Hello Friends, I want to thank you so much for coming on this journey with me. We explored the greatest and most challenging parts of entrepreneurship together and I hope you have felt the deep love and support that I have felt in making this for you. I am making the difficult decision to pause the podcast indefinitely as I focus more of my energy on my business and family. I'm so grateful that you have met me here every week and I hope you use this archive of episodes as inspiration and guideposts in your entrepreneurial journey. Peace! ---------------------------- Running a small business can feel lonely and overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s so important for entrepreneurs to build a strong network and community. Connecting with other business owners provides valuable mentorship opportunities and helps you avoid feeling isolated in your journey. In this episode, host Toa Green speaks with Martin Sorge, winner of The Great American Baking Show, about his experience shifting from supporting small businesses to becoming a business owner himself. Martin shares how vital it is for entrepreneurs to reach out to peers for advice, resources and collaborations. In this episode, you’ll hear Martin’s best tips for entrepreneurs including: The importance of connecting with other business owners and building a community of mentors. Spending dedicated time working “on” your business, not just “in” your business. Being ambitious in setting goals for yourself even if it feels uncomfortable.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors! Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/    Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources and Links Mentioned in Episode Listen to Chef Ouita Michel’s episode on turning a disaster into a success Check out Martin’s “A-maize-ing Cro-corn-bouche in the finale of the Great American Baking Show”   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “The self-promotion part of entrepreneurship is always hard, especially if that's not something you're used to. I always advise when I talk to people that you're robbing the world of your greatness if you don't share it.” - Toa Green  “As an entrepreneur, always be connecting with other folks, making sure that you are reaching out both to tell people about your business and what you're doing. And don't hesitate to ask for help or share challenges when you know you have a trusted friend or a partner.” - Martin Sorge “Look at the big picture and plan for the future. Carve out 20% of your time for it. That might seem like a lot, but it’s important to work on your business and think about how you can do things better, or what the future looks like, or how to improve what you're doing.” - Martin Sorge “I always tell people when starting a small business, it's not necessarily forever. It's something you try out. If it's something you love, keep it going. But it doesn't have to be forever. You can always change your mind or change course.” -  Martin Sorge   Connect with Martin! Martin's Baking website Martin's Instagram Martin's Substack Martin's Consulting Firm Martin’s Bio Martin Sorge is the winner of the sixth season of The Great American Baking Show. He is a home baker, recipe developer, and food writer based in Chicago.    Martin has loved baking since he set the microwave on fire, making a biscuit as a wee youngster. Luckily, he's been doing a little bit of learning since then. As a self-trained baker, Martin was taught by dozens of blogs, a vast cookbook collection, the local public library, and the people around him because he loved the communities where he grew up. He has also spent countless hours helping small businesses thrive within their cities and neighborhoods. As a former economic development coordinator and now small business consultant, Martin understands the vibrancy that small businesses create for their communities. Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

One of the best things you can do for your business is to create your home on the internet — your website. With social media platforms coming and going based on trends and demographics, having your own website is a piece of the internet landscape that you specifically own. It’s a special way to connect with your customers and build trust and repertoire with them. In this episode, Toa Green shares insight into building a functional yet polished website for your small business. With prior experience as a web designer, Toa breaks down the key components to focus on when crafting your digital home.  In this episode, you’ll learn: The easiest DIY website building platforms to use if you're not a designer. A step-by-step process to map out your website’s structure before you design. Why you should always view your website through the eyes of your customer.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors! Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/   Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources and Links Mentioned in Episode Explore different website building platforms: Wordpress, Squarespace, Wix, Canva   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Keep it simple. If you are just starting, it does not have to be flashy or fancy. You do not have to get a photographer, a copywriter, or a web designer to do this. You can do this. There are so many resources out there and great platforms that are great DIY platforms for your website.” - Toa Green “Don't overcomplicate it; just keep it simple. Getting the main information up and having something published is better than having nothing at all.” - Toa Green “People will say that a website is a business card on the Internet. But I feel like it can be so much more than that. It is a tool that allows you to connect with your customers or clients. It's a way to show off your personality so that people understand who you are.” - Toa Green   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

You've arrived at a point where you're considering expanding your business reach. Wholesale might be the perfect next step to grow your brand and products. The magical moment of seeing your products out in the wild next to other brands you admire is such a major moment in any business and requires a lot of determination and planning.  In this episode, Toa Green gives an honest overview of her wholesale journey with insights into the positives and the challenges of adding wholesale to your business. Toa takes the mystery out of what it’s like to prepare and then sell your product B2B.  In this episode, you’ll learn: The benefits and challenges that come with wholesale based on over 10 years of experience. Creative and cost effective ways to experiment with wholesale. What to consider in terms of time, money and mental preparation before taking the wholesale leap. A hustle mindset is required to build relationships and push through rejection. But for the right business at the right point, wholesale might be the growth stage that takes you to the next level.