO BIG + MAKE BIZ LIFE EASIER Here are the goods, lots of info that you may have missed this past week: ONLY TOP 50 WORLDWIDE RESTAURANT IN U.S WORLDWIDE RANKING: We profiled this Healdsburg restaurant, Single Thread last year as their “parklet” was off the charts, AWESOME, purely incredible. Well, this article by SF Eater breaks it all down…definitely worth checking them out. Michelin star food destination where reservations people can’t make are going for $700! THE $18 BURRITO? THE COST OF FOOD: This article from The SF Chronicle picks apart what has been gradually building as a breaking point for the food business. If you’re in it, you know. If not, you’ve likely seen Insta posts with the then/now pricing of common ingredients and cost of doing business. In the end, the customer’s response is now on display as to what may become the new norm while biz owners scramble to adapt so they can remain in business. My personal advice is to dive very deep into your financials and food operation. Reply to this email and I can point you in a couple directions to optimize your operation as I’ve worked alongside pro’s that instantly make game changing advice and I can introduce you. GET TO KNOW A PRO I’m just days away from releasing the first clips of my latest “Get to Know a Pro” segment where I spend a lot of time with pros in all sorts of disciplines from Cash Flow and HR to E-commerce. First up will be cash flow, but next week I’m speaking with Candice Elliott of Fortress and Flourish for all things HR. So if you have questions, reply to this email and let me know what they are so I can ask her. ADVICE FROM BRYCE: Instagram + Own Your Assets There’s been a lot of news this past week on all the Instagram changes taking place with their trying to TikTokify what we’re all used to. They have since reverted back on some changes, but overall, what this tells me is that you shouldn’t be placing all your eggs into the Instagram basket, or a single platform that you don’t own for that matter. As an example, if they or another platform makes a change you can’t adapt to, you’re in trouble. Your account gets hacked or shut down, your ads, daily traffic, and overall visibility is shut off instantly and it could be multiple days or weeks before you get it back. Worst case scenario, you have to start from scratch. You get my point. The more that you can own your communication platforms, the better. Whether it’s email lists or communities that you develop, it’s critical that you diversify the ways you market your business and in the end, owning your communication reigns supreme. Maybe it’s phone numbers and/or emails or even apps…be very cognizant of this. ARE YOU STUCK IN THE DAY-2-DAY? I recently did a quick video on an accountability coaching service called Commit Action (transparency note: this link provides me a credit if you sign up) and as someone that’s now used their service for 6 or so weeks, I’m sold. Having a real life person text me everyday, and speak with me each week at a designated time to get me working on specific projects to move the needle and actually work ON my business pursuits, has been phenomenal. I suggest you check them out, for $399/month, and the first 30 days have a money back guarantee, it’s definitely worth a try to see if it’s for you. And no, this isn’t an ad, I just love their service and they have a great member referral program perk for all their clients! SEARCH Didn’t see a resource or link worth clicking? I’ve created a ton of content with articles, videos and links over the last 12 months that are still super relevant. Click HERE to search the entire BryceRoot.com resource site. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? DON’T MISS FUTURE EDITIONS FEATURED VIDEO: New Way to Crowd Fund Your Biz FEATURED VIDEO: Optimize Your Financials, NOW! DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon! Welcome! I’m excited to announce our new series “Get To Know A Pro” where you’ll be able to get into the nitty gritty with our region’s top pro’s. From HR to E-commerce, they’ll share all those gold nugget tips that simply aren’t on the internet. Plus we have some must read resources listed below including why it’s time to plan. Here’s this past week’s finds below, enjoy! (Tap/Click to Subscribe to Bryce's YouTube Channel) DON'T MISS THE NEXT EDITION, LET THEM COME TO YOU... THE GOODS TO GO BIG + MAKE BIZ LIFE EASIER Here are the goods, lots of info that you may have missed this week: NEED A WEBSITE? TIME TO UPDATE?: Here’s an authentic small business owner I’ve fully vetted and helped that creates AWESOME, Wix-based websites. Terri Schmidt’s website work is 100% geared for small business owners who aren’t techy, don’t have the time AND/OR don’t have a hefty budget saved up. Delivered in a matter of weeks and it’ll be easy to update so you’re not held hostage by a web developer that charges $350 to create a new page or update your menu, talk to Terri, she’ll take care of you. ADVICE FROM BRYCE I’ve always professed the immense value of having a plan. Over the last three or so weeks, I’ve visited with biz owners from the East Bay to Monterey and it’s been super apparent that financial planning and overall strategy are many times being left for another day. While I stand behind annual business and marketing plans, I’ve witnessed first hand how important a financial-specific plan is right now, especially with spending so much time with my business partner + aptly-named Cash Flow King, Larry Hebert. The ability to plan for what may or may not occur (the “R” word) in the near future or any other setback months ahead of it happening is crucial. Whether it’s your GM quitting, Instagram hack shutting down ads and e-commerce traffic, an unforeseen utility emergency or just seasonality. This is critical because the cash flow of your business determines both personal and professional momentum. My advice, get on top of your finances, period. You’ll sleep much better at night and if you’re not a finance geek, it’ll be worth the money to have someone guide you that knows what they’re doing. As Larry always tells me, over the span of helping hundreds of business owners, 95% of the books he initially sees are incorrect, and critical biz decisions are being made on those incorrect numbers, not a good situation. ARE YOU STUCK IN THE DAY-2-DAY? I recently did a quick video on an accountability coaching service called Commit Action and as someone that’s now used their service for 4 or so weeks, I’m sold. Having a real life person text me everyday, and speak with me each week at a designated time to get me working on specific projects to move the needle and actually work ON my business pursuits, has been phenomenal. I suggest you check them out, for $399/month, and the first 30 days have a money back guarantee, it’s definitely worth a try to see if it’s for you. And no, this isn’t an ad, I just love their service! SEARCH Didn’t see a resource or link worth clicking? I’ve created a ton of content with articles, videos and links over the last 12 months that are still super relevant. Click HERE to search the entire BryceRoot.com resource site. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? DON’T MISS FUTURE EDITIONS FEATURED VIDEO: Get To Know A Pro FEATURED VIDEO: Audit You Do Want DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon! At this point, nothing is shocking, but here are some stories we found hitting San Francisco that you should have on your radar. Plus if you’re in the retail world here in the Bay Area, the FINANCE section below is a must read. Here’s this past week’s finds, enjoy! (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS THE NEXT EDITION, LET THEM COME TO YOU...THE GOODS TO GO BIG + MAKE BIZ LIFE EASIER Here are the goods, lots of info that you may have missed this week: FOOD BIZ Restaurant Extortion: This article by the SF Chronicle details out what has been happening to many fine dining restaurants and other businesses throughout the City and how fake Google Biz reviews from networks overseas are heavily impacting online reputations. PRIME DAYS Next week, both Tuesday 7/12 + Wednesday 7/13 are Amazon Prime Days, got a plan to grab the attention of all these hungry shoppers? My advice. This is your chance to move the stale inventory that’s been sitting there, preventing you from investing in new, fresh inventory. Even if you break even, get your money back and reinvest it in product that will move. STATE OF BAY AREA SMALL BIZ How a 6K sqft space for $100/month in San Francisco has come about through creativity, but here’s another story from ABC7 that shares the details on how/why 48% of San Francisco storefronts (many are retail) are still closed (scroll down the linked page) down from 51% at the pandemic’s worst. FINANCE Next week, my fellow small biz advocate, Larry Hebert and I are visiting the Monterey Peninsula to optimize a retail biz owner’s cash flow. We know financials aren’t fun, but it’s not a time to ignore them if it’s getting overwhelming, whether it involves landlords, inventory control, loans or even bookkeeping. If your Bay Area retail operation is in a situation that’s keeping you up at night, we’re out to help make sure Greater Bay Area businesses are on the right track financially, so reply to this email with your situation and just know that there are people who really want to help you without a catch. SEARCH Didn’t see a resource or link worth clicking? I’ve created a ton of content with articles, videos and links over the last 12 months that are still super relevant. Click HERE to search the entire BryceRoot.com resource site. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? DON’T MISS FUTURE EDITIONS FEATURED VIDEO: SHINY OBJECT PROTECTION DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon! Happy 4th weekend everyone! From how to approach shipping charges for e-commerce to the future of the food biz, this edition of Small Business-by-the-Bay covers a variety of topics including the most followed TikTok star that’ll have you laughing and put a smile on your face no matter what kind of day you’re having. Here’s this past week’s finds, enjoy! (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS THE NEXT EDITION, LET THEM COME TO YOU... THE GOODS TO GO BIG + MAKE BIZ LIFE EASIER Here are the goods, lots of info that you may have missed this week: FUTURE OF FOOD BIZ The State of the Food Biz: Great article by Monterey County Weekly on how food businesses at all levels are coping with supply chain, inflation and the “R” word that keeps getting tossed around more and more seriously…the future of food is being written, great read. Captain & Stoker: This Insta Reel made me watch…creativity isn’t a guarantee of visibility, but for those that love you and discover you, you want to keep them captivated for what’s next! Check out their profile, as they posted Part II too! E-COMMERCE Charge or Not to Charge Shipping: Take it from the experts at Shopify who highlight their top platform shipping app, how much to charge, fulfillment and a complete overall guide to shipping & fulfillment in this detailed video. WATCH IF YOU NEED A PICK ME UP Khaby Lame: Here’s the most followed person on TikTok, Khaby Lame. I promise you’ll laugh a lot if you scroll through his posts…he never says a word, but reacts to all sorts of scenarios using viral content on the internet. I couldn’t stop laughing, here’s his TikTok + Instagram profiles to check out. ADVICE FROM BRYCE As you know, I travel the Greater Bay Area to meet and assist local business owners, and coming up next week, my business partner and fellow small biz advocate, Larry Hebert and I are visiting Marin County to optimize a biz owner’s cash flow since his previous landlord sued him for owed back rent for close to two years plus damages and won. He’s fortunately able to keep his other two locations open, but he and his former neighboring businesses were all sued and lost in court, all in sizable 6-figure amounts. This is silently happening across the region, and we want to help. We know financials aren’t fun, but it’s not a time to ignore them if it’s getting overwhelming, whether it involves landlords, inventory control, loans or even bookkeeping. If you’re in a situation that’s keeping you up at night, we’re out to help make sure Greater Bay Area businesses are on the right track financially, so reply to this email and just know that there are people who really want to help you without a catch. - Bryce SEARCH Didn’t see a resource or link worth clicking? I’ve created a ton of content with articles, videos and links over the last 12 months that are still super relevant. Click HERE to search the entire BryceRoot.com resource site. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? DON’T MISS FUTURE EDITIONS FEATURED VIDEO: Need An Accountability Coach? FEATURED VIDEO: How Not To Look Like Everyone on Social DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon! It’s here! This is the first edition where I’m including links to all the news, resources, trends, biz owners, and all that I read, watch + listen to each week, that I think could positively impact your business. Here’s this past week’s finds, enjoy! (Tap/Click to Subscribe to Bryce's YouTube Channel) DON'T MISS THE NEXT EDITION, LET THEM COME TO YOU...THE GOODS TO GO BIG + MAKE BIZ LIFE EASIER Here are the goods, lots of info that you may have missed this week: RESOURCES LastPass: For FREE or $3/month, it’s an easy way for VA’s, employees, etc. to jump into your social, google biz listing, etc. without actually seeing your vital usernames & PW’s. RETAIL Bed, Bath & Beyond: Whether it officially occurs this year or next, many customers are watching spending w/ the “r” word floating out there. My past video on “Buy Now Pay Later” and the “$5K Restaurant Membership” might be worth revisiting as well as this article that profiles how BB&B is becoming inflation-shopper-friendly to keep their customers coming back. HR & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Jared Truby: Co-Owner of @catcloudcoffee drops serious knowledge on employee teams, customer experience + more! They’re known (at least that’s what I’ve heard) for having taken their teams to the official Disneyland employee training service…if you’ve been, you notice the difference immediately. Alex Wang: This realtor has taken things to new levels. Always getting into the nitty gritty, he shares how to strategically serve up FB content to followers so they see what they want to see, rather than blanketing everyone with content they don’t want to see, definitely worth a look. TIKTOK Later: Become a TikTok pro in 5 days! I love Later, their resources on all things social are stellar and detailed, and always step by step with screenshots and examples. Want to dive into TT, this is a great way to give it a shot. Shopify: TikTok Ads broken down so you can see the dynamics of why it’s so popular in getting in front of anyone in their 20’s, 30’s and even 40’s + ADVICE FROM BRYCE As someone who consumes a lot of content from a variety of small businesses, I’m seeing a lot of biz owners creating the same ‘ol content over + over, that looks a lot like their colleagues in the same space. My recommendation is to sit down and re-examine how you can creatively capture what you do and why it’s special in a unique way that stops the scroll. If you’ve been doing the same thing for months or even years, it’s time to try something new. Just go for it. Nothing to lose, just do it…listen to your team members too, they might have the biggest gold nugget of an idea just waiting to be placed into your content strategy. Just remember what you tend to do if the brands you’re intrigued by, don’t come out with new “stuff,” yup that’s what your fans might be doing too…scrolling right by you. I like creating campaigns (of various lengths) that are creative, fun, educational, but also serve a purpose in pushing, pursuing or highlighting different aspects of the business you want to serve. Whether to drive sales, boost reservations or launch your e-commerce, just think product placement and show the intricacies of why what you do matters to your customers…if you don’t show it, they won’t know it. I’ll leave it at that. Feel free to reply if you have questions. - Bryce SEARCH Didn’t see a resource or link worth clicking? I’ve created a ton of content with articles, videos and links over the last 12 months that are still super relevant. Click HERE to search the entire BryceRoot.com resource site. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? DON’T MISS FUTURE EDITIONS FEATURED VIDEO: ROCK’N RETAIL FEATURED VIDEO: HOW TO KEEP UP WITH IT ALL DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!  Welcome to our 3/27/22 Small Business-by-the-Bay Show, a recap of our DAILY show we create for Northern CA business owners like you. As you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background, links and insight on why these topics that are so important to have on your radar! Weekly Recap Edition (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... NFT'S FOR ARTISTS + GET PUMPED + RETAILER SNEAK PEEK NEW SEGMENT ALERT: Here are 3 internet finds incl. @teamgaryvee on #nfts + @marcrebillet to get you pumped + something VERY special for retail business owners, check it out, it's a game changer! BEST MICS FOR BIZ OWNERS JUMPING INTO VIDEO Video can be overwhelming, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t need to be. This new segment is here to ease you into making the jump into video for your business. Good audio is key, these wireless @rodemic GO’s are amazing. 50’ from the camera still provides great audio for that store walkthrough or cooking show, so easy! Use this LINK to get a pair and see what else is in my gear bag. GOOGLE MY BUSINESS NEWS + MUST DO TIPS My advice, use your Google Business listing like a social media platform, including uploading videos less than a minute...they love accounts that keep their profiles fresh, and don't forget those reviews. Those two things will get you seen! APRIL FOOLS' CREATIVITY EVERYDAY! Maybe next year I’ll create a prank, just more advice to skyrocket your biz. But I emphasize taking the creativity for today and think that way more often 💪 highlighted here are clips from the ULTRA CREATIVE @humblesea team…great example of taking that crazy idea and running with it 👍 DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!  