Here are the highlights:

• Listening Is the Ultimate Differentiator: The best interviewers stand out not by asking more questions, but by deeply listening and responding in real time.
• Great Stories Aren’t About You: The most compelling brand narratives center on the customer’s journey and measurable business outcomes.
• Stop Selling AI, Start Selling Outcomes: In a noisy market, audiences care less about technology labels and more about tangible results.
• Trust Is Built Through Vulnerability: Leaders who are transparent, curious, and willing to say “I don’t know” create stronger connections.
• Authenticity Drives Connection: Whether on stage or on camera, being natural and present is what makes communication resonate.

 

About the guest:

After five years launching biological payloads into space with NASA, Lisa Martin brought her curiosity and analytical skills to the tech world. Over the past two decades, she has built a reputation for turning complex innovation into insights that are not just understandable, but actionable. A trusted media personality and marketing leader, her commentary regularly appears on The Schwab Network, Bloomberg, iHeartRadio, and Business Insider.

As founder of Lisa Martin Media, Lisa is a dynamic emcee, host, and storyteller who blends energy, expertise, and authenticity on stage. She helps brands cut through the noise, elevate their voice, and translate disruptive technology shifts into stories that resonate with audiences and drive real impact.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.lisamartinmedia.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamartinmedia/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/lisamartinmedia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisamartinmedia/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Joel is the founder and CEO of Brewer Digital, and today we explore what really makes or breaks a startup in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world. Joel shares why most startups don’t fail due to bad ideas, but because of breakdowns in communication across founders, developers, and customers. We talk about how entrepreneurs can avoid wasting time and money, the role of AI in product development, and why having the right partner early on can be the difference between momentum and missed opportunity. Joel also opens up about hard leadership lessons, navigating business cycles, and what it takes to build something scalable with clarity and confidence.

Here are the highlights:

● Startups Fail from Miscommunication, Not Bad Ideas: Most startups struggle because teams and customers aren’t aligned on what should actually be built.

● Clarity Removes Barriers to Growth: Clear pricing, deliverables, and direction help founders move faster and make confident decisions.

● AI Is a Tool, Not a Strategy: Founders should focus on solving real problems first instead of forcing AI into their product.

● Time and Money Are Easily Wasted Without Guidance: Going it alone often leads to costly mistakes that the right partner can help avoid.

●     Resilient Leadership Comes from Real Challenges: Navigating downturns reinforced the need for strong sales systems and adaptability.

About the guest:

Joel Brewer is the Founder and CEO of Brewer Digital, a US based software development agency that helps early stage startup founders launch products with confidence. A software developer himself, Joel works directly with founders who have an idea, some traction, or fresh funding but no internal engineering leadership. His team builds MVPs, rescues failed offshore projects, and helps founders make smart technical decisions before they burn runway. Joel believes most startups do not fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they build the wrong thing or build it the wrong way. Brewer Digital partners with founders who value communication, clarity, and long term thinking over cheap shortcuts. With deep experience in HealthTech and FinTech, Joel helps founders decide what to build next, why it matters, and how to launch without creating technical debt that slows them down later.

Connect with Joel:

Website: https://www.brewerdigital.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-brewer-69680037/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In today's episode, I sit down with Christopher McShanag, founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to grow a business without burning out your team or yourself. Chris shares how business owners can buy back their time by delegating administrative, operational, and customer-facing tasks to skilled virtual teammates, allowing leaders to focus on the work that truly moves the business forward.

We also talk about the common fears that hold people back from outsourcing, from communication concerns to questions about accountability, and Chris explains how the right hiring standards, reporting systems, and support structure can make virtual staffing feel far more seamless and strategic than many leaders expect. Beyond that, we explore the role of AI in today’s workplace and why the smartest path forward is not choosing between technology and people, but using both together to create better outcomes, stronger productivity, and more sustainable growth.

Here are the highlights:

● Stop Doing $10 Tasks as a $100 Leader: Many business owners stay stuck because they are spending too much time on low-value activities instead of focusing on the work that actually drives growth.

● Virtual Teams Can Create Real Efficiency Gains: Chris explains that, with the right systems and support, virtual teammates can help companies improve productivity while significantly lowering overhead costs.

● Most Outsourcing Fears Can Be Solved with the Right Structure: Concerns about communication, accountability, and performance become much easier to manage when there are strong hiring standards, clear reporting, and visibility into the work being done.

● AI Works Best as a Tool, Not a Replacement: One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that AI should be used to enhance human performance, not eliminate the people who bring judgment, care, and oversight to the work.

●     Leaders Need to Protect Their Highest-Value Time: Chris makes a compelling case that sustainable growth happens when CEOs and business owners identify what only they can do and intentionally delegate the rest.

About the guest:

Christopher McShanag is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Teammate, a company dedicated to helping businesses scale more efficiently by leveraging high-performing global talent. With a background in building and leading multiple companies, Chris brings a CEO-level perspective to outsourcing, focusing on productivity, cost optimization, and sustainable growth. Under his leadership, Virtual Teammate has supported hundreds of clients and deployed thousands of virtual assistants across industries including healthcare, sales, marketing, and operations. Chris is passionate about helping business owners reclaim their time, maximize the value of their teams, and create opportunities that benefit both clients and remote professionals around the world.

Connect with Christopher:

Learn more: Virtual Teammate Create Value with Your Best Asset Alliance of CEOs, https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:76947ab1-589f-4bcc-b542-9e1054fe463d

Website: www.virtualteammate.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mcshanag/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Shanita Akintonde to talk about her book The Front Porch Leader and the deeper leadership lessons it offers for business builders, marketers, and mentors. We explored the importance of knowing where we come from, practicing discernment about who we invite into our lives and businesses, and raising up the next generation of leaders with both courage and grace.

Shanita also shared powerful insights on intentional marketing, understanding the true business you are in, and why some of the best leaders are often the quietest people in the room. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder that leadership is rooted in love, legacy, and the choices we make about who and what we let through the door.

Here are the highlights:

● Leadership begins with roots. Shanita shared why understanding our history and honoring the foundation laid by those before us is essential to building a meaningful future.

● Discernment matters. We talked about the “front porch” mindset, recognizing that not everyone belongs inside your inner circle, your home, or your business.

● Great leaders are not always the loudest. Shanita explained why she often sees the most leadership potential in the quieter people who may be overlooked by others.

● Marketing should solve a real problem. Shanita emphasized that true content and brand strategy start with understanding your audience and knowing the real business you are in.

● The next generation needs grace and guidance. We discussed why emerging leaders need mentors who can support their boldness without dimming their courage.

About the guest:

Shanita Baraka Akintonde is an author, TEDx speaker, storyteller, and President of ShanitaSpeaks LLC. A marketing professor for more than two decades, Professor Akintonde has inspired thousands of students and professionals through her dynamic approach to communication, leadership, and personal brand strategy.

She is an entrepreneur and contributor to Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, and The Chicago Defender. A triple-degree holder, she is also a Harvard-educated executive and the longtime host of the Marketing Insights podcast with McGraw Hill.

Professor Akintonde is an active leader in several professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Public Relations Society of America, and Top Ladies of Distinction. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for The Metropolitan.

Her work centers on the idea that the most powerful leadership lessons often begin in the most humble spaces—including the front porch.

Connect with Shanita:

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-insights/id1378417469

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanitaakintonde/

Instagram: @Shanita_BarakaMama

Twitter: @_ShanitaSpeaks

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6xmobZTUw

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this special episode honoring International Women’s Month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Doughty, CEO of The Chicago Network, an organization made up of some of the most influential women leaders across Chicago’s business, nonprofit, healthcare, and government sectors. Maria shares the key traits she sees in extraordinary women leaders, including intellectual curiosity, humility, and a deep commitment to civic engagement.

We explore the importance of advocacy, making the ask, and building authentic professional relationships that create opportunities over time. Maria also discusses why women should pursue board service earlier in their careers, how advisory boards can be powerful leadership training grounds, and why executive presence and personal brand play a critical role in professional success.

Above all, Maria reminds us that women supporting women remains one of the most powerful forces for creating opportunity and lasting change.

Here are the highlights:

● Traits of Exceptional Leaders: The most successful women leaders share intellectual curiosity, humility, and a strong commitment to civic engagement.
● The Power of the Ask: Women must confidently articulate what they need and clearly make the ask in professional conversations.

● Why Civic Engagement Matters: Involvement in community and civic organizations often leads to powerful relationships and new opportunities.

● The Value of Board Experience: Serving on advisory or corporate boards helps women build leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making skills.

● Executive Presence & Personal Brand: How leaders show up, communicate, and present themselves shapes their influence and career trajectory.

About the guest:

Maria Doughty is the CEO of The Chicago Network, the premier organization of Chicagoland’s most influential women leaders. Since joining in 2020, she has guided the organization through the global pandemic while strengthening its strategic vision, modernizing operations, and deepening member engagement. Maria brings extensive experience in insurance, financial services, public policy, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management, with a career that includes senior leadership roles at Allstate Insurance Company. She currently serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Roosevelt University, and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Maria is passionate about servant leadership, civic engagement, and advancing opportunities for the next generation of women leaders. She lives in Chicago with her husband and has two grown sons.

Connect with Maria:

Website: thechicagonetwork.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-doughty/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I sit down with Alan McLaren, co-founder of Strata Originals, to explore the invisible signals leaders send in every conversation, meeting, and interaction. Alan shares the powerful concept of “leadership signal,” explaining how trust is built or lost in real time based on how leaders show up emotionally, communicate under pressure, and respond to challenges. We discuss the neuroscience behind leadership presence, the hidden questions every team member is asking, and how leaders can become more intentional in building trust both inside the organization and in the digital world.

Here are the highlights:

• Leadership Signal: Every action, reaction, and tone a leader brings into a room sends signals that either build trust or quietly erode it.

• The Four Questions Followers Ask: Team members subconsciously evaluate leaders by asking, “Are you safe to follow? Do you mean what you say? Will your actions match your words? Should I align, resist, wait, or leave?”

• Your Nervous System Runs the Room: Leaders often believe communication is about words, but emotional reactions and nervous system responses can shape trust and credibility more than the message itself.

• The Hidden Cost of “Meetings After the Meeting”: When leaders unintentionally shut down ideas or create psychological tension, conversations move underground and teams lose alignment.

• Leadership Visibility in the Digital Age: Building trust today also requires showing up authentically online, where visibility and genuine communication help leaders connect with future partners, investors, and collaborators.

About the guest: 

Alan McLaren is a leadership thinker and co-founder of STRATA Originals, a Leadership Signal Architecture firm working with CEOs in high-stakes environments.

His work centers on leadership signal, the way a leader’s voice, presence, values, perspective, and style are experienced when pressure is real. Alan often says every room is quietly answering four questions about a leader: Are they safe to follow? Do they mean what they say? Will reality match their words? And should I align, resist, wait, or leave?

Drawing on patterns seen across hundreds of senior leaders, Alan helps audiences understand why capable leaders can still misfire in critical moments, and what changes when leadership holds steady and trust forms.

Connect with Alan:

Website: https://strataoriginals.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.mclaren1 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanmclaren23/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alanmclaren23 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I sat down with Louis Carter, founder of Most Loved Workplace, to talk about why workplace culture is being tested and reshaped faster than ever. Louis shared how “most loved” isn’t a slogan, it’s a credibility signal grounded in real employee sentiment, and why being unmistakably human is becoming a serious competitive advantage in an AI-driven world. We also unpacked his idea of “inaction fatigue” (when leaders collect feedback but don’t act), plus practical ways leaders can embed trust, respect, and emotional connection into the employee and customer experience so the world actually sees what’s happening inside the company.

Here are the highlights:

-Culture as a competitive signal: “Most loved” works when it’s validated by real employee sentiment, not just marketing.

-Human advantage in an AI-first world: Being unmistakably human is becoming a standout differentiator as automation accelerates.

-From feedback to follow-through: “Inaction fatigue” happens when employees share input but never see meaningful change.

-The SPARK framework: Collaboration, shared vision, aligned values, respect, and outcomes create emotional connectedness at work.

-Embedding love end-to-end: Culture should show up in onboarding, career paths, performance plans, and the customer experience.

About the guest:

Louis Carter is a globally recognized organizational psychologist, author, speaker, and founder of Most Loved Workplace® and the Best Practice Institute (BPI). He created the Most Loved Workplace® certification and the Love of Workplace Index™, a data-driven methodology used by thousands of companies to build cultures where people feel deeply connected, respected, and engaged. Louis is the author of more than a dozen leadership and management books, including In Great Company: How to Spark Peak Performance by Creating an Emotionally Connected Workplace (McGraw-Hill), and his research has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and The Wall Street Journal. He has advised CEOs and executive teams from mid-sized firms to Fortune 500 organizations and is ranked among the top organizational culture thinkers in the world.

Connect with Louis:

Website Business: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com

Personal: http://www.louiscarter.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiscarter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louiscarter.bpi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louislcarter/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/louiscarterchange

X: x.com/louislcarter

Books: https://louiscarter.com/leadership-books/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, I sat down with Ben Hansen, the “Profitability Doctor,” to unpack why so many growing businesses still feel like they’re getting punched in the face every day. Ben explains his framework for diagnosing “profititis” (strong or growing revenue paired with weak, flat, or declining profit), why you usually can’t “grow your way out” of a profit problem, and how leaders can shift from revenue obsession to profit psychology. 

We talk through practical ways to identify profit leaks beyond basic expense-cutting, including recognizing low-performing work that silently drains payroll-heavy service businesses. Ben also shares how to separate “run rate” operations from growth investments, evaluate growth channels like a portfolio manager, and why pruning the wrong work can create the capacity and cash to scale the right way.

Here are the highlights:

-“Profititis” defined: When revenue looks healthy but profit is weak, flat, or declining, the real issue isn’t sales, it’s profitability.

-The growth trap: If profits dropped from $6M to $8M in revenue, there’s no reason to assume $10M will magically fix it without changing the model.

-Profit psychology first: Profitability requires its own focus and strategy, not just “sell more” plus “work harder.”

-Dump ballast, don’t just burn hotter: Like a hot air balloon, removing dead weight (low-value work, misfit clients, inefficient delivery) can lift profitability faster than pushing for more volume.

-The “double-double” path: Ben’s preferred sequence is to double profitability first, then scale revenue, because growth becomes easier and more rewarding when the engine is tuned.

About the guest: 

Ben Hansen is a profitability specialist, award-winning entrepreneur, and speaker who helps business owners stop the financial bleeding and restore healthy profits and cash flow. Known as The Profit Doctor, he specializes in curing Profititis – when the revenue is there, but the profit isn’t.

A 5x Inc. 5000 founder and former Fortune 100 executive (Dell, Microsoft), Ben built an eight-figure staffing firm from the ground up. Today, he advises $2M–$50M owner-led companies looking to reclaim the dream that got them started. Based in Austin, Ben lives with his wife Ginger and their dog Cash. He’s also a fan of live music, college football, and any business that’s done being overworked and underpaid.

Connect with Ben:

Website: https://profitdoctor.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhansen/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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What if the fastest way to win your market isn’t competing harder, but changing the category entirely?

This week, I sit down with Kevin Maney, co-author of Play Bigger and founding partner of Category Design Advisors, for a deep dive into what it really takes to create and win a market category. Kevin shares the thinking behind his latest book, The Category Creation Formula, and explains why most businesses unknowingly trap themselves competing inside categories they can never truly lead. We explore how shifts in technology, buyer behavior, and market context create hidden opportunities, why dominant design ultimately determines who wins, and how CEOs can use category thinking not only to grow their companies but to sharpen their own leadership positioning in a crowded, noisy marketplace.

Here are the highlights:

-Why category leaders win big: In most markets, one company captures the majority of the value, and competing inside someone else’s category often limits growth.

-The Category Creation Formula: Learn Kevin’s simple framework: Context + What’s Missing + Innovation = New Category, and how leaders can use it as a practical playbook for growth.

-From innovation to dominant design: Markets eventually choose a “dominant design,” and winning that position is what secures long-term leadership.

-Real-world examples that worked: How category design helped both large organizations and emerging companies reposition themselves and accelerate growth.

-What this means for CEOs and personal leadership brands: How leaders can differentiate themselves, stand out in crowded spaces, and build credibility by shaping the narrative around what they represent.

About the guest: 

Kevin Maney is a veteran business journalist, bestselling author, and founding partner of Category Design Advisors, where he helps leadership teams discover, design, and win new market categories. He is the co-author of Play Bigger, which introduced the concept of category design and has become a foundational framework for technology founders, executives, and investors. Kevin is also the author of The Category Creation Formula, a practical playbook for building and leading new market categories.

Kevin has written for leading publications including Newsweek, Fortune, The Atlantic, Fast Company, CNN, ABC News, and USA Today. Through his work as a writer, advisor, and speaker, he brings clarity to complex market dynamics and helps CEOs position their companies to become category leaders rather than competitors in crowded markets.

His newest book, The Category Creation Formula will be released on February 26, 2026.

Connect with Kevin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmaney/ 

Website: https://www.categorydesignadvisors.com/ 

Get the book: https://www.thecategorycreationformula.com/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

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In today’s episode, I sat down with Alok Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Cozmo AI, to explore the cutting-edge AI tools that are changing the game for enterprises. Alok takes us inside Cozmo AI’s platform, which enables businesses to build AI agents capable of seeing, speaking, thinking, and acting all while maintaining a human-like touch. From reducing costs to streamlining complex workflows, Cozmo AI is helping enterprises across industries like banking, insurance, and sales scale at lightning speed.

We also tackle some of the toughest challenges in AI adoption, like data integration and overcoming the fear of automation taking jobs. Whether you’re a business leader or a tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights that will help you harness AI to its full potential.

Here are the highlights:

-Transforming Enterprises with Multimodal AI: Alok explains how Cozmo AI’s agents can not only handle text and calls but also analyze images, videos, and documents—enabling businesses to automate tasks that were once too complex for machines.

-Eliminating AI Adoption Barriers: We dig into the real obstacles businesses face when adopting AI and how Cozmo AI’s platform removes these hurdles by creating seamless integration across systems, so you don’t need 19 different tools.

-AI That Feels Human: Alok shares how Cozmo AI is pushing the boundaries of what we expect from automation—creating agents so lifelike that customers often don’t realize they’re speaking to AI, enhancing both speed and customer satisfaction.

-From Startup to Scale-Up: Alok opens up about Cozmo AI’s rapid growth, from a FinTech startup to a multimodal AI platform used by Fortune 100 companies, and how they cracked the code on founder-led sales and building a network of early adopters.

-The Future of AI in Business: Alok offers a bold vision for the future, where AI becomes an integrated, intuitive backbone for enterprises, making operations smarter, faster, and more efficient across the board.

About the guest: Alok Kumar is the co-founder and CEO of Cozmo AI, a cutting-edge platform that’s revolutionizing enterprise operations with multimodal AI. With a background in engineering and management consulting, Alok has built Cozmo AI into a solution trusted by Fortune 100 companies in industries like banking, insurance, and sales. His passion for leveraging AI to solve complex business challenges drives his vision of creating human-like, intelligent agents that can see, speak, think, and act. Before founding Cozmo AI, Alok co-founded a successful FinTech company, and his work continues to push the boundaries of AI innovation.

Connect with Alok:

Website: https://hellocozmo.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alokhk

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this heartfelt episode, Lainika Johnson, founder of Eco in the City, shares her inspiring journey from starting TrashLogic out of necessity to launching a tech-driven company that is transforming the way cities and property management companies handle waste. With her innovative VIN Site 360 platform, Lainika is not just helping businesses stay compliant with complex waste regulations but is also leading the charge toward smarter, more sustainable waste management.

Here are the highlights:

-Lainika’s Journey to CEO: From being a complete outsider in the trash industry to building a self-funded, multi-million dollar business.

-Innovating Waste Management: How Eco in the City’s tech platform is transforming waste compliance and sustainability for cities and property managers.

-Solving Waste Compliance Challenges: How Eco in the City helps businesses avoid costly fines while improving efficiency and promoting sustainability.

-Lessons from Adversity: Overcoming labor shortages, pandemic disruptions, and the shift toward data-driven solutions in waste management.

-Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Lainika’s advice on trusting yourself, knowing your numbers, and building a thriving business from anywhere.

About the guest: Lainika E. Johnson is the founder of Eco in the City and CEO of TrashLogic, recognized as America's leading expert in waste reduction and workforce development. With nearly two decades of experience, she helps cities, property managers, and businesses transform waste challenges into sustainable, data-driven solutions. Starting her career at Republic Services and rising to senior executive at a California-based waste company, Lainika successfully onboarded nearly 200 multifamily communities in under a year. Her work combines technology, community, and policy, supported by credentials from Harvard Business School and UCLA. Lainika's expertise has been featured in major outlets like Black Enterprise, Black News, and local media such as Arizona’s ABC-15, Sacramento’s NBC KCRA-TV, and Waste & Recycling Magazine.

Connect with Lainika:

Website: trashlogic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainikaj/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lainikajohnson/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, Christopher Hale, founder and CEO of SmartphonesPLUS, takes us behind the scenes of his company’s rapid growth. What started as a small operation buying and selling electronics has grown into a multimillion-dollar business that’s helping tackle the global e-waste crisis. Christopher shares insights on scaling a business, managing partnerships, and the power of the circular economy in today’s tech-driven world.

Here are the highlights:

-From Side Hustle to Business Success: Christopher's journey from working a full-time job to turning a passion for electronics into a thriving business.

-The Importance of Sustainability: How SmartphonesPLUS keeps electronics out of landfills by refurbishing and reselling old tech.

-Building Strong Partnerships: Christopher discusses the role of affiliates and partnerships in driving business growth and sustainability.

-Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned: The hard lessons of hiring, creating effective SOPs, and managing staff while scaling.

-The Circular Economy in Action: How the reuse of old tech not only benefits consumers but also plays a key role in reducing global e-waste.

About the guest: Christopher Hale is the founder and CEO of SmartphonesPLUS, a rapidly growing company that specializes in electronics recycling and refurbishment. What started as a side hustle in 2017 has transformed into a multi-million-dollar business, fueled by Christopher’s passion for sustainability and innovative tech solutions. Under his leadership, SmartphonesPLUS has become a leader in the industry, offering businesses and consumers an eco-friendly way to sell or recycle old electronics while giving tech products a second life. With a sharp entrepreneurial mindset, Christopher's success story showcases the power of perseverance, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to building a more sustainable future.

Connect with Christopher:

Website: smartphonesplus.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartphonesplusllc/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartphonesplus/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartphonesplus 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smartphonesplus 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartphonesplus7660 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, I’m joined by Stephen Lake, co-founder and CEO of Jetson Home, a company making home electrification simpler and significantly more affordable. We talk about why heating and cooling is one of the biggest decarbonization opportunities, what’s been holding heat pumps back in North America, and how Jetson Home is scaling fast across the U.S. and Canada. Stephen also shares the founder's lessons behind rapid growth, the importance of building scalable systems early, and why he’s committed to mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Here are the highlights:

-The hidden emissions story: Why residential heating and cooling is a massive climate lever, and why most homeowners underestimate their home’s footprint.

-Why heat pumps haven’t taken off here (yet): The “green premium,” confusing rebates, and an opaque contractor process that makes switching feel like a major project.

-Jetson Home’s “make it dead easy” model: Online, upfront pricing in minutes, a remote quoting process, and a streamlined install designed to get homes converted fast.

-Scaling without breaking: How Stephen thinks about the tension between growth and chaos, and why the team prioritized systems, tools, and repeatable processes from day one.

-Founder mindset + giving back: Lessons from building his first company North Inc. (and selling to Google), launching Jetson Home in a completely different industry, and the role mentorship programs played in shaping his leadership.

About the guest:

Stephen Lake is the co-founder and CEO of Jetson Home, a home electrification company making the shift to all-electric systems more affordable and accessible. A mechatronics engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo, he previously co-founded North Inc. (formerly Thalmic Labs) and led the development of augmented-reality and wearable-tech products before the company was acquired by Google in 2020. In 2024, he turned his focus to climate tech and launched Jetson Home, which rapidly scaled with hubs in Vancouver, Colorado, and Massachusetts and has installed nearly 1,000 proprietary heat pump systems in homes. For his work advancing clean energy solutions, Lake was named to the 2025 TIME100 Climate list.

Connect with Stephen:

Website: https://jetsonhome.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slake/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I’m talking to Ben Bear, co-founder and CEO of TurboHome, a game-changing platform that is reimagining the home-buying process. TurboHome cuts out unnecessary costs by offering a flat-fee model instead of traditional commissions, making it easier for people to save money and get into homes faster. We also dive into the bigger picture of homeownership and its importance in building wealth and strengthening communities. Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s disrupting an industry that's been the same for decades.

Here are the highlights:

-Revolutionizing Home Buying: TurboHome’s platform empowers buyers to take control of their process while saving thousands in the transaction.

-The End of the Traditional Commission Model: Why the 3% commission doesn’t work in today’s digital world, and how TurboHome is changing the game.

-Building Wealth through Homeownership: Ben explains how owning a home still remains one of the best ways to build long-term wealth, and how TurboHome helps make that possible.

-Seizing Opportunities from Regulatory Change: How Ben turned regulatory challenges into an advantage for innovation in the housing market.

-The Power of Trust and Early Success: Building trust with early adopters and turning great customer experiences into momentum for growth.

About the guest:

Ben is the Co-Founder and CEO of TurboHome, an Oakland-based startup focused on making homeownership more affordable. The platform combines AI tools with a network of local real estate agents to offer a full service home buying experience for 70% less than a traditional Realtor. In its first year of operations, homebuyers have purchased $300M of properties while saving $6M in commissions.

Ben is an experienced entrepreneur who was previously CEO at Spin Scooters (acquired by Ford) and VP Sales @ Vungle (acquired by Blackstone). He has built his career focusing on opportunities to solve big societal problems like housing and transportation unlocked by regulatory change.

Connect with Ben:

Website: https://www.turbohome.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwbear/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Join me for a captivating conversation with Mia Umanos, founder of Clickvoyant, where she uncovers the magic behind data science and human behavior. Mia’s expertise lies in understanding the nuances of user experience—how design choices and website interactions can trigger emotions that either lead to a sale or a lost customer. In this episode, Mia shares her entrepreneurial journey, discusses how AI is revolutionizing data science, and offers powerful insights into how businesses can create better digital experiences by connecting with customers on a deeper level.

Here are the highlights:

-Humanizing Digital Experiences: The discussion on how understanding the psychological impact of website design can either reduce anxiety or create friction for users.

-The Harvard vs. Yale Example: A compelling comparison of how Harvard's emotional approach to financial aid pages contrasts with Yale's utilitarian design, highlighting the power of connecting with users.

-The Role of Subtle Design Tweaks in E-Commerce: Mia shares how simple adjustments—like addressing shipping concerns—can help boost conversion rates in online stores.

-The Pitfalls of Over-Automation: An example of how a client’s decision to enable multiple upsells at checkout led to a significant decrease in conversions, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful automation.

-AI and Mid-Market Businesses: Mia explains how AI can help mid-market businesses gain access to powerful data science tools, previously reserved for larger corporations, to improve customer insights and decision-making.

About the guest: 

Mia Umanos is a Filipino-American entrepreneur, AI strategist, and data scientist, known for her innovative work in AI-driven marketing analytics and conversion rate optimization. As the CEO and founder of Clickvoyant, an AI-powered analytics platform, Mia transforms raw data into actionable insights, enabling businesses to make informed decisions faster. With over 16 years of experience, Mia has worked with major brands like Apple, Salesforce, and Netflix, and raised $1.4 million in six months while pregnant. She advises companies on integrating AI to enhance human creativity and business growth. Named a Tory Burch Fellow in 2024, Mia is also a passionate advocate for women in AI, particularly from her Filipino heritage, and ensures her company provides flexible, remote jobs to women in the Philippines. Through her work, she aims to create opportunities, equity, and lasting impact.

Connect with Mia:

Website: https://clickvoyant.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miaumanos/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Erin Rollenhagen, founder of People Friendly Tech, to discuss her journey of creating innovative tech solutions that drive real behavioral change. Erin shares the importance of emotional engagement in tech products, offering a fresh perspective on why technology should move people, not just serve them.

We dive into the challenges of scaling a tech company, her approach to leadership, and how her new book, Love at First Launch, provides a roadmap for visionary leaders looking to bring extraordinary tech to life.

Here are some highlights:

-Emotional Engagement in Tech: Erin explains why successful products aren’t just functional—they must connect with users on an emotional level to create lasting impact.

-The Importance of Leadership in Tech Projects: Explore the leadership principles that drive successful tech launches, including clear communication and team alignment.

-Creating Tech Products People Love: Find out how to identify the emotional core of your product and use it to engage users and drive loyalty.

-Leveraging AI and Data Insights for Smarter Decision-Making: Understand how to integrate AI and data insights into your tech solutions to help businesses make more informed, strategic decisions.

About the guest:

Erin Rollenhagen is the founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial Technologies and People Friendly Tech, a company specializing in custom technology solutions, including apps, software, and AI integrations. With nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Erin has led over 200 successful product launches, helping businesses create innovative products that drive meaningful change. She is passionate about building tech that not only solves problems but also connects with users on an emotional level. Erin is also the author of Love at First Launch, a guide for visionary leaders looking to bring extraordinary tech to life.

Connect with Erin:

Website: https://peoplefriendlytech.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-rollenhagen-b4b7317/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Today, I sit down with Kate O’Neill. She’s known as the “tech humanist,” founder and CEO of KO Insights, and newly named member of the Thinkers50 list of top management thinkers in the world. We unpack her new book, What Matters Next? A Leader’s Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That Is Moving Too Fast, and explore how leaders can stay grounded in purpose while navigating AI, automation, and constant change. Kate shares the “now–next continuum” and her Insights & Foresights model as practical ways to reduce overwhelm, make better decisions, and design a future that works for both your business and your people. If you’re leading through chaos and want your organization to be both high-performing and deeply human, this one is for you.

Here are some highlights:

-Redefining purpose as a question: How Kate uses one core question “How can we help humanity prepare for an increasingly tech-driven future?” and why reframing your mission as a question can sharpen strategy and culture.

-The Now–Next continuum: A practical way for leaders to connect past, present, and future so the “future of work” feels less murky and more manageable, with clearer signals about what to do today.

