In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Roy Vella, Managing Director and Founder of Vella Ventures Ltd. Roy delves into his upbringing in Brooklyn and its influence on his entrepreneurial journey. Roy reflects on his formative years, emphasizing the cultural impact of being from Brooklyn and the street-savvy and hustling mentality ingrained in him. Roy's family background highlights his father's transition from a math teacher to early involvement in computers and Roy's ea...
Jan 29, 2024•26 min•Ep 101•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marc Adler, the Fractional Chief Technology Officer of CTO as a Service. Marc reveals his roots in Queens, New York, and his unique exposure to the world of stockbroking through his father's career, setting the stage for his journey into the tech industry. Marc reminisces about his early days in tech, starting as one of the first Windows developers on Wall Street in the late '80s. He shares anecdotes from his time at Goldman Sachs and th...
Jan 22, 2024•25 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Cody Eddings, the CEO and co-founder of SnapRefund. Cody shares his entrepreneurial journey, rooted in childhood experiences in St. Louis, Missouri, where he initiated small businesses like mowing lawns. Growing up, Cody explores tech background, from playing World of Warcraft to becoming a software engineer and co-founding SnapRefund. It delves into the company's mission to empower underserved communities with financial technology, emphasizi...
Jan 19, 2024•29 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Fiona Jamison, President and CEO of Spring International. Fiona's journey from a British helicopter factory to becoming the accidental CEO of a prominent HR analytics firm is both fascinating and inspiring. Having purchased the company to ensure its continuity, Fiona shares the unconventional story of how her three-year plan turned into a long-term commitment. She discusses an effective sales approach, where she sees herself more as a relatio...
Jan 17, 2024•28 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview John Rossman, managing partner of Rossman Partners. John shares his journey from growing up in Portland, Oregon, to becoming an executive at Amazon and eventually starting his own business, Rossman Partners. John emphasizes the importance of simplicity and efficiency, highlighting how these principles, inspired by his time at Amazon, have shaped his approach to problem-solving. John's first client, a healthcare insurance startup, and he share...
Jan 15, 2024•23 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Brittany Jenkins, Founder of WeAreTech, an ed-tech platform providing equitable digital literacy tools to underserved communities. Brittany delves into the genesis of WeAreTech, and the challenges in the tech industry that led her to create a platform for equitable digital literacy. Originally from San Diego, California, Brittany reflects on her laid-back upbringing and its impact on her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of movin...
Jan 12, 2024•26 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the First Customer Podcast, I was lucky enough to interview Scott Berry, the co-founder of QA Deputy. Scott discusses his background, from growing up in Montana to eventually leading engineering teams at in Southern California. His journey in the tech industry, from accounting software in North Dakota to document imaging solutions in San Diego, set the stage for his entrepreneurial venture. Scott's creation of QA Deputy stemmed from a need for a more accessible, user-frie...
Jan 09, 2024•26 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jamon Holmgren, founder and CTO of Infinite Red. Jamon grew up in a small town in coastal Oregon and recounts his early experiences with coding, starting a business, and the influence of his father, who was an entrepreneur. Jamon shares insights into his first business endeavors, from coding projects for a friend's construction company to starting his own home design and remodeling business. He highlights his challenges during the 2008 housin...
Jan 05, 2024•29 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview The Chaz Wolfe, Owner and Founder of Gathering The Kings. Growing up in a single-mother household in Columbia, Missouri, Chaz emphasizes the impact of his challenging upbringing, instilling in him the values of grit, commitment, and determination. He highlights his father's influence, a veterinarian and cattle rancher, discovering him later in life. Chaz delves into the nuances of personal branding, offering advice to young individuals and se...
Jan 02, 2024•29 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Justin Leusner, CEO and founder of TDAY Sports. Justin shares insights into his journey as the founder and president of TDAY Sports, revealing his roots in a small town near Philadelphia and his passion for creating YouTube videos since childhood. He details the evolution of TDAY Sports, highlighting its six different channels covering various sports and serving as a Gen Z sports network. Justin delves into the changing landscape of content consum...
