Taking the Leap

Our guest today is Larry Wright Jr., the CEO and President of Wright Investments. His multi-generational family business represents over 200 hotels and 26,000 hotel rooms in 28 states. They specialize in hospitality investments, hospitality management, and hotel and real estate capital projects. Larry graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. He then earned his Master's Degree at NYU and graduated from the Harvard Business School OPM program. Larry is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and an avid outdoorsman. I am excited to learn more from Larry about the hospitality industry, the story of how his father got started, what Larry learned leading his company through the COVID shutdowns that radically impacted his business, and how he inspired confidence in his staff during challenging times. I also have questions on how he navigates today's difficult political climate while serving customers, why continued learning is important to him and his career development, and what books have impacted him most. This will be a fascinating discussion, so let’s jump right in.

Our guest today is Christine Assouad, the CEO of Dunkin Donuts Lebanon and Semson Lebanese Cuisine. She has been successfully growing and leading restaurant brands in the Middle East for over 27 years. She is a board member of Food and Beverage companies in the Middle East and provides business workshops at conferences in in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Her work also includes business development, franchising, and acquisitions across the MENA markets. Christine is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship through the “Empowering Tribe” community, where she helps provide online classes, bootcamps, and one-on-one CEO coaching to empower female entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut. She received a Master of Science in Food Science from McGill University and a Master of Marketing from the ESA Business School. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program and a member of the Young Presidents Organization, also known as YPO. I am really excited to learn more from Christine about her journey leading various businesses, overcoming obstacles in her career, reinventing herself at 47, mentoring next-generation leaders, and her passion for spreading a little happiness and joy in all she does. I know you will be motivated and inspired to hear her story, so let's jump in.

Our guest today is Jim Klonairs. Jim and his wife, Lori Klonaris, make up a dynamic team that has changed the face of Knoxville's hospitality and restaurant scene for the past 30 years. Together, they are the co-founders of Spaces in the City, where Lori is the CEO, and Jim is the creative genius behind the iconic Knoxville restaurants and spaces like the Kalamata Kitchen, Cafe4, Kefi, Vida, The Vault, The Press Room, The Square Room, City Catering, and Bella in Maryville. Jim is a serial entrepreneur, having worked in multiple industries, including hospitality, janitorial, consulting, real estate, and commercial development. Jim earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture, Interior Design, and Graphic Design from the prestigious University of Tennessee. Jim is also active in his local community, supporting the Prison Ministry Men of Valor as an executive board member. I am excited to learn more from Jim and what he has learned as a serial entrepreneur, the leaps he has made in his journey, how he overcame bankruptcy early in his career, and the importance he places on education and personal growth.

Adam Hancock is a national award-winning State Farm Agent from Montrose, Colorado. He has a wealth of experience as a third-generation state farm agent and is a recipient of their prestigious President’s Club. Adam got his professional start in the United States Navy, owned a landscaping business, and then followed in his family's footsteps into the insurance industry. Adam studied engineering at Colorado Mesa University and has his BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. In this conversation, we'll explore Adam’s journey from the Navy to State Farm and the key questions young people, middle-career professionals, and those nearing retirement should ask about their insurance coverages and needs for their life stage. I’m interested in unpacking these questions and many more to ensure our listeners have the proper protections for their families and that your long-term objectives are being met so lets jump in!

William Norvell, the co-founder and President of Forte, a company that's revolutionizing the way businesses support their most valuable asset: their people. Under William's leadership, Forte's mission is not just to provide counseling services but to transform the culture of corporate mental health. William brings a wealth of experience from venture capital, private equity, and investment banking. He has a degree in Finance from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is a principal at Sovereign’s Capital, co-founder, podcast host, and contributor of The Faith Driven Entrepreneur. In this conversation, we'll explore William's journey from a keen investor to a compassionate entrepreneur, the challenges and triumphs of building a startup to tackle workplace stress, and his vision for a world where mental health is prioritized as physical health in our work environments. Join us as we unpack the story behind Forte and learn from William's incredible insights on mental health, entrepreneurship, and creating change within the corporate landscape. To learn more about Forte visit their website: https://www.getforte.com/ To listen to The Faith Driven Entrepreneur visit their website: https://www.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/podcast

Todd Wilcox has a fascinating career journey, truly living the American rags-to-riches story. Born in a low-income neighborhood in South Tampa with a single mother Todd grew up helping raise his siblings when a mentor changed his life. Convinced that education was his path out he earned an Army ROTC scholarship to the University of Tampa. Upon graduating, he went on to serve as a rifle platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm. Upon promotion to Captain, Todd volunteered to transfer to the US Army Special Forces branch, and after earning his Green Beret, he commanded a Special Forces A-team in counter-terrorism in East Asia. After 8 years of military service, he resigned to accept a position with the CIA to join the global war on terrorism. Todd left the CIA in 2006 to create Patriot Defense Group (PDG), a defense contracting company dedicated to serving those who defend America. Since then, Todd has started multiple other related businesses and has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal and through awards such as the Orlando Business Journal “Veterans of Influence” and the Ernst and Young "Entrepreneur of the Year." Todd serves on the board of the National Defense University Foundation, the Rand Corporation Center for Middle East Public Policy and the Orlando Economic Partnership. He has a degree in Finance from the University of Tampa and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Presidents Program. Todd is also an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Show Notes: 3:00 – Todd shares how to prepare as an entrepreneur for future threats and the importance of instilling resilience in yourself. 5:00 – Todd gives insight into the events that are happening in the Middle East and Ukraine. 9:00 – Bob asks Todd to share what he has learned throughout his career as he has accomplished a myriad of different disciplines. Todd shares his upbringing, beginning in Tampa. He opens up about the key learnings that he believes contributed to his future success. 15:00 – Todd touches on the culture shock that came with joining the army. He then talks about the biggest inflection point that he noticed moving from a young army officer to special forces and the challenges that accompanied these transitions. 23:00 – Hollywood vs. Reality– Todd touches on the differences he sees in his career in the agency as opposed to the way it is depicted in media that we consume. “It would be a really boring show if they showed you everything that actually went on.” 28:00—Todd discusses how much of Patriot Defense is working with the US government versus commercial services. Todd defines “open source intelligence” and “big data analytics.” “The amount of data that is publicly available is kind of scary.” 35:00 – Todd gives his advice as an intelligence officer to traveling business executives and young people looking to limit digital exhaust, those wanting to be more mindful of their data. 41:00 – The popular topic of TikTok is brought up as Todd discusses his thoughts on whether or not the app is tracking and collecting your data as you use the app. He shares that he doesn’t know what the firewall is and doesn’t trust it. 48:00 – Bob asks Todd to delve into his unique experiences. He shares how he took the leap to pursue hybrid training with multiple organizations. 53:00 – Entrepreneurship is growing rapidly. Todd shares his advice on where he believes young people who are wanting to pursure entrepreneurship should focus their time and energy on this journey. He believes that you should pursue a business in what you know best and are passionate about. “Do what you know best. Build your business around what you know.” 58:00 – Todd talks about what originally motivated him to pursue making a difference in politics in Washington DC. 1:03:00 – From his pursuit in politics, Todd shares the skills and insights he adopted from his experiences. He learned his...

Our guests today are Cody Newton and Dr. Doug Cleveland. Cody Newton is a serial entrepreneur, having started or been involved in over 20 companies, including professional sports, franchising, direct sales, and the energy markets. He is dedicated to democratizing renewables, carbon credits, and recycling for home and business owners in his latest project with Carbon X Solutions. Dr. Douglas Cleveland is a trained Anesthesiologist from the University of Chicago with a Medical Economics Certificate from the Harvard Business School. Doug is also an entrepreneur with expertise in process and operational efficiencies and shares Cody’s passion for the energy and renewables space and the impact it can have on the environment. I found this story fascinating, as two entrepreneurs with vastly different backgrounds saw the same problem and figured out a way to complement each other with their diverse approaches to business. They built a team and tackled a problem many experts said was impossible. This conversation will highlight the complexities and challenges of starting a new venture when everyone around you says it can’t be done. If there is one thing I have learned from all these interviews, it is that entrepreneurs almost always have to defy the odds and many naysayers along the way to launch a product or service that is new, innovative, and world-changing. Learn more at www.CarbonXSolutions.com Show Notes: 3:00 - Doug begins by sharing how he entered his entrepreneurial journey. He shares how he started out in med school to become an anesthesiologist and started practicing anesthesiology but became restless to do more and learn more. 6:00 - Doug shares his background, where he got his various degrees, and where he completed his professional training. 7:00 - Cody shares his background of growing up in a small farm town, embarking on getting a degree from Kansas State and pivoting to become an entrepreneur. 13:00 - Doug discusses breadth vs. depth in the medical field and how that translates to his entrepreneurial journey. Quote: “Riches are in niches.” 16:00 - Doug and Cody share some “key lessons” they learned early in their careers that would be valuable to young people starting out in their careers to help speed up their entrepreneurial journey. They share the 26:00 - Cody and Doug share how they discovered carbon credits and why they were led to participate in this “green movement” to help the environment, as well as businesses and homeowners participating in this movement. 31:00 - Cody discusses the posture of his heart toward smaller and medium-sized businesses when involving them in this industry. He shares his goal to make this attainable for small and medium-sized companies to utilize this business opportunity. Quote: “We can expand this green revolution faster as we make it more accessible.” 40:00 - Cody shares the story of how he found himself in the right spot at the right time to make a partnership and how this reflects the entrepreneurial experience of living intentionally in everyday life. Quote: “If you always plant seeds, the harvest will come over time.” “If you’re passionate about something, the worst thing you can do is keep it inside.” 42:00 - Doug chimes in and shares his story when meeting Cody and beginning their partnership. 48:00 - Cody and Doug discuss the struggles and obstacles they have faced and had to overcome throughout their journey. They share what they have learned from that process. 54:00 - Bob asks how they balanced seeking counsel and guidance while pursuing their goals when they may have been advised not to. Quote: “The experts don’t always have the same vision that you do… take what they say with a grain of salt.” 59:00 - Doug and Cody share what they foresee the next 3-5 years to look like for this industry and talk about what they hope to accomplish in these future opportunities. 1:07:00 - Bob asks Doug and Cody to share their favorite books “Boys in the Boat” by...

