Business And Brews

Join Ryan Smeltz as he interviews Sara Hall of Talus Ridge. She created a way to make second chance vests and body armor more comfortable for Military and Law Enforcement.

It all began with a dream.

Within a week, she applied to a startup incubator.

Within three months, she’d applied for the patent and had her first investor.

Today, Sara leads a core team of driven change-makers all committed to making a global impact.

Sara spent 15 years in the insurance industry before going behind the scenes for the NC State Highway Patrol. Sitting behind the headset — listening to emergency callers with one ear and responding to law enforcement officers with the other. Juggling calls, prioritizing emergencies, getting the appropriate responders on the scene. On time. Every time.

Sara launched Thin Gold Line, Inc. while still working that job with its long, intense hours. As she did that, she and her husband also ran their own small business while overseeing their collective brood of five kids.

In July of 2020, Sara hung up her headset to devote a full-time effort to her startup.

And now, her startup is taking off. Fast.

Sara has had the vision all along. She leads with passion and purpose, believing no job is too small for any employee or leader. Sara demonstrates this daily while serving the team and stakeholders she loves – whether meeting with the CEO of an international tactical gear distributor, recording a podcast geared toward retired law enforcement, engaging in a community listening session to strengthen meaningful dialogue, or making sure the plants in the office have enough dirt and water to thrive.

In fact, on any given day, you’ll find Sara running Talus Ridge like a dispatcher.

Because she’s been one.

Watch Ryan Smeltz interview Dustin of Red White & Badasses Brew.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma and knew from a young age I wanted to serve this beloved country. I had a normal childhood just causing trouble but always with a smile.  After graduating high school, I joined the United States Navy in 2000 and served aboard several aircraft carriers. In 2009 I was selected for the UAV (Drone) Operator program and served with some of the most elite teams for ISR needs. Unfortunately, I was medically retired in 2013. I did not let this stop me from following my dreams. I was an entrepreneur by heart and loved challenging myself every day. The love for coffee is what got me brewing up badass coffee.

Red White & Badass Brew grew out of the love for this country, community, and coffee. RWBB is a veteran-owned badass coffee company that delivers the freshest roasted coffee from around the world. The same dedication I have for my country is the same I have for every cup poured. RWBB's mission is simple, to build a company to continue to support our veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and patriots of this great nation. With every bag or merchandise sold we donate to help fight PTSD and suicide. Another piece of our mission is to lead by example and employ veterans, patriots, and heroes.  So, hold a cup of RWBB up high and smile knowing you are enjoying a badass coffee and helping our heroes. God Bless America.

America’s Badass Coffee

Made for people like you, by people like you.

Cyndi Aragon founded NCWaterHeaters.com in 2013 after being taken advantage of by contractors. The goal to provide ethical plumbing services to homeowners and realtors quickly expanded to multiple trade offerings. Today, NC Water Heaters has multiple divisions including NC Plumbing Services, NC Home Electric, and NC Home Remodeling. Employees are not commision based, which is not the standard for trade based service companies. Cyndi believes that relying on commissions in this industry fosters dishonesty, which is opposite of our focus. Instead, the company provides fair wages with incentive bonuses using operational metrics to compensate our team. The company is family operated, with husband and master plumber Dave at the helm, daughter Miranda as the office manager, and son Brandon as the assistant plumbing manager. NC Water Heaters has 22 employees and 16 trucks. With plans to grow to 28 employees by the end of 2022, success is attributed to a dedicated team of employees who believe in the company's core focus: To provide quality work at competitive cost in an honest and ethical manner that builds long lasting relationships in our community.

Join us as Ryan M. Smeltz talks with Awilla Rodriguez about her IV treatments with NC Mobile Wellness

Our registered nurses will come to your house and assess the client and based on the client's medical history advise them on the infusion to choose minerals that are absorbed by the body 100%. We partner with our clients to assist them in becoming as healthy as they can be.

My name is Awilla and I am the owner of NC Mobile Wellness, I have worked in the hospital setting since I was 18 years old. I Have been a nurse for 5 years, Working at Duke Regional and Duke Raleigh, and Wellcare Home Health.

Nicky Morris helps veterans take charge of their finances and create a fulfilling career. Nicky served 6 years of service in the British army.

2006-2012. Nicky went through trauma to facing near homelessness and now he is a coach for veterans.

Know When to FOCUS | Friday Morning Brews

1. End of the Show

Planning and Preparation | Thursday Morning Brews

1. Be aware of your plan
2. How to better prepare
3. Embrace the chaos

Sticking to Your Plan | Wednesday Morning Brews

1. Don’t make exceptions
2. Communicate
3. Check calendar and list often

Planning Your Day  | Tuesday Morning Brews

1. Review week’s plan and add specifics (Gym time)
2. Prioritize tasks
3. Include everything

In this episode, Ryan Smeltz talks to Yamil Cruz about Yamil & Brenda Cruz-Leadersmakeleaders. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from a USMC Veteran about business, finances, and leadership.