Dec 26, 2023•19 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was extremely lucky to interview John Trevisani, currently a Software Engineering Manager at Ask Media Group but also a multi-talented individual with interests ranging from being a pilot, author, entrepreneur, and musician! John grew up as one of five children and shared its impact on fostering his entrepreneurial spirit. John delves into his experience starting a business that addressed the inconvenience of booking golf tee times, his foray into the tech world, and the chall...
Dec 22, 2023•24 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Justin Furniss, CEO and founder of SecureCoders. Justin grew up in South Jersey, sharing anecdotes about growing up near a rodeo and his initial hesitations about entering the entrepreneurial world. After college, Justin's perspective shifted, and he delved into building software, and creating a product called Groundwork. Justin also discusses the turning point when he realized he could pursue entrepreneurship and the challenges he faced whil...
Dec 20, 2023•31 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Dave Albin, Founder of Firewalk Productions, LLC. Dave shares his incredible life journey. Born to a single mom in Hollywood, California, Dave's early years were marked by the mysterious departure of his biological father. Facing financial struggles, his mother made the difficult decision to put him up for adoption, leading him to a loving family in Long Beach, California. Despite a seemingly idyllic childhood, Dave's life took a dark tu...
Dec 18, 2023•41 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was very lucky to interview the fantastic Manoj Sinha, Co-founder of BISIL and my flight instructor! Manoj reflects on his entrepreneurial journey that began in 1990. Starting with a background in engineering and an MBA from a top-tier school, Manoj worked in esteemed companies like ITC Limited before founding BISIL. Despite the challenging initial timing of the Gulf War, Manoj emphasizes the cyclical nature of business and recounts the various booms and busts he navigated, in...
Dec 15, 2023•31 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jim Aloye, CEO/Founder/Owner of Aloye Enterprises LLC. Jim grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and Strongsville, Ohio, and attributes his entrepreneurial spirit to navigating through challenging situations during his childhood. Jim's entrepreneurial journey began with Aloye Computer Enterprises, an IT firm that adopted a "do or die" approach, fueled by a mission to succeed. Jim's first business provided dial-up internet access an...
Dec 13, 2023•21 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Scott Daigger, the founder and owner of Buddy Web Design and Development. Scott grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and shared how his parents' entrepreneurial spirit influenced his journey. Scott discussed his first attempt at starting a business in his early twenties and the evolution that led to the establishment of Buddy Web Design and Development. Scott emphasized the importance of independence and flexibility, drawing inspiration from ...
Dec 11, 2023•20 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Todd Fisher, Chairman and Founder of Intraprise Solutions Todd shares his entrepreneurial journey from a small town in New York to building a successful business with a focus on health information technology and financial services. From starting as a web-enabled business solution in 1997 to his ventures like Mobile MD and Enterprise Health, Todd discusses the evolution of the company's client acquisition strategies over the years. He emphasiz...
Dec 08, 2023•21 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Andrew Kahl, CEO of BackBox. Andrew grew up in the Midwest influencing his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. He shares that his first business was a data security software company, which he started at the age of 30. The company aimed to encrypt data leaving the enterprise, and its first customer was PepsiCo, marking a successful start. Andrew emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and building a strong product. After runnin...
Dec 06, 2023•24 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Pete Taylor, co-founder and CEO of The Awakened Man. Pete shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey. Hailing from just outside London, Pete's early hustle began with selling Pokémon cards, foreshadowing his future endeavors. After a successful stint in the corporate world and establishing an architectural company, Pete embarked on a personal growth journey. The Awakened Man organically emerged from Pete's need for a mastermind gro...
Dec 04, 2023•18 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Bobby Reed, Executive Producer and Founder of Loaded Pixel. Bobby was originally from Kansas, then moved to Denver, and later transferred to Nebraska to pursue film and video production. He gained valuable experience working with Husker Vision, a program focused on sports events and video production. His passion for creating visually appealing content led him to work in sports, live events, and post-production editing. The turning point came when ...
