21st Century Entrepreneurship

Steve Cadigan is a global thought leader in workplace dynamics and a trusted advisor for companies navigating the unprecedented shifts in today’s work environment. We spoke about the unraveling of traditional career paths, the rise of career fluidity, and how leaders can reframe high employee turnover as an opportunity rather than a challenge.Steve explains how traditional companies are struggling to adapt to a workforce that increasingly values flexibility and growth over long-term loyalty. For instance, Spotify has implemented a policy where employees must switch roles every two years to foster knowledge sharing. “If Susan leaves, but Roberto did Susan’s job last year, then Roberto can help us until we replace Susan,” he says, emphasizing the importance of building resilience into the team structure.Companies like Chick-fil-A and Chipotle also exemplify a new approach, acknowledging that they may be stepping stones rather than lifelong employers. “We know we’re not your destination… we want to be the best part of your journey,” says Steve, illustrating how companies can embrace career fluidity and still provide meaningful experiences for their employees.Beyond individual companies, Steve dives into macro trends that are reshaping the workplace, such as the impact of remote work on productivity and employee well-being. Reflecting on post-pandemic insights, he notes, “My life is more productive when I work from home,” capturing the new expectations workers have for work-life integration.Key takeaways from this episode:Career fluidity over loyalty: The modern workforce values learning and development above long-term tenure.Embrace change: Companies can benefit from a “culture of experimentation,” as illustrated by Walmart’s approach to integrating AI tools across its workforce.Redefining job satisfaction: Success isn't just about revenue—it’s about creating a workplace where people genuinely want to be.Listen to learn how your organization can adapt to this “Workquake” and gain insights into building resilient, flexible workplace cultures that attract and retain top talent.

Roy Snarr, founder of AnnuityProducers.com, shares his incredible journey from a financially struggling teenager to a successful entrepreneur. He reflects on the pivotal moments that ignited his drive, including his family's financial collapse. Roy emphasizes the significance of mindset shifts and personal branding, stating, 'People don’t buy products, they buy people.' He discusses the gritty realities of door-knocking for leads and the importance of creating authentic business relationships. Insights on perseverance and focused action shine throughout this inspiring conversation.

Wayne Stanley is a storytelling expert, as well as the owner and Chief Inspiration Officer of Bowe Digital, with a passion for helping small businesses craft messages that resonate. We spoke about the essential art of creating impactful stories that not only grab attention in today’s fast-paced world but also convey authenticity. With years of experience in marketing, Wayne shares his insights on how listening is the first, critical step in building a story that stands out.A lot of small businesses, Wayne notes, “struggle with how to really differentiate what makes them different than someone else.” His approach centers on meaningful listening—engaging in real conversations, not just online surveys—to understand what customers value most. This focus helps businesses uncover stories that reflect true customer experiences rather than imposing a brand-driven narrative. “If you don’t take the time to really listen,” Wayne explains, “then you can’t create the best story possible.”Wayne also emphasizes the internal culture that supports storytelling, sharing how a motivated team can bring these stories to life. He recounts a touching moment with a client of 30 years who, after working with Bowe Digital, told him, “I have a new fire in my belly… I feel like I can go and sell this and make my living.”Key TakeawaysListening is the Foundation: Effective storytelling starts with listening—to customers and team members alike.Escalator Pitching: Wayne shares a unique twist on the classic elevator pitch, highlighting the need for quick, powerful messaging in today’s fast-paced environment.Beyond AI Tools: While AI can help jumpstart ideas, Wayne believes it can’t replace the emotional depth and connection humans bring to crafting stories.Work-Life Integration: Wayne’s philosophy of “ultimate freedom with ultimate responsibility” has earned Bowe Digital accolades as one of Indiana’s best places to work, with a remote team culture built on respect and flexibility.Wayne’s perspective reminds us that impactful storytelling isn’t just for big brands—it’s accessible to anyone willing to listen closely and speak authentically. Tune in to discover how to create stories that not only stick but also inspire.

