Business Owners Speak Out

The 3rd Edition

A collection of short interviews and education from local business owners with amazing insights to today's challenges.

We virtually interviewed some of the top small businesses to take a look at what's really happening during the COVID-19 Crisis. Everyone has some important tips to share with other business owners and a few even have a special offer to share. Check out their interviews and MOST IMPORTANTLY visit their websites and check out their services.  Every small business needs us now (and probably yours too!)


OH, And, learn from their mistakes.... hear what they've done wrong so you can do it right! 

Todd Brewster,  Wealth Wave I graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Mathematics. While I was there I started a Sigep chapter. I started Media Buying Decisions in 1986 after working for two of the largest ad agencies in the world. In 2018 I switched careers and I now sell life insurance through Wealth Wave. 

Who do you consider your best customer or Target audience? Our target audience are entrepreneurs just starting out in life and people that want a retirement plan. 

It's been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but the wise learn from the mistakes of others. What are some mistakes that you’ve made that could help others? This is what propelled me to change careers. When I changed careers I realized a lot of people were not financially literate. People need to insure themselves and their business partners because it is so important. 

What's been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business? I think the main thing is that people are realizing they are living paycheck to paycheck and they need to be saving some money. The number one thing right now is you can get life insurance without a medical examination.  

What are some actions you have taken to make a difference? I am going out and I’m networking a lot. I'm talking to a lot of people from a business standpoint and on individual accounts. 

What is most inspiring to you today? My son just landed a great job and my daughter is close to earning her PhD.  

Contact: 214-912-4721 https://wealthwave.com/toddbrewster 
todd@mediabuyingdecisions.com 

Evan Huff, Vested Networks Vested networks is an online hosted voice over the internet company. We are a unified communication service and we connect local businesses to make sure that they can make/send calls and communicate effectively with their customers. We follow up with clients regularly and have a huge focus on the customer support for business phones.Our package is all inclusive. We give you everything from equipment to call recording. We are invested in your success and if our customers aren’t succeeding we ask that they let us know how we can help. We are very thorough from the beginning starting in the onboarding phase. If you don’t hear from us day by day then something has gone very wrong – we make sure all our details are lined out.  

Who do you consider your best customer or Target audience? Any business that needs a good high-quality phone system. We also provide the service. We do it all. Our best customer is from a solo-entrepreneur to up to 200 phones.  

What's been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business? We are a critical business and we found that a lot of our direct sales took a huge dive. During that time we had been working on developing relationships with IT people and MSPs (manage service providers).  Those accounts pick up and carry the slack (and more) from direct sales.  

What are some actions you have taken to make a difference? We sent several employees home.  If we could have sent our entire staff we would have. Our day to day tasks didn’t change but we are adapting to not having people in the office. The ones who are coming into the office wear protective gear.  

It's been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but the wise learn from the mistakes of others. What are some mistakes that you’ve made that could help others? I think one of the things for me is learning how to delegate. I was the guy that did everything. I would give the advice to let go of the responsibilities and not be so afraid that people are going to drop the ball. Learning how to communicate, delegate and set priorities. I would also recommend learning from people that have been down that road and taking the time to understand yourself – for example knowing how you are going to react in a high stress situation. 

What is most inspiring to you today? My family is the most inspiring part of this and seeing how my business is growing. I’m able to grow and do this for them and the one thing that is there for me every day is my walk with the Lord and that is a huge part of my life. 

Offer:  All equipment (new customer), your entire onboarding--we do everything for you. We just ask you how you want it set up. We install the equipment and it doesn’t cost you anything. No upfront cost. Dependent on credit approval. 36/48/60-month terms. We also offer 1-3 months $0 payments. Your payments would start 3 months after install. 3 months deferred payments. 

Contact: 
972-924-6488
https://vestednetworks.com/phone-services/ 
ehuff@vestednetworks.com 

 

Bazal Morani,  CPA We are financial planning partnered with an accounting firm. We do bookkeeping, payroll, tax returns and right now provide PPP & EIDL support/registrations. We have a partner company empire central where we provide financial planning and insurance to everyone. 

Who do you consider your best customer or Target audience? Business owners who are trying to grow and expand and need help with tax returns. We target Mid-large size businesses.  

What's been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business? We have been extra busy due to the PPP and EIDL.  

What are some actions you have taken to make a difference? We have created webinars for clients and for others to learn about the different services & different resolutions that are there. This is a services for people that can’t afford assistance  

It's been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but the wise learn from the mistakes of others. What are some mistakes that you’ve made that could help others? During the hiring processes ensuring that our employees are as dedicated as the company is. We made it our main focus to make sure our employees are focused on the impact they make in other people’s lives. 

What is most inspiring to you today? When someone else makes a difference and when you make a difference in others lives. 

Offer:  We are currently offering a 5% discount  

Contact:469-283-7328 Ext. 406 http://www.amoranicpa.com/ bazal@amoranicpa.com

Franklyn Bratini, Ocean State Tax & Business Service Center Ocean State Tax & Business Service Center offers a range of tax services tailored to individuals and small businesses. Our services include, but are not limited to, tax resolution, IRS audits, bookkeeping and payroll. 

Who do you consider your best customer or Target audience? We do not discriminate. Our target audience are businesses who are in need of tax resolution or representative services. 

What's been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business? The social distancing because clients are used to having direct contact and it has been a difficult adaptation.  

What are some actions you have taken to make a difference? Because of social distancing to get in contact and provide more information during this outbreak we are using social media platforms and video conferencing. 

It's been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but the wise learn from the mistakes of others. What are some mistakes that you’ve made that could help others? Not being focused in the day to day in the business. My coach Sean Schoenmakers has really shown me how lost I really was. I would say have a clear vision and stay competitive   

What is most inspiring to you today? Minority groups are ok to express and I love making a difference in someone’s life. 

Offer: Open to business and new prospect last 5 years IRS transcript analysis ($1600) 

Contact:
https://www.oceanstatetax.com/
Oceanstatetax@gmail.com
401467-3088

P.J. Hines, Attorney at Law Magazine/Greater Dallas Edition   
I publish Attorney at Law Magazine (AALM) which is a national online & print publication about private practice lawyers in North Texas more specifically Dallas county.  AALM focuses on the business side, of the practice of law, local private, practice licensed attorneys, local legal industry and stories and offers FREE subscription and circulation to the entire Dallas legal community opportunity.  

Who do you consider your best customer or Target audience? AALM target market is private practice license attorneys the ones that are in the trenches and gutting it out and making business decision running a law office or firm.  Since the subscription is FREE, both print & digital editions, its circulation is only limited to someone’s imagination, it's going all over the country.

What's been the greatest impact of COVID-19 on your business? For AALM, it's had a positive impact; people are much easier to reach, they answer the phone and they want to talk. The magazine itself is getting out there for lawyers to get in front of other lawyers.Private practice licensed attorneys rely heavily on referrals, and their best referrals from from other attorneys.   Attorney at Law Magazine gets out in front of everyone. We work with various bar associations in Dallas to cover events in each issue; our  next Out on the Town will be all on Zoom.  

What are some actions you have taken to make a difference? We are launching a new product organic online searches and so the attorney will land on the first page of google results.  We are looking for one 'Local Legal Authority" attorney in each practice area; this is a game changer for attorneys that want to land on the first page of google, but haven't been able too. It's been said that smart people learn from their mistakes, but the wise learn from the mistakes of others. 

What are some mistakes that you’ve made that could help others? Be available, accessible, and a problem-solver.  Connecting in person, or in real time on the telephone vs. all virtual, email or text, is very important.  Slow and steady wins the race. I connect with people and people connect to the magazine. People hire people they know trust and like. You are nobody until somebody publishes you and it doesn’t count to publish yourself because it is not creditable. 

What is most inspiring to you today? I’m inspired by the gift of being alive and enjoying the beauty the God has given us. Hope that I can do good in his eyes and in his name. 

Offer: Anyone can subscribe for FREE @ www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com/subscribe  

Contact
214-597-5920 pjhines@attorneyatlawmagazine.com

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