Business Isn't Hard

In this episode of Business Isn’t Hard , I sit down with Professor Eric Knott to break down what early career growth really looks like and why you don’t need to have everything figured out right out of college. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in HR leadership, consulting, and teaching at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, Eric shares practical advice on approaching y...

In this episode of Business Isn’t Hard , Mark Beauvais shares practical insights from decades of experience in leadership, strategy, and real estate. The conversation focuses on data-driven decision making, building strong business models, and staying adaptable in competitive environments. You will also hear lessons on the importance of relationships, disciplined thinking, and perseverance over th...

In this episode, Tony Imperato shares the mindset and habits that have shaped his career—from the internal drive that pushes great leaders forward to the disciplined routines that create long-term momentum. He breaks down how to recognize real opportunities, build the kind of consistency that compounds, and develop the emotional intelligence needed to lead people effectively. It’s a practical, cle...

In this episode, I sit down with Parisa Zander, a global leader in partner experiences whose career spans Microsoft, Samsung, and Meta. Parisa shares the pivotal lessons that shaped her leadership, from operating with a startup mindset inside massive organizations to navigating the difficult transition from peer to manager. She breaks down how real culture is built through consistent actions, not...

In this episode, Luke Crihfield shares lessons from his journey through consulting and startups, from taking ownership early in your career to leading with curiosity and deep listening. He explains how to find environments where your impact matters, bring solutions instead of problems, and build the skills that fuel long-term growth.

In the final episode of this four-part mini series, I bring everything together... not by talking theory, but by showing how ideas become action. After weeks of exploring success, mindset, and growth, this episode asks the real question: What does it look like to actually live these principles every day? Drawing from dozens of interviews with CEOs, founders, and executives, Oliver uncovers the qui...

At the heart of every great leader’s journey lies one thing: mindset. Skills can be taught and opportunities can be created, but without the right mindset, progress never takes off. In this episode, we explore the seven core attributes that consistently show up across every interview: the traits that shape how leaders learn, lead, and connect with others. From growth and attitude to resilience and...

This episode marks Part 2 of a four-part series unpacking the key themes of the Business Isn’t Hard thesis: a deep dive into what truly drives success among business leaders. In this chapter, we explore the Learning–Leading Spiral , a framework that explains how great leaders continuously evolve by cycling between two core states: learning and leading. Rather than operating on autopilot, successfu...

Welcome back! Today, I'm starting a 4 part mini series, going over the biggest takeaways and finding from my thesis project, which this podcast is a part of. Today, we talk about what success actually looks like for business leaders, defined by 5 key elements: personal fulfillment, financial wellbeing, personal growth, energizing work, and helping others. The regularly scheduled interviews will be...

Breaking into the sports industry - or any competitive field - takes more than talent. It takes discipline, relationships, and vision. In this episode, I talk with Tanner Natzke , Manager of Premium Sales at Tepper Sports & Entertainment and host of the Attitude, Effort, Results podcast. Tanner shares how he’s built his career by stacking daily habits that fuel energy and focus, building genui...

What makes a great leader? Marisa Szem-Stafford, founder of Szem-Szem Consulting and former director of talent development at Hilton, shares how self-awareness and energy management shape success in the workplace. She breaks down how to identify what energizes you, the listening skills that set young professionals apart, and why learning how others work is the fastest way to build trust. You’ll al...

What does it really take to be successful? Dylan Stafford has reviewed thousands of applications, interviewed countless candidates, and ultimately admitted over 5,000 people into one of the top MBA programs in the world. In other words... he knows what separates those who make it from those who don’t. In this episode, we talk about the patterns he’s seen in high achievers (a blend of competence an...

In this episode, Joe Chernov, former CMO and seasoned marketing leader, shares timeless lessons on building a successful career and becoming a great leader. Joe reveals why finding someone who believes in you (and playing the vital role of making that champion look good) is often the key to unlocking new opportunities. He also dives into how to identify your true motivation, the importance of pati...

If you’ve heard “relationships matter” but aren’t sure how to build them, this episode is your roadmap. Our guest went from answering support calls to launching two successful fintech startups by building genuine connections across an entire industry. Through golf outings, sales roles, and consistent follow-up, he didn’t just network, he made himself known. Those relationships became business part...

From Idea to $1.3 Billion: Paul Fiore’s Fintech Playbook Paul Fiore didn’t wait for the perfect idea — he built it. In this episode, the founder of Digital Insight shares how he spotted a breakthrough technology (the web browser), combined it with a lagging industry (credit unions), and transformed online banking forever — eventually leading to a $1.3B acquisition by Intuit. We dive into his frame...

From Store Manager to CEO: Leadership Lessons with Karl Sanft, CEO of 24 Hour Fitness What does it take to go from a fresh college graduate to the CEO of one of America’s largest fitness brands? In this episode of Business Isn’t Hard , I sit down with Karl Sanft , President and CEO of 24 Hour Fitness , to explore his journey from his first management job at age 22 to leading thousands of employees...

In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Sue Rigler (Tempe Business Woman of the Year), a passionate entrepreneur who built Hundred Mile Brewing Co. from the ground up. You’ll learn how everything she did - from her early experiences to securing funding and building the right team - was a step-by-step process fueled by relentless passion and hard work. Discover why having a team...

In this episode of Business Isn’t Hard , I sit down with Jason Quagliata, founder of Q Logistics Group, to unpack what it really takes to go from employee to entrepreneur. Jason’s journey started with years of international experience - living abroad, learning the industry from the inside out, and building authentic relationships that would later become the foundation of his business. We talk abou...

In this episode, I sit down with Bill Binch , an early team member at Marketo and current operating partner at Battery Ventures. Bill shares his journey of working inside high-growth startups—what it takes, what most people get wrong, and how to stand out when the pace is relentless. You’ll learn the difference between founders and operators, why being an “A player” is essential in a startup envir...

What does it really take to thrive in business early in your career? In this episode, we break down powerful frameworks for identifying your strengths, managing your energy, and learning the skills that compound over time. Whether you're aiming to lead, build, or simply get unstuck, this one’s packed with clarity and momentum.

In this episode, Kurt Watkins shares insights from his journey as a successful golfer, entrepreneur, and leader. We dive into how finding your passion can unlock new opportunities, why building strong relationships is a game-changer, and how asking open-ended questions can set you apart. Kurt also reminds us that it’s okay — even necessary — to not have everything figured out right away. If you’re...

When Brandon Wilson co-founded SteadyDynamic, he wasn’t chasing some never-before-seen startup idea—he was building on something he already knew really well: software. After years of learning how to sell, lead, and spot real opportunities in the industry, Brandon and his co-founders didn’t invent a brand-new concept—they just knew they could do it better. In this episode, we dive into how business...

In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Clarke, Co-Founder of StartupAZ and Managing Director at the NAU Venture Studio. Brandon shares a powerful framework for figuring out what you’re meant to do—breaking it down into four key “buckets” to evaluate your career direction. Whether you're a student, a recent grad, or someone navigating your next move, this conversation is packed with practical ins...

In this episode, Tom shares the journey behind building Alaska’s largest fitness club chain, his transition from banking leadership, and the lessons that shaped his approach to success. He dives into the power of emotional intelligence, the importance of being likable, how to find the right mentors, and why partnerships matter more than trying to do it all yourself. Whether you're building your ca...

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Olsen, Founder and CEO of Fasturtle and Refered , to break down the key principles that fueled his success. From going door-to-door to land his first clients to scaling a thriving agency , Eric shares how a simple shift in mindset— How can I help you? —transformed his networking and sales approach. We also dive into building a strong company culture , the hiri...