Overview

On this episode of Build Your Network, Host Travis Chappell interviews Nicole Baldinu co-founder of Webinar Ninja and the producer of the 100 Dollar MBA Show.

Topics Discussed:

• About Nicole Baldinu
  • Was a teacher before she became an entrepreneur.
    • She gave up teaching after 12 years and decided to go to New York Film Academy and Study film.
    • She freelanced as a videographer in New York.
    • Teamed up with Omar to build the 100 Dollar MBA and then Webinar Ninja.
    • Has recorded over 1,000 podcasts.
  • What inspired Webinar Ninja?
    • They didn’t set out to create the platform.
    • They were working on the 100 Dollar MBA and working in Google Hangouts and email marketing.
    • Because of this, he put together his own WordPress program to solve his own problem.
    • They found that this was a real pain point and wanted to help others use webinars as a great tool.
    • This last September they’ve released version 5 of the platform.
    • They pre-sold twice and sold out both times.
  • How difficult was it to go from owning a content creation business to a SaaS business?
    • It was very difficult, but exciting and rewarding at the same time.
    • With software, as soon as they started to build the team, they had to relinquish control and be patient.
    • There were a lot of unknowns with software development and coding.
    • You have to bring everybody on board with your mission.
  • How is it balancing both businesses?
    • At the beginning, Omar and Nicole did everything themselves. As the businesses grew, they had to grow too.
      • Nicole used to edit all the podcasts.
    • They had to figure out what they could delegate and what they needed to hire for.
  • Do you believe that what you know or who you know is more important and why?
    • They’re both important. If you can’t be helpful and be a go-to person for something, it can be a problem in networking.
    • You don’t live in isolation, so you need good people around you.
  • Tell us about a time where a connection in your life led to a moment of success.
    • She met Kate Ericson in San Diego and that influenced her.
      • She really respected her when she first met her.
      • Her friendship with Kate has evolved.
      • Her experiences have been similar, and they can help each other understand what’s going on.
    • Why do so many people fail to network?
      • Could be fear, maybe they don’t value networking, they have a bit of pride.
      • Lack of awareness, not understanding how important networking is.
    • Are you naturally introverted or extroverted?
      • Naturally extroverted – as a teacher it came naturally.
      • How do extroverts make it about everybody else instead of themselves?
      • Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People
      • Genuine care and interest in people comes from asking questions and being genuine.
    • What’s your number one networking tip?
      • The ability to see another person’s perspective and world view is the most important thing.
        • It allows you to be more tolerant and takes your filter off.
      • Throughout your career, how important have mentorships and masterminds been?
        • She put together a mastermind this year with two other women in the same situation, working with their spouses.
      • How do Nicole and her husband balance work and life?
        • She doesn’t feel like she needs to relax, and she tends to go, go, go all day and night.
        • In a day, she gets a lot done and has to learn to stop sometimes.
        • They do their chores together on weekends, but put everything into the calendar.
        • Every year they have a retreat where they do shut off for a week.
          • They get away, set their goals for the year and review the last years goals.
        • You have to be self-aware and find what works for you.

The Random Round:

• What profession other than your own do you think it would be fun to attempt?
  • A flamenco dancer
• If you could sit on a park bench for any hour with anyone past or present, who would it be?
  • Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx
• How do you like to learn best, books, blogs, podcasts or video?
  • Blogs, but more than that, classroom.
• Favorite blog?
  • A flamenco blog.
• Give us a glimpse of your morning routine:
  • Feed the kitty
  • Feed herself
  • Jumps into the basecamp to talk to the team or talk to the customer service manager.
• What is your go-to pump up song:
  • Top of the World by Mike Posner
• What are you not very good at?
  • Deep work, she likes to focus for short bursts.
• Can find her on Twitter @nicole_baldinu

Resources Mentioned:

Buildyournetwork.com – Podcast website

Webinar Ninja – Nicole’s webinar software company

100 Dollar MBA – Nicole’s other company with her husband

Book – How to Win Friends and Influence People