School for Startups Radio

April 24, 2024 - Passive Online Biz Investing Kyle Kuderewski and Financial Modeling Education Chris Reilly

Kyle Kuderewski – Operations Manager at WebStreet – Investing in Online Businesses 
Kyle Kuderewski is the Operations Manager at WebStreet (formerly Empire Flippers Capital), and is a dynamic individual with a wealth of expertise in passive investing, entrepreneurship, alternative investments, and remote work. With a background in engineering management and a master’s degree in project management, Kyle brings a unique perspective to the world of online business investing. Kyle’s journey from the corporate world to WebStreet began when he discovered the potential of online businesses while exploring real estate investments. Intrigued by the opportunities offered by then-Empire Flippers (online biz brokers), he immersed himself in their culture and quickly realized that their approach to online business investing aligned perfectly with his goals. Recognizing the need for passive investment options in the online business industry, Kyle joined WebStreet, where he now leads the charge of making online businesses a passive investment opportunity for accredited investors. WebStreet operates a first-of-its-kind investment platform that matches experienced operators of online businesses with accredited investors.Chris Reilly – Founder of Financial Modeling Education – Designing Financial Models and Selling Online Courses 
Chris Reilly is a finance professional with a unique journey that began during the 2008 financial crisis, working on Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy. He transitioned from consulting to Senior Analyst roles at Hilton Worldwide, providing exposure to the world of private equity. With self-taught expertise in LBO financial models, Chris spent nearly a decade in middle-market private equity in Denver. In 2020, he founded Financial Modeling Education, where he imparts advanced financial modeling skills in a relatable manner. An influential LinkedIn figure with 85,000+ followers, Chris simplifies the intricate finance landscape, sharing his extensive knowledge of private equity, FP&A, and financial modeling.

April 22, 2024 - AI Legal Expert David Siegel and Entertainment Backend Engine Oli Strong

David Siegel – AI Legal Expert
David Siegel is a Silicon Valley startup attorney at Grellas Shah, LLP. He is an accomplished startup lawyer and litigator who has extensive experience with our firm in handling a broad range of corporate, transactional, and intellectual property matters, including work on multi-million dollar financings and acquisitions, all in addition to having deep expertise in handling complex intellectual property, corporate, and commercial litigation matters. Prior to joining Grellas Shah, David worked for five years at the nationally recognized firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, initially out of its New York office and subsequently out of Palo Alto. He has a keen interest in working with startups and has worked closely with early-stage companies since joining the firm while expanding his expertise in the startup field. David is licensed to practice in California and New York. He has extensive experience in both state and federal courts and has done in-depth work connected with SEC investigations, including managing a team of 30 lawyers in defending a client in a particularly intensive investigation.Oli Strong – COO of Magma
Oli Strong is the COO of Magma Studios, a software called Magma to make digital art projects multiplayer, client-centric, and more efficient. Game/digital art studios using Magma can work on cloud-based projects, allowing them to access projects from any device. It allows work on a project with up to 50 people at once, seeing the real-time creativity at work (making art multiplayer). Clients and team members can give each other immediate feedback via videos, voice notes, etc. The impact allows a 25% reduction in project delivery time, 32% less time spent in meetings, 40% fewer revisions per cycle, and a 72% increase in employee satisfaction. Magma will be at the Game Developer Conference next month and Oli will be talking about empowering co-creation and licensing at scale.

April 19, 2024 - New American Dreamer Steven Andrews and Superpower Storytelling Stephen Steers

Steven Andrews – Real Estate Investor and Coach and Author of The New American Dream: A Simple Roadmap to Purchasing Investment Properties
Steven Andrews remembers how hard it was to overcome his own doubts and insecurities in the beginning of his investment career, Steven Andrews is now on a mission to empower others to achieve their own goals in real estate. Coming out of college, Steven was $75,000 in debt and making $45,000 a year. Circling back to the dream he once had while studying at High Point University, Steven used a credit card to fund his first rental property. Within nine years, Steven went from buying properties to supplement his income to pursuing real estate full-time. Today, he owns and manages hundreds of properties through his virtual property management company, Realty Management Group. In addition to writing, The New American Dream: A Simple Roadmap to Purchasing Investment Properties, Steven established SOARX Consulting, where he provides an eleven-week course outlining the same process he used to create his rental property company. The program, like the book, offers a roadmap to finding the kind of success Steven has in the business called real estate.
Stephen Steers – ContextSelling Guru and Author of Superpower Storytelling: A Tactical Guide to Telling the Stories You Need to Lead, Sell and Inspire
Stephen Steers is an author, consultant, standup comedian and speaker with a unique mix of storytelling as it relates to sales. As a consultant and keynote speaker, Stephen has advised more than 750 companies from 30 countries. Including teams from Google, Nike, HEC Paris Business School and Entrepreneurs Organization. Stephen’s philosophy is the following: forget everything you think you know about sales and leadership. Effective sales and leadership are about listening, learning and connecting through stories. Stories close the sale, never the conversation.

