In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ted Mann, the CEO and co-founder of CollX, a platform designed to help collectors determine the value of their trading cards. Ted shares how the idea for CollX was inspired by his son’s interest in Pokémon cards and the difficulty in assessing their value. He explains that the platform utilizes advanced technology, such as visual search, to allow users to take pictures of their cards and instantly get value estimates. This innovation addresses a c...
Jun 27, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 140
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brian Pickell, the CEO and co-founder of KPInterface. Brian shares how his upbringing in the Valley Forge area and the influence of his ambitious older brother, along with his faith, shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. He reflects on his transition from working at other startup firms to co-founding KP Interface with his partner, Matt Kirby. The partnership combined Matt's sales expertise with Brian's operations and delivery skills, leadin...
Jun 25, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 139
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Casandra Mann, the VP for Operations at Precision Systems Inc. (PSI). We delved into the history and resilience of PSI's founder, Walt, who overcame throat cancer and significant business challenges, including the impact of 9/11. Despite losing $7 million in contracts overnight, Walt rebuilt the company from scratch, emphasizing a culture of integrity, quality, and strong personal relationships. Casandra highlighted how these values have been...
Jun 20, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 138
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bill Evans, CEO of Liberty Fox Technologies. Bill recounts his journey from growing up in Northeast Philadelphia to establishing his own company after being laid off from a previous job. Inspired by his family's entrepreneurial background, Bill took the plunge into entrepreneurship, initially starting Liberty Fox Technologies in 2010. He explains how the company began with independent consulting and has evolved into a software consultancy spe...
Jun 18, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 137
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Zach Rattner, CTO and Co-Founder of Yembo. Zach discusses his upbringing, including his formative years spent tinkering with computers in rural Vermont, which laid the groundwork for his future in technology. He elaborates on how Yembo, a company specializing in computer vision for property inspections, emerged from his intersection of experiences in AI and his wife's career in the moving industry. Zach details how Yembo's AI technology ...
Jun 14, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 136
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jon Kinney, the Founder and CTO at Headway. Jon delves into his entrepreneurial roots, tracing his upbringing in Southwest Wisconsin. Growing up in a household where his mother was a graphic designer and his father was a musician, Jon was surrounded by creativity and technology. His first foray into business was selling items on eBay, where he learned HTML to enhance his listings, an experience that sparked his interest in programming. His exposur...
Jun 12, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 135
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Alyson Caffrey, the dynamic COO of Operations Agency. Alyson recounts her East Coast upbringing and how the "Northeast hustle" instilled a unique drive in her. Despite not coming from an entrepreneurial background, she became an "accidental entrepreneur" after leaving her 9-to-5 job. Within 30 days of her departure, she was fully booked with clients needing her operational expertise. She reflects on the surprising yet fulfillin...
Jun 05, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 134
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jeremy Gordon, CPO and CTO of Startup Science. Jeremy shared his background, revealing how his experience with the Air Force laid the groundwork for his disciplined and focused approach to entrepreneurship. He spoke about his transition from military life to civilian pursuits, including his ventures into fitness with his wife, starting a gym, and developing the fitness app, Kinetic Coach. Jeremy emphasized the challenges and rewards of managing th...
Jun 03, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 133
This episode is extra special because I was lucky enough to interview THE AJ Bruno, Founder and CEO of QuotaPath. AJ wears many hats—he's a limited partner, podcast host, serial entrepreneur, commercial pilot, dad, and much more! AJ delves into the personal aspects of his life, including his upbringing in Pittsburgh, where his father's entrepreneurial spirit and career as a commercial pilot heavily influenced him. AJ recounts his early experiences in acting and entrepreneurship, which ...
May 28, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 132
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jerry Macnamara, CEO and Founder of Proven Chaos. Jerry grew up just outside of Philadelphia and his entrepreneurial spirit wasn't directly influenced by his parents but rather by his high school soccer coach. Inspired by his frustration as a senior leader making others rich with his decisions, he decided to start his own ventures. His first business, an internet company selling customized soccer uniforms, was born out of his desire to contro...
