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21 Hats Podcast
21 Hats Podcast
21 Hats

The 21 Hats Podcast is a weekly conversation with entrepreneurs who share their challenges and compare notes on how they’re coping with... more

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Episodes

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Business

This week, in episode 189, Paul Downs, Jennifer Kerhin, and Liz Picarazzi discuss the challenges couples face when one spouse... more

26 Mar 2024 · 47 minutes
Dashboard: How Would You Spend $5,000 on Marketing Now?

Obviously, there’s no one-size-fits all answer to that question, but this week Shawn Busse offers up a slew of smart... more

25 Mar 2024 · 19 minutes
I Need a Business Model

This week, in episode 188, we offer you a taste of the 21 Hats Live event we held in Fort... more

19 Mar 2024 · 47 minutes
Dashboard: You’re Still Using a 20-Year-Old CRM?

This week, Gene Marks tells us it’s time to update your clunky old technology. There was a time when he... more

18 Mar 2024 · 24 minutes
Man, I’m Glad We Didn’t Do an ESOP

This week, in episode 187, Matt Hoying, president of Choice One Engineering, explains to Shawn Busse and Jay Goltz how... more

12 Mar 2024 · 53 minutes
Dashboard: John Arensmeyer on What Business Owners Need Now

This week, the founder and CEO of Small Business Majority talks about whether he heard what he wanted to hear... more

11 Mar 2024 · 21 minutes
Can Jimmy Beans Wool Sell Yarn on LinkedIn?

This week, in episode 186, Shawn Busse and Laura Zander discuss what exactly Laura’s job should be. She’s CEO, of... more

05 Mar 2024 · 46 minutes
Dashboard: Our Man on AI’s Bleeding Edge

This week, Gene Marks offers to boldly go where no business owner has gone before. Few of us need to... more

04 Mar 2024 · 20 minutes
Managing Your Tasks, Your Credit Cards, and Your Anxiety

This week, in episode 185, Jay Goltz, Jaci Russo, and Sarah Segal talk about whether it’s finally time for Jay... more

27 Feb 2024 · 40 minutes
Dashboard: When Is It Time to Panic?

All businesses have ups and downs. This week, Tracy Bech, CEO of Starboard Collectives and co-author of the “60 Minute... more

26 Feb 2024 · 28 minutes
That Would Put Me Out of Business

This week, in episode 184, Mel Gravely, Liz Picarazzi, and Jaci Russo talk about how they set prices. Jaci explains... more

20 Feb 2024 · 53 minutes
Dashboard: Gene Marks Tries a Digital Marketing Test

This week, Gene tells Loren Feldman about a little experiment he ran recently in which he boosted a post on... more

19 Feb 2024 · 22 minutes
‘I Had to Fire the Guy’

This week, in episode 183, Paul Downs, Jay Goltz, and Sarah Segal talk about sexual harassment and where you draw... more

13 Feb 2024 · 49 minutes
Dashboard: What Can We Learn from Boeing?

This week, Shawn Busse, who soon will be boarding an Alaska Airlines plane made by the Boeing Company to attend... more

12 Feb 2024 · 22 minutes
Why Would You Want to Own a Business?

This week, in episode 182, Shawn Busse, Jay Goltz, and Jennifer Kerhin respond to a somewhat depressing view of business... more

06 Feb 2024 · 42 minutes
Dashboard: Just Ignore Those New 1099 Rules

That, at least, is what Gene Marks is planning to do. Gene tells Loren Feldman that the new rules, which... more

05 Feb 2024 · 29 minutes
Have We Been Too Generous With Employees?

This week, in episode 181, Mel Gravely, Jaci Russo, and William Vanderbloemen talk about the possibility that, after several years... more

30 Jan 2024 · 50 minutes
Dashboard: Is Microsoft Copilot Pro Ready for Prime Time?

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that while he’s excited about all of the great stuff we will eventually... more

29 Jan 2024 · 19 minutes
We’re Making Good Money. I’m Not Sure How

This week, in episode 180, Jay Goltz, Jennifer Kerhin, and Liz Picarazzi discuss their efforts to get a better grasp... more

