The Proven Entrepreneur - podcast cover

The Proven Entrepreneur

Don Williams

It can feel lonely to be an entrepreneur. With so much on your plate, it is easy to lose focus because of all the details. At times your personal, family &/or professional lives can feel like they are falling off the tracks. That's why it is so important to learn from those ahead of you and design an efficient business roadmap for success. Learning from stories is one of the easiest and most powerful strategies for growth.


Join Don Williams as he sits down with world-class experts to help you become The Proven Entrepreneur. Build your blueprint, craft a strategy and then act for business success.


This podcast features inspiring, candid stories from real-life entrepreneurs. These proven entrepreneurs detail how they achieved success with clear, easy advice that anyone can emulate. Get motivated by hardworking individuals who reveal secrets to making twice the money in half the time. Receive their actionable tips that reduce overwhelm, stress, and depression. Understand that as a proven entrepreneur you with win or you learn and learning is just slower winning.


These conversations include the failures and losses guests encountered throughout their careers. Hear vulnerable discussions about the challenges they had to overcome as rising entrepreneurs. Discover how they turned roadblocks into their advantage. By learning how to utilize the lowest points of your business, you can create a positive shift in your own success-building story.


Don Williams is the Proven Entrepreneur who guides you in this incredible journey. He brings to the podcast the principles he learned over the past 30 years. At the young age of 19, Don became the top salesperson in the United States. In less than a year, he rose as the top sales manager in the country out of 40 offices. Don started his first company at 26 years old, and though he made many mistakes he kept learning and courageously faced every risk. After crafting his roadmap to success, Don founded a dozen business ventures.


Don has worked with more than half of Fortune 500 companies on marketing sales and service strategy execution. He is also involved with Entrepreneurs' Organization, a non-profit peer network of over 16,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. Many businesses seek Don's help in developing high-performing sales operations. His expertise is invaluable in giving birth to an entire community of business leaders.


Many entrepreneurs desire connection. And an authentic connection with other entrepreneurs, can lead to transformational change. All entrepreneurs think they are "different", but the truth is entrepreneurs are very much alike. Entrepreneurs want to know what their fellow entrepreneurs feel and think when running their businesses. Entrepreneurs want to know how their peers balance work, life and family. They want to affirm if they are on the right track or doing something wrong. There is no better way to elevate your entrepreneurship career than by learning from those who have “been there and done that”. Every success story highlighted in this podcast exudes inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward.


Tuning into these stories is a huge first step towards the success you desire. Receive brand-new guidance every week and finally take hold of your business goals in no time.


Join Don Williams in dissecting stories of success and failure. Unravel the nuggets of wisdom shared by proven entrepreneurs to bring your business to its highest potential. The life of an entrepreneur may be extremely hectic and pressuring. With the right advice and guidance, nothing can stop you from becoming a strong business leader ready to take on anything.


Become The Proven Entrepreneur today! Listen to the podcast at https://provenentrepreneurshow.com.


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Episodes

Unlocking Potential: Linh's Entrepreneurial Journey on The Proven Entrepreneur Show

Join us for an inspiring episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show as Don Williams sits down with Linh, the remarkable founder of Outsourcing Angel . From her humble beginnings in Vietnam to her successful venture in Australia, Linh’s story is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of hard work. At just 20, Linh embraced the challenges of motherhood while simultaneously embarking on a career in international business. It was during her tenure at a defense company that she discovered ...

Oct 07, 202437 minEp. 106

Unlocking Success: Mastering Skills, Sales, and Team Dynamics

Welcome to the Proven Entrepreneur Show. In this episode, Don Williams interviews Matthew Pollard, an entrepreneur and sales expert. They discuss Matthew's early entrepreneurial influences, his professional focus, and the importance of talent, skills, and belief. Matthew shares his journey and success in sales, highlighting the pitfalls of promoting great salespeople to managers. They also discuss the power of enthusiasm and being sold yourself, influenced by the teachings of Zig Ziglar. The con...

Sep 19, 202455 minEp. 105

The Power of Outsourcing: Ankit Patel’s Tips For Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

Ankit Patel, a serial entrepreneur, shares his journey of starting and growing his optometry business and the creation of My Business Care Team, a global resourcing company. He discusses the benefits of outsourcing non-doctor payroll functions and how it can lead to cost savings and increased revenue for optometry practices. Ankit also highlights the use of AI in his businesses and the importance of understanding one's own psychology and focusing on strengths. He encourages support for My Busine...

