School for Startups Radio

September 13, 2024 – Famous Brands Liquor Derek Sisson and Latin American Cloud & Growth Hacker Gerardo Sandoval

Derek Sisson – Founder and CEO of Famous Brands – Home of Merica Bourbon – Building a Liquor Business
Derek Sisson is a Native Texan, former Force Recon Marine, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Famous Brands, a renowned creator of exceptional high-quality spirits and beverages embody American values of freedom, unity, and independence. In 2008, Derek began his career in the wine and spirits industry as a wine importer. With his marked success, he created a distribution company which led to the founding of Texas Top Shelf, a trusted partner for alcohol beverage product manufacturing, where he served as CEO. Based on key learnings in that position, Derek created Famous Brands in 2017, kicking off the company by developing the ever-popular Merica Bourbon. Through Derek’s business acumen, Merica Bourbon is now available in 45 states and carried by most leading chains. This year, Derek has expanded the Famous Brands legacy through the launch of Merica Beer, crafted from high-quality ingredients and known for its crisp, refreshing taste, available to beer enthusiasts at a cost-friendly price point. Built on his experience within the special operations community as a member of 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, USMC, and his life as an entrepreneur, Derek has proven he has the leadership skills and drive to catapult Famous Brands to heightened levels of success.Gerardo Sandoval – Founder of Facilcloud – Latin American Cloud
Gerardo Sandoval is a serial entrepreneur, Cloud Architect, and Data Scientist who has founded several successful startups with clients in over 20 countries. His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when he created an inventory control system for his home warehouse before he was 14. Although he initially aspired to be a doctor, his passion for technology led him to study science and computing without having a computer at home. At age 16, he founded his first venture, Creative Computer Labs, where he taught computer science classes. Later, he established a hosting company with 35,000 clients and is recognized as one of the main Hispanic influencers in Growth Hacking. He founded Facilcloud, the first elastic cloud in Latin America, and currently helps companies grow using Growth Hacking, a methodology that combines critical thinking, data science, digital marketing, agile iterations, and custom software. He has built startups from zero and written books about Growth Hacking. As a veteran data scientist, he advises on growth and data science issues in SaaS companies, Marketing, online education (e-learning), Insurance, Clean Energy, and Home Improvement.

September 12, 2024 – Microplastics Entrepreneur Dr. Stephen Mayfield and Strauss Naturals Wayne Elliott

Dr. Stephen Mayfield – CEO of Algenesis Materials and Former Distinguished Professor of Molecular Biology at UCSD – CEO of Blue View Footwear
Dr. Stephen Mayfield is the founder and CEO of Algenesis Materials, a company on a mission to reduce plastic pollution on the planet.  Steve was previously a Distinguished Professor of Biology and the Director of the California Center for Algae Biotechnology, at the University of California, San Diego. His research career focuses on the molecular genetics of green algae, and on the production of bio-products using algae as a production platform, especially bio-polymers.  Steve received BS degrees in Biochemistry and Plant Biology from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from UC Berkeley.  Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Geneva Switzerland he returned to California as an assistant professor at the Scripps Research Institute where he remained for 22 years becoming the Dean of Biology before joining UC San Diego in 2009.  In addition to running his research group and university research centers, Steve also founded Rincon Pharmaceutical in 2005, Sapphire Energy in 2007, Triton Health and Nutrition in 2013, and Algenesis Materials in 2016.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.

September 11, 2024 – Shoppable Video Eitan Koter and MAGIC Marketing System Suzanne Sarsfield Scarano

Eitan Koter – Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi – Making Video Shoppable
Eitan Koter is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a shoppable video SaaS company enhancing e-commerce. He also hosts the “eCom Pulse” podcast. With two decades of experience in startups and public companies, including a NASDAQ IPO, he brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical expertise. By integrating multi-channel live shopping and shoppable video into any e-commerce platform, brands can connect with their customers wherever they shop. Founder and CEO with over two decades experience in media & entertainment, eCommerce and telecom industries in startups and public companies, including NASDAQ IPO. Expertise includes B2B SaaS and hardware companies, go-to-market strategies, global marketing & sales, product market fit, strategy development, and general management.Suzanne Sarsfield Scarano – Founder and CEO of Forethought Marketing
Suzanne Sarsfield Scarano’s journey is a testament to visionary entrepreneurship and innovative business practices. She founded Forethought Marketing in 2009 with a bold mission to redefine traditional marketing. Her approach has not only set new industry standards but also demonstrated how authenticity and strategic alignment can drive success. Suzanne’s Forethought MAGIC (Marketing Alignment Goal Implementing Collaboration) sessions have transformed how businesses align their C-Suite teams, fostering cohesive and effective leadership. Suzanne’s engaging storytelling and practical advice will captivate your listeners and provide them with tangible strategies to implement in their own businesses. Her passion for creating value and connection makes her an ideal guest for your podcast.

