Aggie Growth Hacks Podcast

How to Keep Calm Without Any Revenue with Ashley Sanders

Ashley Sanders ‘03 of Ashley & Co. joins us today to talk about the painful year she and her team endured. While people take on “the new normal” Ashley gives us an insight into how her team is managing to preserve their clients and continue to create wonderful memories in the COVID-era. We appreciate Ashley coming on the show and we encourage you to check out ashleyandcompany.com and celebrate with your loved ones! Thanks and Gig ‘em! 
 
Contact: Ashley Sanders
Ashley and Company
3122 Texas Ave #5050
College Station, TX, 77845
979-485-9802
design@ashleyandcompany.com
 
Podcasts: N/A
Books: N/A
 
Timestamps & Show Notes: 
(0:00 - 1:34) Intro/Ashley Sanders ‘03
(1:35 - 3:54) Aggie Memory (Bonfire & A&M Football)
(3:55 - 8:35) Ashley & Co. (Why, What & Passion) 
(8:36 - 13:06) COVID Challenges & Changes
(13:07 - 17:11) Adjusting in the Midst of COVID
(17:12 - 19:03) I.T. Overhaul
(19:04 - 21:42) Not Bringing Back
(21:43 - 24:34) Industry Changes (Protection)
(24:35 - 26:11) BHAG (GRIT)
(26:12 - 27:38) Lightning Round (Wirecutters & Zip Ties)
(27:39 - 29:04) Aggie Network & Contact
(29:05 - 32:49) Wrap Up & Outro

How to Expand Your Brand with Grace Freitag

Create engaging content and expand your brand! Grace Freitag, Founder of Expand Your Brand, appears on today’s episode to share about her business, how she found her niche, and how she manages to successfully run a business while attaining her Master of Science in Business at Mays Business School. If your business is in need of social media management, get in touch with Grace and Expand Your Brand at eybmarketing.com!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and connect with Chris and Greg on LinkedIn!
About 
Grace Freitag is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University currently working on expanding her business knowledge at Mays Business School in the Master’s of Science in Business program. She has always had a passion for content creation which Expand Your Brand has given the avenue for her to share with other business owners. 
Expand Your Brand offers engaging content that will cultivate connections through social media management, content creation, and coaching. 
Timestamps:
[00:00 - 01:01] Intro
[01:02 - 02:27] About Grace & EYB   
[02:28 - 05:19] Social Media Marketing Reach 
[05:20 - 08:13] Social Media Platforms/Content Focus & Algorithms          
[08:14 - 11:18] Client Framework  
[11:19 - 12:44] Biggest Challenge & Area of Focus 
[12:45 - 13:32] Favorite Tools
[13:33 - 17:33] About Grace’s Team  
[17:34 - 19:19] BHAG 
[19:23 - 22:04] Lightning Round 
[22:05 - 24:19] Chris & Greg Takeaways
[24:20 - 25:24] Outro
Resources:
Website:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/expand-your-brand1/ 
                https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-freitag/ 
                https://eybmarketing.com/ 
 AGH Website:  https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

Avoiding the Whirlwind and 10Xing Your Business with Ross Morel of Frogslayer

Ross Morel ‘10 of Frogslayer, joins us today to talk through his journey as an accidental entrepreneur, the whirlwind of business, and how his company 10x’s businesses. Some ingenious ideas like ad-testing and self-improvement show up today as well as Ross’ unique leadership style and the bond he shares with his employees. We hope you enjoy the episode and urge you to check out Ross and his team at frogslayer.com. Thanks and Gig ‘em! 
 
