The Weekly Call

Written by: Amer Abu Shakra Austin Trudeau & John Morgan III
  • Summary

  • The Weekly Call is a conversational podcast hosted by three young business owners. Amer, Austin, and John provide insight into guiding philosophies and perspectives, and how they directly relate to the operation of a business. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theweeklycall/support
    Amer Abu Shakra, Austin Trudeau, & John Morgan III
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Episodes
  • Ep 288 | Capital Allocation ft. Zaid Abu Shakra
    Nov 18 2024


    Austin welcomes the group, including Amer in Toronto, Zaid in Toronto, and John at a Kelowna airport hotel. They discuss their travel plans and upcoming trips, with John going to Mexico for his honeymoon and then Hawaii.

    Zaid and Amer discuss their basketball skills, with Zaid claiming he is the better player overall despite Amer being a better shooter. They also joke about Zaid being a better swimmer than Amer.

    Zaid shares his experience of moving to Canada from Jordan at a young age, noting the cultural differences and adjustments he and his brother had to make, such as seeing more diversity and different styles of dress.

    Zaid discusses his time working for Student Works, starting as a painter and gradually taking on more responsibility and autonomy. He shares a story about realizing the profit margins were not as high as he initially thought, leading him to eventually leave Student Works and start his own renovation company.

    Zaid describes the challenges of starting his own renovation company, including initially taking on a wide range of services he didn't fully understand. He shares how he and his business partner, Kieran, eventually narrowed their focus to kitchen, basement, and bathroom renovations, which led to more success.

    Zaid and the group discuss how the systems and processes Zaid learned from Student Works have helped him in running his own renovation business, such as using Facebook ads, door-to-door marketing, and maintaining high standards of customer service.

    The group emphasizes the importance of proper financial management and accounting, highlighting the risks of not having a clear understanding of a business's financial position. They discuss the value of working with an experienced accountant and the need to track expenses, taxes, and profitability at the project level.

    The group concludes the meeting by discussing Zaid's plans for the future, including his goal of moving out on his own and the potential options for investing his recent profits. They also discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the challenges of scaling a business.

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theweeklycall/support
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    2 hrs and 25 mins
  • Ep 287 | Do You Fear Death?
    Nov 11 2024


    The group discussed the effects of alcohol on sleep, recovery, and overall health. Austin shared his personal experience of how abstaining from alcohol for periods of time significantly improves his sleep quality, resting heart rate, and other health metrics. The group explored how alcohol can have a detrimental impact on the body, even with moderate consumption.

    The group examined why alcohol is viewed and regulated differently than other substances like cigarettes, despite potentially being more harmful to society. They discussed how alcohol is often normalized and accepted, while other substances face stricter regulations and social stigma.

    Austin shared research indicating that voluntary fear and anxiety can be mitigated through physical activity, as it helps immobilize the neural circuitry associated with those mental states. The group discussed strategies for managing voluntary fear and anxiety, such as being aware of the distinction between involuntary and voluntary reactions.

    The group explored the concept of rational decision-making, discussing how factors like workability, involuntary versus voluntary reactions, and avoiding catastrophization can inform better choices. They recommended resources like the book "The Gift of Fear" to further develop these skills.

    John shared details about the new office space the company has acquired, including the layout, amenities, and plans to set up a spray booth for the kitchen cabinet refinishing business. The team expressed excitement about the opportunities this new space will provide for increased productivity, organization, and growth.


    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theweeklycall/support
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    2 hrs and 6 mins
  • EP 286 | Euro Austin Returns!
    Nov 4 2024
    • Meeting Purpose

      Weekly catch-up call between Austin, Amer, and John to discuss recent events and business updates.

      • Austin shared details from his 3-week honeymoon trip to Italy and Greece, highlighting cultural experiences and personal reflections
      • Amer provided updates on Contracting.com's recent conference in Newark, NJ and shifts in sales team management approach
      • Discussion of business growth strategies, focusing on improving setter/BDR team performance and scaling sales operations
      • 3-week trip to Italy and Greece, visiting Rome, Pompeii, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Naples, Athens, and Greek islands
      • Highlights included historical sites (Colosseum, Acropolis), local cuisine, and a cooking class in Positano
      • Reflections on work-life balance, relationship growth, and maintaining fitness routines while traveling
      • Gained 18 lbs during trip (198 to 216 lbs), fasted 48 hours upon return to reset
      • Held in Newark, NJ with strong attendance despite geographic challenges
      • Focus on systems and improving contractor communication skills
      • Team-led organization showcased company growth and staff capabilities
      • Included personal touches like Amer's brother attending unexpectedly
      • Shift from focusing on closing percentages to emphasizing quality of conversations and enrollment
      • New approach: treating sales team (closers, setters, coaches) as primary customers
      • Implementing "servant leadership" mindset to improve overall performance and client outcomes
      • Current focus on improving setter/BDR team performance to increase qualified appointments
      • Goal to reach $1 million USD monthly revenue with 4 closers and 6-7 setters
      • Plans to hire a Chief Marketing Officer to boost social media presence and brand awareness
      • Austin to reflect on incorporating Amer's sales team management approach into his own business
      • Amer to continue developing "dangerous" setter team and refining sales processes
      • Potential follow-up discussion on leadership and sales team management strategies


    • --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theweeklycall/support
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    1 hr and 28 mins

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