The Unconventional Path: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Stories and Ideas.

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by retired Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr. has achieved over three decades of extraordinary leadership success in diverse organizations, including the United States Army where he commanded the 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Colorado prior to his retirement in 2007. Subsequently, he served in executive leadership positions in for-profit and n...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Ben Knegendorf.  He founded Paramount Pet Health.  An e-comm store for cats and dogs.  He started a business with $500 and after 2 years has achieved $11M in revenue.  It is quite a contrast to the VC-backed businesses that raise $20-$30M and still do not make it to $11M in revenue after 2 years. So give the episode a listen! You...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Steven Adjei.  He is a fascinating, multi-faced individual who is an author, poet, healthcare consultant, and entrepreneur. He is the founding partner of BlueCloud Health (www.bluecloudhealth.com), a UK-based, African-focused healthcare firm that exists to provide solutions to health businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. So give the episode a liste...

In this episode of the podcast, Mike and I chat about what is going on in our lives and some current events.  This is another one of those pre-podcast recordings that we decided to upload for those of you who are interested.  We talk about sailing, family, life in general, the economy, politics, the Jan 6th hearings, and energy prices in both the USA and Germany. If you like this episode...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Michelle Seiler Tucker.  She is a 20-year veteran of the mergers and acquisitions industry where she is a leading authority on buying, selling, financing, and growing businesses. We had a fascinating conversation about how founders and company leaders often do not think about positioning the company for a successful acquisition. So give the epi...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by  Devon Watson, Devon is the Executive Vice President of Global Banking & Chief Marketing Officer at Diebold-Nixdorf. Within his organization, he is also responsible for business development and acquisitions. The most common exit for entrepreneurs is being acquired or merged with another company. In my conversation with Devon, we discussed,...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Brad Svrluga.  Brad is co-founder of primary Ventures based in New York City.  Primary is one of the premier early-stage VC firms in the United States.  He has over 20 years of experience in early-stage investing and Primary is the second VC firm Brad has co-founded.  We discuss how differentiating Primary from the crowded VC spa...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Jim Senall.  Jim runs the Rochester Angel Network, (RAN) in Rochester NY.  We discussed how angel investing plays a critical role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Jim also described how RAN has evolved during the last 20 years, both in terms of its structure and the characteristics of the investments it makes. So give the episode a...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Mark Drager.  He is a branding expert and helps entrepreneurs and companies refine their brand strategy and ensure their brand is consistent across everything they do. Your brand is how the world views you.  We had a great conversation about how to make sure your brand is not an afterthought.  It is exceptionally important and on...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Billie Shepard.  She founded Billie Shepard Associates, where she leverages her acting experience and training methods in the business sector.  Her one-on-one coaching and group workshops help transform corporate speakers into influential leaders. We had a fascinating conversation on how many leadership speaking skills can be learned. &nbs...

In this deeply personal episode of The Unconventional Path, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman step away from their usual focus on entrepreneurship to explore a universal human experience: the loss of a parent. Mike opens the conversation by acknowledging how difficult it is to lose a loved one, regardless of their age or health, and emphasizes the importance of supporting those going through gr...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Andy Binns.  Andy is a corporate innovation guru, co-founder of Change Logic, and the co-author of “Corporate Explorer:  How Corporations Beat Startup at the Innovation Game”.  We had a fascinating conversation about innovation and entrepreneurship, both in large corporations and start-ups. So give the episode a listen! You can find m...

This is another pre-podcast discussion episode.  As mentioned before, these episodes were inspired by a listener.  When Mike and I get together, to record a podcast, before we hit the RECORD button, we typically have a conversation about what's going on in our lives and the world.  It’s basically, two good friends catching up. Back in EP 128, Mike and I did an experiment and we hit...

This is our second, pre podcast discussion episode.  As mentioned before, these episodes were inspired by a listener.  When Mike and I get together, to record a podcast, before we hit the RECORD button, we typically have a conversation about what's going on in our lives and the world.  It’s basically, two good friends catching up. Back in EP 128, Mike and I did an experiment and we...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Matt Kopko, the VP of Public Policy at Daily Pay.  We have a great conversation about on-demand pay and how it can positively impact the ability of employees to receive their pay daily and not have to wait 2 or 3 weeks for a paycheck. It’s an industry I did not know existed.  Also, for the first time ever, you can hear Mike rant a bit abou...

Today’s episode was inspired by a listener.  When Mike and I get together, to record a podcast, before we hit the RECORD button, we typically have a conversation about what's going on in our lives and the world.  It’s basically, two good friends catching up. Back in EP 128, Mike and I did an experiment and we hit the record button as soon as our conversation started. We included this par...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined excited to be joined by James Quinn.  He is a managing director at JLL, a Fortune 500 company that assists organizations in developing and implementing their real estate strategies in the ever-changing world.  He also recently wrote a book titled “Tech Trends 24/7”.  We have a great conversation about technology and how COVID has impacted the pace of t...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined excited to be joined by Misha Rubin. He is a mix of a psychologist, career coach, and job coach.  It's one of those topics I never thought much about during my career.  Maybe I should have.  He started his career working at one of the major accounting firms for 20 years and one day came to the realization he was not happy and decided to...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by serial entrepreneur Andy Mowat, founder of Gated.  At Gated, they are changing the way email gets delivered and read.  We are all burdened by receiving way too many emails.  With Gated you can apply some economic theory to sending and receiving emails with some very interesting results.  Give the episode a listen! You can find Ga...

In this episode of the podcast, Bela and Mike trying a new format for the podcast.  It’s been a while since we posted a new episode, that’s because, with over 120 interviews under our belt, we were not sure anything new was popping up.  When we record a podcast, we usually spend 15 to 30 minutes talking about what’s going on in each other’s lives.  This is with the recorder off, so...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Chris Bursey. He is the founder of Direct Communications Solutions. Direct Communication Solutions is a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) products and services. The Internet of Things is a term that generally means the coordination of sensors that sit on devices or vehicles or structures (that tell you things like temperature, location, amount of...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Kizzy Parks.  She is the founder and president of K Parks Consulting, a firm that provides corporate training, executive coaching, analytics, diversity and inclusion guidance, leadership development, and team building services mainly to US federal government clients but also they partner with large companies and other non-profits.  She has...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Sean Folkson. He founded Nightfood, a company that produces sleep-friendly and nutritional evening snacks.  After a few rough starts, Nighfood is running full speed with a line of sleep-friendly ice cream.  The ice cream is formulated by leading sleep and nutrition experts to satisfy our nighttime cravings in a better, healthier, and sleep...

In today's podcast, we are excited to be joined by Tarin Calmeyer.  Tarin is the founder of Remote Team Wellness...a startup that provides live digital wellness coaching, retreats, and workshops for corporate clients. We discussed the large pivot Tarin had to make with the onset of the COVID epidemic, the valuable lessons she learned, and how it has shaped her company. You can find Remote Tea...

In today's podcast, we are excited to be joined by David Jay, founder, and CEO of Warm Welcome, a company that uses video to customize an initial customer experience to go beyond generic emails.  David is a serial entrepreneur, also having founded Agree.com.  We had a great conversation about the importance of building solid customer relationships and the video tools David has developed...