Founder’s Dinner

Episode Summary:

Kristian Pettengil, a seasoned professional with over 25 years in sales and leadership roles at Baxter Healthcare, ventured into entrepreneurship out of frustration with the traditional lead generation market. Initially reluctant to see himself as an entrepreneur, Pettengil founded a public benefits corporation designed to support nonprofits and give back to the community. His “help first” approach underscores the value of seeking advice from experienced individuals and fostering supportive relationships with business leaders for collective growth. Emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration, Pettengil’s journey highlights the need for a shift in mindset from problem-focused to solution-oriented thinking, enabling both personal and organizational success.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Establishing a public benefits corporation to address lead generation challenges and give back to the community.
• Community impact and reduced turnover rates as a result of being a public benefits corporation.
• Challenges faced while starting a unique business model and the importance of learning from missteps.
• Successful lead generation outcome with Tesla through effective client engagement.
• Importance of addressing missteps in client onboarding and forecasting issues collaboratively.
• Shift from a confrontational approach to involving team members in problem-solving discussions.
• Emphasis on trust, accountability, and community support for successful business operations.

Connect with Kristian Pettengill:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristianpettengill/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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URL: https://clarityops.co/

Episode Summary:

Garrett Delph is an entrepreneurial enthusiast who has embarked on a journey marked by a strategic and thoughtful approach to business. Delph believes that building a successful business is like constructing a building; it requires time, effort, and a solid framework to ensure durability. He emphasizes the importance of having a supportive network, including a coach and a peer group, as well as utilizing structured methodologies like the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Committed to continual growth, Delph actively engages with the entrepreneurial community through podcasts, sharing his insights and learning from both successes and failures to help others avoid common pitfalls and achieve success.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Sharing wins, losses, and lessons from experiences is significant for entrepreneurs’ growth and learning.
• Being a certified EOS implementer can help optimize company operations and create a people-first culture for sustainable growth.
• Identifying opportunities and pivoting businesses are crucial for entrepreneurial success, as seen in Garrett Delph’s journey.
• Understanding customer needs and infrastructure requirements are essential for scaling technology in a post-production business.
• Managing business failures requires delivering clear value propositions, avoiding micromanagement, and aligning business goals with customer needs.
• Establishing a core value playbook is crucial for guiding behavior and decision-making within an organization.
• Accepting criticism, feedback, and having a supportive network are essential for growth and success in business endeavors.

Connect with Garrett Delph

https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettdelph/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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Neil Twa’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the transformative power of risk-taking and adaptability. After leaving his corporate role at IBM in 2007, Neil leveraged his extensive experience in technology and management to build a successful consultancy by 2010. His transition from a structured corporate environment to entrepreneurship was driven by a quest for a more balanced life and a desire to push boundaries. Through personal anecdotes and experiences of both failures and triumphs, Neil underscores the importance of resilience, strategic decision-making, and aligning one’s actions with a deeper purpose, ultimately finding fulfillment in prioritizing family and meaningful relationships.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Transitioning from a self-employed mindset to a business owner and investor is crucial in brand building and e-commerce.
• Learning from failures, taking risks, and gaining wisdom through experiences are vital in entrepreneurship.
• Importance of due diligence, risk assessment, and avoiding emotional attachment in business decisions to prevent failures.
• Resilience, mental strength, and perseverance are key in overcoming adversity and personal growth.
• Transitioning from profit-focused to purpose-driven mindset leads to a more fulfilling and impactful business approach.
• Shifting from a mindset of scarcity to abundance empowers individuals to unlock their potential and make decisions for success.

Connect with Neil Twa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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Zach Schneider’s entrepreneurial journey began at the young age of 19 after he failed to secure an internship, prompting him to found Schneider Digital, which specializes in website development and software solutions. Reflecting on his path, Zach sees entrepreneurship not as a fast track to wealth but as a series of rigorous learning experiences demanding dedication and focus. His story, highlighted on The Entrepreneurship Podcast, sheds light on the importance of niche focus, strategic growth planning, and selective client engagement to achieve exponential success. Despite facing setbacks, including the impact of Covid on his ventures, Zach’s relentless drive and innovative approach have enabled him to start and sell multiple companies, all while mentoring other entrepreneurs through programs like EIR, Cultivator, and Launch.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Entrepreneurship requires focus, dedication, and adaptability for success.
• Niche focus in business can lead to long-term success and profitability.
• Strategic growth planning is essential for sustainable business growth.
• Staying ahead of industry trends and exploring new technologies is crucial in a changing landscape.
• Being selective in client engagements can lead to accelerated business growth and success.
• Supporting and mentoring other entrepreneurs is important for the growth of the business community.
• Learning from each entrepreneurial experience is valuable for personal and professional growth.

Connect with Zach Schneider

http://linkedin.com/in/zackschneider

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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Seth Greene is an accomplished entrepreneur with a successful background in marketing and communication, recognized for his achievements and featured on the Ink List. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Seth adopts a perspective of humility and gratitude, acknowledging the continuous evolution in business, marketing, and communication. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and trends to help clients grow their businesses effectively. Despite experiencing significant challenges and setbacks, such as a lucrative deal that fell through, Seth remains focused on his goals of making a meaningful impact and helping other entrepreneurs succeed, highlighting the value of perseverance and continuous improvement in achieving long-term success.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Building a successful business requires diversification to mitigate risks and ensure stability.
• Securing payment before finalizing a deal is crucial to avoid financial setbacks in business.
• Continuous innovation and adding value for clients are essential for maintaining loyalty and competitiveness.
• Focusing on a niche target market is key to crafting an effective marketing strategy and increasing chances of success.
• Establishing relationships with influential figures in the industry can lead to entrepreneurial success.
• Entrepreneurs should always have contingency plans in place and not assume deals are final until money is in the bank.

Connect with Seth Greene:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethgreene/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Mike Davern, co-founder of the thriving digital marketing agency Incept, has a compelling entrepreneurial journey that began with selling pages from adult-oriented magazines he discovered on a trail as a child. His perspective on entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in a desire to help others, particularly parents with sick children, by connecting them with necessary resources and support. Having transitioned from corporate America to co-founding Incept with his college roommate, Davern has faced numerous challenges but believes firmly in the lessons learned from both mistakes and successes. He envisions a future where his ventures not only innovate and grow but also make a significant positive impact on the world, underpinned by continuous learning and a dedicated focus on community aid.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Learning from failures and the value of perseverance are crucial in the entrepreneurial world.
• Thorough research is essential before making business decisions to avoid analysis paralysis.
• Applying learned strategies and adapting lead to improved efficiency and success for clients.
• Having a close-knit group of trusted advisors is crucial for making critical decisions.
• Unwavering determination is key to achieving success despite skepticism from others.
• Maintaining a dynamic inner circle and being open to pivoting when necessary are essential for success.

Connect with Mike Davern:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-davern/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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Episode Summary:

Susan Duke’s entrepreneurial journey began

in her mother’s retail business, planting the seeds of her desire to own a

business. Despite initially majoring in business administration, she found her

true passion in English and history, eventually leading her to pursue a law

degree. Her early legal career was fraught with challenges and a lack of

mentorship, but she took a leap of faith to start her own law practice, which

quickly became successful. Susan’s experiences have taught her the importance

of trusting her gut instincts, strategic financial planning, and fostering a

strong company culture, all of which have shaped her resilient and adaptive

entrepreneurial mindset.

Here’s what to expect this episode: 

• Seeking mentorship and guidance from legal professionals is crucial for entrepreneurship success.
• Building a strong company culture and hiring based on values are key to maintaining a successful business.
• Believing in abundance rather than scarcity is important for long-term business growth and success.
• Financial planning and strategic growth are essential elements in building a successful law practice.
• Core values and Three Unique’s can differentiate a business in a competitive market and shape its reputation and future growth.

Connect with Susan Duke:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-duke/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

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Rodney Reisdorf, the CEO and co-founder of Verivend, a fintech company based in Buffalo, has been a pivotal force in revolutionizing B2B payments with innovative solutions. With a background steeped in high-growth startups across various industries, Rodney has positioned Verivend as a trailblazer in the private capital space, likening it to a Venmo for private capital transactions. Under his leadership, the company is on the cusp of a significant milestone, nearing $1 billion in total transaction volume, a testament to its secure and frictionless platform for asset managers and investment sponsors. Through strategic focus and specialization, Rodney believes that Verivend is fundamentally transforming the way capital transactions are raised and deployed, emphasizing the necessity of alignment with the company’s core mission to foster meaningful progress.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Verivend is a fintech company in Buffalo aiming to simplify and secure capital transactions in various asset classes.
• Verivend has processed over $1 billion in total transactions volume milestone, serving asset managers and investment sponsors.
• Focusing on a specific market segment first before expanding can lead to growth and success.
• Entrepreneurs should say no to opportunities that do not align with the business’s core mission.
• Constantly raising capital is crucial for business growth and building trust with potential investors.

Connect with Rodney Reisdorf:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneyreisdorf/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Katharine Earnhardt embarked on her entrepreneurial journey ten years ago, establishing a thriving business now operating in four cities with a dedicated team of eight women. A self-motivated problem solver, Katharine finds inspiration in the stories of entrepreneurs from diverse fields, which has profoundly influenced her innovative business model. She values being surrounded by motivated women and places immense importance on guiding her clients through the process of building their art collections, positioning them as the heroes of their own stories. Defining success beyond financial achievements, Katharine emphasizes clarity, effective communication, and continuous personal and professional growth as the cornerstones of her business philosophy.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Dedication, clear vision, and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can lead to significant growth and personal fulfillment in the entrepreneurial world.
• Trusting one’s instincts and making decisions aligned with values can lead to success beyond financial gain and personal fulfillment.
• Acting as a guide rather than a hero in business leadership can empower clients to achieve their goals.
• Trusting intuition and making decisions aligned with values is crucial in business decision-making.
• Confidence and self-awareness are essential in transforming personal and professional life.
• Continuously evaluating decisions in light of new information leads to sound choices for successful outcomes.
• Engaging with art can enhance skills like curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, listening, and self-awareness for personal and professional growth.

Connect with Katharine Earnhardt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kearnhardt/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Adria Goldman Gross, a distinguished expert in the health insurance industry, collaborates with the Expert Institute, where her extensive knowledge is highly valued. Surprised but grateful to be approached by the organization, Adria works closely with lawyers, providing deep insights and guidance on complex legal matters. Her extensive experience, including co-authoring the book “Apparently Different” and founding Medwise Insurance Advocacy, underscores her commitment to helping others navigate financial challenges, especially in healthcare. Adria’s positive perspective on her involvement with the Expert Institute reflects her humility and dedication to leveraging her expertise for the benefit of others.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Adria Goldman Gross collaborated with the Expert Institute to work with lawyers, showcasing her expertise in legal matters. 
• Adria is releasing a book called ‘Apparently Different’ featuring personal stories focusing on diversity and uniqueness.
• Adria Gross advocates for individuals facing high medical bills to prevent bankruptcy and ensure fair billing practices. 
• Good credit is essential for obtaining car insurance and managing financial transactions, as discussed by Stas Balanevsky.
• Adria founded Medwise Insurance Advocacy to help individuals navigate complex medical billing processes and avoid financial hardship.

Connect with Adria Goldman Gross:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriagross/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices