Podcasts about seattle business magazine

Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur and investor, known for founding Geekwire.com and PicMonkey, a leading photo-editing platform. He currently owns and publishes the re-booted Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine. Jonathan has the unique distinction of being the first to sell two companies to Google and a third to Shutterstock. His latest venture, JoySauce.com, highlights AAPI talent in TV, film, and podcasts, receiving recognition from the Center for Asian American Media and GLAAD. In 2016, he made headlines for committing to invest only in female-founded companies. Previously, he was a senior manager at Microsoft, contributing to the first Xbox and various MSN applications. Jonathan is a graduate of Whitman College and serves on its Board of Trustees. In this finale episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, host Sasha Foo deeply converses with Jonathan Sposato, a prominent entrepreneur and cultural advocate. They explore Jonathan's unique upbringing in Hong Kong, his transition to life in America, and the challenges he faced as an Asian American. Jonathan shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and creativity. The discussion also touches on the balance between cultural assimilation and embracing one's heritage, culminating in Jonathan's advice for the next generation of creators and thinkers.

A passionate champion of creativity, equity, and sustainability, Eli Cheatham has dedicated much of her adult life to amplifying under-represented voices and cultivating organizational cultures focused on purpose and belonging. Named by Seattle Business Magazine as one of their "Daring Women," Eli has played a pivotal role in the story of International Farming (I.F.) since its founding in 2009. As chief strategic initiatives officer, Eli has the privilege of driving I.F.'s strategic projects and alliances, while overseeing operations, communications, and culture. In addition to her work with I.F., Eli is an ardent student of Vedic meditation and the founder of Matrons & Mistresses: a digital publication that shines light on the incredible women who shape the arts. She is also the mother of two adorable, free-spirited boys.Prior to turning her attention to business and the arts, Eli worked as a graduate gemologist in sales and client development for Harry Winston. Eli has a B.A. in psychology from Rollins College and a graduate gemologist degree from The Gemological Institute of America.In this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell engages in an insightful conversation with Eli Cheatham, Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer at International Farming. Their discussion centers around the significance of intentionality in both personal and professional realms, highlighting how creating space and being proactive can transform leadership and business outcomes. Eli shares her experience and approach to integrating sustainable practices in farming and fostering community-centric initiatives.Eli Cheatham elaborates on International Farming's mission, which began in 2009, emphasizing investment in agriculture, vertically integrated agribusinesses, and innovative technology. She discusses the importance of connecting people to their food sources, simplifying the food supply chain, and enhancing farmers' profits. Their efforts also extend to supporting veterans in agriculture and developing diverse workforce initiatives, underscoring the company's comprehensive approach to food security and environmental stewardship.Key Takeaways:Intentional Leadership: Creating time and space to be proactive rather than reactionary is crucial for effective leadership.Community Engagement: International Farming's partnerships focus on food security, environmental stewardship, and fostering a strong, diverse workforce within agriculture.Support for Farmers: Simplifying the supply chain and implementing transparent practices can significantly increase farmers' profit margins.Employee Connection: Regular meetings and initiatives like book clubs and expert lectures help maintain strong internal connections and shared vision.Personal Growth: Overcoming self-doubt and embracing one's unique wirings can be transformative for personal and professional development.Notable Quotes:"For me, it's about creating space and time...to be a co-creator of the future versus being on my heels and more reactionary to what's being thrown at me." - Eli Cheatham"The more grounded I am as a leader, the better I am not just for my organization but as a human in general." - Eli Cheatham"We can be profitable and sustainable at the same time. It's about doing well while doing good." - Eli Cheatham"To earn $1 on a piece of produce, often the farmer gets just $0.07. We are excited about finding ways to get more money into farmers' pockets." - Eli Cheatham"Creating a space where people can come as themselves, including myself, and stay human is just crucial for all aspects of life and business." - Eli CheathamStay tuned for...

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space. In this episode we talk with Richard Brown, President & Co-owner of The BoxMaker.Part 1 of Going Forward delved into key aspects of Richard's career in the packaging industry that led him to The BoxMaker, offering valuable insights for listeners. The conversation explores the evolution of digital technology within the corrugated packaging sector. Richard shares insights into the efficiencies brought about by digital production, emphasizing its transformative impact on supply chain dynamics. He reflects on the transition from traditional analog methods to digital processes, highlighting the advantages in terms of reduced waste, enhanced flexibility, and streamlined workflows.About RichardRichard Brown has been with The BoxMaker since 2003. Prior to his current role, he served as the Corrugated Sales Manager, Vice President, and General Manager. Richard's career in packaging began with a summer warehouse job as a teen. He quickly worked his way up to delivery driver, a series of office roles, and then outside sales where he developed and sold custom packages for 13 years. His first leadership role was in product management at Tenneco. In 1999 he accepted a promotion to lead a branch office of Landsberg Ororoa in the Seattle area. Richard enjoys actively participating in AICC and Vistage.As a packaging professional, Richard enjoys seeing how things are made, and he maintains a keen interest in client projects as they are produced. He believes being involved in all parts of the process is an excellent way to learn from an array of people and companies. Richard focuses on ensuring The BoxMaker has the right talent, equipment, and culture in place to serve clients effectively and develop true partnerships. He values treating everyone with respect, living in the moment, and making a positive impact. Richard says, “The impact I have on my coworkers' lives will be my scorecard as a leader.” Richard enjoys being outdoors to appreciate the beauty and fresh air of the Pacific Northwest while hiking and fly fishing. He looks forward to spending time in Northwest Arkansas where we recently expanded. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and supporting his local community.Seattle Business Magazine recognized Richard as Executive of the Year 2020 in its Washington Manufacturing Awards. Connect with Richard & The BoxMaker X Instagram LinkedInResourcesAICC CEO Advisory GroupComing UpNew episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success. Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Top Stories1. Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems⁠PSBJ article ⁠(Spirit Aerosystems)⁠Seattle Times article⁠ (NTSB)2. In-N-Out coming to WA⁠The Columbian article⁠3. Pfizer shuts down Seagen facility⁠PSBJ article⁠4. Phase Genomics gets grant from Gates Foundation⁠Geekwire article⁠5. Are college athletes employees?⁠AP News article⁠Co-Host Rob Smith:Rob is the Executive Editor for the Seattle Magazine and the Seattle Business Magazine. Prior to this he was the Editor-in-Chief for the Puget Sound Business Journal and the Editor-in-Chief for the Portland Business Journal along with some consulting and freelance work.Host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: theweeklyseattle@gmail.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space. In this episode we talk with Richard Brown, President & Co-owner of The BoxMaker.Part 1 of Going Forward delves into key aspects of Richard's career in the packaging industry that led him to The BoxMaker, offering valuable insights for listeners. Richard's journey in the packaging world began at 14 years old, working in his father's distribution company. This hands-on experience and hard-working attitude led to his transformative climb from the warehouse floor to the executive boardroom. His story serves as a testament to the profound impact of practical experience in shaping a successful career in the packaging sector.The human side of leadership takes center stage as the episode sheds light on the delicate balance between career and family. Richard discusses the significant role family considerations played in his decision-making process, emphasizing transparent communication and the thoughtful evaluation of family dynamics as crucial elements in navigating career choices.About RichardRichard Brown has been with The BoxMaker since 2003. Prior to his current role, he served as the Corrugated Sales Manager, Vice President, and General Manager. Richard's career in packaging began with a summer warehouse job as a teen. He quickly worked his way up to delivery driver, a series of office roles, and then outside sales where he developed and sold custom packages for 13 years. His first leadership role was in product management at Tenneco. In 1999 he accepted a promotion to lead a branch office of Landsberg Ororoa in the Seattle area. Richard enjoys actively participating in AICC and Vistage.As a packaging professional, Richard enjoys seeing how things are made, and he maintains a keen interest in client projects as they are produced. He believes being involved in all parts of the process is an excellent way to learn from an array of people and companies. Richard focuses on ensuring The BoxMaker has the right talent, equipment, and culture in place to serve clients effectively and develop true partnerships. He values treating everyone with respect, living in the moment, and making a positive impact. Richard says, “The impact I have on my coworkers' lives will be my scorecard as a leader.” Richard enjoys being outdoors to appreciate the beauty and fresh air of the Pacific Northwest while hiking and fly fishing. He looks forward to spending time in Northwest Arkansas where we recently expanded. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and supporting his local community.Seattle Business Magazine recognized Richard as Executive of the Year 2020 in its Washington Manufacturing Awards. Connect with Richard & The BoxMakerXInstagramLinkedInResourcesAICC CEO Advisory GroupComing UpIn the next episode, Going Forward Part II will cover Richard's time at The BoxMaker. The episode delves into Richard's leadership philosophy and innovative strategy to keep his company on the cutting edge. New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at

