How'd it Happen?

Dave Mastovich is the Founder & CEO of MASSolutions, a Pittsburgh Pennsylvania based marketing firm, the host of the widely popular “No BS Marketing” podcast, a highly rated Vistage International speaker, a Professor of Marketing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the school from which he earned his undergrad and MBA degrees, and the author of… Continue reading ➞ Dave Mastovich, Marketing...

There are so many people that become successful entrepreneurs but we often don’t know how it happened – and what experiences and motivations led to these extraordinary achievements. In this podcast I highlight 8 Unbelievable Ways People Became Successful Entrepreneurs, to help you find your path and motivation to success. Todd Barden, 401k expert, wealth… Continue reading ➞ 8 Unbelievable Ways Peo...

Jeff Hughes is a serial entrepreneur, attorney and the CEO of Rocket Clicks, Sterling Satellite, Sterling Law Offices, and BizLab. Wow!  As a kid, Jeff ‘s family moved around often, which got him used to often being in new places and around new people.  After graduating from Bob Jones University, Jeff headed to Southern IL University,… Continue reading ➞ Jeff Hughes, Attorney Creates Digital Ad Em...

Josh Jeffers is the Founder and CEO of J Jeffers & Co., a Milwaukee based diversified commercial real estate development company.  Since moving to Milwaukee in 2012, Josh has become a national influencer in the re-development of historic buildings, many of which had been nearly given up on by other developers.  Josh grew up in the… Continue reading ➞ Josh Jeffers, Visionary Developer Restoring...

Andrew Barrieau is the CEO of Felins USA, a sustainable packaging solution manufacturing company headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.  He’s also a long-standing TEC / Vistage International member, a huge Harley Davidson fan and big time Muscular Dystrophy Association supporter.    Andrew grew up outside of Boston in the town of Gardner, MA.  While in high school, he joined his Dad and… Continue reading...

Adam Berger is the President of Doering Fleet Management a corporate vehicle lease and fleet management company headquartered in Brookfield, WI.  He’s also an early stage & angel investor and a Board Member at Brightstar Wisconsin, a non-profit venture capital firm and an expert in electric and autonomous vehicles.   Adam grew up in the Boston area… Continue reading ➞ Adam Berger, Angel Invest...

Alex Kowalski is the CEO of Performance Complete Metal Solutions, a Little Chute, WI based contract manufacturer of metal assemblies and the CEO of Alta Exchange Group, a company that specializes in investment property sales strategies. He’s also a commercial real estate investor and a member of the Young President’s Organization. Alex was recruited to… Continue reading ➞ Alex Kowalski, CEO Proves...

Krista Galbraith is the CEO of K&S Manufacturing, a 45-year-old metal stamping and contract manufacturing company founded by her Dad.  Krista was unexpectedly “handed the keys” so to speak in 2011 when her Dad became ill and could no longer run the business. At the time, she was a nurse, working in the Intensive Care Unit… Continue reading ➞ Krista Galbraith, CEO Manufacturing Success with Cha...

Dr. Sujeet Chand, is a Senior Vice President and the Chief Technology Officer at Rockwell Automation, the global leader in automation controls.   He also serves on the Board of Directors for Proto Labs, HDS Global and Baird Venture Partners and has his name on no less than 15 patents.   After earning his Doctor of Philosophy in… Continue reading ➞ Dr. Sujeet Chand, Leadership Tactics from Rockwell...

Kathleen Gallagher is the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Institute, a Pulitzer winning journalist and the co-author of the book “One in a Billion: The Story of Nic Volker and the Dawn of Genomic Medicine” and co-host, along with Tim Keane, of the “How Did You Do That” Podcast. After graduating from the University of… Continue reading ➞ Kathleen Gallagher, Pulitzer Prize Journalist Launching E...

Jerry Jendusa has mastered how to get unstuck in your business and skyrocket results. He leverages his experience selling an aerospace business that he started in his basement, grew to $100 Million in revenue and employed more than 600 people. He teaches business owners, entrepreneurs, and business coaches how to get your business on a… Continue reading ➞ Jerry Jendusa, How to Get Unstuck in your...

In this video episode Aleta Norris explores what went wrong when Mike “Ignored the Signs” during an acquisition, https://youtu.be/TsCe1TQRxws and how it helped him get a systematic process in place to acquire companies, instead of going on instinct and the notion of “We can fix it, we can fix anything.” Aleta also chats with Mike… Continue reading ➞ 12 Minute CEO Lessons – I Ignored the Signs – Ep...

