The Edge Of Excellence Podcast

On today's episode of The Edge of Excellence , Matt chats with Ehsan Gharatappeh, CEO of CellPoint Corporation. Ehsan is a highly successful serial entrepreneur, investor and executive leader in the mobile device industry. After high school, Ehsan didn't join college or get a job. Instead, he spent the next couple of years burning through his college financial aid until a pivotal moment when he re...

In today's episode of The Edge of Excellence , Matt chats with Max Alesi, owner of Home Genius Exteriors, a thriving roof replacement and home improvement company. Max is also an investor and serial entrepreneur who's started different companies, from house flipping to a freight truck business.   You'll learn how Max's competitiveness in sports plus his parents' encouragement to work harder in sch...

In today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence , we chat with Michael Yates, Senior Director of Innovations and Agricultural Strategy at Walmart.   At the age of 15, Michael got his first job as a prep cook and went on to work throughout his high school years. He believes this was crucial in developing the strong work ethic he has today.   After high school, he enrolled at the University of Missouri...

On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Marc Bishara, a man who has achieved a dream shared by many: he lives off his investments, spends his time managing nothing but his investments.   Marc's parents were immigrants, and as such they relied heavily on their network when they arrived in this country. They imparted that same sense of community and support onto their son. This ha...

On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, Matt shares his advice on using all the information at your disposal to help you determine your future career path.   Everyday we're inundated with information. Newspapers, the internet, our friends and families, podcasts like this one - the sheer amount of knowledge we have access to is staggering.    And yet, when many young people sit down to decide...

On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence, we chat with Matt Fizell, CFP and owner of Harmony Wealth.   Growing up in a small town of only 2000 people and no stoplights, Matt wanted to escape as soon as possible. Moving to Madison, he found many valuable lessons to be learned there, including what kinds of things would and would not make him happy.   He started out doing Engineering in college...

On today’s episode of The Edge of Excellence , we interview Devan O'Dowd, Director and Equity Partner of Global X , an exchange traded fund firm. He originally studied Environmental Economics and Law in preparation for becoming a lawyer before making the shift to finance. In his youth, Devan had dreams of being in the NHL and spent much of his time playing hockey and trying to keep his grades up....

On today’s show, we interview Steve Brazeel, founder and CEO, Sunterra Produce show who shares with us his distilled wisdom on work ethic, and working smarter, and the foundational elements that contribute to success.  Growing up, Steve spent 18-hour days helping his father on the farm. And so, while his upbringing instilled in him great work ethic, the importance of working smarter eventually daw...

On today’s show, we interview John Hepworth, co-founder, Firstway Fundraising who reveals how he turned his charitable project into a thriving business. He also shares how he found the gumption to start a large business at the age of 25. John credits his parents for his hardcore work ethic. From a young age, John was keen on earning money and being independent. So, he ended up doing odd jobs to ge...

How can you truly achieve financial freedom and accumulate enough capital so that you can live off your investments? On today’s show, we interview real estate agent and investor, Calvin Cox who shares with us his money philosophy. You will learn how to inculcate financial discipline so that you achieve the ultimate dream – living off your investments. Growing up, Calvin worked multiple jobs in hig...

Why are most entrepreneurs unable to grow and scale their business? And in the process, unable to realize their fullest potential? On today’s show, we interview the CEO and founder of Teacher Zone, Chris Bates who shares with us distilled wisdom on goal-setting, tenacity, and building a long-term, sustainable business. As always, we start this show with Chris sharing his definition of excellence....

Can a College Works internship help those pursuing high-profile careers? On today’s show, we interview the Emergency Department Chair at Amita Health, Dr. Adnan Hussain who shares with his distilled wisdom on excellence, failure, and grit. Born to Pakistani immigrant parents, Adnan had a normal suburban upbringing. A higher performer in high school, he managed to get a full-tuition scholarship to...

