Simon Says Inspire

We are so excited for you to meet Max Smith. In this episode, you will be inspired by Max’s entrepreneurial life and impact on his family and community!

Max Smith, hailing from Eagan, Minnesota, is a dynamic entrepreneur with a rich background in

both business and philanthropy. A graduate of Eastview High School and Concordia College,

Max grew up in an entrepreneurial family, deeply influenced by his late mother, Jennifer Smith,

who founded Innovative Office Solutions in 2001 and grew it into a $180 million company

before her passing in 2022.

While in college, Max founded the InSports Foundation with the vision of helping more kids

participate in sports. Today, the foundation has impacted over 60,000 children through free

camps, scholarships, and team sponsorships. Max has dedicated over 15 years to Innovative

Office Solutions, focusing primarily on sales and business development.

Recently, Max launched a new venture, IN SPORTS LLC, which features a podcast that

interviews college and professional athletes, uncovering valuable life lessons to help people

become the best versions of themselves. IN SPORTS LLC also has a real estate division that

invests in and operates sports facilities.

Max’s wife, Bridget, is heavily involved in the InSports Foundation, IN SPORTS LLC, and

Innovative Office Solutions. Together, they have three children, Braxton, Stella, and Briggs, and

enjoy keeping their kids active on the golf course, hockey rink, and various other sports fields

and courts.

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-smith-2b29a241/

Athletes IN Sports Podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/athletesinsports/

InSports Foundation:

https://www.instagram.com/insportsfnd/

Mr. InSports:

https://www.instagram.com/mr.insports/

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Chris Vasami is a husband, father, national speaker, coach, and mentor. You will hear his resiliency through his story. You will be captivated by his ability to help break down big things that are getting in the way of what you want to accomplish!

A former division 1 baseball player at Notre Dame and Elon University who was then drafted by the Colorado Rockies.  Chris started his entrepreneurial journey 20 years ago with Vasami Training, where he takes a holistic approach to developing young baseball and softball players to not only be the best player, but also the best human they can be.  Chris has been fortunate enough to have helped over 70 players make it to the collegiate level.  

Performance coaching has become a part of Chris’s work as a result of him battling cancer and hypothyroidism for the last 7 years.  Chris combines his passion for coaching, nutrition, lifestyle, training and human connection to help people find their peak performance! 

When speaking Chris takes his experience as a cancer fighter, his playing career and 20 years of coaching experience to help people work through their obstacles, take action, realize what they are capable of and win their make-or-break moments! With spirited honesty, unique perspective, and soul-searching questions, everyone in the room will leave feeling encouraged, empowered and inspired!

instagram – @chrisvasami

linkedin- www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vasami-924a9664

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We are so excited to share our friend Sheila with our audience!

Sheila A. Anderson, a seasoned professional in both personal branding and the world of modeling, is the driving force behind Image Power Play. With a deep passion for unleashing the power of personal brands, Sheila collaborates with visionary entrepreneurs, accomplished executives, and captivating keynote speakers to help them gain a Return on Image®. This is achieved by providing creative direction to a person’s overall image and style while aligning the visual elements of their personal brand.

Whether she is working on a corporate or personal brand, the essence of how individuals show up and how others experience them is at the heart of her life’s work.

With almost three decades of corporate branding experience, Sheila combines her creative direction and marketing acumen to craft magnetic personal brands that leave a lasting impression. Her exceptional ability to harmonize personal brands has led to unprecedented success for her clients.

Since 1991, Sheila has honed her expertise under the guidance of renowned figures in the image industry. She is a certified image consultant for the prestigious Universal Style® System and has received image training from one of only twelve Certified Image Masters in the world. Sheila’s extensive training and experience guide individuals on transformative image journeys.

Sheila, drawing from her background in professional modeling, is a sought-after expert in personal branding and has appeared as a guest on podcasts and local TV shows. Her insights have been featured in reputable publications like Business Insider and Fast Company magazine. She is the author of the book “I.C.U., Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand” and is currently working on her second book, titled “Return on Image.”

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sheila is committed to community and service. She is an active member of Cosmopolitan International, where she has held the position of International President, being only the third woman to hold this office in its 100-year history, and she currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing for the Association of Image Consultants International Chicago Midwest Chapter. Sheila’s dedication to her industry and community exemplifies her mission to illuminate the path of personal branding, helping entrepreneurs, executives, and keynote speakers unlock the captivating power of their personal brands and achieve a remarkable Return on Image®.