Welcome to our 3/27/22 Small Business-by-the-Bay Show, a recap of our DAILY show we create for Northern CA business owners like you. As you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background, links and insight on why these topics that are so important to have on your radar! Weekly Recap Edition (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS, BUT SHOULD BE There are lots of variables, technicalities + elements to this, but if you owe back rent to your landlord, you need to be on top of your situation because right now landlords are going after business owners for back rent. Call a good lawyer and contact your Small Business Development Center @ AskSBDC.com to work w/ a cashflow + business operations advisor for FREE as you will need to be very strategic in optimizing your operations and cash flow to make up for this loss of cash if you are lucky enough to still keep your doors open. And remember there are a variety of landlords, some are corporate behemoths and some are family owned businesses so counties and cities as well as the state need to help both parties, but haven’t for the most part. 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF W/ SHINY OBJECTS Always ask these 5 questions when shiny objects come your way…focus, otherwise time and money slip away with the occasional win, always put on those anti-shiny object glasses. Memorize These Questions 1. Will this help accomplish a business goal? 2. Does this align with my brand? 3. What would my CPA say? 4. Will my target customers see this? 5. Does this take away from proven marketing tactics? INSTAGRAM'S NEW FEEDS ARE HERE, YOU HAVE WORK TO DO There are only 50 profile spots for the new FAVORITES feed, how will get into your customers’ Fav's? If your customers are all about the feed and they stick to the Favorites option, they may never see you again. My suggestion is to ask your loyal followers for that designation and continue to provide value to them and they won't have any hesitation in making that happen. DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S EPISODE?  SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon! Welcome to our 3/20/22 Small Business-by-the-Bay Show, a recap of our DAILY show we create for Northern CA business owners like you. As you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background, links and insight on why these topics that are so important to have on your radar! Weekly Recap Edition (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... HAVE YOU TRIED BUY NOW, PAY LATER FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS YET? The stats truly are mind blowing once you give your online and/or offline retail customers an option to space out their payments. The move for consumers since the beginning of 2020 has increased 230% while AOV (Average Order Value) typically increases 30-50%. So think about the number of items customers could add to their virtual or literal "cart" and maybe more will spring for those larger ticket items! Here's a great article from Retail Brew on how it all breaks down. Klarna from what I've investigated is pretty robust and integrates well. Plus they're going from being fully online to in-store, so definitely investigate if a platform like them is right for your operation. 95% OF BIZ OWNERS' BOOKS ARE INCORRECT, HERE'S HOW TO FIX THAT Yup, it’s true, most small business owners‘ financials are inaccurate and critical decisions are being made with them…here are two quick tips to focus on from our region's Cash Flow King, Larry Hebert. When it comes to bookkeepers it’s 💯 the right thing to do by spending a little $ each month for a pro vs a friend or family member who is winging it. Take it from Larry, it could be one of the best decisions you make (you’ll be seeing more of Larry in the future 👍). SMALL BIZ OWNERS 2 WATCH + VIDEO OR PHOTO, YOU DECIDE... Video or Photo, You Decide - here are 2 biz owners to watch as they take video content to new levels, @landscaping_with_dylan + @stonies_taphouse - both have their own style and both make you want to hire them or visit for food and a pint respectively. Pretty awesome videos, right...they're definitely on my radar and can't wait to see their next story, post or reel, everytime! SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!  Welcome to our 3/6/22 Small Business-by-the-Bay Show, a recap of our DAILY show we create for Northern CA business owners like you. As you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background, links and insight on why these topics that are so important to have on your radar! Weekly Recap Edition coming soon! (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... WHY TO CONSIDER BEING ON TIKTOK As someone that's new to the platform, I'm constantly experimenting and observing what the platform is all about. It continues to see an older demographic using it and the content being posted there is stellar! All sorts of professions and businesses actively use it, and gain massive exposure once they find their way. I do advise you at least download the app and grab your username handle as you'll more than likely be using it sooner than later. HOW TO AVOID AN INSTAGRAM HACK Meet @pana_foodtruck Owner German Sierra who I interviewed for our latest edition of Small Business-by-the-Bay. He just got his Insta account back from Insta as a hacker took over his account, posted on his behalf, scammed $ from his close to 10k followers + made this small biz owner’s life supremely stressful. So be sure to use his tips, and here's a tip sheet straight from Instagram to protect your account and create a higher level of security. HERE’S WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU DON'T PROTECT YOURSELF: Followers DM’d + Scammed by Hacker Account Ransomed Hacker Posts as You Insta Ads Stop Endless Stress & Headaches Revenue Stops Awareness Stops Possible Re-Starting Acct From Scratch $5/DAY BILLBOARD ADS ON SAN JOSE FREEWAYS? Old school advertising is being infused w/ tech, but whether traditional or using the latest tech, the same principles still prevail of creating ads that resonate w/ your customers, the key is making sure those ads will be seen by your target customers. Don’t waste your 💵 if they won’t see it. There’s work involved, but creativity and strategy increase your chances of success, just spend the extra effort to dial it all in when setting up, creating and publishing your ads' 💪 WHAT DOES BRYCE DO ALL DAY? I always get asked what I do when not making these videos, here’s a peek into how I help #bayareabusiness owners each day…big fan of time blocking 👍 SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!  Welcome to our 3/6/22 Small Business-by-the-Bay Show, a recap of our DAILY show we create for Northern CA business owners like you. As you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background, links and insight on why these topics that are so important to have on your radar! Weekly Recap Edition (tap/click YouTube icon to subscribe) DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... SMALL BIZ OWNER TO WATCH: MATT HORN There's a reason why Matt Horn's West Oakland Horn Barbecue is a semi-finalist for the James Beard "Best New Restaurant" award. His attention to detail with his craft, customer experience and service, not to mention his recipes are AMAZING and need to be experienced for yourself, but here's a bit on why the visit is necessary. KNOW WHAT CUSTOMERS ACTUALLY SAY & CLICK The video says it all and because I like to keep it simple, here are two ways in which to know what's going through your customers' heads as they pass by or peruse your website. I mention MouseFlow.com, which has a FREE option of recording 500 visits to your website each month so you can watch precisely where customers' mice or fingers are going...intel is essential when making decisions to optimize your operation. CRM & POS STRATEGY TO INCREASE SALES CRM's like Monday.com, Zoho and others or simply accessing the features of your POS could be a game changer for personalizing your customer experience with VIP customers. Imagine knowing their favorite colors, sizes and brands so when you need to move inventory or something arrives finally with supply chain issues, you know exactly who should know you have it. PROMOTION DECONSTRUCTED: LAIRD SUPERFOOD In this video, I break down Laird Superfood's Strava promotion, where for FREE they accessed an element of this app which they know their target customers are addicted to, spend A LOT of time...it's all part of dissecting where your target customers spend their time and analyzing how to integrate yourself. TRYING OUT VIDEO, 5 THINGS TO AVOID I've learned a lot from the last 8 years of producing video content for my operation and watching a TON of other businesses and content producers. I still do a large majority of the filming, editing and distribution and can tell you there are some simple best practices to put in place to make your hard work, work even harder for you when you're trying to make a good first impression. SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!
