Podcasts about organization eo

Michael Richman is a Professional EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide, a company that helps entrepreneurial leadership teams gain clarity, traction, and results through a proven operating system. With a background as a fifth-generation entrepreneur, he brings decades of firsthand experience in building and scaling businesses. Before becoming an EOS Implementer, Michael owned and operated a second-generation multimillion-dollar custom manufacturing company, culminating in a successful exit. He holds a degree in communications from the University of Southern California (USC) and an MBA in small business entrepreneurship from California Lutheran University. In this episode… Many entrepreneurs face the challenge of running and growing a family business while balancing legacy, leadership, and long-term sustainability. Scaling can feel overwhelming, employees may resist change, and eventually, the emotional weight of selling a business becomes unavoidable. How do you create clarity, build respect, and prepare a company for both growth and transition? Michael Richman shares how he navigated these challenges as a fifth-generation entrepreneur. By securing major accounts like Starbucks, Panda Express, and Family Dollar, Michael proved his value and helped expand his family's custom manufacturing business nationwide. Later, he turned to the EO community and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to implement simple tools, such as scorecards, accountability charts, and people management systems — changes that unlocked growth, revealed hidden problems, and ultimately prepared the business for a successful exit. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Michael Richman, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, about transitioning a legacy business and scaling with systems. Michael discusses custom manufacturing, high-trust B2B partnerships, and how the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) changed his trajectory.