Danny Fehsenfeld is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for his versatile contributions as an actor, singer/songwriter, public speaker, and writer. With a rich career that spans across various mediums, Danny has left his mark on audiences worldwide. He is recognized for his role as "Gil" on "The Young & The Restless" and his compelling presence on YouTube with over 250 million views. As the face of national campaigns for brands like Jeep, Chrysler, and 5 Hour Energy, Danny's influence in advertising is undeniable, with award-winning Super Bowl commercials and notably setting trends with his viral campaign for Nordnet. His voice acting prowess is showcased in the Oscar-winning "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse," and he stars in several major animation features, including "Chickenhare & The Hamster Of Darkness" and "Latte & The Magic Waterstone," both acclaimed on Netflix. Danny is also the voice behind "Bogota" in the globally celebrated series "Money Heist" (La Casa De Papel). On-screen, Danny's notable roles include Nelson Stone in the TV series "Scarlett" and appearances in "The Upshaws" and "The Day You Found Me." His vocal talents extend to the music industry, backing icons like Celine Dion and John Legend, and leading the praise band at the Crystal Cathedral. Growing up on the road with a public speaker father, Danny's early life was filled with travel and homeschooling experiences that shaped his passion for art and communication. Today, he continues to inspire through his performances and as a speaker at various events, embodying the transformative power of creativity and imagination. Show Notes: “Art itself is always a reflection of the culture from which it is derived… anytime you try to regulate art, it ceases to exist; art in its purest form is freedom.” “Who I am as a man always takes precedence over my accolades.” “How soon can I buy my freedom?”“All that fear and anxiety is excitement with a negative outlook.” “The four deepest fears of humanity are the fear of death, rejection, failure, and public speaking. I think the fear of public speaking is connected to some of those other fears.” “Every time you have a strike, it’s not just the artists that are out of work; you are affecting the economy and the entire state drastically.” “I would primarily like to be remembered as someone who loved well.” Follow Danny Fehsenfeld on Instagram and Facebook @DannyFehsenfeld and check out www.DannyFehsenfeld.com

Today's distinguished guest is Hervé Larren, the entrepreneurial force behind Airvey.io, a company dedicated to building, supporting, and providing expert advice to Web 3.0 ventures. Hervé emerged as a pioneer in the cryptocurrency realm, adopting Bitcoin and blockchain technology early in 2013 and becoming one of the early initial crypto miners in the United States. His strategic foresight led to capitalizing on his mining endeavors through public vehicles with Grayscale, and he has recently been elected to be a special council member for the ApeCoin DAO. Throughout his illustrious career, Hervé has imparted his knowledge to over a dozen prestigious projects, such as Horizen Labs and the innovative Yuga Labs’ ApeCoin. His vision was instrumental in the early work in Decentraland and helping create one of the largest commercial zones in the the Metaverse. He also played a key role in developing the Horizen ZEN token. Hervé's expertise has not gone unnoticed; his profile has been elevated through features in leading publications, including CoinTelegraph, Forbes, Bloomberg Magazine, and The Huffington Post, as part of the American Express Spotlight Series. His insights have graced television screens on Bloomberg, KTLA, and E! News. As a guest speaker, Hervé has shared his knowledge of the crypto and blockchain economic revolution at over 30 international conferences across 10 countries. Before venturing into the entrepreneurial landscape, Hervé honed his skills with prestigious tenures at luxury conglomerates LVMH and Pernod Ricard. An alumnus of the Harvard Business School Presidents' Program, Hervé also holds an MBA from Columbia Business School. His leadership qualities and keen insights have earned him membership in the elite Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). Show Notes: "Nothing discussed in this podcast should be considered investment advice. This conversation is for informational and, hopefully, entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!" metcalfe's law

Ryan is the Founder, President, and CEO of Niles Industrial Coatings in Fenton, Michigan which he has led for close to 21 years. NIC is a best-in-class safety, coatings, and technology company focused on commercial and industrial painting across North America. As a serial entrepreneur, Ryan has founded and led multiple companies in the home building, commercial scaffolding, commercial services, and investing areas. Ryan is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Medical Technology and is currently in the Harvard Business School President’s Program. Ryan is also a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO). Fun fact, Ryan and I both graduated from Grand Blanc High School, where I was a year ahead of him, so this was fun for me to connect with an old friend. I respect Ryan’s business intellect and how he leads by example, with humility and authenticity, and putting his people first. He has created a unique learning culture within his company and is having a noticeable impact on his community. He is an incredible husband and father who leads with character and integrity and knows how to live life to the fullest. You will enjoy this conversation, so let's jump in! Show Notes: 4:00 – Ryan begins by sharing his origin story. He shares his experience growing up in a family business and why he wanted to leave to chart his own path, leading into why he “took the leap.” He says that his father encouraged him to get out of the family business and pursue something more “stable.” 9:00 – Ryan talks about his experience being laid off from his job in 2002 and the emotions and lessons that came with that. He then begins to start his own business but struggles to get his family to get on board. With the support of his dad, he gets his new business started. Quote: “I see consistently that at your lowest point at your darkest hour in life, generally, that's when the seeds of your greatest successes are being planted and people just have to have faith through those dark seasons.” – Bob 12:00 – Ryan states that he wants to raise his kids to be fearless because he feels that fearlessness is what built him. 13:00 – Ryan shares how his wife supported him in the “unstable” parts of his career and how his dad’s partnership impacted his life and career. 15:00 – Rod breaks down the biggest pivots that he made and how fearlessness played into those, one of the decisions being joining YPO. How important is it to him to protect the fearless trait within him to grow and manage his business? Quote: “It amazed me. When you really want something, how much you can get done.” – Ryan 19:00 – Ryan delves into his business endeavors with his dad, where he experiences extreme risk-taking. He emphasizes the importance of having high trust with your partner, the power of negotiation, and the efficiency that comes with valuing people and caring about the customer. Quote: “I think it [the margin] improved more from the culture and what we did once we started investing in the people and our equipment and that's what drove the margin not the pricing, and I think people miss that so often.” – Ryan 26:00 – Ryan shares how he views risk and why he leans into it. Ryan says that recognizing his gift of connecting the dots and being aware of things around him helps him to take risks. He shares that he takes risks when he has fully thought them through and trusts that he understands the risk that he is taking. 31:00 – Ryan shares that his secret power is his ability to pick up the phone to ask questions and be open to opinions and viewpoints. How important are different points of view and perspectives when it comes to decision-making? 34:00 – Ryan talks about his upbringing and struggles with not feeling naturally smart. He talks about the importance of finding your gifts and leveraging them. He says that having humility is vital when realizing your gifts and weaknesses. 37:00 – Ryan shares the ways that he helps his...

