Invaluable Lessons From an Entrepreneur With Decades of Experience

Welcome back to My Best Business Mistake, where you can hear all about the unexpected twists that have transformed small businesses for the better.

We’re kicking off our first episode with business owner Ed Fox. In this episode, Ed shares how he got his entrepreneurial start as a teenager and has been building small businesses ever since. A transplant to the United States, Ed now owns multiple thriving businesses in Nashville and Wichita.

To listen along, head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots. And make sure you subscribe so you get the latest episodes as soon as they’re ready. If you’re loving it, leave a review to share how these stories have inspired you to keep at it.

Now, let’s take a look at what you’ll find in the episode and the show notes so you can jump right to the spots that most interest you.

My Best Business Mistake, Episode #1: Ed Fox

Ed has spent his entire career creating new business ventures and making friends along the way. Currently, he’s balancing two small businesses across state lines while also helping fellow business owners in his community harness the power of networking.

From relationship-building to juggling multiple businesses, Ed is an expert in all things small business. Dig into the details of his adventures (and sometimes misadventures) in small business, and learn about the lessons he’s picked up along the way.

Ed also shares:

• The best career-shaping mistake he’s ever made
• Why he left school to be his own boss at age 15
• How relationships have fueled his business
• And the question we’re all wondering: How does he have time to sleep?

But that’s not all. Ed doles out his wisdom with a healthy dose of sarcasm and humor. So tune in, laugh, and learn from the guy who’s done it all before.

Check out the episode and show notes below for more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro
  • [0:08] My Best Business Mistake
  • [0:24] Connect with Sue on Alignable
  • [0:29] Connect with Ed on Alignable
• Ed Fox on My Best Business Mistake
  • [1:15] How did Ed decide to become an entrepreneur?
  • [1:32] Tupperware
  • [1:47] How did Ed buy a convenience store as a teenager?
  • [2:34] Iron Lung, Iron Maiden
  • [3:24] Popeye
  • [4:17] Volume
  • [5:03] What would Ed say to people who think you need a lot of money to start a business?
  • [5:12] Zoom, Alignable, COVID-19, Virtual Assistants
  • [6:13] CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
  • [6:56] What is the best thing that’s happened to Ed during the pandemic?
  • [7:12] Paul Odendahl
  • [7:21] Sue’s Mastermind
  • [7:25] Groups on Alignable
  • [7:34] Wake Up Call with Ed & Paul
  • [8:23] Chamber of Commerce
  • [8:32] Networking
  • [8:58] How important are relationships for Ed’s business?
  • [9:12] Sesame Street
  • [9:20] Culture Statement
  • [11:41] Zig Zigler
  • [12:01] The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
  • [12:41] Abraham Lincoln
  • [12:49] Steve Jobs
  • [13:07] What are Ed’s businesses?
  • [13:23] Nashville Discount Card, US Discount Cards
  • [13:38] Local Businesses
  • [13:54] Business-to-Business
  • [14:02] Tradebank of Nashville, Tradebank of Wichita
  • [14:20] 101 GROANTASTIC Dad Jokes
  • [14:33] Barter Bing Barter Boom Podcast
  • [15:01] Does Ed sleep at all?
  • [15:40] Mayberry, The Andy Griffith Show
  • [16:16] Fred Astaire Dance Studios
  • [17:05] Journaling
  • [17:31] How does Alignable feel like home for Ed?
  • [18:20] Facebook
  • [19:12] What is Ed’s best advice for starting a business?
  • [19:44] Nike
  • [20:38] What is Ed’s best business mistake?
  • [21:22] Brisbane, Australia
  • [22:12] Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon
  • [23:45] LinkedIn
  • [23:57] Cricket
  • [24:15] What is Ed’s favorite quote and why?
• Outro
  • [25:13] Connect with Ed on Alignable
  • [25:23] Make sure to follow My Best Business Mistake on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [25:30] For more business success tips, head over to growyourbusiness.alignable.com
  • [25:36] Connect with Sue on Alignable
  • Theme Song: Rock Upbeat Positive by SOUNDFORYOU

What is My Best Business Mistake?

My Best Business Mistake is a podcast that shows how unexpected twists often transform small businesses for the better. Each week, you can learn about a real small business owner who took what appeared to be a disastrous failure and turned it into an amazing opportunity, making it the BEST Business Mistake they could have ever made! 

Hosted by Sue Brooke and powered by Alignable, the social referral network—where more than 6 million small business owners feel at home.

How do I join Alignable?

Thanks for listening to Ed Fox on My Best Business Mistake. If you’re not yet a member of Alignable, now’s the time to join! You can sign up here. 

If you want to continue the conversation with business owners like you who are sharing their own lessons, getting support, asking questions, and solving problems, join the Ask SMB Owners Anything Group over at Alignable.

What was your favorite part of Ed’s story? Have a great business mistake you want to share on the podcast? Leave it in the comments!

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