Beyond Fulfillment Podcast

In today’s episode, we are honored to have Adam Peters, the founder of the Strategic Veteran platform and the host of the Strategic Veteran podcast. Adam's journey from enlisting in the army at 17, enduring multiple deployments and injuries, to facing personal battles such as alcoholism and depression, is nothing short of remarkable. Following a challenging transition back to civilian life, Adam found his true calling in entrepreneurship and community service. Today, he'll share how he built a vital support system for veterans through the strategic veteran community and his innovative mobile app, connecting veterans and first responders in crisis with licensed mental health professionals and fellow veterans. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and Adam’s unwavering dedication to empowering veterans to transition successfully and rediscover their purpose. And don’t forget to like and subscribe if you find value in our content. Now, let's dive into my conversation with Adam Peters!#veteran #firstresponders #entrepreneurship #founder #communitysupport #communityservice #armyveteran

Welcome to the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast. In today's episode, we have an extraordinary guest, Mike Bolland, whose journey defies all odds and showcases the power of resilience and creativity. Mike's diverse and eclectic background includes roles as a former child actor, professional bowler, inventor, stand-up comedian, podcast host, and nonprofit founder. Born without a right hand, Mike's inspirational story takes us from his early acting career in "The Trial of Billy Jack" to becoming a professional bowler, followed by a successful 30-year corporate career at Discount Tire. A cancer diagnosis in 2016 became a pivotal moment in Mike's life, prompting him to pursue his passions more vigorously, including founding a nonprofit for the limb loss community and starting the "We’re Not Stumped" podcast. Join us as Mike shares his incredible journey, the lessons he's learned about overcoming adversity, and his inspiring work to make the world a better place for the limb loss community. Don't miss this episode filled with motivation, humor, and insights into the true essence of entrepreneurial spirit.#entrepreneurship #founder #businessgrowth #entrepreneurs #overcomingadversity #findingfulfillment #podcastguest #podcastshow

I just had an amazing conversation with Sannah Vinding, the brilliant mind behind the Leadership in Manufacturing podcast. Originally an engineer from Denmark, Sannah transitioned into a digital marketing role and shared her journey of blending creativity with technical expertise. We talked about overcoming the challenges of starting and maintaining a successful podcast, the importance of continuous learning, and her unique insights on leadership. If you want to be inspired and pick up some valuable tips on leadership and innovation, this episode is a must-listen. Here are some of the episode highlights: 1. Transition from Engineering to Marketing [00:02:07] - Sannah discusses her seamless transition from an engineering background into a marketing role. She highlights how critical thinking and understanding of engineering principles provide an added advantage in explaining technical features to marketing teams, enabling effective communication.2. Importance of Consistency in Podcasting, [00:10:48] - Sannah emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent schedule for releasing podcast episodes. Despite the challenges, consistency has built trust and expectation among her listeners. Even amidst occasional fatigue, the positive feedback keeps her motivated to continue.3. Learning and Creativity, [00:06:58] - Sannah talks about how learning new skills, such as podcasting and video editing, rekindled her passion for creativity. She appreciates the resources available today that make learning fun and accessible, something she didn't have during her schooling.4. Organic Growth and Marketing Strategies, [00:16:55] - Sannah shares her approach to growing her podcast organically, leveraging her skills in digital marketing, SEO, and social media. She stresses the importance of using keywords, creating great titles, and optimizing for multiple platforms like YouTube to improve discoverability.5. Feedback and Continuous Improvement in Leadership, [00:23:29] - Sannah emphasizes the importance of listening to both positive and negative feedback to become a better leader. She discusses how silent feedback, internal reflection, and continuously expanding skill sets are essential to maintaining and improving leadership qualities.Connect with Sannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sannahvinding/#podcast #podcastshow #manufacturing #logistics #ecommerce #startup

Today we have an amazing session with Kevin Lawton on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast! Kevin, a former warehouse manager turned full-time entrepreneur, shared his incredible journey from balancing a 9-to-5 to celebrating 500 podcast episodes. He dropped valuable insights on the power of batch recordings, consistency, and the utility of LinkedIn live audio for real-time engagement. Plus, his role in Kamet is revolutionizing risk assessment in warehousing. For anyone looking to dive into podcasting or improve their current approach, this episode is a goldmine. Here are some of the episode highlights from my conversation with Kevin: 1. Balancing Act of Initial Podcasting Efforts - Kevin Lawton discusses how he balanced his role as a warehouse manager while dedicating time to his podcasting pursuits. He used his vacation days strategically to attend trade shows and record batch episodes, ensuring a steady stream of content without scrambling for interviews.2. Transition to Full-Time Entrepreneurship and Efficient Workflow - As Kevin transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship, he streamlined his workflow by dedicating two specific days a month to batch record podcasts. This method allowed him to manage his time effectively and focus on other aspects of his podcast and business during the rest of the month.3. Advice for Aspiring Podcasters: Just Start - Kevin emphasizes the importance of just starting a podcast without worrying about perfection. He mentions that growth and improvement come through practice and feedback, drawing a parallel with YouTube content creation. Tools and platforms have made starting a podcast more accessible, even from a smartphone.4. Engagement with LinkedIn Live Audio Podcasts - Kevin suggests using LinkedIn live audio podcasts as a fantastic way to engage with your audience in real-time, leveraging LinkedIn’s built-in audience. This approach can offer valuable real-time interaction and immediate feedback, helping to refine content and engage more deeply with listeners.5. Role at Kamet and Industry Insights - Kevin talks about his advisory role at Kamet, a startup focused on risk assessment and management for warehouse operations. Kamet aggregates data from various systems to visualize and predict risks, providing insights into ROI for automation and robotics. Kevin also notes how his podcast has enabled him to gain insider knowledge on industry trends and robotics, which he shares with his listeners.#podcast #podcastingtips #entrepreneurship #logistics #warehouse #logisticsindustry #podcastshow

