School for Startups Radio

November 20, 2024 – WordPress SMS Texter Phillip Dane and Change Leader Siobhan McHale

Phillip Dane – Co-founder and CEO of Odd Market, Los Feliz Flea, Vintage Land, and LACC Swap Meet. Founder and CEO of Ultimate WP SMS Support
Phillip Dane is a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and a deep love for WordPress. Alongside his wife, Shelly Dane, he is the Co-Founder of a successful event company that has made a significant mark in the industry. Recognizing the limitations of traditional email marketing, Phillip’s curiosity led him to explore the potential of SMS technology, which soon became a game-changer for their business. This journey inspired Phillip to take a leap into the tech world, where he founded Ultimate WP SMS. His drive to improve communication tools for businesses led him to acquire and completely overhaul the Joy of Text plugin, transforming it into a powerful and intuitive platform that now sets the standard for SMS marketing on WordPress.Siobhan McHale – Change Leader and Author: The Hive Mind at Work and The Insider’s Guide to Culture Change
Siobhan McHale has worked across four continents, helping thousands of leaders to create more agile and productive workplaces. She also has been on the “inside” as the executive in charge of culture change in a series of large, multinational organizations. One of these inside jobs was a radical seven-year change initiative at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) Bank that transformed it from the lowest-performing bank in the country into one of the highest-performing and most admired banks in the world. Professor John Kotter used her work with ANZ as a Harvard Business School case study designed to teach MBA students about managing change. She is the author of “The Hive Mind at Work.”

November 18, 2024 – Passion! Shadan Capri & Mellow Money Mick Heyman

Shadan Capri – Attorney/Founder of Kapri Law & Consulting and the Author of The Red Movement: Social and Environmental Justice in the 21st Century
Shadan Kapri (pronounced Shadawn Capri) is a trailblazing human rights attorney, activist, and bestselling author. Her book, “The Red Movement: Social & Environmental Justice in the 21st Century” has been called a “beacon of light” and a “must-read” for its revolutionary approach to fighting modern day injustices. It has been a Human Rights and Civil Rights Bestseller on Amazon and received the International Impact Book Award in March 2024. She has been recognized on the local, national, and international level for her commitment to public service and issues impacting women and children. She was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar on human rights and human trafficking which led to her bestselling book, “The Red Movement.” She founded Kapri Law & Consulting, a boutique international law firm that focuses on women’s rights, children’s rights, family law, international, and human rights. She has been recognized by the White House when she received the Daily Point of Light Award. The award was created by a former U.S. President to recognize people and organizations dedicated to public service. She has also been recognized by the United Nations when her team received the United Nations Development Programme Online Team of the Year Award in 2007. She has devoted her life to increasing awareness about human trafficking and human rights issues through public speaking, writing, and advocacy. She holds advanced degrees in law, international relations, and journalism. She is an alumni of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She has also been included in the Top 100 National Advocates and received two “Attorney of the Year” Awards from her local bar association.Mick Heyman – Author of Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth without Stressing Yourself Out and the Founder of Heyman Investment Counseling
Mick Heyman, CFA and Founder of Heyman Investment Counseling, has a 40-year career in wealth management, helping individuals and institutions of all sizes to build and preserve wealth with his stress-free method for mellowing your money. Mick started his career at a small firm in Cincinnati before moving to Louisville to focus on equities with a team of top equity managers, managing billions in assets for clients. His career came full circle when he moved to San Diego to work with individual investors, some of whom have remained loyal to him for more than 30 years. Mick received a Bachelor of Economics from Northwestern and is a designated CFA. Despite a formal education in economics, it was really his interest in philosophy and psychology which showed him that human emotion is ultimately what drives the market. This realization has helped him make better money decisions for himself and his clients, using an understanding of human nature and an appreciation for long-term trends. Mick writes articles showing how to mellow your money on LinkedIn and has appeared in the Wall Street Journal as well as other financial publications. His writing and speaking focuses on sound money management as the path to health, wealth, and wisdom. Now settled in San Diego, Heyman takes full advantage of his proximity to the mountains and the sea. He spends his free time playing tennis and golf or surfing with his kids. He enjoys reading mysteries and Russian literature, and dedicates time to meditation, yoga, qigong, and juggling.