This episode of The Jason Cavness Experience is a replay of my talk with Dr. Spencer Cohen - Principal and Founder of High Peak Strategy LLC This episode can be found at the following places Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the full episode and other episodes of The Jason Cavness Experience on your favorite platforms.  Our Affiliate CavnessHR - CavnessHR delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP. www.CavnessHR.com Spencer's Bio Dr. Spencer Cohen is principal and founder of High Peak Strategy LLC, an economics and research consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington specializing in regional economic analysis, international trade research, and U.S.-China relations. High Peak Strategy LLC works with a diverse range of clients, including ports, economic development organizations, engineering firms, industry and trade associations, and local governments. Spencer brings 14 years' experience in consulting, policy, and economic research. He is a 2021-2023 Public Intellectuals Program fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and affiliate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington. Spencer is a recognized expert on regional economic analysis, port economic impacts, U.S.-China trade and economic relations, China's economy, industry clusters, and international trade. Dr. Cohen is a frequent public speaker on issues relating to U.S.-China relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative, international trade, industry impact analysis, and regional economic trends.  He has written opinion pieces in the South China Morning Post, The Daily Guardian (India), Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Business Magazine. He has been a presenter on U.S.-China relations, trade policy, and the Belt and Road Initiative to various audiences, including the U.S. Heartland China Association and Washington State China Relations Council.  Dr. Cohen has a PhD in economic geography from the University of Washington, where his research examined land markets and local government finance in China. His research entailed intensive use of Chinese language government documents and reports, academic research, and news outlets. He has advanced fluency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and reading). He is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and actively involved with the Washington State China Relations Council. We talk about the following among a few other subjects Economic impact modeling High Peak Strategy LLC Supply disruptions China-U.S. relationship China in Africa China-Taiwan Spencer's Social Media Spencer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-cohen-phd-%E6%9F%AF%E8%A5%BF%E6%9C%AC-%E5%8D%9A%E5%A3%AB-4651469/ Company Website: https://highpeakstrategy.com/

Kim Roberts is the Co-owner of Westport Winery Garden Resort, which she founded in 2008 with her husband, Blain. The business is home to Ocean's Daughter Distillery, the Sea Glass Grill, the International Mermaid Museum, and resort lodging. The resort's guests travel from across the US — and the world — to experience everything Westport Winery has to offer.  The Westport Winery team is dedicated to finding out what their guests want and providing them with those products and services. Due to its daily motivation to exceed expectations, Westport Winery has been recognized by outlets such as Winery Press NW and Seattle Business Magazine. In this episode with Kim Roberts People say it's nearly impossible to open a winery on the coast of Western Washington. After looking into various studies, today's guest launched their winery to prove the skeptics wrong. Westport Winery began harvesting a single cluster of grapes and has since grown into the thriving winery (and resort) it is today. Partnering with top growers, Westport Winery Garden Resort is now the leading destination spot in the area. In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Kim Roberts, Co-owner of Westport Winery Garden Resort, as she shares what drew her into launching a winery. Kim also talks about the International Mermaid Museum, Ocean's Daughter Distillery, and the business' future endeavors.

“If you're not improving, you're in decline. When you're improving, you're staving off the aging process in many regards - mentally, spiritually, in every regard.”In this episode, we talk about the power of innovation and Lean thinking (or Kaizen) and Six Sigma. My guest and I discuss how he learned the strategic approach that focuses on dramatically improving flow in the value stream and eliminating waste, and how he applied it to his company - turning it into the huge success that it is today.Many of the listeners of this show will appreciate all the great tips from this conversation, especially for the business owners and business leaders out there as you'll find it is filled with actionable info that you can apply to your process right away!ABOUT OUR GUESTPaul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. FastCap was started in Paul's garage in 1997 when he simply “fixed what bugged him” and developed his first product: the Fastcap Cover Cap. From humble beginnings, and no MBA, FastCap has thousands of distributors worldwide in over 40 countries. Paul's intense curiosity on how things could be improved paved the way for him to become a prolific innovator and today he holds many US and International patents. FastCap launches approximately 20-30 innovative products per year and has won business of the year in 1999 and 2010. In June 2011 Paul won Seattle Business Magazine's prestigious Business Executive of the Year award. He wrote his first book, 2 Second Lean, about creating a fun, Lean culture, that is now available in 15 languages. In 2015, he wrote his 2nd book, Lean Health, in 2016, he wrote Lean Travel and in 2019, he wrote Lean Life and Banish Sloppiness. In 2016, Paul's book, 2 Second Lean, was recognized by the Shingo Institute and won the Research and Professional Publication Award.To learn more about Paul and his work, please visit:https://paulakers.net/https://www.youtube.com/@PaulaAkersABOUT OUR HOSTKen Eslick is an Entrepreneur, Author, Podcaster, Tony Robbins Trainer, Life Coach, Husband of 35+ Years, and Grandfather. Ken currently spends his time as the President & Founder of The Leaders Lab where he and his team focus on Senior Leadership Acquisition. They get founders the next level C-Suite Leaders they need to go from being an Inc. Magazine 5000 fastest growing company to $100,000,000 + in revenue. You can learn more about Ken and his team at theleaderslab.coListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/ken-eslick/

