Bigger Than Business

Elyse Dickerson struggled in school as a result of dyslexia but persevered to find her inner greatness and become a much respected and lauded CEO of her own company. Listen as Elyse shares how she was able to push through low expectations of educators throughout her childhood, and later, the gender-biased behaviors of colleagues to become the accomplished founder and leader of Eosera, a biotech company that is a pioneer in the Conscious Capitalism movement, putting purpose, people, and company values before profit. After starting her career in retail, Elyse Dickerson made a move to the pharmaceutical industry, where she spent 13 years at Alcon launching new products globally and managing a $1.7 billion product portfolio. When she realized she wanted to build her own innovative solutions that would improve the lives of people with healthcare challenges, she co-founded Eosera, a biotech company, in 2015. Elyse has earned honors such as Most Admired CEO and Fort Worthian to Watch, as well as awards like the Trailblazer Brand Champion Industry Award, the Women in Business Award from the Dallas Business Journal, and the Top Business Award from the Fort Worth Business Press. Elyse is also a mentor, mother, wife, accomplished athlete, and engaging public speaker who is a strong advocate for women in business and for gender equality. www.earcaremd.com Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

After taking over the family business unexpectedly with only three years’ executive experience under his belt, Larry J. Rybka was able to help grow Valmark Financial Group into an industry leader by constantly adapting to change, and building a team, second-to-none, that maintains the high standards and values his family established from the start. Listen as Larry shares the importance of why companies must be constantly innovating, making sure they have the right team in place, and then giving back to communities to grow relationships. Larry is a second-generation owner, Chairman, and CEO of Valmark Financial Group, the premier Broker Dealer of Choice for High Integrity Financial Firms. Valmark Financial Group was founded in 1963 by Larry’s father, Larry S. Rybka and has become an esteemed national powerhouse. Larry is a published author, has written numerous industry articles and White Papers, is often interviewed and quoted in publications like the Wall Street Journal, and has testified before the Ohio legislature on industry matters. Larry received a Distinguished Business Alumni Award, Outstanding Financial Executive Award, and the Lincoln Financial American Award, as well as awards for his authoring of journals and articles. Larry is an active contributor to several organizations including the Association for Advanced Underwriting, the Million Dollar Roundtable, the Institute for Certified Financial Planning, the University of Akron, and as a Board Member of Arise Rwanda Ministries. Larry earned a BS in Finance from the University of Akron and his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. Larry, his wife Wendy, and their four children live in the Akron, Ohio area. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Bill Mahomes grew up in a small Texas town during the Civil Rights era and was not prepared for the racial and academic adversity he would face becoming one of the first black cadets in the Texas A&M Corps. Despite the struggles he faced, Bill was not only the first black student to graduate from the Corps, he also went on to earn a Juris Doctorate, serve as a Captain in the Army Reserves as a member of the JAG Corps, and start his own law firm. Bill has served as counsel to the Federal National Mortgage Association and was appointed to serve on the Texas A&M Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott. Listen as Bill shares how he pushed through the challenges of life in the corps, racial tensions, stuttering, and academic hardships by working to truly understand the people around him. Learn why you have to give respect to get respect, and how having empathy for others, and not judging too quickly, will not only help you individually, but help others around you do their best, too. Bill Mahomes has more than 30 years of experience as a public finance, real estate and transactional lawyer. He has been involved in negotiating numerous contracts and public agreements between political bodies and their respective projects, including public hearings, professional selections and financing. Mr. Mahomes was appointed to the Texas A&M Board of Regents by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2015. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Buildings and Physical Plant and as a member of the Committee on Audit. He also serves as a liaison to the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets and System Military Training Programs. Mr. Mahomes was appointed by Texas A&M President Michael K. Young to the newly formed Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, where the Commission will look at data about diversity and inclusion at Texas A&M; examine whether university policies are consistent with its core values and mission; gather opinions from current students, alumni and faculty; and review the campus culture and its impact on minority communities. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

In our second podcast with Larry North, owner of a successful chain of fitness gyms, radio personality, and best-selling author, he shares with us the stories of his childhood that shaped the trajectory of his life from being broke and on-the-run to a becoming an admired and respected business owner. Listen as Larry relates to us how a desire to help others, and a strong work ethic forged by the circumstances of his youth, turned his life around so he could become a successful entrepreneur who proves that visualizing what you want will help you achieve it, that passion makes you memorable, and a “happy to do it” attitude leads to fulfillment and a life rich in relationships with others. Larry North is a household name in fitness, health, and weight loss. Born in NY and raised in Dallas, Texas, he started his first business in 1981 at age 20. His media career started shortly after that with talk radio, where he performed for over 25 years. His best-selling infomercial, the Great North American Slimdown, became one of the most popular weight loss infomercials ever. Larry has also made hundreds of TV appearances and is the author of three best-selling books. Larry openly encourages people to contact him through his social media and email address. Website: https://larrynorthfitness.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-north-3b0000a/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLarryNorth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_north/                     https://www.instagram.com/larrynorthgym/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Larry North started his first gym in the 1980s and built an empire that includes a radio show, television appearances, speaking engagements, and best-selling books. After spending over three decades focused on helping others achieve their fitness goals, Larry has valuable insight on how little changes can add up to big positive results and how tweaking your thinking can be key to your success. Listen to the first of our two podcasts with Larry as he shares how you can boost immunity and avoid self-sabotage, and how aspiring to find joy is as important as working out and eating well. Larry North is a household name in fitness, health, and weight loss. Born in NY and raised in Dallas, Texas, he started his first business in 1981 at age 20. His media career started shortly after that with talk radio, where he performed for over 25 years. His best-selling infomercial, the Great North American Slimdown, became one of the most popular weight loss infomercials ever. Larry has also made hundreds of TV appearances and is the author of three best-selling books. Larry openly encourages people to contact him through his social media and email address. Website: https://larrynorthfitness.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-north-3b0000a/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLarryNorth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_north/                    https://www.instagram.com/larrynorthgym/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

