In this episode of Startup Daddy, I talk about the best business books for starting a business, and a service that makes it easy to share large files with clients (or anyone else).

So I’m 2 for 2 with video podcasts.  I used a file format that would play in iTunes, but not play on the iPod/iPhone.  I re-posted the file here, so it would re-download for the folks that got the file that wouldn’t play.

If you are a person, and not iTunes, please drop by the original post to see what you should be seeing here.  Sorry, one day I’ll get this internet thing down ;)

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This episode of Startup Daddy,  I talk about one of the challenges I have been facing getting my new business going.  Starting a business with young children in your life is hard. Period.  Hopefully, by talking about some of my challenges, I can encourage some of you, to push through your challenges, and not give up.

I get more personal than I usually do, and talking about something that is holding you back is always a little scary.  It is also cathartic.  Just putting this out there has already helped refocus my energy on my goals.

I want to hear from you, so I leave you with a question.  What are you struggling with right now?  Whether it falls under balancing family life with getting things done for your business, or something with the business itself, let me know.

Trust me, it does help to talk about this stuff, so let’s talk about it in the comments.

Download the Mp3 for this episode

In this edition of Startup Daddy, I talk about changes Facebook made this week, and Facebook Social Plugins. They are big changes that impact not only traffic to your website, but the way you can market your business.

If you have a Facebook Fan Page for your business or yourself, you need to know that Facebook changed the “Become a Fan” button, to “Like.”  The other thing Facebook did, which is significantly more important, is that they just took their Like button, and put it all over the internet.

Facebook provides a tool that outputs the code you can place on your website to include a “Like” button.  After you install the code, this is what it looks like on your site:

When someone clicks the Like button, this is what it looks like on Facebook:

After listening, follow the link below to learn how to implement the Facebook Like button on your site.

I also talk about a non-profit I have become involved with, called the Mikey Network.  The Mikey Network  works to create public awareness and provide education about heart healthy lifestyles. They are committed to placing public access defibrillators, which they call “MIKEYs” in as many high-risk locations as possible.  This is a great cause and it’s near and dear to me personally, as my Uncle’s company started this non-profit.  Please help me support the Mikey Network.

Links to things I talked about in this episode:

The Facebook’s page for their Facebook Social Plugins

Chris Penn’s post on the Blue Sky Factory Blog: How to implement 2 Facebook Social Plugins in less than 5 minutes.

Facebook Fan Page for the Mikey Network- Please Join!

My Fundraising Page to make a donation to support the Mikey Network’s sponsorship of the Cardiac Health Foundation WALK OF LIFE.  Anything helps!

Download the Mp3 for this episode

In addition to any questions or comments about the episode, if you make a donation on my fundraising page, please leave a comment here so I can give you a shoutout in the next episode.

Thank you!

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In this episode of Startup Daddy, I interview Scott Stratten, president of Unmarketing, and author of a soon to be released book: UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging (affiliate link).

Scott has a successful company, popular marketing blog, busy speaking schedule, and a book deal with a major publisher.  I figure that’s someone you could learn from.  He’s also one of us.  He’s a dad juggling the challenges of raising his young son and growing a business.

So we sat down at the coffee shop he calls his office to talk.  Here are some of the things we talk about:

• Twitter
• Ways small businesses and solo entrepreneurs can find the time for social media
• Picking the right social media platform
• Using public speaking to grow your business
• The book he has coming out in Fall

You can connect with Scott on his blog, UnMarketing, or on Twitter as @unmarketing.

You can pre-order his book now: UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging (That’s an Amazon affiliate link but you can find it on all the major online bookstores, or buy it in a real brick and mortar store when it comes out in August).

In this episode of Startup Daddy I talk about creating a professional looking presence on social media sites like Facebook and Youtube.

Facebook has over 400 million active users.  More than half log in every day and the average user spends about an hour per day there. See why you should be there?

In this episode, I talk about some if the little things you can do to make sure your presence on sites like Facebook and Youtube is professional looking.  You need to stand out, and look like the kind of company that cares about the details.

Helpful links:

- Link on Facebook, to create a Fan Page

- Good step-by-step guide to creating a Facebook Fan Page. (Skip down to step 1, and be watchful of the ads)

- 5 Elements of a Successful Facebook Fan Page

- Tutorial for creating a custom landing page for your Fan Page. (Good tutorial. I only used the top line of code for the image, and then entered my own text. I ignored from “<?php ” on).  You will need a basic understanding of HTML in order to use a custom image and link back to the wall. Otherwise, you can just use the setting in Facebook to have people go to your “Info” page first instead of the wall.

- To make a custom Youtube channel background or Twitter profile background, you will need image editing software like Photoshop.  Basically, you make an image with specific dimensions, and them you upload that image to the site. Google comes in real handy here.

