Entrepreneurship Unlocked w/ Nate Linder

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, I sit down with Jamie Turner, keynote speaker, professor, author, workshop leader, and CNN contributor, to talk about personal growth, mindset, presence, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to become the best version of yourself. 

We get into Jamie’s idea of finding your “core essence,” how to know whether the work you’re doing is actually aligned with who you are, and why feeling tired is very different from feeling soul-depleted. We also talk about the concept of the “aspiration line,” self-awareness, rewiring your mindset, the role of data in self-improvement, and why so many people struggle to stay present in their day-to-day lives. 

Jamie also shares one of the most personal moments of his life, how it changed the way he views success, and how that experience shaped his new book, Better: A Guidebook to a New and Improved You. Toward the end of the conversation, we also get into public speaking, audience connection, and what it really takes to build trust and energy in a room. 

If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone trying to grow personally and professionally, I think you’ll get a lot out of this one.

Topics we cover:

•  Finding your core essence 
•  How to know if you’re on the right path 
•  Presence and living in the moment 
•  Mindset and self-awareness 
•  Personal growth tools and habits 
•  Following the data in business and life 
•  Public speaking and building audience trust 

Support the show

In this episode, I sit down with Jivan Powell, the founder of Glint Cleaning Solutions, a commercial cleaning and facilities management company serving businesses across the UK.

Jivan breaks down how Glint started during COVID as a car detailing hustle, then pivoted into house cleaning and eventually into commercial contracts as the market shifted. We get into what it actually takes to build a service business, the importance of processes and SOPs, and why being adaptable is not optional if you want to scale.

We also talk about leadership, hiring, and the part of entrepreneurship nobody posts on social media, the uncomfortable work behind the scenes that makes the “highlight reel” possible.

If you run a business, want to start one, or you are in that phase where you are trying to build something real without overcomplicating it, you will get a lot out of this one.

Shout out to Jivan and the team at Glint. If you need commercial cleaning or facilities management support, check them out: glintcleaning.co.uk

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, I’m joined by Rebel SMG, the founder of Rebels Raiders, a US based tactical gear brand with a loyal following and a reputation for building high quality gear without the inflated price tag.

Rebel walks through how his path started at Kenai Pro Gear, how he ended up doing everything from warehouse work to customer service to marketing, and why memes became the unexpected growth engine that helped the brand break through. We also get into how Rebels Raiders was born, including the early move that changed everything, buying a leftover container of unshipped inventory with his life savings, flipping it, then meeting the Vietnamese manufacturer he still uses today.

We talk product design and what it looks like to build gear for real people, not just hardcore gear nerds. Rebel breaks down why most tactical gear feels like an overwhelming a la carte mess, and how he designed an all in one plate carrier and a modern backpack by pulling inspiration from what already existed and improving it. He also shares the pricing philosophy behind the brand, aiming for that sweet spot where the gear performs at the “Gucci” level, but stays accessible.

Later in the episode, we get into how he built a large social media presence and his philosophy of “controlled authenticity,” basically being real but intentional, and tailoring content to the platform without turning into a try hard growth hacker.

If you’re into brand building, product development, direct to consumer entrepreneurship, or you just want to hear what it actually looks like to build something from scratch without a perfect setup, you’ll like this one.

https://rebels-raiders.com/

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, I sit down with Adam Turmakhan, the founder of TurmaFinTech, a company focused on helping community banks and credit unions finally make better use of the data they already have.

Adam’s story is a great example of how most entrepreneurs actually get started. He didn’t grow up dreaming of being a founder. He began his career in banking, working as a financial analyst, first in Kazakhstan and later in the United States. Over time, he started noticing a big problem in the industry. Smaller financial institutions are sitting on massive amounts of valuable data, but they often lack the tools, resources, and internal capabilities to turn that data into real business growth.

We talk about how big banks are already far ahead when it comes to using data and AI, and why community banks and credit unions tend to fall behind. Adam explains the real reasons this happens, including bureaucracy, limited resources, and how hard it can be for large institutions to adopt new technology, even when they know they should.

Adam also shares what it has been like building a fintech company as a young founder while selling to decision makers who are often decades older than him. We get into how he thinks about trust, why he avoids overselling, and why being honest about what you can and cannot do is one of the biggest advantages in business, especially in traditional industries like banking.

We also spend time talking about AI, where it actually makes sense to use it, and where most companies get it wrong. Adam explains why AI should be used to solve very specific business problems, not just because it is trendy, and how it can help banks better understand their customers, reduce churn, and grow in smarter ways.

On the personal side, Adam opens up about his journey coming to the U.S. from Kazakhstan, overcoming his fear of public speaking, and how entrepreneurship has pushed him to grow far outside of his comfort zone. He shares what excites him most about what he is building right now and why helping struggling banks is a big part of what motivates him.

If you are building a company in a traditional industry, selling to enterprise or institutional clients, or navigating entrepreneurship as a young founder, this episode will definitely resonate.

You can learn more about TurmaFinTech at https://www.turmafintech.com/

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, Nate sits down with Sophia Akrami, owner of Anova Care, a Colorado based home care and home health company helping families keep their loved ones supported at home with dignity, comfort, and consistency. 

Sophia shares the personal story that led her into this work, including her mom’s stroke and what it taught her about what families actually need when home care becomes real life. We talk about why home can be such a powerful place for healing, how fragmented the healthcare system can feel when you are navigating it, and why “continuum of care” matters so families are not forced to restart the same conversation with multiple providers. 

We also get into the business side of building a service company in a highly regulated industry, what it takes to hire and retain great caregivers, and the questions families should ask when evaluating home care providers. 

If you have aging parents, you are supporting a loved one with a health condition, or you want to understand the reality of home care before you are in a crisis moment, this episode will hit home. 

Learn more about Anova Care: https://anovacare.com/

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, Nate sits down with Ben Kinning, owner of Sales Geek Denver and CRO of Satori XR, to unpack Ben’s path from an accidental start in sales to leading high-performing teams and helping founders grow revenue in a smarter, more sustainable way.

Ben shares the early career story that shaped him, including a brutal first sales job selling subprime mortgages before 2008, and how persistence and relentless networking helped him break into corporate banking, where he quickly became a top producer and later a top-performing sales leader. From there, the conversation shifts into what actually makes great salespeople great, why “natural talent” is only part of the equation, and how most people get pulled into bad, copy-and-paste sales approaches that do not fit who they are.

Nate and Ben also dive deep into fractional sales leadership, why it is becoming more common, and how it helps companies cut expensive leadership bloat while giving teams more time to execute. They talk through real world examples of the disconnect inside organizations, including what happens when leadership thinks the CRM is “dialed in” while half the team swears it does not even exist.

For founders, this one hits hard. Ben breaks down common mistakes entrepreneurs make in sales, including overexplaining, clinging too tightly to control, hiring the wrong kind of “big title” sales leader too early, and expecting results in a few weeks when sales cycles take time. They also get practical about hiring your first sales support, signals that it is time to step back as the main revenue driver, and how to think about roles like appointment setting versus closer responsibilities.

Finally, Ben calls out the sales myths he wants to see disappear, especially the idea that “sales is a numbers game,” and replaces it with a better framework built on effectiveness, focus, and learning your craft.

Ben also shares advice on outsourcing business development, what to watch for with overseas agencies, and the model he has seen work best long-term.

Where to find Ben:
 Sales Geek Colorado

https://salesgeekcolorado.com/

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, Nate sits down with Robert Kennedy III, President of Kennetik Kommunications, for a wide ranging conversation on communication, confidence, and storytelling in business.

Robert shares how his journey started long before the stage, from being a curious kid who learned to stay quiet, to realizing in high school that opportunities tend to go to the people who speak up. From there, he built confidence through repetition, performance, and real reps in front of people.

You’ll hear Robert break down how Kennetik Kommunications helps leaders and business owners communicate with more clarity and impact, especially in competitive industries like real estate. He also explains the difference between “contacting” and actually creating connection, why influential speakers win through connection not just technique, and how to tighten up your stories so you’re not burying the point in unnecessary details.

They also get into video storytelling, attention, hooks, and why asking better questions is one of the fastest ways to become a stronger communicator and a more trusted leader.

Topics covered:
 • Building confidence through repetition and real stage reps
 • Voice, vision, and value, the Kennetik Kommunications framework
 • Contact vs connection and how to retain customers through trust
 • Business storytelling vs entertainment storytelling
 • The biggest storytelling mistake most people make
 • Video hooks and how to earn attention in a crowded feed
 • Why asking great questions “hijacks” attention in a good way
 • Trust over manipulation in sales and leadership

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, I sit down with lifelong entrepreneur Bob Campana to unpack a 50 year journey of building businesses, betting on himself, and staying obsessed with human connection in an increasingly digital world. 

Bob shares how a $500 bid on an old redwood pipeline turned into a thriving hot tub business, which evolved into a 170 person pool construction company doing 500 backyard projects a year. From there, he walks through building one of the most beloved restaurants in California, navigating a land deal with the Mormon church, and eventually partnering with a billionaire developer to literally move his restaurant 20 miles down the freeway and rebuild it as the centerpiece of a new master planned community. 

We also get into the mindset side of entrepreneurship, including why failure is the real teacher, how to think about rejection in sales, and why your soft skills and ability to connect with people matter more than ever. 

Along the way, Bob breaks down his “memory moments and moments of truth” customer experience framework, and we talk about how that applies to modern marketing, content, AI, and building trust online. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• How a six month, round the world trip at 21 sparked Bob’s decision to become an entrepreneur
• Turning a $500 redwood pipeline into 175 hot tubs and a launchpad business
• Scaling a pool company to 170 employees and 500 backyard projects a year
• Designing financing and developer partnerships to grow without constant selling
• Why selling that business at 50 led him into the “scariest word” in business: restaurants
• Building a restaurant that became a local institution and one of the most romantic spots in California
• The wild story of negotiating with the Mormon church and ultimately selling the restaurant property
• Moving the original building and inserting it into a new 16,000 square foot flagship Redwood Cafe
• Partnering with a billionaire and adjusting retirement plans at 71 for one more big project
• Why Bob wrote his book Don’t Look Down and how it shifted from memoir to entrepreneurial playbook
• The “memory moments” strategy for customer experience and referrals
• Human connection, social media, and why Bob launched a YouTube channel at 70
• Entrepreneurial travel experiences and why proximity creates lifelong friendships
• Our take on AI, storytelling, content quality, and why creative still wins
• Why consuming self help without action is just entertainment

Connect with Bob

Book: Don’t Look Down
Website: bobcampana.com
Travel company: redwoodcafetours.com
YouTube: Get Back 2 Work
 
If you enjoyed this conversation, hit subscribe and share this episode with another entrepreneur who cares about building real businesses and real relationships.
 
#entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #restaurantbusiness #traveltours #marketing #digitalmarketing #storytelling #AI #customerexperience

Support the show

On this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked with Nate Linder, we get into the niche world of aquarium and vivarium installation and maintenance with Chris Taylor and Christina Whitson of Taylor Made Exotics. We talk about their paths from zoo internships and shop training to launching their own company, the reality of being six months in, and a few wild field stories, including a late-night tank failure and why clownfish can be the biggest troublemakers. 

You’ll hear what it actually takes to maintain 300 to 400 gallon systems. We cover sump setups, protein skimmers, water testing, sterilization, and how to keep predator tanks balanced. Chris and Christina also share straight-up buying tips for new hobbyists: budget for the right filtration, quarantine new fish, skip tap water, ask to see fish eat before you buy, and use separate bags for transport. 

We wrap with how they grow through great work, referrals, and targeted outreach to clinics, offices, and luxury homes, plus their ability to customize builds for any space. 

Follow the guests:
 Website: https://taylormadeexotics.com/
 Instagram: @taylormadeexotics

Support the show

In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked I sit down with Bri Amendola, an exercise physiologist, yoga teacher, and founder of Balancing with Bri. We talk about her journey into the wellness space, how yoga changed her life, and what nervous system informed wellness really means.

Bri shares how taking care of your body and mind directly impacts your ability to succeed in business. We also get into imposter syndrome, pushing past self doubt, and simple ways to regulate your nervous system so you can avoid burnout and show up at your best.

If you are an entrepreneur looking for balance and new tools to improve both your health and your business, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

Follow Bri on Instagram at @balancingwithbri

Support the show