School for Startups Radio

October 21, 2024 – Most Influential CEO in the Country Jim Mazany and Portal CFO Consulting Manny Skevofilax

Jim Mazany – CEO of Rosa Mexicano, and Operating Partner at Trispan Private Equity Group and President & CEO of Strategic Restaurant Solutions
Jim Mazany is a seasoned restaurant CEO and influential executive in the hospitality industry with over 30 years’ experience in both public and private sectors. Throughout his career has held leadership positions at several highly esteemed restaurant companies, including TGIFridays, Joe’s Crab Shack, and SPB Hospitality. Jim is an award-winning executive in the casual, fast casual and quick service dining earning him the prestigious honor of the 2021 & 2022 Nation’s Restaurant News “Most Influential CEO’s in the Country.” Currently, Jim is an Operating Partner at Trispan private equity group and serves as CEO and Board Member for Yard Bird, Rosa Mexicano and Shell Shack. Prior to Trispan, Jim served as CEO of SPB Hospitality, Jim led the successful acquisition of J. Alexanders (JAX) for $250M, setting the standard for M&A targets in 2022. Under his leadership, the organization significantly improved its performance and now operates over 300 restaurants, as well as 500 national virtual and ghost restaurant concepts, generating over $1B in revenue annually. Prior to SPB Hospitality, Jim successfully worked as Chief Operating Officer for TGI Fridays strengthening the operations platform and successfully integrating over 125 franchise units back into the corporate system. In 2020 under his leadership and during the global pandemic, Fridays emerged as an industry leader in menu optimization, systematic operations, and innovative organizational collaboration. As President and Chief Operating Officer of Joe’s Crab Shack, Jim established himself as a revolutionary force in the industry growing average unit volumes by 50% from $2.3M to $3.3M during the recession in 2008. During his tenure, the organization transformed into a powerhouse of the restaurant industry leading to explosive unit growth and an IPO in 2012 trading under the NASDAQ clicker (IRG). Jim and the Joe’s Crab Shack organization received several critically acclaimed accolades including the “Technomic Consumer Choice Award” in 2014 and the “Golden Chain Operator of the Year” in 2013. His visionary perspective and track record of driving organizational transformation has earned him opportunities to work with top industry professionals as well as led to partnerships with nationally respected organizations including NCR technology, UKG workforce management, Ecolab solutions, Sysco, PFG, and Coca Cola. He has also worked with industry pioneers such as OLO online ordering, Toast software, Crunchtime back office, Daily Pay, Wisely and more. Jim attended the Culinary Institute of America and the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. He is the founder of Strategic Restaurant Solutions, a consulting firm where he creates strategic partnerships to increase enterprise value, stabilize performance, advise, and offers insights on the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. Jim is an inspirational leader who empowers others to make their mark on the industry. He accredits his successful career to his unwavering dedication to diversity of thought, embracing exceptional people and holding steadfast to his personal and organizational core values. Throughout his career, he has advocated and raised over $10 million for various charitable causes and believes this to be his greatest achievement.Manny Skevofilax – Principal at PORTAL CFO Consulting
Manny Skevofilax is a consultant, speaker, and author that helps business owners maximize profits and overcome growth challenges. An expert in strategic planning, financial statement analysis, business operations, and organizational development, he’s been achieving extraordinary outcomes for his clients since 2003.A Baltimore, Maryland native, Manny earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Master of Science in Finance from the Merrick School of Business at The University of Baltimore. Prior to starting his career as a consultant, Manny’s background includes formal bank credit training and service as a Vice President with Comerica Bank, a U.S.-based commercial lending institution. He has corporate lending experience in the U.S. and continental European markets, with specialties in commercial business finance, real estate finance, and large corporate syndicated lending for mergers and acquisitions. Manny grew up in the restaurant business and made a career change to corporate banking at age 29. When he’s not helping business owners, Manny can be found exploring the ancient ruins on the island of Karpathos where his parents were born.

