1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:03,720 Speaker 1: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent 3 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: those of Into It QuickBooks or any of its cornerstone 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 1: brands or employees. This podcast does not constitute financial, legal, 5 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:14,360 Speaker 1: or other professional advice or services. No assurance is given 6 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: that the info is comprehensive, accurate, or free of errors, 7 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: and the information presented is for general information purposes only. 8 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: Into It QuickBooks does not have any responsibility for updating 9 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: or revising any information presented. Listeners should verify statements before 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:33,519 Speaker 1: relying on them. Hey everyone, I'm Jennie Torres and I'm 11 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: Austin Haykwitz. Welcome to another episode of Mind the Business 12 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: Small Business Success Stories, a podcast by iHeartRadio and Into 13 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: It QuickBooks. In each episode, Austin and I chat with 14 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: small business owners as they share their stories about the 15 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,639 Speaker 1: ups and downs of owning a small business. Plus we'll 16 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: learn from their experience about how you can help fortify 17 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: and strengthen your own business. 18 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 2: Genie, I remember in our last episode with Kristin of 19 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: Claire for Creators, you mentioned having your mom and sister 20 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: as part of your staff. What was that process like 21 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 2: for you? 22 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 1: Well, for me, it was a natural fit and a 23 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 1: natural decision because I knew I wanted to work with 24 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: people that I could trust and also people that I 25 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: could keep it real with, and you know, when it 26 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: comes to family, I think they checked off both of 27 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:22,479 Speaker 1: those boxes for me. So it's been fun to kind 28 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 1: of see each other grow in that perspective and really 29 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: gain respect, especially between me and my sister as like 30 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 1: we're adults, we're colleagues. Now we're working together, we're building 31 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: this business. It's been actually really good for our relationship, 32 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 1: even on a personal level. So I know, Austin, you 33 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: found Christian to help you with your business and bring 34 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 1: him on as a partner, But how did you determine 35 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: that his experience and strengths would align with what you 36 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: needed for your business. Did you actually like interview him 37 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 1: and go through that whole process. 38 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 3: Yeah. 39 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: So, for those of you that might not know, Christian 40 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 2: Blockwell is the co founder of my company and we 41 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 2: work in tandem every day to build our business. But 42 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 2: when we first met during the summer of twenty Christian 43 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 2: was actually doing consulting for PwC in New York City. 44 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: We did three things in the beginning that set our 45 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 2: working relationship up for success. We had a trial period. 46 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: We were transparent from day one, and we agreed on 47 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:15,160 Speaker 2: compensation and its long term potential very early. So the 48 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: trial period helped us figure out how we worked well together. 49 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 2: I'd argue this was really just a drawn out interview process, 50 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 2: but I quickly learned how he communicated with others, how 51 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 2: he organized his work, and more importantly, how we'd worked 52 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 2: together to solve problems. Transparency in trust was also super 53 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: important right as a content creator. I needed to know 54 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 2: that I was working with someone that always had my 55 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 2: best interest in mind and wasn't trying to take advantage 56 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 2: of this awesome opportunity that I was afforded. And finally, 57 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 2: aligning on compensation early was incredibly important because we both 58 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 2: knew on day one what we were capable of and 59 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 2: how that would impact us in the future if we 60 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 2: were able to achieve that. 61 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's really interesting. So before I hired my sister, 62 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: I actually hired my first virtual assistant through my Instagram 63 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 1: following I literally made an Instagram post I said, this 64 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: is what I'm offering five to ten hours as a 65 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 1: virtual assistant. This is what I can afford to pay 66 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 1: and it was really cool, you know, in a sense 67 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:10,119 Speaker 1: of creating this new opportunity for me to now put 68 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: money into someone else's pocket, and especially you know, as 69 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: a woman of caller owned business, that for me is 70 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,680 Speaker 1: really special. So I'm curious, how did you go about 71 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:22,280 Speaker 1: finding talent that you use now for your company besides 72 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: your partner, you. 73 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 2: Know, from a tactical finding the talent perspective. I also 74 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: find a lot of cool talent on social media, right 75 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 2: I put those feelers out. I made posts on Instagram, 76 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 2: LinkedIn Twitter, and even TikTok about my business's needs. And 77 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 2: now the hard part though, is deciphering who's the right 78 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 2: person for the job. So weirdly enough, Janis, I tasked 79 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 2: everyone to email me a detailed description of their favorite 80 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: vacation spot. That was like the application, like I just 81 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 2: wanted to know that thing. Because I did this for 82 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 2: two reasons. One, if someone doesn't have that self started 83 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 2: mentality to just go and send an email about something 84 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 2: they really enjoyed, like, you know, would they have that 85 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 2: same mentality with your business? 