-Insights, Foresights, and “bankable foresights”: Inside Kate’s decision-making model that helps executives ask better questions, synthesize what they’re learning, and build a growing bank of future-ready insights instead of reacting in panic.

-What “human-friendly” tech decisions really look like: From AI-driven layoffs to chatbots and educational tools, we talk about the hidden human costs of short-sighted tech choices for employees, customers, and students, and how to design more holistic, human-centered solutions.

-AI, higher education, and the next generation of talent: Why banning tools like ChatGPT is a missed opportunity, how good prompting mirrors good delegation, and what universities and employers can do to better prepare young professionals for a prompt-based, AI-enabled workplace.

About the guest: 

Kate O’Neill, known globally as the “Tech Humanist," is the founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to improving human experience at scale. Her innovative approach bridges the gap between technological advancement and human-centric values, influencing how organizations navigate digital transformation. She is also author of the book What Matters Next: A Leader's Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That's Moving Too Fast, which was named a Thinkers50 2025 Best Management Book. With a career spanning over 25 years, Kate’s expertise is rooted in hands-on experience with category-defining companies. She was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, where she pioneered the first content management role. She developed Toshiba America’s first intranet and founded [meta]marketer, one of the earliest digital strategy and analytics agencies.

Connect with Kate:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateoneill/ 

Website: https://www.koinsights.com/ 

Book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Matters-Next-Human-Friendly-Decisions/dp/1394296428 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Frank Danna, a seasoned leader and marketing expert, brings his wisdom on building authentic connections in the workplace. We explore how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and the importance of creating a culture that values trust, inclusion, and vulnerability. Frank shares his personal journey from a toxic work environment to one where love and empathy drive success, offering actionable advice for leaders looking to transform their organizations.

Here are some highlights:

-The Power of Love in Leadership: Frank explains how love, empathy, and trust are essential to creating a successful and human-centered workplace culture.

-AI and Creativity: Frank discusses how AI can free up time for leaders to be more creative and focus on what truly matters: human connections.

-Building a Culture of Love: Learn the six key behaviors—Inclusion, Empathy, Vulnerability, Trust, Empowerment, and Forgiveness—that make up a culture of love in the workplace.

-The Challenge of Toxicity in Leadership: Frank shares his experience of working through a toxic work culture and how a shift in leadership behavior can turn things around.

-Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength: Frank highlights the importance of vulnerability in leadership and how sharing personal stories can foster real connections with your team.

About the guest:

Frank E. Danna is the Marketing Director at Softway and Co-Founder of Culture+, where he transforms leadership through love, empathy, and behavior-driven change. Co-author of Love as a Business Strategy and Love as a Change Strategy, Frank challenges fear-based leadership practices and champions a human-first approach.

He co-created Culture Rise, a transformative leadership experience that’s impacted over 6,000 leaders worldwide. Frank’s expertise spans storytelling, communication strategy, and creative content, having reached 100 million viral views on Vine and co-founding GhostCodes, acquired by Softway. He’s worked with brands like HBO, Twitter, and Coca-Cola, and is a sought-after speaker on culture, AI, and change.

Connect with Frank:

Website: ​​www.softway.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdanna/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this conversation, I sit down with Ghazenfer Mansoor, CEO & founder of Technology Rivers, to talk about building software that actually gets used, loved, and shared. Ghazenfer has been in mobile since the pre-iPhone days and has led the build of nearly 60 apps, primarily in healthcare. We explore ideas from his forthcoming book, Beyond the Download, including why retention beats acquisition, when a mobile app truly makes sense (and when a web experience is smarter), and how AI-driven, proprietary workflows can become a company’s real moat.

We also step into leadership, including what it takes to fix “broken” projects, the values that guide his global remote team (transparency, fairness, and getting things done), and why peer networks and coaching matter for founders. It’s a practical, fast-moving chat for leaders who want their technology to create efficiency, differentiation, and long-term value.

Here are some highlights:

-Retention over acquisition: Ghazenfer shares practical ways to design for daily use and bring people back because downloads without engagement aren’t success.

-“Do you really need an app?”: We unpack decision criteria for native vs. web, and why solving a real, repeat problem is the first gate before writing any code.

-Workflow is the moat: How codifying proprietary processes, especially in healthcare and HIPAA-sensitive environments, creates efficiency, margin, and higher valuations.

-Fixing broken projects: Common failure patterns (from feature chasing to UX missteps) and how to course-correct so you “build it right the first time.”

-Leading a global team: The operating system behind Technology Rivers; clear KPIs, remote-first communication, fairness, and a growing commitment to women in tech. Plus the role of EO/Vistage-style peer groups and coaching for tough decisions.

About the guest: 

Ghazenfer Mansoor is the founder and CEO of Technology Rivers, a Washington, D.C.–area software firm specializing in HIPAA-compliant healthcare SaaS and mobile apps. A mobile veteran since the pre-iPhone era, he has led the build of 59+ apps and numerous AI-powered workflow platforms that help service businesses scale, boost margins, and increase valuation. Known for “building it right the first time,” Ghazenfer is frequently tapped to rescue broken software projects. He’s the author of the forthcoming book Beyond the Download: How to Build Mobile Apps That People Love, Use, and Share Every Day and host of the podcast Lessons from the Leap. Active in EO and other CEO peer groups, he leads a global, values-driven team grounded in transparency, fairness, and getting things done.

Connect with Ghazenfer:

Website: https://technologyrivers.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmansoor/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this conversation, I sat down with Kevin, a dentist-turned-entrepreneur who has grown and scaled ten ventures and founded the Kremer Leadership Institute. We unpack the journey from a single practice to acquisitions, a patient finance company, and an implant surgery center delivering same-day reconstructions. Kevin explains his “three Cs” framework—customer, culture, company—and why culture is the hardest to keep healthy in 2025. 

We also dig into his book, Quantum Accountability, and his Quantum Awareness Model, exploring how accountability for your mindset leads to action and, ultimately, abundance. Along the way, Kevin shares a remarkable 93% year-over-year turnaround from a recent acquisition, practical ways he trains teams with playbooks and interactive learning, and how AI is reshaping both clinical and operational excellence.

Here are some highlights:

• The three Cs in practice: how balancing customer experience, culture, and company health creates the “sweet spot” for sustainable growth and why culture is the toughest to maintain.

• From chairside to CEO: the steps that took Kevin from solo practitioner to acquiring practices, launching patient finance and membership programs, and opening an implant surgery center.

• Playbooks that actually work: mapping the entire customer journey, training with short videos, and reinforcing skills through interactive quizzes to keep standards high across teams.

• Mindset drives outcomes: inside Quantum Accountability and the Quantum Awareness Model and how accountability for your thinking leads to better actions and an abundance mindset.

• Technology with a human core: real examples of AI in diagnostics, workflow, and same-day full-mouth restorations, plus why communication and trust will always be the differentiators.

About the guest: Dr. Kevin Kremer is a dentist-turned-entrepreneur with 25 years of leadership in healthcare and business. He has built and scaled ten ventures, including a multi-location dental group, a patient finance and membership company, and a same-day implant surgery center. As founder of the Kremer Leadership Institute and author of Quantum Accountability, Kevin teaches his Quantum Awareness Model—moving from accountability to action to abundance—and the “three Cs” framework of customer, culture, and company. Known for practical playbooks and team training that elevate service standards, he’s led notable turnarounds, including a 93% year-over-year lift at a recent acquisition. Kevin combines cutting-edge technology with human-centered care and mentors clinicians to grow as confident, purpose-driven business leaders.

Connect with Kevin:

Website: https://www.kremerleadership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kremer-leadership-institute/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Dhaval Jadav, CEO of alliant, shares insights into adapting and scaling a business in today’s fast-paced, disruptive world. From AI discovery and business innovations to talent and tax strategies, Dhaval has succeeded in building an integrated consultancy firm to help businesses overcome blind spots and thrive. 

In this episode, Dhaval dives into the power of investing in people, cultivating a transparent culture, and staying ahead of the competition with cutting-edge technology. He also offers practical advice on navigating the challenges of growth and change, and how CEOs can lead their businesses into the future with resilience and innovation.

Here are some highlights:

-Scaling with a Focus on People: Dhaval discusses how investing in and empowering his team has been the key to alliant's rapid growth from 2 to over 2,500 employees.

-Building a Culture of Transparency: Learn how alliant’s roundtable approach allows for open communication, where the best ideas win, no matter the title.

-Embracing Disruption: Dhaval explains why businesses must disrupt themselves to stay relevant and how alliant uses technology like AI to stay competitive.

-Managing Change in Growth: Scaling a business requires a solid change management plan. Dhaval shares strategies for helping employees adapt as the company evolves.

-Future-Proofing the Workforce: With AI and digital workers on the rise, Dhaval offers insights on how to balance human talent with technology for a thriving, adaptable workforce.

About the guest:

Dhaval Jadav is the co-founder and CEO of alliant. Under Jadav’s leadership, the firm has empowered 24,000+ companies in 70+ industries with actionable business solutions. Prior to founding alliant, Jadav developed his expertise in high-tech business deals as a member of a Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity/Strategic Buyer Services Group in San Francisco and honed his business operations acumen with Deloitte & Touche in its Washington National Office.

Connect with Dhaval:

Website: https://www.alliantgroup.com/ 

LinkedIn: Dhaval Jadav | LinkedIn

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I sit down with Michael Kelly, Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee, to unpack Generative Perception Intelligence (GPI)—a fundamentally different approach to machine perception that goes beyond today’s catch-all “AI.” Michael shares how Mozee’s “community-first, human-centered” mission shows up in beautiful, real-world transportation experiences, why GPI is their beachhead for autonomous mobility (and far more), and how a band of “super builders” scaled from 4 to 20 people while preparing for a big Series A year.

We also get personal: Michael’s path from JP Morgan to startups, his passion for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and the books he recommends for anyone intent on building meaningful work and stronger communities. If you’re near a browser, peek at Mozeealong.com while you listen.

Here are some highlights:

-GPI vs. AI—what’s different: Michael explains “perception lag” and why Mozee built a single “brain” that processes multiple sensor inputs simultaneously rather than stitching together separate systems.

-On-device, ultra-fast, resilient: GPI runs entirely on device (no cloud dependency), reacts orders of magnitude faster than human pain response, and is designed to operate even in disconnected or high-risk environments.

-Autonomy as the beachhead: While autonomous vehicles are the first proving ground (and the inspiration behind “Mozee Along”), the same perception engine translates to drones, robotics, warehouses, traffic systems, and city-scale applications.

-Scaling the builder culture: From 4 to 20 team members, a move into a 63,000-sq-ft facility, and a pipeline of large city contracts, including work tied to 2026 global events and groundwork for 2028, Mozee is preparing to launch its Series A off a major public milestone.

-Purpose, category design, and careers: Michael’s take on entrepreneurship as a path to meaning and mobility, why Play Bigger belongs on every builder’s shelf, and how to apply category-creation thinking even as an intrapreneur.

About the guest:

Michael Kelly is the Chief Strategy Officer at Mozee, an autonomous mobility company revolutionizing urban transit with AI-powered, electric shuttles. Before joining Mozee, Michael spent 12 years at JPMorgan as VP of Investments, managing a global portfolio. He held Series 7, Series 66, and insurance licenses across 20+ states and was recognized for driving 60x business growth under his leadership.

A serial entrepreneur, Michael launched his first venture in 2005 and now sits on the Dallas Entrepreneur Center’s Venture Board, fostering startup growth in DFW. He mentors with Plug and Play, Capital One, and MassChallenge accelerators and was an Entrepreneurship Fellow at SMU. Outside of work, Michael is an avid sports fan and enjoys serving as his daughter’s jester in his free time.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://www.mozeealong.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resolutemichael/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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As a former concert pianist turned corporate strategist and master coach with Tony Robbins, Grace brings a rare left-brain/right-brain lens to leadership. In our talk, we unpack her “vessel, compass, and light” model—body, mind, and consciousness—and why knowledge alone rarely transforms a leader. We also name the pattern many of us feel but seldom admit: “achievement fatigue.” Grace offers simple, practical practices and a dimensional view of leadership. 

If you’re ready to trade pressure for presence, this episode will meet you where you are and invite you to lead from alignment.

Here are some highlights:

• From knowledge to integration: Shift from simply collecting information to truly integrating it by aligning your body (energy/resilience), mind (clarity/emotional intelligence), and consciousness (presence/intuition), so leadership transforms rather than just informs.

• Naming “achievement fatigue”: Recognize the often-hidden cost of success—feeling drained despite appearing successful—and gain the language and awareness to identify the blind spots that high achievers often overlook.

• A practical reset you’ll actually use: Implement simple yet effective practices, such as coherent breathing (inhale for 5, exhale for 5), a 50-to-1 countdown for focus, and a morning visualization of 2–3 outcomes, to shift your day from reactive to intentional.

• The 3D→4D→5D leadership framework: Progress from 3D (survival/reactive) to 4D (awakening/self-aware) to 5D (visionary/aligned), realizing that true leadership comes not from more strategy, but from changing the dimension in which you operate.

• Retreat as a catalyst for alignment: Discover why immersive environments, like Grace's 7-day retreat in Lombok, are key to accelerating transformation, using vocal empowerment and energy work to help leaders align their mind, body, and purpose.

About the guest:

Grace’s professional and personal journey embodies the fusion of creativity, strategy, and soulful leadership. Starting as a professional pianist in her youth, she cultivated discipline and artistic expression that remain integral to her leadership approach. Transitioning into corporate roles, Grace spent over a decade excelling in strategy and business development before stepping into her calling as a leadership coach.

Her eight years as a Platinum Tony Robbins Coach and over 4,500 hours of coaching have empowered her to transform high-performing leaders around the globe. Through these experiences, she developed The Soulfluence© , a framework that harmonizes Body, Mind, and Consciousness for authentic and impactful leadership.

Connect with Grace:

Website: https://gracenajean.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracenajean/ 

Soulfluence Retreat: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/hKSyiNjj4Hx9IrbZaWNN?notrack=true 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Today I’m joined by Dr. Laura Sicola—executive presence mentor, TEDx advisor, and author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. We dig into the moment that matters most: those first seven seconds and the next seven when you open your mouth. Laura unpacks the “authenticity myth,” shares her simple “digital mixing board” for tuning your delivery (without changing who you are), and explains why even the quietest voice can command a room. We also talk about pitch coaching for founders, crafting a TED-worthy talk, and how to make networking feel natural. If you’re climbing to the C-suite, raising a round, or leading a mission-driven team, this is a masterclass in aligning what you say with how you say it so your credibility, clarity, and confidence are undeniable.

Here are highlights:

-7 + 7 Seconds Rule: First impressions land fast—and the next seven seconds (your first words) either confirm or rewrite them. Make those opening lines count.

-The Authenticity Myth: Being “authentic” isn’t being unfiltered. Leadership requires tact, intention, and alignment—not a louder version of you.

-Your Digital Mixing Board: Don’t flip an on/off switch—tweak levers like pace, volume, jargon, and intensity to fit the audience while staying you.

-Quiet Can Command: Authority comes from congruence and presence, not decibels. Calm, focused delivery can move 200 people without raising your voice.

-From Pitch to TED: Win investors (bet the jockey!) and craft a killer TED talk by challenging assumptions, telling real stories, and driving to one clear takeaway.

About the guest:

Dr. Laura Sicola is a leadership communication and influence expert based in Philadelphia, PA. She is the founder of Vocal Impact Productions and the author of Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice. With over 20 years of experience, she helps executives, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders develop executive presence, master the art of influence, and align how they speak with what they want to achieve. A TEDx speaker and advisor, Laura has worked with leaders from Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits worldwide, guiding them to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Connect with Laura:

Website: https://laurasicola.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc/ 

Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP4D611Z?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_6GKSA3X8WMAPHBGSDH0B 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I sit down with innovation strategist and author Alan Gregerman to challenge the way leaders pursue “new.” We unpack his upcoming book The Wisdom of Ignorance and the counterintuitive idea that breakthrough ideas often come from not being the expert. Alan shares why most companies confuse process improvement with innovation, how to unlock the genius in your teams (especially your newest hires), and six leadership habits that keep organizations relevant in a world that won’t slow down. You’ll leave with practical ways to fuel curiosity, test faster, and future-proof your business.

Here are highlights:

-Innovation ≠ Incrementalism: Alan draws a sharp line between improving what exists and pursuing big, valuable problems, urging CEOs to imagine their company five years out and backcast a path to get there.

-The 99% Rule: Breakthroughs are rarely born on a whiteboard. 99% of new ideas build on something that already exists. Get your team out into the world (museums, neighborhoods, other industries) to borrow and remix smarter.

-Six Keys to Relevance: Be purposeful, curious, humble, respectful, future-focused, and a bit paranoid. You’re creating value while scanning for the competitor who might “eat your lunch.”

-Use Fresh Eyes on Purpose: In onboarding, hand new hires a clipboard and ask them what you’re doing well, where you’re stuck, and what other industries are doing better—before you “teach” them your way.

-Ship the Half-Bake (Responsibly): Stop waiting for perfection. Launch minimally viable ideas that deliver real value and let customers help you iterate your way to remarkable.

About the guest:

Alan Gregerman is an innovation strategist, author, and the President & Chief Innovation Officer of Venture Works. For more than two decades, he has helped companies of all sizes remain relevant in fast-changing markets by unlocking the “genius” in their people and organizations. Alan has been featured in over 250 outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and CNN. He is the author of Lessons from the Sandbox, Surrounded by Geniuses, The Necessity of Strangers, and the forthcoming The Wisdom of Ignorance, a blueprint for leading breakthrough innovation. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, Alan works across industries and donates 20% of his time to small nonprofits, bringing the same tools and rigor he uses with corporate clients to missions that make the world better.

Connect with Alan:

Website: www.alangregerman.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-gregerman-a33b236/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast

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In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Ron Green, co-founder of KungFu.AI, shares how he helped a publicly traded company cut their fraud rate, reduce turnaround times to mere seconds, and add $250 million to their market cap with the power of AI.

Join me for an enlightening conversation with Ron Green as we explore the true potential of AI beyond the buzzwords. From real-world case studies to the challenges and opportunities AI presents, Ron explains how businesses are using AI to drive innovation and growth. Whether you're a CEO looking to understand AI’s role in your company or just curious about its impact, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for today’s leaders.

Here are highlights:

-AI in Business Transformation: Ron shares how AI is being used to drive real, measurable results across various industries, including healthcare and finance.
-Avoiding the AI Boondoggle: Learn why many AI projects fail and how to avoid common pitfalls that waste time and capital.

-Case Study Successes: Discover how Kung Fu AI helped a loan factoring company transform its operations, saving time and money while increasing customer satisfaction.

-Practical Advice for CEOs: Ron discusses the best approach for CEOs to adopt AI, stressing the importance of starting small and focusing on ROI.

-The Future of AI in Programming: Hear about the impact of AI on software development, and why junior programmers are particularly affected.

About the guest:

Ron Green is an AI expert and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the technology and business sectors. As the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of KUNGFU.AI, Ron leads a team of talented machine learning engineers and data scientists in developing cutting-edge AI solutions. With a proven track record in deploying AI systems across a variety of industries including healthcare, government, retail, real estate, and financial services, Ron has consistently driven innovation and measurable impact. He is also the host of Hidden Layers: Exploring the People and Tech Behind AI, where he delves into the world of AI, its evolution, and its transformative potential.

Connect with Ron:

Website: https://www.kungfu.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rongreen/

Resources: https://www.kungfu.ai/resources/hidden-layers

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast

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In this week’s energizing conversation, broadcaster and author Anne Marie Anderson joins Allison to explore the mindset behind her book Cultivating Audacity: How to Dismantle Doubt and Take Bold Risks. Drawing on three decades in elite sports and leadership rooms, Anne Marie breaks down the four barriers that stall careers and shows how to turn each into fuel.

She shares the now-famous mantra “work the problem,” reframing failure as data, not drama, and walks us through practical frameworks like Your Two Lives, the Front Row (your accountability circle), Jump (taking the leap before you feel ready), and the continual Reevaluation Loop. From international travel snafus with her 13-year-old to her first on-air moment beamed into 87 million homes, Anne Marie reveals how calculated risk builds resilience, clarity, and results.

Here are highlights:

-Work the Problem (Always): Strip out ego and emotion, identify what’s actually true, list options, act, then iterate.

-Name the Four Barriers: Most stalls trace back to fear, time, money, or the inner critic; bring each into the open and use it.

-Failure = Data, Not Identity: Trade shame for information. What did you try, what happened, what will you change next?

-Your Two Lives & the Jump: You can keep the life you have or take a calculated leap; you’ll never feel fully “ready.”

-Build Your Front Row: Curate challengers, not cheerleaders, who push, check in, and keep you accountable without jealousy.

About the guest:

Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, keynote speaker, and author with over three decades in sports television, covering six Olympic Games, heavyweight title fights, golf’s majors, NBA and MLB playoffs, and the Super Bowl. As one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country, she calls more than 75 live events each year for ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX, and TBS, and has been nationally recognized for her journalism and leadership in advancing sport. She is the author of Cultivating Audacity: How to Dismantle Doubt and Take Bold Risks, a guide to overcoming barriers like fear, time, money, and the inner critic by reframing failure as data and embracing persistence, resilience, and curiosity. Known for her humor, authenticity, and storytelling, Anne Marie is also a sought-after keynote speaker and emcee who inspires audiences to pursue audacious and fulfilling lives.

Connect with Anne Marie:

Get the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1646871693 

Website: https://annemarieanderson.com/ 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-anderson-3557ab39 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemarieandersontv/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with Neil Ghosh, President of MGR Professional Services and author of Do More Good. With a career spanning government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, Neil has reinvented himself as a bridge builder and champion of authentic business leadership. Together, we unpack the unique role businesses play in today’s culture and governance, and why trust, empathy, and purpose are no longer “nice to haves” but essential pillars of leadership.

Neil also shares powerful insights from his book, which features stories of inspiring leaders and provides actionable steps for anyone who wants to move beyond inspiration to meaningful action. From cultivating moral leadership to embedding corporate social responsibility into a company’s DNA, this episode challenges us all to consider what kind of citizen—corporate and personal—we want to be.

Here are highlights:

-The Trust Recession: Why Neil calls this moment in history a “trust recession”—and why business leaders are now more trusted than governments and media.

-Shifts in the Workforce: The three major shifts reshaping the workforce: cultural diversity, generational expectations, and the demand for moral leadership.

-Navigating Polarization: How leaders can unite their teams without diluting core values in today’s divisive climate.

-CSR as Strategy, Not Charity: Why doing good isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it’s good business, and how companies can integrate CSR into their DNA.

-Purpose, Empathy, and Action: The pillars of Neil’s book Do More Good and how small steps can drive outsized impact.

About the guest:

Neil Ghosh is a seasoned executive whose expertise spans the nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors. His book, Do More Good, showcases some of the most captivating individuals in modern history—people he has met and interacted with on his mission to inspire meaningful change. With 30+ years of experience, Neil has successfully launched and scaled both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, building teams, business models, partnerships, and strategies to drive impact and support vulnerable populations in more than 50 countries. Neil’s work has been featured in national outlets including CNN, Devex, the Washington Post, Economic Times, Voice of America, the Australian, the Huffington Post, Patheos, and Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Connect with Neil:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilghosh1/

Website: https://www.neilghosh.org/⁠ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast

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In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, we sit down with Andrew Wittman, PhD– author, speaker, and founder of the Mental Toughness Training Center. With a background ranging from U.S. Marine Corps combat to protecting high-profile leaders as a Federal agent, Andrew now equips CEOs and entrepreneurs with the “inner armor” needed to thrive under pressure.

Together, we explored the concepts of mindset, resilience, and problem-solving skills that allow leaders to safeguard their reputation, make better decisions, and lead with confidence in unpredictable times…and we have to add that Andrew was one of our most humble and down-to-earth guest that we are sure you will enjoy listening to.

Here are highlights:

-Perpetual resilience vs. bouncing back: Why true leadership is about pre-deciding who you are before the crisis hits.

-Thinking as a physical skill: How to train your mind to stay calm, ordered, and in control under stress.

-Cellular problem-solving: The importance of diagnosing the root cause instead of treating surface-level symptoms in business.

-Guarding your reputation: Why CEOs must see themselves as brand ambassadors and protect both their image and their people.

-Thriving in chaos: How to lead decisively when uncertainty, AI disruption, and global instability make predictability impossible.

About the guest:

Andrew D. Wittman, PhD, is a United States Marine Corps infantry combat veteran, former police officer, and federal agent. As a Special Agent for the U.S. Capitol Police, he led the security detail for Nancy Pelosi and personally protected high-profile figures including Hillary Clinton, Benjamin Netanyahu, King Abdullah of Jordan, and Sir Elton John. As a private military contractor for the U.S. State Department, he trained former Navy SEALs, Marines, Army Rangers, and Special Forces in high-threat diplomatic security. These are the real-world crucibles where he forged the system behind Inner ArmorTM—his powerful framework for mastering pressure, mental toughness, and emotional control.

Wittman’s latest book, INNER ARMOR: Perpetual ResilienceTM, is the centerpiece of his national media campaign and corporate speaking tour. Drawing on three decades of elite military, law enforcement, and leadership experience, this tactical guide provides the tools to build emotional sovereignty and thrive in the chaos of today’s world. It’s more than just another book on grit—it’s a field manual for rewiring your mental operating system.

Connect with Andrew:

Email: info@getwarriortough.com

Website: https://getwarriortough.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin/com/Andrew-D-Wittman 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWarriorMonk316

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriortoughphd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetWarriorTough/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this insightful conversation, Angie dives deep into the evolving world of leadership. From her time in the Marine Corps to leading multinational companies, Angie teaches us how empathy, clarity, and courage are the foundation for effective leadership. Learn how to strike the balance between caring for your team and driving results without compromising your mission. Whether you're a leader or aspiring to be one, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom that will help you rise to your best leadership potential.

Here are highlights:

-Empathy in Leadership: How understanding and connecting with your team's emotions fosters stronger performance and results, without lowering expectations.

-Leading from the Front: The Marine Corps philosophy of "Mission First, People Always" and how it can transform your approach to leadership in any business.

-The Power of Clarity: Angie explains how getting clear on your vision and purpose is the first step toward leading yourself and others effectively.

-Courage to Take Risks: Why embracing calculated risks is essential for leadership growth, and how to overcome the fear of failure.

-Authenticity in Leadership: Angie reflects on the importance of leading as your true self and how authenticity breeds trust and respect within your team.

About the guest:

Angie Morgan is a respected author, leadership expert, and thought leader, having written three books on leadership: Leading from the Front, Spark, and Bet on You. She’s a regular contributor to publications like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc.

For the past 20 years, Angie has worked with major organizations such as Google, FedEx, and Boston Scientific, helping them develop leadership potential through keynotes, consulting, and coaching. Passionate about empowering others, she shares insights via her blog, social media, podcast, and online courses.

When she's not helping others succeed, Angie enjoys spending time with her two boys and training for her next race by the lakeside in Traverse City, Michigan.

Connect with Angie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theactualangie/

Website: https://angieconnect.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this thought-provoking episode, Noah Askin, a professor and leadership expert at UC Irvine, explores the powerful intersection of culture, vulnerability, and connection in the business world. Through a detailed discussion of his research, he uncovers how business leaders can intentionally craft an environment that nurtures authentic relationships. Noah explains how to balance results with meaningful cultural practices and why understanding yourself is the key to building thriving networks and communities. 

Whether you're a CEO, manager, or entrepreneur, Noah’s insights are sure to inspire new strategies for achieving both personal fulfillment and business success.

Here are highlights:

-Building Trust Through Vulnerability: Noah explains how being vulnerable is a cornerstone of trust-building, both personally and professionally.

-The Importance of Self-Awareness for Leaders: Discover why great leadership begins with understanding your own biases, values, and assumptions.

-The Role of Connection in Business: Learn how intentional connection not only improves workplace culture but drives better results across teams.

-Creating a Thriving Company Culture: Noah shares practical tips for CEOs and leaders on cultivating a culture that aligns with both organizational goals and personal values.

-The 8 Archetypes of Connection: Get introduced to different ways people connect and how understanding your own archetype can enhance your leadership style.

About the guest:

Noah Askin is an Associate Professor of Organization and Management at UC-Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, where he also serves as Faculty Director of their Leadership Development Institute. An award-winning teacher and researcher, Noah is an expert in organizational dynamics, leadership, and culture, focusing on the informal networks of communication and connection that drive organizational life. 

Noah’s work has garnered him recognition on the Thinkers 50 Radar list and has been covered by various publications, including the BBC, The Economist, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vox, and Forbes. He lives with his family in Southern California. His book, Orchestrating Connection: How to Build a Purposeful Community in a Tribal World has been co-authored with David Homan.

Connect with Noah:

Website: https://noahaskin.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahaskin/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, Abel Horvath, Founder and CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA joins the conversation. Starting out in Miami just months before the pandemic, Abel scaled his business to include facilities across the U.S., Europe, and South America—all while navigating global supply chain chaos, customer needs, and explosive e-commerce demand. Abel shares what it takes to lead a fast-growing logistics company, why customization is the future of fulfillment, and the unexpected lessons he’s learned along the way.

If you’re in the business of physical products or curious about global entrepreneurship, this is a must-listen episode packed with operational wisdom, leadership insights, and inspiring grit.

Here are highlights:

-Abel’s Journey from Volkswagen to Founder: He left a corporate job at VW to start his own fulfillment business beginning with package forwarding and expanding into global e-commerce logistics.

-Global Growth in Just a Few Years: Fulfillment Hub USA now has facilities in Miami, New York, LA, San Francisco, Poland, Germany, Colombia, India, and more.

-Helping Clients Sell More, Not Just Ship: The company offers product customization, website setup, and marketing support to help clients grow, not just store and ship products.

-Adapting to Tariffs and Changing Margins: When tariffs increased, Abel noticed which clients could absorb the cost and which couldn’t. This helped shape new strategies to serve different types of businesses.

-Hard Lessons from Rapid Scaling: Abel shares the importance of cash reserves, having multiple backup plans, and building a team that’s willing to grow with you even during 14-hour workdays.

