Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

In this episode, Rob is joined by Jean Michel Habineza, Founder/CEO of iDebate Rwanda, who is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and peace-building through meaningful dialogue. His motivation and life experience was shaped by the infamous Rwandan Genocide which unfolded during his childhood. Jean Michel's impactful journey proves that not all entrepreneurs have to build billion dollar “unicorns” to succeed or make an impact. We explore his work as an “entrepreneurial thinker” and “social entrepreneur” as CEO/Founder of this fast growing, scaled up Non-Profit organization. From co-founding 'Peace and Love Proclaimers: Youth for a Change' as a High School teen to spearhead initiatives for unity in Rwanda's Post-Genocide Generation and later founding iDebate Rwanda, his journey has always challenged conventional wisdom.

He is an accomplished debater, public speaker, and advocate for a more creative, entrepreneurial use of “Education” as a Catalyst for Change and the development of future leaders, which has been a thematic foundation of his life’s work. The interview's key takeaways revolved around Jean Michel's leadership philosophies, the importance of mentorship and the role of conversations to build the better world we desperately need. Join Rob and Jean Michel in this thought-provoking episode.

Feel free to follow and engage with JEAN MICHEL here:

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by Cristian Lara, an unintentional entrepreneur, with no resources and now a dynamic young leader in the field of sustainability and recycling in Chile, now Mexico and across Latin America. His “aha” moment hit while playing a match of futbol with friends at university one night, and began his rise to prominence. His inspiring story emerges from his unconventional origins from a working class family, and later dropping out of University to pursue his dreams! As the CEO and Founder of Reciclapp, Cristian has played a pivotal role in building the largest recycling community in the region, dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Cristian shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and that of Reciclapp, innovations in sustainability, the environmental impact of recycling, sustainable entrepreneurship, and future vision and sustainability goals.

One of the key takeaways from the interview was Cristian's emphasis on trust as the cornerstone of the recycling industry. Cristian believes that building trust is essential for people to genuinely engage individually, as well as strategic corporate partners. He also highlighted the importance of valuing the "green" movement today, as what may seem like a voluntary act now could soon become a mandatory obligation in the future. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on sustainability, recycling, and the future of environmental responsibility across Latin America from one of the region’s young leaders.

Feel free to follow and engage with CRISTIAN here:

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

Every once in a while we believe we need to slow down, sit with friends, and have long, wide ranging conversations. This episode with Rob and Jessica O'Leary, is that cross generational conversation; we discuss politics, parents, science, immigration, the last 100 years and the next 50 years of innovation as a species. Rob shares advice and perspective shaped by Jessica’s own heartfelt stories and she shares inspiring simple wisdom and advice for young peers of hers. She is a former athlete, coach, and writer with a diverse career background in Community, Strategy, and Corporate Development. Professionally, as the VP of Corporate Development at Issuance in Los Angeles, she played an important role in guiding the company through a successful Series A funding round. Jessica's expertise extends to branding and strategy, gained through her experiences at Midas Brands, Inc in Austin, Texas.

During the interview, we delve into Jessica's fascinating journey from Ireland to the USA, exploring the intersections of her career and personal life and her millennial perspective, shaped by her extensive travels since childhood. This episode promises a blend of inspiration and practical wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone who loves great human conversations.

Feel free to follow and engage with JESSICA here:

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by Sofia Haq, an aspiring millennial Investor, and a true Southern Californian whose life is a unique tapestry of multicultural experiences. Born to a Pakistani father, from Lahore, and Mexican mother, from Leon, who met in Downtown LA, Sofia is a proud 1st Gen advocate for those whose voices need to be heard. She is the Founder and CEO of Muslim Women Professionals (MWP), a community centered resource for Muslim women globally, and presently a Fellow at Included VC and a Venture Partner at Republic. She's a passionate advocate for diversity, for under-represented communities and for broader inclusion in the venture capital industry.

Throughout the interview, Sofia and Rob delve into essential topics of the day such as Venture Capital and Diversity, the impactful initiatives of MWP’s work for young Muslim women across the world, the intersectionality of advocacy, community building, and leadership. This episode is a compelling exploration of how diversity drives success and how Los Angeles serves as an inspiring market for diverse innovators!

