The Small Business Spotlight

What It Really Takes to Buy (and Run) a Small Business

What happens when you buy a business instead of starting one from scratch? In this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz talks with Connor Pera, owner of The Print Authority, about his leap into acquisition entrepreneurship and what it really takes to grow a business after the deal is done. Connor opens up about the challenges of managing cash flow, navigating vendor relationships, and balancing personal guarantees with the responsibility of leading a team. He also shares his proudest moments as a business owner, the lessons he's learned along the way, and how he's positioning The Print Authority for future growth. 🔥 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why Connor chose acquisition over starting a business from scratch ✅ The hardest (and most rewarding) parts of managing cash flow ✅ How simplifying vendor relationships creates real value for customers ✅ The importance of hiring and building a strong, empowered team ✅ Why entrepreneurship is a constant balance of trade-offs and rewards 🔗 Connect with Connor Pera: * LinkedIn (Connor): https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-pera/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-pera/] * Substack: https://connorpera.substack.com/ [https://connorpera.substack.com/] * Company: https://theprintauthority.com [https://theprintauthority.com/] 📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business? 👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt] 🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast 🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com [https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com/] 📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

How a Side Hustle Sparked a Construction Business

What do egg sales, landscaping, and construction have in common? For entrepreneur Jake Jaros, they were all stepping stones on the path to founding Archway Construction. In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Jake to unpack his journey from small side hustles to running a full-fledged construction company. Jake shares how partnerships fueled his growth, how he navigated capital challenges, and why strong project management and marketing strategies are non-negotiable for success in construction. 🔥 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why Jake's entrepreneurial mindset started with eggs and landscaping ✅ How partnerships play a critical role in business capital and growth ✅ Marketing strategies that go beyond ads (referrals + relationships) ✅ Why thick skin and emotional detachment help overcome business challenges ✅ The role of project management in hitting deadlines and budgets ✅ Jake's long-term vision for Archway Construction's growth and reputation If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur facing growth pains, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on grit, strategy, and scaling your business the smart way. 🔗 Connect with Jake: * Email: jake@archwayconstructioncorp.com * Phone: +1 (781) 217-4199 * Company: Archway Construction Corp archwayconstructioncorp.com [http://archwayconstructioncorp.com/] 📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business? 👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt] 🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast 🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com [https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com/] 📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

Starting a Home Building Business with No Experience: The Andries Builders Story

What does it take to go from knowing nothing about construction to becoming a recognized custom home builder? In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Connor Andries, owner of Andries Builders. Connor shares his unlikely path—from managing a mobile home dealership to building his very first home (with zero prior construction knowledge). He talks about financing his first projects, building during COVID, and why transparent budgeting and a strong team have been key to his success. If you've ever thought about starting a business in an industry you don't know inside-out, this is a story worth hearing. 🔥 What You'll Learn: ✅ How Connor transitioned from mobile homes to founding Andries Builders ✅ Why financing that first project took guts (and personal savings) ✅ The lessons of building homes during a global supply chain crisis ✅ How transparent budgeting builds trust with clients ✅ Why people and teamwork matter more than anything in business ✅ Connor's vision for expanding into multiple states and becoming a top national home builder 🔗 Connect with Connor: * Website: https://andriesbuilders.com [https://andriesbuilders.com/] * Email: connor@andriesbuilders.com * Phone: +1 (337) 362-4774 * LinkedIn (Connor): https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-andries-6748b1243 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-andries-6748b1243] * LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/andriesbuilders [https://www.linkedin.com/company/andriesbuilders] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andriesbuilders [https://www.instagram.com/andriesbuilders] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andriesbuilders [https://www.facebook.com/andriesbuilders] 📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business? 👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt] 🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast 🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com [https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com/] 📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

From Car Sales to Hydro Wash 360 | Adin Kikic's Blueprint for Business Growth

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a bold idea into a thriving business? Join us as we sit down with Adin Kikic, founder of Hydro Wash 360, to unpack his incredible journey from car sales to building one of Jacksonville's leading exterior maintenance companies. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Adin made the leap from a stable career to entrepreneurship ✅ The financial hurdles he overcame and how he funded his vision ✅ The innovative marketing strategies that fueled Hydro Wash 360's growth ✅ How building a strong team helped scale the business faster ✅ Adin's future goals and advice for aspiring business owners 📌 Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical strategies and real-world lessons. 🔗 Connect with Hydro Wash 360: 🌐 Website: www.hydrowash360.com [http://www.hydrowash360.com] 📞 Phone: 904-581-5305 📱 Social Media: @Hydrowash360 📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business? 👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt] 🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast 🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com [https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com/] 📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

Building a Business in the Gaming Industry

In this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz interviews Tomas Ortola-Stange, co-founder of Svidanza Audio, a studio specializing in music and game scoring for video games. Tomas shares how he turned his lifelong love of music into a thriving creative business in the gaming industry, building unique soundtracks and interactive music that connect players emotionally to the games they love. From the challenges of launching a business to the art of storytelling through audio, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a creative entrepreneur in today's competitive gaming world. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Tomas turned a lifelong passion for music into a career in video game scoring ✅ Why family support and early funding played a key role in launching Svidanza Audio ✅ The toughest part of building a creative business in the gaming industry ✅ How interactive music is changing the way players experience video games ✅ The role of entrepreneurship, networking, and reputation-building in creative industries ✅ What's next for Svidanza Audio, including collaborations with innovative game developers 🔗 Connect with Tomas & Svidanza: * Website / Portfolio (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/tomasortola [https://linktr.ee/tomasortola] * Company Website: https://www.svidanzaaudio.com [https://www.svidanzaaudio.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SvidanzaAudio [https://www.facebook.com/SvidanzaAudio] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svidanza_audio [https://www.instagram.com/svidanza_audio] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/svidanza-audio [https://www.linkedin.com/company/svidanza-audio] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@svidanzaaudio [https://www.youtube.com/@svidanzaaudio] 📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business? 👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt] 🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast 🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com [https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com] 📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com] ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc