Cynthia & I interview Amanda Blair MacDonald to learn how she went from performing in New York to teaching among several local universities including DePaul (What about Loyola, Amanda? 😉 ) .

She helps performers through mind and body balance using The Alexander Technique & Movement Pattern Analysis with Amanda Blair MacDonald and Laban methodologies.    Amanda knows her stuff, and she's presented at a TedX talk as well.

Cynthia Zimmerman & I interview The Campos Collective, a trio of innovative musicians who share their journey on how they adapted to the marketplace as performers.

They’re a group of Chicago-native musicians and close friends who are passionate about creating their interpretation of well-known music through film, theatrical enactment, and design.  Their music was recently featured on the Howard Stern Wrap-Up show. They have received feedback from supporters such as…“Absolutely phenomenal,” “This is ethereal and magical!” and “One of my favorite channels now!” You can find them sharing new videos every Friday on their YouTube Channel: The Campos Collective.

Cynthia & I interview Bob Lambert, the regional director of G7, a faith-based networking group.  Instead of taking the standard approach we experience in networking groups like BNI, Le Tip or a chamber of commerce, G7 explicitly employs faith to help people fiscally and spiritually.

With Cynthia's upbringing in the Methodist missionary community and Bob's return to faith after being raised in Roman Catholic household, we took a look at a different view (at least for me) on how this could work for many people.

After all, after 20+ interviews, we have learned entrepreneurs require a support system.  It's not a solo act.

Mark and Cynthia interview professional Chicago musician, Luis Antonio Galvez-Alcantara, who shared his impressive journey of becoming a successful musical entrepreneur.

He’s a native of Lima, Peru, and a sought-after singer described as ‘…the golden tenor’ by Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times, and ‘…a gorgeous operatic tenor voice’ by the Third Coast Review. In addition to performing, he teaches, is the Director of Choral Music at Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish, and the Founder and Executive Director of the North Shore Opera Hour, a 501(c) (3) non-profit.

Not only does Luis provide insight into following one's passion but also the need to hone one's talent and skills for long-term success, especially when running a non-profit organization.   

Join Mark & Cynthia as we dive into the world of e-mail marketing with Vivek Gargav, the Marketing Director at Caldere Associates hailing from Reading, United Kingdom.

We explore why e-mail marketing remains a powerful tool for businesses, the risks of using regular e-mail clients for bulk messaging, and the components of an effective e-mail campaign.

Additionally, Cynthia contributes shares insights on how a non-profit agency leverages e-mail marketing. She delves into the importance of testing, the necessity for constant learning to avoid spam filters, and the significance of market segmentation to reach the right audience effectively.

Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned marketer, this episode promises to offer insights that can elevate your e-mail marketing game.

I delve into the complex world of commercial credit, joined by expert Matthew Bruggeman. We navigate through the intricate landscape of credit philosophy, mechanics, and the elusive promised land of financial stability for small business owners.

Philosophy: Our discussion kicks off by unraveling the stark contrast between business and personal credit, emphasizing why this differentiation is pivotal. Matthew shares insights into the critical aspects of credit identifiers and risk assessment, and why the system remains far from being fixed. Together, they explore the often-misunderstood notion: "Don't hate the player, hate the game."

Mechanics: We take a deep dive into the mechanics of credit, deciphering the significance of scores and statistics. They discuss innovative approaches to bridge the gaps in credibility, red flags, anti-fraud measures, and the importance of reporting across credit bureaus. The exploration extends to the depth of accounts and uncovers the key aspects of building robust business credit.

Promised Land: The episode wraps up with a tantalizing glimpse into the Promised Land – the ultimate goal for small business owners. Our host also shares their personal story, marked by the cynicism and perplexity of the credit world, recounting their experiences during the Great Recession of 2008 and the unexpected upside of credit during the COVID era, exemplified by the EIDL loan.

In this episode, we redefine competitors as potential collaborators. Discover insightful discussions with CRM industry experts Steve Stroz and Alan Lee.

Steve Stroz is a CRM expert with over two decades of experience, chosen as a speaker by top companies and known for founding industry events. Alan Lee, founder of E TECH SYSTEMS, is your guide to using CRM systems for Sales, Customer Service, and Lead Generation.

Tune in to hear these experts share remarkable collaboration stories. Alan shares the story of creating a peer group of 100 members who share details to help CRM consultants succeed. Meanwhile, Steve and Mark recount the time when Steve bailed out Mark's client during a weekend project to convert Act! to Hubspot after Mark's client's employee bailed. These real-world examples demonstrate the power of collaboration in business.

Get ready for transformative insights and success stories on turning competitors into collaborators.  You'll be surprised on the results!  The three of us work less while retaining profitability.

Mark and Cynthia dive into the world of real estate with their guest, Lucas Herren. Lucas, a dual-licensed real estate professional affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Illinois and Indiana earned a reputation as a top-tier expert in the field by closing $2 million in sales in his very first year, Lucas's success is underpinned by his unwavering commitment to exceptional service and a deep understanding of the local real estate market.

In this episode, you'll get an insider's perspective on the real estate industry as Lucas shares his insights on how middle-class individuals can leverage their first home as a pivotal investment to build their net worth.  

Mark and Cynthia delve deep into the world of cybersecurity with Thomas Gottfried, the owner of Thomas Guard based in Libertyville, Illinois. With 25 years of experience spanning manufacturing, supply chain management, and information technology, Thomas focuses on businesses with under 10 PCs, helping them through all their I.T. requirements.

Join us as we uncover the secrets of cyber threats, from deceptive emails that lure you into clicking dangerous links to hackers disguising malicious websites as legitimate brands like HP. Thomas shares stories of how hackers manipulate phone calls to install malware, remotely control PCs, and steal sensitive data, including banking details.

You'll also hear about a real-world incident where USB flash drives near military bases were used to deceive individuals into installing malware at the Department of Defense. Thomas offers valuable solutions to help protect yourself from email scams and deceptive callers.

Tom and Cynthia, improvise a phone call in which Cynthia fends off a hacker attempting to steal her confidential information, including her social security number.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will empower you to safeguard your digital life!

We dive deep into the remarkable life and inspirational journey of Annie Mendez-McDaniel. A certified Life, Law of Attraction, and Transformation Coach, Annie is also the author of "Simply Unapologetic," a memoir that chronicles her extraordinary path to resilience and personal growth.

She takes us through the challenges of surviving abusive marriages and, most importantly, the keys that empowered her to break free from those toxic relationships. Annie candidly discusses the internal barriers that once held her back from taking that courageous step until she reached her breaking point.

But Annie's journey doesn't stop at personal transformation. She's also a global explorer, having ventured across all seven continents and over ninety countries. Annie's adventures serve as a powerful testament to the idea that living unapologetically and conquering our fears can turn our wildest dreams into reality.

Moderated by producer Cynthia Zimmerman, this discussion offers invaluable insights and practical advice for anyone on the fence, looking for that spark of inspiration to embark on their own transformative journey. Annie's concrete results, including visiting all seven continents in just one year while maintaining a full-time job without being a millionaire, serve as living proof that it's possible to turn dreams into achievable goals.