November 15, 2024 – MITO Haley Marie Keith and Tax & Tariff Talk Bryan Riley

Haley Marie Keith – CEO and Co-Founder of MITO Material Solutions
Haley Marie Keith is the CEO and co-founder of MITO Material Solutions, a science company focused on building a more sustainable world with high performance materials. MITO® is the first to market functionalized graphene products that deliver lab verified improvements in strength, durability, and flexibility in composite materials allowing manufacturers to make lighter, longer-lasting products. Haley discovered her passion for business at a young age. She graduated early from high school and completed her undergraduate at age 20. During her MBA studies, she uncovered a technology commercialization opportunity which she and her engineer husband were the perfect team to launch into a ground-breaking business. To fund the business, Haley has raised over $8 million in venture capital and over $3 million in dilutive grants. She has successfully balanced the development of MITO with her growing family, which includes two young daughters and a dog. Haley is among the few female leaders in the materials space and was named a featured honoree in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Manufacturing & Industry List. Her mission is to empower others through her work at MITO® Material Solutions where her team is committed to material improvements as life improvements.Bryan Riley – Director of National Taxpayers Union
Bryan’s background includes years of research on the impact trade has on people in the United States. He has led grassroots campaigns in support of initiatives like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and in opposition to special-interest efforts to get the government to pick winners and losers in the U.S. economy. Bryan has been quoted in publications including the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He is also an in-demand speaker who travels the country explaining the benefits international trade and investment bring to Americans. Bryan Riley grew up in Manhattan, Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Southern California. Bryan first came to Washington, DC as an NTU intern during the Reagan administration, and he continues to champion President Reagan’s pro-trade vision for America.

November 14, 2024 – Canadian Environmentalist Wayne Elliott and Executive Producer of the “Sound of Freedom” Movie Paul Hutchinson

Wayne Elliott – Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate
Wayne Elliott has been in the ship recycling business for 40 years. His company can take a 1000-foot-long ship and reduce it to a pile to reusable materials. He has grown into other areas such as battery recycling. He recounts his life-changing experience with SHD, a health supplement he stumbled upon after battling angina and its debilitating symptoms. Struggling with leg cramps, shortness of breath, night sweats, and chest pains, Wayne also grappled with anxiety and a lack of energy, resigning himself to the fate of heart-related issues that plagued his family. However, upon learning about SHD through a friend in Vancouver and being inspired by studies from renowned institutions like Harvard, Wayne decided to give it a try. Astonishingly, within two weeks of taking SHD, he noticed improvements in unexpected ways – his hearing returned, and his respiratory system cleared, leading to a significant boost in energy. Over the course of three months, Wayne transformed into a revitalized version of himself, feeling as energetic as he did decades ago. This transformation propelled him into a new phase of life where he actively engaged with others, becoming a spokesperson for Jim Strauss, the creator of SHD. Wayne’s involvement extended to radio shows and lectures, allowing him to share his incredible journey with thousands of people suffering from various health issues. His enthusiasm and dedication to natural health solutions led him to become a regular guest on radio networks in the USA and Canada, where he continued to spread the word about his positive experiences with SHD and its miraculous effects on individuals dealing with diabetes, heart disease, low energy, and clogged arteries. Wayne’s story highlights the power of painless, safe, and affordable health products, emphasizing the beauty of solutions that genuinely work. His gratitude towards Jim Strauss and the Strauss Heart Drops is profound, as he believes that without this intervention, he might not have been alive today, reinforcing the transformative impact of natural health remedies in the face of life-threatening conditions. Strauss Naturals is sponsoring the show with support for our radio-minute segments. Wayne says very simply that their products saved him. He became an advocate for the company and has been working with them for 29 years.Paul Hutchinson – Executive Producer of the “Sound of Freedom” Movie, Author, Speaker and Founder of Child Liberation Foundation 
Paul Hutchinson retired in 2017 from his professional career as a business partner and entrepreneur to focus entirely on rescuing children enslaved in sex trafficking. In 2017, Paul founded the Child Liberation Foundation, and has led or held a critical role in over 70 undercover rescue missions in 15 countries. Through his foundation, and others that he has helped to start and fund, over 5,000 children have now been liberated. Paul is the primary investor and Executive Producer of the film “Sound of Freedom”. The film highlights one of the largest child rescue missions in history – with over 120 victims being liberated – in which Paul himself held a pivotal role. He has been the keynote speaker to royalty and at family office conferences on six continents. Paul Hutchinson is known and respected worldwide for his professional accomplishments and for the profound impact he is making in the lives of millions. After leading over 70 undercover rescue operations, Paul realized that the only way to end child trafficking was to fight the problems in society that create supply and demand for this heinous crime: abuse, addiction, trauma, broken homes, etc. That’s when Paul founded Liberating Humanity.

