Why Not Now? with Amy Jo Martin

Dan Khabie is the Co-Founder of CourtAvenue, an operating network helping transform the digital landscape. CourtAvenue doesn’t predict the future, they create the future. The people behind the company are literally laying the ground work and pave the way into the unknown. Dan is a master storyteller with a contagious zest for life.    In this episode, Dan talks about one of his most impactful Why Not Now? moments that came when he was only 24 and starting his first company, Digitaria. He tells the incredible story of how he won the business of Digitaria’s first big client & how that moment transformed the trajectory of his career.    Dan and Amy Jo discuss navigating major downturns in business. He shares the unbelievable story of his first child’s birth when his business partner snuck into the delivery room to inform Dan that they were out of cash and didn’t have the funds for payroll. This moment could’ve been the end of his entrepreneurial journey, but instead, he chose to seek out the advice, knowledge, & tools he would need to fight for and save his company. After getting Digitaria back on track, it was acquired & Dan soon found himself running the company that acquired him! How’s that for a lesson on not giving up?   Dan has a unique ability to flip a switch and turn on the Rocky soundtrack music in his mind to help motivate him when the going gets tough. He shares how he’s able to help other people learn how to flip that switch in themselves.   Dan also talks about his newest company, CourtAvenue, which is also home to fellow Why Not Now? guests, Kenny Tomlin & Michael Stich.   Learn more about Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khabie/ Follow Dan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/khabie   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Virginia Suliman is the Executive Vice President and CIO of Invitation Homes. Prior to joining Invitation Homes, Virginia was Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at Hilton Worldwide, where she held a variety of escalating roles across Digital and Technology.   In this episode, Virginia shares a Why Not Now? moment that came after working with Hilton Worldwide for 22 years. She was offered a position with Invitation Homes, and while she initially had no intention of taking the job, she decided to go to the interview. She shares the story of meeting with the CEO and how a Pop-tart led her to say “Why Not Now”?   Virginia and Amy Jo discuss creating culture and building an environment in the workplace where people can feel comfortable to be themselves and let their creativity flow. She looks at her team as a collection of souls and works to understand who they are in order to help fully unlock their potential.    She talks about how she draws from her own personal life experiences to make her a stronger leader. Through connecting with people on a personal level, she’s able to help them find the best fit within their team. She also finds that making that connection can help when having tougher conversations.    Virginia also shares stories from her time in the Renegade Accelerator as well as other things she’s done to invest in herself.    Learn more about Virginia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiasuliman Follow Virginia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/virginiasuliman   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Stephanie Paterik is editor in chief and SVP of Adweek, the industry’s most trusted source for news and insights about advertising, marketing, and media innovation. She is an award-winning journalist who rose from freelance copy editor to a member of the office of the CEO in only 6 years.    In this episode, Stephanie shares a Why Not Now? story with Amy Jo that shaped the journey of her life and career. She had been working as a journalist in Phoenix for several years when she made the decision to quit her job, move to New York City, become a poet, and start an editorial consulting business on the side. This part of Stephanie’s journey felt like a detour, but it ultimately led to the role of editor in chief of Adweek.    Stephanie believes that success can be found in the intersection of business and creativity. She discovered that after receiving her MFA in poetry, her business began to thrive. She shares how she was able to apply the creative tools and skills she developed through her art to her work life.    She talks about the importance of leading with empathy and creating an environment where her team feels comfortable enough to pull their best ideas to the surface. Being an empathetic leader also helped both her and her team process the passing of a long-time co-worker.    Stephanie also shares a story from her freshman year of college where she learned the important lesson of not being afraid to speak up for herself.   Learn more about Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-paterik Follow Stephanie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephpaterik   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Samantha Busch is an author, entrepreneur, influencer, co-owner of a professional racing team and wife to NASCAR driver Kyle Busch.   On this episode of Why Not Now?, Amy Jo and Samantha talk about their respective fertility journeys.   Samantha said Why Not Now? to writing a book, "Fighting Infertility", which details her experience with miscarriage and unexplained infertility. By sharing her story on social media, on her blog, and in her book, she even brought attention to a specific fertility issue she was having that had previously been under researched.   Amy Jo and Samantha discuss the importance of bringing more attention to and funding research for fertility. A third of couples going through infertility have unexplained fertility. Samantha’s foundation, The Kyle and Samantha Busch Bundle of Joy Foundation, helps couples build families through IVF treatment.   Samantha also shares her tips on going through the fertility journey, including “interviewing” your doctors before committing to one and writing down your questions before each appointment.   Amy Jo and Samantha also talk about following their mother’s intuition, listening to your body, and the importance of men joining the fertility conversation. Samantha says she is so proud of Kyle for speaking openly about his experience as well.   Learn more about Samantha: https://samanthabusch.com/ Follow Samantha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthabusch/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Jeni Britton Bauer is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. She’s a pioneer of the artisan ice cream movement.   On this episode of Why Not Now?, Jeni shares the creative process behind inventing ice cream flavors. She says she draws inspiration from our ever-changing culture, so there’s no shortage of flavor ideas.   Jeni’s Why Not Now? moment involves the first time she mixed scented oils with ice cream, creating delicious concoctions for a dinner party and realizing the untapped potential of ice cream.   Jeni tells Amy Jo about following the intuition that she has refined and earned over 26 years in business. Jeni can even feel it in her body when an ice cream flavor is right- it literally moves her.   Jeni also shares her collaborative approach to business. She places a lot of importance on teamwork and asking for help in order to create something that is greater than the sum of her team’s parts. She talks about collaborating with celebrities like Dolly Parton and Tyler, the Creator to create ice cream flavors.   Jeni also talks about a recall crisis that put her priorities into perspective and trusting herself and her vision.   Learn more about Jeni: https://jenis.com/ Follow Jeni on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeni/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Michael Stich helps marketers understand and apply innovation to their work. He is an expert in combining applicable data with creativity.    After leading the global Dell business for WPP, Michael now serves as General Partner and CEO of Services for CourtAvenue, a new and rising operating network. On this episode of Why Not Now?, Michael talks about the transition and new challenges involved in leaving a big company for a small startup.   Michael also tells Amy Jo that there’s no formula for innovation, but he shares his process for making decisions that involves both an excel spreadsheet and listening to your gut. Michael shares the four phases of innovation waves that have hit the marketing world, and how you and your company can take advantage of this newest wave.    Michael and Amy Jo also talk about how the pandemic has affected innovation and driven change, finding a balance between staying in processes that work and creating new processes, and advocating for more women to get involved in investing opportunities.   Learn more about Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstich Follow Michael on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mstich   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Nastia Liukin worked toward her goal of becoming a professional gymnast for the first couple decades of her life. She is the 2008 Olympic All-Around champion, a five-time Olympic medalist, the 2005 and 2007 world champion on the balance beam, and the 2005 world champion on the uneven bars. But a critical fall from the uneven bars shattered Nastia's 2012 Olympic dreams, and inspired a powerful Why Not Now? moment. Nastia is now an influencer and blogger with a following of more than 2 million people. She covered this year's Olympic gymnastics competition for NBC. In this episode of Why Not Now?, Nastia and Amy Jo talk about everything from navigating a 180 career shift to the topic of quitting, body shaming and mentoring. Nastia also shares something that her Mom always used to say to her when she wanted to quit, which will have you rethinking your decision when you want to throw in the towel.   Learn more about Nastia: https://nastialiukin.com Follow Nastia: www.instagram.com/nastialiukin/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter:  https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoMartin/ Why Not Now? Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/whynotnow/ Buy Amy Jo’s book:  https://amyjomartin.com/book

Angie Banicki is a tarot card reader to the stars. Her client list includes celebrities, politicians, entertainment industry executives, and CEOs of major corporations, some of whom she has guided to close multi-million dollar deals.   But Angie’s client list wasn’t always filled with such high-profile individuals. Her Why Not Now? moment involves leaving her PR job in order to pursue tarot card reading. She didn’t know how she was going to pay her bills, but she knew that this career path was made for her.   At first, Angie didn’t feel comfortable charging high prices for her intuitive services. She didn’t even want to promote her services because she was scared they wouldn’t be worth it to her clients. On this episode of Why Not Now?, Angie tells Amy Jo about her journey to owning her worth, slowly raising her prices and promoting her genius in the process.   Angie tells Amy Jo that the connections she made as a PR representative eventually turned into client leads, proving your experience and connections are always beneficial, even in the midst of a career-180.   Angie and Amy Jo talk about motherhood, listening to your inner soul, shifting your mindset, and showing up for yourself. Angie says that self awareness is the first step in changing anyone’s life.   Angie also performs a live tarot card reading for Amy Jo, and it’s very telling for where Amy Jo is in her life and business.   Listen to Angie’s playlist from this episode: https://spoti.fi/3jmASlB   Learn more about Angie: https://www.angiebanicki.com/ Follow Angie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiebanicki/   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/   Get Amy Jo’s newsletter: https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjomartin Why Not Now? Instagram: https://instagram.com/whynotnow Buy Amy Jo’s book: https://amyjomartin.com/book  

NASA Astronaut and Marine Corps Colonel Douglas Hurley is on the show this week!   Doug was the Spacecraft Commander on last year’s SpaceX Crew Dragon. It was the first crewed spaceflight from American soil in almost 9 years.   Doug’s Why Not Now? moment involves applying to the astronaut program, and how that decision changed the trajectory of both his professional and personal life. Doug’s favorite part about his time in the program is that he met his wife who is also a NASA Astronaut and they now have a son together.   Doug tells Amy Jo about the week-long interview process and what NASA looks for in its candidates. He also talks about that surreal moment when he got the phone call telling him he would be an astronaut.   Doug and Amy Jo discuss how Doug overcame the mental challenge of living in space for extended periods of time. A lot of the ways he kept his mind healthy in space can easily be applied here on earth.    Doug also shares that he’s at an inflection point in his career. He recently retired from NASA and is planning his next move.   One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is when Amy Jo asks Doug to describe some of his favorite moments from any of his three space flights.   It’s no surprise that Doug can’t pick just one, but he describes some of the most impactful moments, and it almost feels like you’re right there with him up in space.   Learn more about Doug: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/douglas-g-hurley/biography Follow Doug on Twitter: https://twitter.com/astro_doug   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/     Get Amy Jo’s newsletter: https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjomartin Why Not Now? Instagram: https://instagram.com/whynotnow Buy Amy Jo’s book: https://amyjomartin.com/book

Kyle Nel injects innovation into everything he does. He’s the President of Singularity Labs at Singularity University, the former CEO and co-founder of Uncommon Partners (acquired by Singularity University in 2019), and the former Executive Director of Lowe’s Innovation Lab.    On this episode of Why Not Now?, Kyle tells Amy Jo about applying neuroscience research to help organizations break out of incrementalism. He says innovative technology like virtual reality can disrupt education by speeding up learning, including making strides in diversity and inclusion by increasing empathy.    Kyle’s Why Not Now? moment involves leaving a comfortable job when he no longer felt challenged or fulfilled to start his own company. He tells Amy Jo about an exercise he uses to manifest his goals and avoid distractions that you can try out yourself. Every December, Kyle writes the narrative for how he wants the year ahead to unfold.    Kyle and Amy Jo also discuss surrounding yourself with people who will push you to be your best, manageable discomfort, and sustainable development goals.   Learn more about Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenel Follow Kyle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kyle_Nel   Learn more about the Renegade Accelerator:  http://www.renegadeaccelerator.com/     Get Amy Jo’s newsletter: https://amyjomartin.activehosted.com/f/21   Follow Amy Jo… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjomartin/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amyjomartin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjomartin Why Not Now? Instagram: https://instagram.com/whynotnow Buy Amy Jo’s book: https://amyjomartin.com/book