3 APR 2024 · The best businesses have three main components: Solve a problem, offer a manageable solution and provide value above what is expected. Local startup Storm Check was launched with this in mind. After initial success, the founders recently went through a brand elevation to become Shelter Ready! full-service cleaning and prep. for storm shelters.  The decision to rebrand is always a tricky proposition, even more so when a company is only a year old and practically still in startup mode. But it’s worth the effort if the rebrand can make a big enough impact. Why the change, you ask? We listened to potential customer feedback and realized the previous name, Storm Check, needed clarification. Many mistakenly associated our services with storm shelter installation or storm chasing. We wanted a positive name that clearly conveyed the safety and peace of mind provided to families who utilize a storm shelter during severe weather. Shelter Ready! is embracing a brand identity that speaks directly to the core of what they do: preparing your shelter for whatever Mother Nature may bring. We also simplified the service packages from three tiers to one, reflecting our dedication to streamlining the customer experience. Now, with just one click, you can access comprehensive storm shelter cleaning and preparedness services conveniently available through the new and improved website https://cleanmyshelter.com/. As part of our rebranding efforts, we’ve also refreshed our logo, opting for an umbrella symbol to represent shelter from the storm—a universal symbol of protection and safety. This new branding is visually appealing and reinforces our commitment to protecting your family, pets and neighbors during severe weather events. The idea started with a conversation about providing opportunities for veterans and helping keep Oklahomans safe during a storm. As residents of Oklahoma, the founders of Shelter Ready! know how important it is to have a safe, clean place to go at a moment’s notice. They are also grateful and proud of the servicemen and women who helped secure our freedom. They aim to employ veterans who have served our country and empower them to become leaders within the company across all levels. The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen, watch, stream or subscribe: https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

20 MAR 2024 · A guide to being strategic, systematic and comprehensive in your decision-making. Today's episode provides a structural overview that anyone can use; just apply your situational details. You need to know four things before you begin the strategy process. - Know yourself - Know your audience - Know your value - Know your position  This episode will provide you all the information you need to craft a strategy and plan for implementation, execution and measurement. You can be strategic, systematic, and comprehensive in your decision-making process. Insert the proper details depending on your organization, competition, audience and market. You now have all the tools to begin the process. For a more detailed discussion about utilizing strategic planning for your business decision-making process, please contact us. https://thegoldinggroup.com/ The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen, watch, stream or subscribe: https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

6 MAR 2024 · Since 1998, i2E has been a trusted and accomplished partner in Oklahoma’s community and economy, working closely with business owners and leaders to develop and strengthen their ideas, scale their companies responsibly, launch successfully and ensure relevance. Our guest today is Rex Smitherman, President of i2E. He is responsible for providing leadership in strategic business planning, management of company operations, managing relationships with funding sources and supervising underwriting functions to support i2E investment funds. Smitherman has more than 25 years’ experience in community and economic development, and has worked with state and local governments, the federal government, local and national non-profit organizations, economic development organizations and some of the country’s largest corporations to grow Oklahoma’s economy. Smitherman is a wealth of knowledge and experience building successful companies, state agencies and economic ecosystems. https://i2e.org/ The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen, watch, stream or subscribe: https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

21 FEB 2024 · We're making a BOLD but true statement today to grab your attention but also offer you an opportunity to improve your business in specific ways that create sustainable success and profitability. The Golding Group can help you do just that. All you have to do is just ask, via this link: https://calendly.com/grow-with-us/fix-my-business There are two ways to create sustainable profitability in any business: Effectiveness and Efficiency. Both should be pursued simultaneously and continually with focus and consistency. How do you apply these techniques to your business? We're giving you an overview of this podcast today. • Effectiveness: Get more with the same (or less cost) by doing what you do, just better. Using your budget as well as possible to get the outcomes you're looking for. • Efficiency: Doing more with less effort or cost. Reducing waste, increasing speed, reducing sales or production cycles and creating opportunities for new or repeat business (most profitable). This episode will explain more about what these terms mean and how to apply them, but I can't tell you everything on the podcast. That's what professional consultations are for, so I can tailor that information to each business scenario. We will work through specifics with you when we meet to discuss your business. Click the special link above to schedule your FREE half-hour conversation. Let's work together to make your business a success. It’s essential to assess each business’s unique operations and identify specific pain points or areas of improvement to tailor the strategies accordingly. Regular monitoring, measurement and continuous improvement efforts are essential to ensure sustained effectiveness and efficiency gains. The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast.