Dr. Darshan Shah is a health and wellness specialist, well-known surgeon, published author, tech entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Beautologie and Next|Health. As an expert on all body systems, he has performed over 10,000 surgical procedures, including trauma surgery, general surgery and plastic/reconstructive procedures. As a health and wellness specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their lifespan, culminating in the creation of Next|Health, the "Apple Store" of Health and Wellness offering healthspan and lifespan-extending technology and treatments in a beautiful, welcoming environment. Dr. Darshan Shah started his training at an accelerated MD program at the age of 15 at the University of Missouri and earned his medical degree at the age of 21, becoming one of the youngest doctors in the United States. After surgical training in central California, Dr. Shah then continued his training at the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious medical institutes in the county. After earning his board certification, he went on to open medical/surgical centers throughout California, as well as starting innovative tech companies, creating patented medical devices, and advising dozens of startups in medicine, finance, and tech. Dr. Shah's belief in continual education and self-improvement has earned him alumni status at Harvard Business School, Singularity University, and is a member of YPO (Young President’s Organization.) Dr. Darshan Shah is the oldest of three children. He is very close to his family and attributes his success to the values of hard work, passion for everything you do, and relentless tenacity taught to him by his parents. He lives in Malibu, California with his wife, and two children and loves to travel, exercise, and has a passion to continuously educate himself and others. SHOW NOTES: 2:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah to share his origin story and how he was one of the youngest doctors in America to earn his medical degree. Dr. Shah shares what inspired him to pursue this career. Quote: “Going into surgery saved my medical career.” – Dr. Shah 5:30 – Dr. Shah shares how he found himself being 15 years old going into medical school. 6:50 – Dr. Shah discusses what inspired him to pursue medicine, even when discouraged. 11:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah how he decided to operate his own business as well as practice medicine. Quote: “You quickly realize that [running a business] is a completely different skill set from being a doctor, and it is an additional skill set to be a leader.” – Dr. Shah 15:00 – Dr. Shah gives insight into how he started learning how to run a business when he was already an expert in surgery. 17:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah what the 3 most important lessons are that he learned as a doctor starting his business. 22:00 – Dr. Shah begins to tell the story of how he took some time off of work to prioritize his health and the impact of that decision on his career. Quote: “I want to get people healthy, not just treat people with surgery and pills.” – Dr. Shah 28:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah what he is learning as he shifts his lifestyle and decides to go to the root cause of his patients’ health. 33:20 – Bob asks Dr. Shah’s insight on the multitude of health issues that the US is facing and what demographics are getting access to something like “Next Health.” 38:00 – Bob brings up common medical controversies where one doctor says something is “bad” while another says that it is “good.” Dr. Shah gives advice on who to trust and who to listen to, especially in the media. Quote: “Whenever you see some sort of controversy, you can assume that there is some sort of truth somewhere in the middle.” – Dr. Shah 41:40 – Bob and Dr. Shah discuss the importance of sleep. 45:00 – Dr. Shah shares how to become the “CEO of your own health.” 51:00 – Bob asks Dr. Shah for his advice on how to obtain healthy, natural foods. Dr. Shah says to eat...

Bassel Hamwi has a fascinating career journey, having been in private equity and the banking industry along with being a CEO of start-ups and board member for 19 different companies. He spent 20 years as a senior staff member at the World Bank and was also a CEO and board member for over 12 years in start-ups and financial institutions. Bassel is currently the President of BASY Ventures, an investment and consulting company operating in the US, MENA, West and South Asia. BASY Ventures invests in asset-backed lending and the fintech space and also provides consulting, executive coaching, and board and family governance. Bassel is also the Chairman of GlobalTech, a technology investment and development group of companies operating in MENA, India, and the US. From 2005 to 2014, Bassel was the Founder and CEO of Bank Audi Syria, which became the country’s largest private lender. He is the founding member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) Levant Chapter and the Syrian-American Business Council. He was also a global board member of YPO from 2018 to 2022. Bassel holds an MBA in International Finance and a BBA in Business Computer Information Systems and Organizational Management from the University of North Texas and he is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Presidents Program and just started an executive leadership program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has 32 years of expertise in the financial markets and has contributed to publications like the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and the New York Times. Show Notes: 4:00 – Bassel shares his origin story, upbringing, and how he got to the point he is now in his career. Quote– “I learn from my own mistakes, those are the lessons that are most powerful.” 11:30 – Bob asks Bassel what sparked his determination at a young age to work at the World Bank. 19:30 – Bob asks Bassel how he responded to the catastrophic events happening in his home country when he had to leave his friends and family behind. Bassel shares his learnings and advice in processing the event and pushing through. Quote– “Part of our identity comes from the reflection we have on people’s faces.” 27:00 – Bassel discusses some of the things that he is doing to get help so that he can continue being a leader. He mentions the help of his parents and the benefits of being coached. 33:00 – Bob emphasized that history repeats itself and that our nation’s freedom could be threatened at any time. He proceeds to ask for Bassel’s advice in preparing for these potential events and facing challenging situations. Quote– “I behave in a way that is consistent with my values.” 38:45 – Bassel begins to share what he is doing next and how he is continuing to grow, aligning himself with his values and beliefs. 41:45 – Bob asks why Bassel is so passionate about executive coaching and how he got involved. He then describes the differences between therapy, mentoring, and coaching. Quote– “When you go to bed tired but you feel energized from your work, what were you doing?” ; “Coaching is a thinking partnership.” 49:45 – Bassel tells what he thinks makes a good coach. Quote– “Coaching is also about chemistry.” 54:30 – Bob asks Bassel what he would say to a friend with high potential in their career who may need an executive coach for a specific reason, though they might not see it, to encourage them to look into getting their own coach. Quote – “Not everyone is coachable.” 57:30 – Bob then asks Bassel what attributes the people have that get the most out of their coaching. 1:01:00 – Bob asks if there is anything that is off-limits to ask a coach. 1:04:40 – Bob dives into the importance of having a specific mentor for a child outside the parent to protect their relationship. 1:10:30 – Bassel shares what he sees as the future for his industry regarding changes and developments. 1:20:50 – Bob asks for Bassel’s advice in continuing to educate...

