Making Waves at C-Level: Business Tips for Executives, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs

Talk about stealing the show: Laurie Guest (who was on "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" episode 68) was invited back to have a fun chat about business, customer service and entrepreneurship. She told Thom Singer she had a surprise for him, and was he willing to "play along".  As the show kicked off, Laurie took over the role of "Guest Host" (See that, Laurie Guest...Guest Host) and made Thom the int...

Matt Bauer is the CEO of Motivational Media, a video and production company that focuses on events, and the speakers and entertainers who make conferences successful. He was an IT person who when out of work was driving for Uber, and then almost overnight he launched a successful video production company with a full slate of clients. Matt specializes in creating the highest quality video products...

Publishing is an accomplishment for anyone, especially a young writer as they build their confidence as an author. With Illustory, My Comic Book, and My Awesome Book children can realize their potential as an author and artist, and celebrate this success with a canvas print of their story’s protagonist. With nearly 100,000 children’s books available through Lulu.com, Lulu Jr. is the ideal destinat...

Thom Singer met Brian Fanzo on a video podcast where they were both guest.  Thom knew from the start that the backwards hat and the cool tattoos made Brian the cooler of the two guest.  Since that time they have become friends and Thom knew he had to share Brain's story with the CTED audience.   Brian Fanzo talks fast and tweets faster. A proud, pager-wearing millennial, he is a keynote speaker an...

This episode is a conversation with Chad McNair from Aspen Beverage Group.  This is a "must hear episode", With over 18 years in product manufacturing, Aspen has become a leader in high quality custom beverage solutions. A quest for the “perfect” coffee has grown Aspen Beverage Group into one of the leading producers of liquid coffee in the world. Civil Engineer and CEO, Chad McNair has explored e...

In a variety of industries people try to save money by skipping hiring the professional and try to "wing it". No consultant would ever recommend this as the most efficient way to have the highest level of success, but for entrepreneurs this is a way of life because of limited funds. In the meeting world, however, it is common to spend $50,000 on a speaker and $40,000 on a chocolate fountain for de...

Business Productivity Coach Teresa McCloy partners with her clients to stop being productive and do what matters. Teresa grew up on a farm, and has always seen the benefits of working for yourself. Her father, while a hard working farmer, also had free time that other dads did not have because he was self employed. She wanted that life, and while from time to time she has worked in "jobs" she has...

Thom Singer is having the best year as a "Solopreneur". After 8 years of working for himself, he is seeing some of the results from nearly a decade of hard work. But he does not feel this is happening by accident.  This year he introduced a new product line (in the form of a new keynote speech called "The Paradox of Potential", and having this new talk has lead to some of the uptick in his sales.....

Next Level Insurance Agency was founded by Danny O'Connell and a dedicated team of service professionals who knew there was a better way to serve businesses & individuals.  They have created numerous innovative forward thinking solutions for employers and individuals to help address the increasing cost of insurance while balancing value based plans.  Danny's mission is to add value to the lives of...

"If I am going to work - I might as well work hard" said young Jim Silbernagel.  In his early job of making cold calls to set appointment he realized he was only going to be paid if he succeeded. Thus he jumped in and did the work. Today Jim Silbernagel is an independent agent registered with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. He entered the insurance industry in 1982 followed by the financial serv...

Jessica Pettitt has just released her new book "Good Enough Now". Her eclectic background leads her to saying she is "The Wizard of Mutts", but she her work is clear and focused and the 'must read' book of 2017. Audiences are inspired to stand up and take action as Jessica leads them down the path to understanding they are good enough to make the changes they seek. Challenging long held assumption...

Damian Mason is an entrepreneur who wanted to find his own way in the world. In 1994 he quit a successful sales career to become a professional Bill Clinton Impersonator and never looked back. He created a successful career and life, but eventually the Bush Administration took over, and the need for Bill Clinton look-a-likes shrank. Damian reinvented his career and now a successful professional sp...