October 18, 2024 – Character Assessment Sean Vassilaros and Taxes on Tips Andrew Wilford

Sean Vassilaros – CEO of KANNY – Character Assessment for Hiring – Jim’s Favorite
Sean Vassilaros is an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist dedicated to leveraging technology for positive societal impact. At the core of his work is a commitment to character and family, where integrity plays a central role in every pursuit. As the CEO of KANNY, he is leading the charge in transforming hiring practices through peer-driven character assessment. KANNY utilizes advanced technology to gather and verify feedback from previous and current colleagues, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s character while respecting the privacy of both parties. This approach fills a critical gap in talent acquisition, providing both job-seekers and recruiters with a vital tool to build high-achieving teams grounded in integrity and trust because a person’s character plays such a pivotal role in business today. Sean’s entrepreneurial journey began at 21 when he co-founded his first company during the dotcom era. Two years later, he sold the company and joined a prestigious Los Angeles agency to hone his skills in the travel, entertainment, and healthcare industries. His career continued with notable IT and communications consulting roles before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Ignite Health (now part of Syneos Health). In 2012, Sean co-founded THREAD, a company focused on decentralized clinical trials. Under his leadership, THREAD revolutionized healthcare research, collaborating with brands like Apple, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as academic institutions such as Johns Hopkins and Duke University. Today, Sean remains an owner and board observer at THREAD, maintaining ties to its continued success. Sean also serves on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Science, a healthcare agency focused on health and science communication. As an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University, he mentors engineering students and leads international projects through the Creative Inquiry program. Philanthropy is central to Sean’s life. He founded the Hailey Mayz Foundation in honor of his daughter, providing therapy to thousands of special needs children for over a decade. He serves as Chairman of the Board, guiding its strategic vision. Sean also chairs the board of OUR Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad), the organization featured in the 2023 film The Sound of Freedom. He led the organization as interim CEO during a critical year, inspiring meaningful global change through his leadership.Andrew Wilford – Director of the Interstate Commerce Initiative and a Senior Policy Analyst at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation
Andrew Wilford is the Director of the Interstate Commerce Initiative and a Senior Policy Analyst at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, where he writes research reports and authors op-eds in various outlets. A columnist for RealClearMarkets and the Daily Caller, Andrew has also been published in Forbes, USA Today, and Investor’s Business Daily, The Bulwark and National Review, as well as numerous other outlets. Andrew has also written frequently for The Hill, the Washington Examiner, and the American Spectator. Wilford graduated from American University with a B.A. in Political Science. The National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) provides crucial, impactful research and analysis showing Americans how taxes, government spending, and regulations affect them. With our unique combination of policy expertise, outreach know-how, and true non-partisanship, we strive to be the number one federal and state source for sound fiscal policymaking.

October 16, 2024 – Y-Brush Benjamin Cohen, Junior Achievement Ed Grocholski and Elise Awwad

