School for Startups Radio

June 16, 2023 – Rags to Riches Karen Pudetti and Uncertainty Solution John M. Jennings

Karen Pudetti - Owner of Luxe Salon, Spa and Laser Center and Author of Rags to Riches: How Beauty Icons Made it Big
As a young girl I had a spa experience and I remember feeling transformed. I remember feeling so good and thinking I could conquer the world feeling like this. I never forgot that feeling and when I was in corporate America, I found it boring. I would rather give to people by making them feel better, look better and I knew I wanted to run my own business.
Karen Pudetti is the owner of Luxe Salon, Spa and Laser Center and Author of Rags to Riches: How Beauty Icons Made it Big. Karen Pudetti was born and raised in upstate New York. She graduated Nazareth College with an accounting degree and began her career working for a CPA firm in Boston and later joined corporate America. She worked for various Fortune 500 companies in Corporate America, although very interesting, was not fulfilling and Karen decided to venture out on her own. She knew at nineteen years old she wanted to be her own boss and work in the beauty industry. She knew that was her true passion. Karen went back to school and received her electrolysis certification, her wax and esthetic licenses. Karen knew she wanted to be a stay-at-home Mom, but also wanted to make a good living for herself and not depend on her husband. She worked out of her house two and half days a week making over $100K a year. With her extensive financial background and the remarkable success she achieved with Luxe, Karen Pudetti embarked on a consulting journey, specializing in assisting salons and spas across the United States. Recognized as an expert in transforming unprofitable businesses into highly lucrative enterprises, Karen's consulting services encompass the development of comprehensive business plans, implementation of tailored programs, and establishment of efficient systems, all aimed at propelling her clients' companies to the next level. As a coach, Karen's primary goals revolve around inspiring individuals to become savvy business owners and empowering leaders. Her coaching approach is centered on guiding clients towards personal and professional success, fostering an environment where life's profits flourish and untapped potential is realized. Moreover, Karen envisions utilizing the proceeds generated by Bad Ass to establish a foundation dedicated to providing funding for non-conventional educational paths, such as cosmetology, veterinary technician programs, or even licensed practical nursing. By creating opportunities for individuals who excel in alternative educational settings, Karen aims to support their pursuit of fulfilling careers and contribute to their personal growth. In summary, Karen Pudetti's professional journey encompasses her expertise in consulting, her dedication to coaching and empowering individuals, and her entrepreneurial endeavors. Through her work, she aims to transform businesses, inspire greatness, and empower women to embrace their own unique Bad Ass qualities. Karen's unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others drives her vision of personal and professional success for all those she encounters.
 
John M. Jennings - President and Chief Strategist of St. Louis Trust & Family Office and Author of "The Uncertainty Solution: How to Invest with Confidence in the Face of the Unknown"
Beware of experts bearing opinions. Investment experts and economistsare atrocious at predicting what is going to happen in the stock market and economy.
John M. Jennings is President and Chief Strategist of St. Louis Trust & Family Office. In these roles, he leads the client service practice and is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives. John is a member of the firm’s Management Committee, on its Board of Directors, and also serves on the Investment, Risk Management and Trust Committees. He works closely with client families, advising them in all areas of wealth management. As an author and speaker, John is a leading voice in the space of wealth management and leadership. His book, The Uncertainty Solution, is an engaging dive into investing philosophy and best practices as well as an authorita­tive, accessible guide for anyone who feels inundated with financial news and data. “A must-have addition to anyone’s reading list,” says Charles R. Schwab. John is also the author of the highly acclaimed IFOD blog, is an adjunct professor at Washington University’s Olin Business School, and frequently writes on wealth management topics for Forbes. He has finance and law degrees from the University of Missouri and a professional certificate in Decision Making and Behavioral Finance from Harvard. Prior to joining St. Louis Trust & Family Office as a founding principal, John gained varied professional experience in investments, tax, estate planning and trusts in the Private Client Service group at Arthur Andersen LLP and in the Estate Planning and Tax practices at the St. Louis-based law firm, Armstrong Teasdale LLP. John earned both his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking (cum laude) and JD degrees from the University of Missouri. A past St. Louis Business Journal “40 under 40” honoree, John is a frequent speaker on investment, trust and various other family office topics. John is a Gen Xer of median height. He is happily married with two daughters and a four-legged best friend. He is an avid reader, a BIG fan of coffee, a vegan, a skier, a lover of indie music, and a ravenous St. Louis Blues fan. He likes to challenge himself physically and mentally and loves to laugh. He’d like to think he’s funny, but you’ll have to ask his wife about that one.

