Founder’s Dinner

Tricia Marsherall embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2016 with the founding of Marsherall Partners, a consulting firm specializing in donor database management for nonprofit organizations. Drawing from her extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising operations, she transformed her passion for database work into a thriving business that now serves clients across multiple states and countries. Tricia’s perspective on entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in her upbringing, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, learning from both successes and failures, and sharing lessons learned within her team to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Her journey, marked by adaptability and innovation, particularly during the pandemic, underscores her belief in entrepreneurship as a path of constant growth, learning, and perseverance, shaped by her family’s influence and her unique approach to business ownership.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Tricia gained insights into entrepreneurship from her upbringing where business discussions were frequent.

• Adapting to remote services during the pandemic led to significant growth in Tricia’s business, reaching a wider audience.

• Learning from mistakes, pivoting quickly, and being resilient are key aspects of entrepreneurial decision-making according to Tricia.

• Having a supportive partner who understands the entrepreneurial journey is crucial for success, as highlighted by Tricia and Stas.

• Tricia and Stas emphasize the importance of having both grit and grace in entrepreneurship, combining determination with acceptance and adaptability.

Connect with Tricia Marsherall:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-marsherall/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Dafne Tsakiris, an accomplished entrepreneur originally from Sweden, has carved out a unique path in the entrepreneurial world after launching her own venture, Launch Point, in Colorado. Her perspective on entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in the belief that success stems from unwavering confidence in one’s vision and the relentless pursuit of problem-solving. Having transitioned from an au pair to a startup employee, and eventually to a business owner, Dafne emphasizes the importance of understanding finance and people management while leveraging one’s network for support. Through her journey, she has demonstrated that entrepreneurship is a continuous learning process, driven by the commitment to overcoming challenges and sharing knowledge with fellow entrepreneurs.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Launch Point has grown from a solo venture to a team of six individuals, with plans for further expansion as they are currently hiring a contractor bench.
• Dafne emphasizes the belief and confidence needed to succeed as an entrepreneur, stressing the ability to solve problems for success.
• Addressing the difficulties faced when scaling a business involves tough decisions, such as letting go of employees who do not align with the company’s core values and culture.
• Dafne emphasizes the importance of utilizing financial expertise within an entrepreneur’s network to build financial structures and models for business success.
• Entrepreneurs like Stas Balanevsky and Dafne Tsakiris emphasize the importance of helping and influencing fellow entrepreneurs by sharing mistakes and expertise to benefit the present and future generation.

Connect with Dafne Tsakiris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dafne-tsakiris/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Steven Coulton, co-founder of OnCore Golf alongside Bret Blakely, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey driven by his fervor for golf and the innovative promise of perimeter weighting technology in golf balls. Leaving behind a successful career at Deutsche Bank, Coulton embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship with a vision that combined both innovation and community support. Reflecting on this journey, he acknowledges the initial naivety of expecting overnight success and underscores the importance of perseverance and openness to unconventional opportunities. By fostering strategic partnerships, such as those with PGA Hope, and transitioning to a direct-to-consumer model, Coulton has not only propelled OnCore Golf to carve a unique niche in the industry but also demonstrated the significant impact of adaptability and collaboration in the business world.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Passion for golf and belief in revolutionary technology led to entrepreneurship

• Successful transition to direct-to-consumer model for golf products 

• Importance of planning, learning from mistakes, and adapting business strategy

• Budgeting for mistakes crucial in new product development proformas

• Positive outcomes from collaborations within the business community

Connect with Steve Coulton:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-coulton-8427a6a

