Sideways Rain

This week on Sideways Rain , we welcome Mary Bellettieri—events industry veteran turned self-published author. Mary opens up about her bold mid-career pivot into writing, what it really takes to bring a book to life without a publishing deal, and why chasing your dreams isn’t just for 20-somethings. We explore the creative process, imposter syndrome, and how her professional background in events h...

In this episode, Kris and J.R. break down the often-overlooked phase of startup life: what happens after you launch your MVP (Minimum Viable Product). They dive into the real challenges of raising capital without revenue, building traction, and proving market fit—not just product viability. From managing feedback loops and investor expectations to getting into the right rooms and balancing multipl...

This week, we sit down with McKenna Dressel, Associate Director of Global Meetings & Conventions – Ophthalmology at Regeneron, to talk about her journey from chemistry and manufacturing to high-stakes global event planning. She shares how managing teams on the production floor shaped her approach to leading cross-functional meeting teams, driving decisions without formal authority, and jugglin...

In this episode of Sideways Rain , we sit down with Naomi Tucker , strategic events consultant, high-performance coach, and founder of Planners on Purpose . Naomi shares her expertise on managing stress, avoiding burnout, and finding joy in the demanding world of event planning. We discuss the struggles of balancing perfectionism with efficiency, why self-care is critical for high performance, and...

Big news is shaking up the meetings and events industry—overnight tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China are about to drive costs through the roof. In this episode, we break down the real impact: skyrocketing AV costs, hotel rate hikes, and catering price spikes that will hit corporate events hard. But it’s not all bad news—we’re tackling how to pivot, adapt, and outmaneuver these new challenges. If...

Work-life balance. Everyone talks about it, but is it actually real when you're running a business? In this episode, J.R. and Kris break down the myth of balance , sharing their personal experiences juggling business, family, and life’s unexpected challenges. They dive into: The chaos of balancing work and family —J.R. raising two daughters while leading The 180 Group, and Kris managing multiple j...

In this episode of Sideways Rain , J.R. is flying solo to share his journey from rolling cables on show sites to becoming the CEO of The 180 Group. It wasn’t a straight path—there were pivots, challenges, and a whole lot of sideways rain along the way. He’ll take you behind the scenes of: How J.R. started in high school working for his dad , doing the grunt work of live event production. The trans...

In this episode of Sideways Rain , we sit down with Sean Sanusi , a software engineer and tech consultant who has worked across startups, corporate innovation, and even government projects. We dive into the unpredictable world of technology development , from building software under tight deadlines to managing unexpected pivots and keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI. In this episode, we cov...

In this episode of Sideways Rain , we dive into the wild and unpredictable world of public relations with Joe Krasean, a PR pro with a global perspective, based in Germany and freelancing with companies like Black Unicorn PR. Whether you're a startup navigating fierce competition or a growing business trying to stand out, PR can be the difference between thriving in the storm or getting washed awa...

In this debut episode of Sideways Rain, hosts JR Spiess, CEO of The 180 Group, and Kris McNeil, Co-Founder and CTO of WIFT, dive into the unpredictable journey of innovation, entrepreneurship, and building impactful businesses. Together, they share their expertise in event production and tech development, offering unique perspectives from two dynamic industries. Discover the inspiration behind the...