June 14, 2023 - 18 Year Old Entrepreneur Joann Zehenni and Building Authority Rusty Shelton

Joann Zehenni is the Founder and CEO of Gemini Beauty Products. At 15 years old, when Joann Zehenni couldn’t find a skincare solution for her and her family’s struggle with Lupus, she set out to create her own formulations and Gemini Beauty was born. Now 18 years old and freshmen at Loyola Marymount University in Southern California, Joann has created a successful skincare business dedicated to helping individuals become more comfortable and confident in their own skin. Gemini Beauty takes a natural approach to cultivate that dewy, fresh look using fruits and vegetables (inspired by her Lebanese & Ukrainian heritage) that are safe for all skin types. It’s free of gluten, oil, phthalates, sulfates, and parabens. A percentage of Gemini Beauty’s profits are donated to Lupus LA, a non-profit organization that provides a variety of support opportunities for patients in all stages of Lupus.Rusty Shelton - Founder of Zilker Media and Co-Author of "The Authority Advantage: Building Thought Leadership Focused on Impact Not Ego"
I had a job in a business for the first seven years of my career, and I don't thinkI would have been able to start my first business unless I had those seven years’worth of relationships and experience.
Rusty Shelton is the Founder of Zilker Media and Co-Author of "The Authority Advantage: Building Thought Leadership Focused on Impact Not Ego". Rusty Shelton first spoke at Harvard on the changing world of marketing and PR at the age of 23. He is a bestselling author, dynamic keynote speaker and successful entrepreneur who has focused his career on helping leaders build thought leadership focused on impact, not ego, writing three acclaimed books and speaking around the world to a variety of audiences, from YPO to SXSW Interactive to Forbes. He is Chairman of Zilker Media, an award-winning agency based in Austin, TX that builds people-driven brands and Senior Marketing Strategist at Forbes Books. Rusty’s keynotes blend humor and targeted examples to challenge assumptions about personal branding, showing audiences how to build authentic thought leadership focused on impact, not ego. He’s known for a mix of story-telling, candor and practical, put-it-into-action-next-week guidance – showing leaders how to make an impact and build trust in an increasingly skeptical world – and have a lot of fun along the way. He has shared the stage with Steve Forbes and Alan Mulally, spoken for YPO, EO, SXSW Interactive, the University of Texas, numerous Fortune 1000 companies and served on the faculty at more than 20 Harvard Medical School CME courses. He is the co-author (alongside Adam Witty) of The Authority Advantage: Building Thought Leadership Focused on Impact, Not Ego (ForbesBooks, 2023), which features a foreword from David Meerman Scott, Authority Marketing: How to Leverage 7 Pillars of Thought Leadership to Make Competition Irrelevant (ForbesBooks, 2018), which features a foreword from Steve Forbes, and co-author (alongside Barbara Cave Henricks) of Mastering the New Media Landscape: Embrace the Micromedia Mindset (Berrett-Koehler, 2016). An avid Texas Longhorns fan, he sits on the University of Texas Texas Exes PR Committee and is a proud member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in Austin, where he serves on the board. He lives just west of Austin in Spicewood with his wife, Paige and three children (Luke, Brady & Sadie) and their very rowdy black lab, Charlie. Rusty loves to play golf, fish, coach his sons’ sports teams and is the QB for Lake Travis’ top “old man” flag football team.

June 12, 2023 - Multi-Million Dollar Exit Wayne Zell and Profitable 1st Month Nicole Grinnell