Kent Lewis grew up in the Seattle area. In college he studied business and marketing. After college he went to work for a PR agency but left to go into the digital marketing industry in 1996. Kent has formed several marketing agencies during his career. He is quite up front about challenges he faced along the way as well as what he learned from each issue he faced.   Kent's philosophy about community is quite interesting and well worth adopting. He believes very much in giving back to his community. Today his day job is serving as “Executive Director of NextNW, a non-profit trade association that unifies the Pacific Northwest advertising & marketing professionals interested in professional development, sharing best practices, and collaborative problem-solving”.   Kent gives us many relevant and timely business insights. I hope you agree that this conversation gives us some good business lessons we all can use.     About the Guest:   Kent Lewis, Executive Director, NextNW Lewis is currently Executive Director of NextNW, a non-profit trade association that unifies the Pacific Northwest advertising & marketing professionals interested in professional development, sharing best practices, and collaborative problem-solving. He is also Founder of pdxMindShare, Portland's premier career community, with over 12,000 LinkedIn Group members. With a background in integrated marketing, he left a public relations agency in 1996 to start his career in digital marketing. Since then, he's helped grow businesses by connecting his clients with their constituents online. In 2000, Lewis founded Anvil Media, Inc., a measurable marketing agency specializing in search engine and social media marketing. Under his leadership, Anvil has received recognition from Portland Business Journal and Inc. Magazine as a Fastest Growing and Most Philanthropic Company.  After selling his agency in March 2022, he became a CMO for the acquiring firm. Beyond co-founding SEMpdx, Lewis co-founded two agencies, emailROI (now Thesis) and Formic Media. As a long-time entrepreneur, he's advised or invested in a host of companies, including PacificWRO, Maury's Hive Tea and ToneTip. Lewis speaks regularly at industry events and has been published in books and publications including Business2Community, Portland Business Journal, and SmartBrief. For twenty years, he was an adjunct professor at Portland State University, and has been a volunteer instructor for SCORE Portland since 2015. Lewis tours nationwide, averaging 30 speaking engagements annually, including a regular presenter role with the Digital Summit conference series. Active in his community, Lewis has been involved in non-profit charity and professional trade organizations including early literacy program SMART Reading and The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).  Industry recognition and awards include Portland Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Award, American Marketing Association Oregon Chapter Marketer of the Year, and Top 100 Digital Marketing Influencers by BuzzSumo.   Ways to connect with Kent:   Links https://kentjlewis.com/   And LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentlewis/     About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:20 Well, hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of unstoppable mindset. Today. We get to chat with an award winning entrepreneur, and he just told me a really interesting factoid. We'll have to, we'll have to talk about it, just because it is about one of the most fascinating things I've heard in quite a while, and a very positive thing. But I'm not going to give it away, because I'm going away, because I'm going to let him talk about it, or at least start the discussion. I'd like you all to meet Kent Lewis. Kent has been an entrepreneur for a while. He helps other entrepreneurs. He works in the non profit arena and does a variety of different kinds of things. And rather than me telling you all about it, you could read the bio, but more important, meet Kent Lewis and Kent, welcome to unstoppable mindset.   Kent Lewis ** 02:05 It's, it's a pleasure to be on the show. Thank you for having me, sir.   Michael Hingson ** 02:10 Now where are you located? I'm based in Portland, Oregon, yeah. So you're, you are up up the coast, since I'm in Southern California. So yes, you know, one of these days I'll be up that way again. Well, Alaska Airlines will fly me up there.   Kent Lewis ** 02:27 Yeah, totally right. Yeah, good   Michael Hingson ** 02:29 to have you, unless you come this way first. But anyway, well, I'm really want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. And why don't we start? I love to do this. Tell me a little bit about kind of the early Kent growing up and all that stuff.   Kent Lewis ** 02:44 Yeah, so I grew up in Seattle, Washington. I think something that's influenced me is that my dad was is, or is, a retired architect. And so there was always this design esthetic, and he was an art collector enthusiast, I should say. And so I was always surrounded with art and mid century, you know, furniture and there's just style was a it was a thing. And then my mom was always in when she was a social worker and went into running nonprofits. And so I grew up around that as well of just giving back. So if you ever heard that common term, you know, learn, earn, return. Start your life you're learning, then you're maximizing your earnings during your career, and then when you in and around later in life, you start giving back, right, returning, right. And I learned from my mom that you never stop you never stop learning. You never stop returning. And my my mantra as an entrepreneur is never stop earning right? So, so I've always been giving back and donating my time, and I've always appreciated sort of good design and well thought out things. And I think that's influenced my career in marketing and as an entrepreneur, business owner, and now more of an advisor, Coach type,   Michael Hingson ** 03:59 well, so growing up in Seattle, did you visit pikes market very often?   Kent Lewis ** 04:04 My dad used to work right, right, like, two blocks away. So I would go there all the time. In fact, I remember when there was just one Starbucks when I was a kid, yeah, at Pike Place Market, and they used to sell large chunks of delicious, bitter sweet chocolate, I know, you know, in the behind the counter, and it was a very hi and you could smell the teas and all that. It was a very different experience, very cool place. And so, yeah, love   Michael Hingson ** 04:33 the pipe waste market. I understand that they don't throw the fish anymore. No, they do. They do. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Maybe it was just during the pandemic that they decided not to do that, but   Kent Lewis ** 04:44 think you're right about that. But they definitely, they, they're still, it's still a major attraction. It's too big of a thing to stop.   Michael Hingson ** 04:51 Wow, that's what I was thinking. And that's just way too big of a thing to to stop. My probably not the greatest fish fish catcher, I've been there, but I. I never caught a fish.   Kent Lewis ** 05:02 Yeah, that's only got, like, one or two in my life. And I don't, I don't do it much, but   Michael Hingson ** 05:08 Well, well, that's the place to go anyway. So where did you go to college?   Kent Lewis ** 05:13 I went to Western Washington University in Bellingham, uh, just 1020 minutes from the Canadian border, because, in part, when I was in school, it was a 19 year old drinking age in Canada, so I was 20 minutes away from my earlier drinking age. Turns out, I grew up going to Vancouver, BC quite often for the soccer exchange program when I was a real young youngster. So I fell in love with Vancouver, and as I've had been fortunate enough to travel the world a bit, I realized that it was one of my favorite cities, and it still is. It is such a global, amazing egalitarian, like, no matter your color, race, creed, you could be a millionaire or you could be a bus driver. There was no not the same class, classism you see in other US cities or around the rest of the world. It's truly an amazing and it's also, of course, beautiful   Michael Hingson ** 06:04 there. I found that true throughout Canada, and I've enjoyed every Canadian city I've ever been to. One of my favorites is really going to Toronto. I was always impressed as to how clean it really was.   Kent Lewis ** 06:17 You know, that's true. I've been there a couple times in conferences, and I found it to be clean and impressive, you know, and then, but my, one of my favorite, other cities I only spent overnight, there was Montreal. What a beautiful, beautiful place, absolutely stunning. I   Michael Hingson ** 06:35 spent two days in Montreal once when I was selling some products and turn the TV on at 1131 morning that I was there and watched the Flintstones in French. That was unique. That was unique. Cool. How cool is that? Yeah, it's awesome. That was kind of fun. But, you know, so you, you went to college. What did you major in?   Kent Lewis ** 06:58 I majored in business with a marketing concentration, which is great because I ended up doing marketing for a career, and for 22 years ran my own agency, or my own business, basically.   Michael Hingson ** 07:10 So what did you do when you got out of college?   Kent Lewis ** 07:14 I went immediately into the world of public relations agency life. I always wanted to be a found out after college that I, what I really wanted to be was a copywriter, you know, writing ads. I just coolest thing as a kid. I just didn't know that. It's, I didn't realize what it, what it you have to go to Ad School. You can't, you can't graduate regular college and become a copier. At least you weren't able to when I was, you know, back in the mid 90s. So I started in PR because it sounded hard to pitch the media and try and get them to say what you want them to say about your brand, your client and your brand. And that did me well, because when I got in from went from PR in 94 to digital marketing, SEO, search engine optimization 96 my PR background was extremely helpful. You know, in in that, in that whole world. So because doing PR builds Domain Authority, which builds your rankings in Google, and the rest is history. So, so it was very helpful. It gave me a bit of an edge. And then my business background meant I was better equipped to to go from doing the work to managing people, they're doing the work, to doing my own thing, you know, and running a instant running team, I was running a business. So that was super cool. You   Michael Hingson ** 08:38 know, it's interesting. I've especially because of the World Trade Center, but not only, but before it as well, I learned a lot about dealing with the press. And I've, I've watched a lot of press interviews today, and it's, it's amazing how often and then people have said that this is the way you should do it. No matter what the press person asks you, you answer with the with the answer you really want to give, whether you answer their questions or not. And I think that's an interesting approach, and I suppose it can be positive, but especially for for politicians who don't want to answer the tough questions. But I I know that for me, I've always tried to structure my answers in such a way that it gets them to take the question that they originally asked that I might sort of answer and reframe it so that I will answer a lot of times that, for example, talking about blindness and blind people, there are just so many misconceptions about it and and all too often, like first time I was on Larry King lives, Larry was asking questions about guide dogs. And he said, Now, where did you get your guide dog? And I said, from San Rafael, California. He said, well, but the but the main. School is a new is in Michigan, right? And I said, No, it's a different organization. And what we learned after doing that interview was that the way to deal with Larry was to program him and send him questions in advance with answers. Then he did a lot better, because the reality is, he didn't really know necessarily the answers in the first place. It's just amazing how you know how a lot of times it's just shallower. The Press tends to over dramatize. But I appreciate what you're saying about marketing and PR, I've done so much of that over my lifetime, and for so many reasons, in so many ways, I know exactly what you're talking about.   Kent Lewis ** 10:47 Yeah, yeah. That's, yeah, it's, it's a fascinating world that I've, that I've, you know, been live, living and working in. And I, yeah, I'm impressed, yeah, Larry King Live. That's pretty cool. And, you know, hopefully you've helped people just side note, you know, get a clear understanding of what it is, what it is both like to be blind and then how you navigate this world successfully, as if you're, you know, fully sighted. You know,   Michael Hingson ** 11:18 well, one of the things that I actually learned over the last couple of years is something that I've actually written an article and had it published about, and that is that we've got to change our view of disabilities in general. People always say, well, disability is a lack of ability. And I say, and I always say, No, it's not. And they say, Well, yes, it is. It begins with dis. And I said, then, how do you equate that with disciple, discern and discrete? For example, you know they begin with D is the reality is, disability is not a lack of ability. You think it is. But I've added to that now when I point out that, in reality, every person on the planet has a disability, but for most people, their disability is covered up. Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb, or at least we give him credit for it back in 1878 so for the last 147 years, all we've done is spent so much time improving on the technology that provides light on demand, which just covers up your disability, but it's still there. And I realized that one day I was at a hotel in Los Angeles at three in the afternoon when we had a power failure, and everybody started to scream, even down in the lobby, when they had all these nice big windows that were letting in all sorts of light, but it wasn't giving them the light that they wanted and the amount that they wanted, and people panicked. So I realized then, oh, well, now the reality is they're light dependent, which is as much a disability as my light independence is. It's just that it manifests itself differently, and there are a whole lot more light dependent people than light independent people. But we've got to really change our definition and how we view it. So   Kent Lewis ** 12:58 that's really insightful. It's good to think about.   Michael Hingson ** 13:01 Yeah, it's kind of fun. But, you know, so, so where did you, where did you go off and go to work in the in the marketing world? So you did? You didn't go to Copyright School? Or did you? No, no,   Kent Lewis ** 13:13 I just know. I once I talked to the creative director at this agency in Seattle where I did my first internship. He's like, Yeah, you'd have to go back to art school. And I was like, what school I just finished? So, you know, it didn't really matter. And we So, with that said, we, you know, I moved into PR, and then I moved to down to Portland from Seattle, because I could actually get a paying job because the internship I did three months full time, virtually, basically no pay, I found a low paying job instead in Portland. So I moved I only knew one person here in Portland, my cousin. She's still here. We both have families now, and I know a lot more people, but I basically have, since moving here to do my second agency job. I've been, I've been a part of 10 agencies in my career. I've been, I founded two, co founded two, fired from three and exited the four that I created, or co, co founded, basically. And so right now I have a consultancy. I could say that's my 11th agency, but I don't even really count it as an agency. I'm just a fractional CMO, you know, marketing advisor at this point, just a few hours a month, because my my day job as of January, is running a nonprofit called next northwest.org which is a it's a trade organization for marketing and advertising and creative community, the creative services world. And it has 119 year history in Portland. And now it's, it's now expanded to five states and into Canada. And so I've got this I'm working. I manage a board of, you know, decent sized board, and a decent sized advisory. Committee that I created, and just the last couple months, and we do learning events for the creative community and networking events and celebrations, like, you know, awards, award shows to celebrate the work. So that's kind of my day job. And then I also speak and write a lot you and I share a passion for for education and learning and sharing knowledge. And so I've been, I've probably averaged 25 speaking engagements a year for the last 20 years, and last year was 30. For instance, I fly yours, mentioned your your travel. I'm flying to Tampa on Sunday to present on Monday, on a panel about AI in the senior care space, for instance. And then I come back and I, I, you know, got it. I got one or two more. But I, you know, I typically do a dozen fly flying gigs, and then I do a lot of webinars and local gigs as well.   Michael Hingson ** 15:55 So what are you what are you going to say? What are you going to say about AI in the senior care space?   Kent Lewis ** 16:01 That's a great question. So what my focus as a marketer is, here's how you can use AI to streamline and automate and maintain or improve quality. So it's not meant to it's not a secret hack, cheat code to lay people off. It's a It's get more out of your current resources, basically, and do more with less, and do it more effectively. That's kind of, that's, you know, that's my, what I'll be talking about is the how you know how to use it for research, ideation, content creation, content editing, reporting, synthesizing information, customer service, that kind of thing. So I only have, you know, it's a panel event, so I'm only doing like a 10 to 15 minutes part, and then there are other presenters doing their part, and then we have a little Q and A, usually, I'm a sole presenter on whatever topic, usually digital marketing or employee engagement, which is what I got passionate about. Once I sold my agency. After 22 years, I became an employee at that the agency that acquired my company, and I was immediately underwhelmed and disappointed in what it was like to be an employee, and wanted to fix it. So that's what I had been focusing on when I given a choice. I want to evangelize. You know, what I learned from my experience, and I've done a good amount of research, and, you know, two weeks ago, I presented in Portland on the topic to entrepreneurs. Then the next day, I flew to Denver and did the same presentation to a group of agency owners. And then the next day, I did a webinar for similar group of entrepreneurs, you know, so three versions, three days in a row, a 3060, and 90 minute version. So,   Michael Hingson ** 17:42 pretty fun. Yeah. So how many books have you written?   Kent Lewis ** 17:47 Ah, I knew you'd say that so or ask that. I have not written any books, but I have, darn but I've written, you know, probably 200 articles. I could easily AI them into some sort of book, if I wanted to. You know, I went from writing 80% to 90% of my art content was on digital marketing for the first 20 years. And then the last 10 years, I focused almost exclusively on writing about entrepreneurship and and business ownership, leadership and employee intention, retention, engagement. And, you know, so I mostly syndicate my articles, like business journals, occasionally in Ink Magazine, etc. So if I were to write a book, it would be about the business side of things, instead of the second, I would write something about digital marketing. Not only am I no longer an expert, and consider myself an expert relative to others, those books are outdated the second they're printed, right? So, so it doesn't make sense to really write a book on digital marketing, and everything's already been said, etc. So, so if I wrote a book, it would be probably more on the employee engagement side versus anything. But I will say that I don't know if you know who Seth Godin is. He's the number one marketing blogger in the world. He's written many best sellers, Purple Cow, permission, marketing, etc. He's remarkable guy. And I had was fortunate to talk with him and then meet with him over lunch in New York City 15 years ago. And he said, after our two hour lunch, he charges $75,000 for speaking engagement. So it gives you a sense of who he is. He has for for 20 years. And so he said, Kent, you've got a book in you. I was like, I wish you hadn't said that, because now I don't want to, I don't want to disappoint him, right? So there you go.   Michael Hingson ** 19:31 Well, if you write one at some point, you have to send us a picture of the cover and we'll stick it in the show notes whenever. Yeah, that sounds great, but yeah, I you know, I never thought of writing a book, but in 2002 we went to the AKC Eukanuba canine championship dog show in Orlando. It was in December, and among other people I met there. Here I met George Berger, who was at that time, the publisher of the American Kennel Club Gazette, and he said, You ought to write a book. And I went, why? Well, because you you have a great story to tell. You should really write a book. Well, it took eight years and a lot of time sitting in front of Microsoft Word to get notes down, but eventually I met someone named Susie Flory who called because she was writing a book called Dog tails. And it was a story of what she wanted to write stories of, actually, 17 different dogs who had done some pretty interesting and miraculous things. And she wanted to write a story about my guide dog at the World Trade Center, Roselle. And she said, Tell me your story, if you would. And I did. And when we were done, there was this pause, and then she said, You need to write a book. And since I've written books, I'll help you. And a year later, underdog was published, and it became a number one New York Times bestseller. So that was pretty cool.   Kent Lewis ** 21:01 That's fantastic. Congratulations. Very impressive.   Michael Hingson ** 21:04 And then last year, well, in 2013 we published a children's book called running with Roselle, but more adults by a thing kids, because it's not a picture book, but it tells the story of me growing up and Roselle growing up, and how we met, and all that. So it isn't really as much a World Trade Center book. But then last year, we wrote, live like a guide dog. And the intent of live like a guide dog is to say to people, look fear is all around us, and so many people just allow themselves to be paralyzed, or, as I say, blinded by fear, so they can't make decisions. They don't learn how to control it. But if you learn how to control fear, you can use fear as a very powerful tool to help you stay focused, and you'll make better decisions. So we use lessons I learned from my guide dogs on my wife's service dog to write, live like a guide dog. And so it is out there, and it's it's a lot of fun, too. So you know, it isn't the easiest thing to write a book, but I would think you have a book in you, and you should, well, I   Kent Lewis ** 22:03 appreciate that vote of confidence. And hey, I mean, you did it, and you had an amazing story, and you've done it multiple times. Actually, it's great inspiration for me.   Michael Hingson ** 22:16 Well, I'm looking forward to reading it when it comes out. You'll have to let   22:20 us know. Yeah, will do so   Michael Hingson ** 22:23 you at some point, switched from being an employee to being an entrepreneur. How did that all happen? Why? Why did you do it? Or what really brought that about?   Kent Lewis ** 22:38 Well, I kept getting fired.   Michael Hingson ** 22:40 So why'd that happen?   Kent Lewis ** 22:42 Yeah, so that's the fun part. So I I've never been fired for cause like a legit clause. I'm a high powered, high performer, and so I actually, that's why. So the first time I was fired was by the guy that invited me to co found an agency. His name was Ryan Wilson. He was my he was my boss. And then he was fired by our larger agency. He ran a team that I worked on. I worked for him. I was inspired by him. I I was mentored by him. I thought the world of him. So when he came to me three months after he got fired, it was about, it's always about a girl. So he he basically, he got divorced. And so this other woman, they met at the office, and they were soul mates, and they he had to clean up his life. And he did, and he said, I've got an agency die. I've got two clients ready to sign. I need key employees, and you're one, one of them, then I would hope you would join me. I said, No, the first time he got his act together. I said, yes, the second time, and that. So I we built an agency together with, you know, we start with six people. I brought in two other people and another gal that ran the PR side. I was running the digital side. She brought in somebody said we had six of us on day one, and a year later, we didn't have a formal share shareholder agreement for our percentage of the company that went from being worth zero to being worth a few million dollars, and we felt that we should have something in writing, and before he could, we could get something formally in writing. My, my other partner, she, I didn't really want to do the business with her, but I didn't really have a choice. I want to do the business with him. She said, I'm asking for more equity. I said, Okay, I feel like that's fair. I think we've earned it, but, and I'll, I'll be there with you, but I wouldn't have done this if she hadn't said, I'm going in. Are you with me? So when I we asked, she asked me to make the ask. I wasn't necessarily prepared or thinking about it, and it really offended him. He was really mad, and he was playing to fire her, and by me teaming up with her, he felt, you know, slight. And he fired us both, and the next week, I started anvil, my agency, Anvil Media, that I ran for 22 years, I did a couple other starts, one with a college friend and a guy I had met at that that at one of the first, one of the earlier agency agencies I'd worked at. He and we, he and I and my college buddy started an email marketing agency in 02 and then I decided, well, this isn't for me, but I now learn it's not that scary to hire employees. So then I started hiring employees at anvil and late 03 and so I ran anvil with employees for, you know, 20 years. Two of those first two years were just me and some contractors and and then, oh, wait, I started a second agency because I needed a more affordable solution for my partners in small business called Formic media. Ran that for five years before I merged it with with anvil. But in between, I was also fired. When I first started anvil, I was it was just a hang of shingle in 2000 to do some consulting, but I wanted a full time gig, and a year later, I had an opportunity to run my my team from the agency. I was fired from that company. That agency was sold to another agency for pennies on the dollar. And when my old boss died, rest in peace, we hadn't really cleared the air yet, which is it still is one of my greatest regrets. You know, for nine months we didn't talk, and then he passed away. Everybody peace, not before he passed away, I was able to get, yeah, his his soul mate. They weren't married yet, but they were going to get married. She told me that two weeks before he died, he expressed regrets and how we had ended the relationship, how he had fired me, and he was looking forward to reconnecting and re engaging our friendship. And so that made that meant the world to me. I had a lot of peace in knowing that, but I so the first the second place I got fired was this agency again about a girl. So the first time was a girl telling me, you need to ask the boss for more money or more equity. And I did, and that offended him. And the second time was my girlfriend at the time, who's who moved over from that agency to the new agency where my my old boss died before he could really start there. She was dating on the side the Creative Director at that agency, and he'd been there over 20 years. And so when I started there, I saw something was up, and I was like, Is there anything going on? She's like, No. And so eventually I just broke up with her anyway, because I just it wasn't working, even if she wouldn't admit that she was having a side relationship. But I was eventually fired because he was a board, you know, he was on the board. He was, he wasn't my boss, per se, but he was one of the senior partners, and they just wanted me out. You know, she might have money. Wanted me out. He definitely wanted me out. So that was the second time I got fired. And then the third time I got fired was it kept the stakes get given, getting bigger. When I sold my agency 14 months later, they fired me, really, not to this day, not for any cause. It's that they asked me to take an 80% pay cut a year into my buyout, and I and then I they were going to close my Portland office, which I was, I own the building, so I didn't want to lose my own myself as a tenant, so I offered to reduce my rent 30% so I basically, for two and a half months, worked for free for this agency that had bought my agency. So they were making payments to me. I was carrying the note, but they they couldn't. A year later, they're like, I'm sorry. So they a year later, I took a pay cut for two and a half months, and when I asked them, you know, when am I getting back to my pay? They said, Well, you know, we can't guarantee. We don't have a path for you back to your full pay. And I was like, Okay, well, then I told my wife, let him inform them that we're going to go back to, we are going to go back to our full rack rate on our rent. And when I, when we notified them, they they totally, they totally fired me. So they canceled the lease, and they fired me, and so they so it. And you know, I, my team was slowly being dismantled, a 10 of us, 11 of us, I guess 10 or 11 us went over, and within a year, there were only two wait. Within two years, there was only one person left on my team. So it was a really sad, sad experience for me. It wasn't as hard to sell my business as I thought. It wasn't as hard, you know, just emotionally, it wasn't as hard to sunset my brand after 22 years. Wasn't easy, but it was way easier than I thought. What was hard for me was watching them was was closing the office. It broke my heart and and then watching them dismantle my team that I spent, you know, two decades building, most of that team was within 10 years, the last 10 years, last even five years of of our business. Us. There was a relatively new team, but we were so tight, and it was just heartbreaking. So, you know,   Michael Hingson ** 30:09 yeah, wow. So what do you think was your biggest mistake in running your own agency?   Kent Lewis ** 30:19 That's a great question. I think the biggest, biggest mistake was not understanding the Hire great people and get out of the way. Lee Iacocca, you know, to paraphrase him, I hired great people and I got out of their way. But what I didn't do was make sure they had all the proper training, alignment of core values that they had, there was enough trust between us that they could come to me with they were struggling or failing. Apparently, I was a fairly intimidating figure for my former my young recruits, but most of that time, up until the last five years, I always had a senior VP my right hand. I hired her with the attention that she might take over the business someday, she was totally creating a wall between me and my employees, and I didn't know it until 2012 and so, you know, I had 10 years to try to undo what she had created the first 10 years, basically of a fear based management style, so that that didn't help me, and I didn't believe it. I didn't really see it. So then I rebuilt the company, and from the ground up, I blew it up in 2013 so 10 years after of having employees, 13 years of having the business, I completely dismantled and blew it up and rebuilt it. And what did that look like? It started with me just not wanting to go to work in the building, and I realized I can't quit because I'm the owner, so I have to fix it. Okay? I don't mind fixing things. I prefer to fix other people's problems instead of my own, but I really a lot of people do, right? Yeah. So I wrote a credo, basically, what would it take for me? What are, what are it got down to 10 truths, what? What are the truths that I need to go into work and that others around me, co workers, team members, need to also agree on so that we can work together successfully. So it went from being about clients to being about the team and being about accountability. And you know, it was so it was so decisive. It was so radical for my current team that had been with me five to 10 years of they lose clients, I get more clients. And I eventually told them, I can't replace clients as fast as you're losing them. It's not a sustainable business model, so you need to be accountable for your actions and your decisions. That's the new anvil. You and you're out. I gave them 72 hours to think about it and sign it. Signed literally to these credo. It's not a legal document, it's just a commitment to credo. And half the team didn't sign it, and they quit. And then within 12 months, the rest of the team either quit or we've I fired them because they did not fit in the new anvil. And it's funny because everybody else that I brought in didn't even it didn't even register. The credo was so unremarkable to them, because we were already aligned by the time we hired them, we'd done our research and the work to know who fit, and so they didn't register. So eventually we just dropped the credo was no longer needed as a guide or a framework. It's still on the website, but, but you don't, you know it doesn't really matter. But that's what I got wrong, is I did not build the trust. I did not have I had processes in place, but but without the trust, people wouldn't tell me how they felt or that they were struggling. So a lot of process wasn't recognized or utilized properly. So I rebuilt it to where and rebuilt the trust to where the team that was with me when I sold I was very close with them. There was 100% trust across the board, a mutual respect, arguably a mutual love for the craft, for each other, for the company, for our clients, and it was a lot of fun to work with them. I didn't sell because I was unhappy. I sold because I was happy, and I thought now's a good time to go and find a good home. Plus my wife was my operations manager for five years, and she wanted out. Frankly, I thought it was easier to sell the business than try to replace my wife, because she was very good at what she did. She just didn't like doing it, yeah? And she also didn't like, you know, me being her boss. I never saw it that way. But once she explained it, after I sold, she explained, like, you know, you boss me around at work, and then you try to boss me around at home, and I'm not having it. You pick one? Yeah, so, so I was like, I think, like, I bossed you around. And she's like, Hey, you just, it was your company. It was always going to be your company. And, you know, that's fine, but you know, I want to move on. I was like, Okay, why don't we just sell and so that, yeah, they the operational people. And so it took her, took that load off of her. She's worked for. Nonprofit now, so she's happy, and so that's good.   Michael Hingson ** 35:05 Well, it also sounds like there were a lot of people that well, first of all, you changed your your view and your modus operandi a little bit over time, and that's why you also got you fired, or you lost people. But it also sounds like what you did was you brought in more people, not only who thought like you, but who really understood the kinds of goals that you were looking at. And so it was a natural sort of thing. You brought in people who really didn't worry about the credo, because they lived by it anyway.   Kent Lewis ** 35:38 Yeah, that's exactly right. And that was, that was my lesson. Was, you know, I always knew there's a concept called Top grading. You know, you thoroughly vet client, you hire slow and you fire fast. Most entrepreneurs or business owners hire fast and fire slow, and it's very, very expensive and but, you know, I got that part and I just better. I was far better at, I was far better at, what would I say, creating processes than kind of feeling, the love? And so once I figured that stuff out, it got a lot it got a lot better.   Michael Hingson ** 36:16 It's a growth thing. Yes,   36:18 exactly, yeah. Well, you   Michael Hingson ** 36:21 have something, and you sent me something about it. You call it Jerry Maguire moment. Tell me about that.   Kent Lewis ** 36:28 Yeah. So that's, you know, I just, I just sort of backed into the story of just being unhappy. But what ended up happening more specifically that Jerry Maguire moment was putting my son to bed in March of 2013 and I mentioned that feeling of not of dread. I didn't want to go to work. I was frustrated with my team, disappointed in my clients, not appreciating the work we were doing, frustrated with some of my partners. You know, in the business, I felt disconnected from the work of digital because I'd worked on the business for longer than I'd worked in the business by that point, and so I just, it was, it was, I was a bit of a mess. And I realized, like, I need a reason to get up and go to work in the morning. And that's when I came up. I was inspired by Jerry Maguire's manifesto from from the movie, and apparently you can find it online. It's a 28 page manifesto. So I ended up distilling into those 10 truths that we called the credo, and so what happening is just again to recap, it took me a like a couple days. I had instant clarity. I like I fell asleep like a rock. Once I realized I had a plan and I had a framework, I felt better about it, even though there was much work to do. So as I mentioned, you know, half the team quit within the first week, the other half bled out over the next year. That meant 100% employee turnover for two years in a row. As like as I upgraded my team, that was painful. I had to hire three people in order to keep one good one. You know, as I as I search, because we don't have formal degrees in the world of digital marketing, right? So it's hard to find the talent, and you want to hold on to the good ones when you get them. So it took a long time to get the team dialed. Meanwhile, my clients got tired of the turnover. As I was trying to figure it out, they started leaving in droves, and so in 2014 in March, a year later, exactly, I lost my five biggest clients in a 30 to 45 day period. So I lost, you know, 40, over 40% of my revenue vaporized, and I could not replace it fast enough. So I didn't take a salary for nine months. I asked two senior execs to take small pay cuts like 10% and as we hunkered down, and so I didn't have to lay off any good talent, and so I didn't, and we sprinted, we rebuilt, you know, the pipeline, and brought some new clients in. By the end of the year, I paid back my my two senior employees, their 10% that they pay cut. I paid them back, but I didn't take a salary for nine months of that year. It was the worst year I'd ever had, and the only time I ever had to take a pay cut or miss a paycheck myself. So that was the price I paid. The plus side is once I realized that the focus should be on the employees, which was what the credo was, I didn't realize at the time that it wasn't about my clients anymore. They were the life blood. They were the blood flow, right? But we have this organism that needed love, so we I breathe life back into it, one employee at a time until we had a higher functioning group. So it took me five or six years, and in 2019 so six years after I blew the business up, I had an offer on the table, had a sale agreement finalized, and we were less than a week away from funding, and I backed out of the deal because I felt, one, it wasn't a good cultural fit, and two, there was more work to do. It wasn't about increasing my valuation more. It was about finishing my journey of an employee first agency and. Three years later, I sold for one and a half x higher multiple, so an additional seven figures to to another agency based on a stronger profitability, even though the revenue is about the same, stronger, you know, profitability right better. Happy clients, stable clients. It was a lower risk acquisition for them and the so that was the high point. The low point was becoming an employee and wanting to be the best damn employee that agency had ever seen to being a very disappointed, disengaged, disheartened, disheartened employee. And I then I decided I started writing notes of everything, not to do that they were doing wrong. And I decided, once they let me go, I need to focus on this. I think I needed to help my other fellow entrepreneurs ways to avoid going through what I went through as an employee, because I had just been one, and most of my employ, my entrepreneur friends, haven't been an employee for over 10 years. You easily, quickly forget what it's like to be an employee, and I want to remind them and as other senior leaders, how important it is to put your employees first, otherwise you can never deliver on your brand promise no matter what it is, because they won't deliver to your standards. Because it's you know, they don't feel the same attachment to a business if they as if they're not owners, right?   Michael Hingson ** 41:22 But it sounds like you also, when you did sell, by that time, you had employees, one who had bought into the credo, into the philosophy, and two were satisfied. So it was a much better situation all the way around. Anyway,   Kent Lewis ** 41:38 exactly. It's right? And that's, that's the thing is, I realized it's not about throwing money at a problem. It's about throwing time and care at a problem. And the problem is that most employers, there is no loyalty employ to employees anymore, and therefore there's no employee loyalty to brands anymore, to their employers. And so I'm trying to unwind that. And it's not about pension plans, per se. It's not about bonuses, really at all. That's one of 120 items on my punch list of auditing and employee journey is, yeah, do you have a bonus program? Mine was basically spot bonuses, little spot bonuses for timely things, because the big cash bonuses blew up in my face. You know, i i the biggest bonus check I ever wrote. The next day he quit and created a competing agency. Now, he had planned that all along it, the bonus was only helped him do it faster, but I realized there was no appreciation for the bonuses. So stop doing that. So instead, I would bonus, reward the team with experiences rather than cash. And they the cash they got from a really, I paid over market, so that money was not an issue, and so that experiences were the memorable part and the fun part, and it helped motivate when we'd have a little contest with, you know, the wind being a dinner or whatever it was, something fun, right?   Michael Hingson ** 43:00 I was, earlier today, talking with someone who's going to be a guest on the podcast. He's in Germany, and we were talking about the fact that there's a major discussion in Germany right now about the concept of a four day work week, as opposed to a five day work week, and in the four day work week. Inevitably, companies that subscribe to the four day work week have higher productivity, happier employees, and some of those companies have a four day work week with a total of 36 hours and up through a four day work week with 40 hours, which is, of course, 10 hours a day. And what he said, I asked the question, did it make a difference as to whether it was 36 or 40 hours? What he said was mainly not, because it was really about having three days with family, and that that whole mental attitude is really it that we, we have forgotten, I think, in this country, about employee loyalty so much, and we just don't see anything like what we used to see.   Kent Lewis ** 44:09 100% you are correct,   Michael Hingson ** 44:13 and so it is. It is an issue that people really ought to deal with in some way. But you know now the new chancellor in Germany wants to go back to a five day work week, just completely ignoring all the statistics and what's shown. So the discussion is ongoing over there. I'll be interested to see how it goes.   Kent Lewis ** 44:36 Yeah, yeah, totally. I would be in Troy. Yeah. We know for whatever reason, for whatever reason that they've you know that well, I guess it kind of makes sense. But you know, you wouldn't think you could be more productive fewer days a week, but the research is showing that these people, that you know, that the like the Northern Europeans, are the, you know, Finnish and Scandinavians are like the half. People on the planet, despite not being in maybe the friendliest climate, you know, 12 months of the year because of a lot of how they value, you know, work life balance and all of that. And I think that's the thing, you know, we we came from an industrial age where unions got us the weekends off. You know, it's a very different we've come a long way, but there's still a lot more to go, so I, I will be interested to see what happens with the with that concept that four day work week.   Michael Hingson ** 45:26 Well, the other part about it is we had the pandemic, and one of the things that came out of the pandemic, at least, I think, in the minds of a lot of employees, was even working at home, and having to do that, you still got to spend more time with family and people value that. Now I don't know how over time that's going to work, because I know there's been a lot of advocating to go back to just everybody always being in the office, but it seems to me that the better environment would be a hybrid environment, where, if somebody can work at home and do at least as well as they do at the office. Why wouldn't you allow that?   Kent Lewis ** 46:04 Right? Yeah, I think it's that's the other thing is, I do believe hybrid work is the best solution. We were doing three three days, two days in the office, required, one day, optional flex. I ended up going in most days of the week before I, you know, even after we sold and we sell at the office, because I like, I'm a social being, and I really enjoyed the time at the office. And it was, it was, I designed the space, and it was, you know, as my place, and it was my home away from home, you know. So I feel like I've lost a little bit of my identity, losing that office. Yeah, so, but yeah, I do think that it makes sense to be able to do remote work, whatever, wherever people are most effective. But I do know there is a reality that companies are fully remote have a struggle to create cohesiveness and connectiveness across distributed teams. It's just it's just science, right? Psychology, but you can be very intentional to mitigate as much as you can the downside of remote and then play up as much as you can the benefits of remote people having their life and they see, on average, I heard that people valued their remote work about to worth about $6,000 on average, that there's a number that they've quantified.   Michael Hingson ** 47:21 Wow. Well, I know I've worked in offices, but I've also done a lot of work at home. So for example, I had a job back in the late 1970s and worked and lived in Massachusetts until 1981 and the company I worked for was being pursued by Xerox. And the the assumption was that Xerox was going to buy the company. So I was asked to relocate back out to California, where I had grown up, and help integrate the company into Xerox. And so I did. And so that was the first time I really worked mostly out of home and remotely from an office. And did that for two and a half, almost, well, a little over two and a half years. And my thanks for it was I was terminated because we had a recession and the big issue really was, though, that Xerox had bought the company and phased out all the people in sales because they didn't want the people. They just wanted the technology. And I've always believed that's a big mistake, because the tribal knowledge that people have is not something that you're going to get any other place. Totally, totally agree. But anyway, that occurred, and then I couldn't find a job, because the unemployment rate among employable blind people was so high, since people didn't believe blind people could work. So I ended up starting my own company selling computer aided design systems, CAD systems, to architects. Some of the early PC based CAD systems. Sold them to architects and engineers and so on. So I did have an office. We started, I started it with someone else, and had an office for four years, and then decided I had enough of owning my own company for a while, and went to work for someone else, and again, worked in an office and did that for seven years. Yeah, about seven years, and then I ended up in at the end of that, or the later part of that time, I was asked to relocate now back to the East Coast, because I was selling to Wall Street and New York and Wall Street firms really want, even though they might buy from resellers and so on, they want company, companies that make products to have them an office that they can deal with. So I ended up going back and mostly worked out of the office. But then, um. I left that company in 1997 and it was, it was a little bit different, because I was, I I had my own office, and I was the only person in it for a little while. We did have some engineers, but we all kind of worked in the office and sometimes at home. But for me, the real time of working at home happened in 2008 I was working at a nonprofit and also traveling and speaking, and the people who ran the nonprofit said, nobody's interested in September 11 anymore. And you know, you're you're not really adding any value to what we do, so we're going to phase out your job. Yeah, nobody was interested in September 11. And three years later, we had a number one New York Times bestseller, but anyway, your face yeah, so I ended up opening the Michael Hinkson Group Inc, and working out of home, and I've been doing that ever since. I enjoy working in an office. But I can work at home and I can, I can adapt. So my exposure to people and working not at home is when I travel and speak and get to go visit people and interact with them and so on. So it works out   Kent Lewis ** 51:05 that's, that's fantastic, congratulations. That's awesome.   Michael Hingson ** 51:10 It is, it is, you know, sometimes a challenge, but it works. So for you, what is your philosophy? You obviously do a lot of giving back to the community nowadays, is that something that has kind of grown over time, or you always had that? Or what's your philosophy regarding that?   Kent Lewis ** 51:29 So I I believe that, as I mentioned, I believe earlier that learn and return us. I believe that you should giving, giving back your entire life, as soon as you're able to, in whatever way. And so I, you know, when I first moved to Portland, I barely knew anybody. I was volunteering at this local neighborhood house where it was, you know, as tutoring this kid, and ironically, in math. And I'm terrible at math. Then I went to Big Brothers, Big Sisters for a while, and then I for the last 19 for last 25 years, I've been a volunteer, and for eight or nine of those years, I was on the board of smart reading. It's a, it's a, it's not a literacy program in that you're not teaching kids to read. You're teaching kids a love of reading. So you just sit with, you know, title, title, one school kindergarteners in an area near you, and you sit and read with them for 10 to 15 minutes, that's it. And it's a game changer, because some of them didn't own any books. And then they get to take books home with them, you know, like scholastic style books. So anyway, I I decided, of all, like I have friends, that their their passion is pets, others, it's like forests or planet or whatever. To me, I think I can, I can solve all of those problems if I invest in children, because they're shaping our future, and we can put them on a trajectory. So for instance, statistically, prison capacity is based on third grade reading levels in blue. So if you're if you can't learn to read, you can't read to learn, so you need to have a be a proficient reader by third grade, or you're left behind, and you're more likely, 10 times more likely, to be in the system, and you know, not in a good way. So I realized, well, if I can help these kids with a love of reading, I was, I was slow to learn reading myself. I realized that maybe we, you know that one kid that you find a love of reading, that finds books they love and is inspired by the books and continues to read and have a successful educational career, then that's that person may go on to solve cancer or world hunger or whatever it is. So that's kind of how I look at so that's my theory in general about giving. And then specifically my passion is children. So that's kind of my thing, and I think there are a lot of different ways to do it. Last night, I was at my wife's auction or the fundraiser for her nonprofit, which is around the foster system. It's called Casa court, important court, court appointed special advocate. So these kids in the foster system have an advocate, that that's not a lawyer or a caseworker, you know, by their side through the legal system. And I think that's a fantastic cause. It aligns with my children cause. And I was, I had seven my parents fostered seven daughters, you know, Daughters of other people, and the last two were very that I remember were transformative for me as an only child, to have a sister, you know, foster sister that was living with us for, in one case, two years. And it was invaluable and helpful to me. She helped me find my love of reading, helped me learn my multiplication tables, all that things that your parents might be able to do, but it's so much cooler doing with somebody that's, you know, I think she was 17 when she moved into our house, and I was, like, nine, and she was so helpful to me, so inspiring. So in a nutshell, that's, that's what we're talking about   Michael Hingson ** 54:55 when you talk talk about reading. I'm of the opinion and one of the best. Things that ever happened to reading was Harry Potter. Just the number of people, number of kids who have enjoyed reading because they got to read the Harry Potter books. I think that JK Rowling has brought so many kids to reading. It's incredible.   Kent Lewis ** 55:14 Yeah, yeah. 100% 100% I Yeah. I think that even you may, you know, you may or may not like rolling, but I as a person, but she did an amazing thing and made reading fun, and that that's what matters, yeah, you know,   Michael Hingson ** 55:33 yeah, well, and that's it, and then she's just done so much for for children and adults. For that matter, I talked to many adults who've read the books, and I've read all the books. I've read them several times, actually, yeah, now I'm spoiled. I read the audio versions read by Jim Dale, and one of my favorite stories about him was that he was in New York and was going to be reading a part of the latest Harry Potter book on September 11, 2001 in front of scholastic when, of course, everything happened. So he didn't do it that day, but he was in New York. What a you know, what a time to be there. That's fantastic. But, you know, things happen. So you one of the things that I've got to believe, and I think that you've made abundantly clear, is that the kind of work you do, the PR, the marketing, and all of that kind of interaction is a very time consuming, demanding job. How do you deal with work and family and make all of that function and work? Well,   Kent Lewis ** 56:41 good question. I, I believe that that the, well, two things you have to have, you know, discipline, right? And so what I've done is really focused on managing my time very, very carefully, and so I have now keep in mind my oldest, I have three kids, one's graduating college as a senior, one's a sophomore who will be a junior next next year, and then The last is a sophomore in high school, so I'm there at ages where two are out of the house, so that's a little easier to manage, right? So there's that, but similarly, I try to maximize my time with my youngest and and with my wife, you know, I built in, you know, it was building in date nights, because it's easy to get into a rut where you don't want to leave the house or don't want to do whatever. And I found that it's really been good for our relationship at least once a month. And so far, it's been more like almost twice a month, which has been huge and awesome. But I've just intentional with my time, and I make sure 360 I take care of myself, which is typically working out between an hour and an hour and a half a day that I'm I really need to work on my diet, because I love burgers and bourbon and that's in moderation, perhaps sustainable, but I need to eat more veggies and less, you know, less garbage. But I also have been at the gym. I go in the Steam Room and the sauna, and I'm fortunate to have a hot tub, so I try to relax my body is after my workouts, I've been sleeping more since covid, so I work out more and sleep and sleep more post covid. And because I'm working from home, it's really I find it much easier to get up and take breaks or to, you know, just to manage my time. I'm not traveling like I used to, right? That's a, that's a big factor. So, so anyway, that's, that's kind of my take on that. I don't know if that really helps, but that's, that's kind of where I'm at.   Michael Hingson ** 58:59 The other part about it, though, is also to have the discipline to be able to be at home and work when you know you have to work, and yeah, you get to take more breaks and so on, but still developing the discipline to work and also to take that time is extremely important. I think a lot of people haven't figured out how to do that   Kent Lewis ** 59:19 right exactly, and that is so I do have an immense amount of, I do have an immense amount of, what would you say discipline? And so I don't know, yeah, I don't have that problem with getting the work done. In fact, my discipline is knowing when to stop, because I get into it, and I want to get things done, and I want to get it off my plate, so I tend to do sprints. But the other lesson I have from covid is listening to your biorhythms. So, you know, we're a time based society, and we look, you don't want to be late for this and that I you know, that's great, fine. But what's really more important in my mind is, um. Is to, is to be thinking about, is to let your body tell you when it's tired, if and and more importantly, is to not stress about in the mornings when I wake up early. By that, I mean between four and 6am before I really want to get up at 630 and I just if I'm awake, then I'll write stuff down to get it out of my head, or I will just start doing my start my day early and and not stress about, oh, I didn't get enough sleep. My body will catch up, yeah, it will tell me to go to bed early, or I'll sleep better the next day, or whatever it is. So that was important, and also to learn that I'm most I can get a lot of tasks done in the morning. And I think bigger picture, and that's what, that's why I wake up early, is all the things I need to do that I forgot. I didn't write down or whatever, and I think of them at between four and 6am but the other is that I do my best writing in the afternoon, like between four and six. So I told my, my wife and my, you know, my my kids, you know, my first figures out when they were both in the House. I was like, I may be working late, jamming out an article or doing whatever right before dinner, or I might be a little late. Can we can wait for dinner for a little bit? They're like, Yeah, that's fine. We don't care, right? So, but normally I'd be like, I gotta get home because it's dinner time. But now that I'm already home, I just keep working through, and then, and then, oh, I can take a quick break. But my point is, they're totally adaptable.   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:27 But you communicate, yes, communication issue is key. Is key, absolutely. That's really the issues that you do communicate.   Kent Lewis ** 1:01:36 It's all about setting expectations. And they had no expectations other than eating dinner. And we've been eating dinner later. Just, just a natural evolution. So it's not, it's not even an issue now, because I don't want to, I don't want to, what, right? What? Late at night, I just found it late afternoon, I just in a zone. Anyway, yeah, you listen to your body, and I'm way less stressed because I'm not worried about, oh my god, I have to get to bed at a certain time or wake up at a certain time. It's like, just kind of run with it, you know, and and go from there. So what's next for you? What's next? So I want to shift from going from speaking for free to speaking for a fee. There you go. And the re the reason why is I never asked for, and I'd even waive, you know, honorarium or pay because I got more value out of the leads. But now that I don't have an agency to represent, two things. One is, I want to get paid to do my employee engagement retention talks, because it's I'm getting great feedback on it, which is fun. But I also am being paid now by other agencies, a day rate, plus travel to go speak at the conferences. I've always spoken on that like me and want me and I just represent. I just changed the name that I'm representing. That's it, you know,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:56 well, and there's value in it. I realized some time ago, and I k

