All-City Chess Club

Hosted by James Korte

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Apr 2024

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About the show

The All-City Chess Club podcast features interviews with creative entrepreneurs from fashion, technology, martial arts, advertising and beyond that explore business finance and revenue, hiring and team configuration, marketing and brand design, social media, and personal philosophies. This show was designed to further the education of business owners and equip future entrepreneurs by providing lessons they can learn from and blueprints they can follow.

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9 recent

April 17, 2024Episode 955 min

#9: Three Guys and a Camera to Millions in Revenue with Tim Flaherty of Post House Creative

Tim Flaherty is the Owner and Creative Director at Post House Creative, a Columbus, OH-based video and creative marketing agency. Tim's team of cinematographers, motion designers, strategists, and designers handles creative for a variety of professional sports franchises, hotels, and other top-flight clients. Tim talks to me about growing his company, attracting and retaining talent, the beauty in working with smart people, and what he'd do if he was founding his company tomorrow. This episode has tremendous value for young creatives considering an entrepreneurial path—I hope you enjoy. Check out Post House Creative: https://www.posthouse.tv/ — Follow the All-City Chess Club Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcitychessclubpodcast/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allcitychessclubpodcast Website: http://allcitychessclubpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjz5Dvx6npG45T5_fTWtFyw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dEIcis6iTwSFmhi721QZR?si=7922ebbfa4d64e84 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-city-chess-club/id1709566835?i=1000630360601

February 7, 2024Episode 81 hr 45 min

#8: Navigating an Early Stage Video Production Business with Max Faust of Faust Film

Max explains how the desire for fulfillment in his work led to a career in video production. Although he's early on in the genesis of his business, Max shares his ideas on positioning his company relative to the competition, how he prices his services, and the hires he would consider making first. Max discusses the importance of deliberatively seeking a creative community and the lessons that can be learned through passion projects.

December 19, 2023Episode 71 hr 48 min

#7: Photo Industry Veteran Creates New SFX Product Category with Nathan Destro of Performing Rigs

Nathan Destro is a photographer and photo special effects enthusiast whose held various freelance and full-time jobs in the photography and videography industry over the past 20 years. During the COVID period of in 2020-2021, Nathan went deep into learning mode with the goal of building a professional set of tools that would give photo and video studios a way to systemize special effects in a way that was reliable and repeatable for their product shoots. Performing Rigs was born. As of this recording, Performing Rigs is a five-product line of machines that launch, twirl, and otherwise move and impact products in ways that result in beautiful and energetic still and moving images "in camera" without the use of fancy post-production. Nathan breaks down the current state of his business, why he's shrugging off funding (for now), his evolution as a salesperson, and why you should never eat the food being photographed on set. To this point, Nathan has self-funded his business and looks forward to attacking the "big 3" production markets (NYC, LA, Chicago) in 2024 in beyond to grow awareness and adoption of his products. Performing Rigs website: https://www.performingrigs.com Follow All-City Chess Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcitychessclubpodcast/ All-City Chess Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjz5Dvx6npG45T5_fTWtFyw

December 12, 2023Episode 61 hr 12 min

#6: Ex-College Prof Turned Waffle Boss on Building a Lifestyle Food Truck Business

Marty Meersman, Owner of Marty's Waffles of Alexandria, Kentucky, explains how an interruption to his career as a college art professor led to pursuing his passion for creating the perfect waffle. Marty talks about his DIY food truck build-out, the importance of brand consistency to his success, and how he has built a business to help sustain his family without over-working himself. Marty's story is one of balance, consistency, and hard work. It's a story that I believe many aspiring food truck owners and entrepreneurs will find inspirational and helpful.

December 2, 2023Episode 51 hr 19 min

#5: Building a $1.7M Food Truck and Catering Business with Kristen Bailey of Sweets & Meats BBQ

Co-founder and CEO of Sweets & Meats BBQ Food Truck and Catering explains the initial investment to launch her business, the challenge and reward of following her partner’s passion for cooking barbecue, and how serving at events feeds her catering business. Kristen's wisdom is invaluable for aspiring food truck or mobile food business entrepreneurs. Listen to find out how she navigated the financial challenges early on, how she transitioned from a corporate job to being full-time in the food business, and the strategic choices she made on vehicle and trailer purchases, facilities, and staff.

November 9, 2023Episode 42 hr 16 min

#4: Jesty Beatz on Forging a Career in the Music Industry through Persistence and Experimentation

Darrel Greene, aka Jesty Beatz is the founder and production powerhouse behind Declared Major Records, an independent record label based in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Darrel is a rapper and vocalist with an extensive recording and touring career under the name Jesty Beatz. More recently, Jesty produces his own songs under the name Holy Mattress Money, where he frequently collaborates with a variety of singers. Through his label, Darrel produces other artists—some of whom have signed major record label deals and others building their careers under his tutelage. Another significant aspect of Darrel’s business is sound design, mixing, and music-finishing projects for artists like Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, Big Sean. Darrel has built a sustainable and fulfilling career in music by developing multiple recurring income streams across music publishing, working on advertisements, and having his music placed on other forms of media such as radio and TV. Watch this episode to understand better the economics and strategic aspects that contribute to a successful career in music.

November 4, 2023Episode 31 hr 37 min

#3: Mike Minnix on Taking a Non-Traditional Path to Entrepreneurship and The Value of Doing the Literal Dirty Work

On this episode of the show, I spoke with Mike Minnix, Principal and Chief Consultant at Good Land Ohio. Good Land is one part sustainability consultancy, one part community shop and event space, and one part janitorial service for large-scale events. Mike talks about taking a non-traditional path to entrepreneurship, the value of literally doing the dirty work, and the impact your environment can have on your business and creativity. Mike has built a strong team and a strong business in a lane that others might not have seen by following his passion and focusing on people.

October 6, 2023Episode 21 hr 31 min

#2: Apparel Business Learnings with John Amato of Jumpmode, a Toledo, Ohio-based business

John Amato, Owner and Chief Screenprinter at Jumpode talks about the idea that sparked an entrepreneurship journey 17 years in the making. John talks about the transition between and benefits of screenprinting in-house versus outsourcing. He breaks down the tools (digital and otherwise) he uses to run his operations and explains how his staff is composed. He explains how he funded his business in the early days and how his revenue splits between his Jupmode brand designs and custom work for clients. Looking to represent the Midwest or get some custom apparel printed? Check them out at: http://www.jumpode.com --- All-City Chess Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllCityChessClubPodcast All-City Chess Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcitychessclubpodcast All-City Chess Club on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allcitychessclubpodcast Follow Host James Korte Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_jp3g/ Follow Host James Korte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameskorte/

September 27, 2023Episode 11 hr 44 min

#1: Jeff Robison on Running a Successful Martial Arts Academy, Becoming the Person You're Supposed to Be, and Everyone Flying First Class

Jeff Robison, Head Coach and Owner of Club MMA breaks down the financial aspects and costs associated with launching his first martial arts school back in 2008. He explains what went into making his first hires, as well as the growing pain associated with business ownership and leadership. He talks a bit about guerilla marketing, and the importance of having people and partners that compliment your skill set. In Cinci or Northern Kentucky and interested in training? http://www.club-mma.com/index.html --- All-City Chess Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AllCityChessClubPodcast All-City Chess Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcitychessclubpodcast/ All-City Chess Club on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allcitychessclubpodcast Follow Host James Korte Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy_jp3g/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameskorte/