Leaders Across America With Steve Acorn

On today's show, we talk to alumni Dana Ward who, at the age of 18, was able to run a $75,000 business with $14,000 in profit.   Currently working as a management trainee, Dana's new boss heard about her experience in the YEAA program and was so impressed by her skills and experience that she will be eventually placed in a management position, just two years out from university.   You'll discover...

Today's episode of Leader Across America is a very special one, because we are featuring Mark McBride, the father of one of our interns, Jenna McBride.   Mark will be offering some unique insights as a parent, seeing the program and its results from the outside, as well as the effect it's had on his daughter.   In this episode, you'll discover Mark's initial reaction when Jenna came home with info...

On today's show, we feature alumni Austin Hines who, in a single summer, was able to run a $155,000 business with earnings over $30,000.   As a current senior at the University of Cincinnati, his particular internship program only offered him a single summer where he could make money. He applied himself and made the most of it, being very successful as a result.   In this episode, you'll learn abo...

On today's show, we interview Nick Germano who shares some of his insights after just finishing his first internship. From struggles at the beginning to assembling a great team and finding success, Nick offers some great advice for those considering the program.   You'll learn about Nick's background prior to joining the internship as well as the decision he had to make as to whether or not it was...

On today's show, we interview Riley Parker who shares with us her thoughts on being a woman in a male-dominated business. You will learn how YEAA impacted Riley's job search and dramatically altered the trajectory of her career. Fortunately for Riley, when she signed up for the YEAA internship, her parents backed her up as much as possible. While many women would be opposed to running a painting b...

On today's show, we interview Riley Parker who shares with us her thoughts on being a woman in a male-dominated business. You will learn how YEAA impacted Riley's job search and dramatically altered the trajectory of her career. Fortunately for Riley, when she signed up for the YEAA internship, her parents backed her up as much as possible. While many women would be opposed to running a painting b...

On today's show, we interview David Knollman from Amazon who shares with us his distilled wisdom on constantly challenging yourself, and overcoming your obstacles. As a student at the University of Cincinnati, when David first came across Young Entrepreneurs Across America, he was hugely sceptical. And admittedly, he thought that the internship was "too good to be true". Talking to his peers convi...

On today's show, we interview David Knollman from Amazon who shares with us his distilled wisdom on constantly challenging yourself, and overcoming your obstacles. As a student at the University of Cincinnati, when David first came across Young Entrepreneurs Across America, he was hugely sceptical. And admittedly, he thought that the internship was "too good to be true". Talking to his peers convi...

Can a YEAA internship dramatically alter your career trajectory? On today's show, we interview former YEAA intern and Sales Engineer, Keyence Corporation, Sean Burtless-Creps who shares with us his distilled wisdom on work ethic, handling rejection, and entrepreneurship. Sean chanced upon the YEAA opportunity when he was pursuing his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan. Encouraged by t...

Is it even possible for a sophomore to manage a $2 million business? On today's show, we interview Kevin Hiselman who shares with us his distilled wisdom on perseverance, and overcoming your fears. You will learn how Kevin managed a $2 million painting business while he was a sophomore at UMass, Amherst. Kevin was first introduced to YEAA when he was taking classes at UMass. And while he has eager...

Can the YEAA internship have a truly transformational impact on your life? On today's show, we interview the incredible Blake Johanson who shares with us his distilled wisdom on building your confidence, and being adaptable. You will also learn how the YEAA internship helped Blake land his dream internship. Blake interned with YEAA in his freshman and sophomore year in 2020, the year of the pandem...

On today's show, we interview Logan and Chris who share with us their YEAA experience, and how the internship has changed their life. They share the highs and lows which they encountered as they ran $90,000 painting businesses while earning a $15,000-$20,000 profit. Last year, Logan, a Northern University student and Chris, a Penn State student were both searching for an internship that would trul...

How can you make the most of your formative years? And, what are some things that you can do right now to gain massive forward momentum in the long run? On today's show, we interview Tom Pivoso, Founder Campus Well who shares with us his distilled wisdom on resilience, confidence, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Back in 1989, Tom was a sophomore at the University of Delaware when he chanced...