In preparing for the national speakers Association conference, Thom Singer is thinking a lot about how people can maximize a conference.   This is the ninth consecutive year that he will be attending this event. This year he has many friends were speaking on the main stage and several who are receiving their "certified professional speaker" (CSP) designated.  (Thom became a CSP in 2014 and only ab...

Thom Singer had the honor of being the master of ceremonies and a speaker at the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. ASTRA is the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, and annually the largest gathering of toy store owners and manufacturers. Wow, what a great event. Almost every community has a local toy store, and many of the entrepreneurs who run these businesses are co...

Carlos Hidalgo was guest number 122 on "Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do" in Novermber 2015, At that time he was the founder and CEO of ANNUITAS and was leading the 10 year old company through amazing growth. Then a year later he decided he had to make some hard choices, and decided to walk away from the company to choose a different life for himself and his family. Can a CEO of a successful company r...

Concord Leadership Group founder Marc A. Pitman helps leaders, especially in nonprofits, lead their teams with more effectiveness and less stress. He’s the author of “Ask Without Fear!®,” the executive director of TheNonprofitAcademy.com, and an Advisory Panel member of Rogare, a prestigious international fundraising think tank. Marc’s expertise and enthusiasm engages audiences around the world an...

Steve Olsher is known as the world’s foremost reinvention expert. Famous for helping individuals and corporations become exceptionally clear on their WHAT – that is, the ONE thing they were created to do – his practical, no-holds-barred approach to life and business propels his clients and presentation attendees towards achieving massive profitability while cultivating lives of purpose, conviction...

Dr. Richard B. Gasaway entered the fire service in 1979 and has served as firefighter, paramedic, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and fire chief in 6 fire and EMS agencies in West Virginia, Ohio and Minnesota. After completing his 30-year fire service career, Chief Gasaway founded Situational Awareness Matters! a consulting and teaching organization dedicated to improving how individuals, tea...

Phil M Jones is the world’s most prestigious sales trainer – having spoken to more than two million people in 56 countries across five continents. In this episode of CTED he shares his journey in life and entrepreneurship. He has come to know that building a business takes hard work, and too many people just want the "Frosting and sprinkles part of a cupcake". Phil’s entertaining yet thought-provo...

"The Universe won't give you a ham sandwich" - Part of the great advice on this episode (episode 264). Joe Payton is a real estate developer, serial entrepreneur and angel investor. Payton began his career selling advertising and publishing and moved into investor relations getting a graduate degree in 1994 from the University of Denver and working in-house in the mid 1990’s for Corporate Express,...

Entrepreneurs need to try new things. Times change and the expectations from our customers morph over time. Finding ways to remain relevant and to provide unique ways to deliver our products or services are important in a world of change. Thom Singer recently participated as a Table Leader in a special first time conference called XDP. This event was hosted by the American Society of Association E...

Imagine living your whole life as a writer, storyteller, performer and solopreneur. Bob Stromberg has done just that. He started following his dream a young man, and never looked back. From his home in St. Paul, MN Bob Stromberg travels continually performing his very unique blend of original story, standup and shtick. His work has left lasting impressions on Fortune 500 companies, raised multimil...

"I was living in a frat house at 21-years-old" says CTED host Thom Singer. But the guest on this episode of the show is already winning in the game of startups and entrepreneurship. QuHarrison Terry is a serial entrepreneur and self-starter. He is the co-founder and president of VNM USA, a full service ad agency that he has run since 2013, the co-founder and CEO of 23VIVI, an online digital market...

Sometimes life gets in the way of your entrepreneurial journey. Stuff happens and you find yourself wondering if it is all worth it. The grind of keeping your dreams moving forward can weigh heavy. When this happens you might want to quit. Go back to a regular job. But don't. Bad days are just part of the journey. When you need entrepreneurial inspiration - take action to get back in the game. 1....

Fireman Dryerman was founded by Brett Ketchum, a full-time professional firefighter. In 2014, on his days off from the fire station, Brett began repairing washers and dryers in Austin, Texas. With more than ten years of firefighting experience coupled with two years of appliance repair, Brett was witness to a handful of dryer fires and plenty of lint-filled dryers. He saw a need to include dryer v...