To The Top: Inspirational Career Advice

Keith "Pistol" Hawk was VP of Sales at LexisNexis where he led a salesforce of over 1,000 people. He co-authored "Get-Real Selling: Your Personal Coach for REAL Sales Excellence" and he's given many keynote speeches at corporate events about leadership.  In this episode we discuss: -How his upbringing helped him become self-reliant at an early age -The power of presence when raising children -The keys to a long, happy marriage  -Pitfalls of leadership -Having hard conversations at work, and more -- email questions to omaid@omaid.me

Ariel Kaye is the founder and CEO of Parachute, the Los Angeles-based home essentials brand she launched in 2014. With no prior retail experience, Ariel transformed a simple observation about the lack of quality, non-toxic bedding into a multi-million dollar company that has redefined the direct-to-consumer home goods space. Before founding Parachute, she worked in marketing and media, experiences that proved invaluable in building a brand known for its storytelling and customer-centric approach. Today, Parachute operates retail stores across the country and has partnered with major retailers like Target, all while maintaining its mission of bringing comfort and quality into people's homes. In this episode we discuss: Why "I'll figure it out" is a legitimate business strategy – How embracing uncertainty and learning as you go can be more powerful than having all the answers upfront The transformative power of belief – How one friend's confidence in her abilities changed everything, and why believing in others (and telling them so) can literally change lives Why asking for help is your secret weapon – How to overcome the fear that not knowing everything makes you weak, and why the best leaders are the ones who know what they don't know How to handle rejection without losing momentum – Practical strategies for dealing with hundreds of "nos" from investors while staying focused on your vision The art of progress over perfection – Why small, consistent actions often matter more than grand gestures, especially for high achievers who get stuck in perfectionist cycles -- Check out the t-shirts for the podcast: https://www.bonfire.com/to-the-top-4/    

We're joined by Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer of North America at Bugaboo, the premium Dutch stroller company known for its innovative design and engineering excellence. Jeanelle's career journey is a masterclass in turning uncertainty into opportunity—from answering phones at her parents' dental practice at age nine to scaling global brands at Nike across Europe and New York, and now leading growth for one of the world's most recognizable parenting brands. As a first-generation Filipino American who lived in the Netherlands for nearly a decade before becoming a new mother herself, she brings a unique perspective on building careers, leading teams, and creating products that truly solve problems for parents worldwide.  In this conversation, you'll learn: -The "Why Not You?" mindset that her immigrant parents instilled and how it shaped every major career decision -Her 5 AM routine and "3-3-3 exercise" for starting each day with intention and gratitude -Why being "consistently good beats being occasionally great" and how small, compound actions build extraordinary careers -The art of "praising in public and criticizing in private" to build psychological safety and high-performing teams -How she identified the perfect career opportunity at the intersection of personal experience and professional growth -Bugaboo's obsessive approach to solving real parental problems and why their durability standards are seven times higher than industry minimums -The power of treating your network like a bank account and making relationship deposits before you need to make withdrawals Whether you're early in your career or leading teams of your own, Jeanelle's insights on communication, consistency, and finding green shoots of optimism even in challenging times will change how you think about building both professional success and personal resilience.

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Bantle, President of heritage brand Filson and the former Patagonia executive who helped transform a $200 million company into a billion-dollar global powerhouse. From his philosophy degree to building some of the outdoor industry's most iconic products like the Nano Puff, Tim shares the unconventional path that led him to the top of two legendary American brands. You'll discover why he doesn't have a resume, how a family crisis became his greatest career opportunity, and the simple advice from his optician father that shaped his entire approach to business. Tim reveals the leadership strategies that actually work—from asking questions for six months before making changes to why authenticity is your ultimate competitive advantage. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own business, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's actually done it. What We Discussed: From Philosophy Student to Outdoor Industry Leader - How Tim's unconventional academic background in philosophy and literature led to a career building billion-dollar outdoor brands, and why his father jokingly told other parents to have their kids "just study philosophy" The Product Innovations That Changed Everything - The inside story of creating Patagonia's breakthrough products like the Down Sweater and Nano Puff, including how a failed fleece project accidentally revolutionized down insulation and became a billion-dollar product line How Family Crisis Became Career Catalyst - Why having a special needs child and his wife leaving her career actually freed Tim to pursue global opportunities, leading to roles across California, Utah, Europe, and Canada Leadership Without a Playbook - Tim's approach to taking over heritage brand Filson, why he spends six months asking questions before making changes, and how he avoids the trap of bringing solutions from previous companies The Network Effect and Authentic Success - Why Tim doesn't have a resume, how every job opportunity came through relationships, and his philosophy that being the best version of yourself is the key to finding the right opportunities