Sep 17, 202439 minEp. 104

Taking Control: The Power of Becoming Your Own Puppeteer in Business by Stephanie Nivinskus

In this episode of The Proven Entrepreneur Show, Don Williams interviews Stephanie Nivinskus, founder and CEO of Sizzle Force Marketing. They discuss Stephanie's journey from her early influences and first job to her transition into entrepreneurship. Stephanie shares her experiences with the challenges posed by AI in marketing and how she adapted to these changes. The conversation also touches on valuable insights about perseverance in entrepreneurship, advice to her younger self, and the future...

Sep 13, 202430 minEp. 103

The Proven Entrepreneur Show: Unleashing The Power Of Entrepreneurship With Power Couple Chalon And Richard Clark

Hey there, fellow entrepreneur! Have I got a treat for you today. I just listened to the latest episode of the Proven Entrepreneur Show, and let me tell you, it's packed with incredible insights and inspiring stories that you won't want to miss. Host Don Williams kicks things off with an engaging conversation featuring the dynamic duo, Richard and Chalon Clark. As the cameras start rolling, you can feel the energy as they dive into their entrepreneurial journeys. Chalon, a talented attorney turn...

Aug 22, 202323 minEp. 102

Diversifying Business Ventures: From Bowling Barrels To Doggy Country Clubs With Kyle Noonan

Hey there, podcast lovers! This is Don Williams, and I am thrilled to present to you the latest episode of the proven entrepreneur show. Get ready, because today we have a special guest, Kyle Noonan , joining us for an incredible conversation that will leave you inspired and motivated. Kyle takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial path, sharing how he and his best friend built their empire from the ground up. From investment banking to opening their first brand, FreeRange, it's been a w...

Aug 15, 202322 minEp. 101

From Corporate To Quesadillas: The Inspiring Journey Of Kyle And Maggie Gordon

Entrepreneurial success is not just about turning passion into profit; it's about embracing challenges, seizing opportunities, and nurturing both your business and personal partnerships with unwavering determination. Hey there, it's Don Williams, and get ready to be blown away! Today, we have the dynamic duo behind Dillas Quesadillas , Kyle Gordon and Maggie Gordo n, two entrepreneurial powerhouses celebrating their business's 10th anniversary. Their story starts from the bottom, as Kyle spent s...

Aug 08, 202323 minEp. 100

Breaking The Mold: Building A Successful Business Law Firm And Health Advocacy Company With Bill Richmond

Hey there, fellow listeners! Don Williams here, and boy do I have a treat for you today. In this episode of the Proven Entrepreneur Show, I have the pleasure of hosting Dallas attorney and serial entrepreneur, Bill Richmond . Bill brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, and he's here to share his fascinating journey with us. Starting off as a small business lawyer, Bill and his buddies decided to break away from the traditional big law firm model. They formed their own firm, Pl...

Aug 01, 202322 minEp. 99

Ann & Sunny Sheu On Nurturing Mpowered Families: A Conversation On Entrepreneurship & Marriage

We are about to take an incredible journey into entrepreneurship and the dynamics of a family business with our wonderful guests, Ann and Sunny Sheu, the founders of Mpowered Families. We dig deep into their childhood experiences and learn about the examples that shaped them; you'll discover how a humble gas station in Louisiana and a toy business turned furniture enterprise sowed the seeds of the successful serial entrepreneurs we have today. The Sheu's don't shy away from discussing the indust...

Jul 25, 202336 minEp. 98

Lubo Smid

Entrepreneurship is not merely a destination; it is a perpetual journey of peaks, valleys, and the relentless pursuit of growth. In this episode, we sit down with Lubo Smid , the co-founder, and CEO of STRV , a leading software design and engineering company. Lubo shares personal anecdotes, highlighting the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship and the continuous journey toward improvement. As he ponders on his initial encounters with exchanging time, energy, and creativity for money, he emphasi...

Jun 13, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 40

Stephanie & Ethan Bull

Your path to success doesn’t have to be lonely. For you to go a long way, having someone by your side can lead to a much better journey. In this episode, Ethan Bull and Stephanie Bull , the Founders of ProAssisting , take their moment to share the story of how they embarked on the path of entrepreneurship and how it led them to success. They share the amazing work they are doing at ProAssisting, where they provide remote executive assistant support. Going behind the story of their success, Ethan...

Jun 06, 202346 minSeason 2Ep. 39

Dr. Mark Goulston, Author Of “Just Listen”

Hearing is innate to many humans, but listening is a skill we should master. Listening means you are paying attention to the speaker to understand deeply. In this episode, Dr. Mark Goulston , the author of Just Listen , provides insights on mastering the effective communication to persuade anyone. He provides some tips to help entrepreneurs persuade, negotiate, and sell. Lead with generosity that helps investors or other people become successful, and they will reciprocate it. Listen effectively....

