Inspired Insider With Dr. Jeremy Weisz | Ecommerce Interviews | Entrepreneurship | Inspirational Stories | Business Lessons

Today we have Pete Spenuzza Founder of RiseBar. After acquiring a small operation in San Diego Pete turned around the healthy snack company. RiseBar can be found in select Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmer’s Market, Vitamin Shoppe and much more online and offline. Their facility is entirely free of wheat, cane sugar, GMO’s, meat, eggs and peanuts ensuring the products are gluten-free and soy-free.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy introduces his guest, Peter Spenuzza. [2:00] Peter talks about thrill seeking what he wanted to be when he was young. [4:30] Lessons Peter learned from watching his father in business as a kid. [5:30] Peter’s journey toward being an entrepreneur. [8:00] A peek behind the packaged food industry. [10:00] Peter speaks to the process of buying a business. [13:50] How do you determine who to bring onto your team? [16:00] What was it like at the beginning of the business? [18:00] Once you clean housed what were your next steps? [20:00] Why did Peter bring on a high-level e

Today we have Jake Kloberdanz coFounder and CEO of One Hope, a brand with a mission to serve the world. The company started with an award-winning wine brand OneHopeWine.com and has since expanded into gourmet coffee and other gifts. They have gone from 0 to selling over 750,000 bottles a year since its inception. On the serving the world side of things, One Hope has donated more than $2M to date, helping to provide over 1.1 million meals to people in need, plant 56,000 trees, and much more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy introduces today’s guest, Jake Kloberdanz. [2:20] Jake talks about viaONEHOPE [6:50] How to connect with Jake and One Hope Wine. [9:00] Parting words from Jake. In this episode… Imagine what it would be like to combine your entrepreneurial spirit with a vehicle to help those in need, better your community and make a difference. A brand with a mission, sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not! Jake Kloberdanz and One Hope Wine join a growing trend of cause entreprene

Today we have Brad Weimert, he started Easy Pay Direct in 2009 – It is an online credit card processing company for high-level e-commerce businesses. They especially help high volume businesses susceptible to consumer disputes. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy’s introduction to today’s guest, Brad Weimert. [1:50] Brad explains the risk that his company deals with. [9:00] What size business should contract services from Easy Pay Direct? [11:00] Worst case scenarios that Brad has dealt with. [22:45] Minimizing risk on short notice. [25:00] Industry types Brad can't’ or won’t deal with. [32:00] How did Brad get into the credit card processing industry? [35:00] Where did Brad get his work ethic? [41:00] Who does Brad connect with? [46:30] How Brad decided his next step after working with Vector Marketing. [49:00] Brad talks about how he attracted early customers for Easy Pay Direct. [52:00] What kind of staffing does Brad have at Easy Pay Direct? [55:00] Brad’s first hire. [56:30] Milestones

PJ Jonas is the founder of Goat Milk Stuff which she built in her kitchen into a multi-million dollar business. Her goat milk products business has been featured on The Today Show, The Doctors, and in Oprah Magazine. She runs a farm and is a mother of eight. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy’s introduction to today’s guest, PJ Jonas. [1:50] Software that PJ uses for her business. [4:20] How PJ ended up on a farm. [9:00] Balancing growth as a small business. [12:50] The highest and lowest moment in business. [15:15] What animals are on PJ’s farm? [16:50] How to connect with PJ. [17:40] Parting wisdom from PJ. In this episode… How would you handle business growth challenges? Do you have a plan in place? When you are starting out as a small business, you dream of success and rapid growth. But when it comes, it brings with it a whole host of new challenges. This was especially true for PJ Jonas and her family’s business. They had to decide what they were going to do to take their business to

Adam Witty is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Media Group. What began in the spare bedroom of his home is now an international publishing company. Advantage has been named to the prestigious Inc. 500/5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies and as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina multiple years in a row. Adam is the author of five books and he is a chairman for both Nonprofit Youth Entrepreneurship S.C. and Clemson Entrepreneurship Institute. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [0:55] Jeremy’s introduction to this episode. [1:50] Adam talks about his company’s partnership with Forbes Media. [3:30] How did Adam connect with Forbes Media? [7:30] Adam talks about entrepreneurs become thought leaders by authoring a book. [11:50] How to make a big deal. [18:20] How will Adam and his team differentiate between publishing authors through Advantage or Forbes? [20:30] Adam talks about how he got his start with book publishing. [29:50] Who are some of Advantage’s