September 10, 2024 - 150 Healthy Years Blair LaCorte and Cow Hugger Ellie Laks

Blair LaCorte – Managing Director of LaCorte Ventures
Blair LaCorte is a seasoned business executive and transformational leader with a diverse career spanning multiple industries, including entertainment, aviation, artificial intelligence, technology development, aerospace & defense, and supply chain management. He was CEO of AEye, the eyes of self driving cars. His cross-industry experience allows him to share best practices and talent between sectors that rarely interact. Blair has held executive roles at various business stages, from startups to growth phases, and from restructuring to liquidity events, including sales, mergers, and IPOs. He excels at engaging teams at different points in their journey, earning their trust and respect to drive businesses to their next stage. His leadership and change management skills help teams focus their strategy, enhance motivation and purpose, and achieve operational alignment. With an entrepreneurial mindset and disciplined approach, Blair has led companies to significant growth and investor returns. He has also been an active investor and advisor to over a hundred companies and nonprofit organizations. His commitment to mentorship, coaching, and team building is evident in his extensive operating, board, publishing, and teaching engagements. Additionally, he serves as a national board member for several positive coaching organizations, demonstrating his dedication to value-based team development. Blair earned his MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, where he received the Leibowitz Award for outstanding contributions to his class. He also completed executive coursework in Human Capital and Organizational Behavior at Stanford University.Ellie Laks – Animal Communicator and Author of My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope
Ellie Laks is the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and rehabilitates unwanted animals and heals people with the same stories of abuse and neglect. She is an animal communicator, powerful speaker, celebrated animal welfare advocate, humane educator, and the author of “My Gentle Barn: Creating a sanctuary where animals heal and children learn to hope,” and “Cow Hug Therapy: How the animals at The Gentle Barn taught me about life, death, and everything in between.” Ellie founded The Gentle Barn in 1999. She invented her own “Gentle Healing” method that allows old, sick, injured, and terrified animals to recover fully using a mixture of Western medicine, holistic healing modalities, holding therapy, and lots of love. Ellie is the creator of cow hug therapy and has hosted hundreds of thousands of people who have come to The Gentle Barn seeking hope. Ellie has appeared on some of the most influential media outlets including The Ellen Show, People Magazine, Life Magazine, Animal Planet, The Huffington Post, Turning Point, Women’s World, The New York Times, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and many more. Ellie is a TEDx speaker and keynote speaker who motivates her audiences toward higher awareness, profound compassion, realizing dreams, and an enhanced sense of purpose. To date, Ellie has saved thousands of animals and hosted over 1,000,000 guests. The Gentle Barn is currently home to approximately 200 animals. The Gentle Barn has three locations in Los Angeles CA, Nashville, TN, and St Louis, MO. It is her goal to be the voice for animals, share their stories, and open the hearts of humanity toward all living beings, “Teaching people kindness and compassion to animals, each other, and our planet.”

September 9, 2024 – Jenius Digital Banking President John Rosenfeld and Prairie Women Dorothy Beasley

John Rosenfeld – President of Jenius Bank
John Rosenfeld is bank President. He used to jump out of airplanes as a Green Beret. John Rosenfeld currently serves as President of Jenius Bank, a division of SMBC MANUBANK, member of SMBC Group. He joined the firm in February 2021 to further develop the U.S. retail banking business with a completely new consumer digital bank offering. John assembled a team of 300+ digital and consumer banking experts, aligned key technology and operations partnerships, and established ongoing agile development processes.  Jenius Bank launched in June 2023 with unsecured personal loans and expanded with savings accounts in November 2023.  The team expects to launch several other products and services over the next 2-3 years, including a mobile app, checking, credit card, and other loan types. John’s vision is to humanize digital banking and lead a monumental shift in the industry. He has more than 25 years of executive experience in financial services, including several leadership positions in digital banking, product innovation and management, retail sales, service, and operations.Dorothy “Louise” Beasley – Dreambuilder Coach & Author of the Voices From The Prairies: The Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Ranch Women
Dorothy is born and bred as a livestock rancher’s daughter, then cattle rancher’s wife, mother of 4 children who were born and raised on a ranch. She learned to cook when she got married, as before that she was her dad’s helper with the farm machinery, cattle and sheep. She has been married to the same man for 48 years, and now has 10 amazing grandchildren, along with all her children and their partners helping on the ranches too. She learned to cook when she got married and has cooked for many ranch crews throughout the 48 years on the ranches. The purpose of writing this book about ranch women is to give those women a voice, as up until recently women have been active participants on the livestock ranches, but not always been classed as valuable, worthy, good enough to be partners on the ranch with their husbands. They were told in the past that speaking about themselves in a positive light would be called “bragging about themselves” and they were only “ordinary women”, the same as everyone else. These co-authors demonstrate the extraordinary values and determination to make a go of the ranches they live and work on, become spokeswomen advocates for the land, the rural communities, the families and for the continuity of livestock ranching as a healthy and worthwhile lifestyle. Women deserve to be seen and heard, listened to and valued as equal partners on these livestock ranches.

