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Episode Directory
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- 1/25/2012: Digital Marketing: Low-cost and Effective Listen Now
- 1/18/2012: Believe in Yourself and Don't Give Up Listen Now
- 1/11/2012: Business Advice From the Doctor Listen Now
- 1/4/2012: The Best Salesperson, not the Best-Qualified, Lands the Job Listen Now
December 2011
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Joe Abraham
A serial entrepreneur, Joe has been involved in the startup and growth of over 20 companies. He is CEO of BOSI - The LinkedIn meets match.com for entrepreneurs. Joe is author of the book Entrepreneurial DNA: The Breakthrough Discovery That Aligns Your Business to Your Unique Strengths. He is an advisor to several entrepreneurship centers and university incubators around the country and a keynote speaker on topics related to entrepreneurship and free enterprise. View Guest page
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Feras Alhlou
Feras Alhlou, President and Founder of E-Nor, is a Digital Marketing Evangelist who travels the globe as a frequent speaker at web analytics and digital marketing & optimization industry conferences including SES, SMX, eMetrics (Marketing Optimization Summit) and Google Analytics User Events. Alhlou’s deep industry knowledge and forward thinking perspective are a core benefit to businesses, agencies and marketing consultants he counsels, including Fortune 25 and Fortune 500 companies. Alhlou is passionate about improving companies’ ROI and led his organization to implement and launch successful analytics and marketing optimization strategies for E-Nor’s diversified client base. Under his leadership, E-Nor achieved multiple Google qualifications including Google Analytics Certified Partner. View Guest page
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Josh Altman
Josh Altman is one of the most successful real estate agents in the Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills luxury housing market. With a clientele consisting mostly of entertainers, athletes, and high net worth individuals from all over the world; he is known for consistently offering his clients white glove/VIP service. With over $60,000,000 million dollars in sales in 2011, and projected goal of $100,000,00 million dollars in 2012, he is quickly on his way to surpassing that mark with $50,000,000 million dollars in sales as of April 2012. Altman has flipped over eight homes with a perfect record of success, and also ran a real estate mortage and finance company for two years before taking the next step to quickly becoming one of the top agents in the business at Hilton and Hyland. Despite Josh's busy schedule, he still finds time to give back to his community. Altman is very passionate about volunteering his time and money to support numerous charities and also enjoys public speaking to share his success secrets with other real estate agents in the industry. In his free time he can also be found hiking with his two dogs he rescued, Diego and Lucky, golfing, or skiing View Guest page
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Chris Amundson
Chicago born and raised, Chris Amundson, President Accounting Solutions, Ltd., at twelve left a successful child acting career to focus on education. At DePaul University he studied Accounting, Marketing, and International Studies. After graduation he founded Accounting Services, a Chicago firm serving small businesses, estates, trusts, and the families who own them. In 2000, he began anew with Accounting Solutions, Ltd., specializing in: Accounting and Financial Statement Reporting, Tax Preparation and Audit Representation, and Tax Planning and Consulting. He helps clients achieve long and short term goals. Visit both AccountingSolutionsLtd.com and AmundsonGroup.com to learn of Chris’s real estate development and holding company (2000) with over 50,000 square feet on Chicago’s north side. Chris enjoys his wife, daughter, sailing and winemaking (The Amundson Family Winery averages one hundred gallons yearly). This summer he will submit his novel The Bendis for publication. View Guest page
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Al Andersen
Al Andersen is the Owner and Founder of Golf Realty Network™. GRN™ is a marketing company that is the exclusive Real Estate source for the Southwest Section PGA and covers 390+ Golf Courses in the AZ and NV. GRN helps Golf Home Buyers find their perfect home through their Golf Lifestyle Website at www.thegolfrealtynetwork.com. Al has a Radio Show, The Golf Realty Network with Jane & Al, which is heard on the VoiceAmerica/Variety Channel and showcases Golf and Real Estate guests every week. View Guest page
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Bryan Au
Celebrity Eco Chef Bryan Au has been promotig the Raw Organic Vegan Lifestyle and Diet for more than 12+ years. It truly works and all the Hollywood Celebrities credit it for their "health and beauty secrets" now his RAW STAR Recipe book WON The #1 Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cookbook in the USA Award 2012 by The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and he would like to share health and business secrets with you as they both go hand in hand together. Health is your wealth! View Guest page
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Gary Barnes
Gary Barnes is a global premier business, money and relationship coach; an author, and an international speaker. He is the founder of MaxLife International, dedicated to helping people create wealth in all areas of life. Gary believes anyone can lead an empowered life, no matter what their circumstances are. He has built three successful businesses from the ground up. To do this, he developed principles and tools that helped him increase his business 2000% over a three-year period. He also understands dealing with adversity – he has fought life- threatening illness and won. He believes that your worst day is the day you meet the man or woman you could have been. It’s a choice. That’s why he’s dedicated his life to helping people maximize their lives and their businesses through workshops, teleconferences and individual coaching. His mission in life is to make a difference and to empower everyone he connects with. View Guest page
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Nick Barton
Nick Barton serves as the Vice President of Business Operations for Vortex Staffing. In his role, Mr. Barton is responsible for the strategic direction of the company in addition to the branding initiatives for Vortex Staffing and its clientele. Prior to founding Vortex Staffing, Mr. Barton was a successful sales professional with a Fortune 500 company in the Information Technology space. During that time, Mr. Barton captured many of the key skills, contacts and experiences necessary to now be considered an expert in the Information Technology arena. Mr. Barton received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern Illinois. Nick’s successes can be directly tied to his dedication, creativity and willingness to think outside the traditional bounds. Mr. Barton is happily married and a proud father of a beautiful baby girl! View Guest page
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Jason Baudendistel
Jason is an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author and serial entrepreneur who grew up on welfare. He worked as a senior marketing executive at two different technology startups. One of them received a buyout offer of $800,000. He is currently running his own coaching and consulting business. Learn more about his products and services and hire him to speak at www.jasonbaudendistel.com. View Guest page
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Jen Bazan
Jen Bazan, PT, DPT Jen received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She was a competitive gymnast at the high school and collegiate level. She received her Doctor of Physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She has seven years of experience in an outpatient physical therapy setting. Jen’s special interests include ACL injury prevention, gymnastics/cheer, and overhead throwing. View Guest page
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Jim Beach
Jim Beach’s first book, School for Startups, was published by McGraw-Hill in June 2011. Jim has started businesses and has taught entrepreneurship around the world. At the age of 25, Jim founded American Computer Experience. From 1993 to 2000, Jim grew the company with no capital infusion to $12 million in annual revenue and to over 60 permanent and 700 temporary employees, operating in 39 states and in three countries. Jim taught entrepreneurship at Georgia State University for nine years and in 2009, Jim founded The Entrepreneur School, www.TheEntrepreneurSchool.com, a web resource devoted to teaching his philosophy of low risk entrepreneurship. View Guest page
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Sue Becker
Sue Becker, principal at From Piles to Smiles®, helps people conquer their piles of paperwork, pare down their overwhelming clutter, and streamline their jam-packed schedules. An organizing and productivity consultant, Sue is an AD/HD Specialist and a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization. She works with clients in person and by phone to help them clear their clutter and overcome the obstacles that have them stuck. View Guest page
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Jay Berkowitz
Jay Berkowitz is an author, educator, and keynote speaker. Mr. Berkowitz has managed marketing departments for Fortune 500 brands: Coca-Cola, Sprint and McDonald's Restaurants, and eDiets.com. Mr. Berkowitz is the author of The Ten Golden Rules of Online Marketing, and the Founder and CEO of www.TenGoldenRules.com, an internet marketing agency. He was the lead Subject Matter Expert for the University of San Francisco Internet Marketing Course and he has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and he was interviewed on FOX Business TV. Mr. Berkowitz is a popular keynote presenter at conferences and events such as Ad-Tech, Affiliate Summit, eBay Live, The American Marketing Association and The CEO Executive Forum. He is the Founder of www.InternetMarketingClub.Org, and the Gold Medal winner at the Association of Women in Communications PR Olympics, the recipient of a SOFIE Award for Most Effective use of Emerging Media and a Special BERNAY’s Award. View Guest page
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Fernando Beteta
Fernando Beteta, is one of 186 Master Sommeliers in the world, he is currently the Education and Social Technologies Director for Tenzing Wine & Spirits. A Guatemalan native, Beteta has overseen wine programs at various award winning restaurants including The Ritz Carlton Chicago and NoMI at the Park Hyatt, where he oversaw the wine cellar that contained over 10,000 bottles of wine. Named one of America’s Best New Sommeliers by Wine & Spirits magazine and featured as one Crain’ s Chicago “40 under 40”. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Better Business Bureau
As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation. View Guest page
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Rob Biesenbach
Rob Biesenbach is a corporate communications consultant, actor, author, and speaker. During his 25-year career in corporate communications and PR, he has counseled a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to startups. He has managed a successful solo practice for more than a decade, served as vice president at Ogilvy PR Worldwide and press secretary to the Ohio Attorney General, among other positions. He is also a Second City trained actor and improviser who has appeared in more than 150 theatrical, commercial and film productions in the past decade. Rob’s book, Act Like You Mean Business: Essential Communication Lessons from Stage and Screen, published by Brigantine Media, offers a wealth of advice and tips on how to communicate more creatively and effectively. It has been called "required reading for every Fortune 500 CEO." Rob is an engaging and charismatic public speaker who regularly addresses national audiences of business leaders. www.ActLikeYouMeanBusiness.com View Guest page
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Lillian Bjorseth
One of Lillian Bjorseth’s clients said she “is without question one of the most brilliant and charismatic speakers…ability to personally connect with each and every member of her audience...” The Chicago Tribune calls her a “networking expert” and the Association Forum of Chicagoland dubs her “the business networking authority.” She knows what it takes professionally to win. It’s her passion to help others succeed through her speaking, training and coaching! Called the “apostle of appreciation,” by the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and “creative and refreshing” by the New York Times, Chester Elton is co-author of several huge leadership books which sold over 1.2 Million Copies Worldwide and was translated into 20 languages. His new book with co-author Adrian Gostick is “All In” How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results. He a founding partner of The Culture Works serving Fortune 100 firms. His greatest pride? “Four EXCEPTIONAL children”. View Guest page
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Lea Black
Lea Black Mother, wife, philanthropist, author, television personality, political fundraiser and entrepreneurial titan. On most days, you will find her juggling all of these duties on her near surgically-attached smart phone. A Texas native, she moved to Miami in the late 1980's and brought with her an unbridled passion and compassion, dynamism and focus, business acumen and civic responsibility, that together has left an indelible mark on Miami. As head of a home, a business and community leader, she believes woman can accomplish whatever they set their minds to and what they are passionate about. Lea has a prominent role on the current “Real Housewives of Miami” and has had numerous appearances on CNN HLN; EXTRA; KTLA; NBC6 Miami; and many other national news and entertainment shows. She also blogs for the Huffington Post. Outspoken and uncompromising in her beliefs, Lea divides her time between fulfilling her philanthropic missions centered around children and teens, and furthering her international business interests with her health, beauty, accessory and jewelry endeavors. Her charity work in Miami began nineteen years ago when she founded THE BLACKS’ ANNUAL GALA, a yearly event unparalleled in both its success in raising money for its causes, and in its magnetism to attract A-list entertainers who generously donated their performances. All of the Charity’s efforts, as well as all of the monies raised are used to provide at-risk youth with educational resources, vocational training, and creative and cultural outlets. Lea’s business focus for more than twenty years has at its core the health, beauty, and wellness of women everywhere. She has an unparalleled track record of success in developing and marketing beauty products. In 2010 she co-founded and co-launched Andre Walker Hair Products with Oprah’s stylist. Her Sudden Youth instant facelift kit was featured on Amazing Discovery’s as a top rated infomercial. Recently adding to her beauty repertoire, Lea collaborated with renowned beauty industry expert Melinda Wells-DeRocher to launch a simple, affordable, clinically proven skincare line, Lea Black Beauty. Her previous beauty company had over 400 products, including the highly successful fragrance “Jazz” which was sold to YSL. To share her beauty secrets with women everywhere, she authored the book Beauty from Within. And is in the process of publishing Lea’s Little Black Book, a fictional novel. Lastly, but of no less importance, Lea is actively involved in politics. She has hosted fundraisers for President Obama, who personally called her to host his very first fundraiser in the State of Florida, as well as, VP Joe Biden, NY US Rep. Charlie Rangle, US Congressman John Conyers Jr., US Sen. Al Franken, US Sen. Claire McCaskill, US Sen. Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi when she was the Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. She lives in Miami and spends summers and holidays with her family at their home in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. View Guest page
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Trevor Blake
Trevor Blake http://www.threesimplesteps.com/ is a highly successful serial entrepreneur who started his 1st company with a few thousand dollars & sold it for more than $100 million. He shows others how to succeed at anything using a 3-step strategy he developed that's backed by his business experiences & the latest findings in neuroscience, which he shares in his new book, Three Simple Steps: A Map to Success in Business and Life. Blake has donated more than 8,000 copies of the book to US libraries, & all profits go to cancer treatment research and development. His book is number 5 on the New York Times bestseller list. View Guest page
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John Boda