Contact: frogslayer.com
howdy@frogslayer.com
Ross Morel
 
Podcasts: Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell
Books: Great Mondays by Josh Levine
 
Timestamps & Show Notes: 
0:00 - 1:28 Intro/ Ross Morel of Frogslayer
1:29 - 2:03 Favorite Aggie Memory (Dorm Life) 
2:04 - 3:52 Accidental Entrepreneur (Great Mentor)
3:52 - 6:16 Lesson from TAMU (Leading 25 bedrooms)
6:17 - 8:30 Biggest Challenge & Hack (Handling Insane Growth)
8:31 -  9:02 Developing on All Fronts (The Whirlwind)
9:03 - 10:40 BHAG (Market Breakthroughs)
10:41 - 11:30 Lightning Round - Ad Testing
11:31 - 12:09 Podcast: Revisionist History - Book: Great Mondays
12:10 - 12:51 Challenge w/ Aggie Help
12:52 - 13:55 Aggie Network Help & Contact
13:56 - 14:22 Wrap Up 
14:23 - 17:58 Takeaways (Developing Yourself and Others & Ad Testing)

Helping the Backbone of America with Meralis Hood

Investing in small businesses means strengthening the backbone of America! Meralis Hood, CEO of EforAll, shares her mission to serve entrepreneurs. Meralis has built EforAll to be entirely centered around helping individuals start and grow their businesses through training,  mentorship, information, access to capital, and an extended professional support network. Connect with Meralis on LinkedIn and find more information at EforAll.org!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and connect with Chris and Greg on LinkedIn!
About 
Since 2013, EforAll has partnered with communities to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow their businesses through training, mentorship, and extended professional support network. 
Timestamps:
[00:00 - 01:07] Intro
[01:08 - 07:34] About Meralis and EforAll   
[07:35 - 10:05] Lightbulb Moments   
[10:06 - 13:17] Biggest Challenges: Information, Access to Capital, Network          
[13:18 - 20:44] When EforAll Started/ Process to Get Involved 
[20:45 - 22:40] Mentor Vetting Process  
[22:41 - 24:55] BHAG 
[25:00 - 29:25] Lightning Round 
[29:26 - 33:24] Chris & Greg Takeaways
[33:25 - 34:48] Outro
 
Resources:
Website:              https://eforall.org/ 
               https://www.linkedin.com/in/meralis-t-hood-101001aa/  
AGH Website:      https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

How to Get Billion Buck Clients with Cory Whitaker

Joining us today is The Definition of Success, 2020 Aggie 100 Honoree, Cory Whitaker ‘01. Cory shares his fond memories from the Corps, how he started Bowie Capital Management, and why client satisfaction is vital for business growth. Be sure to leave us a rating, and we will see you on the next episode of Aggie Growth Hacks. Thanks and Gig ‘em!
 
Contact: Cory Whitaker
Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Bowie Capital Management
Advisory Director for Petrus Trust Company
 
https://bowiecapital.com
(214) 712-4951
Email: info@bowiecapital.com
 
Podcasts: 
Books: Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street by William Poundstone
 
Timestamps & Show Notes: 
(0:00 - 3:19) Intro
(3:20 - 4:55) Favorite Aggie Memory
(4:56 - 6:26) How Bowie Capital Started
(6:27 - 8:21) What does Bowie Capital Do?  
(8:22 - 11:20) Bowie Capital in the Past Year/ How They’ve Hacked Their Struggles
(11:21 - 14:44) Focusing On Existing Customers, Bringing More Value
(14:45 - 19:25) BHAG
(19:26 - 24:59) Lighting Round
(25:00 - 26:24) Contact Bowie Capital/ Final Thoughts
(26:25 - 29:55) Outro