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ImagePowerPlay/

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

https://www.instagram.com/imagepowerplay/

Link to book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/I-C-U-Comprehensive-Guide-Breathing-Personal-ebook/dp/B077THZF8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512157111&sr=8-1&keywords=I.C.U.+Sheila+Anderson

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We are excited to have Darcy Schatz on the podcast.

A home-grown Minnesotan. She has been involved in nonprofits for most of her life. As a volunteer, staff member, Executive Director, and board member. She went to law school for fun! When she is not trying to save the world, she is hiking, kayaking, traveling, obsessing about crossword puzzles, reading non-fiction, and trying not to adopt all the animals in the shelters.

She is the Founder and CEO of Nonprofit Ops Pros, where she brings her incredible operational savvy to help her clients organize and scale.

Resources:

Website: www.nonprofitopspro.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nonprofit-ops-pro

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We are so excited to have our new friend, John Kennedy, on the podcast!

John is a Neuroplastician. He spent much of his life understanding systems, building better

systems, and saving some of the world’s largest companies from defective systems.

In 2007, his life took a significant turn when the US Marines asked him to develop an

innovative systems-based approach to reducing casualties and restoring lives. His innovative

approach to harmoniously train the brain and body simultaneously – now called The

Kennedy Method – forged an entirely new and powerful approach to significantly improving

individuals, teams, and companies.

John is a #1 Amazon International Bestselling author, a guest on many podcasts, and a featured speaker and trainer at Military, Leadership, Business, Sports, and Mental Health conferences. He works personally with well-known figures in the Military, Entertainment, Sports, and Business. He transforms lives everywhere, in person and via Zoom.

Resources:

John on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedycg/

Website: https://thekennedymethod.co/

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We are so excited to have a conversation with Becky! She’s an inspirational leader we are fortunate to know, and we wanted to share her story with our listeners.

Becky (Ben) is a former Senior Technical Manager for Materials and Platform Innovation at Sherwin Williams. She was transitioning to a new role at the time of the podcast recording. She recently joined Michelin as a Sr. Manager for Materials Science and Technology Platform.

Since she was a little girl, she has always been deeply passionate about uncovering the beauty of life. Initially torn between pursuing artistry or science, she ultimately chose to pursue her studies at one of China’s premier institutions with a focus on polymer programs. Subsequently, she followed the guidance of her graduate school professor and earned her PhD in Chemical engineering. Together, they authored numerous papers, providing Becky with the opportunity to travel and present her research to the global community.

Driven by her desire to apply her extensive technical knowledge to real-world industrial challenges, Becky made the pivotal decision to join Avery Dennison, a renowned global leader in pressure-sensitive adhesives. And she joined Sherwin Williams 5.5 years ago. As of today, she has spent over a decade in the industry, continuously expanding her expertise, forging connections, and engaging with diverse perspectives. Her greatest joy in her work lies in leading teams to tackle complex problems and drive meaningful impact.

Becky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benxuphd/

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We are so excited for you to get to know Jen Gilhoi! She is known for being a TEDx Speaker, Nonalcoholic Industry Connector, Cofounder Zero Proof Collective, Cofounder Sauna and Sobriety.

She is an advocate for and creator of healthy social experiences that decentralize alcohol. Her journey spans two decades of alcohol misuse, nine years of an alcohol-free lifestyle, corporate roles, and entrepreneurial ventures. She shatters stigmas around choosing not to drink by inviting others to engage in self and societal inquiry to heal and be well.

In her life and work, Jen is fascinated with the art of gathering and intentional conversations. She’s an event experience strategist and founder of Sparktrack; a writer and conversationalist cracking open society’s role in addiction at jengilhoi.com; and cofounder of Zero Proof Collective, where business leaders and those interested in the non-alcoholic beverages industry thoughtfully connect, collaborate, and share resources to advance zero-proof options, experiences, and social spaces. Jen is also cofounded Sauna and Sobriety in May 2023 to model safe, adult spaces that foster healing and belonging without substances.