Apr 25, 202322 minSeason 2Ep. 38

Justin Breen, CEO/Founder BrEpic Life

Our guest today considers himself a results guy but lacks in idea generation. What he lacks never stops him from creating an epic business and an epic life! What did he do to make it possible? In this episode, Justin Breen , Founder of BrEpic Life , dives into creating an Epic Life by partnering with visionaries to build successful global companies. Justin admits that there are things that he cannot do, but if you stay in your zone of genius and hire people to do things you can’t or don’t want t...

Apr 18, 202341 minSeason 2Ep. 37

Sean Magennis - CEO Mutual Capital Alliance

Experience is the mother of all wisdom, for we learn from our experiences. But we don’t have to experience the mistakes others make in their journey. If we could share each other’s experiences, we could learn meaningfully. Sean Magennis , the CEO of Mutual Capital Alliance , discusses how the forum provides a shortcut for your entrepreneurial journey. Sean also takes us on a rollercoaster ride of impostor syndrome and how dealing with it differentiates a successful entrepreneur from an entrepren...

Apr 11, 202345 minSeason 2Ep. 36

Tara-Nicholle Kirke, CEO Soul Tour

Life is full of ups and downs, and it is never meant to be approached in a linear way. If you want to thrive and find numerous solutions to your problems, you must learn how to train your creative mind. This episode features author, transformation expert, and spiritual strategist Tara-Nicholle Kirk . She shares how a rough childhood and a major economic recession opened her eyes to achieving personal growth outside her comfort zone. She explains why going beyond your zone of excellence can revea...

Apr 04, 202337 minSeason 2Ep. 35

Václav (Vash) Tomanec – 25-Year-Old Founder Of Mindtrepreneur

One of the great things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost no barrier to entry. Not even being young can keep you from being an entrepreneur. Just like this episode’s guest, Václav (Vash) Tomanec . At just 25 years old, Vash has already become a serial entrepreneur, building three successful seven-figure businesses. His latest venture, Mindtrepreneur , is all about helping entrepreneurs transform their business and lives by mastering their mindset. In this conversation, he joins Don ...

Mar 28, 202334 minSeason 2Ep. 34

Grant Baldwin - CEO Of Speaker Lab

Public speaking gigs are one of the best lead generation strategies for businesses of any niche or model. Grant Baldwin has a deep love for the art of speaking, and he has created a platform where he could train aspiring speakers. Joining Don Williams, he talks about the story behind his coaching and training company for speakers, The Speaker Labs . He explains the importance of hiring good people and being intentional with culture in a physical or a virtual environment. Grant also shares valuab...

Mar 14, 202328 minSeason 2Ep. 33

Warren Rustand's Entrepreneurial Journey

Often, some of the best entrepreneurial journeys start with humble beginnings. Stories full of grit and being at the right place and time and with the right skills make for great inspiration. This episode’s guest is one whose own journey is nothing short of that. Warren Rustand joins Don Williams to share with us how he went from Minnesota Farm Boy to White House Fellow to WPO Global Chair & EO Dean of Learning. Witnessing leadership at such a special time, he takes us to that period when he...

Mar 07, 202339 minSeason 2Ep. 32

Preston Brown And His 7 Stages Of Entrepreneurship

Success in business. How can you achieve it? What is the formula to grow your business? In this episode, Preston Brown, a Business Coach, discusses the seven stages of entrepreneurship and the formula to grow your business. Preston suggests that you must look at the three filters, productivity, profitability, and purpose, before you invest or start any company if you want to be an entrepreneur. He also identifies four core values we should have in every area of life. Tune in to this insightful e...

Feb 07, 202338 minSeason 2Ep. 31

Scott Empringham And The $1.2MM Check

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Setting a strategic plan is essential for growth in our business. Today’s guest has an interesting story of losing an award-winning agency and building it back in less than 90 days. In this episode, Scott Empringham, the CEO/Owner of Empringham Media Group , shares how his 8-Step Plan helps him rebuild his business without employees, money, and advantages. His strategies, methods, and latest A.I. Tools made that growth possible....

Jan 24, 202331 minSeason 2Ep. 30

Craig Swanson, Co-Founder Of CreativeLive

Winston Churchill said that success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. Craig Swanson is an entrepreneur, business coach, and co-founder of CreativeLive who has lived this line. In this episode, Craig will share his story, including his journey with CreativeLive and how he became the secret weapon to its multimillion-dollar mark! Tune in as we discuss the factors of success, the path to creative breakthroughs, the potential of digitalization, the businessman’s perspect...

