Business Leaders of America Podcast

Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Stefan Whitwell

Founder, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Whitwell & Co.

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Stefan Whitwell, Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Whitwell & Co., a nationwide wealth management and family office firm serving founders, business owners, executives, and families.

Stefan’s path to wealth management was shaped by an entrepreneurial upbringing, a global career spanning New York, London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, and a life-changing experience during the Global Financial Crisis. After building significant wealth through real estate investing, he watched it disappear when the market turned, forcing him to rebuild from the ground up.

Throughout the conversation, Stefan shares lessons on resilience, risk management, and the mindset required to navigate major setbacks. He explains how that experience ultimately led him to found Whitwell & Co. and why helping clients protect their wealth has become deeply personal.

The discussion also explores family office services, business exits, liquidity events, private markets, and the common mistakes entrepreneurs make when preparing for life after a sale. Stefan offers practical insights on preserving wealth, finding purpose beyond financial success, and planning for the next chapter long before it arrives.

From overcoming adversity to building lasting wealth and legacy, this episode delivers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners alike.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Whitwell & Co., a nationwide wealth management and family office firm

• Former investment banking professional with experience at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse

• Built and managed a substantial real estate investment portfolio prior to the Global Financial Crisis

• Worked across New York, London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo throughout his international finance career

How to connect with Stefan Whitwell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitwell/

Website: https://www.whitwelladvisors.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanwhitwell/

Show Notes

01:41 — Growing up with entrepreneurial parents

Stefan shares how being raised by two teachers who pursued side businesses shaped his views on work, money, and entrepreneurship.

05:43 — Lessons from New York, London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo

How living and working around the world expanded his perspective on business, wealth creation, and human nature.

13:31 — Losing $35 million during the Global Financial Crisis

Stefan recounts the events that led to the collapse of his real estate portfolio and the difficult realities of navigating the financial crisis.

21:14 — Reinventing himself after financial devastation

The story behind rebuilding his career, overcoming bankruptcy, and finding a new path in wealth management.

24:36 — Why risk management became personal

How firsthand experience with financial loss influences the way he advises clients today.

32:03 — What family office services actually mean

Stefan explains how family offices help successful individuals coordinate wealth, tax, estate planning, investments, and life goals.

38:31 — Preparing for a business exit years in advance

Key financial, tax, and emotional considerations business owners should address before a liquidity event.

44:47 — The hidden challenges after selling a business

Why many entrepreneurs struggle after an exit and how to prepare for the next chapter before the transaction closes.

49:31 — Connecting with Whitwell & Co.

Where listeners can learn more, schedule a conversation, and explore working with Stefan and his team.

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Joe Mindak

Entrepreneur, Community Builder & Co-Founder of Nolodex

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Joe Mindak, entrepreneur, community builder, and co-founder of Nolodex, a platform designed to transform how professional communities manage, track, and monetize referrals.

Joe is also the founder of The Connective, a highly vetted professional networking community built to help business leaders form trusted, long-term relationships that generate consistent opportunity. What started as a small, relationship-driven group has grown into a thriving ecosystem of hundreds of professionals, thousands of warm referrals, and a 96% member renewal rate.

Across more than 25 years of building and scaling businesses in industries ranging from media and marketing to hospitality, publishing, and software, Joe has developed a core belief that sustainable business growth doesn’t come from marketing alone, but from relationships, trust, and consistent connection-building.

Throughout the conversation, Joe shares how The Connective was built from the ground up, what makes high-trust communities actually work, and why most networking groups fail to create real economic value for their members. He also breaks down the evolution from relationship-building to systems-based referral tracking, and how that ultimately led to the creation of Nolodex.

The discussion also explores how referral ecosystems operate, why most professionals underutilize their networks, and how technology is changing the way people give, track, and benefit from introductions.

From building communities and understanding trust to the future of referral-driven business models, this episode delivers a practical look at how relationships continue to drive modern business growth.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of The Connective, a vetted professional networking community with 550+ members, 5,000+ warm referrals shared, and a 96% member renewal rate

• Co-Founder of Nolodex, an enterprise SaaS platform focused on structuring and scaling referral-based business development inside professional communities

• Over 25 years of experience building and scaling businesses across media, marketing, hospitality, publishing, and software

• Adjunct Instructor at Stevens Institute of Technology, supporting engineering students in entrepreneurship and business development

• Former Founder & CEO of multiple ventures including Castle Point Brewery, Sweets Creative Group, and Finn Connective

How to connect with Joe Mindak

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemindak/

Email: joe@nolodex.com

Nolodex: https://www.nolodex.com/

The Connective: https://www.theconnective.me/

Show Notes

01:42 — The foundation of relationship-driven business growth

Joe reflects on his early career and how consistent networking and introductions became the core driver of opportunity across multiple industries.

06:10 — Why referrals outperform traditional marketing

A breakdown of why warm introductions consistently outperform cold outreach and paid acquisition strategies.

10:07 — The origin of The Connective

How “connection over competition” became a lived philosophy and what inspired the creation of a vetted professional network.

16:32 — Why most networking groups fail

Joe explains how lack of differentiation, weak vetting, and reliance on membership fees limit the effectiveness of most communities.

20:27 — What was missing that led to Nolodex

The operational challenge of tracking referrals manually and why spreadsheets eventually broke the system.

23:57 — Why professionals want to get paid for referrals

How members responded when introduced to structured referral compensation and why it changed engagement behavior.

28:12 — The ethics and structure of referral compensation

Joe discusses how deals are structured, how negotiations are handled, and why transparency matters.

31:10 — The most effective networking habit

Simple but powerful actions professionals can take weekly to strengthen relationships and generate opportunity.

33:19 — How to get started with Nolodex and The Connective

Where listeners can connect, learn more, and explore how to join or build their own referral-driven community.

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Marc A. Pitman

Founder & CEO of Concord Leadership Group

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Marc A. Pitman, founder and CEO of Concord Leadership Group, where he has spent the past two decades helping leaders, executives, and organizations develop authentic, effective leadership styles.

Marc has coached more than 130 CEOs, executives, directors, and founders through some of the most challenging periods in modern business history, including the dot-com crash, 9/11, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also presented trainings and keynotes to more than 27,000 participants across North America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand while developing the Quadrant 3 Leadership framework.

Throughout the conversation, Marc explains why so many leaders struggle with confidence, uncertainty, and impostor syndrome, and why leadership development is often overlooked until someone is already in a position of responsibility. He breaks down his Four Quadrants of Leadership model, discusses the differences between developing new leaders and experienced executives, and shares why authentic leadership comes from understanding your own strengths rather than attempting to imitate others.

The discussion also explores communication styles, personality assessments, coaching methodologies, organizational culture, delegation, and the importance of creating environments where employees can learn from mistakes without fear.

A major focus of the episode centers on the future of leadership development and how AI tools can help democratize coaching, leadership training, and decision-making support. Marc shares how he is using AI within his own business and why he believes technology will make leadership development more accessible while still requiring human judgment and self-awareness.

From leadership philosophy and organizational culture to AI-powered coaching and personal growth, this episode provides practical insights for leaders at every stage of their journey.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder and CEO of Concord Leadership Group, a leadership development consultancy serving leaders around the world

• Coached more than 130 CEOs, executives, directors, and founders, and delivered leadership trainings and keynotes to over 27,000 participants across North America, Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand

• Author of The Surprising Gift of Doubt and multiple other leadership and fundraising books

• Creator of the Quadrant 3 Leadership framework and the Four Quadrants of Leadership development model

How to connect with Marc A. Pitman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcapitman/

Concord Leadership Group: https://concordleadershipgroup.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Leadership Style Assessment: https://concordleadershipgroup.com/style/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Website: https://marcpitman.com/

Show Notes

01:47— How Marc got started in leadership development

Marc shares how his parents introduced him to personal development, leadership, goal-setting, and entrepreneurship at an early age.

05:18 — What great leaders do during uncertainty

Why effective leaders become comfortable with ambiguity, make difficult decisions without perfect information, and avoid becoming dependent on playbooks.

08:42 — Understanding the Four Quadrants of Leadership

Marc explains his leadership framework, including confidence, external versus internal guidance, and how leaders progress through different stages of development.

14:56 — What organizations get wrong when developing leaders

Why companies often promote people into leadership positions without providing the tools, coaching, or support necessary for long-term success.

20:43 — Developing new leaders versus experienced executives

A discussion on why many new leaders are thrown into leadership roles without preparation and how organizations can better support their growth.

25:37— Personality assessments and communication styles

Marc shares how tools like DISC, Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, and leadership style assessments can improve communication and team effectiveness when used correctly.

30:58 — Avoiding the trap of putting people in boxes

Why personality frameworks should be used to understand people rather than limit them.

34:46— Building cultures where people can make mistakes

Marc shares stories and practical approaches for creating psychological safety, accountability, and learning-oriented organizations.

38:54 — Scaling Concord Leadership Group

Lessons learned while growing from a solo consulting practice into a global coaching and leadership development organization.

42:17 — Leadership lessons from AI and communication

How working with AI tools can actually make leaders better communicators by forcing greater clarity and specificity.

43:51— The future of leadership development and AI

Marc discusses how AI may democratize coaching and leadership training while emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment and values.

47:26— Connecting with Marc and leadership resources

Where listeners can connect with Marc, learn more about Concord Leadership Group, and access his leadership style assessment tool.

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Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Tim Maliyil, a veteran technology executive and serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling companies across cybersecurity, SaaS, e-commerce, and AI-driven platforms.

Tim has founded and led multiple companies through every stage of growth, from early-stage startups to enterprise-scale platforms supporting over 1 million daily users. He has scaled organizations to 160+ employees, generated more than $40M in revenue, led major cloud and infrastructure transformations, and built and exited AlertBoot, a cybersecurity company, to private equity.

Throughout the conversation, Tim shares what it really takes to scale and stabilize high-growth companies, how leaders can create operational discipline in complex environments, and why execution often matters more than strategy in the long run.

He also breaks down the current state of AI adoption across industries, what companies are getting right, where they are going wrong, and how over-reliance on AI-generated thinking can lead to flawed business decisions without real-world context and experience.

A major focus of the discussion is PerkyPet, where Tim serves as CEO. PerkyPet is an AI-powered pet wellness platform that uses veterinary science and machine learning to give pet owners proactive insights into their pets’ health and behavior, acting as a “veterinary assistant between visits.

From cybersecurity and enterprise software to AI-powered consumer health innovation, this episode explores leadership, product building, and the future of applied artificial intelligence across industries.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of AlertBoot, a cybersecurity company that scaled to 160+ employees and $40M+ in revenue before a private equity exit

• CEO of PerkyPet, an AI-powered pet wellness platform combining veterinary science and machine learning

• 30+ year career as a technology executive and serial entrepreneur across cybersecurity, SaaS, and e-commerce

• Built and scaled global platforms supporting 1M+ daily users with enterprise-grade reliability

How to connect with Tim Maliyil

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmaliyil/

PerkyPet: https://perkypet.ai

Show Notes

02:10 — How Tim got started in technology and entrepreneurship

Tim shares how early coding experiences led him into building software, solving business problems, and eventually pursuing entrepreneurship full-time.

04:45 — Scaling AlertBoot to $40M in revenue

Lessons from growing a cybersecurity company to 160+ employees and successfully exiting to private equity.

07:20 — Creating operational discipline in high-growth companies

How Tim approaches structure, KPIs, accountability, and bringing order to complex, fast-moving organizations.

10:30 — Balancing speed and sustainability in scaling companies

The tension between rapid growth, system stability, and long-term organizational health.

12:10 — AI adoption: what companies are getting right and wrong

Where organizations are successfully leveraging AI and where poor implementation is creating inefficiencies.

15:00 — Founder vs executive mindset

How mindset and decision-making change when building your own company versus stepping into an existing one.

18:10 — Introducing PerkyPet and the problem it solves

Tim breaks down PerkyPet as an AI-powered pet wellness platform and its role in proactive, data-driven pet care.

21:30 — Why veterinary collaboration matters in AI healthcare

Why PerkyPet is built to support veterinarians rather than replace them, and how that shapes product design.

24:00 — The risks of over-relying on AI in decision-making

Why AI must be used with judgment, context, and human oversight to avoid flawed conclusions.

27:10 — Advice for engineers and young professionals in AI

Tim shares guidance on building strong fundamentals and staying relevant in an AI-driven industry.

32:40 — Final thoughts on PerkyPet and connecting with Tim

Where to learn more about PerkyPet and how to connect with Tim directly.

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Malik Jackson

Founder of The Care League, 10-Year NFL Veteran & Super Bowl Champion

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Malik Jackson, a 10-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl Champion, Pro Bowler, and founder of The Care League, a high-end concierge and wellness platform built to support athletes, executives, professionals, and families through personalized lifestyle management, healthcare access, and day-to-day support services.

Malik shares his journey from being a young athlete in Southern California to becoming a 10-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl champion, and entrepreneur. He talks about how football became his path to opportunity early in life, the pressure and reality of competing at the highest level, and what it was really like stepping into the NFL as a rookie trying to earn his place among veterans and established stars.

He also discusses how his experiences in football ultimately inspired him to launch The Care League, a concierge and wellness platform designed to help athletes, executives, families, and busy professionals simplify their lives and reclaim their time. In addition, Malik talks about his involvement with TigerMe, an AI-powered education platform helping students navigate the college admissions process and create clearer pathways toward their future.

From NFL locker rooms and Super Bowl experiences to entrepreneurship, personal growth, athlete wellness, and the future of AI in education, this episode offers valuable insights on reinvention, preparation, and building a meaningful life after success.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of The Care League, a concierge and lifestyle company helping athletes, executives, families, and busy professionals save time and simplify their lives.

• 10-Year NFL Veteran and Pro Bowl Selection

• Super Bowl 50 Champion with the Denver Broncos

• Partner and supporter of TigerMe, an AI-powered college admissions platform

• Advocate for athlete wellness, transition support, and post-career development

How to connect with Malik Jackson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themalikjackson/

The Care League: https://thecareleague.org

TigerMe: https://tigermeapp.com

Email: mbj@thecareleague.org

Show Notes

02:18 — Realizing football could become a career

Malik reflects on earning a scholarship to USC and when football shifted from passion to real opportunity.

05:25 — Getting drafted into the NFL

The call from the Denver Broncos and the reality shift of entering the league.

08:30 — Adjusting to the NFL business environment

Learning playbooks, systems, and how quickly expectations change across teams.

11:00 — Learning from veteran players

How watching Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and others shaped his approach to the game.

14:55 — Financial realities behind the NFL

Early contract experience, financial mismanagement risk, and lessons learned the hard way.

18:55 — The emotional transition out of football

Identity loss, losing structure, and adjusting to life without the NFL system.

26:00 — Knowing when it was time to retire

Physical decline, injuries, and the realization it was time to step away.

31:20 — Building The Care League

Turning post-career challenges into a concierge and access-driven platform.

35:10 — The true value of convenience and access

Why high-performing professionals, athletes, and families are outsourcing more of their daily responsibilities to reclaim time and reduce stress.

39:45 — NFL culture, competition, and locker room dynamics

Malik breaks down what it’s really like competing for jobs, earning trust in new locker rooms, and navigating the constant pressure of being replaced in professional sports.

41:35 — Tiger Me and helping the next generation

Why Malik believes AI-driven guidance can reshape education and opportunity.

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Will Harvey

Founder of Harvey Capital

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Will Harvey, Founder of Harvey Capital, a private real estate credit firm focused on real estate lending, investing, and disciplined capital management.

Will began his career in 2015 as a residential loan officer before transitioning into real estate investing, house flipping, syndications, and eventually building Harvey Capital. Today, the firm originates first-lien bridge loans to real estate investors and acquires owner-financed notes nationwide.

In this conversation, Will breaks down how his early experience in the mortgage business shaped the way he thinks about risk, capital allocation, and long-term wealth creation. He shares why he ultimately left the traditional lending world to build something of his own, what he learned from flipping houses, and how many of the best opportunities in his career came from unexpected situations rather than carefully planned strategies.

Will also explains the philosophy behind Harvey Capital and why he prioritizes capital preservation, margin of safety, patience, and disciplined underwriting over chasing trends or forcing deals. He discusses why he prefers credit over equity in the current market environment, how he evaluates asymmetric risk-reward opportunities, and why long-term thinking gives investors a major advantage in a world driven by short-term gratification.

