Readying Your Small Business for a Better Economy

Call of the Wild is the longest running adventure travel company, designed specifically for women only, in the world since 1978. Traveling across the United States and around the globe, Call of the Wild provides active adventures for women who are looking to make lifelong memories in a safe and fun environment.

In this episode, Kate Reid, CEO of Call of the Wild, joins Anita Campbell and Brent Leary to talk about her journey as the new owner and CEO of the prestigious adventure travel company, and what tools she’s found effective to help her manage her business and weather the turbulent economic times.

Kate purchased Call of the Wild from its founder in September of 2008 as Lehman Brothers was collapsing.  Kate combines her previous work experience at Goldman Sachs, Expedia, and Visa with her passion for the outdoors and adventure to lead Call of the Wild’s day to day operations and business strategy.

Below are the questions we asked Kate:

• (2:45) Kate, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be the CEO of Call of the Wild?


• (5:13) There must have been something that really grabbed your attention about this business.  What was it about Call of the Wild that spoke to you?


• (6:49) So by narrowing your market, you feel you’re actually creating greater opportunity by differentiating your business, correct?


• (7:32) Were you surprised by anything that you weren’t expecting after you became CEO of The Call of the Wild that you didn’t see coming?


• (9:15) It sounds as if these trips are life changing events for the women involved?


• (10:06) How did you manage the experience of purchasing this company during a recession?


• (12:56) So do you feel that things are loosening up now?  Or are we still in the grips of financial difficulty and changing consumer behavior?


• (16:02) Do you feel like you’re positioned properly to take advantage of opportunities as the economy recovers?


• (18:23) What kinds of things do you want to hear coming out of Washington to make you feel better about the prospects for the coming year?


• (19:39) What are your industry trends?  Are you seeing any major industry trends that are going to shape 2011?


• (21:30) What roles did social media and technology play in helping you get through 2009-2010 and how do you see that helping you in the future?


• (23:18) You already have a Facebook page, correct?


• (24:27) With your background, what kind of suggestions do you have for folks thinking about starting a business or running a business in this climate?


• (26:31) What do you see in 2011 at the end of this year?  Where will the overall economy be and where will Call of the Wild be?


• (29:31) Where can people find out more?

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How to Drive Growth in a Downward Economy

Dennis Jarrett has driven the growth of his business to make them the #1 Fastest Growing Franchise in the country in less than 10 years. Dennis feels that the key factors for this growth include value, quality, reliability and their commitment to environmental stewardship, which continue to drive the company today.

Dennis Jarrett, Co-founder of Stratus Building Solutions, joins Brent Leary to get an inside look at how to grow a quality business that has one important ingredient – staying power.

Below are the questions we asked Dennis:

• (1:25) Dennis, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?


• (2:20) What is it that Stratus Building Solutions does?


• (3:25)  What are some of the specific areas people should be focusing on when developing a fast growing company?


• (5:18) Is there any one overriding factor to ensure long term success or is it a number of things?


• (5:54) From your perspective, what appeal do you use to encourage the right kind of people that you feel will be the right franchisees for your business?


• (8:30) How personally involved are you and Pete in bringing on the new franchises today?


• (10:06) How do tough times breed innovation and opportunity?  How have you been able to think out of the box in order to grow in the way that you have?


• (11:54) How has social media and mobile technology changed or influenced the way that you do business?


• (13:28) How do you get the right mix between social and traditional marketing in order to maximize the opportunity?


• (14:42) How have your customers changed over the years and how have you had to adapt to those changes?  Has it been a dramatic change or steady along the way?


• (16:20) What factors do you measure and monitor as you determine your growth patterns?


• (17:53) How do you know when you have to step in and get them back on track?


• (19:03) Do you see franchisees generalizing or is it better to specialize?


• (20:53) What do you think has been the key to your success in times when a lot of people are failing?


• (22:00) Has social media made a more effective way to communicate?


• (23:15) If you’re trying to bring on more successful franchisees, what are the best ways to go about attracting those people?


• (25:11) What are the kinds of things regarding specialties that you’re looking for right now?


• (27:03) Where can people find out more?


• (28:15) What advice would you offer to anyone interested in starting a business right now?

 

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