#13 Uncharted adventures: Neal Eilers' journey to opening a storefront
Neal Eilers is a natural entrepreneur focused on his passion and providing the best experience in his historic main street storefront, NE Custom Framing and Furniture. He has experienced the highs and challenges of transitioning from the corporate world to owning his own business and now runs a successful storefront operation. Sometimes it's just about taking a leap of faith! This is part two of Vivian's conversation with Neal, be sure to check out the previous episode #12 for the full story.
Neal Eilers left behind his corporate career and the traveling life he had been living. With the support of his wife, he opened a storefront, but the process was more difficult than expected. He encountered growing pains, such as learning about permits and dealing with contractors, and it took many months before his store was ready and Neal opened the doors. Despite the delays and setbacks, Neal remained resilient and, in this episode, shares his behind-the-scenes perspective.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. What is it like to decide to transition from the corporate world to owning your own business?
2. What strategies can be used to manage cash flow seasons in a business?
3. How does transitioning to a storefront work?
4. Networking importance and a few pro tips
Unpacking this episode min by min:
2:18 - How to decide if you have a passion or a business
4:09 - Know what you are leaving behind and be ok with it
4:35 - Finding your passion over time
6:45 - The influence of experience
6:48 - The importance of good customer service
8:06 - The impact of mindset on customer service
10:30 - Using online sales to balance cashflow
11:10 - Fluctuations in business
13:27 - Transitioning to a storefront
14:18 - DIY renovations and working with contractors
16:00 - Delayed grand opening
16:53 - Setting realistic expectations
17:38 - The effects of working with your team out of your residence basement
20:20 - Not everyone is built for tough transitions
22:56- Taking time for yourself as a business owner
24:27- Hustle hard; is that truly the way?
26:32 - Check yourself before you wreck yourself (and everyone else)
27:41 - Networking and a few tips
30:21 - Getting over the fear of talking about your business and meeting other people
35:00 - How can we make the world a better place?
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Reach out! Send your feedback and comments. What would you like to hear about on this podcast? Email me at ridingtandem@thetandemworks.com
Related Episodes:
#12 From corporate globetrotter to entrepreneurship: Neal Eilers' journey, building a successful business around his passion
#9 Taking an idea from paper to reality, making tough decisions, and creating a values-driven business with Alysia Hess, Founder of The Occasional Collective
#9 Taking an idea from paper to reality, making tough decisions, and creating a values-driven business with Alysia Hess, Founder of The Occasional Collective
Vivian Kvam:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviankvam/
- Email Vivian - vkvam@thetandemworks.com
Neal Eilers, NE Custom Framing and Furniture
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NECustomWoodFrames
- Website - www.necustomwoodframes.com
- Instagram - @necustomframing_furniture Instagram
Tandem Works Team:
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TandemWorksTeam
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetandemworks/
- Email the team: RidingTandem@thetandemworks.com
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Riding Tandem with Vivian Kvam
A podcast from Tandem Works
Email the team: RidingTandem@thetandemworks.com