Benjamin Cohen – Co-founder and CEO of Y-Brush
Benjamin Cohen is co-founder and CEO of Y-Brush, a French start-up with a “whole mouth” sonic toothbrush that is disrupting the oral care category. Y-Brush was created to simplify the act of brushing your teeth while also making it more efficient: instead of brushing your teeth one by one, why not brush them all at once? Benjamin drew on his expertise in entrepreneurship and medical devices to launch Y-Brush. He quickly teamed up with a doctorate of science – Christophe CADOT, co-founder and CTO – for the technical development of the product. Supported financially from the outset by various players such as bpiFrance and its French Tech grant, the initial project was aimed at caregivers in medical-social establishments (assisted living, hospitals, etc.), enabling them to brush the teeth of elderly and disabled patients. Shortly thereafter the team launched their direct to consumer product, which sold very quickly in more than 70 countries. Today Y-Brush has more than 100K+ happy users, a full product suite, and they’ve just launched a major expansion into the US, while strengthening the position across Europe.Ed Grocholski – Chief Marketing Officer of Junior Achievement USA
Ed rejoined Junior Achievement USA’s National Office in September 2012 after spending more than a decade in Washington, D.C., in a variety of strategic communications and marketing roles. Most recently, Ed was a partner in the Lindberg Group LLC in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for business development, management and strategic communications planning and implementation for the firm’s clients. In this role he developed social media and media relations strategies for the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Program and developed digital assets for the Council on Foundations’ Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. He developed and implemented marketing and public relations programs for a variety of organizations including the National Association of Workforce Boards, the U.S. Department of Labor, Columbia University, and the National Academy Foundation. As vice president of Public Education for Ogilvy Public Relations, he developed several marketing and public relations programs for nationwide initiatives including National Job Shadow Day and the U.S. Department of Education NAEP Nation’s Report Card. At Ogilvy he managed a group responsible for $2 million in annual billings. Early in his career, Ed served as Junior Achievement’s director of Public Relations and Development. He has remained an active supporter of JA and worked to develop JA’s media strategy.Elise Awwad – President and CEO of DeVry University
Elise Awwad is president and CEO of DeVry University and considered one of the most innovative leaders in higher education. Known for breaking down barriers and leading cultural transformations, Awwad is passionate about the role education plays in supporting the career advancement of all learner populations. At DeVry, Awwad is committed to fulfilling the University’s Mission, vision and values with internal and external stakeholders, as well as supporting and enhancing the institution’s academic mission and overall operations. As president and CEO, Awwad drives DeVry’s innovation, academic integrity, and student success by helping DeVry’s current and future students realize their career ambitions through in-demand degree programs; enabling employers to bring their strategies to life through partnerships that meet their needs for in-demand skills; and helping society meet the urgent need to reskill the workforce that is being reshaped by technology and automation. Building upon the existing strengths of the University, Awwad advances DeVry as a high-quality institution providing career-oriented education, with unique, inclusive and innovative degrees and non-degree programs that integrate technology, business, science and the arts. Previously, Awwad was DeVry’s Chief Operating Officer and redefined student support with a focus on academic success that extends to intensive career preparedness, lifelong professional development, and integration of the student’s whole person.  She has re-envisioned how technology and process excellence can support and extend the work of top-flight faculty and advisors, earning wide recognition from industry observers.  Through her leadership, DeVry has consistently improved key measures of student success while reducing the real-dollar cost of education through multi-year tuition freeze and substantial investments in grants and scholarships. Since joining DeVry as an admissions advisor in 2004, Awwad’s leadership has spanned multiple departments, experiencing first-hand what students need, enabling her to become DeVry’s first female President and CEO in 2023. Inspired by the students’ stories, she has committed her career to developing personalized journeys that ensure their education leads to graduation and success beyond. Her belief that diversity and inclusiveness is an essential part of productivity, creativity, and innovation drove her desire to support and build a diverse network of women scholars. In 2019, Awwad founded DeVry’s first women’s affinity and business resource group, EDGE (Empowerment, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence), which promotes the enhanced career experience and advancement of women in leadership roles within the University and broader community. EDGE was recognized in 2023 as a Top 25 ERG in the Diversity Impact Awards. In 2021, Awwad sponsored the establishment of DeVry’s Women+Tech Scholars program, helping to close the opportunity gap for women in this field and equipping them with the skills and networking connections needed to pursue careers in technology related fields. Awwad is a founding member of Chief, a private network designed specifically for women in leadership roles from rising level VPs to CEOs. Chief has a network of 5,000+ of the most influential senior leaders in the U.S. representing over 2,500 companies working to cross-pollinate power across industries and effect change from the top-down. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum, an invitation-only global membership organization of more than 7,500 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. The International Women’s Forum is committed to advancing women’s leadership and championing equity and equality across careers, cultures and continents. Awwad is also a board member and student journey chair for Zollege, a family of schools in healthcare fields, is on the GetSet Learning Board of Advisors and is a member of League of Women Voters. Awwad has a bachelor’s degree in business, concentrating on small business management and entrepreneurship from Southern Illinois University. She also earned an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a certificate in public policy from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

October 14, 2024 – StoryWork Lauren Shippy and TrioSEO Steven Schneider

Steven Schneider – Co-founder and CEO at TrioSEO
Steven Schneider is co-founder and CEO at TrioSEO – a blog writing agency that helps online businesses scale organic traffic and use their blog to generate qualified leads through BOFU (bottom of the funnel) content. Before TrioSEO, he co-owned a portfolio of 40 blogs, managed 400 articles monthly, and scaled to 7 figures in annual revenue with his two partners. Today, TrioSEO creates content strategies that speak directly to their client’s ideal customers and targets topics that convert browsers into buyers.Lauren Shippy – Founder at StoryWork, Co-Founder of Go Marketing Engine and Author of Seen Known + Heard: And How it Changes Everything9
Lauren Shippy is an entrepreneur with a background in operations, marketing and strategy, driving results and mapping out a path forward for many organizations. She has worked for multiple start ups over the years, assuming the role of COO early in her career. Lauren co-founded a family investment office out of Philadelphia, DeSimone Group Investments in 2012, which allowed her to be a part of building, evaluating and consulting with startups across multiple sectors. Lauren now practices doing what she loves every day – providing strategy to companies of all sizes through StoryWork, her own consulting agency, founded in 2016. She’s the co-founder of The Marketing Engine, which she leads with Jean Boen Roberts and Rachel Addington. Additionally, Lauren loves to share her thought leadership through The Strategy Game Podcast, and most recently authored her first book, Seen, Known + Heard (coming soon). Lauren truly has a passion for identifying the underlying dynamics of people, products and experiences, and leveraging value chains to create new markets for companies. To her, StoryWork is more than just a provider of marketing, leadership and strategy services, it’s a platform of curated experts that can advise businesses and nonprofits to drive impact. In her local community, Lauren was a part of the Palm Beach Women’s Network leadership team for 5+ years, helping women ignite, inspire and impact lives across Palm Beach County. She lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with her husband and 2 girls.

October 11, 2024 – Light Years Ahead Megan Bennett and Purpose Dr. Alise Cortez

Megan Bennett – CEO of Light Years Ahead
Megan Bennett has been on the Light Year Ahead team for over 20 years. She started working at LYA just a year after college and fell so in love with public relations that she stayed on and helped build the company into what it is today. Her expertise focuses on managing clients, engaging with top national media daily, and securing meaningful media placements. She has spearheaded and implemented countless successful PR campaigns for numerous brands. She is proud of the positive, lasting relationships she cultivates with the media on an ongoing basis. ​ Megan’s forté lies in her outgoing and engaging personality, which has solidified extremely strong relationships with top consumer print, online, and broadcast media contacts. She understands what the media wants and what tactics work to obtain the most high-profile placements. When it comes to placing a story or segment for a client, she is relentless with the media, and she doesn’t stop until she makes it happen.Dr. Alise Cortez – Founder of Gusto Now! and Host of Working on Purpose Podcast
Dr. Alise Cortez is the Chief Ignition Officer at Gusto, Now!, a human and organizational transformation consultancy specializing in the activation of meaning and purpose to increase engagement, performance, innovation, retention, and thus profitability. She is an organizational psychologist and logotherapist, inspirational speaker, researcher, author, and host of the Working on Purpose podcast. Having developed her expertise within the human capital / organizational excellence industry over the last 25 years, she is focused on helping companies, leaders, and individuals across the globe to live with “gusto” and make the most of their one, precious life. Today, Dr. Cortez is focused on enabling organizations to lead from purpose and create cultures that inspire impassioned performance, meaningful engagement and fulfillment, while encouraging a devoted stay within the organization.

