21st Century Entrepreneurship

Dan J. Berger is the Founder and CEO of Assemble Hospitality Group and the author of The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging . We spoke about how early life traumas, entrepreneurship, and the deep human need for connection shaped both his personal journey and his professional mission. Dan revealed that building his multimillion-dollar company wasn’t a story of youthful ambition — it w...

Julio G Martinez-Clark is a pioneer in the world of clinical research for medical devices, and we spoke about why so many American innovations never get tested on American soil first. As the founder and CEO of Bioaccess, the only U.S.-based CRO dedicated to first-in-human trials in Latin America, Julio brings an insider’s perspective on how to save medtech startups from trial-related dead ends. Di...

Nick Halaris is an entrepreneur, writer, real estate investor, and engaged citizen. We spoke about what it truly means to be successful in today’s world — not just financially, but morally, socially, and personally. What starts as a pursuit of the American dream evolves into something deeper: a mission-driven philosophy of ownership, contribution, and integrity. Nick walks us through the three dis...

Bill Wilson is the CEO of Pace Pricing and a seasoned expert in B2B SaaS pricing, having coached over 400 companies to refine their monetization strategies. We spoke about the art and science of pricing, unpacking how it’s less about picking a number and more about aligning with customer value. From overcoming founders’ pricing anxieties to crafting effective packaging models like good, better, be...

Kenny Ridgell is a serial entrepreneur who traded his biochemistry degree for a mission to help Main Street businesses thrive in a digital world. We spoke about his journey from a college app idea to running multiple ventures, including a trash company that turned a $10,000 investment into $100,000 in six months. The conversation unpacked how he uses data-driven strategies and AI tools to cut thro...

Minal Joshi Jaeckli is a global citizen with a remarkable journey—born in Africa, raised in Georgia, and now a Swiss passport holder—and the author of The Goldilocks Team: Master Retention and Hiring . We spoke about the elusive art of employee engagement, the real cost of turnover, and why so many retention strategies miss the mark. With a background spanning chemistry, semiconductors, and financ...

Don Finley is a seasoned innovator, founder and CEO of FINdustries, with a decade of experience in artificial intelligence, holding a computer science degree from the early days of AI’s “winter,” when the math was ready but the tech wasn’t. We spoke about the transformative wave of AI sweeping through businesses, how it’s reshaping work, and why it’s a rare opportunity—akin to the dot-com boom or...

Lance Mortlock is a seasoned strategist with 25 years of experience, an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary, and the author of Outside In Inside Out and Disaster Proof . We spoke about the critical role of strategy in today’s unpredictable, fast-changing landscape, where leaders face unprecedented complexity—from tariffs and geopolitical shifts to climate change and digital transformati...

Johanna Laurent is a vibrant entrepreneur and advocate for positivity who has spent 25 years in business, fueled by an unshakable belief in the power of optimism. We spoke about her journey of turning blind faith into a tangible tool for personal growth, the importance of self-love, and how small, intentional shifts can combat the negativity bombarding us daily. Her mission is clear: to help peopl...

Emmy Sobieski is a seasoned institutional investor and author who has coached mentees to millions and worked alongside billionaires. We spoke about why so many talented professionals stumble into startups chasing equity that often turns worthless, and how to rethink your career as your most critical investment. The conversation zeroes in on her "Mega Wealth Money Flywheel"—a strategy ble...

Liz Steblay is a mentor, champion, and author who’s spent over 20 years guiding solopreneurs to success. We spoke about her journey from an unexpected layoff at a Fortune 500 company to building a fulfilling career as an independent consultant, and how she’s distilled her wisdom into her book, Succeeding as a Solopreneur . Our conversation unpacked the realities of going solo—why so many hesitate...

Beau Eckstein is a seasoned expert with over 26 years of experience guiding real estate entrepreneurs and business owners, and we spoke about unlocking the secrets to financial freedom through small business ownership. With a mission to help 100,000 aspiring entrepreneurs over the next decade, Beau shares actionable strategies for leveraging SBA financing, tax codes, and real estate to create last...

Tom Verboven is a leadership strategist focused on selecting and developing the right leaders to create value for individuals, organizations, and society. We spoke about what makes a great leader, how leadership selection impacts business success, and the hidden risks of getting it wrong. Leadership decisions can make or break an organization. As Tom puts it, “If you select the wrong leader, you&a...

Brent Kesler is a former chiropractor turned financial educator who discovered a powerful system that transformed his life and finances. We spoke about how he eliminated $984,711 of debt in just 39 months without working harder, taking additional risks, or changing his cash flow—and how you can do it, too. Brent introduces us to a concept that has been quietly used by wealthy families like the Roc...

Luisa Molano is a business growth strategist and coach helping female entrepreneurs scale their revenue without losing themselves. We spoke about the moment she realized her long-climbed corporate ladder was leaning against the wrong wall—and how she found the courage to leap into entrepreneurship. Luisa’s story is a familiar one: she followed the script, climbing to a national director role in a...

Brook Shepard is the Founder, CEO, of Mason Interactive and a seasoned performance marketing expert with 16 years of industry experience, leading a firm that manages billions in client assets. We spoke about the evolution of digital advertising, the rising dominance of creative strategy, and how AI is reshaping media buying without replacing human ingenuity. Brook shares key insights from his jour...

Avigail Berg is the Owner, Manufacturer, Wellness Expert, Visionary & Futuristic Entrepreneur behind TheSoundWell Vibro-therapy. We spoke about how harmonic low sound frequencies are being used to alleviate pain, stress, insomnia, and anxiety, helping people achieve better mental and physical well-being. Avigail shared the origins of her journey, starting with her master's thesis in holis...

Diane Strand is an Executive Producer - Spirit of Innovation, CEO of JDS Studios, Nonprofit Founder & Executive Director, Serial Entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, and Bestselling Author #JDSFamily. We spoke about the journey of entrepreneurship, the power of saying “yes” to opportunities, and how creativity can be the foundation for business success. Diane has built multiple businesses, including a...

Cory O'Daniel is the CEO and co-founder of Massdriver and a co-founder of OpenTofu. We spoke about the growing skills crisis in cloud operations, the limitations of AI in solving it, and how companies can bridge the gap between software development and infrastructure management. Cory warns of an impending "existential crisis" in cloud expertise: "There is not a ton of people th...

Jeff Sauer is a data-driven marketing expert, co-founder of MeasureU.com and ProfitSchool, and an educator who has helped thousands of professionals master digital measurement and optimization. We spoke about the power of tracking and analyzing marketing efforts, how to turn insights into action, and why problem-solving is the ultimate key to business success. Jeff started as a website developer i...

Fletcher Wimbush is a hiring expert who has spent his career helping business leaders build high-performing teams. We spoke about why hiring is one of the most overlooked yet crucial skills for any leader—and how to get it right every time. Hiring the right people isn’t just about intuition; it’s a process that can be systemized and refined. Fletcher knows this firsthand. After stepping into his f...

Mark McNally, co-founded FiltersDirectUSA and co-owner of FSI Mechanical, is an entrepreneur with a relentless drive and an inspiring journey from Belfast to the U.S., where he built multiple successful businesses from the ground up. We spoke about the leap of faith that brought him and his family across the Atlantic, the unexpected interview that landed him his first job, and how a simple pizza b...

Matthew Sanjari is a business coach and strategic consultant who knows firsthand the transformative power of pain. We spoke about how unexpected life events can not only derail plans but also reshape our understanding of success, growth, and purpose. Matthew shared his deeply personal story of surviving a life-altering accident, confronting physical and emotional pain, and rebuilding his life with...

Dikshant Dave, CEO of Zigment - Agentic AI for Performance Marketing & Selling, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, and we spoke about how AI is transforming the landscape of consultative selling. Drawing from his journey—from running a direct-to-consumer business to founding an AI-driven solution—Dikshant shared actionable insights into scaling meaningful customer eng...

Alex Rawitz is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of DIMO, with over a decade of experience spanning technology, blockchain, IoT, and startups. We spoke about the future of connected devices, the challenges of interoperability, and how empowering individuals with control over their data can unlock tremendous value across industries. Alex shared insights on the intersection of IoT and blockchai...