This episode of Business Decoded welcomes Sara Lam, real estate broker and Director of Urban Retail at Davis and Bogle. Sara shares her inspiring journey from California to Texas, transitioning from stay-at-home mom and City Council candidate to a thriving career in commercial real estate. She reveals the secrets to her success: building trust, identifying unique opportunities, and nurturing lasting relationships in the world of retail development.

This engaging episode of Business Decoded welcomes Dr. Chris Holstege, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellness at the University of Virginia, for a compelling conversation about the evolving landscape of health and wellness, particularly for young adults. Dr. Holstege shares his experiences at UVA, highlighting their innovative student health program and its potential implications for broader healthcare reform.

Andy Dastur, President of North American Insurance Services, emphasizes the crucial role of employee benefits in attracting and retaining talent, especially for small businesses. He highlights common mistakes companies make by choosing the cheapest plan without fully understanding their options. Dastur, whose firm specializes in serving businesses with less than 100 employees, stresses the importance of working with a broker to navigate the complexities of health insurance and develop comprehensive benefits packages. He shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing coachability, mentorship, and treating your work as a business for success. Dastur concludes by reminding us of the significant impact health insurance has on individuals and the economy and encourages a mindset of continuous learning for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Suzanne Harp's journey from dancer to successful entrepreneur and investment banker is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion for empowering others. After an early career in the dynamic world of professional cheerleading, Suzanne took time to homeschool her children, returning to the workforce to embrace the challenges of digital marketing and international business. Her passion lies in investment banking, where she helps business owners navigate mergers and acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs and finding success. A strong advocate for homeschooling, Suzanne's children are a testament to her dedication to individualized learning and fostering passions. She is drawn to businesses that promote positive change, particularly those empowering women and leveraging technology, as evidenced by her work with a cutting-edge women's health tech company. Throughout her journey, Suzanne finds inspiration in the dedication and artistry of athletes, drawing parallels between athletic and entrepreneurial pursuits and emphasizing the power of perseverance.

This episode of Business Decode It features Billy Burke, a

Serial entrepreneur and author, Jay Rodgers, joins Business Decoded to share invaluable insights on building and scaling businesses. From a $60 startup to a billion-dollar global enterprise, Jay details his journey with Smart Start, highlighting the power of customer focus, ethics, and social impact. He delves into his book, "The Bet," emphasizing unconventional thinking and collaboration, while also stressing the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong network of mentors and like-minded individuals. His passion for supporting entrepreneurs shines through his non-profit, Business Owner Ed, dedicated to helping businesses achieve significant growth and lasting success.

Business Decoded welcomes Gabriela Spellman, a Gen Z college student and intern, to discuss her journey and perspective on entering the workforce. Despite generational assumptions about technological proficiency, Gabriela emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences, highlighting her internships in investment and food services, her time as a top-ranked gymnast and coach, and volunteer work in Guatemala. These experiences, coupled with her biomedical engineering studies, have shaped her understanding of leadership, dedication, and the importance of embracing opportunities. Gabriela encourages fellow Gen Zers to seek knowledge, explore different fields, and showcase their unique skills and experiences to future employers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and a willingness to learn from failure.