Founder's Dinner

Tricia Marsherall embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2016 with the founding of Marsherall Partners, a consulting firm specializing in donor database management for nonprofit organizations. Drawing from her extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising operations, she transformed her passion for database work into a thriving business that now serves clients across multiple states and countries. Tricia's perspective on entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in her upbringing, emphasizing the importance of taking risks, learning from both successes and failures, and sharing lessons learned within her team to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Her journey, marked by adaptability and innovation, particularly during the pandemic, underscores her belief in entrepreneurship as a path of constant growth, learning, and perseverance, shaped by her family's influence and her unique approach to business ownership.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Tricia gained insights into entrepreneurship from her upbringing where business discussions were frequent.

• Adapting to remote services during the pandemic led to significant growth in Tricia's business, reaching a wider audience.

• Learning from mistakes, pivoting quickly, and being resilient are key aspects of entrepreneurial decision-making according to Tricia.

• Having a supportive partner who understands the entrepreneurial journey is crucial for success, as highlighted by Tricia and Stas.

• Tricia and Stas emphasize the importance of having both grit and grace in entrepreneurship, combining determination with acceptance and adaptability.

Connect with Tricia Marsherall:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-marsherall/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dafne Tsakiris, an accomplished entrepreneur originally from Sweden, has carved out a unique path in the entrepreneurial world after launching her own venture, Launch Point, in Colorado. Her perspective on entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in the belief that success stems from unwavering confidence in one's vision and the relentless pursuit of problem-solving. Having transitioned from an au pair to a startup employee, and eventually to a business owner, Dafne emphasizes the importance of understanding finance and people management while leveraging one's network for support. Through her journey, she has demonstrated that entrepreneurship is a continuous learning process, driven by the commitment to overcoming challenges and sharing knowledge with fellow entrepreneurs.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Dafne Tsakiris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dafne-tsakiris/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Coulton, co-founder of OnCore Golf alongside Bret Blakely, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey driven by his fervor for golf and the innovative promise of perimeter weighting technology in golf balls. Leaving behind a successful career at Deutsche Bank, Coulton embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship with a vision that combined both innovation and community support. Reflecting on this journey, he acknowledges the initial naivety of expecting overnight success and underscores the importance of perseverance and openness to unconventional opportunities. By fostering strategic partnerships, such as those with PGA Hope, and transitioning to a direct-to-consumer model, Coulton has not only propelled OnCore Golf to carve a unique niche in the industry but also demonstrated the significant impact of adaptability and collaboration in the business world.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

• Passion for golf and belief in revolutionary technology led to entrepreneurship

• Successful transition to direct-to-consumer model for golf products 

• Importance of planning, learning from mistakes, and adapting business strategy

• Budgeting for mistakes crucial in new product development proformas

• Positive outcomes from collaborations within the business community

Connect with Steve Coulton:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-coulton-8427a6a

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Pellow's entrepreneurial journey began in high school, fueled by ambitions of becoming the president of the United States and retiring by 40, and has since evolved into a rich tapestry of experiences and lessons. Guided by a seasoned business mentor, Todd's early ventures in the tech industry, including founding a small ISP in New York, laid the groundwork for his expertise in internet connectivity and business development. Reflecting on his path, Todd emphasizes the importance of viewing entrepreneurship as a journey rather than a destination, valuing the relationships and experiences gained along the way. He underscores the need for discipline and belief in one's vision while embracing the unpredictable nature of business, advocating for continuous learning, adaptation, and the courage to take risks and learn from failures.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Todd Pelow:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-pelow-b958566a/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Dan Bajus’s entrepreneurial journey in physical therapy is deeply influenced by the ethos of hard work and leadership he inherited from his parents, who successfully ran their own millwork company. Beginning his career fresh out of college, Dan quickly ascended to a partnership role, where he championed financial transparency to address disparities in small practices. His strategic merger with a solo practitioner specializing in pelvic floor therapy significantly boosted their business, resulting in the establishment of Limitless Physical Therapy with multiple locations. Dan emphasizes authenticity in leadership, advocating for innovative healthcare models, shared ownership, and fostering professional growth, thereby creating numerous opportunities for his team to thrive.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Dan Bajus:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bajus-a36402176

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Lena Levine's entrepreneurial journey began when she moved to the United States in 2009, transitioning from a corporate web developer to founding her own software development agency, Forcoda, within just six months. Driven by her vision of becoming a CEO and armed with skills honed from her immigrant background, Lena applied her full stack engineering expertise to help companies build the right products for the right customers through design, technology, and data-driven decisions. Over the past decade, she has grown Forcoda into a thriving business with a team of 15, serving a diverse clientele that includes startups and Fortune 500 companies like Met Bank and Oral-b. Lena credits her success to the resilience and determination instilled in her by her immigrant experience, which has also fueled her commitment to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and contributing to the Buffalo startup ecosystem.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Lena Levine:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenalevine/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Kim Marie McKernan is an accomplished entrepreneur who made a significant transition from a successful corporate career at renowned organizations like General Motors and Moog to founding her own business. With a robust educational foundation from Syracuse University and an MBA in marketing from the University of Buffalo, Kim's journey is marked by her strategic and adaptive approach to entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and seeking mentorship to navigate the numerous challenges of building a business, underscoring that there are no shortcuts to success. By blending big company strategies with nimble entrepreneurial thinking, Kim's unique perspective highlights the transformative and rewarding nature of entrepreneurship, as evidenced by her rapid growth and success even amid the challenges of the pandemic.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Kim Marie McKernan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmariemckernan/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Clar's entrepreneurial journey began with purchasing a printing company from his parents, which he managed for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, the company transitioned from offset to digital printing, becoming a pioneer in the Rochester area. Despite facing numerous financial challenges, David's resilience and commitment to innovation helped him navigate and ultimately overcome these obstacles. Reflecting on his experiences, David underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and treating employees with respect, contrasting sharply with what he views as a prevalent "quitting attitude" among corporate executives.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with David Clar:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlclar/

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Nelson Tepfer, co-founder and CEO of Pro CFO Partners has over 15 years of experience in the entrepreneurial world that began with his transition from a full-time CFO to a part-time consultant. His journey, marked by a diverse portfolio spanning dozens of industries, revealed intrinsic challenges such as balancing development and delivery and navigating feast or famine cycles. These experiences underscored the necessity of a collaborative and growth-oriented approach to financial leadership, prompting Tepfer to establish Pro CFO Partners. With a team of nearly 60 CFOs, Tepfer's firm aims to address critical gaps in the market, emphasizing strategic financial planning and leadership to foster sustainable growth for organizations.

Here’s what to expect this episode:

Connect with Nelson Tepfer:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tepfer

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary:

Abby Reinhard discovered her entrepreneurial spirit later in her career, sparked by a career assessment that identified her entrepreneurial traits. Initially uncertain about her capabilities, Abby took a leap of faith and bought a flooring business, embracing the journey despite her self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She emphasizes the importance of pushing through fear, advocating for action and bravery even in the face of uncertainty. Abby's journey, characterized by strategic hiring and seeking trusted advice, epitomizes her belief that one must seize opportunities and take risks to achieve personal and professional growth.

Here’s what to expect this episode:  

Connect with Abby Reinhard:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-reinhard-6579244

Connect with Stas Balanevsky:

https://www.eosworldwide.com/stas-balanevsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices