The Axis Effect

This installment of The Axis Effect features Raphael Echemendia, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert.

As technology grows with the world around it, so has the vitality of cybersecurity. Where numerous individuals look to utilize hacking to steal the information of others for a variety of purposes, Echemendia is known as an “ethical hacker,” using his skills to help protect clients and create a safer cyberspace for people. Despite its association with more illegal activities, Echemendia helps define the concept of hacking as a skill, making it clear that hacking itself is not harmful, but how people choose to use it can be.

Echemendia discusses the misconceptions behind privacy on the internet, the risks behind leaving a trail and subsequent vulnerabilities on the internet, and how the cyber world continues to evolve.

To learn more, tune in to “Cyber Chaos.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Nick Bogacz, President of Caliente Pizza and author of the Pizza Equation.

Worth over $190 billion as of 2021, the pizza industry continues to grow as one of the country’s (and world’s) most popular foods. For Bogacz, the journey of being a leader in an industry defined by small businesses starts from the very bottom, working as a delivery boy at the age of 17 over two decades ago. Fast forward to the pandemic in 2020, and it’s clear to see how well Bogacz understands not only the importance of the business but how a leader treats their employees. Despite the hard hits all restaurants took from the pandemic, Bogacz chose to double down on taking care of his employees, raising salaries, and adding 401k’s and health benefits, among other programs to ensure positive well-being for his employees. From the economic changes of price increases, Bogacz opted to grow, creating new streams of income, as they are now preparing to release about 11 new products throughout retail stores in their local Pittsburgh area. Even as a brand, they’ve expanded in a variety of ways, including becoming the official pizza of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since the pandemic began and his team opted to focus on growth, Bogacz has grown Caliente Pizza’s number of locations from 5 to 12.  

Bogacz discusses the importance of building a bigger brand, how he’s continuously working to do this for Caliente Pizza, the key to making an amazing pizza, and why growing a company’s internal infrastructure for employees is crucial to growing said company outside as well. 

To learn more, tune in to “Freezing out the Competition.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Daymon Bruck, Chief Creative Officer at The O Group.

With over three decades of experience in branding, Bruck has led numerous advertising campaigns for some of the world’s most famous companies, including Microsoft, AT&T Wireless, and Nike. No matter the client, Daymon has dedicated thousands of hours to making each brand stand out and deliver a creative and original campaign that helps clients stand out and find new ways of marketing themselves to expand their businesses most effectively. Most recently, Bruck and his team at The O Group have seen a focus on industries like hospitality, jewelry, and home goods. With the evolution of technology in modern society, Bruck understands the niche of numerous luxury brands and how they each utilize technology in their unique approach.

Bruck discusses how and why different industries emphasize virtual branding, the shift many people are making into industries vastly different from where they’ve begun, and the importance of building brand loyalty through telling a relatable story targeted toward the proper audience. 

To learn more, tune in to “Brand Empowerment.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features the return of one of its most frequent guests: Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chairman & Founder of C-Suite Networks.

In an era when conditions are uncertain on every front, leadership has never been more important. Having spoken with some of the world’s most notable economists on his own platform, Hayzlett has acquired knowledge from a variety of crucial viewpoints to best understand how companies fail or succeed through the navigation of volatile economy.

Hayzlett discusses significant “unicorns” born in the fire of disastrous recessions, his personal experiences in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, hard choices he had to make for the better of his company at the time of the 2008 financial crisis, human sensitivity and the importance of mental health and communication in the wake of tragedy, and what he views as the defining criteria of a good leader.

To learn more, tune in to “The Most Interesting Man in the Room.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Christoffer Sigshøj, Co-Founder of KiteX.

Coming at a time when sustainability is more important than ever, KiteX is impacting the energy industry in one of the most innovative ways ever: utilizing the kites and drone technology to create portable wind turbines, pushing humanity along the path to make clean energy more accessible than ever. The impact spans further than delivering clean energy however, as their utilization of kites have allowed them to reduce waste and create a cost-effective energy source that utilizes minimal material.

