WatchPitch Podcast: For Start-Ups & Investors

Angel Investors are a major source of start-up capital and one of the premier thought leaders in this arena is Canadian, Ross Finaly. I caught up with him after his Keynote presentation at the annual Venture South Conference in Greenville, South Carolina

Juan Garzon is the Co-Founder of Pitch Breakfast where entrepreneurs pitch investors over coffee while everyone is listening. I had the honor of pitching at a Pitch Breakfast here in Asheville last week and carved out a little time afterwards to talk about Juan's passion for connecting entrepreneurs with a good story for investors

Gary Ross is a business leader, author and entrepreneur who is passionate about helping others get it right. His new book, The Growth Cube, is founded on time-tested practices for successful leadership. He coaches entrepreneurs and evaluates new businesses as a consultant and runs his own, up and coming App enterprise called Wound-Wise.

Douglas Johnson is Founder of ScaleUpOnDemand. They have teams, metrics and what interests us the most - SYSTEMS for Scaling Businesses that appeal to Investors.

Tom Ryan's perspective is invaluable to WatchPitch podcast listeners because although he considers himself a working class entrepreneur as Founder of Talent Jam he is also leading the Start 100 Investor group out of Charlotte, NC and understands deal flow from both sides of the table.

Marcie Anthone is a marketing expert from Coca Cola and other global brands. We recorded this podcast from the Bridge headquarters in Tel Aviv. She offers a broad experience to shaping the value propositions to investors and global partners like Coca Cola, Turner and Mercedes Benz.

My guest today is Chrsitoph Sollich - The Pitch Doctor from Berlin...Germany. He works with Start-Up’s and Accelerator programs around the world helping leaders with their pitches that engage the hearts, and brains, of investors. Whether you are pitching in a mankini or sharing a personal story his global experience offers inspired tools for your next WatchPitch.

Gregg Levoy, is the author of Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life as well as his recent collection of research and explorations, entitled Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion. Gregg's discoveries are valuable for every entrepreneur and investor fueled by their passion and how to keep it alive... for their business and investments to succeed.

Melody Isis Herman is a force as Asheville, North Carolina's Ambassador for the 1 Million Cups national organization as well as a leader of her own, women-owned business. We explore what ambition and grit is all about as a woman entrepreneur and the importance of balance and personal practices that empower.

Josh Dorfman, CEO of the Collider - a climate enterprise center and former CEO of the Venture South angel investor regional group in Asheville, NC - Venture Asheville. We talked about the alchemy of dreamers, the importance of warm introductions to investors and the need for being a problem solver and a tenacious wall-buster in order to see those dreams realized. Exciting and inspired !

Bill Treasurer consults, writes and speaks nationally about the importance of taking that leap; of learning in our discomfort zone and developing courage, that combined, make all the difference for our business, our teams and in our partnerships whether we are an entrepreneur, a large organization or an investor.

My guest today is Barrie Barton, a story Choreographer who offers presentation tips for every entrepreneur by inviting us all to acknowledge our past as we look to shape the future ahead of us...and do it with this knowledge in our bones!

Peter Krull who has been out in front since 2004 of what is now a $8 trillion dollar market of assets in responsible investing with values focused on social responsibility, people and the planet. We explore the role of B-Corps and acknowledge that when building any business, it’s a slog but when there are values at the core we can find investors who care about that. CLOSE: We learned from Pete the inspired growth of values entering the marketplace and the investment community, the importance of alignment and how every business can actively engage practices that support good stewardship, healthy community and the planet.

My guest today is Porter Bayne - Founder of Antenna.is where he has had multiple rounds of successful capital raising with Accelerator programs, Angels and Venture Capitalists. How has he done it and what are his secrets to these pivotal discussions with his business launch and growth. We are going to find out - together! CLOSE: We learned from Porter the importance of a 24-7 ready to pitch story to deliver on a moments notice, the role of tenacity and timing as well as being honest as a founder and CEO about where exactly you are right now, and your next step. The rest of that massive future ahead can just wait.

My guest is Kevin Sandlin, author and founder of Pitch Practice located in one of the country’s fourth largest entrepreneurial tech centers in Atlanta, Georgia. I caught up with Kevin during his regular Friday pitch practice sessions that he offers for free to entrepreneurs. His invitation sparked our follow-up conversation that makes for an inspired lesson in the craft of a pitch after hosting nearly 3000 of them over the last 5-years!