Hi I'm John Boda - musician/singer/guitarist/entertainer full time for the senior market in the Chicago area since 1995. My previous work history was in radio broadcasting, although I was always involved with music performances and various bands since I was a teen. I ended up spending 14 years in radio at 7 different stations as on air host/program director/music director including WCFL Chicago. But this was not a stable career! Upon getting married at age 34 and being terminated again due to downsizing, I moved into working in the senior market as a "psycho-social" aid using music to help seniors and disabled younger people. While in that capacity, I discovered that there was a market for doing the same full time at different facilities and there were budgets to pay for this. Since 1995 I have been performing an average of 500 dates per year all over the Chicago area and continue at this time. www.johnboda.com. View Guest page
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Greg Borzo
Born in Chicago, award-winning journalist Greg Borzo has been a reporter/editor at Modern Railroads, Traffic World, American Medical Assn., Field Museum, Momentum and University of Chicago. Borzo wrote The Chicago "L" (Arcadia 2007), which covers the history of Chicago’s biggest “mover & shaker.” More than 30 media outlets have favorably reviewed it (www.thechicagol.com). His latest book, Where to Bike Chicago: Best Biking City and Suburbs (BA Press 2011), describes, rates and maps Chicagoland’s best 72 bike rides. Fifteen plus media outlets have favorably reviewed it (www.wheretobikechicago.com). While writing this book in 2010, Borzo cycled 2,000 miles. Borzo is an independent writer and an accomplished public speaker. He conducts tours about the “L,” bikes and Chicago history for the Chicago History Museum, Chicago Cycling Club and others – on foot, by bike and on the “L.” He lives in the South Loop to fully enjoy Chicago's many opportunities. View Guest page
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Frank and Joe Bosco
Frank and Joe Bosco studied nutrition and business in college after their father opened a GNC franchise. But, it was ten years working with GNC customers on the front lines which taught them what herbs, nutrients, and products net a health change. The brothers teamed up in 2003 to create Pride Nutrition which uses only the finest natural ingredients to ensure the best absorption, quality and safety. Frank and Joe thrill to the success stories that their products enable whether that's better health or improved performance. Their work is a mission that brings them true satisfaction. Having participated in sports through school themselves, the Boscos are keenly committed to helping young atheletes maximize their genetic potential through proper nourishment and filling identified nutritional deficiencies. The Boscos work with many high schools including Montini High School (State Football Champion the past 2 years) in educating the younger athletes about the importance of high quality nutrition. View Guest page
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Staci Boyer
Staci Boyer is an award winning published author, motivational speaker, master trainer, educator as well as a sought after health, fitness and motivation subject matter expert. Her book, Motiv8n’U, is the hub around which her business and life philosophies center – it’s the story of her life, her ability to overcome incredible adversity and to use that adversity to become a better person, achieve more and ultimately help others do the same. The Motiv8n’U mission is to improve the quality of life of as many people as possible through building and nurturing relationships and teaching health, wellness and fitness. Motivational principles are woven into every aspect of the Motiv8n’U product; as finding what motivates people to be motivated is one of the top priorities. At the end of the day making sure that you know that your destiny is not by chance, and that it is by your choice, is the cornerstone of our ultimate vision. View Guest page
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Chris Brandon
Chris Brandon oversees all consumer public relations efforts as Manager of Public Relations and Events at Domino’s Pizza. In addition to consumer outreach, which includes new product launches, marketing campaigns, promotions and oversight on social media programs, Brandon also is responsible for the planning and execution of the Worldwide Rally – an event which occurs every 2 years, and focuses on education and motivation for its nearly 5,000 attendees made up of Domino’s franchisees, managers and team members from across the globe. Brandon oversaw and led PR for the landmark launch of the company’s “Inspired New Pizza” -- which debuted in January 2010, as well as several milestone moments that followed, including the launch of Artisan, Gluten Free Crust and Pan Pizza, and the unique ‘Ultimate Delivery Vehicle’ campaign in 2012. In addition, Brandon helped secure the Pizza Chain of the Year honor from Pizza Today magazine in 2010 and 2011, making Domino’s the first pizza delivery company to take the award in back-to-back years. Previous to taking over PR and Events in Fall 2008, Brandon worked with the marketing team at Domino’s, leading its 2007 sports marketing program, which included partnerships with NASCAR and Michael Waltrip Racing. Brandon also spent most of 2008 working with the digital marketing team, focusing on the plan and launch of Domino’s gift cards, as well as mobile ordering and new technologies. Prior to joining Domino’s in January 2007, Brandon spent four years as an Account Manager at NASCAR, working from its sales and marketing office in New York, NY. Brandon oversaw several official sponsor accounts, including M&Ms/Masterfoods, GlaxoSmithKline, Gulfstream and Jackson Hewitt. Joining NASCAR in early 2003, Brandon began in public relations, focusing on the placement of local and national business stories, as well as writing columns for the NASCAR Member’s Magazine. Brandon is a 2002 graduate of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, with a degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism, as well as a degree in Psychology. Brandon also received a Master’s degree in Sports Business from New York University, completed in May 2006. Brandon currently resides in Saline, Michigan with his wife, Kim and their son, Clayton. View Guest page
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Gail Brown
Gail Brown is a Nutrition Coach & Wellness Educator. She has been teaching people how to improve their health for over 14 years. As a widely requested speaker in her field, Gail has the ability to make complicated material simple, applicable and entertaining. In 2003, along with Tom Gosche, Gail founded Engaging Speakers, a network of experts in their respective fields that offer their time & talents to speak to organizations & corporations. This organization fills a need for program directors & meeting planners searching for excellent, pre-screened speakers for their meetings, seminars & conventions. It has also become a platform for excellent speakers passionate about their topics to network with each other, hone their skills & share their knowledge. Engaging Speakers helps business owners, entrepreneurs & sales professionals “speak their way to more business”. Gail lives in Lake in the Hills with her husband, Tim & their son, Nathan. View Guest page
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Jackie Camacho-Ruiz
Jackie Camacho-Ruiz is the founder of award-winning marketing/public relations agency JJR Marketing (www.jjrmarketing.com) and author of The Little Book of Business Secrets That Work! (www.bizsecretsthatwork.com). Jackie is recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing (CADM), a winner of the Entrepreneurial Award by The Business Ledger, and a finalist for the Latina Entrepreneur of the Year, among others. Jackie has contributed to several local and national publications and is a regular radio and TV guest. View Guest page
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Katrina Campins
Katrina Campins, founder of The Campins Company, is a savvy, twenty-first century businesswoman who speaks with genuine enthusiasm about the power of creating one’s own destiny.Following her introduction on the national stage from The Apprentice, Season 1, Katrina credits the influence and guidance of Donald Trump with expanding her aspirational horizons. A first generation Cuban-American, Katrina “flipped” her first investment property at age seventeen and her passion for real estate was born. She graduated from the University of Miami and in 2004 launched the Campins Company –with headquarters in Miami Beach and branches in other major U.S. cities. www.facebook.com/katrinacampins www.facebook.com/CAMPINSCOMPANY Twitter: @campins Twitter Katrina: @katrinacampins www.campinsco.com www.katrinacampins.com View Guest page
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John Cappas
John Cappas is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. His story as a drug kingpin captivated people in Chicago and around the country in the 1980’s. Cappas is the owner of Johnny’s Wee Nee Wagon in Chicago. He’s an example of how someone can turn his life around when given the chance. Cappas now spends time speaking to kids, encouraging them to stay off drugs, choose the right types of role models avoid bad influences. View Guest page
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Dr. Joni Carley
As co-contributor to Stepping Stones to Success, vol. 1 with Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield and Dr. Denis Waitley; as an executive coach with successful leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs; and as a speaker, Dr. Joni draws from a unique depth and breadth of experience, ranging from the jungle to the boardroom, from the United Nations to college campuses, and from working with corporate and non-governmental leaders to solopreneurs. Leaderful Edge, her values-driven, data-based coaching practice, increases profits, share prices, stakeholder loyalty, effectiveness, excellence, productivity, and innovation. View Guest page
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Sam Carpenter
• After 15 years of a routine 80-100 hr work weeks running his business Sam reduced his hours to just 2 and multiplied his income twenty fold. • Author of Work The System – The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less. • Co-Founder of Work The System Academy. • International Speaker. • President and CEO of Centratel (www.centratel.com), the premier telephone answering service in the United States. • Background in engineering, publishing, telecommunications and journalism. • Resident of Bend, Oregon, author and speaker Sam Carpenter has been featured by hundreds of media, including NPR, ESPN radio, US News Radio, and Small Business Television. • Founded and operates Kashmir Family Aid (www.kashmirfamily.org), a non-profit that aids surviving school children of the Northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir earthquake of October 2005. • Sam’s outside interests include mountaineering, skiing, cycling, reading, travelling, photography and writing. View Guest page
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Jen Coffel
Jen Coffel is the President of Success Solutions, Inc and the author/co-founder of an awareness program called No Toxin Zone. She is a true visionary entrepreneur with a passion for helping others. She has successfully created two lucrative businesses ranging from Occupational Therapy as well as an Independent Marketing Business. She has been recognized by ABC News and the Chicago Tribune for offering one of a kind private disability services. She sold her private therapy practice in 2002 to be home with her children. In 2004, she began her marketing business www.LoveMyWorkAtHome.com. With 4 young children she has earned close to a million dollars working from home. Jen's father was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. This cancer battle with her father truly impacted her decision and shaped her vision to educate people about the need to create healthier lives. Jen began a non-profit www.HandingHope.org to give back and bring hope to families battling cancer. View Guest page
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Jon Davidson Cotay
Jon Davidson Cotay is a businessman, nurse, realtor, and philanthropist. After moving from the Philippines to the US at age 12, Jon received his B.S. in Nursing from UIUC. He started AKIRA in 2002, and has seen it grow from a single boutique to an 18-store fashion retailer & an international website (ShopAKIRA.com). Jon has been honored as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ “40 Under 40” and Michigan Avenue Magazine’s “12 Most Noteworthy Men.” View Guest page
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Jim Cusumano
Who better to offer advice on driving long-term business success than someone who has done it – more than once? Jim Cusumano co-founded the public Silicon Valley clean energy and pharmaceutical company Catalytica, Inc. Beginning with an initial investment of $30,000, the firm was eventually valued at $1 billion. After selling the company, he developed Chateau Mcely into an award-winning five-star luxury hotel, corporate retreat, and spa near Prague, the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. While Catalytica and Chateau Mcely represent two broadly different industries, Cusumano’s unique approach to leadership, business strategy, and employee management helped grow both of these organizations into enviable successes. Cusumano, who details his insights in his new book,BALANCE, is now available for sale. View Guest page
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Deanne DeMarco
Deanne DeMarco, The Gen X BIz Coach, helps to create corporate cultures where people love to work. Deanne’s career has revolved around helping people break through communication boundaries and career roadblocks. She is the premier author and expert on managing the changing workforce. She provides clients with leading-edge solutions that drive results. She authored four books and 300+ articles, and her coaching program won national recognition from “Training Magazine’s Top 100.” View Guest page
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Ted Dhanik
A co-founder of engage:BDR, Inc. http://engagebdr.com/ Ted Dhanik serves as President & CEO overseeing strategic marketing, sales & business development, client relationship management, & content acquisition. Engage:BDR is a top-tier online display, video & mobile advertising network & technology provider. They are also a private incubator of numerous companies having a direct synergy to their core business. View Guest page
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Emilia DiMenco
After completing a 31-year career as an Executive Vice President with the Harris Bank’s Corporate and Commercial Banking team, Emilia DiMenco is the Chief Operating Officer of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), a nationally and internationally recognized women’s business assistance center providing a continuum of business development services to prospective and established women entrepreneurs. Throughout her 31-year tenure at Harris, Emilia has been a strong leader across many facets of the organization. She has held line of business, relationship management and leadership positions in Corporate Banking, Capital Markets, Corporate Cash Management, Business Banking and Marketing. As an Executive Vice President, Emilia reported to the CEO or Vice Chair of Harris for over a third of her career and served on the Bank’s Management Committee. Emilia had P&L responsibility for 80% of her career and managed budgets in excess of $200 million with revenues multiples greater. View Guest page
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David Domzalski
In 2006, I graduated college with $20,000 in student loans. I was completely overwhelmed with how to go about paying that monumental sum of money off. I knew there were plenty of people out there who felt the same way. Therefore, I made it my mission to educate others and help them learn what I now know. I started the Financial Bin in July 2010 to do just that. Since beginning the Financial Bin, I have continued to work on spreading the company’s message. My plans for the Financial Bin include growing it into a full-fledged media company that provides personal finance and entrepreneurial education for the Generation Y age group. To that end, the Financial Bin compiled the stories of 28 remarkable entrepreneurs and business owners into what became my company's first book, Entrepreneur Intervention: Triumphs & Failures of Entrepreneurs. The book chronicles the ups and downs that these entrepreneurs faced while starting and growing their businesses. View Guest page
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Kevin Doyle
The early morning of July 4, 1993 is a day Kevin Doyle will never forget; a day that helped him get to where he is today. His mother Sheilah A. Doyle was followed home from her job as a nurse on the night shift at Little Company of Mary Hospital by two men looking to get parts from her car. These two men brutally murdered her and left her in the trunk of the car to be found by police. Despite this tragedy experienced at only seventeen, Kevin pushed himself through the pain to success and is now helping others do that as well. He is the currently the president of 3Points (www.3points.com), a full-service IT services company that helps small businesses thrive in today’s fast paced and competitive world by delivering technology solutions that drive their success. Further, Kevin recently founded the Sheilah A. Doyle Foundation (www.sadfund.org), an organization that provides support and assistance to children ages 7-17 whose parent or legal guardian was the victim of murder. View Guest page