 
Wayne Zell - CEO of Zell Law and Author of "Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit: The Entrepreneur's Business Success(ion) Planner: A Blueprint for Wealth Guide"
The failure to follow LLC formalities in a variety of different ways ends up killingdeals or making it very difficult on the seller when it's time to sell the business.
Wayne Zell is the CEO of Zell Law and Author of "Your Multimillion-Dollar Exit: The Entrepreneur's Business Success(ion) Planner: A Blueprint for Wealth Guide". Wayne M. Zell, JD, CPA, has been advising clients for over 35 years on business succession planning. He’s the architect behind hundreds of transactions that have saved his clients millions of dollars. Working with thousands of founders, Wayne has created a unique process for taking his clients from entrepreneur to multimillion-dollar exit. Even under the most daunting circumstances. An active speaker and writer, he’s recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America®. His clients include a wide range of entrepreneurs, institutions, high-net-worth individuals, technology companies, real estate developers, government contractors, and nonprofits. He also recently released his best-selling book, Your Multi-Million Dollar Exit: The Entrepreneur's Business Success(ion) Planner: A Blueprint for Wealth Guide which provides an easy-to-follow planner that equips entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to build a strong foundation for exiting their businesses on their terms. He dives into critical topics such as minimizing unexpected exits, navigating challenges, assembling a superior exit strategy team, and understanding the desires and fears of potential buyers and investors. Wayne is on top of the trends in exit planning for entrepreneurs, continuously adapting his strategies to meet the evolving needs of business owners. His insights into the latest industry developments, combined with his actionable advice and real-world examples, provide listeners with invaluable takeaways they can immediately apply to their own businesses.Nicole Grinnell - Founder of Bosun Solutions
We were making money from day one. I have never carried debt or had investors. I was able to just start and continually grow.
Nicole Grinnell is the founder of Bosun Solutions, a boutique full-service staffing firm whose mission is to help small businesses thrive in any economy. She started out in the business world at just ten years old working for her family, launching her into a successful career in corporate America, before starting her own business in 2017. Her entire career has been laced with finding family-life balance, from working for her family business to getting married and having kids in the midst of climbing the corporate ladder. She now has a marriage, and two teenage children, and has grown her business to $2 million in revenue. Her goal is to help other small businesses succeed and to give other women the work-life balance they are looking for. She has recently launched Bosun Gives. After reaching 5 years in business her company was able to give back by contributing to the nonprofit of their choice Sacredselections.org.Nicole comes from a long line of entrepreneurs and small business owners, with childhood memories of Christmas resembling episodes of Shark Tank. For most of her career, she served as an Executive Assistant in the corporate world. She excelled with her small business background and work ethic. Taking her passion for organization and efficiency she founded Bosun, a boutique remote staffing firm. Bosun is dedicated to providing small business owners with affordable solutions to help grow and scale, regardless of economic circumstances. She took the idea of being a Virtual Assistant and built a multi-million dollar company. She oversaw all administrative operations at nation's largest restaurant franchisee. She served 15 years of executive support at Nilson, a top 15 company. Nicole provided over 500 small businesses with remote teams, allowing them to safely scale.
 

June 9, 2023 - Win the 16 Dave Pygon and Dare to Care Kathleen Quinn Votaw

Dave Pygon - President of Pygon ONE Consulting and Author of the Book "Win the 16 - How to Manage Your Day to Max Output"
Your goals have to be yours. Too many times, individuals create goalsdepending on what the leader or boss wants. That is a recipe for failure.
Dave Pygon is the  President of Pygon ONE Consulting and Author of the Book "Win the 16 - How to Manage Your Day to Max Output". Dave Pygon is a respected advocate for leadership and personal growth, dedicating his career to empowering individuals to reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves. As the founder and current President of Pygon ONE Consulting, his company specializes in leadership and individual development, helping clients to unlock their capabilities and succeed. Prior to starting his own company, Pygon honed his skills while working for respected organizations such as Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Alcon Laboratories, and Novartis. With over two decades of leadership experience, he has become a trusted expert in his field. Furthermore, he holds certifications as a distinguished business coach, astute time management consultant, certified behavioral consultant, and master life coach. Drawing from these experiences, as well as his education background, Pygon authored “Win the 16,” a comprehensive guide to help individuals optimize their time and achieve their goals. His expertise and passion are evident, making him a go-to authority on personal development and growth. His journey started in Chicago, where he was born and raised on the south side. Coupled with a deep-rooted connection to his hometown, the work ethic, toughness, loyalty, and importance of education were taught from an early age by his mom and the south side community. They all have been essential factors driving his professional success. Dave’s love for Chicago is unwavering, and that is evident as he currently makes his home there with his beloved family.Kathleen Quinn Votaw - CEO of TalenTrust - How to Retain Talent at Each Stage
Your recruiting materials should be looked at by your marketingpeople so it has great attraction methodologies, versus just leavingit in HR 's hands.
Kathleen Quinn Votaw is the Founder and CEO of TalenTrust, a strategic recruiting and human capital consulting firm that has helped companies nationwide address immediate needs and drive long-term growth since 2003. She is the author of the 2016 book Solve the People Puzzle and the 2021 book Dare to Care in the Workplace. Kathleen is also a regularly published columnist and popular speaker on topics related to HR strategies and workplace culture. Kathleen has overcome a multitude of personal and business challenges in becoming a strong leader who was able to exceed TalenTrust’s growth goals throughout the Great Recession and become one of less than 2% of women business owners to break the million-dollar mark. Along this journey, she has formed the core belief that people-centric, relationship-based workplaces are the key to attracting and retaining the talent to take businesses to the next level. Based on her knowledge and experience, she is a key disrupter in her industry, with a mission to help HR professionals attain the skills needed to provide strategic value to their companies. She has helped more than 1,000 companies across multiple industries navigate uncertainty and continuous change to develop purpose-based, inclusive cultures; targeted recruitment strategies; and, most importantly, inspired employees who want to come to work each day. From proactive hiring processes to human-centric leadership, Quinn Votaw’s practical insights and actionable recommendations have impacted diverse organizations, including SportClips, John Hancock, Kaiser Permanente, the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association, Renaissance Executive Forum, EO, the Association of Corporate Growth, and Vistage International. Kathleen recently completed a Stanford Graduate School of Business program focused on strategy, innovation, and organizational design. She has received many awards, including the coveted Inc. 5000 for two consecutive years; 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year from Enterprising Women Magazine for her work to fuel lasting change in companies across the nation; and multiple achievement awards from Colorado Women’s Chamber, ColoradoBiz Magazine, and Denver Business Journal. Kathleen has also served is currently serving as an Advisory Board member for Enterprising Women, and is the former Board President for ACG-Denver. Kathleen Quinn Votaw's outstanding achievements and contributions have earned her several notable honors and awards. These include being listed on the prestigious Inc. 5000 List of fastest-growing private companies in America in both 2015 and 2016. Additionally, TalenTrust has consistently been recognized by CoBiz Magazine as one of the Top 100 Woman-Owned Companies since 2013. Kathleen's exceptional leadership and accomplishments have also led her to be a finalist for Denver Business Journal's Outstanding Women in Business in 2014 and 2009, as well as a nominee in 2013, 2007, and 2006. In 2011, she was honored with the ACG Meritorious Service Award for her extraordinary service and achievement. Notably, Kathleen received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Association of Women in Communications in 2006. These accolades reflect her significant contributions to the business community and her dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. Kathleen also enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and friends. Her leisure time is spent reading, cooking, and entertaining when she is not scuba diving in exotic locations

