In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Nick Halverson, CTO and Co-founder of Hirebus. Growing up near Salt Lake City, Nick reflects on the freedom his parents gave him to think independently, the challenges that led him down a destructive path of addiction, and the life-changing journey that helped him rebuild his future. From selling painted pine cones and experimenting with dropshipping to overcoming years of chaos and finding purpose in software development, Nick offers an honest lo...
Jun 03, 2026•31 min•Season 1Ep. 247
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Alex Hillman, co-founder of Indy Hall. Alex reflects on growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, the entrepreneurial influence of his father, and how his mother introduced him to the power of organizing and advocacy through simple but meaningful lessons at a young age. From navigating isolation as a freelance web developer to discovering the importance of connection, Alex explains how his search for community ultimately became the foundation for eve...
May 15, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 246
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Martin Lukac, co-founder and CTO of Nexleaf Analytics. Martin shares how his early work in wireless sensor networks during his PhD at University of California Los Angeles laid the foundation for building systems that collect and translate data into actionable insights. From deploying seismic monitoring networks across Latin America to tackling global health challenges, his journey reveals a consistent theme: technology alone isn’t enough—it’s abou...
Apr 29, 2026•25 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ryan Johnson, the CTO and VP of Engineering at Seek. Growing up on a farm in Central California, Ryan learned early lessons about hard work, authenticity, and service—values that later guided him through the fast-moving world of startups and engineering leadership. From working on the early product team at Livescribe to launching a web development agency by literally walking door-to-door along Newbury Street, Ryan reflects on how genuine relations...
Apr 15, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 244
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bo Motlagh and Frank Shultz, co-founders of United Effects Ventures. Bo shares how his upbringing in a family of business owners instilled an early work ethic, while Frank reflects on lessons learned from growing up with an entrepreneurial father and bootstrapping his own companies. Together, they discuss the origins of United Effects Ventures, the pivots that shaped their business model, and how a simple question about purpose led them to co-foun...
Apr 08, 2026•31 min•Season 1Ep. 243
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview the leadership team behind Appalachia Technologies—partners Mike Romano and Brian Stone, along with president Mike Williams. Mike Romano talked about how the company first came together more than two decades ago, starting with his entrepreneurial push to build something of his own after years of experience in the military and the cybersecurity world. He and Brian took the leap from a startup environment and began building a business in central Pen...
Apr 01, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 242
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ryan Rosett, Co-CEO and founder of Credibly. Ryan shares how growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in Detroit influenced his understanding of the ebbs and flows of small businesses and taught him the value of surrounding himself with specialists rather than doing everything himself. From running coffee shops to real estate development and bridge lending, Ryan reflects on the lessons learned from both successes and failures that paved the way for...
Mar 25, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 241
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Eric Gremminger, CEO and Co-founder of ERP Health. Eric reflects on his early life in Pennsylvania, the creative influence of his upbringing, and his first entrepreneurial venture blending fitness and psychology. What began as a passion project—helping people recondition their mindset through physical training—laid the groundwork for a deeper mission rooted in behavioral health. Eric also shares his unconventional path back to college in his mid-3...
Mar 18, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 240
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Carl Gould, co-founder and CTO of Inductive Automation. Growing up in California’s Bay Area during the rise of the modern internet, Carl developed an early fascination with computers that eventually led him to study computer science at UC Davis. What began as a summer project connecting industrial machine data to SQL databases soon evolved into a full software platform used by engineers around the world to build applications that monitor and contr...
Mar 11, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 239
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Matt Cullerton, founder of Mavric Tech and creator of Apso. Matt reflects on growing up in Reston, Virginia, early lessons from working in restaurants, and his first venture — an independent music label launched while working at Northrop Grumman. From navigating the volatility of the music industry — including brushes with artists like Diplo — Matt shares how those formative experiences shaped his resilience and people-first mindset. Matt also dis...
Feb 25, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 238
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview with Dan Goldsmith, co-founder and chairman of Tendo and co-founder of Proofpoint Capital. Dan shares stories from his Philadelphia roots, the early formation of his grit, and the mindset that has guided his career — from running a mobile DJ business in high school to building and scaling multiple technology companies. He offers a thoughtful perspective on perseverance, explaining how deep obsession with a problem can fuel success, while also high...
Feb 11, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 237
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Joel Reed, CEO and founder of Open Arc. Joel starts to unpack the long, nonlinear journey of building a software consulting company that’s lasted more than 20 years. Joel shares how a career plateau, the 2008 financial crisis, and a humbling professional low point ultimately pushed him to start Open Arc. From working four 10-hour days to fund the business on the side, to landing their very first customer through trusted relationships, Joel reflect...
Feb 04, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 236
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Calvin Hendryx-Parker, CTO and co-founder of Six Feet Up. Calvin shares the origin story behind Six Feet Up’s unforgettable name—drawn from his family’s mortuary business—and how servant leadership, community involvement, and trust became foundational principles for building a durable software consultancy. From hosting websites on a literal coffee-table server in a San Francisco apartment to becoming an AWS Hero and Tech Executive of the Year, Cal...
Jan 28, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 235
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bill Near, Founder and CEO of Helios, a performance wearable helping hockey players and teams improve faster through motion-based data and video integration. Bill breaks down Helios’ first-principles approach to avoiding “tech fatigue” by delivering recurring, practical value—most notably through time-saving video workflows and emerging AI-driven coaching insights that turn raw data into actionable development guidance for players and parents alik...
Jan 21, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 234
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ole Lensmar, co-founder and CTO of Testkube. Ole shares his unique perspective growing up across Germany, the US, and Sweden, and how those experiences shaped his adaptability and approach to entrepreneurship. He reflects on the differences between launching tech startups in Europe versus the United States, and why he believes the US remains a more mature market for scaling innovation. From his first ventures in the mid-90s to the creation of Soap...
Jan 14, 2026•25 min•Season 1Ep. 233
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Det Ansinn, the founder of Brick Simple LLC, serial entrepreneur with four successful exits, and current CEO of MedTech company Neuralert. Det shares his journey from pumping gas at the Doylestown Airport to building multiple innovative ventures, emphasizing the value of authentic connections, strong team culture, and pursuing projects that excite him over purely profit-driven motives. From creating Brick Simple’s first product to developing apps ...
Jan 07, 2026•30 min•Season 1Ep. 232
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Chris Molaro, CEO and co-founder of NeuroFlow. Chris unpacks the personal and professional journey that takes him from growing up in Queens and Long Island to serving as an Army officer and ultimately building a healthcare technology company. Chris shares how the events of 9/11, his experience at West Point, and years of active-duty service shape his leadership philosophy and resilience. He reflects on his transition from military to civilian life...
Dec 17, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 231
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview the legendary sales expert and bestselling author Jeb Blount. Jeb shares stories from his upbringing in small-town Georgia, where being the smallest kid in school taught him grit, hustle, and the relentless work ethic that would later define his career. He talks about finding confidence through public speaking, his early ambition to become a lawyer, and the surprising moment—thanks to “Rudy” himself—that pushed him to write his first book and even...
Dec 10, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 230
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Joel Montvelisky, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of PractiTest. Joel shares his unlikely journey from Costa Rica to the world of software testing. He talks about becoming a Cowboys fan in the 1970s, stumbling into QA because it paid slightly better than bartending, and eventually discovering that testing was far more than bug hunting—it was about improving products, reducing risk, and helping teams release with confidence. He reflects on the...
Dec 03, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 229
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Andy Kochanowski, founder and CEO of Alerify, a data center based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Andy shares his journey from a 30-year career in corporate America, including service in the Navy, to taking the leap into entrepreneurship. He explains how Alerify serves a niche market of small and medium-sized businesses seeking secure, localized data storage through co-location and virtual private cloud solutions, providing a personal, hands-on appro...