Tony Ulwick is an innovation strategist whose journey began with a tough lesson at IBM, developing the PC Junior—a product that was anticipated to change home computing but was labeled a failure in the Wall Street Journal almost immediately. Reflecting on this experience, Tony began asking a critical question: "How could we know what makes a product succeed or fail before launching it?" In this episode, we discuss how this question shaped his career and led him to create Outcome-Driven Innovation (ODI), a framework that helps companies systematically uncover and meet their customers’ true needs.We explore Tony’s transition from a manufacturing engineer at IBM to founding Stratagen and developing the ODI method. This unique framework enabled Tony to define success based on what customers aim to achieve—not just what companies want to sell. "People don’t want a quarter-inch drill; they want a quarter-inch hole," Tony explains, capturing the essence of ODI. By mapping out the “jobs” people are trying to get done and measuring success through customer-defined outcomes, Tony reveals a clear process for minimizing market failure and optimizing innovation.Tony also delves into a case study with Cordis Corporation, where he applied ODI to help them break through in the medical devices field. He worked closely with interventional cardiologists to understand their true objectives, discovering that "minimizing the likelihood of restenosis" (the recurrence of blockage) was a top unmet need. Through this insight, Cordis developed the heart stent—a revolutionary device that grew their market share from 1% to over 20% and drove their stock price from $16 to $108, eventually leading to their acquisition by Johnson & Johnson.Key Takeaways:Focus on Outcomes, Not Features: Tony emphasizes how crucial it is to define needs as measurable customer outcomes, saying, "What are the chances your product will address the top unmet needs if you don’t know what they are? Pretty much zero."Map the Customer’s Job: By using ODI’s “job map,” companies can gain a structured view of how their customers achieve their goals and identify what matters most. As Tony explains, "Once I have the job map, I can figure out how people measure success along each step of the way…they want to minimize defects and maximize predictability."Rethink Market Segmentation: Rather than traditional demographics or psychographics, ODI segments customers by unmet needs, which Tony argues is more effective: "Most companies can’t segment around needs because they don’t agree on what a need is or which ones are unmet."This episode is packed with insights for innovators and business leaders looking to take a methodical approach to product development and avoid the pitfalls that lead to market failures. Through Tony’s practical examples and powerful mindset shift, he demonstrates how focusing on what customers truly want to achieve, rather than the products themselves, can transform an entire market.

Robert Kennedy III is a storyteller, a leadership communication expert, and a "public speaking whisperer." We spoke about how to connect with diverse audiences, how storytelling can be a powerful tool for business, and why every entrepreneur should hone their communication skills. Drawing on his experiences—from teaching high school science to navigating business failures and eventual success in corporate training—Robert explains the importance of understanding who you’re speaking to, what they value, and how to “find your voice” to foster authentic connections.In this episode, Robert shares the fundamentals of his Ease Framework: Energy, Ask, Story, and Explain, guiding listeners on how to present with impact. He emphasizes, “Storytelling connects people through experiences,” highlighting how a well-placed narrative can be more memorable than data alone. Whether in sales presentations, client meetings, or company events, Robert illustrates how framing your message around relatable stories can help you build trust, influence, and ultimately drive growth.Key Takeaways:Understanding Your Audience: Knowing your audience’s values and preferences is the first step to connecting. “People don’t listen unless they feel related to or connected to,” Robert explains.The Power of Storytelling in Business: "People are 22 times more likely to remember a fact if it’s wrapped in a story," making storytelling essential for anyone looking to influence or inspire.Public Speaking as an Influencing Tool: Robert insists, “The better you are at mastering language... the easier it is for you to influence,” a vital skill for entrepreneurs.The Ease Framework for Effective Presentations: Robert’s Ease Framework offers a straightforward approach: decide on the key message, find a story, ask engaging questions, and use the right energy to connect with your audience.Join us as Robert reveals strategies to help you elevate your public speaking skills and leverage storytelling as a strategic advantage. Whether you're pitching to investors or inspiring your team, this episode offers actionable insights to help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Helen Hanison is a seasoned leadership coach and the author of Unstuck: A Smart Guide to Purposeful Career Redesign. We spoke about her journey from high-flying PR executive to purposeful career coach, unpacking her unique three-act approach to career transformation. Helen’s story reflects a path many professionals find themselves on: successful yet deeply unfulfilled. Her coaching framework offers clarity and direction for those feeling trapped in their careers, helping them align their work with what genuinely matters to them.In this episode, Helen discusses the profound impact of recognizing personal strengths, defining core values, and connecting with a sense of purpose, which she calls the "career compass." She shares insights on overcoming the “success trap,” where external achievements may mask inner discontent: “It’s not just about the outside success… it’s whether you’re pursuing something that feels purposeful.” Helen’s approach resonates for anyone grappling with a lack of meaning in their work or struggling with questions about career direction. Her ACT framework—Alignment, Career Redesign, and Transformation—guides clients through self-discovery to a sustainable, fulfilling career.Key takeaways include:Avoiding the Success Trap: “You might be good at it, but is it right for you?” Helen challenges listeners to differentiate between competence and calling, addressing the need to “realign work with the life they wish they were living.”Creating a Career Compass: Helen highlights the importance of establishing a foundation based on one’s strengths, values, and purpose to guide any career pivot: “Strengths are the tools… values set the direction… purpose gives meaning.”Navigating Inner and Outer Barriers: Helen also emphasizes anticipating potential challenges—both internal and external—so they “don’t have the power to hold us stuck.”If you’re feeling disillusioned with your career, Helen’s framework provides a practical path toward transformation, guiding you to rediscover purpose and unlock a new chapter of meaningful work.

