Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business

What if the biggest hurdle between you and your entrepreneurial success was your own mindset? For 16 years, I've battled with being consistent on social media, letting mindset barriers hold me back from truly connecting and serving others. Join me as I candidly share this recurring struggle, reflecting on the times I've announced my comeback to platforms like Facebook, only to vanish again. It's time to confront these internal obstacles and embrace the opportunity to genuinely reach and serve more people, as we gear up for significant changes in the coming year.Consistency is key, but showing up with grace and understanding is just as important. As I journey back into the realm of social media and podcasting, I remind myself—and you—that it's okay to stumble and face burnout. Nearing the milestone of 1,000 episodes, let's celebrate the power of persistence and the goodness in business, without excuses.

Unlock the secrets of high-level leadership with insights from our guest, Jason Gates, a consultant extraordinaire with a rich tapestry of experience spanning marketing, tech, and business operations. Experience Jason's unique journey from web developer to agency founder and back to consulting, as we dissect the distinct yet interwoven roles of CEOs and COOs. Learn how CEOs manifest as visionaries crafting solutions while COOs emerge as the strategic partners executing these visions, and discover the delicate art of working on the business rather than in it, crucial for entrepreneurial success.Feeling stuck in your growth as a CEO? You're not alone. We navigate the common hurdles faced by CEOs, emphasizing vital strategies like operational audits to unearth underlying issues and break free from stagnation. Through Jason's lens, we explore the pitfalls of excessive meetings and the invaluable power of external perspectives. Especially for solopreneurs, balancing visionary thinking with day-to-day execution is key, and we highlight the CEO's pivotal role in asking the right questions and keeping their vision alive and thriving.Finally, we delve into the indispensable traits of successful CEOs and the transformative power of AI in business strategy. Jason shares profound insights into nurturing a compelling CEO vision with team buy-in, drawing inspiration from legendary sports teams like the New England Patriots. As we wrap up, we celebrate the entrepreneurial community, where knowledge and networks flourish, and extend heartfelt gratitude to Jason and all our guests for their priceless contributions. Join us on the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast and journey with remarkable entrepreneurs who redefine success every day!ABOUT JASONOver the past two decades, Jason Gates has successfully built businesses through consulting. His extensive experience lies at the intersection of marketing, technology, and business, enabling him to implement solutions with a deep understanding of how businesses operate.LINKS & RESOURCESGet a Copy of Jason’s Book ‘Reclaim Your Role as CEO: Empower Your Team and Grow Your Business’ on AmazonVisit Reclaim Your Role’s WebsiteVisit Endgame Marketing’s WebsiteConnect with Jason on LinkedIn

Ever wondered how data can be the game-changer in your business strategy? Join us as we explore this transformative power with Bradley Boldenow, founder of Boreas and a seasoned data consultant. Bradley shares his incredible journey from the marketing world to becoming a data maven, illustrating how data analytics can revolutionize business strategies. Listen in to uncover practical applications, such as Amazon's renowned product recommendations, and how businesses can leverage their data for informed decision-making and valuable insights.Curious about the buzz around AI and large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini? Bradley breaks down their potential to enhance jobs rather than replace them. Learn how AI can handle substantial portions of tasks, leaving the final critical decisions to human expertise. We discuss real-world applications of this technology in business scenarios, such as crafting personalized emails and strategic decision-making, showcasing how these tools can amplify human capabilities and streamline workflows.Bradley's journey from a data solutions engineer to a successful entrepreneur is truly inspiring. Discover his insights on making data accessible to non-technical individuals, particularly in marketing. We share examples from diverse industries, demonstrating how even unconventional data sources can drive better business outcomes. Bradley's story underscores the importance of aligning data solutions with business objectives, providing a roadmap for using data to fuel entrepreneurial success. Tune in for an insightful conversation that promises to transform your approach to data in your business.ABOUT BRADLEYBradley Boldenow is a seasoned data consultant with 7 years of experience helping businesses turn data into a strategic asset. As the founder of Boreas, Bradley has led successful projects spanning data integration, modeling, and advanced analytics, delivering exceptional data-driven solutions. He has worked with cross-functional teams across various industries, helping them understand and leverage complex technologies like large language models and machine learning. Bradley's expertise lies in making data simple for teams to implement and act on, transforming complex data pipelines into accessible insights.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Boreas’ WebsiteConnect with Bradley on LinkedIn

What if you could revolutionize education before even graduating high school? Join us as we chat with Jacob Heldt, a high school student whose passion for technology and AI has already earned him prestigious awards and led him to develop groundbreaking projects. Jacob shares his exciting journey, including his award-winning AI-generated image detector and his latest venture, StudyCrew, an innovative online learning platform aimed at connecting students globally for a more engaging and collaborative educational experience.Jacob delves into the community-driven approach behind StudyCrew, an open-source platform powered by volunteer contributions. He explains the growth strategy that includes foundational features, expansion, and futuristic learning enhancements, all shaped by valuable user feedback. You'll also learn about the clever marketing tactics being employed, from harnessing the power of social media to relying on word-of-mouth, and how the platform aims to balance student-driven initiatives with potential collaborations with academic institutions.In this inspirational episode, Jacob opens up about the unique challenges and advantages of being a young entrepreneur. He reflects on his hands-on learning style, overcoming self-doubt, and leveraging his age to build support from peers. Jacob emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset and shares insights into balancing long-term goals with short-term actions. He passionately encourages other young listeners to pursue their dreams and break free from conventional expectations, proving that youth entrepreneurship can indeed transform the landscape of education.ABOUT JACOB Jacob Heldt is a high school student with a strong passion for technology and its potential to benefit society. He has worked on numerous coding projects, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. For example, he and a friend developed a detector for AI-generated images, which earned them the Young Talent Award at the German Federal Competition of AI. Additionally, Jacob has been involved in several research projects aimed at addressing important societal challenges. Currently, he is on a mission to improve education through technology. He founded StudyCrew, an online learning platform designed to make education more accessible, collaborative, and engaging. The first version of StudyCrew will allow students to join groups with like-minded peers from around the world to master school subjects and explore topics beyond the classroom. This volunteer-driven, open-source initiative is primarily led by high school students from diverse backgrounds, with the common conviction that collaboration can make learning more fun and effective.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit StudyCrew’s WebsiteFollow StudyCrew on LinkedInVisit Jacob’s WebsiteConnect with Jacob on LinkedIn

Unlock the potential of your nonprofit’s marketing with insights from Todd Vigil, an expert in nonprofit marketing. Discover how the Google Ad Grant program, offering a whopping $10,000 monthly budget, can be the game-changer your organization needs. Todd shares practical advice on managing these grants effectively while keeping costs low, ensuring that even the smallest nonprofits can see significant returns. Get ready to transform your marketing strategy and witness the ripple effect on your overall impact.Navigate the intricate landscape of nonprofit revenue with Todd as we discuss the balance between earned and contributed income streams. Post-COVID donor relationships have shifted, and the role of marketing is more critical than ever. We emphasize the importance of platforms like Google Ads in driving awareness and engagement, ensuring your nonprofit stays at the forefront of potential donors' minds. Learn to leverage these tools to enhance your top-of-funnel marketing efforts and build stronger, more resilient donor connections.Dive deep into the technicalities of managing Google Ads for nonprofits with a focus on actionable metrics and AI tools. Todd walks us through the essentials of keyword understanding, search terms, and campaign optimization using tools like ChatGPT. Discover why monitoring click-through rates and cost per click is vital for evaluating performance. Plus, get a glimpse into Todd's approach to transparent pricing strategies and the power of small, iterative improvements. Whether you're a nonprofit leader or simply intrigued by innovative marketing strategies, this episode is packed with valuable lessons to elevate your organization.ABOUT TODD Todd Vigil is a results-driven nonprofit marketing leader known for his innovative, data-driven strategies. He founded www.eleehub.com to help nonprofits utilize Google's Ad Grant program. As Chief Marketing Officer for The Phoenix Symphony, he drove significant transformation through digital marketing. With over a decade of experience, Todd has led marketing for institutions like the Heard Museum. He also chairs the marketing council at ASU's Lodestar Center. A native of Arizona, Todd enjoys hiking, reading, podcasts, and international travel.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Eleehub’s WebsiteConnect with Todd on LinkedIn