WEBSITES: jengilhoi.com, zeroproofcollective.com; IG: sobernotsomber_ zeroproofcollective saunaandsobriety; LI jengilhoi zeroproofcollective; TEDxTalk: Why We Should Rethink Drinking Culture

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We are excited to have Tricia Dege join us on the podcast!

Women have been underrepresented in leadership positions for many years. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that 3 million women left the workforce during the pandemic. While some have returned, the trend of women, specifically working moms, considering slowing their careers or leaving the workforce entirely continues. Tricia founded Mom Mastermind to change this trajectory by helping businesses develop and retain talented working moms, to grow their leadership pipeline and create more executive women leaders. She is passionate about guiding others and seeing them live, love and lead the abundant life they already have. Mom Mastermind partners with business leaders across a variety of industries who are committed to ensuring women are well represented at various levels of leadership and are ready to take action to support them.

Tricia holds a Masters Degree in Health Services Management and Policy from The Ohio State University as well as a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She trained with the High Performance Institute as a Certified High Performance Coach. She developed and leads the proprietary coaching program and community of women in Mom Mastermind.

For more than 25 years, Tricia worked with businesses to improve their operational and financial performance. She is skilled at merging financial, strategic, and operational perspectives to solve business challenges, using people, process, and technology solutions. She led finance, operations, and internal consulting roles for a health system in Minnesota as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until 2021. Previously she served as a consultant at several large firms, supporting various clients’ performance improvement initiatives. She is known for creating simple solutions to complex problems. Her special skill is polished diplomacy, fostering trusted partnerships and relationships.

Tricia has been married for 15 years to her husband, Brian, who is a Pilot for Southwest Airlines. They spend most of their free time driving their daughters to activities and cheering them on at sporting events.

Website www.mommastermind.com

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-mason-dege/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mommastermind

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

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We feel very fortunate to have Michele on the podcast to share her story of turning the tragic loss of her son into advocacy.

Michele Hein is the Co-Founder and Board Chairwoman of the Fentanyl Free Communities Foundation. She brings her personal experience, passion, and dedication to the forefront of the organization’s mission.

Michele’s journey to advocacy was born out of personal tragedy when she lost her son, Tyler, to fentanyl poisoning, in July 2020. Tyler, a young man who radiated joy, loved music and the outdoors, and had a heart for helping others, left an indelible mark on everyone he met. His loss has profoundly shaped Michele’s life and mission, transforming her into a passionate advocate against the fentanyl crisis that is ravaging communities across the nation.

In the wake of this devastating event, Michele has channeled her grief into action. She has become a powerful voice in the fight against fentanyl, using her personal story to connect with others, inspire action, and raise awareness about the dangers of this lethal drug. Her advocacy work extends beyond awareness-raising, pushing for policy changes aimed at disrupting the supply chain of these harmful substances and holding those distributing them accountable.

Michele’s greatest joys are her granddaughter & grandson, husband, daughter, son-in-law and elderly mom.

To learn more about Fentanly Free Communities, check out the website: https://fentanylfreecommunities.org/

Connect with Michele on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-hein-8b77012/

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We love it when family is willing to join us on the podcast! Larry is John’s nephew, and we are so proud to share a little bit about him.

Larry Puszko is a seasoned professional currently serving as the Senior Manager of Revenue Operations—a graduate of Duquesne University, husband and father of two.

With a career spanning over thirty years, Larry began at Associates Leasing in Madison, WI, followed by stints at Baker & Taylor, General Nutrition Corp, and American Refining Group, all in Pittsburgh, PA. Larry’s journey eventually led him back to Baker & Taylor before joining FedEx in Pittsburgh in 2004.

Throughout his career, Larry has exemplified true leadership qualities, guided by principles that underscore the importance of gratitude, resilience, and teamwork. As a leader, Larry understands the significance of trust and delegation. By fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and empowered, he has successfully transitioned from manager to a mentor and leader.

Larry’s true legacy lies in his devotion to his family. Married to Beth for over three decades, he takes immense pride in the values instilled in their children, Kara and Drew. Larry’s dedication to his family echoes in his professional ethos, where respect, integrity, and collaboration are guiding principles.

Larry Puszko leaves an indelible mark as a leader, mentor, and devoted family man in both personal and professional spheres. His commitment to fostering a culture of respect, resilience, and collaboration ensures a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to work alongside him.

Here is how you can connect with Larry on LI:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-puszko-95297952

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