My guest is Cecily Mak, a Silicon Valley confessed bootcamp learner with Listen.com’s Rhapsody Music and Real Networks acquisition of the company before joining Flipboard, a personalized news service voted Apple’s iPad App of the Year. Cecily also teaches Digital Media Law at Hastings Law University in San Francisco. Her approach to helping start-ups and her own company is an evolving answer but at the core is her focus on valuing time and recognizing passion that is not about fireworks but about clarity and resolve. Powerful insights for your next pitch or investment.... let’s get started !

My guest today is Dr. Erin Stefanacci...and we met during a 1-Million Cups Pitch event while we had our WatchPitch, Pitch Booth set up. She pitched at the event and won the June Competition with most reviews and the highest score. Every month we include for each of the winners a WatchPitch podcast opportunity to talk about more about their business and of course, what’s working and what needs to change about how they are growing their business. We had an inspired discussion with lots to learn and share... let’s get started.

My guest is Tom Lamar, Co-Founder of LaunchSail...an international consulting group based in San Francisco whose primary role is empowering Founders, their team and perhaps even more important, their operating system by applying the piloting principles of OODA - Observe, Orient, Decide and Act. This is an inspired conversation for any entrepreneur or investor keen on results in the face of headwinds... let’s get started.

My guest today is Sharon Kleitsch, a seasoned change agent well versed in transformation and facilitating change in organizations large and small for the good. For decades, her affiliation with the Institute of Noetic Sciences and other global and regional groups acknowledge a certain wisdom that lies under the surface of our thinking and how that relates to what we do in the world and our experience. For entrepreneurs and investors, this the inside landscape of who we are and how that shows up on the outside. This is a fascinating exploration and conversation...you will be inspired... let’s get started.

My guest today on our now 20th WatchPitch podcast episode is Emily Breedlove, a leader whose DNA compels her to establish eco-systems of innovation. Particularly important is her commitment to women as leaders and fostering cultures for women and girls that establish a culture of trust...because, Ideas are fragile. This is a great episode for every entrepreneur committed to their own innovation practices including discovering the right fit of investors who will join them in the journey!

My guest today was discovered on the Turner or now, Warner Media campus since the AT & T acquisition, during one of the Bridge showcase events with its partners from Tel Aviv. There is more about this on the WatchPitch website and in an upcoming podcast episode. But here is what got my attention, and after we posted the short video of this company’s invention and IP with thousands of views and comments throughout the day I just had to talk with Co-Founder and CEO Yossi Meshulam. And this is someone who understands pitching, the tribulations of moving from a corporate life to an entrepreneurial one, and what it takes to fully grasp, understand and communicate their value proposition to investors. You will be inspired...let’s get started !

Our podcast today is with Jeff Kaplan a gatekeeping navigator and catalytic converter for engaging entrepreneurs into the community ecosystem of economic development in the Southeast region based out of Asheville, North Carolina. There is a treasure of insights throughout this discussion for entrepreneurs and community leaders, angel investors and angel networks committed to making partnership successful that span even as far away as Capetown, South Africa. And surprise, it may just all start with your pitch...and loving your Mondays. Listen up my friends, you will be inspired, so let’s get started !

Our podcast today is with the Founder of Kitsuma Bars, Cedric Clyburn whose passion for solving a problem as a mountain biking competitor for clean, locally sourced and quick energy in a convenient bar ignited his start-up business. Cedric and his team are disruptors in a crowded and consolidated market of food products and his success is especially noteworthy because he is only 17. I know you will be inspired - let’s get started !

There isn’t a day that goes by where our weather doesn’t impact everybody on this planet... and sometimes that’s a good thing and other times, it’s a disaster destroying homes, coastlines, lives, communities and entire ecosystems. The climate and the human factor have become increasingly woven together. We take a moment in this particular podcast to explore how Climate City USA in Asheville, North Carolina and the Collider are trying to enterprise and make use of all the science data being collected from sensors and satellites circumnavigating our planet to navigate the future and the policies that shape decisions - for governments, cities, communities and business and individuals on a daily basis.... not only will you be inspired but I suspect you will also learn some core practices and values to navigate your future... let’s get started