Brandy Burch is the CEO and founder of BenefitBay, and we spoke about how personalized healthcare benefits could reshape the U.S. system. Drawing from her own non-traditional journey through small business leadership and personal healthcare struggles, Brandy offers a unique perspective on tackling healthcare challenges for both employers and employees. From the financial hardships of her pregnancy due to pre-existing conditions to her vision of individualized healthcare solutions, Brandy emphasizes the need for accessible, flexible benefits.One of the most important themes is how U.S. healthcare, despite progress, still leaves many employees without affordable, accessible care. "The average American is not seeking care... because they don’t have the $165 for that office visit." Brandy explains how this gap impacts both the financial and health well-being of families, often leading to missed preventative care and exacerbating long-term costs.We also explored the revolutionary Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), which passed in 2020. Brandy believes that giving employees personal choice in their healthcare plans is key to solving many of the ongoing problems, but admits it’s a challenge: "You need a solution... your HR professionals can't answer 2000 humans' personal decisions around their healthcare."Her journey to entrepreneurship is particularly inspiring, especially for single parents and those who doubt their ability to succeed in leadership roles. "I have six children... I'm here to prove that you can do all of those things." Brandy's path exemplifies the power of persistence, problem-solving, and passion for creating change in a broken system.Key Takeaways:Healthcare Access: Why many U.S. employees delay care due to high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.ICHRAs: How this new reimbursement model empowers employees to choose personalized healthcare plans.Balancing Family & Leadership: Brandy’s personal reflections on managing a large family while building a successful business.Employee Culture & Education: How BenefitBay invests in employee education, supporting them with tuition reimbursements, student debt programs, and continuous professional development.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how personalized benefits can bring much-needed reform to U.S. healthcare.

