Boston's Best

A year ago, I shared my entrepreneurial journey.  From working 30+ hours at Ace Hardware in High School and buying my own car at the age of 16, selling one of my businesses and buying my first home at the age of 23, and within the last several years of helping lead others in their journey to financial freedom, I’ve learned a lot of things along the way about how to create a strong business strategy and what it takes to build resilience and a solid mindset to keep me going.  With these lessons in mind, I’ve been slowly chipping away at learning the ropes of launching a product, from concept and design to executing a physical product with opportunities to grow in the future. Now, I’m excited to share my new business venture, iPupPee.  iPupPee is the ultimate pet product that gives your dog a voice and lets them tell you when they need to go out. Let your dog text you with the easy-to-use paw-shaped button and 24/7 live video feed, so you never miss a moment or a bathroom break again! In honor of my boy, Champ, and the Kickstarter launch of iPupPee, Jonathan Krieger, former guest (Ep. 011) and Founder and Emperor of BoardGame Empire, takes the lead as Podcast Host. During our conversation, Jonathan interviewed me about how the original idea for iPupPee got started, how I’m keeping Champ’s spirit alive, the step-by-step process of launching a new product with 52Launch, and how to market your new business idea strategically.  Topics Discussed: * Launching a product - from concept to reality  * Learning curves behind patents and product development * The delicate process behind product inventory * Balancing time management while operating multiple businesses (and family) * How to get the best ROI vs. Organic Growth in a new industry * What being a father has taught me about business and priorities iPupPee PRESALE: https://presale.ipuppee.com/ [https://presale.ipuppee.com/?utm_campaign=customLink&utm_term=Instagram&utm_content=PersonalInstagramPost&utm_source=Instagram&v=B] Additional Resources: Connect with Jonathan Krieger * Website: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcasthttps://www.playboardgameempire.com [https://www.playboardgameempire.com/]  * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-krieger-151a1a3b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-krieger-151a1a3b/]  Connect with 52Launch * Call: 508-405-2605 * Email: info@52launch.com [info@52launch.com] About Boston’s Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout Massachusetts.

Throughout the last two years of Boston's Best, I have interviewed over ninety-nine guests to find what sets their businesses apart from their competition. I've learned how they have risen above the inevitable challenges, what it takes to be an exceptional leader in any given industry, and what success means to them. Now, in honor of Boston's Best 100th episode, I'm switching things up. To celebrate this milestone, Matt Ramey, Owner of Concept Properties and former guest (Ep. 055), takes the lead as Podcast Host as he interviews me about my entrepreneurial journey as a Financial Planner, Investment Educator, and Wealth Management Author. Growing up in Stoughton, MA, I learned what it was like to have a hardworking mindset and an entrepreneurial spirit. From working 30+ hours at Ace Hardware in High School and buying my own car at the age of 16 to selling one of my businesses and buying my first home at the age of 23, I now help lead others in their journey to financial freedom. As Matt and I discuss the importance of understanding your finances, I share why taking chances at a young age can be beneficial to building your future. I also share the hardest lessons I learned starting my financial business and why you should never wait until it's too late to focus on your financial future. Topics Discussed: * Why building trust with your clients takes time * Understanding the long-term compound effect in interest and gains * The importance of mentorship in any industry * How taking a gap year can help guide you along following your passions * Recognizing that goal-setting and levels of success change over time Connect with Mark Condon, CPFA: * Website: https://www.markcondon-cfg.com [https://www.markcondon-cfg.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkCondonCFG [https://www.facebook.com/MarkCondonCFG] * Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/markuspatrick13 [https://www.facebook.com/markuspatrick13] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markuspatrick13/ [https://www.instagram.com/markuspatrick13/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcondoncfg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcondoncfg/] * Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkCondonCFG [https://twitter.com/MarkCondonCFG] * Twitter (Personal): https://twitter.com/MarkCondon13 [https://twitter.com/MarkCondon13] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOf5ZLs3NDyYLuwfFomdB-g/videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOf5ZLs3NDyYLuwfFomdB-g/videos] Additional Resources: * Ask Mark Condon (4 Book Series): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093R1XBSF?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093R1XBSF?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks] * Small Business Trendsetters: https://smallbusinesstrendsetters.com/financial-planner-mark-condon-reveals-methods-to-maximize-retirement-income/ [https://smallbusinesstrendsetters.com/financial-planner-mark-condon-reveals-methods-to-maximize-retirement-income/] Contact Mark Condon, CPFA: * Address: Framingham, MA * Call: 781-603-3202 * Email: MarkCondon@FinancialGuide.com [MarkCondon@FinancialGuide.com] Connect with Boston's Best: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/]

