The Art of Improvement

I had a conversation with bag designer and Founder of Practice, Kim Tran, in the previous podcast.  (Please check it out!!!!)  I loved takling to her so much I asked her if she could do a second show.  She told me about her her journey in creating her own brand of bag and the bumps that came along the way as she got started in this very competitve field.  I also asked Kim about her college major and how she finally settled in on this line of work.  This may not be our lst podcast!  I hope you love her as much as I do and I know you'll love her bags!  Find one you'll love for yourself:  https://www.practicewhatyoulove.com/

Kim Tran, a bag designer with experience at Crocs, Vera Bradley, Vince Camuto, Coach and others, has some fundamental issues with the fashion industry. She believes it has stopped focusing on quality design and no longer cares about what's best for customers and employees. This realization inspired her to launch her own mission-driven bag brand, Practice. She calls the brand's no frills design “a mix between Prada and Patagonia”, and people are starting to get excited. Her best-selling product, the large Karma backpack, features a practical, minimalist design, is made in limited small batches.  Practice What You Love   https://www.practicewhatyoulove.com

Brenna Estrada is a United States Marine, turned 911 Operator turned Flower Farmer and now turned Author. She has been on a book tour promoting her recently released book, "Pansies".   Three Brothers Blooms 

Phil Williams, CEO and Founder of Game Face Grooming.Game Face GroomingPhil says he had been to countless basketball tournaments over the years and found himself time after time with no where to shower or clean up afterwards. His idea for athletic face and body wipes has taken off with starting with an appaerance on Shark Tank to today's parntership with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Robert “Robi” Jalnos, Texas Kosher BBQ Chairman and with Congregation Agudas Achim talks about a sizzling showdown and family-friendly fun at this year's 9th Annual Texas Kosher BBQ Championship! It takes place on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 16550 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78248 for a day of good-ol' fashioned Texan hospitality! Get ready to indulge in the most mouthwatering and flavorful Kosher BBQ dishes in the Lone Star State.  The winning teams will receive a Coveted Belt Buckle memorializing the BBQ, a grand prize check of $2,000 and bragging rights for a year. The winners of the People's Choice competition receive a $250 cash donation to the charity of the team's choice – invite your friends and family.Entries are limited to 20 teams this year. They'll have 2,000 pounds of kosher brisket, chickens, fish and beans lined up for you to use for the competition.  Sign up teams NOW to secure your spot in this uniquely kosher and Texas event.  https://thetexaskosherbbqchampionship.com/ (210) 479-0307

Andrea Liebross is a business and life coach specializing in working with unapologetically ambitious women entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. A speaker and host of the Time to Level Up podcast, Andrea guides her clients to combine big thinking with solid systems that work together to unleash their success and find the freedom of time, money, and energy they crave. She is excited about the release of her book She Thinks Big: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Guide to Moving Past the Messy Middle and into the Extraordinary in the fall.  https://andrealiebross.com/ 

Duncan Cork, President of BFT (Body Fit Training)BFT is a group strength training concept backed by science, where personal training meets boutique fitness. With nearly 300 studios around the world, BFT is seeing strong growth in North American after its acquisition by Xponential in 2021. The BFT team opened more than 30 studios in 2023 alone, and secured more than 500 signed franchise agreements, which should triple the brand's size in the coming years.  https://www.bodyfittraining.com/ABOUT DUNCAN: Duncan brings with him a wealth of experience in branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship that has shaped his journey to leadership at BFT. Starting his career as an Art Director in South Africa, Duncan's passion for brand building and entrepreneurship led him to establish his own creative consultancy in London at just 24 years old! His expertise in distilling complex ideas into tangible, marketable concepts has been instrumental in his success across various industries.https://www.bodyfittraining.com/ 

Teresa Johnson, CEO of Leading pottery painting franchise Color Me Minehttps://www.colormemine.com/Color Me Mine was founded in 1991 and is based in New Orleans, LA. It is the only contemporary paint-your-own pottery franchise in the industry, and has an international presence with more than 120 locations across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. Acquired by Twist Brands LLC in 2020, Color Me Mine provides guests with the “The Art of Having Fun” through a unique pottery painting experience in a welcoming, relaxing environment. Guests can choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint, and enjoy an hour or two of entertainment while making meaningful connections and memories with friends and family while creating a unique piece of art. Ceramic pieces are then glazed, fired, and picked up later.