 WELCOME TO OUR 2/20/22 EDITION! This week was launch week of our new DAILY version of our popular weekly show, so as you scroll down, you'll see each day's videos with a bit of background on why these topics are so important to have on your radar! Here's our weekly recap + specific stories below that, enjoy! DON'T MISS AN EPISODE, LET THEM COME TO YOU... THE "TODAY" SHOW LAUNCH Showing some #smallbusinesslove w/ the debut of the official #smallbusinessbythebay TODAY show…you may recognize one of our #bayarea “ #smallbiz owners to watch” alumni @rizeupbakery too… we have a weekly recap (CHECK IT OUT ABOVE) coming too just in case you missed any of our daily episodes! Thanks for watching 🙏 THE ELEVATOR PITCH IS NOW "7 SECONDS" The #elevatorpitch comes in many forms + attn spans are shrinking! #bayareabusiness owners make sure you can get people excited about your biz verbally + visually 👍 I GOT YOUR BACK As a devoted small business advocate for #bayareabusiness owners, I will always have your back. DM me if there’s something you’d like me to bring attention to, I’ll investigate + take action…just ask @sfsmallbusinessalliance + @theburlingamenews @nutsforcandy  I’ve been craving these sandwiches from @deliboardsf for a while but it’s the video unveiling that makes me even hungrier. @instagram CEO @mosseri has literally said their emphasis in now video, they are no longer a photo-based app, so be sure to focus on video 👍 SOCIAL PRODUCTS ON VIDEO Whether it’s clothing, home decor, a new recipe, outdoor gear or a board from @santacruzskateboards it’s all about explaining/showing why your products are perfect for your customers’ needs and the product’s differentiating elements…not to mention your brand’s customer experience. THE ULTIMATE + FREE FOOD BIZ RESOURCE Here's the Restaurant Program link and don't forget to check the webinars at AskSBDC .com perfect for #bayareabusiness owners of all types, not just food-based 👍 SMALL BUSINESS LOVE Thank you for visiting and checking out our weekly show, Small Business-by-the-Bay as it's our mission to help you succeed in running and growing your Greater Bay Area small business operation...don't miss an episode, just drop us your email address below and you'll be good to go, see you soon!
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Sit back and watch as we get to know Michael Ray, Owner of Oxford Design in Santa Cruz, CA. A highly successful member of the next generation of entrepreneurs who are making a name for themselves. We take a peek into what's fueling this standout business owner who is crafting many of the beautiful wood pieces in your favorite stores and destinations around our region.
A very BIG thank you to the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center for sponsoring this segment...if you want some FREE help with driving your business, apply NOW! And of course, just message me if you or someone you know would like to be featured in an upcoming Small Biz Quiz, thanks for watching!
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(Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) NEED TO MAKE THAT REGISTER RING? The last year and a half has been brutal on sales for most of you, and now you're looking at expediting making more money to pay back rent, pay off loans and to pay qualified employees as well as just live. This episode is meant to provide turnkey tools + resources that will expedite getting that register ringing so you can be in a much more secure place.     GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX ADVICE FROM BRYCE As I mention in the this week's episode, working on your business is critical as many business owners get stuck dealing with the day to day. Strategically planning where your business is headed determines whether you'll accomplish what you want for your business. So we definitely are fans of taking time away from your business to evaluate and plan for what's next...that's really when creative strategy will hit, not when you're in the thick of putting out fires. One other resource I want you all to take advantage of is my Marketing Tracker that you can download below. But there's one critical tab on the spreadsheet, the "Projection" tool that will let you factor in all the variables, play with pricing, quantities, and more so you can reach towards the "magic number" that you want to reach in a given period of time...I think you'll like this resource! 
NEED HELP WITH RENT? A lot of business owners have been decently lucky with getting some rent relief, but if it wasn't forgiven, you may be looking at a repayment schedule kicking in soon. Many of you might be tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt so I encourage you to contact your local Small Business Development Center to have their lease specialist guide you in the rent relief / lease re-negotiation process as the 6/30/21 commercial eviction moratorium expires approaches. The Santa Cruz SBDC at Cabrillo College is a fantastic resource, but if you're anywhere throughout Norcal, just tap the ASKSBDC.com logo below to find yours.   (Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) DOES JUNE 15TH REALLY LIFT ALL RESTRICTIONS? Does your brick and mortar retail store really go back to 100% capacity? Do people really not have to wear masks everywhere? Is it just outdoor parts of my business? While there's a lot of information circulating out there with the state of CA inserting *'s here and there on the details, here are some helpful resources published VERY RECENTLY, that are many times updated (but check the date), good luck in your Grand Re-Opening!        READY FOR PRIME DAY(S)? This 2-day event is ripe for the picking! You definitely don't need to be on Amazon to leverage it. Everyone is ready to spend money and get great deals...literally this is a time period where you can get people when they're in the mood of breaking out their wallet. Spend a little time to map out how you'll drive people onto your e-commerce site. Make this a priority as most of you are in catch up mode, trying to make up for a year plus worth of drastically lower sales. Good Luck! GOT EMPLOYEES, YOU'RE LIKELY DEALING WITH THIS... In this article listed below, one restaurant told it as it is and got quite a bit of visibility from both sides of the issue. And you're all likely dealing with hiring if you have employees so my advice is to really watch what you post publicly...you might need to bite your tongue a bit, but notifying your customers is key to keeping them informed as to what to expect. This is where walking the line, offering complimentary drinks/snacks of items you'd like them to maybe purchase, Random Acts of Kindness and other marketing options come into play to make the best of the situation. And when it comes to Yelp, remember, you can't ever take down your profile, it's permanent. There are lots of takes on how to address angry customers and each situation is different, but remember to stand for what is right and most people will see through those "crazy" folks out there with outrageous claims, misspellings, and just plain outlandish stories.   NO ONE QUITE KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT... You hopefully have flexible plans for 6/15's CA Economic Grand Re-Opening, but you might be curious what others are up to. Here's a great article on Off The Grid that produces large scale food truck events and markets Bay Area-wide...   INSTAGRAM'S ALGO EXPLAINED...BY THEM While not as harsh as Facebook's limiting reach, it's not too far off. With that said, you may be curious how they determine which of your customers might be seeing your content. This ARTICLE will give you great insight into each of their components, i.e. Explore, REELS, etc. Speaking of REELS, here's an excerpt from the article:   VAX PINS MIGHT SOON BE POPULAR ACCESSORIES Here's an interesting article from EATER.com on the growing popularity of displaying whether you and your staff are vaccinated, eliminating customers curiosity. But there might be some HR issues, so this is definitely worth a read. The article doesn't cover whether customers will be wearing them, that's a whole different article on a massive level, listed below:   GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX RESTAURANT REVIT FUND + START YOUR SF BIZ + BOBA SHORTAGE + BIZ OWNERS TO WATCH + SF MAYOR RANT4/26/2021
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If you can hold on just a tad longer, IT'S TIME TO BUCKLE UP as it's finally hitting home with those who can supply legit help that they need to do the right thing and actually listen. This episode is loaded with resources + examples that will help get you in GOOD PLACE and provide comfort in your mission to make it through this. This week's featured biz owners include: @bobaguys @redbaycoffee @bigsursalts @wylderspace @montereyglassworks - give them a follow + check out what they're up to! TIME STAMPS 0:43 Restaurant Revitalization Fund 1:14 San Francisco Small Business Challenge 2:18 How To Start a San Francisco Restaurant 3:02 The Boba Shortage Explained 4:00 Small Business Owners to Watch 4:24 Special Announcement for May Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. 
RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND
So if you're in the food business, this grant-based rescue program from the SBA is one you need to investigate. We've outlined some stellar resources that give you the breakdown as the program registration opens Friday 4/30/21 and applications begin being accepted on Monday, 5/3/21.
Click the graphics below to get all your answers as to who is eligible, timelines, how to calculate your grants amount and more: 
Well, I'm all for supporting local businesses, but in San Francisco, decimation is a word that describes their small business landscape. They have certainly been through the wringer and the Mayor has led the way in not listening to the actual business owners. Instead, decisions and support programs have been developed based on what they think would help a small business owner. In my opinion, this program is coming much too late, and I wish them the best, but devoting 1-month to getting city residents to forego big box just isn't enough when most businesses are hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
While a bit dated, this article is very intriguing to see what exactly is part of the enduring journey that San Francisco restaurant and food business owners go through to get themselves up and running.
HOW WILL THE BOBA SHORTAGE IMPACT YOU?
When it comes to the supply chain that provides your key products that generate your daily income, it's critical that it's a seamless, predictable process. Enter Covid and there could be some setbacks. Below, you'll find a recent article on the issue of the supply of boba, but you'll also find an Insta LIVE by the Boba Guys and their supplier that speak to a slightly different story and all the variables including how the media attention is making it a bit worse.
WATCH THEIR INSTA LIVE
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We are always on the look out for business owners who are making BIG things happen and these FIVE BIZ OWNERS in our region caught my attention this week. Here they are, so check them out and support them in their mission to make a difference while going for it and making their passion a success story.
I just learned about these guys, but based on our first impression of a thoughtful, passionate company that seems to be doing things right and have built an audience of 103k followers as they've grown from their original SF location...they're definitely worth a look.
I'm a super fan of brands and businesses that take their followers behind the scenes of what makes their operation tick. They've been showing up in my feed lately and I love what I see and the visuals and process of their craft just lends themselves to showcasing what they do. So many businesses don't "show" the how and assume fans already know...check out Monterey Glass Works.
This Black owned business has been getting a ton of super PR lately as they've gone from being mobile to securing and opening two locations, first in Oakland and just recently in SF's Ferry Building...they're going BIG and they're definitely one to watch!
Photography. Yeah, you heard me. Their food photography is amazing, I love it, and you're talking to a guy that loves all things video. If video isn't your thing, then you need to take a peek at Wylder Space in the Santa Cruz Mountains' town of Felton.
Meet Carlo, who runs Big Sur Salts. I've been keeping an eye on his business over the last couple months and my first real peek into BSS was his taking viewers on a hike where he clipped away annoying poison oak on his favorite Big Sur trail. He made us feel like it was his back yard as he took so much pride in the place that he spends so much time and in which provides his livelihood. Big fan, can't wait to try.
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AT THIS POINT, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Episode Dream it and make it happen, it's what's happening left and right with people that want to make a go of it. Whether a pivot, side gig or just bucking the red tape and making a go of it. This episode is loaded, from the 5 Bay Area solopreneurs (@nitrocycle831 @rize_up_sourdough @scbread_boy @ottosbread @superstellavan) that should be on your radar to 4 steps to make your next thing viably happen, it's all in this episode PLUS a couple more details on this week's sponsor of CASH + COFFEE Monterey! TIME STAMPS 00:35 WHY ANYTHING GOES AT THIS POINT 2:24 SOLOPRENEURS TO WATCH 4:41 FOUR STEPS TO MAKE YOUR PIVOT HAPPEN NOW 7:07 THE ART OF RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS 8:08 CASH + COFFEE MONTEREY UPDATE Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. 
We are always on the look out for business owners who are making BIG things happen and these FIVE SOLOPRENEURS are on fire! No one is helping them, it's all them and they're going all in. Some of the newer ones we haven't profiled before recently quit their job and are going for it! CHECK THE 2:24 TIME STAMP on the video above to get my detailed take on each, but here are their Insta links. Follow them, support them and show them your #smallbusinesslove.
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FOUR STEPS TO MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN
STEP 1: DREAM IT + TEST IT
It's time to test out that dream you've been cultivating in your head or maybe it's already in test mode. Either way, it's time to give it a go to see if there's a demand beyond your spouse, parents and best friends.
STEP 2: ONE-PAGE BIZ PLAN
The art of the pivot and the tools to do so are key during this time, so be sure to watch this video above from Keith Holtaway (best known as the Pizza My Heart Founder) and also access all things Lean Canvas.
STEP 3: MARKETING PLAN
Ok, so you now need to get strategic about getting your customers! Just like in the video, I mention the 3 components, i.e. 1) business goal, 2) target customers associated with that goal + 3) marketing tactics to be where those potential customers hang out, whether offline or online.
Here's my MARKETING TRACKER to download below, where you can do all of the above including using the financial projection tab to work on your packaging, services, pricing, etc. so you hit the income + owner's draw you need. If you need some help in this department, I'm always happy to help, just message me and we can get you the help you need!
STEP 4: UTILIZE YOUR SBDC
It's time to lock down your foundational structure and take care of the pillars of your business to ensure you're on the right path. You local SBDC will help you for FREE. Here's the link to the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours.