The CEO of DRY SODA, Sharelle Klaus is risking a huge new life. She moved out of her home, gave away most of her stuff, built out an SUV into a camper, and is running her company from the road.  As Sharelle says herself, "Clearly this is not in the CEO handbook of “How to Run a Company”, but I am going to write my own handbook." Sharelle believes "Freedom Is On the Other Side of Fear". Wow what a gritty move for this mother of 4 who after 17 years of running her company, with kids now grown, decided her life was not working for her anymore and decided to risk her own dream. Go Sharelle!  Her company DRY SODA evolved from her passion for the culinary world and celebrating each part of a meal - including the beverages. While going through her multiple back to back pregnancies, Sharelle couldn't drink wine or alcohol with her meals so she invented her own non alcoholic spirits, to keep her own party going. She recognized the need for a refreshing clean non-alcoholic beverage option in the market that was worthy of pairing with a meal. DRY SODA started with her making botanical bubbly beverages for social drinking anytime in her kitchen. Now DRY SODA is available at a location near you. Check the website for where. Besides ordering on Amazon, near me I can pick some up at CVS or Walmart. As for Sharelle she's now available from her SUV wherever she happens to be. She happens to be in LA for this conversation when she checked in from the road on The Debbie Nigro Show. Now this is what I call  a real time ...."Risk It Or Regret It!" Caution: Listening to this podcast interview may cause you to give away all your stuff and hit the road. :-) ***************************************************** Sharelle Klaus brings nearly three decades of entrepreneurial, financial, and technology industry experience to her role as CEO at DRY. As an advocate for advancing the sober curious movement, she also spearheaded DRY's investment stake in Austin-based sober bar, Sans Bar, and co-authored The Guide To Zero Proof Cocktails. Prior to founding DRY, she worked as a consultant for Infrastructure Management Group and Price Waterhouse. She also served as president of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, where she drove strategic development of programs, events and fundraising for the organization's 250+ Seattle-area members. Klaus has been featured in numerous publications including Huffpost, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, and Imbibe, as well as has spoken at various beverage industry events, including BevNET Live and Lo and No Beverage Summit. She was also honored by Seattle Business Magazine as one of its 2018 CEOs of the year.

Due to my travel schedule this week, I wanted to share a throwback to a conversation I had with Paul Akers this past year. Paul is an author, entrepreneur and the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. In this episode, Paul and I go over how Lean can be applied to improve your work environment and why you need to focus on small consistent changes when trying to make improvements. What You'll Learn This Episode: How Lean helped Paul in Ironman FastCap and the inspiration behind the company The importance of listening to customers Making time to fix what's bothering you 2 second improvement and why it's simple The inspiration behind Paul's videos What it takes to be a good leader in an organization with Lean culture Paul's advice for someone just starting on their Lean journey About the Guest: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. FastCap was started in Paul's garage in 1997 when he simply “fixed what bugged him” and developed his first product: the Fastcap Cover Cap. From humble beginnings, and no MBA, FastCap has thousands of distributors worldwide in over 40 countries. Paul's intense curiosity on how things could be improved paved the way for him to become a prolific innovator and today he holds many US and International patents. FastCap launches approximately 20-30 innovative products per year and has won business of the year in 1999 and 2010. In June 2011 Paul won Seattle Business Magazine's prestigious Business Executive of the Year award. He wrote his first book, 2 Second Lean, about creating a fun, Lean culture, that is now available in 15 languages. In 2015, he wrote his 2nd book, Lean Health, in 2016, he wrote Lean Travel and in 2019, he wrote Lean Life and Banish Sloppiness. In 2016, Paul's book, 2 Second Lean, was recognized by the Shingo Institute and won the Research and Professional Publication Award. Important Links: https://paulakers.net/books/2-second-lean https://paulakers.net/ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/2-second-lean-play/id1503694993 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.leanplay --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/leansolutions/support

On this episode of the Jason Cavness Experience I talk to Dr. Spencer Cohen - Principal and Founder of High Peak Strategy LLC Here a few of the subjects we talked about Economic impact modeling High Peak Strategy LLC Supply disruptions China-U.S. relationship China in Africa China-Taiwan Spencer's Bio Dr. Spencer Cohen is principal and founder of High Peak Strategy LLC, an economics and research consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington specializing in regional economic analysis, international trade research, and U.S.-China relations. High Peak Strategy LLC works with a diverse range of clients, including ports, economic development organizations, engineering firms, industry and trade associations, and local governments. Spencer brings 14 years' experience in consulting, policy, and economic research. He is a 2021-2023 Public Intellectuals Program fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and affiliate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington. Spencer is a recognized expert on regional economic analysis, port economic impacts, U.S.-China trade and economic relations, China's economy, industry clusters, and international trade. Dr. Cohen is a frequent public speaker on issues relating to U.S.-China relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative, international trade, industry impact analysis, and regional economic trends. He has written opinion pieces in the South China Morning Post, The Daily Guardian (India), Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Business Magazine. He has been a presenter on U.S.-China relations, trade policy, and the Belt and Road Initiative to various audiences, including the U.S. Heartland China Association and Washington State China Relations Council. Dr. Cohen has a PhD in economic geography from the University of Washington, where his research examined land markets and local government finance in China. His research entailed intensive use of Chinese language government documents and reports, academic research, and news outlets. He has advanced fluency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and reading). He is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and actively involved with the Washington State China Relations Council. Spencer's Social Media Spencer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-cohen-phd-%E6%9F%AF%E8%A5%BF%E6%9C%AC-%E5%8D%9A%E5%A3%AB-4651469/ Company Website: https://highpeakstrategy.com/   Our Affiliates  Close.com - If you hate your sales CRM or know that you inevitably need to make a change because what you have is not working, certainly check out Close. It's quick and easy to set up and sales rep adoption is extremely high! Give their trial a shot. PeopleKeep - If your company has 49 or fewer employees a PeopleKeep personalized benefits advisor can evaluate whether a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) is right for your business. Reach out today to get your questions answered. https://www.peoplekeep.com/cavnesshr Everee Payroll - Run payroll or contractor payments from anywhere in seconds with just one swipe on a mobile app. Focus on growing your business instead of on compliance. We remit, file and report on federal, state, local and unemployment insurance taxes, as well as handle your W2s and 1099s. https://offers.everee.com/cavness-hr CavnessHR - CavnessHR delivers HR companies with 49 or fewer people with our HR platform and by providing you access to your own HRBP.