JP Sicotte is the branch leader for Movement Mortgage in Littleton, Colorado. He is passionate about helping every client find the ideal loan package for their home or investment property. He is best known for his short, insightful, "Mustache Mortgage Minute" videos on Linkedin and Instagram. JP is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was a track and field athlete while he was a cadet. He served in the Air Force for over 23 years as a navigator of the RC135 and C-130 aircraft, having multiple deployments around the globe. He also completed his MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado. Homeownership and understanding real estate is a foundational tenet in building wealth. The market is very dynamic at the moment, with interest rates fluctuating and home prices on the move. Everyone I meet from young people starting out looking for their first home, to mid-career professionals looking for a vacation home, and late-career professionals considering downsizing or moving to their retirement destination…seems to be talking about real estate. I could not wait to have this conversation with JP and hear his insights on this market and advice for those ready to make "the leap". I know you will learn something new in this conversation. Show Notes: 4:00 – Bob asks JP to tell us what is happening in the American real estate and mortgage markets. JP unpacks this for the listeners who may be in the process of making a big decision. JP begins by discussing the high-interest rate and lack of affordability. 7:30 – JP encourages those in the market to get in now. He gives his housing market predictions and forecasts. 12:30 – JP discusses his belief in the significance of real estate for the American family building wealth. Quote– “When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the next best time? Now.” 14:40 – Bob asks JP’s advice for newlywed young adults who are looking to buy their first home. Bob then asks JP what the wise things young adults can be doing now in preparation for buying their first home. 22:30 – JP advises how to improve your credit score in preparation for purchasing a home. 25:30 – JP gives his advice to people in mid-career who are looking for a vacation home. 28:00 – JP gives his thoughts on Airbnb vs. Vrbo 29:40 – Bob asks JP what those near retiring are asking and things they need to be doing in advance to prepare. 33:30 – JP talks about American homeowners tapping into equity to pay bills and pay down debt and gives his insight on the best ways. 37:30 – Bob touches on JP’s background and asks what drew him to the real estate industry from serving in the Air Force. JP gives how he applies his discipline and learnings from the military in his real estate and financing. 42:00 – Bob and JP reminisce on their favorite planes that they flew in the military and their favorite aspects of being in the Air Force. 50:00 – Bob and JP share how their military backgrounds shaped the way they view the significance of teamwork and how they take that into their respective careers. 52:20 – Bob asks JP how the military core values of integrity, honesty, and building trust show up in his career now. Quote– “I really do think that I am a bit of a breath of fresh air for people to know that I am working to figure out what is in their best interest.” 53:50 – JP tells us what people should be looking for to ensure that they get someone who is honest and forthcoming when looking for a mortgage advisor. 55:40 – AI is changing every industry. JP shares how he views AI impacting his industry and jobs within the industry. Quote– “I do love the ability to leverage AI, but it definitely is not perfect.” 57:40 – Bob asks JP what books he is currently reading to continue learning and growing. Book recommendations: “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, Ryan Holiday’s books, “Outlive” by Peter Attia 1:00:00 – Bob asks JP what he would say if he was invited to inspire and...