September 6, 2024 – Cooking Robot Raghav Gupta and Presidential Money Megan Gorman

Raghav Gupta – CEO & Co-founder of Nymble
Raghav Gupta is on a mission to transform how the world eats healthy with Nymble, a consumer robotics startup which builds cooking robots for home. Leading a 50+ strong team across two continents, his startup is venture-backed by top-tier VCs like Accel, Waterbridge Ventures and Xeed – and has raised $10M+ to revolutionize the kitchen. As a Rajeev Circle Fellow and electrical engineer, he is driven by a passion for social impact, honed through volunteering with organizations like IEEE and Jagriti Yatra. His journey, from electrifying Indian villages through wind energy to creating cutting-edge culinary robots, showcases a relentless commitment to innovation and positive change.Megan Gorman – Wealth Historian and Managing Partner of Chequers Financial Management
Megan is the founding partner of Chequers Financial Management, a fee-only planning firm specializing in high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families in San Francisco, California. Chequers focuses on establishing long-term relationships with families and helps them navigate through tax, estate, liquidity, and investment planning. Megan heads the firm’s family office services practice. A history buff with a head for numbers and a knack for storytelling, Megan Gorman is on a mission to help every American build a more perfect union with their money. Megan is a senior contributor to Forbes on personal finance and tax. She is also regularly quoted in the press as a tax and financial planning expert, including in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and CNBC. She blogs at www.thewealthintersection.com, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and is a regular weekly commentator on The Money Tree Podcast.

September 5, 2024 – Cocktail Napkin Clarity Theresa Rose and Strauss Naturals Wayne Elliott

Theresa Rose – Certified Speaking Professional and Brand and Business Crystallizer
Theresa Rose, CSP is a Brand and Business Crystallizer, Strategic Co-Creator, and 2x TEDx Speaker who works with experts and their businesses to create one-of-a-kind visual brands they can draw on a cocktail napkin. Using her Crystallization Process, Theresa helps thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives readying for transition to Clarify, Amplify, and Monetize their Brilliance. Theresa’s thought leadership in clarity and visual branding can be seen in her most recent TEDxTalk, “Doodle Your Dream: How a Cocktail Napkin Will Save the World”, which she delivered at TEDxTemecula in 2023. Combining relevant marketing and sales insights with delightful humor and audience interactivity are Theresa’s hallmark differentiators. She brings a level of nerdy enthusiasm to every stage, sharing a passionate message of cocktail napkin clarity for anyone wanting to get to YES with their ideas. Originally from Minnesota and now in Southern California, Theresa has served as Past President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association and is currently serving as Strategic Consultant to the Board at the national level.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.

September 4, 2024 - Data Analytics Charlotte Chaze and Startup Different David Sinkinson

Charlotte Chaze – Founder of Break into Tech
Break Into Tech was founded by Charlotte Chaze when she was working as a Senior Manager in Analytics at AT&T. Before her successful career in analytics began, Charlotte was an academic researcher in a basement lab with no windows. Sick of her stressful job with long hours and low pay, she taught herself data analytics online in an attempt to find a better career option. Needless to say, it worked. Charlotte’s first Data Analyst job took her from her $28k salary as an academic researcher to a $70k salary as an Associate Analyst. After accomplishing what she had thought wasn’t possible, she decided to go for even more. Less than 4 years after teaching herself data analytics online, Charlotte was making a $158k base salary as a Senior Manager in Analytics at AT&T. Charlotte has always had a passion for helping others, so she created a TikTok account to tell the world about this lucrative job option and how anyone can do what she did. The response was massive, and she couldn’t keep up with all the questions and comments. That’s when she created our Free Data Analytics Course. It’s a list of all the free resources Charlotte recommends, plus her suggested order to work through them so it’s as easy as possible, and her free resume template, salary guide, and LinkedIn tips. But that wasn’t enough – everyone wanted Charlotte herself to teach them data analytics. Charlotte used all her vacation time for the entire year to create her Data Analytics Certificate Course. Once it became clear that it worked, she then quit her Senior Manager position to focus on Break Into Tech. Now Break Into Tech has helped hundreds of people from all walks of life get their first data analytics jobs. People like teachers, stay at home moms, customer service reps, retail workers, waiters/servers, bank tellers, warehouse workers, a truck driver, a police officer, virtual assistants, healthcare workers, and so on.David Sinkinson – Co-Host at Startup Different
David Sinkinson and brother Chris Sinkinson are proven SaaS entrepreneurs. Their bootstrapped startup, AppArmor, helped keep people safer with innovative mobile apps and emergency notification solutions for individuals across the globe. In February of 2022, their company was acquired by US competitor Rave Mobile Safety for tens of millions of dollars. Later in 2022, Rave and AppArmor were acquired for over $550 Million by Motorola Solutions. Now Dave and Chris have launched Startup Different – a book and podcast to help show you that there’s another, better way to build your business. Startup Different debunks startup myths, tackles some of the toughest challenges and gives you the tools to build your business. These down-to-earth founders prove making a successful startup has little to do with unicorns or ten-baggers and instead focuses on a proven, different method for startup success.

