Purpose Under Pressure

There are no excuses in life. You can't control the outcome, but you can control your effort. You either step up to the plate or you back down, and that's on you. Ken Guest, owner and Chief Revenue Officer at Sandler by the Ruby Group steps up. He's overcome hurdles that he put in his own way, leaving behind established comforts for the hard road with a desire for more. The rewards are worth it, b...

Leaders of Non-Profit organizations are fascinating. They raise funds, organize grants, take care of the needs of others...all for typically very little in return. There is something deep inside them that drives a desire to make someone else's life better than theirs. Katy Fuerst, Executive Director of Feeding Medina County is that kind of leader because she is that kind of person. Purpose Under P...

Debbie Kiley grew up in poverty, hidden within the streets of Medina County. Now, as the Director of Medina County Job and Family Services, she leads her organization to serve others with a "hand up" where needed. Learn how her tough younger years inspired her to the top of her field, and how she uses experience and empathy for others in the same situation to make a difference in Medina County. Pu...

Work-Life Balance is always the goal. If you aren't trying to achieve it, something is missing. Being successful at work, without letting things go at home, and vice-versa, is critical to happiness and purpose. Emily Grimm, the Director of Membership and Marketing with the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, and Liason for Ashland Young Professionals is full steam ahead on both counts. And it's not...

For generations, young people have been told that the only way they'd make anything of themselves was to Go to College. Get a degree. Get ahead. Kari Deeks, Sales and Operations Director at Core Support Partners took everyone's advice and did as she was told. And found a dead end, deep in debt, with no direction. No, she's on her own path, and she's finding her purpose...under pressure. Purpose Un...

There was a battle waged against the Covid virus. A solution was needed...fast. The vaccines that were released had to be tested, trusted, and timely. Lives depended not just on the availability, but on short and long term effectiveness. Charles River Laboratories , an international pharmaceutical testing company was on the case. The Ashland location tested was critical in the development, testing...

When crisis hits, you have two choices. Retreat or fight on. There's a time and a place for either. In 2008, Al Mothersbaugh of Akron Glass Tinting chose to fight, and he almost lost it all. Keyword..."Almost". In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure you'll learn what it's like to fight on against all odds, especially when you don't know they are stacked against you. Purpose Under Pressure is br...

If you've ever lost your job, or been unemployed for any amount of time, you'll identify with this episode. Jon Allen, General Manager at Luke Engineering didn't know the change was coming until it did. He thought it would be an easy path back, and it wasn't. Listen to how Jon navigated the hurdles that threatened to sidetrack his career and the stability of his family. Purpose Under Pressure is b...

Brent Canfield, Chief Executive Officer at Sentry PODS Autonomous Ruggedized Surveillance Systems knows about danger. He's experienced it as a United States Marine, as he built his business from scratch after the Boston Marathon bombings, and every minute as he works to keep his family safe from societal pressures that are always under attack. In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, learn how B...

Lisa Morrison has three kids with special needs. While other parents expect a future where their kids are self-supporting, Lisa knows that can't always be the case. The pressure? Life is not forever. What happens when she is gone? In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, Lisa Morrison shares her vision for Integrated Communities, Inc . and her mission of blazing a trail toward a future of inclus...

In the latest episode, Bryan Lefelhoc talks with Darlene and Samir Rashed, co-owners of Crefco Financial Group . In this episode, the Purpose IS the Pressure: How to keep a husband and wife happily married relationship alive and well and thriving, amidst the challenges of co-owning a business together. If you've ever had staffing issues, disagreements in leadership, or conflicting visions for succ...

Marcia Barnes, CEO and Founder of Valve and Meter Marketing, has known pressure all of her life. Whether it's standing up to her number one client, overcoming poverty, starting her own tremendously successful business, or writing her book, Here We Grow, she's overcome the hurdles that got in the way. But her son's health issues and even her own diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease are pressures that w...

Far more than half of the United States population identifies as Christian and teaches Christian values to their children. But 90 percent of kids attend government-run, public schools. What do you think they are teaching there? It's not Christian, that's for sure! There is a disconnect, and society is playing by its own rules. Cy Smith, superintendent at Mansfield Christian School and host of the...

