Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

por Mary Scott

Emprendimiento Mercadotecnia

Temporada 2025

William Jordan - Credit for Startups

William Jordan from Justine Petersen talking about Credit for Startups Establishing Business Credit for Startups Mary and William discussed the importance of establishing business credit for startups. William clarified that starting a business does not automatically create business credit, as it requires affirmative actions to establish. He emphasized that business credit is separate from personal credit and needs to be built through a specific process, including opening accounts and paying bills. Building Business Credit The discussion focuses on building business credit. William explains that business credit is primarily based on timely payments and is a combination of personal and business credit initially. Mary emphasizes the importance of keeping personal and business finarnces separate, using different institutions for each. She also highlights the need for an Employee Identification Number (EIN) when opening business accounts, rather than using a personal Social Security number. Improving Personal Credit Scores William and Mary discussed personal credit issues and how to improve them. William suggested using credit builder loans to establish credit for those with no credit history. He also recommended seeking free services like those offered by Justine Petersen, funded by the Small Business Administration. Mary emphasized the importance of paying on time, even if less than the minimum is paid. William further advised on how to improve credit scores for better interest rates on loans, such as becoming a homeowner. He also highlighted the difference between car and house credit scores. Mary ended the conversation by encouraging new business owners to consult a credit counselor. justinepetersen.org https://calendly.com/businessriff/15min

Philippa Gamse - Web Analytics for Startups

http://websitesthatwin.com/ Philippa Gamse from Websites That Win talking about the Importance of Web Analytics & What They Mean. Web Analytics Importance and Top Metrics Mary and Philippa begin their meeting, briefly discussing Mary being snowed in at St. Louis. They then prepare for the recorded portion of their conversation, which will focus on web analytics. Mary introduces the topic and Philippa as an expert, stating that they will discuss the importance of web analytics and the top three analytics businesses should monitor. Web Analytics for Business Investment In the meeting, Philippa and Mary discussed the importance of web analytics for businesses. Philippa emphasized that understanding website analytics is crucial for effective investment of time, money, and resources. They discussed various analytics tools and how to interpret them, focusing on video consumption, blog post engagement, and keyword usage. Philippa also highlighted the importance of having multiple calls to action on a website to drive users to desired outcomes. Mary asked about the difference between impressions and engagement, and Philippa explained that impressions refer to when someone sees a website or ad, while engagement is when someone interacts with it.

Saida Cornejo Zuñiga - KIVA Funding for Startups

Saida Cornejo Zuñiga from WEPOWER talks about the KIVA program for startups Mary Scott and Saida Cornejo Zuñiga discussed the Kiva program, a partnership between WEPOWER and Kiva, which provides 0-interest loans for entrepreneurs with no minimum credit score or business plan required. Saida also mentioned that We Power focuses on supporting black and Latino entrepreneurs SummaryKiva Program for Entrepreneurs Discussion In the meeting, Mary Scott from BusinessRiff and Saida Cornejo Zuñiga from WEPOWER discussed the Kiva program, a partnership between WEPOWER and Kiva, an international online crowdlending platform. Saida explained that the Kiva program provides 0-interest loans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 for entrepreneurs, with no minimum credit score or business plan required. The application process involves sharing personal and business information, focusing on social underwriting rather than financials. Mary emphasized the importance of building business credit for startups. Saida also mentioned that WEPOWER focuses on supporting black and Latino entrepreneurs and that their accelerator program will open applications later in the month. wepowerstl.org