Guest: Goro Gupta, Entrepreneur & Ethical Investor, EO Melbourne Member since 2022 Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 & Founder of Outsourcing Angel From building businesses at 17 to reshaping how we invest in society's most vulnerable, Goro Gupta is not your typical entrepreneur. In this episode, he shares how he turned deeply personal values into high-impact ventures, from NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation to ethical co-living models. Goro dives into the mindset, politics, and philosophy behind scaling ventures with purpose and the hard lessons he learned along the way. A senior leader with Tony Robbins and a fierce advocate for values-led business, Goro breaks down what it means to lead with both heart and strategy. ABOUT GOROGoro Gupta is a serial entrepreneur and ethical investor focused on real estate models that serve humanity, NDIS housing, co-living, and safe respite spaces. He's also a Tony Robbins senior leader and award-winning business advocate passionate about reshaping capitalism from the inside out. CONNECT WITH GORO 

Derek talks with guest Verne Harnish, founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs'​ Organization (EO) and author of the best-selling book “Scaling Up”, about including his family in his business, building anti-fragile children and companies, and what's new for Scaling Up.Verne Harnish is the founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), with over 14,000 members worldwide, and chaired for fifteen years EO's premiere CEO program, the “Birthing of Giants” held at MIT, a program in which he still teaches today.Founder and CEO of Gazelles, a global executive education and coaching company with over 200 partners on six continents, Verne has spent the past three decades helping companies scaleup.The “Growth Guy” syndicated columnist, he's also the Venture columnist for FORTUNE magazine. He chairs the bi-annual ScaleUp Summits in collaboration with Bloomberg LIVE.He's the author of the bestseller Mastering the Rockefeller Habits which is translated into 9 languages; and along with the editors of Fortune, authored The Greatest Business Decisions of All Times” for which Jim Collins wrote the foreword. His latest book Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0) has won eight major international book awards including the prestigious International Book Award for Best General Business book.Verne serves on several boards including chairman of The Riordan Clinic and the newly launched Geoversity. A private investor in many scaleups, Verne enjoys piano, tennis, and magic as a card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.Learn more at https://scalingup.com/

Guest: Marina Byezhanova, Co-Founder of Brand of a Leader, EO Canada Bridge Member since 2014 Host: Linh Podetti, Founder of Outsourcing Angel & EO Sydney Member since 2022After losing a business during COVID, Marina Byezhanova took a hard look at what truly mattered. Success for success's sake no longer resonated. Instead, she discovered her real mission: helping others own their voice and lead with authenticity. Now, as the co-founder of Brand of a Leader, Marina leads a high-performing global team, empowering entrepreneurs across 12+ countries to build personal brands that reflect their purpose, not just their accomplishments. In this inspiring episode, we go deep into: - Reinventing yourself after failure - Building a brand rooted in who you really are - Raising independent kids as a busy entrepreneur - What Marina learned about leadership through EO - Why branding isn't vanity—it's vulnerability This conversation is for every founder who's ever felt invisible, misaligned, or unsure if their story matters. Marina shows us that your realest self is your most powerful brand. ABOUT MARINA Marina Byezhanova is the Co-Founder of Brand of a Leader, a personal branding agency for entrepreneurs. Her mission is to scale the reach of people's voices by helping them build brands rooted in who they truly are. A proud EO member since 2014, Marina is also part of EO's Global Learning Committee and a recognized global speaker featured in Forbes, Inc., WSJ, and more. CONNECT WITH MARINA 

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Tom Schwab, founder of Interview Valet, who built a $3M podcast marketing agency with 15 FTEs after exiting two prior businesses. He shares how turning off cold outreach and focusing on trust-based podcast marketing skyrocketed results. Tom reveals why “relationships are the ultimate currency”, how AI is changing the marketing game, and why he took a 6-week sabbatical to prove the business could thrive without him. Packed with wisdom for founders serious about scaling smart. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Tom Schwab, the hardest part is patience and consistency. He explains that founders often want results quickly, but true growth requires staying the course and pushing through the slower, uncertain times. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Tom Schwab shares that his favorite business book is "Thou Shall Prosper" by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. It shaped his thinking around the purpose of business, value creation, and ethical success. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Tom Schwab recommends the podcast "Follow Your Different" by Christopher Lochhead. He appreciates its eclectic guests and thought-provoking insights that often leave him asking deeper questions about his own business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Tom Schwab shares that mentor groups have been invaluable—especially peer-based organizations like Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and Collective 54. He emphasizes the importance of getting out of your bubble and learning from others' experience. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Tom Schwab, his advice on day one of starting out in business would be: focus more on relationships. He believes that “relationships are the ultimate currency” and that trust and human connection drive long-term success in business. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Relationships are the ultimate currency — trust pays the highest dividends – Tom Schwab Success isn't the destination, it's the progress toward a worthy goal – Tom Schwab Hope is not a strategy – clarity and action are – Tom Schwab      

Guest: Travis Luther, Founder of MOSO Pillow & EO Colorado Member since 2013 Host: Linh Podetti, Founder of Outsourcing Angel & EO Sydney Member since 2022 Meet Travis Luther, a sociologist, entrepreneur, and five-time founder whose groundbreaking work explores the intersection of trauma, transformation, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Travis shares how interviewing the terminally ill for his keynote What We Learn When We Learn We Are Dying revealed profound lessons about regret, values, and how to live with intention. He also opens up about how childhood trauma can shape entrepreneurial drive and how to unlearn the patterns that eventually hold us back. From building multiple 7-figure companies to leading the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) at the chapter, national, and regional level, Travis brings deep wisdom and real tools to help founders reclaim control of their lives. If you're an entrepreneur driven by something deeper, or wondering what really matters as you scale, this conversation is a must-watch. ABOUT TRAVISTravis Luther is a sociologist, keynote speaker, and founder of Luther Media, with successful ventures including MOSO Pillow, TrialLine, ValetAds, Queen Anne Pillow Company, and Law Father. He is the former EO Colorado President, current EO U.S. West MarComm Expert, and was the 2019 National Chair for EO's Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards, featured in the Disney+/NatGeo documentary Own the Room. Travis is also the creator of How to Be a Good Time Traveler, a transformational workshop helping leaders reframe trauma and design a meaningful life. He hosts The Time to Live Podcast and continues to speak on stages about mindset, mortality, and modern entrepreneurship.CONNECT WITH TRAVIS 

David W. Anderson is the CEO & Founder of Off Madison Ave, a strategic marketing agency generating $2M+ in monthly revenue. With over 25 years of experience and four successful acquisitions under his belt, David helps companies thrive through innovation, team leadership, and high-impact decision-making. He also serves as Advisory Board Chair at LighthousePE and is the former Global Chair of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).In this episode, Chris and David discuss:Why visionary leaders must think five steps aheadHow AI and global talent are reshaping business operationsWhat separates A-players from support players in modern teamsWhy most companies are failing to adopt fast enoughHow to future-proof your business with the right tools and peopleConnect with David:LinkedInWebsiteMaximize your marketing, close more clients, and amplify your AUM by following us on:InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookTwitteriTunesSpotifyWebsiteWork with usDISCLAIMER: This content is provided by Chris Brodhead for the general public and general information purposes only. This content is not considered to be an offer to buy or sell any securities or investments. Investing involves the risk of loss and an investor should be prepared to bear potential losses. Investment should only be made after thorough review with your investment advisor considering all factors including personal goals, needs and risk tolerance.

In this episode of the Grownlearn Podcast, host Zorina Dimitrova talks with Brian Brault—a serial entrepreneur, Inc. 500 founder, and former Global Chair of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)—about what really drives lasting business success: relationships and authentic leadership. From starting a hot dog stand at age 5 to scaling his company to double digit million and 300+ employees without a sales team, Brian shares real, raw stories of building businesses through trust, connection, and purpose. He dives into how vulnerability made him a better leader, why “Papa Days” with his grandchildren matter just as much as board meetings, and how relationship-driven leadership can transform your team—and your life. If you're an entrepreneur, founder, or business leader looking to scale with heart, this conversation will change how you grow.