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Franklin Drob
Franklin Drob is a wellness professional, international yoga teacher and businessman. He is the president of InsideSmiles.com, Chicago's 1st Social Network for Health and Wellness and the Owner of FranklinsWay.com a mind, body & social signature events and Adventure Company. He specializes in Emotional Intelligence (EQI) curriculum development and management team training. His work has been featured in both Corporate Wellness Magazine and Illinois Association of Curriculum Development. View Guest page
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John Lee Dumas
John Lee Dumas is the host & founder of EntrepreneurOnFire.com, a daily podcast that interviews today's most successful & inspiring Entrepreneurs. EntrepreneurOnFire is currently the #1 rated business podcast in iTunes new & noteworthy generating over 100,000 downloads a month. His lineup includes all-star entrepreneurs such as Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk, Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, Mike Stelzner, Michael Hyatt, Mari Smith, and more. View Guest page
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Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis, former NFL star and now talk show host along with operating the Sports Channel for Voice America. Ray will share with us his drive for success and what it takes to succeed on and off the field. View Guest page
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Chester Elton
Called the “apostle of appreciation,” by the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and “creative and refreshing” by the New York Times, Chester Elton is co-author of several huge leadership books which sold over 1.2 Million Copies Worldwide and was translated into 20 languages. His new book with co-author Adrian Gostick is “All In” How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results. He a founding partner of The Culture Works serving Fortune 100 firms. His greatest pride? “Four EXCEPTIONAL children”. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jim Fannin
Jim Fannin coaches champions. His thought management system empowers people to “be the best they can be” without inconvenience. Period! For thirty-plus years, he himself has coached a Who’s Who list of the world’s best athletes and business leaders from 24 Major League Baseball All-Stars to Fortune 500 businesses. His clients include among others: NY Times best selling author Tom Greanias; 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dan O’Brien; New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez; Boston Red Sox Manny Ramirez, Mike Timlin,& Alex Cora; Top PGA Tour players Luke Donald and Charles Howell III; and NBA All-Star Grant Hill. Plus he coaches coaches: David Leadbetter, voted World’s #1 golf instructor by Golf Magazine; Lou Piniella of the Chicago Cubs; Peter Nowak, US Olympic soccer coach; and Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics. Besides sports, Jim has coached key executives from thirty-six industries including: IBM, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Merrill Lynch, Allstate and GE Healthcare. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tariq Farid
Tariq Farid Co-Founder, President, and CEO Tariq Farid is the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Edible Arrangements International, the pioneer and purveyor of high quality, artistically designed fresh fruit arrangements. He is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and for the licensing of new franchises across the United States as well as internationally. Tariq was born in Pakistan in 1969 and immigrated to the United States when he was 11. He grew up in West Haven, Connecticut and became a U.S. citizen in 1986. As a teenager, Tariq worked in a local McDonald's for several years and it was there he learned the power of business systemization. Soon after his entrepreneurial experience began in the late 1980s, when, at age 17, he used a $5,000 loan from his parents to purchase a local flower shop. Within two years, Tariq was operating four highly successful stores. He launched the first Edible Arrangements® store with his brother Kamran Farid in 1999 in East Haven, Connecticut. They were inspired by the convergence of three trends: Americans' growing consumption of fresh fruit, the robust growth in the specialty food market and the increasing amount of money Americans were spending on gifts. The first Edible Arrangements® franchised location opened in 2001 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Fourteen years later, Edible Arrangements® has grown to more than 1,100 stores worldwide, and Tariq’s involvement with franchisees has been a hallmark of the Edible Arrangements® franchise success story. He regularly spends time in the stores to stay in contact with guests, and to understand the unique day-to-day challenges each store faces in an ever-changing marketplace. The company has been recognized as an industry leader since its inception, including ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500” for the past six years and also placing in Entrepreneur’s Top 40 of “Fastest Growing Franchises” and “America’s Top Global Franchises.” Edible Arrangements® was named one of the Top 5 businesses in Connecticut by Inc. magazine’s first Hire Power Awards in 2012 and has also ranked in Inc.’s Top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies for seven consecutive years. The same year Edible Arrangements® opened their first franchise, Tariq founded Netsolace, Inc., a computer software distributor for the franchise industry. A self-taught computer whiz, he designed all the computer systems that Edible Arrangements®’ franchise partners use in their day-to-day operation, including order processing, training manuals, production and profitability tracking, and supply chain management. In June 2009 Tariq was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category in Metro New York. This award recognizes entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses and who demonstrate exceptional innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. He was also designated a Certified Franchise Executive in 2011 by the Board of Governors of the Institute of Franchise Executives. In 2005, Tariq and Kamran Farid established the Farid Foundation as a way to support causes both at home and around the world. Since then, the Foundation’s contributions have benefited dozens of programs and services, including hospitals, schools, community centers, soup kitchens, revitalization efforts as well as organizations fighting poverty, childhood cancer and promoting leadership opportunities for youth. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jim Feldman
For over 35 years Jim Feldman had been a successful entrepreneur, marketing consultant and keynote speaker. In 2009, the economy’s collapse caused him to lose almost everything. At that point, he lost his largest client, had to close one office and layoff employees. He had to start from scratch. After many sleepless nights, Jim realized it was time to take a dose of my own medicine. As a professional speaker, he had been speaking about change management for over 30 years. So he decided to use the recession as an opportunity to articulate a new way of approaching life – financially, personally and career-wise. Afterwards he wrote a book about it and reinvented himself as a change management adviser. He has also created positive change for business and charity clients including: Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, Apple, Microsoft, Disney, McDonald’s, Wynn Las Vegas, March of Dimes, Department of Defense, Y-ME, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Toyota and Frito-Lay. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tsi-tsi-ki Felix
Tsi-tsi-ki Felix began her career in the media industry at the age of 16, almost immediately after arriving in the United States. Today she is an Emmy Award winner, for Best Anchor. Tsi-tsi-ki, whose name in Purepecha means "flower", moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she was hired as an announcer for radio station Viva, one of the most popular in the region and gaining significant popularity in the Valley Sun. Seeking new horizons, Tsi-tsi-ki moved to Chicago, where she began producing, writing and driving a newscast which aired on WOJO and WIND. As she continued her studies in communication, in 2001 she joined Telemundo Chicago, as a reporter, and months later as the weather presenter. Throughout her career Tsi-tsi-ki has also been a correspondent for programs that are broadcast nationally. Tsi-tsi-ki has since gone on to win the coveted Emmy Award for outstanding performance on camera as a news anchor. She has also received the Award AIR (Achievement in Radio Awards) in the category for best news anchor on Spanish radio. In 2012 she won the Peter Lisagor Award in the category of best foreign news. She has been recognized by numerous organizations such as the Latin Union for her work in the Hispanic community by Depaul University, for her participation and assistance in their youth mentoring programs, among many other organizations. In 2013, without forgetting her love for the camera and her passion for journalism, Tsi-tsi-ki become an entrepreneur and decided to launch "Tsi-tsi-ki" a line of high quality makeup with a message directed to women her motto: "Radiate your beauty inside and out." She says, "I proudly put my name on my make up line. It is made of the highest quality antioxidant-rich ingredients, such as coconut oil, grape extracts, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera / Aloe Vera. All the products are vegetarian and made without animal cruelty by 100%.” View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Patrick Finn
In 1987, Patrick Finn came to the US with only his experience, dedication and desire to show his craft. His early work in the historic parts of Chicago and suburbs gained the attention of prominent architects and designers. In 1991, Patrick recognized that quality and consistency were only achievable by having his own team of talented employees who share his vision to complete a project with outstanding results on time and within budget. His company, Patrick A Finn, Ltd built a reputation for fairness and quality and referrals quickly grew the company. Since 1991, Patrick A Finn, Ltd has grown to over 350 homes that can be found in the suburbs of Chicago. His personal attention to each project assures the high level of craftsmanship he started out with in England finds its way to client’s homes today. Since 2008 Finn has experienced a 247% growth in revenue. An outstanding achievement during the worst economy in decades. To support the business growth, Finn has increased staff by 25%. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Steven Fischer
Two-time Emmy® nominated filmmaker Steven Fischer has credits for animated film Freedom Dance (2007) featuring Mariska Hargitay and Old School New School (2010) with Brian Cox. Television work includes films/programs for Maryland Public Television/PBS, TV Asia, Romanian Television Network, and Time Warner Cable. In 1990 Fischer’s began as a cartoonist. His work has been published by HarperCollins, 9-1-1 Magazine, and in two published books. He teaches storytelling and creativity nationally. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Christopher Foltz
Christopher Foltz is a leading communication strategist, noted motivational speaker, and co-founder of Christopher Foltz & Company - a full service communication strategy firm. Specializing in strategic partnerships, brand positioning, message development, and corporate non-profit/philanthropic programs, Chris serves as a publicist for many global industry leaders, brands, entertainers, and athletes. From his roots in national politics, to a battle with drug addiction, incarcerated rehab, and losing everything, Chris re-established himself as a global leader in the public relations and marketing industries. Changing the way the world thinks, Christopher Foltz & Company is committed to social responsibility, the global community, and connecting clients to their desired customer base. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brian R. Fons
Brian R. Fons is an attorney with the Chicago office of Corporate Creations. After obtaining his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1996 and obtaining a license to practice law in Florida and Illinois, Brian began his company in 1997. Brian has been a regular speaker for the Chicago Bar association and the author of several published articles. He has been invited to speak for the Small Business Association and Small Business Development Centers throughout the state. Corporate Creations provides formation and maintenance of any type of business entity in any state. With a nationwide registered agent network and an online entity management system, Corporate Creations has become a leader in registered agent and corporate document services. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Sean Fox
Telecom savings negotiator Sean Fox is owner of a Cincinnati-based franchise of Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants. Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent telecommunications consulting firm in North America with over 10,000 clients. The company is not affiliated with any telecom carriers and leverages that objectivity to save customers an average of 28 percent on their telecom expenses. Learn more at www.TeleCommunicationsNegotiator.com. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kathy Freston
Kathy Freston is a bestselling author with a focus on healthy living and conscious eating. Her latest book, THE LEAN: A Revolutionary (and Simple!) 30-Day Plan for Healthy, Lasting Weight Loss, was an instant New York Times bestseller, as were two of her previous books—Veganist and Quantum Wellness. Kathy promotes a body/mind/spirit approach to health and happiness that includes a concentration on healthy diet, emotional introspection, spiritual practice, and loving relationships, among other tenants. Her work is focused on providing guidance for conscious and healthy living in our increasingly busy world. Kathy continually cites the proven value of “leaning into” change and the benefits of “progress, not perfection.” Kathy has appeared on Oprah, Dr. Oz, Ellen, Good Morning America, The View, Charlie Rose, The Martha Stewart Show, Extra, and also on OWN. Her work has been featured notably in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Self, W, and Fitness. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Terri Friel
Dean of Roosevelt University's Heller College of Business, Terri Friel has background in analysis, strategy and turnaround enabling skills in complex organizational analysis, formulating strategy and planning implementation, business process restructuring and organizational change management. She chairs a 30 member RU Heller College of Business Advisory Board she built in two years. Friel has a Doctor of Engineering, Engineering Management MS, Master of Engineering, BS in Chemical Engineering and BA in French. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Philippa Gamse
Philippa Gamse is the author of 42 Rules for a Web Presence That Wins, endorsed by Guy Kawasaki and other senior business leaders. She teaches digital and social media marketing at Hult International Business School and has reviewed over 5,000 web presences since 1995. Clients report significant improvements in quality traffic, visitor engagement, customer loyalty, and qualified sales leads within 30 days of implementing her recommendations. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
JD GERSHBEIN
JD GERSHBEIN, CEO of OWLISH COMMUNICATIONS, is a specialist in the Art and Science of LinkedIn. He is a trusted asset to top executives, managers, entrepreneurs, professional service providers, salespeople, and individuals involved in the search for their next great opportunity. Dubbed “LinkedIn’s #1 Brand Ambassador” and “The LinkedIn Black Belt,” JD is considered one of the top LinkedIn strategists in the world and a pioneer in the design and delivery of LinkedIn educational programs. A globally known A-list LinkedIn speaker and media figure, JD has been featured on FOX TV News, in the Chicago Tribune, has guested on prominent coast-to-coast business talk radio programs, and contributed numerous articles to online publications. JD is also an Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business where he teaches the school’s first-ever social media course. His first book (due out early 2012), deals with the neuroscience of social business. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jim Gessner
