In this episode Derek interviews Tim Sanders. Tim spent most of his early career on the cutting edge of innovation and change. He was an early stage member of Mark Cuban’s Broadcast.com , which had the largest opening day IPO in history. After Yahoo acquired the company, Tim was tapped to lead their ValueLab, and by 2001, he rose to Chief Solutions Officer. In 2005, he founded Deeper Media, which provides consulting services for leading brands. Today, he is one of the top-rated speakers on the l...
Jun 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 1421
From the interview vault: Derek talks with Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas. Jesse helps companies stand out by thinking different, creating attention and creating fans for life. Jesse is the Owner of Fans First Entertainment, who owns and operates the Savannah Bananas. Cole is an in-demand speaker and author of “Find Your Yellow Tux – How to Be Successful by Standing Out” Cole believes to be successful you need to Stand Out and Be Different. He releases blogs and videos daily on FindYo...
Jun 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1420
In this episode Derek Champagne interviews John Rossman. John Rossman is the author of The Amazon Way book series, and a Managing Director at Alvarez and Marsal (A&M), a global professional services rm. John is an expert in innovative and digital business models and organizational change, including internet of things (IoT). Prior to A&M, John was an executive at Amazon.com where he launched the third party selling business, which today is over 50% of all Amazon units and supports over 3 ...
Jun 08, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1419
From interview vault: In this episode Derek Champagne interviews the Founder & CEO of RedHead Wines, Marisa Sergi just after she has landed a deal with WalMart stores. Marisa is a young business owner who is a third generation wine maker. Marisa shares her background, passion for making wine, and the highlights of her entrepreneurial journey. Learn more at https://redheadwine.us
Jun 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 1418
In this episode Derek Champagne talks with Shark Tank veteran Yannis Moati. Yannis is the Founder & CEO of Hotels by Day, which seamlessly unlocks latent intra-day room inventory, bringing guests the flexibility of short stays. Intra-day rooms being the inventory of unsold rooms from the night before pooled with early checkouts. Yannis shares his experiences launching his new business and growing his national brand. Learn more at www.hotelsbyday.com...
May 25, 2025•48 min•Ep. 1417
In this episode Derek Champagne chats with Eddie Yoon. Eddie is a growth strategy expert for the last 20 years as a Partner with The Cambridge Group. In the last 5 years, he has helped double numerous businesses-cable media company, food brand, beverage company, pet food brand, consumer robotics, standby generators-from several hundred million to close to a billion dollars. Eddie is the author of the acclaimed book, Superconsumers: A Simple, Speedy and Sustainable Path to Superior Growth (Harvar...
May 18, 2025•44 min•Ep. 1416
Derek interviews successful entrepreneur and coach Aaron Walker. Aaron talks with us about the meaning of success, growing from personal tragedy, and living a purpose-filled life. Aaron is the founder of ISI Brotherhood, helping faith-forward business men to step out of isolation to live a life of success AND significance around the five pillars of a whole man: personal, professional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Learn more at https://www.isibrotherhood.com/...
May 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1415
In this episode Derek Champagne interviews Siphiwe Baleka. Fox Sports won an Emmy for Changing Lanes: The Siphiwe Baleka story. Siphiwe Baleka is the founder of Fitness Trucking, LLC and serves as the Driver Health and Fitness Coach at Prime Inc., one of America’s largest trucking companies. His innovative, on-the-go wellness program has helped thousands of truck drivers lose weight and reclaim their health (69% of truck drivers are obese; the trucking industry is the least healthy of any indust...
May 04, 2025•37 min•Ep. 1414
Derek talks with Ishveen Jolly, CEO + Founder at OpenSponsorship. Ishveen shares her entrepreneurial journey, key leadership principles, and how she built the category leader. The startup was born out of her experience as a successful sports agent in India and the UK. OpenSponsorship now has over 5,500 athletes, teams and events being managed to brands globally looking for sports marketing opportunities. Ishveen was included in the Forbes 30under30 sports list in 2015 and OpenSponsorship was nam...
Apr 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1413
Kent Hance is a lawyer, a former U.S. Congressman, a university chancellor, and most notably, a native Texan. With the launch of his new podcast, Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Hance shares stories from his legendary life on themes relating to leadership, politics and great friendships with some real characters. Hance received his B.B.A. from Texas Tech University in 1965 and his law degree from the University of Texas in 1968. He served in the Texas state senate from 1975 - 1979. In...