DRIVE was the winner of BEST FILM at the December 2021 MUSIC Film Festival. There is a 2nd screening on the WILDsound APP in February. You can watch for free and sign up at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). An intimate look inside a musician and producer's collaborative process. Nationally renowned cellist and composer Joshua Roman records his 2020 Music Journal piece “Drive” with Ryan Hadlock, producer at Bear Creek Studio. Conversation with director Hayley Young on the making of the film. http://www.hayleyyoung.com/ Hayley Young began working as Staff Photographer for Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine in 2009. In the years since, she has personally photographed over 2000 people and places across Washington State. Her work has been published nationally as well, taking assignments for The Guardian, Washington Post, Fast Company, OUT Magazine and The Sunday Times (UK). Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

This week on the podcast, I'm speaking with Paul Akers. Paul is an author, entrepreneur and the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. In this episode, Paul and I go over how Lean can be applied to improve your work environment and why you need to focus on small consistent changes when trying to make improvements. What You'll Learn This Episode: How Lean helped Paul in Ironman FastCap and the inspiration behind the company The importance of listening to customers Making time to fix what's bothering you 2 second improvement and why it's simple The inspiration behind Paul's videos What it takes to be a good leader in an organization with Lean culture Paul's advice for someone just starting on their Lean journey About the Guest: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. FastCap was started in Paul's garage in 1997 when he simply “fixed what bugged him” and developed his first product: the Fastcap Cover Cap. From humble beginnings, and no MBA, FastCap has thousands of distributors worldwide in over 40 countries. Paul's intense curiosity on how things could be improved paved the way for him to become a prolific innovator and today he holds many US and International patents. FastCap launches approximately 20-30 innovative products per year and has won business of the year in 1999 and 2010. In June 2011 Paul won Seattle Business Magazine's prestigious Business Executive of the Year award. He wrote his first book, 2 Second Lean, about creating a fun, Lean culture, that is now available in 15 languages. In 2015, he wrote his 2nd book, Lean Health, in 2016, he wrote Lean Travel and in 2019, he wrote Lean Life and Banish Sloppiness. In 2016, Paul's book, 2 Second Lean, was recognized by the Shingo Institute and won the Research and Professional Publication Award. Important Links: https://paulakers.net/books/2-second-lean https://paulakers.net/ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/2-second-lean-play/id1503694993 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.leanplay --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/leansolutions/support

Mark Zoske is the visionary and CEO of SaltWorks Inc., the first and largest gourmet salt manufacturing company in North America. SaltWorks was first imagined decades ago when Zoske studied the health benefits of genuine, unrefined sea salts. From that ideation, he vowed to revolutionize the salt industry by making high-quality sea salts for everyone, including food manufacturers, specialty retailers and consumers. SaltWorks became a reality in 2001, launching with just five products. Since then, Zoske has developed the perfect salt for everyday cooking or baking and specialty salts ideal for pairing with meats, desserts, beverages and more. In addition to food salts, SaltWorks offers the highest quality therapeutic bath salts that are entirely authentic and natural. SaltWorks' growth has not gone unnoticed. Zoske was named 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Pacific Northwest and has been featured in various publications, including Entrepreneur, The Seattle Times and Seattle Business Magazine. In 2016, the company celebrated ten years on Inc Magazine's list of America's fastest-growing private companies. During the tumultuous year of 2020, SaltWorks received gold honors at the Specialty Food Association's Sofi awards. This year, SaltWorks, Zoske and his team of over 100 employees celebrate 20 years of leading the sea salt industry as the world's most trusted gourmet salt company. 

Paul Akers is the Founder and President of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for professional builders. FastCap was started in Paul's garage in 1997 and now services a wide array of clients, distributing to over 40 countries. Based in Washington state, FastCap launches over 30 new, innovative products per year and is regarded as a model Lean manufacturer. In addition to these achievements, Paul has written five books on the subject of Lean and traveled the world to speak in over 70 countries. In 2011, Paul won Seattle Business Magazine's prestigious “Business Executive of the Year” award. Outside of his work, Paul loves to surf, run, swim, bike, and he's a two time ironman. He has also summited Mount Kilimanjaro and trekked to the Everest Base Camp. In this episode… What's the secret to living a prosperous, joyful life? Entrepreneur, author, and speaker Paul Akers has traveled the world and built up a successful business, and he's here to share his strategies for being a great leader and living a happier life. According to Paul, the best way to have a life filled with joy is to start giving back. No matter who you are or what your career path is, you should always strive to improve the lives of others. What are the steps to do so? Learn from your peers and mentors, avoid egocentric leadership, and seek out opportunities to support others. So, how can you use Paul's advice to change the way you live life right now? In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark is joined by Paul Akers, Founder and President of FastCap, to talk about leading a generous life. Paul shares how he grew his business, what he has learned — and continues to learn — from others, and the steps you can take to become an outstanding leader and contribute to the happiness of others. Stay tuned!

If you want to learn how this forward-leaning leader is driving the future of work then you won't want to miss listening to this amazing interview. I have been fortunate to know this guest since early in her career and I am absolutely stoked to welcome her for this frank and inspiring discussion. My guest for this episode of the podcast is Brea Starmer who joins Ultimate Guide to Partnering for a far-reaching, big, and bold interview focused on how one leader inspires others to achieve what we all thought was just potential. Brea Starmer is the Founder of Lions + Tigers, a courage brand driving workforce innovation and building bridges to the future of work. Microsoft, Google, and other tech-industry organizations call on her team to transform how they work in two ways: by helping leaders change organizations from the inside to build a culture of inclusion, and by enabling part-time and flexible work for high-impact consultants to ensure everyone is operating in their highest and best use. Lions + Tigers won the prestigious Microsoft “Diverse-Owned Supplier of the Year” award in 2021, recognizing their work for workplace inclusion. Brea centers underrepresented communities in her work which is why Lions + Tigers employs 75% women, 70% parents, and dedicates 30% of their billable hours to the BIPOC community. By offering a flexible way of work untethered from traditional full-time employment models, Brea empowers her team of nearly 100 consultants to measure success in impact over hours. Brea believes in “parenting out loud” and often invites her three kids under six to join her work meetings and invites her community to show up authentically without fear. Brea's work has been featured on King5, by Geekwire naming her “Geek of the Week” and recognizing Lions + Tigers as a finalist for Workplace of the Year in 2021, as well as features in Seattle Business Magazine, and the Puget Sound Business Journal as a female leader and as a “Best Place to Work”. An alum of Washington State University and the 8th female student body president, Brea currently sits on the Marketing Advisory Board at the Carson College of Business.   She is a writer and speaker on the topics of flexibility, working parenthood, and the human side of workforce innovation.  In this episode, you will learn how this woman founder applied courage and grit to a dark moment in her career to propel her path forward and shape her destiny. Now she is shaping the future of work and helping leading technology organizations define their future state of work during this time of change and transformation.  What you'll learn in this episode: What is the future of work.How organizations need to think differently about culture.OKRs and how her organization uses them to frame and organize their work.Here driving force - how she propelled her career and shaped this amazingly innovative organization. I hope you are as enlightened and inspired as I was in this interview with Brea Starmer. Other Amazing and Related Episodes That Might Interest and Inspire You. Melissa Mulholland's most recent https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/110-one-bold-ceos-passion-for-technology-partners-and-future-focused-leadership/Gavriella Schuster's most recent https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/79-passionate-leadership-focus-and-commitment-to-make-the-invisible-visible/Alysa Taylor https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/88-agility-and-customer-centricity-driving-forces-for-success-in-2021/Miri Rodriguez https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/optimize-for-success-2021-put-storytelling-at-the-core-of-your-marketing-focus/Chaitra Vendullapalli https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/84-optimize-for-success-in-2021-a-focus-on-a-purpose-driven-and-inclusive-mindset/Lani Phillips https://ultimateguidetopartnering.com/episode/65-an-authentic-conversation-from-co-selling-to-the-impact-of-social-injustice/ Links & Resources

Brad Davis is Co-Founder, CMO, and President of Consumer Direct at Omnidian where he’s helping lead a team focused on protecting and accelerating investments in solar energy across the U.S. Omnidian has been named among the Top 100 Places To Work by Seattle Business Magazine for 3 consecutive years.He has a doctorate in law and a track record for building high-growth brands and award-winning communication strategies. He was named one of the top 50 Marketers in America (Ad Age).In This Episode:Meeting the Dalai LamaThe importance of the pauseMoving to California on a leap of faithCreating value by tapping into the time and emotion of a tribeThe greatest lesson learned from failure

Kim (she/her) is the global head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Remitly, a fintech company serving over 3 million immigrants throughout the world to conveniently send money safely and securely to their families across the globe. She has been in the financial services industry for over 20 years as a banking executive within credit unions and Fortune 50 banks. The first half of Kim’s career was spent building and growing new lines of business. The latter half has been dedicated to scaling the social impact of financial institutions, developing and leading corporate social responsibility and ESG strategies, including how companies build trust and rapport with customers and communities and empower and engage employees. Outside of work, Kim leads The Respect Institute as national founding board chair and is a member of the cofounding team. She has been featured on Yahoo! Finance, The Financial Times, Geekwire, Seattle Business Magazine and Silicon Valley Business Journal for her contributions to community and championing diversity in business.     Key Takeaways:⁣ -What is Fintech? -How can FinTech be more inclusive -Challenges the FinTech sector is currently facing -How to be an authentic ally -How to navigate career transitions   Follow Techunlocked: Twitter: https://twitter.com/techunlockedpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techunlocke...   Connect with Demarius Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmilyn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimtvu/    Connect with Grace: Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceMacjones Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracemacjonez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemacj...   Have a tech career or tech concept you want us to unlock?  Email us techunlockedpod@gmail.com

Banking has a role to play in pushing back against systemic racism. As law enforcement and health care communities work on overcoming racial bias and disparity, Laurie challenges those of us in banking with some ideas and suggestions to do our part.   Topics discussed in this episode:   3:09 Understand that it's broken. 4:35 We have to be a little harder on ourselves. 7:43 Confirmation bias in lending and credit 10:27 Redlining and historical racism in lending 11:30 Redlining or lack of understanding? 13:03 A conversation of equals 14:12 Having the hard conversations in a safe environment 16:23 Recognize it is going to be hard, and then invest in it.   About Laurie Stewart:   Laura Lee (Laurie) Stewart, president and CEO of Seattle-based Sound Community Bank celebrates more than 30 years at the helm of Sound Community Bank. In that time, she led the conversion of the organization from a $38 million credit union to a commercial bank which grew to be more than $718 million in assets.   Stewart maintains a long history in community banking and participation in industry affairs. Stewart currently serves as the Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the Nation's $18.6 trillion banking industry and the employment of more than two million workers. She also holds a position on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Seattle Branch.   Previously, Stewart served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Bankers Association (WBA), where she helped create the WBA's Executive Development Program. In addition, Stewart was one of 14 bankers selected to serve on the inaugural FDIC Advisory Board in 2009, and in 2012, she was named to the Community Bank Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.   In 2019, she was named Community Banker of the Year by American Banker and received an Executive Excellence award from Seattle Business Magazine. American Banker also named her as one of its Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.   Sound Community Bank https://www.soundcb.com/     Resources:   From the American Bankers Association Call for Change: A message from the ABA President and the Chair https://www.aba.com/training-events/career-workforce-development/diversity-equity-inclusion/call-for-change#_ga=2.109573890.629892261.1592593155-1289401962.1592429151   Resources to help banks achieve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals https://www.aba.com/training-events/career-workforce-development/diversity-equity-inclusion     Linda's recommended reading:   The Fragile Mind: How It Has Produced and Unwittingly Perpetuates America's Tragic Disparities by Dr. Jarik Conrad   In The Fragile Mind, Dr. Conrad not only provides insight into what daily life is like for African Americans and individuals who are poor, he offers as innovative approach to overcoming these challenges based on what scientists have uncovered about the human brain - its brilliance, as well as its fragility. He demonstrates how conscious and subconscious actions taken by Whites have maintained their social, political, and economic dominance, while conscious and subconscious actions taken by African Americans and poor people have contributed to the perpetuation of their subordinate status in America   https://www.amazon.com/Fragile-Mind-Unwittingly-Perpetuates-Disparities/dp/1628652462   The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley   This book may shatter your assumptions about who is, and who is not wealthy, by appearance alone. While not specifically about race, it is a great reminder to set aside our biases and evaluate borrower credit risk on objective factors.   https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/0671015206   Find out more about Linda Keith at: www.LindaKeithCPA.com www.LendersOnlineTraining.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakeith/

In this episode, we zero in on the regulatory environment and the guidance regulatory agencies are providing as we have to move fast to try to protect our borrowers and our bank. Are we confident or cautious as we work with our borrowers, communities, and the regulators?   Topics discussed in this episode: 1:26 Bankers assessment of the regulatory environment in the last recession 2:01 Responsiveness of regulators this time 4:20 Hope is not a strategy 6:20 Customers for life 7:38 Relationship with the regulators 9:15 Credit Risk Ready Survey 10:35 Regulators and banks want the same thing     About Laurie Stewart:   Laura Lee (Laurie) Stewart, president and CEO of Seattle-based Sound Community Bank celebrates more than 30 years at the helm of Sound Community Bank. In that time, she led the conversion of the organization from a $38 million credit union to a commercial bank which grew to be more than $718 million in assets.   Stewart maintains a long history in community banking and participation in industry affairs. Stewart currently serves as the Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the Nation's $18.6 trillion banking industry and the employment of more than two million workers. She also holds a position on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Seattle Branch.   Previously, Stewart served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Bankers Association (WBA), where she helped create the WBA's Executive Development Program. In addition, Stewart was one of 14 bankers selected to serve on the inaugural FDIC Advisory Board in 2009, and in 2012, she was named to the Community Bank Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.   In 2019, she was named Community Banker of the Year by American Banker and received an Executive Excellence award from Seattle Business Magazine. American Banker also named her as one of its Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.   Sound Community Bank https://www.soundcb.com/     Resources:   2018 Credit Risk Ready Study Go to page 20 for a focus on regulators and the regulatory environment. https://lindakeithcpa.com/crrs/   American Bankers Association Covid-19 Response Resources A range of resources to assist banks as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources are curated daily to include the latest actions and guidance from the federal government, a customizable matrix to help banks plan a safe return to normal operations, mortgage forbearance guidance, consumer tips and more. https://www.aba.com/banking-topics/risk-management/incident-response/coronavirus   Find out more about Linda Keith at: www.LindaKeithCPA.com www.LendersOnlineTraining.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakeith/