23 Jan 2024 · 48 minutes
Dashboard: Is America Really Experiencing a Startup Boom?

Well, yes, actually, but Gene Marks and Loren Feldman discuss two questions: One, what exactly is driving the boom? And,... more

22 Jan 2024 · 24 minutes
The Worker Co-Op Solution

In this week’s bonus episode, Cameron Madill takes us on his succession journey, which began years ago when he started... more

16 Jan 2024 · 53 minutes
Dashboard: AI, TikTok, and the Rise of Women Owners

This week, Shawn Busse and Loren Feldman talk about some big changes coming to the world of small business. At... more

15 Jan 2024 · 21 minutes
New Year’s Resolution? Make. Some. Money.

This week, in episode 179, Shawn Busse, Paul Downs, and Laura Zander talk about why 2023 was so challenging for... more

09 Jan 2024 · 49 minutes
Dashboard: The State of Small Business, 2024

This week, John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of the advocacy group Small Business Majority, tells us that he senses considerable... more

08 Jan 2024 · 24 minutes
This Is What It Takes to Build a Business, Vol. 2

This week, we take a look back at the conversations we had last year about the many rewards and responsibilities... more

02 Jan 2024 · 2 hours, 11 minutes
Bonus Episode: The Unlikely Plan That Launched Down North Pizza

So here was Muhammad Abdul-Hadi’s idea for a pizza joint: First, buy a building in one of the most troubled... more

19 Dec 2023 · 47 minutes
Dashboard: Do the Math. Lean into A.I. Play Squash

In our last conversation of the year, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman about the nine habits that he believes have... more

18 Dec 2023 · 24 minutes
What Are Your Goals for 2024?

This week, in episode 177, Shawn Busse, Liz Picarazzi, and Jaci Russo discuss what they learned in 2023 and what... more

12 Dec 2023 · 46 minutes
Dashboard: Your Last-Minute, Year-End Tax Moves

This week, Gene Marks shares his suggestions for anyone looking to save a little on taxes. Start with your retirement... more

11 Dec 2023 · 24 minutes
We Need to Go Back to Marketing for Humans

This week, in episode 176, Paul Downs tells Jay Goltz and Jaci Russo about the latest developments in his year-long... more

05 Dec 2023 · 45 minutes
Dashboard: Don't Blame Your CRM

This week, Gene Marks talks through the latest developments in customer relationship management software, which is both his area of... more

04 Dec 2023 · 27 minutes
Bonus Episode: Are Salespeople Built or Born?

It used to be that best practices in sales were pretty standard across the board. But since the pandemic and... more

28 Nov 2023 · 51 minutes
Clients and Taxes and Bears, Oh My!

This week, in episode 175, Jaci Russo explains how she put an end to her eight-month drought of new clients.... more

21 Nov 2023 · 36 minutes
Dashboard: It’s the Data, Stupid

This week, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday will represent hugely important shopping days for many retailers. But Gene Marks... more

20 Nov 2023 · 21 minutes
Start Up, Throw Up, and Grow Up

This week, in episode 174, Dana White drops a few surprises. When we began this podcast in 2020, Dana had... more

14 Nov 2023 · 38 minutes
The I-Hate-Marketing Approach to Marketing

This week, in episode 173, Shawn Busse tells Jay Goltz and Mel Gravely why he doesn’t want his firm, Kinesis,... more

07 Nov 2023 · 50 minutes
Dashboard: Can You Fire Employees Who Won’t Return to the Office?

This week, Gene Marks warns business owners that the National Labor Relations Board has taken an action that could make... more

06 Nov 2023 · 24 minutes
Best of: Sometimes, Dreams Do Come True

If you’ve been listening to this podcast, you know we spend a lot of time talking about all of the... more

31 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
Dashboard: It’ll Change Everything

This week, Shawn Busse tells Loren Feldman why he’s long been skeptical of big data, especially the data many businesses... more

30 Oct 2023 · 26 minutes
And Some Days the Bear Eats You

This week, in episode 172, Liz Picarazzi tells Jay Goltz and Sarah Segal that her trip to a bear sanctuary... more

