On The Big Payoff today, Rachel and Suzanne duke it out about Peet’s Coffee expanding into the already saturated coffee market in Chicago. Is Suzanne right when she predicts Peet’s will fail? Rachel says “wa wa” as Suzanne bemoans the loss of her beloved Caribou. Hear where they land.
Today’s everyday entrepreneur caller was Jason Sizer of Maek (maekme.com), a free music record label here in Chicago. As Jason and his partners approach their one year anniversary, they are faced with the challenge of finding more funding for the next big step. Is Rachel on to something when she suggests crowd funding as the best source?
The Dirty Truth segment featured the wonderful Troy Henikoff from TechStars. Fresh from a very successful Demo Day, where startups present in front of potential investors. Great take aways from the best of the best about how to pitch, such as: you have 15 seconds to tell a great story and get their attention and keep it. Find out how!
Our Girl on Fire caller today was Heidi, a recently divorced working mom struggling with the decision of how to move forward in her career. Rachel and Suzanne share honest, helpful and some pretty personal insights.
Today’s Big Payoffs:
Listening to The Big Payoff Radio show is not like getting free business insights and advice, it IS getting free business insights and expert advice. And often some personal therapy or a recommendation for great coffee in Chicago.
Some of today’s big Payoffs:
- To be successful in a crowded marketplace a company’s point of view must be distinctive and specific. It can’t just be that “we are better than you.” Just ask Coke and Pepsi. You hear that, Peet’s coffee?
- A great pitch is about the storyline that captures attention, elicits emotions, and threads through what you are saying so people can’t help but listen and engage.
- When trying to figure out if you are an entrepreneur the key is to isolate what you are great at doing. What is your gift?