May 20, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 131
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Matt Watson, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Full Scale. Matt grew up around entrepreneurial parents who ran a flea market business, he gained early exposure to the world of business and sales. His first venture, Venn Solutions, stemmed from a serendipitous encounter with a car dealer needing software assistance. This initial success led to the growth of Venn Solutions, which was later sold to Auto Trader. Following the sale of Venn Solutions, Matt ventu...
May 13, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 130
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adam Trachtman, Director and Owner of Lucid Circus. Adam's upbringing in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and his formative years at a creative and performing arts high school in Philadelphia laid the groundwork for his journey. With a blend of analytical precision inherited from his mother and a risk-taking spirit from his father, Adam embarked on a bold move to the Czech Republic at just 19 years old, driven by a desire to immerse himself in Europe...
May 06, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 129
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Karim Kerachni, Co-founder of Steamates and head of franchise development for Massachusetts at PropertyGuys.com. Karim shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and unique approach to productivity while traveling the world. Born in Canada and raised in France, Karim's upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs and his diverse cultural background laid the foundation for his ventures. With a background in engineering and business, Karim emb...
Apr 29, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 128
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Whitney Stowell, Founder and CEO of Cribworks. Whitney discusses his entrepreneurial journey from a rural upbringing to navigating the fast-paced business world. Growing up on a farm instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in Whitney, who later transitioned into the professional realm by working in government and defense contracting. Whitney delves into his experience founding Cribworks and acquiring Old Glory, a professional rugby team, as its first ...
Apr 22, 2024•23 min
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Olivia Parkes, CEO of The Systems Boss. Olivia shares her story of moving from the UK to Chicago, driven by a desire to pursue her dreams and create a thriving enterprise in the United States. From her early aspirations to her eventual realization of starting her own company, Olivia's tale is one of determination, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Olivia provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs she encountered along th...
Apr 15, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 126
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Rachel King, CEO and Founder of King Law Firm. Rachel offers insights into her journey as an entrepreneur and lawyer. Her upbringing, shaped by divorced parents and small business owners in the family, instilled in her a passion for law and entrepreneurship. Her father's profession as a lawyer and exposure to small business operations influenced her career choices significantly. Starting her law firm right after graduating and passing the bar...
Apr 08, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 125
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mike Powrie, CEO and Founder of CloudWave. Mike delves into the genesis and evolution of CloudWave as a disruptive force in the contact center industry. Mike's background in IT, particularly in unified communication, laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey. CloudWave was born out of frustration with the antiquated and inefficient systems prevalent in contact centers. Recognizing the need for a better solution, Mike leveraged new-a...
Apr 01, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 124
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adrian Knight, CEO and Founder of Spectacular Group. Adrian delves into his journey as an acquisition entrepreneur and his unique approach to business. A World Champion participant in the Spartan games, Adrian shares his experiences and insights into building successful ventures. Adrian's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when he started his first business at 13, demonstrating his early aptitude for entrepreneurship. Despite facing...
Mar 25, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 123
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bob Moore, CEO and co-founder of Crossbeam, a leading company in the partnership intelligence space. Bob shares his journey, emphasizing his passion for solving the challenges of partnership growth, which led to the inception of Crossbeam. He delves into the essence of Crossbeam, portraying it as a data-centric solution that revolutionizes partnership dynamics by providing a secure platform for sharing valuable insights while maintaining data owne...
Mar 18, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 122
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview The Jasmin Alić, Founder of Hey Jay, and also a LinkedIn aficionado. Jasmin dives deep into his journey, starting with his childhood in war-torn Bosnia. Despite the adversity, Jasmin found solace in American hip-hop, which sparked his love for English and writing. Initially aspiring to be a rapper, Jasmin's career took a turn towards education, where he discovered his passion for writing and teaching. Transitioning from education to freelanci...