Jerry Jendusa is the co-founder of STUCK Coaching and STUCK Fund 1 and, before that, the co-founder and CEO of EMTEQ a Wisconsin based aviation equipment manufacturing and engineering company he started in his basement, grew to more than 600 employees producing $100 Million in revenue and sold to a strategic acquirer in 2014.   After graduating… Continue reading ➞ Jerry Jendusa, How to Get Un-Stuc...

In this video episode Aleta Norris explores why Mike believes “All Lessons Come with Pain” and how it how it helps us get up, get going and kept moving on to achieve our goals and get over the pain that we experience along the way. Watch the video https://youtu.be/fLbNlS7_9Vg. Aleta also chats with Mike about… Continue reading ➞ 12 Minute CEO Lessons – All Lessons Come with Pain – Episode 33.5 The...

Monica Zhang is a highschool senior at Brookfield Academy.  Monica is an international student whose home is in Shanghai, China.   In a bit of a role reversal, Monica asked if she could interview Mike about entrepreneurship for her International Freedom Seminar project.  Her goal for the project is to write a case study for global entrepreneurism based on… Continue reading ➞ Monica Zhang, Question...

In this short video episode, Aleta Norris explores why Mike believes “being selfish” helped him become a better leader, grow his company, and accomplish his goals. Watch the Video https://youtu.be/IrhEkQJewqw Aleta also chats with Mike about why he eventually decided to “Like his Grudge,” after he realized that his grudge towards a competitor was distracting… Continue reading ➞ 12 Minute CEO Lesso...

Lance Allan is the lead Sports Anchor for WTMJ Channel 4, a position he started preparing for as a high school student in Rice Lake, WI.  Lance is a University of Wisconsin – Madison graduate and has twice been named the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year.   Prompted by a question his English teacher asked of the… Continue reading ➞ Lance Allan, Diverting from the Script with Top Athletes – Episod...

Mike shares the first tragedy, about the tragic death of his employee, Billy, who died from performing the duties of his job. Mike tells the events of that tragic day as they unfolded, how he felt beside the casket wishing Billy was still here, and his struggle with unanswered questions. This tragic loss of life,… Continue reading ➞ The First Tragedy, I Didn’t Sign Up for This – Episode 31.5 The p...

Ryan Keepman is the second-generation President of Evans Transportation, a transportation & logistics management company.  After graduating from UW Madison in 2004, Ryan began his career in sales where he learned the ropes working for Pitney Bowes selling postage meters essentially door to door. From there, he moved to Tri-State Expedited, a freight brokerage company, where… Continue reading ➞...

Mike explores Leadership – the one thing that we easily recognize when it’s terrible, feel empowered to take on anything when it’s great, and can take a lifetime to master. Get your notepad ready because I know you will find some good leadership habits you will want to start using right away. Stay Calm Be… Continue reading ➞ 10 Leadership Habits That Work, for Me at Least – Episode 30.5 The post 1...

Tommy Tank is the founder and President of Tommy Tank Life After 50, a one of a kind fitness experience gym and brand that is built on Tommy’s passion for fitness and his belief that “you have one body, own it.”  Tommy started his company, and new career, at age 56 after a long career… Continue reading ➞ Tommy Tank, Becoming a Model in your 50s – Episode 30 The post Tommy Tank, Becoming a Model in...

Mike Gosman is the CEO of ACTS Housing, a non-profit with a mission of empowerment through homeownership.   Mike graduated from Indiana University with a degree in History.  As a student, Mike was heavily involved in the Memorial Union Board, where he had the opportunity to plan major campus events that included visits from artists like Maya… Continue reading ➞ Mike Gosman, Betting on Strong Famil...

In this 3rd video episode with Aleta Norris, co-founder of Living as a Leader, I share two stories about ignoring the signs of bad business deals and how I was betrayed by one of my earliest employees, and how it has changed my approach. (Watch here https://youtu.be/y4WdXOKdgzc ) In the first story you’ll learn how… Continue reading ➞ Red Flags Entrepreneurs Can’t Ignore and Betrayal – Episode 28....

Wendy Baumann is the President and Chief Visionary Officer of the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (known as WWBIC), a statewide economic development corporation.  She’s just celebrated her 25th anniversary as WWBIC’s leader.  Wendy credits the roots of her success to her parents and the environment in which she was raised. Her Mom was the academic, a college… Continue reading ➞ W...

In this 2nd video episode with Aleta Norris, co-founder of Living as a Leader, I share two stories about experiencing pain and fear, and the entrepreneurial lessons that it taught me. (Watch here https://youtu.be/GQQlLIiGg2c ) First, I believe all lessons come with pain. As an entrepreneur and CEO, I learned there is no success without… Continue reading ➞ Why Entrepreneurs Need Pain and Fear – Epi...