Difference Talks

Send us a text In this episode, we step inside the world of minor league baseball with Jason Freier, Chairman and CEO of Hardball Capital. We discuss how modern ballparks are transforming communities, why the fan experience now matters more than the final score, and the creative ways teams are drawing crowds year-round. This episode of Difference Talks reveals the business, heart, and innovation behind America’s favorite pastime.  Takeaways: Community engagement and reinvestment are crucial. The future of minor league baseball faces new challenges and opportunities as private equity firms enter the space. Minor league baseball has evolved from basic stadiums and hardcore fans to vibrant, year-round community hubs that offer much more than just games. Investing in modern ballparks can revitalize entire downtowns, attracting new businesses, residents, and development.  About Jason Freier: Jason Freier is the Chairman and CEO of Hardball Capital, a sports-related investment company whose assets include affiliated Minor League Baseball franchises. His company has built the Fort Wayne TinCaps into one of the premier teams in Minor League Baseball and drastically improved the operations and fan experience with the Chattanooga Lookouts, Savannah Sand Gnats and the Salem Avalanche. Hardball has built new ballparks that have catalyzed hundreds of millions in development in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Columbia, South Carolina.  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Jason Freier. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: https://www.hardballcapital.com/about/leadership-team  

Send us a textIn this episode, we speak with Sal Syed, CEO and Co-Founder of Arccos Golf. We dive into the world of golf technology and innovation, including how his company is revolutionizing the game with AI-driven insights and data analytics. This episode is packed with inspiring stories and groundbreaking ideas, including Sal’s journey from Pakistan to Yale and his creation of Arccos Golf. Key Topics: Sal Syed's background and journey to founding Arccos Golf  The role of AI and data in enhancing golf performance  Overcoming challenges and rallying a team in the startup world  The importance of psychographics in understanding golfers  Future innovations in golf technology  Takeaways: About Sal Syed: Sal Syed is the CEO and Co-Founder of Arccos Golf. He is a recognized top innovator in the golf industry, a scratch golfer, a club champion and has notched six holes-in-one. Sal holds an MBA from Yale where he was a Fellow at the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute. He has been a featured speaker at Yale University on Entrepreneurship and Leadership topics and belongs to the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Sal Syed. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: https://www.arccosgolf.com/pages/about-arccos?srsltid=AfmBOoqD8k4kKK4vHbap2EzoovLVzVNjckBDk4dkR9QtRzg7zDnICzn4  

Send us a textIn this conversation, John Roussel, Chairman of the Board, Ferraro Foods, shares his experiences navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the food service industry. He discusses the drastic shift from normal operations to a standstill, the pivot to grocery services, and the innovative solutions implemented to support employees and the community. Roussel emphasizes the resilience of his team and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, ultimately leading to a successful year despite the odds. Key Takeaways: Businesses must differentiate by providing amazing products services, and value Food service faced a drastic halt during the pandemic. The company pivoted to grocery services to adapt. Team resilience led to innovative solutions. Maintaining employee support was a priority. About John Roussel: John Roussel is the Chairman of the Board, Ferraro Foods. He has led high-performance organizations across foodservice distribution, manufacturing, and consumer packaged goods. Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with John Roussel. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnaroussel/  

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk with Dan Starr, CEO of Do it Best, discussing the importance of company culture, leadership, and employee engagement. Dan shares his journey from law to business, the influence of past leaders, and how the company maintains its culture amidst growth and challenges. The conversation emphasizes the significance of transparency, servant leadership, and genuine care for employees as key components of successful leadership.Key Takeaways:The philosophy of serving others defines Do It Best's culture.Profit sharing is a critical aspect of employee investment.Maintaining culture during acquisitions is a significant challenge.Transparency in leadership fosters loyalty and trust among employees.Caring for employees' well-being is essential for effective leadership.Cultural alignment is crucial when hiring new leaders.Difficult decisions should be communicated with honesty and compassion.Celebrating team wins is a source of joy for leaders.Understanding individual employee circumstances can lead to better outcomes. About Dan Starr: Dan Starr is the CEO of Do it Best. He joined the company in 2005 as director of human resources and general counsel. Over his years of business leadership, Dan has served on many non-profit boards, including the Do it Best Foundation.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Dan Starr. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.doitbestonline.com/about/leadership-team/dan-starr/ 

Send us a textIn our conversation with Ken Schmidt, former director of communications at Harley-Davidson, we discuss the brand's struggles and turnaround. We explore the importance of community, quality, and human behavior in building brand loyalty and creating memorable customer experiences. Ken emphasizes that customers are loyal to the people behind the brand, not just the product, and shares insights on how businesses can differentiate themselves in a competitive market.Takeaways:·       Management must recognize and address threats before they escalate into crises.·       Customers are loyal to the people behind the brand, not just the product itself.·       Creating memorable experiences is crucial for customer retention and loyalty.·       Visible passion from employees attracts customers and fosters loyalty.·       Businesses should focus on being known for who they are, not just what they do.·       Businesses should prioritize customer feedback and experiences over mere data collection.About Ken Schmidt: Ken Schmidt is the former director of communications at Harley-Davidson, an author and keynote speaker. He is widely known and respected as one of the business world’s most outspoken, provocative, and entertaining thought leaders on competition, brand management, positioning, reputation management, human behavior, and loyalty.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Ken Schmidt. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://kenspeaks.com/ 