31 JAN 2024 · Here's a cool idea: for one day, co-work with VCs in your ecosystem. Our guest today is Darrel Frater, Senior Associate at Serac Ventures talking about VC Day - OKC on Thursday, February 8th. This is an open event for VCs, LPs, and Founders interested in networking within a casual setting. The goal is to create a low-pressure environment for all participants while enabling access to the greater venture capital ecosystem. Listen to learn more and find out details about how you can participate and support this event. Guests can register at https://lu.ma/vcdayokc. Location: The Lume Event Space, 619 W Main St, Oklahoma City, Film Row. Partnering Organizations: Serac Ventures, Stout Street Capital, Victorum Capital, Plains Ventures, Cortado Ventures, Crimson Prairie Ventures, Boyd Street Ventures. Corporate Sponsors: Regent Bank The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

17 JAN 2024 · Last year, we had so many amazing guests, insightful conversations and interesting topics discussed on the Strategic Growth Podcast. We kick off 2024 with part two (part one posted on 1/3/24) of the best clips from July to December). Guest appear in this order: • Jeanean Yanish Jones, Executive Director of Health Alliance for the Uninsured • Jonathan Dodson, CEO of Pivot • Professional Podcasting: Communication, Not Selling • Jeffery Barnett, Boston Safety & Compliance • Wine With Kelley McGuire • Ashley Coffey, Host of Coffey & Code Podcast • Capital Growth Support Services For Venture Investors • William Blake, CEO of Vesta Foundation Solutions and Unisonworx • Bryce Thompson, CORD Construction and CTB Group • Tim Priebe, CEO of Backslash Creative • Chelsea Luxen, CEO & Cofounder of ParaNano Wound Care The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

3 JAN 2024 · We had so many amazing guests, insightful conversations and interesting topics discussed on the Strategic Growth Podcast in 2023. We kick off 2024 with a review of the best clips from January to June (Part 2 will cover July to December). Guest appear in this order: • Kitt Letcher CEO of the BBB-OKC • Alex Ruhter, founder of JackBe Drive Thru Grocery • Business Pan Triage with startup founder Zacharias Voulgaris • Hoang Lam, CEO of CMM Financial • Elizabeth Larios, Program Director at gBETA OKC • Kris Ward, author of best seller Win The Hour, Win The Day • Hannah Schmitt, founder of The Treasury OKC • Kyle Golding's "How To Write A Strategic Plan" presentation at The Treasury OKC • Chad Watts from Scars And Stripes Coffee • Major Ed Pulido from the Warrior For Freedom, Heart of a Lion foundation The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

20 DEC 2023 · Biotech, nanotech and medical device development are rapidly advancing in Oklahoma. Chelsea Luxen, CEO of ParaNano Wound Care, is one of the innovators in these industries in the Sooner State. Her startup is a pre-clinical company founded in 2018 directed towards the development and commercialization of an advanced wound care product line called the Nanosheet™, a flexible nanofiber membrane that visually changes color when infection is detected all with no wires, batteries or cumbersome device. The progressive color change is easy to interpret (if it has turned green your wound is infected). Luxen is best known for her strong business sense and proven skills in business development and growth, administration and project management. She has co-founded three companies, each with license agreements to technology from institutions including the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Manitoba. Luxen has developed numerous animal model proposals directed toward FDA clearance and worked closely with FDA consultants to develop regulatory strategies. The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

6 DEC 2023 · Rebranding an existing business is not an easy task to be taken lightly, but when done right the benefits are worth the extra effort, attention to detail and dedication to the process. Our guest on episode 184 is Tim Priebe, CEO of https://backslashcreative.com/, which recently went through a multi-year rebranding process from T&S Online Marketing (since 2014) and the original launch name of T&S Web Design. The Backslash Creative team recently unveiled (still technically in transition) the major rebrand as part of their 20th business anniversary. https://backslashcreative.com We discuss the motivation to make the change, details of the rebranding process and the importance of doing everything as close to perfect as you can to make a rebranding effort worthwhile and ultimately beneficial. Priebe is also the Publisher of the https://edmondbusiness.com/ and has written 5 books on web design, social media and digital marketing. The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast

22 NOV 2023 · "Every decision that I make as a business owner, I want it to be through the lens of people first. What's best for not just my people but also for the people we're working with and contracting with are trusting us by hiring us. What's best for them as well." - Bryce Thompson, owner of Cord Construction Services and Managing Partner of the Community Through Beer (CTB) Group. CTB Group includes The Patriarch in Edmond, Social Capital in downtown OKC, The Joinery in Bricktown, 1884 in Edmond and The Standard in Norman. Thompson was recently appointed to the new Oklahoma Workforce Commission, which was created to coordinate and align all the stakeholders in the workforce ecosystem within our state. He also strongly believes in the value of suits for every university student-athlete, specifically his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma. "If you put the people first, being successful comes easy. People over projects, people over profit, people over anything else." We discuss how to put people first for a successful business, getting past imposter syndrome to take on new challenges, managing multiple businesses in different verticals by empowering employees, knowing your why and the importance of feeling good about yourself to do your best work. CORD Construction https://www.cordcs.com/ CTB Group https://www.ctbokc.com/ @SoonersSuits https://twitter.com/SoonersSuits The Strategic Growth Podcast offers expert business insights, interviews with thought leaders and business plan triage for business owners, start-ups or anyone with a specific business problem. Listen/Stream/Watch/Subscribe at https://bit.ly/StrategicGrowthPodcast