Originally from western New York State, disabled Vietnam Veteran Jim Gessner, majored in Business Administration at State University of New York at Alfred. He worked in Production Control at Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation in Dansville, NY and worked with Howard Perrine from Shop Management. In 1985, with the energy field decline, Jim was laid off. Perrine had left Foster Wheeler in 1980. Jim then moved to Illinois to be an Assistant General Governor at the International Headquarters of the Loyal Order of Moose at Mooseheart, IL. Five years later while shopping at a local mall, Jim and his wife ran into his previous colleague Howard and his wife. After eight years apart since Foster, the two got together to compare notes. Perrine had this idea for an Automatic Recycling System for high rise buildings and offered Jim a position in his start-up company, and thus, Nu-Recycling Technology, Inc. was born. The rest, as they say, is history! View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Rick Gillis
Rick Gillis is a pioneer of 21st century job search. Rick has aggressively studied the practice of job seeking from the perspective of both the employer and employee. It is based on these observations that he wrote his latest book: “The Real Secret to Finding a Job? Make Me Money or Save Me Money!” Rick’s 4th book, “Job! 3 Steps to Your Next” is due for publication this coming Spring. Rick founded The Really Useful Job Search Company after recognizing that the disconnect between job seekers and professional recruiters is profound. Rick raises eyebrows at live events by saying that “Job seeker’s don’t know how to compete.” Rick’s ‘claim to fame’ is his creation of the Short-Form/”Pre-Resume” and his ‘mandatory’ Personal Inventory Worksheet—a record of a person’s professional and personal achievements. Rick is an acknowledged expert in web based applicant-tracking systems, resume-filtering software and, of course, Internet employment protocols. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Danny Glover
Born and raised in Downers Grove, IL, Danny Glover lived about two blocks away from a locally known restaurant and bar called Skuddlebutts. Bill, the Owner, had always told him when he was 15 to come in and work for him; so that is exactly what Danny did. In 2003, he started working for Skuddlebutts as a bus boy. In 2007, the real estate market had gone down a little bit, and Danny and his sister made an investment in a small 3 bedroom house in Romeoville. At 19 years old, he was a landlord and bought his second home at 21. In 2006, while taking classes at the College of Dupage, Danny was working closely with Bill at Skuddlebutts learning all areas of the business. In 2009 Bill and he started speaking very seriously about Danny purchasing the operation. After months of meeting with bankers and investors, at the age of 22, Danny was able to secure the financing, and work out a deal to purchase the long standing community landmark. When Danny took over Skuddlebutts in 2009, he started another company “Party People Rental Co”, doing event rentals, such as Tents, Tables, Chairs, and Linen. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Amy Goebbert
Amy Goebbert, PT, DPT Amy received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she played four years of Division I basketball. She then went on to achieve her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University Medical School. She has nine years of clinic experience in an outpatient physical therapy setting. Amy’s special interests include custom orthotic fabrication, ACL injury prevention, video gait/running analysis and women’s health. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
John Grady
John Grady is a founding member of Grady Pilgrim Christakis Bell LLP and carries with him more than 15 years of commercial litigation experience. John’s practice involves a broad range of complex business and tort litigation in federal and state courts involving, among other things, claims for breach of contract, business fraud, consumer fraud, deceptive business practices, insurance coverage, premises liability, product liability, and shareholder, director and officer liability. An experienced trial attorney, John has tried many cases to verdict, including a six-week jury trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In addition, John’s practice involves a proactive “preventive law” approach that helps businesses eliminate legal risks before they turn into costly and time-consuming legal problems. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mark Grazman
Mark Grazman has been a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist and has a track record of launching and leading companies with a positive social impact. Mr. Grazman’s commitment to social entrepreneurship began during his time at Duke University and continued during his career including: helping refugees in Bosnia under the auspices of USAID, working with former Soviet governments after the fall of communism, giving voice to a new generation of leaders in Poland through the internet, and working to empower US healthcare consumers to make better choices while lowering costs. Mr. Grazman became a client of the GH School for Healthy Living in 2006 and his trainer, Greg Hahaj, helped transform his body and his life. Greg's incredible knowledge of the physical body and his commitment to helping others spoke to Mark's past as a social entrepreneur and, slowly but surely, they began to work together to magnify the impact that GH has on its clients and its community. In 2009, Mr. Grazman became a formal partner at the GH School for Healthy Living and is proud to be back in a small company environment focused on changing lives one-by-one. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Robert Greene
Robert Greene has a degree in classical studies and is the author of four previous, bestselling books, including The 48 Laws of Power, and The 50th Law. Apart from his work as an author, Robert has worked as a private consultant for people in all different fields—entertainment, sports, finance, politics, and the arts. Since 2007, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the clothing company American Apparel. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Dian Griesel
Dian Griesel For the past 17+ years, clients and select individuals have sought Dian’s candid perspective and practical advice concerning a variety of projects, situations and circumstances. A life-long serial entrepreneur, she has founded several businesses besides Dian Griesel Inc. including its predecessor company The Investor Relations Group, a multimillion dollar revenue, award-winning corporate communications firm. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Vicki Gunvalson
Vicki Gunvalson is a mother of two, a self-made business woman, & a long time resident of Orange County, California. Vicki is the only original cast member remaining of Bravo’s hit reality TV show, The Real Housewives of Orange County. She has a drive for success & has the goods to back it up with her booming Life Insurance & Financial Planning company, Coto Retirement Planning View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Timmer Halligan
Timmer Halligan has a background as a professional athlete, author, coach, and entrepreneur. He currently serves as an Executive Director with LegalShield and is responsible for international expansion following its recent acquisition by Mid Ocean Partners. He coaches thousands of LegalShield associates across the country to reach their financial goals through their unique business model. LegalShield currently serves nearly 1.5 million families, 50,000 small business owners and 34,000 employee groups with its revolutionary legal and identity theft products. Timmer is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management specialist and owner of the Identity Theft Resource Group , he is available for complimentary educational seminars throughout Illinois. Prior to joining LegalShield in 2004 Timmer was professional tennis player and coach for the US National Team. As a coach he helped hundreds of athletes reach their college and professional aspirations. Applying the skills he acquired in developing world class athletes he consulted for some of the country’s finest tennis clubs increasing profitability utilizing the systems implemented. His clients have grossed over 100 million dollars in revenue and have won numerous industry awards. Timmer is a 1990 graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mike Hamilton
Mike Hamilton is President of US Operations for Blood: Water Mission. He will provide leadership in the US Programs and Development strategy to increase financial capacity and global impact. For nearly 20 years he was at the Univ. of Tennessee, where he spent the past 8 years as Athletic Director. During his tenure, he more than tripled the fundraising revenue as well as created one of only 14 self-sustaining athletic departments in the country. He and his wife, Beth, have 5 adopted children. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Martha Hanlon
Martha Hanlon is a thought-provoking, fun and irreverent marketing expert who spots trends and breaks marketing rules to deliver new results. She founded Wide Awake Marketing and wrote the #3 Amazon Marketing Best Seller, Customers Are the Answer to Everything. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Bonnie Harvey
Bonnie Harvey is the Co-Founder of Barefoot Cellars and Co-author of “The Barefoot Spirit; How Hardship, Hustle and Heart Built a Bestselling Wine.” As a consultant, she shares her vast knowledge of building a business "from scratch," including developing team spirit and business philosophies. Her expertise helps non-profits become financially sustainable. She co-authors weekly business blogs at thebarefootspirit.com and thebrandauthority.net. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeffrey Hayzlett
Jeffrey Hayzlett: global business celebrity, former Fortune 100 c-suite executive, esteemed business/marketing expert, and architect for change. Delivering scalable campaigns, a cachet of mentorship, corporate governance and brand building, his proven creativity and leadership perspectives, have launched ventures from small businesses to international corporations. A compelling global business figure, he has authored two bestsellers, is a celebrity editor, and a well-traveled public speaker. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Michael Houlihan
Michael Houlihan started the famous Barefoot Wine brand without money or wine industry knowledge. As a speaker, author and consultant he helps start-ups and small to medium size businesses achieve success using the guiding principles that built Barefoot Wines. He writes two weekly business blogs and articles in Time, Inc, Entrepreneur, and elsewhere. His book, The Barefoot Spirit, about building the Barefoot Wine brand, will be out this Spring. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Dr. Gerald Hurowitz
Dr. Gerald Hurowitz, MD is the chief medical officer for WhatsMyM3.com and an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Shep Hyken
Shep Hyken is a speaker and bestselling author who works with companies and organizations who want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. His articles have been read in hundreds of publications, and he is the author of Moments of Magic, The Loyal Customer and the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestsellers, The Cult of the Customer and The Amazement Revolution, which was also recognized as a New York Times bestseller. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
John Iacono
John Iacono, 53 years old. Married with 2 children. Graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BS degree in Marketing, 1981. Career started with Toyota Motor Distributors in 1981 as a trainee in the vehicle distribution division. Later became a district parts manager and later a district sales manager. Spent approximately 4 years at Toyota Corporate. Went on to work as an assistant general manager at a Toyota dealership in order to start my own company Excel Dowel. This was a wood products company which was very successful and sold in 2008. While at Excel Dowel developed Excel Golf and created the Zero Friction tee brand. Today Zero Friction tees are sold in 20 countries. Recently developed a line of golf clubs and grips under the Zero Friction brand. Is now developing a line of Zero Friction apparel. Zero Friction is a lifestyle brand which extends across all sports product lines and translates globally and culturally. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Dale Irvin
Dale Irvin is the world's only Professional Summarizer. He attends meetings and conventions, listening carefully to every word. Then, periodically, he gives the audience a summary of what just happened in the form of a comedic monologue written on the spot. One client said it best; "What Billy Crystal brings to the Academy Awards, you brought to our meeting. Dale is the author of eight books and is a member of the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. You can see a sample of his work every Friday in Dale Irvin's Friday Funnies, a recap of the odder stories in the news in the form of a You Tube video. Subscribe for free at www.daleirvin.com. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Steve Kaplan
Steve Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, self-made multimillionaire and has helped to make more than 100 additional people millionaires in their own right. As one of the world’s leading experts on small business, success and achievement, he has written two New York Times bestselling books, including Bag the Elephant™ which was recently voted one of the Best Business Books of the past decade. Steve’s books are available in 15 languages and over 50 countries. Steve has owned, operated or set strategy for hundreds of businesses. He built one of his first businesses, SCA from scratch, eventually making it one of the nation’s leading marketing agencies with over $250 million in revenue and 1300 employees. He went on to sell SCA then play a leadership role in building and then selling this new company for a record $2.1 billion. Steve currently focuses on consulting small businesses through Steve Kaplan Live Inc., manages his small business equities investments, and chairs the Kaplan Family Foundation, which promotes youth entrepreneurship, and recently completed a tour of our nations Universities where he spoke to thousands of students on success. He is a Tony nominated producer for Leap of Faith™ and an Executive Producer of the upcoming album titled “Chi Town” distributed through Universal Music Group. This summer Steve will travel to Afghanistan to share his strategies for job and business success with the troops to help smooth their transition back to civilian life. Steve regularly appears on a variety of TV networks including ABC, MSNBC, NBC, CBS and Fox, to discuss his experiences and help others achieve success. He was recently featured on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, and CNBC’s Crowd Rules. For more info on Steve, visit www.stevekaplanive.com View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jordan Kimmel
Mr. Kimmel developed the MAGNET® Stock Selection Process, a proprietary stock selection model that blends value, growth and momentum. He has released three books on the subject, most recently The Magnet Method of Investing (Wiley, 2009). His first book, Magnet® Investing, introduced the Magnet model that was licensed and used by institutions. Jordan appears regularly on CNBC and Fox Business News, and hosts two weekly radio shows, “Magnet Investing with Jordan Kimmel,” on the VoiceAmerica Business Network in addition to “Trust Across America™” that discusses the factors needed to restore trust in business. Mr. Kimmel is quoted frequently in national newspapers including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Jordan can be contacted in New York City at 212-537-5676. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Raia King
As a creative person, Raia King understands the drives and desires of creative professionals. With a background in marketing, PR, and writing, she works with artists, musicians, crafters, and writers, to teach them simple ways to turn a creative passion into a profitable business. Her new book, From Daydream to Dream Job: Make Money Being Creative, is a marketing guide for those who want to make money through their creative endeavors. It offers concise and easy-to-understand explanations of marketing terms and tools that can help creative entrepreneurs develop a solid foundation upon which to build a business. King’s professional background includes work in advertising, cable television, and both B-to-B and B-to-C ecommerce. She earned her MBA at West Chester University and formerly taught international marketing and ecommerce at Eastern University. Visit: www.makemoneybeingcreative.com View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Scott Lerner
As a former Marine & devotee to health & fitness, Scott Lerner created Solixir: a new, all natural functional drink system with situation specific formulas that would revolutionize the health & wellness industry in 2008. Currently, Solixir has four formulas: Awaken, Restore, Relax and Think, & is carried by retailers such as Whole Foods Market & The Vitamin Shoppe. Scott Lerner has previously worked for Kimberly-Clark, Conagra Foods & PepsiCo View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Erica Bethe Levin