On today’s show, we interview Sean Nachtigall who shares with us his distilled wisdom on grit, belief, and embracing the unknown. Growing up, Sean was averse to sales and marketing. He had some preconceived (and utterly false) notions that were shattered once he started working as a College Works painter. Sean shares his big why for taking up the College Works internship in today’s show. You will...

On today’s show, we interview founder of Neon Owl, Elaine Huang who shares with us her distilled wisdom on following your passion, thinking outside the box, and working for the greater good.  Neon Owl is a media company and lifestyle brand that connects artists and fans while giving back to charities across the world.  We start this show with Elaine sharing why you need to work with integrity if y...

On today’s show, we talk with Trevor Tait , Managing Director, Tait and Associates who shares with his distilled wisdom on adding value, failure, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Back in high school, Trevor’s puny 90-pound build did not stop him from playing football with others who were much larger and stronger than him. This is when he first learnt the importance of “stepping out of your c...

Would you find the strength to pivot and change course if your long-cherished dream came down crumbling in an instant? On today’s show, we talk to the incredible Ally Becker who shares with us her distilled wisdom on keeping your focus, and showing courage in ambiguity. As always, we start this show with Ally sharing her definition of excellence. You will learn why you cannot hope to find yourself...

On today’s show, we interview Juliet Monteleone who shares with us her thoughts on exploration, discovering your passion, and finding the courage to follow your dreams. Back in high school, Juliet was admittedly timid, unambitious, and not sure about where her life was headed. As a result, she dabbled in different fields including art, marketing, and psychology before finally discovering her passi...

Can introverts be good leaders, manage large teams, and run successful businesses? On today’s show, we interview Ann Chenal who shares with us her distilled wisdom on overcoming self-doubt, turning challenges into opportunities, and how to combat the inner introvert. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Ann was instinctively driven to be good in whatever she did. However, she found herself constantly ba...

On today’s show, we interview Brent Miller , VP, Home Genius Exteriors who shares with us his thoughts on work ethic, chasing growth, and hiring the right people. As always, we start this show with Brent sharing his take on excellence. Brent reveals why excellence is a highly individualized concept. And why it can mean totally different things to different people.  Brent then proceeds to share his...

What happens when two brothers follow very different paths in life - one taking the entrepreneurial route, the other moving along the corporate path?   In today's show, Matt sits down with his younger brother Jerome to answer that very question. Despite their very different career paths, both ended up ringing the bell on the New York Stock exchange and have more unique perspectives on success.   Y...

How do you go from being a hair-dresser to a highly sought-after speaker? On today’s show, we have John Dijulius who shares with us his distilled wisdom on authenticity, finding your niche, and just doing shit well. Growing up, John was a terrible student who suffered from massive ADD. But inspite of this, he always had his mother in his corner. John’s mother never stopped believing in him. And, i...

On today’s show, we interview the incredible Scott Gladstone who shares with us his distilled wisdom on authenticity, teamwork, and work ethic.  As always, we start this show with Scott sharing his definition of excellence. Here, you will learn how authenticity is the one thing without which you cannot hope to find yourself on the edge of excellence. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family left an...

On today’s show, we interview Alexis Rabadam, CEO, Finessed Media, Inc. who shares with us her distilled wisdom on motivation, entrepreneurship, and kickstarting a new business in the wake of covid. As always, we start this show with Alexis sharing her definition of excellence. She reveals how she always strives to go the extra mile – so that they can accomplish something that she is truly proud o...

How can you discover your zone of excellence? What are some of the things that you can do to find the right career path that will catapult you miles ahead of the competition? On today’s show, we interview College Works alum Breanna Brady who shares with us her distilled wisdom on excellence, conviction, and the importance of finding your own tribe. As always, we start this show with Breanna sharin...

How can you avoid making some of the biggest rookie mistakes that young professionals make?  On today’s show, we interview the incredible Keith Fiscus , CEO, Innovative Career Resources & Staffing who shares with us wisdom on career exploration, entrepreneurship, and excellence. As always, we start this show with our guest, Keith sharing his unique definition of excellence.  You will learn how you...