Fru Pintér - Branding in a New Category

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frupinter/ https://fru.plus/ Fru Pintér, branding expert, talks about Creating a New Category to Market Your Brand. Creating Unique Branding Categories Mary welcomed Frupinter for a discussion on creating unique categories for branding. Frupinter explained that many businesses have innovative ideas that don't fit traditional branding strategies, thus necessitating the creation of new categories. She shared two examples of services that required new categories, one combining dancing and knowledge management, and the other a food innovation that doesn't fit existing buckets. Frupinter also offered a branding tip for startups, suggesting that they create solutions to their own problems rather than seeking them elsewhere. Branding and Marketing for Startups In the meeting, Mary and frupinter discussed the importance of branding and marketing for startups, emphasizing that it's a team effort requiring intrinsic motivation. They highlighted the need for creativity and not being afraid to go beyond established categories when introducing new products. They also touched on the concept of brand archetypes and the potential for new categories to align with different customer desires. The discussion concluded with an exchange of contact information for potential collaborations and referrals.

Jason Yarusi - Startup Real Estate Investing

https://www.yarusiholdings.com instagram : jasonyarusi Jason Yarusi from Yarusi Holdings talks about how to start a Real Estate Investing business Real Estate Investing Journey Discussed Mary Scott from BusinessRiff interviewed Jason Yarusii from Yarusi Holdings about his journey into real estate investing. Jason shared his story of leaving college with a business degree, feeling lost, and eventually making a change after an accident. He started working various jobs, including bartending and construction, before deciding to invest in real estate. He found the model of buying apartment buildings highly attractive due to its potential for economies of scale and the ability to set up a team to implement a process. Since 2017, Jason's company has acquired over 3,000 units in the southeast. Mary expressed her admiration for Jason's story and asked about the necessary steps to start buying buildings like that. Focusing on Specific Real Estate Types Jason discussed the importance of focusing on a specific type of real estate, such as apartment buildings, to achieve success. He emphasized the need for a clear understanding of the target market and the ability to underwrite properties effectively. Jason also highlighted the importance of having a well-rounded team with various skills, including property management, marketing, and construction expertise. He suggested that individuals without the necessary financial commitment or experience could still start a real estate business by partnering with others who have the required skills.

Deborah Ivanoff - Mastering the Overwhelm for Startups

https://linktr.ee/deborahivanoff https://TheBEINGCoach.com Deborah Ivanoff The BEING Coach, talks about Mastering the Overwhelm for Startups Managing Overwhelm in Startups and Entrepreneurs In the meeting, Mary Scott and Deborah Ivanoff discussed the topic of overwhelm in the context of startups and entrepreneurs. They identified three signs of overwhelm: feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks, difficulty in focusing or organizing, and a sense of helplessness or giving up. They also discussed the different types of entrepreneurs and how they may experience overwhelm differently. Deborah emphasized the importance of helping the body feel safe as a first step in managing overwhelm, suggesting techniques such as taking deep breaths, drinking water, and getting enough sleep. She also stressed the importance of asking for help and delegating tasks to others. The conversation ended with Deborah sharing her personal trick of acknowledging the change and reframing the mindset from "I have to do this" to "I get to do this".

Ken Mocabee - Why Startups Should Fall in Love with the Problem

https://parux.com Ken Mocabee from Parux talking about Falling in Love with the Problem Startups' Focus on Problem Validation In the meeting, Mary Scott and Ken Mocabee from Parux discussed the importance of startups focusing on the problem they aim to solve rather than just an idea. Ken emphasized that many startups fail because they haven't validated their idea or considered potential blockers and hidden costs. He suggested that startups should concentrate on the things that might cause their failure before building their product. Mary agreed, adding that investigating competition and being realistic about existing solutions are crucial. They both agreed that startups should prioritize validating their idea and addressing potential issues before launching their product. Validation and Design Thinking in Startups Ken discussed the importance of validation in product development, emphasizing that many startups fail due to a lack of understanding of their market and competition. He highlighted the value of design thinking, which involves understanding customers' needs and problems before creating solutions. Ken also stressed the importance of prototyping and iteration to validate solutions before investing in engineering and launch. He suggested that startups should engage with potential customers more, using online platforms and social media to build relationships and gather feedback. Mary agreed, noting the difference in marketing strategies today and the need for collaboration with potential customers. Exploring Tools and Future Collaboration Mary and Ken discussed the use of certain tools for fact-finding and the potential for future collaboration. Ken mentioned his company's website, https://parux.com as a useful link.