Erica Bethe Levin is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of CheekyChicago.com, an online magazine and lifestyle guide for the women of Chicago (expanding to Austin and Los Angeles next). She is a proud member of Northwestern University's prestigious Council of 100 and a Correspondent for CitySearch, Jetsetter and NBC Chicago. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brandon Lewin
Brandon is the founder and President of DoughNuttz, Inc. DoughNuttz is an Internet marketing firm that specializes in generating qualified leads and expanding the reach of businesses. The firm was founded in April of 2009 As a sought after speaker and renown specialist in the field of digital marketing; Brandon has worked with over a hundred companies and individuals on devising a powerful and profitable internet and social media marketing plan that works. Brandon has spoken to groups like Vistage International, ACA, the City of Chicago, and the SBAC. From his experiences of thousands of hours on LinkedIn and the combination of his professional training in sales and marketing; he has created a program and system that creates LinkedIn to Profitability. Brandon is currently writing a book as a How To guide for anyone who wants to increase profits by using LinkedIn Marketing. He believes in a simplistic approach to marketing with the Internet. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Carole Lieberman
Carole Lieberman, M.D. is America's Psychiatrist, and the host of "Dr. Carole's Couch" on Voiceamerica's Variety Channel. She is a three-time Emmy award-winner, who has appeared on top shows like: Oprah, Dr. Phil, Today, Good Morning America, Nancy Grace, Larry King, O'Reilly Factor, Entertainment Tonight and more. Bestselling author Dr. Carole's latest award-winning book is Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets. As a psychiatric expert witness at civil and criminal trials, she has many high-profile clients as she has in her star-studded, Beverly Hills psychiatric practice. She is on the Clinical Faculty of UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Denise Linn
Denise Linn, best-selling author of 18 books, has spoken to standing-room only audiences in 20 countries for 30 years. Her spiritual journey began in her teens with a near-death experience after being shot. Her revelations on the other side and amazing healing led to her to become an internationally respected healer, author and teacher. A guest on Oprah, Lifetime, Discovery, BBC, NBC and CBS, she founded International Institute of Soul Coaching View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Lisa Lockwood
Lisa Lockwood, author of Undercover Angel: From Beauty Queen to SWAT Team is now a Reinvention Expert, speaker & success coach. Lisa teaches people, quickly and easily, how to make successful business and personal transformations. Millions of people have seen Lisa on ABC, NBC, FOX News, CNN and CNBC. Lisa’s expertise has been featured on Donny Deutsch and Nancy Grace. She has been profiled in Forbes.com, More.com, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune Red-Eye and Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine. She’s been interviewed on more than a 100 radio shows across North America. Lisa Lockwood inspires, educates and gets results for her clients. Lisa’s enigmatic path serves as an inspirational example of how she combined optimism and reinvention to reach unparalleled heights. (Lisa’s hobbies include activities such as NASCAR driving, marathon running, scuba diving, skydiving and snowboarding, high flying trapeze!) View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Chris Mack
CrossFit's three partners including Chris Mack work full-time jobs and a part-time business that grew from a fitness passion. Two worked out together in their garage using the California-based HOTSide CrossFit training. As friends joined them, they started a business as a CrossFit affiliate for which they pay annually. They leased space with 10 clients. In one year, they have grown to 65 customers. Adding a third partner they with 4 others teach the classes. The program uses weights and no machines which making for little business overhead. CrossFit targets "life" fitness, learning proper movement which will avoid later problems and weakness. The sense of community creates the unique workout difference at CrossFit. Clients enjoy camaraderie and mutual support. The partners seek to "make the best experience for the folks". The entrepreneurs like a profit, but love the work and satisfaction of clients' improved fitness results. Visit: www.hotsidecf.com. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Stephanie Mansour
Stephanie Mansour, CEO of Step It Up with Steph, is a nationally known Health & Fitness Expert & has been featured on CNN, WGN, & TV stations across the country for her holistic & unique approach to being healthy & fit anywhere, anytime. Creator of the Cubicle Crunch (a series of stretches you can do at your desk) & other quick, easy ways to be more healthy, Stephanie motivates everyday people to Step It Up. With her no diets, no guilt, & no scale mentality, Stephanie is dramatically changing the way we view food & exercise. Stephanie has been named a top 50 inspiring trainers on Twitter by Masters in Health Care, one of Chicago’s top 30 female entrepreneurs under 30 by ME: In Focus Magazine, & regarded as Chicago’s Premier Private Trainer. She's a highly sought after in-home private trainer & coach for women in Chicago, combining yoga, pilates, personal training, and body image & confidence coaching. She's the creator of the workbook 30 Days to Love Your Body & Your Life. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Qiana Martin
Qiana Martin is an international athlete, global soccer ambassador and owner of Eat Soccer. She is a guest contributor for Blue Sombrero’s blog The Administrator and the producer of the Self Massage for Athletic Warriors injury prevention DVD, Soccer Mission: View the Match missionary outreach guide and Soccer Mental 90 iTunes download. Qiana is a 2011 British Airways Face of Opportunity Award recipient, 2011 TEDxGreenville speaker, 2011 Fila BTS Spokesmode and eHow.com soccer expert. View Guest page
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Allison Maslan
Allison Maslan is the CEO of Allison Maslan International, a Global Business Mentoring Company. She was recently named “One of the Top Women Entrepreneurs Who Inspire” by Self Made Magazine. No. 1 Best Selling Author of the book, Blast Off! The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams Into Reality, Allison has built ten successful companies from the ground up starting out as a single mom on her own. Allison has guided thousands of individuals to create to inner and outer wealth by helping them grow a prosperous business and a passionate life. As a world-renowned homeopath for the past 16 years, Allison's work embodies a partnership of holistic balance, a zest for success, and the most innovative business strategies you will find anywhere. She is the Executive Producer and host of her own weekly online television show, Allie & You, The Business Success and Lifestyle Show. She has also been an expert guest on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox Stations across the US. www.MyBlastOff.com View Guest page
Episode Listing:
John Mautner
John Mautner is a leader in the field of small business growth and profitability. The strategies and principals have lead John to build and sell four companies before turning 40. Inc. Magazine awarded his first businesses as an INC. 500 winner and one of America's 500 fastest growing companies. In 2001, John founded The Cycle-of-Success Institute or COSi a business school that teaches companies on how rapidly grows sales and profits. COSi’s has over 4,000 graduates of the program. Governor Pat Quinn named March 16th “COSi Day” in The State of Illinois because COSi grows businesses that are growing communities. In addition to founding COSi, John speaks nationwide to CEO’s on the tools for business success. John launched a live talk radio show in Chicago “Small Business Talk” on AM-1530. John has been featured in MS-NBC, Yahoo Finance and he is a profit improvement columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine and a member of the USA Today Small Business Panel. View Guest page
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Corri McFadden
eDrop-Off founder Corri McFadden was ambitious at a very early age as she skipped her college graduation to attend Ebay LIVE! Here she found the direction she needed to move forward with her senior project to start her luxury consignment service, eDrop-Off. In 2011, eDrop-Off sold over 50,000 luxury brand items from Louis Vuitton to Chanel and became an ebay power seller with over 250,000 transactions to date. The company also recently launched programs in Los Angeles and New York and has plans to open in New York’s Soho District in 2013. Corri currently writes for a number of fashion blogs including a bi-monthly column for Refinery29, along with lifestyle blog Style Block, beauty and fashion site Glossed & Found her own personal site CorriMcFadden.com. She also hosts a weekly fashion segment on Chicago’s popular morning show, “You and Me This Morning.” Corri garnered national attention with the launch of her first reality series, House of Consignment on VH1. The show featured the every day activities of running eDrop-Off and showcase the glamorous life of a young entrepreneur while giving viewers a behind the scenes look at the hard work it takes to run a successful business in the fashion world. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jerrod Melman
Jerrod Melman is managing partner of HUB 51, SUB 51, Paris Club, Studio Paris, RPM Italian, Bub City and Three Dots and a Dash - the dining, nightlife and social establishments created by him and his siblings, RJ and Molly, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, as well as M Street Kitchen and Stella Rossa Pizza Bar in Santa Monica, California. Jerrod’s earliest memories of working in restaurants began at the young age of 10 as a busboy at the original Maggiano’s. After Maggiano’s, Jerrod took a five-year hiatus from the restaurant business to pursue other interests, namely finishing grade school. During high school and college, he held various roles in a dozen or so Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) restaurants, as well as IN-N-OUT Burger in Arizona, learning the business from the ground up. The summer before his senior year in college, he participated in the LEYE internship program which solidified his interest in pursuing a restaurant career. After graduating from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Jerrod managed LEYE restaurants Osteria Via Stato and R.J. Grunts and gained valuable experience in New York at B.R. Guests and Union Square Hospitality Group. Jerrod brings this wealth of restaurant knowledge to each new venture he pursues. In June 2008, along with his brother RJ, he opened HUB 51 and lower-level club SUB 51, offering Chicago’s most coveted neighborhood a unique mixture of dining, nightlife and entertainment. The brothers teamed up with internationally-acclaimed Chef Joho to introduce Paris Club, a casual French restaurant and bar that opened in February 2011. Four months later, the duo opened exclusive indoor/outdoor lounge Studio Paris above the restaurant. In February 2012, Jerrod, RJ, and their sister Molly partnered with celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and celebrated chef Doug Psaltis to open RPM Italian, presenting a menu that is Italian in spirit and modern in style. In December 2012, the Melman siblings, in partnership with chef Psaltis, renowned mixologist Paul McGee and Joe’s Bar founders Ed Warm and Tom DiSanto, opened country bar and restaurant, Bub City. Jerrod and his team’s next project is tiki bar Three Dots and a Dash, slated to open in 2013. A longtime Chicago resident, Jerrod is an avid supporter of several local philanthropic and community initiatives. He also enjoys playing basketball and softball, going to the movies, and a night out with good friends. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Matt Mickiewicz
Matt Mickiewicz is the founder of several companies, including Flippa.com and his newest venture Developer Auction. Matt started building web properties at the age of 14 and, over the past 15 years, has dominated the entrepreneur landscape by disrupting the status quo. Matt was named to each of the 2011 “30 Under 30” lists published by Forbes, INC magazine, and Business Insider. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Scott Miller
I was born and raised in Rochester NY and met my future wife at State University College at Cortland. She was hired by EDS and moved to Chicago. I followed and got a job working for the Northern Trust, then EDS, and then Ameritech (14 years). We originally bought a house in Villa Park, moved to Bloomingdale, then to Geneva, where we currently live. I have my wife, two kids (UIC grad and Senior at Loras College), and two cats (one of which is very nice). I left the business world (good story) and after one year of looking for work started my own business. I had had experience via my own painting business as a college student. I decided to do it again and find I like the tangible rewards and building trust with customers. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kim Miller-Hershon
Kim Miller-Hershon, an International coach, trainer and speaker, currently runs 3 successful companies. She created a six figure income in two years. Additionally, she helps entrepreneurs and business owners increase their profits by 25% or more in as little as 90 days. Her clients call her the “Queen of Productivity”. She trains clients to increase sales, create effective marketing and manage their time more efficiently. Ultimately, her clients gain clients, profits, and confidence. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Erica Crohn Minchella
Contact Erica at 847-677-6722 or visit www.reallegal solutions.net. Erica Crohn Minchella has practiced law for almost 30 years, first concentrating in consumer and small business bankruptcies and then expanding into real estate law. With recent economic shifts impacting both residential and commercial real estate, the combined bankruptcy and real estate concentrations have allowed her to help her clients navigate through both inflated and ballooned loans, undervalued properties and aggressive bank actions using bankruptcy, litigation and negotiation as the tools. Erica is sought out by lawyers and other professional groups as a speaker on strategy analysis for clients in distressed real estate transactions. She further blogs on her website on key issues of real estate distress and finance. Erica is the Founder and President of the Association of Foreclosure Defense Attorneys, based in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and in January, 2012 will be President of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce which has 600 member businesses. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore is an accomplished speaker, trainer, author, and media guest expert specializing in spoken and written communication. Ronnie’s impact is life transforming. By helping people master powerful communication skills, she has helped thousands keep their customers, their revenue, their jobs, and their relationships. She has published dozens of articles and two award-winning books, ebooks, and book on CDs. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mike Muhney
Mike Muhney is a recognized relationship management expert. He's the co-inventor of ACT!, which is acknowledged as the catalyst of the entire Customer Relationship Management Industry. He's author of the book, Who's In Your Orbit? Beyond Facebook—Creating Relationships That Matter. Mike is the CEO and Co-Founder of VIPorbit Software, creators of relationship-management apps designed for the way people work today—on mobile devices. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joe Nicassio
Joe Nicassio was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Alta Loma, and has lived in Long Beach for 30 years. Following his early technology interest, his interest became human nature and "the truth" of business success. He is a sought-after marketing consultant, and named the "very best" copywriter in LA by Levine Communications Office. He currently is a "business mechanic" and offline marketing expert. Joe is active in his church and practices Shotokan Karate to keep healthy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Eric Nichols
Eric Nichols has a broad-based background in the areas of management, client relations, training and more. Eric, a former Sales Director of fortune 500 companies saw the flaws in a captive agent organization and after 15 years in the business he started his very own business.Visit The Insurance Advisor View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeff Nowak