About the guest:

Abel Horvath is the visionary founder and CEO of Fulfillment Hub USA, a rapidly scaling e-commerce logistics company. With a Ph.D. in economics and years of experience at Volkswagen Group, Abel pivoted during the early days of the pandemic to build a global fulfillment network—from Miami to Europe and South America. Under his leadership, the company has grown to include multiple U.S. hubs and international operations in Poland, Germany, Colombia, and India, with new facilities on the horizon. Passionate about innovation, Abel empowers clients with value‑add services like product customization, marketing support, and full business setup. A relentless problem‑solver, he advocates for strong cash reserves, agility, and a loyal, dedicated team to support fast-paced growth.

Connect with Abel:

Website: https://fulfillmenthubusa.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelhorvath/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Together, they revisit the journey that led to this milestone and share invaluable insights on leadership, business growth, and the power of storytelling. With deep reflections on her evolving mission and what it truly means to be a disruptive CEO, Allison reveals how the show has influenced her leadership style and impacted her guests. From breakthrough moments to hidden gems of wisdom, this episode is a testament to the impact of business storytelling and the incredible leaders that shape it.

Here are highlights:

-The Journey to 300 Episodes: Allison reflects on her podcast journey, from initial self-doubt to confidently hosting deep, meaningful conversations with top CEOs and thought leaders across the globe.

-The Power of Storytelling: Seth shares how Disruptive CEO Nation has embraced the art of storytelling to build authentic, profitable relationships for listeners, proving that the right message reaches the right ears at the right time.

-Leadership Lessons: Allison discusses how her perspective on leadership has evolved through her conversations with innovative leaders, highlighting the importance of adaptability, trust, and fostering culture.

-Impactful Guests & Global Business Insights: Allison shares touching stories of inspiring guests from around the world, including female entrepreneurs breaking barriers and global leaders shifting the way business is done.

-Advice for Disruptive CEOs: Seth and Allison dive into what it takes to be a disruptive CEO, with Allison stressing the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and staying true to your mission in business.

Features:

Seth Greene is Chief Executive Officer at Market Domination, one of the fastest growing privately held marketing firms. Seth is the only person to be nominated 3 years in a row for Dan Kennedy's prestigious Marketer of the Year award. He is the author of the Ultimate Podcast Book, how to grow your business with a podcast.

https://www.marketdominationllc.com/

A note from the producer:

Shout out to you, the listeners, and to Allison! Allison, your weekly stories are so inspiring and I am so happy to be here celebrating 300 episodes with you. This milestone is truly an accomplishment. So excited to see the next one!

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Drawing on experience at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, Josip shares his journey from traditional finance to crypto-backed mortgages. Yes, buying real estate without selling your Bitcoin.

We dive into how Milo raised millions in venture capital, scaled across six continents, and navigated the volatile regulatory landscape around crypto. You’ll also hear the story behind Milo’s owl logo, why “obvious” is a company value, and how Josip keeps his team aligned and energized across borders.

Whether you're crypto-curious or a fintech founder in growth mode, this episode will challenge how you think about innovation, leadership, and the future of financial services.

Here are highlights:

-Bitcoin as Collateral: Learn how Milo lets clients buy U.S. real estate without selling their Bitcoin or paying capital gains tax.

-Crypto Myths Debunked: Why the average crypto-backed mortgage client isn’t a “tech bro” but a responsible, long-term investor in their 30s to 50s.

-From Wall Street to Web3: Josip’s journey from Goldman and Morgan Stanley to launching a global fintech startup powered by digital assets.

-Building Through Volatility: How Milo adapted through regulatory pushback, rising interest rates, and crypto market downturns.

-Branding with Purpose: The story behind the Milo name, its owl mascot, and the core company value: Simple, Fast, and Obvious.

About the guest:

Josip Rupena is the founder and CEO of Milo, a financial technology company that offers innovative crypto mortgage and lending solutions. Milo started in 2019 and has raised $24 million in venture capital from M13 Ventures, QED Investors, Metaprop, and 10x Capital. Prior to founding Milo, Josip was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley working with international clients and financial institutions. Josip also worked at an investment firm with $1 billion in assets under management as a portfolio manager and head trader. He began his career at Goldman Sachs covering institutional private clients with over $3.5 billion in assets. Josip graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami and majored in Finance.

Connect with Josip:

Website: https://www.milo.io/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/josiprupena

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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We sat down with Kenny Kelley, founder and CEO of Silent Beacon, a personal safety technology company helping protect vulnerable workers through panic button solutions. Kenny’s journey to become to tech entrepreneur is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and listening to the market.

He shares the origin story of Silent Beacon and the hard-earned lessons that came with funding, product-market fit, and scaling in regulated industries like healthcare. Kenny opens up about surviving the startup trenches, rebounding from naysayers, and why feedback is the fuel behind every innovation.

If you’ve ever faced rejection, doubted your vision, or wondered how to pivot with purpose, this one’s for you.

Here are highlights:

A Stuntman’s Wake-Up Call: After a motorcycle accident left him unable to reach his phone, Kenny realized the tech gap in personal emergency response.

From Shark Tank to Strategic Capital: Kenny passed on a Shark Tank deal to partner with a seasoned business mentor, prioritizing long-term guidance over fast fame.

The Reality of Go-to-Market Missteps: Kenny candidly discusses how his initial launch strategy flopped and how shifting from B2C to B2B in regulated industries transformed his company’s trajectory.

The Power of Listening (Especially to “No”): Silent Beacon 2.0 wasn’t born from flashy features. It was built by fixing what users hated. Kenny explains how product evolution is all about humble iteration.

Protecting the Protectors: With alarming statistics on workplace assaults in healthcare, Kenny outlines how Silent Beacon is helping nurses, social workers, and educators feel safer on the job.

About the guest:

Kenny Kelley is the founder and CEO of Silent Beacon LLC. He began his entrepreneurial journey as a Hollywood motorcycle stuntman and founder of Adrenaline Crew LLC, where he produced videos and led teams of daredevil riders in live, on-road stunt shows that gained a global following online and at major events. After a serious motorcycle crash left him unable to reach his phone and call for help, the idea for Silent Beacon was born — a wearable, one-touch safety device that can instantly contact any number, including 911, and share your GPS location in real time.

Connect with Kenny:

Website: https://silentbeacon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-kelley-b3202555

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Silentbeacon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silentbeacon/#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesilentbeacon

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this powerful episode of Disruptive CEO Nation, founder of Redefining Communications and author of Nobody Believes You, Jenni, comes to share her wisdom. Together, we unpack the rising challenges leaders face in building trust, developing middle managers, and scaling culture in a skeptical, fast-paced business environment.

If you’ve ever struggled with communication gaps, growing pains, or a loss of team credibility, this episode delivers real insight and practical tools you can apply right now.

 Here are highlights:

- Credibility Starts with Integrity: Jenni explains how credibility isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s built moment by moment by doing what you say you’ll do, even when it’s inconvenient.

- Bridging the Leadership Gap: Discover why middle managers often don’t step up and how vague expectations and unintentional micromanagement from the C-suite can create “learned helplessness.”

- The Trust Crisis in Organizations: A breakdown in trust shows up as low engagement scores. Jenni shares how CEOs can rebuild that trust by being radically transparent and consistently communicative.

- Founders Must Evolve or Hand the Baton: As startups grow, visionary founders must either develop leadership skills or intentionally seek leadership support. Jenni outlines when and how to make that choice.

- Time Isn’t the Problem, but Priorities Are: Jenni challenges the “I don’t have time” excuse and offers bite-sized actions for building trust and leadership daily, even in the busiest roles.

Access Jenni’s book, course, and free resources here: How to be a credible leader - Redefining Communications

About the guest:

Jenni Field is an expert in leadership credibility and internal communication. After spending 13 years in senior in-house roles as Head of Internal Communications and Communications Director, Jenni founded her consultancy, Redefining Communications, to help organisations and teams move from chaos to calm through effective communication. She works with organisations, leaders, and emerging leaders so they can improve their communication and credibility, thus impacting positively on the workplace environment.

Jenni has published two books: Nobody Believes You: Become a Leader People Will Follow, which has sold over 4,000 copies internationally, and Influential Internal Communication, both published within the last five years. She also co-hosts Frequency, a weekly podcast exploring internal comms, HR, leadership, and employee experience. Co-hosted with Chuck Gose, the show features expert insights, lively conversation, and debate on the big workplace challenges.

Connect with Jenni:

 Website:https://thejennifield.com/

Website: https://redefiningcomms.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/redefining-communications-with-jenni-field/id1588233391

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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We sit down with William McKinney, CEO of Eleanor Health, to discuss a revolutionary approach to addiction recovery that goes far beyond medication. Eleanor Health is transforming how we treat substance use disorders—integrating therapy, peer support, health coaching, and compassionate care rooted in science and dignity.

William shares how Eleanor Health launched just before the pandemic, scaled during volatile healthcare shifts, and is now entering a rapid growth phase with plans to expand into a new state every month. You'll hear why this work is so personal for William, how the company is navigating stigma and digital marketing barriers, and why he believes Eleanor’s model could extend to other addictions beyond substances in the near future.

Whether you lead a health startup, care about mental wellness, or know someone affected by addiction, this episode is not to be missed.

Here are highlights:

-Revolutionizing Addiction Care: Eleanor Health delivers whole-person, compassionate treatment. They are combining therapy, peer support, coaching, and medication without stigma.

-Mission-Driven Growth: With expansion into nine states and more on the horizon, the company is scaling with discipline, purpose, and community impact at its core.

-Culture That Connects: Eleanor’s fully virtual model fosters transparency, inclusivity, and deep engagement powered by Slack, in-person retreats, and values-first leadership.

-Marketing with Integrity: William reveals the challenges of D2C marketing in a crowded, skeptical online landscape. He shares how Eleanor breaks through with authenticity and real results.

-A Broader Vision: Looking ahead, Eleanor aims to apply its approach to other forms of addiction like gambling, food, or digital dependencies to expand its impact beyond substances.

About the guest:

William McKinney is the Chief Executive Officer of Eleanor Health, an outpatient addiction treatment program. William was most recently the CEO of Sevita (formerly The MENTOR Network), the leading provider of home and community-based specialty health care with 45,000 employees serving over 55,000 individuals. He led Sevita through several years of exceptional top- and bottom-line growth culminating in a successful transaction in 2022. Prior to joining Sevita in 2019, William served as president of the Integrated Care Group for Fresenius Medical Care, where he managed multiple business lines including Fresenius Health Partners, Fresenius Rx, and Fresenius Managed Care. William previously held senior leadership roles at MedSpring Urgent Care and WellCare Health Plans and also consulted for McKinsey & Company. William holds a B.S. in computer engineering and a B.S. in mathematics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

 Connect with William:

 Website: https://www.eleanorhealth.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-mckinney-9972087/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Here are highlights:

-Turning Returns into Resources: LiquiDonate matches excess or returned retail inventory with schools and nonprofits in need, saving goods from landfills and cutting reverse logistics costs by 50%.

-Hands-On, Mission-Driven Leadership: Disney shares how she reconnects with purpose by making deliveries herself, ensuring she stays grounded in the impact of the work.

-Scalable Tech with a Social Impact: From Shopify integrations to a custom-built AI-powered donation platform, LiquiDonate makes giving easier than discarding for retailers and event organizers.

-Culture Over Convenience: Built as the “anti-Amazon,” LiquiDonate empowers nonprofits and educators to “shop” for free essential goods. They offer dignity, choice, and sustainability.

-Growth, Grit, and 11 Million Wins: With over 11 million items already diverted from landfills, Disney reflects on startup challenges, team building, and staying aligned with the mission during hard days.

About the guest:

Disney Petit is the Founder and CEO of LiquiDonate, a sustainable social impact software company that matches excess inventory from retailers, brands, and businesses with nonprofits and schools to help recover sunk logistics costs. LiquiDonate combines her years of experience working with tech companies reverse to implement social impact programs that leverage their existing business model and evolving technologies with her love for the work and people of nonprofits.

Prior to LiquiDonate Disney was employee 15 at Postmates. She built the customer service team from the ground up, launched new markets such as Seattle, New York, DC, and Chicago, co-built their sales team, adding a new stream of revenue for the company through the Postmates Partner program. Disney also created the Civic Labs team, Postmates' social responsibility arm.

Connect with Disney:

Website: https://www.liquidonate.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast

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Teaching kids about money has traditionally involved games, fake dollars, and hypothetical situations. But what if the key to lasting financial habits was giving them real financial experiences?

In this eye-opening episode, we talk to the CEO of Stockpile, a financial platform that helps kids and families learn to save, invest, and spend. Victor opens up about his founder journey, raising $45 million, the company’s mission-driven design, and how Stockpile empowers kids to make real investment choices while giving parents peace of mind. You’ll hear how Stockpile has built a platform that doesn’t just teach financial literacy; helps families live it, building lifelong confidence and smart money behaviors. This one’s a must-listen for parents, educators, and startup founders alike.

Here are highlights:

-Real Financial Literacy for Kids: Research shows kids learn best with real-world experience. Stockpile’s platform uses actual money to teach kids saving, investing, and budgeting in a meaningful, lasting way.

-Mission-Driven Design: Stockpile prioritizes saving and investing over spending, with features like "kids choose, parents approve" to foster smart habits and meaningful family money conversations.

-Lessons from the Founder’s Journey: Victor shares how his entrepreneurial upbringing and multiple startups led him to Stockpile, including the importance of aligning values, culture, and hiring practices.

-Adapting to Market Volatility: The platform encourages resilience and patience by letting kids make real investment choices and experience gains and losses, reinforcing the importance of long-term strategy.

-Team Culture and Leadership Values: Victor reveals how Stockpile builds a strong remote culture by hiring for fit, investing in internal development, and maintaining transparency and trust across a global team.

About the guest:

Victor Wang is CEO of Stockpile, an investing platform empowering the next generation of investors through hands-on learning. With over 25 years as a successful entrepreneur, Victor brings the leadership and passion needed to remove barriers in the financial industry and enable people to own their financial futures.

Victor’s belief that today's youth deserve the same opportunities he had when his father came to America with just $40 in his pocket inspired his vision of using Stockpile to make investing accessible for all and give children the power to shape their financial futures. With his background partnering with leading brands like Wells Fargo Bank, American Express, Nike, LEGO, Indian Motorcycle and Jamba Juice, Victor provides the strategic vision and innovation to advance Stockpile’s mission of driving financial inclusion.

Connect with Victor:

Website: https://www.stockpile.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorwangsf

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Richard knows that commanding attention and influence while leading through change is more difficult than ever. He shares that the mind and thought processes of an employee today have more dynamic needs than even a decade ago. This is why he wrote Charisma Unlocked: Science and Strategy behind Presence, Persuasion and Authentic Leadership.

We thoroughly enjoyed this conversation as we think any tip and wisdom that an executive leader can gain that will make their business run smoother. Any increase in profitability while elevating employee satisfaction is a win.

Here are highlights:

-Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, particularly in managing stress and improving communication, is critical as the foundation for a leader that others are willing to follow.

-Charisma in Modern Leadership: Richard discusses the importance of charisma in leadership, emphasizing that it's about connecting with people as individuals and making them feel heard. He explains that modern leadership involves facilitating others, unlocking their potential, and aligning organizational goals with employees' hopes and fears.

-Psychological Safety in Organizations: The importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves, offer different ideas, and speak up when struggling was emphasized. Richard notes that many well-intentioned leaders struggle with authenticity and humility, often unintentionally sending mixed messages about psychological safety.

-Constructive Conversations: Allow people to bring fresh ideas, challenge prevailing thoughts constructively, and speak up when employees and projects are struggling. He advises leaders to set intentions before conversations, slow down interactions to create space for reflection, and focus on collaboration rather than talking at each other.

-Wellbeing and Mental Health Advocacy: Richard is a lifelong promoter of wellbeing and that CEO's need to make considerations for team members' mental health in the workplace. This care will better equip individuals to navigate and achieve goals and overcome business challenges.

About the guest:

Richard Reid is a highly experienced psychologist, coach, and wellbeing consultant with over 20 years of expertise. He is a former Chief People Officer at a global law firm specialising in Trauma, Resilience, and Psychological Safety. Richard has worked extensively with organisations such as the London Underground, the City of London Police, and the Witness Protection Program. He also runs an international practice providing therapy, coaching, and psychology services to entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and senior leaders.

As a charisma coach and trainer, Richard focuses on helping people achieve their full potential. His latest book, Charisma Unlocked, was published in March and is available on Amazon.

Connect with Richard:

Website: https://richard-reid.com/

Amazon, Buy Charisma Unlocked: https://amzn.to/42N2pF2

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Alexander created PortfolioPilot, an AI-powered financial advisor that helps individuals take control of their financial lives without the high fees or intimidation factor of traditional firms.

What started as a personal side project has become a platform managing over $30 billion in assets all while helping simplify investing for the everyday person.

In our conversation, Alexander shares how he’s building not just a product, but a movement to empower everyday investors with real, personalized advice. Here are highlights of our conversation:

-   From Side Project to $30 Billion Platform: Alexander built the first version of PortfolioPilot to manage his own finances after selling his previous startup. Today, the platform serves tens of thousands of users and continues to scale rapidly.

-   Designed for Real People: Rather than expecting users to know what to ask, PortfolioPilot delivers a full written assessment based on inputs like income, age, assets, and risk tolerance. It helps people feel confident and in control of their financial future.

-   AI Meets Fiduciary Responsibility: PortfolioPilot provides truly personalized, fiduciary-level financial guidance by asking the right questions and giving users clear, actionable monthly advice based on their actual financial picture.

-   High Output, Lean Team: With a team of just 10 people working remotely around the world, Alexander attributes their efficiency to smart hiring, tight feedback loops, and extensive use of AI tools across development, marketing, and operations.

-   The Future of Financial Advice: Alexander believes we’re entering an era where everyone will have AI-powered advisors in many areas of life. His goal is for PortfolioPilot to become the go-to financial advisor in your pocket, offering clarity, confidence, and convenience.

About the guest:

Alexander Harmsen, a tech entrepreneur passionate about AI, finance, and autonomy. He founded PortfolioPilot.com, an AI Financial Advisor with over $30 billion in assets on platform. Previously, he founded and sold Iris Automation, worked on NASA’s Mars Helicopter, and went through Y Combinator. He’s raised over $30M in venture capital and was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30.

Connect with Alexander:

Website Global Predictions: https://www.globalpredictions.com/

Website Portfolio Pilot: https://portfoliopilot.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=organic

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderharmsen/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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As a pharmacist, Jonathan observed significant inefficiencies and a need to modernize processes. This set him on a course to develop and deliver better technology that would ultimately improve patient care. Today, he is a recognized serial entrepreneur, a leader in technology, and a man whose latest endeavor is centered on the delivery of medication to individuals with rare diseases.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

-An Update on STACK: The business has expanded its product offerings including a new product called On Queue, an operations workflow platform to enhance the pharmacy patient journey and capture valuable data. They now have customers in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Dubai.

-Healthcare Compliance: STACK software helps organizations manage compliance by providing easy access to regulations for different states and purposes and automating processes for accreditation, compliance, and training for pharmacies.

-Zeal's Branding Strategy: Jonathan explained the origin of the company name "Zeal" as a play on the term "zebra" in the medical community, representing rare and orphan diseases. The zebra also represents an effort to connect with patient communities through tasteful and purposeful branding.

-Advice for Founders: Finding a mentor and maintaining a network for personal and professional growth is critical for new founders. He shared his experiences as a business owner and entrepreneur, highlighting the need to foster a healthy balance between work and personal life. He shared the significance of family and prioritizing time with loved ones, as businesses and jobs can change but family remains constant.

-Building Culture:  Jonathan discussed the pharmacy's leadership development initiative, which includes a book club focused on customer service and growth. He mentioned the book "Unreasonable Hospitality" and the Disney Institute program. Jonathan also shared that he encourages team members to explore different industries for innovative ideas.

About the guest:

Jonathan Ogurchak, PharmD, CSP, CPHIMS, is a specialty pharmacy veteran, having served in numerous roles across pharmacies, associations, and education for the last 15 years.

Currently, he is the CEO & Founder of STACK, a software firm with two commercially available platforms: its namesake, STACK, a pharmacy information management platform designed to curate and organize information necessary to run successful pharmacies, professional associations, and higher education institutions; and OnQueue, a workflow platform built to optimize the patient journey for pharmacies and clinics. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Zeal Specialty Pharmacy, an independent rare-disease pharmacy leveraging both the above technologies to create the best experiences possible for patients, prescribers, and pharma partners across the country.

Jonathan is an adjunct faculty through Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, precepts pharmacy students virtually at 25 schools of pharmacy nationwide, focused on specialty pharmacy programs and processes, and his specialty pharmacy textbook is in pre-publication.

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: https://www.managewithstack.com/

Website: https://www.zealsp.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Jenny Fielding, the co-founder and managing partner of Everywhere Ventures, is a big believer in the game-changing impact of global entrepreneurship. From her own journey as an accidental entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, she stresses the importance of backing founders in the early stages with key resources like mentorship, funding, and connections.

With investments spread across the world, Jenny pushes for a global perspective in entrepreneurship, urging entrepreneurs to embrace diverse cultures for resilience and adaptability. Her "everywhere mindset" highlights the potential of dynamic startup scenes globally, motivating entrepreneurs to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge to thrive in an interconnected world.

These are the highlights of our conversation:

-Jenny’s global network of 500+ founders and operators helps source early-stage companies from all over the world. These founders act as her eyes and ears on the ground.

-Why she invests at the pre-seed stage and focuses more on the people than the ideas. She looks for visionary, resilient founders who are building for a future that doesn’t exist yet.

- Her new book, Venture Everywhere, follows the journey through 12 countries where Jenny interviewed founders who overcame major obstacles to build billion-dollar companies. It’s all about having a global, open-minded, resilient mindset.

-Jenny became a founder accidentally, starting her first company while still working full-time. Her second company failed, but that experience taught her valuable lessons she now uses to support other founders as a venture capitalist.

About the guest:

Jenny Fielding is one of the most active global pre-seed investors in the world, having invested in 300+ companies as the first money in. As the Co-founder and Managing Partner of  Everywhere Ventures, Jenny has built a thriving community of 500+ founders and operators who help source, diligence, and invest in the next generation of startups across 3 core verticals: money, health, and work.

Prior to launching her own fund, Jenny spent 7.5 years as the Managing Director of Techstars where she invested in a portfolio of companies with a current market cap over $10B. Jenny is a 2x founder, a lawyer by training, and an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Cornell Tech.

Connect with Jenny:

Website: https://www.jennyfielding.com/

Website: https://everywhere.vc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyfielding/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/jefielding

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lily Vittayarukskul, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of Waterlily, an AI-powered platform that uses over 500 million data points to help families plan for the financial and emotional realities of aging. Lily is a World Economic Forum Top Innovator, a patented inventor, and someone who turned a heartbreaking personal experience into a mission-driven company that is disrupting the way we think about long-term care.

As someone with two parents in their 80s, this topic hits close to home for me—and I know it will for many of you too. We talked about everything from how she built Waterlily and earned the trust of major investors to the importance of planning so families aren’t torn apart in times of crisis.

These are the highlights of our conversation:

- Waterlily Predicts Long-Term Care Needs with AI: Waterlily uses over 500 million data points to help families predict their future long-term care needs based on lookalike families. It’s like looking into a data-driven future mirror.

-A Personal Family Crisis Sparked the Mission: Lily was only 16 when a long-term care event involving her aunt devastated her family emotionally and financially. That experience inspired her to shift from a career in aerospace to founding a company focused on preventing that same pain for others.

- Bold Pivot from B2C: Originally aimed at consumers, Waterlily pivoted to serve the financial services industry, empowering advisors to have better long-term care conversations with clients. This B2B strategy became the core of their scalable, subscription-based model.

- Built for Impact, Not Just Speed: Instead of rushing a product to market, Lily spent two years building a strong technical and data foundation before launching. That decision paid off with major partnerships, including Prudential and several Fortune 100 companies.

- Culture of Trust and Smart Scaling: Despite impressive growth, Lily keeps her team intentionally lean, leveraging large language models and automation to scale efficiently. She emphasizes trust and alignment with all at her company as the foundation for sustainable success.

About the guest:

Lily Vittayarukskul, Waterlily’s CEO and Co-Founder, started college at 14, and by 16, she was venturing into a career in aerospace engineering as an intern at NASA. However, that same year, her life took a dramatic turn when her Aunt, who raised her and was a cornerstone in her first-generation immigrant family, was diagnosed with terminal stage colon cancer. The ensuing financial and emotional devastation, exacerbated by their family's lack of preparedness, tore permanent rifts in her family, and compelled her to pivot her career from aerospace to a lifelong dedication to building solutions in healthcare.

Fueled by personal tragedy and a resolve to forge change, Lily graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in Genetics and Data Science and led product and engineering at multiple startups before founding Waterlily.

Connect with Lily:

Website: https://www.waterlily.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-vittayarukskul/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Lisa Guillot, a best-selling author and expert in personal branding, offers a transformative perspective on the significance of a clear vision framework for achieving success. With a rich background in design and branding, Lisa specializes in helping leaders craft vibrant and purposeful personal and professional brands. Her approach is encapsulated in her book, "Find Your Clear Vision," and the CLEAR methodology, which stands for Clear Concept, Legit and Long Lasting, Expanded Energy, Aspirational Success, and Rooted in Celebration.

By promoting self-awareness, authenticity, and intuition, Guillot's framework empowers individuals to align their values and goals, fostering sustainable engagement and passion in their personal and professional endeavors.

Lisa unleashes her high energy and insights in this conversation, touching on:

- Energizing Teams: A leader must invest in a team member's vision and development to build trust.

- Workplace Culture: Senior leaders need to understand that they are in charge of the 'cultural protection' of the workplace. Maintaining a fast-paced work schedule is challenging and unsustainable. A leader must have self-awareness and both give and receive feedback.

- Clear Vision Framework for Leadership: Crafting a clear concept for the vision ensures it is legit and long-lasting. The framework aims to help individuals identify their blind spots, develop self-awareness, and share their vision with their teams.

- Vision, Energy, and Aspirational Success: One must embrace a vision that excites and motivates them as it will be their guiding force over time. Leaders also need to build an "aspirational success" approach to their careers where they create new ideas and realities for the future and then build milestones to achieve them.

- Intuition, Self-Trust, and Celebration: Lisa discusses the importance of trusting oneself and making clear decisions. She suggests a simple coin-flip technique to help strengthen intuition and trust in decision-making. It is also important to have fun in work and life, and celebrate small wins regularly rather than waiting for big rewards at the end of long-term goals.

- Managing "Brilliant Jerks" in Teams:  In terms of a healthy culture, Lisa emphasized the need to recognize and manage "brilliant jerks" or "brilliant assholes". Also discussed was how senior leaders can protect themselves from being perceived as such by seeking honest feedback from an external coach.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: bebrightlisa.com 

Instagram: instagram.com/bebrightlisa

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisagguillot/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Derrick Barker, the co-founder and CEO of Nectar, is at the forefront of transforming the real estate finance landscape through innovative technology solutions. Based in Atlanta, his company provides liquidity to commercial real estate owners with low-leverage, cash-flowing assets, enabling them to grow their portfolios and contribute to community development. 

Derrick envisions a future where rapid property closings become the norm, empowering medium-sized real estate sponsors to create strong, balanced communities by enhancing their access to capital. 

Here are the highlights of our conversation:

- Nectar stands out in the finance and real estate technology industry by providing liquidity to owners of commercial real estate, specifically focusing on low-leverage, cash-flowing assets to support strong real estate operators. 

- Derrick envisions a future where commercial real estate deals can be closed in a week or less, with the ultimate goal of achieving one-day closings through technological advancements. Their vision is to be a tech-first company and in that, drive more efficiency than anyone else in the market.

- By empowering medium-sized real estate sponsors, Nectar aims to equip them with the necessary tools and resources to build thriving communities and meet the demands of the housing market, ultimately tipping the balance of power in their favor for a more robust and sustainable housing market.

- The company's commitment to sustainable business practices sets it apart in the market, offering high return, consistent cash-flowing investment products that mitigate risks associated with construction, lease-up, or refinance.

- With a vision to leverage technology and capital for the greater good, Nectar aims to empower developers and small to medium-sized companies to address the pressing issue of affordable housing. 

- The success of Nectar is attributed to its well-structured team functionality, with key roles such as underwriting, product development, origination, and servicing playing crucial parts in the company's operations. While there is a core team based in Atlanta, Nectar also utilizes a distributed team for specific roles that do not require in-person presence. This structured approach enables Nectar to efficiently deliver its unique fast and flexible capital solutions to its customers and investors.

- As a leader and business owner, Derrick believes there is no better learning than experience, so take action and get it done.

About the guest:

Derrick Barker is the co-founder and CEO of Nectar. He started buying real estate from his dorm room at Harvard. After Harvard, he spent 3 years trading complex securities at Goldman Sachs while simultaneously building a 500+ unit real estate portfolio in his hometown of Atlanta. He left Goldman Sachs to focus on real estate full-time, eventually growing his portfolio to more than 4,700 units and $400 million in asset value.

Connect with Derrick:

Website: https://www.usenectar.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-barker-3b1590a/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/  

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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To learn more about nearshoring we turned to Brian Samson, an entrepreneur who has lived and established multiple companies in Latin America. Because of this he holds unparalleled insight into leveraging untapped talent pools of highly educated individuals in Central and South America. Brian holds a passion for helping businesses thrive by introducing great talent to great companies but along the way we also learned he is a caring human who will always be found rooting for the Chicago Cubs.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

-      Nearshore Defined: Moving jobs or tasks within the same time zone, as opposed to offshoring which involves moving across an ocean. The benefit of nearshoring is finding highly skilled talent regardless of the location that speaks English and works the same business day as the US.

-      Challenging Latin America Misconceptions: The discussion focused on myth busting some perceptions of Latin America, particularly Mexico, based on media portrayals and personal experiences.

-      Fostering Children: Brian shared his personal experience of becoming a foster family after hearing about the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. He punctuated the need for more good homes for the 440,000 children in the foster care system in the US, adding that less than 3% ever make it to college.

