Through many night shift jobs, and life lessons both outside and inside the classroom, Dr. Ivan Misner shares with us how he founded Business Networking International in 1985. Called BNI for short, Dr. Misner started this networking organization while working his way through graduate school. 

He shares with us the very real challenges and unexpected successes the BNI community brought into his life. Growing BNI over 30 years, his efforts now influence business communities around the world in 76 countries! In practical numbers, BNI has generated 15.1 million referrals resulting in more than $23.3 billion dollars’ worth of business for its members.

Dr.  Misner is now the Chief Visionary Officer of BNI today. He keeps himself active with BNI as a Speaker and New York Times Bestselling author. He has written 29 books including his newest, Co-authored with Dawa Tarchin Phillips, called, “The 3rd Paradigm: A Radical Shift to Greater Success.” And he continues to educate through the Official BNI Podcast, where anyone can learn more about networking and growing their business. Even if you’ve been a long time member of BNI, and read all his books, we are sure you’ll discover something new as Dr. Misner shares his career journey!

To learn more and connect with Dr. Ivan Misner, visit:

Website: https://ivanmisner.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivanmisner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IvanMisner.BNIFounder/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmisner/

Official BNI Podcast: https://www.bnipodcast.com/

To learn more about BNI, visit: https://www.bni.com/

Vance Morris started out in a rock band successful enough to support himself through college. The food service industry came next, then he found himself working for one of the largest entertainment companies in the World. Through all of his life lessons, he decided to start his own consulting business to help others grow their business and reach their dreams. With Deliver Service Now, Vance breaks down steps that guide each business to connect and stand out to their ideal customers. To Vance, a mission statement isn’t something to be ignored or forgotten, but instead a banner to motivate everyone in your business.

We share a candid conversation and learn more from Vance about his book, “Systematic Magic: 7 Magic Keys to Disnyfy Your Business.” As a Walt Disney World Resort Management Alumni, with just over 10 years as a leader in the Resorts, he has some really fun examples. We hear about the lessons he’s applied himself and from clients who have used his methods too. Grab a pen and notebook, you may find yourself inspired to update something in your own business!

To learn more and connect with Vance Morris online, visit:

Website: www.DeliverServiceNow.com

Twitter: @DlvrProfitsNow

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliverServiceNow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Deliverservicenow

Albert Dweck shares his journey from working for the family Pharmacy business to building his own future as a Real Estate Developer with Duke Properties. Born and raised in New York City, his passion for helping people and connecting with others has helped him succeed. 

He shares how he decided to host his own podcast, Ask The Landlord, to help bridge the gap that often pits tenants against landlords. With over 20 years of experience as a landlord, he has seen a lot of different experiences. With his passion for problem solving, he has a lot of wisdom to share. Our conversation is full of his candid, honest perspective.

Learn more:

Dukeproperties.com

Artifexbrokerage.com

Centralshoreholdings.com

Podcast:

Askthelandlord - On all platforms

Connect on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/askthelandlord/

TikTok: @askthelandlord

Lena Meyer is a Transformational Life Coach and founder of Gratitude6. As a coach, she helps people connect to the heart and soul of what matters to them most and clear the blocks that get in the way, so they can live their most joyful and meaningful lives.

But she didn’t start on this journey until she had about a decade of experience as a Financial Advisor. What we learn in this episode is how her love of helping people achieve their goals led her to discovering her true passion and path as a transformational life coach. She shares how she did all the “shoulds” and then learned to listen to her intuition and find her path to helping others.

Her specialties include intuition, mindset shifts, life transitions and positive impact, and she believes now more than ever we have the opportunity to create positive change in our lives and world. Her story is inspiring and shows just how much is possible when you learn to listen to your intuition.

Learn more:

Request a Discovery Call with Lena to uncover if coaching together is a match for you on her website:

https://www.gratitude6.com/contact 

Connect on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/lenadmeyer

 Connect on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/gratitude6

Andy McConnell is a visual artist using wood to create wall art and sculptures that some describe as music in visual form.

He has had an unconventional path as an artist, working in the trades, food service and as a carpenter - attending college in bursts working to earn money, then attending school, and then working and back to school. Finally, finding his way at Fairhaven College learning from poet and artist, Robert Sund (and many others), and finishing with a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science at Bastyr University. While he does not directly use that degree today, some could argue he does in the way he explores the human experience and unravels it in visual artwork.

Andy shares his journey with us, and how he made the decision to work for himself as a small business owner so he can have more space to create art.

