How'd it Happen?

Dr. Tom Deans is an Entrepreneur and the author of “Every Family’s Business: 12 Common Sense Questions to Protect Your Wealth”, a book that has sold more than a million copies in more than 100 countries and been selected by the New York Times as one of the top ten books that business owners should read.… Continue reading ➞ Dr. Tom Deans, CEO and Author, Why Silence is Killing Family Business Succe...

Joe Fazio is the Co-Founder and CEO of Commerce State Bank, a community bank that has grown rapidly. Joe’s led a wide-ranging career, that did not start on a track toward banking. He started in sales with the IBM Corporation and subsequently worked in Trust Management, General Management and Business Development positions. He also became the CEO of a technology start-up company. In 2017, Joe… Cont...

Jim Zaiser is the President & CEO of Hydro-Thermal Corporation, a third-generation manufacturer of direct steam injection technology systems. Jim spent a decade working outside of the family business for companies like Robert Bosch and Strattec Security Corp. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University and MBA from Keller Graduate School. Jim… Continue reading ➞ Jim Zai...

John Corcoran is a partner at Rise 25, a company that helps B2B businesses get more clients, referrals and strategic partners through their ‘done for you’ podcast service. He’s also host of the The Smart Business Revolution podcast where he interviews today’s top entrepreneurs and authors to reveal how they use relationships to grow their businesses and their incomes. John graduated… Continue read...

Mark Burish is a partner at the law firm, Hurley Burish. Mark graduated from Marquette University and the UW Madison Law School. In addition to his law practice, Mark is a real estate investor, an entrepreneur – he’s owned and sold two assisted living community companies –a philanthropist – he is one of the founding… Continue reading ➞ Mark Burish, Law Partner, Investing in Senior Living, Restaura...

Mike Harris is the Founder & CEO of Patina Solutions, a leading interim management firm for professionals with 25+ years of experience who desire — and choose —to work in rewarding, engagement-based roles. Mike has a unique collection of experiences. He began his career in public accounting, moved into an analyst role with a venture… Continue reading ➞ Mike Harris, CEO, Patina Nation – the Ris...

Aleta Norris, the leadership development expert and co-founder of Living as a Leader, has just written a book, titled, “Women Who Spark: 12 steps to catapult happiness, cultivate confidence, and discover the purpose of your life.” In her book, Aleta shows you how to create a life you love, defined by, turning an overwhelming to-do… Continue reading ➞ Aleta Norris, Women Who Spark: 12 Steps to Happ...

Brad Davidson is a California based fitness expert who trains professional athletes and executives how to optimize their energy by understanding what he calls their symptomology and by making sure that their SHMECK is in check. Brad is also an entrepreneur, having started his first fitness gym as a young adult while living out of his car, the author of… Continue reading ➞ Brad Davidson, World Clas...

Steve Palec has just written a book, where your journey begins alongside him in a speech classroom and takes you into interviews with greats including Ringo Starr, Les Paul, Don McLean, and Alice Cooper. You’ll walk with him on the diamond at Miller Park and the grounds of Lambeau Field. Follow his ups and downs… Continue reading ➞ Steve Palec, In Awe: Beatles, Baseball, & Bourbon – Appreciati...

Christine Specht is the CEO of Cousin’s Subs, a Wisconsin based sub shop chain started by her Dad and his cousin in 1972. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminology & law studies from Marquette University and a master’s in public administration from American University. Although Christine worked in the family’s restaurants as a teenager,… Continue reading ➞ Christine Specht, CEO, Evolving the...

Deeatra Kajfosz is the Executive Director of LiFE OF HOPE, a non-profit she created that is in the business of saving lives that may otherwise end prematurely by suicide. Raised by a single mother, Deeatra learned at age 6 that the man she called Dad was not actually her father. Her mother was not forthcoming… Continue reading ➞ Deeatra Kajfosz, Executive Director, Saving Lives from Ending Prematu...

Matt Morin is the Founder & CEO of Home Fit, the customized workout that comes to you. Matt launched Home Fit after starting his career as a professional MMA fighter and professional fitness trainer. He saw an opportunity and a need to deliver his unique and proven fitness approach to clients in the privacy of their own homes and… Continue reading ➞ Matt Morin, CEO, Your Home Based Solution to...