86 00:03:58,120 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 3: Probably not. 87 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: That was the first reason. But the second reason was 88 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 2: I wanted to learn more about the intricacies that they 89 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 2: experience that make them really happy. Right, maybe they're like 90 00:04:04,920 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: the time off and they really enjoy interactions or the 91 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 2: freebies or you know whatever part of that was. So 92 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 2: that then helped me become a better leader and I 93 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 2: was then better to align compensation with what they really 94 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: cared about. 95 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 4: Yeah. 96 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 1: I love that example and it reminds me of the 97 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: hiring process that I went about for hiring my first 98 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,320 Speaker 1: virtual assistant slash content creator because I was kind of 99 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: giving them a lot of different things to help me with. 100 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: I had everyone give me an example of a piece 101 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,160 Speaker 1: of content that they would create for my brand. I 102 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: also invited folks to criticize what we're not doing great 103 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,039 Speaker 1: and I wanted to see, like, who would give me 104 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: the honest feedback that I need in order for me 105 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: to not stay stagnant as a business owner as a brand. 106 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,600 Speaker 1: And so when I found the person that I eventually hired, 107 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: I respected the fact that she was like, you know, 108 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: you guys are doing this really well, but there's definitely 109 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: opportunities here that you're missing out on, And that for 110 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: me was like a no brainer. I'm like, yeah, this 111 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: is this needs to be my person. 112 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 2: I love that. I definitely have the same way of 113 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 2: thinking about this. Right, I want people to be transparent. 114 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 2: I want them to be upfront. I want them to 115 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 2: let me know what am I doing right, what am 116 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 2: I doing wrong? And how can we work together to 117 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 2: solve this problem and become a better units going forward. 118 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think we both still are operating very much 119 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 1: in the startup mentality, and I know for sure I 120 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,720 Speaker 1: definitely need to get a more formal hiring process together. 121 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 1: But luckily, our guest for this next episode, Kevin Wog, 122 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,160 Speaker 1: the co founder of Lunar Heart Seltzer, has some insights 123 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 1: on how to do just that. After a late night 124 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: of partying in twenty nineteen, Kevin and his best friend 125 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: Sean Roe stopped for a late night bite at their 126 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,920 Speaker 1: local Korean fried chicken joint. While trying to order drinks 127 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: with their food. That night, the idea for Lunar Heart 128 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: Seltzer was born. It's the first and only craft heart 129 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: Seltzer brand made with real Asian fruits like yuzu and leechi. 130 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: Their goal was simple to deliver an elevated heart Seltzer 131 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: experience using flavors most emblematic of their childhood, heritage and 132 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 1: identity in an unapologetic pursuit of what they call the 133 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: reverse lunchbox moment. At Lunar, Kevin leads sales and finance 134 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: while he and Sean developed new flavors and products in 135 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: the Lunar lab together. 136 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 4: Kevin Wang, welcome to mine the business. 137 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me really excited for this episode, man, 138 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 2: So I need to know how did you come up 139 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: specifically with the idea of your company. We heard a 140 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 2: little bit of the origin story here from Janie, but 141 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: I'd love to hear it from your own words. 142 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 3: The story is as what Jennie said, we were eating dinner. 143 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 3: We were drinking bud light and a white Claw, and we 144 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 3: were like, why isn't there something that really resonates with us, right, 145 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 3: that really pairs well with the food. And that late 146 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 3: night drunken thought turned into early morning, eight am ordering 147 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 3: you know, brewing equipment on Amazon and online, and the 148 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 3: next thing you know, we've got all this stuff, you know, 149 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 3: kegs in fermenttors in our apartments in New York City. 150 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:59,840 Speaker 3: It started off really just innocuously right, brewing something that 151 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 3: represented us, that took the flavors that you know I 152 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 3: loved growing up. You know, I was I'm Taiwanese American, 153 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 3: and every summer I would be in Taiwan, you know, 154 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 3: on the streets with Grandma. She'ld buy some leachees and 155 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 3: I would bite into those and that moment, like that 156 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 3: is a core memory right there, And how do I 157 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 3: take that and share that with people who've never had 158 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 3: LEECHI like they're missing out right? How do I share that? 159 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 3: And that was really kind of the goal. And you know, 160 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 3: we would just brew. I'd have friends come over every 161 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 3: month to try whatever we were cooking up. And by 162 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 3: the end, after about a year and a half, they 163 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 3: were like, Kevin, this is this is really good, Like 164 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 3: you should sell this? And we were like, yeah, why not? 165 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 3: And that was the beginning of that slippery slope. I 166 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:44,840 Speaker 3: love it. 167 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 2: So let's keep rolling with that idea. What is the 168 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 2: reverse lunchbox moment? 