On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews John Dame, Owner & Managing Partner, Dame Leadership, on everything he has learned coaching clients throughout the pandemic, and what's next! 

JD received a B.S. in marketing from Pennsylvania State University in 1973. He pursued a career in radio broadcasting for 32 years. His time spent in broadcasting was leveraged as a rich learning platform for his evolution as a business strategist.

JD’s reputation for insightful evaluation, planning, and a passion for driving results have grown his involvement with companies and organizations internationally. He has a fine-tuned understanding of the risks, challenges, and opportunities facing both seasoned and emerging CEOs allowing him to specialize in executive team coaching and strategic planning. His approach to strategic planning is simple and allows an organization to quickly execute better and drive results.He offers a step-by-step guide of the process in his book, Fast Track Strategic Planning.

JD is affiliated with Vistage International, the world’s largest CEO membership organization (based on revenue), as a Group Chair and the Best Practice Chair for South Central Pennsylvania. Vistage comprises 13,000 members in 15 countries with members generating nearly $300 billion in annual revenue and employing more than 2.1 million people. JD’s clients produce $5 billion in annual revenue and employ over 5,000 people.

His current focus has turned toward the role of purpose in the business environment, the new challenge of transitioning to a millennial-based workforce, and growing leadership teams within his client companies. Currently in the sixth year, the Evolution Leadership Conference series is designed to help leaders move from the old “command and control” leadership style to a more Purposeful leadership style. In 2021 over 500 leaders and executives attended the conference.

Recorded 03/07/2022.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Brooke Lively, CEO and Founder of Cathedral Capital, on the best advice for business owners about how to get on top of their numbers and stay in control of their business.

Brooke is the CEO and Founder of Cathedral Capital, a team of CFOs and Profitability Strategists who help entrepreneurs turn their businesses into profitable companies. After earning her MBA in Investments and Corporate Finance, Brooke built a 7- figure company in under 2 years. As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), she and her team work with Hall of Famers, INC 5000 businesses, CEOs, and Small Business Owners.

With expertise in growth management, creative problem solving, and profitability strategy, Brooke has been named ‘Top 25 Women to Watch,’ 2016 - 2020 Diversity Journal ‘Women Worth Watching’, and ‘Fort Worth’s 2016 CFOs of the Year’. She is a highly regarded international speaker and the author of several books, including an international best-seller. Brooke has been featured in international media including CNBC, Forbes, US News and World Report, Fort Worth Business Press, Authority Magazine, and on podcasts such as The American Bar Association Modern Law Library, The Entrepreneur Way, and The Law Entrepreneur.

Recorded 02/28/2022.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Daniel Shemtob, Restaurateur & Chef, on managing his businesses throughout the pandemic. 

Daniel Shemtob’s success is fueled by deep seeded passion, eccentric creativity, and love for community. Being raised to value hard work & intentional effort has helped him get to where he is today.

Despite skipping college and foregoing studying at any of the world’s most renowned culinary institutions, Daniel's success has never been hindered by a lack of traditional education.

From food trucks, fast casual restaurants, to fine dining, all styles of catering and his work wear footwear brand... Daniel has no shortage of entrepreneurial ventures under his belt these days.

His career has propelled him into two Food Network show wins, and multiple accolades that have helped further his vision into the world.

Recorded 02/25/2022. 

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Mike Regan, Co-Founder and Chief of Relationship Development at TrazAct Technologies, on managing his business throughout the pandemic. 

Mr. Regan is well known and active within the logistics industry. He serves on the Boards of numerous industry groups such as the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC), as the Chairman of the Advocacy Committee. He’s also active in several industry organizations, such as the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), where he is a 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the YPO/WPO Manufacturing Excellence Network.

Mr. Regan has been a featured contributor and has published several blogs in industry publications such as Logisti Management, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and the Journal of Commerce numerous times. Prior to founding TranzAct, he worked for the Bank of America, PriceWaterhouse, and the Union Pacific Corporation.

