Gratitude Through Hard Times

It is through hardship and hard work that creativity grows and flourishes. When crunched for time or in a challenging situation, we have to find alternative, innovative solutions to our problems.

Maria Goyer knows firsthand that necessity is the mother of invention.

Maria is the Chief Innovation Officer at Velocity Global, where she drives strategic initiatives and innovative best practices across the organization to serve the growing global customer base. She served as senior vice president of Strategy for iWorkGlobal prior to Velocity Global’s acquisition. Maria’s efforts led to 2020 American Business Awards Silver medals in Growth and International Expansion. Maria applies more than 27 years of industry and strategic expertise in the development of all aspects of Business Process Outsourcing, including pioneering work in the Managed Service Providers (MSP), Vendor Management Systems (VMS), Employer of Record (EOR), Agent of Record (AOR) and Independent Contractor Compliance (ICC) industries and development of Software as a service (SaaS) applications for global contingent workforce programs. Additionally, Maria was named to Staffing Industry Analysts 2020 Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing list for her incredible contributions across the industry.

In this episode, Maria shares her wisdom on innovation, gratitude, and the future of work.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• The Virtual Gratitude Experience Maria and her team went through (4:12)
• The importance of reflecting about the past to achieve future goals (6:26)
• Stigma's around giving gratitude to your team (8:20)
• Cultivating innovation on your team (9:35)
• Growing and flourishing in times of hardship (11:56)
• What the last 20 months has been like for Velocity Global (13:32)
• The next big thing in business is staying small (19:48)
• How Velocity Global is expanding (23:36)
• The future of work being centered around self-care (25:48)
• Maria giving credit and thanks to her stepmother, Janice (27:56)

Links

• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-goyer-1770262/
• Velocity Global - https://velocityglobal.com

In our modern world, we have access to what seems like an unlimited amount of food. For instance, grocery stores are filled with aisles and aisles of processed foods.

But real food is not limitless. Real food comes from the hard work of local farmers and independent makers. The best quality food comes in a limited quantity.

Jessica Young knows well that real food is not limitless and has a solution to getting real food to the masses.

Jessica is the Founder and CEO of BUBBLE. Prior to launching BUBBLE, Jessica led product and operations at Daily Harvest, the frozen food direct to consumer model,now valued at over $500M. After being in the Health & Wellness industry for many years, Jessica saw a gap in the market: brands were innovating (specifically in the health foods space), but they didn’t have the right platform to launch and scale on, and so she built and launched this very platform called BUBBLE in 2019.

In this episode, Jessica shares the inside scoop on BUBBLE and the future of food.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Jessica giving credit and thanks to her colleague, Savraj (5:34)
• Acknowledging that you need the help of others (8:47)
• Getting people to recognize and communicate their vulnerabilities and anxieties (14:23)
• Empowering those who have a dream (19:31)
• The future of food (23:39)
• Where BUBBLE is headed (28:15)
• Jessica's message to Savraj (32:32)

Links

• Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaeyoung/
• BUBBLE - https://bubblegoods.com/#

Not being able to articulate your ideas can be deeply frustrating. But, your ideas are needed out in the world. You just need to find your red thread that makes your big ideas irresistible.

Tamsen Webster knows all about finding your red thread.

Part strategist, part storyteller, part English-to-English translator, Tamsen Webster helps experts drive action with their ideas. Tamsen honed her trademark Red Thread approach in and for major organizations like Johnson & Johnson, Harvard Medical School, and Intel, as well as with hundreds of individual founders, academics, and thought leaders. She's a former TEDx Executive Producer and current Idea Strategist. She's also the author of Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible.

In this episode, Tamsen dives deep into the concepts of her book and how to communicate your ideas to those who need them.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Tamsen giving credit and thanks to her sister, Kira (4:46)
• How internal conflict can create lasting change (6:37)
• Balancing aspirations and gratitude (11:53)
• Tamsen's first book (15:05)
• Using empathy to get unstuck (18:36)
• How stories are the foundation of understanding and communicating (25:03)
• The value of leading with a question (32:25)
• Working through the goal statement (42:25)

Links

• Connect with Tamsen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsenwebster/
• Tamsen's Website - https://tamsenwebster.com
• Find Your Red Thread - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/find-your-red-thread-tamsen-webster/1139189341

Change is constantly occurring, and with change comes new ways of seeing and doing things. To stay flexible through times of change, clarity about your purpose and the good around you builds your resilience to weather times of change.