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources and Links Mentioned in Episode Check out the first restaurants where C&B ever sold their ice cream at Smithtown Seafood and County Club in Lexington KY   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Being able to achieve what we've achieved in the wholesale realm has been able to provide me with the experience that some goals are not impossible for us anymore. That is a tremendous mind shift that I think makes being in business so much more fun.” - Toa Green   “I think one of the best things we did was to find local [wholesalers] who understood what we were trying to do, who appreciated the local ingredients and the quality of what we were producing, and were also willing to partner with us as a business.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Burnout is real; chronic distress over long periods has detrimental effects on the body and the mind that can leave even the most passionate entrepreneur totally drained. No matter how much you love what you do, if you’re not aware that long hours and single focus will eventually make you hit a wall, it will manifest in other ways—exhaustion, apathy, and even illness. So how do you course correct when you've been barreling 120 miles per hour down the burnout highway? In this episode, Tanya Tarr, behavioral scientist and recovered-former burnout, joins host Toa Green to provide science-backed advice and practical strategies to pull yourself from the clutches of burnout. Tanya explains that healing from burnout looks different for everyone but requires reframing your mindset and making small, yet consistent changes. She provides insights into managing energy, establishing micro-moments of rest, and shifting from self-care to "group care." In this episode, you’ll learn: The warning signs that signal you're headed towards burnout so you can catch it early. Why community and belonging help create emotional resilience against burnout. Actionable ways to create small "triage pockets" in your day to recharge. Why wellbeing is not a fluffy idea - it's a management issue that impacts yourself and your team. The steps to prevent and address burnout won't happen overnight. But implementing Tanya's wisdom will set you up to sustainably run your business without sacrificing your health and sanity along the way. *** Thank you to our sponsors!  Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources and Research Mentioned in Episode Take a free quiz made by Cultivated Insights and find out where you are on the Burnout Index Watch Tanya’s video on “Busy to Burnout” to learn where you are on the stress scale  Sign up for Tanya's Free Burnout class and get actionable triage tactics Read Tanya’s article on Forbes specifically about tips to close the burnout gap Check out the research on Asian Americans and their much higher risk for Type II Diabetes  Read the NPR article on Asian Americans and their much higher risk for Type II Diabetes  Listen to APA’s podcast with Dr. Christina Maslach — the primary and recent expert on workplace burnout Learn about the Roseto Effect (a 50-year longitudinal study) - How belonging might strengthen our heart health Go deeper into habit formation and read Dr. Phillipa Lally's research — Spoiler Alert: it actually takes on average about 66 days to adopt a new habit (likely closer to 90 days).  Get to know the differences between Stress and Eustress   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Burnout is not exhaustion. Burnout is not boredom, and burnout is not something that happens on a short timeline. It's a set of conditions and a sort of chronic set of conditions that is actually the byproduct of living a life out of balance. It's what's called an oblique, complex problem. So burnout is the result of unmanaged or mismanaged chronic distress.” - Tanya Tarr   “Avoiding things that help you feel happy or give you pleasure is a clear red flag that you're probably headed into burnout. Don't wait until you're burnt out. Don't wait until it takes over that far. If you are exhausted and you wake up and you don't feel rested or if you haven't given yourself a day off in longer than two weeks, as a business owner, you have an obligation to pay attention to that.” - Tanya Tarr   “When you're dealing with a chronic issue, a pill or a shot or a trip is not going to save you because the dysfunction has occurred over probably decades. You change it by making very small, consistent changes.” - Tanya Tarr   “So I actually believe negotiations are very much connected to burnout. I'm fond of saying that burnout is the negotiation that you lost with yourself.”  - Tanya Tarr   Connect with Tanya! Tanya's Cultivated Insights website Tanya's Instagram Tanya's LinkedIn Tanya’s Writer Archive on Forbes   Tanya’s Bio Tanya Tarr is a behavioral scientist and integrative coach. She runs her own business - Cultivated Insights - where she delivers learning and development training for a wide variety of global corporations, Small to Medium Size Businesses, and organizations, as well as teaches wellbeing for helpers. Tanya is also a columnist and senior contributor with Forbes, where she covers workplace wellbeing, burnout recovery, negotiation technique and equal pay.    She's not just an observer of burnout - she recovered from severe workplace burnout that resulted in Type II prediabetes, which she managed to reverse without drugs over the last 10 years. With Forbes, Tanya has interviewed more than 200 CEOs, executives and women leaders making a positive impact in their industries.  Previous to corporate work, Tanya studied burnout in the field with families of deployed soldiers and Texas public school educators. And in her free time, she's a Muay Thai referee   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

You've arrived at the end of the year. The ups and downs of the business came and went, and you made it! Now it's time to take a moment and reflect on what went well and what didn't go well. So whip out your planner and favorite sticky notes, and get ready to start a process that will help you create a strategic roadmap that builds on past successes. Strategic planning in the hands of an entrepreneur is a flexible framework where you stay curious and pick out the patterns that will guide your business for the next year. In this episode, Toa shares her tips on how she conducts her yearly reflection and how she stays curious picking out patterns in the business. She guides you through how gaining insights from the past year is incredibly invaluable to your sanity and the health of your business moving forward. In this episode, you learn to: Reflect on the past year as an entrepreneur to uncover valuable insights for growth and success. Learn from experiences to leverage wisdom for future business decisions and strategies. Prioritize areas of improvement to maximize business potential and achieve greater success. Seek feedback from different perspectives to gain valuable insights and fresh ideas for business growth.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors! Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/   Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources Mentioned in Episode Check out Toa’s favorite brainstorming tool: Giant Post It Notes Check out Toa’s favorite planning tool for the year: Magic Foldable Calendar   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “One of the things that I really want to emphasize when you're looking at that ‘Did Not Work' list is that you don't have to be tied to things just because you've just always done it that way. And I think that's the whole story of entrepreneurship, is how do these companies last 30 years, 100 years, 150 years? They didn't do it by doing the exact same thing all the time forever and ever, amen…you have to change and you have to adapt all the time.” - Toa Green “I think it's important to evaluate what you're doing. Is it serving you? Is it serving your business? Is it serving your team? And if it's not, it either should just get killed or it needs to evolve somehow. I feel like that is the task of any entrepreneur — always figuring out this puzzle of what's working and what's not working.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes

In the chaotic world of entrepreneurship, finding purpose and peace can be a challenge.  If you haven’t already tapped into your own personal belief system to guide your business journey, you may find your internal compass lacking when it comes to making decisions. Are the fires that stoked your business drive cooling as you’re constantly dealing with a bottom line that isn’t fueling your values and your long term goals? Well, it’s time to stop for a minute and focus on what you believe, what you want to accomplish (beyond paying the bills) and how to spark your intuition so that it matches up with what your core values are. Join our host, Toa Green, as she explores the importance of constructing a personal belief system to guide your actions and decisions in business.  In this episode, you learn to: Build a personal belief system to guide your entrepreneurial journey. Cultivate the power of community for your business growth. Learn to make decisions with your intuition as your compass. Explore the benefits of integrating spirituality into entrepreneurship.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Quotable Moments From the Episode   “If you can't stop thinking about doing this thing, it's not going to go away until you do the thing. You’ve got to make peace with figuring out how you're going to do the thing or you're going to live the rest of your life with regret.” - Toa Green “As a business owner, you're making decisions all the time. The decision fatigue and trying to figure stuff out when there are zero guidebooks is just hard. It's really hard. For me, even if I don't make the right decision, I know that I did it in good faith. I will forgive my ten steps back self for the decision that she made because she didn't know. Those kinds of mindsets and mantras are things that help me run the business.” - Toa Green “Sometimes making the decision is about what's in your gut and what you feel and what you put your faith in. And that has probably been one of the most helpful ways that we have been able to grow our business and build it to what it is today.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

When you are a parent and the CEO of your own business it is just about all you can do to keep your head above water. You want to give attention to your business, but you don’t want to neglect your family in the process. Toa Green wants to encourage you that being intentional about how you manage your time will give you balance in these areas and have the added bonus of making you a better boss and parent.  Toa shares her personal journey of balancing the roles of being a CEO and a parent. Discover how she learned to integrate these two demanding worlds and the surprising ways parenthood enhanced her leadership skills.  In this episode, you learn to: Shift your mindset around being a CEO and a parent. Enhance your leadership skills through the experiences of parenting. Discover how being a parent infuses efficiency and compassion into your professional life. Explore ways to redefine success without falling into the trap of comparison.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode For tips on finding balance and creating a new mindset on accomplishing your goals, check out EP 30 with Guest Emily Ley Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Go back to your center and find what is important.” - Toa Green “I know that at the end of all this when I look back and ask myself, ‘What are the things that I accomplished?’, I will look back and really want to make sure that I spent all the time and attention I needed on those kids. I won't ever look back and think, ‘Oh, I wish I had had another store open or I wish I had had half a million more in sales.’” - Toa Green “Don't be afraid to set boundaries, because when you are working from home running your business and your kids are all up in your face, it's very easy to blur all of the boundaries. I think what has helped me through time and through my progression as a parent and business owner is to really focus on what you can do and set some realistic expectations.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Have you ever witnessed the remarkable power of exceptional customer service? Customer service is not just a business strategy, it's a way to forge lasting and authentic connections with your customers. But what happens when a disgruntled customer walks through your doors or leaves a tough review?  Toa Green learned through lived experience that kindness and empathy can turn even the most dissatisfied customer into a loyal advocate. By utilizing a structured response system to reviews and empowering her employees to delight customers, Toa Green has transformed her business into a destination where her loyal customer base comes to spend their big and small moments in life. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind outstanding customer service on this episode of the Crank and Boom Podcast. In this episode, you learn to: Turn negative experiences into positive ones and leave customers feeling delighted and valued. Utilize feedback and reviews as a powerful tool to improve your business and exceed customer expectations. Cultivate kindness as a customer service strategy that fosters strong relationships and creates memorable experiences to keep customers coming back for more.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Read a study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers on customer service and consumer behavior Sign up for Square for your POS system: https://squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale  TripAdvisor, Google, and Yelp are all platforms to receive and monitor online reviews Quotable Moments From the Episode    “Over-the-top service is a hallmark of how Crank & Boom conducts its day to day operations. We want people to leave every experience feeling not just satisfied, but overjoyed and delighted.” - Toa Green “You just never know where people are in life. And you also don't know what their story might be. Maybe they're acting in some terrible way because something terrible has happened to them; we don't know. A lot of times people just want to be understood. If you can meet people at that place instead of letting it get to you or having it dive into your emotions, a lot of those same people will come back and it will be worth the effort you put in.” - Toa Green “Reviews are a huge asset, especially if you're not on the front line getting a gauge on how customers [are served] and how people are feeling. People love sharing, so being able to have that feedback is so invaluable for us.” - Toa Green “I have always challenged our team that we have to be appreciative of the people that come in our doors. These customers allow us to do what we do. Being able to reframe how you think about customers is something that will be revolutionary for your business.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Are you feeling the squeeze on finding time to focus on growing your small business? By outsourcing functions to others who can do it more easily (and affordably), you can streamline your operations, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best.  In this episode Toa Green shares the moment she realized the importance of seeking out an expert’s guidance and outsourcing executive functions as her business grew. The turning point came when she reflected on the mistakes made during the lease negotiation for her Thai Orchid restaurant. Without a lawyer's guidance, they faced unnecessary challenges and could have saved time and money by seeking expert advice. By gradually building a team of trusted professionals, she was able to delegate responsibilities and free up time to focus on strategic planning and growth.  In this episode, you learn to: Streamline your business by outsourcing executive functions and increase efficiency. Avoid common pitfalls for your business by leveraging an expert's wisdom. Define what to outsource based on your interests and strengths, allowing you to focus on what you do best. Say goodbye to the overwhelming burden of managing every aspect of your company and say hello to a more productive and profitable future.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Episode 7 on hiring your first employee    Quotable Moments From the Episode   “For me, it was just trying to find my sanity again from having to do all these things I just didn't want to do anymore. And I found that it was hindering my creativity. It was breaking my spirit. I didn't want to do my job anymore. I feel like a lot of entrepreneurs will go through that, especially as you're growing. There's just more to manage and at some point there will be a breaking point where you literally cannot do every single thing.” - Toa Green “I think it's important as you're going through this process, to think about what you can outsource. You have to define what it is that you want to outsource because maybe you love HR and you love the training. If that's something you love, then don't outsource it or find someone just in an advisory capacity. There are a lot of different ways to engage people and use their expertise where it's not an all or nothing sort of situation.” - Toa Green “If you have an expert that is helping you with different things, you are still very involved. It doesn't mean that it's no work. It means that you are managing a whole other group or a whole other person to do the tasks that you need to do. And because we're talking about more executive functions, it's even more important that you are aligned with that person and that your communication is clear and that they understand what your expectations are.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

There are so many fires that can arise when running a small business, but one consistent practice can change how you work and how you thrive — Gratitude. Embracing gratitude as an attitude change not only has intrinsic value for your life but also is a strategic skill that can transform your business. The benefits of gratitude include being able to shift your perspective, inject purpose into your actions, and offer clarity during challenging times.  In this episode of the Crank and Boom Podcast, you'll join host Toa Green as she delves into the power of gratitude in the workplace. Throughout the episode, she shares practical examples of how she incorporates gratitude within her own company. Green's intentional focus on gratitude has created a supportive and caring company culture, and she encourages fellow entrepreneurs to make a conscious effort to practice gratitude regularly.  From this episode, you will be able to: Discover the power of gratitude to boost employee morale and create a positive company culture. Cultivate a culture of appreciation that fosters strong relationships with your employees and customers. Shift your mindset to improve your overall well-being and success as an entrepreneur.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources Mentioned in Episode Emily Ley's episode on the Crank & Boom podcast.    Quotable Moments From the Episode    “Having this culture of gratitude translates to people feeling cared for. And then I also think that it will translate to what we do to create positive interactions with our customers.” - Toa Green “Gratitude is one of those things that takes practice. So if you are kind of mumbly and grumbly and have an attitude where you're maybe not so grateful, it takes practice to shift out of that. Put that energy in a good place where you are grateful for where you are, and that you're kind to yourself and that you are kind to the people around you.” - Toa Green   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Get ready to take your DIY design skills to the next level!  As an entrepreneur, it’s possible to gain understanding of the basic principles of design without a lot of time investment, even if you’re all thumbs when it comes to design. Equipping yourself with these rudimentary skills gives you the edge to make your brand stand out consistently.  In this episode of the Crank & Boom Podcast, you'll meet Joanna Sherrow, the founder and creative director of Savvy Chic Design, an Asian women-owned design and marketing studio. Joanna and Toa Green dive into the pain points that small business owners often face when it comes to design and branding. They discuss the importance of creating a consistent visual brand identity that aligns with the mission and values of your business. Joanna shares valuable insights on DIY design tips, as well as when it might be time to seek out a professional designer. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your existing visual branding, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration. From this episode, you will be able to: Discover the importance of consistent visual branding and how it can boost your business recognition. Get practical DIY design tips and considerations that will help you create professional-looking marketing materials. Learn the key factors to consider when finding the right professional designer for your small business. Uncover communication strategies to ensure successful design projects and avoid costly misunderstandings.   The key moments in this episode are:    00:02:08 - Joanna Sherrow's journey in design   00:06:25 - Transitioning from a part time freelancer to a design studio   00:08:57 - Pain points in design for small businesses  00:10:41 - The importance of understanding the purpose behind a logo   00:15:22 - DIY Branding and Hiring Designers to Help You 00:20:22 - Design Principles and Collaboration  00:23:08 - Effective Communication with your Designer   00:28:17 - Learn Joanna's Unique Pricing System   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Check out the Adobe Creative Cloud and what it can do for you: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html Sign up for Canva:  https://www.canva.com/free/ Fiverr  — Find freelancers and virtual assistants all over the world to help you run your business Upwork — Connect with talent that gets you, and hire them to take your business to the next level. Crank & Boom episode about branding for your small business.  