Entrepreneur Exchange

Hosted ByJeff Neuville & Gary Muller

A lively conversation between small business owners, entrepreneurs, and business experts sharing tools and tips to assist new businesses get up and running and existing small business grow and prosper in this challenging economy.

The Entrepreneur Exchange is a lively conversation between small business owners, entrepreneurs, and business experts sharing tools and tips to assist new businesses get up and running and existing small business grow and prosper in this challenging economy. Topics include small business funding issues, economical ways to market and promote your business, and resources available to entrepreneurs. And more!

 

Your Hosts

Jeff Neuville is Director of the Small Business Center at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC, where he works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to assist them in starting and growing businesses.  Jeff spent most of his business career as an Executive with a mid-sized North Carolina apparel manufacturing company before starting his own business to assist companies develop profitability improvement strategies.  In addition to his work with start-ups and small businesses, Jeff is a dedicated fan of his beloved North Carolina Tar Heels, particularly during basketball season.  Connect to Jeff on LinkedIn or on Twitter @jeffneuville.

Gary Muller is the Dean of the School of Workforce Development and the Arts at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). He has his BA and MBA from Wake Forest University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is also the co-owner of two businesses. The businesses focus on real estate development and investment management. He has over 20 years of business experience in public accounting, franchising of specialty retail snack food shops and manufacturing. The last 12 years have been spent in education at CVCC. Gary is also the SkillsUSA Co-Director for the Challenger and CVCC Chapter. Of course, everyone knows Gary is a diehard Wake Forest Deacon Deacon fan and he bleeds black and gold!!


All Episodes

8th Annual Business Lessons from the Movies

At least one holiday tradition is intact during the pandemic…it’s time for the Entrepreneur Exchange “Business Lessons from the Movies” Podtacular edition, as hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller are joined by the founders of the Footcandle Film Society, Alan Jackson and Chris Frye, to share their movie recommendations which have a business lesson takeaway…or sometimes a lesson on what you should avoid.  Ready to hunker down with the family for the holidays? These movies will entertain and give you something to think about. Plus the group all share their small businesses of the month, which range from food to entertainment, to how to recycle the wedding dress that has been hanging in your closet for ten years. It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange on The MESH podcast network!

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Byron Hicks, NC Small Business and Technology Development Center

This month’s Entrepreneur Exchange welcomes Byron Hicks, the Deputy State Director of the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center to explore how his organization assists businesses throughout the state of North Carolina during good times, as well as during pandemics. The discussion includes the availability of capital for businesses during this challenging environment, and how you should prepare for lenders. Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller review ideas for how to hire the right person from none other than Jeff Bezos, and they share their small businesses of the month…dog treats and whiskey! It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

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Nick Hawks, the eBay Guy and Mr. MeCommerce

So many E-Commerce platforms, so little time…this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange welcomes Nick Hawks, the eBay Guy and Mr. MeCommerce, to talk about the many ways that start-ups and small businesses are selling their products online through eBay, Amazon, Etsy and more. Hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller check with Nick on the costs to sell on each platform, and get the scoop on the strengths and weaknesses that each offer. Plus Jeff and Gary share their small businesses of the month, which include local food and a business that has pivoted to creating outdoor classrooms. It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange on The MESH podcast network!

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Building Your Network at a Social Distance

How do you network from a social distance? This month’s Entrepreneur Exchange welcomes LinkedIn and social media specialist Teddy Burriss to discuss how to build and maintain your business network during a pandemic. Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller discuss opportunities in which college students have to engage with start-ups and share their small businesses of the month, including home inspections, tasty cupcakes, and recycled apparel…it’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

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Case Lane, Ready Entrepreneur

Operating your business during a pandemic requires adjustments…so this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange digs into the steps you need to take to start an online business with Case Lane, founder of Ready Entrepreneur.

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Thomas Stith III, North Carolina SBA District Director

How is the Small Business Administration helping businesses manage their way through the pandemic and challenging economy?  Hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller are joined on his month’s Entrepreneur Exchange by North Carolina SBA District Director Thomas Stith III, who provides information on SBA assistance, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and how businesses and the forgiveness elements which has made this program so attractive to businesses.  Director Stith also covers Economic Injury Disaster Loans available through the SBA, and how they can be used to support business.  Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller share their small businesses of the month, including a local market and an alternative to toilet paper.  It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

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Entrepreneur Exchange: Open & Safe

Businesses are getting the green light to reopen from state government…but just because you can reopen, should you?  And how do you do it in a way to give your customers and employees the confidence to come back?  This month’s Entrepreneur Exchange talks about how to be Safe & Open with Lindsay Keisler, President and CEO of the Chamber of Catawba County in Hickory, NC, and discuss the playbook she’s developed with other Chambers to help businesses answer these critical questions.  Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller provide some hints for avoiding annoying Zoom meeting habits, plus they share their Small Businesses of the Month which range from 3D Printers to BBQ to on-line wedding planners.  It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

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Entrepreneur Exchange: Staying Calm in the Coronavirus Storm

There is a lot of uncertainty in the economy, but the Entrepreneur Exchange continues to deliver as Michelle Ellwanger with Edge Coaching joins the podcast to share strategies for business owners to combat stress and anxiety as they work through the unknowns of managing through the current health pandemic.  Plus co-hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller discuss businesses that you may be able to start during a health crisis, and some you should not.  Finally, they share their small businesses of the month which range from a  local farm to student cleaners and robotic poultry devices.  It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange!

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Entrepreneur Exchange: (No) Escape from New York

As the Coronavirus impacts many small businesses and small business owners throughout the country, the Entrepreneur Exchange checks in with New York City resident and consultant Peter Weiss to discuss his work managing supply chain risk and technology risk and how his work life has changed since he has had to become a telecommuter in the city which has had the largest impact from COVID-19.  Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller share strategies for managing a business through challenging times, plus they share their small business of the month selections.  It’s all here—at a safe social distance—on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange on The MESH podcast network.

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Entrepreneur Exchange: Mountain Biz Works

Getting a loan for your business is hard, and it’s even tougher if you’re a local start-up or new small business.  This month’s Entrepreneur Exchange helps show you the money by explaining how Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) help fill the lending role for new businesses with guest Chris Grasinger of Mountain Biz Works, a North Carolina CDFI.  Plus hosts Jeff Neuville and Gary Muller discuss how start-ups have successfully taken on entrenched brands, plus they share their small businesses of the month choices which include mountain climbing, pet grooming and camping with a twist.  It’s all here on this month’s Entrepreneur Exchange! 

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