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan with Katie Burch

Don’t get distracted! Plan your work and work your plan! Katie Burch, Class of ‘02 and ‘05, Architect and Founder of PlanNorth, and two-time Aggie100 winner, appears on today’s episode to share her entrepreneurial spirit and architectural passion. Listen along as she describes how her core values helped to overcome burdensome challenges and where she hopes to take PlanNorth in the future. To connect with Katie and PlanNorth, check out their website at plannorth.com!  
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and connect with Chris and Greg on LinkedIn!
About 
PlanNorth is a full-service architecture firm. We complete projects of all sizes. Some clients bring us in long before a project has taken any shape. Other clients rely on us for specialized services like Project Management and Construction Administration. PlanNorth has strong partnerships with local and regional structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil engineering firms. On behalf of our clients, we partner with these experts, along with the many contractors and tradespeople to meet project needs with practical solutions. Regardless of the need, PlanNorth is here to help.
Timestamps:
[00:00 - 01:11] Intro
[01:12 - 06:35] About Katie, Entrepreneurship, and Architectural Projects   
[06:36 - 08:57] Skills Learned from Texas A&M   
[08:58 - 13:01] How Core Values Help Conquer Challenges         
[13:02 - 14:39] Projects PlanNorth Works On  
[14:40 - 20:39] BHAG 
[20:44 - 25:36] Lightning Round 
[25:37 - 27:19] Chris’s Takeaways
[27:20 - 28:24] Outro
 
Resources:
Website:          https://www.plannorth.com/  
                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-burch-410460a5/ 
AGH Website:  https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

How Core Values and People Drive Growth with Dallas Hall

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have the president of Allied Fire Protection, L.P., Dallas Hall! In this episode, Dallas talks about how core values and people drive growth We are excited to have Dallas on the show!
About:
The founders and owners of Allied Fire Protection are very much a part of our daily operations. Our Operations Managers learned their craft in the field – installing, servicing, and perfecting fire and life safety systems. They know the importance of supervising and seasoning every crew coming up after them. They pass along our culture and practices, whether it’s in our proven Apprenticeship program, on weekend hunting and fishing trips, or at a company picnic. Decade after decade, our management team remains nothing short of All-In.
 
Contact: Dallas Hall
President of Allied Fire Protection
1-800-604-2600
https://alliedfireprotection.com/
 
Outline of the Episode:
(00:00 - 01:39) Intro
(01:40 - 04:49) Being A Student At A&M
(04:50 - 07:13) Tipping Point
(07:14 - 14:59) Biggest Challenge
(15:00 - 15:02) Dynamic Ad
(15:03 - 17:12) Lightning Round
(17:13 - 17:39) BHAG
(17:40 - 21:51) Interview Takeaways
 
Resources:
Website: https://alliedfireprotection.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallas-hall-5606a49
 
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

Stay the Course - Your Path is Your Focus with Lauren Coats

What your competition is doing is interesting, but what you’re doing is fascinating! Lauren Coats, Texas A&M Class of ‘08, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Owner of Rockwall Counseling & Wellness. Lauren joins this episode of Aggie Growth Hacks to share her passion and drive for mental health, helping others, and how she earned her place on the Aggie 100 list while doing so! Listen along for Lauren’s experience of opening her practice, business structure, and more. Check out more information about Lauren and her team at rockwallcounselingandwellness.com.  
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review and connect with Chris and Greg on LinkedIn!
About 
At Rockwall Counseling & Wellness, we believe in the power of transformation through therapy. Our dedicated team of compassionate and experienced counselors is committed to guiding you on a journey toward positive change and personal growth.
Timestamps:
[00:00 - 00:56] Intro
[00:57 - 08:26] About Lauren and Her Practice/Business Structure 
[08:27 - 11:32] Taking Over Admin & Therapist Coaching  
[11:33 - 13:38] Texas A&M Values       
[13:39 - 15:49] Lauren’s Current Biggest Challenge 
[15:50 - 18:28] What Led Up to Opening Second Location 
[18:29 - 22:32] Lauren’s BHAG 
[22:37 - 26:56] Lightning Round 
[26:57 - 30:25] Chis and Greg’s Takeaways
[30:26 - 31:38] Outro
 
Resources:
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-coats-191ba3287/
               https://www.rockwallcounselingandwellness.com/
AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/
Connect with Greg and Chris!
Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple
Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH
Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch
Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw