Mark Goode Consulting

Imagine you’ve been given some time to meet with Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks. You arrive prepared for your meeting, discussing the benefit of adding public Wi-Fi to his stores. Howard Schultz doesn’t really think this is a great idea, this public Wi-Fi thing, but since part of your pitch is that your company will pay for it, he goes for it.

This is, in part, how Shaker resident Mark Goode started in his career. In 1996, Mark cofounded a company that created public access to Wi-Fi. At the time, Wi-Fi was being standardized and Mark and his team wanted it to be used in public spaces: “You could only do wireless communication with your cellphone or by plugging in your computer to a phone line. We made it public, initially with companies like American Airlines, and then eventually Hilton-owned and branded hotels and so on.”

Mark didn’t think Wi-Fi would be what it is today, so ubiquitous. It was created for the business traveler who had the most acute need, and now, 7 billion people use it. Everything starts somewhere, even something grand.

Mark grew up with dinner talks of investors and cash flow. His father was an entrepreneur who cofounded a company that was the first to be able to sell private cryptographic equipment outside of the U.S. A cryptographic device, for those wondering, is a device that performs some type of cryptographic function, such as random number generation, message authentication, encryption, and so on. Think of the messaging app WhatsApp, which encrypts conversations between two people to ensure they cannot be hacked or intercepted: this is an example of present-day cryptography.

Beginning with conversations with Howard Schultz and establishing Wi-Fi in public spaces, Mark now owns and operates Shaker home-based business Mark Goode Consulting, alongside his partner Pam Roberts. Mark Goode Consulting provides management consulting to both small and large enterprises. “Consulting is a big part of the business. I’ve provided consulting to both small and large companies, including the United States Department of the Army. I also provide podcasting services for businesses.”

Two credentialed employees, they make a great team and great people. Under the Ronald Reagan administration, Pam reported to the White House Chief of Staff James Baker. Mark Goode Consulting, then, comes with experience, both professional and versatile.

As we mentioned, podcasting comprises a portion of Mark Goode consulting services. You may have heard Mark’s podcast and if not, check it out! He has interviewed several Shaker home-based businesses who have shared their wonderful stories. While a small part of his offered services, Mark finds podcasting a lot of fun and interesting. “Right now, there are a large number of people diving into podcasting. What they discover is that it is more complicated than it appears.”

Mark confirms that one cannot just begin with a smartphone, no microphone, upload an audio clip, and attract an audience and call it a podcast. Podcasting, in a quality way, takes time, effort, and the right equipment.

In fact, here are some interesting statistics Mark found on podcasting: 90 percent of podcasts end after the third episode. The other 10 percent after twenty-two episodes. “Podcasters either stop producing because they run out of things to say or they haven’t received enough feedback from their audience. Audio quality is another huge factor. Sometimes the producer doesn’t know enough so the listener becomes frustrated.” Fascinating.

Mark still enjoys podcasting and hosts from the Shaker Library, which he has come to know since moving from Dallas, Texas to Shaker in 2021. Pam grew up in Beachwood and deciding to move back to Ohio, they chose Shaker for the four C’s: cost of living, climate, culture, and community. Mark has come to love Cleveland, and, noticed many differences from Dallas: “one of the first things I noticed standing on my front porch in Shaker was mothers walking their children to school. The ability to exist on a single income doesn’t exist in Dallas.”

Running a business out of his home adds to the benefits of living in Shaker. Perhaps first, we might define what we mean by home-based. When we refer to home-based business, we’re talking about owned and operated businesses that do not have a brick and mortar. That’s it; it has little to nothing to do with size: in fact, home-based doesn’t always mean small business. It means in the home, and Mark discussed those benefits with us: “you’re not wasting time commuting, your schedule is a huge benefit; not having to wear office clothes, and you’re able to offer your client flexibility with scheduling, which is a great thing.”

Of course, there are challenges of owning your own business, whether it’s home-based or not. Mark emphasized the challenges of a solopreneur, including the risk of self-isolation since you’re not always in the company of others and the unpredictability of an income. To take this a step further, one has to be intentional when existing as a home-based business since there is a perception of seeming less qualified than someone owning a brick and mortar. “How you present yourself has to counterbalance this perception,” Mark notes.

Aside from challenges, Mark offers advice for those who do want to own their own business, in general.   “Make sure you have a good business plan, identify a need in the market in which you’ll be confident people will meet. It’s great to be passionate about something, but it’s fundamental and vital that your plan is something of need.” While passion ensures the energy to keep going, having a plan that answers some sort of need in the market is really what identifies success. And, being confident in yourself when you’ve identified this need will reveal itself to your future customers.

Mark and Pam offer consulting services and are more than happy to have a cup of coffee with anyone who owns or works for an enterprise, is a Shaker resident, and/or is interested in having an experienced consultant and entrepreneur to provide feedback for any challenges. “If I don’t have the right answer, I’ll point you to someone who does.” We’re certainly grateful for his move from Dallas to Cleveland, and pretty ecstatic to share Wi-Fi around town with him too.

Visit https://markgoode.com/ for more information on Mark and Pam’s consulting services or email mark@markgoodemedia.com to set up some time to meet.