Get Back 2 Work

In this conversation between Steve and Bob, you’ll hear how a former investment banker-turned-operator built Summit OS by synthesizing 70+ iconic business books to help founders decentralize decisions, create unique advantages, and keep climbing to the next level. In this episode, Bob Campana and Steve Preda discuss: Founder dependency and the hub-and-spoke problem Shifting to a decentralized “syn...

A former naval architect turns ship-design software into a tool for crafting emotional, pop-up greeting cards and builds a multimillion-dollar brand around human connection. In this conversation, you’ll hear how art, engineering, trust, and grit turned a simple kirigami insight into Lovepop and tens of millions of “magical moments.” In this episode, Bob Campana and Wombi Rose discuss: Origin story...

When does capital become a growth engine, and when does it quietly destroy a business? In this episode, we dive into the difference between good and bad money, how to think about valuation, and what every founder needs to know before signing their next loan or giving up equity. In this episode, Bob Campana and Patrick Donohue discuss: Early entrepreneurial roots and family influence Hill Capital’s...

When all other leaders are obsessed with quarterly returns and optimization, what happens when you put clarity, credibility, and meaning back at the center of your business? In this episode, Bob and Dr. Mitchell Levy break down the C‑Pop, executive abundance, and why your legacy is written in the lives of your stakeholders, not your balance sheet. In this episode, Bob Campana and Dr. Mitchell Levy...

What does it actually take to turn local gigs into a real, sustainable living as a musician? In this episode, Neil Buettner breaks down the business side of art, budgeting, pricing, adding value, and building human connections that keep your calendar full for decades. In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss: Turning a summer of music into a full-time career Budgeting, goal setting,...

A $1 counterfeit-detecting pen, a chance trip to China, and half a million meters of rope light set the stage for a lifelong journey in the Christmas lighting industry. In this episode, hear how a math teacher turned serendipity, risk, and China’s manufacturing engine into a global seasonal business. In this episode, Bob Campana and Pietro Peroni discuss: Pivot from teaching math and physics to en...

Two young journalists leave Kenya and Cameroon for UC Berkeley, trading local newsrooms for a global stage. In this conversation, they unpack the realities of the American dream, the future of African storytelling, and how authenticity will keep human creators essential in an AI-driven world. In this episode, Bob Campana, Victor Ochieng, and Daniel Ekonde discuss: Early life and entry into journal...

What happens when a former solo backpacker trades crowded tourist hotspots for intimate Sicilian baptisms, birthday parties, and hidden museums? In this episode, you’ll hear how deeply curated small group travel can transform your experience of Europe—from logistics and language barriers to food, community, and culture. In this episode, Bob Campana and Timothy Little discuss: Solo backpacking thro...

Tired of crowded cruise ports, rushed bus tours, and souvenir shops that all look the same? In this episode, Bob and travel designer Lino Masani break down the hidden costs of “hit and run tourism” and reveal how small group, relationship-driven travel can restore authentic, meaningful experiences. In this episode, Bob Campana and Lino Mansoni discuss: Over-tourism in major European cities Impact...

A kid who fell in love with mowing lawns at five grows into a stressed but driven entrepreneur managing crews, clients, and his own mental health. In this episode, Abraham opens up about the hidden pressures of small business, why he turned to therapy, and how he’s rebuilding his company with intention. In this episode, Bob Campana and Abraham Navarro discuss: Early passion for landscaping and fir...

A teenage kid from South Modesto joins the Marines, survives brutal deployments in Afghanistan, comes home broken, and starts over as a busboy. In this episode, you’ll hear how he rebuilt his life through hard work, mentorship, and family—on a journey from combat infantry to train engineer. In this episode, Bob Campana and Danny Tabera discuss: Childhood in South Modesto, family, and losing his fa...

A 25‑year veteran of the restaurant world shares how strategic partnerships, authentic storytelling, and a renewed focus on community are helping independent operators rebuild after a decimated industry. Hear how a lifelong collaboration with Cisco, a new café buildout, and a content‑driven approach are redefining what it means to serve food and connect people. In this episode, Bob Campana and Hen...

From flipping cows into cars at 14 to transforming a crime-ridden roadside motel into a stunning boutique hotel, Steven and Vanessa Parks share a raw, real look at what it actually takes to build wealth, take big risks, and keep your marriage and faith at the center of it all. If you’re an entrepreneur wrestling with risk, cash flow, and calling, this episode will feel like a masterclass in bettin...

In this episode, Bob Campana and Marco discuss: Turning small-town news into big-time buzz Cracking the code on “locally viral” TikToks From random rants to purpose-driven storytelling Building real-world community from online clips Patterson’s glow-up: growth, Amazon, and what’s coming next Key Takeaways: The power of “local viral” beats follower counts, and Marco shows that dialing in on hyper-l...

In this episode, Bob Campana and Laureen Campana-Schermeister discuss: What Tai Chi and Qigong Are (and How They Differ/Relate) Origins and History of Qigong and Tai Chi Health and Scientific Benefits of Tai Chi/Qigong How to Practice: Frequency, Class Structure, and Accessibility Energy, Grounding, and Emotional Effects Key Takeaways: Tai Chi and Qigong are presented as intertwined practices: Tai...

In this episode, Bob Campana and Neil Buettner discuss: Suzuki method and early violin training Camp Jack Hazard and campfire music influence Transition from education/autism work to full-time music Building a local music career as a business Real estate investing and long-term financial planning Key Takeaways: Treat music (or any craft) as both art and service, and Neil shows that when you think...

In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Sandler discuss: Power of human connection in business Evolving, empathetic leadership Designing experiences, not just products Growth through immersive, hands-on experiences Legacy built on relationships and memories Key Takeaways: Genuine human connection is a business advantage, not a soft extra; Bob built his pool company and restaurants by making people f...

In this episode, Bob Campana and Doug Sandler discuss: Human connection in business Entrepreneurship after 60 Brick-and-mortar business challenges Global sourcing and travel experiences Inspiration, resilience, and persistence in work Key Takeaways: Bob created this podcast to share five decades of small business experience and the lessons learned from the people he’s met along the way, as he beli...