There are a lot of pieces that go into building a strong company. Name recognition, brand identity, consumer support, marketing plans, you name it, we need it! But there’s one thing no company survive without, and that is an amazing product.

Nathan Chan, founder of Foundr magazine and online resource for entrepreneurs, is talking with me on this episode about how to focus on building an assets-based company.

We’re getting into the building blocks of any successful company, how to begin simple and  expand once you’re ready.

Nathan has so much experience with online and print media, he’s letting us in on how these two platforms can help to build a wide identity for your business. He’s digging into how to handle social media – what it can help you to build and when to be wary of it. Remember, you don’t own the platform, so it can only get you so far!

We’re also talking about the life of the passion-driven entrepreneur, asset building, and how to think like a start-up!  Get ready to take some notes!

Being a passion driven entrepreneur is one thing, but incorporating that passion into everything that you do is another, even more challenging endeavor.

My guest this week is not only a highly successful Colorado entrepreneur, but he is also giving back to the state by investing energy in what he loves: outdoor sports. Ken Gart has run and started several successful sporting goods companies and other ventures, but most importantly he is currently the Bike Czar of Colorado.

Ken and I are talking about the current state of the outdoor sports markets. There are a lot of shake-ups underway, but don’t worry – it’s not all bad! We’re getting into what sets small business apart and how these differences can lead to success in ways that big companies can’t match.

We’re also getting into the Colorado bike initiative, what’s making Ken so motivated to throw his time and energy into this big project, and how he’s trying to get others to emotionally buy in.

Ken is so passionate about the field he’s working in, and he’s managed to turn all of this excitement into success, several times over. He’s an inspiration for all of us passion driven entrepreneurs, whatever field it’s in.

Bravery in Business Quote

“I think there's still opportunities in the retail world, but the applecart has been upset, and it ain't going to be fixed.” - Ken Gart

(click to tweet)

Cliff Notes:

• Ken Gart, is an entrepreneur. His investments range from specialty retailing to real estate development to large sporting goods companies. He is currently the Bike Czar of Colorado, as titled by the Governor.
• The outdoor sporting goods industry is going through a time of change. The major retailers are still big players, but they’re not as flexible as smaller companies. Innovators can respond to the market faster and more efficiently than big business.
• Right now, big companies stuck with an old business model are the most vulnerable. The smaller companies can create more loyalty and find new opportunities in specialty communities. Smaller companies should focus on becoming the hub for the people they serve, online or in a physical community.
• Let your skills from other ventures and experiences help with your current work. Ken brought his business skills and ski rental experience to the table when he started helping with the bike sharing initiative in Denver.
• Let people know when you’re really committed to a project. If you want people to go all in, make sure they know you are 100% committed to it also. When Ken saw that the governor was really committed to building bike infrastructure in Colorado, he was much more willing to put in more of his time and money to help out.
• Show people the value of your products, don’t just tell them. In working on the bike infrastructure initiative, Ken has been doing bike trails with the governor and gotten some state officials out with them to ride. Get partners and clients to emotionally buy in.
• Get advice from someone in your field. Ken found a national company doing the same non-profit work that he is starting in Colorado, promoting bikes and biking infrastructure, and got them to give him advice and guidance.

“Everybody can bike. I think it's such a great way of sharing the outdoors and sharing the lifestyle and the health and wellness initiative through sport” - Ken Gart

(click to tweet)

Resources:

GartCompanies.com

https://goo.gl/4FsSn2 : State of Colorado's announcement to invest $100 million in bicycle infrastructure link:

PeopleForBikes.org

Show notes at: IntrepidEntrepreneur.net/ken-gart

Running a business is a lot of work. Who am I kidding, I’m sure you all know this. I certainly feel like there’s a lot on my plate with just my two endeavors.

But my guest for this episode is a retired professional cyclist, an author, and currently has four entrepreneurial endeavors underway. George Hincapie is an athlete I’ve always admired and I’ve come to respect him even more so after reading his memoir, The Loyal Lieutenant: Leading Out Lance and Pushing Through the Pain on the Rocky Road to Paris.

George is sharing his experience of almost two decades in the cycling industry, and how this experience has benefitted him as an entrepreneur. We’re talking about developing character, the importance of a positive mindset, and having a team mentality to get things done.

He’s also discussing how crucial his support network has been, and how he’s chosen to be supportive in the small, competitive field of cycling.

George is a versatile and hard-working entrepreneur, working in several different industries. He’s got great advice on investors, character, and keeping your eye on the prize. No matter what industry you work in, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Bravery in Business Quote

“I mean, if you let doubt enter your mind while you’re going into a race —Then you're already behind the 8-ball.” - George Hincapie

(click to tweet)

Cliff Notes:

• Retired professional cyclist and past owner of Hincapie sportswear. Currently involved in several entrepreunrial endeavors, including Hincapie Racing Team, Gran Fondo, and Hotel Domestique.
• Hincapie Sportswear has their own factory in Colombia, run by George’s Aunt and Uncle. (Kristin said she wanted this in the shownotes)
• Bootstrapping and looking for investors are not mutually exclusive business strategies. You can have investors and still be running much of daily operations and marketing yourself.
• Think of more intimate ways to get to know your clients. Trade shows and large professional events are not always a great value for the time and finances required to attend. Hincapie Sportswear flew all of their biggest buyers out to Hotel Domestique to show them the new lines of product last year.
• Use connections you have from other endeavors or lines of work to grow your business. George brought his biking contacts and knowledgeability to each of his new businesses.
• Team is everything. Focus on being a good teammate, and a good leader. Trust people to do what they do best, and don’t micromanage. Try to be the best team member, not the best individual.
• Sometimes great ideas come to you when you’re doing something else. George got a lot of his ideas for his book while biking. Get away from the office.
• Outside support is important in any endeavor. It’s important to have the support of your teammates and co-workers, but also that of your family and close friends. George’s parents supported him in his early years, and his wife was a huge help during the book writing process.

“The difference is, on a level playing field, a lot has to with your mindset” - George Hincapie

Resources:

http://www.georgehincapie.com/

http://hincapie.com/

http://www.hincapieracing.com/

http://hoteldomestique.com/

http://granfondohincapie.com/

Blog Ideas

Supporting and building teamwork and character in your business/team

Having a good mentality to win

Bringing strengths and traits from other experiences to your business

Show notes at: intrepidentrepreneur.net/george-hincapie-2/

Full Show Notes, with Bullet Points and Links to Resources, can be found at IntrepidEntrepreneur.net/focus-on-process

At some point in time, everyone has gotten stuck. Stuck in the mud, stuck in the snow, stuck in a situation we want out of. For us passion driven entrepreneurs, it’s often stuck on an idea we love that’s struggling to become a reality.

As those of you who follow me know, the past few months have been pretty rough on me. I’ve been stuck. But I did found a way to work through it, and I want to share my process with all of you. This episode is a special Intrepid Entrepreneur Solocast, but it’s also an audio training on how to get unstuck.

I’ve devised a five step process to help you open your mind to new approaches and re-evaluate your strategy. Being too comfortable can get in the way of making amazing changes! It’s about doing what you love, failing forward, and focusing on the process.

I’m also sharing some books, resources, and quotes that have helped me work through this un-sticking process, and start to rethink my game plan for Intrepid. You’ll want to take a look.

These are tested strategies specific to passion driven entrepreneurs. So what are you stuck on? Get ready to try something new!

Full Show Notes, with Bullet Points and Links to Resources, can be found at IntrepidEntrepreneur.net/focus-on-process

Show notes:  Intrepidentrepreneur.net/michael-engleman

As we head into the grand finale of this year’s racing season, there is so much momentum behind women’s cycling. You might have even seen some of the events during the Rio Olympics, I can say that I almost wore myself hoarse shouting at the screen!   

I’m super excited have Michael Engleman of Mission Sports Group with me on this episode to be talking about the movement of women’s cycling and how he’s working to turn all of this momentum into growth and sponsorships.

Michael’s telling stories about individual cyclists and inspirational stories of teams that are being built, because stories sell.

He’s sharing how to get these stories out, and how to use narrative to approach sponsors and investors. Sometimes, you have to present them with an idea for their brand identity they hadn’t even thought of!        

For anyone interested in trying to expand the reach and interest of their industry, or anyone like me who just loves women’s cycling, this episode is for you!

Bravery in Business Quote

“You're trying to change the world, not just capture a bigger piece of the market that's already there.” - Michael Engleman

(click to tweet)

Cliff Notes

• Michael Engleman, founder and owner of Mission Sports Group, a company that supports women’s cyclists
• It doesn’t matter where you start your company as long as you know how to get the resources you need.  Michael runs Missions Sports group out of a small town in Colorado, but there are a lot of intellectual and technological resources for him to tap into.
• Women’s cycling right now is full of big personalities and stories and cyclists with their own angles and ideas. This makes the industry more interesting to cover and to follow, generating momentum.
• Use stories to build interest and involvement with your company. Local bike shops can be connected with youth programs, but without someone (like Michael) to get this story out, no one will know.
• Being passionate about what you’re selling will make you a good salesperson, more than just being good at talking about it. People notice and connect with authenticity.
• Show prospective investors and/or sponsors the potential in getting involved with your industry. Pitch them how this is an opportunity for new markets, or to expand their brand identity in ways not previously considered.
• Momentum makes change happen faster. Women’s cycling is a smaller industry than men’s, but with all the stories coming out of it, the rate at which more people get involved and grow the market is changing quickly.

“I think those of us that believe in the sport and those of us that see the story, need to start telling it in a bigger way.” - Michael Engleman

(click to tweet)

Resources:

MissionSportsGroup.com

Total Women’s Cycling coverage of Team Africa Rising:

TotalWomensCycling.com

Jason Gay WSJ article on Mara Abbott

WSJ.com/articles

Show notes:  Intrepidentrepreneur.net/michael-engleman