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Archive for category: CEO

Taré Torres Head Shot JULO StrategyThe Go Ask Alice Radio Show is intended to spread positivity among business owners and entrepreneurs. It’s broadcasted live on Jet Radio 1400AM or 96.7FM in the Erie, PA area Alice set a quest to disrupt the positive news space and allow for Small Business Owners to share success stories and respond to those looking for a solution to local business challenges. Those challenges are not always measured by direct ROI but also by what mindset entrepreneurs face with their personal life. 

You can’t imagine how excited the JULO Strategy staff was when Alice invited our Chief Strategist and Founder of JULO, Juliann Nichols, to be featured on her show. Juliann and Alice hold in common that same passion to enable entrepreneurs as they face business challenges. 

As a listener, I kept thinking of the design the universe holds for all. Alice’s premise for the show was to highlight the accomplishments of Juliann as a “Million-Dollar PHD in Entrepreneurism” but in fact we’re all only as successful as those whom we help. Alice is an inspiration to those whom she’s been able to reach, and I believe I speak for all on the JULO Strategy Staff, we’re just excited to see what’s next for Alice and her platform – The Go Ask Alice Radio Show. The Go Ask Alice Radio Show

While Juliann has had national recognition in her past endeavors, we’re looking forward to how Juliann and JULO Strategy can reach many more in need during these challenging timesAt JULO we believe there’s a CEO in everyone. During the show Juliann spoke about CEO Mindset and how it helps entrepreneurs move forward in the right direction with focus and ease. The exciting part for me is to experience the transition. That before and after. Of course, the testimonials by our CEOs are validation to our why and results, but watching how our CEOs interact amongst each other, the relationships that are built and the help they continue to source from each other is nothing but remarkable. This comes at a time when business owners are asking themselves where they can turn for help, or who will be that next connection they must make to impact their business. CEOs are finding those resources in our CEO Mindset cohort and they’re connecting from all parts of this amazing country.  

I often hear our CEOs reflect on how happy they are to know they’re not alone. That regardless of what business they run, most suffer similar challenges and have now found a place to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs. 

As the JULO team debriefed with Juliann about her experience on The Go Ask Alice Radio Show, you can hear a tone of humility and happiness, I would attribute this to that passion Juliann has to help others and admire their successes. This came across clearly on the show and off the show. Juliann also mentioned her pursuit to help Veteran Entrepreneurs, which is a big part of our Florida Alumni thanks to our partnership with Veterans Florida and the Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses (FAVOB). 

What’s next? Well an article Juliann recently wrote “Entrepreneurship Is A Community Sport says plenty, I can tell you what got stuck in my head…  “To help entrepreneurs, we need to get into the game. Get out and find a playground and get the neighborhood together to play the entrepreneur game.” – Juliann Nichols. 

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Keith Giles Founder & CEO of Verus Health Partners photoKeith Giles, CEO of Verus Health Partners, has been helping business owners, individuals, and family members for over ten years beat the high cost of healthcare and sort through all the confusion in the industry. He has served many roles in the industry over the years, including advisor for the public sector and non-profit businesses.  

The 23-year United States Air Force Veteran has a diverse background, including Aircraft Maintenance, US Secret Service Communications Support, Superintendent of Education. His favorite assignment was Program Manager for the Office of Defense Cooperation at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After leaving the service, Keith pursued his dream in the engineering field as a Systems Engineer. After a few years in the industry, he ran into an old friend who was a prominent director of communications with a large contractor in the area and left the industry to start his P & C agency. He recommended Keith do the same. The rest is history.   

His passion is to roll back time, where access to quality care started with your primary care doctor and was the norm. Some of his major accomplishments are reducing pharmacy spending in the public sector and, in most cases, reducing sole-proprietor healthcare costs by over 40%.  

Keith is a respected speaker and has been a guest on local radio and cable channels. His ongoing research, education, and advocacy in the under 65 marketplaces, the Medicare arena, the Self Insured Space for small and large groups, and his favorite “Veteran Healthcare integration into the private sector” has led him to conduct numerous educational workshops with Chambers of Commerce and professional associations. He believes his entrepreneurial spirit comes from his diverse background in the military and civilian sectors, where thinking outside the box is, and should be “the norm” in the problem-solving process. 

