This is the 2nd in a two-part series of Iowa episodes.  You may remember my lauded episode with Transagra. We found another amazing Iowa company. I am very excited to interview today’s guest.  He has received numerous accolades and awards for his success as an entrepreneur, developing new markets in Africa for U.S. products. His name is Eddy Djagou and he joins us from his company headquarters in Muscatine, IA.  His story is amazing.

Listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/eddy-djagou-shares-his-entrepreneurial-success-story-selling-us-products-to-africa
 
Eddy and I had a wonderful discussion. After you’ve listened, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments below or on Facebook or LinkedIn.

For more information about Djaagou-A, you can visit their website at:

https://djaagou-a.com/

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of this podcast, Levy Commercial Realty, LLC, your long-term strategic real estate partner, from concept to completion. 

http://www.levycommercial.com/

Speaking to us from Portland, OR, I am very excited to introduce today's guest - Richard Biggs, Director, North America for Trade Horizons. Richard is a global business development executive with a wealth of hands-on experience spanning diverse industries, economies, and cultures. His journey is a great story unto itself.
 
We had a marvelous discussion about his international market entry work; and, oh yes, I also had to ask him about his experience as a former international athlete.

You can listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/richard-biggs-of-trade-horizons-an-expert-in-international-market-entry

Afterwards, we would love for you to post your comments below or on Facebook or LinkedIn.  We are a community of exporters, and this is your meeting place to talk about export issues.

For more information about Trade Horizons, you can visit their website at:

https://tradehorizons.com/

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of this podcast, Levy Commercial Realty, LLC, your long-term strategic real estate partner, from concept to completion. 

Hi and welcome back to Export Stories Podcast 2023!  How is your summer going? Here is a podcast to listen to while you are sitting on the beach or taking a walk.

This episode is our podcast podcast. That’s right, we are speaking to a very experienced podcaster whose work includes exploring global business trends.  Our guest is Jeff Ostroff, Principal of Jeff Ostroff & Associates, LLC.
 
Jeff is the creator of the Looking Forward podcast, which covers an extremely wide range of topics, and the Healthcare On the Horizon podcast, both of which have global content. From his experience as a podcaster and from his multi-faceted career as a marketing and communications professional, Jeff shares many surprising and inspiring stories.

You can listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/jeff-ostroff-a-leader-in-the-international-podcasting-industry

After you have listened, please feel free to leave your comments below.  You can also find posts about this podcast on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For more information about Jeff and his podcasts check out the following link:

https://www.jeff-ostroff.com/

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of this podcast, Levy Commercial Realty, LLC, your long-term strategic real estate partner, from concept to completion. 

South Dakota – home of the Badlands and Mount Rushmore – is also a prolific exporting state.
 
In case this is surprising to you, just listen to what our experienced guest has to say about it.  We were honored to speak with Luke J. Lindberg, President & CEO of South Dakota Trade, an association responsible for strengthening the state’s competitiveness in the global economy.
 
He has a long and varied experience in U.S. export policy, which makes him well suited to share his stories about South Dakota exports.

You can listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/luke-lindberg-south-dakotas-trade-czar
 

Afterwards, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments below.

And for more information about South Dakota Trade, check out their website at:

https://southdakotatrade.com/

Thank you so much for listening!

For this episode, we visit a dynamic region of the country centered around Huntsville, Alabama, known for NASA and space related industries; but, of course, it is so much more.  
 
We are joined by two guests today, Anne Burkett of the North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA), a non-profit business-driven membership trade association., and Deborah E. McGee, (pictured here) President & CEO of PZI Consulting, a unique international HR company from the region.
 
PZI stands for People Zealously Connected, and you’ll find out why when we explore their services of Talent Globalization, Global Staffing & Recruitment, and Global Payroll Solutions.
 
We also talk about the story of Huntsville where export business is booming.

You can listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/alabamas-pzi-consulting-the-export-world-of-international-hr-people-development-services-iINm3L7J
 
For more information about PZI Consulting, you can visit their website at:

https://www.pziconsulting.com/

The NAITA website is here:

https://naita.org/

We had a wonderful discussion.   After you’ve listened, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments below.  We are also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of today’s podcast, Levy Commercial Realty, LLC, your long-term strategic real estate partner, from concept to completion. Visit http://www.levycommercial.com/www.levycommercial.com/

Welcome to the Intermodal episode of Export Stories Podcast 2023. 
 
Every exporter within earshot of this podcast has stories to tell about their logistics experiences. To make sense of current and future trends in the intermodal industry, we were honored to speak with Donna Lemm, the Chief Commercial Officer for IMC Companies. IMC is an influential logistics provider headquartered in Collierville, TN.
 
Donna has been serving the international maritime industry for over 30 years.  She has many relatable stories to tell and shares her insights on the current state of the Intermodal Industry. 
 
We had a wonderful discussion, which you can listen to here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/donna-lemm-of-imc-shares-her-insights-on-the-state-of-the-intermodal-industry-pNeSXDXM

After you’ve listened, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments below or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

For more information about IMC Companies, you can visit their website here:

https://www.imcc.com/
 
Thank you very much for listening! 

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of today’s podcast, Levy Commercial Realty, LLC, your long-term strategic real estate partner, from concept to completion. Visit http://www.levycommercial.com/www.levycommercial.com/

You don’t need to be a science nerd to enjoy today’s episode; but you might just become one after listening.

We traveled virtually to Iowa to speak to our guests Lisa Sakai, President and CEO and Dr. Becky Quesnell, COO, leaders of an innovative and fascinating company – Transagra.  Transagra manufactures natural health solutions for animals, plants, and forage production.  When you listen you will learn what that means and hear their stories of export success.
 
Apparently, the world is very interested in buying U.S. products that are sustainable, all natural, and organic. Transagra also happens to be one of many successful exporting companies that is run by women.

You can listen here:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/iowas-transagra-manufacturer-and-exporter-of-natural-health-solutions-for-agriculture


We had a wonderful discussion.   After you’ve listened, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments below.

For more information about Transagra, you can visit their website at:

https://transagra.com/

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of today’s podcast, the North Carolina District Export Council.  They are doing the everyday work of supporting U.S. exports.

Here we are at our 2nd episode of Export Stories 2023.  Prepare to be wowed by today’s guest! 
 
Our theme for this year is the 50 States, but we haven’t stopped there.  Some of our most important and interesting exports come from the U.S. territories.  
 
Today’s episode focuses on Puerto Rico and a very successful entrepreneur, jewelry fashion designer, manufacturer, and exporter. Her name is Joan Laureano, the creator & owner of the fashion jewelry and accessories brand, KRYSTALOS, and the international Catholic brand sensation, DEVOZIONI.
 
Her stories of developing her business from scratch and her expansion into export markets are ones you will want to hear.  And here is the link to where you can listen:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/joan-laureano-puerto-ricos-creative-jewelry-designer-and-exporter
 
For more information about Joan's company, here is a link to the website:

https://krystalos.net/en

We hope you will join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
 
Thank you very much for listening!
 

Jeff Ostroff asked me to be this week's guest on his 'Looking Forward' podcast.

You can find a link to the podcast here:

https://www.jeff-ostroff.com/looking-forward.html

Here are his notes:

Hi everybody!

Do you have a product or service you think might interest businesses or consumers who live in another country? Perhaps you’re looking to invest in such a product or service? Or maybe you’re looking for a job or career opportunity in serving different global markets?

If any of these are of interest to you, you’ll want to hear what my guest expert, Betsy Olim, has to say on this episode of Looking Forward. Betsy’s spent over 40 years in the exporting and international trade world, so she knows quite a bit about all this.
Among other things, Betsy talks about (1) how exporting and global trade have been affected by COVID, (2) how some countries differ when it comes to their import/export business, (3) important trading regulations to know about, and (4) the best resources for beginning or growing your export business.
In true Looking Forward fashion, you'll also learn about the wide array of opportunities the business of exporting and international trade offer anyone from an entrepreneur, to a small business or medium-sized business, to an investor, to a job or career seeker. And, of course, you'll get some great tips from Betsy on how to successfully begin or expand your journey into the large and growing business of exporting and global trade!
Now a little more about Betsy: Elizabeth (Betsy) Olim is President of Olim International, Inc. For over 40 years, she has been providing solutions in international trade, distribution, business development, and risk management.
Betsy founded Olim International, Inc. in 1997 to bring world-class export management and international distribution services to small-and medium-sized U.S. companies. On behalf of her clients, Betsy’s company has opened markets on all continents except for Antarctica.
In 2019, Betsy created "Export Stories Podcast," a podcast of one-on-one interviews dedicated to first person, experiential stories from the wide—sometimes wild— world of U.S. exporting. The mission of the podcast is to encourage U.S. exports and educate and inspire U.S. exporters/potential U.S. exporters through storytelling and discussions with experts in all aspects of international trade.
Betsy is a recipient of the Export Achievement Certificate from the U. S. Department of Commerce. In 2013 she was appointed to the West Tennessee District Export Council by the Secretary of Commerce, and has served on a number of boards for many years, including the Ira Samelson Boys & Girls Club, and Indie Memphis.
You can find out more about Betsy via her website, http://www.oliminternational.com/
She is also on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-betsy-olim-a02b5
Hear her podcast at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/
You’ll find more information about my business, Jeff Ostroff & Associates, LLC, in the middle of this episode and by visiting https://www.jeff-ostroff.com/
On the website, you can also contact us about the various marketing and communications services we offer, such as (1) podcast hosting, creation, consulting, and column writing, (2) professional voice overs, (3) B2B/B2C interviewing for individuals and businesses looking to promote themselves or better understand their customers and prospects, (4) consulting/training on how to excel behind or in front of the microphone as an interviewer or guest, and (5) senior marketing assistance. (Hey, I've actually written a book about that!) You can also reach me at jeff@jeff-ostroff.com

Export Stories Podcast is finally back for 2023, and I am busting with excitement for this year’s line-up! 
 
Our theme for this year is the 50 States.  While we won’t be able to cover all of them this year, our guests will be exporters and service providers, large and small, from states all over the U.S. that we will highlight. They are going to share success stories – surprising stories – inspiring stories – all through the lens of what’s happening in the world today.
 
Our first guest of 2023 is Jonathan Szucs, President of Advanced Superabrasives Inc., a very large, influential U.S. manufacturer that quietly contributes to so many products that we use in our everyday life. 
 
Jonathan has lots of great export stories to share, which is why I am so happy to introduce him to you.

Here is the link to listen:

https://export-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/jonathan-szucs-manufacturing-from-here-to-outer-space

For more information about Advanced Superabrasives Inc., you can visit their website at:

https://www.asiwheels.com/

 
After you’ve listened, we would love for you to share your thoughts and comments, on this page below, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.  We really want to hear from you!!
 
Thank you very much for listening!

I want to thank our wonderful sponsor of today’s podcast, the North Carolina District Export Council.  They are doing the everyday work of supporting U.S. exports.