Lessons from DMJ: Adam Callinan on why Every entrepreneur is struggling right now!

Delivering Marketing Joy is an award-winning interview show that helps marketers level up.  Each week, Kirby Hasseman interviews the best and brightest minds in marketing to help you level up.  This time on Lessons from DMJ, Kirby talks with Adam Callinan on profitability, Shark Tank, and why every entrepreneur is struggling right now.  Watch now.

In this insightful interview, we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of Adam Callinan, the founder of Pentan, an e-commerce-focused SAS company. Callinan, who previously co-founded BottleKeeper, a company that achieved a staggering $8 million in sales without a single employee, shares his experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology, software, and automation in building a business, as opposed to the traditional approach of hiring people.

Through his unique journey, Callinan provides a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship, highlighting the struggles that every entrepreneur faces, and the importance of creating structure and maintaining physical and mental well-being. He also discusses why many early-stage companies struggle with profitability, and shares his experience of appearing on Shark Tank, which significantly boosted his company’s revenue. Lastly, he offers a special deal for listeners to access Pentan for the first 30 days for just $1.

Building a Company with No Employees

Callinan’s journey with BottleKeeper is a testament to the power of technology and automation in business. With a foundation rooted in a previous medical device business, BottleKeeper was built with strict guardrails to avoid hiring employees. Instead, Callinan focused on using technology and automation to build platforms and manage operations.

This unconventional approach allowed him to maintain control over the business, reduce overhead costs, and achieve impressive sales figures. The success of BottleKeeper serves as a compelling case study for entrepreneurs exploring alternative business models.

Challenges of Building Bottlekeeper

Despite its success, the journey of building BottleKeeper was not without its challenges. Callinan faced difficulties with inventory management and the cyclical nature of the business, which resulted in swings in revenue throughout the year. These challenges, while difficult, provided invaluable lessons that shaped the growth and evolution of the company.

Moreover, Callinan also discusses the mental challenges of dealing with the highs and lows of the business. The entrepreneurial journey, while rewarding, can often be a rollercoaster of emotions, and Callinan’s experience underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability.

Struggles Faced by Entrepreneurs

Callinan highlights the struggles that every entrepreneur faces, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to create structure and take care of themselves physically and mentally. The entrepreneurial journey can be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, making it crucial for entrepreneurs to prioritize their well-being and avoid isolation.

Creating structure, setting boundaries, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are essential for long-term success. Callinan’s insights underscore the importance of self-care in entrepreneurship, a topic that is often overlooked in the pursuit of business success.

Reasons for Early Stage Companies Not Being Profitable

Callinan discusses why many early-stage companies struggle with profitability. He points out that the default approach of raising capital can lead to frivolous spending, and the tendency to add fixed expenses without understanding the necessary revenue levels can hinder profitability.

Understanding financial metrics and marketing efficiency is crucial for profitability. Callinan’s insights provide a valuable perspective for early-stage entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and strategic planning in achieving profitability.

Impact of Appearing on Shark Tank

Callinan shares his experience of appearing on Shark Tank, a platform that provided incredible free advertising for BottleKeeper. The company experienced a significant boost in revenue after the episode aired, demonstrating the power of strategic exposure and publicity.

The ongoing impact of the Shark Tank appearance on the company’s success is a testament to the importance of seizing opportunities and leveraging platforms for business growth. Callinan’s experience provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking to maximize their visibility and reach.

Information on Pentan

Callinan provides information on Pentan, an e-commerce-focused SAS company that helps solve financial operation problems and improve profitability. In a special offer for listeners, he offers access to Pentan for the first 30 days for just $1.

This offer provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to leverage the power of Pentan’s platform to streamline their operations and enhance their profitability. With its focus on solving financial operation problems, Pentan is poised to be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of e-commerce.

Thanks for learning from the latest “Lessons from DMJ” with Adam Callinan.  You can find all of the content we create on our blog page here.  And if you want to create a marketing campaign that truly Hits The TARGET, check our FREE TARGET Marketing Playbook here.

Thirsty Thursday – It’s either Floor Cleaner or Porch Stain

You know what time it is!  It’s time for Thirsty Thursday! Thirsty Thursday is the award-winning piece of content from Hasseman Marketing where we take a mystery drink out of a piece of branded drinkware! Be careful…it’s not for everyone. This week we feature the 17 oz watercolor drip ceramic mug from Bel Promo.  It’s a fun one.  Get ready to giggle…and be jealous of this new piece of drinkware.  Watch now!

Branded Drinkware from Bel Promo

Our drinkware for today’s episode is a 17 oz watercolor drip ceramic mug from Bel Promo. This mug is not just a vessel for your favorite beverage, but a piece of art in itself. The watercolor drip design gives it a unique and appealing look, making it a standout piece on any table or desk.

What’s great about this mug is its affordability coupled with its high perceived value. It’s a quality product that doesn’t break the bank, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to impress their clients or employees. We’ve also noticed a fun trend of adding quirky imprints on these mugs, adding a touch of personality to the corporate branding. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in how your brand is perceived.  To learn more… head to our shop here.

Tasting the Mystery Drink

Now, let’s move on to the exciting part of the show – tasting the mystery drink. We’ve poured the drink into our Bel Promo mugs and are ready to take our first sip. The initial reaction is a mix of surprise and intrigue. The flavor is complex and hard to pin down, with a sweet and salty undertone that leaves us wanting more.

As we continue to sip, we start making guesses about the type of the drink. Is it a craft beer with a unique flavor profile? Or perhaps a flavored coffee with a twist? The suspense is part of the fun, and we’re all eager to find out what this mystery drink is.

Revealing the Mystery Drink

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the revelation of the mystery drink. It turns out to be a salted caramel coffee ale, a unique blend that combines the best of both worlds. The initial sweetness of the caramel is balanced by the bitterness of the coffee, with a hint of saltiness that adds an extra layer of complexity.

Our final thoughts on the drink are mixed. Some of us love the unique flavor combination, while others find it a bit too adventurous. But regardless of our opinions on the drink, we all agree on one thing – the quality of the Bel Promo mug has significantly enhanced our tasting experience.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this episode of Thirsty Thursday, we can’t help but praise the quality of the Bel Promo mug once again. Its unique design, high perceived value, and affordability make it a great gift for customers or as a room gift. It’s a product that people will use daily, keeping your brand at the forefront of their minds.

Here’s a big thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We hope you enjoyed this episode of Thirsty Thursday as much as we did. Until next time, stay thirsty!

Each Thirsty Thursday, we feature a cool piece of branded drinkware.  To learn more… head to our shop here.

Thanks for watching!  Again, purchase for your team here…or contact your Hasseman Marketing team member.

Hasseman Marketing is your one-stop marketing shop.  We work hard to “Deliver #MarketingJoy to you.  Oh…and we want to make sure you hit the TARGET in your marketing.  If you want to learn now, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here for FREE!

Wendy Spang Joins Hasseman Marketing

(Coshocton, OH)—Coshocton-based marketing firm and promotional products distributor Hasseman Marketing & Communications is excited to welcome Wendy Spang to their team.  Spang will be joining the team as a Finance Specialist.

“We are so excited to welcome Wendy to the team,” says Hasseman Marketing CEO, Kirby Hasseman.  “Wendy has a great personality and brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.”

Wendy has a wealth of knowledge in the finance space.  She has over 17 years of experience with companies like Oxford Mining, International Paper, and, most recently, Guggisberg Cheese.  In her new role, Wendy will be managing the finances, sending invoices, and other responsibilities aligned with the HMC finances.  Wendy loves spending time with her grandkids, dirt track racing, and having fun in the casino.  She can be reached via email at finance@hassemanmarketing.com.

Hasseman Marketing headquarters is located at 432 Main Street in Coshocton, Ohio.  They can be found online at www.HassemanMarketing.com.  In addition, you can follow them on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/hassemanmarketing. You can also find more out about our staff at https://hassemanmarketing.com/about/.

Our Favorite Products From This Year’s Show

Every year we welcome some of our very best suppliers to join us in Coshocton, Ohio for our annual Customer Trade Show.  The show this year was amazing!  But we understand that not every person can make it the day of the show.  Life gets busy.  So we did some of the work for you.  Here are a few of our favorite products we saw at this year’s show.  You can check them ALL out on our shop here.

