Braving Business: Tales of Entrepreneurial Resilience and Courage in the Face of Adversity

In this unforgettable episode of Braving Business , we meet Crystal Ball , whose life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of embracing freedom. Raised in poverty and repression within the infamous “Shiny Happy People” cult, Crystal’s childhood was defined by control and fear. But breaking free was only the beginning. Crystal shares her journey through profound loss, including...

In this powerful episode of Braving Business , we sit down with the legendary Bruce George , a visionary entrepreneur, award-winning poet, and co-founder of the groundbreaking Def Poetry Jam on HBO . With a career spanning four decades, Bruce has earned accolades such as a Peabody Award and a Tony Award , but his true passion lies in empowering others through his Genius is Common Movement . Bruce’...

In this episode of the Braving Business podcast, we’re joined by Jeff Gardner, a PGA award-winning innovator and entrepreneur in the golf gear industry. Jeff’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and unyielding determination. From inventing the groundbreaking Alignment Ball Marker to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, Jeff proves that persistence and passion are the ultimate game...

Join Tal and PJ as they welcome Jessica Gonzales, a Latina powerhouse in resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to the Braving Business Podcast. Jessica's journey is a testament to overcoming adversity, bootstrapping innovation, and redefining sustainability. Episode Highlights: Jessica began her entrepreneurial career by bootstrapping her first company, InCharged, from her parents' house,...

Join us in welcoming Sarah Hurley, a self-made entrepreneur, global brand creator, and founder of SH Brands Group and the Sarah Hurley Academy. From starting her business with just £40 to building a multi-million dollar enterprise, Sarah’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering self-belief. Episode Highlights: Sarah shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings, growing...

Join us as we welcome Bernadette McClelland, ranked one of the Top 35 Women in Sales Globally by Sales Hacker, Tony Robbins collaborator and author of six books on sales and leadership including most recently 'SHIFT and DISRUPT: Stop Selling Widgets. Start Selling Wisdom'. Episode Overview: Bernadette McClelland’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and reinvention. From a successful corporate...

Join us on the Braving Business Podcast as we sit down with Adam Kroener, the co-founder of Carbliss, a trailblazer in the low-carb beverage industry. Adam's journey is filled with resilience, starting with his early days as a teenage father and Army veteran, to building Carbliss alongside his wife, Amanda. Named in honor of a close friend, Carbliss has achieved tremendous growth, earning the titl...

Join us on the Braving Business Podcast as we welcome Joe Huss, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Supply Chain BEST, with a career spanning over 25 years in global business development, product manufacturing, and supply chain management. Joe’s journey from his entrepreneurial family roots to launching his own ventures in North America and Asia is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a...

Episode Summary: Join us as we welcome Monte Holm, co-founder of World Financial Group (WFG), accomplished entrepreneur, and author of Expect to Win . From a challenging start to becoming a global leader in the financial services industry, Monte’s story is one of resilience, strategic planning, and unwavering focus. He shares insights on overcoming adversity, creating a vision for success, and the...

Episode Summary: Join us in this inspiring episode of the Braving Business Podcast as we welcome Krystal and Dedric Polite, stars of the hit TV show 50/50 Flip on Hulu and A&E. Krystal and Dedric share their journey as first-generation real estate investors, where they have grown from owning three rental units to over 70 properties valued in the millions. They’ve built a real estate empire tha...

Join us in welcoming the remarkable and extremely thoughtful Ayeshah Abuelhiga, founder and CEO of Mason Dixie Foods, to the Braving Business Podcast. Ayeshah shares her journey from a successful tech career to launching Mason Dixie Foods, a fast-growing comfort food brand. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey, overcoming challenges, and the pivotal moments that reshaped her business, especia...

Tal and PJ welcome Nadine Chammas, singer, actor, speaker, author and the founder of 'The Life Director,' to the Braving Business Podcast. Episode Summary: Nadine shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Lebanon to becoming a pioneering social impact strategist and life mentor in Dubai. Her work spans theater, music, and personal development, with over 250 theater plays produced and the lau...

Tal and PJ welcome Reid Tileston, an author, adjunct professor, keynote speaker, and expert in Entrepreneurial Business Ownership. Reid’s journey includes acquiring, growing, and successfully exiting four different companies, achieving remarkable success. His new book, "Grit it Done," has quickly become a top seller on Amazon. Reid’s story is not just about triumphs; it’s also about overcoming sig...