Our guest for the 25th episode of the WatchPitch Podcast is Brett McCall, Chief Grunt (his assigned title) with virtual reality start-up, Better Than Unicorns. Virtual reality as a new frontier is already shaping our future in the marketplace but the elements and the cycles of life that include reflecting, belonging and community are voices that will have to be included. We began our conversation shortly after our local Creative Morning gathering presented the topic of restarting...which may in fact be one of the components of not just virtual reality but for any successful business entrepreneur. Inspired content. Let’s listen in and get started

Our guest for the 26th episode of the WatchPitch Podcast is Paul Caswell - Founder and CEO of Weave the People - a San Francisco-based consultancy that understands, practices and implements deep connectivity in organizations. Connectivity is the lifeblood of any organization large and small. Clients like ComCast, Coca Cola, Verizon, Johnson & Johnson and countless others also understand how this connectivity also impacts the numbers and the bottom line. If connectivity is missing so eventually is meaning and purpose. Inspired insights and some great tools for accessing meaningful connection in your next encounter...in the workplace, at your holiday gathering or with that new client across the room...let’s get started!

Our guest for the 27th episode of the WatchPitch Podcast is (drum roll…) me! Tadah ! A few days ago...which was last year, the South by Southwest - like event and group in Charleston, South Carolina known as Dig South and their folks at SouthPod reached out to do an interview.. The tech we used for the interview was Zoom, a little rough but hopefully forgiveable because for the first time, we talked about the roots of the WatchPitch. You will discover the engine behind WatchPitch is bridge building! Creating the means to identify problems, offer leading edge solutions partnering the resources to make it happen is at the core functionality of what WatchPitch does...for Investors and Entrepreneurs. You will be inspired as we launch officially into 2019 - let’s get started!

Our guest today is a leader who works with leaders, and their teams with bridge building. This is the details, the work, the schedules, the goals and the web of connectivity sourced from the Founders vision that is critically needed as you grow from a team of 2 to teams in the thousands. Matthew Abrams working with EOS or Entrepreneurial Operating Systems offers insights, specific tools and strategies for the integration of essential frameworks for growing your business and keeping it on track. You will be inspired with a new understanding of the what and the how of growing your team and business. Let’s get started!

Our guest today is Pete Scott at Warner Media, the newly minted company and content engine that Ted Turner started, evolving through a series of acquisitions that is fueled by world-class leadership in content generation. Pete has been with the company for decades, evolving with it, and sits near the tip of the technical spear of innovation and emerging media trends. I caught up with him between trans-atlantic flights with the start-up nation of Israel and this year’s upcoming Mobile Tech Conference in Barcelona. We discussed how global brands are now developing strategies for innovation that come from the outside of their organizations and the good reason why. You will be inspired, let’s get started !

Our guest today is Simmons Lettre, Founder of Charter Board Partners. She regularly consults with the formation of Advisory Boards and Boards of Directors for Charter Schools, nationwide. Charter schools, in many respects are start-ups in the business of education. Charter schools are also innovators, by design, in a field that has been around, well, for centuries. The leadership of these organizations is key to their success and discovering best practices by applying emotional intelligence and design principles from experts at Stanford University are all part of our discussion that underscores how culture eats strategy for lunch. Give this a listen...as you reflect on your own organizational culture!

Our guest today is Brian Gagnon, CTO with Uprise Partners. He, along with his wife Malinda Gagnon and their team invest and lift their partners forward from start-up entrepreneurs to becoming successful businesses. We met at 1 Million Cups in Charleston and circled back with one another at Charleston’s premiere Tech Summit, DIG SOUTH. From SXSW, to TechStar events, CES, MASS Challenge and pitch events coast to coast our conversation inspired deeper understandings of what’s working in these eco-systems, and what isn’t. With roots at Google, VMWEAR, Western Digital and SANDISC the Uprise Partners address core principles of go to market strategies that can include the latest breakthroughs in AI, blockchain and machine learning but can’t forget at the core, is delighting your customers. You will be inspired, let’s get started!

Our guest today is Aaron Welch, current Founder of Woorly, a sharing of favorites platform for family & friends. Aaron is no stranger to the life of an entrepreneur. This is his 5th start-up with successful exits in his rear view mirror...but Aaron is not looking behind him, on the contrary, it is the future he is keen on and not just with his own company but with the lives and health of entrepreneur start-up Founders around the world. A graduate of Tech Stars and with exits in eSports and other customer community building platforms, Aaron cautions with the importance of listening...to the marketplace, to your customers, to potential investors and to your own health as you navigate that fire in your belly with the promise of a success just around the corner. Learn what it takes and what to avoid as we listen to this winner of the Dig South Wild Pitch event, Fan Favorite WatchPitch for Woorly at this year’s Dig South Tech Summit in Charleston, South Carolina...You will be inspired. Let’s get started!