Brian Samson is a seasoned entrepreneur with a nine-year track record as the founder and CEO in the Nearshore (LATAM) industry. Having lived in Argentina and established multiple companies throughout Latin America that serve the U.S. market, Brian has an unparalleled insight into leveraging untapped talent pools. His journey includes raising $2 million as a founder, scaling his company to 80 team members, and achieving three successful exits. He has held significant roles such as Department Head at Lending Club during its pre-IPO phase, which IPO'd with a $10 billion valuation, and was part of the executive team at Sosh before its acquisition by Postmates and eventually Uber. Brian holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and leads as a General Partner at Hang10X Capital, making numerous investments in promising ventures.

Away from his professional endeavors, Brian's personal life is equally fulfilling. He and his wife are licensed foster parents and have adopted a baby girl from foster care, now raising two toddlers along with a Boston Terrier puppy in their Oahu home. A Chicago native and a staunch Cubs fan, Brian enjoys the island life, which includes the beautiful weather and vibrant community. With a passion that wakes him every day since 2015, Brian is committed to connecting exceptional talent across the Americas with hyper-growth companies in the U.S.

Connect with Brian:

Website: www.plugg.tech

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

X: @DisruptiveCEO  

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Sandra's take on sustainable leadership highlights the importance of aligning values and being ready to address and adapt to rapid change. By promoting mindful, empathetic, and proactive leadership, she urges leaders to build resilience, support their teams effectively, and navigate change with clarity and ethical integrity.

Here are the highlights of our conversation:

- Leadership Requires Conscious Change Management: Sandra emphasizes that many leaders stand in a reactionary mode, making decisions under stress rather than responding thoughtfully. She advocates for leaders to raise their consciousness, pause, and assess their approach to change before reacting.

- Change Readiness: In our current environment, leaders must be prepared to navigate barriers and the moving complexities of business.

- Effective Communication in Change Management: One of the biggest reasons change initiatives fail is the lack of clear communication. Leaders must explain the ‘what and how’ of change and the ‘why’, ensuring alignment with team values and fostering trust.

-The Importance of Self-Awareness and Adaptability: Sandra highlights the need for leaders to understand their change tendencies. Some naturally embrace change, while others prefer stability. Leaders should be mindful of their emotional triggers and practice "pattern interruption" to control their responses.

-Creating Psychological Safety and Collaboration: Leaders should encourage curiosity, open dialogue, and co-creation in decision-making, ensuring alignment across different personality types and work styles.

- The Power of Sustainable Leadership: True leadership sustainability is about maintaining personal energy and resilience. Leaders must manage their emotional states, practice self-care, and create environments where teams can thrive without burnout.

About the guest:

Sandra J. Horton is a Systemic Leadership Sustainability Strategist, Executive Coach, and Speaker, dedicated to helping CEOs, executives, and senior leaders create sustainable, high-impact leadership models that prevent burnout, build resilient teams, and drive long-term organizational success.

As the Founder of Activate Success Edge and creator of the Activate Success Roadmap, Sandra provides executive coaching, consulting, and leadership workshops that empower leaders to navigate disruption, foster adaptability, and implement systemic change. With an MA in Leadership, certifications in Change Management (PROSCI) & Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0/360), and years of experience guiding executives through transformation, she equips leaders with the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and long-term impact.

Connect with Sandra:

Website: www.activatesuccess.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-j-horton/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sandrajhorton

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

#CEO #leadership #startup #founder #business #businesspodcast 

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Driven by a mission to provide life-changing and accessible education, Study.com is one of the largest online learning platforms for K-12 through college and beyond. With learners and educators representing more than 11,000 schools, Study.com is focused on supporting students, teachers, and the teacher pipeline. The platform also seeks to make college-level education accessible and friendly for the non-traditional student and help professionals prep for and ace licensing exams.

Here are the highlights of our conversation:

- The Personal Why: Hailing from Argentina, having lived in four countries, and learning three languages (Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, and the US), Adrián's experience of assimilating into the education systems has influenced his passion point around it. Adrián also highlighted the personal aspect of his journey, as he is the first in his family to graduate from college and has a brother with special needs who has been able to go farther than doctor's projections.

- Global Impact:  Adrián revealed that he co-founded a company in October 2015, which has since grown to support 30+ million learners and educators a month. He is particularly proud of the university-level courses that span a variety of topics and can transfer to listed colleges. They project that these courses have saved students almost $475 million in tuition costs over the last five years.

- Accessible Education and Social Impact:  Study.com is proud of its investment in social impact programs, including "Keys to the Classroom," which aims to increase the diversity in the teacher workforce and help aspiring educators become teachers. The program's success was attributed to the collaboration of all stakeholders involved.

- Study.com: Adrián's Journey and Success: Adrián and his co-founder built two other companies before study.com.  He emphasized the importance of understanding the market,  thinking strategically, and learning from your failures.  Study.com was a 'bootstrap' venture that has paid off, as the business has enjoyed sustainable growth and profitability from the first year.

- Keeping Balanced as a CEO: Adrián spoke about his family, particularly his twins, and his passion for soccer. He also shared his interest in AI and its potential for personalized learning. He expressed his excitement about the opportunities AI presents while also acknowledging the potential risks it poses. He shared his recent readings on AI, including "Co-intelligence" and "The Coming Wave."

About the guest:

Adrián Ridner is co-founder and CEO of Study.com, an education platform supporting more than 34 million learners and educators a month across K12 curriculum, college courses and test preparation. As a Latino EdTech founder and first-generation college graduate, Adrián has spent the past two decades focused on making education accessible for under-supported learners.

Adrián has been committed to advancing personalized and engaging learning at scale for students of varying needs in the U.S. and across the world. Study.com's short video lessons and online courses help students achieve their educational goals and degrees needed to unlock economic opportunities.

Connect with Adrián:

Website: https://study.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianridner/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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While Caroline started Daily Nouri out of her kitchen, she has built the business into an Omnichannel entity with a presence online and in retailers such as Walmart. Daily Nouri offers cutting-edge, scientifically-backed, affordable probiotics and other products aiming to provide genuine and impactful health and well-being solutions.

So how do you cut through an overcrowded, competitive market to be a stand-out brand? Well, that’s what we wanted to know.

Through our conversations, we touched on:

- How Caroline’s early experiences as an entrepreneur in college led her to have founded, advised, and invested in over 10 food, beverage, technology, and sustainable resource companies.

- Her passion around gut microbiome health and the connection to overall well-being, impacting immune function, brain health, hormone health, and metabolic health.

- The importance of clinical research, safety, traceability, and quality in product development to serve customers at different ages and stages of life.

- The focus on being an innovative brand, such as the capsule-in-capsule technology that survives the stomach acid more effectively, thus delivering more probiotics deeper into the gut.

- Building Daily Nouri with a commitment to boot strap until the first major contract was confirmed. 

About the guest:

Caroline Carralero founded Daily Nouri with the belief that gut health is the cornerstone of overall well-being. Recognizing the need for more effective and accessible daily probiotics, she set out to create solutions that support individuals striving to maintain their health while managing the complexities of modern life.

Daily Nouri’s mission is to make the highest quality, clinically supported probiotic solutions available to all. After years of research and development, the company has introduced gut microbiome products designed for all ages and life stages. Today, Daily Nouri products can be found both online and on retail shelves nationwide. Whether on the coasts or in the heartland, customers can rely on Daily Nouri for premium probiotic solutions that support their health and wellness journey.

Connect with Caroline:

Website: https://dailynouri.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-carralero-66156645/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web, and it is ranked the number 6 CEO podcast to listen to in 2025! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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Drawing from his extensive background, including his tenure as marketing director for Microsoft Australia, Oscar has dedicated himself to decoding the behaviors of exceptional listeners. Oscar has authored much on this topic including his most recent book, How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication.

Oscar believes that true leadership lies in the ability to listen beyond surface-level dialogue, urging leaders to address systemic issues through thematic listening and the exploration of diverse perspectives. By providing tools such as the Listening Quiz, Oscar empowers leaders to evaluate and enhance their listening skills, underscoring that attentive listening can significantly elevate organizational success and leadership effectiveness.

Through our conversations, we touched on points such as:

- Active listening and deep listening are crucial skills for leaders, focusing on understanding what isn't said in conversations.

- Leaders can anticipate and navigate complex team challenges by actively listening and sensing emotions.

- Transformational leadership through listening involves uncovering systemic issues and sensing emotions beyond spoken words.

- The speed difference between speaking and listening can lead to distractions, emphasizing the importance of how things are said.

- Identifying the ‘Four Villains of Listening’, including dramatic, interrupter, lost, and shrewd barriers, hinder effective communications.

- Encouraging self-connection with listening abilities through an assessment can lead to improved communication and relationships.

About the guest:

Oscar Trimboli is a best-selling author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening, and a sought-after keynote speaker. Along with the Deep Listening Ambassador Community, he is on a quest to create 100 million deep listeners in the workplace. Through his work, Oscar has experienced first-hand the transformational impact leaders can have when they listen beyond words. He believes that when leadership teams focus their attention and listening, they will build organizations that create powerful legacies for the people they serve – today and, more importantly, for future generations.

Connect with Oscar:

Take the Listening Quiz: www.listeningquiz.com

Website: https://www.oscartrimboli.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboli/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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The pharmaceutical industry needs drastic change, and Dr. Jo Varshney is all in on making that happen. As Founder and CEO, VeriSIM Life, Jo leads a team of world-class scientists, machine learning engineers, and in silico simulation experts bringing clarity to drug development through computational sciences rather than the existing trial-and-error experimentation approach. However, intelligence and knowledge aside, Jo is a business leader on a mission and one of the most enjoyable founders I have had the pleasure of speaking with to date.

If you listen to this episode you will hear us touch on:

• VeriSIM Life's Mission: The company uses "hybrid AI" to create simulations of human and animal biology to speed up drug development, producing a "translational index" that predicts clinical risks and mitigates them, akin to a credit score for drugs.
• Team Dynamics: Jo emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated, collaborative, and ambitious team at VeriSIM Life. She explains finding the unique formula for building their culture and that she values employees who have a "chip on their shoulder" and want to prove themselves and drive the mission while avoiding "genius jerks" who lack humility and empathy.
• AI and Biology: Jo discusses the hype surrounding AI and the need for realistic expectations. VeriSIM Life focuses on appreciating the complexity of biology and combining AI with mathematical and knowledge systems to improve accuracy and reduce biases. She shares how they identified a new drug for pulmonary hypertension and how with VeriSIM’s tools they greatly reduced costs and timelines.
• Advice to New Founders: Jo differentiates between "missionary" and "mercenary" founders, advising them to stay passionate but separate themselves from the stories of rejection and challenges.
• Continuous Learning: Jo recommends the book "Courage to be Disliked," which resonated with her deeply, reflecting her belief in the importance of being true to oneself and not being deterred by others' opinions.

About the guest:

Dr. Jo Varshney was born to a pharmacological pedigree in India. Being introduced to the world of drug development and research at a young age, and an ethic of competitive achievement, she developed a passion and understanding for science and technology much earlier than most.

Today, Varshney is the Founder and CEO of VeriSIM Life, and the inventor of VeriSIM Life’s BIOiSIM core technology. A virtual drug development engine that harnesses the power of traditional statistical modeling along with artificial intelligence and machine learning, BIOiSIM enables pharma and biotech professionals to bring more lifesaving and cost-efficient therapies to patients faster than ever before.

Over the past several years, Dr. Varshney has front-led numerous collaborative engagements with a host of pharmaceutical clients, government agencies, academic/medical institutes and industry innovators. She is a dynamic and celebrated leader and has received numerous accolades as well as delivered keynotes at several conferences.

Connect with Jo:

Website: www.verisimlife.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyotika-jo-varshney/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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Andrea became a CEO at 35 making his mark in the energy industry. Over his career, Andrea has lived and worked in 7 different countries, gaining invaluable insights into leading international teams and organizations. Now, he is on a mission to help others be able to leave a legacy of remarkable achievements and remarkable good. But in his work, he hears all too often about the challenges facing CEOs today.

If you listen to this episode you will hear us touch on:

● Some of the forces and pressures affecting the CEO today, and why it weakens their position as a leader.

● How CEOs are given less time to make decisions and yet are expected to make faster impacts and turnarounds for the organizations that they serve.

● How CEOs can begin to lack confidence in their leadership and become unsure if they are the right decisions.

● That emotional regulation is always on guard which can impact the ability to be authentic and human.

● The worry about effectively mobilizing people and building a culture of performing because execution is always top of mind.

● Tips and considerations for CEOs and leaders to help protect themselves from becoming overcome by fear.

About the guest:

Andrea Petrone is a top-ranked performance and executive coach, facilitator, and speaker. Known as the "CEO Whisperer," Andrea partners with CEOs and their leadership teams to excel in high-stakes environments where the pressure to perform is relentless. With over 20 years of international C-suite experience in energy, industrial sectors, and consulting, Andrea has held leadership roles across six countries on three continents. His advisory work spans North America to the Middle East, supporting clients from Fortune 500 companies to emerging high-growth firms. Andrea is originally from Italy and has worked across the globe. He now centers his work out of London, UK. As a coach and the host of The World Class Leaders Show, Andrea helps corporate CEOs and executives unlock actionable strategies from top CEOs and industry leaders.

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

Do you want to establish authority and lead confidently from Day One as a CEO?

Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” here: https://10foolproofways.andreapetrone.com/

World Class Leaders podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andreapetrone7527

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-world-class-leaders-show/id1588150545

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rWvMSSUGtbeBUcLXytR9H

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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This interview weaves insights into Michael’s founder’s journey and the mission behind Splitero to deliver a greater power of choice to homeowners in their time of need. (Audience note: please investigate options before selecting any financial service).

Key Highlights:

• When the Co-founder Equation is Good: Michael shares insights into the positive relationship with his co-founder, which has been fundamental to their success in building operations in 13 states with plans for nationwide expansion.

• Building the Right Team: Michael explains Splitero's thorough interview process and the importance of cultural fit. Multiple leaders interview candidates to ensure diverse perspectives and a strong cultural match.

• Go-to-Market Strategies: Why they are successfully growing business via direct-to-consumer marketing and partnerships with licensed mortgage brokers.

• Founder Lessons: Michael shared valuable tips and advice to fellow entrepreneurs such as staying focused and avoiding distractions that can derail progress.

• Recommended Reading: Michael recommends the book "The Anxious Generation," which explores the impact of social media and technology on society.

About the Guest:

Michael Gifford is the CEO and co-founder of Splitero and a career real estate expert who witnessed firsthand the lack of resources available to homeowners when they most need to access the value trapped in their home equity. Throughout his career in residential real estate, Michael has acquired and dispositioned over 1,000 homes throughout the West Coast and originated more than $242M of residential fix and flip loans (BPLs) for investors. Michael was fortunate to be part of the initial and founding teams at Kiavi (LendingHome) and Sundae. Michael is a member of YPO San Diego and an advocate for the entrepreneur community.

Connect with Michael:

Website: www.splitero.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldgifford

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeffrey is a well-known coach, consultant, and leadership expert, who is all about emphasizing the importance of soft skills for building strong leaders, teams, and organizations. Known for his book "The Integrity Game," Klubeck shares his wisdom on communication, emotional intelligence, and change management through tailored corporate programs and teaching gigs at his old stomping grounds. And now he has a new book co-authored with his high-school aged daughter on leadership wisdom we can all use.

He's big on authenticity in leadership, pointing out that while AI can streamline things, what really matters is genuine communication. According to Jeffrey, leadership is all about creating an environment where teams can shine, focusing on integrity and meaningful conversations to empower individuals and drive organizational success.

Here are the highlights of our discussion:

- Soft skills are essential for building strong leaders, teams, and organizations.

- Slowing down and being intentional as a leader helps build trust and create a positive ripple effect in the workplace.

- Authentic intelligence in leadership is crucial for maintaining genuine connections and communication.

- Creating the conditions for teams to achieve desired outcomes is more important than relying on power or grit for leadership.

- Being accountable for one's actions and understanding different perspectives fosters better relationships and personal growth.

- The Integrity Game is a unique approach to teaching integrity and leadership principles through storytelling, tailored to specific professions.

About the guest:

Jeffrey Klubeck, Author of The Integrity Game® which is evolving into a comprehensive soft skills development company. An upbeat and charismatic coach and consultant. He focuses on how to make businesses and entrepreneurs thrive while not losing a sense of what makes a company outstanding: leadership. Jeffrey is a successful author that has worked with small and big businesses.

Connect with Jeffrey:

Website: https://theintegritygame.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/getaklu/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Integrity-Game-Motivation-Accountability-Results/dp/1733086269

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Alex Persky-Stern, CEO of Waymark, is at the forefront of harnessing generative AI to transform video advertising for small businesses. He champions the idea that AI can significantly enhance the creative process, allowing for the production of high-quality video ads that small businesses might not have been able to achieve otherwise.

Under his leadership, Waymark is pioneering projects that push the boundaries of content production, showcasing the potential of AI to revolutionize creative storytelling and advertising strategies. Alex envisions a future where AI-driven creativity not only optimizes and automates content creation but also maintains the authentic human touch necessary for genuine audience engagement.

Here are the highlights of our discussion:

- AI technology is driving innovation in the creative field, particularly in video ad production for small businesses. By analyzing brand assets and language, companies like Waymark can create professional and engaging video ads while maintaining authenticity in AI-generated content.

- Teams like Waymark are utilizing AI technology to produce groundbreaking work, such as films like "The Frost," showcasing advancements in AI that enable the creation of innovative narratives. This highlights the potential of AI as a powerful tool in enhancing creative production and generating new opportunities within the industry.

- The future of marketing and advertising is set to be revolutionized by AI Trends and Creative Automation, focusing on creative optimization and automation. The emergence of GenAI is reshaping the landscape of creative technology, enabling platforms to optimize targeting and generate compelling content for businesses while emphasizing the importance of authenticity and human input in content creation for meaningful audience connections.

About the guest:

Alex Persky-Stern has been the CEO of Waymark since 2022. He leads the company’s efforts to leverage generative AI to make video production radically easy and available to everyone.

Under Persky-Stern, Waymark has partnered with media names like Paramount, The E.W. Scripps Company, FOX TV Stations, Spectrum Reach, Gray Television and more. Persky-Stern has also overseen Waymark’s International expansion through partnerships in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom. During his leadership, the company has been featured in major publications as a leader in AI video, and was listed as one of the Fastest Growing Companies in the USA .

Connect with Alex:

Website: https://waymark.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waymarkmarketing/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Before this interview, we had no idea that 25% of US counties lack a practicing eye care provider. We also hadn’t thought about the increasing shortage of vision care providers or that our screen-obsessed society is generating a higher per capita need for corrective eye care. And for many, the cost of vision appointments and glasses are so expensive that they forgo this critical pillar of health care. Today, the Eyebot team is hoping to address the healthcare deserts in the U.S. and work with organizations like WHO and others, their technology can make a difference globally.

Here are the highlights of our discussion:

- Embrace Dynamism: Startups are incredibly dynamic. Project plans can quickly become obsolete, and flexibility is key to navigating this unpredictability. While the first vision care focused startup Matthias worked on had hurdles it could not overcome, that foundation led the way to take up the challenge again once the technology had advanced.

- Overcoming Barriers and Scaling: Eyebot addresses the doctor shortage problem by integrating technology into eyeglass retailers and online stores, expanding first in the New England area, California, and other U.S. states.

- Self-Serve Vision Centers: Eyebot's kiosks provide self-serve vision tests using infrared light, making it easy for anyone to check their eyes without prior knowledge or instructions.

- Immediate Results and Doctor Referrals: The vision tests take about 90 seconds and can detect over 30 different eye disorders. Once an individual completes the vision test, they use a well-tested framework for telemedicine to ensure compliance and effectiveness and to deliver prescriptions and analysis. While technology can enhance accessibility, routine comprehensive eye exams by human doctors remain crucial.

Matthias Hofmann is the Co-founder & CEO of Eyebot, an outcome-focused technology company where tech innovation meets vision care. Founded in 2021, Eyebot is on a mission to make eye care more accessible for everyone - at the touch of a button. What used to take days or weeks can now be accomplished in minutes. Eyebot has been backed by leading deep tech VCs and the U.S. government's National Science Foundation via the SBIR program and in 2024, raised $6M in a seed round to propel their expansion.

Matthias holds significant experience in new technology development, Medtech, startups, and securing capital through prior leadership roles such as Director & Product Development at Lumicell, Team Lead at Formlabs, R&D Lead at EyeNetra, and postdoc work at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Matthias attended Virginia Tech where he accentuated his engineering degree with a Ph.D. in philosophy.

Connect with Matthias

Website: https://www.eyebot.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchofmann/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Chad’s life story is the embodiment of living within disruption and staying grounded in purpose.

Today, he is on a mission to help others thrive through challenge and change. Chad's framework, the Five Pillars of Resilience—choosing your response, telling empowering stories, visualizing greatness, embracing discomfort, and aligning mindset with action—reflects his belief that overcoming adversity is vital for character development. Drawing on his experiences in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and his upcoming PBS docu-series, Chad illustrates the importance of adaptability and self-care, urging others to find purpose in their work to successfully navigate life's challenges.

Highlights of what we discussed:

- Chad’s leadership journey through his blindness, successful business conquests and now navigating the world as a globally sought after speaker.

- How resilience, choice, and mindset are key in overcoming adversity and achieving success.

- That recognizing choice, telling empowering stories, visualizing greatness, embracing discomfort, and aligning mindset with action are crucial for resilience.

- How embracing discomfort and pushing oneself out of the comfort zone is essential for personal growth and character development.

- It is only through harnessing pure ambition he has conquered becoming a blind black diamond skier.

- How navigating global travel challenges as a blind traveler with a service dog requires patience and adaptability.

- Self-care and understanding the formula for peak performance are important for maintaining optimal productivity.

Chad E. Foster is a billion-dollar revenue generator, job creator, and tech innovator—and he’s blind. Despite losing his eyesight as a young adult, Chad turned obstacles into opportunities, becoming the first blind executive to graduate from Harvard Business School's leadership program and pioneering CRM software for the visually impaired.

A former Fortune 500 executive, Chad drove billions in revenue and industry-leading growth by embracing resilience and innovation. Now a globally sought-after speaker, he equips companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft with actionable tools to transform challenges into opportunities. His dynamic keynotes combine heartfelt stories, practical strategies, and a direct, inspiring style to ignite change and unlock potential.

Connect with Chad:

Website: https://chadefoster.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadfoster/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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A big advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Angel also discusses the significance of diverse AI training data and backs initiatives like "returnship" to empower women in tech, ensuring their perspectives shape more effective AI systems.

So pour your favorite red, white or sparkling beverage and take in this episode. Highlights of our conversation:

- BetterAI is transforming the wine industry by using data science and AI to simplify wine selection through their VinoVoss project, ensuring a comprehensive and unbiased shopping experience for consumers.

- The Smart Sommelier feature partners with wine shops to offer personalized wine recommendations through conversational AI, allowing customers to make purchases directly through the platform for a seamless experience.

- Angel stresses the importance of diverse perspectives, including women's opinions, in training data for AI systems to create inclusive and effective solutions that cater to diverse consumer needs.

- BetterAI's focus on high-quality data is evident in their manual review process involving 37,000 wine experts, ensuring precise recommendations and simplifying the wine selection process for consumers.

Angel Vossough is the CEO and Co-Founder of BetterAI, a Silicon Valley-based AI service provider headquartered in Silicon Valley. The company is uniquely leveraging advanced AI technologies such as Machine Learning, Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, and Computer Vision to create this transformative solution that is revolutionizing the relationship between wine and digital platforms. She is also Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Caspian Capital, an early-stage investment firm focusing on deep tech, biotech, and AI; and was Co- Founder of OpenCovidScreen, a non-profit focused on driving innovation in low-cost, accessible COVID-19 testing.

In her role as BetterAI CEO, and with a strategic focus on VinoVoss as one of its primary products, Angel oversees the direction and growth of the company’s innovative AI applications in the wine industry. This includes setting the overall strategic direction for BetterAI and VinoVoss; ensuring company objectives align with market needs and her company’s vision; building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and investors to support and advance BetterAI’s business goals; and ensuring the alignment of VinoVoss's development with BetterAI's broader technological advancements and business strategy.

Connect with Angel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vossough/

Website: http://www.vinovoss.com

Website: https://www.betterai.io

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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If you want different organizational results, tap into a different kind of leadership guru. For this episode, we headed north to Alaska to meet with Christian Muntean, a distinguished authority in leadership training helping CEOs drive improved financial results and business outcomes via improved team dynamics and organizational performance. Recently, he bundled In his book, "Train to Lead," a structured, 90-day path to enhance leadership capabilities.

What we value about Christian is not only his immense wealth of knowledge but his down-to-earth approach and delivery. This may be because his early career path is rooted in disaster relief and working with community leaders and non-profits in areas in Russia, Mexico, Guatamala, Panama, the Kingdom of Swaziland, Kenya, South Sudan, and Indonesia.

Through his firm, Vantage Consulting, he collaborates with clients across diverse sectors to deliver leadership training that emphasizes personal habits, self-management, and core leadership strengths.

Highlights of our conversation:

- A smart CEO invests in leadership training at multiple levels.

- This training is crucial for preparing individuals for executive roles and developing leaders at all levels within an organization.

- Leaders often struggle with transitioning to executive roles and managing the associated stress. If they struggle, your business struggles.

- Self-development and personal habits play a significant role in effective leadership.

- Self-care is essential for leaders to maintain health, resilience, and the ability to bounce back from challenges.

- Creating a conducive space for success involves being your own best boss, prioritizing self-development, balance, and joy in life.

Christian Muntean is an advisor to owners, executives, and boards. As the founder of Vantage Consulting, Christian has empowered owners and executives of small and medium-sized businesses to boost their top-line revenues by over $500 million. Even more valuable, they've achieved this while expanding their bottom-line margins and reclaiming precious time for their loved ones and passions. Christian’s most recent book, "Train to Lead," is a tested and proven 90-day leadership development guide built on athletic training principles. Christian’s clients have included Fortune 500 firms like BP and Conoco Phillips; government entities such as the US Coast Guard and the Alaska State Legislature; large privately held and Alaska Native-owned companies such as Northern Air Cargo and NANA Development; and a variety of other industries.

Connect with :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmuntean/

Website: https://www.christianmuntean.com/

Email: christian@vantageconsulting.org

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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The trucking industry is highly fragmented and working conditions are often unfavorable to drivers. Did you know that:

• There are over 500,000 trucking companies in the US.
• The average trucking company has four trucks.
• 90 percent of trucking companies have under 10 trucks.
• The largest trucking company has about 1 percent market share.

Marc’s strategic direction emphasizes investment in technology to improve scalability and efficiency, a vision further empowered by a successful Series B funding round. This financial milestone has bolstered aifleet technological advancements and reinforced its reputation as a top workplace, where office employees and drivers find meaningful engagement and growth opportunities.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Marc’s commitment to elevating the trucking industry through the strategic use of technology and optimization to provide customers with efficient and dependable freight services and ensure more consistent income for drivers.

- The importance of building a driver centric company and why aifleet drivers are full time employees.

- Leveraging AI and automation, aifleet seeks to eradicate biases in load assignments and ensure equitable treatment for all drivers. 

- aifleet places a strong emphasis on sustainability by actively working towards reducing emissions and enabling drivers to cover more miles in a highly efficient manner.

- The company has demonstrated substantial growth, achieving impressive annual increases in revenue and successfully completing a Series B fundraising round.

- Recognizing the significance of cultural fit, aifleet prioritizes hiring individuals who align with the company's mission, fostering a cohesive workplace culture essential for long-term success.

Marc El Khoury is the CEO and co-founder of aifleet, a tech-driven trucking company. Powered by our proprietary ai technology, we optimize plans for higher revenue so we can optimize the experience for our hard-working drivers and rebuild the industry to benefit people, the planet, and our economy.

Prior to aifleet, Marc served as Chief Strategy Officer at US Xpress, and Principal at Kearney, a management consulting firm. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern, a MS in Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a Bachelors of Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Connect with Marc:

Website: https://aifleet.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-el-khoury-a59b111/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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Under his leadership, TAB enables individuals to invest in high-value properties with minimal capital, while also handling management responsibilities to provide a hassle-free investment experience. By leveraging technology and real-time information, Duncan is committed to educating potential investors and continually evolving his platform to open up real estate opportunities to a wider audience.

Highlights of our conversation:

- TAB facilitates fractional ownership in real estate investments for as little as £1,000, enhancing accessibility to a broader range of investors.

- Investors utilizing TAB can effectively diversify their portfolios across multiple properties to mitigate risk and enhance accessibility to real estate investments.

- Duncan underscores the significance of a robust team structure within TAB to effectively address competitive demands and propel business growth.

- The core mission of TAB is to democratize real estate investments through technological innovation and streamlined investment processes.

Duncan Kreeger is a leading figure in the world of property finance. With a career spanning over two decades, Duncan has built and sold West One Loans, now part of the ENRA Group, which recently sold for 350m GBP. He has successfully managed over 500m GBP of private capital. His expertise extends to completing secured loans worth an impressive 2.5bn GBP. In 2018, Duncan founded TAB, a pioneering property finance and investment firm that revolutionises the industry by offering accessible opportunities to investors through the TAB Market. With a commitment to trust, transparency, and simplicity, Duncan Kreeger is reshaping the way people invest in real estate.

Connect with Duncan:

Website: https://tabhq.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-kreeger-0395a45/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Raoul underscores the importance of humanizing businesses through executive branding, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and strategic partnerships to weave personal narratives that resonate globally, respecting cultural nuances. By championing CEO branding, Raoul positions leaders as chief storytellers who, by sharing their stories and values, can not only enhance market trust but also inspire others by demonstrating authentic leadership.

Highlights of our conversation:

- CEO branding is essential for building trust and authenticity by positioning CEOs as the chief storytellers of their businesses, emphasizing human interaction over products or logos.

- Highlighting the power of human connection in branding, CEOs can set their companies apart in a competitive market and establish deeper connections with consumers by sharing personal stories and values.

- Emphasizing the importance of showcasing the human side of CEOs, positioning them as industry leaders and fostering organic relationships with their target audience.

- Amplifying a CEO's strengths and aligning their personal brand with the company's values can enhance shareholder perception, marketplace trust, and establish them as industry thought leaders.