Rachel Flood knows how vital clarity is for creating resilience.

Rachel is the Director of Operations at The Flood Law Firm. She has almost two decades of experience in legal marketing and management. Rachel works alongside her husband Brian who is a successful trial lawyer. Together they have used Brian's courtroom success and Rachel's business and legal management background to grow the firm from four employees to almost fifty employees over the past eight years. Rachel is passionate about her firm's work helping injured clients and giving back to the community. She uses her positive attitude, energy, and passion to encourage her team to work hard and succeed. Rachel has a B.S. from Western Connecticut State University and a J.D. from Pace Law School. In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her three young children, traveling, and entertaining their large extended family.

In this episode, Rachel shares the lessons she learned during the pandemic from her life, work, and children's lives.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Rachel giving credit and thanks to her children (2:38)
• What we can learn from children about flexibility and resilience (5:22)
• Focus leading to clarity (9:33)
• How to communicate bad news (16:11)
• Post-pandemic work practices (18:04)
• Rachel's message to her children (28:18)

Links

• Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-f-flood-79982430/

We've all heard the saying that people don't plan to fail they fail to plan. Well, the expression is true, especially for creatives looking to spark innovate ideas.

Creativity requires unstructured, structured time, which means we need to plan times to be unstructured in our days, or we'll get swallowed up by our calendars. Think of this as structured serendipity.

Hannah Donovan knows how crucial structured serendipity is for creative work.

Hannah is a product & design leader in the tech industry. She creates consumer tools & experiences for self-expression, with a focus on collaborating with machine learning.

Han is currently director of product at VSCO, a photo and video editing platform with a focus on creative wellbeing. VSCO acquired Han’s company Trash, an AI video editing app at the end of 2020. Han founded Trash in 2017 and raised capital from top tier VCs.

Before that, she was the General Manager at Twitter-owned Vine; led the team and product at Expa-backed music startup Drip (acquired by Kickstarter); was VP Design at Ripcord (a product incubator funded by MTV); co-founded the song-sharing service This Is My Jam while leading R&D design for The Echo Nest (acquired by Spotify) and was part of the original leadership team at early music discovery service Last.fm (acquired by CBS for $270M) where she led design and PM’d many features to market.

Han co-hosts a podcast called ‘It Just Got Real’ for creative women in business, and she’s spoken at conferences worldwide including TEDx NYU, and lectured at top universities including Imperial College London, Princeton, Parsons, and as visiting faculty at Cornell Tech. Her work has been featured by media such as the Guardian, the New York Times, Forbes, Variety, and the Today Show.

Han is passionate about changing the ratio in tech for under-represented people. She’s also a startup advisor and has mentored through programs including Google's 30 Weeks, First Round Capital's Product Program.

She also writes a newsletter called ‘Let Go and Haul’ about building consumer products for self-expression. You can find her on Twitter/Instagram @han or at hannahdonovan.com

In this episode, Hannah dives deep into her creative process and the importance of thanking yourself.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Hannah giving credit and thanks to herself (3:51)
• Creative expression for rest and reflection (7:21)
• Structured serendipity (11:03)
• Stopping the cycle of being busy (19:29)
• Action creating motivation (25:12)
• Appreciating dark, cloudy moments (27:46)
• Unlearning to spark creativity (34:59)
• Hannah's message to herself (41:05)

Links

• Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahdonovan/
• Hannah’s Website - hannahdonovan.com

People often don't like or are afraid of what they don't know. By learning about all things around you, things that are different from what you may identify with, you can open up your worldview and see, understand, accept and love people. In doing so, we can live a more meaningful, diverse life.

Othniel Mbamalu knows just how astonishing is it to broaden your worldview.

Othniel is the founder and CEO of Advanced Rockets Corporation (ARC). Othniel has been working on Launch systems for space travel since his teenage - filing his first patent at 16 years old, creating the foundation for ARC today. Driven by his life’s mission to voyage into space, Mbamalu came to Southern California from Nigeria in 2014 with the intent of establishing an aerospace company that could provide cost-effective leap-ahead of current systems as well as high-speed capabilities for defense and civil applications. With two patents granted, five patents-pending, and a host of trade secrets, Mbamalu oversees and directs the ARC team in making that dream a reality.