TranzAct helps shippers reduce their transportation spend while providing the tools necessary to make better business decisions on an ongoing basis. 

Recorded 02/24/2022. 

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Brad Stevens, Founder/CEO of Outsource Access, about the pros and cons of global outsourcing.

Brad Stevens is a lifetime entrepreneur, 9-year EO Member and Founder/CEO of Outsource Access, an offshore virtual services firm he built to over 400 employees in just over two and a half years that was the only outsourcing firm to win Inc Magazine’s “Best in Business” award for making an impact beyond the P&L.  He also co-founded a service called 1on1connections.com that connects together member organizations and conferences at scale. His prior company was in the dental/beauty industry with 8,000 accounts in 18 countries.

Brad walks-the-walk every day with expertise on scaling, automation, outsourcing and high-performance offshore virtual teams. He has spoken in 12 countries for over 100 organizations with high 9 ratings including EO, YPO, Vistage and sharing the stage with John Maxwell at his Leadership Institute.  He is a published TEDx Speaker with over 200,000 views on the topic of How Personal Global Economies Are Redefining Entrepreneurship and created the podcast Automate & Delegate - What Should You NOT Be Doing in Life and Business.

Brad is also a 9-year member of the Global Entrepreneurs’ Organization currently serving as the EO US East Regional Director for Member Engagement across 22 chapters and nearly 2000 members.  He has also served as President for the EO Atlanta Chapter.

Brad has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and was chosen to run a think-tank at the United Nations for his entrepreneurial expertise and charitable contributions. A top 10 global film school also created a documentary about Brad’s business and philanthropic efforts and he has been featured in Inc Magazine, the Wall Street Business Network, and on the cover of Small Business Magazine. Brad graduated from the Wharton Business School with Finance and Marketing Concentrations and recently completed a Harvard Business School Executive Education Program on Inspiring Entrepreneurial Strategy.  He lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Cindy, a passionate educator for 13 years, and their two children that keep them quite busy, Ella and Brayden.

Recorded 02/23/22.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Gerald Brisson, President and Owner of Transworld Business Advisors of Houston, on the current state of the mergers and acquisitions market.

Gerry has thirty years global business experience which includes managing international business units, directing global marketing, directing global procurement, sales, and operations. Gerry has been involved in hundreds of negotiations across 5 continents and dozens of business sales. He has held executive leadership positions in 3 Fortune 500 companies covering 50+ countries across North America, Latin America, Central America, The Caribbean, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Gerry's uniquely diverse global business experience includes contract and lease negotiations, retail network development, new business development, global and local marketing, global retail brand management, retail revenue stream development, contract & lease negotiations, strategic global procurement, franchise development, general and operational management, and global franchise development. development.

Gerry is thrilled to have the opportunity to leverage his extensive business experience to assist others in realizing their business & life goals.

Recorded 02/21/2022.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Tony Conant, CEO of the American Rental Association, on managing a trade association through the pandemic.

Tony is the Chief Executive Officer at American Rental Association; a trade association representing 11,000 rental locations and over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers to the equipment and event rental industry. He is responsible for enabling operational excellence across the organization and building capabilities to support ARA’s strategic plan.

His professional experience includes over 20 years working in operations and supply chain functions at world-class companies such as Intel, BASF, Whirlpool and Bank of America. Prior to ARA, he was the Chief Operating Officer at the Institute for Supply Management, a not-for-profit association focused on the supply chain management profession.

Tony’s passion is leadership and team development. He delivers high-energy presentations on these topics that inspire others to challenge the status quo. Audiences appreciate his affable manner and practical strategies they can apply personally and professionally.

He earned a BS degree in Operations Management from Madonna University and an MBA from the University of Florida. He also completed his Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the University of California at San Diego and earned the Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE in 2020.

He is married to Amy and they enjoy spending time with their 10 year old son Beau. The Conants are a hockey family that enjoys travel, sports and classic cars.

Recorded 02/16/22.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Tony Conant, CEO of the American Rental Association, on managing a trade association through the pandemic.