September 3, 2024 – Environmental Entrepreneur Ali Horriyat and Raising an Entrepreneur Margot Machol Bisnow

Ali Horriyat – Environmental Entrepreneur and Founder of Compassivate
Ali Horriyat is the Founder of Compassivate, left the lucrative, profit-driven world of finance in 2016 to devote himself to his vision of a society where compassion, empathy, and social impact are at the heart of our actions. In 2020, he launched Compassiviste to spread this vision and he develops and invents ways we can sustainably produce and consume, in order to make sustainable living a comfort and not a burden. Compassiviste believes that all change begins with creative expression so there is no better way than to amplify the voice of a new appeal and generation than to have dialogues with those inspiring social harmony. Compassiviste aims to expand its tribe and membership to be able to support more charitable causes and interact with our communities to influence global compassion and social harmony. The goal is to secure an activated following willing to engage and donate consistently to effectively promote necessary shifts. Born in Dubai, Ali attended schools in the UAE, France and Switzerland before pursuing his higher education in Canada. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics, political science, philosophy, business, international relations and conflict resolution, and religion. Ali is the author of 13 books, including collections of essays and poetry, with themes ranging from racism and capitalism to spirituality, love and compassion. He believes that humans must “love always, and always love.”Margot Machol Bisnow – Former FTC Commissioner and Author of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams – 99 Stories from Families Who Did
Margot Machol Bisnow spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and staff director of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. For the last 10 years, she has spoken to parent groups about raising creative, confident, resilient children who achieve their dreams. She served as an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program in New York City that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of the MUSE School in Malibu, that prepares young people to live consciously through passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey in Washington DC, that mentors low-income high school students to achieve college and career success.

August 30, 2024 - Pace Setting Media Wendy Pace and Answer Is the Question Dominic Ashley-Timms

Wendy Pace – Co-Founder of Pace Setting Strategies
Wendy Pace is the driving force behind Pace Setting Media, a trailblazer in the world of social media management and content marketing. With a solid background in corporate marketing, Wendy transitioned seamlessly into entrepreneurship when the need to stay home with her children arose. Over the past eight years, she has cultivated an in-depth understanding of messaging and its dissemination, earning a degree in communications along the way. Wendy’s approach is strategic and results driven. Leveraging her expertise, she shifted from content writing to becoming a key player in social media management (SMM). Recognizing the power of SEO and keyword-driven content, she makes sure her clients use her as the go-to for answers for what people are searching for online. At the core of Pace Setting Media’s services is a comprehensive suite, ranging from content writing and blogs to direct mail marketing and email blasts. SMM stands as the bread and butter, while Wendy also dabbles in website design. Notably, her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Black Enterprise Magazine, emphasizing financial independence and planning. Pace Setting Media doesn’t just provide services—it takes the responsibility of marketing off business owners’ shoulders, allowing them to focus on growing their enterprises. Wendy believes in thinking outside the box, understanding algorithms, and catering to a diverse audience. Wendy is well-versed in AI, algorithms, and digital marketing, with a particular focus on platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. She strongly advocates for businesses to explore TikTok, shedding light on the importance of AI in crafting social media marketing strategies. In an era of diminishing attention spans, Wendy emphasizes the significance of live videos and dynamic content.
Dominic Ashley-Timms – Founder of Notion – STAR® Manager and Author of The Answer is a Question: The Missing Superpower that Changes Everything and Will Transform Your Impact as a Manager and Leader
Dominic Ashley-Timms created the STARmanager.global system and is the CEO of Notion, a performance specialist that works with leading organisations to unleash the potential of everyone. During a career in change management, Dominic discovered that the more questions people were asked, the greater their contribution to making the change happen. 20 years later and backed by significant government research conducted by the London School of Economics, Operational Coaching® is the hot new approach to management being adopted by managers and leaders in over 40 countries. Organisations using the approach to build real coaching cultures are generating sustainable returns on investment, often running into many millions of dollars as managers learn to enable the talents of multi-generational workers in the flow of work whilst also decompressing and winning valuable time back. Dominic recently co-authored the new management bestseller The Answer is a Question, which won Distinguished Favorite at this year’s NYC Big Book Awards.