Quotable Moments From the Episode    “Once you have the both short term and long term vision for your business, incorporating that strategic process into your visual suite needs to be prioritized.” - Joanna Sherrow “When you are creating visuals, it's the consistency that matters most. Because when you are consistent with what you put out there, people start to recognize it. Even if you are DIYing it, you just need to create consistency.” - Joanna Sherrow   “I always say this about design — It's a transfer of vision. It’s a transfer of your idea of your business to the actual creation of your logo or your brand.” -  Joanna Sherrow   Connect with Joanna Sherrow! SavvyChic Design's website SavvyChic Design's Facebook SavvyChic Design's Instagram Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Overwhelmed by running a business AND having to promote it on social media? In this enlightening episode, our host Toa discusses how to make social media work for you and your schedule, tapping into its potential to create a loyal community, and her personal journey of harnessing it for business growth.  Starting from the early days in her Thai restaurant business with posts only on Facebook, she began to realize customers' rising interest in her ice cream posts, and how the power of that community helped lead the way into creating a booming ice cream business. Toa emphasizes the importance of a sound social media strategy, breaking it down into three fundamental (and easy) steps to keep it manageable. The episode also deep-dives into social media's complexities, providing effective solutions to combat overwhelm. Toa's tips range from planning your social media content using various tools available, to the importance of crafting authentic stories that resonate with your audience. The episode wraps up with a powerful reminder of social media's broader purpose: spreading your unique message to the world, potentially making a significant difference in someone's life.  In this episode you’ll gain insights into: How to create a social media plan that works for you and your business, and doesn’t drain you of time or energy Ways to create community through social media, and translating that online community into real community of faithful followers and customers Strategies on how to successfully outsource, if social media is not your thing, affordably and sensibly   The key moments in this episode:    00:01:38  - How social media has evolved 00:08:22 - 3 steps to setting a solid social media foundation 00:10:44 - The power of authenticity in social media * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources Mentioned in Episode Discord Social Media Platform Canva Social Media Planning Tool Sprout Social Later Social (now Greatly Social)  Be sure and look for Toa’s 10 Tips for Social Media Success, coming soon to the Crank & Boom resource page   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “It was really neat to start building that ice cream community just from our Facebook posts. Having it translate from social to real life made me see the power and the effects of social media and being able to say, ‘Oh, this is how I reach people.’ Because we didn't have any money for paid ads, We couldn't put ads in mailers, we couldn't create mailers, we couldn't get into magazines.That was really the start of how we created our online community and how we built that along with building our real life community as well.” - Toa Green “I think [consistency] is the biggest thing because if you show up one day and then 2.5 weeks later you show up, it's not going to help really build your audience, and it's not going to make the algorithm very happy, and they're going to think that you're inconsistent.” - Toa Green “Enjoy the process. If you absolutely hate social media and you don't spend any time there, then maybe figure out a way to outsource it.” - Toa Green “Usually there is some other driving force as to why you're wanting to start a business. And if you can take that same purpose and translate it into social media, just think about how many more people you can reach.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

We've all heard the buzzwords of diversity, equity and inclusion, but do we really know why they are important in the business sphere? Efforts around DEI aren’t just “feel good” platitudes that companies can use to bolster their PR efforts. These ideas are real strategies and good practices that can keep your business resilient, thriving and relevant in tumultuous times.  In this episode of the Crank & Boom Podcast, you'll hear an insightful conversation between host Toa Green and our guest Coach Colene about the importance of creating inclusive cultures in organizations — and how building belonging into the structure of what you do keeps your employees happy and productive. By actively seeking diversity and inclusivity, businesses can spur innovation, enhance customer understanding, and ultimately improve business performance.  Coach Colene is an expert in the DEI space and runs her own boutique agency helping major corporations achieve more inclusive cultures.  This episode will provide you with practical strategies and valuable insights on how to foster a sense of belonging and build a culture of inclusion in your organization. Whether you're a leader or decision-maker in your organization, you’ll be inspired to take action toward creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.  In this episode, you’ll gain insights to:  Build a more inclusive workplace culture and foster an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and ideas. Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as a strategic advantage to attract and retain top talent. Learn the long-term benefits of prioritizing diversity and inclusion, including increased creativity and better problem-solving.   The key moments in this episode:      00:04:29 - DEI 101: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion     00:17:33 - What Coach Colene sees as "The Blockbuster Route"    00:19:06 - Starting Small with DEI    00:21:07 - Debunking Common Misconceptions of DEI   00:32:44 - The Importance of Making an Inclusion Effort within your Organization    00:37:25 - Creating a Safe Space  * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Read HBR’s assessment of how diversity drives success: https://hbr.org/2018/01/how-and-where-diversity-drives-financial-performance Learn more about the 1964 Civil Rights Act https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act Learn more about the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Affirmative Action at ACLU.org Read how loneliness poses the same health risks as smoking:  Find about the Kentucky Human Right Commission Find help and resources at The Equal Opportunity Commission: www.eeoc.gov/ Coach Colene’s other Crank & Boom episode about achieving harmony in work and life.  Quotable Moments From the Episode    Diversity is all the attributes that make us different. Equity is how we provide the right level of resources and materials for people to have success. Inclusion is a state of feeling valued, respected and supported. The purpose is to ensure that everyone that works in our organization feels valued, respected and supported.” - Coach Colene “In the next 5 to 10 years, 52% of the population will be non white. That number should be a wake up call for a lot of organizations, because the majority sets the norms. They set the tone. It's not just what's going to be happening inside of your business. It's also who your consumer is going to be. And the more that you have people that can talk to that consumer, the better it is for your business.” - Coach Colene “One of the things that I teach in my diversity class is that diversity starts with me. I do think that there is a role that every individual in an organization can play in creating the culture of inclusion that they want to see within that organization. So what can I do to help make sure that people feel included and feel like they belong?” - Coach Colene “The thing that I want to convey to other small business owners out there is that a [DEI policy] does not have to be this huge, sweeping thing. It can take little changes. And then once you're aware, you just make decisions that lean towards being more equitable and more inclusive because it's like a muscle that you train.” Toa Green   Connect with Coach Colene! Coach Colene's website Coach Colene's Facebook Coach Colene's Instagram Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Who doesn’t love to win an award? But aside from just getting a pat on the back to make you feel good about the hard work you’ve put into your business–getting involved with local business awards and online press awards not only establishes your credibility but also increases your brand's reputation in the industry. And this can look a lot of different ways — local "best of" lists, local chamber of commerce awards, or "top 10" lists from national and regional press. All of it adds up over time to create credibility and trust with your community, and expands your awareness on a bigger level both locally and nationally.  Join Toa Green as she shares her time-tested strategies on building brand recognition by seeking out opportunities in awards spaces, and being "press-ready" to share those accolades to the world at large. In this episode, you’ll gain insight into:  Boosting your brand recognition by harnessing the power of local awards and community recognition Increasing your chances of winning awards by actively engaging with your community and creating strategies to stand out Sharing your gratitude and acknowledgement of the support you’ve received from your community to foster brand affinity    * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Find your local Chamber of Commerce:: https://www.uschamber.com/co/chambers Find the top media outlets for your services or products: https://prowly.com/magazine/top-media-outlets/ Example of C&B’s story ready for the press: https://www.crankandboom.com/ourstory C&B’s press mention in “People Magazine” C&B’s press mention in “Food and Wine Magazine” C&B’s press mention in “A Taste of Home” C&B’s press mention in the “Cooking Channel”   Quotable Moments From the Episode    “If we happen to be doing what our mission is, doing good stuff for our team, our business, and our community, I feel like awards a lot of times will just naturally come.” - Toa Green “I think when you are around organizations and people [so they can] get to know you better, that increases your chances of winning something.” - Toa Green “Awards and accolades are not the goal of what we are doing. But being intentional and being strategic about participating in those awards, and engaging in those different processes can be very, very beneficial to your business.” Toa Green “Celebrate your wins. Be sure to shout it from the rooftops, celebrate. Be proud of yourself. You deserve it. You earned it. You are worthy. Do not shy away from it.” Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Toa Green always cites this mantra when it comes to managing people and fostering a positive work environment: "be good humans to each other." Massive amounts of research from major studies and surveys support this adage. When employees feel taken care of, they take care of their customers and deliver outstanding products and service.   This week, Toa and the team from Noko, a revolutionary restaurant in Nashville (whose food is as good as their attitude toward employee satisfaction), discuss the connection between employee wellness and a successful business, and how they’re working to foster an environment where their people come first.   Wilson Brannock, Jon Murray, and Chef Junior have set a new standard in the hospitality industry for how they treat their team members at Noko. By establishing a robust employee wellness program, they are game changers in their space. Tune in as they impart valuable insights and learn how their approach can positively impact your own business. In this episode, you’ll learn to: Prioritize the well-being of your employees to build a stronger team that delivers outstanding service Break free from the norms of the restaurant industry and create a unique company culture Understand small ways to cultivate a work environment that promotes employee wellness, mental health, and work-life balance * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Check out the menu and all the favorite dishes of Team Noko: https://www.nokonashville.com/menu The key moments in this episode are: 00:03:59 - Introducing Noko and Their Mission, 00:08:28 - Starting Noko and Pursuing Their Vision, 00:14:00 - Creating a Deeper Connection in Their Team, 00:19:47 - Changing the Narrative, 00:22:39 - Employee Benefits and Why Noko Prioritizes Them, 00:29:07 - Taking Small Steps for Small Businesses to Support Employees, 00:29:49 - Working Together to Change Hospitality, 00:32:20 - Highlighting Favorite Dishes and Stories,   Quotable Moments From the Episode    “The old traditional ways of working yourself into sickness or working yourself in distress is not life anymore. You can build success; you can build greatness; you can build wealth–and not work 80 hours a week for ten years. It's possible.” - Jon Murray “Investing in your people is the best investment for a public facing and customer-centric company.” - Jon Murray Connect with the team at Noko! Noko Website Noko's Facebook Noko's Instagram   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

