None of my Business S6: E7- Nick Aldinger

On this episode, I have Nick Aldinger who is the co-owner of Idaho Business League (IBL) Events. Nick is a native Idahoan who after college moved away. But like many others, the pull of Idaho was too great and he came home.

IBL Events is an organization that helps businesses and consumers at the same time by putting on large events and shows. For example, they put on the Home and Remodel Show and the Idaho Business and Technology show. You may have even been to a few of these yourself.

Nick has a background in running his own business which gives him invaluable experience for what he currently does. He started up a tech company in the early 2000’s and then went into real estate in 2005. We talk about what he learned from both of these experiences.

Enter the great recession. After Nick decided he didn’t want to ride that horrific wave, his network saved him and helped him get stable employment at Micron. He worked at Micron for about 9 years when another opportunity presented itself.

In 2013, Nick and his wife Anna Marie bought the event side of the IBL. We talked about the conversations they had before buying a business. There is a lot to consider and there will always be some sort of risk. It was interesting to hear about their path to this business.

After a few years, they both decided to work on the business full time. We go on to talk about what it has been like taking over this business and running it full time.

Nick and I also discuss what business owners should do to prepare to work a show like this. Working a show like this is part art and part science. You want to draw people to your booth without scaring them. You want to make a real connection in about 2.5 minutes and then hope that turns into a sale. As awkward as working a booth at a show can feel, it’s really the easy part. It’s the follow up after the show, that many business owners shockingly fall flat on.

I had a lot of fun chatting with Nick. He is well spoken and gives very thoughtful answers. Thanks Nick for all you do and for all you provide to business owners and consumers here in the valley.