In this episode, Sean sits down with Delaney Mikolaycik as she shares her inspiring journey as the owner of Little Wildflowers, an in-home childcare business. Delaney discusses her background in working with children and how the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic led her to discover grant funding opportunities for starting her day care. She provides valuable insights into the process of securing grants, navigating licensing requirements, and the importance of mentorship in the childcare industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Delaney discovered grant funding available due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed her to start her in-home childcare business without needing to invest personal funds. This funding was crucial for renovations and acquiring quality materials.

• Engaging with mentors and coaches from organisations like ECPAC provided essential guidance throughout the process of starting her day care. Their support helped navigate licensing requirements and improve the quality of care offered.

• Initially, traditional advertising methods did not yield results. Delaney found success by leveraging social media and local mom groups, demonstrating the importance of understanding the target audience for effective marketing.

• Operating the day care from home allows for flexibility, but Delaney emphasises the importance of creating boundaries between work and family time, ensuring that her children have dedicated playtime away from the day care environment.

• Running the day care not only provides financial support but also allows Delaney to stay home with her children and contribute positively to her community by offering a nurturing environment for other kids, highlighting the personal rewards of entrepreneurship.

BEST MOMENTS

"COVID had wiped like 30% of the childcare in Colorado."

"It's definitely something worth looking into, if you can help certain underserved communities."

"I think starting with trying to find a mentor is like definitely step one, I would say."

"I was so anxious about being like, Oh, he's gonna have to share me."

"If you go online and look up the rules and regulations, it's like so much paper."

HOST BIO

Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist.

With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it.

Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need.

If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In today's episode, Sean O'Hara sits down with Chris Adams, founder and CEO of Adams Engineering Solutions and Adams Business Coaching. Chris shares his journey from being a computer technician in the U.S. Air Force to launching his own successful IT services firm that supports federal agencies and private sector clients. He discusses the challenges he faced in building his business, the importance of mentorship, and the strategic decisions that led to his success, including the significance of having an exit strategy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Having a mentor can significantly impact an entrepreneur's journey. A mentor can provide guidance, inspiration, and valuable insights, but it's crucial to ensure that the mentor is actively engaged and aligned with the mentee's goals.

• Building relationships and partnerships with established companies is essential for new businesses looking to enter the government contracting space. Utilising certifications, such as being a service-disabled veteran-owned small business, can open doors to set-aside contracts.

• Effective time management is critical for entrepreneurs. Utilising a calendar to block out time for specific tasks, including personal and family time, helps maintain a balance between work and life, ensuring that business owners do not neglect their personal lives.

• Entrepreneurs should consider their exit strategy early in their business journey. Whether planning to sell the business or pass it on to family or employees, having a clear exit strategy can help maximise the business's value and ensure a smooth transition.

• Conducting a thorough analysis of a business's finances, operations, and customer relationships can reveal hidden revenue losses and inefficiencies. This analysis serves as a foundation for developing tailored strategies to improve business performance and profitability.

BEST MOMENTS

"The first five years are the most important years when you're starting a business."

"It sounds like you had a mentor who, looking back, was great because he gave you the inspiration to take those first steps."

"You don't fail until you quit. You might have some setbacks, but you didn't fail until you quit."

"A lot of times when you're a business starting out, the government wants you to have past performance."

"You have to have a dream board and say, 'Hey, if you want a summer home, that's what I'm working for.'"

HOST BIO

Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist.

With over 20 years in the entrepreneurial trenches—guiding scrappy startups and Fortune 1000 giants alike—Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it.

Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need.

If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Sean sits down with Jim Sartain, a seasoned entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in business consulting. Jim shares his unique journey from corporate leadership to founding two consulting firms, discussing the challenges and valuable lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear "why" for entrepreneurship, the significance of leveraging networks, and the necessity of being adaptable in business strategy.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Utilise connections from previous employment and industry contacts to find potential clients. Networking can lead to opportunities that may not be available through traditional marketing methods.

• Offering pro bono services to non-profits can help build credibility and experience, which may lead to paid opportunities with larger clients in the future.

• Set your fees based on your expertise and experience, and use discounts strategically while ensuring that your full rate is visible on invoices. This helps maintain perceived value while attracting clients.

• Be realistic about what you can deliver to clients. Overextending yourself can lead to dissatisfaction and damage your reputation, even if other aspects of your work are successful.

• Continuously assess your business model and strategy to ensure they align with your vision and market demands. Adapting to changes can lead to significant growth and new opportunities.

BEST MOMENTS

"Consultants who go into their own businesses because they want to be their own boss are severely misled because you don't become your own boss; you get many different bosses."

"If you can, and sometimes you don't have the luxury to, but if you can get closer to what your ideal day is and the type of engagement that you want, that's a great thing."

"Only 50% of startups make it to celebrate their fifth anniversary. What lessons have you learned along the way that powered you well beyond five years to 25?"

"Don't over-promise and under-deliver. It's very important not to tell a client what you think they want to hear and acknowledge that you can do everything they ask you to do."

"If you can sit down as a burgeoning entrepreneur and ask those questions to yourself, I think it'll help you have fewer false starts than I have."

HOST BIO

Meet Your Host: Sean O’Hara, MBA – Entrepreneur, Sales Strategist, and Relentless Business Optimist.

With over 20 years in the trenches—working with businesses ranging from scrappy startups to Fortune 1000 giants — Sean brings a rare mix of strategic insight and real-world experience to every conversation. Known for his sharp sales acumen and down-to-earth style, he doesn’t just talk business—he lives it and loves it!

Sean’s superpower? Asking the right questions, then stepping back to let the wisdom flow. His curiosity-driven interview style unlocks actionable insights, powerful stories, and the kind of truth today’s entrepreneurs actually need.

If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, Sean’s the guide you’ll want in your corner.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/