Throughout the episode, Will shares practical insights on raising capital, aligning interests with investors, identifying mispriced opportunities, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape real estate investing and underwriting. From public-private real estate arbitrage to first-lien lending and long-term investing discipline, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in building wealth through real estate and intelligent capital allocation.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of Harvey Capital, a private real estate credit firm

• Originated 29 real estate loans with zero principal losses

• Built investment strategies focused on public-private real estate valuation discrepancies

• Experienced across residential lending, house flipping, syndications, real estate credit, and public market real estate investing

• Invests alongside partners in every fund managed, emphasizing alignment of interests

How to connect with Will Harvey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-harvey-8751503b8/

Website: https://harvey-capital.com

Email: will@harvey-capital.com

Show Notes

01:20 — Getting started in real estate

Why Will was drawn to commission-based work and the appeal of uncapped income potential

03:00 — Leaving the traditional lending world

Why he stepped away from being a W-2 employee to build something of his own

05:00 — Accidentally getting into house flipping

How an unexpected opportunity turned into a successful house flipping business

08:00 — Developing an investment philosophy

Why patience, unemotional decision-making, and long-term thinking became foundational principles

10:30 — Holding cash instead of forcing deals

How Will manages investor expectations while waiting for the right opportunities

13:00 — Understanding first-lien bridge loans

Why Harvey Capital focuses on credit and downside protection instead of equity positions

17:30 — Investing alongside partners

How alignment and having personal capital invested changes decision-making

19:30 — Knowing when to exit investments

The thought process behind exiting a highly profitable real estate opportunity before the upside disappeared

24:00 — Deploying $10 million today

Where Will would focus capital over the next 12–24 months and why

25:30 — AI and the future of investing

How artificial intelligence is changing underwriting, research, and investment analysis in real estate

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Joshua Lifrak

Director of Performance and Coaching at Limitless Minds

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Lifrak, a mental performance coach who has spent more than two decades helping elite athletes, executives, and high-performing teams perform at their best under pressure. From professional sports organizations to executive leadership teams, Joshua’s work focuses on building the mindset, focus, resilience, and daily habits required to sustain success over time.

Joshua previously served as the Director of Mental Skills for the Chicago Cubs during their historic 2016 World Series Championship run and later became the Major League Mental Skills Coach for the New York Mets. Throughout his career, he has worked with world-class performers across professional baseball, golf, tennis, motorsports, and corporate leadership environments.

In this conversation, Joshua breaks down what mental performance coaching actually looks like behind the scenes and why high performance is less about perfection and more about presence. He shares lessons from inside championship organizations, explains the concept of neutral thinking, and discusses why communication, trust, and culture are often the real differentiators in elite teams.

Joshua also dives into the philosophy behind his book, WIN TODAY, including the six-step framework he developed to help people improve performance one day at a time. From handling adversity and emotional pressure to building stronger relationships and more focused leadership habits, this episode offers practical insights that apply far beyond sports.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Director of Performance and Coaching at Limitless Minds

• Author of WIN TODAY

• Former Director of Mental Skills for the Chicago Cubs

• Former Major League Mental Skills Coach for the New York Mets

• Worked with world #1 golfers, Grand Slam finalists, NFL and NBA athletes, and Fortune 500 executives

How to connect with Joshua Lifrak

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-lifrak-59ab5442/

Website: https://www.joshualifrak.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Book: https://www.joshualifrak.com/copy-of-win-today

Show Notes

02:10 — Drawn to greatness

How Joshua’s fascination with elite performers and psychology led him into the mental performance space

08:35 — What a mental performance coach actually does

Why mindset alone is not enough and how behaviors, habits, and self-awareness drive results

11:45 — Inside the Cubs’ 2016 World Series run

What it was like behind the scenes during one of the most historic championship runs in sports

16:10 — The players who maximize their potential

Why the athletes most committed to mental training often gain the biggest competitive advantage

20:40 — Why people stop growing

How comfort and routine quietly prevent high performers from sustaining success

22:00 — The philosophy behind WIN TODAY

Why focusing on winning one day at a time creates momentum and long-term growth

26:00 — The after-action report framework

The simple daily review process Joshua learned from Navy SEAL training principles