169 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 3: So my parents immigrated to the US from Taiwan, and 170 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 3: they would make lunch for me and for me to 171 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 3: bring to school for a lot of you know, children 172 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 3: of immigrants. You open up your lunch box and you've 173 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 3: got you know, maybe like a ammy or you know, 174 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: fried rice or kimchi, and the kids around you are like, ew, 175 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 3: what is that, And that's a lunchbox moment, right when 176 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 3: you all of a sudden feel this this insecurity, this 177 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 3: feeling of being an outsider because people are judging you 178 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: for what you're bringing for lunch, and for you, you're like, 179 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:24,440 Speaker 3: that's what I eat every day, Like this is my 180 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 3: favorite I love ed a mommy like that was my 181 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 3: favorite favorite fruit growing up. And so the reverse lunchbox 182 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 3: moment is us trying to take that and actually own it, 183 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 3: own that narrative and be like, look, here is what 184 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 3: I'm bringing, and I am proud to be bringing kimchi 185 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 3: for lunch. I am proud to be seen drinking a 186 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 3: leechy hertzelter instead of feeling ashamed. So how we reverse 187 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 3: that and reverse that narrative? 188 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 4: I love that. 189 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,120 Speaker 1: So, Kevin, can you tell us how long into the 190 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 1: business did it take you to realize, oh, I need 191 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: some help, like I can't keep doing this, you know 192 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 1: as a two person show. 193 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:04,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, both of us quit jobs in February twenty twenty one, 194 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 3: and we made our first hire a year after. And 195 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 3: the first year was the most tiring year of my life. 196 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,440 Speaker 3: With the business that we're building, right, it's a physical product, 197 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 3: it's alcohol. And you know, when we started a lot 198 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 3: of different distribution partners, retailers, you know, investors, they were like, 199 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 3: this product is so niche, right, which stun that hurt. Now, 200 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 3: first of all, there's twenty two million Asian Americans in 201 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 3: the US, but also, hey, who doesn't love Alchi martinizz 202 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,079 Speaker 3: Come on, that's not a niche product. And so we 203 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 3: really had to go at it ourselves and we had 204 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 3: to prove that this was beyond just a niche. And 205 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 3: to do that, I literally was running the streets of 206 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 3: New York. I would knock on doors Monday through Friday, 207 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 3: the whole day, the whole night. I would just have 208 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 3: a backpack of cans. And by after about a year, 209 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 3: we had the traction where distributors partners were like, oh wow, 210 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 3: Lunar is everywhere, like this is a thing. Let's work together. 211 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 3: And by then I was like, Okay, I need someone 212 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 3: to help me here. I can't be doing this the 213 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 3: whole time. I have other things to do to run 214 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 3: this business. So we made a first hire, which was 215 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 3: our director of. 216 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 1: Sales, and then from there, what did the scale up 217 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: and building of the team look like from that point on? 218 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, So we started with our director of sales, and 219 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 3: we quickly realized we need more salespeople to help kind 220 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 3: of share that load, and so now we have We're 221 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 3: at about five employees today. Most of them are our 222 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 3: sales team. They are feet on the streets. They are 223 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:41,880 Speaker 3: there actively working with their customers, working with our distributor partners, 224 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 3: you know, really being out there to resolve any issues, 225 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 3: close new business, and then up sell and grow our 226 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 3: accounts as we continue to build our prisons out. Very cool. 227 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 1: How do you find the right talent for your team? 228 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,319 Speaker 1: Like where do you source these folks from? 229 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 3: You know, that was a great challenge in the beginning. 