Send us a textIn this episode, we welcome Dr. Rebecca Homkes, high-growth strategy expert and bestselling author, to explore the concept of uncertainty in business, reframing it as an opportunity rather than a challenge. We discuss how leaders can navigate uncertainty by shifting from traditional planning to preparation, emphasizing the importance of learning organizations that adapt quickly. The role of technology and AI in supporting growth strategies is also highlighted, along with the critical need for differentiation in a competitive market. Ultimately, the discussion underscores that uncertainty can be a catalyst for growth if approached with the right mindset and strategies.Takeaways:Uncertainty is a neutral term that can offer opportunities.Preparation is more important than rigid planning.Learning organizations prioritize insights from the market over traditional teaching methods.AI should support and accelerate growth strategies, not replace them.Differentiation is key to thriving in chaotic environments.Organizations must focus on learning loops to improve growth.Leaders should not wait for market conditions to dictate growth. About Rebecca Homkes: Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and the founder of a boutique consultancy firm, advising CEOs and executive teams focused on growth and success through uncertainty. She is also a faculty member at Duke Corporate Executive Education, lecturer at the London Business School (LBS) Executive Education, and an advisor and faculty member at BCGU (Boston Consulting Group). Dr. Homkes is the director of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) global Active Learning Program (ALP). Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Rebecca Homkes. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.rebeccahomkes.com/ 

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk with Ron Baker on the concept of transformation in business, emphasizing the shift from traditional service models to a focus on guiding customers through personal transformations. We discuss the importance of differentiation, the evolution of the experience economy, and share real-world examples of companies successfully implementing transformation strategies. The conversation also touches on pricing strategies, the rise of concierge medicine, and innovative business models like Porsche’s subscription service. Takeaways:Companies must focus on the customer's desired future state to create value.The experience economy is evolving into the transformation economy.Pricing strategies should reflect the value perceived by customers, not just cost.The relationship between businesses and customers is becoming more personal and direct.Companies need to differentiate themselves by focusing on specific customer needs.About Rob Baker: Ron Baker is the author of seven bestselling books, founder of VeraSage Institute, a think tank dedicated to educating professionals internationally, a radio talk-show host on the VoiceAmerica show, The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Knowledge Economy, and Chief Value Officer at Armanino LLP. Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Rob Baker. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/

Send us a textDavid Mandell shares his journey from a traditional background in law to becoming a co-founder of the Whiskey House of Kentucky, the most technically advanced producer of custom bourbon and American whiskey in the U.S. He discusses the importance of building culture, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the significance of mentorship and teamwork in achieving success. David introduces Whiskey House of Kentucky, highlighting its innovative approach to whiskey production, including the use of advanced technology and AI. Mandell reflects on the importance of learning from past experiences to build a strong company culture and the necessity of celebrating successes while navigating challenges in the entrepreneurial journey.Takeaways:·       Building culture is essential for any business.·       Success is often a process of elimination and exploration.·       Celebrate victories with your team to maintain motivation.·       Transparency with the team is essential during challenges.·       Innovation is key to staying competitive in the market.·       It's important to know your weaknesses and surround yourself with strengths.About David Mandell: David Mandell is the co-founder and CEO of Whiskey House of Kentucky, the most advanced whiskey distillery in the U.S. Prior to founding Whiskey House, Mandell was the co-founder and former president & CEO of The Bardstown Bourbon Company. David was also the founder, President & CEO of The p.i.n.k. Spirits Company, where he developed, created, and launched the first line of ultra-premium spirits infused with caffeine and guarana. Before entering the spirits market, David was the Chief of Staff to Administrator Marion C. Blakey of the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, D.C.Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with David Mandell. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts!Where to find more: www.linkedin.com/in/david-mandell-746a0245/ 

Send us a textIn this engaging conversation, Betsy Pepine, a dynamic entrepreneur and real estate broker, shares her unique approach to the real estate industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships over transactions. In this conversation, Betsy Pepine discusses the importance of aligning company values with actions, navigating leadership challenges, and the impact of her nonprofit work. She emphasizes the significance of mentorship and personal growth, sharing her experiences in the real estate industry and her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.Takeaways:·       Core values are essential for guiding business practices and decisions. ·       Aligning company values with actions is crucial for success. ·       Navigating change requires strong leadership and clear communication. ·       Personal growth is often tied to professional success. ·       Embracing change can lead to organizational growth. ·       It’s important to prioritize long-term vision over short-term comfort. About Betsy Pepine: Betsy Pepine is a best-selling author, speaker and serial entrepreneur in real estate. Her book, Breaking Boxes: Dismantling the Metaphorical Boxes that Bind Us is an Amazon bestseller, and her real estate brokerage, Pepine Realty, has been named as an Inc. 5000 Fasting Growing Private Company in the USA multiple times. Betsy is endorsed by her mentor, real estate mogul, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran, as well as leading media personalities Dave Ramsey and Glenn Beck. Passionate about helping at-risk families with children, Betsy founded Pepine Gives, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that helps families facing housing insecurity.  Join the Conversation: We hope you enjoy this episode with Betsy Pepine. Be sure to listen, subscribe, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts! Where to find more: www.betsypepine.com

Jonathan Stark, a consultant and sales expert, shares his journey from hourly billing to value-based pricing, significantly increasing his income in the process. He discusses how freelancers can scale their businesses without hiring by adopting automation and effective time management. Jonathan emphasizes the dangers of perfectionism and highlights the value of mistakes as growth opportunities. He also critiques traditional billing methods, advocates for prioritizing customer satisfaction, and explores ways to eliminate time-wasters for a balanced work-life experience.