All Things Business

All Things Business with Al Thomas Season 6 Bonus Episode. Shannon Nordstrom is a Las Vegas, Nevada, attorney and community leader with more than two decades of legal experience. She served as a Hearing Commissioner and Alternate Judge for the Las Vegas Municipal Court from 2018 to 2023, including a five-month appointment as Interim Municipal Court Judge in 2022. During her judicial service, she established the Fresh Start Traffic and Fresh Start Specialty Court programs to help individuals experiencing homelessness connect with resources and work toward stability. A graduate with distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Nordstrom has also dedicated significant time to youth development, legal ethics, and community service. In 2025, she launched her campaign for Las Vegas City Council, Ward 2, emphasizing public safety, improved planning and permitting, and a business-friendly community.

For more info, please visit Shannon's website. 

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Joe Cortez is a true icon of professional boxing; a man whose journey from the streets of Spanish Harlem to the bright lights of the world’s biggest boxing arenas is a story of determination, discipline, and excellence. A former professional boxer and multiple-time Golden Gloves champion, Cortez eventually found his calling as the man in the middle of the ring. Beginning his professional refereeing career in the late 1970s, he went on to officiate an incredible 176 world championship fights, working some of the greatest names and most historic moments in boxing history, including Mike Tyson, Roberto Durán, Julio César Chávez, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., George Foreman, and many more.

Known around the world for his trademark declaration, “I’m fair but I’m firm,” Cortez built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, ring awareness, and above all, the safety of the fighters. His career earned him induction into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Beyond the ring, Cortez has been an entrepreneur, community advocate, mentor, actor, boxing analyst, and teacher who has dedicated much of his life to giving back. Today, Joe Cortez represents more than a legendary referee; he represents a lifetime of lessons about perseverance, leadership, and earning your place in history one round at a time.

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Jack D. Zietz is an accomplished executive, entrepreneur, and veteran business owner with over 40 years of hands-on leadership across military logistics, multi-unit hospitality, labor negotiations, and manufacturing finance. Currently serving as Minority Owner, CFO, and Head of Human Resources for Legacy Cast Stone and Composites (on track for $4–5M revenue) while holding minority ownership in Elite Foam Products. He has a proven record of building companies from the ground up, managing multi-million-dollar P&Ls and budgets, leading teams of 5,000+, and negotiating landmark contracts with C-level executives.

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Derek Smoot is a dynamic entrepreneur, innovator, and lifelong advocate for challenging the status quo. As the owner of Peabody Press, Derek has built his career around combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, helping transform a longstanding printing business into a forward-thinking operation serving clients with books, direct mail, packaging, and specialty print solutions. His entrepreneurial journey also includes founding Dapper Industries, where he reimagined the traditional necktie and turned a simple question into an entirely new fashion concept. Known for his creativity, business instinct, and willingness to embrace change, Derek's story is ultimately about recognizing opportunity where others see limitations and having the courage to turn an idea into something real.

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Marvin Carter’s story is one of perseverance, discipline, opportunity, and the power of believing in what’s possible. Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side, Marvin grew up in the ABLA Homes, where he learned early that circumstances don't have to define your destination. The oldest of six siblings, he developed a love for basketball at just eight years old, a passion that would eventually open doors far beyond the neighborhood he called home.

After attending Creiger Vocational High School, Marvin transferred to Wendell Phillips High School when Creiger closed. It was at Phillips where his basketball abilities truly began to flourish under the guidance of coaches Chuck Frazier and Buck. There, Marvin developed not only as an athlete but as a young man, learning the importance of fundamentals, commitment, discipline, teamwork, and follow-through. His hard work earned him All-City recognition and ultimately a four-year basketball scholarship to Fresno State University in California. At Fresno State, Marvin played collegiate basketball from 1982 to 1986 under legendary head coach Boyd Grant. His college years included a memorable 1983 NIT championship run, including Fresno State's matchup against DePaul at Madison Square Garden.

After college, Marvin continued pursuing basketball, playing semi-professionally and spending time playing overseas in Europe. But Marvin's greatest career victory wasn't necessarily won on a basketball court. After graduating from Fresno State with a B.A. in Speech Communications, Marvin set his sights on building a long-term career with a Fortune 500 company. In 1987, he joined Pepsi-Cola, beginning what would become an extraordinary 39-year career!

