Knack 4 Business

Old warehouse systems slow down operations, increase costs, and block business growth.

Imagine you’re running a business. Orders are delayed. Inventory is messy. Costs are sneaking up. You feel held back by your warehouse. That’s what Carl Ferreira‑Calvet saw in many companies before they fixed the problem.

In this episode, Carl, founder of ZIC Solutions, walks us through how outdated warehouses hurt business and how using modern too...

Legal surprises derail growing businesses — Jon Hood helps you avoid them with predictable, flat‑fee legal counsel.

Jon Hood used to be the general counsel at an ed‑tech startup. He saw first‑hand how legal bills stacked up when issues were ignored until they got big. He decided there must be a better way. Today he runs Hood Venture Counsel, where he offers fractional general counsel services: proactive legal support, flat‑fee billi...

When the founder is the face of the business, it can lower its sale price and make it hard to pass on value.

Caroline Troy walked into many companies where the founder was the star: everyone knew them, they did many things, and the business depended on them. One day she had a founder ask, “If I stepped away, would my business still be worth something?” That question led her to help businesses change so they are more than just one pe...

Many business owners struggle to make their message heard because they don’t tell their story in a way that feels real.

Once upon a time, there was an entrepreneur who felt invisible. Her words were lost, her brand quiet. Then Helen Harwood Snell stepped in—storyteller, coach, expert in turning simple messages into powerful stories. In this episode of Knack 4 Business, hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt sit down with Helen to l...

Eric Pierre once chased a basketball dream—but life had a twist. He redirected that drive into numbers, taxes, and accounting. Today, Eric’s using lessons from courtside grit to help high‑net‑worth individuals and entrepreneurs win financially.

He wrote The Great Tax Escape, drawing on years at Fortune 500 firms and his own path. In this episode, Eric reveals how pro athletes’ financial habits can become your tools for tax savings, ...

Too many diverse workplaces struggle to build clarity and connection across cultural and communication gaps.

What happens when a community leader brings comedy, curiosity, and courageous questions into the boardroom?

You get Jason Doiron—a leadership and dialogue expert at The Purposeful Group—who helps diverse teams unlock deeper connection through intentional hosting and vulnerability. In this episode, Jason sits down with Bernie F...

Many people fail to prepare a will, leaving families to face messy legal trouble and unknown outcomes.

Once upon a time, Sara thought she’d be okay without writing a will. But when she had health trouble, people fought over decisions. In this episode, Redmond O’Brien from Odette Rwigamba Lawyers PC tells why wills matter, how divorce and family law cases get messy without honest disclosures, and how powers of attorney protect you.

We...

Business owners often underestimate cyber risks—and that leaves them exposed.

Once upon a time, many businesses thought cyber threats were problems for “big companies only.” But Greg Young from Trend Micro—with over 35 years of experience—shows us that the dangers are real and that everyone is at risk. Picture a business owner who opens one phishing email… and suddenly, ransomware locks everything. Greg explains how that can happen,...

How can you attract clients without ever feeling or being pushy?

With 25+ years of experience, Shawn isn’t about slick sales—she’s about being you, thinking right, and messaging clearly.

In this episode, Shawn shares:

• Her personal journey into coaching and how staying authentic built her business
• How to reframe your mindset to build trust instead of tension
• The simple 3-step structure that turns everyday conversations into client op...

Gerry Lalonde of X-Roads Technology Partners joins hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt to explore what most founders overlook—until it's too late. From preparing for IPOs and private placements to building leadership teams and managing exits, Gerry shares key strategies for founders at every stage. Learn how to recognize your company's true health, embrace future-focused thinking, and plan for success even in uncertainty. Don’t...

Burned out by the business side of your art? Marjorie Gutierrez of Smart Business Designs shares her journey from fine art shipping to soulful systems. With over 20 years of experience, she offers creative entrepreneurs tools to create order without sacrificing passion. Hear how she balances creativity and structure, why pricing matters, and how to build boundaries that protect your energy. This episode is packed with practical adv...

How to sell without feeling pushy, stressful, or inauthentic.

Imagine you dread selling—too much pressure, too much push. That’s how many of us feel. Today, we welcome Mark Kempf, author of Unfurl Your Sales, who shakes things up with his “Quoin” principle—a gentle, respectful way to build long‑term client trust without the stress of aggressive tactics.

With over 40 years in insurance sales, Mark has seen it all—and he knows the shor...

What would happen to your business if your systems went down tomorrow?

That’s the question Erika Andresen helps answer in this powerful episode of Knack 4 Business. Erika, founder of EaaS Consulting LLC, is a military veteran and former lawyer turned business continuity strategist.

She shares her inspiring journey from legal and military service to helping businesses survive and thrive through crisis planning. Erika shows us how eve...

Once, James Mackenzie, co‑founder of Purecolo, had big dreams but knew that growth meant more than just ideas—it needed strong teams and smart systems. He learned that when people work well together, the company grows stronger and faster. Today, he tells that journey as five simple strategies that anyone can use.

Key topics covered:

• How team dynamics drive business growth
• Scaling operations while staying resilient
• Bootstrapping, ac...

Too many young learners lack engaging, future‑focused tools that spark curiosity about science, play, and innovation.

Imagine a child looking up at the sky, wondering what comes next, but feeling boxed in by stale toys and stale lessons. That’s when Anthony Hall stepped in. After years in Silicon Valley, Anthony founded TREO (The Rose of Education Organization) with a simple vision: to make learning playful, inspiring, and space‑rea...

🏡 What if finding the perfect buyer for your home wasn’t about luck—but strategy?

In this episode of the Knack 4 Business Podcast, we sit down with Eric Perron, a licensed real estate professional at Engel & Völkers, who brings over a decade of experience from both the luxury property market and the world of high-net-worth investment advising.

🛠️ THE PROBLEM ERIC SOLVES:
Most homeowners and investors don’t know how to attract the ri...

Decision fatigue and multitasking myths erode focus and workplace culture.

Picture this: You and your team are juggling so many choices every day—from minor decisions to big strategic ones. Soon, everyone feels worn out, productivity drops, and morale takes a hit. That’s exactly the trap Bob Wendover helps you avoid.

Bob, with more than 37 years of experience at Common Sense Enterprises, takes us on a journey through the hidden dange...

How can you make money and make a difference?
In this episode, Mark Engstar, founder of Strangers Community, shares how his mission-driven approach helps build financially independent communities. You’ll discover strategies to blend business and social good—covering multiple income streams, sustainable models, and impact-driven growth. A must‑listen for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and changemakers. Stay with us as we bring you storie...

Ryan Chute from Wizard of Ads reveals how businesses can remove friction to grow faster. In this episode of Knack 4 Business, Ryan shares his journey from retail and automotive struggles to championing frictionless systems. Learn why compensation, culture, and communication matter—and how simple fixes can multiply your revenue. Startup founders, solopreneurs, and scaling business owners will gain actionable insights, real-world exa...