Jim Sliney Jr., Chief Patient Officer at Patients Risinghttps://www.patientsrising.org/Imagine this: you call your insurance cohttps://www.patientsrising.org/mpany with a simple question about an outstanding charge on your account. They can't answer it and direct you to your doctor's office, which then blames the pharmacy, who tells you to call your insurance back. How many times does the average American find themselves in this frustrating loop, trying to get basic information about a healthcare system that should be working for them? Too many to count. That's where Patients Rising comes in.  Patients Rising is a grassroots patient advocacy organization dedicated to finding comprehensive policy solutions to improve patient access to healthcare. They also operate a helpline staffed with "navigators" who assist patients with everything from billing and medical bill support to arranging transportation to doctor appointments.  https://www.patientsrising.org/ 

Melissa (Mel) Turnquist, CEO, Texas Center for the Missing has 20+ years of nonprofit development, community education, and training experience.  As CEO of Texas Center for the MIssing, she is responsible for financial accountability, board development, marketing, education and outreach, and fund development.  centerforthemissing.org

Lou DeFrancisco, President of Lindora, a leading provider of medically guided weight loss and wellness services.  Founded in 1971 in Southern California, Lindora has established itself as a trusted brand in the health and wellness industry, improving many lives across millions of client visits.  Lindora is growing quickly with franchise locations across America.  lindora.com 

Chris Michlewicz talks about FarmBox Foods:  Designing, building and selling controlled-climate container farms that grow gourmet mushrooms, leafy greens, culinary herbs, micro greens, peppers, tree seedlings and barley fodder.FarmBox provides you with the tools and knowledge to sustainably grow locally sourced food year-round in any climate, anywhere in the world. They handle all of your transportation logistics and shipping, and their deployment team will even help you get up and running once the farm arrives at your site. https://farmboxfoods.com/ 

Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D.,R.T.(R)(M), FASRT and CAE of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Pergola talks about the importance of their new Be Seen campaign. Pergola also talks about the importance of being your own patient advocate.https://www.asrt.org/beseenRadiologic technologists are eligible for Active membership if they are registered in a primary modality by certification agencies recognized by the ASRT or hold an unrestricted license in medical imaging or radiation therapy under state statute. They have all the rights, privileges and obligations of membership including voting, holding office and serving as a delegate.https://www.asrt.org/beseen

Michael Benzaia represents ASRT, American Society of Radiologic Technologist. Medical Imaging professional and actor, Benzaia has over 15 years experience in the medical imaging profession. His experience as a health care professional caring for patients and operating state of the art medical imagine equipment is part of the reason he's able to make his on screen roles in shows like General Hospital and Law & Order so convincing.

Attorney Sasha Begum, with the Pelaez Law Firm and Crash Angels is a transactional attorney with both big law and in house counsel experience. She has a distinct educational background in that after completing her J.D. at American University, Washington College of Law, she was one of only 3 in her class selected to participate in a dual degree program where she spent 2 years studying in Spain. Begum talks about her career, her law partner and her life in this episode of The Art of Improvement. www.bp-plaw.com

Mike Cheek, CEO with SNP Alliance which is dedicated to improving policy and practice for frail, disabled, and chronically-ill beneficiaries. Cheek came to the SNP Alliance from his role as the Senior Vice President for Reimbursement and Market Strategy for the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). Prior to this role he was the director of Medicaid Long Term Care for the District of Columbia's Medicaid agency, the Department of Health Care Finance. In addition, Mike has worked for three state government associations: the state Medicaid directors where he focused on eligibility and long-term care, the state developmental disabilities directors, and the state aging directors. Mike also worked as a consultant for several years, first at The Lewin Group and later at Avalere Health, offering his expertise to states, health plans, pharmaceutical companies, and post-acute and long-term care provider organizations.https://snpalliance.org/

Mike Sykes, CEO of the US Aviation Academy says If you have a passion for mechanics, or are looking for a career change, US Aviation Academy's accelerated A&P Mechanic courses are designed to get you to work fast. He says after graduation, candidates can prepare to find diverse career options for starting pay in the high 60s. The academy also provides flight training allowing you the best flight training experience in the world to become a pilot! For more info: https://www.usaviationacademy.com