June 7, 2023 – Luxury Concierge Cameron Black and Chronic Tacos Michael Mohammed

Cameron Black - CEO and Founder of Swiftly Group - Building a Luxury Concierge Business
Swiftly is a 24 hour on demand concierge platform.
Cameron Black is the CEO and Founder of Swiftly Group, a luxury concierge service. Cameron is a visionary CEO and entrepreneur who aims to transform the way we access services. Through his pioneering work with Swiftly Group, an on-demand concierge app currently in beta, Cameron is reshaping the industry and revolutionizing convenience for users.  With a relentless focus on excellence and innovation, Cameron is leading the charge in refining Swiftly Group's platform, gathering user feedback, and fine-tuning the app to deliver exceptional experiences. His visionary leadership and commitment to transformative solutions have positioned Swiftly Group as a game-changer in the on-demand service sector. Cameron shares his inspiring journey, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of building a groundbreaking app that challenges traditional service models while still in the beta phase.
 
Michael Mohammed - CEO of Chronic Tacos Enterprises - Building a Restaurant Empire! 
It is a bumpy road, that, I think to be honest, is necessary. I don't thinkwe can lay out a path to do this, do this, do that. Making mistakes ispart of running a business.
Michael Mohammed is the Chief Executive Officer and President at Chronic Tacos Enterprises, Inc., where he oversees the strategic vision of the fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Michael attended Saint Martin’s University in Washington State, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. Michael and his three brothers first became affiliated with Chronic Tacos in 2010 when they helped finance the chain’s expansion into Canada. After seeing the potential that the brand had for growth, they decided to take over the entire franchise in 2012 and haven’t looked back since. Michael is involved with every aspect of its vision, brand, and strategy. He brings a wealth of experience and an entrepreneurial spirit to his position at the company, having worked previously as a Financial analyst at Boeing and then in sales for their family business Cattermole Group before becoming President in 2004 focusing the company on Investment and Real Estate projects. He is also a member of both the California Restaurant Association and the International Franchise Association.

June 5, 2023 – FUD Factor Brendan Keegan, AI for Entrepreneurs Jeff Bermant and Building a Coaching Biz Corey Dissin