In this episode, Othniel shares his origin story and how it's shaped his view of the world.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Othniel giving credit and thanks to his dad (5:26)
• How Othniel's journey began (13:18)
• The value of sacrifice (19:18)
• How our upbringing shapes our life (21:57)
• Using people's strengths, not altering their weaknesses (25:27)
• The future of Advanced Rocket Corporation (29:43)
• Othniel's message to his dad (33:42)

Links

• Connect with Othniel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/othniel-mbamalu-22aa981a2/
• Advanced Rocket Corporation - https://airbreathing.space
• Othniel's Website - https://othnielcreator.com

With an inquisitive mind and asking the right questions, we can unlock new learning pathways, new opportunities, and treasure troves of data.

Information is out there. We just have to know how to unlock it because everyone around us has a lesson that we can learn if we ask the right questions.

Andy Ellwood knows how to ask the right questions to unlock hidden gems.

Andy is an Executive Coach based in NYC on Zoom and serves coaching partners worldwide. Andy partners with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and corporate exeutives to tackle the challenges of leadership, fundraising, and growth.

Andy spent over a decade as a startup operator. First leading partnerships and sales for companies acquired by Google (Waze) and Facebook (Gowalla) before then going on to found three companies of his own. In hindsight, Andy becoming an Executive Coaching was a natural next step in his career’s trajectory. He was drafted into the work by multiple entrepreneurs that had frequently sought him out as a sparring partner and sounding board for the challenges that are unique to those in leadership.

Andy’s years of experience on the front lines and in the trenches give him a unique perspective and network that some of his coaching partners have started calling him the “Coach With Benefits.” Andy believes what starts in a coaching session become collective action items for the coming weeks and the work that will be done together with his coaching partners. The best coaching partnerships Andy has had are active relationships that develop through frequent texts, emails, and check-in calls that happen in between the more formal and dedicated coaching sessions every other week.

When not coaching or working with founding teams at companies in his angel investment portfolio, Andy loves hosting dinner parties, working in his garden, and trying a new recipe on his BBQ grill.

In this episode, Andy shares deeply about his insatiable curiosity and how it got him to where he is today.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Andy giving credit and thanks to his younger sister, Katie (4:25)
• How small events impact the course of our lives (12:20)
• The art of asking the right questions (17:12)
• Question asking as a superpower(22:09)
• How systems are crushing our creativity (30:35)
• Curiosity as the solution to loneliness (37:37)
• Being committed to community (41:15)
• The downside to being well connected (47:25)
• Instilling the value of hosting (53:13)
• Andy's message to his sister, Katie (58:54)

Links

• Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyellwood/
• Andy's Website - http://www.andyellwood.com
• Andy's Email - [email protected]

Trauma, adversities, and insecurities are things we all experience. But opening up about these things can be challenging.

The upside of being vulnerable and authentic about the things that scare us is creating connections with others—forging genuine relationships that stand the test of time.

Rob Wellner knows just how powerful being vulnerable can be.

Rob Wellner leads Sales, Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, and Customer Success at Velocity Global. Rob is an entrepreneurial professional who brings over 20 years of executive sales and business development experience to Velocity Global. He has a proven track record of helping organizations reach their international strategic goals. Before joining Velocity Global, Rob worked in Capital Markets for 12 years. His experience gives him a unique take on the pitfalls that can sidetrack global deals and transactions. He is a frequent speaker on topics including employment, payroll, expatriates, and global M&A. He is a graduate of Colgate University, sits on the Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and is an Advisory Board member for Glialogix, a Bay Area biotech company.

In this episode, Rob gets vulnerable by sharing key lessons from his life.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Rob giving credit and thanks to his father, Bob (3:44)
• Stopping to thank yourself (6:45)
• Opening up and being vulnerable (11:18)
• Staying humble (15:32)
• Imposter syndrome (18:32)
• Slowing down to speed back up (21:54)
• The balance between productivity and rest (26:06)
• Sharing gratitude with others (31:55)

Links

• Connect with Rob on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwellnerjr/
• Velocity Global - https://velocityglobal.com

It can be so easy to focus on what's wrong around you. Because humans are problem-oriented, our analytical minds are always looking to figure out what's wrong and how to fix it.