28:10 — Neutral thinking vs. positive thinking

How elite performers manage pressure by focusing on facts instead of emotions

34:30 — Communication and trust inside elite teams

How culture, clarity, and feeling seen and heard create high-performance environments

42:05 — Winning today in real life

How uncertainty, adversity, and daily habits shaped Joshua’s philosophy on performance and resilience

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Jack Oujo

Founder, Oujo Wealth Strategies

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Jack Oujo, author of Too Smart to Be an Umpire and founder of Oujo Wealth Strategies.

Jack’s story is one of true reinvention. After spending nearly a decade working his way through professional baseball and reaching Triple-A, just one step away from the Major Leagues, his career as an umpire came to an abrupt end. Faced with starting over in his early 30s, with a growing family and limited financial resources, Jack made the decision to rebuild from the ground up.

What followed was a remarkable journey. Through discipline, education, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way, Jack built a multi-million-dollar financial advisory firm managing hundreds of millions in assets.

In this conversation, Jack shares what it really looks like to start over, from recognizing and confronting adversity head-on to rebuilding confidence and creating a clear path forward. He breaks down the importance of having a plan grounded in math, why taking ownership of your future is non-negotiable, and how lessons from professional sports, like preparation, resilience, and handling pressure, translate directly into business success.

From building a business with no clients and negative net worth to becoming one of the top-producing advisors in the country, this episode is a powerful look at resilience, discipline, and redefining success when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of Oujo Wealth Strategies, a leading tax-focused wealth management firm

• Built a firm with over $800M in assets under management

• Named one of the top financial advisors in the nation (Financial Times FT400)

• Author of Too Smart to Be an Umpire

• Reached Triple-A as a professional baseball umpire, one step away from the Major Leagues

• Recipient of the Joe Ryan Award as the highest-rated umpiring prospect in the minor leagues

How to connect with Jack Oujo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-oujo-cpa-cfp-ms-tax-97906810/

Website: https://www.oujowealthstrategies.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Smart-Umpire-Jack-Oujo/dp/1506915329

Show Notes

01:40 — The moment his Major League dream ended

What it felt like to be released just one step away from the big leagues

05:00 — Rebuilding after rock bottom

Facing adversity, recognizing the decline in confidence, and taking action

09:30 — Reinventing through education

Why Jack bet on himself and committed to mastering a new field

13:45 — Starting a business from zero

Building with no clients, no capital, and a plan grounded in math

18:20 — Lessons from baseball

How discipline, pressure, and preparation translated into business success

22:10 — Building trust from nothing

Why underpromising and overdelivering became his foundation

26:30 — Long-term thinking in business

How focusing on outcomes—not hype—creates lasting success

30:15 — Hiring mistakes and building a team

Why your first hires matter more than anything

35:40 — Advice for starting over

What to prioritize when rebuilding in your 30s or 40s

41:20 — Writing Too Smart to Be an Umpire

The message and lessons he hopes resonate with readers

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Joseph Shalaby

Founder & CEO, E Mortgage Capital

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Joseph Shalaby, Founder and CEO of E Mortgage Capital, one of the fastest-growing mortgage platforms in the United States.

With over two decades in the industry, Joseph has built a nationwide company operating in over 40 states and supporting a network of hundreds of loan officers. But his journey didn’t start in boardrooms, it started with adversity. Born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in the United States, Joseph grew up in a poverty-stricken household, an experience that shaped his mindset around discipline, resilience, and gratitude.

In this conversation, Joseph shares how those early struggles continue to influence his leadership style today, from his commitment to servant leadership to his relentless focus on efficiency, speed, and execution in a highly competitive and volatile industry. He opens up about the realities of building a business through market crashes, personal setbacks, and the constant pressure of leading at scale.

We also dive into how Joseph leveraged personal branding to build a massive audience and turn it into a powerful recruiting engine, why authenticity wins in today’s content-driven world, and how social media has become one of the most valuable assets in modern business growth.

From closing loans in record time to building a culture rooted in resilience, Joseph breaks down what it really takes to scale a company, stay relevant, and continue winning, no matter how tough the market gets.