April 18, 2024 - Meetings Mean Business Coalition Stephanie Glanzer, Canadian Entrepreneur Wayne Elliott and Creativity Unleashed Jonathan Fanning

Wayne Elliott - Ship Recycling and Strauss Naturals Advocate  
[caption id="attachment_58814" align="alignright" width="150"] Wayne Elliott[/caption]
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. Stephanie Glanzer - Chief Sales Officer & Senior Vice President for MGM Resorts International and Co-Chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition
Stephanie Glanzer is the Chief Sales Officer & Senior Vice President for MGM Resorts International. She is responsible for the company’s overall sales strategy and operations comprised of group, industry relations, global sales, transient and luxury sales strategy as well as property operations including catering and convention services. She is also co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business Coalition. The way we do business continues to evolve. When the world went virtual in 2020, we did our best to maintain relationships and make connections, both personally and professionally. While virtual meetings may be convenient, they are proven to be much less effective in developing lasting relationships. Face-to-face meetings are the best way to capture a person’s full attention. In-person meetings, events, and conventions build mutual respect, drive education and personal growth, foster creativity, and build long-lasting connections. Critically, they also boost the U.S. economy. In 2023, $119 billion was generated nationally through in-person meetings and events-related travel spending in the United States, which directly supported 600,000 American jobs. For decision-makers looking to boost their company’s visibility and bottom line, there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings. Global Meetings Industry Day – an international day of advocacy showcasing why #MeetingsMatter – spotlights the incredible professional opportunities associated with in-person business travel, meetings and events.

April 17, 2024 - WageScape Cary Sparrow and For Profit Education Recruiting Mark Phillips

Cary Sparrow – Founder and CEO of WageScape
Cary Sparrow is a business leader and engineer who has thrived throughout his career with his entrepreneurial approach and a keen eye for innovation opportunities. He founded WageScape in 2015 with a vision of bringing transparency to the labor market. Prior to founding WageScape, Cary served as a Vice President at Cargill, the largest privately-held company in the US, with over 65 businesses across nearly 70 countries. At Cargill, Cary was responsible for upgrading the global workforce management infrastructure, including all related technology, processes, data, and organizational structures. Prior to Cargill, Cary was a Principal and Global Practice Leader at Willis Towers Watson (then Towers Perrin). Cary is a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as an officer on nuclear fast attack submarines. Cary has a master’s in management degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, with concentrations in finance and strategy. He also has a master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering, with research in artificial intelligence and neural network control systems. His bachelor’s degree is in computer and systems engineering. Cary lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children. He enjoys the outdoors, biking, and traveling.Mark Phillips – Recruiting for Education Businesses – Founder of HireEducation
Mark Phillips is the Founder and Board Chair of HireEducation. He supports his team to build authentic and inclusive partnerships for Education companies that work directly with Early Childhood, K12, and Higher Education, and Workforce organizations. He’s been recruiting since the late 90s before transitioning into Education and is happy to spend his time coaching his team and working on strategic projects to continuing to expand the business! Mark Phillips (Founder, Board Chair) – Mark is all about hiring and sustainable business practices, remote company culture, and mental health for leaders. His narrative is relevant to EdTech professionals, startups, ethical innovation and remote leaders, and even small business managers that have gone through sobriety and/or enjoy endurance athletics. They help education and talent management organizations sell their organizations to prospective employees. They work for schools (sometimes), Ed Tech companies that sell to schools, Ed Tech and Talent Management companies that sell to corporations, and Learning organizations within those corporations.

April 15, 2024 - Fractional SaaS Guru Anthony Nitsos and iFlex Franchise Lyle Myers