In this episode, Laurie Stewart will share what she is hearing from other Bank CEOs around the country as to what now, and what next, to mitigate credit risk as we head into the pandemic-related recession.   Fall back to the basics and pivot as needed as we grapple with a credit disruption unlike any in our experience.     Topics discussed in this episode:   1:27 None of us have lived through a pandemic before 2:30 The speed to remediate is much different this time 3:52 The regulators are helping 5:17 A leap of faith with the SBA and PPP 6:01 The risk decision is different for every banker 8:31 The Main Street Lending Program 10:30 Resources from the American Bankers Association 12:30 What we learned from the last recession that we can apply to this one     About Laurie Stewart:   Laura Lee (Laurie) Stewart, president and CEO of Seattle-based Sound Community Bank celebrates more than 30 years at the helm of Sound Community Bank. In that time, she led the conversion of the organization from a $38 million credit union to a commercial bank which grew to be more than $718 million in assets.   Stewart maintains a long history in community banking and participation in industry affairs. Stewart currently serves as the Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the Nation's $18.6 trillion banking industry and the employment of more than two million workers. She also holds a position on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Seattle Branch.   Previously, Stewart served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Bankers Association (WBA), where she helped create the WBA's Executive Development Program. In addition, Stewart was one of 14 bankers selected to serve on the inaugural FDIC Advisory Board in 2009, and in 2012, she was named to the Community Bank Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.   In 2019, she was named Community Banker of the Year by American Banker and received an Executive Excellence award from Seattle Business Magazine. American Banker also named her as one of its Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019.   Sound Community Bank https://www.soundcb.com/     Resources:   2018 Credit Risk Ready Study Go to page 20 for a focus on regulators and the regulatory environment. https://lindakeithcpa.com/crrs/   American Bankers Association Covid-19 Response Resources A range of resources to assist banks as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources are curated daily to include the latest actions and guidance from the federal government, a customizable matrix to help banks plan a safe return to normal operations, mortgage forbearance guidance, consumer tips and more. https://www.aba.com/banking-topics/risk-management/incident-response/coronavirus   Find out more about Linda Keith at: www.LindaKeithCPA.com www.LendersOnlineTraining.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindakeith/

Paul Akers is an expert in the concept of Kaizen - the art of continuous improvement - and has since authored several works on the benefits of Lean Living, building a multi-million dollar business along the way. Paul joins Nick today to talk about how continuous improvement can strengthen and improve your life and business, how to nurture and develop culture, productivity, efficiency and much more!   KEY TAKEAWAYS  Paul describes himself as a carpenter, as the concept of taking something raw and unrecognisable, and then transforming it into to something useful and beautiful, is one that can be applied to any pursuit; personal or business. Success isn’t always about money or growth. Sometimes it’s about achieving the thing you set out to do in the first place, and then honing that success into a purer form of quality. The formula for increasing efficiency is to recognise the many ways in which we can reduce waste and making incremental changes, using the teams at hand, so as to tighten and make lean, our systems and processes. Life as we live it each day, is really just a series of processes. All that Lean seeks to do is, is to look at any given process and refining away the waste. Consistent refining leads to a Lean life.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I’m just a curious carpenter - how do I fix this and how do I make it better?’ ‘I want a quality life. I want a quality company. And I want quality people’ ‘I figured out the formula, and then I started experiencing the benefit' ‘Lean believes that the greatest asset is people'   VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Up Your Business – scaleup.vip/podcast Join the free Scale Up Your Business community: scaleup.vip/community Generate 20 New Leads in 20 Days - download your free 5-step guide to put in place my top-performing customer creation strategies:  scaleup.vip/20leads   To learn about Paul’s incredible ‘2 Second Lean Play’ app go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxB-oAsNpFI&feature=youtu.be 2 Second Lean Play iOS - https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/2-second-lean-play/id1503694993 2 Second Lean Play Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.leanplay Paul Akers LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulakers/ Paul Akers - https://paulakers.net Paul Akers YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA694NgEo6Oh09gnNrZ02eg   ABOUT THE GUEST  Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. FastCap was started in Paul’s garage in 1997 when he simply “fixed what bugged him” and developed his first product: the Fastcap Cover Cap. From humble beginnings, and no MBA, FastCap has thousands of distributors worldwide in over 40 countries. Paul’s intense curiosity on how things could be improved paved the way for him to become a prolific innovator and today he holds many US and International patents. FastCap launches approximately 20-30 innovative products per year and has won business of the year in 1999 and 2010.   In June 2011 Paul won Seattle Business Magazine’s prestigious Business Executive of the Year award. He wrote his first book, 2 Second Lean, about creating a fun, Lean culture, that, is now available in 15 languages. In 2015, he wrote his 2nd book, Lean Health, in 2016, he wrote Lean Travel and in 2019, he wrote Lean Life and Banish Sloppiness. In 2016, Paul’s book, 2 Second Lean, was recognized by the Shingo Institute and won the Research and Professional Publication Award.   ABOUT THE HOST   My name is Nick Bradley. I’m an entrepreneur, author, speaker and investor. My background is in growing and scaling VC and Private Equity backed businesses.   Having successfully built, bought and sold a number of companies, and removed myself from day-to-day operations, my focus now is on helping entrepreneurs get to where they want to be, in business and in life. As well as investing in growth businesses and backing turnarounds - with the ultimate aim of creating value from significant capital events.   I’m passionate about personal and professional development - showing up and being the best version of myself ... every day.   My bigger vision is to help bring entrepreneurial skills, experience and mindset to people in developing nations - so they can follow their dreams, live life more on their terms - utilising entrepreneurship as a global force for good.   CONTACT METHOD   Nick’s Facebook Page: https://scaleup.vip/FB   Nick’s LinkedIn: https://scaleup.vip/LI   Nick's Instagram: https://scaleup.vip/IG   Nick’s website: https://scaleup.vip/NB   Scale Up Your Business website: https://scaleup.vip/suyb See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Lean the F*ck Out, we talk with Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno and Aparna Rae about the organization they founded, Future for Us, and the work they are doing to help companies grow and recruit womxn of color. Through Future for Us, Sage and Arpana are building an intentional community for womxn of color to build careers and life’s they want and support one another throughout the process. Future for Us Episode Highlights: Future for Us is an intentional community for womxn of color that started in Seattle. There is not a womxn of color pipeline problem, companies are missing out on hiring already qualified and ready womxn.  Womxn of color are ready and coming together to support one another and get better jobs. Future for Us’ ambition is for womxn of color to be leading at the highest levels of corporations. Womxn of color need to build community and support among each other to make this happen. Connecting with others like you in a community like this, allows you to learn from those that are similar to you. We are all different and not always cohesive and can teach each other through our own lessons. Companies: It’s not enough to say you want diversity, you have to back it up through evidence within your staff. Womxn looking to len the f*ck out: lead by example. Give others the courage they need to do the same. Leaning the f*ck out is what we owe ourselves so that the next generation can walk lighter.  We have the opportunity and privilege to do the work now, unlike many womxn before us. Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno Sage is recreating seats of power for and by womxn of color so that our workforce reflects what WoC bring to the table: resilience, ROI, and liberation. Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and changemaker. As co-founder of ​Future For Us​, a platform dedicated to advancing of womxn of color through community, culture, and career development, Sage has galvanized a nationwide movement to build a future of work reaching new levels of growth through diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Starting her career in pay equity, she provided 4,000+ women with the tools and resources they need to advocate for themselves at work and, as a result, negotiate $500K in salary increases and secure 150 promotions. Sage is an amplifier, advocating for womxn of color at work in top publications and organizations - from Forbes, NPR and GeekWire to SXSW, the Women’s March, Microsoft, Starbucks, and more.  Sage has gathered a groundswell of support and recognition - a clear signal that our cities, companies, and economy are ready and already fighting for equity at work. Recent accolades include Rising Star Awards from Seattle’s National Organization for Women and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, KUOW Radio’s Boss Tactician Award, University of Washington’s Community Leadership Award, and a nomination for Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019.   Sage is a native Hawaiian who looks at systems, processes, and people with an indigenous lens to leave a better world for generations to come. Her story - your story - our story - continues.  Aparna Rae Aparna is recreating seats of power for and by womxn of color so that our workforce reflects what WoC bring to the table: resilience, ROI, and liberation. Aparna is an educator, innovator, and disruptor working at the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and organizational design. Her decades-long career in workforce development has advanced thousands of individuals in under-resourced communities through culturally relevant resources and leadership.  Beginning her career at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Aparna developed and deployed UBC’s first open journaling system, democratizing research for all, not just the wealthy few with journal access. Aparna has since launched a number of groundbreaking equity initiatives, including​ ​Project Feast​, a platform providing employment pathways for immigrant and refugee women in the food industry, and​ ​Firki​, a highly scalable, nationwide teacher training portal in India.   Today she is co-founder of ​Future For Us​, a platform dedicated to advancing of womxn of color through community, culture, and career development, and ​Moving Beyond​, an impact practice that operationalizes DEI and supports fund managers, wealth advisors, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators creating positive impact for people and the planet.  Aparna believes in the power of story and frequently shines a light on equity at work as a presenter, keynote speaker, and panelist. Her voice and vision has been covered in Seattle Business Magazine, Forbes, Geekwire, The Seattle Times, and more.  Growing up in 5 countries, Aparna witnessed the power of diverse voices early in life. This concept continues to be reinforced personally and professionally: diversity and inclusion is a pathway to success.  You can find Sage and Aparna online at: Linked In: linkedin.com/company/future-for-us Facebook: facebook.com/futureforus.now Instagram: instagram.com/futureforus.now Twitter: twitter.com/futurefor_us If you like the bumper music in each episode, you can hear more from Gretchen’s bands at leanthef-ckout.com/music.