Dec 02, 2023•26 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview David Wong, co-founder of JD Leads Online. David shares his journey from freelancing to founding JD Leads Online, highlighting pivotal moments and the decision to transition from contractor to agency owner. David's early ventures, such as the geo-filter business and e-commerce endeavors provide a glimpse into the challenges and lessons learned. David also discusses a significant roadblock he faced and the realization that success in one ventu...
Nov 29, 2023•24 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Zoraida Cordero, founder and CEO of Impactful Solutions. Zoraida grew up in Queens, New York, and growing up in a diverse and inclusive environment, Zoraida shares how her experiences inspired her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community-oriented leadership. Zoraida's extensive involvement in various roles, such as being an area director and an adjunct professor provides insights into her approach to balancing her time and energy, em...
Nov 27, 2023•26 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Victor Chukwudolue and Matthew Attalah of Step Labs. Matthew, with a background in design, shares how Step Labs started unexpectedly during his final year at university when he took on a project that eventually led to the establishment of the business. Victor, more focused on tech, shares his journey into web development, starting with FreeCodeCamp and eventually specializing in Webflow and Shopify. Matthew and Victor discuss their partnership, hi...
Nov 24, 2023•31 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Adam Adams of Grow Your Show Podcast. Adam's journey started from growing up in Utah to becoming a successful entrepreneur and real estate investor. Adam attributes much of his early inspiration to his stepdad, a real estate investor and entrepreneur who introduced him to the principles of financial success through the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad." Despite initial reluctance due to dyslexia, Adam's perspective changed after a profi...
Nov 22, 2023•28 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Marco Torres, the Co-founder of Marketing Boost.com. Marco explains how Marketing Boost started as a solution to obtain video testimonials for their travel business. To incentivize customers, they offered bonus vacations, leading to the creation of a system that eventually evolved into Marketing Boost.com. The company collaborates with hotels worldwide to offer complimentary stays and other incentives, helping businesses grow by leveraging these i...
Nov 20, 2023•25 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions Inc. Lance started his remarkable journey from growing up between a sugar beet farm and a cattle ranch in North Dakota to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the world of architecture and construction. Lance shared valuable lessons learned from early experiences, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, humility, and constantly reevaluating one's approach in the face of challenges. Lance highli...
Nov 17, 2023•23 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast episode, I was lucky enough to interview Christian Hyldahl, President and Founder of Varium Investment Partners. Christian shared his background and journey before founding Varium. After realizing the limitations and politics of larger firms, he started his own traditional RIA in 2005, focusing on building portfolios stock by stock. However, he eventually recognized the need for a different approach, leading to the creation of Varium, which prioritizes specialization and efficien...
Nov 15, 2023•27 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Melissa Allen, Co-Founder of Active Life Company. Melissa grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and shared that she spent 24 years in the health and fitness industry. She transitioned from owning a corrective exercise center to venturing into the world of sunscreen with Active Life Company. Melissa discussed the inspiration behind starting a sunscreen business, recounting a personal experience where her dog detected skin cancer on her husband's head. S...
Nov 13, 2023•22 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jacob Kleinman Phillips, CEO of Touchpoint Design. Jacob grew up in Delaware County. He reflected on his upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs, where his parents ran businesses ranging from general contracting to a sweet chocolate factory named Sweet Dreams. Growing up in this environment, Jacob absorbed the essence of entrepreneurship, blending passion with business acumen. As Jacob unfolded his professional trajectory, he transitioned from a b...
Nov 10, 2023•38 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Kirsten Bronkovic, co-founder of EmpathED. Kirsten grew up in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and shared how she was kind of enterprising even as a young kid where she even held an art sale. Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident even at a young age. Later, she enrolled in a program at the University of Pittsburgh that took her around the world via ship, landing in different countries. This life-changing experience led her to co-establish EmpathED. Fast fo...
Nov 08, 2023•28 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast 