Labor and employment attorney Jeff Nowak of Franczek Radelet in Chicago, IL, represents private and public employers in labor and employment law. He counsels and litigates employment discrimination and traditional labor claims, and has extensive trial experience before labor arbitrators, judges and juries, in both federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He represents employers in retail, banking and financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, and higher education. Jeff offers employers expertise in employee medical issues. He maintains the blog www.fmlainsights.com to help employers navigate the Family and Medical Leave Act. He hosts a monthly podcast on common FMLA issues employers face. Jeff loves labor and employment law as he wants to work with people. In particular, he likes to help employers manage workplace issues to minimize legal risk and save the employer time, money and resources. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Steve Olsher
Steve Olsher is America’s Reinvention Expert. His unique no-holds barred methodology forms a proven system for ultimate achievement in business and life. He is the author of Journey To You: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming Who You Were Born to Be, Amazon's #1 Rated book on Web Marketing - Internet Prophets: The World's Leading Experts Reveal How to Profit Online, Chairman and Co-Founder of Liquor.com, and creator of The Reinvention Workshop. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mike Oringer
Mike Oringer, President of Brain-Twist® Inc., is a seasoned executive with over twenty years of expertise within the soft drink industry. Prior to joining Brain-Twist in May 2007, Oringer led marketing efforts for the Coca-Cola Company North-East Region, where he was responsible for development of sales and marketing strategies to build volume, profit, share, and consumer and trade positioning for the beverage giant. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Scott & Bethany Palmer
Scott and Bethany Palmer, “The Money Couple,” have dedicated their lives to helping others strengthen their relationships with the 5 Money Personalities. With 43 years of combined financial planning experience, they launched “The Money Couple” and are regulars on national TV and radio and speak internationally about love and money. Scott and Bethany enjoy an active lifestyle in Colorado with their two young sons, Cole and Cade. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brittney Paytonn
Brittney graduated from DePaul in 2008 with a degree in Communications. When she's not out on the town with her fiance or girlfriends she's busy with the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation and hosting Chicago's Best. In 2001, she co-founded the "Youth for Life" foundation to help educate teens about the importance of organ and tissue donation. She loves fashion and of course ... Da Bears. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brian Pfeiffer
Brian Pfeiffer Born in Chicago January 27th, 1973. Brian was born with party in his blood from monster eight keg parties at his parents pool when they were out of town in High School to the Party Frat Sigma Pi at Northern Illinois University, he always enjoyed a great party. We knew that he could turn a great party into a profitable business, but after 10 years of business Surrealchicago, Vegas, and Miami have all become synonymous with great events and sexy people. Brian earned his MBA in Finance in 1998 but didn't go the finance route, instead the entrepreneur in him took over and he found a way to have a great time and make money doing it. Check out Surrealchicago.com and Surrealvegas.com for an insight to all the great events View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Nancy Pipal
Nancy Pipal grew up in Chicago and then spent twenty extraordinary years working in various cities across the country for AT&T. In her last position as regional manager of sales and marketing, she enjoyed teaching new Account Executives the ABC's of Executive Presence (appearance, behavior and communication). Today, and for the past five years, Nancy is an independent consultant, working as an executive wardrobe stylist, a popular columnist and a sought after guest speaker. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jon Porter
Jon Porter is the owner/operator of Chicago Pizza Tours a bus guided tour of culturally significant & neighborhood pizzerias in Chicago. Born 9/19/77 Jon was raised in Elmhurst, a suburb 10 miles west of Chicago. Growing up, Jon and his grade school friends had a real passion for pizza that was cultivated by parents that also had strong feelings for the perfect food. Jon attended EIU from '95-'99 where he studied business before leaving to work for his father's business in the promotional products industry. For 10 years Jon worked at Porter Specialty Advertising in a sales position but quickly learned in small business you need to do everything. As the economy took a turn for the worse, Jon lost key accounts in a commission driven job. This downturn provided the opportunity to start CPT. "I told my wife, we can hang on to what we've saved & try to ride this economy out, or we can take that money, build a website, buy a bus and I can start taking strangers out for pizza!" View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Nido Qubein
Dr. Nido Qubein came to the US as a teenager with little knowledge of English, no contacts and only $50. His life has been an amazing success story. He is president of High Point University with 4,500 students from 51 countries. He is chairman of Great Harvest Bread Company with 220 stores and he serves on the boards of BB&T, La-Z-Boy Corporation, and DOTS, a fashion apparel company with 420 stores in 26 states. He is the youngest person ever inducted in the International Hall of Fame and is the founder of the prestigious National Speakers Foundation in Phoenix, AZ. He has been the recipient of many honors including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans, three honorary doctorates, Sales and Marketing International's Ambassador of Free Enterprise, Citizen of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year in his home city of High Point, North Carolina, induction into the Global Society for Outstanding Business Leadership, and dozens more. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Zain Raj
Zain Raj is Chief Executive Officer of Hyper Marketing, the largest independent marketing-services network in North America. It was formed via a January 2012 merger of SolutionSet MediaWhiz Partnership with D.L. Ryan Cos., the largest independent promotion and shopper marketing firm in the U.S. Hyper Marketing has 1,300 employees in 24 offices across the country, and delivers digital, direct, data, local, promotion and shopper marketing programs to some of the world’s best-known brands. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Ted Reader
Ted Reader (Toronto, Canada), known for his pyrotechnic charm and fearless culinary spirit, is an award-winning chef, author and food entertainer. He’s written over a dozen cookbooks, including Napoleon's Everyday Gourmet Grilling, Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Plank Grilling and Napoleon’s Everyday Gourmet Burgers which all took home the Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Best Barbecue Book. His most recent literary successes are his Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Smoking Foods and Beerlicous: The Art of Grillin’ and Chillin’ cookbook. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeff Reimer
Jeff Reimer is chairman of the board of directors, president of global operations at Paragon Micro, Inc., and executive leader of Paragon Micro Services, LLC. Paragon Micro, Inc is a leading global solution provider of technology products and services for businesses, government, education and healthcare. Reimer is responsible for the strategic direction of Paragon Micro, Inc., Paragon Micro Services LLC, as well as providing day to day leadership of the management teams. Paragon Micro was named to CRN’s VAR500 list as one of the top 500 technology companies in the United States. In addition, Paragon Micro, Inc. was named the 5th fastest growing company named to the VAR500. Reimer joined Paragon Micro, Inc. in 2008. Previously, he served as chairman and chief financial officer for Chicago FX, Inc (5 years) as well as a sales leader at CDW (13 years). Reimer is a 1996 graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor degree in Marketing and Communications. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Casey Reinhardt
Casey Reinhardt is the Owner, Chief Creative Officer, Cupcake Queen and the winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars. She is passionate about creating delicious cupcakes using the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. The young entrepreneur is the owner of five Casey’s Cupcakes retail stores and is expanding throughout the U.S. and internationally. Each Casey’s Cupcakes store location is truly an experience, a destination inspired by a classic Parisian café with a glamorous Hollywood twist. Casey’s curiosity for confections began at an early age when she started baking with her great grandmother. Although she was only four years old, baking resonated with her and grew into a passion that she nurtured throughout her life. Amongst all the treats she would bake alongside her great grandmother, cupcakes became a favorite because they could be customized for each person with deliciously unique flavor profiles and creative, glamorous and beautiful decorations. In addition to baking sweet treats, Casey has always been dedicated to serving her community and growing her business. In 2002, Casey founded the C.A.S.E.Y. Foundation, Children's Alliance for the Success and Education of Youth, which was established through her long-time passion for helping children build their self-esteem by focusing on academics and extracurricular activities. Casey began her career as a pageant girl in Miss Teen California 2004 and then joined the cast of the second season of MTV's reality series "Laguna Beach" as "the new girl", which received enormous ratings. During her junior year of studying psychology at Pepperdine University, Casey decided she wanted to start a business doing what she loves: baking and decorating cupcakes, and sharing her delicious recipes. In 2009, she opened her first Casey’s Cupcakes retail location with the support of her parents, Kelly and Duane Roberts at The Historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside, California which is owned by the Roberts. Her cupcakes became nationally known when she won the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” in 2011 with her four winning flavors: white chocolate cherry, white Russian, chili chocolate and lavender. Today, the thriving entrepreneur’s cupcakes are sold at five Casey's Cupcakes retail locations in Southern California; Fashion Island- Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Woodbury Town Center- Irvine, The Historic Mission Inn-Riverside and the Irvine Spectrum Center. The company also makes custom cupcake creations, Decorate Your Own cupcake parties and other sweet confections for weddings and special events. She currently resides in Southern California. When she is not speaking at charitable events or baking delicious desserts, she enjoys, traveling, mixed martial arts and studying new cultures. For more information, visit Caseys Cupcake View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Meg Roberts
Meg Roberts is the President of Molly Maid. She joined Molly Maid in 2007 as Director of Marketing and was later promoted to Vice President of Marketing where she oversaw marketing efforts for Molly Maid and Mr. Handyman. Roberts graduated from the University of Michigan in 1995 with a B.A. in Communication and completed her M.A. in Advertising Research from Michigan State University in 1998. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joe Robinson
A work-life trainer, speaker, and author, Joe Robinson is one of the country’s most quoted experts on work life balance. He has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, NBC Nightly News, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and is host of newspapers and radio stations to discuss how Americans can work smarter and break out of the burnout cycle. His commentaries on the workplace are featured on the public radio program, Marketplace. His talks and trainings have inspired conferences and trainings for IBM, Homeland Security and McDonald’s, among others. Joe’s articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Joe is author of “Work to Live,” which shows through the science how to reduce stress and burnout, control email and increase performance. His latest book, “Don’t Miss Your Life,” explores the power of participant experiences to activate the fullest life. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Ann Rogers
For 29 years Together We Cope (TWC) has bridged the gap for south suburban Chicago residents in temporary crisis by providing food, shelter, clothing and referrals, empowering them to return to self-sufficiency. Special back-to-school and holiday programs help children succeed in school and build self-esteem. Partnerships with HUD, United Way, Salvation Army, Chambers of Commerce, faith communities and service organizations (e.g. Rotary and Kiwanis) enable TWC to provide new and innovative services. In 1989 TWC served 2984 people with 11.8 tons of food; in 2009 over 44,000 people were assisted with almost $1.5 million worth of food, clothing and financial assistance. What began as a small group of compassionate neighbors is now the largest prevention agency in southwest suburban Cook County, IL. Today, with a small part-time staff and many dedicated volunteers, TWC can truly say that together, the community has coped with every adversity it has encountered. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Steve Roslonek
Steve Roslonek (SteveSongs) has been performing his award-winning kids' music for 15 years. Since 2008, as “Mr. Steve,” he has co-hosted the nationally broadcast PBS KIDS preschool programming block that features such popular shows as Curious George and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Millions of families across the country know and love “Mr. Steve” through his original, interactive songs that reinforce each day’s PBS KIDS curriculum theme. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kareem Rush
After sustaining a micro-fracture ACL tear in his right knee, eight-year NBA veteran and guest Kareem Rush was forced to take time off from the game. During his rehabbing, he went to work. Kareem is not only entering into the music business, but he has also been actively creating his own youth foundation, clothing line, publishing company, record label, and has a couple of inventions in the works. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tom Salonek
Tom Salonek is the founder and CEO of Intertech, a Minneapolis-based technology consulting and training firm. In 2005, he was named one of Minnesota’s Top Business Leaders under 40. Intertech has been named twice to INC 500’s list of fastest growing companies, and is also a seven-time winner of the Business Journal’s Best Places to Work award. In 2003, Salonek founded the Intertech Foundation to financially assist families with critically ill children. Tom Salonek has completed executive education at the Harvard School of Business and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a past instructor at the University of St. Thomas Management Center. He holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas. Tom is the author of Building a Winning Business and has written more than 50 articles on business, leadership and technology, and blogs regularly at http://www.TomSalonek.com. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tony Samara
Tony Samara, author of ‘Shaman’s Wisdom,’ ‘From the Heart,’ ‘Different Yet the Same,’ and ‘Deeper than Words’ was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”. This discovery eventually led him to the “Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, USA” where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” He had curiosity to explore further the essence of spirituality and thus went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe including a period of time spent with some highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains. Now people from all over the world visit Tony Samara to take spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jill Schiefelbein
Impromptu Guru is a consulting firm specializing in public speaking coaching and communication strategy. Owner Jill Schiefelbein is a communication expert and works with executives, athletes and organizations to help them gain confidence and improve their communication and delivery. Impromptu Guru was awarded Gilbert’s “Rookie of the Year” in June 2012, and launches a business communication radio show through VoiceAmerica this April. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Corey Scott
Corey Scott has been a real estate agent for over a decade specializing in real estate owned and band foreclosure properties. Today he owns two Prospect Equities franchises, in Oakbrook and Lisle, IL. He manages 100+ agents, and closes 600+ real estate deals annually. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Taja Sevelle
Taja Sevelle, Prince Protégé, recording artist, song writer, and author founded Urban Farming in 2005. Starting with just three gardens, Urban Farming now has nearly 60,000 registered gardens worldwide. Through the “100 Million Families and Friends Global Campaign,” Urban Farming encourages 100 million people register their gardens. Taja is currently in the studio working on a new album. She is also working her latest book, The Garden Song. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Gerry Shaltz