October 10, 2024 – Strauss Naturals Wayne Elliott and Jennifer Nuckles

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.
Jennifer Nuckles – CEO of R-Zero
Jennifer Nuckles is the CEO and Chairperson of the Board of R-Zero. She is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience leading and accelerating revenue growth and profitability for companies including high-growth, venture-backed and public companies. Prior to R-Zero, Jennifer was the Executive Vice President and Group Business Leader at SoFi where she ran one third of the business, including SoFi’s growth businesses and business development. Jennifer was previously Chief Marketing Officer of health tech leader Doctor on Demand and social gaming giant Zynga. She spent almost a decade in leadership positions at The Clorox Company in marketing and sales. Jennifer holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and is a licensed CPA.

October 9, 2024 – DoD Software Entrepreneur Madina Shaik and Uncertainty Expert Dr. Rebecca Homkes

Madina Shaik – Founder of CompQSoft and Makaan Investment Group
Madina Shaik leverages thirty years of entrepreneurial experience and expertise to build success across industries. Rising from his humble beginnings as an immigrant who only had $20 in his pocket, he has become an advocate of financial empowerment. Makaan Investment Group was formed with the goal in mind to acquire value-add multifamily investment opportunities for maximize returns for investors. He has a reputation for being very strategic with business plans, execution, systems, banking relationships, and other industry connections. He enjoys apartment syndicating where they can help families grow their wealth and retain generational wealth. He invests in every deal they are putting together. His experience is in identifying, underwriting, acquiring, and executing business plan to maximize the returns on our multifamily assets. He is the General Partner of more than 4,000+ units and certified as a lead investor/syndicator.
Dr. Rebecca Homkes – High-Growth Strategy Specialist and Author of Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times
Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and CEO and executive advisor. She is a Lecturer at the London Business School, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Advisor and Core Faculty for BCGU (Boston Consulting Group), and a former fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance. A best-selling author, global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the Active Learning Program with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), leads several fintech accelerators, and serves on the Boards of many high-growth companies. She earned her doctorate at the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar and is now based in Miami, San Francisco, USA and London, UK.

October 7, 2024 – 911 Restoration Founder Miri Offir and Transportation Entrepreneur Jackie B Grice

Miri Offir – CEO of 911 Restoration and Service Industry SEO Expert
Miri Offir is the chief executive officer of 911 Restoration. Under her leadership, 911 Restoration has transformed from a single location, water-damage-and-repair company to a nationwide franchise that works to provide customers with a rapid, empathetic response and clear communication in times of need. Miri’s gift for communication has allowed her to build lasting business relationships and thrive in her role as CEO at 911 Restoration. Thanks to Miri’s efforts, 911 Restoration is now synonymous with the “Fresh Start Company” a place that property owners can contact when they need peace of mind after a property disaster.Jackie B Grice – Owner and CEO at J Diamond Inc, ICF Certified Executive Coach and CPC Certified Professional Coach – Founder of Launching Deeper
Jackie B Grice is a Speaker, Bestselling Co-Author, CEO, Certified Purpose Coach, and Business Strategist Founder Jackie is a powerhouse speaker and trailblazer in soulful business strategy. As the visionary behind a multimillion-dollar company, her expert business acumen and faith-driven approach have empowered countless individuals to embrace their full potential. Growing up as the youngest of nine in an entrepreneurial family, Jackie mastered the art of starting and scaling businesses. She founded J Diamond Inc., dba Agape Travel and Tours, and later launched her coaching and consulting business, Launching Deeper Enterprises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie discovered a deep connection to her faith, leading her to inspire others to live a limitless life by discerning the voice of God. Her relatable approach ignites people’s ability to pursue their purpose and achieve success. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia, has extensive experience with government contracting, and is the founder of the non-profit Create Vision. She is also an expert on government contracts.

