Listening With Leaders

In this podcast episode, your host Doug Noll talks to Kristen Hayer, the founder and CEO of The Success League. She shares her journey from working in corporate America to starting her own business. Their discussion revolves around customer success, the challenges of building a customer success team, and the metrics used to measure success. Kristen also discusses the importance of leadership devel...

In this podcast episode, Doug Noll introduces Jordan Diatlo, founder and CEO of Lead Off Studios, an industrial design firm. Diatlo shares his journey from graphic design to industrial design, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding the end user in the design process. He also discusses the process of moving from design concepts to manufacturing, the importance of being a people per...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and COO of AtWork Group, Jason Leverant. Jason's career path is a testament to the fact that life can take unexpected turns. He started in the golf industry, marketing clubs, and balls to mass audiences through big box chains. However, his career trajectory shifted dramatically when he found his way into the temporary staffing space, establishing hims...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and CEO of Sourcefit, Andy Schachtel. Andy's career began in traditional media and advertising, where he worked closely with Japanese advertising agencies. His fluency in Japanese and French, coupled with his experience in licensing US media properties for mobile phones in Japan and Europe, gave him a unique perspective on the global market. One of An...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Chief Solutions Officer of Suitable Solutions, Shanika Palm. Shanika's background is impressive. She spent over two decades in corporate America, including a 15-year stint with the largest healthcare administrator in Alabama. In 2017, she took a leap of faith and founded Suitable Solutions. Her first client was a government contractor in the DMV area (DC, Maryl...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO and Founder of Peritius, Laura Dribin. Lauren's journey into the consulting industry is a fascinating one. After majoring in math in college, she began her career at Arthur Andersen Consulting, now known as Accenture. Her journey then led her to Microsoft, where she served as an evangelist. However, a significant life event, becoming pregnant, prompted her...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Owner and Founder of PinkTag, Britney Renbarger. Brittany's entrepreneurial journey began in the comfort of her own home, with her husband building her a website to kickstart her online business. She started by purchasing clothing she loved and shipping it to her home. The first year was slow, with locals visiting her house to shop. However, when the pandemic h...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Rocally, Tiffany Henderson. Tiffany's journey to law school was not a straightforward one. With a background in political science and communication, she was often suggested to consider law school. However, she desired to advocate for others, especially after witnessing the struggles of small businesses during the pandemic, which truly drew her to law sch...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Laserfiche, Karl Chan. Laserfiche is a company that specializes in digital transformations for businesses. Karl has been with the company for an impressive 35 years, starting when it only had eight employees. Karl's long tenure with Laserfiche and his rise from a junior employee to CEO in a family-owned business is nothing short of remarkable. His intere...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Crown Yourself Enterprises, Kimberly Spencer. Kimberly's entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days of selling glitter water to her current role as a successful businesswoman, Kimberly's story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and passion. Kimberly's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age. R...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Co-Founder of goTIELESS, Rob Kessler. Rob's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. The concept of shirt stays and how they differ from collar stays. For those unfamiliar, shirt stays are designed to prevent collars from curling, ensuring your shirt looks crisp and professional all day long. Rob's inspiration for this i...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder of Skanties, Susie Taaffe. Susie's journey is as unique as it is inspiring. With a master's degree in finance and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, she started her career in waste metal extraction through the electrolytic recovery process. However, her interest in business led her to research potential companies that could use this technology...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founding Partner and Creative Director of Liquified Creative, Shawn Noratel. Shawn's journey in the industry has seen a significant shift from print to digital, and now, to artificial intelligence. He acknowledges the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, but firmly believes they cannot replace the human aspect of creativity and problem-solving. For Shawn, technology...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder of The Maniscripting Journal, Samantha Kozuch. Samantha's journey is a fascinating one; she initially planned to go to medical school but realized it wasn't the right path for her. Instead, she decided to pursue entrepreneurship, a path that wasn't widely supported at the time. Starting as a model and actor, Samantha used social media to document her li...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Upgraded Technologies, John Metcalf. John's parents ran an automotive shop, and he was homeschooled until high school. This unique upbringing, John believes, instilled in him positive self-talk, a trait he attributes to his parents' decision to homeschool him. They wanted him to have a different educational experience than they did, one de...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of Feed the Children, Colleen Ridenhour. Colleen has an intriguing journey from working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles to building a corporate social responsibility platform. Through this experience, Colleen discovered her passion for nonprofit work, leading Colleen to leave her corporate job to make a difference...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Founder and COO of Cornerstone Paradigm Consulting, Amanda Russo. Amanda's passion for business operations and her unique approach to problem-solving have made her a sought-after consultant in the corporate world. Amanda's journey into the world of business operations began in her teenage years, working part-time in a restaurant. It was there that she learned a...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the COO and Co-founder of Merit, Jacob Orrin. Having lived in various places before settling in Silicon Valley, Jacob experienced firsthand the frustration of not being able to easily verify credentials and access programs in our modern, tech-driven world. This frustration led to the creation of Merit, a platform designed to streamline the process of identity verif...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of Lighthouse, Ron Markezich. Ron's diverse experience in different functions and disciplines sets him apart. He has worked in various roles at Microsoft and even draws on his consulting background. Ron believes that having a broad network and building relationships within the company has helped him move across disciplines. Lighthouse plays a crucial role i...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the President and Founder of FullStack Modular, Roger Krulak. FullStack Modular is the leading innovator in the design, manufacture, and construction of mid- and high-rise modular buildings in urban environments. Roger Kulak is no stranger to the construction industry. Growing up in a construction and development family, he has a rich background in the field, compl...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CFO and Chief Health Systems Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Dawn Koffarnus. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores, and distributes donated food to more than 625 feeding partners in seven Central Florida counties. Second Harvest Food Bank, a major player in the fight agains...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Hotel Emporium, Andy De Silva. Hotel Emporium is a leading direct manufacturer of premium hotel amenities founded in 1997. From the start, the company's motto and goal have been six small words: "Quality and Service You Can Trust." They pride themselves in supplying amenities that deliver quality, luxury, and sophistication. Andy's journey...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Chairman and CEO of Skyline Robotics, Michael Brown. Skyline Robotics knows human values go beyond machines, and that is why, starting with window cleaning at heights, they are revolutionizing all types of facade maintenance work. Skyline Robotics brings you closer to a cleaner, safer, and more efficient environment. The industry keeps evolving at an accelerate...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the CEO of BLVR, Adam McWethy. BLVR is an independent creative consultancy headquartered in Solana Beach, California. From strategy and identity to every brand experience and activation, BLVR unlocks the power of belief to transform business, people, and the world. Today, customers expect brands to stand for more. However, most organizations lack the courage to exi...

Your host, Doug Noll, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Rebel Nell, Amy Peterson. For a decade now, Rebel Nell has empowered 41 women transitioning from shelters, positively impacting over 280 lives. With stable jobs, mentorships, and personal growth opportunities, Rebel Nell has been a cornerstone in helping these women rebuild their lives and regain independence. Rebel Nell is not just a jewe...