Brendan Keegan – CEO of Merchants Fleet and Author of The FUD Factor: Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt to Achieve the Impossible – Overcoming Fear
The first thing that has to happen is someone needs to make aconscious decision that they want to be a leader.
Brendan Keegan is chairman, CEO and president of the board for Merchants Fleet, the fastest-growing fleet technology company in North America. Brendan is the creator of the bFEARLESS movement. He also is the author of three books, including his newest, The FUD Factor: Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt to Achieve the Impossible. Keegan has contributed more than 200 articles to Fast Company, Inc. Media, Entrepreneur, Newsweek, Fox Business and Harvard Business Review. During Keegan’s time at Merchants Fleet, the company has been named a two-time Inc 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Company, Deloitte Best Managed Company and a Fast Company Top 10 Most Innovative Company.  Brendan P. Keegan has spent a lifetime facing down fear, uncertainty and doubt in order to make his visions a reality. And for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been inspired by his revolutionary approach to leadership, he offers an unmatched mix of creativity, generosity, wisdom and tenacious commitment to making a positive impact on the world. An award-winning six-time president and chief executive officer, Brendan is well-known in the business world for his ability to envision outcomes that seem audacious, or even impossible — until he makes them a reality. As the current Chairman, CEO & President of the Board for Merchants Fleet, the fastest-growing fleet technology company in North America, he has created a culture of innovation that empowers employees, partners and investors to transform the industry. Brendan has dedicated himself to cracking his own code and building simple, repeatable systems that anyone can use to live and lead without limits. He shares his insights through regular contributions to Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Newsweek and other publications, along with his books, blog posts, podcasts and speaking engagements.Jeffrey Bermant – CEO of TUSK – AI Has a Political Slant
The CEO of ChatGPT admitted that it has a left-leaning bias.We decided to modify it and bent it to the right!
Jeffrey Bermant, the CEO of TUSK, the Free Speech browser, is a Patriot who loves the United States of America with all his heart. That’s why he’s putting his money where his mouth is in founding TUSK. Jeff has taken Mark Levin’s call to action seriously. When asked “What should I do right now?’, Levin replied, “…You should get involved right now.” After graduating from USC with a major in U.S. history, Jeff Bermant founded one of the largest real estate development groups in Santa Barbara, California before his passion led him into the digital world of browser development with products like Cocoon VPN and Cocoon MyData Rewards. An entrepreneur with over thirteen years in the field of browser development, combined with his deep love of America, Jeff Bermant is the right person at the right time in history to effect change. Jeff Bermant, the creator of Cocoon MyData Rewards™, believes that individuals deserve to be compensated for their own data. He established this innovative platform in response to the longstanding practice of browsers and search engines collecting user data and profiting billions of dollars from its sale. Recognizing the multitude of people left marginalized by this system, Bermant felt compelled to take action. Cocoon MyData Rewards™ offers a user-friendly and anonymous solution, allowing individuals to effortlessly sell their online data. Now, users have the autonomy to decide whether to capitalize on the sale of their anonymized data or maintain the utmost privacy. In 2008, Jeff Bermant founded Virtual World Computing with a resolute commitment to delivering a superior browsing experience encompassing robust privacy controls. Now, he is spearheading a new wave of change on the internet, empowering users to reclaim control over their data and offering an unparalleled opportunity for anonymous data monetization. With MyData Rewards™, users can tap into the expansive billion-dollar online data monetization industry, revolutionizing the way individuals profit from their data. Virtual World Computing has steadfastly prioritized its users throughout its existence. They continuously strive to enhance user experiences and bolster their earning potential. Bermant takes pride in emphasizing that their company ethos revolves around earning money for the user, rather than solely from the user, establishing them as a truly user-centric data company. Jeff Bermant eagerly welcomes opportunities to engage with guests on a variety of compelling topics. These include delving into how tech giants capitalize on user data for their own substantial profits and highlighting the urgency for data profit sharing. Additionally, he can share invaluable insights on managing a startup software company, shed light on the reasons behind users’ willingness to share their data with Cocoon, and discuss the future of data monetization, Cocoon’s vision, and strategies to maximize profits for users who opt to share their data.Corey Dissin – Founder of The Corey Dissin Companies and the Author of GOING THE DISS-TANCE: 10 Rounds to a Championship Life and Career: Life Lessons Inside a Tribute Wrapped in a Memoir – Building a Coaching Biz
If you are a coach or aspire to be a coach, you need to buildknow, like and trust. Don’t worry about your crazy certificationsand try to tell people how great you are, nobody cares. Whenwas the last time you spent a lot of money with someone thatyou did not know, like or trust?
Corey Dissin is a multifaceted entrepreneur and the owner of The Corey Dissin Companies, a thriving organization encompassing three main divisions. He is also the author of the inspirational book titled “GOING THE DISS-TANCE: 10 Rounds to a Championship Life and Career: Life Lessons Inside a Tribute Wrapped in a Memoir.” Corey Dissin knows GROWING YOUR NETWORK AND YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE TOUGH. COREY DISSIN IS TOUGHER. That’s why so many professionals trust the services of the alpha-dog executive, entrepreneurial evangelist, and author of GOING THE DISS-TANCE. Whether as a one-on-one marketing advisor, revamping your brand identity, or enlisting his virtual administrative assistants, Corey will have your back to develop a pragmatic and personalized fight plan to organize your time, get you out of your own way, and 10x your life and career. Under The Corey Dissin Companies, Dissin leads a diverse range of services tailored to different industries and professional needs. The first division, known as the Marketing Strength Coaching Program, provides coaching and guidance in the voiceover industry as well as other industries. With Corey’s expertise, clients receive personalized support to differentiate themselves, enhance their online presence, and implement effective marketing strategies. This includes refining their unique selling position, optimizing their social media profiles, creating engaging content, organizing marketing campaigns, and improving sales techniques. The second division, known as The Dissin Design Team, offers creative services for businesses of all sizes. Specifically in the voiceover industry, the team provides services such as logo design and branding, print design, web design and development, e-commerce development, digital ads, and search engine optimization. In other industries, they offer similar services to help businesses establish a strong brand identity and visually appealing materials. Additionally, Corey Dissin introduces “Corey’s Business Bodyguard,” a virtual team designed to alleviate stress and anxiety by assisting with various administrative tasks. This dedicated team provides support in handling time-consuming, draining, or unpleasant tasks, allowing business owners to focus on more important aspects of their work. Aside from his entrepreneurial ventures, Corey Dissin is the author of “GOING THE DISS-TANCE,” a motivational book that combines life lessons, career advice, and personal anecdotes. Through his book, Dissin shares his experiences and wisdom, inspiring readers to strive for success in both their personal and professional lives. Corey Dissin’s contributions to the voiceover industry and his dedication to helping businesses thrive have earned him a reputation as a trusted and influential figure. With his diverse skill set and commitment to excellence, Corey Dissin continues to make a significant impact in various industries through The Corey Dissin Companies.