Ronii Bartles - Do Less to Gain More

https://businessriff.com https://www.roniibartles.com/ Ronii Bartles, Business Strategist talking about Doing Less to Gain More Prioritizing Revenue-Generating Activities Discussed In the meeting, Mary Scott and Ronii Bartles discussed the importance of prioritizing revenue-generating activities and cutting back on "busy work" that doesn't contribute to revenue. Ronii shared her personal experience of cutting back on marketing and networking activities, which led to increased revenue. They emphasized the importance of in-person networking for professional services and suggested that once a successful strategy is found, it should be doubled down on rather than experimenting with other methods.

Joe Pinho - Monetize Fans & Community for Startups

https://www.modinc.ca Joseph Pinho from MOD INC talks about Monetizing Your Fans & Community https://www.modinc.ca is the B2B website tailored to businesses and brands to work with on fan art licensing opportunities. https://www.modfanart.com is the fan facing site focused on fan artists and designers to submit and showcase their fan art for potential licensing opportunities. We'll also be hosting future fan art contests with different creators and brands on there. Monetizing Fan Communities Through Art Mary Scott and Joseph Pinho discussed the concept of monetizing fan communities, particularly in the entertainment industry. Joseph explained that fan art, created by fans inspired by a creator or brand, is currently not legally monetizable. However, by sourcing fan creations and getting them approved, creators can monetize their fan base. This not only generates sales but also engages the community. Joseph emphasized the importance of having legal coverage for trademarks and copyrights. Mary suggested that this concept could be applied to other industries, such as tech, by engaging fans to create artwork for merchandise. Joseph agreed, noting that this approach can grow the community and fan base, and can be a fun alternative to traditional engagement methods. The typical percentage taken from using fan art for merchandising varies, but can range from 8% to 20%.

Joe Muller - Dos and Don'ts of Pitching

https://pitchstl.com Joe Muller from PitchSTL talks about the Do's and Don't's of Pitching Creating Engaging Pitches for Investors In the meeting, Mary and Joe discussed the importance of making pitches interesting and engaging for investors. Joe emphasized that the biggest mistake startups make is being boring, and that pitches should be thought-provoking and unique to capture the audience's attention. He also advised against using gimmicks like raising hands to involve the crowd, as it can come across as unprofessional. Mary agreed with Joe's points and ended the conversation by stressing the need for compelling pitches, particularly for startups with limited time to pitch. Crafting Compelling Solutions and Differentiation JMuller explains that a successful pitch should quickly present a compelling solution to a clear problem in a simple, easily understandable way. He emphasizes that the solution needs to sound convincing, as any doubts will lose the audience's interest. Mary asks about differentiating the solution from competitors' offerings. JMuller views competition as validating the market opportunity and recommends highlighting how their solution outperforms alternatives. However, he cautions against dwelling too much on the team, as excessive self-promotion can bore the audience. Project Trajectory and Presentation Strategy JMuller emphasized the importance of understanding the trajectory and marketing plan of a project, rather than focusing on minute details. He advised against getting bogged down in explanations or math problems during a pitch, as this could lead to a loss of audience attention. Instead, he suggested keeping presentations concise, using bullet points, and focusing on high-level information. He also stressed the importance of good graphics, such as pie charts, to help visualize data. Mary asked about the appropriate timing for sharing certain information, to which JMuller responded that it's best to avoid too much detail in the initial presentation and save it for the QA session or informal discussions. Mary and Joe discussed the importance of making pitches interesting and engaging for investors, with Joe emphasizing the need for unique and thought-provoking content. They also discussed the importance of understanding the trajectory and marketing plan of a project, rather than focusing on minute details, and the use of good graphics to help visualize data.

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