Jim Stirewalt started his career as an entrepreneur at the urging of his father. After growing and selling his company and learning the art of sales he jumped into enterprise sales, growing and leading international sales teams for iconic companies such as Kronons, SAP, and IBM. As Vice President of SAP, leading the Fashion and Retail business Jim helped grow the business by 247% in his final two years. Jim was head of World Wide Sales for IBM Watson Customer Engagement. During this time, he led the transformation of a 1,600-person sales team in charge of $1.6B in software sales. Furthermore, he helped lead an AI initiative to disrupt markets leading to a pipeline of new business over $100M. He later was part of a $2B divesture of the IBM Watson Customer Engagement business. He also has been the Chief Revenue Officer of CoreMedia Corp, President of Marketplacer, and SVP and Managing Partner of GreyOrange. Jim has vast experience in business, ranging from start-ups to global enterprises. Show Notes: 4:00 – Jim’s origin and the beginning of his fascination for building businesses. Jim talks about his entry into graphic design and the development of his small business and how he grew it into a full-service agency over a 7-year span. 13:45 – Jim breaks his journey into three parts: entrepreneurialism (“hustle and sell”), the power of the network, and execution. 19:00 – Jim talks about how he took the sales leader skills that he learned early on in his career and took it into his role in corporate America. 23:00 – Bob asks Jim’s advice that he would give to young people who might have a friend or a peer or mentor who is approaching them and trying to give them executive coaching. Jim’s advice, “seek people’s feedback actively.” Quote - “Pride is the biggest hindrance to growth.” 28:15 – Jim is in the second stage of his career. He discusses the failures and successes he has experienced and the lessons he is learning. The importance of knowing the product, the value proposition, and how it fits into the market. The 3 key elements of a successful deal are: First, execution sponsorship, second, business value assessment, third, mutually agreed sequence of events. 40:00 – Jim applies his learnings to a direct-to-consumer model. Jim discusses the consumption gap. 50:20 – Bob asks how Jim handles the complex changes and difficulties he experienced in his career. Jim talks about his experience before announcing a vast change in the company. 53:45 – Bob talks about how there will be times in your career where you will be facing a challenge or obstacle that is high stress and high stakes and you’re asking yourself, “how am I gonna execute this particular challenge?” Bob gives the advice to operate with a high level of character and integrity and be honest and take good care of your people. Jim advises to embrace the situation wholly and to force yourself to be adaptable. 59:00 – Bob and Jim discuss how to embrace the challenging times we have faced and will continue to face. Jim talks about the importance of adaptability and resilience. 1:04:00 – Bob asks Jim if he has ever found himself in a spot in his career where the timing was bad, where the product or service was “past its sell date,” or the economy was moving in another direction and how did he pivot out of these times. 1:10:00 – Jim shares his experience and the challenges of scaling small, start-up companies. Jim shares the quote, “fail fast forward,” meaning to make a plan, learn from it, readjust, execute. 1:15:30 – Bob begins asking rapid-fire questions. Jim gives advice for young people when facing adversity, what books he is reading at the moment, the “imposter syndrome," how pride can be connected to insecurity, and more. Quote - “I grow the most when I am in a place where I am being stretched.”

Kim has been the President of multiple companies in the fashion and retail industry, spanning a twenty-year career where she led R&D, manufacturing, product design, marketing, and growing market share during some of the most dynamic and challenging retail environments. Kim is passionate about helping women in poverty and used her leadership and roles in companies to help develop and implement an industry-leading approach that provides opportunities for women providing true living wages that allow team members to have real opportunities and thrive and break the cycle of poverty. You will hear in this episode how Kim is finishing a mid-career sabbatical and entering the second phase of her career with new insights, motivations, and goals of how to best serve and inspire those around her and the next generation of leaders. Kim has studied finance at Queen’s University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. She also just completed Oxford University’s “Reimagining Leadership Executive Program.” Kim is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and has been a chapter chair and education chair, and has previously been on the Canadian board for YPO/WPO. Kim provides incredible insight and learning from her journey. As you will hear, Kim is a close friend of mine whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration. I have watched her over the past decade lead in many different environments. She consistently demonstrates class and grace while being tenacious in achieving every goal and overcoming any obstacle in her way. She is loved by all our classmates because she has a true servant-leader heart and cares about everyone she meets. Show Notes: (13:11) - Kim realizes a key to her success was to get near leadership and learn from people who had results. (17:30) - Kim gives advice to young people starting their careers today. Quote - "Success Leaves Clues" (23:00) - Discussion of the "Imposter Syndrome." (27:00) - The power of testing your assumptions. (29:00) - Kim talks about the importance and her learnings of taking a mid-career sabbatical. (41:00) - Bob and Kim discuss work-life balance and the challenge of going all in early in your career to achieve while still seeking balance. (48:45) - "My mess is my message." (49:30) - What Kim learned leading her company during COVID. "Cash is King and get lean fast!" Quote - "No decision is a decision and it is the worst decision you can make!" (1:00:45) - Kim talks about changes in the e-commerce business and what business leaders need to do. (1:07:00) - The importance of having a real relationship with your customer...connection with them. (1:10:00) - Advice to mid-career professionals who must leap a new direction or career. (1:16:00) - The importance of having a global perspective. (1:25:00) - Kim is thinking about using her island retreat as a retreat for other leaders needing a sabbatical in their career. (1:30:00) - What would Kim say to the American and Canadian people if she was given the chance to give a "State of the Union" address? Quote "Progress over perfection!" Book Recommendations: - Untethered Soul - The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer - Fearless Heart - Why Greater Compassion is the Key to Greater Well-Being by Thupten Jinpa - Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni - EOS - Gino Wickman