Raoul Davis is CEO of the Ascendant Group, an award winning, global leader in CEO branding firm. PR News top 100 ranked elite agency, #1 ranked minority owned PR firm celebrating 20 years working with CEOs and executives of leading businesses in the world. Ascendant offers one of the most integrated agency models in the world including brand strategy, PR, literary representation, design, social media, video, photography, and strategic relationships. Clients include Fortune 500 executives, INC 5000 CEOs, Venture Capitalists, high performing entrepreneur brands, and bestselling self-help Authors looking to amplify their reach.

Davis regularly writes content for Forbes and Entrepreneur and has been invited to small business summits at the White House, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Senate. He is the author of the book Firestarters: How innovators, initiators and instigators can inspire you to ignite your own life.

Connect with Raoul:

Website: https://www.ascendantgroupbranding.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Cam’s philosophy is all about radical focus, grit, and fostering an ecosystem where founders can thrive in the most challenging stages of their journey. His commitment to family and the quality of life in Chattanooga underlines his focus on what truly matters, both professionally and personally, as he strives to back companies that will redefine their sectors and become household names.

Here are some highlights:

- Cam talks about how his experience scaling Bellhops into a national moving company helped fuel his transition into venture capital, leading to the founding of Brickyard.

- Brickyard’s unique model requires founders to relocate to Chattanooga, where they spend up to two years in an environment designed for relentless focus on growth and achieving product-market fit.

- Cam shares what he looks for in founders—those who understand the long, difficult path of building a company and are willing to make significant sacrifices, including moving to a less tech-dense location.

- Brickyard fosters a supportive community of founders, all in the same critical phase of their startup journey, which helps combat the loneliness and stress of building a high-growth company.

- Cam outlines his vision for Brickyard to become one of the most exclusive and successful pre-seed and seed-stage investment programs, backing category-defining companies that harness the power of AI and the internet.

Cam Doody is the co-founder and general partner of Brickyard, a Chattanooga- based venture capital firm that helps early-stage startup founders get Series A funding. An Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business graduate, Cam is no stranger to entrepreneurship and taking risks. In 2011, Cam co-founded another company, Bellhop. Originating in his college dorm room, Bellhop rose to national prominence with $56 million in equity capital. Today, the company has raised over $90m in venture capital and expanded to serve state-wide and long-distance moves in more than 65 cities.

Connect with Cam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cam-doody-b489a124/

Website: https://www.justlaybrick.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Rohit believes in the necessity of non obvious thinkers to drive innovation and disrupt conventional business paradigms, a vision he communicates through books, podcasts, and newsletters. He also carried this through by founding Ideapress Publishing so that he could help lift up the work of other great thinkers. He firmly believes that everyone can build the skill of seeing what others miss.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Why encouraging individuals to embrace non obvious thinking and recognize its value in uncovering insights and generating creative ideas will help businesses thrive in the future.

- A CEO must see fostering an innovative mindset as an imperative in all team members and not just a specific innovation team.

- That non obvious thinking can be learned, which is why he has written his latest book.

- A tenant of non obvious thinking emphasizes the importance of supporting female leaders for opportunities in business to lend to diversity and inclusivity in innovative thought processes.

- Rohit is passionate about promoting innovative thinking through various platforms like podcasts, book awards, newsletters, and speaking engagements and all CEOs and business leaders need to recognize that they can also elevate their thoughts and voice in the same way.

- The Non Obvious Book Awards were established to honor outstanding nonfiction and business books, promoting insightful literature and unique perspectives.

Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is a 3-time Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten books and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends, innovation, and marketing in the world. Rohit has been invited to deliver “non-boring” keynotes and workshops in 32 countries around the world to change the way teams and leaders think at the World Bank, NASA, Intel, LinkedIn, MetLife, Under Armour, Univision, Disney, and hundreds of other well-known organizations. 

Rohit's body of work, including his bestselling trend reports, aims to inspire individuals and organizations to think creatively, cover blind spots, and foster a culture of curiosity and risk-taking. To further amplify his message, he established the Non Obvious Book Awards, recognizing exceptional nonfiction and business literature, and continues to advocate for diversity and innovative thinking as catalysts for progress. 

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur and founding the Non-Obvious Company and Ideapress Publishing, he spent 15 years leading marketing strategy at Ogilvy and Leo Burnett where he advised global brands on human behavior, marketing, and storytelling.

Connect with Rohit:

Website: https://nonobvious.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitbhargava/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rohit-Bhargava/author/B001JRWL64?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1728051894&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Every day CEOs and senior leaders are faced with a tsunami of information and requests so we invited Nuala Walsh, leadership expert and author of Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World to share her esteemed insights. With her distinguished 30-year career in financial services and as the founder of Mind Equity Consulting, Nuala brings a profound understanding of human behavior to the forefront of business decision-making.

In a world rife with data overload and disinformation, Nuala underscores the necessity of a nuanced approach to decision-making, promoting strategies like the SONIC mnemonic to combat cognitive biases and enhance organizational performance.

Nuala advocates for leaders to be vigilant of default biases and overconfidence, stressing the importance of self-awareness and seeking external perspectives to avoid negative consequences.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Human decision risk is a crucial factor in leadership decisions due to data overload, disinformation, distraction, and filtering out irrelevant voices.

- Default bias leads humans to trust people similar to them, potentially resulting in errors in decision-making.

- Avoiding bad news and over-trusting can lead to detrimental decisions, highlighting the importance of critically evaluating information.

- Social comparison and bandwagon effects can lead to feelings of inadequacy when comparing achievements to others.

- Behavioral Analysis in Business emphasizes the need to refrain from hasty conclusions and understand the complexities of decision-making processes.

Nuala Walsh is a non-executive director, adjunct professor of behavioral science in Trinity College Dublin, CEO at MindEquity Consulting, and author of the award-winning TUNE IN: How to Make Smarter Decisions In A Noisy World. With a three-decade career in global investment management at BlackRock, Merrill Lynch and Standard Life Aberdeen, latterly as Chief Marketing Officer, she has been recognized among the 100 Most Influential Women in Finance

Her board and advisory appointments span business, sport and non-profit organizations including UN Women (UK), the British & Irish Lions, World Athletics, The FA, the Innocence Project London, and President of the Harvard Club of Ireland.

A TEDx speaker and visiting fellow at the London School of Economics, her insights feature in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today, the Financial Times, Inc, the Economist, BBC, CNBC and Fox Business.

Connect with Nuala:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nualagwalsh/

Writing website: https://www.nualagwalsh.com/

Consulting website: https://www.mindequity.co.uk/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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His strategic focus on continuous learning, team-building, and robust support infrastructure has driven Tint World's expansion to over 142 stores, with plans for further growth through strategic partnerships and collaborations with major industry players like Rivian and Tesla.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Charles’s strategic approach involved building the system, improving the brand, and assembling the right team to handle growth effectively.

- Actively seeking knowledge through books, podcasts, and audiobooks is vital for enhancing business acumen and adapting to changing circumstances.

- Charles highlights the value of continuous learning from various experiences and individuals in the franchise business.

- Finding the right fit and cultivating a loyal team aligned with the company's values are essential for managing growth in a franchise business.

- Forming strategic partnerships, expanding capabilities, and collaborating with big brands are key strategies for driving growth and enhancing services in the industry.

Charles has been the CEO and president of Tint World since September 1, 2006, where he leads all aspects of the company, including franchise development, sales, and marketing. He transformed Tint World from six independently owned centers into an international franchise chain, formalizing operations and securing FTC approval for franchising in 2007. Charles also founded Auto Parts Network® in 2006 and served as CEO of Meineke Car Care Centers from 1983 to 2014. His extensive background includes founding multiple companies and managing large-scale real estate projects in New York and South Florida.

Connect with Charles:

Website: https://www.tintworld.com/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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Alex emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation before scaling, particularly in healthcare, where patient outcomes are critical. His approach involves investing in the right clinical culture and technology, ensuring that the company stays true to its core values of patient and clinician care while attracting aligned investors.

As Two Chairs has grown to connect around 600 therapists with clients - and these are employees, not an independent network so they are verified and aligned with the brand. Alex aspires to expand the company's reach across multiple states, addressing the mental health crisis on a larger scale and making quality care accessible to more communities.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Two Chairs aims to expand to help more people by making it easier to find the right therapist. In fact, 98% of clients find the right therapist on the first try.

- The matching algorithm used by Two Chairs considers therapist identity, clinical expertise, therapeutic style, and logistical factors to ensure patient satisfaction.

- Two Chairs is proud to have diverse, multi-lingual, multicultural therapists that are direct employees.

- Alex discusses the barriers to accessing therapy and mental health services across states due to licensing restrictions and discusses future changes in the health space. Currently they serve California, Florida, and Washington.

- Founder support networks are crucial for navigating the challenges of leadership, as highlighted by Alex in the success of Two Chairs.

Alex Katz is the Founder and CEO of Two Chairs, an innovative multi-state outpatient mental health system. Prior to founding Two Chairs, Alex led the Consumer Goods group at Palantir Technologies and served large health systems at McKinsey & Company, where he gained an appreciation for the barriers to getting great care within the existing U.S. healthcare system. He received his M.S. and B.A. from Stanford University.

Connect with Alex:

Website: www.twochairs.com

LinkedIn: www.twochairs.com

Twitter/X: https://x.com/twochairsmh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twochairstherapy

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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As an engineer with a strong background in finance, he co-founded Atma Energy to make distributed energy resources like solar and energy storage more accessible to the individual homeowner and business owner while at the same time enabling them to capitalize on surplus power that they may be generating. This development of virtual power plant programs leverages and aggregates individual energy sites into a robust, utility-supportive fleet. This innovative approach enhances grid resilience, especially during natural disasters, and facilitates a transition towards a more sustainable and distributed energy model.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Supratim is on a mission to provide clean energy solutions, especially in vulnerable regions like Texas.

- Visionary leadership and belief are crucial in tackling the problem of making solar energy more accessible even in remote areas while at the same time impacting the utility marketplace.

- Natural disasters and climate change predictions highlight the need for the transition to a resilient distributed energy model.

- Government regulations in the energy sector can be tough but dialogue amongst stakeholders is critical for change.

- Supratim prioritizes customer experience and ethical practices - he is about helping the ‘small guy’ not only benefit from sustainable power but to supply and earn income through selling their excess power.

Supratim Srinivasan is paving the path to a brighter future through Atma Energy. He began his renewable energy journey while earning his Bachelor’s in Engineering from St. Mary’s University. During his time at St. Mary’s, he designed and built a solar-powered disaster relief trailer which fueled his excitement for solar. Supratim then attended the University of Texas at San Antonio to earn a Master’s in Electrical Engineering where he met co-founder Jaro, and together they researched new solar technologies. While attending graduate school, Supratim began his formal career in solar energy providing engineering and operations services to a residential and commercial solar developer.

Over the last decade and a half in renewable energy, Supratim has worked his way up from engineering to leadership and CEO positions in firms that have helped bring solar energy to thousands of Texans. When Supratim is not in the office leading the solar revolution, he enjoys spending time with his 2-year-old son and his wife, whose support never wavers.

Connect with Supratim:

Website: https://atma-energy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supratim-srinivasan-8b188127/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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This book is a reflection of his work with CEOs, founders and senior leaders where he has helped individuals move from self-doubt to self-mastery - in fact he cites 65 ways that anyone can do this. His guidance to his clients places a strong emphasis on skill development in effective communication, performance management, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to prevent toxic relationships and turnover. He knows that leaders who learn to tone down the fear and amp up the confidence move further faster on the quest for success.

Highlights of our conversation:

- To rise up one needs to break free from limiting beliefs and create a career aligned with true desires.

- You must be your greatest champion and learn to take active control of your path and your time.

- Great leaders understand the role leadership presence plays and they seek to fine tune this skill for their benefit.

- Note only does the CEO's vision shape the culture, engagement, and success of the organization, but their level of confidence and self-mastery supports buy-in and engagement from others.

- Credibility and reliability are critical - teams must ‘see’ their leader as the expert and have trust in them.

- Fearless leaders empower employees, support their professional growth, give them control over their careers and motivate them to contribute effectively.

- Executive coaching benefits leaders by providing a safe space for personal development, working on leadership brand and vision, improving self-doubt, building positive relationships and operating in that fearless zone.

Dr. Benjamin Ritter, founder of Live For Yourself (LFY) Consulting and author of Becoming Fearless is an international leadership and career coach, Sr. Talent Management Consultant, Top LinkedIn Voice, global speaker, and host of The Executive, and the Live Fearlessly Podcast. Ben has coached over 500 leaders with a strong focus on senior level executives across multiple industries and geographic regions, within organizations that varied in scale from 50 to over 250,000 employees, and have included names such as, Amazon, Coursera, Doordash, Google, Fiserv, Northwestern, Pinterest, Yelp, and more.

Becoming Fearless is OUT NOW on Amazon! Get it at the link below.

Connect with Ben:

Website: liveforyourselfconsulting.com/becomingfearless

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbenjaminritter-leadershipdevelopment/

Instagram: instagram.com/drbenjaminritter

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Vidusha's perspective on leadership emphasizes that leaders should not see themselves as superhuman, but rather as individuals performing a role, where self-doubt is a healthy trait that can lead to better decision-making. In other words, be human as you lead.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Leaders need to be confident and selfless to grow a strong leadership pipeline.

- Joy, self-awareness, and positive leadership are crucial for fostering a supportive environment for leadership development.

- Self-doubt is important in decision-making to prevent toxic behavior and promote collaboration.

- Understanding one's mortality and focusing on shared success are key for building a legacy of successful leadership.

- Investing in mentoring and coaching future leaders is essential for sustainable leadership excellence.

Vidusha is a valued individual in my personal network and I hope you add him to yours as well.

Vidusha is an HR Consultant and Leadership Trainer based out of Sri Lanka. For over two decades, Vidusha has conducted training and consulting assignments across 15 countries in person, with participants from over 30 countries online. His work in creating a framework to assess validated ROI after training was one of the first frameworks around linking Leadership Training and ROI, and won him a place on the TedX Colombo stage.

Vidusha has won many recognitions over the years for his pioneering work in the Leadership space, including being the only Sri Lankan to be in the Top 50 Leadership Thought Leaders in Global Gurus, as well as being identified as one of the Top 30 Global Thought Leaders in Management and Leadership by Thinkers

Vidusha has over 70 self published books - all of which are available for free (honouring a commitment he made to his father not to ‘sell’ books he writes) on www.booksbyv.com. This is the same reason all proceeds from this book too will go directly to charity

Connect with Vidusha:

Website: https://luminarylearningsolutions.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidushanathavitharana/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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He underscores the meticulous effort invested in crafting the perfect cold brew coffee, overcoming numerous challenges, and targeting a niche market within the food and beverage sector. Alex takes immense pride in the brand’s growth, now available in 8,000 stores, and relishes the sight of strangers enjoying his product, validating its value and impact in their daily lives.

Highlights of our conversation:

- Bizzy Cold Brew was founded to cater to the demand for ready-to-drink beverages, recognizing the popularity of cold brew coffee and the inefficiencies of making it at home.

- Leveraging his background in engineering, marketing, and data analysis, Alex created a product that catered to the market need for convenient, affordable, and energy-boosting beverages.

- Bizzy Cold Brew's commitment to sustainability, organic ingredients, and recycling materials has positioned the brand as a top player in the competitive cold brew market, resonating with environmentally conscious consumers.

- The company's exploration of innovative ways to upcycle spent coffee grounds, such as converting them into biochar for concrete, showcases their dedication to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

- The fulfillment and joy experienced by the founder in seeing employees well-compensated, strangers buying the product, and customers benefiting from the functional beverage highlight the positive impact Bizzy Cold Brew has on individuals' lives.

Alex is an innovative thought leader, early adopter, and disruptor in all things consumer brands. Where others see challenges and hardships, Alex sees an opportunity to innovate, disrupt, and accelerate new ideas. With passions and expertise in health and wellness, food and beverage, technology, and the millennial consumer, Alex has had the opportunity to consult, lead teams, and launch businesses within the food and beverage industries.

Alex currently acts as CEO of Get Bizzy Inc., a beverage company whose mission is to be the best by providing the highest quality and most convenient beverages on the market. When not working on his business, Alex spends his time mentoring college students and training for ultra-endurance races.

Connect with Alex:

Website: https://bizzycoldbrew.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bizzycoldbrew/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexjfrench/

Socials @bizzycoldbrew

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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I met Ed while I was speaking at SEICon (Sports, Entertainment and Innovation Conference) and was impressed not only by his ease and knowledge of intelligently using data to drive financial performance but his passion for keeping minor league sporting teams from soccer and cricket to baseball and football alive and relevant in their communities. He emphasizes that understanding fan behavior and preferences is key to driving revenue and fostering deeper connections between teams and their towns.

Highlights of our conversation noted:

- Sobirho’s start-up story and why it is a personal mission.

- Why a focus on hyper-personalized fan and player engagement is critical for the livelihood of a team.

- How teams can increase revenue harnessing data-driven AI technology.

- How Sobirho aims to empower disadvantaged individuals in the data-driven AI industry, particularly women in technology.

- The importance of bridging the gap between big-budget teams and grassroots organizations.

- How Ed envisions Sobirho as the future on-ramp for helping sports teams manage data, organization, and operations with cutting-edge technology and innovations.

Ed Birchall, is a former professional rugby player and the visionary CEO of the Sporttech firm Sobirho. Ed leads this London-based AI startup with the goal to transform the sports industry by offering hyper-personalized experiences for fans, athletes, and sponsors, while improving operational efficiencies and profits worldwide. Leveraging his background in financial services and roles at leading tech companies, Ed's expertise in process improvement and technology utilization helped generate substantial revenue, including a $150 million increase at CAPCO financial services.

Inspired by his athletic experience and belief in AI's transformative power, Ed founded Sobirho to optimize sports engagements through real-time analytics and personalized content, enhancing user engagement and athletic performance. Under his leadership, Sobirho has become a pioneering force in the Sportech industry, delivering innovative solutions that redefine the sports ecosystem and cementing Ed's reputation as a tech innovator across finance, sport, and manufacturing sectors.

Connect with Ed:

Website: https://www.sobirho.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edbirchall/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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During his unjust imprisonment, Pereira's perspective on resilience evolved profoundly, leading him to become a motivational speaker and author. He also is now a champion for raising awareness on kidnapping and hostage situations not only for the business person, but for their family members who are with them.

In his book From Hero to Villain: True Story of the Citgo Six and through his program "Life Pills for a Surviving Guide," he emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing physical and mental health to navigate challenges effectively. Pereira advocates for raising awareness about critical issues and sharing personal experiences, believing these actions can inspire others on their journeys towards resilience and effective leadership.

We loved getting to know Jose and hearing his story. Highlights included:

- Resilience is crucial in leadership positions, as highlighted by Jose Pereira's experience as a former CEO and hostage survivor.

- Kidnapping insurance is important for employee safety, but there is a gap in coverage for protecting employees' families in hostage situations.

- Accepting one's new reality is essential when facing unexpected challenges because the faster you can accept that a situation has changed the faster you can forge a path for the next steps.

- Finding purpose and meaning in suffering can help individuals overcome hardship and access inner strength.

- His work to bring back other individuals who are political hostages wrongfully detained through the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.

- Today, Jose enjoys working with CEOs and sharing his story from the stage.

Jose Pereira, is a former oil company executive with thirty-five years of experience and the former CEO of Citgo Petroleum, endured 1,775 days of unjust captivity in Venezuela as part of the CITGO6, a group of six Americans employed by Citgo. His wrongful detention, solely based on his American nationality, lasted from November 21, 2017, to October 1, 2022.

Jose walks the walk and talks the talk as a true survivor. He implemented his unique Leadership and Resilience coaching technique to survive his 5 years of captivity, where he discovered that everyone has an inner force inside. He will make you unleash your unbreakable spirit to convert you into a Great Leader in your Business and in your life. Pereira's memoir offers a gripping account of the events leading to and during the CITGO6 imprisonment. He and his wife engaged in a daring act of smuggling letters to each other, reminiscent of Anne Frank's bravery during the Nazi regime, providing vital inspiration for his book. Their determination under duress adds depth to Pereira's narrative, transporting readers to his grim cell and eventual joy upon learning of his impending release.

Connect with Jose:

Website: https://joseconnect.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-angel-pereira/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In addition to the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute, he is also the CEO of Turnberry Premiere. Gerald believes that effective productivity is not just about managing time, but about prioritizing daily actions and moving steadily toward well-defined goals while relishing the journey. He advocates for the importance of setting goals and managing priorities, emphasizing that this approach leads to both personal fulfillment and professional success. And if you are lucky, you may hear him play some bass guitar for you as well.

Listen to our conversation and gain some advice that will be music to your ears:

- Setting goals and enjoying the journey are key to productivity and wisdom for every individual.

- Culture and leadership in business play a crucial role in success, emphasizing shared vision, values, and execution cadence.

- CEOs face various challenges including stress, burnout, and strategic alignment, highlighting the importance of the human factor in decision-making.

- Managing priorities effectively and finding joy in the journey towards goals are essential for achieving success and fulfillment.

- Reading books like 'The Goal' and 'Grit' can enhance personal and professional development.

Gerald Leonard offers a unique productivity approach to accomplishing more every day. Gerald J. Leonard PMP, PfMP, and a C-IQ Coach; he's the Publishing Editor, CEO, and Founder of the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute, as well as the CEO of Turnberry Premiere, a strategic project portfolio management and IT governance firm based in Washington, DC. Gerald is also an Author, TEDx Speaker, Management guru, and, importantly, a Bass player. He brings all these traits and skills into his presentations and interviews.

Gerald is the author of A Symphony of Choices (A Business Parable), Culture Is The Bass, Workplace Jazz, and the upcoming book Productivity Smarts.

Through his podcasts, writings, and collaborations with high-profile clients, Leonard underscores the value of personal growth and giving back, ultimately creating impactful business value and enriching lives.

Connect with Gerald:

Website: https://productivityintelligenceinstitute.com/

Website: https://turnberrypremiere.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldjleonard

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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His experience underscores the importance of adaptability and proactive decision-making, especially in navigating the challenges and uncertainties of a dynamic business landscape. Through his journey, Rick champions resilience, continuous learning, and the power of seizing new opportunities, encouraging others to shape their own paths and legacies.

Some key takeaways from our conversation:

- Embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected and fulfilling outcomes in business.

- Resilience is key in navigating through disruptive times and evolving industries.

- Continuous self-learning and growth are important for both individuals and teams.

- Being a lifelong learner is essential to staying relevant in rapidly changing business landscapes.

- Public speaking engagements can be significant milestones in showcasing expertise and thought leadership.

Rick is a true master of the business coaching craft. His proven track record of helping companies and individuals achieve unprecedented levels of success is a testament to his unparalleled ability to combine business experience with coaching interventions. Through systematic processes and unwavering commitment to employee empowerment, Rick translates vision into actionable steps that propel his clients forward towards their goals and milestones.

As a serial entrepreneur with a knack for scaling businesses in multiple industries, Rick has achieved repeated success and created a multimillion-dollar company servicing clients in 80 countries, including half of the top 20 hotel chains and several Fortune 500 businesses. His diverse background includes stints as an executive coach, entrepreneur, techie, baby boomer, and professional bean counter (earning him the prestigious FCMA CGMA FCPA designation). With over 40 years of experience spanning supermarkets, accounting, breweries, newsagents, defense manufacturing, IT, talent, F&B, property development, and BP, Rick is a true veteran of the business world.

Connect with Rick:

Website: https://www.trginternational.com/

Website: https://www.rickyvanovich.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickyvanovich/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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We spoke with Lynes on his entrepreneurial journey, how managers today should nurture teams differently, and why he believes that senior leaders need to better position themselves for a future where they control their options related to work.

Some key takeaways from our conversation:

- Executives are encouraged to explore freelance roles, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace opportunities in the freelance world.

- This is why he wrote The Disruptive Executive book which offers a practical roadmap for executives to transition to a plural portfolio executive arrangement.

- He believes that practicing gratitude can significantly impact one's outlook on life, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life.

- He urges business leaders to implement programs focused on health and wellness, as well as strategies to position employees for success citing that this is crucial for team development and collective growth.

- Entrepreneurship is a team effort that requires prioritizing employee development and well-being for enhanced engagement and performance.

Pat Lynes is an award-winning entrepreneur and Founder of Sullivan & Stanley (S&S), a change consultancy that helps organizations bridge the gap between investment and value realization. Before founding S&S, Pat worked in the IT and change knowledge worker recruitment game for over 15 years, being recognized as Global Interim Recruiter of the Year in 2015. He has delivered over 100 transformation teams for organizations including Three Mobile, Shell Energy, Burberry, and WH Smith.

Pat was a pioneer of the executive gig economy well before “The Great Resignation”, and he shares his experience and expertise in the best-selling book, The Interim Revolution which helps anyone wanting to work in a dramatically different way, as a disrupted executive. His latest book, The Disrupted Executive, is a sequel that provides a practical guide for executives who want to take control of their careers and work on their terms.

Connect with Pat:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklynes/

Website: https://www.sullivanstanley.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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What we enjoy about Wondersauce, is that John believes in the importance of returning to the art of marketing, urging brands to create engaging and fun content that attracts organic interest, much like the early successes of direct-to-consumer brands such as Dollar Shave Club and Casper. He also thinks there is a place where art and advertising can beautifully intersect.

Through our conversation, John explains:

- The inception of Wondersauce including how it got its name and progressed from a small independent venture established in 2011 to an expansive team doing remarkable client projects. 

- The importance of dissecting and intimately knowing the full customer journey for brands to effectively diversify their strategies.

- How curiosity plays a significant role in fostering successful client relationships and tailoring marketing strategies to meet customer needs.

- Why brands should be open to investigating independent podcasts as a marketing platform. Podcasts can be an effective paid media strategy that allows for personalized advertising with host-led readouts resulting in higher engagement rates.

- The payoff when innovative approaches are embraced in client campaigns such as utilizing memorable artwork or adding unique humor.

- How the core values of integrity, curiosity, and communication lead the way to building strong relationships with clients and fostering creativity within the agency.

John Sampogna is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Wondersauce, an agency specializing in brand storytelling, paid media, e-commerce, and digital experiences. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and advertising, Sampogna has created and led work for a wide range of clients such as L'Oréal, Scott’s, Brookfield, Golf.com, and Subway, amongst many others. Featured early in his career in Business Insider’s “30 Most Creative People In Advertising Under 30”, Sampgona’s insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including Glossy, Adweek, CNBC, Medium, Yahoo, and Digiday. Today, he manages a team of over 75 creatives, strategists, producers, and technologists at Wondersauce, and is well-regarded industry-wide for his innovative approach toward digital marketing and brand storytelling.

Connect with John:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/ 

Website: https://www.wondersauce.com/ 

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#CEO #brand #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast 

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We love innovative companies seeking to elevate the participation of all people working in the supply chain; that is just what HEALE Labs is doing.

With a deep-rooted passion for logistics, Todd Haselhorst has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the transportation industry. His innovative approach, fueled by knowledge gained in economics, game theory, and technology, has led him to found HEALE Labs. HEALE Labs tackles the $268 billion data coordination problem in logistics by leveraging open and decentralized networks. His perspective highlights the importance of timely solutions to optimize the middle mile of the shipping process and address the challenges of errors, fraud, and waste in the industry. But on a simplistic level, his approach demonstrates value in each critical stage of the transportation and delivery ecosystem.

Here are some highlights from our chat:

- Creating an open data infrastructure to connect systems and establish a master record can streamline coordination and reduce costs.

- Incentivizing accurate data collection by workers and drivers through a reward system can minimize errors, theft, and waste, ultimately increasing profits.

- Data Coordination in Logistics is crucial for solving data and shipment coordination issues by creating a master record with real-time information.

- Using tokens as incentives for accurate data input and timely payments enhances the logistics process for shippers, brokers, carriers, and drivers.

Todd Haselhorst is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of logistics startup HEALE Labs. Born in Hays, Kansas, to an entrepreneurial family, he started his first business at 12 (a lawn and landscaping operation) and hasn’t looked back. As an adult, Todd has built and exited several successful businesses including Auto Transport Plus (sold to NYSE-KAR) and CubeMonk, a transportation and labor marketplace for the logistics industry (sold to Cend).

With HEALE, Todd created the first open architecture, a zero-trust blockchain protocol designed to make the shipment lifecycle more predictable, profitable, and sustainable. HEALE’s tech stack reduces fraud, waste, and theft, making the lives of shippers, brokers, carriers, and drivers easier.

Connect with Todd:

Website: https://healelabs.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/0xtoddguru/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #Transportation #shipping #blockchain #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, Dr. Andre LePlume shares insights from his extensive research on spinout ventures explaining how companies can benefit from encouraging employees to form internal corporate ventures and pursue innovative ideas. Based on his book, Spinout-Ventures-Transitioning-Employees-Entrepreneurs, he also expresses his view that the best new companies aren't founded in garages, but rather come from a place of keen knowledge and understanding of the needs in a market.

Episode Highlights:

- Defining Spinout Ventures: Spinouts are created using knowledge and resources transferred from a parent organization. They can ultimately benefit the company even if the spinout founder creates a new company as it may offer needed services.

- Encouraging Innovation: Andre points out the need for businesses to create an innovative culture, allowing employees the freedom to explore and develop new ideas internally and externally.

- Success in Spinouts - These founders typically have greater experience, are more knowledgeable, and have positive support systems compared to other founders.

- Case Study - Zoom: Zoom emerged as a successful spinout from Cisco, highlighting the potential of spinouts to revolutionize industries.

- Navigating Legal Challenges: He notes the evolving legal landscape around non-competes and intellectual property, and how businesses can manage these issues to encourage spinouts.

- Recommended Reading: "The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton Christensen; "Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore; and "Zero to One" by Peter Thiel.

Dr. Andre Laplume is a co-author of Spinout-Ventures-Transitioning-Employees-Entrepreneurs. Andre is a Full Professor in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, which is part of Toronto Metropolitan University. Laplume researches the intersections where new entrants and incumbent firms meet to break down the barriers facing entrepreneurs while helping managers deal with entrepreneurial ambitions in their organizations.

