138 – Mountain BizWorks Post Helene Resources and Opportunities

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MIIA x MBW: Informational Interview on Disaster Recovery Efforts

The Episode focused on the significant impacts of Hurricane Helene in Asheville and Western North Carolina, highlighting community resilience amidst widespread destruction. With over 100 bridges destroyed and major road closures, businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, were heavily affected. Key discussions revolved around resources for small businesses, with Mountain Biz Works (MBW) leading initiatives like the WNC Strong Helene Business Recovery Fund, which has already received 425 applications totaling $28 million in funding requests, aiming for up to $50 million in recovery loans and grants.

The meeting also covered available financing options, including SBA disaster loans and locally administered grants, with an emphasis on providing grants to minimize the financial burden on businesses. Future recovery efforts are projected to span one to three years, with a need for better coordination in donation programs and standardized information sources.

Show Notes

Impact of Hurricane Helene (01:44 – 08:03)

  • Severe impact on Asheville and Western North Carolina
  • Community coming together to support each other
  • Timing coincides with fall tourist season, affecting hospitality businesses
  • Over 100 bridges destroyed, major road closures (I-40 west, I-26 north)
  • Water supply disruption, impacting the beverage industry

Resources for Small Businesses (08:03 – 21:13)

  • Mountain Biz Works focusing on three recovery pillars: Information dissemination, Emergency bridge loans, Emergency grants
  • WNC Strong Helene Business Recovery Fund launched
  • Up to $100,000 in funding with favorable terms
  • Streamlined online application process
  • Decisions aimed for 7-10 day timeline
  • $11 million committed, aiming for $50 million total
  • 425 applications received, totaling $28 million in requests

Funding and Recovery Strategies (21:13 – 33:08)

  • SBA disaster loans available for physical damage and economic injury
  • WNC Strong Helene fund is locally administered, not SBA-backed
  • Aiming to raise $20 million for grants program
  • $50 million target for recovery loans
  • Different financial mechanisms for grants (tax write-off) and loans (investment)
  • Main concern: Providing grant support to avoid over-burdening businesses with loans

Future Outlook and Ongoing Efforts (33:52 – 37:27)

  • Recovery efforts expected to last 1-3 years
  • Progress on water system restoration
  • Need for coordinated donation programs for serious contributors
  • Importance of standardized information sources
  • Potential for recurring audio updates on recovery efforts
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137 – There’s Always Money in The Banana Stand Strategy

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Live Training on The Banana Stand Strategy

The Banana Stand Strategy means playfully differentiating your business, creating more profit, rapidly capturing revenue, and generously growing an engaged audience.

I gave this training to Elevate Asheville, an Asheville Chamber of Commerce Program for accelerating business growth. It was a privilege to have an opportunity to share this concept with the folks in the room, and with you.

If you have any questions or would like help trying to map this into your business. I’d be glad to help. Just reach out.

For more information on The Entire Entrepreneur System and the upcoming Cohort, visit TheEntireEntrepreneur.com

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136 – Ten Simple Steps to Launching a Podcast That Grows

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How to Start a Podcast That Grows and Supports Your Business

In this episode, I review a 10 step crash course we built 4 years ago. The goal is to make it as simple as possible for you to get started on a podcast in your business.

  1. Niche
  2. Name
  3. Image
  4. Flow
  5. Record
  6. Edit
  7. Host
  8. Home
  9. Publish
  10. Promote
    And a Bonus:
  11. COMMIT. BE CONSISTENT.

A statement I make all the time in The Entire Entrepreneur Community is “you can’t steer a parked car.” Start the podcast, then optimize the podcast. Need to have one before you can steer it.

If you need any help, you know where to find me.

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135 – Do you have a “Value V” in your business (It’d be easier if you did)

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In this episode, I share the power of a “Value V” or Value Triangle for a business.

You’ll see how much simpler it is to exist in a business that has a clear Value V, that helps fans become customers, customers become clients, and clients feel happier than ever.

People want what you offer. Your job is to make it as easy as possible to know how and where they can go to get it.

For my money, one of the best ways to community your value (internally or externally) is through a “Value V.”

To illustrate the point, I retell the the Making It In Asheville story from where we started to where we are today. I show how hard we used to work to win business. Versus today, where there’s a clear progression and escalation process for folks it makes sense to.

The outcome when a process like this is implemented is more IMPACT and less effort. If you have any questions, reach out!

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134 – How to find the money hiding in your business

A sneak peek at The Banana Stand Strategy

In this episode of the Making It in Asheville podcast, we get into a game-changing business concept I call The Banana Stand Strategy.

To folks who implement it, The Banana Stand Strategy promises to deliver increased profitability, fun, creativity, and playfulness in their business. The business owners who embrace the concept will see themselves “doing less” while achieving more.

In the episode, I paint a picture of the difference between a business / a business owner using The Banana Stand Strategy and one that’s not.

Then I offer a way for you to “DIY” this in your business and life by using an Expected Value Equation.

Finally, I invite you to join the members of The Entire Entrepreneur System for two weeks of training specifically on The Banana Stand Strategy and its two primary mechanisms — The Sawdust System and The Rapid Revenue Roadmap.

If you’re interested in joining. Follow this link (https://theentireentrepreneur.com) and request more information about The Entire Entrepreneur System.

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133 – What resonates with you?

Sneak Peek of The Entire Entrepreneur System

The First Training from The EES is yours to review.

In this episode, we discuss:

Can’t wait for the next episodes?

Say hi on Instagram

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