24 Oct 2023 · 41 minutes
Dashboard: Gene Marks Expects an A.I. Backlash

For months, Gene has been telling us about all of the cool things we’ll be able to do with Microsoft’s... more

23 Oct 2023 · 20 minutes
We Haven’t Signed a New Client in Eight Months

This week, in episode 171, we meet Jaci Russo, the co-founder and CEO of BrandRusso and the latest addition to... more

17 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
Dashboard: The Insane Burden of Health Insurance

This week, we learn that Gene Marks and Bernie Sanders agree on something, which is that there are better ways... more

16 Oct 2023 · 21 minutes
Bonus Episode: An Accidental Entrepreneur

It took a series of sad losses to turn banker Channon Kennedy into an entrepreneur. If a friend hadn’t lost... more

13 Oct 2023 · 23 minutes
Bonus Episode: The Employee Engagement Industry Has Failed

In this week’s bonus episode, Bill Fotsch, a business consultant, explains why he thinks much of the effort that he... more

10 Oct 2023 · 35 minutes
It’s Like Planning Your Own Funeral

This week, in episode 170, Jay Goltz tells Shawn Busse about the latest stop on his journey to figuring out... more

03 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
Dashboard: About That Shutdown

When Gene Marks and I recorded this episode of Dashboard on Friday, we were pretty sure the government was going... more

02 Oct 2023 · 19 minutes
I’ve Never Had to Lay off Anyone Before

This week, in episode 169, Sarah Segal tells Shawn Busse that the other shoe has dropped. A couple of months... more

26 Sep 2023 · 40 minutes
Dashboard: Do You Know What Your Margins Are?

This week, Tracy Bech talks about why it’s important, from time to time, to review your margins, to compare them... more

25 Sep 2023 · 18 minutes
I Would Have Been a Sub of a Sub of a Sub

This week, in episode 168, Shawn Busse, Paul Downs, and Liz Picarazzi talk about when it makes sense to walk... more

19 Sep 2023 · 43 minutes
Dashboard: The Big Issues Looming for Small Businesses

John Arensmeyer explains what the end of pandemic-era childcare support will mean for businesses. He also talks about the Department... more

18 Sep 2023 · 21 minutes
The Temptation of Private Equity

This week, in episode 167, Shawn Busse, Jennifer Kerhin, and William Vanderbloemen discuss private equity. Both William and Jennifer have... more

12 Sep 2023 · 45 minutes
Bonus Episode: When Private Equity Comes for Your Industry

This week, Dr. Randy Spencer talks about the changes that have been roiling the vet business. For one thing, that... more

05 Sep 2023 · 38 minutes
I Didn’t See All the Danger Signs

This week, in episode 166, Mel Gravely—the newest addition to our podcast team—tells Shawn Busse and William Vanderbloemen how he... more

29 Aug 2023 · 41 minutes
The Toughest Conversation

This week, in episode 165, Paul Downs, Jay Goltz, and Laura Zander don’t hold back. Laura and Jay both say... more

22 Aug 2023 · 50 minutes
Dashboard: Why Business Owners Don’t Like This Economy

Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that by almost any measure the economy continues to perform quite well. And yet, business... more

21 Aug 2023 · 18 minutes
When Business Owners Burn Out

This week, in episode 164, Shawn Busse and Jay Goltz discuss a recent Business Journal report that a lot of... more

15 Aug 2023 · 45 minutes
Dashboard: The Big Story in Small Business

This week, Gene Marks and Loren Feldman agree that artificial intelligence is becoming the biggest story in small business, with... more

14 Aug 2023 · 23 minutes
Can I Go Dig a Hole?

This week, in episode 163, Liz Picarazzi, Jennifer Kerhin, and Sarah Segal talk about whether they ever wish they could... more

08 Aug 2023 · 44 minutes
Dashboard: There’s Still Time

Yes, it’s August, but Tracy Bech — co-author of “60 Minute CFO” — tells Loren Feldman it’s not too late... more

07 Aug 2023 · 19 minutes
What’s Going to Happen to My Business?

This week, in episode 162, Jay Goltz tells us that, on second thought, he did learn something important watching HBO’s... more

01 Aug 2023 · 34 minutes
Dashboard: A Mass-Extinction Event for Startups?

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that the Silicon Valley notion that startups are threatened with extinction is ridiculous.... more

31 Jul 2023 · 25 minutes
Escaping the Valley of Death

This week, in episode 161, Shawn Busse tells Jay Goltz and Jennifer Kerhin that he’s realized that his business, too—like... more

25 Jul 2023 · 41 minutes
Dashboard: A Tsunami of Regulation

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that it’s hard enough trying to run a small business in 2023, but... more

24 Jul 2023 · 28 minutes
Bonus Episode: The Long Journey to Really Understanding ESOPs

If you’ve been listening to this podcast, you know that we’ve been taking periodic dives into the world of employee... more

21 Jul 2023 · 44 minutes
Is Anybody Listening to Me?

This week, in episode 160, Shawn Busse, Paul Downs, and Jennifer Kerhin talk about the challenges of communicating with employees,... more

18 Jul 2023 · 54 minutes
Dashboard: ‘ChatGPT on Steroids’

This week, Gene Marks gives Loren Feldman a preview of what Microsoft is cooking up with a product called Copilot... more

17 Jul 2023 · 25 minutes
‘You’re in the Valley of Death’

This week, in episode 159, Shawn Busse, Jay Goltz, and Jennifer Kerhin talk about that difficult transition most growing businesses... more

11 Jul 2023 · 49 minutes
Dashboard: Are Your WFH-ers Really Working?

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman about what he calls the “TWATS,” which is shorthand for hybrid workers who... more

10 Jul 2023 · 23 minutes
Why Do You Pay What You Pay?

This week, in episode 158, Paul Downs, Jay Goltz, and Sarah Segal talk about where the dust has settled after... more

04 Jul 2023 · 41 minutes
Embrace It. Leverage It. Or Die

This week, in episode 157, Liz Picarazzi, Sarah Segal, and Laura Zander wind up talking about artificial intelligence. They conclude... more

27 Jun 2023 · 43 minutes
Dashboard: You Control Your Destiny

This week, Lou Mosca, who runs American Management Services, a consulting firm that helps businesses improve their performance, tells Loren... more

26 Jun 2023 · 18 minutes
Twelve Hours a Day, Six Days a Week

This week, in episode 156, we meet Jennifer Kerhin, the newest addition to the 21 Hats Podcast team. Jennifer’s business,... more

20 Jun 2023 · 39 minutes
‘Being Isolated Is Just a Bad Idea’

This week, in episode 155, Hans Schrei and Shawn Busse talk about why they put their businesses through accelerators, and... more

13 Jun 2023 · 36 minutes
Dashboard: Gene Marks on Florida’s New Immigration Law

Gene has a problem with it. He doesn’t think it goes far enough. That’s because he thinks it gives businesses... more

12 Jun 2023 · 22 minutes
‘What Doesn’t Keep Me Up at Night?’

This week, for episode 154, we did something different. We recorded this session in Chicago at our very first 21... more

06 Jun 2023 · 51 minutes
Dashboard: Getting Past the Fear

This week, Ami Kassar tells Loren Feldman that in running MultiFunding, which helps businesses figure out their finance needs, he... more

05 Jun 2023 · 22 minutes
Best Of: What It Takes to Build a Business

So, I decided to give the 21 Hats Podcast crew this week off. Between the Memorial Day holiday and our... more

30 May 2023 · 1 hour, 24 minutes
Is PR Worth the Effort?

This week, in episode 153, William Vanderbloemen says good public relations is absolutely worth the time and money. Paul Downs... more

23 May 2023 · 46 minutes
Dashboard: Are We Really Going to Ban TikTok?

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that he thinks the ban signed by Montana's governor is a political stunt... more

22 May 2023 · 20 minutes
Marketing Workshop: I Didn’t Know It Was Going to Work

This week, Shawn Busse and Loren Feldman talk to John Garrett about his contrarian approach to newspapers, marketing, and competition.... more

