East Trade Winds cover art

East Trade Winds

East Trade Winds

Written by: Bernie Franzgrote Wayne Pratt
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 Welcome to the Discover Success with East Trade Winds Networking! Looking to start or grow your business? East Trade Winds is your solution for building meaningful connections, sharing contacts, and presenting your ideas to an audience eager to collaborate. Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a company, you'll find a welcoming community ready to support you, exchange ideas, and cheer you on. Our members come from diverse fields—coaching, IT, insurance, podcasting, and more—bringing fresh perspectives and exciting opportunities to the table. Join our weekly meet-ups, both online, where you'll learn from others, form valuable partnerships, and sharpen your presentation skills in a supportive environment. With our easy-to-use app, you can connect with fellow members before and after meetings, ensuring your needs are met with the right solutions. Plus, our YouTube presence helps share your voice and expertise with a broader audience. Step into East Trade Winds, where connections turn into opportunities, and your business goals come to life.2023 - 2025 Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From Laid Off to $1 Million: The TV Appearance That Started It All

    From Laid Off to $1 Million: The TV Appearance That Started It All
    Jan 28 2026

    What happens when you get laid off with no backup plan—just a wild idea and a pun?


    For Colin McIntosh, it meant building Sheets & Giggles, a sustainable bedding company with humor and heart. Three weeks after losing his job, Colin founded a company that would disrupt a stagnant, plastic-filled industry—and eventually land him on Good Morning America.

    In this episode, Colin takes us behind the scenes of his journey from “just trying to pay rent” to leading a million-dollar month brand that’s become a cult favorite among eco-conscious sleepers.

    It’s a story about resilience, creativity, and standing out by staying true to yourself.

    🔍 KEY TOPICS COVERED

    • The real reason Colin chose bedding—and how he turned a fragmented, polyester-dominated market into an opportunity
    • What makes LyoCell (made from eucalyptus) a game-changer over cotton, bamboo, and polyester
    • Why polyester sheets might be harming your health—and what to use instead
    • The viral avocado face mask ad that broke Facebook (and made customers giggle)
    • The power of authenticity: using friends as models and real moments as ads
    • How a $40K donation during COVID turned into national press and GMA
    • Why Sheets & Giggles never irons their sheets—and how that became a brand ethos
    • Creating life-changing jobs for formerly incarcerated Coloradans
    • Building a business that’s plastic-free, inclusive, and truly fun
    • Colin’s hot takes on the job market, résumé trends, and what makes hiring work in 2026

    🎁 RESOURCES & LINKS

    Guest: Colin McIntosh

    🔗 Website: Sheets & Giggles
    💼 Resume Platform: Helping 20,000+ job seekers monthly
    🔗Connect on LinkedIn
    📺Watch the YouTube Interview

    🎙️ ABOUT EAST TRADE WINDS & SUPPORTERS

    This episode was made possible by the Canada Growth Network
    🌐CanadaGrowthNetwork.com – Tools, coaching, and systems to help small & medium businesses scale. Just $47 CAD/month. No contracts.

    Hosted by the community at East Trade Winds
    🔗Join our next weekly session – Tuesdays, 8–9 AM EST
    📧 Contact: info@kreativinsight.com

    Special thanks to:

    • WebIndexer – Turn your website into an AI-powered sales assistant

    🗣️ CALL TO ACTION

    👉 Watch the full story unfold on YouTube: Click here to watch
    💬 Comment your favorite moment, tag someone who needs this story, and share to inspire a fellow entrepreneur.
    🤝 Connect with Colin on LinkedIn or reach out directly.
    📧 Want to attend our next networking event or be a speaker? Contact us at info@kreativinsight.com
    🌐 Register now for the next East Trade Winds Tuesday: Click to RSVP

    Disclaimer: Please note that the East Trade Winds podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.

    It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.

    It is highly recommended that individuals seek guidance from their advisors in fields such as accounting, law, or other pertinent areas prior to undertaking any actions or making decisions that may impact their financial, legal, or other aspects of life.
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    12 mins
  • Ask Better Questions, Sell More Using Assumptive Hero