November 13, 2024 – New Designer Gift Co. Founder Ashley Gould and Parenting w Patricia McGann

Ashley Gould – Founder & CEO of Âme Atendre
Ashley Gould is the founder of Âme Atendre. Ashley started out practicing law in California and she also served in leadership positions at extremely successful startups such as JUUL and 23andMe. The pandemic led her to move to Utah with her family where she reflected on the lack of communication and empathy between people and started musing on the importance of dining tables…which quickly led to her turning her focus onto household goods in general. From this interest, Âme Atendre was born! In 2022 Ashley began work on a project to link physical objects with increased human connection, which would eventually become Âme Atendre™. After working as a lawyer and executive for over a decade, in public and private companies, and experiencing and observing increasing detachment and misunderstanding among people, she felt a void in the ability for people of differing ideas to come together with the goal of understanding and empathy. Growing up with a mother who cultivated community through food and joyful gathering led Ashley to launch Âme Atendre™ as a tabletop brand with an emphasis on quality and a goal of reintroducing fulfilling forms of connection into our families and into our world.Patricia McGann – Author of Steadfast Parenting: How to Raise Children of Character
Patricia McGann is an educational consultant at the McGann Group, which she established to provide professional development to schools and support to parent school communities. She has master’s degrees in counseling and educational administration and has been a nurse, a counselor, a teacher, an administrator, and a principal. Mrs. McGann is the mother of five adult children and grandmother of fourteen (soon to be fifteen in July). She has been married to Terrence for over fifty years, and they live in Bethesda, Maryland.

November 11, 2024 - Mac and Cheese Entrepreneur Erin Wade and Israeli Publisher Yehuda Niv

great show!

November 8, 2024 – Firs Hive Aditya Bhamidipaty, Carter Fox and Dr. Sherry McAllister

Aditya Bhamidipaty – CEO & Founder of FirstHive
Aditya Bhamidipaty is the Founder and CEO of FirstHive, a global Customer Data Platform. He has been a serial technology entrepreneur solving problems for marketers. His stewardship has helped FirstHive to be among the first few to imbibe machine learning into customer data profiling, delivering 6X ROI to some of the world’s largest brands on their marketing initiatives. Aditya started his career with Procter and Gamble (P&G), where he played a pivotal role in turning around a loss making region into a profitable one in a record time, which then became the highest growth area for P&G. From there he moved on to join iGate, global technology and consulting solutions provider in London. He was responsible for the UK and Western Europe region, before moving back to India for his first start-up gig. He was the co-founder & CEO of Emart Solutions which grew to being one of India’s leading loyalty & engagement companies. He exited Emart in 2015 to work on a new product – FirstHive. Aditya completed his Bachelors in Electronics Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Hyderabad and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM-Ahmedabad (batch of 2003).Carter Fox – Consultant at Carter Fox Consulting and Author of Music Business Bassics: How to Effectively Release & Promote Your Music as an Independent Artist 
Introducing Carter Fox, affectionately known as the Soulful Traveling Spaceman Bassman, a moniker bestowed upon him by his dedicated followers. With a career spanning decades, Carter has emerged as a multifaceted talent, earning acclaim as an award-winning musician, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. His journey into the realm of music commenced at a mere 15 years old, igniting a passion that would shape his life’s work. From touring across the globe playing bass with R&B artist Freddie Jackson to crafting his own music that has amassed millions of streams, Carter’s influence knows no bounds. His musical and marketing collaborations range from indie sensations to revered icons across all facets of the music industry, from legendary icons Freddie Jackson and Leon Huff to independent music publishing powerhouse Reservoir Media Management, Universal Music Group, and CD manufacturer Disc Makers. Through his expertise in marketing, social media strategy, brand development, and beyond, Carter has left an indelible mark on the music landscape. Not content with simply creating music, Carter has also become a respected voice in the industry. His insightful articles grace the pages of esteemed publications like Hypebot, while he’s spoken at industry conferences and prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and New York University. A proud alumnus of Drexel University, Carter furthered his education with a Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in Entrepreneurship, from Syracuse University in 2023. Endorsements from renowned brands such as Aguilar Amplification, DR Strings, and Moody Leather Guitar Straps underscore Carter’s standing as a trusted authority in the world of music. With his soulful rhythms and entrepreneurial spirit, Carter Fox continues to inspire and innovate, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of musicians and music lovers everywhere. Carter’s first book, Music Business Bassics: How to Effectively Release & Promote Your Music as an Independent Artist, based on his experiences releasing music as an independent artist, working with and at labels, publishers, agencies, and running his own marketing consulting company, and working with other independent, major, and legacy artists to help release and promote their music, was #1 in newly release Music Business books on Amazon in April 2024. His series of books educating independent artists about the nuances of the music business and marketing are currently available on Amazon.Dr. Sherry McAllister – President at Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
Dr. McAllister joined F4CP in 2015 as Executive Vice President. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of California East Bay and is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West, where she taught as an associate professor. She works tirelessly as an ambassador for the profession, educating prospective and current students about the benefits of pursuing a career in chiropractic and encouraging others to share their passion for chiropractic. Dr. McAllister has served as a qualified medical examiner, expert chiropractic witness for the State of California and has been in private practice in San Jose since 2002. She contributes articles regularly to the Forbes Nonprofit Council and Thrive Global and is a frequent speaker in support of drug-free pain management and chiropractic awareness, both in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to Forbes, Dr. McAllister has been featured or quoted in U.S. News & World Report, NBC News, Becker’s Spine Review, BOSS Magazine, Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association, Livestrong.com, Martha Stewart Living and many industry outlets. She travels extensively to collaborate with multidisciplinary providers, doctors of chiropractic and health plan executives to determine opportunities to work together for the benefit of the patient. Under Dr. McAllister’s leadership, F4CP became an award-winning organization, garnering five awards since 2019. Last year, Dr. McAllister was named to PR News’ inaugural list of the Top Women in Healthcare. The prestigious award recognizes the most innovative women leaders in the healthcare sector from agencies, corporations and nonprofits.