In this episode, we welcome Alessandro Tronco, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey embodies the American Dream. Born in Sicily, Alessandro immigrated to the United States at six years old with his family's hopes and dreams. At fifteen, he returned to America alone with only five dollars in his pocket. Alessandro's tenacity led him to Siena College, and from there, he rose to become one of the...

Tal and PJ welcome Christopher Guerrera, who shares his extraordinary journey from working with industry giants like Ford and BMW to becoming a two-time Shark Tank winner and a familiar face on national TV. He discusses the daring decisions that shaped his career, the financial risks he took to fund his ventures, and the pivotal moments that tested his persistence. Christopher also delves into his...

Join Tal & PJ as in welcoming Grace Vandecruze, the founder and Managing Director of Grace Global Capital, to the Braving Business Podcast and internationally best-selling author of "Homeless to Millionaire." Episode Summary: Grace shares her extraordinary journey from growing up as an immigrant and surviving homelessness to becoming a leading figure in the world of investment banking. With ov...

Tal and PJ welcome Shellye Archambeau, a trailblazing technology leader and icon in the business world. Shellye's career began at IBM, where she became the first African American woman to be sent on an international assignment. She was later recruited by Blockbuster and launched their first online presence. Shellye then became one of the first female African American CEOs in Silicon Valley at Metr...

Our guest today is a legend in the music industry, Dr. Matthew Knowles. Known as Beyoncé's father, Matthew is a successful music executive, entrepreneur, author, and professor. He played a pivotal role in the rise of Destiny's Child and the solo careers of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. Founder of Music World Entertainment, Matthew has over 450 million records sold worldwide. His books include “The...

In season 3's season premiere, we explore the exciting world of television with Dave Noll, a mastermind behind some of the most iconic TV series. Dave, who began his TV career in the early 2000s, teamed up with Cleve Keller in 2007 to form Keller/Noll, specializing in game shows and reality formats. This partnership has produced hit shows like "Chopped" and "America Says." Dave is a two-time Emmy...

Tal and PJ welcome Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon, CEO of the multi-million-dollar coaching and consulting brand, Incredible One Enterprises. A two-time Inc. 5000 selectee, Dr. Harmon is a 7-time best-selling author, creator of five powerful business systems, and host of the MOVE To Millions Podcast. Her latest book, Move to Millions® , encapsulates her method for helping clients quickly cross the mi...

In our Season 2 Finale, join Tal and PJ as they dive into the journey of Eric Liedtke, a trailblazer in the fashion industry known for his leadership at Adidas and his courageous shift towards sustainability. Discover how Eric transformed Adidas through innovative collaborations and sustainability initiatives and why he left to co-found The UNLESS Collective, a brand dedicated to regenerative fash...

Dive into the depths of workplace mental health with Dr. MH Pelletier, as she decodes the art of 'strategic resilience.' Her award-winning book, "The Resilience Plan," sets the stage for a dialogue on navigating work performance peaks and mental health valleys with strategic finesse. Key Questions: 1. Dr. Pelletier, could you describe your early days in Northern Quebec and how your life experience...

Carl Grant III shares his transformative journey from his first startup with his father to his remarkable tenure at Cooley, where he led significant growth. Hear how personal challenges catalyzed the innovation of a patented technology and his mission to live abundantly, captured in his latest book. Key Questions: 1. Carl, how did your journey begin in entrepreneurship, and what led to your signif...

Meet Tom Dawkins, the serial entrepreneur and CEO of Start-Some-Good, a catalyst for global social change. This episode dives into Tom's journey from founding three non-profits to his latest venture, Lend-For-Good. Explore his passion for social enterprise, his strategies for overcoming funding gaps, and his mission to democratize impact investment. Key Questions: 1. Tom, what sparked your drive t...

Coach Dan Gordon shares his tumultuous yet inspiring journey from a marketing firm CEO meltdown to becoming an elite coach and speaker. Learn how a devastating loss became the catalyst for a renewed path to success and how Coach Dan helps entrepreneurs navigate their crossroads to achieve "unlimited success." Key Questions: 1. Dan, take us back to that pivotal moment in 2015—how did it steer you t...