But not everything around you needs to be fixed or even can be fixed. So the solution is to pause and reflect on the gratitude around you. There's an awful lot out to give credit and thanks to when you stop and consider it.

Jason Jackman knows just how valuable slowing down and reflecting on the good things can be.

Jason Jackman is the President and Chief Investment Officer for Johnson Investment Counsel. Previously, he was Director of Fixed Income and Institutional Management. Jason has been with the firm since 1993, joining soon after earning his bachelor's degree in economics from Wittenberg University. He is a shareholder of the firm, holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and is a member of the Cincinnati Society of Financial Analysts. Jason serves as President of the Northern Kentucky University Foundation where he formerly served as the Investment Committee Chair. He is a member of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee and is on the Board of Trustees for St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Jason also serves as Board Member and Treasurer for the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

In the past, Jason has served on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Ballet (2007-2009), the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for the St. Vincent DePaul Charitable Pharmacy (2004-2008), the Board of Directors and Treasurer of The Carnegie (1995-2007), the Executive Committee and Finance Chair for Vision 2015 (2006-2016), the Board of Trustees and as Treasurer of Central Clinic (1996-2002) and was a founding member and past president of Legacy (1999-2010). Jason served on the Board of Trustees for the UC Economics Center, the Board of Governors for The Metropolitan Club, as well as Leadership Cincinnati XXVII. Jason received the Business Courier's Forty Under 40 Award in 2006.

In this episode, Jason reflects on his faith, family, and firm and the power that gratitude has.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Jason giving credit and thanks to his wife (3:22)
• Having never met a mission you wouldn't need to serve (6:23)
• Hiring people for the long run (12:17)
• Defining and creating culture (13:51)
• How the pandemic allowed people to step up to the plate (15:13)
• Balancing productivity and rest (17:10)
• Communicating long-term goals to a client (21:20)
• Retaining clients during tough times (24:07)
• Showing gratitude to others (26:13)
• Jason's message to his wife (28:54)

Links:

• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-jackman-cfa-93b5041/
• Johnson Investment Counsel - https://www.johnsoninv.com

It can be hard to say no to people and opportunities. But when saying yes means sacrificing your mental, physical, emotional well-being, it's better for you and for those you want to help to say no.

We cannot give our all to others if we first don't give to ourselves. So we must first give to ourselves in order to show up fully for others.

Adam Nugent knows the power of investing in himself and others.

Adam is the founder of Foresight Wealth Management.

Early in his career, Adam recognized that the financial industry as a whole was doing a poor job in helping people manage their money and finances. More importantly, they were doing a real disservice in ongoing communication, service, excessive fees, and overall customer experience. Adam founded Foresight on the principle that service can be done better and that people deserve a lot more than what most had been receiving and paying for.

His effective leadership and innovative thinking, as well as the company's commitment to be driven by transparency and flexibility, has spurred Foresight to become one of the fastest growing investment management firms in Utah.

Foresight's mission to provide the highest probability of financial success drives Adam to work tirelessly towards his clients' goals and plot a course to secure their futures.

Adam loves working together with his clients to maintain and improve the standard of living they are accustomed to as well as preserving their estate for generations to come.

When Adam is not managing Foresight, you can often find him in his own personal paradise at Lake Powell with family and friends. He also recharges by doing circuit training every morning, enjoying the great outdoors with his family, and coaching his boys' rugby teams. You will also see Adam supporting his alma mater, The University of Utah, at most football and basketball games. Go Utes! He loves to work hard and play hard and ultimately push each day to the max!

In this episode, Adam dives deep into the true purpose of gratitude, getting through and learning from the tough times.

Listen to this episode and learn about:

• Adam giving credit and thanks to his father (2:44)
• Developing a servant's mentality (6:23)
• Having gratitude for challenges and trials (8:03)
• Overcoming negative emotions (12:14)
• The value of meditation (16:19)
• Making time for self-care (17:28)
• The benefits of an abundance mindset (22:12)
• Gratitude cultivating humility (23:33)
• Healing ourselves internally (28:24)
• How the more you give, the more you get (32:41)
• Adam's message to his father (37:28)

Links:

• Connect with Adam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamnugent/
• Foresight Wealth Management - https://www.foresightwealth.com
• Nugent Good News Magazine - https://www.nugentmagazine.com