Entrepreneur People Real Stories

171 Pat Palmer of Medical Billing Advocates of America

You don't think twice about reviewing the bill before you pay the check at the restaurant, and you'll do a quick scan of the receipt before you leave the grocery store. You'll do a double check on the charges from your plumber's invoice for the same reason, too. Why? Because you want to be certain you've been billed fairly and accurately. We know how to review these bills but most of us would have a difficult time understanding our the detailed invoice from a hospital after a serious illness and lengthy stay. As the charges and coding rack up, unless you have an coding background you probably have very little idea of what you've been charged for and if the bill is true.

It was this issue that set Pat Palmer on a path to creating Medical Billing Advocates of America fifteen years ago. Today, her daughters help run the company and she teaches others how to create their own businesses as medical billing advocates. We'll hear her story and gain an understanding of why this is a timely and important service.  

(01:41) In general describe what Medical Billing Advocates is all about.

(02:52) You are the founder and now have a CEO and COO. Who are those individuals?

(03:42) What is your background and how did you come about starting Medical Billing Advocates?

(06:10) Who is your customer? What entities need billing advocates?

(07:38) Did you start as a volunteer?

(08:20) How do you bill for your services?

(09:33) Where can people find out more?

(10:15) You have training materials for others to learn to become billing advocates. Talk about this program.

(12:57) What are some of the statistics about medical bills in terms of errors?

(14:06) Do you see the new health reform act having any impact on medical billing?

(15:55) How have we gotten to the place where there are such errors in medical billing?

(17:45) How do hospitals respond to seeing a medical advocate intervene?

(19:43) Can you share a couple of stories of incidents where you’ve been able to help with overcharges?

(23:04) Is having insurance a good thing or does it lend to making this billing issue worse?

(25:00) What kinds of marketing have worked well for you?

(26:59) Are you using social media to market?

(28:17) How do you find balance between business and the rest of your life?

(29:37) How do you deal with family dynamics since you work with your daughters and husband?

(31:05) What keeps you going when it is all so stressful?

(32:26) Where can people get more information?

A Cool Change

With temps at historic highs and most definitely humid and hot here in Iowa, I've decided to take a hiatus from EPRS for the month of August and then start back in . . . lightly . . . for the remainder of 2010.

To date, there have been 170 entrepreneurs from all over the world featured with all types of businesses, and there have been about 53,000 downloads of these podcasts. In each show, individuals share incredible stories of what they do, why they do it, and what they've learned along the way. I believe these interviews are a value to anyone who is, or wants to be an entrepreneur. Or, if you're interested in a particular product or service these podcasts provide an in-depth way to learn more.

This all started as my personal mission to learn what it is to be a a successful entrepreneur. Valuable universals have emerged from the experiences shared. Passion, purpose, hope are important, while focus, niche and word of mouth hold true, too.

My business Storied Gifts has work on the books, but  honestly, I'm still figuring out how to manage life and business,  maintain a worthwhile and consistent marketing plan, and learn what hats to give to others. I know I'm farther along for having conducted these interviews.

Tomorrow is my son and daughter-in-law's wedding, I'm busy with Storied Gifts projects, my husband and I host The Delicious Story, and I'm thinking about where to go with Entrepreneur People Real Stories. It's a good busy but time to re-evaluate. Is there a book of some of the best of interviews? Maybe. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'm loading all the old episodes on this site, and for the next several weeks stepping back to take time for a cool change from regular weekly interviews. Find the breeze yourself and thanks for stopping by EPRS. 

170 Jewish FunnyBone with Dan and Diane Brown

First, a brief note on sound of this interview. As you listen, I may sound like I'm talking into a soup can because I had my microphone settings messed up. Fortunately, I don't talk much at all because I ask my questions and Dan and Diane Brown of The Jewish FunnyBone take over offering wonderful stories and insights.

If you've ever been in the greeting card section of a store and thought "Oy vey! Where are the funny good cards?" Then you'll truly appreciate the humor and brilliance of this couple's venture.

(01:26) Describe what The Jewish Funny Bone offers.

(05:15) What is your background and what led you to create The Jewish Funny Bone?

(08:22) Is it hard to balance humor with being politically correct when touching on the subject of a religion?

(10:57) Who is your customer?

(14:25) Are there unique qualities to Jewish humor and jokes dealing with the subject of Judaism?

(18:00) Where can people find you?

(18:22) You have several projects going in addition to The Jewish Funny Bone. What else are you doing?

(21:11) It sounds like your political project “Not Politics as Usual” would appeal to people no matter what party you belong to.

(24:38) Diane does Dan have you laughing all the time with his humor?

(26:00) Since you’ve been in advertising . . . are you catching Mad Men and what do you think of the series?

(27:50) How do you come up with jokes?

(31:42) What type of marketing do you do that works best for you?

(33:33) How do you balance your life with your business life?

(35:00) What is the nutritional company that you represent?

(36:00) What keeps you passionate and invested in what you’re doing?