Anthony Nitsos – Founder and Lead Guru at SaaS Gurus
Anthony Nitsos is CEO and Founder of SaaS Gurus, is a seasoned financial strategist with a unique background in human medicine and finance. Since establishing SaaS Gurus in January 2020, he’s devoted to delivering fractional CFO services tailored to SaaS startups’ distinct needs. With a proven track record, Anthony excels in elevating financial strategy, addressing root causes of challenges, and driving company value. His expertise extends beyond finance, providing insights into sales operations, HR, and risk management. Nitsos has contributed to unicorn exits, such as Duo Security ($2.35B to Cisco) and LLamasoft ($1.5B to Coupa). Anthony empowers SaaS startup CEOs and Founders with holistic business insights, redefining the CFO role in the dynamic SaaS finance world.Lyle Myers – Chief Development Officer at iFlex Franchise
Lyle Myers is Chief Development Officer at iFlex Franchise, a unique business with opportunities to create Stretch Studios that seeks to ease pain and prevent potential injuries by utilizing professional assisted stretching techniques. Lyle’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of strategic excellence, particularly in franchise investing and recurring revenue models. With a wealth of experience spanning diverse sectors such as Franchising, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Beverage, and Retail. Lyle has not only demonstrated a keen ability to identify strategic opportunities but has also excelled in navigating the complexities of change required to leverage those opportunities. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Lyle is adept at developing and executing business plans and also has a unique knack for steering organizations through ongoing development. His visionary leadership has translated into noteworthy achievements in Sales, Marketing, Business Development, and Brand Building, making him a sought-after guest for podcasts delving into the nuances of investing and franchise success.

April 12, 2024 - GoComet Gautam Jain and Russian Election Interference Chris Zappone

Gautam Jain – CEO and Co-Founder of GoComet
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Gautam Jain is the driving force behind GoComet and a disruptor in the world of logistics. A computer science graduate and top-ranking alumnus of IIT Delhi, Gautam is reshaping supply chain visibility with a bold vision and a passion for transforming the supply chain industry. While he was still in college at IIT Delhi, and along with several classmates, Gautam embarked on a tech journey with real estate startup Plat in 2014, which was acquired by Housing.com in 2015. This transformative experience ignited their ambition to tackle the complexities of another traditionally “unsexy” industry. In 2016, when Gautam and his associates first experienced exporting products from China and selling on Amazon in the US, they identified a glaring gap: while apps tracked cabs and food deliveries in real-time, the location of a $100,000 container remained an enigma in transit. With opportunity knocking, they launched GoComet to address the inefficiencies in logistics. Six months later, GoProcure, the maiden product, hit the market. Today, GoComet is on a mission to replace archaic logistics processes with AI-powered solutions. Significant milestones include: -Tracked more than 1.5 million containers globally -Secured first 500 customers -G2 quadrant leader in Supply Chain Visibility, Freight Management and Transport Management Systems (Winter 2023).Chris Zappone – Digital Foreign Editor at The Age and Host of Dark Shining Moment Podcast
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Chris Zappone is Digital Foreign Editor at The Age, I help drive coverage of international events for a leading Australian media outlet. I commission, direct, and edit stories filed by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s correspondents and write breaking news. My background is in equal parts geopolitics, economics, markets, and technology. My current role has given me the privilege to work with the most talented and ambitious journalists and editors in the region. In recent years, the stories I’ve been involved with include Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cyber war. I write and edit across platforms and help produce podcast audio on these subjects. Additionally, I write analysis, commentary, and features, particularly in areas related to technology’s disruption of international politics. He has presented on related subjects at SXSW in the US and testified to Parliament on the political risk of social media manipulation. Chris was also an inaugural member of the National Security College’s Futures Hub in 2017. Chris writes about the interplay between technology and politics, economics, ideology, US politics, space, and the future. He also produces commentary and analysis on the broader challenges to democracy from the new information ecosystem. Before working in international news, Chris reported on the economy and business at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He also contributed stories on Australia’s political and economic news for the Nikkei Asian Review and the Economist Intelligence Unit. Prior to The Age, Chris worked at CNN Money and Fortune.

April 11, 2024 - Canadian Entrepreneur Wayne Elliott and Close the Deal Ewell Smith

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. Ewell Smith – Founder of Your First Franchise! and Close The Deal  
Ewell Smith hosts the Your First Franchise Podcast interviewing franchisors and franchise leaders.  As a seasoned franchise consultant, Ewell specializes in matching career professionals, corporate refugees, and Veterans with their ideal franchise opportunities. His new book, Your First Franchise Roadmap is coming out May 2024. Close The Deal .com Podcast (special Your First Franchise Episodes) We’re talking with franchisors and entrepreneurs so you can escape the corporate grind and scale up your business to leverage your time. With a rich background in executive leadership, he previously served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, the Gulf Seafood Institute, and the Carolina Loggers Association, collectively representing thousands of entrepreneurs over a span of 17 years. During his tenure leading the Louisiana Seafood Board, Ewell and his team navigated the industry through significant challenges such as Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill, successfully rebuilding billions in lost seafood sales. Notably, he spearheaded the creation and served as the emcee of the Great American Seafood Cook-Off, a televised event featured on Food Network and PBS. Ewell hosts the CloseTheDeal.com Podcast interviewing entrepreneurs and franchisors. Through all his experiences, Ewell’s an avid advocate for entrepreneurship through franchising.

April 10, 2024 - Debt Free Industrial Joel Friedland and Resilience Coach Nathan Andres

Joel Friedland – Founder of Brit Properties
Joel Friedland has a 42-year track record in industrial real estate. He co-founded Epic/Savage Realty Partners in 1991 where he oversaw hiring and mentoring 60 industrial real estate professionals, many of whom became his partners. His group sold the firm to an international real estate company in 2014 and Joel started Brit Properties. As an industrial real estate broker and owner, Joel has secured over 2,000 industrial property leases and sales, totaling over $2 billion in brokerage volume and $250 million in acquisitions. His greatest accomplishment is maintaining valued relationships with brokers, tenants and investors spanning five decades. He does fully syndicated deals, often with 0% debt, an unheard of approach in real estate which caters to his wealthy investor base primarily concerned with conservation of principal. His experiences during the Great Recession in 2008 have informed his investment approach to be hyper-conservative while still allowing an ~8% cash return, plus upside, for his investors. Joel attended the University of Michigan. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family, particularly his 3 young grandchildren.
Nathan Andres – Resilience Coach and Author of Your REAL Life: Get Authentic, Be Resilient & Make It Count!
Nathan Andres, M.A., is a coach, well-being and LGBTQ activist, and business leader. The drive to authentically serve others developed into a love of helping people, ultimately leading to a career in Human Resources where he’s spent over two decades so far. ​Nate knows his life purpose is to be a light, building authenticity and resilience in others. Having lived and traveled around the world, his mission is to show people the way through their struggles and teach them how to care for their whole person. Though he only started developing the REAL model in adulthood, his friends and family tell him he’s been coaching his whole life. A believer in life-long learning, and specialist in career reinvention, Nate first earned a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Marquette University in 1995. He is a 2004 graduate of New York University’s Human Resource Management Graduate Diploma program. In 2015, Nate became a Certified Professional and Executive Coach through ICF and earned a Masters of Arts, in Coaching, Learning & Development from Middlesex University, London in 2017. He is a member in good standing of the ICF – International Coaching Federation. A Columbus, Ohio (USA) native, Nate is truly a global citizen. He has traveled extensively around the world for business and pleasure. He is a popular public and online speaker having engaged audiences across four continents. Currently residing between Washington D.C. and Singapore, Nathan has been based in Asia-Pacific nearly 20 years; he lived twice in Tokyo, Japan and holds a permanent residency card in Hong Kong. Nathan is a four-time marathon finisher and enjoys tennis, yoga, strength training, meditation and movies. He is an avid Wellbeing & LGBTQ activist contributing to causes around the world.

April 8, 2024 - Kid Taxi Nelson Nigel and NetWork Wise Adam Connors

Nelson Nigel – Founder and CEO of Kidmoto Technology
I was so broke that I could only start this company with two car seats.I said we will provide airport transportation with pre-installed kids carseats. I started with two car seats and here we are six years later andare a national organization.
Nelson Nigel is the Founder and CEO of Kidmoto Technology. Back in 2016 Nelson as an Uber driver noticed that taxis and car services do not offer installed child car seats, and parents are helpless. He found a void in the transportation marketplace that Uber and Lyft have explicitly left open. Nelson created a mobile app to provide a convenient and safe alternative to lugging car seats to and from airports to change how parents travel with small children. Today, Kidmoto is a trusted brand that connects parents to a network of professionally trained drivers that provide airport transfers with secured child car seats for safe and convenient airport travel in 52 US cities. After operating for 6 years Kidmoto has over 40k completed rides, 40 part-time employees, 500 independent drivers nationwide, a 7-figure revenue for 2023 and valued at $25 million.Adam Connors – Founder & CEO of NetWorkWise
I identify networking as taking a pro active approach to relationship developmentwith the mutual goal of benefiting another person. It’s about transcending aconnection into a relationship who ultimately becomes your ally.
Adam Connors is a sought-after speaker, social architect, podcast host, author and super-connector who has transformed lives and accelerated the careers of thousands of people. He’s the Founder & CEO of NetWorkWise, a business platform that expedites outcomes for people through training in the art and science of personal and professional networking. Adam is also the founder of the NetWorkWise Certified Professional™, a certification that credentials someone as a leading expert in building world-class relationships. An entrepreneur at heart, Adam has spent over 20 years starting & building companies across a variety of industries. His sole focus these days is teaching people how to NetWorkWise.