- Google search results for “custom youtube channel background”

- If you don’t have Photoshop or an equivalent, there are sites that will let you customize one online, like Twitterbackgrounds.com. (I haven’t used this site)

- Memory Deck’s Youtube Channel

- Facebook Fan Page for Memory Deck (Friend us up!)

This weekend is Podcamp Toronto!

Podcamp Toronto site

What I’ll be talking about

I want to welcome all the new listeners.  As always, if you like what you heard, please subscribe to the show in iTunes and leave a review for the show. Thanks!

In this episode of Startup Daddy I talk about my new company, Memory Deck.  I hope that by talking about the process I’m going through as I start this new company, you will see that you can do it too.

While my partner and I have been researching and planning this for months, when it came time to create the company and form the LLC, we got the whole process done in a week.  Yes, I filled out the application at LegalZoom, and seven days later we had a company with a business checking account, and we were on our way.

I’m not smarter than you.  You can do this.

Download the Mp3

In this episode of Startup Daddy, I’m going to talk about a new business I’m starting, and some tools I am using to collaborate with a partner in another Country.  In today’s time saver quick tip, I’m going to talk about some things that will help save you some time and money when it’s time to file your taxes.

If you are interested in 1 on 1 coaching, go here.

Learn about Google Apps.

Check out Skype.

Friend me up on Facebook.

Add me to your network on LinkedIn

Download the Mp3 of this episode.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think, what you want to learn about, or anything else you want to share.

Photo Credit: Atrayu

This episode of Startup Daddy is my first Video Podcast. I made a video that talks about the different kinds of business plans and the elements that a business plan should contain.

About a month ago, I posted this video to YouTube. When I compare my statistics for the number of people who listen to this podcast to the number of people who visit this site, there are a lot more of you who listen than visit. I have absolutely no problem with this. I am honored that you choose to listen to me at all. So I made the video into a podcast episode so that the subscriber only folks can have a look.

Download Video

UPDATE: The first file would play in iTunes, but would not transfer to iPhones or iPod Touches for some reason. I have replaced the file, and all should be well now.

So what do you think? Should I do more video?

In this episode of Startup Daddy I have a conversation with Marc Warnke,  author of ONO: Options Not Obligations.   A few months ago Marc popped up on my radar as he was promoting his book.  What made me stop and take notice was his concept of the Family First Entrepreneur.  This has been the way I approach my business since my daughters were born, I just didn’t have a name for it.

We talk about the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of teaching your children about basic business concepts, and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and keep your family your number one priority.

Marc was kind enough to offer a 30% discount when you order his book using promo code RADIO at ONOBook.com

Here are some links to find out more about Marc.

MarcWarnke.com
FamilyFirstEntrepreneur.com

Download the Mp3 for this episode

This past Saturday, I went to see Bill Clinton speak at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), or as the locals call it, the EX.  Whatever you think of Bill Clinton, and whatever your political views are, he said some things during his speech that every entrepreneur should hear.

Though he attended the funeral for Ted Kennedy earlier that day, he still honored his commitment and flew up to Toronto.  The speech was entitled, Embracing Our Common Humanity, and in it he talked about his Foundation and the admirable things they are doing around the world; dispensing AIDS medicine, and addressing climate change.  Of course, he talked about Health-care Reform.   The things that stick in my mind most though, were some things he said at the end.  He sat down and answered a few questions.  I have no idea where they came from, but in answering the last question he addressed the “young people” in the audience.  He spoke about how he arrived at the decision to go into politics in the first place, and about following your passion.  I’m sure he has told this story thousands of times, but it seemed spontaneous and sincere, and for me, inspiring.

“Try to find something you care about. Most of us love doing what we are best at, but better to do something you care about.”

About how lucky most of us are, he candidly said,

“Keep in mind that if you have any options for what you do in your life, ANY options, you are in a group of not more than one or two percent of all the people who have ever walked across planet earth.”

He’s a much better speaker than I am, so I think you should hear the audio from the last five minutes of Bill Clinton’s speech in his own words.  I apologize for the audio quality.  I recorded it on the spur of the moment with my iPhone.  I cleaned up the recording as well as I could, and it’s only 5 minutes, so you can handle it.  I think you’ll be glad you did.

Picture of Bill Clinton at the CNE by Canadian National Press

Download the Mp3 audio file

Link to the survey for the webinar series

So what do you think?  Are you crafting your business to provide the lifestyle you want?

In this episode of Startup Daddy , I answer questions from YOU.  I really want to help you get your businesses started, and one of the ways I back that up with action is to invite you to send me your questions.  I want this to be a conversation, not a lecture.  A lot of people say that, but I mean it.