Apr 20, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1412
Sanyin Siang shares highlights from her journey, and how to accept positive affirmations and constructive criticism as data points in your life, importance of being generous, and how to be vulnerable. Sanyin helps leaders launch and create value by focusing on mindset, behavioral change, and team and culture building. Sanyin is a CEO Coach, Advisor, Author,the Executive Director of Duke University’s Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE) and a Professor with its Pratt School of E...
Apr 13, 2025•33 min•Ep. 1411
From the interview vault: Derek Champagne talks with pro athlete entrepreneur Rennie Curran about how to (Rennie's phrase) "operate at the level of your vision". As a former NFL player, Rennie shares his experience in transitioning to an entrepreneur and the valuable leadership lessons he's learned along the way. Rennie is the CEO of Game Changer Coaching whose mission is to help business professionals and elite athletes reach their fullest potential through personal development workshops and on...
Apr 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1410
From the interview vault - In this episode Derek interviews Seth Buechley. Seth is a serial entrepreneur with a unique background. He grew up in a commune in the woods of southern Oregon, married his high school sweetheart, skipped college, and still managed to build and sell several companies resulting in multi-million-dollar exits. He enjoys connecting high-potential leaders with the ideas and resources to grow their business or organization while achieving lasting leadership impact. Seth is a...
Mar 30, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1409
Interview vault from Derek Champagne's discussion with international business woman Arlene Battishill. Arlene is the co-founder of the International brand GoGo Gear, a Shark Tank veteran, consultant, and best-selling author of the book Retail Therapy: A Prescription For What Ails Your Online Sales. Shark Tank Star, Daymond John, has called Arlene book, Retail Shock Therapy as "a MUST READ for businesses selling online." Arlene talks with Derek about building her brand, testing her product, shift...
Mar 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 1408
We pulled one of our favorite interviews from the BLS interview archives where Derek Champagne interviews Michael Levin. This was a powerful interview and Michael overdelivered as our guest! As one of the most established writers in the nation, New York Times best-selling author Michael Levin has written or co-written more than 100 books, of which eleven are national best sellers. He appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank on January 20th, 2012. In the past, Michael has published with Simon & Schuster,...
Mar 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1407
In this episode Derek Champagne is on the other side of the interview as a guest on Motivational Mondays, an amazing London-based podcast, hosted by Abigale Otchere. Derek talks about coming from humble beginnings, his years as a Hollywood musician, his rock bottom and overcoming obstacles, celebrating 15 years as an agency owner, how he ultimately measures success, and becoming a legacy entrepreneur. Learn more at www.businessleadershipseries.com...
Mar 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 1406
In this episode Derek Champagne, Founder & CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Sean Wittenberg. Sean has been featured on ABC hit tv show Shark Tank and is the President & Founder of Safe Catch Inc. Sean is on a mission to make a positive impact on our world and he is well on his way! He talks with Derek about motivation behind developing his technology and company, how he maintains his passion and focus, and what's next for his industry. Safe Catch is an award nominee at Expo West f...
Mar 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 1405
Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Youtube sensation and 2x Shark Tank guest Aaron Marino! Aaron Marino, successful entrepreneur and Founder of Pete & Pedro, gives us valuable insight on growing a brand, learning from failures, and building a content machine with millions of engaged followers. Learn more at www.aaronmarino.com
Feb 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1404
Derek Champagne interviews Mike Caprari. In addition to being the stars of a highly watched episode of MSNBC's popular tv show The Profit, Mike Caprari is a passionate musician and entrepreneur. Mike is the SVP of Marketing and Co Founder of SJC Custom Drums. His product is played and endorsed by some of the world's top musicians and bands. Mike talks with us about his journey of building his business, his experience on The Profit, learning from mistakes, developing authentic customer relationsh...
Feb 16, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1403
In this week’s interview, Derek Champagne talks with Shark Tank veteran Steven Sashen. Steven talks with Derek about building an international business, stepping in the Shark Tank, and even his days of stand up comedy. Steven is the developer and CEO of Xero Shoes • Your Original Barefootware – www.XeroShoes.com . Steven and his wife, Lena Phoenix, started the “Barefoot… PLUS!” sandal business in late 2009; he had returned to sprinting 2 years earlier, at age 45, and experienced almost continuou...