Garrett Sutton and Ted Sutton, Corporate Attorneys and Authors.The father and son law team discuss the Corporate Transparency Act, the new law that no one is talking about. Corporate Direct assists clients with asset protection. They discuss the new Corporate Transparency Act and why it's important...especially for small business owners nationwide.https://corporatedirect.com/Ted is also the author of"Five Tricks to Teach Your Kids About Money" which you can dowload for free at www.sunnstream.com/fivetricks

Joan Ulsher, CASA Advocate and Author of Misplaced Childhood. Ulsher suffered abuse as a child, was in and out of foster care, and, as an adult, became a CASA Advocate to help ensure other children like her have someone in their corner. https://www.joanulsher.com/

Claire Stepanek is the founder and CEO of ergo, a startup developing pricing software that gives consumers an option to negotiate pricing with retailers through an online software plugin. Stepanek came up with the idea for ergo while working on the supply chain team at Apple, which manages the vendors that make the parts that flow into Apple products, where she found the most successful strategy for often negatively labeled “stressful negotiations” was to be authentic and keep it simple. Claire and ergo's vision is to build out analytics for stores so they can gain value while also boosting revenue and sales and learning about the market. The company is also working to get products and features out for the impending holiday shopping season.

Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT is the CEO and Executive Director of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Dr. Pergola is a registered radiologic technologist with an extensive career in clinical practice, radiologic science education, hospital operations and leadership roles. She also has more than 25 years of experience as a volunteer for the ASRT, North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists, and various other organizations.

Blair Ortmann, Vice President of Mission Advancement/Child Advocates San Antonio Child Advocates San Antonio (Court Appointed Special Advocate) The mission of Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) is to recruit, develop and lead highly impactful court-appointed volunteer Advocates who provide constancy and support for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. Go to their web site CASA-SATX.org and register for one of our Information Sessions.

Jamie Krasnov, CEO at Apex Leadership Company, heads a dynamic fundraising franchise for elementary and middle schools. He's been instrumental in steering the company's strategy and execution to increase value to the Apex franchisees and Apex schools across the nation. https://apexleadershipco.com/

Bruce Frasier, CEO and Owner of Dixondale Farms graduated from West Point and ended up and has ended up an integral part of the growth and success of Dixondale Farms. He has led them to successfully control 90% of the onion plant market in the United States and the largest cantelope grower in Texas. the 24 hour a day, seven day a week work involved in growing onion plans usually end in May and then cantaloupe production begins. It's all hands on deck for this team. dixondalefarms.com

As an experienced San Antonio LASIK eye surgeon, Dr. Carlos Manrique de Lara recommends Blade-Free Z-LASIK for his LASIK patients. Z-LASIK is a modern LASIK technology and Dr. Manrique is a trainer for this technology. LASIK eye surgery can treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Dr. Manrique is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist with over 20-years of experience and has performed over 67,000 laser vision correction procedures.Manrique Custom Vision is a state-of-the-art Z-LASIK facility dedicated to providing a high-quality lasik eye surgery experience that meets your comfort, safety and laser vision correction needs.

Will Sweeney is the Founder & Managing Partner of Zaviant Consulting, a company that focuses on improving the security posture of client systems to protect sensitive data by complying with official information security rules/requirements. Mr. Sweeney is a skilled and experienced consultant, auditor, and project manager who demonstrates expertise in information systems controls, IT audit and assurance, risk management, information assurance policies and procedures, and IT governance. Mr. Sweeney is adept at managing consulting engagements, including risk analysis, scope setting, testing and evaluation, client and leadership relations, and report writing.

Chris Oliver is Trucker Path's Chief Marketing Officer. As a proven problem solver, strategist & brand creator in the world of transportation technology, Chris brings more than 25 years' experience leading small to mid-sized businesses into and through tremendous growth phases by identifying avenues to feed company growth; developing & executing the strategies to capitalize on those growth opportunities; communicating the vision, roles and deliverables required from each department within the growth organization; and leading the execution that ensures overall success. In addition to Trucker Path, Chris led growth and development efforts for several well-known transportation brands including Cargomatic, Zonar & PrePass. Chris holds degrees in Marketing, International Management and Finance.Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. A subsidiary of leading global SaaS provider, Moatable, Inc. (NYSE: MTBL), the Trucker Path app is currently in use by nearly 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck-optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time parking availability, fuel prices, weigh station statuses, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; and COMMAND™, the industry's first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet. For more information, visit www.truckerpath.com.