June 2, 2023 - AI Owner Milan Kordestani, IBM Cloud Briana Frank and Heart to Brain Tatiana Flow

 
Milan Kordentani - CEO of anKord and the Author of "I'm Just Saying: A Guide to Maintaining Civil Discourse in an Increasingly Divided World".
Milan Kordestani is a social entrepreneur and author who advocates for common-ground solutions to systemic socioeconomic problems. Kordestani’s environmental studies background allowed him to understand humanity’s impact on earth systems and to see why societal attempts to mitigate the environmental crisis have failed. As a result, he shifted his focus to founding numerous businesses – Nota, Audo, and Guin – each of which offers a sustainable solution for a core systemic issue across civil discourse, education, and culture. Through his businesses and writing, Kordestani encourages the next generation to find solutions that drive positive societal change. He has published his perspectives on topics like civil discourse, the future of work, conscious capitalism, and the publishing industry regularly in outlets such as HuffPost, Entrepreneur, and Rolling Stone.
Briana Frank - Vice President of Product & Design for IBM Cloud - Protecting Consumer Data in the Cloud Amidst Growing Cyberattacks
Briana Frank is Vice President of Product & Design for IBM Cloud and an entrepreneur with a proven track record of building high-growth award-winning products by listening to the client's need and following through with experiences that delight users while delivering on-time and on budget. Briana designed and led teams that built products such as the IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service, Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud, IBM Cloud Satellite, and IBM Cloud Code Engine. These products set the bar for user experience best practices and in turn, were sold and consumed by users in a high-growth model. Briana builds high-performing teams and fosters a culture of inclusion and learning which powers continuous innovation. Briana is an entrepreneur and a problem solver who translates that energy into building great products. She leads the Offering Management and Design team that built the IBM Cloud Kubernetes service in five months and now manages tens of thousands of clusters worldwide.
 
Tatiana Flow - Abundance Specialist and Author of Elegantly Simple
Tatiana Flow - Abundance Specialist and Author of Elegantly Simple. Tatiana Flow is a spiritual mentor dedicated to guiding individuals towards a life lived intuitively, allowing them to embrace and manifest abundance, which she perceives as limitless within the Universe. With certifications as a kundalini activation energy worker, theta healer, NLP and Reiki specialist, Tatiana possesses a diverse range of skills. She is also the author of "Elegantly Simple," a compact guidebook for personal transformation. By sharing her knowledge and expertise, Tatiana helps both men and women rediscover and reconnect with their authentic power. Tatiana's mission revolves around bridging the gap between the intellectual and emotional realms, between spirituality and materiality, recognizing that this division often hinders individuals from attaining true fulfillment, love, purpose, abundance, and freedom. She understands that decision-making based solely on logic and without the guidance of the heart, without embodying one's spiritual essence on a daily basis, leads to suffering, pain, or a sense of emptiness. Having experienced both perspectives firsthand, Tatiana embarked on a lifelong quest for knowledge from an early age, delving into various religions, philosophies, esoteric practices, and tantra. Later in life, she expanded her studies to include psychology, NLP, quantum physics, and more. Coming from a modest background in the USSR, Tatiana forged a successful career in finance, achieving the American dream with a luxurious lifestyle, a home in the Hamptons, and extensive travel. Her achievements were the result of gradually applying her deep interest in spirituality and psychology to her own life. Now, Tatiana eagerly imparts the fundamental truth that spiritual and material aspects should not be separated but rather merged into a harmonious whole. She emphasizes that spirituality can be harnessed to create a purposeful, abundant life. This, she believes, is the essence of our existence. Tatiana's business career is also remarkable, as she worked in finance for 15 years alongside Wall Street professionals, serving some of the wealthiest individuals in New York real estate. She successfully raised funds for her start-up in Silicon Valley, which began as an idea and reached a valuation of $4 million before being profitably sold. Throughout her journey, Tatiana has gained valuable insights. She firmly believes that the most worthwhile investment one can make is in themselves, their health, and personal growth, rather than stocks and bonds. She also recognizes that financial freedom cannot be solely measured by the amount of money in one's account. Above all, Tatiana highlights that people invest in one's energy above anything else, including the business plan.