Mar 15, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 121
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Luis Castaneda, co-founder and CTO of Capablanca. Luis dives into his journey from growing up during the emergence of the internet to his current role in the tech space. Luis shares how his early experiences with DIY computing in a culture of innovation laid the foundation for his career in technology. He discusses the ever-evolving landscape of technology and identifies the parallels between past innovations like the internet and current trends l...
Mar 13, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 120
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Kelley Thornton, CEO and Founder of Tiege Hanley. Kelley's inspiration for Tiege Hanley stems from his personal experience and observation of the skincare market's untapped potential in the United States. Initially, he sought to cater to older demographics like himself but found unexpected success among younger consumers due to strategic digital marketing efforts. Kelley reveals the meticulous process of formulating Tiege Hanley products...
Mar 11, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 119
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Lamees Butt, SVP of Zoovu. Lamees delved into her journey from a humble upbringing in East London to her current role in the tech industry. Growing up in East London instilled in Lamees a hunger for success and a drive to think outside the box. Despite facing challenges, she pursued her passion for entrepreneurship, starting with a personal shopping business during her university days. This venture eventually led to the creation of "My Manneq...
Mar 08, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 118
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brian Childress, Founder and Fractional CTO of Summit Labs. Brian shares his journey from growing up in Virginia to founding Summit Labs, inspired by his grandfather's entrepreneurial spirit as a custom home builder. Despite lacking initial tech interest, Brian discovered his passion for software development in graduate school and founded Summit Labs to explore freelancing opportunities while maintaining a full-time job. Over the years, Summi...
Mar 06, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 117
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ron Gidron, the CEO and founder of xtype, a platform engineering solution for ServiceNow customers. Ron shares insights from his background growing up on a farm in Israel to becoming an entrepreneur in the tech industry. Despite his humble beginnings, Ron's journey led him to work with companies like Mercury Interactive before venturing into entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the entrepreneurial spirit he developed from his farming roots, highli...
Mar 04, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 116
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Barbara Spitzer, CEO and founder of Two Rivers Partners, LLC. Barbara grew up as an army brat and moving frequently, Barbara developed resilience and anxiety, which later shaped her career as a consultant. Despite her anxiety, Barbara adopted a mantra of perseverance and preparation, which helped her excel in client meetings and presentations. After a successful career at companies like Ernst & Young and Accenture, Barbara founded Two Rivers P...
Mar 01, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 115
In this episode., I was lucky enough to interview Laura-Beth Trucks, the CEO of LB Trucks Coaching. Laura-Beth shares her journey from Alabama to Colorado, where she worked in nonprofit leadership development, to eventually founding her coaching business. After completing her master's degree in clinical mental health, she realized her passion for coaching and decided to start LB Trucks Coaching. Despite unexpected challenges, such as piecing together multiple jobs to support herself through...
Feb 28, 2024•31 min
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Gregory Shepard, CEO and co-founder of BOSS Startup Science. Gregory shares his journey, highlighting his challenges growing up with autism, dyslexia, and other conditions in a tough environment. Despite adversities, he recalls his entrepreneurial spirit emerging early, from selling Rubik's cubes to catching and selling rattlesnakes for profit. Gregory's determination led him to overcome obstacles, from learning to code and starting inte...
Feb 26, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 113
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview the fantastic Dai Manuel, Chief Transformation Officer at DaiManuel.com. Dai discussed his upbringing in Ontario with two entrepreneurial parents and how their work ethic influenced him. He recounted his journey from personal training to selling fitness equipment, highlighting the transition to performance-based pay structures and his success in sales. Dai emphasized the importance of authenticity and consistency in his messaging, particularly on ...
Feb 23, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 112
In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Caden Braly, CEO and Founder of Innovative Risk. Caden discusses his upbringing in Prosper, Texas, surrounded by a community of entrepreneurs, including his father and grandfather, who instilled a strong entrepreneurial spirit in him. Despite initially being hesitant about entering the insurance industry due to witnessing the stresses his father faced, Caden found a passion for it after exploring different opportunities and realizing the critical ...
Feb 21, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 111