Austin Stovall, Regional Sales Manager of Ferti-lome talks about Fall planning.

Brent Perkins, author of the “Papercuts: The Art of Self Delusion”Brent spent the first half of his life building a career around achievement, reaching C-Suite status, traveling the world, speaking, launching new technologies and building businesses. After a 7-year journey that led through some dark places, plant medicine journeys and eye opening realizations, it became evident that nothing external was ever going to fill the void. As the reality of divorce after 18 years of marriage sunk in, he began to see the grind for what it truly was, bringing clarity to what really matters in life. Beginning with a divine 'tap on the shoulder', Brent stepped out of corporate America, put everything else on hold and wrote his first book. 90 days later he had found a novel way to relate to the ego (the small “self” in each of us) and bring to light its role in our lives. His casual yet intimate style, woven together with storytelling and poetry, challenges us to wake the 'F' up and step into our agency. To own the power of choice we have each been gifted and start showing up to life with a deep sense of presence.With his first book, “Papercuts: The Art of Self Delusion,” set to launch after the summer of 2023, he is on a mission to help others break free from victimhood and embrace a life of integrity.

Will Sweeney is the Founder & Managing Partner of Zaviant Consulting, a company that focuses on improving the security posture of client systems to protect sensitive data by complying with official information security rules/requirements. Mr. Sweeney is a skilled and experienced consultant, auditor, and project manager who demonstrates expertise in information systems controls, IT audit and assurance, risk management, information assurance policies and procedures, and IT governance. Mr. Sweeney is adept at managing consulting engagements, including risk analysis, scope setting, testing and evaluation, client and leadership relations, and report writing.

Rob Kalwarowsky, Leadership Coach and TedX SpeakerROb is an impactful speaker whose quiet realizations give his audience loud transformations. Rob shares wise insights about toxic leadership, mental health and finding purpose in life. Elite High Performance https://www.elitehighperformance.com/

Amanda Cope is the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Positive Recovery Solutions, a mobile clinic offering approved treatments and counseling for addiction. With over 17 years of sobriety, Amanda's personal journey of overcoming addiction drives her mission to help others on their path to recovery. Through her organization, she has provided support to thousands of individuals and believes in the power of hope, self-worth and community. Amanda's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that recovery is possible and that a transformed life is within reach for anyone struggling with addiction.https://prs-cares.com/

Jonathan Strauss, the co-Founder of Neven Eyewear, is the driving force behind NEVEN Eyewear. Neven set out to curate and source the very best of on trend products and resources - so that they could create Eyewear that is stylish, functional, of great value, and superior to anything else on the market with an Everlasting Guarantee that allows them to stand behind their product 100%. It's also buy one get two free with every purchase!neveneyewear.com

Judy Davidson is a Franchise Consultant and Coach helping clients find the franchise that fits them best. Judy Davidson Franchise Consultant & Coach949-246-3603 - cell Schedule a call with me now! calendly.com/jdavidson1 jdavidson@franchoice.comhttp://franchoice.com/JDavidsonwww.MyFranchiseFreedom.com

Jeff Jackson serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of PGT Innovations. He joined PGT Innovations in November 2005 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2006, Mr. Jackson helped lead the Company's IPO and was later named Executive Vice President. In 2014, Mr. Jackson became President and Chief Operating Officer with responsibilities overseeing the Company's strategic direction. In 2016, Mr. Jackson was appointed to the Board of Directors. Prior to joining PGT Innovations, Mr. Jackson held various executive management roles. About PGT Innovations, Inc. PGT Innovations manufactures and supplies premium windows, doors, and garage doors. Its highly engineered and technically advanced products can withstand some of the toughest weather conditions on Earth and are revolutionizing the way people live by unifying indoor and outdoor living spaces. PGT Innovations creates value through deep customer relationships, understanding the unstated needs of the markets it serves, and a drive to develop category-defining products. Through its brands, PGT Innovations is also the nation's largest manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors and holds the leadership position in its primary market. The PGT Innovations' family of brands include CGI®, PGT® Custom Windows and Doors, WinDoor®, Western Window Systems, Anlin Windows & Doors, Eze-Breeze®, Eco Window Systems,

SHANE FOSS CEO of Hooray HealthHooray Health provides affordable, convenient supplemental healthcare. This includes hourly, contingent, and full-time workforces and their families. They specialize in providing unique benefit plans designed specifically for their needs. Their plans offer accessible care at home or on the go using a network of Retail Clinics and Urgent Care Facilities, as well as Telemedicine services, prescriptions and specialty care discounts. Since its founding in 2017, Hooray Health LLC has been committed to disrupting the health industry by providing employers, members, and their families with the assurance that their basic healthcare needs are met.

