Entrepreneurs on Fire

Matt Kursh, CEO and co-founder of Oji Life Lab, shares his extensive experience in emotional intelligence training and decision-making. He discusses the importance of practicing emotional skills for personal growth and success, debunking myths that emotional intelligence is non-existent. Matt highlights careers that demand high emotional awareness and offers a two-step framework to boost emotional intelligence, emphasizing recognition and regulation. He concludes that real improvement comes from consistent effort and practice in honing these vital skills.

In this engaging conversation, Donna Kozik, founder of Ask & It Is Written and creator of Write a Book in a Weekend, shares her expertise on fast publishing for coaches and entrepreneurs. She emphasizes that publishing should focus on professionalism rather than perfection. Donna also advocates using books as powerful business cards instead of chasing bestseller titles. She discusses the importance of writing and speaking to clarify your message and offers tips on setting clear objectives to transform 'someday' ideas into published works.

Join Susan Weinschenk, a behavioral scientist and CEO of The Team W, Inc., as she shares her insights on resilience and adaptability in tough times. She highlights the importance of taking action without knowing all the answers and emphasizes preparing metrics before challenges arise. Susan discusses how financial reserves can reduce fear-driven choices and the value of learning from difficult experiences. Plus, she offers wise strategies for when to pivot and the essential steps to take during adversity, reminding us to believe in our resourcefulness.

Jay Buys, founder of the impactful apparel brand Fervor and Zeal, discusses using business as a force for good. He challenges the notion of success solely as financial gain, emphasizing freedom and values instead. Jay highlights how his company donates half its profits to support artists and nonprofits. He shares insights on overcoming challenges in the apparel industry, the importance of asking for help, and leveraging modern resources for entrepreneurship. His mission inspires listeners to embrace values-driven business practices.

Brandon Dawson, a business scaling expert and precision health optimizer, made waves by ringing the NY Stock Exchange bell at a young age. In this discussion, he emphasizes that success is a deliberate choice and requires constant action. He advocates for self-funding business growth to avoid the pitfalls of outside capital. Additionally, Brandon highlights the importance of planning an exit strategy years in advance and details essential qualities for driving business success, including leadership evolution and operational effectiveness.

Saurabh Shah, co-founder of InstaLend and a seasoned expert in real estate transactions, discusses the importance of launching with minimal viable products and evolving based on feedback. He highlights common pitfalls like under-budgeting for rehab projects, urging a 10% contingency fund. Shah also explains InstaLend's democratizing mission in private lending, showcasing innovative loan programs that cater to real estate investors. The episode wraps up with actionable insights for aspiring investors on leveraging InstaLend's services.

Rush Sadiwala, founder and CEO of Framework, shares his journey from investor to entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on strengths and building engaged communities for successful challenges. Rush defines challenges as structured, time-bound experiences that can help businesses grow. He illustrates their power with success stories like a salad-eating challenge and warns against common pitfalls, such as unclear goals. Ultimately, he underscores the significance of providing clear paths for customers to achieve measurable outcomes and deepen their engagement.

JiNan Glasgow George, a patent law expert and CEO of Patent Forecast, dives into the power of intellectual property as a means to multiply business value. She highlights how ideas can become your most valuable assets and discusses the critical importance of trademarks, copyrights, and patents. JiNan shares a compelling case study showcasing how patents drove significant exit valuations and fundraising. She also warns against common mistakes entrepreneurs make when navigating IP, providing actionable insights on turning innovations into tangible assets.

Walker Thrash, a seasoned real estate developer and author of The Dealmaker's Will, shares his expertise in human-centered negotiation. He emphasizes that relentless action trumps talent in achieving success. Thrash reframes negotiation as collaboration, stressing the importance of vision and trust over mere price discussions. He highlights the power of preparation and recognizing others' authority to foster stronger relationships. Thrash also advocates for making others feel ownership of ideas to drive innovation, all framed within the engaging storytelling of his upcoming book.

Anthony Sardain, founder of Cavela, revolutionizes sourcing by using AI to streamline product creation and manufacturing. He emphasizes the power of intuition in decision-making and rapid execution as keys to success. Sardain discusses how AI is reshaping design and marketing, predicting automation in sourcing and advertising soon. He advises brands to diversify suppliers to navigate tariffs and prepare for market disruptions. For maximum competitiveness, he urges embracing new technologies and staying agile in supply chain strategies.