What if the real risk isn't taking bold action — but staying exactly where you are? In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, author, founder of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and Founder & CEO of Scaling Up, Verne Harnish shares timeless insights on scaling a business, developing high-performing teams, and why most leaders fall short when they lose their edge. From navigating uncertainty to rediscovering founder-mode, Verne challenges the safe, conventional wisdom that holds organizations back — and offers a blueprint for playing bigger, leading smarter, and building companies that endure. Here's what you'll learn: Why aggressive goals create more energy — and why incrementalism kills momentum What it means to rediscover your company's "soul" — and how to lead from founder-mode How to replace weak managers with true team captains who drive performance If you're playing not to lose, you're already falling behind — this episode is your call to play to win. ---- Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction 06:00 - Betting on Yourself: The Sacrifices and Mindset of Entrepreneurs 09:19 - Thriving in Chaos: Why Optimism and Timing Matter 14:00 - The Power of Big, Audacious Goals (and Why Small Thinking Fails) 16:42 - Why Most Companies Plateau: The Mindset and Market Gap 20:41 - Rediscovering Founder Mode and the Soul of Your Business 26:46 - Building Teams That Don't Need Managers 31:15 - How AI Will Redefine Growth, Strategy, and Hiring 36:40 - Redefining Success: The Five F's That Really Matter ---- Links & Resources: Scaling Up by Verne Harnish Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish Founder Mode by Paul Graham The Captain Class by Sam Walker ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 243. AMMA — Success Without Safety Nets: The Entrepreneurial Journey 338. Will Ahmed — From Stress to Success: Optimizing the Entrepreneurial Journey 196. AMMA — The 9 Sources of Entrepreneurial Advantage

Guest: Jim Boyd, Founder of Cirrus Group Consulting & EO Sydney Member since 2023 Host: Linh Podetti, Founder of Outsourcing Angel & EO Sydney Member since 2022 Meet Jim Boyd, with 25+ years of experience in IT staffing, who went from managing recruiters to becoming one himself, when a business crisis forced him to rebuild everything from scratch. After launching Cirrus Group Consulting just before COVID, Jim weathered early chaos only to face a second shock in 2022, his entire recruiting team quit. Instead of giving up, Jim learned to recruit himself, restructured the business, and self-implemented EOS to create sustainable systems. Then in 2024, he made a cross-continental move from the US to Australia, managing clients, staff, and systems across time zones while deepening his leadership through the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Whether you're a founder, a recruiter, or someone in a season of rebuilding, this episode offers powerful insights on what it takes to survive and scale. ABOUT JIM BOYD Jim Boyd is the Founder and CEO of Cirrus Group Consulting, an IT staffing firm specialising in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI/ML roles. With over two decades in tech staffing, Jim is passionate about specialisation, process improvement, and people-first leadership. He's also an EO Sydney member, originally from Orange County, USA. CONNECT WITH JIM BOYD 

Dave Parker is the CEO of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global nonprofit network dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs. EO supports founders through peer groups, learning programs, and mentorship to help grow their businesses and themselves. With over three decades of experience in entrepreneurship, Dave has built five companies and successfully exited three, with one scaling to $32 million in revenue. He's also a venture capitalist, author of Trajectory: Startup, and advocate for inclusive innovation and leadership in entrepreneurship. In this episode… Building a startup is a high-stakes rollercoaster ride — timing, funding, product-market fit, and personal resilience all matter. But what happens when the market moves faster or slower than your vision? Dave Parker, a seasoned founder, shares honest reflections on his five startups, including three exits, one failure, and valuable lessons learned along the way. He explains how entrepreneurs can de-risk decisions by understanding revenue models, tracking product-market fit with hard data, and staying self-aware. Dave also opens up about the emotional toll of failure and how EO creates a space for connection and support. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Dave Parker, CEO of Entrepreneurs' Organization, about building startups, scaling community, and investing with impact. Dave also shares insights on revenue modeling, the role of timing in startup success, and why EO is critical for founders navigating growth, uncertainty, and personal development.

Guest: Alexander John Schultz, Founder of Turnbury Group & EO Greater Bay Area President-Elect since 2024Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 & Founder of Outsourcing AngelHow does a Goldman Sachs analyst end up brokering live lobsters in China? In this jaw-dropping episode, Alexander Schultz shares his bold leap from Wall Street to building an $11M seafood distribution business across Greater China.At just 24, Alex moved to Hong Kong with $25K and a dream—leaving behind a high-flying finance job for something completely unexpected. What started as a wild idea turned into Turnbury Group, a global seafood company distributing over 1 million pounds of product annually.Inside this episode:- From finance to fish: saying yes to an industry he knew nothing about- Building a business in a new country with no safety net- Scaling with grit, precision, and relentless execution- Turning seafood into a sustainable global mission- Leading the EO Greater Bay Area Metro chapter to unite entrepreneurs across bordersAlex's story proves: You don't need a revolutionary idea. You just need the courage to start and the discipline to execute better than the rest.ABOUT ALEXANDER SCHULTZAlexander Schultz is the Founder of Turnbury Group, a Hong Kong-based seafood distribution company connecting North America to Greater China. A former Goldman Sachs analyst, Alex bootstrapped his business from the ground up—now doing $11M+ in revenue and leading one of EO's most ambitious new chapters.CONNECT WITH ALEXANDER SCHULTZLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexschultzhkX: @mrturnburyWebsite: www.turnburygroup.com--------------------ABOUT EO Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.For further information, please contact:Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/

Henish Pulickal is the Founder and CEO of CalHomeCo, a San Diego-based full-service real estate company. CalHomeCo specializes in investment property acquisition, fix-and-flip, pre-foreclosure acquisitions, and property management. Henish has over a decade of experience in real estate and is known for his integrity-driven approach, creative financing strategies, and commitment to empowering both clients and agents. He is also affiliated with ARO Real Estate of America and is an active Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) member. In this episode… Navigating the world of real estate can feel overwhelming, especially when foreclosure or financial uncertainty looms large. For many homeowners, understanding their options — or even having someone trustworthy to talk to — can make all the difference. But how do you build a business that not only thrives on these conversations but also transforms communities? Henish Pulickal, a seasoned real estate investor, shares how he built a diverse real estate business by leading with service, creativity, and integrity. Henish discusses his unique approach to pre-foreclosure outreach, how he developed infill properties in high-demand California markets, and why ethical deal-making consistently wins over both clients and team members. From flipping homes to redeveloping a boutique hotel, Henish brings valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and relationship-building. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Henish Pulickal, Founder and CEO of CalHomeCo, about using real estate to create value and solve problems. Henish shares insights into flipping homes, infill development, ADUs, team leadership, and staying agile during market shifts. Whether you're an aspiring investor or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode promises valuable lessons on creating opportunities and sustaining success in the real estate industry.

Most entrepreneurs think they understand their numbers — until reality hits. In this eye-opening episode of the Influential Personal Brand Podcast, AJ Vaden sits down with Greg Crabtree, CPA, author of Simple Numbers and Simple Numbers 2.0, and one of the most trusted financial voices in the Entrepreneur's Organization (EO). Greg breaks down the two most important—and misunderstood—metrics for business owners: Labor Efficiency Ratio (LER) and Contribution Margin. You'll learn how to: Use data, not gut feelings, to decide when to hire Optimize profitability without scaling expenses Identify toxic productivity killers inside your team Use just a handful of key numbers to guide your business decisions Build a capital-efficient business that's ready to sell—or ready to scale This conversation turns traditional financial “best practices” upside down and gives you a clear, actionable roadmap to measure what actually matters in your business. Whether you're a solo operator or a 7-figure founder, this episode will forever change how you think about your numbers.

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Sheila Carroll, Founder and Managing Attorney at Carroll & Associates and a multi-year Super Lawyer. Sheila shares critical legal insights for entrepreneurs—covering the biggest startup mistakes around equity, employees, and intellectual property. You'll learn: • Why you should treat equity like gold, not candy • How to protect your IP from day one • Legal pitfalls around employment classification • What it means to have an "on-call attorney" in your corner • And how to avoid business divorces before they start Sheila also talks about her journey from greenhouse entrepreneur to courtroom advocate, and how Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) has shaped her as a leader. Check out the below to learn more about Shelia: Webstie: https://thecarrollfirm.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carroll-&-associates-pc/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-carroll-78387b10/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecarrollfirm/

Guest: Ravijeet Dang (Ravi), Managing Director of Iotasol Australia, tech innovator and EO Melbourne member since 2024.Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney member and founder of Outsourcing Angel.In this episode, Ravijeet Dang, Managing Director of Iotasol Pty Ltd, reveals how digital transformation is reshaping businesses across various industries. With 15+ years of experience, Ravijeet has worked with top global brands such as DHL, FIFA, and Fuji Xerox. He shares how leveraging SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS helps businesses enhance operations, optimize supply chains, and save costs—delivering double-digit growth month after month.Ravijeet also shares insights on digital strategy and how businesses can utilize technology to accelerate growth in today's digital-first world.ABOUT RAVIJEET DANGRavijeet Dang is the Managing Director of Iotasol, a leading digital services company specializing in SaaS, IaaS, and supply chain solutions. He has helped businesses save 20-30% in costs and achieve sustained growth. Ravi is also certified in Lean Six Sigma and PRINCE2, focusing on delivering value through innovative technology solutions.CONNECT WITH RAVIJEET DANG

The Business of Meetings – Episode 267: From Token to Transformative: Making Boards Work with Marc Stockli We are thrilled to welcome Marc Stockli, an accomplished entrepreneur from Switzerland, as our guest today.  With over 20 years of business experience, Marc has chaired the Global Board of the Entrepreneurs Organization and has also become an author.  Join us as Marc shares his journey and gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book, Make Boards Work. Bio: Marc Stockli: Marc O. Stockli has benefited from a unique perspective for many years in developing and writing this book. Marc has also been a public speaker to thousands of entrepreneurs in more than 30 countries. Marc has been exposed to board work from early on in his career. First, as a young investment banker, and later a strategy consultant for world-renowned professional services firms. Later on, as an entrepreneur and investor. In sum, he has prepared for, attended, and reflected on about 200 board meetings overall. This profound experience has been gained globally, allowing Marc to provide unique insights and disclose hidden opportunities. Marc O. Stockli is a co-founder and former CEO of Totemo, whose cybersecurity products are used by 1,500 corporations and more than 3.5 million licensed users. Totemo was sold to Palo Alto-based Kiteworks in December 2021. Marc is an active investor, board member, and coach for entrepreneurial companies and teams in technology and financial services. He acts in such capacity for Amwell (IPO on NYSE in September 2020), Beekeeper, Merantix, Lucy Security (sold to ThriveDX in February 2022), Vara, CleanHub, or Format Vermögen & Anlagen, to name but a few. Previously, Marc worked in corporate finance in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York, as well as strategy consulting with BCG. He holds a law degree from the University of St. Gallen HSG and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Marc recently served as the Global Chairman of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (“EO”, more than 19,000 members in more than 70 countries). Connect with Eric Rozenberg On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Connect with Marc Stockli On LinkedIn

Guest: Paul Rochon, head of the Sleep and Mental Health Department at a Beijing hospital, founder of Engineering Wellbeing, and EO Beijing member since 2016Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney member since 2022, owner of Outsourcing AngelIn this episode, Paul Rochon shares his incredible journey from being a professional rugby player in France to becoming a leading Biopsychologist and Hypnotherapist based in Beijing. After a knee injury ended his sports career, Paul became obsessed with understanding recovery and performance, not just physically, but mentally.Paul talks about:- How he used mindset to reprogram his life after injury- Why he engineered his own sleep to gain time and energy- The connection between consciousness, performance, and environment- How he applies neuroscience and well-being strategies in companies, schools, and hospitals- His experience leading in the Entrepreneurs' Organization and the power of conscious leadershipWhether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or just someone obsessed with high performance, this episode is packed with insights into human potential and sustainable success.Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with change makers and visionaries from around the world.ABOUT PAUL ROCHONPaul Rochon is a French former professional rugby player who turned his life around after a career-ending knee injury. Driven to understand recovery, he pursued advanced degrees in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and a PhD in sleep and states of consciousness. Now a Biopsychologist and Hypnotherapist, Paul blends science and holistic health to engineer peak wellbeing.He's the founder of Engineering Wellbeing, a consulting firm that creates tech-driven solutions to improve health and performance in companies, schools, and elite teams. Based in Beijing for the last 18 years, Paul also leads the Sleep and Mental Health Department at a local hospital and serves as an EO leader in the region, helping entrepreneurs unlock their full potential.CONNECT WITH PAUL

Dr. Jayne Gardner is a true pioneer in using psychology in the business world to unleash higher performance in organizations.  And once entrepreneurs see the difference her process can make, they will have harnessed a power greater than anything business has ever known!Dr. Jayne serves anyone who wants to unleash the unlimited potential inside each of us.   Dr. Jayne has devoted her professional career to a personal transformation process, High Performance Breakthrough, to increase our level of fulfillment and happiness.   With her latest book, Best Job Ever, she and co-author, Joel Patterson founder of The Vested Group, a software ERP company, have taken this process into the business world showing how our personal mood and mindset impact engagement, accountability, performance and ultimately the financial growth of the company.   She works with people who want to create financial greatness through first developing personal greatness.  She has over thirty years of experience in the coaching world and knows how to call out our stories, our strengths and our blind-spots to uncover the best version of ourselves.   She helps you move past personal problems showing you how they relate to your business challenges. She “gets” that your conflicts and limiting beliefs are usually subconscious, based on fear, and difficult to identify by yourself. Her flagship product, High Performance Breakthrough, gives you the blueprint to upload negative or limiting beliefs within you and rewire them into a set of beliefs you have carefully chosen to represent your most passionate, ardent, and authentic self.  Dr. Jayne Gardner holds a doctorate degree in psychology and counseling and state licensure as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). She also holds the highest level of certification with the International Coaching Federation, a MCC (Master Certified Coach). She has contributed articles to numerous magazines, professional journals, and media outlets including Emotional Intelligence Magazine, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), Dallas Business Journal, and Science of Mind magazine.She has hosted her own radio show called Wired to Win (KRLD-AM/Dallas) and has appeared on CNN's Business Unusual and on Good Morning Texas (ABC affiliate). Her authentic presence engages audiences quickly and leaves a lasting impact.   Because of her vast life experience, education, and presentation style, she receives rave reviews from audiences nationwide; she has presented all over the US and abroad to many prestigious groups such as the International Coach Federation (ICF), The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).  She graduated from the University of Texas Dallas School of Management with a major in Executive and Professional Coaching. She has since taught as Adjunct Professor of Business and Professional Communication at Texas Christian University, is a Program Advisor for Houston Christian University's Women in Leadership Program, and worked as an Executive Coach at the University of Dallas.   She has five grown children, seven grandchildren and lives in Allen, Texas with husband, Dave Bauer.

Hi, wir sind Marc & Dave, zwei Unternehmer nach Gründung, Scaleup und EXIT. Wir wollen Wissen und Emotionen weitergeben und treffen uns regelmässig zum virtuellen Ping Pong. Wie damals beim Tischtennis im eigenen Startup

Guest: John Reale, Founder of Realcorp Commercial Cleaning & Profit Navigator, EO Melbourne Member since 2023 Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 and Owner of Outsourcing Angel From Accountant to Cleaning Empire CEO with 100+ Staff – Without Sales Experience! Meet John Reale, a former accountant who took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship and built a thriving cleaning business with over 100 employees—all without any formal sales background. In this inspiring interview, John shares: ✨ Why he left a secure accounting career ✨ The humble beginnings of his cleaning business ✨ How he grew a team of over 100 without knowing how to sell ✨ The mindset shifts and systems that helped him scale ✨ His advice to anyone thinking they're “not cut out” for business If you've ever doubted whether you're "business-savvy" enough or felt limited by your background, John's story will show you what's really possible when you back yourself and take action. 

