Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

What if the unpredictable twists and turns in your life were the secret to your entrepreneurial success? Addison Chan, a visionary entrepreneur with a fascinating career trajectory, shows us exactly how that's possible. From motivational speaking and private investigation to creating tech solutions that revolutionized fraud detection, Addison’s journey is a testament to the power of diverse experiences. Tune in as he shares his path that led to an impressive acquisition, and how his varied roles shaped his understanding of content and technology, ultimately propelling him to the forefront of innovation with Land and Sea Software.Building relationships is crucial, especially for startups without a strong track record. In this episode, we explore the art of investing personal resources to foster meaningful business connections. Addison and our host, Brian Lofrumento, discuss the challenges of relying on venture capital and the importance of leveraging passion and commitment to create tangible value. Hear personal stories about providing upfront, customized solutions to clients and how this strategy, sometimes risky, can lead to solid partnerships and remarkable success in the content distribution and publishing industry.In our conversation, we dive into the world of curated content delivery and its undeniable benefits. Learn about the critical role of guidebooks in offering reliable information and why businesses should consider dedicated apps to enhance user engagement and communication. We also touch upon the exciting potential of integrating AI for more efficient background searching, all while emphasizing the enduring importance of human relationships in maintaining information reliability.ABOUT ADDISONAddison Chan has worn many hats throughout his career, from selling motivational speaking courses to working as a private investigator, tech professional, cruising sailor, Facebook content creator, and author. While his career path might seem scattered, each position naturally evolved into the next, leading to his current role at Land and Sea Software.His latest venture emerged from a guidebook he wrote for cruising sailors traveling to Cuba. When seeking digital publishing options, he found the available formats—PDF and ePub—inadequate due to content control challenges and expensive digital rights management systems. Concerned about unauthorized sharing of his work, Chan took matters into his own hands.Unable to find a suitable solution, he built his own digital publishing system. His publisher, impressed by the creation, wanted to implement it across their entire catalog. This led to a partnership and the establishment of his current business, demonstrating how his diverse experience culminated in this entrepreneurial success.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Land and Sea Software’s WebsiteConnect with Addison on LinkedIn

Ever wondered how a post-retirement plan can turn into a thriving business? Meet Mike Gross, an inspiring entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in quality, safety, and environmental management systems. From aspiring medical professional to executive vice president in the automotive industry, Mike shares the fascinating twists and turns of his career journey, ultimately leading to the launch of his consultancy in 2019. His story offers a compelling blueprint for navigating career shifts and seizing new opportunities in the business world.Tune in as we uncover the secrets to strategic planning and risk management with Mike's expert insights. Discover how ISO standards play a pivotal role in guiding businesses through potential risks, and the importance of having contingency plans ready. We delve into the human side of business, discussing how teamwork and technology like AI note-takers can drive accountability and productivity. With a focus on adaptability, our conversation highlights the importance of balancing success with challenges to ensure a strategy that's both practical and effective.Get ready to be inspired by Mike's entrepreneurial journey, filled with risks, growth, and continuous learning. He candidly shares the meticulous planning involved in setting up his business, from creating an LLC to leveraging local resources like the Chamber of Commerce. With teaching opportunities as a backup, Mike emphasizes the power of networking and adaptability in entrepreneurship. ABOUT MIKEMike Gross is the owner and principal consultant of Michael J. Gross, LLC, established in 2019, specializing in quality, safety, and environmental management systems implementation and training. With over 35 years of experience, he brings comprehensive leadership expertise while maintaining approachability with employees at all organizational levels.Previously, Mike served as Executive Vice President at Daicel Safety Systems America, managing integrated systems, supplier development, manufacturing planning, and regulatory compliance. His career began at ALCOA Warrick Operations as a Metallurgist, followed by various technical roles at Commonwealth Aluminum and Hydro Aluminum.A graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology in metallurgical engineering, Mike is a member of the Academy for Mines and Metallurgy. He holds multiple certifications, including PECB lead implementer and auditor for ISO standards, and ASQ quality auditor and engineer credentials. He formerly served as a Part Time Instructor at Western Kentucky University and resides in Owensboro with his wife Karen.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Mike’s WebsiteConnect with Mike on LinkedIn