On today's show, we interview Scott Snyder who shares with us his thoughts on entrepreneurship, faith, and mindset. Scott interned with Young Entrepreneurs back in 1998 when he was a student at the University of Miami. In his first year as a student painter, Scott ended up earning a respectable $11,000 in profits on sales of $43,000. However, bogged down by the stress of managing a business, Scott...

Ever wondered about the interconnectedness of the global economy? And how COVID has disrupted industrial operations across the world? On today's show, we interview Marty Kelcher, Purchasing Manager, Mainline Supply Company. He will share us his thoughts on entrepreneurship, delegation at the workplace, and the macro-economy. 13 years ago, in 2008, Marty ran a $50,000 painting business in Dayton an...

How do you know that you are cut out to run a business? And what are some of the biggest challenges that you are likely to encounter as you make your foray into entrepreneurship? On today's show, we interview former YEAA painter and manager, Michael Page, Ken Hansell who shares with us his distilled wisdom on stepping out of the comfort zone, fostering the right team culture and the meaning of res...

In today's episode of the Leader Across America podcast, Steve sits down with Aaron Acorn and Josh Drushel, both Vice Presidents of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program for the final episode of their special four-part series. The topic for today's show involves the benefits students can gain by being part of the Young Entrepreneurs Across America program. As the summer winds down and we...

What is the ONE thing that can springboard you miles ahead of the competition? On today's show, we interview Matt Buhl, Employee Benefits Services, USI Insurance Services who shares with us his wisdom on grit and relationship building. You will learn how his YEAA internship helped him land 9 job offers while he was still in his second to last semester of college.  Matt interned with YEAA from 2014...

On today's show, Aaron and Josh join us for the third part of our special 4-part series. The topic for today's show is the importance of finishing your YEAA internship strong.  The YEAA internship starts in February and ends in July or August. Like everything that is incredibly rewarding, interns need to put in a monumental effort to be successful. And so, it is natural to notice signs of burnout...

On today's show, we interview rookie managers, Cohan Robinson and Elijah LeMar who share with us the transformational impact that the YEAA internship has had on their lives.  Currently three months into their internship, both Cohan and Elijah are on track to run large and extremely profitable painting businesses. After signing up with YEAA, life has taken a 360-degree turn for both Cohan and Elija...

What is the secret sauce behind hyper-growth and success? On today's show, we interview Seth Helfman , President, City Contracting Services who shares with us his thoughts on entrepreneurship, delegation, and focus. You will learn how Seth has managed to grow his contracting business from 0 to $6 million in 7 years flat. Growing up, Seth always had his eyes set on entrepreneurship. So, after gradu...

How do some student managers manage to hit audacious sales goals and earn cushy profits? While their counterparts enjoy limited success even after working equally hard?   On today's show, we are joined by YEAA Vice-President's Josh Drushel and Aaron Acorn who share with us some of the biggest things that can help you evolve from being a good manager to a great one. At Young Entrepreneurs Across Am...

How can a YEAA internship help you build the foundational skillsets that can catapult you ahead of the competition? On today's show, we interview Brian Rossini, brand manager for Thrasio who shares with us his distilled wisdom on failure, grit, and leadership.  Back in 2016, Brian ran a $103,000 painting business with YEAA earning a handsome profit of $22,000. For his efforts, he even earned the M...

Is it even possible for an eighteen-year-old to get managerial-level experience that is typically available to people in their mid-thirties? On today's show, we interviewed UMass student Matt Mongiat. Matt worked with YEAA from 2018-2020 and currently, he is in charge of recruiting for the wellness tracking company, Vessel Health. On today's show, Matt shares his distilled wisdom on entrepreneursh...

What is it that top performers do differently? What is the secret success mantra that allows them to win again and again? On today's show, we interview Matt Scherer, Account Director, AT&T Global who shares with us his distilled wisdom on entrepreneurship, marketing, and tenacity. As a business leader with AT&T today, Matt manages more than $80 million in revenue today. Back in 1994, Matt interned...