October 4, 2024 – Confetti Snacks Betty Lu and ChatGPT for President Dr. Pedro Domingos

Betty Lu – Founder and CEO of Confetti Snacks
Betty Lu is the founder and CEO of venture backed Confetti Snacks based in San Francisco, NYC and Singapore. Confetti crafts award-winning tasty gourmet snacks made from nutrient dense vegetables in exotic flavors inspired by world flavors that celebrate diversity. The scrumptious plant-based snacks are colorful, and made from real sliced veggies and fruit. The snacks are tasty, an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, gently upcycled from imperfect produce or crop surplus to alleviate food waste.Dr. Pedro Domingos – Author of The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World and 2040: A Silicon Valley Satire
Dr. Pedro Domingos is a professor emeritus of computer science and engineering at the University of Washington and the author of The Master Algorithm and 2040: A Silicon Valley Satire. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the SIGKDD Innovation Award and the IJCAI John McCarthy Award, which are among the highest honors in data science and AI. A Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), he has also been recognized with an NSF CAREER Award, a Sloan Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, an IBM Faculty Award, and several best paper awards. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from IST in Lisbon and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science from the University of California at Irvine. With over 200 technical publications in machine learning, data science, and related fields, Dr. Domingos has made significant contributions to the academic community. He serves on the editorial board of the Machine Learning journal and co-founded the International Machine Learning Society, along with playing key roles in organizing conferences like KDD, ICML, and AAAI. His research interests lie in advancing machine learning and data mining, focusing on how to enable computers to learn from experience, adapt without extensive human intervention, and extract valuable insights from vast amounts of data. He tackles deep scientific questions about autonomous learning, model selection, and understanding learned results, with an emphasis on making algorithms efficient and interpretable. Dr. Domingos has also pioneered several fields within AI and machine learning, such as statistical relational AI and adversarial learning. In addition to his academic work, he has written for The Wall Street Journal, Spectator, Scientific American, and Wired, aiming to make complex AI concepts accessible to a broader audience.

October 3, 2024 – Strauss Naturals Wayne Elliott and QUX Technology Keith Hanson

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.Keith Hanson – CEO of QUX Technology
Keith Hanson is a seasoned conservative radio host and also served as the co-director of training for Florida Carry, the sunshine state’s sole gun rights lobbying organization. He currently sits on the advisory board of the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition. He previously served as the Chairman of the Sullivan County, NH Republican Committee, and was a candidate for Republican Party Chairman of the New Hampshire GOP. With a 15-plus year law enforcement career in a variety of capacities, Keith Hanson now trains federal, state and local law enforcement officers, maintaining four federal law enforcement active shooter response instructor ratings along with instructor credentials in three tactical counterterrorism disciplines. He is a certified law enforcement firearms trainer with multiple instructor ratings in tactical pistol, tactical patrol rifle and tactical shotgun, basic SWAT operator, breaching techniques, SWAT medic and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). Keith is a certified Force Science Analyst, Force Science MOI (Method of Instruction) Curriculum Development Specialist, and a certified Forensic and Enhanced Cognitive Interviewing Specialist. Additionally, he is also a court-recognized expert witness focusing on law enforcement training, use-of-force, and criminal and civil liability surrounding use-of-force applications. Following an extensive career with multiple successful business ventures, Keith was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of QUX Technologies, Inc. in January of 2024.  QUX Technologies, Inc™ has designed a revolutionary new box which allows users to host everything from TV subscriptions, payment and digital wallet platforms, all media apps, and merchant store hosting, with absolute security not offered anywhere else. QUX maintains a “Know Your Customer” (KYC) standard designed to protect financial institutions against fraud, corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing. QUX Technologies, Inc™’s KYC policy involves several steps to 1) establish customer identity; 2) understand the nature of user’s activities and qualify that sources of funds are legitimate; and 3) assess money laundering risks associated with users.