Inside the Vault - Presented by Enterprise Bank

Ep 52 - Local Business Resource - Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of Inside the Vault as he welcomes Anne Flynn Schlicht, the director of the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

With nearly 20 years of experience in supporting women entrepreneurs, Anne shares her journey from Ireland to the U.S. and her commitment to empowering women in business. Anne tells Dave about the vital resources and programs offered by the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship. Anne highlights the common challenges faced by women business owners, such as navigating compliance, securing financing, and the importance of market research. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning and the value of seeking help from available resources. For more information or to connect with the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, visit cwe.chatham.edu or call 412-365-1253.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Inside the Vault. Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com! 

Ep 51 - Building Your Business Toward Exit - Meet The Business Transition Sherpa

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he welcomes Laurie Barkman, founder of Business Transition Sherpa. Laurie brings over 30 years of experience in both startup and corporate environments, specializing in guiding business owners through growth and succession planning.

In this episode, Laurie shares her insights on the critical importance of planning for business transitions from the very beginning. She discusses the common challenges small business owners face, such as being too focused on day-to-day operations to think about their exit strategy. She emphasizes the need for business owners to build with the end in mind, highlighting that proactive planning can significantly enhance the value of their business. Laurie provides actionable insights on how to prepare a business for a successful transition. To learn more about Business Transition Sherpa, visit www.btsherpa.com. Catch Dave's guest appearance on Succession Stories Podcast here: Succession Stories Podcast

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault". Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!

Ep 50 - Tax Savings Strategies for Commercial and Investment Real Estate Owners

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he welcomes Vanessa Wallace Clunies from Tangible Property Tax Methods (TPTM).

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience in accounting and real estate tax strategies to help businesses and real estate investors optimize their tax planning through effective cost segregation. In our discussion, we dive into the core principles of cost segregation, an IRS-approved method that allows property owners to accelerate depreciation on their real estate investments. Vanessa explains the importance of engineering-based studies in accurately classifying property components and highlights the types of properties that can benefit most from this approach. Vanessa shares actionable insights on conducting a cost segregation analysis, including the required documentation and the potential tax savings.

To learn more about Tangible Property Tax Methods (TPTM), visit their website at www.taxmethodexperts.com

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault". Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!

Ep 49 - Riverside Center for Innovation - A Premier Incubator & Entrepreneurial Resource

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he welcomes Juan Garrett, the Executive Director of the Riverside Center for Innovation (RCI). Juan shares his journey from accounting to leading RCI, an organization dedicated to empowering small and diverse businesses in the Pittsburgh area.

The discussion highlights RCI's evolution from the Northside Industrial Development Company to its role as a regional hub for entrepreneurship. Juan details the various services, resources, and programs that RCI offers to the Small business community. Juan walks Dave through RCI's BizFIT Entrepreneurial Cohort Training, which is designed to assist disadvantaged business owners in both the non-construction and construction industries with the skillset to operate their businesses from start-up to becoming a sustainable enterprise. Juan also offers valuable insights on persistence and networking for entrepreneurs.

For more information about RCI and its programs, visit www.riversidecenterforinnovation.com

Thank you for listening to this episode of “Inside the Vault”. Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com! 

Ep 48 - Demystifying Medicare for Small Business Owners

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he welcomes Rich Inman, President of Inman Medical Insurance Connections. Rich brings a wealth of experience from various industries, including finance and real estate, and is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of Medicare.

 

In this episode, Dave and Rich delve into the intricacies of Medicare, exploring its history, eligibility criteria, and the distinctions between the original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Rich also highlights the role of business owners in educating their employees about Medicare options, ensuring they are well-informed during their transition to retirement. Rich provides actionable insights on how to navigate the Medicare landscape effectively, stressing the importance of personalized guidance in making informed decisions. To connect with Rich, you can reach him at 724-316-8802 or visit www.inmanmedins.com for more information.

 

Thank you for listening to this episode of “Inside the Vault”. Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com! 

Ep 47 - Building a Tennis Legacy - Inside Rashid Hassan's Tennis Center

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he welcomes Rashid Hassan, the owner of the newly opened Rashid Hassan Tennis Center in Monroeville. Rashid shares his remarkable journey from Zimbabwe, where he grew up in a tennis family, to becoming a successful coach and entrepreneur in Pittsburgh. 