June 1, 2023 – Donation Tech Robert Soderstrom and Addiction Recovery Marsha Stone

Robert Soderstrom - Co-founder and CEO of ChangeUp
Robert Soderstrom, Co-founder and CEO of ChangeUp, Inc., the LA-based FinTech company revolutionizing donation technology for global commerce. Before launching ChangeUp, Soderstrom worked as Managing Director of Puck Creative Group for over ten years. He implemented new technologies with innovative advertising campaigns for clients in Helsinki, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and more. Many projects included creative uses of mobile technology, gaming, and entertainment. A lawyer by training, he worked earlier in his career on a long-term project managed by the Financial Advisory Services division of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Denver.
 
Marsha Stone - Keynote Speaker, Author and Founder and CEO of Foundation Stone
Marsha Stone, JD, LCDC is the CEO and founder of Foundation Stone, a network of boutique, focused programs for individuals and their families struggling with mental health, substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders across the U.S. Their first featured treatment center, Amend Wellness, is led by a team of specialized medical experts that aim to identify the root causes of a mental health diagnosis through integrative and functional medicine. As someone who knows firsthand what overcoming addiction is like, Marsha integrates her own experiences into providing the most effective and quality rehabilitative programming to those struggling with various disorders. Previously, Marsha served as the Founder of BRC Healthcare, a diverse and specialized treatment provider offering a full continuum of care that includes medical detox, trauma and dual diagnosis, young adult, and gender-specific, chronic relapse treatment. Under her executive leadership, Marsha expanded their operations and strategic direction for over a decade. Since 2011, Marsha has served as one of the few female CEOs in the recovery industry. She is an expert on addiction recovery, intervention, family therapy, behavioral health, wellness, and ethics in treatment center management. Marsha has successfully led several non-profit organizations and considers herself to be a serial entrepreneur in the business of helping people. She is a highly recognized recovery speaker and respected leader in the addiction recovery field and regularly speaks at top industry conferences around the world. Marsha believes the coordinated efforts between the medical, legal and social-work communities are vital in addressing addictions. Marsha is the co-author of Rewired Workbook: A Manual for Addiction Recovery (Hatherleigh Press, 2017) with Erica Spiegelman, which offers practical applications and everyday guidance for breakthrough addiction recovery methods and new healing strategies ideally suited for those trying to achieve true and lasting sobriety. She and Spiegelman also co-hosted the podcast “Rewiring Your Life” which provided tips, tools, and conversations on overall wellness, inspiration and support. Marsha frequently appears on various media outlets including A&E Intervention, Dr. Phil, and The Doctors. She holds a J.D. with the distinction of academic excellence from North Carolina Central University School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts in English from Elizabeth City State University, and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Texas. She is married to a veterinarian, and together they have 5 children.

May 30, 3023 - Green Coffee Company Cole Shephard and Unemployable Alysia Silberg

Cole Shephard - Founding Partner of the Legacy Group - Building an International Trading Company
If you really want to get somewhere, it's not how many books youread or how many certifications you get, it is experienced based. MBA's are the last thing I look for.
Cole Shephard is the founding partner of the alternative investment firm, Legacy Group, and the founder and a board member at the Green Coffee Company, Colombia's largest coffee producer. Cole currently serves as a Partner of Legacy Group, an alternative asset manager that targets profitable investment opportunities with high social and environmental impact in the U.S. to LATAM. Legacy Group’s mission is to bridge the gap between financial capital and promising investment opportunities with a hope to build a new community of investors, market-leading companies and workers that will leave behind a legacy for generations to come. Since inception in 2015, Legacy Group has successfully placed capital and provided advisory services to companies operating within the following industries: real estate & hospitality, agriculture, arts & technology, and education. Prior to forming Legacy Group in early 2015, Cole spent the previous eight years working for a global professional services firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers) specializing in accounting, advisory and consulting solutions. During Cole’s tenure with the firm, he was stationed in the United States, Bermuda, Hong Kong SAR and Beijing, China. While working in the United States and Bermuda, Cole primarily focused on accounting and advisory services to clients in industries spanning oil extraction and distribution, healthcare, banking, private equity, hedge funds, offshore trusts, and biotechnology. For nearly four years, Cole was located in Asia providing advisory and consulting services to clients participating in global mergers and acquisition activities. Here, Cole concentrated on the financial services and real estate sectors and spent the majority of his time advising on cross-border deals in the areas of business strategy review, business valuation, buyer and seller due diligence, tax structuring and business carve-out analysis. Cole’s deal experience has included transactions around the globe with deal sizes into the billions of USD. Cole graduated Valedictorian from North Carolina State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, to which he earned his master’s in accounting from the same university the following year. Cole became a licensed United States Certified Public Accountant in 2008.
 