November 6, 2024 – AI at Events DC Zack Schwartz and Entrepreneurial Divorce Jacqueline Newman

Zack Schwarts – Chief Information and Technology Officer at Events DC
Zack Schwartz is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at Events DC. He joined the company in April 2023 from the US Department of Commerce, where he most recently served as acting CIO for the Office of Secretary and small bureaus. Prior to this role, Schwartz served as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary and led the Department’s COVID-19 Coordination Team, where he was responsible for driving and coordinating DOC’s pandemic response. Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary, Schwartz held leadership roles for the Census Bureau’s Information Technology Services Management Office and the Trust & Safety program. Earlier in his career, he was a Consultant at Deloitte. Schwartz earned a BA in Business Administration from American University.Jacqueline Newman – Managing Partner at Berkman Bottger Newman
Jacqueline Newman joined Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP in 1998 and is now the managing partner of the firm. Ms. Newman’s practice consists of litigation, collaborative law, and mediation. She specializes in complex high net worth matrimonial cases and also in negotiating prenuptial agreements. Ms. Newman is the author of the book, “The New Rules of Divorce: Twelve Secrets to Protecting Your Wealth, Health and Happiness” which was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2020. She has appeared as an expert commentator on various television and radio shows and has been quoted as an expert in numerous publications, including Fox’s Business, NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, The New York Times, Woman’s Day, Glamour, the New York Post, Reuters.com, Crain’s New York Business, U.S. News and World Report, Business Insider, Time.com, USA Today, Yahoo Parenting, Woman’s Day, CNBC.com and The Huffington Post. Ms. Newman is an adjunct professor at Cardozo School of Law, teaching Divorce Processes. She previously taught Family Law Practice with Barry Berkman at Fordham University School of Law. Ms. Newman has taught the Collaborative Family Law class for The NY Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Center for Mediation in Law, as well as the Introduction of Matrimonial Law for Collaborative Divorce Professionals for the New York State Unified Court System. She was also a Lexis Nexis Practice Adviser and drafted practice guides for matrimonial law. Ms. Newman received a certificate in Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School Online in 2021. These activities and her reputation for ethical standards and professional ability among her fellow lawyers have earned her the highest rating, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell.  From 2019 on, Ms. Newman has been selected as a Family/Matrimonial attorney serving high net-worth clients in New York by Chambers and Partners, a highly respected international lawyer research company. Ms. Newman is honored to be selected for inclusion in Thompson Reuters New York-Metro Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Attorneys since 2013, and Best Lawyers in America since 2016. Since 2022, Ms. Newman has been chosen by Super Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in New York City. Ms. Newman is also the co-founder of the charitable project “The Gift of Giving Store” (www.giftofgivingstore.com) which works with organizations that provide services for families impacted by domestic abuse.