 

The discussion focuses on Rashid's extensive background in tennis, including his experiences as a player and coach. He highlights the challenges he faced while operating multiple training facilities, which ultimately led to the decision to open his own dedicated space. Rashid provides valuable insights into coaching youth athletes and the significance of physical fitness. To learn more about Rashid and his tennis programs, visit Rashid Hassan Tennis Center at www.rashidhassantenniscenter.com.

 

Thank you for listening to this episode of “Inside the Vault”. Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com! 

Ep 46-Trading Apples for Oranges-Bartering with Green Apple

Join host Dave Miller on this "Inside the Vault" episode as he welcomes Justin Krane and Brent Blewitt of Green Apple Barter. Founded in 1991, Green Apple has become a vital resource for small businesses in Western Pennsylvania, operating a membership-based barter network that connects thousands of local companies.

 

Dave, Justin, and Brett discuss the mechanics of bartering within the Green Apple Network, highlighting how businesses can leverage things like excess inventory, services, and capacity to gain new customers. Justin and Brent explore the diverse range of industries that benefit from this system and how you can utilize and spend your trade credits within the network. The group also talks about the personal touch that Green Apple offers, acting as a concierge service to help businesses navigate the bartering process effectively. This episode provides valuable insights into how bartering can serve as a strategic tool for small businesses, allowing them to thrive in a competitive market. 

 

For more information about Green Apple Barter, visit www.greenapplebarter.com or call 412-821-2900.

 

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault." Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!

 

Ep 45 - Efficiency Unleashed - The Art of Process Improvement

Join host Dave Miller on this "Inside the Vault" episode as he welcomes Doogie Levine from IAS Business Coaching & Consulting and Sarah Halperin DiPerna from ProcessWorks. They share their unique backgrounds and experiences in helping business owners enhance operational efficiencies and customer experiences.

The discussion delves into the fundamental elements of business—people and processes—and the challenges small business owners face in integrating these resources effectively. Doogie and Sarah highlight common issues such as the fear of change, the struggle to take the first step in process improvement, and the pitfalls of overly detailed documentation that can lead to formatting fatigue. They emphasize the importance of understanding core processes and maintaining flexibility in process improvement, noting that efficiency is not just about speed but consistency and overall impact. Doogie and Sarah provide valuable insights into the resources available to business owners who want to embark on process improvement initiatives.

To reach Doogie, visit www.ideasactionsuccess.com. To reach Sarah, visit www.process-works.com.

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault." Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!

Ep 44 - AI Insights for the Small Business Owner

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he interviews Michelle Fontana, Managing Director at EY. Michelle shares her expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative potential for small businesses.

Dave and Michelle discuss the rapid growth of AI adoption, highlighting a recent survey that showed an increase from 22% to 75% of respondents using AI in just one year. The conversation delves into practical use cases for AI in marketing, HR processes, and customer service while also discussing concerns about data privacy and the importance of verifying AI-generated information. 

For those interested in exploring AI further, here are some valuable resources:

• EY survey 
• The 15 Best AI Tools
• Artificial Intelligence for Small Business

Want to learn more about how AI can benefit your business? Connect with Michelle via Linkedin 

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault." Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!

Ep 43 - Going Global, International Trade Basics

Join host Dave Miller on this episode of "Inside the Vault" as he interviews Brent Rondon the Senior Management Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC),. Brent shares his extensive experience in helping small businesses navigate the international marketplace, emphasizing the significant export opportunities.

Dave and Brent discuss common misconceptions that deter businesses from entering the global market and highlight the benefits of exporting, such as increased innovation and financial strength. Tune in to learn how small businesses can leverage free resources to expand their reach globally! Want more information? Email Brent at rondon@innovation.pitt.edu or visit www.entrepreneur.pitt.edu

Thank you for listening to this episode of "Inside the Vault." Subscribe today and follow us for updates, and if you have any questions or topics you would like to hear about, please email us at insidethevault@enterprisebankpgh.com!