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Todd Pellow’s entrepreneurial journey began in high school, fueled by ambitions of becoming the president of the United States and retiring by 40, and has since evolved into a rich tapestry of experiences and lessons. Guided by a seasoned business mentor, Todd’s early ventures in the tech industry, including founding a small ISP in New York, laid the groundwork for his expertise in internet connectivity and business development. Reflecting on his path, Todd emphasizes the importance of viewing entrepreneurship as a journey rather than a destination, valuing the relationships and experiences gained along the way. He underscores the need for discipline and belief in one’s vision while embracing the unpredictable nature of business, advocating for continuous learning, adaptation, and the courage to take risks and learn from failures.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Success is not just about the destination but also about the journey, people, relationships, and experiences encountered along the way.
• Importance of taking risks and learning from failures in achieving success.
• Building strong relationships with clients is crucial in business to navigate tough situations and achieve success.
• Trusting instincts in entrepreneurial decisions and seizing opportunities in real estate investment.
• Combination of instinct and strategic decision-making can lead to success in business.
• Balancing vision with practicality, discipline, and adapting from mistakes is key in managing the visionary curse in entrepreneurship.
• Investing in relationship building can result in increased revenue opportunities and sustainable business growth.

Connect with Todd Pelow:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-pelow-b958566a/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Episode Summary:

Dan Bajus’s entrepreneurial journey in physical therapy is deeply influenced by the ethos of hard work and leadership he inherited from his parents, who successfully ran their own millwork company. Beginning his career fresh out of college, Dan quickly ascended to a partnership role, where he championed financial transparency to address disparities in small practices. His strategic merger with a solo practitioner specializing in pelvic floor therapy significantly boosted their business, resulting in the establishment of Limitless Physical Therapy with multiple locations. Dan emphasizes authenticity in leadership, advocating for innovative healthcare models, shared ownership, and fostering professional growth, thereby creating numerous opportunities for his team to thrive.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Dan Bajus established a thriving physical therapy practice with multiple locations and staff.
• Introducing a pelvic floor physical therapy program and emphasizing financial transparency are key strategies in Dan’s entrepreneurship journey.
• Building an in-house marketing team that creates authentic content is crucial for generating leads and business growth.
• Innovating the healthcare business model by focusing on quality over volume and exploring new revenue streams is a priority for Dan.
• Incorporating lifestyle factors into treatment plans to improve overall health and engage clients for long-term sustainability is a key approach.
• Dan emphasizes the importance of authenticity in business and helping professionals establish their personal true north.
• Transitioning from a mentor to managing peers requires discipline in goal-setting, clarity in vision, and radical candor for effective leadership.

Connect with Dan Bajus:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bajus-a36402176

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Episode Summary:

Lena Levine’s entrepreneurial journey began when she moved to the United States in 2009, transitioning from a corporate web developer to founding her own software development agency, Forcoda, within just six months. Driven by her vision of becoming a CEO and armed with skills honed from her immigrant background, Lena applied her full stack engineering expertise to help companies build the right products for the right customers through design, technology, and data-driven decisions. Over the past decade, she has grown Forcoda into a thriving business with a team of 15, serving a diverse clientele that includes startups and Fortune 500 companies like Met Bank and Oral-b. Lena credits her success to the resilience and determination instilled in her by her immigrant experience, which has also fueled her commitment to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and contributing to the Buffalo startup ecosystem.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Immigrant experience equips individuals with valuable qualities crucial for navigating the entrepreneurial world.
• Resilience and determination gained from facing challenges as an immigrant are valuable assets in the entrepreneurial world.
• Adding a ‘WOW Factor’ to the sales process by exceeding client expectations drives business growth and success.
• Focusing on bootstrapping, generating sales, and refining the product before raising fun
• Mentoring startups, organizing events, and giving back to the community are essential in building lasting friendships and connections.
• Leveraging transferable skills acquired from relocating, such as resilience, networking, and goal setting, is instrumental in entrepreneurial success.