Today on the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast I have a great conversation with Beatrice Gutknecht, founder of Badassery by B. We dove deep into brand strategy, discussing why it’s essential to integrate it throughout your entire business. Beatrice shared her journey from Australia to Myanmar and now Spain, emphasizing the power of values alignment in hiring and operations. Plus, insights on overcoming fear and embracing failures for growth. Don't miss this episode if you’re looking to elevate your brand and ignite your passion in business. Here are the episode highlights below: 1. Integrated Brand Strategy - Brand strategy is not just about setting up a plan; it's about the implementation and accountability that follows. Beatrice emphasizes the importance of involving operational teams to get their buy-in, which helps in creating investment and aligning everyone towards the unified brand message.2. Values Alignment in Operations - Beatrice discusses the necessity of ensuring that brand values align not only in marketing but in hiring practices and everyday operations. This values alignment is crucial for coherent and authentic brand representation across all facets of a business.3. Embracing Failure for Growth - Reflecting on her journey, Beatrice advises people feeling stuck to start with small changes and to embrace failure. She points out that failure is not an endpoint but a stepping stone to growth and learning, helping individuals unlock their true potential.4. Societal and Educational Aversion to Failure - Both Beatrice and Dave discuss how societal and educational systems often create an aversion to failure. They emphasize that this mindset can hinder innovation and personal growth, advocating for a paradigm shift where failure is seen as a natural part of the learning process.5. Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking - Beatrice shares her own experience with the fear of public speaking and hearing her own voice. She provides insights on how she managed to overcome these fears, reiterating that while pain is certain, suffering is optional. Her advice is to focus on immediate actions rather than the prolonged anticipation of challenges.Connect With Beatrice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatricegutknecht/#branding #personalbranding #onlinemarketing #societalexpectations #founder #entrepreneurship #businessowner

1. Michael Benson's Entrepreneurial Journey: Michael recounts his career progression from the Harlem Globetrotters, transitioning to his own agency, and eventually stepping into the medical industry. He delves into the lessons learned and challenges faced along the way.2. Launch of Mobile Wound Care Business: Michael outlines his plans for launching a mobile wound care business in October, starting in Tucson, Arizona and discusses the goal of nationwide expansion. He shares his vision and the potential to revolutionize patient care.3. The Story Behind Faith IQ Podcast: Michael describes the inspiration for starting his podcast, Faith IQ, and how it quickly came to fruition. The podcast features interviews with celebrities, athletes, and business leaders on their guiding principles, focusing on respecting diverse beliefs.4. Dedication and Purpose in Entrepreneurship: Michael speaks about the level of dedication necessary for entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of having a clear purpose and a detailed plan. He talks about the need to stay committed to the initial vision despite obstacles.5. Importance of Caring in the Medical Field: Michael underscores the significance of genuine care in the medical industry. He discusses how high standards and dedicated wound care can save lives and prevent severe outcomes like amputations.Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agencyiq/#healthcare #woundcare #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #podcast #podcastguest #founder #businesssuccess

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Adam Kucera: 1. Importance of Differentiation in a Noisy Market: Adam emphasized the need for smaller companies to stand out in a crowded digital space. It's critical to identify and communicate how your company is different beyond just price.2. Value of Personal Branding and Networking: Personal branding is crucial for small business owners. However, it’s also important to engage in active networking, both online and face-to-face, to build a robust network that can facilitate business growth.3. Early Focus on Operational Excellence: Small businesses should prioritize establishing robust operational processes from the start. Waiting until the company grows larger to address these aspects can lead to inefficiencies and higher correction costs later.4. Strategic Resilience and Learning from Setbacks: Resilience is not just about bouncing back but also about critically analyzing failures to understand and correct underlying issues. This approach helps prevent repeated mistakes and promotes sustainable growth.5. Balancing Different Mindsets in a Team: Having a mix of ready-fire-aim entrepreneurs and operationally minded individuals within a team is vital. This balance allows for innovative drive while ensuring that risks are managed and processes are optimized.#mindset #growthmindset #resilience #personalbranding #networking #businesssuccess #businessideas