Sigshøj discusses the company’s short and exciting history, the specifics behind this groundbreaking technology, anecdotes on his personal experience with wind-power and kites, and the joy of being able to combine work and hobbies while contributing to a better tomorrow.. 

To learn more, tune in to “Sustaining Power & Balance.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Kimberly Klein, Founder of Sport Cryo.

As one of the most revolutionary evolutions in the sports industry, Cryo Therapy acts as the newest way people can utilize the cold in the recovery process of physical exercise. With a wide variety of clients, Klein’s company offers many different services to customers, offering opportunities to reduce soreness in the body after strenuous activity, aid in weight loss, and even beauty, with a Cryo Facial sera ice to help preserve the skin and increase blood flow to the skin.

Klein discusses the specifics of how different Cryo Therapy are pushing boundaries in the wellness industry, how her company’s services differ from more well-known practices such as ice baths, and what led her to founding Sport Cryo. 

To learn more, tune in to “Freezing out the Competition.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Daphna Ziman, President & Co-Chairman at Cinémoi and the Founder & Co-Chair at Children United Nations.

Helping to give a voice to underrepresented groups, Cinémoi acts as one of the only television networks truly led by women, as well as one of the top networks surrounding high fashion. Created with the goal of fighting the negative and hyper-sexualized portrayals of women in media, Cinémoi works to fix this systemic issue, elevating the image of women in the world and giving them the recognition and appreciation they deserve. But Ziman doesn’t limit herself to one company. Children Uniting Nations -which she founded- is a charity group dedicated to fighting child trafficking and giving a voice to the underprivileged children of the world. Most recently, she has also founded Justice for Women, a group dedicated to eliminating trafficking and violence towards Women and Children.

Ziman discusses the problems faced by women in the world and how to fight these issues, how her companies are working to better the world, and how extreme poverty leads to greater negativity towards women specifically. 

To learn more, tune in to “The Science of Beauty.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Heather Brown, Señor VP of Entrepreneurial Development at Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. 

As one of the United States’ event capitals, Las Vegas is a center for innovation, technology, and entertainment. Brown works with the rest of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) to establish a community of startups and leaders around the city that fosters economic growth and collaboration for companies to grow within the Las Vegas ecosystem and reach new heights in their success.

Brown discusses LVGEA’s goal of showing there is more to Las Vegas than gambling and casinos, the various industries they’re expanding the city to, the perception Vegas currently receives from the public, and how LVGEA is trying to change that narrative.

To learn more, tune in to “The Economic Leadership of Entertainment.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Orit, CEO and Founder of The O Group.

Since its founding in 1986, The O Group has stood at the top of the branding industry for 37 years, working with many clients, including Ritz Carlton Residences, Acqualina Resort & Spa, and The Pierre Hotel. Continuously reinventing themselves and their focus to fit the times, The O Group currently operates its focus and image as a consultant group for luxury lifestyle brands. Orit understands this industry better than most, going as far as removing her last name in the public space to make her character stand out and stay memorable to the whole industry, especially potential clients. 

Orit discusses the importance of leaders standing behind their brand, knowing their audience, the unforgiving nature of mistakes in front of the public eye, and some of the most crucial mistakes made by leaders of startups looking to break into the luxury lifestyle industry.

To learn more, tune in to “Brand Inspiration.”

This installment of The Axis Effect features Estelle Lacroix, Managing Director at The Britley.

With a career in hospitality, Lacroix has seen herself in various roles in California’s high-end social scene before joining The Britley. Although their preliminary stages began before the pandemic, Lacroix faced an exciting challenge when tasked with building a community at a time when in-person contact was forbidden. As adaptive as ever, she leveraged The Britley’s position as a place where members could go out and meet new people once sanctions were lifted to allow in-person meetings again.

Lacroix discusses the industry of members-only social clubs, how they evolved with the pandemic, and how The Britley can hold hospitality to the highest standard and expect proper behavior from its members. 

To learn more, tune in to “Going Full Throttle on Social Communities.”