Ever wondered how to create success by creating and harnessing your true self? Join us as we welcome David C. Olcott, the visionary founder of Samurai Success, who shares his fascinating journey from the sunny shores of the Florida Keys to the glitzy streets of South Beach. In this episode, David opens up about the emptiness he felt despite the superficial glamor surrounding him and how it sparked a spiritual quest to redefine his life's purpose. Through personal anecdotes, he encourages us to think bigger and live intentionally, challenging us to not find, but create ourselves.David takes us on a journey of self-mastery and manifestation, revealing the secrets to harnessing personal power to shape our identity. He emphasizes the power of the subconscious mind in attracting positive experiences and how being a "warrior" in life can open doors to endless opportunities. Through structured planning and a proactive mindset, David offers a blueprint for turning dreams into reality, urging us to focus on admired traits to elevate both personal and professional spheres of life. As we explore the profound concept of unlocking one's soul potential, David illustrates the importance of dreaming big and maintaining faith in our vision. Just like a child's excitement about Disney World, he believes that having a compelling vision can drive us to achieve our dreams. By focusing on internal mastery rather than external validation, David inspires us to take actionable steps toward bridging the gap between our current state and our aspirational dreams. Prepare to be inspired and motivated to embark on a journey of self-discovery and success.ABOUT DAVIDDavid C. Olcott is the founder, president, and CEO of Samurai Success, Inc., an international executive and organizational coaching firm based in Denver, CO. Drawing from 35 years of coaching experience, he developed the trademark Samurai Success coaching system, which integrates Newtonian and metaphysical principles to help clients achieve their full potential.Before founding Samurai Success, Olcott was a #1 national trainer for Anthony Robbins and managed the world's top-selling real estate agent. His public service career included roles as chief of staff for a Florida State Senator and campaign manager for a groundbreaking Florida House Representative.A Master certified NLP practitioner with a Finance degree from Florida International University, Olcott holds a second-degree black belt in Aikido and competes in motorcycle racing. He is the author of the Amazon bestseller "Swords of Illumination" and a sought-after motivational speaker. David lives with his wife, Dr. Lorena Lavarne, and son Josh, splitting time between Colorado and Oregon.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Samurai Success’ WebsiteFollow David on InstagramConnect with David on LinkedIn

Discover the captivating journey of Annaline Dinkelmann, a dynamic entrepreneur who transitioned from the bustling corridors of Wall Street to the educational realm with her venture, Teach Me Wall Street. Annaline reveals her transformation from a day trader and a career at Morgan Stanley to an inspiring educator, driven by her passion to teach financial literacy. Originally hailing from South Africa, her move to New York set the stage for her remarkable career shift. Listen as she shares how she aligned her business with emerging opportunities, adapting swiftly to the challenges of the 2020 pandemic by moving her in-person tours online.Explore Annaline's strategic evolution as she redefined her business model to meet market demands, offering programs in fintech, budgeting, and cryptocurrency. Her experiences highlight the significance of maintaining human interaction in a virtual world, as well as her commitment to crafting engaging educational content for diverse age groups. Annaline's candid reflections on the satisfaction she finds in teaching provide valuable insights into her methods for sustaining passion and preventing the loneliness often felt in the online workspace.Gain practical wisdom from Annaline as she delves into the systems and self-awareness that underpin her entrepreneurial success. By strategically building a team with complementary strengths, she emphasizes the importance of feedback and self-care in achieving business growth. Her dedication to empowering students is evident as she discusses scaling her company through partnerships and digital tools. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Annaline's story offers both inspiration and actionable advice on nurturing a successful venture while prioritizing personal well-being.ABOUT ANNALINEAnnaline Dinkelmann is the owner and founder of Teach Me Wall Street, a company dedicated to demystifying Wall Street's operations and key players. With 15 years of experience as a financial educator, Annaline's journey began with a decade at Morgan Stanley in Banking and Compliance before transitioning to day trading. Seeking community engagement, she launched Wall Street Walks in 2008, offering tours and lectures that combined history, business, and education.When the pandemic struck, Annaline pivoted to create Teach Me Wall Street, bringing Wall Street's dynamism to virtual classrooms. Her programs, featured on CNN International and in publications like The Daily Telegraph and USA Today, cover investing, trading, financial literacy, and historical financial scandals.Drawing from her insider knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit, Annaline makes finance accessible through various programs, including summer classes for teens, parent workshops, and educational games. Her mission is to empower individuals to take control of their financial futures.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Teach Me Wall Street’s WebsiteConnect with Annaline on LinkedIn

Uncover the secrets to transforming your website from a static online presence into a dynamic engine for business growth with Casper Voogt, the visionary founder of Plethora Design. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in web solutions, Casper shares his expertise on how to craft a website that not only enhances credibility but also fuels growth across sectors like federal contracting and e-commerce. Together, we explore the significance of web development strategies that extend beyond aesthetics to embrace programming, design, SEO, and strategic information architecture.Journey with us as we spotlight WordPress, a powerful content management system lauded for its open-source, affordable, and flexible nature. Casper delves into the complexities of customizing commercial themes and emphasizes the benefits of custom themes for precise control. We also examine alternative platforms like Wix, catering to businesses at various growth stages, and discuss the critical balance between visual appeal and strategic intent. Our discussion covers how clearly defining website goals can enhance the effectiveness of your digital presence.The conversation takes an exciting turn to the future, where we explore the role of analytics and AI in shaping web design and management. Discover how tools like Google Analytics and ChatGPT are revolutionizing how businesses engage with their audiences and manage content. Casper emphasizes the importance of routine website maintenance and adapting design trends to maintain relevance and security. Learn about transitioning to the new Google Analytics and leveraging tools like Looker Studio for deeper insights, ensuring your website remains a leader in the digital landscape.ABOUT CASPERAs Plethora Design’s founder, Casper Voogt brings more than 20 years of proven expertise in solving design and technical problems, including conceptual and visual design, web design, web development, user interface design, web analytics, and web applications development. His unique blend of skills and insights have helped countless organizations and companies build their web presence.Casper has worked for Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, government, education, non-profits, IT companies, research / advocacy organizations, manufacturers, radio stations, TV personalities, startups and many other kinds of clients over the years. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture from Princeton University.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Plethora Design’s WebsiteConnect with Casper on LinkedIn

What happens when a visionary mechanical engineer finds himself at a crossroads after an unexpected layoff? Discover the compelling journey of Raymond King, a PhD from the University of Utah and a former robotics expert at Meta, who turned a career setback into an entrepreneurial triumph. With a passion for biomechanics and cars, Raymond transitioned from corporate life to founding the Applied Sensor Company, where he innovates in smart textile sensors. This episode offers a rare glimpse into how Raymond navigated personal growth and identity challenges, ultimately embracing his new role in the world of smart textiles.Listen as Raymond opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, sharing candid reflections on the identity crises that often accompany such drastic career shifts. Raymond's story reveals the rich tapestry of experiences that have shaped his path. We explore how aligning business ventures with personal passions can lead to innovative solutions, and the crucial role adaptability plays when opportunities—and challenges—arise unexpectedly.Join us for an inspiring conversation that celebrates perseverance and the power of customer feedback in entrepreneurship. Raymond's journey underscores the interconnectedness of personal and professional growth, highlighting the importance of staying visible and embracing challenges. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or someone navigating change, Raymond's insights on turning passion into practice offer invaluable lessons on resilience and self-discovery. Tune in to uncover how every experience contributes to shaping the path of an entrepreneur.ABOUT RAYMONDRaymond King has a Ph.D in Mechanical engineering and robotics from the University of Utah. He worked as a researcher and leader for over 7 years at Meta's R&D branch on Augmented and Virtual Reality input devices, focusing on sensor systems for their input gloves and wristbands. After leaving Meta he started his own company Applied Sensor Co. and has been working on developing and improving smart textile sensors for everyday applications.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Applied Sensor Co’s WebsiteConnect with Raymond on LinkedInFollow Applied Sensor Co on LinkedInSubscribe to Applied Sensor Co’s on YouTube