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Carlos Ponce: 1. Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: Carlos Ponce shared his journey from a long corporate career in sales and tech to founding Peoplebound at the age of 55. He emphasizes that making a career switch later in life is challenging, but possible, especially when driven by personal goals and aspirations. The move was a leap of faith, supported by his son, which helped smooth the transition process.2. Leveraging Family Dynamics in Business: Peoplebound is a family-owned agency where Carlos and his son are partners. This setup adds a unique layer of accountability and commitment. Carlos highlights that the family bond contributed to maintaining momentum and emotional support during difficult times, which helped them overcome various setbacks and challenges.3. The Importance of Passion in Business Ventures: Carlos initially offered two services: assembling remote SDR teams and podcast production. He discovered that passion plays a crucial role in success. The SDR service failed because it lacked personal significance and passion, whereas podcast production thrived because it resonated with Carlos' interests and strengths. This taught him the lesson of focusing on ventures that one genuinely enjoys and aligns with personally.4. Building Meaningful Relationships through Podcasting: Carlos explained why podcasts are an essential marketing tool, especially in B2B settings. Podcasts provide a unique platform to build valuable relationships, offering extended time to engage in in-depth and meaningful conversations with prospects. This helps in understanding clients better and can build long-term, fruitful relationships that are hard to achieve through typical business calls or meetings.5. Aligning Clients and Projects with Personal Interests: Carlos advises selecting clients and projects that feel right on a personal level. He shared that he aims to work with industries he resonates with, such as tech, hospitality, and tourism. This alignment ensures that the work is engaging and fulfilling. The philosophy of "if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no" guides him in choosing the right projects, making the work more enjoyable and the outcomes more impactful.#entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #podcast #podcastshow #podcasting #peoplebound #familybusiness #networking

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Pavlo Pikulin: 1. Early Beginnings in Tech: Pavlo Pikulin, CEO of Deus Robotics, has been deeply involved in technology from a very young age. Growing up in Ukraine with parents who were programmers, he wrote his first computer program at age five and created his first AI system for recognizing number plates by age 13. This early immersion in technology laid the foundation for his future ventures in robotics.2. Versatility of Deus Robotics Technology: Deus Robotics specializes in creating versatile AI software that can work with various types of hardware. This unique capability allows different robots to operate under a single system, making it easier for customers to integrate and switch between different robotic solutions without needing extensive new integrations.3. Adapting to Market Needs: Initially targeting a range of industries including construction, Pavlo pivoted Deus Robotics towards the burgeoning logistics market after recognizing its massive potential. The company's modular systems could quickly be adapted to create new types of robots suitable for warehouses, proving the company's flexibility and responsiveness to market demands.4. Resilience During Adversity: The company faced a significant setback when an investment deal fell through due to the onset of war in Ukraine. Despite losing $5 million and needing to relocate their laboratory, Deus Robotics demonstrated extraordinary resilience by securing new investments, scaling to new markets, and even setting up a new underground facility equipped with Starlink and generators to ensure continuous operations.5. Future Outlook and Growth Plans: Looking ahead to 2024, Deus Robotics plans to expand its market presence in the United Kingdom and the United States. The company aims to form partnerships with more manufacturers and improve its product line, striving to support its growing customer base, including notable clients like Nova Post, which was recently awarded the best postal company in the world.Connect with Pavlo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlo-pikulin/#robotics #warehouse #warehousing #automation #logistics #logisticsindustry #podcast #podcastguest

Here are the episode highlights from my conversation with Cory Carlson: 1. The Importance of Work-Life Balance: Cory Carlson delves into his realization of the necessity for work-life balance after experiencing significant personal and professional losses. He explains how the constant work pressure led him to neglect his personal life, ultimately prompting him to hire an executive coach. This decision became a pivotal turning point in his life, highlighting the common struggle for high performers to maintain balance.2. Personal KPIs and Vision Statement: Cory introduces the concept of personal key performance indicators (KPIs) to track success in his personal life, similar to how one would track business metrics. Additionally, a dinner with a private equity group led to introspection about his life's purpose. His coach advised creating a personal vision statement, which ultimately focused his goals on connecting people to greater performance and purpose.3. Transitioning to Coaching and Entrepreneurial Hustle: Cory shares his challenging and gradual transition from a stable corporate title to starting his coaching business after being fired. He was initially hesitant due to financial concerns and identity crises but embraced the change with a four-month severance package. Cory recounts the hustle involved in setting up meetings, dealing with rejections, and the slow initial growth, emphasizing the importance of stair-stepping into new endeavors with proper planning.4. Launching Platforms and Impact of Podcasting: Cory discusses launching his website, coriamcarlson.com, in 2019, followed by his podcast in April 2020. Despite initial struggles, including a six-week break to reassess his motivations, his podcast has contributed significantly to his coaching business by providing valuable insights and enhancing his personal brand. Cory’s story underscores the power of platforms like podcasts and LinkedIn for networking and business growth.5. Balancing Personal and Professional Life for Working Parents: Cory addresses the often overlooked aspect of balancing personal life with professional responsibilities, particularly for working parents. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing spousal relationships through "logistics dates" for weekly planning and "love dates" for meaningful connection. Cory’s approach offers practical strategies for maintaining harmony between work and home life, revealing the depth of his coaching philosophy.Connect with Cory on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlsoncory/#coaching #businesscoach #executivecoaching #entrepreneurship #corporatecoach #podcast