Inspiring Greatness

Aimee Engelmann has established herself in Australia, but has refused to restrict her business’ growth by expanding operations to the Philippines. She is the CEO and founder of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) which had a biblical 3849% revenue increase within its first year. Engelmann is also the winner of the 2015 Young Entrepreneur Trail Blazer Award and her efforts and success has made it into many media streams such as the Business News Australia, Courier Mail and Microsoft.com just to name a few. Also guest-writing for Blue Wire Media Blog and the Entrepreneurs Organisation, Engelmann does not show any signs of slowing down, with having just sold her marketing company to a private equity firm.

Welcome to GNF Episode 30 but before I begin I wanted to quickly give a brief teaser for next week guest. I had the pleasure of interviewing Aimee Englemann from Beepo an offshore company in the Philippians. Once upon a time, offshoring was associated with large corporations moving departments overseas in a cost-saving measure, however today the industry has evolved into a sophisticated pool of people talent, accessible to business all around the world at a low cost.

Scott Macdonald is the president of both Noise Solutions Inc., a world leader in innovative environmental and occupational noise and emission control, and BOSS Buildings & structure, a single source contracting solution for all of your structural needs. In 1997 Scott co-founded Noise Solutions, setting out to revolutionise the way that industrial noise analysis and noise suppression was done. In 2002 Scott took over the management of a manufacturing facility that was and facing financial difficulties. Now “BOSS Buildings & Structure”, Scott’s management helped the company to increase revenues by over 100%, with the company showing profits for the first time in 8 years.  Scott has been recognised for his entrepreneurial achievements as: A Western finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2003); Alberta Winner for the BDC Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2005); Calgary Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2006); and Regional Finalist – Deloitte 50 Best Managed Companies

Today episode where we will talk about the importance of focus and getting everyone moving towards the same vivid vision or painted picture. We will share Cameron Herold’s tips and examples of some really cool vivid visions to help you create one for your company. Creating a visual display of what you want actually does bring it to life. It is proven what we focus on develops. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you end up doing short visualization exercises several times a day.

As well as being part of the Global Entrepreneurs Organisation, Sue Hrib became the CEO and founder of Signum Group in 1994. Since then the company leads in the integration of Oracle applications, namely Oracle EAM. Her efforts have landed her in the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America three times since 2008. 20+ years experience has shaped an expertise surrounding effective enterprise resource planning, deployment and strategy. Sue also partakes in executive consulting in implementing, managing and integrating maintenance and asset managing applications. She is on the board of the Carter Centre as well as an advisory board member of the Women’s Leadership Exchange. Sue serves on the committee board too with Usher’s New Look, and is also a mentor to some of the many students that are involved with the program.

Today, we will talk about 5 very important tips for start-up Entrepreneurs plus lessons learned from entrepreneur of +20 years (that’s me your host Shelley Rogers.  Lastly, you will hear a short audio snippet from a Ted Talk that has had more than 27 Million views on YouTube.  Make sure you listen to the end to get our free resource which is 50-best-startup-tools & Resources for 2016/

Since innovating retail concepts with Calgary – Canada, Shashi Behl has revolutionised the retail industry. Focusing on niche markets, Behl’s company ‘Twisted Goods’ sells original and unique goods. Since then, Behl has opened ‘Joy Drop’ another niche retail which deals exclusively in jewellery and accessories with the same unique edge. Winner of the 2013 Retailer of the Year Award from the Canadian Gift Association, Behl’s strong ambitions for the future means an exciting time for niche retail.  

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday episode where we will be talking about the opportunities, risks and steps involved in taking your business global.  Lastly we will highlight a VERY successful private company here in Australia who expanded globally.  Yes the very popular Lorna Jane… They design and manufacture activewear and sportswear for women.  In 2014 Revenue recorded $166.2 Million According to the company’s report to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.  They now have 215 stores globally + stockists in 54 countries and soon to be in 100 Nordstrom locations across USA. Lorna Jane was quoted saying. “We’re going from fishing in a pond, which is basically the Australian market, to the opportunity of fishing in the ocean. We believe we can double our profits over the next three years."

After representing Australia in rowing, Justin Sires decided to integrate in passion for sport into the emerging of commuter accessibility. Founding “PFL Spaces”, a project designed to incorporate cyclists and walkers and jogger’s lifestyles into corporate buildings. The project has since expanded worldwide with the state-of-the-art facilities now in London and Portland, America to just name a few. In this episode, Sires discusses how his lifestyle out of work contributes heavily to his entrepreneurial success, and how to learn to trust your gut when faced with the hundreds of tough decisions one if faced with on day-to-day basis.

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday episode where we will share the importance of following your instincts, hear Megan Schwab’s Ted Talk on the importance of listening to your own voice and lastly review 3 steps to help YOU MAKE INTUITIVE DECISIONS.

Former global leader of the Entrepreneurs Organisation, Jodie Dharmawan was the President and Director of PT Winner Garment Manufacturing, in which he leads 1500 employees. He was also the director of the Lee-Cooper Indonesia Clothing Company which contained over one hundred outlets worldwide and manufactures over 500,000 jeans per year!  Jody explains what it was like during the Asian Crisis in 1997 when Indonesia currencies depreciated sharply, experiencing drastic slowdowns in economic growth and loss of confidence by foreign investors. The effects of downward pressure on the rupiah by 800% lead to most Indonesian companies becoming insolvent and required restructuring.   Between August 1997 and December 1998, rapid job losses saw unemployment rise in Indonesia from 4.3 million to 13.7 million people.  Listen to how Jody explains his biggest challenges during this time and that having a peer to peer learning group helped him get past his fear.

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday episode where we will share the 10 qualities of successful Entrepreneurs, provide you with a tool to see if you have some of the top 10 qualities?   Lastly, highlight the key to success by understanding how to apply your greatest talents and strengths in everyday life with your executive, employees, even family and friends.

Sick of the corporate world, its corner office and its politics, Catriona Pollard decided to leave her successful career to launch herself in the entrepreneurial life. With her passion for social media and entrepreneurial drive, she set out and became one of Australia’s top 50 most influential women entrepreneurs in 2015.  She explains her “AH-HA” moment being on stage when she realised being in the spotlight was not about her it was about how her words could influence the audience businesses in a positive way.  Step into the spot light to make the world a better place.  Adapability and creativity is her greatest strength Being the author of “Unknown to Expert”, Pollard founded CP Communications in 2001, in which it was recognised as one of Australia’s leading PR social media agencies.

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday episode. Today’s episode was inspired by my last guest Jamie Douraghy, he shares how mentors helped him see clearly and accelerate the sale of his company and understand his “why”!   Jamie now helps others discover their WHY, HOW and WHAT, (WHW). He says once you know your WHW, you'll know your way. You will integrate passion, purpose, and energy all in one meaningful direction.  Jamie has provided a free resource for you to determine your WHY.  In case you missed episode 17 I strongly recommend you zip on over and listen to this inspiring podcast. 

Jamie Douraghy’s journey as an entrepreneur is closely related to his active lifestyle as he has been a competitive fencer for over 37 years. In this podcast Jamie shares with us how his passion has taught him the importance of focus, determination and drive, giving us an interesting parallel between being an athlete and being an entrepreneur.  Jamie shares the importance of staying physically fit, positive morning rituals as well as, that having a mentor was very mind-opening.

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday episode. Today’s episode was inspired by my last guest Ivanka Menken as well as, Dr Karl Kruszelnikcki.  In this episode we will discuss the importance for Entrepreneurs to invest in themselves.  I will share my experience on top 5 most important areas entrepreneurs need to focus on to be successful.

Ivanka is the CEO and co-founder of The Art of Service, an educator, a published author, owner of an online business – horses-store.com specialising in equestrian products, among many other things. Starting her career as a vocational education teacher, Ivanka followed her entrepreneurial spirit and pursued her passion for technology, and began a career in IT. After working for both public and private companies in several countries across the world, Ivanka founded The Art of Service, the world’s first IT service framework company. The Art of Service is now one of the most trusted sources globally for the career-driven IT professional, having served over 800 corporate clients and 500,000 individual clients and students in 87% of the world’s countries. In 2015 she was named as one of the top 50 most influential women entrepreneurs in Australia as part of the Inspiring Rare Birds project.

Welcome to Golden Nugget Friday episode 14.  I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to YOU!  YES YOU for listening to this podcast where we share amazing stories from remarkable Entrepreneurs.  Last week I was very humbled that Inspiring Greatness podcast hit #1 in Management and & Marketing and #3 in the business section on iTunes!  Thanks to everyone for sharing and spreading the word! With 14 episodes down we would love your feedback, send us a message on Inspiring Greatness Facebook page quickly tell us 3 things.  STOP/START/CONTINUE!  Tell us what things you would like us to Stop doing, What you would like us to Start doing & What we should Continue doing….. lastly what topics you would like us to cover on GNF’s.  So lets dive into today’s GNF topic.

John Bly is the founding Member of LBA Haynes Strand, PLLC and LBA Haynes Strand Capital Advisors. His entrepreneurial leadership has propelled the CPA Firm’s growth. LBA Haynes Strand ranks as one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s Top 25 CPA Firms in the Charlotte Region and an Inc. 5000 Company. John steers the Firm’s consistent growth of personnel and expansion of client services with ten partners and over seventy professionals, John continues to grow the Firm both organically and through acquisitions. John’s strategic plan led to a second and third office in Greensboro and Mount Airy to serve the rapidly growing Triad market.  John is a frequently requested speaker who is called upon to share business ideas and growth strategies. And he is the author of "Cracking the Code: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Growing Your Business Through Mergers and Acquisitions for Pennies on the Dollar." John has received the 40 Under 40 award for National M&A Advisor Recognition, He was named Managing Partner Elite by A

Welcome to Golden nugget Friday, today’s topic we will discuss how Small Businesses, Women, Veteran or Indian owned business in the United States can access over $500B dollars in contracts thru programs with US Small Business Administration.  To give you a bit of background on this program, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses