What does it take to build a successful business from the ground up? In this episode of Fingerprints on Success, host Bill Barrett sits down with Phil Zamloot, founder of Metro Exhibits, to uncover the principles that have guided his journey. From starting a company on a yellow piece of paper to navigating challenges like the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic, Phil shares his unfiltered perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, and grit.

Phil dives into the importance of standing out in a competitive market, building genuine relationships, and instilling work ethic and perseverance in the next generation. His candid stories about risk-taking, focus, and staying true to core values offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to succeed in business and life. Enjoy!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Success comes from focusing on your core business before diversifying into other ventures​
• Building strong relationships is an inherent skill but requires curiosity and genuine interest in others​
• Grit, defined as passion, perseverance, and work ethic, is a key to achieving success​
• Embrace differentiation and avoid being average in a competitive marketplace​​
• Work ethic and effective communication skills put you ahead of the competition, regardless of your background​
• Entrepreneurship involves calculated risks and unwavering focus on your goals.
• And much more…

Resources:

Metroexhibits.com

Phil’s LinkedIn

Book:

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

In today's episode of the Fingerprints on Success podcast, Bill is joined by Jay Wong, founder and CEO of Podcast Your Brand, a marketing agency empowering CEOs and ambitious companies to launch and grow profitable podcasts.

You'll learn about the unexpected turns Jay's career took with the introduction of podcasting, which became more than just a platform; it became a means to connect with influential thinkers, creators, and visionaries.

Hear Jay's personal reflections on the creative challenges and triumphs of building a business in today’s fast-paced world. Despite the data-driven demands of online business, he reveals his recent rediscovery of creativity and the significance of nurturing that side of himself.

This episode offers insights into the impact of mentorship, creativity, and personal growth on entrepreneurial success and how reconnecting with one’s creative side can fuel both business and personal fulfillment.

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Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The impact of major elections on business and personal life, and why an election is similar to a Super Bowl weekend.
• Jay's journey to starting Podcast Your Brand, which didn't initially start as an agency but came about through feedback and market demand.
• How feedback from business owners led him to focus on helping them launch podcasts, rather than teaching them the technical aspects.
• Why empowering team members to discover their own superpowers and become leaders in their own right is vital.
• The value of networking and building relationships with people who can provide guidance and support.
• And much more...

Resources:

Podcast Your Brand

Jay's LinkedIn

In this episode of Fingerprints on Success, Bill Barrett sits down with Phillip Hogan, CEO of Signing Services of America. Phillip shares his journey from humble beginnings in a family business to leading a national notary signing company with over 65,000 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) compliant notary agents. He reflects on how lessons learned from his parents and life experiences, including serving in the U.S. Navy, have shaped his approach to leadership and business growth.

Phillip discusses the challenges and strategies behind scaling a business from a solo venture to a nationwide operation, emphasizing the importance of preparation and infrastructure. He also delves into the importance of instilling pride and joy in his team, ensuring that employees feel valued and supported.

Listeners will gain insights into maintaining resilience, fostering a strong company culture, and embracing both personal and professional growth. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Scaling a business requires having the right infrastructure in place before taking on larger clients
• Vision alone isn't enough; putting action behind that vision is key to making it powerful and sustainable
• Understanding every phase and department of a business is crucial for effective management and growth
• Building a company culture where employees feel pride and joy leads to better results and trust
• The significance of perseverance and continuous learning as core components of successful leadership
• And much more…

Resources:

Phillip’s LinkedIn

SigningServicesofAmerica.com

Book:

Take Care of Your People: The Enlightened CEO's Guide To Business Success

In this episode of Fingerprints on Success, Bill Barrett interviews Steven DeAngelo, founder and principal of St. Agrestis and Greenhook Ginsmiths. Steven shares his remarkable journey, from creating artisan gin in Brooklyn to launching the widely acclaimed non-alcoholic Phony Negroni.

With his extensive experience in the beverage industry, Steven dives into the challenges of running a distillery in New York and the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial path. He walks us through the critical business lessons he's learned along the way, from managing costs to overcoming industry regulations.

Steven also opens up about how the pandemic forced him to pivot quickly, turning his distillery into a hand-sanitizer production hub and ultimately leading to the creation of one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverages in the market today. This episode is packed with insights into the entrepreneurial mindset and the perseverance required to succeed in a competitive industry. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• Why Steven left a career in finance to start his own distillery
• The challenges of building a beverage brand in a highly regulated industry
• How the pandemic forced Steven to pivot his business model and innovate
• The importance of a small business mentality when managing costs and cash flow
• How the Phony Negroni became one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverages
• And much more…

Resources:

Steven’s LinkedIn

Greenhookgin.com

Stagrestis.com

What happens when an unexpected layoff sparks a 17-year journey into entrepreneurship? In this episode of Fingerprints on Success, host Bill Barrett welcomes Leslie Hassler, founder of Your Biz Rules and a seasoned business strategist. Leslie shares her journey from an accidental entrepreneur to a successful business owner, helping small businesses grow and scale with a focus on sustainability and balance.