What if you could see your business not just as it is today, but as it could be five years from now? This episode promises to transform your perspective on growth by exploring the dual approach of managing your current operations while envisioning future success. We dive into the strategic mindset needed to navigate the unpredictable nature of long-term planning, suggesting that embracing change and expanding your vision is key. Whether you're considering how to evolve your team, refine your products, or scale your operations, this episode will challenge you to think beyond immediate challenges and prepare yourself for future demands.

Discover the transformative potential of merging business with mindfulness alongside our guest, Deiadora Blanche, a trailblazing entrepreneur and advocate for ethical AI. With her roots in helping a local cafe in Perth, Deiadora has evolved into a beacon of holistic business development with her company, Deiadorebel. This episode promises to unravel how consciousness and intentionality can revolutionize business operations. Listen as Deiadora reveals how breath work and meditation can enhance decision-making and align inner values with outward business strategies, ultimately creating more impactful and conscious businesses.The conversation shifts to the fluid nature of identity, both personal and business-wise, as we explore the intersection of personal growth and business development. Deiadora challenges conventional business practices by emphasizing the power of mindfulness, urging entrepreneurs to align their core values with business operations for greater customer retention and satisfaction. Insights into striking a balance among entrepreneurial strengths—be it scaling operations or honing sales strategies—are shared, along with recognizing and addressing emotional disconnects that might hinder success.Embrace the art of "strategic laziness" in business development, particularly in the realm of AI, as Deiadora shares her wisdom. Highlighting the importance of using AI as a collaborative partner, she discusses the nuances of prompt engineering and the significance of creating content that resonates with brand values. This episode concludes with Deiadora shedding light on how concentrated effort and efficiency can serve as intelligent forms of laziness, offering personal anecdotes and practical advice for entrepreneurs at every stage. Dive deeper into these concepts by connecting with Deiadora through her podcast, "The Quantum CEO."ABOUT DEIADORADeiadora Blanche is the Founder & CEO of Deiadorebel, where innovation meets intuition to catalyze profound transformation in business and personal life. With a passion for holistic business development and ethical AI, Deiadora empowers entrepreneurs to elevate their businesses by blending emotional intelligence with advanced AI strategies. Her work has been instrumental in helping conscious businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Deiadorebel’s WebsiteListen to The Quantum CEO PodcastSubscribe to Deiadorebel’s YouTube ChannelGet Your Copy of Deiadora’s Book – Strategic Laziness: The Art of Doing Less While Making MoreConnect with Deiadora on LinkedIn

Unlock the secrets to a fulfilling career with Kelly Duggan, founder of Your Place at the Top, as she recounts her unexpected journey from a higher education administration student to becoming WWE's Vice President of Employee Experience. Kelly reveals how an unplanned internship evolved into a transformative career, allowing her to build the employee experience function from scratch. Her story is an inspiring example of how each career step serves as a building block towards ultimate success. Gain unique insights into WWE's business model and storytelling expertise, and discover how these elements have shaped Kelly’s approach to career coaching.What if work wasn't something separate from life but a complementary part of it? Kelly challenges the traditional notion of work-life balance and emphasizes the importance of identifying your unique value—a blend of strengths, values, and experiences. She discusses the critical role of mindset and confidence in shaping career paths and highlights how many opportunities lie untapped at the top due to self-selection and differing definitions of success. Through her career coaching philosophy, Kelly underscores the importance of doing what you love and finding fulfillment in your professional life.Entrepreneurs and professionals, take note! Kelly offers invaluable strategies for creating thriving work environments and balancing career coaching with employee experience consulting. Learn the significance of consistency, perseverance, and adaptability in content creation and business development. From the inception of the "Reaching for the Top" community to the unexpected success of the Connections Networking series, Kelly shares actionable advice and personal anecdotes. This episode is packed with essential lessons on patience, experimentation, and the necessity of small, actionable steps for career advancement.ABOUT KELLY Kelly Duggan is the founder of Your Place at the Top. As a former Employee Experience Executive, Kelly spent nearly a decade with WWE building their Employee Experience function from the ground up. With Your Place at the Top, Kelly has partnered across industries from sports and entertainment to financial institutions, and hospitality, but she began her career in education where she earned her Masters in Higher Education Administration from the College of William and Mary.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Your Place at the Top’s WebsiteFollow Kelly on InstagramFind Your Place at the Top on LinkedInCheck out Your Place at the Top on TikTokConnect with Kelly on LinkedIn