Our guest today is Malinda Gagnon CEO with Uprise Partners and this, Part 2 now of an Interview with this group’s shared leadership with her husband, Brian Gagnon, in Episode 31 of our WatchPitch Podcast. We dive a little deeper into the metrics of what moves investors towards their investing; resources, time and expertise into a start-up. And perhaps you would be surprised to learn that some of this goes as deep as your soul. If a Founder and their team are not operating from a place of trust and a shared understanding of what true north means, to everyone, once faced with success or failure, this could spell for a less than brighter future if their understanding of this compass bearing is not shared. Give this a listen, you will be inspired and especially delighted to hear how a couple manage to invest their time together into future high growth businesses in parts of the country that are under-served and under-represented.

Our guest today is Alexandra Herman and she is particularly special to the WatchPitch Podcast guest list because recently, she participated in a Start-Up grant application that required a Pitch Video. She used WatchPitch to create her video pitch submission and, well, she won the grant. We chat together about how she did that and the collective she has created with others, to revolutionize the wedding industry and experience ...not juts for the bride and groom but for all of those vendors that insure that special day, is indeed, special. Let’s get started with Alexandra!

We have a special treat for you, this now 35th Episode of the WatchPitch Podcast. Not one guest but 5! All captured during a LIVE EVENT where each guest took 10-minutes to discuss with us how best to connect with decision makers and investors so they understand and connect with you. Once that connection happens now you have interest and the results you both want - a decision to move forward together in partnership. You will want to share and hear this episode over and over again as you approach that next meeting and presentation. Let’s get started...this is a special bonus for everyone, including me!

We open our 3rd Season with the WatchPitch Podcast not just with audio but now with video...if you would like to SEE this podcast visit our You Tube Channel and SUBSCRIBE by searching WatchPitch, all one word, WatchPitch and SUBSCRIBE to our WatchPitch You Tube Channel. And when you SUBSCRIBE you won’t miss a single episode. Chrsi DiNicholas joins us, formerly a Graphic Designer with the National Football League here in the US, He works with Founders and CEO’s with a warning sign around his neck. It reads; this job can be dangerous. Pointing to stats that back this up we discuss how to avoid these dangers and build a business with underlying foundational practices that include the importance of Co-Founders... and the “yellow flags” that indicate you might be in trouble with your Co-Founder, understanding what is actually needed for your business and doing that by listening deeply both to your customers and to the marketplace. You will want to hear and watch all of this to learn how important the habits are of your customers… Let’s get started...

How does an Investor, and eventually an investor group actually get formed? What are the values that fuel any investor group and when looking at that triple bottom line of people, profit and planet or community, how can these be measured for successful investing. Well this next podcast dives into the timeline of Kelly Campbell who along with the Investors of the Asheville Investment Club, are hosting the Big Scary Fish Tank Pitch competition where over $500,000 is at stake. And, we get inside the “tipping points” of investor decision-making. You will learn and you will be inspired...Let’s get started...

Mary O’Connor is dedicated to people getting into sync with one another so they can be empowered to improve this planet and whatever else their business is doing to make that happen. We discuss the mechanics and design of persuasive conversations that lead to enrollment. And this means being able to ask, how can I help. What are the problems you are having and there might be a few solutions I have. But your solutions, your reasons for connecting just aren’t going to be received well if we haven’t connected. Super valuable tools discussed...you will be inspired...Let’s get started...

What happens when an Engineer who is traditionally focused on nodes and paths realizes how the mechanics of that actually apply not just to objects and electrical connections but also to people. Our guest today is Chris Filipiak, also known as the Connector. His business is connecting for sales and he actually embeds himself in companies to help with that very process. Huge discoveries in our conversation together about how to do this (including scaring the crap out of yourself) and beginning with where its all starts, our intention. You will be inspired...Let’s get started...

