Catch The Moment

Sledge Smith is a strategy/operations consultant and startup advisor with over two decades working on the business side of creative industries.

Sledge actively advises startup founders with a strong focus on fundraising strategy, relationship building and business development.

Long an entrepreneurial executive, Sledge co-founded Black-owned TV advertising production company, Brown Bag Films, as one of its four executive producers including filmmaker Charles Stone (Drumline, Mr. 3000, Uncle Drew), creator of the award winning Budweiser "Wassup" cultural phenomenon. In the early aughts, Brown Bag launched as the NYC/East Coast satellite of international media company, Believe Media.

Sledge's mission of purpose remains anchored in professional advancement; access to, and, formation of, capital for women, Black, Brown, Intersectional and POC founders & creators, achieving economic empowerment via entrepreneurial wealth creation.

LinkedIn: (24) Sledge Smith | LinkedIn

Twitter: @sldgmachine

Instagram: @sldg40

As a highly organized and motivated music management professional with a passion for the industry, Chad has proven a track record of success in developing and promoting artists, coordinating tours, and securing profitable contracts.

His experience includes working with a diverse range of artists and genres, from up-and-coming indie acts to established chart-topping performers. Chad’s skills in project management, budgeting, and negotiations, with the ability to  build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders puts him ahead.  Chad is always looking for new opportunities to expand his network and knowledge in the music industry.  Catch the Moment with David and Chad as they embark on the journey to success!

So you think you can Dance???

Dan’s career started as a dancer on Broadway and on award show stages with Britney Spears. After transitioning to a choreographer, he worked with Britney Spears, NSYNC, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake and Usher.

Although he quickly became known for his work dancing and choreographing for pop music superstars, Karaty broadened his reach with powerful dancing and cutting-edge choreography in commercials and events for iPod, Best Buy, Mattel, Dance Central 2, Miller, Xbox Kinect, IKEA, and many more.

In 2005, So You Think You Can Dance debuted in the US with Dan as a judge. After three successful seasons, he took the format to Europe where he became the Simon Cowell of the Netherlands and Belgium leading judging panels for numerous talent shows. Dan, with his effortless cool brand, made his acting debut by starring in Soof, the number one film franchise in Dutch history. Despite keeping his personal life private and his effortless cool brand, Dan took the brave step of sharing with the public his lifelong struggles with anxiety and alcohol. Dan is a doting and devoted father and husband that made mistakes due to his struggles.

In addition to releasing another film and returning to the judging panel of Got Talent, in 2022 Dan is launching a podcast exploring recovery, and a book about his life that details his career and struggles.

Instagram: @dankaraty

Website: DanKaraty.com

Frank Leonardis is on a mission to help as many people as possible get through whatever is holding them back and achieve their dreams. His own dream is to change the world by inspiring others, whether that’s through his book, as a speaker, or by helping individuals and families prevent and cope with problems in their lives. Frank not only survived a childhood filled with trauma, he emerged knowing this would be his destiny. Frank recently received his Master’s Degree in Social Work.

The idea and onset always seems so beautiful… Being an entrepreneur.  No boss.  The ability to create your own business model.  The ability to set your own hours.  It is no wonder why so many people flock to this lifestyle…  Well, beginning on Day 2 reality sets in and you quickly realize that the safety of a traditional job has been replaced with the wonder of trailblazing a new path for yourself.  This week the Tyree’s give a state of the union address to what their life looks like now and what entrepreneurship looks like for our favorite team of nine!

With a last name like Simms there is a lot to live up to; but few have trail blazed a path quite like Chris.  It goes without saying that he was a phenomenal quarterback going from the university of Texas to a seven year NFL career, it is what he has accomplished after playing that really cements him in his own stratosphere.  Using his knowledge of the game of football combined with his unforgettable charisma Chris began working with Fox Sports in 2013 as a color commentator an and has since grown into roles with Bleacher Report, CBS, ProFootballTalk, and NBC.  He’s a Jersey native and a friend of Catch the Moment!  We’re excited for you to hear this week’s episode!

As a culture we make a lot of war metaphors:  we go to battle in the office or we proclaim that we are warriors as we go through the day to day affairs of life. The reason that we are able to admire and implement these traits are because of men like this week’s guest BJ Ganem. He is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp and lost his leg during active duty; however that would just be the beginning of his story. He is a husband, a father, an entrepreneur, and an inspiration for all who know him. BJ founded Sierra Delta in 2017, an organization geared towards providing service animals for over 10K veterans in the US. He has appeared on David Letterman and you can catch him at every Super Bowl on Radio Row for his work with various brands. It was an honor to sit down with him and we hope you can pick up the jewels that he delivered!

Being recognized by your first name is pretty amazing.. but being recognized by your nickname is something completely different. That is reserved for the best of the best. Prime. Dr. J. The Babe. And then we have our guy Shady. LeSean McCoy is one of the best to ever do it on the field, a dynamic running back from the University of Pittsburgh who made his mark by dazzling fans and frustrating defenses with his elusiveness and speed. He is a two time Super Bowl champion, a six time pro bowler, and a part of the 2010 NFL all decade team; but his work off the field is just as spectacular as he is one of the hosts for the I Am Athlete Podcast and growing in the investing field with investments into Body Armour and ESG.