Edwin Carrion is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and God-made millionaire, known for building several multi-million dollar companies. In our conversation, we spoke about the critical strategies every entrepreneur needs to scale their business, no matter the industry or starting point. Edwin shares how he scaled his first company from a $100,000 debt to over $20 million in just four years, emphasizing that success starts with a clear vision and the right mindset: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will eventually get there.”Edwin highlights the importance of adopting a millionaire mindset, building efficient systems, and leveraging technology like ChatGPT to automate and streamline operations. He believes that “if you are afraid of investing $10,000, how do you expect to get to a million dollars?” and offers practical advice on creating scalable processes and financial systems that drive sustainable growth.Key takeaways from the episode include:Mindset and Vision: The foundation of scaling any business is having a clear direction and the confidence to invest boldly in both personal and business growth.Systems and Automation: Edwin explains how mapping business processes and adopting tools like ChatGPT can lead to exponential growth.Financial Strategy: He stresses the importance of detailed cash flow analysis to reverse-engineer revenue targets, stating that “the cash flow sheet is going to give us that reverse engineering that we need to understand in order for us to get to a million dollars.”Team Building and Leadership: Edwin reflects on the necessity of building a capable team and mastering the art of delegation: “We need to start thinking about leadership and delegation, because my time is more valuable than me spending time on this problem.”Edwin also shares personal stories about balancing entrepreneurial success with family life and how living a fulfilled life is as important as building wealth: “We work hard, but we have to play hard.”Be sure to stay until the end for a special gift from Edwin, including his Startup Business Super Stack, packed with valuable tools like his Mindset Blueprint and Win-Win Sales Formula.

Roger Igo is an entrepreneur who has lived through it all—success, failure, and redemption. We spoke about his incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading figure in the events industry, orchestrating over $100 million worth of legendary events annually. But his story isn’t just about success; it’s about survival, vision, and overcoming deep personal and financial crises.Roger shared his rise to the top, from being a kid who’d "do anything for a buck" to owning one of the most prestigious event venues in Houston. He recounts how he hit rock bottom: “I had the $100,000 car in the driveway, and I was looking for loose change in the couch cushions to put gas in it.” Through sheer determination, Roger found a way out of bankruptcy and despair, using his entrepreneurial instincts to broker deals, raise funds, and keep his dream alive.One of the pivotal moments Roger highlights is how he applied the lessons from The Psychology of Influence by Robert Cialdini to not only survive as a bill collector but to thrive, becoming the top performer in his field. “I shot to the top of the board… people were fighting to sit next to me,” he recalls, showing how the power of influence can change the course of your business and life.Roger’s transformation truly began when he harnessed the power of vision. He explains, "The closer you get to fruition, the more clarity you get. It’s like a snowball effect." This clarity helped him raise over $6 million to save his business—without giving up equity or taking on debt—by leveraging his relationships and applying the same grit that got him through the music and real estate industries. Roger’s key to success is simple but profound: "You can get clarity of vision, and once you do, every molecule in your body aligns with it."Key takeaways from this episode include:Vision is everything: Once you can see success clearly in your mind, you can align your actions to make it a reality.Grit and persistence: No matter how many times you fall, as Roger says, "Keep on going"—a theme he’s lived through all 34 of his jobs.The power of influence: Learn how Roger used persuasion techniques from his bill-collecting days to raise millions and build a thriving business without giving up control.Roger’s story is a testament to how far vision, grit, and strategic thinking can take you—even from the brink of bankruptcy. This episode is packed with wisdom on not just surviving in business but thriving, no matter how tough the climb may be.

Jonathan Hunt Glassman is a healthcare expert and CEO of Oar Health, who struggled with alcohol use for much of his adult life. We spoke about his personal journey from battling alcohol dependence to founding a company that provides a daily pill to help others drink less or quit. Jonathan shared how prescription medication transformed his life, saying, "It helped me take back control over alcohol rather than feeling like alcohol had control over me."Throughout the episode, we discussed how medication can be a powerful tool alongside other methods like therapy and peer support for those looking to manage alcohol use. Jonathan highlights the importance of finding a treatment that fits the individual, stressing, "You are an expert on yourself, and your intuitions on what's going to help you achieve your goals…are an extremely valid source of guidance."Key takeaways from the conversation include:Understanding that there are multiple pathways to reducing alcohol consumption, and that medication is an underutilized option.The importance of addressing underlying issues like social anxiety, as Jonathan notes, "A little bit of vulnerability is often the route to connection."The impact of drinking less on one’s overall well-being—whether it's gaining focus at work, improving relationships, or even experiencing unexpected benefits like "clearer skin."This episode offers a relatable, actionable perspective on how taking the first step toward drinking less doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you're struggling with alcohol use or curious about solutions, Jonathan’s story and insights provide inspiration and practical advice for making meaningful change.