Gerry is an author, speaker, and consultant. With 40 years experience, coaching, managing, and empowering thousands of people to improve their sales and interpersonal skills. A member of the National Speakers Association, Gerry speaks to audiences, business leaders and college students. He is the Author of "THE DNA OF SELLING, What You Won't Learn In Business School". Recently completed a second book, "I SWEAR ITS TRUE". He clearly states that the fear of rejection and failure are among the biggest impediments to success, in business and personal relationships. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kurt Shaver
Kurt Shaver, Founder of The Sales Foundry, helps companies increase sales by leveraging new technologies while maintaining sound selling principles. As a rep, Kurt sold enterprise technology and won numerous awards. As his career grew, Kurt hired, trained, and managed sales teams at a number of fast growth companies. Since starting The Sales Foundry in 2008, Kurt has helped hundreds of salespeople, consultants, and entrepreneurs improve their selling skills including learning new tools like LinkedIn. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeff Shea
Jeff Shea has a long history of creating success in business. His passion for entrepreneurship, and developing others has led him down his current path as CEO and Co-Founder of Payline Data. Jeff is no stranger to hard work, and started working full-time while still in High School. As a college freshman, he earned the National Manager of the Year award at a nationwide sales company. Upon graduation he joined New Image to create the largest installation program in the USA and Canada for Home Depot's painting & garage floor coating departments. In 2009 Jeff Shea Co-Founded Payline Data with his mission to grow a business and create an impact for charitable organizations worldwide. Jeff's passions lie in leadership, with a true aspiration to help others succeed to their highest potential. Recently Jeff was honored as the 2011 Young Entrepreneur by the Daily Herald Business Ledger. He also serves as Treasurer for the American Lung Association Auxiliary Board in Chicago. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Rich Shuttler
U.S. Navy vet Dr. Rich Shuttler, a Customer-Driven & Quality-Focused International Public Speaker, Educator, and Author has 25-years of domestic and international management and leadership improvement expertise in academia, governments, and Fortune 1,000 environments. His books include best-selling Laws of Communication: The Intersection Where Leadership Meets Employee Performance and Everyday Leader Heroes: 10 Characteristics of Everyday Leader Heroes. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jake Siebert
Jake studied Politics and Economics at Illinois State University. Upon graduating, he took a job in NYC. Fast forward nearly 18 months, and he was introduced to Jeff. After their first meeting, when Jeff told him about the business concept, Jake was shocked at the simplicity behind the concept, and encouraged by the fact nobody else had thought of this yet. As they say, the rest is history. Starting as an account executive with the company, he has since earned a senior management role. Jake serves all merchant types well and has a focus on small to mid-size businesses, along with developing and maintaining strategic relationships with financial institutions. He has a great understanding of merchant needs, and he is great to work with. Jake initially began working with smaller businesses in his local community, and has more recently begun working with larger firms in the Chicago-metropolitan area. In his eyes, the sky is the limit, but he will never forget where he came from. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jade Simmons
Jade Simmons is easily one of the most exciting & versatile artists on the scene today. Demonstrating an uncommon display of passion & innovation at every turn, she’s been called a “musical force of nature". From the White House, to the Miss America stage to hosting the webcasts of international competitions, Jade has carved out an impossibly diverse career as a self-managed artist. She also provides career building assistance to emerging artists via an online platform called Emerge Already! View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mark Slaby
Mark’s career began in the 1990s with a start-up technology company that was later acquired by IBM. Since then, his business interests have diversified into the fields of technology, investing and philanthropy. As an entrepreneur, he continues to finance and operate businesses in technology, aggregate mining, and commercial/industrial real estate markets. Mark brings a unique perspective to community challenges along with the leadership skills and relationship development capabilities necessary to deliver results and make an impact on those most in need. Mark sits on the board of directors and is an advisor to a number of local, state and national business and charitable organizations. Mark received his B.S. in Marketing from Indiana University. Mark is not paid for his efforts relative to Illinois Patriot Education Fund, and considers the time he dedicates to the cause as his service to his country. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Eric Soderholm
Eric Soderholm was a nine and one-half year major league baseball player with the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. He won the “Comeback Player of the Year” by The Sporting News in 1977. Knee injuries ended his baseball career at 31, and he has grown to become a successful business man in the Chicagoland area with Front Row Tickets and Soder World Healing Arts Center and Spa in Willowbrook. He is now retired and enjoys golf and his family. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Michael Jay Solomon
Truli was founded, funded and is led by veteran of worldwide media and content distribution executive Michael Jay Solomon. With over 50 years of experience, Solomon is the former co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Telepictures Corp, later merged into Lorimar-Telepictures, which later merged with Warner Bros. International Television. There Solomon served as President, and built the world’s largest television content distributor. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tom Stanley
Tom grew up maintaining/rehabbing family-owned homes with his dad and granddad. He purchased several apartment buildings soon after graduation from high school which paid his way through college and grad school, and he started a health club chain he soon sold to focus on real estate. His expertise include: business development, marketing, client development, multi-disciplinary team management, and project delivery. He’s run successful companies with happy customers. Tom’s Progressive Vision Management economically builds worship houses, retirement facilities and multi-family properties. In real estate, Tom and partner help investors build generational wealth via partnering in High Rise Investments, LLC. Currently Tom speaks and a mentors in the real estate sector while again producing income for many via real estate holdings. He and his wife value fitness and are training for “The Race Across the Sky”, a 100-mile bikeathon. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Chris Stark
Christopher Stark is a 20-year-old (Chicago-Based) CEO of a social media marketing company called Media Scribble. He has three years of experience as Head of Product Development for an international social media company. Over the last year he has become a national speaker, trainer, and business coach who helps people in any industry monetize their marketing with the help of social media. Chris also has a Chicago not-for-profit, New Understanding, which provides mentoring for inner city underprivileged. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Sean Stephensen
Sean Stephensen was predicted not to survive at birth because of a rare bone disorder that stunted his growth and caused his bones to be extremely fragile. Despite his challenges, he took a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world, including Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, President Clinton, and his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Sean has appeared on everything from The Oprah Show to Youtube videos with a million views. The Biography Channel did an hour feature on his life called, "Three Foot Giant." Sean's message has been heard at live events in over 15 countries and 47 states over the past 15 years. As a board certified therapist, Sean uses humor and compassion to develop a safe and controlled environment where individuals open up their hearts and minds for lasting empowerment to occur. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Michael Stuart
We provide creative solutions to help families achieve their dreams using client-centered, cutting-edge estate and exit planning methods, assist clients with funding their plans to ensure those plans will work as designed, and use state-of-the-art funding strategies and tools, including: • Comprehensive Estate Planning • Charitable Trusts • Wealth Replacement Trusts • Business Continuation and Exit Planning • Family Limited Partnerships and Family Limited Liability Companies • Asset Protection Trusts, Grantor Retained Income Trusts • Business Entity Formation and Maintenance • Families with Special Needs Michael is a widely recognized attorney and CPA with over 30 years of extensive experience in Business, Trust and Estate Planning. Among his clients and financial advisors, he has earned the reputation as a responsible, reliable and thoughtful Business, Trusts and Estates counselor. The firm offers ongoing client education on estate and exit options. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joe Sugarman
Founder and Chairman of JS&A Group, Inc., BluBlocker Corporation, and President of Stem Cell Products, LLC, Joe Sugarman in 1962 worked as an Army Intelligence agent and CIA operative. He was an instrument rated, multi engine commercial pilot, owner of an ad agency and a rock group promoter. In 1971 his company marketed the world's first pocket calculator through direct marketing. In 1973, Sugarman's company was the first in the USA to use the 800 Watts line service to take credit card telephone orders. In 1986, he regrouped to sell BluBlocker® sunglasses via mail order ads, catalogs, TV infomercials and QVC, selling 20 million pair in the last 25 years. In 1979, Sugarman was Direct Marketing Man of the Year in New York. In 1991, he won the prestigious Maxwell Sackheim award for creative career contributions to direct marketing. Sugarman is also a published author of six books. In 2005 Sugarman formed a group to market a series of products utilizing stem cell technology. View Guest page
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Gary Szenderski
Gary Szenderski is a branding specialist, internationally acclaimed as an expert on the subject. Mr. Szenderski frequently speaks and writes about emerging brands and companies in transition. He conducts planning and marketing seminars for business owners facing expansion and other change-related issues. Also, Gary is a published author and Marketing instructor at the University of California-Irvine. View Guest page
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Phil Tadros
Serial entrepreneur Phil Tadros has owned nine coffeeshops throughout Chicago since he was 19, among dozens of digital products, platforms and web services. Tadros is the co-founder and CEO of award winning and Chicago-based creative web agency, Doejo, which works with both new and established companies on web design and development; branding and art direction; video marketing campaigns, mobile apps, social media, brick-and-mortar build-outs and construction/ refurbishment. Doejo essentially acts as a think-tank startup accelerator and creative powerhouse. As a local entrepreneurial / tech ecosystem instigator, Tadros and Doejo have been featured by the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye, TimeOut Chicago, CNBC, Crain’s Chicago Business, Michigan Avenue magazine, Communication Arts, among others. His newest coffeeshop venture, Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, operating out of Lakeview, is his first micro-roasting house. He also just opened a second location in River North along with co-founder and Technori CEO, Seth Kravitz. Other cafes currently under his operation are State Farm's Next Door Cafe and Columbia College Chicago's cafes. His photoblog, philcoextra.com chronicling his day-to-day life, receives up to a thousand page views a day. While continuing to consult with Doejo clients online and off, Tadros still finds time to give guest lectures, speak on panels, judge entrepreneurial competitions and consume copious amounts of coffee. Tadros is in the process of opening a new micro-brewery, Strange Pelican in 2013. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
John Tesh
Many know John Tesh as the iconic, two-time Emmy and Associated Press Award winning Entertainment Tonight host who walked away from a lucrative career to pursue his music artist dreams. He has since garnered two Grammy nominations, many #1 radio singles, four Gold albums, produced five PBS special hits, and sold over 7.2 million albums. John’s latest projects include his Big Band album, a live DVD, and public television special, Big Band Live. He's on tour now performing classic American tunes to support the release. Besides music accolades, John has created a personal/business method of life-coaching through his “Intelligence” brand. Dubbed “Oprah on the radio,” John’s nationally syndicated radio show “Intelligence for Your Life,” reaches 14.5 million plus listeners weekly. His book, “Intelligence for Your Life: Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth,” made best-seller lists of The New York Times, USA Today, Publishers’ Weekly, Wall Street Journal and Amazon.com. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Lynda Tourloukis
Lynda Tourloukis is a Professional Life Development Coach, Motivational Speaker and Laughter Director who works with Individuals to Organizations to discover more of what life has to offer. Lynda uses joyful techniques to empower and add enthusiasm back into day-to-day living by creating an awareness of choice with a focus on how amazing we are. Lynda uses the tool of laughter to “enlighten up” and loosen up and is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher/Trainer. Leading a daily laughter call that operates everyday of the year, founding laughter clubs and resource and support groups for laughter leaders as well as being the foremost authority on laughter in Illinois, Lynda presents laughter programs for groups from prisons to schools to corporate groups to demonstrate effective and efficient choices that also feel good to make. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Andrea Trovato
Andrea Trovato is president of RonTro Enterprises, a metal precision laser cutting company she began with her spouse, Ron, in October of 1999. A native of New York City, Trovato moved to Florida to launch her paralegal career in 1985. After eight years, she met Ron and then moved to Chicago. Soon they married, and Trovato was a stay-at-home mom until she and her husband began their business in 1999. The Trovato’s, who built their business from the ground up, saw their company steadily prosper. At the peak, they bought and updated a larger building. In 2007, though, the economy’s downturn significantly set Trovato’s company back. After struggling three years, RonTro Enterprises has recovered beautifully and is now growing again. Andrea Trovato’s greatest lesson learned is to always have a back up plan. Personally, Trovato is passionate about her family of five, her faith, and any chance that comes her way to help others. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Vanessa Troyer
Architectural Mailboxes is a manufacturer of high quality, decorative, spacious secure mailboxes and mailbox accessories for residential and commercial applications. The company was founded by Vanessa Troyer and Chris Farentinos in 2000. Together, they bring over 30 years experience in design, manufacturing and distribution of postal products. They have built a team of dedicated professionals committed to providing premium products in a constantly changing marketplace. All of the Architectural Mailboxes product designs are developed and tested in-house with an eye to providing an aesthetic design while maintaining quality workmanship and providing a safe and secure environment for mail and parcel receipt. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Max Tucci
Max Tucci Lifestyle Expert, Celebrity Chef, Radio host, TV host, Designer, Photographer, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Renaissance man and was "One of New York's Most Eligible Bachelors" in Gotham Magazine. Currently the Vice President of Delmonico LLC continuing the brand of Oscar's Delmonico creating Oscar's Delmonico Vodka and a home collection. Max was awarded "The Leadership in You Philanthropy Award" by the American Diabetes Association. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mauricio Umansky
Mauricio Umansky is founder and CEO of The Agency, a highprofile, luxury real estate brokerage representing clients & properties worldwide, & considered one of America’s most successful & renowned real estate agents. The Wall Street Journal recently recognized Mauricio as the #1 top producing real estate agent in all of Southern California & #7 in the U.S. Over his career, he has been involved in over $1 Billion in transactions. He also stars on Bravo’s top rated reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tony Vari
I started my career in the computer software/technical sales back in the middle 1980's. I was an extremely successful sales person with several annual top sales position awards year after year. I quickly propelled my talents into sales management where I continued to be the number 1 region for the company. I then went into a software start up company in which I started the Midwest region and build up all sales, support and hiring of the staff. Then the high tech bubble crashed. I found myself unemployed and looking for the next market segment. After sitting around for six months I had decided to get into what I really enjoyed all of my life. That was the building. So I started a drywall company and grew that into a $1 million in revenue company in six months and I was attending school at night to become a General Contractor. I then started Dynamic Developers, LLC a land development and residential and commercial builder. Here we are today. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Shea Vaughn
Shea Vaughn is a corporate trainer in health, wellness & fitness, an author, speaker, master instructor & trainer, life coach, and a recognized spokeswoman for creating individual and business well-being. She is the well-known creator of SheaNetics®, a doctor endorsed revolutionary wellness and exercise lifestyle practice; and the founder of Healthy Initiative, a charity that champions disease prevention through awareness, education and sustainable solutions for building healthy and joyful lives. She hosts SheaNetics® certifications, speaks internationally and has appeared on numerous TV programs including Ellen, The Marilyn Dennis Show and is a regularly featured health & fitness expert on Windy City LIVE and The Best Ever You Network. (www.sheanetics.com / www.healthyinitiative.org). View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tammy Virgili
I started in the field of long-term care in ‘92, as a CNA, and received my nursing license in July of ’95. I then began working as an Assistant Director of an Alzheimer’s Unit, where I spent the first 3 years of my nursing career. Over time, I took on roles as Nurse Manager, Admissions and Marketing Director, and Medicare Unit Director. In ‘02, I began working toward my Nursing Home Administrator’s License. I completed the Long-Term Care Administration Program, at College of DuPage, with honors, and passed my State and Federal Boards in ‘03. Since then, I’ve worked as Executive Director for Assisted Living companies, as Corporate Director of Marketing for a skilled nursing home chain, and as Director of Operations for a multi-site Assisted Living facility. Recently, I accepted a position as a Community Administrator for Providence Life Services, at the Downers Grove location: Saratoga Grove Retirement and Assisted Living. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tony Volpentest
Born without hands or feet, Tony Volpentest made his international debut as a 17-year-old, winning three golds at the 1990 World Championships. Tony Volpentest is a four-time Gold Medalist and five-time World Champion sprinter (he carried the Olympic flame at the 1996 Olympics) and still holds 3 world records. Now he works with others pursuing Gold, and speaks to audiences around the world on the importance of excelling, pushing beyond perceived limits, and renewing determination. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Watts Wacker
Watts Wacker is one of the most celebrated and influential minds in modern business. Mr. Wacker -- lecturer, best-selling author, political commentator and social critic -- is one of the world's most respected futurists. His uncommon versatility and vision has allowed him to help the world's top corporations and organizations navigate the sea of change that is taking hold in the new millennium. He has been the futurist at SRI International, the legendary Menlo Park think tank, and spent ten years as the resident futurist at the preeminent social research organization, Yankelovich Partners. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
David R. Waldman
The Franchise Maker is led by David R. Waldman who, prior to starting The Franchise Maker in 2005, had spent over seventeen years working for large service-based franchise organizations. As a franchise developer, he has witnessed the power in franchising. He is passionate about franchising businesses and understands that when a franchise structure is built correctly, the loyalty that is built within the franchise system can accelerate the entire system to greatness. His company works with businesses from all over the United States, taking them through an affordable, step-by-step process to franchise their business. Franchising a business can seem to be an extremely overwhelming process and it is made simple and smooth by the individualized attention that The Franchise Maker gives each client. Beyond the initial franchise development, The Franchise Maker offers its clients additional services designed to help and support their franchise sales efforts. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh® is the CEO/Founder of Business Coaching/Venture Capital firm Powerteam International. Bill hosts and speaks at events all over the world! His passion is to empower entrepreneurs and business owners to create massive success. He loves to help people to understand specifically what it takes to build successful companies. He is an accomplished author, speaker, radio personality and movie celebrity. He has a very successful background in finance and marketing. He has spent two decades working with start-ups to major global brands increasing sales, productivity and overall success. He is an innovator with a remarkable ability to determine and dictate success strategy to seize global market opportunities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Devyanne Ward
Devyanne Ward is the President/CEO of Document Creations, Inc., A Xerox Sales Agency in Chicago. She has twenty-five years plus in sales, training, business development and management. She serves the Apostolic Church of God’s Senior Ministry providing “quality of life” services to senior citizens. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, she formed "Devy’s Debs" of the Annual American Cancer Society Walk for Breast Cancer.l View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jackie Warner
A Mid-western girl turned self-made millionaire at the age of 22, Jackie was inspired to pursue a career in fitness and nutrition after training a few close friends to dramatic life-changing results. Within a year, Jackie opened her first health center, Lift. The revolutionary fitness facility was the first health club in Southern California to accept health insurance for exercise. From 2004 to 2009, Jackie owned and operated her next gym, Sky Sport & Spa. Employing Jackie’s complete approach to fitness, Sky Sport was the Nation’s premiere full service health and medical practice. Although frequented by fitness aficionados for years, Sky Sport was introduced to the rest of the world on Jackie’s hit television show, Work Out. She returned to television in 2010 in the show, Thintervention with Jackie Warner. Hailed by critics, the premiere gave the network its best ratings ever for a Monday. Jackie is one of the World’s most sought-after fitness experts by media and consumers alike. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Fitness Rx, and Fitness Magazines, wrote the New York Times Bestsellers, This is Why You’re Fat (and How to Get Thin Forever), and 10 Pounds in 10 Days. She also stars in several best-selling DVDs. To help people further take back control of their lives, Jackie founded a new online community and diet and fitness product line in Spring 2012 View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Denise Winston
Financial Expert Denise Winston is a 25-year former banker; founder of Money Start Here a financial education company and author of the Upcoming book “Money Starts Here! Your Shortcut Guide to Financial Freedom”. She is a frequent contributor to national multi media outlets, in the past three years her tips have reached over 100million people via media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, ABC, Reader’s Digest, Bankrate.com and many more. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Katherine Wintsch
Katherine Wintsch, founder of The Mom Complex, helps companies and marketers around the world to develop accurate research to better target products, services, and advertising that’s geared towards the largest buying power out there – moms. Focused on consumer & B2B, their consultants and innovative research methods are creating stronger connections between marketers and moms. With her marketing expertise and role as a mom, Katherine shows marketers they're missing the mark and how they can reach it. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Craig Wolfe
I created CelebriDucks as a new art form of celebrity rubber ducks selling over a million ducks and voted one of the top 100 gifts by Entertainment Weekly while being featured on hundreds of TV shows, magazines, and newspapers including The Tonight Show. The rubber duck was invented in America. Now all are made overseas. I returned the industry to the USA and am now the only one making them in America once again for Harley-Davidson to The FFA. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Sandra Yancey
Sandra Yancey is the Founder & CEO of eWomenNetwork, the premier women’s business network in North America. Her organization has 118 chapters, produces 2,000 women’s events annually, and largest 4-day International Women’s Business Conference & Expo in North America. Sandra is the recipient of numerous awards and CNN American Hero. Her latest book, “Succeeding in Spite of Everything!” is full of rich insights, lessons learned and savvy moves. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Paulo Yih
Paulo Yih, COO and President, 5C Group, shares the insights from being born and raised in Shanghai, China; a teen life in San Paulo, Brazil; and adulthood in Wisconsin, USA. Speaking seven languages, Paulo has a Masters in Educational Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Platteville. In 2008, he joined 5C Group, an international investment consultant for three new renewable energies: wind, solar and LED. He promotes cross-culturalism, especially to youth, via education and overseas internships where relationships can develop future business networks. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jimmy Z
Jimmy Z is a Team Builder and Sales Trainer of the highest caliber. He combines his unique abilities to bring Accelerated Learning Techniques and humor together to empower Sales and Management Teams to use what they learn and move directly into action to improve performance. Jimmy Z began in 1982 as Founder of Creative Achievement Worldwide, Inc. in Chicago. In 1989 Jim added a franchise/distributorship representing best selling author Anthony Robbins, and by 1994, Tony asked Jimmy Z to train his international promoters in Europe, Asia and North America. Jim has also taught classes for best selling authors Brian Tracy, Deepak Chopra and John Gray. Jim is a member of The National Speakers Association and has been featured in Who's Who in Sales and Marketing, and as one of the “Top Five” Sales Trainers with The Institute For Sales and Marketing Management in the United Kingdom. Call (888) GO2-GROW (888-462-4769) or go to TurboCoaching.com to book “Jimmy Z” for your group today! View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tom Ziglar
As CEO of Ziglar, Inc., Tom Ziglar shares not only a last name with his father, Zig Ziglar, but he also carries on his philosophy, which is simply, “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Prior to being named CEO, Tom began his career in retail and direct sales. He joined the Zig Ziglar Corporation in 1987, learning every aspect of the business as he climbed from working in the warehouse to sales, to seminar promotion, to sales management and then on to leadership. With the Ziglar name, Tom has had a lot to live up to. But rather than try to fill his father’s shoes, Tom has created some of his own! He is boldly taking Ziglar, Inc., into the world of social communities, Twitter, blogs, and live video webcasts to present the tried and true message of hope, integrity and positive thinking to a whole new audience. He keeps Ziglar, Inc., ahead of the times with his innovative leadership. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Sandra Zoratti
Sandra Zoratti is the author of the newly released Precision Marketing: Maximizing Relevance Through Relevance and Vice President, Marketing, Executive Briefings and Education at Ricoh, where she manages a business created from former IBM and Ricoh companies located in Boulder, Colorado. As a recognized thought leader in the area of Precision Marketing, Sandra has produced double-digit revenue increases for several companies. Sandra was awarded 2012’s BMA Colorado Marketer of the Year. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Show Links
Believe in Yourself and Don't Give Up
January 18, 2012
Hosted by Rich Killian
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
President Andrea Trovato of RonTro shares triumph, collapse and the current rebirth of the metal laser-cutting company which she and husband Ron built in 1999. Following a guilt-ridden scrutiny of her mistakes, Andrea has stopped blaming herself and knows that trouble stemmed from a global financial crisis. She switched her focus to hard work, building a good reputation, and smart business to rebuild the company and work which the Trovatos love. They have learned: secure partnership agreements and cut losses fast. They spend their time doing what they do well and hire experts for financial, legal, and markeating needs. Spending money on skilled marketing and public relations is key to success. Appreciation marketing distinguishes RonTro. The Trovatos appreciate the life lessons their three daughers have learned from RonTro's ups and downs. Andrea says: don't look back or over analyze, and believe in what you do. With hard work success will come. Visit www.rontro.com.
The American Businessperson
Wednesday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Business Channel
“The American Businessperson” talk show host Rich Killian will interview guests within two formats. In “The American Dream Hour” the success stories of both business owners and the employed include: what shaped their dreams, how they got started, what steps most helped them succeed, the lessons mistakes taught, and keeping focused amid hard times. Guests’ winning practices will help listeners gain new perspective to tackle challenges. In “The Expert Hour”, professionals present a business topic pertinent to business people. Both formats engage, educate, and motivate listeners to action. With the right know-how and work, dreams come true. The show will add possibilities and outline tactics business people can use to prevail with their ambitions.
Join in live every Wednesday at 12 Noon Pacific Time, 3 PM Eastern Time on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel, or on demand 24/7 at TheAmericanBusinessperson.com.
Rich Killian
In 1999 at age 25, U.S. Army veteran and Southern Illinois University graduate Rich Killian started his business career. Not finding work as a Civil Engineer, he started selling Real Estate during the week, worked in demolition as a laborer on weekends, and attended night school for his MBA at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
In 2000, he incorporated his first company, Prospect Equities® which is a nationally licensed real estate franchise system with a uniquely integrated full-service approach to both residential and commercial real estate brokerage. His concept has been coined, “The Freedom Concept of Real Estate” and Rich has been a successful entrepreneur since the inception of his first company. Rich has averaged an acquisition or formation of two companies per year and now controls over 20 companies and corporations. By 2003, Rich’s six companies formed Infinity Capital Holding Corporation (ICH) with Rich as Chairman.
In the 2008 recession, Rich offered his real estate and mortgage companies’ services to distressed home owners and renters at discounted fees, paid various mortgages and rents to help those in hardship while creating salaried jobs and opportunities for sales and management positions within his companies. In 2010, he founded The Hardship Home Foundation, a public charity which assists people in keeping their homes.
Today, Rich is Chairman of the Board for ICH and its 20-plus companies which produce over $1/2 billion in annual sales.
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