Megan Reamer is the founder of the potato chip company Jackson's Honest. She sells them all over the US and in eight countries in places like Whole Foods, Bed Bath and Beyond, Woodman's to name a few. Early on they were even selected by the Academy Awards to be an exclusive snack food for the green room, executive suites, and backstage. Megan is a mother of four and the company was inspired by their son Jackson's illness.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:10] Jeremy’s introduction to this episode. [2:05] Megan talks about hiring and building a team. [7:20] How do Megan and her team decide to launch a new flavor? [10:30] Responding to customer feedback. [11:30] What does a product launch look like? [13:15] Challenges that come with quick growth. [15:30] The lowest business moment. [21:00] How to connect with Jackson’s Honest [23:25] Parting words from Megan. In this episode… It’s that moment that many entrepreneurs live for, hearing that your product has connected with customers. Megan Remer experi

Briana Borten has built three spas into an eight figure business encompassing a variety of wellness products, including nutritional supplements and the life planner called the Dream Book. She is also the cofounder of DragonTree. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:10] Jeremy’s introduction to this episode. [2:00] Briana joins the podcast. [3:20] What is Briana’s favorite story from her book? [5:20] Briana talks about their hiring process. [8:20] Why did Briana write her book? [11:50] Briana talks about some of her 8 steps to quality of life. [14:40] How does Briana structure her day? [19:10] Briana talks about managing five business. [22:50] Best selling and popular products. [28:10] Briana talks about two stories that involved her breaking her bones. [34:10] Starting the first spa. [38:40] What worked and didn’t work building the business? [42:00] Briana talks about opening her spa in the Portland airport. [46:40] How to connect with Briana. [48:00] Parting advice from Briana. In this episode… Don’t

Ashley Drummonds is the founder of ABS Protein Pancakes. She has been featured on Shark Tank, the Home Shopping Network, Forbes.com, and much more. In over two years she has sold more than $500,000 worth of pancake mix. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy’s introduction to today’s episode. [1:40] Ashley talks about what sets her company apart. [9:00] What software does Ashley use? [12:00] What happened after Shark Tank? [13:40] What advice did Ashley get from Daymond? [14:40] The highest and lowest moment for Ashley. In this episode… Can you really build success off of social media engagement? Is your business just a few hashtags away from unlocking it’s potential? Jeremy’s guest, Ashley Drummonds found success with her product ABS Pancakes by leveraging social media engagement before she learned all the tricks and tips of online marketing. Ashley applied common sense to her strategy and it paid off! She used the same carefully selected hashtags and constantly posted about her product on th

Jay Steinfeld is Founder of Blinds.com. He set up the original eCommerce site NoBrainerBlinds for $3000 in 1996 and has since grown the eCommerce company to over $200 million in annual revenue. It is the world’s top retailer for blinds and shades and provides blinds for over a million windows every year. The company was acquired in 2014 by Home Depot. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [0:55] Jeremy’s introduction to this episode. [2:00] Jay talks about starting his first business out of his home. [6:00] Starting an eCommerce business at the beginning of online sales. [11:50] What did Jay want to be when he was a kid? [13:15] Was is a good decision for Jay to go into accounting? [15:15] What did Jay learn from working at Meineke? [17:50] Jay talks about getting feedback from his employees. [19:10] Core values. [21:00] Experiments and risks in business. [24:20] Work and family life. [33:00] Training salespeople. [38:00] Shaping the buying experience. [43:00] Gathering investors. [47:00] Acquiring competit

Today we have Charlie Moyer who went from an unemployed military veteran with no eCommerce or online marketing experience to growing his men’s grooming company, Badass Beardcare from $3000 per month to $375,000 in monthly sales. It all started with a simple $20 investment, and now he employs over 12 people in their El Dorado Hills facility. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:00] Jeremy’s introduction to today’s episode. [2:00] Charles shares a funny military story. [3:30] Charles shares two serious military stories. [6:00] How did Charles scale his product for a larger production? [7:00] What is the most challenging aspect for Charles and his team? [8:15] The lowest point so far for Charles and Badass Beardcare. [10:40] The proudest moment so far for Charles and Badass Beardcare. [11:30] Charles talks about his wife’s role in the business. [14:00] The most memorable part of the journey for Charles’ wife, Ashley. [16:50] How does the business stay organized and on schedule? In this episode… What cause