Connect with Lena Levine:

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

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Episode Summary:

Kim Marie McKernan is an accomplished entrepreneur who made a significant transition from a successful corporate career at renowned organizations like General Motors and Moog to founding her own business. With a robust educational foundation from Syracuse University and an MBA in marketing from the University of Buffalo, Kim’s journey is marked by her strategic and adaptive approach to entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of following one’s passion and seeking mentorship to navigate the numerous challenges of building a business, underscoring that there are no shortcuts to success. By blending big company strategies with nimble entrepreneurial thinking, Kim’s unique perspective highlights the transformative and rewarding nature of entrepreneurship, as evidenced by her rapid growth and success even amid the challenges of the pandemic.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• The importance of seeking help and mentorship in entrepreneurship
• The shift from selling processes to selling results in business
• Prioritizing customer needs over promoting expertise for business success
• The benefits of transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship
• The impact of entrepreneurship on personal growth and fulfillment
• Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial in the entrepreneurial journey

Connect with Kim Marie McKernan:

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

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

David Clar’s entrepreneurial journey began with purchasing a printing company from his parents, which he managed for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, the company transitioned from offset to digital printing, becoming a pioneer in the Rochester area. Despite facing numerous financial challenges, David’s resilience and commitment to innovation helped him navigate and ultimately overcome these obstacles. Reflecting on his experiences, David underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and treating employees with respect, contrasting sharply with what he views as a prevalent “quitting attitude” among corporate executives.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Capturing and reflecting on small pieces of wisdom can greatly influence personal growth and decision-making.
• Adapting to industry changes is crucial for success and profitability.
• Learning from entrepreneurial losses and turning them into wins is key for driving success.
• Building a positive culture within a company can lead to improved work atmosphere and success.
• Core values are important for decision-making, employee empowerment, and attracting like-minded individuals to the business.
• Respecting values and standing up for employees is crucial when dealing with challenging customers.
• Treating others as you would like to be treated and putting families first is essential for shaping company culture.

Connect with David Clar:

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

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Episode Summary:

Nelson Tepfer, co-founder and CEO of Pro CFO Partners has over 15 years of experience in the entrepreneurial world that began with his transition from a full-time CFO to a part-time consultant. His journey, marked by a diverse portfolio spanning dozens of industries, revealed intrinsic challenges such as balancing development and delivery and navigating feast or famine cycles. These experiences underscored the necessity of a collaborative and growth-oriented approach to financial leadership, prompting Tepfer to establish Pro CFO Partners. With a team of nearly 60 CFOs, Tepfer’s firm aims to address critical gaps in the market, emphasizing strategic financial planning and leadership to foster sustainable growth for organizations.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Defining the impact and process of a CFO role is crucial for leadership and decision-making.
• Understanding the role and impact of a CFO in organizations is essential for driving growth and success.
• Building effective teams requires defining qualities and standards for success.
• Core values such as being impact-driven and collaborative shape the team’s mindset for success.
• Continuous improvement and setting high standards are key for organizational evolution and excellence.
• Financial leadership, budgeting, and strategic decision-making are vital for organizational success.
• Companies experiencing rapid growth need to be financially prepared to avoid potential pitfalls.

Connect with Nelson Tepfer:

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

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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

Episode Summary:

Abby Reinhard discovered her entrepreneurial spirit later in her career, sparked by a career assessment that identified her entrepreneurial traits. Initially uncertain about her capabilities, Abby took a leap of faith and bought a flooring business, embracing the journey despite her self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She emphasizes the importance of pushing through fear, advocating for action and bravery even in the face of uncertainty. Abby’s journey, characterized by strategic hiring and seeking trusted advice, epitomizes her belief that one must seize opportunities and take risks to achieve personal and professional growth.

Here’s what to expect this episode:  

• Creating a book with stories of entrepreneurs to provide advice and cautionary tales for aspiring business owners
• Importance of hiring wisely and aligning core values when building a team within a newly acquired business
• Investing in more people is crucial for scaling a business and driving growth
• Seeking advice and feedback from trusted individuals can help in making decisions faster
• Taking action despite inner uncertainties and pushing through self-doubt for success

Connect with Abby Reinhard:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-reinhard-6579244

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

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

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