Keith was the first Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist in Brevard County, Florida. He currently holds an Advanced Self-Insured Certification and is currently seeking his Certification in Pharmacy Benefit Management. His professional associations include State and local Space Coast Florida Association of VeteranOwned Businesses and Ambassador for Florida Association of VeteranOwned Businesses.  

Keith joined our CEO Mindset™ Phase I course to stop being run by the business. He wanted to stay focused and pinpoint his direction to develop a five-year plan to increase revenue to over 5 million“I hope to get organized, focused, and surround myself with successful people.” He learned that his potential and worth were key to his business success, and giving away his net worth diminished his value. After completing Phase II, he nearly doubled his clientele and increased his fees and revenue.  

Keith has a soft side and gets a little emotional when it comes to dog and animal rescues, spending time fostering dogs in need, and adopting dogs that have “stolen” his heart. He currently is serving as an animal rescue transporter for fostering/adopting families. Ask him about his “Dingo” foster experience. 

He has been married to his lovely wife, Pam, for over 23 years. They have four sons, one daughter, six grandkids, a sweet chocolate lab, and one grand-dog. Keith Giles A-ha moment of CEO Mindset

Today Keith works with clients on how to beat the high costs of healthcare and help businesses, individuals/families, Medicare clients, and transitioning veterans strategically plan for a sustainable future.  

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JULO Strategy and Veterans Florida

Program expenses for all participants will be covered through funding provided by the Florida Legislature and Veterans Florida.

Entrepreneurship is a Community Sport - JULO StrategyI am a native of Kansas City. Born on the Missouri side and lived on the Kansas side after the age of 13.

I love my hometown. I love that Kansas City is in the heart of America. It is also the heart of entrepreneurship. I started my first business there. Last year I attended the eShip Summit in Kansas City presented by The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Summit started my journey from “just being a strategist for entrepreneurs” to being an entrepreneur ecosystem builder. I met amazing people from all over the world and spoke about the CEO Mindset. Over the past year, the people I met there have collaborated with JULO Strategy to help entrepreneurs get into the CEO Mindset. To not only start a business but to learn how to “run” the business.

I attended the eShip Summit again this year, virtually. I long to hang out with my new tribe again and hope that next year, we will be able to gather around a real campfire. What resonated with me was this, Entrepreneurship is a Community sport!

This week in the JULO newsletter, we are talking about Kansas City, sports, and entrepreneurship.

I currently live in the Tampa/St Petersburg, Florida area, and I have seen entrepreneurship explode. There are so many great resources and people to help you move forward in your entrepreneur journey.

There is still a lot of work that needs to get done. Better collaboration among the resources, and all working together to service the entrepreneur and prepare for success ultimately builds the ecosystem.

To help entrepreneurs, we need to get into the game. Get out and play. Go out and find a playground and get the neighborhood together to play the “entrepreneur game.” Sitting on the bench gets nothing done. Government, from city, county, state, and federal, can collaborate with the entrepreneur ecosystem builders to get shit done. Let people from all backgrounds and ethnicities reach out and play. I want to help all entrepreneurs. No-one turned away because “I am not ______ enough.”

At JULO Strategy, we want to help all entrepreneurs. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey. We collaborate with every race, creed, industry, background to help and support our entire community and beyond.

Yes, Entrepreneurship is a Community Sport. There are a lot of positions that need to be filled to play the game. Get off the bench, and let us build communities: everyone benefits, not just entrepreneurs. When we help entrepreneurs, we help communities.