    Ask Better Questions, Sell More Using Assumptive Hero
    Jan 22 2026
    Most salespeople pitch too hard or drop prices. This episode teaches how to sell confidently—by assuming the sale and asking the right questions. What if your next big sale didn't come from pitching harder… but from showing up like a hero?In this episode of East Trade Winds, we sit down with Paul Kirch, founder of Sellience and BOSS Academy, to explore "assumptive selling"—a mindset shift that puts service and strategy before sales tactics.Paul believes selling is emotional. When you truly understand what your buyer is going through, you become more than a vendor—you become a trusted guide.🎤 What You’ll Hear:Paul shares how he developed the Askology Method, a proven question-based system that unlocks buyer motivation, builds rapport, and reveals deep-seated needs. You’ll also learn how assumptive selling creates momentum by assuming the role of a helpful partner—not a pushy seller. 🔍 Key Topics Covered:✅ Why Assumptive Selling Works:Confident sellers who assume they're there to help don’t come off as aggressive—they feel like partners. It’s not about arrogance—it’s about service-driven certainty.✅ The Askology Method – Four Types of Questions:Guiding Questions: You know the answer, but use them to gain permissionInvestigative Questions: Help you discover unknowns and guide the pathEmpathy Questions: Connect on emotional and human levelsInstigating Questions: Challenge the status quo gently to inspire change✅ Order Takers vs. Order Makers:A barista that just fills your order is replaceable. One that recommends a better drink you’ll love? Memorable. Paul explains how proactive engagement creates value.✅ The Dessert Experience:Don’t just offer value—show it. Create irresistible, sensory-rich experiences that spark emotional desire, loyalty, and upsells. Think dessert tray vs. "want dessert?".✅ Confidence Without Pressure:True confidence in sales comes from preparation and purpose. Paul shares a story where one powerful question turned a no into one of his largest clients. 📘 Free Resource:Download Paul’s free Askology eBook:👉 Askology Method – Free eBook 🙋‍♂️ About the Guest:Paul Kirch🎯 Sales Consultant, Trainer, Speaker🌐 PaulKirch.com🔗 Connect with Paul on LinkedInFounder of Sellience and BOSS Academy, Paul empowers businesses to use smart questions and confident assumptions to boost revenue, deepen relationships, and increase close rates. 🤝 With Thanks To:📣 This episode is proudly supported by Canada Growth Network — helping Canadian entrepreneurs connect, grow, and thrive. https://canadagrowthnetwork.com/ 👥 Want to engage with more thought leaders like Paul?Join our next East Trade Winds Tuesday event from 8–9 AM EST. 📅 Register here 📩 Let’s TalkGot a question, idea, or guest suggestion?Reach out to us at info@kreativinsight.com Call to Action▶️ Watch the full YouTube replay now:Ask Better Questions, Sell More Using Assumptive Hero💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments. What’s your favorite type of Askology question?📲 Connect with Paul here or visit Sellience.📆 Don’t miss the next East Trade Winds live event.Register now to network, learn, and grow your business. Disclaimer: Please note that the East Trade Winds podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.It is highly recommended that individuals seek guidance from their advisors in fields such as accounting, law, or other pertinent areas prior to undertaking any actions or making decisions that may impact their financial, legal, or other aspects of life.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Your Business Has More Profit Potential Than You Think

    Your Business Has More Profit Potential Than You Think
    Jan 19 2026
    Many businesses earn strong revenue but unknowingly leave profit trapped inside their operations.Where is your profit hiding?Most business owners push hard to grow revenue—but many still feel stuck in a cash crunch. In this eye-opening episode, Karena Bell, founder of ProfitLinz, shares a powerful message: profit isn’t missing—it’s just hidden.Drawing from her experience as a forensic profit strategist, Karena shows how businesses can unlock money already inside their operations—without cutting revenue, slashing staff, or waiting for growth.Instead of guessing where the money leaks are, Karena uses data-backed tools to help businesses recover what they’ve already earned. She walks us through real examples of companies that:Freed millions in working capital by adjusting receivablesIncreased profits without adding new customersGained control during rising costs, tariffs, and market chaosOptimized pricing and contracts to boost marginsTurned chaotic cash flow into clarity with automationYou’ll also hear why 78% of companies have untapped profit potential, and how over 80 profit levers exist in most operations—but go unnoticed when decisions are based on gut feel.Karena explains why the ProfitLinz approach flips the script on traditional consulting. It’s not about long reports or endless meetings. It’s about measurable results, fast turnaround, and actionable data.If your business feels busy but not profitable, if your financial decisions are reactive, or if you know something’s off but can’t pinpoint it—this episode offers clarity and direction.🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: Your Business Has More Profit Potential Than You Think 🔑 Key Topics CoveredWhat profit strategy really meansHow to find hidden profit inside your daily operationsWhy relying on instinct can hurt your marginsPractical levers: cash flow, pricing, automationReal client case studies with fast ROITariff & duty optimization tipsHow to use data to make confident financial decisions 👤 Guest Links & ResourcesKarena Bell – Founder of ProfitLinzLinkedIn: Karena Bell 🤝 Supported byThis episode is proudly supported by Canada Growth Network – connecting Canadian businesses to the tools, education, and community they need to grow smarter.Special offers and strategic resources may be available through CGN—ask us how to access them. 🙌 Special ThanksThanks to the dedicated community builders and contributors who support this work.East Trade Winds Weekly Meeting – A networking event where real business conversations happen.🗓️ Join us every Tuesday, 8–9 AM EST → Register here 📬 Contact UsHave questions, feedback, or want to work together?📧 Reach out to us at info@kreativinsight.com ✨ Call to Action💬 Leave a comment with your biggest profit challenge.📲 Connect with Karena Bell directly.📺 Watch the full episode: YouTube Link🗓️ Attend our next live East Trade Winds Tuesday session: Register hereYour business might be more profitable than you think. Let’s uncover what’s already yours. Disclaimer: Please note that the East Trade Winds podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.It is highly recommended that individuals seek guidance from their advisors in fields such as accounting, law, or other pertinent areas prior to undertaking any actions or making decisions that may impact their financial, legal, or other aspects of life.
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
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