STOP PEOPLE'S CARS + ULTIMATE PARKLET + BIZ TO WATCH: COFFEE/BAGELS/BEER + PIVOT YOUR PRODUCT3/30/2021
(Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) THE "I WANT TO GO THERE!" EPISODE The magic of hearing a potential customer say precisely that when they see your biz out in the wild is PURE GOLD! Packed into this episode are all sorts of resources to make it happen, from 3 ROCKSTAR BIZ OWNERS to the parklet experience commanding a $475/person pricetag + pivoting your popular products, it's all in this episode of Small Business-by-the-Bay. TIME STAMPS 0:33 Get Customers Out of Their Cars 1:19 The Ultimate Parklet 3:16 Business Owner to Watch: Red Whale Coffee 4:02 Business Owner to Watch: Boichik Bagels 5:03 Business Owner to Watch: Humble Sea Brewing Co. 5:46 Cash + Coffee Update 6:11 Help Me, Help Small Biz Video Series 7:02 Webinar Watch: Pivot Your Popular Products Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours.   I read A LOT and this week, this article DEFINITELY caught my eye. Here's this week's headline from the SF Chronicle to keep you in the know.  GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX  I follow just over 3K Greater Bay Area small businesses on Instagram and these three business owners are grabbing headlines and have built tremendous followings with their fans and customers:  I love hearing from Red Whale Coffee Owner, Sean Boyd as he really takes you behind the scenes of his operation and the whole whale-theme of their brand is just plain fun to watch and follow along, definitely looking forward to their Insta LIVES.  WOW, Boichik Bagels of Berkeley just received the PR gold mine that is the New York Times, check out the article below, but bring a book if you visit, the line may very well wrap around the block...congratulations Emily!   These three rock star owners of Humble Sea Brewing Co., Frank, Nick and Taylor just keep growing their footprint as the CA brewery to watch. We interviewed them a couple months into the shelter in place to hear about their pivot to e-commerce...it's quite a story. Definitely check out our SUPER COOL zoom interview (we think it's the coolest you'll ever see) and tap the link to read SFGate.com's article below too!   NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF?  Here's a little clip from our CASH + COFFEE debut at Midtown Surf Shop + Coffee Bar, where we got some local business owners their caffeine fix. Big announcement, we're headed to Monterey County next, stay tuned for the coffee location!  SUPER PUMPED to be launching this LinkedIn-only video series next week. I'll be taking viewers behind the scenes as I start my mission of helping even more Bay Area biz owners not reinvent the wheel and take on 2021. This "Built In Public" interactive series will take you behind the scenes in my mission to help, I just need you to watch, lend your 2 cents + just plain keep me accountable as I squeeze this into my day job. Time is of the essence, so LET'S GO!  This week's webinar that needs to be on your radar is courtesy of the Norcal SBDC whose website hosts all the webinars from across Northern CA, it's super robust to say the least and covers so many areas of business. BUT this week's pick is all about pivoting via a popular product that you think could be your ticket to expediting your financial comeback from 2020. Just tap the graphic below, but hurry, there are only 30 spots available:     (Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) Are you continuing to do what you've always done? Very few businesses can get away with this, so this episode is PACKED with news, trends and updates to keep you motivated to stay relevant and fresh in your target customers' eyes. From how to sell on social media to #sbdcday and our Cash + Coffee debut announcement, it's all in this week's show. TIME STAMPS 1:02 Cash + Coffee Debut Announcement 1:29 #SBDCDay - Special Clip 2:50 Small Businesses To Watch Who Have Awesome Photos 3:57 iPhone Photography Tip from Brant Schenk 5:25 Food Business Trends 6:02 How to Sell On Social Media Walkthrough Resource 7:28 Hot Small Business Headlines For The Bay Area Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours.   We're excited to announce that the Midtown Surf Shop + Coffee Bar in Santa Cruz is the location hosting the debut of our Cash + Coffee program. We're purchasing $100 in coffee where the first 20 local business owners to stop in, will get $5 towards their coffee, so they can get fired up with caffeine to take on the day + go BIG with their business. GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX  On Wednesday, 3/17/21, it will be National #SBDCDay, celebrating 41 years of helping local business owners across the United States. We have 19 across the Greater Bay Area and Monterey County. Our Presenting Sponsor is the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. And if doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 18 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. Here's the quick video we created to help celebrate...  I follow just over 3K Greater Bay Area small businesses on Instagram and these five business owners are using photography in a BIG way to grab the attention of their fans and customers:      NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF? PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR IPHONE  Award-winning photographer, Brant Schenk gave us two quick and easy tips to take your iphone photography up a notch so you can stop the scroll. Check out the 3:57 time stamp in the full episode video at the top to grab them and watch the screen shot to see how to do it.     Here are two resources from one of our favorite resources, Later.com, who developed an Instagram-specific e-commerce step-by-step walkthrough of 8 ways to sell on the platform as well as a detailed guide for doing the same on Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to their e-newsletters and check out their app too.  I read A LOT and this week, these three articles caught my eye. Thank you to the Santa Cruz Sentinel + SF Eater for supplying this week's headlines to keep you in the know.   Check out this pay-it-forward campaign from this neighborhood of womenpreneurs in Midtown Santa Cruz. Headed up by Maggie of Maggie's Place, this is a super cool way to help benefit all sorts of local small businesses as well as their employees.       
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LIGHT THE FIRE INSIDE YOU: Here comes the red tier! Remember that fire that burned inside you when you first opened your doors some time ago...now is the time to pull out all the stops so this episode is filled with RESOURCES TO HELP you. Chances are debt is stacked against you + it's time to make that comeback to get yourself in a good place here in 2021.
Special thanks to the East Bay Times and SF Chronicle for our Hot Headlines PLUS @sc.bread_boy for demonstrating the fire that burns inside small business owners, like a RED HOT oven that never seems to switch off! TIME STAMPS 0:30 Motivation to Light Your Small Business Fire 2:27 Financial Focus: PPP, CA Relief Grant + More 3:16 Businesses To Watch 4:49 Cash + Coffee Update 5:35 Hot Headlines to Keep You In the Know Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. 
It seems to me like a ton of businesses are so far into debt, that there are two focuses now. First is to make the amount of income from back in 2019 to claw your way back to sustainability and second, to grab as many grants as possible from all the different sources out there. So with that said, here are some important updates, just tap the images below, but ASKSBDC.com will host weekly Wednesday webinars where you can ask your specific question and get a live answer:
With four new rounds of funding for this grant program, you'll want to find out how you can access these funds since many were waitlisted for the first two rounds. Lots of key dates to keep in mind so be sure to tap HERE for details.
The PPP option is definitely to be recognized as a priority due to the forgiveness option, and with the new administration there are new options that are more small business-friendly that cater to those with 20 employees or less. Tap HERE to find out more as the month of March is a key time period for this funding source.
Specifically created for black and minority owned business owners, this $10,000 Back2Business grant program is for those businesses with 10 employees or less. Deadlines are approaching here in March, so follow this link to find out more. Don't forget to learn about the Inclusivity Project that will help 1,000 black-owned businesses with mentorship and funding, find out more HERE.
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As I mention in this episode, this week's list of business owners is switching up to include our region's visitors bureaus who many times work on small budgets and do a whole lot with just a little. Attracting 10's of thousands and 100's of thousands of people to a destination isn't easy so check out the bureaus listed below to see what they do to catch trip planning consumers' eyes.
VISIT MARIN VISIT NAPA VALLEY VISIT MONTEREY COUNTY VISIT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY VISIT SAN MATEO COUNTY + SILICON VALLEY
NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF?
We'll be releasing the name of our first coffee shop shortly, but we're super excited to announce that we're bringing on our good friend Larry Hebert of Larry Hebert Consulting to double our investment in this program, so get ready to get caffeinated!
I read A LOT and this week, these three articles caught my eye. Thank you to the East Bay Times + SF Chronicle for supplying this week's headlines to keep you in the know.
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OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING FOR LOCAL BIZ OWNERS RIGHT NOW: The fact is the local business landscape has been shaken to its core, but out of that comes unexpected chances to make 2021 your breakout year. From how to shake your lease + purchase your DREAM location to infusing just a little creativity to get all EYES ON YOU, this episode focuses on the headlines, business owners to watch and resources waiting for you to take action and go BIG!
TIME STAMPS 0:38 CALL FOR COFFEE SHOW NOMINATIONS 1:14 CALL FOR SOLOPRENEURS TO FEATURE 1:46 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO WATCH 4:03 WEBINARS TO WATCH 5:57 HOT HEADLINES TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. 
