Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey

What does it take to start a second, completely different business and succeed again? On the latest episode of Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey, we sit down with Viktor Popovic, founder of Avendo, whose story is one of resilience, reinvention, and intentional entrepreneurship. After escaping the former Yugoslavia and building a new life in the United States, Viktor built his first c...

After 28 years in real estate, Lin Boatwright took a leap and launched Innovative Inspections, LLC - proof that sometimes the best next step is building within what you already know. Lin didn’t overcomplicate it. He leaned into his experience, trusted his network, and got started because waiting for “perfect” can keep you stuck. His advice for anyone thinking about making a move: Stay focused. Sta...

Most people think success in sales is about volume. More calls. More meetings. More noise. But for Natasha Walstra, founder of NearPoint Strategies, it started differently. As a self-proclaimed introvert, her first role required 100+ cold calls a day - measured purely by how many appointments she could book. And while others chased numbers, Natasha leaned into something that felt more natural: rel...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

A new episode of Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur’s Journey is out! Patience isn’t flashy. Consistency doesn’t trend. But according to the founder of Ultradian Partners, they’re the real strategy. On this episode of Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur’s Journey, Pete shares lessons from nearly three decades of working alongside entrepreneurs - and the personal turning point that shaped everything: ge...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

KJ Blattenbauer didn’t set out to build a PR firm - she quit her corporate job without a plan, moved to a new state, rented an apartment sight unseen, and started calling “cool people and brands” to see if they needed help. When 13 said yes, KJ realized she should do this the right way and start a business. And just like that, Hearsay PR was born. As the Founder and Publicist of Hearsay PR, and au...

This conversation is a masterclass in sales...and in resilience. Mike’s sales career started early, helping his dad sell boats at the Chicago Boat Show. In the dead of winter, with snow on the ground, he volunteered simply to help his dad - and still outsold the full-time sales representatives. That momentum never stopped. What’s his edge? He builds real relationships. He sells with urgency. He sh...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

A new episode of Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur’s Journey is live - and this one is all about family at the heart of a business. ❤️ Advantage Trailer began 36 years ago when the first-generation owner gathered his family and asked one big question: What business should we build together? Today, the second generation, his two daughters, proudly carry that legacy forward. Now, decisions are made b...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

This month, we’re sharing the story of Albert Bramante, Founder & CEO of Bramante Artists, a New York–based talent agency built on courage, trust, and the belief in doing what you love. With a PhD in clinical psychology, Albert never planned to become a talent agent - let alone start his own agency. But after exploring acting in the early 2000s, he discovered a true passion for supporting and...

Welcome to Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur's Journey Micro Podcast. These short, but sweet (and definitely informative) podcasts will feature the Reverie team diving into strategies, insights, and best practices that help founder-led businesses grow and thrive. At Reverie, we believe every business has its own unique journey, and along the way, there are lessons, tools, and ideas that can ma...

This episode, we sit down with Ashley Cullins, New York Times best-selling author of "Your Favorite Scary Movie" and a lifelong Scream superfan. What started as a pitch to The Hollywood Reporter turned into two published articles, an unexpected email from a literary agent, and eventually, the book she always knew she was meant to write. Ashley opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD lat...

A new episode of Finding Reverie: An Entrepreneur’s Journey is out now! In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, we sat down with Pete and Kara Janus, founders of the Nick Janus Foundation. Their son Nick - bright, kind, and deeply loved - died by suicide just over three years ago, only days into his freshman year of college. Through unimaginable grief, Pete and Kara chose purpose. They built the Nic...

This episode, we’re spotlighting Courtney Rioux — actor, voiceover artist, and life coach — whose journey from a shy kid to a confident performer is both inspiring and deeply relatable. You may know her as Paramedic Courtney on Chicago Med or recognize her warm voice from Jimmy Dean commercials. But behind the spotlight is a story of grit, growth, and self-belief. Courtney opens up about the momen...

This episode, we're diving into the story of Sam Rosen, founder of Deskpass— a marketplace that connects companies with co-working spaces all over the world.  Seven years ago, before coworking became a buzzword, Sam recognized the need to connect people with cool spaces to work in. Fueled by vision, grit, and an unshakable belief in learning through failure, Sam turned obstacles into stepping...

This episode, we're diving into the extraordinary story of Miller McCoy, founder & CEO of Limitless Manufacturing Group — a brand incubator and accelerator that works with modern-day celebrities to monetize them by creating product and lifestyle brands through product development, web/graphic design, fulfillment and logistics, content creation, and touring/routing. Miller’s story began at...

This episode features a conversation with Amanda Wurzbach, the founder of Total Dish - a messaging and branding consultancy. Early in her marketing career, Amanda recognized that what she loved to do is brand storytelling. During the 2008 recession, Amanda was laid off, and after already once having to job hunt in a tough market, she took a leap of faith and began Total Dish. Her father always tau...

This episode features a conversation with Megan Lally, a co-founder & the CEO of Highdive - a Chicago based advertising agency. After gaining extensive experience working at large advertising agencies, Megan began her entrepreneurial journey with a mindset to change how advertising agencies do things. She and her co-founders created Highdive with the intent on building the most healthy relatio...

This episode features a conversation with Amy Falanga and Andrea Newman, Co-Owners and CEOs of The Larko Group, a staffing and recruiting agency. In September 2024, they transitioned from longtime employees to owners when they purchased the company from its retiring founder. Since then, they’ve focused on strengthening the business’s foundation, taking the time to understand every aspect of owners...

This episode is a conversation with Sean Fahey, the owner of SPF Productions, a company specializing in videography, video editing, and music composition. Having been in business for just over a year, Sean has focused his first year on pursuing projects he's passionate about and building connections with like-minded individuals. Along the way, he’s discovered that staying productive and conti...

This episode is a conversation with Frank Kuhlman, President of Maxi-Blast, which specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of non-abrasive plastic blasting media and machines. Frank began his career at Maxi-Blast after graduating from college. Starting in the marketing department and working his way up in the company, he was eventually offered ownership in the company. Frank sees himself...