His research has appeared in top journals like Human Relations, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of Business Research, among others. He received his PhD in Management from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and spent seven years at Michigan Tech, teaching in its MBA program. Earlier, Laplume was a business and information technology consultant, helping clients integrate businesses and automate units. He is a frequent judge at entrepreneurship pitch competitions and an experienced entrepreneur, having launched a startup while in Michigan.

Connect with Andre:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-laplume-90639433/

Book: Spinout Ventures: Transitioning Employees Entrepreneurs can be found on Amazon

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#spinout #innovation #CEO #AI #Tech #Enterprise #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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He highlights the rapid advancement of AI technologies, while also acknowledging that the current systems are not yet all-encompassing but improve annually. Fisher emphasizes that high-quality medical datasets are crucial for training effective AI models and views the creation of large datasets as essential for unlocking significant improvements in healthcare.

Here are some highlights are from our chat:

- AI advancements in medicine are underhyped, with rapid progress driven by machine learning technologies, better computers, and data accumulation.

- The medical field lags behind consumer applications in AI due to the need for comprehensive medical datasets for training models effectively.

- Digital twins in healthcare are used to create virtual replicas of patients, improving outcomes and personalizing treatments.

- AI technology can predict outcomes in clinical trials, reducing the need for placebos and making studies more efficient and aligned with patient needs.

- AI has the potential to accelerate medical research, reduce drug development costs, and lead to significant improvements in solving medical problems within the next 5-10 years.

Charles Fisher is the CEO and co-founder of Unlearn.ai Charles is a scientist with interests at the intersection of physics, machine learning, and computational biology. Previously, he worked as a machine learning engineer at Leap Motion and a computational biologist at Pfizer. He was a Philippe Meyer Fellow in theoretical physics at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, France, and a postdoctoral scientist in biophysics at Boston University. Charles holds a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University and a B.S. in biophysics from the University of Michigan.

Connect with Charles:

Website: https://www.unlearn.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskfisher/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #AI #Tech #Enterprise #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, Eric explains how he completely reimagined the structure, talents and thinking needed to prepare Ignite Tech and GFI Software to be stand out category leaders in the future.

He draws parallels between this transformative trend and past revolutions like the Internet and iPhones, underscoring the necessity for businesses to foster a culture of AI-first thinking.

Here are some highlights are from our chat:

- Gen AI is the fifth trend that has changed the world, following the Internet, personal computers, the web, and the iPhone.

- CEOs play a crucial role in leading AI initiatives and championing AI within their organizations.

- Eric's hands-on leadership includes personally interviewing AI innovation specialists, ensuring they share his vision of integrating AI into all facets of the organization to drive efficiency and innovation.

- Businesses need to adapt by integrating AI into various aspects of the company to stay ahead of the curve.

- Transforming companies into AI-first organizations and developing AI skills are essential for success.

- Continuous learning, skill development, and staying updated with AI advancements are necessary to avoid being left behind in the tech landscape.

- Removing every excuse for failure needs to be a leader’s motto.

Eric Vaughan is an experienced technology and M&A executive recognized for his innovation in the enterprise technology space. As IgniteTech’s CEO, Eric is responsible for setting and executing the Company’s vision, leading and motivating the global IgniteTech team to continue to drive the Company’s business to success in the eyes of its customers.

Eric is a frequent and noted author in industry publications including featured columns for executives in the enterprise software industry, and is a highly regarded speaker and thought leader on AI, GenAI and enterprise software company transformation.

Connect with Eric:

Website: https://ignitetech.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlvaughan/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#CEO #AI #Tech #Enterprise #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Patrick Hardy is a renowned expert in the field of emergency response challenges, boasting an impressive background which includes founding reversedisaster.com and accumulating hands-on experience from real-life emergency scenarios. This is why he is known in the industry as ‘Disaster Patrick’.

Patrick has developed a perspective on emergency response that emphasizes proactive preparation and planning. His clients have covered everything from standard offices to alligator farms. Believing strongly in turning a disaster into an opportunity for growth and resilience, he promotes a culture of preparedness in both personal and professional settings. His unique approach to emergency readiness along with his wide ranging experiences have enriched his insights, making him a valuable source of guidance and expertise in the realm of emergency response.

Patrick shares insights from his book Design any Disaster and touches on:

- His journey from a single letter launching his career in emergency response, to founding his company, to stepping out as Disaster Patrick taking the culture of preparedness to the masses.

- He explains the chronology of an incident and what you need to know about command, communicate, and carry out.

- He uses the example of the chaotic aftermath of the false missile alert in Hawaii highlighted to demonstrate the cracks in a top down approach to disaster preparedness and the importance of empowering individuals at all levels to understand the proper emergency response plans.

- He shares how he is now taking on ‘disaster challenges’ where he is receiving challenges to go into scenarios with little knowledge and design and carry out an emergency response plan. Such as evacuating 300 cats from a cat sanctuary in a timed situation.

- He explains how launching emergency response scenarios is something every business leader should do to educate teams and eliminating dependencies on there must be ‘a boss around to tell us what to do’ thinking. This is crucial for business resilience and disaster prevention.

Patrick is a graduate of FEMA’s Advanced Academy and has also gone on to gain numerous certifications including FEMA’s Master of Exercise, Certified Emergency Manager, Certified Risk Manager, and Master Business Continuity Professional. Drawing from his wealth of experience in disaster preparedness and response, Patrick equips audiences with practical strategies to break the Crisis Creation Chain and teaches them to eliminate disasters by turning disruptions into opportunities. His first book: Design Any Disaster: The Revolutionary Blueprint to Master Your Next Crisis or Emergency was released in late Spring of 2023.

Connect with Patrick:

Website: https://disasterpatrick.com/ and https://reversedisaster.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #disasterpr #crisismanagement #publicrelations

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By expanding thoughtful partnerships while still doing what they do best, Ronny plans to bring Circuit City into the future while staying true to its roots. Here are the highlights of our talk:

- Circuit City aims to redefine the consumer electronics market through service and innovation, prioritizing customer service and a consultative approach to stand out from competitors.

- The company plans to expand into a third-party marketplace, allowing quality sellers to offer their products under the Circuit City brand, creating a unique niche in the US consumer electronics market.

- Circuit City's e-commerce strategy focuses on personalized customer service, curated shopping experiences, live chat support, and personalized assistance in the product selection process.

- The company differentiates itself from retail giants by offering a personalized, consultative approach to shopping, leveraging technology and human interaction to enhance the overall shopping experience.

Ronny Shmoel is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with a highly successful proven track record of generating exceptional returns by building multiple businesses from the ground up, scaling them rapidly, and positioning them for successful exits. Ronny is an accomplished eCommerce and technology executive with 22 years of experience in the industry. His vast background in brand strategy, marketing, and intellectual property enables him to create and manage successful brand IP portfolios. Throughout his career he has consistently demonstrated a strong and consistent ability to drive growth and profitability for eCommerce businesses through effective strategy development, innovative marketing, and streamlined operations. Ronny has transformed struggling brands into successful ventures, with his last venture becoming one of the "Top 500 Internet Companies in the United States" for several consecutive years.

He is widely respected in the business world and has been recognized numerous times for his groundbreaking accomplishments in the eCommerce and consumer electronics industries.

Connect with Ronny:

Website - https://circuitcity.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnyshmoel/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #AI #Bootstrapping #Amazon

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Steven Pope, widely known as "my Amazon guy," is a seasoned entrepreneur who transitioned from TV reporting to creating a 500-person agency focused on enhancing businesses' presence on Amazon. His unique perspective on Amazon delivery and ordering is shaped by his profound experience in e-commerce. He perceives Amazon Prime's delivery service as unrivaled in convenience and speed, thanks to its customer-centric approach and efficiency. He sees Amazon as a marketplace where many businesses can thrive due to high customer demand, though he notes not every business will succeed in this highly competitive platform.

Steven believes that everyone can succeed on Amazon but cautions he has spent years learning the ins and outs that can keep you from stumbling when you take your own business down this path.

Here are the highlights of our talk:

- Native Born Amazon Brands are unique to the e-commerce world and exclusively exist on Amazon.

- Sellers on Amazon face challenges like price pressure, Chinese competition, and changing rules by Amazon.

- Amazon Prime's fast delivery service is discussed compared to Walmart and Target.

- Setting big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) is crucial for overcoming growth challenges.

- Replacing yourself in leadership is essential for scaling up and advancing in a leadership role.

- Sticking to known expertise is crucial in business for sustained growth.

Steven is the founder of My Amazon Guy, an agency with 20-million dollars in annual revenue and 400+ active brands. Steven is a best selling author with his book “Amazon Selling Tips.” Steven started his career as a TV reporter in Idaho, then was an eCommerce Director for 10 years for brands ranging from Gold & Silver Coins to Women’s Plus Size Clothing. Steven then created My Amazon Guy, an agency with 500+ employees on growing traffic and sales on Amazon. Steven not only owns MAG but also My Refund Guy, My Warehouse Guy, 4 Amazon Brands: Momstir & Age of Sage, HOLSTIT, and Lilly Posh. Steven has been viewed by millions of people on YouTube in thousands of videos where he shows how to handle ANY problem faced on Amazon.

Connect with Steven:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-pope/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/myamazonguy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myamazonguys/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/myamazonguy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #AI #Bootstrapping #Amazon

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Jason is the founder of Movo, a platform designed to streamline processes for any ‘on their feet’ or ‘in the field’ workforce member by providing a flexible and better connected work experience. All with the goal to lead to productivity enhancements, employee satisfaction and reduction in turnover.

Our conversations balanced lessons learned by Jason as a business builder as well as the ambitions of his latest work through Movo. Here are the highlights of our talk:

- Motivation Behind Movo: Jason identified a significant gap in the market for digitizing frontline work, particularly for blue-collar workers who lacked the benefits of automation and connectivity seen in white-collar settings.

- Value of Experience: Drawing from personal experiences, Jason stresses the importance of gaining industry experience before venturing into entrepreneurship. He suggests that learning from seasoned professionals can help avoid common pitfalls and accelerate growth.

- Team Dynamics: A key aspect of Silicon Valley's success, according to Jason, lies in the team's ability to tackle any problem collectively. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a team culture where members feel empowered to solve challenges effectively.

- Knowing the Value of Where You Come From: Jason shared how his humble beginnings led him to value education and seek out more in life. He explained how his drive was enriched by a self-funded education, a Fulbright scholarship, and graduate studies at Harvard.

Jason Radisson started his career at McKinsey & Company, where he worked with the Firm’s top clients in Spain, Germany, and Latin America on high-profile, M&A, organizational design, and workforce projects. As a Regional General Manager at Uber, he launched and grew cities in the western US. He was then hired to run Brazil’s 99Taxis, where as COO he grew the business 10x on $50M in invested capital, and sold it to DiDi Chuxing for $1B, making it the most capital-efficient scale-up recorded by a gig marketplace. He is also a member of the Rappi-Mafia, where he was an early investor and helped the Rappi founders scale their Operations and Growth teams efficiently across Latin America. Today, more than 20 venture-backed CEOs are alumni of his earlier teams.

Jason is passionate about using mobile technology and algorithms to empower and uplift the frontline workforce, which he believes is the foundation of the economy and society. He founded Movo to address the challenges and opportunities of digitizing this workforce, which is overlooked and underserved by the horizontal technology incumbents.

Connect with Jason:

Website: https://movo.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-radisson/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #FrontlineWorkers #AI #Bootstrapping #GlobalEntrepreneurship #LatinAmericaInsights #RideSharing #EntrepreneurialAdvice #MarketDynamics #HiringAutomation #ProductivityBoost #ExperiencedEntrepreneurs

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Shayna's vision for Navteca extends beyond business success, aiming to leverage technology, particularly AI and data visualization, to address pressing global challenges like climate change.

Here are the highlights of our talk:

- Voice Atlas Revolutionizes Access to Knowledge: Navteca's Voice Atlas is a product born out of their exploration of natural language processing and AI. Initially piloted with NASA, Voice Atlas enables users to access designated knowledge bases securely and seamlessly through voice-enabled devices, revolutionizing information accessibility and usability.

- A Twist on the Path to Being a Founder: Shayna's journey to becoming a tech entrepreneur wasn't linear. With a background in fine arts and a childhood dream of becoming a NASA astronaut, she emphasizes the value of multidisciplinary experiences in bringing fresh perspectives to the tech industry. Her eclectic inspirations from music, literature, and current affairs underscore her multifaceted approach to innovation and leadership.

- Global Teams Cultivates Creativity: Despite being headquartered in Washington, DC, Navteca boasts a global team spanning across continents. Shayna underscores the importance of diversity and creativity within their team, fostering an environment where innovative ideas flourish.

- Lessons in Entrepreneurship: Shayna shares candid insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship, from facing fears head-on to the importance of building and maintaining relationships, especially during tough times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Tech Ecosystem in Washington, DC: Contrary to misconceptions, Washington, DC, hosts a vibrant tech ecosystem, particularly in collaboration with government agencies. Shayna highlights the opportunities and benefits of being located in DC for tech entrepreneurs aiming to work with governmental and international organizations.

Shayna Solis is the co-founder, CEO, and creative mastermind behind Navteca, a technology company with a focus on emerging technologies and IT innovation. For more than a decade, Navteca has created practical applications based on new and emerging technology to help fulfill customers' needs, solve real-world problems, and use technology for good through artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud technology, high-performance computing, platform engineering, virtual and augmented reality, and GIS data visualization. Solis is also the visionary behind Voice Atlas, a safe and secure conversational AI product tailored for government and enterprise use. Currently employed by entities such as the D.C. Government, NASA, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Voice Atlas facilitates insightful answers and knowledge across custom, curated databases. She is a graduate of Towson University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree with a dual concentration in English and Spanish.

Connect with Shayna:

Website: https://navteca.com/index.html

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaynasolis/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #aerospace

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Cole also highlights emerging opportunities in Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Argentina, offering valuable insights for business leaders eyeing an expansion in the region.

Here are the highlights of our talk:

-The Birth of Green Coffee Company: Cole shares the genesis of Green Coffee Company, highlighting its evolution from an asset management venture to Colombia's leading coffee producer. With a focus on consolidating coffee farms and enhancing infrastructure, Green Coffee Company has transformed into a vertically integrated powerhouse in the coffee industry.

-Navigating Colombian Terrain: Cole's transition from a career in financial services to entrepreneurship in Colombia was met with skepticism. However, his keen eye for opportunity and the untapped potential of Colombia's coffee sector propelled him to leap despite initial challenges and language barriers.

-Challenges and Triumphs: Building Green Coffee Company from the ground up was no easy feat. Cole reflects on the early struggles, from capital constraints to operational hurdles, and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. Despite the setbacks, strategic hiring and a relentless pursuit of excellence paved the way for success.

-Impact on Local Communities: Green Coffee Company's expansion brought both excitement and skepticism among local communities. Cole shares anecdotes of how the company's investments in infrastructure and formal employment opportunities have transformed small towns like Salga, Colombia, offering residents new avenues for growth and prosperity.

-Traceability and Sustainability: In an increasingly conscious consumer market, traceability and sustainability are paramount. Cole discusses Green Coffee Company's commitment to transparency, tracing coffee origins from farm to cup, and embracing sustainable practices to meet evolving consumer demands.

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. With over 3,000 hectares of farmland, Green Coffee Company owns and operates 39 farms and manages over 11.5 million coffee trees. Cole is a PwC alum having worked in accounting, advisory, M&A and consulting across the United States, Bermuda, Hong Kong and Beijing, Cole is an expert in emerging markets and understanding the capital movements of high-net-worth investors.

Legacy Group is a leading investment firm in Latin America with a strict focus on high-quality LATAM businesses for international high-net-worth & accredited investors that can produce outsized returns.

Connect with Cole:

Website: www.gcc-coffee.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-shephard-67b1a51a/

Instagram: @gcc.colombia

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast #coffee #specialtycoffee #coffeeexporters #sustainableagriculture

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Self-proclaimed as a luxuriou-ish wine, canned to perfection, Archer Roose is female-founded and co-owned by Elizabeth Banks. 

Marian provides insight into the evolving landscape of consumer preferences and behaviors and why we need this creative brand to bring joy to our lives from stadiums to movie theaters and from retail stores to having it shipped directly to your doorstep. Be a rebel and live by your own rules when it comes to your wine!

-Redefining Wine Consumption: Archer Roose Wines is a brand focused on providing consumers with a better wine experience through innovative packaging and a commitment to quality, transparency, and sustainability. The brand's mission is to eliminate the internal conflict often associated with opening a full bottle of wine by offering single-serve packages that maintain freshness and reduce waste.

-The Story Behind the Name: Archer Roose: Marian shares the creative inspiration behind the brand's name, which centers around a fun and quirky character named Archer Roose, representing adventure, boundary-pushing, and whimsy. The goal is to create a unique brand identity that stands out in a crowded market and resonates with consumers looking for authenticity and enjoyment in their wine experience.

-Navigating Consumer Trends in the Wine Industry: Despite initial expectations of a shift towards e-commerce post-COVID, consumer behaviors have largely reverted, emphasizing the importance of in-person experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations. Consumers seek authenticity, connection, and transparency, challenging traditional marketing narratives. Leveraging omnichannel distribution, Archer Roose focuses on reaching consumers in diverse settings, from bars and restaurants to music venues and airlines, reflecting a shift towards experiential consumption rather than product-centric marketing.

-Sustainably Produced Products: Archer Roose believes in low-intervention winemaking by partnering with wineries located within 20 miles of where the grapes are grown. They prefer vineyards that leverage solar energy and are a dry vineyard. They use no additives in the process and seek only to deliver the highest quality products.

Marian Leitner-Waldman is a wine lover and adventurer who is passionate about bringing you great wines at an affordable price. Marian is the founder and CEO of Archer Roose Wines, one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the U.S. She is on a mission to democratize fine wine by making the wine industry more inclusive and leveraging format to fit the lifestyles of modern consumers. Her emmy-award winning commercials, starring business partner Elizabeth Banks, have been lauded by the San Francisco Chronicle as the "most innovative wine marketing around." Archer Roose has been recognized by Wine Spectator and the Beverage Tasting Institute. Her wines can be found in James Beard Award Winning restaurants, Target, Hannaford and JetBlue.

Connect with Marian:

Website: https://archerroose.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianleitner/ 

Instagram: @ArcherRooseWines

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/ 

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In a rapidly evolving world marked by uncertainty, division, distraction, and fear, he emphasizes mental strength as an indispensable leadership superpower. The habits that underpin this strength, according to Scott, are vital for leaders to navigate challenges and lead effectively amidst adversity. His commitment to these principles is palpable in his coaching and training efforts, as well as in the wealth of free resources on his website.

Here is some of what we discussed:

- Mental Strength Defined: Mautz defines mental strength as the ability to self-regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors for productive outcomes, emphasizing its significance in today's uncertain and chaotic world. He highlights elements like fortitude, confidence, and positive messaging as key components of mental strength.

- Impact of Remote Work: The shift to remote work has significantly impacted workplace dynamics, leading to increased insecurity and self-doubt among employees. Mautz discusses the challenges of maintaining connections and identity in a remote environment and the importance of self-assessment in building mental resilience.

- Overcoming Indecision: Mautz addresses the prevalence of indecision in the workplace and its detrimental effects on productivity. He emphasizes the need to recognize one's baseline of mental strength and shares tools for overcoming indecision, such as setting time-bound parameters and accepting inevitabilities.

- Decision-Making: How decision-making is a critical mental muscle for effective leadership. Mautz highlights common biases that affect decision-making, such as confirmation bias and sunk cost bias, and provides strategies for making informed and objective decisions.

- Goal Focus: Maintaining focus on goals amidst distractions is essential for achieving success. Mautz introduces the concept of the "mental spotlight," a metaphorical tool for staying focused on priorities and avoiding distractions. He emphasizes the importance of simple habits in building mental strength and offers practical tips for enhancing goal focus.

Scott Mautz is the CEO and Founder of Profound Performance™, a keynote, workshop, and training organization empowering business leaders to become better, more inspired versions of themselves. Scott is an award-winning bestselling author, a popular LinkedIn Learning course instructor, and a faculty member at Indiana University’s School of Business for Executive Education. His most recent book is The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors. Scott’s unique combination of corporate experience, research, storytelling techniques, comedy, and dynamic delivery engages both hearts and minds.

Connect with Scott:

Website: https://scottmautz.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmautz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCESjWJrnWegel9lAlhXDS3A

Book on Amazon

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Is your team doing all it can to build meaningful connections with target audiences in today's dynamic landscape? See what Kristian thinks you should consider as you expand your brand.

- Understanding the Narrative Economy: Kristian introduces the concept of the narrative economy, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding and marketing. Drawing from his background in psychology, he highlights the parallels between human relationships and brand-consumer connections, stressing the need for authenticity and emotional resonance.

- Building Relationships with Brands: Kristian discusses how consumers form relationships with brands, mirroring the dynamics of interpersonal connections. By focusing on enhancing the customer experience and aligning with their values, businesses can foster loyalty and trust, transcending transactional interactions.

- Know the Role of Purpose in Branding: Kristian emphasizes the significance of purpose-driven branding in today's market. He shares case studies, including Tony's Chocolonely, to illustrate how brands can align with social causes and advocate for positive change, resonating with socially conscious consumers.

- Consider Narrative Design Principles: Kristian explores the core principles of narrative design, a framework rooted in narrative psychology. By understanding and shaping the stories that resonate with their audience, businesses can craft compelling brand narratives that engage and inspire, driving long-term relationships.

- Know Trends in Marketing: Kristian reflects on current marketing trends, cautioning against a sole focus on virality over purpose and authenticity. He highlights the evolving expectations of consumers, particularly younger demographics, who prioritize brands that demonstrate social responsibility and ethical practices.

Kristian is a seasoned storyteller and strategist who believes in harnessing the power of narrative psychology and social sciences to forge meaningful connections with audiences. Kristian has spent over 20 years enhancing major brands like Harley-Davidson and Coca-Cola and boosting nonprofit outreach with his marketing acumen.His brand strategy firm leverages his PhD in narrative psychology to develop impactful stories that engage stakeholders. A lecturer at the Kellogg SchoolCenter for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University and author of "Start with the Story," Kristian champions storytelling's role in brand building, especially for nonprofits. Committed to ethical communication, he contributes to the American Psychology Association and B Lab's Marketer’s Network.

Connect with Kristian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianaloma/

Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Story-Brand-Building-Narrative-Economy/dp/1544537379/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YLBakXksk8A5MMPV7kuXBjmsP-l5rlzSwBEcMM64oxE.YHNJb5BblzS-UpuS7L4fiPpTucb9GCe9SzpGCQhFD9o&qid=1708439935&sr=8-1

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drawing from her life experience in Africa, Europe and the US, she emphasizes the need for understanding the evolving customer journey, mastering the art of identifying customer challenges, and offering personalized experiences. Even as she recognizes the role of AI tools in enhancing productivity and data interpretation, Sop warns against over-reliance on AI, advocating for the integration of a human touch in marketing to foster authentic relationships and stimulate word-of-mouth recommendations.

Here are the highlights:

– Innovation in Marketing: Creating disruptive campaigns that utilize the latest technologies to solve problems efficiently is crucial to effectively reach and engage customers in today's digital landscape.

- Global Marketing Impact: Utilizing data-driven strategies in global markets is necessary for meeting customers' needs and building trust through content. By using AI tools for personalization and adjusting tone of voice for different cultures, marketers can navigate the evolving buyer's journey and create unique experiences that resonate with customers.

- Innovation and Vision: These ideas are closely linked, with a leadership team playing a key role in guiding innovation towards tangible outcomes. Clemence also highlights diversity as crucial for fostering creativity and innovation, leading to more effective problem-solving and greater business success.

- Entrepreneurial Passion: Clemence encourages early business leaders to embrace their unique value proposition, learn from mistakes, and continue growing. She says it’s important to believe in your product's unique value proposition, learn from mistakes, and keep growing by staying open to learning opportunities.

Clemence Sop has built a career out of crafting disruptive strategies focused on reaching sales, social recruiting and go-to-market goals. Her career has taken her across Europe including offices in Monte Carlo, Germany and now the U.S. where she serves as Head of Marketing Innovation at InterSystems. InterSystems is the leading data technology provider for critical healthcare, finance, and logistics data. Its cloud-first data platforms solve global interoperability, speed, and scalability problems for large organizations.

Connect with Clemence:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemence-sop/

Website: https://www.intersystems.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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As I always say, Andrea is someone to connect with and follow. Here is some of what we talked about:

-Origins of Hive Founders: The initiative began as a collaborative support group when Andrea and a colleague, struggling with fundraising, realized the lack of representation for women in pitch events. This led to the creation of a network that has since grown to 2000 members globally.

-The Investment Playbook: Hive Founders emphasizes building robust businesses through deep analysis and problem-solving. They support and teach women the fundraising process successfully, tailored to their needs and experiences.

-PR and Personal Brand Management: Fundraising is compared to a performance where founders need to effectively communicate their vision. Andrea stresses the importance of founders being comfortable in the spotlight and authentic in their presentation.

-Diversity of Founders: Hive Founders attracts founders from various industries, promoting diversity of perspectives and ideas. They believe good ideas can come from anywhere and encourage a generalist approach to entrepreneurship.

-Trends and Sustainability: Andrea discusses the growing importance of sustainability in business performance, driven by legislative changes and investor interest. Businesses are focusing on sustainability as a performance improvement strategy.

-Personal Approach and Advice: Andrea shares her personal approach to balancing work, family, and hobbies, emphasizing the importance of making the world better for future generations. She also advises embracing discomfort and viewing anxiety as excitement to seize new opportunities.

Andrea is an entrepreneur, advisor, investor and strategist with global expertise in investment strategy, emerging technology, innovation, and strategic growth initiatives. She’s built four businesses in the technology space, including in analytics & event technology, femtech & wearables and HRtech.

Before her entrepreneurial career, Andrea was Director of Strategic Initiatives Europe at Avanade, a joint venture between Accenture & Microsoft where she focused on growth and optimization projects and M&A. She also consulted for other technology brands including Microsoft in the US, South America and Europe.

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://www.hivefounders.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrealsommer/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here's a brief overview of what we discussed:

- Highlighting Female Founders: We pay homage to Katie Sturino, founder of Megababe, whose innovative products tackle everyday issues for women, provide a shout-out to other female founders who are leading the way, and encourage listeners to nominate outstanding female founders for future podcast features.

- Understanding International Women’s Day: Delving into the history and significance of International Women’s Day and tracing its origins from the women's rights movements of the 19th century to its current theme of "Invest in women: Accelerate progress."

- Women in Government and Business: Exploring the importance of representation in government and business, noting milestones in women's political participation and the ongoing challenges they face in achieving gender parity.

- Gender Disparities in Business Leadership: Discussing the gender gap in corporate leadership, including statistics on women in the workforce versus women in senior leadership positions, and highlighting the importance of gender diversity for business performance.

As we celebrate the achievements of women in business, let’s also recognize the work that still needs to be done to achieve true gender equality in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the mindset of a futurist and a firm background in finance and infrastructure knowledge, Courtney and the team at Springbank seek to elevate unique companies that are positioning services to meet the challenges of the next generation of the workforce. With an eye on gender equity and family care, they partner and invest in mission-based companies referred to as 'The Builders' to be catalysts of change.

Here are some of the topics we touched on in our conversation:

- Venturing into the Unknown: Courtney shares her insights on transitioning from the traditional corporate world to the dynamic realm of venture capital, and how her diverse background has shaped her approach to investing in disruptive startups.

- Pioneering Business for the New Care Economy: Dive deep into the innovative start-ups Springback Collective supports, and discover how they are revolutionizing how we approach caregiving and inclusive work environments. For example, Wellthy is a company that offers human-powered care concierge and it is sold as a benefit through employers for employees. And Brisk is using AI to build tools for teachers to make their workflows much more efficient.

- Trends that Every Business Must Watch: Highlighting the data behind key demographic trends that are shaping corporate priorities, government initiatives, the insurance landscape, and consumer behavior. And we discuss how these trends, if not addressed will affect worker productivity, presence, and ultimately profits.

- Unveiling Financial Frontiers and Shinning a Spotlight on Data: Explore the next wave of financial progress as I discuss the evolving landscape of fintech and the opportunities it presents for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Courtney also serves as a board member or advisor to several companies including New Front, Dandi, Parento, Orchard, Coverwallet (sold to Aon in 2020), Betterment and Asta Capital.

Courtney is a graduate of Harvard College summa cum laude and Harvard Business School where she was a Baker Scholar. Courtney and her husband live in New York City with their two daughters.

Connect with Courtney:

Website: https://www.springbank.vc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-leimkuhler-32459b/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Throughout our conversation, Matt threads the significance of mindset and perseverance in the dynamic world of business. Here are the highlights:

-Building Businesses in Challenging Environments: Drawing from his experience in South Africa, Matt contrasts the challenges of building businesses in emerging markets with those in the U.S. He underscores the universal importance of hunger, resilience, and merit-based success.

-Transformative Power of Podcasting: The inception of the Matt Brown show a decade ago marked a pivotal moment. Matt details how the podcast transformed him from an introvert to a recognized influencer, sharing insights with global business leaders.

-The Inner Game of Success: Matt's book, "Your Inner Game," sheds light on the internal aspects of success. Through inspiring stories, he encourages entrepreneurs to embrace perseverance, recognizing that success can manifest at any moment.

-Influence and Its True Meaning: Matt challenges conventional views on influence, emphasizing its ethical dimensions. He highlights the pitfalls of influencer marketing and advocates for an approach centered on elevating others.

-Navigating Networking with Purpose: Acknowledging his introverted nature, Matt shares the art of asking better questions to deepen connections. He stresses the importance of quality over quantity in networking, urging entrepreneurs to focus on meaningful interactions.

Matt Brown is a veteran founder and entrepreneur zealously dedicated to aiding, entrepreneurs, CEOs, business leaders and the broader business community in fostering positive change. A veteran founder of 14 companies across a span of 25 years, successfully exiting multiple businesses.

The Matt Brown Show features over 800+ episodes, ranked in the top 2.5% of all podcasts globally and has an audience in 100+ countries. Today the show is a lexicon of high-value content for entrepreneurs, startups, investors and business thought leaders, around the world.