Wanna play? If you want to start a business or have started a business and want to move forward, call JULO Strategy. We are ready to play. Follow us on social media and join us on our upcoming Virtual JULO playground to answer questions about how you, me and anyone else can collaborate. Create jobs, generate revenue and get shit done.

https://juloglobal.com/juliann-nichols/

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Jay Parsons Founder and CEO of Big Time Tailgate photoIf you love football and tailgating, Jay Parsons, Founder, and CEO of Big Time Tailgate, is your guy. Born in Miami, Florida but raised in West Melbourne, he played as a football running back from fifth grade through his senior year of high school. After graduation, he and his father launched a small vending machine and arcade game business together. Some of the vending machines sold hot popcorn, so Jay started selling this at his alma mater’s Friday night football games. If you knew Jay or went to his school back then, that guy you saw in the giant yellow foam cowboy hat and marketing himself as the Sunshine Popcorn Man? Yup, that was Jay! Even at 18, he was already thinking BIG!

The onset of the video game craze allowed Jay and his father to expand rapidly. But just as quickly it vanished, so they sold the business to a larger company. After selling, Jay enlisted in the Marines and served four years of active duty. Upon returning home, he partnered with a platoon mate, starting an auto detailing business applying Teflon finish to cars, boats, and planes. The business was short-lived, and Jay and his partner parted ways to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve. Jay’s time was cut short due to an injury during active training. After recovering, Jay discovered boat building. He began to learn the ins and outs of building boats by working overtime and volunteering in many projects.

Throughout the years, he gained the knowledge and experience to launch Big Time Helmets™. The inspiration came in 2001 after hearing a radio ad about tailgating. Jay thought, “Wouldn’t tailgating inside a giant football helmet be an awesome way to party?” Uh, we think so! From there, the idea grew, and the design of a helmet cabin mounted on a trailer became the goal. Big Time Tailgate, LLC, was born.

Inside the cabin is a wrap-around settee that comfortably seats six adults around a football-shaped table. A satellite antenna mounted on the roof supplies four televisions tuned to four different channels. Two 40″ flatscreens and a 55″ curved screen is mounted inside with a 55″ flatscreen outside on the rear of the trailer. WOW, sounds like a dream. But wait! There’s more! An AC/Heat pump keeps the spacious interior cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A Kegerator (oh yes!) and a Minifridge/Microwave are also options. Cabinets and under-seat compartments provide storage as well. There is a 4-burner gas grill on the outside. It raises and lowers on linear actuators enabling the grill to be stored below the countertop when not in use. Can we park this baby in our backyard?

While Jay had a “Big Time” product on his hands, he needed a little direction on how to get himself in the right mindset to make better decisions to be successful in business and life. He came to the CEO Mindset Phase I course to learn these practices and better enable his goal of becoming the CEO he had in mind for himself. “To be more effective, I need to implement proven practices that enable me to make better decisions.” The worksheets given in class and one-on-ones with Juliann Nichols were the most rewarding takeaways for him, especially brain dumping. “This helps me sort out my thoughts and eliminate the chatter, fostering better planning and decision-making.” Jay Parsons A-ha moment CEO Mindset

Jay is currently attending our Phase II course and believes the next six weeks will better improve his management skills and help him learn to have a structured and proven approach to solving problems. We love your drive, Jay, and look forward to seeing your Big Time Helmets™ at every stadium!

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JULO Strategy and Veterans Florida

Program expenses for all Florida veteran participants are covered through funding provided by the Florida Legislature and Veterans Florida

April Caldwell CEO of fayVen Vendors and VenuesApril Caldwell is Founder and CEO of fayVen, which offers a brokerage between venues that have additional space to rent out and mobile vendors that need a place to sell their goods and services. She is a ten-year Air Force veteran, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is currently obtaining her MBA for Small Business Entrepreneurship.

Previously, April owned The Princess and The Popper – a gourmet popcorn company. In 2018 she launched her company fayVen. fayVen solves the needs that mobile and home-based vendors have when trying to find space to sell their goods and services who can’t afford their brick and mortar. “We solve venue owners’ issues of lacking revenue to keep their rent paid by helping them find complementary businesses to rent out space to.”

The name fayVen came from a combination of two target markets: VENdors and VENues, their fayVorite way to connect! April’s mother, Faith, was also a big inspiration. “I wanted to give the nod to her with the company name. She passed away in January this past year.” The company logo, a lightning bolt, is a God-given symbol for April. She associates lightning with bright light in a dark world. Coincidentally, Tampa is also the lightning capital of North America, which worked out nicely.