Feb 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 1402
In this episode Derek Champagne talks with Melissa Gersin. Melissa was featured on the hit tv show Shark Tank and shares her transformation from maternity RN to inventor and business owner. Based on 5 years of experience as a maternity RN, Melissa invented and designed the Tranquilo Mat – the only portable, versatile soothing mat for babies. Listen in as she shares her long journey in launching the product, challenges along the way, and ultimately triumph!
Feb 02, 2025•50 min•Ep. 1401
In this episode, Derek interviews Shark Tank veteran Ben Zvaifler. Ben is the co founder and CEO of PupBox. PupBox landed a deal with Shark Tank personality and entrepreneur Robert Herjavec. Ben talks with Derek about his entrepreneurial journey, and how they landed a deal on Shark Tank. Learn more at www.Pupbox.com
Jan 26, 2025•32 min•Ep. 1400
In this episode Derek interviews Lisa Binderow. Lisa has a GREAT start up story and shares her healthy outlook on building a business, choosing balance, and her experience on ABC's hit tv show Shark Tank. Learn more at www.nicepipesapparel.com
Jan 19, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1399
Derek interviews entrepreneur and consultant, Herb Cogliano. Herb leads his own advisory practice leveraging the Scaling Up Performance Platform, described in Verne Harnish's award-winning book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits-Scaling Up. As a Business Coach, experienced CEO Scaling Up Practitioner, and Professor of the Scaling Up Masters Business Course, he has learned firsthand what it takes to overcome many business challenges. Herb is pursuing his passion of working with leaders of growth c...
Jan 12, 2025•29 min•Ep. 1398
Robin Farmanfarmaian is a futurist, health technologist and author of the new book “The Patient as CEO” (available now.) She is a highly-sought public speaker and business leader who is passionate about her message that “Technology is Hope.” As a teen, Robin was misdiagnosed with an autoimmune disease that led to forty-three hospitalizations and six major surgeries – many of them ultimately unnecessary. She has literally had to fight for her life on a regular basis and has made it her mission to...
Jan 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1397
We spoke to Beau Oyler, Shark Tank Veteran and Entrepreneur recently. Beau talks with Derek about his experience on Shark Tank, building a successful company, and some valuable lessons he has learned along the way. Having founded Enlisted Design and Urbio, he has created rich product and brand experiences for fortune 500’s and small startups. He pioneered the design cooperative movement and has a unique ability to truly collaborate with his partners. His designs have received every major design ...
Dec 29, 2024•37 min•Ep. 1396
In this episode, Derek Champagne interviews Devin Thorpe. As a new-media journalist and founder of the Your Mark on the World Center, Devin has established himself as a champion of social good. Devin was formerly the CFO of one of the top 3 Fortune 500 companies in 2009 before shifting his attention to social entrepreneurship. As a Forbes contributor, with more than 250 bylines and over one million unique visitors, he has become a recognized name in the social impact arena. His YouTube show, fea...
Dec 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1395
Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, chats with tv executive and consultant, Jen Grisanti, about being the active hero in your own story. International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy, Inc. Grisanti is also a Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, a former studio executive, a blogger for The Huffington Post and author of Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story, TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells...
Dec 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 1394
Former pro football player and entrepreneur Derrick Furlow Jr shares his "Get Out of Arkansas" plan and when he learned his higher calling. Growing up, Derrick saw himself as another kid who wanted a better life and knew sports, in particular, football would serve as a vehicle to a better life. After growing up with much adversity, he began working towards shifting his perspective from a temporary experience of playing on the field to a permanent purpose of serving those who currently and former...
Dec 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 1393
Derek Champagne, CEO of The Artist Evolution, interviews Shark Tank Veteran John Wise. John has an MBA from Harvard and is the Co Founder and COO of LovePop, a company that scored a deal with Mr. Wonderful on the TV show Shark Tank and is disrupting the greeting card industry. John talks with Derek about launching their Kickstarter campaign, having transparency and trust with your partners and team, how his network helped them to launch, and his experience before, during, and after Shark Tank....
Dec 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1391