Alysia Silberg - General Partner in Street Global Venture Capital and Author of UNEMPLOYABLE: How I Hired Myself
For the cover of my book, AI Interpreted the story better than any human could.  
Alysia Silberg was born to blaze trails. As the daughter of a Hollywood makeup artist who worked with screen legends like Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Marlon Brando, she grew up with a dream of making her own mark in a world far away. A math and science prodigy, she nurtured her entrepreneurial instincts while still in grade school, starting her first business, an import-export agency, at age 11. Today, Alysia is a leading venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, where she mentors tech startups and helps them go public. She is CEO & General Partner of the investment firm Street Global. ​As a thought-and-knowledge leader, Alysia earned acclaim for her groundbreaking online radio show, Global Fireside Chats, bringing together global industry titans to share insights on our fast-changing world. She is a UN Women Empower Women Global Champion, and an international board director with sovereign wealth fund experience. "Unemployable, How I Hired Myself" detailing her life story and guide to financial freedom, is Alysia's first book.

May 26, 2023 – Our Thesis Tested Antonella Pisani and a Career in Fiction Stona Fitch

Antonella Pisani – Founder and CEO of Dallas-based Eyeful Media
One of the things that is most fun about starting a business is centeringit around your values and what is important to you.
Antonella Pisani is the founder and CEO of Dallas-based Eyeful Media, a digital marketing and consulting firm focused on performance marketing and digital strategy for mid-market companies. Eyeful Media is an intellectually stimulating environment that allows for team members a balanced life and social responsibility. Founded in 2017, the company has experienced exponential growth fueled exclusively through word-of-mouth referrals. As a result, Eyeful Media has ranked in the top 11% on the Inc. 5000 list for the past two years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America, scaled at a 1178% growth rate. They also ranked #17 in Dallas, #37 in Texas, and #38 in all Advertising & Marketing companies. Antonella brings more than 24 years of digital experience with a focus on ecommerce leadership and digital marketing. Prior to starting Eyeful, she held VP and SVP roles at companies including Proflowers, Guitar Center, JCPenney, and Fossil. Antonella is an avid traveler and photographer, with a particular passion for visiting places off the beaten path including Antarctica, Easter Island, Bhutan and the Arctic. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and knows enough French & Italian to get by with locals. Antonella is based in Dallas, TX and is a member of The North Texas Food Bank Advisory Council, and a member of the Dwell with Dignity Board of Directors. She is also the founder of Provision Promise.Stona Fitch – Founder of Concord Free Press and the Author of Death Watch
Downsize your delusions! This holds true for any writer or entrepreneur. Have reasonable expectations. Is this software that you are developing a niche product? Is your book going to do OK or do you expect a colossal hit and you are fooling yourself!
Stona Fitch – Founder of Concord Free Press and the Author of Death Watch. Also, he is the author of seven novels, including Give + Take and Senseless, which have been praised by critics and readers, published widely throughout the world, and produced as feature films. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1961, Stona Fitch grew up in the midwest and south. While an undergraduate at Princeton, he received the Creative Writing Program’s Lannan Award for Fiction. He also served as chairman of The Daily Princetonian, and wrote for The Anchorage Daily News. After graduation, Stona reported briefly for The Miami Herald before moving to Boston and joining its burgeoning underground music scene. In 1984, he joined the seminal Boston-based pop group Scruffy The Cat, playing electric banjo, mandolin, accordion, and organ—as well as writing songs. He recorded two albums—High-Octane Revival (a NY Times top release of 1986) and the highly regarded (and rare) Tiny Days—before leaving the band in 1987. During this time, he worked as a dishwasher and cook at the Hoodoo Barbeque, a notorious punk-rock hangout/crime scene in Kenmore Square. Sony Music has reissued all of Scruffy the Cat’s music, while Omnivore Records has released The Good Goodbye: Unreleased Recordings 1984-1990. On July 25, 2015, Scruffy the Cat played the last set ever at T.T. the Bear’s, the legendary Cambridge, Mass nightclub.