What makes Marvin's journey particularly compelling is the transition from a young man growing up on Chicago's West Side, to a scholarship athlete, college graduate, professional basketball player, and ultimately a longtime corporate professional who built a remarkable career through consistency, resilience, and leadership. Along the way, Marvin has remained connected to the game that helped shape him. He spent more than a decade participating in youth basketball camps in Fresno, helping provide young people with the same kind of opportunity, mentorship, and inspiration that basketball once provided him.

His journey also includes friendships and connections with basketball legends such as Michael Jordan and former Chicago Bull Rod Higgins. Today, Marvin Carter represents something bigger than a basketball story or a corporate success story. His life is a testament to what can happen when talent meets opportunity and opportunity meets discipline. From the streets of Chicago to the basketball courts of Fresno, from international basketball to nearly four decades with one of the world's most recognizable companies, Marvin's journey is ultimately about one thing: "Never allowing where you start to determine where you finish." 

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Carlos and Tami Jo are the heart and soul behind Lola’s in Las Vegas. A Las Vegas native, Tami Jo has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant industry and knew from the moment she walked through Lola’s doors that she wanted to make it her own. Carlos, originally from Cuba, has called the United States home for 11 years, and the couple has been together for 10 years.

Though Carlos had never cooked professionally before, Tami Jo saw something special in him and asked him to join her in running Lola’s as a team. Today, Carlos leads the kitchen and brings his passion and dedication to the back of the house, while Tami Jo leads the front of the house. Together, they combine their love, experience, and teamwork to create the welcoming experience that makes Lola’s special.

Lola's - https://www.lolaslasvegas.com

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Dwight Williams is an entrepreneur, investor, and faith-driven leader who loves helping people turn ideas into opportunities. With a passion for business, wealth-building, and personal growth, he shares practical insights and real-life experiences to inspire others to pursue success with purpose, integrity, and faith.

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Melanie Warner is the CEO of Defining Moments, a purpose-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities navigate life's most pivotal transitions with clarity, resilience, and intention. A visionary leader known for her authentic approach and unwavering commitment to empowering others, Melanie has built a reputation for transforming challenges into opportunities for lasting growth.

Throughout her career, she has championed the belief that our defining moments, both the triumphs and the setbacks, shape who we become. Under her leadership, Defining Moments has become a trusted resource for personal development, leadership, and meaningful community impact, inspiring people to embrace change, discover purpose, and create legacies that extend far beyond themselves.

As a speaker and thought leader, Melanie brings a unique blend of strategic insight, heartfelt storytelling, and practical wisdom. Whether she's discussing leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, or personal transformation, she offers audiences actionable insights rooted in real-world experience and genuine compassion.

Today, Melanie continues to inspire leaders, organizations, and individuals to see every challenge as an opportunity to redefine what's possible, proving that our greatest moments are often born from the courage to embrace change.

Defining Moments can be purchased here: https://link.amazon/B01FgCvqC

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Danny Bae is a dynamic force at the intersection of entrepreneurship, wellness, and global brand building. As President of Sales, he has helped shape the company’s rise as a disruptive player in the beauty and personal care industry, championing innovation rooted in both science and self-care philosophy.

With a sharp instinct for market trends and a deep commitment to empowering people, Danny has built a reputation for turning vision into scalable success. His leadership style blends strategic precision with genuine human connection; an approach that has attracted a loyal community of partners and consumers alike.

Danny brings more than just business insight, he brings perspective. Whether discussing the future of social commerce, the mindset behind high-performance leadership, or the evolving definition of success, he speaks with clarity, authenticity, and a quiet confidence earned through experience.

At his core, Danny Bae is not just building a company, he’s building a movement centered on opportunity, growth, and redefining what it means to thrive in today’s world.

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Glenn Drexler is an entrepreneur with a passion for the ocean and coastal living. For over 30 years, he has called Playa del Carmen home, where he owns several high-end resort properties that he rents to travelers through Airbnb. Glenn is also known for supplying exotic and tropical fish to several major hotels along the Las Vegas Strip.

When he’s not managing his businesses, Glenn embraces life on the water, splitting his time between two boats, one in Mexico and the other in Marina del Rey, California, while traveling between some of his favorite coastal destinations.

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