Are you looking to start your own podcast or offload the heavy burden of editing and producing your show? Have a business but don't know how to create brand awareness for your local community? Or are you looking to amp up your social media game and spread your message online? Then you've come to the right place. This week, I am joined by Cody & Elaine Johnston, Owners of Reckless Media. Reckless Media is a multi-media production company located in central Arkansas that helps purpose-driven leaders serve their local community through digital media. Cody and Elaine also happen to be the producers behind Boston's Best. Whether it's editing audio, writing show notes, or creating material to share across social media, Cody and Elaine have helped me launch Boston's Best. Now, two years later, I'm interviewing them to see how they started Reckless Media, their advice to someone starting a new business, and what they'd tell their 18-year-old selves. During our conversation, Cody shares his lifelong passion for music and how it inspired him to get into audio production. Elaine also shares how blogging in high school led her to help a friend write show notes for their podcast years ago and how it jumpstarted their production company. They also share how they utilize their talents to help other podcasters, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders better serve their communities. Topics Discussed: * Utilizing your gifts to chase your passions * The difference between high-quality over quantity content * Speaking the language to represent clients and their communities * The misconceptions behind a strong podcasting strategy * Why consistency is critical in creating a solid web presence * Learning to take risks and shift your glass ceiling to your starting foundation Connect with Reckless Media: * Website: https://recklessmedia.therecklesspursuit.com [https://recklessmedia.therecklesspursuit.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recklessmediaco [https://www.facebook.com/recklessmediaco] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_recklessmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/_recklessmedia/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@recklessmedia [https://www.tiktok.com/@recklessmedia] Additional Resources: * Connect with Cody: https://links.brailleatlas.com [https://links.brailleatlas.com/] * Connect with Elaine: https://drum.io/elainejohnston [https://drum.io/elainejohnston] Contact Reckless Media: * Email: cody@recklessmedia.co [cody@recklessmedia.co] & elaine@recklessmedia.co [elaine@recklessmedia.co] Connect with Mark Condon: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/] About Boston’s Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

If you're looking for an inviting atmosphere full of community, great beer, and a place you can bring your dog, then this episode is for you. This week, I am joined by Jay Southwood, Founder, and President of Break Rock Brewing. Break Rock Brewing is the ONLY current brewery to hit the city of Quincy and prides itself on being a place you can relax after putting in long hours of hard work. During our conversation, Jay shares the process behind starting Break Rock Brewing and the unique challenges faced during COVID-19 that impacted the trajectory of opening for business. Jay also shares how Break Rock Brewing honors Quincy's rich history and looks toward an expansive and opportunistic future. We also discuss the importance of hiring staff that connects with the customer and provides top-tier customer service that brings the community wanting to come back time and time again. Topics Discussed: * Why your team’s customer service should be a top-tier priority * How Covid-19 impacted the trajectory of opening for business * Combining history and present-day behind the name break rock * The process behind brewery distribution * Bridging the gap between honoring the past and looking forward Connect with Break Rock Brewing: * Website: https://www.breakrockbrewing.com [https://www.breakrockbrewing.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakRockBrewing/ [https://www.facebook.com/BreakRockBrewing/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakrockbrewing/ [https://www.instagram.com/breakrockbrewing/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysouthwood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysouthwood/] * Twitter: https://twitter.com/BreakRockBrew [https://twitter.com/BreakRockBrew] Additional Resources: * Mainvest: https://mainvest.com/businesses/breakrock-brewing [https://mainvest.com/businesses/breakrock-brewing] Contact Break Rock Brewing: * Address: 534 Victory Rd, Quincy, MA 02171 * Call: 617-481-0019 * Email: Jay@BreakRockBrewing.com [Jay@BreakRockBrewing.com] Connect with Mark Condon: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/] About Boston’s Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

This week, I am joined by Erin Bose, the Executive Director and Independent Consultant of Scout and Cellar. Starting in 2017, Scout and Cellar made over $20 million in sales in their first year. What differentiates Scout and Cellar from competitors? Their Clean-Crafted Commitment focuses on creating and delivering the highest-quality, most delicious wine possible, by their own non-negotiable benchmarks for sustainable production and pesticide use. During our conversation, Erin shares how she used her sales background and education to get into the wine industry. Erin also shares how she trained herself in wine tasting and developed her pallet for recognizing various tasting notes. Erin also discusses the difference between organic and clean-crafted wines and why mass-produced wines often include additives and preservatives to ensure consistency of color, taste, etc. Topics Discussed: * Utilizing open opportunities and growing your own brand awareness * What develops a high-quality glass of wine * The process behind growing grapes in vineyards * Understanding the truth behind mass-produced wines * Crafting a story behind the wine and the winemaker Connect with Scout and Cellar: * Website: https://scoutandcellar.com/erinbose [https://scoutandcellar.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scoutandcellarbyerin [https://www.facebook.com/scoutandcellar/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grapes2gardens/ [https://www.instagram.com/scoutandcellar/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-bose-086114150/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-bose-086114150/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLatNJbkphQqr0L2sO8l7oQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLatNJbkphQqr0L2sO8l7oQ] Additional Resources: * Wine Enthusiast: https://www.winemag.com/2021/09/14/scout-cellar-wine/ [https://www.winemag.com/2021/09/14/scout-cellar-wine/] Contact Scout and Cellar: * Address: Foxboro, MA * Call: 617-212-9619 * Email: erin.scoutandcellar@gmail.com [hello@scoutandcellar.com] Connect with Mark Condon: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/] About Boston’s Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.