230 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,719 Speaker 3: You know, I don't come from this alcohol world, right, 231 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 3: I use the work in tech and so like when 232 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 3: I started, I was like, you know what, I'll post 233 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:08,719 Speaker 3: on LinkedIn, you know, I'll put up a post, I'll 234 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 3: ask friends, but like, no one I knew knew anybody 235 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 3: in the world. Like, it just was so many degrees 236 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 3: removed from this industry. So referrals was kind of out 237 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 3: of the question. And I was like, Okay, shoot, how 238 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 3: do I find the right people the talent? We're looking 239 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 3: for people that can represent our brand right and really 240 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 3: champion the values and really kind of be a storyteller 241 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 3: for us as Asian Americans, or it just probably ask 242 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 3: people of color, like, how do we be there and 243 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 3: really represent a fight for our narrative? And that's like 244 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 3: even more limiting right on kind of the pool of applicants. 245 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 3: So we started posting on industry specific job boards, and 246 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 3: then we did a lot of asking our accounts for help. 247 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 3: So we would ask our bartenders or our beverage directors 248 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 3: at a bar, at the hotel, or at the beer 249 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 3: buyer at a grocery store. We'd ask them like, hey, 250 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 3: do you know anybody who was in this industry? And 251 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 3: that's how we were really getting the word out about 252 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 3: the brand. That plus a lot of press. We really 253 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 3: focus on media to get that attention, to get that awareness, 254 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 3: and that kind of came back to us where we 255 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,199 Speaker 3: started getting a flood of pretty awesome applicants that kind 256 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:16,839 Speaker 3: of matched those criteria. People were self selecting into this job. 257 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 3: So we're we're pretty blessed to have an awesome team. 258 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 3: We're majority minority employees. It's really awesome to see. 259 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's brilliant. 260 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: So Austin and I have talked about the fact that 261 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: I actually work with my sister in my own business, 262 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: and I'm still figuring out my company policy because I 263 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: think it's easy when you're working with somebody that's so familiar, 264 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 1: it's like, yeah, we'll just figure it out as we go. 265 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,000 Speaker 1: So I'm curious, what have been some important factors for 266 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 1: you and Sean to be able to figure out how 267 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: to work together well? And then also, how do you 268 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: communicate your company expectations to employees. 269 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 3: We're kind of making it up as we go along. 270 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 4: That's super real. 271 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 3: We have a culture book, we have company values, and 272 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 3: so it's like a page. It's super simple. 273 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 1: You know. 274 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 3: The culture is built by the actions and behaviors we 275 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 3: take in the words we say when we're together. I 276 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:09,680 Speaker 3: think rather than a corporate doc on the screen, like 277 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 3: who's going to just like open that? Let me reference 278 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 3: my behavior against this dog, like who's going to do that? 279 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,559 Speaker 3: You know, like we're you know, we're human. And people 280 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 3: say culture comes from the top. I think it does, 281 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:20,439 Speaker 3: but also comes from the people that you bring on. 282 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 3: You know, especially in an early stage of a company, 283 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 3: it's really around making sure that everyone feels included, feels 284 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 3: value that we're taking time to appreciate each other. We 285 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 3: have a team all hands every week and we'll kind 286 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 3: of do snaps where we kind of show thanks to 287 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 3: our colleagues or kind of really make sure we're showing appreciation. 288 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 3: And I think that's important for us as a company 289 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 3: and then for like me and my founder, the two 290 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 3: of us, we had never worked together like we were 291 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,079 Speaker 3: friends before, we never like work together, right, Like, that's 292 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 3: like a whole thing, Like that could be a whole 293 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,320 Speaker 3: show about like how do you transition a friendship into 294 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 3: a like a partnership, Like that's a whole thing. There 295 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 3: was definitely a challenge learning how we worked together. So 296 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 3: we actually made a commitment to each other that we 297 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 3: would go to like couples therapy, making sure that we 298 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 3: are investing time in our relationship beyond just you know, work, 299 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 3: which is all consuming, and making sure that we are 300 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 3: taking time to be intentional about how we are, you know, 301 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 3: checking in on each other. 302 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 4: So that's is it actual couples therapy? Like, Yeah, that 303 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 4: is the coolest thing I've ever heard. 304 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 2: I need to do that, I need to try that. 305 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 2: At least I love that idea. Christian, if you're listening 306 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 2: to this, we're going to a couples therapy. 307 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 4: My god, I love that. Oh my gosh. 308 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: Coming up on Mind the Business Small Business success Stories. 309 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 3: First, you start off by journaling what did I do 310 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 3: this week? And then you kind of group those and 311 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 3: be like, what are tasks that fit into a rule? 312 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 3: Where do I need help? But you're either solving a 313 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 3: need because you need more or you're solving a need 314 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 3: because you need better. 315 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 4: We'll be right back after the break. 