The Unconventional Path: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Stories and Ideas.

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by  Reiner Lomb.  He is the author of “ASPIRE: Seven Essential Emotions for Leading Positive Change, No Matter Where You Are”. Reiner has been an executive at several major international corporations and turned his experience and philosophies into active coaching and leadership facilitation business. Please give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Reiner here: https://reinerlomb.com/ Our podcast is now available on YouTube and your favorite podcasting app.  For YouTube, just search for The Unconventional Path or use this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcihgLJ_eTFCgFXADE7_reg If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Brant Cooper.  He is a New York Times bestselling author of “The Lean Entrepreneur and CEO” and founder of Moves the Needle. Brant works as a trusted adviser to startups and large enterprises around the world. With  more than 25 years of expertise in changing industrial age mindset into digital age opportunities, Please give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Brant here: Brantcooper.com Our podcast is now also available on YouTube as well as your favorite podcasting app.  Just search for The Unconventional Path. If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Gary Frey.  Gary has served as president of four successful companies, including Bizjournals.com, a business news portal that he helped transform from a three-person organization to a $100 million company. He has done two turnarounds and held executive positions in two Fortune 100 companies. Gary leads business growth coaching and business development efforts for a regional CPA firm that serves privately held businesses and their owners. So give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Gary Frey here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garydfrey/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by retired Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr. has achieved over three decades of extraordinary leadership success in diverse organizations, including the United States Army where he commanded the 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Colorado prior to his retirement in 2007. Subsequently, he served in executive leadership positions in for-profit and not-for-profit companies before starting his own leadership company, Level Five Associates, in 2014. So give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Robert Mixon here: https://www.levelfiveassociates.com/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Ben Knegendorf.  He founded Paramount Pet Health.  An e-comm store for cats and dogs.  He started a business with $500 and after 2 years has achieved $11M in revenue.  It is quite a contrast to the VC-backed businesses that raise $20-$30M and still do not make it to $11M in revenue after 2 years. So give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Ben Knegendorf here: https://www.benknegendorf.com/ DropshipBreakthru.com DropshipPodcast.com

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Steven Adjei.  He is a fascinating, multi-faced individual who is an author, poet, healthcare consultant, and entrepreneur. He is the founding partner of BlueCloud Health (www.bluecloudhealth.com), a UK-based, African-focused healthcare firm that exists to provide solutions to health businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. So give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Steven Adjei here: https://www.stevenadjei.com/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, Mike and I chat about what is going on in our lives and some current events.  This is another one of those pre-podcast recordings that we decided to upload for those of you who are interested.  We talk about sailing, family, life in general, the economy, politics, the Jan 6th hearings, and energy prices in both the USA and Germany. If you like this episode, let us know, as it is a bit different. If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Michelle Seiler Tucker.  She is a 20-year veteran of the mergers and acquisitions industry where she is a leading authority on buying, selling, financing, and growing businesses. We had a fascinating conversation about how founders and company leaders often do not think about positioning the company for a successful acquisition. So give the episode a listen! You can find more info about Michelle Seiler Tucker here: https://seilertucker.com/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by  Devon Watson, Devon is the Executive Vice President of Global Banking & Chief Marketing Officer at Diebold-Nixdorf. Within his organization, he is also responsible for business development and acquisitions. The most common exit for entrepreneurs is being acquired or merged with another company. In my conversation with Devon, we discussed, what qualities Diebold-Nixdorf looks for in a potential acquisition,  how Diebold-Nixdorf evaluates acquisitions, and why a good strategic fit is critical. You can find more info about Diebold-Nixdorf here: https://www.dieboldnixdorf.com/en-us/about-us/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Brad Svrluga.  Brad is co-founder of primary Ventures based in New York City.  Primary is one of the premier early-stage VC firms in the United States.  He has over 20 years of experience in early-stage investing and Primary is the second VC firm Brad has co-founded.  We discuss how differentiating Primary from the crowded VC space has played a critical role in the firm's success.  Brad also shares his investing hot buttons and how elusive success can be in the entrepreneurial community. You can find more info about Primary Ventures here: https://www.primary.vc/ If you know of someone who would be a good guest for the show, let us know and we will try to get them as a guest.  We also love to hear from our listeners, send us your questions, comments, and suggestions at bela.and.mike@gmail.com - we will answer your questions in a future episode. Thanks for listening, Bela and Mike