This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of grit, faith, business strategy, and modern brand building.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder & CEO of E Mortgage Capital, a top mortgage platform operating nationwide

• Built a network of 900+ loan officers across 40+ states

• Host of the Coffeez for Closers podcast (Top 10 Business Podcast)

• Author of the bestselling book Rising from the Sand

• Built a personal brand reaching millions of views daily across social platforms

How to connect with Joseph Shalaby

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-s-7611718/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephshalaby/

Website: https://www.emortgagecapital.com/

Show Notes

01:50 — Growing up in poverty

How Joseph’s upbringing shaped his mindset around money, discipline, and gratitude

06:55 — The inflection point in building E Mortgage Capital

Why reviving a broken industry model became the foundation for rapid growth

09:01 — Producer vs. CEO

Why Joseph never fully left production and how that gives him an edge as a leader

11:04 — The power of personal branding

How building a massive social following became his #1 recruiting engine

13:05 — Turning content into a competitive advantage

Why authenticity and relatability outperform traditional marketing

19:19 — Winning through speed and operational excellence

Why faster execution is the ultimate differentiator in the mortgage industry

21:57 — Leading through market volatility

How to stay resilient in an industry defined by constant change

22:52 — What separates elite founders

The one trait every successful entrepreneur shares: resilience

24:56 — Writing Rising from the Sand

Why Joseph chose to share his story and the message behind the book

26:42 — Where to connect with Joseph Shalaby

How to find him on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and stay connected with his content, podcast, and business

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Business Leaders of America Podcast

Featuring Dr. Adam Link

Founder, Fireweed Capital

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Business Leaders of America Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Adam Link, Founder of Fireweed Capital and a unique voice at the intersection of technology, investing, and real-world financial strategy.

Dr. Link has managed over $600 million for more than 2,500 clients, but what truly sets him apart is his perspective, shaped not just by success, but by experience. With a doctorate in computer science and a background leading cloud optimization at Coinbase, he brings a data-driven, systems-based approach to investing that challenges many of the traditional assumptions in wealth management.

In this conversation, Adam shares how stepping away from financial advising early in his career to spend a decade in tech gave him the real-world experience he felt he was missing and how that ultimately reshaped the way he advises clients today. He opens up about the realities of building wealth, the psychological shift that comes with hitting financial milestones, and why many investors unknowingly work against themselves.

We also dive into the hidden risks of passive “set it and forget it” investing, why most “diversified” portfolios aren’t as diversified as people think, and how human behavior often undermines long-term financial success. Adam breaks down the importance of active risk management, the limitations of AI in investing, and what founders and high earners should do when navigating sudden wealth or liquidity events.

This episode is a candid and insightful look at what happens when academic theory meets market reality and how to build a strategy that actually holds up when it matters most.

Notable Awards and Recognitions

• Founder of Fireweed Capital, a firm focused on active risk management and financial planning

• Managed over $600M for 2,500+ clients

• Former Senior Engineering Manager at Coinbase leading cloud infrastructure and optimization

• Doctorate in Computer Science with a background in finance and cybersecurity

How to connect with Dr. Adam Link

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlink/

Website: https://fireweedcapital.com/

Show Notes

01:24 — Early career in financial advising

Why Adam entered the industry early and what initially drew him to financial advising

04:18 — Imposter syndrome and early misconceptions

How advising without real-world experience reshaped his views on investing

06:41 — Lessons from Silicon Valley

What being around high-net-worth individuals taught him about money and purpose

11:21 — The psychology of becoming a millionaire

Why hitting financial milestones doesn’t always bring the fulfillment people expect

15:21 — Losing $800K in real estate

What went wrong, the risks of leverage, and lessons learned from the loss

21:50 — Why failure creates better investors

How experience and setbacks build stronger decision-making over time

24:18 — The flaws of passive investing

Why “set it and forget it” strategies often fail in real-world behavior

29:08 — The myth of diversification

How most portfolios are more concentrated than investors realize

33:37 — AI and investing

Where AI creates value and where it falls short in real-world execution

38:13 — Advice for founders and high earners

How to approach liquidity events, avoid lifestyle creep, and build a long-term strategy

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