Chuck DeLadurantey with Private Family Banking familybankingnow@gmail.comRegardless of the market, you can be fiscally free without working harder or changing your cash flow. Private Family Banking can help you become your own banker and take advantage of the benefits that banking insiders never tell us about. All this while minimizing taxes and building lasting transferrable wealth. You can use your own bank to fund college, finance cars, finance business, pay mortgages, reduce debt and fund retirement.

Denise Laguens Leleux, CEO at Curbee https://www.curbee.com/ Curbee comes to you! They bring the auto shop to you, so you can relax while they change your oil, replace your tires, swap those brakes, or investigate that funny noise.

Austin Stovall, Regional Sales Manager of Ferti-lome gives gardening tips for the upcoming planting season and the weather.

A new art exhibit called POLLINATE has just opened at the Newark Airport after debuting a prototype at the Oculus in New York City last year. The exhibit aims to raise awareness for the importance of saving the bees, featuring beautiful imagery from world-renowned photographer Reka Nyari.The real story, however, lies in the project's backstory. Founded by late celebrity designer, Kenny Davis, POLLINATE is now led by his widowed husband, Ilay Ron. Eight years after Davis's unexpected passing, Ron has finally been able to see his late husband's vision come to life.

Shauna Wekherlien is an author, speaker, investor, and highly sought-after tax strategist whose reputation has been built on 20+ years of experience and implementing innovative tax solutions for individuals and businesses. Shauna has been featured on many news and radio stations (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, Sonoran Living, The List, KFNX, KFYI, etc) as well as written publications (CNNMoney, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Women, AZBiz, etc). She is an educational Tax Professional who loves to see the light bulb turn on for those she teaches, mentors, and guides. She truly is a “Tax Goddess.” 

Austin Stovall, Ferti-Lome talks about all of the products offered by Ferti-lome.https://www.fertilome.com/

Request a free one hour brand strategy call with this link:https://freebrandcall.com/es/ Elizabeth Stephens is a sought-after speaker and Personal Branding Expert at the Brand Builders Group. She has worked with clients ranging from 8-figure entrepreneurs, helped launch NYT Bestselling books, helped align top ranked podcast hosts, financial strategists, and everyone in between to build their influence, impact and income with a personal brand. Not only has Elizabeth spoken for audiences of 800+, but she has also helped craft TED talks for her clients (one with tens of thousands of views in the first few weeks of its release), written expert bios that resulted in 5X original speaking fees and helped to close business deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with aligned and powerful personal brand messaging. An honors graduate of Vanderbilt University, she has leveraged her human and organizational development degree to enact initiatives at multi million-dollar companies like Southwest Airlines. Her signature keynote contains implementable insights on data from a study Brand Builders Group conducted in 2021 on trends in personal branding that expand your influence, reputation, and results for your brand and business. www.brandbuildersgroup.comElizabeth@brandbuildersgroup.com

taxgoddess.comTax Goddess is an amazing mix of professionals from different parts of the world, 11+ countries at present and counting. Each one of them been proven to be the best in their respective fields. They specialize in reducing taxes for business owners, investors, professionals, and other 7 & 8 figure entrepreneurs across the US and are ranked among the Top 1% for tax strategists in the country. As an industry leader, they have helped save their clients over $740,264,635 and counting! It is the efforts of the Tax Goddess team that ensure we save you every bit of your hard-earned money.

Internationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multi[1]million-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you - so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone. That's why Brad has created 90 Days To Revolutionize Your Life – It's 30 minutes a day for 90 days, teaching you his 30 years experience on investing, business and life.

Charles DeLadurantey has provided consulting services to several verticals including manufacturing, healthcare and supply chain firms. In 2019, he became a Partner with Private Family Banking. His mission is to help individuals and businesses understand the options for wealth building, retirement pension systems and private financing available through uniquely designed products with an underlying base of life insurance and annuities. Chuck and Michelle, his wife of 48 years, live on his ranch in Luling Texas where they raise beef cattle and enjoy hosting fun family events for their children and grandchildren.