Sara Sugarman is the founder and CEO of Lulu and Georgia, a leading online home décor brand that democratizes access to beautiful, designer-quality furnishings at accessible prices. Coming from a third-generation design family—her grandfather founded a pioneering rug company in Los Angeles in the 1950s—Sara initially worked in magazines at O Magazine under Gayle King before joining her family's decorative carpet business. She launched Lulu and Georgia as a side project in the early 2010s, naming it after her grandfather Lou and father George, with the mission to make high-end design accessible to everyday consumers rather than just interior designers. The company experienced explosive growth, particularly during COVID-19, and has become known for its successful influencer collaborations and empathy-driven customer service. As a working mother of three, Sara leads with an entrepreneurial philosophy focused on trusting employees, avoiding micromanagement, and creating a company culture where people can make meaningful impact. Her journey represents a modern evolution of family legacy, transforming traditional design industry practices for the digital age. In this episode, we discuss: 1. Trust People and Let Them Fail Sara's father taught her that "any decision is better than no decision" and the importance of not micromanaging. She learned that failure isn't actually failure—it leads to success and opportunity. As a leader, giving people autonomy to make decisions (even wrong ones) builds stronger, more capable teams than controlling every outcome. 2. Follow Your Passion, Not a Predetermined Path Sara studied English and Psychology without a clear career plan, worked in magazines, and eventually found her way to entrepreneurship organically. She didn't follow traditional business school routes or entrepreneurial playbooks, proving that authentic success often comes from pursuing what genuinely interests you rather than forcing a prescribed formula. 3. Experience Trumps Formal Education When Sara wanted to attend business school, her father refused to pay for it, telling her "if you want to learn business, you're going to work for me." She acknowledges that while she missed out on some formal skills like accounting, the hands-on experience taught her invaluable lessons that couldn't be learned in a classroom. Real-world application often provides deeper learning than theoretical study. 4. Empathy is Your Competitive Advantage Sara's approach to customer service centers on understanding that home décor purchases are tied to important life moments—parties, new babies, family gatherings. By genuinely empathizing with customers' disappointments and taking authentic action to fix problems, you build lasting relationships that differentiate your business from competitors who treat interactions as transactions. 5. Constraints Can Force Better Decision-Making Having three children while running a company taught Sara the power of intentional time management. Working mothers, she notes, "know how to prioritize" and "spend their time really wisely" because time is limited. Rather than seeing constraints as limitations, they can force you to focus on what truly matters and make more decisive, efficient choices in both life and business.  

Sam Vander Wielen is the founder of a multimillion-dollar legal templates business and author of "When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy: A Practical, No-BS Guide to Successful Online Entrepreneurship." As a former corporate attorney turned entrepreneur, Sam provides legal templates and education to online business owners, helping them protect themselves and their businesses without the anxiety or expense of hiring a lawyer. After pivoting from a brief stint as a health coach, Sam discovered her niche when fellow entrepreneurs kept asking her legal questions at a wellness conference. Today, her signature product, the Ultimate Bundle, has generated over $8 million in revenue, while her weekly newsletter "Sam's Sidebar" reaches more than 47,000 subscribers. In this episode, you'll learn how Sam discovered her multimillion-dollar business idea by listening to her audience at a wellness festival, where people lined up for legal advice instead of health coaching You'll discover why Sam believes starting with a viable business concept is more important than just "following your passion" and how differentiation beats trying to be better than competitors You'll hear about Sam's ingenious "broccoli and mac and cheese strategy" that helped her grow an email list of 47,000 subscribers by balancing necessary legal content with topics people actually want to consume This conversation reveals why Sam intentionally keeps her business streamlined around one core offering (her "Ultimate Bundle") rather than constantly expanding - and how this approach supports both profitability and work-life balance You'll understand the central message behind Sam's book title "When I Start My Business I'll Be Happy" as she challenges the "when-then" mindset and explains why external success doesn't automatically bring happiness