Nov 19, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 228
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Sean Heberling, founder and CEO of Marion Street Capital. From buying up newspaper routes as a kid in Rochester, New York, to hiring friends and building a mini “paperboy empire,” Sean’s early ventures taught him how to scale, manage people, and spot opportunity. Those same instincts followed him through a 20-year career in hedge funds and later into academia as a finance professor at Villanova University, where he rediscovered his passion for hel...
Oct 22, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 227
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adam Holt, founder and CEO of Asset-Map. Adam talks about how his entrepreneurial drive took shape from his early years in New York to leading one of the most innovative platforms in financial visualization. Adam shares how his mother’s example as a self-made realtor influenced his approach to business and connection, teaching him to treat every interaction as a chance to form genuine relationships. He reflects on how attending Tony Robbins semina...
Oct 08, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 226
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Joshua Davidson, CEO and founder of Chop Dawg. Growing up just outside of Atlantic City during the Great Recession, Josh saw firsthand how fragile traditional industries could be. Watching friends’ families lose homes and his father work multiple jobs gave him a survival instinct and a drive to create opportunities for himself. By the time he was a teenager, Josh was building websites door-to-door and helping small businesses grow, even in the mid...
Oct 01, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 225
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Rob Wenger, CEO and founder of Higher Logic. Rob shares how Higher Logic evolved from a LinkedIn-style networking idea into a powerful engagement platform serving over 3,000 clients worldwide. With a focus on professional communities—ranging from doctors and accountants to global corporations—Rob explains how the right mix of purpose, participation, and leadership can shape thriving ecosystems that deliver real value for members and organizations ...
Sep 24, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 224
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tim Haak, founder and Vice President of Innovation at Mile6. Tim shares how growing up in a small-town family business shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, and how his curiosity for technology led him to build his first websites as a teenager—before he even had his driver’s license. From those humble beginnings to leading a digital product agency that has reinvented itself every few years, Tim reflects on the persistence and adaptability needed to ...
Sep 17, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 223
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marco Benitez, CEO and founder of ROOK, a company revolutionizing how wearable health data is integrated and used. Marco opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in Mexico to moving his family to the U.S. to pursue bigger opportunities. He reflects on how his first startup shaped his path, how COVID-19 became the catalyst for ROOK’s pivot, and the game-changing moment when their very first insurance client validated their API so...
Sep 10, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Umair Khan, CEO and founder of Techamana. Umair explains that Techamana is a vetted talent marketplace designed to stand apart from traditional freelance platforms. Techamana ensures quality by rigorously evaluating technical skills, communication, and cultural fit before admitting freelancers to the platform. He explains that the company matches clients with top candidates within 48 hours, delivering a faster and more reliable hiring experience. ...
Sep 03, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 221
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Melissa Sherman, founding CEO of MOBILion Systems, Inc. Melissa shares how her Midwestern upbringing and early career at DuPont shaped her blend of science and business acumen, transforming her from a researcher into a CEO. She talks about discovering her passion for building businesses around complex technology, drawing on experiences ranging from textiles and fashion to investment and startup incubation. Melissa dives into MOBILion’s mission to ...
Aug 27, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 220
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dan Abel Jr., the Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger’s Chocolate. Dan shares how his family grew up immersed in the candy business—starting from a small family-run operation in 1981 to acquiring and leading the iconic Bissinger’s brand today. Dan walks us through their unique family dynamic, how each sibling found their place in the business, and what it’s really like behind the scenes of a chocolate kitchen—from caramel science to flavor innova...
Aug 20, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 219
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adam Dakin, President and CEO of Keriton. Adam’s entrepreneurial journey starts with selling hats and t-shirts in college before building multiple venture-backed startups and leading health tech investments at DreamIt Ventures. When Keriton’s investors seek new leadership, Adam steps in with a plan to stabilize finances, restructure the team, bring sales and marketing in-house, and close key enterprise healthcare deals. His approach pays off, secu...
Aug 13, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 218