316 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: Welcome back to Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories, 317 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 2: brought to you by iHeartRadio and Into It Quick Books. 318 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 2: All right, Kevin, let's get into the numbers. When budgeting 319 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 2: for a new hire, how do you make that decision? 320 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 2: Do you build a model? Do you try and figure 321 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 2: out the sales aspect? Walk me through a step by 322 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 2: step how you figure out is it time to hire 323 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 2: another person? 324 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, it's such an art and a science. 325 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 3: I would say, I think some of it is the numbers, 326 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 3: but you always need your budget to make sense, You 327 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:36,560 Speaker 3: need a numbers to add up. But then there's a 328 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 3: part of it where if I just simply don't have 329 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 3: time to like do stuff beyond things that the business needs, 330 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 3: that is as valuable as the model if I just 331 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 3: don't have time to do anything else, well, seems like 332 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 3: I need help. It always takes longer to hire than 333 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 3: you expect, so like for us, we are always hiring 334 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,200 Speaker 3: in advance, like, well, in advance, we'll telegraph and we 335 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 3: will kind of broadcast way earlier than we need. Hey, 336 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 3: we're looking for this role because it takes time for 337 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 3: people to discover the role, to work with that courage 338 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 3: to be like, you know what, this is a jump 339 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 3: I want to take to jump into startup world, right, 340 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 3: So making sure we're giving people that opportunity, and this 341 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 3: has been really successful for us. We have this thing 342 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 3: align on a career's page that says, you know, feel 343 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 3: free to invent your own role, and we're inviting people 344 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 3: to pitch themselves to us, like here's why you should 345 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 3: hire me because of X, like you need my help 346 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 3: in doing why. And that has been so awesome because 347 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 3: there are these awesome go getters out there that are 348 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 3: going to reach out, that are going to pitch us, 349 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 3: and sometimes we're not even thinking about that and we're like, oh, 350 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 3: you're right like that, let us put that into the model. 351 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 3: Let us think about that, and we'll get back to you. Like, 352 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 3: thank you for putting that idea into our mind. You know, yeah, 353 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 3: I think that's really insightful, Kevin. And now here's the statistic. Right, 354 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 3: according to quick Books, more than half of small businesses, right, 355 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 3: fifty one percent are saying it's becoming harder and harder 356 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 3: to hire those skilled workers. Even forty two percent are 357 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,439 Speaker 3: saying it's getting harder to retain the skilled workers. So 358 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:06,959 Speaker 3: let's say you've hired someone you figured it out. How 359 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 3: do you keep your employees engaged and happy in a 360 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:11,919 Speaker 3: time of inflation and quiet quitting? 361 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 2: Right? How do you show employees that they're valued and appreciated, 362 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:15,919 Speaker 2: especially those new hires. 363 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 3: The most important thing is showing appreciation. I think our 364 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:20,880 Speaker 3: tradition of snaps has been really valuable. 365 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 4: Right. 366 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 3: There's so many things that happen in any given week, 367 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 3: and I think for me and for a lot of people, 368 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 3: you're focused on the next thing, you're focused on growing 369 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 3: the business, and you might forget or overlook. You know, 370 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 3: so and so did this, and this was really helpful 371 00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 3: for me, and I might have to take it for 372 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 3: granted and moved on like awesome, great, cool, let's move on. 373 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 3: Let's use this to do the next project and making 374 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,959 Speaker 3: sure that we're being really thoughtful about showing appreciation. And 375 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 3: I think after that, it's aligning and making sure you're 376 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 3: keeping in mind what your employee's goals are long term. Right, 377 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,160 Speaker 3: Let's say that someone wants to start their own business 378 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 3: in five ten years. That's awesome, that's a phenomenal goal 379 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 3: to have. And how do I make sure that I 380 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 3: am setting them up to be successful in five years, 381 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 3: that their time here working with us is valuable and 382 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 3: is going to contribute to their success later on. And 383 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 3: so things like bringing them into meetings where like maybe 384 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 3: they're not part of that team, but that's okay because 385 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 3: they want to learn and experience it. I think things 386 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,920 Speaker 3: like that are important for an employer to make sure 387 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:22,159 Speaker 3: you're not just saying we care about the long term 388 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 3: success of your team, but really walking the walk and 389 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 3: being there to check in with your employees like, Hey, 390 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,640 Speaker 3: just want to check in, you know, how you're feeling, 391 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 3: has this been helpful for you? And just making sure 392 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 3: you're continually investing in that long term goal. And that's 393 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:40,400 Speaker 3: I think how you really, you know, show that you're 394 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:42,119 Speaker 3: listening and that you're acting upon it. 395 00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 2: Man, does anyone else want to work for Kevin. Now 396 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 2: after hearing this, this is so exciting today. 397 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 1: He sounds like the coolest boss ever, Like for real. Okay, 398 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 1: So looking back when you first started your talent search, 399 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: what's the thing that surprised you the most about the process. 400 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:00,879 Speaker 3: I think the first thing is it just tastes longer 401 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 3: than you expect. First of all, you need to write 402 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 3: it and write it well. I think that is also hard, 403 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:06,399 Speaker 3: Like people don't think about that. I think a lot 404 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 3: of people like, oh, it's copy and paste the job 405 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:10,439 Speaker 3: wreck from somewhere else. No, like you need to really 406 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 3: be thoughtful about what you're writing in there so that 407 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 3: people know what you're expecting. And then finding out where 408 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 3: to put it, where to market and really push the 409 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 3: rec out where can you find the people that you're 410 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 3: looking for? Then screening, filtering, there's like so many steps, 411 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 3: Like no one really thinks about it. You're like, oh, 412 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 3: ye're hiring, right, Like that's like one word that just 413 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,440 Speaker 3: somehow like hand waves over all the things that need 414 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 3: to be done. So I think that was the biggest surprise. 415 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 3: Just took a long time. 416 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, So for the. 417 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 2: Small business owner who's listening right now, who's maybe ready 418 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 2: to hire that first external employee or just really take 419 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 2: that next step toward building out a team. 420 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:46,439 Speaker 3: What advice would you have for them? You know, I 421 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 3: would say, first you start off by journaling in a 422 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 3: given week, what did you do? And then you kind 423 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 3: of group those and be like, what are tasks that 424 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 3: fit into a role. Where do I need help right? 425 00:19:57,880 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 3: Or where am I not good at? I think those 426 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 3: are two of the areas that make the most sense. 427 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 3: But you're either solving a need because you need more 428 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 3: or you're solving a need because you need better. And 429 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,640 Speaker 3: I would say you start there identifying what rule you need. 430 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 3: And then the second piece of advice, I would just say, 431 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 3: start hiring early. Putting out that rec doesn't mean you 432 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 3: need to hire. Sometimes putting out the rec and writing 433 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 3: it helps you think through who and what you need 434 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 3: to hire for. And then I would say sometimes you'll 435 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 3: start interviewing people and you'll find someone that clicks. You'll 436 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,920 Speaker 3: find this all star that is going to be just awesome, 437 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:36,479 Speaker 3: and missing out on someone like that to add value 438 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 3: to your business is a shame. There are so many 439 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,000 Speaker 3: awesome people that can really take your business to the 440 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 3: next level. 441 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 2: These are some gems right now, you're dropping for us, 442 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 2: Kevin Man, I'm loving these, especially the you know, solving 443 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,480 Speaker 2: for a need because you need more or because you 444 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 2: need better. That's so interesting to think about. 445 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: So running a brand that's breaking into markets across the 446 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 1: United States requires a lot of understanding of various states 447 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 1: laws and taxes for employees. Right, So how did you 448 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 1: begin to build out your HR resources? 449 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 3: That is a great question. I think for me, it's 450 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,439 Speaker 3: when you think about bringing on employees. Right, It's so 451 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 3: simple to say, but there's a weight of that decision. Right, 452 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 3: all of a sudden, their livelihood, their income is now 453 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 3: resting on you as a business owner. It's on your shoulders. 454 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 3: So how do you really take time to make sure 455 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:27,680 Speaker 3: that you're informing them of this is your vacation policy, 456 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 3: this is their health insurance benefits even you know, like 457 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 3: reading all the different types of insurance you could offer, 458 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 3: Like I barely understood PPO, and like I don't know 459 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 3: all these other I didn't know anything, and nor did 460 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 3: I really care. You know, when I just worked at 461 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 3: someone else's company, But all of a sudden, I was like, wow, 462 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:45,119 Speaker 3: my co founder and I spent a whole weekend with 463 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 3: just reading like what does this mean? What would I want? 464 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 3: What would I want when I was younger? What do 465 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 3: I want now? Trying to have that whole breadth of 466 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 3: options for our employees, I think, and you know, we 467 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 3: got feedback to first year they're like, no, this one sucks, 468 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 3: like this insurance is really I was like, okay, no, 469 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,240 Speaker 3: did we had more options? So I think it's really 470 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 3: about that. And you know, you're locked into a lot 471 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 3: of these changes and things. It's like a yearly cycle. 472 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 3: And so I would say before you commit something so large, 473 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 3: just know that it's your employees well being. It's a 474 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,920 Speaker 3: human's well being, it's their livelihood for a whole year. 475 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 3: So make sure you treat that with the respect that 476 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:20,440 Speaker 3: it needs. 477 00:22:21,160 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I love that advice. 478 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 2: So as you continue to grow, Lunar Hard Seltzer, what 479 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: are some of the hiring goals you have for the 480 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 2: next call it five years? 481 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,320 Speaker 3: Five years? Oh my, five years? Awesome. That's a lot 482 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 3: of that's a lot of planning. I think for us, 483 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 3: a big part of how we are growing this business 484 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:41,920 Speaker 3: it's around geographic expansion. So for us, on the sales 485 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:43,879 Speaker 3: side of things, we will be building out kind of 486 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 3: a nationwide sales team that's going to cover a lot 487 00:22:45,840 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 3: of regions, so there's a lot of geographic based hiring 488 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:51,119 Speaker 3: that we will need to do. And on the flip side, 489 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 3: we haven't really hired for marketing yet. You know we 490 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 3: should and so we absolutely plan on building out a 491 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:59,919 Speaker 3: world class marketing team and that will probably come online 492 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 3: in the next few years. But it's one of those 493 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:04,679 Speaker 3: things when it's a challenge to think a year in 494 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 3: the future, let alone three or four or five. I 495 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 3: can have all these lofty goals, but things change, right 496 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 3: and I think it's being able to roll with that 497 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 3: and adapt. I think that's kind of the name of 498 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:16,760 Speaker 3: the game for any small business or any startup owner. 499 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:17,800 Speaker 3: I agree. 500 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 2: So then let's think about the next quarter six months. 501 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 2: What's like real immediate next big things that you're really 502 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,160 Speaker 2: excited about that might be happening this summer or maybe 503 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 2: this fall. 504 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, we are about to launch Lunar into California, So 505 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 3: that is an exciting development for us. Congratulations, thanks man. 506 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,160 Speaker 3: We've had customers reach out to us for almost two 507 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 3: years asking for a larner to be available in the state, 508 00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:43,879 Speaker 3: and we've always told them coming soon, coming soon, and 509 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:48,080 Speaker 3: it's been two years, so now actually coming soon. So 510 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 3: we're we're really excited to be doing that. And we 511 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 3: are also looking for content creators interns to kickstart our 512 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:58,359 Speaker 3: marketing team. So if you are passionate about pioneering the 513 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 3: cultural revolution in American alcohol, drop a line on a website, 514 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,479 Speaker 3: send us a DM. I love the chat. I love it. 515 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:10,640 Speaker 2: That's awesome, man. Congratulations on launching the State of California. 516 00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 2: That is super super exciting. 517 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 4: Absolutely so Kevin. 518 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: Before we let you go, we have to know what 519 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:18,600 Speaker 1: is your favorite Korean fried chicken spot. 520 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:23,720 Speaker 3: Oh man, no pressure, this is a hot topic here, guys. 521 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:27,440 Speaker 3: There's a spot in New York City. It's called Turntable 522 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 3: Chicken Jazz. It's got vinyl records. It looks super super cool. 523 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:35,879 Speaker 3: They've got these massive chicken like drumsticks. These chickens are huge. 524 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,680 Speaker 3: I don't know what they're doing, but they're so medy, 525 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:41,680 Speaker 3: they're so delicious. They're like triple fried. So go there 526 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 3: for New York City. It's a blast. 527 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:44,160 Speaker 4: I love that. 528 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:46,879 Speaker 1: My introduction to Korean fried chicken was through a restaurant 529 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,399 Speaker 1: chain called bon Chon in New Jersey, and I was 530 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: like forever change, So shout out to the Fried Chicken 531 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: for being the muse the inspiration for this incredible brand 532 00:24:56,359 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: that you've built. 533 00:24:57,160 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 4: And thank you so much for being here. 534 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 3: Thank you all for having me. Next time we'll do 535 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:02,359 Speaker 3: this irl over some Fred Chicken. 536 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 2: Heck, yeah, I love it. Thanks Kevin, Denise. That conversation 537 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 2: with Kevin was top notch. 538 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:14,679 Speaker 3: I really enjoyed it. 539 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:16,439 Speaker 2: I feel like I learned a lot of little gems 540 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 2: and secrets, But I want to know from you what 541 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:19,400 Speaker 2: stuck out the most. 542 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:20,919 Speaker 4: For me? It was two things. 