In addition to helping grow his family’s company that experienced 43 straight profitable years, Alan Petsche built his own portfolio of companies, starting when he was a junior in high school! Entrepreneurial spirit instilled in him by his father at a young age ensured that Alan would not only seek success on a business front, but it would also lead to a legacy of helping others. From comic books, to music, to real estate, Alan pursued his passions and used that success to give back to his city and communities. Listen as Alan shares how his family history shaped his passions and his future, and why recognizing skill and talent in others leads to happiness and success. The Petsche family is an ardent supporter of the City of Arlington, Texas. A.E. Petsche Company, an aerospace distribution firm, was founded by Alan’s father Arnold in the city in 1966. Alan received his BBA from UTA in 1980 and worked for the family business until it was sold in 2009. Not content to retire, Alan and his wife Bonnie (UTA BBA ’86), in addition to raising their four children, have subsequently reinvested in the Arlington area economy by opening two restaurants, establishing a commercial cabinet shop, starting real estate investment/development companies for both commercial and residential properties, founding two independent record labels and building two recording studios. Alan is a music fan, a hi-fidelity enthusiast, and an accomplished guitarist. He can be found onstage locally and across the United States and Europe with The Pengwins, a legendary Texas rock and roll band. Despite Alan’s involvement in so many areas, his primary passion in life is for his family. https://spyderpop.com/ https://www.urbanunionarlington.com/ http://www.candleliteinnarlington.com/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Listen in as Sunny speaks about what Conscious Capitalism is, what kind of mindset it takes to weather a storm like COVID-19, the key lessons he has learned that will help leadership in today’s climate, and how it all starts with one simple concept: caring. Sunny Vanderbeck is co-founder and managing partner of Satori Capital, a private equity firm in Dallas/Fort Worth that has been voted a Best Place to Work and is known for its Conscious Capitalism culture and approach to business. Prior to becoming a Co-Founder of Satori, Sunny built on the foundation of his former military experience as an Army Ranger to become one of the youngest CEOs to lead a NASDAQ company.  Sunny is also the bestselling author of “Selling without Selling Out: How to Sell Your Business without Selling Your Soul.” https://www.sunnyvanderbeck.com Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

David Green had only three goals in life – to build a happy marriage, to raise healthy, well-balanced children who served God, and to succeed in business. With a $600 loan and the untiring support of his wife Barbara, they began a small arts and crafts business about the size of a ‘lobby’ that not only became a giant in the industry, it became one of the largest ‘business as ministry’ examples in the world. Hear David speak about how their family decided together to give away the company, what makes a great leader, and how there are some places in business you just “can’t get there with a calculator.” David Green was born into a family of preachers and feels his true success came when he realized that God purposed him to be a merchant. David lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Barbara. Together, they started Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which has become the largest retail arts and crafts store in the world. They have three children and 17 grandchildren. https://www.hobbylobby.com/ Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com  

Mike Hernandez wanted to be an engineer, but when he graduated from Texas A&M University, the oil bust of 1983 set him on a different path that led to his eventual ownership of D&M Leasing, the nation’s premiere auto leasing company, and several other flourishing enterprises. Listen as Mike shares how running a business is similar to running a college football team, and what it takes to grow a company that earns a massive 78% of its business through satisfied, repeat customers and their referrals. Mike also shares how he is leading a mission to transform Cameron County, Texas, into an economically thriving community. Mike Hernandez is a Brownsville, Texas, native who joined D&M Leasing in 1984 and took over full ownership in 2005. He has since grown D&M to the highest ranked auto leasing company in the U.S. with a lease portfolio of over $1 billion. Mike has also expanded his business activities into real estate development, finance, cattle ranching, and the oil and gas spheres. Mike is a philanthropist focusing on education, economic development and social services in Cameron and Starr counties in Texas. He founded OP 10.33, an action-driven group that is helping shape the regional government into one that coordinates overarching programs that benefit all Cameron County citizens. Mike and his wife, Kelly, have four children and reside in Fort Worth, Texas. https://www.dmautoleasing.com/ www.op1033.org Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

Rusty Shaw was headed to dental school when his father approached him about becoming an oil jobber in his fledgling company in 1970. With little more than faith in the company’s potential, Rusty grew a fuel distribution business into a successful convenience store chain and real estate empire. Listen as Rusty explains what his “dash” is, and how important it is to succeed in life and business. Rusty Shaw credits his parents for teaching him the value of hard work and giving him a great deal of freedom to make decisions and experience their outcomes, good or bad, which served him well in learning how to run a business. Rusty is married to Peggy, and he has enjoyed helping his nieces and nephews complete their education. Giving and contributing to his community is very important to him, and he enjoys donating to his hometown of Stillwater, OK, and Oklahoma State University, where he is the 47th all-time giver. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com