You send me your questions via email, leaving comments here, or by responding to my email newsletter.  I read and answer every one of them personally.  So I thought I would make an episode from some of the questions about topics that I am asked about often.  I hope it helps you move your business forward.

Some of the links I refer to in this episode:

Productivity Books I Like:

• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen
• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
• Zen To Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System, by Leo Babauta (ebook)

Business Registration Services:
(These are affiliate links- I make a few dollars if you go to LegalZoom from my link, and actually make a purchase)

• Legal Zoom- Trademark Research and Registration Service
• Legal Zoom- LLC Registration Service (Corporation Registration too)

Screen Capture Software:

• Jing- Free
• Camtasia Studio- Paid App with many more features and flexibility.  There is a free trial, though.

DOWNLOAD the Mp3 of this episode.

So how about you?  Do you have a question I can answer to move your business forward?

In this episode of the Startup Daddy podcast, I talk about the importance of writing at least a basic business plan, and how to tackle some basic financial statements: Startup Expense Table, Break-even Analysis, and Cash Flow Statement.

When you write a business plan, the process is the juice.  Going through the research and thought necessary to complete the plan is what you get the most out of.  That’s why I give away the business startup tool kit when you sign up for my newsletter.  I want you to do this and I want to make it easier for you to do this.

You need to have a solid grasp on your financials to succeed.  So in this episode I talk about a few of the important financial tables you need to understand- the Startup Expense Table, the Break-even Analysis table and the Cash Flow Statement.

This episode’s Time Saver Quick tip is about Google’s Wonder Wheel- a graphical flow chart of search results that is great for brainstorming.

Download the Mp3 for this episode (right-click link and select “save link as”)

In this episode of the Startup Daddy Podcast, I talk about how to conduct initial market research to determine of there is a market or potential market for a particular product or service.  I also talk about some ways to evaluate an opportunity and some tools I use for market research.

Today’s feature segment is about research.  Specifically market research.  You have an idea, and you need to determine if it will make you money. The first thing you need to do is determine of there is a market for your idea. In other words, PROSPECTS.

I discuss ways to use Google Search, website keyword tools, Twitter, and others,  to determine if there are people looking for what you want to sell.

The websites I talk about in this episode are:

The Google Adwords Keyword Tool

http://search.twitter.com/

Scribd.com

Let me know what you think.  What are some tools you find useful to get a lay of the land for your market?

Download the Mp3 for this episode

There was a weird problem with iTunes where many of you downloaded a file that was silent.  I thought the best thing to do, was to repost the file and give it a whole new record, so iTunes would look at it as a whole new podcast.  This way, if you are subscribed, you will get it as a new episode.  Upside is the people with a bad file get one that works.  Downside is that the people who did not have a problem, will be getting a duplicate.  To those people I sincerely appologize.

In this episode of the StartupDaddy podcast I talk with Sunir Shah, the Chief Handshaker at FreshBooks.com. Freshbooks is an online invoicing tool that allows you to track your time, and send and manage invoices online.

After a long pause between podcast episodes, I am back with this conversation with Sunir.  I do not have any relationship with Freshbooks, I just think they have a great product that I wanted to share with you.  Their service allows you to create professional looking invoices that you can send on or offline, to your clients.

Your clients can pay you by credit card or paypal, and have an interface that allows them to log in and check their balance with you at any time.  It is a big time saver, and they use a pricing model that scales as you grow your business.

Go to the FreshBooks website for more information, to take a product tour or sign up for the service.

I also talk about a project of mine, RecallNewsletter,com

RecallNewsletter.com  is a site I developed that helps you keep up with recall news and alerts, from all of the different government agencies that issue recalls.

Download this episode

In this episode of Start A Business With Startup Daddy, I talk about productivity, and two books that have put me on the path to getting more done each day: Getting Things Done, by David Allen and Zen to Done, by Leo Babauta.

In order to accomplish all I have to in a given day, and still get home to spend time with my girls before bedtime, I need a system that allows me to get a hold of how I spend my time.  I got the help I needed to develop a system that works for me, in these two books.

The Two Books

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen

Zen To Done: The Ultimate Simple Productivity System, by Leo Babauta [EBook]

Here are some other resources I have used to implement GTD, and stay on my path to being more productive:

Productivity Blogs I read:

43 Folders

Black Belt Productivity

Lifehacker

A list of resources from Zen Habits, far greater than I could make up: Massive GTD Resource List

In this episode of Start A Business With Startup Daddy, I talk about Affiliate Marketing.  It is a type of home based business that offers flexible hours and location, as well as leaving plenty of time in your day to spend with your family or to pursue other interests.

I explain what affiliate marketing is, the different types of affiliate programs, where to find and apply for affiliate programs, and where to go to learn more about it.