Today we have Ian Stanley who is a top direct response marketer. He has written email copy for large seven and eight figure companies with email lists topping 1.2 million subscribers. Ian is the founder of Fixt Water and is on a mission to change people's lives by providing drinkable water, no matter the condition. He even has a disgusting video where he collected water with mud and waste and then drinks it after being filtered by a Fixt water pitcher. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:55] Jeremy introduces his guest, Ian Stanley. [3:30] Why is Ian so confidant that his product works? [8:40] How did Ian come across the technology that makes his product work? [10:15] What got Ian involved with water filters? [17:00] What worked and didn't work when Ian started selling filters and writing copy? [28:55] The components of success. [37:30] Ian's influences in direct sales. [40:00] Earning your customers trust. [48:30] Ian talks about marketing his water filters. [57:30] Tactics & techniques. Principle

Today we have Ed O'Keefe, Father of seven, grew up in a household of 13 children. He is the author of the book, "Time Collapsing! The New Art of Speed, Money, Power, and Meaning!" He has used his time collapsing methods to leap to the top of industries. He has started multiple companies from scratch to multiple seven and even eight figures. In dentistry, Ed sold over $50,000,000 in marketing systems and seminars. He started Marine Essentials and has sold over $60,000,000 in health supplements. On top of having seven kids and running the businesses mentioned, Ed was a Kokoro 40 Graduate! A 51-hour mini-hell week created by commander Mark Divine. Ed also runs a podcast, the "Ed O'Keefe Show" and invests in KNOWfoods.com a health food company that is disrupting the food industry. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:55] Jeremy introduces today's guest, Ed O'Keefe [2:30] Ed talks about sales copy. [4:40] Niche coaching clubs. [9:00] Ed's shift to Marine Essentials. [13:00] The problem with free trials. [17:

Today we have a top entrepreneur and business strategist - Vinnie Fisher. Using over ten years experience as a tax and business lawyer he started his entrepreneurial journey in 2007 and since has grown businesses to 7, 8 and 9 figures generating over $300 million in gross revenue for his own companies. Just to give you an example He has started 9 locations for adults with disabilities, information publishing, a web hosting company brain host that grossed over $100 million, a website security company site trust, a health supplement company, and is presently Founder and CEO of Fully Accountable, they act as CFO for your company - a done for you back office solution that allows you to make data-driven decisions based on your numbers. Vinnie is also the Founder of Total CEO, an education company that caters to CEO's to help them grow and scale their company. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:00] Jeremy introduces his guest, Vinnie Fisher. [3:00] How does Vinnie make time for family? [7:00] Vinnie talks a

Today we have Pete Spenuzza Founder of Rise Bar. After acquiring a small operation in San Diego Pete turned around the healthy snack company. Rise Bar can be found in select Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmer's Market, Vitamin Shoppe and many more online and offline. Their facility is entirely free of wheat, cane sugar, GMO's, meat, eggs and peanuts ensuring the products are gluten-free, and soy-free. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:02] Jeremy introduces his guest, Peter Spenuzza. [1:45] Who are the key people you put in place for success? [3:00] What were the early days of business like? [4:55] Once you clean house what were your next steps? [7:00] Why did Peter bring on a high level executive team? [8:50] How did Rise Bar get into some of the big retailers? [10:30] What are the drawbacks to getting into the big retailers? [11:30] Peter and Jeremy talk about the Rise Bar. [15:10] What does a successful product launch look like? [17:10] What has been the lowest and highest moment in this journey? In this

Today we have Wade Foster CoFounder of Zapier. Zapier gives you internet automation superpowers by making it easy to get your web apps to talk to each other. For example, I use Zapier in two ways - when someone fills out our type form application for Rise 25 it automatically imports it in Infusionsoft so we can make sure to stay in touch. Also for Inspired insider, when a blog post gets published it automatically posts the link on Twitter and Facebook. It's like having a virtual staff member focused on automation for a fraction of the price. Zapier went from zero to over 1.4 million users and grew to 50 staff in five years. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:55] Jeremy introduces today's guest, Wade Foster. [2:20] Wade talks about growing up in Missouri. [8:00] How did Wade fare with entrepreneurship before he started Zapier? [13:30] What were some of the sacrifices that Wade has made? [16:20] What progress was Wade seeing with Zapier that make him go full time? [17:20] How did they come up with the

Today we have Brad Weimert, he started Easy Pay Direct in 2009 – It is an online credit card processing company for high-level e-commerce businesses. They especially help high volume businesses susceptible to consumer disputes. The Easy Pay Direct Platform currently serves more than 60,000 merchants. Including Infusionsoft, Digital Marketer, and many more.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:00] Jeremy introduces today's guest, Brad Weimert. [4:40] Who was Brad's first hire? [6:10] What were some of the milestones for Easy Pay Direct early on? [8:30] The lowest moment for Brad and Easy Pay Direct. [14:00] What is one of the best pieces of advice Brad has received? [15:30] Brad's craziest moment as an adventurer. In this episode… The journey to success is often slower and more complicated than many people give it credit. We love to hear stories of overnight success and rags to riches tales of glory. But the truth of the matter is that many success stories take time. Quality work and steady leadership

Today we have Jake Atwood founder of Buzzbuilder, which is software that allows sales professionals to automate their cold email outreach. His singular focus is to make it easy for salespeople to pack their pipeline with qualified leads. He shows a warmer approach for prospecting to busy executives besides the dreaded cold calling methods. Buzzbuilderpro.com has tools and programs that have been implemented by over 25,000 sales professionals. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:55] Jeremy introduces his guest Jake Atwood. [2:00] Which hard to reach executives has Jake and his team been able to contact? [6:00] Follow up is HUGE! [7:00] Long prospects. [10:40] How did Jake get started with Telemasters? [14:00] What are some of the lessons Jake learned from working with his Uncle? [16:20] What is the process once you have a prospect? [19:00] How do people usually come to Buzzbuilder? [21:20] What are some of the common mistakes most salespeople make? [23:30] What was Ovation Sales Group? [24:30] Jake's be

Adam Witty is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Media Group. What began in the spare bedroom of his home is now an international publishing company. Advantage has been named to the prestigious Inc. 500/5000 list of America's fastest growing private companies and as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina multiple years in a row. Adam is the author of five books and he is a chairman for both Nonprofit Youth Entrepreneurship S.C. and Clemson Entrepreneurship Institute. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [0:55] Jeremy introduces his guest Adam Witty. [2:00] What does Adam look for in someone he will invest in? [5:15] From a home office to exponential growth! [7:30] People are your greatest asset. [8:50] It's your job as an entrepreneur to provide a stimulating workplace. [10:00] How can other leaders learn from what you've done? In this episode… What ingredients are necessary for work culture, leaders, and businesses to thrive? How do you measure the results? Are they reproducib

Tony Grebmeier is co-founder Ship Offers that he built with two of his Childhood friends, Doug Roberts and Gil Gerstein. Fifteen years later, ShipOffers is an eight-figure business that has been an INC 5000 Company for the past three years in a row. They ship out over 1 million orders per year. In 2008, Tony almost lost it all. He also runs the podcast the Tony G. Show -- bringing together his love for business and self-improvement. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:10] Jeremy welcomes his guest Tony Grebmeier to the show. [2:10] How does Tony start his day? [4:00] Serving people and leading with Hope. [6:20] Learning how to be present. [8:30] The number one person you can change is yourself. [9:40] What scares Tony? [14:10] What did Tony use to be like before all the changes? [18:40] Tony talks about struggling with alcohol. [20:15] Tony talks about growing up looking up to his mom. [25:40] What did Tony want to be when he was younger? [30:00] Money doesn't buy happiness. [35:20] How has the busines

Jay Steinfeld is the Founder of Blinds.com. He set up the original e-commerce site NoBrainerBlinds for $3000 in 1996 and has since grown the e-commerce company to over $200 million in annual revenue. It is the world's top retailer for blinds and shades and provides blinds for over a million windows every year. The company was acquired in 2014 by Home Depot. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn: [1:00] Jeremy introduces his guest, Jay Steinfeld. [2:00] Jay talks about marketing via video and social media in the 90's. [6:20] Utilizing radio and TV advertisements. [8:00] Jay talks about Home Depot acquiring his business. [14:00] Lessons learned from an acquisition. [16:47] Why did Jay stay on once Home Depot acquired his company? [18:10] What skill sets did Jay have to learn as a CEO that was different from being an entrepreneur? [19:50] Hiring the right people and creating effective systems. [21:10] What was the highest and lowest points for Jay in life and business? In this episode… Expanding leadership and