Passage to Profit Show - Road to Entrepreneurship

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Judith Sheft from New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology.   How do you turn a brilliant idea into a funded startup? In this episode, innovation champion Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (NJEDA), shares how early-stage entrepreneurs can access grants, connect with top researchers, and test their ideas through real customer feedback. From cutting-edge clean tech to video games that treat eye disorders, Judith spotlights how founders can tap into the ecosystem, find talent, and turn vision into venture—with support every step of the way. Read more at: https://www.njcsit.gov/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

In this inspiring segment of "Your New Business Journey" on Passage to Profit Show, our guests reflect on the advice they’d give their younger selves at the start of their careers—from saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities, to paving your own path, embracing discomfort, and trusting the power of your voice. You'll hear wisdom on staying true to your strengths, adapting through change, and remembering that success is more about the journey than the destination. Whether you're launching a business or navigating your next chapter, this episode is full of motivation to fuel your path forward.   Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Judith Sheft from New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology, Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick from Leading Young Women, Inc and Gaurav “G” Sharma from Hook.   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Judith Sheft from New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology, Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick from Leading Young Women, Inc and Gaurav “G” Sharma from Hook.   How do you turn a brilliant idea into a funded startup? In this episode, innovation champion Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (NJEDA), shares how early-stage entrepreneurs can access grants, connect with top researchers, and test their ideas through real customer feedback. From cutting-edge clean tech to video games that treat eye disorders, Judith spotlights how founders can tap into the ecosystem, find talent, and turn vision into venture—with support every step of the way. Read more at: https://www.njcsit.gov/   Gaurav “G” Sharma is the founder of Hook, the ultimate app for music remixing and mashups, giving you the freedom to express your creativity like never before. Remix your favorite songs and craft unique mashups in seconds. Whether you want to create viral sounds for reels or just have fun, Hook makes music remixing effortless and enjoyable. Browse their catalog of licensed tracks, let your creativity flow, and use AI-powered mashups, genre-based filters, and sound effects to shape your sound. Take it to the next level with video editing tools and seamless social media sharing—Hook is your creative playground. Read more at: https://hookmusic.com/   Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is the founder of Leading Young Women, Inc., a community-engaged non-profit organization delivering enrichment programs that address leadership, identity, and empowerment for middle and high school girls through partnerships with New Jersey school districts. Leading Young Women, Inc. is led by successful women of color who look to effect positive change in the lives of young women living in underserved communities. As women leaders, they understand the importance of providing representation of, exposure to, and interactions with successful women from their communities. Read more at: https://www.leadingyoungwomen.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

In this inspiring segment of "Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind" on Passage to Profit Show, we uncover the with game-changing insights from our guests. From loving the problem (not just the solution), to keeping your sales engine always running, building genuine connections, embracing fresh perspectives, and tuning out the naysayers—this episode is packed with real, unfiltered advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, these secrets could change the way you think about business.   Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Jed Morley from Backstory Branding, Rick English from UP Advisors and David and Monica Kowalski from Lebowski's Kool-Luah.   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview David and Monica Kowalski from Lebowski's Kool-Luah.   What do you get when you mix a family recipe, a tattoo search, and a taproom named after The Big Lebowski? You get Kulua—a nostalgic, award-winning coffee liqueur crafted by entrepreneurs Monica and David Kowalski. In this interview, they share the heartwarming (and slightly boozy) story of how rediscovering Monica’s late father’s handwritten recipe led to a booming business, 55 White Russian variations, and multiple gold medals. It’s a tale of serendipity, flavor, and honoring family—one sip at a time. Read more at: https://www.lebowskiskoolluah.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Rick English from UP Advisors.   In this interview, business consultant Rick English of Up Advisors shares the top mistakes that hold entrepreneurs back—like not knowing their numbers, hiring too late, and undervaluing their time. He breaks down the five key areas every business must optimize—people, process, product, profit, and customer experience—and offers practical tips for making smarter decisions and building a business that actually works for you. If you're stuck doing $20/hour tasks when your time is worth $150, this episode is your wake-up call Read more at: https://www.myupadvisors.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

In this episode, we dive into a holy twist on intellectual property as entrepreneurs rush to trademark the name of the new Pope—Chicago-style. From "Da Bears" to "Da Pope," we explore the hilarious and legally murky world of trademarking a religious title, with plenty of laughs and insights along the way. Can you brand the Pope? Should you? Tune in for a spirited take on branding, hustle, and what happens when capitalism meets the cloth.   Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Jed Morley from Backstory Branding, Rick English from UP Advisors and David and Monica Kowalski from Lebowski's Kool-Luah.   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Jed Morley from Backstory Branding.   Is your brand BBQ-worthy or headed for an HR complaint? In this episode of Passage to Profit, branding expert Jed Morley, founder of Backstory Branding, dives deep into what makes a brand trustworthy, memorable, and scalable. From uncovering the power of the golden rule to aligning your team with purpose-driven messaging, Jed shares smart, strategic insights every entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you're building a law firm, podcast studio, or nationwide community, this episode will help you brand with heart—and results. Read more at: https://www.backstorybranding.com/books/building-a-brand-that-scales   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Feeling the fear but doing it anyway? In this empowering segment of "Your New Business Journey" on Passage to Profit Show, our panel of seasoned entrepreneurs shares real talk on how to overcome self-doubt in business. From taking action and celebrating small wins to doing your homework and embracing the hustle beneath the surface, these insights will help you move from hesitation to confidence—one bold step at a time.   Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Jed Morley from Backstory Branding, Rick English from UP Advisors and David and Monica Kowalski from Lebowski's Kool-Luah.    Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Jed Morley from Backstory Branding, Rick English from UP Advisors and David and Monica Kowalski from Lebowski's Kool-Luah.   Is your brand BBQ-worthy or headed for an HR complaint? In this episode of Passage to Profit, branding expert Jed Morley, founder of Backstory Branding, dives deep into what makes a brand trustworthy, memorable, and scalable. From uncovering the power of the golden rule to aligning your team with purpose-driven messaging, Jed shares smart, strategic insights every entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you're building a law firm, podcast studio, or nationwide community, this episode will help you brand with heart—and results. Read more at: https://www.backstorybranding.com/books/building-a-brand-that-scales   Rick English is the Founder and Chief Consultant of Up Advisors a Business Consulting & Coaching Firm that he founded after 22 years in leadership roles. Up Advisors works with companies that are growing but lack structure, are stagnating and want to get back on track, are struggling and need fresh insights, are led by entrepreneurs who are burned out and need to be refreshed and firms in the midst of leadership transitions. Read more at: https://www.myupadvisors.com/   David and Monica Kowalski are the founders of Lebowski's Kool-Luah, an award-winning blend of bold coffee and smooth liqueur in one seriously chill bottle. Brewed with love in Colorado Springs, this righteous concoction is perfect over ice, mixed into a classic cocktail, or sipped straight when the vibe is just right. However you pour it, Kool-Luah brings the flavor, the nostalgia, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. Read more at: https://www.lebowskiskoolluah.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes.