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What if the world’s most beloved holiday figure is also one of its sharpest operators? We kick off with Santa’s surprising origin story—from Sinterklaas to the red-suited icon shaped by Washington Irving, Harper’s Weekly, and Coca‑Cola—and then hand the mic to the big guy to reveal the engine behind the magic: a nonprofit built to deliver joy at scale.

Santa breaks down why the North Pole runs as a 501(c)(3), how a roughly $75M annual budget powers thousands of elves and a massive manufacturing footprint, and why early planning is nonnegotiable. We get into the nuts and bolts: vendor networks across business-friendly states, strategies to soften tariff shocks, and a pragmatic backup plan that leans on marketplaces for last‑minute parts. The timeline is tight by design—business plan to donors by March 30, funds wired by April 30—so the factory floor can focus on execution when December arrives.

Beyond the spreadsheets, we explore purpose and resilience. Santa talks candidly about delivery stress, staying fit for chimney duty, and using everyday community touchpoints to keep the brand warm year‑round. He outlines succession guardrails with an active board, admits AI isn’t a factor yet but could reshape his role, and underscores a market definition that keeps the mission clear: children under 12 across the United States. Between laughs and lore, the lesson is unmistakable—clarity of mission, disciplined planning, and flexible operations turn seasonal chaos into reliable delight.

If you love smart storytelling, nonprofit strategy, and the craft of operations, you’ll find a full sleigh here. Listen, share with a friend who geeks out on business and holidays, and leave a review to help more curious listeners discover the show.

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Frustrated that marketing feels busy but sales still miss the mark? We sit down with Victoria Hajar—CEO of Ugly Ventures and host of The Scalable Marketing Machine—to draw a bright line between marketing and sales, then rebuild the bridge that makes both perform. Victoria shares how CEOs can move from scattered tactics to a system that creates demand, feeds closers, and proves ROI without guesswork.

We start by reframing marketing as opportunity creation and brand clarity, not a support arm for random requests. From there, Victoria introduces four core playbooks that turn chaos into a repeatable engine: a brand communication playbook that codifies positioning and voice, a marketing growth strategy that operates as a 24/7 flywheel, a team playbook that aligns roles and KPIs to pipeline stages, and a leadership playbook that sets the scorecard, cadence, and budget discipline. We also talk about cultural fluency—why language and local context make campaigns click when you’re expanding into new markets.

AI gets a candid assessment: powerful when grounded in strategy, risky when deployed without guardrails. Treat agents like hires. Onboard them with messaging, ICPs, and journey maps or they’ll scale confusion across departments. Victoria brings the framework to life with a case study of a commercial roofing company that shifted from event-driven bursts to a measurable pipeline generating several million in opportunities, tying marketing efforts directly to closed revenue within months.

If you lead a privately held company in the $5M–$50M range (or nearby), this conversation offers a clear path to escape shiny-object syndrome and build a marketing function that compounds. You’ll walk away with a checklist to diagnose funnel bottlenecks, align with sales, and upskill teams so the system keeps working long after the campaign du jour fades. Enjoy the conversation, share it with a fellow CEO, and if it helps, leave a quick review and hit follow so you don’t miss what’s next.

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Amid the chaos of current tariff policies, international law expert John Tulac provides crucial insights on how small businesses can navigate trade uncertainty and supply chain challenges. His straightforward analysis cuts through political noise to offer practical strategies for survival in a rapidly changing global trade landscape.

• Current tariff policies have created "pure chaos" in global trade, making risk assessment nearly impossible for businesses
• Small businesses face disproportionate harm from high tariffs as they lack the financial cushion of larger corporations
• "Pivoting" supply chains away from heavily tariffed regions requires substantial capital that many small businesses cannot access
• Trade deficits aren't inherently negative—they reflect America's economic strength and purchasing power
• Case studies show various industries facing unique challenges, from cosmetics to specialized audio equipment
• Regular supply chain reviews and resilience testing are essential for business survival
• Businesses should negotiate with suppliers to share the burden of increased costs
• Contract reviews and proper product classification for tariff purposes can prevent costly mistakes
• Developing backup plans for supply chain disruptions is crucial in today's uncertain environment

Hunker down, don't panic, and don't do something you will regret later. Try to figure out how to ride this out in the short term. Don't be afraid to negotiate with your suppliers and say we're both getting hurt. We've got to share some of the hurt.

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The digital landscape has transformed dramatically, and with it the threats facing your business. In this eye-opening conversation with IT security veteran Ryan Kincer, we uncover the harsh reality that small businesses aren't just vulnerable to cyber attacks—they're the primary targets.

Ryan pulls back the curtain on the modern cybercriminal: no longer limited to physical break-ins, today's digital thieves operate remotely in their sweatpants, purchasing criminal software from the dark web to cast wide nets for vulnerable businesses. The statistics are sobering—over 60% of cyber attacks target small businesses, and of those attacked, more than 60% close their doors within a year.

We explore practical, budget-conscious security measures every business should implement, from multi-factor authentication to regular software updates and comprehensive staff training. Ryan shares a particularly chilling story about a local business crippled by ransomware for weeks, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars despite having cybersecurity insurance.

The conversation takes an intriguing turn when we discuss artificial intelligence—both as a productivity booster for legitimate businesses and as a powerful new weapon for cybercriminals. Ryan offers crucial guidance on using AI safely in your business while protecting intellectual property through proper "siloing" of information.

Perhaps most valuable is our dissection of emerging threats like "fake receipt" scams that bypass traditional security red flags by containing no suspicious links or attachments—instead manipulating victims into calling fake customer service numbers where their financial information is harvested.

Whether you're a tech novice or savvy business leader, this episode delivers essential knowledge to protect your company's future. Listen now to arm yourself against the invisible threats that could determine whether your business thrives or becomes another cybercrime statistic.

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Knowledge management transforms business outcomes by organizing critical data into actionable insights. Women business owners are leveraging these systems to fuel incredible growth, with women-owned businesses growing at twice the rate of male-owned businesses from 2019-2023.

• 14 million women-owned businesses in the US (39% of privately owned businesses)
• These businesses employ 12.2 million people with combined revenue of $2.7 trillion
• California hosts 23% of all women-owned businesses in America (1.5 million)
• Knowledge management combines data, information systems, and analysis
• Effective systems deliver the right data to the right person at the right time
• Create a plan identifying key knowledge points about your business
• Implement systems consolidating internal and external data
• Establish quality control procedures to ensure accurate data
• Experiment with data to find hidden opportunities
• Dedicate 2-3 hours weekly to analyzing business data
• Look for unexpected patterns like unusual customer demographics
• Use technology including AI tools to gain insights

Find this podcast on all major podcast directories or watch the video version on YouTube.

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Curious about how a young entrepreneur is shaking up the HVAC industry? Join us as we sit down with Austin Landy, the ambitious 30-year-old CEO of Heat Pumps Now, who left his father's business to start his own company focused on energy efficiency . Austin reveals the pivotal role of heat pumps in electrification, especially in California's climate, and opens up about the costs and benefits of these systems. He generously shares his journey, including the strategies that helped him solidify a unique business model and marketing plan on a tight budget. From the power of word-of-mouth to the indispensable need for a credible online presence, Austin shares his toolkit for startup success.

But the conversation doesn't stop there. We tackle the real-world impacts of recent LA fires on HVAC businesses, exploring how to navigate challenges like price gouging and make informed decisions in crisis situations. Austin also sheds light on the future of the HVAC industry, emphasizing the shift towards electric solutions and considering the potential for expansion and service diversification. As we wrap up, we celebrate local entrepreneurs like Austin, whose innovative thinking is making a positive impact on their communities. Don't miss this insightful episode that's packed with inspiration and practical advice from a leading figure in sustainable entrepreneurship.

check out episode 83#

on all major podcast directories and You Tube , CEO TO Rainmaker- Gene valdez

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