View Andy’s Work:

Website - https://mcconnellart.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/AndyMcConnellArt

Mark Sincell has a core value for learning. His career path is a clear reflection of that value in action. Today he helps others as a career coach by holding space and helping others see possibilities for them to grow and thrive. 

He earned his PhD in astrophysics and while his background researching active galaxies might seem lightyears away from coaching careers, his experience navigating his own career path means he has both compassion and practice. As he shares the journey with Holli and Casey, you’ll hear just how much his curiosity and lifelong learning has supported those transitions.

While Mark clearly enjoys his coaching practice, he also works in supporting organizations and individuals interested in sustainable and regenerative practices.

You can learn more about Mark and his sustainable work from his talk with the University of Washington’s CoMotion Lab talk:

“Start round to end round: Why every startup must include sustainability in their business plan.”

And connect with Mark online:

Website: https://marksincell.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksincell/

Margie Haywood wears many titles as a powerhouse of positive change in the community. With a background as a social worker, her passion and direction were shaped by early experiences as a child. Today she serves the community as a public speaker, DEI Consultant, Advocate, Trainer, Activist and CEO of Work and Play Lounge. 

Working in the corporate world, her vision for changing culture took shape during a tragic experience for her family. The kind that makes you question answering all those emails or attending another meeting.

Our conversation about her career path shares her journey to becoming the creator, Owner & CEO of Work and Play Lounge. Located in West Seattle, it provides space for all small business people to work where they can bring their children alongside them, and to find support and community. A space that Margie wished was available to her and her family when she dreamed of this business and future. Her journey to start this business is still an adventure! 

Margie shares with us the very real obstacles that face a small business today, and specifically as a black owned business post-pandemic. Her story is raw, real and infused with hope and optimism that keeps her moving forward. She shared the reality of needing help to keep it alive.

Learn more about Margie Haywood, and how to support Work and Play Lounge:

Save Work and Play Lounge: Gofundme Link 

Work and Play Lounge website: https://www.workandplaylounge.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiehaywood/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margiehaywood/

Preparing for Season Two of the Career Spotlight Podcast, Casey and Holli talk candidly about what they learned from Season One. This peek behind the production of the podcast shares their hopes and ambition for it to become more than simply a collection of interviews.

Casey shares the desire to help it grow into something more. And Holli reflects on how it seems to be getting started naturally. Listen on to see how their intentions and hopes grow through Season Two!

Show Notes:

You find the Career Spotlight Podcast online through the website.

The past show guests discussed in order are:

Episode 8: Getting Rich Slowly with Len and Cindy

Episode 11: Building a Bookkeeping Business with Oghale Agbro

Episode 18: From Marketing to Heart Centered Coaching with Erin MacCoy

Nathan Vass is a multifaceted creative: filmmaker, photographer, and author by day, and a Metro bus driver by night! In this episode, we explored his past jobs and career trajectory to find him where he is today.  Our casual conversation format brings out some fascinating details and we are so inspired by his journey.

Nathan’s community-building work has been showcased on TED, NPR, The Seattle Times, KING5 and more, landing him a spot on Seattle Magazine’s 2018 list of the 35 Most Influential People in Seattle, and Seattle Met’s 2021 Power Players list. A Korean-American born in South Central LA, Nathan’s family relocated to the Seattle area where he grew up. His education and career journeys reflect a strong affinity to respecting his values and trusting his creative curiosity.

His work has been featured in the Seattle Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and more, with 40 photography shows and 9 films including the award-winning festival favorite, “Men I Trust.” His book, “The Lines That Make Us,” is a Seattle bestseller and 2019 Washington State Book Award Finalist in Non-Fiction.

Learn more about Nathan and his book:

Website: www.nathanvass.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-vass-a29a7133/

We were both educated and inspired by Eric’s story of how he became a TikTok® influencer - his content helps folks reach for what’s next in their careers, work teams, and life. This arose from his experiences as a speaker, best selling author, and commitment to invest in his own learning. It is also his commitment to lean into his creativity combined with past career lessons that have helped him achieve this success.

By day, Eric is an equity partner at a financial services firm with more than 60,000 clients. But behind the suit, in his other company, and free time, Eric is also a social media influencer, best-selling author, speaker, and course creator where he has amassed more than 300,000 followers in just a little over a year. 

Learn more about Eric online:

Website: https://access.nextpectations.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/setnextpectations/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emcdermott/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nextpectations