16 May 2023 · 53 minutes
Dashboard: Yes, It’s Time to Worry about the Debt Ceiling

This week, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman that businesses should be making contingency plans in case there’s a default, especially... more

15 May 2023 · 17 minutes
I’m Not a Real CEO

This week, in episode 152, Jay Goltz, Liz Picarazzi, and Sarah Segal talk about the inherent conflicts between being an... more

09 May 2023 · 44 minutes
Dashboard: Solving Monopolies, Immigration, Tipped Wages, and the Debt Ceiling

This week, John Arensmeyer, CEO of the Small Business Majority advocacy group, and Loren Feldman talk about some of the... more

08 May 2023 · 17 minutes
Bonus Episode: Not Sold on ESOPs? There’s a New Alternative

This week, two special guests who have built highly successful companies talk about what they ultimately plan to do with... more

02 May 2023 · 50 minutes
Dashboard: Where’s the Money?

This week, Gene Marks takes Loren Feldman through a case study of how easy it is even for profitable businesses... more

01 May 2023 · 26 minutes
When CEOs Behave Badly

This week, in episode 151, our conversation starts with Shawn Busse and Jay Goltz trying to understand why CEOs keep... more

25 Apr 2023 · 41 minutes
Dashboard: America’s Economy Is Better than Americans Think

Yes, demand is tapering, and a recession is looming, Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman, but this is a great economy... more

24 Apr 2023 · 21 minutes
‘It’s Going to Take $8 Million in Financing’

This week, in episode 150, Stephanie Stuckey tells Paul Downs and Liz Picarazzi how she and her partners have taken... more

18 Apr 2023 · 48 minutes
We’re Still Buying Inventory

This week, in episode 149, Jay Goltz tells William Vanderbloemen that even with an inventory glut, a cash crunch, and... more

11 Apr 2023 · 37 minutes
Dashboard: Is There Really a Credit Crunch?

Gene Marks tells Loren Feldman he’s not seeing it yet, but there’s reason to believe it’s coming. Gene also discusses... more

10 Apr 2023 · 25 minutes
Recession? That’s When You Need to Attack

This week, in episode 148, Paul Downs, Sarah Segal, and Laura Zander discuss how they think about the possibility of... more

04 Apr 2023 · 50 minutes
Dashboard: Winter Is (Still) Coming

This week, Mel Gravely, CEO of Triversity Construction in Cincinnati, tells Loren Feldman why he still sees a recession looming—even... more

03 Apr 2023 · 21 minutes
I Just Cut My Pay

This week, in episode 147, Paul Downs tells Shawn Busse and Jay Goltz that his year has not gotten off... more

28 Mar 2023 · 49 minutes
Dashboard: Gene Marks Is Not a Fan of Mandated PTO

This week, Gene tells Loren Feldman why he hates the new Illinois law that requires businesses of any size to... more

27 Mar 2023 · 21 minutes
I Can’t Have a Handle on Everything

This week, in episode 146, Jay Goltz and Laura Zander talk about the limits of their own management. Once a... more

21 Mar 2023 · 36 minutes
Dashboard: Bank As I Say, Not As I Do

This week, in the aftermath of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, Gene Marks says he banks at Wells Fargo —... more

20 Mar 2023 · 19 minutes
For Wunderkeks, It Really Is Go Big or Go Home

This week, in episode 145, Hans Schrei explains why he’s pursuing a deal with Costco and why his vision is... more

14 Mar 2023 · 46 minutes
Dashboard: Taxes, Regulation, and a Punch to the Face

This week, Gene Marks and Loren Feldman discuss what it means for small businesses that some tax deductions are going... more

13 Mar 2023 · 22 minutes
Marketing Workshop: Turning a Failing Nut Shop into Nuts.com

This week, Shawn Busse and Loren Feldman talk to Jeff Braverman about how he walked away from a career as... more

07 Mar 2023 · 49 minutes
21 Hats Podcast
Dashboard: Taxes, Regulation, and a Punch to the Face
21 Hats Podcast
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Description

This week, Gene Marks and Loren Feldman discuss what it means for small businesses that some tax deductions are going away, some... more