Imagine leaving the only home you have with nothing. No money, language barriers, no family or friends to fall back on. Worse yet, there is no turning back. That's what happens to thousands of young adult Amish as they strive to leave their Amish communities to find a new world of opportunity in the American way of life. Joe Keim, Executive Director of MAP (Mission to Amish People) Ministry and fo...

Brett Ruiz, owner of Medina Exteriors and Simply Distinct Kitchens and Baths is in the business of customer service. When Home exterior or interior projects are the focus, the expectation for success is high. It should be! And that's pressure. In this week's episode, Brett explains how he plans for success and for issues that may arise. He gives tips from his book "Blue Collar Entrepreneur" about...

Dr. Christina Collins got pushed out. She could have stayed down, knowing the system was broken and entrenched. Or she could fix the system. So she brushed herself off, got up on her feet and ran for the Ohio State Board of Education. And she won! Now, Christina Collins is a voice for others where it matters, in the education system for our kids. Who's standing up for those who can't? Dr. Collins...

Mark Priebe, co-owner of Proximity Marketing with his wife Allison, knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to be an entrepreneur. He wanted to help people. He wanted to impact his community. And rather than grow just to grow, he chose to stay small and impactful serving his best customers well. Staying small brings its own set of challenges. One deal goes bad and there's not a lot of slack. That's p...

On April 20, 2023, The Medina County Young Professionals Association gathered at the Planted Flag Brewery in Medina Ohio to talk about being on purpose...and under pressure. Ashley Powell, Terri Greene, and Ivy Power were our panelists and brought the house down with insight, vulnerability, and wisdom beyond their years. Young people have something to say. About fears, goals, purpose...and the pre...

Ray Borell is the Director of Operations with Dutch Creek Foods , and is also a team coaching and development ambassador with Lodestar Guidance . Life didn't come to Ray on a silver platter. Pressure against him was strong growing up, and he relied on others to pick him up and get him through. Now, he helps others, both in coaching and in his leadership role at Dutch Creek, to understand what powe...

Mike Jones is the owner of The Ruby Group Sandler Sales Training in Akron and in Columbus. It is his job to help businesses inspire more results from their sales team, and to help train sellers to get more results, period. In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, we talk about what makes some people rise to the occasion to fulfill their purpose, and what holds others back. If you want more from...

Mark Akins has lived a life of obstacles. And he has overcome each. When suicide looked like rock bottom, there was more in store. Now, Mark is a published Author, a keynote speaker, a workshop facilitator, and a successful salesperson for the Brewer Garrett company. And he is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they've got it down. Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you by The Ruby Group Sandle...

When it comes to teaching leadership and training leaders, who trains you? Dr. Neil Gupta has dedicated his life to young people, and developing leaders to do the same. As the new Superintendent of Oakwood Schools and as the founder of FartherTogether.org, Neil champions leadership development. And that means, he needs to lead well. That's pressure. Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you by The...

ESOP stands for Employee Stock Option Pool. It means the employees become the owners of the business (in simple terms). To make it happen, the business owner often accepts terms that are not quite as lucrative as if they were to sell their business in the open market. And so it's not always an easy leap. It's Shawn Ely's job at Lazear Capital Partners to help put the pieces together in the best in...

John Siuda and Brandon Clemens know their stuff and like to put their unique knowledge to work for their customers. But sometimes the "job" asked for a different approach.. Sometimes the "job" got in the way of getting the job done. And so, they struck out on their own, forming Afia Wealth Management serving their customers their way. It's not easy, but it's on purpose. And that's worth the pressu...

Tim Campbell, owner and Sales and Marketing Director for Dearman Moving and Storage , was a hard driver. He focused on work, results, profits and business. And the stress took its toll. Then...he was found on the floor with a massive coronary event. Statistically, Tim was dead. Spoiler alert, Tim is a walking miracle, and survived against every and all odds. Now, he shares a story of a new approac...