The Shades of Entrepreneurship™

What does it take to strategically grow and manage a business across multiple industries—from construction to crypto? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Byron Wolfe, Founder of CFO•AF and a seasoned fractional CFO, to discuss how entrepreneurs can leverage financial leadership to scale their companies effectively. Byron brings expertise as a CFO for an...

What does it take to succeed in the fast-paced world of stock trading? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Anmol Singh, Co-Founder of Live Traders, to explore how logical decision-making, data analysis, and emotional discipline can make the difference between profit and loss. Anmol shares the story of how he launched Live Traders, a platform that...

What does it take to turn creativity into a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Jon Jury, a talented Portland artist, to share his story of artistic exploration, creative process, and overcoming challenges in the music and arts industry. From the inspiration behind his music to the lessons learned along the way, Jon p...

What does it take to build a tech company that blends software innovation with hands-on expertise? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Benjamin Johnson, Founder and CEO of Particle41, a company delivering software and product development solutions by seasoned experts. A serial technical co-founder with a proven track record, Benjamin brings a unique per...

What does it truly mean to create value as an entrepreneur? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Sanjeev Loomba, Founder and President of Valuepreneurship®, who shares a transformative approach to building businesses that focus on what is valuable to the consumer—not just the entrepreneur. From London to the global stage, Sanjeev has worked with world-r...

What happens when you take a leap of faith and leave the corporate grind behind? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Aditya Varanasi, Founder and CEO of Awarity, a company transforming the advertising landscape by making high-quality, sustainable marketing accessible for emerging businesses. Aditya’s entrepreneurial journey began at a crossroads,...

How do you raise global awareness about one of the planet’s most critical resources—water? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Robert Strand, Executive Director and CEO of the World Water Film Festival (WWFF), a nonprofit dedicated to highlighting water crises around the world. Through WWFF, Robert provides an international platform for activists...

Have you ever thought about sharing your story but felt like you weren’t a writer? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Steve Kidd, Founder of Thriving Best Sellers, a platform dedicated to helping heart-driven entrepreneurs elevate their voices and become published authors. Steve believes that every entrepreneur is, in essence, an author—whether they r...

How do you help early-stage ventures turn ideas into patented innovations? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Amanda Oborne, Managing Director of Ideaship Fund, a firm specializing in patent development capital for startups. Previously the Executive Director of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), Amanda brings a wealth of experience in supporting...

How do you build a business that tackles climate change while promoting diversity and inclusivity? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes David Burchfield, PE, CEM, President of Burch Energy, a clean energy consulting firm driving sustainable solutions and equitable opportunity in the energy sector. David shares his journey of founding Burch Energy, his p...

Have you ever turned a childhood passion for tinkering into a full-fledged business? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Tyson Traeger, Founder of Wood Pellet Products and owner of Timber Stoves. Coming from a lineage of entrepreneurs, Tyson’s journey began in his workshop as a child, crafting unique creations with his hands. That hands-on ingenuity le...

Have you ever wondered how the world’s most successful startups craft messaging that resonates with investors, customers, and employees? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Brendan Dell, an award-winning messaging expert and tech executive from Bend, Oregon. With experience guiding over 100 early-stage and enterprise brands, Brendan helps companies ref...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build a global company from scratch and take it public? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Frederick Cary, CEO of Ideapros, a serial entrepreneur, senior executive, strategic consultant, attorney, and investment banker who has created billions in corporate value and taken three companies public. With over 600k+...

What does it take to be a pioneer in professional gaming and beyond? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Angel Munoz, Founder, President, and CEO of Mass Luminosity®, a serial entrepreneur shaping the competitive gaming and esports industry since 1990. Best known as the creator of the Cyberathlete Professional League in 1997, Angel is widely rega...

Ever wondered who else is streaming your favorite game or show—and how they’re experiencing it? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Kyle Doran, Co-Founder and CEO of The Net VR, a company merging live streaming and virtual reality to create an immersive theater experience for gamers and audiences alike. Based in Hillsboro, Oregon, Kyle and his team are...

Do you use background noise to work, sleep, or simply relax? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Wayne Altman, Founder of Melody Cloud, a platform delivering binaural beats, guided meditations, and over a thousand audiobooks in more than 100 languages. Wayne’s journey began with his personal battle with tinnitus, inspiring him to explore sound frequenc...

Have you ever picked up a “healthy” food product only to realize the ingredients tell a different story? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores welcomes Elizabeth Fisher, Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Lavva, to discuss how she is redefining what healthy yogurt truly is. After being diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer, Elizabeth rebuilt her diet and...

Have you ever walked into a store and instantly felt connected to the brand—through the layout, the vibe, or the story it tells? That experience isn’t accidental. On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Alex Hudjohn, Co-Founder of STLHD, to dive into how intentional design, storytelling, and customer experience can shape a brand’s success. From the w...

What happens when the search for one answer uncovers a completely different breakthrough? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Mick Emandi, the Executive Director of ClarigenZ, to explore an entrepreneurial journey shaped by curiosity, research, and unexpected discovery. Like many great innovations, ClarigenZ was born not from a direct plan—but fr...

What happens when a founder turns a personal challenge into a category-defining brand? On this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™ , host Gabriel Flores sits down with Jake Rosenberg, the Founder and CEO of Krete, a men’s skincare company reshaping the industry through simplicity, education, and clean, effective formulations. After experiencing a traumatic facial injury, Jake discovered jus...

Have you ever thought about how technology can bridge—or widen—the gap for underserved communities? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Edgar Navas, Founder and CEO of Cliqa Digital Inc., a Portland-based tech company on a mission to narrow the digital divide. From the days of calling cards that financially exploited immigrants and indigenous migrants t...

How can leaders increase performance and drive better results? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Carla Fowler, MD, PhD, Founder and Managing Director of THAXA, to explore the intersection of strategy, productivity, and psychology. From the operating room to the boardroom, Carla shares her journey as an elite executive coach, helping leaders optimize p...

Have you ever felt like you waited too long to plan for the next chapter of your business? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Jessica Fialkovich, Founder of Exit Factor, to discuss the importance of creating a well-thought-out exit strategy. Jessica shares her expertise on preparing businesses for sale, succession planning, and how entrepreneurs can ma...

What does it take to innovate across multiple industries — from advertising to product design to clean-tech? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine, a serial entrepreneur making waves in the world of electric boating. From his early days at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Wieden + Kennedy, to founding his own product de...

Have you ever wondered how entrepreneurs can make a lasting impact beyond their businesses? In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Sybil Akerman-Munson, Founder and President of Do Your Good, to explore the power of philanthropy and creating a meaningful legacy. Sybil shares her journey of building a nonprofit that inspires giving, highlights strategies fo...