Connect with Matt:

Website: https://mattbrownshow.com/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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One thing we love about Tim's story is that even after a long and satisfying career, he is willing to go all in on building a company with a product he believes in, proving there is no age limit on being a disruptive CEO. Here are highlights of our conversation:

-Innovative Solution: Tim introduces a groundbreaking patent-pending building system that combines the energy-efficient passive house design with panels made of magnesium oxide. This fusion creates an unprecedented level of sustainability.

-Career Evolution:Tim's journey highlights the diverse experiences of his career that have led to the creation of his unique and sustainable architectural solutions.

-Patent Process: Tim shares insights into the patenting process, emphasizing the simplicity of securing a provisional patent and the ongoing efforts to improve and finalize the patent. He hints at future developments that could make their approach carbon-negative.

-Versatile Applications: The patented system is adaptable to various construction needs, from single-family homes to multi-family buildings and commercial structures. Tim envisions a broad impact across different scales and types of construction.

-Strategic Growth: Sweeney Architecture's growth strategy involves a multi-faceted approach. Tim discusses the importance of strategic partnerships, finding responsible and reliable collaborators, securing project-based funding, and potentially franchising the technology to share its benefits globally.

Tim is both a Certified Passive House Designer and tradesperson, as well as is highly experienced in designing, detailing, and building panelized solutions that offer numerous benefits over conventional design and construction. As a result of his unique capabilities, Tim's clients can build faster, less expensively, and with higher quality and better results, as only a handful of professionals in North America are qualified to do. With over 40 years of design and construction experience, Certification as a Cohousing Facilitator, and a planner that develops superior consensus and pathways using the Design Down Process, Tim's clients are afforded much greater opportunities to achieve their desires, needs, and more.

Connect with Tim:

Website: www.sweeney.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-sweeney-8a303114/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are the top takeaways from our conversation:

-Making Affordable Housing Sexy: Franco's team challenges the misperception of mobile homes and strives to make this form of affordable housing more appealing. Through this, they help low-income families enter homeownership and build equity.

-The Business Model: Franco's unique business model combines real estate, construction, and community development. By introducing modern and aesthetically pleasing features to mobile homes, he aims to elevate their value and offer an affordable entry point to homeownership.

-Changing Perceptions: Franco addresses the stigma associated with mobile homes by showcasing the diversity in mobile home communities. He emphasizes that, like any other housing, there's a spectrum, and his company aims to beautify and enhance the quality of mobile homes.

-Value-Driven Leadership: Franco highlights the importance of having a strong why and purpose in business. His motivation comes from the joy of helping families achieve homeownership, and this purpose-driven approach guides his decision-making and partnerships.

-Collaboration and Problem-Solving: In the challenging world of real estate, Franco emphasizes collaboration and sharing value. He discusses the importance of addressing problems transparently, being emotionally secure, and approaching challenges with critical thinking.

As Franco continues to disrupt the affordable housing space, his vision extends beyond his company to seek to influence policies and perceptions on a broader scale. Franco is on a mission to create affordable housing in Silicon Valley. He discovered that the Bay Area’s mobile home parks offer an abundance of underused land with great growth potential. After years of dedication to his vision, Franco has established a devoted team of like-minded individuals who believe that their positive impact equals success.

Connect with Franco:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francoperezhomes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francotv/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexymobilehomes/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@francomobilehomes9706

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are highlights of our conversation:

- Wild Republic, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, has expanded its presence globally with locations in Denmark and Australia, and factories in India and China.

- Wild Republic is committed to sustainability, using innovative methods to create products with a reduced environmental impact.

- The company has eliminated single-use plastics, uses recycled water bottles for stuffing, and introduced fully recycled stuffed animals. In 2024, they plan to launch biodegradable toys and plush lines, reinforcing their dedication to the planet.

- Vishnu emphasizes the importance of putting passion and love into product design, making Wild Republic's stuffed animals stand out in design and quality.

- Vishnu emphasizes the company's commitment to making a difference, citing examples like eliminating phthalates from toy products years before regulatory changes and introducing fully natural stuffed animals.

- Vishnu shares insights into his unique leadership role as a third-generation CEO steering a family legacy.

- The company's future vision involves continued localization, expanding sustainability efforts, and introducing more earth-friendly materials. Vishnu finds motivation in self-help resources, podcasts, and literature, embracing a holistic view of leadership.

With over 15 years of expertise in the toy industry, Vishnu has honed skills in nature conservation, corporate social responsibility, and global leadership. Committed to preserving his grandparents' legacy, Vishnu expands their influence across the US, Europe, UK, Australia, China, India, Japan, Africa, and New Zealand. For Vishnu, toys transcend play—they serve as bridges connecting humans to animals, emphasizing sustainability. The forthcoming launch features entirely biodegradable toys, reflecting a dedication to eco-friendliness. Vishnu envisions a world where humans and animals coexist peacefully, urging collective action for a greener, more compassionate world.

Connect with Vishnu:

Website: https://www.wildrepublic.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishnu-chandran-09805428b/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation as one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: https://www.disruptiveceonation.com/

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Entering 2024, we must consider the dichotomy of AI-generated content versus the growing human craving for authentic connections. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

-The AI Duality: We unpack the interesting interplay between the rise of AI-generated content and the increasing demand for authentic human stories. Michael shares insights on how organizations can navigate this balance effectively.

-The Event Renaissance: Discover the resurgence of the event industry post-COVID and its pivotal role in fostering genuine human connections and how brands should use these gatherings to collect stories.

-Gather Voices' Mission: Gather Voices was founded to help brands address the challenge of creating quality video content efficiently. Michael sheds light on the platform's unique approach to enabling organizations to tap into the authentic voices of their community.

-The Evolution of Video Content: Michael discusses the shift from brand-created content to user-generated content and the importance of humanizing brands and building trust through storytelling.

-Design Thinking for Life: Michael shares a refreshing perspective on design thinking and how design thinking principles can enhance both professional and personal journeys.

Michael Hoffman is the co-founder and CEO of Gather Voices, a technology company that automates the creation, management, and publishing of video content. He is also the founder of See3 Communications, a digital marketing agency in Chicago and the founder of the DoGooder Video Awards which honors the best social cause video on YouTube each year. Hoffman taught marketing at the University of Chicago and is an internationally sought-after speaker and trainer who is a trusted advisor to business leaders on engagement strategy.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://gathervoices.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffman/

Connect with Allison:

Feedspot has named Disruptive CEO Nation is one of the Top 25 CEO Podcasts on the web and it is ranked the number 10 CEO podcast to listen to in 2024. https://podcasts.feedspot.com/ceo_podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, we focused on common concerns of business builders, including:

-Doubling Down on Your Path: Kenneth challenges the conventional career trajectory, urging us to question our chosen path. Is it about climbing the corporate ladder, or is it about making a meaningful impact?

-Intentional Asking: Arriving at your desired destination by unpacking the complexities of asking for what you want.

-Expanding Your Range: Break free from narrow communication styles, whether it's about building relationships or asserting your desires.

-Building Internal Safety: Burnout is a common challenge in the startup world. Cultivating internal safety and a deep trust in oneself is critical to enabling sustainable growth and resilience.

-Confidence vs. Imposter Syndrome: We explore the paradox of confidence and imposter syndrome, realizing that vulnerability and admitting uncertainty can be the most confident statements.

Kenneth Berger is a veteran of the tech world. He's one of Slack's first key hires and contributed as a Product Manager. He's also the former Co-founder and COO of YesGraph - a social graph analysis technology, later acquired by Lyft. He now helps startup leaders articulate what they truly want, take a courageous stand for those desires, and accept the world’s response so they can move forward. Over 20+ years in technology as a founder, operator, and executive coach, he’s seen both the promise of these companies and all the pain they can create. Now he’s sharing the tools he’s developed to help leaders succeed.

Connect with Kenneth:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kberger/

Website: https://kberger.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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We caught up with Skye at his home in Puerto Rico, and here is just some of what we covered:

-Venturing Beyond Profit: The mission of Philanthroinvestors is to prove that one can both make money and contribute to solving global issues simultaneously.

-Diverse Impactful Verticals: Delving into the diverse projects, Skye outlines Philanthroinvestors' focus on ten essential life verticals. From air and water to health, housing, and education, each vertical aims to address critical global needs, making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

-Housing for Families in Need: Skye discusses the housing initiatives, sharing their success in providing homes for underprivileged families in the U.S. market. With an average cap rate of 11.93%, Philanthroinvestors is striving to create a positive impact in the housing sector.

-Global Ventures: From environmental initiatives in Dubai to implementing recycling programs in Argentina, Philanthroinvestors is making waves globally. Skye touches on the company's reach in Nigeria, Jordan, and other regions, showcasing the extensive network and impact they've achieved.

Skye Logan has been “in business” from the age of 12. Since that young age, with an overriding purpose to help others, he has a long history of volunteer and humanitarian work. Before his successful career in the real estate sector, Skye was instrumental in developing and managing a one-of-its-kind multilocation medically assisted holistic drug and alcohol detox and rehab program. As a 2x Inc. 500 Executive, his work has spanned many facets of the real estate industry, from residential sales to helping build a $ 50 million-plus housing philanthroinvesting portfolio. Skye is a devoted husband and father of six.

Connect with Skye:

Website: https://philanthroinvestors.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philanthroinvestors/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philanthroinvestors/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this conversation, Joe shares the secrets behind ExecThread's success and discusses the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship.

• VIP Access to Career Opportunities: ExecThread serves nearly a million professionals with exclusive access to confidential career opportunities. From VP to C-suite, including board-level positions, ExecThread leverages a unique crowd-sourcing approach to unlock hidden career paths.
• Founding Philosophy: Joe reflects on the inspiration behind starting ExecThread. Frustrated with being approached only for opportunities aligned with his past experiences, he envisioned a community where executives could confidentially share opportunities beyond the recruiter's radar.
• Leveling the Playing Field: Joe explains the limitations of traditional networking and job boards and how ExecThread bridges the gap by connecting a vast network of professionals directly.
• Personal Branding for Executives: Under ExecThread's suite of services are services that support personal branding - an area Allison feels very strongly about.
• Words of Wisdom: Joe shares his leadership values, the hard lessons learned in entrepreneurship, and his evolving philosophy of success.

Joe Meyer is the Founder & CEO of ExecThread, a VC-backed crowdsourcing platform and premium job-sharing network that enables 450k+ professionals to access the “hidden job market”. ExecThread is the largest global aggregator of unpublished executive-level job opportunities.

Joe is a successful start-up CEO and operating executive at high-growth tech companies with a strong track record of recruiting teams, launching new products, raising venture capital, growing traffic, eliciting engagement, scaling revenue and achieving liquidity.

Joe was also cited as the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by Crain's New York Business, and was #9 on Business Insider's 2013 "Silicon Alley 100" list (as one of the Top 100 tech executives in NYC).

Connect with Joe:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExecThread

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execthread

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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This episode also contains a shout-out to insights gained from some of the great guest conversations, featuring:

- Roger Krulak, Founder of FullStack Modular

- Sanchali Pal, Founder and CEO of Commons

- Dr Sophia Yen, Co-Founder and CEO of Pandia Health

- Chloe Duckworth, Co-Founder and CEO of Valence Vibrations

- Ivan Anz, Founder of CAPITANZ Family Office

- Jeffrey Klubeck, Founder and President of Get a Klu Inc and author of The Integrity Game

- Dr Jeffrey Magee, Founder of Performance Media Group

- Przmek Szleter, Co-Founder and CEO of DAC.digital

Allison closes by challenging listeners to set their sights on elevating their personal brand presence in 2024 setting their sights on developing how they will raise their voice and what beautiful things they can share with others. She reminds the listener to understand how you currently show up in the world and determine what success point you are trying to reach. She encourages everyone to reach for their transformative zone in 2024 because building authority has reach and reach delivers money!

If you would like a free copy of Allison's book Building Your Brand: Make Business Happen in a Global Economy, send her a note at Connect@allisonksummers.com.  

You can also connect with Allison on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

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Based in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, Cari has been a part of multiple startup teams and today is on a mission to ensure that leaders are tapping into the human side of business goals and relationships while on their path to success. When talking about the realities of begin a founder we touched on:

- Loneliness at the Top: Cari shares how many young CEOs, especially those under 40, grapple with the loneliness of leadership and the challenges that may come from guiding a company without a personal support system.

- The Fear of Being Found Out: Unveiling the second layer of vulnerability, Cari discusses the fear many CEOs harbor—the fear of being found out for what they don't know. Learn how young CEOs navigate the pressure of knowing everything and the unknowns they grapple with in private.

- Transitioning Team Dynamics: Building and evolving teams as the business needs change is a significant task for a less experienced founder. From hiring super horizontal talent in the early stages. to the pivotal shift toward specialists as the business grows is an area many fail to address early enough in the startup lifecycle.

- Navigating the Red Zone: Cari introduces the concept of the "red zone," a challenging phase where startups move from the green zone of endless possibilities to a constrained and stressful environment.

- Gender Bypassing: Reflecting on gender dynamics and differences between make and female founders, Cari touches on the concept of gender bypassing and the deeper work required for gender equality in the startup community.

Cari Jacobs-Crovetto is an executive coach and advisor specializing in leadership development. She built a career at ad agencies in the 90s, working with prominent brands like Levi’s, P&G, and Lexus. She then moved into the entertainment industry with NBC and CBS and contributed to Bay Area startups, including Sunrun and ModCloth.

In the early 2000s, Cari pivoted towards promoting personal growth, earning mindfulness certifications from Google and UC Berkeley. She eventually founded The Force Majeure, offering executive coaching to startup CEOs and founders, including clients from LinkedIn, Coinbase, and Twitch. Additionally, she is an active coach at Stanford University and regularly published in Forbes, as a Forbes Council Member.

Connect with Cari:

Website: https://www.carijacobs.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CariJacobsSF 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cari_jacobs_sf/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carisf/ 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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The episode covers Ling's motivation to stand out in a competitive market, its bootstrapped journey, and the company's vibrant corporate culture. Simon also discusses Ling's diverse user base and future plans, including integrating AI for an interactive language learning experience.

- Gamified Language Learning: Explore Ling's unique features as a gamified language learning app supporting hard-to-learn languages like Thai and Chinese.

- From Prototype to Platform: Simon shares the inspirational journey of starting Ling from a small prototype to becoming a comprehensive language learning platform.

- Playful Branding: Learn about Ling's playful branding, featuring a monkey named Ming, symbolizing both the app's connection to linguistics (Ling) and the fun, approachable nature of language learning.

- Entrepreneurship in Thailand: Discover the challenges and advantages of being an entrepreneur in Thailand, including the abundance of talent and the thriving digital nomad community.

- Corporate Values and Culture: Explore Ling's corporate values, including curiosity, supportiveness, and an entrepreneurial mindset, fostering a transparent and empowering culture within the company.

Simon Bacher is CEO and Co-Founder of Ling which is a gamified language learning app. His vision is to use the power of language to break down barriers, open people's hearts to culture, and connect people by offering a tool where people can access languages spoken by many, but taught by few.

Connect with Simon:

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@ling_app 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SimyaLearnLanguages 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ling_app/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simya.learn.languages 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are five high points from our conversation:

- Satyam emphasizes the importance of the human-centered design process in making technology more user-friendly and efficient. UX Reactor specializes in bringing human experiences to technology, making products easier and more efficient to use.

- Key considerations when working with enterprise clients in the software space, such as ServiceNow, Nokia, VMware, and Compass. The focus is on creating seamless experiences for complex products used across different contexts and modalities.

- Satyam introduces a test for leaders to determine if they are truly user-centric. The four key questions are: Do you know who your user is? Do you know the top pain points? Do you know what you're doing about it? Do you know the measure of success? User-centricity involves understanding users, their pain points, and continuously working to improve their experience.

- Satyam's vision for the future is to scale the impact of UX Reactor at a global level. The goal is to do what they do at scale, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness in driving business growth through experience design.

Prior to founding UXReactor, Satyam led various in-house design organizations such as Citrix and PayPal. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, Satyam realized that most businesses aren’t leveraging the full power of User Experience (UX) Design as an engine for strategic growth. So, he resolved to change that. Through UXReactor, Satyam demonstrated that UX can and should drive enterprise-wide innovation and business outcomes. UXReactor has enabled its clients-partners to generate hundreds of millions in additional revenue from user-cen- tered innovation. Satyam is passionate about user-centered innovation and he is authoring a book titled User Experience Playbook: A Practical to Fuel Business Growth, which will be released on May 10, 2022.

Connect with Satyam:

Website: Uxreactor.com

Facebook: /UXReactor/

Instagram: /UXReactor/

Twitter: /uxreactr

LinkedIn: /company/uxreactor/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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We caught up with Sanchali as Common is on its way to scale to one million users. The app's data demonstrates that users can reduce emissions by 20% in the first year alone. This is all part of the company's goal to help everyone 'decarbonize their life' by the 2050 planet targets.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

- Sanchali shares her journey from working in international development to founding Commons, including her thoughts on what it takes to build, scale, and grab hold of consumer attention in the app space.

- We gain insights into the impact the app has on reducing emissions and how users can save money while shopping sustainably. She explains how none of the companies on the app have paid to be there but that all are vetted independently based on Common criteria.

- We dive into how users can be better motivated by harnessing rewards and incentives for making eco-friendly choices.

- Sanchali talks about Commons' growth strategies, including lessons from working with the Sequoia ARC accelerator and building a team that continues to grow.

 - We even get a sneak peek into the app's future developments, including enhanced data visualizations and gamification.

Commons, recognized as one of Time's top 100 most innovative companies, is revolutionizing sustainable spending. As the founder and CEO of Commons, Sanchali shares insights into the app that helps users make eco-friendly choices effortlessly. From discovering sustainable brands to earning rewards for conscious shopping, Commons is transforming the way we spend. 

Sanchali founded Commons to empower people to make spending choices that are better for them and the Earth. Prior to founding Commons, Sanchali worked in sustainable development at Dalberg, during which time she lived in Ethiopia and India and worked with communities directly affected by the climate crisis. Sanchali holds a BA from Princeton in Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Connect with Sanchali:

Website: https://thecommons.earth/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchalipal/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.commons.earth/ 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are the key takeaways:

- Frank emphasizes the significance of showcasing your company's journey and thought leadership. By documenting your experiences, challenges, and successes, you can build trust and authenticity in the eyes of your audience.

 - In the evolving landscape of content marketing, business leaders must shift from traditional blogs to engaging multimedia content. Leveraging platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn for short, impactful videos can captivate your audience and make your brand more relatable.

- Frank shares his experiences working with European SaaS companies targeting both local and international markets. Understanding the nuances of each country and tailoring your marketing strategy accordingly is crucial for success in the global landscape.

- The conversation delves into the growing importance of personal branding for leaders. CEOs should be more human in their approach, sharing experiences, and connecting with the audience on a personal level can significantly impact a company's growth.

Frank Husmann is an internet entrepreneur focused on B2B and SaaS marketing. As a former SaaS founder, he knows the challenges and pitfalls of growing a company. With over 20 years of experience in B2B marketing and sales, his goal is to assist B2B founders and marketers to show their expertise. 

Frank started an internet agency for the travel industry on the 11th of September, 2001. A recession right after that hit the global economy, and despite that he has managed to create an agency with about 15 people and sell it in 5 years. After that, he was a co-founder of an international lead generation agency operating in 10 countries with 30 people. After he sold this agency, he started a SaaS business in B2B marketing and sold that after 5 years. Right now, he's using all the knowledge he has accumulated in these ventures to help grow B2B companies with his agency Maxiality.

Connect with Frank:

Free training: How To Become An Industry Authority And Consistently Generate Opportunities

https://maxiality.com/training-expert-content/

Website: https://maxiality.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinspiratie/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

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Building on her view as a trained chef, Jessica matched gained business skills with passion and great technology to design a business ecosystem supporting the needs of independent health-conscious food producers with health-conscious humans.

Here are highlights of our conversation:

- How Bubble Goods serves as an online marketplace for emerging and "better for you" food brands, offering consumers a curated selection of unique and health-conscious products.

- Unlike competitors like Thrive Market, Bubble Goods operates like an Etsy for food, giving vendors and food makers direct access to a targeted audience, offering a unique alternative to the traditional bulk-buying model.

- The platform curates and filters collections based on current food trends, helping consumers discover the latest and greatest products, such as those trending on TikTok.

- Jessica discusses the streamlined onboarding process for food brands, allowing them to create an account on the platform, get approved quickly, and start growing their sales with ease.

- Jessica shares her journey from being a chef to becoming the founder of Bubble Goods, highlighting her dedication to quality and her mission to connect people with high-quality food sources.

With 10+ years in the food and wellness industry, Jessica saw a gap in the market: food brands were innovating (specifically in the health foods sector), but they didn’t have the digital know-how or right platform to launch and scale on. It was becoming harder and harder for these brands to get onto Whole Foods, launch and scale within Amazon, and inefficient to drive customers into their own singular e-com channels. Jessica saw an opportunity to launch something similar to what Farfetch has done in fashion and Etsy has done in the handmade goods space: create and curate a marketplace for the innovative, truly strict label, independent food brands.

Prior to launching Bubble Goods, Jessica worked as a chef in NYC in Michelin-starred restaurants, before transitioning to the food startup scene, which eventually led her to become the first employee and Head of Product and Operations for Daily Harvest.

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubblegoods/

TikTok: @bubblegoods

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJM3giq6He1fbVPYQxx2zsA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BubbleGoods

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Daniella is a passionate advocate for closing the wealth gap in Black households and tackling pay disparities among women of all backgrounds. She emphasizes the importance of individual contributions to bring about these positive changes.

Here are some of the keypoints in this episode:

- Importance of Diversity in Leadership: The conversation delves into the significance of diversity in the C-suite. It's not just about appearing socially responsible but it’s also a risk avoidance strategy. Having a diverse leadership team helps organizations avoid ignorance, reputational risks, and misunderstandings in an increasingly diverse world.

- Transparency Reporting and Accountability: The discussion touches on the importance of transparency reporting, especially for company founders and CEOs. Transparency reporting is essential in maintaining a company's financial health and addressing issues that might hinder its growth and success.

- Trends in Tech and Beyond: Daniella highlights the blurring of industry lines, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the problems you can solve rather than limiting yourself to a specific industry. Tech is no longer confined to those with a tech background; it encompasses various sectors, offering opportunities for professionals from diverse backgrounds.

- Preparing for Conflict: Why a critical part of planning for diversity is also planning for how people develop open communication pathways and have a safe space for conflict resolution.

Daniella Green is not only an accomplished executive coach but also a trailblazer who's making a significant impact in the world of business. Her dedication to closing the wealth gap and addressing disparities is inspiring. If you want to learn more and benefit from her wealth of knowledge and insights, you can connect with her on social media, where she shares valuable content and holds free workshops on career development.

Connect with Daniella:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@slaypedia

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/slaypedia/channel/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Slaypedia/

YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UClp4tTnjgn39bvRuTKyD4Gg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellagreeninternational

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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The episode touches on Jonathan's personal journey, lessons learned, and the principles that have made his company, Keyser, one of the most trusted in the industry. Highlights include:

- The Journey to Success: Jonathan shares his unique journey, starting as a Christian missionary kid in Papua New Guinea and entering the cutthroat world of commercial real estate to achieve financial success.

- Selfless Leadership: The discussion highlights the importance of selfless service and how success can be achieved by helping others succeed. Jonathan's company focuses on advocating for the tenant's interests in real estate transactions.

- Redefining the Industry: Keyser is known as a commercial real estate disruptor, challenging the traditional practices of the industry. They emphasize giving tenants a fair shake and helping under-served company leaders regain control of their real estate processes.

- The Power of Perseverance: Jonathan stresses the value of not giving up, even when facing challenges as a leader. He shares the wisdom of staying committed, learning from mistakes, and constantly striving for self-improvement.

Jonathan Keyser is the founder of Keyser, one of the most innovative and trustworthy occupier services commercial real estate firms in the country. Along with their international partners, they have over 560 people worldwide. Jonathan is a #1 Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author for his book, “You Don’t Have to be Ruthless to Win”, and he was named "The Commercial Real Estate Disruptor" by USA Today. He has also been named a "Top Social Capital CEO" by the International Business Times, is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, a thought leader featured in over 150 articles, publications, and podcasts, and during the pandemic was recognized as one of the "Top 20 Virtual Keynote Speakers" in the country.

As an entrepreneur himself, Jonathan has built Keyser into an eight-figure firm named recently as one of the "Top 50 Most Trustworthy Companies in America" by The Silicon Review. Today through his 6,7,8 Selfless Leadership workshop series, he helps other business leaders activate the three levels of reinvention to boost profits while increasing client and employee retention. Jonathan's efforts to change the business world through selfless service manifest in his content, his thought leadership, and the level of excellence he holds his team to within Keyser.

Connect with Jonathan:

Website: www.keyser.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankeyser/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are the key points of our conversation:

- Melissa's mission is to ensure that every working mom doesn't feel left out of the world of business and commerce.

- Her podcast, Unimaginable Wellness, explores creativity, imagination, and wellness via interviews with entrepreneurs, creators, and founders including Gary Vee, Beth Comstock, and David Roberts.

- The book, Fertile Imagination: Every Mom's Superpower, focuses on three stages to optimize your imagination and is not just for moms but anyone looking to boost their creative thinking abilities.

- The ability to use one's imagination is a critical component of finding joy in life and business.

Melissa Llarena is an author, imagination coach, consultant, speaker, contributor to ForbesWomen articles that have garnered 4 million+ views, and the host of Unimaginable Wellness, the podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, and creators who are moms. Featured guests include GaryVee and Beth Comstock. She holds a psychology degree from NYU, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Transformational Coaching Academy certificate and is training to become a meditation practitioner. Melissa lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and three sons. Visit www.fertileideas.com for a 5-day imagination to impact challenge, quiz, and for more goodies for moms.

Connect with Melissa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissallarena/

Website: www.fertileideas.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Fertile-Imagination-Stretching-Superpower-Maximum-ebook/dp/B0CJGTZ9MJ/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Melissa+Llarena&qid=1695746846&sr=8-11

Podcast: https://www.melissallarena.com/podcast/

Book release date is October 31, 2023! Want a jet engine to deliver on your dreams? Check out the book: Fertile Imagination: A Guide for Stretching Every Mom’s Superpower for Maximum Impact

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are the key points of our conversation:

- Breaking Down Taboos: Dr. Yen discusses the need to break the taboo surrounding women's health and why women must seek help and not "suck it up."

- The Intersection of Women's Health and Business Success: Discover how women's health, including menstrual care, impacts professional success, and why it's essential for businesses to care about these issues.

- The Birth Control Revolution: How Pandia Health is focused on transforming the landscape of women's health by providing an end-to-end solution for hormonal health. Dr. Yen has developed a unique algorithm for birth control options to match individuals with the most suitable birth control based on factors like age, body mass index, and race.

- A Mission to Empower Women: Understand the importance of eliminating obstacles in accessing birth control, such as the need for prescriptions, to empower women to take control of their health and life.

- Menopause Matters: Dr. Yen explains the lack of knowledge and expertise related to menopause and how she is poised to provide expert care for this stage of life.

- Challenges and Growth: Insights into business building in the highly regulated healthcare industry and Pandia Health's vision for the future, including expansion and growth that leads to ringing the Nasdaq bell.

Sophia Yen, MD, MPH is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Pandia Health, the only women-founded and women-led birth control delivery service and is one of Inc.’s 2023 Female Founders. Pandia Health has recently expanded into acne services and will be launching menopause services by the 2023 holiday season. Dr. Yen has more than 20 years of experience in medicine and graduated with a B.S. from MIT, M.D. from UCSF Medical School, and M.P.H. from UC Berkeley in Maternal Child Health. She serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford Medical School and has co-founded three non-profit organizations and projects in her endeavors to improve the lives of women: The Trust Women Silver Ribbon Campaign, SheHeroes.org and the #FFF movement.

Connect with Dr. Yen:

Pandia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pandiahealth

Pandia Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/pandiahealth/

Dr. Yen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drsophiayen

Dr. Yen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiayen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pandiahealth/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pandiahealth

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pandiahealth

Website: https://pandiahealth.com/periodsoptional

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Eric discusses the importance of authentic messaging and their team's unique approach to creative design and he even shares insights into an organization that they are currently helping in Morroco.

Here are some of the stops we made in our conversation:

-Introduction to Cosmic and its mission to serve social impact organizations.

-The concept of the attention economy and its relevance in today's digital world.

-The why behind Cosmic’s manifesto and tips your organization can take in developing your own.

- Balancing the creative process with sustainable work-life balance. Think rest equals better business results.

- Eric's journey from a freelance designer to founding Cosmic.

-The role of AI in content creation and the importance of human connection.

-Distribution channels, focusing on email as an owned channel, and building authentic communities

Eric Ressler is the Founder and Creative Director at Cosmic, a Social Impact Creative Agency.

Eric launched Cosmic in 2009. Cosmic empowers social impact organizations to catalyze real-world change by helping them nail their impact story, build brand awareness, and inspire action. Cosmic is a distributed team of creatives, strategists, and technologists with roots in Santa Cruz, CA but working around the world.

A self-taught photographer and cinematographer, Eric operates the camera on Cosmic’s photo and video shoots. He's also one of our primary video editors and colorists. His musical background frequently comes into play during the video post-production process.

Connect with Eric

LinkedIn Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmiceric/

LinkedIn Cosmic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-by-cosmic-inc-/

Website: https://designbycosmic.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#digitalmarketing #branding #socialgood #Bcorp #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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As the Executive Director of the Newton Venture Program (affiliated with the London Business School and in partnership with Local Globe VC), Eleanor Kaye focuses on diversifying the venture capital (VC) ecosystem. The discussion highlights the importance of representation in the VC industry and the need to empower individuals from overlooked backgrounds.

Eleanor also discusses the challenges and opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs seeking investments and the impact of remote work on diversity and inclusion. The interview concludes with Eleanor sharing insights from her own career journey, emphasizing the value of diverse backgrounds and the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in leadership.

Take a listen and learn...

- Newton Venture Program's mission is to diversify the VC landscape to better represent the world's diversity.

- The program uses blind hiring to ensure a diverse cohort of learners, with around 50% female participants from various backgrounds.