So is it really all just about PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS? Will we always be stuck in this pattern that even neurologists will tell us compromises our ability to be using the full capacity of our brain activity. Organization development experts and consultants Maureen McCarthy and Zelle Nelson from Collaborative Awareness and the Blueprint of We join us on our 40th Podcast and Videocast now to dive into a new model of focusing on what we desire and inventing new possibilities that then excites our brain and engages all of its intelligence. Powerful applications to your self, to inner team dynamics, with your clients and strategic partners and the practice of collaboration. You will be inspired...Let’s get started...

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we get started with a particular focus on exits for start-ups and entrepreneurs and business owners...the exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. To get us started we have an in-depth conversation with the global company, Viking Mergers and Acquisitions and one of their Managing Partners, Jeff McKeehan. You will be surprised to learn about how long an exit might actually take and what to be thinking about as you begin to look over your bow, at the horizon. This episode will offer strategies you can start applying tomorrow. Super important topic for the start-up eco-system that just isn’t being talked about enough...so let’s get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with a particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. In our last episode we talked about Merger & Acquisition readiness for your business. This episode is about, in many respects, the HOW of best practices to get there, and be ready with systems and best practices fully integrated into your business operations and culture... from the ground up. This ensures continuity, growth and integration with the impacts of an exit for you, your buyer and your team. Matthew Abrams joins us again for WatchPitch with Entrepreneurial Operating Systems or EOS as a best practice baseline for the start-up eco-system as well as the active and growing business that is looking at a future exit. This just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our program today features a serial entrepreneur who by his own admission has indeed, had a very successful exit alongside several others that never made it off the launch pad. What is the secret sauce for when to begin thinking about the exit? Well, listen up because it is sooner than you think and to do it well takes a lot of grit...and balance. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our program today features a Founder who had a fortuitous exit with his software for the automobile business. Ford vs Ferrari this is not but what we learn is how powerful getting it right early on with one vendor can lead to a system-wide application to an entire industry sector. Now of course, timing was a big factor but like many other Founders who have had successful exits, it all began with one vendor which led to an Acquisition. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our program today features a multi-generational expert in the world of Mergers and Acquisitions, Brian Sommer, a Partner with the international group, CDI Global. That said, Brian is no stranger to the struggle for start-ups and entrepreneurs and has helped develop and support Shark-Tank like experiences and curriculum for students pursuing the dream. Lots to learn from someone who knows a lot about both, the sale of a business and the buying of one. Exciting listen here how the arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough...until now. That’s why we are here...so, let’s get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our program today features an in-depth discussion with a Founder who has been in the trenches with his business, meeting the marketplace of podcasters with successeful funding rounds and a platform that makes it turn key for podcasters to get started. What’s fascinating is that after two years of pursuing his product launch he is now looking for an exit, and a job. This is a tough, honest and revealing story that mirrors the journey of countless start-up Founders who have massive skills to produce products but who often arrive at an intersection marked, “exit here,” and that translates into getting a job. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s jump in and get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. And our program today features an in-depth discussion with a Founder who did just that, she sold her company. Courtney Bell is passionate about Food and sustainability. Her story starts during her Junior year during an internship in Detroit but with an idea that was going to be launched back in Raleigh - Durham finishing up her Senior year at Duke University. We get into the specifics of her building a company, Ungraded Produce from the ground up with a tiny corner of a cold storage unit and the trunk of her car. The story is fresh from only a few months ago and in this conversation you will discover a roadmap that must always return to your well being and what is best for your customers. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s jump in and get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our guest today is David Madison, a serial business owner with 30+ years of Finance experience who is the guy you go to if you want to buy a business, or sell it. At the core of his guiding principles is the three-legged stool of any successful exit: a solid performing business independent of its owner/Founder, a buyer who knows how to execute that business and the culture fit involved with the blending of any Merger or Acquisition. Transsition risk is real and in this episode you will learn more about it and how to lower that risk. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s jump in and get started!

Welcome to Season 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast where we continue with our particular focus on exits... for start-ups, entrepreneurs and business owners...an exit strategy that could be the result of a Merger, an Acquisition or the outright sale of your business. Our focus is on what everyone needs when you are poised for an exit...a valuation... of exactly just what your business is worth. Redwood Valuation Director Tim Montgomery, a company with bases in San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Atlanta will surprise you in this episode as that number, that valuation, is more subjective than you think. What are the factors a valuation team is looking at ? Well we will discover how much the adage that investing in the jockey, more than the horse, is more accurate than you can imagine. The arc of the exit just isn’t being talked about enough and that’s why we are here...so, let’s jump in and get started!

 Welcome to the Season 4 Finale of the WatchPitch Podcast & LIVECAST where we pivot from our Season focus on exits to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the investor community. We also look at what start-ups need to consider as they seek an exit or additional capital during these unprecedented times. We visit with WatchPitch leadership, coaches, investors and fellow start-ups and business owners who are feeling the impacts of the pandemic directly. This is a global event with participants joining the LIVECAST from three continents. The arc of the exit just isn't being talked about enough particularly because of the pandemic and that's why we are here…so, let's jump in, click on the LIVECAST link and get started!EPISODE NOTESThe future ahead is unknown and this offers opportunities for both investors and business owners. The key will be accepting that the months and Quarters ahead will not reflect “business as usual” during this “new normal.” We are thrilled you watched and/or listened to this WatchPitch LIVECAST Episode as we continue to explore the world of exits, mergers and acquisitions for business Founders and Owners ! Thank you for listening and/or watching the WatchPitch channel and podcast.VISIT OUR WATCHPITCH YOU TUBE CHANNEL TO WATCH this and other Episodes NOW

I was in Nashville, Tennessee last week to open Season 5 of your WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel show with our Season focus on post-COVID strategies for Start-ups and Investors. Trinity Wiles from Where and Share - a retail, brick and mortar installed tech for enhancing the in-person and online, social media experience with retail and Blake Urmos from Low Voltage Nation - a network of training, mentoring and standards initiatives for hard-wired installation practices, who met with me at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center - #NashTech - where we talked about the thaw in COVID restrictions and that impact on start-ups, investors and their respective businesses. A great listen and launch to our new season to help you learn from and re-launch your business in yet another, "new normal !"

So... welcome back to Season 5 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel program with a special focus on the “thaw from the impacts of COVID on entrepreneurs, Start-ups and Investors.For Episode 2 and 3, for Season 5, we are going to Europe, across the pond as they say, to visit with two Founders who competed and were finsihers at this Year's Virtual, Knowledge Graph Conference. Their companies depend on knowledge graphs for their business solutions, just like when you say, “Hey Siri” what's the weather in London like today, or “Alexa, play me some jazz,” knowledge graphs are being accessed to give you those results.AI or artificial intelligence is increasingly harder to avoid when building relevant business opportunities for the future. The winner of the Knowledge Graph Conference Pitch Competition, Dennis Diefenbach, Founder the QA Company joins us from Paris to share how his company is engaging the European Commission as his anchor client to connect its citizens and its complex work of meeting the needs of its members to solve global challenges. An inspired conversation you are sure to learn from...let's get started!

And...welcome back to Season 5 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel program with a special focus on the “thaw from the impacts of COVID on entrepreneurs, Start-ups and Investors.For our Episodes 2 and 3, for Season 5, we are in Europe, across the pond as they say, to visit with two Founders who competed and were finsihers at this Year's Virtual, Knowledge Graph Conference. Their companies depend on knowledge graphs for their business solutions, just like when you say, “Hey Siri” what's the weather in London like today, or “Alexa, play me some jazz,” knowledge graphs are being accessed to give you those results.AI or artificial intelligence is increasingly harder to avoid when building relevant business opportunities for the future. The runner-up at the Knowledge Graph Conference Pitch Competition, Sabrina Viitasaari, Co-Founder the Nusa Sentara, joins us from southern Portugal but based out of Lisbon to share how her company is using AI and knowledge graphs to help solve one of the biggest issues of our time - our waste... and moving solutions and connecting those solutions, globally, to local best practices. An important and future defining effort for our entire planet...this is an inspired conversation that takes us to Finland, British Columbia, Belize, Indonesia with lots to learn and discover together ...let's get started!

