The Authority Company

Joe welcomes Greg Rohl to the podcast. Greg has over 30 years of experience successfully marketing luxury products in a traditionally commodity-driven industry. Greg is now a coach and educator, helping professionals develop compelling storytelling abilities to connect the value of their premium offerings to customers' unmet needs. An expert in fighting commoditization, Greg co-authored the book "The Corporateneur Plan" along with his father Ken and Pamela Danziger. The book provides an actionable roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs, drawing lessons from Ken's journey to building a successful luxury home business. In the conversation, Greg discusses his approach to marketing high-end products by crafting distinctive and persuasive narratives that resonate with customers' desires. He shares insights from "The Corporateneur Plan" on making the transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship. The episode offers valuable advice for business leaders seeking to differentiate their brands, overcome commoditization, and achieve entrepreneurial success by following the proven "rules of the road" outlined in the book.

Today, Joe Pardavila talks with Sharon Heaton, founder of sbLiftOff, a firm serving commercial and government contracting companies, and author of the book "LIFT OFF: 12 Things to Know Before You Sell Your Company." The discussion centers around the topic of what happens after entrepreneurs have built, scaled, and grown their businesses—the process of successfully selling their company. Sharon, known as a leading advocate for small businesses, shares her expertise gained from years of experience guiding owners through mergers and acquisitions. Her book provides a roadmap to prepare business owners for the pitfalls and trade-offs involved in the sales process. The conversation covers how owners can emotionally and mentally prepare themselves for this major transition, as well as negotiation strategies to get the best deal when selling. As a respected voice on entrepreneurship, investment, and the importance of small businesses to the American economy, Sharon offers invaluable insights for any owner looking to eventually monetize and pass on their successful venture.

This week, Joe welcomes Feyzi Fatehi, a visionary and Silicon Valley luminary whose impact reverberates through the tech landscape. Recipient of the esteemed CODiE Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Feyzi serves as Chairman and CEO of Corent Technology, driving the forefront of tech disruption with automated SaaS enablement, poised to transform industries as we know them. With a wealth of experience in technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship, Feyzi's influence extends far beyond the boardroom, as evidenced by his groundbreaking book "Democratizing SaaS.” In this episode, Joe and Feyzi delve into the remarkable journey of a young immigrant ascending to prominence in Silicon Valley, the transformative power of software as a service, and the pivotal moment when a message from Steve Jobs ignited Feyzi's entrepreneurial spirit. Tune in for an insightful discussion that promises to inspire and enlighten.

In this episode, Joe sits down with one of the most powerful and influential women in entertainment, Bonnie Hammer, the Vice Chair of NBCUniversal. Bonnie has been hailed as the "Queen of Cable" and has forged a legendary career, transforming every facet of the television business in the male-dominated industry. Known for her candor, mentorship of women, and reputation for predicting television's future, Bonnie shares her hard-won wisdom for professional success in her new book, "15 Lies Women Are Told At Work...and the Truth We Need to Succeed." After rising from humble beginnings to leading NBCUniversal's cable group to record profits and 167 Emmy nominations while launching hit shows, Bonnie joins Joe to discuss rejecting common myths about how women are "supposed" to behave in the workplace. She offers uncommon sense insights to help women succeed drawn from her trailblazing career path.

Kerry Song joins Joe to discuss her entrepreneurial journey in founding Abbot's, a plant-based meat company. Kerry outlines how various experiences, from working on Wall Street to becoming an executive for Tony Robbins, led her to eventually start her own mission-driven business. The catalyst for Abbot's came when Kerry was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that severely impacted her health. She went on a strict whole-food, plant-based diet, which greatly improved her condition. Craving her favorite meat dishes but wanting healthy plant-based alternatives, Kerry saw a need in the market and began developing Abbot's meat-free products using real, trustworthy ingredients. Kerry explains the multi-year process of iterating Abbot's recipes, getting customer feedback, going through an accelerator program, and eventually officially launching the company. She discusses the plant-based industry and shares what's next for the fast-growing Abbot's brand, including an upcoming major product release. Kerry emphasizes that Abbot's is about serving its health- and environmentally-conscious customers, whether vegan or simply trying to make better choices.

Get ready for an inspiring episode on The Forbes Books Podcast as Joe welcomes Mary Cianni, author of "The Consultant’s Compass: Navigating Success with Courage, Curiosity, and Compassion." With a rich background as a clinical Assistant Professor at New York University and senior leadership roles at Korn Ferry and Willis Towers Watson, Mary brings unparalleled expertise in organizational consulting and change management. Her new book promises a transformative framework for success, blending courage, curiosity, and compassion. In this engaging conversation, Mary shares her insights on navigating the complexities of modern business, drawing from her extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions, change implementation, and thought leadership. Join us for a journey into Mary Cianni's world, where her wisdom and passion illuminate the path to growth and excellence. About Mary Cianni: Mary is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the MS Executive Coaching & Organization Consulting (ECOC) program at New York University, accountable for the design and delivery of the consulting elements of the program. She joined the NYU faculty from Korn Ferry where she was a Senior Client Partner and Global Leader of the Integrated Transformation Solutions. Previously, Mary spent 18 years at Willis Towers Watson serving in a variety of leadership roles including Global Leader, Mergers & Acquisitions and Northeast Leader, Change Implementation. In her consulting roles, Mary worked with clients across industries on transforming their cultures and workplaces. She spent time in the corporate world as a senior consultant at a financial services company and as Global Head, HR for a specialty pharmaceutical company. Prior to beginning her consulting career, Mary was a tenured Associate Professor of Management at the Sigmund Weis School of Business, Susquehanna University. She launched the Mentor Program for women students and was a founding member of the Women Studies Program. She now serves as a Trustee on Susquehanna’s Board of Directors. Mary publishes articles on a range of HR topics including diversity & inclusion in professional and peer-reviewed journals. She is the lead author of two chapters in Making Mergers Work. In March 2024, her book The Consultant’s compass: Navigating success with courage, curiosity and compassion will be published by Forbes Books. Mary has been featured in a variety of media outlets and is a frequent guest speaker and panelist at professional conferences. She holds a PhD in Psychology from Penn State University.

This week, we plunge into the dynamic intersection of technology and relationships with none other than Richard Walker, CEO of York Solutions. Richard's wealth of experience unfolds as he shares the transformative power of meaningful connections in both professional and personal realms. From his humble beginnings in a quaint English town to steering one of the globe's premier IT consulting firms, Richard's journey underscores the profound impact of relationships on careers, companies, and communities. Tune in to explore the core of "Relationship Equity," Richard's fervently advocated principle, revealing how investing in significant connections can yield exponential rewards. In this episode, we unravel the layers of Richard's story, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the inspiration behind his new book, "Relationship Equity.”

This episode features Jordan Belfort, the infamous former stockbroker and author of the memoir "The Wolf of Wall Street." Joe delves into Belfort's rags-to-riches rise and fall on Wall Street, his subsequent imprisonment for fraud, and his current efforts at redemption as a motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Jordan candidly discusses his past mistakes and the lessons he has learned, offering insights into the dark side of ambition and the power of personal transformation. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of the financial markets and his predictions for the future. Plus, they get into Jordan's latest book, The Wolf of Investing, which teaches readers when to buy, sell, hold, and cash out; how to make smarter (and safer) investments; and how to build significant wealth over both the short- and long-term. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in business, finance, or the power of personal transformation.About Jordan Belfort: In the 1990s, Jordan built one of the most dynamic and successful sales organizations in Wall Street history. To this day, his proprietary sales training techniques and daily motivational speeches are the stuff of legend – earning him a reputation as a 'motivator without peer.’ His life story has been turned into the blockbuster feature film: The Wolf of Wall Street, with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the role of Belfort and directed by Martin Scorsese.His Straight Line Sales & Persuasion System has been tested and proven to transform virtually any individual (regardless of age, sex, educational background, or social status) into a world-class closer and top producer in their field.Today, his life represents the ultimate redemption story. After surviving his rise and fall as an American entrepreneurial icon, he is now a world-renowned motivational speaker and sales trainer who assists both people and organizations in breaking through barriers on the path to achieving measurable, lasting success. And as a top business consultant, Belfort has worked with over 50 public companies and multiple Fortune 500 brands, including IBM, Virgin Airways, & the John Maxwell Team.He is the subject of a Billboard-charting hit song: Jordan Belfort and his social media presence is robust, with over 3.7 million TikTok followers, and millions more across his other channels. Jordan is also the host of the fastest-growing business podcast on Apple (The Wolf's Den).His three bestselling books have been published in 22 countries and translated into 18 different languages. And he is a frequent guest commentator on CNN, CNBC, and the BBC. At home, Jordan is a beloved and dedicated family man. He adores his lovely wife Cristina and is the proud father of three wonderful children: Chandler, Carter, and Bowen.

In the latest episode of the Forbes Books Podcast, Joe engages in a candid conversation with Craig Wieland, a genuine cowboy and seasoned family business specialist. Craig recounts his journey from humble beginnings as a laborer to ascending to the presidency of his family's small construction firm in Michigan. Over his illustrious 40+ year tenure, he spearheaded the growth of the company into one of the state's largest enterprises with a nationwide footprint, ultimately retiring as a respected industry figure. Joe and Craig reflect on the invaluable lessons passed down from their respective fathers, dissect the contemporary landscape of the construction sector, analyze prevailing economic trends, and even delve into the enduring mystique of cowboys.

Joe sits down with Rajul Kadakia and Jaclynn Brennan, co-founders of the ayana Foundation. ayana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering and uplifting women founders worldwide through education, mentorship, and enhanced access to funding. Rajul Kadakia is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with a passion for promoting gender equality and empowering diverse founders. Jaclynn Brennan is the co-founder & executive director of ayana. She is a seasoned executive with expertise in brand development, community building, marketing, and strategic partnerships. Rajul and Jax discuss the inspiring journeys that led them to co-found ayana. They share insights on women founders' challenges in accessing resources and funding and how ayana aims to bridge those gaps. The conversation also covers ayana's upcoming initiatives at the South by Southwest festival to empower and uplift women in entrepreneurship. Joe dives deep with these two powerhouse founders to understand their vision for creating a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem worldwide.About Rajul Kadakia: Rajul is an esteemed serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist with an unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering diverse founders. As the former Co-Founder & Chairwoman of ayana- she takes an innovative approach to empowering female entrepreneurs from ideation to funding, continually pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. She recognized the challenges faced by first-time female founders in accessing support and early-stage funding, and through TechGirl and ayana, she aims to expand the pool of female entrepreneurs and drive tangible change in the tech world. Rajul's expertise as an angel investor is focused on nurturing promising startups, particularly those led by women. Her career started in investment banking and evolved into successful ventures like PixyKids and Craze, which were integrated into TechGirl to leverage their analytics, social features, and community capabilities. Beyond her professional achievements, Rajul serves on prestigious boards and actively engages in nonprofits and charities focused on uplifting women, fostering entrepreneurship, and celebrating diversity. Her remarkable achievements and visionary leadershipAbout Jaclynn Brennan: Jax is a seasoned and forward-thinking executive, with a proven track record of success in brand development, community building, marketing, event production, and strategic partnerships. Recognized as a leader in propelling growth, fostering innovation, and enhancing overall team engagement, Jaclynn is dedicated to shaping compelling narratives and impactful strategies.With a passion for personal branding, Jaclynn has been instrumental in assisting prominent leaders and CEOs in uncovering their core values and defining their purpose. Her unique methodology prioritizes the establishment of a robust foundation and positioning, followed by meticulous design and aesthetic considerations. This is seamlessly translated into comprehensive content and digital strategies, elevating visibility and thought leadership.Beyond her role in brand building with Creative Duality, Jaclynn spearheads the production of the Creator Collective, a community engagement series forYouTube. This initiative is designed to foster growth and connectivity within the creator economy.In her previous roles, Jaclynn showcased her expertise in creative direction, brand development, and global production management across diverse industries, including fashion, tech, and the social impact sector. As the Co-Founder of Fyli Tribe, a private membership community, she played a pivotal role in empowering early-stage female founders by providing essential resources, education, and support. The community grew to over 10,000 female founders, while establishing key brand partnerships with institutions like Soho House, Bumble, and UBS.Jaclynn's commitment to supporting first-time founders has evolved into her role as a founding team member & Executive Director of ayana, a 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to bridging the gap for women founders. ayana provides essential tools, resources, and support, envisioning a future where entrepreneurship is accessible to all, regardless of gender or background.With over a decade of experience as a Creative Director for luxury fashion brands, coupled with her expertise as a personal brand builder, strategic partnerships connector, and event host/producer, Jaclynn Brennan stands as an authority in propelling brands, organizations, and entrepreneurs to new heights of success.