Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Kimberly Kirkendall: 1. The Balance of Visionary and Analytical People in Successful Companies Timestamp: [06:10] - Kimberly Kirkendall emphasizes the importance of having a balanced team with both visionary and analytical individuals. This balance is crucial for driving innovation while als…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Steven Huang of Zhong Lu Law Firm to discuss 2024 changes to the corporate law in China and the implications for foreign companies, especially regarding capital contributions, increased liabilities for directors, the role of legal representatives, and superviso…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Ryan Weiss: 1. Pivoting Business Model Due to COVID-19 - Ryan Weiss initially started EPS as a consulting company, but the impact of COVID-19 forced him to pivot his business model. He transformed EPS into a company that offers a software platform and outsourcing team to help clients streaml…

Here are my episode highlights from my conversation with Chris Burns: 1. The True Meaning of Hustle: Quality Over Quantity - Chris discusses redefining hustle not as excessive working hours but as quality effort and passion in what you do. He also offers insights into how personal well-being should not be compromised for the sake of work. 2. Simpli…

Here are the episode Highlights from my conversation with Bryan Hayes 1. Innovation in Commercial Real Estate Marketing: [00:00:31] - [00:02:56] - Bryan Hayes discusses the founding of Elevate X Sales and how the company aims to revolutionize commercial real estate marketing by leveraging social media to attract high-quality leads for property owne…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Jure Bratkic: 1. The Importance of Business Etiquette and Cultural Differences - Jure Bratkic emphasizes the critical role of recognizing and respecting cultural differences in business, stressing that understanding each other's struggles and values is essential for effective collaboration. …

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Neal Schaffer: 1. The Importance of Strategic Decisions in Business (00:04:07) - Neal emphasizes the significance of making strategic decisions and recognizing opportunities in business. He discusses the pivotal moment when he had to choose between continuing in the corporate world or ventur…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with David Meltzer: 1. Journey from Scarcity to Abundance (00:00:54 – 00:04:07) David Meltzer shares his transition from a life of scarcity, where he focused on money as the missing element, to a life of abundance. He explains how his early struggles and subsequent success led him to understand t…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Benjamin Kepner: 1. Transition from Freelance to Agency [00:08:57] : Benjamin shared his transition from being a freelancer to running a full-fledged agency. Initially working solo, he hired his first team member in the second year and utilized university internship programs for cost-effecti…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Dave Gulas, President and Co-Founder from EZDC 3PL. Dave and Kim discuss fulfillment distribution centers options and offer valuable insights into the challenges that foreign companies face when entering the U.S. market. First, Dave and Kim discuss challenges o…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Stacy Kehren Idema: 1. The Inception of Equity - (Timestamp: 03:15 - 06:10) Stacy Kehren Idema discusses the inspiration behind founding Equity, attributing it to both her familial business background and challenging experiences in the corporate world. She emphasizes her desire to create a p…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Jerry Abiog:: 1. Early Challenges and Adaptability - Timestamp:[00:01:16] - [00:03:11] Jerry discusses the early difficulties of launching an AI company back in 2019 when AI was not well-known. Despite these challenges, he secured initial beta clients through cold-calling and demonstrated pe…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Bryan Canfield: 1. Northstar Advisors' Mission (00:00:25 - 00:01:30) Bryan Canfield explains that Northstar Advisors focuses on providing companies with an outside perspective on market trends and opportunities, helping them with commercialization and go-to-market strategies. They also assis…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Michael Laidler: 1. The Power of Free Speaking Engagements (10:45 - 17:30) - Michael Laidler emphasizes the importance of starting with free speaking engagements to gain confidence, practice, and improve. He states that before expecting to get paid, aspiring speakers should aim for at least …

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Emmanuel Margaritas to discuss the importance of having a well-developed export plan, the challenges and barriers companies face when exporting, the need for product selection and adaptation for export markets, and the significance of having an appropriate pric…

Here are the top 5 takeaways from my conversation with Bill Gallagher: 1. The Root of Plateauing Companies (09:15) - Bill discusses how companies often plateau due to having the wrong people involved. He emphasizes the need for leaders to engage in self-reflection and take responsibility for the state of the company. 2. Consciously Building a Perso…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Dave Molenda:Delegation is Key to Growth: When your business grows, so do your tasks. You can't do everything yourself. Delegate smaller tasks to free up your time to focus on bigger things. Start by delegating things you dislike, then gradually delegate more as you grow. (Timestamp: 3:36 - …

Here are the top 5 takeaways from my conversation with Leanne Kinde:Taking the leap into entrepreneurship can be scary, but it can also be incredibly rewarding (1:50 - 8:38). The speaker, Leanne Kinde, discusses her journey from a corporate job to freelance writing to finally starting her own coaching copywriting business. She talks about the fear …

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Kevin Mako:Unconventional Journey (0:56 - 3:49): Kevin Mako shares the inception story of Macco Design, a product development firm catering to hardware startups, highlighting the journey from a high school idea to a full-fledged business, despite facing initial skepticism.You've got to have …

Here are the top takeaways from my conversation with Sabir Semerkant:Hiring the Right People is Crucial (1:50 - 6:38)Don't focus on finding the cheapest person, but the one with the most relevant expertise (1:50)The right hires can unlock their network and open doors to even better talent (7:42)Take a Holistic Approach to Ecommerce (8:38 - 10:59)Ad…

Here are the top 5 takeaways from the conversation with Matt McLennan:Diversified Services at Kidder Matthews (0:53 - 2:55): Matt McLennan discusses Kidder Matthews, a full-service brokerage firm covering various aspects of commercial real estate. They specialize in industrial properties in the Seattle Puget Sound region, handling leasing, sales, i…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Olivier Brusle, CEO of ACTIOM, a professional services firm, to discuss some of the challenges companies have getting paid regarding export sales. Olivier has over 35 years of industry, entrepreneurship, and consulting experience and is an expert in optimizing …

Here are the top takeaways from my conversation with Casey Jenkins, owner and CEO of Eight Twenty-Eight Consulting:Career path: Accidentally fell into supply chain, found a passion for it, and is now a successful consultant.Specialization: Helps small businesses in CPG, retail, manufacturing, and food & beverage improve their supply chain processes…

Top Takeaways from Chris Boettcher on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast:Broken Healthcare System: Traditional healthcare focuses on profits and reactive care, neglecting preventative measures and holistic approaches to health.Information Overload & Confusion: There's too much conflicting information on nutrition and healthy habits, making it hard for …

Top Takeaways from Chris Brewer's Interview on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast: Building a Thriving E-commerce Agency:Strategic Partnerships Over Short-Term Sales: OMG Commerce prioritizes finding the right clients for long-term success. They value transparency, discussing financial realities, and ensuring KPIs align with client expectations.Going B…

From Employee to Entrepreneur:The Hustle Behind Vampire Digital: Zsike Péter, the founder of Vampire Digital, knows the struggles of leaving the comfort of a paycheck behind. In our interview, she dives into the challenges of transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. It's all about learning to delegate, stepping up as a leader, and figuring out …

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Alejandro Alcalde to discuss the recent impact supply chain disruption, politics, and tariffs have had on trade between Mexico with the US and Canada. Alejandro is a trade compliance professional who is also currently studying for his trade lawyer diploma and c…

Top Takeaways from Alexandra Nunez Podcast Interview on Beyond Fulfillment: Alexandra Nunez is a coach who helps leaders and solopreneurs optimize performance and cultivate work-life balance. He transitioned from a finance career to pursue his passion for personal development and neuroscience. The Importance of Breaks and Overcoming Brain Fog: Alex…

Top Takeaways from Shawn Nason's Podcast InterviewShawn Nason is a multifaceted entrepreneur with a diverse background in music, ministry, finance, and business consulting. He is passionate about the human experience and believes that businesses should prioritize it for success. Here are the key takeaways from the interview:The Importance of the Hu…

Top Takeaways from the Podcast with Nicholas SomosNicholas Somos is the leader of the investment banking team at Left Lane Associates, a boutique investment bank focused on transactions in the supply chain industry. They've successfully closed 71 deals ranging from $5 million to $912 million since their founding in 2016.Here are the key takeaways:L…

Here are the highlights from my conversation with Craig Cecilio:Craig Cecilio stresses the importance of balancing work and family. Craig emphasizes the need to understand the season of life you’re in. He shares techniques like iteration and flexibility to navigate his busy schedule, advocating for a positive approach to self-care and setting bound…

Here are the key takeaways from this insightful conversation with Dr. Amir Saberi:1. Deceptive Labeling: "Natural" Doesn't Mean HealthyDr. Saberi emphasizes the rampant misuse of labeling terms like "natural" and "whole food." These terms are often used to mislead consumers into believing a product is healthier than it actually is.For example, Dr. …

Here are the top 3 takeaways from the podcast interview with Adam House, a serial entrepreneur and current CEO of House of Bricks:1. Importance of Self-Leadership and Overcoming ChallengesEntrepreneurs face common challenges like cash flow, people problems, and product issues.The key to success is self-leadership and starting with yourself.Entrepre…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Art Dicker, a senior counsel at R&P China Lawyers and host of the Asia Business Podcast, to discuss expanding into the South East Asian emerging supply base, comparing countries like Vietnam and Indonesia with China. To begin, Art and Kim talk about some of the…

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Domenic Maiani.Hockey Star Turned Recruiter: Domenic Maiani, a former college hockey player who now uses his competitive spirit to excel in supply chain recruiting. He shares how he overcame challenges in the industry and uses social media to find top talent.Hiring Crisis in Logistics: Domen…

Episode Highlights from my conversation with Paty Johnston: 1. Focuses on overcoming procrastination:This episode features Paty Johnston, a coach who helps people overcome procrastination. Paty shares her personal story of battling procrastination and how she discovered emotional intelligence is the key to taking action. She offers a free 30-minute…

Here are the top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Yasmina Lyons:1. Bounce Back Stronger: The Power of ResilienceEntrepreneurs face constant challenges. Yasmina highlights resilience as the key to navigating these hurdles. Her workshops explore the emotional, psychological, biological, and even spiritual aspects of resilience, equipping you to …

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Holly LaBoda. The value of long-term thinking: Approaching sales with a longer time horizon leads to increased customer lifetime value, a more stable sales pipeline, and a positive brand reputation. Holly highlights the importance of playing the "long game" in sales. Companies should focus on bu…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Gabriel Santos, a foreign trade leader with Polarium in Guadalajara, to discuss the application of Lean Six Sigma principles in the field of international trade. To begin, Gabriel discusses the reasons for pursuing Lean Six Sigma certification, emphasizing the …

Here are 4 key takeaways from my conversation with Chad Bareither:Small and mid-sized businesses can benefit from implementing process improvements to streamline their operations and become more efficient. However, it’s important to avoid introducing too many changes at once, and to focus on those that will have the biggest impact.Leaders need to e…

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Dr. Gail Lebovic:1. Find an unmet need - Dr. Gail specializes in identifying gaps in the healthcare industry where current solutions are inadequate. Whether it's due to inefficiency, high costs, or a complete lack of options, she focuses on these areas to create innovative solutions. A prime exa…

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Juli Lassow: Don’t overlook the opportunity within retail: There is significant potential in the brick-and-mortar retail sector. Julie, with her experience in mass retail, identifies opportunities in this industry. Physical stores remain relevant by allowing customers to interact with products, …

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Sin Kit I (Sinki), who has years of experience in business development to lend insight into the opportunities and challenges of international investment in South America and the region's potential for economic growth and investment. To begin, Kim and Sinki disc…

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Nick Schrock: 1: Embrace Resourcefulness.Bootstrapping a startup requires founders to think outside the box and be resourceful in their approach to winning business. Valoroo 's success story highlights the importance of being creative when starting with limited resources. Offering guarantees, li…

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Virind Gurjal1. Be open to unexpected possibilities: Business ideas often arise from serendipitous moments. The inception of EV Bots came from Virind's son's robotics project and his expertise in fuel management and mechanical engineering. This led to the development of a solution for the lack o…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Andrew Kennedy, Logistics Manager at Kitagawa Europe, to discuss the challenges and strategies to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the post-Brexit trade environment. To begin with in the podcast Kim and Andrew explore changes in customs procedures. …

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my podcast interview with Robert Bain:1. Have a long time-horizon: Bain emphasized the significance of choosing a career path with long-term prospects. He shared his father's experience in the telecom industry and how he had to make a career change when the industry shifted towards mobile technology. Bain recognized…

Here are my top 3 takeaways from my conversation with Jessica Windham: 1. Be clear on the problem you're solving: Jessica observed a widespread problem of burnout and disengagement in the logistics industry, with a staggering 69% burnout rate among professionals. By addressing this issue of mental wellness first, Jessica can better solve the specif…

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Nathan Reed, a licensed customs broker and Director of Customs and Foreign Trade, to discuss the importance of knowledgeable and reliable customs brokers. Navigating the complexities of international trade regulations and customs compliance can be complex, and …

Here are my Top 3 Takeaways from my conversation with Tyler Cerny:1) Childhood driven passions:Sometimes, the answer to what we’re meant to do lies in our early experiences. Tyler's passion for speaking has always been present since childhood. Even when he was involved in consulting and other endeavors, speaking remained his primary interest. Tyler…