Leah Diteljan is the Founder of MindSpa, a global movement of leaders. As a transformative coach and retreat facilitator, she has over 16 years of experience awakening emotional awareness and fostering personal growth in Fortune 100/500 CEOs and EO and YPO entrepreneurs. Leah spent over 13 years at the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), working with aspiring leaders across 30 countries and six continents. In this episode… When high-performing leaders experience a personal setback, they often focus more on their business while ignoring their private upheaval, leading to excessive burnout. How can you tend to your emotional needs to continue excelling in business? Emotional awareness coach Leah Diteljan urges entrepreneurs to treat their personal calamities like their business. This may involve developing a 90-day strategy to heal your emotions after a breakup. Leah has helped high-achieving women reconcile their emotions and create a sense of self-belonging through interactive retreats and experiences. Through introspective moments, leaders can learn to embrace and love every aspect of themselves. In this week's episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston chats with Leah Diteljan, the Founder of MindSpa Movement, about emotional awareness for high-achieving leaders. Leah shares advice for women struggling with self-identity, the importance of intuition, and what she loves most about her career.

Eric Evans is the CEO of HyperTarget Marketing, a performance marketing agency specializing in generating leads for industry sectors such as legal, insurance, and financial services. He is also the Co-founder and CEO of Pipes.AI, an AI-powered sales engagement platform that automates and optimizes lead follow-up processes. With a background in performance marketing and technology development, Eric builds innovative solutions that transform how businesses connect with customers to drive conversions. He is also a member of EO Austin.  Scott Thomas is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of MODintelechy, a data-driven B2B agency specializing in digital customer experiences. With nearly 30 years of experience in B2B lead generation, he has collaborated with industry leaders like AT&T, Bank of America, and Dell. Scott has shared insights through publications, like Texas CEO, Magazine and speaking engagements, including the Integrated Marketing Summit. He is also a board member of the communications division at EO Austin. In this episode… Starting a business is an exciting but overwhelming journey filled with uncertainty. Many entrepreneurs struggle with knowing when to take the leap, how to scale effectively, and where to find support during tough times. Without a strong network or guidance, navigating these challenges can feel isolating. Where can business owners find resources, mentorship, and community? Scott Thomas and Eric Evans, experienced entrepreneurs and members of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Austin, emphasize the importance of mentorship, peer support, and continuous learning. They highlight how EO Austin fosters a strong entrepreneurial community, offering forums for sharing struggles and triumphs, networking events, and access to industry leaders who have been through similar challenges. By tapping into these resources, entrepreneurs can gain clarity, make smarter business decisions, and maintain their mental well-being. In this episode, Chad Franzen of Rise25 interviews Scott Thomas, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of MODintelechy, and Eric Evans, CEO of HyperTarget Marketing, about the impact of community and mentorship in entrepreneurship. Scott and Eric discuss their personal journeys, the lessons they've learned through EO Austin, and how the organization has helped them navigate challenges.

Guest: Matthew Magain, Founder & Chief Doodler at Sketch Group, Member of EO Melbourne Accelerator Program since 2023Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 and Owner of Outsourcing AngelHow do you turn simple sketches into a powerful communication tool? In this episode, Matthew Magain, Founder & Chief Doodler at Sketch Group, shares his journey from software engineer to Visual Storytelling Pioneer, helping major brands like Telstra, NAB, and AFL simplify complex ideas with engaging visuals.Matthew opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—from dissolving a business partnership to mastering content marketing and reinventing traditional design processes through real-time collaboration.

“Transforming Liabilities Into Assets” Join me and my guest Christy Pretzinger, CEO and Founder of WG Content(wgcontent.com). Christy is a popular podcast speaker and is co-author of the upcoming book “Your Cultural Balance Sheet: Keys to Creating an Environment Where People Can Thrive.” She's also a long-time member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global nonprofit comprising business leaders from 65 countries. Christy transformed the landscape of healthcare content creation and, along the way, transformed what it's like to work at a growing agency. She intentionally focused on building the business based on kindness. And that approach has proven to be good for people and the bottom line. SHOW NOTES Summary In this episode of The Soul of Business, Blaine Bartlett engages with Christy Pretzinger, CEO and founder of WG Content, to explore the significance of culture in business. They discuss how kindness can be integrated into operational practices, the importance of maintaining core values, and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Christy introduces her concept of the Cultural Balance Sheet, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and the potential for liabilities to transform into assets. The conversation highlights practical steps for fostering a positive workplace culture and the necessity of vulnerability in leadership.   Takeaways Culture is the core of business and should be prioritized. Kindness in business is not a weakness but a strength. Values should remain constant as organizations grow. Joy can coexist with profit in the workplace. Self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership. Vulnerability fosters trust and connection in teams. Liabilities can be transformed into assets with intention. Emotional intelligence is key to understanding team dynamics. Clear boundaries are essential for a healthy work environment. A cultural balance sheet can guide organizational improvement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ciaran Flanagan is on a mission to help people become unbreakable—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Originally from Ireland, Ciaran is the founder of Inergize Health, where he built one of the first portable cold plunges—self-cooling, self-cleaning, and designed for deep, full-body immersion. With hot tub mode for contrast therapy and a sleek, space-saving design, it's trusted by athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-performers looking to optimize recovery and resilience. Inergize Health launched as a crowdfunding sensation on Indiegogo and was featured in Forbes. Ciaran also co-created a custom-branded cold plunge with Ben Greenfield for his LIFE network, expanding the reach of cold exposure into elite wellness communities. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for pushing limits, Ciaran is a member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and leads breathwork events, recovery workshops, and immersive experiences to help people master their physiology, build resilience, and unlock peak performance. In this episode, Ciaran explains the advantages of his cold plunge systems, how deliberate cold water exposure improves stress resilience and the best timing for cold plunging. Learn more about Ciaran here and get $150 off Inergize cold plunge tubs with coupon code COACHTARA here: https://inergizehealth.com/coachtara Instagram: @inergizehealth CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 1:46 Inergize Tubs 8:30 Stress resilience & achievement 16:50 Why Ciaran founded Inergize 25:09 Cold plunge timing 30:56 Wrapping up  

Talie Smith is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer at Smith & Connors, a brand and digital agency that accelerates growth and transformation for organizations on a mission. She pioneered Design Therapy, a methodology that helps organizations own their true voice and navigate change through values-driven communications. With over 20 years of experience, Talie draws from her background in visual design, literature, and her work at the Soros Foundations to create meaningful, impactful brand strategies. She is also a member of Business for a Better Portland, an Experience Director at the US West Region of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and a board member of Zebras Unite. In this episode… Finding the courage to embrace your true self while navigating business and personal growth can feel overwhelming. Many entrepreneurs struggle with self-doubt, misalignment, and the fear of change, often leading to stalled progress and unfulfilled potential. But how does one muster the bravery to leave behind what no longer serves them and embrace a new path? Creative strategist Talie Smith shares how she helps organizations rediscover their identity through a unique approach called "Design Therapy." By facilitating open conversations, addressing hidden tensions, and creating a time-bound process, she ensures teams align around a shared vision. Drawing from her journey — overcoming childhood struggles, taking bold risks, and even undergoing a transformative psychedelic experience — Talie emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and vulnerability in leadership and branding. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Talie Smith, Founder, and CEO at Smith & Connors, about using design therapy to align personal and organizational identities. They discuss how Talie's childhood shaped her fearless approach to business, her bold move from New York to Portland without a job, and why she welcomes workplace conflict as an opportunity for transformation. This conversation offers valuable lessons in embracing change and authenticity.

Miranda Barrett is the Owner of Capacity to Scale, which helps business leaders generate ROI from speaking engagements. With over 25 years of experience collaborating with senior leaders and entrepreneurs, she helps people amplify their impact through speaking and storytelling. Before Capacity to Scale, Miranda was the Vice President of External Engagement at the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), where she helped double its size and geographic reach, spoke at industry conferences, and wrote for various publications as a member of the association executive committee. In this episode… Have you ever attended a conference where the speaker was visibly unprepared for the speech? Unfortunately, this can happen often, dismantling trust between the speaker and their audience. How can you create impactful speaking experiences?  With immersive learning at the forefront, capturing and maintaining audiences' attention has become increasingly difficult. Speaker coach and entrepreneur Miranda Barrett notes that both speakers and their audiences are responsible for making speaking engagements worthwhile. Audience members must show the speaker respect by remaining present and attentive during the speech and trusting the speaker's authority. Likewise, speakers must venture beyond merely capturing attention to study their audiences' profiles and the association's culture.  Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston chats with Miranda Barrett, the Owner of Capacity to Scale, about scaling your personal brand through speaking engagements. Miranda discusses bridging the gap between organizations and speakers, advice for women speaking on stage, and her personal core values.

In this episode of GrowNLearn, we sit down with Brian Brault, a visionary leader known for transforming businesses and lives. With a background that includes building multiple Inc. 500 companies, leading the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) globally, and creating the renowned Legacy of Significance leadership programs, Brian shares his secrets to scaling businesses, fostering authentic leadership, and integrating success across all areas of life. Discover how he grew a 300+ employee company to $12M in revenue without a sales team, why business transformation is about more than just profit, and how his entrepreneurial insights from MIT's Masters Program can help you build sustainable success.

Tim Conkle is the CEO and Founder of The 20 MSP, an established IT Managed Services and Consulting Firm providing expert solutions to businesses. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial success, he has advised hundreds of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), developed a multimillion-dollar sales model, and led 36 acquisitions through a unique consolidation strategy that transforms operational efficiency. A visionary and leading expert on mergers and acquisitions, Tim's innovative approach eliminates traditional integration challenges, allowing businesses to thrive under a unified model. He also serves as the President of the board of directors for Cytracom and is an active member of the Forbes Technology Council and Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). In this episode… Building and scaling a successful business is challenging, especially in industries prone to inefficiencies and misaligned goals. Many MSPs struggle with growth due to fragmented systems, lack of standardization, and limited resources for creating seamless customer experiences. Additionally, the complexities of mergers and acquisitions often deter MSPs from pursuing growth opportunities, leaving many business owners without viable exit strategies. Tim Conkle, a leading voice in the MSP space, tackles these challenges head-on by creating a groundbreaking model for MSP collaboration and acquisition. His strategy involves uniting MSPs under a shared platform with standardized tools, processes, and service delivery models, enabling businesses to streamline operations and prepare for acquisition. Tim's flat-rate IT support model aligns directly with client goals, while his unique consolidation framework ensures seamless transitions during mergers. Tim attributes his success to his ability to dream big and unite aligned businesses while fostering a culture of empowerment and entrepreneurial spirit. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Tim Conkle, Founder and CEO of The 20 MSP, about his innovative strategies for scaling MSPs. Tim shares insights on cultivating the right mindset for expansion, the advantages of pre-aligned acquisition targets, and harnessing the power of dreaming with one's eyes open. Business leaders looking to expand and leave a mark will find Tim's journey a blueprint for leveraging vision and teamwork.

Verne Harnish, Founder of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and CEO of Scaling Up, joins Ryan to share insights from his four decades of helping companies grow. The author behind bestsellers like Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up, Verne has been a pivotal force in executive education, guiding leaders around the world. In his conversation with Ryan, Verne reveals how one key innovation can propel a company forward, while continuous improvements keep the momentum going. He shares the importance of having a trusted council to help guide decisions and scale a business effectively, alluding to Jeff Bezos' two pizza rule. Verne also explores the power of saying no to customers' demands in order to stay true to the company vision and stand out in the market.  Finally, he reflects on a question posed by Tony Robbins that helped him cut through barriers to success.

