Sometimes the biggest artistic opportunities aren't in galleries – they're right in your local community.
Today on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we’re reconnecting with artist Steve Light from Swindon in the UK.
Steve’s story fascinated me. After a 20-year break from drawing, he returned to art in 2019 and has since completed 25 exhibitions, including Swindon's largest mural that moved local residents to tears. Steve's journey shows what's possible when you think differently about reaching people with what you do.
We explored how creative people can bridge art and commerce without compromising their vision. From restaurant transformations inspired by London's Sketch to creating permanent outdoor galleries, his shared his approach to making art more accessible is an approach many of us can take something from.
I also introduced him to my VCR formula (Vision plus Capabilities multiplied by Reach) and we discussed how artists can leverage local "reach assets" like restaurants, bands, and public spaces.
What I love about Steve's approach is that he's starting with impact in his immediate community, knowing broader recognition naturally follows.
Lots of great ideas for you in this episode.
Read moreIn this episode of the More Cheese Less Whiskers Podcast, Stuart and I discuss the power of non-traditional books in lead generation. We delve into the process of using a self-published book as a tool to generate leads and share strategies that have resulted in impressive records, such as 1753 leads at just $3.53 per lead.
Stuart highlights the value of daily knowledge and asking the right questions, and I reveal how to write a book in 30 days with a resonating title. We debunk the myth that a book needs to be lengthy to be successful and discuss the impact of concise, impactful books that address potential clients' concerns.
Read moreToday, on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we're talking with Carlos Garrido, a former investment banker turned sales trainer, about his unique career journey and the power of selling.
He shares his experiences navigating cultural accents in business, outlining how a northern English accent benefited his role in American sales environments while American accents in the UK gained new prestige over time.
Carlos runs a high-performing sales training program, and we talked about separating 'lead getting' from 'lead convering' and the sometimes lengthy process that can frustrate some sales teams. Carlos shares his experience working with business owners without robust sales skills and the challenge of natural salespeople, and we talk about finding the right mix of high-value, high-volume opportunities.
This is a really fun conversation with lots of takeaways.
Read moreToday, on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, I want to share an episode of the Listing Agent Lifestyle show I just recorded with my good friend Chris McAllister.
This is a great episode discussing the evolving role of real estate brokers, and I want to share it here because although we're talking about real estate, the real message is how to adapt and provide value in a changing world.
We explore how the rise of technology, particularly sites like Zillow, has transformed how clients access information and the value brokers provide. Chris traces the evolution of brokerage models from Remax to Keller Williams, and we debate the sustainability of the hundred percent commission shop model.
So, whether you're an industry professional, interested in real estate trends, or in any other business impacted by tech, this discussion offers some really interesting insights.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers Podcast, we're talking with Tobin Jarrett Poppenberg about becoming the voice of his niche in the audiobook space.
Tobin's come from a very successful career, and he shares how developing a bond with his nephew by reading Harry Potter stories inspired his new venture. The challenge now is profiting in this competitive space.
So we had a great conversation about the options in becoming the voice of children’s audiobooks, and how a podcast, sponsor opportunities, and using recordings to launch additional products can help him become the go to person in this space.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we're talking with Eric Anderson, professional magician turned speaker who shares his journey from foster care to speaking in front of large audiences.
We talk about how focusing on connecting with your audience can yield big returns. How he's used joint venture partnerships and book giveaways helps expand his audience and attract people interested in public speaking, and how he created a flagship email to stay in touch with people by featuring clients' business victories.
We also discuss why documenting your journey is so compelling and creates a blueprint others can follow.
This is a fascinating episode with lots of ideas to take away.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we have a first for the show; we're talking with upcoming wrestling talent Blake Steele, who's turning his wrestling dreams into reality.
Blake and I pull back the curtain on the pro wrestling industry and talk about how it's as much about storytelling and character creation as it is about athleticism. We dive into the art of fighting and its famous personalities like Logan Paul and Mike Tyson and how they have masterfully used their styles to captivate audiences.
We talk about what goes into the making of a wrestling superstar, tracing Blake's journey as he navigates the wrestling universe, and we talk about the marketing opportunities that are just as true for a wrestler as they are for any business owner.
Whether you're a hardcore wrestling fan or just curious about the similarities in building a brand for your business, this episode is a great listen.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we're talking with Brett Attaway, a solar sales entrepreneur from Utah who's now based in north Florida.
Brett's taken his years of marketing experience to the solar industry in a company he started a little over 3 years ago, and we had a great conversation about the opportunities he has to use this experience in this new sector.
We talked about the three key success factors: finding the right install company, understanding the value of a client, and creating a referral program, and how bringing these together can be a game changer for clients and the company.
There are some great insights and ideas in this episode that apply to many industries, including creating transferable opportunities for customers by offering a price break for a certain volume of panels and incentivizing referrals is unique, making customers the hero and not the company.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers podcast, we're finishing our conversation with Jesse Desjardins. He's worked in some great locations, and we talk about the challenge of marketing a complex destination like Neom in Saudi Arabia, a place no one has ever seen before.
We also talk about the skill of discernment and invention, the importance of working with someone with the tenacity to drive projects to completion, and how to effectively select and work with the right people to execute our vision.
Jesse & I have a long history together, and it's great to share these insights with you, and, if you missed part 1, you can check that out at here.
Read moreToday on the More Cheese Less Whiskers Podcast, we have a special episode because I had the pleasure of catching up with my longtime friend and collaborator, Jesse Desjardins, in person as we celebrate our 25-year friendship and professional journey together.
We talk about how asking, 'What would I do if I only got paid if I delivered results?' helped us focus on achieving tangible results and navigating technological shifts and how we uncover the power of minimalism and the minimum effective dose in marketing success.
In part 1 here, we discuss his 12 favorite problems and how he leverages the VCR (Vision, Capabilities, Reach) formula to create unique experiences and stories in the work he now does.
This is a great conversation as we share some insights and reminisce about our 25-year journey.
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