We are living in a new era of remote work flexibility. In order to attract awesome workers and keep your top employees, you need to have a remote work option and a plan for asynchronous communication and collaboration among team members. The up and coming Gen Z workforce views remote work as a new norm. If you want to stay resilient and thriving as a business, having a remote work plan is key in this next era.  Even food businesses with brick and mortar locations like Crank & Boom can benefit from shifting their mindset and looking for remote opportunities for their team. Join Toa Green as she talks through how to lead a remote team effectively and productively.   In this episode, you’ll learn to: Boost productivity and employee satisfaction by embracing the benefits of transitioning to remote work Discover strategies for delegating tasks and responsibilities in a remote work setting that will ensure nothing falls through the cracks Explore effective communication using platforms like Slack to enhance teamwork and keep everyone connected and informed Foster a sense of community and camaraderie within remote teams through non-work-related channels — strengthening team bonds and morale Understand the crucial role of managers in bridging gaps and promoting collaboration in remote teams   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Download Slack and improve your communication with your team: https://slack.com/downloads/mac Quotable Moments From the Episode    “I am personally not a fan of meetings. I do not like to have meetings for the sake of meetings. If we're going to have a meeting, we better have a very important agenda that we stick to that has a time limit and that we are not just standing around yammering on together forever because everybody's time is valuable and everybody has things to do.” - Toa Green “I trust in my leadership team that if there is something very pressing, somebody will bring it to my attention and we can figure it out together. I think being clear on what everybody's role and task is is very important, especially when you're not in the same room altogether. I think it's very possible to have really good communication in a sense of quality and not quantity.” - Toa Green “Let us share these things about our lives that have nothing to do with work specifically, but have everything to do with work and how we relate to each other and build a community within our own organization.” - Toa Green   “I think so much of the world has changed now, and our younger generation is standing up and demanding that life is not just all about work anymore. Life is about living life and getting the opportunity to live life.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

We all know that running your own business can be tough–and if you’ve done it by yourself for awhile, you may feel overwhelmed by the constant pressure to get. it. right. On this entrepreneurial journey you may find that no matter how hard you work, you're still falling short of the impossibly high standards you’ve set. The countless hours spent perfecting every detail, the endless revisions to your business plans, and the constant self-criticism are not the path to getting the results you want, and will likely manifest in personal stress and blockades to the life you really want to be living Well, it's time to find a more grace-filled and balanced approach that allows for mistakes, growth, and self-compassion. Join Toa Green and Emily Ley as they discuss their own journeys of letting go of perfectionism and the freedom in believing you have everything you need within you to make your business thrive. Our special guest today is the one and only entrepreneur & design guru, Emily Ley! She is the founder of the brand phenomenon, Simplified, which has all the tools you could ever need to organize your life. Emily leads a community of women who believe in supporting each other through the messiness of life. She’s also a best selling author, host of the Simplified podcast, and a mom to three amazing kids. She also literally wrote a book on the very topic we’re discussing called “Grace Not Perfection,” which details how she tamed the perfectionist side of herself toward a more grace-filled life. In this episode, you’ll learn to: Uncover how to temper perfectionism and build effective entrepreneurship instead Understand the crucial importance of self-awareness in distinguishing what truly matters  How to determine when you’re giving too much and what is enough How to give yourself grace when everything doesn’t always go according to plan    * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Check out the Lexington Edition of Monopoly  Pick up Emily’s book, “Grace Not Perfection” Listen to The Simplified Podcast Read Emily Ley’s book “The Simplified Life” Check out the new Simplified 2024 line of products Quotable Moments From the Episode    “There's just so much that calls on the hearts of women because we love so many things so deeply. It's so hard not to fall into the trap of trying to be perfectly good at all of it because we want to do a good job. But sometimes we have to learn that doing the thing is good enough and that sometimes perfectionism gets in the way of doing the good thing, doing the right thing.” - Emily Ley   “Over the years I've kind of learned to gut check myself. Like when I get really stretched thin, that's when my perfectionism gets the worst. And I don't know why that is. But I have to pause and ask myself, ‘Are you taking care of yourself? Are you drinking water? Are you eating lunch or are you skipping meals?’ I've been known to do that because I just get so busy, I forget…I think it's just like a level of self-awareness that I feel like I've developed over time, but just constantly reminding myself, like, ‘Hey, being perfect at this is not the goal.’” - Emily Ley   “I read “A Simplified Life” five years ago when I literally just had our first baby. We spent seven years going through fertility issues and our own fertility journey. I had gotten very sick, and had a very tough pregnancy.  And someone I followed recommended this book. I'm not a big reader, I'll admit. But I picked up your book and I read it. And within the first few chapters, it was almost like someone lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It was like the universe said, ‘Guess what? You can breathe and you don't actually have to do it all.’” -Toa Green  Connect with Emily Ley! The Simplified Website The Simplified Podcast Emily Ley's Substack Emily Ley's Instagram   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Whether it’s a product that’s not working, or a facet of your business that just didn’t catch on, or an outright need to shut your business down, there’s no shame in having to let something go when you’ve done all you can do to make it work. So many entrepreneurs facing the demise or change of some area of their business find themselves trapped in a cycle of negative emotions, unable to see a way out. Despite your best efforts, the desired outcome may continue to elude you, leaving you feeling defeated and questioning your abilities as an entrepreneur. Toa Green underscores the importance of distinguishing personal value from the success or failure of your business endeavors. This differentiation prevents self-worth from becoming entangled with business outcomes, allowing for a healthier entrepreneurial journey. Toa's insights provide a valuable perspective for entrepreneurs to cultivate resilience and personal growth, critical attributes for navigating setbacks in the business landscape, and keys to coming back stronger.  