Nice To Meet You | The Stories That Shape Us

In this conversation, Rob Pene interviews marketing expert Jen Esparza, who shares her insights on marketing strategies for nonprofits and small businesses. They discuss the importance of community engagement, crafting clear messages, and the challenges faced by nonprofits in turning readers into donors.  Jen emphasizes the need for patience and foundational planning in both nonprofit and small bu...

In this conversation, Rob Pene and Kelly Schuknecht discuss the evolution of fractional marketing, the importance of thought leadership, and the challenges faced by women in the workplace.  Kelly shares her journey of transitioning from a corporate job to starting her own marketing business, emphasizing the significance of quick decision-making and networking. They explore the services offered by...

In this conversation, Rob Pene interviews Cindy Baker, an expert in coaching professionals with ADHD. Cindy shares her personal journey from teaching to coaching, her insights on ADHD, and effective strategies for time management and productivity.  The discussion emphasizes the importance of community support, overcoming procrastination, and the value of taking small, actionable steps towards succ...

In this episode of "Nice to Meet You," host Rob Pene interviews Max Emma, a successful business owner and franchise expert. Max shares his journey from corporate accounting at Qualcomm to becoming the CEO of three franchise-related companies. Key highlights from the episode: Max's background: Originally from the former Soviet Union, he came to the US 32 years ago. After working at Q...

In this episode of "The Behind the Scene Stories of Busy Professionals," host Rob Pene interviews Evan Kuterbach, co-founder of Canyon Pickleball. The conversation explores Evan's journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, centered around his passion for pickleball and the outdoors. Evan shares how he discovered pickleball during a difficult period after moving from Colorado t...

In this episode of "Behind the Scenes Stories of Busy Professionals," host Rob Pene interviews Kathryn Ficarra, an expert in corporate executive leadership and cultural transformation. Kathryn shares her powerful personal journey and how it led to her current work helping executives develop authentic presence. *** Connect with Kathryn https://www.instagram.com/thecgroupstudio https://www...

In this episode of Behind the Scenes Stories of Busy Professionals, host Rob sits down with Lance Cayko, a multi-faceted entrepreneur who combines architecture, building, and real estate development. Lance opens up about his journey through personal transformation in 2024-2025, dubbing it his "Rebirth" year as he navigated divorce, new beginnings, and finding love again. The conversation...

In this episode, host Rob Pene sits down with David Sidoni, creator of HowToBuyAHome.com and veteran real estate expert. David shares his fascinating journey from acting alongside Christian Bale and hosting kids' game shows to discovering his true passion: helping first-time home buyers. Learn how David built a nationwide network of carefully vetted real estate agents while staying true to hi...

This podcast episode is an in-depth conversation with Melissa Elizondo, a marketing professional who transitioned from real estate to running a marketing agency, and then adapted her career in response to the rise of AI. The episode covers her fascinating journey, including: Her background in real estate and how a lawsuit led her to pivot into marketing consulting Building a successful marketing a...

In this inspiring episode of "Nice to Meet You | Behind the Scene Stories of Busy Professionals," veteran Los Angeles police officer Mike Turk opens up about his remarkable journey from rock bottom to peak performance. After 12 years on the force, Mike found himself struggling with weight gain, deteriorating health, and mounting depression. When a simple sneeze left him in excruciating p...