April has a wide array of accomplishments, including the previous supervisor at The Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Veterans in Residence with Bunker Labs; Action Zone Ambassador; alumni to Action Zone’s Action in Motion program; Event Coordinator for Military Spouses Professional Network Tampa via Hiring Our Heroes; Institute for Veterans and Military Families alumni for Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE), EDGE, and STRIVE; alumni of VETtoCEO; alumni of JULO Strategy, CEO Mindset; featured on Military.com; Austin Angels Ambassador; and Children’s ministry at Champion City Church.

April was selected to be the Vice President of the Filipino American Heritage Group while stationed in Germany. She did a lot of their folk dances for their cultural heritage shows. “No, I am NOT Filipina; I just love the people, culture, and of course…the food!”

April attended JULO Strategy’s CEO Mindset™ course to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and learned new skill sets to deal with difficult decisions. “I want to be able to speak in front of people more comfortably and confidently and work on my pitch for investors and competitions.” After completing Phase One, she learned that she didn’t need a HUGE crowd to be successful; she just needed the right people/target market to believe in her and her business.

“It was eye-opening to learn how much I valued myself as a CEO and learn what I needed to do to start making the revenue I need to reflect that. I enjoyed being able to hear the issues other CEOs were having, a lot which mirrored things from past and current experiences. I’ve since been able to pivot my business model to create new revenue streams.” April Caldwell fayVen A-ha moment from CEO Mindset

April has since completed our Phase Two program and has increased her fees, improved her target market, and gained new clients. We love seeing you and your business succeed, April, and can’t wait to see where it takes you!

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Psst! Want to do some online shopping with an array of great vendors?
Click Here to get your tickets to fayVen’s next event!

JULO Strategy and Veterans Florida

Program expenses for all Florida veteran participants are covered through funding provided by the Florida Legislature and Veterans Florida

Light bulb Idea Image

With the Labor Day Holiday this weekend, are you able to walk away from your business, and it runs without you?  If you are not sure, this would be a great time to discover what works and what does not work in your business when you are not available. 

Having clear processes and systems in place and knowing when and where to automate, delegate, and eliminate is crucial to running your business.  As entrepreneurs, we spend a lot of time doing and do not take the time to write down how we do it to be able to delegate later prevents us from scaling our businesses and keeps us “stuck.”  We end up working through the holidays and upsetting those around us. 

This weekend I challenge you to take the time to enjoy NOT working.  Refrain from looking at emails, answering phone calls, text, or social media.  Try to keep the computer shut down.   

When you get back to the laboring, you will quickly find out what needs fixing.  You might also discover that your business was fine, and everything could wait. 

Look at your written processes.  If you do not have them written, therein lies the first step.  

Take any system, onboarding, client intake, online events, buying your products and services, and 10 x the amount of volume you have.  Then take away the critical person who does that job.  Are you prepared for success?   

At JULO Strategy, we start building a process by thinking of it in this way, if I were to ask you, “Go to my house and bake me cupcakes.”  Recipe for Success imageThink through step by step and everything you need to make that happen—tools, passwords, equipment, brand, type, supplies, etc.  It is easy to make a checklist from “your brain” until someone else has to follow that checklist.   

Let me see your recipes for success. 

 

Juliann Nichols CEO & Founder of JULO Strategy imageWith over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience, Juliann walks her talk! She has cultivated a personal brand that demonstrates who she is no matter what she is doing, with a million-dollar PhD in Entrepreneurism. 

Juliann Nichols, CEO and Chief Strategist, JULO Strategy 

Ready to launch your business? SCHEDULE YOUR FREE 20-MINUTE STRATEGY SESSION

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Steve-Wooten-Veteran CEO and Founder of Woo10-LLCSteve Wooten, CEO, and founder of Woo10 LLC, is a former Army Interrogator who specializes in creating, managing and delivering learning content that enhances performance for organizations and individuals. Steve is a certified techno-enthusiast who has dedicated over 20 years to combating industry stagnation by challenging the expectations for what can be accomplished.