543 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 1: The first, it's always so interesting for me to hear 544 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:28,160 Speaker 1: how business owners go about thinking through their hiring process, 545 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:30,320 Speaker 1: like what areas of the business am I going to 546 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:33,199 Speaker 1: prioritize in? First For Kevin it was sales. For me, 547 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:35,960 Speaker 1: it was actually hiring just a virtual assistant who could 548 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 1: answer emails and go back and forth with administrative stuff 549 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:41,440 Speaker 1: so they could take that off my plate. So I 550 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: always think that's super interesting, and I think it's a 551 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 1: good reminder there's no right or wrong way to go 552 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 1: about building and scaling your business. It's really just about, 553 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,520 Speaker 1: you know, taking one step out of time and seeing 554 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:57,439 Speaker 1: where those deficiencies are in your business model and finding 555 00:25:57,520 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: the right resources and the right talent to get you 556 00:26:00,520 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 1: to that next level. So that was number one, and 557 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 1: then I think the second for me was I love 558 00:26:05,600 --> 00:26:07,760 Speaker 1: the fact that Kevin was so real about, you know, 559 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:10,359 Speaker 1: how we do our business. We're just kind of learning 560 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 1: on the fly here, and I think that's really what 561 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:15,400 Speaker 1: entrepreneurship is for most folks who don't have the background 562 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: in it. 563 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,480 Speaker 4: You are kind of building the plane as you're flying. 564 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,160 Speaker 1: And so to hear that, you know, even awesome companies 565 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 1: like his are kind of just winging it a little bit, 566 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:27,360 Speaker 1: it makes me feel better about the fact that I've 567 00:26:27,359 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 1: also had that similar journey too. 568 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 4: How about you. 569 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:32,359 Speaker 2: Absolutely I'm over here in the seat of you know, 570 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 2: fake it till you make it, because that's pretty true. 571 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 4: Yeah. 572 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:35,840 Speaker 3: For me, I think it's. 573 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:37,240 Speaker 2: Two things that stuck out, And it kind of goes 574 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 2: back to what you're just talking about with your first hire. 575 00:26:39,400 --> 00:26:41,199 Speaker 2: You know, are you hiring because you need to do 576 00:26:41,280 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 2: more or because you need to do better? And I 577 00:26:43,359 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 2: think at the end of the day, for you, maybe 578 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 2: it was because you need to do more, right, you 579 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:47,240 Speaker 2: need this assistant. 580 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:48,160 Speaker 3: To help you out to be more productive. 581 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 2: Maybe some people are hiring because they need a better 582 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 2: type of product focused employee or a better marketer or 583 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 2: whatever that might be. So I think just like understanding 584 00:26:55,760 --> 00:26:58,520 Speaker 2: the difference between those two factors is really important. And 585 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:00,399 Speaker 2: then the second thing that stuck out to me was 586 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:04,119 Speaker 2: just how long the hiring process was, and especially for 587 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 2: the types of sales employees, and how hard it was 588 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:09,399 Speaker 2: from to find those people the job description writing, finding 589 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 2: those specific experiences and hiring for those skill sets for 590 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,439 Speaker 2: people to be successful in their role for his business 591 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 2: was super super important. It seemed like, so hiring is 592 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:21,159 Speaker 2: one word, but it involves seventeen different processes around it. 593 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 2: So I was super excited that Kevin walked us through 594 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 2: all of them, and I'm eager to hear what's next. 595 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 1: And so for his company, Louner absolutely shout out to 596 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: all the solopreneurs and the new business owners who are 597 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: wearing those seventeen hats and are slowly trying to figure 598 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:37,439 Speaker 1: out how to assign them to other people. It's not easy, 599 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 1: but you know, it's all part of the journey. 600 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:42,880 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Well, that's it for today's episode. You can find 601 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 2: me on social media at Austin Hankwitz. 602 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: And you can find me at Yokiero Dineto podcast. 603 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:50,960 Speaker 2: You can also follow Into It QuickBooks on all social 604 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:54,240 Speaker 2: media at QuickBooks, and to get tools you need to start, 605 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 2: run and grow your business, head to QuickBooks dot com today. 606 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 1: Catch the next episode of Mine the Business Small Business 607 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 1: success Stories on Thursday, June twenty second, where we speak 608 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 1: to Gulaid and Divina Ismail about their coffee company, Any SIPs, 609 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:10,120 Speaker 1: and how they learned to adapt to economic trends. 610 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:12,399 Speaker 2: You won't want to miss that one, so don't forget 611 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:15,200 Speaker 2: to follow, rate and review the show wherever you listen 612 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 2: to podcasts so you can stay up to date on 613 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:17,680 Speaker 2: future episodes. 614 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 1: Check out our show notes for more information from this 615 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: episode and workforce solutions, and a huge thank you to 616 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: our guest Kevin Wang. You can catch up with him 617 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:29,080 Speaker 1: and all things Lunar Hard Seltzer on their Instagram at 618 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 1: Drink Lunar. 619 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 2: This podcast is a production of iHeartRadio and Into It QuickBooks. 620 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 1: Our executive producer is Molly Sosha, our supervising producer is 621 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,560 Speaker 1: Nikiah Swinton, and our writer is Tyree Rush. 622 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:44,080 Speaker 2: Our head of post production is James Foster, and we 623 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:45,160 Speaker 2: will see you next time.