Jan 03, 202336 minSeason 2Ep. 29

Rick Sapio, CEO Mutual Capital Alliance, Inc

With lessons learned from adversities coupled with luck, things can take you right where you're supposed to be. Rick Sapio did not take his past experiences for granted, learning and taking advantage of them as he stepped into the entrepreneurial life. Now, he is a Dallas powerhouse CEO, investor, author, and engineer and the founder of Mutual Capital Alliance, Inc . In this episode, he joins Don Williams to share with us the story that pushed him to start a business at 13 years old, pursue engi...

Dec 20, 202237 minSeason 2Ep. 28

Richard Blank

Richard Blank flew overseas to teach English at Costa Rica's Call Center . Little did he know he would become the CEO of that very call center. This position pushed him to take some time to learn the ins and outs of the business. He got to know each and every agent personally. Most importantly, he created a great working culture for everybody. Figure out how he did these things today! Richard joins Don Williams to talk about his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Learn why he wanted to pursue ca...

Dec 13, 202232 minSeason 2Ep. 27

Attorney Matt Aulsbrook

Attorney Matt Aulsbrook started his first insurance agency in 2009, catering to the non-standard auto insurance market. But after seeing that most clients are not always getting a fair share when making claims, he decided to shift gears and concentrate on personal injury. Joining Don Williams, he shares how he started his entrepreneurial journey at 15 years old and his experiences in law school. Matt also talks about struggling with drugs and alcohol, getting arrested multiple times, and overcom...

Dec 06, 202220 minSeason 2Ep. 26

Saurajit Kanungo - Proven Entrepreneur From India To Dallas

All progress starts with a yes. Today’s proven entrepreneur proves that. Saurajit Kanungo grew up in India with no entrepreneurial background in his family. From there, he went on to become a successful IT entrepreneur in Texas. He shares the crucial events that happened in between in this interview with Don Williams. In this conversation, we learn how Saurajit’s willingness to do more and achieve more allowed him to become a leading entrepreneur in his industry today. He also shares some of the...

Sep 13, 202233 minSeason 2Ep. 25

Red Clover Advisors - Jodi Daniels

Entrepreneurship is a challenge but is very rewarding. You have to be persistent and goal-oriented if you want to achieve your goals. Listen to your host Don Williams as he dives deep into a conversation with Jodi Daniels about data privacy and compliance. Privacy is one of those complex things you must understand if you want to incorporate an excellent leadership style in your organization. Jodi Daniels is a Certified Informational Privacy Professional with more than 20 years of experience help...

Aug 16, 202230 minSeason 2Ep. 24

Exceptional Service Provider - Kamard Johnson

Too fast may not be too wise. Some good things take the right timing and the right people to work out. This is exactly what Kamard Johnson , CEO/CVO at GTT Commercial Tires , learned. If you are thinking of taking your business to the next level, this is the podcast for you! In this episode, Kamard shares insights on how focusing on building processes, creating roles, filling them with the right people, and providing excellent service can give your business the leverage to take off. So tune in a...

Aug 15, 202231 minSeason 2Ep. 23

From Florence, Italy - Entrepreneur Brent Freeman

Ever since you were young, you were programmed by society to aim for money and success. But, what is the real meaning of being successful? Is it based on the income you’re earning or the profit your business is generating? Listen to your host Don Williams as he talks with Brent Freeman about focusing on the little things that bring you joy and happiness. He talks about realigning your life to reconnect with what you’re passionate about. Brent uses business to generate profits and social impact w...

Aug 08, 202237 minSeason 2Ep. 22

Ben Golden - IRS Trouble Solvers

You need to know when to shift your mindset and create a place for success. Join your host Don Williams as he talks with the CEO of IRS Trouble Solvers , Ben Golden . Ben specializes in tax resolution because of his own past experiences with the IRS. In this episode, he shares detailed information on taxes and accounting, especially the importance of getting an expert to help you. You must not assume that you will not encounter problems along the way because there are people that can help you de...

Jul 22, 202225 minSeason 2Ep. 21

Mike Otis - Michigan Husband, Father, Grandfather & Entrepreneur

Success stories aren’t built overnight. They are a result of hard work, effort, patience, and a lot of failures. Listen to Mike Otis as he dives deep into his entrepreneurial journey. Mike, Founder of Double O, Inc. , has been a practitioner and fan of Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Open Book Management, and Entrepreneurs' Organization during his career as founder of four Companies (there's a 5th in the works). He is currently fighting cancer with ferocious grace and dignity. Tune in fo...

Jul 05, 202228 minSeason 2Ep. 20
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