What if you could turn setbacks into stepping stones for success? Tune in as we sit down with Tony Chong, a multi-CEO and relentless entrepreneur who has mastered the art of pivoting from adversity to achievement. From growing up in an immigrant family to becoming a tech CEO with ventures like a cloud computing consultancy and the innovative mobile app Biograf, Tony reveals the secrets behind his resilient journey and steadfast dedication to serving a greater purpose.Imagine capturing life's most precious moments with an app designed to preserve stories across generations. In this compelling episode, Tony shares how impactful user feedback shaped the development of Biograf, an AI-powered storytelling app that bypasses the MVP phase to deliver a fully functional product. Dive into Tony's hands-on approach to simplicity and usability, and discover the inspiring tales from his early days in a mechanic shop to his meteoric rise in the tech industry.Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs balance work and family while staying laser-focused on their goals? Tony opens up about his disciplined daily routine, strategic weekly planning, and the importance of staying connected to your core motivations. Learn how Tony manages his two businesses, Airwave Tech and Biograf, while making time for quality family moments. He also shares invaluable advice for fellow entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need for persistence, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to your vision. Don’t miss this episode filled with actionable insights and motivational stories that will keep you inspired on your own entrepreneurial path.ABOUT TONY Tony Chong is a multi-CEO of several businesses that although very different in scope, are both designed to help others. Not following a traditional career path, Tony went from fixing cars and delivering pizza to helping 2 start-ups secure successful exits and then securing funding as cofounder for his own start-up.Currently, Tony runs a Cloud Computing consultancy business and runs the mobile app Biograf.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit Airwave Tech’s WebsiteVisit Biograf’s WebsiteConnect with Tony on LinkedIn

Discover how you can embed sustainability into your business practices with insights from Susan Spencer, co-founder of a boutique sustainability consulting firm. Susan's incredible journey from the fashion industry to founding her own learning agency has equipped her with unique perspectives on sustainability, brand management, and corporate training. This episode will reveal how her experiences at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and with major clients like Facebook, shaped her passion for driving sustainable change through education.Unravel the complexities of the EU Green Deal and its far-reaching impact on multinational companies, even those beyond European borders. Susan emphasizes the importance of adhering to sustainability assessments like EcoVadis and implementing robust policies on labor and human rights. Learn how practical training methods, especially e-learning, can transform these policies from mere statements into actionable, engaging programs that drive real change across your organization.Gain entrepreneurial wisdom from Susan as she discusses her company's adaptive strategies for business success. Their global perspective, informed by European regulations and sustainability trends, has been crucial in expanding their reach. Embrace the importance of continuous learning and collaboration, and find out how Susan's "20 seconds of brilliance" and Patricia's methodical approach create a dynamic balance that propels their business forward. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your sustainability initiatives and entrepreneurial strategy with insights from an industry expert.ABOUT SUSANSusan Spencer is a learning designer and consultant, who's focused on guiding organizations toward implementing improved sustainable management practices across the pillars of people, places, and profit. She's also a former college instructor, fashion industry executive, and published author.LINKS & RESOURCESVisit EthoWork Consulting’s WebsiteFollow EthoWork Consulting LinkedInConnect with Susan on LinkedIn