Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Welcome to Business Buffet, a unique podcast crafted to disseminate insightful business knowledge in an engaging auditory format. My name is Ed Bejarana, the creator of Business Buffet, where we sample a myriad of topics designed to fortify and uplift your business.
For over 17 years, I've run my home-based business, Zenith Exhibits, Inc., successfully. This self-employment journey has enriched my life and that of my wife of 33 years. The challenges of starting a small, home-based business can be daunting. Sharing experiences of how I survived, and even thrived financially, through the process, I believe, is of immeasurable value. Business Buffet is my tribute to the business community that has supported and nurtured me for over the years.
I also hold a deep passion for aiding visually impaired individuals by producing content beneficial to entrepreneurs struggling with vision. Existing narrated tools for the blind, available through various commissions, often operate in isolation and don't amalgamate to effectively aid a business start-up's success.
An interesting anecdote led me on this path. A friend asked me to record a magazine article for him. Inquisitive, I suggested he could avail the service from the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, but he preferred the connection he felt to the content through my voice. After recording and sharing an article from Inc. Magazine, he sought to share these audio files with his entrepreneur friends. Voila! Business Buffet for the Blind was born!
My vision is to provide captivating business development content for both sighted and non-sighted individuals. I've reached out to business-centric magazines like Forbes and Inc., but obtaining permissions has been an uphill battle. Distributing these files manually became arduous, prompting me to revamp my previous podcast, Business Buffet, into an inspirational auditory platform for the visually impaired, aiming to inspire and inform through business content.
Music. Welcome to the Business buffet. Your go to for healthy business nutrition, we offer generous
portions of marketing, management and strategy tips designed for your success. Pull up a chair and
let's savor the taste of business together. Small business marketing challenges for fall of 2024,
balancing time and building community connections as we move into the fall of 2024, small business
owners face unique marketing challenges. Many who prefer a DIY approach to growing their businesses
are grappling with the ever present challenge of time management, with limited resources and
countless tasks to juggle. It can be difficult to balance the demands of running a business while
actively promoting it. However, one strategy that offers a dual benefit of marketing and community
building is through strategic business networking. Understanding the difference between various
networking opportunities, such as chambers of commerce and leads groups, is essential to maximizing
both business growth and personal fulfillment time management and small business marketing, one of
the biggest challenges for small business owners is finding the time to market their business
effectively. With so many daily responsibilities, from managing operations to handling customer
service, marketing efforts often take a back seat. However, neglecting marketing can lead to a
stagnation in growth. To overcome this challenge, small business owners need to be strategic about
how they allocate their time. One effective way to do this is by engaging in networking activities
that not only promote the business but also contribute to personal and community development.
Business Networking, Chamber of Commerce versus leads groups. When it comes to networking, small
business owners have several options, and two of the most common are Chamber of Commerce and leads
groups, while both provide valuable opportunities for connections, they differ significantly in
focus and outcome. Chambers of Commerce are community focused organizations that offer networking
opportunities through events such as luncheons, mixers and community projects, these events are
ideal for building long term relationships, the emphasis is often on collaboration and mutual
support, rather than direct sales. Being active in a chamber of commerce allows business owners to
establish themselves as committed community members, fostering trust and credibility. While this
approach may not lead to immediate sales, it often results in stronger, more sustainable business
relationships over time. Leads groups, on the other hand, are more focused on generating immediate
business opportunities. These groups consist of professionals from different industries who meet
regularly to exchange referrals and leads. The primary goal is to drive business growth quickly by
tapping into each member's network. While leads groups can result in faster business transactions.
They may not always build the deep, long, lasting relationships that Chambers of Commerce can foster
the power of selfless service applying the invisible hand principle. So how does a small business
owner choose where to invest their time? The answer lies in the concept of selfless service to the
community, according to Adam Smith's principle of the invisible hand, individuals who act in the
interest of others inadvertently promote their own self interest. In the context of small business
marketing, this means that business owners who focus on serving their community first are more
likely to see benefits for their business engaging in community service, whether through Chamber of
Commerce activities or other local initiatives, creates goodwill and strengthens the business
owner's reputation. It shows a commitment to the welfare of the community, which in turn, fosters
trust and loyalty among potential customers. Moreover, this approach aligns with the idea that
helping the community leads to helping one's business by providing value to others. Business owners
create a positive cycle of support that benefits everyone involved building emotional resilience
through community service. Service, beyond the tangible business benefits, actively participating in
community service can significantly boost a business owner's sense of self worth and usefulness in
times of economic uncertainty, such as when the economy appears to be crashing, these feelings can
provide the emotional resilience needed to persevere. Helping others provides a sense of purpose
that goes beyond financial gain. It feeds the soul, creating a fulfilling and meaningful experience
that can sustain business owners during challenging times. This inner strength can be just as
crucial as financial success, as it drives a business owner to keep going even when external
conditions are tough. Feeding the family and the soul while generating income is undoubtedly
essential to keeping the doors open and providing for one's family, the act of serving the community
offers something deeper. It nurtures the soul, providing a sense of fulfillment and connection that
money alone cannot buy. For small business owners who embrace this dual approach, the rewards are
manifold. Not only do they see their businesses thrive through strategic networking and community
involvement, but they also experience the personal satisfaction that comes from making a positive
impact on the lives of others by adopting a mindset of selfless service and understanding the
balance between different networking opportunities. Small business owners can navigate the marketing
challenges of fall 2024 with renewed purpose and drive in doing so they help not only their
businesses, but also the communities they call home. Thank you for tuning in and sharing these
episodes. The business buffet is dedicated to helping you feast on today's difficult business
challenges. Do you have a specific challenge you'd like us to address email info@zenithexibit.com
and we'll publish content specifically focused on aiding you and your challenge. Please click
subscribe and stay up to date with new business ideas until next time eat party in business you.