Ep #133 - Dwayne J Clark, the co-founder and CEO of Aegis Living, joins me on The Driven Entrepreneur today for an interview where we dive into business development and hiring for company culture among other topics. Aegis Living has developed into a high-end and sought after provider of assisted living facilities across the country. With Dwayne leading the way, Aegis expanded to more than 30 locations in the United States and now employs more than 2500 staff members. Over the course of the company’s history, Aegis Living has served more than 60,000 residents in total. Aegis has been recognized and won awards for its company culture and leadership. Some of the awards include Best Retirement Facility by 425 Magazine for three consecutive years, Best Assisted Living Design by Senior Housing News, and the Family Business Growth Award by the Seattle Business Magazine. As CEO of the company, Dwayne is a sought after speaker and frequent guest of the media. He has appeared within The NY Times, Forbes, Inc, The Hollywood Reporter and NBC. In 2007, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Beyond his company work, Dwayne is the founder of True Productions and has produced several documentaries and films. He is also an author and playwright having written 6 books including his upcoming release of “30 Summers Left” which we discuss in our interview. He has written 6 books and we will discuss his upcoming book, “30 Summers Left,” during this interview. During our conversation, we will explore Dwayne’s childhood, his start as an entrepreneur, and how he hires to build the right culture for his businesses. Dwayne says that you can't teach heart so you need to find it in the beginning. It’s a great interview so listen in and enjoy the episode! Learn More about Dwayne J. Clark: Visit Dwayne's Website: https://dwaynejclark.com/ Check Out a Sneak Peak on Dwayne's Upcoming Book "30 Summers Left:" https://dwaynejclark.com/30-summers-more/ Get Dwayne's Book "A Big Life" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/099929010X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i2 Follow Dwayne J Clark on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aegislivingceo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynejclark/ Whether you are new to The Driven Entrepreneur Podcast or are a fan, please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the show. Your support and your reviews help this show to attract prolific guests and to provide the best listening experience possible. Also, I love to hear from the fans and listeners. Please share your feedback, guest suggestions, or ideas for show topics with me on social media. Follow Matt Brauning on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattbrauning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbrauning/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mattbrauning Visit Matt Brauning's Websites: www.mattbrauningpodcast.com www.fireboxbook.com Get a copy of my brand new book, "The Firebox Principle," on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Firebox-Principle-Drives-Every-Entrepreneur-ebook/dp/B07FDKK9QW

Working with Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, Acer, Amazon, Cisco, McKinsey, HTC, Google, AT&T, Sony, and Symantec, Selina has served as the digital partner for several of the most illustrious brands in the world.In 2009, after 15+ years in the industry working both the client and agency side, Selina founded Rational Interaction, a full-service integrated digital agency with a strategic mindset at its core. In founding Rational, Selina actualized a dream she had since childhood: to own and build an award-winning agency. Rational was built on two guiding principles: helping its clients’ businesses grow and doing so with strategic insight and creative excellence.As founding principal and chief creative officer, Selina has helped transform Rational into one of the fastest-growing, most successful integrated marketing services companies in the Pacific Northwest. Since launching in 2009, Rational has grown from a two-person startup into a multi-discipline integrated agency with over 100 team members. The company has achieved unwavering year-over-year growth, including 10X top-line growth and a 9X increase in employees.Today, Rational is the recipient of numerous awards, recently selected as one of Inc.’s Fastest-Growing Companies, The Puget Sound Business Journal’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies and Best Places to Work in Washington, and Seattle Business Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For.When not spending time in the agency, Selina can be found walking her dogs around Queen Anne or eating and drinking at one of the many foodie spots in Seattle.