Cómo crear redes profesionales  – Alejandro CosíoVideopodcast: https://youtu.be/3Wp-8hrPbywCuando nos preguntamos cómo crear redes profesionales, hay que entender que estas son mucho más que una simple colección de contactos: son la clave para el crecimiento y el éxito en el mundo laboral. Entrevista con Alejandro Cosío de The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).¿Cómo crear redes profesionales?  Antes, el por quéEn este episodio, Alejandro Cosío Pizarro, un experimentado empresario y líder en innovación, comparte su perspectiva sobre la creación y fortalecimiento de las redes profesionales. A través de su experiencia, revela que las redes profesionales son esenciales para no solo encontrar oportunidades, sino también para formar conexiones significativas que puedan transformar tu carrera.¿Por qué hacer parte de una red profesional?Las redes profesionales ofrecen un apoyo invaluable. No son solo un grupo de personas que conoces, sino un conjunto de individuos que comparten experiencias y conocimientos. Aquí hay algunos puntos que destacan la relevancia de formar parte de estas redes:Soporte emocional y profesional: En el camino empresarial, enfrentarás retos y momentos de duda. Las redes profesionales proporcionan un entorno de apoyo donde puedes compartir tus preocupaciones y obtener consejos de quienes han enfrentado situaciones similares.Acceso a oportunidades:  Muchas veces, las oportunidades laborales no se publican; se comparten dentro de círculos profesionales. Ser parte de una red puede abrirte puertas que de otra manera permanecerían cerradas.Mentoría y crecimiento personal: Los mentores son una parte fundamental de las redes profesionales. Ellos no solo comparten su conocimiento, sino que también pueden ayudarte a descubrir tu potencial y a ver más allá de lo evidente.Conexiones significativasLa calidad de las conexiones es tan importante como la cantidad. No se trata solo de conocer a muchas personas, sino de establecer relaciones genuinas y de confianza. Las redes efectivas son aquellas en las que hay un respeto mutuo y un deseo genuino de ayudar a los demás.Relaciones a largo plazo:  La construcción de redes es un proceso continuo. Es fundamental cultivar estas relaciones a lo largo del tiempo, lo que puede resultar en una red más fuerte.Intercambio de conocimientos:  Las redes profesionales permiten el intercambio de ideas y mejores prácticas. Puedes aprender de las experiencias de otros y aplicar esos aprendizajes en tu propio camino.Una red de apoyoEstar en contacto con otros profesionales que enfrentan desafíos similares puede ser reconfortante y motivador. Aquí algunos beneficios de tener una red de apoyo:Compartir experiencias:  Escuchar las historias de otros puede ofrecerte una nueva perspectiva sobre tus propios retos. Las lecciones aprendidas en situaciones pasadas son invaluables.Resolución de problemas:  A menudo, el consejo de alguien que ha estado en tu lugar puede ser más efectivo que cualquier libro o curso. Las redes te permiten acceder a un vasto conocimiento colectivo.¿Qué más puedes descubrir sobre redes profesionales?Para profundizar en el tema y comprender completamente cómo las redes profesionales pueden transformar tu trayectoria, te invitamos a escuchar el episodio completo del podcast. Alejandro Cosío nos cuenta cómo crear redes profesionales Alejandro Cosío Pizarro, es miembro desde hace 15 años de Entrepreneurs Organization. Es director de crecimiento de EO Latinoamérica, Es un exitoso empresario en la industria del software para el sector financiero desde hace más de 20 años.Tiene experiencia en negociación, planificación empresarial y emprendimiento MBA en finanzas por el ITM, y un máster en innovación de negocios por el zim. El liderazgo de Alejandro en su empresa ha impulsado una significativa innovación y crecimiento. En este episodio comparte su experiencia sobre redes profesionales.Algunas preguntas intrigantes que Alejandro Cosío aborda son:- ¿Cuál es la verdadera diferencia entre un mentor y un coach?- ¿Cómo pueden las redes profesionales ayudarte en situaciones personales difíciles?- ¿Qué experiencias personales ha tenido Alejandro que resaltan la importancia de estas conexiones?Escuchar el podcast con Alejandro Cosío puede brindarte una comprensión más profunda de cómo estas redes pueden ser el motor de tu éxito. ¡No te lo pierdas!.Cómo Crear Redes Profesionales, Alejandro Cosío Pizarro, The Entrepreneurs' Organization, EO, Coach, Mentor podcast, Podcast Corporativo, Comunicación Organizacional, Recursos Humanos, Desarrollo Profesional, Desarrollo Personal, Comunicación Efectiva, Santiago Ríos, Mil PalabrasRecuerda por favor escucharnos y suscribirte en la plataforma que más te guste:Apple Podcast Spotify Google Podcast SpreakerDeezerPara participar, escríbeme tus comentarios a santiagorios@milpalabras.com.coRecursos recomendados en este PodcastInstragram: https://www.instagram.com/alecosiop/LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-cosio-44a71216Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alejandrocosioSitio Web: http://www.finasist.comhttps://hub.eonetwork.orgSuscríbete al Podcast de Mil Palabras enwww.milpalabras.comDescarga GRATIS el ebook “Cómo Crear un Podcast Corporativo”https://milpalabras.com.co/ Otros podcasts recomendados de nuestra redExperiencia Tech.Las voces de los líderes que hacen posible la evolución y la transformación digital. Casos de éxito, innovación, nuevos modelos de negocio y soluciones tecnológicas prácticas para crecer las empresas.https://open.spotify.com/show/77wLRAuRqZMuIiPcaBNHsJHistorias que NutrenConversaciones con profesionales que tienen algo para nutrir tu vida en lo personal, lo profesional, lo espiritual y lo físico.bit.ly/historiasquenutrenSomos CancionesEntrevistas e historias divertidas y personales con Gente que ama la música y sabe de música. (suenan canciones completas al lado de las historias).spoti.fi/3hWr020Logística que Trasciende Aquí encuentras las voces del sector logístico con las mejores prácticas e historias que han contribuido al crecimiento económico de industrias, negocios y naciones.https://bit.ly/logisticaquetrasciendeConviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mil-palabras--4898895/support.

4:04 Rob Nixon - who coaches accounting firms6:44 Where are the offices of TOA Global? How did you decide where to put offices?10:10 In Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), you can only give advice if you've actually lived that experience before - good or bad. But you cannot give advice if you've never done it.10:21 With outsourced functions, what all do ya'll provide? What are accounting firms kind of demanding or really needing right now? What's in high demand?12:17 What are your thoughts around advisory and how much accounting firms - financial advisors...do you help support that transition towards advisory as well?15:17 In the U.S., you just throw CPA or EA in a bucket and the client just assumes they do everything, and to me I feel like there should be some more oversights 16:34 Why do firms need to outsource, and what is this kind of crisis that we're in right now?20:02 A lot of the bigger firms are already outsourcing. Some successfully. Some not. Where is it going wrong, versus how you found it to go right?22:18 Tell me a little more specifics about how your process works. So, I come to you and I say "Hey, I need a bookkeeper." Do you go find that talent that has the experience level that I'm asking for?23:10 Who would not be a good fit for outsourcing?30:40 The role of AI: Are the services and work that you're supplying - is it going to change drastically?32:32 What would you say is the biggest problem that smaller accounting firms face today?34:10 Dan Martell, Author of Buy Back Your Time - https://www.BuyBackYourTime.com37:11 Accounting firms need to be inspirational39:10 Shirley Koss at TOA Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleykoss

Debbie Steinhauer is passionate about giving to the community. An expert in starting Non-Profit Foundations, she is the Founder of Fox River Grove Recreation Counsel (1984), Co-Founder/Chair VOICES (1992), Seattle Fire Foundation (2019), and the Scottsdale Police Foundation (2023). As Founder and CEO of the Scottdale Police Foundation, she volunteers her time to the organization and is responsible for the management of the organization, the Board and integration of the various programs into the community. Outside of Debbie's volunteer work, Debbie spent her career in Health Care Executive Leadership as Director of Physician Services, then moved to owning two successful restaurants. She lives in North Scottsdale with her husband and three dogs.Originally from New York, Jon grew up in Scottsdale and is a graduate of University of Arizona in Tucson. With a background in both commercial brokerage and property management, Jon co-founded LevRose Commercial Real Estate in 1992 with Robert Levine. Under his leadership, LevRose is a six time honoree as one of the Inc 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. LevRose has consistently been named one of the Business Journal's "Top 25 Commercial Brokerage Firms", is a multi-year recipient of Costar Groups "Power Broker" Award and in 2020 was names "#1 Commercial Brokerage Firm" by Ranking Arizona Magazine. Jon served for several years on the board and is an active member of the Arizona Chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of TCN Worldwide, an International alliance of commercial real estate firms of which LevRose is the Arizona affiliate and is also serving on the Board of Directors of the recently formed Scottsdale Police Foundation. He recently served on the Board of the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) and gives time to serve on committees for the City of Scottsdale, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the University of Arizona Mentorship Society, where he helps mentor numerous up and coming leaders in Arizona. Jon was recently recognized by AZRE Magazine as One of the "Top People to Know in Commercial Real Estate". He has been a featured guest on PBS television show "Arizona Horizons" as well as interviews on numerous podcasts, GlobeStreet.com, the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Business Journal.

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Christy Pretzinger, CEO of WG Content, about the importance of creating a "cultural balance sheet" at work. By fostering a culture that enhances both human connections and business success it creates an environment where employees thrive and feel valued.  WG Content's core values—empowered, curious, kind, and fun—are not just words on a wall; they are ingrained in the company's daily operations and celebrated in monthly meetings. Christy explains that her company's success is rooted in fostering a culture that values each person's unique contributions and feels their absence when they are not present. Christy is a popular podcast speaker and is co-author of the upcoming book “Your Cultural Balance Sheet: Keys to Creating an Environment Where People Can Thrive.” She's also a long-time member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global nonprofit comprising business leaders from 65 countries. If you found this episode inspiring, please subscribe, like, and leave a comment. MORE ABOUT CHRISTY PRETZINGER Website: WG Content Strategy and CreationLinkedIn:  Christy Pretzinger   ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Guest: Christy Pretzinger Christy has grown WG Content from a modest freelance writing business into a nationally recognized healthcare content consultancy. Today, she's proud of the work we do for clients all over the country. But her greatest accomplishment is the company's culture, which rests on our four core values — empowered, curious, kind and fun. Under Christy's strategic and visionary leadership, WG Content is a place where employees are appreciated, respected and recognized for their contributions. A company where people grow professionally while building a meaningful life outside of work. In short, an organization where everyone knows they matter. Christy is a popular podcast speaker and is co-author of the upcoming book “Your Cultural Balance Sheet: Keys to Creating an Environment Where People Can Thrive.” She's also a long-time member of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global nonprofit comprising business leaders from 65 countries. A strong believer in life-work balance, Christy makes time for fun. She enjoys travelling to faraway places, working on her golf game and staying fit by working out and hiking. A lifelong learner, she also dabbles in new hobbies such as calligraphy, drawing and attempting to learn new languages. Christy and her partner, Pete, have three adult children between them. They frequently wonder what possessed them to own four dogs, who are always underfoot. Join us as we discuss creating an environment where people can thrive. Host: Andy Goram

As companies of all sizes seek to drive valuation, they often encounter challenges that can lead to a disconnect between the steps they are taking to grow and succeed in the market and the results they are delivering for their customers, employees, shareholders, and communities. For business leaders, adopting a growth mindset and a “learn-it-all” culture (rather than a “know-it-all” culture) may be the key to overcoming these challenges and enjoying continued success. As founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), which has over 18,000 members globally, Verne Harnish has chaired EO's premier CEO program held at MIT for 15 years, and has spent the past four decades helping companies to scale up. Verne is also the founder and CEO of Scaling Up, a global executive education and coaching company with over 293 partners on six continents. He's the author of several best-selling books, including “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits,” “The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time,” and “Scaling Up.” As our guest in Episode 203 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Verne discusses the following: Why it's crucial for business leaders to adopt a learning-oriented growth mindset and get truly inquisitive about how their companies are running, such as by connecting energetically with employees and customers  Tips for navigating the growth paradox, which often presents more complexity, challenges, and bureaucracy as companies grow larger  Insights from nature that can help companies scale up – not only in terms of financial success, but also in contributing to a healthier, happier, more sustainable world  To learn more about Verne, his books, and other resources, visit https://scalingup.com.  To subscribe to The Mindset Game podcast, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.

As parents, we only have 18 summers with our kids. After that, they are off to live their adult lives. These 18 summers are precious. In today's “Best of Marriage Kids And Money” episode from 2019, Jim Sheils, Author and Family Experience Expert, shares tips for parents to take advantage of this limited time. We discuss the importance of one-on-one time with kids and some examples we can all learn from. RESOURCES: Sponsors + Partners + Deals GUEST BIO - Jim Sheils: Jim Sheils is the co-founder of Board Meetings International, a company that specializes in parent/child retreats for entrepreneurs and their children. Jim consults with world-class organizations such as Harvard University and Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) to help their members succeed at home. In keynote presentations, workshops, team events, and private consulting, Jim has helped hundreds of the world's top entrepreneurs and thought leaders focus and implement where it really counts—at home. Jim is a partner in the largest build-to-rent organization in the United States, with over $600 million in assets under management that generates over $40 million in annual recurring revenue for investors. He uses his passive income strategy to teach others how to buy back their time and create a legendary family life. Jim is an avid surfer and enjoys traveling with family and friends, especially his beautiful wife Jamie and their four children, Alden, Leland, Magnolia, and Sampson. The Family Board Meeting (Book) (affiliate) MKM RESOURCES: Make My Kid a Millionaire Course: Want to make your kid a millionaire? Learn more about my course! MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. Instagram: Follow our IG channel. Voicemail: Leave your questions or comments here. Merch Store: Check out our t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs! SHOW INFORMATION:  Marriage Kids and Money is dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness. This award-winning platform helps couples and parents achieve financial independence and discover the true meaning of wealth.  To achieve these big goals, we answer questions and interview experts who uncover smart net worth building habits and tools that can help everyone find their own version of financial independence. Learn more at https://www.marriagekidsandmoney.com  HOST BIO:  Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money - a platform dedicated to helping young families build wealth and happiness.  Andy's advice and personal finance experience have been featured in major media outlets like CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger's Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of downloads and views, Andy's message of family financial empowerment has resonated with listeners, readers and viewers across the world.    When he's not "talking money", Andy enjoys being a soccer Dad, singing karaoke with his wife and relaxing on his hammock. HOW WE MAKE MONEY and DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Podcast Doctors Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I like to think of life as a trilogy,” says keynote speaker and entrepreneur Keith Roberts. Along with mentor Ryan Avery, Keith set a Guinness World Record for the longest public speaking marathon by a team of two, promoting their co-authored historical novel, “The Eternal Flame: Ancient Wisdom for Today's Modern Leader.”   Keith joins The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast to share insights from his 30-year practice in Buddhism, founding and selling his company Zenman, and participating in the global nonprofit Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and MIT's Entrepreneur Masters Program. He discusses the power of gratitude in creating your ideal life, building effective habits, and the importance of writing down your goals to achieve them faster.   Keith co-created the OAK journal, a 90-day journaling framework with prompts, visualization techniques, and mantras to help keep you on track. He shares his experience of letting go of his first company and the dangers of linking your identity to your business. Learn about the “sunk equity fallacy” and why practicing gratitude is more than just compiling a checklist.   Join Keith and host Alex Raymond as they discuss thought leaders like Joe Dispenza and Ryan Holiday, and explore what's next in Keith's journey.   Quotes “I had this epiphany that I was trading my time for money and it was a really bad deal.” (11:55 | Keith Roberts) “Writing things down, doubles the probability of accomplishing them.” (12:29 | Keith Roberts) “Aligning the frequency in what you're putting out in the world—what vibrations, what you're attracting, what you're manifesting, that abundance vs scarcity mindset—you're doing that every single day by your gratitude and then journaling positive thoughts. Like you mentioned, every day has a prompt, and it's not ‘What's frustrating you today?' Every single one of them is intentionally positive to help you have that right mindset and vibrating at the frequency that's going to attract your best life.” (15:41 | Keith Roberts)  “If you repeat something you're grateful for, you're getting diminishing returns. The more specific you can be with your gratitude, the better the ROI is going to get as far as the neurotransmitters.” (17:39 | Keith Roberts) “I'd built it to the point where it became my identity, and when I was trying to come up with my personal ‘why?' I kept framing it through the lens of this agency that had become my identity. And my ‘why' is not selling more Frontier Airlines tickets or houses for RE/MAX or Bijou—which is this Chinese moonshine, the biggest-selling liquor in the world, we did a site for them so—it didn't have anything to with what I had built and I had to get over this concept of ‘sunk equity.'”(35:10 | Keith Roberts)   Links Connect with Keith Roberts: Website: https://keithrobertsiii.com/ OAK Journal: https://oakjournal.com/   Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