5.5″ x 8.5″ Seed Paper Bound JournalBook

The 5.5″ x 8.5″ Seed Paper Bound JournalBook features a seed paper cover and 80 sheets of FSC®-certified recycled lined paper. Includes elastic band, pen loop, ribbon page marker, and back pocket.  This was a great item to give to our guests as they walked in the door.  Learn more here.

Thor 40oz Eco-Friendly Straw Tumbler

The Bullet Thor 40 oz Eco-Friendly Straw Tumbler features durable double-wall construction to keep your beverages hot or cold in any environment. Food-grade recycled straw is included for easy reuse daily. The Thor has a 40-ounce capacity for fewer refills and features a slim base that fits into most cupholders, a comfortable carry handle, and a splash-proof press-on lid with two openings and a swivel closure, friendly to both Sippers and Chuggers!

12-Month Custom Planner

You might love the calendar on your phone, but many people still love to have the monthly planner calendar to keep things straight.  This one includes a full-color imprint on the front and back cover in order to show off your brand.

Colorwav Soundbar

The ColorWav sound bar adds a new dynamic to your home sound system with its slim black construction and RGB-illuminated grill. Its multi-colored lights behind the grill light up your logo and create an impressive statement while high-quality sound fills the room. The compact size is perfect for various spaces, and the full-color packaging makes it an ideal gift for staff or VIP clients.

27 oz Denali Stainless Steel Vacuum Tumblers

Help your clients get excited for their morning commute with these 27 oz. Denali stainless steel vacuum tumblers! This attractive mug features double-wall vacuum insulation and a clear lid to keep your beverage at your preferred temperature and prevent any spills while on the go. The Ridge Deco-inspired design makes this tumbler stand out from the crowd of travel mugs and a product that people will be proud to bring everywhere. Not only is this tumbler secure, eye-catching, and large enough to hold as much of your favorite drink as you need, but it is also environmentally friendly with a BPA-free construction! Promote your brand on a mug you and your clients can feel good about!

These are just a few of our favorites.  See a larger list on our shop here.

And as always, we want to provide you with value.  So if you want to create marketing campaigns (and appreciation gifts) that really hit the TARGET, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here.

Hasseman Marketing Hiring a Bookkeeper

We are a fun group of companies that need help with math!  We are looking for an experienced bookkeeper to join our team. As a bookkeeper, you will be responsible for maintaining our financial records, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliation. You will also prepare financial reports for our management team and work with our accountant to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.  You can apply here.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliation.
  • Prepare financial reports, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • Work with our management team to develop budgets and financial forecasts.
  • Collaborate with our accountant to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.
  • Assist with other financial tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

  • At least 2 years of experience in bookkeeping or accounting.
  • Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

If you’re looking to join a fun company and have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity!  Please click here to apply and send your resume.

 

Thirsty Thursday: On Location At Huck’s Tavern

You know what time it is!  It’s time for Thirsty Thursday! Thirsty Thursday is the award-winning piece of content from Hasseman Marketing where we take a mystery drink out of a piece of branded drinkware! Be careful…it’s not for everyone. It’s often colorful and it’s always fun.  This time, we go on location to Huck’s Tavern and join forces with Peyton Johnson and Marley Cumbee to try some drinks from one of our favorite watering holes! Watch the latest episode here!

We love our Thirsty Thursday!

It was really fun to be on location at Huck’s Tavern!  As you can tell, Kirby loves it there!  If you want to learn a bit more about many of the cool locations that Coshocton has to offer, check out the Choose Coshocton website here.

Each Thirsty Thursday, we feature a cool piece of branded drinkware.  To learn more… head to our shop here.  And if this was just too much fun, then you can watch more!  Check out our last episode here.

Thanks for watching!  Again, purchase for your team here…or contact your Hasseman Marketing team member.

Hasseman Marketing is your one-stop marketing shop.  We work hard to “Deliver #MarketingJoy to you.  Oh…and we want to make sure you hit the TARGET in your marketing.  If you want to learn now, check out our TARGET marketing playbook here for FREE!