Leslie discusses the key lessons learned through her first business, her perspective on hiring and team development, and why adaptability is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. She also talks about the power of connecting team members to the company’s vision and mission, and how prioritizing employee well-being can lead to long-term success. Plus, Leslie dives into the concept of "cash forward"—an innovative approach to funding growth that keeps businesses financially prepared while scaling.

Curious about why Leslie advocates for a "hire fast, fire fast" mentality? Want to learn how to leverage AI to enhance your team's efficiency and make scaling your business less stressful? This episode is full of insights on leadership, team management, and creating a business model that supports both growth and well-being.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Leslie’s journey from unexpected job loss to building a successful B2B consultancy
• Why adaptability is key in a rapidly changing business landscape
• The value of "hire fast, fire fast" to find the right team fit quickly
• How connecting employees to the company’s vision enhances retention and engagement
• The concept of "cash forward" and how it helps fund growth strategically
• Practical ways to use AI to reduce mundane tasks and boost employee satisfaction
• Understanding the difference between growth and scalability in business
• And much more…

Resources:

YourBizRules.com

What does it mean to truly build success—both literally and figuratively? On this episode of the Fingerprints on Success podcast, Bill Barrett speaks with Jose Berlanga, a lifelong entrepreneur who has seen it all, from building residential construction companies to taking on ventures across countless industries. Jose shares the journey of an entrepreneur who loves creating opportunities.

Listeners will hear about Jose’s passion for putting deals together, the challenges of transitioning from the visionary role to hands-on operations, and how stubbornness and sacrifice became essential elements of his success. From real estate to startups, Jose offers a refreshing take on embracing the grind, even when things don’t go as planned, and the surprising truth about why "passive investments" rarely live up to the name.

Curious about how to spot great opportunities in a crowded real estate market or how to find fulfillment when running a business isn’t what you imagined? Jose provides valuable insights into balancing passion with practicality, why it’s important to listen to your gut over popular advice, and the reality of making sacrifices for success. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why entrepreneurs often end up in roles they never intended to fill
• The real challenge of finding quality real estate deals in a competitive market
• How passive investments require more active involvement than people think
• The importance of knowing yourself and defining your personal "why" before starting a business
• Why following your own instincts can be better than blindly taking advice
• The power of stubbornness and sacrifice in driving long-term business success
• Reinventing yourself later in your career can bring new opportunities and fulfillment
• And much more…

Resources:

JoseBerlanga.com

Books:

The Business of Home Building

Ever wondered what it takes to transform a startup into a thriving business? Join me as I sit down with Joe Giovannoli, founder of 9Sail, a marketing powerhouse for law firms and healthcare companies. Joe’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and pivoting in the face of challenges.

In this episode, Joe shares his journey from launching a social media marketing agency in college to building a specialized firm that excels in SEO and online lead generation. We'll dive into the key decisions that fueled Nine Sale's growth and the lessons Joe learned along the way.

How did Joe navigate the early struggles of entrepreneurship? What advice from his father became a cornerstone of his business philosophy? And why did he decide to focus exclusively on the legal and healthcare markets?

Tune in to discover the strategies that set 9Sail apart, the importance of hiring the right team, and how Joe’s innovative approach to SEO can help any business succeed. Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

• The importance of niche specialization for business growth
• How to navigate early-stage entrepreneurial challenges
• The role of mentorship and family influence in business decisions
• Effective strategies for SEO and online marketing
• The significance of building a strong team culture
• Insights into adapting business strategies during market changes
• The value of focused and data-driven marketing efforts
• Tips for maintaining client relationships and ensuring ROI
• And much more…

Resources:

Joe’s LinkedIn

9sail.com

Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You

Are you ready to be inspired by a story of resilience, transformation, and entrepreneurial success? In this episode of Fingerprints on Success, I sit down with Amber Vilhauer, a dynamic books and business strategist, bestselling author, and founder of NGNG Enterprises. Amber's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a leading entrepreneur is nothing short of extraordinary.

We explore the pivotal moments that defined Amber's path, including a life-altering incident in her teenage years. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength within all of us to overcome adversity and create meaningful change. Amber shares her early struggles, her breakthrough with Cutco, and how she built a successful business from the ground up.

Amber delves into the core values that have driven her achievements and offers practical advice for fellow entrepreneurs. Discover how to navigate the complexities of online business and how to leverage books as a tool to significantly boost your business and personal brand.

Join us for this engaging conversation and gain insights from Amber's unique experiences that can help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Listen now and enjoy!

What You Will Learn On This Show:

• The power of resilience and how Amber turned a traumatic experience into a driving force for her success
• Finding your why and understanding how core motivations can propel your business forward
• The importance of setting and adhering to non-negotiables for sustainable growth
• Effective strategies for building a strong online presence
• Amber's approach to human connection in marketing and making clients feel valued
• And much more…

Resources

Ambervilhauer.com

Amber’s Instagram

Amber’s Facebook

Amber’s Youtube Channel

Infinite Impact: The Entrepreneur's Strategic Guide to Books & Business Success

The Long Forest Trail

Connect with Amber

Connect with Bill