November 4, 2024 - Cyber Security VC Funded Startup Mathieu Lavoie, Shy by Design Michael Thompson and Re.Direct Kendryah Smith

Mathieu Lavoie – Co-Founder of Flare Systems
Mathieu Lavoie is the Co-Founder of Flare Systems, where they have been working since April 2017. Prior to that, they held various positions in the field of cybersecurity at Desjardins from October 2014 to December 2018. They also worked as a Malware Analyst at ESET in April 2013. Mathieu Lavoie holds a Baccalauréat en génie des technologies de l’information from École de technologie supérieure, where they studied from 2010 to 2014. They also attended Cégep du Vieux Montréal from 2008 to 2010.Michael Thompson – Communication Strategist, Storytelling Coach, and Author of Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out
Michael Thompson is a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, his stutter and social anxiety kept him from pursuing his goals. By turning his supposed weaknesses into his greatest strengths, he developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News. His new book is Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out (Rowman & Littlefield, July 16, 2024).Kendryah Smith – Founding Executive at RE.DIRECT
Kendryah is one of the three founding executives of RE.DIRECT. She is known for her exceptional networking skills, driven personality, and larger-than-life faith. Overcoming hardship and difficulty has propelled her to excel as a young entrepreneur, even when all odds were against her. She is passionate about encouraging and serving others, being an example of how all things are possible with consistency, a tenacious spirit, and a willingness to learn. Finding significant success in the digital landscape while simultaneously identifying market gaps was the launching pad and open door she needed to help birth the ideas behind RE.DIRECT. She is committed to excellence and is thrilled and honored to be part of this problem-solving, groundbreaking opportunity and business model. If Kendryah isn’t sharpening her marketing and sales skills, leading worship, or going on outdoor adventures, she is probably sitting in the sun somewhere sipping coffee, kayaking, or camping with her beautiful family—her four young sons and her wonderful, studly husband.

November 1, 2024 – Foundation Repair RK Bob Brown and OneGoal Melissa Connelly

RK Bob Brown – Author of Foundation Repair Secrets 
RK Bob Brown is an author, speaker, and the foremost authority on foundation repair diagnosis. With more than 35-years-experience, Bob brings transparency, accountability, and engineering efficacy to an otherwise opaque industry. His Bestselling and award winning book, Foundation Repair Secrets reveals insider secrets to avoid costly repairs. He founded Arizona Foundation Solutions in 1989 and built one of the only foundation repair companies to utilize licensed professional engineers on the front end. He sold his business in 2022 to focus on writing and speaking. He holds four patents, has three pending, and developed a first-of-its-kind software to streamline home foundation investigations. He has been designated a certified Foundation Repair Specialist by NFRA, is LEED Accredited, and is an EPA-approved Radon Measurement and Mitigation Specialist, among other accreditations. In short, Bob Brown knows dirt, which is why people call him the Dirt Whisperer.Melissa Connelly – Chief Executive Officer of OneGoal
Melissa Connelly is the Chief Executive Officer of OneGoal, a national postsecondary access and success organization. Before becoming chief executive officer, Melissa was the organization’s first Chief Program Officer. In this role, she was responsible for executing the programmatic vision to ensure all students have an equitable opportunity to earn a postsecondary degree or credential. As a first-generation college graduate herself, Melissa’s path to and through college was not easy. She started high school in a truancy program, but with the support of caring educators, she went on to obtain three college degrees with a 4.0 GPA. Melissa has spent more than 15 years in education, leveraging her experiences, empathy, and drive to make certain her accomplishments are not an anomaly but the norm for underserved youth. Melissa was named to the 2024 cohort of the Pahara Institute Fellowship. She serves on the board of directors of Reading Partners and the board of trustees at Dominican University and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois-Chicago, and a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Education Administration from Dominican University. She is an alumna of the prestigious Surge Institute Fellowship for emerging leaders of color in education. Even with these accomplishments, Melissa is proudest of her work as a mother to AJ and Addae.