My name is Yamil Cruz, I am a 12 year Active Duty Marine Corps Veteran who was exposed to an opportunity 8 years ago, an opportunity to build a business where I was in control. Together with my partner and better half Brenda Cruz we are on a mission to change not only our family future but that of the people who have trusted us with mentoring them.

Planning Your Week | Monday Morning Brews

1. Do it at the beginning (Sunday)
2. Get a good picture of what you need to do
3. Use a calendar and checklist

Reward Ideas | Friday Morning Brews

What Are Your Rewards? | Thursday Morning Brews

1. Good rewards
2. Bad rewards

How To Alter Your Habits | Wednesday Morning Brews

1. Change the queue
2. Change the reward

What Are Your Queues? | Tuesday Morning Brews

1. What made you want to start your habit?
2. Change the reward, not the queue.

Brett of VetGigs is a 12 year Army Veteran with service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a former workforce strategy consultant from Deloitte Consulting and CEO of VetGigs, a talent marketplace for the Veteran Community.

Our mission at VetGigs to reduce the 22+ Vets a day that commit suicide by helping them find a new purpose after the military. We connect Vets with free end to end career resources and introduce them to valuable job/contract work in professional services.

What Habits Do You Have? | Monday Morning Brews

1. Good habits
   1. Gym
   2. Healthy eating
   3. Positive attitude
   4. Hard work
   5. Planning
2. Bad habits
   1. Smoking
   2. Hitting the snooze
   3. Unhealthy eating
   4. Checking phone/emails/Facebook
   5. Watching too much TV

Wear the Same Outfit Every Day

1. Interview with Frank of Crayons Ready to Eat on the Veteran Talk Show
2. Steve Jobs
3. Simplicity

How to Organize your Day

1. Check all your emails one time throughout the day
2. Respond to all your phone calls and texts one time throughout the day
3. Do all your planning one time at the beginning of the day (14 minutes)

Start Charging More

1. What do you do and why aren’t you charging for it?
   1. Coaching
   2. Consulting
   3. Skills and crafts
2. Why are you still doing things for free?
   1. Difference between free & giving back
   2. Helping friends and family?
   3. Helping a non-profit

Nicholas of FSG was an Infantryman, deployed, Joined young, got out of army worked for triple canopy, created own business, Search Fsginvestigations on all platforms, new funny video ads everyday just launched second office in florida.

Choose Your Hard

Social Media

1. Why it’s necessary
2. Why it doesn’t replace your website
3. How to learn it

Thank Your Prior Clients

1. After the job
2. On a regular basis
3. Why?

Trust Your Instincts

1. Hiring the right people
2. Pivoting

Experience Vs. Education

1. What’s their work history?
2. What’s their degree in?
3. Which is better?

1. Know your numbers
2. Review performance
3. Set expectations

Take Responsibility

1. Know What You’re Responsible For
2. Learn How to Take Control of It
3. Understand Passing the Buck Doesn’t Solve the Problem

Solutions

1. Be quick to fire.
2. Realize the people you have who are worth it.
3. Focus your energy on those who put in the effort.

Training Processes

1. Design & develop
2. Implement & test
3. Train and Improve

Planning a New Business

1. Mission/Goal
2. Format and outline
3. Naming

SCORE

1. Pros and cons of being an introverted entrepreneur
2. How to make the most of your introverted personality
3. What does it mean to be called an extrovert?

1. Start With Determining Your Long-Term Business Goals
2. Establish Your Short-Term Business Objectives
3. Understand What The Long-Term Goal Means On A Daily Basis
4. Tie Your Short-Term Objectives Into Your Long-Term Goals
5. Implement A Much Narrower Timeline For Short-Term Objectives
6. Break Down Specific Actions To Be Taken By Specific People
7. Have A Regular Time For Planning Short-Term Objectives
8. Ensure You Have Appropriate Employees Involved In All Aspects Of Planning
9. Review And Revisit Short-Term Objectives When And As Needed

Your business will fail if you lack social intelligence.

1. What is Social Intelligence?
2. The Benefits of Social Intelligence
3. The Risks of no Social Strategy
4. Getting Senior Management Onboard

Use Goal-Setting to Push Boundaries

1. Put the Focus on Customer Service
2. Commit to Continuous Learning
3. Learn How to Delegate
4. Increase Your Productivity
5. Stay Current With Technology
6. Change up Your Marketing Activities

How to make a sales pitch

Interpersonal and Family Relations

Evolve Physical Therapy is a performance-based practice that allows for high-quality individualized care to help you become the best version of yourself. Our focus is on enhancing overall performance, recovering from musculoskeletal injuries, improving mobility, and preventative care to limit future injuries. Dr. Chelsea and Dr. Amanda provide hour-long one-on-one treatment sessions that are specifically designed for each patient's unique goals and skill level. Both our Doctors are highly trained. Dr. Chelsea specializes in lower body, with a passion for treating knees and hips. Dr. Amanda is extremely skilled in rehabbing neck and back pain.  

How to think and plan strategically

What can your network do to help other people?

Shoutout to Christine Walorz - Life Insurance Agent for the topic.