Feel free to follow and engage with SOFIA here:

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by Ali Jamal, one of the most plugged-in young seed stage investors in Latin America’s entrepreneurial economy! He is a seasoned corporate guy turned investor, built upon his upbringing in small-town Minnesota, to his studies at Stanford and then working at some of the world’s fastest growing companies around the world. His story is a classic one of self discovery, from small town Minnesota to his life today in Latin America at First Check Ventures. He tells entrepreneurs- “Raise less, build more.”

Ali's professional path criss-crossed Mergers and Acquisitions, Data Science and Product Management, where he honed his skills and perspective. Over the last decade, he has held various roles at big growth companies such as Zynga, RockYou, Agoda, Rappi, and Clip, one of Latin America's fastest-growing FinTech companies. His extensive experience in consumer-facing companies has allowed him to become a thought leader in the evolving landscape of the industry. As the founding partner of First Check Ventures, Ali plays a crucial role in nurturing and supporting early-stage startups and budding entrepreneurs.

This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in the dynamic world of Latin America, technology and startups. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Ali Jamal, a true bridge builder.

Feel free to follow and engage with ALI JAMAL here:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrAliJamal

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mralijamal?lang=ms-MY

Website: https://www.firstcheckventures.com

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by Kennith Burks, CEO/Founder at CarKenny, an aspiring builder in the world of mobility and ai based telematics software. Kennith’s entrepreneurial story takes us from hustling at the Corner Store in Newark, New Jersey as a kid, where he watched too many friends go to jail for stealing cars, to Corporate roles at Bridgestone, Hyundai, then his MBA at Pepperdine University and eventually life here in Southern California. He’s a bright, big hearted founder who wants to build for others beyond himself and he is a great personality to follow on social media and, as you'll hear in this episode.

His startup company, CarKenny, was born out of the hassle of disputing a speeding ticket due to a lack of proof of his actual speed, so Kennith harnessed the power of AI to aggregate automative data so none of us have to suffer such inefficiencies of our own true data history. Today, CarKenny supports data from 33 automotive brands, spanning over 153 million vehicles, ensuring that countless drivers have the security and peace of mind they deserve.

The conversation touches on transit in LA and NYC, mobility, personal resilience and self belief. You won’t want to miss it.

Feel free to follow and engage with KENNITH here:

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by the force of nature that is Trish Halamandaris, a name synonymous with innovation, strategy, and success here in Los Angeles. She’s true Angeleno and Proud Californian! The two talk about her passion for Los Angeles, for UCLA and for life and curiosity! As the Director of the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Trish has been instrumental in shaping the startup landscape in Los Angeles and beyond in the last decade. Her remarkable career efforts helped generate over $1 billion in sales at dominating consumer companies like Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, Electronic Arts, Procter & Gamble, and XPRIZE and her impact extends far beyond her impressive career, making this a must-listen interview.

One of the highlights of the interview is understanding Trish's unwavering passion for change and her relentless curiosity to explore new ways of doing and improving things. Rob and Trish delve into a variety of topics, including her success at UCLA, and her views of our Venture Acceleration and Startup Ecosystems.

Trish's dedication to Supporting Underserved Founders is admirable, and her insights into advising early-stage startups on pitching and funding strategies are invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs. She holds an MBA from UCLA and a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Accounting from UC Berkeley, and her journey is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, strategic thinking, and passionate self belief. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and inspiration from a true trailblazer.

Feel free to follow and engage with TRISH here:

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/THalamandaris

Website: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by Christian Narvaez, Managing Partner at Rayo Capital, a dynamic investor and community leader in the web3 world. We delve into a wide range of topics, including the profound impact of mentorship on his life, and how he’s now mentoring others in the growing Latino Web3 community and how that representation will shape the future. We explore Rayo Capital's mission and discover it’s relationship with Web3 Familia, the global community he co-founded during the Pandemic and its pivotal role in building a supportive global community for Latino innovators across the Americas. Christian shares each chapter of his incredible life story, highlighting his place as a First Gen son of Ecuadorian immigrant parents as he narrates how he paved his own unique path to success, one step at a time, from hustling selling sneakers in High School, to Community College, Baruch College in NYC and a career on Wall Street.

Christian's Venture firm, Rayo Capital, and his community Web3 Familia are shaping the web3 landscape so that the future of the web is built for the widest possible audience, by the widest possible array of builders. But it’s Christian's personal journey that is the inspiring foundation upon which it’s all built. He fiercely advocates for inclusion and equality of opportunity and access, not only for his Latin community, in the USA and beyond, but for others as well. Don't miss out on this episode, as he promises to be a game-changer you’ll want to keep track of!

Feel free to follow and engage with CHRISTIAN here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narvaezchristian/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narvaezchris_/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NarvaezChris_ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/narvaezchris_ Website: https://www.rayo.capital

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this episode, Rob is joined by a remarkable woman, Elianne Rodriguez. Elianne is a serial entrepreneur dedicated to a life’s work of empowering and educating entrepreneurs from under-served communities! She makes a fascinating connection between her deep passion for Los Angeles’ two professional soccer clubs, Angel City FC of the NWSL and LAFC, one of the City’s two MLS franchises. She predicts what Los Angeles will look like 50 years from now, and she shares some amazingly inspired stories about why ACFC has become such an anchor for her (and so many in LA) life. Elianne is a literal DREAMER (DACA recipient) and she shares the resilient stories of that immigrant journey to the USA as a child.

She's a dedicated advocate for equity, exemplified through her work at (LEEAF) at Cal-State Los Angeles. In addition to this pivotal role, she serves as a Managing Partner at the research agency, LIST Ventures, and acts as a Strategic Advisor for the LA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and member at PledgeLA.

Elianne's story is one of resilience, advocacy for herself, and others, and entrepreneurship. Her dedication to equity and access to education and resources, plus her tireless efforts to empower communities of color, make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in building a more inclusive and diverse future. Tune in to gain valuable insights and inspiration from a true change-maker and genuinely kind, smart, funny person.

Feel free to follow and engage with ELIANNE here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliannerodriguez0315/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eliannevenice

Website: https://www.calstatela.edu

LEEAF at CSULA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeaf_calstatela/?hl=es

LEEAF at CSULA LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/getleeaf

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team

In this unique episode, Rob is joined by multi-talented, multi-hyphenate, Natasha Chandel. In this captivating interview, the two delve into a wide range of topics including exploring the surprising similarities between the entrepreneurial industry and Hollywood/entertainment industry, shedding light on how lessons from one world can apply to the other. Natasha shares her captivating career journey and the intriguing transitions she's made along the way. In one thought-provoking segment, Natasha and Rob discuss the recent (WGA) writer's strike in the United States and how the resolution of the strike has significant implications for industry workers. This insightful discussion underscores the importance of advocacy and collective action in the entertainment world.

Her CV includes stints at iconic media giants like MTV, FOX, and Disney, and she continues to excel in her various roles as a writer, actress, stand-up comedian, voice-over actor, and podcaster, creating her wildly popular show, “Kinda Dating”. Podcasting and content creation take center stage as Natasha discusses her experiences in these ever-evolving mediums. The conversation also touches upon the vital issue of representation in the entertainment industry, a cause close to Natasha's heart.

One of the highlights of this episode is when Natasha lends her vocal talents to the podcast, providing a glimpse into the world of voice acting and how it differs from traditional on-screen acting. It's not only informative but also incredibly fun.

Throughout the interview, Natasha's infectious energy shines through, and her advice is both inspiring and practical. Listeners will gain valuable insights into commitment, purpose, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Tune in now!

Feel free to follow and engage with NATASHA here:

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Natasha_Chandel 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/natashachandel 

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/natashachandel 

Website: https://www.natashachandel.com

PODCAST "KINDA DATING":

Show link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TQ9bcUHVeJvJ17eQfDK4N?si=e9dbc4d36f234b59

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindadating/?hl=es

We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and anyone interested in the human stories behind the entrepreneurial economies of the Americas, from every corner of the United States to the furthest points in Latin America.

Plug in, relax and enjoy fun, inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and his friends, so that you can build the future atop their wisdom!

¡Cheers y gracias!,

Mentors Today's Team