Tony is the Chief Executive Officer at American Rental Association; a trade association representing 11,000 rental locations and over 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers to the equipment and event rental industry. He is responsible for enabling operational excellence across the organization and building capabilities to support ARA’s strategic plan.

His professional experience includes over 20 years working in operations and supply chain functions at world-class companies such as Intel, BASF, Whirlpool and Bank of America. Prior to ARA, he was the Chief Operating Officer at the Institute for Supply Management, a not-for-profit association focused on the supply chain management profession. 

Tony’s passion is leadership and team development. He delivers high-energy presentations on these topics that inspire others to challenge the status quo. Audiences appreciate his affable manner and practical strategies they can apply personally and professionally.

He earned a BS degree in Operations Management from Madonna University and an MBA from the University of Florida. He also completed his Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the University of California at San Diego and earned the Certified Association Executive designation from ASAE in 2020.

He is married to Amy and they enjoy spending time with their 10 year old son Beau. The Conants are a hockey family that enjoys travel, sports and classic cars.

Recorded 02/16/22.

On this episode, Ami Kassar interviews Ian Goff, owner of Goff Tents & Events and Purdon Rental, about his story managing an events rental business during the pandemic and what he learned. 

Ian Goff, CERP, is the owner of Goff Tents & Events and Purdon Rental, both full service party and event rental stores throughout Central Kentucky. Ian also has over 20 years of experience in various aspects of the event rental industry including manufacturing, installation, event coordination, and strategic planning for large scale festivals and concerts.

Goff has served as President of the American Rental Association's Kentucky chapter since 2014, which was named national chapter of the year in 2015. He has been awarded ARA's National Outstanding Leadership award, Region 5 Person of the year as well as being named 10 to watch under 40.

Ian resides in Lexington, KY with his wife Katlyn and four children Owen (11), Miles (9), Presley (6), and Andersen (5). They enjoy spending their time away from work with family and friends and are active members of Big Hill Christian Church.

Recorded 02/04/2022. 

On the episode, Ami Kassar interviews Tim McDiarmid, Founder and Owner at Tim the Girl Catering, The Good Kind & Ivy Hall Events, on managing a restaurant through the pandemic. 

Tim grew up in Canada and always dreamt of being a chef. She loved watching her mother cook and aspired to one day work in a restaurant in New York City.

As a young woman, Tim headed to the “Big Apple” in search of fulfilling her dreams. She lived and worked in New York for nearly 20 years in every restaurant position imaginable from front of house, back of house, bartender, and eventually as a chef. This was a great learning experience, allowing her to observe all aspects of running a restaurant. Tim was able to really hone in on her craft and gain lots of knowledge from other culinary leaders in the community.

In 2004, Tim and her husband (at the time) had a son, Tappen. Unfortunately, the relationship was toxic and she needed to escape. So in 2011, Tim packed up her six year old son, and together they moved to San Antonio, TX. It was the hardest thing she’s ever done. Living in a big city, with no family, as a single parent was difficult. She had to be scrappy and work hard.

It was here that Tim began cooking from home and started her catering business, Tim The Girl Catering. This allowed Tim more time to focus on her son, continue her passion, and grow what is now a very successful group of businesses.

In 2015, Tim had the opportunity to open her very own restaurant, called The Good Kind. The concept specializes in healthy grab-n-go breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items, plus large and small scale catering. The Good Kind builds on Tim the Girl Catering’s vision to provide the San Antonio community with food that is clean, nourishing, sustainable, and delicious.

The restaurant started as an incubator project in a popular downtown San Antonio shopping area called The Pearl. They had a Food Hall, which allowed Tim to grow and save for the chance of moving into her own space. Soon she was able to move into a beautiful garden property in the Southtown neighborhood of San Antonio.

Here Tim was able to open a permanent restaurant for The Good Kind and run an event venue, called Ivy Hall Events. It’s a beautiful garden space that can host weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more. The three businesses work together beautifully allowing Tim to provide delicious food on the property, as well as for off-site events.

Recorded 02/02/2022.