Many consider sprouts, tofu, yogurt, brown rice, and whole-grain bread to be health-food standbys, but how did these foods gain their reputation as such ubiquitous healthy choices? In his book Hippie Food: How Back-to-the-Landers, Longhairs, and Revolutionaries Changed the Way We Eat, food writer Jonathan Kauffman traces the colorful origins of once unconventional foods—and the diverse fringe movements, charismatic gurus, and counterculture elements that brought them to the mainstream. He returned us to the 1960s and 70s to tell the story of how a coterie of unusual men and women embraced an alternative lifestyle that would ultimately change how modern Americans eat. Joining Kauffman as an interlocutor is Seattle-based James Beard Award winning food writer Rebekah Denn. Kauffman and Denn delve into more than half a century of food history, from the mystical rock-and-roll cult known as the Source Family and its legendary vegetarian restaurant in Hollywood, to the Diggers’ brown bread in the Summer of Love, to the rise of the co-op and the origins of the organic food craze. Kauffman revealed how today’s quotidian whole-foods staples were introduced and eventually became part of our diets. Join Kauffman and Denn for a comprehensive history of hippie food’s journey from niche oddity to an honored staple of health-focused cuisine across the country. Jonathan Kauffman is a line cook turned journalist, and an International Association of Culinary Professionals and James Beard Award–winning staff writer at the San Francisco Chronicle. He served as the restaurant critic at the East Bay Express, Seattle Weekly, and SF Weekly for more than a decade, and has contributed regularly to San Francisco magazine, Lucky Peach, and Wine & Spirits. His articles have also been anthologized in several editions of Best Food Writing. Rebekah Denn is a Seattle-based two-time James Beard Award winning food writer. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Seattle Times, Seattle Magazine, and Seattle Business Magazine, and has been a guest on KIRO and KUOW discussing food-related topics on the locally produced NPR programs The Record, Weekday, KUOW Presents, and Sound Focus. In 2014 she curated “Edible City,” a comprehensive 5,000-square-foot exhibit on Seattle and food at the Museum of History and Industry. Recorded live at Westside School by Town Hall Seattle on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. 

Seattle is well-known for business leaders who are not afraid to take a stand on environmental protection, race and immigration issues, and LBGTQ rights. John Levesque of Seattle Business Magazine leads a conversation with four local trailblazers about why they have stepped into advocacy roles, the potential pitfalls of activism, and what more business leaders could do to create a more equitable and sustainable society. Panelists: Marc Berejka Rodney Hines John Levesque Anne Levinson Recorded live during the Crosscut Festival. Read more at http://crosscut.com/tag/crosscut-festival/

There's no shortage of new shit headed Milwaukee's way. It seems as if a new multi-use apartment complex is announced every month, and just as many craft breweries are popping up as well. The populace is embroiled in heated debates about the forthcoming streetcar, public art projects, and the partially completed Bucks arena—at least when we aren't pondering whether the city's East Side is dying or merely changing. Meanwhile, local dining and music have never been better, yet the city is still dealing with rampant segregation and is struggling to retain young residents. With Milwaukee trying to preserve its past, tend to the present, and plan for the future, it can be hard to keep up. In an effort to get up to date on all the new shit that's happening in town and learn more about the impact those changes could have on residents, host Tyler Maas invited Dan Shafer to Milwaukee Record headquarters to run through a variety of topics. Just days before he was set to leave the city to take a position with Seattle Business Magazine, the accomplished former Milwaukee Business Journal reporter and Milwaukee Magazine digital editor didn't hold back with his thoughts about exactly what's going on here, his opinion on certain hot-button local issues, and ways he feels Milwaukee can be better. Oh, and true to his two previous podcast appearances, Shafer also talked about the upcoming Milwaukee Bucks season.

Randy is a Principal at The Spur Group and a leader in executive communications and staffing practices. He has over 20 years of experience in the consulting industry. He has written internal & external communications, developed presentations & speeches and created communication plans for many executives at clients including Microsoft, Cisco, Nokia and Juniper Networks. In addition to the communications experience, he has led large team projects for the clients I just named as well. Excellent training and management of his teams have led to the development of a practice line of placing highly talented, highly skilled people in fast-paced environments with great results. The Spur Group has been recognized for its culture and investment in people in magazines such as Seattle Business Magazine for the last three years. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Always looking for the beauty in the people you work with, for, and around The lessons of respect Randy learned from his father Why you need to get really clear on your “what” and your “why” How The Spur Group overcame their struggles with scaling What Randy and his team looks for in candidates during the interview process What The Spur Group’s culture looks like Why you need to give candidates a well-rounded view of your business throughout the interview process The week-long paid training program The Spur Group has candidates go through before deciding whether to hire them as employees or not Mentors, Career Managers, and Engagement Managers: the three people each employee is assigned to help aid them in their career at The Spur Group Why you should offer your “A-Players” the opportunity to lead How to prepare for key employees leaving Why you should force employees to answer their own questions Why you need to really focus on getting every engagement right from the beginning The importance of being open and inclusive Ways to contact Randy: Website: www.thespurgroup.com

Ryan Neal is a seasoned investor, director, and advisor with more than ten years of experience in collaborating with the owners and managers of private companies to increase their value. Ryan is the President and co-founder of Blueprint Consulting Services, LLC. He also is an active member of the Seattle chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization. Blueprint Consulting Services is Washington State’s fastest-growing private company for 2015 and 2016 by Puget Sound Business Journal. They’ve also won Best Company to Work For by Puget Sound Business Journal and Seattle Business Magazine. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Ryan’s background How Blueprint Consulting Services bridges the gap between strategic analysis and solution delivery The challenges they’ve faced growing from 0 to 600 employees in just four years Why you need to be uncomfortable to keep growing How and why Ryan vets applicants so that their team is full of people who take challenges that would intimidate most people and figure out how to better their company through the solutions to those challenges Why Blueprint treats all their employees like entrepreneurs and gives them the freedom to spend their time wherever they want Why Blueprint celebrates when then their employees leave (and what they do when an employee leaves for a reason that is Blueprint’s fault) Why you have to have crashed and burned to learn the lessons you need for success as an entrepreneur Why you should never stunt an individual’s growth because you “need” them to service your business in a certain way Why you need to reevaluate your processes and be self-reflective as an entrepreneur Aligning your priorities so that what you focus on is aligned with who you need to be What Ryan’s learned from his mentor John Connors Why you need to have the humility to not be an expert Ways to contact Ryan: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryantneal Website: www.bpcs.com

Ray is the Managing Principal and leader of The Spur Group, Inc, a business consulting firm. He brings over 30 years of experience to Spur’s consulting business. As the leader of Spur’s communications and operations practices, Ray is responsible for developing and delivering offerings that drive organizational impact and business attainment. Prior to founding The Spur Group, Ray was the Managing Principal of Touch Business Consulting where he grew the business to a nationally recognized consulting firm. The Spur Group won several awards in 2016 from the likes of Inc Magazine, Consulting Magazine, and Seattle Business Magazine. What you’ll learn about in this episode: Ray’s journey Connected communications: how The Spur Group builds marketing and sales materials around difficult and technical topics How to manage rapid change What The Spur Group’s great culture looks like The nine attributes that make up Spur’s “A Players” Spur’s clear career paths, challenging work, and shared profits: how they keep their “A Players” Why Spur’s training program is based on having team members work on their strengths — not their weaknesses Why Spur’s attrition rate is so low — and why they’ll often have people who have left come back Asking your team what they know vs. what they suspect Why you need to constantly assess if you’re focused on what matter The importance of picking the right partners Why you need to say hello to everyone you can in your business every day Ways to contact Ray: Website: www.thespurgroup.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/thespurgroup Email: ray.rasmussen@thespurgroup.com