Welcome back to Season 5 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel program with our special season focus on the “thaw” from the impacts of COVID on entrepreneurs, Start-ups and Investors.And in this episode # 54 we are doing a deep dive with Pitching during this time when we might indeed, start to find ourselves back-in person with a group of peopleAngie Flynn -McIver is one of our pitch coaches and during COVID she decided to put the time to good use and write a book that cracks the code on everything you do...BEFORE you say anything.Gold nuggets in here that you can use right away and I am confident there is lots to learn for those of you embarking on presenting anything with conviction and ease in front of a group of people. This conversation with Angie was so helpful !Love how intention is at the core of our connecting with ease, and clarity no matter who the audience is.Angie's Consulting Company, IGNITECSP.com is full of talent and coaches who can help you and your team members deliver successful presentations and pitches with ease.Her eBook, look for it beginning on Oct. 6th and visit the website for more information about the book release for, Before You Say AnythingWe are indeed, on a threshold, a re-start and new beginning, looking forward against a challenging past...but a future with new opportunities to embrace.Thanks for joining me, Trey Scott, and our guest, Angie Flynn McIver for  Season 5, Episode # 4 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel. 

And...welcome to our Season 5 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel program with our special focus on the “thaw” from the impacts of COVID on entrepreneurs, Start-ups and Investors.For this Episode, our 5th this season, we are going west, to the Northern California coast of redwood forests and the world famous, “Emerald Triangle,” of Humboldt County. Husband and wife team Jon O'Connor & Amy Cirincione O'Connor launched a boutique hotel in the thick of COVID. And their other businesses, also squarely in the hospitality industry, have embraced the legalization of cannabis with both style and thoughtful considerations. Few entrepreneurs have forged this convergence of hospitality and cannabis as well, and as consciously, as Jon & Amy along with their nearly 60-employees. COVID and all of the many regulations in California was riddled with speed bumps for the hospitality industry. And for many states here in the US, Cannabis is still in a nascent stage of main stream acceptance and legalization. This is a new growth sector for entrepreneurs and we learn first hand, as parents and as shared leadership in their journey that these two have crafted with a deep commitment to communication and style along with a dedication to consumer-focused growth and scaling.Lots to learn and discover together ...let's get started!This conversation with Jon & Amy was so revelatory and helpful ! Super warm to be invited to their home, surrounded by redwoods and that, crackling living room fire.So as cannabis becomes increasingly normalized we will see this sector expand. Jon and Amy are proof-positive that this can be consciously done, with some grit and determination to work with regulatory groups and local rules, that are constantly adjusting to both...COVID, at the moment, and to the acceptance of cannabis as legal.I want to encourage you to visit their Indiegogo campaign page - listed as the:  Scotia Lodge Swim Club for a crowdfund campaign raise for a year-round, outdoor community pool project. Great video and sweet perks!We are indeed, on a threshold, a re-start and new beginning, looking forward against a challenging past...but a future with new opportunities to embrace.Thanks for joining me, Trey Scott, and our guests, Jon O'Connor & Amy Cirincione O'Connor for  Season 5, Episode # 5 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel.

For this Episode, our 6th this season, we are going to the Sauna House. Now you might be pausing right now, thinking huh, a Sauna House? You mean where you sweat, it's hot, you take a cold plunge and get back in, and sweat some more? Yep, The Sauna House. Founder and Owner Andrew Locklin, after many entrepreneurial businesses, including a helicopter rental operation - you'll hear more about that in a moment - turned to the ancient and time-tested tradition and experience of the sauna…and is now enterprising that for a national launch in 2022. He started the business the year before COVID and as you can imagine, had to shut it down, during COVID, but also with a loyal team, figured out a way to re-open and is turning a profit with scaling plans and momentum that is taking him nationwideThis is a new lifestyle and healing direction for Americans who are admittedly, a bit behind on what Europeans know full well, about the benefits of sauna. Andrew gets personal with his own discoveries as a business owner, his journey and some sage advice for navigating the passion that is at the origin story of every start-up entrepreneur and business owner. This episode with Andrew covered so much turf and territory that many of us as entrepreneurs and business owners face. What's particularly valuable here is a commitment to culture, from the inside-out. As a Founder and Owner, we have to inform our organization, our business operations and our passion around what we value most in order to be successful and rooted in the vision and mission of our passion to operate a business. For Andrew, people, planet and profit are at the center but I am also going to add one more element we discovered togethet in this podcast - a personal commitment to well-being. Without that, it's clear that suffering is going to be part of the equation of our business experience. And most certainly, with a business focused on well-being, there is a daily reminder of that commitment.We are indeed, on a threshold, a re-start and new beginning, looking forward against a challenging past...but a future with new opportunities to embrace.Thanks for joining me, Trey Scott, and our guest, Andrew Locklin for  Season 5, Episode # 6 of the WatchPitch Podcast and You Tube Channel program.