CDG BizCast

Tax season is nearing its end, and the filing deadline is just weeks away! We sat down with tax preparation expert Paul Njoku, owner of PKN Accounting in Houston, to explore how small business owners can maximize their returns before the deadline. Plus, he shares insights on common filing mistakes and how to avoid costly errors that could lead to problems down the road.CONTACT PAUL AT PKN ACCOUNTING TODAY:https://www.pknaccounting....

Singer-songwriter Lexi Nguyen joins us on CDG BizCast to explore how small businesses can leverage strategic event planning to maximize their exposure. In this episode, we’ll dive into the power of live music, the value of consistency, the importance of preparing for the unexpected, and how collaborating with fellow small businesses can create powerful mutual promotion opportunities. Tune in for expert insights and actionable tips ...

In this episode of CDG BizCast, we welcome back John "JD" Dwyer from The Institute of Wow to dive deeper into the power of direct marketing—building on the insights he shared with us in Episode 76. JD explains how to incorporate direct marketing tactics into your website and social media campaigns to drive results. Direct marketing, at its core, is all about offering customers a compelling incentive to take action—think of how kids...

It's time to shine our Small Business Spotlight on another awesome small, local business in the Greater Houston area! Today we speak to Karina Melendez of Americana Pool Service of New Caney, TX. Karina joins us to discuss her adventure in starting a swimming pool contracting company with her husband Jorge, who are all about providing 5-star customer service. Americana Pool Service is all about providing swimming pools, hot tubs an...

There's a difference between simply offering a product/service and offering SOMETHING with your product or service to help boost sales! Think about the toy that comes with a McDonald's Happy Meal... THAT TOY is the #1 reason why kids want the meal. It's not because of the burger that comes with it! So think about what you can offer as a metaphorical Happy Meal toy with whatever you are selling! John Dwyer "JD"...

Every year, many people make the New Year’s resolution to leave their full-time jobs and turn their skills into a business. While pursuing your passion is exciting, starting a business involves much more than just doing what you love. One critical area you must understand before launching your venture is cash flow. Today, Leo Kanell, founder of 7 Figures Funding, joins us to explain why mastering cash flow is essential for new busi...

Hiring the right people is one of the biggest challenges business owners and hiring managers face. The endless search for top talent and the time-consuming screening process can feel overwhelming—but what if there was a better way? Enter Discovered ATS, a game-changing SaaS solution designed for businesses of all sizes. Powered by AI, this innovative tool takes the hassle out of recruiting with features like candidate pool nurturin...

Not all lead magnets are created equal—some are good, but great lead magnets can transform your small business. The right lead magnet on your website and within your content strategy can attract more customers and grow your audience like never before. If you’re unsure what a lead magnet is or how to craft one that’s irresistible to your potential customers, this episode is a must-listen! Join marketing expert Sarah Noel Block, foun...

Local photographer Aisha Khan has had an interest in the art since she was a child. But never once did she think that her interest would turn into an entrepreneurial journey making major breakthroughs in the industry, and ultimately becoming one of Houston's leading wedding photographers and videographers. Her firm, Ama by Aisha began in 2012 and has been featured in several magazines and won several awards for her outstanding wor...

We all know The Eighth Wonder of the World, or Houston's Astrodome! Once home to many events such as concerts, rodeos and sporting events, it has been closed and shuttered for many years and unfortunately falling into urban decay. In this episode, we are discussing the proposed Astrodome Revitalization Plan that was announced in early November by the Astrodome Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the belov...

In the second episode of CDG BizCast's Business Sins subseries, we discuss the importance of maintaining a friendly, professional, customer-focused composure when conducting business in any fashion. There is no room for being rude and disrespectful in the business world, and this is especially true if you are a business owner yourself. Christian and our United Kingdom panelist Sara Russell discuss some examples of rude customer ser...

As an agency whose web design business is built solely on WordPress, we have been monitoring the ongoing dispute between WordPress/Automattic owner Matt Mullenweg and Austin-based hosting company WP Engine. Matt Mullenweg made disparaging comments about WP Engine back in mid-September 2024, which resulted in a cascade of unfortunate events such as WP Engine's customers' websites being blocked from the WordPress repository. Warren ...

Is it your dream to one day leave traditional 9-5 work and enter the world of entrepreneurship? Maybe you are tired of dealing with things such as bully bosses, toxic coworkers, or the lack of morals at the company you currently work for. Many people do not even consider leaving their toxic workplaces due to complacency, which results in those people never living their dreams to start their own businesses. Julie Cropp Gareleck has...

Presenting is a major part of the business world. At one point or another, you may be faced with the task of presenting to large crowds either on behalf of your employer or for your own business. The majority of presentations fail for a variety of different reasons, which results in the audience feeling bored and no impact being made on them to take action. Don't let this happen to your presentation! Learn how to prepare a grea...

Do you struggle with time management as a business owner (or as anyone who is involved in the business world)? Then maybe you need a guide to help you keep track of your everyday tasks to make sure deadlines are being met and your life/work balance is in order. Managing time properly can be extremely daunting for many people, but it doesn't have to be. That is where Time Boss steps in, a framework built on several easy to impl...

We debut our new subseries Business Sins by diving into the critical issue of pricing dishonesty. This episode unpacks the unethical practices of bait-and-switch tactics, price gouging, and deceptive marketing methods. We emphasize the damaging impact these practices can have on consumer trust and long-term business success. By exploring real-world examples and offering practical advice, we highlight the importance for business own...

In this episode of CDG BizCast, we delve into the significant global repercussions of the CrowdStrike outage on July 19, 2024. Join us as we explore how this unexpected downtime disrupted businesses, governments, and cybersecurity operations worldwide. We'll also examine recent major cyberattacks, analyzing their impact and the lessons learned. Tune in for useful tips and discussions on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity ...

In this episode of CDG BizCast, we are joined by Jesse Tayler, a true pioneer in the world of digital innovation. Jesse takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, starting with his groundbreaking invention of the world's first app store, an idea he pitched to Steve Jobs in 1993. We delve into the origins of this revolutionary concept and its impact on the tech industry.

Jesse also shares insights into his latest vent...

Business owners, does your marketing strategy include making your customers feel special on their own special days? If your marketing strategy does not have any birthday marketing methods then you are leaving money on the table! There are many ways you can market your products and services to your customers who subscribe to your email lists and follow you on social media. But birthday marketing is a formidable way to generate more ...