Welcome to our official announcement of our "CASH + COFFEE" program where each month, we choose a different coffee shop to infuse some cash and let some local business owners get some free coffee to fire up their day and go BIG. We're always on the lookout for coffee shops to support so just message Bryce with your coffee house pick in your area...from Marin to Monterey, we're taking your nominations now.
NOMINATE A SOLOPRENEUR
Know a solopreneur that hustles hard and makes BIG things happen for them and their business? We want to hear about them, so be sure to let Bryce know who they are so we can potentially reach out and feature them on the show.
In this episode, we have two standout business owners to share with you. First there's Ippuku of Berkeley whose innovate short videos on their Instagram profile showcase their creativity both in and out of the kitchen...it's just plain different, so be sure to check them out.
Next up is Jim Ockert of Khakis of Carmel located in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. His regular video wardrobe walkthroughs give every fashion-conscious customer a detailed view of the latest fashions. From materials and color to origins of their pieces, every detail is included to give customers a reason to want their beautiful clothing.
NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF?
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I read A LOT and this week, these three articles caught my eye. Thank you to the Mercury News + Palo Alto Online + SF Eater for supplying this weeks headlines to keep you in the know.
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HERE TO MAKE YOU #BayAreaSmallBizStrong EACH + EVERY WEEK! Insta Algo UPDATE, HOT Headlines, Food Biz Marketing + WEBINARS are in this episode PLUS I'm excited to announce PHASE 1 of my 2021 campaign to get you FIRED UP in your mission to make this a breakout year for you and your business.
TIME STAMPS 0:34 #BayAreaSmallBizStrong Announcement 1:28 2021 Instagram Algorithm News 2:07 Three Social Media Tips for Small Business 4:25 Hot Headlines For Business Owners 7:29 Food Business Marketing Tips 9:20 Must Watch Webinars Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. 
INSTAGRAM ALGORITH UPDATE
Seen this graphic circulating on Insta? Curious what it actually means for your go-to platform of choice? Here's a link from one of our favorite resources, LATER.com, who spells out what it means for Reels, Posts, Stories and IGTV.
NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF?
I read A LOT and this week, these three articles caught my eye. Thank you to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Monterey Herald and SF Eater for supplying this weeks headlines to keep you in the know.
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Here are four MUST WATCH webinars coming up in the next week or so...super time-sensitive topics, all courtesy of your local SBDC.
(Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) BEEN THROUGH THE WRINGER THE LAST 10 MONTHS? More than likely, you've been on a rollercoaster of life and running your business so I'm here to help you get mentally and physically fit to take on 2021. In this week's episode, we have everything from meditation tips and how to squeeze in some daily activity to taking a heaping portion of social media stress off your mind, we speak with the local pros to give you their best advice. TIME STAMPS 0:52 SOCIAL MEDIA DE-STRESS 2:02 MEDITATION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS 4:00 SMALL BIZ NUTRITION TIP 4:43 MORNING ROUTINE FITNESS TIP 5:45 HOW TO STAY ACTIVE 7:05 SMALL BUSINESSES TO WATCH 8:04 HOW TO KEEP YOUR MOTIVATION HIGH Thank you to all our guest appearances by local, health + fitness business owners for sharing their expertise: Rocky's Fitness Center YuBalance Neighborhood Fitness San Mateo Sports Nutrition Yoso Wellness Spa Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. SOCIAL MEDIA DE-STRESS When it comes to these two words, "Social Media," many business owners cringe and a tidal wave of stress begins forming. This FREE way of promoting your business can be stressful, especially with how it's always changing. While I could throw out all sorts of strategies, I won't. To help de-stress this situation, I recommend, time-blocking your social media. You can go about it many different ways such as devoting a specific time each day or week, or maybe you just want to post things on the fly. If you're leaning towards wanting to create quality media to get your customers and potential customers excited, I would suggest using a scheduling platform. They all have similarities, and it may not be until you begin using one that you find out it doesn't do what you want. That's why I recommend using their typical 7-Day Trial to test them out to find a good fit. More than likely you'll need to sacrifice some of the intricate "cool stuff" the actual platform offers, but you're helping reduce your stress levels by using a platform that let's you take care of business when it's convenient for you...some of the platforms I'd recommend you check out include: HOOTSUITE BUFFER LATER LOOMLY FB + Insta's CREATORS STUDIO  MEDITATION FOR BIZ OWNERS  Thank you to Jennalee Dahlen of Yoso Wellness Spa in Santa Cruz, CA for supplying us with her top tips for jumping into meditation and giving it a try. You can't go wrong with surrounding your self with calm and quiet right now, that's for sure. Jennalee is going to be providing us with some additional resources to help you in your mission to find inner peace and quiet so stay tuned for some super insightful links, meanwhile here's a great MEDITATION 101 ARTICLE. GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF? BAY AREA HEALTH + FITNESS BIZ TO WATCH Here are FIVE LOCAL, HEALTH + FITNESS BUSINESSES to keep on your radar. All five are the best at what they do so follow them for their knowledge, but also for their business savviness too:        
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The last 10 months were immensely challenging for generations that haven't grown up with technology embedded in their DNA, but that can also be an advantage. We break down the opportunity that few generations realize is sitting in front of them PLUS our HOT HEADLINES + businesses you need to be watching are profiled for some creative inspiration.
Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. TIME STAMPS 0:31 WHICH GENERATION HAS THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE? 1:34 HOT HEADLINES TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW 6:34 HOW CAN ALL GENERATIONS BE SUCCESSFUL 8:39 BUSINESSES TO WATCH
THE BATTLE OF THE AGES
This episode's theme is about the various generations competing against each other. As seasoned business owners see younger, 30-somethings entering their local space as competition that use social media and e-commerce with much effort or cost, many have been left wondering if they can compete. Many don't realize that they still have the advantage of experience and if they're able to surround themselves with those younger generations through their employee base and/or collaborations and strategic partnerships, they could create a DEFINITE competitive advantage.
With all that said, the older generations may not be able to build a website or e-commerce platform overnight by themselves, it may cost $6,000 to have someone do it over several months. So the #1 resource I recommend that every small business owner do, no matter what level of tech savviness, is reach out to their local Small Business Development Center for 100% free assistance on all of these tech-focused hurdles. Advisor teams specialize in these subjects and will guide you through the process every step of the way with all the variables you have in mind. Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center + Monterey County SBDC + SBDC Northern CA: AskSBDC.com
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HOT HEADLINES TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW
I read A LOT each week, here are just a few of the headlines that are noteworthy. Be sure to watch this section of the video embedded above since I dive into their implications and opportunities they each present.
Thank you to the following publications for publishing these informative articles:
NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE DREAMED OF?