 

169 Aisha Syed Realtor of Iowa Realty

Had you heard about the housing market? Apparently there was this bubble and several years ago it burst. People are now either under-water on a mortgage or, because of other floods in the economy, overflowing in debt. So where should one set anchor as a buyer or seller in this new mortgage ship? In this interview, I speak with realtor Aisha Syed about her business, the Des Moines, Iowa market, and what it takes to smoothly sail in these new waters of real estate.

 (01:42) Explain what you do as a realtor.

 

(02:55) I can’t imagine buying a home “For Sale by Owner.” What would be in it for a buyer to do that?

 

(03:58) How long have you been a realtor and what was your background that led to you making and building your business?

 

(05:22) You’ve been in this business during a crazy time in the housing market. There is still business even in times like these?

 

(06:21) From a buyer’s perspective, what can you expect a realtor to do for you?

 

(11:10) How does the seller utilize the value of working with a realtor?

 

(13:55) Dispel some of the misconceptions that buyers have these days in the market.

 

(15:22) What are some of the misconceptions that sellers have in the market?

 

(17:28) What has changed about the housing market now as opposed to five years ago?

 

(18:35) Is a home still a good investment?

 

(19:45) Share a success story.

 

(21:44) Share what you do to connect with the community and keep in touch with your clients in a unique way.

 

(23:40) What marketing works best for you?

 

(26:18) You had a unique story of sharing your business. Would you share that story?

 

(27:54) Describe your average day.

 

(29:01) Where can people find out more about you? What keeps you excited about what you do?

 

168 Erik Wesner Author of "Success Made Simple"

In his book "Success Made Simple. An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive,"Erik Wesner examines the principles that sustain the Amish not only in life but also in their business practices. The result is that Amish businesses have a higher rate of success and sustainability than their mainstream counterparts. Learn about these values and why getting back to the basics can be good for the bottom line.

(01:45) What is the idea behind the title “Success Made Simple. An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive?”

(03:45) Somehow the simple life of Amish doesn’t seem so simple to achieve?

(05:45) How did you come to know and work with Amish families? What is your background story?

(10:02) Talk about your background selling books and that “door-to-door” type sales.

(12:30) How did your relationship in the Amish communities progress?

(14:11) When did you realize you wanted to write a book about the Amish Business model?

(15:00) What was your background in college?

(15:42) You started with the blog to help find your voice and content for the book?

(16:04) How did you approach the interviews for your book?

(17:47) Did you share the manuscript with the interviewees prior to printing the book?

(20:44) Share some of the startling stats that compare Amish Business success to mainstream businesses.

(25:28) Who is the audience for this book?

(26:56) Illustrate one of the Amish business principles that other business owners could incorporate.

(30:10) When did the book “Success Made Simple. An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive” hit the bookstores?

(31:07) What is one quality you’ve learned about yourself from writing and marketing this book and from your own background in sales?

(33:10)Are you twittering and on Facebook?

(33:36) What marketing is working well for you at this point?

(36:55) Those fake fireplaces we see advertised on TV, are they really made by the Amish?

(38:57) What is your passion for what you do and what keeps you going?

 

Tania Luna of Surprise Industries

Learn how adding the spice of surprise to your life can help you enjoy it more fully, and even handle the inevitable changes that come your way with grace and an adventurer's spirit. Tania Luna one of the three founders of Surprise Industries, shares how they've achieved success crafting special events for individuals, groups and businesses that spur participants to create fresh insights and have fun.

FYI, I've attempted a surprise for you with a tech glitch in the intro. There is this overlay of my exit piece that is about 35 seconds long. Ride it through and then head in to a terrific interview with Tania.

(01:50) Provide an overview of what Surprise Industries is all about.

(03:14)How did the three (Tania, Kat, Miasp?) of you become business partners?

(03:50) How long has Surprise Industries been in business?

(05:12) How and in what ways can people get started getting involved in a surprise event?

(08:15) How long a period of time do the mini surprises last?

(09:39) It is brilliant that you work with experience providers who are looking to market their products and services.

(10:33) Why is surprise an important component in life?

(11:45) How well are surprises received by your clients especially control type people?

(13:40) I can see that for corporations having teams think outside of the box can be beneficial?

(15:20) How did you come up with this idea for surprise industries?

(17:50) How organized do you have to be to prepare surprises?

(18:58) where can people find out more about you on the web?

(19:53) How can you plan a surprise experience for a branding purpose?

(22:20) Surprise can help inspire people to think differently about things. That’s important these days especially.

(23:00) Share a favorite story of a time you helped people enjoy a particularly great surprise.

(25:30) These surprises can be facilitated anywhere in the continental U.S.?

(26:04) What strengths do each of you bring to the business?

(30:19) Is the best place to start with Surprise Industries to fill out a form on the site?

(31:14) Are surprise events expensive?

(31:35) Is there a specific way that corporations should start with Surprise Industries if they want you to plan an event?

(32:40) What have you learned about yourself in the process of owning a business?

(35:30) What have you learned about others in the process of delivering surprises?

(38:00) What is the symbol that is used for your logo?

(39:20) What types of marketing are you using and what works well for you?

(45:01) What keeps you motivated and passionate about what you do?

 

Jazzed Entrepreneurs of July 2010

You'll feel jazzed and inspired when you listen to these interviews from entrepreneurs who are thriving in the housing market, delivering surprises, exploring the Amish business model for success, and dispensing humor with Jewish style.  

June 29: Mortgage Consultant Tyler Osby of The Tyler Osby Team has helped clients prepare and find the right loan for their home.

July 6: Tania Luna of Surprise Industries is one of three woman who founded and delivers the unexpected to individuals and business. We'll discover how astonishing people makes for a terrific business.  

July 13: Author Erik Wesner talks about his new book called "Success Made Simple. An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive." 

July 20: Aisha Syed of Iowa Realty talks about her business as a realtor, her connection with community and unique marketing style.

July 27: If you're feeling like yelling a big Oy Vey! of despair, catch this interview with Dan and Diane Brown who are the brains behind The Jewish Funny Bone.  

166 Tyler Osby of The Tyler Osby Team

Tyler's adept understanding of the mortgage world and his general clarity of thinking shine through in this interview. Tyler shares how he has built his business as a mortgage planner in the past six years, debunks a few myths about mortgage lending, and the lessons he has learned in building relationships and business with a big picture plan. You'll enjoy getting to know Tyler. Check out his great blog, too.

(02:03) Explain what you do as a certified mortgage planner.

(05:30) Share your background story and how you came to be an entrepreneur.

(11:03) How does your day break down so that you get so many things done?

(14:20) Where can people find you on the web?

(16:33) Who is your customer and what are they hoping to achieve?

(18:29) Are there a couple of myths you can speak to that you find people still believe?

(22:26) You point out that you try to help your clients finance their mortgage and consider it as an overall piece of their financial plan?

(23:27) How should a person go about finding the right mortgage planner for them?

(29:44) Are you going to be offering workshops in the future?

(31:29) What keeps you going and focused?

 

165 Lori Vande Krol of A Life Made Simple

Are you losing your vantage of your forest due to those clumped together trees in life? In this interview, meet Lori Vande Krol of A Life Made Simple and learn how she is helping businesses and individuals organize their lives for more clarity and productivity. Lori shares some tips and ideas to get your creativity kicked in, and her own experience on building a business that cultivates order.

(02:09) Provide an overview of what you do.

(04:21) What “type” of person are you . . . type A? You must be very organized to help others become more productive. What’s your background?

(06:30) How long has A Life Made Simple been in existence?

(07:13) How did you come up with the title of your business? You have a partner?

(09:21) Who is your customer both on the business and personal side?

(11:14) Share a story of a client that has benefited from your service.

(14:38) What are some of the major hurdles for people to deal with in order to get organized?

(15:60) What should a person or business expect to get started when they contact you?

(17:27) Do you help people organize their computer?

(20:57) Are you using social media? What marketing works for your type of business?

(23:33) What have you learned about yourself since owning a business?

(25:52) What keeps you going when times are tough?

164 David Sasson of Overstock Art

This is the perfect entrepreneurial love story with all elements . . .

• an exciting product
• an untapped audience that desires the product
• reasonable pricing
• and technology that creates a new way to bring product and customer together.

Do you hear the Love Story theme playing? This really is a love story of success with an inspiring rather than sappy finish.

For those who want art for their walls this is an interview to meet David Sasson and learn why more customers are finding their way to Overstock Art. If you're an entrepreneur, there are insights on what it takes to make your website a work of art for your customer.  

(01:52) Where are you based, somewhere in the Midwest?

 

(02:10) Overstock Art is an internet business so most of your sales are via the web.

 

(02:40) Describe what Overstock Art provides to consumers.

 

(04:00) What is your background and how did you come to decide to create Overstock Art?

 

(05:28) You’ve had a significant increase in growth since you began?

 

(06:37) How did you come to discover that people wanted hand-painted reproductions of famous paintings?

 

(09:02) What is the difference with having a reproduction that is hand-painted versus simply having a poster of a famous painting?

 

(10:29) Who is your customer, and what are they trying to accomplish when they come to Overstock Art?

 

(13:22) People seem happy to own something that they know and love already.

 

(14:50) Were there specific issues you felt you needed to address via your website since you’re selling art on line?

 

(18:18) That’s a nugget of wisdom you share David. It is important to make an experience on your website that the shopper can’t experience anywhere else.

 

(20:00) Share the newest experience a consumer can have on Overstock and take us on a tour of the website.

 

(28:33) Have you been using and found social media helpful? What other marketing works well for your type of business?

 

(33:57) How do you balance your business life with your personal life?

 

(35:27) What keeps you motivated and passionate about what you do?