- Diversity of thought is highly valued, as it leads to innovative solutions and approaches to problems.

- The program teaches not just practical skills but also personal skills, like networking and communication, that are crucial for success in VC.

- There's no one-size-fits-all path in venture capital; individuals should carve out their unique journeys and leverage their personal strengths.

- The program aims to make VC education accessible globally by developing open-source resources for learning.

- The future of VC involves embracing diverse perspectives and leveraging backgrounds, even outside of traditional finance and technology industries.

Eleanor Kaye is the Executive Director of the Newton Venture Program. Newton is a leading executive education provider with a mission to level the playing field for people from typically and structurally overlooked and underestimated backgrounds - ensuring that the next generation of investors represents the world we live in.

Connect with Eleanor:

Website: https://newtonprogram.vc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EleanorK_Newton

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorkaye/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Adam opens up about his background and experiences scaling previous ventures. He shares practical lessons learned around maintaining financial independence and exposing yourself to opportunities through experimentation. Adam also gives a glimpse into the operations at retention.com, including how he approaches scaling the team while upholding integrity as a core value.

Here are the highlights of our discussion:

- Building retention.com after successfully exiting his previous company, which identified a valuable feature for retention.

- Retention.com can capture deliverable emails for 30% of anonymous web traffic visiting Shopify stores.

- Stressing the importance of exposing yourself to opportunities through experimentation and keeping financial independence.

- Scaling his team while maintaining integrity and velocity as core values.

- Frank Luqman's book "Put Up" serves as an inspiration for raising standards and intensity.

Adam Robinson has never been afraid to shake things up. He’s a serial entrepreneur, a wizard of high-ROI marketing strategies, and a heterodox thought leader in the realm of digital privacy. At the helm of his MarTech startup Retention.com, he’s melding his iconoclastic style with groundbreaking identity resolution technology to solve the #1 problem marketers and eCommerce brands face today: growing, engaging, and reactivating their first-party database.

Connect with Adam:

Website: www.retention.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-robinson-64409348/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode we speak with Brianna Socci who is an emerging industry leader in digital healthcare. Working with co-founder and surgeon Dr. Paula M. Muto, Brianna has skillfully built up UBERDOC as a nationwide direct-to-doctor platform for individuals to get immediate access to doctors without insurance obstacles and extensive network wait times.

Loving what she does, Brianna shared insights into their business story highlighting:

- The motivation behind building a healthcare access model that would allow a consumer to go online, choose the physician that they needed and pay one single transparent price.

- How the model also benefits physicians who are still in private practice.

- Their growth journey; scaling from a startup in 2016 to a platform with 5,000+ doctors in all 50 states and how her marketing and advertising background was a perfect complement to navigate the expansion.

- How they moved from bootstrapping, to physician angel investors, to series A funding with the moto ‘reinforce and scale’.

- The evolution of not only being a direct-to-consumer model, but that they are attracting the attention of larger employer and union organizations who wish to leverage the physician network.

Brianna merged marketing expertise and technology innovation to transform the bureaucracy of healthcare.

She successfully supported customers through digital marketing, platform development, and business growth initiatives. Brianna has led multi-million dollar investment rounds, and has been featured in several business and technology initiatives, including BossBabe, HealthTech, and was a TiE NY Pitch finalist. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and leadership from Binghamton University’s School of Management.

Connect with Brianna:

Website: https://uber-docs.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Shireen Muhiudeen is an extraordinary individual. She was the first female chair of the Malaysian Stock Exchange and the former CEO of AIG Investment Corporation (Malaysia). She is an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) trailblazer, encouraging organizations to become ESG-sustainable, either as investors or as board members. 

Shireen’s book, We Are All Stakeholders, was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top books to read for entrepreneurs who want to break the mold. 

We sat down with Shireen and here are highlights of what we discussed.

- Why companies can be even more profitable and sustainable with proper governance structures and systems.

- That a focus on environment, social and governance (ESG) does not require consultants or increased overhead, it just requires the right vision. 

- Founders and leaders must set the tone from the top. 

- Founders must also be aware of outside investors who come in with their own views about a company. If a founder's vision is not strong, the investor's ethos will take over. 

- That women on boards can elevate the business outcomes because diverse views will overcome groupthink and groupthink destroys businesses. 

- Business leaders must be aware of the rising concerns on sourcing and traceability of resources for products from certain parts of the world due to sanctions and problematic labor practices in the supply chain.

Shireen Muhiudeen is the Founder and Principal of Corston-Smith-Asset Management. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Shireen guides companies seeking to expand and raise capital in the Asia-Pacific region. She has served on investment, nomination and governance, compensation, risk, and ESG committees within banking, port, plantation, property, and media companies. 

https://www.weareallstakeholders.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireen-muhiudeen/

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Hanieh goes into detail about her current company Qyral, a telehealth platform launched to make treatments for aging more accessible. Qyral offers prescription skincare, weight loss products, and educational resources through a direct sales model. Hanieh explains how this unique approach empowers women financially by compensating consultants directly. She also opens up about lessons learned from past ventures that informed Qyral's scalable business model.

Here is what we explored:

- Founding multiple healthcare companies focused on aging, including a home health care company.

- Qyral; a telehealth platform that offers prescription skincare, weight loss products, and other longevity solutions.

- Qyral's business model focuses on empowering women financially through a direct sales/affiliate model that compensates consultants directly rather than spending on ads.

- The goal is to make treatments for aging more accessible and help people live longer, healthier lives through education, products, and services.

- Hanieh aims to continue expanding Qyral's offerings like hormone therapy to treat the whole person and help prevent diseases of aging.

Hanieh Sigari is an entrepreneur, biochemist, anti-aging industry disruptor, and mom. Her holistic California-based skincare brand, Qyral, is the culmination of a lifelong mission to improve lives and increase longevity. She combines her business acumen, bioscience knowledge, and passion for empowering women to be beautiful and financially free.

Connect with Hanieh:

Website: https://www.qyral.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qyral/ 

Blog: https://www.thelongevitymom.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qyral/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJxOzo0SIdq0Rez_r7obeSA 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Allison and Jason discuss Placecube’s use of open source technology and how it builds security around these systems. Jason also shares his background before founding Place Cube and what motivated him to start the company. He outlines Placecube’s vision, values and culture as the company has grown internationally.

Here is what we explored:

- An overview of what Placecube does, which is helping organizations work with modern technology on tight budgets.

- An example case study of how Placecube built a customer relationship management system for a local authority.

- How Placecube approaches building technology stacks in a modular way.

- Placecube’s values and culture.

- The vision for where Placecube could be in 5-10 years.

Jason brings over 30 years of commercial, operational and relationship management experience to the business and considers himself adept at building great teams. Jason's focus is developing and delivering on strategic objectives alongside the Placecube Board and Leadership Team.

Connect with Jason:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jasontfahy?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Website: https://www.placecube.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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As a four-time company founder and expert in deep integration AI ( or AI fusion), Massoud is ready to place his fingerprint on the future. We caught up with him at a great time, as he is at a really exciting place with his new company, Xeba Technologies.

Here is what we explored:

-How the AI we see today is merely a magical word calculator, but is nothing compared to what is to come.

-Every CEO in the world should be asking the question: how do we bring this technology in and apply it to our pain points?

-The ineffectiveness and problems of current business communication models.

-How Xeba’s technology will transform the management of systems and operations by building an intelligent partnership of machine, data, and pathways to better business outcomes.

Massoud is a tech entrepreneur with a background in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Creating multiple software technology startups & building comprehensive operations consisting of production, marketing, sales, support, implementation and administration has given him a true and unique insight into the fundamental challenges and the urgent need for optimal and synchronized communication especially in tech producing organizations.

Connect with Massoud:

Website: www.xeba.tech

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massoud-alibakhsh-7b139753/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this conversation with Chris, we explored:

- His start in developing little turbines with a small team to a globally recognized sector leader.

- The team's passion for making a difference in the world’s energy transition.

- Why building renewables and expanding clean tech, such as carbon capture and storage biological solutions, is very important.

- The unfortunate truth that not everyone understands renewables are essential.

- His role as host of Conversations on Climate, where he shares how to ethically leverage sustainability to attract new customers, talent, and increase profits.

United Renewables is an established leader in the world of renewable energy. Their primary focus is on the improvement of lives in island communities through the generation of renewable energy. They develop, own, and operate renewable energy sites in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and the Isle of Man, as well as operating in island communities globally.

Prior to founding United Renewables, Chris was an investment banker and a corporate lawyer. As a part of the transition into entrepreneurship, Chris obtained an MBA from London Business School.

Chris hosts the Conversations on Climate podcast series exploring the wide range of solutions to the global climate crisis through interviews with leading thinkers, researchers, builders, and makers who are tackling the issue of climate change from a range of perspectives.

Connect with Chris:

Website: https://unitedrenewables.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-caldwell-a8a196/

Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationsonclimate/videos

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this conversation we touch on:

-Just out of high school he and his business partner created search engine but as it was right around the time Google was building, they had to pivot.

-The business channel they choose to stand in became helping brands position themselves on search engines and being able to guide and better manage the processes on their own.

-What brands must consider winning in the online market and reputation space.

-Insights into campaigns and why owned asset optimization is a formula for success.

-Developing content for organic ranking purposes.

-The right measuring stick whether sentiment, awareness, lift, affinity, or immediate ROI.

-Why the best content does not interrupt but compliments and informs the online user.

- The evolution and scale-up of growing a business to 400+ employees with a vibrant culture that has landed them on multiple best places to work lists.

In 2001, Patrick Danial co-founded Terakeet, which serves as the preferred owned asset optimization (OAO) partner for Fortune 500 brands seeking meaningful customer connections and online business growth. Terakeet is pioneering a unique approach to leveraging owned assets to help brands better understand their customers’ needs and delight them throughout the digital journey.

For 22 years, Patrick has guided the company’s product vision and innovation, co-leading the company’s growth from a dorm-room startup into a global enterprise partner. He has built, operated, and led several industry-leading technological platforms.

Connect with Patrick:

Website: https://terakeet.com/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/terakeet/

Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdanial/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In part 3, Allison encourages the listener to think about 'high risk/high awesome' and why you need to make space for risk in your life. Allison shares her personal 'yellow post-it note' story insights including:

- Why if NFL legend Charles Woodson can take a risk and build a new next you can too. 

- Understanding opportunity windows.

- Why you need a framework for decision-making that serves you well.

- If you have intentionality around time, money, and relationships so you can mitigate the chance of failure.

- No success comes without pain and concern so recognize this and move forward anyway.

- Have what you don't want in life push you as much as chasing what you do want will propel you forward.

- Set your intentions on having the next 12 months develop a new you!

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In part 2, Allison encourages the listener to think about 'The yes line' and shares insights and thoughts into:

- Life accelerates according to the yes line.

- Get out of your own way and keep your ego in check.

- Make space for new.

- Activate the field of possibility.

- Understand the success triangle.

- Write out a question list that will pull you to your future.

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO

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In part 1, Allison encourages the listener to think about 'The next you' and shares insights and thoughts into:

- Getting the motivation to set future goals.

- How to see the field of possibility but not get lured away from the path to your future.

- Thinking about the impact of technology on your future.

- Finding people and resources that will help you see the future and meet it with success

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this conversation we touch on:

- The beginning of indoor GPS.

- Practical applications of the technology, inside and outside large retailers.

- The principles that guide the staff at Oriient.

- The need for speed and the willingness to share.

- The future vision for Oriient and its GPS tech.

Mickey started his career in the IDF’s elite cyber-security unit. Mickey holds an MBA from Tel-Aviv University and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.

Connect with Mickey:

Website: https://www.oriient.me/

Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oriient/  

Mickey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balterm/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

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In this conversation we touch on:

-Benjamin's personal experience with the attack on his first company.

-The mission of making cyber security accessible to everyone and affordable for small business and non-profits.

-How an intelligent tool, 'Albert', makes the experience personable for employees by offering training in small bites based on the user's role and digital habits.

-Why offering a first attack excerise for free can really sell a company on just why they need the service.

-His experiences at Y Combinator and why having mentors who have already been where you want to go is important.

-Insights into raising $15 million in Series A funding.

Benjamin Netter is a cybersecurity expert and the founder and CEO of Riot, a cybersecurity training tool created for employee protection. Benjamin’s platform teaches employees about cybersecurity through mock phishing drills and cyber awareness content custom to each user. Last year, Riot protected cyber attacks across 500 companies.

Connect with Benjamin:

Website: https://www.tryriot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tryriotdotcom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryriot/

Benjamin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/benjaminnetter

Benjamin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-netter/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

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It was our pleasure to speak with Dmytro about Jooble and what is like leading a global company whose international headquarters is in Ukraine.

Here is what we covered:

- Dmytro's personal commitment to the mission of Jooble and how he rose from his start as a software engineer, to be the CEO.

- Why he believes part of their success story is their culture story. He explains that people are attached to the culture and that brings commitment.

- Lessons learned from expanding into nearly 70 countries.

- What it is like to be a wartime CEO to manage global operations and remind people to take care of themselves.

- How the book The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz offered valuable insight for him as a tech CEO facing challenges.

- How Jooble has its sights set on fulfilling the role of a job search product and expanding to meet all job search needs.

As CEO, Dmytro led the international scaling of Jooble to foreign online recruitment markets, created and controlled all the necessary processes, and assembled and trained a team. Today, he continues improving the company's capability to create more value for Jooble clients.

Jooble’s mission is to help people find work. The company is constantly working to ensure that the employment process is as comfortable and fast as possible for both the applicant and the employer. Every day, Jooble aggregates vacancies with more than 140,000 resources from around the world. Sources include corporate websites, social networks, classifieds, and other resources. Thus, all job offers are available in one place.

Connect with Dmytro:

Website: https://jooble.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmytro-gryn-7282802a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DmytroGryn

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Chloe is personally motivated by democratizing access to wellness in every facet of what it means to be well. In the wake of the pandemic, she co-founded Hope Hearted, a Bay Area-based nonprofit that has provided PPE to thousands of unhoused people.

Here is what we discussed:

- Her path to becoming a computational neuroscience expert and how she was inspired by exposure to haptic feedback and sensory augmentation work.

- What neurodiversity is.

- Partnership on Vibes for Apple Watch.

- How one function of their platform provides emotional subtitles in digital spaces to enable people to connect, and the details of how that works.

- Her approach to pricing and having a fee-based app versus a free one that may sell data for money.

- How a digital accessibility tool like theirs can break through discrimination in employment settings and also extend to elevating customer support.

- Her take on the rapid development of AI and the opportunities to integrate with voice assistant tools.

Connect with Chloe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-duckworth/

Website: https://www.valencevibrations.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valencevibrations

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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The main purpose of business, in our guest’s opinion, is to make a difference in people’s lives. In this episode, Mohammed ‘Moe’ Widdi speaks about his latest business venture, Soul Detox, and his feelings about holistic healing and business practices. 

Always intrigued by the ways CEOs and high-performing business leaders manage stress, I was curious about what Moe would have to share. Here is what we discussed:

-      What does it mean to cleanse your soul?

-      Why we need to explore alternative ways to relieve stress.

-      How to choose the right kind of healing for you.

-      The interconnections of life- spiritual, physical, financial, etc.

-      Thinking of business as interacting with fellow humans instead of money moves.

-      Taking care of yourself and your business.

Mohammed Widdi is a Brooklyn-based social entrepreneur with a background in fitness science. He has founded several startups. Mohammed is passionate about health, wellness, and spirituality, leading to him starting his latest venture, Soul Detox, which raised $400K in pre-seed funding. Soul Detox just celebrated the grand opening of its Brooklyn location in January 2023 and has plans to expand in the US and abroad.

Connect with Moe:

Website: https://getsouldetox.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moe-widdi/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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In this episode, Bruce Corris from Market Domination takes the interviewer's seat and helps listeners get to know Allison better and what is behind the career that has enabled her to work with CEOs and senior leaders in over 90 countries. Through the conversation, we explore:

- A glimpse into Allison's childhood and how that formed her life's work.

- The unique position of being a first-generation college student and what that meant to her.

- Her early years in business when she figured out her drive to want to achieve more.

- Why she embraces the philosophy 'The start of amazing begins with a question'.

- Lessons learned being a podcast host (and why she wishes there was a podcast hall of shame for bad guests).

Allison K. Summers, CAE, is a global business expert and recognized association management professional with 30-plus years of experience on the international stage working with ground-breaking industry leaders across six continents. As the host of the Disruptive CEO Nation Podcast, she has interviewed 200+ company founders, CEOs, and cutting-edge thinkers on topics ranging from advancements in tech to leading in the #futureofwork. Allison is an international best-selling author of books such as Building Your Brand: Make Business Happen in a Global Economy and Connect to Influence. Allison is passionate about support systems for youth experiencing illness and their quality of care based on her own experiences with her son and his multiple auto-immune disorders.

Connect with Bruce:

Email: bruce@marketdominationllc.com

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here is what we discussed:

-      Why 'curiosity meets clarity' is important to the DNA of the business.

-      Insights into working with physicians and administrators and other key individuals to design better outcomes.

-      Why understanding data compared to the perception of data is so important when working with people and systems to find opportunities for an optimal future.

-      Why looking at data analytics alone without having the right subject matter expertise will cause failure and why you must have all the key stakeholders and players in the room.

-      How boldly walking away from a corporate job with a young family to start his own business ended up being the right equation for success, even with its challenges, but how the support of family made all the difference.

-      The growth journey for the company, from working his own network to becoming a recognized brand and why it is key that you do not try to make your business all things to all people.

Eric’s passion for answering the “up-at-night” questions led him to build our company from the ground up. As a creative and strategic thinker, Eric leads his team to live outside the box to build innovative and sustainable solutions for our clients.

When not sporting a colorful shirt or crazy socks around the office, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids, and their dog, CC. He loves biking the Natchez Trace with old and new friends, as well as “working” from the Cape in the summer.

Connect with Eric:

Website: https://www.ancorehealth.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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CleveX is a platform that powers market research teams by providing them with access to the tools and the hardest-to-reach commercial audiences. The company's platform allows users to build a network with business professionals and fellow entrepreneurs via video calls, enabling entrepreneurs to avail expert advice and grow their businesses. CleverX is building the next generation of work collaboration platform, where you can collaborate with >20K senior professionals ranging from the world’s leading companies like Apple, McKinsey, NASA to founders of exciting startups.

We caught up with Sharekh at his office in San Francisco, CA, USA, and here is what we discussed:

-      His business adventures from his start in India to professionals stops in Dubai and Singapore before landing in the US.

-  Why it was so important to him that CleverX be a product-centric company built with the goal of solving massive problems in the research industry.

-  That while billions are being spent on the survey industry, when you look at the online survey market it has 40% fraud data. That means that for everyone hundred dollars of spend on an online survey project, $40 traditionally has been a waste.

-   How the CleverX platform resolves unreliable data by gathering a professional network with 10,000 users on the platform and so companies have the ability to connect their research tools to this incredible verified audience.

-    And a discussion on AI trends and if AI can ever replace authentic market research - surprise, Sharekh's answer is no.

Sharek Shaikh founded CleverX in 2020 so that the world's leading research teams could access hard-to-reach-business audiences and amazing research tools, all in one place. Prior to that Sharek was a Government and Public Sector Manager at Gartner UAE, the world's leading information technology research and advisory company. Other professional stops included time with Columbus Global, Sonata Software, and Nokia Siemens Networks. Today Sharek is on a mission to place expert contacts directly into the hands of the businesses who need their expertise and insights.

Connect with Sharekh:

Website: https://cleverx.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharekh-shaikh-4591874/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleverxhq/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here is some of what we touched on:

-Phil's journey from Brazil to the United States and how he has developed his team, their core values, and why simplicity is so important to them.

-The mindset difference between a founder and CEO and the beauty in founder thinking.

-Insights into lessons learned through rapid scaling.

-How Dev Squad seeks to reduce the chance of SaaS development horror stories and increase the odds of success and satisfaction for clients who build custom SaaS products. 

-The importance of their website in lead development and how relevant content is to inbound pull and then the story will help potential customers self-select that the fit is right for them.

-Technologies they are coding in today such as JavaScript and React and why sometimes the simplest technology is the best solution.

-How Phil balances stress with adventure as a pilot flying his own plane, cycling, and Brazilian jujitsu.

Phil Alves is a man on a mission: helping underdog SaaS founders compete against Big Tech. As the CEO and Principal Consultant at DevSquad, he’s led the build of over 100 SaaS products for bootstrapped founders and VC-funded startups alike, leading multiple clients to multi-million dollar exits along the way. Now, he’s paving the way for other up and coming SaaS founders by developing the strategies, tactics, and insights they need, earning a reputation as a leading expert on taking on tech giants… and winning.

Connect with Phil:

Website: https://devsquad.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philalves/ 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Using the knowledge the world has accumulated to intelligently augment clients’ data and to identify patterns within it and generate a system-level understanding of immunity. These patterns then become powerful tools for explaining, predicting and optimizing outcomes proving guidance in both drug discovery and clinical trials.

I spoke with David from his office in TelAviv and here is some of what we touched on:

- What it means to be the first cell-centered computational model for human disease.

- How CytoReason's massive database and AI-led platform supports the pharma and the biotech space to make decisions on what drug to give to what patients.

- It's not one company, it's not one person, it's not the brilliance of one researcher or one invention but rather a long, long, long chain of people, different people, different companies, different research institutions, different governments all contributing to bringing therapy to a patient somewhere in the world.

- Five of the world's top 10 pharma companies use CytoReason technology in order to manage their research and development.

- The why behind his personal drive to improve patient outcomes in healthcare.

- The early stages of getting the business off the ground and bootstrapping the company until they knew the exact value they could bring to the market and then scaling to 150 team members globally.

David Harel, co-founder and CEO of CytoReason, is a well-rounded business leader with proven strategic thinking and demonstrated execution in healthcare, technology and finance. He spent the first part of his career in private equity, focusing on strategy and financing of growth companies in industrial and healthcare IT markets. Prior to CytoReason, David served as the CEO of Virtual OfficeWare Healthcare Solutions. He is an expert at evaluating business models, creating targeted go-to-market plans and focusing on the right opportunities. David has excellent negotiation skills with the ability to close large contracts. David also has direct experience in P&L management, M&A, market evaluation, sales planning and financial analysis.

Connect with David:

Website: https://www.cytoreason.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are some highlights of our conversation on our second go around:

- Why business leaders need to pay more attention to human capital (because every problem and challenge you have in your business is because of human capital).

- The reality for most of us is that there are disruptions, interruptions, challenges, unforeseen opportunities, and problems that pop up for all of us every day so we need to understand that change is where we live.

- Transformational leaders are the people that create change. Transformational leaders are the people that write the rule.

- We operate in a time when people have not been taught how to make a decision so he often trains on the STOP method: stop and look at a new stimulant, target and think, organize options, and pick and proceed.

- The importance of diversified teams. Google evaluated the top 32 businesses that filed bankruptcy in America, one of the interesting phenomena is that no one in the executive team ever spent time in sales and marketing.

- The big challenge globally facing all employers is recruiting and retention and the disruption of the negative 10% of the workforce - but he provides his advice on how to deal with them.

- Why new businesses today need to focus on two things - scalability and sellability.

Dr. Jeffrey Magee CBE, CSP, CMC, PDM is often referred to as one of today’s leading Leadership Strategists. Dr. Magee believes that in both the start-up to mature-growth market business sector, the number one resource companies have is human capital and successful leaders bring out the best in people to help organizations thrive.

Dr. Magee is the author of over 30 books, three college graduate management textbooks, four best sellers, and is the Publisher of PERFORMANCE/P360 Magazine. He was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and twice selected to represent the United States at the World Congress as a Leadership Speaker.

Connect with Jeffrey:

Website: http://www.jeffreymagee.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjeffspeaks

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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On the day we caught up with Aric he was in Sweden and energized with insights and ideas. In our conversation he touched on:

- The excitement he holds in helping companies see the forces that can help shape their future and view into what could happen and the great potential of would could be.

- That most businesses need to hone a culture of innovation but they settle for modification and simple change.

- The true purpose of leadership is not commanding but building a vision that others will follow. Great leaders are driven by curiosity and the passion of discovery and are intellectually hungry.

- That you need to recognize that if you are the smartest person in the room then you are in the wrong room.

- How most consulting has brilliantly failed businesses. That having the same advisors is not diverse enough in thinking and what he has built his practice to offer a revolving table of knights to shake up innovative insights for clients.

- That human must rethink their relationship with technology. The axe was created to expand human potential, that's how we should look at tech and the rapid advancement of tech. Often, companies look at tech as a quick shallow solution.

- A great advisor will help a company ideate, calibrate and educate.

Aric Dromi is a highly respected keynote speaker, futurologist and innovation strategist. Aric spent years helping executives and decision-makers to refine their offer and understand the potential impacts that lie along the road ahead.

His focus areas include: Automation and fast-tracking, Privacy, integrity, surveillance and legislation, Social trends and economic models, Transformation, smarter innovation and monetization structures, Mobility, logistics, energy, communication and smarted data, The reciprocal relationships between policy, society and technology, The future of cities and urban structures, The next frontier of Intelligence amplification in the era of VR, AR and AI.

Aric's book The Intellectual Rage: The underground, unfiltered guide to corporate innovation & bullshit can be found on Amazon under the pseudonym D.B Solomon.

Connect with Aric:

Websites: blackswantheatre.com

tempusmotu.com

Risingstringsacademy.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aricdromi/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#futurist #CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Here are some highlights from our conversation:

- The motivation behind The Integrity Game®️ and why integrity isn't what everyone thinks it is.

- The importance of personal accountability and self-leadership and that The Integrity Game®️ was born in the land of personal accountability. 

- Why companies, their KPIs and the shareholders need teams to know how to operate within the framework of integrity for increased opportunity for success. And why leaders who get permission to lead achieve a higher level of employee engagement.

- The concept that there is never any traffic on the extra mile.

- The rise of the concept of individualism and 'the authentic self' affecting the workplace.

- Jeff's work in the university classroom and why he is passionate about impacting the mindsets of his students.

Jeffrey Klubeck, Author of The Integrity Game® which is evolving into a comprehensive soft skills development company. An upbeat and charismatic coach and consultant. He focuses on how to make businesses and entrepreneurs thrive while not losing a sense of what makes a company outstanding: leadership. Jeffrey is a successful author that has worked with small and big businesses.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: https://getaklu.net/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/getaklu/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialcoachjeffrey/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/getaklu?lang=en 

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/ 

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO  

#CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast

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Through sheer hard work and a keen eye for unique opportunities, Maxwell eventually found success in the world of coaching and business development. Now, as the managing partner of Ono Wine and Whiskey Investment, Maxwell continues to embrace a growth mindset, pursuing new and exciting ventures while cherishing the simple joys of life.

While Maxwell is originally from Australia, he's worked in places like Mexico, Chicago, Miami, Copenhagen, and we caught up with him in Barcelona. Here are highlights from our conversation:

- The trigger point when he walked away from banking and sought a life of self-determination which included co-founding High-Performing Coach Ltd., a company which grew 300% in the first five months of the pandemic to a staff of 35 covering the world.

- Why a leader must know their personal core values, and with entrepreneurs growth must be one of the three or it will not work out.

- The why behind his belief in the value of the Ono Wine and Whiskey Investment Fund and the paths to investor choices.

- The importance of having the right network of experts for individuals who grow their personal net wealth.

- Why entrepreneurs need to be in love with how people use and need their products verses how they view their own products. If someone is not using a product or seeing their life as becoming better because of it, success will not come as easily.

Maxwell Nee is the Managing Partner of OENO Wine & Whisky Investment and Chairman of Family Office Association of Australia. He’s a multi-award-winning entrepreneur who earns his investors a recession-proof and market-beating return with wine & whisky alternative investments. He is active on LinkedIn and a great mind to add to your personal network.

Connect with Maxwell:

Website: http://oenowinewhiskyfund.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwellnee/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast #familyoffice

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The company is on a huge mission to help 5k B2B Consultants and Professional Services Businesses to stop chasing clients on social media.

In this chat we touch on:

-The need for CEOs to have an impenetrable personal brand that compliments the business.

-That your marketing goal should be to lead people to feel safe, that your marketing provides subconscious tick marks that their need will be met.

-Listening to the challenges you hear your customers talking about.

-That we need to focus on sales behaviors and how to respond to the human buying mind more than avatars.

-Why mini-events can be a strong catalyst for growth.

-That for all business leaders progress takes place in the face of discomfort.

Mark Firth is the CEO of B2B Growth Team. Mark Firth spent a large portion of his life working a corporate job in London, he worked for companies like IBM and Siemens but he was left feeling unfulfilled. He went in search of answers and an 11 year journey from the UK to Colombia for a decade, fell in love and started a family and then a business.

He finally made it into Florida on an investment visa supported by his business. He runs B2B Growth Team which has helped hundreds of B2B consultants to land clients through a mix of organic and paid business strategies.

Connect with Mark:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfirthonline/

Website: https://www.markfirthonline.com/

Connect with Allison:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsummerschicago/

Website: DisruptiveCEONation.com

Twitter: @DisruptiveCEO 

#CEO #startup #startupstory #founder #founderstory #business #businesspodcast #podcast #selfhelp #selfservice #socialselling, #leadgeneration, #salesnavigator, #virtualselling

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Richard founded Just Connecting in 2009 in the Netherlands and today leads operations from Spain with an international team. Richard strongly believes that the sales environment is changing rapidly and requires a different approach and those that will win have a knowledge network to support them.

In this chat we touch on:

- The power of LinkedIn as the ultimate B2B tool.

- The ability of their team to deliver LinkedIn training in seven languages focusing on marketing, content and employee advocacy training.

- Why businesses need to stop playing numbers games of bad one-to-one pitching and optimize LinkedIn campaigns and ads.

_ Using content strategy on LinkedIn.

- His journey of building his company to multi-national status.

- The benefit of his monthly membership group and how it has served as an indispensable

Richard van der Blom is the Founder/CEO of Just Connecting HUB, an international operating agency providing Virtual & Social Selling LinkedIn training and consultancy. Since 2010 he has provided training and sessions for over 200,000 professionals and served more than 750 companies worldwide. Amongst his clients are companies like Nestlé, NetApp, InterSystems, Salesforce, TEVA, Philips and many more.