In this enlightening conversation with Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40 Company, you'll discover powerful leadership insights that transformed an ordinary product into an extraordinary company. Here's what to expect: How values create freedom - Gary explains his hierarchical value system that empowered employees to make independent decisions anywhere in the world without "quacking up the hierarchy." Embracing "learning moments" rather than failures - Learn how reframing mistakes revolutionized WD-40's culture and encouraged innovation without fear. The ego-empathy balance - Discover why letting "empathy eat your ego" instead of the reverse is crucial for effective leadership. The power of authentic humility - Gary shares his mother's wisdom: "Even the Queen sits down to pee" and how staying grounded shaped his leadership style. Why "coach" should replace "manager" - Understand the fundamental difference between managing and coaching that transformed WD-40's organizational structure. The "Maniac Pledge" for accountability - Learn about Gary's antidote to the "Na-Na-Na Disease" of finger-pointing that builds true responsibility. Not ignoring your "alarm bells" - A personal story illustrates the importance of paying attention to warning signs in both business and life. The interview offers a masterclass in building cultures where people feel they belong, know they matter, and can contribute meaningfully - all proven through 25 years of leadership without a single layoff.

Rich Gannon is a former NFL MVP and quarterback for the Vikings, Chiefs, and Raiders. He's currently a broadcaster and analyst for CBS.  In this interview we discuss:  -How he responded when he was at a crossroads in his career -How his experience in Minnesota and Kansas City may have prepared him for the unique situation in Oakland -What made him believe the Raiders would give him the 'keys to the kingdom' -What he did to change the culture at the Raiders -How to move on from a bad play, his favorite comeback win and more..

Today we're sitting down with Raffi Grinberg, author of "How to Be a Grownup: The 14 Essential Skills You Didn't Know You Needed Until Just Now." After walking away from Wharton's MBA program just two weeks before it started, Raffi challenged conventional wisdom and created a wildly popular college course teaching the life skills most schools never address. His journey from management consultant to educator offers a refreshing perspective on designing a meaningful life in a world that tries to program our decisions. In this enlightening conversation, we explore: Why breaking free from "default programming" is essential for creating a life you won't regret How to identify your unique "superpowers" and leverage them for greater career fulfillment The critical transition from an achievement mindset to a contentment mindset without losing your ambition Why making counterintuitive life choices—like moving next door to your best friends—can lead to deeper happiness than following the traditional script

Ximena Vengoechea has been UX researcher at companies like Twitter and Pinterest. She is the author of several books including the one we discuss today titled Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection.  Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Fast Company, CNBC, The Muse, among others. She writes a regular newsletter on personal growth and human behavior at ximena.substack.com. In this inteview we discuss: How to Listen Beyond Words - Discover techniques to understand the emotions and unspoken needs hiding beneath surface-level conversation. When to Switch Listening Modes - Learn to identify your default listening style and how to adapt it based on what others actually need from you. Turning Any Topic Into an Engaging Conversation - Find out how to remain genuinely curious about subjects that don't naturally interest you by focusing on the person sharing them. Setting Healthy Boundaries While Listening - Master the balance between empathetic listening and protecting yourself from carrying others' emotional burdens. The Power of Being Fully Present - Understand how mindfulness, reduced note-taking, and self-awareness create the foundation for meaningful connections. -- email questions to omaid@omaid.me