A pioneer in digital design, Steve’s company specializes in creatively developing, optimizing, and enhancing all types of instructional content. They take calculated risks to go beyond current boundaries to create wildly successful clients. Building quality systems and genuine relationships with clients’ long-term growth is their focus. They are creative, using their drive, commitment, and passion for encouraging, energizing, engaging, and inspiring others is how they do their thing ‘really well’ so that you can do your thing ‘really well’!

Steve’s expertise spans from Dept of Defense, Dept of Education, Nuclear, Oil and Gas, Healthcare, to Biopharma drug development platforms. He is a thought leader for “what is next” and continually optimizes his operations to stay at the top of his field.

He is a lifelong learner who stays exceptionally active.  He’s been married 21 years with a 20-year-old and a 16-year-old.  His family moved to the Space Coast five years ago to experience rockets, beaches, and perpetual sunshine. He volunteers with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society flagging new nests along the beach. He enjoys hiking, riding bikes, and trying new things that gets his blood pumping.  He’s developed augmented reality experiences, polished stones, made beer, hiked the Grand Canyon, taught himself Braille, mastered Arabic, hatched butterflies in his flower garden and learned to play the guitar. Steve quips, “I totally dork out over rocket launches, new technologies, and Krispy Kreme donuts…although I’m trying to be gluten-free, so that’s a struggle.”

Steve attended JULO Strategy’s CEO Mindset™ course to switch his mindset from employee/business owner to actual CEO. “I hoped to learn some effective techniques for growing my business and networking in my community.” He continued to the Phase II course to further his knowledge effectively engaging his target market while increasing confidence as a CEO. By the end, he learned the necessity of documenting processes so he could position himself to outsource tasks later. It gave him the focus to sort out the competing priorities and helped him identify time-wasting customers.  Steve Wooten Veteran CEO A-ha moment

We love seeing how much you and your business have grown, Steve, and cannot wait to see you thrive as CEO!

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JULO Strategy and Veterans Florida

Program expenses for all Florida veteran participants are covered through funding provided by the Florida Legislature and Veterans Florida

 Jay Wirth D'Ogee Pet Waste ServiceJay Wirth, CEO and Veteran Business Owner of D’Ogee Pet Waste Service, was raised in Pensacola, Florida. He joined the US Navy in 1993 and was an Air Traffic Controller until separating from service in 1997. Jay attended and graduated from Florida State University with a BS degree in Communications. He worked at FSU for 12 years, then left to pursue the life of an entrepreneur.  

That’s when he decided to start D’Ogee Pet Waste Services in 2018. The idea was to help dog owners keep their yards, and the environment clean.  “Dog waste can be hazardous to people, dogs, and the water we drink. I saw a need that people either don’t like to remove the dog waste, don’t have the time, or can’t because of physical restrictions.” 

Since starting, Jay and his company have removed more than 4 tons of pet waste from residential, apartment buildings, condos and commercial buildings. They are currently looking to expand into government contracts. By keeping people’s yards, community and general green spaces clean of dog waste, they reduce the chance of spread of bacteria that can cause sickness.  

“My business is a conversation starter! I get the best laughs out of people when I tell them about my company… We are the #1 in your dog’s #2 business! It is very unconventional, but people like to know about it!” He currently resides in Tallahassee, FL with his wife Aimee and two daughters, Ansley and Eliza, and their dog, Wally. Ja Wirth D'Ogee Pet Waste Services A-ha moment

Jay attended JULO Strategy’s CEO Mindset course to expand on opportunities and seize new growth. He learned that talking with the other veterans and hearing he’s not alone in how he was running his business was a rewarding experience. He continued into the Phase II program and learned how to grow his business and run it like a CEO, and not as an employee, by following processes and steps to get shit done! He increased his clientele by 10% and revenue by 5%.  

We think you are a Rockstar Jay and we look forward to seeing how you and your business grow! 

Apply to CEO Mindset ™

JULO Strategy and Veterans Florida

Program expenses for all Florida veteran participants are covered through funding provided by the Florida Legislature and Veterans Florida