In this episode, we're joined by Mo Fathelbab, a trailblazer in leadership development and community building. As the founder and president of the International Facilitators Organization and former executive director of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), Mo's expertise in building communities and fostering relationships extends across various sectors, including Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, academia, and nonprofits. His impressive roster includes Google, Harvard Business School Alumni Forums, Young Presidents' Organization, The Knot Worldwide, and many more. Mo shares insights from his extensive experience working with CEOs and entrepreneurs around the world, drawing from his best-selling books "Forum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders" and "The Friendship Advantage – 7 Keys to Building Relationships that Transform Culture and Drive Productivity." From the importance of peer groups to the role of relationships in driving organizational success, Mo offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for creating spaces where people feel good and fostering connections that enhance well-being. Join us as we delve into his insights on building relationships, cultivating communities, and the transformative power of connection. In this episode, you will hear: The transformative power of emotions and creating safe spaces for vulnerability Mo's journey from a reserved teenager to a global leader in community building The importance of nonjudgmental, confidential peer groups for fostering connection Strategies for creating meaningful community spaces and the impact of physical environments Expanding peer group networks and the ambitious goal of reaching a billion people by 2053 Building trust and connection through personal storytelling and authentic conversations The seven keys to building strong relationships, including the role of vulnerability and "mischievous fun." Resources from this Episode To learn more about Mo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofathelbab/  International Facilitators Organization: https://internationalfacilitatorsorganization.com/  Mo's Books: Forum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders and The Friendship Advantage - Available on Amazon as hard copy, Kindle, and Audible https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07JP58GJM Mo's podcast: The Heart of Business, available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heart-of-business/id1704390146  Find out more about Frequency: https://frequencyspaces.com/  Subscribe to the Frequency Newsletter: https://frequencyspaces.com/subscribe  Podcast Disclosure: https://frequencyspaces.com/podcast-disclosure  Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

John Corcoran is the co-founder of Rise25, an agency that helps B2B companies get clients, referrals, and strategic partnerships through done-for-you podcasts and content marketing. John has been podcasting since 2010 and his business partner Jeremy has been doing it since 2008. Together they've built a team of over 50 people to support B2B companies in leveraging this powerful medium.John has a fascinating and diverse background prior to Rise25. At various points in his career, he was paid by President Bill Clinton as a White House writer, worked for Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks, and did some work for Warren Buffett. He was also a lawyer for a period before discovering the power of podcasting to have high-caliber business conversations and decided to make that his focus.In this episode of Agency Journey, John shares his knowledge on using podcasts strategically to deliver value to your ideal clients and referral partners. He emphasizes that download numbers and vanity metrics matter far less than having the right conversations with the right people.We also dig into John's involvement with Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and get an inside look at different high-level business peer groups.This is a great episode for agency leaders interested in the power of podcasts and surrounding yourself with other successful entrepreneurs.Episode Insights:

In this episode, I chat with Verne Harnish. Verne is the founder of the world-renowned Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), with over 11,000 members worldwide. He is also founder and CEO of Gazelles, a global executive education and coaching company with over 180 partners on six continents. Verne has spent the past three decades helping companies scale-up. In today's episode, we chat about: ▪ The 4 key elements that determine why some businesses make it and others fail ▪ Why you should never make a decision alone ▪ Ways dentists can compete and scale in a competitive market ▪ Expert customer service tips ▪ Finding ways to scale when you love your own craft ▪ Why you need a daily huddle

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt is joined by entrepreneur Steve Kearley, from Benson Kearley Insurance as they discuss the elements of success, the entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth through business endeavors. Steve shares his journey from selling designer jeans out of his high school locker to becoming a prominent figure in the insurance industry. He emphasizes the significance of self-measurement and personal growth over comparing oneself to others, highlighting how his definition of excellence has evolved over the years. Steve's narrative is peppered with insights on overcoming societal expectations and focusing on one's strengths and unique abilities.Throughout the discussion, Steve stresses the importance of networking, not in the traditional sense of merely exchanging business cards, but in building meaningful, reciprocal relationships without immediate expectations. This approach to networking, according to Steve, involves connecting people, helping others without a direct benefit to oneself, and ultimately, building a network based on trust and mutual respect. Both Steve and Matt reflect on their experiences within the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), underscoring how such networks have facilitated their business growth and personal development.The conversation also delves into Steve's strategic approach to his insurance business, where he shifted focus from traditional metrics to providing real value to customers through educational seminars and resources that go beyond insurance. This value-driven approach helped differentiate his company in a competitive market. Steve's commitment to his team and ethical business practices, even post-business sale, reflects his dedication to ensuring the welfare of his employees and maintaining a legacy of integrity and trust. This episode not only explores the nuances of entrepreneurial success but also provides practical advice for personal and professional growth.Join Matt and Steve for this fascinating episode. Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show:How excellence isn't about surpassing others but measuring personal growth over time, understanding and leveraging your unique abilitiesThe true value of networking: building authentic relationships and helping others without expecting something in return, rather than merely exchanging contacts for personal gain.Embracing failures as learning opportunities, fostering resilience, and continuous personal development.The characteristics that often define entrepreneurs, such as a dislike for being employed, the necessity for freedom, and the ability to see and seize opportunities for innovation and leadership.How to differentiate your business in a competitive market by providing additional value beyond the core services, using Steve's approach in the insurance industry as a model.How setting and adhering to clear company values can simplify decision-making processes and contribute to long-term business success.Advice for young entrepreneurs on setting and sharing goals, the importance of mentorship, and why it's vital to understand and align with your core values.And so much more...Resources:Benson Kearley IFGSteve's LinkedIn

Episode 229 of my Curate Your Health Podcast is out! Link below.   Caroline Goodner is here today to talk about vaginal health. Her company OrganiCare makes products that help with vaginal infections. Femiclear has natural ingredients that have been proven to be efficient. Her products help with conditions such as: yeast infections, genital herpes, bacterial vaginosis and UTIs.    Caroline Goodner is the co-founder and CEO of OrganiCare, a leader in transforming feminine healthcare by making highly effective, natural products that are science backed and available over the counter through national retailers. FemiClear is a line of natural products that focus on vaginal health. Prior to OrganiCare in 2009 she was CEO of UpSpring Baby, a growth-stage consumer products company that focused on the health, wellness, and safety of mothers and babies. Goodner is a member of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), and serves on the board of Beyond Batten Disease Foundation. Goodner earned her BA from Duke University and her MBA from Rice University's Jones School of Business.   She can be found at: http://femiclear.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-goodner-98b32/, and https://www.facebook.com/FemiClear/.   FemiClear is a line of natural products that focus on vaginal health. They are highly effective, science-backed and available over the counter through national retailers. You can shop for her products online at http://femiclear.com. You can contact her at caroline@organicare.com.   Dr. Hammerstedt and her lifestyle coaching team can be found at www.wholisthealth.com and @wholisthealth on Facebook and Instagram as well as the Facebook group Midlife Wellness Collective. Wholist helps high performing women and men lose weight for the last time, with an innovative food and mindset coaching program to blueprint YOUR optimal body and mind, with real food, real work, real results...and no products or BS. Come curate YOUR sustainable health future, and personal and professional dynasty.   And remember, Who you choose to be Matters. You are valuable, You are worth this, You are your WholeYou.  

In this episode, explore the world of business exits with Jessica Fialkovich, owner of Exit Factor, a business exit expert.Learn from Jessica's entrepreneurial journey, from running a wine boutique to creating the Exit Factor model. Discover the keys to increasing a company's value and the common mistakes owners make when exiting.Get valuable advice and insights on starting the exit process and debunking myths about exiting a company.TIME STAMPS[01:34] Entrepreneurial Beginnings: The Wine Boutique Journey.[04:57] What is the Exit Factor Model?[08:03] How to Improve My Company Value.[11:00] Top Questions About Business Exit.[15:19] Biggest Mistakes Owners Make When Exiting.ABOUT JESSICA FIALKOVICHJessica Fialkovich is an exit expert, best selling author, speaker, small business advocate, and award-winning business owner. The founder of Exit Factor, she is also the co-owner of Transworld Business Advisors in Colorado, Dallas, and Las Vegas. Jessica is an entrepreneur at heart and successfully built and sold two startups, along with her husband and business partner, Al. With Transworld, they run the business brokerage firm that does the most M&A transactions annually for small and medium-sized businesses. She is also active in the entrepreneurial community, including Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). She resides between Dallas, TX and Denver, CO.RESOURCESWe want to hear from you. Fill out our short survey at:https://bit.ly/UNpodsurvey

Mr. Miyagi, Yoda, Jaime Escalante - all great mentors that helped those around them improve and become better. On this weeks episode of the podcast Chris asks Chuck about this same idea, as Charles is apart of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). EO is a community of people in similar entrepreneurial roles, who gather together helping one another with perspectives and real experience. For Charles it has been a great resource for him to grow, and receive various perspectives. This idea of community, of fostering and investing in one's own personal growth is something that can become invaluable over time. To learn more about EO check out their website: hub.eonetwork.org Do you have a question you've been dying to ask us? Do you wanna hear us talk about it on the podcast? Visit our website catandcloud.com/podcast, or email us at podcast@catandcloud.com and tell us what it is, and maybe your question will be the one we answer next week! Instagram: www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Cat & Cloud: catandcloud.com/
Chris Baca's Personal Blog: chrisbaca.com/ We are Cat & Cloud Coffee. Started by three friends trying to pursue their passions with integrity and intentionality. It's our mission to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences, and we created this podcast to continue forming those connections inside and out of our cafes. The Cat & Cloud podcast was created as a space for two of our founders, Chris Baca and Jared Truby, to share their experiences in the coffee industry and starting a business. Each week the guys sit down to talk about their new challenges as business owners, how they've utilize our mission and values to make decisions, and answer questions from our listening community. If you're looking to expand your coffee knowledge, get some advice for your own small business, or just like the vibes, give us a listen! Enjoy!

Embark with us on a riveting entrepreneurial odyssey as David Nilssen, CEO of Doxa Talent, traces his path from teenage Subway franchise manager to real estate maven, and then to the vanguard of remote hiring innovation. David's candid tales of founding Guidant Financial and later Doxa Talent offer an insider's view of the entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a dash of audacity and a keen eye for opportunities amidst challenges. Our conversation digs into the birth of Doxa Talent, a company that's breaking new ground by connecting small to medium-sized businesses with the rich vein of offshore talent in the Philippines, reshaping the hiring landscape.Shifting gears, we probe into the contemporary workforce's evolving psyche and the burgeoning trend towards embracing offshore staffing, a testament to the world's ever-tightening interconnectedness. As a host who has benefitted from such global collaborations, I can confirm the myths of offshore labor are just that—myths. Our discussion illuminates the Philippines' unique work culture, attuned to U.S. business rhythms, and the broader implications of remote hiring, from English fluency improvements worldwide to dispelling the scarcity of skilled labor. David and I dissect the intimate dance of work-life balance and productivity in this new, decentralized business world.In our final narrative stretch, we project our gaze onto the horizon, contemplating the future landscape of remote work and outsourcing, with COVID-19 as the unexpected catalyst. This segment unveils how businesses can flourish in remote or hybrid models by fostering a culture of purpose, leadership, and community. We delve into the exciting role AI and emerging technologies like AR and VR are playing in redefining the remote work environment. Through David's insights, we glean lessons on equality in remote workplaces and the pivotal shift in management from oversight to outcome focus—key strategies for anyone charting a course through the evolving seas of remote work. Join us for a dialogue brimming with actionable wisdom for entrepreneurs and business leaders steering their ships in the 21st-century workforce.David Nilssen's Bio:David Nilssen is the CEO of DOXA which partners with businesses to start and scale-up high-performing, borderless teams out of global locations like the Philippines and Vietnam.In 2007, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) named him the National Young Entrepreneur of the Year and his businesses have been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” seven times. They have also been included on many Inc 5000 lists, including the Inc 500 in 2008. In 2012, David wrote Making the Jump into Small Business Ownership which is available on Amazon.As an investor, David has provided funding to companies in neuropharma, online travel, personal financial management, transportation, digital administration and more. He is a member of both the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and the Young President's Organization (YPO) and serve on the Board of Directors of the Entrepreneurs' Organization and Guidant Financial.Learn more about Doxa at: www.doxatalent.comLearn more:www.socialistics.comwww.jasonyormark.comwww.antiagencybook.com

Why are values important to succeed in business and in life? Today's guest shows us what really happens behind the scenes of a successful company and how values factor into the equation. In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Matthew Stewart, co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, Home Genius Exteriors, and SMJJ Investments. From a small Southern California company, NSG has grown into an international company with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. Matthew currently serves on the boards of several organizations in addition to his role at NSG. In his past role, he was chairman of the global board of Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), a worldwide business network representing more than 142 chapters across 46 countries. In this episode you'll discover: - The entrepreneurial advice Matthew would give to his younger self. - How values help his company succeed. - The secrets to running a successful business. Join Darius and Matthew for this fascinating discussion as they explore how our values and even our mistakes provide lessons that we can use to create success. They also discuss the reasons why being patient and having a strategy are vital to achieving greatness. Topics include: The advice Matthew would offer to his younger self as an entrepreneur How values have become vital to making his company a success The inside scoop on running a successful business And other topics... Connect with Matt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-stewart-5257314 Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoompdarius/ YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Friedler is an entrepreneur who thrives in the company of his peers and champions the remote work lifestyle alongside his wife. Mark recently regained his connection with Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), recognizing the value of a support network. His wife, having attended an EO dinner, quickly saw firsthand the group's genuine spirit and the meaningful connections that can be made there. Mark's journey is all about fostering entrepreneurial camaraderie and seizing the collective wisdom that comes from being a part of a vibrant and supportive community.In this episode of After Hours Entrepreneur, host Mark Savant is joined by Mark Friedler to dive deep into the impact of AI on industry and society. From the potential substitution of high-cost consulting with AI-generated reports to concerns about the erosion of trust in visual media, they explore the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. With valuable insights on the business implications of AI, the episode also covers the entrepreneurial challenges of fundraising and making practical decisions for business growth.Takeaways:1. Entrepreneurs need to harness automation for their businesses.2. Practical decisions about sales and funding are imperative for businesses.3. Entrepreneurial success relies on adapting to technological and business trends.Connect with Mark FriedlerWebsite: http://www.gigex.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfriedlerConnect with Mark SavantInstagram: www.instagram.com/marksavantmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-savant-ba777145Timestamps:00:00 Engage and share with peer groups.06:29 Transitioning to electric vehicles, AI disrupts industries.10:09 AI chatbot market consolidation impacts small businesses.12:03 Creating specialized AI for automotive industry needs.17:09 Chasing big paydays and the power of hard work.20:34 Seed investors seek leverage for early investment.21:23 Debt funding can benefit profitable businesses.25:05 OpenAI lacks clear revenue plan, valuation high.28:10 Consolidating services into a single platform is a trend.30:57 Encouragement to call leads after watching the video.Support the show