What if the secret to revolutionary product innovation lies in aligning with customer needs and simplifying processes? Join us as we explore this and more with Rami Ibrahim, an engineer and innovation leader celebrated for developing over 70 products and holding multiple patents. Rami shares his personal journey from being inspired by his engineer father to becoming a global director of innovation, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset needed to transform ideas into impactful products.Navigate the fast-paced world of product development with insights into the power of speed and discipline. Rami underlines the strategic importance of creating a product roadmap that focuses on solving real customer problems, showcasing real-world examples from his experiences at companies like AccuDynamics. Discover how adopting techniques like scrum can accelerate prototyping times, fostering innovation that directly serves customer needs and drives significant business growth.Simplification takes center stage as Rami shares his approach to distilling complex ideas into their essence with his "one slide MVP" method. By focusing on core features that deliver the most value, he reveals how businesses can cut through the noise and ensure clarity and alignment with customer needs. Rami's experiences with Impossible Innovation demonstrate his commitment to customer-centric strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer values rather than just product features. Tune in to uncover the transformative power of aligning your product development strategies with customer needs and simplifying for success.ABOUT RAMIRami Ibrahim is an engineer and innovation leader. He has developed over 70 products in SMEs from concept to long term portfolio management. He holds multiple patents and has generated over $250M in sales from his products. The last 5 years he spent as the global director of innovation at Halma, a FTSE 100 company. He is now the founder of Impossible Innovation helping companies build even more successful products.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Impossible Innovation’s WebsiteGet a 20% Discount on the 1 Slide MVP Masterclass using the code PODCASTConnect with Rami on LinkedIn

Unlock the secrets of successful business growth as we sit down with data and analytics guru Dave Aaron, whose impressive experience with Wayfair and the Boston Data Company sets the stage for an insightful exploration of data's pivotal role in today's business world. Discover how even the most basic metrics, like sales figures and website activity, can be transformed into powerful tools for decision-making, and learn how essential tools like Stripe and Google Analytics can be your business's secret weapons. Through compelling case studies, including PlayYourCourt, we unravel how data can revolutionize marketing strategies, enhance ROI, and boost customer retention.From startups to well-established enterprises, data remains a universal asset that transcends industry boundaries. In a journey across varied business landscapes, we discuss the importance of developing a reliable data set that serves as your business's compass. Explore the significance of leading and lagging indicators, and how they can guide both immediate actions and long-term strategies. We also tackle the challenges of marketing attribution, probing into the complexity of tracking the impact of varied marketing efforts. Prepare to challenge your assumptions and embrace a skeptical approach to data analysis, especially when navigating the intricate relationship between marketing initiatives and ROI.Our conversation takes a futuristic turn with an exploration of AI's transformative potential in handling qualitative data. Discover how AI can streamline data processes, create synthetic datasets, and foster centralized data environments that integrate disparate data sources. Aspiring entrepreneurs, listen closely as we share actionable insights on securing that all-important first client, the power of networking, and the importance of understanding sales funnels. Join us for a richly packed episode that promises to equip you with the knowledge to harness data for unparalleled business success.ABOUT DAVEDave Aaron is a Data & Analytics leader with over a decade of experience creating Business Intelligence & Analytics solutions. After stints leading data practices at Wayfair and Landing, he founded the Boston Data Co in 2023 to help businesses of all kinds create or level-up their data environments. Dave lives in Boston with his wife and two young children.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Boston Data Company’s WebsiteConnect with Dave on LinkedIn

Former third-grade teacher turned entrepreneur, Mike Cronley, is reshaping the educational landscape with Class Composer, a groundbreaking solution for classroom placement. Discover how a chance encounter in the teacher's lounge led Mike to develop a tool that replaces outdated paper-based methods with a software solution that prioritizes balance and equity in classrooms. Mike's authentic journey from educator to innovator underscores the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship in transforming education for the better.Embark on a journey with us as we explore how entrepreneurship can catalyze meaningful change within the education sector. Learn how stepping outside conventional structures allows for innovative solutions like Class Composer to emerge, simplifying processes and fostering equitable learning environments. Hear from Mike as he shares insights on overcoming resistance and the value of supportive leadership in embracing fresh approaches to long-standing challenges.In an industry brimming with potential, Mike's story highlights the delicate balance between mission-driven goals and business realities. We delve into the art of navigating the education market, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's mission amidst evolving technological landscapes, including the integration of AI. Join us for a compelling conversation about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the enduring quest for educational equity.ABOUT MIKEIn his 12 years teaching third grade near Denver, Colorado, Mike Cronley shared the frustrations of many colleagues enduring inequitable classes – for example, classes having an imbalance of low readers or students with challenging behavior. These imbalances weren’t surprising, given the student placement process was done with pink and blue paper cards. Mike, who received his B.S. in Psychology from the Ohio State University and an elementary teaching certificate from the University of Colorado Denver, is no longer in the classroom, but is an educator at heart who loves making a positive impact on the lives of teachers and students.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Class Composer’s WebsiteConnect with Mike on LinkedIn

What if building a successful business was as much about operational foundations as it is about vision and innovation? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Brenna Souza, the brilliant mind behind Resonate Growth, as she shares her remarkable journey from the bustling tech scene of Silicon Valley to the dynamic landscapes of Texas. Brenna’s career is a masterclass in adaptability, from navigating the dot-com bubble burst with a degree in management information systems to becoming the youngest female real estate appraiser in Northern California. Her transition from a real estate appraisal firm owner to a seasoned tech consultant provides unique insights into the world of business growth and operational efficiency.Explore the intriguing balance between strategic vision and tactical execution, especially when managing a fast-growing company with a remote workforce. Brenna discusses the often-overlooked details that can become resource drains, like compliance and establishing a nexus in different states. Through personal stories and experiences, we gain valuable insights into the importance of having a network of fellow founders and seasoned executives to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of sustainable growth. Brenna’s perspective sheds light on the crucial role of executive support, emphasizing how an operational partner can transform an executive's ability to manage time and responsibilities effectively.Brenna takes us on a journey of transforming complex workflows into accessible resources for smaller businesses. Hear how she breaks down extensive systems into manageable pieces, offering practical products like sourcing workbooks and templates. Her emphasis on establishing solid operational foundations early to avoid costly mistakes later is a treasure trove of advice for budding and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.ABOUT BRENNABrenna Souza is the founder of Resonate Growth, an operational consulting firm dedicated to empowering early-stage startups and small businesses. With a decade of experience in Silicon Valley, she has been instrumental in driving success for some of the Valley's most prominent founders, collaborating with executives across tech, government, banking, and real estate sectors. As a serial entrepreneur, Brenna previously owned a successful real estate appraisal firm in Northern California for ten years. Her extensive tenure in the startup ecosystem has given her unique insights into operational excellence and growth strategy. Following a mindful sabbatical in Texas during 2020 focused on health and personal development, she returned to entrepreneurship, combining her passion for helping others with her operational expertise. When not advising clients, Brenna pursues her interests in hiking, gardening, and developing her organic aromatherapy line.LINKS & RESOURCESGo to Resonate Growth’s WebsiteConnect with Brenna on LinkedIn