Giacomo Falluca is the CEO of Palermo’s, one of the largest independent frozen pizza brands and contract pizza manufacturer in the US with more than 650 employees and revenue of several hundred million dollars annually. Palermo’s brands include Palermo’s, Screamin’ Sicilian, Urban Pie and Connie’s. Giacomo is a member of Vistage and one of a few select members of Dr. Tom Hill’s, Hill’s… Continue r...

Dr. Nido Qubein is the President of High Point University, a school from which he graduated after immigrating to the United States when he was 17 years old. Having been an entrepreneur and a successful businessman, Dr. Qubein was serving on the High Point University Board when the need for a new President arose. In… Continue reading ➞ Dr. Nido Qubein, High Point University President, Happiness thr...

Dr. J.J. Peterson is the Chief of Staff at Story Brand, a Nashville TN marketing firm that helps companies clarify their message and grow their business. J.J. has a Masters in the study of story and recently earned his Doctorate in Philosophy with an emphasis on story from Regent University. He’s dedicated his life to making… Continue reading ➞ Dr. J.J. Peterson, Why Your Marketing Needs Customers...

Dave Strand is a private investor and previous Owner & CEO of Wisconsin Oven Corporation, an East Troy, WI based manufacturer of large heat treat and other specialty thermal ovens for industry. When Wisconsin Oven was sold to Thermal Product Solutions, Dave became its CEO, responsible for 4 oven manufacturing companies located throughout the United States. He’s also the author of an… Continue...

Paul Schueller is the founder and CEO of Franklin Energy, and the author of “The Squeeze” his debut novel, which Mike highly recommends. From a young age, Paul became interested in power generation and that interest led him to become a mechanical engineer and get a job at the local gas & utility company, where he worked for 7 years before deciding… Continue reading ➞ Paul Schueller, CEO, Energ...

Jim Lindenberg is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Lindy Enterprise, a consulting practice that helps business owners develop and execute strategies that improve results. Prior to founding Lindy Enterprises, Jim founded World Class Wire & Cable, an electrical distribution company that he grew rapidly before selling to a strategic buyer in 2008. Since then, Jim has owned and sold… Continue...

Scott Welsh is the CEO of Inland Companies. Inland is a global partner with Colliers International and one of Wisconsin’s largest commercial real estate brokers. Scott purchased the business from his father in 1996 when he returned to Milwaukee after cutting his teeth as a commercial real estate broker in Minneapolis. The business has grown dramatically under Scott’s leadership and… Continue readi...

Ian Abston is the Founder and CEO of Millenian, LLC where he helps large corporate clients attract, engage and retain top-performing millennials.   He also serves as the Director of the Hoan Group, a group comprised of more than 100 of Milwaukee’s future civic leaders committed to developing the leadership necessary to create change within Milwaukee and… Continue reading ➞ Ian Abston, How to Attra...

Dr. Sean O’Mara is the lead partner at Lantu Solutions, a Minneapolis based medical startup that optimizes patient health by leveraging health and disease biomarkers.  Prior to Lantu, Dr. O’Mara founded Guardian 24/7, an innovative medical service company providing elite concierge medical care to ultra-high net worth individuals and royalty.  The company designed and developed clandestine, satelli...

Chris Widmayer is the Co-Founder & CEO of Penrod, a consulting company that delivers innovative solutions to clients using Salesforce software. Chris and his co-founder started Penrod working together on Skype while watching shows like Friday Night Lights and the Jersey Shore.  The business has grown dramatically and now employs more than 60 people in 3 states. Recently,… Continue reading ➞ Ch...

Gina Peter is the North Division Executive for Commercial Banking at Wells Fargo.  She has an undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a MBA from the University of Chicago that she earned while working full time. Gina developed a love for sports, travel and business at a young age that… Continue reading ➞ Gina Peter, Executive, Breaking Bias for Leaders in Com...

Greg Marshall is the Chief Storyteller at CI Design, a creative marketing agency that provides strategic planning, brand, app and video creation and more.  He’s an entrepreneur, having merged his creative business with CI Design, a 2 time Emmy winner and the producer of a video series with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and attorney… Continue reading ➞ Greg Marshall, Chief Story Telle...

In this story, I share what goes on in my introverted head when I’m ‘forced” to meet new people in networking type situations and how I’ve learned to deal with it. I know it’s not my “fault” that I’m an introvert but being so has made it difficult for me to enthusiastically seek out and… Continue reading ➞ Taking a Chance on New Meetings – Episode 61.5 The post Taking a Chance on New Meetings – Ep...