AmiSights: Financing the Future For Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Mason (The Chutzpah Guy) Harris , Founder of The Chutzpah Institute, on what is chutzpah and whether or not it can be taught in an organization.  Born with a "plastic spoon in his mouth" to immigrants who found both safety and opportunity in the U.S., Mason is an observer of people and a lifelong student of self-improvement and business. His education, both f...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Marcia O'Connor , CEO and Founder of the O'Connor Group , on how the employment market has changed post covid and what employees have to do to stay ahead. Marcia started The O'Connor Group with $10K of her own savings. It was time to build the company she's been talking about doing for the prior 10 years!  One day her then 6-year-old son looked up at her and...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Drew Geisler , president of Mainline Metals , about how he is managing supply chain issues and the challenges of managing a commodities business through and after the pandemic.  Andrew started his career in the steel industry at the age of 19, when he was hired by Mainline Metals as a co-op student. Under Bob Dubin's tutelage, Andrew learned the art of cold-c...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Mo Fathelbab , Founder and president of Forum Resources Network , and co-founder of Harvard Business School Alumni Forums, to discuss what makes forums great - and what to avoid. Mo is the author of two best-selling books, Forum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders and The Friendship Advantage - 7 Keys to Building Relationships that Transform Culture a...

Today on AmiSights, the podcast, we have the CEO & Owner of B-Unlimited, Ben Clark ! In 1994, B-Unlimited began as a screen printing company in the hills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ben purchased the business in 2006 with big dreams of elevated artwork, thoughtful print, and impeccable service. In this episode, Ben shares what it was like growing up with learning differences....

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Ryan Surace , Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of Surace & Stanton , on how to know if you have the right accounting department.  With over 15 years of experience, Ryan is especially skilled in providing high quality accounting and taxation services across a range of industry sectors.  His experience in the financial arena gives him particular strength in a...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Tamara Loehr , Co-Founder of Beusail Academy, a serial entrepreneur very much focused on impact - all about giving back and helping bridge the gap in female entrepreneurship.  Tamara is a globally recognized entrepreneur, mum of two young girls, wife and artist (former songwriter and forever painting). Tamara started her first business at the age of 19 years...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Wendy Pease, owner and president of Rapport International, to discuss why words matter. Wendy Pease is the owner and president of Rapport International , a language services company that provides high-quality translation and interpretation services with a specialty in global marketing, legal, and medical services. Throughout her career, she has worked with hu...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Russell Hunter, owner and CEO of Colorado Mountain School , an entrepreneur who bought a business during the pandemic - we'll discover what he's learned and how it's going. After graduating with an accounting degree, Russell spent a very short nine months working as a Public Accountant. He chose to step off the tracks and become an outdoor educator and mounta...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Jim Schleckser , CEO of Inc. CEO Project , to discuss the most important lessons learned by his clients during the pandemic. Jim helps leaders grow their companies by helping them open their point of constraint, the kink in the hose through curated CEO Peer Groups. He has extensive leadership experience with organizations in both public and private environmen...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Smriti Sinha, owner of Natural Healing House, on what it was like to buy a business during the pandemic and how it's going. Smriti Sinha (Sims) is an entrepreneurial leader, who is passionate about building innovative products by marrying consumer-centered creativity with analytical business strategy. Smriti recently transitioned from leading innovation and p...

On this interview, Ami Kassar interviews Justin Donald, Lifestyle Investor® and Entrepreneur, on what lifestyle investing mean and why is it important in an inflationary world.  Entrepreneur Magazine calls Justin Donald the "Warren Buffett of Lifestyle Investing." He's a master of low-risk cash flow investing, specializing in simplifying complex financial strategies, structuring deals, and discipl...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Lisa Zarda, Executive Director of the U.S. Swim School Association , on the challenges swim schools faced during the pandemic and how her association helped them overcome them. Lisa's career in association management spans over twenty years and includes receiving her certified association executive designation in 2010 as well as the Certified Nonprofit Accoun...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Natasha Miller, Founder and CEO of Entire Productions, about her new book and her transformation during the pandemic. Natasha Miller isn't your average CEO. She sits at the helm of Entire Productions , the go-to experience design, event and entertainment production company in San Francisco, and has been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in Am...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Dorian Wiederholt Kassar, teacher and coach, about his new coaching business and what made him start it. Dorian is a business owner, teacher, and coach. Since 2017, he has worked with over 4,000 teens and tweens sharing the principles and practices of mental health, connection, and authenticity. Dorian has trained with incredible mentors in the fields of coac...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks, about their journey working together, building their company, and the highs and lows. John Cronin and his Dad, Mark X. Cronin are the co-founders of John's Crazy Socks , a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. In five years, they bootstrapped their start up into the world's largest sock st...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Kyle McClelland, President at Have Lights Will Travel, on his story of running a business through the pandemic.  Kyle got his start at Have Lights Will Travel in 2005, after asking Reg Willison, founder, when he was going to hire him. Kyle started work the very next day, and after his graduation from the University of Reno four years later, he asked Reg anoth...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews John Dame, Owner & Managing Partner, Dame Leadership , on everything he has learned coaching clients throughout the pandemic, and what's next!  JD received a B.S. in marketing from Pennsylvania State University in 1973. He pursued a career in radio broadcasting for 32 years. His time spent in broadcasting was leveraged as a rich learning platform for his evol...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Brooke Lively, CEO and Founder of Cathedral Capital, on the best advice for business owners about how to get on top of their numbers and stay in control of their business. Brooke is the CEO and Founder of Cathedral Capital , a team of CFOs and Profitability Strategists who help entrepreneurs turn their businesses into profitable companies. After earning her M...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Daniel Shemtob, Restaurateur & Chef, on managing his businesses throughout the pandemic.  Daniel Shemtob 's success is fueled by deep seeded passion, eccentric creativity, and love for community. Being raised to value hard work & intentional effort has helped him get to where he is today. Despite skipping college and foregoing studying at any of the world's m...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Mike Regan, Co-Founder and Chief of Relationship Development at TrazAct Technologies, on managing his business throughout the pandemic.  Mr. Regan is well known and active within the logistics industry. He serves on the Boards of numerous industry groups such as the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC), as the Chairman of the Advocacy...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Brad Stevens, Founder/CEO of Outsource Access, about the pros and cons of global outsourcing. Brad Stevens is a lifetime entrepreneur, 9-year EO Member and Founder/CEO of Outsource Access , an offshore virtual services firm he built to over 400 employees in just over two and a half years that was the only outsourcing firm to win Inc Magazine's "Best in Busine...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Gerald Brisson, President and Owner of Transworld Business Advisors of Houston, on the current state of the mergers and acquisitions market. Gerry has thirty years global business experience which includes managing international business units, directing global marketing, directing global procurement, sales, and operations. Gerry has been involved in hundreds...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Tony Conant, CEO of the American Rental Association, on managing a trade association through the pandemic. Tony is the Chief Executive Officer at American Rental Association; a trade association representing 11,000 rental locations and over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers to the equipment and event rental industry. He is responsible for enabling operational...

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Ian Goff, owner of Goff Tents & Events and Purdon Rental, about his story managing an events rental business during the pandemic and what he learned.  Ian Goff, CERP, is the owner of Goff Tents & Events and Purdon Rental, both full service party and event rental stores throughout Central Kentucky. Ian also has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of...