Vadim Belyakov is from Moscow, Russia and has been a serial entrepreneur since 1999 when ROST XXI Group was founded. ROST main activity was the importation and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) throughout the entire Russian Federation and it quickly became Russia’s leader in brand sales. In recent years, the company has shifted focus providing real-estate development and back office solutions to medium size multi-national companies doing business in Russia. Vadim is also the President of Uniland, a trading company that distributes a wide range of products to consumers in the Urals. He is a member of YPO and has won multiple awards to including Best Regional Learning Officer, Best Large Personal Event, and Best Overall Experience. He has his Master of Arts from the Russian Academy of Economy and is a graduate of London Business School and Harvard Business School. Since 2017 he has been working on the NotAlone App, which is an application for young people who feel alone, depressed, and struggle with Anxiety. The app uses innovative and life-changing technology like an AI bot, online forums, and 20 years of established clinical psychological experience to provide users with various strategies to meaningfully connect and deepen healthy and positive self-awareness. Show Notes: Not Alone AppProfessor Rawi Abdelal - HBS Case Study "Russia: A Drama in Three Acts""The most American thing we can do is think for ourselves, question authority, and demand transparency. When we are faced with the rare moments where we find the unusual convergence of consensus narrative forming...double down on all of the above."

Adam is the CEO and founder of the Lloyd Group, a prominent managed service provider for small and medium-sized businesses that provide services like asset management, help desk support, project management, cybersecurity, IT governance, and cloud services. Under Adam’s 28 years of leadership, the Lloyd Group has been named on the list of Inc 500 and Inc 5000 fastest-growing companies in America, along with many other accolades and recognitions, including employee satisfaction and corporate culture. Adam has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Adelphi University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. He also completed the Entrepreneurs Organization MIT Birthing of Giants Program. Adam is a member of YPO (Young President’s Organization) and serves as the Learning Alliance Champion, and was the Chair of the Harvard Business School President’s Program. Show Notes: EOVistageYPOMasterClassCoursera.org

Richard Haykel is the Chairman of Haykel Hospital S.A.L. in Tripoli, Lebanon and Executive Director of CARA Ventures, LLC. Richie has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tufts University, a Master’s of Hospital and Health Care Administration and Management from the University of Paris Cite. He is also a Harvard Business School Executive Program graduate and OPM 49. Richie is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is home based in Tripoli, Lebanon. Show Notes:

Show Notes: Grant is a graduate of Brown University and is finishing his executive program at Harvard Business School. He is a Young President’s Organization (YPO) Member. He is the managing director of Benevolent Capital. Montgomery SecuritiesBaylor School in Chattanooga, TN“Best small town” in America twiceBest Day Brewing – Non-Alcoholic BeerAthletic BrewingAn SPV – Special Purpose VehicleThe Traditional "2 and 20"Targus Computer Accessory CompanyOrua RingWho Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating TeamworkBlueprint to a Billion: 7 Essentials to Achieve Exponential GrowthFollow Bob Dickie on Twitter @RobertDickie Follow "Taking the Leap Podcast" on Youtube.com

Jess is the founder and executive chairman of inDinero, a business that runs thousands of companies' tax, accounting, and finance operations. She is also the Co-Founder and Chair of Astonishing Labs and founding partner of MahWay. This venture builder creates innovative, industry-changing billion-dollar businesses that improve the world. She earned her Associate of Arts from Bard College and her Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She is in the Harvard Business School President’s Program and a Young President’s Organization (YPO) member. She enjoys flying her commercial multi-engine pilot's license in her spare time with an instrument rating. She started her first business in high school and was has been on the cover of Inc Magazine and was recognized on both Inc. and Forbes Magazine's "30 under 30" superstar entrepreneurs. Her combined companies have a value of over one billion dollars. Show Notes: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow us on Apple or Spotify and give us a review. That would be greatly appreciated!