BAY AREA BUSINESSES TO WATCH
I'm always on the look out for businesses that are doing things right. Those who are strategically taking on running their business really do stand out to me, so here are a few Instagram accounts that should be on your radar:
(Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) While the Greater Bay Area just got the news that we're now back in the purple tier with outdoor dining and indoor hair salons and gyms being given the green light, the 2021 recovery is still top of mind. Here's our "What's Hot" episode filled with topics that you need to have on your radar. From our rant for the "Powers that Be" to why a membership model might be for you and 6 businesses you need to be watching, it's all in there to keep you in the know. Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. TIME STAMPS 0:32 SHARE THIS WITH POWERS THAT BE 2:50 HOW TO USE CLUBHOUSE 4:20 DID YOU SEE THESE HEADLINES? 5:50 MEMBERSHIP MODEL FOR YOU? 7:58 BAY AREA BUSINESSES TO WATCH THIS IS FOR THE POWERS THAT BE From my observations over the last 10 months, there are very few cities and regions that are proactively looking out for the little guy, you, the small business owner. Here in Santa Cruz, our county and cities have been actively fighting for local business owners. But in other regions, I can't say the same, so I thought it was about time to say it publicly because no one else is saying it, so hopefully some of the powers that be get a glimpse of this segment and take action. HOW TO USE CLUBHOUSE  This latest app is a little different than most. Think of it as a live podcast where anyone can participate with some of the capabilities of a private Facebook group...but the catch is that it's live and is not curated for listening to later. You'll have the ability to "raise your hand" and chime in if the moderators allow you to contribute, or if you want to create your own "clubhouse" you can do that to. Here's an article from Social Media Examiner on the ins and outs to get you started and here's the link to join and claim your handle/account, but you'll need to be invited from someone you know that's already on the app. NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF? HEADLINES NOT TOO RELEVANT NOW, BUT IN CASE YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED...    THE MEMBERSHIP MODEL, NOT JUST FOR RESTAURANTS  I pretty much share my take in this episode's segment, but I highly encourage you to explore this business model for at least a portion of your services/products. It could very well turn into a stable source of income and it's a model that is already adopted by consumers, so it's nothing new. The predictable gift card purchase could be something of beauty when it comes to your cash flow. ARTICLE LINK GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX BAY AREA BUSINESSES TO WATCH I follow about 2,800 Bay Area small businesses to monitor trends and successes that I think you should be aware of, that very well could be a light bulb moment for you. So check out these standouts that are on my radar, they include: DUTCH DOOR DONUTS ALVARADO STREET BREWERY CAT AND CLOUD COFFEE ROCKY'S FITNESS CENTER THE DONUT FARM TRUFFLE POKE BAR   (Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) Sitting on massive debt, applying for financial aid or just needing to plan your 2021 strategy to make your comeback? Here's the trailer for our FINANCIAL HEALTH episode created specifically for Bay Area small business owners wanting to get their financial health back as fast as possible. I've curated quite a few funding options plus some stellar ways in which to take control of your business + its finances here in the New Year...I'm focused on helping make you #bayareasmallbizstrong - LET'S GO! Huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. TIME STAMPS 1:13 #BayAreaSmallBizStrong STATE OF SMALL BIZ 2:46 FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS 6:19 HOW TO KEEP YOUR CASH 7:28 #1 THING EVERY BIZ NEEDS IN 2021 FINANCIAL FUNDING OPTIONS Looking for some options? From PPP 2.0 to non-governmental options, we have a few that you should take a closer look at below. - Bar Stool Sports Fund - So far, it looks like a couple Bay Area businesses have been accepted into this fund that is set to pay business owners' expenses each month until they're back on their feet. You need to apply, but check out this video as the Tadich Grill in San Francisco was given the great news! With celebrities, athletes and the general public funding this initiative along with Bar Stool Sports, they're now raised more than $25 Million to go to America's small businesses. APPLY HERE - PPP 2.0 - The best way to stay on top of this ever-changing option, is to sit in on the Norcal SBDC's weekly calls that let you ask specific questions. You can always call into your local SBDC too, or head to ASKSBDC.com or call 1-833-ASK-SBDC. - CA RELIEF GRANTS - The first round just closed last week, but not to worry, there's a 2nd round and it's NOT first come, first served. Here's the link to find out more from the SBDC, an official partner of CA's Relief Fund Program. If you want to get alerts directly from the state of CA, click HERE, and read the alerts atop the page to be notified when new information is released about the program. - SHUTTERED VENUE GRANTS - If you're situated in the live events space, you've probably been hit hard, so here's an option to access funding via the SBA. HERE are the details. - RURAL SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF - On January 26th, the next round of applications opens for those in rural areas of our region. Lowes is funding this initiative and it might be perfect for you, HERE are the details. GET VIDEO RELEASES + RESOURCES IN YOUR INBOX LARRY'S CASH FLOW / P&L PROJECTION TOOL (Tap/Click YouTube Icon To Subscribe) The Cash Flow King, Larry Hebert of Larry Hebert Consulting, has let us get our hands on his latest edition of his cash flow and P+L projection tool that will literally help you see financial hurdles weeks/months in advance. This is a tried and true way to stay on top of your finances...we recommend you make a habit of logging your financials at least weekly, if not daily to not miss a beat and be financial healthy from now on. Here's the financial tool below, just download and watch the video above for a walkthrough Larry recorded earlier on during Covid.
IT'S TIME TO PLAN FOR 2021 As we mentioned in this week's episode, it is 100% IMPERATIVE that you have a plan for 2021. An overall game plan, business plan, financial plan, marketing plan and anything else you need to make it through this year. Sporadic and random efforts with no real guidance or structure will likely take you to a place you certainly don't want to go, so be sure and access the resources below: - BUSINESS PLAN - Meet Keith Holtaway, our region's premier small business consultant who is best known for being the Founder of Pizza My Heart, but has since helped hundreds + hundreds of small businesses thrive + survive. Everything that he mentions about the 1-Page Lean Canvas process in this video can be found HERE in the "Lean Planning" section. It's a 1-page process that easily allows you to lay everything out and process your game plan. - MARKETING PLAN - As a marketing strategist, I like to keep things simple and that's why I always walk business owners through the streamlined process of creating a marketing game plan. Here's a quick video that talks you through the framework. Need to tap into those creative juices, I recommend unplugging and focusing on where you can go to get in front of the densest gathering of your target customers. If you need help, that's my thing, so check out my service page if you need to take things to new levels to compete with your local landscape and get your customers stopping in to see you online or offline. - FOOD-SPECIFIC GAME PLAN - Our last episode featured all things food business, including a spotlight on the Northern CA SBDC Restaurant Program that is a fully-loaded, comprehensive FREE resource for any food business at any stage in their business journey. This program is definitely worth a look and here's the video profile: - OVERALL BUSINESS HELP - Heard of the SBDC in your region? If you haven't, it's time to check them out as they're the ultimate resource for anything related to your business. They provide in-depth 1-on-1 help with HR, cash flow, sales, business planning, exit strategy, lease re-negotiation, e-commerce, social media, marketing and everything else with the exception of legal. Here's how to get in touch and apply for this FREE help from the Santa Cruz County Small Business Development Center. If doing business in Monterey County, follow the link, but there are 17 spread across Norcal so tap AskSBDC.com to find yours. - WEBINARS ON ANY TOPIC - Ok, stop what you're doing, here's the ultimate resource to find webinars for just about every hot topic that you're trying to solve or create for your business. From taking your business online to knowing how to navigate federal funding, they have you covered. The bonus is that this resource is localized and you'll be able to chat with a real person to get your questions answered. Enter the Norcal Small Business Development Center or NorCalSBDC.org where you can find webinars put on by the 18 Centers from Redding to Santa Cruz. And if you can't make one due to scheduling conflicts, be sure to check their On-Demand website at Learn.NorCalSBDC.org to access all their recent, pre-recorded webinars. NEED THAT MARKETING PLAN YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF?    |
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