Places I mention in this podcast episode:

• Warrior Forum
• Amazon.com Associate Program
• Clickbank.com
• CommissionJunction.com
• Google Sync

Download the Mp3 file

In this episode of Start A Business With Startup Daddy, I interview Dan Zeidler, an expert in both Individual and Group Health Insurance coverage.  He answers your questions about getting health insurance for you and your family when you are self employed, and getting coverage for you and your employees after you grow your business.  In the Time Saver Quick Tip, I discuss Google Analytics.

I don’t have to tell you how important having health insurance is.  It can be a challenge however, to navigate all of the options and choices available to you and find a health insurance policy that you can afford.  In this interview, Dan shares his insight on choosing a policy that balances having the benefits you need with a premium you can afford.

Some things we talk about in this episode:

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

NAHU: National Association of Health Underwriters

NAIFA: National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

HSA: Health Savings Account

Quick Tip:
Google Analytics

You can contact Dan Zeidler at Essential Financial Associates:
dzeidler@efaofaz.com
480-367-1260
www.efaofaz.com

Download the Mp3

In this episode of Start A Business With Startup Daddy, I talk about how you can have a modern, Web 2.0, interactive website for your new business, even if your computer skills are limited to sending email and searching Google.

I discuss free open source software you can use to create your website, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of certain platforms to help you decide which is best for you.

Links to items mentioned in this podcast:

Blogger
TypePad
WordPress.com (Get a site on THEIR site)

My recommended web host (with 1 click install of WordPress)

WordPress.org (The software to install on YOUR SITE manually- NOT 1 click install)

WordPress Theme Directory
All In One SEO Plugin for WordPress
Google XML Sitemap Builder for WordPress (You want the one for WordPress 2.1 and later)

FileZilla FTP software for Windows or Mac
Cyberduck FTP Software for Mac

Download the Mp3

In this episode of Startup Daddy, I give some tips about setting up your home office and get you started with branding by talking about getting a Business Identity Package for your new business.

Creating a Logo and making sure all of the things that project the image for your company- Logo, Website, Letterhead, Business Cards, etc.) all have the same over all look and feel, are essential in establishing the identity of your business and the foundation of establishing your brand.  In this episode, I reveal a cheap and easy way to get a professional designer to create your logo and all of the other things you will need.

Links to sites I talk about in this podcast:

99 Designs

Elance.com

Download the Mp3

Please take a brief 3 Question Survey about my upcoming Business Startup Course

Have a question or comment?  Please use the form below.

In this episode of Startup Daddy, I talk about the differences between business entities.  I explain Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), and Corporations, and why it is so important to protect yourself.

In the Time Saver Quick Tip, I recommend a virtual phone system to give you a professional image without the cost of additional phone lines or expensive PBX systems.

Recommended Resource for Filing Your LLC or Corporation Paperwork

My Recommendation for a Virtual Fax Line and or Voicemail Number
The Startup Daddy Community gets a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL, by following the link above. If you want a dedicated fax line, and/or all you need is voicemail, this is the way to go.  You get your faxes in your email inbox as a PDF, and if you opt for the PRO Service option, you get voicemail as well, with the ability to record a personalized message.  If the system hears a fax tone, it just accepts the fax.  If it is a caller, they hear your message and you get the voicemail in your email inbox, in the form of a WAV file that you can listen to on any computer or smartphone.

My Recommended Service for a Virtual Receptionist Phone Number
The Startup Daddy Community gets a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL, by following the link above . Big-business sound for small businesses.  Customers get a toll-free and/or local number that answers calls with a professionally recorded greeting. Callers can navigate the touch tone menu to find the right person by name, extension or department. Calls can be transferred to any phone, anywhere, anytime. It also includes features not found on traditional phone systems like advanced call screening and voicemail stored by phone, email or online.

Please take a brief 3 Question Survey about my upcoming Business Startup Course

Download the Mp3

(A great discussion took place in the comments on this post, going into the subject in greater detail.  Be sure to scroll down and read more.)

This is the premier podcast episode of Startup Daddy.  In this episode I talk about my entrepreneurial path, and how I made the leap from unhappy employee to financially independent home based business owner. In this episode you’ll also find:

• The basics of starting a business
• A checklist to get you started
• The 2 books that influenced me the most in the beginning.

Items Mentioned in this podcast:

Download your Home Based Business Startup Checklist (PDF)

Download your Personal Financial Checkup form (PDF)

United States Patent and Trademark Office Go here to conduct your trademark search

Getting Things Done, by David Allen

The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber

I did have a little fun getting an intro done, but I am not a professional broadcaster, and this is my first attempt at creating and editing an audio file, so I apologize if it doesn’t sound perfect and polished.  I will get better. So what do you think?   Let me know what you thought about my first ever podcast.  I can take it.  Let me know what you liked and didn’t like, or if there is some topic you would like me to cover.

Download this episode