In this episode, you’ll learn to: Delve into emotional intelligence strategies for coping with the hard decision of shutting down or changing a business aspect. Separate your self-esteem from the inevitable highs and lows of a business, reinforcing inner stability for yourself. Explore how aligning business strategies with your individual aspirations and principles ensures a satisfying entrepreneurial journey. Develop a communication plan to alert your community and stakeholders of a shuttering or change in your business.   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/    Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Subscribe to the Crank & Boom substack for deeper insights and behind the scenes looks: https://crankandboom.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about Taiyaki Fish Ice Cream Cones Learn about the famed ice cream dessert at Rupp Arena Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Once you've gotten to the other side and you've seen that either letting go or closing a business is going to be better for your life or your family or your business overall, then you'll know that you've made the right decision.” - Toa Green “Your success or your failures are not tied to your self-worth. Just because something in your business does not work out doesn't mean that something is wrong with you.” - Toa Green   Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram C&B Substack *Production by Four Eyes Media*

Does the thought of networking make your palms sweaty and your heart race? Have you dutifully attended countless events, handing out your business cards, only to feel like you're just going through the motions? If the anxiety and lack of results from traditional networking is leaving you frustrated and stuck, it's time to reframe those notions of networking and set our minds on connections that actually mean something. Say goodbye to superficial interactions and hello to relationships that can be transformative. Toa Green never felt comfortable in stiff networking events, but over time she learned key tools that helped her reframe networking as a way toward meaningful connection through curiosity and storytelling. Join Toa as she reveals what simple steps she took to make networking less of a chore, and made her look forward to sharing her story and learning about others. In this episode, you’ll learn to: Unleash the power of community by participating in formal gatherings and leadership programs Realize the power of your story, making every interaction meaningful and captivating. Discover the art of shaping your messaging, paving the way for effective networking in large or small groups. Learn to ask the deeper the questions that can uncover authentic connections   * * * Thank you to our sponsors! Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/   Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com   Resources Mentioned in Episode Read about Governor Beshear’s press conference at Crank & Boom’s Manchester location Learn more about Leadership Lexington   Quotable Moments From the Episode  “Getting to know other people within your community just reaps great benefits. I get to meet amazing people who are doing incredible work and I get to be inspired by people doing incredible things. I get to learn from people.” - Toa Green “One important thing I think that is vital for you to have a successful networking event is to make sure that you have your story down. And by that, I mean know your story. Know what it is you want to convey about yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be about your job, but the aspects of you that you want to present.” - Toa Green “I think if you can have a mindset that says ‘I am confident, I am who I am, the people who need to talk to me, will find me.’ I've always believed that. I think it makes [networking] easier because I can just be myself. And that's perfectly fine.”  - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram *Production by Four Eyes Media*

One of the greatest challenges for startups or even seasoned companies is managing people. How a team interacts, lifts each other up, or feels motivated to hit their goals can determine whether your company succeeds. There are so many ways to cultivate a positive work environment but Toa Green has one specific insight from years of building businesses — "be good humans to each other."  Join Toa as she parses this statement out in actionable steps that can alter your business for the better. Toa distills how she fosters an uplifting and supportive work environment and motivates her team, ultimately leading to big wins for her business. In this episode, you’ll learn to: Acquire insights on the importance of addressing employee satisfaction for overall business success. Learn stellar communication techniques and strategies. Discover strategies for fostering an uplifting and engaging workspace which ultimately boosts productivity. Understand the benefits of aligning individual growth with the company's mission. Transform your dreaded employee evaluations into successful conversations   * * * Thank you to our sponsors!   Goldbelly | Find the most famous, most regional iconic foods from around the country–including Crank & Boom Ice Cream–and ship it all right to your door at goldbelly.com/     Holly Hill Restaurants | 9 unique locations in Kentucky that celebrate the connection of family, to farm to table. Find stories, recipes, how-to's, and curated gifts by visiting hollyhillandco.com Resources Mentioned in Episode Read the research study by Gallup that found that highly engaged employees and teams increase profitability by more than 20% Learn more about Salesforce’s finding that “employees who feel heard are nearly 5 times more likely to feel empowered to do their best work.” Crank & Boom’s Success Checklist — Download a FREE employee evaluation template to supercharge your employee reviews at crankandboompodcast.com! 📒🎯 Watch Crank & Boom’s Orientation Video for new employees! Quotable Moments From the Episode    “Focusing on being good humans to one another has been the key to unlocking our team's biggest potential.” - Toa Green “We need each other. There's no way I could do everything by myself. I think when I started to really embrace that mindset, that is when things changed for us. I wasn't just there to pay a paycheck and they weren't there to just punch in and punch out. We actually had a relationship and we had a connection, and we were here to help each other out along this journey of life together.” - Toa Green “We were fortunate to have someone from a different generation, a different mindspace and someone who's a bit more on the pulse of what is new and hip and interesting say, “Hey, we should do Barbie specials.” And that just unleashed a whole load of fun stuff that came from that suggestion. We had pink whipped cream; we had a frame that people were taking photos with. And it just came from that one suggestion that kind of snowballed and catapulted into this whole promotion that we did.”  - Toa Green   “One thing that I really realized over the years is that people don't want to stay stagnant. Most people, especially those who are looking to make a career in our industry, are looking for ways to learn; they are looking for mentorship; they are looking for advancement.” - Toa Green Connect with Toa! C&B Podcast website C&B Ice Cream website C&B Podcast's Instagram *Production by Four Eyes Media*