Optics in Action

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Global Credibility Expert of, Mitchell Levy. Ryan's journey began with a simple yet profound question: Why credibility? Mitchell's response was deeply personal. He traced his focus on credibility back to his childhood, specifically to the time when his parents divorced. This event led him to ponder the role and integrity of a father figure. For Mitchell, this...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-President of Chicago Glue & Machine, Nirel Inman. Nirel is someone who truly understands the value of a positive work environment. She shared her passion for finding purpose and happiness, both in her personal life and within her role at Chicago Glue & Machine. She stressed the importance of setting boundaries and surrounding oneself with people who...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President of LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communications, Barry LaBov. Barry's passion for marketing is rooted in a profound understanding of what makes each company unique. His firm specializes in working with manufacturers to unearth the distinctiveness of their products and services. But what sets Barry's approach apart is his emphasis on connecting this un...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the President, Dr. Donna Marino. Donna's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The loss of her father in the tragic events of 9/11 became a catalyst for her to make a positive impact in the world. This profound experience shaped her mission to work with family businesses and leadership, fostering an environment where family, loyalty, and community care are...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Executive Vice President of The Pickle Juice Company, Filip Keuppens. For Filip and his team at the Pickle Juice Company, their mission is to create sustainable, relevant solutions that genuinely matter. Their unique go-to-market strategy blends traditional consumer packaged goods (CPG) theories with mission-based and experiential approaches. But it's not just...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Labor Titan, Jason Krantz. Jason's journey from a corporate role to entrepreneurship was fueled by a deep-seated desire to help others. He recognized early on that while many sought assistance, few knew how to effectively harness the power of information. His career blossomed around the concept of leveraging data and analytics to aid decision-making...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Member Engagement of Illinois Manufacturers'​ Association, Maria Moran. Maria's journey to the IMA is fascinating, starting from her days as a respiratory therapist, which she humorously notes was "before it was cool." Her transition into the manufacturing space and dive into lean methodology showcases a career built on improving processes and fostering effici...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Chief Growth Officer of NaviStone, Ted Bray. Ted's philosophy is simple yet profound: it's all about people, teams, alignment, and achievement. His passion for working with amazing people to accomplish amazing things is what drives him. This ethos was evident from his days playing basketball, where the joy came not from winning championships but from being par...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder and Principal of PTIS Global, Brian Wagner. Mentorship is a powerful tool, and Ryan has been incredibly fortunate to have Brian as his mentor. His expertise in packaging, business, and strategy has been invaluable to Ryan's growth. Reflecting on their relationship, Ryan is reminded of a mentoring weekend that was pivotal in his career. Brian introdu...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of Mogul Realty Group, James Knull. James' story is one of evolution and passion. He began as an investor, which gave him a unique perspective on the real estate industry. This experience was the catalyst for his transition into becoming a realtor, eventually leading to the establishment of Mogul Realty Group. With headquarters in Alberta and a secondary o...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with Infrastructure Technology Leader, Brian Hale. Brian's path into technology is a story of passion and purpose. From his early experiences tinkering with technology to his drive to help people, Brian's career is a testament to where curiosity and a service mindset can lead. His journey reminds us that at the heart of technology lies the potential to solve real-world...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO and Project Manager of Norhart, Mike Kaeding. Mike unveiled the ambitious goal of Norhart: to achieve a staggering 50% reduction in construction costs. This isn't just a lofty dream; it's a necessary response to America's escalating housing affordability crisis. Norhart isn't just building apartments; they're crafting a future where more people can afford...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Shift Financial Insights, Spencer Sheinin. Spencer's journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a rich background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Spencer has navigated various entrepreneurial waters, owning and managing businesses across diverse industries, from manufacturing to construction and even a cold storage venture. However,...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of teambuilding.com, Michael Alexis. Michael shared the compelling mission behind teambuilding.com: to foster happiness at work on a massive scale, touching the lives of individuals along the way. The company, renowned for its corporate team-building events, boasts an impressive clientele including tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, as well as est...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Vonza, Uyi Abraham. Uyi's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born and raised in Nigeria, he arrived in America with just $100 and a suitcase of clothes. His initial job at a movie theater, earning $6.15 an hour, was a stark contrast to the life he knew back home, where most people live on less than $2 a day. Uyi's perspective on wealth...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Norwood Energy Corp, Grant Norwood. The conversation began with a question that resonates with many: "Why do you do what you do?" Grant's response was as unexpected as it was captivating. He likened his work in the energy sector to treasure hunting. Grant's treasure lies deep beneath the earth's surface, where signs and science can only predict so m...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the COO, VP of Operations, and VP of Service of ServingIntel, Daniel Brown. Daniel's passion for creating new outcomes is not just a professional goal; it's a part of his nature. With a robust strategy background, he has carved a path that leads to these outcomes. But what truly stands out is his love for impacting people. This has become a cornerstone of his prof...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder and CEO of Cumulus Digital Systems, Matthew Kleiman. Matthew is an inspiring and revolutionary man who is dedicated to improving work quality in maintenance and construction. Matthew shared his journey through aerospace, energy, and construction, where he witnessed the often overlooked importance of work quality and safety due to the pressures of sc...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the CEO of Nanox Technology, Gustavo Pagotto. Gustavo introduced himself as a seasoned professional with a rich chemistry and materials science background and a robust business development track record. His company, Nanoracks, has made significant strides in nanotechnology. The primary focus for Nanoracks in the US market is the food packaging industry. Their anti...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Voice Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, Cynthia Zhai. Cynthia's mission is deeply personal and resonates with anyone who has ever felt unheard or overlooked. She has dedicated her life to helping people sound more powerful and command respect whenever they speak. Her passion stems from her own experience of discovering the power of her voice, which set her on the p...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Wealthy Wellthy, Krisstina Wise. Krisstina's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of alignment. She shared the pivotal moments and hard-earned lessons from her extensive experience, driving home the point that business ambitions must be in harmony with personal and lifestyle goals. This triad of ambitions—lifestyle, financial,...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Founder & CEO at Rent to Retirement, Zach Lemaster. Zach's story is fascinating. Both he and his wife started their careers as optometrists, dedicating many years to private practice. Beyond his medical profession, Zach served as an Air Force captain for seven years. It was during this period that he dipped his toes into the world of rea...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder and CEO of Conquer Your Business, Erin Marcus. Aaron's purpose is twofold - professional and personal. On a professional level, she is committed to providing small businesses with the tools and information they need to succeed. She firmly believes that access to these resources can often be the difference between success and failure. On a personal leve...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Founder of Hiring & Empowering Solutions, Molly McGrath. Molly's passion lies in supporting employees, regardless of their employment status, to feel in control of their future and increase their confidence. She aims to help them align their vision and values with their current roles and empower them to act like CEOs, even if they are in administrative pos...

Your host, Ryan Weiss, talks with the Co-Founder of Savi, Aaron Smith. The student loan debt crisis in America is a significant issue that affects millions of individuals. With close to $2 trillion in student loan debt, it's a challenge that can't be ignored. As someone who paid his way through college and now faces the high cost of education for his children, Aaron understands the burden of this...